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<p>DALLAS — Brand New Church in northern Arkansas and Fairy Baptist Church in Central Texas bear little resemblance to each other.</p>
<p>Pastor Shannon O’Dell leads a multi-campus, contemporary-style church in rural Arkansas that draws about 2,000 worshippers in-person from throughout the region and another 1,500 to its Internet-based “iCampus.” Pastor Bob Ray has served 45 years at Fairy Baptist Church, and the average number of worshippers on Sunday morning roughly equals his years of service.</p>
<p />
<p>O’Dell insists church members should “stand under” the pastor’s leadership, allow elders to make major administrative decisions and not get “bogged down in bureaucratic democracy.” Ray leads, but Fairy Baptist Church makes its decisions in regularly scheduled business meetings where every member can voice ideas and vote his or her convictions.</p>
<p>Brand New Church and Fairy Baptist Church follow different worship styles and appeal to different kinds of people.</p>
<p>Even so, O’Dell and Ray agree on some things. Both feel called to long-term service in a rural church. They agree with a basic precept of church growth: Everything that is alive grows. And they agree when it comes to rural churches, growth may need to be redefined — or at least put into perspective.</p>
<p>“Growth doesn’t mean you go from 31 to 2,000; it may mean going from 31 to 66,” O’Dell writes in Transforming Church in Rural America: Breaking All the Rurals.</p>
<p>Pastors serving in rural communities must not settle for less than excellence, but they also should not surrender to the “bigger is better” mentality, O’Dell insists.</p>
<p>“If a guy has 10,000 people coming to a church in a city of millions, he’s just barely scratching the surface. But if you’re in a town of a couple thousand and you have a dozen or so servant-leaders? Man, I’m telling you, God can use that team to reach the vast majority of your community and county,” O’Dell writes.</p>
<p>From the time O’Dell arrived at Southside Baptist Church in South Lead Hill, Ark., about eight years ago and through its growth and transition into Brand New Church, he noted, the congregation learned how to “produce excellence on a barbwire budget” by equipping laity for service.</p>
<p>Brand New Church committed to “raise up leaders” from its own membership who would prove their dedication by working for free before they ever would be considered as paid staff.</p>
<p />
<p>“We have more than 35 on staff, but the majority are not paid,” he explained. “We believe in the equipping of the saints. Sometimes, people are robbed because positions are filled with paid staff.”</p>
<p>When economic setbacks forced budget cutbacks at Brand New Church, nine paid staff had to be laid off. “Six of those staff are still with us, some of them serving in the same roles as volunteers,” O’Dell noted.</p>
<p>Because most staff serve as volunteers and work at jobs in the communities where they live, they have opportunities to reach people in ways a full-time minister on a church staff never could, O’Dell insisted. “Some of the most effective ministers I know are bivocational,” he said.</p>
<p>Fairy Baptist Church didn’t have a full-time pastor on the field until Ray retired a few years ago. For more than four decades, he served bivocationally — working most of that time in secular employment and for several years with the Baptist General Convention of Texas.</p>
<p>“It took 10 years before our church folks really believed we would stay here,” Ray said.</p>
<p>“In 1975 when I graduated from seminary, the church expected me to leave. But when the pulpit committees came and we turned them down, that’s when the people here really began to let us pastor them — to let us into their lives.</p>
<p>“That’s when they let us lead, because they didn’t expect us to walk away and leave it all in their hands. It’s when we earned their trust.”</p>
<p>As trust grew, Ray led the church to expand its vision.</p>
<p>“People won’t come to a church that is dying,” he said. “We’re growing, but it’s kingdom growth.”</p>
<p>Fairy Baptist Church invests in lives for the benefit of God’s work in this world without regard as to whether it benefits the local congregation, he explained.</p>
<p>“We’re very rural. Ours is the only church for 10 miles in any direction,” Ray said. He acknowledges limited potential for great numerical growth when the largest town in the county has a population less than 3,000, and that’s half an hour away from Fairy.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, Fairy Baptist Church commits much of its energy and resources to reaching children and youth who probably never will be adult leaders of that congregation.</p>
<p>“People say young people are the future of the church. Our young people are the future of some church, but it’s not necessarily here,” Ray said. “We don’t necessarily want them to stay here. … We want them to get a good education and go where they can make a good living and make a good life for themselves.”</p>
<p>Fairy Baptist Church seeks growth on two tracks, he explained — congregational growth by reaching retirees who move to rural Hamilton County and kingdom growth through children and youth.</p>
<p>Ray acknowledges the church developed its vision gradually over decades of change both in the church and in the community it serves. When he arrived 45 years ago, 100 percent of the church members made a living from agriculture and related businesses. Now, only a few are full-time farmers and ranchers.</p>
<p>As the church has grown to accept the changing reality of its tiny community, it also has grown in its sense of purpose.</p>
<p>“Our church spends a lot of money on youth and children because we see it as missions. … Our people don’t ask what our church has to gain. That’s not even an issue. We’re looking at kingdom returns on our investment,” he said. “Now it’s part of our DNA.”</p>
<p><a href="mailto:[email protected]" type="external">Ken Camp</a>&#160;is managing editor of the Texas Baptist Standard.</p>
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dallas brand new church northern arkansas fairy baptist church central texas bear little resemblance pastor shannon odell leads multicampus contemporarystyle church rural arkansas draws 2000 worshippers inperson throughout region another 1500 internetbased icampus pastor bob ray served 45 years fairy baptist church average number worshippers sunday morning roughly equals years service odell insists church members stand pastors leadership allow elders make major administrative decisions get bogged bureaucratic democracy ray leads fairy baptist church makes decisions regularly scheduled business meetings every member voice ideas vote convictions brand new church fairy baptist church follow different worship styles appeal different kinds people even odell ray agree things feel called longterm service rural church agree basic precept church growth everything alive grows agree comes rural churches growth may need redefined least put perspective growth doesnt mean go 31 2000 may mean going 31 66 odell writes transforming church rural america breaking rurals pastors serving rural communities must settle less excellence also surrender bigger better mentality odell insists guy 10000 people coming church city millions hes barely scratching surface youre town couple thousand dozen servantleaders man im telling god use team reach vast majority community county odell writes time odell arrived southside baptist church south lead hill ark eight years ago growth transition brand new church noted congregation learned produce excellence barbwire budget equipping laity service brand new church committed raise leaders membership would prove dedication working free ever would considered paid staff 35 staff majority paid explained believe equipping saints sometimes people robbed positions filled paid staff economic setbacks forced budget cutbacks brand new church nine paid staff laid six staff still us serving roles volunteers odell noted staff serve volunteers work jobs communities live opportunities reach people ways fulltime minister church staff never could odell insisted effective ministers know bivocational said fairy baptist church didnt fulltime pastor field ray retired years ago four decades served bivocationally working time secular employment several years baptist general convention texas took 10 years church folks really believed would stay ray said 1975 graduated seminary church expected leave pulpit committees came turned thats people really began let us pastor let us lives thats let us lead didnt expect us walk away leave hands earned trust trust grew ray led church expand vision people wont come church dying said growing kingdom growth fairy baptist church invests lives benefit gods work world without regard whether benefits local congregation explained rural church 10 miles direction ray said acknowledges limited potential great numerical growth largest town county population less 3000 thats half hour away fairy nevertheless fairy baptist church commits much energy resources reaching children youth probably never adult leaders congregation people say young people future church young people future church necessarily ray said dont necessarily want stay want get good education go make good living make good life fairy baptist church seeks growth two tracks explained congregational growth reaching retirees move rural hamilton county kingdom growth children youth ray acknowledges church developed vision gradually decades change church community serves arrived 45 years ago 100 percent church members made living agriculture related businesses fulltime farmers ranchers church grown accept changing reality tiny community also grown sense purpose church spends lot money youth children see missions people dont ask church gain thats even issue looking kingdom returns investment said part dna ken camp160is managing editor texas baptist standard
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<p>This story is adapted from a broadcast audio segment; use audio player to listen to story in its entirety.</p>
<p>Story by David Baron, PRI's "The World"</p>
<p>A global campaign to eradicate Guinea worm disease is tantalizingly close to success. The parasitic infection, caused by a worm that can grow three feet long before it emerges from a patient's body, now affects just a few thousand people per year. Almost all of the remaining cases are in Southern Sudan.</p>
<p>Former US President Jimmy Carter, who has helped lead the campaign, went there in February. His first direct experience with Guinea worm was in West Africa. He visited Ghana and traveled to a hard-hit village.</p>
<p>"It's about the size of Plains, Georgia, where I live. About 500 people, and 300 of its citizens had Guinea worm," he said.</p>
<p>If you're not familiar with Guinea worm, brace yourself -- it's not a pleasant condition. You get it by drinking contaminated water. You don't know you've been infected until a year later, when you develop a painful blister. Then a worm slowly emerges. It can be as much as a yard long. And it can come out through your leg, your arm, just about anywhere.</p>
<p>Jimmy Carter says his most memorable encounter with the disease was when he met a young woman from the village.</p>
<p>"I thought she was holding a baby in her arms, and I went over to talk to her child ... I found out she was holding her right breast in her arm, instead of a baby. And a Guinea worm was coming out of a nipple of her breast. She was in excruciating pain. We found out later that year that she had eleven other Guinea worms emerge simultaneously from her body."</p>
<p>That was 1988. At the time, Guinea worm plagued millions of people in 20 countries in Africa and Asia. But a global campaign to eradicate the disease has been successful, and Guinea worm is no longer a problem in many of those countries.</p>
<p>Doctor Donald Hopkins launched the global Guinea worm eradication campaign 30 years ago. It started at the US Centers for Disease Control, but he soon moved the campaign to Jimmy Carter's Atlanta-based Carter Center. Since then, the Carter Center has helped countries set up national programs to defeat the disease.</p>
<p>Only a few thousand cases remain. And almost all of those cases are in one region of one country: Southern Sudan.</p>
<p>In the village of Lojora, in Southern Sudan's Terekeka County, it's hard to imagine a place more cut off from the modern world. There's no electricity, no shops, no roads. Just huts of mud and thatch scattered in the brush. A boy, naked and barefoot, herds his family's goats.</p>
<p>The village's chief, Jakeyo Le Yong Ladu, says when he was a boy, Guinea worm swept through his family.</p>
<p>"My mother had Guinea worm, my father had Guinea worm, my sisters had Guinea worm. Nobody could cook. Nobody could fetch water. My father was the head man of the village. When he saw that everybody had Guinea worm, he became so upset, he hanged himself. He took his own life."</p>
<p>Back then, villagers considered Guinea worm a curse, not a sickness that one acquired. No one knew what caused it, or how to prevent it. Even today, there's no cure for Guinea worm -- no vaccine and no drugs to combat it. But its transmission can be stopped if a patient is identified early and treated.</p>
<p>At the village, patient Dario Mere is being treated by two health volunteers who are leaning over his left leg. Mere is stick-thin and dressed in a tattered shirt. He sits on a papyrus mat. A worm pokes out of an open sore in his leg.</p>
<p>Simon Taban of Southern Sudan's Guinea Worm Eradication program supervises the treatment. He says Mere had multiple worms, the first of which was removed yesterday; the second one is getting removed today.</p>
<p>"As you keep pulling it -- slowly, slowly -- you keep massaging it until it finally comes out," Taban explains.</p>
<p>If the worm breaks, a portion of it stays in the patient, causing infection, inflammation and permanent disability. So day by day, inch by inch, the treatments continue. The worm is wound around a piece of gauze. When Dario Mere's worm finally comes out, it looks like a long strand of angel hair.</p>
<p>Until the worm is removed, it's critical that the patient stay away from water sources, like ponds, that locals use for drinking. If the patient bathes or swims there, the worm will release its larvae into the water, which will infect those who drink the water. And that is another critical part of eradicating Guinea worm: making sure that if people do drink from a contaminated water source, they can protect themselves.</p>
<p>The Carter Center and its partners distribute basic water filters, made of mesh cloth and plastic piping, that people in the village use to filter the larvae out. It's simple technology.</p>
<p>What's hard is distributing millions of filters to thousands of villages and making sure that everyone uses the filters every time. All it takes is one gulp of contaminated water and the goal of eradication can be set back another year. That's why Jimmy Carter ventured to Southern Sudan last month: to rally the local workers, and the public, for what he hopes is the final push.</p>
<p>If the global eradication effort succeeds, it'll be thanks to many people in many countries over many years. Carter likes to say he's just one of those people. Of course, given his prominence, he was able to bring money and attention to the fight. He helped make the world care about an otherwise neglected disease.</p>
<p>Carter, now 85 years old, says he would rank the defeat of Guinea worm disease near the top of his list of life's accomplishments.</p>
<p>He's already planning a return trip to Southern Sudan in a few years, when he hopes to celebrate the death of the last Guinea worm.</p>
<p>PRI's "The World" is a one-hour, weekday radio news magazine offering a mix of news, features, interviews, and music from around the globe. "The World" is a co-production of the BBC World Service, PRI and WGBH Boston. <a href="http://www.theworld.org/" type="external">More "The World."</a></p>
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story adapted broadcast audio segment use audio player listen story entirety story david baron pris world global campaign eradicate guinea worm disease tantalizingly close success parasitic infection caused worm grow three feet long emerges patients body affects thousand people per year almost remaining cases southern sudan former us president jimmy carter helped lead campaign went february first direct experience guinea worm west africa visited ghana traveled hardhit village size plains georgia live 500 people 300 citizens guinea worm said youre familiar guinea worm brace pleasant condition get drinking contaminated water dont know youve infected year later develop painful blister worm slowly emerges much yard long come leg arm anywhere jimmy carter says memorable encounter disease met young woman village thought holding baby arms went talk child found holding right breast arm instead baby guinea worm coming nipple breast excruciating pain found later year eleven guinea worms emerge simultaneously body 1988 time guinea worm plagued millions people 20 countries africa asia global campaign eradicate disease successful guinea worm longer problem many countries doctor donald hopkins launched global guinea worm eradication campaign 30 years ago started us centers disease control soon moved campaign jimmy carters atlantabased carter center since carter center helped countries set national programs defeat disease thousand cases remain almost cases one region one country southern sudan village lojora southern sudans terekeka county hard imagine place cut modern world theres electricity shops roads huts mud thatch scattered brush boy naked barefoot herds familys goats villages chief jakeyo le yong ladu says boy guinea worm swept family mother guinea worm father guinea worm sisters guinea worm nobody could cook nobody could fetch water father head man village saw everybody guinea worm became upset hanged took life back villagers considered guinea worm curse sickness one acquired one knew caused prevent even today theres cure guinea worm vaccine drugs combat transmission stopped patient identified early treated village patient dario mere treated two health volunteers leaning left leg mere stickthin dressed tattered shirt sits papyrus mat worm pokes open sore leg simon taban southern sudans guinea worm eradication program supervises treatment says mere multiple worms first removed yesterday second one getting removed today keep pulling slowly slowly keep massaging finally comes taban explains worm breaks portion stays patient causing infection inflammation permanent disability day day inch inch treatments continue worm wound around piece gauze dario meres worm finally comes looks like long strand angel hair worm removed critical patient stay away water sources like ponds locals use drinking patient bathes swims worm release larvae water infect drink water another critical part eradicating guinea worm making sure people drink contaminated water source protect carter center partners distribute basic water filters made mesh cloth plastic piping people village use filter larvae simple technology whats hard distributing millions filters thousands villages making sure everyone uses filters every time takes one gulp contaminated water goal eradication set back another year thats jimmy carter ventured southern sudan last month rally local workers public hopes final push global eradication effort succeeds itll thanks many people many countries many years carter likes say hes one people course given prominence able bring money attention fight helped make world care otherwise neglected disease carter 85 years old says would rank defeat guinea worm disease near top list lifes accomplishments hes already planning return trip southern sudan years hopes celebrate death last guinea worm pris world onehour weekday radio news magazine offering mix news features interviews music around globe world coproduction bbc world service pri wgbh boston world
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<p>By Bob Allen</p>
<p>If they have ears to hear, Baptists in places like the United States’ Bible Belt, where Christianity is the norm, can learn lessons from Baptist minorities in other parts of the world, <a href="http://www.bwanet.org/" type="external">Baptist World Alliance</a> leaders said in a recent interview at BWA headquarters in Falls Church, Va.</p>
<p>Many Baptists in the United States “think they have an idea about diversity, but they don’t understand the extent of the diversity in the world,” said Kathe Traynham, BWA associate director of promotion and development.</p>
<p>Traynham recalled a recent phone call when a travel agent representing two Baptist pastors going to Rome and Paris wanted to find a Baptist church where they could preach and talk about missions.</p>
<p>“I had to spend a few minutes explaining to her that they should go and listen about missions,” she said. Traynham, contact person for the Global Impact Church program of the BWA — where local congregations are invited to join in weekly prayer for Baptists around the world and provide financial gifts and other means of support and involvement — advocates a “more even-handed exchange” between Baptist majorities and minorities.</p>
<p>“This comes up from time to time with people in churches who see themselves on the United States spectrum of political or religious thought, and they think that it’s the whole spectrum,” she said. “They think, ‘We’re the whole spectrum, right to left,’ and they don’t realize that we are a segment of that spectrum.</p>
<p>“They may feel they are classical or conservative Christians, and they are concerned about the rest of the world, and I explain to them that they may not be conservative enough in some areas. They would be surprised to know that men and women don’t sit together at worship in some places at Baptist churches. They would be surprised that we have Baptist bishops. They’re not aware at all of the things that are specific to culture.”</p>
<p>“When you are able to open people to that idea that we haven’t actually exported Western Christianity everywhere — they’ve always had their own Christianity and their own Baptist Christian traditions — sometimes that’s a little shocking. It takes a while for people to absorb, and sometimes, it’s a tremendous eye-opener that really is a gift to people to understand how much bigger God is than we’re able to imagine in our own culture.”</p>
<p>“For some reason, in our immaturity, the assumption always is that our Christianity is the standard and our Baptist Christianity is the standard. And, of course, it’s not.”</p>
<p>Equating Christianity and the U.S.</p>
<p>It is important to remember that for many years and for many people, Christianity has been equated with the West — particularly the United States, said Fausto Vasconcelos, a former Brazilian pastor who succeeded Australian Tony Cupit as BWA evangelism director in 2005.</p>
<p>“The Christian church can be easily perceived as a Western church or allied with the Western values, Western countries and governments,” Vasconcelos said. “That’s one thing that you have to take into account.”</p>
<p>Vasconcelos recently posted an item on Facebook making note of Billy Graham’s birthday, and one of the responses said, “Here’s a man who came to Brazil in ’64 to help a military coup.”</p>
<p>To this day, many Brazilians believe the CIA was involved in the country’s 1964 military coup, a perception backed up by now-declassified documents, he noted. When he was in seminary, Vasconcelos remembers people trying to identify a Southern Baptist missionary in Brazil as a CIA agent.</p>
<p>“That was in 1964,” he said. “Fifty years later in my Facebook, someone puts this note. Forget that Billy Graham was not there in 1964, but because he is an American preacher, he was immediately identified with the military coup.”</p>
<p>Vasconcelos recalled translating for a North American evangelist who was asked if he was in Brazil as a representative of the government of the United States.</p>
<p>“Christianity, to some extent, has been perceived by many, regardless whether we are minority or not, as a Western religion identified with Western values, culture, especially American culture,” he said. “That’s one thing that I hear every so often when I travel.”</p>
<p>That is true even in places like the Middle East, where Christianity has been around a lot longer than the United States, said Raimundo Barreto, director of the BWA division of freedom and justice.</p>
<p>Barreto, a graduate of Mercer University’s McAfee School of Theology with a doctorate in Christian ethics from Princeton Theological Seminary, cited a recent example. A Taliban faction that has vowed to kill non-Muslims until the United States cancels its lethal drone strikes in the country attacked the All Saints Church in Pakistan.</p>
<p>“But Christians have been there for much longer, and I think they are eager to voice that older presence,” Barreto said. “We might be helpful if we don’t dress Christianity as much as we do with Western values.”</p>
<p>“Christianity is bigger than the West,” he said. “It is older than the West. I think we should be careful as we proclaim our Christian faith to make sure that we’re talking about the global faith.”</p>
<p>Words have repercussions</p>
<p>Eron Henry, associate director of communications for the BWA, said when he first visited Jordan years ago, he noticed the emphasis Baptists and other Christians in the Middle East put on careful use of language.</p>
<p>“They try to avoid, for instance, using the word ‘conversion,’ because that implies something else from what we understand conversion to mean,” Henry said. “They try not to use the word ‘Christian’ and instead substitute ‘followers of Christ’ (or) ‘followers of Jesus,’ because a Muslim can understand when you are a follower of someone quicker than to say you are a Christian. They will say they are a follower of Muhammad. So, language is something that has to be used with care.”</p>
<p>One of the most peculiar situations Henry encountered was in Turkey, where there officially are no Baptists. However, Christians who follow many Baptist doctrines meet in house churches but are not baptized.</p>
<p>“They deliberately choose not to get baptized because of what could happen as a result, but in all other respects, they were Christians,” Henry said. “They were catechized. They meet. They do Bible study. They pray. They worship. They do everything.”</p>
<p>Vasconcelos cautioned against “hermeneutical assumptions” in dealing with people from other cultures. On a trip to Israel after a service on Mount Carmel, a Jewish tour guide thanked him because another group on the same spot two weeks earlier had said Israel no longer exists but was replaced by a new spiritual Israel that God raised up made of Christians.</p>
<p>“And you did not say that,” the guide told Vasconcelos. “Whether you believe it or not, I don’t know, she said, but you did not say that.”</p>
<p>“So many times, our hermeneutical assumptions or understanding of the Bible may get in the way of our relating to others,” he said. “If you’re a minority, even worse, because it can really close doors to us.”</p>
<p>Every time Vasconelos’ plane lands in a foreign country: “I tell myself: ‘Fausto, you are no longer either in Brazil or in the United States. You are in another culture. This means the values may be very similar to yours but the thinking may not be exactly the same. Don’t joke. You don’t know exactly how any joke can be taken in this country.’”</p>
<p>Related New Voice feature:</p>
<p><a href="ministry/organizations/item/9061-aid-advocacy-bolster-baptist-witness#.Upy1YGRga8c" type="external">Aid, advocacy bolster Baptist witness</a></p>
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bob allen ears hear baptists places like united states bible belt christianity norm learn lessons baptist minorities parts world baptist world alliance leaders said recent interview bwa headquarters falls church va many baptists united states think idea diversity dont understand extent diversity world said kathe traynham bwa associate director promotion development traynham recalled recent phone call travel agent representing two baptist pastors going rome paris wanted find baptist church could preach talk missions spend minutes explaining go listen missions said traynham contact person global impact church program bwa local congregations invited join weekly prayer baptists around world provide financial gifts means support involvement advocates evenhanded exchange baptist majorities minorities comes time time people churches see united states spectrum political religious thought think whole spectrum said think whole spectrum right left dont realize segment spectrum may feel classical conservative christians concerned rest world explain may conservative enough areas would surprised know men women dont sit together worship places baptist churches would surprised baptist bishops theyre aware things specific culture able open people idea havent actually exported western christianity everywhere theyve always christianity baptist christian traditions sometimes thats little shocking takes people absorb sometimes tremendous eyeopener really gift people understand much bigger god able imagine culture reason immaturity assumption always christianity standard baptist christianity standard course equating christianity us important remember many years many people christianity equated west particularly united states said fausto vasconcelos former brazilian pastor succeeded australian tony cupit bwa evangelism director 2005 christian church easily perceived western church allied western values western countries governments vasconcelos said thats one thing take account vasconcelos recently posted item facebook making note billy grahams birthday one responses said heres man came brazil 64 help military coup day many brazilians believe cia involved countrys 1964 military coup perception backed nowdeclassified documents noted seminary vasconcelos remembers people trying identify southern baptist missionary brazil cia agent 1964 said fifty years later facebook someone puts note forget billy graham 1964 american preacher immediately identified military coup vasconcelos recalled translating north american evangelist asked brazil representative government united states christianity extent perceived many regardless whether minority western religion identified western values culture especially american culture said thats one thing hear every often travel true even places like middle east christianity around lot longer united states said raimundo barreto director bwa division freedom justice barreto graduate mercer universitys mcafee school theology doctorate christian ethics princeton theological seminary cited recent example taliban faction vowed kill nonmuslims united states cancels lethal drone strikes country attacked saints church pakistan christians much longer think eager voice older presence barreto said might helpful dont dress christianity much western values christianity bigger west said older west think careful proclaim christian faith make sure talking global faith words repercussions eron henry associate director communications bwa said first visited jordan years ago noticed emphasis baptists christians middle east put careful use language try avoid instance using word conversion implies something else understand conversion mean henry said try use word christian instead substitute followers christ followers jesus muslim understand follower someone quicker say christian say follower muhammad language something used care one peculiar situations henry encountered turkey officially baptists however christians follow many baptist doctrines meet house churches baptized deliberately choose get baptized could happen result respects christians henry said catechized meet bible study pray worship everything vasconcelos cautioned hermeneutical assumptions dealing people cultures trip israel service mount carmel jewish tour guide thanked another group spot two weeks earlier said israel longer exists replaced new spiritual israel god raised made christians say guide told vasconcelos whether believe dont know said say many times hermeneutical assumptions understanding bible may get way relating others said youre minority even worse really close doors us every time vasconelos plane lands foreign country tell fausto longer either brazil united states another culture means values may similar thinking may exactly dont joke dont know exactly joke taken country related new voice feature aid advocacy bolster baptist witness
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<p><a href="" type="internal" /></p>
<p>Nov. 26, 2012</p>
<p>By Wayne Lusvardi</p>
<p>There is no apparent drought of journalists with metaphors to define the so-called water crisis in the United States and California.&#160; Every month, it seems, another new end-of-the-world water book&#160;comes out.</p>
<p>Cynthia Barnett is the author of the book, “ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Revolution-Unmaking-Americas-Crisis/dp/080700328X" type="external">Blue Revolution: Unmaking America’s Water Crisis</a>.” In the Los Angeles Times, she recently wrote an op-ed,&#160; <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-barnett-water-colorado-river-scarcity-20121111,0,5481542.story" type="external">“America’s Water Mirage.”</a>&#160; After visiting Hoover Dam with her daughter, Barnett’s sudden insight was, “[E]ven at Hoover Dam, the ugly truth about our water crisis is being ignored.”</p>
<p>Barnett’s article displayed a photograph of the “bathtub ring” around the rim of Lake Mead on the Colorado River showing evidence of “misuse of this precious resource.”</p>
<p>The problem is that the imagery doesn’t square with the reality. Lake Mead is part of the Colorado River system that has shown great variability in water levels over the last 100 years. A picture of the side walls of Lake Mead or Lake Powell showing water levels have dropped from their peak doesn’t tell us much of anything.&#160; The level of water in the system of dams that make up the Colorado River system has been rising and falling for half a century. &#160;And the ups and the downs mostly offset each other.</p>
<p>The ignored problem here in California is that the “conservation ethic” that Barnett calls for has been mostly tapped out.&#160; It is granted that water conservation has been successful in California ever since 1982, when voters turned down the proposed Peripheral Canal Project.&#160; Population has grown about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California" type="external">59 percent</a> since 1980. No new dams or reservoirs have been added to the state’s water system since then.</p>
<p>But the era of water conservation has mostly run dry by design, not drought. &#160;According to <a href="" type="internal">Bob Johnson</a>,&#160;a water consultant retired from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, this has left California with only a six-month supply of water.</p>
<p>California has spent $18.7 billion on <a href="" type="internal">five water bonds</a> since 2000.&#160; These bonds funded mostly open space acquisitions and landscaping projects that captured no new water and built no new reservoirs.</p>
<p>Those bond funds could have funded the proposed $13 billion Delta Tunnels. &#160;Or they could have funded both new reservoirs proposed as part of the $11.1 billion Consolidated Water Bond to appear on the 2013 ballot.&#160; Instead the bond monies have been mostly squandered.&#160; Water bonds have been partly turned into a slush fund for the state Legislature to redistribute <a href="" type="internal">Cap and Trade</a> taxes among other activities.</p>
<p>Another green water project failure is Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s $1 billion <a href="" type="internal">San Joaquin River Restoration Project</a>. The project has been turned into a wealth redistribution scheme that Congress refuses to continue funding beyond the $88 million allotted for environmental studies. &#160;Even if funded, all this project would do is take water from farmers and give it to commercial fishing, tourist hotel-motel developers and real estate enterprises.</p>
<p>On top of losing water, farmers would have to pony up a <a href="" type="internal">tax</a> to pay for the projects that would benefit those who get the water from the politicians.</p>
<p>In her book, Barnett doesn’t mention the outcome of the infamous <a href="" type="internal">Delta Smelt</a> court case in California. From 2007 to 2010, this environmental protection case shut down water deliveries to Southern California and some Central Valley farmers. The presiding judge ruled the science on which the case rested was “bogus.” During the “man-made drought” from the water shutdown, Southern California cities enacted water conservation ordinances, hired an army of water police, and raised water rates 15 percent or more. When the water shutdown order expired, and Brown officially declared the “drought” over, no cities or water districts repealed their water rate increases.</p>
<p>Barnett’s “Blue Revolution water conservation ethic” advocates stopping the depletion of aquifers and halting large water projects.</p>
<p>Here she is uninformed about how aquifers work. They are mostly drawn down during dry years. And most urban aquifers in California are adjudicated by state courts and can’t be “depleted” beyond their safe yield, except possibly by urban water conservation efforts.</p>
<p><a href="file://localhost/ttp/::pasadenasubrosa.typepad.com:pasadena_sub_rosa:2010:12:obviously-something-wrong-with-water-plan-david-powell.html" type="external">David Powell</a>, former chief engineer for the California Department of Water Resources’ San Diego Office, paradoxically has demonstrated that urban water conservation actually depletes local aquifers and costs an astronomical $1,083 per acre-foot of water saved. Current water rates are about half that for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.</p>
<p>Stopping large water projects in California has about a snowball’s chance in Death Valley. &#160;This is because the electorate has turned into a <a href="" type="internal">Fusion Party</a> for unchecked taxation and the governor has endorsed the Delta Restoration Project and Tunnels.</p>
<p>The politics of water conservation in California has failed to be sustainable. The only likely thing that would stop the proposed Delta Restoration and Tunnel Projects now is red ink. There are no assured commitments yet for financing the Delta Restoration unless farmers pay for most of it.&#160; And farmers are only willing to pick up most of the tab if they can in return get <a href="" type="internal">“regulatory assurance”</a> of no shut downs of water by lawsuits for 35 years. Good luck with that in Green California.</p>
<p>The only other alternative is for urban water districts to raise water rates by an estimated <a href="" type="internal">$240 per year per household</a> (assuming 25 percent share of costs by farmers and no federal funding). &#160;But there would be <a href="file://localhost/ttp/::www.halfwaytoconcord.com:california-delta-water-vet-responds-to-governor-browns-27b-water-tunnel-proposal:" type="external">no guarantee</a> of how much water Southern California would be entitled to for that hefty price tag.</p>
<p>The possibility that Congress would fully fund California’s package of water projects — as it did in the 1930’s Great Depression — is dead, given a Republican-controlled House of Representatives and the federal Fiscal Cliff. It is not yet clear what Democrats would be willing to give up to get the Republican House to vote for the federal share of the cost of the Delta Restoration Plan.</p>
<p>So if voters, farmers, or urban ratepayers and the House are unwilling to pop about <a href="" type="internal">$53 billion</a> for the total package of the Delta restoration, tunnels, dike repairs and ecosystem restoration, California would have to continue with water conservation even in wet years. The state’s <a href="http://www.water.ca.gov/wateruseefficiency/sb7/docs/20x2020plan.pdf" type="external">20/20 Water Conservation Plan</a> calls for a 20 percent reduction in water use by 2020.</p>
<p>Contrary to Barnett, most of any continued conservation will come from farmers, not urban or industrial users. Barnett is still living in 1982, when the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peripheral_Canal" type="external">Peripheral Canal</a> got shot down by voters.</p>
| false | 3 |
nov 26 2012 wayne lusvardi apparent drought journalists metaphors define socalled water crisis united states california160 every month seems another new endoftheworld water book160comes cynthia barnett author book blue revolution unmaking americas water crisis los angeles times recently wrote oped160 americas water mirage160 visiting hoover dam daughter barnetts sudden insight even hoover dam ugly truth water crisis ignored barnetts article displayed photograph bathtub ring around rim lake mead colorado river showing evidence misuse precious resource problem imagery doesnt square reality lake mead part colorado river system shown great variability water levels last 100 years picture side walls lake mead lake powell showing water levels dropped peak doesnt tell us much anything160 level water system dams make colorado river system rising falling half century 160and ups downs mostly offset ignored problem california conservation ethic barnett calls mostly tapped out160 granted water conservation successful california ever since 1982 voters turned proposed peripheral canal project160 population grown 59 percent since 1980 new dams reservoirs added states water system since era water conservation mostly run dry design drought 160according bob johnson160a water consultant retired us bureau reclamation left california sixmonth supply water california spent 187 billion five water bonds since 2000160 bonds funded mostly open space acquisitions landscaping projects captured new water built new reservoirs bond funds could funded proposed 13 billion delta tunnels 160or could funded new reservoirs proposed part 111 billion consolidated water bond appear 2013 ballot160 instead bond monies mostly squandered160 water bonds partly turned slush fund state legislature redistribute cap trade taxes among activities another green water project failure sen dianne feinsteins 1 billion san joaquin river restoration project project turned wealth redistribution scheme congress refuses continue funding beyond 88 million allotted environmental studies 160even funded project would take water farmers give commercial fishing tourist hotelmotel developers real estate enterprises top losing water farmers would pony tax pay projects would benefit get water politicians book barnett doesnt mention outcome infamous delta smelt court case california 2007 2010 environmental protection case shut water deliveries southern california central valley farmers presiding judge ruled science case rested bogus manmade drought water shutdown southern california cities enacted water conservation ordinances hired army water police raised water rates 15 percent water shutdown order expired brown officially declared drought cities water districts repealed water rate increases barnetts blue revolution water conservation ethic advocates stopping depletion aquifers halting large water projects uninformed aquifers work mostly drawn dry years urban aquifers california adjudicated state courts cant depleted beyond safe yield except possibly urban water conservation efforts david powell former chief engineer california department water resources san diego office paradoxically demonstrated urban water conservation actually depletes local aquifers costs astronomical 1083 per acrefoot water saved current water rates half metropolitan water district southern california stopping large water projects california snowballs chance death valley 160this electorate turned fusion party unchecked taxation governor endorsed delta restoration project tunnels politics water conservation california failed sustainable likely thing would stop proposed delta restoration tunnel projects red ink assured commitments yet financing delta restoration unless farmers pay it160 farmers willing pick tab return get regulatory assurance shut downs water lawsuits 35 years good luck green california alternative urban water districts raise water rates estimated 240 per year per household assuming 25 percent share costs farmers federal funding 160but would guarantee much water southern california would entitled hefty price tag possibility congress would fully fund californias package water projects 1930s great depression dead given republicancontrolled house representatives federal fiscal cliff yet clear democrats would willing give get republican house vote federal share cost delta restoration plan voters farmers urban ratepayers house unwilling pop 53 billion total package delta restoration tunnels dike repairs ecosystem restoration california would continue water conservation even wet years states 2020 water conservation plan calls 20 percent reduction water use 2020 contrary barnett continued conservation come farmers urban industrial users barnett still living 1982 peripheral canal got shot voters
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<p>A judge this week dismissed sex with minor charges against gay rights leader Terry Bean. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>An Oregon judge on Tuesday dismissed sex with minor charges against gay rights leader and real estate developer Terry Bean after prosecutors said they decided not to force the 17-year-old alleged victim in the case to testify against Bean at a trial.</p>
<p>At the request of prosecutors, Lane County Circuit Court Judge Jay McAlpin dismissed the case “without prejudice,” an action that allows prosecutors to reinstate the case within the next 12 years if the alleged victim changes his mind and agrees to testify.</p>
<p>But the youth, who was 15 at the time authorities allege he had sex with Bean, 66, and Bean’s former boyfriend, Kiah Lawson, 25, indicates through a statement by his attorney that he has no intention of changing his mind.</p>
<p>The youth has made his “unwillingness to testify known at every step in this process,” attorney Lori Deveny said in the statement. “My client was bullied and manipulated” by the lead detective in the case, she said, and was “threatened with incarceration” by a special prosecutor when he refused to be bullied into testifying.</p>
<p>“My client wants no part of this prosecution and never did,” Deveny said.</p>
<p>Bean and Lawson were indicted last November on two counts of third-degree sodomy, a felony, and one count of third-degree sexual abuse, a misdemeanor, in connection with allegations that they had sex with the then 15-year-old in a hotel room in Eugene in September 2013. Both have pleaded not guilty.</p>
<p>An attorney representing Lawson has said that Lawson and Bean met the youth through the mobile phone app Grindr.</p>
<p>At Tuesday’s court hearing McAlpin also dropped the charges against Lawson.</p>
<p>The decision by Lane County Chief Deputy District Attorney Erik Hasselman and Lane County prosecutor Scott Healy to drop the charges came a little over a month after they informed McAlpin that the 17-year-old had gone into hiding with the full consent of his mother after making it clear he didn’t want to testify against Bean.</p>
<p>The youth’s decision to dodge efforts by prosecutors to find him came immediately after another judge rejected a civil agreement reached between Bean and the youth that, under Oregon law, allowed them to petition the court to dismiss the criminal case against Bean.</p>
<p>Hasselman revealed for the first time following the judge’s dismissal of the case that the agreement called for Bean to pay the youth more than $200,000, according to the Eugene Register Guard.</p>
<p>Bean and his attorney released statements immediately after reiterating their longstanding assertions that Bean never had sex with the then-15-year-old and that the allegations against Bean were part of a scheme by Lawson and others to extort money from Bean.</p>
<p>Bean’s attorneys have said all along that Lawson hatched the scheme to shake Bean down for money shortly after an acrimonious breakup of their relationship.</p>
<p>“While we are pleased with today’s outcome, this is a case that should never have been brought in the first place,” said attorney Derek Ashton. “For almost a year we have been silent about the truth so that we could try this case in court and not in the media as the prosecutor tried to do,” he said.</p>
<p>Had the case gone to trial, Ashton said, the defense would have presented evidence that “Bean left the hotel room before anything happened, after being set up there by Kiah Lawson,” he said. “We had a witness who would have attested to the fact that he left.”</p>
<p>Ashton said the defense lined up proof that Lawson and an accomplice had “numerous contacts” with the youth “to get their stories straight” before Lawson led police to the youth.</p>
<p>According to Ashton, at the advice of Lawson and the accomplice, the youth initially “sought a civil attorney to make a financial claim before the police were ever involved.”</p>
<p>In his own statement, Bean said, “I take some measure of comfort that the world can now see what I have always known – that I was falsely accused and completely innocent of every accusation that was made.”</p>
<p>Bean said he remained silent for nearly a year at the advice of his attorney.</p>
<p>“I didn’t go through this alone,” he said in his statement. “My friends, family and business associates suffered alongside of me both because of the false accusations and their support of me. I am immensely grateful and moved by their unwavering support,” he said.</p>
<p>“I look forward to being able to tell the story of this conspiracy of lies, deceit, blackmail, malicious prosecution and yes, homophobia, now that this case has ended,” Bean said.</p>
<p>However, in yet another twist in the ongoing saga surrounding the Bean case, prosecutor Healy told the Register Guard that Bean could potentially face charges in connection with an “unspecified, ongoing investigation” about which Healy declined to provide further information.</p>
<p>The Register Guard also reported that Hasselman told the newspaper that “Bean was the person that rented the room, and that the victim – despite his refusal to testify at this time — maintains that the allegations are true.”</p>
<p>It couldn’t immediately be determined whether Bean would now resume his longtime involvement in LGBT rights activities, including his role as a board member of the Human Rights Campaign, which he helped to found in the 1980s. Before stepping aside from his LGBT and Democratic Party involvements at the time of his indictment last year, Bean was also a member of the LGBT Caucus of the Democratic National Committee and a prominent Democratic fundraiser.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Democratic Party</a> <a href="" type="internal">Derek Ashton</a> <a href="" type="internal">Erik Hasselman</a> <a href="" type="internal">Eugene Register Guard</a> <a href="" type="internal">Grindr</a> <a href="" type="internal">Jay McAlpin</a> <a href="" type="internal">Kiah Lawson</a> <a href="" type="internal">LGBT</a> <a href="" type="internal">Lori Deveny</a> <a href="" type="internal">Oregon</a> <a href="" type="internal">Scott Healy</a> <a href="" type="internal">Terry Bean</a></p>
| false | 3 |
judge week dismissed sex minor charges gay rights leader terry bean washington blade file photo michael key oregon judge tuesday dismissed sex minor charges gay rights leader real estate developer terry bean prosecutors said decided force 17yearold alleged victim case testify bean trial request prosecutors lane county circuit court judge jay mcalpin dismissed case without prejudice action allows prosecutors reinstate case within next 12 years alleged victim changes mind agrees testify youth 15 time authorities allege sex bean 66 beans former boyfriend kiah lawson 25 indicates statement attorney intention changing mind youth made unwillingness testify known every step process attorney lori deveny said statement client bullied manipulated lead detective case said threatened incarceration special prosecutor refused bullied testifying client wants part prosecution never deveny said bean lawson indicted last november two counts thirddegree sodomy felony one count thirddegree sexual abuse misdemeanor connection allegations sex 15yearold hotel room eugene september 2013 pleaded guilty attorney representing lawson said lawson bean met youth mobile phone app grindr tuesdays court hearing mcalpin also dropped charges lawson decision lane county chief deputy district attorney erik hasselman lane county prosecutor scott healy drop charges came little month informed mcalpin 17yearold gone hiding full consent mother making clear didnt want testify bean youths decision dodge efforts prosecutors find came immediately another judge rejected civil agreement reached bean youth oregon law allowed petition court dismiss criminal case bean hasselman revealed first time following judges dismissal case agreement called bean pay youth 200000 according eugene register guard bean attorney released statements immediately reiterating longstanding assertions bean never sex then15yearold allegations bean part scheme lawson others extort money bean beans attorneys said along lawson hatched scheme shake bean money shortly acrimonious breakup relationship pleased todays outcome case never brought first place said attorney derek ashton almost year silent truth could try case court media prosecutor tried said case gone trial ashton said defense would presented evidence bean left hotel room anything happened set kiah lawson said witness would attested fact left ashton said defense lined proof lawson accomplice numerous contacts youth get stories straight lawson led police youth according ashton advice lawson accomplice youth initially sought civil attorney make financial claim police ever involved statement bean said take measure comfort world see always known falsely accused completely innocent every accusation made bean said remained silent nearly year advice attorney didnt go alone said statement friends family business associates suffered alongside false accusations support immensely grateful moved unwavering support said look forward able tell story conspiracy lies deceit blackmail malicious prosecution yes homophobia case ended bean said however yet another twist ongoing saga surrounding bean case prosecutor healy told register guard bean could potentially face charges connection unspecified ongoing investigation healy declined provide information register guard also reported hasselman told newspaper bean person rented room victim despite refusal testify time maintains allegations true couldnt immediately determined whether bean would resume longtime involvement lgbt rights activities including role board member human rights campaign helped found 1980s stepping aside lgbt democratic party involvements time indictment last year bean also member lgbt caucus democratic national committee prominent democratic fundraiser democratic party derek ashton erik hasselman eugene register guard grindr jay mcalpin kiah lawson lgbt lori deveny oregon scott healy terry bean
| 537 |
<p>This week's devastating attacks in Brussels, in which more than 30 people died and scores were injured, are the latest phase of the war on Europe declared by the so-called Islamic State.</p>
<p>The attacks cast a dark shadow over last week's triumph, the arrest of Salah Abdeslam.</p>
<p>The hope will be that Abdeslam, one of the leading members of the cell behind the Paris attacks, will provide crucial intelligence on the current state of ISIS'&#160;network and its future plans.</p>
<p>Getting captured fighters to talk is one of the crucial ways Western intelligence services have built up the picture of its European network and in particular the role of its former commander, Abdelhamid Abaaoud.</p>
<p>Nicolas Moreau was one them. He was arrested in 2015 having left Nantes to fight jihad in Syria in 2014.</p>
<p>He, like many recruits, was a former petty criminal who had converted to Islam in prison and become disillusioned with life in France.</p>
<p>He told his interrogators he couldn't stand the "injustice" and "couldn't see any future in this country".</p>
<p>He went on to provide valuable information about ISIS' external operations department known as Amni, meaning "security", which sends hand-picked fighters back to Europe to inflict death and destruction on their homelands.</p>
<p>"Each gets 50,000 euros (£40,000) to mount an attack," Moreau said.</p>
<p>Amni, with 1,500 members, also had an internal security role "to detect spies in Iraq and Syria", he said.</p>
<p>Crucially Moreau then revealed the&#160;kunya, the nom de guerre of the person in charge of Amni — Abu Omar from Brussels.</p>
<p>In fact, Abu Omar's real name was Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the commander of the network that was to plan and execute a number of attacks in Europe in 2015, culminating in the meticulously planned massacres in Paris.</p>
<p>Another fighter, Reda Hame, captured in France in August 2015, gave more precise details about Abaaoud that helped intelligence agencies fill in the picture about how his network operated.</p>
<p>Hame's value to Abaaoud was that his French passport was due to expire and Abaaoud wanted to get him back to Europe to carry out an attack while his passport was still valid.</p>
<p>He said Abaaoud was "a very tough person, very determined and very dangerous".</p>
<p>Time was of the essence to take advantage of the expiration date. Abaaoud personally gave Hame a crash course in weapons training and then issued instructions.</p>
<p>Getting weapons in France, he said, was not a problem.</p>
<p>"I just had to ask for what I needed, in France or in Europe,"&#160;Hame said.</p>
<p>Abaaoud also warned him to test the weapon thoroughly "as it wasn't an option that the operation would be lost due to phoney stuff."</p>
<p>But the most chilling instructions that Abaaoud issued were about the targets Hame was to hit.</p>
<p>"He just told me to choose an easy target like a place where there are people. Imagine a rock concert in a European country. If we arm you, would you be ready to shoot into a crowd?"</p>
<p>Abaaoud added that it was best to wait after the attack for the forces to intervene and then to die while fighting.</p>
<p>"He said that if many civilians were hit, the foreign policy of France would change."</p>
<p>Interrogators then asked Hame if he was aware of a possible attack in France or Europe. He said he couldn't be specific.</p>
<p>"All I can tell you is that it will happen soon. Back there [in Syria], it was a real industry. They were really looking to hit France or Europe."</p>
<p>He said that given the motivation of the ISIS fighters he had met, he would not be surprised if there were actions soon.</p>
<p>He then reminded his interrogators of ISIS' justification for their attacks on Europe.</p>
<p>"They just want the [coalition] airstrikes to stop."</p>
<p>The interrogation of Reda Hame and his mention of a rock concert as a suggested target took place just three months before the Paris attacks and the assault on the Bataclan concert hall in which 89 fans of the heavy metal American band, Eagles of Death Metal, died.</p>
<p>However dire his Cassandra-like prophecy, it would have been unrealistic to expect the authorities to spend the following months monitoring every concert and public gathering in Paris. But the clear warning was there.</p>
<p>From intelligence we have seen, we now understand how 2015 became a desperate race between Abaaoud and Western intelligence agencies as they tried to find him and stop him.</p>
<p>From the beginning of the year they had no doubt about his key role in planning attacks in Europe.</p>
<p>Telephone intercepts indicated that he was behind an ISIS cell set up in the Belgian town of Verviers with the alleged aim of killing police officers.</p>
<p>The cell was neutralized when Belgian police, aided by France's elite counter-terrorism squad, the GIGN, stormed the building, killing two members of Abaaoud's cell who had been with him in Syria.</p>
<p>One of them, Khalid Ben Larbi, had flown from Syria and come to Belgium via the United Kingdom. He&#160;was reportedly travelling on a passport belonging to a Dutch jihadi.&#160;The intercepts of calls made to the cell in Verviers&#160;were traced to Athens and were identified as having come from Abaaoud.</p>
<p>It was a golden opportunity to swoop in and arrest him. Intelligence indicates that with the help of Israel's Mossad, the CIA planned to intercept him, but the plan failed.&#160;Abaaoud slipped away, returned to Syria and boasted in ISIS'&#160;glossy propaganda magazine, Dabiq, how he had escaped under the noses of Western intelligence.</p>
<p>Through the summer, the warnings about the threat from Abaaoud and his network increased. One source reported that Abaaoud was now ISIS' Minister for War.</p>
<p>The CIA warned that Abaaoud's network was trying to get hold of European ID cards and that he was in contact with Turkish smugglers about trying to get recruits back to Europe. Alarm bells were now ringing ever more loudly.</p>
<p>There was concern, too, when it was discovered that Mohamed Abrini, a member of the Paris cell and one of Abaaoud's closest lieutenants, spent time in the UK last summer.</p>
<p>We understand he went to Birmingham and when he returned to Brussels, he was interviewed by police. Mohammed Abrini, unlike his fellow jihadi, Salah Abdeslam, is still at large.</p>
<p>As summer 2015 turned to autumn, the race to find Abaaoud intensified.</p>
<p>A series of meetings were held between Western intelligence agencies, now seriously concerned about their inability to locate Abaaoud and increasingly worried about his network's intent.</p>
<p>In October, British intelligence agencies MI6 and MI5 met with a European partner agency to discuss Abaaoud and their concern about a report that he was intending to send 60 trained fighters to attack Belgium, France, Germany and the UK.</p>
<p>Other agencies, too, were trying to find a way of countering Abaaoud and discussed setting up a specialist team to target an individual who was now Europe's most wanted man.</p>
<p>The meeting to finalize the details was to be held in Paris. The original date in the calendar is now quite&#160;ominous: November 13, the very day of the Paris attacks.</p>
<p>The meeting was postponed before that date, but it would have been too late anyway. The race was over and Abaaoud had won.</p>
<p>The grim statistics were the result: 130 people dead and almost 700 injured. Five days after the attacks he had commanded, Abaaoud was killed in a safe house in St, Denis, a suburb of Paris — a suicide bomber hiding with him detonated a suicide vest.</p>
<p>Tuesday's attacks in Brussels clearly indicate that the ISIS network is still at large and no-one knows where and when it may strike next.</p>
<p>That's the nightmare that keeps the intelligence services awake at night.</p>
<p>However intense their efforts, they can never guarantee 100 percent security.</p>
<p>As Alain Winants, the former head of Belgium's MI5, warns. "I fear that in the West we will have to live for the coming years with the threats of that kind of terrorism."</p>
<p>This piece was <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-35872562" type="external">originally published on the BBC Magazine</a>. Peter Taylor and Secunder Kermani's&#160;Panorama&#160;documentary <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07598xc" type="external">"Inside Europe's Terror Attack"&#160;</a>can be watched online.&#160;</p>
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weeks devastating attacks brussels 30 people died scores injured latest phase war europe declared socalled islamic state attacks cast dark shadow last weeks triumph arrest salah abdeslam hope abdeslam one leading members cell behind paris attacks provide crucial intelligence current state isis160network future plans getting captured fighters talk one crucial ways western intelligence services built picture european network particular role former commander abdelhamid abaaoud nicolas moreau one arrested 2015 left nantes fight jihad syria 2014 like many recruits former petty criminal converted islam prison become disillusioned life france told interrogators couldnt stand injustice couldnt see future country went provide valuable information isis external operations department known amni meaning security sends handpicked fighters back europe inflict death destruction homelands gets 50000 euros 40000 mount attack moreau said amni 1500 members also internal security role detect spies iraq syria said crucially moreau revealed the160kunya nom de guerre person charge amni abu omar brussels fact abu omars real name abdelhamid abaaoud commander network plan execute number attacks europe 2015 culminating meticulously planned massacres paris another fighter reda hame captured france august 2015 gave precise details abaaoud helped intelligence agencies fill picture network operated hames value abaaoud french passport due expire abaaoud wanted get back europe carry attack passport still valid said abaaoud tough person determined dangerous time essence take advantage expiration date abaaoud personally gave hame crash course weapons training issued instructions getting weapons france said problem ask needed france europe160hame said abaaoud also warned test weapon thoroughly wasnt option operation would lost due phoney stuff chilling instructions abaaoud issued targets hame hit told choose easy target like place people imagine rock concert european country arm would ready shoot crowd abaaoud added best wait attack forces intervene die fighting said many civilians hit foreign policy france would change interrogators asked hame aware possible attack france europe said couldnt specific tell happen soon back syria real industry really looking hit france europe said given motivation isis fighters met would surprised actions soon reminded interrogators isis justification attacks europe want coalition airstrikes stop interrogation reda hame mention rock concert suggested target took place three months paris attacks assault bataclan concert hall 89 fans heavy metal american band eagles death metal died however dire cassandralike prophecy would unrealistic expect authorities spend following months monitoring every concert public gathering paris clear warning intelligence seen understand 2015 became desperate race abaaoud western intelligence agencies tried find stop beginning year doubt key role planning attacks europe telephone intercepts indicated behind isis cell set belgian town verviers alleged aim killing police officers cell neutralized belgian police aided frances elite counterterrorism squad gign stormed building killing two members abaaouds cell syria one khalid ben larbi flown syria come belgium via united kingdom he160was reportedly travelling passport belonging dutch jihadi160the intercepts calls made cell verviers160were traced athens identified come abaaoud golden opportunity swoop arrest intelligence indicates help israels mossad cia planned intercept plan failed160abaaoud slipped away returned syria boasted isis160glossy propaganda magazine dabiq escaped noses western intelligence summer warnings threat abaaoud network increased one source reported abaaoud isis minister war cia warned abaaouds network trying get hold european id cards contact turkish smugglers trying get recruits back europe alarm bells ringing ever loudly concern discovered mohamed abrini member paris cell one abaaouds closest lieutenants spent time uk last summer understand went birmingham returned brussels interviewed police mohammed abrini unlike fellow jihadi salah abdeslam still large summer 2015 turned autumn race find abaaoud intensified series meetings held western intelligence agencies seriously concerned inability locate abaaoud increasingly worried networks intent october british intelligence agencies mi6 mi5 met european partner agency discuss abaaoud concern report intending send 60 trained fighters attack belgium france germany uk agencies trying find way countering abaaoud discussed setting specialist team target individual europes wanted man meeting finalize details held paris original date calendar quite160ominous november 13 day paris attacks meeting postponed date would late anyway race abaaoud grim statistics result 130 people dead almost 700 injured five days attacks commanded abaaoud killed safe house st denis suburb paris suicide bomber hiding detonated suicide vest tuesdays attacks brussels clearly indicate isis network still large noone knows may strike next thats nightmare keeps intelligence services awake night however intense efforts never guarantee 100 percent security alain winants former head belgiums mi5 warns fear west live coming years threats kind terrorism piece originally published bbc magazine peter taylor secunder kermanis160panorama160documentary inside europes terror attack160can watched online160
| 733 |
<p>Puerto Ricans and residents of the US&#160;Virgin Islands are struggling to pick up the pieces following <a href="" type="internal">Hurricane Irma’s pummeling of the Caribbean</a>&#160;— and <a href="" type="internal">Hurricane Jose</a> is knocking on their door.</p>
<p>After wreaking havoc in the Leeward Islands, the hurricane scooted&#160;just north of Puerto Rico, sparing it the most catastrophic damage. While St. Croix, one of three islands that make up the US Virgin Islands, experienced only minor damage, the storm hit sister islands St. John and St. Thomas head on, <a href="" type="internal">destroying nearly everything in its wake</a>.</p>
<p>As of Sunday, officials said&#160; <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/10/world/americas/irma-caribbean-st-martin.html" type="external">27 people</a> died&#160;from Irma-related incidents in&#160;the Caribbean region, including&#160;three&#160;deaths reported in the US islands of&#160;St. Thomas and St. John.</p>
<p>While the cleanup effort begins, many residents of these US territories say the challenges of storm relief they face are&#160;not just the devastation, but also neglect from the continental US.</p>
<p>“We’re always feeling like second-class citizens. They just skip over us and it hurts,” says Stephanie Brown, a local reporter on the island of St. Croix. Between press conferences and reporting, she’s fielding messages from frantic Virgin Islanders in the continental US&#160;and abroad, desperately seeking updates from the ground or word about a missing relative.</p>
<p>Data is from NOAA's database of billion-dollar climate and weather disasters.&#160;</p>
<p>“Social media has been the basis for much of everyone’s information gathering,” she adds.</p>
<p>Puerto Ricans and US Virgin Islanders are <a href="" type="internal">American citizens by birth</a>, pay taxes and are overrepresented&#160;in the military. Still, coverage of these territories is often reduced to natural disasters like Irma, Carnival in St. Thomas and&#160; <a href="" type="internal">Puerto Rico’s financial crisis</a>. Even during hurricanes, the plight of these islands is often overshadowed by events in Florida, Cuba, Haiti or the Dominican Republic.</p>
<p>Telecommunications remain down on St. John and St. Thomas, and <a href="https://www.vox.com/2017/9/6/16262954/irma-puerto-rico-electricity" type="external">power could be out for months in parts of Puerto Rico</a>.</p>
<p>Stephanie Latona lives in Vieques, Puerto Rico, one of the smaller islands off the cost of Puerto Rico's main island, which <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/hurricane-irma/hurricane-irma-skirts-puerto-rico-lashing-it-powerful-winds-flooding-n799086" type="external">suffered substantial</a> rain and wind damage. She says if it weren’t for her cellphone and platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp, she’d have a hard time letting her peers know she’s even alive. Ahead of the storm, she said national media coverage was almost nonexistent.</p>
<p>“Everywhere was Florida this, Florida that. Even Georgia and the Carolinas too,” she says. “Yes, Irma will be serious for the southeast, but when Florida can get round-the-clock attention about a storm that hasn’t even hit yet, while [Puerto Ricans] can barely get a mention or an update as it’s happening, that’s a problem.”</p>
<p />
<p>Waves crash against the seawall as Hurricane Irma slammed into Fajardo, Puerto Rico, on Sept. 6, 2017.</p>
<p>Alvin Baez/Reuters</p>
<p>Power and electricity in Vieques are&#160;expected to be down for days, possibly weeks. Shortages of gas and food also mean&#160;residents are banding together to support each other in areas the local government is not reaching them.</p>
<p>"They're telling us nothing," Latona says of Puerto Rican officials.&#160;"The most information we're getting is a woman riding her car around with giant speakers blasting the radio or a neighbor on a microphone giving updates. That's pretty much it: band together or fend for yourselves because the government is telling us nothing."</p>
<p>Latona says she’s not surprised by the limited focus on Puerto Rico. “People only pay attention to us during <a href="http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/is-puerto-ricans-movement-to-mainland-swaying-elections/" type="external">presidential primaries</a>, when <a href="" type="internal">Congress meddles with our budget</a> and <a href="" type="internal">statehood votes</a>.”&#160;She says many Puerto Ricans feel ignored by the federal government and by Americans in the states.</p>
<p>“If no one is paying attention when our schools are crumbling and our economy is failing, there’s nothing that makes me think they’ll care when our buildings are toppling and roads flooding,” she says.</p>
<p>For the US Virgin Islands, getting updates can be even worse. Concerned family members are finding little help or information. The situation in St. John is the most bleak, with phone and power lines still down and little communication. Family members have resorted to calling a St. Croix-based radio station that broadcasts in both the US and British Virgin Islands. Callers leave messages for loved ones who may be listening. Residents of St. Thomas are now being asked to call a reunification number operated by the American Red Cross.</p>
<p>According to Brown, the reporter in St. Croix, many residents felt like pre-storm updates still left&#160;Virgin Islanders with little information about Irma’s trajectory.</p>
<p>“You have people trying to figure out the coordinates relative to Puerto Rico or Florida to guess exactly when Irma would hit us,"&#160;she says. “Once the storm hit and knocked out power, we couldn’t get updates at all here and our friends and families elsewhere had no information to give because where were they going to get it?”</p>
<p>The lack of media attention also frustrated Virgin Islanders in the continental US. Audrey Malone, a St. Thomas native now living in Long Island, New York, says turning on her TV and seeing no mention of her homeland left her “pissed.”</p>
<p>“There was no coverage in the days leading up to the hit and nothing during,” she says. “But social media, some angry Virgin Islanders stateside and a massive effort, helped to change that conversation.”</p>
<p>“It's not grand, but the conversation is no longer just about Florida,” she adds.</p>
<p>While Brown and Malone highlight the frustrations, they both acknowledge government officials, including Virgin Islands Governor Kenneth Mapp and Stacey Plaskett, the territory's nonvoting member of the US House of Representatives, have been hands-on. The government is <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GovernmentHouseUSVI/posts/1972182403025749" type="external">using its social platforms</a> to share&#160;rescue and recovery efforts.</p>
<p>Over the weekend, President Donald Trump&#160; <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/09/10/trump-increases-funding-for-irma-in-puerto-rico-us-virgin-islands/" type="external">ordered</a> more federal funding for relief efforts&#160;in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Yet the media coverage of other hurricane relief&#160;in Texas and Florida, and&#160;the unexpected <a href="http://www.npr.org/2017/09/11/549790479/trumps-turn-to-democrats-poses-fresh-challenge-to-his-loyal-base" type="external">political moves&#160;involved</a>,&#160;have dominated the news.</p>
<p>Malone also credits national media outlets for eventually taking notice, including airing a White House press conference&#160;on Puerto Rico's and the Virgin Islands’ statuses. However, she says Virgin Islanders need much more.</p>
<p>“The road ahead is tough and we as US citizens are going to need the entire US hearing our story and helping us rebuild,” Malone says.</p>
<p>Back in Puerto Rico, Latona echoes the same need for acknowledgement as the Caribbean recovers from Irma while bracing for Jose.</p>
<p>“People need to remember that we’re Americans too,” Latona says. “We deserve the same response and relief efforts as people in Texas right now, or people in Florida soon. We need you.”</p>
<p>Calls and emails for comment from&#160;the US Department of Homeland Security and FEMA’s Caribbean office were not returned.</p>
<p>Correction: The name of Vieques resident Stephanie Latona was&#160;misspelled in a previous version of this story.</p>
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puerto ricans residents us160virgin islands struggling pick pieces following hurricane irmas pummeling caribbean160 hurricane jose knocking door wreaking havoc leeward islands hurricane scooted160just north puerto rico sparing catastrophic damage st croix one three islands make us virgin islands experienced minor damage storm hit sister islands st john st thomas head destroying nearly everything wake sunday officials said160 27 people died160from irmarelated incidents in160the caribbean region including160three160deaths reported us islands of160st thomas st john cleanup effort begins many residents us territories say challenges storm relief face are160not devastation also neglect continental us always feeling like secondclass citizens skip us hurts says stephanie brown local reporter island st croix press conferences reporting shes fielding messages frantic virgin islanders continental us160and abroad desperately seeking updates ground word missing relative data noaas database billiondollar climate weather disasters160 social media basis much everyones information gathering adds puerto ricans us virgin islanders american citizens birth pay taxes overrepresented160in military still coverage territories often reduced natural disasters like irma carnival st thomas and160 puerto ricos financial crisis even hurricanes plight islands often overshadowed events florida cuba haiti dominican republic telecommunications remain st john st thomas power could months parts puerto rico stephanie latona lives vieques puerto rico one smaller islands cost puerto ricos main island suffered substantial rain wind damage says werent cellphone platforms like facebook whatsapp shed hard time letting peers know shes even alive ahead storm said national media coverage almost nonexistent everywhere florida florida even georgia carolinas says yes irma serious southeast florida get roundtheclock attention storm hasnt even hit yet puerto ricans barely get mention update happening thats problem waves crash seawall hurricane irma slammed fajardo puerto rico sept 6 2017 alvin baezreuters power electricity vieques are160expected days possibly weeks shortages gas food also mean160residents banding together support areas local government reaching theyre telling us nothing latona says puerto rican officials160the information getting woman riding car around giant speakers blasting radio neighbor microphone giving updates thats pretty much band together fend government telling us nothing latona says shes surprised limited focus puerto rico people pay attention us presidential primaries congress meddles budget statehood votes160she says many puerto ricans feel ignored federal government americans states one paying attention schools crumbling economy failing theres nothing makes think theyll care buildings toppling roads flooding says us virgin islands getting updates even worse concerned family members finding little help information situation st john bleak phone power lines still little communication family members resorted calling st croixbased radio station broadcasts us british virgin islands callers leave messages loved ones may listening residents st thomas asked call reunification number operated american red cross according brown reporter st croix many residents felt like prestorm updates still left160virgin islanders little information irmas trajectory people trying figure coordinates relative puerto rico florida guess exactly irma would hit us160she says storm hit knocked power couldnt get updates friends families elsewhere information give going get lack media attention also frustrated virgin islanders continental us audrey malone st thomas native living long island new york says turning tv seeing mention homeland left pissed coverage days leading hit nothing says social media angry virgin islanders stateside massive effort helped change conversation grand conversation longer florida adds brown malone highlight frustrations acknowledge government officials including virgin islands governor kenneth mapp stacey plaskett territorys nonvoting member us house representatives handson government using social platforms share160rescue recovery efforts weekend president donald trump160 ordered federal funding relief efforts160in puerto rico us virgin islands yet media coverage hurricane relief160in texas florida and160the unexpected political moves160involved160have dominated news malone also credits national media outlets eventually taking notice including airing white house press conference160on puerto ricos virgin islands statuses however says virgin islanders need much road ahead tough us citizens going need entire us hearing story helping us rebuild malone says back puerto rico latona echoes need acknowledgement caribbean recovers irma bracing jose people need remember americans latona says deserve response relief efforts people texas right people florida soon need calls emails comment from160the us department homeland security femas caribbean office returned correction name vieques resident stephanie latona was160misspelled previous version story
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<p>BOARD CONSULTANTS The School Board has retained Vernon Jarrett, a former Chicago Sun-Times columnist and WLS-TV talk-show host, to produce a monthly live call-in show, “Talk-to-the Chief Executive Officer,” which will feature Paul Vallas and other CPS staff. Jarrett will also publish short stories of children, review curricula and implement projects such as the Freedom Readers program. The contract cannot exceed $70,000 for a five-month period…. L. B. Stanton Consulting, Inc., the consulting company of Laurence Stanton, former executive director of the Beverly Area Planning Association, has been retained to help the Office of Accountability monitor Goals 2000 grants and develop new sources of foundation revenue. Spending will not exceed $25,000 over four months. … The board extended its contract with James D. Flanagan, a former School Board member, who is working to reestablish a principals’ advisory committee on management information systems. The board also agreed to increase spending on this project from $10,000 to $20,000.</p>
<p>MORE CONSULTANTS KPMG Peat Marwick will provide investigative and forensic services from March 1, 1999 to August 31, 1999 to assist the Office of the Inspector General. Spending is limited to $150,000. … The board increased the maximum spending—to $450,000 from $150,000—on a joint effort of Pinnacle Research, Inc. and Thatcher and Associates, LLC, to provide investigative services to the Office of the Inspector General. The firms will focus on the capital improvement program, providing architects to survey and assess construction work. They will assist with investigations in such areas as over-billing, inferior material schemes, false invoicing and other contract-related frauds that result in significant construction costs.</p>
<p>MOVING IN/ON Patricia Harvey, former chief accountability officer for CPS, has been named the superintendent of St. Paul (Minn.) Public Schools, which enrolls some 50,000 students. Harvey will begin the position April 15. Salary: $155,000. … George Schmidt, a tenured teacher at Bowen High and the editor of Substance newspaper, has been suspended pending a dismissal hearing for allegedly misusing School Board property. Schmidt also faces a federal lawsuit for breach of copyright after publishing questions from the recent CASE pilot exams in Substance. The board contends Schmidt inflicted $1 million in damages. … Rick Larison, a former special assistant to Paul Vallas, will serve as the director of the Office of Statewide Performance Review, part of a year-long effort by Gov. George Ryan to evaluate the state’s executive agencies, programs, laws and regulations and develop an approach to deal with the state’s future needs.</p>
<p>PRINCIPALS The following have been appointed interim principals: Judith Adams, N. Jefferson, formerly the assistant principal there, and Carlos Muñoz, N. Davis, formerly acting principal there. The following interim principals have received four-year contracts: Allice Collins, Spaulding High &amp; Elementary, Sherry A. Gage-West, Stagg; Robert E. Lewis, Bryn Mawr; Patricia Walsh, Earhart; and Michael M. Woods, Cook County Alternative High School. The following assistant principals have received contracts: Craig P. Ergang, G. Washington Elementary, and Verastine Wardlaw, Parkman. … The contract of Principal Norma Rodriguez of Washington High School has been renewed.</p>
<p>BILINGUAL COMMITTEE OVERHAUL The School Board has converted an elected bilingual education advisory council into one with a board-appointed majority. The Chicago Multilingual Parents Council (CMPC,) which had seven elected members, will now have nine elected members and 12 appointed by the board. Under the old membership, the CMPC, which has no decision-making authority, opposed a new board policy limiting the time a student can spend in bilingual classrooms to three years. Members had been elected by the presidents of each school’s bilingual advisory committee; six of the seven were Spanish-speaking. Appointing members will allow for broader representation on the council, the board contends. “What we’re after is not pure democracy,” School Board President Gery Chico said at the board’s February meeting, “We’re looking for input from diverse groups.” Pointing to his colleagues, he said, “We weren’t voted in, but I think we do OK.” The board also appoints a majority of the members on its Local School Council Advisory Committee.</p>
<p>PUBLIC PARTICIPATION RULES Under a new board policy, the first hour of public participation at board meetings will be devoted to a single topic, and the second hour will be used for general issues. Individuals interested in participating must register in person at least half an hour before public participation, providing their names and addresses, the names and addresses of the groups they represent and the topic they will be discussing. Presentations will continue to be limited to 2 minutes.</p>
<p>NATIONAL TEACHER ACADEMY Six sites are under consideration for the National Teachers Academy of Chicago, according to the March 10 issue of UIC News, published by the University of Illinois at Chicago. Four sites are on campus: a 10.1-acre site on Roosevelt Road between Morgan and Halsted just south of Science and Engineering South, an 8.4-acre site on Harrison just west of the Behavioral Sciences Building, a 6.7-acre site on Harrison between Halsted and Morgan, and a 5.1-acre site at the southeast corner of Halsted and Taylor. Two sites are off campus: a 13.9-acre site between Racine and Morgan south of 14th Place and a 12.6-acre site in the Jane Addams public housing complex on Taylor and Racine streets.</p>
<p>The academy, a joint venture of CPS, UIC and the Golden Apple Foundation, will enroll students in kindergarten through 12th grade and serve as a teaching laboratory where “exemplary teachers” mentor colleagues and student teachers, the newspaper reported. “This is a unique partnership that will give UIC national visibility, be a benefit to our faculty and be an anchor for development in the area,” said UIC Chancellor David Broski. … Currently, the academy’s task force includes Victoria Chou, Mary Bey and Norma Lopez-Reyna from UIC, Molly Carroll from the Chicago Teachers Union Quest Center, Diane Grigsby-Jackson from CPS and Dominic Belmonte and Peg Cain of the Golden Apple Foundation, according to Cain.</p>
<p>WORKSHOPS The Teachers’ Task Force will offer a workshop April 29 on strategic planning for teachers and administrators. Two three-day sessions are scheduled for “Curriculum Development and Alignment: Moving Toward a Standards-Based Curriculum,” June 28-30 and Aug. 9-11. Advance registration required. Early sign-up advised. Call Melissa McGowan (312) 986-9238 for a registration form. … The Teachers Academy for Math and Science will offer “Internet: Contributing and Collaborating,” on Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. April 8 through May 6. The workshops will be held at TAMS Learning Technologies Laboratory, 3424 S. State. It will offer “Basic Learning Technologies in the Classroom—Windows” on Tuesdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. April 6 through May 4. The workshops will be held at Thurgood Marshall Middle School, 3900 N. Lawndale. For more information, call ( 312) 949-2529 or see http://lt.tams.org/class/htm.</p>
<p>CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP At press time, Bowen High School’s chess team had secured a spot in the state tournament. Bowen’s team, coached by math teacher Robbie Singer, finished first in the All-City Public High School Chess Championship. Senn High placed second, Whitney Young third, and Hyde Park fourth. About 100 teams from across the state will compete; Bowen enters the competition ranked fourth.</p>
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board consultants school board retained vernon jarrett former chicago suntimes columnist wlstv talkshow host produce monthly live callin show talktothe chief executive officer feature paul vallas cps staff jarrett also publish short stories children review curricula implement projects freedom readers program contract exceed 70000 fivemonth period l b stanton consulting inc consulting company laurence stanton former executive director beverly area planning association retained help office accountability monitor goals 2000 grants develop new sources foundation revenue spending exceed 25000 four months board extended contract james flanagan former school board member working reestablish principals advisory committee management information systems board also agreed increase spending project 10000 20000 consultants kpmg peat marwick provide investigative forensic services march 1 1999 august 31 1999 assist office inspector general spending limited 150000 board increased maximum spendingto 450000 150000on joint effort pinnacle research inc thatcher associates llc provide investigative services office inspector general firms focus capital improvement program providing architects survey assess construction work assist investigations areas overbilling inferior material schemes false invoicing contractrelated frauds result significant construction costs moving inon patricia harvey former chief accountability officer cps named superintendent st paul minn public schools enrolls 50000 students harvey begin position april 15 salary 155000 george schmidt tenured teacher bowen high editor substance newspaper suspended pending dismissal hearing allegedly misusing school board property schmidt also faces federal lawsuit breach copyright publishing questions recent case pilot exams substance board contends schmidt inflicted 1 million damages rick larison former special assistant paul vallas serve director office statewide performance review part yearlong effort gov george ryan evaluate states executive agencies programs laws regulations develop approach deal states future needs principals following appointed interim principals judith adams n jefferson formerly assistant principal carlos muñoz n davis formerly acting principal following interim principals received fouryear contracts allice collins spaulding high amp elementary sherry gagewest stagg robert e lewis bryn mawr patricia walsh earhart michael woods cook county alternative high school following assistant principals received contracts craig p ergang g washington elementary verastine wardlaw parkman contract principal norma rodriguez washington high school renewed bilingual committee overhaul school board converted elected bilingual education advisory council one boardappointed majority chicago multilingual parents council cmpc seven elected members nine elected members 12 appointed board old membership cmpc decisionmaking authority opposed new board policy limiting time student spend bilingual classrooms three years members elected presidents schools bilingual advisory committee six seven spanishspeaking appointing members allow broader representation council board contends pure democracy school board president gery chico said boards february meeting looking input diverse groups pointing colleagues said werent voted think ok board also appoints majority members local school council advisory committee public participation rules new board policy first hour public participation board meetings devoted single topic second hour used general issues individuals interested participating must register person least half hour public participation providing names addresses names addresses groups represent topic discussing presentations continue limited 2 minutes national teacher academy six sites consideration national teachers academy chicago according march 10 issue uic news published university illinois chicago four sites campus 101acre site roosevelt road morgan halsted south science engineering south 84acre site harrison west behavioral sciences building 67acre site harrison halsted morgan 51acre site southeast corner halsted taylor two sites campus 139acre site racine morgan south 14th place 126acre site jane addams public housing complex taylor racine streets academy joint venture cps uic golden apple foundation enroll students kindergarten 12th grade serve teaching laboratory exemplary teachers mentor colleagues student teachers newspaper reported unique partnership give uic national visibility benefit faculty anchor development area said uic chancellor david broski currently academys task force includes victoria chou mary bey norma lopezreyna uic molly carroll chicago teachers union quest center diane grigsbyjackson cps dominic belmonte peg cain golden apple foundation according cain workshops teachers task force offer workshop april 29 strategic planning teachers administrators two threeday sessions scheduled curriculum development alignment moving toward standardsbased curriculum june 2830 aug 911 advance registration required early signup advised call melissa mcgowan 312 9869238 registration form teachers academy math science offer internet contributing collaborating thursdays 4 pm 7 pm april 8 may 6 workshops held tams learning technologies laboratory 3424 state offer basic learning technologies classroomwindows tuesdays 4 pm 7 pm april 6 may 4 workshops held thurgood marshall middle school 3900 n lawndale information call 312 9492529 see httplttamsorgclasshtm chess championship press time bowen high schools chess team secured spot state tournament bowens team coached math teacher robbie singer finished first allcity public high school chess championship senn high placed second whitney young third hyde park fourth 100 teams across state compete bowen enters competition ranked fourth
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<p>At Pickard Elementary on a recent Friday, Maria Ramirez and her daughter Diana, a 2nd-grader, go through their morning ritual before class: hugs, kisses and a firm but gentle reminder to Diana to “be good.”</p>
<p>But afterwards, instead of returning home, Ramirez heads to Room 101 to attend class herself.</p>
<p>She and several other mothers will become scientists during a two-hour parent workshop, completing hands-on, interactive projects using household items like string, rubber bands and coins. The group will learn scientific terms, make predictions and craft a hypothesis using scientific principles, and practice what they learn with each other.</p>
<p>At home, Ramirez will practice the projects with Diana to reinforce and supplement what her daughter has learned in school. So far, the workshops are paying off: Diana’s grades have risen from B’s to A’s.</p>
<p>“Before, when my daughter needed help with homework, I couldn’t do it because I didn’t know how,” Ramirez says. “But now I can explain things to her. And now she has a lot more confidence.”</p>
<p>One of education’s bedrock tenets is that parent involvement is critical to a child’s success in school. But getting parents involved in schools and their children’s education can be a struggle in large urban districts like Chicago. Many parent programs fall short because they are social, rather than educational, or involve only occasional workshops, say experts.</p>
<p>Scaling Up Best Practice, the structured series of workshops at Pickard and seven other elementary schools in Pilsen and Little Village, aims to bypass those pitfalls by teaching parents specific skills and techniques to use when helping their children.</p>
<p>Designed by the nonprofit Strategic Learning Initiatives, the program also provides professional development for teachers and support to principals.</p>
<p>Research will track test scores</p>
<p>Most programs do not pose the question, “How can I support my child in the education setting?” says Karen Morris, a co-director of Scaling Up and a retired principal of Saucedo Scholastic Academy. “And workshops tend to be one-shot things.”</p>
<p>Anecdotally, parents and principals praise the program. Victoria Cadavid, the principal of Pickard, says that parents now “know what steps need to be taken” to help their children.</p>
<p>“The topics support what the kids are doing in school,” says Sylvia Stamatoglou, principal of Perez. “And you can just see it in [parents’] faces—they are learning too.”</p>
<p>Research is underway to gather hard evidence of academic improvement, by tracking the test scores of students whose parents attend workshops. Preliminary data is expected in six months.</p>
<p>“We asked teachers if they noticed any major changes in their kids and they listed those kids for us and they were usually kids whose parents attended these workshops,” says John Simmons, president of Strategic Learning Initiatives.</p>
<p>In 2002, Pickard, Perez and Orozco elementary schools formed the Pilsen Education Network and partnered with Strategic Learning Initiatives to bring Scaling Up to their schools. Another network of five schools in Little Village—called Communities Dedicated to Kids, Schools and Success—was formed a year later. Last fall, from September through December, 234 parents attended workshops in the Pilsen schools; another 267 parents attended workshops in the Little Village network.</p>
<p>“Before we became part of the network, we brought in speakers to talk about things like immigration and domestic violence,” says Cadavid. “We also had craft activities. But it was not highly organized and it did not focus on what kids were doing in school.”</p>
<p>Scaling Up requires schools to commit to offering the workshops twice a month for at least four years. Workshops typically cover topics such as math, science, reading and literacy, homework help and how to help children succeed in school and build self-esteem.</p>
<p>Operating on the premise that parents are more comfortable with someone who has a connection to the school, workshops are taught by trained volunteer parent facilitators.</p>
<p>“In other schools, outsiders talk to parents,” says Cris Whitehead, Strategic Learning Initiatives’ director of parent engagement and former local school council chair of Saucedo. “Parents are comfortable with people they know.”</p>
<p>To become facilitators, parents attend 10 sessions covering public speaking, leadership, goal-setting and communication. Parents also learn how to design workshops and train other parents, so the school can carry on the program beyond the initial four-year commitment.</p>
<p>Five-point model</p>
<p>Scaling Up is based on a school improvement model created under former Chicago Public Schools Superintendent Argie Johnson, called Pathways to Achievement. (See Catalyst November 1995). The model covers five areas that research by the Consortium on Chicago School Research has found to be critical to school improvement: good leadership, a student-centered learning environment, parent and community partnerships, professional development and collaboration and high-quality instruction.</p>
<p>The five-point model “is a powerful tool, but it was not being adequately used,” in large part because doing so requires a concerted, long-term effort, says Simmons. “People are hesitant to take that on.”</p>
<p>Scaling Up’s parent component relies on research conducted by Joyce Epstein, the director of the Center on School, Family and Community Partnerships at Johns Hopkins University.</p>
<p>“If family involvement activities are linked to school improvement goals like helping children in math, reading or attending school regularly, then those students will do better on tests, have better behavior, and all the other positive indicators of success in school,” Epstein says. (See Catalyst, “What Matters Most” series, March 1998)</p>
<p>Schools pay $45,000 each year for the four years of the program; the remainder of the cost, another $45,000, is picked up by private funders. (Costs include substitute teachers and training.)</p>
<p>Schools in the Pilsen network are already looking toward next year, which will be the last year under Strategic Learning Initiatives’ guidance.</p>
<p>One potential problem may be a lack of parent facilitators. “It is a huge commitment,” says Whitehead. “Also, sometimes parents’ confidence level raises so much that they go on to school or get jobs and leave.”</p>
<p>In March, Orozco had three facilitators, and Perez and Pickard each had one. The program calls for two at each school.</p>
<p>Still, Simmons says the problem is not insurmountable. Parent facilitators can conduct workshops at other schools, he says, and principals can step in to recruit parents if needed.</p>
<p>“When they are asked, there are many parents who will step forward to participate,” he says.</p>
<p>Next year, Strategic Learning Initiatives is looking to recruit a network of African American schools on the West Side.</p>
<p>“We’ve heard that these ideas may not work in these schools and we know that’s not true,” says Simmons. “There may be cultural differences among different communities, but the differences do not affect the basic way adults and children learn.”</p>
<p>To contact Debra Williams, call (312) 673-3873 or send an e-mail to [email protected].</p>
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pickard elementary recent friday maria ramirez daughter diana 2ndgrader go morning ritual class hugs kisses firm gentle reminder diana good afterwards instead returning home ramirez heads room 101 attend class several mothers become scientists twohour parent workshop completing handson interactive projects using household items like string rubber bands coins group learn scientific terms make predictions craft hypothesis using scientific principles practice learn home ramirez practice projects diana reinforce supplement daughter learned school far workshops paying dianas grades risen bs daughter needed help homework couldnt didnt know ramirez says explain things lot confidence one educations bedrock tenets parent involvement critical childs success school getting parents involved schools childrens education struggle large urban districts like chicago many parent programs fall short social rather educational involve occasional workshops say experts scaling best practice structured series workshops pickard seven elementary schools pilsen little village aims bypass pitfalls teaching parents specific skills techniques use helping children designed nonprofit strategic learning initiatives program also provides professional development teachers support principals research track test scores programs pose question support child education setting says karen morris codirector scaling retired principal saucedo scholastic academy workshops tend oneshot things anecdotally parents principals praise program victoria cadavid principal pickard says parents know steps need taken help children topics support kids school says sylvia stamatoglou principal perez see parents facesthey learning research underway gather hard evidence academic improvement tracking test scores students whose parents attend workshops preliminary data expected six months asked teachers noticed major changes kids listed kids us usually kids whose parents attended workshops says john simmons president strategic learning initiatives 2002 pickard perez orozco elementary schools formed pilsen education network partnered strategic learning initiatives bring scaling schools another network five schools little villagecalled communities dedicated kids schools successwas formed year later last fall september december 234 parents attended workshops pilsen schools another 267 parents attended workshops little village network became part network brought speakers talk things like immigration domestic violence says cadavid also craft activities highly organized focus kids school scaling requires schools commit offering workshops twice month least four years workshops typically cover topics math science reading literacy homework help help children succeed school build selfesteem operating premise parents comfortable someone connection school workshops taught trained volunteer parent facilitators schools outsiders talk parents says cris whitehead strategic learning initiatives director parent engagement former local school council chair saucedo parents comfortable people know become facilitators parents attend 10 sessions covering public speaking leadership goalsetting communication parents also learn design workshops train parents school carry program beyond initial fouryear commitment fivepoint model scaling based school improvement model created former chicago public schools superintendent argie johnson called pathways achievement see catalyst november 1995 model covers five areas research consortium chicago school research found critical school improvement good leadership studentcentered learning environment parent community partnerships professional development collaboration highquality instruction fivepoint model powerful tool adequately used large part requires concerted longterm effort says simmons people hesitant take scaling ups parent component relies research conducted joyce epstein director center school family community partnerships johns hopkins university family involvement activities linked school improvement goals like helping children math reading attending school regularly students better tests better behavior positive indicators success school epstein says see catalyst matters series march 1998 schools pay 45000 year four years program remainder cost another 45000 picked private funders costs include substitute teachers training schools pilsen network already looking toward next year last year strategic learning initiatives guidance one potential problem may lack parent facilitators huge commitment says whitehead also sometimes parents confidence level raises much go school get jobs leave march orozco three facilitators perez pickard one program calls two school still simmons says problem insurmountable parent facilitators conduct workshops schools says principals step recruit parents needed asked many parents step forward participate says next year strategic learning initiatives looking recruit network african american schools west side weve heard ideas may work schools know thats true says simmons may cultural differences among different communities differences affect basic way adults children learn contact debra williams call 312 6733873 send email williamscatalystchicagoorg
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<p>Small manufacturing towns throughout the Midwest have been ravaged by foreign competition for some 30 years. Now, call it irony, or call it smart business, some of these same communities are trying to reinvent themselves by turning toward foreign competition.</p>
<p>It's a challenge though to stand out from the hundreds of other American communities that are going after those same foreign euros, yen, and renminbi. So, what makes an American town stand out?</p>
<p>Consider the case of Fort Dodge, Iowa: a success story in the making.</p>
<p>The city has bled jobs to cheaper foreign manufacturing locations for decades. The latest blow came in 2009 when appliance maker Electrolux announced it was shutting its factory in nearby Webster City and moving to Juarez, Mexico.</p>
<p>"We've looked into data of how many people have traveled from Fort Dodge proper over to Webster City to work at Electrolux, and we've estimated it at around 700 over the last few years have lost their jobs in that Electrolux closing," said Fort Doge Mayor Matt Bemrich.</p>
<p>That's a big blow for a city of 25,000.</p>
<p>Bemrich said, "It definitely affected families and people who had worked there for a number of years; you had generational employment there. So yea, it was devastating. But instead of crying about it, for lack of a better term, we went out and aggressively said, 'Well, what do we do to replace those jobs?'"</p>
<p>One way to replace those jobs is take advantage of globalization. In October, Fort Dodge reeled in a big fish: a South Korean company, Cheil Jedang, or CJ, said it will invest $324 million in a new plant near Fort Dodge that makes additives for livestock feed. It's expected to create some 200 local jobs.</p>
<p>CJ executive John Kang said in an e-mail that the company chose Fort Dodge primarily because Iowa has cheap corn. And there's a facility nearby to help process that corn to make its product. The company was also interested in transportation logistics and access to qualified workers, which Kang said is still a concern.</p>
<p>Still, CJ could've chosen any number of Midwestern locations with corn and a wet mill. Fort Dodge city manager David Firk said to really seal the deal, Fort Dodge had to sell itself.</p>
<p>"We have to be competitive. It comes down to: Is this a place you want to live? Whether it's the person making a decision on bringing a new industry here, as top level executives, do they want to live there? Can they get his or her best and brightest people to move to any city, let's say move to Fort Dodge?"</p>
<p>John Kang with CJ said housing for Korean employees was a concern when choosing an American location.</p>
<p>Mayor Matt Bemrich says when the South Koreans came to visit, he saw how much quality of life issues matter. He said the folks from CJ were pretty excited about the golfing options.</p>
<p>"They were just amazed. In South Korea land being such a huge commodity there, and the available land in this region of the United States, we have a lot of golf courses."</p>
<p>Maybe so. But there are lots of golf courses in Iowa, and everywhere in America.</p>
<p>John Kang with CJ said the golf courses in Fort Dodge were nice, but not a factor in the company's decision.</p>
<p>David Swenson, an economist at Iowa State University, says medium-sized communities all over the Midwest are marketing quality of life benefits to attract businesses. But distinguishing smaller communities in one state from another is difficult.</p>
<p>"And there's nothing magical about Iowa that foreign investment would be particularly attracted to. We don't have the kind of combination of assets and productivity that would necessarily send out a very, very strong message to foreign investors."</p>
<p>Swenson says in the end, foreign firms locate where it makes sense economically, not aesthetically.</p>
<p>So I asked Iowa Governor Terry Branstad if there's anything he can do to make Iowa stand out for foreign investment?</p>
<p>"Well first of all, you gotta build the relationship. Relationships are so important. And also with leaders."</p>
<p>It might sound odd to emphasize the personal. But that's the way business still gets done in much of the world. Just having a meal with a Chinese businessman goes a long way toward establishing trust.</p>
<p>Branstad said he has a leg up in the relationship building department: He served as governor of Iowa for 16 years in the 1980's and 1990's, before being re-elected again in 2010. Branstad likes to tell the story about his meeting with Xi Jinping in Iowa 1985. At the time, Xi was a low-level Chinese official. He's expected to become the next president of China. Branstad met with him again recently in Beijing.</p>
<p>"And he has a very positive feeling about Iowa. And he had the itinerary from his visit here 26 years ago. He said this, he said I was in your office at the state capitol of Des Moines, on the 26th day of April, 1985. And he said, he stayed with a family down in Muskateen who had two sons in college and a 13-year-old daughter. He was very impressed with the friendliness, the hospitality, and the way he was treated in Iowa."</p>
<p>Branstad is confident that he can leverage that personal relationship into Chinese investment in Iowa. He has also turned his sights to South Korea, especially with the recent passage of the US-South Korean free trade agreement.</p>
<p>It's quite possible there will be more Korean investment in Iowa beyond Fort Dodge. After all, there's no better advertising than word-of-mouth.</p>
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small manufacturing towns throughout midwest ravaged foreign competition 30 years call irony call smart business communities trying reinvent turning toward foreign competition challenge though stand hundreds american communities going foreign euros yen renminbi makes american town stand consider case fort dodge iowa success story making city bled jobs cheaper foreign manufacturing locations decades latest blow came 2009 appliance maker electrolux announced shutting factory nearby webster city moving juarez mexico weve looked data many people traveled fort dodge proper webster city work electrolux weve estimated around 700 last years lost jobs electrolux closing said fort doge mayor matt bemrich thats big blow city 25000 bemrich said definitely affected families people worked number years generational employment yea devastating instead crying lack better term went aggressively said well replace jobs one way replace jobs take advantage globalization october fort dodge reeled big fish south korean company cheil jedang cj said invest 324 million new plant near fort dodge makes additives livestock feed expected create 200 local jobs cj executive john kang said email company chose fort dodge primarily iowa cheap corn theres facility nearby help process corn make product company also interested transportation logistics access qualified workers kang said still concern still cj couldve chosen number midwestern locations corn wet mill fort dodge city manager david firk said really seal deal fort dodge sell competitive comes place want live whether person making decision bringing new industry top level executives want live get best brightest people move city lets say move fort dodge john kang cj said housing korean employees concern choosing american location mayor matt bemrich says south koreans came visit saw much quality life issues matter said folks cj pretty excited golfing options amazed south korea land huge commodity available land region united states lot golf courses maybe lots golf courses iowa everywhere america john kang cj said golf courses fort dodge nice factor companys decision david swenson economist iowa state university says mediumsized communities midwest marketing quality life benefits attract businesses distinguishing smaller communities one state another difficult theres nothing magical iowa foreign investment would particularly attracted dont kind combination assets productivity would necessarily send strong message foreign investors swenson says end foreign firms locate makes sense economically aesthetically asked iowa governor terry branstad theres anything make iowa stand foreign investment well first got ta build relationship relationships important also leaders might sound odd emphasize personal thats way business still gets done much world meal chinese businessman goes long way toward establishing trust branstad said leg relationship building department served governor iowa 16 years 1980s 1990s reelected 2010 branstad likes tell story meeting xi jinping iowa 1985 time xi lowlevel chinese official hes expected become next president china branstad met recently beijing positive feeling iowa itinerary visit 26 years ago said said office state capitol des moines 26th day april 1985 said stayed family muskateen two sons college 13yearold daughter impressed friendliness hospitality way treated iowa branstad confident leverage personal relationship chinese investment iowa also turned sights south korea especially recent passage ussouth korean free trade agreement quite possible korean investment iowa beyond fort dodge theres better advertising wordofmouth
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<p>Beginning with the ancient Christians martyred by the Roman Empire and running through Thomas Becket and to Dietrich Bonhoeffer and beyond, church leaders often have spoken truth courageously to the secular powers-that-be — regardless of the consequences.</p>
<p>But, in the months leading up to the increasingly unpopular Iraq war, did the United States' powerful conservative evangelical community step away from its responsibility to convey hard truths to the government? The answer, it seems, varies depending on one's views on the war—both past and present.</p>
<p>“I think [conservative evangelicals] abdicated or relinquished their prophetic role from the beginning” of President Bush's administration, said Adam Taylor, senior political director for Sojourners/Call to Renewal, a progressive evangelical group that opposed the war from the start.</p>
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<p>But Richard Land, the head of the Southern Baptist Convention's public-policy agency, said he thinks he and other conservative evangelicals who supported the war vocally were fulfilling their roles properly.</p>
<p>“I think that most of the evangelicals I think of—the majority that supported liberating Iraq and the minority who didn't support liberating Iraq by military force—both spoke truth as they saw it to power,” he said. “And if they do that, they're certainly speaking prophetically.”</p>
<p>Land led a group of five prominent evangelical leaders who, in the run-up to the war in the fall of 2002, signed an open letter declaring that Bush's designs on Iraq satisfied the criteria of Christian just-war theory.</p>
<p>Saddam Hussein, Iraq's then-dictator, “attacked his neighbors, used weapons of mass destruction against his own people, and harbored terrorists from the al-Qaeda terrorist network that attacked our nation so viciously and violently on Sept. 11, 2001,” the letter said.</p>
<p>Its signers included Prison Fellowship founder Chuck Colson. In a Dec. 2002 article for Christianity Today magazine, Colson argued that the classic definition of Christian just-war theory should be “stretched” to accommodate a new age in which terrorism and warfare are intertwined.</p>
<p>He concluded that “out of love of neighbor, then, Christians can and should support a preemptive strike” on Iraq to prevent Iraqi-based or Iraqi-funded attacks on the United States or its allies.</p>
<p>Charles Stanley, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Atlanta and a former Southern Baptist Convention president, even argued from the pulpit that war sometimes may be divinely justified.</p>
<p>“Throughout Scripture, there is evidence that God favors war for divine reasons and sometimes uses it to accomplish his will. He has also given governments and their citizens very specific responsibilities in regards to this matter,” Stanley said, in a sermon broadcast internationally on his television program.</p>
<p>Polls at the time and later on showed white evangelical Christians were among the war's strongest supporters. But along with the rest of the public, evangelical support for involvement in Iraq has slipped considerably in polls taken over the last year.</p>
<p>Nonetheless, Land said he continues to believe the decision to attack was right at the time, even if the war itself has been mishandled.</p>
<p>“I still think that the liberation of Iraq was a noble cause, and it also was in the self-interest of our country and the other countries in the region,” he said in a recent telephone interview. “And it certainly caused the fall of one of the more dastardly personages of the 20th century in Saddam Hussein.”</p>
<p>But, with a sizable number of Americans now saying the war was a mistake for America, Sojourners' Taylor said the fact some of the evangelical community's most prominent leaders seemed to endorse Bush's agenda whole-heartedly makes the war a mistake for evangelicalism itself. “In terms of the credibility of the evangelical voice and community, certainly it's had an impact,” he said.</p>
<p>Evangelicalism has “become something of an appendage of the Republican Party” to many non-evangelical Americans, Taylor said.</p>
<p>“Even if we may disagree on how those Christian values should be applied to public-policy issues, we think we could agree … on the importance of maintaining your prophetic integrity. And having an uncritical view of the war really compromised that prophetic integrity.”</p>
<p>To Baptist historian Bill Leonard, there are precedents for Christian leaders being burned for cozying up to presidents. He noted many of the same conservative evangelicals who have defended the war previously criticized progressive evangelical sociologist Tony Campolo for serving as one of President Clinton's spiritual confidants during his adultery-and-impeachment scandal.</p>
<p>“Earlier than that, Billy Graham himself had to come to terms with his close friendship with Richard Nixon after Watergate. And that was one of the cases where even Graham himself talked about his own sense of having been compromised,” said Leonard, dean of Wake Forest University Divinity School.</p>
<p>But Leonard also noted disillusionment over the war has created a “teachable moment” among evangelicals and contributed to a growing discontent with the Religious Right among some younger evangelical leaders.</p>
<p>“There is evidence among certain … emerging-church leaders who look over the fence, in a way, and who see where identification with one political party has taken some of their counterparts and their mentors and have pulled back from that,” Leonard said.</p>
<p>“Because they see where this can take you when the government goes sour or when particular things go in directions that are religiously compromised or questionable.”</p>
<p>Land, however, said such an understanding of evangelicalism's current dynamics assumes he and other leaders viewed Bush's desire to go to war uncritically—and the war itself has been an unmitigated disaster.</p>
<p>“I don't know any evangelicals personally who I had any suspicion” were mincing their words to Bush over the gravity of his decision to go to war, Land said. He noted he has long been an advocate of American military action to liberate the oppressed.</p>
<p>“You understand I'm someone who argued for [the first President] Bush … to intervene in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and one who argued for President Clinton to intervene in Kosovo and praised him when he did so,” he said. “I'm a pretty strong advocate for intervening when we can to stop human-rights atrocities.”</p>
<p>Land also noted that, whether he and other U.S. evangelical leaders wrongly paved the way to Iraq or not, the U.S. military is there now.</p>
<p>“To me, the discussion about whether or not we should have gone into Iraq militarily is an interesting discussion, … but it's also an abstract one,” he said.</p>
<p>“And the question is, now, what is the best way to win this war in a way that will benefit the Iraqi people and the people of the region and the United States?”</p>
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beginning ancient christians martyred roman empire running thomas becket dietrich bonhoeffer beyond church leaders often spoken truth courageously secular powersthatbe regardless consequences months leading increasingly unpopular iraq war united states powerful conservative evangelical community step away responsibility convey hard truths government answer seems varies depending ones views warboth past present think conservative evangelicals abdicated relinquished prophetic role beginning president bushs administration said adam taylor senior political director sojournerscall renewal progressive evangelical group opposed war start richard land head southern baptist conventions publicpolicy agency said thinks conservative evangelicals supported war vocally fulfilling roles properly think evangelicals think ofthe majority supported liberating iraq minority didnt support liberating iraq military forceboth spoke truth saw power said theyre certainly speaking prophetically land led group five prominent evangelical leaders runup war fall 2002 signed open letter declaring bushs designs iraq satisfied criteria christian justwar theory saddam hussein iraqs thendictator attacked neighbors used weapons mass destruction people harbored terrorists alqaeda terrorist network attacked nation viciously violently sept 11 2001 letter said signers included prison fellowship founder chuck colson dec 2002 article christianity today magazine colson argued classic definition christian justwar theory stretched accommodate new age terrorism warfare intertwined concluded love neighbor christians support preemptive strike iraq prevent iraqibased iraqifunded attacks united states allies charles stanley pastor first baptist church atlanta former southern baptist convention president even argued pulpit war sometimes may divinely justified throughout scripture evidence god favors war divine reasons sometimes uses accomplish also given governments citizens specific responsibilities regards matter stanley said sermon broadcast internationally television program polls time later showed white evangelical christians among wars strongest supporters along rest public evangelical support involvement iraq slipped considerably polls taken last year nonetheless land said continues believe decision attack right time even war mishandled still think liberation iraq noble cause also selfinterest country countries region said recent telephone interview certainly caused fall one dastardly personages 20th century saddam hussein sizable number americans saying war mistake america sojourners taylor said fact evangelical communitys prominent leaders seemed endorse bushs agenda wholeheartedly makes war mistake evangelicalism terms credibility evangelical voice community certainly impact said evangelicalism become something appendage republican party many nonevangelical americans taylor said even may disagree christian values applied publicpolicy issues think could agree importance maintaining prophetic integrity uncritical view war really compromised prophetic integrity baptist historian bill leonard precedents christian leaders burned cozying presidents noted many conservative evangelicals defended war previously criticized progressive evangelical sociologist tony campolo serving one president clintons spiritual confidants adulteryandimpeachment scandal earlier billy graham come terms close friendship richard nixon watergate one cases even graham talked sense compromised said leonard dean wake forest university divinity school leonard also noted disillusionment war created teachable moment among evangelicals contributed growing discontent religious right among younger evangelical leaders evidence among certain emergingchurch leaders look fence way see identification one political party taken counterparts mentors pulled back leonard said see take government goes sour particular things go directions religiously compromised questionable land however said understanding evangelicalisms current dynamics assumes leaders viewed bushs desire go war uncriticallyand war unmitigated disaster dont know evangelicals personally suspicion mincing words bush gravity decision go war land said noted long advocate american military action liberate oppressed understand im someone argued first president bush intervene bosniaherzegovina one argued president clinton intervene kosovo praised said im pretty strong advocate intervening stop humanrights atrocities land also noted whether us evangelical leaders wrongly paved way iraq us military discussion whether gone iraq militarily interesting discussion also abstract one said question best way win war way benefit iraqi people people region united states
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<p />
<p>In a fight, you go with your strengths. <a href="https://www.uber.com/" type="external">Uber</a>&#160;is the social media site whose app connects drivers with riders. Taxis drivers and others don’t like it, and are trying to enact legislation to limit it.</p>
<p>Uber now has responded by using&#160;the power of social networking to save its business model and fight two bills in the California Legislature.</p>
<p>The more straightforward of the two bills is&#160; <a href="http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201320140AB612" type="external">Assembly Bill 612</a>, by&#160;Assemblyman Adrin Nazarian, D-Sherman Oaks. Fueled by the support of taxi drivers, who have long been required by law to submit to detailed government licensing requirements, Nazarian’s bill would&#160;extend similar regulations to Uber drivers. In addition to public permitting, drivers would&#160;have to accept background tests, drug tests and fingerprinting.</p>
<p>As supporters of AB612 went on the record, their hostility toward Uber quickly became evident.&#160;According to the Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles&#160;city councilman Paul Koretz <a href="http://www.latimes.com/local/cityhall/la-me-0611-rideshare-fight-20140611-story.html" type="external">described</a> Uber, Lyft and other firms as “well-financed bandit cabs with apps.”</p>
<p>As a result of the double attack, Uber has taken to the court of public opinion, urging users and allies&#160;of the service to pressure California state legislators to vote down the bills. In a statement <a href="http://blog.uber.com/getonboard" type="external">posted</a> on the company’s blog, Uber took aim at both bills.</p>
<p>AB612, the company said, was “a flagrant attempt to stymie innovation and competition by an antiquated industry,” and “an obvious play by the taxicab industry to kill competition and limit consumer choice.”</p>
<p>Meanwhile, a more complex piece of legislation made advance. <a href="http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/13-14/bill/asm/ab_2251-2300/ab_2293_bill_20140328_amended_asm_v98.html" type="external">AB2293</a>&#160;is by Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla, D-Concord. The primary aim is to draw Uber into the regulatory framework established by insurance law.</p>
<p>AB2293&#160;was described as&#160;“a back-room deal by insurance companies and trial attorneys to prematurely force the ridesharing industry to fit their special interests.” It allowed insurance companies, Uber said, “to escape their liability for services they’ve already charged ratepayers,” while helping “trial attorneys work the system to ensure they get the largest payouts possible.”</p>
<p>Specifically targeting state senators sitting on the&#160;California Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee, Uber pointed readers toward recent regulations in Colorado that avoided the pitfalls of AB612 and AB2293.</p>
<p>In Colorado, SB125, supported&#160;by Uber, created a new class of vehicles, “Transportation Network Companies.” Regulations crafted for that class required three things: a multi-state background check&#160;including driving records and felony offenses; a quality and safety inspection conducted by certified mechanic; and insurance on every ride, up to $1 million, “from the moment a driver accepts a ride request.”</p>
<p>That final provision was key to resolving the kind of disagreement that has riven California, for reasons that require some background to explain.</p>
<p>AB2293 was designed&#160;to force Uber to abandon its preferred system of insurance coverage.&#160;Uber had grown accustomed to dealing with insurance in a somewhat improvised way. When passengers were&#160;inside Uber cars, Uber itself supplied so-called “primary” insurance coverage.</p>
<p>According to that system, in the event of an accident, Uber’s coverage was tapped first&#160;to cover damages, injuries and repairs. When passengers weren’t in the cars, however, each&#160;Uber driver’s personal auto insurance — not Uber’s insurance&#160;— became the primary coverage.</p>
<p>That meant, for instance, that if a driver with no passengers hit a pedestrian or crashed into a parked car, that driver would be personally liable through his or her auto insurance policy. Uber would be off the hook completely — with one exception.&#160;Uber supplies “contingent liability coverage” if a claim is denied by an insurance company on a driver’s personal coverage, which is primary during the time a driver is available but not carrying a passenger.</p>
<p>For critics, that arrangement seemed like something of a scam. It allowed Uber to cash in on the benefits of its service, while shifting the risks of its business model&#160;— like&#160;drivers unregulated by law — onto local&#160;residents.</p>
<p>The response of Uber and its supporters was simple. Uber, they said, was providing a voluntary, in-demand service that delivers primary insurance when drivers are actually doing the job they were contracted to do. What’s more, Uber wasn’t leaving anyone in the lurch, because drivers freely contracted with Uber to cover off-the-job accidents through their own personal auto insurance.</p>
<p>There was just one catch. A reasonable person could say that Uber drivers&#160;weren’t always off the job if they didn’t have passengers in their vehicles. In fact, because Uber operates via a smartphone app, drivers must use their phones to access and interact with the app in order to acquire passengers and communicate with them pre-ride. During those times, drivers are effectively on-duty. And even though they’re not carrying passengers, they are using their smartphones while in the car — possibly while driving.</p>
<p>That’s the circumstance that could open pedestrians and other drivers up to liability that could reasonably be expected to be Uber’s responsibility. Colorado’s state Legislature addressed that situation by requiring insurance from the moment a ride request is accepted — not from the moment a passenger enters a Uber vehicle.</p>
<p>California’s competing bills, however, were not designed to&#160;target the legal gray area with as much precision as Colorado’s bill. What’s more, the special interests aligned against Uber in California have done an effective job of poisoning the well by taking such a hostile view of the company (and similar firms).</p>
<p>With no legislative alternative on the horizon for now, a battle in Sacramento has quickly begun to brew.</p>
<p>We’ll soon see whether California, which basically created social media at Facebook, Twitter and other companies including San Francisco-based Uber, itself severely hampers its most glittering and profitable industry. If Uber is harmed, what social media company next would come under fire in its home state?</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Correction: The following wording was added after the word “completely”: “with one exception.&#160;Uber supplies ‘contingent liability coverage’ if a claim is denied by an insurance company on a driver’s personal coverage, which is primary during the time a driver is available but not carrying a passenger.”</p>
<p>We regret the error.</p>
<p>Also, an objection was made that Uber, Lyft and similar companies are not “social media.” In fact, they are, and not just because Uber is located in San Francisco. According to&#160; <a href="http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/social-media" type="external">Oxford Dictionaries</a>, social media are: “Websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social networking.” In March, Shoutlet ran <a href="http://www.shoutlet.com/blog/2014/03/10-lessons-brands-ubers-social-marketi/" type="external">an article</a>, “10 Lessons for Brands from Uber’s Social Marketing.” Bloomberg <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/video/uber-rides-social-media-dominance-to-17b-valuation-KEbANwrZSXWccFk45A5OZQ.html" type="external">reported June 10</a>,&#160;“Uber Rides Social Media Dominance to $17B Valuation.”</p>
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fight go strengths uber160is social media site whose app connects drivers riders taxis drivers others dont like trying enact legislation limit uber responded using160the power social networking save business model fight two bills california legislature straightforward two bills is160 assembly bill 612 by160assemblyman adrin nazarian dsherman oaks fueled support taxi drivers long required law submit detailed government licensing requirements nazarians bill would160extend similar regulations uber drivers addition public permitting drivers would160have accept background tests drug tests fingerprinting supporters ab612 went record hostility toward uber quickly became evident160according los angeles times los angeles160city councilman paul koretz described uber lyft firms wellfinanced bandit cabs apps result double attack uber taken court public opinion urging users allies160of service pressure california state legislators vote bills statement posted companys blog uber took aim bills ab612 company said flagrant attempt stymie innovation competition antiquated industry obvious play taxicab industry kill competition limit consumer choice meanwhile complex piece legislation made advance ab2293160is assemblywoman susan bonilla dconcord primary aim draw uber regulatory framework established insurance law ab2293160was described as160a backroom deal insurance companies trial attorneys prematurely force ridesharing industry fit special interests allowed insurance companies uber said escape liability services theyve already charged ratepayers helping trial attorneys work system ensure get largest payouts possible specifically targeting state senators sitting the160california senate energy utilities communications committee uber pointed readers toward recent regulations colorado avoided pitfalls ab612 ab2293 colorado sb125 supported160by uber created new class vehicles transportation network companies regulations crafted class required three things multistate background check160including driving records felony offenses quality safety inspection conducted certified mechanic insurance every ride 1 million moment driver accepts ride request final provision key resolving kind disagreement riven california reasons require background explain ab2293 designed160to force uber abandon preferred system insurance coverage160uber grown accustomed dealing insurance somewhat improvised way passengers were160inside uber cars uber supplied socalled primary insurance coverage according system event accident ubers coverage tapped first160to cover damages injuries repairs passengers werent cars however each160uber drivers personal auto insurance ubers insurance160 became primary coverage meant instance driver passengers hit pedestrian crashed parked car driver would personally liable auto insurance policy uber would hook completely one exception160uber supplies contingent liability coverage claim denied insurance company drivers personal coverage primary time driver available carrying passenger critics arrangement seemed like something scam allowed uber cash benefits service shifting risks business model160 like160drivers unregulated law onto local160residents response uber supporters simple uber said providing voluntary indemand service delivers primary insurance drivers actually job contracted whats uber wasnt leaving anyone lurch drivers freely contracted uber cover offthejob accidents personal auto insurance one catch reasonable person could say uber drivers160werent always job didnt passengers vehicles fact uber operates via smartphone app drivers must use phones access interact app order acquire passengers communicate preride times drivers effectively onduty even though theyre carrying passengers using smartphones car possibly driving thats circumstance could open pedestrians drivers liability could reasonably expected ubers responsibility colorados state legislature addressed situation requiring insurance moment ride request accepted moment passenger enters uber vehicle californias competing bills however designed to160target legal gray area much precision colorados bill whats special interests aligned uber california done effective job poisoning well taking hostile view company similar firms legislative alternative horizon battle sacramento quickly begun brew well soon see whether california basically created social media facebook twitter companies including san franciscobased uber severely hampers glittering profitable industry uber harmed social media company next would come fire home state 160 correction following wording added word completely one exception160uber supplies contingent liability coverage claim denied insurance company drivers personal coverage primary time driver available carrying passenger regret error also objection made uber lyft similar companies social media fact uber located san francisco according to160 oxford dictionaries social media websites applications enable users create share content participate social networking march shoutlet ran article 10 lessons brands ubers social marketing bloomberg reported june 10160uber rides social media dominance 17b valuation
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<p>By G. Jeffrey MacDonald</p>
<p>For more than a century, the Salvation Army has been helping the needy during the holidays. But now the red-clad bell ringers are getting some extra help to make sure their familiar kettles and donations of loose change don't vanish like Santa's sleigh.</p>
<p>On the heels of news that coin-catching kettles would no longer be welcome at Target stores nationwide, five retail chains are boosting the Salvation Army's presence at their stores. Companies that will either introduce or expand their red kettle programs include BJ's Wholesale Club, Books-A-Million, Michaels Stores, Circuit City and AutoZone.</p>
<p>As the bell-ringing season officially began Thanksgiving Day with the help of CBS and the Dallas Cowboys' halftime “Kettle Kickoff” show, the Salvation Army is clearly depending on big business to open the door to thousands of small donations. Last year the red kettles at commercial properties brought in $93 million for local relief efforts. Organizers hope this year could bring in as much or more.</p>
<p>Though non-solicitation policies have swept the kettles off many a national retailer's stoop in recent years, some in business are seeing a opportunity to align with what they regard as a quality brand charity.</p>
<p>“The Salvation Army was facing a fund-raising deficit, so we decided to expand our relationship,” said Amy Russ, director of community relations for BJ's Wholesale Club. Before this year, BJ's had welcomed the Army's gift shopping program for needy children at its 154 shopping clubs on the East Coast, but not its kettles.</p>
<p>The Salvation Army's gains and losses for kettle platforms this year are triggering questions about what's motivating businesses to move in opposite directions. Why would some see an affiliation with the kettles as an advantage while others are coming to see it as a liability?</p>
<p>The answer might have something to do with the Army's dual identity as a brand-name, well-respected charity on the one hand, and a fiery vehicle for saving souls through Jesus Christ on the other.</p>
<p>“As a result of the scandals, big companies are almost desperate to show they're about something more than making money,” said Marc Gunther, senior writer at Fortune magazine and author of Faith and Fortune: The Quiet Revolution to Reform American Business.</p>
<p>Keeping a well-known charity away may seem counterintuitive, Gunther said, but some companies may be equally sensitive to other concerns, including brand-name image and religious sensitivity.</p>
<p>“It just shows you're getting different thinking within corporate America,” he said. “… Companies are becoming more caring and compassionate. They just don't want to do it through a specific religion.”</p>
<p>In Gunther's estimate, big companies almost always avoid identification with “anything that's seen as sectarian and divisive.” Here, the Army's dedication to Christian evangelism could potentially raise eyebrows in a corporate board room.</p>
<p>According to Target spokesperson Lena Michaud, concerns about endorsing a religious project were not a factor in the decision to drop the kettles.</p>
<p>The company has a long-standing policy of not allowing any solicitation on its premises, she said. This year it chose to end its traditional exemption for the Salvation Army, lest Target be accused of playing favorites of any sort.</p>
<p>“It became increasingly difficult to say yes to one organization and say no to other worthy organizations,” Michaud said. “It was strictly a consistency issue.”</p>
<p>Kettles at Target stores brought in $8.9 million last year, or approximately $10,000 per Target store through the holiday season. To help make up the loss, the charity is steering potential givers to its Web site, www.salvationarmyusa.org, which generated $1.6 million during the holidays last year.</p>
<p>But for companies that are giving their blessing to bell ringers this year, the Salvation Army's traditions for generosity and caring trump any concerns about sectarianism. The main question for them is who's reliable when folks really need help. Their answer, they are finding, is the Salvation Army.</p>
<p>At Big Lots, a discount merchandiser with more than 1,400 stores in 46 states, the company's 45,000 employees have over the years answered surveys about which charities they would like their employer to support. When results were tallied, the Salvation Army shared top standing with Toys for Tots and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, according to spokesperson Keri Lucas.</p>
<p>“We've had employees lose everything in a fire or suffer another kind of loss, and the Salvation Army has been there to help them,” Lucas said. The Salvation Army's religious affiliation “is a non-factor,” she said, adding that “we've never had anyone come and say, ‘Why are you affiliating with them?' Not at all.”</p>
<p>In fact, Big Lots has made a special effort to draw attention this year to its 15-year tradition of hosting red kettles. When news reports were broadcasting where the kettles would be banned, Big Lots issued a statement of support saying, “The familiar sound of ringing bells and the friendly volunteers provide a reminder of the true meaning behind the holiday season.”</p>
<p>Not all of this year's kettle hosts are quite so committed to the cause. Circuit City, for instance, is welcoming kettles at only six stores near its Richmond headquarters on a trial basis for this season. Customer feedback, among other factors, will determine whether the policy gets expanded or discontinued, according to spokesperson Bill Cimino.</p>
<p>As far as the charity's religious affiliation is concerned, “some [donors] may give for that reason, and others may not give for the same reason,” said Theresa Whitfield, a spokeswoman for the Salvation Army's national headquarters in Alexandria. But in the end, she expects a universal concern for those in need to win the day as a motivating force.</p>
<p>Religion News Service</p>
<p>Jeffrey MacDonald writes for RNS.</p>
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g jeffrey macdonald century salvation army helping needy holidays redclad bell ringers getting extra help make sure familiar kettles donations loose change dont vanish like santas sleigh heels news coincatching kettles would longer welcome target stores nationwide five retail chains boosting salvation armys presence stores companies either introduce expand red kettle programs include bjs wholesale club booksamillion michaels stores circuit city autozone bellringing season officially began thanksgiving day help cbs dallas cowboys halftime kettle kickoff show salvation army clearly depending big business open door thousands small donations last year red kettles commercial properties brought 93 million local relief efforts organizers hope year could bring much though nonsolicitation policies swept kettles many national retailers stoop recent years business seeing opportunity align regard quality brand charity salvation army facing fundraising deficit decided expand relationship said amy russ director community relations bjs wholesale club year bjs welcomed armys gift shopping program needy children 154 shopping clubs east coast kettles salvation armys gains losses kettle platforms year triggering questions whats motivating businesses move opposite directions would see affiliation kettles advantage others coming see liability answer might something armys dual identity brandname wellrespected charity one hand fiery vehicle saving souls jesus christ result scandals big companies almost desperate show theyre something making money said marc gunther senior writer fortune magazine author faith fortune quiet revolution reform american business keeping wellknown charity away may seem counterintuitive gunther said companies may equally sensitive concerns including brandname image religious sensitivity shows youre getting different thinking within corporate america said companies becoming caring compassionate dont want specific religion gunthers estimate big companies almost always avoid identification anything thats seen sectarian divisive armys dedication christian evangelism could potentially raise eyebrows corporate board room according target spokesperson lena michaud concerns endorsing religious project factor decision drop kettles company longstanding policy allowing solicitation premises said year chose end traditional exemption salvation army lest target accused playing favorites sort became increasingly difficult say yes one organization say worthy organizations michaud said strictly consistency issue kettles target stores brought 89 million last year approximately 10000 per target store holiday season help make loss charity steering potential givers web site wwwsalvationarmyusaorg generated 16 million holidays last year companies giving blessing bell ringers year salvation armys traditions generosity caring trump concerns sectarianism main question whos reliable folks really need help answer finding salvation army big lots discount merchandiser 1400 stores 46 states companys 45000 employees years answered surveys charities would like employer support results tallied salvation army shared top standing toys tots boys girls clubs america according spokesperson keri lucas weve employees lose everything fire suffer another kind loss salvation army help lucas said salvation armys religious affiliation nonfactor said adding weve never anyone come say affiliating fact big lots made special effort draw attention year 15year tradition hosting red kettles news reports broadcasting kettles would banned big lots issued statement support saying familiar sound ringing bells friendly volunteers provide reminder true meaning behind holiday season years kettle hosts quite committed cause circuit city instance welcoming kettles six stores near richmond headquarters trial basis season customer feedback among factors determine whether policy gets expanded discontinued according spokesperson bill cimino far charitys religious affiliation concerned donors may give reason others may give reason said theresa whitfield spokeswoman salvation armys national headquarters alexandria end expects universal concern need win day motivating force religion news service jeffrey macdonald writes rns
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<p>If Donald Trump loses in November, he’ll have no shortage of people to blame. Besides himself, that is.</p>
<p>Trump, who has peddled <a href="" type="internal">a variety of conspiracy theories</a>throughout his campaign, is in the midst of building his most elaborate one yet around the recent flood of allegations that he groped, kissed, and grabbed women without their consent.</p>
<p>At a Thursday rally in West Palm Beach, he lashed out at women accusing him of “fabricated” and “absolutely false” sexual misconduct, linking them to an ever-expanding plot to undermine his campaign that he’s laid out in recent days.</p>
<p>“These people are horrible people, they're horrible, horrible liars and interestingly, it happens to appear 26 days before our very important election, isn't that amazing?” Trump said.</p>
<p>He claimed Clinton and the press engaged in a “concerted, coordinated” effort to find the women and publish their stories in order to distract from apparent <a href="" type="internal">hacked emails from Clinton aides posted on Wikileaks</a>that Trump said are “exposing the massive international corruption of the Clinton machine.”</p>
<p>“For them it’s a war and for them nothing at all is out of bounds,” he said.</p>
<p>American intelligence officials have squarely blamed a rash of hacking attacks against Democratic targets and distributed through Wikileaks on a Russian effort to influence the election — likely in Trump's favor.</p>
<p>Related: <a href="" type="internal">Michelle Obama on Trump's Comments: 'Enough Is Enough'</a></p>
<p>But Trump’s rhetoric, which he has said is no longer "shackled" by efforts to appease Republicans critics, is focusing on a supposed shadowy web of actors he claims are threatening to steal the election.</p>
<p>“This is a conspiracy against you, the American people, and we cannot let this happen or continue,” Trump said.</p>
<p>Who’s in on the conspiracy? Almost everybody.</p>
<p>On Thursday, Trump named his various female accusers, the corporate-owned media who reported their allegations, Hillary Clinton, the Department of Justice for not jailing Hillary Clinton, and Wall Street banks.</p>
<p>“The Clinton machine is at the center of this power structure,” Trump said. “We have seen this in the WikiLeaks documents in which Hillary Clinton meets in secret with international banks to plot the destruction of U.S. sovereignty in order to enrich these global financial powers, her special interest friends, and her donors."</p>
<p>Poll: <a href="" type="internal">Clinton Ahead in North Carolina; Virtual Tie in Ohio</a></p>
<p>Other co-conspirators named by Trump earlier in the week included “crooked” public pollsters who showed Trump losing, election officials and <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/10/11/donald-trump-warns-that-other-communities-are-poised-to-steal-the-election/" type="external">“other communities”</a> in swing states threatening to rig ballots, and a <a href="" type="internal">“sinister deal”</a> involving Speaker Paul Ryan that Trump did not elaborate upon.</p>
<p>It seems everyone is in the dark secret society out to wreck Trump, with the exception of the person caught on tape saying he uses his celebrity status to <a href="" type="internal">“grab ‘em by the p---y.”</a></p>
<p>Or the person who told Howard Stern that his <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/08/politics/trump-on-howard-stern/index.html" type="external">visits to young women’s dressing rooms</a> were a side benefit of owning beauty pageants.</p>
<p>Or the person who met a young girl in footage from 1992 and <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/more-unearthed-footage-trump-says-of-10-year-old-i-am-going-to-be-dating-her-in-10-years/" type="external">responded</a>, “I am going to be dating her in 10 years.”</p>
<p>(That person in each case, by the way, is Trump himself)</p>
<p>Now the former reality TV star <a href="" type="internal">stands accused by multiple women</a> of carrying out almost the exact behavior he described when he boasted about groping women. He is also accused by former pageant contestants, including underage Miss Teen USA contestants, of entering their changing rooms in the same manner he described to Stern.</p>
<p>These “vicious claims,” as Trump described them on Thursday, had no credibility. He pledged to present evidence soon that would discredit them.</p>
<p>Trump denied he inappropriately touched anyone in his speech. He reserved special venom for a People magazine writer who said Trump tried to force himself on her in 2005 while she was doing a profile of his life with his new bride Melania Trump. At one point, he seemed to suggest that she was too unattractive to lend her claim merit.</p>
<p>“Take a look, you take a look, look at her, look at her words, you tell me what you think,” Trump said. “I don't think so, I don't think so.”</p>
<p>Trump noted his wife was pregnant at the time the alleged encounter with the People writer took place. But she was also pregnant when the Access Hollywood tape was filmed, where Trump said he needed “tic tacs” to a kiss a woman he was ogling and made vulgar comments about co-host Nancy O’Dell to her co-workers for refusing his advances.</p>
<p>Related: <a href="" type="internal">Fact Checking Donald Trump's Defiant Speech</a></p>
<p>As his campaign fortunes sink, Trump’s speeches resemble the comment section of Breitbart, the far-right news site that was run until recently by his campaign CEO Steve Bannon, and other corners of the Internet where he draws some of his most fervent support.</p>
<p>Gone is the old approach championed by Kellyanne Conway, to steadily draw in more mainstream conservatives with more disciplined rhetoric and more broadly focused appeals. Instead, Trump is reverting to the “Let Trump be Trump” approach personified by his old campaign manager Corey Lewandowski — who was also <a href="" type="internal">accused of assaulting a woman</a> although the charges were later dropped.</p>
<p>Trump's speeches have become a Gatling gun of barbs at his critics that help fire up core supporters, with little mention of topics outside that might interest other voters. This strategy has yielded some benefits: Several Republican politicians who unendorsed Trump after the Access Hollywood tape re-endorsed him after his debate performance, which <a href="" type="internal">shoved aside political norms</a> but rallied his supporters.</p>
<p>Whether it can win an election is another story, and right now polls show Clinton with a significant lead nationally and in most swing states. For Trump to come back in the final weeks of the race, he would need to mount a comeback like no other in recent history.</p>
<p>In the meantime, it’s hard to miss that Trump’s targets lately include every institution traditionally counted on to validate the legitimacy of November’s election results, including pollsters, election workers, the press, and GOP leaders.</p>
<p>It raises the question whether Trump, who is now regularly warning of a “rigged” or “stolen” election, could be laying the groundwork for a post-election fight in which he — or his supporters — refuses to concede.</p>
<p>And as Trump moves into darker territory, there are other concerns that could extend beyond the election.</p>
<p>After Thursday afternoon’s speech, some observers expressed alarm that language from Trump about an international cabal of media and finance leaders out to crush working Americans strongly resembled anti-Semitic tropes popular with fringe supporters of his campaign.</p>
<p>“I’m not suggesting that somehow what was said today had the intent of riling up the anti-Semites,” Oren Segal, director of the Anti-Defamation League Center on Extremism, told NBC News. “But what I do know is that the anti-Semites will feel somewhat connected to the concepts there.”</p>
<p>Democrats, for their part, aren’t letting Trump go unchallenged. In a rare attack speech, first lady Michelle Obama excoriated Trump in New Hampshire for his comments and alleged behavior towards women.</p>
<p>“This is not normal,” she said. “This is not politics as usual. This is disgraceful, it is intolerable, and it doesn't matter what party you belong to.”</p>
<p />
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donald trump loses november hell shortage people blame besides trump peddled variety conspiracy theoriesthroughout campaign midst building elaborate one yet around recent flood allegations groped kissed grabbed women without consent thursday rally west palm beach lashed women accusing fabricated absolutely false sexual misconduct linking everexpanding plot undermine campaign hes laid recent days people horrible people theyre horrible horrible liars interestingly happens appear 26 days important election isnt amazing trump said claimed clinton press engaged concerted coordinated effort find women publish stories order distract apparent hacked emails clinton aides posted wikileaksthat trump said exposing massive international corruption clinton machine war nothing bounds said american intelligence officials squarely blamed rash hacking attacks democratic targets distributed wikileaks russian effort influence election likely trumps favor related michelle obama trumps comments enough enough trumps rhetoric said longer shackled efforts appease republicans critics focusing supposed shadowy web actors claims threatening steal election conspiracy american people let happen continue trump said whos conspiracy almost everybody thursday trump named various female accusers corporateowned media reported allegations hillary clinton department justice jailing hillary clinton wall street banks clinton machine center power structure trump said seen wikileaks documents hillary clinton meets secret international banks plot destruction us sovereignty order enrich global financial powers special interest friends donors poll clinton ahead north carolina virtual tie ohio coconspirators named trump earlier week included crooked public pollsters showed trump losing election officials communities swing states threatening rig ballots sinister deal involving speaker paul ryan trump elaborate upon seems everyone dark secret society wreck trump exception person caught tape saying uses celebrity status grab em py person told howard stern visits young womens dressing rooms side benefit owning beauty pageants person met young girl footage 1992 responded going dating 10 years person case way trump former reality tv star stands accused multiple women carrying almost exact behavior described boasted groping women also accused former pageant contestants including underage miss teen usa contestants entering changing rooms manner described stern vicious claims trump described thursday credibility pledged present evidence soon would discredit trump denied inappropriately touched anyone speech reserved special venom people magazine writer said trump tried force 2005 profile life new bride melania trump one point seemed suggest unattractive lend claim merit take look take look look look words tell think trump said dont think dont think trump noted wife pregnant time alleged encounter people writer took place also pregnant access hollywood tape filmed trump said needed tic tacs kiss woman ogling made vulgar comments cohost nancy odell coworkers refusing advances related fact checking donald trumps defiant speech campaign fortunes sink trumps speeches resemble comment section breitbart farright news site run recently campaign ceo steve bannon corners internet draws fervent support gone old approach championed kellyanne conway steadily draw mainstream conservatives disciplined rhetoric broadly focused appeals instead trump reverting let trump trump approach personified old campaign manager corey lewandowski also accused assaulting woman although charges later dropped trumps speeches become gatling gun barbs critics help fire core supporters little mention topics outside might interest voters strategy yielded benefits several republican politicians unendorsed trump access hollywood tape reendorsed debate performance shoved aside political norms rallied supporters whether win election another story right polls show clinton significant lead nationally swing states trump come back final weeks race would need mount comeback like recent history meantime hard miss trumps targets lately include every institution traditionally counted validate legitimacy novembers election results including pollsters election workers press gop leaders raises question whether trump regularly warning rigged stolen election could laying groundwork postelection fight supporters refuses concede trump moves darker territory concerns could extend beyond election thursday afternoons speech observers expressed alarm language trump international cabal media finance leaders crush working americans strongly resembled antisemitic tropes popular fringe supporters campaign im suggesting somehow said today intent riling antisemites oren segal director antidefamation league center extremism told nbc news know antisemites feel somewhat connected concepts democrats part arent letting trump go unchallenged rare attack speech first lady michelle obama excoriated trump new hampshire comments alleged behavior towards women normal said politics usual disgraceful intolerable doesnt matter party belong
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<p>In 1626, the French Jesuit Jean Leurechon (1591-1670) first coined the word “thermometer.” It appeared in his best-selling book, Récréation Mathématique, which he wrote under the nom de plume of Hendrik van Etten. (A subsequent English translation was entitled&#160;Mathematical Recreations, or a&#160;Collection of Sundry Excellent Problems Out of Ancient and Modern Philosophers Both Useful and Recreative). &#160;</p>
<p>The term is a compound word consisting of a Greek root and a French suffix, also of Greek origin. The ancient Greek word θέρμη, or therme, means heat, and θερμός (thermos) means hot, glowing, or boiling. The second part of the word, meter, comes from the French -mètre (which has its roots in the post-classical Latin: -meter, -metrum and the ancient Greek, -μέτρον, or metron, which means to measure something, such as a length, weight, or width).</p>
<p>Though time seems to have forgotten him, Leurechon was a fascinating figure in the history of science and mathematics. His great claim to fame is that his book was a progenitor to today’s popular “crossword puzzle, jumble, and brain-teaser” books—only, his puzzles required an advanced knowledge of algebra, geometry, and even physics. He also included in his book several mechanical, hydrostatics, and optics puzzles, many of which he “borrowed” from the works of the French mathematician and Jesuit, Claude-Gaspar Bachet de Méziriac, among others.</p>
<p>According to the Oxford English Dictionary, Leurechon first used the word thermometer in “ <a href="https://archive.org/stream/mathematicallre00oughgoog#page/n153/mode/2up" type="external">Puzzle Number LXIX</a>,” which involved an experiment with a cylindrical pipe of glass with a little ball or bowl at the top that used a combination of water and “colored liquor.” The word appeared in a sentence that read, &#160;“Thermomètre ou instrument pour mésurer les degrez de chalour ou de froidure qui sont en l'air” which was translated to: “Of the Thermometer: or an instrument to measure the degrees of heat and cold in the aire.”</p>
<p>After “the van Etten” book came out, the word thermometer began cropping up in other scientific treatises. For example, it’s mentioned in Sir Thomas Browne’s 1646 treatise on epidemic diseases, Pseudodoxia Epidemica, and in Robert Hooke’s 1665 masterpiece, Micrographia, the same book in which he coined the word “cell.”</p>
<p>Long before van Etten invented the word, a number of scientists had already developed several types of thermometer-like instruments using different substances and glass tubes to measure the ambient temperature. For instance, Galileo Galilei worked on a water-based thermometer some time around 1595. Duke Ferdinand II of Tuscany introduced an alcohol-based thermometer in the mid-17th century. The great physicist Sir Isaac Newton experimented with a linseed oil thermometer in the early 1700s.&#160;</p>
<p>None of these instruments featured a reliably reproducible system of temperature measurement, however, until after 1714, when Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit, a German physicist, glassblower, and engineer living in the Dutch Republic announced that he had invented a mercury-based thermometer. More important, in 1724, he proposed his famous scale—which we use in the United States to this very day.&#160;</p>
<p>Following Fahrenheit’s lead, in 1742 the astronomer Anders Celsius of Uppsala, Sweden, introduced his own scale, which entailed fixed constants. In other words, he proposed an absolute zero, which is what he called the boiling point, and a freezing point, which he set at 100 degrees. These two points were reversed in 1745 at the suggestion of <a href="http://www.linnaeus.uu.se/online/life/6_32.html" type="external">Carl Linnaeus</a>, which is how the scale remains today. Celsius’s colleagues at the Uppsala Observatory took to calling his invention “the Swedish thermometer,” but Celsius preferred “centigrade,” which is Latin for “one-hundred steps.” Others began to refer to it as the Celsius thermometer sometime around 1800.&#160;</p>
<p>In the late 1860s, doctors started using thermometers to measure body temperature, especially in patients with fevers brought on by infectious (and other) diseases. Over the past 70 or more years, thanks to the mass manufacture of reliable, cheap Fahrenheit- or Celsius-based rectal and oral thermometers, the devices have become a ubiquitous household tool favored by many a worried parent of sick and febrile children.</p>
<p>Today, the thermometer is the iconic tool for the simple act of “taking the temperature.” But it’s a story that has developed by many degrees.</p>
<p>REFERENCES</p>
<p>“ <a href="http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-2830900834.html" type="external">Celsius, Anders.</a>”&#160;Complete Dictionary of Scientific Biography, 2008. Online, via <a href="http://http://www.encyclopedia.com" type="external">Encyclopedia.com</a>.</p>
<p>“ <a href="http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3437500183.html" type="external">Celsius, Anders.</a>”&#160;UXL Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2003. Online, via <a href="http://http://www.encyclopedia.com" type="external">Encyclopedia.com</a>.</p>
<p>Estes, J.W. “Quantitative observations on fever and its treatment before the advent of short clinical thermometers.”&#160;Medical History. 35 (1991):189-216.&#160;</p>
<p>Gillispie, Charles C., editor-in-chief.&#160;Dictionary of Scientific Biography. 16 vols. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1970–1980.</p>
<p>Leurechon, Jean and William Oughtred. <a href="https://archive.org/details/mathematicallre00oughgoog" type="external">Mathematicall Recreations</a>. London: Printed for W. Leake, 1653. Online, via <a href="https://archive.org/index.php" type="external">Internet Archive</a>.</p>
<p>“Linnaeus’ thermometer.” <a href="http://www.linnaeus.uu.se/online/life/6_32.html" type="external">Online Linné</a>. Uppsala Universitet, 2008.&#160;</p>
<p>Markel, Howard. “ <a href="http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=203057" type="external">Dr. Osler's Replasing Fever</a>.”&#160;JAMA.&#160;295(24) (2006):2886-2887</p>
<p>Simpson, John, editor-in-chief. Oxford English Dictionary. Third Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010.</p>
<p>Osler, William. &#160;The Principles and Practice of Medicine. New York, NY: D. Appleton, 1892.</p>
<p>Osler, William. “The Study of the Fevers in the South.”&#160;JAMA.&#160;26 (1896):999-1004.</p>
<p>Petkovic, Miodrag S.&#160; <a href="http://www.ams.org/bookstore/pspdf/mbk-63-prev.pdf" type="external">Famous Puzzles of Great Mathematicians</a>. Providence, Rhode Island: American Mathematical Society, 2009.</p>
<p>Sigerist, Henry. The Great Doctors. New York: Dover Publications, 1971.</p>
<p />
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1626 french jesuit jean leurechon 15911670 first coined word thermometer appeared bestselling book récréation mathématique wrote nom de plume hendrik van etten subsequent english translation entitled160mathematical recreations a160collection sundry excellent problems ancient modern philosophers useful recreative 160 term compound word consisting greek root french suffix also greek origin ancient greek word θέρμη therme means heat θερμός thermos means hot glowing boiling second part word meter comes french mètre roots postclassical latin meter metrum ancient greek μέτρον metron means measure something length weight width though time seems forgotten leurechon fascinating figure history science mathematics great claim fame book progenitor todays popular crossword puzzle jumble brainteaser booksonly puzzles required advanced knowledge algebra geometry even physics also included book several mechanical hydrostatics optics puzzles many borrowed works french mathematician jesuit claudegaspar bachet de méziriac among others according oxford english dictionary leurechon first used word thermometer puzzle number lxix involved experiment cylindrical pipe glass little ball bowl top used combination water colored liquor word appeared sentence read 160thermomètre ou instrument pour mésurer les degrez de chalour ou de froidure qui sont en lair translated thermometer instrument measure degrees heat cold aire van etten book came word thermometer began cropping scientific treatises example mentioned sir thomas brownes 1646 treatise epidemic diseases pseudodoxia epidemica robert hookes 1665 masterpiece micrographia book coined word cell long van etten invented word number scientists already developed several types thermometerlike instruments using different substances glass tubes measure ambient temperature instance galileo galilei worked waterbased thermometer time around 1595 duke ferdinand ii tuscany introduced alcoholbased thermometer mid17th century great physicist sir isaac newton experimented linseed oil thermometer early 1700s160 none instruments featured reliably reproducible system temperature measurement however 1714 daniel gabriel fahrenheit german physicist glassblower engineer living dutch republic announced invented mercurybased thermometer important 1724 proposed famous scalewhich use united states day160 following fahrenheits lead 1742 astronomer anders celsius uppsala sweden introduced scale entailed fixed constants words proposed absolute zero called boiling point freezing point set 100 degrees two points reversed 1745 suggestion carl linnaeus scale remains today celsiuss colleagues uppsala observatory took calling invention swedish thermometer celsius preferred centigrade latin onehundred steps others began refer celsius thermometer sometime around 1800160 late 1860s doctors started using thermometers measure body temperature especially patients fevers brought infectious diseases past 70 years thanks mass manufacture reliable cheap fahrenheit celsiusbased rectal oral thermometers devices become ubiquitous household tool favored many worried parent sick febrile children today thermometer iconic tool simple act taking temperature story developed many degrees references celsius anders160complete dictionary scientific biography 2008 online via encyclopediacom celsius anders160uxl encyclopedia world biography 2003 online via encyclopediacom estes jw quantitative observations fever treatment advent short clinical thermometers160medical history 35 1991189216160 gillispie charles c editorinchief160dictionary scientific biography 16 vols new york charles scribners sons 19701980 leurechon jean william oughtred mathematicall recreations london printed w leake 1653 online via internet archive linnaeus thermometer online linné uppsala universitet 2008160 markel howard dr oslers replasing fever160jama16029524 200628862887 simpson john editorinchief oxford english dictionary third edition oxford oxford university press 2010 osler william 160the principles practice medicine new york ny appleton 1892 osler william study fevers south160jama16026 18969991004 petkovic miodrag s160 famous puzzles great mathematicians providence rhode island american mathematical society 2009 sigerist henry great doctors new york dover publications 1971
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<p>CURWOOD: It's Living on Earth; I'm Steve Curwood. Oklahoma has overtaken California as the most earthquake-prone state in the continental U.S. with more than 230 earthquakes measuring 3.0 or more on the Richter scale this year alone. Most of this shaking is due to hundreds of thousandseven millions--of gallons of toxic wastewater from gas and oil drilling being injected underground. Professor Geoffrey Abers of Cornell University was part of a team that recently investigated this and published a paper in Science, and we asked him about it via Skype. ABERS: Well, our study is actually about earthquakes, so what we think weve documented in this paper is a link between the small number of very high-volume injection wells to earthquakes that have been occurring throughout Oklahoma. I think what struck us a couple of years ago has been the really dramatic increase in seismicity across the central and eastern United States, which are usually places that have very few earthquakes. Since 2008, the number of earthquakes in these last seven years has increased at a rate of about five to ten times relative to the preceding several decades across the whole region, and much of that is actually in the state of Oklahoma where the rate of earthquakes increased about forty times relative to the preceding few decades. Seismic Hazard Map of Oklahoma (Photo: USGS) CURWOOD: Now I understand that you ran some models. What did you see when you ran those models and simulations? ABERS: So we used the same kind of modeling tools that hydrologists use to figure out how water moves around in the subsurface. We took what we knew about the wells, which is how much they pump in every month. We took the 89 largest wells in central Oklahoma for the last decade, put this into our model to look at how the pressure is built up inside the formations at depth with time. What we saw was that theres a large pressure-front that migrated away from Oklahoma City. The rate that it was migrating and the locations of this front match pretty closely the migration of earthquakes that weve seen since about 2009, 2010. CURWOOD: Part of your study focuses on four particular wells. What was so special about them? ABERS: Well, in the simulations we did, the patterns we saw show that the main pressure changes came out of a group of wells in southeastern Oklahoma City. Thats sort of where the main source of pressure is. So when we did simulations without those wells, we didnt produce the same kind of patterns at all as we see with the earthquakes. Locations of earthquakes in Oklahoma between 1973 and 2011 (Photo: USGS) CURWOOD: How exactly does this wastewater injection affect the creation of earthquakes? ABERS: Well, weve known for a long time that earthquakes are caused by a fault that slips. Theres faults everywhere. While the faults are under some stress, what the water does is it gets into the fault and weakens it, so it can no longer support as much stress as it used to. So it takes a fault that maybe was not ready to have an earthquake anytime soon and suddenly weakens it to the point that it fails and breaks and triggers an earthquake on that. CURWOOD: How can you tell that all these earthquakes are from wastewater injection and not just, you know, normal seismic activity? ABERS: So this kind of increase in seismic activitythis is just not just something that we've seen anywhere else in the natural system ever. We see clusters that are big earthquakes that have aftershock sequences and then theres some swarms in volcanic centers that are fairly localized around a conduit, but to see an increase in earthquakes over such a big area by such an amount is really unprecedented anywhere. CURWOOD: Now how far away can these earthquakes be felt? ABERS: So thats an important thing. What weve seen in this study is that earthquakes can be triggered as far away as about 25 milesthis is the furthest sort of cluster that we see associated with this main pressure pulse. Its much further than people have previously been able to associate with injection wells, where its usually been just a couple of miles or less. CURWOOD: So, whats likely to happen to seismic activity in Oklahoma if all this wastewater injection isnt curtailed? Earthquake damage to a road (Photo: Martin Luff; Creative Commons Flickr 2.0) ABERS: Well, I mean, its hard to know because we dont have a good idea of where the faults are that are near failure, but if this continues its reasonable to expect that earthquakes will continue to happen. CURWOOD: And are there a lot of earthquakes? ABERS: Well, were seeing so far in 2014, theres been an average of something more than an earthquake a day at magnitude three or larger. CURWOOD: How much of a public safety risk is, say, a magnitude 3.0 earthquake? ABERS: Well, if you knew you were only making magnitude threes, then theres not that much to worry about. The trouble is, is that theres nothing in our understanding of how these faults work that gives us a really good feel for how big these earthquakes could be, so the more of these small earthquakes that youre triggering and youre making, the higher the risk of there being a larger earthquake as well in the same area. CURWOOD: Whats the most intense earthquake thats been documented to have been triggered by wastewater injection? ABERS: Id say the 2011 Prague, Oklahoma, sequence. It was a magnitude 5.7; thats the largest. There were two magnitude 5s that happened within a couple of days of thatthat was just outside of our study area. CURWOOD: Wow, what kind of damage did those earthquakes do? ABERS: It was a few million dollars in damage to chimneys, roofs, roads, cracks in foundations. It was felt pretty widely around the Midwest as well. It was fortunately in a fairly rural area so the effects certainly could have been worse if it was in a more densely populated part of the world. CURWOOD: What do you see as the takeaway message from your study? ABERS: Well, I think the main takeaway is that high volume wastewater injection, or high volume pumping of fluids anywhere, of any kind, is going to increase the probability of triggering earthquakes significantly relative to other kinds of pumping into the subsurface. CURWOOD: Geoffrey Abers is a Professor of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at Cornell University. Thanks so much for taking the time with me today. ABERS: Thanks for having me on the show.</p>
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curwood living earth im steve curwood oklahoma overtaken california earthquakeprone state continental us 230 earthquakes measuring 30 richter scale year alone shaking due hundreds thousandseven millionsof gallons toxic wastewater gas oil drilling injected underground professor geoffrey abers cornell university part team recently investigated published paper science asked via skype abers well study actually earthquakes think weve documented paper link small number highvolume injection wells earthquakes occurring throughout oklahoma think struck us couple years ago really dramatic increase seismicity across central eastern united states usually places earthquakes since 2008 number earthquakes last seven years increased rate five ten times relative preceding several decades across whole region much actually state oklahoma rate earthquakes increased forty times relative preceding decades seismic hazard map oklahoma photo usgs curwood understand ran models see ran models simulations abers used kind modeling tools hydrologists use figure water moves around subsurface took knew wells much pump every month took 89 largest wells central oklahoma last decade put model look pressure built inside formations depth time saw theres large pressurefront migrated away oklahoma city rate migrating locations front match pretty closely migration earthquakes weve seen since 2009 2010 curwood part study focuses four particular wells special abers well simulations patterns saw show main pressure changes came group wells southeastern oklahoma city thats sort main source pressure simulations without wells didnt produce kind patterns see earthquakes locations earthquakes oklahoma 1973 2011 photo usgs curwood exactly wastewater injection affect creation earthquakes abers well weve known long time earthquakes caused fault slips theres faults everywhere faults stress water gets fault weakens longer support much stress used takes fault maybe ready earthquake anytime soon suddenly weakens point fails breaks triggers earthquake curwood tell earthquakes wastewater injection know normal seismic activity abers kind increase seismic activitythis something weve seen anywhere else natural system ever see clusters big earthquakes aftershock sequences theres swarms volcanic centers fairly localized around conduit see increase earthquakes big area amount really unprecedented anywhere curwood far away earthquakes felt abers thats important thing weve seen study earthquakes triggered far away 25 milesthis furthest sort cluster see associated main pressure pulse much people previously able associate injection wells usually couple miles less curwood whats likely happen seismic activity oklahoma wastewater injection isnt curtailed earthquake damage road photo martin luff creative commons flickr 20 abers well mean hard know dont good idea faults near failure continues reasonable expect earthquakes continue happen curwood lot earthquakes abers well seeing far 2014 theres average something earthquake day magnitude three larger curwood much public safety risk say magnitude 30 earthquake abers well knew making magnitude threes theres much worry trouble theres nothing understanding faults work gives us really good feel big earthquakes could small earthquakes youre triggering youre making higher risk larger earthquake well area curwood whats intense earthquake thats documented triggered wastewater injection abers id say 2011 prague oklahoma sequence magnitude 57 thats largest two magnitude 5s happened within couple days thatthat outside study area curwood wow kind damage earthquakes abers million dollars damage chimneys roofs roads cracks foundations felt pretty widely around midwest well fortunately fairly rural area effects certainly could worse densely populated part world curwood see takeaway message study abers well think main takeaway high volume wastewater injection high volume pumping fluids anywhere kind going increase probability triggering earthquakes significantly relative kinds pumping subsurface curwood geoffrey abers professor earth atmospheric sciences cornell university thanks much taking time today abers thanks show
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<p>ORLANDO, Fla. — First came ripples of Insight.</p>
<p>Not ripples of deep thought or precsience, but instead, ripples caused by a quirky, iconoclastic, little car: a hybrid gasoline-electric from Honda that would capture an excited, if small and eclectic market to sustain it from 1999 to 2006.</p>
<p>But the ripples became a wave after Toyota jumped into the pond with its Prius, putting Honda and Toyota way ahead of the pack.</p>
<p>In explaining its original Prius, which arrived in the United States a year after the Insight, Ed La Rocque, Toyota's national small car manager, said the company wanted to "make a difference and change the way people think about transportation."</p>
<p>Toyota had company, of course, and the wave continued to swell.&#160; Other cars, trucks and SUVs soon joined the market, and hybrids continue to attract new followers and manufacturers. But as on any race track — hot tar or industrial — what goes around comes around (unless it crashes).</p>
<p>So coming off the last turn and heading into another lap are the 2010 revamped Prius and the 2010 reborn Insight, seeking more "mavens, adopters, pioneers," as La Rocque said of Prius buyers.</p>
<p>While bigger and more traditionally car-like in its appearance than the original Insight (hint: George Jetson would have been an Insight owner were he grounded), the reborn version remains a smaller car with a smaller engine (1.3 liters vs. 1.8) than the Prius.</p>
<p>And yet the Prius, which we drove here on Florida byways, while it has more power, somehow has a better gas mileage rating: 51 miles per gallon city and 48 highway, versus 40 city/43 highway.</p>
<p>Hardly a race, you say?</p>
<p>There's more to this race than just fuel consumption. Cost and cost recovery, as always with hybrids, is a considerable factor. Long argued, calculated and tested has been the question of how long and over how many miles will it take to get back the premium (in the past as high as $5,000) slapped onto hybrid prices — this in a time where plenty of small cars with no hybrid system and no premium still reach or approach 40 miles per gallon.</p>
<p>And yet, if the Prius we drove can truly reach the estimated fuel ratings, it could be a game changer. But still there's a cost recovery conundrum. That's because the Insight's base price is $2,000 to $3,000 below most hybrids.</p>
<p>It is hard not to conclude that the Insight pricing — starting at just under $20,000 — caused Toyota to promise a base model at $21,000, a grand less than its current $22,000 base model, but still a work in progress.</p>
<p>It's unclear whether the mileage estimates for the Prius will hold up — I never managed, in testing, to get the previous estimated overall fuel efficiency, though I did drive in cold weather where the hybrid system is less efficient.</p>
<p>But my, what a car, what an improvement on an already popular car.</p>
<p>It is a far more quiet, roomier (mostly in the rear, where a roof apex moved back about four inches to amplify headroom and where legroom has been added by reshaping the front seats) and a hell of a lot more fun to drive. And should fun get you into trouble, it now has seven airbags with a knee bag added, and standard ABS and stability control.</p>
<p>It also replaces the uncomfortable, problematic driver's seat with a six-way adjustable seat.</p>
<p>And available to the greenest of the green is a power moonroof with solar panels to help run a fan to cool the interior when the car is parked.</p>
<p>Also available for when the car is moving is a beanie cap with propellor atop to be worn by the front seat passenger who, on cloudy days, can simply open the moonroof, plug into a 12-volt jack, raise his seat until the prop hits wind, and generate extra juice that way.</p>
<p>But seriously, this car's larger powerplant, at 98-horsepower, has 22 more ponies thundering (OK, cantering) under the hood and provides 105 lbs.-ft. of torque (up by 23), which is the basso backup muscle to the soprano surge of horsepower — like Paulie having Tony's back on the television series.</p>
<p>And a way cool feature is the choice among button-activated driving modes: EV allows engine-off rolling at up to 25 miles per hour for about a mile. ECO mode tones down the throttle and air conditioning (and some performance) to save fuel. And POWER mode is for those moments when you're willing to give up some mileage for some raw (OK, medium rare) power.</p>
<p>Other than the quietude of starting, standing or rolling slowly, this car, on open road and highway, feels more like a "normal'" car than the past model.</p>
<p>Its surge in passing is never in doubt — be safe, but don't hesitate. Its suspension is far tighter, a huge plus in a car whose performance needs to offer tactile driver feedback.</p>
<p>The center control stack is a multi-display screen that offers all the information you need and flows through control buttons to a nifty Park/Neutral/Drive/Backup stub of a shift-knob.</p>
<p>So will Prius win this race?</p>
<p>I'm not sure that's as important as is the question of whether or not these two world-beaters can drag ever more car companies into building — using lightweight smaller cars, clean diesel or electricty — a global tsunami of fuel efficient vehicles for the masses who will need and demand them.</p>
<p>Read more from Wheels columnist Royal Ford:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/wheels/090528/auto-economy-troubles" type="external">Reversing the super-sizing trend</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/wheels/090501/review-2010-kia-soul" type="external">Review: 2010 Kia Soul</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/wheels/090427/the-death-pontiac" type="external">On the death of Pontiac</a></p>
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orlando fla first came ripples insight ripples deep thought precsience instead ripples caused quirky iconoclastic little car hybrid gasolineelectric honda would capture excited small eclectic market sustain 1999 2006 ripples became wave toyota jumped pond prius putting honda toyota way ahead pack explaining original prius arrived united states year insight ed la rocque toyotas national small car manager said company wanted make difference change way people think transportation toyota company course wave continued swell160 cars trucks suvs soon joined market hybrids continue attract new followers manufacturers race track hot tar industrial goes around comes around unless crashes coming last turn heading another lap 2010 revamped prius 2010 reborn insight seeking mavens adopters pioneers la rocque said prius buyers bigger traditionally carlike appearance original insight hint george jetson would insight owner grounded reborn version remains smaller car smaller engine 13 liters vs 18 prius yet prius drove florida byways power somehow better gas mileage rating 51 miles per gallon city 48 highway versus 40 city43 highway hardly race say theres race fuel consumption cost cost recovery always hybrids considerable factor long argued calculated tested question long many miles take get back premium past high 5000 slapped onto hybrid prices time plenty small cars hybrid system premium still reach approach 40 miles per gallon yet prius drove truly reach estimated fuel ratings could game changer still theres cost recovery conundrum thats insights base price 2000 3000 hybrids hard conclude insight pricing starting 20000 caused toyota promise base model 21000 grand less current 22000 base model still work progress unclear whether mileage estimates prius hold never managed testing get previous estimated overall fuel efficiency though drive cold weather hybrid system less efficient car improvement already popular car far quiet roomier mostly rear roof apex moved back four inches amplify headroom legroom added reshaping front seats hell lot fun drive fun get trouble seven airbags knee bag added standard abs stability control also replaces uncomfortable problematic drivers seat sixway adjustable seat available greenest green power moonroof solar panels help run fan cool interior car parked also available car moving beanie cap propellor atop worn front seat passenger cloudy days simply open moonroof plug 12volt jack raise seat prop hits wind generate extra juice way seriously cars larger powerplant 98horsepower 22 ponies thundering ok cantering hood provides 105 lbsft torque 23 basso backup muscle soprano surge horsepower like paulie tonys back television series way cool feature choice among buttonactivated driving modes ev allows engineoff rolling 25 miles per hour mile eco mode tones throttle air conditioning performance save fuel power mode moments youre willing give mileage raw ok medium rare power quietude starting standing rolling slowly car open road highway feels like normal car past model surge passing never doubt safe dont hesitate suspension far tighter huge plus car whose performance needs offer tactile driver feedback center control stack multidisplay screen offers information need flows control buttons nifty parkneutraldrivebackup stub shiftknob prius win race im sure thats important question whether two worldbeaters drag ever car companies building using lightweight smaller cars clean diesel electricty global tsunami fuel efficient vehicles masses need demand read wheels columnist royal ford reversing supersizing trend review 2010 kia soul death pontiac
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<p>AUGUSTA, Sicily, Italy — Isma could see that the rubber dinghy he boarded with 100 other refugees was ill-equipped to carry them across the Mediterranean Sea to Sicily from the Libyan capital of Tripoli.</p>
<p>So it was no surprise when, only eight hours into a voyage that can take three days, the inflatable boat began to take on water. A satellite phone left behind by one of the smugglers made it possible to call the Italian coast guard for rescue before it was too late.</p>
<p>Isma, who is in his early 20s, was one of an estimated 207,000 people who surrendered their fate this past year to one of Libya’s once ragtag, now highly organized smuggler rings. By August 2014, the demand for passage from migrants and refugees fleeing war, oppression and poverty in the Middle East and Africa <a href="http://www.globalinitiative.net/download/global-initiative/Global%20Initiative%20-%20Migration%20from%20Africa%20to%20Europe%20-%20May%202014.pdf" type="external">had reached its highest point on record</a>. The UN High Commission for Refugees estimates <a href="http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/refdaily?pass=463ef21123&amp;id=542b8fb78" type="external">at least 3,419 migrants have drowned</a> on voyages between Africa and Europe this year alone despite the best efforts of an Italian rescue operation called Mare Nostrum that has <a href="http://ecre.org/component/content/article/70-weekly-bulletin-articles/855-operation-mare-nostrum-to-end-frontex-triton-operation-will-not-ensure-rescue-at-sea-of-migrants-in-international-waters.html" type="external">rescued as many as 140,000 people</a> since October 2013.</p>
<p>Violence in Isma’s small hometown in Mali compelled him to flee for Tripoli, where he worked odd jobs under miserable conditions —&#160;“like a slave,” he said, often mistreated and sometimes robbed.</p>
<p>Libya, where political instability is now veering into anarchy, has allowed smuggler networks to flourish, establishing Tripoli as the primary migration portal to Europe. Gangs charge up to $2,000 for trips in unseaworthy vessels that may or may not reach port. And yet most migrants seeking new lives in Europe have no better option.</p>
<p>Isma scraped together nearly $1,000 to pay the smugglers, along with another $300 for a life vest, a precaution that won’t guarantee survival.</p>
<p>“In some cases these are simply inflatables that would not last long,” said Brigadier Martin Xuereb, the director of Migrant Offshore Aid Station, a private Malta-based group that rescues migrant boats.</p>
<p>As conflicts in Syria, Iraq and Gaza rage on, ample migrant demand for passage is providing smugglers with increasing funds and power. And as long as Libya lacks a stable government, the smuggling trade operates unchecked.</p>
<p>The Syrians, especially, have “changed the game as far as trans-Saharan migration is concerned,” explained Tuesday Reitano, a researcher for the Geneva-based Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime. In the beginning they paid the same as African migrants, but because Syrians tend to have more money, smugglers are starting to charge them more, she said.</p>
<p>No one knows exactly where the vast funds migrant smugglers are accumulating go, but the rapid professionalization of these networks is threatening to entrench itself in the region. “Once these power balances begin to shift, they can actually very quickly accelerate,” Reitano warned. “Once you’ve got a monopoly of force, you have significant amounts of illicit income to buy arms, to buy guns, to buy cars. You can very quickly change the balance of power quite dramatically.”</p>
<p>Migrant testimonies compiled by Italian police and advocacy groups <a href="http://www.amnesty.org/fr/library/info/EUR05/006/2014/en" type="external">recount the ruthlessness of smuggling lords</a> as gangs jockey to exploit migrant desperation. This past summer, survivors told of smugglers&#160; <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/22/italy-arrests-migrant-boat-deaths" type="external">stabbing them mid-journey</a>, throwing people off of overloaded ships&#160;to lighten the load, or forcing scores of people into stifling cargo holds full of <a href="http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/30-migrants-found-dead-as-refugee-boats-arrive-in-italy.aspx?pageID=238&amp;nID=68488&amp;NewsCatID=351" type="external">&#160;the boat’s toxic exhaust fumes</a>, where some suffocated during the journey.</p>
<p>After a July tragedy that left 30 migrants dead, migrants testified to Sicilian police that the organizers of the trip had forced African passengers — who pay less for their passage — into the hold to cram more people onboard. &#160;</p>
<p>“I heard the passengers who were in the cargo hold ask for help because they were hungry, thirsty and they couldn’t breathe, but the crew didn’t do anything,” an unnamed survivor told police. “Before we left, they told us there would be two bathrooms and a kitchen to eat, but when we arrived on the fishing boat, we saw there wasn’t anything that was promised,” the testimonial continued. “Since we were taken from the beach to the fishing boat on a little rubber boat, we couldn’t go back anymore, even though I was afraid because I could tell it was dangerous. I couldn't say anything because I was afraid — the Libyans were all armed and could kill me.”</p>
<p>Many say it’s necessary to develop more legal avenues to reach Europe, both to help refugees avoid the dangerous journey and to defuse the power of the smuggling gangs. While the United States accepts tens of thousands of refugees who apply from outside its borders, nations in the 28-member European Union bloc have virtually no legal resettlement pathways.</p>
<p>Germany and Sweden have led the way in resettlement and accepting asylum-seekers from Syria in the current crisis, but the rest of the EU has not shared that burden. Amnesty International estimates that, excluding Germany and Sweden, the remaining 26 EU countries have only pledged 5,105 settlement places this year, or a fraction of one percent (0.13 percent) of the number of&#160;Syrian refugees estimated to be scattered in the five main host countries. Some EU countries have offered nothing in the way of resettlement plans. And thanks to tightening border controls, European visas are hard to obtain.</p>
<p>“Something must be done about this lack of legal channels,” said Kris Pollett of the European Council on Refugees and Exiles. “There is increasing acknowledgment that we can’t go on just focusing on the sealing of the borders option. People are going to come.”</p>
<p>Earlier this year, the Italian Interior Ministry <a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2014/04/italy-sounds-alarm-as-4000-immigrants-land-201449192758686226.html" type="external">called the situation in Libya a humanitarian emergency</a>, with upwards of 600,000 migrants from the Middle East and Africa at the time waiting to cross the Mediterranean.&#160;</p>
<p>“If we don’t do something,” Pollett said, “We are going to see an increasing number of people dying at our borders. We’re going to see smuggling networks becoming more powerful and richer.” If that happens, Europe may have a bigger problem than overcrowded ports on its hands.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Isma waits at a reception center in Augusta, Sicily. He’s relieved to be alive, but still hopes to reach England or France, where he can speak the language. But because he has already provided fingerprints to Italian authorities, chances are slim he’ll be able to go there legally.</p>
<p>When asked what he hopes for, he responds simply: “Freedom.” &#160;</p>
<p>Kavitha Surana and Maggy Donaldson reported on European migration this summer as part of their two-year M.A. in Global and Joint Program Studies at New York University. Reporting was contributed by Francesco Malavolta from Sicily.</p>
<p>Part Two:&#160; <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/groundtruth/europe-disparate-asylum-systems-buckling-under-pressure" type="external">Europe’s disparate asylum systems buckling under pressure</a></p>
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augusta sicily italy isma could see rubber dinghy boarded 100 refugees illequipped carry across mediterranean sea sicily libyan capital tripoli surprise eight hours voyage take three days inflatable boat began take water satellite phone left behind one smugglers made possible call italian coast guard rescue late isma early 20s one estimated 207000 people surrendered fate past year one libyas ragtag highly organized smuggler rings august 2014 demand passage migrants refugees fleeing war oppression poverty middle east africa reached highest point record un high commission refugees estimates least 3419 migrants drowned voyages africa europe year alone despite best efforts italian rescue operation called mare nostrum rescued many 140000 people since october 2013 violence ismas small hometown mali compelled flee tripoli worked odd jobs miserable conditions 160like slave said often mistreated sometimes robbed libya political instability veering anarchy allowed smuggler networks flourish establishing tripoli primary migration portal europe gangs charge 2000 trips unseaworthy vessels may may reach port yet migrants seeking new lives europe better option isma scraped together nearly 1000 pay smugglers along another 300 life vest precaution wont guarantee survival cases simply inflatables would last long said brigadier martin xuereb director migrant offshore aid station private maltabased group rescues migrant boats conflicts syria iraq gaza rage ample migrant demand passage providing smugglers increasing funds power long libya lacks stable government smuggling trade operates unchecked syrians especially changed game far transsaharan migration concerned explained tuesday reitano researcher genevabased global initiative transnational organized crime beginning paid african migrants syrians tend money smugglers starting charge said one knows exactly vast funds migrant smugglers accumulating go rapid professionalization networks threatening entrench region power balances begin shift actually quickly accelerate reitano warned youve got monopoly force significant amounts illicit income buy arms buy guns buy cars quickly change balance power quite dramatically migrant testimonies compiled italian police advocacy groups recount ruthlessness smuggling lords gangs jockey exploit migrant desperation past summer survivors told smugglers160 stabbing midjourney throwing people overloaded ships160to lighten load forcing scores people stifling cargo holds full 160the boats toxic exhaust fumes suffocated journey july tragedy left 30 migrants dead migrants testified sicilian police organizers trip forced african passengers pay less passage hold cram people onboard 160 heard passengers cargo hold ask help hungry thirsty couldnt breathe crew didnt anything unnamed survivor told police left told us would two bathrooms kitchen eat arrived fishing boat saw wasnt anything promised testimonial continued since taken beach fishing boat little rubber boat couldnt go back anymore even though afraid could tell dangerous couldnt say anything afraid libyans armed could kill many say necessary develop legal avenues reach europe help refugees avoid dangerous journey defuse power smuggling gangs united states accepts tens thousands refugees apply outside borders nations 28member european union bloc virtually legal resettlement pathways germany sweden led way resettlement accepting asylumseekers syria current crisis rest eu shared burden amnesty international estimates excluding germany sweden remaining 26 eu countries pledged 5105 settlement places year fraction one percent 013 percent number of160syrian refugees estimated scattered five main host countries eu countries offered nothing way resettlement plans thanks tightening border controls european visas hard obtain something must done lack legal channels said kris pollett european council refugees exiles increasing acknowledgment cant go focusing sealing borders option people going come earlier year italian interior ministry called situation libya humanitarian emergency upwards 600000 migrants middle east africa time waiting cross mediterranean160 dont something pollett said going see increasing number people dying borders going see smuggling networks becoming powerful richer happens europe may bigger problem overcrowded ports hands meanwhile isma waits reception center augusta sicily hes relieved alive still hopes reach england france speak language already provided fingerprints italian authorities chances slim hell able go legally asked hopes responds simply freedom 160 kavitha surana maggy donaldson reported european migration summer part twoyear global joint program studies new york university reporting contributed francesco malavolta sicily part two160 europes disparate asylum systems buckling pressure
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<p>A powerful coalition of the state’s most prominent Native American tribes isn’t bluffing in its&#160;opposition to one proposal to legalize online poker in California.</p>
<p>Led by the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians, a half-dozen tribes have registered their opposition to <a href="http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/15-16/bill/asm/ab_0151-0200/ab_167_bill_20150122_introduced.htm" type="external">Assembly Bill 167</a>, by Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer, D-Los Angeles. The bill would allow race tracks and a controversial gambling&#160;coalition&#160;to enter the online poker market.</p>
<p>“The citizens of California deserve protection from bad actors,” the tribes <a href="http://www.onlinepokerreport.com/15945/heavyweight-tribal-coalition-says-latest-california-online-poker-bill-is-fatally-flawed/#letter" type="external">wrote</a>in the opening salvo of this session’s online poker debate. “Assembly Bill 167 and any legislation that would expand the scope of gaming in California to grant Internet poker licenses to horse racing associations or which would ease regulatory standards to accommodate actors whose past behavior and tainted brands and assets would erode the integrity of intrastate Internet poker under consideration.”</p>
<p>In addition to Pechanga, other tribes that have signed the&#160;opposition letter to&#160;AB167 are the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, the Barona Band of Mission Indians, the Lytton Band of Pomo Indians, the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians and the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation.</p>
<p>The early opposition comes before legislative committees officially take up <a href="" type="internal">dueling&#160;proposals</a> to legalize online poker in the state and dashes the hopes for a third compromise measure that would open up the country’s largest online gaming market.</p>
<p>The debate over legalizing online poker is expected to be one of the session’s most heated as lawmakers take sides in a battle between rival gaming interests. This session, two&#160;proposals&#160;have been introduced to&#160;establish the basic iPoker regulatory structure, set licensing requirements for gaming&#160;providers and levy taxes on gross online gaming revenue.</p>
<p>With AB167, Jones-Sawyer has aligned himself&#160;with the state’s horse tracks and a controversial&#160;gaming coalition of card rooms, two Indian tribes and the online PokerStars. Rivals accuse of PokerStars of being&#160;a bad actor in the gaming market.</p>
<p>A second measure, <a href="http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/postquery?bill_number=ab_9&amp;sess=CUR&amp;house=B&amp;author=gatto_%3Cgatto%3E" type="external">Assembly Bill 9</a>, is authored by Assemblyman&#160;Mike Gatto, D-Glendale. It explicitly would block both groups from marketing poker to the state’s 2 million online gamblers. Gatto’s measure, which sides with the state’s big tribes, also proposes a lower tax rate than Jones-Sawyer’s measure.</p>
<p>The tribes’ opposition to horse tracks isn’t surprising as the two groups have repeatedly battled over ballot measures to change the state’s gambling regulations.</p>
<p>In their opposition letter, the tribal coalition said&#160;voters repeatedly have <a href="http://ballotpedia.org/Gambling_initiatives_and_ballot_measures_in_California" type="external">upheld</a>tribal gaming and, “By comparison, the voters have rejected expanded gaming at horse-racing facilities by an astounding 84 percent to 16 percent vote.”&#160;That’s a reference to <a href="http://ballotpedia.org/California_Proposition_68,_Tribal_Gaming_Compact_Renegotiation_(2004)" type="external">Proposition 68 from 2004</a>, when horse tracks and card rooms unsuccessfully sought&#160;approval for <a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2004/oct/24/news/ee-prop68-70" type="external">up to&#160;30,000 slot machines in urban areas</a>.</p>
<p>The fight over horse tracks was expected, but gambling industry experts were taken aback by the focus on AB167’s “bad actors” provision.</p>
<p>“I was somewhat struck by the tone of the letter, which spends only one paragraph on the issue of the tracks, but quite a few paragraphs focused on ‘bad actors’ and PokerStars,” wrote Chris Grove of the <a href="http://www.onlinepokerreport.com/15945/heavyweight-tribal-coalition-says-latest-california-online-poker-bill-is-fatally-flawed/" type="external">OnlinePokerReport.com</a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.pokerstars.com/" type="external">PokerStars</a>, a popular online poker site, defied the 2006 federal <a href="https://www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/2010/fil10035a.pdf" type="external">Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act</a>, which effectively banned online gaming. In 2011, the U.S. Department of Justice used UIGEA to <a href="http://www.mypokerbasics.com/pokerstars-shut-down-2012/4809/" type="external">seize</a>the Internet domains and freeze the accounts for several online poker sites, including PokerStars. The following year, the company reached a settlement with the Justice Department that dismissed the charges without admitting any wrongdoing.</p>
<p>Now owned and operated by the Amaya Gaming Group, PokerStars has partnered with two tribes, Morongo and San Manual, and three card rooms, Bicycle, Commerce and Hawaiian Gardens, to develop an online poker venture. Jones-Sawyer has embraced this coalition, arguing the group represents “broad consensus.”</p>
<p>“The dialogue over the past year has allowed us to reach even broader consensus and mutual agreement as to who will be able to participate in providing Internet poker to the citizens of this great state,” Jones-Sawyer said in a&#160;press release defending&#160; <a href="http://asmdc.org/members/a59/news-room/press-releases/assemblymember-jones-sawyer-introduces-internet-poker-bill" type="external">his proposal</a>&#160;to include PokerStars. “My goal remains unchanged: to set a standard in California that is the shining example for the entire nation.”</p>
<p>But the state’s leading&#160;tribes, who’ve worked for decades&#160;to earn the trust of voters, believe PokerStars’ past actions should prevent it from gaining access to the online poker market.</p>
<p>“The language proposed in AB167&#160;is not sufficient to protect the integrity of the California market,” the tribal coalition led by Pechanga wrote. “As proposed, AB167 provides&#160;no such protection, and instead would reward those gaming corporations that acted inconsistent&#160;with federal law and the letter of California law by authorizing them to use the fruits of their&#160;illegal conduct to obtain a license in California.”</p>
<p>While the fight over online poker is far from over, the tribes’ first action deals an immediate blow to Assemblyman Adam Gray, D-Merced, and State Sen.&#160;Isadore Hall, D-South Bay. The pair had introduced identical&#160;spot bills, <a href="http://leginfo.ca.gov/pub/15-16/bill/sen/sb_0251-0300/sb_278_bill_20150219_introduced.htm" type="external">Senate Bill 278</a> and <a href="http://leginfo.ca.gov/pub/15-16/bill/asm/ab_0401-0450/ab_431_bill_20150219_introduced.htm" type="external">Assembly Bill 431</a>, to serve as a compromise measure.</p>
<p>“The issue of iPoker in California has historically been divisive; dealing legislators, the governor and the public a folding hand,” <a href="http://www.casino.org/news/new-california-online-poker-bill-introduced-by-hall-and-gray" type="external">Hall and Gray</a>, the&#160;chairmen of the Governmental Organization Committees in both houses, said in a joint statement earlier this year. “It is time to work together, stop bluffing and take control of this issue. Our bills do not create winners and losers.”</p>
<p>Yet it’s the tribes who could force Gray and Hall&#160;to fold their compromise measure, and with it the potential for legalizing online poker in 2016.</p>
<p>“More and more, Assemblyman Gatto’s view that online poker legislation had only a 35 percent shot at being passed in 2016 seems unduly optimistic,” wrote <a href="http://calvinayre.com/2015/03/12/business/pechanga-led-coalition-says-california-needs-protection-from-pokerstars/" type="external">Steven Stradbrooke</a>, a gambling industry reporter at CalvinAyre.com.</p>
| false | 3 |
powerful coalition states prominent native american tribes isnt bluffing its160opposition one proposal legalize online poker california led pechanga band luiseño indians halfdozen tribes registered opposition assembly bill 167 assemblyman reggie jonessawyer dlos angeles bill would allow race tracks controversial gambling160coalition160to enter online poker market citizens california deserve protection bad actors tribes wrotein opening salvo sessions online poker debate assembly bill 167 legislation would expand scope gaming california grant internet poker licenses horse racing associations would ease regulatory standards accommodate actors whose past behavior tainted brands assets would erode integrity intrastate internet poker consideration addition pechanga tribes signed the160opposition letter to160ab167 agua caliente band cahuilla indians barona band mission indians lytton band pomo indians viejas band kumeyaay indians yocha dehe wintun nation early opposition comes legislative committees officially take dueling160proposals legalize online poker state dashes hopes third compromise measure would open countrys largest online gaming market debate legalizing online poker expected one sessions heated lawmakers take sides battle rival gaming interests session two160proposals160have introduced to160establish basic ipoker regulatory structure set licensing requirements gaming160providers levy taxes gross online gaming revenue ab167 jonessawyer aligned himself160with states horse tracks controversial160gaming coalition card rooms two indian tribes online pokerstars rivals accuse pokerstars being160a bad actor gaming market second measure assembly bill 9 authored assemblyman160mike gatto dglendale explicitly would block groups marketing poker states 2 million online gamblers gattos measure sides states big tribes also proposes lower tax rate jonessawyers measure tribes opposition horse tracks isnt surprising two groups repeatedly battled ballot measures change states gambling regulations opposition letter tribal coalition said160voters repeatedly upheldtribal gaming comparison voters rejected expanded gaming horseracing facilities astounding 84 percent 16 percent vote160thats reference proposition 68 2004 horse tracks card rooms unsuccessfully sought160approval to16030000 slot machines urban areas fight horse tracks expected gambling industry experts taken aback focus ab167s bad actors provision somewhat struck tone letter spends one paragraph issue tracks quite paragraphs focused bad actors pokerstars wrote chris grove onlinepokerreportcom pokerstars popular online poker site defied 2006 federal unlawful internet gambling enforcement act effectively banned online gaming 2011 us department justice used uigea seizethe internet domains freeze accounts several online poker sites including pokerstars following year company reached settlement justice department dismissed charges without admitting wrongdoing owned operated amaya gaming group pokerstars partnered two tribes morongo san manual three card rooms bicycle commerce hawaiian gardens develop online poker venture jonessawyer embraced coalition arguing group represents broad consensus dialogue past year allowed us reach even broader consensus mutual agreement able participate providing internet poker citizens great state jonessawyer said a160press release defending160 proposal160to include pokerstars goal remains unchanged set standard california shining example entire nation states leading160tribes whove worked decades160to earn trust voters believe pokerstars past actions prevent gaining access online poker market language proposed ab167160is sufficient protect integrity california market tribal coalition led pechanga wrote proposed ab167 provides160no protection instead would reward gaming corporations acted inconsistent160with federal law letter california law authorizing use fruits their160illegal conduct obtain license california fight online poker far tribes first action deals immediate blow assemblyman adam gray dmerced state sen160isadore hall dsouth bay pair introduced identical160spot bills senate bill 278 assembly bill 431 serve compromise measure issue ipoker california historically divisive dealing legislators governor public folding hand hall gray the160chairmen governmental organization committees houses said joint statement earlier year time work together stop bluffing take control issue bills create winners losers yet tribes could force gray hall160to fold compromise measure potential legalizing online poker 2016 assemblyman gattos view online poker legislation 35 percent shot passed 2016 seems unduly optimistic wrote steven stradbrooke gambling industry reporter calvinayrecom
| 591 |
<p>As the movement to overhaul teacher evaluation marches onward, an emerging question is splitting the swath of advocates who support the new tools used to gauge teacher performance: Who should get access to the resulting information?</p>
<p>As evidenced in recently published opinion pieces, the contours of the debate are rapidly being drawn. Some proponents of using student-achievement data as a component of teacher evaluations, including the philanthropist Bill Gates and Teach For America founder Wendy Kopp, nevertheless believe that such information should not be made widely public. Other figures, like New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, champion the broad dissemination of such data.</p>
<p>Regarding teacher evaluations, the policy landscape for disclosures is also in flux. An Education Week review shows that access to teachers’ evaluation results is permissible under open-records laws in at least 18 states plus the District of Columbia, though they are often unclear as to specifics. And only Florida and Michigan have established policies requiring that parents be notified if their child’s teacher repeatedly performs poorly on his or her evaluations.</p>
<p>Unpredictable Stances</p>
<p>The debate is poised to grow noisier, as news organizations continue to pursue teacher-performance information.</p>
<p>“I think there are very few education policy issues where people’s positions are not entirely predictable, and this is one of them,” said Timothy Daly, the president of TNTP, formerly The New Teacher Project, a New York City-based teacher-training group that does not support mass publication of individual ratings.</p>
<p>Teachers’ unions, meanwhile, have excoriated efforts by the news media to publish “value added” teacher ratings. But the unions, too, are facing the more nuanced question of whether disclosure could be appropriate under other contexts.</p>
<p>Gera L. Summerford, the president of the Tennessee Education Association, said she believes appropriate limits could be set based on the context of the requests.</p>
<p>“I’ve never had a problem with a parent coming to the office and requesting a private discussion about the evaluation with the principal,” she said. “But when you get everything public in the form of numbers in a database, it’s just a whole different picture, and I think it’s misleading.”</p>
<p>Media Pressure</p>
<p>Observers trace the interest in public disclosure of evaluations to projects conducted by news outlets in California and New York, in which they secured and published data on teachers.</p>
<p>In 2010, the Los Angeles Times conducted an analysis of student-performance data tied to individual teachers, collected over six years’ time. It created a searchable database of teachers’ names, with each instructor rated on his or her effectiveness in raising student-test scores.</p>
<p>Shortly after, New York newspapers filed open-records requests for similar data included on the city’s “teacher data reports,” which were provided only to teachers, principals, and superintendents. Those reports were finally released to the journalists last month.</p>
<p>In what amounts to a bit of irony, the newspapers based the results on value-added data collected by the school districts for purposes other than evaluation. It was precisely for that reason that the data was not protected from disclosure under the states’ open-records laws.</p>
<p>Value-added data compare how a teacher’s students performed from one year to the next compared with similar students taught by other teachers, holding constant factors like parental income that could skew scores.</p>
<p>Researchers generally agree that value-added measurements capture some degree of the differences in teacher quality. But they also say the estimates contain error and become more volatile when calculated with fewer years of achievement data.</p>
<p>Such limitations have been cited by critics of the papers’ decision to publish, particularly in the instance of the New York data reports, some of which were based on small sample sizes containing large margins of error around the calculations. The newspapers, in the meantime, have defended the publication of the scores on the basis that teachers are public employees whose performance is of interest to the public at large.</p>
<p>The issue has divided influential figures in public education, some of whom believe public disclosure could scuttle the appetite among educators for changes to teacher evaluations. That was essentially Mr. Gates’ position in an op-ed essay in The New York Times a day before the newspaper made the data available.</p>
<p>“Developing a systematic way to help teachers get better is the most powerful idea in education today. The surest way to weaken it is to twist it into a capricious exercise in public shaming,” he wrote. (Mr. Gates co-chairs the Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation, which helps support Education Week‘s coverage of business and K-12 innovation.)</p>
<p>As a testament to the complexity of the issues, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan’s thinking on the matter has evolved since 2010. Though he credited the Los Angeles Times project for spotlighting data that, at that time, was going unheeded, Mr. Duncan said he doesn’t support publication as a general rule.</p>
<p>“There’s not much of an upside there, and there’s a tremendous downside for teachers,” he said. “We’re at a time where morale is at a record low. We need to be strengthening teachers, and elevating them, and supporting them.”</p>
<p>Open-Records Requests</p>
<p>States and districts, in the meantime, face a quandary over what they will have to produce if such information is requested by the news media or other individuals.</p>
<p>The review conducted by Education Week indicates that open-records laws in 18 states and the District of Columbia permit access to individual teachers’ evaluation results. An additional 19 states do not allow such access, while the other states require teacher or third-party approval.</p>
<p>Florida has allowed the public to access parts of teachers’ personnel files under sunshine laws since 1983, though access to them is made available the year after the review is conducted. Very few parents have chosen to look at those records, according to officials in the Hillsborough County, Miami-Dade, and Orange County school systems, three of the largest in the state.</p>
<p>Still, with new evaluation systems coming online, there could be an increased appetite for the information.</p>
<p>In Tennessee, one of the first states using a revamped, statewide teacher-evaluation system, the open-records law is written in such a way so that while the components that make up the evaluation are probably protected from release, teachers’ summary evaluation scores—tallied on a 1-to-5 scale—might not be.</p>
<p>Tennessee state schools Superintendent Kevin Huffman said his agency’s lawyers would have to look at each request for such information individually. But as a matter of general policy, the state does not believe summary ratings should be published, he added.</p>
<p>“We think the teacher evaluations provide the opportunity for good conversations between teachers and administrators about what effective teaching looks like, and helping teachers get better in areas where they need to get better,” Mr. Huffman said. “That is inherently compromised if people are conducting them with an eye toward public consumption, rather than as a tool for performance improvement.”</p>
<p>Ms. Summerford, the president of the Tennessee teachers’ association, agreed.</p>
<p>“I don’t think it was the intent of any of the policymakers during the development of the evaluation system to make it something that’s a single number of a teacher that’s public,” she said. “Frankly, when you reduce anything as complicated in teaching to a single number, it can get misrepresented.”</p>
<p>Parental Disclosure?</p>
<p>In two states, new laws are upping the ante on disclosure. Under a 2011 Florida law, districts must inform parents whose children are taught by a teacher with a string of subpar evaluations.</p>
<p>Districts appear to be wrestling with how to put that mandate in place and make it fit with the year’s delay already set in state policy. “We don’t yet have our plan for sharing evaluations with parents,” said Linda Cobbe, a spokeswoman for the 195,000-student Hillsborough County school system, which includes Tampa.</p>
<p>Michigan, similarly, will require districts to notify parents if their child is taught by a teacher with two successive unsatisfactory evaluations. That policy, also the result of a recently passed state law, does not go into effect until 2015-16.</p>
<p>Such policies raise fresh questions about whether complex information about teacher performance can be provided to parents in a way that helps improve teaching and learning.</p>
<p>Mark Pudlow, a spokesman for the Florida Education Association, an affiliate of both national teachers’ unions, said he doubts that’s possible. The required notification, is “just another mechanism for public flogging,” he said. “It’s not something that you can put into context.”</p>
<p>Yet others see promise in the idea. Though Ms. Kopp of Teach For America doesn’t support the newspaper publication of teacher-performance data, she believes providing parents with the information is an idea worth exploring—provided, she said, that error rates associated with value-added methods can be reduced and principals appropriately add context to the data.</p>
<p>“It would give parents information to inform their confidence level that their children will get what they need in the teacher’s classroom,” Ms. Kopp said, “and it would also provide further incentive for schools to utilize the data to inform their work to develop strong teaching teams.”</p>
<p>There is precedent for a degree of parent disclosure. The federal No Child Left Behind Act, signed into law in 2002, explicitly gives parents the right to view the qualifications of their children’s teachers. (The law does not address the issue of teacher evaluations.)</p>
<p>Some states are making use of evaluation results in ways that don’t hinge on disclosure. Rhode Island, for instance, prohibits students from being assigned to a teacher deemed “ineffective” more than one year in a row. It does not require the notification of parents, nor does state law grant them access to evaluations.</p>
<p>Philosophical Debates</p>
<p>Policies around teacher-performance disclosures appear likely to be unsettled for some time.</p>
<p>Smarting from the fallout of the newspaper reports in New York, teachers’ union officials there are now arguing that evaluations include subjective information and therefore should be exempt from disclosure under open-records laws. (See Education Week, March 14, 2012.)</p>
<p>In Tennessee, state lawmakers introduced legislation that would exempt teachers’ evaluation scores from disclosure. Mr. Huffman, the state superintendent, said he would likely support the proposal.</p>
<p>“The hard thing is that we’re looking at blunt answers to nuanced questions, which makes it tricky,” Mr. Huffman said. “Under state law, we don’t get to pick whether this is a parent accessing this information compared to a nosy neighbor.”</p>
<p>Mr. Daly of TNTP views the debate over disclosure as a side effect of a school culture that is still too hesitant to act on differences in teacher performance.</p>
<p>“The urge to know is based on the suspicion that schools are not addressing instructional issues, and that is fueling some of this push,” he said. “And it’s unfortunate that individual teachers bear the brunt.”</p>
<p>Library Intern Amy Wickner provided research assistance.</p>
<p>Republished with permission from Education Week. Copyright © 2011 Editorial Projects in Education, Inc. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.edweek.org/" type="external">www.edweek.org</a>.</p>
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movement overhaul teacher evaluation marches onward emerging question splitting swath advocates support new tools used gauge teacher performance get access resulting information evidenced recently published opinion pieces contours debate rapidly drawn proponents using studentachievement data component teacher evaluations including philanthropist bill gates teach america founder wendy kopp nevertheless believe information made widely public figures like new york city mayor michael r bloomberg champion broad dissemination data regarding teacher evaluations policy landscape disclosures also flux education week review shows access teachers evaluation results permissible openrecords laws least 18 states plus district columbia though often unclear specifics florida michigan established policies requiring parents notified childs teacher repeatedly performs poorly evaluations unpredictable stances debate poised grow noisier news organizations continue pursue teacherperformance information think education policy issues peoples positions entirely predictable one said timothy daly president tntp formerly new teacher project new york citybased teachertraining group support mass publication individual ratings teachers unions meanwhile excoriated efforts news media publish value added teacher ratings unions facing nuanced question whether disclosure could appropriate contexts gera l summerford president tennessee education association said believes appropriate limits could set based context requests ive never problem parent coming office requesting private discussion evaluation principal said get everything public form numbers database whole different picture think misleading media pressure observers trace interest public disclosure evaluations projects conducted news outlets california new york secured published data teachers 2010 los angeles times conducted analysis studentperformance data tied individual teachers collected six years time created searchable database teachers names instructor rated effectiveness raising studenttest scores shortly new york newspapers filed openrecords requests similar data included citys teacher data reports provided teachers principals superintendents reports finally released journalists last month amounts bit irony newspapers based results valueadded data collected school districts purposes evaluation precisely reason data protected disclosure states openrecords laws valueadded data compare teachers students performed one year next compared similar students taught teachers holding constant factors like parental income could skew scores researchers generally agree valueadded measurements capture degree differences teacher quality also say estimates contain error become volatile calculated fewer years achievement data limitations cited critics papers decision publish particularly instance new york data reports based small sample sizes containing large margins error around calculations newspapers meantime defended publication scores basis teachers public employees whose performance interest public large issue divided influential figures public education believe public disclosure could scuttle appetite among educators changes teacher evaluations essentially mr gates position oped essay new york times day newspaper made data available developing systematic way help teachers get better powerful idea education today surest way weaken twist capricious exercise public shaming wrote mr gates cochairs bill amp melinda gates foundation helps support education weeks coverage business k12 innovation testament complexity issues us secretary education arne duncans thinking matter evolved since 2010 though credited los angeles times project spotlighting data time going unheeded mr duncan said doesnt support publication general rule theres much upside theres tremendous downside teachers said time morale record low need strengthening teachers elevating supporting openrecords requests states districts meantime face quandary produce information requested news media individuals review conducted education week indicates openrecords laws 18 states district columbia permit access individual teachers evaluation results additional 19 states allow access states require teacher thirdparty approval florida allowed public access parts teachers personnel files sunshine laws since 1983 though access made available year review conducted parents chosen look records according officials hillsborough county miamidade orange county school systems three largest state still new evaluation systems coming online could increased appetite information tennessee one first states using revamped statewide teacherevaluation system openrecords law written way components make evaluation probably protected release teachers summary evaluation scorestallied 1to5 scalemight tennessee state schools superintendent kevin huffman said agencys lawyers would look request information individually matter general policy state believe summary ratings published added think teacher evaluations provide opportunity good conversations teachers administrators effective teaching looks like helping teachers get better areas need get better mr huffman said inherently compromised people conducting eye toward public consumption rather tool performance improvement ms summerford president tennessee teachers association agreed dont think intent policymakers development evaluation system make something thats single number teacher thats public said frankly reduce anything complicated teaching single number get misrepresented parental disclosure two states new laws upping ante disclosure 2011 florida law districts must inform parents whose children taught teacher string subpar evaluations districts appear wrestling put mandate place make fit years delay already set state policy dont yet plan sharing evaluations parents said linda cobbe spokeswoman 195000student hillsborough county school system includes tampa michigan similarly require districts notify parents child taught teacher two successive unsatisfactory evaluations policy also result recently passed state law go effect 201516 policies raise fresh questions whether complex information teacher performance provided parents way helps improve teaching learning mark pudlow spokesman florida education association affiliate national teachers unions said doubts thats possible required notification another mechanism public flogging said something put context yet others see promise idea though ms kopp teach america doesnt support newspaper publication teacherperformance data believes providing parents information idea worth exploringprovided said error rates associated valueadded methods reduced principals appropriately add context data would give parents information inform confidence level children get need teachers classroom ms kopp said would also provide incentive schools utilize data inform work develop strong teaching teams precedent degree parent disclosure federal child left behind act signed law 2002 explicitly gives parents right view qualifications childrens teachers law address issue teacher evaluations states making use evaluation results ways dont hinge disclosure rhode island instance prohibits students assigned teacher deemed ineffective one year row require notification parents state law grant access evaluations philosophical debates policies around teacherperformance disclosures appear likely unsettled time smarting fallout newspaper reports new york teachers union officials arguing evaluations include subjective information therefore exempt disclosure openrecords laws see education week march 14 2012 tennessee state lawmakers introduced legislation would exempt teachers evaluation scores disclosure mr huffman state superintendent said would likely support proposal hard thing looking blunt answers nuanced questions makes tricky mr huffman said state law dont get pick whether parent accessing information compared nosy neighbor mr daly tntp views debate disclosure side effect school culture still hesitant act differences teacher performance urge know based suspicion schools addressing instructional issues fueling push said unfortunate individual teachers bear brunt library intern amy wickner provided research assistance republished permission education week copyright 2011 editorial projects education inc information visit wwwedweekorg
| 1,061 |
<p>President Barack Obama met with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Grassley in the Oval Office on Tuesday <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/01/politics/obama-mitch-mcconnell-supreme-court-nomination/index.html" type="external">to discuss</a> a contentious issue: his plans to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court. The meeting was the latest round in a campaign to compel McConnell to allow the Senate to consider a nominee this year, an effort in which Obama and his aides have tried to crack Republican obstruction by invoking the wisdom of one of the party’s icons. In 1988, after two of Ronald Reagan’s nominees were rejected by the Senate, Reagan warned about the consequences for the country should the seat continue to go unfilled, saying, “Every day that passes with the Supreme Court below full strength impairs the people’s business in that crucially important body.” It’s a line that the Obama team has been echoing a lot.</p>
<p>The stakes for the fight over Scalia’s replacement are undeniably high. But on Second Amendment issues specifically, policymakers and courts already often found themselves operating in limbo before Scalia died —&#160;and had been since 2008. That was the year that the Supreme Court, with Scalia writing for the majority, affirmed the right to bear arms for all individuals in District of Columbia v. Heller.</p>
<p>While his <a href="http://www.scotusblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/07-290.pdf" type="external">ruling</a> was a monumental win for gun rights advocates, Scalia also used the opinion to caution that the boundaries of the Second Amendment remain unfixed, and could only be set by decisions in future cases. “[S]ince this case represents this court’s first in-depth examination of the Second Amendment, one should not expect it to clarify the entire field,” he wrote.</p>
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<p>In the years since, lower courts have tried to figure out how far gun regulations can go without stepping on the toes of the Second Amendment. Their conclusions have been the most significantly divided on four particular questions. And since the Supreme Court has declined to hear an <a href="" type="internal">overwhelming majority</a> of the Second Amendment cases brought since Heller, the lower courts and the lawmakers who take guidance from them could spend years wrangling with those matters without any firm guidance from the Supreme Court — no matter who eventually assumes Scalia’s former seat.</p>
<p>Though Scalia’s opinion in Heller established the right for individuals to bear arms, it includes this famous caveat: “Like most rights, the right secured by the Second Amendment is not unlimited.” That sentence left open the possibility that some gun regulations could pass muster, without spelling out the criteria for constitutionality.</p>
<p>Judges generally rely on such tests to evaluate regulations or bans that potentially diminish fundamental rights, like the freedom of speech or religion. This kind of assessment is called strict scrutiny. The constitutional law scholar Gerald Gunther described the yardstick as <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/strict_scrutiny" type="external">“strict in theory, fatal in fact,”</a> since most regulations cannot pass strict scrutiny, which favors the protection of a constitutional right.</p>
<p>A more lenient test is called intermediate scrutiny, and it gives regulations more leeway. The measurement only requires that lawmakers have an important purpose for creating a rule, and that the rule actually helps advance the government’s goals.</p>
<p>One of the key questions that has percolated since the Heller decision is whether gun regulations should be evaluated under strict scrutiny or intermediate scrutiny. The Fourth Circuit tackled the issue last month, when it examined Maryland’s statewide ban on assault weapons. The regulation — part of the <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/may/16/omalley-signs-maryland-gun-control-measure-law/?page=all" type="external">Firearms Safety Act</a> that then-Governor Martin O’Malley signed into law in the wake of the Sandy Hook massacre — prohibits the manufacture, purchase, or sale of 60 types of assault weapons (including the AR-15 and AK-47), as well as high-capacity magazines that carry more than 10 rounds. &#160;</p>
<p>In a Supreme Court case where convicted domestic abusers want their gun rights restored, the Justice raised concerns about protecting the Second Amendment.</p>
<p>by <a href="" type="internal">Olivia Li</a></p>
<p>In its <a href="https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=18307459536574325962&amp;q=kolbe+v.+hogan&amp;hl=en&amp;as_sdt=6,33&amp;as_vis=1" type="external">opinion</a> in the case, Kolbe v. Hogan,&#160;the Fourth Circuit ruled that Maryland’s law must be subjected to strict scrutiny,&#160;sending the ban back to a lower court.&#160;The judges said that the state’s ban was an affront to what Scalia called the “core” purpose of the Second Amendment: “the right of law-abiding, responsible citizens to use arms in defense of hearth and home.” As a consequence, the court found that the ban was likely unconstitutional. “We are compelled by Heller … to conclude that the burden is substantial and strict scrutiny is the applicable standard of review,” wrote Justice William Byrd Traxler, Jr.</p>
<p>The Kolbe ruling was the first time a circuit court had used strict scrutiny to evaluate a gun ban. The <a href="http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-10-20/gun-laws-upheld-but-it-s-complicated" type="external">Second Circuit used intermediate scrutiny</a> when it upheld New York and Connecticut’s assault weapons bans late last year. The <a href="https://www.cadc.uscourts.gov/internet/opinions.nsf/46AD1BE68518069B85257EC400534ABB/$file/14-7071-1573768.pdf" type="external">D.C. Circuit issued a similar ruling</a>on the district’s own assault weapons law around the same time. And though the&#160; <a href="https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=106840924096945386&amp;hl=en&amp;as_sdt=6&amp;as_vis=1&amp;oi=scholarr" type="external">Sixth Circuit instructed a lower court in Tennessee</a> to use strict scrutiny to evaluate a federal gun prohibition for the mentally ill, that order is now <a href="http://www.sixthcircuitappellateblog.com/recent-cases/fourth-circuit-joins-sixth-circuit-in-applying-strict-scrutiny-to-gun-restriction/" type="external">being reconsidered</a>.</p>
<p>The uncertainty surrounding judicial scrutiny affects all kinds of gun regulations, not just assault weapons bans. Adam Winkler, a UCLA law professor who wrote an amicus brief in Heller,&#160;points out: “Whatever your gun law is, you need a standard of review.”&#160;The Fourth Circuit’s recent ruling means no such clear standard is in place, throwing the question into the legal purgatory of the “circuit split,” when multiple courts just below the Supreme Court disagree on a key issue. The Supreme Court tends to look for such discrepancies when figuring out which cases it should hear. As Slate’s Dahlia Lithwick <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2016/02/the_supreme_court_may_finally_have_to_take_a_new_gun_case.single.html" type="external">notes</a>, the Kolbe decision “sets the wheels in motion for another major gun fight at the high court,” though there’s no indication that the fight will reach the justices anytime soon.</p>
<p>A month after the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting, when a gunman equipped with a semiautomatic rifle fired <a href="http://www.cbs46.com/story/21814424/154-shots-in-5-minutes-sandy-hook-warrants-released" type="external">154 rounds in five minutes</a> at a Connecticut elementary school, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the <a href="http://programs.governor.ny.gov/nysafeact/gun-reform" type="external">SAFE Act</a>, the state’s landmark gun policy bill. The legislation banned future sales of assault weapons and magazines that can hold more than 10&#160;rounds. A few months later, Connecticut passed a <a href="https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&amp;bill_num=1160&amp;which_year=2013" type="external">similar law</a>, which included a list of 183 assault weapon models that were banned by the state.</p>
<p>Some experts think the <a href="http://www.scotusblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/07-290.pdf" type="external">Heller</a> decision allowed for the prohibition of assault-style weapons, five years before Sandy Hook happened. As the court wrote at the time, “We think that limitation is fairly supported by the historical tradition of prohibiting the carrying of ‘dangerous and unusual weapons.’”</p>
<p>But are AR-15s and AK-47s “unusual weapons?” In the decade leading up to the bans in New York and Connecticut, millions of these so-called black rifles had already been manufactured and sold in the U.S. The distinction is crucial, as Heller supported the right to bear arms that are in common use, or guns “typically possessed by law-abiding citizens.”</p>
<p>In 2013, New York and Connecticut gun rights advocates challenged their states’ assault weapons bans. Their cases ultimately wound up in the Second Circuit, which had a difficult time determining whether black rifles fit Scalia’s definition of “common use,” or should be prohibited under his classification of “dangerous weapons.” Statistical evidence was inconclusive: Black rifles are in wide circulation, but not as widely owned as handguns. They also possess more firepower than handguns, but handguns are used <a href="http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/GUIC.PDF" type="external">more frequently in crimes</a>. Unable to answer those questions, the Second Circuit assumed — for the sake of argument — that black rifles qualified as being in common use, while ultimately holding that the bans were constitutional because assault weapons are not a typical means of self-defense. An AR-15, the Second Circuit <a href="http://www.ca2.uscourts.gov/decisions/isysquery/c02a2bb7-1730-48ac-b247-f883eef5f3c9/3/doc/14-36_14-319_opn.pdf#xml=http://www.ca2.uscourts.gov/decisions/isysquery/c02a2bb7-1730-48ac-b247-f883eef5f3c9/3/hilite/" type="external">wrote</a>, has capacities far beyond that of a handgun, which Scalia called the “quintessential self-defense weapon.”</p>
<p>Since it viewed black rifles as falling outside the realm of typical self-defense weapons, the Second Circuit concluded that Connecticut and New York’s assault weapons bans did not undermine residents’ right to bear arms. The court upheld the bans this October. The Connecticut Citizens’ Defense League, a plaintiff against Connecticut’s assault weapons ban, challenged that decision last month in a <a href="http://ccdl.us/blog/uploads/2016/02/Shew-v-Malloy-SCOTUS-Petition-as-filed-CCDL.pdf" type="external">petition</a> to the Supreme Court. The group cited as support for its argument the Fourth’s Circuit’s decision to utilize strict scrutiny in striking down Maryland’s assault weapon ban.</p>
<p>Heller firmly established the right to use a gun to defend one’s home. What it did not address was whether gun owners have a right to carry a weapon in public for self-defense. In 2009, this issue was brought before the California courts. The plaintiffs in <a href="https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=16699306652731612622&amp;hl=en&amp;as_sdt=6&amp;as_vis=1&amp;oi=scholarr" type="external">Peruta v. County of San Diego</a> argue that the county’s permitting scheme for carrying concealed weapons in public is unjust and unconstitutional. The County of San Diego requires a resident to show “good cause” — meaning they must face an unusual threat of violence, such as stalking — in order to obtain a concealed handgun license. Wanting a license for general self-defense is not enough. &#160;</p>
<p>The plaintiffs point out that the county’s permitting policies, coupled with <a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2011/oct/10/local/la-me-brown-guns-20111011" type="external">California’s statewide ban on open-carry</a>, mean that San Diego residents have no lawful way to arm themselves in public. They went on to argue that applicants who were denied licenses in San Diego because they couldn’t show “good cause” were barred from exercising a core aspect of their Second Amendment rights: namely, the right to self defense. Their case made it all the way to the Ninth Circuit, where the panel of judges assigned to the case did as their counterparts elsewhere. They looked to Heller for guidance, and came away empty-handed.</p>
<p>Where Scalia’s Heller opinion did address public carry, it implied that lawmakers could enact limits without violating the right to bear arms: The Second Amendment, Scalia wrote, “is not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever and for whatever purpose: For instance, concealed weapons prohibitions have been upheld under the Amendment …” But overall, the Ninth Circuit justices concluded that Heller does not speak “explicitly or precisely to the scope of the Second Amendment right outside the home or to what it takes to ‘infringe’ it.”</p>
<p>In the absence of an unmistakable road map, the Ninth Circuit panel took a different kind of cue from Scalia, turning to historical sources. Based on those records, the circuit judges reasoned that at the time the Second Amendment was written, the word “bear” was a synonym of “carry.” Hence, the court concluded, the Second Amendment guaranteed the right to self-defense in public. In February 2014, the court declared San Diego’s “good cause” requirement unconstitutional, saying it destroyed the right to bear arms “under the guise of regulating it.”</p>
<p>The County asked the Ninth Circuit to reconsider its decision, which the <a href="https://www.revealnews.org/article/behind-the-9th-circuit-bench-the-judges-ruling-on-concealed-guns/" type="external">full court</a> did in June of last year. But the court has yet to issue a second ruling. Meanwhile, two separate cases tackle the same question. Like San Diego County, the District of Columbia requires gun owners seeking a concealed carry permit to have good reason for needing a weapon to protect themselves outside the home. And as in California, the D.C. law is now being challenged in federal court. Since <a href="https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=6595725860193302445&amp;hl=en&amp;as_sdt=6,33&amp;as_vis=1" type="external">some circuit courts</a> elsewhere have found that the right to bear arms covers public carry while simultaneously stating that “good cause” permit processes are permissible, clarity on the underlying question of how much latitude state and local policymakers have in writing their concealed carry rules may remain elusive. &#160;</p>
<p>With <a href="http://guptawessler.com/practice-areas/appellate-practice/" type="external">several other challenges</a> to gun laws pending in the Ninth Circuit, California has become the epicenter of Second Amendment litigation. In one of those additional cases, gun rights advocates are contesting regulations for guns made and sold in the state.</p>
<p>As <a href="" type="internal">The Trace previously reported</a>, the production of firearms, unlike any other consumer product, is not subject to federal oversight. Some states have stepped into this regulatory void to make guns safer by requiring gun makers to test their weapons for malfunctions and to incorporate safety features. California’s scheme is the <a href="http://smartgunlaws.org/the-california-model-twenty-years-of-putting-safety-first/" type="external">most robust</a>, partly to protect residents against a repeat of the public safety hazard caused in the 1980s and 1990s by the so-called “Ring of Fire.” Operating just outside Los Angeles, the notorious group of gunmakers produced cheap handguns popular with criminals. The companies’ guns were <a href="https://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/vprp/pdf/RingofFire1994.pdf" type="external">3.4 times more likely to be used in crimes</a> than guns made by other manufacturers.</p>
<p>To rid the market of these weapons, California created a roster of approved handgun models in <a href="http://www.guns.com/2016/01/06/californias-incredible-shrinking-handgun-roster-turns-16/" type="external">2001</a>. The list included guns that met the state’s performance standards — such as not being prone to malfunction — and excluded both the “Ring of Fire” weapons and some semiautomatic handguns from other manufacturers. California also requires all semiautomatic guns to be built with a mechanism that blocks firing when the magazine is removed and indicators that inform a user when the weapon is loaded. The features help prevent accidental discharges, which <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr64/nvsr64_02.pdf" type="external">killed over 500 people in 2013</a>. Finally, the state also has passed a unique microstamping law. Not only must the serial number, make, and model be etched onto the exterior of the firearm, but new firearms must also “microstamp” those figures onto shell casings when the weapon fires, which helps law enforcement trace crime guns to their original owners.</p>
<p>The implementation of California’s microstamping mandate has been stalled by an ongoing lawsuit called <a href="http://michellawyers.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Pena_Appellants-Opening-Brief.pdf" type="external">Pena v. Lindley</a>. The plaintiffs, joined by Calguns, a California lobbying group that represents retailers with a federal firearms license, has taken its challenge to the Ninth Circuit. California’s regulatory scheme is unconstitutional, they believe, because it prevents residents from buying firearms that Heller held are in “common use.” They also argue that California’s handgun roster and the state’s extensive safety requirements took so many guns off of the California market as to make it anti-competitive, thereby limiting buyers’ choices.</p>
<p>The plaintiffs cite an interesting detail from Heller to make their point: The very handgun at issue in the original D.C. case — a High Standard 9-shot revolver — is not on California’s list of approved guns. In other words, California prohibits the very types of guns that Heller said individuals could own for the defense of one’s home. (Hundreds of other handgun models are on <a href="http://certguns.doj.ca.gov/safeguns_resp.asp" type="external">the approved gun list</a>, however.)</p>
<p>The case could ultimately impact other states that have a roster of approved firearms or safety requirements. Maryland was the first to create such a roster in <a href="http://cnsmaryland.org/2013/02/22/history-of-gun-legislation-in-maryland/" type="external">1988</a>. Massachusetts followed ten years later. After Heller struck down Washington D.C.’s handgun ban in <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/19/AR2009061901822.html" type="external">2008</a>, the district <a href="http://smartgunlaws.org/design-safety-standards-for-handguns-in-washington-d-c/" type="external">based its list</a> of approved firearms off of the rosters used in California and Massachusetts. And <a href="http://smartgunlaws.org/gun-design-safety-standards-policy-summary/" type="external">five</a> other states also require firearms manufacturers to meet safety standards.</p>
<p>The Ninth Circuit has yet to hear arguments on the case or write its opinion, but Calguns has already <a href="http://www.ijreview.com/2015/02/254416-federal-judge-make-major-ruling-law-become-target-gun-rights-groups/" type="external">said</a> it will try to take its case to the Supreme Court.</p>
<p>For now, because of the broad legal territory that Scalia left uncharted in Heller, our confused, sometimes contradictory <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/24/opinion/effective-firearms-regulation-is-constitutional.html?_r=2" type="external">“Swiss-cheese system of firearms regulation”</a> will persist.</p>
<p>[Photo:&#160;AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta]</p>
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president barack obama met senate majority leader mitch mcconnell judiciary committee chairman charles grassley oval office tuesday discuss contentious issue plans replace late justice antonin scalia supreme court meeting latest round campaign compel mcconnell allow senate consider nominee year effort obama aides tried crack republican obstruction invoking wisdom one partys icons 1988 two ronald reagans nominees rejected senate reagan warned consequences country seat continue go unfilled saying every day passes supreme court full strength impairs peoples business crucially important body line obama team echoing lot stakes fight scalias replacement undeniably high second amendment issues specifically policymakers courts already often found operating limbo scalia died 160and since 2008 year supreme court scalia writing majority affirmed right bear arms individuals district columbia v heller ruling monumental win gun rights advocates scalia also used opinion caution boundaries second amendment remain unfixed could set decisions future cases since case represents courts first indepth examination second amendment one expect clarify entire field wrote subscribe receive traces newsletters important gun news analysis years since lower courts tried figure far gun regulations go without stepping toes second amendment conclusions significantly divided four particular questions since supreme court declined hear overwhelming majority second amendment cases brought since heller lower courts lawmakers take guidance could spend years wrangling matters without firm guidance supreme court matter eventually assumes scalias former seat though scalias opinion heller established right individuals bear arms includes famous caveat like rights right secured second amendment unlimited sentence left open possibility gun regulations could pass muster without spelling criteria constitutionality judges generally rely tests evaluate regulations bans potentially diminish fundamental rights like freedom speech religion kind assessment called strict scrutiny constitutional law scholar gerald gunther described yardstick strict theory fatal fact since regulations pass strict scrutiny favors protection constitutional right lenient test called intermediate scrutiny gives regulations leeway measurement requires lawmakers important purpose creating rule rule actually helps advance governments goals one key questions percolated since heller decision whether gun regulations evaluated strict scrutiny intermediate scrutiny fourth circuit tackled issue last month examined marylands statewide ban assault weapons regulation part firearms safety act thengovernor martin omalley signed law wake sandy hook massacre prohibits manufacture purchase sale 60 types assault weapons including ar15 ak47 well highcapacity magazines carry 10 rounds 160 supreme court case convicted domestic abusers want gun rights restored justice raised concerns protecting second amendment olivia li opinion case kolbe v hogan160the fourth circuit ruled marylands law must subjected strict scrutiny160sending ban back lower court160the judges said states ban affront scalia called core purpose second amendment right lawabiding responsible citizens use arms defense hearth home consequence court found ban likely unconstitutional compelled heller conclude burden substantial strict scrutiny applicable standard review wrote justice william byrd traxler jr kolbe ruling first time circuit court used strict scrutiny evaluate gun ban second circuit used intermediate scrutiny upheld new york connecticuts assault weapons bans late last year dc circuit issued similar rulingon districts assault weapons law around time though the160 sixth circuit instructed lower court tennessee use strict scrutiny evaluate federal gun prohibition mentally ill order reconsidered uncertainty surrounding judicial scrutiny affects kinds gun regulations assault weapons bans adam winkler ucla law professor wrote amicus brief heller160points whatever gun law need standard review160the fourth circuits recent ruling means clear standard place throwing question legal purgatory circuit split multiple courts supreme court disagree key issue supreme court tends look discrepancies figuring cases hear slates dahlia lithwick notes kolbe decision sets wheels motion another major gun fight high court though theres indication fight reach justices anytime soon month 2012 sandy hook shooting gunman equipped semiautomatic rifle fired 154 rounds five minutes connecticut elementary school new york governor andrew cuomo signed safe act states landmark gun policy bill legislation banned future sales assault weapons magazines hold 10160rounds months later connecticut passed similar law included list 183 assault weapon models banned state experts think heller decision allowed prohibition assaultstyle weapons five years sandy hook happened court wrote time think limitation fairly supported historical tradition prohibiting carrying dangerous unusual weapons ar15s ak47s unusual weapons decade leading bans new york connecticut millions socalled black rifles already manufactured sold us distinction crucial heller supported right bear arms common use guns typically possessed lawabiding citizens 2013 new york connecticut gun rights advocates challenged states assault weapons bans cases ultimately wound second circuit difficult time determining whether black rifles fit scalias definition common use prohibited classification dangerous weapons statistical evidence inconclusive black rifles wide circulation widely owned handguns also possess firepower handguns handguns used frequently crimes unable answer questions second circuit assumed sake argument black rifles qualified common use ultimately holding bans constitutional assault weapons typical means selfdefense ar15 second circuit wrote capacities far beyond handgun scalia called quintessential selfdefense weapon since viewed black rifles falling outside realm typical selfdefense weapons second circuit concluded connecticut new yorks assault weapons bans undermine residents right bear arms court upheld bans october connecticut citizens defense league plaintiff connecticuts assault weapons ban challenged decision last month petition supreme court group cited support argument fourths circuits decision utilize strict scrutiny striking marylands assault weapon ban heller firmly established right use gun defend ones home address whether gun owners right carry weapon public selfdefense 2009 issue brought california courts plaintiffs peruta v county san diego argue countys permitting scheme carrying concealed weapons public unjust unconstitutional county san diego requires resident show good cause meaning must face unusual threat violence stalking order obtain concealed handgun license wanting license general selfdefense enough 160 plaintiffs point countys permitting policies coupled californias statewide ban opencarry mean san diego residents lawful way arm public went argue applicants denied licenses san diego couldnt show good cause barred exercising core aspect second amendment rights namely right self defense case made way ninth circuit panel judges assigned case counterparts elsewhere looked heller guidance came away emptyhanded scalias heller opinion address public carry implied lawmakers could enact limits without violating right bear arms second amendment scalia wrote right keep carry weapon whatsoever manner whatsoever whatever purpose instance concealed weapons prohibitions upheld amendment overall ninth circuit justices concluded heller speak explicitly precisely scope second amendment right outside home takes infringe absence unmistakable road map ninth circuit panel took different kind cue scalia turning historical sources based records circuit judges reasoned time second amendment written word bear synonym carry hence court concluded second amendment guaranteed right selfdefense public february 2014 court declared san diegos good cause requirement unconstitutional saying destroyed right bear arms guise regulating county asked ninth circuit reconsider decision full court june last year court yet issue second ruling meanwhile two separate cases tackle question like san diego county district columbia requires gun owners seeking concealed carry permit good reason needing weapon protect outside home california dc law challenged federal court since circuit courts elsewhere found right bear arms covers public carry simultaneously stating good cause permit processes permissible clarity underlying question much latitude state local policymakers writing concealed carry rules may remain elusive 160 several challenges gun laws pending ninth circuit california become epicenter second amendment litigation one additional cases gun rights advocates contesting regulations guns made sold state trace previously reported production firearms unlike consumer product subject federal oversight states stepped regulatory void make guns safer requiring gun makers test weapons malfunctions incorporate safety features californias scheme robust partly protect residents repeat public safety hazard caused 1980s 1990s socalled ring fire operating outside los angeles notorious group gunmakers produced cheap handguns popular criminals companies guns 34 times likely used crimes guns made manufacturers rid market weapons california created roster approved handgun models 2001 list included guns met states performance standards prone malfunction excluded ring fire weapons semiautomatic handguns manufacturers california also requires semiautomatic guns built mechanism blocks firing magazine removed indicators inform user weapon loaded features help prevent accidental discharges killed 500 people 2013 finally state also passed unique microstamping law must serial number make model etched onto exterior firearm new firearms must also microstamp figures onto shell casings weapon fires helps law enforcement trace crime guns original owners implementation californias microstamping mandate stalled ongoing lawsuit called pena v lindley plaintiffs joined calguns california lobbying group represents retailers federal firearms license taken challenge ninth circuit californias regulatory scheme unconstitutional believe prevents residents buying firearms heller held common use also argue californias handgun roster states extensive safety requirements took many guns california market make anticompetitive thereby limiting buyers choices plaintiffs cite interesting detail heller make point handgun issue original dc case high standard 9shot revolver californias list approved guns words california prohibits types guns heller said individuals could defense ones home hundreds handgun models approved gun list however case could ultimately impact states roster approved firearms safety requirements maryland first create roster 1988 massachusetts followed ten years later heller struck washington dcs handgun ban 2008 district based list approved firearms rosters used california massachusetts five states also require firearms manufacturers meet safety standards ninth circuit yet hear arguments case write opinion calguns already said try take case supreme court broad legal territory scalia left uncharted heller confused sometimes contradictory swisscheese system firearms regulation persist photo160ap photomanuel balce ceneta
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<p>Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz leaves a pro-LGBT legacy at the Democratic National Committee. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>Following controversy after an email dump revealing&#160;the Democratic National Committee favored Hillary Clinton in the presidential primary, Debbie Wasserman Schultz announced Sunday she would resign and have a limited role during the convention this week.</p>
<p>“Going forward, the best way for me to accomplish those goals is to step down as party chair at the end of this convention,” Wasserman Schultz said. “As party chair, this week I will open and close the convention and I will address our delegates about the stakes involved in this election not only for Democrats, but for all Americans. We have planned a great and unified convention this week and I hope and expect that the DNC team that has worked so hard to get us to this point will have the strong support of all Democrats in making sure this is the best convention we have ever had.”</p>
<p>Following Wassserman Schultz’s resignation, Democratic strategist Donna Brazile will take on the role of interim Democratic National Committee chair after the convention concludes.</p>
<p>Wassserman Schultz, who represents Florida’s 24th Congressional District in the U.S. House, was found in the email dump published by Wikileaks to have&#160;favored Clinton in the primary over Bernie Sanders, even though the role of the DNC chair is to remain neutral in the contest.</p>
<p>One email shows&#160;the party’s finance chair suggesting the DNC propagate&#160;media stories&#160;indicating Sanders&#160;is an atheist during primaries in the religiously conservative states of&#160;Kentucky and West Virginia.&#160;Others showed Wasserman Schultz criticizing Sanders for not being a Democrat&#160;and saying he would never be president.</p>
<p>Hackers working for the Russian government apparently stole the emails and gave them to Wikileaks. Clinton officials have said the effort was an attempt to incite Sanders supporters and help elect Republican presidential nominee&#160;Donald Trump.</p>
<p>According to <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/2016-conventions/democratic-national-committee-chief-stepping-aside-after-convention-n615826" type="external">NBC News</a>, opposition to Wasserman Schultz among Democrats&#160;“spread like wildfire,” according to a Democratic source. The discontent&#160;resulted in a confrontation Sunday when officials told Wasserman Schultz she had to resign.</p>
<p>Sanders said in a statement Wasserman Schultz “made the right decision for the future of the Democratic Party,” but indicated&#160;the primary process was unfair.</p>
<p>“While she deserves thanks for her years of service, the party now needs new leadership that will open the doors of the party and welcome in working people&#160;and young people,” Sanders said. “The party leadership must also always remain impartial in the presidential nominating process, something which did not occur in the 2016 race.”</p>
<p>Over the course of her tenure at the Democratic National Committee, Wasserman Schultz oversaw significant expansion in the Democratic Party’s apparatus in LGBT inclusion.</p>
<p>Just a few weeks ago, the 2016 Democratic platform committee produced a document&#160;called the most LGBT-inclusive platform ever. Among other things, the document — set for ratification this week at the Democratic National Convention — embraces the U.S. Supreme Court decision in favor of same-sex marriage, endorses LGBT comprehensive non-discrimination legislation&#160;and includes a plank calling for the United States to make LGBT rights a cornerstone of its foreign policy.</p>
<p>In 2012, the Democratic National Committee under Wasserman Schultz after a hard-fought campaign agreed for the first-time ever to include support for same-sex marriage as part of its platform. That platform also rejected the anti-gay Defense of Marriage Act and endorsed a trans-inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act.</p>
<p>Although Wasserman Schultz has&#160;no direct involvement with the platform committee, the pro-LGBT changes took place under her tenure and she was responsible for appointing committee members.</p>
<p>Also in 2012, the Democratic National Convention had more than 550 openly LGBT delegates, the greatest number in history, and at least one LGBT delegate from every state. The Democratic National Committee hasn’t yet announced the number for 2016, although LGBT caucus chair Earl Fowlkes, Jr., set a goal for&#160;an even bigger number.</p>
<p>In 2014, Wasserman Schultz announced <a href="" type="internal">the creation of the&#160;Lesbian Leadership Council</a> to give voice to that segment of the LGBT community during a meeting of the Democratic National Committee’s LGBT caucus. It wasn’t immediately clear whether the lesbian leadership council was extant at the time of this posting.</p>
<p>“No offense to gay men in the room, but just like in the straight community, where women sometimes have been left behind and men have vaulted ahead on the leadership track, my message was it’s time for lesbians to step up,” Wasserman Schultz said at the time.</p>
<p>Late last year, the Democratic National Committee under Wasserman Schultz <a href="" type="internal">created an LGBT advisory body</a>intended to&#160;supplement to the DNC’s existing LGBT caucus and LGBT leadership council&#160;to create “two-way conversations” between DNC leaders and grassroots activists. DNC LGBT liaison Sean Meloy manages the advisory board.</p>
<p>One blemish on her record on LGBT rights was when Paul Yandura, a gay Democratic activist who has often come to blows with the Democratic National Committee and sued the organization, said&#160;Wasserman Schultz <a href="" type="internal">sought on the House floor to dissuade members of Congress</a>&#160;from signing a letter calling on President Obama to sign an executive order barring anti-LGBT discrimination among federal contractors. At the time, a Wasserman Schultz spokesperson called the assertion&#160;a “bald-faced lie.”</p>
<p>As a member of Congress, Wasserman Schultz consistently has scored “100” on&#160;the Human Rights Campaign’s congressional scorecards. The lawmaker has cast votes in favor of hate crimes protections, a version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal.</p>
<p>A supporter of same-sex marriage,&#160;Wasserman Schultz became the first voting member of Congress to officiate a same-sex wedding in 2015 after a federal court struck down her&#160;state’s prohibition on same-sex marriage. The couple was&#160;Robert Wolfarth and Alex Fernandez of south Florida.</p>
<p>Along with Democratic colleagues, Wasserman Schultz has signed friend-of-the-court briefs urging the Supreme Court to rule in favor of same-sex marriage and strike down the Defense of Marriage Act. Earlier this year,&#160;Wasserman Schultz invited&#160;Jeff and Todd Delmay, one of the same-sex couples in the Florida marriage lawsuit, to come as her guests to the State of the Union address.</p>
<p>Wasserman Schultz is&#160;a co-sponsor of the comprehensive LGBT non-discrimination legislation known as the Equality Act, but she’s not a co-sponsor of the Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act, which seeks to bar widely discredited “ex-gay” therapy nationwide.</p>
<p>Additionally, Wasserman Schultz recently signed a friend-of-the-court brief urging the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals to find sexual-orientation discrimination constitutes gender discrimination under current law. In the aftermath of the shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla., the lawmaker also <a href="" type="internal">signed a letter</a>&#160;urging the Obama administration to eliminate the one-year requirement of&#160;abstinence for gay men to donate blood.</p>
<p>In an op-ed for the Washington Blade in 2015 celebrating June as Pride month, Wasserman Schultz said “ <a href="" type="internal">there’s never been more to celebrate</a>” at Pride, but more work remains.</p>
<p>“There are many places around the world where people are still subjected to violence and discrimination based on who they are or who they love, particularly for the transgender community,” Wasserman Schultz wrote. “Even here at home, we’ve failed to enact protections like the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. In just a few weeks, the Supreme Court will issue a decision on whether same-sex couples have the right to marry nationwide.&#160;This June, as we celebrate LGBT Pride Month, the LGBT community and its allies are proud to look back on the victories we’ve achieved, and rededicate ourselves to the fights still ahead.”</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Bernie Sanders</a> <a href="" type="internal">Debbie Wasserman Schultz</a> <a href="" type="internal">Democratic National Committee</a></p>
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rep debbie wasserman schultz leaves prolgbt legacy democratic national committee washington blade file photo michael key following controversy email dump revealing160the democratic national committee favored hillary clinton presidential primary debbie wasserman schultz announced sunday would resign limited role convention week going forward best way accomplish goals step party chair end convention wasserman schultz said party chair week open close convention address delegates stakes involved election democrats americans planned great unified convention week hope expect dnc team worked hard get us point strong support democrats making sure best convention ever following wassserman schultzs resignation democratic strategist donna brazile take role interim democratic national committee chair convention concludes wassserman schultz represents floridas 24th congressional district us house found email dump published wikileaks have160favored clinton primary bernie sanders even though role dnc chair remain neutral contest one email shows160the partys finance chair suggesting dnc propagate160media stories160indicating sanders160is atheist primaries religiously conservative states of160kentucky west virginia160others showed wasserman schultz criticizing sanders democrat160and saying would never president hackers working russian government apparently stole emails gave wikileaks clinton officials said effort attempt incite sanders supporters help elect republican presidential nominee160donald trump according nbc news opposition wasserman schultz among democrats160spread like wildfire according democratic source discontent160resulted confrontation sunday officials told wasserman schultz resign sanders said statement wasserman schultz made right decision future democratic party indicated160the primary process unfair deserves thanks years service party needs new leadership open doors party welcome working people160and young people sanders said party leadership must also always remain impartial presidential nominating process something occur 2016 race course tenure democratic national committee wasserman schultz oversaw significant expansion democratic partys apparatus lgbt inclusion weeks ago 2016 democratic platform committee produced document160called lgbtinclusive platform ever among things document set ratification week democratic national convention embraces us supreme court decision favor samesex marriage endorses lgbt comprehensive nondiscrimination legislation160and includes plank calling united states make lgbt rights cornerstone foreign policy 2012 democratic national committee wasserman schultz hardfought campaign agreed firsttime ever include support samesex marriage part platform platform also rejected antigay defense marriage act endorsed transinclusive employment nondiscrimination act although wasserman schultz has160no direct involvement platform committee prolgbt changes took place tenure responsible appointing committee members also 2012 democratic national convention 550 openly lgbt delegates greatest number history least one lgbt delegate every state democratic national committee hasnt yet announced number 2016 although lgbt caucus chair earl fowlkes jr set goal for160an even bigger number 2014 wasserman schultz announced creation the160lesbian leadership council give voice segment lgbt community meeting democratic national committees lgbt caucus wasnt immediately clear whether lesbian leadership council extant time posting offense gay men room like straight community women sometimes left behind men vaulted ahead leadership track message time lesbians step wasserman schultz said time late last year democratic national committee wasserman schultz created lgbt advisory bodyintended to160supplement dncs existing lgbt caucus lgbt leadership council160to create twoway conversations dnc leaders grassroots activists dnc lgbt liaison sean meloy manages advisory board one blemish record lgbt rights paul yandura gay democratic activist often come blows democratic national committee sued organization said160wasserman schultz sought house floor dissuade members congress160from signing letter calling president obama sign executive order barring antilgbt discrimination among federal contractors time wasserman schultz spokesperson called assertion160a baldfaced lie member congress wasserman schultz consistently scored 100 on160the human rights campaigns congressional scorecards lawmaker cast votes favor hate crimes protections version employment nondiscrimination act dont ask dont tell repeal supporter samesex marriage160wasserman schultz became first voting member congress officiate samesex wedding 2015 federal court struck her160states prohibition samesex marriage couple was160robert wolfarth alex fernandez south florida along democratic colleagues wasserman schultz signed friendofthecourt briefs urging supreme court rule favor samesex marriage strike defense marriage act earlier year160wasserman schultz invited160jeff todd delmay one samesex couples florida marriage lawsuit come guests state union address wasserman schultz is160a cosponsor comprehensive lgbt nondiscrimination legislation known equality act shes cosponsor therapeutic fraud prevention act seeks bar widely discredited exgay therapy nationwide additionally wasserman schultz recently signed friendofthecourt brief urging us second circuit court appeals find sexualorientation discrimination constitutes gender discrimination current law aftermath shooting gay nightclub orlando fla lawmaker also signed letter160urging obama administration eliminate oneyear requirement of160abstinence gay men donate blood oped washington blade 2015 celebrating june pride month wasserman schultz said theres never celebrate pride work remains many places around world people still subjected violence discrimination based love particularly transgender community wasserman schultz wrote even home weve failed enact protections like employment nondiscrimination act weeks supreme court issue decision whether samesex couples right marry nationwide160this june celebrate lgbt pride month lgbt community allies proud look back victories weve achieved rededicate fights still ahead bernie sanders debbie wasserman schultz democratic national committee
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<p>Few Yemenis have been able to leave their country since its civil war escalated a year ago. In March 2015, neighbor Saudi Arabia chose to back one side in Yemen's war, and it called on Arab allies to help. The Saudi-led coalition has been bombing Yemen ever since. It has sealed off&#160;Yemen and kept <a href="http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/yemen-conflict-saudi-arabia-blocks-24000-people-border-1495671" type="external">its people trapped inside</a>. I&#160;asked four&#160;young Yemenis who are active online to talk about the war they can't escape.</p>
<p>He’s sitting in The Coffee Trader, a noisy cafe popular with young people on Hadda Street in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa. It’s got free Wi-Fi.&#160;“The people are not afraid from airstrikes anymore,” the 24-year old tells me over an Internet chat app. “They just go to do their work... go to spend some time, everywhere.&#160;They just want to live.”</p>
<p>Over the past year the Saudi-led coalition has&#160;been trying to&#160;stamp out a rebel group that took over Yemen. It has&#160;bombed not only&#160;military targets, but&#160;also&#160;homes, hospitals, stores, schools - even playgrounds.</p>
<p>Aziz, like most Yemenis, knows of <a href="" type="internal">people who died in Yemen’s war</a>,&#160;but that’s not what’s on his mind today. He’s thinking about food.&#160;“I went to grocery and ask for things, I don't find it, I go to another, I find things and I don't find another, it's just like that… It’s disturbing. It's not stable. Not stable at all.”&#160;</p>
<p>Yemen, the poor southern neighbor of Saudi Arabia has historically imported most of its food. <a href="http://www.salon.com/2016/01/29/a_forgotten_crisis_mass_starvation_in_yemen_as_u_s_backed_saudi_war_blockade_push_millions_to_brink_of_famine/" type="external">A naval blockade</a> enforced by the Saudis, with US support, has prevented food shipments from arriving with any regularity at Yemeni ports for nearly a year. The same embargo, intended to prevent the import of weapons, has also prevented fuel tankers from docking, making Yemen one of the few places on earth where gasoline remains expensive&#160;when it is available at all.</p>
<p>Aziz says people in Sanaa have adapted to fuel shortages that affect not only cars and trucks, but Sanaa’s electric grid. Blackouts are common in the city. “Lifestyles have changed. We use solar panels to generate electricity,” he tells me when I ask how a year of war has changed life in the capital city. “We spend a lot of money to get basic needs.&#160;The prices have raised so much.”</p>
<p>Sanaa, once the seat of a central government friendly to the Saudis and to the West, is now being run by the rebel group known as <a href="" type="internal">the Houthis</a>.&#160;The group, based in northern Yemen, swept south through the capital in the fall of 2014. It took full control of the government in early 2015 in a mostly non-violent coup. Yemen’s internationally recognized president, Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, soon fled house arrest and escaped the city. Under Houthi rule, life in Sanaa continues with little strife – that is if you don’t count air strikes by the Saudis and the raids and arrests by Houthi security forces, which have put a damper on political speech and activism.</p>
<p>“I remember that I need to keep my mouth shut, not to say everything that I believe in,” Aziz confides. “I need to be careful about my words. I need to stay on the wall, like a shadow. Nobody needs to know my opinion.”&#160;</p>
<p>“I'm gonna just say it was really a horrible year,” Ahmed Algohbary tells me from his apartment in Dhamar City, south of the capital.&#160;He's recording his answers to my questions and sending them via a smartphone app. The lag time makes this a very slow conversation, but Ahmed is patient, eager to tell his story.&#160;At 22, he&#160;is in his fourth year&#160;studying English at&#160;Dhamar University, Yemen’s largest.</p>
<p>In the fall of 2014 Ahmed watched <a href="http://http://www.yementimes.com/en/1825/news/4446/Dhamar-falls-to-the-Houthis.htm" type="external">the Houthi fighters take over</a>Dhamar City much as they had Sanaa, quickly and with little resistance from Yemeni soldiers.&#160;</p>
<p>“Ali Abdullah Saleh told them not to fight the Houthis,” Ahmed says. His account matches that of UN observers who concluded that Saleh, a still influential former dictator, <a href="" type="internal">pulled strings to enable the Houthis to advance</a>, to unseat President Hadi&#160;and to mobilize the half of Yemen’s national army still loyal to him.&#160;</p>
<p>“It was peaceful when the Houthis took over,” Ahmed says. But that didn’t last. Ahmed’s family home stood right next to the local military base, which became a daily target for Saudi bombing raids in March 2015. The Afgogharis had to move out.</p>
<p>“You know, the army place is empty,” he tells me. “There is no weapons, no soldiers. But [the Saudi coalition]&#160;keep bombing it many times.” Even now Saudi air strikes continue to level buildings around Dhamar, including some at the university.</p>
<p>Ahmed says the war has taken its toll on his education. “Before the war we had great English professors,” he notes. “And now, because of the war, many of our English professors have left the country.” Ahmed, who welcomed our conversations as a chance to&#160;practice his English with me, says some of the teachers that remain in Dhamar are a disappointment to him. “They cannot even speak well as English language, so the situation my college is very bad and it is getting worse now,” he adds, “because the teachers, they don't have money now...&#160;because of money shortage in our university. I think the situation is getting worse.”</p>
<p>Ahmed Algohbary&#160;made this recording, which he asked me to share. It's the&#160;story of his best friend, Bilal, who died in a Saudi air strike April 19, 2015. Ahmed&#160;wrote the story&#160;in English so that westerners could understand. "It is my most important message for what is happening in Yemen," he says.</p>
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<p>Toward the end of Ahmed’s story, he pleads with the United Kingdom to stop selling weapons to Saudi Arabia. Both the UK and the <a href="" type="internal">US have supplied</a> tens of billions of dollars in aircraft, guided bombs and surface-to-air missiles to the Saudis and other coalition forces. The two western powers currently provide assistance with targeting and help refuel coalition jets in flight.</p>
<p>Since March 2015, fighting on all sides of Yemen's civil war&#160;has <a href="http://www.unog.ch/80256EDD006B9C2E/(httpNewsByYear_en)/7519A80B587A397BC1257F6C004AEBA6?OpenDocument" type="external">killed more than 3,000 civilians</a>and injured close to 6,000 more.&#160;The war has forced&#160; <a href="http://www.unhcr.org/56ded9399.html" type="external">2.4 million Yemenis</a>&#160;from their homes.&#160;The Saudi-led coalition has flown thousands of missions over Yemen, dropping guided bombs and missiles on Houthi targets from the Saudi Arabian&#160;border to the Gulf of Aden.&#160;But for all its firepower, the Saudi-led coalition has failed to achieve its stated goal of restoring the Hadi government to power. Most of Yemen’s cities, including Sanaa and Dhamar, remain under Houthi control.</p>
<p>Taiz, a&#160;large city south of Dhamar – and Yemen’s longtime cultural capital – has never ceded control to the invading Houthis. It is the scene of some of the most brutal fighting in Yemen, a civil war inside a civil war where local resistance groups defend&#160;their city against Houthi militias, which have surrounded Taiz.</p>
<p>The young woman from Taiz &#160;– she asks that we use only her first name, Suha – tells me that when the Saudi airstrikes began March 26, 2015, she and her neighbors were grateful. “March 26 was a violent reaction against a violent action of Saleh and the Houthis,&#160;asserted months before the bombing campaign,” she tells me in a Facebook chat. “The campaign was welcomed in Taiz and the South in general, because they suffered from violence.”&#160;</p>
<p>Taiz has paid a steep price for defying the Houthis and their influential ally, former dictator Ali Abdullah Saleh. “They attacked Taiz even before the Saudi air strikes started,” Suha says. “And they started killing civilians and unarmed people.”</p>
<p>Unlike in Sanaa and Dhamar, the local militias in Taiz put up a fight, which has now been going on for a year. “Nowhere is safe,” Suha says. “We’re exposed to shells anywhere and anytime, but if there is heavy bombing on the city we [go]&#160;downstairs… to avoid the high and exposed floors. And we avoid going out of the house. But still that sometimes doesn’t work, because rockets can destroy a whole house.”</p>
<p>The shelling of Taiz by the Houthis, combined with Saudi airstrikes meant to push the rebels back, have cut they city off from the rest of Yemen. Food, which is hard to come by anywhere in Yemen, is sometimes not available at all in Taiz.</p>
<p>“Life here - this is not a real life,” Suha says. “We can describe it as slow dying.”&#160; She shares&#160;one vivid example. “A few months ago the whole city ran out drinking water. No drinking water was allowed to enter the city, so we had to drink from the taps and gather from the rain. The tap water is salty, so we couldn’t drink it. That was for a whole week. We were thirsty for a whole week. We had to drink salty water. That was really sorrowful.”</p>
<p>Suha reminds me that the Yemen war is as complex as it is brutal. “People all over the world believe it’s only a Saudi attack on Yemen,” she says, “but in reality it’s both an internal and external war. Taiz is suffering from the siege forced by the Houthis. All the entrances are blocked, and people left in the city are dying by shells day and night. So Yemenis are not only killed by Saudi airstrikes.&#160;They’re also killed by the Houthi shells and mines.”</p>
<p>Yemeni-American student and activist Summer Nasser had just arrived in the southern port city of Aden <a href="" type="internal" />to visit her family last year. It was March, and Houthi forces were approaching the city. Saudi jets had just begun picking off groups of Houthi soldiers and blowing up suspected weapons depots.&#160;</p>
<p>"We're not feeling so great coming from the States to this kind of situation," <a href="" type="internal">Nasser told me&#160;on the fourth day</a> of air strikes. "I never thought I would say this, but we really don't know if we [will] wake up the next morning. That's how intense the situation is in terms of security."</p>
<p>Summer spent most of 2015 in Yemen, relocating several times to reach safety&#160;and finally seeking passage out of the country. She says that&#160;because she held a US passport, she was among the few Yemenis able to leave the war behind.</p>
<p>“I felt very guilty, you know, to have an option to leave,” she tells me from her home in New York. “Unfortunately, Yemen is not like Syria. We are surrounded by ocean and Saudi Arabia – which will not let us enter easily.” Summer mentions the other route out of Yemen, via Oman, which requires a long journey through barren lands controlled by Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. “So we're very much stuck. And when I left, I felt like I was leaving a piece of my own soul in Yemen.” &#160;</p>
<p>Today, Summer says, she still feels guilty for leaving. “But at the same time I feel very much blessed. And so I came here to say, 'You know what? Maybe this is a chance to kind of bring Yemen into light in the US media,' and so that's my goal right now.”</p>
<p>Summer is not optimistic about Yemen’s future. “The biggest worry for me is that if the Houthis aren't stopped, we will always be in civil wars.”&#160;</p>
<p>Suha, whose city of Taiz is under attack by both Houthis and Saudis, says she&#160;believes "sooner or later there will be a political solution.&#160;But armed conflicts will not end.&#160;They will keep on going, from time to time in different ways and under different names:&#160;Al Qaeda,&#160;ISIS,&#160;Houthi..."</p>
<p>In Dhamar, Ahmed is still grieving the loss of his friend, but adds "I hope one day I will wake up and the war will be over."&#160;</p>
<p>Back in Sanaa, Aziz Morfeq tries to imagine what an end to the war would look like. "Everybody will be a friend to everybody, and people who died [will be]&#160;just martyrs from both sides." He pauses, then adds, "And I know that it's hard to ask them to stop it. It's not gonna change everything."</p>
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yemenis able leave country since civil war escalated year ago march 2015 neighbor saudi arabia chose back one side yemens war called arab allies help saudiled coalition bombing yemen ever since sealed off160yemen kept people trapped inside i160asked four160young yemenis active online talk war cant escape hes sitting coffee trader noisy cafe popular young people hadda street yemeni capital sanaa got free wifi160the people afraid airstrikes anymore 24year old tells internet chat app go work go spend time everywhere160they want live past year saudiled coalition has160been trying to160stamp rebel group took yemen has160bombed only160military targets but160also160homes hospitals stores schools even playgrounds aziz like yemenis knows people died yemens war160but thats whats mind today hes thinking food160i went grocery ask things dont find go another find things dont find another like disturbing stable stable all160 yemen poor southern neighbor saudi arabia historically imported food naval blockade enforced saudis us support prevented food shipments arriving regularity yemeni ports nearly year embargo intended prevent import weapons also prevented fuel tankers docking making yemen one places earth gasoline remains expensive160when available aziz says people sanaa adapted fuel shortages affect cars trucks sanaas electric grid blackouts common city lifestyles changed use solar panels generate electricity tells ask year war changed life capital city spend lot money get basic needs160the prices raised much sanaa seat central government friendly saudis west run rebel group known houthis160the group based northern yemen swept south capital fall 2014 took full control government early 2015 mostly nonviolent coup yemens internationally recognized president abdrabbuh mansour hadi soon fled house arrest escaped city houthi rule life sanaa continues little strife dont count air strikes saudis raids arrests houthi security forces put damper political speech activism remember need keep mouth shut say everything believe aziz confides need careful words need stay wall like shadow nobody needs know opinion160 im gon na say really horrible year ahmed algohbary tells apartment dhamar city south capital160hes recording answers questions sending via smartphone app lag time makes slow conversation ahmed patient eager tell story160at 22 he160is fourth year160studying english at160dhamar university yemens largest fall 2014 ahmed watched houthi fighters take overdhamar city much sanaa quickly little resistance yemeni soldiers160 ali abdullah saleh told fight houthis ahmed says account matches un observers concluded saleh still influential former dictator pulled strings enable houthis advance unseat president hadi160and mobilize half yemens national army still loyal him160 peaceful houthis took ahmed says didnt last ahmeds family home stood right next local military base became daily target saudi bombing raids march 2015 afgogharis move know army place empty tells weapons soldiers saudi coalition160keep bombing many times even saudi air strikes continue level buildings around dhamar including university ahmed says war taken toll education war great english professors notes war many english professors left country ahmed welcomed conversations chance to160practice english says teachers remain dhamar disappointment even speak well english language situation college bad getting worse adds teachers dont money now160because money shortage university think situation getting worse ahmed algohbary160made recording asked share the160story best friend bilal died saudi air strike april 19 2015 ahmed160wrote story160in english westerners could understand important message happening yemen says toward end ahmeds story pleads united kingdom stop selling weapons saudi arabia uk us supplied tens billions dollars aircraft guided bombs surfacetoair missiles saudis coalition forces two western powers currently provide assistance targeting help refuel coalition jets flight since march 2015 fighting sides yemens civil war160has killed 3000 civiliansand injured close 6000 more160the war forced160 24 million yemenis160from homes160the saudiled coalition flown thousands missions yemen dropping guided bombs missiles houthi targets saudi arabian160border gulf aden160but firepower saudiled coalition failed achieve stated goal restoring hadi government power yemens cities including sanaa dhamar remain houthi control taiz a160large city south dhamar yemens longtime cultural capital never ceded control invading houthis scene brutal fighting yemen civil war inside civil war local resistance groups defend160their city houthi militias surrounded taiz young woman taiz 160 asks use first name suha tells saudi airstrikes began march 26 2015 neighbors grateful march 26 violent reaction violent action saleh houthis160asserted months bombing campaign tells facebook chat campaign welcomed taiz south general suffered violence160 taiz paid steep price defying houthis influential ally former dictator ali abdullah saleh attacked taiz even saudi air strikes started suha says started killing civilians unarmed people unlike sanaa dhamar local militias taiz put fight going year nowhere safe suha says exposed shells anywhere anytime heavy bombing city go160downstairs avoid high exposed floors avoid going house still sometimes doesnt work rockets destroy whole house shelling taiz houthis combined saudi airstrikes meant push rebels back cut city rest yemen food hard come anywhere yemen sometimes available taiz life real life suha says describe slow dying160 shares160one vivid example months ago whole city ran drinking water drinking water allowed enter city drink taps gather rain tap water salty couldnt drink whole week thirsty whole week drink salty water really sorrowful suha reminds yemen war complex brutal people world believe saudi attack yemen says reality internal external war taiz suffering siege forced houthis entrances blocked people left city dying shells day night yemenis killed saudi airstrikes160theyre also killed houthi shells mines yemeniamerican student activist summer nasser arrived southern port city aden visit family last year march houthi forces approaching city saudi jets begun picking groups houthi soldiers blowing suspected weapons depots160 feeling great coming states kind situation nasser told me160on fourth day air strikes never thought would say really dont know wake next morning thats intense situation terms security summer spent 2015 yemen relocating several times reach safety160and finally seeking passage country says that160because held us passport among yemenis able leave war behind felt guilty know option leave tells home new york unfortunately yemen like syria surrounded ocean saudi arabia let us enter easily summer mentions route yemen via oman requires long journey barren lands controlled al qaeda arabian peninsula much stuck left felt like leaving piece soul yemen 160 today summer says still feels guilty leaving time feel much blessed came say know maybe chance kind bring yemen light us media thats goal right summer optimistic yemens future biggest worry houthis arent stopped always civil wars160 suha whose city taiz attack houthis saudis says she160believes sooner later political solution160but armed conflicts end160they keep going time time different ways different names160al qaeda160isis160houthi dhamar ahmed still grieving loss friend adds hope one day wake war over160 back sanaa aziz morfeq tries imagine end war would look like everybody friend everybody people died be160just martyrs sides pauses adds know hard ask stop gon na change everything 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160
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<p>It’s not easy being Iraqi these days. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced by fighting, an extremist Islamist group is intent on establishing a brutal regime throughout the north, and the army seems reluctant to defend a government that has marginalized large swaths of the population.</p>
<p>The violence is largely sectarian between the majority Shias and the minority Sunnis, the situation largely intractable. The Sunnis want, more than anything else, to be rid of the hated Shia regime. The Shia remember years of oppression under the brutal Sunni regime of Saddam Hussein, and they want revenge.</p>
<p>“They are not reconcilable,” said Peter Galbraith, former US diplomat and author of the book “The End of Iraq.” “There is no common ground. Both sides want to run Iraq and each side wants to exterminate the other.”</p>
<p>But the toxic chaos that has consumed the country has also provided opportunity for some, namely the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, or ISIS), which continues its drive toward Baghdad.&#160;</p>
<p>The ISIL isn't alone in making the most of a messy situation. Here are the five biggest winners in Iraq these days, gobbling up what they can in a land of opportunity:</p>
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<p>Iraqi army uniforms litter the ground east of Mosul on June 14, the day after Sunni militants swept through. (Safin Hamed/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Capitalizing on Sunni grievances against the government, this group of radical Islamists has gathered numerous paramilitary groups that together just might force the disintegration of the state.</p>
<p>Along the way they have been busy, Rumpelstiltskin-like, spinning catastrophe into gold — quite literally. The group is sitting on a <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/iraq-turmoil/how-isis-war-chest-may-be-2b-growing-n132246" type="external">war chest estimated at some $2 billion</a>, fed by cash from looted banks, various extortion rackets and the seizure of oilfields.</p>
<p>This is the Harvard Business School of jihad. They keep meticulous records, issuing <a href="http://understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/ISWBackgrounder_ISIS_Annual_Reports_0.pdf" type="external">annual reports</a> that chart everything from assassinations to “apostates run over.” They also put business above politics upon occasion, as in Syria, where they obligingly <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/29/world/middleeast/rebels-in-syria-claim-control-of-resources.html" type="external">sell their confiscated oil</a> to the government of Bashar al-Assad — which they are fighting.</p>
<p>This group aspires to govern, and there are reports that in Mosul, which they seized nearly two weeks ago, they are <a href="http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/47e251fe-f7ad-11e3-b2cf-00144feabdc0.html#axzz35JM0FjO4" type="external">using a light hand</a>, not enforcing some of the stricter elements of their Islamist code,&#160;perhaps hoping to win the loyalty of the population.</p>
<p>In Sunni-dominated Mosul, this might even work, for a while — until the group’s infamous brutality begins to show itself, that is. They have already posted videos purporting to show the <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140615/us-condemns-horrifying-iraq-massacre-isil-militants" type="external">execution of some 1,700 Iraqi soldiers</a>.</p>
<p>Wait for the backlash — it won’t be long.</p>
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<p>Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri. (Salah Malkawi/Getty Images)</p>
<p>The US invasion pretty much routed the Baathists from power. After ruling Iraq for decades, they were suddenly personae non gratae in the new regime.</p>
<p>After Saddam’s execution by hanging, in December 2006, a group of Baath officers, enraged at the disrespect accorded their leader, formed a group called Jaysh Rijal al-Tariq al-Naqshabandi (JRTN).</p>
<p>Headed by long-time <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iraq/10907319/Iraq-crisis-Red-haired-devil-of-Saddams-Iraq-back-in-the-fray.html" type="external">Saddam crony Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri</a>, the group is one of the most powerful of the Sunni insurgent groups now operating in the country. Numerous media accounts have stated that JRTN played a major role in the fall of Mosul, and the elusive Douri, who was rumored to have died of kidney failure, is reported to be back in the fray.</p>
<p>JRTN has a history of taking life’s lemons and brewing some powerful jihadist lemonade.</p>
<p>According to the <a href="https://www.ctc.usma.edu/posts/the-jrtn-movement-and-iraq’s-next-insurgency" type="external">Combating Terrorism Center at West Point</a>, during the US occupation the JRTN “successfully tapped into Sunni Arab fear of Iraq’s Shia-led government and the country’s Kurdish population, while offering an authentic Iraqi alternate to Al Qaeda in Iraq (the forerunner of ISIL) … It emerged as the only Iraqi insurgent group to have grown stronger during and since the US-led surge.”</p>
<p>JRTN, like its leader Douri, is a chameleon, capable of assuming the form that will best serve its interests at the time. The Kurdish takeover of Kirkuk will mobilize JRTN’s base, while the prominence of Shia militias affiliated with Iran’s elite Quds force will also play into JRTN’s hands.</p>
<p>What’s more, a little bird is tweeting that there is a secret agreement between ISIL and JRTN that Douri will become head of the new government once the group manages to topple Nouri Al Maliki's regime in Baghdad.</p>
<p>The Twitter account of <a href="https://news.vice.com/article/now-isis-even-has-its-very-own-whistleblower" type="external">@wikibaghdady</a>&#160;has been doing its best to expose the links between ISIL and JRTN; the only problem is no one knows for sure how much of what @wikibaghdady says is true.</p>
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<p>Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard fighter. (AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Iran has been heavily involved in Iraq for decades, offering asylum to Shia leaders under attack by Saddam Hussein, training and funding Shia militias, and now by sending elite Revolutionary Guard forces to Iraq to help Maliki’s Shia government.</p>
<p>“As has been the case since 1979, the IRGC-QF reports directly to the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and is actively waging a campaign to advance Iranian hegemony by destabilizing or coopting Middle Eastern countries through the export of the Islamic Revolution,” Ali Khedery, the longest serving American official in Iraq, wrote in <a href="http://ricks.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2014/06/19/mulling_iraq_options_begin_by_telling_me_which_of_these_groups_you_want_to_bomb" type="external">Foreign Policy magazine</a>.</p>
<p>“While conventional wisdom is that the IRGC-QF is in Iraq because Iran seeks to defend itself against the existential threat of ISIS/Sunni extremism, they also see it as their deeply held belief that it is their religious obligation under God to carry out this mission.”</p>
<p>From the Iranian point of view, the worse things are, the better. The more brutal and uncontrollable the ISIL and its Sunni allies are shown to be, the more the Shia factions will turn to Iran for help.</p>
<p>Indeed, most of the militias are funded, trained and supported by Iran, and most report directly to the Quds command.</p>
<p>"Who do you think is running the war," a senior Iraqi official asked a <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/18/iraq-request-us-air-strikes-isis-baiji-oil" type="external">Guardian</a> reporter. “Qassem Suleimani [a leading Iranian general] is in charge. And reporting directly to him are the militias, led by Asa'ib ahl al-Haq." &#160;</p>
<p>Members of the Shia Mahdi Army militia at a training in Basra, June 17, 2014. (Safin Hamed/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Ever since Iraq’s most powerful cleric, <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140613/take-arms-against-iraq-terrorists-top-shiite-cleric" type="external">Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani</a>, issued his call to action a week ago, Shia militias have been front and center in the fight.</p>
<p>Some of these have a pretty sketchy history with the US — think of Muqtada al-Sadr’s Mahdi Army and the damage it caused to US troops during the war.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/12/iraq-battle-dead-valley-peace-syria" type="external">Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq</a>, which split off from the Mahdi Army, is now one of the most powerful of the Shia militias, and is closely aligned with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qasem_Soleimani" type="external">Qasem Suleimani</a>, commander of the Quds Force in Iran.</p>
<p>The Shias have their own problems with Maliki, whose own faction of the Dawa Party has been strongly favored over other groups, prompting <a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Security-Watch/Backchannels/2014/0226/Muqtada-al-Sadr-doesn-t-appear-to-have-quit-Iraqi-politics" type="external">Muqtada al-Sadr</a> to call him a “tyrant.”</p>
<p>Now that Sistani has <a href="http://www.latimes.com/world/middleeast/la-fg-iraq-sistani-20140621-story.html" type="external">come out against Maliki</a>’s style of government and called for a more inclusive approach,&#160;the rest of the Shia groups may be angling for a greater political role as a result of the current crisis. &#160;</p>
<p>Iraqi Kurdish soldiers south of Kirkuk. (Marwan Ibrahim/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Perhaps no group has used the implosion of Iraq more skillfully than the Kurds, who have seized opportunity and territory while showing that their Peshmerga forces are better-trained and more willing to fight than the Iraqi army.</p>
<p>When ISIL began its blitzkrieg assault on northern Iraq, it was the <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140612/kurds-full-control-iraqs-disputed-kirkuk-city" type="external">Peshmerga that stood up to them</a>, taking control of oil-rich Kirkuk.</p>
<p>Kurds have long considered Kirkuk and its liquid gold to be theirs; they have now made that dream a reality. <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/iraq/140619/erbil-oil-petrol-gasoline-ISIL-iraqi-army" type="external">Erbil</a>, one of the major Kurdish cities, has become a haven during the recent fighting, welcoming refugees and providing relative safety due to the tough and well-disciplined Peshmerga.</p>
<p>Kurds make up 15-20 percent of the Iraqi population; they are ethnically distinct from the mostly Arab Iraqis, with a language closer to Persian than to Arabic. They are predominantly Sunni, but have shown few signs of siding with the Sunni militants against the central government, preferring to defend the autonomy they secured in 1991.</p>
<p>They will have a tough time in the near future: the fighting has <a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Energy-Voices/2014/0616/Iraq-crisis-Oil-rich-Kurdistan-capitalizes-on-chaos" type="external">damaged a pipeline in Kurdistan</a> that conveys oil to Turkey and the Kirkuk bounty will have to wait for calmer times before the Kurds can get any real economic advantage from it — provided, of course, it stays in their hands.</p>
<p>But for now, autonomy is looking very much like independence. According to Galbraith, the former diplomat, who worked as an advisor to the Kurdish government: “The Kurds will not be held in Iraq.”</p>
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easy iraqi days hundreds thousands displaced fighting extremist islamist group intent establishing brutal regime throughout north army seems reluctant defend government marginalized large swaths population violence largely sectarian majority shias minority sunnis situation largely intractable sunnis want anything else rid hated shia regime shia remember years oppression brutal sunni regime saddam hussein want revenge reconcilable said peter galbraith former us diplomat author book end iraq common ground sides want run iraq side wants exterminate toxic chaos consumed country also provided opportunity namely islamic state iraq levant isil isis continues drive toward baghdad160 isil isnt alone making messy situation five biggest winners iraq days gobbling land opportunity 160 iraqi army uniforms litter ground east mosul june 14 day sunni militants swept safin hamedafpgetty images capitalizing sunni grievances government group radical islamists gathered numerous paramilitary groups together might force disintegration state along way busy rumpelstiltskinlike spinning catastrophe gold quite literally group sitting war chest estimated 2 billion fed cash looted banks various extortion rackets seizure oilfields harvard business school jihad keep meticulous records issuing annual reports chart everything assassinations apostates run also put business politics upon occasion syria obligingly sell confiscated oil government bashar alassad fighting group aspires govern reports mosul seized nearly two weeks ago using light hand enforcing stricter elements islamist code160perhaps hoping win loyalty population sunnidominated mosul might even work groups infamous brutality begins show already posted videos purporting show execution 1700 iraqi soldiers wait backlash wont long 160 izzat ibrahim aldouri salah malkawigetty images us invasion pretty much routed baathists power ruling iraq decades suddenly personae non gratae new regime saddams execution hanging december 2006 group baath officers enraged disrespect accorded leader formed group called jaysh rijal altariq alnaqshabandi jrtn headed longtime saddam crony izzat ibrahim aldouri group one powerful sunni insurgent groups operating country numerous media accounts stated jrtn played major role fall mosul elusive douri rumored died kidney failure reported back fray jrtn history taking lifes lemons brewing powerful jihadist lemonade according combating terrorism center west point us occupation jrtn successfully tapped sunni arab fear iraqs shialed government countrys kurdish population offering authentic iraqi alternate al qaeda iraq forerunner isil emerged iraqi insurgent group grown stronger since usled surge jrtn like leader douri chameleon capable assuming form best serve interests time kurdish takeover kirkuk mobilize jrtns base prominence shia militias affiliated irans elite quds force also play jrtns hands whats little bird tweeting secret agreement isil jrtn douri become head new government group manages topple nouri al malikis regime baghdad twitter account wikibaghdady160has best expose links isil jrtn problem one knows sure much wikibaghdady says true 160 irans elite revolutionary guard fighter afpgetty images iran heavily involved iraq decades offering asylum shia leaders attack saddam hussein training funding shia militias sending elite revolutionary guard forces iraq help malikis shia government case since 1979 irgcqf reports directly supreme leader ayatollah ali khamenei actively waging campaign advance iranian hegemony destabilizing coopting middle eastern countries export islamic revolution ali khedery longest serving american official iraq wrote foreign policy magazine conventional wisdom irgcqf iraq iran seeks defend existential threat isissunni extremism also see deeply held belief religious obligation god carry mission iranian point view worse things better brutal uncontrollable isil sunni allies shown shia factions turn iran help indeed militias funded trained supported iran report directly quds command think running war senior iraqi official asked guardian reporter qassem suleimani leading iranian general charge reporting directly militias led asaib ahl alhaq 160 members shia mahdi army militia training basra june 17 2014 safin hamedafpgetty images ever since iraqs powerful cleric grand ayatollah ali alsistani issued call action week ago shia militias front center fight pretty sketchy history us think muqtada alsadrs mahdi army damage caused us troops war asaib ahl alhaq split mahdi army one powerful shia militias closely aligned qasem suleimani commander quds force iran shias problems maliki whose faction dawa party strongly favored groups prompting muqtada alsadr call tyrant sistani come malikis style government called inclusive approach160the rest shia groups may angling greater political role result current crisis 160 iraqi kurdish soldiers south kirkuk marwan ibrahimafpgetty images perhaps group used implosion iraq skillfully kurds seized opportunity territory showing peshmerga forces bettertrained willing fight iraqi army isil began blitzkrieg assault northern iraq peshmerga stood taking control oilrich kirkuk kurds long considered kirkuk liquid gold made dream reality erbil one major kurdish cities become recent fighting welcoming refugees providing relative safety due tough welldisciplined peshmerga kurds make 1520 percent iraqi population ethnically distinct mostly arab iraqis language closer persian arabic predominantly sunni shown signs siding sunni militants central government preferring defend autonomy secured 1991 tough time near future fighting damaged pipeline kurdistan conveys oil turkey kirkuk bounty wait calmer times kurds get real economic advantage provided course stays hands autonomy looking much like independence according galbraith former diplomat worked advisor kurdish government kurds held iraq
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<p>SEPT. 2, 2010</p>
<p>Tuesday brought Californians yet another budget charade. The “drill” that took place in the Assembly and Senate over a supposed budget vote, spoke volumes about the real worth of legislators to the state.&#160; But what senators and Assembly members said during the final day of session while debating the budget, is telling about the very different philosophies of the opposing parties, as well as the individual politics of some members.</p>
<p>The California state Legislature has missed the budget deadline 23 times in 24 years.</p>
<p>With a record like that, does anyone really believe that state’s legislators are serious about their jobs? Instead, legislators have re-written job descriptions to become labor union shills, hawking asinine and invasive special interest bills, in between fund-raising and campaigning.</p>
<p>State politicians have morphed into entitlement junkies, with unions feeding their habit. It’s no wonder so many Californians dream of a part-time Legislature.</p>
<p>As I wrote in my budget story, <a href="" type="internal">Bloviating Rather Than Budgeting</a>, the Democratic talking points schpeal was about California’s great public education system, “the best public education system the world has ever seen,” according to Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco. The state education system is currently ranked number 47.</p>
<p>Using the emotionally-charged education cuts as an example of the need to pass the Democrat’s budget, Los Angeles Sen. Gloria Romero prattled on about the need for continuing public education funding, and complained about a $500 cut per-child in the classroom, as well as the lack of school librarians.</p>
<p>Romero should take her complaints directly to her Democratic colleagues and to the bloated California Teachers Association – also known as the teachers’ union. Under the watchful eye of the CTA, the number of school administrators has exponentially increased; so has educational funding, but not for the students.</p>
<p>Romero said that as a national average, there are 809 school children per librarian, but in California, the ratio is 5,000 students for every librarian. This may very well be true. Is this the governor’s fault? Did Republicans cut librarians?</p>
<p>As chairwoman of the Senate Education Committee, Romero should voice her concern to the Los Angeles Unified School District, with its $640 million budget deficit, schools regularly ranked amongst the nation’s lowest performing for a decade or longer, and just completed $578 million public school.</p>
<p>Cuts to actual education are the work of the public employee labor unions, yet they continue expansion of administrative and non-teaching positions. Education has grown into a big government-funded business, with little accountability, and very poor performance. As the public schools in the state continue to drop in performance reviews and test scores, many of the state’s residents are finally waking up to the facts.</p>
<p>In another pro-union speech, Sen. Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, demonstrated how little he understands economics: “You don’t cure unemployment by laying people off,” Cedillo said, and then listed only teachers, police, social workers and other public employees as those suffering layoffs. San Leandro Democrat Sen. Ellen Corbett, nodded her head in agreement.</p>
<p>During the debate speeches, Republicans kept up the “cut taxes and spending” talk. But few ventured into hallowed ground of education. Assemblyman Chris Norby, R-Fullerton, challenged Democrats’ support for the powerful teachers union and said, “It’s a system based on protecting mediocrity – that’s what we’re cutting.” Norby said that his kids go to public school, and naturally, he wants his kids to learn. As if directly answering Cedillo’s comments, Norby said, “We’ve got to look at our education system to educate our kids, and not just protect jobs.”</p>
<p><a href="http://sunshinereview.org/index.php/California_budget" type="external">The Sunshine Review</a> reports “ <a href="http://sunshinereview.org/index.php/California" type="external">California</a>‘s state spending has ballooned in the last decade at a rate much higher than the rate of inflation, and rate of population growth in the state.” And education funding and spending has ballooned as well, a full one-third of the state’s budget and growing. The Wall Street Journal has referred to this syndrome in California as “runaway liberal governance.”</p>
<p>A recent story in a women’s magazine was an excellent example of union dominated education systems gone wrong. The story&#160;featured an interview with New York Times writer Claudia Dreifus about her new book, “Higher education? How Colleges Are Wasting Our Money and Failing Our Kids – and What We Can Do About It.” Dreifus charges that American universities “hold a monopoly on kids’ futures that is immune to all the basic economic laws that govern the rest of society, including the laws of the marketplace.”</p>
<p>Dreifus even says that “tenured faculty, bloated salaries, bloated building and land acquisitions, and an enormous administrative class on campuses is wasting money.” Dreifus told of a bloated college administrative staff with 70 percent of the staff in non-teaching positions. But this epidemic is not limited to colleges — the abuse is industry-wide, kindergarten through college.</p>
<p>Teaching kids has become a byproduct of the entire system. The money to be made in “education” in California, long ago took precedence over a noble concept. California’s education system is one sorry example of how government allowed the teachers union to manipulate and mismanage the system into riches for the union, while bankrupting reading, writing and arithmetic.</p>
<p>–Katy Grimes</p>
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sept 2 2010 tuesday brought californians yet another budget charade drill took place assembly senate supposed budget vote spoke volumes real worth legislators state160 senators assembly members said final day session debating budget telling different philosophies opposing parties well individual politics members california state legislature missed budget deadline 23 times 24 years record like anyone really believe states legislators serious jobs instead legislators rewritten job descriptions become labor union shills hawking asinine invasive special interest bills fundraising campaigning state politicians morphed entitlement junkies unions feeding habit wonder many californians dream parttime legislature wrote budget story bloviating rather budgeting democratic talking points schpeal californias great public education system best public education system world ever seen according sen mark leno dsan francisco state education system currently ranked number 47 using emotionallycharged education cuts example need pass democrats budget los angeles sen gloria romero prattled need continuing public education funding complained 500 cut perchild classroom well lack school librarians romero take complaints directly democratic colleagues bloated california teachers association also known teachers union watchful eye cta number school administrators exponentially increased educational funding students romero said national average 809 school children per librarian california ratio 5000 students every librarian may well true governors fault republicans cut librarians chairwoman senate education committee romero voice concern los angeles unified school district 640 million budget deficit schools regularly ranked amongst nations lowest performing decade longer completed 578 million public school cuts actual education work public employee labor unions yet continue expansion administrative nonteaching positions education grown big governmentfunded business little accountability poor performance public schools state continue drop performance reviews test scores many states residents finally waking facts another prounion speech sen gil cedillo dlos angeles demonstrated little understands economics dont cure unemployment laying people cedillo said listed teachers police social workers public employees suffering layoffs san leandro democrat sen ellen corbett nodded head agreement debate speeches republicans kept cut taxes spending talk ventured hallowed ground education assemblyman chris norby rfullerton challenged democrats support powerful teachers union said system based protecting mediocrity thats cutting norby said kids go public school naturally wants kids learn directly answering cedillos comments norby said weve got look education system educate kids protect jobs sunshine review reports californias state spending ballooned last decade rate much higher rate inflation rate population growth state education funding spending ballooned well full onethird states budget growing wall street journal referred syndrome california runaway liberal governance recent story womens magazine excellent example union dominated education systems gone wrong story160featured interview new york times writer claudia dreifus new book higher education colleges wasting money failing kids dreifus charges american universities hold monopoly kids futures immune basic economic laws govern rest society including laws marketplace dreifus even says tenured faculty bloated salaries bloated building land acquisitions enormous administrative class campuses wasting money dreifus told bloated college administrative staff 70 percent staff nonteaching positions epidemic limited colleges abuse industrywide kindergarten college teaching kids become byproduct entire system money made education california long ago took precedence noble concept californias education system one sorry example government allowed teachers union manipulate mismanage system riches union bankrupting reading writing arithmetic katy grimes
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<p><a href="" type="internal" />FEB. 6, 2012</p>
<p>By JOHN HRABE</p>
<p>Back to the campaign drawing board for California Republicans.</p>
<p>The California Supreme Court <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/vince-barabba/california-supreme-court-redistricting_b_1238346.html" type="external">recently upheld</a>the maps drawn by the California Citizens Redistricting Commission.</p>
<p>The immediate fallout: State Sen. Sam Blakeslee, R-San Luis Obispo, <a href="http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2012/01/27/1925357/blakesless-re-election-senate.html" type="external">told his hometown paper</a> that he wouldn’t seek reelection, due to the unfavorable maps approved by the court. In another swing seat, Republicans have yet even to field a candidate. State Sen. Tony Strickland, R-Moorpark, announced that he wouldn’t seek reelection in order to run for a new seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.</p>
<p>If Republicans lose both state Senate seats, their Senate caucus will be reduced to fewer than 14 members, the all-important two-thirds threshold that gives Republicans the ability to block tax increases. At 13 Republican and 27 Democratic state senators, Democrats in the Senate could vote to impose infinite tax increases.</p>
<p>“It’s going to be seriously difficult for Republicans to stay above one-third in the Senate because of this,” California Republican Party Chairman Tom Del Beccaro <a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/politics-government/ci_19835714" type="external">complained to the Mercury News</a>. “It puts the two-party system in the Senate in jeopardy.”</p>
<p>Republicans can now put a cost on their defeat: $2.1 million.</p>
<p>According to its <a href="http://cal-access.sos.ca.gov/PDFGen/pdfgen.prg?filingid=1637461&amp;amendid=0" type="external">fourth quarter campaign finance report</a>, the Republican group <a href="http://fairdistricts2012.com/who-we-are/" type="external">Fairness &amp; Accountability in Redistricting</a> spent a whopping $2.1 million on its effort to put the new state Senate maps to <a href="http://fairdistricts2012.com/page/2/" type="external">a vote in November</a>.&#160;The committee collected $1.7 million, or 80 percent, of its funding from the California Republican Party. That’s money that a cash-depleted party could have invested into voter registration programs for the three competitive state Senate districts.</p>
<p>“The CRP already spent a few million dollars on the referendum and varied lawsuit, all this while one of their best senate candidates, Jeff Miller, has no million-dollar voter registration program and can’t even afford a new URL,” <a href="http://www.aroundthecapitol.com/redistricting-partners/newsletter/170.html" type="external">observed</a> the January 30th Redistricting Partners newsletter.</p>
<p>But it didn’t have to end this way for Golden State Republicans. Not if they’d followed the old maxim: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.</p>
<p>Propositions 11 and 20 gave legislative leaders of both parties the <a href="http://www.calvoter.org/issues/votereng/redistricting/prop11text.html" type="external">power to strike up to two names from the final applicant subpool</a>&#160;of redistricting commissioners. Republican leaders could have spent a few thousand dollars on opposition research reports on the backgrounds of redistricting commissioners. Or they could have spent just a few hours cross-checking applicants against the state’s campaign finance database. Had anyone at the California Republican Party done a few hours of research, they’d have discovered several campaign contributions by two commissioners.</p>
<p>Back in July 2011, CalWatchDog.com first reported on two redistricting commissioners’ partisan histories and campaign contributions. Commissioner Jeanne Raya <a href="" type="internal">failed to disclose four contributions</a> totaling $1,000 made on behalf of her business to a state political action committee.&#160; State law requires commissioners to disclose any civic, political or charitable donations of $250 or more.</p>
<p>Commissioner Gabino Aguirre <a href="" type="internal">made three campaign donations</a> to Democratic candidates for state office. In November 2008, Aguirre contributed $100 to Ferial Masry, the Democratic nominee for the 37th State Assembly District. A year later, he made a $200 contribution to Gloria Romero, a former Democratic state senator. Aguirre also has extensive ties to a redistricting special interest group, the Central Coast Alliance United for A Sustainable Economy (CAUSE). The progressive social justice organization submitted its own redistricting maps for the Central Coast. It’s no coincidence that Blakeslee and Strickland’s seats, which are now likely to flip to the Democrats, are both on the Central Coast.</p>
<p>With just a little bit of research, Republicans could have made an educated decision to strike Raya and Aguirre. But Republican legislative leaders didn’t want to spend the money. One high-level staffer described Republican legislative leaders’ approach to the redistricting process as “an inexcusable reluctance to spend the resources to research the background of the commissioners.” Another senior staff member for a Republican legislator put it simply, “The truth is we’re idiots.”</p>
<p>While neither staffer wanted to be identified by name, one Republican political consultant openly defied party leadership in an attempt to save the GOP from itself.</p>
<p>“When you start the process telling people not to be involved and then end the process complaining that others were too involved, you have created your own emergency,” wrote Matt Rexroad, a partner with Meridian Pacific, in <a href="http://www.capitolweekly.net/article.php?xid=109d9s32rexh0mq" type="external">his rant for Capitol Weekly</a>. “The issue that really galls me is that Republicans can cry foul all they want, but legislative leadership made it very clear that they did not want any Republican consultants to engage on redistricting.”</p>
<p>If they had been consistent in their objections,&#160;Republicans could have convinced the public that the redistricting process was flawed.</p>
<p>Republicans were right: the redistricting process was corrupted by special interest groups. Background research could have helped expose Aguirre, but the full extent of his partisan activities couldn’t have been fully brought to light in time for the legislative strikes. &#160;That’s because Aguirre’s last and most egregious contribution, a $100 check to Democratic Assemblyman Das Williams, posted to the Secretary of State’s website nine days after the Bureau of State Audits completed its background check.</p>
<p>Williams had a vested interest in redistricting. Yet the commission took no action to disclose this potential conflict of interest or sequester Aguirre from Williams’ region. They did the opposite. Aguirre was put in charge of overseeing the Central Coast mapmaking. &#160;He promptly adopted the maps suggested by his friends at CAUSE.</p>
<p>Jerry Roberts and Phil Trounstine, who ha <a href="http://www.calbuzz.com/2012/02/crack-gop-shyster-team-lectures-state-supremes/" type="external">ve been highly-critical of the Republicans’ redistricting referendum</a>, questioned the cause of Willliams’ redistricting good fortune. “When you look at Williams’ new 37th Assembly district, which is about as safe for him as can be, along with the new 19th SD, the future of the hyper-ambitious young pol looks bright indeed, whether he sits still for two more, two-year terms in the Assembly, or jumps into a 2012 race that could bring two four-year terms in the senate. Coincidence? You be judge,” the CalBuzz team <a href="http://www.calbuzz.com/2011/08/remap-ii-dueling-and-outcast-incumbents-galore/" type="external">wrote back in August</a>.</p>
<p>Republicans didn’t concentrate on this message, in part, because they liked the configuration of the State Assembly maps. They also ignored the Voting Rights Act violations with the congressional maps because those were favorable to high-ranking House Republicans. Instead, Republicans voluntarily swapped a message about the flawed process for a pity-party about losing one-third control of the State Senate.</p>
<p>Redistricting Commissioner Mike Ward, an Orange County chiropractor with no prior involvement in state politics, demonstrated a more coherent message than Republican political pros.</p>
<p>“The Citizens Redistricting Commission has certified maps that are fundamentally flawed as a result of a tainted political process,” Ward said at the commission’s August 15&#160;press conference. “This commission simply traded the partisan, backroom gerrymandering by the Legislature, for partisan, backroom gerrymandering by average citizens.”</p>
<p>Then Ward did what you’re supposed to do when you object to a corrupted process: he voted against all of the proposed maps. He didn’t cherry-pick maps based on those that would help his political party. The Senate referendum quashed Ward’s message about the flawed process. If the process was corrupted, why only challenge one set of four maps? Republicans’ inconsistent message impressed upon the press, public and ultimately the State Supreme Court that the referendum was motivated by partisan interests.</p>
<p>Republicans’ last error with its redistricting message came with the referendum lawsuit. Republicans turned the lawsuit into a legal argument about the rule of law, the right to referendum and the will of the voters.</p>
<p>“In the law, the word ‘stay’ has a clear meaning. To ‘stay’ an action means to stop that action. The most authoritative legal dictionary of American law defines ‘stay’ as, ‘To stop, arrest, forbear.’ To ‘stay’ an order or decree means to hold it in abeyance, or refrain from enforcing it.” Black’s Law Dictionary, at 1267 (5th ed. 1979).</p>
<p>Assemblyman Don Wagner&#160; <a href="http://www.flashreport.org/featured-columns-library0b.php?faID=2012013023393658" type="external">wrote in the Flash Report</a>, “Thus, because the petition is ‘likely to qualify,’ the Supreme Court was directed by the Constitution to ‘refrain from enforcing’ the Commission’s Senate maps. In short, the California Constitution, with a simple, four letter word of indisputable meaning, stays or stops the use of the Commission lines until the people have their say on those lines at the ballot box.”</p>
<p>Legally, Wagner may be right. But, who cares? Not even the Supreme Court cared about legal precedents or Black’s Law Dictionary when public opinion stood on the other side.</p>
<p>Said the court’s unanimous opinion,&#160;“The Commission-certified Senate districts also are a product of what generally appears to have been an open, transparent and nonpartisan redistricting process as called for by the current provisions of article XXI.” In other words, the Court was influenced by press accounts and public opinion when deciding what to do with the redistricting mess.</p>
<p>In their stories about the court decision, neither the&#160; <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/california-politics/2012/01/california-supreme-court-state-senate-districts-1.html" type="external">Los Angeles Times</a>&#160;nor&#160; <a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2012/01/supreme-court-a-matter.html" type="external">Sacramento Bee</a>&#160;included a word about the corrupted process. Mike Ward was left out completely.</p>
<p>By the end of the redistricting scandal, Republicans had so badly muddled their message that there was no longer any reference to a corrupted process.</p>
<p>(Related: <a href="" type="internal">10 Ways to improve the Citizens Redistricting Commission</a>.)</p>
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feb 6 2012 john hrabe back campaign drawing board california republicans california supreme court recently upheldthe maps drawn california citizens redistricting commission immediate fallout state sen sam blakeslee rsan luis obispo told hometown paper wouldnt seek reelection due unfavorable maps approved court another swing seat republicans yet even field candidate state sen tony strickland rmoorpark announced wouldnt seek reelection order run new seat us house representatives republicans lose state senate seats senate caucus reduced fewer 14 members allimportant twothirds threshold gives republicans ability block tax increases 13 republican 27 democratic state senators democrats senate could vote impose infinite tax increases going seriously difficult republicans stay onethird senate california republican party chairman tom del beccaro complained mercury news puts twoparty system senate jeopardy republicans put cost defeat 21 million according fourth quarter campaign finance report republican group fairness amp accountability redistricting spent whopping 21 million effort put new state senate maps vote november160the committee collected 17 million 80 percent funding california republican party thats money cashdepleted party could invested voter registration programs three competitive state senate districts crp already spent million dollars referendum varied lawsuit one best senate candidates jeff miller milliondollar voter registration program cant even afford new url observed january 30th redistricting partners newsletter didnt end way golden state republicans theyd followed old maxim ounce prevention worth pound cure propositions 11 20 gave legislative leaders parties power strike two names final applicant subpool160of redistricting commissioners republican leaders could spent thousand dollars opposition research reports backgrounds redistricting commissioners could spent hours crosschecking applicants states campaign finance database anyone california republican party done hours research theyd discovered several campaign contributions two commissioners back july 2011 calwatchdogcom first reported two redistricting commissioners partisan histories campaign contributions commissioner jeanne raya failed disclose four contributions totaling 1000 made behalf business state political action committee160 state law requires commissioners disclose civic political charitable donations 250 commissioner gabino aguirre made three campaign donations democratic candidates state office november 2008 aguirre contributed 100 ferial masry democratic nominee 37th state assembly district year later made 200 contribution gloria romero former democratic state senator aguirre also extensive ties redistricting special interest group central coast alliance united sustainable economy cause progressive social justice organization submitted redistricting maps central coast coincidence blakeslee stricklands seats likely flip democrats central coast little bit research republicans could made educated decision strike raya aguirre republican legislative leaders didnt want spend money one highlevel staffer described republican legislative leaders approach redistricting process inexcusable reluctance spend resources research background commissioners another senior staff member republican legislator put simply truth idiots neither staffer wanted identified name one republican political consultant openly defied party leadership attempt save gop start process telling people involved end process complaining others involved created emergency wrote matt rexroad partner meridian pacific rant capitol weekly issue really galls republicans cry foul want legislative leadership made clear want republican consultants engage redistricting consistent objections160republicans could convinced public redistricting process flawed republicans right redistricting process corrupted special interest groups background research could helped expose aguirre full extent partisan activities couldnt fully brought light time legislative strikes 160thats aguirres last egregious contribution 100 check democratic assemblyman das williams posted secretary states website nine days bureau state audits completed background check williams vested interest redistricting yet commission took action disclose potential conflict interest sequester aguirre williams region opposite aguirre put charge overseeing central coast mapmaking 160he promptly adopted maps suggested friends cause jerry roberts phil trounstine ha highlycritical republicans redistricting referendum questioned cause willliams redistricting good fortune look williams new 37th assembly district safe along new 19th sd future hyperambitious young pol looks bright indeed whether sits still two twoyear terms assembly jumps 2012 race could bring two fouryear terms senate coincidence judge calbuzz team wrote back august republicans didnt concentrate message part liked configuration state assembly maps also ignored voting rights act violations congressional maps favorable highranking house republicans instead republicans voluntarily swapped message flawed process pityparty losing onethird control state senate redistricting commissioner mike ward orange county chiropractor prior involvement state politics demonstrated coherent message republican political pros citizens redistricting commission certified maps fundamentally flawed result tainted political process ward said commissions august 15160press conference commission simply traded partisan backroom gerrymandering legislature partisan backroom gerrymandering average citizens ward youre supposed object corrupted process voted proposed maps didnt cherrypick maps based would help political party senate referendum quashed wards message flawed process process corrupted challenge one set four maps republicans inconsistent message impressed upon press public ultimately state supreme court referendum motivated partisan interests republicans last error redistricting message came referendum lawsuit republicans turned lawsuit legal argument rule law right referendum voters law word stay clear meaning stay action means stop action authoritative legal dictionary american law defines stay stop arrest forbear stay order decree means hold abeyance refrain enforcing blacks law dictionary 1267 5th ed 1979 assemblyman wagner160 wrote flash report thus petition likely qualify supreme court directed constitution refrain enforcing commissions senate maps short california constitution simple four letter word indisputable meaning stays stops use commission lines people say lines ballot box legally wagner may right cares even supreme court cared legal precedents blacks law dictionary public opinion stood side said courts unanimous opinion160the commissioncertified senate districts also product generally appears open transparent nonpartisan redistricting process called current provisions article xxi words court influenced press accounts public opinion deciding redistricting mess stories court decision neither the160 los angeles times160nor160 sacramento bee160included word corrupted process mike ward left completely end redistricting scandal republicans badly muddled message longer reference corrupted process related 10 ways improve citizens redistricting commission 160 160
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<p>ACCRA, Ghana — Nigerian street vendor Ike Egbon complains that Ghanaians often treat him as if he’s one of his country's notorious internet fraudsters.</p>
<p>He says some Ghanaians here in their capital city refuse to sell him lunch because he doesn’t speak the local language and taxi drivers sound off when they hear his accent.</p>
<p>"They say 'You are Nigerian. Nigerians are no good, no good. Why don’t you go to your country?' " says Egbon, who sells African hand drums. "They don’t help me. Ghanaian people are in Nigeria. We are treating them fine."</p>
<p>The tension between Nigerians and Ghanaians was highlighted when Nigeria’s high commissioner to Ghana charged recently that the news media in Accra overplays crime stories involving Nigerians.</p>
<p>It’s the latest chapter of a Hatfield and McCoy-type relationship between these West African states. Hostility in the past escalated to mass deportations. Ghana expelled 100,000 foreigners — mostly Nigerians — in 1969 and Nigeria banished 1.2 million Ghanaians in the 1980s.</p>
<p>Right now more than 1 million Nigerians live in Ghana, which has a total population of 23 million,&#160; according to the Nigerian High Commission here in Accra.</p>
<p>The current aggravation with Nigerians in Ghana is the result of a regional power shift, say some observers. Ghana's fortunes are on this rise as its democracy appears stable and the economy is on the verge of receiving a boost in oil revenue. Nigeria, on the other hand, has become synonymous with internet scams, corruption and violence.</p>
<p>Further, Ghana in July will host U.S. President Barack Obama. It’s his first official stop in sub-Saharan Africa, giving Ghana continental bragging rights. Meanwhile, Nigeria has launched another public relations campaign to reshape its image. Despite huge oil reserves, Africa’s most populous state remains stuck in poverty and corruption.</p>
<p>“Every country has its weak points,” said Ken Aigbovo, president of the Ghana chapter of the Edo State Association. “You can’t say everyone who is Nigerian is bad. I’m proud to be Nigerian.”</p>
<p>Aigbovo co-founded the association three years ago to help fellow Edo State Nigerians acclimate to Ghana and establish businesses, often by co-signing for loans. The organization has 50 members and holds cultural events and collects clothes for orphans.</p>
<p>“We are paying tax to the government,” Aigbovo, a clothes designer, said in response to the criticisms of Nigerians in Ghana. “They are forgetting that we contribute to Ghana.”</p>
<p>Nigerian banks have a strong foothold in Ghana, home to more than 1 million Nigerians, many of whom were attracted to Ghana’s growing economy and safe living conditions. Nigerian investments in Ghana’s economy total $1 billion, according to Nigeria’s High Commission in Accra.</p>
<p>“They are making very positive contributions to the Ghanaian economy,” said University of Ghana sociology professor Thomas Antwi Bosiakoh, who has published papers on Nigerian migration. “Ghanaians generally have a good relationship with Nigerians. It is only sometimes when these things are coming up.”</p>
<p>Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah, encouraged Africans to live and work in Ghana — a young Robert Mugabe worked as a teacher — but when Ghana's economy failed Nkrumah was ousted in 1966. Foreigners, especially Nigerians who controlled the markets, were blamed for Ghana's economic problems and three years later many were expelled.</p>
<p>Nigeria in the early '80s deported an estimated 1.2 million Ghanaians who had come in to take advantage of the Nigerian oil boom. Ghanaians were blamed for Nigeria's economic and social problems, including rising crime rates, said Bosiakoh.</p>
<p>Their shared colonial heritage — both were British colonies and English is their official language — facilitates business and tourism. Several Nigerian airlines fly daily into Accra and just 220 miles separates Lagos and Accra, as do French-speaking Benin and Togo.</p>
<p>Trade disputes frequently arise. Ghanaian officials complain that Nigeria maintains unreasonable restrictions on Ghanaian goods. Nigerian banks in Ghana are being forced to recapitalize ($60 million minimum) by the end of this year, while Ghanaian banks have an extra year.</p>
<p>Culturally, Nigerian — or “Nollywood” — films that flood the Ghanaian market are blamed for corrupting young Ghanaians because of their risqué themes. Ghanaian filmmakers, meanwhile, lose business because they abide by Ghana’s censorship laws.</p>
<p>“They are not going by the rules of the game,” said filmmaker Socrate Safo.</p>
<p>Nigerians who operate internet fraud schemes have branched out to Ghana and elsewhere because an address outside Nigeria gives them more credibility in the eyes of the victim.</p>
<p>The manager of an internet café in Accra said he suspects Nigerians use his shop for the scams, but that Ghanaians are involved as well.</p>
<p>“It’s a problem,” he said, asking that neither his name nor business be published. He suggested an identification rule for clients because right now enforcement is impossible: “You can’t sit beside them and watch what their doing.”</p>
<p>But both sides say new initiatives ultimately will strengthen the relationship. Safo is spearheading an effort among Ghanaian and Nigerian film producers to fight piracy, for example. And both governments have agreed to establish a joint Chamber of Commerce.</p>
<p>Aigbovo, the civic organization president, is confident neither state would consider citizenship initiatives that resulted in mass deportations in the past.</p>
<p>“Such a thing would not happen again,” he said. “West Africa is coming together as one.”</p>
<p>Philip Eze, a 33-year-old Nigerian who sells cell phone cards near Makola Market in Accra, says locals sometimes hassle him if he sets up shop in a good location.</p>
<p>“Sometimes I get upset. Sometimes I laugh,” he said. “The wise ones know that Ghanaians and Nigerians are the same.”</p>
<p>More GlobalPost dispatches on Ghana:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/ghana/090527/will-america%E2%80%99s-first-lady-wow-ghana" type="external">Will Michelle Obama wow Ghana?</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/ghana/090527/africa-looks-cell-phone-banking" type="external">Ghana banks on cell phones</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/ghana/090430/ghanas-gold-rush" type="external">Ghana weighs boosting gold taxes</a></p>
<p>&#160;</p>
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accra ghana nigerian street vendor ike egbon complains ghanaians often treat hes one countrys notorious internet fraudsters says ghanaians capital city refuse sell lunch doesnt speak local language taxi drivers sound hear accent say nigerian nigerians good good dont go country says egbon sells african hand drums dont help ghanaian people nigeria treating fine tension nigerians ghanaians highlighted nigerias high commissioner ghana charged recently news media accra overplays crime stories involving nigerians latest chapter hatfield mccoytype relationship west african states hostility past escalated mass deportations ghana expelled 100000 foreigners mostly nigerians 1969 nigeria banished 12 million ghanaians 1980s right 1 million nigerians live ghana total population 23 million160 according nigerian high commission accra current aggravation nigerians ghana result regional power shift say observers ghanas fortunes rise democracy appears stable economy verge receiving boost oil revenue nigeria hand become synonymous internet scams corruption violence ghana july host us president barack obama first official stop subsaharan africa giving ghana continental bragging rights meanwhile nigeria launched another public relations campaign reshape image despite huge oil reserves africas populous state remains stuck poverty corruption every country weak points said ken aigbovo president ghana chapter edo state association cant say everyone nigerian bad im proud nigerian aigbovo cofounded association three years ago help fellow edo state nigerians acclimate ghana establish businesses often cosigning loans organization 50 members holds cultural events collects clothes orphans paying tax government aigbovo clothes designer said response criticisms nigerians ghana forgetting contribute ghana nigerian banks strong foothold ghana home 1 million nigerians many attracted ghanas growing economy safe living conditions nigerian investments ghanas economy total 1 billion according nigerias high commission accra making positive contributions ghanaian economy said university ghana sociology professor thomas antwi bosiakoh published papers nigerian migration ghanaians generally good relationship nigerians sometimes things coming ghanas first president kwame nkrumah encouraged africans live work ghana young robert mugabe worked teacher ghanas economy failed nkrumah ousted 1966 foreigners especially nigerians controlled markets blamed ghanas economic problems three years later many expelled nigeria early 80s deported estimated 12 million ghanaians come take advantage nigerian oil boom ghanaians blamed nigerias economic social problems including rising crime rates said bosiakoh shared colonial heritage british colonies english official language facilitates business tourism several nigerian airlines fly daily accra 220 miles separates lagos accra frenchspeaking benin togo trade disputes frequently arise ghanaian officials complain nigeria maintains unreasonable restrictions ghanaian goods nigerian banks ghana forced recapitalize 60 million minimum end year ghanaian banks extra year culturally nigerian nollywood films flood ghanaian market blamed corrupting young ghanaians risqué themes ghanaian filmmakers meanwhile lose business abide ghanas censorship laws going rules game said filmmaker socrate safo nigerians operate internet fraud schemes branched ghana elsewhere address outside nigeria gives credibility eyes victim manager internet café accra said suspects nigerians use shop scams ghanaians involved well problem said asking neither name business published suggested identification rule clients right enforcement impossible cant sit beside watch sides say new initiatives ultimately strengthen relationship safo spearheading effort among ghanaian nigerian film producers fight piracy example governments agreed establish joint chamber commerce aigbovo civic organization president confident neither state would consider citizenship initiatives resulted mass deportations past thing would happen said west africa coming together one philip eze 33yearold nigerian sells cell phone cards near makola market accra says locals sometimes hassle sets shop good location sometimes get upset sometimes laugh said wise ones know ghanaians nigerians globalpost dispatches ghana michelle obama wow ghana ghana banks cell phones ghana weighs boosting gold taxes 160
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<p><a href="" type="internal" />Dec. 21, 2012</p>
<p>By John Hrabe</p>
<p>Taxpayers have billions of reasons to gripe about Proposition 30 and one reason to cheer.</p>
<p>Gov. Jerry Brown’s <a href="http://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/propositions/30/" type="external">multi-billion dollar tax initiative</a> contained a little-known and <a href="http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/ive-got-issues/2012/oct/24/california-prop-30-ends-the-brown-act-open-governm/" type="external">frequently misunderstood</a> provision that effectively restored the state’s open meeting law for local governments and special districts.</p>
<p>Under the state’s landmark Brown Act, local and special district agencies are required to publicize an agenda at least 72 hours prior to any meeting and then deliberate in a public and transparent process. “All meetings of the legislative body of a local agency shall be open and public, and all persons shall be permitted to attend any meeting of the legislative body of a local agency,” the law’s key provision states.</p>
<p>From questionable government contracts to employee pay raises to sweetheart development deals, there’s no end to what government agencies might hide. In 1953, it took Assemblyman Ralph Brown just <a href="http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/californias-sunshine-law-celebrates-50-years" type="external">686 words and one page</a> to codify why government shouldn’t be allowed to operate in secret. Yet, this unambiguous language hasn’t stopped government agencies from finding creative ways to thwart the law. Over the years, courts have repeatedly weakened good government attempts to enforce the law.</p>
<p>State law requires the California Legislature to reimburse local agencies for any state-imposed mandates.&#160; One evasive maneuver, which has been commonly employed by local governments, is to inflate these reimbursement costs that are billed to the state.</p>
<p>A <a href="http://www.lao.ca.gov/handouts/Conf_Comm/2011/Open_Meeting_2_24_11.pdf" type="external">February 2011 LAO report</a>exposed a few of the absurd price tags for drafting an agenda. In 2008-09, the Mesa Consolidated Water District demanded $12,852 to create the agendas for 74 board meetings. In a majority of cases, Mesa Consolidated officials took the standard meeting reimbursement rate. When the agency didn’t request a standard reimbursement, it claimed “33 minutes of staff time (at a $75.21 hourly rate) for each item on the other agendas.”</p>
<p>This high reimbursement cost caused the state to gut the Brown Act in this year’s budget. The <a href="/Users/John/Downloads/taxdollars.ocregister.com/to-help-balance-the-budget-state-suspends-key-provision-of-open-meetings-law/159304/" type="external">Orange County Register’s Brian Joseph reported</a>that the temporary suspension of the Brown Act saved the state $96 million in local government and special district reimbursement costs.</p>
<p>Not anymore. The reimbursement scam ended with Prop. 30.</p>
<p>“In the past, the state has reimbursed local governments for costs resulting from certain provisions of the Brown Act (such as the requirement to prepare and post agendas for public meetings),” explained the Legislative Analyst’s Office <a href="http://vig.cdn.sos.ca.gov/2012/general/pdf/30-title-summ-analysis.pdf" type="external">in its independent analysis of Proposition 30.</a> “This measure specifies that the state would not be responsible for paying local agencies for the costs of following the open meeting procedures in the Brown Act.”</p>
<p>The state’s leading open government advocacy group has praised this substantial change.</p>
<p>“Proposition 30, Governor Brown’s revenue measure approved by the voters, contained a little-publicized provision that amended the state constitution to say that from now on, no existing or future Brown Act requirement will be eligible for new state reimbursement claims by local agencies,” explained Terry Francke, General Counsel of Californians Aware. “No more claims; no more cascading state debt to pay for routine activities like posting meeting agendas; no more time-outs from the open meeting law.”</p>
<p>Following the state’s Brown Act suspension, numerous government agencies throughout the state announced their intentions to voluntarily comply with the Brown Act. The California League of Cities, the taxpayer-funded association of city officials, <a href="http://www.cacities.org/UploadedFiles/LeagueInternet/cc/ccb363ab-0f2d-409c-8691-9f712482b3da.pdf" type="external">adopted a resolution</a>“to voluntarily comply with the spirit of the Brown Act.”</p>
<p>Francke warns that voluntarily compliance is insufficient.</p>
<p>“The problem is that when these agencies want to slide something by public attention using a misleading agenda listing, or adding a controversial item for action that was never mentioned on the agenda, the mandate suspension means that nothing can be done about it using the courts,” he explained to CalWatchdog.com earlier this year. “That cripples the enforcement of open government and accountability via disclosure.”</p>
<p>That’s what happened in San Diego earlier this summer. County supervisors <a href="http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/sep/17/county-citizen-open-meetings-law-suspended/" type="external">replaced</a>&#160;“Chief Administrative Officer Walt Ekard within four hours of his announced resignation — even though the matter was not noticed 72 hours in advance,” <a href="http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/sep/17/county-citizen-open-meetings-law-suspended/" type="external">according to the U-T San Diego</a>. In response to an open government group’s request for an explanation, the county chief deputy counsel dismissively wrote that there is “no legal basis for threatening or bringing a lawsuit for failure to comply with (Government Code) section 54954.2 because that section is no longer operative.”</p>
<p>In an email to open-government supporters, Francke added that state legislation is now needed to restore other provisions that were temporarily suspended by the Legislature. State Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, who has authored <a href="http://sd08.senate.ca.gov/news/2012-09-28-governor-signs-open-government-bill" type="external">several open government bills</a>, is expected to introduce legislation next year.</p>
<p>“Every government body owes it to its constituency to make its agendas — which must be prepared for its elected officials anyway — available to the public in advance and to report its actions,” the <a href="http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_22067678" type="external">Los Angeles Daily News recently editorialized</a>. “Fulfilling those obligations is a cost of doing business for each city, county, school district and special district, and should not depend on reimbursement from the state or anyone else — other than the taxpayers who pay for it already.”</p>
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dec 21 2012 john hrabe taxpayers billions reasons gripe proposition 30 one reason cheer gov jerry browns multibillion dollar tax initiative contained littleknown frequently misunderstood provision effectively restored states open meeting law local governments special districts states landmark brown act local special district agencies required publicize agenda least 72 hours prior meeting deliberate public transparent process meetings legislative body local agency shall open public persons shall permitted attend meeting legislative body local agency laws key provision states questionable government contracts employee pay raises sweetheart development deals theres end government agencies might hide 1953 took assemblyman ralph brown 686 words one page codify government shouldnt allowed operate secret yet unambiguous language hasnt stopped government agencies finding creative ways thwart law years courts repeatedly weakened good government attempts enforce law state law requires california legislature reimburse local agencies stateimposed mandates160 one evasive maneuver commonly employed local governments inflate reimbursement costs billed state february 2011 lao reportexposed absurd price tags drafting agenda 200809 mesa consolidated water district demanded 12852 create agendas 74 board meetings majority cases mesa consolidated officials took standard meeting reimbursement rate agency didnt request standard reimbursement claimed 33 minutes staff time 7521 hourly rate item agendas high reimbursement cost caused state gut brown act years budget orange county registers brian joseph reportedthat temporary suspension brown act saved state 96 million local government special district reimbursement costs anymore reimbursement scam ended prop 30 past state reimbursed local governments costs resulting certain provisions brown act requirement prepare post agendas public meetings explained legislative analysts office independent analysis proposition 30 measure specifies state would responsible paying local agencies costs following open meeting procedures brown act states leading open government advocacy group praised substantial change proposition 30 governor browns revenue measure approved voters contained littlepublicized provision amended state constitution say existing future brown act requirement eligible new state reimbursement claims local agencies explained terry francke general counsel californians aware claims cascading state debt pay routine activities like posting meeting agendas timeouts open meeting law following states brown act suspension numerous government agencies throughout state announced intentions voluntarily comply brown act california league cities taxpayerfunded association city officials adopted resolutionto voluntarily comply spirit brown act francke warns voluntarily compliance insufficient problem agencies want slide something public attention using misleading agenda listing adding controversial item action never mentioned agenda mandate suspension means nothing done using courts explained calwatchdogcom earlier year cripples enforcement open government accountability via disclosure thats happened san diego earlier summer county supervisors replaced160chief administrative officer walt ekard within four hours announced resignation even though matter noticed 72 hours advance according ut san diego response open government groups request explanation county chief deputy counsel dismissively wrote legal basis threatening bringing lawsuit failure comply government code section 549542 section longer operative email opengovernment supporters francke added state legislation needed restore provisions temporarily suspended legislature state sen leland yee dsan francisco authored several open government bills expected introduce legislation next year every government body owes constituency make agendas must prepared elected officials anyway available public advance report actions los angeles daily news recently editorialized fulfilling obligations cost business city county school district special district depend reimbursement state anyone else taxpayers pay already
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<p>Hundreds of Hillary Clinton supporters filled Town on Hundreds of Hillary Clinton supporters filled Town on Election Night, only to leave shocked and disappointed. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>These are the top 10 D.C.-area stories of 2016 as selected by the Blade’s editorial staff.</p>
<p>#10: D.C. submits bid to host 2022 Gay Games</p>
<p>Tennis legend Billie Jean King was among those who announced their support for D.C.’s bid to host the 2022 Gay Games, which a committee representing local LGBT sports groups officially submitted on Nov. 30.</p>
<p>The quadrennial LGBT international sports competition usually draws between 12,000 and 15,000 athletic competitors and between 80,000 and 100,000 spectators to the host city.</p>
<p>#9: African-American History Museum opens</p>
<p>The National Museum of African American History and Culture opened on Sept. 24. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>LGBT activists joined in the celebrations surrounding the grand opening on Sept. 24 of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which is located on the National Mall across the street from the Washington Monument.</p>
<p>The new museum, which has drawn record crowds, includes several LGBT-related exhibits, including an inscribed watch that Martin Luther King Jr. gave to Bayard Rustin, a gay man who served as lead organizer of the 1963 March on Washington in which King gave his famous ‘I Have a Dream’ speech.</p>
<p>“It’s a very poignant reminder of the relationship between Martin Luther King and Bayard Rustin,” said William Pretzer, a supervisory museum curator of history associated with the African American Museum.</p>
<p>Pretzer said many of the museum’s exhibits show that the African American freedom movement inspired other groups, including LGBT rights advocates, to organize and agitate for their own liberation.</p>
<p>#8: ‘Furies House’ named historic landmark&#160;</p>
<p>The National Park Service on May 4 honored the Furies House on Capitol Hill. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>The National Park Service on May 4 added a Capitol Hill row house used in the early 1970s as headquarters for a lesbian feminist group called the Furies Collective to the National Register of Historic Places.</p>
<p>The action by the Park Service came four months after the D.C. Historic Preservation Review Board voted unanimously to designate the Furies House as a historic landmark on the D.C. Inventory of Historic Sites.</p>
<p>LGBT history advocate Mark Meinke, who filed a 63-page nominating petition for the house’s D.C. historic status, said its designation by D.C. and the National Park Service as a historic site and landmark marked the first time a specifically lesbian oriented site achieved such a status.</p>
<p>“The house at 219 11th Street, S.E., Washington, D.C. became the operational center of the lesbian feminist separatist collective, The Furies, between late 1971 and the autumn of 1973 which created and led the debate over lesbians’ place in society,” Meinke wrote in his nomination application.</p>
<p>#7: Police end midnight shift for LGBT Liaison Unit&#160;</p>
<p>D.C. police officials confirmed in January that they had discontinued the midnight shift for the department’s LGBT Liaison Unit a few months earlier as part of a redistribution of officers to “where the call volume is heaviest.”</p>
<p>Sources familiar with the LGBT unit said its midnight shift has often been the unit’s busiest time period because higher rates of violent crime and domestic violence occur during late-night hours.</p>
<p>The elimination of the midnight shift came about one year after members of the LGBT Liaison Unit and other police liaison units were assigned to unrelated patrol duties for half of their daily work shifts due to a shortage of officers on the force, police officials said.</p>
<p>The LGBT Liaison Unit has been “greatly diminished” in recent years, Stephania Mahdi, chair of the D.C. Anti-Violence Project, told a City Council hearing on police matters in March.</p>
<p>“The truth of the matter is the LGBT community does not feel the same level of support from the Liaison Unit that they have received in previous years,” she said.</p>
<p>#6: Trump campaign courts gay delegates in D.C.</p>
<p>A representative of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign in February called the president of Log Cabin Republicans of D.C. and four or five other members of the group to invite them to run as delegate candidates pledged to Trump.</p>
<p>D.C. Log Cabin President Chris Allen said the Trump campaign representative knew that he and several other D.C. Log Cabin members were running as uncommitted delegate candidates in the city’s March 12 Republican presidential preference convention.</p>
<p>“She just called to say that the Trump campaign noticed that I wasn’t affiliated with anyone and wanted to know if I would like his endorsement for delegate,” Allen told the Blade. “And I just told her I wasn’t looking for any endorsement at this time.”</p>
<p>Allen and the other Log Cabin delegate candidates, who also declined the Trump campaign’s offer of an endorsement, lost their races to become uncommitted delegates at the D.C. GOP convention. Most of the D.C. GOP candidates who won delegate positions were committed to then presidential candidate Marco Rubio and John Kasich.</p>
<p>#5: Chase Brexton roiled over union fight</p>
<p>Baltimore’s Chase Brexton Health Care, which operates health centers that serve the LGBT community in Maryland, became the target of community protests and criticism from more than a dozen LGBT advocacy organizations in August when its upper management aggressively opposed an effort by employees to form a union.</p>
<p>Union organizers and their supporters among Chase Brexton’s patients and local activists became outraged when top managers, reportedly with the approval of CEO Richard Larison, fired at least five managers in retaliation for their support for the unionizing effort. In November Chase Brexton’s Board announced that Larison decided not to renew his contract to continue as CEO and would be stepping down at the end of the year.</p>
<p>#4: Chef Tyonne Johns murdered&#160;</p>
<p>Lesbian chef and caterer Tyonne Johns was stabbed to death in August. She was later honored at the Blade’s Best Of awards at Town Danceboutique. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>Lesbian chef and caterer Tyonne Johns, 35, a beloved figure in the D.C. area, was stabbed to death on Aug. 6 while coordinating the catering of an outdoor wedding at a park in Chantilly, Va.</p>
<p>A Fairfax County judge on Oct. 31 ruled that prosecutors established probable cause that 19-year-old Kempton Alexander Bonds, a summer employee at the park, allegedly fatally stabbed Johns during an argument over the ownership of folding chairs used for the wedding. Police charged Bonds with second-degree murder. He has been released on a $250,000 bond while awaiting trial.</p>
<p>Johns was a highly acclaimed chef who operated her own catering business in the D.C. area during the past several years. Readers of the Washington Blade in October voted to posthumously award Johns the honor of “Best Chef” in the Blade’s 2016 Best of Gay D.C. competition.</p>
<p>No. 3: One-third of LGB students considered suicide</p>
<p>Thirty-two percent of D.C. high school students who identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual reported they “seriously considered attempting suicide” during the previous 12 months, according to the city school system’s annual Youth Risk Behavior Survey released on Sept. 1.</p>
<p>The survey findings show that the LGB students’ heterosexual peers reported seriously committing suicide during the same 12-month period at a rate of 10 percent.</p>
<p>D.C. Public Schools officials didn’t respond to an inquiry by the Blade about why transgender students have not been included in the annual survey since it began more than 10 years ago.</p>
<p>No. 2: Trans women murdered in D.C. area</p>
<p>Deeniquia Dodds was shot to death on July 4. (Photo courtesy Facebook)</p>
<p>LGBT activists in D.C., Virginia and Maryland have expressed alarm that at least four transgender women lost their lives to violence in 2016 in separate incidents in D.C., Rockville, Baltimore and Richmond.</p>
<p>Each of the victims was a transgender woman of color, which anti-violence activists say is in keeping with a longstanding national trend showing trans women of color are at high risk for violent attacks and murder.</p>
<p>Authorities have identified the victims as Keyonna Blackeny, 22, who was found stabbed to death on April 16 in a room she had booked at the Red Roof Inn in Rockville, Md.; Deeniquia Dodds, 22, who was fatally shot in the early morning hours of July 4 near her home on Division Ave, N.E., in D.C.; Crystal Edmonds, 32, who was fatally shot Sept. 16 on a street in Baltimore; and Noony Norwood, 30, a Richmond resident who was found suffering from fatal gunshot wounds on a street in South Richmond on Nov. 6.</p>
<p>Two men have been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the Blackeny case at the Red Roof Inn and another two men have been charged with first-degree murder in the Dodds case in D.C. D.C. police have said the motive in the Dodds murder was robbery but the two suspects appear to have targeted Dodds because she was transgender.</p>
<p>#1: LGBT allies win most races in D.C. area</p>
<p>U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) will succeed U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) in the U.S. Senate. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>Nine of 10 LGBT allies, including former D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray, won their races for seats on the City Council and the D.C. State Board of Education in the Nov. 8 election. Among those winning their races was D.C. State Board of Education President Jack Jacobson, the city’s highest-ranking openly gay elected official.</p>
<p>In key races in Maryland, Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a longtime supporter of LGBT rights, won election to the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D), who also has been a longtime LGBT rights backer.</p>
<p>Another longtime LGBT ally who won on Nov. 8 was Maryland State Sen. Jamie Raskin (D-Montgomery County), who beat GOP challenger Dan Cox for the U.S. House seat being vacated by Van Hollen. Former Maryland Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, yet another LGBT ally, won election to the state’s 4th Congressional District, which includes parts of Prince George’s County.</p>
<p>In Virginia, LGBT supporter Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) won re-election to his Northern Virginia U.S. House seat. But Democratic challenger and LGBT rights supporter LuAnn Bennett lost her race against incumbent Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-Va.) in the state’s 10th Congressional District, also in Northern Virginia. Comstock has had a mixed record on LGBT issues during her tenure as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates.</p>
<p>While pleased with the electoral success of local and state allies, LGBT activists <a href="" type="internal">grew increasingly somber</a> at an election night party at D.C.’s Town nightclub as election returns projected on large video monitors showed Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump defeating Democrat Hillary Clinton.</p>
<p>Hillary Clinton supporters attended an election watch party at&#160;Town. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">2022 Gay Games</a> <a href="" type="internal">Alexander Bonds</a> <a href="" type="internal">Anthony Brown</a> <a href="" type="internal">Barbara Comstock</a> <a href="" type="internal">Barbara Mikulski</a> <a href="" type="internal">Bayard Rustin</a> <a href="" type="internal">Chase Brexton Health Care</a> <a href="" type="internal">Chris Allen</a> <a href="" type="internal">Chris Van Hollen</a> <a href="" type="internal">Crystal Edmonds</a> <a href="" type="internal">D.C.</a> <a href="" type="internal">D.C. Council</a> <a href="" type="internal">D.C. Historic Preservation Review Board</a> <a href="" type="internal">D.C. Public Schools</a> <a href="" type="internal">D.C. State Board of Education</a> <a href="" type="internal">Dan Cox</a> <a href="" type="internal">DCPS</a> <a href="" type="internal">Deeniquia Dodds</a> <a href="" type="internal">District of Columbia</a> <a href="" type="internal">Don Beyer</a> <a href="" type="internal">Donald Trump</a> <a href="" type="internal">election 2016</a> <a href="" type="internal">Furies Collective</a> <a href="" type="internal">Hillary Clinton</a> <a href="" type="internal">Jack Jacobson</a> <a href="" type="internal">Jamie Raskin</a> <a href="" type="internal">Keyonna Blackeny</a> <a href="" type="internal">LGBT</a> <a href="" type="internal">LuAnn Bennett</a> <a href="" type="internal">Mark Meinke</a> <a href="" type="internal">Martin Luther King Jr.</a> <a href="" type="internal">Metropolitan Police Department LGBT Liaison Unit</a> <a href="" type="internal">National Museum of African-American History and Culture</a> <a href="" type="internal">National Register of Historic Places</a> <a href="" type="internal">Noony Norwood</a> <a href="" type="internal">Northern Virginia</a> <a href="" type="internal">trans</a> <a href="" type="internal">transgender</a> <a href="" type="internal">Tyonne Johns</a> <a href="" type="internal">Vincent Gray</a> <a href="" type="internal">William Pretzer</a></p>
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hundreds hillary clinton supporters filled town hundreds hillary clinton supporters filled town election night leave shocked disappointed washington blade photo michael key top 10 dcarea stories 2016 selected blades editorial staff 10 dc submits bid host 2022 gay games tennis legend billie jean king among announced support dcs bid host 2022 gay games committee representing local lgbt sports groups officially submitted nov 30 quadrennial lgbt international sports competition usually draws 12000 15000 athletic competitors 80000 100000 spectators host city 9 africanamerican history museum opens national museum african american history culture opened sept 24 washington blade photo michael key lgbt activists joined celebrations surrounding grand opening sept 24 national museum african american history culture located national mall across street washington monument new museum drawn record crowds includes several lgbtrelated exhibits including inscribed watch martin luther king jr gave bayard rustin gay man served lead organizer 1963 march washington king gave famous dream speech poignant reminder relationship martin luther king bayard rustin said william pretzer supervisory museum curator history associated african american museum pretzer said many museums exhibits show african american freedom movement inspired groups including lgbt rights advocates organize agitate liberation 8 furies house named historic landmark160 national park service may 4 honored furies house capitol hill washington blade photo michael key national park service may 4 added capitol hill row house used early 1970s headquarters lesbian feminist group called furies collective national register historic places action park service came four months dc historic preservation review board voted unanimously designate furies house historic landmark dc inventory historic sites lgbt history advocate mark meinke filed 63page nominating petition houses dc historic status said designation dc national park service historic site landmark marked first time specifically lesbian oriented site achieved status house 219 11th street se washington dc became operational center lesbian feminist separatist collective furies late 1971 autumn 1973 created led debate lesbians place society meinke wrote nomination application 7 police end midnight shift lgbt liaison unit160 dc police officials confirmed january discontinued midnight shift departments lgbt liaison unit months earlier part redistribution officers call volume heaviest sources familiar lgbt unit said midnight shift often units busiest time period higher rates violent crime domestic violence occur latenight hours elimination midnight shift came one year members lgbt liaison unit police liaison units assigned unrelated patrol duties half daily work shifts due shortage officers force police officials said lgbt liaison unit greatly diminished recent years stephania mahdi chair dc antiviolence project told city council hearing police matters march truth matter lgbt community feel level support liaison unit received previous years said 6 trump campaign courts gay delegates dc representative donald trumps presidential campaign february called president log cabin republicans dc four five members group invite run delegate candidates pledged trump dc log cabin president chris allen said trump campaign representative knew several dc log cabin members running uncommitted delegate candidates citys march 12 republican presidential preference convention called say trump campaign noticed wasnt affiliated anyone wanted know would like endorsement delegate allen told blade told wasnt looking endorsement time allen log cabin delegate candidates also declined trump campaigns offer endorsement lost races become uncommitted delegates dc gop convention dc gop candidates delegate positions committed presidential candidate marco rubio john kasich 5 chase brexton roiled union fight baltimores chase brexton health care operates health centers serve lgbt community maryland became target community protests criticism dozen lgbt advocacy organizations august upper management aggressively opposed effort employees form union union organizers supporters among chase brextons patients local activists became outraged top managers reportedly approval ceo richard larison fired least five managers retaliation support unionizing effort november chase brextons board announced larison decided renew contract continue ceo would stepping end year 4 chef tyonne johns murdered160 lesbian chef caterer tyonne johns stabbed death august later honored blades best awards town danceboutique washington blade photo michael key lesbian chef caterer tyonne johns 35 beloved figure dc area stabbed death aug 6 coordinating catering outdoor wedding park chantilly va fairfax county judge oct 31 ruled prosecutors established probable cause 19yearold kempton alexander bonds summer employee park allegedly fatally stabbed johns argument ownership folding chairs used wedding police charged bonds seconddegree murder released 250000 bond awaiting trial johns highly acclaimed chef operated catering business dc area past several years readers washington blade october voted posthumously award johns honor best chef blades 2016 best gay dc competition 3 onethird lgb students considered suicide thirtytwo percent dc high school students identify gay lesbian bisexual reported seriously considered attempting suicide previous 12 months according city school systems annual youth risk behavior survey released sept 1 survey findings show lgb students heterosexual peers reported seriously committing suicide 12month period rate 10 percent dc public schools officials didnt respond inquiry blade transgender students included annual survey since began 10 years ago 2 trans women murdered dc area deeniquia dodds shot death july 4 photo courtesy facebook lgbt activists dc virginia maryland expressed alarm least four transgender women lost lives violence 2016 separate incidents dc rockville baltimore richmond victims transgender woman color antiviolence activists say keeping longstanding national trend showing trans women color high risk violent attacks murder authorities identified victims keyonna blackeny 22 found stabbed death april 16 room booked red roof inn rockville md deeniquia dodds 22 fatally shot early morning hours july 4 near home division ave ne dc crystal edmonds 32 fatally shot sept 16 street baltimore noony norwood 30 richmond resident found suffering fatal gunshot wounds street south richmond nov 6 two men arrested charged firstdegree murder blackeny case red roof inn another two men charged firstdegree murder dodds case dc dc police said motive dodds murder robbery two suspects appear targeted dodds transgender 1 lgbt allies win races dc area us rep chris van hollen dmd succeed us sen barbara mikulski dmd us senate washington blade photo michael key nine 10 lgbt allies including former dc mayor vincent gray races seats city council dc state board education nov 8 election among winning races dc state board education president jack jacobson citys highestranking openly gay elected official key races maryland rep chris van hollen dmd longtime supporter lgbt rights election us senate seat vacated retiring sen barbara mikulski also longtime lgbt rights backer another longtime lgbt ally nov 8 maryland state sen jamie raskin dmontgomery county beat gop challenger dan cox us house seat vacated van hollen former maryland lt gov anthony brown yet another lgbt ally election states 4th congressional district includes parts prince georges county virginia lgbt supporter rep beyer dva reelection northern virginia us house seat democratic challenger lgbt rights supporter luann bennett lost race incumbent rep barbara comstock rva states 10th congressional district also northern virginia comstock mixed record lgbt issues tenure member virginia house delegates pleased electoral success local state allies lgbt activists grew increasingly somber election night party dcs town nightclub election returns projected large video monitors showed republican presidential nominee donald trump defeating democrat hillary clinton hillary clinton supporters attended election watch party at160town washington blade photo michael key 2022 gay games alexander bonds anthony brown barbara comstock barbara mikulski bayard rustin chase brexton health care chris allen chris van hollen crystal edmonds dc dc council dc historic preservation review board dc public schools dc state board education dan cox dcps deeniquia dodds district columbia beyer donald trump election 2016 furies collective hillary clinton jack jacobson jamie raskin keyonna blackeny lgbt luann bennett mark meinke martin luther king jr metropolitan police department lgbt liaison unit national museum africanamerican history culture national register historic places noony norwood northern virginia trans transgender tyonne johns vincent gray william pretzer
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<p>An unusual arrangement between the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and a non-profit community development organization has helped several of Chicago’s charter schools buy furniture and equipment, complete minor renovations and acquire space, but charter school advocates say a more comprehensive facilities funding program is needed.</p>
<p>“We have to address this,” says John Ayers, executive director of the business-backed advocacy organization Leadership for Quality Education (LQE). Ayers was part of a group that engineered the arrangement between CPS and the Illinois Facilities Fund (IFF) as Chicago’s first charter recipients were preparing to open their doors in September 1996.</p>
<p>As public schools, charters receive public funding for operations but no funds for furniture and equipment, and bricks and mortar. Ayers and others knew Chicago’s charters desperately needed some capital funding and proposed establishing a revolving loan fund for them. The plan called for the School Board to provide the capital and the IFF to provide the management. Katie Kelly, a management consultant working with LQE, proposed the idea to Ben Reyes, then chief operating officer for CPS. Reyes took it to School Board President Gery Chico, and the board appropriated $2 million.</p>
<p>Few other states have charter loan funds, and in most of those states, private institutions have built the funds.</p>
<p>For CPS, the decision to put up its own money was simply a matter of practicality, says Greg Richmond, director of charter schools for CPS. “We didn’t have anyone who knew the first thing about smaller-sized non-profits like the charters. We deal in huge-system finances.” Besides, Richmond says, no school district should be in the banking business.</p>
<p>The IFF was founded in 1988. Since 1990 it has helped more than 110 agencies, including child-care centers, youth shelters and community health clinics, improve or purchase their facilities. The non-profit IFF’s core function is providing low-interest (usually 5 percent) loans to other non-profits. Its work with the charter schools is unusual because the IFF rarely works with start-up organizations. Handling a loan fund from an agency such as the Chicago Public Schools is not new territory, however. Investors and funders of the IFF have included local and national foundations, corporations, banks and government agencies.</p>
<p>The IFF also offers financial and facilities management advice. In the case of the charter schools, it has operated as both lender and counselor, says Joe Neri, director of the IFF’s Childrens’ Capital Fund. Previously, Neri was the IFF’s director of real estate services; in that role, he played a key role in the early stages of the agency’s charter school efforts.</p>
<p>Part of those early efforts was strengthening the charter application process. Initially, an applicant could win a charter without a clear, long-term facility plan. That’s no longer the case, says Neri. “No facility, no charter,” he says. “Or at least the school must identify ahead of time how a facility will happen.”</p>
<p>The goal is to force charters to think extensively about facilities and equipment as well as curriculum, Neri says.</p>
<p>It was a lesson learned the hard way. One of the initial charters, the Chicago Preparatory High School, was closed shortly after borrowing more than $100,000 from the IFF fund. Trouble finding a permanent location was one of the factors, says Neri, adding that the IFF took a loss on that loan.</p>
<p>Currently, six charters have IFF loans, with balances ranging from $32,000 to $600,000. All of the original $2 million has been loaned out, and as of Sept. 30 nearly $700,000 has been paid back. Most charters use money from their operating budgets, an amalgam of tax dollars and private contributions, to repay the IFF loans.</p>
<p>Overall, Chicago’s charter schools have been ideal borrowers. Of the six schools with IFF loans, all are current with their payments, says Neri. The IFF closely monitors the finances of each school and is in constant communication with the School Board’s charter division. When financial or management problems do arise, the IFF is usually the first to know, says Neri.</p>
<p>Most charter schools, in turn, believe the fund and the IFF’s assistance are essential.</p>
<p>“We wouldn’t exist without the IFF,” says Sarah Howard, a teacher and co-director of the Academy of Communications and Technology Charter School (ACT). With the IFF’s help, ACT was able to purchase a building at 4319 W. Washington. The school borrowed $545,055 to buy the building, $100,000 for building improvements and $82,000 for furniture and equipment. The school is IFF’s largest charter borrower, but it still needs$1.5 million to replace a roof and refurbish space to meet its enrollment goal.</p>
<p>Others say the IFF fund is not enough. William Campillo, director of Nuestra America (Our America) Charter School, formerly ACORN Charter School, calls the fund a “Band-Aid.” His school received a small start-up loan from the IFF but is now in need of a $1 million facilities upgrade, he says. The school has saved $250,000 to use as seed money for the project, and Campillo intends to go to a bank, rather than the IFF, for a loan. “If we need millions of dollars, we have no other choice.”</p>
<p>Several states, including Minnesota and Florida, provide direct, per-pupil capital funding for charters, and some of Chicago’s charter schools support that approach. However, Ayers and other key advocates say bonds are the answer. “We’ve got to figure out a way to give charters access to tax-free bonds,” Ayers says.</p>
<p>Public entities, such as the City of Chicago and the School Board, can issue tax-free bonds. Non-profits with good credit ratings can too. For example, the Northwestern University Settlement House, which holds the charter for Noble Street Charter High School, issued tax-free bonds to build facilities for its school.</p>
<p>But most charters don’t have that luxury. A more likely scenario, says attorney Rod Joslin, is a bond offering backed by the city. Joslin is chairman of the board of directors for Perspectives Charter School. Perspectives borrowed more than $300,000 from the IFF, in part to renovate space that it currently leases. However, the school’s lease is ending, and it is searching for a new home. Joslin says the school needs $3 million to buy property close to its current South Loop location. A bond offering, he says, is the best way to finance that purchase.</p>
<p>In the end, nearly all of the charter school leaders and advocates agree that the schools need an added degree of publicly funded support. For Ayers, it’s 1996 all over again.</p>
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unusual arrangement chicago public schools cps nonprofit community development organization helped several chicagos charter schools buy furniture equipment complete minor renovations acquire space charter school advocates say comprehensive facilities funding program needed address says john ayers executive director businessbacked advocacy organization leadership quality education lqe ayers part group engineered arrangement cps illinois facilities fund iff chicagos first charter recipients preparing open doors september 1996 public schools charters receive public funding operations funds furniture equipment bricks mortar ayers others knew chicagos charters desperately needed capital funding proposed establishing revolving loan fund plan called school board provide capital iff provide management katie kelly management consultant working lqe proposed idea ben reyes chief operating officer cps reyes took school board president gery chico board appropriated 2 million states charter loan funds states private institutions built funds cps decision put money simply matter practicality says greg richmond director charter schools cps didnt anyone knew first thing smallersized nonprofits like charters deal hugesystem finances besides richmond says school district banking business iff founded 1988 since 1990 helped 110 agencies including childcare centers youth shelters community health clinics improve purchase facilities nonprofit iffs core function providing lowinterest usually 5 percent loans nonprofits work charter schools unusual iff rarely works startup organizations handling loan fund agency chicago public schools new territory however investors funders iff included local national foundations corporations banks government agencies iff also offers financial facilities management advice case charter schools operated lender counselor says joe neri director iffs childrens capital fund previously neri iffs director real estate services role played key role early stages agencys charter school efforts part early efforts strengthening charter application process initially applicant could win charter without clear longterm facility plan thats longer case says neri facility charter says least school must identify ahead time facility happen goal force charters think extensively facilities equipment well curriculum neri says lesson learned hard way one initial charters chicago preparatory high school closed shortly borrowing 100000 iff fund trouble finding permanent location one factors says neri adding iff took loss loan currently six charters iff loans balances ranging 32000 600000 original 2 million loaned sept 30 nearly 700000 paid back charters use money operating budgets amalgam tax dollars private contributions repay iff loans overall chicagos charter schools ideal borrowers six schools iff loans current payments says neri iff closely monitors finances school constant communication school boards charter division financial management problems arise iff usually first know says neri charter schools turn believe fund iffs assistance essential wouldnt exist without iff says sarah howard teacher codirector academy communications technology charter school act iffs help act able purchase building 4319 w washington school borrowed 545055 buy building 100000 building improvements 82000 furniture equipment school iffs largest charter borrower still needs15 million replace roof refurbish space meet enrollment goal others say iff fund enough william campillo director nuestra america america charter school formerly acorn charter school calls fund bandaid school received small startup loan iff need 1 million facilities upgrade says school saved 250000 use seed money project campillo intends go bank rather iff loan need millions dollars choice several states including minnesota florida provide direct perpupil capital funding charters chicagos charter schools support approach however ayers key advocates say bonds answer weve got figure way give charters access taxfree bonds ayers says public entities city chicago school board issue taxfree bonds nonprofits good credit ratings example northwestern university settlement house holds charter noble street charter high school issued taxfree bonds build facilities school charters dont luxury likely scenario says attorney rod joslin bond offering backed city joslin chairman board directors perspectives charter school perspectives borrowed 300000 iff part renovate space currently leases however schools lease ending searching new home joslin says school needs 3 million buy property close current south loop location bond offering says best way finance purchase end nearly charter school leaders advocates agree schools need added degree publicly funded support ayers 1996
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<p>OCT. 18, 2010</p>
<p>While trying to get the assembled, clueless staff at a phone store to tell me how to turn off an annoying e-mail alarm on my new smart phone, I was finally greeted by a manager, who declared that the phone is supposed to work that way. “So when one turns the switch to off, it’s supposed to still be on?” I asked. “Yes,” he said, noting that he can’t turn the noise off on his phone, either.</p>
<p>It was then I decided that, for all intents and purposes, our society has morphed into the one depicted in the 2006 comedy, “Idiocracy.” In the movie, an American slacker is transported 500 years into the future, where Americans have become complete idiots, and he is a brain trust by comparison.</p>
<p>My phone-store experience was the final straw after a long period observing state politics and the current election campaigns. California is about to choose its next governor based on which particular issue is more pressing:</p>
<p>Issue One: Should Jerry Brown’s aide (or wife) have called Meg Whitman a whore after a telephone call in which the staff forgot to hang up the phone? They used the slur after Whitman – the supposed foe of union enrichment schemes – agreed to exempt police from pension reform and then miraculously received the endorsement of a major cop union. Brown knows about selling out to unions, but the buzz centers on the w-word and Brown’s apparent insensitivity to women.</p>
<p>Issue Two: Should Whitman have fired her immigrant housekeeper after it became clear the woman was here illegally? I don’t get the issue. Wouldn’t it have been a bigger problem had Whitman not fired Nicky Diaz Santillan after learning about her immigration status? Diaz said, “She treated me as if I was not a human being,” which is believable, given Whitman’s personality deficit. And Diaz claims Whitman knew about her status and owes her back wages. This is a stretch and irrelevant to the continued health of our state.</p>
<p>Only an idiocracy would be fixated on these nonissues as we head into the final weeks of an important campaign. And it isn’t much better when it comes to the other races.</p>
<p>This should be a big Republican year, given that people are sick of the incompetence of a Democratic administration and Congress that understand nothing about the free market and are endlessly trying to shift power to the public sector. This gang was elected after people tired of a Republican administration and Congress that did much the same thing.</p>
<p>One of the few congressional Republicans in trouble is Dan Lungren, a former California attorney general who represents a district near Sacramento. In 1995, Rep. Henry Hyde criticized his friend Lungren because Lungren authored the re-enactment of civil forfeiture laws that make it easy for law enforcement to take someone’s property on the slightest pretext of criminality. He quotes Lungren bragging that forfeiture is the “lifeblood of law enforcement.” Forfeiture is a huge liberty and property-rights issue, or should be.</p>
<p>Yet, Lungren’s opponent, Ami Bera, is running a boilerplate left-wing campaign that never mentions this. And Bera refused my requests to talk. “He would love to talk about those issues,” his communications director said. “But we have a psychotic schedule.” Yeah, right. This is typical.</p>
<p>An activist group (Riverside Grassroots Redevelopment Abolitionists) that opposes abuses of government’s power to seize private property through eminent domain, sent questionnaires to statewide candidates, asking whether they agree with the state Senate motto that “the highest duty of our representatives is to protect the liberty of the people.” The group also asked whether the candidates support using eminent domain for commercial development, not just public projects. While the third-party candidates mostly answered the questions, none of the major-party candidates responded.</p>
<p>Why should any of these big-shot candidates respond to silly questions from some no-account group? What kind of kooks care about liberty issues and antiquated verbiage? There’s so much important stuff to do, from expanding education spending to cracking down on truancy and medical marijuana clinics?</p>
<p>I was talking to a Republican Assemblyman in the Capitol – his name is irrelevant because this can apply to almost any of them. He talks about the Constitution and freedom, but was adamantly against Proposition 19, which would legalize marijuana. His argument: Legalization will make its use more prevalent, and it will add to the taxpayer burden to support weed-addled welfare bums. Here we see that the conservative argument is, at its core, no different than the liberal movement.</p>
<p>Liberals say government should mandate motorcycle and skiing helmets and other Nanny State safety devices. The taxpayers are paying the bills, they argue, so government should set the rules. Both sides are for freedom when it comes to behaviors they like and against it with regard to behaviors they don’t like. Both camps believe that government can uplift us and change our behaviors for the greater good. But all government rules are ultimately about imposing a set of beliefs on others, by force.</p>
<p>Which is why we end up with absurd scenes such as the one at Rawsome Foods, a health food store in Venice. As reported in July by the Los Angeles Times (and referred to this month by comedian Stephen Colbert), “With no warning one weekday morning, investigators entered an organic grocery with a search warrant and ordered the hemp-clad workers to put down their buckets of mashed coconut cream and to step away from the nuts.” The four officers drew their guns and then found what they were looking for in the fridge: “unmarked jugs of raw milk.”</p>
<p>Any society where armed officers raid a store because the government doesn’t allow the sale of unprocessed milk is not really a free society. And when candidates would rather talk about nannies and who’s a whore than basic freedom issues, then that society is on the verge of becoming an idiocracy. Or maybe it has already become one and we’re just too stupid to have noticed.</p>
<p>–Steven Greenhut</p>
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oct 18 2010 trying get assembled clueless staff phone store tell turn annoying email alarm new smart phone finally greeted manager declared phone supposed work way one turns switch supposed still asked yes said noting cant turn noise phone either decided intents purposes society morphed one depicted 2006 comedy idiocracy movie american slacker transported 500 years future americans become complete idiots brain trust comparison phonestore experience final straw long period observing state politics current election campaigns california choose next governor based particular issue pressing issue one jerry browns aide wife called meg whitman whore telephone call staff forgot hang phone used slur whitman supposed foe union enrichment schemes agreed exempt police pension reform miraculously received endorsement major cop union brown knows selling unions buzz centers wword browns apparent insensitivity women issue two whitman fired immigrant housekeeper became clear woman illegally dont get issue wouldnt bigger problem whitman fired nicky diaz santillan learning immigration status diaz said treated human believable given whitmans personality deficit diaz claims whitman knew status owes back wages stretch irrelevant continued health state idiocracy would fixated nonissues head final weeks important campaign isnt much better comes races big republican year given people sick incompetence democratic administration congress understand nothing free market endlessly trying shift power public sector gang elected people tired republican administration congress much thing one congressional republicans trouble dan lungren former california attorney general represents district near sacramento 1995 rep henry hyde criticized friend lungren lungren authored reenactment civil forfeiture laws make easy law enforcement take someones property slightest pretext criminality quotes lungren bragging forfeiture lifeblood law enforcement forfeiture huge liberty propertyrights issue yet lungrens opponent ami bera running boilerplate leftwing campaign never mentions bera refused requests talk would love talk issues communications director said psychotic schedule yeah right typical activist group riverside grassroots redevelopment abolitionists opposes abuses governments power seize private property eminent domain sent questionnaires statewide candidates asking whether agree state senate motto highest duty representatives protect liberty people group also asked whether candidates support using eminent domain commercial development public projects thirdparty candidates mostly answered questions none majorparty candidates responded bigshot candidates respond silly questions noaccount group kind kooks care liberty issues antiquated verbiage theres much important stuff expanding education spending cracking truancy medical marijuana clinics talking republican assemblyman capitol name irrelevant apply almost talks constitution freedom adamantly proposition 19 would legalize marijuana argument legalization make use prevalent add taxpayer burden support weedaddled welfare bums see conservative argument core different liberal movement liberals say government mandate motorcycle skiing helmets nanny state safety devices taxpayers paying bills argue government set rules sides freedom comes behaviors like regard behaviors dont like camps believe government uplift us change behaviors greater good government rules ultimately imposing set beliefs others force end absurd scenes one rawsome foods health food store venice reported july los angeles times referred month comedian stephen colbert warning one weekday morning investigators entered organic grocery search warrant ordered hempclad workers put buckets mashed coconut cream step away nuts four officers drew guns found looking fridge unmarked jugs raw milk society armed officers raid store government doesnt allow sale unprocessed milk really free society candidates would rather talk nannies whos whore basic freedom issues society verge becoming idiocracy maybe already become one stupid noticed steven greenhut
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<p>Sixteen Candles was a popular song for the teen and college set in 1959 and was among the repertoire of a singing group at the University of Richmond known as The Jeters. (Readers of this column and UR alums recognize Jeter as the name of the 19th-century Baptist leader Jeremiah Bell Jeter for whom one of the dormitories at UR was named.) Formed in the summer of '58, at first the group played “just for laughs” and for various gigs, including a dance at Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg. The Jeters were on their way to New York to consider entering the music business when one of them had to make a career decision.</p>
<p>Paige Allan Young, sociology major at UR, decided to step aside and enter the ministry. After graduation, he entered Southeastern Seminary; and when he completed his seminary training in 1963, he immediately accepted the pastorate of Ferry Farm Baptist Church in Fredericksburg. He has been there ever since and plans to retire in June after 44 years of ministry.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>Paige Young</p>
<p>Although he abandoned The Jeters, Paige Young never quit singing. Actually, it may have been Young's singing voice which brought him to Ferry Farm. When he would visit his wife's church, Fredericksburg Baptist, Pastor Bob Caverlee would call him forward to sing a solo. “Dr. Bob” arranged for Young to be a guest preacher at Ferry Farm and the rest is history.</p>
<p>Young also is known for breaking into song in his annual Christmas Eve sermon. He has sung with a barbershop quartet and produced two albums. But along the way, he became better known for pastoral care, church growth and sermonizing.</p>
<p>Since Ferry Farm is Young's only pastorate, his resignation also was the only one he ever gave. He reflects: “It doesn't seem that it has been that long. Time, it goes away so fast.”</p>
<p>Ferry Farm began as a mission of the Fredericksburg Baptist Association. The concept was to build new churches in developing subdivisions. The chosen site placed the new church off any main road and without visibility. Even the new pastor was lost trying to find the church.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>Fred Anderson</p>
<p>Constituted in 1959, Ferry Farm already had experienced two pastorates prior to Young's arrival in June 1963. He came into a situation where conflict existed. There were about 100 members on roll yet only about half attended. To meet the tight budget of $17,000 the church needed gifts from the local association and the Virginia Baptist General Board. The sources were withdrawing support.</p>
<p>Young came to the Baptist Board and met with William B. Denson, secretary of associational missions, who bluntly told him: “Ferry Farm was the biggest mistake which Virginia Baptists ever made. Why didn't they tell you before they called you? That church is going down and you will be going down with it. We are fed up.” Young pleaded and persuaded and performed; and after a year, the church started growing and got off all aid.</p>
<p>Describing the situation, Young admits: “I was 26 years old and didn't know any better.” He conceived of a plan by which there would be a change in leadership by all deacons, officers and Sunday school teachers. The pastor visited homes and explained that all conflict must cease. Some accused him of being on both sides, but he felt that he was “where I should be, in the middle.” But he persevered. “If you don't step out on faith,” says Young, “you slide back!”</p>
<p>The church turned around. Soon the pastor felt that a new sanctuary was needed. When he shared his vision with the deacons, the chairman said: “Are you out of your mind? We can't pay our bills. We only took in $25,000 last year.” Young responded: “The Lord has led me to say that it is time for a sanctuary.” He reflects: “My mantra has been that we walk by faith and not by sight. God has provided!”</p>
<p>“In the process,” says Young, “the people have built a unity there that is unique. They became a united, loving, supportive people. I've never had a job! It has been a way of life!” Paige and Sylvia Young reared their two children at Ferry Farm so indeed the church and their family are intertwined.</p>
<p>Today the church lists a membership of 1,159, a Sunday school of over 500 and annual receipts exceeding $1 million. It consistently sends generous gifts to denominational and missions causes. It operates a preschool with 260 children enrolled and others on waiting lists. It offers hands-on missions opportunities.</p>
<p>There were invitations to accept other pastorates. A denominational friend once advised him to stay, saying: “In the final analysis you will be doing the same thing elsewhere. As long as your pastorate is going so well, you should stay where you are.” Doug Freeman, a long-time member, once declared that Paige Young “was born to be pastor of Ferry Farm.” Young muses: “He's right. I never really thought of it but what a nice thing for him to say. It's all I have ever done.”</p>
<p>Paige Young may have been born for one church. Along the way there were many who nurtured him. His father was a grocery man in Salem and taught him “how to get along with people.” In their own way, his contemporaries in Salem who lived “on the hill” at the Virginia Baptist Children's Home taught the boy about acceptance of others and compassion for the needy. Tabernacle Baptist Church in Salem was a steady influence. It was affirming when the teenager went forward and testified that he felt called to the ministry. His father brought him to the Baptist school, the University of Richmond, and Dean Pinchbeck—a legendary campus figure—encouraged the young man to enter. Like so many others, Young was aided by the Keesee Fund and he worked in the summers to help pay tuition. Blessings were his all along life's journey.</p>
<p>Paige Young early caught a song within in his heart, shared it with one church family for four decades yet kept it fresh for all the tomorrows. He cared and the melody remains.</p>
<p>Ferry Farm Baptist Church will host a celebration in honor of their pastor on Saturday, May 19, at 4 p.m. and everyone is invited. Contact the church at (540) 371-2954 for further information.</p>
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sixteen candles popular song teen college set 1959 among repertoire singing group university richmond known jeters readers column ur alums recognize jeter name 19thcentury baptist leader jeremiah bell jeter one dormitories ur named formed summer 58 first group played laughs various gigs including dance mary washington college fredericksburg jeters way new york consider entering music business one make career decision paige allan young sociology major ur decided step aside enter ministry graduation entered southeastern seminary completed seminary training 1963 immediately accepted pastorate ferry farm baptist church fredericksburg ever since plans retire june 44 years ministry paige young although abandoned jeters paige young never quit singing actually may youngs singing voice brought ferry farm would visit wifes church fredericksburg baptist pastor bob caverlee would call forward sing solo dr bob arranged young guest preacher ferry farm rest history young also known breaking song annual christmas eve sermon sung barbershop quartet produced two albums along way became better known pastoral care church growth sermonizing since ferry farm youngs pastorate resignation also one ever gave reflects doesnt seem long time goes away fast ferry farm began mission fredericksburg baptist association concept build new churches developing subdivisions chosen site placed new church main road without visibility even new pastor lost trying find church fred anderson constituted 1959 ferry farm already experienced two pastorates prior youngs arrival june 1963 came situation conflict existed 100 members roll yet half attended meet tight budget 17000 church needed gifts local association virginia baptist general board sources withdrawing support young came baptist board met william b denson secretary associational missions bluntly told ferry farm biggest mistake virginia baptists ever made didnt tell called church going going fed young pleaded persuaded performed year church started growing got aid describing situation young admits 26 years old didnt know better conceived plan would change leadership deacons officers sunday school teachers pastor visited homes explained conflict must cease accused sides felt middle persevered dont step faith says young slide back church turned around soon pastor felt new sanctuary needed shared vision deacons chairman said mind cant pay bills took 25000 last year young responded lord led say time sanctuary reflects mantra walk faith sight god provided process says young people built unity unique became united loving supportive people ive never job way life paige sylvia young reared two children ferry farm indeed church family intertwined today church lists membership 1159 sunday school 500 annual receipts exceeding 1 million consistently sends generous gifts denominational missions causes operates preschool 260 children enrolled others waiting lists offers handson missions opportunities invitations accept pastorates denominational friend advised stay saying final analysis thing elsewhere long pastorate going well stay doug freeman longtime member declared paige young born pastor ferry farm young muses hes right never really thought nice thing say ever done paige young may born one church along way many nurtured father grocery man salem taught get along people way contemporaries salem lived hill virginia baptist childrens home taught boy acceptance others compassion needy tabernacle baptist church salem steady influence affirming teenager went forward testified felt called ministry father brought baptist school university richmond dean pinchbecka legendary campus figureencouraged young man enter like many others young aided keesee fund worked summers help pay tuition blessings along lifes journey paige young early caught song within heart shared one church family four decades yet kept fresh tomorrows cared melody remains ferry farm baptist church host celebration honor pastor saturday may 19 4 pm everyone invited contact church 540 3712954 information
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<p>After the 1953 coup, the United States lost no time in shoring up the Shah's regime. Washington poured money into Iran for economic recovery. It began providing military aid. The United States took one other fateful step: it sent CIA experts to Iran to train a new intelligence agency. That agency grew into the Shah's notorious secret police force, SAVAK.&#160;</p>
<p>Nasser Hadian, a political scientist at Tehran University, grew up in the shadow of SAVAK.</p>
<p>"The presence of SAVAK as a very fearful force was almost everywhere and everyone believed that ok, any dissent, any opposition, legal or otherwise would not be tolerated by SAVAK and the people would be arrested and would be tortured. That was the general perception," Hadian says.</p>
<p>Iranians knew the United States lay behind the Shah's new grip on power. And the Shah knew the image of him as America's puppet made him vulnerable. So he set out to reform and strengthen Iran, and to reduce his dependence on the United States.&#160;</p>
<p>He had considerable success according to Iranian historian Shaul Bakhash.</p>
<p>"The Shah you know managed Iran's foreign policy extremely well. And certainly between 1963 and 1973 Iran enjoyed a decade of impressive economic growth. But the Shah grew increasingly autocratic. He certainly grew increasingly out of touch with public opinion. And I think he determined that he knew what was best for the country and there was no reason to listen to anybody else," Bakhash says.</p>
<p>The United States kept a close watch on Iran through the 1950s and early 60s. But eventually Washington began to turn its attention to other, more pressing problems. Especially Vietnam. But the United States still needed an ally in the Persian Gulf. In 1972 President Nixon visited the Shah to ask a favor. He wanted the Shah to guarantee US security interests in the region. In return, Washington would allow Iran to buy any weapon system it wanted.&#160;</p>
<p>The Shah agreed.</p>
<p>The job of overseeing those arms sales fell to a young foreign service officer in Tehran named Henry Precht.</p>
<p>"They promised the Shah that he could buy whatever he wanted and no one would quibble with him. Everything up to but not including nuclear weapons. So that was my marching orders, facilitate, don't get in the way of this process," Precht says.</p>
<p>Then came the 1973 Arab Israeli war. Oil prices rose dramatically. Suddenly the Shah was flush with oil money. He bought massive quantities of the most high-tech weaponry money could buy. US officials were unsettled by the consequences of their bargain. But Washington had no alternative plan for policing the oil-rich Persian Gulf.</p>
<p>It became taboo to question the arrangement according to Gary Sick, a member of the National Security Council staff under President Carter.</p>
<p>"People in the bureaucracy learned very quickly that anybody who was raising questions about our relationship with the Shah was not really welcome and so people if they didn't like this policy they would find themselves working somewhere else," Sick says.</p>
<p>In deference to the Shah, the United States took another fateful step. Gary Sick says Washington backed off its intelligence gathering inside Iran.</p>
<p>"In the past we'd had a tremendous capacity to read Iran's domestic politics. We basically gave that up so that we were no longer looking at Iran's internal problems. This had huge implications which affected everything that we did from that point on," he says.</p>
<p>What US officials missed as a result of that intelligence gap was an enormous groundswell of resentment against the Shah and the United States. Part of the reason the Americans failed to notice the popular uprising was that it sprang from the mosques.&#160;</p>
<p>Bakhash says that by the late 1970s, that was the only place left in Iran to organize dissent.</p>
<p>"Political parties didn't exist, the press was cowed, parliament had become a rubber stamp, there were no civic associations, the government even interfered in the election of presidents and officers of thechamber of commerce for example. So really the only places left for the articulation of political grievances were the mosques," he says.</p>
<p>Islam was an attractive vehicle for Iranian political protest because it had nothing to do with the West. Nasser Hadian says Iranians wanted change, but they wanted that change to be homegrown.</p>
<p>"Everybody was looking for a change which seems to us very authentic, very much belonging to ourselves. Islam and Islamic ideology provided that authenticity for us. All the personalities, all the mythologies, the language, the discourse they were very much familiar even for the ordinary Iranian," Hadian says.</p>
<p>Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini was key to this religious opposition. In the early 1960s he protested the Shah's policies, and the Shah's strong ties to the United States. Clashes between Khomeini's followers and government troops resulted in a bloodbath. The Shah sent him into exile. Khomeini set up shop in next door Iraq. His sermons were smuggled back to Iran on cassette tapes.&#160;</p>
<p>His popularity soared, but Sick says the United States didn't take the religious opposition seriously at the time..</p>
<p>"Now we know that was not very smart. That in fact religion was starting to have a very important role. But it was really the Iranian revolution that taught us that. That's where we learned about Islamism, that's where we learned about Islamic fundamentalism, that's where we learned about all these things that we didn't know about but our intelligence at that time was certainly not equipped to look there. And so we missed that completely. It was as if it was invisible," he says.</p>
<p>On New Year's Eve 1977, President Carter visited Tehran.</p>
<p>In retrospect his remarks there show how out of touch he was with popular opinion inside Iran. He lavished praise on the Shah saying:</p>
<p>"Iran, because of the great leadership of the Shah, is an island of stability in one of the more troubled areas of the world. This is a great tribute to you, your Majesty, and to your leadership, and to the respect and the admiration and love which your people give to you."</p>
<p>Iran was anything but an "island of stability."&#160;</p>
<p>Within days of Carter's visit, the first of the demonstrations that would culminate in the revolution had begun. A popular movement emerged, with Khomeini at its head. But it was not just Islamists. The protests had widespread appeal. The oil boom was highlighting economic disparities. A newly educated middle class was demanding more say in running the country. And the Shah's repression and excesses were alienating even the elite.</p>
<p>If the United States was out of touch, the Shah seemed even more so. He tried to blame the unrest on foreigners. He even pointed the finger at the CIA.&#160;</p>
<p>Precht, by then, the head of the Iran desk at the State Department, was horrified.</p>
<p>"Here we were depending on this autocrat to protect American interests in a very key part of the world and it appears that he was some kind of nut! This job was going to be a lot more complex than I thought it would be," he says.</p>
<p>During the course of 1978, the demonstrations continued. The Shah declared martial law.&#160;</p>
<p>Then came Black Friday.</p>
<p>On September 8, 1978, crowds gathered to demonstrate in Jaleh Square in downtown Tehran. Government troops opened fire on the protestors. Hundreds of people were killed.&#160;</p>
<p>Sick says it was the moment of no return.</p>
<p>"It's extremely ugly and it captures the public's imagination the way nothing had before. I think that's the point when it turned into a revolution," he says.</p>
<p>Iran's troubles could not have come at a worse time for the United States. The Carter Administration was consumed by its quest for an Arab Israeli peace. The Jaleh Square massacre occurred during the Camp David summit. Carter placed a phone call to the Shah, but there wasn't much he could do to stop the revolution's momentum. US policy was simply to continue to support the Shah.&#160;</p>
<p>"You couldn't even raise the possibility of an alternative. Partly because it would be seen as defeatism, you would be in effect pushing the Shah over the cliff if you like. And secondly because nobody had an answer to that next question, that okay if you're so smart and the Shah isn't going to make it what do you suggest? There wasn't any answer to that question. We had made no preparation. There was no plan B," Sick says.</p>
<p>The demonstrations continued to build. Millions of people at a time were turning out onto the streets. The Shah asked Saddam Hussein to expel Khomeini from Iraq. Saddam obliged him. The Ayatollah made his way to France. His followers kept up the pressure. They called for independence from the United States, for an end to the monarchy and for the formation of an Islamic government.</p>
<p>On January 16, 1979, the Shah announced he was leaving Iran. He said he was going on vacation, but Iranian people reacted as if it was the end of his reign.</p>
<p>"There was initially a great explosion of celebration and joy," says Bakhash, who worked as a journalist in Tehran at the time. "I was on one of the main streets of Tehran and not only did I suddenly see these newspapers with the huge headlines "the Shah is gone" but there was an explosion, a cacophony of car horns and celebrations and people dancing in the streets."</p>
<p>The Shah gave a strange ethereal interview to the BBC as he left.</p>
<p>"I am dedicated to my country because this is the most beautiful thing that could happen. What could I take away with me when I go in the grave. Not even a dress. Maybe just a piece of white cloth that's all. So I am philosophical enough to know these things. And I have enough for the earthly needs. So what I have got to take with me into the grave is history."</p>
<p>Just before he left the Shah appointed a new prime minister from the opposition. Shapour Bakthiar was supposed to form a government of reform. But the move did nothing to placate the masses.&#160;</p>
<p>Iranians continued their mass protests. And they focused on Khomeini's return. In France, the cleric granted interviews. He talked about his plans for an Islamic republic. Khomeini advisor Ibrahim Yazdi often interpreted the Ayatollah's remarks for the Western press.</p>
<p>"The kind of government we have in our mind is the type that basically was established at the early time of Islam and the time of the Imam Ali may peace be upon him at that time there was no fear no frightening issues everyone was secure under those society," Yazdi said.</p>
<p>On February 1, 1979, two weeks after the Shah's departure, Khomeini made a triumphant return to Iran.&#160;</p>
<p>The BBC's John Simpson was on the plane that carried him back from Paris.</p>
<p>"It must have been two or three million; it was an enormous, a huge, a fantastic crowd it wasn't just a political event it was a sort of messianic event people really felt something extraordinary was about to happen and you know life itself was going to change," Simpson says.</p>
<p>Ten days later, in a final burst of chaotic street fighting, the last vestiges of the previous regime were swept away and Bakhash says the landscape changed overnight.</p>
<p>"We went to bed one night in Tehran and woke up the next morning and there were revolutionary committees carrying guns everywhere. Revolutionaries were in control of the military barracks, of ministries, of radio and television. So although the buildup to the revolutionary moment took an entire year when it came it was very sudden and very quick," he says.</p>
<p>The US foreign policy establishment was stunned. US officials were simply blindsided by Iran's upheaval. Scholars look back on the episode as a massive intelligence failure.&#160;</p>
<p>Sick says he doesn't think the United States could have stopped the Iranian revolution, but the consequences of America's single-minded obsession with the Shah were considerable.</p>
<p>"There was no doubt in anybody's mind that the fall of the Shah and the replacement of his closely allied government with a government that was unremittingly hostile to the United States and all it stood for was a strategic disaster of major proportions. Our whole security structure in the region had been built around Iran and particularly around the Shah and that was gone," he says.</p>
<p>What US policymakers didn't know is that things would only get worse. Nine months later Iranian students would take dozens of Americans hostage at the US Embassy in Tehran. US-Iranian relations have yet to recover.</p>
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1953 coup united states lost time shoring shahs regime washington poured money iran economic recovery began providing military aid united states took one fateful step sent cia experts iran train new intelligence agency agency grew shahs notorious secret police force savak160 nasser hadian political scientist tehran university grew shadow savak presence savak fearful force almost everywhere everyone believed ok dissent opposition legal otherwise would tolerated savak people would arrested would tortured general perception hadian says iranians knew united states lay behind shahs new grip power shah knew image americas puppet made vulnerable set reform strengthen iran reduce dependence united states160 considerable success according iranian historian shaul bakhash shah know managed irans foreign policy extremely well certainly 1963 1973 iran enjoyed decade impressive economic growth shah grew increasingly autocratic certainly grew increasingly touch public opinion think determined knew best country reason listen anybody else bakhash says united states kept close watch iran 1950s early 60s eventually washington began turn attention pressing problems especially vietnam united states still needed ally persian gulf 1972 president nixon visited shah ask favor wanted shah guarantee us security interests region return washington would allow iran buy weapon system wanted160 shah agreed job overseeing arms sales fell young foreign service officer tehran named henry precht promised shah could buy whatever wanted one would quibble everything including nuclear weapons marching orders facilitate dont get way process precht says came 1973 arab israeli war oil prices rose dramatically suddenly shah flush oil money bought massive quantities hightech weaponry money could buy us officials unsettled consequences bargain washington alternative plan policing oilrich persian gulf became taboo question arrangement according gary sick member national security council staff president carter people bureaucracy learned quickly anybody raising questions relationship shah really welcome people didnt like policy would find working somewhere else sick says deference shah united states took another fateful step gary sick says washington backed intelligence gathering inside iran past wed tremendous capacity read irans domestic politics basically gave longer looking irans internal problems huge implications affected everything point says us officials missed result intelligence gap enormous groundswell resentment shah united states part reason americans failed notice popular uprising sprang mosques160 bakhash says late 1970s place left iran organize dissent political parties didnt exist press cowed parliament become rubber stamp civic associations government even interfered election presidents officers thechamber commerce example really places left articulation political grievances mosques says islam attractive vehicle iranian political protest nothing west nasser hadian says iranians wanted change wanted change homegrown everybody looking change seems us authentic much belonging islam islamic ideology provided authenticity us personalities mythologies language discourse much familiar even ordinary iranian hadian says ayatollah ruhollah khomeini key religious opposition early 1960s protested shahs policies shahs strong ties united states clashes khomeinis followers government troops resulted bloodbath shah sent exile khomeini set shop next door iraq sermons smuggled back iran cassette tapes160 popularity soared sick says united states didnt take religious opposition seriously time know smart fact religion starting important role really iranian revolution taught us thats learned islamism thats learned islamic fundamentalism thats learned things didnt know intelligence time certainly equipped look missed completely invisible says new years eve 1977 president carter visited tehran retrospect remarks show touch popular opinion inside iran lavished praise shah saying iran great leadership shah island stability one troubled areas world great tribute majesty leadership respect admiration love people give iran anything island stability160 within days carters visit first demonstrations would culminate revolution begun popular movement emerged khomeini head islamists protests widespread appeal oil boom highlighting economic disparities newly educated middle class demanding say running country shahs repression excesses alienating even elite united states touch shah seemed even tried blame unrest foreigners even pointed finger cia160 precht head iran desk state department horrified depending autocrat protect american interests key part world appears kind nut job going lot complex thought would says course 1978 demonstrations continued shah declared martial law160 came black friday september 8 1978 crowds gathered demonstrate jaleh square downtown tehran government troops opened fire protestors hundreds people killed160 sick says moment return extremely ugly captures publics imagination way nothing think thats point turned revolution says irans troubles could come worse time united states carter administration consumed quest arab israeli peace jaleh square massacre occurred camp david summit carter placed phone call shah wasnt much could stop revolutions momentum us policy simply continue support shah160 couldnt even raise possibility alternative partly would seen defeatism would effect pushing shah cliff like secondly nobody answer next question okay youre smart shah isnt going make suggest wasnt answer question made preparation plan b sick says demonstrations continued build millions people time turning onto streets shah asked saddam hussein expel khomeini iraq saddam obliged ayatollah made way france followers kept pressure called independence united states end monarchy formation islamic government january 16 1979 shah announced leaving iran said going vacation iranian people reacted end reign initially great explosion celebration joy says bakhash worked journalist tehran time one main streets tehran suddenly see newspapers huge headlines shah gone explosion cacophony car horns celebrations people dancing streets shah gave strange ethereal interview bbc left dedicated country beautiful thing could happen could take away go grave even dress maybe piece white cloth thats philosophical enough know things enough earthly needs got take grave history left shah appointed new prime minister opposition shapour bakthiar supposed form government reform move nothing placate masses160 iranians continued mass protests focused khomeinis return france cleric granted interviews talked plans islamic republic khomeini advisor ibrahim yazdi often interpreted ayatollahs remarks western press kind government mind type basically established early time islam time imam ali may peace upon time fear frightening issues everyone secure society yazdi said february 1 1979 two weeks shahs departure khomeini made triumphant return iran160 bbcs john simpson plane carried back paris must two three million enormous huge fantastic crowd wasnt political event sort messianic event people really felt something extraordinary happen know life going change simpson says ten days later final burst chaotic street fighting last vestiges previous regime swept away bakhash says landscape changed overnight went bed one night tehran woke next morning revolutionary committees carrying guns everywhere revolutionaries control military barracks ministries radio television although buildup revolutionary moment took entire year came sudden quick says us foreign policy establishment stunned us officials simply blindsided irans upheaval scholars look back episode massive intelligence failure160 sick says doesnt think united states could stopped iranian revolution consequences americas singleminded obsession shah considerable doubt anybodys mind fall shah replacement closely allied government government unremittingly hostile united states stood strategic disaster major proportions whole security structure region built around iran particularly around shah gone says us policymakers didnt know things would get worse nine months later iranian students would take dozens americans hostage us embassy tehran usiranian relations yet recover
| 1,130 |
<p>A Grand Central party in 2014. The club has been a central hub of Baltimore gay life since 1991. (Photo by Bob Ford)</p>
<p>RJ Ladd recalls the summer of 2001 at Central Station, the former name of Grand Central. It was during “Tia-Oke” when drag performer, “Tia (Chambers), drunk, hosted karaoke, attempted to walk down the steps and fell flat on her face. We helped her up, not a hair out of place, and she didn’t miss a beat. She kept going as if it didn’t happen.”</p>
<p>That amusing anecdote could serve obliquely as a metaphor for Grand Central Nightclub’s 25-year history. Though the club never stumbled, it has had to overcome a number of challenges —competition, property damage, declining interest in gay bars — to remain a vital part of Baltimore’s LGBT culture and social life.</p>
<p>To mark 25 years in the community, Grand Central, situated at the intersection of Charles and Eager streets in the Mount Vernon gayborhood, will host a special event on Saturday, March 25. There will be free cover all night and giveaways every hour as well as other surprises.</p>
<p>Owner Don Davis, a well-known and outspoken figure in Baltimore’s LGBT community, waxes nostalgic about the era when gay bars were at their zenith. Prior to owning Grand Central, he and partner Rick Morgenthaler had opened the Allegro, also in Mount Vernon, in November 1986. After a slow start, they modified the piano bar format by instituting country and western parties, men’s nights and ladies’ nights.</p>
<p>Grand Central owner Don Davis says he’s overcome many hurdles to keep the business running since it opened 25 years ago. (Photo courtesy Davis)</p>
<p>Those changes paid off. “The place was hopping and became the place to be,” Davis says. “There were a lot of fun memories back then.”</p>
<p>At the time, Davis used to drive down Eager Street en route to his home in the Canton neighborhood. He noticed that a historic row house at 1001 N. Charles Street was for sale.</p>
<p>“I always liked the building and the location and decided to look at it throughout,” Davis says. “I contacted two of my friends and asked if they would be interested in being an investor with no say in the business. They both agreed.”</p>
<p>The property was purchased in July 1991. After renovations, the doors opened on Sept. 12, 1991.</p>
<p>On Feb. 5, 2003, Davis purchased the adjacent north building at 1003 North Charles St. where the former Stagecoach bar existed, and reconstruction was undertaken, adding a double bar disco with state-of-the-art dance floor, sound and lighting systems, and an additional upstairs lounge and restaurant.</p>
<p>In keeping with the major improvements and new facilities, the club was renamed Grand Central and the expanded complex opened May 29, 2003.</p>
<p>Diagonally across the corner was the iconic Club Hippo, for years the largest dance bar in the state. Within a couple of blocks were other well-established bars, the Drinkery and Leon’s. Grand Central was the new kid on the block.</p>
<p>To effectively compete, Davis had to broaden the market and create special events. Billing Grand Central as an “alternative nightclub,” Davis encouraged straight people to patronize the bar.</p>
<p>“I was always grateful for everyone’s business, whether you were straight or gay,” Davis says. “As long as everyone could accept the gay culture, they were welcomed.”</p>
<p>Grand Central had been beset by a couple of odd events. In June 2008, just a week after workers had repaired a storm-damaged roof on the north building, a fire broke out causing damage to the upper floor.</p>
<p>Five years later, a car, which was being pursued by transit police, crashed into a pick-up truck in front of the bar spilling its cargo of white paint all over the exterior and leaving a mess inside the pub. The effects of that incident led to additional renovations.</p>
<p>Each time Grand Central bounced back.</p>
<p>Through the years, Grand Central hosted numerous themed events including red, black and white parties, all well attended. Karaoke nights have been a popular feature as well as jazz, fashion shows and REHAB Saturdays.</p>
<p>Wendy Fox, co-owner of S.H.E. Productions, which has put on events like REHAB at Grand Central for eight years, says, “We are happy to be inclusive of everyone, and the club has always been gracious and open to our ideas, themes and fundraisers.”</p>
<p>An employee for nearly five years, Nicole West says, “Don Davis has always been encouraging and appreciative, the customers always kind and the other staff is like family.”</p>
<p>The upstairs loft has been used for a variety of purposes including receptions, a lesbian-oriented space called Sappho’s for a short time, and it had also been a venue for leather-related events after the Baltimore Eagle (now re-opened) had closed in 2012. The restaurant no longer exists.</p>
<p>The dance club with its two bars is a popular attraction. The Hippo’s closing in 2015 left Grand Central as the leading dance venue in Mount Vernon.</p>
<p>Says DJ Kuhmeleon who used to work at Grand Central, “Being so far away from the crowd in that DJ-in-the-sky, I love hearing the crowd singing every song so loud that it actually rises above the music itself and I can hear them perfectly.”</p>
<p>However, increasing acceptance of LGBT people that allows for comfortably patronizing straight establishments as well as the onset of dating apps have contributed to a decline in gay bars. This concerns Davis.</p>
<p>“Over the past 30 years, I have seen about 29 gay bars and clubs close,” says Davis, 66, who now resides most of the year in Florida.</p>
<p>Notwithstanding that trend, community members see the value of Grand Central.</p>
<p>“I remember 15 years ago, I had the courage to step into a gay bar for the first time and Grand Central welcomed me with open arms,” says photographer Robert Mercer, Jr. “It was like home and the community embraced me without judgment.”</p>
<p>Adds Brian Dolbow, an advocate for the homeless, “Grand Central was the first bar I visited when I moved to Baltimore in 2003. I immediately loved the welcoming atmosphere. In addition, Grand Central has always been supportive of my charity work.”</p>
<p>“Historically, Grand Central has been a welcome place for patrons of all gender, identity and sexual orientations with a variety of offerings including dance, jazz, karaoke, leather and a vibrant bar scene,” says Bob Glock, general manager of the nearby Hotel Brexton. “It has been a major draw to not only the Mount Vernon community, but to Baltimore generally for those outside of the city looking for a safe and sophisticated alternative bar scene.”</p>
<p>Brian Gaither, co-founder of Pride Foundation of Maryland, acknowledges that Grand Central is a landmark institution.</p>
<p>“Over the years it’s provided a safe space for our community and has been a major supporter of LGBT events and organizations,” Gaither says. “We are grateful for all they have done.”</p>
<p>As for himself, Davis is appreciative of the support Baltimore has given to Grand Central.</p>
<p>“Without good staff and the support over the 25 years it would have not been possible,” he says. “Thank you, Baltimore.”</p>
<p>Revelers at an Electric Youth party at Grand Central in 2013. (Photo courtesy Grand Central)</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Allegro</a> <a href="" type="internal">Baltimore</a> <a href="" type="internal">Baltimore Eagle</a> <a href="" type="internal">Brian Gaither</a> <a href="" type="internal">Central Station</a> <a href="" type="internal">Club Hippo</a> <a href="" type="internal">DJ Kuhmeleon</a> <a href="" type="internal">Don Davis</a> <a href="" type="internal">Grand Central</a> <a href="" type="internal">Leon's</a> <a href="" type="internal">LGBT nightlife</a> <a href="" type="internal">Maryland</a> <a href="" type="internal">Mount Vernon</a> <a href="" type="internal">Nicole West</a> <a href="" type="internal">Pride Foundation of Maryland</a> <a href="" type="internal">Rick Morgenthaler</a> <a href="" type="internal">RJ Ladd</a> <a href="" type="internal">S.H.E. Productions</a> <a href="" type="internal">Sappho's</a> <a href="" type="internal">the Drikery</a> <a href="" type="internal">Tia Chambers</a> <a href="" type="internal">Wendy Fox</a></p>
| false | 3 |
grand central party 2014 club central hub baltimore gay life since 1991 photo bob ford rj ladd recalls summer 2001 central station former name grand central tiaoke drag performer tia chambers drunk hosted karaoke attempted walk steps fell flat face helped hair place didnt miss beat kept going didnt happen amusing anecdote could serve obliquely metaphor grand central nightclubs 25year history though club never stumbled overcome number challenges competition property damage declining interest gay bars remain vital part baltimores lgbt culture social life mark 25 years community grand central situated intersection charles eager streets mount vernon gayborhood host special event saturday march 25 free cover night giveaways every hour well surprises owner davis wellknown outspoken figure baltimores lgbt community waxes nostalgic era gay bars zenith prior owning grand central partner rick morgenthaler opened allegro also mount vernon november 1986 slow start modified piano bar format instituting country western parties mens nights ladies nights grand central owner davis says hes overcome many hurdles keep business running since opened 25 years ago photo courtesy davis changes paid place hopping became place davis says lot fun memories back time davis used drive eager street en route home canton neighborhood noticed historic row house 1001 n charles street sale always liked building location decided look throughout davis says contacted two friends asked would interested investor say business agreed property purchased july 1991 renovations doors opened sept 12 1991 feb 5 2003 davis purchased adjacent north building 1003 north charles st former stagecoach bar existed reconstruction undertaken adding double bar disco stateoftheart dance floor sound lighting systems additional upstairs lounge restaurant keeping major improvements new facilities club renamed grand central expanded complex opened may 29 2003 diagonally across corner iconic club hippo years largest dance bar state within couple blocks wellestablished bars drinkery leons grand central new kid block effectively compete davis broaden market create special events billing grand central alternative nightclub davis encouraged straight people patronize bar always grateful everyones business whether straight gay davis says long everyone could accept gay culture welcomed grand central beset couple odd events june 2008 week workers repaired stormdamaged roof north building fire broke causing damage upper floor five years later car pursued transit police crashed pickup truck front bar spilling cargo white paint exterior leaving mess inside pub effects incident led additional renovations time grand central bounced back years grand central hosted numerous themed events including red black white parties well attended karaoke nights popular feature well jazz fashion shows rehab saturdays wendy fox coowner productions put events like rehab grand central eight years says happy inclusive everyone club always gracious open ideas themes fundraisers employee nearly five years nicole west says davis always encouraging appreciative customers always kind staff like family upstairs loft used variety purposes including receptions lesbianoriented space called sapphos short time also venue leatherrelated events baltimore eagle reopened closed 2012 restaurant longer exists dance club two bars popular attraction hippos closing 2015 left grand central leading dance venue mount vernon says dj kuhmeleon used work grand central far away crowd djinthesky love hearing crowd singing every song loud actually rises music hear perfectly however increasing acceptance lgbt people allows comfortably patronizing straight establishments well onset dating apps contributed decline gay bars concerns davis past 30 years seen 29 gay bars clubs close says davis 66 resides year florida notwithstanding trend community members see value grand central remember 15 years ago courage step gay bar first time grand central welcomed open arms says photographer robert mercer jr like home community embraced without judgment adds brian dolbow advocate homeless grand central first bar visited moved baltimore 2003 immediately loved welcoming atmosphere addition grand central always supportive charity work historically grand central welcome place patrons gender identity sexual orientations variety offerings including dance jazz karaoke leather vibrant bar scene says bob glock general manager nearby hotel brexton major draw mount vernon community baltimore generally outside city looking safe sophisticated alternative bar scene brian gaither cofounder pride foundation maryland acknowledges grand central landmark institution years provided safe space community major supporter lgbt events organizations gaither says grateful done davis appreciative support baltimore given grand central without good staff support 25 years would possible says thank baltimore revelers electric youth party grand central 2013 photo courtesy grand central allegro baltimore baltimore eagle brian gaither central station club hippo dj kuhmeleon davis grand central leons lgbt nightlife maryland mount vernon nicole west pride foundation maryland rick morgenthaler rj ladd productions sapphos drikery tia chambers wendy fox
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<p>FORT YATES, N.D. — While Virginia was mired in record summer heat, almost 400 Virginia Baptists escaped to North and South Dakota to show love to a people group steeped in history.</p>
<p>By plane, truck, van and automobile, volunteers from several dozen Virginia Baptist churches traveled 1,800 miles to be the hands and feet of Christ to members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, a nation of Native Americans who live on a reservation that spreads for 2,300,000 acres straddling North and South Dakota.</p>
<p>Volunteers completed construction projects, taught Bible studies, led activities for children and youth and conducted basic medical services at seven sites around the reservation in order to build relationships.</p>
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<p>The partnership between Virginia Baptists and Standing Rock began almost 20 years ago when Bob Hetherington, director of missions for the Roanoke Valley Baptist Association, and his wife, Judy, traveled to Standing Rock. They returned two years later, then started bringing volunteers from the RVBA in 2004.&#160;</p>
<p>Three years ago Judy Hetherington, who died this past February, spoke to an annual gathering of Virginia directors of missions and asked Woman’s Missionary of Virginia to become involved in order for Virginia Baptists to have a year-around presence at Standing Rock. WMUV accepted the challenge and started promoting specific projects.&#160;</p>
<p>Almost 140 volunteers from RVBA churches worked at Standing Rock the final week of July. An additional 240 volunteers from around Virginia followed the next week. They deployed to seven communities on the reservation, three in North Dakota and four in South Dakota.&#160;</p>
<p>Standing Rock is bordered on the east by the Missouri River. The expedition of Lewis and Clark sailed past the land on their way to and from Oregon in 1804 and 1806.</p>
<p>It is home to the Dakota and Lakota Bands of the Sioux Tribe. The current reservation was created in 1889. When Sitting Bull, the spiritual leader of the tribe, objected to the treatment of his people at the hands of the United States government, he was arrested and killed. The tribe fled and, on Dec. 29, 1890, the Seventh Cavalry massacred 300 tribe members at Wounded Knee and left their bodies in the snow.</p>
<p>According to the reservation’s tourism board, about 17,000 people live on reservation lands, 10,000 of whom are enrolled as members of the Sioux Tribe. Virginia Baptists work primarily with the Native Americans on the reservation.</p>
<p>Hetherington, who was at Standing Rock last week, described the resistance of tribe members to allow their culture to be changed by guests to the reservation. For this reason the partnership with Virginia Baptists strives to build relationships.</p>
<p>“The focus is on people, not on changing systems. Our work is one on one. We have worked hard at respecting people and culture to break down those perceptions.”</p>
<p>The key, Hetherington told volunteers at an orientation session on Aug. 1, is to offer “the touch of faith. We come to represent Christ to individuals and to touch their lives for Jesus Christ.”</p>
<p>Boots and Jackie Marsh moved to Cannon Ball, N.D., a community of 850 people on a bluff above the Missouri River, in 2003. He is pastor of Tipi Wakan, which means “sacred tent,” one of two Baptist preaching points and ministry centers at Standing Rock. Pastor Boots, as he is known by everyone in the community, agrees with Hetherington.&#160;</p>
<p>“Use everything you can to build relationships. Some days and in some places it shines light in dark places.”</p>
<p>For two weeks the Virginia volunteers used everything they could to build relationships and trust. Teams of&#160; 20-40 people traveled each day to seven sites, where they set up shop at a community center or school. They served a free lunch and dinner, in some cases to over 100 people who flocked to the site from local homes. They played games with children and youth, taught a Bible story each day and completed a wooworking project.&#160;</p>
<p>At Bullhead City, 40 youth and adult volunteers from Walnut Hills Baptist Church in Williamsburg, Va., taught oregami, built coat racks and used 10 laptop computers from an anonymous donor to play learning games. At Little Eagle, volunteers from Hatcher Memorial Baptist Church in Richmond, Va., built a pinewood derby track and helped children build and race cars. At Porcupine, volunteers from Victoria (Va.) Baptist Church taught sewing and made and flew kites. At each of the sites children and youth were given a pair of shoes.</p>
<p>A medical team with four nurses drove to all seven communities during the week. While volunteers gave away popcorn and snow cones, the nurses did blood pressure checks and glucose tolerance tests, gave pedicures and taught dental hygiene. They also gave away troothbrushes and toothpaste, lotions and first-aid kits.&#160;</p>
<p>During the week a construction team painted a house trailer which will house two Virginia Baptist Venturers, long-term volunteers who will live in the Cannon Ball community at Standing Rock for up to two years. They made repairs to the First Baptist Church in Fort Yates, painted a house in Little Eagle and made repairs to the buildings at Tipi Wakan.</p>
<p>When asked whether it would be more productive to send money to Standing Rock rather than volunteers, Hetherington replied: “We could, but people need the love we share.”</p>
<p>Both the RVBA and WMUV plan to continue the Standing Rock partnership next year. Maria Lynn, adult missions coordinator for WMUV, says they hope to move toward teams that work on special projects and targeted purposes throughout the year, not just for two weeks each summer.</p>
<p>Michael Clingenpeel is pastor of River Road Church, Baptist, in Richmond, Va.</p>
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fort yates nd virginia mired record summer heat almost 400 virginia baptists escaped north south dakota show love people group steeped history plane truck van automobile volunteers several dozen virginia baptist churches traveled 1800 miles hands feet christ members standing rock sioux tribe nation native americans live reservation spreads 2300000 acres straddling north south dakota volunteers completed construction projects taught bible studies led activities children youth conducted basic medical services seven sites around reservation order build relationships partnership virginia baptists standing rock began almost 20 years ago bob hetherington director missions roanoke valley baptist association wife judy traveled standing rock returned two years later started bringing volunteers rvba 2004160 three years ago judy hetherington died past february spoke annual gathering virginia directors missions asked womans missionary virginia become involved order virginia baptists yeararound presence standing rock wmuv accepted challenge started promoting specific projects160 almost 140 volunteers rvba churches worked standing rock final week july additional 240 volunteers around virginia followed next week deployed seven communities reservation three north dakota four south dakota160 standing rock bordered east missouri river expedition lewis clark sailed past land way oregon 1804 1806 home dakota lakota bands sioux tribe current reservation created 1889 sitting bull spiritual leader tribe objected treatment people hands united states government arrested killed tribe fled dec 29 1890 seventh cavalry massacred 300 tribe members wounded knee left bodies snow according reservations tourism board 17000 people live reservation lands 10000 enrolled members sioux tribe virginia baptists work primarily native americans reservation hetherington standing rock last week described resistance tribe members allow culture changed guests reservation reason partnership virginia baptists strives build relationships focus people changing systems work one one worked hard respecting people culture break perceptions key hetherington told volunteers orientation session aug 1 offer touch faith come represent christ individuals touch lives jesus christ boots jackie marsh moved cannon ball nd community 850 people bluff missouri river 2003 pastor tipi wakan means sacred tent one two baptist preaching points ministry centers standing rock pastor boots known everyone community agrees hetherington160 use everything build relationships days places shines light dark places two weeks virginia volunteers used everything could build relationships trust teams of160 2040 people traveled day seven sites set shop community center school served free lunch dinner cases 100 people flocked site local homes played games children youth taught bible story day completed wooworking project160 bullhead city 40 youth adult volunteers walnut hills baptist church williamsburg va taught oregami built coat racks used 10 laptop computers anonymous donor play learning games little eagle volunteers hatcher memorial baptist church richmond va built pinewood derby track helped children build race cars porcupine volunteers victoria va baptist church taught sewing made flew kites sites children youth given pair shoes medical team four nurses drove seven communities week volunteers gave away popcorn snow cones nurses blood pressure checks glucose tolerance tests gave pedicures taught dental hygiene also gave away troothbrushes toothpaste lotions firstaid kits160 week construction team painted house trailer house two virginia baptist venturers longterm volunteers live cannon ball community standing rock two years made repairs first baptist church fort yates painted house little eagle made repairs buildings tipi wakan asked whether would productive send money standing rock rather volunteers hetherington replied could people need love share rvba wmuv plan continue standing rock partnership next year maria lynn adult missions coordinator wmuv says hope move toward teams work special projects targeted purposes throughout year two weeks summer michael clingenpeel pastor river road church baptist richmond va
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<p>WASHINGTON (ABP)—Many social observers agree: Few figures in the second half of the 20th century proved as polarizing in American popular and political culture as Jerry Falwell, who died May 15 at the age of 73.</p>
<p>But the outspoken preacher and political activist, who preached a black-and-white gospel and described a world of evil versus good in equally stark terms, left behind a legacy far more nuanced and complex.</p>
<p>The media impresario was best known for his blustery public statements on subjects as controversial as homosexuality, the AIDS crisis, the Apartheid regime in South Africa and the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.</p>
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<p />
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<p>But, according to allies and opponents alike, Falwell personally had a softer, gentler side that corresponded with some of his less-publicized work on behalf of the downtrodden.</p>
<p>Even pornographer Larry Flynt, who beat Falwell in a landmark 1988 Supreme Court libel case, had kind words to say after the death of his erstwhile enemy.</p>
<p>“My mother always told me that no matter how much you dislike a person, when you meet them face-to-face, you will find characteristics about them that you like. Jerry Falwell was a perfect example of that,” said Flynt, longtime publisher of Hustler magazine. “I hated everything he stood for, but after meeting him in person, years after the trial, Jerry Falwell and I became good friends. … I always appreciated his sincerity, even though I knew what he was selling, and he knew what I was selling.”</p>
<p>Eric Yoffie, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, also said he had warm personal feelings for the man whose views on homosexuality he deplored. Last year, he spoke to students at Falwell's Liberty University in Lynchburg, to challenge the school's policies toward gay and lesbian students.</p>
<p>“It took courage for him to invite me to speak directly to Liberty University's 9,000 students. He introduced me to his students with real excitement, and, when it seemed to him that they were acting inappropriately, he stood up and defended my right to speak, even when I was saying things with which I knew he would disagree,” Yoffie said.</p>
<p>The independent Baptist preacher who built a small church in an out-of-the-way Virginia town into a religious, media and educational empire also played a key role in shaping American politics in the past quarter century. He did it, in part, with statements that often proved controversial.</p>
<p>In the 1950s, Falwell supported legal segregation, and in the 1960s, he publicly opposed the activism of Martin Luther King Jr. and other ministers involved in the Civil Rights Movement— both positions he later disavowed.</p>
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<p />
<p />
<p>Falwell again committed a number of public gaffes in the 1980s. While saying he personally opposed the racist Apartheid regime in South Africa, he also opposed the United States sanctioning the nation's white-ruled government. Falwell said he feared a revolution that would create a communist state. He even encouraged his followers to invest in South African gold Krugerands when other American religious groups were pushing divestment in the nation.</p>
<p>During the early days of the AIDS crisis, Falwell said the epidemic was “the wrath of a just God against homosexuals.” He later recanted that stance.</p>
<p>During Bill Clinton's presidency, Falwell used time on his “Old Time Gospel Hour” television show to sell a series of videotapes called the “Clinton Chronicles,” which insinuated Clinton was guilty of all manner of crimes, up to and including orchestrating murders.</p>
<p>And, perhaps most infamously, appearing on Pat Roberton's “700 Club” television show two days after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Falwell said some of his political adversaries were at least partially responsible for the tragedies.</p>
<p>“I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People for the American Way—all of them who have tried to secularize America—I point the finger in their face and say, ‘You helped this happen,'” he said.</p>
<p>He later apologized for those remarks, as well as for his 2002 remarks calling the prophet Muhammad a “terrorist.”</p>
<p>Despite his support for a political movement that often emphasized the sexual teachings of traditional Christianity over its anti-poverty and social-justice thrusts, Falwell also quietly built a series of institutions serving the down-and-out. They included a home for pregnant teens who wanted to avoid abortion and a program for alcoholics.</p>
<p>“While most people knew him as the founder of the Moral Majority, the face of the Religious Right, and by some of his more controversial statements, many saw only his opponents' caricature of the real man,” wrote Rick Warren, author of The Purpose-Driven Life and pastor of a Southern Baptist megachurch in Orange County, Calif., on the Washington Post website. “The story was never told about his compassionate heart, his gentle spirit, his enormous sense of humor and the millions he invested in helping the underprivileged.”</p>
<p>Likewise, Chuck Colson—the Watergate criminal turned Christian activist—wrote that Falwell had been “very unfairly caricatured” for his political views.</p>
<p>“Among the great legacies of his life is not only a marvelous church but one of the premier Christian institutions, Liberty University, which he built from the ground up. When the going got tough, Jerry just got stronger,” Colson said.</p>
<p>“He will be remembered not only as the founder of a great university, but as the person who brought the evangelical church out of its fundamentalist isolationism back into the mainstream of American culture.”</p>
<p>Baptist historian Bill Leonard said Falwell's penchant for rhetoric coupled with personal warmness was a legacy of his independent fundamentalist Baptist background.</p>
<p>The three hallmarks of that tradition, Leonard said, were that Falwell was “an absolute … opponent of liberalism politically and theologically,” that he embraced “an unashamed commitment to church growth, meaning that numbers proved theological orthodoxy” and that he was “a pulpit controversialist who uses rhetoric to encourage an often-fearful constituency that sees the world en-croaching and to beat up on—indeed, create—enemies.”</p>
<p>Leonard, dean of the divinity school at Wake Forest University, continued: “I think his modus operandi was … not inconsistent with certain fundamentalist megachurch pastors in that independent Baptist tradition. When you met them, they were good-old-boy pastors. So, they were fun to be with; they were jokesters; they had larger-than-life personalities. But when the issues came down, they took no prisoners.”</p>
<p>Leonard said Falwell struggled throughout his public career to walk a tightrope between his hard-core fundamentalist base and the larger public he was trying to woo to his side.</p>
<p>“His power base is with a group of people who agree with all of those statements—about gays, about Catholics, about abortion, about the Democratic Party and the Clintons,” Leonard said. “So, he's got to talk that talk to keep them with him. But then that talk that they applaud and think is Christian conviction sounds like bigotry when it its broadcast in the public square, and that is when he had to apologize.”</p>
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washington abpmany social observers agree figures second half 20th century proved polarizing american popular political culture jerry falwell died may 15 age 73 outspoken preacher political activist preached blackandwhite gospel described world evil versus good equally stark terms left behind legacy far nuanced complex media impresario best known blustery public statements subjects controversial homosexuality aids crisis apartheid regime south africa sept 11 2001 terrorist attacks according allies opponents alike falwell personally softer gentler side corresponded lesspublicized work behalf downtrodden even pornographer larry flynt beat falwell landmark 1988 supreme court libel case kind words say death erstwhile enemy mother always told matter much dislike person meet facetoface find characteristics like jerry falwell perfect example said flynt longtime publisher hustler magazine hated everything stood meeting person years trial jerry falwell became good friends always appreciated sincerity even though knew selling knew selling eric yoffie president union reform judaism also said warm personal feelings man whose views homosexuality deplored last year spoke students falwells liberty university lynchburg challenge schools policies toward gay lesbian students took courage invite speak directly liberty universitys 9000 students introduced students real excitement seemed acting inappropriately stood defended right speak even saying things knew would disagree yoffie said independent baptist preacher built small church outoftheway virginia town religious media educational empire also played key role shaping american politics past quarter century part statements often proved controversial 1950s falwell supported legal segregation 1960s publicly opposed activism martin luther king jr ministers involved civil rights movement positions later disavowed falwell committed number public gaffes 1980s saying personally opposed racist apartheid regime south africa also opposed united states sanctioning nations whiteruled government falwell said feared revolution would create communist state even encouraged followers invest south african gold krugerands american religious groups pushing divestment nation early days aids crisis falwell said epidemic wrath god homosexuals later recanted stance bill clintons presidency falwell used time old time gospel hour television show sell series videotapes called clinton chronicles insinuated clinton guilty manner crimes including orchestrating murders perhaps infamously appearing pat robertons 700 club television show two days sept 11 terrorist attacks falwell said political adversaries least partially responsible tragedies really believe pagans abortionists feminists gays lesbians actively trying make alternative lifestyle aclu people american wayall tried secularize americai point finger face say helped happen said later apologized remarks well 2002 remarks calling prophet muhammad terrorist despite support political movement often emphasized sexual teachings traditional christianity antipoverty socialjustice thrusts falwell also quietly built series institutions serving downandout included home pregnant teens wanted avoid abortion program alcoholics people knew founder moral majority face religious right controversial statements many saw opponents caricature real man wrote rick warren author purposedriven life pastor southern baptist megachurch orange county calif washington post website story never told compassionate heart gentle spirit enormous sense humor millions invested helping underprivileged likewise chuck colsonthe watergate criminal turned christian activistwrote falwell unfairly caricatured political views among great legacies life marvelous church one premier christian institutions liberty university built ground going got tough jerry got stronger colson said remembered founder great university person brought evangelical church fundamentalist isolationism back mainstream american culture baptist historian bill leonard said falwells penchant rhetoric coupled personal warmness legacy independent fundamentalist baptist background three hallmarks tradition leonard said falwell absolute opponent liberalism politically theologically embraced unashamed commitment church growth meaning numbers proved theological orthodoxy pulpit controversialist uses rhetoric encourage oftenfearful constituency sees world encroaching beat onindeed createenemies leonard dean divinity school wake forest university continued think modus operandi inconsistent certain fundamentalist megachurch pastors independent baptist tradition met goodoldboy pastors fun jokesters largerthanlife personalities issues came took prisoners leonard said falwell struggled throughout public career walk tightrope hardcore fundamentalist base larger public trying woo side power base group people agree statementsabout gays catholics abortion democratic party clintons leonard said hes got talk talk keep talk applaud think christian conviction sounds like bigotry broadcast public square apologize
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<p>WASHINGTON, DC — When US forces tested their jungle warfare skills in last year’s Cobra Gold exercise in Asia, two officers from Myanmar got privileged access, attending as observers.</p>
<p>That's one example of cooperation that would have been <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/globalpost-myanmar-emerges" type="external">unthinkable a few years ago</a> — when the US still knew Myanmar as Burma — and which remains controversial today.</p>
<p>Critics contend that the administration of President Barack Obama has been too quick to embrace Myanmar's military since the country initiated reforms, overlooking its dubious international allies and its lamentable reputation for violence against civilians and minority groups. In addition to launching military cooperation, the Obama administration has eased sanctions and other restrictions.</p>
<p>Dominated by generals, Myanmar’s government has long ranked among the world’s most oppressive and corrupt. It maintains close ties to China and North Korea. The latter link may have aided Burmese nuclear weapon and missile efforts.</p>
<p>In an October letter, more than 100 organizations representing ethnic minorities wrote that their members have endured “decades of oppression and persecution” under military rule in Myanmar. “They have destroyed our villages, stolen our land, forced us to serve as their slave labor, to carry their equipment as they hunt down, torture, kill, and enslave our fellow ethnic brothers and sisters, and rape, gang-rape, and sexually assault our women and girls,” the groups wrote.</p>
<p>But after decades of military rule, in 2011 the country began reforming and opening up.</p>
<p>Under the new order, officials have released the opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners. The government is now ostensibly civilian, although the military still plays a prominent — arguably dominant — role.</p>
<p>While few doubt that Myanmar is moving in the right direction, there's growing debate over just how quickly the US should be embracing this still-troubled country. Critics, including prominent members of Congress, want to slow engagement with Burma’s military. They want to require Myanmar to take specific steps before the US grants further military engagement.</p>
<p>A key question is whether Myamar will allow Aung San Suu Kyi to run for the presidency in elections slated for 2015. Her candidacy would require changes to the constitution written by the junta that held her under house arrest for years. A report released last Friday signaled an apparent reluctance to do so, <a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304626804579362092794767908" type="external">according</a> to the Wall Street Journal.</p>
<p>In defense of the administration, Deputy Assistant Defense Secretary Vikram Singh told a House subcommittee that its steps with the Myanmar military are “largely symbolic.”</p>
<p>In addition to allowing observers at the Cobra Gold exercise, they include participation in a bilateral human rights dialogue; resumption of accounting operations for missing US World War II personnel; and academic exchanges and workshops on subjects such as civilian military control, rule of law and the military’s role in humanitarian assistance.</p>
<p>The Obama administration sees this effort as aiding Myanmar’s liberalization. Judith Cefkin, the State Department’s senior advisor for Myanmar, said “military-to-military engagement to share lessons on how militaries operate in a democratic framework will strengthen the hand of reformers.”&#160;</p>
<p>The administration stresses that further defense relations will depend on Myanmar’s progress liberalizing and suspending relations with North Korea, but the administration does not want to tie expansion to specific Burmese actions.</p>
<p>As a senior State Department official told GlobalPost, the idea is to “get away from a rigid quid pro quo.”</p>
<p>That is the crux of the dispute.</p>
<p>There is general agreement that US involvement with Myanmar’s military could speed reform and help wean the country from North Korea and China.</p>
<p>Jennifer Quigley of the US Campaign for Burma told an October Heritage Foundation session that the administration is “rapidly developing this military-to-military relationship without really taking into consideration the types of consequences that this will have for people on the ground,” such as ethnic minorities being attacked by the military.</p>
<p>In their October letter, the 133 groups representing ethnic minorities urged, as a precondition for further engagement, that Myanmar end attacks throughout the country, acknowledge past and present human rights abuses, and end economic activity by the military, among other things.</p>
<p>“Allowing military engagement with the <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/groundtruth-burma/nation-state-any-other-name-burma-or-myanmar" type="external">Burmese</a> military without requiring the Burmese military to demonstrate an interest in reform and to adhere with our preconditions conveys an undeserved legitimacy on the Burmese military and will jeopardize our efforts to persuade the Burmese military to agree to national reconciliation,” they wrote.</p>
<p>Keith Luse, a respected former Senate staffer, expressing his personal opinions at the Heritage session, acknowledged the need to deal with Myanmar’s military, but called for military relations with Myanmar to be contingent on “measurable reform benchmarks,” including human rights improvements and termination of Burma’s North Korea military relationship.</p>
<p>Legislation to put conditions on further military engagement has been introduced in the Senate and House. Senate sponsors include Marco Rubio, Bob Menendez, Ben Cardin and Bob Corker, the top Democrats and Republicans on the Foreign Relations Committee and its Asia subcommittee. The bill was introduced in the House by Steve Chabot, the Republican chairman of the Foreign Affairs Asia subcommittee, and Democrat Joseph Crowley.</p>
<p>The bill would bar military aid to Myanmar other than basic training on human rights and civilian control of the military. It would lift the prohibition only if Burma acts to measurably improve human rights conditions, including establishing civilian oversight of its military, addressing human rights violations by the military and terminating military relations with North Korea. The bill would request an annual report on the administration’s strategy to engage Myanmar’s military.</p>
<p>“I think there’s been far too much carrot and far too little stick,” Chabot said.</p>
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washington dc us forces tested jungle warfare skills last years cobra gold exercise asia two officers myanmar got privileged access attending observers thats one example cooperation would unthinkable years ago us still knew myanmar burma remains controversial today critics contend administration president barack obama quick embrace myanmars military since country initiated reforms overlooking dubious international allies lamentable reputation violence civilians minority groups addition launching military cooperation obama administration eased sanctions restrictions dominated generals myanmars government long ranked among worlds oppressive corrupt maintains close ties china north korea latter link may aided burmese nuclear weapon missile efforts october letter 100 organizations representing ethnic minorities wrote members endured decades oppression persecution military rule myanmar destroyed villages stolen land forced us serve slave labor carry equipment hunt torture kill enslave fellow ethnic brothers sisters rape gangrape sexually assault women girls groups wrote decades military rule 2011 country began reforming opening new order officials released opposition leader aung san suu kyi political prisoners government ostensibly civilian although military still plays prominent arguably dominant role doubt myanmar moving right direction theres growing debate quickly us embracing stilltroubled country critics including prominent members congress want slow engagement burmas military want require myanmar take specific steps us grants military engagement key question whether myamar allow aung san suu kyi run presidency elections slated 2015 candidacy would require changes constitution written junta held house arrest years report released last friday signaled apparent reluctance according wall street journal defense administration deputy assistant defense secretary vikram singh told house subcommittee steps myanmar military largely symbolic addition allowing observers cobra gold exercise include participation bilateral human rights dialogue resumption accounting operations missing us world war ii personnel academic exchanges workshops subjects civilian military control rule law militarys role humanitarian assistance obama administration sees effort aiding myanmars liberalization judith cefkin state departments senior advisor myanmar said militarytomilitary engagement share lessons militaries operate democratic framework strengthen hand reformers160 administration stresses defense relations depend myanmars progress liberalizing suspending relations north korea administration want tie expansion specific burmese actions senior state department official told globalpost idea get away rigid quid pro quo crux dispute general agreement us involvement myanmars military could speed reform help wean country north korea china jennifer quigley us campaign burma told october heritage foundation session administration rapidly developing militarytomilitary relationship without really taking consideration types consequences people ground ethnic minorities attacked military october letter 133 groups representing ethnic minorities urged precondition engagement myanmar end attacks throughout country acknowledge past present human rights abuses end economic activity military among things allowing military engagement burmese military without requiring burmese military demonstrate interest reform adhere preconditions conveys undeserved legitimacy burmese military jeopardize efforts persuade burmese military agree national reconciliation wrote keith luse respected former senate staffer expressing personal opinions heritage session acknowledged need deal myanmars military called military relations myanmar contingent measurable reform benchmarks including human rights improvements termination burmas north korea military relationship legislation put conditions military engagement introduced senate house senate sponsors include marco rubio bob menendez ben cardin bob corker top democrats republicans foreign relations committee asia subcommittee bill introduced house steve chabot republican chairman foreign affairs asia subcommittee democrat joseph crowley bill would bar military aid myanmar basic training human rights civilian control military would lift prohibition burma acts measurably improve human rights conditions including establishing civilian oversight military addressing human rights violations military terminating military relations north korea bill would request annual report administrations strategy engage myanmars military think theres far much carrot far little stick chabot said
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<p>LIMA, Peru — So, down South America way, it’s just one big soccer fest right now, huh?</p>
<p>Wrong, of course. There’s actually been no shortage of “real” news going on in the region that has nothing to do with Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo or any of the other overpaid but superlatively talented stars of the World Cup.</p>
<p>Here are five of the most interesting developments you might have missed:</p>
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<p>"Peace" is in Colombia's hands. (Guillermo Legaria/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>After half a century of fighting and nearly 250,000 dead, the end may now be in sight for Colombia’s armed conflict — but only just after a down-to-the-wire presidential election on Sunday.</p>
<p>President Juan Manuel Santos, who ran on a platform of seeing through <a href="" type="external">peace talks</a> with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), won re-election with about 51 percent of the vote over his conservative opponent Oscar Ivan Zuluaga’s 45 percent.</p>
<p>Zuluaga wanted to halt the talks and instead crush the Marxist armed rebels militarily — a strategy that, the armed forces’ recent victories notwithstanding, has failed to work for the last 50 years.</p>
<p>Many Colombians are opposed to allowing the rebels, who fund their war with kidnappings and cocaine, to escape jail, never mind participate in democratic elections.</p>
<p>Santos has said there will be no impunity, raising the possibility that even some of the FARC negotiators might face jail time as part of any peace deal.</p>
<p>The road to a negotiated, political end to Colombia’s civil war still remains long and winding — but at least it no longer has a dead end.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Umbrellas won't do. (Maxi Failla/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Argentina’s $100-billion debt default in 2002, the world’s largest ever, has just come back to haunt the South American nation in a big way.</p>
<p>What happened? On Monday, the US Supreme Court decided not to hear an appeal from the administration of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner against a lower court ruling that would force Argentina to finally pay <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/the-unraveler/argentina-nml-capital-supreme-court" type="external">$1.7 billion</a> of its bad debt to what the government calls “vulture funds.”</p>
<p>Back in the early 2000s, the government of her late husband and then-president, Nestor Kirchner, had reached a deal with more than 90 percent of its creditors that would pay them just 30 cents on the dollar.</p>
<p>A few creditors held out, however, including hedge funds that had gobbled up the bad debt on the cheap with the aim of enforcing payment.</p>
<p>If Argentina doesn’t also pay the funds at the end of this month — something Fernandez de Kirchner has vowed never to do — when it pays its other creditors, the nation will, once again, be in technical default.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Coffins are the latest casualties of Venezuela's chronic shortages. (Leo Ramirez/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>The turmoil in Venezuela may have slipped off the front pages, but the South American country remains mired in economic crisis and serious anti-government unrest.</p>
<p>Inflation is now predicted to hit <a href="http://www.eluniversal.com/economia/140610/inflation-to-reach-70-if-distortions-are-not-corrected-expert-says" type="external">70 percent</a> this year, while the latest reported goods <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/06/16/us-venezuela-funerals-idUSKBN0ER1IN20140616" type="external">shortage is of coffins</a> — no small matter in a nation with a sky-high homicide rate.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the response from President Nicolas Maduro to his critics has grown even more repressive. As if locking up politician <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/venezuela/140605/venezuelan-opposition-leader-leopoldo-lopez-face-tri" type="external">Leopoldo Lopez</a> — and turning him into the continent’s most famous political prisoner — was not enough, the courts are now moving to jail four other opposition leaders, accusing them of orchestrating a coup.</p>
<p>Maduro is also attempting to <a href="http://www.diariolasamericas.com/america-latina/maduro-introduce-recurso-tribunal-contra-alcaldesa-tachira.html" type="external">sack the wife</a> of a jailed opposition mayor, elected by 73 percent in May to replace her ousted husband. The president claims that, like her spouse previously, she is illegally supporting the anti-government street protests.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Family photo at the G77+China Summit in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. The backdrop reads: "Toward a new world order to live well." (Aizar Raldes/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>A huge group of world leaders, including United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, met in the Bolivian city of Santa Cruz last weekend.</p>
<p>Known as the G77 — despite now having <a href="http://www.g77.org/" type="external">133 members</a> — the alliance of developing nations is a kind of poor-man’s G7. They were joined by representatives of China, which is not usually part of the group.</p>
<p>Unable to wield the clout of the G7 members, who collectively account for 40 percent of global GDP, the G77 also has difficulty agreeing on much. That is in part, experts say, thanks to its size.</p>
<p>Host Evo Morales, president of Bolivia, got things underway with a <a href="http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/162145/leaders-of-developing-countries-meet-in-bolivia-for-g77+china-summit" type="external">call for an end</a> to the UN Security Council, dominated by the United States, Britain, China, France and Russia.</p>
<p>Uruguay’s President Jose Mujica, famous for driving a VW Beetle and showing up for work in sandals, continued the theme, with a stinging attack on industrialized nations’ consumerism and “ <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/uruguay-president-blasts-culture-of-waste-to-g77/2014/06/15/3393a0e4-f4cf-11e3-a4b0-083b5d20fe69_story.html" type="external">culture of waste</a>.”</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Legalize it. (Gilbert Bellamy/Reuters)</p>
<p>And now to add a notable Caribbean headline to the mix. Somewhere in heaven, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JUm_Y0R6Og" type="external">Bob Marley</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABc8ciT5QLs&amp;feature=kp" type="external">Peter Tosh</a> may just have lit up an extra-fat joint in celebration.</p>
<p>The late reggae greats — and hardcore marijuana, uh, enthusiasts — have just had one of their dearest wishes granted: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140613/jamaica-moves-decriminalize-marijuana-possession" type="external">Jamaica is finally going to decriminalize “ganja,”</a> as the soft drug is known on the island. From now on, people caught with up to 2 ounces of weed — which is actually a rather generous amount for personal consumption — will be given a small fine but not arrested.</p>
<p>Politicians in Kingston have long wanted to make the move, and free up the overstretched police and courts to focus on the violent criminals who plague Jamaican society. One reason they never previously did so was concern of backlash from the White House.</p>
<p>But now, after decriminalization in the US states of Colorado and Washington, and full-on legalization in Uruguay, Jamaica’s move almost seems anti-climactic.</p>
| false | 3 |
lima peru south america way one big soccer fest right huh wrong course theres actually shortage real news going region nothing lionel messi cristiano ronaldo overpaid superlatively talented stars world cup five interesting developments might missed 160 peace colombias hands guillermo legariaafpgetty images half century fighting nearly 250000 dead end may sight colombias armed conflict downtothewire presidential election sunday president juan manuel santos ran platform seeing peace talks revolutionary armed forces colombia farc reelection 51 percent vote conservative opponent oscar ivan zuluagas 45 percent zuluaga wanted halt talks instead crush marxist armed rebels militarily strategy armed forces recent victories notwithstanding failed work last 50 years many colombians opposed allowing rebels fund war kidnappings cocaine escape jail never mind participate democratic elections santos said impunity raising possibility even farc negotiators might face jail time part peace deal road negotiated political end colombias civil war still remains long winding least longer dead end 160 umbrellas wont maxi faillaafpgetty images argentinas 100billion debt default 2002 worlds largest ever come back haunt south american nation big way happened monday us supreme court decided hear appeal administration president cristina fernandez de kirchner lower court ruling would force argentina finally pay 17 billion bad debt government calls vulture funds back early 2000s government late husband thenpresident nestor kirchner reached deal 90 percent creditors would pay 30 cents dollar creditors held however including hedge funds gobbled bad debt cheap aim enforcing payment argentina doesnt also pay funds end month something fernandez de kirchner vowed never pays creditors nation technical default 160 coffins latest casualties venezuelas chronic shortages leo ramirezafpgetty images turmoil venezuela may slipped front pages south american country remains mired economic crisis serious antigovernment unrest inflation predicted hit 70 percent year latest reported goods shortage coffins small matter nation skyhigh homicide rate meanwhile response president nicolas maduro critics grown even repressive locking politician leopoldo lopez turning continents famous political prisoner enough courts moving jail four opposition leaders accusing orchestrating coup maduro also attempting sack wife jailed opposition mayor elected 73 percent may replace ousted husband president claims like spouse previously illegally supporting antigovernment street protests 160 family photo g77china summit santa cruz bolivia backdrop reads toward new world order live well aizar raldesafpgetty images huge group world leaders including united nations secretarygeneral ban kimoon met bolivian city santa cruz last weekend known g77 despite 133 members alliance developing nations kind poormans g7 joined representatives china usually part group unable wield clout g7 members collectively account 40 percent global gdp g77 also difficulty agreeing much part experts say thanks size host evo morales president bolivia got things underway call end un security council dominated united states britain china france russia uruguays president jose mujica famous driving vw beetle showing work sandals continued theme stinging attack industrialized nations consumerism culture waste 160 legalize gilbert bellamyreuters add notable caribbean headline mix somewhere heaven bob marley peter tosh may lit extrafat joint celebration late reggae greats hardcore marijuana uh enthusiasts one dearest wishes granted jamaica finally going decriminalize ganja soft drug known island people caught 2 ounces weed actually rather generous amount personal consumption given small fine arrested politicians kingston long wanted make move free overstretched police courts focus violent criminals plague jamaican society one reason never previously concern backlash white house decriminalization us states colorado washington fullon legalization uruguay jamaicas move almost seems anticlimactic
| 555 |
<p>By Jeff Brumley</p>
<p>Regardless of denomination, congregational makeup or worship style, crafting a fresh and compelling Easter sermon, year and year out, can be a major challenge for many pastors.</p>
<p>But the solution lies in the holiday itself, said <a href="http://theology.mercer.edu/faculty-staff/younger/" type="external">Brett Younger</a>, associate professor of preaching at Mercer University’s McAfee School of Theology.</p>
<p>“You should preach Easter,” Younger said. “Anything else is a mistake.”</p>
<p />
<p>Stay away from messages told from the perspective of the stone that rolled away or the guard at the tomb, Younger said. Also avoid debating the nature of miracles or the historicity of the resurrection.</p>
<p>“It’s not a good day to show how clever you are,” Younger said.</p>
<p>The good news is there are many ways to share the Easter theme of overcoming death.</p>
<p>“You tell stories of resurrection because that is who we are,” he said. “And people who only show up once a year are better off hearing about the central beliefs of the Christian faith.”</p>
<p>ABPnews queried a number of Baptist preachers about how they intend to convey those themes this Easter. They wrote back to share their sermon topics and what, if any, challenges the holiday poses for them each year. Here is some of what they had to say.</p>
<p>Dennis Atwood, pastor of First Baptist Church, Mount Olive, N.C.</p>
<p>Atwood suspects his “Happiness After the Cross” sermon on Sunday may not win him any popularity contests. He will seek to challenge the American obsession with the “pursuit of happiness” with the reminder that Christ’s death was for much more than personal well-being and joy.</p>
<p />
<p>“I think Jesus is more interested in his&#160;followers ‘taking up their cross daily’ and living abundantly&#160;while&#160;helping bring&#160;the kingdom of God on earth,” Atwood said. “This flies directly in the face of the self-centered pursuit of happiness as the end goal of&#160;life.”</p>
<p>“I’m not counting on this sermon idea going over well with the Easter crowd,” he added. “But I feel strongly it is a much needed word of correction for us today.”</p>
<p>Amy Butler, senior pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Washington D.C.</p>
<p>A decade of preaching has convinced Butler that the extra pressure she feels on Easter is for naught. “I am beginning to suspect that people don’t really care that much about the sermon,” she said. “They are there to hear the story one more time.”</p>
<p />
<p>And this time, Butler said that story will come from the passage in Luke when the disciples hear about – but don’t see – the resurrection. “I mean, nobody in that version of the story actually sees Jesus. So I wonder how we witness resurrection in our own lives.”</p>
<p>Kevin Glenn, senior pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Columbia, Mo.</p>
<p>For Glenn, Easter is the beginning of a new series titled “Losing my Religion,” which is based on Acts chapters 3 and 4.</p>
<p />
<p>“The idea is to differentiate between the religious baggage that has cluttered Christianity, and the central message of the gospel — resurrection, forgiveness, grace, hope, and love.”</p>
<p>With just three years in the pulpit, Glenn said he hasn’t found it a struggle – yet – to craft fresh Easter preaching ideas. “There are so many different people involved, and so many details from which to draw perspective, that it’s hard to imagine not finding a creative and fresh way to tell the story.”</p>
<p>Mart Gray, pastor of Covenant Community Church, Elba, Ala.</p>
<p>The church will watch an Easter musical on Sunday, leaving Gray to deliver a brief meditation titled “Dancing Past Easter.”</p>
<p />
<p>Long or short, Gray said he lets the lectionary guide his topics for Holy Week and Easter. “I don’t know if I’m always creative or diverse in my thoughts, but I have never felt a great deal of angst about telling the same story from a different perspective.”</p>
<p>The crowded sanctuary doesn’t bother him much, either. “However, I do feel very intimidated by trying to ‘open’ the Easter story in the minds and spirits of the congregation in such a way that brings a bit more illumination to all that Easter could and should mean to us.”</p>
<p>Todd Higginson, pastor of White Oak Baptist Church, Clayton, N.C.</p>
<p>Higginson said he will preach a sermon Sunday titled “Come and See,” which presents how Jesus’ resurrection should inspire Christians to share with the world that there is victory over death.</p>
<p />
<p>With eight years in the pulpit, Higginson said it’s gotten easier to preach on Easter each time.</p>
<p>“Easter sermon preparations have become simpler for me over time when I allow for Christ’s resurrection narrative to shine without fiddling around too much with my own interjections.”</p>
<p>Rodney Kennedy, lead pastor of First Baptist Church, Dayton, Ohio</p>
<p>Kennedy said he will preach a sermon on the resurrection titled “God’s Big Bang.”</p>
<p />
<p>“I see Easter as the second big bang and thus the power that created the universe is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead,” Kennedy said.&#160;“Part of the rhetorical strategy is to use the knowledge of science and have it pay homage to the creating, resurrecting power of God.”</p>
<p>Kennedy said he feels no more pressure or nervousness on Easter than he does on any other Sunday – because he feels the drive to preach the perfect sermon every week.</p>
<p>“Preaching on Easter is hard only if I make the mistake of getting in the way of the story.”</p>
<p>Sarah Jackson Shelton, pastor of Baptist Church of the Covenant, Birmingham, Ala.</p>
<p>Shelton said she will preach on Luke 24:1-12 on Sunday. The passage tells of the disciples’ reaction to the women’s news of resurrection, considering it to be an “idle tale.” Shelton said she does not mind if it’s a story worshipers have heard before.</p>
<p />
<p>“Just like at Christmas, I believe that people come to church to receive the comfort of this familiar story,” she said.&#160; “I do not worry about what feels repetitious. A good story should always be told more than once! That is our privilege to tell this story again at Easter (and at Christmas).”</p>
<p>Shelton has been preaching now for 12 years and said she does feel those butterflies when she takes to the pulpit on Easter morning. “Those ‘nervous jitters’ tell me that the message of the gospel is still vibrant….”</p>
<p>Craig Sherouse, senior pastor of Second Baptist Church, Richmond, Va.</p>
<p>On Easter, Sherouse will deliver the concluding sermon in a series titled “Handelings of the Messiah,” based on the scriptural texts used in Handel’s famous work. The Easter message will be on “Hallelujah!” and the hallelujah chorus from Revelation 19.</p>
<p />
<p>“Easter has always been the most challenging day to preach for me,” said Sherouse, who has pastored five churches in a 37-year career. “What better subject and crowd, but the pressure is immense.”</p>
<p>Coming after an intense Holy Week adds to the pressure – as do the packed sanctuaries. “The crowds, drama and opportunity all make me want to do my very best.”</p>
<p>Susan Sparks, senior pastor of Madison Avenue Baptist Church, New York City</p>
<p>Sparks’ will preach a sermon framed around a bar in Chapel Hill, N.C. called “He’s Not Here,” because bartenders always answer the phone with that phrase. She’ll draw parallels to the passage in Luke, in which it is declared that “He’s not here, He is risen.”</p>
<p />
<p>“The lesson: We all get ‘calls’ in the tombs of life; do we hide in fear and shame, offering excuses like ‘he’s not here,’ or do we transcend the fear, answer the call and, like Jesus,&#160;take life back?”</p>
<p>Sparks said she’ll be dealing with her own fears on Sunday. “I’ve learned to trust the voice I’ve been given, but on Easter&#160;the old&#160;doubts and questions tend to come out more: Is this worthy of Easter?&#160;Is&#160;this&#160;theologically sound? Inspiring? Memorable? Will&#160;the world be transformed&#160;in the 15 minutes it takes to preach?”</p>
| false | 3 |
jeff brumley regardless denomination congregational makeup worship style crafting fresh compelling easter sermon year year major challenge many pastors solution lies holiday said brett younger associate professor preaching mercer universitys mcafee school theology preach easter younger said anything else mistake stay away messages told perspective stone rolled away guard tomb younger said also avoid debating nature miracles historicity resurrection good day show clever younger said good news many ways share easter theme overcoming death tell stories resurrection said people show year better hearing central beliefs christian faith abpnews queried number baptist preachers intend convey themes easter wrote back share sermon topics challenges holiday poses year say dennis atwood pastor first baptist church mount olive nc atwood suspects happiness cross sermon sunday may win popularity contests seek challenge american obsession pursuit happiness reminder christs death much personal wellbeing joy think jesus interested his160followers taking cross daily living abundantly160while160helping bring160the kingdom god earth atwood said flies directly face selfcentered pursuit happiness end goal of160life im counting sermon idea going well easter crowd added feel strongly much needed word correction us today amy butler senior pastor calvary baptist church washington dc decade preaching convinced butler extra pressure feels easter naught beginning suspect people dont really care much sermon said hear story one time time butler said story come passage luke disciples hear dont see resurrection mean nobody version story actually sees jesus wonder witness resurrection lives kevin glenn senior pastor memorial baptist church columbia mo glenn easter beginning new series titled losing religion based acts chapters 3 4 idea differentiate religious baggage cluttered christianity central message gospel resurrection forgiveness grace hope love three years pulpit glenn said hasnt found struggle yet craft fresh easter preaching ideas many different people involved many details draw perspective hard imagine finding creative fresh way tell story mart gray pastor covenant community church elba ala church watch easter musical sunday leaving gray deliver brief meditation titled dancing past easter long short gray said lets lectionary guide topics holy week easter dont know im always creative diverse thoughts never felt great deal angst telling story different perspective crowded sanctuary doesnt bother much either however feel intimidated trying open easter story minds spirits congregation way brings bit illumination easter could mean us todd higginson pastor white oak baptist church clayton nc higginson said preach sermon sunday titled come see presents jesus resurrection inspire christians share world victory death eight years pulpit higginson said gotten easier preach easter time easter sermon preparations become simpler time allow christs resurrection narrative shine without fiddling around much interjections rodney kennedy lead pastor first baptist church dayton ohio kennedy said preach sermon resurrection titled gods big bang see easter second big bang thus power created universe power raised jesus dead kennedy said160part rhetorical strategy use knowledge science pay homage creating resurrecting power god kennedy said feels pressure nervousness easter sunday feels drive preach perfect sermon every week preaching easter hard make mistake getting way story sarah jackson shelton pastor baptist church covenant birmingham ala shelton said preach luke 24112 sunday passage tells disciples reaction womens news resurrection considering idle tale shelton said mind story worshipers heard like christmas believe people come church receive comfort familiar story said160 worry feels repetitious good story always told privilege tell story easter christmas shelton preaching 12 years said feel butterflies takes pulpit easter morning nervous jitters tell message gospel still vibrant craig sherouse senior pastor second baptist church richmond va easter sherouse deliver concluding sermon series titled handelings messiah based scriptural texts used handels famous work easter message hallelujah hallelujah chorus revelation 19 easter always challenging day preach said sherouse pastored five churches 37year career better subject crowd pressure immense coming intense holy week adds pressure packed sanctuaries crowds drama opportunity make want best susan sparks senior pastor madison avenue baptist church new york city sparks preach sermon framed around bar chapel hill nc called hes bartenders always answer phone phrase shell draw parallels passage luke declared hes risen lesson get calls tombs life hide fear shame offering excuses like hes transcend fear answer call like jesus160take life back sparks said shell dealing fears sunday ive learned trust voice ive given easter160the old160doubts questions tend come worthy easter160is160this160theologically sound inspiring memorable will160the world transformed160in 15 minutes takes preach
| 709 |
<p>Not long ago, biofuels made from crops were being touted as a clean alternative to fossil fuels.</p>
<p>But that was before food prices shot up and environmentalists started taking a closer look at the impact of biofuels on land use, carbon emissions and food supplies.</p>
<p>Some recent analyses have cast food-based biofuels as unsustainable, and even unethical.</p>
<p>So researchers have been trying to create fuel from other kinds of plant matter—what are called "second-generation" biofuels.</p>
<p>It's been a tough nut to crack, but now a Danish company thinks it may have done it.</p>
<p>The process is on display at a new demonstration plant run by Inbicon, a spin-off of DONG Energy, Denmark's national energy company, in Kalundborg, about 70 miles west of Copenhagen.</p>
<p>On a tour of the facility, Inbicon CEO Niels Henriksen shows how the plant produces fuel from straw, instead of the food crops like corn and soybeans which are used to make traditional ethanol.</p>
<p>It is, potentially, a big breakthrough, and it has more to do with serendipity than anything else. The magic of chemistry</p>
<p>Henriksen says that in the mid 1990s, Denmark ordered its coal-fired power plants to also burn one million tons of straw a year. The idea was to use waste from Danish farms to help reduce the country's demand for fossil fuels.</p>
<p>But it turned out that the straw harmed the furnaces. So, Inbicon started experimenting with ways to pre-treat it.</p>
<p>"Nature has over a million years developed the plants so it can protect itself from weather and nasty attacks from other micro-organisms and things like that. So that's the challenge, to break down this structure," Henriksen says.</p>
<p>Eventually, the company found a solution in the magic of chemistry — natural enzymes that could break down the rough fibers in the straw.</p>
<p>The enzymes worked so well that the company thought, why just burn the processed straw to make electricity? Why not use it to make liquid fuel?</p>
<p>So that's what the Kalundborg plant does.</p>
<p>The process starts as straw, tons of it, is soaked in water, and then cooked at temperatures close to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.</p>
<p>The resulting mash is fed into a large, cylindrical tank. The enzymes are added, and after about six hours, the mixture is mostly liquid.</p>
<p>The liquid if full of sugars which can be fermented using yeast.</p>
<p>The entire facility has a vaguely familiar smell to it.</p>
<p>"It has a very nice smell of port wine, but I don't recommend that you drink it," Henriksen jokes.</p>
<p>After fermentation, the liquid is distilled into ethanol that is then added to gasoline. More than 100 filling stations around Denmark are currently selling fuel that contains five percent of this second-generation ethanol.</p>
<p>The demonstration plant in Kalundborg can process four tons of straw per hour.</p>
<p>Henrisken says a commercial plant would be ten times this size, and could be built just about anywhere.</p>
<p>"We have started commercializing our technology, so we are starting to make partnerships and selling licenses worldwide. And ethanol is a fuel that to some extent can be produced locally, and produced worldwide." "It's not a particularly good fuel"</p>
<p>The European Union wants ten percent of its transport energy to come from renewable sources by 2020. The big selling point for second-generation biofuels is that they can help meet goals like this without using food crops.</p>
<p>Inbicon is hoping its new plant will show that the technology is viable, but not everyone is convinced.</p>
<p>"It's going to be a challenge to really increase second generation fuel production massively by 2020," says Jan-Erik Petersen, a bio-engery expert with the European Environmental Agency in Copenhagen.</p>
<p>"It's very difficult technology, biologically and also in terms of transport logistics. You have a lot of volume for relative small amount of energy per unit. Logistically, it's difficult to gather all material in one plant to have an efficient process."</p>
<p>"To be honest, I and most other environmental scientists are puzzled as to why society is so focused on ethanol," says Bob Howarth of Cornell University. Howarth chairs an international effort to study the effects of bio-fuel production on the environment.</p>
<p>He says the jury is still out on second-generation bio-fuel.</p>
<p>"It's not a particularly good fuel, and you're stuck with the energetics of trying to distill it off, and all of the environmental costs associated with that. In many cases, we feel that you're better off using the feedstock material and directly burning it to co-generate heat and electricity."</p>
<p>Which, of course, is what Inbicon set out to do in the first place.</p>
<p>But the company thinks it can make the new ethanol technology environmentally sound, and profitable.</p>
<p>Inbicon is looking to increase its value by turning waste from the process into things like fuel pellets and livestock feed.</p>
<p>Brown gold</p>
<p>Inbicon also hopes that the same enzyme technology will also work with garbage.</p>
<p>On the outskirts of Copenhagen, trucks bring thousands of tons of household waste. Inside the facility, there's a small pilot plant built by another DONG Energy spin-off called REnescience.</p>
<p>Once again, it is enzymes that are at work here, turning most of the solid garbage into liquid.</p>
<p>"We call this brown gold," says REnescience's Jonny Trapp Steffensen.</p>
<p>He says the liquid could be used to fuel a bio-gas plant. But the company is also looking for ways to get ethanol from it.</p>
<p>"We all need to have alternatives to fossil fuels," Steffensen says. "And in addition, our long term bet is that we're probably in for some climate changes, and we might as well get on with trying to find ways to avoid the adverse impacts of climate change."</p>
<p>If the process works, Steffensen says a commercial unit could process 70 to 80,000 tons of garbage a year into fuel.</p>
| false | 3 |
long ago biofuels made crops touted clean alternative fossil fuels food prices shot environmentalists started taking closer look impact biofuels land use carbon emissions food supplies recent analyses cast foodbased biofuels unsustainable even unethical researchers trying create fuel kinds plant matterwhat called secondgeneration biofuels tough nut crack danish company thinks may done process display new demonstration plant run inbicon spinoff dong energy denmarks national energy company kalundborg 70 miles west copenhagen tour facility inbicon ceo niels henriksen shows plant produces fuel straw instead food crops like corn soybeans used make traditional ethanol potentially big breakthrough serendipity anything else magic chemistry henriksen says mid 1990s denmark ordered coalfired power plants also burn one million tons straw year idea use waste danish farms help reduce countrys demand fossil fuels turned straw harmed furnaces inbicon started experimenting ways pretreat nature million years developed plants protect weather nasty attacks microorganisms things like thats challenge break structure henriksen says eventually company found solution magic chemistry natural enzymes could break rough fibers straw enzymes worked well company thought burn processed straw make electricity use make liquid fuel thats kalundborg plant process starts straw tons soaked water cooked temperatures close 400 degrees fahrenheit resulting mash fed large cylindrical tank enzymes added six hours mixture mostly liquid liquid full sugars fermented using yeast entire facility vaguely familiar smell nice smell port wine dont recommend drink henriksen jokes fermentation liquid distilled ethanol added gasoline 100 filling stations around denmark currently selling fuel contains five percent secondgeneration ethanol demonstration plant kalundborg process four tons straw per hour henrisken says commercial plant would ten times size could built anywhere started commercializing technology starting make partnerships selling licenses worldwide ethanol fuel extent produced locally produced worldwide particularly good fuel european union wants ten percent transport energy come renewable sources 2020 big selling point secondgeneration biofuels help meet goals like without using food crops inbicon hoping new plant show technology viable everyone convinced going challenge really increase second generation fuel production massively 2020 says janerik petersen bioengery expert european environmental agency copenhagen difficult technology biologically also terms transport logistics lot volume relative small amount energy per unit logistically difficult gather material one plant efficient process honest environmental scientists puzzled society focused ethanol says bob howarth cornell university howarth chairs international effort study effects biofuel production environment says jury still secondgeneration biofuel particularly good fuel youre stuck energetics trying distill environmental costs associated many cases feel youre better using feedstock material directly burning cogenerate heat electricity course inbicon set first place company thinks make new ethanol technology environmentally sound profitable inbicon looking increase value turning waste process things like fuel pellets livestock feed brown gold inbicon also hopes enzyme technology also work garbage outskirts copenhagen trucks bring thousands tons household waste inside facility theres small pilot plant built another dong energy spinoff called renescience enzymes work turning solid garbage liquid call brown gold says renesciences jonny trapp steffensen says liquid could used fuel biogas plant company also looking ways get ethanol need alternatives fossil fuels steffensen says addition long term bet probably climate changes might well get trying find ways avoid adverse impacts climate change process works steffensen says commercial unit could process 70 80000 tons garbage year fuel
| 535 |
<p>Tuesday's public viewing of Kim Jong Il's body drove the point home. It's the end of an era for North Korea.</p>
<p>Or is it?</p>
<p><a href="http://www.kpolicy.org/index.html" type="external">Korea Policy Institute</a>'s Christine Ahn says that a shift in figureheads doesn't necessarily signal any larger or corresponding shifts for North Korea.</p>
<p>In fact, what's coming to the fore more than anything else is how confident North Korea's political elite is in the continuation of the Kim dynasty, with the emergence of Kim Jong Un into the spotlight.</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/south-korea/111219/north-korea-kim-jong-il-brainwashed-mourning" type="external">Why the North Koreans weep</a></p>
<p>"Look what's coming out of the Pentagon," Ahn said. "They are all calm. They know it is not about to collapse and that it is a very stable system."</p>
<p>But even if it isn't a radical upheaval, Kim Jong Il's death does present an opportunity for the US, and other countries involved in the on-again-off-again six-party talks, to renew dialogue and push for reform.</p>
<p>Below, Ahn, who serves as KPI executive director, talks about how important it is that talks happen, how dangerous it is to misread North Korea,&#160;and how Kim Jong Un could be a beacon of hope after all.</p>
<p>GlobalPost: What can the US and other countries do at this juncture to bring about change in North Korea?</p>
<p>Christine Ahn: The US and especially those countries involved in the six-party talks - South Korea, Japan, China and Russia - can promote engagement and dialogue.</p>
<p>We were on the brink of a diplomatic breakthrough last week, when US and North Korean envoys met in Beijing to discuss the US giving food aid to the North in exchange for halting its uranium enrichment program.</p>
<p>GlobalPost in-depth series: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/series/after-kim-jong-il" type="external">After Kim Jong Il</a></p>
<p>Now, with Kim Jong Il's death, things are not looking good.</p>
<p>Why is that?</p>
<p>It has to do, I think, with the perception we have that North Korea is a basket-case country that is constantly flip-flopping on its decisions.</p>
<p>In fact, they are the ones that have been very consistent with what they are demanding. North Korea's negotiator, Kim Gye-gwan, the vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, has been the same person for years. Meanwhile, the administration always changes in the US, and the North Korean negotiators have to deal with new people.</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/the-rice-bowl/video-kim-jong-ils-corpse-state-tv" type="external">Video of Kim Jong Il's body</a></p>
<p>North Korea has historically used the six-party talks to have bilateral talks with the US. They have pressed for the normalization of relations with the US, including economic relations and a lifting of sanctions, as well as a formal end to the Korean War with a peace treaty.</p>
<p>We need to engage in dialogue with North Korea and finally end the war.</p>
<p>Can we be certain talks will be productive? This could be a time of tremendous upheaval in North Korea.</p>
<p>Look what's coming out of Pentagon. They are all calm. They know it is not about to collapse and that it is a very stable system. Even though there is a figure-head shift, we need to engage with them as if they are not about to collapse.</p>
<p>It's a terrible mistake to think it's on the brink of collapse. Mainly because it allows North Korea to expand its arsenal of weapons, and also because there is tremendous and immense suffering of the people.</p>
<p>With so much uncertain about North Korea, how can you be sure they're not about to collapse?</p>
<p>For one, they have been preparing for this transition since 2008. Kim Jong Il has been ill for some time and Kim Jong Un was presented as his heir apparent last year.</p>
<p>And partly knowing that there has been a pervasive misperception that Kim Jong Il was an all-encompassing leader, when in fact there is a whole circle of political elites making decisions.</p>
<p>Now, we don't know enough about that circle. Analysts have talked to defectors, but they still can't quite get at this inner circle. But I believe it would be right to conjecture that this body has things under control. Most of them are in their 60s and 70s, and they already went through a major transition from Kim Sung Il to Kim Jong Il in 1994.</p>
<p>We like to say that North Korea is a dictatorship, but really it's more of a monarchy. This political leadership likes that there is the continuation of the family.</p>
<p>What can the US do to make sure talks happen?</p>
<p>Our policy on North Korea has been called "strategic patience," but really it's been more like four years of "strategic abandonment." We've been neglecting that region of the world, which isn't helping anybody. Now, at the end of Obama's term, he's starting to pay attention. The diplomatic breakthrough last week was part of that.</p>
<p>We need to continue bilateral discussions, whether it's through six-party talks or through separate bilateral talks.</p>
<p>How do we do this? The recipe is rather standard, and in some ways we can just go back to 2007. Food aid in exchange for stalling uranium-enrichment programs. They want sanctions lifted and to be taken off the terrorist list. And North Korea has to feel that the US will be good on its word.</p>
<p>But hasn't North Korea gone back on its word?</p>
<p>In that sense it's been tit-for-tat. There has been a pattern with each US administration. Clinton, Bush and Obama have come in with a hardline that they don't want to engage with North Korea, and then North Korea acts belligerently because that's the way they will get US attention. Unfortunately, that has been the pattern, and that's what has to change.</p>
<p>I think Kim Jong Il's death presents a huge opportunity start discussions on a positive note.</p>
<p>So, you see this as an opportunity for a fresh start?</p>
<p>North Korea as a nation grew out of paranoia. War was the genesis of the nation. They literally built their society from unerground shelters and caves. Farmers were farming at nighttime because of massive air raids. That's a disappearing generation now.</p>
<p>We don't know much about Kim Jong Un, but we do know that he didn't experience the war. He's not of that generation. Also, he went to school in Switzerland.</p>
<p>So, while we don't know much about him, we know he's a different generation with experience living outside North Korea. There is hope in that difference.</p>
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tuesdays public viewing kim jong ils body drove point home end era north korea korea policy institutes christine ahn says shift figureheads doesnt necessarily signal larger corresponding shifts north korea fact whats coming fore anything else confident north koreas political elite continuation kim dynasty emergence kim jong un spotlight globalpost north koreans weep look whats coming pentagon ahn said calm know collapse stable system even isnt radical upheaval kim jong ils death present opportunity us countries involved onagainoffagain sixparty talks renew dialogue push reform ahn serves kpi executive director talks important talks happen dangerous misread north korea160and kim jong un could beacon hope globalpost us countries juncture bring change north korea christine ahn us especially countries involved sixparty talks south korea japan china russia promote engagement dialogue brink diplomatic breakthrough last week us north korean envoys met beijing discuss us giving food aid north exchange halting uranium enrichment program globalpost indepth series kim jong il kim jong ils death things looking good think perception north korea basketcase country constantly flipflopping decisions fact ones consistent demanding north koreas negotiator kim gyegwan viceminister foreign affairs person years meanwhile administration always changes us north korean negotiators deal new people globalpost video kim jong ils body north korea historically used sixparty talks bilateral talks us pressed normalization relations us including economic relations lifting sanctions well formal end korean war peace treaty need engage dialogue north korea finally end war certain talks productive could time tremendous upheaval north korea look whats coming pentagon calm know collapse stable system even though figurehead shift need engage collapse terrible mistake think brink collapse mainly allows north korea expand arsenal weapons also tremendous immense suffering people much uncertain north korea sure theyre collapse one preparing transition since 2008 kim jong il ill time kim jong un presented heir apparent last year partly knowing pervasive misperception kim jong il allencompassing leader fact whole circle political elites making decisions dont know enough circle analysts talked defectors still cant quite get inner circle believe would right conjecture body things control 60s 70s already went major transition kim sung il kim jong il 1994 like say north korea dictatorship really monarchy political leadership likes continuation family us make sure talks happen policy north korea called strategic patience really like four years strategic abandonment weve neglecting region world isnt helping anybody end obamas term hes starting pay attention diplomatic breakthrough last week part need continue bilateral discussions whether sixparty talks separate bilateral talks recipe rather standard ways go back 2007 food aid exchange stalling uraniumenrichment programs want sanctions lifted taken terrorist list north korea feel us good word hasnt north korea gone back word sense titfortat pattern us administration clinton bush obama come hardline dont want engage north korea north korea acts belligerently thats way get us attention unfortunately pattern thats change think kim jong ils death presents huge opportunity start discussions positive note see opportunity fresh start north korea nation grew paranoia war genesis nation literally built society unerground shelters caves farmers farming nighttime massive air raids thats disappearing generation dont know much kim jong un know didnt experience war hes generation also went school switzerland dont know much know hes different generation experience living outside north korea hope difference
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<p>Reports of an Al Qaeda-issued threat that closed 19 US diplomatic posts around the world were followed by a series of rapid fire drone strikes against what the US says are Al Qaeda militants in Yemen, including three successive strikes on Thursday.</p>
<p>Is Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula — or AQAP — really the terrorist network's most dangerous affiliate?&#160;</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/130808/yemen-aqap-al-qaeda-arabian-peninsula-drone-strikes-embassies" type="external">Did Yemen's government really foil an Al Qaeda plot?</a></p>
<p>To understand AQAP, the terrorist threat in Yemen and America's role there, GlobalPost spoke with <a href="http://twitter.com/gregorydjohnsen" type="external">Gregory D. Johnsen</a>, Ph.D. candidate in Near Eastern studies at Princeton University, and author or " <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Last-Refuge-al-Qaeda-Americas-Arabia/dp/0393082423/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1343956007&amp;sr=1-1" type="external">The Last Refuge: Yemen, Al Qaeda, and America's War in Arabia.</a>"</p>
<p>The interview was edited and condensed for clarity by GlobalPost.&#160;</p>
<p>Yemen claims to have thwarted an Al Qaeda plot to destroy oil pipelines, potentially kill foreigners and seize major ports. You said you were "skeptical" about the report. What do you find suspect?</p>
<p>Nearly everything. It's different from what AQAP has done before. They have attacked oil and gas facilities, but a takeover in this style —&#160;that’s not to say they might not in the future —&#160;but it would be a major departure for them.</p>
<p>With the timing of the report it sounds more like political theater than a specific threat. And US officials said this particular plot has nothing to do with the previous terror alert.</p>
<p>The origin story of AQAP often begins with a 2006 jailbreak of 23 Al Qaeda prisoners in Yemen. It’s difficult to know their exact strength now, but evidence suggests it has quickly become a deadly and effective network. Why has AQAP thrived, despite all the obvious military advantages of the US?</p>
<p>The US has more money, more men, better technology, more and better weapons, and it’s self-evidently right in this war against Al Qaeda —&#160;again in a place like Yemen —&#160;but the US is losing on the ground.</p>
<p>When those 23 Al Qaeda suspects tunneled out of prison, they walked back into a world in which the US was preoccupied with Iraq and the Yemeni government was preoccupied with an insurgent rebel group on the Saudi border. So this group had space and time, a two-and-half-year head start. Both governments have been playing catch-up ever since.&#160;</p>
<p>In its war against AQAP, Washington has increased drone strikes in Yemen, with six recorded attacks in the last two weeks. There is an ongoing debate about the long-term efficacy of drones. One side says we need to kill terrorist leaders with targeted strikes. The other side says the strikes kill innocents and serve as a recruiting tool. What’s your take?</p>
<p>I come down in the middle. I’m not a critic of drones. I’m a critic of how the Obama administration uses drones in Yemen. There’s a very powerful and important place in this war for drones against Al Qaeda. But they only give the United States an advantage if used properly, wisely and judicially.</p>
<p>Right now the United States' over-uses drones that either kill or — just as importantly — are perceived to kill civilians. And one of the real truths of this war, a truth in the war against Al Qaeda, is that the side that kills fewer civilians wins.</p>
<p>It's a truth AQAP has internalized. They have a great deal of targeting discipline. The United States does not appear to have internalized the truth that civilians —&#160;Muslim civilians on the ground in Yemen —&#160;is where the battle is. If the United States loses that, they’ve lost.</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost:&#160; <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/130806/yemenis-watch-sky-drones-us-uk-evacuate-personnel-embassy" type="external">Yemenis keep watchful eye on sky as US, UK evacuate personnel</a></p>
<p>There's an anecdote that might illustrate this better.</p>
<p>In 2012, there was this cleric —&#160;a man by the name Salim al-Jabir —&#160;in Hadramout, which is out in eastern Yemen. He was a preacher in a local mosque, and he stood up against Al Qaeda. He said Al Qaeda has no place within the family of Islam. [He said]: "These men are not true Muslims. They’re murderers."</p>
<p>This cleric was so successful that AQAP met with him because their recruits were drying up. Then a United States drone killed the Al Qaeda members, Salim al-Jabir and someone he brought with him.</p>
<p>That story gets to the Achilles' heel of the United States in places like Yemen: poor on-the-ground intelligence. &#160;</p>
<p>Last week, Washington closed some 21 diplomatic posts, and 19 of those remain shut. The government in Sanaa criticized the defensive move, saying the withdrawal of embassy personnel "serves the interests of the extremists." What does Washington’s caution and&#160;Yemen's criticism reveal about how the two nations precive the fight against AQAP?&#160;</p>
<p>It gets at the two primary US goals. The first is to prevent an Al Qaeda attack on United States interests in the Middle East. The second is to make sure no American official dies in Yemen. The United States holds a defensive posture. It has a fortified embassy, and there are costs to pay for such a bunker mentality.</p>
<p>The US won’t have individuals who know the country, who get outside the embassy or the capital. So you have them peeking over the walls, and the country becomes a blank map on which they cast their assumptions, and they advise policymakers in Washington, D.C.&#160;</p>
<p>Although the United States has previously sent special forces to train counter-terrorist units in Yemen, anonymous sources recently told the BBC there are new suggestions that the Joint Special Operations Command may prepare units for strike operations. Are we seeing a slight escalation on the US side?</p>
<p>It would be catastrophic for the United States to put boots on the ground. AQAP makes the argument that just like Iraq and Afghanistan, Yemen too is under western military attack. Thankfully for the United States that’s not an argument that has a lot of traction. But if they put soldiers on the ground that would change. AQAP would grow faster than we’ve seen to date.</p>
<p>Yemen is a desperately poor country that suffers from severe famine. Does that more than anything provide AQAP with the space to operate? Is that&#160;something that's missing from the conversation?</p>
<p>What's been missing is how the entire conversation is framed. The United States sees Yemen though the prism of Al Qaeda. They don’t see AQAP though the prism of Yemen.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/130806/yemenis-watch-sky-drones-us-uk-evacuate-personnel-embassy" type="external">Yemen is a country of 26 million people</a> and we estimate there are a few thousand in Al Qaeda. A tiny percentage that has taken all the attention of the global superpower, the United States.</p>
<p>But for Yemenis there are more important issues than the threat of Al Qaeda. Poverty in the country is unimaginable. It’s bone-crushing and grinding. People who sacrificed for the Arab Spring uprising in 2011 to force [former president] Ali Abdullah Saleh out of power —&#160;they believed they fought for a new and better Yemen.</p>
<p>In two years, their expectations have burst. Prices have risen, water continues to dwindle to the point where pipes in many places are turned on only once every month, if indeed there are water pipes. A large portion of the country is off the electrical grid.</p>
<p>This country has a lot of issues, and until we see Al Qaeda in that context I’m afraid we will continue to do what the CIA calls mowing the lawns of terrorism, instead of attacking the root system.</p>
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reports al qaedaissued threat closed 19 us diplomatic posts around world followed series rapid fire drone strikes us says al qaeda militants yemen including three successive strikes thursday al qaeda arabian peninsula aqap really terrorist networks dangerous affiliate160 globalpost yemens government really foil al qaeda plot understand aqap terrorist threat yemen americas role globalpost spoke gregory johnsen phd candidate near eastern studies princeton university author last refuge yemen al qaeda americas war arabia interview edited condensed clarity globalpost160 yemen claims thwarted al qaeda plot destroy oil pipelines potentially kill foreigners seize major ports said skeptical report find suspect nearly everything different aqap done attacked oil gas facilities takeover style 160thats say might future 160but would major departure timing report sounds like political theater specific threat us officials said particular plot nothing previous terror alert origin story aqap often begins 2006 jailbreak 23 al qaeda prisoners yemen difficult know exact strength evidence suggests quickly become deadly effective network aqap thrived despite obvious military advantages us us money men better technology better weapons selfevidently right war al qaeda 160again place like yemen 160but us losing ground 23 al qaeda suspects tunneled prison walked back world us preoccupied iraq yemeni government preoccupied insurgent rebel group saudi border group space time twoandhalfyear head start governments playing catchup ever since160 war aqap washington increased drone strikes yemen six recorded attacks last two weeks ongoing debate longterm efficacy drones one side says need kill terrorist leaders targeted strikes side says strikes kill innocents serve recruiting tool whats take come middle im critic drones im critic obama administration uses drones yemen theres powerful important place war drones al qaeda give united states advantage used properly wisely judicially right united states overuses drones either kill importantly perceived kill civilians one real truths war truth war al qaeda side kills fewer civilians wins truth aqap internalized great deal targeting discipline united states appear internalized truth civilians 160muslim civilians ground yemen 160is battle united states loses theyve lost globalpost160 yemenis keep watchful eye sky us uk evacuate personnel theres anecdote might illustrate better 2012 cleric 160a man name salim aljabir 160in hadramout eastern yemen preacher local mosque stood al qaeda said al qaeda place within family islam said men true muslims theyre murderers cleric successful aqap met recruits drying united states drone killed al qaeda members salim aljabir someone brought story gets achilles heel united states places like yemen poor ontheground intelligence 160 last week washington closed 21 diplomatic posts 19 remain shut government sanaa criticized defensive move saying withdrawal embassy personnel serves interests extremists washingtons caution and160yemens criticism reveal two nations precive fight aqap160 gets two primary us goals first prevent al qaeda attack united states interests middle east second make sure american official dies yemen united states holds defensive posture fortified embassy costs pay bunker mentality us wont individuals know country get outside embassy capital peeking walls country becomes blank map cast assumptions advise policymakers washington dc160 although united states previously sent special forces train counterterrorist units yemen anonymous sources recently told bbc new suggestions joint special operations command may prepare units strike operations seeing slight escalation us side would catastrophic united states put boots ground aqap makes argument like iraq afghanistan yemen western military attack thankfully united states thats argument lot traction put soldiers ground would change aqap would grow faster weve seen date yemen desperately poor country suffers severe famine anything provide aqap space operate that160something thats missing conversation whats missing entire conversation framed united states sees yemen though prism al qaeda dont see aqap though prism yemen yemen country 26 million people estimate thousand al qaeda tiny percentage taken attention global superpower united states yemenis important issues threat al qaeda poverty country unimaginable bonecrushing grinding people sacrificed arab spring uprising 2011 force former president ali abdullah saleh power 160they believed fought new better yemen two years expectations burst prices risen water continues dwindle point pipes many places turned every month indeed water pipes large portion country electrical grid country lot issues see al qaeda context im afraid continue cia calls mowing lawns terrorism instead attacking root system
| 682 |
<p>CURWOOD: Many scientists believe that the Earth is undergoing mass extinction number six, this time not due to a random meteor but at the hands of humanity. But its not all gloom, according to Chris Thomas, an evolutionary biologist at York University in the UK. He sees some positive aspects in these grim circumstances, and Chris Thomas joined us on the line from England. Welcome to Living on Earth.</p>
<p>THOMAS: It's a pleasure to talk to you.</p>
<p>CURWOOD: What do you think of the idea that we're entering a major extinction period?</p>
<p>THOMAS: I think that's very likely. We're seeing unprecedented extinction rates at the moment, and the rates at which we're changing the planet's climate, altering the world's vegetation to produce our food, which obviously we need, polluting with nitrogen. So you see these effects all over the planet, and although they seem quite gradual in a way, if you sit back and think, "Well, humans have been around for a while, suppose they're around for another few hundred years to a few thousand years", just the rates of change you see at the moment are enough to cause a fairly major extinction event.</p>
<p>CURWOOD: But you put a silver lining on this black cloud.</p>
<p>THOMAS: Well, it's a slightly dull silver lining in the sense that a lot of this is going to take place long after we're buried and forgotten, I suspect. Well, what I see is that as we change the environment right across the world, this produces new opportunities for some of the species that exist now, and also provides new opportunities for new things to evolve that will be able to make use of the new environments that we're creating. So just as we see a mass extinction that appears to be emerging because of us, because of our activities, similarly we may see a huge sort of origination and explosion, if you like, of new ecosystems and new species that arise into the environments that we have changed.</p>
<p>CURWOOD: To what extent are we seeing this growth of biological diversity right now?</p>
<p>THOMAS: Surprisingly, a huge amount. But generally, we almost don't see it as that. We think, well, it's changed from how it was in the past, therefore it's bad, and therefore we see it almost as a loss even when its a gain in front of our eyes. So there are two kinds of process that are really giving rise to this. First is what I call ecological diversification, and the second is the evolutionary diversification.</p>
<p>Chris Thomas and his dog Rex (Photo: Alice Thomas)</p>
<p>CURWOOD: Alright. Explain these to us. What do you mean by ecological diversification?</p>
<p>THOMAS: So ecological diversification. If you start off in an originally forested landscape, and you turn half of it into pastures, then you provide new ecological opportunities for species that like open habitats to live in that area. So although the diversity of the forest doesn't go up, it probably goes down a bit, the total diversity of the region can actually increase, because you've now got several types of habitat where you used to have just one. The other major effect that we're having is through introducing species to new parts of the world. In Britain, we've had between 1,500 and 2,000 species added to particularly on the plant side, but the animals and plant diversity of Britain is now higher than it used to be. Now the remarkable thing is that none of the native species have actually died out completely from Britain as a result of these new arrivals, so the whole diversity of the country is now much larger.</p>
<p>CURWOOD: So a bit of immigration leads to some more diversity, huh?</p>
<p>THOMAS: Yes, but it's not all positive. So if you introduce mammalian predators, rats and cats and things like that along with humans, to oceanic islands where all the species there have never met a mammalian predator before in their evolutionary history, these predators arrive and the native birds and so on simply don't know what to do with them, and they get driven to extinction very fast. So it isn't a universal thing, but on average, when you add a new species to a region, you tend to have a net increase in number of species because for every new species that you add, less than one of the existing species dies out.</p>
<p>CURWOOD: Let's talk about the evolutionary side of this. Talk to me about some of the new species, or some of the broader biological diversity that we're seeing right now.</p>
<p>THOMAS: Well, I can give you almost a little sort of mini-historical story where botanical collectors collected something, which subsequently became known as Oxford Ragwort. It was a plant, a yellow flower, a plant related to the daisies and to ragwort itself, which grew on Mount Vesuvius in Italy. And they brought it back and they cultured it in the botanical garden, and it took a very long time to gradually spread through the city of Oxford.</p>
<p>But eventually it did, and it likes growing in disturbed places so the city is quite a good place for it, and eventually it got to the railway station. Once it got to the railway station, all hell let loose because the seeds are very light. They can be blown in the wind. And they got caught in the vortices behind the trains, and they were moved from station to station because it likes stony ground and disturbed places. All the railway stations it turned up at were themselves ideal locations for this plant to grow, so it just spread around the country. And it was living in a habitat where there were no real native species living there, so it was just adding to the country's biodiversity without causing any damage.</p>
<p>But then what happened was it in a few places it ended up hybridizing with groundsel which is sort of a distantly-related species but they can hybridize, and at least three of these hybrids ended up becoming sufficiently genetically distinct that you can now think of them as species in their own right. So we've now got four new ragwort-groundsel species and they've added to British diversity and in fact through these hybridizations they've added to world diversity.</p>
<p>CURWOOD: You've talked about flora, what about fauna, what about animals that are changing right in front of our eyes?</p>
<p>The Tuatara is one of the most genetically distinct species on earth. Chris Thomas thinks that species like this should be of top priority when it comes to saving (Photo: Knutschie; public domain)</p>
<p>THOMAS: Yes, so there's a couple of native plant feeding insects in North America, which it turned out hybridized. Now, these hybrids were able to live on introduced and so-called invasive European honeysuckles. So this species has now spread and so we've added one more species of insect to the world, and it's feeding on a plant that people thought was a bit troublesome. And so it's probably rather a good thing. Of course, sometimes, when we introduce plants, the insects arrive and then people don't like them. We've got a beautiful lily beetle which I believe has colonized North America as well as northern Europe that feeds on garden lilies and to me as an insect ecologist its an absolutely beautiful insect, this orangey color, but it does rather devastate your prize lilies, and so gardeners are very upset about this. But they're just species. So, I'm not really saying any of this is good or bad, what I'm observing is that if we look across the planet both through the ecological processes of insects following the plants that they eat on, hybridization, species just evolving when new opportunities arise that they can exploit, that what we're starting to see is this emergence of a new diversity which is rather strongly associated with human activities.</p>
<p>CURWOOD: So, what's your take on then on the whole concept of invasive species, and the fear that people tend to have around them? I'm wondering if you see this as perhaps just a fear of change, a desire to just keep things the way they are when maybe in your view nature doesn't work that way?</p>
<p>THOMAS: Well, in the long run, nature absolutely does not work in that way. I know most people think that 21,000 years ago is rather a long time ago, but in terms of the history of life on Earth, it's not even yesterday. You can imagine yourself back to 21,000 years ago in the middle of the last ice age, almost none of the species that you would see where you are right now would be the same. The whole of the new vegetation where all the animals are now is new compared to what it was just 21,000 years ago. And so if you start thinking about invasive species, well, everything is an invasion on this time scale.</p>
<p>CURWOOD: Professor, what do you think of what we're seeing around the world in terms of these dramatic and sometimes heroic efforts to save particular species of plants and animals. In the context of climate disruption, people are pointing to a lot of plants and animals that are going to go away and kind of quickly. Should we attempt to save as much as we can, or essentially roll with it?</p>
<p>Common groundsel (pictured above) has hybridized with Vesuvius Ragwort to create a new species in Britain (Photo: Pauline Rosenberg; CC 2.0)</p>
<p>THOMAS: Environmental change is absolutely inevitable. It's been going on steadily for the last century, in fact, it's been going on for much longer than that, and I think what we should be thinking about in an environmental context is how we live with that change rather than our starting point simply and always be to try and keep things exactly as they are or go back to some imagined past type of ecosystem. It isn't going to be done. We're going to lose if that is our approach.</p>
<p>If we try to keep things the way they were, then for example, as the climate changes, helping species move to new areas where they may be able to thrive in the future would be off the agenda, because that would be making things less like the past. But it may still be saving species. And these more flexible approaches are maximizing opportunities as well as minimizing harms. I would think that's the way to go.</p>
<p>CURWOOD: Some people listening to you might say that you're saying, hey, everything's going to be OK. We could keep on going because nature's going to evolve and adapt and we shouldn't worry. To what extent are you concerned that people are going to take your message as license to keep on polluting, just keep on consuming?</p>
<p>THOMAS: That's not what I feel. I think if we end up wiping out, say, a quarter of the species, maybe slightly more, I think from an individual personal perspective that's a tragedy. I think from some sort of a utilitarian perspective, it's one hell of a waste of biological material that might have been of use to humanity at some point in the future, so I think it's a kind of madness, I think it's a shame.</p>
<p>What I'm really saying is that as we're living through what appears to be mass extinction caused by us, it's also extremely interesting to see just the beginnings of the shoots of recovery. It's not necessarily all rosy whatsoever, but it is a very interesting evolutionary and ecological phenomenon that as we modify and transform the planet in a enormous number of ways, the biological diversity is ready to give it a go of seeing what it can do with these new conditions.</p>
<p>CURWOOD: Chris Thomas is a Professor of Conservation Biologist at University of York in the UK. Thanks so much, Professor, for joining us.</p>
<p>THOMAS: You're very welcome.</p>
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curwood many scientists believe earth undergoing mass extinction number six time due random meteor hands humanity gloom according chris thomas evolutionary biologist york university uk sees positive aspects grim circumstances chris thomas joined us line england welcome living earth thomas pleasure talk curwood think idea entering major extinction period thomas think thats likely seeing unprecedented extinction rates moment rates changing planets climate altering worlds vegetation produce food obviously need polluting nitrogen see effects planet although seem quite gradual way sit back think well humans around suppose theyre around another hundred years thousand years rates change see moment enough cause fairly major extinction event curwood put silver lining black cloud thomas well slightly dull silver lining sense lot going take place long buried forgotten suspect well see change environment right across world produces new opportunities species exist also provides new opportunities new things evolve able make use new environments creating see mass extinction appears emerging us activities similarly may see huge sort origination explosion like new ecosystems new species arise environments changed curwood extent seeing growth biological diversity right thomas surprisingly huge amount generally almost dont see think well changed past therefore bad therefore see almost loss even gain front eyes two kinds process really giving rise first call ecological diversification second evolutionary diversification chris thomas dog rex photo alice thomas curwood alright explain us mean ecological diversification thomas ecological diversification start originally forested landscape turn half pastures provide new ecological opportunities species like open habitats live area although diversity forest doesnt go probably goes bit total diversity region actually increase youve got several types habitat used one major effect introducing species new parts world britain weve 1500 2000 species added particularly plant side animals plant diversity britain higher used remarkable thing none native species actually died completely britain result new arrivals whole diversity country much larger curwood bit immigration leads diversity huh thomas yes positive introduce mammalian predators rats cats things like along humans oceanic islands species never met mammalian predator evolutionary history predators arrive native birds simply dont know get driven extinction fast isnt universal thing average add new species region tend net increase number species every new species add less one existing species dies curwood lets talk evolutionary side talk new species broader biological diversity seeing right thomas well give almost little sort minihistorical story botanical collectors collected something subsequently became known oxford ragwort plant yellow flower plant related daisies ragwort grew mount vesuvius italy brought back cultured botanical garden took long time gradually spread city oxford eventually likes growing disturbed places city quite good place eventually got railway station got railway station hell let loose seeds light blown wind got caught vortices behind trains moved station station likes stony ground disturbed places railway stations turned ideal locations plant grow spread around country living habitat real native species living adding countrys biodiversity without causing damage happened places ended hybridizing groundsel sort distantlyrelated species hybridize least three hybrids ended becoming sufficiently genetically distinct think species right weve got four new ragwortgroundsel species theyve added british diversity fact hybridizations theyve added world diversity curwood youve talked flora fauna animals changing right front eyes tuatara one genetically distinct species earth chris thomas thinks species like top priority comes saving photo knutschie public domain thomas yes theres couple native plant feeding insects north america turned hybridized hybrids able live introduced socalled invasive european honeysuckles species spread weve added one species insect world feeding plant people thought bit troublesome probably rather good thing course sometimes introduce plants insects arrive people dont like weve got beautiful lily beetle believe colonized north america well northern europe feeds garden lilies insect ecologist absolutely beautiful insect orangey color rather devastate prize lilies gardeners upset theyre species im really saying good bad im observing look across planet ecological processes insects following plants eat hybridization species evolving new opportunities arise exploit starting see emergence new diversity rather strongly associated human activities curwood whats take whole concept invasive species fear people tend around im wondering see perhaps fear change desire keep things way maybe view nature doesnt work way thomas well long run nature absolutely work way know people think 21000 years ago rather long time ago terms history life earth even yesterday imagine back 21000 years ago middle last ice age almost none species would see right would whole new vegetation animals new compared 21000 years ago start thinking invasive species well everything invasion time scale curwood professor think seeing around world terms dramatic sometimes heroic efforts save particular species plants animals context climate disruption people pointing lot plants animals going go away kind quickly attempt save much essentially roll common groundsel pictured hybridized vesuvius ragwort create new species britain photo pauline rosenberg cc 20 thomas environmental change absolutely inevitable going steadily last century fact going much longer think thinking environmental context live change rather starting point simply always try keep things exactly go back imagined past type ecosystem isnt going done going lose approach try keep things way example climate changes helping species move new areas may able thrive future would agenda would making things less like past may still saving species flexible approaches maximizing opportunities well minimizing harms would think thats way go curwood people listening might say youre saying hey everythings going ok could keep going natures going evolve adapt shouldnt worry extent concerned people going take message license keep polluting keep consuming thomas thats feel think end wiping say quarter species maybe slightly think individual personal perspective thats tragedy think sort utilitarian perspective one hell waste biological material might use humanity point future think kind madness think shame im really saying living appears mass extinction caused us also extremely interesting see beginnings shoots recovery necessarily rosy whatsoever interesting evolutionary ecological phenomenon modify transform planet enormous number ways biological diversity ready give go seeing new conditions curwood chris thomas professor conservation biologist university york uk thanks much professor joining us thomas youre welcome
| 987 |
<p>“Have a seat, have a seat,” says Jennifer Kelly to students shuffling in the door of her mid-morning English class at Aiken Service Learning High School, in a working-class section of Cincinnati.</p>
<p>“He just hit me,” a sullen girl gripes to Kelly of the boy just behind her.</p>
<p>“No,” says the boy, “she hit me.” The young man uses two fingers to widen his supposedly wounded left eye and presents it to Kelly.</p>
<p>The truth be told, no one hit anyone. The two students are giving Kelly a hard time, something the young teacher has to contend with all the way through the double period ahead of her. To make matters worse, Kelly’s consulting teacher, a colleague assigned to observe and counsel her, chooses this day to make one of her unannounced visits. For 45 minutes, Joyce Yonka, a veteran high school English teacher, takes copious notes.</p>
<p>Yonka is one of some 20 consulting teachers and teacher-evaluators who make up the peer review corps in this struggling district of 40,000, where only 60 percent of students graduate from high school.</p>
<p>Cincinnati was a peer review pioneer, adopting the method in 1985. Then in the late 1990s, the school board and teachers union tried to go even further, crafting more specific teaching standards and attempting to link evaluation on those standards to higher pay. While the pay-for-performance plan was sidelined, the practice of teachers judging teachers holds firm.</p>
<p>“We’re a profession,” says Sue Taylor, president of the Cincinnati Federation of Teachers, “and there’s a deep philosophical belief that teachers themselves should be gatekeepers to the profession.”</p>
<p>As Jennifer Kelly’s students take their seat, some hip-hop poetry is playing from a boom box. The teacher, a slight woman wearing large loop earrings, attended a local book festival over the weekend, and the tape is courtesy of a poet she met at the event. “He has his own radio show,” she bursts.</p>
<p>Kelly suggests that the students set up a booth at an upcoming community fair and sell their own poems and songs. The discussion veers off into books Kelly encountered at the fair, the identity of onetime Cincinnati resident Harriet Beecher Stowe—”Wasn’t she a slave or somethin’?” a boy asks of the “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” author—and returns to the poet on the boom box. A boy named Chris points out that the poet’s work doesn’t rhyme. “It doesn’t have to rhyme,” says Kelly. “There are plenty of poems in history that haven’t rhymed. You need to be open to different types of writing.”</p>
<p>Throughout, Kelly is fighting the talking, note-passing and general indifference among the students. In a stab at controlling the situation, she writes the names of the disruptors on the blackboard—three mentions will bring detention, she warns. Soon, the list has grown impossibly long. The unruliness mounts even more after Kelly hands out self-assessments in writing and reading that the students are to complete.</p>
<p>A few fill out the forms; others watch Dujuan, a lanky young man, as he stands on a desk and fiddles with a yellow window shade.</p>
<p>When Yonka takes her leave, she does so with a firm opinion. “There was no teaching going on,” she says of Kelly, who though new to the Cincinnati schools, has a master’s degree in education and has taught in the suburbs. “The stuff about the books was great, but it didn’t connect to what the kids were reading. The only teachable moment had to do with the poem that didn’t rhyme. But that was brief.</p>
<p>“Jennifer had no control of the kids,” she continues, “so however well-done her lesson plan might have been, it didn’t do any good because no one was listening.”</p>
<p>In the week ahead, Yonka will sit down with Kelly and go over her leadership of the class in detail, showing how it squared with Cincinnati’s standards. For her part, Kelly will furnish a written reflection on Yonka’s visit. She must also submit to another five observations, attend biweekly after-school sessions conducted by Yonka, and produce a portfolio of material that includes a lesson plan spread over several days, samples of student work and ways she has communicated with parents.</p>
<p>In the end, Kelly must earn repeated scores of at least two (basic level) on a four-point scale in order to advance in her career. “She’ll get her two’s,” predicts Yonka, “but she won’t get higher, at least this year.”</p>
<p>Cincinnati followed the lead of Toledo, Ohio, and Rochester, N.Y., in establishing peer-evaluation. But it broke out on its own with a pay-for-performance component that was introduced in 2000. “The eyes of the nation are upon us,” Superintendent Steven Adamowski said at the time. “We can’t afford to let this fail.”</p>
<p>But fail it did, at least in part. Previously, new teachers, fifth-year veterans and those in trouble were evaluated. Under the 2000 plan, teachers at certain benchmark years beyond 5 were also put under review. Plus, teachers were subjected to more detailed standards based on those of Charlotte Danielson, a consultant affiliated with the Educational Testing Service. “Teachers were driving themselves nuts, getting up at four o’clock in the morning to be judged well,” recalls Rick Beck, then the union president. “Many were on edge emotionally.”</p>
<p>As a result of what one observer calls “chaos,” the number of target groups was scaled back. The extra-pay aspect of assessment hadn’t kicked in yet, but already teachers viewed it with considerable hostility.</p>
<p>“People thought that however refined the instrument, peer evaluation was subjective,” says Sue Taylor, a social studies teacher who was then on the union’s collective-bargaining team.</p>
<p>In April 2001 Taylor, running on a platform opposed to pay for performance, toppled incumbent Rick Beck, who was wed to the concept. A year later, teachers overwhelmingly voted down the pay component, handing Adamowski a bitter defeat. “Our students deserve more than a ‘no,'” Adamowski said at the time. “I hope the community will join all of us who are committed to professionalism in teaching—teachers included—in demanding a constructive proposal.”</p>
<p>However, the added pay issue seems dead for the time being. Adamowski resigned in October 2002 to become an education professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Alton Frailey, Adamowski’s successor, was unavailable to be interviewed for this story. So far, he has been silent on the subject.</p>
<p>Yonka oversees the assessment of 16 new teachers. She feels some are already in sterling condition, such as a young woman whom Yonka recently saw take a class of girls through a discussion of John Steinbeck’s “The Pearl” and was “sharp as a tack.” At the other end of the spectrum is a career-changing man at a middle school. “The guy doesn’t have any with-it-ness,” she says. “Oh, he knows some things, but he’s stuck in the ’70s. And he’s so disorganized.”</p>
<p>Still, she feels she can ultimately assist everyone in her caseload and that peer evaluation is “unbelievably useful. The learning that goes on among the teachers who are under review is terrific.”</p>
<p>For her part, Jennifer Kelly feels sustained. “I have my shortcomings, and I appreciate the feedback that Joyce is giving me,” says the teacher, even on a day when she has received a bracing report from Yonka.</p>
<p>Other observers are likewise enthusiastic. “Now teachers know what the expectations are,” remarks Carolyn Turner, executive director of Cincinnati Parents for Public Schools, an advocacy group.</p>
<p>As to the weeding out of brown grass, of some 320 teachers who came under scrutiny last year (out of a total of some 3,000 teachers), 11 were recommended for termination, and only four of those lost their jobs.</p>
<p>Despite promising results, some observers believe the program visits too much pressure on beginning teachers, who have plenty to do acclimating to new careers, schools and colleagues.</p>
<p>The most onerous requirement, many complain, is the preparation of teacher portfolios. “We have some teachers spending 75 to 100 hours on those portfolios,” says Taylor. “To expect that level of rigor, that level of comprehensiveness is a mistake.” But Susan Hiles-Meadows, who administers the program, says the burden of the portfolio is overstated: “You fill out some forms, and you have to write legibly. That’s all. These are things you should be doing anyway.”</p>
<p>Taylor says that in upcoming contract negotiations, the union will try to push the evaluation of new teachers back to the second or third year of service.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, beginning in the 2005-06 school year, schools are supposed to reintroduce a more frequent form of evaluation. How frequent will be negotiated with the union, says Hiles-Meadows.</p>
<p>“But whatever happens,” says Taylor, “this is going to strengthen the teaching and learning of our students. I’m sure of that.”</p>
<p>Grant Pick is a Chicago-based writer</p>
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seat seat says jennifer kelly students shuffling door midmorning english class aiken service learning high school workingclass section cincinnati hit sullen girl gripes kelly boy behind says boy hit young man uses two fingers widen supposedly wounded left eye presents kelly truth told one hit anyone two students giving kelly hard time something young teacher contend way double period ahead make matters worse kellys consulting teacher colleague assigned observe counsel chooses day make one unannounced visits 45 minutes joyce yonka veteran high school english teacher takes copious notes yonka one 20 consulting teachers teacherevaluators make peer review corps struggling district 40000 60 percent students graduate high school cincinnati peer review pioneer adopting method 1985 late 1990s school board teachers union tried go even crafting specific teaching standards attempting link evaluation standards higher pay payforperformance plan sidelined practice teachers judging teachers holds firm profession says sue taylor president cincinnati federation teachers theres deep philosophical belief teachers gatekeepers profession jennifer kellys students take seat hiphop poetry playing boom box teacher slight woman wearing large loop earrings attended local book festival weekend tape courtesy poet met event radio show bursts kelly suggests students set booth upcoming community fair sell poems songs discussion veers books kelly encountered fair identity onetime cincinnati resident harriet beecher stowewasnt slave somethin boy asks uncle toms cabin authorand returns poet boom box boy named chris points poets work doesnt rhyme doesnt rhyme says kelly plenty poems history havent rhymed need open different types writing throughout kelly fighting talking notepassing general indifference among students stab controlling situation writes names disruptors blackboardthree mentions bring detention warns soon list grown impossibly long unruliness mounts even kelly hands selfassessments writing reading students complete fill forms others watch dujuan lanky young man stands desk fiddles yellow window shade yonka takes leave firm opinion teaching going says kelly though new cincinnati schools masters degree education taught suburbs stuff books great didnt connect kids reading teachable moment poem didnt rhyme brief jennifer control kids continues however welldone lesson plan might didnt good one listening week ahead yonka sit kelly go leadership class detail showing squared cincinnatis standards part kelly furnish written reflection yonkas visit must also submit another five observations attend biweekly afterschool sessions conducted yonka produce portfolio material includes lesson plan spread several days samples student work ways communicated parents end kelly must earn repeated scores least two basic level fourpoint scale order advance career shell get twos predicts yonka wont get higher least year cincinnati followed lead toledo ohio rochester ny establishing peerevaluation broke payforperformance component introduced 2000 eyes nation upon us superintendent steven adamowski said time cant afford let fail fail least part previously new teachers fifthyear veterans trouble evaluated 2000 plan teachers certain benchmark years beyond 5 also put review plus teachers subjected detailed standards based charlotte danielson consultant affiliated educational testing service teachers driving nuts getting four oclock morning judged well recalls rick beck union president many edge emotionally result one observer calls chaos number target groups scaled back extrapay aspect assessment hadnt kicked yet already teachers viewed considerable hostility people thought however refined instrument peer evaluation subjective says sue taylor social studies teacher unions collectivebargaining team april 2001 taylor running platform opposed pay performance toppled incumbent rick beck wed concept year later teachers overwhelmingly voted pay component handing adamowski bitter defeat students deserve adamowski said time hope community join us committed professionalism teachingteachers includedin demanding constructive proposal however added pay issue seems dead time adamowski resigned october 2002 become education professor university missourist louis alton frailey adamowskis successor unavailable interviewed story far silent subject yonka oversees assessment 16 new teachers feels already sterling condition young woman yonka recently saw take class girls discussion john steinbecks pearl sharp tack end spectrum careerchanging man middle school guy doesnt withitness says oh knows things hes stuck 70s hes disorganized still feels ultimately assist everyone caseload peer evaluation unbelievably useful learning goes among teachers review terrific part jennifer kelly feels sustained shortcomings appreciate feedback joyce giving says teacher even day received bracing report yonka observers likewise enthusiastic teachers know expectations remarks carolyn turner executive director cincinnati parents public schools advocacy group weeding brown grass 320 teachers came scrutiny last year total 3000 teachers 11 recommended termination four lost jobs despite promising results observers believe program visits much pressure beginning teachers plenty acclimating new careers schools colleagues onerous requirement many complain preparation teacher portfolios teachers spending 75 100 hours portfolios says taylor expect level rigor level comprehensiveness mistake susan hilesmeadows administers program says burden portfolio overstated fill forms write legibly thats things anyway taylor says upcoming contract negotiations union try push evaluation new teachers back second third year service meanwhile beginning 200506 school year schools supposed reintroduce frequent form evaluation frequent negotiated union says hilesmeadows whatever happens says taylor going strengthen teaching learning students im sure grant pick chicagobased writer
| 805 |
<p>SEOUL, South Korea —&#160;Japanese artist Megumi Igarashi, who goes by the alias “Good For Nothing Child,” finds herself in an unusual bind in a country known for its blunt eroticism: fighting obscenity charges for a crowd-sourcing effort to build a kayak modeled after her own vagina.</p>
<p>After she sent out computer data on her vagina to more than 30 people, the 42-year-old artist was <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/thomson-reuters/140716/japanese-artist-jailed-vagina-boat-says-outraged-vows-legal-fig" type="external">arrested on June 12</a> and accused of distributing “obscene” files. She was released this week but could still face criminal charges, which could carry up to two years in prison.</p>
<p>“I had no idea why I had to be arrested and detained because I don’t believe my vagina is anything obscene,” she said in a press conference. “I was determined I would never yield to police power.”</p>
<p>At a gathering at the Tokyo Foreign Correspondents’ Club this week, Igarashi joked that she’ll enter politics in her very own “pussy party,” but only after consulting her lawyers.</p>
<p>Since when did any old vagina become verboten in the land of kinky fetishes?</p>
<p>In Tokyo, you can indulge in weird, perverse pastimes without worry. Wanna sniff a schoolgirl’s used panties? A number of sex shops claim to sell them. Ever wanted to play out your fantasy of being molested on the subway, or just love watching a woman urinate? Look no further than Tokyo’s entertainment district of Ikebukuro.</p>
<p>Despite the debauchery, Japan’s pornography laws are surprisingly strict, although there has been a relaxation in recent years. Until the 1990s, pubic hair was off limits in porn films, and pornographers pixelated actors’ private parts to ensure no line was crossed. This week, police arrested a pornographic actress and an advertising executive in the southern city of Fukuoka for broadcasting <a href="http://www.tokyoreporter.com/2014/07/24/japan-cops-cracking-down-on-uncensored-porn-films-streamed-from-overseas/" type="external">live sex streams that went uncensored</a>.</p>
<p>Yet a handful of clever Japanese artists always seem to get around the bans, putting out some twisted porn that far outstrips the “obscenity” of Igarashi’s vagina. Here are four Japanese genres that the police don’t seem to care about, thanks to weird loopholes in the law:</p>
<p>1) Tentacle rape</p>
<p>Japan invented a dark brand of porn in which phallus-shaped tentacles squirm, slip and force their way into a helpless woman’s you-know-what.</p>
<p>It may look like a weird obsession for depraved adolescent boys. But tentacle rape art has a long and strange history that pre-dates modern censorship, starting with woodblock carvings in the early 1800s.</p>
<p>Still, this style of porn didn’t become a trademark until the past three decades, and it was ironically censorship that contributed to its preeminence.</p>
<p>In the 1980s, Japanese artists wanted to circumvent a law that essentially banned the depiction of penises, but not the depiction of penetration by other objects. The solution? Make cartoons about robotic phalluses and giant octopi that fondle girls who look like pre-teens.</p>
<p>Since these monsters are genderless, their nether organs can’t be considered penises, and hence no need for censorship.</p>
<p>Talk about unintended consequences. Nice job, Japanese censors.</p>
<p>2) Bukkake</p>
<p>Tentacle rape isn’t the only genre to catch on thanks to censorship. Decades ago, Japanese filmmakers similarly wanted a way to push the envelope while averting the eyes of law enforcement.</p>
<p>So they indulged in bukkake, which focuses on a woman’s face and chest rather than the surrounding male appendages.</p>
<p>Originally from Japan but also a niche in the West, this famed act features a circle of men who splash their semen all over a demure schoolgirl or secretary or — for viewers who enjoy it — another helpless young man.</p>
<p>In Japan, the porn star on the receiving end acts humiliated and shamed, which apparently turns some people on. Their Western counterparts, on the other hand, pretend to take pride in their role.</p>
<p>Interestingly, the word “bukkake” roughly means to “splash” or “dash” and doesn’t always imply sexual weirdness. If you order a bukkake udon or bukkake soba, you’ll receive noodles with hot broth.</p>
<p>3) Most child pornography is now illegal, but kiddie porn comics are still OK</p>
<p>Yes, the possession of child porn, of all things, was completely legal in Japan until just last month. Its production and distribution was the outlawed part.</p>
<p>On June 16, Japan finally passed a law that bans the ownership of child porn. People found with explicit images of children could face up to a year in prison or be fined $10,000, giving them a year-long grace period to dispose of their goods.</p>
<p>The catch? Draw a cartoon of a child being raped or fondled, and you’re in OK territory.</p>
<p>That’s because the manga industry vehemently opposed any prohibition on depictions of child sexual abuse, including rape. The result is a torrent of criticism over the artist Igarashi’s arrest. If the child-sex manga at your local comic book shop isn’t so lewd that it should be illegal, why go nuts over a grown woman’s vagina?</p>
<p>4) Wearing a diaper and wetting your pants does it for some people</p>
<p>Speaking of child porn, Japan is home to an, erm, unique pant-wetting fetish called Omorashi.</p>
<p>Practitioners of one variation of this act, called Yagai, wet themselves in public and get aroused from not getting caught.&#160;</p>
<p>The other way to practice Oromashi is to wear a diaper and urinate in it. So intense are its fans that they even watch game-show videos in which contestants must hold their urine for as long as possible before releasing it. Others live out their fetish through computer games and by purchasing collectibles such as specialized toilet paper and figurines.</p>
<p>So there you have it. If the Japanese government doesn’t consider these “obscene,” then what is?</p>
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seoul south korea 160japanese artist megumi igarashi goes alias good nothing child finds unusual bind country known blunt eroticism fighting obscenity charges crowdsourcing effort build kayak modeled vagina sent computer data vagina 30 people 42yearold artist arrested june 12 accused distributing obscene files released week could still face criminal charges could carry two years prison idea arrested detained dont believe vagina anything obscene said press conference determined would never yield police power gathering tokyo foreign correspondents club week igarashi joked shell enter politics pussy party consulting lawyers since old vagina become verboten land kinky fetishes tokyo indulge weird perverse pastimes without worry wan na sniff schoolgirls used panties number sex shops claim sell ever wanted play fantasy molested subway love watching woman urinate look tokyos entertainment district ikebukuro despite debauchery japans pornography laws surprisingly strict although relaxation recent years 1990s pubic hair limits porn films pornographers pixelated actors private parts ensure line crossed week police arrested pornographic actress advertising executive southern city fukuoka broadcasting live sex streams went uncensored yet handful clever japanese artists always seem get around bans putting twisted porn far outstrips obscenity igarashis vagina four japanese genres police dont seem care thanks weird loopholes law 1 tentacle rape japan invented dark brand porn phallusshaped tentacles squirm slip force way helpless womans youknowwhat may look like weird obsession depraved adolescent boys tentacle rape art long strange history predates modern censorship starting woodblock carvings early 1800s still style porn didnt become trademark past three decades ironically censorship contributed preeminence 1980s japanese artists wanted circumvent law essentially banned depiction penises depiction penetration objects solution make cartoons robotic phalluses giant octopi fondle girls look like preteens since monsters genderless nether organs cant considered penises hence need censorship talk unintended consequences nice job japanese censors 2 bukkake tentacle rape isnt genre catch thanks censorship decades ago japanese filmmakers similarly wanted way push envelope averting eyes law enforcement indulged bukkake focuses womans face chest rather surrounding male appendages originally japan also niche west famed act features circle men splash semen demure schoolgirl secretary viewers enjoy another helpless young man japan porn star receiving end acts humiliated shamed apparently turns people western counterparts hand pretend take pride role interestingly word bukkake roughly means splash dash doesnt always imply sexual weirdness order bukkake udon bukkake soba youll receive noodles hot broth 3 child pornography illegal kiddie porn comics still ok yes possession child porn things completely legal japan last month production distribution outlawed part june 16 japan finally passed law bans ownership child porn people found explicit images children could face year prison fined 10000 giving yearlong grace period dispose goods catch draw cartoon child raped fondled youre ok territory thats manga industry vehemently opposed prohibition depictions child sexual abuse including rape result torrent criticism artist igarashis arrest childsex manga local comic book shop isnt lewd illegal go nuts grown womans vagina 4 wearing diaper wetting pants people speaking child porn japan home erm unique pantwetting fetish called omorashi practitioners one variation act called yagai wet public get aroused getting caught160 way practice oromashi wear diaper urinate intense fans even watch gameshow videos contestants must hold urine long possible releasing others live fetish computer games purchasing collectibles specialized toilet paper figurines japanese government doesnt consider obscene
| 541 |
<p>CAIRO, Egypt — The rapid rise of the Islamic State in Iraq has wrought a staggering humanitarian cost in a country that has already seen over a decade of war. Adding to its atrocities in Syria, the group has slaughtered hundreds of mostly non-Sunni Iraqis, and has forced hundreds of thousands to flee their homes.</p>
<p>To veteran observers and analysts of the region, IS also presents a new, uniquely worrying model of extremist group: one with a sustainable funding model. With a base of local funds gained from a rudimentary taxation system as well as extortion, theft, and kidnapping ransom, combined with expansion of control over resources in Syria and western and northern Iraq, IS has built up its power in a way Osama bin Laden only dreamed of. Their major weakness? An inability to compromise and form regional alliances. This, say analysts, may be their undoing in the long run.</p>
<p>The Islamic State, formerly know as ISIL, ISIS (The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) or Da’sh in Arabic, is an offshoot of Al Qaeda in Iraq that was born out of a security vacuum left by the 2003 American invasion and toppling of Saddam Hussein.</p>
<p>In March of 2013, IS took over the city of Raqqa in northern Syria, where they have established their headquarters. There they enforce a literal interpretation of Sharia law, carrying out floggings and public executions, cutting off hands for theft, and impaling the heads of their enemies on spikes. But after more than three years of civil war, some sense of order, draconian though it may be, is <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/140818/no-more-mr-nice-islamic-state" type="external">not as unwelcome as it might once have been</a>. In January of 2014 IS overpowered the Iraqi army in several areas in the western province of Anbar, and in June, IS expanded its control from Syria back into Iraq, taking the major cities of Mosul and Tikrit with startling ease when the Iraqi army abandoned their posts.</p>
<p>Most estimates put IS’ numbers at anywhere from three to ten thousand fighters, but their ranks are reportedly growing along with their military successes.</p>
<p>To the best of anyone’s knowledge, outside support for IS comes from private donors in the Gulf, usually funneled through Kuwait, which has looser controls over the financing of extremist groups than Saudi Arabia and the UAE. While analysts agree that there is no evidence of direct state funding of IS — in fact, IS is despised and seen as a threat by all governments in the region — professor Gregory Gause, head of International Affairs at Texas A&amp;M University, says that there is some “indirect evidence that during the last couple of years when Prince Bandar was running Saudi policy in Syria, that he was supporting other Salafi groups like Ahrar al-Sham.” Gause says that while they were organizationally separate from IS, “the borderlines between these groups are very shadowy and porous,” and the money of some Saudi officials may well have ended up in IS coffers.</p>
<p>In both Iraq and Syria, IS has now consolidated control over a number of important resources, thereby shoring up its power. “Al Qaeda was just about fighting,” and depended a lot on outside funding, says Nabeel Khoury, senior fellow at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and a longtime US diplomat in the Middle East. The difference with IS is that “they have … set up an Islamic State. Osama bin Laden had that as a distant goal but he never felt that they were ready to do that.”</p>
<p>IS currently controls five oil fields in Iraq, much of the oil and gas resources in Syria, and Iraq’s largest oil refinery. In July, the group began <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/07/23/iraq-security-oil-idUSL6N0PX1KH20140723" type="external">selling</a>&#160;crude to Turkish traders.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>As for fighting power, IS strategy is “beyond car bombs,” says Khoury. The capture of military bases has left them in better military stead than any other regional extremist group before them. The Wall Street Journal <a href="http://online.wsj.com/articles/michael-pregent-and-michael-weiss-exploiting-the-isis-vulnerabilities-in-iraq-1407884145" type="external">reports</a>&#160;that IS has around 30 US-made M1 Abrams tanks and howitzers, as well as some armored Humvees and mine-resistant personnel carriers confiscated from the Iraqi army — this in addition to Russian-made weapons capable of shooting down helicopters and transport planes.</p>
<p>On Aug. 3 IS took control of the electricity-generating Mosul dam, raising fears that they could flood major cities in Iraq or cut off water to communities. Iraqi and Kurdish forces retook the dam on Aug. 17, with the help of US airstrikes against IS.</p>
<p>IS also now <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/08/13/us-iraq-security-islamicstate-wheat-idUSKBN0GD14720140813" type="external">controls</a> 40 percent of Iraq’s wheat. Reuters reports the group is taking wheat from government silos and selling it in local markets, thereby not only controlling a large proportion of food production but generating income in the process.</p>
<p>And unlike Al Qaeda, which alienated the Sunni tribes and so had little on-the-ground support, IS has actively sought their buy-in, even in some cases intermarrying with them.</p>
<p>Although IS and the other Sunni groups in the <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/iraq/140718/inside-the-sunni-coalition-thats-planning-retake-iraq" type="external">coalition</a>&#160;that supports them in Iraq <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/140818/no-more-mr-nice-islamic-state" type="external">don’t necessarily</a>&#160;share <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/iraq/140718/inside-the-sunni-coalition-thats-planning-retake-iraq" type="external">all the same goals</a>, so far, the alliance has held.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>When it comes to other Islamist groups in the region, however, IS doesn’t have many friends. It has called Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood “unbelievers” because they participate in democratic governments. It despises Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant and political group, because it is Shia. And while it is ideologically aligned with Al Qaeda, the two groups formalized their split when Al Qaeda leader Ayman el-Zawahiri denounced IS in February.</p>
<p>IS’ inability to cultivate even one regional ally has left it in a vulnerable position. Beyond some support in the southern Ma’an province of Jordan and marginal clerics in Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Iraq, it has no significant support from other groups. “They are not only overextended, but their brutality and threatening presence toward all state and non-state actors in the region make their survival fundamentals weak. They are geographically encircled and vulnerable to air power. At some point, there will be internal pushback from the local population. It’s been a great ride, but it’s one that isn’t self-sustaining,” says Ramzy Mardini, non-resident fellow at the Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East at the Atlantic Council.</p>
<p>Their rapid rise has had another unintended consequence: “They’ve done the impossible. They’ve brought a number of conflicting parties together against them,” says Gause. The IS threat has aligned, for example, the interests of the government in Baghdad and the Kurdish regional government, and perhaps even more strangely, Saudi Arabia, Iran and the Unites States, none of whom want to see IS in Iraq.</p>
<p>That’s not to say these groups will manage to cooperate in a way that drastically shifts the dynamics in the region: “That’s a very difficult love triangle,” says Khoury. But IS’ ability to forge alliances among Sunnis, for example (largely a result of former Shia Prime Minister&#160;Nouri al-Maliki's polarizing sectarian rule), is somewhat offset by its habit of accidentally giving its enemies common cause.</p>
<p>What’s next for IS? After running up against resistance in Iraq’s south, and now in the eastern Kurdish region in the form of the peshmerga and US airstrikes — in addition to a recent retreat from Arsal, Lebanon — IS will likely focus its efforts on consolidating power over territory already under its control in Northwestern Iraq and Syria.</p>
<p>How does it all end? The group could come under new leadership eventually, but that might not change much. IS’ mysterious current head <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/iraq/140707/everything-we-know-so-far-about-isil-leader-abu-bakr-al-baghdadi" type="external">Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi</a> took power in 2010 when prior leader Abu Ayoub al-Masri was assassinated by the US military. Al-Masri had been the successor to Abu Masub al-Zarqawi after his death in 2006. “At some point, Baghdadi will be captured or killed, but it won’t collapse the Islamic State,” says Mardini. “[IS] could possibly fragment or some fighters might defect to other insurgent or jihadi groups.”</p>
<p>Despite its recent successes, IS is no match for a fully equipped army and air power. But thus far, no outside power has gotten involved in a way likely to tip the scales. Each group has a different red line. The US has said it will step in if its staff and consulate in Erbil are threatened, but has also said it will not put boots on the ground, without which, Khoury says, they’re “not going to influence that much.”</p>
<p>The other player in the region, the Saudis, “don’t have any boots to put on the ground,” says Khoury, which leaves Iran and their Lebanese Shia ally, Hezbollah. Hezbollah and Iran have said that they would intervene to defend the Shia shrines (IS members are extremist Sunnis who believe Shias to be heretics). So as long as IS remains on largely Sunni territory, external intervention is likely some way off, and once again, Iraqi civilians are left to fend for themselves.</p>
| false | 3 |
cairo egypt rapid rise islamic state iraq wrought staggering humanitarian cost country already seen decade war adding atrocities syria group slaughtered hundreds mostly nonsunni iraqis forced hundreds thousands flee homes veteran observers analysts region also presents new uniquely worrying model extremist group one sustainable funding model base local funds gained rudimentary taxation system well extortion theft kidnapping ransom combined expansion control resources syria western northern iraq built power way osama bin laden dreamed major weakness inability compromise form regional alliances say analysts may undoing long run islamic state formerly know isil isis islamic state iraq syria dash arabic offshoot al qaeda iraq born security vacuum left 2003 american invasion toppling saddam hussein march 2013 took city raqqa northern syria established headquarters enforce literal interpretation sharia law carrying floggings public executions cutting hands theft impaling heads enemies spikes three years civil war sense order draconian though may unwelcome might january 2014 overpowered iraqi army several areas western province anbar june expanded control syria back iraq taking major cities mosul tikrit startling ease iraqi army abandoned posts estimates put numbers anywhere three ten thousand fighters ranks reportedly growing along military successes best anyones knowledge outside support comes private donors gulf usually funneled kuwait looser controls financing extremist groups saudi arabia uae analysts agree evidence direct state funding fact despised seen threat governments region professor gregory gause head international affairs texas aampm university says indirect evidence last couple years prince bandar running saudi policy syria supporting salafi groups like ahrar alsham gause says organizationally separate borderlines groups shadowy porous money saudi officials may well ended coffers iraq syria consolidated control number important resources thereby shoring power al qaeda fighting depended lot outside funding says nabeel khoury senior fellow chicago council global affairs longtime us diplomat middle east difference set islamic state osama bin laden distant goal never felt ready currently controls five oil fields iraq much oil gas resources syria iraqs largest oil refinery july group began selling160crude turkish traders 160 fighting power strategy beyond car bombs says khoury capture military bases left better military stead regional extremist group wall street journal reports160that around 30 usmade m1 abrams tanks howitzers well armored humvees mineresistant personnel carriers confiscated iraqi army addition russianmade weapons capable shooting helicopters transport planes aug 3 took control electricitygenerating mosul dam raising fears could flood major cities iraq cut water communities iraqi kurdish forces retook dam aug 17 help us airstrikes also controls 40 percent iraqs wheat reuters reports group taking wheat government silos selling local markets thereby controlling large proportion food production generating income process unlike al qaeda alienated sunni tribes little ontheground support actively sought buyin even cases intermarrying although sunni groups coalition160that supports iraq dont necessarily160share goals far alliance held 160 comes islamist groups region however doesnt many friends called hamas muslim brotherhood unbelievers participate democratic governments despises hezbollah lebanese militant political group shia ideologically aligned al qaeda two groups formalized split al qaeda leader ayman elzawahiri denounced february inability cultivate even one regional ally left vulnerable position beyond support southern maan province jordan marginal clerics saudi arabia yemen iraq significant support groups overextended brutality threatening presence toward state nonstate actors region make survival fundamentals weak geographically encircled vulnerable air power point internal pushback local population great ride one isnt selfsustaining says ramzy mardini nonresident fellow rafik hariri center middle east atlantic council rapid rise another unintended consequence theyve done impossible theyve brought number conflicting parties together says gause threat aligned example interests government baghdad kurdish regional government perhaps even strangely saudi arabia iran unites states none want see iraq thats say groups manage cooperate way drastically shifts dynamics region thats difficult love triangle says khoury ability forge alliances among sunnis example largely result former shia prime minister160nouri almalikis polarizing sectarian rule somewhat offset habit accidentally giving enemies common cause whats next running resistance iraqs south eastern kurdish region form peshmerga us airstrikes addition recent retreat arsal lebanon likely focus efforts consolidating power territory already control northwestern iraq syria end group could come new leadership eventually might change much mysterious current head abu bakr albaghdadi took power 2010 prior leader abu ayoub almasri assassinated us military almasri successor abu masub alzarqawi death 2006 point baghdadi captured killed wont collapse islamic state says mardini could possibly fragment fighters might defect insurgent jihadi groups despite recent successes match fully equipped army air power thus far outside power gotten involved way likely tip scales group different red line us said step staff consulate erbil threatened also said put boots ground without khoury says theyre going influence much player region saudis dont boots put ground says khoury leaves iran lebanese shia ally hezbollah hezbollah iran said would intervene defend shia shrines members extremist sunnis believe shias heretics long remains largely sunni territory external intervention likely way iraqi civilians left fend
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<p>In January 2012, CPS officials and visiting dignitaries from Target Corp. swarmed into Cardenas Elementary in Little Village – one of eight schools that became part of the Children’s Literacy Initiative through an Investing in Innovation grant awarded in 2010.</p>
<p>With the program set to expand to three more schools with funding from Target, classrooms were on display. One visitor, Stephen Zrike Jr., chief of schools for the Pilsen-Little Village Elementary Network, noted the <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2012/01/target-cps-officials-tout-childrens-literacy-initiative/" type="external">impact of the initiative</a>. He called the amount of reading and writing being done by Cardenas students “unlike anything I’ve ever seen.” The Children’s Literacy Initiative, supported by research showing that teacher coaching and collaboration can improve instruction, aims to expose teachers to best practices in early literacy and build a community of teachers who are working to strengthen their teaching. The goal: to help young children learn to read during their earliest years in school–a key time for building literacy, especially if children come from low-income homes (as do 87 percent of CPS students). &#160;Poor readers from poor families face among the <a href="http://datacenter.kidscount.org/reports/readingmatters.aspx" type="external">worst educational outcomes</a>, and high-quality literacy instruction is also important to build on the gains children make in preschool and ensure that they don’t “fade out.”</p>
<p>CLI’s promising results in Philadelphia, where participating schools made greater gains than other schools, helped it win a U.S. Department of Education Investing in Innovation “validation” grant. It</p>
<p>The federal funding will end in 2014-15, but CLI has a plan for sustaining its presence in Philadelphia with a $1 million grant there, and is eyeing Chicago for a similar expansion as soon as fall 2013. The program has applied for another grant from Target Corp. in hopes of making it happen.</p>
<p>CLI hopes to reach five more schools with its “model classroom” program in the next two years. Under its long-term expansion plan, instead of just model classrooms, entire schools will become “model schools” that disseminate literacy best practices among others in the area, serving as “hubs of knowledge.” Teachers and principals from model schools will mentor those from nearby schools – in some cases, even including charter schools and private schools.</p>
<p>A lesser amount of training and coaching would be offered to surrounding schools, with the model school serving as a lab to help teachers learn.</p>
<p>But Jen Weikert, CLI’s director of external relations, says that “a key part of this growth plan is getting the district to buy in.”</p>
<p>Once CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett gets past the current school closings issue and takes a closer look at curriculum and instruction, Weikert says CLI hopes that early learning and early literacy become a priority and the Byrd-Bennett commits to working with the program over the long term.</p>
<p>“We don’t want to be in a position where year to year, we are working with the district,” she says. “We want to be in a position where we are partners working toward shared goals.”</p>
<p>A key goal of CLI’s expansion is to train a larger number of teachers in key skills for teaching reading by getting different organizations that work on early literacy, including teacher training programs, to focus on the same key skills.</p>
<p>“We need more general practitioners who are well versed in early literacy,” says Weikert.</p>
<p>In a pilot program, the organization offered training in teaching phonics and phonemic awareness to 50 student teachers in Philadelphia, plus instruction on how to keep “running records,” a snapshot of a student’s reading ability at a specific point in time.</p>
<p>Growth and challenges</p>
<p>With the help of the Target Corp. grant, eight CPS elementary schools participating in the federally funded project were joined in spring 2012 by three more schools – Manierre, Brenneman, and Armour.&#160; In fall 2012, two more schools, Manuel Perez Elementary and John Walsh Elementary, joined with funding from the Chicago Tribune Charities and others.</p>
<p>The Target-funded schools made progress: 66 percent of 3rd-grade students at the Target-funded schools met state standards on the ISAT reading assessment, compared to 57 percent of students in a comparison group of schools.</p>
<p>But before winter, staff had to navigate a change in CPS leadership–and the challenges of implementing a large-scale program in an unstable environment began to surface.</p>
<p>Some schools suffered from high turnover among teachers and other staff. Manierre and Brennemann landed on the list of schools that CPS could potentially close.</p>
<p>At Manierre Elementary, the principal left and a number of teachers did, as well. At Brennemann, between 55 and 75 students left because the school switched to a year-round, Track E calendar and the model classroom teacher left – forcing the program to start over with another one. [Even so, Brennemann posted an increase in scores.] Another model teacher had to change grades.</p>
<p>&#160;“We can bring teachers that have changed roles up to par with their peers,” Weikert notes. Principals also receive coaching, which can help bring a new principal up to speed.</p>
<p>What about teachers who leave a school? “Wherever those teachers land, the children are benefiting from the best practices they have gained with CLI,” Weikert asserts.</p>
<p>Adding resources, focusing on instruction</p>
<p>In teacher Margaret McIlvain’s room at Manierre, newly outfitted with a rug for literacy instruction and extra books so that children can decide what to read, coach Vanessa Villanueva leads a Message Time Plus lesson, where students work together to dissect a “message” written on the board from the teacher or from a reading.</p>
<p>Villanueva later explains that in McIlvain’s room, the furniture will soon change to feature tables with book bags on the back, rather than desks. “It’s more about having the kids use their whole classroom, so they’re not confined to their desks,” she says.&#160;</p>
<p>Weikert says it’s not just about having furniture that is more appropriate for young students, but about training teachers in how to use it.</p>
<p>“So much of the first dose of coaching has to do with classroom culture. It is the basics of how do you run your classroom – how do you get the most out of your students, and how they get the most out of you?” she says.</p>
<p>The program is also helping McIlvain and other teachers hone in on how to help students learn to sound out words in the context of sentences and books.&#160; “Teachers in low-income schools need the skills to teach phonics – and they need to teach it faster and better than others, because their kids are coming in with such deficits,” Weikert says.</p>
<p>&#160;“I realized there are some words in this book that are difficult for a 3rd-grader,” McIlvain says. She has students clap and chant the spelling of the words “them,” “their” and “would.”</p>
<p>“Today we are going to talk about how to stretch out a word and write it,” the coach says.</p>
<p>“To show your d…”</p>
<p>“Dog,” a student says.</p>
<p>“That’s good, I hear predicting!” she says</p>
<p>As she writes the words, she starts by saying sounds and lets the children prompt which letter she should write.</p>
<p>“B-oh-sss-sss,” she says as students guess the letters. When a girl shouts out a second “s,” the coach asks her why. She points out that it’s at the end of a word and has an “sss” sound.</p>
<p>“That’s a rule you have learned over the years,” the coach explains.</p>
<p>When she is done, the class reads the message together: “To show your dog who’s boss, hold him by the muzzle. Dogs need a serene environment, so pet him so he can feel relaxed.”</p>
<p>“I want you to put your thumb up every time we come to a word we stretched out or spelled together,” Villanueva says.</p>
<p>When the group has finished reading, she asks for student volunteers. “Point to a word that you know, that you could maybe teach kids something about,” she says. Daquera picks “relaxed.”</p>
<p>“What’s the first sound in ‘relaxed’?” she asks. “R”, Daquera says, naming the letter, but the coach prompts her to give the sound–“rrrr.”</p>
<p>Next, she quizzes the girl on whether “relaxed” is something that is happening now or that already happened. And she asks the class to think of other things that they did in the past, pointing out that the ending “-ed” usually means something already took place.</p>
<p>Another student chooses to help teach the class about the word “serene.” Coach Villanueva says that because of the long “e” in the middle of the word, there needs to be a silent “e” on the end.</p>
<p>As each student gets up in front of the group, they are praised with a cheer for how well they are doing.</p>
<p>After more lessons in spelling patterns and sounds, the coach guides the class through the steps on a poster titled “How to Spell a New Word.”</p>
<p>She points out they can stretch it out to hear each sound, write each sound, check if it looks right, compare the sounds in the word to a word they already know, and look around the room at the word walls for help.</p>
<p>Villanueva explains that guessing the spelling will help their teacher understand their writing better, and that it’s fine to try and spell a word themselves instead of asking the teacher how to do it.</p>
<p>At the end of the lesson, Villanueva explains that she is also helping McIlvain learn how to create a classroom with more positive behavior expectations, where students collaborate and support each other.</p>
<p>In a post-conference, she asks McIlvain if she thinks students feel confident with the material. “They do,” McIlvain says, but notes that attention is still a problem. She suggests putting students who are not focused on the lesson in the front.</p>
<p>Next, Villanueva points out that when she spelled the word “enough” as “enuf,” students were upset because they knew it was wrong – allowing them to make the connection that the letters “gh” can make the same “fff” sound as “F.”</p>
<p>The other 3rd -grade teacher in the school, Jemil Haywood, also received coaching through CLI – 30 hours, versus McIlvain’s 75. (Haywood has since moved to teaching 2nd grade).</p>
<p>On another day, McIlvain wraps up an Intentional Read Aloud – story time, but carefully planned so that it expands students’ understanding of literature – by having students compare and contrast the book “The Rough-Faced Girl” with a more traditional version of the Cinderella story.</p>
<p>Finishing up a third year</p>
<p>At the end of this school year, CLI will have given coaching, training and resources to kindergarten through 3rd grade teachers at all eight Investing in Innovation-funded schools, Weikert says. &#160;&#160;“Through Investing in Innovation, we will be able to have the research and gold seal of approval behind us. This is just the beginning of what we are going to be able to do in Chicago.”</p>
<p>The Investing in Innovation program began by working with 3rd-grade teachers, then added kindergarten and 1st-grade teachers in the second year, followed by 2nd-grade teachers. Each teacher will receive three years of coaching. After that, hands-on coaching will end and the project will aim to build on teachers’ sense of self-sufficiency through “model classroom meetings” with other teachers in the program.</p>
<p>During one such meeting in fall 2012, seven teachers from the Target-funded group of schools – who are still receiving coaching – gathered at Children’s Literacy Initiative offices downtown.</p>
<p>“With the Chicago Board of Education, money is limited, and principals aren’t always given the amount of money needed to supply each classroom,” says Sylva Spraggins, a 3rd-grade teacher at Armour Elementary. “To have the complexity [of books] the Common Core State Standards is looking for is hard. The complexity of the texts is so much better than a lot of the programs that schools can get for cheap.”</p>
<p>All the teachers have copies of others’ read-aloud collections, so they can share books, Spraggins says.</p>
<p>Laura Carbajal, a kindergarten teacher at Armour, says that with the Intentional Read Aloud, “kids are more engaged in the reading. It’s more focused. It takes more planning.”</p>
<p>A few weeks later, in class, Carbajal and coach Sharon Lyons have the students sing a song about Message Time. “My message today is going to be from the book ‘The Grouchy Ladybug,’ ” Lyons says. “It’s going to be about the bug.”</p>
<p>The vocabulary words are “grouchy” and “aphids.” The sight words are “and,” “of,” “on” and “the.”</p>
<p>“Let me see a grouchy face,” Lyons says.</p>
<p>She introduces the topic by asking students what aphids are. “Who eats the aphids?” she asks next. Then she reviews the sight words students will see in the message.</p>
<p>As Lyons writes the message out, students predict what she is trying to say. “The grouchy ladybug sat on to…” she writes. The students chime in, saying “the.”</p>
<p>“Can I write ‘the’ with ‘t-o?’ ” she asks. The students realize they are mistaken about what she is going to write, and follow along as she finishes: “The grouchy ladybug sat on top of the leaf and it ate aphids.”</p>
<p>&#160;“This is the time in the message that three students come up,” Lyons says. One girl chooses to focus on the word “the.” They “dribble and shoot” the letters in the word to review its spelling.</p>
<p>Then comes a more sophisticated lesson. Lyons draws a box around both instances of “the” in the sentence and asks if they look the same. The girl says no. Lyons points out it’s because the “T” in “the” at the beginning of the sentence is upper-case.</p>
<p>Carbajal says the preschool teacher at the school also uses Message Time Plus, and observes how she does it to learn from her.</p>
<p>“It’s like the ball keeps rolling – what she can do for my kindergartners, and what I can do for the 1st graders?”</p>
| false | 3 |
january 2012 cps officials visiting dignitaries target corp swarmed cardenas elementary little village one eight schools became part childrens literacy initiative investing innovation grant awarded 2010 program set expand three schools funding target classrooms display one visitor stephen zrike jr chief schools pilsenlittle village elementary network noted impact initiative called amount reading writing done cardenas students unlike anything ive ever seen childrens literacy initiative supported research showing teacher coaching collaboration improve instruction aims expose teachers best practices early literacy build community teachers working strengthen teaching goal help young children learn read earliest years schoola key time building literacy especially children come lowincome homes 87 percent cps students 160poor readers poor families face among worst educational outcomes highquality literacy instruction also important build gains children make preschool ensure dont fade clis promising results philadelphia participating schools made greater gains schools helped win us department education investing innovation validation grant federal funding end 201415 cli plan sustaining presence philadelphia 1 million grant eyeing chicago similar expansion soon fall 2013 program applied another grant target corp hopes making happen cli hopes reach five schools model classroom program next two years longterm expansion plan instead model classrooms entire schools become model schools disseminate literacy best practices among others area serving hubs knowledge teachers principals model schools mentor nearby schools cases even including charter schools private schools lesser amount training coaching would offered surrounding schools model school serving lab help teachers learn jen weikert clis director external relations says key part growth plan getting district buy ceo barbara byrdbennett gets past current school closings issue takes closer look curriculum instruction weikert says cli hopes early learning early literacy become priority byrdbennett commits working program long term dont want position year year working district says want position partners working toward shared goals key goal clis expansion train larger number teachers key skills teaching reading getting different organizations work early literacy including teacher training programs focus key skills need general practitioners well versed early literacy says weikert pilot program organization offered training teaching phonics phonemic awareness 50 student teachers philadelphia plus instruction keep running records snapshot students reading ability specific point time growth challenges help target corp grant eight cps elementary schools participating federally funded project joined spring 2012 three schools manierre brenneman armour160 fall 2012 two schools manuel perez elementary john walsh elementary joined funding chicago tribune charities others targetfunded schools made progress 66 percent 3rdgrade students targetfunded schools met state standards isat reading assessment compared 57 percent students comparison group schools winter staff navigate change cps leadershipand challenges implementing largescale program unstable environment began surface schools suffered high turnover among teachers staff manierre brennemann landed list schools cps could potentially close manierre elementary principal left number teachers well brennemann 55 75 students left school switched yearround track e calendar model classroom teacher left forcing program start another one even brennemann posted increase scores another model teacher change grades 160we bring teachers changed roles par peers weikert notes principals also receive coaching help bring new principal speed teachers leave school wherever teachers land children benefiting best practices gained cli weikert asserts adding resources focusing instruction teacher margaret mcilvains room manierre newly outfitted rug literacy instruction extra books children decide read coach vanessa villanueva leads message time plus lesson students work together dissect message written board teacher reading villanueva later explains mcilvains room furniture soon change feature tables book bags back rather desks kids use whole classroom theyre confined desks says160 weikert says furniture appropriate young students training teachers use much first dose coaching classroom culture basics run classroom get students get says program also helping mcilvain teachers hone help students learn sound words context sentences books160 teachers lowincome schools need skills teach phonics need teach faster better others kids coming deficits weikert says 160i realized words book difficult 3rdgrader mcilvain says students clap chant spelling words would today going talk stretch word write coach says show dog student says thats good hear predicting says writes words starts saying sounds lets children prompt letter write bohssssss says students guess letters girl shouts second coach asks points end word sss sound thats rule learned years coach explains done class reads message together show dog whos boss hold muzzle dogs need serene environment pet feel relaxed want put thumb every time come word stretched spelled together villanueva says group finished reading asks student volunteers point word know could maybe teach kids something says daquera picks relaxed whats first sound relaxed asks r daquera says naming letter coach prompts give soundrrrr next quizzes girl whether relaxed something happening already happened asks class think things past pointing ending ed usually means something already took place another student chooses help teach class word serene coach villanueva says long e middle word needs silent e end student gets front group praised cheer well lessons spelling patterns sounds coach guides class steps poster titled spell new word points stretch hear sound write sound check looks right compare sounds word word already know look around room word walls help villanueva explains guessing spelling help teacher understand writing better fine try spell word instead asking teacher end lesson villanueva explains also helping mcilvain learn create classroom positive behavior expectations students collaborate support postconference asks mcilvain thinks students feel confident material mcilvain says notes attention still problem suggests putting students focused lesson front next villanueva points spelled word enough enuf students upset knew wrong allowing make connection letters gh make fff sound f 3rd grade teacher school jemil haywood also received coaching cli 30 hours versus mcilvains 75 haywood since moved teaching 2nd grade another day mcilvain wraps intentional read aloud story time carefully planned expands students understanding literature students compare contrast book roughfaced girl traditional version cinderella story finishing third year end school year cli given coaching training resources kindergarten 3rd grade teachers eight investing innovationfunded schools weikert says 160160through investing innovation able research gold seal approval behind us beginning going able chicago investing innovation program began working 3rdgrade teachers added kindergarten 1stgrade teachers second year followed 2ndgrade teachers teacher receive three years coaching handson coaching end project aim build teachers sense selfsufficiency model classroom meetings teachers program one meeting fall 2012 seven teachers targetfunded group schools still receiving coaching gathered childrens literacy initiative offices downtown chicago board education money limited principals arent always given amount money needed supply classroom says sylva spraggins 3rdgrade teacher armour elementary complexity books common core state standards looking hard complexity texts much better lot programs schools get cheap teachers copies others readaloud collections share books spraggins says laura carbajal kindergarten teacher armour says intentional read aloud kids engaged reading focused takes planning weeks later class carbajal coach sharon lyons students sing song message time message today going book grouchy ladybug lyons says going bug vocabulary words grouchy aphids sight words let see grouchy face lyons says introduces topic asking students aphids eats aphids asks next reviews sight words students see message lyons writes message students predict trying say grouchy ladybug sat writes students chime saying write asks students realize mistaken going write follow along finishes grouchy ladybug sat top leaf ate aphids 160this time message three students come lyons says one girl chooses focus word dribble shoot letters word review spelling comes sophisticated lesson lyons draws box around instances sentence asks look girl says lyons points beginning sentence uppercase carbajal says preschool teacher school also uses message time plus observes learn like ball keeps rolling kindergartners 1st graders
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<p>A secret British spy unit created to mount cyber attacks on Britain’s enemies has waged war on the hacktivists of Anonymous and LulzSec, according to documents taken from the National Security Agency by Edward Snowden and obtained by NBC News.</p>
<p>The blunt instrument the spy unit used to target hackers, however, also interrupted the web communications of political dissidents who did not engage in any illegal hacking. It may also have shut down websites with no connection to Anonymous.</p>
<p>According to the documents, a division of Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), the British counterpart of the NSA, shut down communications among Anonymous hacktivists by launching a “denial of service” (DDOS) attack – the same technique hackers use to take down bank, retail and government websites – making the British government the first Western government known to have conducted such an attack.</p>
<p>The documents, from a PowerPoint presentation prepared for a 2012 NSA conference called SIGDEV, show that the unit known as the Joint Threat Research Intelligence Group, or JTRIG, boasted of using the DDOS attack – which it dubbed Rolling Thunder -- and other techniques to scare away 80 percent of the users of Anonymous internet chat rooms.</p>
<p>The existence of JTRIG has never been previously disclosed publicly.</p>
<p>The documents also show that JTRIG infiltrated chat rooms known as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Relay_Chat" type="external">IRCs</a> and identified individual hackers who had taken confidential information from websites. In one case JTRIG helped send a hacktivist to prison for stealing data from PayPal, and in another it helped identify hacktivists who attacked government websites.</p>
<p><a href="http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/sections/news/snowden_anonymous_nbc_document.pdf" type="external">In connection with this report, NBC is publishing documents that Edward Snowden took from the NSA before fleeing the U.S. The documents are being published with minimal redactions.</a></p>
<p>Intelligence sources familiar with the operation say that the British directed the DDOS attack against IRC chat rooms where they believed criminal hackers were concentrated. Other intelligence sources also noted that in 2011, authorities were alarmed by a rash of attacks on government and corporate websites and were scrambling for means to respond.</p>
<p>“While there must of course be limitations,” said Michael Leiter, the former head of the U.S. government’s National Counterterrorism Center and now an NBC News analyst, “law enforcement and intelligence officials must be able to pursue individuals who are going far beyond speech and into the realm of breaking the law: defacing and stealing private property that happens to be online.”</p>
<p>“No one should be targeted for speech or thoughts, but there is no reason law enforcement officials should unilaterally declare law breakers safe in the online environment,” said Leiter.</p>
<p>But critics charge the British government with overkill, noting that many of the individuals targeted were teenagers, and that the agency’s assault on communications among hacktivists means the agency infringed the free speech of people never charged with any crime.</p>
<p>“Targeting Anonymous and hacktivists amounts to targeting citizens for expressing their political beliefs,” said Gabriella Coleman, an anthropology professor at McGill University and author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hacker-Hoaxer-Whistleblower-Spy-Anonymous/dp/1781685835/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1390928882" type="external">an upcoming book about Anonymous</a>. “Some have rallied around the name to engage in digital civil disobedience, but nothing remotely resembling terrorism. The majority of those embrace the idea primarily for ordinary political expression.” Coleman estimated that the number of “Anons” engaged in illegal activity was in the dozens, out of a community of thousands.</p>
<p>"Targeting Anonymous and hacktivists amounts to targeting citizens for expressing their political beliefs."</p>
<p>In addition, according to cyber experts, a DDOS attack against the servers hosting Anonymous chat rooms would also have shut down any other websites hosted by the same servers, and any other servers operated by the same Internet Service Provider (ISP), whether or not they had any connection to Anonymous. It is not known whether any of the servers attacked also hosted other websites, or whether other servers were operated by the same ISPs.</p>
<p>In 2011, members of the loose global collective called Anonymous organized an online campaign called “Operation Payback” targeting the pay service PayPal and several credit card companies. Some hacktivists also targeted U.S. and British government websites, including the FBI, CIA and GCHQ sites. The hacktivists were protesting the prosecution of Chelsea Manning, who took thousands of classified documents from U.S. government computers, and punishing companies that refused to process donations to WikiLeaks, the website that published the Manning documents.</p>
<p>The division of GCHQ known as JTRIG responded to the surge in hacktivism. In another document taken from the NSA by Snowden and obtained by NBC News, a JTRIG official said the unit’s mission included computer network attacks, disruption, “Active Covert Internet Operations,” and “Covert Technical Operations.” Among the methods listed in the document were jamming phones, computers and email accounts and masquerading as an enemy in a "false flag" operation. The same document said GCHQ was increasing its emphasis on using cyber tools to attack adversaries.</p>
<p>In the presentation on hacktivism that was prepared for the 2012 SIGDEV conference, one official working for JTRIG described the techniques the unit used to disrupt the communications of Anonymous and identify individual hacktivists, including some involved in Operation Payback. Called “Pushing the Boundaries and Action Against Hacktivism,” the presentation lists Anonymous, Lulzsec and the Syrian Cyber Army among “Hacktivist Groups,” says the hacktivists’ targets include corporations and governments, and says their techniques include DDOS and data theft.</p>
<p>Under “Hacktivism: Online Covert Action,” the presentation refers to “Effects Operations.” According to other Snowden documents obtained by NBC News, “Effects” campaigns are offensive operations intended to “destroy” and “disrupt” adversaries.</p>
<p>"Anyone here have access to a website with at least 10,000+ unique traffic per day?"</p>
<p>The presentation gives detailed examples of “humint” (human intelligence) collection from hacktivists known by the on-line names G-Zero, Topiary and p0ke, as well as a fourth whose name NBC News has redacted to protect the hacker's identity. The hacktivists were contacted by GCHQ agents posing as fellow hackers in internet chat rooms. The presentation includes transcripts of instant message conversations between the agents and the hackers in 2011.</p>
<p>“Anyone here have access to a website with at least 10,000+ unique traffic per day?” asks one hacktivist in a transcript taken from a conversation that began in an Operation Payback chat room. An agent responds and claims to have access to a porn website with 27,000 users per day. “Love it,” answers the hacktivist. The hackers ask for access to sites with traffic so they can identify users of the site, secretly take over their computers with malware and then use those computers to mount a DDOS attack against a government or commercial website.</p>
<p>A GCHQ agent then has a second conversation with a hacker known as GZero who claims to “work with” the first hacktivist. GZero sends the agent a series of lines of code that are meant to harvest visitors to the agent’s site and make their computers part of a “botnet” operation that will attack other computers.</p>
<p>The “outcome,” says the presentation, was “charges, arrest, conviction.” GZero is revealed to be a British hacker in his early 20s named Edward Pearson, who was prosecuted and sentenced to 26 months in prison for stealing 8 million identities and information from 200,000 PayPal accounts between Jan. 1, 2010 and Aug. 30, 2011. He and his girlfriend were convicted of using stolen credit card identities to purchase take-out food and hotel stays.</p>
<p>In a transcript taken from a second conversation in an Operation Payback chat room, a hacktivist using the name “p0ke” tells another named “Topiary” that he has a list of emails, phone numbers and names of “700 FBI tards.”</p>
<p>An agent then begins a conversation with p0ke, asking him about what sites he’s accessed. The hacktivist responds that he was able to defeat the security on a U.S. government website, and pulled up credit card information that’s attached to congressional and military email addresses.</p>
<p>The agent then asks whether p0ke has looked at a BBC News web article called “Who loves the hacktivists?” and sends him a link to the story.</p>
<p>“Cool huh?” asks the agent, and pOke responds, “ya.”</p>
<p>When p0ke clicked on the link, however, JTRIG was able to pull up the IP address of the VPN (virtual private network) the hacktivist was using. The VPN was supposed to protect his identity, but GCHQ either hacked into the network, asked the VPN for the hacker’s personal information, or asked law enforcement in the host nation to request the information.</p>
<p>A representative of the VPN told NBC News the company had not provided GCHQ with the hacker's information, but indicated that in past instances it has cooperated with local law enforcement.</p>
<p>In whatever manner the information was retrieved, GCHQ was able to establish p0ke’s real name and address, as shown in the presentation slides. (NBC News has redacted the information).</p>
<p>P0ke was never arrested for accessing the government databases, but Topiary, actually an 18-year-old member of Anonymous and LulzSec spokesman from Scotland named Jake Davis, was arrested in July 2011. Davis was arrested soon after LulzSec mounted hack attacks against Congress, the CIA and British law enforcement.</p>
<p>Two weeks before his arrest, the Guardian published an interview with Davis in which he described himself as “an internet denizen with a passion for change.” Davis later pled guilty to two DDOS attacks and was sentenced to 24 months in a youth detention center, but was released in June 2013 after five weeks because he had worn an electronic ankle tag and been confined to his home without computer access for 21 months after his arrest. Davis declined comment to NBC News.</p>
<p>In the concluding portion of the JTRIG presentation, the presenters sum up the unit’s “Effects on Hacktivism” as part of “Op[eration] Wealth” in the summer of 2011 and apparently emphasize the unit’s success against Anonymous, including the DDOS attack. The listed effects include identifying top targets for law enforcement and “Denial of Service on Key Communications outlets.”</p>
<p>A slide headlined “DDOS” refers to “initial trial info” from the operation known as “Rolling Thunder.” It then quotes from a transcript of a chat room conversation between hacktivists. “Was there any problem with the IRC [chat room] network?” asks one. “I wasn’t able to connect the past 30 hours.”</p>
<p>“Yeah,” responds another. “We’re being hit by a syn flood. I didn’t know whether to quit last night, because of the DDOS.”</p>
<p>The next slide is titled “Information Operations,” and says JTRIG uses Facebook, Twitter, email, instant messenger, and Skype to dissuade hacktivists with the message, “DDOS and hacking is illegal, please cease and desist.”</p>
<p>The following slide lists the outcome of the operation as “80% of those messaged where (sic) not in the IRC channels 1 month later.”</p>
<p>Gabriella Coleman, the author and expert on Anonymous, said she believed the U.K. government had punished a large number of people for the actions of a few. “It is hard to put a number on Anonymous,” she said, “but at the time of those events, there were thousands of supporters and probably a dozen or two individuals who were breaking the law.”</p>
<p>Said Coleman, “Punishing thousands of people, who are engaging in their democratic right to protest, because a couple people committed vandalism is … an appalling example of overreacting in order to squash dissent.”</p>
<p>Jason Healey, a former top White House cyber security official under George W. Bush, called the British government’s DDOS attack on Anonymous “silly,” and said it was a tactic that should only be used against another nation-state.</p>
<p>Jason Healey, a former top White House cyber security official under George W. Bush, called the British government’s DDOS attack on Anonymous “silly."</p>
<p>He also questioned the time and energy spent chasing teenage hackers.</p>
<p>“This is a slippery slope,” said Healey. “It’s not what you should be doing. It justifies [Anonymous]. Giving them this much attention justifies them and is demeaning to our side.”</p>
<p>In a statement, a GCHQ spokesperson emphasized that the agency operated within the law.</p>
<p>“All of GCHQ's work is carried out in accordance with a strict legal and policy framework,” said the statement, “which ensure[s] that our activities are authorized, necessary and proportionate, and that there is rigorous oversight, including from the Secretary of State, the Interception and Intelligence Services Commissioners and the Parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee. All of our operational processes rigorously support this position.”</p>
<p>Told by NBC News that his on-line alias appeared in the JTRIG presentation, the hacker known as p0ke, a college student in Scandinavia, said he was confused about why he hadn’t been confronted by authorities. (NBC News is withholding his name, age and country of residence.)</p>
<p>But p0ke said he had stopped hacking because he’d grown bored with it, and was too busy with his studies. He was never a “hacktivist” anyway, he said. “Politics aren’t mah thang,” he said in an online interview. “Seriously tho, I had no motive for doing it.”</p>
<p>He said that hacking had only satisfied an urge to show off. “Fancy the details for a while,” he wrote, “then publish em to enlarge my e-penis.”</p>
<p>A British hacktivist known as T-Flow, who was prosecuted for hacking alongside Topiary, told NBC News he had long suspected that the U.K.’s intelligence agencies had used hacker techniques to catch him, since no evidence of how his identity was discovered ever appeared in court documents. T-Flow, whose real name is Mustafa Al-Bassam, pleaded guilty but did not serve time in an adult facility because he was 16 when he was arrested.</p>
<p>“When I was going through the legal process,” explained Al-Bassam, “I genuinely felt bad for all those attacks on government organizations I was involved in. But now that I know they partake in the exact same activities, I have no idea what’s right and wrong anymore.”</p>
<p>Journalist Glenn Greenwald was formerly a columnist at Salon and the Guardian. In late 2012 he was contacted by NSA contractor Edward Snowden, who later provided him with thousands of sensitive documents, and he was the first to report on Snowden’s documents in June 2013 while on the staff of the Guardian. Greenwald has since reported on the documents with multiple media outlets around the world, and has won several journalism awards for his NSA reporting both in the U.S. and abroad. He is now helping launch, and will write for, a new, non-profit media outlet known as First Look Media that will “encourage, support and empower … independent, adversarial journalists.”</p>
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secret british spy unit created mount cyber attacks britains enemies waged war hacktivists anonymous lulzsec according documents taken national security agency edward snowden obtained nbc news blunt instrument spy unit used target hackers however also interrupted web communications political dissidents engage illegal hacking may also shut websites connection anonymous according documents division government communications headquarters gchq british counterpart nsa shut communications among anonymous hacktivists launching denial service ddos attack technique hackers use take bank retail government websites making british government first western government known conducted attack documents powerpoint presentation prepared 2012 nsa conference called sigdev show unit known joint threat research intelligence group jtrig boasted using ddos attack dubbed rolling thunder techniques scare away 80 percent users anonymous internet chat rooms existence jtrig never previously disclosed publicly documents also show jtrig infiltrated chat rooms known ircs identified individual hackers taken confidential information websites one case jtrig helped send hacktivist prison stealing data paypal another helped identify hacktivists attacked government websites connection report nbc publishing documents edward snowden took nsa fleeing us documents published minimal redactions intelligence sources familiar operation say british directed ddos attack irc chat rooms believed criminal hackers concentrated intelligence sources also noted 2011 authorities alarmed rash attacks government corporate websites scrambling means respond must course limitations said michael leiter former head us governments national counterterrorism center nbc news analyst law enforcement intelligence officials must able pursue individuals going far beyond speech realm breaking law defacing stealing private property happens online one targeted speech thoughts reason law enforcement officials unilaterally declare law breakers safe online environment said leiter critics charge british government overkill noting many individuals targeted teenagers agencys assault communications among hacktivists means agency infringed free speech people never charged crime targeting anonymous hacktivists amounts targeting citizens expressing political beliefs said gabriella coleman anthropology professor mcgill university author upcoming book anonymous rallied around name engage digital civil disobedience nothing remotely resembling terrorism majority embrace idea primarily ordinary political expression coleman estimated number anons engaged illegal activity dozens community thousands targeting anonymous hacktivists amounts targeting citizens expressing political beliefs addition according cyber experts ddos attack servers hosting anonymous chat rooms would also shut websites hosted servers servers operated internet service provider isp whether connection anonymous known whether servers attacked also hosted websites whether servers operated isps 2011 members loose global collective called anonymous organized online campaign called operation payback targeting pay service paypal several credit card companies hacktivists also targeted us british government websites including fbi cia gchq sites hacktivists protesting prosecution chelsea manning took thousands classified documents us government computers punishing companies refused process donations wikileaks website published manning documents division gchq known jtrig responded surge hacktivism another document taken nsa snowden obtained nbc news jtrig official said units mission included computer network attacks disruption active covert internet operations covert technical operations among methods listed document jamming phones computers email accounts masquerading enemy false flag operation document said gchq increasing emphasis using cyber tools attack adversaries presentation hacktivism prepared 2012 sigdev conference one official working jtrig described techniques unit used disrupt communications anonymous identify individual hacktivists including involved operation payback called pushing boundaries action hacktivism presentation lists anonymous lulzsec syrian cyber army among hacktivist groups says hacktivists targets include corporations governments says techniques include ddos data theft hacktivism online covert action presentation refers effects operations according snowden documents obtained nbc news effects campaigns offensive operations intended destroy disrupt adversaries anyone access website least 10000 unique traffic per day presentation gives detailed examples humint human intelligence collection hacktivists known online names gzero topiary p0ke well fourth whose name nbc news redacted protect hackers identity hacktivists contacted gchq agents posing fellow hackers internet chat rooms presentation includes transcripts instant message conversations agents hackers 2011 anyone access website least 10000 unique traffic per day asks one hacktivist transcript taken conversation began operation payback chat room agent responds claims access porn website 27000 users per day love answers hacktivist hackers ask access sites traffic identify users site secretly take computers malware use computers mount ddos attack government commercial website gchq agent second conversation hacker known gzero claims work first hacktivist gzero sends agent series lines code meant harvest visitors agents site make computers part botnet operation attack computers outcome says presentation charges arrest conviction gzero revealed british hacker early 20s named edward pearson prosecuted sentenced 26 months prison stealing 8 million identities information 200000 paypal accounts jan 1 2010 aug 30 2011 girlfriend convicted using stolen credit card identities purchase takeout food hotel stays transcript taken second conversation operation payback chat room hacktivist using name p0ke tells another named topiary list emails phone numbers names 700 fbi tards agent begins conversation p0ke asking sites hes accessed hacktivist responds able defeat security us government website pulled credit card information thats attached congressional military email addresses agent asks whether p0ke looked bbc news web article called loves hacktivists sends link story cool huh asks agent poke responds ya p0ke clicked link however jtrig able pull ip address vpn virtual private network hacktivist using vpn supposed protect identity gchq either hacked network asked vpn hackers personal information asked law enforcement host nation request information representative vpn told nbc news company provided gchq hackers information indicated past instances cooperated local law enforcement whatever manner information retrieved gchq able establish p0kes real name address shown presentation slides nbc news redacted information p0ke never arrested accessing government databases topiary actually 18yearold member anonymous lulzsec spokesman scotland named jake davis arrested july 2011 davis arrested soon lulzsec mounted hack attacks congress cia british law enforcement two weeks arrest guardian published interview davis described internet denizen passion change davis later pled guilty two ddos attacks sentenced 24 months youth detention center released june 2013 five weeks worn electronic ankle tag confined home without computer access 21 months arrest davis declined comment nbc news concluding portion jtrig presentation presenters sum units effects hacktivism part operation wealth summer 2011 apparently emphasize units success anonymous including ddos attack listed effects include identifying top targets law enforcement denial service key communications outlets slide headlined ddos refers initial trial info operation known rolling thunder quotes transcript chat room conversation hacktivists problem irc chat room network asks one wasnt able connect past 30 hours yeah responds another hit syn flood didnt know whether quit last night ddos next slide titled information operations says jtrig uses facebook twitter email instant messenger skype dissuade hacktivists message ddos hacking illegal please cease desist following slide lists outcome operation 80 messaged sic irc channels 1 month later gabriella coleman author expert anonymous said believed uk government punished large number people actions hard put number anonymous said time events thousands supporters probably dozen two individuals breaking law said coleman punishing thousands people engaging democratic right protest couple people committed vandalism appalling example overreacting order squash dissent jason healey former top white house cyber security official george w bush called british governments ddos attack anonymous silly said tactic used another nationstate jason healey former top white house cyber security official george w bush called british governments ddos attack anonymous silly also questioned time energy spent chasing teenage hackers slippery slope said healey justifies anonymous giving much attention justifies demeaning side statement gchq spokesperson emphasized agency operated within law gchqs work carried accordance strict legal policy framework said statement ensures activities authorized necessary proportionate rigorous oversight including secretary state interception intelligence services commissioners parliamentary intelligence security committee operational processes rigorously support position told nbc news online alias appeared jtrig presentation hacker known p0ke college student scandinavia said confused hadnt confronted authorities nbc news withholding name age country residence p0ke said stopped hacking hed grown bored busy studies never hacktivist anyway said politics arent mah thang said online interview seriously tho motive said hacking satisfied urge show fancy details wrote publish em enlarge epenis british hacktivist known tflow prosecuted hacking alongside topiary told nbc news long suspected uks intelligence agencies used hacker techniques catch since evidence identity discovered ever appeared court documents tflow whose real name mustafa albassam pleaded guilty serve time adult facility 16 arrested going legal process explained albassam genuinely felt bad attacks government organizations involved know partake exact activities idea whats right wrong anymore journalist glenn greenwald formerly columnist salon guardian late 2012 contacted nsa contractor edward snowden later provided thousands sensitive documents first report snowdens documents june 2013 staff guardian greenwald since reported documents multiple media outlets around world several journalism awards nsa reporting us abroad helping launch write new nonprofit media outlet known first look media encourage support empower independent adversarial journalists
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<p>Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman with Henry Cavill as Superman and Ben Affleck as Batman in ‘Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice.’ The film opens March 25. (Photo courtesy Warner Bros.)</p>
<p>Wonder Woman has finally made it to the big screen.</p>
<p>The Amazon princess, who debuted in comic book form in 1941, makes her silver screen debut in “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice,” the estimated $250-million spectacle from director Zack Snyder with Henry Cavill reprising his role as Superman, Ben Affleck debuting as Batman and Gal Gadot (“The Fast and the Furious”) as Wonder Woman.</p>
<p>The movie, which opens March 25 on an estimated 30,000 screens in 61 markets around the globe, is part of the D.C. Extended Universe series that launched with “Man of Steel,” a 2013 Superman reboot. “Suicide Squad,” featuring the D.C. Comics anti-hero team, is slated for an August release. Wonder Woman will finally get her own film with an eponymous release slated for June 2017 in which Gadot will star.</p>
<p>For many Generation X gays, the 1975-1979 TV show “Wonder Woman” starring Lynda Carter, who has enjoyed decades of adoration because of the role, is beyond iconic. She performs her concert “Long-Legged Woman” at the Kennedy Center at 7 p.m. on April 2.</p>
<p>Carter does not have cameos in either “Dawn of Justice” or next year’s film and has focused on her singing in recent years. A resident of D.C. suburb Potomac, Md., she has appeared at LGBT events such as AIDS Walk Washington in 2010 and the Capital Pride parade in 2013, where she was grand marshal. She performs annually at the Kennedy Center and has earned acclaim for songs she recorded for the video game “Fallout 4.”</p>
<p>Lynda Carter was grand marshal in the Capital Pride parade in 2013. She says she understands filmmakers wanting their own platform for the new films. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>But for many, she’ll always be known as Wonder Woman. Her performance was so indelible that merchandise featuring her likeness continues to be churned out with items such as the “Wonder Woman ’77” comic series, a Hallmark ornament of her as the character and more.</p>
<p>She told superfan Mike Pingel, author of “The Q Guide to Wonder Woman” (2008) and “Channel Surfing: Wonder Woman” (2012), in a Frontiers interview published last week that she’s honored by the attention.</p>
<p>“It’s a thrill to have my Wonder Woman image resurrected after all these years,” she said. “In life, you carry around these memories. Then you meet people who share their memories and you end up experiencing it all over again through their eyes. It’s great to have a big resurgence of relevance, not just being in the past but something happening right now.”</p>
<p>So if the character is so perennially popular, why did it take so long to bring her to the silver screen when male superhero films have been made about even lesser-known characters like “Iron Man” (2008), “Jonah Hex” (2010), “Thor: the Dark World” (2013) and more? The Wonder Woman movie has languished in development limbo since the mid-‘90s. A 2011 pilot for a possible NBC series was not picked up. The CW abandoned another TV project in 2014.</p>
<p>Lynda Carter with author Mike Pingel. (Photo courtesy Pingel)</p>
<p>“Honestly I think it could be that they just didn’t know what to do with her,” says Pingel, who’s gay and is now working on books about “The Bionic Woman” and “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.”</p>
<p>“Hollywood is so male-dominated, sometimes I think men don’t know what to do with her. They have a woman director, though, now [Patty Jenkins] and hopefully she’ll be able to bring the heart and soul back to Wonder Woman that they had on the TV show. The show they tried in 2011 was just horrific. They didn’t understand the essence of who she was, her quality in helping the underdogs. … She was so mad and so angry and they couldn’t find the heart of the character. It wasn’t the actress’s fault. Even though she’s changed a lot in the comics, too, she’s always standing up for the rights of people who can’t do it for themselves. … That’s really the basis of why she does it — the heart, not the glory.”</p>
<p>Washington resident Walter Forbes says the ‘70s show and Carter are special to him because he watched the show growing up with his mother, who died of cancer in 1999. He first met Carter 10 years to the day after his mother died.</p>
<p>“I always saw her as kind of a mother, nurturing-type figure,” Forbes, 37, says of Carter. “When I met her, she was all that and more. Just like I’d hoped she would be.”</p>
<p>Forbes, who’s gay and says his boyfriend does not mind his Wonder Woman obsession, thinks finding the right level of toughness versus vulnerability was a lot of the delay.</p>
<p>Walter Forbes with his Wonder Woman collection.&#160;He owns replicas of Wonder Woman’s bracelets and tiara and has several photos and items signed by Lynda Carter. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>“When people hear the word Amazon, most people think of Xena or almost like a Red Sonja-type of character. She’s a woman but they want her to be almost like a man. Lynda didn’t look like a man, she wasn’t built like a man, but at the same time she wasn’t too prissy or sexy or anything like that. I think a lot of the directors have wanted to take that role and turn her into something she wasn’t and they got hints from the fans that they weren’t going with that.”</p>
<p>He agrees with Pingel that the failed TV pilot was a good indication of how bad a bad Wonder Woman could be.</p>
<p>“It sucked,” he says. “They had her going around choking people, it was so violent, everybody knew her identity. I’m like, ‘OK, what is this show about? You’ve just stripped everything away.’ Even in the comic books, she was a loving person. She didn’t parade around like some barbarian. … That just wasn’t the essence of who Wonder Woman was.”</p>
<p>Carter said in a <a href="" type="internal">2010 Blade interview</a> that although she loved doing the role and has enjoyed the fans over the years, she’s moved on.</p>
<p>“I really love her and I really think she’s great and I particularly love the idea of her,” Carter said. “There’s so many things I like about it, but I’m busy living my life now, so I don’t think about it a lot. It’s a little like something really outstanding in your life that everybody talks about and that is wonderful and you loved doing it … but you’re busy doing other things so you really only think about it when somebody else brings it up.”</p>
<p>Despite fan speculation, Carter told Pingel a cameo didn’t happen because of scheduling conflicts.</p>
<p>“I had some nice conversations with Patty Jenkins, and we couldn’t get my schedule and their schedule to meet up. It didn’t work out, but I wish them well. Understandably they want a platform that is uniquely their own. I believe it’s an homage to the original in regards to the heart of the character. That is what matters.”</p>
<p>Wonder Woman memorabilia (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>Forbes says it would have been an insult if Carter had been offered just a brief appearance.</p>
<p>“I don’t want to see her in just some walk-by role,” Forbes says. “Like Lynda Carter just happens to be in Starbucks or something. I think that’s kinda tacky. Like when Lou Ferrigno was in one of the Hulk movies and he was a security guard or something. I was like, ‘Are you serious? He brought this character to life and now he’s at the front desk?’ … If all they gave her was a walk-by role, it wouldn’t be worth her time. It would be an insult.”</p>
<p>Forbes says even if Wonder Woman only has a small role in “Dawn of Justice” — as of press time, the extent of her part is largely unknown — and her own film bombs, it will not diminish what Carter accomplished.</p>
<p>“I’ll definitely see it and support it and I’m open to giving Gal Gadot a chance to feel the role,” he says. “I’m just glad to see this character back. … The fans need to give it a chance, too. Already, online people are saying, ‘Oh, they changed the uniform, it’s too dark, it looks like Xena,’ and so on. I mean, come on, give it a chance. The uniform changed in the comic books, why wouldn’t they change it for the movie? … I’m excited about this new franchise.”</p>
<p>A 2015 Wonder Woman Christmas tree ornament in Lynda Carter’s likeness could be found at Hallmark. (Washington Blade photo by Joey DiGuglielmo)</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">A Day in D.C.</a> <a href="" type="internal">AIDS Walk Washington</a> <a href="" type="internal">Amazon</a> <a href="" type="internal">Batman</a> <a href="" type="internal">Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice</a> <a href="" type="internal">Ben Affleck</a> <a href="" type="internal">Buck Rogers in the 25th Century</a> <a href="" type="internal">Capital Pride parade</a> <a href="" type="internal">Channel Surfing: Wonder Woman</a> <a href="" type="internal">CW</a> <a href="" type="internal">Fallout 4</a> <a href="" type="internal">Frontiers</a> <a href="" type="internal">Gal Gadot</a> <a href="" type="internal">gay</a> <a href="" type="internal">Generation X</a> <a href="" type="internal">Henry Cavill</a> <a href="" type="internal">Iron Man</a> <a href="" type="internal">Jonah Hex</a> <a href="" type="internal">Kennedy Center</a> <a href="" type="internal">LGBT</a> <a href="" type="internal">Long-Legged Woman</a> <a href="" type="internal">Lynda Carter</a> <a href="" type="internal">Man of Steel</a> <a href="" type="internal">Maryland</a> <a href="" type="internal">Mike Pingel</a> <a href="" type="internal">Patty Jenkins</a> <a href="" type="internal">Potomac</a> <a href="" type="internal">Red Sonja</a> <a href="" type="internal">Suicide Squad</a> <a href="" type="internal">super heroes</a> <a href="" type="internal">Superman</a> <a href="" type="internal">The Bionic Woman</a> <a href="" type="internal">The Q Guide to Wonder Woman</a> <a href="" type="internal">Thor: the Dark World</a> <a href="" type="internal">Walter Forbes</a> <a href="" type="internal">Wonder Woman</a> <a href="" type="internal">Xena</a> <a href="" type="internal">Zach Snyder</a></p>
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gal gadot wonder woman henry cavill superman ben affleck batman batman v superman dawn justice film opens march 25 photo courtesy warner bros wonder woman finally made big screen amazon princess debuted comic book form 1941 makes silver screen debut batman v superman dawn justice estimated 250million spectacle director zack snyder henry cavill reprising role superman ben affleck debuting batman gal gadot fast furious wonder woman movie opens march 25 estimated 30000 screens 61 markets around globe part dc extended universe series launched man steel 2013 superman reboot suicide squad featuring dc comics antihero team slated august release wonder woman finally get film eponymous release slated june 2017 gadot star many generation x gays 19751979 tv show wonder woman starring lynda carter enjoyed decades adoration role beyond iconic performs concert longlegged woman kennedy center 7 pm april 2 carter cameos either dawn justice next years film focused singing recent years resident dc suburb potomac md appeared lgbt events aids walk washington 2010 capital pride parade 2013 grand marshal performs annually kennedy center earned acclaim songs recorded video game fallout 4 lynda carter grand marshal capital pride parade 2013 says understands filmmakers wanting platform new films washington blade file photo michael key many shell always known wonder woman performance indelible merchandise featuring likeness continues churned items wonder woman 77 comic series hallmark ornament character told superfan mike pingel author q guide wonder woman 2008 channel surfing wonder woman 2012 frontiers interview published last week shes honored attention thrill wonder woman image resurrected years said life carry around memories meet people share memories end experiencing eyes great big resurgence relevance past something happening right character perennially popular take long bring silver screen male superhero films made even lesserknown characters like iron man 2008 jonah hex 2010 thor dark world 2013 wonder woman movie languished development limbo since mid90s 2011 pilot possible nbc series picked cw abandoned another tv project 2014 lynda carter author mike pingel photo courtesy pingel honestly think could didnt know says pingel whos gay working books bionic woman buck rogers 25th century hollywood maledominated sometimes think men dont know woman director though patty jenkins hopefully shell able bring heart soul back wonder woman tv show show tried 2011 horrific didnt understand essence quality helping underdogs mad angry couldnt find heart character wasnt actresss fault even though shes changed lot comics shes always standing rights people cant thats really basis heart glory washington resident walter forbes says 70s show carter special watched show growing mother died cancer 1999 first met carter 10 years day mother died always saw kind mother nurturingtype figure forbes 37 says carter met like id hoped would forbes whos gay says boyfriend mind wonder woman obsession thinks finding right level toughness versus vulnerability lot delay walter forbes wonder woman collection160he owns replicas wonder womans bracelets tiara several photos items signed lynda carter washington blade photo michael key people hear word amazon people think xena almost like red sonjatype character shes woman want almost like man lynda didnt look like man wasnt built like man time wasnt prissy sexy anything like think lot directors wanted take role turn something wasnt got hints fans werent going agrees pingel failed tv pilot good indication bad bad wonder woman could sucked says going around choking people violent everybody knew identity im like ok show youve stripped everything away even comic books loving person didnt parade around like barbarian wasnt essence wonder woman carter said 2010 blade interview although loved role enjoyed fans years shes moved really love really think shes great particularly love idea carter said theres many things like im busy living life dont think lot little like something really outstanding life everybody talks wonderful loved youre busy things really think somebody else brings despite fan speculation carter told pingel cameo didnt happen scheduling conflicts nice conversations patty jenkins couldnt get schedule schedule meet didnt work wish well understandably want platform uniquely believe homage original regards heart character matters wonder woman memorabilia washington blade photo michael key forbes says would insult carter offered brief appearance dont want see walkby role forbes says like lynda carter happens starbucks something think thats kinda tacky like lou ferrigno one hulk movies security guard something like serious brought character life hes front desk gave walkby role wouldnt worth time would insult forbes says even wonder woman small role dawn justice press time extent part largely unknown film bombs diminish carter accomplished ill definitely see support im open giving gal gadot chance feel role says im glad see character back fans need give chance already online people saying oh changed uniform dark looks like xena mean come give chance uniform changed comic books wouldnt change movie im excited new franchise 2015 wonder woman christmas tree ornament lynda carters likeness could found hallmark washington blade photo joey diguglielmo day dc aids walk washington amazon batman batman v superman dawn justice ben affleck buck rogers 25th century capital pride parade channel surfing wonder woman cw fallout 4 frontiers gal gadot gay generation x henry cavill iron man jonah hex kennedy center lgbt longlegged woman lynda carter man steel maryland mike pingel patty jenkins potomac red sonja suicide squad super heroes superman bionic woman q guide wonder woman thor dark world walter forbes wonder woman xena zach snyder
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<p>There are few things that geologist Kevin Pogue loves more than gazing into a pit in the ground.&#160;Especially in Washington, where he lives.</p>
<p>There’s a lot of “weird stuff” to discover: sedimental remains from a glacial event known as the Missoula Floods, which passed through the area roughly 15,000 years ago; fist-sized gravel, encrusted with white, powdery calcium carbonate; iron-rich, fractured basalt, cooled from lava flows; granite chunks that once cleaved to icebergs; and silt deposits from massive dust storms. &#160;</p>
<p>“When I look into the ground, I might see [the remnants of] multiple catastrophes,” Pogue says.</p>
<p>A typical geologist might use such expertise to monitor natural disasters or assist energy companies in scouting for valuable natural resources. Not Pogue — he uses his rock knowledge to help vintners find prime sites for grape growing.</p>
<p>“If you have a piece of land in mind, Kevin can put you on the right direction and tell you if it’s too cold or if the soil’s too rich for growing high-quality grapes,” says Christophe Baron, owner of&#160; <a href="http://www.cayusevineyards.com/static/" type="external">Cayuse Vineyards</a>, in Walla Walla, Wash.</p>
<p>Pogue is a leading global expert on “terroir,” a French term that refers to the soil, climate, and other environmental properties that influence how wine grapes mature. (Terroir can also refer to the winemaker’s process and how cultural factors, such as irrigation policy, shape their practices.) While the concept of terroir has been around for centuries, applying science to vineyard siting is a recent and growing area of research.</p>
<p>Pogue is one of a handful of U.S.-based scientists who study terroir, and he’s bent on helping vintners find sites that have something to say.</p>
<p>“You can grow grapes most any place,”&#160;he says,&#160;“but not all places are capable of creating wines with unique and compelling personalities.”</p>
<p>Middle-aged, with an earnest and nerdy enthusiasm, Pogue certainly seems less pretentious than the stereotypical, snooty wine connoisseur. Before he became interested in terroir, he spent a decade studying a major tectonic event known as the Indo-Asian Collision, first as a graduate student at Oregon State University and then as a professor at&#160; <a href="http://www.whitman.edu/content/geology/faculty-and-staff/pogue" type="external">Whitman College</a>&#160;in Walla Walla, where he still teaches geology. During that time, he spent about a month each year digging up rocks in northern Pakistan. After the Sept. 11 attacks, however, safety concerns forced him to change his focus.</p>
<p>At around the same time, the wine industry in Washington was surging, and new vintners began asking him for advice on where to plant their vineyards.</p>
<p>“Here in Washington, we have an interesting geological history, and [winemakers] wanted to incorporate that into their marketing,” Pogue says.</p>
<p>For instance, some vintners wanted to be able to tell their customers that their grapes were growing in ice age flood deposits, a key feature of the Columbia Valley, a certified&#160; <a href="http://www.ttb.gov/wine/ava.shtml" type="external">American Viticultural Area</a>&#160;(AVA) that spans central and southern Washington. An AVA is an area of land with a distinct set of grape-growing conditions, which encompass the region’s soil, climate and elevation features. Several AVAs exist within the Columbia Valley AVA, such as Walla Walla’s, where cabernet sauvignon, merlot and syrah dominate the region’s wine production.</p>
<p>While Pogue was happy to advise local vintners, he hadn’t thought about turning his service into a business until Norm McKibben, a pioneer of the Walla Walla wine industry, invited him to survey a potential vineyard site. McKibben, impressed with Pogue’s knowledge, encouraged him to become a vineyard consultant. Shortly after, Pogue founded his side business,&#160; <a href="http://www.vinterra.net/" type="external">VinTerra Consulting</a>.</p>
<p>“The more information [vintners] have, the better they can do their job,” says Jonathan Swinchatt, a geologist who co-authored&#160; <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Winemakers-Dance-Exploring-Terroir/dp/0520235134" type="external">The Winemaker's Dance: Exploring Terroir in the Napa Valley</a>. “In my experience, [vintners] learn more than they expected [from geologists].”</p>
<p>A wine’s taste is the product of the winemaker’s process and the terroir. Commercial wines, for example, are often heavily processed and tend to include additives, such as sugar and oak chips, that can cloak the wine’s natural flavor.</p>
<p>“By over-extracting the grapes during winemaking and adding enzymes and colors, a winemaker can do hundreds of things that would overwhelm the flavors, textures, and aromas associated with terroir,” Pogue said. “It’s one of the easiest things to destroy in the world.”</p>
<p>If the winemaker takes a more minimalist approach, however — one that relies less on additives and more on the terroir to influence the wine’s taste — an imbiber can notice the difference. Pogue, who is especially interested in helping vintners craft unusual tasting wine, actively seeks vineyards where grapes might struggle for moisture.</p>
<p>“You get better wine from grapes that aren’t the happiest,” says Pogue. “If you give grapes plenty of water, it will produce big berries with thin skins. The wine ends up tasting watered down. If the grape senses that water is scarce, it will produce smaller berries with thicker skins. A higher skin-to-juice ratio will make a wine with more concentrated flavors.”</p>
<p>That’s because the skin, not the juice, is where much of the wine’s flavor, and color, come from.</p>
<p>Pogue advises vintners to steer clear of choosing fields that are flat, with deep soils and a high water table, where grapes will receive lots of moisture — those conditions can lead to uncontrollable vine growth and a lower skin-to-juice ratio. Instead, he looks for features that will restrict water availability, including slopes and rocky soils — basically, “land that makes driving farm equipment difficult” and that wouldn't accommodate tilling.</p>
<p>The types of rocks in the soil also matter. Much of the Walla Walla Valley is covered in basalt cobblestones, which, due to their dark color, heat up the earth more than grass and other rocks, such as sandstone. Hotter soils can act as a cue that causes grapes to ripen faster, says Pogue.</p>
<p>Other aspects of a region’s terroir and its effect on grapes are less clear, however. For instance, scientists studying terroir don’t know how soil chemistry influences the phenolic compounds in the grape’s skin. An investigation into the relationship would help explain why one wine will taste strongly of ripe berries, while another — made from the same grapes in a different vineyard — will taste like a spice medley. Pogue hopes that geologists and organic chemists will eventually collaborate to figure out the mystery.</p>
<p>Another factor that scientists&#160;don’t fully understand is how climate change will influence the growth of wine grapes. Some areas, such as Napa Valley in California, could become too hot to cultivate vineyards, while other areas such as Idaho's Snake River Valley, could eventually end up with ideal grape-growing conditions.</p>
<p>“Will Napa Valley be making wine the same way 50 years from now? Probably not in the exact same way,” says Greg Jones, a climatologist at Southern Oregon University who also studies terroir. “If climates continue to change, people will have to adapt by changing their management practices or moving up in elevation or latitude to plant vineyards.”</p>
<p>As scientists like Pogue continue uncovering the complexities of terroir, one thing seems clear: Wine will keep getting better.</p>
<p>“For thousands of years, people figured out good vineyard sites through trial and error, and it’s only recently that people began to think, let’s use everything we know about soil, geology [and] climate to find the best spot to grow grapes,” Pogue says. “It’s an exciting new application of earth science. We’re only beginning to understand it.” &#160;</p>
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things geologist kevin pogue loves gazing pit ground160especially washington lives theres lot weird stuff discover sedimental remains glacial event known missoula floods passed area roughly 15000 years ago fistsized gravel encrusted white powdery calcium carbonate ironrich fractured basalt cooled lava flows granite chunks cleaved icebergs silt deposits massive dust storms 160 look ground might see remnants multiple catastrophes pogue says typical geologist might use expertise monitor natural disasters assist energy companies scouting valuable natural resources pogue uses rock knowledge help vintners find prime sites grape growing piece land mind kevin put right direction tell cold soils rich growing highquality grapes says christophe baron owner of160 cayuse vineyards walla walla wash pogue leading global expert terroir french term refers soil climate environmental properties influence wine grapes mature terroir also refer winemakers process cultural factors irrigation policy shape practices concept terroir around centuries applying science vineyard siting recent growing area research pogue one handful usbased scientists study terroir hes bent helping vintners find sites something say grow grapes place160he says160but places capable creating wines unique compelling personalities middleaged earnest nerdy enthusiasm pogue certainly seems less pretentious stereotypical snooty wine connoisseur became interested terroir spent decade studying major tectonic event known indoasian collision first graduate student oregon state university professor at160 whitman college160in walla walla still teaches geology time spent month year digging rocks northern pakistan sept 11 attacks however safety concerns forced change focus around time wine industry washington surging new vintners began asking advice plant vineyards washington interesting geological history winemakers wanted incorporate marketing pogue says instance vintners wanted able tell customers grapes growing ice age flood deposits key feature columbia valley certified160 american viticultural area160ava spans central southern washington ava area land distinct set grapegrowing conditions encompass regions soil climate elevation features several avas exist within columbia valley ava walla wallas cabernet sauvignon merlot syrah dominate regions wine production pogue happy advise local vintners hadnt thought turning service business norm mckibben pioneer walla walla wine industry invited survey potential vineyard site mckibben impressed pogues knowledge encouraged become vineyard consultant shortly pogue founded side business160 vinterra consulting information vintners better job says jonathan swinchatt geologist coauthored160 winemakers dance exploring terroir napa valley experience vintners learn expected geologists wines taste product winemakers process terroir commercial wines example often heavily processed tend include additives sugar oak chips cloak wines natural flavor overextracting grapes winemaking adding enzymes colors winemaker hundreds things would overwhelm flavors textures aromas associated terroir pogue said one easiest things destroy world winemaker takes minimalist approach however one relies less additives terroir influence wines taste imbiber notice difference pogue especially interested helping vintners craft unusual tasting wine actively seeks vineyards grapes might struggle moisture get better wine grapes arent happiest says pogue give grapes plenty water produce big berries thin skins wine ends tasting watered grape senses water scarce produce smaller berries thicker skins higher skintojuice ratio make wine concentrated flavors thats skin juice much wines flavor color come pogue advises vintners steer clear choosing fields flat deep soils high water table grapes receive lots moisture conditions lead uncontrollable vine growth lower skintojuice ratio instead looks features restrict water availability including slopes rocky soils basically land makes driving farm equipment difficult wouldnt accommodate tilling types rocks soil also matter much walla walla valley covered basalt cobblestones due dark color heat earth grass rocks sandstone hotter soils act cue causes grapes ripen faster says pogue aspects regions terroir effect grapes less clear however instance scientists studying terroir dont know soil chemistry influences phenolic compounds grapes skin investigation relationship would help explain one wine taste strongly ripe berries another made grapes different vineyard taste like spice medley pogue hopes geologists organic chemists eventually collaborate figure mystery another factor scientists160dont fully understand climate change influence growth wine grapes areas napa valley california could become hot cultivate vineyards areas idahos snake river valley could eventually end ideal grapegrowing conditions napa valley making wine way 50 years probably exact way says greg jones climatologist southern oregon university also studies terroir climates continue change people adapt changing management practices moving elevation latitude plant vineyards scientists like pogue continue uncovering complexities terroir one thing seems clear wine keep getting better thousands years people figured good vineyard sites trial error recently people began think lets use everything know soil geology climate find best spot grow grapes pogue says exciting new application earth science beginning understand 160
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<p>BOSTON — The parents of American journalist James Foley, who was kidnapped while reporting in Syria last November and has been missing ever since, issued a new appeal for information about their son today, the eve of his 40th birthday.</p>
<p>“We are in anguish that our son is still missing in Syria now for almost 11 months,” said Diane Foley, Jim’s mother. “Almost one year of his life is gone. Jim will be 40 years old this Friday, Oct. 18. We want to let him know how much we love him and how hard we are working to find him and bring him home.”</p>
<p>John Foley, Jim’s father, added, “We don’t know who has detained Jim. But we beg his captors to recognize that our son is an innocent, objective journalist who has done no harm to anyone and to please set him free.”</p>
<p>The Foleys also made their appeal Thursday <a href="http://www.today.com/news/parents-plead-journalist-who-vanished-syria-8C11410694" type="external">on NBC's Today Show</a>.</p>
<p>GlobalPost, for whom Foley had reported in Syria, has mounted an extensive international investigation over the past year to determine who kidnapped him and where he is being held. Since the last public update on May 3, significant additional research has been undertaken throughout the Middle East, including along the Syria-Turkish border, in Lebanon, in Jordan and in other locations. In light of recently obtained information, and in the best interests of Foley’s security, the Foley family and GlobalPost have decided that no further details about his likely captors or the location where Foley is being held can be released at this time.</p>
<p>The Syrian government has denied on several occasions that it is holding Foley. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has himself issued both public and private denials. Syrian Ambassador to the United Nations H. E. Bashar Ja’afari, in a face-to-face meeting this summer with John and Diane Foley at the United Nations in New York also said his government was not holding their son. Other denials have come to GlobalPost’s attention from private and diplomatic sources. The Syrian government has also never acknowledged that it is holding another American journalist, Austin Tice, who has been missing in Syria since Aug. 13, 2012, despite many entreaties from his parents Marc and Debra Tice of Texas. Tice was reporting for McClatchy Newspapers and The Washington Post.</p>
<p>GlobalPost, with valuable assistance from David Bradley, chairman and owner of <a href="http://www.atlanticmedia.com/" type="external">Atlantic Media</a>, reopened its prior investigation into the possibility that Foley had been taken prisoner by one of the numerous jihadist groups now fighting the Syrian regime. Despite extensive research and investigation, no conclusive evidence has been found indicating that Foley is being held by any rebel group.</p>
<p>Throughout the past 11 months, numerous individuals have come forward professing to have information about Foley. Some of them have claimed to know who was holding him and where. All of these potential leads have been carefully investigated and none has so far proven to be credible. In some cases, the individuals were clearly seeking to take financial advantage of the family’s desperation to find their son. Moreover, the kidnappers have never communicated directly with the Foley family or with GlobalPost, nor have any ransom demands ever been made by those who are holding him.</p>
<p>Recently, two other American journalists escaped from Syria after being held prisoner for considerable periods of time. Jonathan Alpeyrie of New York City was kidnapped on April 29 by a jihadist group operating near Damascus. Alpeyrie told GlobalPost that he was beaten and threatened with execution during his captivity. In late July, with the assistance of individuals inside and outside the country, he was able to gain his freedom and his case became public in early August.</p>
<p>Matthew Shrier, also of New York City, was kidnapped in Aleppo, Syria’s largest city and the scene of intense fighting, on Dec. 31, 2012. He was held there until managing to escape in late August. Shrier told GlobalPost he was held prisoner by Al Nusra, which has been labeled a terrorist organization by the US State Department. Shrier said he was held with several other Westerners who have not been publicly identified. He told GlobalPost he never saw Foley during his almost nine months of captivity nor did he hear any information about him. Based on his experience with Al Nusra, Shrier said it was clear to him that the group had no intention of releasing any of its Western captives.</p>
<p>In addition to Foley and Tice, at least three other Americans are being held prisoner in Syria, including two other journalists, according to information obtained by GlobalPost. The names of the other journalists are being withheld at the request of their families.</p>
<p>In recent months, the number of kidnappings of Western journalists and humanitarian workers has escalated. Kidnappings now appear to have become a deliberate strategy for some rebel groups. Many news organizations, including GlobalPost, consider Syria to be too dangerous now to permit their employees to report from rebel-held areas of the country. As the civil war stretches into its third year, the conflict has become increasingly difficult with neither side seeming to have the ability to defeat the other.</p>
<p>According to the <a href="http://cpj.org/killed/mideast/syria/murder.php" type="external">Committee to Protect Journalists</a>, 17 journalists have been killed in Syria this year, the most of any country in the world, and 15 others are listed as imprisoned. The exact number of journalists who, like Foley, are missing in Syria and who are presumed to be either captured or possibly no longer alive is very difficult to determine accurately.</p>
<p>Foley had reported for GlobalPost in <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/video/5585839/location-firefight-kunar-province" type="external">Afghanistan</a> and in <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/110316/libya-muammar-gaddafi-benghazi" type="external">Libya</a> before covering the civil war in <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/syria/120821/syria-al-qaeda-jahbat-al-nusra-aleppo-assad" type="external">Syria</a> starting in 2012. Foley also contributed reporting to Agence France Presse during his time in Syria. His <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/syria/121015/aleppo-syria-rebels-fsa-assad-support" type="external">last article</a> for GlobalPost detailed the growing frustration with the war among civilians in Aleppo.</p>
<p>While covering the Libyan civil war in 2011, Foley and two other journalists, American Claire Gillis and Spaniard Manu Brabo, endured a <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/series/inside-gaddafi-libya-james-foley" type="external">44-day captivity</a> in April and May of that year at the hands of then Libyan strongman Col. Muammar Gaddafi. A fourth journalist, South African Anton Hammerl, was killed when the journalists were captured by Gaddafi fighters near Benghazi in eastern Libya. Foley later returned to Libya to cover <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/the-casbah/gaddafi-dead-eyewitness-recounts-final-moments" type="external">Gaddafi’s fall and eventual death</a>. Foley and GlobalPost senior correspondent Tracey Shelton were at the scene of Gaddafi’s capture in October 2011.</p>
<p>In Syria, Foley was intercepted by a group of armed men in a silver colored van on a road near the town of Taftanaz in the northern part of the country on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22, 2012. Two eyewitnesses provided details of the incident.</p>
<p>Philip Balboni is the chief executive officer and co-founder of GlobalPost. He has directed the effort to find and free James Foley since his kidnapping almost one year ago.</p>
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boston parents american journalist james foley kidnapped reporting syria last november missing ever since issued new appeal information son today eve 40th birthday anguish son still missing syria almost 11 months said diane foley jims mother almost one year life gone jim 40 years old friday oct 18 want let know much love hard working find bring home john foley jims father added dont know detained jim beg captors recognize son innocent objective journalist done harm anyone please set free foleys also made appeal thursday nbcs today show globalpost foley reported syria mounted extensive international investigation past year determine kidnapped held since last public update may 3 significant additional research undertaken throughout middle east including along syriaturkish border lebanon jordan locations light recently obtained information best interests foleys security foley family globalpost decided details likely captors location foley held released time syrian government denied several occasions holding foley syrian president bashar alassad issued public private denials syrian ambassador united nations h e bashar jaafari facetoface meeting summer john diane foley united nations new york also said government holding son denials come globalposts attention private diplomatic sources syrian government also never acknowledged holding another american journalist austin tice missing syria since aug 13 2012 despite many entreaties parents marc debra tice texas tice reporting mcclatchy newspapers washington post globalpost valuable assistance david bradley chairman owner atlantic media reopened prior investigation possibility foley taken prisoner one numerous jihadist groups fighting syrian regime despite extensive research investigation conclusive evidence found indicating foley held rebel group throughout past 11 months numerous individuals come forward professing information foley claimed know holding potential leads carefully investigated none far proven credible cases individuals clearly seeking take financial advantage familys desperation find son moreover kidnappers never communicated directly foley family globalpost ransom demands ever made holding recently two american journalists escaped syria held prisoner considerable periods time jonathan alpeyrie new york city kidnapped april 29 jihadist group operating near damascus alpeyrie told globalpost beaten threatened execution captivity late july assistance individuals inside outside country able gain freedom case became public early august matthew shrier also new york city kidnapped aleppo syrias largest city scene intense fighting dec 31 2012 held managing escape late august shrier told globalpost held prisoner al nusra labeled terrorist organization us state department shrier said held several westerners publicly identified told globalpost never saw foley almost nine months captivity hear information based experience al nusra shrier said clear group intention releasing western captives addition foley tice least three americans held prisoner syria including two journalists according information obtained globalpost names journalists withheld request families recent months number kidnappings western journalists humanitarian workers escalated kidnappings appear become deliberate strategy rebel groups many news organizations including globalpost consider syria dangerous permit employees report rebelheld areas country civil war stretches third year conflict become increasingly difficult neither side seeming ability defeat according committee protect journalists 17 journalists killed syria year country world 15 others listed imprisoned exact number journalists like foley missing syria presumed either captured possibly longer alive difficult determine accurately foley reported globalpost afghanistan libya covering civil war syria starting 2012 foley also contributed reporting agence france presse time syria last article globalpost detailed growing frustration war among civilians aleppo covering libyan civil war 2011 foley two journalists american claire gillis spaniard manu brabo endured 44day captivity april may year hands libyan strongman col muammar gaddafi fourth journalist south african anton hammerl killed journalists captured gaddafi fighters near benghazi eastern libya foley later returned libya cover gaddafis fall eventual death foley globalpost senior correspondent tracey shelton scene gaddafis capture october 2011 syria foley intercepted group armed men silver colored van road near town taftanaz northern part country thanksgiving day nov 22 2012 two eyewitnesses provided details incident philip balboni chief executive officer cofounder globalpost directed effort find free james foley since kidnapping almost one year ago
| 641 |
<p>MINYA, Egypt — Inside a police station in Upper Egypt, Mohamed Farouk writhes in pain on the floor. As a plain-clothed officer whips his torso, a colleague films the screams.</p>
<p>What the grainy footage reveals is not an isolated incident, according to lawyers and human rights groups. They say that Mohamed Farouk’s ordeal is just one example of escalating levels of abuse in police custody.</p>
<p>The Upper Egyptian city of Minya has witnessed a handful of well-publicized cases in the space of a month, spotlighting abuses that usually stay behind closed doors.</p>
<p>Almost three years after Egypt’s 2011 revolution, during which police were notoriously abusive, brutality in custody is reaching levels not seen since the years of Hosni Mubarak.</p>
<p>“My client was beaten for three continuous days,” says Farouk’s lawyer, Mohamed el Hambouly. “The police are the masters of this. They inflict pain like an it’s art. First, they used the belt, then electric shocks, then the grill.”</p>
<p>Grilling, a torture method for which Egypt’s police have won notoriety, involves strapping a prisoner's hands and feet to wooden planks, then rotating them slowly as they are beaten.</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/egypt/131201/cairo-student-protests" type="external">Egypt's students rise up</a></p>
<p>“We thought our [2011] revolution could put an end to the abuse of police power. But it couldn’t,” says Hambouly. “We saw barely any torture cases in Minya for the first six months. But when Morsi was elected, everything changed. And now, since his fall, I’ve dealt with three cases in one month alone.”</p>
<p>Since former president Mohamed Morsi was ousted in a popular coup on July 3, Egypt’s interior ministry has enjoyed an unprecedented popular mandate to crackdown on the former president’s supporters.</p>
<p>Morsi’s disastrous year in office left the country dangerously polarized. Many now conflate his Muslim Brotherhood with a more radical jihadist movement which engages in almost daily attacks on Egyptian security installations, and are therefore backing an aggressive crackdown on both the Brotherhood and the jihadists.</p>
<p>Five mass killings of predominantly pro-Morsi demonstrators have left over a thousand people dead, according to Human Rights Watch.</p>
<p>On Aug. 14, the bloodiest day in Egypt’s modern history, <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/thomson-reuters/130814/egypt-violence-kills-41-minya-province" type="external">41 people were killed in Minya</a> and its surrounding governorate. The destruction was led by supporters of the former president, and Christian properties were the focal points of many attacks.</p>
<p>Many of the attackers blamed the governorate’s sizeable Coptic Christian population for the bloodshed in Cairo; others used the upheaval as a cover to settle old scores with Coptic neighbors.</p>
<p>Initially condemned for failing to intervene in the violence, Minya’s police force are now winning popular support in their attempts to restore order, despite the brutality involved.</p>
<p>Interior ministry officials speak of a renewed sense of purpose and popularity.</p>
<p>“June 30 was the day that the people came back to the police,” says Minya’s police chief, Major Gen. Osama Metwaly. “The people wanted change after a year of suffering and humiliation at the hands of Mohamed Morsi. When the army and the police responded to the people's demands, people realized once again that we are there to keep them safe, and that we do our job well.”</p>
<p>Sitting at a giant mahogany desk, the major general fields calls throughout the interview with GlobalPost, discussing possible options for 19 students who have been arrested in demonstrations earlier in the day.</p>
<p>It is determined that parents of the four female detainees will be asked to collect them. The teenage boys will have their records scoured for prior misdemeanors, and a minor injury suffered by one of the on-duty police officers will be filed in a medical report, in case this is of use for a future prosecution of one of the boys.</p>
<p>Increased confidence, combined with new legislation permitting interior ministry officials to forcibly disperse demonstrations, has resulted in a level of arrogance unseen since the Mubarak years.</p>
<p>“The attitude now is very different,” says Karim Ennarah, a justice researcher at the Cairo-based Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights. “The police believe they are no longer the main public enemy, and that’s had a big impact on their psyche. Before [Morsi’s fall], they knew there was little pressure from the government to behave, there was still public pressure to do so.”</p>
<p>Ennarah says the interior ministry now operates with greater levels of impunity: “The police have become extremely violent, not just in dealing with the Brotherhood, but also in their day-to-day policing. The use of torture increased systematically under Morsi, and now it’s reached another level since June 30.”</p>
<p>On Oct. 31, Minya’s police would make this point painfully clear to local journalist Aslam Fathi. Detained after a minor altercation with a police officer, he suffered almost 24 hours of beatings and abuse inside the police station.</p>
<p>“As they hit me, I was screaming apologies at them, asking them what they wanted. They told me they were teaching me a lesson: I must never push a police officer about. They are the masters of this country,” he recalls.</p>
<p>His testimony contains horrifying similarities to that of Omar Farouk: first his limbs were cuffed, then he was hung across traffic barricades and beaten.</p>
<p>“And all the while they insulted me, cursed my family and told me I was not a man,” he says. “When I told them I was a journalist, they just laughed. They said they didn’t care about the reports; they thought they were untouchable.”</p>
<p>As police brutality increases, questions remain over the effect it might have on future support.</p>
<p>“They certainly have a popular mandate right now, but that could change very quickly,” says Ennarah. “we’ve already seen a number of cases where they’ve been responsible for violence at the local level which has caused their support there to ebb away.</p>
<p>Yet Ennarah says he does not believe waning popular support would provide the catalyst for police reform.</p>
<p>Neither does Fathi. “Egypt's police are rabid, and they do not change,” he says. “I used to be an optimist, I’d always say that reform was possible if we pushed for it hard enough. But then they tortured me. I have no hope left.”&#160;</p>
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minya egypt inside police station upper egypt mohamed farouk writhes pain floor plainclothed officer whips torso colleague films screams grainy footage reveals isolated incident according lawyers human rights groups say mohamed farouks ordeal one example escalating levels abuse police custody upper egyptian city minya witnessed handful wellpublicized cases space month spotlighting abuses usually stay behind closed doors almost three years egypts 2011 revolution police notoriously abusive brutality custody reaching levels seen since years hosni mubarak client beaten three continuous days says farouks lawyer mohamed el hambouly police masters inflict pain like art first used belt electric shocks grill grilling torture method egypts police notoriety involves strapping prisoners hands feet wooden planks rotating slowly beaten globalpost egypts students rise thought 2011 revolution could put end abuse police power couldnt says hambouly saw barely torture cases minya first six months morsi elected everything changed since fall ive dealt three cases one month alone since former president mohamed morsi ousted popular coup july 3 egypts interior ministry enjoyed unprecedented popular mandate crackdown former presidents supporters morsis disastrous year office left country dangerously polarized many conflate muslim brotherhood radical jihadist movement engages almost daily attacks egyptian security installations therefore backing aggressive crackdown brotherhood jihadists five mass killings predominantly promorsi demonstrators left thousand people dead according human rights watch aug 14 bloodiest day egypts modern history 41 people killed minya surrounding governorate destruction led supporters former president christian properties focal points many attacks many attackers blamed governorates sizeable coptic christian population bloodshed cairo others used upheaval cover settle old scores coptic neighbors initially condemned failing intervene violence minyas police force winning popular support attempts restore order despite brutality involved interior ministry officials speak renewed sense purpose popularity june 30 day people came back police says minyas police chief major gen osama metwaly people wanted change year suffering humiliation hands mohamed morsi army police responded peoples demands people realized keep safe job well sitting giant mahogany desk major general fields calls throughout interview globalpost discussing possible options 19 students arrested demonstrations earlier day determined parents four female detainees asked collect teenage boys records scoured prior misdemeanors minor injury suffered one onduty police officers filed medical report case use future prosecution one boys increased confidence combined new legislation permitting interior ministry officials forcibly disperse demonstrations resulted level arrogance unseen since mubarak years attitude different says karim ennarah justice researcher cairobased egyptian initiative personal rights police believe longer main public enemy thats big impact psyche morsis fall knew little pressure government behave still public pressure ennarah says interior ministry operates greater levels impunity police become extremely violent dealing brotherhood also daytoday policing use torture increased systematically morsi reached another level since june 30 oct 31 minyas police would make point painfully clear local journalist aslam fathi detained minor altercation police officer suffered almost 24 hours beatings abuse inside police station hit screaming apologies asking wanted told teaching lesson must never push police officer masters country recalls testimony contains horrifying similarities omar farouk first limbs cuffed hung across traffic barricades beaten insulted cursed family told man says told journalist laughed said didnt care reports thought untouchable police brutality increases questions remain effect might future support certainly popular mandate right could change quickly says ennarah weve already seen number cases theyve responsible violence local level caused support ebb away yet ennarah says believe waning popular support would provide catalyst police reform neither fathi egypts police rabid change says used optimist id always say reform possible pushed hard enough tortured hope left160
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<p>Proponents of <a href="" type="internal">a measure to&#160;close a loophole</a> that allows local law enforcement agencies to seize citizens’ property without a criminal conviction or even an arrest — a practice dubbed “policing for profit” — are moving behind the scenes to shore up support for the bill&#160;that died last September after a last-minute flurry of opposition from law enforcement.</p>
<p>The high-profile&#160;coalition of supporters&#160;— which spans the partisan divide with powerful advocacy groups and influential members of both parties&#160;— is aiming for a vote in the Assembly next week to block law enforcement from circumventing strict state law by partnering with the federal government in a program called “equitable sharing.”</p>
<p>On the right, Republican consultant&#160;Mike Madrid and Shawn Steel, a former chairman of the California Republican Party, are&#160;urging&#160;Republican support while California Democratic Party Chairman John Burton is working with&#160;Democrats.&#160;</p>
<p>It’s uncommon for Madrid, who specializes in Latino issues, to&#160;weigh in so heavily on policy issues inside the Capitol. But, as he&#160;told CalWatchdog, Senate Bill 443&#160;is a “no-brainer” because it upholds the core Republican values of “not preying on the poor” and the&#160;right to due process, and, politically, it could make inroads in minority communities&#160;that&#160;have been disproportionately affected by the current civil asset forfeiture system.</p>
<p>“If you can’t do this, you don’t have a shot at expanding the base,” Madrid said of Republican lawmakers.</p>
<p>Madrid said Republican lawmakers who opposed the measure lacked a “political backbone” because they are “afraid&#160;of offending law enforcement,” which is a historically strong ally on the right.&#160;</p>
<p>Madrid added that&#160;Assembly Republican Leader Chad Mayes has a “unique opportunity” to help the poor, which has been&#160;a central theme of the <a href="" type="internal">Yucca Valley Republican’s agenda</a> since becoming leader in January.</p>
<p>A Mayes&#160;spokesperson on Monday told CalWatchdog he had not announced how he would proceed. Mayes voted against the measure in September. &#160;</p>
<p>A <a href="https://www.aclusandiego.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/ACLU-Civil-Asset-Forfeiture-Report-1.pdf" type="external">report issued</a> this month&#160;by the ACLU of California showed 85 percent of proceeds from equitable sharing in California go to law enforcement agencies in communities with a majority of people of color.</p>
<p>The study also reported that the counties with higher per capita seizure rates have below average median household incomes and that the number of California law enforcement agencies participating in the equitable sharing program increased from 200 to 232 over the last two years.</p>
<p>The program was designed to seize the assets of large criminal&#160;enterprises,&#160;toppling them in the process —&#160;which the law would still allow if SB443 were to pass. But as budgets were cut, law enforcement saw it as a viable revenue stream, and the claims of abuse started piling up.</p>
<p>One notable example&#160;was&#160; <a href="http://www.ocregister.com/articles/federal-522896-jalali-government.html" type="external">the attempted seizure</a>&#160;of a $1.5 million building in Anaheim because the landlord rented space to a medical marijuana dispensary (which was legal in CA).</p>
<p>Another case involved&#160; <a href="http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-mendocino-pot-20140526-story.html" type="external">Bob Alexander</a>, who&#160;had&#160;$10,788 in cash that he was about to use to purchase a car for his daughter before the money was seized in Mendocino County because he had medical marijuana on him (along with the doctor’s recommendation for the marijuana, which was shown to police).</p>
<p>Alexander did get his money back eight months later. No charges were ever filed.</p>
<p>Current California law already bars the practice of seizing property without a conviction for assets valued at under $25,000, and requires “clear and convincing evidence” of a connection to a crime for assets&#160;exceeding $25,000 in value.</p>
<p>Law enforcement can get around that&#160;if the seizure is&#160;done in coordination with&#160;federal law enforcement&#160;and 20 percent of the proceeds are kicked up to the&#160;federal government. Yet there’s often not even an arrest because federal law doesn’t require it. Instead, there only needs to be suspicion that the property, not necessarily the person, is attached to some criminal activity.</p>
<p>People often get their property back after considerable time and frustration — but sometimes they don’t.&#160;So the bill, sponsored by Sen. Holly Mitchell, D-Los Angeles, and Asm. David Hadley, R-Torrance, would close that loophole and require a conviction for seizure of assets of any amount. Proponents like Mitchell and others say the practice often violates the Fourth and Fifth Amendments.</p>
<p>It’s not just Republicans whose support is being whipped. <a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billVotesClient.xhtml?bill_id=201520160SB443" type="external">A large share</a> of Assembly Democrats either voted against the measure or just didn’t vote, after nearly unanimous support in the Senate.</p>
<p>Burton —&#160;who as a member of the Legislature decades ago and authored the bill that established much of the state’s relatively strict civil asset forfeiture laws—- has been reaching out to Democrats.</p>
<p>“I am especially disheartened and disappointed to learn that the state reforms that I and your predecessors worked so hard to put in place have been cast aside by California law enforcement agencies in favor of less protective federal laws,” Burton wrote last week in a letter to Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-Paramount. Rendon voted in favor of the bill in September.</p>
<p>However, Republicans are in a tighter squeeze than Democrats, wedged between law enforcement and limited government intrusion. But the right-leaning Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association gave lawmakers political cover on Monday when it issued a letter of support, pointing to the sharp increase in seizures from the federally-supported equitable sharing program.</p>
<p>“(T)here is also no denying the fact that law enforcement is largely to blame for the situation that SB443 aims to fix,” wrote David Wolfe, legislative director for HJTA. “Rather than use the federal law selectively, they have overplayed their hand.”</p>
<p>Opponents of the bill argue that&#160; <a href="http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-mendocino-pot-20140526-story.html" type="external">law enforcement doesn’t police for profit</a>, and asset seizure is a vital tool used to cripple criminal organizations, partially by funding costly investigations. The California District Attorneys Association claimed&#160; <a href="http://endforfeiture.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/CDAA-opp-letter-re-SB-443-8.5.15.pdf" type="external">the bill would</a> “deny every law enforcement agency in California direct receipt of any forfeited assets.”</p>
<p>“California’s asset forfeiture law will be changed for the worse, and it will cripple the ability of law enforcement to forfeit assets from drug dealers when arrest and incarceration is an incomplete strategy for combating drug trafficking,” Sean Hoffman, CDAA’s director of legislation argued in a letter against SB443.</p>
<p>“Narcotics investigations are costly, and the California asset forfeiture law’s dedication of forfeiture proceeds to the seizing law enforcement agencies speaks to the serious resource needs involved when drug traffickers and their ill-gotten gains are pursued,” Hoffman added.</p>
<p>A CDAA spokesperson on Tuesday said the group was still opposed to the measure, but did not lobby against “inactive” bills, which SB443 is at the moment.&#160;</p>
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proponents measure to160close loophole allows local law enforcement agencies seize citizens property without criminal conviction even arrest practice dubbed policing profit moving behind scenes shore support bill160that died last september lastminute flurry opposition law enforcement highprofile160coalition supporters160 spans partisan divide powerful advocacy groups influential members parties160 aiming vote assembly next week block law enforcement circumventing strict state law partnering federal government program called equitable sharing right republican consultant160mike madrid shawn steel former chairman california republican party are160urging160republican support california democratic party chairman john burton working with160democrats160 uncommon madrid specializes latino issues to160weigh heavily policy issues inside capitol he160told calwatchdog senate bill 443160is nobrainer upholds core republican values preying poor the160right due process politically could make inroads minority communities160that160have disproportionately affected current civil asset forfeiture system cant dont shot expanding base madrid said republican lawmakers madrid said republican lawmakers opposed measure lacked political backbone afraid160of offending law enforcement historically strong ally right160 madrid added that160assembly republican leader chad mayes unique opportunity help poor been160a central theme yucca valley republicans agenda since becoming leader january mayes160spokesperson monday told calwatchdog announced would proceed mayes voted measure september 160 report issued month160by aclu california showed 85 percent proceeds equitable sharing california go law enforcement agencies communities majority people color study also reported counties higher per capita seizure rates average median household incomes number california law enforcement agencies participating equitable sharing program increased 200 232 last two years program designed seize assets large criminal160enterprises160toppling process 160which law would still allow sb443 pass budgets cut law enforcement saw viable revenue stream claims abuse started piling one notable example160was160 attempted seizure160of 15 million building anaheim landlord rented space medical marijuana dispensary legal ca another case involved160 bob alexander who160had16010788 cash use purchase car daughter money seized mendocino county medical marijuana along doctors recommendation marijuana shown police alexander get money back eight months later charges ever filed current california law already bars practice seizing property without conviction assets valued 25000 requires clear convincing evidence connection crime assets160exceeding 25000 value law enforcement get around that160if seizure is160done coordination with160federal law enforcement160and 20 percent proceeds kicked the160federal government yet theres often even arrest federal law doesnt require instead needs suspicion property necessarily person attached criminal activity people often get property back considerable time frustration sometimes dont160so bill sponsored sen holly mitchell dlos angeles asm david hadley rtorrance would close loophole require conviction seizure assets amount proponents like mitchell others say practice often violates fourth fifth amendments republicans whose support whipped large share assembly democrats either voted measure didnt vote nearly unanimous support senate burton 160who member legislature decades ago authored bill established much states relatively strict civil asset forfeiture laws reaching democrats especially disheartened disappointed learn state reforms predecessors worked hard put place cast aside california law enforcement agencies favor less protective federal laws burton wrote last week letter speaker anthony rendon dparamount rendon voted favor bill september however republicans tighter squeeze democrats wedged law enforcement limited government intrusion rightleaning howard jarvis taxpayers association gave lawmakers political cover monday issued letter support pointing sharp increase seizures federallysupported equitable sharing program also denying fact law enforcement largely blame situation sb443 aims fix wrote david wolfe legislative director hjta rather use federal law selectively overplayed hand opponents bill argue that160 law enforcement doesnt police profit asset seizure vital tool used cripple criminal organizations partially funding costly investigations california district attorneys association claimed160 bill would deny every law enforcement agency california direct receipt forfeited assets californias asset forfeiture law changed worse cripple ability law enforcement forfeit assets drug dealers arrest incarceration incomplete strategy combating drug trafficking sean hoffman cdaas director legislation argued letter sb443 narcotics investigations costly california asset forfeiture laws dedication forfeiture proceeds seizing law enforcement agencies speaks serious resource needs involved drug traffickers illgotten gains pursued hoffman added cdaa spokesperson tuesday said group still opposed measure lobby inactive bills sb443 moment160
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<p>STAFF CHANGES</p>
<p>• Anna Miller, to Westhunt Church, Richmond, as pastor.</p>
<p>• Seth Horrell, to North Riverside Church, Newport News, as pastor.</p>
<p>• Larry Soblotne, to Faith Church, Hamptn, as pastor.</p>
<p>• Edward Creel, pastor; Greg Soult, minister to youth and Nancy Redding, minister of music, concluding their ministries at Lynn Haven Church, Vinton.</p>
<p>• Lee Cooper, to Hunting Creek Church, Nathalie, as interim pastor.</p>
<p>• Don Harvey, to Calvary Church, Lovingston, as interim pastor.</p>
<p>• Darrell Fletcher, to Community Fellowship Church, Gate City, as interim pastor.</p>
<p>• Tommy Harris, to Chester Church, Chester, as minister to youth.</p>
<p>• Mary Ellen Gordon and Teri Campbell, to Hull’s Memorial Church, Fredericksburg, as music ministry coordinator and praise and worship leader, respectively.</p>
<p>• Phillip Higgins, resigning as music minister at Providence Church, Hayes.</p>
<p>RETIREMENT</p>
<p>• Jimmy Dunn will retire from the pastorate of First Church, Dillwyn, effective April 15, after having served there for six years.</p>
<p>DEATHS</p>
<p>• Former Virginia Baptist pastor J. Robert Gallier died March 10 in Richmond at the age of 80. He served as pastor of Emmaus Church, Providence Forge, from 1962 to 1988. He is predeceased by his wife, Mae Gentry Gallier. He is survived by a daughter, Cheryl Lynn Gallier, and a nephew. A memorial service was held March 14 at Emmaus Church.</p>
<p>• Former Virginia Baptist pastor Riley Jay Stewart died on Feb. 2 in Roanoke at the age of 76. He served as pastor of Midway Church, Ironto, and East End Church, Roanoke, before being appointed by the Foreign [now International] Mission Board to serve as a career missionary in Kenya, East Africa. He retired in 1996 after 32 years in Kenya. He is predeceased by his first wife, Laura Lee Gray Stewart. He is survived by his wife, Olivia Faye Barrow Stewart; five children, Shelly Stewart, Martha Stewart Barger, Sheila Barrow Parr, Sharon Barrow Davis and Jared Barrow; and 10 grandchildren. A memorial service was held Feb. 9 at First Church in Roanoke.</p>
<p>REVIVALS</p>
<p>• Bethlehem Church, Midlothian Turnpike, Richmond; April 4-7; Rick Gage, evangelist.</p>
<p>• Rodgers Chapel Church, Clover; March 21-24; Steve Carne, evangelist.</p>
<p>• SherLynn Church, Lyndhurst; March 28-29; Troy George, evangelist.</p>
<p>CHURCH NEWS</p>
<p>• Singer/songwriter Kate Campbell will be in concert at Central Church, Richmond, on March 21 at 7 p.m. followed by renewal message from Bruce Morgan of Griffin, Ga.</p>
<p>• Elk Creek Church, Mineral, will host an Easter sunrise service on the shore of the Lake Anna river (across from the church) on April 4 at 6:45 a.m. followed by breakfast and a traditional Easter worship service at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>• Elkhardt Church, Richmond, will celebrate its 50th anniversary on April 25. Former staff member David Foster will be guest speaker. Dinner after the celebration.</p>
<p>• Ron Phillips from Abba’s House in Hixson, TN, will speak at Exaltation Church, 7512A Comanche Dr., Richmond, on March 29 at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>• Middleburg Church, Middleburg, will celebrate its 163rd anniversary on April 25 at 11 a.m. Stephen Welch, executive director of NorthStar Network will be guest speaker. An anniversary luncheon will be held following the service.</p>
<p>• Stockton Memorial Church, Chesterfield, celebrated WMU Focus Week on Feb. 21 with WMU members participating in the service.</p>
<p>ASSOCIATIONAL NEWS</p>
<p>• Petersburg Association has called Ron Sowers as its part-time director of missions. He had been serving in this position as a volunteer for seven months. He earned his M.Div. from New Orleans Baptist Seminary and has served as pastor of two churches in the Petersburg Association: Newville Church in Waverly and Western Heights Church in Petersburg.</p>
<p>EASTER MUSIC &amp; DRAMA</p>
<p>• Amherst Church, Amherst; “He Lives!’ March 28 at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>• Black Creek Church, Franklin; “See, What a Morning,” March 28 at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>• Bonsack Church, Roanoke; “Were It Not for Grace,” Tuesday, March 30 to Saturday, April 3; tickets required; <a href="http://www.bonsackbaptist.org/" type="external">www.bonsackbaptist.org</a>.</p>
<p>• Dan River Church, Halifax; “Because He Lives!” March 28 at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>• Emmaus Church, Quinton; “”Thank you for the Cross,” March 28 at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>• Fairmount Memorial Church, Richmond; “Man of Sorrows, King of Glory,” March 28 at 10:30 a.m.</p>
<p>• Falmouth Church, Falmouth; “He Lives!” April 11 at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>• First Church, Bristol; “Known by the Scars,” April 1, 7 p.m.</p>
<p>• First Church, Nickelsville; “He’s Alive,” April 4 at 8:45 and 11 a.m.</p>
<p>• Floyd Church, Floyd; “Come and See,” March 28 at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>• Gourdvine Church, Rixeyville; “Behold the Lamb,” March 28 at 6 p.m.</p>
<p>• Ironbridge Church, Chesterfield; “”Run to the Cross,” March 28 at 6 p.m.</p>
<p>• Louisa Church, Louisa; “No Greater Sacrifice,” March 28 at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>• Powers Memorial Church, Hopewell; “Rise Again,” March 28 at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>• Rivermont Church, Danville; “In the Presence of Jehovah,” March 28 at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>• Shalom Church, Mechanicsville; “Who Is this King?” March 28 at 5 p.m.</p>
<p>• Smithfield Church, Smithfield; “The Power of the Cross,” March 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m.</p>
<p>• United Church, Danville; “The Night Before Easter,” March 28 at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>• Warrenton Church, Warrenton; “Lenten Sketches,” April 1 at 7:30 p.m.</p>
<p>• Webber Memorial Church, Richmond; “A Picture of Calvary,” March 28 at 8:30 and 11 a.m.</p>
<p>• White Stone Church, White Stone; “God’s Holy Lamb,” March 28 at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>Submit news, photos or Mission Moments&#160; for this page to <a href="mailto:[email protected]" type="external">[email protected]</a> or to Religious Herald, 2828 Emerywood Pkwy., Richmond, VA 23294.</p>
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staff changes anna miller westhunt church richmond pastor seth horrell north riverside church newport news pastor larry soblotne faith church hamptn pastor edward creel pastor greg soult minister youth nancy redding minister music concluding ministries lynn church vinton lee cooper hunting creek church nathalie interim pastor harvey calvary church lovingston interim pastor darrell fletcher community fellowship church gate city interim pastor tommy harris chester church chester minister youth mary ellen gordon teri campbell hulls memorial church fredericksburg music ministry coordinator praise worship leader respectively phillip higgins resigning music minister providence church hayes retirement jimmy dunn retire pastorate first church dillwyn effective april 15 served six years deaths former virginia baptist pastor j robert gallier died march 10 richmond age 80 served pastor emmaus church providence forge 1962 1988 predeceased wife mae gentry gallier survived daughter cheryl lynn gallier nephew memorial service held march 14 emmaus church former virginia baptist pastor riley jay stewart died feb 2 roanoke age 76 served pastor midway church ironto east end church roanoke appointed foreign international mission board serve career missionary kenya east africa retired 1996 32 years kenya predeceased first wife laura lee gray stewart survived wife olivia faye barrow stewart five children shelly stewart martha stewart barger sheila barrow parr sharon barrow davis jared barrow 10 grandchildren memorial service held feb 9 first church roanoke revivals bethlehem church midlothian turnpike richmond april 47 rick gage evangelist rodgers chapel church clover march 2124 steve carne evangelist sherlynn church lyndhurst march 2829 troy george evangelist church news singersongwriter kate campbell concert central church richmond march 21 7 pm followed renewal message bruce morgan griffin ga elk creek church mineral host easter sunrise service shore lake anna river across church april 4 645 followed breakfast traditional easter worship service 11 elkhardt church richmond celebrate 50th anniversary april 25 former staff member david foster guest speaker dinner celebration ron phillips abbas house hixson tn speak exaltation church 7512a comanche dr richmond march 29 7 pm middleburg church middleburg celebrate 163rd anniversary april 25 11 stephen welch executive director northstar network guest speaker anniversary luncheon held following service stockton memorial church chesterfield celebrated wmu focus week feb 21 wmu members participating service associational news petersburg association called ron sowers parttime director missions serving position volunteer seven months earned mdiv new orleans baptist seminary served pastor two churches petersburg association newville church waverly western heights church petersburg easter music amp drama amherst church amherst lives march 28 11 black creek church franklin see morning march 28 7 pm bonsack church roanoke grace tuesday march 30 saturday april 3 tickets required wwwbonsackbaptistorg dan river church halifax lives march 28 11 emmaus church quinton thank cross march 28 11 fairmount memorial church richmond man sorrows king glory march 28 1030 falmouth church falmouth lives april 11 11 first church bristol known scars april 1 7 pm first church nickelsville hes alive april 4 845 11 floyd church floyd come see march 28 11 gourdvine church rixeyville behold lamb march 28 6 pm ironbridge church chesterfield run cross march 28 6 pm louisa church louisa greater sacrifice march 28 11 powers memorial church hopewell rise march 28 11 rivermont church danville presence jehovah march 28 11 shalom church mechanicsville king march 28 5 pm smithfield church smithfield power cross march 27 28 730 pm united church danville night easter march 28 11 warrenton church warrenton lenten sketches april 1 730 pm webber memorial church richmond picture calvary march 28 830 11 white stone church white stone gods holy lamb march 28 11 submit news photos mission moments160 page bfrancisreligiousheraldorg religious herald 2828 emerywood pkwy richmond va 23294
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<p>NEW YORK —&#160;More than two years since pro-democracy protests began in Bahrain in February 2011,&#160; <a href="http://www.fidh.org/Silencing-Dissent-A-Policy-of-12188" type="external">more than 80 people have been killed</a>&#160;and thousands have been subjected to severe violence. Riot police continue to put down demonstrations, which are led mostly by the country's Shia Muslim majority. The opposition protestors, in turn, are resorting to&#160; <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/121212/bahrain-protests-opposition-violence" type="external">increasingly militant tactics</a>&#160;to demand rights from the ruling Sunni minority, headed by the ruling family of King Hamad bin Isa al Khalifa.</p>
<p>Last Friday, Bahrain’s sectarian tug-of-war returned to international headlines when Ali Abdulemam, a pro-democracy&#160;blogger, escaped the island kingdom after spending nearly two years in hiding. <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/05/escape-from-bahrain-ali-abdulemam-is-free/275746/" type="external">The Atlantic broke the news</a> of his newfound freedom on the same day that thousands took to the streets near Manama to protest the <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/130511/thousands-bahrain-protest-against-torture" type="external">alleged torture of jailed regime dissidents</a>.</p>
<p>Abdulemam now joins dozens of exiled Bahraini activists overseas, who are working ‘from the outside’ to garner international attention for the opposition movement on the ground.</p>
<p>GlobalPost spoke with Maryam al-Khawaja, the acting president of the Center for Human Rights in Bahrain, who went into self-imposed exile in 2011. Maryam is the daughter of prominent human rights attorney <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/130326/bahrain-father-daughter-activist-duo-at-risk-hunger-strike-" type="external">Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja</a>, who was arrested in 2011 and is now serving a life sentence in prison. Maryam’s uncle and sister are also imprisoned for participating in “illegal gathering” and defaming the ruling al Khalifa family.&#160;</p>
<p>The pro-democracy efforts of the Khawaja family were recognized with a joint Nobel Peace Prize nomination in February.</p>
<p>This conversation has been slightly edited for length. &#160;Cora Engelbrecht: What prompted your decision to leave the country in 2011?</p>
<p>Maryam Al-Kahwaja: In the beginning of March 2011, I received an invitation to go to Geneva and testify about the riot police raids in the Pearl Roundabout at the start of the uprising in February. I had been on the ground, and spent most of my time at hospitals and witnessed many of the deaths and injuries of protestors on the streets, at the hands of the police. I absolutely had no desire to leave the movement and my family. But my father urged me to go; he told me the government crackdown was coming, and that we needed someone on the outside talking about the uprising on the inside. In the end, as much as I didn’t want to leave, I knew he was right.</p>
<p>CE: And where do you live currently?</p>
<p>MK: I am currently living in self-imposed exile in Copenhagen. This past January I had my first trip back to Bahrain since I left in two years ago.</p>
<p>CE: How have conditions for your family changed since you left in 2011?</p>
<p>MK: My father and uncle are both imprisoned, and have been subjected to violent arrests, interrogations and torture. I was able to visit with them in January. My father, who has always been a preacher of nonviolent resistance, has gone on several hunger strikes in prison — the longest lasting 110 days. He looked different to me, but still spirited.</p>
<p>My sister has received close to nine sentences now for demonstrations of civil disobedience. We are concerned about her current situation; she has not been outside for two months and has been denied any family, or legal consultations. She is also forbidden access to sanitary items.</p>
<p>CE: How do you compare increasing reports of violence from the side of the opposition to your experience of peaceful protest on the ground in 2011?&#160;</p>
<p>MK: The violence has certainly evolved from a movement of nonviolent protesting. What made this uprising different from previous movements in Bahrain was that it was driven by youth, not religious leaders, not political leaders. And we made clear from the beginning that this was a secular, non-political movement.&#160;We were fighting for human rights, peacefully.</p>
<p>I remember on the second day of the resistance, people camping out in Pearl Square — the Bahraini version of Egypt’s Tahrir Square. It was the largest protest in Bahraini history; the largest protest of the so-called Arab Spring. Almost 50 percent of the population, nearly 300,000 people, came out demanding political change: Sunnis and Shias, the liberals and religious, rich and poor, professionals and the farmers, workers standing side by side. The turnout was completely widespread throughout the community. It was amazing, watching people roll up in Lamborghinis and BMW convertibles, on donkeys, bikes, in carts. This was truly a movement for the people, for everyone.&#160;</p>
<p>On February 17th, the regime attacked people while they were sleeping in the square. Four were killed and hundreds were injured. &#160;</p>
<p>CE: What was different about the demonstrations when you visited in January? Are protesters becoming disenchanted with the idea of civil disobedience?</p>
<p>MK: This has been most frustrating for me, watching the progression of violence from the side of the opposition. Over time nonviolent activists have lost footing due to the inaction of the international community.&#160;</p>
<p>A year ago, my family would urge people to use only nonviolent protest, and they would listen. When I visited in February, a more common response to this request was “what have you been able to do for us over the past two years?” Honestly, I didn’t have an answer for them. There has been no accountability for the Bahraini regime abroad.</p>
<p>I cannot blame people for becoming disenchanted with this idea of civil disobedience and nonviolence, because it has garnered absolutely no support from international governments.&#160;</p>
<p>I hear people talk about protestors carrying guns on the ground in Libya, and receiving NATO and media support. In Bahrain, we demanded rights peacefully and nobody responded. And so people are resorting to violence. I fear the situation is becoming radicalized and very quickly.</p>
<p>CE: You mentioned earlier that this began as a movement ‘for everyone’ — Sunnis and Shias alike. What has been the regime’s role in creating a widening rift between these two sects?</p>
<p>MK: Systematic sectarianism did not start with this revolution. The Bahraini regime for more than 10 years has been discriminating and marginalizing the Shia community with unwritten laws that dictate where Shias live and work. But this wasn’t felt as dramatically socially before the 2011 crackdown, because people were so interactive. They were best friends, lovers — we used to call the intermarriages ‘ <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/130315/bahrain-growing-sunni-shia-rift" type="external">sushis</a>.’</p>
<p>In March 2011, there was a formal military intervention in Bahrain, in which the Saudis and United Arab Emirates troops came in under the name of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the peninsula shield, and embarked on a very systematic sectarian crackdown to help end the protests. Basically, no matter what class or profession you were, if you are Shia you were a target. Thousands were arrested, beaten, harassed during house raids, at checkpoints, on the streets. Around 6,000 people were sacked from their jobs for participating in protests. To this day this continues. I have friends who have been arrested for ‘liking’ a photo on Facebook. That simple.</p>
<p>By dressing this as a sectarian uprising, or ‘Shia uprising’ — which is what this movement is relentlessly referred to as — the government is wrongly tying it to religious movements in Hezbollah and Iran. The strategy is working. This is no longer known as the ‘Bahraini uprising.’ It is misinterpreted as the ‘Shia uprising in Bahrain.’</p>
<p>CE: In the past, you have referred to the Bahrain uprising as the “inconvenient movement.”</p>
<p>MK: I call it the inconvenient revolution because it is inconvenient to everyone: the Arabs because of Gulf money and influence; the West because of their security, geopolitical and economic interests with the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council). Nobody is jumping to support our efforts to democratize the region. But this is the reality in the Gulf: we are still living in a world where a barrel of oil from Saudi Arabia is worth the lives of Bahrainis.</p>
<p>CE: How has your message to foreign governments changed, as you’ve noticed increased radicalization on the ground?</p>
<p>MK: There is still a window of opportunity to act, to do the right thing. Nobody is asking for military intervention, no boots on the ground. Our only demand is that countries like the US and UK — countries that say they hold human rights and freedom and democracy as cornerstones to their foreign policy — act upon their commitment, and hold the Bahraini regime accountable.</p>
<p>CE: Do you see the movement becoming more violent before you see real change?</p>
<p>MK: The humanitarian situation is deteriorating. I always say, if you want to know the human rights situation of any country, look at where the human rights defenders are. In Bahrain the most prominent are all imprisoned. Almost every day there are protests where people continue to take to the streets, demanding change. And the police continue to use violent means to hamper the movement. We’re also seeing a constant targeting of journalists. Children are being detained every week. There is also a shortage of specialized surgeons; many remain imprisoned after they were arrested for treating protestors in 2011.&#160;</p>
<p>The problem here is not that the Bahraini regime believes they have international impunity; it is the fact that they are right in their belief. They have absolutely no incentive to curtail human rights violations. As long as this continues, the situation will continue to deteriorate. People will become more radicalized, the violence — the detaining of activists, the systematic torture, the discrimination will only increase and get out of hand if the Bahraini government isn’t held accountable.</p>
<p>CE: Do you anticipate a response from the US?</p>
<p>MK: I sat with the US administration back in 2011 and told them that live ammunition was being fired at my people who were raising flowers in protest. The US has done nothing. I don’t anticipate the US or UK changing their international policies anytime soon due to the geopolitical interest they have with Bahrain and Saudi Arabia and other countries in the region. Recently we [the Center for Human Rights in Bahrain] have shifted gears, and are pushing to achieve something closer to what happened during the South African apartheid regime. One of the first political groups to actually boycott the South African regime was the Nordic Council — the idea that smaller countries that don’t have many political security affiliations with the Gulf can come together and make a difference, is giving us hope.&#160;</p>
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new york 160more two years since prodemocracy protests began bahrain february 2011160 80 people killed160and thousands subjected severe violence riot police continue put demonstrations led mostly countrys shia muslim majority opposition protestors turn resorting to160 increasingly militant tactics160to demand rights ruling sunni minority headed ruling family king hamad bin isa al khalifa last friday bahrains sectarian tugofwar returned international headlines ali abdulemam prodemocracy160blogger escaped island kingdom spending nearly two years hiding atlantic broke news newfound freedom day thousands took streets near manama protest alleged torture jailed regime dissidents abdulemam joins dozens exiled bahraini activists overseas working outside garner international attention opposition movement ground globalpost spoke maryam alkhawaja acting president center human rights bahrain went selfimposed exile 2011 maryam daughter prominent human rights attorney abdulhadi alkhawaja arrested 2011 serving life sentence prison maryams uncle sister also imprisoned participating illegal gathering defaming ruling al khalifa family160 prodemocracy efforts khawaja family recognized joint nobel peace prize nomination february conversation slightly edited length 160cora engelbrecht prompted decision leave country 2011 maryam alkahwaja beginning march 2011 received invitation go geneva testify riot police raids pearl roundabout start uprising february ground spent time hospitals witnessed many deaths injuries protestors streets hands police absolutely desire leave movement family father urged go told government crackdown coming needed someone outside talking uprising inside end much didnt want leave knew right ce live currently mk currently living selfimposed exile copenhagen past january first trip back bahrain since left two years ago ce conditions family changed since left 2011 mk father uncle imprisoned subjected violent arrests interrogations torture able visit january father always preacher nonviolent resistance gone several hunger strikes prison longest lasting 110 days looked different still spirited sister received close nine sentences demonstrations civil disobedience concerned current situation outside two months denied family legal consultations also forbidden access sanitary items ce compare increasing reports violence side opposition experience peaceful protest ground 2011160 mk violence certainly evolved movement nonviolent protesting made uprising different previous movements bahrain driven youth religious leaders political leaders made clear beginning secular nonpolitical movement160we fighting human rights peacefully remember second day resistance people camping pearl square bahraini version egypts tahrir square largest protest bahraini history largest protest socalled arab spring almost 50 percent population nearly 300000 people came demanding political change sunnis shias liberals religious rich poor professionals farmers workers standing side side turnout completely widespread throughout community amazing watching people roll lamborghinis bmw convertibles donkeys bikes carts truly movement people everyone160 february 17th regime attacked people sleeping square four killed hundreds injured 160 ce different demonstrations visited january protesters becoming disenchanted idea civil disobedience mk frustrating watching progression violence side opposition time nonviolent activists lost footing due inaction international community160 year ago family would urge people use nonviolent protest would listen visited february common response request able us past two years honestly didnt answer accountability bahraini regime abroad blame people becoming disenchanted idea civil disobedience nonviolence garnered absolutely support international governments160 hear people talk protestors carrying guns ground libya receiving nato media support bahrain demanded rights peacefully nobody responded people resorting violence fear situation becoming radicalized quickly ce mentioned earlier began movement everyone sunnis shias alike regimes role creating widening rift two sects mk systematic sectarianism start revolution bahraini regime 10 years discriminating marginalizing shia community unwritten laws dictate shias live work wasnt felt dramatically socially 2011 crackdown people interactive best friends lovers used call intermarriages sushis march 2011 formal military intervention bahrain saudis united arab emirates troops came name gulf cooperation council gcc peninsula shield embarked systematic sectarian crackdown help end protests basically matter class profession shia target thousands arrested beaten harassed house raids checkpoints streets around 6000 people sacked jobs participating protests day continues friends arrested liking photo facebook simple dressing sectarian uprising shia uprising movement relentlessly referred government wrongly tying religious movements hezbollah iran strategy working longer known bahraini uprising misinterpreted shia uprising bahrain ce past referred bahrain uprising inconvenient movement mk call inconvenient revolution inconvenient everyone arabs gulf money influence west security geopolitical economic interests gcc gulf cooperation council nobody jumping support efforts democratize region reality gulf still living world barrel oil saudi arabia worth lives bahrainis ce message foreign governments changed youve noticed increased radicalization ground mk still window opportunity act right thing nobody asking military intervention boots ground demand countries like us uk countries say hold human rights freedom democracy cornerstones foreign policy act upon commitment hold bahraini regime accountable ce see movement becoming violent see real change mk humanitarian situation deteriorating always say want know human rights situation country look human rights defenders bahrain prominent imprisoned almost every day protests people continue take streets demanding change police continue use violent means hamper movement also seeing constant targeting journalists children detained every week also shortage specialized surgeons many remain imprisoned arrested treating protestors 2011160 problem bahraini regime believes international impunity fact right belief absolutely incentive curtail human rights violations long continues situation continue deteriorate people become radicalized violence detaining activists systematic torture discrimination increase get hand bahraini government isnt held accountable ce anticipate response us mk sat us administration back 2011 told live ammunition fired people raising flowers protest us done nothing dont anticipate us uk changing international policies anytime soon due geopolitical interest bahrain saudi arabia countries region recently center human rights bahrain shifted gears pushing achieve something closer happened south african apartheid regime one first political groups actually boycott south african regime nordic council idea smaller countries dont many political security affiliations gulf come together make difference giving us hope160
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<p>On Jan. 22, the local school council at DePriest Elementary School in Austin voted 5 to 4 not to renew the contract of Principal Ruth Lewis Knight, capping two years of disagreement over the school’s academic direction. Since then, a large section of the community has been up in arms, refusing to take “no” for an answer.</p>
<p>“It’s not about academics, it’s not about her being a good principal,” teacher Joyce Randall declared at a particularly raucous meeting. “We’re talking about a power play here, about who’s got the power and who’s going to run it.”</p>
<p>Initially, several council members who supported Knight were able to deny the LSC a quorum. Then, when the LSC was able to resume business, more than 100 community members and their children took up the protest, disrupting meetings with loud speeches, chants and heckling. One night, they forced the LSC to cancel a scheduled community forum for principal finalists. “It wouldn’t have been conducive or profitable for them to be jeered,” explains parent rep Miranda Shields.</p>
<p>Some community members also contend that teacher rep Diane Simpson controls the LSC. Randall, for one, says Simpson is “disgruntled” because Knight transferred her from the library to the classroom. “It’s a personal, private stab in the back,” she says, calling Simpson’s relationship with the other members a “conspiracy.”</p>
<p>Council chair Lauren Harkim dismisses the allegation. “She doesn’t control us; we have our own minds,” she counters. Simpson agrees, calling council members “very strong, opinionated women” who “have an interest in the students, just like I do.” She says returning to the classroom was her preference, and that her objections to Knight are based solely on her performance as principal. “If anyone would look at [that], and look at the school, and then talk to me, then we can have a real conversation,” she says.</p>
<p>Today, the controversy is at least temporarily in the hands of Chief Executive Officer Paul Vallas, who is mulling three candidates for the job. “I can’t figure out for the life of me why the local school council would want to get rid of [Knight],” he says, adding, “I’ve got a dozen schools that are salivating at the chance to hire her.”</p>
<p>Students transferred</p>
<p>A year ago, LSC parents charged it was Knight who was trying to get rid of them. Knight sought school transfers for more than 100 DePriest students who lived outside the school’s regular attendance area; they included the children of four parent members who had been at odds with her. Knight says the intent was to relieve overcrowding and that she had gotten an OK from the board’s Facilities Department.</p>
<p>Suspecting Knight was trying to get them off the council, the LSC parents sought the help of attorney Zarina O’Hagin, director of the Lawyers’ School Reform Advisory Project. Working through the summer, O’Hagin helped them successfully petition the board’s Law Department. She says the board ruled the transfers illegal because the school wasn’t officially overcrowded.</p>
<p>Another point of contention last spring was DePriest’s school improvement plan. Council members had long objected to what they considered Knight’s Christmas-tree approach to school improvement. “You just get program on top of program on top of program,” contends Miranda Shields. “There’s no direct tie-in with the basic curriculum.”</p>
<p>The council decided to take the matter into its own hands, cutting a math coordinator position from Knight’s proposed school improvement plan. The coordinator had been at the school for more than five years with no improvement in math scores, Shields says.</p>
<p>Knight counters that LSC members could have come to SIP planning meetings more consistently and made their wishes known earlier. She says they dragged their feet so she would be forced to work on the final version during spring vacation. “To take my vacation, I felt, was just another ploy,” she says. “‘This is our power, we can do this.'”</p>
<p>Knight says she’s proud of the many programs she’s introduced during her 13 years leading DePriest. They include increased staff development, test-taking workshops, a computer network, Socratic seminars and a science lab.</p>
<p>When the council majority gave Knight her walking papers, though, they gave her scant explanation, saying only that the council wanted “a change in leadership.” Knight says that falls short of a legal requirement that a council “provide in writing the reasons for the council’s not renewing the principal’s contract” at the principal’s request.</p>
<p>“There’s not any substance behind it,” says Knight. “That is a safe thing to say to keep from being sued.”</p>
<p>Many of her supporters agree. “When you all made the decision, you had a reason,” teacher Phyllis Smith angrily told council members at one meeting. “You could have sent her an airmail, special-delivery letter, and she would have gotten it.”</p>
<p>But O’Hagin says she counseled the members to keep the statement vague. “This is not a removal for cause,” she notes, adding, “You do not want to arm anyone with potential lawsuits here.”</p>
<p>Parent member Hattie Holmes gives another reason for the noncommittal statement: “We didn’t want to slander her name; to me, I was trying to be kind.” Fellow parent Casondra Pounds agrees, saying, “It’s nothing personal. Dr. Knight is a pleasant person to me.”</p>
<p>39 applicants</p>
<p>Despite the contentiousness, DePriest received 39 applications for principal.</p>
<p>In late February, the LSC enlisted the help of Hilton Clark, a consultant with the PENCUL collaborative. Clark visited eight times, moving quickly through topics like screening resumes and writing interview questions. By March 31, the council had chosen 11 semifinalists, interviewed them and narrowed the pool to four.</p>
<p>In Clark’s view, though, the process suffered from lack of communication. “There is no real dialogue between the community and the LSC,” he says. As community protests mounted, the council said less and less. Clark mainly faults the protesters. “If you want to hear people,” he says, “you’ve got to stop shouting.”</p>
<p>With only six council members attending meetings—one short of the total required to name a principal outright—the council compiled a list of three candidates to submit to Vallas. On April 13, as police controlled the crowd, it announced their last names only. According to the Office of School and Community Relations, they are, in order, Donna J. Newton-Holland of Ogden, Benita Goldman of Daley and Bernita Dinwiddie of Edwards. All are assistant principals.</p>
<p>Council members say their requirements were modest: at least three years’ administrative experience, at least three years’ elementary teaching experience, and an ability to communicate well with staff, parents and the community. Parent rep Holmes adds wryly that she preferred “somebody who doesn’t mind having toilet paper in the bathrooms.” Holmes and others say the building isn’t well maintained.</p>
<p>Leaders of reform groups support the LSC. O’Hagin, who began working with the council a year ago, says, “This body probably has more information on what has gone on in the school with this principal than anyone else around.” She adds, “I just feel they are thoughtful, well-intentioned, and they’re interested in having a good school.”</p>
<p>“They’re a cohesive group. … They’re trying to do a good job,” says Sheila Castillo, coordinator of the Chicago Association of Local School Councils. And Julie Woestehoff, executive director of Parents United for Responsible Education, says, “I can see no fathomable reason why this LSC has been put under such harassment.”</p>
<p>Hilton Clark is supportive, too. “They’re not a homogenous group that has demonstrated to me any kind of personal vendetta against the principal,” he says. “They truly believe that what they’re doing is good for the school, and they believe a new principal will do a better job of educating the kids.”</p>
<p>Pamela Price, a school and community relations facilitator, takes an opposing view, expressing particular sympathy for the angry children who attended LSC meetings. “They couldn’t figure out why [anyone] would mess with a school that’s not on probation, not on remediation, and the scores are going steadily up,” she says.</p>
<p>Price adds that she has never seen a principal selection as chaotic as DePriest’s. “It’s a soap opera, a saga,” she says. “I’m lost for words.”</p>
<p>James Deanes, director of School and Community Relations, says the LSC should throw in the towel. “Some of it seems to be they’ve dug a line in the sand and they don’t know how to get out of it,” he says. “They’re fighting for the sake of fighting.”</p>
<p>What happens next depends on Vallas, who strongly supports Knight. Under state law, Vallas could declare the school in “educational crisis” and install his choice for principal. He says he would do that only if the LSC’s actions damage student performance. Otherwise, he says, “I’d be intervening in a council a week.”</p>
<p>Vallas also could stall by holding the list for 30 days before sending it back. He says that if he intervenes at DePriest, he likely would take this course.</p>
<p>Once the council gets the list back, it has 15 days to make its own choice. While the law doesn’t specify how many votes that would take, board lawyers say seven would be needed. In that case, principal selection could simply grind to a halt until the new council steps in on July 1. Then, Vallas says, he would “let the new council take a crack at selecting a principal.”</p>
<p>But, he adds, “The only way I would reject all three picks is if they don’t have someone comparable to the outgoing principal.”</p>
<p>If Vallas does pick one of the three finalists, his choice likely would have a hard time, says Anthony Bolton, a new LSC member. “I think it would be difficult to get along with a new principal, the way this principal was let go.” All the recently elected council members support Knight.</p>
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jan 22 local school council depriest elementary school austin voted 5 4 renew contract principal ruth lewis knight capping two years disagreement schools academic direction since large section community arms refusing take answer academics good principal teacher joyce randall declared particularly raucous meeting talking power play whos got power whos going run initially several council members supported knight able deny lsc quorum lsc able resume business 100 community members children took protest disrupting meetings loud speeches chants heckling one night forced lsc cancel scheduled community forum principal finalists wouldnt conducive profitable jeered explains parent rep miranda shields community members also contend teacher rep diane simpson controls lsc randall one says simpson disgruntled knight transferred library classroom personal private stab back says calling simpsons relationship members conspiracy council chair lauren harkim dismisses allegation doesnt control us minds counters simpson agrees calling council members strong opinionated women interest students like says returning classroom preference objections knight based solely performance principal anyone would look look school talk real conversation says today controversy least temporarily hands chief executive officer paul vallas mulling three candidates job cant figure life local school council would want get rid knight says adding ive got dozen schools salivating chance hire students transferred year ago lsc parents charged knight trying get rid knight sought school transfers 100 depriest students lived outside schools regular attendance area included children four parent members odds knight says intent relieve overcrowding gotten ok boards facilities department suspecting knight trying get council lsc parents sought help attorney zarina ohagin director lawyers school reform advisory project working summer ohagin helped successfully petition boards law department says board ruled transfers illegal school wasnt officially overcrowded another point contention last spring depriests school improvement plan council members long objected considered knights christmastree approach school improvement get program top program top program contends miranda shields theres direct tiein basic curriculum council decided take matter hands cutting math coordinator position knights proposed school improvement plan coordinator school five years improvement math scores shields says knight counters lsc members could come sip planning meetings consistently made wishes known earlier says dragged feet would forced work final version spring vacation take vacation felt another ploy says power knight says shes proud many programs shes introduced 13 years leading depriest include increased staff development testtaking workshops computer network socratic seminars science lab council majority gave knight walking papers though gave scant explanation saying council wanted change leadership knight says falls short legal requirement council provide writing reasons councils renewing principals contract principals request theres substance behind says knight safe thing say keep sued many supporters agree made decision reason teacher phyllis smith angrily told council members one meeting could sent airmail specialdelivery letter would gotten ohagin says counseled members keep statement vague removal cause notes adding want arm anyone potential lawsuits parent member hattie holmes gives another reason noncommittal statement didnt want slander name trying kind fellow parent casondra pounds agrees saying nothing personal dr knight pleasant person 39 applicants despite contentiousness depriest received 39 applications principal late february lsc enlisted help hilton clark consultant pencul collaborative clark visited eight times moving quickly topics like screening resumes writing interview questions march 31 council chosen 11 semifinalists interviewed narrowed pool four clarks view though process suffered lack communication real dialogue community lsc says community protests mounted council said less less clark mainly faults protesters want hear people says youve got stop shouting six council members attending meetingsone short total required name principal outrightthe council compiled list three candidates submit vallas april 13 police controlled crowd announced last names according office school community relations order donna j newtonholland ogden benita goldman daley bernita dinwiddie edwards assistant principals council members say requirements modest least three years administrative experience least three years elementary teaching experience ability communicate well staff parents community parent rep holmes adds wryly preferred somebody doesnt mind toilet paper bathrooms holmes others say building isnt well maintained leaders reform groups support lsc ohagin began working council year ago says body probably information gone school principal anyone else around adds feel thoughtful wellintentioned theyre interested good school theyre cohesive group theyre trying good job says sheila castillo coordinator chicago association local school councils julie woestehoff executive director parents united responsible education says see fathomable reason lsc put harassment hilton clark supportive theyre homogenous group demonstrated kind personal vendetta principal says truly believe theyre good school believe new principal better job educating kids pamela price school community relations facilitator takes opposing view expressing particular sympathy angry children attended lsc meetings couldnt figure anyone would mess school thats probation remediation scores going steadily says price adds never seen principal selection chaotic depriests soap opera saga says im lost words james deanes director school community relations says lsc throw towel seems theyve dug line sand dont know get says theyre fighting sake fighting happens next depends vallas strongly supports knight state law vallas could declare school educational crisis install choice principal says would lscs actions damage student performance otherwise says id intervening council week vallas also could stall holding list 30 days sending back says intervenes depriest likely would take course council gets list back 15 days make choice law doesnt specify many votes would take board lawyers say seven would needed case principal selection could simply grind halt new council steps july 1 vallas says would let new council take crack selecting principal adds way would reject three picks dont someone comparable outgoing principal vallas pick one three finalists choice likely would hard time says anthony bolton new lsc member think would difficult get along new principal way principal let go recently elected council members support knight
| 939 |
<p />
<p>Christmas Music &amp; Drama</p>
<p>Azalea Church, “An Old-Fashioned Christmas,” Dec. 11 at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>Beaver Dam Church, Troy; “One Bethlehem Night,” Dec. 9 and 10 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 11 at 3 p.m.</p>
<p>Bedford Church, Bedford; “A Great and Mighty Wonder,” Dec. 11 at 10:55 a.m.</p>
<p>Black Creek Church, Franklin; “Night of Alleluias,” Dec. 11 at 6 p.m.</p>
<p>Bonsack Church, Roanoke; “Many Moods of Christmas,” Dec. 11 at 3 and 6:30 p.m.</p>
<p>Boydton Church, Clarksville; “The Gift Goes On,” Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 18 at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>Branch's Church, Richmond; “Christmas at the Keyboards” with Fred and Shirley Clements; Dec. 11 at 5 p.m.</p>
<p>Brentwood Church, Norfolk; “Standing Room Only,” Dec. 11 at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>Burrows Memorial Church, Norfolk; “The Gift Goes On,” Dec. 11 at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>Calvary Church, Lynchburg; “Joyful and Triumphant,” Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m.</p>
<p>Calvary Church, Roanoke; “A Celebration of Carols,” Dec. 11 at 5 p.m.</p>
<p>Chatham Church, Chatham; “Arise Shine! Your Light Has Come,” Dec. 11 at 5 p.m.</p>
<p>Courtland Church, Courtland; “Sing a Song of Christmas,” Dec. 11 at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>County Line Church, Ruther Glen; “The Living Christmas Tree,” Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 10 at 5 and 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 11 at 5 p.m.</p>
<p>Craigs Church, Spotsylvania; “Bring Christmas Home,” Dec. 11 at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>Culpeper Church, Culpeper; “The Gift Goes On,” Dec. 11 at 6 p.m.</p>
<p>Dan River Church, Halifax; “The Gift Goes On,” Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 18 at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>Elizabeth River Church, Chesapeake; “The Gift Goes On,” Dec. 11 at 5 p.m.</p>
<p>Emmaus Church, Quinton; “Emmanuel: Celebrating Heaven's Child,” Dec. 11 at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>Fairview Church, Fredericksburg; “Glory to the King,” Dec. 11 at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.</p>
<p>Falling River Church, Brookneal; “The King is Coming,” Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m.</p>
<p>First Church, Bluefield, WV; “Winter Rose,” Dec. 11 at 6 p.m.</p>
<p>First Church, Charlottesville; “Two from Galilee,” Dec. 10 at 3 and 6:30 p.m. and Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. (For tickets call the church at 434-296-6195.)</p>
<p>First Church, Chase City; “Shine On Us,” Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m.</p>
<p>First Church, Martinsville; “The Promised Messiah,” Dec. 11 at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>First Church, Newport News; “Singing Christmas Tree,” Dec. 8-10 at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>First Church, Richmond; “Come, Prince of Peace,” Dec. 11 at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>First Church, Waynesboro; annual Christmas concert; Dec. 11 at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>Fredericksburg Church, Fredericksburg; annual Christmas concert; Dec. 14 at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>Furnace Creek Church,Rocky Mount; “A Light Still Shines,” Dec. 17 and 18 at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>Grace Church, Richmond; traditional Moravian candlelight lovefeast; Dec. 11 at 5 p.m.</p>
<p>Grandin Court Church, Roanoke; Christmas worship celebration; Dec. 11 at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>Ingleside Church, Norfolk; “Forever Gloria,” Dec. 11 at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>Ivy Memorial Church, Hampton; “In the Fullness of Time,” Dec. 18 at 6 p.m.</p>
<p>Kentuck Church, Ringgold; “The Heart of Christmas,” Dec. 11 at 6 p.m.</p>
<p>Lake Ridge Church, Woodbridge; “One Incredible Moment,” Dec. 11 at 9 a.m.</p>
<p>Louisa Church, Louisa; “The Next Noel,” Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m.</p>
<p>Main Street Church, Emporia; “One Night in Bethlehem,” Dec. 11 at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>McLean Church, McLean; “A Canticle of Joy,” Dec. 11 at 5:30 p.m.</p>
<p>Northside Church, Mechanicsville; “O Come Let Us Adore Him,” Dec. 18 at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>Petsworth Church,Gloucester; “Once Upon a Child,” Dec. 16 at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>Rhoadesville Church, Rhoadesville; “The Next Noel,” Dec. 11 at 5 p.m.</p>
<p>Ridge Church, Richmond; “Forever Gloria,” Dec. 11 at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>Sandston Church, Sandston; Christmas musical Dec. 10 and 11 at 7 p.m. featuring traditional carols and contemporary selections.</p>
<p>Second Branch Church, Chesterfield; “The Heart of Christmas,” Dec. 9 and 10 at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>Schoolfield Church, Danville; “Glory to the New Born King,” Dec. 18 at 5 p.m.</p>
<p>Southampton Church, Richmond; Christmas gospelfest; Dec. 12 at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>Walnut Grove Church, Mechanicsville; “Just Believe!” Dec. 11 at 6 p.m.</p>
<p>Walnut Hills Church, Williamsburg; “God's Great Love,” Dec. 11 at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>Waverly Place Church, Roanoke; “Shine on Us,” Dec. 18 at 10:45 a.m.</p>
<p>Webber Memorial Church, Richmond; “The Next Noel,” Dec. 11 at 8:30 and 11 a.m.</p>
<p>West Lynchburg Church, Lynchburg; “One Quiet Night,” Dec. 10 and 11 at 6:30 p.m.</p>
<p>Wylliesburg Church, Wylliesburg; “Silent Night, Holy Night,” Dec. 11 at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>Living Nativity</p>
<p>Bedford Church, Bedford; live nativity Dec. 17 from 6-8:30 p.m.</p>
<p>First Church, Woodstock; living nativity Dec. 10 from 7-8 p.m.</p>
<p>Laurel Hill Church, Verona; living nativity Dec. 9-11 from 7-9 p.m.</p>
<p>Peneul Church, Altavista; living nativity Dec. 16 and 17 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.</p>
<p>Shiloh Church, King George; living nativity Dec. 11 and 18 from 5-7 p.m.</p>
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christmas music amp drama azalea church oldfashioned christmas dec 11 11 beaver dam church troy one bethlehem night dec 9 10 7 pm dec 11 3 pm bedford church bedford great mighty wonder dec 11 1055 black creek church franklin night alleluias dec 11 6 pm bonsack church roanoke many moods christmas dec 11 3 630 pm boydton church clarksville gift goes dec 14 730 pm dec 18 11 branchs church richmond christmas keyboards fred shirley clements dec 11 5 pm brentwood church norfolk standing room dec 11 11 burrows memorial church norfolk gift goes dec 11 11 calvary church lynchburg joyful triumphant dec 11 630 pm calvary church roanoke celebration carols dec 11 5 pm chatham church chatham arise shine light come dec 11 5 pm courtland church courtland sing song christmas dec 11 7 pm county line church ruther glen living christmas tree dec 9 730 pm dec 10 5 730 pm dec 11 5 pm craigs church spotsylvania bring christmas home dec 11 7 pm culpeper church culpeper gift goes dec 11 6 pm dan river church halifax gift goes dec 16 7 pm dec 18 11 elizabeth river church chesapeake gift goes dec 11 5 pm emmaus church quinton emmanuel celebrating heavens child dec 11 11 fairview church fredericksburg glory king dec 11 11 7 pm falling river church brookneal king coming dec 11 730 pm first church bluefield wv winter rose dec 11 6 pm first church charlottesville two galilee dec 10 3 630 pm dec 11 3 pm tickets call church 4342966195 first church chase city shine us dec 11 730 pm first church martinsville promised messiah dec 11 11 first church newport news singing christmas tree dec 810 7 pm first church richmond come prince peace dec 11 7 pm first church waynesboro annual christmas concert dec 11 7 pm fredericksburg church fredericksburg annual christmas concert dec 14 7 pm furnace creek churchrocky mount light still shines dec 17 18 7 pm grace church richmond traditional moravian candlelight lovefeast dec 11 5 pm grandin court church roanoke christmas worship celebration dec 11 7 pm ingleside church norfolk forever gloria dec 11 7 pm ivy memorial church hampton fullness time dec 18 6 pm kentuck church ringgold heart christmas dec 11 6 pm lake ridge church woodbridge one incredible moment dec 11 9 louisa church louisa next noel dec 11 630 pm main street church emporia one night bethlehem dec 11 7 pm mclean church mclean canticle joy dec 11 530 pm northside church mechanicsville come let us adore dec 18 11 petsworth churchgloucester upon child dec 16 7 pm rhoadesville church rhoadesville next noel dec 11 5 pm ridge church richmond forever gloria dec 11 7 pm sandston church sandston christmas musical dec 10 11 7 pm featuring traditional carols contemporary selections second branch church chesterfield heart christmas dec 9 10 7 pm schoolfield church danville glory new born king dec 18 5 pm southampton church richmond christmas gospelfest dec 12 7 pm walnut grove church mechanicsville believe dec 11 6 pm walnut hills church williamsburg gods great love dec 11 11 waverly place church roanoke shine us dec 18 1045 webber memorial church richmond next noel dec 11 830 11 west lynchburg church lynchburg one quiet night dec 10 11 630 pm wylliesburg church wylliesburg silent night holy night dec 11 11 living nativity bedford church bedford live nativity dec 17 6830 pm first church woodstock living nativity dec 10 78 pm laurel hill church verona living nativity dec 911 79 pm peneul church altavista living nativity dec 16 17 630830 pm shiloh church king george living nativity dec 11 18 57 pm
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<p>Universal Press Syndicate released the following story. The headline reads “Holiest site becoming one of the stinkiest.” The story follows.</p>
<p>“Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre most recently made News of the Weird in 2004 because of continued petty territorial fighting among the six Christian denominations that share management of the church, which is home to some of Christianity's holiest sites, including that of Christ's resurrection.</p>
<p>As Easter approached this year, three of the groups that control one 10-stall restroom could not agree how to divide responsibility for repairing it, leading to a pervasive stench in the building.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>Jim White</p>
<p>“Furthermore, the path of the outflow sewage pipe (which needed enlarging) passes under property of a fourth denomination, which has resisted helping unless it is granted control of one of the 10 stalls.”</p>
<p>Heaven help us. This is offensive at so many levels one hardly knows where to begin.</p>
<p>Some years ago, when I had opportunity to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, I was dismayed at the general filthiness of the church and learned at the time that the council governing the administration (and cleaning) of the church could not agree on how to go about its work. Consequently, no group would assume responsibility and also steadfastly refused to allow anyone else to.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, in a part of the world in which Christians are by far the smallest of the three major religious of the region, and in an area in which the light of Christ needs desperately to shine, orthodoxy seems determined to hide its lamp under a bushel, or more literally, in a stall.</p>
<p>If Jesus was sometimes frustrated by how slow the disciples were, he must be absolutely flabbergasted by some of what he sees practiced by his followers today. In the first century unbelievers were confronted by the foolishness of the cross. In our time, on a global scale a pagan world witnesses the foolishness of the Christians.</p>
<p>It is a miracle of God that the kingdom shows any sign of advancing at all given the self-inflicted wounds made by proponents like these.</p>
<p>No doubt, if we talked with representatives of the four denominations in question, each would be able, eloquently perhaps, to defend his group's position on toilet dogma. Surely their motives are not as crass as they appear. Concerns that may seem on the surface to be prideful, petty, jealous and greedy to the unchristian observer must mask deeper theological truths. Whatever those might be, however, are hopelessly entangled in the webs of animosity and the snares of suspicion with which these groups view one another.</p>
<p>But the unchristian world sees only the obvious. It judges their rhetoric about love to be false on the basis of how they treat each other.</p>
<p>I was about to congratulate myself on being associated with a group known for its piety and to thank God that we are not like these Jerusalem publicans when scenes of Baptist life flashed, unbidden, on the screen of my mind. I recalled our wars. Some have possessed powers of justification sufficient to call them necessary. But I really believe Jesus is flabbergasted and asks again, “Have I been with you so long and you still fail to understand?”</p>
<p>Even local churches, spared the global glances of an incredulous world and the entanglements of unmanageable administration, sometimes succumb to the same vices at work in the Orthodox Jerusalem brothers. How petty most of our fights must appear when viewed from the outside. Communities become disgusted with the message of churches that can't manage to practice what they preach about something so basic as love. Every faction can, of course, justify its own perspective and behavior; but this only goes to demonstrate how far from the kingdom we are prone to drift.</p>
<p>“Thy kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven ….” was Jesus' prayer. But in truth, we want things our way on earth just as Lucifer wanted his way in heaven. With puffed-up pride, we believe we know what others should believe and do. Lacking respect for them and manipulating against them powers we possess, we go about forcing them to capitulate to our wills as expressed by majority vote.</p>
<p>One group attacks with righteous authority. The other group defends itself and counter attacks with righteous indignation. Such is the way of the world. Such is the way of warring armies. Such is the way of the divided Body of Christ—“all one body, we”—slapping itself silly, beating itself into irrelevancy, and wounding itself critically.</p>
<p>There is nothing spiritual about this process. It is as secular as backroom politics. But all too often, as seen in history it is the way of the church.</p>
<p>But where is the still small voice of the Spirit in all of this? Many are the thunderous voices fancying themselves to be prophetic in some misguided Old Testament sense. But who will speak the simple words of Jesus and the dare to declare a primary New Testament theme: “As I have loved you, so ought you to love one another.”</p>
<p>Don't think that I have given up on the church! Far from it! But we, the church, local and global, have work to do. We have misdeeds to undo, mistrust to untangle and misperceptions to set right. We can do it if it matters more to us that an unbelieving world see Jesus in us than that we get our own way. After all, the way of the Christ is the way of the cross. Sacrifice, humility, subjugation of self-will to the greater purposes of the kingdom.</p>
<p>Think about what we can accomplish if we are willing to let go of wanting things done our way. We can yet convince the world that the love of Christ in us is authentic because they see it demonstrated in how we treat one another and others outside the faith. In a world not lacking in voices demanding that others listen, we can yet earn the right to be eagerly heard if we speak Christ's words from pure hearts rather than our own from selfish motives. Not everyone will accept Christ's message, of course. Jesus said only a few will turn in at the narrow gate that leads to life. I just want to make sure that I don't get so preoccupied fighting for a stall that I miss the gate.</p>
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universal press syndicate released following story headline reads holiest site becoming one stinkiest story follows jerusalems church holy sepulchre recently made news weird 2004 continued petty territorial fighting among six christian denominations share management church home christianitys holiest sites including christs resurrection easter approached year three groups control one 10stall restroom could agree divide responsibility repairing leading pervasive stench building jim white furthermore path outflow sewage pipe needed enlarging passes property fourth denomination resisted helping unless granted control one 10 stalls heaven help us offensive many levels one hardly knows begin years ago opportunity visit church holy sepulchre dismayed general filthiness church learned time council governing administration cleaning church could agree go work consequently group would assume responsibility also steadfastly refused allow anyone else meanwhile part world christians far smallest three major religious region area light christ needs desperately shine orthodoxy seems determined hide lamp bushel literally stall jesus sometimes frustrated slow disciples must absolutely flabbergasted sees practiced followers today first century unbelievers confronted foolishness cross time global scale pagan world witnesses foolishness christians miracle god kingdom shows sign advancing given selfinflicted wounds made proponents like doubt talked representatives four denominations question would able eloquently perhaps defend groups position toilet dogma surely motives crass appear concerns may seem surface prideful petty jealous greedy unchristian observer must mask deeper theological truths whatever might however hopelessly entangled webs animosity snares suspicion groups view one another unchristian world sees obvious judges rhetoric love false basis treat congratulate associated group known piety thank god like jerusalem publicans scenes baptist life flashed unbidden screen mind recalled wars possessed powers justification sufficient call necessary really believe jesus flabbergasted asks long still fail understand even local churches spared global glances incredulous world entanglements unmanageable administration sometimes succumb vices work orthodox jerusalem brothers petty fights must appear viewed outside communities become disgusted message churches cant manage practice preach something basic love every faction course justify perspective behavior goes demonstrate far kingdom prone drift thy kingdom come earth heaven jesus prayer truth want things way earth lucifer wanted way heaven puffedup pride believe know others believe lacking respect manipulating powers possess go forcing capitulate wills expressed majority vote one group attacks righteous authority group defends counter attacks righteous indignation way world way warring armies way divided body christall one body weslapping silly beating irrelevancy wounding critically nothing spiritual process secular backroom politics often seen history way church still small voice spirit many thunderous voices fancying prophetic misguided old testament sense speak simple words jesus dare declare primary new testament theme loved ought love one another dont think given church far church local global work misdeeds undo mistrust untangle misperceptions set right matters us unbelieving world see jesus us get way way christ way cross sacrifice humility subjugation selfwill greater purposes kingdom think accomplish willing let go wanting things done way yet convince world love christ us authentic see demonstrated treat one another others outside faith world lacking voices demanding others listen yet earn right eagerly heard speak christs words pure hearts rather selfish motives everyone accept christs message course jesus said turn narrow gate leads life want make sure dont get preoccupied fighting stall miss gate
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<p>Although the common-core standards are calibrated to ensure that students leave K-12 schools ready for work and college, they are also posing challenges for the educators who work with children just starting out their school careers.</p>
<p>As 46 states and the District of Columbia work this year to put the new curricular guidelines in place, preschool and early-childhood educators are determining how to balance the common standards’ emphasis on increasing and measuring academic rigor with research findings on young children’s developmental needs, which place a high value on play, the arts, social skills, and integrated instruction.</p>
<p>“We have to be careful that those standards, particularly as they extend downward, appropriately recognize these important social, communication, and self-regulation skills that are really as critical for kids’ learning in those early and later years as whether they know the alphabet,” said Robert C. Pianta, the dean of the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia, in Charlottesville.</p>
<p>Every state has guidelines outlining what preschool-age children should be able to do in a number of developmental domains, according to a 2007 <a href="http://ecrp.uiuc.edu/v9n1/little.html" type="external">review of states’ policies</a> published in the journal Early Childhood Research &amp; Practice. But in the 2011-12 school year, fourteen states rolled out the common-core standards for kindergarten, K-1, or K-2, according to Carrie Heath Phillips of the Council of Chief State School Officers, and that puts issues of school readiness and the content of those preschool skill guidelines in the spotlight.</p>
<p>The latest Race to the Top competition from the U.S. Department of Education also supports the idea that college- and career-readiness has to start even before a child enters kindergarten. It’s offering $500 million for states with plans to improve early-learning programs. Thirty-five states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have submitted applications. Most of those states or territories have adopted the common core, which means their early-years plans must reflect the new standards’ expectations.</p>
<p>The federal Head Start preschool program for disadvantaged children has also felt the influence of the Common Core State Standards Initiative: It <a href="http://www.sourceforlearning.org/news.cfm?newsid=68" type="external">recently aligned</a> its Child Development and Early Learning Framework with the common core.</p>
<p>Mari E. Blaustein, the director of early-childhood initiatives at the Source for Learning, a Virginia-based nonprofit that develops educational resources, which partnered with the National Head Start Association on the task, said correlating the Head Start framework with common-core standards made sense, as both sets of guidelines are used in multiple states.</p>
<p>Still, there are no plans to create nationwide common-core standards in the mold of the K-12 standards for early childhood, said representatives of the National Governors’ Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers, which coordinated the common-core initiative.</p>
<p>“There’s no doubt that what goes on in early-childhood programs needs to be informed, shaped, and aligned with what students are going to start with in kindergarten, but there’s not a national plan,” said Michael Cohen, the president of Achieve, a Washington-based organization that helped design the common-core standards for English/language arts and math.</p>
<p>A Pivotal Time</p>
<p>As they look on their own to improve their pre-K programs, states have started to write common-core-based guidelines for early childhood, attempting to balance existing guidelines, the common core’s higher academic standards, and the Head Start framework. But standards for early childhood are also shaped by knowledge about child development, society’s values, and goals for what children should be able to do at the end of their education, said Sharon Lynn Kagan, a professor of early childhood and family policy and a co-director of the National Center for Children and Families at Teachers College, Columbia University.</p>
<p>“It’s a pivotal time for early childhood. Early childhood has got to rise to the occasion and really think hard about what its values are and what it wants to transmit,” she said.</p>
<p>Just what those values are and which standards and assessments best reflect them is the subject of research—and debate. There is an increasing focus on preparing children for rigorous, college-bound English/language arts and math standards, but many early childhood researchers and advocates say that time for play, the arts, and developing communication and executive-function skills are more important for young children—and that young children’s irregular development patterns make assessing specific academic skills difficult and even misguided.</p>
<p>Gillian D. McNamee, a professor of teacher education at the Erikson Institute, in Chicago, said: “With young children, art and physical movement aren’t a frill. They are the disciplines that offer resources for the expression and the development of ideas.”</p>
<p>The common-core standards only address math and literacy, but Ms. McNamee said even adding science, social studies, or fine arts standards wouldn’t reflect how profoundly integrated learning is in the early years.</p>
<p>Ms. McNamee also said children’s irregular development cycles argue against testing them against a rigid, even progression of standards. Head Start Executive Director Yasmina Vinci said that is why her organization’s framework doesn’t lay out specific academic requirements for its young students.</p>
<p>Assessing young children’s performance also presents a unique challenge in and of itself. “Observational methods [appropriate for assessing young children] require more training,” said Samuel J. Meisels, the president of the Erikson Institute.</p>
<p>Mr. Meisels said it is important that the early-childhood community’s voice be heard as new teaching guidelines take shape.</p>
<p>“People are happy to say early childhood is important. But when it comes time to sit down around the table, I’m not sure they remember to invite early-childhood folks,” he said.</p>
<p>Many of these issues are relevant to early elementary students, too, some educators say.</p>
<p>Edward Miller, a senior researcher at the Alliance for Childhood, an advocacy group based in New York, said, “We feel that the early-education [K-12] standards—particularly the kindergarten standards, but also early the elementary grade standards—in the common core are a disaster, and are going to greatly worsen what is already a crisis situation in early-childhood education.”</p>
<p>“I’m not opposed to the idea of standards,” Mr. Miller said. “We know a lot about what children need in order to be successful. But it has very little to do with very narrowly defined bits of knowledge. . . . If you expect every 5-year-old to be able to read and drill them on reading skills, the ones who don’t get it are defined by the schools and by themselves as failures.”</p>
<p>Complex System</p>
<p>Educators around the country are grappling with these same issues as they put standards into practice: “What does rigor look like in a 1st or 2nd grade classroom? How do you support students while achieving rigor?” said Mark Baumgartner, the director of professional issues for the Cleveland Teachers Union. Cleveland has initiated a professional-development effort to help teachers answer those questions as they transition to the common core, Mr. Baumgartner said.</p>
<p>The approach to alignment with the common core—or with K-12 education in general—varies from state to state.</p>
<p>“Right now as it stands, most states say that their early-learning guidelines—which could be for birth-to-pre-K or just 3- to-5-year-olds—align with K-12, or at least with kindergarten. But the depth of that alignment varies,” said Laura Bornfreund, a policy analyst for an early-education initiative begun by the New America Foundation, a think tank and policy institute based in Washington and Sacramento, Calif. Some states have undertaken detailed rewritings to link up with the common-core standards, as in Maryland, while others, like Arkansas, have designed charts showing how their frameworks connect to K-12 standards or Head Start.</p>
<p>States may also face challenges in creating assessments for early-childhood curricula and standards.</p>
<p>“Assessing and evaluating children’s outcomes is expensive and tricky. It’s with a workforce that’s less trained than any other education workforce,” said Karen J. Cadigan, the director of the Minnesota education department’s office of early learning. Ongoing budget concerns mean that money for that kind of professional development and program components can be hard to come by.</p>
<p>Ms. Cadigan also pointed to a challenge peculiar to the early-childhood world: “Even if you tried, you couldn’t find every 4-year-old in the state.” Because early-childhood education is not funded or regulated in the same way as K-12, providers range from tiny, private, home-based daycare centers to fully aligned, state-funded programs. Even programs like Head Start serve only a small portion of the population that qualifies.</p>
<p>In a few states, all licensed providers must use state guidelines, but more often, the guidelines are required of state-funded programs and voluntary elsewhere.</p>
<p>Ahead of the Curve</p>
<p>Despite the difficulties, some states have been working towards aligning pre-K standards and curricula with K-12 standards since the early 2000s, even before the common core.</p>
<p>Jim J. Lesko, the director of early development and learning resources for Delaware’s education department, said his state’s efforts to do so had been well-received.</p>
<p>“People do want their children to be ready to be successful in kindergarten, and we understand much better now what we need to do to help support children’s learning prior to kindergarten so they come to school with skills they need.” Mr. Lesko emphasized that Delaware’s <a href="http://www.doe.k12.de.us/infosuites/students_family/earlychildhood/preschool.shtml" type="external">early-learning guidelines</a> “focus on all domains of learning, not just reading and math.”</p>
<p>Maryland has also already aligned its pre-K standards with the common core and is in the process of outlining an updated pre-K curriculum. At least one district, Montgomery County, tied its pre-K standards to the common core before the state. The district’s <a href="http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/2.0/" type="external">Curriculum 2.0</a> went into effect last year.</p>
<p>“We worked to make a fully integrated elementary curriculum, then took a step back to make sure pre-K was integrated,” said Janine Bacquie, the director of the district’s division of early-childhood programs and services.</p>
<p>Martin Creel, the director of the school district’s department of enriched and innovative programs, said that when the 144,064-student district hosted “parent academies” to demystify the new curriculum, many parents’ concerns were linked to the name: “They thought ‘common’ meant low and ‘core’ meant basic.” But when the standards were presented as part of an effort to learn from international best practices and embedded in a curriculum that also focuses on skills like cooperation and critical thinking, parents got on board, he said.</p>
<p>Beyond Academics</p>
<p>Montgomery County kindergarten teacher Juliet D. Wolf said that the common core has been a positive change, allowing teachers to be more rigorous and focus on fewer topics, but said other parts of the curriculum have been even more important.</p>
<p>“It changed the way we’re delivering content,” she said. “We’re spending more time on creative-thinking skills, getting kids to think about how they’re thinking and collaborating more.”</p>
<p>In most places, however, thinking P-12 is not the status quo, according to experts. But, said Shannon Ayers, an assistant research professor with the National Institute for Early Education Research at Rutgers University in New Jersey: “Having some alignment between pre-K and K in the future is important for teachers, kids, and parents. It transforms pre-K and says, this is real school. Because what we’re doing in pre-K is leading and connected to what they’ll do in K, 1, 2 and beyond.”</p>
<p>“What never served early childhood well was when we were seen as a separate entity,” said Shari Ostrow Scher, an early-childhood specialist in Frederick, Md., who has been in the field for 20 years. “You can’t have really meaningful early-childhood education and not have it tied to the entire flow of curriculum and what children learn.”</p>
<p>Republished with permission from Education Week. Copyright © 2011 Editorial Projects in Education, Inc. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.edweek.org/" type="external">www.edweek.org</a>.</p>
<p>A local man receives some food during a stop at Wilson Avenue and Marine Drive in Uptown. Photo by Jonathan Gibby</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">permalink</a></p>
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although commoncore standards calibrated ensure students leave k12 schools ready work college also posing challenges educators work children starting school careers 46 states district columbia work year put new curricular guidelines place preschool earlychildhood educators determining balance common standards emphasis increasing measuring academic rigor research findings young childrens developmental needs place high value play arts social skills integrated instruction careful standards particularly extend downward appropriately recognize important social communication selfregulation skills really critical kids learning early later years whether know alphabet said robert c pianta dean curry school education university virginia charlottesville every state guidelines outlining preschoolage children able number developmental domains according 2007 review states policies published journal early childhood research amp practice 201112 school year fourteen states rolled commoncore standards kindergarten k1 k2 according carrie heath phillips council chief state school officers puts issues school readiness content preschool skill guidelines spotlight latest race top competition us department education also supports idea college careerreadiness start even child enters kindergarten offering 500 million states plans improve earlylearning programs thirtyfive states district columbia puerto rico submitted applications states territories adopted common core means earlyyears plans must reflect new standards expectations federal head start preschool program disadvantaged children also felt influence common core state standards initiative recently aligned child development early learning framework common core mari e blaustein director earlychildhood initiatives source learning virginiabased nonprofit develops educational resources partnered national head start association task said correlating head start framework commoncore standards made sense sets guidelines used multiple states still plans create nationwide commoncore standards mold k12 standards early childhood said representatives national governors association council chief state school officers coordinated commoncore initiative theres doubt goes earlychildhood programs needs informed shaped aligned students going start kindergarten theres national plan said michael cohen president achieve washingtonbased organization helped design commoncore standards englishlanguage arts math pivotal time look improve prek programs states started write commoncorebased guidelines early childhood attempting balance existing guidelines common cores higher academic standards head start framework standards early childhood also shaped knowledge child development societys values goals children able end education said sharon lynn kagan professor early childhood family policy codirector national center children families teachers college columbia university pivotal time early childhood early childhood got rise occasion really think hard values wants transmit said values standards assessments best reflect subject researchand debate increasing focus preparing children rigorous collegebound englishlanguage arts math standards many early childhood researchers advocates say time play arts developing communication executivefunction skills important young childrenand young childrens irregular development patterns make assessing specific academic skills difficult even misguided gillian mcnamee professor teacher education erikson institute chicago said young children art physical movement arent frill disciplines offer resources expression development ideas commoncore standards address math literacy ms mcnamee said even adding science social studies fine arts standards wouldnt reflect profoundly integrated learning early years ms mcnamee also said childrens irregular development cycles argue testing rigid even progression standards head start executive director yasmina vinci said organizations framework doesnt lay specific academic requirements young students assessing young childrens performance also presents unique challenge observational methods appropriate assessing young children require training said samuel j meisels president erikson institute mr meisels said important earlychildhood communitys voice heard new teaching guidelines take shape people happy say early childhood important comes time sit around table im sure remember invite earlychildhood folks said many issues relevant early elementary students educators say edward miller senior researcher alliance childhood advocacy group based new york said feel earlyeducation k12 standardsparticularly kindergarten standards also early elementary grade standardsin common core disaster going greatly worsen already crisis situation earlychildhood education im opposed idea standards mr miller said know lot children need order successful little narrowly defined bits knowledge expect every 5yearold able read drill reading skills ones dont get defined schools failures complex system educators around country grappling issues put standards practice rigor look like 1st 2nd grade classroom support students achieving rigor said mark baumgartner director professional issues cleveland teachers union cleveland initiated professionaldevelopment effort help teachers answer questions transition common core mr baumgartner said approach alignment common coreor k12 education generalvaries state state right stands states say earlylearning guidelineswhich could birthtoprek 3 to5yearoldsalign k12 least kindergarten depth alignment varies said laura bornfreund policy analyst earlyeducation initiative begun new america foundation think tank policy institute based washington sacramento calif states undertaken detailed rewritings link commoncore standards maryland others like arkansas designed charts showing frameworks connect k12 standards head start states may also face challenges creating assessments earlychildhood curricula standards assessing evaluating childrens outcomes expensive tricky workforce thats less trained education workforce said karen j cadigan director minnesota education departments office early learning ongoing budget concerns mean money kind professional development program components hard come ms cadigan also pointed challenge peculiar earlychildhood world even tried couldnt find every 4yearold state earlychildhood education funded regulated way k12 providers range tiny private homebased daycare centers fully aligned statefunded programs even programs like head start serve small portion population qualifies states licensed providers must use state guidelines often guidelines required statefunded programs voluntary elsewhere ahead curve despite difficulties states working towards aligning prek standards curricula k12 standards since early 2000s even common core jim j lesko director early development learning resources delawares education department said states efforts wellreceived people want children ready successful kindergarten understand much better need help support childrens learning prior kindergarten come school skills need mr lesko emphasized delawares earlylearning guidelines focus domains learning reading math maryland also already aligned prek standards common core process outlining updated prek curriculum least one district montgomery county tied prek standards common core state districts curriculum 20 went effect last year worked make fully integrated elementary curriculum took step back make sure prek integrated said janine bacquie director districts division earlychildhood programs services martin creel director school districts department enriched innovative programs said 144064student district hosted parent academies demystify new curriculum many parents concerns linked name thought common meant low core meant basic standards presented part effort learn international best practices embedded curriculum also focuses skills like cooperation critical thinking parents got board said beyond academics montgomery county kindergarten teacher juliet wolf said common core positive change allowing teachers rigorous focus fewer topics said parts curriculum even important changed way delivering content said spending time creativethinking skills getting kids think theyre thinking collaborating places however thinking p12 status quo according experts said shannon ayers assistant research professor national institute early education research rutgers university new jersey alignment prek k future important teachers kids parents transforms prek says real school prek leading connected theyll k 1 2 beyond never served early childhood well seen separate entity said shari ostrow scher earlychildhood specialist frederick md field 20 years cant really meaningful earlychildhood education tied entire flow curriculum children learn republished permission education week copyright 2011 editorial projects education inc information visit wwwedweekorg local man receives food stop wilson avenue marine drive uptown photo jonathan gibby permalink
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<p>Let’s start with the band’s name: Los Rakas. It’s based on a slur used in Panama for someone from the streets. A hoodlum.&#160;But the two cousins who make up the duo see things another way.</p>
<p>“The reason we decided to call ourselves Los Rakas is to show the world that not everything that comes from the ghetto is negative,” said Abdull Rubén Domínguez, aka Raka Dun. He’s 26, and came to the US from Panama as a teenager.</p>
<p>He raps, along with his cousin Ricardo Betancourt, or, as he's known on stage, Raka Rich. Betancourt was born in the San Francisco Bay Area, but his parents are from Panama.</p>
<p>Together, the cousins mix hip hop, reggae, dancehall and soul music. It’s a sound they call “Pana-Bay,” and it started taking off in 2006 with a very danceable party track called “Bounce.”</p>
<p>“At every youth event, when we performed this song, [the audience] they’d go crazy,” said Raka Rich. “We even had a dance to it, and the whole crowd would do the dance with us. That’s when we knew we had something going.”</p>
<p>Now, Los Rakas are elbowing their way into the mainstream, collaborating with bands and artists like&#160; <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blondie_(band)" type="external">Blondie</a>,&#160; <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-40" type="external">E-40</a>&#160;and&#160; <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snoop_Dogg" type="external">Snoop Dogg</a>.&#160;</p>
<p>As we headed to Rasputin Music, a local institution in Berkeley, they told me their story of how they got started. Los Rakas began selling their CDs on the sidewalk in front of the famed record shop.</p>
<p>“The owner didn’t mind,” said Raka Dun. “He even came out once and bought one of our CDs.” Now,&#160;Rasputin’s window prominently features Los Rakas’ newest album, “El Negrito Dun Dun &amp; Ricardo.”&#160;</p>
<p>We also dropped by East Oakland's&#160; <a href="http://www.youthuprising.org/" type="external">Youth Uprising</a>, a community center where Los Rakas put on some of their first shows. Shaka Jamal Redmond, who mentored young musicians, was there and remembered seeing Los Rakas in 2006. The hip hop duo was still a rare act then, at least in this part of Oakland: rapping in Spanish and English, and bringing both Latino and black kids to the same show.&#160;</p>
<p>“Normally, you wouldn’t see much mixing," said Redmond. "Just having them here and around just expanded peoples’ minds. And the beats were knocking!”&#160;</p>
<p>Ricardo Betancourt (aka Raka Rich) and Abdull Rubén Domínguez (aka Raka Dun) are Los Rakas.</p>
<p>Courtesy of Los Rakas</p>
<p>These days, Los Rakas are going deeper and more political with their music. Raka Dun, who came here from Panama in 2001, said being in America has been enlightening.&#160;“I learned more about my culture here. Yes. I learned about being Afro-Latino here in the United States,” he says. “I moved in with this family. They were really Afrocentric. They had Malcolm X pictures on the wall, a lot of books about slavery, about the Africans who came before slavery. And that’s how I learned."</p>
<p>Politically charged US bands like&#160; <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Prez" type="external">Dead Prez</a>&#160;also inspired Raka Dun.</p>
<p>“Dead Prez was talking more about the government, and racism, and the prison system and all of that,” he says.</p>
<p>As Raka Dun began to change, his cousin listened and got thinking too. “It wasn’t like he was preaching at me though,” said Raka Rich. “There was no preaching. It was never that. It’s that you get to realizing certain things and it’s, like, 'Wow.'”</p>
<p>What was he realizing?</p>
<p>“How amazing being black is.”</p>
<p>Raka Rich said he never talked about that growing up in California. “When I went to school, people were like, ‘You’re not black! You’re not black. You’re Mexican or whatever.' You know, because I’m Latin,” said Raka Rich. “But I’ve always known I was black. I’m like, 'Bro, look at me, bro! If I didn’t speak Spanish, what do you think I am? You’re going think I’m black mixed with something.'”</p>
<p>The duo’s most recent song,&#160;“Sueño Americano,” hits on a more serious&#160;theme.&#160;</p>
<p>One verse says:</p>
<p>These guys don't know anything about me Nor do they know what it's taken for me to survive Life in America is not what I thought And even less how they think it is Those who don't live here It's hard, homie, this ain't Panama Where if you don’t have something The neighbor gives it to you Here, if you want something, you have to find it And if you don't have work, you have to sin Cause the rent is high, the law is bad Without papers, you're nothing They don't treat you like a human being This is a message for all of my people</p>
<p>The video for the song is pretty rough, too. It shows a young immigrant (played by Raka Dun), frustrated, out of work, and sentenced to death for a robbery that goes wrong. By the end of the video, he’s executed by lethal injection.</p>
<p>Raka Rich knows firsthand what can happen when immigration and the law collide. His dad once lived in California and held a green card, but was eventually deported after he was convicted of some crimes.&#160;“He made all the wrong choices,” he said. “They didn’t give him a second chance. They’re like, ‘You know what? Deportation.’”</p>
<p>Raka Dun was undocumented himself for years until he recently got his green card. He says he wants his music to express how tough it was to get his footing here. “It’s like a letter to my family back home,” he says. “I’m showing them all of my insecurities, my fears, what’s going on over here. A lot of people back home got a perception of the United States like it’s&#160;color de rosas. And when you get over here, they want you to send money back. They think you’re balling over here.”</p>
<p>In “Sueño Americano,” Raka Dun raps, “Life in America is not what I thought. And even less how they think it is. Those who don't live here.”</p>
| false | 3 |
lets start bands name los rakas based slur used panama someone streets hoodlum160but two cousins make duo see things another way reason decided call los rakas show world everything comes ghetto negative said abdull rubén domínguez aka raka dun hes 26 came us panama teenager raps along cousin ricardo betancourt hes known stage raka rich betancourt born san francisco bay area parents panama together cousins mix hip hop reggae dancehall soul music sound call panabay started taking 2006 danceable party track called bounce every youth event performed song audience theyd go crazy said raka rich even dance whole crowd would dance us thats knew something going los rakas elbowing way mainstream collaborating bands artists like160 blondie160 e40160and160 snoop dogg160 headed rasputin music local institution berkeley told story got started los rakas began selling cds sidewalk front famed record shop owner didnt mind said raka dun even came bought one cds now160rasputins window prominently features los rakas newest album el negrito dun dun amp ricardo160 also dropped east oaklands160 youth uprising community center los rakas put first shows shaka jamal redmond mentored young musicians remembered seeing los rakas 2006 hip hop duo still rare act least part oakland rapping spanish english bringing latino black kids show160 normally wouldnt see much mixing said redmond around expanded peoples minds beats knocking160 ricardo betancourt aka raka rich abdull rubén domínguez aka raka dun los rakas courtesy los rakas days los rakas going deeper political music raka dun came panama 2001 said america enlightening160i learned culture yes learned afrolatino united states says moved family really afrocentric malcolm x pictures wall lot books slavery africans came slavery thats learned politically charged us bands like160 dead prez160also inspired raka dun dead prez talking government racism prison system says raka dun began change cousin listened got thinking wasnt like preaching though said raka rich preaching never get realizing certain things like wow realizing amazing black raka rich said never talked growing california went school people like youre black youre black youre mexican whatever know im latin said raka rich ive always known black im like bro look bro didnt speak spanish think youre going think im black mixed something duos recent song160sueño americano hits serious160theme160 one verse says guys dont know anything know taken survive life america thought even less think dont live hard homie aint panama dont something neighbor gives want something find dont work sin cause rent high law bad without papers youre nothing dont treat like human message people video song pretty rough shows young immigrant played raka dun frustrated work sentenced death robbery goes wrong end video hes executed lethal injection raka rich knows firsthand happen immigration law collide dad lived california held green card eventually deported convicted crimes160he made wrong choices said didnt give second chance theyre like know deportation raka dun undocumented years recently got green card says wants music express tough get footing like letter family back home says im showing insecurities fears whats going lot people back home got perception united states like its160color de rosas get want send money back think youre balling sueño americano raka dun raps life america thought even less think dont live
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<p>Although Democrats in California are eager to celebrate major victories next Tuesday, political fault lines lie under their party.</p>
<p>From <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/usanow/2014/08/28/california-bill-yes-means-yes-sex-assault/14765665/" type="external">anti-rape legislation</a>, to education reform, to health costs and beyond, an anticipated left-leaning consensus has failed to materialize in the Golden State. The resulting controversies, disagreements and&#160;difficulties in politicking have thrown a surprising degree of doubt on Democrats’ broader&#160;election-year&#160;routine.</p>
<p>National Democrats had grown accustomed to a clear, reliable dividing line between identity politics and more general issues. The distinction helped strategists protest the status quo for allies with powerful&#160;institutional interests — while microtargeting voters based on criteria like race or ethnicity, sex or gender, age, immigrant status and sexual orientation.</p>
<p>But the new cleavages among California liberals have upset that carefully calibrated approach, leading to close scrutiny and, in some cases, close state elections.</p>
<p>The phenomenon became hard&#160;to ignore when the&#160;national political media picked up on sharp disagreements over California’s new “ <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/usanow/2014/08/28/california-bill-yes-means-yes-sex-assault/14765665/" type="external">yes means yes” legislation</a>, which requires affirmative sexual consent at universities receiving state funding. Initially, the controversial bill&#160;seemed poised to become law without incident.</p>
<p>Outside the state, however, commentators influential among establishment liberals and progressives found themselves at loggerheads over the implications of its&#160;strict, invasive rules. As the Los Angeles Times <a href="http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-10-27-what-they-are-saying-20141027-story.html" type="external">observed</a>, the scuffle — which drew in figures at publications ranging from Vox to The Nation to New York magazine — escalated into “a clash between those who believe the law is too intrusive and those who believe intrusiveness is the entire point.”</p>
<p>For Democrats,&#160;the political point has become clear: rather than helping cement a consensus among liberal voters about how to advance legislation concerning sex, “yes means yes” has given voters a stark reason to reassess what they want out of Democrats in that regard.</p>
<p>Given the significance Democrats have placed on the women’s vote in recent years, and the hope they have placed in rising generations of younger voters, the news is especially unwelcome.</p>
<p>California also gave Democrats a preview of&#160;even broader&#160;and&#160;more fundamental divides on the left.</p>
<p>When Judge Rolf Treu handed down the <a href="http://studentsmatter.org/our-case/vergara-v-california-case-summary/" type="external">Vergara ruling</a>,&#160;which held public teacher tenure protections to unconstitutionally infringe students’ rights, Democrats split immediately. Some, like Gov. Jerry Brown, went to bat for the teachers unions.</p>
<p>Others, like U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, presented the ruling as a clarion call to improve educational opportunities for all students. Because many underperforming schools and teachers have been found in&#160;districts with substantial (or majority) minority populations, some Democrats recognized they could be forced into an uncomfortable&#160;choice.</p>
<p>On the one hand, Democrats wished to&#160;stand publicly for the interests of minority children and families. On the other, they wanted to defend teachers unions, which have long&#160;played a decisive role in Democrats’ political success, especially in California.</p>
<p>These broad political challenges quickly crystallized into a pitched battle over the tenure of one man: California Superintendent of Public Instruction&#160;Tom Torlakson, a dedicated ally of the teachers unions. Torlakson’s incumbency has become a&#160;referendum on his staunch opposition&#160;to the Vergara decision.</p>
<p>His challenger, former charter schools executive Marshall Tuck, also is a Democrat — creating an intra-party race as <a href="http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2014/10/27/race-for-state-schools-chief-is-one-of-californias-closest-tom-torlakson-marshall-tuck-education/" type="external">close</a> and bitter as any in recent memory, even though officially the post is non-partisan.</p>
<p>If Tuck wins, an even bigger confrontation will arise, pitting him against Brown and Attorney General Kamala Harris, his fellow Democrats, assuming both are re-elected. Brown handily is leading Republican challenger Neel Kashkari, who <a href="http://www.neelkashkari.com/neel-kashkari-applauds-vergara-v-california-ruling/" type="external">applauded&#160;</a>the Vergara decision.</p>
<p>Harris filed the <a href="http://edsource.org/2014/torlakson-asks-state-to-appeal-vergara-ruling/66926#.VFJyFPnF_h4" type="external">state’s appeal of Vergara</a> on behalf of Brown. Her opponent is Republican Ronald Gold, who urged her not to appeal Vergara. <a href="http://www.pasadenaindependent.com/school-and-education/ron-gold-urges-kamala-harris-not-to-appeal-teacher-tenure-ruling/" type="external">He asked</a>, “Is she with students, particularly inner city and economically disadvantaged ones, or is she with the teachers unions that support her campaign?”</p>
<p>Even after their expected victories next Tuesday, that’s the&#160;kind of headache California Democrats can do without.</p>
<p>Finally, the remarkable divides among California Democrats on <a href="" type="external">Proposition 45</a> could establish another pattern of disagreement for liberals nationwide. It would give the California insurance commissioner the power of approval over changes in health-insurance rates — including over Covered California, the state’s implementation of Obamacare.</p>
<p>Prop. 45 is sponsored&#160;by the left-leaning Consumer Watchdog organization.</p>
<p>It comes down to this: Will Covered Care&#160;rates be set as part of the federal legislation, or by the state insurance commissioner because of Prop. 45?</p>
<p>The official <a href="http://www.voterguide.sos.ca.gov/en/propositions/45/arguments-rebuttals.htm" type="external">Ballot Pamphlet</a> from the California Secretary of State features the dueling liberal visions.</p>
<p>The Pro side insists: “Proposition 45 will lower healthcare costs by preventing health insurance companies from jacking up rates and passing on unreasonable costs to consumers.”</p>
<p>The Anti side retorts: “Prop. 45 creates even more expensive state bureaucracy, duplicating two other bureaucracies that oversee health insurance rates, causing costly confusion with other regulations and adding more red tape to the health care system.”</p>
<p>These political fault lines are just opening up, and are likely to get even larger.</p>
| false | 3 |
although democrats california eager celebrate major victories next tuesday political fault lines lie party antirape legislation education reform health costs beyond anticipated leftleaning consensus failed materialize golden state resulting controversies disagreements and160difficulties politicking thrown surprising degree doubt democrats broader160electionyear160routine national democrats grown accustomed clear reliable dividing line identity politics general issues distinction helped strategists protest status quo allies powerful160institutional interests microtargeting voters based criteria like race ethnicity sex gender age immigrant status sexual orientation new cleavages among california liberals upset carefully calibrated approach leading close scrutiny cases close state elections phenomenon became hard160to ignore the160national political media picked sharp disagreements californias new yes means yes legislation requires affirmative sexual consent universities receiving state funding initially controversial bill160seemed poised become law without incident outside state however commentators influential among establishment liberals progressives found loggerheads implications its160strict invasive rules los angeles times observed scuffle drew figures publications ranging vox nation new york magazine escalated clash believe law intrusive believe intrusiveness entire point democrats160the political point become clear rather helping cement consensus among liberal voters advance legislation concerning sex yes means yes given voters stark reason reassess want democrats regard given significance democrats placed womens vote recent years hope placed rising generations younger voters news especially unwelcome california also gave democrats preview of160even broader160and160more fundamental divides left judge rolf treu handed vergara ruling160which held public teacher tenure protections unconstitutionally infringe students rights democrats split immediately like gov jerry brown went bat teachers unions others like us secretary education arne duncan presented ruling clarion call improve educational opportunities students many underperforming schools teachers found in160districts substantial majority minority populations democrats recognized could forced uncomfortable160choice one hand democrats wished to160stand publicly interests minority children families wanted defend teachers unions long160played decisive role democrats political success especially california broad political challenges quickly crystallized pitched battle tenure one man california superintendent public instruction160tom torlakson dedicated ally teachers unions torlaksons incumbency become a160referendum staunch opposition160to vergara decision challenger former charter schools executive marshall tuck also democrat creating intraparty race close bitter recent memory even though officially post nonpartisan tuck wins even bigger confrontation arise pitting brown attorney general kamala harris fellow democrats assuming reelected brown handily leading republican challenger neel kashkari applauded160the vergara decision harris filed states appeal vergara behalf brown opponent republican ronald gold urged appeal vergara asked students particularly inner city economically disadvantaged ones teachers unions support campaign even expected victories next tuesday thats the160kind headache california democrats without finally remarkable divides among california democrats proposition 45 could establish another pattern disagreement liberals nationwide would give california insurance commissioner power approval changes healthinsurance rates including covered california states implementation obamacare prop 45 sponsored160by leftleaning consumer watchdog organization comes covered care160rates set part federal legislation state insurance commissioner prop 45 official ballot pamphlet california secretary state features dueling liberal visions pro side insists proposition 45 lower healthcare costs preventing health insurance companies jacking rates passing unreasonable costs consumers anti side retorts prop 45 creates even expensive state bureaucracy duplicating two bureaucracies oversee health insurance rates causing costly confusion regulations adding red tape health care system political fault lines opening likely get even larger
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<p>By Bob Allen</p>
<p>A Southern Baptist megachurch claims it called police on a longtime church member not for questioning how church leaders handled a matter of sexual abuse two decades ago, but for posting threatening messages on Twitter.</p>
<p>“When it comes to protecting our people, we take that very seriously,” Ben Lovvorn, director of administration at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, <a href="http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/Prestonwood-Baptistsocial-media-198381731.html" type="external">said</a> in a news story broadcast March 14 on Dallas-Fort Worth television station WFAA.</p>
<p>The segment showed screen shots captured from the Twitter account of Chris Tynes, a 14-year member of Prestonwood. One showed a photo of a minister’s parking spot with the words, “My target.” Another said, “I’m sitting in my perfect ambush spot.”</p>
<p>The WFAA story doesn’t say why the 32,000-member megachurch was monitoring Tynes’ Twitter account in the first place. Tynes said March 15 those messages appeared only briefly and were taken down before security guards ordered him off the church campus when he showed up without an appointment to try and meet with a church leader March 5.</p>
<p>Tynes called the postings “a stupid moment of bravado” written in frustration at having to drive to the church after Executive Pastor Mike Buster agreed to a meeting with him but then canceled it and refused to reschedule. Tynes said he felt his only recourse was to ask Buster in person why he canceled their meeting.</p>
<p>Tynes said he had been using Twitter only a few days and had about 10 followers, all close friends. He said one of his friends suggested his choice of words might be misunderstood, and he agreed and took the postings down.</p>
<p>Tynes said the whole thing would be a non-story if church leaders had kept their promise to talk to him about why they blocked him from social media for asking on the church Facebook page if news stories claiming Prestonwood failed to report a known child molester to police in the 1980s were true.</p>
<p>“There’s an appropriate time and place to address concerns, and a Facebook page is not the time and place for that,” Lovronn told WFAA.</p>
<p>Lovronn said the meeting was canceled after, “We learned Mr. Tynes really had no interest in meeting with the church in good faith.”</p>
<p>Tynes said he had not done anything publicly at the point Prestonwood canceled their meeting, and he thought when Buster agreed to meet with him and his wife that it was in good faith.</p>
<p>Tynes was interviewed for the story March 11. He expected to watch it that night but was told two nights in a row the story got bumped due to breaking news. After seeing the broadcast Thursday night, he said he was disappointed.</p>
<p>WFFA framed the story as a case of social media causing discord in a church. It described a church member “using social media to go on the attack.”</p>
<p>“These days reputations can be damaged with the click of a mouse,” an anchor person said leading into the report.</p>
<p>The story said Prestonwood officials were “surprised” to see Tynes writing on the church Facebook page about recently convicted child molester John Langworthy, who worked at Prestonwood Baptist more than 20 years ago but was let go after reportedly confessing to sexual misconduct with a minor.</p>
<p>It wrapped up with the summary, “Hard lessons on both sides about navigating through negativity in an online world.”</p>
<p>Church leaders told WFAA they filed a police report labeling Tynes as a “suspicious person, possibly violent” after he turned from Facebook to Twitter and started making “terroristic” threats.</p>
<p>“I’ve never been called a terrorist before,” Tynes <a href="https://twitter.com/crtynes" type="external">tweeted</a> March 14.</p>
<p>Tynes said he hasn’t accused Prestonwood of anything, but only asked questions about allegations made by somebody else. He said making him the story is Prestonwood’s only defense, adding that even after being publicly declared a terrorist, he still would be willing to sit down and hear the church’s side.</p>
<p>“I would meet with anybody at Prestonwood who is willing to answer my questions about this topic,” he said. “Unfortunately, I’ve been told by everyone I’ve talked to at PBC that Mike Buster is the only one to speak with on this topic.”</p>
<p>“For what it’s worth, I dislike this need for secrecy, to only talk about things behind closed doors,” Tynes added. “My message to Mike Buster would have been to implore him to make this a public thing and truly get past embarrassment and into healing.”</p>
<p>Tynes said in a little more than a week his new Facebook page, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/People-Against-Prestonwoods-Silence-on-Allegations-of-Sexual-Abuse/429678530451319?fref=ts" type="external">People Against Prestonwood’s Silence on Allegations of Sexual Abuse</a>, has already reached about 7,000 people. He said he has been receiving messages of support from all over the country and even a few from overseas.</p>
<p>Prestonwood told WFAA they don’t plan to press charges against Tynes, but he is banned from setting foot on the Plano campus, one of three locations for the multi-site congregation led by former Southern Baptist Convention President Jack Graham.</p>
<p>Prestonwood didn’t respond to an e-mail request from ABPnews.com for a comment about a story concerning its dispute with Tynes published last Friday. Blogger Dee Parsons <a href="http://thewartburgwatch.com/2013/03/08/prestonwood-baptist-vs-chris-tynes-something-is-very-wrong/" type="external">said</a> she received a stern-sounding phone call from someone claiming to be a Prestonwood staff member who said the church had no comment and then immediately hung up.</p>
<p>Previous story:</p>
<p><a href="culture/social-issues/item/8285-church-calls-cops-on-inquiring-member" type="external">Church calls cops on inquiring member</a></p>
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bob allen southern baptist megachurch claims called police longtime church member questioning church leaders handled matter sexual abuse two decades ago posting threatening messages twitter comes protecting people take seriously ben lovvorn director administration prestonwood baptist church plano texas said news story broadcast march 14 dallasfort worth television station wfaa segment showed screen shots captured twitter account chris tynes 14year member prestonwood one showed photo ministers parking spot words target another said im sitting perfect ambush spot wfaa story doesnt say 32000member megachurch monitoring tynes twitter account first place tynes said march 15 messages appeared briefly taken security guards ordered church campus showed without appointment try meet church leader march 5 tynes called postings stupid moment bravado written frustration drive church executive pastor mike buster agreed meeting canceled refused reschedule tynes said felt recourse ask buster person canceled meeting tynes said using twitter days 10 followers close friends said one friends suggested choice words might misunderstood agreed took postings tynes said whole thing would nonstory church leaders kept promise talk blocked social media asking church facebook page news stories claiming prestonwood failed report known child molester police 1980s true theres appropriate time place address concerns facebook page time place lovronn told wfaa lovronn said meeting canceled learned mr tynes really interest meeting church good faith tynes said done anything publicly point prestonwood canceled meeting thought buster agreed meet wife good faith tynes interviewed story march 11 expected watch night told two nights row story got bumped due breaking news seeing broadcast thursday night said disappointed wffa framed story case social media causing discord church described church member using social media go attack days reputations damaged click mouse anchor person said leading report story said prestonwood officials surprised see tynes writing church facebook page recently convicted child molester john langworthy worked prestonwood baptist 20 years ago let go reportedly confessing sexual misconduct minor wrapped summary hard lessons sides navigating negativity online world church leaders told wfaa filed police report labeling tynes suspicious person possibly violent turned facebook twitter started making terroristic threats ive never called terrorist tynes tweeted march 14 tynes said hasnt accused prestonwood anything asked questions allegations made somebody else said making story prestonwoods defense adding even publicly declared terrorist still would willing sit hear churchs side would meet anybody prestonwood willing answer questions topic said unfortunately ive told everyone ive talked pbc mike buster one speak topic worth dislike need secrecy talk things behind closed doors tynes added message mike buster would implore make public thing truly get past embarrassment healing tynes said little week new facebook page people prestonwoods silence allegations sexual abuse already reached 7000 people said receiving messages support country even overseas prestonwood told wfaa dont plan press charges tynes banned setting foot plano campus one three locations multisite congregation led former southern baptist convention president jack graham prestonwood didnt respond email request abpnewscom comment story concerning dispute tynes published last friday blogger dee parsons said received sternsounding phone call someone claiming prestonwood staff member said church comment immediately hung previous story church calls cops inquiring member
| 512 |
<p>APRIL 5, 2010</p>
<p>By LARRY GILBERT</p>
<p>Assessing the California High Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) bullet train is reminiscent of the U.S. Senate vote on the national health care legislation where senators were voting before having all the facts. Last November, prior to&#160;the public&#160;having access to CHSRA’s long delayed Business Plan, 52 percent of California Voters approved Measure 1A, a $9.95 billion Bond Measure for a future 800 mile high-speed rail system. While no one can predict California’s budget status over the next decade, as of now we are facing a $20 billion shortfall for 2010. According to the Legislative Analyst’s Office, once the General Obligation Bonds are sold “we will have to start repaying $647 million per year” during a period of deep budget cuts and mandated furloughs.</p>
<p>The total project cost of Phase 1 of this rail system, with service from San Francisco to Los Angeles/Anaheim,&#160; originally pegged at $33.6 billion dollars, is now estimated at $42.6 billion in time of construction costs. The Reason Foundation projects the total system to actually cost between $65 billion and $81 billion.</p>
<p>Phase 2 extensions to Sacramento and San Diego are contingent on finding additional funds.&#160; Projected ridership numbers have also been dramatically altered as reported below.</p>
<p>As an update, here is&#160;the following project schedule as found in CHSRA’s December 2009 Business Plan: “[B]egin completing environmental reviews in 2011, enter construction in 2012, begin opening sections for passenger service 2017 or earlier, complete the initial system from Anaheim to San Francisco by 2020.”</p>
<p>In CHSRA’s promotional materials, its&#160;financial strategy relied on three sources of revenue: State and local funding, federal funding and the private sector, which we know as a “P3” Public, Private, Partnership.&#160;The public was&#160;told that the federal government would provide 25 percent to 33 percent of the construction costs ($10 billion to $12 billion dollars).&#160;&#160; Note: While the December 2009 Fact Sheet indicates federal funding increased to $17 billion to $19 billion, there is no way for the public to verify that optimistic sum.</p>
<p>While President Barack Obama is advocating high speed rail to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and has designated a total of $8 billion in federal stimulus funds for all 50 states, we do not know how much will be awarded to California nor if this is a one-time or annual amount. Above and beyond construction, equipment and eminent domain costs are other key areas to evaluate starting with ridership and fares which have a direct impact on annual subsidies, future profits and, most important, private sector interest.</p>
<p>At the same time, we should not overlook the challenge of compliance with the mandated social engineering found in SB375 to reduce vehicle miles traveled on an annual basis. This California&#160;legislative effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is pressuring our cities to engage in Smart Growth-oriented, high density development, land use and transportation plans as the carrot to access related federal funding.</p>
<p>In CHSRA’s promotion of this ambitious project voters were told that the cost of a one way ticket for travel between San Francisco and Los Angeles was to be $55. As recently as a Feb 24, 2009 interview with Board Member Quentin Kopp, the public&#160;was again told that, “A trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles, which is about 410, 420 miles, will take two hours and 38 minutes with a one-way fare of $55. That’s about half to one-third the cost of a plane ticket for a comparable trip.”</p>
<p>Their latest one-way fares for the same trip in 2008 dollars, has increased to $68-$104 (50 percent-77 percent&#160;airfare fee structure), which&#160;rail supporters&#160;acknowledge reduces projected ridership.</p>
<p>One month before the Nov 2008 election the Bay Area Council Economic Institute’s “California High-Speed Rail” report stated that “at least 88 million passengers are projected to ride the high-speed train annually by 2030.”&#160; The CHSRA previously projected 55 million passengers by 2030 yet have reduced that total to 41 million in 2035.&#160; Whose projection are we to believe?</p>
<p>This ridership reduction presents a conflict of interest for CHSRA. What’s its&#160;goal?&#160; Increase private sector profits and reduce subsidies by raising fares or, get us out of our cars? What about their overall goal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and traffic congestion?</p>
<p>Speaking of our cars. Just as the close passage of Prop 1A differed from high population counties like&#160;Los Angeles&#160;or San Francisco&#160;versus&#160;Orange County&#160;and other suburban counties, there is a major difference between those living in LA who can grab a bus or subway to a high speed station versus those who live in the suburbs who simply prefer using our cars.</p>
<p>CHSRA has just provided an optimistic project schedule.&#160;This project will be delayed&#160;until&#160;the authority&#160;can satisfy Section 2704.04 of Prop 1A/AB 3034, where&#160;it must submit to the director of finance and chairperson of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee the source and timing of all funds to be used for each corridor or segment.</p>
<p>Quoting from Samuel Staley, director of urban growth and land use policy at Reason Foundation.: “Ultimately, high-speed rail’s impacts on American travel patterns and employment productivity are going to be negligible, and the actual job creation potential for high-speed rail is much more modest than proponents admit.”</p>
<p>While the CA High-Speed Train Project Ridership and Revenue Forecast report reads that “in the year 2000, more than half a billion trips were made among California’s regions, 95 percent by car” we have neglected our transportation infrastructure.</p>
<p>In the Dec. 22&#160;Orange County Register, Sacramento Bee columnist Dan Walters reports, “California is falling nearly $11 billion a year short on rehabilitating and maintaining it’s highways, bridges and public transportation systems.”</p>
<p>It’s unlikely that this rail project will do much to reduce the state’s overall level of congestion.</p>
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april 5 2010 larry gilbert assessing california high speed rail authority chsra bullet train reminiscent us senate vote national health care legislation senators voting facts last november prior to160the public160having access chsras long delayed business plan 52 percent california voters approved measure 1a 995 billion bond measure future 800 mile highspeed rail system one predict californias budget status next decade facing 20 billion shortfall 2010 according legislative analysts office general obligation bonds sold start repaying 647 million per year period deep budget cuts mandated furloughs total project cost phase 1 rail system service san francisco los angelesanaheim160 originally pegged 336 billion dollars estimated 426 billion time construction costs reason foundation projects total system actually cost 65 billion 81 billion phase 2 extensions sacramento san diego contingent finding additional funds160 projected ridership numbers also dramatically altered reported update is160the following project schedule found chsras december 2009 business plan begin completing environmental reviews 2011 enter construction 2012 begin opening sections passenger service 2017 earlier complete initial system anaheim san francisco 2020 chsras promotional materials its160financial strategy relied three sources revenue state local funding federal funding private sector know p3 public private partnership160the public was160told federal government would provide 25 percent 33 percent construction costs 10 billion 12 billion dollars160160 note december 2009 fact sheet indicates federal funding increased 17 billion 19 billion way public verify optimistic sum president barack obama advocating high speed rail reduce greenhouse gas emissions designated total 8 billion federal stimulus funds 50 states know much awarded california onetime annual amount beyond construction equipment eminent domain costs key areas evaluate starting ridership fares direct impact annual subsidies future profits important private sector interest time overlook challenge compliance mandated social engineering found sb375 reduce vehicle miles traveled annual basis california160legislative effort reduce greenhouse gas emissions pressuring cities engage smart growthoriented high density development land use transportation plans carrot access related federal funding chsras promotion ambitious project voters told cost one way ticket travel san francisco los angeles 55 recently feb 24 2009 interview board member quentin kopp public160was told trip san francisco los angeles 410 420 miles take two hours 38 minutes oneway fare 55 thats half onethird cost plane ticket comparable trip latest oneway fares trip 2008 dollars increased 68104 50 percent77 percent160airfare fee structure which160rail supporters160acknowledge reduces projected ridership one month nov 2008 election bay area council economic institutes california highspeed rail report stated least 88 million passengers projected ride highspeed train annually 2030160 chsra previously projected 55 million passengers 2030 yet reduced total 41 million 2035160 whose projection believe ridership reduction presents conflict interest chsra whats its160goal160 increase private sector profits reduce subsidies raising fares get us cars overall goal reduce carbon dioxide emissions traffic congestion speaking cars close passage prop 1a differed high population counties like160los angeles160or san francisco160versus160orange county160and suburban counties major difference living la grab bus subway high speed station versus live suburbs simply prefer using cars chsra provided optimistic project schedule160this project delayed160until160the authority160can satisfy section 270404 prop 1aab 3034 where160it must submit director finance chairperson joint legislative budget committee source timing funds used corridor segment quoting samuel staley director urban growth land use policy reason foundation ultimately highspeed rails impacts american travel patterns employment productivity going negligible actual job creation potential highspeed rail much modest proponents admit ca highspeed train project ridership revenue forecast report reads year 2000 half billion trips made among californias regions 95 percent car neglected transportation infrastructure dec 22160orange county register sacramento bee columnist dan walters reports california falling nearly 11 billion year short rehabilitating maintaining highways bridges public transportation systems unlikely rail project much reduce states overall level congestion
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<p>BANGKOK, Thailand — Myanmar’s Rohingya people have been hacked to death, driven from their homes and quarantined in grubby camps. Many are shrunken from malnutrition and disease.</p>
<p>But while most see their condition as a tragedy, Al Qaeda sees opportunity.</p>
<p>From obscurity, the Rohingya plight has in recent years exploded into an international scandal. No country will claim them as their own. Though about 800,000 Rohingya inhabit the western shores of Myanmar, the Buddhist-led government there labels them foreign invaders from Bangladesh. Vigilantes have purged them from cities using arson and murder. Human Rights Watch calls this bloody exodus “ethnic cleansing.”</p>
<p>The Rohingya also happen to be Muslim.</p>
<p>For Al Qaeda, their suffering is a convenient call to arms, especially now that the terror consortium — losing global attention to the Islamic State — is struggling to develop a new offensive in South Asia.</p>
<p>This new scheme will seek to “erase the border drawn by the British to divide the Muslims of South Asia,” said Ayman al-Zawahiri, the successor to Osama bin Laden, in a <a href="http://www.memrijttm.org/in-new-video-al-qaeda-leader-ayman-al-zawahiri-announces-establishment-of-al-qaeda-jihad-organization-in-south-asia-says-its-objective-is-to-erase-the-borders-which-were-drawn-by-the-britishers-to-divide-the-muslims-of-south-asia.html" type="external">video announcement</a> released in early September.</p>
<p>The bearded commander wants Muslims in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Myanmar to unite and form a Muslim <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/iraq/140630/what-the-hell-caliphate" type="external">caliphate</a>. He also sprinkled in a Sunni prophecy about Muslims one day conquering India as a precursor to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who appears as a prophet in the Quran.</p>
<p>Among the countries mentioned by Al Qaeda’s commander, one sticks out: Myanmar, formerly titled Burma, a Buddhist land of golden temples and barefoot monks.</p>
<p>Al Qaeda has long had deep roots in Pakistan. It can already claim weak affiliates in Bangladesh, a 90 percent Muslim country, and far-flung parts of India, home to the world’s second-largest Muslim population.</p>
<p>But Al Qaeda has no known allies encamped in Myanmar, a nation that seldom received overtures from the terror group (or its partners) prior to the Rohingya crisis.</p>
<p>A range of extremist groups have since offered their help. The strongest statements come from the Pakistani Taliban, an Al Qaeda ally. They promise that “we haven’t forgotten you” and “we will take revenge of your blood.”</p>
<p>Al-Zawahiri insists the Al Qaeda expansion will offer a “cool breeze for the hapless and weak.” But the mere suggestion of Al Qaeda infiltration among Rohingya could justify even harsher treatment against the beleaguered Muslim group.</p>
<p>“The worst thing that could happen to the Rohingya is they’re suspected of having a wing affiliated to Al Qaeda,” said Sidney Jones, director of the Indonesia-based Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict. “It’s doing Muslims in Myanmar no courtesy to make this announcement.”</p>
<p>Myanmar is already rife with strange anti-Muslim conspiracy theories. Among them: They’re flush with Middle Eastern oil money, they get cash rewards for seducing Buddhist maidens, and they plot to overrun the country.</p>
<p>The theories are as groundless as they are dangerous. As these rumors have gained steam, attacks on Muslim quarters in a dozen-odd cities across Myanmar have killed hundreds in recent years.</p>
<p>Myanmar’s largest Islamic advocacy group wasted no time in condemning al-Zawahiri’s offer. The Burmese Muslim Association called Al Qaeda <a href="https://www.dvb.no/news/burmese-muslims-reject-morally-repugnant-al-qaeda-burma-myanmar/43908" type="external">“morally repugnant”</a> and vowed loyalty to the nation of Myanmar.</p>
<p>The Rohingya families herded into squalid camps aren’t compelled by the convoluted politics of global jihad. They are simply trying to survive.</p>
<p>But for global jihadis, Rohingya communities look like fertile ground for expansion.</p>
<p>Those seeking to paint Rohingya society as a tinderbox of radicalism can point to various Rohingya armed factions that have come and gone in recent decades. But they have always been pathetically small, according to most accounts. And they’ve always been subservient to larger militant groups in Bangladesh, namely an Al Qaeda-linked outfit called Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami.</p>
<p>Even their jihadi friends have treated the small pool of Rohingya militants like cannon fodder. Those funneled to the Afghanistan front via Bangladesh “were given the <a href="http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/DI21Df06.html" type="external">most dangerous tasks in the battlefield</a>: clearing mines and portering,” according to a report by Myanmar expert Bertil Lintner.</p>
<p>The number of Rohingya militants is currently “so small you can count the number of people in their ranks on your fingers,” said Rajeshwari Krishnamurthy, an analyst with the independent Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies in New Delhi.</p>
<p>Still, she worries that Al Qaeda may finally manage to seed radicalism among bitter young Rohingya men. “They don’t care about global jihad,” she said. “But if Al Qaeda were to offer their support, they’d take it lock, stock and barrel.”</p>
<p>That potential support — if it ever actually materialized&#160;— would come from a terror network in decline. Al Qaeda now appears weaker in comparison to the Islamic State, which began as a mere Al Qaeda branch. It has since swelled into a well-financed force controlling large parts of Syria and Iraq.</p>
<p>This turn of events has Al Qaeda struggling to defend its title as the world’s most fearsome terror group. Their attempted expansion into South Asia looks like an effort to play catch up. “That’s got to be the factor driving this announcement,” Jones said. “It’s so clear Al Qaeda has lost ground.”</p>
<p>The potential for extremists to enact a massive caliphate over South Asia is hard to take seriously. The scattered Al Qaeda allies in India and Bangladesh are currently held in check by vigilant armies.</p>
<p>As for the Rohingya, they are well under the thumb of Myanmar’s army. And though rumors of Rohingya militants have swirled for years, it is telling that none emerge to defend them in their darkest hours, when families are violently purged from their homes.</p>
| false | 3 |
bangkok thailand myanmars rohingya people hacked death driven homes quarantined grubby camps many shrunken malnutrition disease see condition tragedy al qaeda sees opportunity obscurity rohingya plight recent years exploded international scandal country claim though 800000 rohingya inhabit western shores myanmar buddhistled government labels foreign invaders bangladesh vigilantes purged cities using arson murder human rights watch calls bloody exodus ethnic cleansing rohingya also happen muslim al qaeda suffering convenient call arms especially terror consortium losing global attention islamic state struggling develop new offensive south asia new scheme seek erase border drawn british divide muslims south asia said ayman alzawahiri successor osama bin laden video announcement released early september bearded commander wants muslims pakistan india bangladesh myanmar unite form muslim caliphate also sprinkled sunni prophecy muslims one day conquering india precursor resurrection jesus christ appears prophet quran among countries mentioned al qaedas commander one sticks myanmar formerly titled burma buddhist land golden temples barefoot monks al qaeda long deep roots pakistan already claim weak affiliates bangladesh 90 percent muslim country farflung parts india home worlds secondlargest muslim population al qaeda known allies encamped myanmar nation seldom received overtures terror group partners prior rohingya crisis range extremist groups since offered help strongest statements come pakistani taliban al qaeda ally promise havent forgotten take revenge blood alzawahiri insists al qaeda expansion offer cool breeze hapless weak mere suggestion al qaeda infiltration among rohingya could justify even harsher treatment beleaguered muslim group worst thing could happen rohingya theyre suspected wing affiliated al qaeda said sidney jones director indonesiabased institute policy analysis conflict muslims myanmar courtesy make announcement myanmar already rife strange antimuslim conspiracy theories among theyre flush middle eastern oil money get cash rewards seducing buddhist maidens plot overrun country theories groundless dangerous rumors gained steam attacks muslim quarters dozenodd cities across myanmar killed hundreds recent years myanmars largest islamic advocacy group wasted time condemning alzawahiris offer burmese muslim association called al qaeda morally repugnant vowed loyalty nation myanmar rohingya families herded squalid camps arent compelled convoluted politics global jihad simply trying survive global jihadis rohingya communities look like fertile ground expansion seeking paint rohingya society tinderbox radicalism point various rohingya armed factions come gone recent decades always pathetically small according accounts theyve always subservient larger militant groups bangladesh namely al qaedalinked outfit called harkatuljihad alislami even jihadi friends treated small pool rohingya militants like cannon fodder funneled afghanistan front via bangladesh given dangerous tasks battlefield clearing mines portering according report myanmar expert bertil lintner number rohingya militants currently small count number people ranks fingers said rajeshwari krishnamurthy analyst independent institute peace conflict studies new delhi still worries al qaeda may finally manage seed radicalism among bitter young rohingya men dont care global jihad said al qaeda offer support theyd take lock stock barrel potential support ever actually materialized160 would come terror network decline al qaeda appears weaker comparison islamic state began mere al qaeda branch since swelled wellfinanced force controlling large parts syria iraq turn events al qaeda struggling defend title worlds fearsome terror group attempted expansion south asia looks like effort play catch thats got factor driving announcement jones said clear al qaeda lost ground potential extremists enact massive caliphate south asia hard take seriously scattered al qaeda allies india bangladesh currently held check vigilant armies rohingya well thumb myanmars army though rumors rohingya militants swirled years telling none emerge defend darkest hours families violently purged homes
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<p>What was considered an easy re-election for Clarice Berry, president of the Chicago Principals and Administrators Association, is now up for grabs with the entry of a well-connected opponent.</p>
<p>Linda Pierzchalski, Area 19 instructional officer and former principal of Bogan High School, threw her hat into the ring in January, vowing to pick up where long-time CPAA president Beverly Tunney, who died last year, left off.</p>
<p>The election, to be held by mail-in ballot during the first two weeks of May, offers the organization’s roughly 1,400 voting members a choice between leaders with very different styles. They can opt for someone who believes working and speaking publicly, as Berry has in recent months, or for someone who is likely to continue Tunney’s practice of working behind the scenes in cooperation with the Board of Education, as Pierzchalski prefers.</p>
<p>President will have to juggle roles</p>
<p>“This is going to be a pretty close race,” says Peter Martinez, director of the Center for School Leadership at the University of Illinois at Chicago.</p>
<p>Until now, the principals association has provided “a nice balance” between serving as an outspoken advocate on job issues, a role typically assumed by labor unions, and serving as a professional development resource to its members, he notes.</p>
<p>Whoever gets elected will have to address both roles</p>
<p>“You’ve got all kinds of administrative demands being put on principals,” Martinez notes. “At the same, time you have a large number of schools on probation, an area where [the principals association] ought to be working closely with the board.”</p>
<p>Compared to the teachers union, the principals association, founded in 1886, is relatively weak. The association is not a recognized collective bargaining unit. Principals cannot strike and lost their right to tenure in 1989. Central office administrators—60 percent of whom belong to the principals association, Berry estimates—largely serve at the will of the board.</p>
<p>However, the association negotiates with the board for annual salary raises and benefits increases. It also provides a number of services to members, including legal counseling, an annual conference and professional development programs for new and experienced principals.</p>
<p>Tunney, who headed the organization from 1993 to 2003, is widely credited for expanding its professional development offerings. Two showcase programs are LAUNCH (Leadership Academy and Urban Network for Chicago), which trains aspiring principals, and LIFT (Leadership Initiative for Transformation), a training and support program for principals during their first year on the job.</p>
<p>Tunney is also credited with having persuaded the board to raise principals’ salaries substantially over the years. While she was at the helm, top principal earnings grew from $80,000 to $120,000.</p>
<p>“I started at $50,000 in 1990 and left last year at more than $100,000,” says one retired CPS principal.</p>
<p>Perhaps most significant, Tunney had the ear of former Schools CEO Paul Vallas, whom many say relied on her for advice on education issues and strategy. Vallas spoke at Tunney’s memorial service.</p>
<p>The relationship appears to have paid off. During the Vallas years, most principals felt they were able to run their schools without central office interference, educators say. In several cases, principals whose contracts were not renewed by their local school councils landed jobs at the central office. Vallas sided with principals in a 1999 battle with local school councils over principal hiring.</p>
<p>“Bev’s approach was that you have to be at the table to get more for your members,” says Karen Carlson, a longtime CPS principal and Tunney supporter who recently left CPS to become assistant superintendent for Waukegan schools.</p>
<p>‘First minority president’</p>
<p>Still, critics of Tunney’s administration contend that she did not fight hard enough to counter harsh accountability programs, which placed dozens of schools—including Berry’s—on probation, remediation or reconstitution.</p>
<p>Driven by concerns that Tunney had gotten too close to the board, Berry decided to run for president in 1998. She lost that race and a subsequent one in 2001.</p>
<p>Last year, however, Berry won a razor-close runoff election against two Tunney loyalists to finish out Tunney’s unexpired term. “She won by eight votes,” remembers David Peterson, who served as assistant to the president under Tunney.</p>
<p>While campaigning, Berry played up her years of experience as an elementary school principal and the diversity of her slate. “I am the first minority president of the association,” Berry says. In the wake of campaign rhetoric, some feared that Berry would immediately begin battling the board and undo many of Tunney’s initiatives. Such fears have proven unwarranted, as Berry retained some Tunney staffers and kept professional development programs intact.</p>
<p>Berry has, however, publicly taken on the board and the Chicago Teachers Union. For instance, she criticized the board for blaming principals for rodent problems in schools. She also blasted a CTU initiative to rate principal performance and post the results on the Internet. Berry demanded that the union not release the survey results.</p>
<p>In the future, Berry says, “We want to weigh in on every single policy.”</p>
<p>Other Berry accomplishments have not been widely publicized. This winter, she won 4 percent raises across the board for principals, assistant principals and central office administrators. Board officials credit her with ensuring that the revised CPS principal selection criteria do not require 600 existing candidates, most of them assistant principals, to start from scratch. (See Catalyst, April 2004.)</p>
<p>“I know I was perceived prior to my election as a bomb-thrower,” Berry admits. “But I’ve proved that impression wrong during the past eight months. I’m aggressive as president, but I know I’m not helping members if I am constantly creating schisms.”</p>
<p>A Tunney loyalist</p>
<p>Supporters of Berry’s opponent nonetheless believe that Pierzchalski can do the job better.</p>
<p>Pierzchalski has a broader range of experience in the school system, they say, having held posts as a principal and an administrator. She also has experience with racial politics, having persuaded a racially divided local school council at Bogan to renew her contract shortly after arriving at the school. Supporters say Pierzchalski’s smooth transition from principal to region officer to area instructional officer in three years proves she’s on the inside track with top board officials.</p>
<p>Like Tunney, Pierzchalski believes that working behind the scenes is the most effective way to operate. “Bev did an outstanding job,” she says. Rather than generating headlines, like Berry did over the CTU principal survey, Pierzchalski’s approach would be, “Let’s sit down and work it out. That’s the way to go.”</p>
<p>Style differences aside, Pierzchalski’s main goals are increasing membership and regaining central office jobs lost to budget cuts over the past 18 months.</p>
<p>Overall membership in the principals association is at a historic high, just over 2,100, according to officials. Yet only 60 percent of central administrators belong. (“Why would I pay $600 for nothing?” asked one Clark Street administrator.)</p>
<p>Pierzschalski supporters note that Berry was not able to soften the impact of the new probation policy, which could mean half of CPS principals would work at the will of the board rather than under four-year contracts.</p>
<p>“Under Beverly, somebody was always at the table,” says Peterson. “I don’t know if that’s happening as much today.”</p>
<p>“The new [probation] policy is troubling to us,” Berry responds. “We didn’t have a chance to weigh in and, in fact, got only two hours notice.”</p>
<p>Given last year’s close runoff, observers say it would be difficult to predict a winner.</p>
<p>“I have a sense that it’s a little soon for people to evaluate Berry,” says Brenda Bell of Leadership for Quality Education. “I was told that she played unfair and played the race card. I found none of that to be true.”</p>
<p>Berry has the advantages of incumbency, a respectable track record during her first eight months, and her alliance with elementary school principals, who comprise the majority of the group’s membership.</p>
<p>By contrast, this is Pierzchalski’s first run for the group’s top office, and she got a late start, beginning to spread the word of her candidacy in March. However, many members view a vote for Pierzchalski, perceived to be a powerful insider, as a vote for Tunney. Pierzchalski ticks off a list of education leaders—Chief Education Officer Barbara Eason Watkins, Professional Development Officer Al Bertani, Chief Instruction Officer Domingo Trujillo, even CTU President Deborah Lynch—as those with whom she has a successful working relationship.</p>
<p>Late-breaking events could influence the election’s outcome. Results of the CTU principal survey could give Berry the chance to position herself as a vocal champion of principal interests. Another round of central office job cuts—CPS announced 200 will be eliminated by next year—could give Pierzchalski a chance to speak out about regaining jobs.</p>
<p>Perhaps most significant is the new probation policy, which will impact principal hiring decisions across the system. Berry strongly opposes the policy, which would mean less job security for principals. Pierzchalski has taken a moderate stance, contending that, in some cases, area instructional officers are in a better position than LSCs to make decisions about principal hiring.</p>
<p>The final tally may ultimately be a case of who or what is most familiar to members, Peterson says. “It’s only been eight months, and in some cases, people choose the devil you know.”</p>
<p>To contact Alexander Russo, call (312) 673-3837 or send an e-mail to [email protected].</p>
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considered easy reelection clarice berry president chicago principals administrators association grabs entry wellconnected opponent linda pierzchalski area 19 instructional officer former principal bogan high school threw hat ring january vowing pick longtime cpaa president beverly tunney died last year left election held mailin ballot first two weeks may offers organizations roughly 1400 voting members choice leaders different styles opt someone believes working speaking publicly berry recent months someone likely continue tunneys practice working behind scenes cooperation board education pierzchalski prefers president juggle roles going pretty close race says peter martinez director center school leadership university illinois chicago principals association provided nice balance serving outspoken advocate job issues role typically assumed labor unions serving professional development resource members notes whoever gets elected address roles youve got kinds administrative demands put principals martinez notes time large number schools probation area principals association ought working closely board compared teachers union principals association founded 1886 relatively weak association recognized collective bargaining unit principals strike lost right tenure 1989 central office administrators60 percent belong principals association berry estimateslargely serve board however association negotiates board annual salary raises benefits increases also provides number services members including legal counseling annual conference professional development programs new experienced principals tunney headed organization 1993 2003 widely credited expanding professional development offerings two showcase programs launch leadership academy urban network chicago trains aspiring principals lift leadership initiative transformation training support program principals first year job tunney also credited persuaded board raise principals salaries substantially years helm top principal earnings grew 80000 120000 started 50000 1990 left last year 100000 says one retired cps principal perhaps significant tunney ear former schools ceo paul vallas many say relied advice education issues strategy vallas spoke tunneys memorial service relationship appears paid vallas years principals felt able run schools without central office interference educators say several cases principals whose contracts renewed local school councils landed jobs central office vallas sided principals 1999 battle local school councils principal hiring bevs approach table get members says karen carlson longtime cps principal tunney supporter recently left cps become assistant superintendent waukegan schools first minority president still critics tunneys administration contend fight hard enough counter harsh accountability programs placed dozens schoolsincluding berryson probation remediation reconstitution driven concerns tunney gotten close board berry decided run president 1998 lost race subsequent one 2001 last year however berry razorclose runoff election two tunney loyalists finish tunneys unexpired term eight votes remembers david peterson served assistant president tunney campaigning berry played years experience elementary school principal diversity slate first minority president association berry says wake campaign rhetoric feared berry would immediately begin battling board undo many tunneys initiatives fears proven unwarranted berry retained tunney staffers kept professional development programs intact berry however publicly taken board chicago teachers union instance criticized board blaming principals rodent problems schools also blasted ctu initiative rate principal performance post results internet berry demanded union release survey results future berry says want weigh every single policy berry accomplishments widely publicized winter 4 percent raises across board principals assistant principals central office administrators board officials credit ensuring revised cps principal selection criteria require 600 existing candidates assistant principals start scratch see catalyst april 2004 know perceived prior election bombthrower berry admits ive proved impression wrong past eight months im aggressive president know im helping members constantly creating schisms tunney loyalist supporters berrys opponent nonetheless believe pierzchalski job better pierzchalski broader range experience school system say held posts principal administrator also experience racial politics persuaded racially divided local school council bogan renew contract shortly arriving school supporters say pierzchalskis smooth transition principal region officer area instructional officer three years proves shes inside track top board officials like tunney pierzchalski believes working behind scenes effective way operate bev outstanding job says rather generating headlines like berry ctu principal survey pierzchalskis approach would lets sit work thats way go style differences aside pierzchalskis main goals increasing membership regaining central office jobs lost budget cuts past 18 months overall membership principals association historic high 2100 according officials yet 60 percent central administrators belong would pay 600 nothing asked one clark street administrator pierzschalski supporters note berry able soften impact new probation policy could mean half cps principals would work board rather fouryear contracts beverly somebody always table says peterson dont know thats happening much today new probation policy troubling us berry responds didnt chance weigh fact got two hours notice given last years close runoff observers say would difficult predict winner sense little soon people evaluate berry says brenda bell leadership quality education told played unfair played race card found none true berry advantages incumbency respectable track record first eight months alliance elementary school principals comprise majority groups membership contrast pierzchalskis first run groups top office got late start beginning spread word candidacy march however many members view vote pierzchalski perceived powerful insider vote tunney pierzchalski ticks list education leaderschief education officer barbara eason watkins professional development officer al bertani chief instruction officer domingo trujillo even ctu president deborah lynchas successful working relationship latebreaking events could influence elections outcome results ctu principal survey could give berry chance position vocal champion principal interests another round central office job cutscps announced 200 eliminated next yearcould give pierzchalski chance speak regaining jobs perhaps significant new probation policy impact principal hiring decisions across system berry strongly opposes policy would mean less job security principals pierzchalski taken moderate stance contending cases area instructional officers better position lscs make decisions principal hiring final tally may ultimately case familiar members peterson says eight months cases people choose devil know contact alexander russo call 312 6733837 send email russocatalystchicagoorg
| 927 |
<p>PARIS — The police vehicles approached slowly, and the officers accompanying them were visibly tense.</p>
<p>The past three days had been a nightmare for French law enforcement. <a href="" type="internal">Two officers murdered</a> on the <a href="" type="internal">street in cold blood</a>. Nine staff from the provocative magazine <a href="" type="internal">Charlie Hebdo slaughtered</a> in their offices, along with a visitor from out of town. Four people <a href="" type="internal">slain at a kosher supermarket</a>.</p>
<p>Two <a href="" type="internal">sieges ending in a hail of bullets</a> with brothers who had <a href="" type="internal">sworn allegiance to al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula</a> and their <a href="" type="internal">ISIS-inspired accomplice</a> being killed following a coordinated set of attacks.</p>
<p>A <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duCIpdE-Q6I&amp;list=RDduCIpdE-Q6I" type="external">video taken by a passerby</a> showed the street packed tight with civilians, and the officers began clearing a path for the approaching vehicles. A few small cheers rang out. But as the police got closer, the entire crowd erupted in applause and shouts of encouragement.</p>
<p>The officers were clearly taken aback, exchanging glances as if unsure how to respond.</p>
<p>But the crowd’s encouragement and enthusiasm were contagious, and many of the officers, replete in full riot gear, began to smile and thank their supporters.</p>
<p>With its long history of anti-establishmentarianism and a general lack of regard for authority figures, France has never really embraced police officers in the way that America often mythologizes the men and women of the thin blue line.</p>
<p>Cops here are widely known as "les flics" — the plural of "flic," a popular slang term for police of uncertain origin.</p>
<p>But on Jan. 12, 2015, it was "les flics" who had responded to the call, and come to the rescue.</p>
<p>The citizens of France loved them for it.</p>
<p>There had long been animosity between the police and immigrant communities, who had felt unjustly targeted by law enforcement. The police and their supporters pointed to high levels of crime in the "banlieue" — or suburbs — and a lack of “assimilation” by immigrant populations.</p>
<p>Experts interviewed by NBC News say there is very little focus on police relations with immigrant communities, which are the same communities which are ripe for ISIS propaganda. It is no accident that many of the young men and women who have been radicalized began their journeys in French suburbs, or have records of petty crimes.</p>
<p>“There is an enduring will to lay a veil of ignorance on policing practices, even when they are relatively good compared to other nations,” said Professor Sebastian Roché, a researcher who focuses on policing and youth crime at France's National Center for Scientific Research. “President Hollande has reneged on his promises. He has forgotten about tackling ethnic bias during stop-and-searches. He has forgotten the banlieues.”</p>
<p>According to INSEE, the French national institute of statistics, about one-in-five people in France is foreign-born, or is the direct descendant of at least one foreign-born parent. In the greater Paris region, this proportion climbs to two-in-five. Half of all immigrants or their descendants are North African, Middle Eastern or African in origin.</p>
<p>Deep and lasting fractures have triggered major riots in the past — including nearly a month of massive protests, looting and arson that prompted then-President Jacques Chirac to declare a state of emergency in 2005. The media dubbed the events "The French Intifada."</p>
<p>The shift in popular attitudes toward the police and armed forces peaked shortly after last <a href="" type="internal">November's attacks that killed 130 people and injured hundreds more</a>. Waves of new recruits began applying to become police officers and soldiers.</p>
<p>Complete Coverage: <a href="" type="internal">Paris Terror Attacks</a></p>
<p>“People need heroes in a time of war: the police are good candidates,” Roché added. “France has a national police service, and this strengthens even more the connection between a sense of nationhood, and positive attitudes towards the police.”</p>
<p>The Police Nationale, France’s largest law enforcement organization, has seen such a surge in interest in wake of last year’s attacks that earning a slot at its police academy is now as competitive as gaining a place in the nation’s top universities.</p>
<p>The police have been quick to capitalize on the shifting attitudes, in part because they must meet new staffing levels under national reforms aimed at preparing France for further terror attacks.</p>
<p>Indeed, the police unveiled a new recruiting campaign that focuses heavily on the themes of patriotism and terror.</p>
<p>“I wanted to commit myself to be helpful to others,” says a character dubbed “Pierre,” in a slick Police Nationale recruiting video.</p>
<p>It begins with Pierre visiting a impromptu memorial to the Nov. 13 attacks dressed as a civilian, and ends with him hoisting the national flag in uniform before a formation of fellow recruits at the National Police College in Saint-Cyr-au-Mont-D’Or, all set to rousing music.</p>
<p>“After the attacks in Paris and <a href="" type="internal">Saint-Denis last November</a>, the government decided to initiate a huge wave of recruitment for the [Police Nationale],” said Superintendent Camille Chaize, its deputy chief of communications. “We organized an exceptional exam last January. There were 36,000 candidates for the exam. It’s almost 50 percent more than usual.”</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the government is trying to translate this surge of interest into, eventually, more officers on the street.</p>
<p>“For this year, we will recruit 5,000 new police officers," Supt. Chaize said. “It’s 10 times more than we usually have.”</p>
<p>Still, once a prospective recruit has decided to commit to the path of becoming an officer, it takes perhaps a year or more to earn a place at the academy, complete the necessary training, and finally join the ranks of the police.</p>
<p>The attacks may have reinforced their sense of mission, but current recruits understand that fighting terrorism may actually be a small part of their day-to-day job.</p>
<p>“Actually, the terror attacks did not motivate me more, as I was already determined to become a police officer,” said recruit Gregory Claire, 31, who is currently attending the police academy. “Most of my training at the academy is about daily criminality. It is about recognizing infractions of the law, and about how to be a good police officer.”</p>
<p>“Today we need police, but not only to prevent terror attacks,” said Alexis, 20, an intern at police headquarters who is waiting for placement at the police academy, and who requested that his last name be withheld. “It’s very important to defend this country, but we don’t have to only focus on terrorism. We have to carry on with life.”</p>
<p>The flag-waving patriots who emerged after the series of ISIS-linked terror attacks were quick to cheer the police in January, and again in November.</p>
<p>But by March, when President Francois Hollande tabled a set of contentious reforms to French labor laws that enraged unions and social activists, hundreds of thousands took to the streets in protest.</p>
<p>Most of these demonstrations took on the usual flavor of strike actions in France: loud, chaotic and regular.</p>
<p>The police returned to a familiar pattern as well, responding in force. Soon the protests turned violent, and demonstrators were filmed hurling Molotov cocktails and rocks at police, who turned to batons, tear gas and water cannons.</p>
<p>The sentiment of the protesters quickly turned against the police. Uniformed patrol officers who were not part of riot-control squads even began to be attacked.</p>
<p>In one particularly dramatic incident captured on video and replayed endlessly on French TV, protesters set alight a police car while two officers were still inside.</p>
<p>The vehicle was destroyed, but the duo managed to escape.</p>
<p>An American who had traveled to France, apparently to join the protests, was later arrested and now stands charged with attempted murder. The incident occurred at a rally held by police unions to protest violence against their officers.</p>
<p>The French honeymoon with the police appeared to have ended.</p>
<p>"We are back to 'normal,'" said Roché, the professor. "Clashes between police and students, tensions in the banlieue [suburbs], altercations during the policing of protests: this is the worst period for trying to reform the police."</p>
| false | 3 |
paris police vehicles approached slowly officers accompanying visibly tense past three days nightmare french law enforcement two officers murdered street cold blood nine staff provocative magazine charlie hebdo slaughtered offices along visitor town four people slain kosher supermarket two sieges ending hail bullets brothers sworn allegiance al qaeda arabian peninsula isisinspired accomplice killed following coordinated set attacks video taken passerby showed street packed tight civilians officers began clearing path approaching vehicles small cheers rang police got closer entire crowd erupted applause shouts encouragement officers clearly taken aback exchanging glances unsure respond crowds encouragement enthusiasm contagious many officers replete full riot gear began smile thank supporters long history antiestablishmentarianism general lack regard authority figures france never really embraced police officers way america often mythologizes men women thin blue line cops widely known les flics plural flic popular slang term police uncertain origin jan 12 2015 les flics responded call come rescue citizens france loved long animosity police immigrant communities felt unjustly targeted law enforcement police supporters pointed high levels crime banlieue suburbs lack assimilation immigrant populations experts interviewed nbc news say little focus police relations immigrant communities communities ripe isis propaganda accident many young men women radicalized began journeys french suburbs records petty crimes enduring lay veil ignorance policing practices even relatively good compared nations said professor sebastian roché researcher focuses policing youth crime frances national center scientific research president hollande reneged promises forgotten tackling ethnic bias stopandsearches forgotten banlieues according insee french national institute statistics oneinfive people france foreignborn direct descendant least one foreignborn parent greater paris region proportion climbs twoinfive half immigrants descendants north african middle eastern african origin deep lasting fractures triggered major riots past including nearly month massive protests looting arson prompted thenpresident jacques chirac declare state emergency 2005 media dubbed events french intifada shift popular attitudes toward police armed forces peaked shortly last novembers attacks killed 130 people injured hundreds waves new recruits began applying become police officers soldiers complete coverage paris terror attacks people need heroes time war police good candidates roché added france national police service strengthens even connection sense nationhood positive attitudes towards police police nationale frances largest law enforcement organization seen surge interest wake last years attacks earning slot police academy competitive gaining place nations top universities police quick capitalize shifting attitudes part must meet new staffing levels national reforms aimed preparing france terror attacks indeed police unveiled new recruiting campaign focuses heavily themes patriotism terror wanted commit helpful others says character dubbed pierre slick police nationale recruiting video begins pierre visiting impromptu memorial nov 13 attacks dressed civilian ends hoisting national flag uniform formation fellow recruits national police college saintcyraumontdor set rousing music attacks paris saintdenis last november government decided initiate huge wave recruitment police nationale said superintendent camille chaize deputy chief communications organized exceptional exam last january 36000 candidates exam almost 50 percent usual meanwhile government trying translate surge interest eventually officers street year recruit 5000 new police officers supt chaize said 10 times usually still prospective recruit decided commit path becoming officer takes perhaps year earn place academy complete necessary training finally join ranks police attacks may reinforced sense mission current recruits understand fighting terrorism may actually small part daytoday job actually terror attacks motivate already determined become police officer said recruit gregory claire 31 currently attending police academy training academy daily criminality recognizing infractions law good police officer today need police prevent terror attacks said alexis 20 intern police headquarters waiting placement police academy requested last name withheld important defend country dont focus terrorism carry life flagwaving patriots emerged series isislinked terror attacks quick cheer police january november march president francois hollande tabled set contentious reforms french labor laws enraged unions social activists hundreds thousands took streets protest demonstrations took usual flavor strike actions france loud chaotic regular police returned familiar pattern well responding force soon protests turned violent demonstrators filmed hurling molotov cocktails rocks police turned batons tear gas water cannons sentiment protesters quickly turned police uniformed patrol officers part riotcontrol squads even began attacked one particularly dramatic incident captured video replayed endlessly french tv protesters set alight police car two officers still inside vehicle destroyed duo managed escape american traveled france apparently join protests later arrested stands charged attempted murder incident occurred rally held police unions protest violence officers french honeymoon police appeared ended back normal said roché professor clashes police students tensions banlieue suburbs altercations policing protests worst period trying reform police
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<p>MADRID, Spain — Chefs around the world dream of being awarded a Michelin star, the most important recognition in the haute cuisine restaurant community. However, Spaniard Julio Biosca sleeps more soundly since recently giving up the star his humble restaurant, Casa Biosca, received in 2009.</p>
<p>Located in Fontanars dels Alforins, a tiny village in eastern Spain counting no more than a thousand inhabitants, Casa Biosca doesn't differ much from the typical Spanish restaurant, where eating and drinking means meeting friends, debating politics or soccer, and generally celebrating life.</p>
<p>In the morning, it serves coffee and sandwiches. But just a few hours later, in a separate space, Biosca offers high-quality, earthy wonders, like cuttlefish burgers, pork trotters and local artichoke-stem rice.</p>
<p>“In 2005, we decided to launch a project to add a gastronomic element to the family business that was in place since the '40s,” Biosca says. “One day a Michelin inspector came, ate, and talked with us. Two years later, we were surprised to find out that we’d gotten a star. The radius of people coming broadened, and also from outside of Spain.”</p>
<p>Those were happy years. But one day Biosca went to a fancy restaurant, also holding one star, and witnessed from the side of his table the “fanfare” and “stupidity” linked to the exclusive club to which he now belonged.</p>
<p>“I felt I was not enjoying the meal's dynamic and didn't want to offer it myself,” the chef says. “I saw how some of our customers came, not expecting an eating experience, but craving an element of surprise the restaurant was expected to provide, and photographing the dishes with their smartphones.”</p>
<p>Biosca then did something unexpected: He asked the prestigious guide to remove his restaurant from the list.</p>
<p>“I fully respect the Michelin guide. The problem is all that surrounds it: the eagerness to become number one, to step on others along the way. I was exhausted from the system and wanted to come back to the origins: having people leave my restaurant feeling happy. My life is better now. I am calmer and more satisfied.”</p>
<p>Biosca is not a pioneer, though. Before him, Joel Robuchon, Alain Senderens, Antoine Westermann, and Olivier Roellinger, all from France, made the same decision for various reasons. Last year, Belgian Fredrick Dhooghe followed suit, claiming a lack of freedom to develop his own cuisine.</p>
<p>“The customers expect a parade of appetizers when the gastronomic menu starts, in a setting that, according to them, also deserves one star. Take a shrimp croquette. People expect a starred chef to give his own interpretation of that dish. I just want to make a really good shrimp croquette,” Dhooghe argued.</p>
<p>Biosca's move, once again, raised the question: Are Michelin stars a blessing, a curse, or both?</p>
<p>What's a Michelin star?</p>
<p>France's Michelin company — yes, the automobile tire maker — publishes annual guidebooks awarding restaurants for excellence.</p>
<p>One star means very good. Two is excellent. Three, the top honor, means the restaurant is so fantastic that it’s worth traveling to.</p>
<p>Some foodies carry the book with them while traveling around the world. Prices at a Michelin-starred restaurant can reach several hundred dollars for a meal.</p>
<p>In the 2015 edition, France was once again the top-rated country, receiving a combined 609 stars. Tokyo, with 226 stars, was the most awarded city. Michelin only publishes guides for three US cities: New York, San Francisco and Chicago, which respectively host six, four, and two venues holding three stars.</p>
<p>The curse of the lucky</p>
<p>The stars have a dark side. They can become an obsession.</p>
<p>British chef Gordon Ramsay says he cried when his New York restaurant lost its stars, once comparing it to <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2560573/I-cried-I-lost-Michelin-stars-Gordon-Ramsay-opens-day-New-York-restaurant-downgraded-saying-like-losing-girlfriend.html" type="external">losing a girlfriend</a>.</p>
<p>For others, just the fear of the loss can be devastating. In 2003, French chef Bernard Loiseau committed suicide with his hunting rifle when newspaper reports hinted that his restaurant, La Cote d'Or, might lose its coveted three-star status.</p>
<p>Spanish food critic for Madrid's ABC newspaper, Carlos Maribona, points out some pros and cons that come with the stars.</p>
<p>“More than anything else, the award helps the chef’s self esteem. Michelin stars are the top of the top. They bring reservations, and consequently, a sales increase,” he says.</p>
<p>But recognition has its downside: “The real cost of keeping the stars is very high. It goes hand in hand with an enormous effort in terms of staffing, installations, etc., not to mention the pressure. Chefs become very intent on either not losing it, or earning another one. Some enter into very dangerous states of mind. They feel obliged by the star and put strong pressure on themselves.”</p>
<p>In the seaside town of Roses, Girona, in northeastern Spain's Catalonia region, Ferran Adria obtained three stars for El Bulli for 15 years, from 1997-2011. Restaurant Magazine named it the world’s best restaurant a record five times between 2002 and 2009. What’s more, The New York Times magazine chose Adria's face to illustrate “How Spain became the new France” in the culinary world. Every year, 2 million people tried to book a table at his experimental fine dining establishment and only a few thousand managed.</p>
<p>In 2011, he closed the restaurant to establish “El Bulli Foundation,” a kind of umbrella organization focused on research, advising, and protecting the restaurant's heritage.</p>
<p>Now, Adria insists the recognition didn't change his work method. “We were never thinking about how to keep the three stars. Our interest was the pursuit of the avant garde. The pressure was about how to continue being creative,” he tells GlobalPost.</p>
<p>“El Bulli was not a pure business, but a research center. The three stars meant always being fully booked, but we wanted to make money outside of the restaurant.”</p>
<p>Profitability is one of the Michelin star paradoxes. A popular neighborhood cafe often gets, by percentage, more profit from selling coffees and pastries than a three-Michelin-starred restaurant charging $400 per person. The big margins don't come from the bills paid by smiling patrons after enjoying their meals, but from parallel activities connected to Michelin stardom, like advisory services, live cooking shows, and hotel businesses.</p>
<p>“Were the customers’ bills our only income, the restaurant wouldn't be profitable. Some dishes on our menu simply do not generate profit. But because of our status we get called to offer show-cooking. So here, you have to think in terms of the whole picture, and, yes, account for all the linked activities, the figures are in the black in our bank account at the end of the season,” explains Pepe Solla, owner and chef of Casa Solla, a restaurant in Spain’s northwestern region of Galicia. The eatery has held a Michelin star since 1980.</p>
<p>Solla admits that some efforts to keep the star hinder profits. “For example, it becomes impossible not to paint the restaurant for one or two years or not to replace a slightly torn napkin.”</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/spain/140620/spain-jews-moriscos-inquisition-matajudios" type="external">Spain decides to make up for its persecution of Jews, but won't do the same for Muslims</a></p>
<p>Still, he insists, seeing his name in the French guide is amazing: “Having the Michelin stars is still much more a plus than a problem. Let me be blunt here: I don't understand how someone can give up a star, because it only gives you good things.”</p>
<p>Pascal Remy, a former Michelin inspector for 16 years, broke his confidentiality agreement in 2004 to reveal in his book, “The Inspector Sits Down to Eat,” his view on how many top venues just don't cut the mustard. Remy describes a vicious circle of debts and pressures in which chefs “can only make what they wish when they stop thinking about what the guide would like them to do.”</p>
<p>“I make much more money serving a coffee than a sea bass,” concedes Carmelo Perez, director of Zalacain restaurant, a case in point. Based near the US Embassy in Madrid, ZalacaIn was the first Spanish restaurant ever to get three stars in 1987. It progressively lost them all, the last one this year. Perez doesn't hide his disappointment, but insists that long-held patrons — the Spanish Royal family among them — keep coming whatever the Michelin folks think.</p>
<p>“It’s enraging. I feel a bit offended. Our 42-year-long customers are angrier than me. We follow the same criteria and keep the same kitchen and staff,” Perez says.</p>
<p>The tasting menu price also remains untouched — around $115. “We are not going to change now, after more than 40 years,” Perez says. “The public comes here looking for the dishes they know and like. So, should new approaches be tried? OK, let's leave that for the new generation of chefs.”</p>
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madrid spain chefs around world dream awarded michelin star important recognition haute cuisine restaurant community however spaniard julio biosca sleeps soundly since recently giving star humble restaurant casa biosca received 2009 located fontanars dels alforins tiny village eastern spain counting thousand inhabitants casa biosca doesnt differ much typical spanish restaurant eating drinking means meeting friends debating politics soccer generally celebrating life morning serves coffee sandwiches hours later separate space biosca offers highquality earthy wonders like cuttlefish burgers pork trotters local artichokestem rice 2005 decided launch project add gastronomic element family business place since 40s biosca says one day michelin inspector came ate talked us two years later surprised find wed gotten star radius people coming broadened also outside spain happy years one day biosca went fancy restaurant also holding one star witnessed side table fanfare stupidity linked exclusive club belonged felt enjoying meals dynamic didnt want offer chef says saw customers came expecting eating experience craving element surprise restaurant expected provide photographing dishes smartphones biosca something unexpected asked prestigious guide remove restaurant list fully respect michelin guide problem surrounds eagerness become number one step others along way exhausted system wanted come back origins people leave restaurant feeling happy life better calmer satisfied biosca pioneer though joel robuchon alain senderens antoine westermann olivier roellinger france made decision various reasons last year belgian fredrick dhooghe followed suit claiming lack freedom develop cuisine customers expect parade appetizers gastronomic menu starts setting according also deserves one star take shrimp croquette people expect starred chef give interpretation dish want make really good shrimp croquette dhooghe argued bioscas move raised question michelin stars blessing curse whats michelin star frances michelin company yes automobile tire maker publishes annual guidebooks awarding restaurants excellence one star means good two excellent three top honor means restaurant fantastic worth traveling foodies carry book traveling around world prices michelinstarred restaurant reach several hundred dollars meal 2015 edition france toprated country receiving combined 609 stars tokyo 226 stars awarded city michelin publishes guides three us cities new york san francisco chicago respectively host six four two venues holding three stars curse lucky stars dark side become obsession british chef gordon ramsay says cried new york restaurant lost stars comparing losing girlfriend others fear loss devastating 2003 french chef bernard loiseau committed suicide hunting rifle newspaper reports hinted restaurant la cote dor might lose coveted threestar status spanish food critic madrids abc newspaper carlos maribona points pros cons come stars anything else award helps chefs self esteem michelin stars top top bring reservations consequently sales increase says recognition downside real cost keeping stars high goes hand hand enormous effort terms staffing installations etc mention pressure chefs become intent either losing earning another one enter dangerous states mind feel obliged star put strong pressure seaside town roses girona northeastern spains catalonia region ferran adria obtained three stars el bulli 15 years 19972011 restaurant magazine named worlds best restaurant record five times 2002 2009 whats new york times magazine chose adrias face illustrate spain became new france culinary world every year 2 million people tried book table experimental fine dining establishment thousand managed 2011 closed restaurant establish el bulli foundation kind umbrella organization focused research advising protecting restaurants heritage adria insists recognition didnt change work method never thinking keep three stars interest pursuit avant garde pressure continue creative tells globalpost el bulli pure business research center three stars meant always fully booked wanted make money outside restaurant profitability one michelin star paradoxes popular neighborhood cafe often gets percentage profit selling coffees pastries threemichelinstarred restaurant charging 400 per person big margins dont come bills paid smiling patrons enjoying meals parallel activities connected michelin stardom like advisory services live cooking shows hotel businesses customers bills income restaurant wouldnt profitable dishes menu simply generate profit status get called offer showcooking think terms whole picture yes account linked activities figures black bank account end season explains pepe solla owner chef casa solla restaurant spains northwestern region galicia eatery held michelin star since 1980 solla admits efforts keep star hinder profits example becomes impossible paint restaurant one two years replace slightly torn napkin globalpost spain decides make persecution jews wont muslims still insists seeing name french guide amazing michelin stars still much plus problem let blunt dont understand someone give star gives good things pascal remy former michelin inspector 16 years broke confidentiality agreement 2004 reveal book inspector sits eat view many top venues dont cut mustard remy describes vicious circle debts pressures chefs make wish stop thinking guide would like make much money serving coffee sea bass concedes carmelo perez director zalacain restaurant case point based near us embassy madrid zalacain first spanish restaurant ever get three stars 1987 progressively lost last one year perez doesnt hide disappointment insists longheld patrons spanish royal family among keep coming whatever michelin folks think enraging feel bit offended 42yearlong customers angrier follow criteria keep kitchen staff perez says tasting menu price also remains untouched around 115 going change 40 years perez says public comes looking dishes know like new approaches tried ok lets leave new generation chefs
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<p>OLINALA, Mexico — After decades making another life in the United States, Nestora Salgado found herself back home in southern Mexico's mountains, leading scores of mostly male volunteer police against gangsters and officials alike.</p>
<p>Salgado, 42, was elected commander this spring of the community police in Olinala (oh-lee-nah-LAH), an artisan and cattle town buried deep in the Pacific coast range of Guerrero state.</p>
<p>She's one of many women joining vigilante militias this year as Mexico’s drug war grinds on, in nearly seven years claiming more than 70,000 lives and <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/video/5937780/location-why-so-many-people-mexico-still-go-missing" type="external">“disappearing” many thousands more</a>. Just like their beleaguered brothers, husbands and sons, women across this region are arming themselves with low-caliber weapons and popular ire against criminal abuse and official inaction.</p>
<p>But Salgado now occupies a federal prison cell in a distant state, following her <a href="http://www.milenio.com/cdb/doc/noticias2011/b6acc22e68b3bd65af8ae044adf8db2a" type="external">arrest</a> by soldiers and state police on Aug. 21. She's charged with the kidnapping of four teenage girls detained by her officers for selling drugs and of a local official accused of stealing a murdered peasant's cow.</p>
<p>If convicted, Salgado could face decades in prison.</p>
<p>“Returning to where she was born and seeing injustice, she wanted to do something to help,” said Jose Luis Avila, Nestora's husband, speaking from their Seattle home after returning last week from a 15-day hunger strike in New York City and at the White House demanding her freedom. “She has realized here what real justice is.”</p>
<p>Women long ago broke through to the upper ranks of male-dominated Mexican society. They've served for years as lawmakers, governors, supreme court justices and cabinet secretaries and even presidential candidates.</p>
<p>But only recently have they gained a beachhead in more remote, rural corners, where machismo often still prevails.</p>
<p>Described by many as headstrong and self-assured, Salgado proved a natural leader in this turbulent and often rebellious patch of Mexico.</p>
<p>“She has more guts than any man,” Marisela Jimenez, a member of Olinala's community police movement, said. “She was the one who had the courage to take charge.”</p>
<p>The youngest of seven children of a small plot farmer, Salgado migrated to the US Northwest at age 18, the only one of her siblings to risk the journey. She labored for years as a maid and nanny for an American family, her husband says, later working waitress jobs while raising three daughters.</p>
<p>Salgado returned home more frequently after gaining her US citizenship six years ago. She used her savings to build a three-story house near the center of Olinala. The community police members have been gathering for meetings on the home's covered roof deck, fomenting activism.</p>
<p>“She talked to the women a lot, telling us how to work,” said Cleotilde Salgado, 54, Nestora's oldest sibling. “She taught us the value we have as women.”</p>
<p>Turbulent town</p>
<p>Olinala means “place of earthquakes” in the tongue of the Aztecs. The town and surrounding mountains certainly have been roiling of late.</p>
<p>Olinala’s people have endured several years of kidnappings, extortion and drug dealing by about a dozen officially tolerated thugs. Late last October, after the kidnap-murder of a taxi driver, the people rose up.</p>
<p>False rumors spread through the crowd attending the man’s funeral that another taxi driver had been kidnapped. Someone rang the town's church bells in alarm and thousands filled the plaza.</p>
<p>An armed crowd converged on the house where the gangsters stayed, sending them fleeing. Residents seized a young man suspected of being one of the gang's lookouts and grew more furious when police quickly released him.</p>
<p>Salgado was in town caring for her ailing father. Caught up by the crowd's rage, she commandeered a police car and cruised through the narrow streets calling for popular revolt over a megaphone.</p>
<p>“Leave the fear in your homes! Come out! Come out to defend your town!” Salgado urged, according to witnesses. Thousands more residents responded.</p>
<p>Armed men and women took up round-the-clock checkpoints at the entrances to Olinala, guarding against the gangsters' threatened return.</p>
<p>The town's longtime police chief, widely suspected of collusion with the criminals, was forced to flee. Olinala's 156 community police, including just a handful of women, began patrolling downtown and outlying hamlets.</p>
<p>After serving on an organizing committee that includes farmers and artisans, merchants and school teachers, Salgado eventually was named chief of the volunteer police.</p>
<p>“We are fed up with what is happening in our towns, in our lands,” Salgado told a community police rally in a nearby town, videos of which are posted on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZhRiyFa9XE" type="external">YouTube</a>. "Get out and defend your children.</p>
<p>“We must confront this situation. It's better to die on our feet.”</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>As with many such movements, internal feuding began. Once soldiers and marines took over security in Olinala, many of the committee's moderate leaders dropped out, arguing there’s no need for the volunteer peacekeepers.</p>
<p>Salgado and other remaining leaders decided to join a more radical branch of Guerrero state's officially recognized community police system, the CRAC, which administers parallel justice in heavily indigenous areas. Many of those arrested by Salgado’s volunteer officers were sent for trial to the radicals’ "House of Justice" in a town an eight-hour drive away.</p>
<p>“These groups act like anarchists, they consider themselves the law,” said Juan Rendon, 69, a jovial merchant who was an early leader of the movement but turned against Salgado. “We had to act, but it needed to be in a civilized manner. They were leading us to armed conflict.”</p>
<p>Leftist guerrilla struggles have flowered in recent decades across the mountains that include Olinala. State and federal officials fear members of the more radical community police “have a wider agenda and can’t be controlled,” said Vidulfo Rosales, a human rights lawyer representing Salgado.</p>
<p>“Theirs was a more revolutionary discourse. It awakens much more concern in the government and military,” Rosales said.</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/mexico/130201/mexico-vigilantes-law-justice-nieto-acapulco" type="external">Can vigilante justice save Mexico?</a></p>
<p>In that atmosphere, both Salgado's rising profile and confrontational style proved her undoing, Salgado's critics and supporters agree.</p>
<p>“What she did wasn't wrong, but she made bad political calculations," Rosales said. “Because of her time outside Mexico she didn't have … a political understanding of things in our state, of how much power these people have and how they would react.”</p>
<p>Rosales says that by charging Salgado with kidnapping, the government aims to divide and neutralize community self-defense organizations like Olinala's through fear of similar retribution.</p>
<p>Officials argue the groups in Olinala and elsewhere simply have gone too far.</p>
<p>“What I can’t permit as governor is that they continue with these kinds of practices,” Guerrero Gov. Angel Aguirre told a Mexico City <a href="http://www.radioformula.com.mx/notas.asp?Idn=352510" type="external">radio interviewer</a> this month. “We aren't going to live by the law of the jungle.”</p>
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olinala mexico decades making another life united states nestora salgado found back home southern mexicos mountains leading scores mostly male volunteer police gangsters officials alike salgado 42 elected commander spring community police olinala ohleenahlah artisan cattle town buried deep pacific coast range guerrero state shes one many women joining vigilante militias year mexicos drug war grinds nearly seven years claiming 70000 lives disappearing many thousands like beleaguered brothers husbands sons women across region arming lowcaliber weapons popular ire criminal abuse official inaction salgado occupies federal prison cell distant state following arrest soldiers state police aug 21 shes charged kidnapping four teenage girls detained officers selling drugs local official accused stealing murdered peasants cow convicted salgado could face decades prison returning born seeing injustice wanted something help said jose luis avila nestoras husband speaking seattle home returning last week 15day hunger strike new york city white house demanding freedom realized real justice women long ago broke upper ranks maledominated mexican society theyve served years lawmakers governors supreme court justices cabinet secretaries even presidential candidates recently gained beachhead remote rural corners machismo often still prevails described many headstrong selfassured salgado proved natural leader turbulent often rebellious patch mexico guts man marisela jimenez member olinalas community police movement said one courage take charge youngest seven children small plot farmer salgado migrated us northwest age 18 one siblings risk journey labored years maid nanny american family husband says later working waitress jobs raising three daughters salgado returned home frequently gaining us citizenship six years ago used savings build threestory house near center olinala community police members gathering meetings homes covered roof deck fomenting activism talked women lot telling us work said cleotilde salgado 54 nestoras oldest sibling taught us value women turbulent town olinala means place earthquakes tongue aztecs town surrounding mountains certainly roiling late olinalas people endured several years kidnappings extortion drug dealing dozen officially tolerated thugs late last october kidnapmurder taxi driver people rose false rumors spread crowd attending mans funeral another taxi driver kidnapped someone rang towns church bells alarm thousands filled plaza armed crowd converged house gangsters stayed sending fleeing residents seized young man suspected one gangs lookouts grew furious police quickly released salgado town caring ailing father caught crowds rage commandeered police car cruised narrow streets calling popular revolt megaphone leave fear homes come come defend town salgado urged according witnesses thousands residents responded armed men women took roundtheclock checkpoints entrances olinala guarding gangsters threatened return towns longtime police chief widely suspected collusion criminals forced flee olinalas 156 community police including handful women began patrolling downtown outlying hamlets serving organizing committee includes farmers artisans merchants school teachers salgado eventually named chief volunteer police fed happening towns lands salgado told community police rally nearby town videos posted youtube get defend children must confront situation better die feet many movements internal feuding began soldiers marines took security olinala many committees moderate leaders dropped arguing theres need volunteer peacekeepers salgado remaining leaders decided join radical branch guerrero states officially recognized community police system crac administers parallel justice heavily indigenous areas many arrested salgados volunteer officers sent trial radicals house justice town eighthour drive away groups act like anarchists consider law said juan rendon 69 jovial merchant early leader movement turned salgado act needed civilized manner leading us armed conflict leftist guerrilla struggles flowered recent decades across mountains include olinala state federal officials fear members radical community police wider agenda cant controlled said vidulfo rosales human rights lawyer representing salgado revolutionary discourse awakens much concern government military rosales said globalpost vigilante justice save mexico atmosphere salgados rising profile confrontational style proved undoing salgados critics supporters agree wasnt wrong made bad political calculations rosales said time outside mexico didnt political understanding things state much power people would react rosales says charging salgado kidnapping government aims divide neutralize community selfdefense organizations like olinalas fear similar retribution officials argue groups olinala elsewhere simply gone far cant permit governor continue kinds practices guerrero gov angel aguirre told mexico city radio interviewer month arent going live law jungle
| 670 |
<p />
<p>The Archdiocese of Santiago de Chile hung this banner on the front of the Santiago Metropolitan Cathedral in anticipation of Pope Francis‘ visit to Chile. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)</p>
<p />
<p>Óscar Rementería, spokesperson for the Movement for Homosexual Integration and Liberation, an LGBT advocacy group, is among those who spoke at a protest in the Chilean capital of Santiago that corresponded with Francis’ arrival at the city’s international airport.</p>
<p>The Movement for Homosexual Integration and Liberation also set up a large screen onto which it projected images of what it described as the Roman Catholic Church’s “crimes and atrocities.” One of the images contained Francis’ picture and a 2015 quote the Movement for Homosexual Integration and Liberation attributed to him.</p>
<p>“The homosexual union is ‘an anomalous, strange and irresponsible lifestyle,’” reads the quote.</p>
<p>Chilean President Michelle Bachelet — who introduced a bill last August that would extend marriage and adoption rights to same-sex couples — greeted Francis at the airport. Rolando Jiménez, president of the Movement for Homosexual Integration and Liberation, told the Washington Blade on Monday that his group “rejected” the government’s invitation to attend a welcome ceremony for Francis at the Presidential Palace.</p>
<p>Fundación Iguales, another LGBT advocacy group, on Monday noted in a tweet directed at Francis that 66 percent of Chilean Catholics support marriage rights for same-sex couples. Fundación Iguales pointed out this figure is the same among Chileans who are not Catholic.</p>
<p>“They back marriage equality because they believe in a society with equal justice for all,” it said.</p>
<p />
<p>Fundación Iguales and the Movement for Homosexual Integration and Liberation earlier this month criticized Fidel Espinoza, president of Chilean House of Deputies, for postponing a vote on a transgender rights bill that had been scheduled to take place on Tuesday during Francis’ visit.</p>
<p>The chamber’s Human Rights Commission on Monday approved the measure, which would allow trans Chileans who are at least 18 years old to legally change their name and gender without surgery or a court order. Fundación Iguales on Wednesday is scheduled to launch a pro-LGBT business index it has developed with the Human Rights Campaign.</p>
<p>Francis is scheduled to visit the Chilean cities of Temuco and Iquique before flying to Lima, Peru, on Thursday. Francis will travel to the Peruvian cities of Puerto Maldonado and Trujillo before returning to Rome on Jan. 21.</p>
<p>Francis’ trip coincides with continued outrage over the Vatican’s response to child sex abuse within the church in Chile.</p>
<p>Juan Carlos Cruz, a gay man who now lives in the U.S., is among the hundreds of people who Rev. Fernando Karadima sexually abused over more than three decades in his parish — Parroquia Sagrado Corazón de Jesús — in an upper middle class Santiago neighborhood.</p>
<p>Two Chilean courts ruled they could not prosecute Karadima because the statute of limitations had expired. The Vatican in 2011 found him guilty and sanctioned him to a “lifetime of penance and prayer” at a convent.</p>
<p>Cruz and two other men — José Murillo and James Hamilton — in a 2013 civil lawsuit accused Cardinal Ricardo Ezzati, the archbishop of Santiago, and his predecessor, Cardinal Francisco Javier Errázuriz, and the Archbishop of Santiago of covering up Karadima’s abuse.</p>
<p>A Chilean newspaper in 2015 published private emails between Ezzati and Errázuriz in which they discussed their efforts <a href="" type="internal">to block Cruz’s nomination to a sex abuse commission</a> that Francis created. Francis in the same year appointed Rev. Juan Barros, a Karadima protégé, as the new bishop of Osorno, a city in southern Chile.</p>
<p>The Associated Press last week <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2018/01/11/world/americas/ap-lt-chile-pope-sex-abuse.html?partner=IFTT" type="external">reported</a> Francis in a 2015 letter acknowledged Barros’ appointment would have sparked outrage in Chile because of his close ties to Karadima.</p>
<p>A video that a tourist from Argentina shot in St. Peter’s Square in 2015 shows Francis describing the Osorno residents who were protesting against Barros as “dumb.” Chilean television later broadcast it.</p>
<p>“No more excuses on sexual abuse,” Cruz told the Blade on Monday from Santiago. “It’s time for action.”</p>
<p>“In Chile there are many bishops who have covered up abuse and he does nothing,” he added, referring specifically to Francis. “He is pure talk and no action. We are tired of something. We need action.”</p>
<p />
<p>Juan Carlos Cruz, a gay Chilean man, says a Catholic priest in the South American country sexually abused him for eight years in the 1980s. He remains a vocal critic of Pope Francis over his response to child sex abuse in the church. (Photo courtesy of Juan Carlos Cruz)</p>
<p />
<p>“[Francis] prefers to listen to his bishops than to support survivors,” said Cruz.</p>
<p>Francis was born in Argentina, which borders Chile. He was the archbishop of Buenos Aires when he was elected pope in 2013.</p>
<p>The U.S., Cuba, Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil are among the countries to which Francis has traveled since he became pope. The Vatican’s tone towards homosexuality and other LGBT-specific issues has moderated under his papacy, but advocates maintain church teachings have not changed.</p>
<p>Rev. Fernando Karadima sexually abused Juan Carlos Cruz and hundreds of others over more than three decades at the Parroquia Sagrado Corazón de Jesús in Santiago, Chile. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">bisexual</a> <a href="" type="internal">Chile</a> <a href="" type="internal">Fundación Iguales</a> <a href="" type="internal">gay</a> <a href="" type="internal">Juan Carlos Cruz</a> <a href="" type="internal">lesbian</a> <a href="" type="internal">Movement for Homosexual Integration and Liberation</a> <a href="" type="internal">Óscar Rementería</a> <a href="" type="internal">Peru</a> <a href="" type="internal">Pope Francis</a> <a href="" type="internal">Roman Catholic Church</a> <a href="" type="internal">sexual abuse</a> <a href="" type="internal">transgender</a></p>
| false | 3 |
archdiocese santiago de chile hung banner front santiago metropolitan cathedral anticipation pope francis visit chile washington blade photo michael k lavers Óscar rementería spokesperson movement homosexual integration liberation lgbt advocacy group among spoke protest chilean capital santiago corresponded francis arrival citys international airport movement homosexual integration liberation also set large screen onto projected images described roman catholic churchs crimes atrocities one images contained francis picture 2015 quote movement homosexual integration liberation attributed homosexual union anomalous strange irresponsible lifestyle reads quote chilean president michelle bachelet introduced bill last august would extend marriage adoption rights samesex couples greeted francis airport rolando jiménez president movement homosexual integration liberation told washington blade monday group rejected governments invitation attend welcome ceremony francis presidential palace fundación iguales another lgbt advocacy group monday noted tweet directed francis 66 percent chilean catholics support marriage rights samesex couples fundación iguales pointed figure among chileans catholic back marriage equality believe society equal justice said fundación iguales movement homosexual integration liberation earlier month criticized fidel espinoza president chilean house deputies postponing vote transgender rights bill scheduled take place tuesday francis visit chambers human rights commission monday approved measure would allow trans chileans least 18 years old legally change name gender without surgery court order fundación iguales wednesday scheduled launch prolgbt business index developed human rights campaign francis scheduled visit chilean cities temuco iquique flying lima peru thursday francis travel peruvian cities puerto maldonado trujillo returning rome jan 21 francis trip coincides continued outrage vaticans response child sex abuse within church chile juan carlos cruz gay man lives us among hundreds people rev fernando karadima sexually abused three decades parish parroquia sagrado corazón de jesús upper middle class santiago neighborhood two chilean courts ruled could prosecute karadima statute limitations expired vatican 2011 found guilty sanctioned lifetime penance prayer convent cruz two men josé murillo james hamilton 2013 civil lawsuit accused cardinal ricardo ezzati archbishop santiago predecessor cardinal francisco javier errázuriz archbishop santiago covering karadimas abuse chilean newspaper 2015 published private emails ezzati errázuriz discussed efforts block cruzs nomination sex abuse commission francis created francis year appointed rev juan barros karadima protégé new bishop osorno city southern chile associated press last week reported francis 2015 letter acknowledged barros appointment would sparked outrage chile close ties karadima video tourist argentina shot st peters square 2015 shows francis describing osorno residents protesting barros dumb chilean television later broadcast excuses sexual abuse cruz told blade monday santiago time action chile many bishops covered abuse nothing added referring specifically francis pure talk action tired something need action juan carlos cruz gay chilean man says catholic priest south american country sexually abused eight years 1980s remains vocal critic pope francis response child sex abuse church photo courtesy juan carlos cruz francis prefers listen bishops support survivors said cruz francis born argentina borders chile archbishop buenos aires elected pope 2013 us cuba mexico colombia ecuador bolivia paraguay brazil among countries francis traveled since became pope vaticans tone towards homosexuality lgbtspecific issues moderated papacy advocates maintain church teachings changed rev fernando karadima sexually abused juan carlos cruz hundreds others three decades parroquia sagrado corazón de jesús santiago chile washington blade photo michael k lavers bisexual chile fundación iguales gay juan carlos cruz lesbian movement homosexual integration liberation Óscar rementería peru pope francis roman catholic church sexual abuse transgender
| 548 |
<p>When Waldo Martínez&#160;left Sensuntepeque in the early '90s, escaping El Salvador's civil war, he never thought he'd be back 25 years later with an American wife and four Las Vegas-born kids.</p>
<p>Sensuntepeque is a picturesque town about two hours from San Salvador. Cobbled streets weave around the mountain; old stone buildings dot the bustling town center. Yet, despite the quaint charm, Sensuntepeque is also fraught with gang rivalries and tensions.&#160;</p>
<p>When Martínez and his wife, Andrea Hernández,&#160;started a food business here last year, within a short period of time there were calls from gang members demanding payments. (Martínez was born Waldo Hernández, but elected to take his mother’s surname, Martínez, after he was deported. His wife and children still use the Hernández name.)</p>
<p>Martínez said "gangsters" have swooped up children at pick-up time from right out front of their school, so they arrive early every day and wait for their girls to finish school.</p>
<p>The block the family lives on is in the middle of a gang's turf. Police recently arrested a neighbor. Her house is now quiet, Hernández said. The neighbor's house used to be a "big hangout" for gang members, she added.</p>
<p>Hernández chose to bring her four children to live in Sensuntepeque for one simple reason: The&#160;family wanted to be together, and Martínez had been deported in October&#160;2014.</p>
<p>There is nothing simple about the story of the Hernández family, and in many ways, it highlights the complicated choices families are faced with due to US&#160;immigration policy.</p>
<p />
<p>Waldo (Hernández) Martinez is shown at home in Sensuntepeque, El Salvador.</p>
<p>Juan Carlos</p>
<p>Martínez, 41, was born in El Salvador, and raised in Sensuntepeque. He came to the US&#160;in 1993, when, like so many Salvadorans, the civil war hit him personally. On arriving in Las Vegas, he applied for asylum. His asylum case dragged on, and he later applied for Temporary Protected Status. In 1999, his asylum case still pending, he married his workplace sweetheart, Andrea Hernández.</p>
<p>Despite 25 years in Las Vegas, and his marriage to a US&#160;citizen, Martínez never regularized his immigration status. When, in 2013, he landed in jail, and pleaded guilty to one count of failing to report an injury to a foster child in his care, he was deported.&#160;</p>
<p>Hernández, too, pleaded guilty to the same charge, something she regrets doing. She wished they had hired better lawyers and fought to clear their names. The consequences of their actions and the guilty plea were harsh.</p>
<p>Hernández&#160;and Martínez were foster parents in Las Vegas. Hernández&#160;said they had a long record of taking in the neediest kids — that social workers would call when they had a high-risk or emergency placement. They were trusted, she said. But in 2013, they were arrested and charged with multiple counts of mistreating two foster children in their care. Both Martínez and Hernández say the charges were false and trumped up. But they did plead guilty to the one count —&#160;failure to take a baby in their care into the hospital after he sustained burns on his legs. Instead, they treated it themselves with some creams.&#160;</p>
<p>"The crime we committed was failure to report. That's a misdemeanor in the state of Nevada," Hernández said. "But they piled on charges on charges on charges."</p>
<p>Despite her guilty plea, Hernández&#160;decided to gather evidence of her innocence to present at her sentencing hearing. So, with the help of her best friend, she compiled a 100-page response with evidence rebutting each of the charges.</p>
<p>"Our sentencing judge said, 'I've never seen anything like this,'" Hernández said. The judge, according to Hernández, told them: "I've never seen the prosecution so totally opposite of what the rest of the community and what your records are saying."&#160;</p>
<p>PRI was unable to independently verify Hernández's recollection of the judge's comments.</p>
<p>"I was able to answer each charge&#160;and say, 'No, we did not do this, we did not do that,'" Hernández said. Yet, it was too late to take back the guilty plea.</p>
<p>Judge Valorie Vega sentenced them both to five years probation. Hernández, who had been under house arrest, was released. She got her children out of the foster system, where they had been placed while both parents were imprisoned. Martínez was transferred to immigration custody and later deported to El Salvador.</p>
<p />
<p>Andrea Hernández plays with her 2-year-old&#160;son Elijah at their home in Sensuntepeque.</p>
<p>Juan Carlos</p>
<p>Hernández found herself solo parenting their four kids. Life got incredibly hard.&#160;</p>
<p>"We went from making $90,000 one year to being on welfare," Hernández said.</p>
<p>She couldn't make it without Martínez. And they all missed him tremendously. So, despite not speaking Spanish, nor having ever visited her husband's native country, Hernández packed up her four kids and moved to El Salvador.&#160;</p>
<p>The family left everything behind and in 2016, arrived in Sensuntepeque. One of Martínez's relatives allowed them to live in an old home she used to use to store wood and other things. Slowly, the Hernández family began to settle in.</p>
<p>There is only a hammock in the large living room space, the bedrooms are sparse, as well —&#160;there are no closets so all the clothes hang on strings across the bedrooms. Instead of a door, a tarp closes off the toilet, and there is no separate bathroom or kitchen. Those spartan accommodations are now home to the parents and all four children —&#160;Ezekiel, 17, Lelix, 16,&#160;Andie, 9, and Elijah, 2.</p>
<p>"We survive over here," said Martínez. "It's tough, taking cold showers and stuff, but at least we're together, you know. We're together as a family."</p>
<p>Andie&#160;is afraid of the bedroom she shares with her sister Lelix, as it backs up to the large wall of chopped wood her aunt stores there, and a wall of wood logs makes a fantastic home for creatures of all kinds. Andie said she is constantly finding big and tiny four-legged critters in her bed.</p>
<p>Yet Andie is the Hernández child who seems to be adapting best to their new life. She's picking up Spanish and making friends. Kids in her class try out their English on her as they play.</p>
<p>For Lelix, it's been a tougher transition. "I miss speaking English," she said. She used to be a straight-A's ninth-grader, according to her mom. Now she struggles to keep up with her classmates, as everything is in Spanish. Not being able to communicate well compounds the frustrations, Hernández said. "It's already hard enough being the white kid in town."</p>
<p />
<p>This is a portrait of the Hernández family in Sensuntepeque, El Salvador, where they now live after Waldo was deported to El Salvador from the US. In the portrait (left to right) is Ezekiel Hernández, 17, Andie Hernández, 9, Waldo Martínez, 41, Elijah Hernández, 2, Lelix Hernández, 16, and Andrea Hernández, 41. The Hernández family who are US citizens decided to move to El Salvador and live with Waldo after he was deported from the US&#160;as a way to keep the family together.</p>
<p>Juan Carlos</p>
<p>But Lelix&#160;is persevering. "I thought it was cool because when I came here, I'd never seen one of these before," she said, scooping water into a large cup from a huge basin full of water. "It was really weird because you had to not turn on the faucet to get water to wash your hands. You had to [use]&#160;one of the cups, like this, and scoop the water out of the thing, and like, wash your hands in it. It was weird. I was like, what is this?"</p>
<p>The family survives with the help of Hernández's&#160;parents in Las Vegas and Waldo's relatives. Martínez said he hasn't been able to get a job, despite many job interviews.</p>
<p>"They ask you where you learn English, and you say, 'Well, I lived in the US&#160;and, you know, I marry a US citizen.' And they say, "So, you got deported?" And you say, 'Yes, and the interview's over,'" Martínez said. "You're not going to get a job."</p>
<p>The couple closed a just-opened small food business after gang extortion attempts. It wasn't worth it, Martínez says.&#160;</p>
<p>Not having jobs gives them lots of time for the kids.&#160;</p>
<p>"They say this is one of the worst neighborhoods in this town," Hernández said. "But we feel safe here," she said. The gangs have "taken us in, they accept us," she added.&#160;</p>
<p>It wasn't an easy process, coming to peace with being in the middle of gang turf. "They watched us for quite a while. They were not immediately friendly to us," Hernández said of the local gang members. "But I think acting nice to them and befriending them and them watching us and seeing that we're normal people, most people have accepted us."</p>
<p>Yet, this too is complicated, Hernández said. "Now, we belong to them, that's what the thing is," she said. "Someone gave us another house in another area —&#160;a rival area —&#160;but we could never accept it because if we went over there, we would be in trouble over there&#160;and then we could never come back over here."</p>
<p>So, the family goes on with life. Hernández is trying to get her daughter's school and medical records, and her mother in Las Vegas helps out. Hernández misses her parents, the kids miss their grandparents, and their friends.&#160;</p>
<p>"We have to find the positive in this situation because it's a situation we're forced to be in. But there's so much good that can come out of it. Especially for the kids. Learning two languages and learning about another culture, outside of the United States. [Learning]&#160;that the United States is not necessarily the dream they tell you it is in school, that there's another whole world outside," Hernández said.&#160;</p>
<p>In 2015, Hernández petitioned the court to allow her to leave Las Vegas, to modify her probation so she could reunite her family. Her request was denied. Hernández and the kids tried to make it without Martínez, but Hernández said they just couldn't. So, when she left Las Vegas for El Salvador, she violated the terms of her probation. There is a bench warrant out for her arrest.</p>
<p>This Las Vegas mother of four has decided to make the best of it in Sensuntepeque as she cannot return home without being arrested.</p>
<p>The reporting for this story was supported by the International Women's Media Foundation as&#160;part of its Adelante Latin America Reporting Initiative.</p>
| false | 3 |
waldo martínez160left sensuntepeque early 90s escaping el salvadors civil war never thought hed back 25 years later american wife four las vegasborn kids sensuntepeque picturesque town two hours san salvador cobbled streets weave around mountain old stone buildings dot bustling town center yet despite quaint charm sensuntepeque also fraught gang rivalries tensions160 martínez wife andrea hernández160started food business last year within short period time calls gang members demanding payments martínez born waldo hernández elected take mothers surname martínez deported wife children still use hernández name martínez said gangsters swooped children pickup time right front school arrive early every day wait girls finish school block family lives middle gangs turf police recently arrested neighbor house quiet hernández said neighbors house used big hangout gang members added hernández chose bring four children live sensuntepeque one simple reason the160family wanted together martínez deported october1602014 nothing simple story hernández family many ways highlights complicated choices families faced due us160immigration policy waldo hernández martinez shown home sensuntepeque el salvador juan carlos martínez 41 born el salvador raised sensuntepeque came us160in 1993 like many salvadorans civil war hit personally arriving las vegas applied asylum asylum case dragged later applied temporary protected status 1999 asylum case still pending married workplace sweetheart andrea hernández despite 25 years las vegas marriage us160citizen martínez never regularized immigration status 2013 landed jail pleaded guilty one count failing report injury foster child care deported160 hernández pleaded guilty charge something regrets wished hired better lawyers fought clear names consequences actions guilty plea harsh hernández160and martínez foster parents las vegas hernández160said long record taking neediest kids social workers would call highrisk emergency placement trusted said 2013 arrested charged multiple counts mistreating two foster children care martínez hernández say charges false trumped plead guilty one count 160failure take baby care hospital sustained burns legs instead treated creams160 crime committed failure report thats misdemeanor state nevada hernández said piled charges charges charges despite guilty plea hernández160decided gather evidence innocence present sentencing hearing help best friend compiled 100page response evidence rebutting charges sentencing judge said ive never seen anything like hernández said judge according hernández told ive never seen prosecution totally opposite rest community records saying160 pri unable independently verify hernándezs recollection judges comments able answer charge160and say hernández said yet late take back guilty plea judge valorie vega sentenced five years probation hernández house arrest released got children foster system placed parents imprisoned martínez transferred immigration custody later deported el salvador andrea hernández plays 2yearold160son elijah home sensuntepeque juan carlos hernández found solo parenting four kids life got incredibly hard160 went making 90000 one year welfare hernández said couldnt make without martínez missed tremendously despite speaking spanish ever visited husbands native country hernández packed four kids moved el salvador160 family left everything behind 2016 arrived sensuntepeque one martínezs relatives allowed live old home used use store wood things slowly hernández family began settle hammock large living room space bedrooms sparse well 160there closets clothes hang strings across bedrooms instead door tarp closes toilet separate bathroom kitchen spartan accommodations home parents four children 160ezekiel 17 lelix 16160andie 9 elijah 2 survive said martínez tough taking cold showers stuff least together know together family andie160is afraid bedroom shares sister lelix backs large wall chopped wood aunt stores wall wood logs makes fantastic home creatures kinds andie said constantly finding big tiny fourlegged critters bed yet andie hernández child seems adapting best new life shes picking spanish making friends kids class try english play lelix tougher transition miss speaking english said used straightas ninthgrader according mom struggles keep classmates everything spanish able communicate well compounds frustrations hernández said already hard enough white kid town portrait hernández family sensuntepeque el salvador live waldo deported el salvador us portrait left right ezekiel hernández 17 andie hernández 9 waldo martínez 41 elijah hernández 2 lelix hernández 16 andrea hernández 41 hernández family us citizens decided move el salvador live waldo deported us160as way keep family together juan carlos lelix160is persevering thought cool came id never seen one said scooping water large cup huge basin full water really weird turn faucet get water wash hands use160one cups like scoop water thing like wash hands weird like family survives help hernándezs160parents las vegas waldos relatives martínez said hasnt able get job despite many job interviews ask learn english say well lived us160and know marry us citizen say got deported say yes interviews martínez said youre going get job couple closed justopened small food business gang extortion attempts wasnt worth martínez says160 jobs gives lots time kids160 say one worst neighborhoods town hernández said feel safe said gangs taken us accept us added160 wasnt easy process coming peace middle gang turf watched us quite immediately friendly us hernández said local gang members think acting nice befriending watching us seeing normal people people accepted us yet complicated hernández said belong thats thing said someone gave us another house another area 160a rival area 160but could never accept went would trouble there160and could never come back family goes life hernández trying get daughters school medical records mother las vegas helps hernández misses parents kids miss grandparents friends160 find positive situation situation forced theres much good come especially kids learning two languages learning another culture outside united states learning160that united states necessarily dream tell school theres another whole world outside hernández said160 2015 hernández petitioned court allow leave las vegas modify probation could reunite family request denied hernández kids tried make without martínez hernández said couldnt left las vegas el salvador violated terms probation bench warrant arrest las vegas mother four decided make best sensuntepeque return home without arrested reporting story supported international womens media foundation as160part adelante latin america reporting initiative
| 944 |
<p>By Bob Allen</p>
<p>Baptist Women in Ministry celebrated its 30th anniversary June 26 in a packed auditorium at First Baptist Church in Greensboro, N.C., in conjunction with the June 26-28 Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General Assembly.</p>
<p>“Tonight we have come here to give thanks to God for Baptist Women in Ministry,” said Pam Durso, the organization’s executive director. “Tonight we are especially grateful for those who 30 years ago founded this work.”</p>
<p>Thirty-three women gathered March 20-21, 1983, in Louisville, Ky., to form a new organization to encourage women to fuller ministry in churches of the Southern Baptist Convention. That June 75 people attended the first meeting of the group, initially called Women in Ministry, SBC.</p>
<p>The organization changed its name in 1986 to Southern Baptist Women in Ministry and in 1995 dropped the “Southern” designation, since by that time the nation’s second-largest faith group officially discouraged women from serving in pastoral roles.</p>
<p>Nancy Sehested, co-pastor of the Circle of Mercy Congregation and prison chaplain at Marion Correctional Institution in Asheville, N.C., was keynote preacher at the anniversary celebration.</p>
<p>Sehested, who at age 32 was an early catalyst in the movement, told of meeting a stranger on a plane who said he had never heard of or met a Baptist woman in ministry. She joked it was because they are all “in the witness-protection program.”</p>
<p>“I want to thank Baptist Women in Ministry for 30 years of protecting the witness of women in ministry,” she said.</p>
<p>Like most Baptist movements, Sehested said, BWIM “started with a sense of outrage.” Women who huddled at convention gatherings and talked in late-night phone calls about their exclusion from full participation in Baptist life didn’t discuss starting an organization for justice and equality for women in Baptist churches, she said. “We simply stood up and said, ‘I am … a daughter of God and the church.’”</p>
<p>In the early days, Sehested said, Southern Baptist women in ministry were “practiced in the art of ducking when three little words were spoken: ‘The Bible says …’ Duck! Run for your lives!”</p>
<p>“And there were even times when we tried to define ourselves by tossing Bible verses like grenades across enemy lines in hopes that it would explode in new conversions,” Sehested said. “It went back and forth like that for a while. Then we realized the Bible could be used to justify just about anything.”</p>
<p>“We soon learned to ask simply one question to our detractors: What are you afraid of?” she said. “Transforming of heart and mind for most of us does not come through a verse or two of Scripture, but the living letter of human beings who bear witness to this radical gospel of love.”</p>
<p>Elizabeth Flowers, assistant professor of American religious history at Texas Christian University, said the first known ordination of a Southern Baptist woman in 1964 gained little denominational attention.</p>
<p>The numbers of ordained women grew during the 1970s, she said, and by the 1980s women’s ordination was a full-blown controversy, with churches being disfellowshipped for calling women as pastors.</p>
<p>“I think the early women of BWIM understood the Baptist battles were as much about gender and their calling as about inerrancy,” Flowers said.</p>
<p>In 1984, the Southern Baptist Convention passed a <a href="http://sbc.net/resolutions/amResolution.asp?ID=1088" type="external">resolution</a> encouraging the service of women “in all aspects of church life and work other than pastoral functions and leadership roles entailing ordination.”</p>
<p>In 1990 the SBC amended the Baptist Faith and Message to <a href="http://sbc.net/bfm/bfm2000.asp#vi" type="external">specify</a>, “While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture.”</p>
<p>While conservatives in the SBC viewed both liberalism and feminism as enemies of the faith, Flowers said, others worked to develop “a uniquely Baptist theology of women in ministry.”</p>
<p>They re-imagined a calling shaped by GAs, Acteens, missions involvement and Baptist colleges and seminaries in light of the Baptist tradition of being “against the status quo” and to “create a place for the marginalized and oppressed.”</p>
<p>“They were dismissed as the prodigal daughters of Southern Baptist life and later as the red-headed stepsisters of the CBF,” Flowers said.</p>
<p>Flowers said many of the women she interviewed for her research left Baptist life, and some have died, but, “Their legacy has allowed us to stay.”</p>
<p>Suzii Paynter, the first woman to named executive coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, described Baptist Women in Ministry as “a chorus of Baptist women of call.”</p>
<p>“Be diligent to voice potential as much as you are to assess limitations,” she challenged the audience. “We are not in charge of the inspiration and the arc of our lives toward the Kingdom of God, but we are in charge of our obedience to Christ.”</p>
<p>BWIM marked the 30-year anniversary by establishing two new awards. The first recipient of the Baptist Women in Ministry Church of Excellence recognition is Watts Street Baptist Church in Durham, N.C., known as the first church to ordain a Southern Baptist woman, Addie Davis, to the gospel ministry in 1964.</p>
<p>The inaugural Frankie Huff Granger Distinguished Mentor Award went to Anne Thomas Neil, a retired missionary to Nigeria and Ghana who at age 60 was present for the founding of BWIM and served as the organization’s convener in 1984.</p>
<p>The award is named for the longtime minister of education at First Baptist Church in Berea, S.C., who was active in religious education organizations in denominational life and took time to mentor and serve as a role model for younger women discerning their own call to ministry.</p>
<p>Durso also announced a new fund-raising drive, BWIM 360, challenging supporters to give $30 a month for the next 12 months to help the organization expand its ministries.</p>
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bob allen baptist women ministry celebrated 30th anniversary june 26 packed auditorium first baptist church greensboro nc conjunction june 2628 cooperative baptist fellowship general assembly tonight come give thanks god baptist women ministry said pam durso organizations executive director tonight especially grateful 30 years ago founded work thirtythree women gathered march 2021 1983 louisville ky form new organization encourage women fuller ministry churches southern baptist convention june 75 people attended first meeting group initially called women ministry sbc organization changed name 1986 southern baptist women ministry 1995 dropped southern designation since time nations secondlargest faith group officially discouraged women serving pastoral roles nancy sehested copastor circle mercy congregation prison chaplain marion correctional institution asheville nc keynote preacher anniversary celebration sehested age 32 early catalyst movement told meeting stranger plane said never heard met baptist woman ministry joked witnessprotection program want thank baptist women ministry 30 years protecting witness women ministry said like baptist movements sehested said bwim started sense outrage women huddled convention gatherings talked latenight phone calls exclusion full participation baptist life didnt discuss starting organization justice equality women baptist churches said simply stood said daughter god church early days sehested said southern baptist women ministry practiced art ducking three little words spoken bible says duck run lives even times tried define tossing bible verses like grenades across enemy lines hopes would explode new conversions sehested said went back forth like realized bible could used justify anything soon learned ask simply one question detractors afraid said transforming heart mind us come verse two scripture living letter human beings bear witness radical gospel love elizabeth flowers assistant professor american religious history texas christian university said first known ordination southern baptist woman 1964 gained little denominational attention numbers ordained women grew 1970s said 1980s womens ordination fullblown controversy churches disfellowshipped calling women pastors think early women bwim understood baptist battles much gender calling inerrancy flowers said 1984 southern baptist convention passed resolution encouraging service women aspects church life work pastoral functions leadership roles entailing ordination 1990 sbc amended baptist faith message specify men women gifted service church office pastor limited men qualified scripture conservatives sbc viewed liberalism feminism enemies faith flowers said others worked develop uniquely baptist theology women ministry reimagined calling shaped gas acteens missions involvement baptist colleges seminaries light baptist tradition status quo create place marginalized oppressed dismissed prodigal daughters southern baptist life later redheaded stepsisters cbf flowers said flowers said many women interviewed research left baptist life died legacy allowed us stay suzii paynter first woman named executive coordinator cooperative baptist fellowship described baptist women ministry chorus baptist women call diligent voice potential much assess limitations challenged audience charge inspiration arc lives toward kingdom god charge obedience christ bwim marked 30year anniversary establishing two new awards first recipient baptist women ministry church excellence recognition watts street baptist church durham nc known first church ordain southern baptist woman addie davis gospel ministry 1964 inaugural frankie huff granger distinguished mentor award went anne thomas neil retired missionary nigeria ghana age 60 present founding bwim served organizations convener 1984 award named longtime minister education first baptist church berea sc active religious education organizations denominational life took time mentor serve role model younger women discerning call ministry durso also announced new fundraising drive bwim 360 challenging supporters give 30 month next 12 months help organization expand ministries
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<p>BOSTON — It’s been clear for years that Pakistan and the United States are not in full agreement about the nature of the extremist threat or the war in Afghanistan. The U.S. is at war with the Taliban because it once harbored Osama bin Laden and his Al Qaeda gang. But in Pakistan’s view, the Taliban was a useful creation to bring stability to warlord-torn Afghanistan after the Soviets left, and it might be useful again once the Americans leave, as every other foreign power has done after trying and failing to subdue the Afghans by force.&#160;</p>
<p>When the U.S. failed to capture either the Taliban or Al Qaeda’s top leadership back in 2001, the extremists moved their operation over the border into Pakistan to set up shop in the mountains and border towns of the Northwest Frontier Province and Baluchistan. Thus, as many Pakistanis see it, the U.S. war in Afghanistan simply swept the extremists over the border into Pakistan. And Pakistan is afraid that the Obama troop surge will drive even more militants its way, creating ever more problems for Pakistan. Instead of going into Afghanistan to root out Al Qaeda, and then leaving, the U.S. has undertaken to create a modern and unified pro-Western state. This gives new life to the once-defeated Taliban who can now claim to be fighting to free Afghanistan from foreigners. Whereas many of Afghanistan’s other tribal groups had their own militias, many Pashtuns, who live on both sides of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border and who make up Afghanistan’s largest ethnic group, came to look upon the Taliban as representing Pashtun interests.</p>
<p>Right after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, the U.S. confronted Pakistan with a “with us or against us” ultimatum, which Pakistan accepted. Pakistan would join the U.S. in the fight against extremist Islam, but not as the Americans would want it. Pakistan was able and willing to capture and hand over Al Qaeda operatives, who were mostly Arabs and foreigners, but was less willing to turn its military might on its own citizens — especially in the frontier regions where the central government’s writ has always been tenuous.</p>
<p>Pakistan inherited the tribal territories from the British — self-ruling regions on the Northwest frontier that did not answer to central authority as other regions did. A quarter of a century ago I took a train from Peshawar, capital of the Northwest Frontier Province, to the top of the Khyber Pass on the Afghan border. I noticed that armed tribesmen getting on and off the train in the tribal territories did not have to buy a ticket. I asked a heavily armed tribal commuter why. “This is my ticket,” the tribesman said, slapping his rifle. The Pakistanis who live in those frontier areas consider themselves Pashtuns first and Pakistani only because of an accident of borders. Pakistan was, and is, reluctant to alienate the tribes.</p>
<p>In Baluchistan, next door, there has been a low-level rebellion against the Pakistani state for many years. The last thing Pakistan needs is more trouble with the Baluchis. Compare it to the problem Obama faces with some Democratic congressmen. They are hesitant to carry out the president’s wishes, not because they aren’t loyal to the president, but because they know the president’s program will get them into trouble with their home constituencies far from Washington.</p>
<p>Thus Pakistan plays something of a double game. Doing what is necessary to please the Americans, but being careful not to further alienate their already alienated border regions. In the meantime Islamic militants are extending their operations down into the Punjab and the Sind — the Pakistani heartland. Pakistan is willing to crack down on militants, as they finally and reluctantly did in the Swat Valley, when the militants threaten the Pakistani state. But the Taliban was Pakistan’s creation designed to end the chaos of warring warlords following the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan, and to insure a friendly power on the other side of their frontier with India.</p>
<p>Pakistanis have long felt that America uses them when it needs Pakistan, but then discards it like an old Kleenex. They suspect that in the end America will leave Afghanistan in a mess to Pakistan’s detriment.</p>
<p>In Pakistan’s view, to commit too many Pakistani troops to the northwest leaves the frontier with India under-guarded, and one should never underestimate the power of paranoia when it comes to Indo-Pakistani relations. India and Pakistan have fought three wars, in 1947, 1965 and 1971 , as well as a mini-war in Kargil, Kashmir, in 1999 that was sensibly contained. All but one of these wars was fought over Kashmir. Pakistan has encouraged terrorist organizations to harass India over what Pakistan sees as India’s occupation of the Kashmir.</p>
<p>An attack by Pakistan-based terrorists on the Indian parliament in 2001 nearly caused a fourth war with India and Pakistan both rushing troops to the border. But when a similar attack occurred in Mumbai last year cooler heads prevailed and India did not send troops to the border, as the Pakistan-based terrorists had hoped. Tension on the Indian border can only mean less Pakistani military pressure on the Afghan border, or so terrorists hope.</p>
<p>India shares one great fear with the U.S.: It is that a nuclear armed Pakistan will disintegrate into chaos with Islamic militants making the country ungovernable. Therefore, despite provocations, India is moving toward easing tensions with Pakistan. It is no longer reasonable for the Pakistani military to fear an invasion from India, but paranoia doesn’t bow to reason. India could make a further gesture by unilaterally lessening its military presence on the Pakistani border, but the U.S. has to accept and understand that Pakistan will never see the threat in Afghanistan through the same lenses as Americans do.</p>
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boston clear years pakistan united states full agreement nature extremist threat war afghanistan us war taliban harbored osama bin laden al qaeda gang pakistans view taliban useful creation bring stability warlordtorn afghanistan soviets left might useful americans leave every foreign power done trying failing subdue afghans force160 us failed capture either taliban al qaedas top leadership back 2001 extremists moved operation border pakistan set shop mountains border towns northwest frontier province baluchistan thus many pakistanis see us war afghanistan simply swept extremists border pakistan pakistan afraid obama troop surge drive even militants way creating ever problems pakistan instead going afghanistan root al qaeda leaving us undertaken create modern unified prowestern state gives new life oncedefeated taliban claim fighting free afghanistan foreigners whereas many afghanistans tribal groups militias many pashtuns live sides afghanistanpakistan border make afghanistans largest ethnic group came look upon taliban representing pashtun interests right sept 11 2001 attacks us confronted pakistan us us ultimatum pakistan accepted pakistan would join us fight extremist islam americans would want pakistan able willing capture hand al qaeda operatives mostly arabs foreigners less willing turn military might citizens especially frontier regions central governments writ always tenuous pakistan inherited tribal territories british selfruling regions northwest frontier answer central authority regions quarter century ago took train peshawar capital northwest frontier province top khyber pass afghan border noticed armed tribesmen getting train tribal territories buy ticket asked heavily armed tribal commuter ticket tribesman said slapping rifle pakistanis live frontier areas consider pashtuns first pakistani accident borders pakistan reluctant alienate tribes baluchistan next door lowlevel rebellion pakistani state many years last thing pakistan needs trouble baluchis compare problem obama faces democratic congressmen hesitant carry presidents wishes arent loyal president know presidents program get trouble home constituencies far washington thus pakistan plays something double game necessary please americans careful alienate already alienated border regions meantime islamic militants extending operations punjab sind pakistani heartland pakistan willing crack militants finally reluctantly swat valley militants threaten pakistani state taliban pakistans creation designed end chaos warring warlords following soviet withdrawal afghanistan insure friendly power side frontier india pakistanis long felt america uses needs pakistan discards like old kleenex suspect end america leave afghanistan mess pakistans detriment pakistans view commit many pakistani troops northwest leaves frontier india underguarded one never underestimate power paranoia comes indopakistani relations india pakistan fought three wars 1947 1965 1971 well miniwar kargil kashmir 1999 sensibly contained one wars fought kashmir pakistan encouraged terrorist organizations harass india pakistan sees indias occupation kashmir attack pakistanbased terrorists indian parliament 2001 nearly caused fourth war india pakistan rushing troops border similar attack occurred mumbai last year cooler heads prevailed india send troops border pakistanbased terrorists hoped tension indian border mean less pakistani military pressure afghan border terrorists hope india shares one great fear us nuclear armed pakistan disintegrate chaos islamic militants making country ungovernable therefore despite provocations india moving toward easing tensions pakistan longer reasonable pakistani military fear invasion india paranoia doesnt bow reason india could make gesture unilaterally lessening military presence pakistani border us accept understand pakistan never see threat afghanistan lenses americans
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<p>Turning 30 used to mean hitting your stride as an official adult. But for many of the country’s millennials, it feels like being stuck in perpetual late adolescence.</p>
<p>Marriage eludes many. Children? Not anytime soon. Most millennials have some sort of job, but for many a career seems unobtainable. A home of their own? Lots of them have had to move back in with mom and dad or shack up with roommates. That’s not the place where many millennials expected or wanted to be as they hit their fourth decade.</p>
<p>“We have plans that we’re working toward. It’s just so slow,” said Erika Hall Trowell, a 31-year-old living in Phoenix, who after two layoffs and a sharp pay cut figures she and her husband are at least several years behind on their goals.</p>
<p>Of course, some millennials have managed to navigate the early years of adulthood just fine. But for many, 30 is looking a lot like 20 used to as the generation that began with so much promise has fallen behind on nearly every adult milestone.</p>
<p>What happened? The major culprit, say many millennials: The lousy economy.</p>
<p>Even as the economy improves, years of economic malaise have left many millennials unemployed, underemployed or just lower on the career ladder than they had hoped to be at this age. Many are burdened by debt, unable to afford a house and too consumed by uncertainty to meet all the adult milestones yet.</p>
<p>Milllennials including Trowell say they aspire to the same things their parents’ generation had — and bristle when older Americans say they are lazy, or lack drive and ambition.</p>
<p>“It’s kind of a disillusionment that we’re facing,” Trowell said. “We were told that you can be anything you want, and now here we are and you can’t find a job.”</p>
<p>Millennials are loosely defined as the generation of adults born in the 1980s; the older ones of the bunch are now in their 30s. Experts say they’ve been hit particularly hard by the difficult economy because they have launched their careers at a time when job prospects are so dim.</p>
<p>The unemployment rate for younger workers has generally been higher than for older workers throughout the recession and recovery, and those who are working have likely started off lower on the ladder, and making less money, than they might have in a better economy.</p>
<p>Although they have decades to catch up, economists say a slow start in the working world can have a lifelong impact on a person’s earnings potential.</p>
<p>“My whole outlook is, it’s all very delayed,” said Chris Quinn, 31, a talent manager for a large advertising agency in Chicago, who after years of furloughs and other setbacks finally feels like he is on a path to making big life decisions about things like buying a house and getting married.</p>
<p>For many, even now, it remains tough just to get a job.</p>
<p>About 74 percent of the oldest millennials — those who are currently ages 25 to 32 — were employed in 2013, according to an analysis of government data prepared by Pew Research Center. That’s down from 79 percent who were employed in 2007.</p>
<p>Experts say the problem is compounded for those like Trowell who lack a college education, which is considered a minimum requirement now for many jobs that didn’t require it in the past.</p>
<p>Job losses and pay cuts</p>
<p>Erika Trowell and her husband, Ben, 29, say they expected by now to have already paid off their debts, bought a house, settled into good jobs and perhaps even started raising children.</p>
<p>Instead, the couple is still struggling to whittle down the last of Ben’s student loans plus credit card debt they accrued when times were tougher for them.</p>
<p>Even their wedding was delayed, and downsized, after Erika was laid off in 2008 and their wedding fund went to paying the bills.</p>
<p>Their finances remain tight. Erika currently makes $12 an hour as an operations secretary for a Phoenix restaurant chain. She said she hasn’t received a raise since starting there in 2009. That’s down from $18 an hour at the job she lost in 2008.</p>
<p>Ben, who has a college degree, makes $15 an hour working as a graphic designer for the same company. But he only works 29 hours and 59 minutes a week, below the 30 hours a week that would require his company to offer him health insurance benefits.</p>
<p>The couple said it’s too pricey to add him to her plan for anything more than vision and dental, but he’s hoping to eventually sign up for Obamacare.</p>
<p>They rent a modest apartment near downtown Phoenix and have been sharing one car since their second vehicle broke down several years ago and repairs proved too costly. They don’t have cable TV, though they do have Netflix. On weekends, they often visit a favorite used bookstore where they can sell books they’ve read and buy a few new ones with the profits.</p>
<p>They fret about being one health emergency or job loss away from financial ruin.</p>
<p>“If one big thing happens to us we’re not going to be able to handle it,” Erika said.</p>
<p>The couple say they are grateful for many things — their health, their compatibility and at least earning enough to not have to move back in with parents.</p>
<p>Decline in living independently</p>
<p>About 46.6 percent of older millennials ages 25 to 32 were heading their own household as of March 2013, down from 47.9 percent of people in that age range who headed their own home in 2007, according to a <a href="http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2013/10/18/millennials-still-lag-in-forming-their-own-households/" type="external">Pew analysis</a> of government data.</p>
<p>Some older millennials may be sharing a home with roommates or a romantic partner, but a rising number are staying at their parents’ home.</p>
<p>About 16 percent of 25- to 31-year-old millennials were living at home in 2012, <a href="http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2013/08/01/a-rising-share-of-young-adults-live-in-their-parents-home/2/" type="external">according to Pew</a>, up from 13.8 percent in 2007.</p>
<p>“There is this notion that there’s been a change in cultural trends- that it’s more acceptable now to live with Mom and Dad,” said Pew economist Robert Fry. “Possibly, but it’s also very clear that … living with Mom and Dad is related to sort of how you’re faring in the job market.”</p>
<p>Katie Stanton, 26, lives with her parents in Darien, Ill., because her part-time, retail job doesn’t pay enough for her to afford to live on her own. Like many millennials, she fumes at the notion that she just wants to rely on her parents, or isn’t trying hard enough to find a career that uses her college degree.</p>
<p>“It’s annoying to hear that because it’s like, ‘You don’t know what I’ve been doing,’” Stanton said. “It’s hard not to get defensive when I hear those arguments."</p>
<p>Delaying marriage and children</p>
<p>Millennials also are getting married later. In 2013, the median age of a first marriage was 29 for men and 26.6 for women, according to Pew data. That’s up significantly from just 18 years ago, when the median age of first marriage was 26.9 years old for men and 24.5 years old for women.</p>
<p>That’s partly the result of a long-term trend toward later, and less, marriage – but some millennials also say they have put off weddings because of economic concerns.</p>
<p>The recession also may be playing a role in delaying people’s decisions <a href="http://www.today.com/money/dreams-delayed-or-denied-young-adults-put-parenthood-6C10528964" type="external">to have kids</a>. The birth rate for women ages 25 to 29 <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr62/nvsr62_09.pdf" type="external">fell steadily</a> between 2008 and 2012, echoing an overall slowdown in births. Experts say it’s common for people to delay having children when the economy slows, but it’s not yet clear whether millennials will make up for lost time later on.</p>
<p>The Trowells are still hopeful that they will end up being able to achieve their version of the American dream: Steady work, a modest home and at least one child. They are trying to be patient. “It’s taking way longer than I expected,” Erika said.</p>
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turning 30 used mean hitting stride official adult many countrys millennials feels like stuck perpetual late adolescence marriage eludes many children anytime soon millennials sort job many career seems unobtainable home lots move back mom dad shack roommates thats place many millennials expected wanted hit fourth decade plans working toward slow said erika hall trowell 31yearold living phoenix two layoffs sharp pay cut figures husband least several years behind goals course millennials managed navigate early years adulthood fine many 30 looking lot like 20 used generation began much promise fallen behind nearly every adult milestone happened major culprit say many millennials lousy economy even economy improves years economic malaise left many millennials unemployed underemployed lower career ladder hoped age many burdened debt unable afford house consumed uncertainty meet adult milestones yet milllennials including trowell say aspire things parents generation bristle older americans say lazy lack drive ambition kind disillusionment facing trowell said told anything want cant find job millennials loosely defined generation adults born 1980s older ones bunch 30s experts say theyve hit particularly hard difficult economy launched careers time job prospects dim unemployment rate younger workers generally higher older workers throughout recession recovery working likely started lower ladder making less money might better economy although decades catch economists say slow start working world lifelong impact persons earnings potential whole outlook delayed said chris quinn 31 talent manager large advertising agency chicago years furloughs setbacks finally feels like path making big life decisions things like buying house getting married many even remains tough get job 74 percent oldest millennials currently ages 25 32 employed 2013 according analysis government data prepared pew research center thats 79 percent employed 2007 experts say problem compounded like trowell lack college education considered minimum requirement many jobs didnt require past job losses pay cuts erika trowell husband ben 29 say expected already paid debts bought house settled good jobs perhaps even started raising children instead couple still struggling whittle last bens student loans plus credit card debt accrued times tougher even wedding delayed downsized erika laid 2008 wedding fund went paying bills finances remain tight erika currently makes 12 hour operations secretary phoenix restaurant chain said hasnt received raise since starting 2009 thats 18 hour job lost 2008 ben college degree makes 15 hour working graphic designer company works 29 hours 59 minutes week 30 hours week would require company offer health insurance benefits couple said pricey add plan anything vision dental hes hoping eventually sign obamacare rent modest apartment near downtown phoenix sharing one car since second vehicle broke several years ago repairs proved costly dont cable tv though netflix weekends often visit favorite used bookstore sell books theyve read buy new ones profits fret one health emergency job loss away financial ruin one big thing happens us going able handle erika said couple say grateful many things health compatibility least earning enough move back parents decline living independently 466 percent older millennials ages 25 32 heading household march 2013 479 percent people age range headed home 2007 according pew analysis government data older millennials may sharing home roommates romantic partner rising number staying parents home 16 percent 25 31yearold millennials living home 2012 according pew 138 percent 2007 notion theres change cultural trends acceptable live mom dad said pew economist robert fry possibly also clear living mom dad related sort youre faring job market katie stanton 26 lives parents darien ill parttime retail job doesnt pay enough afford live like many millennials fumes notion wants rely parents isnt trying hard enough find career uses college degree annoying hear like dont know ive stanton said hard get defensive hear arguments delaying marriage children millennials also getting married later 2013 median age first marriage 29 men 266 women according pew data thats significantly 18 years ago median age first marriage 269 years old men 245 years old women thats partly result longterm trend toward later less marriage millennials also say put weddings economic concerns recession also may playing role delaying peoples decisions kids birth rate women ages 25 29 fell steadily 2008 2012 echoing overall slowdown births experts say common people delay children economy slows yet clear whether millennials make lost time later trowells still hopeful end able achieve version american dream steady work modest home least one child trying patient taking way longer expected erika said
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<p>U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) will appear at an anti-LGBT event miles from the Orlando shooting site. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>After citing a recent mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando as the reason why he wants to continue in public service, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) is set to appear at an event just miles away from the Pulse nightclub that’s being hosted by anti-LGBT leaders.</p>
<p>Rubio is scheduled to keynote the event, called “Rediscovering God in America,” which is hosted by the Florida Renewal Project and set to take place between Aug. 11-12 at the Hyatt Regency Orlando. It’ll take place on the two-month anniversary of the Orlando shooting.</p>
<p>According to <a href="http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/marco-rubio-headline-radical-anti-lgbt-event" type="external">Right Wing Watch</a>, Liberty Counsel Action, the political arm of a conservative legal group known for defending Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis after she refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, announced Rubio’s planned appearance in an email last month.</p>
<p>Right Wing Watch has detailed the anti-LGBT history of other individuals set to appear at the event. Among them is Mat Staver, co-founder of Liberty Counsel, who has a long history of pushing litigation championing anti-LGBT causes, including defense of Davis and lawsuits&#160;against state bans on widely discredited “ex-gay” conversion therapy. Last month after the Orlando shooting, Staver lamented some churches turned memorial gatherings into a “ <a href="http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/mat-staver-criticizes-orlando-memorials-turning-homosexual-love-fests" type="external">homosexual love fest</a>.”</p>
<p>David Lane, whose organization, the American Renewal Projec, is hosting the event, has said gay rights will lead to the “utter destruction” of the United States and “car bombs in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. and Des Moines, Iowa.” Another scheduled attendee is David Barton, a Republican Party activist, who has said God is preventing a cure for HIV/AIDS because it is a divine “penalty” for gay people.</p>
<p>Rubio is set to keynote the event in the aftermath of the Orlando shooting at Pulse nightclub, which left 49 people dead and 53 wounded. Although he initially planned to retire from the U.S. Senate after <a href="" type="internal">his presidential campaign ended in March</a>, Rubio said the tragedy at the gay nightclub changed his mind.</p>
<p>During <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nK2QEj83l-4&amp;feature=youtu.be&amp;app=desktop" type="external">an interview in June with conservative commentator Hugh Hewitt</a>, Rubio acknowledged just before he announced his re-election bid that the shooting was changing his mind on his decision not to run.</p>
<p>“I haven’t even given it thought in that perspective, other than to say I’ve been deeply impacted by it and I think when it visits your home state, when it impacts a community you know well, it really gives you pause, to think a little bit about your service to your country and where you can be most useful to your country,” Rubio said.</p>
<p>Eliel Cruz, executive director of Faith in America, assailed&#160;Rubio for participating in the event.</p>
<p>“The event ‘Rediscovering God in America Renewal Project’ is a who’s who of some of the country’s most hateful anti-LGBT persons,” Cruz said. “It’s incredulous a senator of the United States is willing to collude with individuals who are dedicated to oppressing LGBT people. The beliefs shared by this group actively harm LGBT people. This is not the America we want. God will not be found anywhere near that event.”</p>
<p>The senator has his own anti-LGBT history, which includes votes against the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and co-sponsorship of the First Amendment Defense Act, a “religious freedom” bill that would&#160;enable anti-LGBT discrimination. Rubio <a href="http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=114&amp;session=1&amp;vote=00236" type="external">didn’t cast a vote</a>when the Student Non-Discrimination Act came to the floor of the U.S. Senate last year.</p>
<p>During his presidential campaign, Rubio <a href="" type="internal">praised the late U.S. Associate Justice Antonin Scalia for his dissent in the ruling for marriage equality</a>, <a href="" type="internal">criticized LGBT advocates seeking marriage rights for same-sex couples through litigation</a>and <a href="" type="internal">pledged to reverse President Obama’s executive order barring anti-LGBT workplace discrimination among federal contractors</a>.</p>
<p>In <a href="http://www.hrc.org/your-elected-officials/profile?id=456" type="external">the Human Rights Campaign’s most recent congressional scorecard</a>, Rubio scored a “22” out of 100. The senator earned points only for voting in favor of an LGBT-inclusive reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.</p>
<p>Over the weekend, Rubio published his issues pages on his campaign website. Yet on <a href="https://marcorubio.com/2016/07/20/the-second-amendment-is-about-the-american-dream/" type="external">his Second Amendment page pledging to protect the “sacred rights” of gun ownership</a>, there is no mention of the Orlando shooting even though the senator cited it as his reason for seeking re-election.</p>
<p>“Dissenters try and stigmatize gun owners, but as we all know, responsibly exercising one’s Second Amendment right could mean the difference between life and death,” the webpage says.</p>
<p>Rubio’s office didn’t respond to the Washington Blade’s request for&#160;comment on whether it’s appropriate for the senator to attend the anti-LGBT event after citing a mass shooting at a gay nightclub as a reason to continue in public service.</p>
<p>Democratic candidates vying for their party’s nomination to challenge Rubio in the general election also criticized&#160;the senator for attending the anti-LGBT event. Their primary is Aug. 30.</p>
<p>Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Fla.), a two-term member of Congress, called Rubio’s attendance at the anti-LGBT&#160;event “an appalling insult” to the Orlando victims.</p>
<p>“Marco Rubio used the horrific tragedy at Pulse as a reason to run for re-election and instead of honoring the lives of those we lost, he is speaking at an anti-LGBT event on the two month anniversary of the attack,” Murphy said. “This is an appalling insult to those we lost and their friends and family who mourn them. Marco Rubio is failing to stand up for all of his constituents, and he’s failing to show a basic sense of human decency.”</p>
<p>Also criticizing Rubio was Rep. Alan Grayson, who was more succinct and said, “Marco Rubio just can’t seem to get his hate straight.”</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">election 2016</a> <a href="" type="internal">Eliel Cruz</a> <a href="" type="internal">Faith in America</a> <a href="" type="internal">Marco Rubio</a></p>
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us sen marco rubio rfla appear antilgbt event miles orlando shooting site washington blade photo michael key citing recent mass shooting gay nightclub orlando reason wants continue public service sen marco rubio rfla set appear event miles away pulse nightclub thats hosted antilgbt leaders rubio scheduled keynote event called rediscovering god america hosted florida renewal project set take place aug 1112 hyatt regency orlando itll take place twomonth anniversary orlando shooting according right wing watch liberty counsel action political arm conservative legal group known defending rowan county clerk kim davis refused issue marriage licenses samesex couples announced rubios planned appearance email last month right wing watch detailed antilgbt history individuals set appear event among mat staver cofounder liberty counsel long history pushing litigation championing antilgbt causes including defense davis lawsuits160against state bans widely discredited exgay conversion therapy last month orlando shooting staver lamented churches turned memorial gatherings homosexual love fest david lane whose organization american renewal projec hosting event said gay rights lead utter destruction united states car bombs los angeles washington dc des moines iowa another scheduled attendee david barton republican party activist said god preventing cure hivaids divine penalty gay people rubio set keynote event aftermath orlando shooting pulse nightclub left 49 people dead 53 wounded although initially planned retire us senate presidential campaign ended march rubio said tragedy gay nightclub changed mind interview june conservative commentator hugh hewitt rubio acknowledged announced reelection bid shooting changing mind decision run havent even given thought perspective say ive deeply impacted think visits home state impacts community know well really gives pause think little bit service country useful country rubio said eliel cruz executive director faith america assailed160rubio participating event event rediscovering god america renewal project whos countrys hateful antilgbt persons cruz said incredulous senator united states willing collude individuals dedicated oppressing lgbt people beliefs shared group actively harm lgbt people america want god found anywhere near event senator antilgbt history includes votes employment nondiscrimination act cosponsorship first amendment defense act religious freedom bill would160enable antilgbt discrimination rubio didnt cast votewhen student nondiscrimination act came floor us senate last year presidential campaign rubio praised late us associate justice antonin scalia dissent ruling marriage equality criticized lgbt advocates seeking marriage rights samesex couples litigationand pledged reverse president obamas executive order barring antilgbt workplace discrimination among federal contractors human rights campaigns recent congressional scorecard rubio scored 22 100 senator earned points voting favor lgbtinclusive reauthorization violence women act weekend rubio published issues pages campaign website yet second amendment page pledging protect sacred rights gun ownership mention orlando shooting even though senator cited reason seeking reelection dissenters try stigmatize gun owners know responsibly exercising ones second amendment right could mean difference life death webpage says rubios office didnt respond washington blades request for160comment whether appropriate senator attend antilgbt event citing mass shooting gay nightclub reason continue public service democratic candidates vying partys nomination challenge rubio general election also criticized160the senator attending antilgbt event primary aug 30 rep patrick murphy dfla twoterm member congress called rubios attendance antilgbt160event appalling insult orlando victims marco rubio used horrific tragedy pulse reason run reelection instead honoring lives lost speaking antilgbt event two month anniversary attack murphy said appalling insult lost friends family mourn marco rubio failing stand constituents hes failing show basic sense human decency also criticizing rubio rep alan grayson succinct said marco rubio cant seem get hate straight election 2016 eliel cruz faith america marco rubio
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<p>On Thursday, much to the chagrin of anyone seeking transparency, the US government released 2,800 previously classified files relating to the assassination of John F Kennedy while holding back several hundred more. President Donald Trump delayed the release of the others, saying he had “no choice” but to consider “national security, law enforcement, and foreign affairs concerns” raised mostly by the FBI and CIA. The JFK files were no smoking gun. However, many of the documents contained in them reveal and confirm the absolutely horrifying practices of the world’s most insidious spying agency.</p>
<p>In an amazing act of citizen journalism, Thursday night, the internet pored over the documents, including all of our staff here. The information gleaned from these previously Top Secret documents reveals the dark truth about the CIA’s covert, murderous, criminal, and outright terroristic workings.</p>
<p>From mind control to media control to working with the mafia and using covert chemical weapons to starve innocent civilians, the CIA has operated in the shadows breaking international law and laying waste to anyone who gets in their way.</p>
<p>In the <a href="https://www.archives.gov/files/research/jfk/releases/docid-32105754.pdf" type="external">minutes of a meeting for Operation Mongoose</a>, the group discussed using ‘agricultural sabotage’ to terrorize the Cuban people and effectively starve an entire country. While the CIA expressed concern over the operation, the concern was not about innocent human lives, only about getting caught.</p>
<p>The CIA was intent on “producing&#160;crop failures by the introduction of biological agents which would appear to be of natural origin.” The paper went on to note that they must avoid a massive chemical release “unless they could be completely covered up.”</p>
<p>&lt;img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-80148" src="https://thefreethoughtproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/agcia-696x762.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px" alt="cia" width="696" height="762" /&gt;</p>
<p>The CIA actually <a href="https://www.archives.gov/files/research/jfk/releases/docid-32112987.pdf" type="external">created a hitlist</a>menu of sorts with bounties listed for the murder of certain individuals.</p>
<p>“Leaflets will be designed to indicate phases. For example, the first leaflets will contain only names of communist leaders; the next leaflets will revise the names by job; i.e. cell leader, informer, party members, etc.; any of the above or subsequent leaflets will announce the amount of the reward, how and where it may be collected. One final leaflet may be deemed advisable and that one announcing a .02c reward for the delivery of Castro.”</p>
<p>&lt;img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-80149" src="https://thefreethoughtproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/leaflets.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 893px) 100vw, 893px" alt="cia" width="893" height="967" /&gt;</p>
<p>These same tactics were put to use in Afghanistan which led to citizens turning in other innocent citizens just to receive a reward. Indeed, Gitmo was filled due to a very similar approach.</p>
<p>On the first page of the archives were two glaring documents which were apparently ‘unmarked’ but quickly deemed Top Secret once the information was noted inside them. In the document, the CIA details various assassination plots against Fidel Castro beginning as early as the late 50s.</p>
<p>&lt;img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-80150" src="https://thefreethoughtproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/crime2-696x589.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px" alt="" width="696" height="589" /&gt; &lt;img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-80151" src="https://thefreethoughtproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/crime1.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 984px) 100vw, 984px" alt="" width="984" height="763" /&gt;</p>
<p>According to the CIA, the “plans involved a number of bizarre schemes and, in at least one instance, involved some contact with organized criminal elements.” One of these contacts was the notorious Chicago mob boss,&#160;Salvatore “Mooney Sam” Giancana.</p>
<p>&lt;img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-80150" src="https://thefreethoughtproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/crime2-696x589.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px" alt="cia" width="696" height="589" /&gt;</p>
<p>In one of the more ominous documents, titled&#160;Commission on CIA Activities within the United States&#160;the CIA admits to numerous campaigns of propaganda and public deception.</p>
<p>One bullet, in particular, deals with the CIA’s “involvement in research on techniques for influencing human behavior and on methods of protecting Agency personnel against hostile use of drugs or “brain working” techniques.”</p>
<p>As if attempting to influence individual human behavior wasn’t threatening enough, the same bullet point mentions the “testing of equipment measuring physiological responses in human subjects.”</p>
<p>or those familiar with the CIA’s <a href="http://thefreethoughtproject.com/cia-mind-control-midnight-climax/" type="external">MK Ultra program</a>, the above-mentioned techniques are shockingly telling, to say the least.</p>
<p>&lt;img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-80158" src="https://thefreethoughtproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/ciainfll.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 863px) 100vw, 863px" alt="cia" width="863" height="341" /&gt;</p>
<p>Even when the CIA released its massive archive last year, the tens of thousands of pages contained almost no information on the CIA’s program to control the narrative in the media, otherwise known as Operation Mockingbird.</p>
<p>&lt;img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-80162" src="https://thefreethoughtproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/newscia-696x314.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px" alt="cia" width="696" height="314" /&gt;</p>
<p>However, in two separate documents within the JFK files, the CIA admits to the program and a Congressman confirms that he is worried about their influence.</p>
<p>&lt;img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-80160" src="https://thefreethoughtproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/cia-jorun.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 958px) 100vw, 958px" alt="cia" width="958" height="422" /&gt;</p>
<p>In regard to what Congressman Walter E. Fauntroy was talking about at that time, the above-mentioned&#160;document, titled&#160;Commission on CIA Activities within the United States,&#160;may provide that answer—Operation Mockingbird.</p>
<p>&lt;img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-80161" src="https://thefreethoughtproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/opmock.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 732px) 100vw, 732px" alt="" width="732" height="103" /&gt;</p>
<p>As TFTP predicted, so far, these documents change very little on the ‘official story’ of how JFK was killed. However, they provide a glimpse into the agency who admittedly works with crime lords to kill heads of state. They expose programs of thought manipulation and “brain working.” The documents don’t tell us that it wasn’t Oswald, but they do tell us that the CIA was capable of killing anyone, anywhere, and making it look like an accident.</p>
<p>If this secret and the unscrupulous organization was conducting operations 50 years ago, like the ones listed above, we can only imagine how much worse they have gotten since then.</p>
<p>Perhaps, one of the most important factors to consider in this torrent of information is that the very release of these documents could be part of this most unscrupulous practice of propaganda and mind control. Indeed, the ‘mockingbirds’ in the mainstream media are already using the release of these documents to bash anyone who questions the official story.&#160;</p>
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thursday much chagrin anyone seeking transparency us government released 2800 previously classified files relating assassination john f kennedy holding back several hundred president donald trump delayed release others saying choice consider national security law enforcement foreign affairs concerns raised mostly fbi cia jfk files smoking gun however many documents contained reveal confirm absolutely horrifying practices worlds insidious spying agency amazing act citizen journalism thursday night internet pored documents including staff information gleaned previously top secret documents reveals dark truth cias covert murderous criminal outright terroristic workings mind control media control working mafia using covert chemical weapons starve innocent civilians cia operated shadows breaking international law laying waste anyone gets way minutes meeting operation mongoose group discussed using agricultural sabotage terrorize cuban people effectively starve entire country cia expressed concern operation concern innocent human lives getting caught cia intent producing160crop failures introduction biological agents would appear natural origin paper went note must avoid massive chemical release unless could completely covered ltimg classalignnone sizelarge wpimage80148 srchttpsthefreethoughtprojectcomwpcontentuploads201710agcia696x762jpg sizesmaxwidth 696px 100vw 696px altcia width696 height762 gt cia actually created hitlistmenu sorts bounties listed murder certain individuals leaflets designed indicate phases example first leaflets contain names communist leaders next leaflets revise names job ie cell leader informer party members etc subsequent leaflets announce amount reward may collected one final leaflet may deemed advisable one announcing 02c reward delivery castro ltimg classalignnone sizefull wpimage80149 srchttpsthefreethoughtprojectcomwpcontentuploads201710leafletsjpg sizesmaxwidth 893px 100vw 893px altcia width893 height967 gt tactics put use afghanistan led citizens turning innocent citizens receive reward indeed gitmo filled due similar approach first page archives two glaring documents apparently unmarked quickly deemed top secret information noted inside document cia details various assassination plots fidel castro beginning early late 50s ltimg classalignnone sizelarge wpimage80150 srchttpsthefreethoughtprojectcomwpcontentuploads201710crime2696x589jpg sizesmaxwidth 696px 100vw 696px alt width696 height589 gt ltimg classalignnone sizefull wpimage80151 srchttpsthefreethoughtprojectcomwpcontentuploads201710crime1jpg sizesmaxwidth 984px 100vw 984px alt width984 height763 gt according cia plans involved number bizarre schemes least one instance involved contact organized criminal elements one contacts notorious chicago mob boss160salvatore mooney sam giancana ltimg classalignnone sizelarge wpimage80150 srchttpsthefreethoughtprojectcomwpcontentuploads201710crime2696x589jpg sizesmaxwidth 696px 100vw 696px altcia width696 height589 gt one ominous documents titled160commission cia activities within united states160the cia admits numerous campaigns propaganda public deception one bullet particular deals cias involvement research techniques influencing human behavior methods protecting agency personnel hostile use drugs brain working techniques attempting influence individual human behavior wasnt threatening enough bullet point mentions testing equipment measuring physiological responses human subjects familiar cias mk ultra program abovementioned techniques shockingly telling say least ltimg classalignnone sizefull wpimage80158 srchttpsthefreethoughtprojectcomwpcontentuploads201710ciainflljpg sizesmaxwidth 863px 100vw 863px altcia width863 height341 gt even cia released massive archive last year tens thousands pages contained almost information cias program control narrative media otherwise known operation mockingbird ltimg classalignnone sizelarge wpimage80162 srchttpsthefreethoughtprojectcomwpcontentuploads201710newscia696x314jpg sizesmaxwidth 696px 100vw 696px altcia width696 height314 gt however two separate documents within jfk files cia admits program congressman confirms worried influence ltimg classalignnone sizefull wpimage80160 srchttpsthefreethoughtprojectcomwpcontentuploads201710ciajorunjpg sizesmaxwidth 958px 100vw 958px altcia width958 height422 gt regard congressman walter e fauntroy talking time abovementioned160document titled160commission cia activities within united states160may provide answeroperation mockingbird ltimg classalignnone sizefull wpimage80161 srchttpsthefreethoughtprojectcomwpcontentuploads201710opmockjpg sizesmaxwidth 732px 100vw 732px alt width732 height103 gt tftp predicted far documents change little official story jfk killed however provide glimpse agency admittedly works crime lords kill heads state expose programs thought manipulation brain working documents dont tell us wasnt oswald tell us cia capable killing anyone anywhere making look like accident secret unscrupulous organization conducting operations 50 years ago like ones listed imagine much worse gotten since perhaps one important factors consider torrent information release documents could part unscrupulous practice propaganda mind control indeed mockingbirds mainstream media already using release documents bash anyone questions official story160
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<p>By Kim Lawton</p>
<p>It's Christmas-and for Protestants, that means it's time for the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, to make her annual cameo appearance in creche sets, carols and children's bathrobed Christmas pageants.</p>
<p>But for some Protestant theologians and activists, the season also presents a time to take a fresh look at the role of Mary in the life of the church and to recover her presence for a more vital faith and spirituality. A host of books, essays and magazines are doing just that.</p>
<p>These Protestant thinkers and writers see a recovery of Mary as in keeping with historic Reformation views.</p>
<p>“Martin Luther had a very high view of Mary,” says Southern Baptist Timothy George, dean of the evangelical Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Ala., “and a loving devotion to Mary, in a way.</p>
<p>“He [Luther] refers to her as the place where God did his handiwork on earth,” George adds.</p>
<p>George made his comments in an interview for the PBS show, Religion &amp; Ethics NewsWeekly.</p>
<p>At the time of the 16th century Protestant Reformation, and again in the middle of the 19th century when the Roman Catholic Church promulgated the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of Mary (the notion Mary was born without original sin) there was a strong reaction against Marian piety and devotion.</p>
<p>“It was seen to be competitive with Christ, and in some ways, even idolatrous,” George said. “Mary was exalted so high that she displaced Christ. And so, Protestants have generally reacted against that. Perhaps we [Protestants] have gone to the other extreme.”</p>
<p>Protestants aren't likely to embrace some beliefs about Mary held by some Catholics who consider her an intermediary with God. Nor are they likely to adopt the notion of the immaculate conception or the belief that she was bodily “assumed” into heaven at the end of her life. And while Catholics call her the queen of heaven, Protestants are emphasizing a more human Mary.</p>
<p>But George and others say it is possible to recover a Protestant and Scriptural understanding of Mary.</p>
<p>“Even if some of the language that some other Christian traditions use to talk about Mary is uncomfortable for us, we can still do what Protestants like to think we do well, which is stay with the biblical stories,” said Beverly Roberts Gaventa of Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, N.J.</p>
<p>Indeed, Gaventa sees the new focus on Mary connected to a number of recent trends, including a renewed interest in biblical characters who are women and a new interest by people in traditions other than their own.</p>
<p>According to Gaventa, Mary is deeply connected with some of the major themes in the Gospels.</p>
<p>Mary first appears in the Gospel of Luke, when the angel Gabriel appears to her and tells her that through the power of the Holy Spirit she will give birth to the Son of God.</p>
<p>“Really, Luke tells us nothing about her,” Gaventa said. “He doesn't give us any credentials to make us think Mary is worthy of being chosen by God. What happens in the story is that Mary is chosen entirely by God's own initiative.</p>
<p>“This is a primary example,” she said, “of what Protestants emphasize as God's divine grace, God's initiative.”</p>
<p>George said that when Mary responds to the angel, “let it be according to your will,” she is responding with an “act of submission” and with “an act of humility.”</p>
<p>“It's an act of surrender to the will of God. And that's a wonderful line of discipleship for any Christian that wants to take seriously the call of God on our lives,” he said.</p>
<p>Another biblical theme associated with Mary that Protestants can embrace, Gaventa said, is in Mary's song of praise, known as the Magnificat, also recorded by Luke, which takes its name from Mary's words, “My soul magnifies the Lord.”</p>
<p>“The Magnificat is really an example of biblical prophecy,” Gaventa said. “Mary takes on a very strong role there of declaring God's favor upon the poor and oppressed, and God's warning about the downfall of the mighty and the powerful and the wealthy. And we have not given due regard to Mary as the one who utters the words.”</p>
<p>In the Nativity, George said, Mary plays a special role in the incarnation-the Christian teaching that in Jesus God became human.</p>
<p>“It's a very humble, homely event,” he said. “But the angels are listening in, and the angels are singing and celebrating as well. So it brings together the heavenly and the earthly, the divine and the human, which is what the incarnation is about. The word became flesh,” he said.</p>
<p>According to the Gospels, Jesus' mother was also present at other key points in Jesus' ministry, including the wedding at Cana, where Jesus performs his first miracle, and at the crucifixion, where Mary remains at the foot of the cross after many of his followers have fled.</p>
<p>For some Protestant professional church workers, Mary can be a role model for young women. Shannon Kubiak, an evangelical youth worker and author of the forthcoming God Called a Girl, said it is the very human Mary that can serve as a spiritual role model. “So many of us girls think, you know, I'm no one. What can I do? I'm not a beauty queen like Esther. I'm not someone phenomenal. What can God really do with me? And that's the type of life Mary lived,” Kubiak said.</p>
<p>“She was a nobody from the middle of nowhere. … and it's what countless teenage girls across the nation feel like, and God chose to use her for the most incredible task of a lifetime.”</p>
<p>For Princeton's Gaventa and others seeking to recover Mary, to understand the Gospels, “which is so much of what Protestants prize,” more attention has to be paid to Mary. “We can't just bring her out for Christmas Eve and put her back away on the 26th,” she said.</p>
<p>Religion News Service</p>
<p>Kim Lawton is managing editor of Religion &amp; Ethics Newsweekly, a weekly PBS television show.</p>
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kim lawton christmasand protestants means time virgin mary mother jesus make annual cameo appearance creche sets carols childrens bathrobed christmas pageants protestant theologians activists season also presents time take fresh look role mary life church recover presence vital faith spirituality host books essays magazines protestant thinkers writers see recovery mary keeping historic reformation views martin luther high view mary says southern baptist timothy george dean evangelical beeson divinity school birmingham ala loving devotion mary way luther refers place god handiwork earth george adds george made comments interview pbs show religion amp ethics newsweekly time 16th century protestant reformation middle 19th century roman catholic church promulgated doctrine immaculate conception mary notion mary born without original sin strong reaction marian piety devotion seen competitive christ ways even idolatrous george said mary exalted high displaced christ protestants generally reacted perhaps protestants gone extreme protestants arent likely embrace beliefs mary held catholics consider intermediary god likely adopt notion immaculate conception belief bodily assumed heaven end life catholics call queen heaven protestants emphasizing human mary george others say possible recover protestant scriptural understanding mary even language christian traditions use talk mary uncomfortable us still protestants like think well stay biblical stories said beverly roberts gaventa princeton theological seminary princeton nj indeed gaventa sees new focus mary connected number recent trends including renewed interest biblical characters women new interest people traditions according gaventa mary deeply connected major themes gospels mary first appears gospel luke angel gabriel appears tells power holy spirit give birth son god really luke tells us nothing gaventa said doesnt give us credentials make us think mary worthy chosen god happens story mary chosen entirely gods initiative primary example said protestants emphasize gods divine grace gods initiative george said mary responds angel let according responding act submission act humility act surrender god thats wonderful line discipleship christian wants take seriously call god lives said another biblical theme associated mary protestants embrace gaventa said marys song praise known magnificat also recorded luke takes name marys words soul magnifies lord magnificat really example biblical prophecy gaventa said mary takes strong role declaring gods favor upon poor oppressed gods warning downfall mighty powerful wealthy given due regard mary one utters words nativity george said mary plays special role incarnationthe christian teaching jesus god became human humble homely event said angels listening angels singing celebrating well brings together heavenly earthly divine human incarnation word became flesh said according gospels jesus mother also present key points jesus ministry including wedding cana jesus performs first miracle crucifixion mary remains foot cross many followers fled protestant professional church workers mary role model young women shannon kubiak evangelical youth worker author forthcoming god called girl said human mary serve spiritual role model many us girls think know im one im beauty queen like esther im someone phenomenal god really thats type life mary lived kubiak said nobody middle nowhere countless teenage girls across nation feel like god chose use incredible task lifetime princetons gaventa others seeking recover mary understand gospels much protestants prize attention paid mary cant bring christmas eve put back away 26th said religion news service kim lawton managing editor religion amp ethics newsweekly weekly pbs television show
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<p>MANAMA, Bahrain — In February of 2011, when the Bahraini government violently cracked down on peaceful pro-reform protesters in Pearl Roundabout, I immediately knew what I had to do.</p>
<p>As a nurse who had spent 18 years training and working in the United States, I decided to go and assist in the emergency room at Salmaniya Medical Complex, the main public hospital, which was flooded by injured protesters hurt by government forces during the demonstrations. Although, at the time, I was an assistant professor and head of an emergency nursing program, president of the Bahrain Nursing Society and not a staff member at Salmaniya, I saw that the doctors needed all the help they could get.</p>
<p>Many of my colleagues and I could not have known that our decision to uphold our medical duty would place us in danger. Several weeks later, I was blindfolded and handcuffed upon entering a government building. During the nightmare days of my five months of detention I was beaten, shocked with stun guns, sexually harassed and threatened with rape.</p>
<p>I was one of 20 medics who were convicted in a sham military trial on trumped-up political charges. While I was eventually acquitted, nine of my medic colleagues were sentenced to prison sentences ranging from one month to five years. Some of them are still serving their sentences today.</p>
<p><a href="http://anmf.org.au/pages/bahrain-solidarity-campaign" type="external">Ibrahim al Demistani</a>, General secretary of the Bahraini Nursing Society is serving a three-year sentence for charges of attempting to overthrow the government and taking part in illegal gatherings.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/blog/stories-bahrains-crackdown-dr-ali-al-ekri" type="external">Dr. Ali Al Ekri</a>, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon who was arrested by security forces from the operating theater while treating a teenage boy, is currently serving out his five-year sentence.</p>
<p>Since the uprisings began in 2011, Bahraini forces have detained dozens of medics. International rights organizations like Human Rights First have documented these abuses and the US government's muted criticism of its ally: the Bahrain regime.</p>
<p>But the problems go beyond Bahrain.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.policymic.com/articles/50699/turkey-takes-a-page-out-of-the-middle-eastern-dictator-playbook-by-kidnapping-doctors-and-nurses" type="external">In Turkey</a>, five doctors and three nurses had reportedly “gone missing” in 2013 after treating protesters. And <a href="http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-police-target-medics-during-gezi-protests-report.aspx?PageID=238&amp;NID=55225&amp;NewsCatID=341" type="external">during the Gezi protests</a>, police and other law enforcement officials attacked clearly identifiable, independent medical personnel and facilities with tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets.</p>
<p>Egypt is guilty of targeting medics as well. In 2011, health workers came <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/egypt/111124/egyptian-police-target-medics-at-tahrir-riots" type="external">under fire for treating wounded anti-government demonstrators</a>. The volunteer doctors, nurses, medical students, pharmacists and other health professionals who established makeshift clinics to assist the injured from both sides became direct targets of Egyptian security forces. In October of 2013, 13 Syrian medical professionals, including doctors and nurses, operating in a clinic in Egypt were <a href="http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/0/91237/Egypt/Syrian-doctors-running-Cairo-clinic-arrested-and-d.aspx" type="external">arrested and the facility shut down for allegedly operating without the required license</a>.</p>
<p>Earlier this year in Syria, five staffers with Doctors Without Borders were <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/03/doctors-without-borders-staffers-syria_n_4536975.html" type="external">taken into custody</a> for questioning, possibly by opposition forces.</p>
<p>In 2011, medical professionals were <a href="http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/press-releases/pro-gaddafi-forces-shoot-at-medical-team-in-misratah-wounding-medics-says-amnesty-international" type="external">targets of deliberate attacks in Libya</a>, at the hands of pro-Gaddafi security forces. And medics have been targeted in Yemen as well — in December 2013, <a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/12/strong-blast-rocks-yemen-defence-ministry-201312565750185751.html" type="external">52 doctors and nurses were killed</a> in a suicide bombing attack on the Ministry of Defense.</p>
<p>Today, May 12, we celebrate International Nurses Day, marking the anniversary of the birth of the pioneer of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale. Each year on this day, the <a href="http://www.icn.ch/publications/2014-nurses-a-force-for-change-a-vital-resource-for-health/" type="external">International Council of Nurses</a> (ICN) promotes quality nursing care for all and sound health policies globally.</p>
<p>While the ICN has made contributions to protecting nurses’ needs, they have yet to address the worrying and growing pattern of oppressive governments targeting nurses and other medical personnel. During the last three years, powerful states have arrested, tried and tortured nurses, doctors and medics in an attempt to silence calls for reform.</p>
<p>The theme for this year’s International Nurses Day, “ <a href="http://www.icn.ch/publications/2014-nurses-a-force-for-change-a-vital-resource-for-health/" type="external">Nurses: a Force for Change</a>,” reminds us that despite the global developments to protect medics’ work around the world, nurses and medical professionals often face great challenges and become targets themselves in times of conflict and crisis.</p>
<p>It is time that the ICN, the world’s health organizations and international governments adopt and implement protections for all medics — <a href="http://physiciansforhumanrights.org/issues/persecution-of-health-workers/medical-neutrality/" type="external">demanding medical neutrality</a> bylaws and amendments to the Geneva Convention of 1948 to protect all hospital workers and medical providers.</p>
<p>Medical professionals targeted and imprisoned for their profession must be released. Nursing, health, medical and human rights advocates should celebrate International Nurses Day by remembering the nurses and medics detained for doing their jobs in the Gulf Countries, Turkey and around the world.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/blog/stories-bahrains-crackdown-dr-rula-al-saffar" type="external">Rula al Saffar</a>is head of the Bahrain Nurses Association. She worked and trained as a nurse in the United States for 18 years. In 2011 she was arrested, tortured and convicted by a military court in Bahrain after treating injured protestors and sentenced to 15 years in jail. She was acquitted on appeal in 2012.</p>
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<p>This piece is part of a GlobalPost Special Reports/Commentary initiative supported by the Ford Foundation called "VOICES." The mission of VOICES is to present the ideas and opinions of those who are less frequently heard in the media, including women, people of color, sexual minorities, citizens of the developing world and young people. These voices will consistently discuss topics important to GlobalPost Special Reports including human rights, religious issues, global health, economic inequality and democracies in transition.</p>
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manama bahrain february 2011 bahraini government violently cracked peaceful proreform protesters pearl roundabout immediately knew nurse spent 18 years training working united states decided go assist emergency room salmaniya medical complex main public hospital flooded injured protesters hurt government forces demonstrations although time assistant professor head emergency nursing program president bahrain nursing society staff member salmaniya saw doctors needed help could get many colleagues could known decision uphold medical duty would place us danger several weeks later blindfolded handcuffed upon entering government building nightmare days five months detention beaten shocked stun guns sexually harassed threatened rape one 20 medics convicted sham military trial trumpedup political charges eventually acquitted nine medic colleagues sentenced prison sentences ranging one month five years still serving sentences today ibrahim al demistani general secretary bahraini nursing society serving threeyear sentence charges attempting overthrow government taking part illegal gatherings dr ali al ekri pediatric orthopedic surgeon arrested security forces operating theater treating teenage boy currently serving fiveyear sentence since uprisings began 2011 bahraini forces detained dozens medics international rights organizations like human rights first documented abuses us governments muted criticism ally bahrain regime problems go beyond bahrain turkey five doctors three nurses reportedly gone missing 2013 treating protesters gezi protests police law enforcement officials attacked clearly identifiable independent medical personnel facilities tear gas water cannons rubber bullets egypt guilty targeting medics well 2011 health workers came fire treating wounded antigovernment demonstrators volunteer doctors nurses medical students pharmacists health professionals established makeshift clinics assist injured sides became direct targets egyptian security forces october 2013 13 syrian medical professionals including doctors nurses operating clinic egypt arrested facility shut allegedly operating without required license earlier year syria five staffers doctors without borders taken custody questioning possibly opposition forces 2011 medical professionals targets deliberate attacks libya hands progaddafi security forces medics targeted yemen well december 2013 52 doctors nurses killed suicide bombing attack ministry defense today may 12 celebrate international nurses day marking anniversary birth pioneer modern nursing florence nightingale year day international council nurses icn promotes quality nursing care sound health policies globally icn made contributions protecting nurses needs yet address worrying growing pattern oppressive governments targeting nurses medical personnel last three years powerful states arrested tried tortured nurses doctors medics attempt silence calls reform theme years international nurses day nurses force change reminds us despite global developments protect medics work around world nurses medical professionals often face great challenges become targets times conflict crisis time icn worlds health organizations international governments adopt implement protections medics demanding medical neutrality bylaws amendments geneva convention 1948 protect hospital workers medical providers medical professionals targeted imprisoned profession must released nursing health medical human rights advocates celebrate international nurses day remembering nurses medics detained jobs gulf countries turkey around world rula al saffaris head bahrain nurses association worked trained nurse united states 18 years 2011 arrested tortured convicted military court bahrain treating injured protestors sentenced 15 years jail acquitted appeal 2012 piece part globalpost special reportscommentary initiative supported ford foundation called voices mission voices present ideas opinions less frequently heard media including women people color sexual minorities citizens developing world young people voices consistently discuss topics important globalpost special reports including human rights religious issues global health economic inequality democracies transition
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<p>Organizing is not work for the weak.</p>
<p>In Detroit, “activists are in overdrive,” says Adonis Flores. “Even before I shower, my mailbox is almost full. And soon as I wake up my phone starts ringing from members of the community who feel afraid and have lots of questions about the executive orders.”</p>
<p>He’s a Mexican immigrant-turned-activist who started working in support of the DREAM act to protect undocumented people brought to the US as children, then later the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, in 2010.</p>
<p>His latest task is to organize opposition to President Donald Trump’s executive orders that give broad power to Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, and the indefinite suspension of Syrian refugees’ admission into the US and the 90-day entry ban on travelers from seven predominantly Muslim countries,&#160; <a href="" type="internal">which the Trump administration is considering rewriting</a> after courts have suspended its implementation.</p>
<p>From his busy mornings, Flores runs to planning meetings with staff at Michigan United, the immigrant advocacy organization where he works. The office is a frenzy of activity the minute he walks in the door. The phones ring nonstop. Droves of people come in, asking for help for loved ones who are stranded in other countries and to get referrals to reliable attorneys who can help them. Volunteers constantly walk in and out. Flores sits on conference calls throughout the day, then runs to meetings across town. He says it's a crazy time.</p>
<p>“I&#160;have to train volunteers, call people to attend information sessions, respond to the barrage of media calls and return emails," says&#160;Flores. &#160;</p>
<p>Detroit has a long history of activism. Brothers Victor, Roy and Walter Reuther organized around harsh working conditions in the auto industry. The Reuthers championed industrial democracy and created the UAW labor union 1935. Later, union leaders joined forces with Martin Luther King, Jr. and fought for civil rights for African Americans. Recently, Monica Lewis Patrick, Claire McClinton, Debra Taylor and Nayyirah Shariff’s organizing and unrelenting pursuit of justice let the world know about water crises in Detroit and Flint.</p>
<p>Now Detroit faces a different challenge. When Trump signed the executive order for the refugee and immigration ban, metro Detroit, home to the largest concentration of&#160;Arab Americans, felt its effects immediately.</p>
<p>More: <a href="" type="internal">Ongoing coverage of Trump’s executive order</a></p>
<p>Flores remembers being in shock when he heard the news: “The first thing I thought was, what are we going to do? We are so unprepared. It’s such short notice.”</p>
<p>Nonetheless, <a href="" type="internal">communities came together</a>. Organizers of the Women’s March got permits to hold a rally at Detroit Metro Airport, then word of the demonstration filtered down to organizers and their networks.</p>
<p>“I felt energized,” says Flores. “Everyone came together so quickly. The community, the country came together —&#160;I felt a lot of hope.”</p>
<p>The ban and the day-to-day changes created by legal decisions on the executive orders created an unlikely esprit de corps among Detroit activists. Together they organize, share the latest information and use each others’ language skills to translate flyers into Spanish or Arabic.</p>
<p>“We have not had a very good history at collaborating with different communities in the past,” says Flores, who himself was brought to the US without proper documentation when he was 9. He’s 28&#160;now. “After Trump got elected, there is now a sense that an attack on one community is an attack on all of our communities.”</p>
<p>One of Flores’ fellow organizers is Fatou Seydi Sarr, founder of the African Bureau for Immigration and Social Affairs. Theirs is a unique alliance of Mexican and Senegalese immigrants, two communities that don’t often mix. Language, cultural barriers, religion and racism keep these populations apart. But strange times call for unlikely partnerships, especially if they are all working toward the same agenda.</p>
<p>Sarr is a leader of Detroit’s West African community, and as an activist she faces her own unique set of challenges. Her community has been on the fringe of social justice organizing for years.</p>
<p>“It’s hard to get African immigrants from Guinea, Senegal and Mali out to protest against the Muslim ban,” she says. “West Africans don’t organize and protest because they feel they will get arrested. It’s a risk for them. They know they will be a target because the over-criminalization of black American men impacts African immigrants.”</p>
<p>Also: <a href="" type="internal">Black and Muslim, some African immigrants feel the brunt of Trump’s immigration plans</a></p>
<p>Sarr says she often feels exhausted by the demands of organizing. West African immigrants in Detroit commonly communicate through texts and phone calls, and some speak only French. The silver lining, she says, is using the wide opposition to the ban to reach leaders she had not connected with before.</p>
<p>“I was able to have African leaders from the Kenyan community show up at Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan’s meeting addressing the ban,” says Sarr. “And with the support of Adonis Flores, we secured a Know Your Rights event with the president of the Guinea Association.”</p>
<p>Sarr immigrated to the US because she was studying in Paris when she met a tourist from Detroit. They fell in love, got married and moved to the motor city. She is fairly new to being an activist; she first joined the struggles of black Americans after Trayvon Martin was murdered in 2012. “I was out on the streets when Trayvon and Mike Brown and Ranisha McBride was shot,” says Sarr, who was 35 years old at the time.</p>
<p>Detroit has experienced extreme crises in the last decade. The appointment of an emergency manager, mass water shutoffs, environmental injustice and and an abysmal public school system have forced people to take to the streets&#160;— with little&#160;support from white people in the protests.</p>
<p>But Trump’s presidency has been a call to action for people who had not previously been politically active. Millions across the country have taken to the streets before and after Trump’s inauguration. Sarr says she’s seen a change particularly in how white people in Detroit are taking on the causes that have long been important to her. “I am not mad at them,” she says, “but I do recognize their privilege. The ban is now making people look at the system differently now that their their way of life is being attacked.”</p>
<p>Longtime organizer Asha Muhamed Noor works across town from where Sarr lives. Her office is in Dearborn, just outside Detroit. The neighborhood is dotted with multiple restaurants, bakeries and a mosque in this mostly Yemen community.</p>
<p />
<p>Asha Noor, second from the right, protested at Detroit Metro Airport on January 29, 2016. “We still have to address the daily issues of police brutality, mass incarceration and surveillance on blacks and Muslims,” she says.“We still have to address those issues, and fight the ban.”</p>
<p>Courtesy of Asha Noor</p>
<p>Unlike Flores and Sarr, Noor has been organizing since she was 16. She’s now 26.</p>
<p>“I started working around issues with Somali youth. Somalis have been targeted for a long time. I used to organize protests at the State Department,” Noor says of the years she lived in Washington, DC. “My family was at a protest weekly. They marched for Palestinian rights, against the bombing of Somalia, for DACA or immigration. We are very politically active and engaged.”</p>
<p>Noor says everyone [in Dearborn] knew someone who was being affected by the ban. “We started work in rapid response. Many of us didn’t sleep for the first 73 hours.”</p>
<p>Now that the ban has been temporarily halted by federal courts, Noor has a moment to breathe.</p>
<p>What surprises Noor most is not that Trump signed the executive order, but how fast he did it. “I thought, ’How could this happen so soon?’” says Noor. “He didn't wait a week before he started targeting oppressed communities. That move gave me insight into what the next four years would like be for my people.”</p>
<p>“We still have to address the daily issues of police brutality, mass incarceration and surveillance on blacks and Muslims,” she says.“We still have to address those issues, and fight the ban.”</p>
<p>Now activists like Flores, Sarr and Noor are busy preparing for future executive orders that will be signed, and four years of a Trump presidency. Last week, the Department of Homeland Security conducted raids across the US and <a href="http://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/2/14/14596640/immigration-ice-raids" type="external">arrested more than 680 people</a>. While the actions were similar to deportations that occurred early in President Barack Obama’s administration, Trump’s tougher stance and a lack of information fueled fears amongst immigrants.</p>
<p>Activists and advocates are in the thick of trying to understand the new rules while fighting battles that have been brewing for decades. And one month into the Trump administration, they’ve found resolve.</p>
<p>“My shock is over,” says Noor. “We are bracing ourselves for what’s next.”</p>
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organizing work weak detroit activists overdrive says adonis flores even shower mailbox almost full soon wake phone starts ringing members community feel afraid lots questions executive orders hes mexican immigrantturnedactivist started working support dream act protect undocumented people brought us children later deferred action childhood arrivals program daca 2010 latest task organize opposition president donald trumps executive orders give broad power border patrol immigration customs enforcement agents indefinite suspension syrian refugees admission us 90day entry ban travelers seven predominantly muslim countries160 trump administration considering rewriting courts suspended implementation busy mornings flores runs planning meetings staff michigan united immigrant advocacy organization works office frenzy activity minute walks door phones ring nonstop droves people come asking help loved ones stranded countries get referrals reliable attorneys help volunteers constantly walk flores sits conference calls throughout day runs meetings across town says crazy time i160have train volunteers call people attend information sessions respond barrage media calls return emails says160flores 160 detroit long history activism brothers victor roy walter reuther organized around harsh working conditions auto industry reuthers championed industrial democracy created uaw labor union 1935 later union leaders joined forces martin luther king jr fought civil rights african americans recently monica lewis patrick claire mcclinton debra taylor nayyirah shariffs organizing unrelenting pursuit justice let world know water crises detroit flint detroit faces different challenge trump signed executive order refugee immigration ban metro detroit home largest concentration of160arab americans felt effects immediately ongoing coverage trumps executive order flores remembers shock heard news first thing thought going unprepared short notice nonetheless communities came together organizers womens march got permits hold rally detroit metro airport word demonstration filtered organizers networks felt energized says flores everyone came together quickly community country came together 160i felt lot hope ban daytoday changes created legal decisions executive orders created unlikely esprit de corps among detroit activists together organize share latest information use others language skills translate flyers spanish arabic good history collaborating different communities past says flores brought us without proper documentation 9 hes 28160now trump got elected sense attack one community attack communities one flores fellow organizers fatou seydi sarr founder african bureau immigration social affairs unique alliance mexican senegalese immigrants two communities dont often mix language cultural barriers religion racism keep populations apart strange times call unlikely partnerships especially working toward agenda sarr leader detroits west african community activist faces unique set challenges community fringe social justice organizing years hard get african immigrants guinea senegal mali protest muslim ban says west africans dont organize protest feel get arrested risk know target overcriminalization black american men impacts african immigrants also black muslim african immigrants feel brunt trumps immigration plans sarr says often feels exhausted demands organizing west african immigrants detroit commonly communicate texts phone calls speak french silver lining says using wide opposition ban reach leaders connected able african leaders kenyan community show detroit mayor mike duggans meeting addressing ban says sarr support adonis flores secured know rights event president guinea association sarr immigrated us studying paris met tourist detroit fell love got married moved motor city fairly new activist first joined struggles black americans trayvon martin murdered 2012 streets trayvon mike brown ranisha mcbride shot says sarr 35 years old time detroit experienced extreme crises last decade appointment emergency manager mass water shutoffs environmental injustice abysmal public school system forced people take streets160 little160support white people protests trumps presidency call action people previously politically active millions across country taken streets trumps inauguration sarr says shes seen change particularly white people detroit taking causes long important mad says recognize privilege ban making people look system differently way life attacked longtime organizer asha muhamed noor works across town sarr lives office dearborn outside detroit neighborhood dotted multiple restaurants bakeries mosque mostly yemen community asha noor second right protested detroit metro airport january 29 2016 still address daily issues police brutality mass incarceration surveillance blacks muslims sayswe still address issues fight ban courtesy asha noor unlike flores sarr noor organizing since 16 shes 26 started working around issues somali youth somalis targeted long time used organize protests state department noor says years lived washington dc family protest weekly marched palestinian rights bombing somalia daca immigration politically active engaged noor says everyone dearborn knew someone affected ban started work rapid response many us didnt sleep first 73 hours ban temporarily halted federal courts noor moment breathe surprises noor trump signed executive order fast thought could happen soon says noor didnt wait week started targeting oppressed communities move gave insight next four years would like people still address daily issues police brutality mass incarceration surveillance blacks muslims sayswe still address issues fight ban activists like flores sarr noor busy preparing future executive orders signed four years trump presidency last week department homeland security conducted raids across us arrested 680 people actions similar deportations occurred early president barack obamas administration trumps tougher stance lack information fueled fears amongst immigrants activists advocates thick trying understand new rules fighting battles brewing decades one month trump administration theyve found resolve shock says noor bracing whats next
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<p>Sunday night several hundred people gathered in my city to pray. We went to our prayer vigil place — the steps of the governmental plaza in Greensboro, N.C., where we’d gathered before. Some of the candles still held the wax drippings from the last time we prayed as a city.</p>
<p>My children are new to the concept of prayer vigils and still relatively insulated from the violence and horror that can prompt them. When they asked where I was going on Sunday night, I told them as generally as I could that something had happened that had hurt a lot of people — something so serious that our city was praying. After I left, my wife tells me my 3-year-old daughter’s questions persisted as she wondered why and how a city would pray. “Are they praying in all the cities?” she asked.</p>
<p>All the communities, congregations, public figures, pastors, civic and faith leaders seem to be praying. Since Sunday’s vigil, several more services have been scheduled in my city alone. We’ve heard calls to prayer from our religious and denominational leaders. Politicians have urged the same. “This is a time for prayer,” Florida Governor Rick Scott said, as he declined to speak to any of the converging political and legislative dimensions of the massacre. Such calls for prayer amidst such seeming incapacity for change are so familiar that they have prompted another contemporary reflex — the call not to pray. That is, the understandable counterpoint and frustration that prayers alone have not saved us.</p>
<p>Still we pray, even as people of tested faith. The question is not whether we will pray, but it might be how.</p>
<p>Most of the prayers I’ve offered and heard these days have taken up the language of lament and grief over the terrible loss of life, the violent end of joy and music, and the compromise of safety and sanctuary for LGBTQ persons. Lament has for generations been a powerful form of prayer as people of faith acknowledge that something has happened that seems beyond the resources of God’s people. If we don’t have the words ourselves, we can reach to the stores of lament in our sacred texts. “Lord, have mercy!” we can cry with Bartimeus in the Gospel of Luke, trying to believe that transformation is yet possible. “How long, O Lord?” we can ask with the Psalmist, in weariness over violence. But if our cries and questions stop there, we might find ourselves amidst the ash and sackcloth leaving it all up to God as though we have no resources at all.</p>
<p>Sometimes prayers of lament lead us to petition for others, asking for God to help them since we don’t know what to do. In the tradition of the Psalms, such prayers can even lead to a curse toward enemies. Once we can identify the evil, we can pray it away from us or keep it at a distance. The obsession to know “5 things about the shooter” might have ties to such a prayer. With every refresh of the web browser, I can tell you more about the searing, otherworldly evil of his motives and five more reasons he’s not like me.</p>
<p>But if I only ask “How long, O Lord?” I will never ask “How long, O People?” or “How long, O Church?”</p>
<p>If I only pray to God on behalf of those vulnerable and wounded, I might stall in the paralysis of not knowing what to do.</p>
<p>If I only look at the latest photos of the shooter — or at the people that I’ve decided are like him — then I don’t have to look at myself.</p>
<p>Prayer doesn’t stop there. Old Testament scholar Michael Coogan has pointed out that one standard model of prayer in the Psalms begins with lament, moving to petition, then a curse towards those opposed to the goodness of God’s people, but then the prayer moves to either an expression of innocence or a confession of the lack thereof.</p>
<p>If you’re innocent, then the prayer is nearly over. But for me this is also a time for prayers of confession. I confess that growing up near Orlando, I’ve learned in recent days that some of my high school friends who are gay knew Pulse over the years as a place of sanctuary where they could be freely themselves in ways they could not in the familiar spaces of our hometown. As I think of how relationships with them helped inform my own convictions about God’s welcome and affirmation of all people, I also confess all the times in those years and all the years since that I’ve failed to be an ally as boldly as I meant to be, whether for fear, misunderstanding, misplaced loyalty, or my own shortcoming. I confess, too, that I am still part of a wider Church universal that has not been as open as the God to whom we direct our prayers. And within that Christian tradition, I am committed to a denomination — the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship — that speaks of diversity and love, while maintaining a hiring policy that makes such proclamations — from any of us — seem disingenuous. In other words, I confess that I am part of what turns clubs into sanctuaries and bars into “queer church,” because our sanctuaries and structures and houses of worship have not been safe in and of themselves.</p>
<p>Lord, hear my prayer. But before I say “Amen,” I recall that Michael Coogan points out that in the psalmist’s formulaic prayer, lament, petition, cursing and confession give way to a closing vow — moving past self-gratification and purification into commitment to the boldness and love of the one to whom we pray.</p>
<p>It is a time for prayer, but what kind of prayer will we pray? In prayer, we are refusing to accept things the way they are. We summon God, believing that without God nothing will happen. But so often our prayers betray the belief that without us, everything will still happen. These are the prayers that frustrate a hurting world and end up crossed out in hashtags and in so many people’s minds.</p>
<p>But what if the people clothed in sackcloth come out of the ash and candlewax of our lament and helplessness, or away from the bitterness of our cursing and othering, and into renewed self-awareness and prayerful action in the name of justice and righteousness alongside the most vulnerable and wounded? Well, those prayers might yet save us. In Orlando. In Greensboro. In all the cities.</p>
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sunday night several hundred people gathered city pray went prayer vigil place steps governmental plaza greensboro nc wed gathered candles still held wax drippings last time prayed city children new concept prayer vigils still relatively insulated violence horror prompt asked going sunday night told generally could something happened hurt lot people something serious city praying left wife tells 3yearold daughters questions persisted wondered city would pray praying cities asked communities congregations public figures pastors civic faith leaders seem praying since sundays vigil several services scheduled city alone weve heard calls prayer religious denominational leaders politicians urged time prayer florida governor rick scott said declined speak converging political legislative dimensions massacre calls prayer amidst seeming incapacity change familiar prompted another contemporary reflex call pray understandable counterpoint frustration prayers alone saved us still pray even people tested faith question whether pray might prayers ive offered heard days taken language lament grief terrible loss life violent end joy music compromise safety sanctuary lgbtq persons lament generations powerful form prayer people faith acknowledge something happened seems beyond resources gods people dont words reach stores lament sacred texts lord mercy cry bartimeus gospel luke trying believe transformation yet possible long lord ask psalmist weariness violence cries questions stop might find amidst ash sackcloth leaving god though resources sometimes prayers lament lead us petition others asking god help since dont know tradition psalms prayers even lead curse toward enemies identify evil pray away us keep distance obsession know 5 things shooter might ties prayer every refresh web browser tell searing otherworldly evil motives five reasons hes like ask long lord never ask long people long church pray god behalf vulnerable wounded might stall paralysis knowing look latest photos shooter people ive decided like dont look prayer doesnt stop old testament scholar michael coogan pointed one standard model prayer psalms begins lament moving petition curse towards opposed goodness gods people prayer moves either expression innocence confession lack thereof youre innocent prayer nearly also time prayers confession confess growing near orlando ive learned recent days high school friends gay knew pulse years place sanctuary could freely ways could familiar spaces hometown think relationships helped inform convictions gods welcome affirmation people also confess times years years since ive failed ally boldly meant whether fear misunderstanding misplaced loyalty shortcoming confess still part wider church universal open god direct prayers within christian tradition committed denomination cooperative baptist fellowship speaks diversity love maintaining hiring policy makes proclamations us seem disingenuous words confess part turns clubs sanctuaries bars queer church sanctuaries structures houses worship safe lord hear prayer say amen recall michael coogan points psalmists formulaic prayer lament petition cursing confession give way closing vow moving past selfgratification purification commitment boldness love one pray time prayer kind prayer pray prayer refusing accept things way summon god believing without god nothing happen often prayers betray belief without us everything still happen prayers frustrate hurting world end crossed hashtags many peoples minds people clothed sackcloth come ash candlewax lament helplessness away bitterness cursing othering renewed selfawareness prayerful action name justice righteousness alongside vulnerable wounded well prayers might yet save us orlando greensboro cities
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<p><a href="" type="internal" />November and December proved interesting times for teachers and their unions as the calendar marched toward 2014. While some unions are protecting teachers accused of abusing children, other teacher groups voted to decertify their union.</p>
<p>In the first major development, the <a href="http://laschoolreport.com/teachers-union-holding-vigils-for-260-housed-members/" type="external">Los Angeles School Report</a>, an online reform news site, highlighted the <a href="http://www.aft.org/newspubs/news/2013/110813action.cfm" type="external">National Day of Action</a> sponsored by the teachers unions. On that day, the&#160; <a href="http://www.aft.org/newspubs/news/2013/110813action.cfm" type="external">American Federation of Teachers</a>&#160;nationally emphasized “The Principles that Unite Us.” The AFT’s California affiliate is the California Federation of Teachers, the state’s second largest teachers union.</p>
<p>The “Principles that Unite Us” took a controversial tactic in California, as CFT unions showed their solidarity with teachers accused of abuse against children. The affiliated United Teachers Los Angeles <a href="http://www.utla.net/housedteacherrally" type="external">&#160;website promoting the events</a>&#160;said the vigils were part of a”protest for justice” for the teachers.</p>
<p>But there was no teacher vigil for justice for the kids allegedly abused by those teachers.</p>
<p>“Currently, 260 such teachers are caught in so-called ‘teacher jails,’ the consequence of what UTLA President Warren Fletcher describes as a ‘broken’ teacher dismissal process,” reported the <a href="http://laschoolreport.com/teachers-union-holding-vigils-for-260-housed-members/" type="external">Los Angeles School Report</a>. “He blames Superintendent John Deasy,” the head of the Los Angeles Unified School District.</p>
<p>“In recent years, since Deasy became superintendent, we have lots of people who just languish for weeks and months without any idea of what they’re accused of,” Fletcher told LA School Report. “It’s kafka-esque, it really is.”</p>
<p>‘Rubber rooms’</p>
<p>“Jailed” teachers don’t really go to jail; they are paid their regular salaries to sit in school district holding facilities during school hours, and go home at the end of the day. The “teacher jails” also are called “ <a href="http://www.laweekly.com/2012-12-06/news/rubber-room-lausd-teacher-confessions-denials/" type="external">rubber rooms.</a>”</p>
<p><a href="http://laschoolreport.com/teachers-union-holding-vigils-for-260-housed-members/" type="external">LA School report</a>&#160;explained the process:</p>
<p>“Fletcher said he was hopeful a board resolution passed in April would address concerns that teachers are held in limbo for too long without adequate information on allegations against them.&#160;Sponsored by Tamar Galatzan, Monica Garcia, and Bennett Kayser, the resolution sought to require the district to notify teachers of the reason for their reassignment unless otherwise directed by law enforcement. It also resolved to create a separate team of professionally trained investigators to look into issues of misconduct.</p>
<p>“’Our goal is to get in front of the employees the nature of the accusations as soon as we’re able to do that, but typically that’s not going to be the moment they’re housed,’ LA Unified General Counsel David Holmquist&#160;said in an interview with LA School Report. ‘We house employees so that we can conduct an investigation, and to ensure student safety, and to the extent that teachers’ rights would conflict with student safety, we’re always going to side with the students.’</p>
<p>“Holmquist said law enforcement agencies typically advise district officials not to say anything about a case until the investigation is completed. Timetables are uncertain, he added, because investigators sometimes discover more victims. ‘We share Mr. Fletcher’s goal of having expedited investigations, but when you have, as of today, 260 housed employees, it takes a while to do thorough investigations,’ Holmquist said.</p>
<p>“Holmquist calls speculation by Fletcher that the district disproportionally targets older teachers closer to retirement ‘absolutely false.’ Fletcher said the union can only corroborate the claims anecdotally because the district withholds demographic information. As a result, the union has filed an unfair labor practice charge against the district to get the information.</p>
<p>“’The District will not give us data about who’s located where, and it makes it very difficult for UTLA to represent its members,’ Fletcher said. ‘UTLA needs to be a part of this process. We can’t even tell who comes and who goes.'”</p>
<p>In the second major development, three different teachers groups voted on whether to continue to be represented by the California Teachers Association, or be represented by an independent association. They overwhelmingly voted for independence and ousted the CTA, the state’s largest teachers union.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" /></p>
<p>Teachers from Corning Union High School District, Millville Elementary School District and Springville Union Elementary School District signed petitions to decertify the CTA as the union representing them. They opted for independent associations and will retain a labor law firm to provide any necessary legal services.</p>
<p>“For those of us that supported this change, it came down to saving a substantial amount of money in dues, securing a higher level of service for our members, and regaining control of our Association and our agenda,” said Lance Alldrin, president of the newly created Corning Independent Teachers Association (and former President of the Corning Teachers Association, the CTA affiliate at Corning Union HSD), the&#160; <a href="http://www.corning-observer.com/articles/teachers-15056-association-union.html" type="external">Corning Observer&#160;</a>reported.</p>
<p>California teachers pay $1,000 or more in union dues under the CTA model. Independent teachers associations have complete autonomy on setting dues, but the typical savings is at least $500 per year for each teacher.</p>
<p>“Teachers have been essentially stuck in a monopoly arrangement with CTA charging extremely high dues and providing a level of service that many teachers feel is not a good value,” said Raphael Ruano, an attorney who helped the teachers during the decertification process. Ruano&#160; <a href="http://www.corning-observer.com/articles/teachers-15056-association-union.html" type="external">said</a>&#160;law firms can provide teachers tailored representation that “allows each association to focus their energy and resources on the issues that matter most to them.”</p>
<p>Even more interesting, Ruano said he expects more decertification petitions in 2014.</p>
| false | 3 |
november december proved interesting times teachers unions calendar marched toward 2014 unions protecting teachers accused abusing children teacher groups voted decertify union first major development los angeles school report online reform news site highlighted national day action sponsored teachers unions day the160 american federation teachers160nationally emphasized principles unite us afts california affiliate california federation teachers states second largest teachers union principles unite us took controversial tactic california cft unions showed solidarity teachers accused abuse children affiliated united teachers los angeles 160website promoting events160said vigils part aprotest justice teachers teacher vigil justice kids allegedly abused teachers currently 260 teachers caught socalled teacher jails consequence utla president warren fletcher describes broken teacher dismissal process reported los angeles school report blames superintendent john deasy head los angeles unified school district recent years since deasy became superintendent lots people languish weeks months without idea theyre accused fletcher told la school report kafkaesque really rubber rooms jailed teachers dont really go jail paid regular salaries sit school district holding facilities school hours go home end day teacher jails also called rubber rooms la school report160explained process fletcher said hopeful board resolution passed april would address concerns teachers held limbo long without adequate information allegations them160sponsored tamar galatzan monica garcia bennett kayser resolution sought require district notify teachers reason reassignment unless otherwise directed law enforcement also resolved create separate team professionally trained investigators look issues misconduct goal get front employees nature accusations soon able typically thats going moment theyre housed la unified general counsel david holmquist160said interview la school report house employees conduct investigation ensure student safety extent teachers rights would conflict student safety always going side students holmquist said law enforcement agencies typically advise district officials say anything case investigation completed timetables uncertain added investigators sometimes discover victims share mr fletchers goal expedited investigations today 260 housed employees takes thorough investigations holmquist said holmquist calls speculation fletcher district disproportionally targets older teachers closer retirement absolutely false fletcher said union corroborate claims anecdotally district withholds demographic information result union filed unfair labor practice charge district get information district give us data whos located makes difficult utla represent members fletcher said utla needs part process cant even tell comes goes second major development three different teachers groups voted whether continue represented california teachers association represented independent association overwhelmingly voted independence ousted cta states largest teachers union teachers corning union high school district millville elementary school district springville union elementary school district signed petitions decertify cta union representing opted independent associations retain labor law firm provide necessary legal services us supported change came saving substantial amount money dues securing higher level service members regaining control association agenda said lance alldrin president newly created corning independent teachers association former president corning teachers association cta affiliate corning union hsd the160 corning observer160reported california teachers pay 1000 union dues cta model independent teachers associations complete autonomy setting dues typical savings least 500 per year teacher teachers essentially stuck monopoly arrangement cta charging extremely high dues providing level service many teachers feel good value said raphael ruano attorney helped teachers decertification process ruano160 said160law firms provide teachers tailored representation allows association focus energy resources issues matter even interesting ruano said expects decertification petitions 2014
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<p>GENEVA — In April 2006, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) faced a crisis. Funding pledged by international donors was so low that the organization no longer had enough cash to pay salaries.</p>
<p>The High Commissioner, Antonio Guterres, took action: he hired new management with the goal of putting the organization back in the spotlight and making it relevant. One of Guterres’ candidates was Nicholas van Praag, who had been a senior spokesman at the World Bank, and had also spent six years at UNHCR during its heyday in the early 1980s. Van Praag remembers Guterres telling him that he did not want him to steer the ship. He wanted it rebuilt.</p>
<p>Like countless managers before him, Van Praag soon learned that change is easier to talk about at the U.N. than to actually put into practice. By the end of January, he had thrown in the towel and resigned in order to return to the World Bank.</p>
<p>In a <a href="http://www.unhcr.org/research/RESEARCH/428db1d62.pdf" type="external">landmark study of the UNHCR’s organizational culture</a> released shortly after Guterres became High Commissioner in 2005, an external consultant, Barbara Wigley, notes that the UNHCR has two basic objectives: the protection of refugees, and the protection of its own existence. It follows that as money becomes tighter and staffers face uncertainty about their own future; the instinct for self-preservation becomes more intense.</p>
<p>Instituting change at the UNHCR is further complicated by the fact that a former High Commissioner, Sadako Ogata, converted the organization’s fixed-term contracts to permanent ones, in effect providing staff with lifetime tenure. As a result, it is nearly impossible to get rid of unproductive staffers or to introduce change. Today, about 100 staffers are classified as SIBAS (staff in between assignments). A significant number of others are on permanent sick leave. The cost to UNHCR of this staff is about $30 million a year, or 60 percent of the funding that the organization gets from private sector donors.</p>
<p>Although the UNHCR was awarded two Nobel Prizes for Peace over a 40-year span of protecting refugees, it faces a world today that is dramatically different from its conception in 1950. With globalization and the fall of the Berlin Wall, refugees today tend to be confused with economic migrants. The organization’s work is a much harder sell than during the 1956 Hungarian uprising or the flight of the Vietnamese boat people.</p>
<p>As van Praag saw it when he took on the job, UNHCR needed a radically different communications approach. With refugees no longer in the spotlight, more was needed than a passive response to questions by the occasional news reporter. The organization needed to actively reconnect the public to refugees as people. That meant telling an intensely personal story of the individuals displaced by civil wars and natural disasters. Even more important, with NGOs and other humanitarian organizations competing for attention in a crowded market, UNHCR had to do more than promote refugees; it had to demonstrate why it was still needed as an organization.</p>
<p>The new approach meant shaking up the communications group and getting them to see a completely new set of objectives. “[Van Praag] was politically incorrect as hell,” said Claudia Gonzales, who is still part of the team, “but he was also a visionary.”</p>
<p>One of van Praag’s first acts was to call in an outside communications consultant, Media Tenor, to analyze the organization’s communications effectiveness. “They were not focusing on the media that set the agenda at a world level,” said Media Tenor’s CEO Roland Schatz. In fact, Schatz concludes, “there was no structure or strategic plan for communications at all.”</p>
<p>Next, under pressure to reallocate $500,000 in his budget, van Praag shut down the UNHCR’s refugee magazine, a glossy quarterly published in six languages, which cost the organization $500,000 to $1 million a year, depending on whether you counted staff salaries and distribution costs. Van Praag, who had helped launch the magazine in the early 1980s argued that the Internet was a cheaper, more effective way to get the message out and that in any case, it was unlikely that anyone still read the magazine. The outgoing editor fought a rear guard action for several months and then left.</p>
<p>Creating a strategic plan proved to be the least of van Praag’s concerns, however. He had failed to take into account his staff’s reaction to being told that their performance over the previous several years had been largely useless.</p>
<p>In her study, Barbara Wigley, who based her research on interviews with UNHCR staffers at all levels, notes that power in the organization often operates behind the scenes through personal networks. Even more important, credibility is frequently based on the amount of time an individual has spent in the organization without necessarily taking into account whether the individual has been effective. Wigley also points out that there is an underlying assumption that fairness, meaning equal treatment, trumps everything else.</p>
<p>Applying the “credibility through longevity” principle meant that it didn’t really matter whether staffers were actually accomplishing anything. The mere fact that they had held on to the job for a number of years was enough to establish their credibility over that of any newcomer. Since much of the staff had managed to survive doing the same thing, they saw no reason to change.</p>
<p>Ultimately, the resistance to change won out. The communications staff is back to reading press releases to a gaggle of bored journalists at the weekly briefing. But the staff’s victory is likely to be a pyrrhic one. The organization still has to deal with an external world in which its own survival depends on adapting to change.</p>
<p>“When I think of Darfur, I don’t think of UNHCR,” a British academic was quoted as saying in a study of UNHCR’s image with key stakeholders. The study, which has not been released publicly, found that many stakeholders are not very clear about what UNHCR actually does. Indeed, when the UNHCR’s John Solecki was released in Pakistan this month two months after he was kidnapped, there was practically no mention in the media that Solecki had actually been working for the UNHCR.</p>
<p>When he offered his resignation, van Praag, who said he still holds Guterres in high regard and credits him for trying to institute reform, explained diplomatically that he thought he had accomplished as much as he could within the system. Privately he compared the experience to doing yoga in a straight jacket.</p>
<p>When I asked UNHCR’s spokesman Ron Redmond for the organization’s take on the affair, he responded that UNHCR does not talk about that kind of thing. He then added that he plans to retire shortly. This story is based on numerous interviews with both officials inside the U.N. and outside consultants.</p>
<p>“You can’t come into an intergovernmental bureaucracy without strong support and expect to make radical changes,” Wigley said. She acknowledged that the UNHCR has serious problems, but expressed strong admiration for what it has accomplished. “It holds and attracts an incredible number of brilliant and dedicated people,” she said.</p>
<p>Media Tenor’s Roland Schatz was more pessimistic about UNHCR’s message: “They were beginning to make real progress last year,“ he said in a telephone interview as he was boarding a plane in Istanbul, “but they are not continuing. They are falling back, and it is not helping their fundraising or the public to understand what UNHCR is really about.”</p>
<p>In a farewell statement, Guterres publicly congratulated van Praag for his “significant contribution to UNHCR's efforts to raise support for refugees through innovative approaches to communications and fund raising that will leave an enduring legacy.” In fact, during van Praag’s brief tenure, the UNHCR had substantially improved its funding and its public image, but he had also encountered a series of management hurdles facing anyone determined to carry out U.N. reform.</p>
<p>Editor's note:&#160;This story was updated to correct the spelling of High Commissioner Antonio Guterres's name.</p>
<p>More GlobalPost dispatches on refugees:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/africa/090327/somali-refugees-path-hardship" type="external">Somali refugees path of hardship</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/canada/090331/the-tamil-tigers-toronto" type="external">The Tamil Tigers of Toronto</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/israel-and-the-palestinian-territories/090122/dreams-return-buried-gaza-rubble" type="external">Dreams of return buried in Gaza rubble&#160;</a> &#160;</p>
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geneva april 2006 united nations high commissioner refugees unhcr faced crisis funding pledged international donors low organization longer enough cash pay salaries high commissioner antonio guterres took action hired new management goal putting organization back spotlight making relevant one guterres candidates nicholas van praag senior spokesman world bank also spent six years unhcr heyday early 1980s van praag remembers guterres telling want steer ship wanted rebuilt like countless managers van praag soon learned change easier talk un actually put practice end january thrown towel resigned order return world bank landmark study unhcrs organizational culture released shortly guterres became high commissioner 2005 external consultant barbara wigley notes unhcr two basic objectives protection refugees protection existence follows money becomes tighter staffers face uncertainty future instinct selfpreservation becomes intense instituting change unhcr complicated fact former high commissioner sadako ogata converted organizations fixedterm contracts permanent ones effect providing staff lifetime tenure result nearly impossible get rid unproductive staffers introduce change today 100 staffers classified sibas staff assignments significant number others permanent sick leave cost unhcr staff 30 million year 60 percent funding organization gets private sector donors although unhcr awarded two nobel prizes peace 40year span protecting refugees faces world today dramatically different conception 1950 globalization fall berlin wall refugees today tend confused economic migrants organizations work much harder sell 1956 hungarian uprising flight vietnamese boat people van praag saw took job unhcr needed radically different communications approach refugees longer spotlight needed passive response questions occasional news reporter organization needed actively reconnect public refugees people meant telling intensely personal story individuals displaced civil wars natural disasters even important ngos humanitarian organizations competing attention crowded market unhcr promote refugees demonstrate still needed organization new approach meant shaking communications group getting see completely new set objectives van praag politically incorrect hell said claudia gonzales still part team also visionary one van praags first acts call outside communications consultant media tenor analyze organizations communications effectiveness focusing media set agenda world level said media tenors ceo roland schatz fact schatz concludes structure strategic plan communications next pressure reallocate 500000 budget van praag shut unhcrs refugee magazine glossy quarterly published six languages cost organization 500000 1 million year depending whether counted staff salaries distribution costs van praag helped launch magazine early 1980s argued internet cheaper effective way get message case unlikely anyone still read magazine outgoing editor fought rear guard action several months left creating strategic plan proved least van praags concerns however failed take account staffs reaction told performance previous several years largely useless study barbara wigley based research interviews unhcr staffers levels notes power organization often operates behind scenes personal networks even important credibility frequently based amount time individual spent organization without necessarily taking account whether individual effective wigley also points underlying assumption fairness meaning equal treatment trumps everything else applying credibility longevity principle meant didnt really matter whether staffers actually accomplishing anything mere fact held job number years enough establish credibility newcomer since much staff managed survive thing saw reason change ultimately resistance change communications staff back reading press releases gaggle bored journalists weekly briefing staffs victory likely pyrrhic one organization still deal external world survival depends adapting change think darfur dont think unhcr british academic quoted saying study unhcrs image key stakeholders study released publicly found many stakeholders clear unhcr actually indeed unhcrs john solecki released pakistan month two months kidnapped practically mention media solecki actually working unhcr offered resignation van praag said still holds guterres high regard credits trying institute reform explained diplomatically thought accomplished much could within system privately compared experience yoga straight jacket asked unhcrs spokesman ron redmond organizations take affair responded unhcr talk kind thing added plans retire shortly story based numerous interviews officials inside un outside consultants cant come intergovernmental bureaucracy without strong support expect make radical changes wigley said acknowledged unhcr serious problems expressed strong admiration accomplished holds attracts incredible number brilliant dedicated people said media tenors roland schatz pessimistic unhcrs message beginning make real progress last year said telephone interview boarding plane istanbul continuing falling back helping fundraising public understand unhcr really farewell statement guterres publicly congratulated van praag significant contribution unhcrs efforts raise support refugees innovative approaches communications fund raising leave enduring legacy fact van praags brief tenure unhcr substantially improved funding public image also encountered series management hurdles facing anyone determined carry un reform editors note160this story updated correct spelling high commissioner antonio guterress name globalpost dispatches refugees somali refugees path hardship tamil tigers toronto dreams return buried gaza rubble160 160
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<p>Donald Trump refused to condemn the KKK. (Washington Blade file photo by Lee Whitman)</p>
<p>LGBT rights groups were among those on Monday criticizing Donald Trump for his controversial refusal to disavow an endorsement from former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke.</p>
<p>Rea Carey, executive director of the National LGBTQ Task Force, said Trump’s refusal to condemn the KKK “reveals everything about how far he will go to cause pain.”</p>
<p>“At a time when our country is faced with an epidemic of violence that targets young black men and women, including transgender women of color, we need all the presidential candidates to support policing and criminal justice reform and to take more action to end racism and racial injustice in our nation,” Carey said. “Mr. Trump’s words have real life consequences that go well beyond the podium. His racism, bigotry, xenophobia and hate language continues to fuel violence against marginalized communities and people of color all across the nation.”</p>
<p>Sharon Lettman-Hicks, CEO of the National Black Justice Coalition, said Trump’s refusal to condemn the KKK was representative of each of the Republican candidates running for president, calling them “sad and disheartening.”</p>
<p>“The conduct of their candidates, including — but not limited to — Donald Trump, beg the question: Where is our country headed?” Lettman-Hicks said. “The latest shenanigans of being ignorant of the KKK is laughable. However, it is no worse than all the bigotry, phobias, disrespect and downright shameful behavior we have experienced for this entire election season. Even Rubio has decided to shift his behavior to the lowest common denominator. I wonder if he wakes up now and says this is what Jesus would do! Pitiful.”</p>
<p>Trump made the comments — the latest for him in a campaign characterized by attacks against marginalized groups — during an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union.”</p>
<p>When host Jake Tapper twice asked the candidate whether he’d disavow David Duke and support from white supremacists, Trump&#160;refused to answer, saying he’s heard nothing about Duke or the groups Tapper referenced.</p>
<p>“Well just so you understand, I don’t know anything about David Duke, OK?” Trump said. “I don’t know anything about what you’re even talking about with white supremacy or white supremacists. So, I don’t know. I don’t know, did he endorse me, or what’s going on? Because, you know, I know nothing about David Duke. I know nothing about white supremacists. And so you’re asking me a question that I’m supposed to be talking about people that I know nothing about.”</p>
<p />
<p>As consternation over Trump’s refusal to condemn Duke developed, Trump tweeted out his earlier disavowal of the endorsement on Friday during the news conference when New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie endorsed the candidate.</p>
<p>On Monday during an interview the NBC’s “Today,” Trump blamed a “lousy earpiece” for his refusal to condemn Duke, saying he couldn’t hear Tapper’s question. The candidate pointed out he disavowed Duke last week, but still won’t comment on other groups because he doesn’t know who they are.</p>
<p>The later comments weren’t enough for his detractors, including LGBT advocates who continued to criticize Trump for refusing to take up an opportunity to repudiate a self-avowed white supremacist.</p>
<p>JoDee Winterhof, the Human Rights Campaign’s vice president of policy and political affairs, said in the aftermath of Trump’s remarks supporters of equality should take heed of his success in the Republican primary.</p>
<p>“The fact that Donald Trump is on the cusp of becoming the Republican nominee should be a wake-up call to everyone who cares about equality,” Winterhof said. “Trump has relied on the most despicable kinds of tactics to fuel his campaign. He has proven that no matter what the issue, he will stoke ignorance and bigotry in order to advance his own campaign. We need a president who will fight for equality, fairness, and justice for all Americans — not someone who will literally say or do anything to win.”</p>
<p>Duke, who founded the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan in the 1970s, has become a central figure in the white supremacist movement. A former state lawmaker in Louisiana, Duke has been critical of America’s ties to Israel and decried what he called “Jewish supremacism.”</p>
<p>Although Duke, 65, has said during <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/08/26/david-duke-donald-trump-is-too-zionist-for-me.html" type="external">an interview with the The Daily Beast</a> he hasn’t formally endorsed Trump because he thinks the candidate is too friendly with Jewish people, the white supremacist leader has called the candidate “the best of the lot” and urged followers to listen to him.</p>
<p>Trump’s refusal to condemn Duke and the KKK has served as a unifying force within a highly contested Democratic primary. Democratic candidate Bernard Sanders on Sunday tweeted his condemnation of Trump for his comments, saying, “America’s first black president cannot and will not be succeeded by a hatemonger who refuses to condemn the KKK.” His rival, Hillary Clinton, took the unusual step of retweeting him.&#160;</p>
<p />
<p>White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said during his regular briefing on Monday Trump’s refusal to disavow Duke gives voters “all we need to know” about the candidate.</p>
<p>“I know Mr. Trump says there’s more he needs to learn about Mr. Duke before he can render an opinion, but I think we now know all we need to know about Mr. Trump to render our own personal opinion of his candidacy,” Earnest said.</p>
<p>U.S. Rep. Mike Honda (D-Calif.), chair of the congressional Transgender Equality Task Force, said he’s long been disturbed by the racist rhetoric coming from Trump’s campaign and the candidate’s refusal to denounce white supremacist groups demonstrates “he is openly welcoming their help.”</p>
<p>“Let us not mince words about how dangerous this has become,” Honda said. “The Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacist groups are responsible for the lynchings of thousands of our African-American brothers and sisters. They are anti-black, anti-immigrant, anti-Catholic, anti-Jewish, and fundamentally opposed to everything this country stands for. The KKK should be nothing more than a footnote in a dark chapter of American history, but here is the Republican frontrunner in the presidential primary accepting their support.”</p>
<p>On the Republican side, Trump’s comments have largely resulted in condemnation as well. Trump’s rivals for the GOP nomination, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Ohio Gov. John Kasich, said on Twitter his party cannot accept someone who refuses to condemn the KKK.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>Carson remained silent on his Twitter account about Trump in the aftermath of his remarks. The Washington Blade placed a call to&#160;the Carson campaign seeking comment.</p>
<p>Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who dropped out of the presidential race after the Iowa caucuses, said Monday on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” Duke and the KKK are “absolutely abominable,” but defended Trump and pointed to comments the candidate made disavowing the white supremacist.</p>
<p>“Does anybody think Donald Trump is a racist?” Huckabee said. “I don’t. I mean, I really don’t. I don’t know of anything in his life that indicates that this man has racist tendencies.” Another Republican who assailed&#160;Trump was 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, who echoed current Republican candidates in condemnation of the real estate magnate.</p>
<p />
<p>Gregory Angelo, president of Log Cabin Republicans, was succinct in his disapproval of Trump.</p>
<p>“No candidate should equivocate when it comes to denouncing organizations like that. Period,” Angelo said.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">David Duke</a> <a href="" type="internal">Donald Trump</a> <a href="" type="internal">election 2016</a> <a href="" type="internal">Gregory Angelo</a> <a href="" type="internal">Ku Klux Klan</a> <a href="" type="internal">Log Cabin Republicans</a> <a href="" type="internal">Mike Honda</a> <a href="" type="internal">National Black Justice Coalition</a> <a href="" type="internal">Sharon Lettman-Hicks</a></p>
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donald trump refused condemn kkk washington blade file photo lee whitman lgbt rights groups among monday criticizing donald trump controversial refusal disavow endorsement former ku klux klan leader david duke rea carey executive director national lgbtq task force said trumps refusal condemn kkk reveals everything far go cause pain time country faced epidemic violence targets young black men women including transgender women color need presidential candidates support policing criminal justice reform take action end racism racial injustice nation carey said mr trumps words real life consequences go well beyond podium racism bigotry xenophobia hate language continues fuel violence marginalized communities people color across nation sharon lettmanhicks ceo national black justice coalition said trumps refusal condemn kkk representative republican candidates running president calling sad disheartening conduct candidates including limited donald trump beg question country headed lettmanhicks said latest shenanigans ignorant kkk laughable however worse bigotry phobias disrespect downright shameful behavior experienced entire election season even rubio decided shift behavior lowest common denominator wonder wakes says jesus would pitiful trump made comments latest campaign characterized attacks marginalized groups interview cnns state union host jake tapper twice asked candidate whether hed disavow david duke support white supremacists trump160refused answer saying hes heard nothing duke groups tapper referenced well understand dont know anything david duke ok trump said dont know anything youre even talking white supremacy white supremacists dont know dont know endorse whats going know know nothing david duke know nothing white supremacists youre asking question im supposed talking people know nothing consternation trumps refusal condemn duke developed trump tweeted earlier disavowal endorsement friday news conference new jersey gov chris christie endorsed candidate monday interview nbcs today trump blamed lousy earpiece refusal condemn duke saying couldnt hear tappers question candidate pointed disavowed duke last week still wont comment groups doesnt know later comments werent enough detractors including lgbt advocates continued criticize trump refusing take opportunity repudiate selfavowed white supremacist jodee winterhof human rights campaigns vice president policy political affairs said aftermath trumps remarks supporters equality take heed success republican primary fact donald trump cusp becoming republican nominee wakeup call everyone cares equality winterhof said trump relied despicable kinds tactics fuel campaign proven matter issue stoke ignorance bigotry order advance campaign need president fight equality fairness justice americans someone literally say anything win duke founded knights ku klux klan 1970s become central figure white supremacist movement former state lawmaker louisiana duke critical americas ties israel decried called jewish supremacism although duke 65 said interview daily beast hasnt formally endorsed trump thinks candidate friendly jewish people white supremacist leader called candidate best lot urged followers listen trumps refusal condemn duke kkk served unifying force within highly contested democratic primary democratic candidate bernard sanders sunday tweeted condemnation trump comments saying americas first black president succeeded hatemonger refuses condemn kkk rival hillary clinton took unusual step retweeting him160 white house press secretary josh earnest said regular briefing monday trumps refusal disavow duke gives voters need know candidate know mr trump says theres needs learn mr duke render opinion think know need know mr trump render personal opinion candidacy earnest said us rep mike honda dcalif chair congressional transgender equality task force said hes long disturbed racist rhetoric coming trumps campaign candidates refusal denounce white supremacist groups demonstrates openly welcoming help let us mince words dangerous become honda said ku klux klan white supremacist groups responsible lynchings thousands africanamerican brothers sisters antiblack antiimmigrant anticatholic antijewish fundamentally opposed everything country stands kkk nothing footnote dark chapter american history republican frontrunner presidential primary accepting support republican side trumps comments largely resulted condemnation well trumps rivals gop nomination sen marco rubio rfla sen ted cruz rtexas ohio gov john kasich said twitter party accept someone refuses condemn kkk carson remained silent twitter account trump aftermath remarks washington blade placed call to160the carson campaign seeking comment former arkansas gov mike huckabee dropped presidential race iowa caucuses said monday msnbcs morning joe duke kkk absolutely abominable defended trump pointed comments candidate made disavowing white supremacist anybody think donald trump racist huckabee said dont mean really dont dont know anything life indicates man racist tendencies another republican assailed160trump 2012 republican presidential nominee mitt romney echoed current republican candidates condemnation real estate magnate gregory angelo president log cabin republicans succinct disapproval trump candidate equivocate comes denouncing organizations like period angelo said david duke donald trump election 2016 gregory angelo ku klux klan log cabin republicans mike honda national black justice coalition sharon lettmanhicks
| 738 |
<p>By Nora O. Lozano</p>
<p>La versión en español está disponible <a href="opinion/columns/item/30848-compartiendo-semillas-de-esperanza" type="external">aquí</a>.</p>
<p>Two weeks ago I once more had the privilege of leading the Latina Leadership Institute Training in Texas. This year was particularly special because we launched the celebrations of the 10th anniversary of the Institute’s work. As part of these celebrations, the LLI board invited me to share the leadership journey of the Institute.</p>
<p>I reflected on the beginnings, the 10 different classes, the 10 great preachers who have challenged us on diverse leadership issues, the talented faculty, and the remarkable leadership journey of the presenters who have helped us grow throughout the years. In addition, I spoke about the LLI partners — first and foremost God, and then our friends and donors. It was a blessing to remember and ponder the ways that God has blessed this ministry.</p>
<p>As I started my presentation, I considered two questions that I am often asked by the students: Do you think that things are going to change? This first question refers to changes in the current patriarchal system, as well as the role and view of women in church and society, particularly Latinas.</p>
<p>In response, I always share with the students that I do believe in change. I have seen major changes in my lifetime: the fall of the Berlin wall (1989); the dissolution of the Soviet Union (1991); and the end of apartheid in South Africa (1994). As I was growing up, who would have thought that these political/social situations were going to change? But they did!</p>
<p>I continued by sharing that perhaps I/we will never effect such major worldwide changes, but that all change is important. We can be agents of transformation in our own small or large circles of influence. For me, if one woman is transformed in these trainings, and later she becomes an agent of change in her own family, church and community, these trainings are worth my time, gifts and energy.</p>
<p>The second question is: Why do you do this? Well, my previous answer partially responds to it, but the bottom line is that I do it because I have the hope that women’s situation will advance.</p>
<p>Hope is a major element in Christianity. Sometimes the word hope is not mentioned specifically in the Bible, but the notion is always there. The Scriptures are permeated with meanings, experiences, and narratives that convey hope. Seung Ai Yang states, “Hope is looking forward with confidence to a future good” (“Hope,” The New Interpreter Dictionary of the Bible). M.W. Elliot affirms that, “Hope is closely associated with God” (nature and work). Thus, God is “the theological ground of human hope” (“Hope,” New Dictionary of Biblical Theology).</p>
<p>God as the ground of human hope is more easily found when a person has a positive/healthy concept of God — perhaps God as a liberator, protector or provider of abundant life. On the other hand, a problem arises when the concept of God is distorted due to human power struggles that are manifested through gender, class or race issues. Instead of being the foundation for human hope, this distorted notion of God becomes a source of oppression, insecurity, fear and self-doubt. These are the issues that permeate the lives of many women and other minorities.</p>
<p>I have heard story after story, not only from Latinas, but from women all over the world regarding how they sense that unfortunately God seems to be against them. How is this possible?</p>
<p>Based on inaccurate biblical interpretations, these women are led to believe that God created them inferior, and that God blames them and punishes them for the Fall of humankind. This punishment then is actualized by limiting, controlling, submitting, and silencing them. In practical ways, this means that women cannot be leaders in church and/or society. This view of God does not provide hope for women, but oppression.</p>
<p>This situation is not unique to women. The reformer Martin Luther, following an image of a judgmental and critical God, used to agonizingly dread God. Likewise, minority men may feel oppressed when God is represented mainly as an old, white man. When the image of God is used in oppressive ways, hope seems to fade away.</p>
<p>However, thank God, hope does not fade away completely. In God’s grace, many of these people are able to hold on to a sense of hope that “provides a bubble-like safe place in which to exist for the time being” (M.W. Elliot). This sense of hope often is fueled by a theological/hermeneutical suspicion that keeps questioning and challenging what they were taught. Maybe they are not able to express it yet, nor name it, but the suspicion is there, and it propels them to search.</p>
<p>Thankfully, Martin Luther found a God of grace and compassion.</p>
<p>In the case of women, sometimes this search turns to be a blessed one as they discover through readings, classes, trainings, or conversations an inclusive view of God —&#160;a God that is indeed for them, and not against them. This God is the one who invites them to be all that they can be. This God welcomes them to use their gifts in all areas of secular or ministerial leadership.</p>
<p>As they search, they also find Jesus, God’s most complete revelation (Hebrews 1:1-3), who affirms that the Reign of God and its implications are present here and now. He demonstrated with his actions, priorities, and commitments, that women are valuable and equal in God’s eyes and work. While this Reign currently exists in a tension of the now and the yet to come, what we have today due to Christ’s life and work is a new order of things that challenges patriarchy and other oppressive structures. This Jesus becomes also a source of hope for women.</p>
<p>I am so grateful that the Institute has become an instrument in this sacred, hopeful, Spirit-led process, where women are able to un-learn and re-learn who God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and themselves are.</p>
<p>After my presentation, we had open microphones for faculty and students to share the impact of the LLI in their lives. I was amazed to hear stories of transformation and empowerment that attested to a divine work of hope as important theological notions were reframed.</p>
<p>I am always grateful for testimonies like these. I know they are powerful because I was there one day, with the same struggles, lack of knowledge, and an excruciating thirst to find something better. In God’s grace and guided by the Holy Spirit, I found an inclusive God who is indeed the ground of human hope. What was I supposed to do with such a gift? Treasure it, live it, enjoy it and share it.</p>
<p>“Freely you have received; freely give” (Matthew 10:8)</p>
| false | 3 |
nora lozano la versión en español está disponible aquí two weeks ago privilege leading latina leadership institute training texas year particularly special launched celebrations 10th anniversary institutes work part celebrations lli board invited share leadership journey institute reflected beginnings 10 different classes 10 great preachers challenged us diverse leadership issues talented faculty remarkable leadership journey presenters helped us grow throughout years addition spoke lli partners first foremost god friends donors blessing remember ponder ways god blessed ministry started presentation considered two questions often asked students think things going change first question refers changes current patriarchal system well role view women church society particularly latinas response always share students believe change seen major changes lifetime fall berlin wall 1989 dissolution soviet union 1991 end apartheid south africa 1994 growing would thought politicalsocial situations going change continued sharing perhaps iwe never effect major worldwide changes change important agents transformation small large circles influence one woman transformed trainings later becomes agent change family church community trainings worth time gifts energy second question well previous answer partially responds bottom line hope womens situation advance hope major element christianity sometimes word hope mentioned specifically bible notion always scriptures permeated meanings experiences narratives convey hope seung ai yang states hope looking forward confidence future good hope new interpreter dictionary bible mw elliot affirms hope closely associated god nature work thus god theological ground human hope hope new dictionary biblical theology god ground human hope easily found person positivehealthy concept god perhaps god liberator protector provider abundant life hand problem arises concept god distorted due human power struggles manifested gender class race issues instead foundation human hope distorted notion god becomes source oppression insecurity fear selfdoubt issues permeate lives many women minorities heard story story latinas women world regarding sense unfortunately god seems possible based inaccurate biblical interpretations women led believe god created inferior god blames punishes fall humankind punishment actualized limiting controlling submitting silencing practical ways means women leaders church andor society view god provide hope women oppression situation unique women reformer martin luther following image judgmental critical god used agonizingly dread god likewise minority men may feel oppressed god represented mainly old white man image god used oppressive ways hope seems fade away however thank god hope fade away completely gods grace many people able hold sense hope provides bubblelike safe place exist time mw elliot sense hope often fueled theologicalhermeneutical suspicion keeps questioning challenging taught maybe able express yet name suspicion propels search thankfully martin luther found god grace compassion case women sometimes search turns blessed one discover readings classes trainings conversations inclusive view god 160a god indeed god one invites god welcomes use gifts areas secular ministerial leadership search also find jesus gods complete revelation hebrews 113 affirms reign god implications present demonstrated actions priorities commitments women valuable equal gods eyes work reign currently exists tension yet come today due christs life work new order things challenges patriarchy oppressive structures jesus becomes also source hope women grateful institute become instrument sacred hopeful spiritled process women able unlearn relearn god jesus holy spirit presentation open microphones faculty students share impact lli lives amazed hear stories transformation empowerment attested divine work hope important theological notions reframed always grateful testimonies like know powerful one day struggles lack knowledge excruciating thirst find something better gods grace guided holy spirit found inclusive god indeed ground human hope supposed gift treasure live enjoy share freely received freely give matthew 108
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<p>Yesterday, the Washington Post editorial board published&#160;“ <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/edward-snowden-doesnt-deserve-a-pardon/2016/09/17/ec04d448-7c2e-11e6-ac8e-cf8e0dd91dc7_story.html?utm_term=.c1200aefa685" type="external">No pardon for Edward Snowden</a>,” arguing that the former NSA contractor-turned-whistleblower should return the United States, that he should stand trial for his actions, and that President Obama should choose against pardoning him.</p>
<p>The view itself is fair. Snowden’s 2013 leaks have long been a subject of tremendous&#160;controversy. And it’s hard to make a fair evaluation of Snowden’s character – he exposed massive overreaches of government power, but in doing so, could have endangered national security.</p>
<p>It’s a tough issue.</p>
<p>But, as one of two main outlets tasked with acting as&#160;curators, mediators, and publishers of Snowden’s documents, the Post&#160;is no third-party onlooker. Along with the Guardian’s national security reporter Ewen MacAskill and columnist Glenn Greenwald, the Post’s Laura Poitras and Barton Gellman published countless stories that earned the Post, along with the Guardian, a <a href="http://www.pulitzer.org/winners/washington-post-1" type="external">Pulitzer Prize for Public Service</a> – arguably the single most prestigious and venerated award in journalism.</p>
<p>Edward Snowden in 2014. Photo Credit: Freedom of the Press Foundation</p>
<p>The Post was not complicit or passive in the dissemination of Snowden’s documents; in fact, they were active.</p>
<p>The editorial is organized into two parts. In the first, the board concedes that Snowden’s exposure of mass government metadata aggregation was a crime&#160;justified because the collection program&#160;“was a stretch, if not an outright violation, of federal surveillance law, and posed risks to privacy.” The authors cite the government cessation of record collection as “ <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/nsas-bulk-collection-of-americans-phone-records-ends-sunday/2015/11/27/75dc62e2-9546-11e5-a2d6-f57908580b1f_story.html?tid=a_inl" type="external">corrective legislation</a>,” writing, “it’s fair to say we owe these necessary reforms to Mr. Snowden.”</p>
<p>Here, the editorial board acknowledges the Post’s role in the leaks:</p>
<p>Specifically, he made the documents public through journalists, including reporters working for The Post, enabling the American public to learn for the first time that the NSA was collecting domestic telephone “metadata” — information about the time of a call and the parties to it, but not its content — en masse with no case-by-case court approval.</p>
<p>In the second part, the editorial claims that Snowden erred in exposing the “overseas NSA Internet-monitoring program, PRISM, [which] was both clearly legal and not clearly threatening to privacy.” The editorial continues:</p>
<p>No specific harm, actual or attempted, to any individual American was ever shown to have resulted from the NSA telephone metadata program Mr. Snowden brought to light. In contrast, his revelations about the agency’s international operations disrupted lawful intelligence-gathering, causing possibly “tremendous damage” to national security, according to a unanimous, bipartisan <a href="http://intelligence.house.gov/uploadedfiles/hpsci_snowden_review_-_unclass_summary_-_final.pdf" type="external">report</a> by the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. What higher cause did that serve?</p>
<p>But nowhere in this second part does it mention that the Post both chose to publish the&#160;information from Snowden and submitted the&#160;articles about it for Pulitzer consideration.</p>
<p>In his <a href="http://www.pulitzer.org/winners/washington-post-1" type="external">letter to the Pulitzer committee</a>, executive editor Marty Baron even cites the Post’s breakthroughs with regard to PRISM:</p>
<p>For six months, The Post has been on the leading edge of reporting on the Snowden documents. It began by becoming the first news outlet to disclose PRISM, a massive program to vacuum up e-mails, documents and other electronic records from the largest U.S. Internet companies.</p>
<p>Greenwald, who now runs the Intercept – a national security and privacy watchdog and an extension of Greenwald’s Snowden reportage – was livid. Greenwald took to his soapbox, in an article titled “ <a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/09/18/washpost-makes-history-first-paper-to-call-for-prosecution-of-its-own-source-after-accepting-pulitzer/" type="external">WashPost Makes History: First Paper to Call for Prosecution of Its Own Source (After Accepting Pulitzer)</a>,” saying:</p>
<p>If the Post&#160;Editorial Page editors really believe that PRISM was a totally legitimate program and that no public interest was served by its exposure, shouldn’t they be attacking their own paper’s news editors for having chosen to make it public, apologizing to the public&#160;for harming their security, and agitating for a return of the Pulitzer? If the Post Editorial Page&#160;editors had any intellectual honesty at all, this is what they would be doing — accepting institutional responsibility for what they&#160;apparently regard as a grievous error that endangered the public — rather than pretending that it was all the doing of their source as a means of advocating for his criminal prosecution.</p>
<p>Greenwald makes a good point. While the former Guardian columnist has made a name and&#160;a living off this kind of writing, and while the&#160;article’s title is a tad&#160;sensational, he&#160;brings up an interesting point about institutional accountability and self-awareness.</p>
<p>Poitras’ Oscar-winning documentary “Citizenfour” shows&#160;Snowden as extremely thoughtful in the process&#160;of his leak. Instead of dumping government documents onto a Wiki site like Julian Assange did, Snowden chose members of the media as curators and intermediaries of the materials. Thus, he is a source, a leaker, and a whistleblower. But, as the documentary portrays, he notably yielded publication control to Greenwald, Poitras, Gellman, and MacAskill as well as&#160;a few others.</p>
<p>Glenn Greenwald in 2012. Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore/Flikr</p>
<p>Contrary to Greenwald, I take little issue with the Post’s stance on Snowden. I find it odd and uncharacteristic for the Post to condemn their most significant source since Watergate’s Deepthroat, but the move&#160;is well within their rights.&#160;It’s odd, but I firmly believe that times change, and a progressive – meaning, ever-adapting – outlook is important for a forward-looking legacy newspaper.</p>
<p>It is important to note that the&#160;editorial board is not representative of Baron or his newsroom – those who published, informed the public, nominated themselves for the Pulitzer and won.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-posts-view/?utm_term=.471409f1810f" type="external">editorial board describes</a> its work&#160;as such: “Editorials represent the views of The Washington Post as an institution, as determined through debate among members of the editorial board.”&#160;While its writing may not represent the newsroom, the editorial board represents the Post as an institution. That means it represents the Post’s&#160;legacy – good and bad – and the board&#160;has a primary responsibility, of course, to its&#160;readers and to the&#160;public.</p>
<p>But, the editorial failed to contextualize the Post’s role in the NSA leaks. The&#160;only mention of its involvement came in the section concerning the metadata collection – the part the editorial board&#160;agreed with. As &#160;Greenwald points out, the Post published and won a Pulitzer for the very work they are criticizing. And they fail to take any responsibility for publication.</p>
<p>The Post’s editors and reporters were responsible for&#160;what to publish and what to withhold. This is called editorial discretion, and it is a&#160;primary way in which journalists serve the public. Snowden clearly knew and appreciated this role, and asked Greenwald, Poitras, Gellman, and MacAskill to exercise their editorial discretion on behalf of himself for the benefit of the American public.</p>
<p>The Post wants to see Snowden come home, face charges, and stand trial by a jury of his peers. That is a perfectly reasonable stance. But, since Snowden trusted the Post with his information, its destiny&#160;is forever intertwined with his. Each has a role in the leak of highly-sensitive, confidential government information. And now, each needs to own up to that in its own way.</p>
<p>Snowden is currently unwilling to stand trial for his actions. And, on Saturday, so was&#160;the Post.</p>
<p>Editor’s Corner is an column written by&#160;MediaFile’s editor-in-chief Scott Nover. The views expressed in this column do&#160;not reflect the views of MediaFile or its staff. Read the previous&#160;Editor’s Corner&#160; <a href="" type="internal">here</a>.</p>
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yesterday washington post editorial board published160 pardon edward snowden arguing former nsa contractorturnedwhistleblower return united states stand trial actions president obama choose pardoning view fair snowdens 2013 leaks long subject tremendous160controversy hard make fair evaluation snowdens character exposed massive overreaches government power could endangered national security tough issue one two main outlets tasked acting as160curators mediators publishers snowdens documents post160is thirdparty onlooker along guardians national security reporter ewen macaskill columnist glenn greenwald posts laura poitras barton gellman published countless stories earned post along guardian pulitzer prize public service arguably single prestigious venerated award journalism edward snowden 2014 photo credit freedom press foundation post complicit passive dissemination snowdens documents fact active editorial organized two parts first board concedes snowdens exposure mass government metadata aggregation crime160justified collection program160was stretch outright violation federal surveillance law posed risks privacy authors cite government cessation record collection corrective legislation writing fair say owe necessary reforms mr snowden editorial board acknowledges posts role leaks specifically made documents public journalists including reporters working post enabling american public learn first time nsa collecting domestic telephone metadata information time call parties content en masse casebycase court approval second part editorial claims snowden erred exposing overseas nsa internetmonitoring program prism clearly legal clearly threatening privacy editorial continues specific harm actual attempted individual american ever shown resulted nsa telephone metadata program mr snowden brought light contrast revelations agencys international operations disrupted lawful intelligencegathering causing possibly tremendous damage national security according unanimous bipartisan report house permanent select committee intelligence higher cause serve nowhere second part mention post chose publish the160information snowden submitted the160articles pulitzer consideration letter pulitzer committee executive editor marty baron even cites posts breakthroughs regard prism six months post leading edge reporting snowden documents began becoming first news outlet disclose prism massive program vacuum emails documents electronic records largest us internet companies greenwald runs intercept national security privacy watchdog extension greenwalds snowden reportage livid greenwald took soapbox article titled washpost makes history first paper call prosecution source accepting pulitzer saying post160editorial page editors really believe prism totally legitimate program public interest served exposure shouldnt attacking papers news editors chosen make public apologizing public160for harming security agitating return pulitzer post editorial page160editors intellectual honesty would accepting institutional responsibility they160apparently regard grievous error endangered public rather pretending source means advocating criminal prosecution greenwald makes good point former guardian columnist made name and160a living kind writing the160articles title tad160sensational he160brings interesting point institutional accountability selfawareness poitras oscarwinning documentary citizenfour shows160snowden extremely thoughtful process160of leak instead dumping government documents onto wiki site like julian assange snowden chose members media curators intermediaries materials thus source leaker whistleblower documentary portrays notably yielded publication control greenwald poitras gellman macaskill well as160a others glenn greenwald 2012 photo credit gage skidmoreflikr contrary greenwald take little issue posts stance snowden find odd uncharacteristic post condemn significant source since watergates deepthroat move160is well within rights160its odd firmly believe times change progressive meaning everadapting outlook important forwardlooking legacy newspaper important note the160editorial board representative baron newsroom published informed public nominated pulitzer editorial board describes work160as editorials represent views washington post institution determined debate among members editorial board160while writing may represent newsroom editorial board represents post institution means represents posts160legacy good bad board160has primary responsibility course its160readers the160public editorial failed contextualize posts role nsa leaks the160only mention involvement came section concerning metadata collection part editorial board160agreed 160greenwald points post published pulitzer work criticizing fail take responsibility publication posts editors reporters responsible for160what publish withhold called editorial discretion a160primary way journalists serve public snowden clearly knew appreciated role asked greenwald poitras gellman macaskill exercise editorial discretion behalf benefit american public post wants see snowden come home face charges stand trial jury peers perfectly reasonable stance since snowden trusted post information destiny160is forever intertwined role leak highlysensitive confidential government information needs way snowden currently unwilling stand trial actions saturday was160the post editors corner column written by160mediafiles editorinchief scott nover views expressed column do160not reflect views mediafile staff read previous160editors corner160
| 654 |
<p>For the past six years, civilians living in areas of Syria that were the frequent target of airstrikes by Bashar al-Assad’s jets have wondered in exasperation why the international community did not respond.</p>
<p>But on Friday morning local time, after the US launched its first direct and deliberate strike on Assad’s forces in retaliation for a chemical weapons attack on the Syrian town of Khan Sheikhoun, there was a sense of elation in rebel-held areas of the country.</p>
<p>“It was the happiest news that I’ve heard in my life,” said Ahmad, a resident of Khan Sheikhoun, a witness to the apparent chemical attack on Tuesday who lost friends and neighbors. His name has been changed to protect his identity.</p>
<p>At 3:40 a.m. on Friday, a total of 59 Tomahawk missiles were fired from two US destroyers at the Shayrat airfield in Homs, central Syria, where the Pentagon claimed planes took off to carry out the deadly strike in Khan Sheikhoun that left more than 70 people dead.</p>
<p />
<p>Shayrat Airfield in Homs, Syria is seen in this DigitalGlobe satellite image taken Feb. 18, 2017 and released by the US&#160;Defense Department on April 6, 2017 after announcing US&#160;forces conducted a cruise missile strike against the Syrian Air Force airfield.</p>
<p>Courtesy of DigitalGlobe/US Department of Defense/Handout via Reuters</p>
<p>The Syrian government denied carrying out any attacks in Khan Sheikhoun, while Russian officials claimed Syria bombed a rebel chemical weapons factory in the town, which poisoned the residents.&#160;&#160;</p>
<p>Justifying the strike, US President Donald Trump said that “years of previous attempts at changing Assad's behavior have all failed, and failed very dramatically.”</p>
<p>“It is in this vital national security interest of the United States to prevent and deter the spread and use of deadly chemical weapons,” he added.</p>
<p>The strike marks a significant escalation of US involvement in Syria, raising the possibility of direct confrontation between the US military and the Syrian government and its allies Russia and Iran. The US strikes Syria regularly to target ISIS, but this is the first time it has attacked the Assad regime.</p>
<p>The Syrian government condemned the US strike as an “aggression,” and its&#160;state news agency said the attack killed nine civilians in areas surrounding the base. Moscow and Iran also criticized the strike. The Pentagon, meanwhile, said it “severely damaged or destroyed Syrian aircraft and support infrastructure and equipment.” It was <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/syrian-jets-off-air-base-hit-us/story?id=46646770" type="external">later</a> <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/07/politics/new-satellite-imagery-of-bombed-syrian-base/" type="external">reported</a> that about 20 Syrian planes were destroyed.</p>
<p>The swift military action was taken without congressional approval and stands in contrast to Trump’s <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/373146637184401408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2017%2F04%2F07%2Fus%2Fpolitics%2Fdonald-trump-syria-twitter.html" type="external">earlier</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/255784560904773633?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aol.com%2Farticle%2Fnews%2F2017%2F04%2F07%2Fpast-trump-tweets-conflicting-with-syrian-airstrike-resurface%2F22030442%2F" type="external">positions</a> and <a href="" type="internal">campaign promises</a> regarding Syria.</p>
<p />
<p>Cruise missiles used by the US&#160;and its allies.</p>
<p>Reuters</p>
<p>Nevertheless, many Syrians expressed happiness that their tormentor —&#160;Assad — was on the receiving end of US missiles for the first time.&#160;&#160;</p>
<p>“When you walk in Khan Sheikhoun you can see smiles on people’s faces when they hear there was an attack on the criminal Bashar al-Assad,” said Ahmad.</p>
<p>Related:&#160; <a href="" type="internal">Lack of political will stands in the way of bringing Assad to court</a></p>
<p>Men, women and children were among the dozens killed in Khan Sheikhoun on Tuesday. Turkish officials who performed autopsies on the bodies said Thursday&#160;the victims had been exposed to Sarin, a banned <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/06/world/middleeast/sarin-nerve-agent.html" type="external">nerve agent</a>.</p>
<p>Sarin was also the culprit in the deadliest chemical weapons attack of the Syrian war, when more than 1,000 people were killed on the outskirts of Damascus, which the US blamed on the Syrian army.</p>
<p>That incident came after then-US President Barack Obama had drawn his infamous “red line” —&#160;threatening military action if the Syrian government&#160;used chemical weapons against its&#160;own people. When that happened, he sought congressional approval for a military strike against Syria, which he did not receive.</p>
<p>The end result was an agreement that was supposed to lead to the removal of the Syrian government stockpiles of chemical weapons. Since that agreement, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/05/world/middleeast/syria-bashar-al-assad-atrocities-civilian-deaths-gas-attack.html" type="external">several attacks</a> with chemical weapons have been blamed on government forces.</p>
<p>Elsewhere in rebel-held northern Syria, there were celebrations. Wissam Zarqa, an English teacher who was displaced from Aleppo when the Syrian army regained control of the city in December, said he welcomed the news.&#160;</p>
<p>“Finally, the international community is reacting in the right way, targeting a military target that is causing death to thousands of civilians,” he said.</p>
<p>Related: <a href="" type="internal">If Assad stayed, could Syria ever rebuild from war?</a></p>
<p>“Over the past six years we’ve grown disappointed with the international community, nothing, just watching. This is first time the real cause of all the trouble in Syria is being targeted.”</p>
<p>There was a sense of caution among others — a feeling that the strikes won’t achieve much at all.</p>
<p>“I want to tell you how people are happy to take some revenge, some partial revenge against Assad. But for me … I cannot be so optimistic about what is coming, because I expect a reaction from Assad towards his people. He will be angry and will make more bombs against us,” said Abdulkafi al-Hamdo, also an English teacher displaced from Aleppo to Idlib.</p>
<p>Hamdo stayed in Aleppo until the Syrian army captured the last areas of the city in a brutal campaign backed by Russian airstrikes and support. He says the US strikes appear to send the message that conventional weapons are fair game.</p>
<p>“What does it mean that when Assad used upon our heads, upon our children, amounts of weapons that maybe haven’t been used since World War II, the international community was silent? We were facing hell [in Aleppo].”</p>
<p>“I just read today that America said these strikes are to tell Assad not to use chemical weapons again. This means he’s allowed to use any other weapons on our heads and our children’s heads,” he adds. “I don’t understand this.”</p>
<p>Related: <a href="" type="internal">What do refugee parents tell their children about Syria? (PHOTOS)</a></p>
<p>Outside of Syria, too, Syrians have their attention locked on events at home.</p>
<p>Kassem Eid was on the receiving end of the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/this-is-what-a-sarin-gas-attack-feels-like-2015-4" type="external">2013 attack</a> — he barely made it out with his life. He now lives in Germany, having escaped the country in 2014.</p>
<p>“When I saw the images [of Khan Sheikhoun] I was outraged and angry. To see images of little children choking. I felt disgusted by humanity,” he said, speaking from Germany, where he now lives.</p>
<p>But there is a sense of optimism among Syrians opposed to Assad, he said.</p>
<p>“For the very first time, since the beginning of the revolution, we never felt as much hope as we felt right now. Not just me — I’m talking to my friends and others who witnessed the chemical attack in 2013. We are all overwhelmed,” he said.</p>
<p>“We feel that someone actually cares for the very first time.”</p>
| false | 3 |
past six years civilians living areas syria frequent target airstrikes bashar alassads jets wondered exasperation international community respond friday morning local time us launched first direct deliberate strike assads forces retaliation chemical weapons attack syrian town khan sheikhoun sense elation rebelheld areas country happiest news ive heard life said ahmad resident khan sheikhoun witness apparent chemical attack tuesday lost friends neighbors name changed protect identity 340 friday total 59 tomahawk missiles fired two us destroyers shayrat airfield homs central syria pentagon claimed planes took carry deadly strike khan sheikhoun left 70 people dead shayrat airfield homs syria seen digitalglobe satellite image taken feb 18 2017 released us160defense department april 6 2017 announcing us160forces conducted cruise missile strike syrian air force airfield courtesy digitalglobeus department defensehandout via reuters syrian government denied carrying attacks khan sheikhoun russian officials claimed syria bombed rebel chemical weapons factory town poisoned residents160160 justifying strike us president donald trump said years previous attempts changing assads behavior failed failed dramatically vital national security interest united states prevent deter spread use deadly chemical weapons added strike marks significant escalation us involvement syria raising possibility direct confrontation us military syrian government allies russia iran us strikes syria regularly target isis first time attacked assad regime syrian government condemned us strike aggression its160state news agency said attack killed nine civilians areas surrounding base moscow iran also criticized strike pentagon meanwhile said severely damaged destroyed syrian aircraft support infrastructure equipment later reported 20 syrian planes destroyed swift military action taken without congressional approval stands contrast trumps earlier positions campaign promises regarding syria cruise missiles used us160and allies reuters nevertheless many syrians expressed happiness tormentor 160assad receiving end us missiles first time160160 walk khan sheikhoun see smiles peoples faces hear attack criminal bashar alassad said ahmad related160 lack political stands way bringing assad court men women children among dozens killed khan sheikhoun tuesday turkish officials performed autopsies bodies said thursday160the victims exposed sarin banned nerve agent sarin also culprit deadliest chemical weapons attack syrian war 1000 people killed outskirts damascus us blamed syrian army incident came thenus president barack obama drawn infamous red line 160threatening military action syrian government160used chemical weapons its160own people happened sought congressional approval military strike syria receive end result agreement supposed lead removal syrian government stockpiles chemical weapons since agreement several attacks chemical weapons blamed government forces elsewhere rebelheld northern syria celebrations wissam zarqa english teacher displaced aleppo syrian army regained control city december said welcomed news160 finally international community reacting right way targeting military target causing death thousands civilians said related assad stayed could syria ever rebuild war past six years weve grown disappointed international community nothing watching first time real cause trouble syria targeted sense caution among others feeling strikes wont achieve much want tell people happy take revenge partial revenge assad optimistic coming expect reaction assad towards people angry make bombs us said abdulkafi alhamdo also english teacher displaced aleppo idlib hamdo stayed aleppo syrian army captured last areas city brutal campaign backed russian airstrikes support says us strikes appear send message conventional weapons fair game mean assad used upon heads upon children amounts weapons maybe havent used since world war ii international community silent facing hell aleppo read today america said strikes tell assad use chemical weapons means hes allowed use weapons heads childrens heads adds dont understand related refugee parents tell children syria photos outside syria syrians attention locked events home kassem eid receiving end 2013 attack barely made life lives germany escaped country 2014 saw images khan sheikhoun outraged angry see images little children choking felt disgusted humanity said speaking germany lives sense optimism among syrians opposed assad said first time since beginning revolution never felt much hope felt right im talking friends others witnessed chemical attack 2013 overwhelmed said feel someone actually cares first time
| 633 |
<p>A six-year-old boy "is fighting for his life" a day after <a href="" type="internal">he was shot at his elementary school in South Carolina</a>, his family said Thursday, as investigators said they were looking into the possibility that the teen suspect in the shooting may have been bullied.</p>
<p>Jacob Hall, a student at Townville Elementary School, was still listed in critical condition Thursday afternoon at Greenville Health System Children’s Hospital.</p>
<p>Authorities say Jacob was shot by a 14-year-old gunman who opened fire on the school’s playground — wounding Jacob, another boy and a female teacher.</p>
<p>"Jacob is a very sick little boy and is fighting for his life. Due to the massive blood loss he has sustained a major brain injury," the boy’s family said in a statement Thursday night. "Jacob is in very critical condition, and we are hanging on every second."</p>
<p>The other little boy and teacher Meghan Hollingsworth were treated at a local hospital for their injuries and later released. Dr. Keith Webb of Greenville Health System Children’s Hospital said in a statement that the bullet hit Jacob’s femoral artery, causing massive blood loss and cardiopulmonary arrest, and the boy has undergone multiple surgeries.</p>
<p>"Please especially remember to keep little Jacob in your prayers, who continues to fight for his life," Townville Fire Chief Billy McAdams said during an emotional press conference Thursday afternoon. "He’s a hard little fighter and you’ve got to continue to remember that."</p>
<p>The teen suspect, who officials said was home schooled, was subdued by 30-year veteran volunteer firefighter Jamie Brock, who arrived with McAdams at scene at around 1:45p.m. on Wednesday after reports of an active shooter at the school.</p>
<p>The suspect’s father, Jeffrey Dewitt Osborne, 47, was later found dead in their home by the suspect’s grandmother, who lived next door, authorities said.</p>
<p>Osborne's mother received a cellphone call from the suspect but "could not make out what he was saying because he was crying and upset," Anderson County Coroner Greg Shore said Wednesday. She went next door to the boy's home and found Osborne shot to death, Shore said.</p>
<p>Officials have not said the suspect shot and killed his father, adding that the "relevance" of Osborne's death remained under investigation. The Anderson County coroner told NBC News on Thursday that Osborne died from multiple gunshot wounds and that a .40-caliber weapon was used.</p>
<p>Investigators told NBC News on Thursday that they were looking into the possibility that the 14-year-old suspect had been bullied.</p>
<p>The teen was scheduled to appear in juvenile court in Anderson County on Friday morning.</p>
<p>McAdams said Thursday that the shooting was a “devastating and life-changing event” for the community and described how he and Brock “raced to the school and tried to help” after confirming there was a shooter at their local elementary school.</p>
<p>When McAdams and Brock arrived at the school, the chief went inside the building to help the injured while Brock continued to investigate the scene near the playground.</p>
<p>McAdams said he and a school nurse attended to Jacob and the other injured student — as shot teacher Meghan Hollingsworth told them “to take care of Jacob and not worry about her.”</p>
<p>The nurse and McAdams continued to work with Jacob until other personnel arrived and the boy was flown out for “immediate treatment with critical injuries” at the hospital, he said.</p>
<p>While McAdams helped the injured, Brock made his way around the rear of the school building and spotted the suspect a short distance away, the fire chief said.</p>
<p>Related: <a href="" type="internal">Gunman Fired Into S.C. School, but Heroes Stopped Him and Saved Lives</a></p>
<p>“Feeling that it was imperative to the safety of the students, the teachers and all the responders that were onsite, he immediately confronted and subdued that shooter,” McAdams said, adding that Brock was able to keep the suspect on the ground until law enforcement took him into custody.</p>
<p>School administrators told NBC News that Brock was "a hero" and that <a href="" type="internal">quick-thinking, well-prepared teachers may have prevented the tragedy from being much worse</a>.</p>
<p>"He tried to fire his way into the classroom," Joanne Avery, superintendent of Anderson School District 4, told NBC News on Wednesday. But "he was never allowed to access the building, and that's because the staff knew how to lock down the school."</p>
<p>Brock echoed the sentiment in a statement read by McAdams at the Thursday news conference, saying "the true heroes of yesterday's senseless tragedy" were the teachers and school officials who risked their lives to protect their students.</p>
<p>South Carolina Rep. Alan Clemmons wrote <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GRAUSA.ORG/posts/1191395750898837?pnref=story" type="external">in a post on Facebook Wednesday</a> that “six-year-old Jacob Hall” was the nephew of two “dear friends” of his, Dave and Sheila Williams. The bullet “ripped through little Jacob’s femoral artery” and the boy was in need of multiple surgeries, Clemmons said in the post.</p>
<p>Clemmons said he had spoken to Jacob’s grandfather, Steve McAdams and that he "is heartbroken, as is the rest of his family, over the tragedy that has befallen his little grandson.”</p>
<p>“We appreciate the community’s support, especially the Townville Rescue Squad who treated Jacob onsite and brought him to the hospital,” said Rodger and Renae Hall, Jacob’s parents, in a statement on Wednesday. “We appreciate everyone’s thoughts and prayers and ask for privacy during this difficult time.”</p>
| false | 3 |
sixyearold boy fighting life day shot elementary school south carolina family said thursday investigators said looking possibility teen suspect shooting may bullied jacob hall student townville elementary school still listed critical condition thursday afternoon greenville health system childrens hospital authorities say jacob shot 14yearold gunman opened fire schools playground wounding jacob another boy female teacher jacob sick little boy fighting life due massive blood loss sustained major brain injury boys family said statement thursday night jacob critical condition hanging every second little boy teacher meghan hollingsworth treated local hospital injuries later released dr keith webb greenville health system childrens hospital said statement bullet hit jacobs femoral artery causing massive blood loss cardiopulmonary arrest boy undergone multiple surgeries please especially remember keep little jacob prayers continues fight life townville fire chief billy mcadams said emotional press conference thursday afternoon hes hard little fighter youve got continue remember teen suspect officials said home schooled subdued 30year veteran volunteer firefighter jamie brock arrived mcadams scene around 145pm wednesday reports active shooter school suspects father jeffrey dewitt osborne 47 later found dead home suspects grandmother lived next door authorities said osbornes mother received cellphone call suspect could make saying crying upset anderson county coroner greg shore said wednesday went next door boys home found osborne shot death shore said officials said suspect shot killed father adding relevance osbornes death remained investigation anderson county coroner told nbc news thursday osborne died multiple gunshot wounds 40caliber weapon used investigators told nbc news thursday looking possibility 14yearold suspect bullied teen scheduled appear juvenile court anderson county friday morning mcadams said thursday shooting devastating lifechanging event community described brock raced school tried help confirming shooter local elementary school mcadams brock arrived school chief went inside building help injured brock continued investigate scene near playground mcadams said school nurse attended jacob injured student shot teacher meghan hollingsworth told take care jacob worry nurse mcadams continued work jacob personnel arrived boy flown immediate treatment critical injuries hospital said mcadams helped injured brock made way around rear school building spotted suspect short distance away fire chief said related gunman fired sc school heroes stopped saved lives feeling imperative safety students teachers responders onsite immediately confronted subdued shooter mcadams said adding brock able keep suspect ground law enforcement took custody school administrators told nbc news brock hero quickthinking wellprepared teachers may prevented tragedy much worse tried fire way classroom joanne avery superintendent anderson school district 4 told nbc news wednesday never allowed access building thats staff knew lock school brock echoed sentiment statement read mcadams thursday news conference saying true heroes yesterdays senseless tragedy teachers school officials risked lives protect students south carolina rep alan clemmons wrote post facebook wednesday sixyearold jacob hall nephew two dear friends dave sheila williams bullet ripped little jacobs femoral artery boy need multiple surgeries clemmons said post clemmons said spoken jacobs grandfather steve mcadams heartbroken rest family tragedy befallen little grandson appreciate communitys support especially townville rescue squad treated jacob onsite brought hospital said rodger renae hall jacobs parents statement wednesday appreciate everyones thoughts prayers ask privacy difficult time
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<p>By Jeff Brumley</p>
<p>For most performers, making it to Broadway would be considered the apex of a career, the end-all, be-all of performing on stage.</p>
<p>But for&#160; <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20140312/ENT/140319897?p=1&amp;tc=pg" type="external">Amy and Ben Wright</a>, who are deacons at <a href="http://www.fbcwilmington.org/" type="external">First Baptist Church</a> in Wilmington, N.C., it was just a rehearsal&#160;for the truly important and challenging parts God had written for them.</p>
<p>And it’s been in those relatively recent, and often difficult, roles —&#160;namely as parents of two children with Down Syndrome —&#160;that the couple say they’ve seen God so clearly directing their lives.</p>
<p>Today, their songwriting, acting and singing abilities are used to push for changes in the way the world sees and hears people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.</p>
<p>That role wasn’t so clear when their third child (and first boy), Beau, was born with Down Syndrome in 2004.</p>
<p>“There was just an enormous amount of grief —&#160;it was like I was grieving the son I thought I was going to have,” Amy Wright said.</p>
<p>‘No burning desire’</p>
<p>The transformation in attitude she and her husband would eventually experience after Beau’s birth began much earlier in their lives.</p>
<p>For Amy, growing up in Pennsylvania, and then North Carolina, included the typical childhood dance and singing lessons while being raised in a Methodist church. She went on to study at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music, where she met Ben.</p>
<p>His journey to stardom began early as his theater-loving mom dragged him to her own community theater auditions. He was told to audition for parts, too, and his talent quickly became apparent to others.</p>
<p>“I just sort of went along with it,” he said, adding that his heart was never in it.</p>
<p>“That was part of the problem —&#160;I never had a burning desire,” he said. “It was just something I grew up doing.”</p>
<p>But he did it well enough to land lucrative roles by the time he was a teenager, and by the time he was 30 he had returned to and left the business three times.</p>
<p>After they married in 1993, Ben and Amy moved to New York so she could pursue her dream of performing on Broadway.</p>
<p>Ben landed the role of Jack in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Into_the_Woods" type="external">Into the Woods</a> by Stephen Sondheim and as Wayne Frake in 1996 in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_Fair_(musical)" type="external">State Fair</a>. Amy performed as a member of the production’s ensemble.</p>
<p>Eventually, Amy said she felt she had accomplished her goal. They moved to North Carolina to be near her relatives.</p>
<p>“I said, OK, it’s time to start a family.”</p>
<p>‘He felt empty’</p>
<p>The couple, however, kept working. Ben’s acting credits include films like <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096969/" type="external">Born on the Fourth of July</a> and <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110971/" type="external">Renaissance Man</a>. He starred opposite Judd Nelson in NBC’s&#160; <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099772/" type="external">Hiroshima: Out of the Ashes</a>.</p>
<p>Amy appeared in television ads for cars, restaurants and hair-care products. She also ran a performing arts studio for children.</p>
<p>All that time, Amy said, they sensed there had to be more.</p>
<p>“Ben will say that on stage, he felt empty … and that to take the applause didn’t feel quite right.”</p>
<p>What did begin to feel right was the birth of their first daughters, Lillie and Emma Grace, now 15 and 13, respectively.</p>
<p>Their births took Amy’s faith to a new level and inspired her to write an album of spiritual music for children.</p>
<p>“I had a very deep faith as a child and a teen and that developed more in adulthood with each child I had,” she said.</p>
<p>‘A new perspective’</p>
<p>But if that was the case with Lillie and Emma Grace, it was even more the case with Beau.</p>
<p>“When we learned about Beau’s diagnosis I felt so sad and overwhelmed,” Amy said. “But I feel that was the moment I was drawn closer to God.”</p>
<p>Within a short time the couple realized what a blessing a Down Syndrome child is, and they began —&#160;just barely —&#160;to glimpse the positive impact Beau would have on their family.</p>
<p>“In an instant we had a new perspective.”</p>
<p>Five years later Jane Adeline, or “Bitty,” was born with Down Syndrome. Doctors had given her only a 25 percent chance to be born alive.</p>
<p>That new perspective has inspired the Wrights —&#160;including their children —&#160;to become advocates for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.</p>
<p>In 2012, Amy penned a song titled <a href="http://vimeo.com/45152895" type="external">It Starts with a Voice</a> which led to a local benefit concert that included performances by their two oldest daughters. It also inspired a <a href="http://vimeo.com/45152895" type="external">music video</a> and further performances at the National Down Syndrome Congress and Best Buddies International.</p>
<p>The song also is being used in a Special Olympics school enrichment program and it serves as the title for <a href="http://itstartswithavoice.com/" type="external">a blog Amy writes</a> to advocate for those with disabilities.</p>
<p>The two older daughters are promoting education and outreach efforts around special needs, and Beau starred in the film Little Accidents, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.</p>
<p>Ben opened an investment firm and hired nine employees with developmental and intellectual disabilities as hospitality associates to greet clients. He also continues his singing —&#160;but mainly to promote the same cause.</p>
<p>“When I sang on Broadway, it felt empty,” Ben said. “This feels like the proper use of the gifts I have been given.”</p>
<p>‘Two steps into the journey’</p>
<p>The family’s impact has also been felt at their church, where they are active in the special needs ministry at First Baptist Church.</p>
<p>“Their passion in helping the rest of the world see people with disabilities in a positive way is inspiring,” said Jeannie Troutman, minister to children at First Baptist. “Within our church they have been real advocates for our special needs children.”</p>
<p>The Wrights have handled their difficulties with grace and serve as examples of how to walk through adversity with faith.</p>
<p>Amy said that walk is made possible by realizing she and her family’s calling is to help build acceptance for people with special needs in society.</p>
<p>“All those years I performed, I feel like that was <a href="http://mariashriver.com/blog/2012/08/my-mission-it-starts-with-a-voice-amy-wright/" type="external">priming me for these moments</a> that are happening now,” she said.</p>
<p>And even the advocacy work they’ve done so far is likely preparation for new roles God has for them, Ben added.</p>
<p>“Everything we have done from birth to now is for a reason,” he said. “And the most important work we have to do we haven’t done yet —&#160;I think we’re just two steps into the journey.”</p>
| false | 3 |
jeff brumley performers making broadway would considered apex career endall beall performing stage for160 amy ben wright deacons first baptist church wilmington nc rehearsal160for truly important challenging parts god written relatively recent often difficult roles 160namely parents two children syndrome 160that couple say theyve seen god clearly directing lives today songwriting acting singing abilities used push changes way world sees hears people developmental intellectual disabilities role wasnt clear third child first boy beau born syndrome 2004 enormous amount grief 160it like grieving son thought going amy wright said burning desire transformation attitude husband would eventually experience beaus birth began much earlier lives amy growing pennsylvania north carolina included typical childhood dance singing lessons raised methodist church went study university cincinnatis collegeconservatory music met ben journey stardom began early theaterloving mom dragged community theater auditions told audition parts talent quickly became apparent others sort went along said adding heart never part problem 160i never burning desire said something grew well enough land lucrative roles time teenager time 30 returned left business three times married 1993 ben amy moved new york could pursue dream performing broadway ben landed role jack woods stephen sondheim wayne frake 1996 rodgers hammersteins state fair amy performed member productions ensemble eventually amy said felt accomplished goal moved north carolina near relatives said ok time start family felt empty couple however kept working bens acting credits include films like born fourth july renaissance man starred opposite judd nelson nbcs160 hiroshima ashes amy appeared television ads cars restaurants haircare products also ran performing arts studio children time amy said sensed ben say stage felt empty take applause didnt feel quite right begin feel right birth first daughters lillie emma grace 15 13 respectively births took amys faith new level inspired write album spiritual music children deep faith child teen developed adulthood child said new perspective case lillie emma grace even case beau learned beaus diagnosis felt sad overwhelmed amy said feel moment drawn closer god within short time couple realized blessing syndrome child began 160just barely 160to glimpse positive impact beau would family instant new perspective five years later jane adeline bitty born syndrome doctors given 25 percent chance born alive new perspective inspired wrights 160including children 160to become advocates people developmental intellectual disabilities 2012 amy penned song titled starts voice led local benefit concert included performances two oldest daughters also inspired music video performances national syndrome congress best buddies international song also used special olympics school enrichment program serves title blog amy writes advocate disabilities two older daughters promoting education outreach efforts around special needs beau starred film little accidents premiered sundance film festival ben opened investment firm hired nine employees developmental intellectual disabilities hospitality associates greet clients also continues singing 160but mainly promote cause sang broadway felt empty ben said feels like proper use gifts given two steps journey familys impact also felt church active special needs ministry first baptist church passion helping rest world see people disabilities positive way inspiring said jeannie troutman minister children first baptist within church real advocates special needs children wrights handled difficulties grace serve examples walk adversity faith amy said walk made possible realizing familys calling help build acceptance people special needs society years performed feel like priming moments happening said even advocacy work theyve done far likely preparation new roles god ben added everything done birth reason said important work havent done yet 160i think two steps journey
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<p>Almost a fourth of the 2,025 8th-graders who failed the exit exam at the end of the summer Bridge Program got waivers that sent them on to high school anyway.</p>
<p>The 460 waivers were requested by principals and approved by regional offices based on students’ overall academic performance last school year.</p>
<p>The 1,565 8th-graders who were retained will be retested in January and, if their scores exceed the threshold, will then move on to high school, says Blondean Davis, director of the Office of Schools and Regions.(The exit exam is the reading portion of the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills.)</p>
<p>With the retest in mind, schools are scurrying to set up programs that will bring the students up to academic par and mend the bruised egos brought on by being held back.</p>
<p>Sixteen schools have 10 or more students slated to repeat 8th grade; middle schools are among the hardest hit.</p>
<p>Topping the list is Anderson Community Academy in Chicago Lawn, which has an enrollment of some 800 7th- and 8th-graders. Out of 175 students sent to the Bridge Program, 67 were held back, reports Principal Helen Johnson. As Catalyst went to press, 52 had re-enrolled, and staff were trying to track down the remaining 15.</p>
<p>Anderson’s 8th-grade classes will swell by as many as five students each, going from an average of 28 to 33, Johnson says. She has asked central office for an additional teacher, with a specialty in reading, to provide extra instruction for the students.</p>
<p>At Michele Clark Middle School in Austin, 20 of 85 Bridge students were retained, and Principal Marietta Beverly has also asked for an additional teacher. Along with reading and math instruction, the teacher will spend one period each day counseling students about any problems they face in their daily lives.</p>
<p>And at Ericson Elementary in East Garfield Park, a local school council member with a background in psychology and social work will run self-esteem classes three times a week for the 13 students who were not promoted. “They have nothing to be ashamed of,” says Principal Mary Jo Woolfolk. “They got caught unprepared.” Students will also get extra help in reading and math.</p>
<p>The Reform Board’s tough stand on promotion apparently is having a ripple effect beyond the schools, too. Flyers touting after-school tutoring offered by Ada S. McKinley Educational Services have been posted throughout the Near South Side; the flyers advertise tutoring for 6th-, 7th- and 8th-graders in reading and writing—as well as tutoring aimed specifically at raising Iowa scores.</p>
<p>Already, the organization has seen a significant jump in registration. “People have been knocking on our door left and right,” says Antoinette McConnell, a McKinley reading specialist who heads up the program. “Before we could send out recruiters, people were calling us up.”</p>
<p>While applauding the promotion policy as an overdue wake-up call for both students and parents, some principals say the first crop of Bridge students got mixed signals as the program got underway.</p>
<p>It was not until several weeks into the program that Chief Executive Office Paul Vallas made clear that test scores would determine whether or not students went on to high school. By that time, 8th-grade graduation ceremonies were long over, and principals—who say they acted under the direction of central office—had let students slated to enter the Bridge program go through the ceremonies anyway. The students were to receive their diplomas in August, after Bridge was over.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, until Vallas’ announcement, students, parents and teachers all had the impression that, with good attendance and good work, Bridge students would go on to 9th grade.</p>
<p>“The time is played out for social promotion,” says Woolfolk. But, she adds, “It’s unfair that kids who thought they graduated in June had to be the guinea pigs.”</p>
<p>Says Beverly, “It has been a tremendous emotional strain on the parents and the children.”</p>
<p>Next summer, 3rd- and 6th-graders will be part of the Bridge Program; adding younger students is good news for middle schools, says Johnson, which are hard-pressed to make up for students’ lack of skills in only two years.</p>
<p>Beverly agrees. “The older they are, the more difficult it is to remediate those deficits.”</p>
<p>New promotion policy</p>
<p>Under the board’s new promotion policy, both elementary and high school students can now be held back for having failing grades or poor attendance, as well as low test scores.</p>
<p>This year, 3rd-, 6th- and 8th-graders will not be promoted if they (1) receive a failing grade in reading or math; (2) fall below board-set cutoff scores on the math or reading portions of the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills; or (3) have low test scores and more than 20 days of unexcused absences, including absences for out-of-school suspension. Students will be retained unless they improve their performance during Bridge.</p>
<p>In a major shift from current practice, 8th-graders who will be 15 prior to Dec. 1 will not be sent directly to high school because of their age, says Davis. (This fall, some 1,300 older 8th-graders failed the Bridge exit exam but were promoted anyway.)</p>
<p>Instead, these students will be assigned to one of six regional transitional centers, housed in high schools, for at least one semester. The following January, they will retake the Iowa and, if they raise their scores, will go to regular high schools.</p>
<p>“We feel we need to use different strategies with these students,” explains Davis. The centers are still in the planning stage, she adds, but will provide instruction in the core curriculum (reading, math, science and social studies) as well as an extra hour each day of more intensive instruction in reading, math and study skills.</p>
<p>Under the previous Board of Education, the promotion policy specifically stated that students should not be held back only because of low scores.</p>
<p>In high schools, freshmen and sophomores who fail any core course (English, math, science or social studies) or have more than 20 unexcused absences must enroll in summer school. Additionally, 9th-graders who score 8.0 (equivalent to the beginning of 8th grade) or below on the reading or math portion of the Tests of Achievement and Proficiency must bring up their scores over the summer.</p>
<p>Elementary and high schools must now notify parents in writing if their child is to receive a failing grade, has posted low scores on standardized tests or has more than 10 unexcused absences. Principals can still request waivers for students.</p>
| false | 3 |
almost fourth 2025 8thgraders failed exit exam end summer bridge program got waivers sent high school anyway 460 waivers requested principals approved regional offices based students overall academic performance last school year 1565 8thgraders retained retested january scores exceed threshold move high school says blondean davis director office schools regionsthe exit exam reading portion iowa tests basic skills retest mind schools scurrying set programs bring students academic par mend bruised egos brought held back sixteen schools 10 students slated repeat 8th grade middle schools among hardest hit topping list anderson community academy chicago lawn enrollment 800 7th 8thgraders 175 students sent bridge program 67 held back reports principal helen johnson catalyst went press 52 reenrolled staff trying track remaining 15 andersons 8thgrade classes swell many five students going average 28 33 johnson says asked central office additional teacher specialty reading provide extra instruction students michele clark middle school austin 20 85 bridge students retained principal marietta beverly also asked additional teacher along reading math instruction teacher spend one period day counseling students problems face daily lives ericson elementary east garfield park local school council member background psychology social work run selfesteem classes three times week 13 students promoted nothing ashamed says principal mary jo woolfolk got caught unprepared students also get extra help reading math reform boards tough stand promotion apparently ripple effect beyond schools flyers touting afterschool tutoring offered ada mckinley educational services posted throughout near south side flyers advertise tutoring 6th 7th 8thgraders reading writingas well tutoring aimed specifically raising iowa scores already organization seen significant jump registration people knocking door left right says antoinette mcconnell mckinley reading specialist heads program could send recruiters people calling us applauding promotion policy overdue wakeup call students parents principals say first crop bridge students got mixed signals program got underway several weeks program chief executive office paul vallas made clear test scores would determine whether students went high school time 8thgrade graduation ceremonies long principalswho say acted direction central officehad let students slated enter bridge program go ceremonies anyway students receive diplomas august bridge meanwhile vallas announcement students parents teachers impression good attendance good work bridge students would go 9th grade time played social promotion says woolfolk adds unfair kids thought graduated june guinea pigs says beverly tremendous emotional strain parents children next summer 3rd 6thgraders part bridge program adding younger students good news middle schools says johnson hardpressed make students lack skills two years beverly agrees older difficult remediate deficits new promotion policy boards new promotion policy elementary high school students held back failing grades poor attendance well low test scores year 3rd 6th 8thgraders promoted 1 receive failing grade reading math 2 fall boardset cutoff scores math reading portions iowa tests basic skills 3 low test scores 20 days unexcused absences including absences outofschool suspension students retained unless improve performance bridge major shift current practice 8thgraders 15 prior dec 1 sent directly high school age says davis fall 1300 older 8thgraders failed bridge exit exam promoted anyway instead students assigned one six regional transitional centers housed high schools least one semester following january retake iowa raise scores go regular high schools feel need use different strategies students explains davis centers still planning stage adds provide instruction core curriculum reading math science social studies well extra hour day intensive instruction reading math study skills previous board education promotion policy specifically stated students held back low scores high schools freshmen sophomores fail core course english math science social studies 20 unexcused absences must enroll summer school additionally 9thgraders score 80 equivalent beginning 8th grade reading math portion tests achievement proficiency must bring scores summer elementary high schools must notify parents writing child receive failing grade posted low scores standardized tests 10 unexcused absences principals still request waivers students
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<p>They’re called&#160;double-dippers: those who take a pension payout from one government job while earning a salary doing another.</p>
<p>Last year 19 of California’s 55 members of the U.S. Congress drew&#160;pensions from a state-backed public retirement plan, according to a CalWatchdog.com analysis of financial disclosures for the year 2013.</p>
<p>Payments from 2013&#160;– the last reported year available –&#160;came from municipal, education and state pension funds and ranged from annual payouts of $3,800 to $70,000. Four members take payments from two or more public pension funds.</p>
<p>The top recipient was&#160;Rep. Lois Capps, who collected a total of $70,049 in 2013 –&#160; <a href="https://www.scribd.com/doc/258810974/Lois-Capps" type="external">$20,615 from the California State Teachers Retirement System and $49,434 from the University of California Retirement System.</a></p>
<p>The 77-year-old lawmaker from Santa Barbara is a former instructor at Santa Barbara City College. Capps has been <a href="https://www.scribd.com/doc/258642408/Lois-Capps-Amended-Filing-Showing-Pension" type="external">receiving the dual pensions since 1998</a>, when she first was elected.</p>
<p>Members of Congress <a href="http://www.senate.gov/CRSReports/crs-publish.cfm?pid=%270E%2C*PL%5B%3D%23P%20%20%0A" type="external">receive a salary of $174,000</a>. They are not prohibited from taking their taxpayer-subsidized retirement while serving in Washington.</p>
<p>Taking a state pension while serving in Congress is hardly noticed “because it happens in so many different layers that people aren’t tracking it,” said Steve Ellis, vice president for the Washington D.C.-based <a href="http://www.taxpayer.net/" type="external">Taxpayers for Common Sense</a>.</p>
<p>“And besides, the people who are getting this kind of information are the people who would be getting these payments in the future.”</p>
<p>He added that the system has no rules prohibiting what detractors call “double-dipping.”</p>
<p>“All of us are paying two sets of employees, one working and one retired,” Ellis said.</p>
<p>But pensions are part of the compensation package, like any job in the private sector, insists Steve Maviglio, a California political consultant who represents unions that&#160;back public pensions.</p>
<p>“It’s like an executive who hops from one job to another,” Maviglio said. “Should they have to give up the benefits from a previous job?”</p>
<p>Besides, he said, “We’re trying to attract the best and the brightest to be public servants and if they are forced to give up the benefits they’ve earned at a previous job, it would kill that incentive [to serve].”</p>
<p>In addition to the 19 pensioners in the state’s Washington delegation, nine members note on their disclosures that they hold an interest in a public pension but are not yet taking the money.</p>
<p>The pension funds tapped include the <a href="http://www.samcera.org/" type="external">County of San Mateo</a>, which paid Rep. Anna Eshoo <a href="https://www.scribd.com/doc/258958979/Anna-Eshoo-financial-disclosure" type="external">$12,020</a> for her time on the board of supervisors from 1982 to 1992; and <a href="http://www.mcera.org/depts/rt/main/index.cfm" type="external">Marin County</a>, where <a href="https://www.scribd.com/doc/258960000/Barbara-Boxer" type="external">Sen. Barbara Boxer drew $4,456</a>for serving on the county board of supervisors from 1976 to 1982. Boxer has announced her retirement beginning in Jan. 2017.</p>
<p>Rep. Scott Peters, 56, who served on the San Diego City Council from 2000 to 2008, <a href="https://www.scribd.com/doc/258653181/Scott-Peters-Financial-Disclosure" type="external">noted on his disclosure</a> that he received a $20,703 annual pension from the <a href="https://www.sdcers.org/" type="external">San Diego City Employees’ Retirement System</a>, but donated it to the San Diego Library Department.</p>
<p>The majority of the pension draws came from the state’s California Public Employees’ Retirement System, which administers the <a href="http://www.calpers.ca.gov/index.jsp?bc=/about/benefits-overview/retirement/lrs-benefits.xml" type="external">Legislators’ Retirement System</a>.&#160; <a href="http://www.calpers.ca.gov/" type="external">CalPERS</a>&#160;covers members of the statehouse first elected&#160;prior to Nov.&#160;1990, when voters passed <a href="http://ballotpedia.org/California_Term_Limits,_Proposition_140_%281990%29" type="external">Proposition 140</a>. The initiative canceled pensions for future legislators and&#160;imposed term limits.&#160;The <a href="http://knowledgecenter.csg.org/kc/content/californias-public-employee-pension-reform-act-2013" type="external">California Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013</a> took effect in January 2013 and greatly altered the plan, as well as major educator pension arrangements.</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.calstrs.com/" type="external">California State Teachers Retirement System</a>&#160;also is a major provider of pension income for U.S. lawmakers. And some, such as Rep. Michael Honda, get something from both sources.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.scribd.com/doc/258798425/Michael-Honda-financial-disclosure-for-2013" type="external">Honda, 73, reported income</a> of $38,135 from CalSTRS and $13,393 from CalPERS, plus $12,754 from the teacher system as part of a deceased-spouse family allowance.</p>
<p>Still others have not yet tapped their pension funds and report the accrued benefits&#160;as unearned income or an asset. Those funds are allowed to be reported in a broad range as the asset is seen with the potential for growth or reduction.</p>
<p>Rep. Judy Chu <a href="https://www.scribd.com/doc/258798739/Judy-Chu-financial-disclosure-2013" type="external">reports her pension</a> with CalSTRS&#160;has a value of between $100,001 and $250,000 and her CalPERS fund between $1,001 and $15,000.</p>
<p>Chu, 61, served on the Monterey Park City Council and taught in the Los Angeles Community College District.</p>
<p>Rep. Tony Cardenas reported he will receive a pension from the city of Los Angeles <a href="https://www.scribd.com/doc/258799946/U-S-Rep-Tony-Cardenas-financial-disclosure" type="external">when he turns 55</a>, in 2018. His payout, he noted, is an “undetermined amount.”</p>
<p>Some members of the California delegation have seen their payments grow over the years at a rate outpacing standard interest returns for their funds.</p>
<p>Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s <a href="https://www.scribd.com/doc/258799373/Dianne-Feinstein-2013-State-Pension" type="external">$55,690 pension payout in 2013</a> from her days as a member of the Board of Supervisors and mayor of San Francisco has grown 36 percent since 2002, <a href="https://www.scribd.com/doc/258799542/Dianne-Feinstein-2002-Financial-Disclosure" type="external">when she collected $40,929.</a> Her draw is <a href="http://transparentcalifornia.com/pensions/2013/sfers-san-francisco-employees-retirement-system/feinstein-dianne/" type="external">based on 18 years of work ending in 1988</a>. Her 2002 pension pay was equal to between $53,000 and $62,500 in 2013, <a href="http://www.measuringworth.com/uscompare/result.php?year_source=2002&amp;amount=40929&amp;year_result=2013" type="external">according to a relative-worth calculation.</a></p>
<p>Feinstein, 81, first was elected to San Francisco city office in 1969.</p>
<p>Then there are the benefits that are too good to give up.</p>
<p>Even though federal lawmakers are privy to some generous health insurance, <a href="https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R43194.pdf" type="external">including dental care</a>, former Rep. Lynn Woolsey, who retired in 2013 after 20 years in Congress, reported <a href="https://www.scribd.com/doc/258802929/Lynn-Woolsey-Final-Filing" type="external">she still carried her vision and dental care</a> from her days as a member of the Petaluma City Council from 1984 to 1993.</p>
<p>Steve Miller can be reached at: 517-775-9952 and <a href="mailto:[email protected]" type="external">[email protected]</a>. His website is:&#160; <a href="http://avalanche50.com/" type="external">http://avalanche50.com/</a>.</p>
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theyre called160doubledippers take pension payout one government job earning salary another last year 19 californias 55 members us congress drew160pensions statebacked public retirement plan according calwatchdogcom analysis financial disclosures year 2013 payments 2013160 last reported year available 160came municipal education state pension funds ranged annual payouts 3800 70000 four members take payments two public pension funds top recipient was160rep lois capps collected total 70049 2013 160 20615 california state teachers retirement system 49434 university california retirement system 77yearold lawmaker santa barbara former instructor santa barbara city college capps receiving dual pensions since 1998 first elected members congress receive salary 174000 prohibited taking taxpayersubsidized retirement serving washington taking state pension serving congress hardly noticed happens many different layers people arent tracking said steve ellis vice president washington dcbased taxpayers common sense besides people getting kind information people would getting payments future added system rules prohibiting detractors call doubledipping us paying two sets employees one working one retired ellis said pensions part compensation package like job private sector insists steve maviglio california political consultant represents unions that160back public pensions like executive hops one job another maviglio said give benefits previous job besides said trying attract best brightest public servants forced give benefits theyve earned previous job would kill incentive serve addition 19 pensioners states washington delegation nine members note disclosures hold interest public pension yet taking money pension funds tapped include county san mateo paid rep anna eshoo 12020 time board supervisors 1982 1992 marin county sen barbara boxer drew 4456for serving county board supervisors 1976 1982 boxer announced retirement beginning jan 2017 rep scott peters 56 served san diego city council 2000 2008 noted disclosure received 20703 annual pension san diego city employees retirement system donated san diego library department majority pension draws came states california public employees retirement system administers legislators retirement system160 calpers160covers members statehouse first elected160prior nov1601990 voters passed proposition 140 initiative canceled pensions future legislators and160imposed term limits160the california public employees pension reform act 2013 took effect january 2013 greatly altered plan well major educator pension arrangements california state teachers retirement system160also major provider pension income us lawmakers rep michael honda get something sources honda 73 reported income 38135 calstrs 13393 calpers plus 12754 teacher system part deceasedspouse family allowance still others yet tapped pension funds report accrued benefits160as unearned income asset funds allowed reported broad range asset seen potential growth reduction rep judy chu reports pension calstrs160has value 100001 250000 calpers fund 1001 15000 chu 61 served monterey park city council taught los angeles community college district rep tony cardenas reported receive pension city los angeles turns 55 2018 payout noted undetermined amount members california delegation seen payments grow years rate outpacing standard interest returns funds sen dianne feinsteins 55690 pension payout 2013 days member board supervisors mayor san francisco grown 36 percent since 2002 collected 40929 draw based 18 years work ending 1988 2002 pension pay equal 53000 62500 2013 according relativeworth calculation feinstein 81 first elected san francisco city office 1969 benefits good give even though federal lawmakers privy generous health insurance including dental care former rep lynn woolsey retired 2013 20 years congress reported still carried vision dental care days member petaluma city council 1984 1993 steve miller reached 5177759952 avalanche50hotmailcom website is160 httpavalanche50com
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<p>As California's San Joaquin River meanders down from the Sierra Nevada across the Central Valley toward the San Francisco Bay, it loses water to farms and communities along the way. Now, amid drought, a national river conservation agency is calling on California to manage the San Joaquin's much-needed water more efficiently.</p>
<p>The nonprofit American Rivers announced Wednesday (April 9) that it has deemed the San Joaquin the <a href="http://www.livescience.com/28789-most-endangered-us-rivers-2013.html" type="external">most endangered river</a> in America. The organization highlights 10 rivers each year facing threats and management decisions that could make or break their futures.</p>
<p>"The San Joaquin has lots of problems from dams, levees and water diversions," said John Cain, the conservation director for California floodplain management at American Rivers. "It's had these problems for a long time, but this year, it's really at a tipping point." [ <a href="http://www.livescience.com/44630-endangered-rivers-2014.html" type="external">Under Threat: See the 10 Most Endangered Rivers of 2014</a>]</p>
<p>Fork in the river</p>
<p>There are two big legislative and management decisions facing the San Joaquin. The first is that the state's Water Resources Control Board is updating its Bay Delta Water Quality Plan. This plan governs the enormous estuary that connects the San Joaquin to the Pacific, the Bay Delta; it's the largest estuary on the west coast of either North or South America, said Eric Wesselman, executive director of the California conservation organization Friends of the River.</p>
<p>The estuary is a crucial habitat for fish, including the economically important <a href="http://www.livescience.com/43171-salmon-know-migration-route.html" type="external">Chinook salmon</a>, Wesselman, who was not involved in the American Rivers report, told Live Science. The water board has the power to increase flows down the San Joaquin into the estuary, improving the water and habitat quality. Though there is pressure from agricultural interests to keep that water for irrigation, environmental advocates argue that increased flows are necessary to protect both the environment and the economy.</p>
<p>"If the estuary collapses, then these fisheries collapse," Wesselman said.</p>
<p>There are also farmers near the estuary who would prefer more water get downstream, Cain added. And 23 million Californians get drinking water from the San Joaquin and south delta.</p>
<p>"Today, that supply is really compromised by the low quality and quantity of the San Joaquin river," Cain said.</p>
<p>The San Joaquin and its tributaries are extensively dammed, and water diversions remove 70 percent of the natural flow of the river, American Rivers reports. More than 100 miles (160 kilometers) of the river have run dry for half a century because of the diversions.</p>
<p>A second tipping point for the river involves attempts in Congress to overturn a settlement agreement to restore the San Joaquin. This settlement, hard-won over the course of two decades of litigation, is threatened by the pressures on the river's water. The problems have only worsened as <a href="http://www.livescience.com/44606-california-drought-snowpack.html" type="external">California's drought</a> drags on. In February, the Fresno Bee newspaper reported that <a href="http://www.fresnobee.com/2014/02/03/3749022/san-joaquin-river-restoration.html" type="external">planned water releases</a> for the restoration have been put on hold until at least 2015.</p>
<p>The drought is "like putting gasoline on the fire for water politics," Wesselman said.</p>
<p>Water solutions</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.livescience.com/21469-drought-definition.html" type="external">drought</a>, however, is not the reason American Rivers chose to highlight the San Joaquin this year, Cain said. The river's problems run deep, and would require a solution no matter how much rain California was getting, he said.</p>
<p>American Rivers is urging Californians to push for a sustainable management plan for the San Joaquin. Wesselman said that probably the most efficient route for reaching the Water Resources Control Board's ear is to pressure the state's governor, Jerry Brown, who appoints the board. [ <a href="http://www.livescience.com/44631-san-joaquin-river-images.html" type="external">See Images of the San Joaquin River</a>]</p>
<p>Nationally, citizens can urge their senators to oppose attempts to overturn state and federal laws that safeguard rivers from excessive diversion, Cain said.</p>
<p>"What we're advocating for is better water management regimes so that there is enough water for farms and fish," Cain said. "That would really require water conservation in all years and actively recharging our aquifer in wet years, so it can serve as a buffer in dry years."</p>
<p>About 80 percent of California's water goes to agriculture, so conservation by farmers is key, Wesselman said. Possible solutions include installing drip rather than spray irrigation; planting annual crops such as lettuce that can be tailored to wet and dry years versus plants such as nut trees that must be watered no matter the weather; and lining canals so that precious water doesn't seep into the soil instead of irrigating crops.</p>
<p>"The drought, in a way, is the opportunity for California to put itself on a path to a sustainable water future," Wesselman said.</p>
<p>American Rivers highlighted nine other endangered rivers in its report, as well. Threats range from excessive diversions to outdated dams to polluted runoff. The full list is:</p>
<p>1. San Joaquin River, California</p>
<p>2. Upper Colorado River, Colorado</p>
<p>3. Middle <a href="http://www.livescience.com/30414-mississippi-river-flooding-before-after-images.html" type="external">Mississippi River</a>, Missouri, Illinois and Kentucky</p>
<p>4. Gila River, New Mexico</p>
<p>5. San Francisquito Creek, California</p>
<p>6. South Fork Edisto River, South Carolina</p>
<p>7. White River, Colorado</p>
<p>8. White River, Washington</p>
<p>9. Haw River, North Carolina</p>
<p>10. Clearwater and Lochsa rivers, Idaho</p>
<p>Follow Stephanie Pappas on <a href="https://twitter.com/sipappas" type="external">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://plus.google.com/101831066787121148004/posts" type="external">Google+</a>. Follow us <a href="https://twitter.com/LiveScience" type="external">@livescience</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/livescience" type="external">Facebook</a> &amp; <a href="https://plus.google.com/101164570444913213957/posts" type="external">Google+</a>. Original article on <a href="http://www.livescience.com/44708-most-endangered-river-2014.html" type="external">Live Science</a>.</p>
<p>Copyright 2014 <a href="http://www.livescience.com/" type="external">LiveScience</a>, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</p>
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californias san joaquin river meanders sierra nevada across central valley toward san francisco bay loses water farms communities along way amid drought national river conservation agency calling california manage san joaquins muchneeded water efficiently nonprofit american rivers announced wednesday april 9 deemed san joaquin endangered river america organization highlights 10 rivers year facing threats management decisions could make break futures san joaquin lots problems dams levees water diversions said john cain conservation director california floodplain management american rivers problems long time year really tipping point threat see 10 endangered rivers 2014 fork river two big legislative management decisions facing san joaquin first states water resources control board updating bay delta water quality plan plan governs enormous estuary connects san joaquin pacific bay delta largest estuary west coast either north south america said eric wesselman executive director california conservation organization friends river estuary crucial habitat fish including economically important chinook salmon wesselman involved american rivers report told live science water board power increase flows san joaquin estuary improving water habitat quality though pressure agricultural interests keep water irrigation environmental advocates argue increased flows necessary protect environment economy estuary collapses fisheries collapse wesselman said also farmers near estuary would prefer water get downstream cain added 23 million californians get drinking water san joaquin south delta today supply really compromised low quality quantity san joaquin river cain said san joaquin tributaries extensively dammed water diversions remove 70 percent natural flow river american rivers reports 100 miles 160 kilometers river run dry half century diversions second tipping point river involves attempts congress overturn settlement agreement restore san joaquin settlement hardwon course two decades litigation threatened pressures rivers water problems worsened californias drought drags february fresno bee newspaper reported planned water releases restoration put hold least 2015 drought like putting gasoline fire water politics wesselman said water solutions drought however reason american rivers chose highlight san joaquin year cain said rivers problems run deep would require solution matter much rain california getting said american rivers urging californians push sustainable management plan san joaquin wesselman said probably efficient route reaching water resources control boards ear pressure states governor jerry brown appoints board see images san joaquin river nationally citizens urge senators oppose attempts overturn state federal laws safeguard rivers excessive diversion cain said advocating better water management regimes enough water farms fish cain said would really require water conservation years actively recharging aquifer wet years serve buffer dry years 80 percent californias water goes agriculture conservation farmers key wesselman said possible solutions include installing drip rather spray irrigation planting annual crops lettuce tailored wet dry years versus plants nut trees must watered matter weather lining canals precious water doesnt seep soil instead irrigating crops drought way opportunity california put path sustainable water future wesselman said american rivers highlighted nine endangered rivers report well threats range excessive diversions outdated dams polluted runoff full list 1 san joaquin river california 2 upper colorado river colorado 3 middle mississippi river missouri illinois kentucky 4 gila river new mexico 5 san francisquito creek california 6 south fork edisto river south carolina 7 white river colorado 8 white river washington 9 haw river north carolina 10 clearwater lochsa rivers idaho follow stephanie pappas twitter google follow us livescience facebook amp google original article live science copyright 2014 livescience techmedianetwork company rights reserved material may published broadcast rewritten redistributed
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<p>LaWanda Dean had warned her landlord about her bathroom ceiling.</p>
<p>“It was cracked, and I said, ‘You might want to check it out,’” the 34-year-old recalled.</p>
<p>Then the dripping water began. It dripped for days; then for more than a week.</p>
<p>As the crack grew bigger and bigger, Dean thought to herself, “That’s going to come in.”</p>
<p>“Before you knew it—boom!” she exclaimed as her hands shot up. “It fell down.”</p>
<p>The bathroom ceiling wasn’t the first problem she had warned her building manager about. Dean, an energetic single mom who smiles with her eyes, had flagged mold growing up the side of the refrigerator, and complained about “gigantic holes” in her kitchen cabinets and the roof. She asked for help fixing the hallway lights that were always out and cleaning up the trash that piled up in the backyard of the three-flat, which sits on the western edge of Hyde Park. And then there was the decaying back porch.</p>
<p>“You couldn’t even walk down the stairs.”</p>
<p>Back in 2009, she moved out of the Harold Ickes Homes, a public housing development on the Near South Side, and into a first-floor, four-bedroom apartment at 4729 S. Langley Ave. Little did she know then that her new landlord was establishing a history of running troubled properties.</p>
<p>All the while, taxpayers footed the bills.</p>
<p>Welcome to Chicago’s fastest-growing stock of publicly funded housing for low-income families. In recent years, the Chicago Housing Authority has expanded the federal rent subsidy program, formerly known as Section 8. Now called the Housing Choice Voucher, the program was expanded under an overhaul that began in 2000, when the CHA decided to knock down thousands of decaying public housing units. Since then, the program has grown by more than 60 percent. As of this year, 38,585 households participate.</p>
<p>The program’s intent: To give families like Dean’s the option to leave traditional public housing with the help of vouchers and find market-rate rentals in safer communities with better schools, less poverty and more jobs. The reality: Thousands of families who hold vouchers are still living in substandard, privately owned buildings in Chicago’s most distressed communities, The Chicago Reporter has found.</p>
<p>A growing number of those buildings are struggling to pass the CHA’s own inspection standards, shows the Reporter’s analysis of the agency’s inspection records. Six out of every 10 buildings inspected by the CHA in 2012 failed inspections at least 50 percent of the time, the analysis shows. The share of these chronically failing buildings—16,759 properties in all—has nearly doubled since 2006, when 9,043 buildings, or 34 percent of those inspected, failed at least half the time.</p>
<p>And the number of buildings that required a 24-hour remedy—typically a sign of an emergency situation like a broken furnace or leaking roof—has grown fourfold since 2006—to 2,204, the Reporter’s analysis shows.</p>
<p>Families like Dean’s have lived with the consequences: mold, rodents, and broken furnaces and porches. Yet federal funds keep flowing to landlords—owners and property managers the CHA calls “vendors.”</p>
<p>Between 2006 and 2011, those landlords collected $337 million for renting apartments in buildings that chronically failed inspections, shows the Reporter’s analysis of CHA payment records for that period. That’s roughly $1 of every $6 spent on the program during that time.</p>
<p>And it doesn’t include the tenant’s portion of the rents. Tenants are required to contribute up to 30 percent of their incomes toward their rent. The CHA covers the remainder. The going rate for a three-bedroom apartment is $1,231. Voucher holders with an average annual income of $11,000 last year would pay $275 a month to cover their share of the rent.</p>
<p>As far as Kate Walz, an attorney at the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law, is concerned, landlords get “good rents.” Since 2006, they’ve collected nearly $2 billion. For too long, Walz said, the CHA has let too many landlords get away with renting out substandard units.</p>
<p>People living near chronically failing buildings complain that they are a drag on African-American neighborhoods on the city’s South and West sides, where 71 percent of these failing properties are located.</p>
<p>Tamiko Holt said her voice mail is constantly full of messages from people complaining about landlords. “The things that they are renting are amazing to me—no heat, no hot water, mold,” said Holt, the president of the Housing Choice Voucher Residents Advisory Board, a CHA-sponsored group that represents voucher holders.</p>
<p>Alderman Leslie Hairston of the 5th Ward said the CHA needs to do a better job of making sure the program isn’t subsidizing “slumlords” who are renting to vulnerable tenants.</p>
<p>“People should be first over landlords making money. The CHA needs to stop putting money in their pockets for renting substandard buildings,” Hairston said. “We’re talking about human life here. And we’re talking about deplorable living conditions.”</p>
<p>By the CHA’s count, 40 percent of the people living in subsidized units last year were children in households earning less than $16,000.</p>
<p>CHA officials say more buildings are failing inspections because of new local and federal guidelines that have upped inspection standards.</p>
<p>Are living conditions growing more grim? Ellen Sahli, the CHA’s chief housing officer, said she “can’t speculate” on that question.</p>
<p>In the case of the 24-hour inspections, Sahli said: “If you’re seeing an inspection the next day, we are ensuring, or trying to ensure, that landlords are addressing a problem that is considered an emergency.”</p>
<p>According to the CHA, 98 percent of the apartments in the program are brought into compliance within 90 days. “If they haven’t passed inspection,” Sahli added, “we can get out of the contract or end the relationship with the landlord.”</p>
<p>Roughly 2 percent of contracts are canceled each year because landlords don’t meet expectations, according to the CHA. More typically, the agency withholds rent reimbursements until the landlords bring the buildings up to standard.</p>
<p>That happens fairly regularly, the Reporter’s analysis shows. The CHA docked rents at more than 29,000 buildings between 2006 and 2011.</p>
<p>When rents are withheld, it’s often tenants who “are on the losing end,” Walz said.</p>
<p>They “are sitting in a failing unit. The CHA is not paying. Sometimes the tenant is facing eviction because the [rent] payment isn’t made,” she said.</p>
<p>Hairston said the CHA’s penalties against landlords have been ineffective in rooting out bad actors. “So you’re going to dock their pay for one month? That’s like getting a $2 parking ticket. You think it’s going to correct behavior?” she said. “There’s no penalty for repeat offenders.”</p>
<p>More than 250 of the chronically failing buildings sit in Hairston’s South Side ward, which stretches south along the lakefront from Kenwood to South Shore. Typically, Hairston said, she turns to city attorneys and Chicago Department of Buildings officials to investigate conditions that are, at times, “inhumane.”</p>
<p>While CHA inspections determine whether landlords will be able to collect the rent subsidies, the units are also subject to inspections by the city’s buildings department. During the past two years, nearly 1,500 buildings have faced code violations and fines—even after they passed CHA inspections, the Reporter’s analysis shows. That’s a sign that subpar units are slipping through the CHA’s inspection process, Hairston said.</p>
<p>It’s not a new allegation. For years, the CHA has been called out for subsidizing landlords who rent substandard units. In 2005, a Chicago Tribune investigation found that four out of every 10 units inspected in the voucher program got a failing grade. At the time, William Wilen, the former director of housing litigation for the Shriver center, told the Tribune it was “a scandal” that “you’ve got people taking money for crappy houses.”</p>
<p>Then, in 2009, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of the Inspector General issued a blistering audit that found the agency continued to routinely overpay landlords who rented out failing units that were “not decent, safe and sanitary.”</p>
<p>The CHA is engaged in a “continuous improvement process,” which involves rigorous landlord screening and tougher inspection standards, Sahli responded in an email.</p>
<p>Donna White, public affairs officer for the HUD, said subsidized units are held to “stringent” inspection standards. “It is not uncommon for properties to fail inspections, either as a result of landlord negligence or tenant abuse,” she said. “A high level of failures actually means the CHA contractors are doing a thorough job of inspecting units.”</p>
<p>The problem is not unique to Chicago, said Linda Couch, senior vice president for policy and research at the Washington, D.C.-based National Low Income Housing Coalition. “I’ve seen too many [inspector general] reports that have found that, when a unit passed inspection, it shouldn’t have.”</p>
<p>“With these individual properties scattered throughout the city, it’s harder to keep quality control,” said Samira Nazem, a staff attorney with the Lawyers’ Committee for Better Housing, a Chicago nonprofit that represents low-income CHA tenants. “It’s just a logistical nightmare.”</p>
<p>Nazem, who previously served as a contract attorney for the CHA’s Office of General Counsel, said one problem is the CHA’s lopsided approach to enforcing the program’s rules. The agency, she noted, just hired a team of new attorneys to ramp up tenant voucher terminations. “There isn’t a parallel unit to address landlords.”</p>
<p>Although there is no “landlord enforcement” unit, Sahli said the agency funds six positions that work on owner eligibility and compliance issues. Most of their work is on the front end, when landlords apply to get into the program.</p>
<p>Tenants are mostly on their own when it comes to holding their landlords accountable, Holt said. It’s a step backward because, at least when people lived in public housing, they could organize to hold property managers accountable, she said.</p>
<p>“I didn’t have no problem with my unit when I lived in public housing,” Holt added. “Why? Because I knew who to call: the management company. They would fix things.”</p>
<p>When Dean’s ceiling caved in at the Langley building, she immediately reached for the phone to call her property manager. “I said, ‘What am I supposed to do about this ceiling?’” she recalled. The maintenance man was unavailable, so she scrounged up some plastic bags, borrowed tape from a neighbor and went to work to patch up the gaping hole. She also called 311 for help from the city.</p>
<p>Later in the week, after the management company coordinated the repairs, city inspectors came out and told Dean it was time to start packing. “They said, ‘It’s not passing inspection. You should move,’” she recalled.</p>
<p>Andrew J. Williams lives next door to Dean’s old building. His three-flat, gray-stone has been in his family for three generations.</p>
<p>On a typical afternoon, there is a lot of activity: His niece walks her dog before heading off to work, his granddaughter comes out to play and his brother relaxes on the porch.</p>
<p>Williams, a tall man with a salt-and-pepper moustache who talks with his hands, describes the area around his house as the “poor side of Hyde Park.” It wasn’t always that way. “When I was growing up, this block was filled with doctors, lawyers and police officers,” the 65-year-old said.</p>
<p>His family’s building is in pristine condition: Stained-glass panes hang in the windows and the shrubs in the front yard are tightly manicured.</p>
<p>The red stone building next door is another story.</p>
<p>Williams has watched 4729 S. Langley Ave. fall into disrepair during the past five years or so, he said.</p>
<p>Routine maintenance was deferred. The porch became weaker, and a tarp was hung over a gaping hole in the roof. “Let it rain hard enough,” he said, “and you’ll hear the water.” Water damage began to erode the stone ledges around the windows, and before he knew it, the front door and first-story windows were covered over by thin sheets of plywood last year.</p>
<p>“How does this affect me?” Williams asked. “Value. If I tried to sell [my building] tomorrow, they’d come and look at all of the properties on this block.”</p>
<p>Patria Partners managed 4729 S. Langley Ave. on behalf of owner Eugene Fu, a real estate broker based in the Gold Coast. It continued to collect subsidies for the Langley units for nearly two years after a bank initiated foreclosure proceedings against Fu in 2010. The building is now vacant and up for sale.</p>
<p>To keep the checks coming, each of the apartments must pass annual inspections. CHA inspectors visited the property 42 times between 2006 and 2012. They failed the units 18 times. Inspection results were “inconclusive” on four other occasions.</p>
<p>The CHA docked rent payments to the building 16 times between 2007 and 2010. The agency withheld $8,561, compared with $151,263 in rent checks the CHA cut in exchange for renting an apartment to Dean and other tenants between 2006 and 2011, records show.</p>
<p>In a brief phone interview, Fu declined to answer detailed questions and referred the Reporter to Patria Partners for all questions about his subsidized properties. “At the end of the day, there’s a management company in place, and the management company is the one that manages those properties,” Fu said.</p>
<p>In 2005, the Tribune’s analysis of CHA records found that Patria Partners was “outpacing” most of the landlords subsidized by the CHA “in revenue and quality.” Between 2006 and 2011, the company went on to collect $8.5 million in rents for the 281 buildings it owned or managed.</p>
<p>The Reporter’s analysis shows that Patria Partners has managed fewer buildings each year since 2006, and the rate of failed inspections has steadily increased.</p>
<p>In 2006, more than a third of 133 properties the company managed that year failed the CHA inspections at least half of the time. In 2011, the rate of chronic failures grew to 77 percent among its 52 properties.</p>
<p>Barry Miller, Patria Partners’ managing member, declined to discuss the Langley building in detail but said that the past five years have been “a really tough time” to be in the business of managing subsidized properties.</p>
<p>Miller said that as interest rates on subprime loans began to kick in around 2007, he and other owners of the properties his company managed started struggling to make the mortgage payments. “Money began to be spread around by property owners” to cover other debts, Miller said. He estimates that 60 percent of the properties he managed in the early part of the past decade ultimately fell into foreclosure.</p>
<p>Today, he added, landlords “in the [CHA] program can barely scrape together money for the payments.”</p>
<p>This spring, the Reporter toured a dozen subsidized buildings that Patria Partners has managed during the past eight years. Tenants spoke only on the condition of anonymity, for fear of losing their vouchers.</p>
<p>They pointed to unstable windows that have been nailed shut rather than replaced, rotting cabinetry, broken porches, mold and walls that were partially painted. A handful of the buildings were boarded up, in the foreclosure process, or have been sold to new owners.</p>
<p>Currently, Patria Partners manages only 11 units in the program, Sahli said. “As CHA continued to rigorously enforce [Housing Quality Standards], units from the program have been removed,” she said.</p>
<p>Walz of the Shriver center said repeated failed inspections should raise red flags. “These [landlords] get rents above market value,” she said. “They’re getting more for their crappy unit in Englewood with a voucher than a market renter.”</p>
<p>Back on Langley, Williams has watched the building next door deteriorate. “Ultimately, they can’t pass CHA inspections at all,” he said. “Then it ends up boarded up.”</p>
<p>While Dean and her seven children ultimately moved on to a better apartment, Williams and his neighbors are stuck with the long-term consequences, he said.</p>
<p>Williams pointed to a subsidized building across the street and said, “Section 8 is not bad. But when [a landlord] takes everything out of it and doesn’t put anything back into the property, he’s not just ruining a building. He’s ruining a neighborhood. He’s ruining a city.”</p>
<p>By the City of Chicago’s standard, CHA inspectors are missing major problems. The Chicago Department of Administrative Hearings—a quasi-judicial body that oversees health and safety violations, typically involving city building code infractions—has opened about 1,500 cases against subsidized buildings during the past two years.</p>
<p>Those properties accounted for more than 1 in every 10 buildings that got a hearing.</p>
<p>Nearly half of the subsidized buildings brought before the Department of Administrative Hearings during that period had already passed the CHA inspection within six months of a hearing.</p>
<p>Dozens more have landed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, where city attorneys try to collect fines or enforce more serious code violations.</p>
<p>“The landlords, some of them, think it’s a game. They’ll go to housing court and turn the heat on the same day,” Hairston said. “There should be some violations where landlords are immediately suspended from the program.”</p>
<p>Sahli, the CHA’s chief housing officer, served as commissioner of the Chicago Department of Housing from 2007 to 2009. She pointed out that there are differences between how inspectors from the buildings department and the CHA evaluate properties. Porches, for example, are held to a higher standard by the buildings department as compared with the CHA, which only requires that a railing be secured if it is at least 30 inches high and that it be free of lead paint.</p>
<p>The CHA’s inspection standard “is not a replacement of the Chicago building code,” she said, but another way of enforcing property maintenance.</p>
<p>Another key difference: City inspectors show up for inspections unannounced. CHA inspectors schedule their visits roughly a month in advance.</p>
<p>Dean saw a lot of quick fixes at her apartment on Langley when Patria Partners got notice that a CHA inspector was coming. “They would come out the day before and fix things I’d been complaining about,” she said.</p>
<p>“One time they were still painting when the inspector arrived,” she recalled. When the inspector left, the maintenance guy put his roller down and quit.</p>
<p>“Matter of fact, he just left the paint and everything right there,” Dean said. “I asked him, ‘Aren’t you going to come back and fix it?’ He said, ‘It already failed inspection.’”</p>
<p>Miller of Patria Partners declined to comment on the charges about Langley. “It’s hearsay,” he said. “I’m not going to dignify it with confirming or denying it.”</p>
<p>Jay Toth has been a landlord for more than a decade, and most of his properties are subsidized through the voucher program. He’s one of 289 owners in the CHA’s Owner Excellence Program, which recognizes high-performing landlords.</p>
<p>He has seen other landlords buy buildings as investment properties and let them slide. “And they have a lot more units than I do,” he said.</p>
<p>Toth’s buildings have almost always passed inspections. Still, inspections don’t tell the whole story, he said. “I could have my guys there for two days and spend hundreds or thousands of dollars and I could fail [CHA inspections] because of little things.”</p>
<p>Sometimes inspectors are nitpicky, Toth said, and will fail a unit for a minor violation like a cracked tile.</p>
<p>The National Low Income Housing Coalition, along with special-interest groups representing landlords in Washington, D.C., are pushing to relax the inspection process for subsidized units. Under legislation they are currently drafting, inspections for subsidized buildings across the country would become biannual rather than annual. They also propose that local housing authorities decide for themselves whether to withhold rents in failing buildings. Couch hopes to see a bill introduced later this year.</p>
<p>Couch said her organization has concerns about housing quality, but the trade-off is that relaxing inspections would likely free up affordable rental housing, which is in short supply.</p>
<p>Those changes would be a mistake, Walz said. The inspection process “is flawed,” she said. “But, at a minimum, we have to have some quality assurance.”</p>
<p>In 2011, after the inspector told Dean that she ought to move, she had no time to waste. The CHA quickly issued her moving papers. She had 90 days to find a new place or, under the program rules, her voucher would expire.</p>
<p>Dean says she can’t afford to lose the voucher. She left her job as a warehouse clerk last year after she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She’s getting by on a disability check. Her current share of the rent is $168.</p>
<p>“I was out [looking for an apartment] almost every day, every day,” Dean said.</p>
<p>She was pretty confident that Patria Partners wouldn’t be returning her $1,400 security deposit—at least not anytime soon. Without the money, she needed to find a landlord who would waive the deposit. She also worried about her son, now 19. “We have to move in areas where it’s safe,” she said.</p>
<p>The Langley apartment was her first home since moving out of the Harold Ickes Homes, where she’d lived for the prior decade.</p>
<p>Her search was a challenge. She was looking for a decent place that was close to her children’s schools and on the east side of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, which she sees as the better side of the neighborhood. “I was down to my last month,” she added. “It was a couple weeks.”</p>
<p>Then she stumbled across a well-kept gray-stone in Grand Boulevard. The building’s owner was willing to waive the security deposit. She quickly packed and moved in October.</p>
<p>“That’s what’s good about Section 8. You can get up and move when you want to,” she said. “You don’t have to stay where you don’t want to be.”</p>
<p>That gives her peace, particularly because she wants to keep her eldest son as far away from violence as possible. “Over here, our boys is safe,” she said.</p>
<p>Her youngest daughter, now 5, is also better off. On Langley, the toddler was in and out of the hospital with asthma flare-ups. During the move, Dean realized why. She pulled a bed away from the wall and saw mold growing behind it. A week later, the substance had grown “all the way up and around the wall,” Dean recalled.</p>
<p>“I’m like, my kids have probably been sick all of this time because of this,” she said.</p>
<p>Dean eventually did get a partial refund on her deposit in July 2012.</p>
<p>She likes her new, five-bedroom apartment so much that she helped an old neighbor from Langley move to her building.</p>
<p>“I’ll tell you what,” Dean said. “With Section 8, and any landlord, you’ve got good ones and you’ve got bad ones.”</p>
<p>Evan Moore, James Reddick and Leah Varjacques helped research this article.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">[email protected]</a></p>
<p>Support for this article was provided by the Local Reporting Awards Initiative of the Community News Matters collaborative, which is supported by The Chicago Community Trust, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, and the Woods Fund of Chicago. Support for the data analysis was provided by the IRE Data Journalism Fund, sponsored by Google Ideas.</p>
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lawanda dean warned landlord bathroom ceiling cracked said might want check 34yearold recalled dripping water began dripped days week crack grew bigger bigger dean thought thats going come knew itboom exclaimed hands shot fell bathroom ceiling wasnt first problem warned building manager dean energetic single mom smiles eyes flagged mold growing side refrigerator complained gigantic holes kitchen cabinets roof asked help fixing hallway lights always cleaning trash piled backyard threeflat sits western edge hyde park decaying back porch couldnt even walk stairs back 2009 moved harold ickes homes public housing development near south side firstfloor fourbedroom apartment 4729 langley ave little know new landlord establishing history running troubled properties taxpayers footed bills welcome chicagos fastestgrowing stock publicly funded housing lowincome families recent years chicago housing authority expanded federal rent subsidy program formerly known section 8 called housing choice voucher program expanded overhaul began 2000 cha decided knock thousands decaying public housing units since program grown 60 percent year 38585 households participate programs intent give families like deans option leave traditional public housing help vouchers find marketrate rentals safer communities better schools less poverty jobs reality thousands families hold vouchers still living substandard privately owned buildings chicagos distressed communities chicago reporter found growing number buildings struggling pass chas inspection standards shows reporters analysis agencys inspection records six every 10 buildings inspected cha 2012 failed inspections least 50 percent time analysis shows share chronically failing buildings16759 properties allhas nearly doubled since 2006 9043 buildings 34 percent inspected failed least half time number buildings required 24hour remedytypically sign emergency situation like broken furnace leaking roofhas grown fourfold since 2006to 2204 reporters analysis shows families like deans lived consequences mold rodents broken furnaces porches yet federal funds keep flowing landlordsowners property managers cha calls vendors 2006 2011 landlords collected 337 million renting apartments buildings chronically failed inspections shows reporters analysis cha payment records period thats roughly 1 every 6 spent program time doesnt include tenants portion rents tenants required contribute 30 percent incomes toward rent cha covers remainder going rate threebedroom apartment 1231 voucher holders average annual income 11000 last year would pay 275 month cover share rent far kate walz attorney sargent shriver national center poverty law concerned landlords get good rents since 2006 theyve collected nearly 2 billion long walz said cha let many landlords get away renting substandard units people living near chronically failing buildings complain drag africanamerican neighborhoods citys south west sides 71 percent failing properties located tamiko holt said voice mail constantly full messages people complaining landlords things renting amazing meno heat hot water mold said holt president housing choice voucher residents advisory board chasponsored group represents voucher holders alderman leslie hairston 5th ward said cha needs better job making sure program isnt subsidizing slumlords renting vulnerable tenants people first landlords making money cha needs stop putting money pockets renting substandard buildings hairston said talking human life talking deplorable living conditions chas count 40 percent people living subsidized units last year children households earning less 16000 cha officials say buildings failing inspections new local federal guidelines upped inspection standards living conditions growing grim ellen sahli chas chief housing officer said cant speculate question case 24hour inspections sahli said youre seeing inspection next day ensuring trying ensure landlords addressing problem considered emergency according cha 98 percent apartments program brought compliance within 90 days havent passed inspection sahli added get contract end relationship landlord roughly 2 percent contracts canceled year landlords dont meet expectations according cha typically agency withholds rent reimbursements landlords bring buildings standard happens fairly regularly reporters analysis shows cha docked rents 29000 buildings 2006 2011 rents withheld often tenants losing end walz said sitting failing unit cha paying sometimes tenant facing eviction rent payment isnt made said hairston said chas penalties landlords ineffective rooting bad actors youre going dock pay one month thats like getting 2 parking ticket think going correct behavior said theres penalty repeat offenders 250 chronically failing buildings sit hairstons south side ward stretches south along lakefront kenwood south shore typically hairston said turns city attorneys chicago department buildings officials investigate conditions times inhumane cha inspections determine whether landlords able collect rent subsidies units also subject inspections citys buildings department past two years nearly 1500 buildings faced code violations fineseven passed cha inspections reporters analysis shows thats sign subpar units slipping chas inspection process hairston said new allegation years cha called subsidizing landlords rent substandard units 2005 chicago tribune investigation found four every 10 units inspected voucher program got failing grade time william wilen former director housing litigation shriver center told tribune scandal youve got people taking money crappy houses 2009 us department housing urban developments office inspector general issued blistering audit found agency continued routinely overpay landlords rented failing units decent safe sanitary cha engaged continuous improvement process involves rigorous landlord screening tougher inspection standards sahli responded email donna white public affairs officer hud said subsidized units held stringent inspection standards uncommon properties fail inspections either result landlord negligence tenant abuse said high level failures actually means cha contractors thorough job inspecting units problem unique chicago said linda couch senior vice president policy research washington dcbased national low income housing coalition ive seen many inspector general reports found unit passed inspection shouldnt individual properties scattered throughout city harder keep quality control said samira nazem staff attorney lawyers committee better housing chicago nonprofit represents lowincome cha tenants logistical nightmare nazem previously served contract attorney chas office general counsel said one problem chas lopsided approach enforcing programs rules agency noted hired team new attorneys ramp tenant voucher terminations isnt parallel unit address landlords although landlord enforcement unit sahli said agency funds six positions work owner eligibility compliance issues work front end landlords apply get program tenants mostly comes holding landlords accountable holt said step backward least people lived public housing could organize hold property managers accountable said didnt problem unit lived public housing holt added knew call management company would fix things deans ceiling caved langley building immediately reached phone call property manager said supposed ceiling recalled maintenance man unavailable scrounged plastic bags borrowed tape neighbor went work patch gaping hole also called 311 help city later week management company coordinated repairs city inspectors came told dean time start packing said passing inspection move recalled andrew j williams lives next door deans old building threeflat graystone family three generations typical afternoon lot activity niece walks dog heading work granddaughter comes play brother relaxes porch williams tall man saltandpepper moustache talks hands describes area around house poor side hyde park wasnt always way growing block filled doctors lawyers police officers 65yearold said familys building pristine condition stainedglass panes hang windows shrubs front yard tightly manicured red stone building next door another story williams watched 4729 langley ave fall disrepair past five years said routine maintenance deferred porch became weaker tarp hung gaping hole roof let rain hard enough said youll hear water water damage began erode stone ledges around windows knew front door firststory windows covered thin sheets plywood last year affect williams asked value tried sell building tomorrow theyd come look properties block patria partners managed 4729 langley ave behalf owner eugene fu real estate broker based gold coast continued collect subsidies langley units nearly two years bank initiated foreclosure proceedings fu 2010 building vacant sale keep checks coming apartments must pass annual inspections cha inspectors visited property 42 times 2006 2012 failed units 18 times inspection results inconclusive four occasions cha docked rent payments building 16 times 2007 2010 agency withheld 8561 compared 151263 rent checks cha cut exchange renting apartment dean tenants 2006 2011 records show brief phone interview fu declined answer detailed questions referred reporter patria partners questions subsidized properties end day theres management company place management company one manages properties fu said 2005 tribunes analysis cha records found patria partners outpacing landlords subsidized cha revenue quality 2006 2011 company went collect 85 million rents 281 buildings owned managed reporters analysis shows patria partners managed fewer buildings year since 2006 rate failed inspections steadily increased 2006 third 133 properties company managed year failed cha inspections least half time 2011 rate chronic failures grew 77 percent among 52 properties barry miller patria partners managing member declined discuss langley building detail said past five years really tough time business managing subsidized properties miller said interest rates subprime loans began kick around 2007 owners properties company managed started struggling make mortgage payments money began spread around property owners cover debts miller said estimates 60 percent properties managed early part past decade ultimately fell foreclosure today added landlords cha program barely scrape together money payments spring reporter toured dozen subsidized buildings patria partners managed past eight years tenants spoke condition anonymity fear losing vouchers pointed unstable windows nailed shut rather replaced rotting cabinetry broken porches mold walls partially painted handful buildings boarded foreclosure process sold new owners currently patria partners manages 11 units program sahli said cha continued rigorously enforce housing quality standards units program removed said walz shriver center said repeated failed inspections raise red flags landlords get rents market value said theyre getting crappy unit englewood voucher market renter back langley williams watched building next door deteriorate ultimately cant pass cha inspections said ends boarded dean seven children ultimately moved better apartment williams neighbors stuck longterm consequences said williams pointed subsidized building across street said section 8 bad landlord takes everything doesnt put anything back property hes ruining building hes ruining neighborhood hes ruining city city chicagos standard cha inspectors missing major problems chicago department administrative hearingsa quasijudicial body oversees health safety violations typically involving city building code infractionshas opened 1500 cases subsidized buildings past two years properties accounted 1 every 10 buildings got hearing nearly half subsidized buildings brought department administrative hearings period already passed cha inspection within six months hearing dozens landed circuit court cook county city attorneys try collect fines enforce serious code violations landlords think game theyll go housing court turn heat day hairston said violations landlords immediately suspended program sahli chas chief housing officer served commissioner chicago department housing 2007 2009 pointed differences inspectors buildings department cha evaluate properties porches example held higher standard buildings department compared cha requires railing secured least 30 inches high free lead paint chas inspection standard replacement chicago building code said another way enforcing property maintenance another key difference city inspectors show inspections unannounced cha inspectors schedule visits roughly month advance dean saw lot quick fixes apartment langley patria partners got notice cha inspector coming would come day fix things id complaining said one time still painting inspector arrived recalled inspector left maintenance guy put roller quit matter fact left paint everything right dean said asked arent going come back fix said already failed inspection miller patria partners declined comment charges langley hearsay said im going dignify confirming denying jay toth landlord decade properties subsidized voucher program hes one 289 owners chas owner excellence program recognizes highperforming landlords seen landlords buy buildings investment properties let slide lot units said toths buildings almost always passed inspections still inspections dont tell whole story said could guys two days spend hundreds thousands dollars could fail cha inspections little things sometimes inspectors nitpicky toth said fail unit minor violation like cracked tile national low income housing coalition along specialinterest groups representing landlords washington dc pushing relax inspection process subsidized units legislation currently drafting inspections subsidized buildings across country would become biannual rather annual also propose local housing authorities decide whether withhold rents failing buildings couch hopes see bill introduced later year couch said organization concerns housing quality tradeoff relaxing inspections would likely free affordable rental housing short supply changes would mistake walz said inspection process flawed said minimum quality assurance 2011 inspector told dean ought move time waste cha quickly issued moving papers 90 days find new place program rules voucher would expire dean says cant afford lose voucher left job warehouse clerk last year diagnosed multiple sclerosis shes getting disability check current share rent 168 looking apartment almost every day every day dean said pretty confident patria partners wouldnt returning 1400 security depositat least anytime soon without money needed find landlord would waive deposit also worried son 19 move areas safe said langley apartment first home since moving harold ickes homes shed lived prior decade search challenge looking decent place close childrens schools east side martin luther king jr drive sees better side neighborhood last month added couple weeks stumbled across wellkept graystone grand boulevard buildings owner willing waive security deposit quickly packed moved october thats whats good section 8 get move want said dont stay dont want gives peace particularly wants keep eldest son far away violence possible boys safe said youngest daughter 5 also better langley toddler hospital asthma flareups move dean realized pulled bed away wall saw mold growing behind week later substance grown way around wall dean recalled im like kids probably sick time said dean eventually get partial refund deposit july 2012 likes new fivebedroom apartment much helped old neighbor langley move building ill tell dean said section 8 landlord youve got good ones youve got bad ones evan moore james reddick leah varjacques helped research article acaputochicagoreportercom support article provided local reporting awards initiative community news matters collaborative supported chicago community trust john james l knight foundation john catherine macarthur foundation robert r mccormick foundation richard h driehaus foundation woods fund chicago support data analysis provided ire data journalism fund sponsored google ideas
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<p>Barely longer than your thumb, weighing less than an ounce and nearly translucent, delicate crustaceans known as krill are vital to ocean ecosystems around the world. In the waters that encircle Antarctica, krill are an essential food source for penguins, baleen and blue whales (which can eat as much as four&#160;tons of krill per day), fish, seabirds&#160;and other marine creatures.</p>
<p>The health of these Southern Ocean species depends heavily on healthy krill populations.</p>
<p>But Antarctic krill are also increasingly sought after as a source of food for farmed seafood, livestock and poultry. And although you probably won’t find krill on the menu anytime soon, their omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients have made them popular for human consumption in the form of krill oil. Since 2010 the <a href="https://www.ccamlr.org/en/fisheries/krill-%E2%80%93-biology-ecology-and-fishing" type="external">world catch of Antarctic krill</a>has grown by about 40 percent.</p>
<p>While tiny, krill are considered one of the most abundant species in the world; their combined biomass is estimated to exceed that of all the people on the planet. But even though the supply of krill would seem inexhaustible, scientists are concerned what the combination of fishing and climate change (including <a href="http://climate.yale.edu/news/sensitivity-antarctic-krill-ocean-acidification" type="external">ocean acidification</a>) means for Antarctic krill and, in turn, for the entire Antarctic marine ecosystem.</p>
<p>At the same time krill fishing has increased, krill habitat has been disappearing as the Southern Ocean warms — <a href="http://www.nature.com/nclimate/journal/v4/n11/full/nclimate2389.html" type="external">more rapidly than previously thought</a> ­and faster than any other ocean. Krill need both sea ice and cold water to survive.&#160;Rising temperatures reduce the growth and abundance of plankton on which krill feed, while loss of sea ice removes habitat that shelters both krill and the organisms they eat. So when Antarctic sea ice declines, so do krill. One recent study suggests that if current warming and increasing CO2 trends continue, Antarctic krill <a href="http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0072246" type="external">could lose at least 20 percent</a> — and in some, particularly vulnerable locations, as much as 55 percent — of their habitat by the end of the century.</p>
<p>The nutrients that make krill so important to penguins and other Antarctic wildlife are the same ones that make them attractive for aquaculture, livestock and poultry feed, and human consumption. Many scientists, including marine biologist Rodolfo Werner, adviser to the Pew Charitable Trusts’ <a href="http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/projects/global-penguin-conservation" type="external">Global Penguin Conservation Campaign</a>, are concerned that <a href="http://issuu.com/pau21documents/docs/journal_of_antarctic_affairs_-_marc" type="external">overexploitation of this remote food source</a>— particularly in the face of rapidly changing environmental conditions — could take a devastating toll on the entire Southern Ocean ecosystem. So in many ways, these tiny crustaceans hauled out of the sea in one of the world’s most remote places are becoming a key factor in thinking about what we choose to eat in a high CO2 world.</p>
<p>Grappling for Balance</p>
<p>While still exceptionally abundant, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Antarctic krill populations have <a href="http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2013/03/3_25_13license_to_krillv2.html" type="external">dropped an estimated 80 percent</a> since the 1970s. Precisely why, scientists have not determined, but loss of sea ice is thought to be a major factor.</p>
<p>There is also new research indicating that Antarctic krill play an important role in how the Southern Ocean absorbs carbon. According to a report released earlier this year by the <a href="http://www.asoc.org/about" type="external">Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition</a>, each year Antarctic <a href="http://www.asoc.org/storage/documents/Meetings/ATCM/XXXVIII/ATCM38_ip110_e.pdf" type="external">krill absorb an amount of carbon equivalent to the weight of 15.2 million cars,</a> or about 0.26 percent of annual anthropogenic CO2 emissions. Krill are also crucial for moving nutrients from the ocean sediment to the surface, making them accessible to the entire suite of marine species.</p>
<p>All of this underscores the importance of maintaining abundant,&#160;healthy krill populations. And it has scientists, international fisheries managers, seafood and fishing industry businesses, and conservationists grappling with how to balance a lucrative krill industry with protection of what’s considered a key species for one of world’s most climate-sensitive ecosystems.</p>
<p>Growing Fishery</p>
<p>The commercial Antarctic krill fishery dates back to the 1960s, Werner explains. At that time the main fleet was from the Soviet Union, and the krill catch went mainly to cattle feed. Thanks to government subsidies, the Soviet fleet’s catch grew steadily until the early 1980s. It then dropped off with the elimination of subsidies and breakup of the Soviet Union.</p>
<p>The Antarctic krill fishery, now dominated by Norway, South Korea and China, has been growing with increasing commercial interest in krill for omega-3 related products and for farmed seafood, pet, poultry and livestock feed. Most of the catch goes to animal and fish feed, with the rest to nutritional supplements and a very small portion processed for direct human consumption, mostly in Asian markets. Aquaculture is currently the fastest growing animal food industry, and Antarctic krill, with their high nutrient values, low concentration of pollutants and pinkish color (which can lend a desirable hue to seafood), are considered increasingly attractive as an aquaculture feed, particularly for raising farmed salmon.</p>
<p>Given that krill are found worldwide, why would countries as far away as Norway and China send ships to the furthest reaches of the Southern Hemisphere to catch these tiny crustaceans? Webjørn Eikrem, upstream operations executive vice president for Aker BioMarine, one of the world’s largest krill products suppliers, says one reason is that the Southern Ocean populations are eminently catchable.</p>
<p>“Antarctic krill [are] very abundant and gregarious and come in huge numbers or large swarms, which makes it a very attractive target for commercial fisheries,” he says, while elsewhere in the world, krill “are scattered and mixed in with other fish,” posing greater by-catch problems. Aker BioMarine’s director of global animal nutrition sales and former sustainability director Sigve Nordrum adds that, compared to other ocean waters, “the Southern Ocean is very free of any pollutants, so it’s a clean product.”</p>
<p>Conserving the System</p>
<p>Active management of the Antarctic krill fishery began in 1982 when the <a href="https://www.ccamlr.org/en" type="external">Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources</a> formed, in response to concern about growing commercial interest in Antarctic krill as well as exploitation of other Southern Ocean species — among them, fur seals and whales. An international treaty, CCAMLR is part of the broader <a href="http://www.ats.aq/index_e.htm" type="external">Antarctic Treaty System</a>. Its major goal has been to develop ecosystem-based, precautionary management for the krill fishery. As part of these efforts, CCAMLR sets enforceable catch limits and monitors fishing, fishing methods and krill populations. The aim is to keep the entire Antarctic marine ecosystem — the krill, the animals that eat them, and the interactions and processes that connect them — healthy and able to sustain fisheries that are both economically viable and can contribute to <a href="https://www.ccamlr.org/en/organisation/ccamlrs-contribution-global-food-security" type="external">global food security</a>.</p>
<p>But to catch Antarctic krill without harming other Southern Ocean species has taken considerable effort, explains Eikrem. When Aker BioMarine started its krill operations in 2003, it was clear that “the conventional trawling system was not going to work for krill, at least not for us,” he says. So the company began developing technologies that would allow its boats to catch krill without also trapping seals, birds, penguins or other marine mammals.</p>
<p>Aker BioMarine has also been working with <a href="http://wwf.panda.org/who_we_are/wwf_offices/norway/" type="external">World Wildlife Fund–Norway</a> to develop other conservation measures. With WWF–Norway, Aker BioMarine has launched the <a href="http://www.antarcticfund.org" type="external">Antarctic Wildlife Research Fund</a> (also supported by <a href="http://www2.blackmores.com.au/eco-krill" type="external">Blackmores</a> and <a href="http://www.swisse.com/au/vitamins-and-supplements/omega-3s-krill-fish-oil/124/swisse-ultiboost-wild-neptune-krill-oil" type="external">Swisse</a>, two Australian companies that sell krill oil products) to carry out long-term research on krill and their changing habitat. The fund’s first fieldwork — studies of krill, their predators and their environment — is expected to get underway during the 2016 Antarctic summer that begins in November.</p>
<p>Additional Measures</p>
<p>Despite these ongoing efforts and the limits CCAMLR has imposed on krill catch, scientists and conservation groups&#160;are concerned, especially in the face of retreating sea ice and warming waters, that so much krill fishing occurs in the same places <a href="https://www.ccamlr.org/en/organisation/convention-area" type="external">where penguins and seals hunt for krill</a>. Commercial krill fishing also takes place during the summer open water season, which is when penguins and seals feed their young. Observations of Antarctic wildlife over the past 20 years suggest an increase in the times when parent penguins, albatrosses and seals have trouble getting enough krill to successfully feed and raise their babies.</p>
<p>The World Wildlife Fund and Marine Stewardship Council, which has certified Aker Biomarine’s krill fishery, maintain that current Antarctic krill fishing is conservatively and sustainably managed. But in the face of climate change and increasing demand, many scientists and conservationists are recommending additional precautionary measures.</p>
<p>To better protect krill and other Antarctic wildlife and their habitat, Pew and other conservation groups have <a href="http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/about/news-room/press-releases/2011/10/26/action-pew-calls-for-extra-resources-to-protect-penguin-food" type="external">called for wildlife observers</a> on all krill fishing vessels, dedicated funding for ongoing monitoring of Antarctic krill predators and more localized, focused management of krill fishing areas to better protect vulnerable habitat and species.</p>
<p>The conservation group <a href="http://www.seashepherd.org/commentary-and-editorials/2013/04/16/krill-fisheries-the-next-collapse-605" type="external">Sea Shepherd</a>, along with Pew and other environmental advocates have been calling for the CCAMLR Antarctic Treaty area to become a marine reserve. While concrete proposals have yet to be formulated, discussions of <a href="http://us.whales.org/wdc-in-action/proposal-for-marine-protection-of-ross-sea" type="external">what such reserves might look like</a> are now underway among Antarctic Treaty members, explains Andrea Kavanagh, director of Pew’s Global Penguin Conservation Campaign.</p>
<p>“We are seeing a localized depletion of krill in penguin feeding grounds due to targeted fishing pressures,” says Kavanagh.&#160;“Add to that the increasing threat of climate change impacting where several species of penguins can breed or forage, and the need for conservation measures becomes even more pressing.” Marine reserves and protected areas are the best way to protect these and other Antarctic species, she says.</p>
<p>The Antarctic marine ecosystem is still considered one of the world’s most intact, but its resources are also being eyed for their potential to help feed a growing human population. Or as <a href="http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2013/03/3_25_13license_to_krillv2.html" type="external">NOAA</a> has described it, “[t]he very thing that makes the Antarctic krill situation so promising is what also makes it so risky. Because this vast resource is barely fished, it has the potential to help solve one of the great challenges of this century. But because it is barely fished, it supports one of the last great wild ecosystems on earth. When it comes to entering such places, we humans don’t have a very good track record of keeping them intact.”</p>
<p>CCAMLR considers the krill catch numbers it currently allows to be “precautionary,” Werner says. These catch limits are designed to ensure there will always be enough krill to maintain healthy breeding. And the <a href="https://www.ccamlr.org/en/fisheries/krill-fisheries-and-sustainability" type="external">current annual Antarctic krill catch</a> is estimated at only about 0.3 percent of the Southern Ocean’s population — roughly around 220,000 tons.</p>
<p>But, says Werner, “at the end of the day, it is not only how much you fish but where. If krill is fished in a concentrated way, that could lead to so-called ‘local depletion’ and that can have serious implications for land-based predators, such as penguins.”</p>
<p>Whether the current trajectory of Antarctic krill conservation is sufficient to maintain populations needed to support the Southern Ocean ecosystem — especially in the face of rapidly accumulating climate change impacts — remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is how important the long-term health of this tiny creature is, not only to Antarctica’s charismatic megafauna but to the entire region and to places — and people — well beyond.</p>
<p>This <a href="http://ensia.com/features/does-one-of-the-worlds-most-abundant-animals-need-protection-from-our-appetite/" type="external">story</a> was first published by our partners at <a href="http://ensia.com/" type="external">Ensia</a>, an environmental news magazine based in Minnesota.</p>
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barely longer thumb weighing less ounce nearly translucent delicate crustaceans known krill vital ocean ecosystems around world waters encircle antarctica krill essential food source penguins baleen blue whales eat much four160tons krill per day fish seabirds160and marine creatures health southern ocean species depends heavily healthy krill populations antarctic krill also increasingly sought source food farmed seafood livestock poultry although probably wont find krill menu anytime soon omega3 fatty acids nutrients made popular human consumption form krill oil since 2010 world catch antarctic krillhas grown 40 percent tiny krill considered one abundant species world combined biomass estimated exceed people planet even though supply krill would seem inexhaustible scientists concerned combination fishing climate change including ocean acidification means antarctic krill turn entire antarctic marine ecosystem time krill fishing increased krill habitat disappearing southern ocean warms rapidly previously thought faster ocean krill need sea ice cold water survive160rising temperatures reduce growth abundance plankton krill feed loss sea ice removes habitat shelters krill organisms eat antarctic sea ice declines krill one recent study suggests current warming increasing co2 trends continue antarctic krill could lose least 20 percent particularly vulnerable locations much 55 percent habitat end century nutrients make krill important penguins antarctic wildlife ones make attractive aquaculture livestock poultry feed human consumption many scientists including marine biologist rodolfo werner adviser pew charitable trusts global penguin conservation campaign concerned overexploitation remote food source particularly face rapidly changing environmental conditions could take devastating toll entire southern ocean ecosystem many ways tiny crustaceans hauled sea one worlds remote places becoming key factor thinking choose eat high co2 world grappling balance still exceptionally abundant according us national oceanic atmospheric administration antarctic krill populations dropped estimated 80 percent since 1970s precisely scientists determined loss sea ice thought major factor also new research indicating antarctic krill play important role southern ocean absorbs carbon according report released earlier year antarctic southern ocean coalition year antarctic krill absorb amount carbon equivalent weight 152 million cars 026 percent annual anthropogenic co2 emissions krill also crucial moving nutrients ocean sediment surface making accessible entire suite marine species underscores importance maintaining abundant160healthy krill populations scientists international fisheries managers seafood fishing industry businesses conservationists grappling balance lucrative krill industry protection whats considered key species one worlds climatesensitive ecosystems growing fishery commercial antarctic krill fishery dates back 1960s werner explains time main fleet soviet union krill catch went mainly cattle feed thanks government subsidies soviet fleets catch grew steadily early 1980s dropped elimination subsidies breakup soviet union antarctic krill fishery dominated norway south korea china growing increasing commercial interest krill omega3 related products farmed seafood pet poultry livestock feed catch goes animal fish feed rest nutritional supplements small portion processed direct human consumption mostly asian markets aquaculture currently fastest growing animal food industry antarctic krill high nutrient values low concentration pollutants pinkish color lend desirable hue seafood considered increasingly attractive aquaculture feed particularly raising farmed salmon given krill found worldwide would countries far away norway china send ships furthest reaches southern hemisphere catch tiny crustaceans webjørn eikrem upstream operations executive vice president aker biomarine one worlds largest krill products suppliers says one reason southern ocean populations eminently catchable antarctic krill abundant gregarious come huge numbers large swarms makes attractive target commercial fisheries says elsewhere world krill scattered mixed fish posing greater bycatch problems aker biomarines director global animal nutrition sales former sustainability director sigve nordrum adds compared ocean waters southern ocean free pollutants clean product conserving system active management antarctic krill fishery began 1982 commission conservation antarctic marine living resources formed response concern growing commercial interest antarctic krill well exploitation southern ocean species among fur seals whales international treaty ccamlr part broader antarctic treaty system major goal develop ecosystembased precautionary management krill fishery part efforts ccamlr sets enforceable catch limits monitors fishing fishing methods krill populations aim keep entire antarctic marine ecosystem krill animals eat interactions processes connect healthy able sustain fisheries economically viable contribute global food security catch antarctic krill without harming southern ocean species taken considerable effort explains eikrem aker biomarine started krill operations 2003 clear conventional trawling system going work krill least us says company began developing technologies would allow boats catch krill without also trapping seals birds penguins marine mammals aker biomarine also working world wildlife fundnorway develop conservation measures wwfnorway aker biomarine launched antarctic wildlife research fund also supported blackmores swisse two australian companies sell krill oil products carry longterm research krill changing habitat funds first fieldwork studies krill predators environment expected get underway 2016 antarctic summer begins november additional measures despite ongoing efforts limits ccamlr imposed krill catch scientists conservation groups160are concerned especially face retreating sea ice warming waters much krill fishing occurs places penguins seals hunt krill commercial krill fishing also takes place summer open water season penguins seals feed young observations antarctic wildlife past 20 years suggest increase times parent penguins albatrosses seals trouble getting enough krill successfully feed raise babies world wildlife fund marine stewardship council certified aker biomarines krill fishery maintain current antarctic krill fishing conservatively sustainably managed face climate change increasing demand many scientists conservationists recommending additional precautionary measures better protect krill antarctic wildlife habitat pew conservation groups called wildlife observers krill fishing vessels dedicated funding ongoing monitoring antarctic krill predators localized focused management krill fishing areas better protect vulnerable habitat species conservation group sea shepherd along pew environmental advocates calling ccamlr antarctic treaty area become marine reserve concrete proposals yet formulated discussions reserves might look like underway among antarctic treaty members explains andrea kavanagh director pews global penguin conservation campaign seeing localized depletion krill penguin feeding grounds due targeted fishing pressures says kavanagh160add increasing threat climate change impacting several species penguins breed forage need conservation measures becomes even pressing marine reserves protected areas best way protect antarctic species says antarctic marine ecosystem still considered one worlds intact resources also eyed potential help feed growing human population noaa described thing makes antarctic krill situation promising also makes risky vast resource barely fished potential help solve one great challenges century barely fished supports one last great wild ecosystems earth comes entering places humans dont good track record keeping intact ccamlr considers krill catch numbers currently allows precautionary werner says catch limits designed ensure always enough krill maintain healthy breeding current annual antarctic krill catch estimated 03 percent southern oceans population roughly around 220000 tons says werner end day much fish krill fished concentrated way could lead socalled local depletion serious implications landbased predators penguins whether current trajectory antarctic krill conservation sufficient maintain populations needed support southern ocean ecosystem especially face rapidly accumulating climate change impacts remains seen clear however important longterm health tiny creature antarcticas charismatic megafauna entire region places people well beyond story first published partners ensia environmental news magazine based minnesota
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<p>D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier has redeployed officers normally assigned to the Gay &amp; Lesbian Liaison Unit. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>Two gay men were attacked and beaten in separate Metro stations in April in unrelated incidents, a gay man survived a throat slashing attack as he was walking home from the gay nightclub Town last month, and a man identified by police privately as being gay was shot to death in June three blocks from the Frederick Douglas house and museum in Anacostia.</p>
<p>None of these incidents have been listed by D.C. police as anti-LGBT hate crimes. But the three assaults and murder took place at a time when city officials are searching for ways to address a surging rise in violent crime, including homicides, in all parts of the District.</p>
<p>And while it couldn’t immediately be determined whether LGBT residents are being victimized by crime in greater numbers than other city residents, some activists have expressed concern that the 2015 crime wave has come at a time when two important LGBT organizations have reduced their activities and services.</p>
<p>Gays and Lesbians Opposing Violence, known as GLOV, a local group that has monitored anti-LGBT hate crimes and assisted LGBT crime victims for more than 10 years, has largely ceased operating in recent months after its two top volunteer leaders resigned. One moved away from the D.C. area and the other had to withdraw due to increased responsibilities at his regular job, according to David Mariner, executive director of the D.C. LGBT Community Center.</p>
<p>GLOV is a project of the LGBT Center, located in the city’s Reeves Center municipal building at 14th and U streets, N.W.</p>
<p>“GLOV is going through a transition,” Mariner told the Blade. “So some of our core folks are no longer a part of GLOV, and we’re really looking at rebuilding GLOV and figuring out what makes the best sense for D.C. and the LGBT community with regard to the work that GLOV has been doing.”</p>
<p>Mariner said the LGBT Center is inviting members of the community to attend a meeting at the Center on Sept. 24 to discuss plans for restoring GLOV to its past role as a proactive group that closely monitors anti-LGBT crime and the actions by D.C. police to address LGBT-related crime.</p>
<p>At the same time, activists have also expressed concern that the D.C. Police Department’s Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit – similar to police units associated with the Latino, Asian-Pacific Islander, and deaf and hard of hearing communities – has curtailed its outreach and other activities.</p>
<p>The reduced activities began about a year ago when D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier, faced with a shortage of patrol officers due to a “bubble” in the number of officers retiring, put in place a policy of redeploying officers assigned to the special liaison units to street patrol duties during part of their daily or weekly duties.</p>
<p>Sources familiar with the GLLU have said that the five GLLU officers assigned to the unit’s headquarters in Dupont Circle spend about 60 percent of their time on non-LGBT related duties.</p>
<p>Police spokesperson Gwendolyn Crump has said the GLLU officers remain available to answer LGBT community related calls even when they are working on non-LGBT related street patrol duties. Crump and other police officials have said that the unit remains an active part of the department’s effort to provide police services to the LGBT community.</p>
<p>Earlier this year, Lanier named Sgt. Jessica Hawkins as the new supervisor of the GLLU, making her the first transgender police official to head the unit. While activists hailed Hawkins’ appointment as an important development for LGBT equality, sources familiar with the department point out that she, too, has been diverted from performing full-time duties at the GLLU. In recent months, Hawkins was assigned to teach at the police academy, taking her away from overseeing the unit and taking calls on the unit’s duty phone during times when she’s teaching classes.</p>
<p>The June 25 murder of gay D.C. resident Stephon Marquis Perkins, 21, came at a time when the city’s murder rate was rising at a pace far greater than one year ago. Police said Perkins was found unconscious on the street at the intersection of 16th and Galen streets, S.E. at 3:15 a.m. suffering from a gunshot wound.</p>
<p>A police report says Perkins had been shot in the head and was found “laying on the ground in a pool of blood around his head.”</p>
<p>Police spokesperson Crump would neither confirm nor deny that Perkins was gay.</p>
<p>“We cannot confirm details of the decedent,” she told the Blade in an email. “This is an ongoing investigation and a motive has not been established. “There have been no arrests at this time,” she said. “The shooting occurred where the victim was located.”</p>
<p>A source familiar with a coalition of local LGBT organizations that meets monthly with police officials called the Violence Prevention and Response Team, or VPART, said at least one high-level police official told VPART members that Perkins was gay.</p>
<p>“They said his mother and his boyfriend went the hospital to see him,” the source said. According to the source, Deputy Police Chief Diane Groomes was among the police officials who said Perkins was gay.</p>
<p>A police statement announcing the murder said Perkins was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injury and was pronounced dead.</p>
<p>Police are offering a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone providing information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for Perkins’ murder. Anyone with information about the case is being asked to contact police at (202)&#160;727-9099.</p>
<p>The VPART group meets monthly at the office of Sheila Alexander-Reid, director of the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs.</p>
<p>Reid told the Blade she didn’t recall any of the police officials attending a recent VPART meeting mentioning anything about the Perkins murder.</p>
<p>D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser was scheduled to announce on Thursday morning plans for her “fall public safety agenda,” including legislative proposals.</p>
<p>D.C. Council members David Grosso (I-At-Large) and Kenyan McDuffie (D-Ward 5), who serves as chair of the Council’s Judiciary Committee, have also said they are considering introducing legislation to address public safety and crime-related matters.</p>
<p>“The LGBTQ community is disproportionately affected by crime in the District of Columbia and everywhere else,” Grosso told the Blade on Tuesday. “And so it’s important and is a priority of mine at the Council to make sure we are constantly asking MPD what they’re doing to actually make sure that there are sufficient resources applied to address all these crimes,” he said.</p>
<p>Among other things, Grosso has said he is considering introducing legislation to decriminalize prostitution in the District based, among other things, on a recent Amnesty International report calling for worldwide decriminalization of sex work.</p>
<p>Sasanka Jinadasa, Capacity Building Resource Manager for the D.C. group HIPS, which provides services for sex workers, said a D.C. police crackdown on prostitution taking place now has had an a negative impact on all sex workers, including transgender women involved in that work.</p>
<p>She said HIPS has found that the negative effects of criminalization has made trans female sex workers more susceptible to violence.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Amnesty International</a> <a href="" type="internal">Anacostia</a> <a href="" type="internal">crime</a> <a href="" type="internal">D.C. Center for the LGBT Community</a> <a href="" type="internal">D.C. Council</a> <a href="" type="internal">David Grosso</a> <a href="" type="internal">David Mariner</a> <a href="" type="internal">Diane Groomes</a> <a href="" type="internal">Dupont Circle</a> <a href="" type="internal">Frederick Douglas</a> <a href="" type="internal">Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit</a> <a href="" type="internal">Gays and Lesbians Opposing Violence</a> <a href="" type="internal">GLLU</a> <a href="" type="internal">GLOV</a> <a href="" type="internal">Gwendolyn Crump</a> <a href="" type="internal">HIPS</a> <a href="" type="internal">Jessica Hawkins</a> <a href="" type="internal">Kenyan McDuffie</a> <a href="" type="internal">LGBT</a> <a href="" type="internal">Muriel Bowser</a> <a href="" type="internal">Reeves Center</a> <a href="" type="internal">Sasanka Jinadasa</a> <a href="" type="internal">Sheila Alexander-Reid</a> <a href="" type="internal">Stephon Marquis Perkins</a> <a href="" type="internal">Town Danceboutique</a> <a href="" type="internal">Violence Prevention and Response Team</a> <a href="" type="internal">VPART</a></p>
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dc police chief cathy lanier redeployed officers normally assigned gay amp lesbian liaison unit washington blade file photo michael key two gay men attacked beaten separate metro stations april unrelated incidents gay man survived throat slashing attack walking home gay nightclub town last month man identified police privately gay shot death june three blocks frederick douglas house museum anacostia none incidents listed dc police antilgbt hate crimes three assaults murder took place time city officials searching ways address surging rise violent crime including homicides parts district couldnt immediately determined whether lgbt residents victimized crime greater numbers city residents activists expressed concern 2015 crime wave come time two important lgbt organizations reduced activities services gays lesbians opposing violence known glov local group monitored antilgbt hate crimes assisted lgbt crime victims 10 years largely ceased operating recent months two top volunteer leaders resigned one moved away dc area withdraw due increased responsibilities regular job according david mariner executive director dc lgbt community center glov project lgbt center located citys reeves center municipal building 14th u streets nw glov going transition mariner told blade core folks longer part glov really looking rebuilding glov figuring makes best sense dc lgbt community regard work glov mariner said lgbt center inviting members community attend meeting center sept 24 discuss plans restoring glov past role proactive group closely monitors antilgbt crime actions dc police address lgbtrelated crime time activists also expressed concern dc police departments gay lesbian liaison unit similar police units associated latino asianpacific islander deaf hard hearing communities curtailed outreach activities reduced activities began year ago dc police chief cathy lanier faced shortage patrol officers due bubble number officers retiring put place policy redeploying officers assigned special liaison units street patrol duties part daily weekly duties sources familiar gllu said five gllu officers assigned units headquarters dupont circle spend 60 percent time nonlgbt related duties police spokesperson gwendolyn crump said gllu officers remain available answer lgbt community related calls even working nonlgbt related street patrol duties crump police officials said unit remains active part departments effort provide police services lgbt community earlier year lanier named sgt jessica hawkins new supervisor gllu making first transgender police official head unit activists hailed hawkins appointment important development lgbt equality sources familiar department point diverted performing fulltime duties gllu recent months hawkins assigned teach police academy taking away overseeing unit taking calls units duty phone times shes teaching classes june 25 murder gay dc resident stephon marquis perkins 21 came time citys murder rate rising pace far greater one year ago police said perkins found unconscious street intersection 16th galen streets se 315 suffering gunshot wound police report says perkins shot head found laying ground pool blood around head police spokesperson crump would neither confirm deny perkins gay confirm details decedent told blade email ongoing investigation motive established arrests time said shooting occurred victim located source familiar coalition local lgbt organizations meets monthly police officials called violence prevention response team vpart said least one highlevel police official told vpart members perkins gay said mother boyfriend went hospital see source said according source deputy police chief diane groomes among police officials said perkins gay police statement announcing murder said perkins taken local hospital succumbed injury pronounced dead police offering reward 25000 anyone providing information leading arrest conviction person persons responsible perkins murder anyone information case asked contact police 2021607279099 vpart group meets monthly office sheila alexanderreid director mayors office lgbtq affairs reid told blade didnt recall police officials attending recent vpart meeting mentioning anything perkins murder dc mayor muriel bowser scheduled announce thursday morning plans fall public safety agenda including legislative proposals dc council members david grosso iatlarge kenyan mcduffie dward 5 serves chair councils judiciary committee also said considering introducing legislation address public safety crimerelated matters lgbtq community disproportionately affected crime district columbia everywhere else grosso told blade tuesday important priority mine council make sure constantly asking mpd theyre actually make sure sufficient resources applied address crimes said among things grosso said considering introducing legislation decriminalize prostitution district based among things recent amnesty international report calling worldwide decriminalization sex work sasanka jinadasa capacity building resource manager dc group hips provides services sex workers said dc police crackdown prostitution taking place negative impact sex workers including transgender women involved work said hips found negative effects criminalization made trans female sex workers susceptible violence amnesty international anacostia crime dc center lgbt community dc council david grosso david mariner diane groomes dupont circle frederick douglas gay lesbian liaison unit gays lesbians opposing violence gllu glov gwendolyn crump hips jessica hawkins kenyan mcduffie lgbt muriel bowser reeves center sasanka jinadasa sheila alexanderreid stephon marquis perkins town danceboutique violence prevention response team vpart
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<p>APRIL 28, 2010</p>
<p>By KATY GRIMES</p>
<p>Recently, Department of General Services (DGS) Director Ron Diedrich removed several of the oversight appointees&#160;from building authorities in San Francisco and Los Angeles&#160;&#160;for making waves about the&#160;11 state properties for sale, replacing the critics of the sales with people who support it. The oversight appointees must sign off on the state’s plan to sell those California state office buildings.</p>
<p>The state of California has&#160;11 properties up for sale for nearly $2 billion. The sales proceeds are estimated to be $660 million, after bond debt on the properties is retired. While there are some worthy objectives, there are some fundamental problems with the entire project, according to real estate experts and insiders.</p>
<p>The proposed leases have been made available to potential buyers, and there are some unusual and questionable issues within. All of the real estate experts and insiders I spoke with asked to remain unnamed because they represent clients who may be bidding on the properties.</p>
<p>The Legislative Analyst’s Office released&#160;its report this week, critical of the state property sales: “We estimate that the sale of buildings would result in one-time revenue to the state of between $600 million and $1.4 billion, but that annual leasing costs would eventually exceed ownership costs by approximately $200 million. Over the lives of these buildings, we estimate the transaction would cost the state between $600 million and $1.5 billion. The Legislature will need to weigh how these costs compare to other alternatives for addressing the state’s budget shortfall. In our view, taking on long-term obligations—like the lease payments on these buildings—in exchange for one-time revenue to pay for current services is bad budgeting practice as it simply shifts costs to future years.”</p>
<p>One industry expert interviewed explained his issues with the state’s sale properties: “My concern as a professional who looked at the portfolio for a client, is that the state will receive an offer based on very preliminary due diligence and then have both the price and lease terms changed after other competitors are removed. We have looked for footprints in the sand that should have been left by other serious buyers and have seen none. It tells me that there are not that many buyers out there or they are not really looking carefully at the buildings.”</p>
<p>The same expert is concerned with the draft form lease, which was&#160;provided to him&#160;a couple of weeks ago. It includes what he referred to as a “payoff for the SEIU”; purchasers of the properties are required to pay the trades (janitors, security guards etc.) a set percentage of their total state of California compensation package for the same classes of workers, even if it is far higher than the “prevailing wages.” The lease states that public works projects must comply with prevailing wage requirements, which requires prevailing wages be paid to appropriate work classifications in all bid specifications and subcontracts. Other workers are required to be paid the prevailing wages (union scale even if the unions only represent 5 percent&#160;of the industry workers). Prevailing wages&#160;are not a problem with the major trades in a building, but is with some of the specialty workers.</p>
<p>The draft lease was provided to potential buyers with the caveat that the state could make modifications during the bid process. However, interested parties are told that the key lease terms are not open for negotiation according to industry insiders. Since the price is critical to the state because of the bonds needing to be retired, that leaves the rent as the variable, unless other lease terms are modified.</p>
<p>Most large or long-term leases have the tenants pay for their share of all operating costs or their share of cost increases. Most shopping center and office-building owners pass the operating costs and operating cost increases on to the tenants.</p>
<p>The proposed lease instead lists Consumer Price Index (CPI) adjustments. CPI may not be adequate to pay for utility rates and many other costs. Utility costs are calculated by real estate experts using between twelve and 18 cents per square foot. For example, using&#160;15 cents per square foot for 5,658,822 square feet, (the total available square footage of the&#160;11 buildings), totals $848,000 per month, and $10,200,000 for the year for gas and utility expenses for the year, paid by the state.</p>
<p>Several of the properties have parking that the state will have to pay $100 per space, per month. The Sacramento “East End Complex” property has 1,611 parking spaces, totaling $161,100 per month and $1,933,200 annually in costs. The Attorney General Building has&#160;593 parking spaces, totaling $59,300 monthly and $711,600 annually. The lease abstracts state that parking rates will increase on the fifth anniversary date and on each anniversary date, increasing the East End Complex costs $193,320 and the AG building costs $71,000 in five years.</p>
<p>The economic summary in the lease indicated that the building owner(s) would be responsible for future tax increases. The summary also states that the landlord is responsible for the costs if Proposition 13 is ever repealed.</p>
<p>Some industry experts have speculated that Capitol legislative staff represented to the Legislature that they would craft a lease (potentially as long as 50 years with renewals), which shifted all of the operating risks to the owner. However, this will only work with unsophisticated buyers, or prearranged deals with underlying motives, according to real estate experts.</p>
<p>The ongoing problem of the historically large state deficit of $20 billion, the other state deficit issues within CalPERS, CalSTRS, and the state unemployment fund all are likely to need future bailouts. This is relevant because with the state as the tenant, if the purchase is financed, the lender is going to want a large reserve to wait out the state’s apparent pending insolvency, since filing bankruptcy is not an option for the state.</p>
<p>The lease is very clear that rent can be paid only from legally available funds. And, according to real estate experts who have analyzed the lease, rent is paid in arrears. Rent is usually paid in advance, and mortgages are paid in arrears.</p>
<p>Several real estate experts I spoke with looked at the potential purchase of a number of buildings where the state is a major tenant and rejected most of them because the seller’s operating costs are not enough to comply with the requirements of the leases. It’s a process that discourages legitimate and above board owners from owning facilities with a large state presence.</p>
<p>An&#160;important issue in real estate now is that national and international investment managers are retreating from “non-core” areas and this includes Sacramento, Oakland and Santa Rosa. Core areas are Los Angeles, Seattle, New York, Chicago and Boston. The state properties in Los Angeles are located outside the established business area and are actually considered “class B” because of the locations, according to real estate insiders.</p>
<p>The governor has indicated that one of the key elements of this process is to get the state out of the building owning and operating business. While this is a worthy goal that may save the state perhaps $40 million a year, many real estate experts say that the leaseback arrangement will cost taxpayers upwards of $1 billion in rents and operating expenses over the next&#160;20 years.</p>
<p>The LAO apparently agrees. “The state would make ongoing lease payments to the new owner that would be greater than the amount the state currently spends to own and operate the buildings,” the report states, concluding, “The main argument against pursuing a sale-leaseback on state office properties is that the 20 years to 50 years of lease payments under the sale-leaseback will likely cost more than the state would spend maintaining ownership of the buildings.”</p>
<p>However, simply by hiring private sector businesses to run the buildings in an efficient manner, the state can achieve the same operating economies. Many large corporate owners have outsourced their property management with excellent results.</p>
<p>Just as some of real estate experts predicted, the Sacramento Bee reported last week that the state received “multiple bids” greater than the nearly $2 billion total purchase price on the&#160;11 buildings. But the winning or losing deal will be based upon lease documents, and whether they are full service, modified gross or triple net. This makes a substantial difference as the state could very well end up still paying for most maintenance on the property, and even paying property tax for the new owner depending on the final lease.</p>
<p>“There are too many aspects of the deal, which give the look, feel and smell that the entire process is a play whose ending was written before the curtain lifted,” commented one insider.</p>
<p>When asked about the critical LAO report, Eric Lamoureux with DGS Public Affairs office said, “DGS needs to complete its negotiations with buyers and conduct a full analysis of the numbers before any final conclusions can be made.” The&#160;statement released by State and Consumer Services Agency Secretary Bill Leonard&#160;repeated the same statement.</p>
<p>At a press conference last week, Gov. Arnold&#160;Schwarzenegger said Californians could be confident that his administration will call off the deal if the numbers don’t pencil out. “I can guarantee you that I will never sell state property that doesn’t make any sense from an investment point of view,” the governor said.</p>
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april 28 2010 katy grimes recently department general services dgs director ron diedrich removed several oversight appointees160from building authorities san francisco los angeles160160for making waves the16011 state properties sale replacing critics sales people support oversight appointees must sign states plan sell california state office buildings state california has16011 properties sale nearly 2 billion sales proceeds estimated 660 million bond debt properties retired worthy objectives fundamental problems entire project according real estate experts insiders proposed leases made available potential buyers unusual questionable issues within real estate experts insiders spoke asked remain unnamed represent clients may bidding properties legislative analysts office released160its report week critical state property sales estimate sale buildings would result onetime revenue state 600 million 14 billion annual leasing costs would eventually exceed ownership costs approximately 200 million lives buildings estimate transaction would cost state 600 million 15 billion legislature need weigh costs compare alternatives addressing states budget shortfall view taking longterm obligationslike lease payments buildingsin exchange onetime revenue pay current services bad budgeting practice simply shifts costs future years one industry expert interviewed explained issues states sale properties concern professional looked portfolio client state receive offer based preliminary due diligence price lease terms changed competitors removed looked footprints sand left serious buyers seen none tells many buyers really looking carefully buildings expert concerned draft form lease was160provided him160a couple weeks ago includes referred payoff seiu purchasers properties required pay trades janitors security guards etc set percentage total state california compensation package classes workers even far higher prevailing wages lease states public works projects must comply prevailing wage requirements requires prevailing wages paid appropriate work classifications bid specifications subcontracts workers required paid prevailing wages union scale even unions represent 5 percent160of industry workers prevailing wages160are problem major trades building specialty workers draft lease provided potential buyers caveat state could make modifications bid process however interested parties told key lease terms open negotiation according industry insiders since price critical state bonds needing retired leaves rent variable unless lease terms modified large longterm leases tenants pay share operating costs share cost increases shopping center officebuilding owners pass operating costs operating cost increases tenants proposed lease instead lists consumer price index cpi adjustments cpi may adequate pay utility rates many costs utility costs calculated real estate experts using twelve 18 cents per square foot example using16015 cents per square foot 5658822 square feet total available square footage the16011 buildings totals 848000 per month 10200000 year gas utility expenses year paid state several properties parking state pay 100 per space per month sacramento east end complex property 1611 parking spaces totaling 161100 per month 1933200 annually costs attorney general building has160593 parking spaces totaling 59300 monthly 711600 annually lease abstracts state parking rates increase fifth anniversary date anniversary date increasing east end complex costs 193320 ag building costs 71000 five years economic summary lease indicated building owners would responsible future tax increases summary also states landlord responsible costs proposition 13 ever repealed industry experts speculated capitol legislative staff represented legislature would craft lease potentially long 50 years renewals shifted operating risks owner however work unsophisticated buyers prearranged deals underlying motives according real estate experts ongoing problem historically large state deficit 20 billion state deficit issues within calpers calstrs state unemployment fund likely need future bailouts relevant state tenant purchase financed lender going want large reserve wait states apparent pending insolvency since filing bankruptcy option state lease clear rent paid legally available funds according real estate experts analyzed lease rent paid arrears rent usually paid advance mortgages paid arrears several real estate experts spoke looked potential purchase number buildings state major tenant rejected sellers operating costs enough comply requirements leases process discourages legitimate board owners owning facilities large state presence an160important issue real estate national international investment managers retreating noncore areas includes sacramento oakland santa rosa core areas los angeles seattle new york chicago boston state properties los angeles located outside established business area actually considered class b locations according real estate insiders governor indicated one key elements process get state building owning operating business worthy goal may save state perhaps 40 million year many real estate experts say leaseback arrangement cost taxpayers upwards 1 billion rents operating expenses next16020 years lao apparently agrees state would make ongoing lease payments new owner would greater amount state currently spends operate buildings report states concluding main argument pursuing saleleaseback state office properties 20 years 50 years lease payments saleleaseback likely cost state would spend maintaining ownership buildings however simply hiring private sector businesses run buildings efficient manner state achieve operating economies many large corporate owners outsourced property management excellent results real estate experts predicted sacramento bee reported last week state received multiple bids greater nearly 2 billion total purchase price the16011 buildings winning losing deal based upon lease documents whether full service modified gross triple net makes substantial difference state could well end still paying maintenance property even paying property tax new owner depending final lease many aspects deal give look feel smell entire process play whose ending written curtain lifted commented one insider asked critical lao report eric lamoureux dgs public affairs office said dgs needs complete negotiations buyers conduct full analysis numbers final conclusions made the160statement released state consumer services agency secretary bill leonard160repeated statement press conference last week gov arnold160schwarzenegger said californians could confident administration call deal numbers dont pencil guarantee never sell state property doesnt make sense investment point view governor said
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<p>WASHINGTON (RNS) — He considered moving to a Zen monastery before shifting his sights to Silicon Valley, where he became a brash businessman.</p>
<p>He preached about the dangers of desire but urged consumers to covet every new iPhone incarnation.</p>
<p>&#160;“He was an enlightened being who was cruel,” says a former girlfriend. “That’s a strange combination.”</p>
<p>Now, we can add another irony to the legacy of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs: Since his death on Oct. 5, the famously private man’s spiritual side has become an open book.</p>
<p />
<p>A relative recounted his last words for the New York Times. A new biography traces his early quest for enlightenment and lifelong appreciation for Zen Buddhism. Everyone from ABC News to India Today has pondered the link between his religious interests and business acumen.</p>
<p>All this for a guy who guarded his personal life like it was an Apple trade secret.</p>
<p>On Oct. 30, the New York Times published the eulogy that Mona Simpson, Jobs’s sister, delivered at his Oct. 16 memorial service.</p>
<p>In his last moments, Jobs’ breath shortened, as if he were climbing a steep path. His last words were “OH WOW. OH WOW. OH WOW,” Simpson writes.</p>
<p>Whatever Jobs saw, he had been seeking it for decades, according to a new biography by Walter Isaacson.</p>
<p>“For most of my life, I’ve felt there must be more to our existence than meets the eye,” Jobs told Isaacson. The adopted son of blue-collar Californians spent much of his early adulthood searching for that unseen something.</p>
<p>At age 13, Jobs asked the Lutheran pastor of his parents’ church if God knew about starving children. “Yes, God knows everything,” the pastor replied. Jobs never returned to church, refusing to worship a God who allowed such suffering.</p>
<p>Like many baby boomers, Jobs later turned to Eastern spirituality, particularly countercultural keystones such as Be Here Now, Baba Ram Dass' guide to meditation and psychedelic drugs.</p>
<p>He also studied Buddhism, practicing meditation and reading Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind, a collection of lectures by Shunryu Suzuki, one of the first Zen masters to teach in America.</p>
<p>In 1974, Jobs traveled halfway around the world, to India, in search of his own guru. Upon returning, he found one in his hometown of Los Altos, Calif., where a Suzuki disciple, Kobun Chino Otagawa, had opened the Haiku Zen Center.</p>
<p>Jobs and the Zen master quickly forged a bond, discussing life and Buddhism during midnight walks.</p>
<p>“I ended up spending as much time with him as I could,” Jobs told Isaacson. “Zen has been a deep influence in my life ever since.”</p>
<p>Jobs even considered traveling to Eihei-ji, the main training temple of the Soto school of Zen in Japan. But Kobun, as he was known, counseled Jobs to stay in California.</p>
<p>Les Kaye, a Zen teacher in Silicon Valley who also studied under Kobun, remembers Kobun as enigmatic and wise. “He was the epitome of an enlightened being: sweet, kind and generous. People flocked to him.”</p>
<p>In 1976, after just one year, Jobs stopped practicing Buddhism at the Haiku Zen Center, said Kaye, who was a member of the center at the time. Apple had begun to consume the budding businessman’s attention.</p>
<p>Jobs kept in contact with Kobun, asking him to officiate at his 1991 wedding. He also gave friends recordings of Kobun’s lectures, including one in which he cautions against craving. Buddhism’s “first noble truth” teaches that desire fuels suffering.</p>
<p>Jobs bristled when a friend pointed out the irony of a marketing genius warning against materialism, according to Isaacson.</p>
<p>When Kobun drowned in 2002, Jobs called Kaye in tears. “Kobun's death really struck him,” Kaye said. “He was beside himself.”</p>
<p>Jobs believed that Zen meditation taught him to concentrate and ignore distractions, according to Isaacson. He also learned to trust intuition and curiosity — what Buddhists call “beginner's mind” — over analysis and preconceptions.</p>
<p>More visibly, Apple’s sleek, minimalist designs reveal Jobs’s zeal for Zen aesthetics — the uncluttered lines of calligraphy and Japanese gardens, according to Isaacson’s book.</p>
<p>Kaye, who teaches meditation to Silicon Valley companies, said Jobs was delighted when he began offering classes at Apple 12 years ago. He particularly wanted Apple’s engineers to learn meditation, Kaye said, to boost their creativity.</p>
<p>But Jobs told Kaye that he had practiced Zen “only occasionally” in recent years.</p>
<p>Despite his Buddhist background, Jobs was often mean, manipulative and egocentric, writes Isaacson, whose book is filled with tales of the Apple chief’s abusive behavior.</p>
<p>“Unfortunately his Zen training never quite produced in him a Zen-like calm of inner serenity,” Isaacson writes, “and that, too, is part of his legacy.”</p>
<p>Kaye, the head teacher of Kannon Do Zen Meditation Center in Mountain View, Calif., said Jobs didn’t practice Buddhism long enough to let it sink in.</p>
<p>“He got to the aesthetic part of Zen — the relationship between lines and spaces, the quality and craftsmanship,” Kaye said. “But he didn’t stay long enough to get the Buddhist part, the compassion part, the sensitivity part.”</p>
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washington rns considered moving zen monastery shifting sights silicon valley became brash businessman preached dangers desire urged consumers covet every new iphone incarnation 160he enlightened cruel says former girlfriend thats strange combination add another irony legacy apple cofounder steve jobs since death oct 5 famously private mans spiritual side become open book relative recounted last words new york times new biography traces early quest enlightenment lifelong appreciation zen buddhism everyone abc news india today pondered link religious interests business acumen guy guarded personal life like apple trade secret oct 30 new york times published eulogy mona simpson jobss sister delivered oct 16 memorial service last moments jobs breath shortened climbing steep path last words oh wow oh wow oh wow simpson writes whatever jobs saw seeking decades according new biography walter isaacson life ive felt must existence meets eye jobs told isaacson adopted son bluecollar californians spent much early adulthood searching unseen something age 13 jobs asked lutheran pastor parents church god knew starving children yes god knows everything pastor replied jobs never returned church refusing worship god allowed suffering like many baby boomers jobs later turned eastern spirituality particularly countercultural keystones baba ram dass guide meditation psychedelic drugs also studied buddhism practicing meditation reading zen mind beginners mind collection lectures shunryu suzuki one first zen masters teach america 1974 jobs traveled halfway around world india search guru upon returning found one hometown los altos calif suzuki disciple kobun chino otagawa opened haiku zen center jobs zen master quickly forged bond discussing life buddhism midnight walks ended spending much time could jobs told isaacson zen deep influence life ever since jobs even considered traveling eiheiji main training temple soto school zen japan kobun known counseled jobs stay california les kaye zen teacher silicon valley also studied kobun remembers kobun enigmatic wise epitome enlightened sweet kind generous people flocked 1976 one year jobs stopped practicing buddhism haiku zen center said kaye member center time apple begun consume budding businessmans attention jobs kept contact kobun asking officiate 1991 wedding also gave friends recordings kobuns lectures including one cautions craving buddhisms first noble truth teaches desire fuels suffering jobs bristled friend pointed irony marketing genius warning materialism according isaacson kobun drowned 2002 jobs called kaye tears kobuns death really struck kaye said beside jobs believed zen meditation taught concentrate ignore distractions according isaacson also learned trust intuition curiosity buddhists call beginners mind analysis preconceptions visibly apples sleek minimalist designs reveal jobss zeal zen aesthetics uncluttered lines calligraphy japanese gardens according isaacsons book kaye teaches meditation silicon valley companies said jobs delighted began offering classes apple 12 years ago particularly wanted apples engineers learn meditation kaye said boost creativity jobs told kaye practiced zen occasionally recent years despite buddhist background jobs often mean manipulative egocentric writes isaacson whose book filled tales apple chiefs abusive behavior unfortunately zen training never quite produced zenlike calm inner serenity isaacson writes part legacy kaye head teacher kannon zen meditation center mountain view calif said jobs didnt practice buddhism long enough let sink got aesthetic part zen relationship lines spaces quality craftsmanship kaye said didnt stay long enough get buddhist part compassion part sensitivity part
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<p>By Ken Camp</p>
<p>Fourteen months ago, John Crowder didn’t know the difference between disaster relief and disaster recovery. He just knew his community needed help.</p>
<p>In the months since a fertilizer plant explosion rocked his town, the pastor of First Baptist Church in West, Texas, has gained expertise in disaster response and appreciation for the roles Texas Baptist Men and the Baptist General Convention of Texas performed immediately and long-term.</p>
<p>“I have learned there is short-term disaster relief and long-term disaster recovery. And we need volunteers and donations for both,” he said.</p>
<p>Crowder and his wife, Lisa, were returning from a regional track meet in Bryan, Texas, involving their daughter, Ashley, when his cell phone began ringing around 8 p.m. on April 17, 2013. They soon learned about an ammonium nitrate explosion at the West Fertilizer Company, a half-mile from their home and a mile from the church building.</p>
<p>“We had Royal Ambassadors playing kickball outside the church who were knocked to the ground. That tells you something about the force of the explosion,” he said.</p>
<p>Phil Immicke, associate pastor at First Baptist Church, immediately went to work helping connect parents and children. He also made the church’s van available to authorities to transport nursing home residents who had to be evacuated from a facility near the blast site.</p>
<p>When Crowder arrived in West, he took his wife and daughter to a deacon’s home outside the area cordoned-off by emergency workers. Then he went to the community center, where medical personnel had set up a triage for wounded residents.</p>
<p>“They wouldn’t let me in the building. It was a terribly helpless feeling. I’ve invested two decades in the lives of these folks, and I wanted to be able to do something,” Crowder said. “Now, I totally understand and agree with that decision. I had no business there.”</p>
<p>After doing his best to comfort some of his distraught neighbors outside the community center, Crowder called Tim Randolph, director of missions for Waco Regional Baptist Association, and Chris Liebrum, who heads the Baptist General Convention of Texas disaster recovery ministry. They, in turn, helped connect him to Terry Henderson, state disaster relief director for Texas Baptist Men.</p>
<p>“Texas Baptist Men were here the next morning” after the explosion, Crowder said. “They had boots on the ground, providing relief with their volunteers. They started clearing debris and made boxes available to people to pack their belongings.</p>
<p>“As far as the people in our community were concerned, one-third of us could not get to our houses. That meant we had no food, no showers, no clothes or a place to wash clothes. TBM set up shower and laundry units in our church parking lot and fed people from our fellowship hall.”</p>
<p>Early on, the BGCT provided an architect and structural engineer to inspect the facility at First Baptist to make sure it was safe and sound, in spite of some superficial damage. BGCT Executive Director David Hardage and Liebrum visited with Crowder the day after the explosion, began making plans for long-term disaster recovery and helped explain the distinct roles TBM and the BGCT perform after a disaster.</p>
<p>“There is a big difference in relief and recovery. If you are in a serious accident, you go immediately to a doctor to get some immediate relief, help and comfort. Weeks or months later, you start your long-term recovery. Both treatments are necessary — but different,” said Don Gibson, TBM executive director.</p>
<p>TBM provides immediate relief, he explained — a task the organization has fulfilled 47 years. TBM has more than 11,000 trained volunteers and more than 100 pieces of disaster relief equipment stationed around Texas. In West, some TBM heavy-equipment operators gained their first experience demolishing homes — a service that saved homeowners thousands of dollars.</p>
<p>Texas Baptists’ Disaster Recovery — a program coordinated by the BGCT Executive Board staff — typically begins in earnest about the time TBM volunteers begin wrapping up immediate relief, said Marla Bearden, BGCT disaster recovery specialist.</p>
<p>“We are not interested in reinventing the wheel,” Bearden said. “We look for places where we can add to what TBM already does.”</p>
<p>Texas Baptists’ Disaster Recovery works in the weeks, months and even years after an initial response to assist with long-term development of affected communities. In West, one key role involved coordination of volunteers who wanted to respond.</p>
<p>“Three days after the disaster, I started getting calls from people who wanted to come help. I said, ‘I cannot physically or emotionally manage my life, my family, my church and hundreds of volunteers who want to come here,’” Crowder said.</p>
<p>Texas Baptists’ Disaster Recovery enlisted a volunteer coordinator to work in West for several months, managing the logistics of groups and individuals who wanted to donate their labor.</p>
<p>Dislocation</p>
<p>Like many residents, Crowder could not enter his home for 10 days. He found the front door blown in, window glass embedded in walls and much of the ceiling caved in, with drywall and insulation hanging down.</p>
<p>“We moved four times in six weeks,” he recalled. Eventually, he and his family settled in a doublewide mobile home a deacon set up on his property near Gholson. They have remained there while their home is being rebuilt.</p>
<p>Crowder appreciates the contributions Texas Baptists’ Disaster Recovery made in West and continues to make as the community seeks to rebuild and begin life anew. Last summer, the BGCT sponsored “Loving West,” a weeklong volunteer effort aimed at clearing debris and preparing home sites for rebuilding. About 650 members of churches around the state participated.</p>
<p>During spring break, more than 300 volunteers worked in West with Shalom Builders, a Texas Baptists’ Disaster Recovery program that mobilizes trained and equipped construction workers to serve in areas hit by disaster.A key component of disaster recovery involves working with local committees for long-term recovery. Crowder serves on the board of the local long-term relief committee and the nonprofit organization it formed to administer funds, the West Texas Foundation.</p>
<p>Short-term, the local ministerial alliance established a system enabling churches to meet immediate needs with minimal administrative slow-downs. Long-term, the group worked with the newly created foundation to administer additional funds for needs such as medical bills, which took months to process, and rebuilding.</p>
<p>Along the way, Crowder has learned important lessons.</p>
<p>“Some people like to donate gift cards, and that’s great. When we were out of our house for 10 days with just the clothes on our backs from a track meet, gift cards helped,” he said. But in a small community like West, gift cards to a major discount store helped stimulate the economy in nearby Waco — not in the community hit by disaster, he added.</p>
<p>‘Gift cards are good. Money is better’</p>
<p>“Relief involves helping families immediately get what they need. Recovery involves helping local businesses get back on their feet,” he said. “Gift cards are good. Money is better.”</p>
<p>The committee has helped provide professional counseling for residents who need it, and Crowder and other ministers have offered their share of pastoral counseling, as well.</p>
<p>“There’s been a pretty steady stream of folks who just needed somebody to talk to. In some cases, they just needed somebody to be mad at. That’s not much fun, but anger is part of the grief process,” he said.</p>
<p>“People who are helping are the ones who get the brunt of that anger, and you just have to be OK with that.”</p>
<p>First Baptist has “seen revival” since the disaster, he added, noting he already has baptized more people in 2014 than in the three previous years combined, and attendance has increased significantly in the past year.</p>
<p>“Something like this has a way of making people re-evaluate their priorities,” he said.</p>
<p>As a community, West residents generally have reached the “acceptance” stage of the grief process, he added.</p>
<p>‘Permission to move forward’</p>
<p>“Most people have come to the point where they see it as real,” he said. Crowder added a communitywide service on April 17 marking the one-year anniversary helped with the healing process, giving residents “permission to move forward with their lives.”</p>
<p>Through it all, he expressed appreciation for the support Texas Baptists provided.</p>
<p>“Texas Baptists led us well through both phases—relief and recovery,” he said. “I hope our people will recognize both are appropriate and important. We need to give to both phases and volunteer in ways that really help — not necessarily in ways and times that are always most convenient.”</p>
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ken camp fourteen months ago john crowder didnt know difference disaster relief disaster recovery knew community needed help months since fertilizer plant explosion rocked town pastor first baptist church west texas gained expertise disaster response appreciation roles texas baptist men baptist general convention texas performed immediately longterm learned shortterm disaster relief longterm disaster recovery need volunteers donations said crowder wife lisa returning regional track meet bryan texas involving daughter ashley cell phone began ringing around 8 pm april 17 2013 soon learned ammonium nitrate explosion west fertilizer company halfmile home mile church building royal ambassadors playing kickball outside church knocked ground tells something force explosion said phil immicke associate pastor first baptist church immediately went work helping connect parents children also made churchs van available authorities transport nursing home residents evacuated facility near blast site crowder arrived west took wife daughter deacons home outside area cordonedoff emergency workers went community center medical personnel set triage wounded residents wouldnt let building terribly helpless feeling ive invested two decades lives folks wanted able something crowder said totally understand agree decision business best comfort distraught neighbors outside community center crowder called tim randolph director missions waco regional baptist association chris liebrum heads baptist general convention texas disaster recovery ministry turn helped connect terry henderson state disaster relief director texas baptist men texas baptist men next morning explosion crowder said boots ground providing relief volunteers started clearing debris made boxes available people pack belongings far people community concerned onethird us could get houses meant food showers clothes place wash clothes tbm set shower laundry units church parking lot fed people fellowship hall early bgct provided architect structural engineer inspect facility first baptist make sure safe sound spite superficial damage bgct executive director david hardage liebrum visited crowder day explosion began making plans longterm disaster recovery helped explain distinct roles tbm bgct perform disaster big difference relief recovery serious accident go immediately doctor get immediate relief help comfort weeks months later start longterm recovery treatments necessary different said gibson tbm executive director tbm provides immediate relief explained task organization fulfilled 47 years tbm 11000 trained volunteers 100 pieces disaster relief equipment stationed around texas west tbm heavyequipment operators gained first experience demolishing homes service saved homeowners thousands dollars texas baptists disaster recovery program coordinated bgct executive board staff typically begins earnest time tbm volunteers begin wrapping immediate relief said marla bearden bgct disaster recovery specialist interested reinventing wheel bearden said look places add tbm already texas baptists disaster recovery works weeks months even years initial response assist longterm development affected communities west one key role involved coordination volunteers wanted respond three days disaster started getting calls people wanted come help said physically emotionally manage life family church hundreds volunteers want come crowder said texas baptists disaster recovery enlisted volunteer coordinator work west several months managing logistics groups individuals wanted donate labor dislocation like many residents crowder could enter home 10 days found front door blown window glass embedded walls much ceiling caved drywall insulation hanging moved four times six weeks recalled eventually family settled doublewide mobile home deacon set property near gholson remained home rebuilt crowder appreciates contributions texas baptists disaster recovery made west continues make community seeks rebuild begin life anew last summer bgct sponsored loving west weeklong volunteer effort aimed clearing debris preparing home sites rebuilding 650 members churches around state participated spring break 300 volunteers worked west shalom builders texas baptists disaster recovery program mobilizes trained equipped construction workers serve areas hit disastera key component disaster recovery involves working local committees longterm recovery crowder serves board local longterm relief committee nonprofit organization formed administer funds west texas foundation shortterm local ministerial alliance established system enabling churches meet immediate needs minimal administrative slowdowns longterm group worked newly created foundation administer additional funds needs medical bills took months process rebuilding along way crowder learned important lessons people like donate gift cards thats great house 10 days clothes backs track meet gift cards helped said small community like west gift cards major discount store helped stimulate economy nearby waco community hit disaster added gift cards good money better relief involves helping families immediately get need recovery involves helping local businesses get back feet said gift cards good money better committee helped provide professional counseling residents need crowder ministers offered share pastoral counseling well theres pretty steady stream folks needed somebody talk cases needed somebody mad thats much fun anger part grief process said people helping ones get brunt anger ok first baptist seen revival since disaster added noting already baptized people 2014 three previous years combined attendance increased significantly past year something like way making people reevaluate priorities said community west residents generally reached acceptance stage grief process added permission move forward people come point see real said crowder added communitywide service april 17 marking oneyear anniversary helped healing process giving residents permission move forward lives expressed appreciation support texas baptists provided texas baptists led us well phasesrelief recovery said hope people recognize appropriate important need give phases volunteer ways really help necessarily ways times always convenient
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<p>I am the proud daughter of a retired Chicago police officer who served for more than 25 years in Chicago’s housing projects. I have heard stories of violence, gangs and drugs. I have always had a strong respect for law enforcement, and I understand the dynamics of police-community relations from the lens of my father’s life experience. &#160;I am also the mother of a black boy, and we are currently in a state of tense police relations as it pertains to black boys.</p>
<p>Speaking up about this tension is challenging. It’s one of the most difficult parts about being a black leader in the current racial and political climate. This difficulty is magnified when you are a school leader, and grows exponentially in a racially diverse environment.</p>
<p>I currently serve as the leader of an integrated middle school in a diverse community. The achievement gap between black and white students is nothing new in this community and others like it. Racial disparities in school discipline are also nothing new. In fact, schools will be forced to directly confront the problem this fall because of the passage of <a href="http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocTypeID=SB&amp;DocNum=100&amp;GAID=13&amp;SessionID=88&amp;LegID=83402" type="external">Senate Bill 100, a law</a> that aims to stop the school-to-prison pipeline by reforming discipline policies that disproportionately target black youth.</p>
<p>Our current school climate is personal to me for several reasons, including the fact that my son, who attends one of Chicago’s best schools and isn’t an achievement gap statistic, is one of many black boys who have been suspended from school as early as 3rd grade.</p>
<p>I have been a participant in suspending and expelling black students. I was conditioned to think that this was the only way to handle misbehavior.&#160;But I made drastic changes in how I approach such behavior in order to keep students of color in school and provide them with support to deal with their underlying trauma. I see equity through a personal lens, as a woman of color who is raising a black son.</p>
<p>From 11-year-old boy to “criminal suspect”</p>
<p>To illustrate this, I want to tell a story. It took place on a normal school day—actually, it was Trayvon Martin’s birthday, February 5th. Two black boys at our school were caught with “bang-snaps” in the hallway. You know the items I’m talking about–maybe you had a few as a kid during a 4th of July weekend. They make a popping sound when you throw them to the ground.</p>
<p>Of course, I then had a restorative and reflective conversation about how having any kind of fireworks in the building was a violation of school policy. I told the boys about the potential dangers and the threat to safety that throwing these fireworks could cause. They assured me that they had no intention of using them in the building. However, they planned to let them loose on their walk home from school.</p>
<p>Then, a surge of emotion and a rush of sadness came over me as I thought further ahead. One of the boys is easily 5’9,” at the tender age of just 11. He was wearing joggers and a hoodie. The scenario in my head went like this: As he walks down the street in his hoodie and with his “Beats by Dre” headphones, listening to his favorite rapper, he decides to throw the bang-snaps to the ground as planned and keeps moving. Unfortunately, some stay-at-home mom or dad, or retiree, hears the three “pops,” looks out the window. And instead of seeing a 6th– grade boy, they see a black man wearing a hoodie, who may have let three gun shots ring in the air.</p>
<p>So they call the police and give that description of a “suspect.”&#160;The 11-year-old boy, walking home from middle school and listening to his music, turns the corner and to his surprise, he is greeted by officers with their guns drawn. He has no idea why.</p>
<p>This is what flashed through my mind as I decided on my next intervention for these young boys. How awful that I have to process this. And do I share this story with them?</p>
<p>While deciding whether to suspend them or not, I also have to wrestle with the idea that teachers will want to know “what happened” and parents will ask if the school they send their student to is safe and how I am dealing with “assailants,” implying that 11-year-old boys are criminals.</p>
<p>Leading schools while black requires skill, courage</p>
<p>Making these decisions isn’t easy. In doing so, I have found that Leading (schools) While Black has the following challenges:</p>
<p>Speaking up for your race is often viewed as exclusionary and you can even be accused of being a racist.&#160;A case in point: I was having a conversation with my staff about the discipline disparities in our school, mainly about the number of school referrals&#160;(cases of student misbehavior in which a teacher has asked a school disciplinarian for help)&#160;for black students. In the interest of full transparency, I made the statement that I wasn’t comfortable subjecting my own black son to such an&#160;environment. This statement was met with anger, accusations of racism and many complaint letters to the board.</p>
<p>Trying to hold the students who look like you accountable for social standards that may marginalize the very essence of who they are feels wretched. You may be forced to rob the students of their innocence with constant redirection to social norms because black girls look “different” in the same length shorts as other girls, or black boys look like they are fighting while other boys are just horsing around.</p>
<p>You must be careful about who you are seen with.&#160;You can’t spend too much time with the other black employees, because you don’t want to appear to favor them because of their race. Conversely, you have to consider how the black population views your time spent with others. I was once accused of not being “black enough” by a local school council because of my close relationship to the white population in the school.</p>
<p>Engaging in conversations about race and natural biases makes people uncomfortable. White people may become defensive, as if you are accusing them of starting slavery. Then they become the victim very quickly and feel the need to defend and explain their actions–when all you are trying to do is change how we as educators see and treat children.</p>
<p>You have to carefully craft the way you have these courageous conversations. Talking about race and equity, and about the documented mistreatment of specific groups of people, requires skill so that you don’t offend people and their efforts to change.</p>
<p>Finally, it’s not the message that makes them uncomfortable. It’s the package that the messenger comes in: unapologetically black, with dreadlocks, full lips, a full figure, a proud resident of a black community with a son named Ausar Kemet Khan, completely devoted to making black lives matter and always fighting for equity for ALL students, especially those who have been underserved.</p>
<p>The struggle is real, but this is leadership on the ground and we must actively look for solutions to problems. To start, leaders can’t be afraid to have tough conversations about race and inequality. Districts need to invest time and money in developing school leaders and teacher-leaders on how to facilitate these conversations.&#160; And leaders are best supported with data and with narratives from and about children.</p>
<p>Second, it does take a village. Support from organizations with professionals who specialize in dealing with trauma should be a staple in most schools. This support is not just for the children who experience trauma in their communities, but also for the adults, so they can understand the effects of inter-generational trauma and how larger forces affect us all.&#160;It is our job as educators to make students feel valued and give them the sense that they belong in the academic community.</p>
<p>Lastly, I believe that an acknowledgement of white privilege and societal bias against people of color helps to bridge the communication gap between groups—because mistaken beliefs about students of color are at the root of the achievement gap, the disparities in discipline and the problems of race, lack of access and inequity in schools.</p>
<p>LeeAndra Khan is a former Chicago school principal.&#160;She is now principal of Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School in west suburban Oak Park.&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
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proud daughter retired chicago police officer served 25 years chicagos housing projects heard stories violence gangs drugs always strong respect law enforcement understand dynamics policecommunity relations lens fathers life experience 160i also mother black boy currently state tense police relations pertains black boys speaking tension challenging one difficult parts black leader current racial political climate difficulty magnified school leader grows exponentially racially diverse environment currently serve leader integrated middle school diverse community achievement gap black white students nothing new community others like racial disparities school discipline also nothing new fact schools forced directly confront problem fall passage senate bill 100 law aims stop schooltoprison pipeline reforming discipline policies disproportionately target black youth current school climate personal several reasons including fact son attends one chicagos best schools isnt achievement gap statistic one many black boys suspended school early 3rd grade participant suspending expelling black students conditioned think way handle misbehavior160but made drastic changes approach behavior order keep students color school provide support deal underlying trauma see equity personal lens woman color raising black son 11yearold boy criminal suspect illustrate want tell story took place normal school dayactually trayvon martins birthday february 5th two black boys school caught bangsnaps hallway know items im talking aboutmaybe kid 4th july weekend make popping sound throw ground course restorative reflective conversation kind fireworks building violation school policy told boys potential dangers threat safety throwing fireworks could cause assured intention using building however planned let loose walk home school surge emotion rush sadness came thought ahead one boys easily 59 tender age 11 wearing joggers hoodie scenario head went like walks street hoodie beats dre headphones listening favorite rapper decides throw bangsnaps ground planned keeps moving unfortunately stayathome mom dad retiree hears three pops looks window instead seeing 6th grade boy see black man wearing hoodie may let three gun shots ring air call police give description suspect160the 11yearold boy walking home middle school listening music turns corner surprise greeted officers guns drawn idea flashed mind decided next intervention young boys awful process share story deciding whether suspend also wrestle idea teachers want know happened parents ask school send student safe dealing assailants implying 11yearold boys criminals leading schools black requires skill courage making decisions isnt easy found leading schools black following challenges speaking race often viewed exclusionary even accused racist160a case point conversation staff discipline disparities school mainly number school referrals160cases student misbehavior teacher asked school disciplinarian help160for black students interest full transparency made statement wasnt comfortable subjecting black son an160environment statement met anger accusations racism many complaint letters board trying hold students look like accountable social standards may marginalize essence feels wretched may forced rob students innocence constant redirection social norms black girls look different length shorts girls black boys look like fighting boys horsing around must careful seen with160you cant spend much time black employees dont want appear favor race conversely consider black population views time spent others accused black enough local school council close relationship white population school engaging conversations race natural biases makes people uncomfortable white people may become defensive accusing starting slavery become victim quickly feel need defend explain actionswhen trying change educators see treat children carefully craft way courageous conversations talking race equity documented mistreatment specific groups people requires skill dont offend people efforts change finally message makes uncomfortable package messenger comes unapologetically black dreadlocks full lips full figure proud resident black community son named ausar kemet khan completely devoted making black lives matter always fighting equity students especially underserved struggle real leadership ground must actively look solutions problems start leaders cant afraid tough conversations race inequality districts need invest time money developing school leaders teacherleaders facilitate conversations160 leaders best supported data narratives children second take village support organizations professionals specialize dealing trauma staple schools support children experience trauma communities also adults understand effects intergenerational trauma larger forces affect us all160it job educators make students feel valued give sense belong academic community lastly believe acknowledgement white privilege societal bias people color helps bridge communication gap groupsbecause mistaken beliefs students color root achievement gap disparities discipline problems race lack access inequity schools leeandra khan former chicago school principal160she principal gwendolyn brooks middle school west suburban oak park160 160
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<p>AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands — In the back street cannabis den, a French-speaking Arab youth with a pierced lower lip and a rhinestone encrusted baseball cap leans across the bar to order his fix of choice.</p>
<p>"Hot chocolate, please," he intones in heavily accentuated English.</p>
<p>"With whipped cream?" asks the fresh-faced young barrista in the 420 Cafe.</p>
<p>"Yes, please.”</p>
<p>A group of teenage English boys, their polite manners contrasting with the hair-raising heavy metal designs on their T-shirts, is also drinking the warm, frothy brew. Above them a large flat screen TV is showing a documentary about Antarctic bird life.</p>
<p>A penguin protects her chicks from a hungry gull as two Spanish girls debate whether to get high on "White Widow," “Blueberry” — brands from the marijuana menu — or to take a slice of the peanut butter and white chocolate weed-laced "space cake."</p>
<p>From inside this cozy, 100-year-old-bar-turned-hash-house it appears the Amsterdam drug scene has mellowed since the Dutch government began to "decriminalize" cannabis in the late 1970s.</p>
<p>"Some specimens of my tribe, and I think I can include myself, are considered to be respectable citizens," said Michael Veling, owner of the 420 Cafe.</p>
<p>“We even have a working relationship with the tax office,” added Veling, a spokesman for the Cannabis Retailers Association which represents many of the more than 700 “coffee shops” that openly serve the drug in the Netherlands.</p>
<p>After 30 years of high times, Amsterdam continues to attract waves of youthful tourists eager to smoke a reefer or two without having to look over their shoulder for the cops. However Dutch attitudes are changing. Successive conservative-led governments have tightened restrictions on cannabis sales, while local youngsters seem increasingly indifferent to the coffee shops’ charms.</p>
<p>[ <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/worldview/100527/drug-war-policy-legalization" type="external">Analysis: the awesome power of the illegal high</a>]</p>
<p><a href="http://www.emcdda.europa.eu" type="external">A report</a> from European Union’s drug monitoring center made headlines in November when it showed young Dutch people lagged well behind many of their European neighbors when it came to smoking weed.</p>
<p>According to the survey, 11.4 percent of Dutch people aged 15 to 24 had consumed cannabis over the previous year, down from 14.3 percent eight years earlier. The Netherlands was ranked 13th out of 23 nations — way behind countries such as Spain, Italy and the Czech Republic, which register more than double the Dutch rate.</p>
<p>In the 420 Cafe, the only locals in view were a group of 50-something friends of the owner nodding contentedly to the Frank Zappa and Jimi Hendrix tunes coming from the sound system.</p>
<p>“It’s not as exciting [for Dutch kids] as it is in other countries and we had education together with the tolerant attitude, so our kids know about drugs,” said Veling.</p>
<p>“Our customers are mainly from England and the United States, but because of the economic crisis the percentage of continental Europeans has risen,” he said. “Last summer we saw the first wave of Chinese middle class, that’s a very promising market.”</p>
<p>Veling is perhaps unique among coffee shop owners in that he is also an active member and one-time city councilor with the conservative Christian Democratic Appeal party of Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, which has done much to clamp down on the Dutch dope trade in recent years.</p>
<p>Coffee shops have seen the maximum amount they can sell customers reduced from 30 grams to 5 grams. In 2007 a ban on cannabis outlets serving alcohol was enforced, meaning coffee shop owners had to choose between booze or pot — which explains why the strongest drinks at Cafe 420 are coffee, tea and chocolate. Moreover, advertising for cannabis is banned, so while souvenir shops selling T-shirts festooned with marijuana-leaf designs abound, coffee shops are not allowed to use the image.</p>
<p>Many city councils prohibit the opening of new coffee shops and are quick to shut down any that break the rules. A ban on smoking tobacco in all Dutch cafes and bars hit the coffee shops hard when it was introduced in July 2008, since cannabis cigarettes are often mixed with tobacco. Now the rule is widely ignored.</p>
<p>"There are all kinds of ridiculous regulations,” said Fredrick Polak, a veteran campaigner for more liberal drug laws. “It does not work, it is counterproductive … the state has no business interfering with individual grown-up citizens and what they want to put in their bodies."</p>
<p>Polak, a white-haired, 67-year-old psychiatrist who works at Amsterdam’s drug dependency unit, said Dutch authorities have caved into pressure from neighboring nations concerned that so many young people were buying cannabis in the Netherlands to take back home.</p>
<p>French, Belgian and German authorities have been particularly worried about a proliferation of outlets in border cities, so the Dutch government has sought to crack down on “drug tourism.”</p>
<p>The cities of Bergen op Zoom and Rosendaal near the Belgian border closed down six of their eight coffee shops last year after residents complained about rowdy behavior from an estimated 25,000 drug tourists passing through every week.</p>
<p>In the southeastern city of Maastricht, authorities have proposed making coffee shops members-only clubs, effectively banning foreign day-trippers. The country’s largest coffee shop, Checkpoint in the southern border town of Terneuzen, was closed down in 2008 at a time when it was reportedly serving 3,000 customers a day.</p>
<p>Polak complains that criminal elements continue to play a leading role in the cannabis trade due to an anomaly in the laws: While the retailing is tolerated, wholesale trade remains illegal, meaning coffee shop owners often have to get their supplies from criminal networks, which are also involved in illegal exports of the drug and violent turf wars.</p>
<p>“With our system, for people who want to smoke marijuana it’s very pleasant, but on the supply side here there is no control, it’s still completely illegal, so the wrong people make very much money," Polak said.</p>
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amsterdam netherlands back street cannabis den frenchspeaking arab youth pierced lower lip rhinestone encrusted baseball cap leans across bar order fix choice hot chocolate please intones heavily accentuated english whipped cream asks freshfaced young barrista 420 cafe yes please group teenage english boys polite manners contrasting hairraising heavy metal designs tshirts also drinking warm frothy brew large flat screen tv showing documentary antarctic bird life penguin protects chicks hungry gull two spanish girls debate whether get high white widow blueberry brands marijuana menu take slice peanut butter white chocolate weedlaced space cake inside cozy 100yearoldbarturnedhashhouse appears amsterdam drug scene mellowed since dutch government began decriminalize cannabis late 1970s specimens tribe think include considered respectable citizens said michael veling owner 420 cafe even working relationship tax office added veling spokesman cannabis retailers association represents many 700 coffee shops openly serve drug netherlands 30 years high times amsterdam continues attract waves youthful tourists eager smoke reefer two without look shoulder cops however dutch attitudes changing successive conservativeled governments tightened restrictions cannabis sales local youngsters seem increasingly indifferent coffee shops charms analysis awesome power illegal high report european unions drug monitoring center made headlines november showed young dutch people lagged well behind many european neighbors came smoking weed according survey 114 percent dutch people aged 15 24 consumed cannabis previous year 143 percent eight years earlier netherlands ranked 13th 23 nations way behind countries spain italy czech republic register double dutch rate 420 cafe locals view group 50something friends owner nodding contentedly frank zappa jimi hendrix tunes coming sound system exciting dutch kids countries education together tolerant attitude kids know drugs said veling customers mainly england united states economic crisis percentage continental europeans risen said last summer saw first wave chinese middle class thats promising market veling perhaps unique among coffee shop owners also active member onetime city councilor conservative christian democratic appeal party prime minister jan peter balkenende done much clamp dutch dope trade recent years coffee shops seen maximum amount sell customers reduced 30 grams 5 grams 2007 ban cannabis outlets serving alcohol enforced meaning coffee shop owners choose booze pot explains strongest drinks cafe 420 coffee tea chocolate moreover advertising cannabis banned souvenir shops selling tshirts festooned marijuanaleaf designs abound coffee shops allowed use image many city councils prohibit opening new coffee shops quick shut break rules ban smoking tobacco dutch cafes bars hit coffee shops hard introduced july 2008 since cannabis cigarettes often mixed tobacco rule widely ignored kinds ridiculous regulations said fredrick polak veteran campaigner liberal drug laws work counterproductive state business interfering individual grownup citizens want put bodies polak whitehaired 67yearold psychiatrist works amsterdams drug dependency unit said dutch authorities caved pressure neighboring nations concerned many young people buying cannabis netherlands take back home french belgian german authorities particularly worried proliferation outlets border cities dutch government sought crack drug tourism cities bergen op zoom rosendaal near belgian border closed six eight coffee shops last year residents complained rowdy behavior estimated 25000 drug tourists passing every week southeastern city maastricht authorities proposed making coffee shops membersonly clubs effectively banning foreign daytrippers countrys largest coffee shop checkpoint southern border town terneuzen closed 2008 time reportedly serving 3000 customers day polak complains criminal elements continue play leading role cannabis trade due anomaly laws retailing tolerated wholesale trade remains illegal meaning coffee shop owners often get supplies criminal networks also involved illegal exports drug violent turf wars system people want smoke marijuana pleasant supply side control still completely illegal wrong people make much money polak said
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<p>When Sandra Bland was found&#160;dead in her Texas jail cell after she was arrested during a traffic stop, the story made national headlines.</p>
<p>Her death was later ruled a suicide. The circumstances surrounding her arrest and death raised&#160; <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/08/04/sandra-bland-family-federal-lawsuit/31094357/" type="external">suspicions about possible misconduct</a>by authorities. And it also put a spotlight on how people die in jail.</p>
<p>The most common cause of death while in custody&#160;in pre-trial detention facilities&#160;is not suicide; it’s chronic disease linked to poverty.</p>
<p>Research shows that people who are behind bars have chronic health conditions at significantly higher rates than the general population. <a href="http://www.nap.edu/read/18372/chapter/1" type="external">Men and women who are incarcerated often have multiple health problems</a>, and&#160;being locked up&#160;can exacerbate them.</p>
<p>Of the 72 people who died in custody at Cook County Jail between 2009 and 2014, chronic illnesses ranging from cancer to heart disease&#160;and cirrhosis of the liver accounted for nearly 70 percent of the deaths. About 19 percent of all deaths were from suicides, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.</p>
<p>Reflecting the jail’s population, most were men (89 percent) and, disproportionately, people of color. Sixty-one percent were African- American, 27 percent were white and 11 percent were Latino.</p>
<p>Most of those who died had spent an extended time behind bars. One man, who died at 41 of a pulmonary embolism and metastatic cancer in 2013, had been in jail for more than three years.</p>
<p>Jails tend to house a vulnerable population of people who—because of the <a href="" type="internal">widespread use of cash bail in places like Cook County</a>—often are forced to wait for weeks or months behind bars before they get a trial. Those who can’t afford to post bail are <a href="http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/mpsfpji1112.pdf" type="external">also the likeliest to suffer from chronic health conditions</a> that can be&#160;made worse&#160;by crowded living quarters&#160;and limited opportunities to exercise.</p>
<p>“Going to jail is a hugely stressful experience,” said Melanie Newport, a PhD candidate at Temple University who is writing her dissertation on the history of Cook County Jail. “Think about how it would be if you had high blood pressure or heart disease. The jail isn’t built for old people or sick people. But increasingly, that’s who we find there.”</p>
<p>Overcrowding has been a problem at Cook County Jail for years, said Cara Smith, a former director of the jail and now a strategist for the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. She said the jail’s hospital unit remains overpopulated, even as officials work to lower its numbers.</p>
<p>“We are always extremely concerned when we see very sick people being arrested and remanded to the custody of the jail,” Smith said.</p>
<p>It’s frustrating, she said, when high bonds are set for people who are ill and can’t afford to pay, forcing them to remain behind bars for weeks or months.</p>
<p>“We have no discretion,” she said. “We can’t say, because this person is on dialysis or has cancer, they shouldn’t be in jail.”</p>
<p>Officials at Cermak Health Services, the branch of the Cook County Health and Hospital System that provides medical care to inmates and detainees, declined to be interviewed about the issue.</p>
<p>“Cermak offers more services&#160;on-site than many other correctional health facilities,” spokeswoman Alexandra Normington said in an email. “While the overall jail census has decreased in the past two years, the patients we are caring for are increasingly older and sicker with multiple chronic, serious co-morbidities.”</p>
<p>Both Smith and Normington emphasized that deaths in custody usually do not occur within the walls of the jail but in hospitals or hospice care. According to county data, 80 percent died in a hospital, 2 percent died in Cermak, 3 percent died in transit and 15 percent in one of the jail divisions.</p>
<p />
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Gina Polo filed a lawsuit earlier this year after her husband, Daniel Paredes, died while being released from the jail in April 2014.&#160; Smith and Cermak Health Services declined to comment on the case because of pending litigation. Polo said Paredes, who was 49 and paralyzed on one side of his body due to a stroke, was regularly forced to walk to court or the visitation room without a wheelchair or cane.</p>
<p>Paredes, who had been arrested on a minor drug charge, had spent more than a month in the jail because his family couldn’t come up with the money to pay his bond, initially set at $20,000. Polo said the family was able to pay the bond when a judge reduced it to $2,000.</p>
<p>Polo has been receiving disability income for several years. Before that, she cleaned houses for a living.</p>
<p>“We struggle to make ends meet as it is, and that was just a ridiculous amount of money to ask us to pay,” she said. “He wasn’t a flight risk. He could barely walk.”</p>
<p>Photo by Stacey Rupolo</p>
<p>Gina Polo holds a picture of her late husband, Daniel Paredes, outside the home they shared in Elmont, Illinois.</p>
<p>While Polo was posting bail and Paredes was being prepared for release, Paredes collapsed and lost consciousness. He died later that night.</p>
<p>“The hardest thing is that I still don’t understand what happened to him,” Polo said. “He had health problems, but for him to die? Every time I saw him after he was arrested, he was in pain.”</p>
<p>According to federal government data, suicide and heart disease have been the top two causes of death nationally since data collection on causes of death began in 2000. A report released earlier this summer by the Bureau of Justice Statistics showed that the overall number of inmates in local jails declined between 2012 and 2013, but the mortality rate increased.</p>
<p>In 2013, 34 percent of jail deaths were due to suicide. The typical inmate who died in 2013 was male (87 percent), white (54 percent), 35 or older (70 percent) and in custody for fewer than seven days (40 percent).</p>
<p>But not much is known about why inmates die behind bars.</p>
<p>Earlier this month, the California Department of Justice <a href="http://www.latimes.com/local/crime/la-me-police-transparency-20150903-story.html" type="external">launched a website with detailed information</a> about deaths among jail detainees and prison inmates in the state. But in general, Newport says it has become increasingly difficult to track deaths in custody since the 1990s.</p>
<p>“Without access to the records,” she said, “it’s very hard to know what’s going on.”</p>
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sandra bland found160dead texas jail cell arrested traffic stop story made national headlines death later ruled suicide circumstances surrounding arrest death raised160 suspicions possible misconductby authorities also put spotlight people die jail common cause death custody160in pretrial detention facilities160is suicide chronic disease linked poverty research shows people behind bars chronic health conditions significantly higher rates general population men women incarcerated often multiple health problems and160being locked up160can exacerbate 72 people died custody cook county jail 2009 2014 chronic illnesses ranging cancer heart disease160and cirrhosis liver accounted nearly 70 percent deaths 19 percent deaths suicides according cook county sheriffs office reflecting jails population men 89 percent disproportionately people color sixtyone percent african american 27 percent white 11 percent latino died spent extended time behind bars one man died 41 pulmonary embolism metastatic cancer 2013 jail three years jails tend house vulnerable population people whobecause widespread use cash bail places like cook countyoften forced wait weeks months behind bars get trial cant afford post bail also likeliest suffer chronic health conditions be160made worse160by crowded living quarters160and limited opportunities exercise going jail hugely stressful experience said melanie newport phd candidate temple university writing dissertation history cook county jail think would high blood pressure heart disease jail isnt built old people sick people increasingly thats find overcrowding problem cook county jail years said cara smith former director jail strategist cook county sheriffs office said jails hospital unit remains overpopulated even officials work lower numbers always extremely concerned see sick people arrested remanded custody jail smith said frustrating said high bonds set people ill cant afford pay forcing remain behind bars weeks months discretion said cant say person dialysis cancer shouldnt jail officials cermak health services branch cook county health hospital system provides medical care inmates detainees declined interviewed issue cermak offers services160onsite many correctional health facilities spokeswoman alexandra normington said email overall jail census decreased past two years patients caring increasingly older sicker multiple chronic serious comorbidities smith normington emphasized deaths custody usually occur within walls jail hospitals hospice care according county data 80 percent died hospital 2 percent died cermak 3 percent died transit 15 percent one jail divisions 160 gina polo filed lawsuit earlier year husband daniel paredes died released jail april 2014160 smith cermak health services declined comment case pending litigation polo said paredes 49 paralyzed one side body due stroke regularly forced walk court visitation room without wheelchair cane paredes arrested minor drug charge spent month jail family couldnt come money pay bond initially set 20000 polo said family able pay bond judge reduced 2000 polo receiving disability income several years cleaned houses living struggle make ends meet ridiculous amount money ask us pay said wasnt flight risk could barely walk photo stacey rupolo gina polo holds picture late husband daniel paredes outside home shared elmont illinois polo posting bail paredes prepared release paredes collapsed lost consciousness died later night hardest thing still dont understand happened polo said health problems die every time saw arrested pain according federal government data suicide heart disease top two causes death nationally since data collection causes death began 2000 report released earlier summer bureau justice statistics showed overall number inmates local jails declined 2012 2013 mortality rate increased 2013 34 percent jail deaths due suicide typical inmate died 2013 male 87 percent white 54 percent 35 older 70 percent custody fewer seven days 40 percent much known inmates die behind bars earlier month california department justice launched website detailed information deaths among jail detainees prison inmates state general newport says become increasingly difficult track deaths custody since 1990s without access records said hard know whats going
| 602 |
<p>From left, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-La.) and former Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-Ark.) (Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)</p>
<p>Days after attending an Iowa conference hosted by a vehemently anti-gay pastor who called for the death penalty for gays, three Republican presidential candidates remain silent on his tirade and have not repudiated the remarks.</p>
<p>U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal last week attended the National Religious Liberty Conference, which was emceed by Kevin Swanson, executive director of the evangelical group Generations with Vision.</p>
<p>In&#160;a video of the conference posted by&#160;Right Wing Watch, Swanson on stage at the conference decried the sons of Christian families whom he said are “rebelling, hanging out with homosexuals and getting married, and the parents are invited.”</p>
<p>Asking his audience what they would do upon an invitation to a same-sex wedding, Swanson declared he would wear sack-cloth and ashes at the entrance to the church and “sit in cow manure and spread it all over my body.”</p>
<p>“I’m not kidding, I’m not laughing,” Swanson said. “I’m grieving, I’m mourning, I’m pointing out the problem. It’s not a gay time. These are the people with the sores, the gaping sores, the sores that are pussy and gross. And people are coming in and carving happy faces on the sores. That’s not a nice thing to do. Don’t you dare carve happy faces on open pussy sores.”</p>
<p>Swanson continued, “America needs to hear the message: We are messed up.”</p>
<p>At another point, Swanson delivered a fiery tirade against gay people as he waived a Bible in the air, invoking passages interpreted to mean gay people should be executed.</p>
<p>“I am not ashamed of the Gospel of the Jesus Christ,” Swanson said. “And I am not ashamed of the truth of the word of God, and I am willing to go to jail for standing on the truth of the word of God.”</p>
<p>From the stage, Swanson said he was advised to tone down his words because presidential candidates were coming to the conference, but he refused.</p>
<p>Still, Swanson said he won’t advocate for the death penalty immediately for gay people because it’s “nothing, is not at all that important when contrasted with hellfire forever.”</p>
<p>“They need time to repent,” Swanson said. “Do you understand? America needs time to repent. You say why don’t you call for it? America needs time to repent of their homosexuality, their adultery and their porn addictions.”</p>
<p>Literature distributed at the conference by pastor Philip Kayser — whose endorsement of Ron Paul in 2012 was covered up by the candidate — laying out how and why gay people should be put to death, discussing stoning and throwing people off cliffs as possible punishments, according to <a href="http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/death-penalty-gays-literature-right-wing-conference" type="external">Right Wing Watch</a>.</p>
<p>As MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow noted in her coverage of the event, Swanson didn’t make those remarks at an earlier time, he delivered them at the same event as he introduced Cruz, Huckabee and Jindal on stage and queried them if they agree the president of the United States should adhere to the teachings of Jesus Christ, or in his words “submit to his rule and to his law.” (Cruz said a president “who doesn’t begin every day on his knees isn’t fit to be commander-in-chief.”)</p>
<p />
<p>Swanson’s views on gay people were well known before the event took place. According to Right Wing Watch, Swanson has urged people to hold up signs telling gay couples to die on their wedding day; agreed same-sex marriage is like the Sandy Hook massacre; discussed whether the Rose Bowl should have a float depicting a gay person stoned to death; and endorsed the now defunct anti-homosexuality law in Uganda that once called for the death of gay people.</p>
<p>In the week since&#160;the event, the campaigns for each of the three Republican presidential candidates didn’t respond to the Washington Blade’s request for comment on whether they’d repudiate the anti-gay remarks made onstage by Swanson.</p>
<p>Cruz, Jindal and Huckabee are among&#160;the most conservative candidates in the Republican presidential race. They’ve each endorsed constitutional amendments against same-sex marriage; Cruz and Huckabee said the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in favor of same-sex marriage should be disregarded altogether.</p>
<p>Although Jindal is polling at 1 percent and Huckabee is polling at 3 percent among Republicans, Cruz is slightly higher in the field. The candidate polled at 7 percent in a recent Morning Consult poll.</p>
<p>Before the event took place, CNN’s Jake Tapper asked Cruz whether his appearance at the event was an endorsement of Swanson. Cruz declined to answer, saying he wasn’t familiar with the pastor’s views and the real issue is religious persecution in the United States.</p>
<p>Also before the event, Huckabee told a reporter who cited reports of Swanson’s views during a press gaggle he doesn’t agree with the death penalty for homosexuality.</p>
<p>“Obviously, I don’t agree with that,” Huckabee responded. “I don’t think anyone’s ever accused me of saying that. And I don’t know, did anyone say that from this stage today?”</p>
<p>Although Swanson’s anti-gay tirade had not yet occurred, the reporter brought up the reports of Swanson’s anti-gay views from the past. Huckabee said that wasn’t enough.</p>
<p>“I can’t go with ‘there are some reports that,’” Huckabee responded. “Give me a specific, give me something to react to, that won’t work for me, because I don’t have any knowledge of that. All I know is what I said, I can’t be responsible for what anybody else said on that stage, and apparently nobody said that on that stage.”</p>
<p />
<p>According to Right Wing Watch, conference organizers once indicated former neurosurgeon and GOP front-runner Ben Carson was a confirmed speaker at the event, but the candidate didn’t appear. The Carson campaign didn’t respond to a request for&#160;comment on whether he&#160;was absent because of Swanson’s anti-gay views.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Bobby Jindal</a> <a href="" type="internal">election 2016</a> <a href="" type="internal">Kevin Swanson</a> <a href="" type="internal">Mike Huckabee</a> <a href="" type="internal">Ted Cruz</a></p>
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left sen ted cruz rtexas gov bobby jindal rla former gov mike huckabee rark washington blade photos michael key days attending iowa conference hosted vehemently antigay pastor called death penalty gays three republican presidential candidates remain silent tirade repudiated remarks us sen ted cruz rtexas former arkansas gov mike huckabee louisiana gov bobby jindal last week attended national religious liberty conference emceed kevin swanson executive director evangelical group generations vision in160a video conference posted by160right wing watch swanson stage conference decried sons christian families said rebelling hanging homosexuals getting married parents invited asking audience would upon invitation samesex wedding swanson declared would wear sackcloth ashes entrance church sit cow manure spread body im kidding im laughing swanson said im grieving im mourning im pointing problem gay time people sores gaping sores sores pussy gross people coming carving happy faces sores thats nice thing dont dare carve happy faces open pussy sores swanson continued america needs hear message messed another point swanson delivered fiery tirade gay people waived bible air invoking passages interpreted mean gay people executed ashamed gospel jesus christ swanson said ashamed truth word god willing go jail standing truth word god stage swanson said advised tone words presidential candidates coming conference refused still swanson said wont advocate death penalty immediately gay people nothing important contrasted hellfire forever need time repent swanson said understand america needs time repent say dont call america needs time repent homosexuality adultery porn addictions literature distributed conference pastor philip kayser whose endorsement ron paul 2012 covered candidate laying gay people put death discussing stoning throwing people cliffs possible punishments according right wing watch msnbcs rachel maddow noted coverage event swanson didnt make remarks earlier time delivered event introduced cruz huckabee jindal stage queried agree president united states adhere teachings jesus christ words submit rule law cruz said president doesnt begin every day knees isnt fit commanderinchief swansons views gay people well known event took place according right wing watch swanson urged people hold signs telling gay couples die wedding day agreed samesex marriage like sandy hook massacre discussed whether rose bowl float depicting gay person stoned death endorsed defunct antihomosexuality law uganda called death gay people week since160the event campaigns three republican presidential candidates didnt respond washington blades request comment whether theyd repudiate antigay remarks made onstage swanson cruz jindal huckabee among160the conservative candidates republican presidential race theyve endorsed constitutional amendments samesex marriage cruz huckabee said us supreme court ruling favor samesex marriage disregarded altogether although jindal polling 1 percent huckabee polling 3 percent among republicans cruz slightly higher field candidate polled 7 percent recent morning consult poll event took place cnns jake tapper asked cruz whether appearance event endorsement swanson cruz declined answer saying wasnt familiar pastors views real issue religious persecution united states also event huckabee told reporter cited reports swansons views press gaggle doesnt agree death penalty homosexuality obviously dont agree huckabee responded dont think anyones ever accused saying dont know anyone say stage today although swansons antigay tirade yet occurred reporter brought reports swansons antigay views past huckabee said wasnt enough cant go reports huckabee responded give specific give something react wont work dont knowledge know said cant responsible anybody else said stage apparently nobody said stage according right wing watch conference organizers indicated former neurosurgeon gop frontrunner ben carson confirmed speaker event candidate didnt appear carson campaign didnt respond request for160comment whether he160was absent swansons antigay views bobby jindal election 2016 kevin swanson mike huckabee ted cruz
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