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<p><a href="" type="internal" />July 20, 2012</p>
<p>By Wayne Lusvardi</p>
<p>A rerun is playing on TV of the inaccurate 2005 “documentary” movie,&#160; <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Smartest_Guys_in_the_Room" type="external">“Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room”</a> about Enron manipulating the California Electricity Crisis of 2001. It features Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and former Gov. Gray Davis, D-Calif.</p>
<p>Back in the real world: the California electricity grid operator has accused JP Morgan, Barclays, Deutsche Bank AG, and several other banks of more recently <a href="http://news.firedoglake.com/2012/07/04/jp-morgan-barclays-other-banksters-investigated-for-manipulating-electricity-markets/" type="external">manipulating the California electricity market</a>.</p>
<p>Concurrently, as Katy Grimes reported on CalWatcdhDog.com, the California Legislature passed a <a href="" type="internal">hidden trailer bill</a> as part of the 2012 state budget package that shrouds public information on its green energy trades under its Cap and Trade Program trading hub in Delaware.</p>
<p>Apparently, if you’re in the private sector, you have to disclose not only your energy bid, you have to disclose its intent. But if you are in the public sector, you can get away with not disclosing green energy bids at all.&#160; Such is the double standard in California, where the private sector is criminalized before its day in court and the public sector can get away with anything it wants without the mainstream media even reporting it.</p>
<p>The energy-trading arm of JP Morgan is said to have cost electricity ratepayers $73 million since 2010 in self-serving energy trades. &#160;The <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/FERC-probes-JPMorgan-over-electricity-charges-3682758.php" type="external">Federal Energy Regulatory Commission</a>&#160;is investigating the allegations made by the <a href="http://www.caiso.com/about/Pages/OurBusiness/UnderstandingtheISO/default.aspx" type="external">California Independent System Operator</a>&#160;that coordinates 80 percent of the electric transmission grid in California.</p>
<p>At issue to Cal-ISO are trades made by JP Morgan Chase, Barclays, Deutsche Bank AG, and other banks in what is called the “day-ahead” wholesale electricity market.&#160; After the 2001 California Energy Crisis, the California electricity market was reformed to require all retail energy providers to schedule their bids one day ahead of time to prevent market manipulation.&#160; <a href="http://www.caiso.com/about/Pages/OurBusiness/UnderstandingtheISO/default.aspx" type="external">Cal-ISO</a> was established to serve as a coordinator of the grid and also to bring transparency to energy trading. Cal-ISO is an impartial, non-governmental grid operator.</p>
<p>In order to encourage competitive bidding for the provision of retail electricity, Cal-ISO reimburses bidders twice the preparation cost of their bids.&#160; This practice is called “full cost recovery” or “bid cost recovery.”&#160; Where bid manipulation enters the rules of the bidding game is where a bidder bids so low that they qualify for the ISO’s roster of potential electricity suppliers. Once on the roster, the bidder qualifies for double reimbursement for preparing a bid.</p>
<p>The same bidder would then price its electricity so high in the real time “spot market” that the ISO wouldn’t buy it.&#160; Thus, the bidder was assured of never having to actually sell power, but would get reimbursed for submitting a bid.&#160; This bid splitting practice is what Cal-ISO has referred to FERC for review.&#160; Cal-ISO alleges that banks using such bidding strategies never had any intent on selling power, just skimming bidding fees.&#160; This may have cost electricity ratepayers hundreds of millions of dollars.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review of the California State Senate attached a rider to its 2012-2013 State Budget Package,&#160; <a href="http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/sen/sb_1001-1050/sb_1018_cfa_20120627_082558_sen_floor.html" type="external">Senate Bill 1018</a>,&#160;to allow the California Air Resources Board to <a href="" type="internal">end run around the California Open Meeting Act</a> on its pollution-credit energy trades.</p>
<p>CARB’s private Delaware Corporation,&#160; <a href="http://www.wci-inc.org/" type="external">Western Climate Initiative Inc</a>. — set up to manage air pollution emissions trading under its Cap and Trade Program –- doesn’t have to comply with California’s transparency law for its Delaware trading activities.&#160; This action was snuck into Senate Bill 1018 on July 26 and signed into law with the state budget on July 27.&#160; The same rider on SB 1018 also allows Cap and Trade taxes to be siphoned into designated accounts for use by the State Legislature.</p>
<p>On July 27, <a href="http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/sen/sb_1001-1050/sb_1018_vt_20120627.html" type="external">Gov. Jerry Brown</a> used his veto power to reduce the amount of funding for State Parks and Recreation, but left CARB’s exemption from the state Open Meeting Law unchanged.</p>
<p>The final vote on SB 1018 in the State Senate was <a href="http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/sen/sb_1001-1050/sb_1018_vote_20120627_0221" type="external">58 percent in favor</a>.&#160; The minority Republican Party was unable to gain any compromise, amendments, or vetoes to the State Budget Package or rider bills. This was because <a href="http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California_Proposition_25,_Majority_Vote_for_Legislature" type="external">Proposition 25</a>&#160;eliminated the previous two-thirds vote requirement for taxes and the state budget.</p>
<p>Voters originally passed Prop 25. to permit the passage of a state budget on time, to not delay funding for public schools and the needy.&#160; The state budget was barely passed on time on the June 15 deadline by the Legislature.&#160; Prop. 25 is now being abused to approve items having no bearing on taxes or the state budget. This is one of several reforms sought by <a href="http://www.amazon.com/California-Crackup-Reform-Broke-Golden/dp/0520266560" type="external">political reformers</a> in California in the name of greater “democracy.”</p>
<p>Of course, the mainstream newspaper media, such as the <a href="http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-hiltzik-20120718,0,1949782.column?track=rss&amp;utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+latimes%2Fbusiness+%28L.A.+Times+-+Business%29" type="external">Los Angeles Times</a> and <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/FERC-probes-JPMorgan-over-electricity-charges-3682758.php" type="external">San Francisco Chronicle</a>,&#160;have focused on reporting the alleged bank abuses of energy bids. But the same newspapers have “blacked out” any coverage of the Legislature’s granting to CARB an exemption from state meeting laws for its out-of-state pollution credit-trading arm.</p>
<p>Why should the public’s attention be focused only on manipulated energy bids and not also on hidden legislation that would shroud green energy trades?</p>
<p>Is this Enron 2?&#160; We Don’t Know Yet</p>
<p>Times columnist <a href="http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-hiltzik-20120718,0,1949782.column?track=rss&amp;utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+latimes%2Fbusiness+%28L.A.+Times+-+Business%29" type="external">Michael Hiltzik</a> writes that what banks have recently been doing is the same as what Enron did:</p>
<p>“What’s worse, it shows that we haven’t learned anything from Enron’s bogus energy trading, the disclosure of which helped destroy that firm in 2001 and land several of its executives in jail. To the extent it was designed to exploit loopholes in energy trading rules, experts say, the scheme allegedly perpetrated by JPMorgan Ventures Energy Corp. is cut from the same cloth as Enron’s infamous ‘fat boy’ swindle, which cost the state’s ratepayers an estimated $1.4 billion in 2000.”&#160;</p>
<p>From what Cara Ellison writes on <a href="http://caraellison.wordpress.com/2008/08/17/enron-west-coast-trading-primer-fat-boy/" type="external">The Enron Blog</a>, Enron’s “Fat Boy” trading strategy would have been similar to what JP Morgan is presently accused of.&#160; She quotes California Treasurer Bill Lockyer:</p>
<p>“According to Bill Lockyer and other anti-Enron types, Fat Boy was less a trading strategy than just a plain old lie: Enron traders would tell electricity officials that it was going to use more power than it actually intended to use. That way, Enron would reap extra payments by appearing to deliver more power on a high-demand day when, in fact, it was merely using less power than promised.”</p>
<p>However, I believe Ellison accurately states Enron’s Fat Boy trades were numerically “minuscule, rare, and inconsequential” and a case of prosecutors piling on charges. This in no way denies that Enron executives committed accounting fraud and other crimes for which they were prosecuted and convicted.&#160; All it indicates is that Enron did not cause the California Energy Crisis of 2001 and its energy trading practices were overblown mainly for political gain to keep the focus away from government’s complicity in the Crisis.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/FERC-probes-JPMorgan-over-electricity-charges-3682758.php" type="external">Katarzyna Klimasinska</a> of the San Francisco Chronicle says price-manipulation charges against JP Morgan are not the same as for Enron, which was accused of driving up prices by shutting down power plants during the California Energy Crisis of 2001:</p>
<p>“The price-manipulation allegations against JPMorgan’s energy-trading unit appear to differ from charges against <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/?controllerName=search&amp;action=search&amp;channel=business&amp;search=1&amp;inlineLink=1&amp;query=%22Enron%22" type="external">Enron</a> Corp.’s power traders during the California energy crisis of 2000 and 2001, John Olson, managing partner of <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/?controllerName=search&amp;action=search&amp;channel=business&amp;search=1&amp;inlineLink=1&amp;query=%22Pool+Capital+Partners%22" type="external">Pool Capital Partners</a> LLC in Houston and former energy analyst at Merrill Lynch &amp; Co., said. Enron was accused of driving up prices by persuading operators to shut down, he&#160;said.”</p>
<p>As someone who was behind the curtain of government during the 2001 Energy Crisis, I personally investigated the accusation that <a href="http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1338581/posts" type="external">Enron manipulated power prices by shutting down power plants</a>. &#160;There’s an infamous tape from Jan. 17, 2001 of Enron traders asking an operator to shut down a 52-megawatt power plant in Las Vegas. But that was grid congestion, not lack of power. Relieving grid congestion would have lowered, not raised, electricity prices.</p>
<p>My experience with the <a href="http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1313927/posts" type="external">California Energy Crisis of 2001</a> indicated that it was public utilities such as the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the city of Pasadena, and the Southern California Power Authority that gamed the energy trading system the most and reaped huge monetary windfalls.&#160; Moreover, it was private power providers such as the Mirant Corporation that kept electric “spinning reserves” available and were the <a href="http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1331515/posts" type="external">unheralded heroes of the crisis</a>.</p>
<p>What the media typically know little about the electricity and energy markets.&#160; And is not known typically is misreported and ensationalized.&#160; The press usually asks the wrong questions and thus gets the wrong answers.&#160; To pre-indict the banks named in this energy trading case is premature and irresponsible.&#160; Here are some questions that might be more helpful at this stage of the investigation based on my experience on a 2001 Energy Crisis Task Force for a large water utility, my experience as a real estate appraiser and manager and some plain old common sense.</p>
<p>As pointed out by online newspaper commentators, imagine that California decided to sell off surplus equipment for a few dollars and you knew you could re-sell it for $100 on eBay.&#160; Would it be wrong for you to do so?</p>
<p>Or if an elderly person advertised their old, but historical car with low mileage for sale but you knew you could re-sell it for big bucks, would you buy it?</p>
<p>Or if you are a real estate broker and someone keeps submitting tricky high bids full of weird conditions, should you take the high bid or just take the simple lower cash bid?&#160; If a broker recommends to his client taking the tricky high bid and later gets the seller ensnarled in a lawsuit, can the seller sue them? Most brokers I have encountered prefer to just take the most straightforward bid, despite the price.</p>
<p>Is the problem inherent in such situations the abuse of the buyer or the problem of an unknowledgeble seller?&#160; Should you be able to call in the cops, the district attorney or a small claims court judge to recover what you later learned you lost on your old car?</p>
<p>These questions seem to be how the average person in the street or a professional real estate broker would frame such a problem.&#160; But that is not how Cal-ISO and the mainstream newspaper media frame it.&#160; They frame it as likely criminal or pre-concluded unethical activity.</p>
<p>Indeed, taking advantage of energy trading rules may be found to be an abuse.&#160; But if so, who is to blame?&#160; Is Cal-ISO just covering up the public perception of its own ineptness or is it cracking down as it should as a regulator?&#160; Is it the role of regulators to <a href="http://www.city-journal.org/article01.php?aid=1577" type="external">“acquire”</a> violators, just as cops may be said to acquire criminals? Is the proverbial “thin blue line” of social order to be kept first by citizens or solely by the police?&#160; Do regulators have a fiduciary duty to keep those they regulate out of legal trouble?&#160; Or is using the media to bring attention to such trades a way to publicly shame those who straddle the line between what is legal and what is moral?</p>
<p>And in the case of Legislature, now with no limits on what it can get away with, who will help the public focus on abuses of the Open Meeting Law? Certainly not the mainstream media in California.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
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july 20 2012 wayne lusvardi rerun playing tv inaccurate 2005 documentary movie160 enron smartest guys room enron manipulating california electricity crisis 2001 features sen barbara boxer dcalif former gov gray davis dcalif back real world california electricity grid operator accused jp morgan barclays deutsche bank ag several banks recently manipulating california electricity market concurrently katy grimes reported calwatcdhdogcom california legislature passed hidden trailer bill part 2012 state budget package shrouds public information green energy trades cap trade program trading hub delaware apparently youre private sector disclose energy bid disclose intent public sector get away disclosing green energy bids all160 double standard california private sector criminalized day court public sector get away anything wants without mainstream media even reporting energytrading arm jp morgan said cost electricity ratepayers 73 million since 2010 selfserving energy trades 160the federal energy regulatory commission160is investigating allegations made california independent system operator160that coordinates 80 percent electric transmission grid california issue caliso trades made jp morgan chase barclays deutsche bank ag banks called dayahead wholesale electricity market160 2001 california energy crisis california electricity market reformed require retail energy providers schedule bids one day ahead time prevent market manipulation160 caliso established serve coordinator grid also bring transparency energy trading caliso impartial nongovernmental grid operator order encourage competitive bidding provision retail electricity caliso reimburses bidders twice preparation cost bids160 practice called full cost recovery bid cost recovery160 bid manipulation enters rules bidding game bidder bids low qualify isos roster potential electricity suppliers roster bidder qualifies double reimbursement preparing bid bidder would price electricity high real time spot market iso wouldnt buy it160 thus bidder assured never actually sell power would get reimbursed submitting bid160 bid splitting practice caliso referred ferc review160 caliso alleges banks using bidding strategies never intent selling power skimming bidding fees160 may cost electricity ratepayers hundreds millions dollars meanwhile committee budget fiscal review california state senate attached rider 20122013 state budget package160 senate bill 1018160to allow california air resources board end run around california open meeting act pollutioncredit energy trades carbs private delaware corporation160 western climate initiative inc set manage air pollution emissions trading cap trade program doesnt comply californias transparency law delaware trading activities160 action snuck senate bill 1018 july 26 signed law state budget july 27160 rider sb 1018 also allows cap trade taxes siphoned designated accounts use state legislature july 27 gov jerry brown used veto power reduce amount funding state parks recreation left carbs exemption state open meeting law unchanged final vote sb 1018 state senate 58 percent favor160 minority republican party unable gain compromise amendments vetoes state budget package rider bills proposition 25160eliminated previous twothirds vote requirement taxes state budget voters originally passed prop 25 permit passage state budget time delay funding public schools needy160 state budget barely passed time june 15 deadline legislature160 prop 25 abused approve items bearing taxes state budget one several reforms sought political reformers california name greater democracy course mainstream newspaper media los angeles times san francisco chronicle160have focused reporting alleged bank abuses energy bids newspapers blacked coverage legislatures granting carb exemption state meeting laws outofstate pollution credittrading arm publics attention focused manipulated energy bids also hidden legislation would shroud green energy trades enron 2160 dont know yet times columnist michael hiltzik writes banks recently enron whats worse shows havent learned anything enrons bogus energy trading disclosure helped destroy firm 2001 land several executives jail extent designed exploit loopholes energy trading rules experts say scheme allegedly perpetrated jpmorgan ventures energy corp cut cloth enrons infamous fat boy swindle cost states ratepayers estimated 14 billion 2000160 cara ellison writes enron blog enrons fat boy trading strategy would similar jp morgan presently accused of160 quotes california treasurer bill lockyer according bill lockyer antienron types fat boy less trading strategy plain old lie enron traders would tell electricity officials going use power actually intended use way enron would reap extra payments appearing deliver power highdemand day fact merely using less power promised however believe ellison accurately states enrons fat boy trades numerically minuscule rare inconsequential case prosecutors piling charges way denies enron executives committed accounting fraud crimes prosecuted convicted160 indicates enron cause california energy crisis 2001 energy trading practices overblown mainly political gain keep focus away governments complicity crisis katarzyna klimasinska san francisco chronicle says pricemanipulation charges jp morgan enron accused driving prices shutting power plants california energy crisis 2001 pricemanipulation allegations jpmorgans energytrading unit appear differ charges enron corps power traders california energy crisis 2000 2001 john olson managing partner pool capital partners llc houston former energy analyst merrill lynch amp co said enron accused driving prices persuading operators shut he160said someone behind curtain government 2001 energy crisis personally investigated accusation enron manipulated power prices shutting power plants 160theres infamous tape jan 17 2001 enron traders asking operator shut 52megawatt power plant las vegas grid congestion lack power relieving grid congestion would lowered raised electricity prices experience california energy crisis 2001 indicated public utilities los angeles department water power city pasadena southern california power authority gamed energy trading system reaped huge monetary windfalls160 moreover private power providers mirant corporation kept electric spinning reserves available unheralded heroes crisis media typically know little electricity energy markets160 known typically misreported ensationalized160 press usually asks wrong questions thus gets wrong answers160 preindict banks named energy trading case premature irresponsible160 questions might helpful stage investigation based experience 2001 energy crisis task force large water utility experience real estate appraiser manager plain old common sense pointed online newspaper commentators imagine california decided sell surplus equipment dollars knew could resell 100 ebay160 would wrong elderly person advertised old historical car low mileage sale knew could resell big bucks would buy real estate broker someone keeps submitting tricky high bids full weird conditions take high bid take simple lower cash bid160 broker recommends client taking tricky high bid later gets seller ensnarled lawsuit seller sue brokers encountered prefer take straightforward bid despite price problem inherent situations abuse buyer problem unknowledgeble seller160 able call cops district attorney small claims court judge recover later learned lost old car questions seem average person street professional real estate broker would frame problem160 caliso mainstream newspaper media frame it160 frame likely criminal preconcluded unethical activity indeed taking advantage energy trading rules may found abuse160 blame160 caliso covering public perception ineptness cracking regulator160 role regulators acquire violators cops may said acquire criminals proverbial thin blue line social order kept first citizens solely police160 regulators fiduciary duty keep regulate legal trouble160 using media bring attention trades way publicly shame straddle line legal moral case legislature limits get away help public focus abuses open meeting law certainly mainstream media california 160
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<p>CARY, N.C. — At the first blockbuster showdown between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence was in full view -- sitting under the bright lights doing interviews across numerous TV networks and breezing through the spin room, a visible presence among the hoopla of the night’s coverage.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Full Coverage of the Vice Presidential Debate</a></p>
<p>As the candidates took the stage, Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine was more than a thousand miles away, watching the debate in blue jeans, tennis shoes, and a peach t-shirt, with a bottle of lemonade next to him and a notebook on his lap.</p>
<p>The Democratic nominee was studying up for his own big moment.</p>
<p>“I'm going to be on the very edge of my seat taking notes because I got to prep for a debate next week,” Kaine said earlier that day. “While most of you guys are, you know, applauding or yelling, I'm going to be taking notes and doing homework.”</p>
<p>Kaine has been taking his studies for Tuesday night’s nationally televised debate with his GOP counterpart very seriously. For the five full days leading up to the big day, Kaine stayed away from public events as he hunkered down with staff and immersed himself in deep preparation for the debate of his life.</p>
<p>In the days leading up to the debate, the senator and top aides from the Clinton campaign aimed to get away, relax, and clear their heads as Kaine prepared for the debate at a site near Raleigh, North Carolina.</p>
<p>They stayed nearby at the Umstead Hotel and Spa, a 5-star luxury hotel in Cary, a quiet, foggy, and serene destination nestled in the middle of the woods next to a small lake with fountains, as warm temperatures hovered in the region as summer turned to fall. Kaine spent the final three days before the debate preparing near home in the Richmond, Virginia area. "It’s intense, but you know, I’m calm,” Kaine said while leaving his church on Sunday. “Things work out the way they are supposed to."</p>
<p>Even though Kaine studied in the critical swing state of North Carolina -- in a part of the state he has not campaigned in this year -- he held no public events.</p>
<p>“He’s doing what he’s been doing -- and frankly, what Hillary did -- and that is studying hard,” Kaine’s spokeswoman Karen Finney recently told reporters aboard his campaign plane on a recent trip from Orlando, Florida to Washington, D.C. -- as Kaine continued to prep for the debate.</p>
<p>Kaine and Clinton have spoken about their debates and he sought her guidance about how he should go about his own strategy.</p>
<p>“We’ve traded advice and thoughts,” Kaine recently told reporters on his plane. “I’m not part of the prep team, nor is she part of my prep team, but we have talked about it really since August. You know, I mean because I asked her for some basic advice. I’ve done a lot of debates, but this is at a different level. She’s done presidential debates before. So I asked her for advice about it. We are trading thoughts and strategies, less about the questions.”</p>
<p>Kaine has participated in high-profile debates during his competitive races for governor and senator in Virginia, but he acknowledges this time is very different because he will be primarily arguing on behalf of someone else.</p>
<p>“It’s a different kind of a debate for me because I have done debates where it’s at the end of it, ‘please vote for Tim Kaine,’” he said. “If I talk too much about Tim Kaine during my debate I’m wasting my time. It would not be a good way to use of my time and it is about two visions for the country. And it’s about a Clinton presidency or a Trump presidency.”</p>
<p>Kaine’s position in this debate is much like his position within the entire campaign, working to get elected and convince voters they should be comfortable with him as a major figure in the White House, while still selling the woman at the top of the ballot.</p>
<p>“I’m more than a surrogate because I’m on the ticket,” Kaine said. “But I am not the main event, so I’m in an in between space. And I’ve not done that before obviously, it’s a unique kind of a debate. So, again for me, I’ve been in elected life for 22 years, it’s not knowing another fact, but it is about thinking hard about the material, thinking hard about Pence’s record, and also what Pence’s record would say about the guy who chose him since it really is more about Donald Trump than it is about Governor Pence.”</p>
<p>Kaine and Pence have never met in person, but aides said Pence called the senator when Clinton picked him to join the campaign.</p>
<p>While on the trail, Kaine focuses much of his fire on Trump, but he has taken specific aim at Pence on a number of occasions. While campaigning in North Carolina, Kaine aimed to tie the “religious freedom” law Pence <a href="" type="internal">signed</a> in Indiana to the state’s recent contentious “bathroom bill.” Kaine has also hit Pence for his previous comments on issues like <a href="v" type="external">climate change</a>, President Obama and <a href="https://twitter.com/kailanikm/status/774413559765884928" type="external">Vladimir Putin</a>, institutional bias in the criminal justice <a href="https://twitter.com/kailanikm/status/779109153889480704" type="external">system</a>, and his <a href="https://twitter.com/kailanikm/status/775741066683224064" type="external">response</a> to David Duke.</p>
<p>Washington, D.C. power lawyer Bob Barnett is playing the role of Pence for Kaine in mock debates, a job Barnett has had with Democratic candidates for decades.</p>
<p>“He’s an attorney who kind of makes a specialty in prepping the VP contender in Democratic presidential elections going back many, many years,” Kaine said. “So he’s done a lot of this and he is extremely tough.”</p>
<p>While Kaine has a reputation as a nice guy, supporters of his point to an intense debate he had with Republican Jerry Kilgore during the 2005 governor’s race in Virginia to showcase how he can be forceful and go on offense. Kaine is also a Harvard-trained lawyer, and he would sometimes prosecute an argument in <a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?188851-1/virginia-gubernatorial-debate" type="external">a debate</a> like he would in a courtroom.</p>
<p>Kaine’s aides have been very tight-lipped about the details of his debate prep this year, but in other years when he prepped for his debates for governor or for senator, “every debate we prepped same way,” said Mo Elleithee, the current Executive Director of Georgetown University’s Institute of Politics and Public Service and one of Kaine’s former senior advisors during his previous elections.</p>
<p>Kaine would have briefing books, study up on issues, and make sure he was clear on arguments he would make for himself and against his opponents. They would always do some practice and mock debates, “and in between he would go back and study up some more.”</p>
<p>Kaine always took it seriously and was always focused, Elleithee said, but “it helps when he’s comfortable in his in own skin and knows what he wants to say.”</p>
<p>“It wasn’t rocket science,” he continued. “Debate prep with him was pretty easy… as a campaign we would try to make sure it wasn’t easy, but it was really never a reinvention of him in debates. He knew who is and what he wants to say.”</p>
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cary nc first blockbuster showdown hillary clinton donald trump republican vice presidential nominee mike pence full view sitting bright lights interviews across numerous tv networks breezing spin room visible presence among hoopla nights coverage full coverage vice presidential debate candidates took stage virginia sen tim kaine thousand miles away watching debate blue jeans tennis shoes peach tshirt bottle lemonade next notebook lap democratic nominee studying big moment im going edge seat taking notes got prep debate next week kaine said earlier day guys know applauding yelling im going taking notes homework kaine taking studies tuesday nights nationally televised debate gop counterpart seriously five full days leading big day kaine stayed away public events hunkered staff immersed deep preparation debate life days leading debate senator top aides clinton campaign aimed get away relax clear heads kaine prepared debate site near raleigh north carolina stayed nearby umstead hotel spa 5star luxury hotel cary quiet foggy serene destination nestled middle woods next small lake fountains warm temperatures hovered region summer turned fall kaine spent final three days debate preparing near home richmond virginia area intense know im calm kaine said leaving church sunday things work way supposed even though kaine studied critical swing state north carolina part state campaigned year held public events hes hes frankly hillary studying hard kaines spokeswoman karen finney recently told reporters aboard campaign plane recent trip orlando florida washington dc kaine continued prep debate kaine clinton spoken debates sought guidance go strategy weve traded advice thoughts kaine recently told reporters plane im part prep team part prep team talked really since august know mean asked basic advice ive done lot debates different level shes done presidential debates asked advice trading thoughts strategies less questions kaine participated highprofile debates competitive races governor senator virginia acknowledges time different primarily arguing behalf someone else different kind debate done debates end please vote tim kaine said talk much tim kaine debate im wasting time would good way use time two visions country clinton presidency trump presidency kaines position debate much like position within entire campaign working get elected convince voters comfortable major figure white house still selling woman top ballot im surrogate im ticket kaine said main event im space ive done obviously unique kind debate ive elected life 22 years knowing another fact thinking hard material thinking hard pences record also pences record would say guy chose since really donald trump governor pence kaine pence never met person aides said pence called senator clinton picked join campaign trail kaine focuses much fire trump taken specific aim pence number occasions campaigning north carolina kaine aimed tie religious freedom law pence signed indiana states recent contentious bathroom bill kaine also hit pence previous comments issues like climate change president obama vladimir putin institutional bias criminal justice system response david duke washington dc power lawyer bob barnett playing role pence kaine mock debates job barnett democratic candidates decades hes attorney kind makes specialty prepping vp contender democratic presidential elections going back many many years kaine said hes done lot extremely tough kaine reputation nice guy supporters point intense debate republican jerry kilgore 2005 governors race virginia showcase forceful go offense kaine also harvardtrained lawyer would sometimes prosecute argument debate like would courtroom kaines aides tightlipped details debate prep year years prepped debates governor senator every debate prepped way said mo elleithee current executive director georgetown universitys institute politics public service one kaines former senior advisors previous elections kaine would briefing books study issues make sure clear arguments would make opponents would always practice mock debates would go back study kaine always took seriously always focused elleithee said helps hes comfortable skin knows wants say wasnt rocket science continued debate prep pretty easy campaign would try make sure wasnt easy really never reinvention debates knew wants say
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<p>Seen those diptychs doing the rounds on Twitter lately,&#160;of Donald Trump and another blond guy, both <a href="https://twitter.com/IdleCreep/status/736823862080507904" type="external">looking kind of demented</a>, with hair about to take flight?</p>
<p>Or, perhaps you’ve seen snaps of a mural in Bristol, England, featuring Trump locked in a passionate embrace with that same blond guy?</p>
<p>In case you were wondering, that guy&#160;is Boris Johnson.</p>
<p>Boris who?</p>
<p>Boris, you know. BoJo. The former mayor of London, who&#160;led&#160;the British campaign to exit the European Union, known as “Brexit."&#160;&#160;(UPDATE: With the Brexit victory on Thursday and the announced resignation of Prime Minister David Cameron, his projectory is seen as upward).</p>
<p />
<p>Hannah McKay/Reuters</p>
<p>He shares with The Donald his idiosyncratic blondness and a propensity for sounding bonkers.</p>
<p>“He and Trump are highly cartoon-able,” says Quentin Letts, a seasoned parliamentary sketch writer with the Daily Mail. “They grab attention, not only in drawings, but also in words.”</p>
<p>Words like “Hitler,”&#160;used when likening the EU’s ambitions to the Führer’s dream of a Nazi European empire. Or, suggestions that US President Barack Obama's “part-Kenyan” heritage had driven&#160;him toward&#160;anti-British sentiment.</p>
<p>Accused of dog-whistle racism, it looked like BoJo was going down. But, the bumbling Brexiteer remains ever buoyant.</p>
<p>“The image that sticks in people's minds is that he dared to stand up to Obama,” says Andrew Gimson, author of “Boris: The Rise of Boris Johnson.”</p>
<p>Undoubtedly, Johnson has charm. There's still something of the 5-year-old who <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=Xyi6m7wQbBoC&amp;pg=PT9&amp;lpg=PT9&amp;dq=%E2%80%9CBoo+to+grown-ups%E2%80%9D&amp;source=bl&amp;ots=Icb8P6rxlt&amp;sig=GnDcQ1OVIQ4PEON7TZJWGjG7EjM&amp;hl=en&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjp6-3d-pPNAhXH2T4KHSGmBU8Q6AEIHDAA#v=onepage&amp;q=%E2%80%9CBoo%20to%20grown-ups%E2%80%9D&amp;f=false" type="external">painted</a> “Boo to grown&#160;ups!” on his playroom wall, says Gimson. Add to that, the cast-iron confidence of one educated at Eton College and Oxford University and you have, well ... the makings of a monster?</p>
<p>This is where the BoJo sleight of hand comes in.</p>
<p>In the early ’90s, Sonia Purnell worked with Johnson for The Telegraph in Brussels, observing first-hand how he deployed&#160;his&#160;buffoonish airs to outsmart rival journalists. “If you're going around with messy hair and a tatty suit on a bike, you can't be that threatening,” she says.</p>
<p />
<p>Boris&#160;Johnson attending&#160;the unveiling of a recreation of the&#160;Arch of Triumph in Palmyra, Syria, at Trafalgar Square in London on&#160;April 19.</p>
<p>Stefan Wermuth/Reuters</p>
<p>She reckons the hair is deliberately mussed. “When I knew him, his hair hardly moved!” she says. Indeed, photos in “Just Boris,” her biography of Johnson, show a bowl cut so well&#160;combed&#160;it could have passed for a tin helmet.</p>
<p>As a journalist in Brussels, Johnson never let the facts get in the way of a good story. His souped-up stories of Brussels bureaucrats regulating everything from the curvature of bananas to condom sizes helped unleash the forces of right-wing euroscepticism that would go on to split the British Conservative Party.&#160;That led to&#160;today's curious scenario of Conservatives battling Conservatives to leave the EU, with Johnson leading the malcontents in an all-out rebellion against their own party leader, Prime Minister David Cameron.</p>
<p>Now gunning for his boss's job, Johnson still has the tabloid touch —&#160;hence the hullabaloo over Hitler. “He’s doing a Trump thing. It doesn't matter whether what he says is true, as long as he gets loads of media coverage,” says Purnell.</p>
<p>To the untrained eye, Johnson comes across as the ultimate English "toff" (Britspeak for the very well-to-do),&#160;flaunting his aristocratic privilege, while flouting the boring rules binding lesser mortals. But his appetite for high-wire performance may come from a more unsuspected place. From Turkey, to be precise.</p>
<p>It’s where the blond hair originated, when a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circassians" type="external">Circassian</a> slave girl married a Turkish wax merchant, producing a son named Ali Kemal. A journalist and politician (sound familiar?), Johnson's great-grandfather was also a reckless sort, who met a savage end after falling foul of the&#160;Ataturk&#160;regime.</p>
<p>Strictly speaking, BoJo’s real name should be Boris Kemal. But the family changed the name, vaulting up the social ladder to the pinnacle of British society. Today, with his posh accent and artful blundering, Johnson out-toffs&#160;the toffs.</p>
<p>“He’s a pantomime toff, slightly hammed up, slightly exaggerated, slightly ironic,” says Toby Young, onetime contributing editor at Vanity Fair, who also worked with Johnson at The Spectator, a British conservative magazine. “It’s an elaborate disguise, which doesn't pretend to be anything but a disguise.”</p>
<p>So what could he be hiding,&#160;or not hiding while pretending to hide?</p>
<p>“There is a vulnerable side to Boris,” Purnell says. In “Just Boris,” she recounts his mother’s mental breakdown, in part attributed to his father’s womanizing. “Those kids were left to their own devices,” she says. “His vulnerability is what makes him seem human.”</p>
<p>But, don't be fooled, she warns. “He was and is the most ruthless person I’ve ever met. Nothing stands in the way of his ambition.”&#160;</p>
<p />
<p>Then-Mayor Boris Johnson took part in a tug of war with members of the armed services to launch the London Poppy Day, outside City Hall, in London, on Oct. 27.</p>
<p>Stefan Wermuth/Reuters</p>
<p>“He’s&#160;allowed to fly above the hurly burly. He’s the Houdini of British politics,”&#160;says Purnell, resignedly.</p>
<p>In this respect, BoJo and The Donald are similar,&#160;both deploying explosive tactics on issues like immigration, emerging with broad smiles from the fallout.</p>
<p>“Conventional politicians manage the media. Boris plays the media like a violin. He embraces the controversy,” says Young. “It's a style of doing politics. Conventional wisdom holds that it's less effective, but it's not always so.</p>
<p>“Trump is similarly unstilted and spontaneous,” he says.</p>
<p>In this era of ratings-led, post-truth politics, Johnson's rise seems assured. Voters, turned off by what Letts, the sketch writer, describes as the “grey carpet” delivery of typical politicians, thrill to the unexpected. But, with all the howlers, could BoJo ever be considered credible?</p>
<p>“The rules are changing fast,” says Letts. “Look at Trump. He wasn't credible, but he's doing it.</p>
<p>“Our margins of credibility are being stretched.”</p>
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seen diptychs rounds twitter lately160of donald trump another blond guy looking kind demented hair take flight perhaps youve seen snaps mural bristol england featuring trump locked passionate embrace blond guy case wondering guy160is boris johnson boris boris know bojo former mayor london who160led160the british campaign exit european union known brexit160160update brexit victory thursday announced resignation prime minister david cameron projectory seen upward hannah mckayreuters shares donald idiosyncratic blondness propensity sounding bonkers trump highly cartoonable says quentin letts seasoned parliamentary sketch writer daily mail grab attention drawings also words words like hitler160used likening eus ambitions führers dream nazi european empire suggestions us president barack obamas partkenyan heritage driven160him toward160antibritish sentiment accused dogwhistle racism looked like bojo going bumbling brexiteer remains ever buoyant image sticks peoples minds dared stand obama says andrew gimson author boris rise boris johnson undoubtedly johnson charm theres still something 5yearold painted boo grown160ups playroom wall says gimson add castiron confidence one educated eton college oxford university well makings monster bojo sleight hand comes early 90s sonia purnell worked johnson telegraph brussels observing firsthand deployed160his160buffoonish airs outsmart rival journalists youre going around messy hair tatty suit bike cant threatening says boris160johnson attending160the unveiling recreation the160arch triumph palmyra syria trafalgar square london on160april 19 stefan wermuthreuters reckons hair deliberately mussed knew hair hardly moved says indeed photos boris biography johnson show bowl cut well160combed160it could passed tin helmet journalist brussels johnson never let facts get way good story soupedup stories brussels bureaucrats regulating everything curvature bananas condom sizes helped unleash forces rightwing euroscepticism would go split british conservative party160that led to160todays curious scenario conservatives battling conservatives leave eu johnson leading malcontents allout rebellion party leader prime minister david cameron gunning bosss job johnson still tabloid touch 160hence hullabaloo hitler hes trump thing doesnt matter whether says true long gets loads media coverage says purnell untrained eye johnson comes across ultimate english toff britspeak welltodo160flaunting aristocratic privilege flouting boring rules binding lesser mortals appetite highwire performance may come unsuspected place turkey precise blond hair originated circassian slave girl married turkish wax merchant producing son named ali kemal journalist politician sound familiar johnsons greatgrandfather also reckless sort met savage end falling foul the160ataturk160regime strictly speaking bojos real name boris kemal family changed name vaulting social ladder pinnacle british society today posh accent artful blundering johnson outtoffs160the toffs hes pantomime toff slightly hammed slightly exaggerated slightly ironic says toby young onetime contributing editor vanity fair also worked johnson spectator british conservative magazine elaborate disguise doesnt pretend anything disguise could hiding160or hiding pretending hide vulnerable side boris purnell says boris recounts mothers mental breakdown part attributed fathers womanizing kids left devices says vulnerability makes seem human dont fooled warns ruthless person ive ever met nothing stands way ambition160 thenmayor boris johnson took part tug war members armed services launch london poppy day outside city hall london oct 27 stefan wermuthreuters hes160allowed fly hurly burly hes houdini british politics160says purnell resignedly respect bojo donald similar160both deploying explosive tactics issues like immigration emerging broad smiles fallout conventional politicians manage media boris plays media like violin embraces controversy says young style politics conventional wisdom holds less effective always trump similarly unstilted spontaneous says era ratingsled posttruth politics johnsons rise seems assured voters turned letts sketch writer describes grey carpet delivery typical politicians thrill unexpected howlers could bojo ever considered credible rules changing fast says letts look trump wasnt credible hes margins credibility stretched
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<p>The Christ child has been born of Mary, wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid to rest in a manger. The angelic host has winged its way back to highest heaven. So, what do we do now?</p>
<p />
<p>The incarnation reveals a God who pitches his tent with the poor, the undocumented, the slave and the outcast. Infinite power takes up residence in a helpless child. And the child really is helpless. Minus the loving care of its parents, this spark of life would quickly succumb to cold, thirst and hunger. Perhaps this is why the parents-to-be were subjected to an extensive angelic interview. The risk of birth demanded parents who could hold up their end of the bargain.</p>
<p>The Bible doesn’t dwell on the Messiah’s formative years. Mark and John introduce us to a fully grown Messiah, and Matthew and Luke restrict themselves to a few childhood glimpses. Matthew reveals the subtle dance between the magi and mad king Herod ending with the slaughter of the innocents and the flight into Egypt. Thanks to mad king Herod, the Christ-child retraces the steps of a slave people, living in Egypt as an undocumented immigrant.</p>
<p>Luke shows the most interest in Jesus’ childhood, but even he doesn’t tell us much. No one sees the newborn king but a band of scruffy shepherds — the most despised caste in Jewish society. Next, Jesus is presented at the temple in Jerusalem and an old man named Zechariah thanks God for allowing him to see the salvation of God in human form: “a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”</p>
<p>The old man grasped what no one else, even mother Mary, could grasp: still a nursing child, the claim of God was on the life of Jesus. Only God would decide what sort of Messiah this baby would become.</p>
<p>The next time we see Jesus, he is a remarkably precocious 12-year-old posing theological questions to the leading rabbis of the day and weighing their answers with rapt interest. He is already wrestling with God’s claim on his life.</p>
<p>Luke and Matthew move swiftly from birth to baptism, then treat us to a blow-by-blow account of what we call “the wilderness temptations.”This is where Jesus decides what sort of Messiah God wants him to be.</p>
<p>The story reaches its dramatic high point when the devil takes Jesus to a high mountain and shows him all the kingdoms of the earth. All this can fall under Jesus’ power. The only catch is that the devil gets to decide what sort of Messiah Jesus will be. His plan doesn’t seem half bad. The devil desires a Messiah who transforms the hard rock of suffering into the warm bread of blessing. Just give the people what they want, become the savior they desire, the devil says, and all will be well.</p>
<p>Most of us would take this deal — the devil is an excellent salesman — but Jesus says no. As we quickly learn, God is calling his Messiah to a very different vocation.</p>
<p>In Matthew, Jesus leaves the wilderness, calls his disciples, and climbs a mountain. “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” he says, “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the meek. Blessed are the merciful. Blessed are the peacemakers. Blessed are those hunger and thirst for justice.”</p>
<p>The shape of Luke’s narrative is a bit different, but the message is pretty much the same. After leaving the wilderness, Jesus reads the scroll of Isaiah in the very synagogue where he learned to read the Hebrew Scriptures as a young boy. It was here, in the synagogue, poring over the precious scrolls, that Jesus first realized God’s claim on his life. Having said no to the devil, Jesus says yes to the messianic role he learned from Isaiah the prophet:</p>
<p>The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because he has anointed me To preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind. To set the captive free, To proclaim the jubilee year of the Lord. The kingdom gospel of Jesus is good news to the poor, release to the captives, sight to the blind, the kind of jubilee-liberation where all the slaves go free.</p>
<p>These themes were central to the life and preaching of the first generations of Christians, the people who gave us our New Testament. The church was an egalitarian community of slaves and free people, men and women, rich and poor, a rag-tag assemblage drawn from every tribe and kindred on the face of the earth. Their mission was to model the kingdom values that sent Jesus to a Roman cross: caring for the poor, welcoming the stranger, forgiving the enemy, breaking down the walls that fragment the human family.</p>
<p>Which brings us back to the child wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. The cute little tyke makes no demands. According to the song, he doesn’t even cry. He just lies there, cooing and looking adorable. O come, let us adore him … before he grows up and makes demands of us.</p>
<p>In the Ballad of Ricky Bobby, the successful NASCAR veteran prefers the little baby Jesus to the grown up variety, and since he wins all the races and brings home the bacon, he figures he can pray to whatever kind of Jesus he likes.</p>
<p>“Dear, 8-pound, 6-ounce, newborn infant Jesus, don’t even know a word yet, just a little infant and so cuddly, but still omnipotent, we just thank you for all the races I’ve won and the 21.2 million dollars — Whoo!”</p>
<p>Taking their lead from Ricky Bobby, the other guests choose their favorite kind of Jesus:</p>
<p>Cal: “I like to picture Jesus in a Tuxedo T-shirt because it says, like, ‘I wanna be formal. But I’m here to party too.’ ’Cause I like to party, so I like my Jesus to party.” Walker: “I like to picture Jesus as a ninja fighting off evil samurai.” Cal: “I like to think of Jesus, like, with giant eagle’s wings. And singing lead vocal for Lynyrd Skynyrd with, like, an angel band. And I’m in the front row and I’m hammered drunk.”</p>
<p>Can we select the Jesus that suits our style, or are we stuck with the guy in the Bible who preached good news to the poor and release to the captives?</p>
<p>The devil would give us a Jesus who turns hard stones into the warm bread; but the God of Christmas trades the security of heaven for the pungent hay of a feed trough. In Matthew’s telling, incarnate God is hustled across the Egyptian border with the soldiers of a mad king baying at his heels. The God of Christmas identifies himself with the poverty of shepherds and the early chapters of the salvation story “when Israel was in Egypt-land; oppressed so hard he could not stand.”</p>
<p>The devil couldn’t buy a Messiah of his own choosing, and we can’t either.</p>
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christ child born mary wrapped swaddling clothes laid rest manger angelic host winged way back highest heaven incarnation reveals god pitches tent poor undocumented slave outcast infinite power takes residence helpless child child really helpless minus loving care parents spark life would quickly succumb cold thirst hunger perhaps parentstobe subjected extensive angelic interview risk birth demanded parents could hold end bargain bible doesnt dwell messiahs formative years mark john introduce us fully grown messiah matthew luke restrict childhood glimpses matthew reveals subtle dance magi mad king herod ending slaughter innocents flight egypt thanks mad king herod christchild retraces steps slave people living egypt undocumented immigrant luke shows interest jesus childhood even doesnt tell us much one sees newborn king band scruffy shepherds despised caste jewish society next jesus presented temple jerusalem old man named zechariah thanks god allowing see salvation god human form light revelation gentiles glory people israel old man grasped one else even mother mary could grasp still nursing child claim god life jesus god would decide sort messiah baby would become next time see jesus remarkably precocious 12yearold posing theological questions leading rabbis day weighing answers rapt interest already wrestling gods claim life luke matthew move swiftly birth baptism treat us blowbyblow account call wilderness temptationsthis jesus decides sort messiah god wants story reaches dramatic high point devil takes jesus high mountain shows kingdoms earth fall jesus power catch devil gets decide sort messiah jesus plan doesnt seem half bad devil desires messiah transforms hard rock suffering warm bread blessing give people want become savior desire devil says well us would take deal devil excellent salesman jesus says quickly learn god calling messiah different vocation matthew jesus leaves wilderness calls disciples climbs mountain blessed poor spirit says kingdom heaven blessed meek blessed merciful blessed peacemakers blessed hunger thirst justice shape lukes narrative bit different message pretty much leaving wilderness jesus reads scroll isaiah synagogue learned read hebrew scriptures young boy synagogue poring precious scrolls jesus first realized gods claim life said devil jesus says yes messianic role learned isaiah prophet spirit lord upon anointed preach good news poor sent proclaim release captives recovery sight blind set captive free proclaim jubilee year lord kingdom gospel jesus good news poor release captives sight blind kind jubileeliberation slaves go free themes central life preaching first generations christians people gave us new testament church egalitarian community slaves free people men women rich poor ragtag assemblage drawn every tribe kindred face earth mission model kingdom values sent jesus roman cross caring poor welcoming stranger forgiving enemy breaking walls fragment human family brings us back child wrapped swaddling clothes lying manger cute little tyke makes demands according song doesnt even cry lies cooing looking adorable come let us adore grows makes demands us ballad ricky bobby successful nascar veteran prefers little baby jesus grown variety since wins races brings home bacon figures pray whatever kind jesus likes dear 8pound 6ounce newborn infant jesus dont even know word yet little infant cuddly still omnipotent thank races ive 212 million dollars whoo taking lead ricky bobby guests choose favorite kind jesus cal like picture jesus tuxedo tshirt says like wan na formal im party cause like party like jesus party walker like picture jesus ninja fighting evil samurai cal like think jesus like giant eagles wings singing lead vocal lynyrd skynyrd like angel band im front row im hammered drunk select jesus suits style stuck guy bible preached good news poor release captives devil would give us jesus turns hard stones warm bread god christmas trades security heaven pungent hay feed trough matthews telling incarnate god hustled across egyptian border soldiers mad king baying heels god christmas identifies poverty shepherds early chapters salvation story israel egyptland oppressed hard could stand devil couldnt buy messiah choosing cant either
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<p>JOYPURHAT, Bangladesh - Mehdi Hasan's scar runs in a wide arc from his waist to a point just beneath his rib-cage.</p>
<p>The jagged pink laceration still aches, the 23-year-old says, a daily reminder of the operation he underwent in the capital Dhaka five months ago, in the hopes of raising some quick cash.</p>
<p>In exchange for 60 percent of his liver, an illegal organ broker had promised him 300,000 taka ($3,960) - a royal sum in Bamongram, his small village of mud- brick homes and verdant rice paddies in Bangladesh's northeast.</p>
<p>But when the broker failed to show up after the 10-hour operation, Hasan found himself stranded in Dhaka with nothing but mounting hospital bills and chronic pains in his chest and abdomen.</p>
<p>"He didn't pay me a single penny," Hasan said.</p>
<p>In Bangladesh, the trade in internal organs is big business. Each year, hundreds put their body parts up for sale in the underground organ bazaar hoping to escape the clutches of poverty, only to be short changed by brokers or burdened with chronic health problems, according to police officials and residents.</p>
<p>The grisly trade made headlines here in August, when police broke up a network of organ brokers centered on Joypurhat, a district in the northeast of the country. The agents, led by one organ-seller-turned-broker, preyed on poor villagers - many plagued by mounting microcredit debts - promising them a ladder out of poverty.</p>
<p>Given Bangladesh's reputation as the birthplace of Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus' Grameen Bank, it's a rather ironic turn of events - one that exposes a dark side of the country's microfinance success story.</p>
<p>Hasan, a rural day-laborer, said he hoped to use the payment as seed money for a small business. Though he eventually received 145,000 taka ($1,914) in compensation from the family of the sick man who received his liver, the money has nearly run dry, and the pain has impeded his ability to return to work.</p>
<p>"Plowing the land or digging the land is really tough with all this pain," he said. Like the raised welt cutting a swathe across his belly, "I feel like I'll have to carry this pain throughout my life."</p>
<p>Police estimate that 43 people sold their kidneys in Joypurhat, with another 10 or so villagers in the pipeline when the ring leaders were arrested in late August.</p>
<p>Alamgir Chowdhury, a local television correspondent who has followed the story closely, says most people go to the operating table out of desperation. "To pay back the installments on [pre-existing] loans they took out new ones with local money-lenders. They got caught in a web of loans," he said.</p>
<p>Selina Akter, from nearby Berendy village, went under the knife in July to pay down 400,000 taka ($5,280) in microfinance debts.</p>
<p>"I had a vegetable farming business and it went into loss, and then I had to take loans from another [microcredit] NGO to pay them back," said the 25-year-old, who received 220,000 taka ($2,904) in exchange for her kidney. Three other members of her family - her husband, father-in-law and brother-in-law - also sold kidneys to alleviate the family's debts.</p>
<p>In the case of Mahmuda Akter, who is not related to Selina, it was the constant, humiliating visits from debt collectors - pursuing 150,000 taka ($1,980) in microcredit debts - that finally pushed her over the edge.</p>
<p>"When the NGOs came here to collect money from me they harassed me and said bad things, things which cannot be repeated," said Mahmuda.</p>
<p>She received 250,000 taka for her kidney after an operation in March. Though it helped eliminate her debt, she now regrets having the operation. "I heard from the neighbors that if you donate a kidney you can make some money," she said. "I feel like I had to sell it because I was under too much pressure."</p>
<p>According to Fazlul Karim, the police inspector who led the investigation into the Joypurhat organ-trafficking ring, the network was headed by a local man named Abdus Sattar.</p>
<p>While working at a garment firm in Dhaka, Sattar sold his own kidney to a sick man in 2005. Then, apparently seeing an opportunity to profit from the grisly trade, he allegedly returned to Joypurhat and started seeking out potential sellers.</p>
<p>Slowly, police say, Sattar and his agents built up a network that connected kidney patients in Dhaka with willing sellers in the villages, creaming off fat commissions in the process.</p>
<p>"The brokers roam around the diagnostic centers where kidney dialysis takes place. They know it's a good hunting place for kidney patients," Inspector Karim said.</p>
<p>Once a willing donor was identified, and brought to Dhaka for the necessary tests, brokers and hospital administrators produced legal documents fabricating a family relationship between the seller and the recipient. (Under Bangladeshi law, only family members are legally permitted to donate organs).</p>
<p>At his office in Joypurhat, Karim showed GlobalPost the documents that "legalized" Mehdi Hasan's liver transplant - one claiming he was the nephew of the recipient, and another claiming he was the son of the man's sister. The all-inclusive fee charged by Sattar and his associates would typically range from 400,000 to 500,000 taka ($5,280 to $6,600), but only a fraction of this was actually passed along to the seller.</p>
<p>So far, police have arrested nine people accused of involvement in the Joypurhat trade, including three in Dhaka, and are confident the local organ market has been shut down.</p>
<p>But some say Joypurhat is just the tip of the iceberg. Dr. Monir Moniruzzaman, an anthropologist from Michigan State University who has studied the Bangladeshi organ trade, estimates that roughly 250-300 people sell their organs in the country each year.</p>
<p>If anything, he said, that figure is likely to fall on the conservative side. "Joypurhat represents only a fraction of the trade of Bangladesh. The other parts of the country are unexposed, where the majority of the trade is going on," he said. "If you combine it the picture is really grim."</p>
<p>None of the accused were available for comment for this story, but Moniruzzaman said that in his own interviews with organ brokers, most claimed they were helping to save lives - that the sale of kidneys to the sick was "a win-win situation".</p>
<p>Indeed, the exposure of the Joypurhat organ ring has prompted calls for the liberalization of Bangladesh's organ-donor law.</p>
<p>Critics of the law say the scant availability of legal donors has created a flourishing black market. "We should make it liberal, so liberal that people cannot make profit out of it," said Dr. Tareq Salahuddin, the health editor at the Daily Star newspaper. "If it's open, there can be no way of making someone a loser."</p>
<p>Mohammed Mozzamel Haque, the Joypurhat police superintendent, said the law needs to create a new regulatory board to establish family links between donors and recipients, utilizing DNA tests if necessary.</p>
<p>He argued that the law should also be amended to allow "emotional" donors - those with close non-familial relationships to recipients. "Sometimes blood relatives are not willing to donate kidneys, but friends should be able to donate a kidney. But the present law does not permit it," he said.</p>
<p>Others warn that legalization would only succeed in turning the body parts of the poor into commodities for the wealthy. "It's an unequal, unjust system where the rich can afford to buy [organs] and the poor are selling their own body parts," said Moniruzzaman from Michigan State University. "It is expanding every year, so the law has to be stricter."</p>
<p>He said the country's demand for kidneys or other organs could easily met by establishing a cadaveric organ donation system similar to that in many Western countries - something he said would be a "moral and ethical" source of life-saving organs.</p>
<p>There are few studies showing the health effects of organ donation on the rural poor, but Moniruzzaman said that based on his interviews with organ sellers across Bangladesh, many suffer from post-operative pain, intermittent fever and body-weight problems.</p>
<p>But the most lasting cost he saw was often not medical, but psychological.</p>
<p>"Some sellers said they feel they are living like sub-humans," he said, "as if they sold one of God's gifts."</p>
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joypurhat bangladesh mehdi hasans scar runs wide arc waist point beneath ribcage jagged pink laceration still aches 23yearold says daily reminder operation underwent capital dhaka five months ago hopes raising quick cash exchange 60 percent liver illegal organ broker promised 300000 taka 3960 royal sum bamongram small village mud brick homes verdant rice paddies bangladeshs northeast broker failed show 10hour operation hasan found stranded dhaka nothing mounting hospital bills chronic pains chest abdomen didnt pay single penny hasan said bangladesh trade internal organs big business year hundreds put body parts sale underground organ bazaar hoping escape clutches poverty short changed brokers burdened chronic health problems according police officials residents grisly trade made headlines august police broke network organ brokers centered joypurhat district northeast country agents led one organsellerturnedbroker preyed poor villagers many plagued mounting microcredit debts promising ladder poverty given bangladeshs reputation birthplace nobel prize winner muhammad yunus grameen bank rather ironic turn events one exposes dark side countrys microfinance success story hasan rural daylaborer said hoped use payment seed money small business though eventually received 145000 taka 1914 compensation family sick man received liver money nearly run dry pain impeded ability return work plowing land digging land really tough pain said like raised welt cutting swathe across belly feel like ill carry pain throughout life police estimate 43 people sold kidneys joypurhat another 10 villagers pipeline ring leaders arrested late august alamgir chowdhury local television correspondent followed story closely says people go operating table desperation pay back installments preexisting loans took new ones local moneylenders got caught web loans said selina akter nearby berendy village went knife july pay 400000 taka 5280 microfinance debts vegetable farming business went loss take loans another microcredit ngo pay back said 25yearold received 220000 taka 2904 exchange kidney three members family husband fatherinlaw brotherinlaw also sold kidneys alleviate familys debts case mahmuda akter related selina constant humiliating visits debt collectors pursuing 150000 taka 1980 microcredit debts finally pushed edge ngos came collect money harassed said bad things things repeated said mahmuda received 250000 taka kidney operation march though helped eliminate debt regrets operation heard neighbors donate kidney make money said feel like sell much pressure according fazlul karim police inspector led investigation joypurhat organtrafficking ring network headed local man named abdus sattar working garment firm dhaka sattar sold kidney sick man 2005 apparently seeing opportunity profit grisly trade allegedly returned joypurhat started seeking potential sellers slowly police say sattar agents built network connected kidney patients dhaka willing sellers villages creaming fat commissions process brokers roam around diagnostic centers kidney dialysis takes place know good hunting place kidney patients inspector karim said willing donor identified brought dhaka necessary tests brokers hospital administrators produced legal documents fabricating family relationship seller recipient bangladeshi law family members legally permitted donate organs office joypurhat karim showed globalpost documents legalized mehdi hasans liver transplant one claiming nephew recipient another claiming son mans sister allinclusive fee charged sattar associates would typically range 400000 500000 taka 5280 6600 fraction actually passed along seller far police arrested nine people accused involvement joypurhat trade including three dhaka confident local organ market shut say joypurhat tip iceberg dr monir moniruzzaman anthropologist michigan state university studied bangladeshi organ trade estimates roughly 250300 people sell organs country year anything said figure likely fall conservative side joypurhat represents fraction trade bangladesh parts country unexposed majority trade going said combine picture really grim none accused available comment story moniruzzaman said interviews organ brokers claimed helping save lives sale kidneys sick winwin situation indeed exposure joypurhat organ ring prompted calls liberalization bangladeshs organdonor law critics law say scant availability legal donors created flourishing black market make liberal liberal people make profit said dr tareq salahuddin health editor daily star newspaper open way making someone loser mohammed mozzamel haque joypurhat police superintendent said law needs create new regulatory board establish family links donors recipients utilizing dna tests necessary argued law also amended allow emotional donors close nonfamilial relationships recipients sometimes blood relatives willing donate kidneys friends able donate kidney present law permit said others warn legalization would succeed turning body parts poor commodities wealthy unequal unjust system rich afford buy organs poor selling body parts said moniruzzaman michigan state university expanding every year law stricter said countrys demand kidneys organs could easily met establishing cadaveric organ donation system similar many western countries something said would moral ethical source lifesaving organs studies showing health effects organ donation rural poor moniruzzaman said based interviews organ sellers across bangladesh many suffer postoperative pain intermittent fever bodyweight problems lasting cost saw often medical psychological sellers said feel living like subhumans said sold one gods gifts rightwrapper bordercolorbbbbbb borderstylesolid borderwidth1px fontsize 11px floatright marginleft 5px marginright 15px marginbottom 30px lineheight14px displayblock rightimage backgroundcolorffffff marginleft5px margintop 5px marginbottom 0px displayblock marginright5px rightcaption marginbottom5px margintop 0px marginleft5px marginright6px paddingtop6px paddingleft7px paddingbottom4px bordercolorbbbbbb borderstylesolid borderwidth1px displayblock paddingright2px leftwrapper bordercolorffffff borderstylesolid borderwidth1px fontsize 11px floatleft width 260px marginleft 5px marginright 15px marginbottom 30px lineheight14px displayblock leftimage backgroundcolorbbbbbb width 250px marginleft5px margintop 5px marginbottom 0px displayblock leftcaption width 251px marginbottom5px margintop 0px marginleft5px marginright5px paddingtop6px paddingleft7px paddingbottom4px paddingright2px paddingleft2px bordercolorbbbbbb borderstylesolid borderwidth1px displayblock
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<p>PRINCIPALS MOVING ON James Lalley, principal of Northside College Prep since the school’s founding in 1999, will step down at the end of the current school year to seek new opportunities. The school is conducting a national search for a replacement to take over in July 2007. … Gertrude Hill, principal of Harlan High, was removed and has had her contract terminated. Reginald Evans, former assistant principal at Simeon High, has replaced her.</p>
<p>AT CLARK STREET Reorganization of central office staff continues. CPS Budget Director Pedro Martinez is being promoted to executive finance officer and will oversee the offices of finance, purchasing, grants management and budget. Tyra Newell, former deputy director, takes over as director of the Office of Management and Budget. … Mercedes Laing, a lawyer and former non-profit and business consultant, is the new chief of internal and external affairs, taking over from Peter Cunningham, who will continue as a general strategic consultant. … Norma Rodriguez, former Area 22 instructional officer, is now officer of the new department of high school curriculum and instruction. … High school area instructional officers now report directly to Donald Pittman, chief officer of high school programs. … David Roche, former director of the Old Town School of Folk Music, was named to the newly created position of director of fine and performing arts.</p>
<p>PEER REVIEW BOARD As part of a pilot peer evaluation and mentoring program launched this fall in eight Fresh Start schools, a nine-member board that includes CPS and Chicago Teachers Union representatives will make decisions on whether to keep probationary teachers at the end of the year. The board will be chaired by Sandra Westbrooks, dean of the School of Education at Chicago State University. Its members are: CEO Arne Duncan; Chief Education Officer Barbara Eason-Watkins; Flavia Hernandez, an officer in the Office of Elementary Areas and Schools; Amanda Rivera, director of the Department of Learning and Development; CTU President Marilyn Stewart; Mary Hanson, a National Board-certified teacher; Marvin Irizarry, dean of students at Logandale Middle School; and Victor Ochoa, an arts teacher at Kelvyn Park High. The participating schools are Attucks, Bass, Burke, Chalmers, Hamline, Piccolo, Richards High and Wells High.</p>
<p>NEW BLOG The Chicago Teachers Union coalition that was ousted in the last election has launched a new blog to discuss teaching and learning conditions in CPS. Find it at <a href="http://www.chicagoteachersspeakout.blogspot.com" type="external">www.chicagoteachersspeakout.blogspot.com</a>. The coalition, known as PACT for ProActive Chicago Teachers &amp; School Employees, is finalizing a slate to challenge the United Progressive Caucus in next May’s election, says former CTU president Deborah Lynch. She declined to say whether she would run again.</p>
<p>BOUNDARIES REDRAWN To accommodate the district’s new student information system, CPS is redrawing elementary school attendance boundaries that run down alleys, cut through city blocks or even “through somebody’s living room,” says Jimm Dispensa, director of school demographics and planning. The redrawn boundaries will align with streets and waterways so that the district can merge addresses in its new system with the city’s official Geographic Information Systems maps. Five percent of schools will lose or gain more than 20 students from their attendance areas, Dispensa reports. Students already enrolled will not have to switch schools, but new students will be subject to the new boundaries, which are expected to go into effect on Nov.1st.</p>
<p>MOVING IN/ON Juana Andrade, a parent from Cooper Elementary, was recently named president of the Chicago Multilingual Parents Council, a group that advises the district on bilingual programs and policy.</p>
<p>COLLEGE READINESS Kennedy, Morgan Park, Roosevelt and Al Raby are among 11 urban schools in three districts selected for the College Board’s “EXCELerator” program, a college readiness initiative for low-income and minority students. Chicago is sharing a $16 million grant from the Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation that will pay for web-based tools to prepare students for Advanced Placement courses, professional development for staff, assistance in analyzing student test data and other services. The two other districts are Washington, D.C. and Duval County, Fla.</p>
<p>EXTRA CASH FOR TURNAROUND Four principals will earn bonuses worth as much as $69,000 over four years for taking over leadership at struggling schools. Keith Foley, former principal of Lane Tech High, will mentor a new principal at Marshall Metro High, where principal Gwendolyn Boyd was removed; Adrian Willis of Keller Gifted Magnet is now principal of Earle; Denise Gamble of Herbert is now principal of Medill, replacing Frederic W. Metz, who was removed; Kimberly McNeal of South Chicago is now principal at Mahalia Jackson, replacing Doris Spivey-Tompkins, who was removed. Gamble, McNeal and Willis will receive training from the University of Virginia.</p>
<p>PRINCIPAL CONTRACTS New principal contracts have been awarded to Pedro Alonso, Von Steuben High; Leslie Martin, Dumas; Sean Stalling, Manley High; Blanca A. Trevino, New Field Primary. … William Harris, Julian High, has had his contract renewed.</p>
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principals moving james lalley principal northside college prep since schools founding 1999 step end current school year seek new opportunities school conducting national search replacement take july 2007 gertrude hill principal harlan high removed contract terminated reginald evans former assistant principal simeon high replaced clark street reorganization central office staff continues cps budget director pedro martinez promoted executive finance officer oversee offices finance purchasing grants management budget tyra newell former deputy director takes director office management budget mercedes laing lawyer former nonprofit business consultant new chief internal external affairs taking peter cunningham continue general strategic consultant norma rodriguez former area 22 instructional officer officer new department high school curriculum instruction high school area instructional officers report directly donald pittman chief officer high school programs david roche former director old town school folk music named newly created position director fine performing arts peer review board part pilot peer evaluation mentoring program launched fall eight fresh start schools ninemember board includes cps chicago teachers union representatives make decisions whether keep probationary teachers end year board chaired sandra westbrooks dean school education chicago state university members ceo arne duncan chief education officer barbara easonwatkins flavia hernandez officer office elementary areas schools amanda rivera director department learning development ctu president marilyn stewart mary hanson national boardcertified teacher marvin irizarry dean students logandale middle school victor ochoa arts teacher kelvyn park high participating schools attucks bass burke chalmers hamline piccolo richards high wells high new blog chicago teachers union coalition ousted last election launched new blog discuss teaching learning conditions cps find wwwchicagoteachersspeakoutblogspotcom coalition known pact proactive chicago teachers amp school employees finalizing slate challenge united progressive caucus next mays election says former ctu president deborah lynch declined say whether would run boundaries redrawn accommodate districts new student information system cps redrawing elementary school attendance boundaries run alleys cut city blocks even somebodys living room says jimm dispensa director school demographics planning redrawn boundaries align streets waterways district merge addresses new system citys official geographic information systems maps five percent schools lose gain 20 students attendance areas dispensa reports students already enrolled switch schools new students subject new boundaries expected go effect nov1st moving inon juana andrade parent cooper elementary recently named president chicago multilingual parents council group advises district bilingual programs policy college readiness kennedy morgan park roosevelt al raby among 11 urban schools three districts selected college boards excelerator program college readiness initiative lowincome minority students chicago sharing 16 million grant bill amp melinda gates foundation pay webbased tools prepare students advanced placement courses professional development staff assistance analyzing student test data services two districts washington dc duval county fla extra cash turnaround four principals earn bonuses worth much 69000 four years taking leadership struggling schools keith foley former principal lane tech high mentor new principal marshall metro high principal gwendolyn boyd removed adrian willis keller gifted magnet principal earle denise gamble herbert principal medill replacing frederic w metz removed kimberly mcneal south chicago principal mahalia jackson replacing doris spiveytompkins removed gamble mcneal willis receive training university virginia principal contracts new principal contracts awarded pedro alonso von steuben high leslie martin dumas sean stalling manley high blanca trevino new field primary william harris julian high contract renewed
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<p>Department of Homeland Security, beware: There are millions of US citizens out there committing a weekly act of treason. While watching “The Americans,” a sensational series from the FX cable network now in its second season, viewers are routinely rooting for the Russians.</p>
<p>Set in the early 1980s, the show tells of a pair of Soviet KGB agents, Misha and Nadezhda (played by Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell), who were trained as undercover spies and sent to the United States to blend in to the local population. There they become Philip and Elizabeth Jennings, with a fake marriage that produces two very real children, Paige and Henry, American to the core and with no idea that their parents are anything other than the fairly boring travel agents they purport to be.</p>
<p>Neither does their neighbor, Stan Beeman (Noah Emmerich), an FBI agent tasked with counterespionage.</p>
<p>Last year the show seemed rather quaint. With the Soviet Union gone in a puff of smoke and its truncated successor state, the Russian Federation, acting fairly friendly, the intricate game between the FBI and the KGB feels a bit overblown. Could we ever really have been that afraid of the Russians?</p>
<p>This season, with Ukraine dominating the headlines in real life and Russian President Vladimir Putin topping the list of global villains, the message is a bit sharper. The Cold War is a lot easier to understand these days, and Ronald Reagan’s “Evil Empire” rhetoric doesn’t seem nearly as far-fetched.</p>
<p>Younger viewers are most likely mystified by a world without computers and cellphones, not to mention some fairly weird hairstyles and clothes. Those of a certain age revel in the music, which ranges from Phil Collins to Roberta Flack to Peter Gabriel, while realizing with dismay that the 1980s have already retreated into the historical background, like the Civil War or the Roaring ’20s.</p>
<p>Series creator Joe Weisberg worked for the CIA in the 1990s, and builds as much real-life spycraft into the show as possible. He has to submit each and every manuscript to his former employers for review, since he signed a secrecy agreement back at Langley. This gives the CIA the enviable position of knowing how every episode ends weeks before the rest of us, which just might be a reason to join up.</p>
<p>In an <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/interrogation/2013/01/the_americans_fx_spy_series_creators_joe_weisberg_and_joel_fields.2.html" type="external">interview with Slate</a>, Weisberg and fellow writer Joel Fields said that they had worried that Philip and Elizabeth would not be sympathetic enough, since they are, after all, KGB officers. The characters also do some fairly unpalatable things in the course of their patriotic endeavors: They lie, cheat and steal with abandon, and barely an episode goes by without a murder or two.</p>
<p>But somehow we love them. In fact, it’s not just Philip and Elizabeth who steal our hearts, but the full complement of Soviet agents, who on the whole are smarter, more sophisticated and a lot sexier than their American counterparts.</p>
<p>Here are just a few seditious lessons we learn from “The Americans.”</p>
<p>Matthew Rhys as Philip Jennings and Alison Wright as Martha Hanson in episode 11 of "The Americans," which aired May 7. (Craig Blankenhorn/FX)</p>
<p>1. Russians make better lovers. Just about anyone who is having decent sex in this series is having it with a Russian. Poor Stan Beeman is stuck in a dead marriage and feeling the need for some excitement. In the course of his work he meets — and recruits — the alluring Nina (Annet Mahendru), a secretary at the Soviet Embassy, and promptly falls in love with her. She is playing him, of course — he’s having a much more satisfying liaison with another Soviet spy, the gorgeous Oleg (Costa Ronin). Or maybe she’s playing him, too?</p>
<p>Elizabeth puts out for the Motherland as well, with a whole string of unappealing Americans who have information she needs. In a variety of wigs she attracts and then outmaneuvers her unimaginative targets to complete her mission.</p>
<p>Philip is also quite the stud. He seduces an FBI employee, the homely but efficient Martha (Alison Wright), to whom he opens up a whole new world in the bedroom. He eventually marries her to keep her pliable — with the help of his “real” fake wife, Elizabeth.</p>
<p>The only “Americans” capable of real passion seem to be Philip and Elizabeth themselves. They have some surprisingly steamy encounters, such as the Season Two premiere, which might be the first “69” scene in a television series. Wonder whether they would have been allowed to do that in Sverdlovsk …</p>
<p>Actor Keidrich Sellati as Henry Jennings with Matthew Rhys as Philip Jennings (Craig Blankenhorn/FX)</p>
<p>2. Americans lead empty, self-indulgent, wasteful lives. There has yet to be a real US good guy. Stan’s wife, Sandra (Susan Misner), is a wacky housewife looking for fulfillment through a string of ’80s self-help gurus like Leo Buscaglia, Dr. Ruth, and Werner Erhard, founder of EST.</p>
<p>Elizabeth and Philip’s son is addicted to video games, while their daughter has been sucked into a Bible study group, much to her parents’ chagrin.</p>
<p>Then there’s Carl, the coke-sniffing, meth-smoking congressional aide, and Charles Duluth, the alcoholic American journalist who freelances for the KGB.</p>
<p>The best of the bunch is Gregory (Derek Luke), Elizabeth’s lover. But Gregory, a black activist, is so turned off by America’s racial politics that he gives himself heart and soul to serving the Soviet Union — at least until he’s ordered to go to Moscow.</p>
<p>Elizabeth and Philip. (Craig Blankenhorn/FX)</p>
<p>3. The Soviets were not always on the wrong side of history. Elizabeth and Philip are intent on exposing US support for the Nicaraguan Contras, a shameful episode in US history that still rankles more than 30 years later. The spies infiltrate a Contra training camp run by US special forces, intending to take photos and leak them to the media.</p>
<p>The creators certainly had authentic material — they drew in Oliver North, a former Marine Corps lieutenant colonel and Reagan-era official who knows a thing or two about Nicaragua. In 1989 North was convicted of obstructing an investigation into the Iran-Contra affair, in which the Reagan administration defied its own sanctions to secretly sell weapons to Iran, using the proceeds to assist the rebels battling the Marxist Sandinistas. Maybe we should ask Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega (himself a Sandinista) what he thinks of the show.</p>
<p>Stan Beeman needs to read up on Russian lit. (Craig Blankenhorn/FX)</p>
<p>4. Americans are cultural dolts. In an attempt to woo Nina, Stan (above) rents a movie that the store clerk assures him is guaranteed to make women cry. The Russian finds Meryl Streep’s portrayal of “The French Lieutenant’s Woman” unconvincing, and is incensed by the referral to the character as a “whore.”</p>
<p>“Do you think Anna Karenina was a whore?” she demands angrily. Stan gazes at her in confusion. “You’ve heard of this book?” she asks. “Haven’t had the pleasure,” replies Stan, who can’t figure out why his beloved is now gazing at him in absolute horror.</p>
<p>(Henghameh Fahimi/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>5. Caviar is better than cheeseburgers. As a special treat for his wife, Philip gets his hands on some beluga caviar. Elizabeth’s expression of ecstasy as she samples it is a joy to behold. Stan, on the other hand, offers a captured Soviet spy a cheeseburger as a gesture of friendship — right before he shoots him in the head.</p>
<p>(Craig Blankenhorn/FX)</p>
<p>6. America always wins. With at least one more season to go, it should be too soon to tell how “The Americans” will end, but the writing is already on the wall.</p>
<p>Even in the earliest episodes, we sense Philip’s longing to be a real part of this world he inhabits, where, as he says “the food is pretty great and the electricity always works.”</p>
<p>Elizabeth tries to assert her ideological purity: “It’s easier here, it’s nicer. It’s not better.” But we see her growing disaffection with the Soviet system. When another undercover couple is killed, Elizabeth is supposed to give a letter to their son, telling him who his parents really were. Instead, she sets fire to it, sparing a grieving boy the additional burden of knowing he is the child of Soviet spies.</p>
<p>Cheeseburgers win out over caviar every time.</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/culture-lifestyle/entertainment/140429/seven-kingdoms-game-of-thrones-filming-locations" type="external">The 7 Kingdoms in ‘Game of Thrones’ are actually these 5 real-world places</a></p>
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department homeland security beware millions us citizens committing weekly act treason watching americans sensational series fx cable network second season viewers routinely rooting russians set early 1980s show tells pair soviet kgb agents misha nadezhda played matthew rhys keri russell trained undercover spies sent united states blend local population become philip elizabeth jennings fake marriage produces two real children paige henry american core idea parents anything fairly boring travel agents purport neither neighbor stan beeman noah emmerich fbi agent tasked counterespionage last year show seemed rather quaint soviet union gone puff smoke truncated successor state russian federation acting fairly friendly intricate game fbi kgb feels bit overblown could ever really afraid russians season ukraine dominating headlines real life russian president vladimir putin topping list global villains message bit sharper cold war lot easier understand days ronald reagans evil empire rhetoric doesnt seem nearly farfetched younger viewers likely mystified world without computers cellphones mention fairly weird hairstyles clothes certain age revel music ranges phil collins roberta flack peter gabriel realizing dismay 1980s already retreated historical background like civil war roaring 20s series creator joe weisberg worked cia 1990s builds much reallife spycraft show possible submit every manuscript former employers review since signed secrecy agreement back langley gives cia enviable position knowing every episode ends weeks rest us might reason join interview slate weisberg fellow writer joel fields said worried philip elizabeth would sympathetic enough since kgb officers characters also fairly unpalatable things course patriotic endeavors lie cheat steal abandon barely episode goes without murder two somehow love fact philip elizabeth steal hearts full complement soviet agents whole smarter sophisticated lot sexier american counterparts seditious lessons learn americans matthew rhys philip jennings alison wright martha hanson episode 11 americans aired may 7 craig blankenhornfx 1 russians make better lovers anyone decent sex series russian poor stan beeman stuck dead marriage feeling need excitement course work meets recruits alluring nina annet mahendru secretary soviet embassy promptly falls love playing course hes much satisfying liaison another soviet spy gorgeous oleg costa ronin maybe shes playing elizabeth puts motherland well whole string unappealing americans information needs variety wigs attracts outmaneuvers unimaginative targets complete mission philip also quite stud seduces fbi employee homely efficient martha alison wright opens whole new world bedroom eventually marries keep pliable help real fake wife elizabeth americans capable real passion seem philip elizabeth surprisingly steamy encounters season two premiere might first 69 scene television series wonder whether would allowed sverdlovsk actor keidrich sellati henry jennings matthew rhys philip jennings craig blankenhornfx 2 americans lead empty selfindulgent wasteful lives yet real us good guy stans wife sandra susan misner wacky housewife looking fulfillment string 80s selfhelp gurus like leo buscaglia dr ruth werner erhard founder est elizabeth philips son addicted video games daughter sucked bible study group much parents chagrin theres carl cokesniffing methsmoking congressional aide charles duluth alcoholic american journalist freelances kgb best bunch gregory derek luke elizabeths lover gregory black activist turned americas racial politics gives heart soul serving soviet union least hes ordered go moscow elizabeth philip craig blankenhornfx 3 soviets always wrong side history elizabeth philip intent exposing us support nicaraguan contras shameful episode us history still rankles 30 years later spies infiltrate contra training camp run us special forces intending take photos leak media creators certainly authentic material drew oliver north former marine corps lieutenant colonel reaganera official knows thing two nicaragua 1989 north convicted obstructing investigation irancontra affair reagan administration defied sanctions secretly sell weapons iran using proceeds assist rebels battling marxist sandinistas maybe ask nicaraguan president daniel ortega sandinista thinks show stan beeman needs read russian lit craig blankenhornfx 4 americans cultural dolts attempt woo nina stan rents movie store clerk assures guaranteed make women cry russian finds meryl streeps portrayal french lieutenants woman unconvincing incensed referral character whore think anna karenina whore demands angrily stan gazes confusion youve heard book asks havent pleasure replies stan cant figure beloved gazing absolute horror henghameh fahimiafpgetty images 5 caviar better cheeseburgers special treat wife philip gets hands beluga caviar elizabeths expression ecstasy samples joy behold stan hand offers captured soviet spy cheeseburger gesture friendship right shoots head craig blankenhornfx 6 america always wins least one season go soon tell americans end writing already wall even earliest episodes sense philips longing real part world inhabits says food pretty great electricity always works elizabeth tries assert ideological purity easier nicer better see growing disaffection soviet system another undercover couple killed elizabeth supposed give letter son telling parents really instead sets fire sparing grieving boy additional burden knowing child soviet spies cheeseburgers win caviar every time globalpost 7 kingdoms game thrones actually 5 realworld places
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<p>Magnet schools:</p>
<p>Set-asides favor wealthy areas</p>
<p>“Access to Magnet Schools in Chicago,” from the Consortium on Chicago School Research and the Mexican-American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF), looks at the first results of magnet school policies adopted by the School Board in 1998. Among the report’s findings:</p>
<p>The policy of reserving magnet school slots for neighborhood children favors families in the wealthier sections of the city, which have the highest concentrations of magnet schools: the Loop, the Near West Side and the north lakefront from the Gold Coast to Lake View. After this and other special attendance considerations, only one magnet school slot in five remains open.</p>
<p>Almost half of public school students do not live within the set-aside area of any magnet school, a finding that applies equally to blacks, whites and Latinos. Low-income African- American neighborhoods on the South Side, Latino neighborhoods and middle-income white neighborhoods on the Northwest and Southwest sides have the least access.</p>
<p>The set-aside policy has not yet altered integration patterns at elementary magnets; the full impact won’t be seen until 2005, when all magnet school students will have been selected under the policy.</p>
<p>About half of elementary magnets do not meet their desegregation goals; following declines in white enrollment in the 1990s, this group is 93 percent minority. Magnet schools in the wealthier areas of the city, as a group, have more white students and, thus, are more racially diverse.</p>
<p>Significantly more high-achieving students are staying in the Chicago Public Schools for high school. The number of high-achieving students who left dropped from 27 percent in 1995 to 17 percent in 1999.</p>
<p>On the web at: www.consortium-chicago.org/magnet.html</p>
<p>Ending social promotion:</p>
<p>Early retention up, dropout rate steady</p>
<p>“Update: Ending Social Promotion,” from the Consortium on Chicago School Research, sums up new data from 1997-98 and 1998-99, the second and third years of the Board of Education’s promotion and retention policies.</p>
<p>One new finding is that more students are being held back in 1st and 2nd grades. Although the trend has contributed to higher pass rates in 3rd grade, researcher Melissa Roderick, the report’s principal author, worries that the practice eventually will force the retained students into transition centers rather than help them graduate from a regular 8th grade. “There is no evidence” that early retention will help the children academically, she says. If they are held back again, they will be on track for a transition center.</p>
<p>The report also finds that although retained 8th-graders are dropping out in large numbers—29 percent after two years—overall dropout rates have not increased, even among low- achieving students. That finding surprised Roderick because other research generally shows that retention produces higher dropout rates. She adds that Chicago won’t know if it has broken this link until third-year data are analyzed. So far, retention has produced more dropouts in 8th grade, where many retained students are now stuck until they reach 16.</p>
<p>Most of the report’s other findings reinforce previously reported trends. Like previous reports, the document draws no policy conclusions. Highlights include:</p>
<p>Larger numbers of at-risk students are doing well on the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills, especially in grades 6 and 8, than before the policy was implemented. In addition, students who post higher scores during the benchmark gradess of 3, 6 and 8 maintain the increase in subsequent years.</p>
<p>More students in grades 3, 6, and 8 were hitting the cut scores for promotion; however, the retention rates in those grades were not changing, possibly because fewer waivers were being given.</p>
<p>Retained students still are not doing better than similar students who previously were socially promoted. Many retained students do not reach cut scores even after repeating a grade and repeating Summer Bridge.</p>
<p>On the web at:</p>
<p>www.consortium-chicago.org/updatesocpromo.html</p>
<p>Achievement up:</p>
<p>Two reforms credited</p>
<p>“Changes in Student Achievement in Illinois and Chicago: 1990-2000,” by G. Alfred Hess, Jr., a Northwestern University researcher, sums up the results of the last decade’s school reform efforts in Chicago. Hess finds that:</p>
<p>Overall, achievement in both elementary and high schools is up significantly, with most schools making large or very large gains in the number of students scoring at or above national norms in reading. He sees both the 1988 Chicago School Reform Act, which emphasized local control, and its 1995 amendments, which put the mayor in charge of the schools and emphasized accountability, as having contributed to the gains.</p>
<p>In high schools, “virtually all” of the gains reflect the fact that students are arriving at high school better prepared. Hess also notes that a practice he has called “educational triage”—the sorting of high-scoring kids into one set of schools and low-scoring kids into another—persists.</p>
<p>Gains in achievement have not reached all populations equally, with predominantly African- American schools showing the lowest rates of gain. In addition, gains in reading appear to be flattening out citywide.</p>
<p>The state’s testing program (IGAP/ISAT) has failed to provide a meaningful measure of changes in student achievement, which Hess attributes to problems in the way the test is produced.</p>
<p>On the web at: www.brook.edu</p>
<p>Overcrowding:</p>
<p>Funds fall short, crowding persists</p>
<p>“Overcrowding and School Repair: 2000 Update,” by the Neighborhood Capital Budget Group, looks at school overcrowding in Chicago’s public schools, updating the group’s 1999 report, “Rebuilding Our Schools: Brick by Brick.” It includes the latest school-by-school data on overcrowding. Among the findings:</p>
<p>176 schools are overcrowded, with 54 percent of high school students and 38 percent of elementary school students attending overcrowded buildings.</p>
<p>Even after city borrowing and hoped-for state and federal support, the school system is likely to fall at least a billion dollars short of the money it needs to relieve overcrowded buildings and repair dilapidated schools.</p>
<p>On the web at: www.ncbg.org</p>
<p>Also now on-line:</p>
<p>“Small Schools: Great Strides: A Study of New Small Schools in Chicago,” from Bank Street College of Education, finds that breaking up large schools into smaller units has had some positive effects in Chicago.</p>
<p>At www.bankstreet.edu</p>
<p>“Progress Report: An Evaluation of Chicago Public Schools Efforts to Relieve Student Overcrowding at Elementary Schools,” from MALDEF, gives the Board of Education an overall grade of “C” for its efforts; however, the board receives an “A” on its efforts to relieve the most severely overcrowded buildings.</p>
<p>At www.maldef.org</p>
<p>The latest “Annual CPS Test Trend Review,” from the Consortium on Chicago School Research, finds long-term improvement, but notes that gains are slowing, especially among younger students.</p>
<p>At www.consortium-chicago.org</p>
<p>“School Improvement with External Partners,” from the Consortium on Chicago School Research, evaluates partnerships formed through Annenberg Challenge grants in the last several years, finding limited success.</p>
<p>At www.consortium-chicago.org</p>
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magnet schools setasides favor wealthy areas access magnet schools chicago consortium chicago school research mexicanamerican legal defense education fund maldef looks first results magnet school policies adopted school board 1998 among reports findings policy reserving magnet school slots neighborhood children favors families wealthier sections city highest concentrations magnet schools loop near west side north lakefront gold coast lake view special attendance considerations one magnet school slot five remains open almost half public school students live within setaside area magnet school finding applies equally blacks whites latinos lowincome african american neighborhoods south side latino neighborhoods middleincome white neighborhoods northwest southwest sides least access setaside policy yet altered integration patterns elementary magnets full impact wont seen 2005 magnet school students selected policy half elementary magnets meet desegregation goals following declines white enrollment 1990s group 93 percent minority magnet schools wealthier areas city group white students thus racially diverse significantly highachieving students staying chicago public schools high school number highachieving students left dropped 27 percent 1995 17 percent 1999 web wwwconsortiumchicagoorgmagnethtml ending social promotion early retention dropout rate steady update ending social promotion consortium chicago school research sums new data 199798 199899 second third years board educations promotion retention policies one new finding students held back 1st 2nd grades although trend contributed higher pass rates 3rd grade researcher melissa roderick reports principal author worries practice eventually force retained students transition centers rather help graduate regular 8th grade evidence early retention help children academically says held back track transition center report also finds although retained 8thgraders dropping large numbers29 percent two yearsoverall dropout rates increased even among low achieving students finding surprised roderick research generally shows retention produces higher dropout rates adds chicago wont know broken link thirdyear data analyzed far retention produced dropouts 8th grade many retained students stuck reach 16 reports findings reinforce previously reported trends like previous reports document draws policy conclusions highlights include larger numbers atrisk students well iowa tests basic skills especially grades 6 8 policy implemented addition students post higher scores benchmark gradess 3 6 8 maintain increase subsequent years students grades 3 6 8 hitting cut scores promotion however retention rates grades changing possibly fewer waivers given retained students still better similar students previously socially promoted many retained students reach cut scores even repeating grade repeating summer bridge web wwwconsortiumchicagoorgupdatesocpromohtml achievement two reforms credited changes student achievement illinois chicago 19902000 g alfred hess jr northwestern university researcher sums results last decades school reform efforts chicago hess finds overall achievement elementary high schools significantly schools making large large gains number students scoring national norms reading sees 1988 chicago school reform act emphasized local control 1995 amendments put mayor charge schools emphasized accountability contributed gains high schools virtually gains reflect fact students arriving high school better prepared hess also notes practice called educational triagethe sorting highscoring kids one set schools lowscoring kids anotherpersists gains achievement reached populations equally predominantly african american schools showing lowest rates gain addition gains reading appear flattening citywide states testing program igapisat failed provide meaningful measure changes student achievement hess attributes problems way test produced web wwwbrookedu overcrowding funds fall short crowding persists overcrowding school repair 2000 update neighborhood capital budget group looks school overcrowding chicagos public schools updating groups 1999 report rebuilding schools brick brick includes latest schoolbyschool data overcrowding among findings 176 schools overcrowded 54 percent high school students 38 percent elementary school students attending overcrowded buildings even city borrowing hopedfor state federal support school system likely fall least billion dollars short money needs relieve overcrowded buildings repair dilapidated schools web wwwncbgorg also online small schools great strides study new small schools chicago bank street college education finds breaking large schools smaller units positive effects chicago wwwbankstreetedu progress report evaluation chicago public schools efforts relieve student overcrowding elementary schools maldef gives board education overall grade c efforts however board receives efforts relieve severely overcrowded buildings wwwmaldeforg latest annual cps test trend review consortium chicago school research finds longterm improvement notes gains slowing especially among younger students wwwconsortiumchicagoorg school improvement external partners consortium chicago school research evaluates partnerships formed annenberg challenge grants last several years finding limited success wwwconsortiumchicagoorg
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<p>When Margarita Miranda moved to Old Town in 2000, the area looked much different. The Cabrini Green public housing projects cast a long shadow, and neighborhood elementary schools were located on every few blocks.</p>
<p>Today, the high-rise public housing has been wiped away, leaving the area with a smattering of row houses, townhouses and some stretches of still-empty lots.</p>
<p>Over the past decade, three of the schools that served the area’s children have been closed and reopened—one as a charter school, one as a selective enrollment school and the third as a lease by a private Catholic school that costs about $8,000 a year.</p>
<p>Miranda and other parents are now fighting furiously to save one of two neighborhood schools left. A parent volunteer who calls all the students at Manierre Elementary “her children,” she is emphatic that she won’t give up. The School Board is scheduled to vote on the closings on Wednesday.</p>
<p>“My son is upset,” she says. Miranda’s son has a disability that includes learning and speech difficulties and she’s afraid that he will simply “shut down” if he has to transfer to a new school.</p>
<p>But there’s something more that is eating at her. Even though Manierre is surrounded by high-performing schools, the school that her children are now supposed to attend is a Level 3 school with almost identical test scores.</p>
<p>Like Manierre, the receiving school, Jenner, has mostly black, low-income students. The other area schools are more diverse with far fewer poor children.</p>
<p>“I don’t want my children to go from a Level 3 school to a Level 3 school,” Miranda says. “I don’t want that for my children. They are good kids. They don’t bother nobody. They respect their elders.”</p>
<p>In some ways, Manierre is unique compared to the vast majority of schools slated to close on the South Side and West Side. Manierre is on the Near North Side, nestled next to some of the wealthiest areas in the city.</p>
<p>But in other ways, it is not different. Two months ago, CPS leaders announced their intention to close 54 schools, co-locate 11 and hand over six to the Academy of Urban School Leadership to be turned around. The end result of the school actions is that traditional, district-run neighborhood schools will become scarcer. Schools to which students have to apply and those run by private organizations will continue to take over, casting an ever-bigger shadow over the district.</p>
<p>The mayor and CPS officials have cast the move much differently, repeatedly saying that closings and consolidations will allow the district to redirect resources to fewer schools. And with the district facing a $1 billion budget shortfall, officials say closings will save $43 million a year in operating costs (starting in two years) and another $437 million in capital costs over the next decade.&#160;</p>
<p>“What we must do is to ensure that the resources some kids get, all kids get,” said Byrd-Bennett in a videotaped message on the CPS website. “With our consolidations, children are guaranteed to get what they need.”</p>
<p>Yet many of the district’s claims have drawn intense scrutiny and raised questions that undercut the rationale for closings as either a cost-savings or school improvement strategy.</p>
<p>Going to “better” schools</p>
<p>The first claim to face scrutiny is that students at closing schools will end up in higher- performing ones. According to state law, Byrd-Bennett has the authority to define “higher-performing,” and she determined that even when a school has the same performance rating, it can be considered higher- performing if it does better on a majority of the metrics, such as attendance and test scores.</p>
<p>Yet researchers note an important point: A move to a school that is only slightly better, at most, likely won’t mean much to students. The University of Chicago Consortium on School Research found that, in previous rounds of closings, displaced students only reaped an academic benefit if they were sent to markedly better schools, defined as those in the top quartile. &#160;</p>
<p>In this case, <a href="http://www.wbez.org/news/few-chicago-school-closings-will-move-kids-top-performing-schools-107261" type="external">just six&#160;receiving schools out of 55</a> are in the top quartile of all CPS schools. And in only three cases—3 out of 53 closings—are kids being sent from a school in the lowest quartile to a school in the highest, according to an analysis by WBEZ. Two-thirds of the closing schools are among the lowest rated in CPS, but in 18 cases students will be sent to schools that are equally low-rated.&#160;</p>
<p>Even among the 12 receiving schools that have the highest CPS rating, there is a broad range in terms of performance. Chopin, on the Near North Side, has nearly 96 percent of students meeting standards on the ISAT and nearly 70 percent exceeding standards, while Faraday, on the West Side, has 73 percent meeting standards and about 13 percent exceeding them. Research has shown that students need to exceed standards to perform well in high school.</p>
<p>Furthermore, no one knows exactly how many students will end up at the designated “receiving school”—the one that by some measure is higher performing. Last year, <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2013/04/losing-track/" type="external">less than half of students went to the designated receiving school</a> with many parents choosing closer or more convenient schools that performed no better than the school they left, shows a Catalyst analysis.&#160;</p>
<p>CPS officials counter that the money invested into the receiving schools will improve technology and other resources. The schools will be air-conditioned, with iPads, playgrounds and libraries. The district is also designating 19 schools as specialty schools, with International Baccalaureate, STEM and fine arts programs. This year, the new specialty schools will receive $250,000 to $360,000 in extra money to pay for positions and training.</p>
<p>While leaders may have meant for this to sweeten the deal, parents and activists have been incredulous that their schools must close in order to get resources that are common place in other schools.</p>
<p>Parents also aren’t convinced that the new turnaround schools will be better for their children. CPS plans to hand over six schools to the Academy for Urban School Leadership for turnaround, which entails firing all or most of the staff, including the principal and the lunch ladies. For each turnaround, AUSL gets $300,000 in upfront costs, plus $420 per student for each student for at least five years.</p>
<p>Contracts with AUSL are for five years, but for several turnarounds they have been extended.</p>
<p>In her letter to parents, Byrd-Bennett said that turnaround schools have improved twice as fast as the CPS district-average.</p>
<p>“We want to provide your child with access to the same opportunities to boost their chance of academic success, which they will receive next school year if this proposal is approved,” she wrote.</p>
<p>Yet parents point out that many of the schools run by AUSL are not high-performers. Only one turnaround school, Morton, is a Level 1 school. And one of the closing schools, Bethune, is a turnaround.</p>
<p>Mathew Johnson, a parent at Dewey Elementary, says 98 percent of parents signed a petition saying they did not want their school given to AUSL. He says the school’s new administration seems to be on the right track and is doing a turnaround of its own.</p>
<p>“We are not afraid to hold the administration accountable,” says Johnson, who serves on the local school council.</p>
<p>Costs and savings</p>
<p>Because so many of the so-called “welcoming,” turnaround and co-locating schools lack resources, CPS officials will spend big money to get them up to par. In April, the Board of Education approved a supplemental capital budget that the district plans to finance with a $329 million bond.</p>
<p>About $155 million of that will go toward improvements at the receiving schools and another $60 million will fix up schools that are slated to be turned around or co- located with another school.</p>
<p>For the next 30 years, CPS will have to pay $25 million in interest and principal on the bond. This <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2013/04/record-paying-school-actions/" type="external">expense was not factored into the $43 million</a> that CPS officials say they will save by undertaking these school actions.&#160;</p>
<p>CPS leaders have repeatedly cited budget problems as a rationale for closings–yet one reason CPS is facing perpetual large deficits is its already-existing debt. In the upcoming fiscal year, the district’s payment on principal and interest is scheduled to rise by about $100 million to $475 million.</p>
<p>Capital cost savings are also not likely to be higher than estimated. CPS officials lowered their original capital savings estimate and say the district will save $437 million over the next decade by not having to repair or maintain the 50-some buildings they are shuttering.</p>
<p>But only <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2013/05/record-capital-savings-from-closings-in-question/" type="external">six of the closing schools have had recent assessments</a> to determine their capital needs. &#160;In all of these cases, the updated assessments caused CPS to lower its savings estimate. &#160;</p>
<p>In order for the district to save real money from closing schools, it would have <a href="http://catalystchicago.largoproject.orgminimal-cost-savings-closing-schools-analysis" type="external">sell off shuttered schools</a> and <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2012/10/minimal-cost-savings-closing-schools-analysis/" type="external">lay off a lot of teachers</a>, said Emily Dowdall, a senior associate for the Philadelphia Research Institute, which is part of the Pew Charitable Trust.&#160;</p>
<p>CPS officials say they are going to work with city department heads to figure out what to do with vacant buildings, but there is no specific plan in place.</p>
<p>CPS has sought to steer the discussion away from teacher layoffs, though the closing schools have about 1,100 teachers.</p>
<p>“Many of these teachers will follow their students to welcoming schools per the joint CTU-CPS agreement included in last year’s teachers’ contract, which allows tenured teachers with Superior or Excellent ratings to follow students if their position is open at the welcoming school,” according to a CPS fact sheet.</p>
<p>But <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2013/05/record-class-sizes-closing-schools/" type="external">school closings will likely mean that class sizes</a> will be bigger in the welcoming schools than in the closing ones, meaning that fewer teachers will be needed for the same number of students. &#160;A quarter of class sizes at closing and welcoming schools have fewer than 20 students—way below recommended sizes of 28 for primary grades and 31 for intermediate grades.</p>
<p>Not including these affected schools, only 9 percent of schools have such small class sizes.&#160;</p>
<p>Changing demographics, changing landscape</p>
<p>CPS officials have stressed that the main reason schools need to close is that 145,000 fewer school-age children live in the city than in 2000. But, as many have pointed out, enrollment in CPS has declined by much less: In September of 2013, CPS had 32,000 fewer students than in September of 2000.</p>
<p>Neighborhood schools have been hit hard by the district’s opening of new “schools of choice,” whether magnet schools, charter schools or selective enrollment schools. A Catalyst Chicago analysis of CPS data found that in 14 predominantly black South Side and West Side communities that CPS defines as “underutilized,” <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2013/04/sign-stability/" type="external">an average of 54 percent of elementary students attend their neighborhood school</a>. In other communities, two-thirds of elementary students attend their neighborhood school.&#160;</p>
<p>If all of the school actions are approved on Wednesday, the landscape of public education will continue to change–especially for students in particular neighborhoods,</p>
<p>Next fall, CPS will run about 84 percent of public elementary schools in Chicago, down from 86 percent this year. The rest will be run by private entities, most by charter operators or AUSL.</p>
<p>The shifting landscape will result in fewer neighborhood schools—schools where students are guaranteed a spot if they live within the attendance boundaries. In 2000, nearly 98 percent of elementary school students attended neighborhood schools.</p>
<p>Also next fall, the percentage of elementary schools with attendance boundaries will drop to 70 percent, down from 75 percent this year (should all closings be approved and with the planned opening of 10 more elementary charter schools). &#160;</p>
<p>CPS officials say this might be the wave of the future as they try to increase choices, without increasing the number of buildings in the district’s portfolio.</p>
<p>For parents like Miranda, the shift means one of two things: &#160;taking their children further from home to get to the new neighborhood school, or filling out several applications to a ‘school of choice,’ then hoping and praying that they win a spot.</p>
<p>Like so many parents in the past few months, Miranda says going further away from home poses increased danger. Miranda is worried about a busy street that her children would have to cross to get to Jenner. Other parents in her school say that there’s an entrenched rivalry between Jenner and Manierre students, so much so that teams from the two schools aren’t even allowed to play each other in sports. They worry about fights and point to nasty posts on Facebook by Jenner students threatening those at Manierre.</p>
<p>Miranda says she doesn’t think this would be a problem at Newberry, LaSalle, Skinner North or Franklin—all of which are closer to Manierre than Jenner.</p>
<p>But these are all magnet or selective schools and assigning children to them is not the way CPS works these days.</p>
<p>Below is a slideshow of Monday’s marches against school closings. The CTU organized three days of marches, which ended downtown. (Slideshow by Lucio Villa)</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Created with <a href="http://www.admarket.se" type="external">Admarket’s</a> <a href="http://flickrslidr.com" type="external">flickrSLiDR</a>.</p>
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margarita miranda moved old town 2000 area looked much different cabrini green public housing projects cast long shadow neighborhood elementary schools located every blocks today highrise public housing wiped away leaving area smattering row houses townhouses stretches stillempty lots past decade three schools served areas children closed reopenedone charter school one selective enrollment school third lease private catholic school costs 8000 year miranda parents fighting furiously save one two neighborhood schools left parent volunteer calls students manierre elementary children emphatic wont give school board scheduled vote closings wednesday son upset says mirandas son disability includes learning speech difficulties shes afraid simply shut transfer new school theres something eating even though manierre surrounded highperforming schools school children supposed attend level 3 school almost identical test scores like manierre receiving school jenner mostly black lowincome students area schools diverse far fewer poor children dont want children go level 3 school level 3 school miranda says dont want children good kids dont bother nobody respect elders ways manierre unique compared vast majority schools slated close south side west side manierre near north side nestled next wealthiest areas city ways different two months ago cps leaders announced intention close 54 schools colocate 11 hand six academy urban school leadership turned around end result school actions traditional districtrun neighborhood schools become scarcer schools students apply run private organizations continue take casting everbigger shadow district mayor cps officials cast move much differently repeatedly saying closings consolidations allow district redirect resources fewer schools district facing 1 billion budget shortfall officials say closings save 43 million year operating costs starting two years another 437 million capital costs next decade160 must ensure resources kids get kids get said byrdbennett videotaped message cps website consolidations children guaranteed get need yet many districts claims drawn intense scrutiny raised questions undercut rationale closings either costsavings school improvement strategy going better schools first claim face scrutiny students closing schools end higher performing ones according state law byrdbennett authority define higherperforming determined even school performance rating considered higher performing better majority metrics attendance test scores yet researchers note important point move school slightly better likely wont mean much students university chicago consortium school research found previous rounds closings displaced students reaped academic benefit sent markedly better schools defined top quartile 160 case six160receiving schools 55 top quartile cps schools three cases3 53 closingsare kids sent school lowest quartile school highest according analysis wbez twothirds closing schools among lowest rated cps 18 cases students sent schools equally lowrated160 even among 12 receiving schools highest cps rating broad range terms performance chopin near north side nearly 96 percent students meeting standards isat nearly 70 percent exceeding standards faraday west side 73 percent meeting standards 13 percent exceeding research shown students need exceed standards perform well high school furthermore one knows exactly many students end designated receiving schoolthe one measure higher performing last year less half students went designated receiving school many parents choosing closer convenient schools performed better school left shows catalyst analysis160 cps officials counter money invested receiving schools improve technology resources schools airconditioned ipads playgrounds libraries district also designating 19 schools specialty schools international baccalaureate stem fine arts programs year new specialty schools receive 250000 360000 extra money pay positions training leaders may meant sweeten deal parents activists incredulous schools must close order get resources common place schools parents also arent convinced new turnaround schools better children cps plans hand six schools academy urban school leadership turnaround entails firing staff including principal lunch ladies turnaround ausl gets 300000 upfront costs plus 420 per student student least five years contracts ausl five years several turnarounds extended letter parents byrdbennett said turnaround schools improved twice fast cps districtaverage want provide child access opportunities boost chance academic success receive next school year proposal approved wrote yet parents point many schools run ausl highperformers one turnaround school morton level 1 school one closing schools bethune turnaround mathew johnson parent dewey elementary says 98 percent parents signed petition saying want school given ausl says schools new administration seems right track turnaround afraid hold administration accountable says johnson serves local school council costs savings many socalled welcoming turnaround colocating schools lack resources cps officials spend big money get par april board education approved supplemental capital budget district plans finance 329 million bond 155 million go toward improvements receiving schools another 60 million fix schools slated turned around co located another school next 30 years cps pay 25 million interest principal bond expense factored 43 million cps officials say save undertaking school actions160 cps leaders repeatedly cited budget problems rationale closingsyet one reason cps facing perpetual large deficits alreadyexisting debt upcoming fiscal year districts payment principal interest scheduled rise 100 million 475 million capital cost savings also likely higher estimated cps officials lowered original capital savings estimate say district save 437 million next decade repair maintain 50some buildings shuttering six closing schools recent assessments determine capital needs 160in cases updated assessments caused cps lower savings estimate 160 order district save real money closing schools would sell shuttered schools lay lot teachers said emily dowdall senior associate philadelphia research institute part pew charitable trust160 cps officials say going work city department heads figure vacant buildings specific plan place cps sought steer discussion away teacher layoffs though closing schools 1100 teachers many teachers follow students welcoming schools per joint ctucps agreement included last years teachers contract allows tenured teachers superior excellent ratings follow students position open welcoming school according cps fact sheet school closings likely mean class sizes bigger welcoming schools closing ones meaning fewer teachers needed number students 160a quarter class sizes closing welcoming schools fewer 20 studentsway recommended sizes 28 primary grades 31 intermediate grades including affected schools 9 percent schools small class sizes160 changing demographics changing landscape cps officials stressed main reason schools need close 145000 fewer schoolage children live city 2000 many pointed enrollment cps declined much less september 2013 cps 32000 fewer students september 2000 neighborhood schools hit hard districts opening new schools choice whether magnet schools charter schools selective enrollment schools catalyst chicago analysis cps data found 14 predominantly black south side west side communities cps defines underutilized average 54 percent elementary students attend neighborhood school communities twothirds elementary students attend neighborhood school160 school actions approved wednesday landscape public education continue changeespecially students particular neighborhoods next fall cps run 84 percent public elementary schools chicago 86 percent year rest run private entities charter operators ausl shifting landscape result fewer neighborhood schoolsschools students guaranteed spot live within attendance boundaries 2000 nearly 98 percent elementary school students attended neighborhood schools also next fall percentage elementary schools attendance boundaries drop 70 percent 75 percent year closings approved planned opening 10 elementary charter schools 160 cps officials say might wave future try increase choices without increasing number buildings districts portfolio parents like miranda shift means one two things 160taking children home get new neighborhood school filling several applications school choice hoping praying win spot like many parents past months miranda says going away home poses increased danger miranda worried busy street children would cross get jenner parents school say theres entrenched rivalry jenner manierre students much teams two schools arent even allowed play sports worry fights point nasty posts facebook jenner students threatening manierre miranda says doesnt think would problem newberry lasalle skinner north franklinall closer manierre jenner magnet selective schools assigning children way cps works days slideshow mondays marches school closings ctu organized three days marches ended downtown slideshow lucio villa 160 created admarkets flickrslidr
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<p>Nearly 22 million infants around the world were not vaccinated last year that should have been, according to a <a href="http://www.who.int/immunization/newsroom/press/immunization_coverage_july2014/en/" type="external">report</a> released last week by the World Health Organization and UNICEF. The startling number underscores the need for innovations in vaccination storage and a critical re-think of existing vaccine aid programs, health advocates said.</p>
<p>Though more than 111 million infants were vaccinated last year, WHO estimates that figure accounts for only 84 percent of the world’s children – and in fact, some experts say the proportion could be even lower.</p>
<p>Most of the children who don’t receive vaccines are from countries in Africa and South East Asia, even though international aid has been directed there for years. India alone accounted for <a href="http://www.who.int/immunization/monitoring_surveillance/routine/coverage/number_unvaccinated_children_year_who_regions.pdf?ua=1" type="external">6.9 million unvaccinated infants</a>. Loopholes in economic support and governmental policies make it difficult for vaccines to reach these countries, but they could be rectified, say advocacy and humanitarian aid groups.</p>
<p>“We need to critically see how we are supporting the vaccine process,” said Kate Elder, the vaccines policy advisor for the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Access Campaign. “We need the tools to take vaccines to some of the places that are off the electrical grid – such as more heat stable vaccines – but these are yet not available to health workers.”</p>
<p>The vaccination numbers in 2013 fall short of the goal set by the Global Vaccine Action Plan, a campaign endorsed by the global health community in 2012. That plan, according to WHO, has a target of achieving 90 percent coverage for all vaccines by 2020 in order to save millions of lives.</p>
<p>“We face a challenge in closing the gap between 84 percent and 90 percent,” said Michel Zaffran, coordinator of WHO’s Expanded Programme on Immunization, in a press release last week. “It is hard for [countries] to reach all children including those in remote areas or in urban slums.”</p>
<p>However, the ‘84 percent’ figure does not even give the true picture of the status of immunization in the world, said Eric Starbuck, advisor for Save The Children’s department for Health &amp; Nutrition. Rather, it is a proxy measurement that uses coverage of one trivalent vaccine – the third dose of a vaccine called DTP that protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis – as an estimate of immunization coverage.</p>
<p>“That is a summary kind of estimate that’s been used for a long time,” he said. “It only tells part of the story.”</p>
<p>If the WHO tracked coverage for all 11 vaccines now recommended for all infants, the percentage “would be a much, much lower figure,” Starbuck said.</p>
<p>Why aren’t children getting vaccines?&#160;</p>
<p>Experts say the reasons why children miss critical vaccines are multi-layered.</p>
<p>While weak health systems are the primary reason for low vaccine coverage in developing countries, a major factor is the difficulty in reaching these children – many areas aren’t accessible due to poor roads, are mired in political conflict, or simply have no source for electricity, creating logistical challenges in carrying and storing vaccines, said Tamara Kummer, spokesperson for UNICEF’s Immunization department.</p>
<p>Currently, vaccines need to be stored at cold temperatures up until the dose is actually administered to a child. This becomes especially hard in countries with no transport facilities or electricity. UNICEF has introduced solar powered refrigerators in some countries, but it is still a challenge to transport the vaccines in cold temperatures in tropical areas, said Kummer. However,&#160; <a href="http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/article/vaccinating-children-beyond-cold-chain-extending-heat-stability-vaccines" type="external">recent research</a> indicates that some vaccines could be stored outside these cold temperatures, and experts are urging manufacturers to study this approach.</p>
<p>Aid can help improve the supply chain for vaccines, but even how aid is decided for some of these countries, is a problem, said MSF’s Elder.</p>
<p>For instance, the <a href="http://www.gavialliance.org/about/partners/bmgf/" type="external">GAVI Alliance</a>&#160;– a public-private partnership that funds vaccines for over 70 of the world's poorest countries – will be phasing out Nigeria from its vaccination aid program because the country has reached a higher economic level. This is despite the fact only 58 percent of Nigerian children received the third dose of the DTP vaccination in 2013, according to WHO figures.</p>
<p>“It is not enough to say that since a country has hit a critical economic threshold they no longer need this aid… GAVI needs to more critically think of the parameters used to make this decision,” said Elder. “Many of these countries are only wealthy on paper but their programmatic development hasn't been at the same pace, nor do they have the adequate resources to absorb the high price of new vaccines.”</p>
<p>Another concern is that WHO immunization recommendations are not always implemented, such as completing a child's vaccination series even if they are over one year of age. Many times, it could be because the recommendations aren’t communicated to the country’s leaders in charge of immunization, she said.</p>
<p>Even the kind of aid made available to these countries could be a reason, said Elder. For instance, GAVI only purchases vaccines recommended by WHO for children up to one year of age, she said.</p>
<p>The expense of some of these vaccines is also a hurdle, especially for middle-income countries that don't receive much aid. UNICEF purchases vaccines for one-third of the world’s children but newer vaccines for viruses like rotavirus, which can cause severe diarrhea, and pneumococcal disease, which can cause pneumonia, are more costly, said the agency’s spokesperson Kummer. Diarrhea and pneumonia are the top causes of death among children in the world.</p>
<p>Cultural barriers too pose a challenge. For instance in Yemen, female vaccinators have easier access to mothers who are primary caregivers, said Kummer. In remote areas of some countries like Congo, lack of information can create vaccine-hesitancy, she said.</p>
<p>A <a href="http://www.who.int/immunization/monitoring_surveillance/Global_Immunization_Data.pdf?ua=1" type="external">report</a> released by WHO earlier this year, estimates that approximately 1.5 million children died last year from diseases preventable by vaccines currently recommended by WHO.</p>
<p>“Keeping immunization at the top of global health concerns is essential. Currently most governments do not identify funding immunization programs as a priority area,” said Kummer.</p>
<p>“Sustainability and predictability of funding is crucial,” she said. “One in five kids is not getting vaccinated and that’s not acceptable.”</p>
<p>More on GlobalPost:&#160; <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/140210/pakistan-where-conspiracy-theories-can-cost-childs-life" type="external">Pakistan: Where conspiracy theories can cost a child's life</a></p>
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nearly 22 million infants around world vaccinated last year according report released last week world health organization unicef startling number underscores need innovations vaccination storage critical rethink existing vaccine aid programs health advocates said though 111 million infants vaccinated last year estimates figure accounts 84 percent worlds children fact experts say proportion could even lower children dont receive vaccines countries africa south east asia even though international aid directed years india alone accounted 69 million unvaccinated infants loopholes economic support governmental policies make difficult vaccines reach countries could rectified say advocacy humanitarian aid groups need critically see supporting vaccine process said kate elder vaccines policy advisor médecins sans frontières msf access campaign need tools take vaccines places electrical grid heat stable vaccines yet available health workers vaccination numbers 2013 fall short goal set global vaccine action plan campaign endorsed global health community 2012 plan according target achieving 90 percent coverage vaccines 2020 order save millions lives face challenge closing gap 84 percent 90 percent said michel zaffran coordinator whos expanded programme immunization press release last week hard countries reach children including remote areas urban slums however 84 percent figure even give true picture status immunization world said eric starbuck advisor save childrens department health amp nutrition rather proxy measurement uses coverage one trivalent vaccine third dose vaccine called dtp protects diphtheria tetanus pertussis estimate immunization coverage summary kind estimate thats used long time said tells part story tracked coverage 11 vaccines recommended infants percentage would much much lower figure starbuck said arent children getting vaccines160 experts say reasons children miss critical vaccines multilayered weak health systems primary reason low vaccine coverage developing countries major factor difficulty reaching children many areas arent accessible due poor roads mired political conflict simply source electricity creating logistical challenges carrying storing vaccines said tamara kummer spokesperson unicefs immunization department currently vaccines need stored cold temperatures dose actually administered child becomes especially hard countries transport facilities electricity unicef introduced solar powered refrigerators countries still challenge transport vaccines cold temperatures tropical areas said kummer however160 recent research indicates vaccines could stored outside cold temperatures experts urging manufacturers study approach aid help improve supply chain vaccines even aid decided countries problem said msfs elder instance gavi alliance160 publicprivate partnership funds vaccines 70 worlds poorest countries phasing nigeria vaccination aid program country reached higher economic level despite fact 58 percent nigerian children received third dose dtp vaccination 2013 according figures enough say since country hit critical economic threshold longer need aid gavi needs critically think parameters used make decision said elder many countries wealthy paper programmatic development hasnt pace adequate resources absorb high price new vaccines another concern immunization recommendations always implemented completing childs vaccination series even one year age many times could recommendations arent communicated countrys leaders charge immunization said even kind aid made available countries could reason said elder instance gavi purchases vaccines recommended children one year age said expense vaccines also hurdle especially middleincome countries dont receive much aid unicef purchases vaccines onethird worlds children newer vaccines viruses like rotavirus cause severe diarrhea pneumococcal disease cause pneumonia costly said agencys spokesperson kummer diarrhea pneumonia top causes death among children world cultural barriers pose challenge instance yemen female vaccinators easier access mothers primary caregivers said kummer remote areas countries like congo lack information create vaccinehesitancy said report released earlier year estimates approximately 15 million children died last year diseases preventable vaccines currently recommended keeping immunization top global health concerns essential currently governments identify funding immunization programs priority area said kummer sustainability predictability funding crucial said one five kids getting vaccinated thats acceptable globalpost160 pakistan conspiracy theories cost childs life
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<p>CURWOOD: Well, it's hardly a surprise, given the highly partisan nature of US politics at the moment, that Republicans have a different take on these climate hearings. David Kreutzer is the research fellow in energy, economics and climate change at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think-tank, and we called him up to ask what he thought had prompted House Republicans to call for hearings at this time. KREUTZER: I think what they're seeing is a regulatory push to enact climate legislation as it were, or to push climate legislation, and they are worried that the science used to support some of these regulations isnt up to snuff, and I think they would like to check into that. CURWOOD: Now Congress hasnt been able to pass legislation on this. What do you think of the Presidents regulatory framework on climate? KREUTZER: Well, his regulatory framework seems to be pretty much a war on coal, and if you look at the regulations, thats pretty much what were getting. Theyre going after coal in a variety of different ways, and pretty much no ones building new coal plants now. CURWOOD: David, you write a fair amount about environmental economics. Tell us what addressing climate change would mean for our economy. KREUTZER: Well, it depends how you address it and to what level. Were having climate change. We know that weve been having it for millions of years. Temperatures go up, temperatures go down, sea levels go up and down. So I think what you want to do is say, well what do we get for the money that we spend on the different approaches to adapting or preventing climate problems? If you simply try to do it all through restricting carbon dioxide, it gets very expensive, and you dont really get much bang for the buck. And if we were to have fully enacted, the Waxman-Markey cap and trade bill, the best high end estimate of our likely impact on world temperatures 100 years from now is about two-tenths of a degree. David Kreutzer (photo: Heritage Foundation) CURWOOD: What do you think is the motivation of the people who are advancing what you think are inappropriate models of climate performance? KREUTZER: Well, if they do say theres an amazing problem coming down then youre more likely to hear them than if you say theres not much of a problem. Youre going to get more money to investigate catastrophes than you are to investigate if theres nothing much happening. CURWOOD: So this is the Chicken Little school of getting budgets, you say? KREUTZER: Ah, thats a pretty good description. CURWOOD: Now the House Committee thats having these hearings...up until now they had refused to hold any hearings on climate change. David, what do you think this might signal in terms of a shift in their perspective on the science of climate change? KREUTZER: Well, I think they are more confident in the science supporting the positions theyve held, and its not the mindless theres no warming, C02s not a greenhouse gas - I dont know any skeptics, serious ones, that hold that position. The question is how much warming are we having? Are we heading toward a catastrophe? It seems to be very clear were not, and to what extent can you moderate that temperature increase and what does it cost, or are there other approaches, other better ways, to spend money to protect ourselves from hurricane damage and tornado damage and to promote economic growth? CURWOOD: Now, as I understand, the proposed witness list includes representatives from every major agency to talk about the climate change programs and the budgets associated with that. Some cynics have suggested that perhaps the House is looking for an opportunity to further cut agency action on climate change from the federal budget. KREUTZER: Well, I think they would want to look and see what benefit youre getting from it, and if youre not getting much benefit and its costing a lot then maybe they would want to cut it. I mean, thats pretty generic. You want to spend your money effectively, and just calling something a climate policy doesnt mean actually it is one, doesnt mean its an effective one, and it doesnt mean its affordable. CURWOOD: Now the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change will shortly have its latest report out which gives it 95 percent confidence that humans are having an effect. And the numbers they have show that we may well be headed on the path to catastrophe here. If Congress cant act, and the President sees warnings that we could be headed into catastrophe, what alternative does he or she have but to use a regulatory process? KREUTZER: Well, theres a bait and switch in that argument you just gave. And that is theres 95 percent confidence that humans are having an impact. I dont know if its 95 percent, lets say its 100 percent. The question is how much impact are they having. CURWOOD: Well, wait a second... KREUTZER: Thats where you dont have this huge consensus that people keeping talking about. Yes, you can get a whole bunch of scientists to agree C02s a greenhouse gas and were emitting C02. You cant get this 93 or 97 percent or whatever to say that we headed towards seven feet of sea level rise in 100 years or something like that. CURWOOD: Yes, I would say that the science Ive been shown involving the IPCC is pretty firm about the range that well get on the two degree [Celsius] rise that international agreements say that were trying to limit things to. Lets say that the scientists who say that were headed to catastrophe, theres a 10 percent chance that theyre right. Is that an appropriate risk for our civilization? KREUTZER: Um, I dont think its a 10 percent chance that its right. CURWOOD: David Kreutzer is the research fellow in energy, economics and climate change at the Heritage Foundation. David, thanks so much for taking this time with me today. KREUTZER: Thanks for giving me the chance to give my view.</p>
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curwood well hardly surprise given highly partisan nature us politics moment republicans different take climate hearings david kreutzer research fellow energy economics climate change heritage foundation conservative thinktank called ask thought prompted house republicans call hearings time kreutzer think theyre seeing regulatory push enact climate legislation push climate legislation worried science used support regulations isnt snuff think would like check curwood congress hasnt able pass legislation think presidents regulatory framework climate kreutzer well regulatory framework seems pretty much war coal look regulations thats pretty much getting theyre going coal variety different ways pretty much ones building new coal plants curwood david write fair amount environmental economics tell us addressing climate change would mean economy kreutzer well depends address level climate change know weve millions years temperatures go temperatures go sea levels go think want say well get money spend different approaches adapting preventing climate problems simply try restricting carbon dioxide gets expensive dont really get much bang buck fully enacted waxmanmarkey cap trade bill best high end estimate likely impact world temperatures 100 years twotenths degree david kreutzer photo heritage foundation curwood think motivation people advancing think inappropriate models climate performance kreutzer well say theres amazing problem coming youre likely hear say theres much problem youre going get money investigate catastrophes investigate theres nothing much happening curwood chicken little school getting budgets say kreutzer ah thats pretty good description curwood house committee thats hearingsup refused hold hearings climate change david think might signal terms shift perspective science climate change kreutzer well think confident science supporting positions theyve held mindless theres warming c02s greenhouse gas dont know skeptics serious ones hold position question much warming heading toward catastrophe seems clear extent moderate temperature increase cost approaches better ways spend money protect hurricane damage tornado damage promote economic growth curwood understand proposed witness list includes representatives every major agency talk climate change programs budgets associated cynics suggested perhaps house looking opportunity cut agency action climate change federal budget kreutzer well think would want look see benefit youre getting youre getting much benefit costing lot maybe would want cut mean thats pretty generic want spend money effectively calling something climate policy doesnt mean actually one doesnt mean effective one doesnt mean affordable curwood intergovernmental panel climate change shortly latest report gives 95 percent confidence humans effect numbers show may well headed path catastrophe congress cant act president sees warnings could headed catastrophe alternative use regulatory process kreutzer well theres bait switch argument gave theres 95 percent confidence humans impact dont know 95 percent lets say 100 percent question much impact curwood well wait second kreutzer thats dont huge consensus people keeping talking yes get whole bunch scientists agree c02s greenhouse gas emitting c02 cant get 93 97 percent whatever say headed towards seven feet sea level rise 100 years something like curwood yes would say science ive shown involving ipcc pretty firm range well get two degree celsius rise international agreements say trying limit things lets say scientists say headed catastrophe theres 10 percent chance theyre right appropriate risk civilization kreutzer um dont think 10 percent chance right curwood david kreutzer research fellow energy economics climate change heritage foundation david thanks much taking time today kreutzer thanks giving chance give view
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<p>(‘Call Me By Your Name.’ Screenshot via YouTube.)</p>
<p>The 29th annual GLAAD Media Awards announced its 2018 nominees at the Sundance Film Festival on Friday via Trace Lysette (“Transparent”) and Wilson Cruz (“Star Trek: Discovery”).</p>
<p>Netflix raked in the most nominations for television with seven nominations. ABC, CBS and NBC came in at a close second with six nominations. This was also the first time the category&#160;Outstanding Kids &amp; Family Programming was introduced which recognizes “Andi Mack,” and “Doc McStuffins,” among others, for their LGBT inclusion.</p>
<p>Critically-acclaimed films “Call Me By Your Name,” “Lady Bird” and “The Shape of Water” also scored nominations.</p>
<p>For music, Miley Cyrus, Sam Smith, Halsey and Kesha all earned nominations for Outstanding Music Artist.</p>
<p>Special recognition was also given to the animated short film “In a Heartbeat,” written and directed by&#160;Esteban Bravo and Beth David, as well as Jay-Z’s track “Smile,” about his mother’s coming out, from his album “4:44.”</p>
<p>Check out the full list of nominees below.</p>
<p>OUTSTANDING FILM – WIDE RELEASE “Battle of the Sexes” (Fox Searchlight) “Call Me by Your Name” (Sony Pictures Classics) “Lady Bird” (A24) “Professor Marston and the Wonder Women” (Annapurna Pictures) “The Shape of Water” (Fox Searchlight)</p>
<p>OUTSTANDING FILM – LIMITED RELEASE “BPM” (The Orchard) “A Fantastic Woman” (Sony Pictures Classics) “God’s Own Country” (Samuel Goldwyn Films/Orion Pictures) “Thelma” (The Orchard) “The Wound” (Kino Lorber)</p>
<p>OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES “The Bold Type” (Freeform) “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (FOX) “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” (The CW) “Modern Family” (ABC) “One Day at a Time” (Netflix) “One Mississippi” (Amazon) “Superstore” (NBC) “Survivor’s Remorse” (Starz) “Transparent” (Amazon) “Will &amp; Grace” (NBC)</p>
<p>OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES “Billions” (Showtime) “Doubt” (CBS) “The Handmaid’s Tale” (Hulu) “Nashville” (CMT) “Sense8” (Netflix) “Shadowhunters” (Freeform) “Star” (FOX) “Star Trek: Discovery” (CBS All Access) “This Is Us” (NBC) “Wynonna Earp” (Syfy)</p>
<p>OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL EPISODE (in a series without a regular LGBTQ character) “Chapter 8”, “Legion” (FX) “Grace”, “Pure Genius” (CBS) “Lady Cha Cha”, “Easy” (Netflix) “The Missionaries”, “Room 104” (HBO) “Thanksgiving”, “Master of None” (Netflix)</p>
<p>OUTSTANDING TV MOVIE OR LIMITED SERIES “American Horror Story: Cult” (FX) “Feud: Bette and Joan” (FX) “Godless” (Netflix) “Queers” (BBC America) “When We Rise” (ABC)</p>
<p>OUTSTANDING KIDS &amp; FAMILY PROGRAMMING “Andi Mack” (Disney Channel) “Chosen Family”, “Danger &amp; Eggs” (Amazon) “The Emergency Plan”, “Doc McStuffins” (Disney Channel) “The Loud House” (Nickelodeon) “Steven Universe” (Cartoon Network)</p>
<p>OUTSTANDING DOCUMENTARY “Chavela” (Music Box Films) “Gender Revolution: A Journey with Katie Couric” (National Geographic) “Kiki” (Sundance Selects) “Real Boy”- “Independent Lens” (PBS) “This is Everything: Gigi Gorgeous” (YouTube Red)</p>
<p>OUTSTANDING REALITY PROGRAM “Gaycation with Ellen Page” (Viceland) “I Am Jazz” (TLC) “RuPaul’s Drag Race” (VH1) “Survivor: Game Changers” (CBS) “The Voice” (NBC)</p>
<p>OUTSTANDING MUSIC ARTIST Miley Cyrus, “Younger Now” (RCA Records) Halsey, “Hopeless Fountain Kingdom” (Astralwerks Records) Honey Dijon, “The Best of Both Worlds” (Classic Music Company) Kehlani, “SweetSexySavage” (TSNMI/Atlantic Records) Kelela, “Take Me Apart” (Warp Records) Kesha, “Rainbow” (Kemosabe/RCA Records) Perfume Genius, “No Shape” (Matador Records) Sam Smith, “The Thrill of It All” (Capitol Records) St. Vincent, “MASSEDUCTION” (Loma Vista Recordings) Wrabel, “We Could Be Beautiful” (Epic/Sony Records)</p>
<p>OUTSTANDING COMIC BOOK “America,” written by Gabby Rivera (Marvel Comics) “The Backstagers,” written by James Tynion IV (BOOM! Studios) “Batwoman,” written by Marguerite Bennett, James Tynion IV (DC Comics) “Black Panther: World of Wakanda,” written by Roxane Gay, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Yona Harvey, Rembert “Browne” (Marvel Comics) “Deadman: Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love,” written by Sarah Vaughn (DC Comics) “Goldie Vance,” written by Hope Larson, Jackie Ball (BOOM! Studios) “Iceman,” written by Sina Grace (Marvel Comics) “Lumberjanes,” written by Kat Leyh, Shannon Watters (BOOM! Studios) “Quantum Teens are Go,” written by Magdalene Visaggio (Black Mask Comics) “The Woods,” written by James Tynion IV (BOOM! Studios)</p>
<p>OUTSTANDING DAILY DRAMA “The Bold and The Beautiful” (CBS) “Days of Our Lives” (NBC) “The Young &amp; the Restless” (CBS)</p>
<p>OUTSTANDING TALK SHOW EPISODE “Australia Marriage Equality”, “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” (HBO) “Danica Roem”, “The Opposition with Jordan Klepper” (Comedy Central) “Laila and Logan Ireland, Transgender Military Couple”, “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” (syndicated) “Laverne Cox and Gavin Grimm”, “The View” (ABC) “Trans Veterans React to Ban”, “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” (Comedy Central)</p>
<p>OUTSTANDING TV JOURNALISM – NEWSMAGAZINE “A Boy Named Lucas”, “20/20” (ABC) “China Queer”, “The Naked Truth” (Fusion) “Gay Purge?”, “Nightline” (ABC) “The Pulse of Orlando: Terror at the Nightclub”, “Anderson Cooper 360” (CNN) “Trans Youth”, “VICE on HBO” (HBO)</p>
<p>OUTSTANDING TV JOURNALISM SEGMENT “The Abolitionists Face the Love Army” KAPP-KVEW Local News (KAPP-35/KVEW-42 [Tri Cities/Yakima, Wash.]) “DJ Zeke Thomas Goes Public”, “Good Morning America” (ABC) “Murders Raise Alarm for Transgender Community”, “NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt” (NBC) “Transgender Murders in Louisiana Part of Disturbing Trend”, “CBS Evening News” (CBS) “Transgender Rights under Fire in Trump Era”, “AM Joy” (MSNBC)</p>
<p>OUTSTANDING NEWSPAPER ARTICLE “Fearfully and Wonderfully Made: The Journey of a Transgender Man” by Lauren McGaughy (The Dallas Morning News) “Lesbian College Coaches Still Face Difficult Atmosphere to Come Out” by Shannon Ryan (Chicago Tribune) “Pulse Victims’ Families in Puerto Rico: ‘We Have to Cry Alone'” by Jennifer A. Marcial Ocasio (Orlando Sentinel) “Revised Guidance on HIV Proves Life-Transforming” by Lenny Bernstein (The Washington Post) “The Silent Epidemic: Black Gay Men and HIV” [series] (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)</p>
<p>OUTSTANDING MAGAZINE ARTICLE “America’s Hidden H.I.V. Epidemic” by Linda Villarosa (The New York Times Magazine) “Beyond ‘He’ or ‘She’: The Changing Meaning of Gender and Sexuality” by Katy Steinmetz (Time) “Forbidden Lives: The Gay Men Who Fled Chechnya’s Purge” by Masha Gessen (The New Yorker) “Free Radical” by Nathan Heller (Vogue) “Trans, Teen, and Homeless” by Laura Rena Murray (Rolling Stone)</p>
<p>OUTSTANDING MAGAZINE OVERALL COVERAGE The Advocate Billboard People Teen Vogue Time</p>
<p>OUTSTANDING DIGITAL JOURNALISM ARTICLE “The Ballad of Bobby Brooks, the First Gay Student-Body President of Texas A&amp;M” by Lauren Larson (GQ.com) “For Those We Lost and Those Who Survived: The Pulse Massacre One Year Later” by James Michael Nichols (HuffPost Queer Voices) “‘I Am a Girl Now,’ Sage Smith Wrote. Then She Went Missing.” by Emma Eisenberg (Splinter) “Meet the Transgender Student Who Fought Discrimination at His Maryland High School (and Won)” by Nico Lang (INTO) “Why Bisexual Men Are Still Fighting to Convince Us They Exist” by Samantha Allen (Splinter)</p>
<p>OUTSTANDING DIGITAL JOURNALISM – MULTIMEDIA “Former Patriots and Chiefs Tackle Ryan O’Callaghan Comes Out as Gay” by Cyd Zeigler (Outsports/SB Nation) “Made to Model: Trans Beauty in Fashion” (LogoTV.com) “‘This Is How We Win’: Inside Danica Roem’s Historic Victory” by Diana Tourjée (Broadly.Vice.com) “Transgender Day of Remembrance” by Saeed Jones (AM to DM, BuzzFeed News) “US Travel Ban Leaves LGBT Refugees in Limbo” by Nina dos Santos (CNN.com)</p>
<p>OUTSTANDING BLOG Autostraddle Gays With Kids My Fabulous Disease Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents Transgriot</p>
<p>OUTSTANDING SCRIPTED TELEVISION SERIES “Las chicas del cable” (Netflix) “La doble vida de Estela Carrillo” (Univision) “Ingobernable” (Netflix)</p>
<p>OUTSTANDING TV JOURNALISM – NEWSMAGAZINE (Spanish Language) “Así viven los estudiantes transgénero después de que Trump anulara la ley de baños de Obama para escuela públicas” , “Primer Impacto” (Univision) “Pulse, huellas de la masacre”, “Docufilms” (CNN en Español) “Ser transgénero en Latinoamérica: sus experiencias y crecimiento”, “Vive la Salud” (CNN en Español)</p>
<p>OUTSTANDING TV JOURNALISM SEGMENT (Spanish Language) “Comunidad LGBTQ vulnerable bajo nuevo gobierno”, “Perspectiva Nacional” (Entravision) “Entrevista con Daniela Vega”, “Showbiz” (CNN en Español) “Joven transgénero tiene un mensaje para las familias: ‘Acepten a sus hijos'”, “Al Punto” (Univision) “El triunfo de una diseñadora mexicana transgénero en Nueva York”, “Noticias Telemundo” (Telemundo) “Unidos contra la discriminación y el acoso contra la comunidad LGBT”, “Despierta América” (Univision)</p>
<p>OUTSTANDING DIGITAL JOURNALISM (Spanish Language) “La compleja realidad de ser gay en América Latina” (cnnespanol.cnn.com) “‘No aprobar el Dream Act significaría una sentencia de muerte’, jóvenes LGBT y DACA” (laopinion.com) “Padres de familia de Dallas luchan por los derechos de su hija transgénero” (aldiadallas.com) “Primera senadora trans aspira a impulsar medidas para sectores discriminados” (efe.com) “Tres hermanitos para dos papás” (laopinion.com)</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">2018 GLAAD Media Awards</a> <a href="" type="internal">Call Me By Your Name</a> <a href="" type="internal">GLAAD Media Awards</a> <a href="" type="internal">Halsey</a> <a href="" type="internal">In a Heartbeat</a> <a href="" type="internal">Jay-Z</a> <a href="" type="internal">Kesha</a> <a href="" type="internal">Lady Bird</a> <a href="" type="internal">Miley Cyrus</a> <a href="" type="internal">The Shape of Water</a></p>
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call name screenshot via youtube 29th annual glaad media awards announced 2018 nominees sundance film festival friday via trace lysette transparent wilson cruz star trek discovery netflix raked nominations television seven nominations abc cbs nbc came close second six nominations also first time category160outstanding kids amp family programming introduced recognizes andi mack doc mcstuffins among others lgbt inclusion criticallyacclaimed films call name lady bird shape water also scored nominations music miley cyrus sam smith halsey kesha earned nominations outstanding music artist special recognition also given animated short film heartbeat written directed by160esteban bravo beth david well jayzs track smile mothers coming album 444 check full list nominees outstanding film wide release battle sexes fox searchlight call name sony pictures classics lady bird a24 professor marston wonder women annapurna pictures shape water fox searchlight outstanding film limited release bpm orchard fantastic woman sony pictures classics gods country samuel goldwyn filmsorion pictures thelma orchard wound kino lorber outstanding comedy series bold type freeform brooklyn ninenine fox crazy exgirlfriend cw modern family abc one day time netflix one mississippi amazon superstore nbc survivors remorse starz transparent amazon amp grace nbc outstanding drama series billions showtime doubt cbs handmaids tale hulu nashville cmt sense8 netflix shadowhunters freeform star fox star trek discovery cbs access us nbc wynonna earp syfy outstanding individual episode series without regular lgbtq character chapter 8 legion fx grace pure genius cbs lady cha cha easy netflix missionaries room 104 hbo thanksgiving master none netflix outstanding tv movie limited series american horror story cult fx feud bette joan fx godless netflix queers bbc america rise abc outstanding kids amp family programming andi mack disney channel chosen family danger amp eggs amazon emergency plan doc mcstuffins disney channel loud house nickelodeon steven universe cartoon network outstanding documentary chavela music box films gender revolution journey katie couric national geographic kiki sundance selects real boy independent lens pbs everything gigi gorgeous youtube red outstanding reality program gaycation ellen page viceland jazz tlc rupauls drag race vh1 survivor game changers cbs voice nbc outstanding music artist miley cyrus younger rca records halsey hopeless fountain kingdom astralwerks records honey dijon best worlds classic music company kehlani sweetsexysavage tsnmiatlantic records kelela take apart warp records kesha rainbow kemosaberca records perfume genius shape matador records sam smith thrill capitol records st vincent masseduction loma vista recordings wrabel could beautiful epicsony records outstanding comic book america written gabby rivera marvel comics backstagers written james tynion iv boom studios batwoman written marguerite bennett james tynion iv dc comics black panther world wakanda written roxane gay tanehisi coates yona harvey rembert browne marvel comics deadman dark mansion forbidden love written sarah vaughn dc comics goldie vance written hope larson jackie ball boom studios iceman written sina grace marvel comics lumberjanes written kat leyh shannon watters boom studios quantum teens go written magdalene visaggio black mask comics woods written james tynion iv boom studios outstanding daily drama bold beautiful cbs days lives nbc young amp restless cbs outstanding talk show episode australia marriage equality last week tonight john oliver hbo danica roem opposition jordan klepper comedy central laila logan ireland transgender military couple ellen degeneres show syndicated laverne cox gavin grimm view abc trans veterans react ban daily show trevor noah comedy central outstanding tv journalism newsmagazine boy named lucas 2020 abc china queer naked truth fusion gay purge nightline abc pulse orlando terror nightclub anderson cooper 360 cnn trans youth vice hbo hbo outstanding tv journalism segment abolitionists face love army kappkvew local news kapp35kvew42 tri citiesyakima wash dj zeke thomas goes public good morning america abc murders raise alarm transgender community nbc nightly news lester holt nbc transgender murders louisiana part disturbing trend cbs evening news cbs transgender rights fire trump era joy msnbc outstanding newspaper article fearfully wonderfully made journey transgender man lauren mcgaughy dallas morning news lesbian college coaches still face difficult atmosphere come shannon ryan chicago tribune pulse victims families puerto rico cry alone jennifer marcial ocasio orlando sentinel revised guidance hiv proves lifetransforming lenny bernstein washington post silent epidemic black gay men hiv series atlanta journalconstitution outstanding magazine article americas hidden hiv epidemic linda villarosa new york times magazine beyond changing meaning gender sexuality katy steinmetz time forbidden lives gay men fled chechnyas purge masha gessen new yorker free radical nathan heller vogue trans teen homeless laura rena murray rolling stone outstanding magazine overall coverage advocate billboard people teen vogue time outstanding digital journalism article ballad bobby brooks first gay studentbody president texas aampm lauren larson gqcom lost survived pulse massacre one year later james michael nichols huffpost queer voices girl sage smith wrote went missing emma eisenberg splinter meet transgender student fought discrimination maryland high school nico lang bisexual men still fighting convince us exist samantha allen splinter outstanding digital journalism multimedia former patriots chiefs tackle ryan ocallaghan comes gay cyd zeigler outsportssb nation made model trans beauty fashion logotvcom win inside danica roems historic victory diana tourjée broadlyvicecom transgender day remembrance saeed jones dm buzzfeed news us travel ban leaves lgbt refugees limbo nina dos santos cnncom outstanding blog autostraddle gays kids fabulous disease pittsburgh lesbian correspondents transgriot outstanding scripted television series las chicas del cable netflix la doble vida de estela carrillo univision ingobernable netflix outstanding tv journalism newsmagazine spanish language así viven los estudiantes transgénero después de que trump anulara la ley de baños de obama para escuela públicas primer impacto univision pulse huellas de la masacre docufilms cnn en español ser transgénero en latinoamérica sus experiencias crecimiento vive la salud cnn en español outstanding tv journalism segment spanish language comunidad lgbtq vulnerable bajo nuevo gobierno perspectiva nacional entravision entrevista con daniela vega showbiz cnn en español joven transgénero tiene un mensaje para las familias acepten sus hijos al punto univision el triunfo de una diseñadora mexicana transgénero en nueva york noticias telemundo telemundo unidos contra la discriminación el acoso contra la comunidad lgbt despierta américa univision outstanding digital journalism spanish language la compleja realidad de ser gay en américa latina cnnespanolcnncom aprobar el dream act significaría una sentencia de muerte jóvenes lgbt daca laopinioncom padres de familia de dallas luchan por los derechos de su hija transgénero aldiadallascom primera senadora trans aspira impulsar medidas para sectores discriminados efecom tres hermanitos para dos papás laopinioncom 160 2018 glaad media awards call name glaad media awards halsey heartbeat jayz kesha lady bird miley cyrus shape water
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<p>In the last 25 years, 30 states have passed legislation that requires school districts to provide new teacher induction programs, but only 16 of them pay for it. And today’s tough economic times across the country are threatening some of those.</p>
<p>Districts that provide such programs, whether they are mandated or not, have realized positive results—fewer new teachers leave, and teaching skills are developed and improved.</p>
<p>Legislators and academics recognize mentoring as a strategy for boosting student achievement and a key tool for reducing the exodus of new teachers in urban schools, nearly half of whom leave before reaching their fifth year, according to Michael Knapp of the University of Washington.</p>
<p>Last spring, the Illinois State Board of Education recommended that legislators allocate $11 million to pay for a required two-year mentoring program for new teachers. (A law mandating the new teacher induction program was signed this summer.) But funding was cut in the final state budget.</p>
<p>At best, the national landscape for mentoring is “uneven and muddied,” observes Barnett Berry, director of the Southeast Center for Teaching Quality. The following are snapshots of the national terrain for model programs to support new teachers.</p>
<p>Thibodaux, La.:</p>
<p>Program doubles retention</p>
<p>One of the more successful programs is in Lafourche Parish Public Schools and it was recently adopted as a model for the entire state. Since 1996, when the program began, Lafourche Parish’s annual teacher retention rate has increased from 50 percent to 93 percent. Test scores and the number of qualified teachers in the district of more than 15,000 students have risen, too. The cost of the district’s program, which continues through teachers’ third year on the job, runs $50,000 a year.</p>
<p>Nearly 80 new teachers enter the school district each year. “We assume they don’t know how to teach,” says Annette Breaux, who coordinates the induction program in Thibodaux, La.</p>
<p>But Breaux says the system addresses the novices’ lack of knowledge in an intensive four-day orientation in August that is a “crash course in classroom teaching and effective management.”</p>
<p>Once school begins, mentors observe new teachers every nine weeks, and help them develop individual improvement plans to use as self-evaluation tools. New teachers have daily access to on-site curriculum support, monthly meetings with peers, and a full-day retreat in April.</p>
<p>Each of these activities emphasizes integrating the new teachers into the school community—an approach that some novices find surprising, Breaux says. “The biggest punch initially is that people are welcomed with open arms,” she says.</p>
<p>Delaware:</p>
<p>3 years required</p>
<p>This year, Delaware adopted one of the strongest new teacher support programs. For the first time, districts are required to provide mentors for new teachers during the first three years on the job.</p>
<p>This commitment is one of the nation’s longest, according to Mary Ellen Kotz, who oversees professional accountability for the Delaware Department of Education. For every first-year teacher, Delaware spends $1,700 on mentor stipends, consultants’ fees and district grants, Kotz says, and nearly $2 million on the program.</p>
<p>Initially piloted in three districts in 1994, Delaware’s one-year mentoring and induction program expanded to each of the state’s 19 districts by 1999. The new law added an additional two years of mentoring and expanded the mandate to 13 charter schools. First-year teachers must attend regional district level workshops, observe experienced teachers, and spend 30 hours a year with their mentors.</p>
<p>Delaware’s program is unusual in that it mentors administrators and it defines school nurses, counselors, librarians and school psychologists as teachers. Since its inception, the program has produced plenty of anecdotal reports that document its impact, but “no hard data,” says Susan Fioravanti, a lead mentor in the Colonial School District in New Castle County.</p>
<p>Oklahoma:</p>
<p>Budget slashed</p>
<p>Mentoring has been required for more than two decades in Oklahoma, but this year mentors will be working for free. Legislators in Oklahoma have already informed mentors that they have slashed the budget by $1 million.</p>
<p>In the past, mentors have received stipends of up to $500 per year, says Ramona Paul, assistant state superintendent, who expects the payments to resume next year.</p>
<p>The program was largely viewed as a success. Created by the state’s Teacher Reform Act of 1980, the mentor program was first implemented during the 1982-83 school year. While the state does not collect data on the program, surveys of first-year teachers have shown positive results, according to Linda Ruhman, director of the state’s Resident Teacher Program.</p>
<p>A committee comprised of a mentor, an administrator and a representative of a teacher education institution guide beginning teachers. The committee meets three times a year, and each member observes the new teacher in the classroom three times. At the end of the teacher’s first year, the committee decides whether to award the teacher certification or require a second year in the resident program.</p>
<p>California:</p>
<p>Big state, big spending</p>
<p>In California, state and local monies combine for one of the most extensive mentoring programs in the country—each incoming teacher automatically enters a two-year mentoring program.</p>
<p>Districts receive more than $3,400 per new teacher from the state to spend on assessment and training materials, and to hire substitute teachers to fill in when new teachers are collaborating with colleagues or taking professional development classes. Each school district is required to kick in another $2,000 worth of teacher supplies and services. On a per-teacher basis, California’s program is the most expensive in the nation, says Jaymee Kjelland, a consultant for the California Department of Education.</p>
<p>Statewide retention rates for first- and second-year teachers rose to 91 percent by the end of the 1990s, say department officials.</p>
<p>But since then, the program has struggled to maintain quality while serving the rapidly growing number of uncertified teachers who were hired since the state legislature mandated reducing class size, says Ellen Moir, director of the New Teacher Center at the University of California, Santa Cruz.</p>
<p>The New Teacher Center mentors about 600 novice teachers each year and studies best practices in teacher induction, but is not connected to the state’s new teacher program.</p>
<p>Rochester, NY:</p>
<p>Career ladder, mentors retain more new teachers</p>
<p>In Rochester, a district with 36,500 students and 3,600 teachers, mentoring is tied to decisions about whether to keep new teachers.</p>
<p>Each mentor, responsible for one to four new teachers, observes his or her charges as many as 45 times per year, according to Martha Keating, first vice-president of the Rochester Teachers Association. To compensate them, mentors are released from up to half of their teaching load, or receive an additional 10 percent pay. Rochester attempts to match every first-year teacher with a mentor, but is not required to do so. Mentors may work with teachers during their second year if necessary.</p>
<p>Along with district administrators and input of mentors, Rochester has devised a four-step career ladder in which teachers move through intern, resident, permanently certified and professional stages. Keating says the system retains 80 percent of its mentored teachers.</p>
<p>Since its inception in 1987, union and school district officials have joined together to make the program work, Keating adds. A panel composed of six members of the teachers union and six school district officials, reviews principal and mentor evaluations of first-year teachers. If a principal wants to fire a new teacher and the mentor disagrees, the panel discusses subsequent options for the teacher. Often, interns who are doing poorly at one school are given a second chance at another school, where many have “gone on to be very successful,” Keating notes.</p>
<p>Susan Villani, senior program associate at WestEd, a federally funded education research center, says mentors who are also evaluators face two challenges.</p>
<p>Their dual role could “make it more difficult to have a trusting relationship,” says Villani, who wrote the book “Mentoring Programs for New Teachers: Models of Induction and Support.” At the same time, the mentor’s relationship with a new teacher could make it difficult for them to say the novice is not doing a good job.</p>
<p>Columbus, Ohio:</p>
<p>More retained, released</p>
<p>As in Rochester, N.Y., sometimes teachers can be tougher on each other than outsiders. The Columbus Education Association steps in when its teachers are not teaching effectively, according to President John Grossman. But first-year teachers also receive support through graduate courses at Ohio State University that are tailored to their individual needs.</p>
<p>The school district dismisses up to 7 percent of first-year teachers annually for poor performance—far more than district officials fired when it had sole responsibility for teacher evaluation, Grossman says.</p>
<p>But Columbus, which participates in the Peer Assistance and Review program, also retains as many as 80 percent of new teachers every year, he notes.</p>
<p>Every first-year teacher is observed at least 20 times by a mentor, generally a colleague who teaches the same subject and grade level. After each observation, the mentor gives the new teacher written feedback, and meets with him or her to discuss interactions with students and teaching strategies.</p>
<p>The regular first-hand observations usually guarantee that principals and union members will agree on whether to keep or fire the new teachers by the end of the year, Grossman says.</p>
<p>Minneapolis:</p>
<p>Full-time teacher, part-time schedule</p>
<p>Collaboration between one high school in the Minneapolis School District, the teachers union and the University of Minnesota has produced a unique teacher residency program.</p>
<p>After graduation, about 15 residents have an opportunity to carry a lighter teaching load while earning full-time pay. Their modified schedule calls for them to spend 60 percent of their time teaching class, and the rest of their time preparing lessons and taking professional development courses.</p>
<p>Beginning teachers receive regular support from a school mentor, other new teachers and the school’s principal, says Steve Yussen, dean of the university’s College of Education and Human Development. It seems to make a difference. The tiny program has an 82 percent retention rate over a 12-year period, and now, about a third of the high school’s 100 teachers are former residents, Yussen says.</p>
<p>Teacher stability is a key factor for students’ success, he notes. “There’s a fair amount of information that shows schools that beat the odds … have [similar] characteristics,” he said. “One of them is stability.”</p>
<p>Jeff Kelly Lowenstein is a freelance writer.</p>
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last 25 years 30 states passed legislation requires school districts provide new teacher induction programs 16 pay todays tough economic times across country threatening districts provide programs whether mandated realized positive resultsfewer new teachers leave teaching skills developed improved legislators academics recognize mentoring strategy boosting student achievement key tool reducing exodus new teachers urban schools nearly half leave reaching fifth year according michael knapp university washington last spring illinois state board education recommended legislators allocate 11 million pay required twoyear mentoring program new teachers law mandating new teacher induction program signed summer funding cut final state budget best national landscape mentoring uneven muddied observes barnett berry director southeast center teaching quality following snapshots national terrain model programs support new teachers thibodaux la program doubles retention one successful programs lafourche parish public schools recently adopted model entire state since 1996 program began lafourche parishs annual teacher retention rate increased 50 percent 93 percent test scores number qualified teachers district 15000 students risen cost districts program continues teachers third year job runs 50000 year nearly 80 new teachers enter school district year assume dont know teach says annette breaux coordinates induction program thibodaux la breaux says system addresses novices lack knowledge intensive fourday orientation august crash course classroom teaching effective management school begins mentors observe new teachers every nine weeks help develop individual improvement plans use selfevaluation tools new teachers daily access onsite curriculum support monthly meetings peers fullday retreat april activities emphasizes integrating new teachers school communityan approach novices find surprising breaux says biggest punch initially people welcomed open arms says delaware 3 years required year delaware adopted one strongest new teacher support programs first time districts required provide mentors new teachers first three years job commitment one nations longest according mary ellen kotz oversees professional accountability delaware department education every firstyear teacher delaware spends 1700 mentor stipends consultants fees district grants kotz says nearly 2 million program initially piloted three districts 1994 delawares oneyear mentoring induction program expanded states 19 districts 1999 new law added additional two years mentoring expanded mandate 13 charter schools firstyear teachers must attend regional district level workshops observe experienced teachers spend 30 hours year mentors delawares program unusual mentors administrators defines school nurses counselors librarians school psychologists teachers since inception program produced plenty anecdotal reports document impact hard data says susan fioravanti lead mentor colonial school district new castle county oklahoma budget slashed mentoring required two decades oklahoma year mentors working free legislators oklahoma already informed mentors slashed budget 1 million past mentors received stipends 500 per year says ramona paul assistant state superintendent expects payments resume next year program largely viewed success created states teacher reform act 1980 mentor program first implemented 198283 school year state collect data program surveys firstyear teachers shown positive results according linda ruhman director states resident teacher program committee comprised mentor administrator representative teacher education institution guide beginning teachers committee meets three times year member observes new teacher classroom three times end teachers first year committee decides whether award teacher certification require second year resident program california big state big spending california state local monies combine one extensive mentoring programs countryeach incoming teacher automatically enters twoyear mentoring program districts receive 3400 per new teacher state spend assessment training materials hire substitute teachers fill new teachers collaborating colleagues taking professional development classes school district required kick another 2000 worth teacher supplies services perteacher basis californias program expensive nation says jaymee kjelland consultant california department education statewide retention rates first secondyear teachers rose 91 percent end 1990s say department officials since program struggled maintain quality serving rapidly growing number uncertified teachers hired since state legislature mandated reducing class size says ellen moir director new teacher center university california santa cruz new teacher center mentors 600 novice teachers year studies best practices teacher induction connected states new teacher program rochester ny career ladder mentors retain new teachers rochester district 36500 students 3600 teachers mentoring tied decisions whether keep new teachers mentor responsible one four new teachers observes charges many 45 times per year according martha keating first vicepresident rochester teachers association compensate mentors released half teaching load receive additional 10 percent pay rochester attempts match every firstyear teacher mentor required mentors may work teachers second year necessary along district administrators input mentors rochester devised fourstep career ladder teachers move intern resident permanently certified professional stages keating says system retains 80 percent mentored teachers since inception 1987 union school district officials joined together make program work keating adds panel composed six members teachers union six school district officials reviews principal mentor evaluations firstyear teachers principal wants fire new teacher mentor disagrees panel discusses subsequent options teacher often interns poorly one school given second chance another school many gone successful keating notes susan villani senior program associate wested federally funded education research center says mentors also evaluators face two challenges dual role could make difficult trusting relationship says villani wrote book mentoring programs new teachers models induction support time mentors relationship new teacher could make difficult say novice good job columbus ohio retained released rochester ny sometimes teachers tougher outsiders columbus education association steps teachers teaching effectively according president john grossman firstyear teachers also receive support graduate courses ohio state university tailored individual needs school district dismisses 7 percent firstyear teachers annually poor performancefar district officials fired sole responsibility teacher evaluation grossman says columbus participates peer assistance review program also retains many 80 percent new teachers every year notes every firstyear teacher observed least 20 times mentor generally colleague teaches subject grade level observation mentor gives new teacher written feedback meets discuss interactions students teaching strategies regular firsthand observations usually guarantee principals union members agree whether keep fire new teachers end year grossman says minneapolis fulltime teacher parttime schedule collaboration one high school minneapolis school district teachers union university minnesota produced unique teacher residency program graduation 15 residents opportunity carry lighter teaching load earning fulltime pay modified schedule calls spend 60 percent time teaching class rest time preparing lessons taking professional development courses beginning teachers receive regular support school mentor new teachers schools principal says steve yussen dean universitys college education human development seems make difference tiny program 82 percent retention rate 12year period third high schools 100 teachers former residents yussen says teacher stability key factor students success notes theres fair amount information shows schools beat odds similar characteristics said one stability jeff kelly lowenstein freelance writer
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<p>BRUSSELS, Belgium — The vanguard of the drive to pull Britain out of the European Union includes an earl, a Rhodesian army veteran and a disgruntled former leading EU official.</p>
<p>Their websites are filled with references to Churchill, cricket and the virtues of country pubs. When not vilifying the EU, they rail against feminists, environmentalists, Argentina, immigrants and, at times, each other.</p>
<p>The United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) has 12 representatives elected by British voters to seats in the European Parliament. All 12 are white, only one is female and more than half are over 60.</p>
<p>They may come across as a bunch of blimpish eccentrics detached from the modern, multi-cultural Cool Britannia on show at last year's London Olympics, but it would be unwise to underestimate them. UKIP has an oversized influence on British politics that could be about to change the face of Europe.</p>
<p>Party leader Nigel Farage says it was UKIP pressure that forced British Prime Minister David Cameron into calling a referendum on EU membership by 2017.</p>
<p>"The very fact that we are talking about the possibility of Britain leaving the European Union is UKIP’s biggest victory to date," Farage said after Cameron's Jan. 23 announcement. "Five years ago, the thought of this issue being even discussed was an anathema and it is a great triumph for the tens of thousands of UKIP members."</p>
<p>Equipped with his trademark pinstriped suits and acerbic speechifying, Farage has built the party into a major force for protest among Britons who criticize the European Union for undermining national sovereignty.</p>
<p>UKIP came second to Cameron's Conservatives in the 2009 elections to the European Parliament with 16 percent, ahead of the long-established Labour and Liberal Democratic parties. Current opinion polls suggest UKIP will do even better in the next European vote in 2014.</p>
<p>The party fares less well in national elections, having scored just over 3 percent in the 2010 vote that brought Cameron to power.</p>
<p>However, its growing influence instills fear into many Conservative lawmakers — in much the same way the Tea Party scares Republicans in the United States — and has pushed Cameron into taking a harder line on Europe.</p>
<p>"I would say there are some similarities," says Stuart Agnew, one of UKIP's members of the European Parliament. "The Tea Party there, they wanted to influence the way the Republican Party thought, I see a similar thing in that we are altering the behavior of the Tory Party."</p>
<p>Hermann Kelly, the group's director of communications in Brussels, says its members don't agree with some of the Tea Party's more "off the wall" ideas, but "UKIP is for small state, low taxation, personal responsibility and freedom."</p>
<p>UKIP lawmakers speak out against abortion, gay marriage and women's rights campaigners.</p>
<p>Climate change is a particular bugbear.</p>
<p>"A little bit of warming would do the planet a world of good, it would bring huge areas of Russia and Canada into agricultural production," says Agnew, a Norfolk farmer who served in the Rhodesian army. "I have no shame at all in being a denier."</p>
<p>Farage has said he's not unhappy about the group’s oddball image, but there are concerns about a darker side. Since 2009, UKIP has sat in a political faction within European Parliament that parties on the wilder side of the European right.</p>
<p>Among them, the UKIP teamed up with Mario Borghezio of Italy's Northern League party, who made headlines with a radio interview about President Obama's re-election in November.</p>
<p>"They've chosen one of their own,” he said. “Multiracial America has won, which I can't f***king stand, to use a diplomatic term." Borghezio added that Obama was "a good boy" who had become the puppet of international secret societies. "Behind Romney you could see a beautiful, white, Christian America," Borghezio’s party is running in a coalition with former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in this month's Italian elections.</p>
<p>Other allies sitting with UKIP in the Europe of Freedom and Democracy Group include the Slovak National Party whose leader Jan Slota drew criticism for his verbal attacks on the country's Roma and Hungarian minorities as well as for praising the WWII-era pro-Nazi leader as "one of the greatest sons of the Slovak nation." Danish, Belgian and Greek members of the group have also faced accusations of racism and extremist views.</p>
<p>UKIP has sought to minimize its ties with its Freedom and Democracy partners.</p>
<p>"This is a marriage of convenience," says Kelly, explaining that inclusion in a multinational group in the European Parliament has given the party more funding, staff and speaking time.</p>
<p>"There is no commonality of policy," he adds, noting that Farage has taken a strong line against racist parties in Britain and elsewhere in Europe. "UKIP is a party that believes and practices and encourages diversity."</p>
<p>The party's success pushing its anti-EU agenda has raised concerns in the United States, which is worried Washington could lose an important ally within the European Union should Britain pull out. Public expression of those concerns last month provoked an angry response from UKIP.</p>
<p>"President Obama should keep his nose out of our affairs," said Gerard Batten, another of the party's European lawmakers. "The US government couldn’t care less about our national interests or democratic rights."</p>
<p>However, UKIP insists that Britain would remain a close ally without becoming dependent on the United States.</p>
<p>"We've always regarded them [Americans] as a very old ally, a special relationship," Agnew said in an interview. "We want the relationship with the United States that we had 40 years ago."</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost:&#160; <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/photo-galleries/5741667/prince-charles-takes-the-tube-london" type="external">Prince Charles takes the Tube in London</a></p>
<p>That may not be so easy, given how Britain's place in the world has changed since it joined the EU in 1973.</p>
<p>Forty years ago, Britain spent 5.5 percent of its gross domestic product on defense, including a 367,000-strong military. Today it's 2.6 percent on armed forces that total 186,000 and continue to shrink.</p>
<p>At the same time, the UK’s trade with EU countries has doubled over the past 40 years and now accounts for more than 50 percent of exports.</p>
<p>But as UKIP continues its ascent, those who believe leaving the EU will weaken Britain’s security and undermine its prosperity are finding theirs a harder argument to make.&#160;</p>
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brussels belgium vanguard drive pull britain european union includes earl rhodesian army veteran disgruntled former leading eu official websites filled references churchill cricket virtues country pubs vilifying eu rail feminists environmentalists argentina immigrants times united kingdom independence party ukip 12 representatives elected british voters seats european parliament 12 white one female half 60 may come across bunch blimpish eccentrics detached modern multicultural cool britannia show last years london olympics would unwise underestimate ukip oversized influence british politics could change face europe party leader nigel farage says ukip pressure forced british prime minister david cameron calling referendum eu membership 2017 fact talking possibility britain leaving european union ukips biggest victory date farage said camerons jan 23 announcement five years ago thought issue even discussed anathema great triumph tens thousands ukip members equipped trademark pinstriped suits acerbic speechifying farage built party major force protest among britons criticize european union undermining national sovereignty ukip came second camerons conservatives 2009 elections european parliament 16 percent ahead longestablished labour liberal democratic parties current opinion polls suggest ukip even better next european vote 2014 party fares less well national elections scored 3 percent 2010 vote brought cameron power however growing influence instills fear many conservative lawmakers much way tea party scares republicans united states pushed cameron taking harder line europe would say similarities says stuart agnew one ukips members european parliament tea party wanted influence way republican party thought see similar thing altering behavior tory party hermann kelly groups director communications brussels says members dont agree tea partys wall ideas ukip small state low taxation personal responsibility freedom ukip lawmakers speak abortion gay marriage womens rights campaigners climate change particular bugbear little bit warming would planet world good would bring huge areas russia canada agricultural production says agnew norfolk farmer served rhodesian army shame denier farage said hes unhappy groups oddball image concerns darker side since 2009 ukip sat political faction within european parliament parties wilder side european right among ukip teamed mario borghezio italys northern league party made headlines radio interview president obamas reelection november theyve chosen one said multiracial america cant fking stand use diplomatic term borghezio added obama good boy become puppet international secret societies behind romney could see beautiful white christian america borghezios party running coalition former prime minister silvio berlusconi months italian elections allies sitting ukip europe freedom democracy group include slovak national party whose leader jan slota drew criticism verbal attacks countrys roma hungarian minorities well praising wwiiera pronazi leader one greatest sons slovak nation danish belgian greek members group also faced accusations racism extremist views ukip sought minimize ties freedom democracy partners marriage convenience says kelly explaining inclusion multinational group european parliament given party funding staff speaking time commonality policy adds noting farage taken strong line racist parties britain elsewhere europe ukip party believes practices encourages diversity partys success pushing antieu agenda raised concerns united states worried washington could lose important ally within european union britain pull public expression concerns last month provoked angry response ukip president obama keep nose affairs said gerard batten another partys european lawmakers us government couldnt care less national interests democratic rights however ukip insists britain would remain close ally without becoming dependent united states weve always regarded americans old ally special relationship agnew said interview want relationship united states 40 years ago globalpost160 prince charles takes tube london may easy given britains place world changed since joined eu 1973 forty years ago britain spent 55 percent gross domestic product defense including 367000strong military today 26 percent armed forces total 186000 continue shrink time uks trade eu countries doubled past 40 years accounts 50 percent exports ukip continues ascent believe leaving eu weaken britains security undermine prosperity finding harder argument make160
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<p>How are things in the Tarheel state? It depends on who you ask. To basketball fanatics who follow the Blue Devils or the Tarheels, we won’t know until they have recovered enough to respond. We can imagine their outlook on things at the moment is rather bleak. The elimination of both of these vaunted powerhouse programs from the NCAA Men’s tournament has left them in shock and dismay. The fact that Virginia Commonwealth University survives (as of this writing) is testimony that life is full of surprises.</p>
<p>Ask moderate Baptists in the Old North State about the state of things and you will likewise get varied responses. Some, struggling to get over the muzzling of the Biblical Recorder and the continued ultraconservative veer of the state convention, are dismayed. Most, however, have turned to the future with hope and expectation as evidenced by the attendance and spirit of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina annual meetings held in Asheville last week.</p>
<p />
<p>Friday and Saturday of last week I had the opportunity to attend this gathering of 1,100 and shared with many the concerns for them expressed by Virginia Baptists, some of whom paid for annual subscriptions to the Herald to be sent to their North Carolina colleagues so they can receive Baptist news they can trust to be objective. Those with whom I spoke were genuinely touched and encouraged by this action.</p>
<p>No North Carolina group is more encouraged, however, than the Women’s Missionary Union. Executive director Ruby Fulbright expressed delight that the work of WMUNC will be publicized in the pages of the Religious Herald since the North Carolina paper is now unwilling to give them positive press. Laura McDaniel, executive director/treasurer of Virginia’s WMU, showing true Kingdom consciousness, is almost as excited as Fulbright.</p>
<p>Duke and UNC are out of the tournament. VCU is in the final four and the Baptist state paper in North Carolina is reluctant to print favorable stories related to its own WMU. What a strange world we live in.</p>
<p>The Baptist State Convention of North Carolina withdrew support from the WMU there when the women refused to give the BSCNC executive the right to have the final say in whom they could employ. Freedom matters to them.</p>
<p>In our ever-changing circumstances, new realities have become crystal clear. We find our partners on the basis of affinity rather than geography. Virginia Baptists have already embraced this reality in action taken in last November’s annual meeting. We voted then to offer BGAV membership to fellow Christians who embraced the principles of religious freedom and missions regardless of where they happened to live.</p>
<p>Partnerships with North Carolina’s WMU and CBF seem natural because of our mutual commitments and concerns. Where we can work together on mission with neither seeking to control the other, we should; for Christ’s great commission commands it. Where we can support and encourage one another, we should; for Christ’s great compassion requires it.&#160;Still, one party cannot a partnership make. We shall see how we and they perceive the Lord’s leading and discover what surprises are yet in store in this unpredictable world of ours.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, in April, at their invitation, I shall happily join the North Carolina WMU at Ridgecrest, N.C., to participate in their Missions Extravaganza and to help celebrate their 125th anniversary. And to our readers (on all sides of the borders) I’ll report what I see and hear.</p>
<p>Last Sunday, I had the pleasure of preaching at the Antioch Baptist Church of Sandston, Va., which this year celebrates its 235th anniversary. In preparing for the message, I reviewed Joshua 22. The narrative picks up the action after the Israelites have settled the Promised Land and each tribe has been given a portion. Nine tribes received land on the west side of the Jordan River with the descendants of Reuben and Gad getting territory on the east side of the river. Manasseh settled territory on both sides.</p>
<p>As the action unfolds, the eastside tribes erect a large altar duplicating the one, true altar at Shiloh in the west. The nine tribes, furious because they believe the altar to be blasphemous and an indication of apostasy, prepare for war against their unfaithful cousins. Before arrows fly and blood is shed, however, someone thinks to ask them why they have done such a thing. They reply, “If we have built our own altar to turn away from the Lord and to offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, or to sacrifice fellowship offerings on it, may the Lord himself call us to account. No! We did it for fear that some day your descendants might say to ours, ‘What do you have to do with the Lord the God of Israel? The Lord has made the Jordan a boundary between us and you—you Reubenites and Gadites! You have no share in the Lord’ So your descendants might cause ours to stop fearing the Lord.”</p>
<p>The passage spoke to me in a new way. Perhaps it was because I had so recently visited with our North Carolina brethren, that the artificiality of a border stood out in clear relief. Even then, roughly 3,300 years ago, their kinship was not based on geography, but on affinity.</p>
<p>In John Chandler’s book, Courageous Church Leadership: Conversations with Effective Practitioners, Steve Chang observes that visionary leaders are not guides. Guides lead people to places they themselves have seen and visited. Visionary leaders take their people to places none of them has seen. Chang observes, “I have no idea what’s ahead! I haven’t been there; this is new territory; this is uncharted territory for me. … When I turn around and face my people, I don’t show nervousness. I show a face of calm. But when I turn around and face the direction we are heading, it can be despairing or terrifying” (p. 123).</p>
<p>Through this unpredictable, shocking, exhilarating, terrifying, exciting, despairing world of Baptist life we walk by faith and not by sight.</p>
<p>As we continue our march into uncharted territory we trust the Lord to be our guide beyond the boundaries. One day the Baptist General Association of Virginia will ask itself if the name is a throwback to an earlier, geographical time. With gratitude for all that the “Virginia” part of our name has meant geographically, ideologically and theologically, we will ask “What’s wrong with just being the Baptist General Association?”</p>
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things tarheel state depends ask basketball fanatics follow blue devils tarheels wont know recovered enough respond imagine outlook things moment rather bleak elimination vaunted powerhouse programs ncaa mens tournament left shock dismay fact virginia commonwealth university survives writing testimony life full surprises ask moderate baptists old north state state things likewise get varied responses struggling get muzzling biblical recorder continued ultraconservative veer state convention dismayed however turned future hope expectation evidenced attendance spirit cooperative baptist fellowship north carolina annual meetings held asheville last week friday saturday last week opportunity attend gathering 1100 shared many concerns expressed virginia baptists paid annual subscriptions herald sent north carolina colleagues receive baptist news trust objective spoke genuinely touched encouraged action north carolina group encouraged however womens missionary union executive director ruby fulbright expressed delight work wmunc publicized pages religious herald since north carolina paper unwilling give positive press laura mcdaniel executive directortreasurer virginias wmu showing true kingdom consciousness almost excited fulbright duke unc tournament vcu final four baptist state paper north carolina reluctant print favorable stories related wmu strange world live baptist state convention north carolina withdrew support wmu women refused give bscnc executive right final say could employ freedom matters everchanging circumstances new realities become crystal clear find partners basis affinity rather geography virginia baptists already embraced reality action taken last novembers annual meeting voted offer bgav membership fellow christians embraced principles religious freedom missions regardless happened live partnerships north carolinas wmu cbf seem natural mutual commitments concerns work together mission neither seeking control christs great commission commands support encourage one another christs great compassion requires it160still one party partnership make shall see perceive lords leading discover surprises yet store unpredictable world meanwhile april invitation shall happily join north carolina wmu ridgecrest nc participate missions extravaganza help celebrate 125th anniversary readers sides borders ill report see hear last sunday pleasure preaching antioch baptist church sandston va year celebrates 235th anniversary preparing message reviewed joshua 22 narrative picks action israelites settled promised land tribe given portion nine tribes received land west side jordan river descendants reuben gad getting territory east side river manasseh settled territory sides action unfolds eastside tribes erect large altar duplicating one true altar shiloh west nine tribes furious believe altar blasphemous indication apostasy prepare war unfaithful cousins arrows fly blood shed however someone thinks ask done thing reply built altar turn away lord offer burnt offerings grain offerings sacrifice fellowship offerings may lord call us account fear day descendants might say lord god israel lord made jordan boundary us youyou reubenites gadites share lord descendants might cause stop fearing lord passage spoke new way perhaps recently visited north carolina brethren artificiality border stood clear relief even roughly 3300 years ago kinship based geography affinity john chandlers book courageous church leadership conversations effective practitioners steve chang observes visionary leaders guides guides lead people places seen visited visionary leaders take people places none seen chang observes idea whats ahead havent new territory uncharted territory turn around face people dont show nervousness show face calm turn around face direction heading despairing terrifying p 123 unpredictable shocking exhilarating terrifying exciting despairing world baptist life walk faith sight continue march uncharted territory trust lord guide beyond boundaries one day baptist general association virginia ask name throwback earlier geographical time gratitude virginia part name meant geographically ideologically theologically ask whats wrong baptist general association
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<p>Sarabi Rodriguez was a third-grader when she started planning for college at the Barrio Logan College Institute.</p>
<p>“As soon as you’re accepted, it’s not, are you going to go to college? It’s where you’re going to go to college,” she said.&#160;</p>
<p>In the fall, she’s heading to the University of California,&#160;Berkeley, her dream college.</p>
<p>Rodriguez, 17, didn’t always think she would make it. When her family first migrated from Mexico, her parents didn’t know how to navigate the US education system. None of them spoke English, but then they discovered the&#160;Barrio Logan College Institute, or BLCI,&#160;which offers&#160;free academic tutoring and family counseling.</p>
<p>The after-school program serves low-income families, mostly Mexican immigrants, in Barrio Logan, Chula Vista and other heavily immigrant parts of San Diego County. The mission is two-fold: start preparing students for college in elementary school and involve the whole family in the planning process.</p>
<p>Early-start, family-focused programs like BLCI are becoming increasingly common across the United States to address the needs of the rising immigrant population. In California, only about 19 percent of immigrants over the age of 25 have a high school diploma or GED,&#160; <a href="http://www.migrationpolicy.org/data/state-profiles/state/language/CA" type="external">according to the latest Migration Policy Institute (MPI)&#160;data</a>.</p>
<p>A second family</p>
<p>BLCI director,&#160;Jose Cruz, said the family-focused element of the program is integral to its effectiveness with Latino immigrants.</p>
<p>“We capitalize on the Latino concept of family, and use that as a bridge to the American education system. We’re strongly relationship-based," he said.</p>
<p>Students in the program often eat dinner at the institute with their parents and tutors while doing homework. The tutors, also referred to as mentors and counselors, are bilingual and the first in their families to go to college.</p>
<p>"So we share that experience," Cruz said.</p>
<p>Rodriguez's parents and her 12-year-old sister, Emely, feel they can relate to the staff.</p>
<p>“More than a program, it’s a second family,” said Rodriguez’s mother, Adriana.</p>
<p>“It’s more of a second family to me,” said Emely, who has also been at BLCI since the third grade. Emely wants to go to UC Berkeley or Princeton.</p>
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<p>A wall at the Barrio Logan College Institute features college paraphernalia.</p>
<p>Katie Schoolov/KPBS</p>
<p>Margie McHugh, director of the National Center on Immigrant Integration Policy at MPI, said the need for early family engagement when dealing with immigrants has been evident for years. But, she said, there hasn’t really been “a systematic attempt to meet that need in most parts of the country.”</p>
<p>She said BLCI is unique because it works with immigrant children and their families through elementary school, middle school and high school.</p>
<p>“Programs that make that sort of long-term commitment are few and far between,” she said.</p>
<p>Growing pains for immigrant education</p>
<p>As the local immigrant population rises, demand for programs like BLCI is on the rise throughout San Diego County. The program currently serves 366 kids who attend more than 50 different schools.</p>
<p>But Cruz said it’s hard to expand the program while preserving its foundation of strong relationships.</p>
<p>“We’ve been asked about growth for a very long time,” he said. “But we’re a really high-touch program in the community, and recreating that (at a large scale) is somewhat of a challenge.”</p>
<p>Another challenge for BLCI is juggling the need to address so many problems the low-income families it works with face: food insecurity, mental health issues, unemployment and other poverty-related issues.</p>
<p>In those cases, BLCI functions as a resource center, connecting families to other services in the community. But doing so sometimes takes away from the time tutors can spend working with students on their academics. BLCI is coping by hiring more staff, including a parent coordinator.</p>
<p>Another way the program is trying to grow is by enlisting the students themselves as mentors.</p>
<p>Students become mentors</p>
<p>Before heading to Berkeley, Rodriguez helped design the College Awareness Mentorship Program with three other BLCI students, under Cruz’s guidance.</p>
<p>They designed the summer program for students who didn’t get into BLCI because of its limited resources. Participants were chosen from Perkins Elementary School, which Rodriguez attended as a child.</p>
<p>“It was frustrating to see that a lot of peers of mine from Perkins, they went different paths, we have completely different lives,” Rodriguez said. “A lot of them are struggling to finish school. They don’t believe in the potential they do have.”</p>
<p>Rodriguez and the other BLCI students took the Perkins youths on a week of educational activities, including museum visits and a mock TED talk.</p>
<p>“We want them to see themselves in our shoes and see that it’s possible,” she said. "We want to make sure they see that (college) is a possibility and make them passionate about something, whether it’s astronomy or medicine, and have them follow that path and relate that with going to college."</p>
<p />
<p>Sarabi Rodriguez and a classmate sit with Evelin Sanchez at Torrey Pines State Park.</p>
<p>Katie Schoolov/KPBS</p>
<p>One of the Perkins participants, 12-year-old Evelin Sanchez, told Rodriguez she wanted to be a lawyer someday. Her parents also migrated from Mexico.</p>
<p>The two girls walked side&#160;by side on a cliff along the coast at Torrey Pines State Park as they discussed their career plans. The hike was the introductory activity of the College Awareness Mentorship Program.</p>
<p>“It really inspired me because Sarabi sounds like she’s happy with what she’s doing,” Sanchez said. “And when I grow up, I wanna be like Sarabi, happy with what I’m doing.”</p>
<p>The BLCI students plan to stay in touch with the Perkins youths through high school.</p>
<p>Share your thoughts and ideas on Facebook at our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/globalnation/" type="external">Global Nation Exchange</a>, on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/globalnation" type="external">@globalnation</a>, or contact us <a href="" type="internal">here</a>.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
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sarabi rodriguez thirdgrader started planning college barrio logan college institute soon youre accepted going go college youre going go college said160 fall shes heading university california160berkeley dream college rodriguez 17 didnt always think would make family first migrated mexico parents didnt know navigate us education system none spoke english discovered the160barrio logan college institute blci160which offers160free academic tutoring family counseling afterschool program serves lowincome families mostly mexican immigrants barrio logan chula vista heavily immigrant parts san diego county mission twofold start preparing students college elementary school involve whole family planning process earlystart familyfocused programs like blci becoming increasingly common across united states address needs rising immigrant population california 19 percent immigrants age 25 high school diploma ged160 according latest migration policy institute mpi160data second family blci director160jose cruz said familyfocused element program integral effectiveness latino immigrants capitalize latino concept family use bridge american education system strongly relationshipbased said students program often eat dinner institute parents tutors homework tutors also referred mentors counselors bilingual first families go college share experience cruz said rodriguezs parents 12yearold sister emely feel relate staff program second family said rodriguezs mother adriana second family said emely also blci since third grade emely wants go uc berkeley princeton wall barrio logan college institute features college paraphernalia katie schoolovkpbs margie mchugh director national center immigrant integration policy mpi said need early family engagement dealing immigrants evident years said hasnt really systematic attempt meet need parts country said blci unique works immigrant children families elementary school middle school high school programs make sort longterm commitment far said growing pains immigrant education local immigrant population rises demand programs like blci rise throughout san diego county program currently serves 366 kids attend 50 different schools cruz said hard expand program preserving foundation strong relationships weve asked growth long time said really hightouch program community recreating large scale somewhat challenge another challenge blci juggling need address many problems lowincome families works face food insecurity mental health issues unemployment povertyrelated issues cases blci functions resource center connecting families services community sometimes takes away time tutors spend working students academics blci coping hiring staff including parent coordinator another way program trying grow enlisting students mentors students become mentors heading berkeley rodriguez helped design college awareness mentorship program three blci students cruzs guidance designed summer program students didnt get blci limited resources participants chosen perkins elementary school rodriguez attended child frustrating see lot peers mine perkins went different paths completely different lives rodriguez said lot struggling finish school dont believe potential rodriguez blci students took perkins youths week educational activities including museum visits mock ted talk want see shoes see possible said want make sure see college possibility make passionate something whether astronomy medicine follow path relate going college sarabi rodriguez classmate sit evelin sanchez torrey pines state park katie schoolovkpbs one perkins participants 12yearold evelin sanchez told rodriguez wanted lawyer someday parents also migrated mexico two girls walked side160by side cliff along coast torrey pines state park discussed career plans hike introductory activity college awareness mentorship program really inspired sarabi sounds like shes happy shes sanchez said grow wan na like sarabi happy im blci students plan stay touch perkins youths high school share thoughts ideas facebook global nation exchange twitter globalnation contact us 160
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<p>Deserved or not, committees often have a negative connotation, said Don Simmons, owner of Creative Potential Consulting and Training.</p>
<p>“The terminology and methodology is borrowed from government and corporate cultures,” Simmons said. “Committees have a reputation for long, boring meetings where little is accomplished and for structures that rarely take a person's giftedness and passion into account, but rather their availability and inability to say ‘no.'”</p>
<p>While committees focus on tasks and agendas, ministry teams place emphasis on personal development and relationships, he insisted.</p>
<p>“Teams require a very human element — trust — that may not always be operable in committees,” Simmons said.</p>
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<p />
<p>The team concept allows everyone to bring their ideas to the table, said Jim Dees, director of equipping ministries at Calvary Presbyterian Church in San Francisco, Calif. Instead of the top-down leadership of committees, teams give the freedom to brainstorm ideas.</p>
<p>The personal element generally means teams have a longer active life, as people often choose to serve longer when they have developed relationships.</p>
<p>“At First Baptist Church (Jefferson City, Mo.), committees are nominated by the enlistment committee and then voted on by the church to serve mostly 3-year terms,” said Jeanie McGowan, associate pastor of equipping at the church. “Teams are led by volunteer leaders, and they can enlist anyone they choose, and folks can serve for as long as they choose, making one-year commitments as they go along. You may serve on more than one ministry team, but we try not to have anyone serving on more than one committee at a time.”</p>
<p>At Calvary Presbyterian, mission teams are lay-driven. While a minister or member of the equipping team may come up with an idea, the new team quickly is passed on to a member of the congregation.</p>
<p>Dees said the change to a team-based structure really changed the church's ministry.</p>
<p>“It changed our church culture. Teams have greatly impacted the mobilization of people,” he said. “We've seen an increased number of church members involved in ministry in the community.”</p>
<p>Team-building requires commitment to a clearly defined mission, Simmons added.</p>
<p>“While some committees may function as teams, in order to build and sustain teams, leadership must be intentional and driven by a definitive purpose,” he said. “Teams do not happen accidentally — they are built with time, trust and tenacity.”</p>
<p>It took Calvary nearly two years to get the systems in place to start their equipping ministry, Dees said. The mission teams continue to evolve as new people get involved.</p>
<p>Changing an organizational structure takes time. Committees cannot — and should not — be changed into teams overnight. Simmons recommends changing one team at a time. “Start with the most obvious areas where teams may already exist, and then work to make them models for the rest of the church.”</p>
<p>Youth or student ministries may be a good place to start. Churches also may have worship or mission teams already functioning that can be a model for other changes.</p>
<p>Simmons emphasized that “a committee becomes a team through their behaviors, not just their language.”</p>
<p>The next step in building a team is practicing essential relationship functions. “Good teams eat together, drink together, play together and pray together — usually in that order.” Simmons said.</p>
<p>One of the most joyful teams Simmons served on was designed to provide services for a large hospice facility.</p>
<p>“With deep respect for the patients, our team knew that it was important to sing, dance, laugh and joke with one another and with the hospice staff in the face of great pain,” Simmons said. “Our fun was contagious, and we were often asked to train other teams of volunteers about the need to ‘lighten up' with one another, to encourage long-term service and to prevent burnout.”</p>
<p>The team's laid-back nature wasn't accidental, however. “The fun we had was evidence of our care for one another, and was borne out of time with each other outside of our service time,” Simmons said. “We shared meals often and committed enough time to knowing each other to be authentic with our joy.”</p>
<p>Another step Simmons recommends is putting together a team covenant. Covenants are designed by team members to provide relational boundaries and guidelines on how the team will function together.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p />
<p>“Some believe that developing a covenant is useless time consumption, and if the covenant is not authentic and practical for the ministry team, then it may become just that,” Simmons said. “If the covenant is developed and written by the team, for the team and used intentionally, then the covenant can be the guidestar for the team's work.”</p>
<p>Simmons gives six guidelines for developing a covenant that supports the work of a ministry team:</p>
<p>• Write the covenant as a team. Use time in the first two team meetings to develop the covenant, based on the “norms” the team needs to function.</p>
<p>• Keep the covenant focused on behaviors that are authentic and practical. Be sure to covenant areas such as attendance, punctuality, fun, contributions, conversations, confidentiality and documentation.</p>
<p>• Review the covenant at each team meeting. Allow for revision if a covenant area is being ignored or bypassed regularly.</p>
<p>• Discuss behaviors as a violation of the covenant, not as sin or personal disappointment.</p>
<p>• Review and re-covenant each time a new member joins the team to ensure ownership is understood and valued by the entire team.</p>
<p>• Write the covenant in everyday, authentic language. Even the Bible was written in the language of the ordinary person; so, church team covenants also should be easily understandable and accessible.</p>
<p>“A team covenant can make the difference between a cordial work group and a highly functioning team if the process of developing the covenant is authentic and realistic,” Simmons said. “The time invested in covenant creation will greatly benefit the team in fluidity and performance.”</p>
<p>Ultimately, Simmons believes teams benefit the church because “people matter. The fun that we have with one another exhibits to people that we are not only willing to share the work and tasks, but willing to share our very lives.”</p>
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deserved committees often negative connotation said simmons owner creative potential consulting training terminology methodology borrowed government corporate cultures simmons said committees reputation long boring meetings little accomplished structures rarely take persons giftedness passion account rather availability inability say committees focus tasks agendas ministry teams place emphasis personal development relationships insisted teams require human element trust may always operable committees simmons said team concept allows everyone bring ideas table said jim dees director equipping ministries calvary presbyterian church san francisco calif instead topdown leadership committees teams give freedom brainstorm ideas personal element generally means teams longer active life people often choose serve longer developed relationships first baptist church jefferson city mo committees nominated enlistment committee voted church serve mostly 3year terms said jeanie mcgowan associate pastor equipping church teams led volunteer leaders enlist anyone choose folks serve long choose making oneyear commitments go along may serve one ministry team try anyone serving one committee time calvary presbyterian mission teams laydriven minister member equipping team may come idea new team quickly passed member congregation dees said change teambased structure really changed churchs ministry changed church culture teams greatly impacted mobilization people said weve seen increased number church members involved ministry community teambuilding requires commitment clearly defined mission simmons added committees may function teams order build sustain teams leadership must intentional driven definitive purpose said teams happen accidentally built time trust tenacity took calvary nearly two years get systems place start equipping ministry dees said mission teams continue evolve new people get involved changing organizational structure takes time committees changed teams overnight simmons recommends changing one team time start obvious areas teams may already exist work make models rest church youth student ministries may good place start churches also may worship mission teams already functioning model changes simmons emphasized committee becomes team behaviors language next step building team practicing essential relationship functions good teams eat together drink together play together pray together usually order simmons said one joyful teams simmons served designed provide services large hospice facility deep respect patients team knew important sing dance laugh joke one another hospice staff face great pain simmons said fun contagious often asked train teams volunteers need lighten one another encourage longterm service prevent burnout teams laidback nature wasnt accidental however fun evidence care one another borne time outside service time simmons said shared meals often committed enough time knowing authentic joy another step simmons recommends putting together team covenant covenants designed team members provide relational boundaries guidelines team function together believe developing covenant useless time consumption covenant authentic practical ministry team may become simmons said covenant developed written team team used intentionally covenant guidestar teams work simmons gives six guidelines developing covenant supports work ministry team write covenant team use time first two team meetings develop covenant based norms team needs function keep covenant focused behaviors authentic practical sure covenant areas attendance punctuality fun contributions conversations confidentiality documentation review covenant team meeting allow revision covenant area ignored bypassed regularly discuss behaviors violation covenant sin personal disappointment review recovenant time new member joins team ensure ownership understood valued entire team write covenant everyday authentic language even bible written language ordinary person church team covenants also easily understandable accessible team covenant make difference cordial work group highly functioning team process developing covenant authentic realistic simmons said time invested covenant creation greatly benefit team fluidity performance ultimately simmons believes teams benefit church people matter fun one another exhibits people willing share work tasks willing share lives
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<p>David Lange at George Washington University. He says a new gay fraternity on campus has experienced no backlash. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>When David Lange started his freshman year at George Washington University, he found himself surrounded by a plethora of clubs, organizations and fraternities that catered to a wide range of student interests. However, none specifically targeted the interests of a young, gay man who wanted a sense of community outside of advocacy groups or nightclubs.</p>
<p>Lange’s friend told him about Delta Lambda Phi, a fraternity for gay, bisexual, transgender and progressive men that had been established at Vanderbilt University. He found himself wanting to learn more.</p>
<p>“I had never really considered Greek life,” Lange, 20, says. “It was never something that particularly appealed to me, but this idea of a group of gay men that could just get together in brotherhood and camaraderie really impressed me.”</p>
<p>Founded in 1986 by Vernon L. Strickland, Delta Lambda Phi was created in Washington as a community chapter for students from universities in the D.C. area to join. While Strickland was a George Washington University student himself when he founded the community chapter, there had never been an established chapter at the university.</p>
<p>Until Lange decided to put in some grunt work.</p>
<p>The international affairs major contacted Delta Lambda Phi’s headquarters and GW’s Greek life department back in October 2015 to get the ball rolling. After learning the logistics of how to proceed and presenting to the fraternity council, the council voted on letting Delta Lambda Phi become a colony at GW.</p>
<p>GW’s colony joins four other colonies at schools in the United States and Canada. Overall there are 30 chapters in North America, including at schools such as Purdue University, New York University and the University of California at Los Angeles.</p>
<p>Now a sophomore, Lange’s efforts have led to the first recruitment season and pledge class beginning this spring. While still early, Lange says that gay, bisexual and straight men have shown interest and there are eight members preexisting from before the recruitment period, which runs Feb. 1-10.</p>
<p>He credits the interest to the experience Delta Lambda Phi offers that is hard to find on campus.</p>
<p>“I find that as far as queer spaces out there, a lot of them are either advocacy based or there are bars or clubs. And this provides a third way and an opportunity to create some real community, some lasting friendships and brotherhood,” Lange says. “A big part as to why we exist is to provide a sense of community for gay men in college. It’s something that’s very much lacking, so that’s a big part of it. But it’s also a fraternity so we do a lot of social events to create that sense of camaraderie.”</p>
<p>Even though the group is not a service fraternity, Lange says it would be hard to miss out on the LGBT service opportunities D.C. has to offer. While just in the brainstorming stages, Lange says he hopes to work with organizations such as SMYAL, Casa Ruby and the Trevor Project. A large network of Delta Lambda Phi alumni are also in the city, which will be a great source of contact and support for the colony.</p>
<p>Lange says that even though the fraternity is aimed at gay and bisexual men, there is no discrimination about who wants to join.</p>
<p>“It’s more of a niche fraternity. It’s not for everyone,” Lange says. “I mean anyone can join, but a lot of people might want a more traditional collegiate, fraternal experience, which is totally fine, but we provide an alternative to that.”</p>
<p>A fraternity that is so blatantly open for gay and bisexual men has not been a problem for George Washington University’s larger college community. Lange says from what he has heard, there hasn’t been any backlash.</p>
<p>“Everyone seems to be either neutral or in support and that’s all we can really ask for, I suppose. It’s gotten a pretty warm welcome from what I’ve heard,” Lange says.</p>
<p>Delta Lambda Phi will be a part of the college community for a while as it “usually takes three pledge classes” before a colony can apply to become a chapter, according to Lange.</p>
<p>Mentors will be a crucial role as Delta Lambda Phi moves from colonization to official chapter. Law student Nicholas Simons, 25, is one. He says his role includes holding educational events for the colonists to ensure the traditions of Delta Lambda Phi are upheld and the colony has a smooth transition.</p>
<p>Simons’ experience with colonizing Delta Lambda Phi traces back to when he joined the fraternity during his first semester as a freshman at University of Central Florida. Simons says the fraternity was just founding its own colony as George Washington University is now.</p>
<p>Simons echoes the sentiment that Delta Lambda Phi is meant to combine the elements of Greek life for the LGBT community.</p>
<p>“It was meant to be a traditional Greek organization that provided a space for friendship, brotherhood and community that wasn’t provided in other LGBT spaces,” Simons says. “I think it’s very important on a college campus because everyone wants to find LGBT community through political activism, not everybody wants to find LGBT community through some of the other social outlets that are available. I think it provides a unique, positive and supportive experience for all of our members.”</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">D.C.</a> <a href="" type="internal">David Lange</a> <a href="" type="internal">Delta Lambda Phi</a> <a href="" type="internal">George Washington University</a> <a href="" type="internal">New York University</a> <a href="" type="internal">Nicholas Simons</a> <a href="" type="internal">NYU</a> <a href="" type="internal">Perdue University</a> <a href="" type="internal">UCLA</a> <a href="" type="internal">University of California at Los Angeles</a> <a href="" type="internal">University of Central Florida</a> <a href="" type="internal">Vanderbilt University</a> <a href="" type="internal">Vernon L. Strickland</a></p>
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david lange george washington university says new gay fraternity campus experienced backlash washington blade photo michael key david lange started freshman year george washington university found surrounded plethora clubs organizations fraternities catered wide range student interests however none specifically targeted interests young gay man wanted sense community outside advocacy groups nightclubs langes friend told delta lambda phi fraternity gay bisexual transgender progressive men established vanderbilt university found wanting learn never really considered greek life lange 20 says never something particularly appealed idea group gay men could get together brotherhood camaraderie really impressed founded 1986 vernon l strickland delta lambda phi created washington community chapter students universities dc area join strickland george washington university student founded community chapter never established chapter university lange decided put grunt work international affairs major contacted delta lambda phis headquarters gws greek life department back october 2015 get ball rolling learning logistics proceed presenting fraternity council council voted letting delta lambda phi become colony gw gws colony joins four colonies schools united states canada overall 30 chapters north america including schools purdue university new york university university california los angeles sophomore langes efforts led first recruitment season pledge class beginning spring still early lange says gay bisexual straight men shown interest eight members preexisting recruitment period runs feb 110 credits interest experience delta lambda phi offers hard find campus find far queer spaces lot either advocacy based bars clubs provides third way opportunity create real community lasting friendships brotherhood lange says big part exist provide sense community gay men college something thats much lacking thats big part also fraternity lot social events create sense camaraderie even though group service fraternity lange says would hard miss lgbt service opportunities dc offer brainstorming stages lange says hopes work organizations smyal casa ruby trevor project large network delta lambda phi alumni also city great source contact support colony lange says even though fraternity aimed gay bisexual men discrimination wants join niche fraternity everyone lange says mean anyone join lot people might want traditional collegiate fraternal experience totally fine provide alternative fraternity blatantly open gay bisexual men problem george washington universitys larger college community lange says heard hasnt backlash everyone seems either neutral support thats really ask suppose gotten pretty warm welcome ive heard lange says delta lambda phi part college community usually takes three pledge classes colony apply become chapter according lange mentors crucial role delta lambda phi moves colonization official chapter law student nicholas simons 25 one says role includes holding educational events colonists ensure traditions delta lambda phi upheld colony smooth transition simons experience colonizing delta lambda phi traces back joined fraternity first semester freshman university central florida simons says fraternity founding colony george washington university simons echoes sentiment delta lambda phi meant combine elements greek life lgbt community meant traditional greek organization provided space friendship brotherhood community wasnt provided lgbt spaces simons says think important college campus everyone wants find lgbt community political activism everybody wants find lgbt community social outlets available think provides unique positive supportive experience members dc david lange delta lambda phi george washington university new york university nicholas simons nyu perdue university ucla university california los angeles university central florida vanderbilt university vernon l strickland
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<p>Imagine being invited to go on a short-term mission trip to a country closed to mission personnel and bordering a closed nation torn by civil war. The trip would facilitate ministry to refugees. Participants cannot disclose the underlying reason to the host country's government. Instead, they must go in on a tourist visa. Is that ethical? Should a conscientious Christian participate?</p>
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<p>PHOTO/REUTERS/Danish Ismail</p>
<p>Indian policemen clash with Kashmiri protesters during a protest in Srinagar. The Indian army deployed about 10,000 extra soldiers in Kashmir to quell weeks of protests over land for a Hindu shrine that had sparked some of the state's worst religious riots in two decades.</p>
<p>Host missionaries, both career and short-term volunteers, must deal with ethical dilemmas as they strive to share God's love.</p>
<p>In making tough ethical decisions, Southern Baptist Convention Interna-tional Mission Board leaders stress the importance of understanding culture and applying biblical principles.</p>
<p>The IMB helps missionaries understand and apply two concepts — to strip away Western culture and go to the Bible and to avoid anything that might cause a brother to stumble, spokesperson Wendy Norvelle explained.</p>
<p>“Sometimes applying biblical principles is hard to do because we encase our understanding of the Bible in our Western culture,” she said.</p>
<p>Missionaries must understand the culture where they work to avoid causing problems for those to whom they minister, even when understanding may require them to adopt patterns from that culture.</p>
<p>For example, women in some societies are required to cover their heads when they go out in public.</p>
<p>“It's not our custom or belief, but it is in some cultures; or in some places, it's the law … . We teach missionaries to look at the culture and determine how to bridge the two,” Norvelle said.</p>
<p>Strategies for dealing with ethical issues is woven into the presentations and classes new appointees take during stateside orientation.</p>
<p>“We teach them how to live cross-culturally. … We teach them to seek answers, not give them answers. We give them the tools … to teach them how to live and adapt.”</p>
<p>The IMB also works hard during the candidate-screening process to make sure an appointee serves where his or her gifts are best suited.</p>
<p>An individual gifted in street evangelism likely would be sent to an area that allows religious activity, rather than to a closed country.</p>
<p>Honesty and integrity are the bedrocks upon which ethical decisions — both at home and abroad — must be made, a longtime missionary, mission administrator and top mission leader believes.</p>
<p>“The best course is to maintain integrity and honesty, to recognize that anything we do or say can become public knowledge,” Keith Parks said. “The best defense is to say, ‘I did what I thought was right.'”</p>
<p>Parks speaks from years of mission experience, including 42 years as a missions professional. He served 38 years with the Southern Baptist Convention's Foreign Mission Board, as a missionary and a field administrator, with his final 13 years as president.</p>
<p>He also served Cooperative Baptist Fellowship as president of its Global Missions effort six years.</p>
<p>Missionaries — whether career workers or short-term volunteers — face ethical dilemmas, he acknowledged. Even a simple choice can present an ethical issue. For example, should a worker going into a country that does not allow mission volunteers declare he or she is on vacation?</p>
<p>“I recognize that there are gray areas and that it is necessary to fudge a little at times,” Parks said. “I have had to struggle with (the visa issue). I would put down administrator or teacher rather than missionary or preacher.”</p>
<p>But outright lying never has been an option, he stressed. Sometimes staying within a country's legal system requires telling the truth without volunteering additional information, he added.</p>
<p>Parks believes missions-sending agencies and volunteer groups do not need to use clandestine methods for reaching people with the gospel. Should government employees discover such deception, those mission efforts usually must end. Uncovered deception also can lead to even tighter religious restrictions.</p>
<p>“The truth is that anything anybody can find is an excuse to get rid of you,” Parks said.</p>
<p>During Parks' stint in Indonesia, workers learned certain individuals could triple their return when converting currency.</p>
<p>“But it would have been too expensive to triple our money but lose our integrity,” he said.</p>
<p>Learning the culture and following the laws of the land can help minimize the ethical conflict, he added.</p>
<p>“I think the way we are able to function is to play by the rules of the country. I think (officials) know or at least know most of what we're doing” in their country, he said. “If we try to flaunt their rules, they are going to do something about it. We're not 007. We're not super-secret.”</p>
<p>Working within a country's laws often can lead to encounters to develop relationships or share the gospel. Parks believes sending workers as professionals into closed countries is ethically appropriate as long as the sending agency delivers what it promised.</p>
<p>“I think we had a problem early on of sending people in as a professional but who were not fully qualified,” he said. “But I think we've transitioned from pretending to be proficient in business to actually being proficient and using that proficiency as an opportunity.”</p>
<p>Leaders of a restricted country hesitated when approached by CBF administrators, including Parks, about starting a kindergarten program and relief efforts, because they tend to believe most not-for-profit organizations have either political or religious motives, Parks said.</p>
<p>Sending professional people into closed countries has been a longstanding IMB strategy. Medical professionals, teachers, agricultural specialists, business executives and others have been able to connect one-to-one while fulfilling their secular roles.</p>
<p>Is that a clandestine approach? Norvelle acknowledged some individuals believe it is. But the IMB believes workers uphold the law and have opportunities to build personal relationships — “the best way to mission effectiveness.”</p>
<p>“Governments grant visas and welcome U.S. citizens to come for teaching, agriculture, medicine and others …,” she said.</p>
<p>“As they go, they seek ways to build relationship and to share what they believe. They do what the Bible says: Build relationships where you are. … Paul was a tentmaker. He ran a business.”</p>
<p>Programs and workers tend to be accepted best when they deliver on the promises administrators make. And following the rules sets an example.</p>
<p>“There is such an expectation and a common reality of lying and cheating in many cultures. When people encounter those who don't (lie or cheat), it is more of a witness,” Parks said.</p>
<p>“There is the sense of ‘this guy is different'… and it gives the worker a chance to witness.”</p>
<p>Technological advances have made access to information more available, even in remote areas. Articles, books, e-mails and blogs by individuals leaving a post and by short-termers also can create a security risk for workers and nationals in high-security areas. Most mission-sending agencies use pseudonyms for individuals in those areas and do not disclose actual locations.</p>
<p>“It's a very uncomfortable situation when people are working incognito but then come home and write about their experiences,” Parks said. “It's a real problem, because it casts suspicion on others working in those countries.”</p>
<p>“Play by the rules” and “do what's right” are the two maxims Parks tries to follow in any mission endeavor. And sometimes doing “what's right” may mean breaking a country's law.</p>
<p>“The distinction is to do what's right. When the law says we can't witness, we break that law” when workers respond to opportunities to share as they develop relationships.</p>
| false | 3 |
imagine invited go shortterm mission trip country closed mission personnel bordering closed nation torn civil war trip would facilitate ministry refugees participants disclose underlying reason host countrys government instead must go tourist visa ethical conscientious christian participate photoreutersdanish ismail indian policemen clash kashmiri protesters protest srinagar indian army deployed 10000 extra soldiers kashmir quell weeks protests land hindu shrine sparked states worst religious riots two decades host missionaries career shortterm volunteers must deal ethical dilemmas strive share gods love making tough ethical decisions southern baptist convention international mission board leaders stress importance understanding culture applying biblical principles imb helps missionaries understand apply two concepts strip away western culture go bible avoid anything might cause brother stumble spokesperson wendy norvelle explained sometimes applying biblical principles hard encase understanding bible western culture said missionaries must understand culture work avoid causing problems minister even understanding may require adopt patterns culture example women societies required cover heads go public custom belief cultures places law teach missionaries look culture determine bridge two norvelle said strategies dealing ethical issues woven presentations classes new appointees take stateside orientation teach live crossculturally teach seek answers give answers give tools teach live adapt imb also works hard candidatescreening process make sure appointee serves gifts best suited individual gifted street evangelism likely would sent area allows religious activity rather closed country honesty integrity bedrocks upon ethical decisions home abroad must made longtime missionary mission administrator top mission leader believes best course maintain integrity honesty recognize anything say become public knowledge keith parks said best defense say thought right parks speaks years mission experience including 42 years missions professional served 38 years southern baptist conventions foreign mission board missionary field administrator final 13 years president also served cooperative baptist fellowship president global missions effort six years missionaries whether career workers shortterm volunteers face ethical dilemmas acknowledged even simple choice present ethical issue example worker going country allow mission volunteers declare vacation recognize gray areas necessary fudge little times parks said struggle visa issue would put administrator teacher rather missionary preacher outright lying never option stressed sometimes staying within countrys legal system requires telling truth without volunteering additional information added parks believes missionssending agencies volunteer groups need use clandestine methods reaching people gospel government employees discover deception mission efforts usually must end uncovered deception also lead even tighter religious restrictions truth anything anybody find excuse get rid parks said parks stint indonesia workers learned certain individuals could triple return converting currency would expensive triple money lose integrity said learning culture following laws land help minimize ethical conflict added think way able function play rules country think officials know least know country said try flaunt rules going something 007 supersecret working within countrys laws often lead encounters develop relationships share gospel parks believes sending workers professionals closed countries ethically appropriate long sending agency delivers promised think problem early sending people professional fully qualified said think weve transitioned pretending proficient business actually proficient using proficiency opportunity leaders restricted country hesitated approached cbf administrators including parks starting kindergarten program relief efforts tend believe notforprofit organizations either political religious motives parks said sending professional people closed countries longstanding imb strategy medical professionals teachers agricultural specialists business executives others able connect onetoone fulfilling secular roles clandestine approach norvelle acknowledged individuals believe imb believes workers uphold law opportunities build personal relationships best way mission effectiveness governments grant visas welcome us citizens come teaching agriculture medicine others said go seek ways build relationship share believe bible says build relationships paul tentmaker ran business programs workers tend accepted best deliver promises administrators make following rules sets example expectation common reality lying cheating many cultures people encounter dont lie cheat witness parks said sense guy different gives worker chance witness technological advances made access information available even remote areas articles books emails blogs individuals leaving post shorttermers also create security risk workers nationals highsecurity areas missionsending agencies use pseudonyms individuals areas disclose actual locations uncomfortable situation people working incognito come home write experiences parks said real problem casts suspicion others working countries play rules whats right two maxims parks tries follow mission endeavor sometimes whats right may mean breaking countrys law distinction whats right law says cant witness break law workers respond opportunities share develop relationships
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<p>To grow, blossom&#160;or bloom — this is what the Filipino word,&#160;lumago,&#160;means in the Philippines’ national language. But for the women of Lumago Designs, the word has symbolic meaning, as well.</p>
<p>“We wanted the name, ‘lumago,’ because it signified the improvement of our skills and the blossoming of our craft,” explains 48-year-old Flordeliza Nocete.</p>
<p>The mother of three is one of 10 women crafting jewelry for <a href="https://www.lumagodesigns.com/" type="external">Lumago Designs</a>, a social enterprise based in Dumaguete City in the Philippines’ Central Visayas region. These women are from the Candau-ay community and some of them live off the nearby dump, scouring tons of trash in hopes of finding reusable or recyclable items they can sell. The dump site takes in <a href="http://www.sunstar.com.ph/dumaguete/local-news/2016/09/15/dumaguete-open-dumpsite-shutdown-sought-497816" type="external">80 tons of trash a day,</a>&#160;collected from the city’s households and establishments.</p>
<p>This is part an Across Women's Lives project:&#160; <a href="" type="internal">Wear and Tear series: The women who make our clothes</a>.&#160;</p>
<p>“Some of our crafters used to be scavengers,” says Becky Stanbridge, 30, a co-owner of Lumago Designs. “And because they live in the community surrounding the dump site, their way of life is to upcycle and reuse things they find. We wanted to cultivate that skill so they can use it to make something beautiful.”</p>
<p />
<p>A woman scours trash for materials to upcycle.&#160;</p>
<p>Courtesy of Lumago Designs&#160;</p>
<p>The social enterprise started in 2011&#160;when American social worker Whitney Fleming encountered the women at a feeding center. This was in the wake of a typhoon that devastated this area. Fleming began working with the women to create jewelry from materials found in the local dump site. In 2012, Lumago Designs was officially established. Stanbridge took over the social enterprise’s daily operations in 2015 when Fleming moved back to the US.</p>
<p>Lumago Designs’ jewelry-making process starts with a collaborative design step. “The women design the products themselves. At the beginning of the year, we put lots of inspiration together from local designers or from magazines. The women also bring in designs throughout the year,” Stanbridge says. “If we like a design, we’ll work on it and improve it until it’s wearable and can be remade.”</p>
<p>Related:&#160; <a href="" type="internal">An Argentine startup that makes shoes from discarded tire scraps and employs single mothers</a></p>
<p>Stanbridge says that they work with materials that can be easily sourced, such as discarded bamboo and old clothes bought from secondhand shops — leather jackets and bags and shirts&#160;and leggings. “We use things like pull tabs from drink cans, which are donated by local bars and restaurants. We also buy them by the kilo from scavengers so we can give back to the local community. We get donations of magazines, but a lot of our paper comes from the dump site,” she adds.</p>
<p>Most of Lumago Designs’ products are jewelry items — bracelets, earrings&#160;and necklaces. But they also make scarves, bags&#160;and keychains, and they’ve dabbled in household items like bowls, napkin holders&#160;and rugs. These products are sold in stores in Dumaguete and across resorts in the Philippines&#160;and in areas around the US and Europe.</p>
<p>The women of Lumago Designs make these pieces in the comfort of their own homes, where they choose their own working hours and produce an agreed upon number of items by a set date. For Janice Pinili, 37, working from home is a significant advantage. “I can still look after my two kids and get housework done while earning a living,” she says.</p>
<p>Each piece of jewelry goes through a quality control process. “We have two crafters who oversee quality control,” says Stanbridge. “They’re very meticulous and check every bead’s measurement. They also test if the components are put together right, whether it’s going to break apart. There are a few different processes they go through.”</p>
<p />
<p>A worker for Lumago Designs puts together a necklace.&#160;</p>
<p>Courtesy of Lumago Designs&#160;</p>
<p>The women are then paid for each piece that’s up to standard. “The way we work it out is, we time how long it takes to make a product, get an average number of hours from that&#160;and base it on a daily wage. If a product takes four hours to make, then payment is based on the half-day rate,” Stanbridge says.</p>
<p>“They’re artisans, and they employ a certain skill to do the work,” she says. “We pay them above the minimum local wage — what we consider a fair living wage — because we want it to be something that will hopefully bring them out of poverty.” She adds that the women are also paid for designs they create and for the workshops they conduct to show other crafters how to make their designs.</p>
<p>For Flordeliza Nocete, who has been with Lumago Designs since it started, the social enterprise has changed her life. As a widow and single mother, Nocete relies on her income from Lumago Designs to put her children through school. “Lumago Designs has greatly helped me,” she says. “I was able to send two of my children to college from my earnings.”</p>
<p>Janice Pinili says that working for Lumago Designs provides supplemental income for her family, but she takes pride in having her own earnings. “If I want to buy something for myself, I don’t need to ask [for] money from my husband anymore. I can use the money from my own wages,” she says.</p>
<p>Stanbridge understands her crafters’ struggles so she’s finding other ways to assist them. “We’re trying to implement savings programs. We’re now partnering with a local NGO to help them better manage their finances,” she says.</p>
<p>Stanbridge hopes to add more artisans in the future. She’s also considering setting up a workshop — a space where the women can get together and work.</p>
<p>“I want Lumago Designs to be self-sustainable so the women can run it themselves,” Stanbridge says. “But I also want to continue Lumago Designs’ initial goal to reduce trash, help local communities&#160;and empower women.”</p>
| false | 3 |
grow blossom160or bloom filipino word160lumago160means philippines national language women lumago designs word symbolic meaning well wanted name lumago signified improvement skills blossoming craft explains 48yearold flordeliza nocete mother three one 10 women crafting jewelry lumago designs social enterprise based dumaguete city philippines central visayas region women candauay community live nearby dump scouring tons trash hopes finding reusable recyclable items sell dump site takes 80 tons trash day160collected citys households establishments part across womens lives project160 wear tear series women make clothes160 crafters used scavengers says becky stanbridge 30 coowner lumago designs live community surrounding dump site way life upcycle reuse things find wanted cultivate skill use make something beautiful woman scours trash materials upcycle160 courtesy lumago designs160 social enterprise started 2011160when american social worker whitney fleming encountered women feeding center wake typhoon devastated area fleming began working women create jewelry materials found local dump site 2012 lumago designs officially established stanbridge took social enterprises daily operations 2015 fleming moved back us lumago designs jewelrymaking process starts collaborative design step women design products beginning year put lots inspiration together local designers magazines women also bring designs throughout year stanbridge says like design well work improve wearable remade related160 argentine startup makes shoes discarded tire scraps employs single mothers stanbridge says work materials easily sourced discarded bamboo old clothes bought secondhand shops leather jackets bags shirts160and leggings use things like pull tabs drink cans donated local bars restaurants also buy kilo scavengers give back local community get donations magazines lot paper comes dump site adds lumago designs products jewelry items bracelets earrings160and necklaces also make scarves bags160and keychains theyve dabbled household items like bowls napkin holders160and rugs products sold stores dumaguete across resorts philippines160and areas around us europe women lumago designs make pieces comfort homes choose working hours produce agreed upon number items set date janice pinili 37 working home significant advantage still look two kids get housework done earning living says piece jewelry goes quality control process two crafters oversee quality control says stanbridge theyre meticulous check every beads measurement also test components put together right whether going break apart different processes go worker lumago designs puts together necklace160 courtesy lumago designs160 women paid piece thats standard way work time long takes make product get average number hours that160and base daily wage product takes four hours make payment based halfday rate stanbridge says theyre artisans employ certain skill work says pay minimum local wage consider fair living wage want something hopefully bring poverty adds women also paid designs create workshops conduct show crafters make designs flordeliza nocete lumago designs since started social enterprise changed life widow single mother nocete relies income lumago designs put children school lumago designs greatly helped says able send two children college earnings janice pinili says working lumago designs provides supplemental income family takes pride earnings want buy something dont need ask money husband anymore use money wages says stanbridge understands crafters struggles shes finding ways assist trying implement savings programs partnering local ngo help better manage finances says stanbridge hopes add artisans future shes also considering setting workshop space women get together work want lumago designs selfsustainable women run stanbridge says also want continue lumago designs initial goal reduce trash help local communities160and empower women
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<p>JABAL AL ZAWIYA, Syria — Officials in Washington and Damascus agree on something, they both call Jabhat al-Nusra a terrorist organization.</p>
<p>The US State Department describes the cadre of rebel fighters as Al Qaeda’s attempt to “hijack the struggles of the Syrian people for its own malign purposes.”</p>
<p>To date, members of al-Nusra have claimed responsibility for more than 600 attacks, which have killed hundreds of Syrians, both military and civilian.</p>
<p>But in rebel-held areas of the country, al-Nusra fighters are hailed as heroes, praised as the opposition’s most effective military force against a government that has leveled whole cities with airstrikes, killing tens of thousands.</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/series/syria-terrorism-al-nusra-assad-us-aid-intervention-free-syria-army-rebels" type="external">In Depth: In Syria, one man's terrorist is another's freedom fighter</a></p>
<p>In a rare, exclusive interview with GlobalPost, Al-Amir Gazi al-Haj — one of the “princes,” or top leaders, of al-Nusra — defended his organization.</p>
<p>“We only accept the best of the best,” he said from his sparsely furnished home in Jabal al-Zawiya, as he stoked a wood heater. “We have pure intentions. We fight only for Allah. We do not accept even small deviations [from God’s law], like smoking. We walk a straight line and you can see the results.”</p>
<p>Jabhat al-Nusra, or The Support Front, emerged in January 2012 when it claimed responsibility — in a now-removed YouTube video — for a double car bombing in downtown Aleppo.</p>
<p>Since then, it has grown into a large, highly trained fighting force, with several major victories behind it. Al-Nusra has carried out bombings and assassinations deep inside government territory, worrying both their enemy in Damascus and the West.</p>
<p>Hundreds of rebel factions have joined the war since March 2011, when a peaceful protest movement erupted into violence after it was met by overwhelming government force. The various opposition groups now range from secular coalitions fighting for democracy, to local and foreign religious extremists. Al-Nusra is among the most militant. Al-Haj and his men say they are fighting to establish an Islamic state under Sharia law.</p>
<p>Al-Nusra closely safeguards even minor details of their operations. The Quilliam Foundation, a London-based nongovernmental organization that promotes “counter-extremism” and more nuanced policies by the West toward Islam, released a report on the group last month that revealed the extent of Al-Nusra’s secrecy.</p>
<p>“Any breach of the group’s security is punishable by death, supported by a sophisticated religious justification — betrayal of JN is presented as a betrayal of Islam and of all Muslims,” the report said.</p>
<p>Al-Haj refused to even hint at the number of battalions or soldiers they have on the ground or the percentage of foreign fighters among their ranks. But he claimed al-Nusra has representatives in every village in the country.</p>
<p>The Quilliam Foundation estimates its fighters to number about 5,000, with about 2,000 more trainees.</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/syria/130301/the-australian-terrorist-abu-walid-yusuf-toprakkaya-syria-rebels-assad" type="external">An Australian in Syria: The journey of a foreign fighter</a></p>
<p>The estimated percentage of foreign fighters within that group is large. But their leaders, like al-Haj, are predominantly Syrian. Al-Haj worked as a construction worker in Idlib province before the uprising.</p>
<p>Al-Haj said he joined the protests in the first days of the revolution. The walls of his house are still covered in soot from the first government assault on his village, when it burned the homes of activists.</p>
<p>As the call to prayer sounded from a nearby mosque, he invited the male visitors to join him before continuing the interview with GlobalPost. He wore army fatigues, an old sweater and a checkered scarf around his head. At 34, his long beard was already streaked with lines of grey. His pleasant demeanor offset the strong, imposing build of this father of six.</p>
<p>Al-Nusra has used almost every terrorist-style tactic to fight the government, including car bombs, suicide attacks, arson, attacks on liquor stores, and — perhaps its biggest strength — assassinations. According to the Quilliam Foundation, al-Nusra carries out three or four assassinations a week.</p>
<p>Al-Haj told GlobalPost that bombings and assassinations play a key role in his organization’s strategy. But he said their operations do not put civilians at risk. Rather, he said the figures on civilian causalities were fabrications made by the Assad administration to discredit the opposition.</p>
<p>“We choose the right time and the right place,” he said. “We watch the target 24/7. Even if one civilian is at risk, we delay the operation.”</p>
<p>He said Jabhat al-Nusra is not just about fighting. “Our mission is to help Syrian people in every way possible,” he said.</p>
<p>Within their ranks, an aid department distributes bread, gas and blankets. It also regulates grocery prices to prevent exploitation of the needy, he said. Among an opposition plagued with accusations of theft, misconduct and corruption, al-Nusra has developed a reputation as disciplined and high-principled.</p>
<p>On Dec. 10, the Obama administration officially deemed al-Nusra a terrorist organization, describing it as an extension of Al Qaeda in Iraq. The move criminalized any private support for the group. Members of al-Nusra have since dodged any questions about its Al Qaeda links in the foreign media. Al-Haj followed suit.</p>
<p>“Why are the US upset about Al Qaeda?” he asked. “Didn’t Hilary Clinton say they are fighting an organization they created?”</p>
<p>“If the US intend to make justice and peace in the world, then we are with them. If Al Qaeda does, then we are with them. We are on the side of justice and peace, whoever brings it.”</p>
<p>Among other opposition leaders, the general belief is that al-Nusra does not have direct links to Al Qaeda, but that much of their ideology stems from the same core beliefs. One of the few outside groups to have worked alongside al-Nusra is Suqur al-Sham, a coalition of moderate Islamists.</p>
<p>“Some of their thinking is similar to Al Qaeda in Iraq. But I do not believe they are financed by Al Qaeda,” said Ayachi Abdel Rahman, a Suqur al-Sham brigade leader who himself stands accused of terrorism. “They have shown a willingness to conform. They have slowly changed their tactics to appease fellow opposition groups and the Syrian population.”</p>
<p>Read the full story: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/syria/130301/syria-terrorism-rebels-free-syrian-army-assad-islamists-suqur-al-sham" type="external">From IT to rebel commander: The story of Ayachi Abdel Rahman</a></p>
<p>But Abdel Rahman said the two groups have had their disagreements over the killing of prisoners. He recalled a joint mission against a government checkpoint in Idlib where al-Nusra members captured and slit the throats of five government soldiers, throwing their bodies on the roadside. They told Abdel Rahman they wanted to instill fear in their enemy.</p>
<p>While the majority of opposition groups, by policy, send captives to face the centralized Free Syrian Army tribunal, YouTube videos show al-Nusra carrying out executions by gunfire and beheading.</p>
<p>Al-Nusra recently signed agreements in most areas, including Jabal al-Zawiya, to abide by the decisions of the Free Syrian Army courts, including the trial of prisoners of war. But al-Haj said there are situations were prisoners are executed without trial.</p>
<p>“There are some who we are sure have killed many,” he said. “By Islamic law it is an eye for an eye. These executions are by the same law as the courts. The intention of Jabhat al-Nursa is not to kill, but to uphold the law.”</p>
<p>Al-Haj said he was surprised when the United States designated al-Nusra a terrorist organization.</p>
<p>“If Jabhat al-Nusra are terrorists, why don’t we take a look at how many women have been raped by us, how many mosques have been destroyed by us, how many children killed. Now compare our record to Bashar’s list,” he said. “Then you will see who is the terrorist.”</p>
<p>Entering the room to serve a lunchtime feast, Al-Haj’s mother-in-law joined the conversation.</p>
<p>“The people are a witness to Jabhat al-Nusra,” she said. “They love Jabhat al-Nusra. What makes them terrorists? Because they don’t rape or steal? Because they protect and help the people? How is this terrorism?”</p>
<p>When his wife and young son entered the room, al-Haj beamed a joyous smile. He hugged the boy, who ran giggling into his arms, before warmly inviting his guests to enjoy the meal.</p>
<p>Following the terrorist designation in December, protests broke out across Syria in support of al-Nusra. Signs declared, “We are all Jabhat al-Nusra” and "There is no terrorism in Syria except that of Assad."</p>
<p>“Jabhat al-Nusra
 have the Syrian people’s support because they are the only real fighters on the ground,” said Abdullah Omar, a Free Syrian Army member from Aleppo. “The purity of the FSA fighters went down 
because they turned from fighting to other illegal work.”</p>
<p>But Omar went on to echo the concerns of many, both civilian and fighters, over the future of Jabhat al-Nusra in a new democratic Syria.</p>
<p>“God only knows what’s going to happen between them and the FSA and the new government after the Assad regime falls down,” he said.</p>
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jabal al zawiya syria officials washington damascus agree something call jabhat alnusra terrorist organization us state department describes cadre rebel fighters al qaedas attempt hijack struggles syrian people malign purposes date members alnusra claimed responsibility 600 attacks killed hundreds syrians military civilian rebelheld areas country alnusra fighters hailed heroes praised oppositions effective military force government leveled whole cities airstrikes killing tens thousands globalpost depth syria one mans terrorist anothers freedom fighter rare exclusive interview globalpost alamir gazi alhaj one princes top leaders alnusra defended organization accept best best said sparsely furnished home jabal alzawiya stoked wood heater pure intentions fight allah accept even small deviations gods law like smoking walk straight line see results jabhat alnusra support front emerged january 2012 claimed responsibility nowremoved youtube video double car bombing downtown aleppo since grown large highly trained fighting force several major victories behind alnusra carried bombings assassinations deep inside government territory worrying enemy damascus west hundreds rebel factions joined war since march 2011 peaceful protest movement erupted violence met overwhelming government force various opposition groups range secular coalitions fighting democracy local foreign religious extremists alnusra among militant alhaj men say fighting establish islamic state sharia law alnusra closely safeguards even minor details operations quilliam foundation londonbased nongovernmental organization promotes counterextremism nuanced policies west toward islam released report group last month revealed extent alnusras secrecy breach groups security punishable death supported sophisticated religious justification betrayal jn presented betrayal islam muslims report said alhaj refused even hint number battalions soldiers ground percentage foreign fighters among ranks claimed alnusra representatives every village country quilliam foundation estimates fighters number 5000 2000 trainees globalpost australian syria journey foreign fighter estimated percentage foreign fighters within group large leaders like alhaj predominantly syrian alhaj worked construction worker idlib province uprising alhaj said joined protests first days revolution walls house still covered soot first government assault village burned homes activists call prayer sounded nearby mosque invited male visitors join continuing interview globalpost wore army fatigues old sweater checkered scarf around head 34 long beard already streaked lines grey pleasant demeanor offset strong imposing build father six alnusra used almost every terroriststyle tactic fight government including car bombs suicide attacks arson attacks liquor stores perhaps biggest strength assassinations according quilliam foundation alnusra carries three four assassinations week alhaj told globalpost bombings assassinations play key role organizations strategy said operations put civilians risk rather said figures civilian causalities fabrications made assad administration discredit opposition choose right time right place said watch target 247 even one civilian risk delay operation said jabhat alnusra fighting mission help syrian people every way possible said within ranks aid department distributes bread gas blankets also regulates grocery prices prevent exploitation needy said among opposition plagued accusations theft misconduct corruption alnusra developed reputation disciplined highprincipled dec 10 obama administration officially deemed alnusra terrorist organization describing extension al qaeda iraq move criminalized private support group members alnusra since dodged questions al qaeda links foreign media alhaj followed suit us upset al qaeda asked didnt hilary clinton say fighting organization created us intend make justice peace world al qaeda side justice peace whoever brings among opposition leaders general belief alnusra direct links al qaeda much ideology stems core beliefs one outside groups worked alongside alnusra suqur alsham coalition moderate islamists thinking similar al qaeda iraq believe financed al qaeda said ayachi abdel rahman suqur alsham brigade leader stands accused terrorism shown willingness conform slowly changed tactics appease fellow opposition groups syrian population read full story rebel commander story ayachi abdel rahman abdel rahman said two groups disagreements killing prisoners recalled joint mission government checkpoint idlib alnusra members captured slit throats five government soldiers throwing bodies roadside told abdel rahman wanted instill fear enemy majority opposition groups policy send captives face centralized free syrian army tribunal youtube videos show alnusra carrying executions gunfire beheading alnusra recently signed agreements areas including jabal alzawiya abide decisions free syrian army courts including trial prisoners war alhaj said situations prisoners executed without trial sure killed many said islamic law eye eye executions law courts intention jabhat alnursa kill uphold law alhaj said surprised united states designated alnusra terrorist organization jabhat alnusra terrorists dont take look many women raped us many mosques destroyed us many children killed compare record bashars list said see terrorist entering room serve lunchtime feast alhajs motherinlaw joined conversation people witness jabhat alnusra said love jabhat alnusra makes terrorists dont rape steal protect help people terrorism wife young son entered room alhaj beamed joyous smile hugged boy ran giggling arms warmly inviting guests enjoy meal following terrorist designation december protests broke across syria support alnusra signs declared jabhat alnusra terrorism syria except assad jabhat alnusra syrian peoples support real fighters ground said abdullah omar free syrian army member aleppo purity fsa fighters went turned fighting illegal work omar went echo concerns many civilian fighters future jabhat alnusra new democratic syria god knows whats going happen fsa new government assad regime falls said
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<p>Jim Slatton had a catchy title in mind for his biography of William Heth Whitsitt. He wanted to call it An Inconvenient Truth, but Al Gore coined it first for his book. It would have been apropos. After all, in the 1880s Whitsitt published the truth about Baptist history: that it cannot be proven that Baptists practiced believer’s baptism by immersion prior to 1641. And for that statement Whitsitt, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary from 1895-99, practically was branded a heretic and effectively hounded from office by the Southern Baptist Convention fundamentalists of his day, a party known as the Landmarkers.&#160; He unwittingly became a martyr once he applied scientific methods of research and simply revealed the truth.</p>
<p />
<p>The Landmarkers wanted a clear line of unbroken succession — “a trail of blood” — from the ancient days of the apostles. Their preposterous claim gave Baptists an air of legitimacy in an age of fierce denominational competition. They felt that Baptist churches were the only descendants of the first church. It all seems rather silly in a supposedly post-denominational age; but in the late 19th century, Whitsitt’s findings were considered “fightin’ words” to succession believers.</p>
<p>Whitsitt and his beloved wife, Florence, were aware of the consequences. For several years they endured a Baptist war replete with intrigue, insults and innuendo. It made good fodder for the some 100 Baptist newspapers in America and the editors kept flaming the fires. The annual meetings of the SBC were stormy. Whitsitt’s chief opponent was his own pastor, T.T. Eaton, and his chief defender was the masterful Virginia Baptist leader, W.E. Hatcher. It all was high drama and forever after the whirlwind was known as “the Whitsitt Controversy.”&#160;</p>
<p>The storm subsided when Whitsitt resigned the presidency. He came to Richmond College, the Virginia Baptist school, and taught philosophy. In January 1911, he died and was buried in Richmond’s Hollywood Cemetery within a few feet of Jefferson Davis. The next year, Hatcher died and was buried in the lot next to Whitsitt.&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;But the Whitsitt Controversy, the man’s good deeds and his interpretation of historical truth were never buried. A century later, his findings are accepted by most historians and taught in the seminaries. During the late unpleasant controversy among Southern Baptists, the Whitsitt Historical Society was founded and each year presents a courage award to some modern-day Baptist hero or heroine. The first Whitsitt Courage Award was given posthumously to the great man himself.</p>
<p>&#160;Through the years there have been some scholarly dissertations on Whitsitt, but&#160; a&#160; popular&#160; biography&#160; has&#160; been&#160; wanting.&#160; After&#160; five years of research and writing, James H. Slatton, a Virginia Baptist minister, has produced what the publisher, Mercer Press, chose to title W.H. Whitsitt: The Man and the Controversy. It is a must read for every contemporary Baptist who cares about the quest for truth.</p>
<p>&#160;Slatton worked on the book as scholar-in-residence at the Virginia Baptist Historical Society, which owns Whitsitt’s private and never-before-used diary of 16 volumes. The Whitsitt family had given the diary to the Society with the understanding that Slatton had first use of the materials. In his diary, Whitsitt had confided his innermost thoughts about his colleagues at the seminary; and he painted poignant word pictures of life in the 19th century. Slatton also used a huge body of material at the Library of Virginia.&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;Once retired from the pastorate of River Road Church, Baptist, in Richmond, Slatton was free to devote his time, energies and considerable literary talents to the biography. He clearly enjoyed his project. “It was like time travel,” he recently reflected. “I stepped back into the 19th century.” The man and the manners may have been 19th century but Slatton soon began to see parallels with 20th and even 21st-century Baptists; and he found that in many ways the recent controversy was a continuation of the same mindsets which fueled the Whitsitt Controversy.</p>
<p>&#160;“The crisis,” says Slatton, “was reconciling the new learning with the old faith. It was a world of new discoveries and knowledge — Darwin, evolution, science; and the question was ‘how does faith deal with the modern world of science?’ They were struggling with it in the 19th century and we are still struggling with it today.”</p>
<p />
<p>“We see this man — Whitsitt — struggling in his own life with a simple faith. Yet he became a man beyond his times. His opinions were out of step with the denomination and the times. He was able to look at religion in a very modern way.” Slatton asserts that Whitsitt was “a marked man among Baptists” because he had studied in Germany, in the universities of Leipzig and Berlin. It must be acknowledged that he had received “a proper education” at the University of Virginia.&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;The new biography should be appealing even for those who have little interest in Baptist history. Whitsitt lived a full life. He reminds this columnist of the fictious Forrest Gump, who kept running into famous people. He served with Nathan Bedford Forrest, was with Jefferson Davis as the president fled, met the eminent Charles Haddon Spurgeon, and even shook hands with Richard Wagner. He tramped across Europe. He knew all the Baptist giants in America of the 19th century.&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;Jim Slatton has known his own share of Baptist personalities and a fair slice of controversy to boot. A native Texan, he was born debating. He won a national championship in high school debating and was a varsity debater for Baylor University. Although he had a debating scholarship, he found that student preaching — with its love offerings — paid his way through college. In the summers he came to Virginia as part of the wave of Baptist student preachers. One summer at Ocean View Baptist Church in Norfolk he met a young musician, Lee Thornton, and encouraged her to attend Baylor. Jim and Lee were married in 1956. They enjoyed two Virginia pastorates, First Baptist in Altavista and River Road. At the height of “the controversy” of the 20th century, he also had a moment of intense attention at the SBC meeting in Dallas in 1985. From the platform, before a crowd of 45,000 messengers, he courageously offered a plan which, if adopted, might have forestalled division in the SBC. It is no wonder that Jim Slatton identified with W.H. Whitsitt. It is no wonder that he reveled in time travel.</p>
<p>&#160;Copies of the book may be ordered from the Virginia Baptist Historical Society by calling&#160; (804) 289-8434.</p>
<p>&#160;Fred Anderson is executive director of the Virginia Baptist Historical Society and the Center for Baptist Heritage and Studies. He may be contacted at <a href="mailto:[email protected]" type="external">[email protected]</a> or at P.O. Box 34, University of Richmond, VA 23173.</p>
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jim slatton catchy title mind biography william heth whitsitt wanted call inconvenient truth al gore coined first book would apropos 1880s whitsitt published truth baptist history proven baptists practiced believers baptism immersion prior 1641 statement whitsitt president southern baptist theological seminary 189599 practically branded heretic effectively hounded office southern baptist convention fundamentalists day party known landmarkers160 unwittingly became martyr applied scientific methods research simply revealed truth landmarkers wanted clear line unbroken succession trail blood ancient days apostles preposterous claim gave baptists air legitimacy age fierce denominational competition felt baptist churches descendants first church seems rather silly supposedly postdenominational age late 19th century whitsitts findings considered fightin words succession believers whitsitt beloved wife florence aware consequences several years endured baptist war replete intrigue insults innuendo made good fodder 100 baptist newspapers america editors kept flaming fires annual meetings sbc stormy whitsitts chief opponent pastor tt eaton chief defender masterful virginia baptist leader hatcher high drama forever whirlwind known whitsitt controversy160 storm subsided whitsitt resigned presidency came richmond college virginia baptist school taught philosophy january 1911 died buried richmonds hollywood cemetery within feet jefferson davis next year hatcher died buried lot next whitsitt160 160but whitsitt controversy mans good deeds interpretation historical truth never buried century later findings accepted historians taught seminaries late unpleasant controversy among southern baptists whitsitt historical society founded year presents courage award modernday baptist hero heroine first whitsitt courage award given posthumously great man 160through years scholarly dissertations whitsitt but160 a160 popular160 biography160 has160 been160 wanting160 after160 five years research writing james h slatton virginia baptist minister produced publisher mercer press chose title wh whitsitt man controversy must read every contemporary baptist cares quest truth 160slatton worked book scholarinresidence virginia baptist historical society owns whitsitts private neverbeforeused diary 16 volumes whitsitt family given diary society understanding slatton first use materials diary whitsitt confided innermost thoughts colleagues seminary painted poignant word pictures life 19th century slatton also used huge body material library virginia160 160once retired pastorate river road church baptist richmond slatton free devote time energies considerable literary talents biography clearly enjoyed project like time travel recently reflected stepped back 19th century man manners may 19th century slatton soon began see parallels 20th even 21stcentury baptists found many ways recent controversy continuation mindsets fueled whitsitt controversy 160the crisis says slatton reconciling new learning old faith world new discoveries knowledge darwin evolution science question faith deal modern world science struggling 19th century still struggling today see man whitsitt struggling life simple faith yet became man beyond times opinions step denomination times able look religion modern way slatton asserts whitsitt marked man among baptists studied germany universities leipzig berlin must acknowledged received proper education university virginia160 160the new biography appealing even little interest baptist history whitsitt lived full life reminds columnist fictious forrest gump kept running famous people served nathan bedford forrest jefferson davis president fled met eminent charles haddon spurgeon even shook hands richard wagner tramped across europe knew baptist giants america 19th century160 160jim slatton known share baptist personalities fair slice controversy boot native texan born debating national championship high school debating varsity debater baylor university although debating scholarship found student preaching love offerings paid way college summers came virginia part wave baptist student preachers one summer ocean view baptist church norfolk met young musician lee thornton encouraged attend baylor jim lee married 1956 enjoyed two virginia pastorates first baptist altavista river road height controversy 20th century also moment intense attention sbc meeting dallas 1985 platform crowd 45000 messengers courageously offered plan adopted might forestalled division sbc wonder jim slatton identified wh whitsitt wonder reveled time travel 160copies book may ordered virginia baptist historical society calling160 804 2898434 160fred anderson executive director virginia baptist historical society center baptist heritage studies may contacted fredandersonvbmborg po box 34 university richmond va 23173
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<p>As a jury deliberates the fate of two former Chris Christie allies who were allegedly involved in the political payback scandal known as "Bridgegate," one of the biggest questions actually centers on Christie himself.</p>
<p>What will this verdict mean for New Jersey's governor?</p>
<p>Once considered a top-tier presidential candidate, Christie never recovered from accusations that he knew about the scheme to block access to the George Washington Bridge as a means of political retribution. With <a href="http://view2.fdu.edu/publicmind/2016/161019/" type="external">approval ratings hitting new lows</a>in his home state, he has since become a notable backer of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, but has <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2016/09/chris-christie-bridgegate-trump-vp-228190" type="external">acknowledged</a>that so-called “Bridgegate” was likely a factor in why Trump didn’t select him as his running mate.</p>
<p>From the beginning, Christie has denied any knowledge or involvement in the 2013 lane closures, and has never been named as a conspirator in the case or charged. But throughout the trial — in which Christie's ex-deputy chief of staff Bridget Anne Kelly and his former top Port Authority official Bill Baroni have been charged on nine counts of conspiracy and fraud stemming from the plot — several witnesses <a href="" type="internal">said</a>Christie was aware of the plan before, during and after.</p>
<p>The prosecution’s star witness, David Wildstein, another former Christie former ally and a Port Authority official who has already pleaded guilty, went as far as to say that top Christie allies used the Port Authority, which controls the George Washington Bridge, as a "goody bag" to sway local Democratic politicians to endorse Christie's re-election bid in 2013.</p>
<p>Related: <a href="" type="internal">Ex-Christie Aide: I Told Gov. About 'Bridgegate' Lane Closures</a></p>
<p>While on the stand, Kelly described the intimidating environment the governor created, recounting how he once <a href="" type="internal">threw a water bottle</a> at her during a discussion about an upcoming press conference. When asked by her lawyer if she was afraid of Christie, Kelly said "yes."</p>
<p>If Kelly and Baroni are found guilty, they could face lengthy jail time. The most serious charges in the indictment carry a maximum penalty of up to 20 years behind bars. And though Christie faces no such penalty, a conviction of his top aides could do even more lasting political damage to him.</p>
<p>“If they are found guilty, it impacts him because they are so closely intertwined with him. It’s a reflection on his leadership and it would tarnish him even worse,” said Michael Weinstein, a former Department of Justice trial attorney and current chair of the White Collar Defense and Investigations Department at Cole Schotz in New Jersey.</p>
<p>But what if they're exonerated? A not-guilty verdict may not do Christie much good either, according to Matthew Hale, an associate professor at Seton Hall University. That's because declaring Kelly and Baroni not guilty might suggest that the jury believes Christie is the real guilty party.</p>
<p>Related: <a href="" type="internal">Jury Begins 'Bridgegate' Deliberations</a></p>
<p>“A not-guilty verdict is kind of an act of jury nullification,” Hale said. “It says that the jury really wants to hold Chris Christie accountable for the Bridgegate mess but can't because he isn't on trial. The defense, particularly for Bridget Anne Kelly, tried to paint them as pawns of large political forces and therefore not really the guilty ones.”</p>
<p>Hale added, however, that outside of New Jersey, people may see it differently —as if Christie has been vindicated. Brigid Harrison, a political science professor at Montclair State University, echoed that sentiment.</p>
<p>“A universal not guilty would be a vindication for the governor. It would signify that the jury believes the narrative that there was this traffic study and there was no administrative role in this whole scenario,” she said.</p>
<p>Christie’s best-case scenario may be that Baroni and Kelly are both found not guilty and Trump wins the presidential election.</p>
<p>“I think there’s a very slim chance of Gov. Christie having a political future," Hale said. "A lot of things have to happen. Trump has to win and these two people have to be found not guilty. And Christie would have to play a significant role in a top [Trump] administration beyond just being transition to elevate his stature. But all of those are long shots. Bridgegate has already destroyed him in New Jersey and it’s likely to destroy him nationally."</p>
<p>Related: <a href="" type="internal">Chris Christie Aide Accused Him of Lying on Bridgegate, Documents Say</a></p>
<p>The governor still has one more year in office, which may be pretty tough. According to a a new survey from Fairleigh Dickinson University’s PublicMind, just 21 percent of registered voters approved of the job the governor is doing, with almost three quarters, 72 percent, saying they disapproved. The poll also showed that a majority, 52 percent,/ said they believed there is ample evidence that Christie knew about the lane closures and did nothing to prevent or stop them from continuing.</p>
<p>Separately, Christie is expected to appear in court on Nov. 23 <a href="" type="internal">after receiving a criminal summons</a>for official misconduct allegations in connection to the scandal.</p>
<p>And the trial isn't helping. Indeed, it's reminded many voters of the ugly nature of Jersey politics.</p>
<p>“It’s like watching the sausage getting made," Weinstein said. "It’s not pretty. I think people know it goes on and expects it to happen but I think the use of government resources and the pettiness and the aggressiveness of political leaders to do what they did will really make people more callous to their officials."</p>
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jury deliberates fate two former chris christie allies allegedly involved political payback scandal known bridgegate one biggest questions actually centers christie verdict mean new jerseys governor considered toptier presidential candidate christie never recovered accusations knew scheme block access george washington bridge means political retribution approval ratings hitting new lowsin home state since become notable backer republican presidential nominee donald trump acknowledgedthat socalled bridgegate likely factor trump didnt select running mate beginning christie denied knowledge involvement 2013 lane closures never named conspirator case charged throughout trial christies exdeputy chief staff bridget anne kelly former top port authority official bill baroni charged nine counts conspiracy fraud stemming plot several witnesses saidchristie aware plan prosecutions star witness david wildstein another former christie former ally port authority official already pleaded guilty went far say top christie allies used port authority controls george washington bridge goody bag sway local democratic politicians endorse christies reelection bid 2013 related exchristie aide told gov bridgegate lane closures stand kelly described intimidating environment governor created recounting threw water bottle discussion upcoming press conference asked lawyer afraid christie kelly said yes kelly baroni found guilty could face lengthy jail time serious charges indictment carry maximum penalty 20 years behind bars though christie faces penalty conviction top aides could even lasting political damage found guilty impacts closely intertwined reflection leadership would tarnish even worse said michael weinstein former department justice trial attorney current chair white collar defense investigations department cole schotz new jersey theyre exonerated notguilty verdict may christie much good either according matthew hale associate professor seton hall university thats declaring kelly baroni guilty might suggest jury believes christie real guilty party related jury begins bridgegate deliberations notguilty verdict kind act jury nullification hale said says jury really wants hold chris christie accountable bridgegate mess cant isnt trial defense particularly bridget anne kelly tried paint pawns large political forces therefore really guilty ones hale added however outside new jersey people may see differently christie vindicated brigid harrison political science professor montclair state university echoed sentiment universal guilty would vindication governor would signify jury believes narrative traffic study administrative role whole scenario said christies bestcase scenario may baroni kelly found guilty trump wins presidential election think theres slim chance gov christie political future hale said lot things happen trump win two people found guilty christie would play significant role top trump administration beyond transition elevate stature long shots bridgegate already destroyed new jersey likely destroy nationally related chris christie aide accused lying bridgegate documents say governor still one year office may pretty tough according new survey fairleigh dickinson universitys publicmind 21 percent registered voters approved job governor almost three quarters 72 percent saying disapproved poll also showed majority 52 percent said believed ample evidence christie knew lane closures nothing prevent stop continuing separately christie expected appear court nov 23 receiving criminal summonsfor official misconduct allegations connection scandal trial isnt helping indeed reminded many voters ugly nature jersey politics like watching sausage getting made weinstein said pretty think people know goes expects happen think use government resources pettiness aggressiveness political leaders really make people callous officials
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<p>DUBAI, UAE — Default on a loan or bounce a check in Dubai and you could end up in debtors’ prison.</p>
<p>That was the very Dickensian prospect facing Simon Ford, a boyish British entrepreneur whose “alternative gift” business sold rides in hot air balloons and Formula 1 racing cars to the party crowd in this Disneyesque city-state. But the recession has hit Dubai hard and Ford’s business foundered.</p>
<p>When his loans came due last June, he did what thousands of other expats have done. He packed up his family and fled — a few hours ahead of the law.</p>
<p>Ford also left behind an anguished “open letter” to friends and creditors that neatly encapsulates the predicament of many expats in Dubai who took out loans during the flush times and now find themselves out of work and unable to keep up with the payments on their seaside villas and luxury cars.</p>
<p>“I am not running away from debt, I am purely protecting those dearest to me and getting out of a country which, due to the lack of structured bankruptcy laws and a banking system which has zero flexibility on loan repayments, drives people to make horrible decisions,” he wrote in an open letter to local media.</p>
<p>He promised to repay all of his creditors.</p>
<p>Dubai authorities won’t say precisely how many people have been jailed for their debts, but local news accounts put the number at about 1,200 — more than 40 percent of the total prison population.</p>
<p>Even trickier to gauge is how many others took Ford’s route and simply fled. Judging by the number of apparently abandoned BMW’s and Mercedes gathering dust on city streets and the ensuing chatter on expats’ discussion boards, the number is not insignificant.</p>
<p>One recent escapee has written a book about his flight. Herve Jaubert, a former French intelligence agent who used to cruise around Dubai in a red Lamborghini, found the law breathing down his neck after his plans to manufacture “luxury submarines” became submerged in debt.</p>
<p>Jaubert explains that he bolted last year after government interrogators threatened to stick needles up his nose. With 007 panache and a woman’s all-encompassing burqa concealing his frogman gear, Jaubert slipped into the sea, swam out to a police patrol boat and disabled its fuel line so that it could not give chase. He then used a rubber dingy to get safely beyond the UAE’s territorial waters where he was met by a confederate in a sailboat. Eight days later they landed in India.</p>
<p>The book, <a href="http://www.escapefromdubai.com/" type="external">“Escape from Dubai”</a> comes out next month. But Jaubert’s website has been blocked in Dubai and sale of his book will no doubt be banned here. The Frenchman, now living in Florida, was tried in absentia and sentenced to five years imprisonment for fraud.</p>
<p>A number of U.S. citizens have been imprisoned for bounced checks, but the American Embassy — apparently in keeping with the local custom of casting a veil of silence over disturbing news — declined to provide specific figures.</p>
<p>For U.S. citizens with shaky balance sheets, the notion of fleeing in a rubber dingy might not be appealing. Among the recommended alternatives “engaging a local attorney is usually high on the list,” said an embassy spokesman, Steven Pike.</p>
<p>It’s easy to see how people got in over their heads in this glam desert playground. During the boom years, when the real estate market was flying high, landlords demanded — and received — a year’s rent paid in advance with a series of post-dated checks. Banks, meanwhile, were eager to lend money to just about anyone with a get-rich-quick scheme (luxury submarines?) — with only an undated, blank check as collateral.</p>
<p>But then the bubble burst. Embarrassingly, the government of Dubai, with huge debts of its own, needed a bailout from neighboring Abu Dhabi to stay solvent. The idea of jailing petty debtors strikes most Westerners as cruel. The practice was abolished in Britain by the Debtors Act of 1869; it was abandoned even earlier in the U.S. In most developed countries, bouncing a check or defaulting on a loan is a civil matter, not a criminal offense.</p>
<p>Dubai likes to think of itself as an island of modernity in the Middle East. It attends carefully to its image as a destination for the rich and famous and as safe haven for their investment capital. The negative publicity generated by the likes of Ford and Jaubert has spurred calls for reform, and a new government panel has been set up to overhaul financial laws.</p>
<p>One of the biggest backers of decriminalizing personal debt is Dubai Police Chief Dahi Khalfan Tamim, who says that chasing check-bouncers and locking them up is a waste of police resources.</p>
<p>“My boss suggests these matters should be handled with a little more flexibility, especially for businessmen,” said Buti a-Falasi, the police department’s media adviser.</p>
<p>But the practice of treating a bad check as fraud is not entirely unpopular here. Local historians say it goes back to the early days of Dubai’s development as trading port, when merchants and ship owners exchanged signed checks as security warrants. And in a traditional society, throwing deadbeats in jail is still seen as a good way of prodding the extended family to come to the rescue.</p>
<p>Ford, the failed entrepreneur, is back in England trying to start anew. “As you can imagine, it’s been a rather traumatic few months,” he said in response to an email query. “But I'd like to focus on the future so I can make some solid progress on repaying people in Dubai.”&#160;</p>
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dubai uae default loan bounce check dubai could end debtors prison dickensian prospect facing simon ford boyish british entrepreneur whose alternative gift business sold rides hot air balloons formula 1 racing cars party crowd disneyesque citystate recession hit dubai hard fords business foundered loans came due last june thousands expats done packed family fled hours ahead law ford also left behind anguished open letter friends creditors neatly encapsulates predicament many expats dubai took loans flush times find work unable keep payments seaside villas luxury cars running away debt purely protecting dearest getting country due lack structured bankruptcy laws banking system zero flexibility loan repayments drives people make horrible decisions wrote open letter local media promised repay creditors dubai authorities wont say precisely many people jailed debts local news accounts put number 1200 40 percent total prison population even trickier gauge many others took fords route simply fled judging number apparently abandoned bmws mercedes gathering dust city streets ensuing chatter expats discussion boards number insignificant one recent escapee written book flight herve jaubert former french intelligence agent used cruise around dubai red lamborghini found law breathing neck plans manufacture luxury submarines became submerged debt jaubert explains bolted last year government interrogators threatened stick needles nose 007 panache womans allencompassing burqa concealing frogman gear jaubert slipped sea swam police patrol boat disabled fuel line could give chase used rubber dingy get safely beyond uaes territorial waters met confederate sailboat eight days later landed india book escape dubai comes next month jauberts website blocked dubai sale book doubt banned frenchman living florida tried absentia sentenced five years imprisonment fraud number us citizens imprisoned bounced checks american embassy apparently keeping local custom casting veil silence disturbing news declined provide specific figures us citizens shaky balance sheets notion fleeing rubber dingy might appealing among recommended alternatives engaging local attorney usually high list said embassy spokesman steven pike easy see people got heads glam desert playground boom years real estate market flying high landlords demanded received years rent paid advance series postdated checks banks meanwhile eager lend money anyone getrichquick scheme luxury submarines undated blank check collateral bubble burst embarrassingly government dubai huge debts needed bailout neighboring abu dhabi stay solvent idea jailing petty debtors strikes westerners cruel practice abolished britain debtors act 1869 abandoned even earlier us developed countries bouncing check defaulting loan civil matter criminal offense dubai likes think island modernity middle east attends carefully image destination rich famous safe investment capital negative publicity generated likes ford jaubert spurred calls reform new government panel set overhaul financial laws one biggest backers decriminalizing personal debt dubai police chief dahi khalfan tamim says chasing checkbouncers locking waste police resources boss suggests matters handled little flexibility especially businessmen said buti afalasi police departments media adviser practice treating bad check fraud entirely unpopular local historians say goes back early days dubais development trading port merchants ship owners exchanged signed checks security warrants traditional society throwing deadbeats jail still seen good way prodding extended family come rescue ford failed entrepreneur back england trying start anew imagine rather traumatic months said response email query id like focus future make solid progress repaying people dubai160
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<p>An open-ended ceasefire in the Gaza war held on Wednesday as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced strong criticism in Israel over a costly conflict with Palestinian militants in which no clear victor emerged.</p>
<p>On the streets of the battered, Hamas-run Palestinian enclave, people headed to shops and banks, trying to resume the normal pace of life after seven weeks of fighting. Thousands of others, who had fled the battles and sheltered with relatives or in schools, returned home, where some found only rubble.</p>
<p>In Israel, sirens warning of incoming rocket fire from the Gaza Strip fell silent, but media commentators, echoing attacks by members of Netanyahu's governing coalition, voiced deep disappointment over his leadership during the most prolonged bout of Israeli-Palestinian violence in a decade.</p>
<p>"After 50 days of warfare in which a terror organization killed dozens of soldiers and civilians, destroyed the daily routine (and) placed the country in a state of economic distress ... we could have expected much more than an announcement of a ceasefire," analyst Shimon Shiffer wrote in Yedioth Ahronoth, Israel's biggest-selling newspaper.</p>
<p>"We could have expected the prime minister to go to the President’s Residence and inform him of his decision to resign his post."</p>
<p>Netanyahu, who has faced constant sniping in his cabinet from right-wing ministers demanding military action to topple Hamas, made no immediate comment on the Egyptian-mediated truce deal that took effect on Tuesday evening.</p>
<p>Palestinian health officials say 2,139 people, most of them civilians, including more than 490 children, have been killed in the enclave since July 8, when Israel launched an offensive with the declared aim of ending rocket salvoes.</p>
<p>Israel's death toll stood at 64 soldiers and six civilians.</p>
<p>The ceasefire agreement called for an indefinite halt to hostilities, the immediate opening of Gaza's blockaded crossings with Israel and Egypt, and a widening of the territory's fishing zone in the Mediterranean.</p>
<p>A senior Hamas official voiced willingness for the security forces of Western-backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the unity government he formed in June to control the passage points.</p>
<p>Both Israel and Egypt view Hamas as a security threat and are seeking guarantees that weapons will not enter the territory of 1.8 million people.</p>
<p>Under a second stage of the truce that would begin a month later, Israel and the Palestinians would discuss the construction of a Gaza sea port and Israel's release of Hamas prisoners in the occupied West Bank, possibly in a trade for the remains of two Israeli soldiers believed held by Hamas, the officials said.</p>
<p>Israel has in recent weeks said it wants the full demilitarization of Gaza. The United States and European Union have supported the goal, but it remains unclear what it would mean in practice and Hamas has rejected it as unfeasible.</p>
<p>Competing victory claims</p>
<p>"On the land of proud Gaza, the united people achieved absolute victory against the Zionist enemy," a Hamas statement said.</p>
<p>Israel said it dealt a strong blow to Hamas, killing several of its military leaders and destroying the Islamist group's cross-border infiltration tunnels.</p>
<p>"Hamas's military wing was badly hit, we know this clearly through unequivocal intelligence," Yossi Cohen, Netanyahu's national security adviser, said on Army Radio.</p>
<p>But Israel also faced persistent rocket fire for nearly two months that caused an exodus from a number of border communities and became part of daily life in its commercial heartland.</p>
<p>"They are celebrating in Gaza," cabinet minister Uzi Landau, of the far-right Yisrael Beitenu party in Netanyahu's coalition, told Israel Radio. He said that for Israel, the outcome of the war was "very gloomy" because it had not created sufficient deterrence to dissuade Hamas from attacking in the future.</p>
<p>Nahum Barnea, one of Israel's most popular columnists, expressed concern "that instead of paving the way to removing the threat from Gaza, we are paving the road to the next round, in Lebanon or in Gaza".</p>
<p>"The Israelis expected a leader, a statesman who knows what he wants to achieve, someone who makes decisions and engages in a sincere and real dialogue with his public," he wrote in Yedioth Ahronoth. "They received a seasoned spokesperson, and very little beyond that."</p>
<p>Ben Caspit, writing in the Maariv daily, said there was no victory for Israel in a conflict that resulted in "a collapsed tourism industry (and) an economy approaching recession."</p>
<p>Israel's central bank has estimated the conflict will knock half a point off economic growth this year.</p>
<p>But with future diplomatic moves on Gaza's future still pending, there was no immediate talk publicly among Netanyahu's coalition partners of any steps to break up the alliance.</p>
<p>Israel said it would facilitate the flow of civilian goods and humanitarian and reconstruction aid into the impoverished territory if the truce was honored.</p>
<p>But, Cohen said: "(Hamas) will...not get a port unless it declares it will disarm. It will not get even one screw unless we can be sure it is not being used to strengthen Gaza's military might."</p>
<p>The Palestinian Center for Human Rights said 540,000 people had been displaced in the Gaza Strip. Israel has said Hamas bears responsibility for civilian casualties because it operates among non-combatants and uses schools and mosques to store weapons and as launch sites for rockets.</p>
<p>(Additional reporting by Ari Rabinovitch in Jerusalem; Writing by Jeffrey Heller, Editing by Angus MacSwan)</p>
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openended ceasefire gaza war held wednesday prime minister benjamin netanyahu faced strong criticism israel costly conflict palestinian militants clear victor emerged streets battered hamasrun palestinian enclave people headed shops banks trying resume normal pace life seven weeks fighting thousands others fled battles sheltered relatives schools returned home found rubble israel sirens warning incoming rocket fire gaza strip fell silent media commentators echoing attacks members netanyahus governing coalition voiced deep disappointment leadership prolonged bout israelipalestinian violence decade 50 days warfare terror organization killed dozens soldiers civilians destroyed daily routine placed country state economic distress could expected much announcement ceasefire analyst shimon shiffer wrote yedioth ahronoth israels biggestselling newspaper could expected prime minister go presidents residence inform decision resign post netanyahu faced constant sniping cabinet rightwing ministers demanding military action topple hamas made immediate comment egyptianmediated truce deal took effect tuesday evening palestinian health officials say 2139 people civilians including 490 children killed enclave since july 8 israel launched offensive declared aim ending rocket salvoes israels death toll stood 64 soldiers six civilians ceasefire agreement called indefinite halt hostilities immediate opening gazas blockaded crossings israel egypt widening territorys fishing zone mediterranean senior hamas official voiced willingness security forces westernbacked palestinian president mahmoud abbas unity government formed june control passage points israel egypt view hamas security threat seeking guarantees weapons enter territory 18 million people second stage truce would begin month later israel palestinians would discuss construction gaza sea port israels release hamas prisoners occupied west bank possibly trade remains two israeli soldiers believed held hamas officials said israel recent weeks said wants full demilitarization gaza united states european union supported goal remains unclear would mean practice hamas rejected unfeasible competing victory claims land proud gaza united people achieved absolute victory zionist enemy hamas statement said israel said dealt strong blow hamas killing several military leaders destroying islamist groups crossborder infiltration tunnels hamass military wing badly hit know clearly unequivocal intelligence yossi cohen netanyahus national security adviser said army radio israel also faced persistent rocket fire nearly two months caused exodus number border communities became part daily life commercial heartland celebrating gaza cabinet minister uzi landau farright yisrael beitenu party netanyahus coalition told israel radio said israel outcome war gloomy created sufficient deterrence dissuade hamas attacking future nahum barnea one israels popular columnists expressed concern instead paving way removing threat gaza paving road next round lebanon gaza israelis expected leader statesman knows wants achieve someone makes decisions engages sincere real dialogue public wrote yedioth ahronoth received seasoned spokesperson little beyond ben caspit writing maariv daily said victory israel conflict resulted collapsed tourism industry economy approaching recession israels central bank estimated conflict knock half point economic growth year future diplomatic moves gazas future still pending immediate talk publicly among netanyahus coalition partners steps break alliance israel said would facilitate flow civilian goods humanitarian reconstruction aid impoverished territory truce honored cohen said hamas willnot get port unless declares disarm get even one screw unless sure used strengthen gazas military might palestinian center human rights said 540000 people displaced gaza strip israel said hamas bears responsibility civilian casualties operates among noncombatants uses schools mosques store weapons launch sites rockets additional reporting ari rabinovitch jerusalem writing jeffrey heller editing angus macswan
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<p>‘Black on Both Sides: a Racial History of Trans Identity’ is slated for a December release. It explores the lives of black trans women throughout U.S. history. (Photo courtesy University of Minnesota Press)</p>
<p>The 22nd annual Baltimore Book Festival returns to the Inner Harbor Promenade&#160;Sept. 22-24. The festival, which is free and open to the public from&#160;11 a.m.-7 p.m.&#160;each day, will feature about 500 presenting authors and 3,000 books for purchase at the Ivy Book Shop. Some of the literary stars who will be presenting include Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, children’s book writer Adam Gidwitz, and queer poet, writer, and performer Eileen Myles. For more details, including the full schedule of events, visit&#160; <a href="http://baltimorebookfestival.org/" type="external">baltimorebookfestival.org</a>.</p>
<p>Hot off the release of his highly anticipated memoir,&#160;“Logical Family”&#160;(Harper,&#160;Oct. 3), Armistead Maupin will speak at the National Museum of the American Indian (4th St and Independence Ave., N.W.) at&#160;6:45 p.m.&#160;on&#160;Wednesday, Oct. 4. “Armistead Maupin: Tales of a Lifetime,” will include a reading, discussion and book signing. “Logical Family” traces Maupin’s journey from his childhood in conservative North Carolina to Vietnam and eventually 1970s gay San Francisco, recounting the relationships he cherished along the way and how they have shaped him into one of America’s most celebrated writers. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit&#160; <a href="http://smithsonianassociates.org/" type="external">smithsonianassociates.org</a>.</p>
<p>Hillary Clinton’s seventh book (her third memoir) “What Happened” (Simon &amp; Schuster, Sept. 12) recounts her failed quest for the White House last year. Clinton has been more candid of late, a change of tone some — political ideology aside — are finding refreshing. Be prepared to shell out big bucks if you want to catch her on her book tour. Her&#160;Sept. 18&#160;appearance at Warner Theatre in Washington is nearly sold out (and may be by the time this is published). As of Monday, tickets were still available ranging from $195-345. Visit&#160; <a href="http://livenation.com/" type="external">livenation.com</a>&#160;for details.</p>
<p>If you’re a poetry fan,&#160;“Madness”&#160;by Sam Sax&#160;(Penguin Books, Sept. 12) is a stunning debut collection that interrogates our understanding of heterosexuality, sanity, masculinity and addiction. Sax, a queer Jewish writer and educator, draws on his personal and family mental health history to confront these difficult themes with fearlessness and candor.</p>
<p>In his latest conceptual series,&#160;“Beautiful Berlin Boys”&#160;(Kehrer Verlag, Sept. 12), Iranian American photographer, Ashkan Sahihi, pays homage to the gay creative community ravaged by the AIDS epidemic in 1980s New York City through nude photographs of gay artists in modern-day Berlin. In compiling the spare, intimate portraits, Sahihi discovered a haunting familiarity in his subjects, who recall the gay avant garde of his past while representing the newest generation of gay men in what he considers today’s creative capital.</p>
<p>“True Sex: the Lives of Trans Men at the Turn of the Twentieth Century”&#160;by Emily Skidmore&#160;(NYU Press,&#160;Sept. 19) tells the overlooked stories of 18 trans men who assimilated into small town communities during the late 1800s. Skidmore pieces together reports from local newspapers, medical journals and other sources to offer queer narratives that were not cosmopolitan or subversive, but rather quite ordinary, challenging our preconceived notions of community, rural identity and who we think of as trans or queer.</p>
<p>Amidst political uncertainty surrounding LGBT rights,&#160;“Nasty Women: Feminism, Resistance, and Revolution in Trump’s America”&#160;by Samhita Mukhopadhyay and Kate Harding&#160;(Picador,&#160;Oct. 3) is an inspiring collection of essays from leading feminist writers who describe how we got here and how we can resist. Featured essays include Samantha Irby on living as a queer black woman in rural America, Randa Jarrar on cross country travel as a queer Muslim woman and Meredith Taulson on feminism and the transgender community, among many others.</p>
<p>“The Book of Love and Hate,” a new novel from Lambda Literary Award winner Lauren Sanders (Akashic Books,&#160;Oct. 3) tells of of protagonist Jennifer Baron encounters with queer Palestinians in Israel while searching for her missing father.</p>
<p>Also out that day is “TELL: Love, Defiance and the Military Trial at the Tipping Point for Gay Rights” by Maj. Margaret Witt with Tim Connor (ForeEdge,&#160;Oct. 3), a personal account of Witt’s decorated military career and the path to the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy for LGBT servicemembers.</p>
<p>Any true Sasha Velour fan already has&#160;“Drags”&#160;(Kmw Studio,&#160;Oct. 16) set to preorder. Shot by photographer Gregory Kramer, the collection features hyper-glam black and white, full-length studio portraits of New York City’s drag kings and queens. “Drags” also includes essays by some of the photo subjects themselves: Charles Busch, Linda Simpson, Goldie Simpson, and of course, the ever-scholarly Sasha.</p>
<p>With recipes written as deliciously as they taste,&#160;“The Juhu Beach Club Cookbook: Indian Spice, Oakland Soul”&#160;by Preeti Mistry and Sarah Henry&#160;(Running Press,&#160;Oct. 31) has already sent the foodie world into a frenzy well beyond the Bay Area. Mistry, a gay Indian American chef beloved for her big personality, provides a contemporary spin on the traditional Indian cooking she grew up with in this eclectic collection of street food, comfort classics and haute cuisine.</p>
<p>Andrea Lawlor’s debut novel,&#160;“Paul Takes the Form of a Mortal Girl”&#160;(Rescue Press,&#160;Nov. 1), offers a witty and raucous portrait of LGBT radicalism during the early ‘90s. The story follows Paul Polydoris, who studies queer theory and writes provocative zines when not tending bar at the local gay club. Lawlor portrays an exhilarating picaresque hero whose identity seesaws from Riot Grrl to leather cub as he parties through era staples, such as the Michigan Womyn’s Festival.</p>
<p>As a blend of memoir, true crime and ghost story,&#160;“Mean”&#160;by Myriam Gurba&#160;(Coffee House Press,&#160;Nov. 14) is difficult to categorize, but hilarious and poignant at every twist and turn. Gurba, a spoken-word performer and visual artist, tells her own coming of age story as a queer, mixed-race Chicana in California. “Mean” tackles themes of sexual violence, racism and homophobia with brassiness and heart as multilayered as Gurba’s approach to genre.</p>
<p>“Every Night is&#160;Saturday&#160;Night: A Country Girl’s Journey to the Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame”&#160;(BMG,&#160;Nov. 14), written alongside Scott B. Bomar, is the long-awaited autobiography of Wanda Jackson, the legendary “Queen of Rockabilly,” “First Lady of Rock &amp; Roll” and treasured gay icon. Jackson shares personal stories on her relationship with Elvis Presley, her faith and the challenges she faced in bringing sex appeal to country music and femininity to Rock &amp; Roll. The book also features a foreword by Elvis Costello.</p>
<p>In need of some playlist inspiration?&#160;“David Bowie Made Me Gay”&#160;by Darryl W. Bullock&#160;(The Overlook Press,&#160;Nov. 21) is a highly comprehensive history of LGBT music, spanning a century from early jazz and blues to today’s most recognizable pop stars out of the closet. Bullock meticulously chronicles the LGBT community’s vast influence on music through a historical lens, revealing how society’s oscillation between acceptance and persecution has shaped what we listen to today.</p>
<p>In&#160;“Black on Both Sides: A Racial History of Trans Identity”&#160;(University of Minnesota Press,&#160;Dec. 5), C. Riley Snorton uncovers the obscured or erased narratives of black trans women in the United States, beginning with the mid-19th century and continuing through present-day oppression and resistance. Snorton, a professor of Africana studies and feminist, gender and sexuality studies at Cornell University, builds on early sexological writings, fugitive slave stories, Afro-modernist literature and other materials to craft this essential account of black trans history.</p>
<p>Other releases of note include:</p>
<p>•&#160;“Murder Under the Fig Tree: A Palestine Mystery,”&#160;by Kate Jessica Raphael (She Writes Press), is a murder mystery novel that draws Rania Bakara, a Palestinian policewoman, deep into the underground Palestinian gay scene as she investigates the death of young man in a village adjacent to her own. The book is $16.95 and releases&#160;Sept. 19.</p>
<p>•&#160;“The Ultimate Guide to Gay Dads: Everything You Need to Know About LGBT Parenting But Are (Mostly) Afraid to Ask,”&#160;by Eric Rosswood (Mango), is a generous resource for gay and bisexual men who are thinking about starting a family together. The guide is $13.85 and releases&#160;Oct. 24.</p>
<p>•&#160;“Mostly Straight: Sexual Fluidity among Men”&#160;by Ritch C. Savin-Williams (Harvard University Press) is a biological, empirical and psychological research-based exploration of the personal stories of 40 young men who identify as sexually fluid or “mostly straight.” The book is $27.95 and releases&#160;Nov. 3.</p>
<p>•&#160;“Patient Zero and the Making of the AIDS Epidemic,”&#160;by Richard A. McKay (University of Chicago Press), investigates the introduction of the term “patient zero” into the popular lexicon during the 1980s AIDS epidemic. The book thoughtfully traces the life of Gaëtan Dugas, who was incorrectly identified (and vilified) as the first AIDS case in North America. It is $24.91 and releases&#160;Nov. 15.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Adam Gidwitz</a> <a href="" type="internal">AIDS</a> <a href="" type="internal">and Revolution in Trump’s America</a> <a href="" type="internal">Andrea Lawlor</a> <a href="" type="internal">Armistead Maupin</a> <a href="" type="internal">Ashkan Sahihi</a> <a href="" type="internal">Baltimore Book Festival</a> <a href="" type="internal">Beautiful Berlin Boys</a> <a href="" type="internal">Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie</a> <a href="" type="internal">Darryl W. Bullock</a> <a href="" type="internal">David Bowie Made Me Gay</a> <a href="" type="internal">Eileen Myles</a> <a href="" type="internal">Emily Skidmore</a> <a href="" type="internal">Eric Rosswood</a> <a href="" type="internal">Gaetan Dugas</a> <a href="" type="internal">gay</a> <a href="" type="internal">Hillary Clinton</a> <a href="" type="internal">Inner Harbor Promenade</a> <a href="" type="internal">Ivy Book Shop</a> <a href="" type="internal">Kate Harding</a> <a href="" type="internal">Kate Jessica Raphael</a> <a href="" type="internal">Madness</a> <a href="" type="internal">Mean</a> <a href="" type="internal">Mostly Straight: Sexual Fluidity among Men</a> <a href="" type="internal">Murder Under the Fig Tree: A Palestine Mystery</a> <a href="" type="internal">Myriam Gurba</a> <a href="" type="internal">Nasty Women: Feminism</a> <a href="" type="internal">Oakland SoulPreeti Mistry</a> <a href="" type="internal">Patient Zero and the Making of the AIDS Epidemic</a> <a href="" type="internal">Paul Takes the Form of a Mortal Girl</a> <a href="" type="internal">Resistance</a> <a href="" type="internal">Richard A. McKay</a> <a href="" type="internal">Ritch C. Savin-Williams</a> <a href="" type="internal">Sam Sax</a> <a href="" type="internal">Samhita Mukhopadhyay</a> <a href="" type="internal">Sarah Henry</a> <a href="" type="internal">Scott B. Bomar</a> <a href="" type="internal">The Juhu Beach Club Cookbook: Indian Spice</a> <a href="" type="internal">The Ultimate Guide to Gay Dads: Everything You Need to Know About LGBT Parenting But Are (Mostly) Afraid to Ask</a> <a href="" type="internal">True Sex: the Lives of Trans Men at the Turn of the Twentieth Century</a> <a href="" type="internal">Wanda Jackson</a> <a href="" type="internal">Warner Theatre</a> <a href="" type="internal">What Happened</a></p>
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black sides racial history trans identity slated december release explores lives black trans women throughout us history photo courtesy university minnesota press 22nd annual baltimore book festival returns inner harbor promenade160sept 2224 festival free open public from16011 am7 pm160each day feature 500 presenting authors 3000 books purchase ivy book shop literary stars presenting include nigerian author chimamanda ngozi adichie childrens book writer adam gidwitz queer poet writer performer eileen myles details including full schedule events visit160 baltimorebookfestivalorg hot release highly anticipated memoir160logical family160harper160oct 3 armistead maupin speak national museum american indian 4th st independence ave nw at160645 pm160on160wednesday oct 4 armistead maupin tales lifetime include reading discussion book signing logical family traces maupins journey childhood conservative north carolina vietnam eventually 1970s gay san francisco recounting relationships cherished along way shaped one americas celebrated writers information purchase tickets visit160 smithsonianassociatesorg hillary clintons seventh book third memoir happened simon amp schuster sept 12 recounts failed quest white house last year clinton candid late change tone political ideology aside finding refreshing prepared shell big bucks want catch book tour her160sept 18160appearance warner theatre washington nearly sold may time published monday tickets still available ranging 195345 visit160 livenationcom160for details youre poetry fan160madness160by sam sax160penguin books sept 12 stunning debut collection interrogates understanding heterosexuality sanity masculinity addiction sax queer jewish writer educator draws personal family mental health history confront difficult themes fearlessness candor latest conceptual series160beautiful berlin boys160kehrer verlag sept 12 iranian american photographer ashkan sahihi pays homage gay creative community ravaged aids epidemic 1980s new york city nude photographs gay artists modernday berlin compiling spare intimate portraits sahihi discovered haunting familiarity subjects recall gay avant garde past representing newest generation gay men considers todays creative capital true sex lives trans men turn twentieth century160by emily skidmore160nyu press160sept 19 tells overlooked stories 18 trans men assimilated small town communities late 1800s skidmore pieces together reports local newspapers medical journals sources offer queer narratives cosmopolitan subversive rather quite ordinary challenging preconceived notions community rural identity think trans queer amidst political uncertainty surrounding lgbt rights160nasty women feminism resistance revolution trumps america160by samhita mukhopadhyay kate harding160picador160oct 3 inspiring collection essays leading feminist writers describe got resist featured essays include samantha irby living queer black woman rural america randa jarrar cross country travel queer muslim woman meredith taulson feminism transgender community among many others book love hate new novel lambda literary award winner lauren sanders akashic books160oct 3 tells protagonist jennifer baron encounters queer palestinians israel searching missing father also day tell love defiance military trial tipping point gay rights maj margaret witt tim connor foreedge160oct 3 personal account witts decorated military career path repeal dont ask dont tell policy lgbt servicemembers true sasha velour fan already has160drags160kmw studio160oct 16 set preorder shot photographer gregory kramer collection features hyperglam black white fulllength studio portraits new york citys drag kings queens drags also includes essays photo subjects charles busch linda simpson goldie simpson course everscholarly sasha recipes written deliciously taste160the juhu beach club cookbook indian spice oakland soul160by preeti mistry sarah henry160running press160oct 31 already sent foodie world frenzy well beyond bay area mistry gay indian american chef beloved big personality provides contemporary spin traditional indian cooking grew eclectic collection street food comfort classics haute cuisine andrea lawlors debut novel160paul takes form mortal girl160rescue press160nov 1 offers witty raucous portrait lgbt radicalism early 90s story follows paul polydoris studies queer theory writes provocative zines tending bar local gay club lawlor portrays exhilarating picaresque hero whose identity seesaws riot grrl leather cub parties era staples michigan womyns festival blend memoir true crime ghost story160mean160by myriam gurba160coffee house press160nov 14 difficult categorize hilarious poignant every twist turn gurba spokenword performer visual artist tells coming age story queer mixedrace chicana california mean tackles themes sexual violence racism homophobia brassiness heart multilayered gurbas approach genre every night is160saturday160night country girls journey rock amp roll hall fame160bmg160nov 14 written alongside scott b bomar longawaited autobiography wanda jackson legendary queen rockabilly first lady rock amp roll treasured gay icon jackson shares personal stories relationship elvis presley faith challenges faced bringing sex appeal country music femininity rock amp roll book also features foreword elvis costello need playlist inspiration160david bowie made gay160by darryl w bullock160the overlook press160nov 21 highly comprehensive history lgbt music spanning century early jazz blues todays recognizable pop stars closet bullock meticulously chronicles lgbt communitys vast influence music historical lens revealing societys oscillation acceptance persecution shaped listen today in160black sides racial history trans identity160university minnesota press160dec 5 c riley snorton uncovers obscured erased narratives black trans women united states beginning mid19th century continuing presentday oppression resistance snorton professor africana studies feminist gender sexuality studies cornell university builds early sexological writings fugitive slave stories afromodernist literature materials craft essential account black trans history releases note include 160murder fig tree palestine mystery160by kate jessica raphael writes press murder mystery novel draws rania bakara palestinian policewoman deep underground palestinian gay scene investigates death young man village adjacent book 1695 releases160sept 19 160the ultimate guide gay dads everything need know lgbt parenting mostly afraid ask160by eric rosswood mango generous resource gay bisexual men thinking starting family together guide 1385 releases160oct 24 160mostly straight sexual fluidity among men160by ritch c savinwilliams harvard university press biological empirical psychological researchbased exploration personal stories 40 young men identify sexually fluid mostly straight book 2795 releases160nov 3 160patient zero making aids epidemic160by richard mckay university chicago press investigates introduction term patient zero popular lexicon 1980s aids epidemic book thoughtfully traces life gaëtan dugas incorrectly identified vilified first aids case north america 2491 releases160nov 15 adam gidwitz aids revolution trumps america andrea lawlor armistead maupin ashkan sahihi baltimore book festival beautiful berlin boys chimamanda ngozi adichie darryl w bullock david bowie made gay eileen myles emily skidmore eric rosswood gaetan dugas gay hillary clinton inner harbor promenade ivy book shop kate harding kate jessica raphael madness mean mostly straight sexual fluidity among men murder fig tree palestine mystery myriam gurba nasty women feminism oakland soulpreeti mistry patient zero making aids epidemic paul takes form mortal girl resistance richard mckay ritch c savinwilliams sam sax samhita mukhopadhyay sarah henry scott b bomar juhu beach club cookbook indian spice ultimate guide gay dads everything need know lgbt parenting mostly afraid ask true sex lives trans men turn twentieth century wanda jackson warner theatre happened
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<p>Former Florida governor Jeb Bush has an obvious route to the GOP nomination: get the more moderate Republicans who voted for John McCain in 2008 and Mitt Romney in 2012 behind him this time.</p>
<p>Bush, like McCain and Romney, is the kind of wealthy, establishment, conservative-but-not-too conservative figure the Republican Party traditionally nominates.</p>
<p>Bush’s father and brother also both won the party’s nomination, but those are not great analogies to 2016. George H. Bush was the obvious heir apparent, as the sitting vice-president in 1988. During George W. Bush’s 2000 primary, the GOP was not as divided as it is today between its traditional and Tea Party wings.</p>
<p>McCain and Romney are much different men, but they won in the same way. Each lost in the deeply-conservative Iowa caucuses, but carried moderate New Hampshire. They lost in states full of evangelicals and very conservative voters like Alabama and Georgia but offset those defeats with wins in blue states like Illinois and Florida.</p>
<p>Eventually, McCain in 2008 and then Romney in 2012 got into a one-on-one race against an underfunded and more conservative opponent who they then outlasted. (McCain beat Mike Huckabee, while Romney won over Rick Santorum.)</p>
<p>Eventually, McCain in 2008 and then Romney in 2012 got into a one-on-one race against an underfunded and more conservative opponent who they then outlasted. (McCain beat Mike Huckabee, while Romney won over Rick Santorum.)</p>
<p>So can Bush win the way Romney and McCain did? Maybe not. Bush, who <a href="" type="internal">formally announced</a> his candidacy Monday, has three unique challenges.</p>
<p>The first is that both McCain and in particular Romney were willing to move sharply to the right to secure the nomination, and Bush seems unwilling to do so. Romney reversed himself on a number of issues to take more conservative stands, particularly on immigration.</p>
<p>Romney was criticized as being unprincipled and willing to say anything to win. But his strategy worked.</p>
<p>It may have seemed odd and therefore politically impossible for Bush -- who lives in heavily-Latino Miami, is married to a Mexican-American woman and speaks Spanish -- to become a strongly anti-immigrant voice. But he has done something very risky: announced over and over again he favors a pathway to legalization for the undocumented and that others in his party are wrong for not taking the same stance.</p>
<p>In December, Bush essentially announced he would try to win the primary by ignoring and shunning some conservatives. In his words, a successful GOP candidate has to "lose the primary to win the general" and capture Republican voters "without violating your principles."</p>
<p>On immigration and issues like the Common Core education standards, Bush wants to lead the Republican Party to his positions, not adopt the party's views. One of Bush's top rivals, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, has taken the Romney approach of moving to the right.</p>
<p>Bush's challenge is his policy positions but also his persona. He at times veers close to how McCain campaigned in 2000 and ex-Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman ran in 2012, being a strong critic of the people he is purporting to lead. Both of those candidates of course lost to rivals who were more willing to hew to party orthodoxy.</p>
<p>Secondly, Bush may be facing a stronger group of rivals than McCain or Romney. Walker is a conservative hero nationally for having weakened unions in Wisconsin. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio has many of Bush's policy views, but is a much more talented public speaker and has a more compelling biography, as he could be the first Latino president.</p>
<p>Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who is now expected to enter the race next month, has a track record of winning in a key swing state and a long, deep resume in politics.</p>
<p>Bush has tougher competition in part because of structural changes in the political process, most importantly the rise of Super PAC's. George W. Bush was able to secure the backing of many of the party's key fundraisers in 1999, effectively blocking other candidates from running.</p>
<p>Rubio has won the support of a few mega-donors who are bankrolling his candidacy by giving hundreds of thousands of dollars or even millions to his Super PAC, allowing him to run without the support of the party’s traditional fundraisers.</p>
<p>Third, Jeb Bush has a Bush problem. Some Republicans, particularly on the party's right, felt Jeb's father and brother were insufficiently conservative. Others are simply wary of having a third person from the same family leading the party, as if the GOP is run by the Bush clan.</p>
<p>But the most important way Bush's last name is a barrier is among those Romney and McCain backers. They are not opposed to Bush for ideological reasons. They too support immigration reform. Many of them backed Bush’s father and brother.</p>
<p>But the McCain-Romney bloc is most obsessed with a candidate who can win the party back the White House. And at least right now, polls show voters associate Jeb Bush closely with George W. Bush, who left office with very low approval ratings.</p>
<p>So Jeb Bush is trailing Hillary Clinton significantly in head-to-head polling.</p>
<p>For these Republican elites, Bush must show he can win the general election before they support him in the primary.</p>
<p>These challenges should not obscure that Bush is one of the Republicans most likely to win the nomination.</p>
<p>The former Florida governor isn’t running on a lark.Two years ago, it seemed Bush would not a be a candidate. He was doing little to prepare for 2016.</p>
<p>But then Rubio, who looked like he would unite the Tea Party and the GOP establishment, co-wrote a bill that created a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. Tea Party activists were furious with him, and Rubio is still trying to woo them back.</p>
<p>New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie seemed like he could replace Rubio as the favorite of the Republican establishment, but then the Bridgegate scandal emerged, making the party wary of him.</p>
<p>With those two weakened, key figures in the Republican Party, including House Speaker John Boehner, started begging Bush to run last year. In the view of many in the party’s establishment, Bush has more experience than Rubio, a stronger knowledge of policy issues than Walker and is better positioned to win the general election than candidates like Huckabee because of his connections to Florida and the Latino community.</p>
<p>In the first five months of 2015, Bush locked down the support of many key donors and other figures in the party, such as former Secretary of State James Baker. Seeing Bush's strength, Romney, who was considering a third run, opted against it.</p>
<p>Bush is expected to announce he has raised tens of millions of dollars through his Super PAC. Having the most money does not guarantee victory, but means Bush’s backers will have lots of opportunities to change voters' perceptions of him.</p>
<p>So what does the path to the nomination look like for Bush? First, Bush almost certainly must win New Hampshire. Winning there would help establish him as the candidate of more moderate Republicans. The other early primary states (Iowa, Nevada and South Carolina) all could be difficult for Bush, because the voters in those races may be very conservative. But Bush can win the nomination by carrying states like Florida, Michigan and New Hampshire, as Romney did.</p>
<p>But if Bush does not win in Iowa and South Carolina, which of his rivals carries those states will influence his chances of winning. It would help Bush greatly if a deeply-conservative candidate, like Huckabee or Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, won in Iowa and became his top rival.</p>
<p>Cruz and Huckabee will struggle in states like Michigan with fewer evangelical and very conservative voters. Bush could easily beat either of them in a one-on-one race.</p>
<p>But if Kasich, Rubio or Walker win Iowa and some of the early primaries, this will be a huge challenge for Bush. Those three men are moderate enough to be a threat to Bush in New Hampshire, and a defeat in the Granite State would cripple his candidacy.</p>
<p>In a one-on-one contest with Bush, Rubio and Walker in particular could not only consolidate Tea Party but also eat into Bush’s support among more moderate Republicans. If Rubio appears strong, he could win Florida, another must-win for Bush.</p>
<p>Kasich or Walker could win in states in the Midwest like Wisconsin and Illinois.</p>
<p>If he emerges from the primary, Bush will have a couple of advantages in the general election. Clinton will be trying to win the third term for her party, which is historically difficult. Bush, if he wins the GOP primary while emphasizing his commitment to immigration reform, will have a stronger appeal to Latinos than other GOP candidates might. He will be formidable in Florida, where Bush’s brother won in 2000 and 2004 but was carried by Obama in 2008 and 2012.</p>
<p>At the same time, a general election could become a race between the presidencies of Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. And Jeb Bush would likely lose that contest.</p>
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former florida governor jeb bush obvious route gop nomination get moderate republicans voted john mccain 2008 mitt romney 2012 behind time bush like mccain romney kind wealthy establishment conservativebutnottoo conservative figure republican party traditionally nominates bushs father brother also partys nomination great analogies 2016 george h bush obvious heir apparent sitting vicepresident 1988 george w bushs 2000 primary gop divided today traditional tea party wings mccain romney much different men way lost deeplyconservative iowa caucuses carried moderate new hampshire lost states full evangelicals conservative voters like alabama georgia offset defeats wins blue states like illinois florida eventually mccain 2008 romney 2012 got oneonone race underfunded conservative opponent outlasted mccain beat mike huckabee romney rick santorum eventually mccain 2008 romney 2012 got oneonone race underfunded conservative opponent outlasted mccain beat mike huckabee romney rick santorum bush win way romney mccain maybe bush formally announced candidacy monday three unique challenges first mccain particular romney willing move sharply right secure nomination bush seems unwilling romney reversed number issues take conservative stands particularly immigration romney criticized unprincipled willing say anything win strategy worked may seemed odd therefore politically impossible bush lives heavilylatino miami married mexicanamerican woman speaks spanish become strongly antiimmigrant voice done something risky announced favors pathway legalization undocumented others party wrong taking stance december bush essentially announced would try win primary ignoring shunning conservatives words successful gop candidate lose primary win general capture republican voters without violating principles immigration issues like common core education standards bush wants lead republican party positions adopt partys views one bushs top rivals wisconsin gov scott walker taken romney approach moving right bushs challenge policy positions also persona times veers close mccain campaigned 2000 exutah gov jon huntsman ran 2012 strong critic people purporting lead candidates course lost rivals willing hew party orthodoxy secondly bush may facing stronger group rivals mccain romney walker conservative hero nationally weakened unions wisconsin florida sen marco rubio many bushs policy views much talented public speaker compelling biography could first latino president ohio gov john kasich expected enter race next month track record winning key swing state long deep resume politics bush tougher competition part structural changes political process importantly rise super pacs george w bush able secure backing many partys key fundraisers 1999 effectively blocking candidates running rubio support megadonors bankrolling candidacy giving hundreds thousands dollars even millions super pac allowing run without support partys traditional fundraisers third jeb bush bush problem republicans particularly partys right felt jebs father brother insufficiently conservative others simply wary third person family leading party gop run bush clan important way bushs last name barrier among romney mccain backers opposed bush ideological reasons support immigration reform many backed bushs father brother mccainromney bloc obsessed candidate win party back white house least right polls show voters associate jeb bush closely george w bush left office low approval ratings jeb bush trailing hillary clinton significantly headtohead polling republican elites bush must show win general election support primary challenges obscure bush one republicans likely win nomination former florida governor isnt running larktwo years ago seemed bush would candidate little prepare 2016 rubio looked like would unite tea party gop establishment cowrote bill created pathway citizenship undocumented immigrants tea party activists furious rubio still trying woo back new jersey gov chris christie seemed like could replace rubio favorite republican establishment bridgegate scandal emerged making party wary two weakened key figures republican party including house speaker john boehner started begging bush run last year view many partys establishment bush experience rubio stronger knowledge policy issues walker better positioned win general election candidates like huckabee connections florida latino community first five months 2015 bush locked support many key donors figures party former secretary state james baker seeing bushs strength romney considering third run opted bush expected announce raised tens millions dollars super pac money guarantee victory means bushs backers lots opportunities change voters perceptions path nomination look like bush first bush almost certainly must win new hampshire winning would help establish candidate moderate republicans early primary states iowa nevada south carolina could difficult bush voters races may conservative bush win nomination carrying states like florida michigan new hampshire romney bush win iowa south carolina rivals carries states influence chances winning would help bush greatly deeplyconservative candidate like huckabee texas sen ted cruz iowa became top rival cruz huckabee struggle states like michigan fewer evangelical conservative voters bush could easily beat either oneonone race kasich rubio walker win iowa early primaries huge challenge bush three men moderate enough threat bush new hampshire defeat granite state would cripple candidacy oneonone contest bush rubio walker particular could consolidate tea party also eat bushs support among moderate republicans rubio appears strong could win florida another mustwin bush kasich walker could win states midwest like wisconsin illinois emerges primary bush couple advantages general election clinton trying win third term party historically difficult bush wins gop primary emphasizing commitment immigration reform stronger appeal latinos gop candidates might formidable florida bushs brother 2000 2004 carried obama 2008 2012 time general election could become race presidencies bill clinton george w bush jeb bush would likely lose contest
| 847 |
<p>ATLANTA, Ga. — A growing legion of cyber war hawks contends that the world faces a mounting threat of hacker-driven cataclysm. These <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/business/technology/130514/cyber-warfare-hackers-attack-utilities-infrastructure" type="external">hawks warn</a> of downed power grids, contaminated water supplies and derailed trains — at the hands of antagonistic governments or malevolent cyber gangs.</p>
<p>Doves, on the other hand, caution that the threat is exaggerated. They see uncertainty over the risks, and contend that cyber-hysteria is a subterfuge deployed by security firms hungry for profit, and by government officials seeking to erode privacy and accountability.</p>
<p>So is cyber war an existential threat, or an excuse to let big brother into our lives?</p>
<p>For insights, GlobalPost spoke with Lee Tien of the <a href="https://www.eff.org/" type="external">Electronic Frontier Foundation</a>, a leading digital rights watchdog. Tien is a senior staff attorney specializing in cyber security, communications and surveillance.</p>
<p>The interview has been edited and condensed by GlobalPost.</p>
<p>Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta warned that the United States faces the threat of a “cyber-Pearl Harbor.” He conjured images of toxic gas clouds, train derailments and a poisoned water supply caused by cyber attack. Is this fear mongering?</p>
<p>It’s hard to say. We don’t know whether or not the infrastructure is vulnerable enough for those sorts of things to happen. We do know that the administration is pretty serious about this stuff. They’ve been speaking strongly and consistently about all sorts of cyber security issues, which is a good thing.</p>
<p>Our problem is with, as you called it, an element of fear mongering that seems deceptive and more rhetorical than real. Since the discussion is classified and framed in a militarized context, we have no way of knowing what the real concerns are.</p>
<p>Are there sufficient political deterrents in place to stop states from damaging each other’s critical infrastructure? Is there a cyber war doctrine of mutually assured destruction?</p>
<p>There is a lot of uncertainty right now over the laws of cyber warfare. For example, what constitutes an attack that would justify retaliation, proportional or overwhelming? Do we apply the laws of armed conflict? Many countries seem to have begun applying the laws of armed conflict in this space.</p>
<p>We’re seeing a large amount of discourse about this issue but most of it is not public.&#160;We see signs of it, like when the president issues a classified directive concerning cyber security. We just don’t know how the chain of command works or who is making decisions. It’s certainly unclear on the US side of the issue.</p>
<p>Deterrence is always an issue. I don’t know if it is the same level of MAD [mutually assured destruction] but there is always a concern over, “If we do this what will they do to us?”</p>
<p>Would you say that the administration’s concerns over vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure networks are justified, but the method it’s using to defend them and govern the cyber realm are problematic?</p>
<p>It’s hard to know how justified the concern really is. There is clearly a threat but it’s difficult to evaluate that threat, making it hard to evaluate their response to the threat as well. There is a great deal that we simply don’t know and information we don’t have access to.</p>
<p>Another focus of cyber security and cyber warfare policy has been making the laws governing computer crime, specifically the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, more stringent. The EFF has played an active role in cases like the one against Aaron Swartz, and many others, where the laws have been used in an overreaching way, stemming from a problem within the law itself. &#160;These laws are not written clearly enough. We have the same concerns about cyber security legislation like CISPA: the laws are being drafted vaguely, presenting unnecessary risks to private citizens.</p>
<p>There is extensive evidence of widespread cyber espionage. What keeps countries like North Korea and Iran from launching cyber attacks against their enemies’ critical infrastructure using the information they’ve seized through cyber espionage?</p>
<p>First, there is a big difference between cyber espionage and cyber warfare. Cyber security doesn’t prejudge things as acts of war. When you conflate cyber espionage and cyber warfare, you’re mixing two fairly different things. Traditional espionage is also widespread but countries that spy on each other are not necessarily in a state of war.</p>
<p>Strong evidence for the existence of cyber espionage does not necessarily translate into evidence for violent attacks or imminent cyber warfare. This logic needs to be established.</p>
<p>Are your concerns over the classified nature of cyber security policy based mainly on privacy concerns or are there other issues as well?</p>
<p>Part of it is that we should be more informed about what our military is doing when it’s employing offensive tactics, or when it’s involved in surveillance of domestic networks. Those are obvious and general concerns about privacy and transparency in a democratic society.</p>
<p>There are also plain old security issues. Are we missing opportunities to address garden variety security problems important to individuals because they’re being swept into the context of national security?</p>
<p>Some activists argue that there is a more sinister, ulterior motive in stoking cyber war fears. The <a href="http://www.newrepublic.com/article/113158/report-dozens-lobbyists-work-think-tank-scholars#" type="external">New Republic reported</a> that endorsements for cyber security legislation have been made by experts thought to be independent but have financial relationships with security software firms. Is there financial collusion between lawmakers and the information security industry, or is that paranoia on the part of activists?</p>
<p>Oh I think it’s definitely going on. That’s not paranoia. That’s the way the political world works. All sorts of initiatives, in some ways, have winners and losers. The security industry in general has experienced a boom since 9/11 and no one would be surprised to hear that companies active in the security industry are also active in getting government grants for security research. It’s a given, always follow the money.</p>
<p>A lot of these businesses stand to profit from cyber security legislation. If they understand their own economic interests then they will be lobbying for things like CISPA.</p>
<p>So, notions of cyber attacks causing massive toxic gas clouds, widespread blackouts and public panic — are we hearing this because the scenario is financially beneficial to the military industrial complex, or due to actual concerns based on evidence?</p>
<p>It’s really hard for me to say. There is a lot of evidence for weaknesses in critical infrastructure. But as far as a big picture analysis where someone has actually done a methodologically sound risk analysis, I don’t think that’s been conducted in a way that we the public are able to clearly understand the issues.</p>
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atlanta ga growing legion cyber war hawks contends world faces mounting threat hackerdriven cataclysm hawks warn downed power grids contaminated water supplies derailed trains hands antagonistic governments malevolent cyber gangs doves hand caution threat exaggerated see uncertainty risks contend cyberhysteria subterfuge deployed security firms hungry profit government officials seeking erode privacy accountability cyber war existential threat excuse let big brother lives insights globalpost spoke lee tien electronic frontier foundation leading digital rights watchdog tien senior staff attorney specializing cyber security communications surveillance interview edited condensed globalpost former defense secretary leon panetta warned united states faces threat cyberpearl harbor conjured images toxic gas clouds train derailments poisoned water supply caused cyber attack fear mongering hard say dont know whether infrastructure vulnerable enough sorts things happen know administration pretty serious stuff theyve speaking strongly consistently sorts cyber security issues good thing problem called element fear mongering seems deceptive rhetorical real since discussion classified framed militarized context way knowing real concerns sufficient political deterrents place stop states damaging others critical infrastructure cyber war doctrine mutually assured destruction lot uncertainty right laws cyber warfare example constitutes attack would justify retaliation proportional overwhelming apply laws armed conflict many countries seem begun applying laws armed conflict space seeing large amount discourse issue public160we see signs like president issues classified directive concerning cyber security dont know chain command works making decisions certainly unclear us side issue deterrence always issue dont know level mad mutually assured destruction always concern us would say administrations concerns vulnerabilities critical infrastructure networks justified method using defend govern cyber realm problematic hard know justified concern really clearly threat difficult evaluate threat making hard evaluate response threat well great deal simply dont know information dont access another focus cyber security cyber warfare policy making laws governing computer crime specifically computer fraud abuse act stringent eff played active role cases like one aaron swartz many others laws used overreaching way stemming problem within law 160these laws written clearly enough concerns cyber security legislation like cispa laws drafted vaguely presenting unnecessary risks private citizens extensive evidence widespread cyber espionage keeps countries like north korea iran launching cyber attacks enemies critical infrastructure using information theyve seized cyber espionage first big difference cyber espionage cyber warfare cyber security doesnt prejudge things acts war conflate cyber espionage cyber warfare youre mixing two fairly different things traditional espionage also widespread countries spy necessarily state war strong evidence existence cyber espionage necessarily translate evidence violent attacks imminent cyber warfare logic needs established concerns classified nature cyber security policy based mainly privacy concerns issues well part informed military employing offensive tactics involved surveillance domestic networks obvious general concerns privacy transparency democratic society also plain old security issues missing opportunities address garden variety security problems important individuals theyre swept context national security activists argue sinister ulterior motive stoking cyber war fears new republic reported endorsements cyber security legislation made experts thought independent financial relationships security software firms financial collusion lawmakers information security industry paranoia part activists oh think definitely going thats paranoia thats way political world works sorts initiatives ways winners losers security industry general experienced boom since 911 one would surprised hear companies active security industry also active getting government grants security research given always follow money lot businesses stand profit cyber security legislation understand economic interests lobbying things like cispa notions cyber attacks causing massive toxic gas clouds widespread blackouts public panic hearing scenario financially beneficial military industrial complex due actual concerns based evidence really hard say lot evidence weaknesses critical infrastructure far big picture analysis someone actually done methodologically sound risk analysis dont think thats conducted way public able clearly understand issues
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<p>White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer says he expects something on a “religious freedom” executive order.</p>
<p>Amid renewed concerns President Trump would sign a “religious order” undermining LGBT rights, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said Monday he expects the administration would soon “have something.”</p>
<p>Spicer made the remarks in response to a question from the Daily Signal, an arm of the anti-LGBT Heritage Foundation, on whether the order is still coming and whether it would extend beyond the Johnson Amendment, a law Trump has pledged to repeal barring churches from making political endorsements.</p>
<p>“I think we’ve discussed executive orders in the past, and for the most part, we’re not going to get into discussing what may or may not come until we’re ready to announce it,” Spicer replied. “So, I’m sure as we move forward we’ll have something.”</p>
<p>It wasn’t immediately clear whether the “something” to which Spicer was referring was an actual executive order or a statement on a policy position for the way forward.</p>
<p>Although Trump initially passed up the opportunity to sign a proposed anti-LGBT “religious freedom” executive order at the time of the National Prayer Breakfast during the start of the administration, a recent report in <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/ken-blackwell-religious-freedom-order_us_58b2f87ee4b0a8a9b7830c3e?ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009" type="external">The Huffington Post</a> raised concerns a different order will come soon.</p>
<p>The report quotes Ken Blackwell, a senior fellow at the anti-LGBT Family Research Council who oversaw domestic policy for the Trump transition team, from an interview he had with Sirius XM’s Michelangelo Signorile in which Blackwell says the order is being redrafted and on the way.</p>
<p>“In the final analysis, what we want is an executive order that will meet the scrutiny of the judicial process,” Blackwell is quoted as saying. “If there is no executive order, that will disappoint [social conservatives]. But a good executive order will not. So we’re still in the process.”</p>
<p>Blackwell reportedly said the former director of Family Research Council’s Center for Religious Liberty, Ken Klukowski, had “actually structured” the initial draft order as a legal adviser to Trump’s transition team and is now one of the lawyers “in the process of redrafting it.” Klukowski is now a senior attorney at the Liberty First Institute and a contributor to&#160;Breitbart, a conservative website.</p>
<p>The “anchor concept” of the order, Blackwell is quoted as saying, is a directive allowing people in the course of business to refuse services to LGBT people out of religious objections.</p>
<p>“I think small business owners who hold a religious belief that traditional marriage is between one man and one woman should not have their religious liberty trampled upon,” he explained. “I would imagine that that will be, strongly and clearly, the anchor concept [of the order].”</p>
<p>No federal law prohibits discrimination in public accommodations on the basis of gender, sexual orientation or gender identity and an executive order like this would send a signal to individuals they should feel free to discriminate. A federal “religious freedom” executive order wouldn’t preempt state laws barring anti-LGBT discrimination.</p>
<p>Klukowski is also quoted in the Huffington Post article as saying he’s “not at liberty to speak about” the order specifically, but nonetheless expressed confidence Trump would act to protect religious freedom both through judicial appointments and possibly administrative actions.</p>
<p>“And I’m confident,” Klukowski reportedly said, “that the president is showing ― much to the shock of many establishment people who said, ‘There’s no way this’ll happen’ ― that he keeps his promises, even when they’re things that an establishment player would never do. And I’m confident that he’s going to keep his promise when it comes to protection of religious liberty as well.”</p>
<p>Last month, a draft executive order began circulating among federal advocacy groups that would allow persons and religious organizations — broadly defined to include for-profit companies — to discriminate on the basis of religious objections to same-sex marriage, premarital sex, abortion and transgender identity.</p>
<p>At the time, the White House downplayed the draft executive order and said Trump wouldn’t sign it — at least for the time being. Media reports circulated that Ivanka Trump and Jared Kuskner convinced Trump not to sign the “religious freedom” order and the president wasn’t ever seriously considering doing so.</p>
<p>The White House issued a statement saying Trump would preserve the Obama-era order against workplace discrimination among federal contractors and is “respectful and supportive of LGBTQ rights.” That pledge of support was undermined after the administration later rescinded guidance protecting transgender students from discrimination at schools.</p>
<p>Olivia Dalton, the Human Rights Campaign’s senior vice president for communications and marketing, said renewed plans for an anti-LGBT “religious freedom” order shouldn’t come as a surprise.</p>
<p>“Donald Trump and Mike Pence have repeatedly threatened the LGBTQ community, and by their own admission this ‘license to discriminate’ order has been circulating for weeks,” Dalton said. “No one should be surprised — their despicable attack on transgender kids last week showed just how low they’re willing to go.”</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">executive order</a> <a href="" type="internal">Human Rights Campaign</a> <a href="" type="internal">Ken Blackwell</a> <a href="" type="internal">Olivia Dalton</a> <a href="" type="internal">Sean Spicer</a> <a href="" type="internal">Stephanie Grisham</a> <a href="" type="internal">White House</a></p>
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white house press secretary sean spicer says expects something religious freedom executive order amid renewed concerns president trump would sign religious order undermining lgbt rights white house press secretary sean spicer said monday expects administration would soon something spicer made remarks response question daily signal arm antilgbt heritage foundation whether order still coming whether would extend beyond johnson amendment law trump pledged repeal barring churches making political endorsements think weve discussed executive orders past part going get discussing may may come ready announce spicer replied im sure move forward well something wasnt immediately clear whether something spicer referring actual executive order statement policy position way forward although trump initially passed opportunity sign proposed antilgbt religious freedom executive order time national prayer breakfast start administration recent report huffington post raised concerns different order come soon report quotes ken blackwell senior fellow antilgbt family research council oversaw domestic policy trump transition team interview sirius xms michelangelo signorile blackwell says order redrafted way final analysis want executive order meet scrutiny judicial process blackwell quoted saying executive order disappoint social conservatives good executive order still process blackwell reportedly said former director family research councils center religious liberty ken klukowski actually structured initial draft order legal adviser trumps transition team one lawyers process redrafting klukowski senior attorney liberty first institute contributor to160breitbart conservative website anchor concept order blackwell quoted saying directive allowing people course business refuse services lgbt people religious objections think small business owners hold religious belief traditional marriage one man one woman religious liberty trampled upon explained would imagine strongly clearly anchor concept order federal law prohibits discrimination public accommodations basis gender sexual orientation gender identity executive order like would send signal individuals feel free discriminate federal religious freedom executive order wouldnt preempt state laws barring antilgbt discrimination klukowski also quoted huffington post article saying hes liberty speak order specifically nonetheless expressed confidence trump would act protect religious freedom judicial appointments possibly administrative actions im confident klukowski reportedly said president showing much shock many establishment people said theres way thisll happen keeps promises even theyre things establishment player would never im confident hes going keep promise comes protection religious liberty well last month draft executive order began circulating among federal advocacy groups would allow persons religious organizations broadly defined include forprofit companies discriminate basis religious objections samesex marriage premarital sex abortion transgender identity time white house downplayed draft executive order said trump wouldnt sign least time media reports circulated ivanka trump jared kuskner convinced trump sign religious freedom order president wasnt ever seriously considering white house issued statement saying trump would preserve obamaera order workplace discrimination among federal contractors respectful supportive lgbtq rights pledge support undermined administration later rescinded guidance protecting transgender students discrimination schools olivia dalton human rights campaigns senior vice president communications marketing said renewed plans antilgbt religious freedom order shouldnt come surprise donald trump mike pence repeatedly threatened lgbtq community admission license discriminate order circulating weeks dalton said one surprised despicable attack transgender kids last week showed low theyre willing go executive order human rights campaign ken blackwell olivia dalton sean spicer stephanie grisham white house
| 516 |
<p>The Federal Reserve reported American consumer debt reached $2.5 trillion last December, and there’s no indication it has dropped significantly since then — or that Christians are immune.</p>
<p>Stewardship sermons aside, many American Christians find themselves drowning in debt.</p>
<p>Some Christian financial management consultants take a hard line on debt, labeling as “sin” any debt of any size for any length of time. Others take a more nuanced approach, advising Christians to enter into debt only within responsible parameters. But most agree, the Bible offers strong warnings about debt’s burdensome potential.</p>
<p>Scripture does not condemn borrowing, but it names servitude and poverty as likely outcomes, said Robert Dickie III, president of Crown Financial Ministries.</p>
<p>“Rather than right or wrong, the real issue is whether debt is being used to circumvent wise planning. Just because payments may seem to be affordable doesn’t mean that someone should obligate himself or herself to pay interest that otherwise could go toward savings or to meet other needs,” he said. Dickie draws a distinction between consumer borrowing and taking out a loan to finance a home or launch a business.</p>
<p>“In all cases, borrowing should be kept to a minimum and never to support a lifestyle,” he advised. Some individuals view debt as a short-term tool for accomplishing long-term goals, but financial management guru Dave Ramsey rejects that rationale.</p>
<p>“Too many people have bought into the lie that debt is a tool and that sophisticated and disciplined financiers use debt to their advantage. But really, debt is buying things you can’t afford with money you don’t have,” said Ramsey, syndicated radio host and creator of the Financial Peace University curriculum used in many churches. “I believe that debt brings on enough risk to offset any advantage that could be gained through the leverage of debt.”</p>
<p>God reveals his “disdain for debt” throughout&#160; Scripture, Ramsey insisted, citing verses like Proverbs 22:7: “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.”</p>
<p>“If you want to win with money, listen to the Bible and do what rich people for many generations have done, which is spend less than you make and stay away from debt,” Ramsey advised.</p>
<p>Similarly, Bob Barber, chief executive officer of the Christian Financial Association of America, emphasized warnings in Scripture about debt.</p>
<p>“Scripture does not say that debt is a sin but warns that too much debt has dire consequences. Anytime we take on debt, we are presuming upon an unknown future in which we will be able to pay it back, not knowing for sure if the income will be there,” Barber said.</p>
<p>An individual may take on debt assuming a certain level of income but experience some setback that causes a significant decline, he noted. So, Barber said, a person considering taking on debt should consider the question, “Could you make the payments in the event of a job loss or major catastrophe until the debt is paid off?”</p>
<p>For some Christians, lending may become as problematic as taking on debt. They view a short-term loan to help a friend or family member through a short-term setback as the right thing to do, but they fail to consider how this affects their relationship.</p>
<p>Christians who want to help someone financially should consider giving rather than lending money, Barber said. While the recipient might consider the money a loan, the provider should consider it a gift, he advised.</p>
<p>“It is not wrong for a Christian to lend to someone in need, but no strings should be attached. Therefore, the loan should be considered a gift with no expectation of being paid back,” he said. “Otherwise, if the loan is not paid back, it creates a root of bitterness.”</p>
<p>Ramsey agreed. Despite good intentions, relationships become strained when a person is indebted to another, he said.</p>
<p>“Anyone who has loaned someone money has experienced the immediate distance in the relationship. The borrower is slave to the lender, and you change the dynamic of the relationship when you loan loved ones money. While it’s fine to give money to friends in need for a one-time thing if you have it, loaning it to them will mess up the relationship,” he said.</p>
<p>“If you’ve loaned someone money, it’s time to forgive the debt. Maybe you forgive the debt in exchange for them getting their finances in order, so they don’t ever need to borrow again. But the important thing is to forgive and forget, so that everyone can move on in the relationship without the burden of this debt.”</p>
<p>Dickie notes the New Testament encourages Christians to give to people in need rather than lend, and the Old Testament prohibited the people of Israel from charging interest to other Israelites. “If you do make a personal loan, make it for the shortest term possible, don’t charge interest and be prepared to absorb the loss if the borrower defaults,” he said.</p>
<p>Both Barber and Ramsey agreed debt repayment is no excuse for a Christian to neglect giving to church.</p>
<p>“Scripture speaks to the tithe and to debt but never in the same passage,” Barber said. “Nowhere can it be found in Scripture to hold back the tithe until you’re debt-free. By paying debt instead of the tithe, are we not putting other gods before God? We are responsible to pay both the tithe and our debts.”</p>
<p>Giving a tithe — 10 percent of income — to God’s work teaches lessons about stewardship, Ramsey added.</p>
<p>“God doesn’t ask us to tithe because he needs the money. He asks us to tithe for our own benefit. Tithing allows you to put God first in your life and become a less-selfish person,” he said.</p>
<p>“Even if you’re working to get out of debt, you should still continue tithing. If you can’t live on 90 percent of your income, you probably can’t live on 100 percent of it. If you sit down and look at your budget, you will probably see that you can make it while giving at least 10 percent.”</p>
<p>Dickie similarly emphasized the importance of Christian giving but framed the matter in slightly different terms.</p>
<p>“The Bible encourages us to honor God from our first-fruits, meaning that we should apportion part of our income to him. Now, taking from what you are obligated to give to a creditor and giving it to God is not honoring him. But making a sacrificial gift to him from our portion — that is an offering God will receive,” he said.</p>
<p>Some Christians insist that if nobody borrowed money, it would cause widespread economic suffering because the banking system would collapse. Barber does not buy that argument.</p>
<p>“The banking system is already collapsing from too much lending. If the banking system did not lend money, it would be forced to make its money from banking transactions. This would be far cheaper for the consumer than the interest paid for loans to banks,” he said.</p>
<p>“Today’s banking system may collapse, but we all would be better off in the long run, since the money the banks make from interest we pay would be in the hands of many instead of the hands of a few, namely the banking system. This would create much more prosperity for those outside the banking system.”</p>
<p>Theoretically, if every person stopped incurring debt of any kind, the economy would collapse within a year, Ramsey acknowledged.</p>
<p>“But the reality is that I could get millions of people out of debt and there would still be people that had credit cards, car payments and mortgages,” he said.</p>
<p>Furthermore, he emphasized the overall positive economic impact of debt-free consumers in the long run.</p>
<p>“My goal is to get as many people out of debt as possible. If this happened, over time, our economy would prosper. Banks and other lenders would suffer, but the overall economy would thrive because debt-free people would have money to spend and support the economy. … People would have money to give and help others,” Ramsey said.</p>
<p>The ideal situation, Dickie observed, would be for both borrowers and lenders to practice responsibility. “Lenders should not lend beyond the extent that borrowers can repay, which requires due diligence on the lenders’ part. Borrowers should not borrow unless they can avoid surety, have dealt with what caused the need to borrow in the first place, and have a clear path to repayment,” he said.</p>
<p>Ken Camp ( <a href="mailto:[email protected]" type="external">[email protected]</a>) is managing editor of the Baptist Standard.</p>
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federal reserve reported american consumer debt reached 25 trillion last december theres indication dropped significantly since christians immune stewardship sermons aside many american christians find drowning debt christian financial management consultants take hard line debt labeling sin debt size length time others take nuanced approach advising christians enter debt within responsible parameters agree bible offers strong warnings debts burdensome potential scripture condemn borrowing names servitude poverty likely outcomes said robert dickie iii president crown financial ministries rather right wrong real issue whether debt used circumvent wise planning payments may seem affordable doesnt mean someone obligate pay interest otherwise could go toward savings meet needs said dickie draws distinction consumer borrowing taking loan finance home launch business cases borrowing kept minimum never support lifestyle advised individuals view debt shortterm tool accomplishing longterm goals financial management guru dave ramsey rejects rationale many people bought lie debt tool sophisticated disciplined financiers use debt advantage really debt buying things cant afford money dont said ramsey syndicated radio host creator financial peace university curriculum used many churches believe debt brings enough risk offset advantage could gained leverage debt god reveals disdain debt throughout160 scripture ramsey insisted citing verses like proverbs 227 rich rules poor borrower slave lender want win money listen bible rich people many generations done spend less make stay away debt ramsey advised similarly bob barber chief executive officer christian financial association america emphasized warnings scripture debt scripture say debt sin warns much debt dire consequences anytime take debt presuming upon unknown future able pay back knowing sure income barber said individual may take debt assuming certain level income experience setback causes significant decline noted barber said person considering taking debt consider question could make payments event job loss major catastrophe debt paid christians lending may become problematic taking debt view shortterm loan help friend family member shortterm setback right thing fail consider affects relationship christians want help someone financially consider giving rather lending money barber said recipient might consider money loan provider consider gift advised wrong christian lend someone need strings attached therefore loan considered gift expectation paid back said otherwise loan paid back creates root bitterness ramsey agreed despite good intentions relationships become strained person indebted another said anyone loaned someone money experienced immediate distance relationship borrower slave lender change dynamic relationship loan loved ones money fine give money friends need onetime thing loaning mess relationship said youve loaned someone money time forgive debt maybe forgive debt exchange getting finances order dont ever need borrow important thing forgive forget everyone move relationship without burden debt dickie notes new testament encourages christians give people need rather lend old testament prohibited people israel charging interest israelites make personal loan make shortest term possible dont charge interest prepared absorb loss borrower defaults said barber ramsey agreed debt repayment excuse christian neglect giving church scripture speaks tithe debt never passage barber said nowhere found scripture hold back tithe youre debtfree paying debt instead tithe putting gods god responsible pay tithe debts giving tithe 10 percent income gods work teaches lessons stewardship ramsey added god doesnt ask us tithe needs money asks us tithe benefit tithing allows put god first life become lessselfish person said even youre working get debt still continue tithing cant live 90 percent income probably cant live 100 percent sit look budget probably see make giving least 10 percent dickie similarly emphasized importance christian giving framed matter slightly different terms bible encourages us honor god firstfruits meaning apportion part income taking obligated give creditor giving god honoring making sacrificial gift portion offering god receive said christians insist nobody borrowed money would cause widespread economic suffering banking system would collapse barber buy argument banking system already collapsing much lending banking system lend money would forced make money banking transactions would far cheaper consumer interest paid loans banks said todays banking system may collapse would better long run since money banks make interest pay would hands many instead hands namely banking system would create much prosperity outside banking system theoretically every person stopped incurring debt kind economy would collapse within year ramsey acknowledged reality could get millions people debt would still people credit cards car payments mortgages said furthermore emphasized overall positive economic impact debtfree consumers long run goal get many people debt possible happened time economy would prosper banks lenders would suffer overall economy would thrive debtfree people would money spend support economy people would money give help others ramsey said ideal situation dickie observed would borrowers lenders practice responsibility lenders lend beyond extent borrowers repay requires due diligence lenders part borrowers borrow unless avoid surety dealt caused need borrow first place clear path repayment said ken camp kencampbaptiststandardorg managing editor baptist standard
| 780 |
<p>Final presidential debates are <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2016/10/14/enough-enough-scrap-third-debate/32oyCuhCjolz9ptFt3Ty0H/story.html" type="external">rarely game-changers</a>. The contours of the race have usually solidified and knock-out punches are hard to land. With the end in sight, candidates stick to talking points and do their best to motivate their established supporters to turn out.</p>
<p>This, however, is no ordinary election, and the debates between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton have been anything but predictable. Their second debate was largely overshadowed by an unearthed <a href="" type="internal">2005 tape of Trump making lewd comments</a> about sexually assaulting women, and Trump's decision to bring as his guests women who had alleged the inappropriate conduct of former President Bill Clinton.</p>
<p>Related: <a href="" type="internal">Poll: Clinton Maintains Solid National Lead</a></p>
<p>The race has devolved into a personality contest between two historically unpopular nominees, and the issues voters care about the most have often been downplayed or overlooked altogether.</p>
<p>Here are 10 major topics that have yet to be addressed substantively, but might still come up Wednesday when Clinton and Trump share the stage one last time:</p>
<p>1. Immigration — Trump's campaign has been bolstered from the beginning by his audacious (and some have argued racially prejudiced) positions on immigration. The issue has long been a top concern for voters, yet it's barely been mentioned in the debates so far. Surprisingly, the vice presidential debate was the one debate during which a direct question on immigration policy was asked.</p>
<p>During the first presidential debate, Trump boasted the he was endorsed by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (he <a href="http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2016/oct/10/donald-trump/trump-says-ice-endorsed-him/" type="external">wasn't</a>, but he did get seal of approval from a union that represents 5,000 of its staff), and in the second debate Clinton called out Trump for some of the offensive language he used at immigrants' expense in the past. But there has been no question or discussion about the Republican nominee's signature immigration policy proposals — the building of a border wall that will supposedly by funded by Mexico, and the forced deportation of millions of undocumented immigrants living in the U.S.</p>
<p>2. LGBT rights — The issue bubbled up consistently during the primaries (Ted Cruz bet big on bathroom paranoia) and has become a major national issue in aftermath of states like North Carolina passing bills that many believe infringe on the civil liberties of LGBT people. But it never made its way to the debate stage, which was especially surprising during the VP debate, since GOP nominee Mike Pence signed one of the first so-called "religious freedom" bills as governor of Indiana.</p>
<p>LGBT rights is one of the few areas where Trump actually seems to be on the left of Republican party orthodoxy. He's said in the past that Caitlyn Jenner, a transgender woman, should be able to use the bathroom of her choice. On the other hand, he has said he opposes same-sex marriage. Clinton, who opposed same-sex marriage during the 2008 election, <a href="http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2015/jun/17/hillary-clinton/hillary-clinton-change-position-same-sex-marriage/" type="external">has evolved</a> on that issue. For some, LGBT equality is the civil rights issue of our time, so for it to get no mention during the 2016 debates would be a huge oversight.</p>
<p>3. Drugs — Although Donald Trump is keen to have his opponent drug tested, his actually position on both the waning 'war on drugs' and efforts to legalize both medicinal and recreation marijuana is murky at best. This year <a href="https://www.theweedblog.com/states-voting-on-marijuana-reform-in-november-2016/" type="external">several states</a> — including California, Nevada, Florida and Maine — are going to have drug reform laws on the ballot, which could either minimize penalties for possession or legalize medicinal use. Where do the candidates stand on this issue? It hasn't been discussed. Considering how much attention was paid to the heroin epidemic in states like New Hampshire, the candidates haven't been asked about their plans to combat addiction or crack down on the illegal drug trade.</p>
<p>"It's concerning to me that cannabis legalization hasn't received much attention during this election cycle. Six states have full adult-use legalization on the ballot, yet what do the candidates have to say?" Kyle Sherman, co-founder and CEO of <a href="https://flowhub.co" type="external">Flowhub</a>, told NBC News. "There is an obvious surge in public concern around the issue, yet this election cycle has seen much less coverage on the topic than others in the past. The questions are certainly there, there just hasn't been enough discussion on the issue to see anything remotely close to an answer."</p>
<p>4. Medicare and Social Security — There is a great deal of anxiety about solvency and future of the two most popular so-called entitlement programs, particularly among the generation of Americans poised to enter into the system. Both Trump and Clinton have pledged to leave Social Security and Medicare untouched as president, but neither was pressed during the first two debates about how they would make sure each program remains solvent. Curiously, this was yet another topic that was addressed in the VP debate, where Democrat Tim Kaine pointed out that Trump had compared Social Security in the past to a "Ponzi scheme," while Republican Mike Pence stated that his ticket would "meet the obligations" of both programs.</p>
<p>5. Reproductive Rights — Although Hillary Clinton did say she wanted to appoint a Supreme Court justice who would preserve Roe v. Wade, there hasn't been a deep dive into one of the most divisive social issues in America. Donald Trump's controversial assertion — later retracted — that women should be "punished" if they get an abortion was only revisited in the VP debate when Pence insisted that neither he nor his running mate would support legislation that punished women. Kaine, who is personally opposed to the procedure, asked rhetorically: "Why doesn’t Donald Trump trust women to make this choice for themselves?"</p>
<p>6. Sexual Assault (on Colleges Campuses and in the Military) — To the shock of many voters, allegations of sexual assault levied at Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton's husband, Bill Clinton, have sucked much of the oxygen out of presidential debates so far. But there has been no discussion about the epidemic of sexual assaults on college campuses or the outbreak of sexual violence in the military.</p>
<p>Related: <a href="" type="internal">Hillary Clinton to Spend 5 Days Preparing for Las Vegas Debate</a></p>
<p>Trump has tweeted that "no one" has more respect for women than he does, and has <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/331907383771148288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" type="external">linked incidents of sexual assault in the military</a> to the fact that men and women serve together. When pressed on this controversial position at NBC’s Commander-in-Chief Forum last month, he <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2016/09/07/fact-checking-clinton-and-trump-in-nbcs-commander-in-chief-forum/" type="external">doubled down</a>. Both candidates should probably make plain their positions on women in combat, including whether or not they can or should serve alongside men, and also how they intend to address threats and violence directed towards women in environments where the public presumes a reasonable degree of safety and security, like our institutions of higher education.</p>
<p>7. College Affordability — Speaking of higher education, although Trump has recently rolled out a 'plan' to reduce college debt and Clinton has named-checked her proposal for "debt-free" college in the first debate, the substance of how to really tackle this problem has been completely overlooked so far — which may be detrimental to Democrats who are hoping to capitalize on their historic advantages with younger voters, and hoping to motivate them to the polls with a focus on this, one of their biggest concerns.</p>
<p>8. Campaign Finance Reform — With his largely self-funded primary campaign, Donald Trump (alongside Democrat Bernie Sanders, who differentiated himself by refusing corporate donations) helped put campaign finance reform back in the center of political debates.</p>
<p>Although Trump has <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-08-04/trump-the-developer-loves-low-interest-rates-trump-the-candidate-sees-a-bubble-" type="external">criticized</a> the controversial Citizens United case in the past, which allowed corporations to make unlimited donations to Super PACs, he has since hired <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2016/09/trump-bossie-citizens-united-227662" type="external">David Bossie</a>, former president of Citizens United, as his deputy campaign manager. This raises questions about his commitment to overhauling a system he has referred to as "rigged."</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Clinton did say in the second debate that she would seek to appoint Supreme Court justices that would overturn the ruling, but she has yet to outline how else she would or could pursue reform should that option not present itself.</p>
<p>9. Voting Rights — In the second debate, on the same answer regarding the Supreme Court, Clinton said she would appoint a justice who recognized "voting rights are still a big problem in many parts of our country." But she didn't speak specifically to the <a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/04/republican-voting-rights-supreme-court-id" type="external">gutting of the 1965 Voting Rights Act</a> in 2014, which many critics believe could open up the floodgates for more voter suppression.</p>
<p>Trump, a big proponent of voter ID laws, has made the credibility of the vote a major talking point on the campaign trail this week, so this topic will likely be raised on Wednesday, albeit with regards to potential cheating and fraud, as opposed to access.</p>
<p>10. Gun Control — Many viewers found it ironic that although the second presidential debate took place in St. Louis, <a href="http://mashable.com/2016/10/10/ferguson-debate-questions-race-policing/#uktLXdZTDZqn" type="external">not far from Ferguson</a>, where the death of Michael Brown galvanized the Black Lives Matter movement, that gun violence hasn't been a bigger factor in the early clashes between Trump and Clinton.</p>
<p>The two candidates have discussed their different policies when it comes to policing and addressing racial tensions with law enforcement, but neither has been pressed as to what, if anything, can be done about mass shootings or about guns falling into the hands of unstable people. As concerns about potential post-election violence have spiked in the aftermath of a firebombing of a Trump campaign office in North Carolina, it will be curious to see if either candidate talks about strategic solutions on Wednesday.</p>
| false | 3 |
final presidential debates rarely gamechangers contours race usually solidified knockout punches hard land end sight candidates stick talking points best motivate established supporters turn however ordinary election debates donald trump hillary clinton anything predictable second debate largely overshadowed unearthed 2005 tape trump making lewd comments sexually assaulting women trumps decision bring guests women alleged inappropriate conduct former president bill clinton related poll clinton maintains solid national lead race devolved personality contest two historically unpopular nominees issues voters care often downplayed overlooked altogether 10 major topics yet addressed substantively might still come wednesday clinton trump share stage one last time 1 immigration trumps campaign bolstered beginning audacious argued racially prejudiced positions immigration issue long top concern voters yet barely mentioned debates far surprisingly vice presidential debate one debate direct question immigration policy asked first presidential debate trump boasted endorsed immigration customs enforcement agency wasnt get seal approval union represents 5000 staff second debate clinton called trump offensive language used immigrants expense past question discussion republican nominees signature immigration policy proposals building border wall supposedly funded mexico forced deportation millions undocumented immigrants living us 2 lgbt rights issue bubbled consistently primaries ted cruz bet big bathroom paranoia become major national issue aftermath states like north carolina passing bills many believe infringe civil liberties lgbt people never made way debate stage especially surprising vp debate since gop nominee mike pence signed one first socalled religious freedom bills governor indiana lgbt rights one areas trump actually seems left republican party orthodoxy hes said past caitlyn jenner transgender woman able use bathroom choice hand said opposes samesex marriage clinton opposed samesex marriage 2008 election evolved issue lgbt equality civil rights issue time get mention 2016 debates would huge oversight 3 drugs although donald trump keen opponent drug tested actually position waning war drugs efforts legalize medicinal recreation marijuana murky best year several states including california nevada florida maine going drug reform laws ballot could either minimize penalties possession legalize medicinal use candidates stand issue hasnt discussed considering much attention paid heroin epidemic states like new hampshire candidates havent asked plans combat addiction crack illegal drug trade concerning cannabis legalization hasnt received much attention election cycle six states full adultuse legalization ballot yet candidates say kyle sherman cofounder ceo flowhub told nbc news obvious surge public concern around issue yet election cycle seen much less coverage topic others past questions certainly hasnt enough discussion issue see anything remotely close answer 4 medicare social security great deal anxiety solvency future two popular socalled entitlement programs particularly among generation americans poised enter system trump clinton pledged leave social security medicare untouched president neither pressed first two debates would make sure program remains solvent curiously yet another topic addressed vp debate democrat tim kaine pointed trump compared social security past ponzi scheme republican mike pence stated ticket would meet obligations programs 5 reproductive rights although hillary clinton say wanted appoint supreme court justice would preserve roe v wade hasnt deep dive one divisive social issues america donald trumps controversial assertion later retracted women punished get abortion revisited vp debate pence insisted neither running mate would support legislation punished women kaine personally opposed procedure asked rhetorically doesnt donald trump trust women make choice 6 sexual assault colleges campuses military shock many voters allegations sexual assault levied donald trump hillary clintons husband bill clinton sucked much oxygen presidential debates far discussion epidemic sexual assaults college campuses outbreak sexual violence military related hillary clinton spend 5 days preparing las vegas debate trump tweeted one respect women linked incidents sexual assault military fact men women serve together pressed controversial position nbcs commanderinchief forum last month doubled candidates probably make plain positions women combat including whether serve alongside men also intend address threats violence directed towards women environments public presumes reasonable degree safety security like institutions higher education 7 college affordability speaking higher education although trump recently rolled plan reduce college debt clinton namedchecked proposal debtfree college first debate substance really tackle problem completely overlooked far may detrimental democrats hoping capitalize historic advantages younger voters hoping motivate polls focus one biggest concerns 8 campaign finance reform largely selffunded primary campaign donald trump alongside democrat bernie sanders differentiated refusing corporate donations helped put campaign finance reform back center political debates although trump criticized controversial citizens united case past allowed corporations make unlimited donations super pacs since hired david bossie former president citizens united deputy campaign manager raises questions commitment overhauling system referred rigged meanwhile clinton say second debate would seek appoint supreme court justices would overturn ruling yet outline else would could pursue reform option present 9 voting rights second debate answer regarding supreme court clinton said would appoint justice recognized voting rights still big problem many parts country didnt speak specifically gutting 1965 voting rights act 2014 many critics believe could open floodgates voter suppression trump big proponent voter id laws made credibility vote major talking point campaign trail week topic likely raised wednesday albeit regards potential cheating fraud opposed access 10 gun control many viewers found ironic although second presidential debate took place st louis far ferguson death michael brown galvanized black lives matter movement gun violence hasnt bigger factor early clashes trump clinton two candidates discussed different policies comes policing addressing racial tensions law enforcement neither pressed anything done mass shootings guns falling hands unstable people concerns potential postelection violence spiked aftermath firebombing trump campaign office north carolina curious see either candidate talks strategic solutions wednesday
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<p>SEPT. 30, 2010</p>
<p>By JOHN SEILER</p>
<p>Maybe the most controversial, certainly the most aromatic proposition on the November 2 ballot is Proposition 19, which would decriminalize marijuana. Not just for medical uses, but for use by any adult. Local governments would have the primary task of implementing Prop. 19, including collecting taxes for local use. The state could not collect taxes.</p>
<p>The Orange County Register, where I am an editorial writer, recently hosted those for and against Prop. 19. Although not an actual debate, the two sides were interviewed within the span of three hours, providing a point-counterpoint.</p>
<p>Backing Prop. 19 were Judge James P. Gray, a&#160; retired superior court judge from Orange County. He long has been involved in drug legalization and other libertarian causes. His new book is, “ <a href="http://www.judgejimgray.com/avotershandbook.php" type="external">A Voter’s Handbook: Effective Solutions to America’s Problems</a>.”</p>
<p>He was joined by Hanna Liebman Dershowitz, an attorney in Culver City and a member of the Prop. 19 Legal Committee.</p>
<p>Taking the side of opposition were Dick Ackerman, a lawyer and former Republican leader in the California Senate. And Sandra Hutchens, who just was re-elected as the sheriff of Orange County.</p>
<p>Gray began with an argument for local control:&#160;“The beauty of this is the concept of federalism, not just within each state, but each city. Cities are allowed to opt in. The cities are in control. The cities will make the regulations. A private company wouldn’t have a right to sell it without city approval.</p>
<p>“Some of the opposition slaps the face of the cities, saying, ‘This is too complicated for you.’ That is a false concern.”</p>
<p>Ackerman disagreed, “This puts it all on the local governments. That would mean up to 500 different rules. I’m a 100 percent believer in local control. But this throws the state out – except for commercial production.”</p>
<p>Dershowitz made this comparison: “The model used here is the dry county/wet county system. Long-term, as best practices develop [in courts], the state will take a more active role.”</p>
<p>Although not as common as it used to be, a legacy of alcohol Prohibition was that some some counties, mainly in the rural American South and Midwest, banned alcohol; while neighboring counties legalized it.</p>
<p>A major point of contention was over how Prop. 19 would affect workplaces. “Impaired job performance is the only criterion” by which an employer could judge that an employee has been using marijuana, Hutchens said. “The burden is on the employer to prove impairment. It will be tested in time over labor law. Random testing for marijuana might not be permitted. You would get more rights as a marijuana smoker than a cigarette smoker has.”</p>
<p>Ackerman added that “It’s a failing of our labor laws. The Legislature is anti-business. Those labor laws are not going to change. SEIU is supported it.” SEIU is the <a href="http://www.seiu.org/splash/" type="external">Service Employees International Union</a>. “This is not about legalization of marijuana. That’s very misleading. It’s a hit on business. It puts businesses in a bind. It makes pot-smoking a civil right, almost. You can smoke it in the workplace, unless you can show it impairs the worker’s ability to do the job. It would put people in a special class.”</p>
<p>“We’ll see this criticism from the California Chamber of Commerce: nitpicking and exaggerating,” Judge Gray said. He insisted that, for someone to be challenged at work for using marijuana, “It has to affect their job performance. If they smoked it Friday night, by Monday morning there’s no impairment,” so under Prop. 19, the worker could not be challenged in that example.</p>
<p>How to determine impairment? “That’s a problem that will exist whether or not 19 passes,” he said. “The purpose of 19 is to treat marijuana like alcohol.”</p>
<p>Dershowitz insisted, “It does not require employers to control employees’ off-the-job use. Only on-the-job. There are several ways it’s not a problem” in the workplace. “Four sections of the Act address the workplace condition.”</p>
<p>Another objection to Prop. 19 is that, as Hutchens put it, “The marijuana of today has a much higher THC content than that of the 1960s.” THC is the active hallucinogenic chemical in marijuana.</p>
<p>Gray said, “The cardinal rule of prohibition: always sell the harder stuff. Law enforcement says marijuana is much stronger than in the 1960s. But the law makes no distinction between weaker and stronger marijuana. So you can’t find milder marijuana,” because pushers, facing equal punishment for potent or mild pot, choose the former. “If it were legalized, you wouldn’t automatically use the harder stuff.”</p>
<p>Ackerman contended that marijuana is a “gateway” drug, encouraging young people to try it first, then go on to harder drugs such as methamphetamine and heroin.</p>
<p>Gray said, “Today by our laws we are forcing people up a ladder. If they have any reason to believe they might be tested, then they are pushed to use something else. For example, marijuana stays in the system 30 days, methamphetamine three days.”</p>
<p>He also pointed to Holland, which legalized marijuana, and Portugal, which legalized all drugs, but have not seen pandemics of addiction. Hutchens countered that, “In Holland, they have more drug cartels than before.”</p>
<p>One thing they agreed on was asset forfeitures, by which law enforcement seizes the homes, cars and other property of a person accused of using marijuana or another drug, often even without a trial. Critics, such as the group <a href="http://www.fear.org/FEARintro.html" type="external">Forfeiture Endangers American Rights</a>, insist that asset forfeiture is abused by many law-enforcement agencies.</p>
<p>“Marijuana would just be excluded from that,” Ackerman said. Gray agreed, “It would address that indirectly, as Prop. 19 reduces the number of people making money,” and so subject to forfeitures. “Marijuana is the number one cash crop in California; number two is grapes.”</p>
<p>For at least 40 years, the easiest place to get marijuana has been from a teenager. “It will make it less available for teenagers,” Dershowitz said, by maintaining penalties for selling to teenagers, while lifting them for adults; thus allowing law enforcement to re-direct its enforcement energies. “Now it’s easier than getting alcohol.”</p>
<p>“My concern is youth,” Hutchens countered. “I do not think it sends the right message to our children. We end up paying for it in one way or another.</p>
<p>For Gray, Prop. 19 is “one of the most important changes of my lifetime – and yours. If and when Prop. 19 passes, it will sweep the nation. The federal government is absolutely agitated.”</p>
<p>“This is not the right proposition. It’s deceptively crafted. It makes a lot of allegations that aren’t true. The initiative allows you to grow marijuana in your yard,” Hutchens said.</p>
<p>“It should be outlawed,” concluded Ackerman. “Alcohol is good, drugs bad. I’m old fashioned.”</p>
<p>John Seiler, an editorial writer with The Orange County Register for 20 years, is a reporter and analyst for <a href="" type="internal">CalWatchDog.com</a>. His email: <a href="mailto:[email protected]" type="external">[email protected]</a>.</p>
| false | 3 |
sept 30 2010 john seiler maybe controversial certainly aromatic proposition november 2 ballot proposition 19 would decriminalize marijuana medical uses use adult local governments would primary task implementing prop 19 including collecting taxes local use state could collect taxes orange county register editorial writer recently hosted prop 19 although actual debate two sides interviewed within span three hours providing pointcounterpoint backing prop 19 judge james p gray a160 retired superior court judge orange county long involved drug legalization libertarian causes new book voters handbook effective solutions americas problems joined hanna liebman dershowitz attorney culver city member prop 19 legal committee taking side opposition dick ackerman lawyer former republican leader california senate sandra hutchens reelected sheriff orange county gray began argument local control160the beauty concept federalism within state city cities allowed opt cities control cities make regulations private company wouldnt right sell without city approval opposition slaps face cities saying complicated false concern ackerman disagreed puts local governments would mean 500 different rules im 100 percent believer local control throws state except commercial production dershowitz made comparison model used dry countywet county system longterm best practices develop courts state take active role although common used legacy alcohol prohibition counties mainly rural american south midwest banned alcohol neighboring counties legalized major point contention prop 19 would affect workplaces impaired job performance criterion employer could judge employee using marijuana hutchens said burden employer prove impairment tested time labor law random testing marijuana might permitted would get rights marijuana smoker cigarette smoker ackerman added failing labor laws legislature antibusiness labor laws going change seiu supported seiu service employees international union legalization marijuana thats misleading hit business puts businesses bind makes potsmoking civil right almost smoke workplace unless show impairs workers ability job would put people special class well see criticism california chamber commerce nitpicking exaggerating judge gray said insisted someone challenged work using marijuana affect job performance smoked friday night monday morning theres impairment prop 19 worker could challenged example determine impairment thats problem exist whether 19 passes said purpose 19 treat marijuana like alcohol dershowitz insisted require employers control employees offthejob use onthejob several ways problem workplace four sections act address workplace condition another objection prop 19 hutchens put marijuana today much higher thc content 1960s thc active hallucinogenic chemical marijuana gray said cardinal rule prohibition always sell harder stuff law enforcement says marijuana much stronger 1960s law makes distinction weaker stronger marijuana cant find milder marijuana pushers facing equal punishment potent mild pot choose former legalized wouldnt automatically use harder stuff ackerman contended marijuana gateway drug encouraging young people try first go harder drugs methamphetamine heroin gray said today laws forcing people ladder reason believe might tested pushed use something else example marijuana stays system 30 days methamphetamine three days also pointed holland legalized marijuana portugal legalized drugs seen pandemics addiction hutchens countered holland drug cartels one thing agreed asset forfeitures law enforcement seizes homes cars property person accused using marijuana another drug often even without trial critics group forfeiture endangers american rights insist asset forfeiture abused many lawenforcement agencies marijuana would excluded ackerman said gray agreed would address indirectly prop 19 reduces number people making money subject forfeitures marijuana number one cash crop california number two grapes least 40 years easiest place get marijuana teenager make less available teenagers dershowitz said maintaining penalties selling teenagers lifting adults thus allowing law enforcement redirect enforcement energies easier getting alcohol concern youth hutchens countered think sends right message children end paying one way another gray prop 19 one important changes lifetime prop 19 passes sweep nation federal government absolutely agitated right proposition deceptively crafted makes lot allegations arent true initiative allows grow marijuana yard hutchens said outlawed concluded ackerman alcohol good drugs bad im old fashioned john seiler editorial writer orange county register 20 years reporter analyst calwatchdogcom email writejohnseilergmailcom
| 636 |
<p>LIMA, Peru — Of all Hugo Chavez’s grandiose dreams, perhaps none was quite as lofty as his “Bolivarian” vision of unifying Latin America.</p>
<p>The late Venezuelan president’s speeches were peppered with references to finally realizing the hopes of his idol, Simon Bolivar, the father of Latin American independence, to unite the peoples of the region in freedom and prosperity.</p>
<p>“We think it is a possible dream, a realizable utopia,” Chavez once said. “I believe that no other dream can be achieved if we don’t start with a process of Latin American unity.”</p>
<p>If it were ever achieved, a unified Latin America would be a major power on the world stage.</p>
<p>Combined with the Caribbean, it has a total population of nearly 600 million, <a href="http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2013/04/16/SIPRI-Latin-America-military-spending-up/UPI-11451366106545/" type="external">rising military</a> might, extensive natural resources and a GDP of more than <a href="http://data.worldbank.org/region/latin-america-and-caribbean" type="external">$5.6 trillion</a>.</p>
<p>Yet now, after Chavez’s 14 years in power, how far has Latin America actually advanced on the road to unification?</p>
<p>At first glance, the answer may appear to be a long way.</p>
<p>An alphabet soup of regional organizations has emerged. All aim, in various ways, to integrate the region economically and politically.</p>
<p>They include Unasur, Mercosur, Ceclac, the Pacific Alliance, and Chavez’s own pet project, the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA), to name the most important.</p>
<p>ALBA members have even begun trading in a new currency, the sucre, and have launched a regional development bank that's supposed to rival the International Monetary Fund.</p>
<p>But, analysts say, the very proliferation of regional organizations shows how little weight some of them actually carry. Meanwhile, Latin America actually appears to be splitting down the middle between blocs such as the Pacific Alliance and ALBA.</p>
<p>The Pacific Alliance groups together pro-market, liberal democracies friendly to the United States.</p>
<p>ALBA is a league of mostly leftist nations, some of which have fraught relations with Washington and oppose the free trade and globalization it preaches.</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/121001/latin-america-authoritarian-strongmen-elections" type="external">Today's Latin American strongmen cling to power at the polls</a></p>
<p>Chile, Colombia, Peru and Mexico comprise the Pacific Alliance. Last month, they agreed to scrap tariffs on 90 percent of goods traded among them.</p>
<p>Now their goal is to build commercial bridges with Asia.</p>
<p>That’s a club the United States wants to get in on.</p>
<p>"This pact, involving four of the region's fastest-growing countries, now has nations across the world seeking to participate or to play a positive supporting role. We're one of those nations," US Vice President Joseph Biden <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324063304578525010759124472.html" type="external">wrote</a> in The Wall Street Journal, following his visit to the region last month.</p>
<p>In a dig at other blocs, Biden added, "alliance members are showing that pragmatism, not ideology, is the secret to success.”</p>
<p>As for ALBA, its members include close Venezuela allies such as Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador and Nicaragua. Although they have strong ideological ties, their economies are largely unintegrated — other than a shared dependence on Caracas for cheap oil exports or subsidized loans of its petrodollars.</p>
<p>Yet the group's trade in <a href="http://www.globalresearch.ca/dumping-the-dollar-towards-a-regional-currency-in-latin-america-alba-bloc-advances-towards-alternative-economic-model/29257" type="external">sucres</a> in 2011 totaled the equivalent of just $212 million. Venezuela's proposed contribution to the ALBA bank’s reserves was $300 million — peanuts for a country with the world’s largest oil reserves.</p>
<p>Often described as “polarizing,” Chavez himself may have been a major reason for the lack of unity, with his bombastic rhetoric turning off many in the region, according to <a href="http://www.latinobarometro.org/documentos/LATBD_LA_IMAGEN_DE_HUGO_CHAVEZ.pdf" type="external">polls</a>.</p>
<p>And that divisive influence appears to have survived the Venezuelan leader’s death from cancer, at 58, earlier this year.</p>
<p>Unasur, the forum that brings together South America’s 12 nation states, unanimously approved the narrow victory of Chavez’s anointed heir, Nicolas Maduro, in April’s presidential elections — despite huge controversy surrounding the result.</p>
<p>Yet since then, Peru’s foreign minister, Rafael Roncagliolo, <a href="http://www.larepublica.pe/17-05-2013/no-se-puede-sacrificar-un-canciller-pedido-de-otro-pais" type="external">quit</a> his post in apparent frustration at the failure of Unasur’s members to enforce the condition for that approval, namely that Maduro provide an audit of 100 percent of the votes.</p>
<p>“The problem is that no one wants to bear the political costs of challenging Maduro’s election,” said Sandra Borda, a politics professor at Bogota’s University of the Andes.</p>
<p>The most obvious of those costs is being cut off from Venezuela’s largesse. Maduro, unlike the opposition, promises to continue Chavez’s policy of showering the region — or at least sympathetic governments — with petrodollars and cheap crude.</p>
<p>Family feud, Latino edition</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Latin America is riven with other rivalries, some of them with deep historic roots.</p>
<p>Argentina is at loggerheads with Uruguay and Brazil over the protectionist policies of Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner — despite the fact that all three are members of Mercosur, supposedly a trading bloc.</p>
<p>Brazil’s president, Dilma Rousseff, was said to be so incensed recently that she even <a href="http://en.mercopress.com/2013/05/04/brazil-furious-with-cristina-fernandez-non-kept-promises-freezes-relation" type="external">cut short</a> a visit to Buenos Aires.</p>
<p>Bolivia continues to bitterly accuse Chile over the 19th century seizure of its Pacific coastline. Venezuela-Colombia relations remain delicate over the former’s alleged support for the latter’s FARC armed rebels.</p>
<p>And almost everyone has it in for Paraguay after it impeached leftist President Fernando Lugo last year.</p>
<p>But perhaps the most vivid — and absurd — example of the levels of animosity generated between some Latin American nations came from a spat between Ecuador and Peru this month that almost sparked a diplomatic breakup.</p>
<p>The row, believe it or not, was triggered when Rodrigo Riofrio, Ecuador’s ambassador to Peru, was caught up in a fight with a local woman in a Lima supermarket over alleged line jumping.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>Indeed, Latin America’s very rivalries might have been the reason Chavez’s unification rhetoric rarely focused on concrete integration.</p>
<p>Perhaps the only thing clear in Chavez’s thinking — and which gained genuine traction around the region — was his vision of a Latin America united against US “imperialism.”</p>
<p>“You have to recognize that that discourse is based in reality,” said Leandro Querido, a political science professor at the University of Buenos Aires. “There is still so much poverty in Latin America and many countries have historically suffered as a result of US policy.”</p>
<p>Yet railing against Washington’s past backing for coups and brutal dictatorships, and economic policies that many believe have benefited the United States at Latin America's expense, is no substitute for the diplomatic heavy-lifting needed to integrate the region’s disparate nations.</p>
<p>And now, with Chavez having exited the scene, it remains unclear whether any of Latin America’s surviving leaders have an appetite for regional political integration — as opposed to the kind of market-driven globalization that Chavez campaigned against. &#160;</p>
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lima peru hugo chavezs grandiose dreams perhaps none quite lofty bolivarian vision unifying latin america late venezuelan presidents speeches peppered references finally realizing hopes idol simon bolivar father latin american independence unite peoples region freedom prosperity think possible dream realizable utopia chavez said believe dream achieved dont start process latin american unity ever achieved unified latin america would major power world stage combined caribbean total population nearly 600 million rising military might extensive natural resources gdp 56 trillion yet chavezs 14 years power far latin america actually advanced road unification first glance answer may appear long way alphabet soup regional organizations emerged aim various ways integrate region economically politically include unasur mercosur ceclac pacific alliance chavezs pet project bolivarian alliance peoples america alba name important alba members even begun trading new currency sucre launched regional development bank thats supposed rival international monetary fund analysts say proliferation regional organizations shows little weight actually carry meanwhile latin america actually appears splitting middle blocs pacific alliance alba pacific alliance groups together promarket liberal democracies friendly united states alba league mostly leftist nations fraught relations washington oppose free trade globalization preaches globalpost todays latin american strongmen cling power polls chile colombia peru mexico comprise pacific alliance last month agreed scrap tariffs 90 percent goods traded among goal build commercial bridges asia thats club united states wants get pact involving four regions fastestgrowing countries nations across world seeking participate play positive supporting role one nations us vice president joseph biden wrote wall street journal following visit region last month dig blocs biden added alliance members showing pragmatism ideology secret success alba members include close venezuela allies bolivia cuba ecuador nicaragua although strong ideological ties economies largely unintegrated shared dependence caracas cheap oil exports subsidized loans petrodollars yet groups trade sucres 2011 totaled equivalent 212 million venezuelas proposed contribution alba banks reserves 300 million peanuts country worlds largest oil reserves often described polarizing chavez may major reason lack unity bombastic rhetoric turning many region according polls divisive influence appears survived venezuelan leaders death cancer 58 earlier year unasur forum brings together south americas 12 nation states unanimously approved narrow victory chavezs anointed heir nicolas maduro aprils presidential elections despite huge controversy surrounding result yet since perus foreign minister rafael roncagliolo quit post apparent frustration failure unasurs members enforce condition approval namely maduro provide audit 100 percent votes problem one wants bear political costs challenging maduros election said sandra borda politics professor bogotas university andes obvious costs cut venezuelas largesse maduro unlike opposition promises continue chavezs policy showering region least sympathetic governments petrodollars cheap crude family feud latino edition meanwhile latin america riven rivalries deep historic roots argentina loggerheads uruguay brazil protectionist policies argentine president cristina fernandez de kirchner despite fact three members mercosur supposedly trading bloc brazils president dilma rousseff said incensed recently even cut short visit buenos aires bolivia continues bitterly accuse chile 19th century seizure pacific coastline venezuelacolombia relations remain delicate formers alleged support latters farc armed rebels almost everyone paraguay impeached leftist president fernando lugo last year perhaps vivid absurd example levels animosity generated latin american nations came spat ecuador peru month almost sparked diplomatic breakup row believe triggered rodrigo riofrio ecuadors ambassador peru caught fight local woman lima supermarket alleged line jumping indeed latin americas rivalries might reason chavezs unification rhetoric rarely focused concrete integration perhaps thing clear chavezs thinking gained genuine traction around region vision latin america united us imperialism recognize discourse based reality said leandro querido political science professor university buenos aires still much poverty latin america many countries historically suffered result us policy yet railing washingtons past backing coups brutal dictatorships economic policies many believe benefited united states latin americas expense substitute diplomatic heavylifting needed integrate regions disparate nations chavez exited scene remains unclear whether latin americas surviving leaders appetite regional political integration opposed kind marketdriven globalization chavez campaigned 160
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<p>First Read is a morning briefing from Meet the Press and the NBC Political Unit on the day's most important political stories and why they matter.</p>
<p>Trump’s brutal last seven days</p>
<p>How brutal have the last seven day been for Donald Trump’s presidential campaign? Let us count the ways: There was 1) his rough debate performance last Monday night; 2) his feud with former Miss Universe Alicia Machado; 3) his poll numbers showing him losing ground to Clinton after the debate; 4) his infamous 3:00 am tweetstorm on Clinton and Machado; 5) his <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/01/us/politics/donald-trump-interview-bill-hillary-clinton.html" type="external">lashing out</a> at Clinton Friday over her husband’s sexual past; 6) the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/02/us/politics/donald-trump-taxes.html?ref=politics&amp;_r=0" type="external">bombshell New York Times report</a> on Trump’s 1995 taxes, in which he declared a $916 million loss, potentially allowing him to avoid paying federal income taxes for 18 years (!!!); and 7) a brand-new <a href="" type="internal">AP report</a> that Trump “repeatedly demeaned women with sexist language” during his years as boss of “The Apprentice,” according to show insiders “who said he rated female contestants by the size of their breasts and talked about which ones he'd like to have sex with.” Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. <a href="" type="internal">NBC’s Benjy Sarlin and Alex Seitz-Wald write</a> that Trump may have had the worst week in recent presidential campaign history, though we’d argue that John McCain having to deal in late Sept. 2008 with the economic collapse, as well as Sarah Palin, was probably worse.</p>
<p>How Trump responds to bad news is often worse than the bad news itself</p>
<p>Regardless of how you rank it, however, Trump has had a terrible week. The good news for him: The storyline will likely change on Tuesday (with the vice presidential debate) and Sunday (with the second presidential debate). The bad news: All of those stories above will likely be fodder in these upcoming debates. And on <a href="" type="internal">“Meet the Press” yesterday</a>, the Cook Political Report’s Amy Walter pointed out how Trump responds to bad news is often worse than the news itself. “As we've seen in the history of certainly this week, but in the history of this campaign, it's Donald Trump's reaction to difficult stories or difficult situations that gets him in trouble.”</p>
<p>Trump surrogates: He’s a “genius” for avoiding federal income taxes</p>
<p>As for the story about Trump declaring a $916 million loss in 1995 and potentially paying no federal income taxes for 18 years, Trump surrogates responded by saying how it proves how smart Trump is. “I mean, the reality is he's a genius,” Rudy Giuliani said on <a href="" type="internal">“Meet the Press” yesterday</a>. “What he did was he took advantage of something that could save his enterprise.” Added Chris Christie on Fox, per NBC’s Ali Vitali: “There’s no one who has shown more genius in their way to maneuver around the tax code and rightfully use the laws to do that.” But to us, the real story here isn’t that Trump avoided paying federal income taxes -- instead, it’s that someone who portrays himself to be an economic and business wizard lost nearly $1 billion in one year. And that he ultimately profited from that loss, while others (investors, contractors) took a hit. “Ordinary investors in the new company … saw the value of their shares plunge to 17 cents from $35.50, while scores of contractors went unpaid for work on Mr. Trump’s casinos and casino bondholders received pennies on the dollar,” the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/02/us/politics/donald-trump-taxes.html?ref=politics&amp;_r=0" type="external">Times writes</a>.</p>
<p>Trump campaign responds to the AP’s “The Apprentice” report</p>
<p>And as for the AP’s report that Trump demeaned women on “The Apprentice,” the Trump campaign issued this response: “These outlandish, unsubstantiated, and totally false claims fabricated by publicity hungry, opportunistic, disgruntled former employees, have no merit whatsoever. The Apprentice was one of the most successful prime time television shows of all time and employed hundreds of people over many years, many of whom support Mr. Trump's candidacy.”</p>
<p>Clinton returns to Ohio</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton today campaigns in Ohio -- her first visit to the Buckeye State since Sept. 5, per NBC’s Monica Alba. On <a href="" type="internal">“Meet” yesterday</a>, Clinton Campaign Manager Robby Mook said Team Clinton wasn’t writing off Ohio. “Ohio's a battleground state. I think either candidate can win it. We're working incredibly hard. I think Secretary Clinton can win it. And we're going, we're going to keep working to make sure that happens.” But here’s the reality for the Clinton campaign: Among the toss-up states, it’s likely to win North Carolina and Florida BEFORE winning Ohio. And winning North Carolina and Florida puts her above 300 electoral votes. So Ohio is a luxury for the Clinton campaign, not a necessity.</p>
<p>LeBron James dishes an endorsement assist to Clinton</p>
<p>Ahead of her visit to Ohio today, Clinton picked up the endorsement from Akron’s own LeBron James. “I support Hillary because she will build on the legacy of my good friend, President Barack Obama. I believe in what President Obama has done for our country and support her commitment to continuing that legacy,” he writes in the Akron Beacon Journal, which was first reported by <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/lebron-james-why-endorsing-hillary-clinton-for-president-2016-9" type="external">Business Insider</a>. “Like my foundation, Hillary has always been a champion for children and their futures. For over 40 years, she’s been working to improve public schools, expand access to health care, support children’s hospitals, and so much more.”</p>
<p>Sanders doesn’t criticize Clinton over leaked audio</p>
<p>The Clinton campaign found itself in hot water as well over the weekend with this <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2016/09/hillary-clinton-bernie-sanders-supporters-audio-leak-228997" type="external">Politico report</a>: “Hacked audio of a conversation between Hillary Clinton and donors during a February fundraising event shows the Democrat nominee describing Bernie Sanders supporters as ‘children of the Great Recession’ who are ‘living in their parents’ basement.’” Yet on CNN, Sanders went out of way not to criticize Clinton. “If you listen to the whole discussion that she had, a very important point that she made is that a lot of young people who went into debt, worked very hard to get a good education get out of school and can't find jobs commensurate with the education that they received. And there's a lot of unhappiness about young people. And this is an issue that we must address,” he said. By the way, Sanders stumps for Clinton today in Iowa.</p>
<p>On the trail</p>
<p>Hillary Clinton campaigns in Ohio, making stops in Toledo at 1:30 pm ET and Akron at 3:30 pm ET… Donald Trump is in Colorado, holding rallies in Pueblo at 5:00 pm ET and Loveland at 8:00 pm ET… Mike Pence stumps in Ashland, VA… Vice President Joe Biden campaigns in Florida for Clinton… Bill Clinton hits Michigan… And Bernie Sanders makes three stops for Clinton in Iowa.</p>
<p>Countdown to VP debate: 1 day</p>
<p>Countdown to second presidential debate: 6 days</p>
<p>Countdown to third presidential debate: 16 days</p>
<p>Countdown to Election Day: 36 days</p>
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first read morning briefing meet press nbc political unit days important political stories matter trumps brutal last seven days brutal last seven day donald trumps presidential campaign let us count ways 1 rough debate performance last monday night 2 feud former miss universe alicia machado 3 poll numbers showing losing ground clinton debate 4 infamous 300 tweetstorm clinton machado 5 lashing clinton friday husbands sexual past 6 bombshell new york times report trumps 1995 taxes declared 916 million loss potentially allowing avoid paying federal income taxes 18 years 7 brandnew ap report trump repeatedly demeaned women sexist language years boss apprentice according show insiders said rated female contestants size breasts talked ones hed like sex ouch ouch ouch ouch ouch ouch ouch nbcs benjy sarlin alex seitzwald write trump may worst week recent presidential campaign history though wed argue john mccain deal late sept 2008 economic collapse well sarah palin probably worse trump responds bad news often worse bad news regardless rank however trump terrible week good news storyline likely change tuesday vice presidential debate sunday second presidential debate bad news stories likely fodder upcoming debates meet press yesterday cook political reports amy walter pointed trump responds bad news often worse news weve seen history certainly week history campaign donald trumps reaction difficult stories difficult situations gets trouble trump surrogates hes genius avoiding federal income taxes story trump declaring 916 million loss 1995 potentially paying federal income taxes 18 years trump surrogates responded saying proves smart trump mean reality hes genius rudy giuliani said meet press yesterday took advantage something could save enterprise added chris christie fox per nbcs ali vitali theres one shown genius way maneuver around tax code rightfully use laws us real story isnt trump avoided paying federal income taxes instead someone portrays economic business wizard lost nearly 1 billion one year ultimately profited loss others investors contractors took hit ordinary investors new company saw value shares plunge 17 cents 3550 scores contractors went unpaid work mr trumps casinos casino bondholders received pennies dollar times writes trump campaign responds aps apprentice report aps report trump demeaned women apprentice trump campaign issued response outlandish unsubstantiated totally false claims fabricated publicity hungry opportunistic disgruntled former employees merit whatsoever apprentice one successful prime time television shows time employed hundreds people many years many support mr trumps candidacy clinton returns ohio meanwhile hillary clinton today campaigns ohio first visit buckeye state since sept 5 per nbcs monica alba meet yesterday clinton campaign manager robby mook said team clinton wasnt writing ohio ohios battleground state think either candidate win working incredibly hard think secretary clinton win going going keep working make sure happens heres reality clinton campaign among tossup states likely win north carolina florida winning ohio winning north carolina florida puts 300 electoral votes ohio luxury clinton campaign necessity lebron james dishes endorsement assist clinton ahead visit ohio today clinton picked endorsement akrons lebron james support hillary build legacy good friend president barack obama believe president obama done country support commitment continuing legacy writes akron beacon journal first reported business insider like foundation hillary always champion children futures 40 years shes working improve public schools expand access health care support childrens hospitals much sanders doesnt criticize clinton leaked audio clinton campaign found hot water well weekend politico report hacked audio conversation hillary clinton donors february fundraising event shows democrat nominee describing bernie sanders supporters children great recession living parents basement yet cnn sanders went way criticize clinton listen whole discussion important point made lot young people went debt worked hard get good education get school cant find jobs commensurate education received theres lot unhappiness young people issue must address said way sanders stumps clinton today iowa trail hillary clinton campaigns ohio making stops toledo 130 pm et akron 330 pm et donald trump colorado holding rallies pueblo 500 pm et loveland 800 pm et mike pence stumps ashland va vice president joe biden campaigns florida clinton bill clinton hits michigan bernie sanders makes three stops clinton iowa countdown vp debate 1 day countdown second presidential debate 6 days countdown third presidential debate 16 days countdown election day 36 days
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<p>Rick Hammerly, seen here with Felicia Curry, dedicated most of his year to directing with three back-to-back, well-received local productions. (Photo by DJ Corey Photography)</p>
<p>The year in theater was eclectic and engaging, peppered with premiers and reprises. There were new faces, names, and titles as well as the familiar. It was year of change and more of the same, both challenging and comforting.</p>
<p>In February, Studio Theatre trod intriguing ground with Morgan Gould’s new dramedy “I Wanna Fucking Tear You Apart,” a darkly funny play about friendship and the politics of niceness and beauty, and more specifically friendships between gay men and overweight straight women. For the play’s D.C. premier, New York-based Gould (who also directed) cast out actor Tommy Heleringer as the young gay man and Nicole Spiezio as his big bestie.</p>
<p>Studio explored complicated relationships further with its summer production “Wig Out!” penned by out playwright Tarrell Alvin Mcraney’s whose “In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue” inspired the Academy Award-winning film “Moonlight.”&#160; “Wig Out!” is a love story set in the African-American drag ball scene (think Jennie Livingston’s seminal 1990 documentary “Paris Is Burning.”). Michael Kevin Darnall as the House of Light’s sexual predator father and Jamyl Dobson as its aging, insecure drag mother were standouts in a strong cast.</p>
<p>Baltimore’s Everyman Theatre presented the excellent “Los Otros,” a subtly made, grownup two-hander with music by out composer Michael John LaChisua. It starred Broadway actors Judy McLane and Philip Hernández as two very different middle-aged Californians — she’s white and straight and he’s Mexican American and gay — who live oddly parallel lives.</p>
<p>The Kennedy Center hosted a summer of fun that included the national tour of Rodgers &amp; Hammerstein’s “The King and I.” Out actor Jose Llana added a playful dimension to the stubborn Siamese sovereign and Laura Michelle Kelly was luminous as Anna, the plucky English governess.</p>
<p>The increasingly dynamic Mosaic Theater Company added transgender to its topical mix. In January, they presented out playwright Philip Dawkins “Charm” starring transgender actor B’Ellana Duquesne as Mama, an etiquette instructor in an urban LGBT center. Dawkins drew inspiration from Chicago’s real-life Mama Gloria Allen, a transgender, African-American woman who taught deportment to low-income, transgender and often homeless teens in Chicago.</p>
<p>And more recently Mosaic presented “Draw the Circle,” Mashuq Mushtaq Deen’s one-man show recounting his tricky, real life transition from female to male in a traditional Muslim-American family.</p>
<p>For some out artists, 2017 was a time for taking chances and exploring new directions. Celebrated local actor Holly Twyford sang in her first musical. As the middle-aged stage star Desiree Armfeldt in Signature Theatre’s sublime production of Stephen Sondheim’s “A Little Night Musical,” she dazzled audiences with her heartfelt and revelatory rendition of the show’s standard “Send In The Clowns.”</p>
<p>Rick Hammerly dedicated the year to directing. Best known for his Helen Hayes Award-winning turn as the titular transgender heroine in Signature’s production of the rock musical “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” Hammerly says, “This year I decided that if I wanted people to think of me as doing something other than Hedwig, I needed to step it up and show people what I’m interested in, and that’s directing.”</p>
<p>From summer through early winter, he directed three well-reviewed plays back to back: a delightful youth production titled “Junie B. Jones Is Not A Crook” at Adventure Theatre MTC; British playwright Cordelia Lynn’s&#160; “Lela &amp; Co.” at Factory 449 (where Hammerly is producing artistic director) showcasing the dramatic prowess of his colleague and friend Felicia Curry in an intense but optimistic look at cross-border human trafficking and how male relatives are usually complicit in such situations; and lastly WSC Bard’s “Emilie: La Marquise Du Châtelet Defends Her Life Tonight,” a smart comedy penned by prolific playwright Lauren Gunderson.</p>
<p>“Each production was my vision of the play and directorially that’s what you want. Directing has been incredibly gratifying and currently it’s where I find the most satisfaction. That’s not to say that I’m leaving the stage.”</p>
<p>Hammerly closed out the year by once again donning his fat suit and playing goodhearted Mr. Fezziwig in Ford’s Theatre’s annual production of “A Christmas Carol.”&#160; And looking forward he’s slated to assistant direct Ford’s “Jefferson’s Gardens,” an exploration of contradictions between our founding fathers’ ideals and the realities of freedom in America. For spring, he’s cast to play mature drag queen Miss Tracy Mills in Round House Theatre’s production of playwright Matthew Lopez’s comedy “The Legend of Georgia McBride” to be staged by Tom Story, another out actor who also directs.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">A Christmas Carol</a> <a href="" type="internal">A Little Night Music</a> <a href="" type="internal">Charm</a> <a href="" type="internal">Draw the Circle</a> <a href="" type="internal">Everyman Theatre</a> <a href="" type="internal">I Wanna Fucking Tear You Apart</a> <a href="" type="internal">Jose Llana</a> <a href="" type="internal">Junie B. Jones Is Not a Crook</a> <a href="" type="internal">Kennedy Center</a> <a href="" type="internal">Lela &amp; Co.</a> <a href="" type="internal">Los Otros</a> <a href="" type="internal">Mosaic Theater Company</a> <a href="" type="internal">Rick Hammerly</a> <a href="" type="internal">Studio Theatre</a> <a href="" type="internal">The King and I</a> <a href="" type="internal">Wig Out!</a></p>
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rick hammerly seen felicia curry dedicated year directing three backtoback wellreceived local productions photo dj corey photography year theater eclectic engaging peppered premiers reprises new faces names titles well familiar year change challenging comforting february studio theatre trod intriguing ground morgan goulds new dramedy wan na fucking tear apart darkly funny play friendship politics niceness beauty specifically friendships gay men overweight straight women plays dc premier new yorkbased gould also directed cast actor tommy heleringer young gay man nicole spiezio big bestie studio explored complicated relationships summer production wig penned playwright tarrell alvin mcraneys whose moonlight black boys look blue inspired academy awardwinning film moonlight160 wig love story set africanamerican drag ball scene think jennie livingstons seminal 1990 documentary paris burning michael kevin darnall house lights sexual predator father jamyl dobson aging insecure drag mother standouts strong cast baltimores everyman theatre presented excellent los otros subtly made grownup twohander music composer michael john lachisua starred broadway actors judy mclane philip hernández two different middleaged californians shes white straight hes mexican american gay live oddly parallel lives kennedy center hosted summer fun included national tour rodgers amp hammersteins king actor jose llana added playful dimension stubborn siamese sovereign laura michelle kelly luminous anna plucky english governess increasingly dynamic mosaic theater company added transgender topical mix january presented playwright philip dawkins charm starring transgender actor bellana duquesne mama etiquette instructor urban lgbt center dawkins drew inspiration chicagos reallife mama gloria allen transgender africanamerican woman taught deportment lowincome transgender often homeless teens chicago recently mosaic presented draw circle mashuq mushtaq deens oneman show recounting tricky real life transition female male traditional muslimamerican family artists 2017 time taking chances exploring new directions celebrated local actor holly twyford sang first musical middleaged stage star desiree armfeldt signature theatres sublime production stephen sondheims little night musical dazzled audiences heartfelt revelatory rendition shows standard send clowns rick hammerly dedicated year directing best known helen hayes awardwinning turn titular transgender heroine signatures production rock musical hedwig angry inch hammerly says year decided wanted people think something hedwig needed step show people im interested thats directing summer early winter directed three wellreviewed plays back back delightful youth production titled junie b jones crook adventure theatre mtc british playwright cordelia lynns160 lela amp co factory 449 hammerly producing artistic director showcasing dramatic prowess colleague friend felicia curry intense optimistic look crossborder human trafficking male relatives usually complicit situations lastly wsc bards emilie la marquise du châtelet defends life tonight smart comedy penned prolific playwright lauren gunderson production vision play directorially thats want directing incredibly gratifying currently find satisfaction thats say im leaving stage hammerly closed year donning fat suit playing goodhearted mr fezziwig fords theatres annual production christmas carol160 looking forward hes slated assistant direct fords jeffersons gardens exploration contradictions founding fathers ideals realities freedom america spring hes cast play mature drag queen miss tracy mills round house theatres production playwright matthew lopezs comedy legend georgia mcbride staged tom story another actor also directs christmas carol little night music charm draw circle everyman theatre wan na fucking tear apart jose llana junie b jones crook kennedy center lela amp co los otros mosaic theater company rick hammerly studio theatre king wig
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<p>By Scott Dickison</p>
<p>Reading the by-now-infamous Pew Research Center’s report on <a href="http://www.pewforum.org/2015/05/12/americas-changing-religious-landscape/" type="external">the state of religious affiliation in America</a> this past week, I was taken back to a conversation I had as a divinity school student with an undergraduate considering ministry. He was an incredibly bright guy and could have decided to go into any field that he wanted and been immensely successful, but he was feeling a call to the priesthood in the Episcopal tradition in which he was raised.</p>
<p>I of course supported him in this call, and we talked about different seminaries he might consider and whether or not it would be a good idea to wait a year or two and get some “real world experience” before entering into another degree program (always a good idea in my book). But then, almost as an aside, I asked him how his parents were reacting to his call to ministry, expecting him so say something like “proud and supportive,” since he had spoken fondly of being raised in the church. But he got quiet.</p>
<p>“Not well,” he said. “Especially my father. He doesn’t understand why I would want to waste my time going into ministry. He says my gifts could be better suited somewhere else, and that the church probably won’t be around by the time I’m his age anyway.”</p>
<p>I was kind of taken aback. I felt myself getting a little defensive since I had recently made the decision to commit whatever gifts I had to ministry and the church.</p>
<p>“Well, what does he do?” I asked, probably too accusatorially.</p>
<p>“He’s a priest,” he said. “I’m a P.K.”</p>
<p>“Oh,” I said.</p>
<p>After graduation he ended up taking a fellowship with some big think-tank in D.C.</p>
<p>At least at face value, the contents of the Pew report seem to support this father’s concerns for his son’s chosen vocation and his own. The church in America is in decline. Unfortunately, that is not news — it seems like we hear some new report on the decline of the church every other week. What is news, and what this report revealed, is just how steep and far reaching the decline is. It’s being felt cross-denominationally, in every demographic and in every region of the country.</p>
<p>Meanwhile the percentage of Americans who identify as “religiously unaffiliated” (the “nones” as you’ve heard them called), continues to grow and as <a href="http://www.christiancentury.org/article/2015-05/christians-lose-ground-nones-soar-new-portrait-us-religion" type="external">RNS pointed out</a>,&#160;represents more people than all Evangelical Lutherans, United Methodists and Episcopalians put together. And the percentages get even worse for the church in the younger generations.</p>
<p>There’s a lot to be said about this report and the findings, and there’s already been a good bit written about it from <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2015/05/13/nones-americans-christians-evangelicals-column/27198423/" type="external">both</a>&#160; <a href="https://www.christiancentury.org/blogs/archive/2015-05/decline-and-its-complexities" type="external">ends</a>&#160;of the theological spectrum. There have also been some important qualifiers offered. Ross Douthat of the New York Times <a href="http://douthat.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/05/13/the-real-but-overstated-decline-of-american-christianity/?_r=2" type="external">pointed out</a>, rightly, that all of these numbers of decline have to do with religious affiliation and not religious practice. The rate of church involvement has actually stayed pretty steady. In fact, a <a href="http://www.gallup.com/poll/166613/four-report-attending-church-last-week.aspx" type="external">recent Gallup poll</a>&#160;showed that weekly church attendance is close to where it was in the 1940s and ‘50s.</p>
<p>What appears to have changed is that the folks who used to be “nominally” Christian or once felt compelled to identify as Christian socially aren’t feeling compelled to do so anymore. Douthat also makes a great point that much of this depends on whether or how Millennials will “grow up.” As he points out, there has always been a trend for people to drift away from religion until they get married or have children. Is it just that younger generations are waiting longer to come back to church just as they are waiting longer to get married and have babies? Only time will tell.</p>
<p>Yet even given these qualifiers, there’s no getting around the fact that the church is getting smaller and older and has <a href="http://www.pewforum.org/2014/09/22/public-sees-religions-influence-waning-2/" type="external">less influence in society</a>.&#160;These are all things that we’re now seeing reflected in data but that anyone familiar with church has known for years. My young friend’s father certainly had seen it.</p>
<p>And yet.</p>
<p>Call me naive. Call me overly optimistic. Call me nostalgic or blinded by self-interest. Call me a fool.</p>
<p>But I’m hopeful.</p>
<p>Despite all of the doom and gloom to be squeezed from the numbers, I’m hopeful about the future of the church. I don’t know that I would go so far <a href="http://www.russellmoore.com/2015/05/12/is-christianity-dying/" type="external">as some</a>,&#160;who say all of this decline is a good thing. While I do think it’s a good thing that people feel more free to be honest about their religious convictions or lack there of, I still grieve that there are so many people out there who grew up in church but once they reached adulthood didn’t feel that the church was an important or vital part of their life. That’s something the church needs to be honest with itself about.</p>
<p>But I do think that much good can come from this new normal. Yes, the church is smaller. No, no one is paying attention to us like they used to, but if they were I think they’d see some pretty incredible things happening. They’d see people being valued and loved their whole lives, from cradle to the grave. They’d see families being supported. They’d see meals being served. They’d see comfort being given. They’d see grief being honored. They’d see reconciliation being brokered. They’d see justice being advocated. They’d see new life springing up in the most unexpected of places. Even in an “institution in decline.”</p>
<p>But they aren’t looking, and that may be a good thing after all. Maybe it will free us up a little bit to get back to what we’ve been here to do all along, which is preach the good news that God really is God, Christ really was raised from the dead, the Holy Spirit really does live and move among us, and that we really do have something to offer the world that no one else does: the truth of this hope.</p>
<p>So maybe it’s more accurate to say that I’m hopeful about what God is up to in the world, and despite our obvious failings and deficiencies, I still think the church is the best thing going in the Kingdom of God.</p>
<p>And about my friend. I got a call from him a year later saying that he was headed to seminary after all. He had given politics a shot, but was so turned off by the whole experience he was convinced that the church was the best place for him to live out his call. And his father had even come around. Turns out he had seen that kind of conviction before.</p>
<p>Was it the right move? Only time will tell. But I’m hopeful.</p>
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scott dickison reading bynowinfamous pew research centers report state religious affiliation america past week taken back conversation divinity school student undergraduate considering ministry incredibly bright guy could decided go field wanted immensely successful feeling call priesthood episcopal tradition raised course supported call talked different seminaries might consider whether would good idea wait year two get real world experience entering another degree program always good idea book almost aside asked parents reacting call ministry expecting say something like proud supportive since spoken fondly raised church got quiet well said especially father doesnt understand would want waste time going ministry says gifts could better suited somewhere else church probably wont around time im age anyway kind taken aback felt getting little defensive since recently made decision commit whatever gifts ministry church well asked probably accusatorially hes priest said im pk oh said graduation ended taking fellowship big thinktank dc least face value contents pew report seem support fathers concerns sons chosen vocation church america decline unfortunately news seems like hear new report decline church every week news report revealed steep far reaching decline felt crossdenominationally every demographic every region country meanwhile percentage americans identify religiously unaffiliated nones youve heard called continues grow rns pointed out160represents people evangelical lutherans united methodists episcopalians put together percentages get even worse church younger generations theres lot said report findings theres already good bit written both160 ends160of theological spectrum also important qualifiers offered ross douthat new york times pointed rightly numbers decline religious affiliation religious practice rate church involvement actually stayed pretty steady fact recent gallup poll160showed weekly church attendance close 1940s 50s appears changed folks used nominally christian felt compelled identify christian socially arent feeling compelled anymore douthat also makes great point much depends whether millennials grow points always trend people drift away religion get married children younger generations waiting longer come back church waiting longer get married babies time tell yet even given qualifiers theres getting around fact church getting smaller older less influence society160these things seeing reflected data anyone familiar church known years young friends father certainly seen yet call naive call overly optimistic call nostalgic blinded selfinterest call fool im hopeful despite doom gloom squeezed numbers im hopeful future church dont know would go far some160who say decline good thing think good thing people feel free honest religious convictions lack still grieve many people grew church reached adulthood didnt feel church important vital part life thats something church needs honest think much good come new normal yes church smaller one paying attention us like used think theyd see pretty incredible things happening theyd see people valued loved whole lives cradle grave theyd see families supported theyd see meals served theyd see comfort given theyd see grief honored theyd see reconciliation brokered theyd see justice advocated theyd see new life springing unexpected places even institution decline arent looking may good thing maybe free us little bit get back weve along preach good news god really god christ really raised dead holy spirit really live move among us really something offer world one else truth hope maybe accurate say im hopeful god world despite obvious failings deficiencies still think church best thing going kingdom god friend got call year later saying headed seminary given politics shot turned whole experience convinced church best place live call father even come around turns seen kind conviction right move time tell im hopeful
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<p>We are entering a new day in America.&#160; Do you feel excited yet?&#160; New things always bring with them a bit of trepidation, but there’s so much buzz about this particular new day that it can’t be bad, right?&#160; Well, we’ll see.</p>
<p>What is this new day?&#160; It is the day when marriage equality has (nearly) become the law of the land.&#160; With the recent Supreme Court non-decision to allow federal appellate courts to reverse marriage laws in five more states we have crossed the line where whether by rare voter approval or the more frequent judicial fiat, gay marriage is legal in more places than it isn’t.&#160; The momentum and current political atmosphere suggests that barring what at this point would be a rogue federal appellate court, eventually the Supreme Court will officially legalize it in the remaining holdouts.</p>
<p>How should we respond to this news?&#160; There are a variety of options.&#160; For the overwhelmingly non-Christian gay rights crowd, Hollywood, the media, and the political left it’s time to party like it’s 1999.&#160; They are finally seeing the victory they have worked toward for so long come to fruition.&#160; And indeed, regardless of your position on the issue, taking a moment to marvel at the rate and extent of their success is warranted.&#160; Never in the history of this nation, and perhaps the history of the whole world, has public opinion on a matter of such significance as marriage been shifted so quickly and so completely as what has taken place here in the past 10 years.</p>
<p>Among the Christian progressives (or as some would prefer, the moderates) the celebration hasn’t been quite as effusive as their ideological kin, but there has been one all the same.&#160; I’ve even seen affirmations like (paraphrasing): to deny gay rights is to deny the Gospel.</p>
<p>How about on the cultural right?&#160; There are certainly cries of gloom and societal doom from many places there.&#160; Some conservative Christians have declared (or have been declaring) that God’s judgment is going to fall on us for this embrace of immorality.&#160; Some have greeted it with more of a sense of resignation or even, more infrequently, apathy.</p>
<p>Among the more thoughtful commentators who take a traditional approach to the issue, though, a question is being proposed with increasing urgency: So gay marriage becomes the law of the land…what happens to all the people who don’t agree?&#160; More specifically, what happens to all the Christian business owners who work in fields that are some part of the wedding industry who oppose gay marriage on theological and moral grounds?&#160; In spite of the advocacy of voices like Dr. David Gushee to make the case for what he calls the revisionist position on the matter, most Christians still oppose it.&#160; In fact, a <a href="https://www.barna.org/barna-update/culture/618-america-s-change-of-mind-on-same-sex-marriage-and-lgbtq-rights#.VEKH02ddXmd" type="external">Barna Group survey from last year</a> found that among people they identified as evangelicals 98% say same-sex marriage is not morally acceptable.&#160; That’s an increase of 3% from a decade earlier.&#160; Now, Barna pegs the evangelical percentage of the population at 8%, but when the total population of the country is 317 million, that’s still 25.3 million people.&#160; That’s a lot of business owners who don’t agree with the morality of same-sex marriage and plan to run their businesses accordingly.&#160; So then, what about them?</p>
<p>Here’s where we run into a problem.&#160; One of the driving claims of the gay rights movement has been that sexual orientation is an absolutely fixed thing making opposition to gay rights the moral equivalent of opposing civil rights.&#160; In spite of the fact that this has been shown to not be the case and that even devoted gay rights advocates like Kirk and Madsen acknowledge that sexual orientation is a mix of complex factors that include both nature and nurture, the convenient narrative equating gay rights and civil rights has stuck and is driving much of the political and legal policymaking these days.</p>
<p>In case that isn’t clear, here again is the problem: no one can legally (or morally) deny service to someone on the basis of their race.&#160; But, while many even among conservatives on the issue would argue that denying service to someone simply on the basis of their sexual orientation is immoral and should be illegal, gay marriage is a whole different animal…or at least, the folks who would refuse to participate in the celebration of a union they consider immoral on theological grounds believe it is.</p>
<p>The question that needs answering before we get much further into this new day is this: If gay marriage is going to be the law of the land (and all evidence suggests it soon will be) is opposition to it going to be considered a politically, socially, culturally, morally, religiously viable option for people to take?&#160; Will the new majority position (at least by power if not by population) which has been screaming for tolerance for years be able to extended to the new minority the thing it was so often denied?&#160; So far this has not been the case.&#160; So far, every single time religious rights have come up against gay rights in this new day, religious rights have been forcefully denied.&#160; One judge even commented that giving up such conscience rights is simply a price of citizenship.</p>
<p>Now, perhaps this is simply a case where turnabout is fair play and too bad for them.&#160; But, I would argue that more is a stake.&#160; The new minority on this issue opposes gay marriage on religious grounds that have historically been recognized as legitimate.&#160; At issue here then is whether or not religiously motivated opposition to same-sex marriage is going to be considered legitimate and if so, will it be protected?&#160; So far it has not been.&#160; Hopefully the cases involving various bakers, florists, photographers, a <a href="http://www.conservativeinfidel.com/u-s-politics/family-farm-owners-forced-hold-gay-wedding-go-business-fight-back/" type="external">New York couple being sued</a> by a lesbian couple (who secretly recorded the phone conversation) for refusing to host their wedding ceremony in spite of their subsequent offer to host the reception, and most recently and unconnected to the wedding industry <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2014/10/14/city-houston-demands-pastors-turn-over-sermons/?cmpid=NL_morninghl" type="external">five&#160;Houston pastors</a> who have been told to turn over any sermons on the subject of homosexuality to the city or be held in contempt of court, will prove to be the unfortunate exceptions and not the new rule.&#160; If not, our understanding of what the First Amendment means by “Congress shall make no law…prohibiting the free exercise [of religion]” will have to change.&#160; The new day requires it.</p>
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entering new day america160 feel excited yet160 new things always bring bit trepidation theres much buzz particular new day cant bad right160 well well see new day160 day marriage equality nearly become law land160 recent supreme court nondecision allow federal appellate courts reverse marriage laws five states crossed line whether rare voter approval frequent judicial fiat gay marriage legal places isnt160 momentum current political atmosphere suggests barring point would rogue federal appellate court eventually supreme court officially legalize remaining holdouts respond news160 variety options160 overwhelmingly nonchristian gay rights crowd hollywood media political left time party like 1999160 finally seeing victory worked toward long come fruition160 indeed regardless position issue taking moment marvel rate extent success warranted160 never history nation perhaps history whole world public opinion matter significance marriage shifted quickly completely taken place past 10 years among christian progressives would prefer moderates celebration hasnt quite effusive ideological kin one same160 ive even seen affirmations like paraphrasing deny gay rights deny gospel cultural right160 certainly cries gloom societal doom many places there160 conservative christians declared declaring gods judgment going fall us embrace immorality160 greeted sense resignation even infrequently apathy among thoughtful commentators take traditional approach issue though question proposed increasing urgency gay marriage becomes law landwhat happens people dont agree160 specifically happens christian business owners work fields part wedding industry oppose gay marriage theological moral grounds160 spite advocacy voices like dr david gushee make case calls revisionist position matter christians still oppose it160 fact barna group survey last year found among people identified evangelicals 98 say samesex marriage morally acceptable160 thats increase 3 decade earlier160 barna pegs evangelical percentage population 8 total population country 317 million thats still 253 million people160 thats lot business owners dont agree morality samesex marriage plan run businesses accordingly160 heres run problem160 one driving claims gay rights movement sexual orientation absolutely fixed thing making opposition gay rights moral equivalent opposing civil rights160 spite fact shown case even devoted gay rights advocates like kirk madsen acknowledge sexual orientation mix complex factors include nature nurture convenient narrative equating gay rights civil rights stuck driving much political legal policymaking days case isnt clear problem one legally morally deny service someone basis race160 many even among conservatives issue would argue denying service someone simply basis sexual orientation immoral illegal gay marriage whole different animalor least folks would refuse participate celebration union consider immoral theological grounds believe question needs answering get much new day gay marriage going law land evidence suggests soon opposition going considered politically socially culturally morally religiously viable option people take160 new majority position least power population screaming tolerance years able extended new minority thing often denied160 far case160 far every single time religious rights come gay rights new day religious rights forcefully denied160 one judge even commented giving conscience rights simply price citizenship perhaps simply case turnabout fair play bad them160 would argue stake160 new minority issue opposes gay marriage religious grounds historically recognized legitimate160 issue whether religiously motivated opposition samesex marriage going considered legitimate protected160 far been160 hopefully cases involving various bakers florists photographers new york couple sued lesbian couple secretly recorded phone conversation refusing host wedding ceremony spite subsequent offer host reception recently unconnected wedding industry five160houston pastors told turn sermons subject homosexuality city held contempt court prove unfortunate exceptions new rule160 understanding first amendment means congress shall make lawprohibiting free exercise religion change160 new day requires
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<p>Kim Tae-ri and Kim Min-hee star in ‘The Handmaiden.’ (Photo courtesy Amazon Studios and Magnolia Pictures)</p>
<p>If there were a Rainbow Oscar (like the Queer Palm at Cannes), two of the leading contenders for the 2016 prize would be opening in D.C. this week.</p>
<p>Based on the 2002 novel “Fingersmith” by Welsh lesbian novelist Sarah Waters, “The Handmaiden” is a sizzling lesbian love story cloaked in multiple layers of betrayals, lies and reversals. Korean director Park Chan-Wook has moved the action from Victorian England to 1930s colonial Korea. The result is a sumptuous and deeply erotic psychological costume drama.</p>
<p>Ha Jung-woo is an evil Count who wants to seduce the Japanese Lady Hideko (Kim Min-hee), the innocent ward of Kouzuki (Cho Jin-woong), her very rich and very creepy uncle. To lure her in, the Count hires the Korean pickpocket Sookee (newcomer Kim Tae-ri) to become her handmaiden. The ensuing tale of love and revenge is fascinating.</p>
<p>The tale unfolds in three sections, told from a variety of viewpoints, and therein lies the one major problem with the movie. There is a good bit of repetition in the storytelling and the movie could definitely benefit from a lot of trimming, especially in the middle section.</p>
<p>The dialogue is generally sparse, but effective. The characters speak in both Korean and Japanese; the (occasionally hard-to-read) subtitles use different colors for each language.</p>
<p>The cinematography and design are lush and Park’s direction is sure and steady. The acting is uniformly superb. “The Handmaiden” is a visual masterpiece and a sensual delight, a feast for the senses and a puzzle for the mind.</p>
<p>“Moonlight” is a beautiful and finely detailed character study, a snapshot of a young African-American man during three stages of his tumultuous coming out and coming-of-age process. It’s also a complex look at masculinity in the African-American community, a thoughtful examination of both the constructive and destructive impacts of men trying to leave their mark on the world.</p>
<p>The first section focuses on Little (Alex Hibbert), a young boy with every possible disadvantage. He’s picked on by his classmates who call him faggot, he’s small and scared to fight back and he lives in poverty with his crack-addicted mother Paula (Naomie Harris). Juan, the local drug czar played by Mahershala Ali, takes him under his wing, but Juan’s protection is a mixed blessing; he teaches Little to be proud and self-confident, but he’s also selling drugs to Paula.</p>
<p>The second section turns to Chiron (Ashton Sanders) as a teenager. Juan is dead, but his girlfriend Teresa (the singer Janelle Moráe) still tends to the boy. The bullying has intensified, but Chiron shares a moment of tenderness with his friend Kevin (Jharrel Jerome) before an act of violence shatters his world.</p>
<p>Section three turns to an adult Black (Trevante Rhodes) who has also become a drug dealer. He visits his mother in rehab and arranges a reunion with his estranged friend Kevin (now played by André Holland).</p>
<p>The screenplay was adapted by writer/director Barry Jenkins (a straight ally) from a stage play by openly gay MacArthur Fellow Terell Alvin McCraney (“Choir Boy” and “The Brother/Sister Plays”). The script effectively moves the minimal story forward with little dialogue (which is sometimes mumbled and hard to understand). The silences are often more eloquent than the words as the laconic characters struggle to express their thoughts and emotions.</p>
<p>The cinematography by James Laxton is absolutely splendid, full of the vibrant colors and the urban grit of Miami. Jenkins’ work as director is fine; he gets great performances from his cast and the storytelling is clear and compelling. There are, however, a few moments where the pace slips; a few cuts may have made the film even stronger.</p>
<p>The acting is outstanding, full of nuance and surprise. Supported by an array of visual, behavioral and narrative details, the three actors amazingly create a seamless unified portrait of Chiron at different ages, even though they never met during filming. Moráe turns in a strong performance as a fierce woman who’s not afraid to stand up to her boyfriend or for Little/Chiron.</p>
<p>Harris is dazzling as Paula, hurling herself through the horrible physical, emotional and mental turmoil of addiction. Her quicksilver mood changes are both fascinating and terrifying to watch. As the only actor to appear in all three sections, she serves as an anchor for the film, especially as her character moves from devastating addiction to hard-won recovery.</p>
<p>The standout performance of the film, however, comes from Ali as Juan, a commanding, complex figure; Ali embraces all the character’s contradictions with confidence and style. He’s a tough man in a brutal business, but he’s sensitive enough to take a lost young child under his wing, and to recognize the destructive impact of his business on his neighborhood.</p>
<p />
<p>The Korean Film Council has already chosen its submission for the Academy Award for the Best Foreign Language Film; it selected “The Age of Shadows,” thus dashing any Oscar hopes for “The Handmaiden.” However, “Moonlight” will certainly be in contention, bringing some much-needed diversity to the Oscar race. In the meantime, D.C. filmgoers can enjoy two excellent movies that celebrate LGBT lives.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Alex Hibbert</a> <a href="" type="internal">André Holland</a> <a href="" type="internal">Ashton Sanders</a> <a href="" type="internal">Barry Jenkins</a> <a href="" type="internal">Cannes</a> <a href="" type="internal">Cho Jin-woong</a> <a href="" type="internal">D.C.</a> <a href="" type="internal">Fingersmith</a> <a href="" type="internal">Ha Jung-woo</a> <a href="" type="internal">James Laxton</a> <a href="" type="internal">Janelle Moráe</a> <a href="" type="internal">Jharrel Jerome</a> <a href="" type="internal">Kim Min-hee</a> <a href="" type="internal">Kim Tae-ri</a> <a href="" type="internal">Korea</a> <a href="" type="internal">lesbian</a> <a href="" type="internal">Mahershala Ali</a> <a href="" type="internal">Moonlight</a> <a href="" type="internal">Naomie Harris</a> <a href="" type="internal">Oscars</a> <a href="" type="internal">Park Chan-Wook</a> <a href="" type="internal">Queer Palm</a> <a href="" type="internal">Sarah Waters</a> <a href="" type="internal">Terell Alvin McCraney</a> <a href="" type="internal">The Handmaiden</a> <a href="" type="internal">Trevante Rhodes</a> <a href="" type="internal">Victorian England</a></p>
| false | 3 |
kim taeri kim minhee star handmaiden photo courtesy amazon studios magnolia pictures rainbow oscar like queer palm cannes two leading contenders 2016 prize would opening dc week based 2002 novel fingersmith welsh lesbian novelist sarah waters handmaiden sizzling lesbian love story cloaked multiple layers betrayals lies reversals korean director park chanwook moved action victorian england 1930s colonial korea result sumptuous deeply erotic psychological costume drama ha jungwoo evil count wants seduce japanese lady hideko kim minhee innocent ward kouzuki cho jinwoong rich creepy uncle lure count hires korean pickpocket sookee newcomer kim taeri become handmaiden ensuing tale love revenge fascinating tale unfolds three sections told variety viewpoints therein lies one major problem movie good bit repetition storytelling movie could definitely benefit lot trimming especially middle section dialogue generally sparse effective characters speak korean japanese occasionally hardtoread subtitles use different colors language cinematography design lush parks direction sure steady acting uniformly superb handmaiden visual masterpiece sensual delight feast senses puzzle mind moonlight beautiful finely detailed character study snapshot young africanamerican man three stages tumultuous coming comingofage process also complex look masculinity africanamerican community thoughtful examination constructive destructive impacts men trying leave mark world first section focuses little alex hibbert young boy every possible disadvantage hes picked classmates call faggot hes small scared fight back lives poverty crackaddicted mother paula naomie harris juan local drug czar played mahershala ali takes wing juans protection mixed blessing teaches little proud selfconfident hes also selling drugs paula second section turns chiron ashton sanders teenager juan dead girlfriend teresa singer janelle moráe still tends boy bullying intensified chiron shares moment tenderness friend kevin jharrel jerome act violence shatters world section three turns adult black trevante rhodes also become drug dealer visits mother rehab arranges reunion estranged friend kevin played andré holland screenplay adapted writerdirector barry jenkins straight ally stage play openly gay macarthur fellow terell alvin mccraney choir boy brothersister plays script effectively moves minimal story forward little dialogue sometimes mumbled hard understand silences often eloquent words laconic characters struggle express thoughts emotions cinematography james laxton absolutely splendid full vibrant colors urban grit miami jenkins work director fine gets great performances cast storytelling clear compelling however moments pace slips cuts may made film even stronger acting outstanding full nuance surprise supported array visual behavioral narrative details three actors amazingly create seamless unified portrait chiron different ages even though never met filming moráe turns strong performance fierce woman whos afraid stand boyfriend littlechiron harris dazzling paula hurling horrible physical emotional mental turmoil addiction quicksilver mood changes fascinating terrifying watch actor appear three sections serves anchor film especially character moves devastating addiction hardwon recovery standout performance film however comes ali juan commanding complex figure ali embraces characters contradictions confidence style hes tough man brutal business hes sensitive enough take lost young child wing recognize destructive impact business neighborhood korean film council already chosen submission academy award best foreign language film selected age shadows thus dashing oscar hopes handmaiden however moonlight certainly contention bringing muchneeded diversity oscar race meantime dc filmgoers enjoy two excellent movies celebrate lgbt lives alex hibbert andré holland ashton sanders barry jenkins cannes cho jinwoong dc fingersmith ha jungwoo james laxton janelle moráe jharrel jerome kim minhee kim taeri korea lesbian mahershala ali moonlight naomie harris oscars park chanwook queer palm sarah waters terell alvin mccraney handmaiden trevante rhodes victorian england
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<p>&#160;</p>
<p>California’s oil industry is celebrating the defeat of a bill that would have placed a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing — but warned that the fracking war is far from over.</p>
<p>Senate Bill 1132 by <a href="http://sd26.senate.ca.gov/" type="external">Sen. Holly Mitchell</a>, D-Los Angeles, failed 18-16 on the Senate floor May 28. Four Democrats joined Republicans in voting against it, while three Democrats sat out the vote. The bill was reconsidered the next day, resulting in a loss of two more Democratic votes.</p>
<p>Catherine Reheis-Boyd, president of the <a href="https://www.wspa.org/" type="external">Western States Petroleum Association</a>, sent out a congratulatory email to supporters last week:</p>
<p>“The legislation would have banned hydraulic fracturing and other well stimulation technologies, putting existing petroleum industry jobs at risk and preventing the creation of potentially tens of thousands of others – not to mention depriving Californians of much-needed state and local tax revenues and enhanced energy security.</p>
<p>“Not surprisingly, anti-oil special interests who fed the public, the state Legislature, and media egregious misinformation about hydraulic fracturing and other oil extraction techniques have vowed to continue their efforts in Sacramento and throughout California’s local communities. WSPA will continue to push for common sense legislation that balances environmental protection with domestic energy security, job creation, and economic development.”</p>
<p>Mitchell: Big Oil ‘polluting for profit’</p>
<p>Mitchell did indeed vow to keep up the fight against an oil-and-gas drilling process that she believes pollutes the environment.</p>
<p>“[She] is proud of the bill’s successful journey in raising awareness around public safety, fossil fuels and environmental justice,” Mitchell said in <a href="http://sd26.senate.ca.gov/news/press-releases/2014-05-30-senator-mitchell-s-sb-1132-pushes-fracking-moratorium-senate-floor" type="external">a press release</a>.&#160; “Although the bill fell short of passage, she is confident that the movement to re-assess fracking, acidization and other well stimulation methods will continue to grow until the public’s concerns are thoroughly addressed.</p>
<p>“We have the momentum, this issue’s gone viral nationally, and it’s just a matter of time before the dangers of fracking prompt people to put it on pause until its safety can be established. When the impacts on the public of a for-profit endeavor are unknown, we try it out first in minority neighborhoods – assuming low vigilance and the need to bring in jobs makes safety irrelevant.</p>
<p>“But we’ve put big industry on notice: That ploy won’t fly forever. People’s neighborhoods aren’t fodder for fracking, environmental justice must come, and one day soon the vote to refrain from polluting for profit will prevail!”</p>
<p>State, feds: Fracking not a danger</p>
<p>But the California agency charged with oversight of fracking assures that more than a half-century of hydraulic fracturing in the country have shown it to not be an environmental danger.</p>
<p>“Hydraulic fracturing was first used in 1947 in a well in Kansas,” states the California Department of Conservation’s <a href="http://www.conservation.ca.gov/dog/general_information/Pages/HydraulicFracturing.aspx" type="external">Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources</a>. “Since then, hydraulic fracturing has become a regular practice to tap into previously unrecoverable reserves, or to stimulate increased production from existing oil or gas wells in the United States.</p>
<p>“In California, hydraulic fracturing has been used as a production stimulation method for more than 30 years with no reported damage to the environment.”</p>
<p>The Obama administration also has long depicted fracking as safe. In <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/17/us/interior-proposes-new-rules-for-fracking-on-us-land.html?_r=0" type="external">May 2013</a>, at a news conference on draft rules for fracking on 700 million acres of federal land, Interior Secretary Sally Jewell defended the drilling process: “I know there are those who say fracking is dangerous and should be curtailed, full stop. That ignores the reality that it has been done for decades and has the potential for developing significant domestic resources and strengthening our economy and will be done for decades to come.”</p>
<p>SB1132 came hard on the heels of another fracking crackdown bill, <a href="http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/13-14/bill/sen/sb_0001-0050/sb_4_bill_20130920_chaptered.htm" type="external">SB4</a>, which was approved by the Legislature last year and signed by Gov. Jerry Brown. It increases regulations on fracking, including disclosure of the composition and disposition of fracking fluids to state regulators.</p>
<p>It also requires a study be completed by the end of this year on “the hazards and risks that fracking poses to natural resources and public, occupational, and environmental health and safety,” according to the bill’s <a href="http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/13-14/bill/sen/sb_0001-0050/sb_4_cfa_20131216_114958_sen_comm.html" type="external">legislative analysis</a>. “No permits for fracking would be allowed to be issued after Jan. 1, 2015, unless the study is completed and peer reviewed.”</p>
<p>SB1132 would have extended that study an additional six months, and imposed additional governmental reviews before fracking could resume in the state.</p>
<p>Sharp disagreements in Senate floor debate</p>
<p>Democrats and Republicans debated the bill May 28 on the Senate floor.</p>
<p>“SB1132 puts a temporary moratorium on hydraulic fracturing and acidization until they are proven safe by an exhaustive study that looks at many of the concerns and complaints commonly made by the citizens who live and work near the oil fields,” said Mitchell.</p>
<p>She dismissed concerns about potential job loss, saying the oil industry claims that only a small minority of wells are fracked. And she cited <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-05-21/eia-cuts-monterey-shale-estimates-on-extraction-challenges-1-.html" type="external">media reports</a> that the oil recovery potential of California’s Monterey Shale formation has been cut by 96 percent, according to the <a href="http://www.eia.gov/" type="external">U.S. Energy Information Administration</a>.</p>
<p>“SB1132 simply calls for a ‘time out,’ if you will, a temporary moratorium pending verification that fracking and acidization methods are safe,” said Mitchell. “Along with many of you, I have no desire to increase our over-reliance on foreign oil. However, the safety of oil drilling is fundamentally an environmental justice issue that I believe we must view with great scrutiny.”</p>
<p>Jackson: No need to ‘frack, frack, frack’</p>
<p>She was backed by <a href="http://sd19.senate.ca.gov/" type="external">Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson</a>, D-Santa Barbara, who said that fracking has caused earthquakes in Ohio and degraded water quality in Texas.</p>
<p>“There would be no harm in hitting the pause button and evaluating specifically and more independently what the impacts are of this process on our water quality, air quality, the public health of people in surrounding communities,” said Jackson. “There is no urgency to frack, frack, frack. Let us be cautious. Let us be circumspect. And let us have the information that we need in order to determine whether we should continue a procedure that has demonstrated negative results in other parts of the country.”</p>
<p><a href="http://sd11.senate.ca.gov/" type="external">Sen. Mark Leno</a>, D-San Francisco, said that 70 percent of Californians support a fracking moratorium. And he noted that other states have adopted moratoriums.</p>
<p>Two Republican senators representing inland valley areas pointed out that their districts are still suffering double-digit unemployment, which will worsen with this year’s drought.</p>
<p>GOP response cites economic potential, need for fuel</p>
<p><a href="http://district14.cssrc.us/" type="external">Sen. Tom Berryhill</a>, R-Stanislaus, discussed a trip to North Dakota last year where the economic contrast could not have been more stark due to that state’s oil and gas drilling boom.</p>
<p>“It was mind-boggling,” he said. “There was ‘help wanted’ on every corner and every small business. It was a tremendous opportunity to get people back to work. This technology has the potential to create thousands of jobs and a second gold rush to the local economy in the state of California that we haven’t seen in years.”</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" /> <a href="http://district18.cssrc.us/" type="external">Sen. Jean Fuller</a>, R-Bakersfield, challenged Mitchell.</p>
<p>“Californians require 44 million gallons of gasoline a day,” said Fuller. “Our state refineries provide all of that gasoline, and they must be supplied with oil from somewhere. My question for the author is: What other methods or new technology does this bill propose to use to backfill the lost oil production in California? Tankers, rail, rationing or something that I don’t know?</p>
<p>Mitchell responded, “This bill does not propose to offer an alternative.” The time for that is if the study determines that fracking is unsafe, she added.</p>
<p>That did not satisfy Fuller, who said, “My area produces about 80 percent of the oil and gas. Most of those wells that are being fracked have been fracked for many, many years. Most of them are in an oil well footprint where there’s no groundwater underneath, there’s no residential houses nearby. And they haven’t had safety violations.</p>
<p>“I think that we’ll get [safe fracking] without having to suffer loss of jobs and tremendous economic upheaval in my area. Some of the small cities in my area have 30 percent unemployment now. We’re about to head into a drought in August, and that will probably double [unemployment], because the last time we had a drought there was 30 percent unemployment just from the drought. To have even a day’s loss of this work, which are very good wages and very good health benefits, is absolutely crushing for us.”</p>
<p><a href="http://district4.cssrc.us/" type="external">Sen. Jim Nielsen</a>, R-Tehama, argued that Mitchell’s bill puts up so many obstacles to completion and certification of the study, that it would amount to a de facto ban on fracking.</p>
<p>“Would it affect the citizens of California?” he asked. “Absolutely. We cannot conserve our way to the future in either water or energy.”</p>
<p>Mitchell: You’re crying fire</p>
<p>Mitchell accused her bill’s opponents of being alarmists on the threat of lost jobs.</p>
<p>“I don’t think it’s appropriate for us to cry fire in a crowded theater when we are unable to quantify the actual statistical job loss based on the narrow parameters of this bill,” she said. “We as policy makers have to make a very, very difficult, delicate decision: employment versus public health and safety. I appreciate the challenges many of the districts are experiencing. I hope you appreciate the challenges my constituents are facing who live in very, very dangerous close proximity to wells that are being fracked and where acidization is being used.”</p>
<p>Reheis-Boyd discussed in <a href="https://www.wspa.org/blog/post/sb-1132-behind-us-let%E2%80%99s-now-focus-sb-4-implementation" type="external">her blog</a> her organization’s next steps, now that there has been a temporary truce in California’s fracking war:</p>
<p>“[The]&#160;defeat of Senate Bill 1132, legislation that would have imposed a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing and other well stimulation technologies, clears a path for a concerted and collaborative effort to fully implement new statewide regulations embodied in Senate Bill 4.</p>
<p>“The SB 4 regulations put into place a robust set of monitoring, disclosure, testing, land use and research requirements that ensure hydraulic fracturing in California is conducted safely and without harm to the environment.&#160;But there is still much to be done to finalize these new regulations, and the petroleum industry is going to be a constructive partner in getting them accomplished.</p>
<p>“For example, we are working with the <a href="http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/" type="external">State Water Resources Control Board</a> and regional water boards to develop groundwater monitoring criteria and planning required by SB 4.&#160;Once finalized, these new requirements will give us the data necessary to demonstrate hydraulic fracturing and other well stimulation technologies are not adversely impacting California’s precious water supplies.</p>
<p>“We are working with the <a href="http://www.arb.ca.gov/homepage.htm" type="external">California Air Resources Board</a> and regional air boards to ensure air quality concerns are addressed as required by SB 4. We are working with the <a href="http://www.conservation.ca.gov/DOG/Pages/Index.aspx" type="external">Division of Oil, Gas &amp; Geothermal Resources</a> to develop the in-depth CEQA analysis of well stimulation operations also required by SB 4.&#160;And we look forward to the findings of the science-based study of hydraulic fracturing – yet another requirement of SB 4. …</p>
<p>“As Governor Brown has noted, close to a third of the new wells drilled in California are hydraulically fractured as a way to improve their productivity. These wells are an important part of California’s ongoing, conventional oil production that supplies 37 per cent of our daily petroleum needs.&#160;</p>
<p>“The more than 100,000 men and women directly employed in oil production and transportation in California appreciate the Legislature’s support for the work they do and welcome the opportunity to move forward under the guidance of SB 4 regulations.”</p>
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160 californias oil industry celebrating defeat bill would placed moratorium hydraulic fracturing warned fracking war far senate bill 1132 sen holly mitchell dlos angeles failed 1816 senate floor may 28 four democrats joined republicans voting three democrats sat vote bill reconsidered next day resulting loss two democratic votes catherine reheisboyd president western states petroleum association sent congratulatory email supporters last week legislation would banned hydraulic fracturing well stimulation technologies putting existing petroleum industry jobs risk preventing creation potentially tens thousands others mention depriving californians muchneeded state local tax revenues enhanced energy security surprisingly antioil special interests fed public state legislature media egregious misinformation hydraulic fracturing oil extraction techniques vowed continue efforts sacramento throughout californias local communities wspa continue push common sense legislation balances environmental protection domestic energy security job creation economic development mitchell big oil polluting profit mitchell indeed vow keep fight oilandgas drilling process believes pollutes environment proud bills successful journey raising awareness around public safety fossil fuels environmental justice mitchell said press release160 although bill fell short passage confident movement reassess fracking acidization well stimulation methods continue grow publics concerns thoroughly addressed momentum issues gone viral nationally matter time dangers fracking prompt people put pause safety established impacts public forprofit endeavor unknown try first minority neighborhoods assuming low vigilance need bring jobs makes safety irrelevant weve put big industry notice ploy wont fly forever peoples neighborhoods arent fodder fracking environmental justice must come one day soon vote refrain polluting profit prevail state feds fracking danger california agency charged oversight fracking assures halfcentury hydraulic fracturing country shown environmental danger hydraulic fracturing first used 1947 well kansas states california department conservations division oil gas geothermal resources since hydraulic fracturing become regular practice tap previously unrecoverable reserves stimulate increased production existing oil gas wells united states california hydraulic fracturing used production stimulation method 30 years reported damage environment obama administration also long depicted fracking safe may 2013 news conference draft rules fracking 700 million acres federal land interior secretary sally jewell defended drilling process know say fracking dangerous curtailed full stop ignores reality done decades potential developing significant domestic resources strengthening economy done decades come sb1132 came hard heels another fracking crackdown bill sb4 approved legislature last year signed gov jerry brown increases regulations fracking including disclosure composition disposition fracking fluids state regulators also requires study completed end year hazards risks fracking poses natural resources public occupational environmental health safety according bills legislative analysis permits fracking would allowed issued jan 1 2015 unless study completed peer reviewed sb1132 would extended study additional six months imposed additional governmental reviews fracking could resume state sharp disagreements senate floor debate democrats republicans debated bill may 28 senate floor sb1132 puts temporary moratorium hydraulic fracturing acidization proven safe exhaustive study looks many concerns complaints commonly made citizens live work near oil fields said mitchell dismissed concerns potential job loss saying oil industry claims small minority wells fracked cited media reports oil recovery potential californias monterey shale formation cut 96 percent according us energy information administration sb1132 simply calls time temporary moratorium pending verification fracking acidization methods safe said mitchell along many desire increase overreliance foreign oil however safety oil drilling fundamentally environmental justice issue believe must view great scrutiny jackson need frack frack frack backed sen hannahbeth jackson dsanta barbara said fracking caused earthquakes ohio degraded water quality texas would harm hitting pause button evaluating specifically independently impacts process water quality air quality public health people surrounding communities said jackson urgency frack frack frack let us cautious let us circumspect let us information need order determine whether continue procedure demonstrated negative results parts country sen mark leno dsan francisco said 70 percent californians support fracking moratorium noted states adopted moratoriums two republican senators representing inland valley areas pointed districts still suffering doubledigit unemployment worsen years drought gop response cites economic potential need fuel sen tom berryhill rstanislaus discussed trip north dakota last year economic contrast could stark due states oil gas drilling boom mindboggling said help wanted every corner every small business tremendous opportunity get people back work technology potential create thousands jobs second gold rush local economy state california havent seen years sen jean fuller rbakersfield challenged mitchell californians require 44 million gallons gasoline day said fuller state refineries provide gasoline must supplied oil somewhere question author methods new technology bill propose use backfill lost oil production california tankers rail rationing something dont know mitchell responded bill propose offer alternative time study determines fracking unsafe added satisfy fuller said area produces 80 percent oil gas wells fracked fracked many many years oil well footprint theres groundwater underneath theres residential houses nearby havent safety violations think well get safe fracking without suffer loss jobs tremendous economic upheaval area small cities area 30 percent unemployment head drought august probably double unemployment last time drought 30 percent unemployment drought even days loss work good wages good health benefits absolutely crushing us sen jim nielsen rtehama argued mitchells bill puts many obstacles completion certification study would amount de facto ban fracking would affect citizens california asked absolutely conserve way future either water energy mitchell youre crying fire mitchell accused bills opponents alarmists threat lost jobs dont think appropriate us cry fire crowded theater unable quantify actual statistical job loss based narrow parameters bill said policy makers make difficult delicate decision employment versus public health safety appreciate challenges many districts experiencing hope appreciate challenges constituents facing live dangerous close proximity wells fracked acidization used reheisboyd discussed blog organizations next steps temporary truce californias fracking war the160defeat senate bill 1132 legislation would imposed moratorium hydraulic fracturing well stimulation technologies clears path concerted collaborative effort fully implement new statewide regulations embodied senate bill 4 sb 4 regulations put place robust set monitoring disclosure testing land use research requirements ensure hydraulic fracturing california conducted safely without harm environment160but still much done finalize new regulations petroleum industry going constructive partner getting accomplished example working state water resources control board regional water boards develop groundwater monitoring criteria planning required sb 4160once finalized new requirements give us data necessary demonstrate hydraulic fracturing well stimulation technologies adversely impacting californias precious water supplies working california air resources board regional air boards ensure air quality concerns addressed required sb 4 working division oil gas amp geothermal resources develop indepth ceqa analysis well stimulation operations also required sb 4160and look forward findings sciencebased study hydraulic fracturing yet another requirement sb 4 governor brown noted close third new wells drilled california hydraulically fractured way improve productivity wells important part californias ongoing conventional oil production supplies 37 per cent daily petroleum needs160 100000 men women directly employed oil production transportation california appreciate legislatures support work welcome opportunity move forward guidance sb 4 regulations
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<p>First Read is a morning briefing from Meet the Press and the NBC Political Unit on the day's most important political stories and why they matter</p>
<p>GOP presidential field remains focused on foreign policy</p>
<p>A week ago, we wrote how national security is now Republican voters’ top concern in the <a href="" type="internal">NBC/WSJ poll</a> (vs. the economy being the top concern for Democratic voters). Well, guess what the top issue was at Saturday’s GOP confab in South Carolina -- national security and foreign policy.</p>
<p>Four reasons why</p>
<p>There are at least four reasons why the GOP candidates are focused so heavily on foreign affairs -- more so than at this time in the 2012 presidential cycle. One, the economy has improved (223,000 jobs were created last month, and Obama’s economic handling is up to 49% in the latest NBC/WSJ poll), while the deficit has decreased. Two, there’s the rise of ISIS. Three, there’s the Iran deal that the Obama administration is racing to finalize by next month. And four, there’s the GOP recognition that focusing on foreign policy is maybe the best way to go after Hillary Clinton’s record as secretary of state. Indeed, <a href="http://nypost.com/2015/05/11/rand-paul-hillary-turned-libya-into-a-jihadist-wonderland/" type="external">here’s Rand Paul</a>: “Hillary Clinton’s war in Libya has made us less safe,” Paul (R-Ky.) told John Catsimatidis on The Answer 970 AM radio. “It made it a hotbed for jihadists, and, in fact, I think Libya now is a jihadist wonderland.”</p>
<p>Jeb would have authorized 2003 invasion of Iraq</p>
<p>Speaking of foreign policy, in a Fox News interview set to air today, Jeb Bush said would have authorized the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/05/10/jeb-bush-says-he-would-have-invaded-iraq/?postshare=6041431279380874" type="external">Washington Post writes</a>. “‘I would have [authorized the invasion], and so would have Hillary Clinton, just to remind everybody. And so would almost everybody that was confronted with the intelligence they got,’ the likely 2016 presidential contender said. As a senator from New York, Clinton voted in favor of the invasion — a decision she has since said was wrong. The mistakes, Bush argued, were in the decisions made in the aftermath: ‘Once we invaded and took out Saddam Hussein, we didn’t focus on security first.’” Worth noting: The <a href="http://www.pollingreport.com/iraq.htm" type="external">Oct. 2014 NBC/WSJ poll</a> found 66% of American voters saying that the Iraq war wasn’t worth it.</p>
<p>Meet Marco Rubio’s billionaire patron</p>
<p>If you apply the same logic that conservative author Peter Schweizer used for Hillary Clinton -- that donations to the Clinton Foundation appeared to influence policy decisions by Hillary Clinton’s State Department -- then the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/10/us/billionaire-lifts-marco-rubio-politically-and-personally.html?ref=politics" type="external">New York Times’ profile</a> of big Marco Rubio patron Norman Braman is equally eyebrow-raising. What Braman has given Rubio over the years: He’s helped finance Rubio’s campaigns; hired Rubio as a lawyer; employed Rubio’s wife; paid Rubio’s salary as an instructor at a Miami college; and now has committed about $10 million to the pro-Rubio Super PAC in 2016. What Braman has gotten in return: Rubio helped steer millions of taxpayer funds to Braman-backed charities. Rubio defended his actions in an interview with MSNBC’s Kasie Hunt. “The only thing Norman Braman’s ever asked my help on is charities, whether it’s a cancer center, or a genomics center at the University of Miami.”</p>
<p>That time Rubio helped out Braman’s cancer institute, despite Jeb Bush’s veto threat</p>
<p>But as the Times piece points out, not every GOP politician supported these charities. Florida’s governor, Jeb Bush, had vetoed the [cancer institute] funding in 2004, incurring Mr. Braman’s public fury... Mr. Rubio did not let it happen again. The next year, he secured the cancer funding over Mr. Bush’s objections. “Marco,” Mr. Bush wrote in a somewhat grudging email to a lobbyist at the time, “strongly wanted the Braman Cancer money.”</p>
<p>Bill won’t play role in Hillary’s campaign -- in 2015</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/for-the-clintons-a-big-question-what-to-do-with-bill/2015/05/10/1f5b6212-f4db-11e4-bcc4-e8141e5eb0c9_story.html" type="external">Washington Post scoops</a> that Bill Clinton is unlikely to play any kind of role in Hillary Clinton’s campaign this year. “Senior aides say he does not plan to do any campaign activities for his wife in 2015, including fundraisers for her campaign or allied super PACs. He has said privately that she should lead the campaign on her own, aides said. ‘He’s completely focused right now on the foundation,’ said Tina Flournoy, Bill Clinton’s chief of staff. ‘That does not mean that he does not realize his wife is running for president. But he is not directly engaged in the campaign. As he has said before, if his advice is asked for, he’s happy to give it.’” Of course, Bill not playing a role in 2015 shouldn’t be all that surprising with Hillary WAY AHEAD in the early Democratic field, which so far includes just one other candidate -- Bernie Sanders.</p>
<p>Wrapping Fiorina’s “Meet” appearance</p>
<p>On <a href="" type="internal">“Meet the Press” yesterday</a>, 2016 GOP presidential candidate Carly Fiorina defended her lack of experience in elective office. “I understand how the economy works. I understand how the world works. I know more world leaders on the stage today than anyone running, with the possible exception of Hillary Clinton.” She <a href="" type="internal">explained</a> why she’s against the current free-trade deal, but supported free trade in the past. “The truth is, we don't know what's in this deal. The truth is we know that we have trading partners who have violated agreements in trade deals, China being one of them. And so I think it's important to understand some of the fine print of this deal.” And Fiorina <a href="" type="internal">responded</a> to being fired at Hewlett Packard. “Well, they did fire me. I've been very open about that. I was fired in a boardroom brawl. We had board members who were leaking information out of the boardroom. You know, the truth is this: it is a leader's job to challenge the status quo. And when you do, you make enemies.”</p>
<p>Huck on that diabetes treatment, Carson on his flat-tax proposal</p>
<p>Also on the Sunday shows, Mike was <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/huckabee-dont-have-to-defend-everything-ive-ever-done/" type="external">asked about</a> promoting a dietary supplement that claims to cure diabetes: "I don't have to defend everything that I've ever done," he replied. And Ben Carson defended his support of the flat tax: “I like the idea of a proportional tax. That way you pay according to your ability. And I got that idea, quite frankly, from the Bible, tithing. You make $10 billion a year, you pay $1 billion. You make $10 a year, you pay $1. You get the same rights. That's pretty darn fair, if you ask me. Now, some people say it's not fair because, you know, the poor people can't afford to pay that dollar. That's very condescending. You know, I grew up very poor. I experienced every economic level. And I can tell you poor people have pride, too. And they don't want to be just taken care of.”</p>
<p>On the trail today</p>
<p>Ben Carson and Rand Paul are in New Hampshire… Bernie Sanders has an event in Charlottesville, VA… And Scott Walker remains in Israel.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Click here to sign up for First Read emails.</a> Check us out on <a href="http://is.gd/TzuR1b" type="external">Facebook</a>and also on <a href="http://is.gd/hkhSDT" type="external">Twitter</a>. Follow us @ <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/chucktodd" type="external">chucktodd</a>, @ <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/mmurraypolitics" type="external">mmurraypolitics</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/CarrieNBCNews" type="external">@carrienbcnews</a></p>
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first read morning briefing meet press nbc political unit days important political stories matter gop presidential field remains focused foreign policy week ago wrote national security republican voters top concern nbcwsj poll vs economy top concern democratic voters well guess top issue saturdays gop confab south carolina national security foreign policy four reasons least four reasons gop candidates focused heavily foreign affairs time 2012 presidential cycle one economy improved 223000 jobs created last month obamas economic handling 49 latest nbcwsj poll deficit decreased two theres rise isis three theres iran deal obama administration racing finalize next month four theres gop recognition focusing foreign policy maybe best way go hillary clintons record secretary state indeed heres rand paul hillary clintons war libya made us less safe paul rky told john catsimatidis answer 970 radio made hotbed jihadists fact think libya jihadist wonderland jeb would authorized 2003 invasion iraq speaking foreign policy fox news interview set air today jeb bush said would authorized 2003 invasion iraq washington post writes would authorized invasion would hillary clinton remind everybody would almost everybody confronted intelligence got likely 2016 presidential contender said senator new york clinton voted favor invasion decision since said wrong mistakes bush argued decisions made aftermath invaded took saddam hussein didnt focus security first worth noting oct 2014 nbcwsj poll found 66 american voters saying iraq war wasnt worth meet marco rubios billionaire patron apply logic conservative author peter schweizer used hillary clinton donations clinton foundation appeared influence policy decisions hillary clintons state department new york times profile big marco rubio patron norman braman equally eyebrowraising braman given rubio years hes helped finance rubios campaigns hired rubio lawyer employed rubios wife paid rubios salary instructor miami college committed 10 million prorubio super pac 2016 braman gotten return rubio helped steer millions taxpayer funds bramanbacked charities rubio defended actions interview msnbcs kasie hunt thing norman bramans ever asked help charities whether cancer center genomics center university miami time rubio helped bramans cancer institute despite jeb bushs veto threat times piece points every gop politician supported charities floridas governor jeb bush vetoed cancer institute funding 2004 incurring mr bramans public fury mr rubio let happen next year secured cancer funding mr bushs objections marco mr bush wrote somewhat grudging email lobbyist time strongly wanted braman cancer money bill wont play role hillarys campaign 2015 meanwhile washington post scoops bill clinton unlikely play kind role hillary clintons campaign year senior aides say plan campaign activities wife 2015 including fundraisers campaign allied super pacs said privately lead campaign aides said hes completely focused right foundation said tina flournoy bill clintons chief staff mean realize wife running president directly engaged campaign said advice asked hes happy give course bill playing role 2015 shouldnt surprising hillary way ahead early democratic field far includes one candidate bernie sanders wrapping fiorinas meet appearance meet press yesterday 2016 gop presidential candidate carly fiorina defended lack experience elective office understand economy works understand world works know world leaders stage today anyone running possible exception hillary clinton explained shes current freetrade deal supported free trade past truth dont know whats deal truth know trading partners violated agreements trade deals china one think important understand fine print deal fiorina responded fired hewlett packard well fire ive open fired boardroom brawl board members leaking information boardroom know truth leaders job challenge status quo make enemies huck diabetes treatment carson flattax proposal also sunday shows mike asked promoting dietary supplement claims cure diabetes dont defend everything ive ever done replied ben carson defended support flat tax like idea proportional tax way pay according ability got idea quite frankly bible tithing make 10 billion year pay 1 billion make 10 year pay 1 get rights thats pretty darn fair ask people say fair know poor people cant afford pay dollar thats condescending know grew poor experienced every economic level tell poor people pride dont want taken care trail today ben carson rand paul new hampshire bernie sanders event charlottesville va scott walker remains israel click sign first read emails check us facebookand also twitter follow us chucktodd mmurraypolitics carrienbcnews
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<p>When Florence Jaukae, a struggling single mom with five kids, saw garments made of her cloth on a fashion runway in New York, she broke down in tears. It was the culmination of over a decade of doing the unthinkable on a Pacific island north of Australia. She had turned an age-old tradition into a fashion business.</p>
<p>Deep in the hills of Papua New Guinea lies isolated, rural Goroka province. On a sun-drenched day, you often spot women sitting under a tree for shade or perched against a grass hut, twisting plant fibers into yarn, weaving the yarn into a textile and making a carrying bag called a&#160;bilum.</p>
<p>A bilum weaving-style dress designed and made by Florence Jaukae&#160;is shown on the runway at the LDNY Festival in New York’s UN building.&#160;</p>
<p>Spencer Kohn/LDNY</p>
<p>From the time that a young Papua New Guinean girl is old enough to remember, bilum bags are part of her life. She grows up seeing her foremothers weave them, wear them with a strap across their foreheads and even be married off with them. Traditionally made of plant fibers and other natural materials, such as feathers and fur, bilum bags show a girl’s social standing, where she came from and her marital state.</p>
<p>Bilum as a bride price</p>
<p>When marriages are arranged in Papua New Guinea, the husband and his family send a bilum bag as part of the “bride price.” After the exchange is made and the marriage is finalized, the girl slings the strap of the bag across her forehead and uses the bag to carry things, like food, on her back. The bilum notifies everyone that she is married.</p>
<p />
<p>Dorothy Ketau made this&#160;wool bilum bag.</p>
<p>Monica Orbe</p>
<p>After this happened to Jaukae, she felt lost trying to support her five children. She found comfort in going back to tradition and weaving bilum cloth. But instead of making it into a bag, with all its marriage symbolism, she sewed it into a dress and wore it in town.</p>
<p>The 30-year-old single mother remembers the shocked reaction. “Everybody would say ‘Look at that! Is she all right? A bilum is something we carry our food in. Who is she to wear that?’” she says. “So I was really breaking through customary beliefs.”</p>
<p>Bilum becomes a business</p>
<p>News travels fast in small towns like Goroka. As people spread word of Jaukae's dress and other bilum creations, she became known as&#160;bilum meri,&#160;the bilum woman. Soon, she started to receive orders.</p>
<p>By showing the women of Goroka that bilum need not be limited by the confines of marriage, she unintentionally taught them that they need not be either.</p>
<p>A Papua New Guinean girl wears a wool bilum bag over her shoulder.</p>
<p>Monica Orbe</p>
<p>Now, more and more women are starting to wear bilum bags, but over their shoulders, challenging the symbolism of bilum as a marriage bond.</p>
<p>In the past, “bilum” almost exclusively referred to the bag worn on a woman’s head. Largely due to Jaukae's unwitting act of rebellion, bilum has now come to mean the cloth used to make the bags.</p>
<p>Jaukae sells bilum dresses, hats and scarves in a variety of colors, patterns and materials, depending on the tastes and finances of the buyer. Many single women are customers, and some clients are abroad. How she got to this point explains that day in New York at a fashion show in 2014 when her cloth made it down the runway.</p>
<p>At first, she says, “it was really hard work trying to break down people to understand that bilum can be something different.” She needed a loan to build her business and to bring in other women to help her weave. “So I invited Pacific Islands Trade and Investment [a government business development agency] and said, ‘Come along. I am hosting a bilum festival.’”</p>
<p>She planned her festival just before a popular market event called the Goroka Show, so tourists would be in town with time on their hands. Jaukae saw it as an opportunity for single mothers, like herself, to sell their work.</p>
<p />
<p>Dorothy Ketau made this wool bilum bag with text on it. People ask Ketau to weave their names or where they are from on items she makes for them.</p>
<p>Monica Orbe</p>
<p>Competitors expand the market</p>
<p>While Jaukae focuses on a growing foreign clientele, other weavers have focused on modernizing bilum making for the local market. Dorothy Ketau heard Jaukae speak at a women’s empowerment event and, as a mother without a partner, wanted more control over her life, too.</p>
<p>To create a lower-priced bilum to sell locally, Ketau decided to use a machine, instead of her hands, to twist the yarn. That cut spinning time in half. She also works with less expensive, synthetically dyed wool — a material Jaukae wouldn’t dare use.</p>
<p>Ketau now also has a group of single mothers working for her. Each weaver can churn out a bilum bag in a week or so. Ketau sells a no-frills version of the traditional one used for bride price at just 100 Kina. One Kina in Papua New Guinea buys a pineapple at the market or a round trip bus ride into town. It's about $37.</p>
<p>Ketau spends about 10 Kina on supplies per item. “So if [the clients] are paying me 100 Kina for a bilum, I pay [the weavers] 40 kina,” explains the new business woman. She says she earns more than 500 Kina a month.</p>
<p>She is finding life as a single mother easier than ever before. “When I was working, I was still weaving, too,” she says, “but the type of money I make right now is far better than ... being employed.”</p>
<p>Dorothy Ketau made this patriotic wool bilum bag (top) and a merri blouse (bottom). The bag was done in the style and colors of the flag and the blouse is made to reflect that. The meri blouse is a shirt women wear in Goroka, PNG to maintain modesty.&#160;They are typically worn together with matching colors, says Ketau.</p>
<p>Monica Orbe</p>
<p>Ketau says she sees an uptick in sales prior to the wedding season. “When it comes to an occasion of bride price,” she says, “we make a lot of money. It is really valued in our society, in our community especially. Any bride price that is done can’t go without bilums.”</p>
<p>Ketau is making a living off a traditional way of life that has eluded her. Like Juakae, Ketau has seen an impact on the lives of the women who work tirelessly to make mass-produced bilums for her.</p>
<p>“I would like to take it to the next level where I can come back to help the weavers, ‘cause I have seen how they have struggled, too. All of the weavers tend to be ...&#160;single mothers, defectors [divorced women,] separated, all this. I think I can use this bilum to bring some help back to these mothers.”</p>
<p>Recently, Ketau was asked to make 5000 bilums to be given as gifts at the South Pacific Games (Papua New Guinea’s local version of the Olympics.) She has also been chosen to showcase her bilums at next year’s Bilum Festival and has registered as a bilum maker with the National Cultural Commission in its effort to preserve the culture and art of bilum making.</p>
<p>The future of bilum</p>
<p />
<p>Florence shows off a wool bilum bag she made, with a pom pom at the top.</p>
<p>Monica Orbe</p>
<p>In September, 2014, she participated in the LDNY (London-New York) Festival. Held at the United Nations’ headquarters in New York, the festival featured a fashion show and luncheon, aimed at empowering and inspiring up and coming female designers.</p>
<p>The experience opened her eyes to how far she had come, and how much further she still had to go. “Everybody knew where they were going and who were the buyers there,” she recalls. “There were women with money. They had factories and they had places where women work.”</p>
<p>“Everybody was talking about their products ... at least they were given times to talk about their products. And I was lost, I didn’t know what to say.”</p>
<p>Fashion students from Parson’s School of Design and the London College of Fashion were charged with selecting one of the international designers and creating an item of clothing from the designer’s material for the fashion show.</p>
<p>Once again, Florence found herself in the position of having to justify bilum as something more than a quaint tradition. Students would come up to her perplexed by the new fabric, inquisitively stammering, “How am I going to…?” She would then explain how it could be used in designs and they would politely retort, “Oh ... okay,” and move on to the next designer.</p>
<p>She feared that “nobody would want to work with bilum, because everybody was confused.” But one lone student from the London College of Fashion came up to her and said she would like to make a hoodie of bilum.</p>
<p>“When my bilum came down [the runway,] I was like ‘That’s my bilum.’ I was completely lost. I just sat there and tears were coming down.”</p>
<p>It was the culmination of one dream and the start of a new one. “I want a huge market. I want to export more, like home wear [casual wear] fashion. Fashion from the ethnic side,” she says.</p>
<p>From single mother — and now grandmother — trying to make money for her kids through a traditional craft, Jaukae now sells her custom work to clientele in Australia and is getting comfortable with the label of international designer.</p>
<p>“[Bilum] has changed my life greatly.”&#160;</p>
<p />
<p />
| false | 3 |
florence jaukae struggling single mom five kids saw garments made cloth fashion runway new york broke tears culmination decade unthinkable pacific island north australia turned ageold tradition fashion business deep hills papua new guinea lies isolated rural goroka province sundrenched day often spot women sitting tree shade perched grass hut twisting plant fibers yarn weaving yarn textile making carrying bag called a160bilum bilum weavingstyle dress designed made florence jaukae160is shown runway ldny festival new yorks un building160 spencer kohnldny time young papua new guinean girl old enough remember bilum bags part life grows seeing foremothers weave wear strap across foreheads even married traditionally made plant fibers natural materials feathers fur bilum bags show girls social standing came marital state bilum bride price marriages arranged papua new guinea husband family send bilum bag part bride price exchange made marriage finalized girl slings strap bag across forehead uses bag carry things like food back bilum notifies everyone married dorothy ketau made this160wool bilum bag monica orbe happened jaukae felt lost trying support five children found comfort going back tradition weaving bilum cloth instead making bag marriage symbolism sewed dress wore town 30yearold single mother remembers shocked reaction everybody would say look right bilum something carry food wear says really breaking customary beliefs bilum becomes business news travels fast small towns like goroka people spread word jaukaes dress bilum creations became known as160bilum meri160the bilum woman soon started receive orders showing women goroka bilum need limited confines marriage unintentionally taught need either papua new guinean girl wears wool bilum bag shoulder monica orbe women starting wear bilum bags shoulders challenging symbolism bilum marriage bond past bilum almost exclusively referred bag worn womans head largely due jaukaes unwitting act rebellion bilum come mean cloth used make bags jaukae sells bilum dresses hats scarves variety colors patterns materials depending tastes finances buyer many single women customers clients abroad got point explains day new york fashion show 2014 cloth made runway first says really hard work trying break people understand bilum something different needed loan build business bring women help weave invited pacific islands trade investment government business development agency said come along hosting bilum festival planned festival popular market event called goroka show tourists would town time hands jaukae saw opportunity single mothers like sell work dorothy ketau made wool bilum bag text people ask ketau weave names items makes monica orbe competitors expand market jaukae focuses growing foreign clientele weavers focused modernizing bilum making local market dorothy ketau heard jaukae speak womens empowerment event mother without partner wanted control life create lowerpriced bilum sell locally ketau decided use machine instead hands twist yarn cut spinning time half also works less expensive synthetically dyed wool material jaukae wouldnt dare use ketau also group single mothers working weaver churn bilum bag week ketau sells nofrills version traditional one used bride price 100 kina one kina papua new guinea buys pineapple market round trip bus ride town 37 ketau spends 10 kina supplies per item clients paying 100 kina bilum pay weavers 40 kina explains new business woman says earns 500 kina month finding life single mother easier ever working still weaving says type money make right far better employed dorothy ketau made patriotic wool bilum bag top merri blouse bottom bag done style colors flag blouse made reflect meri blouse shirt women wear goroka png maintain modesty160they typically worn together matching colors says ketau monica orbe ketau says sees uptick sales prior wedding season comes occasion bride price says make lot money really valued society community especially bride price done cant go without bilums ketau making living traditional way life eluded like juakae ketau seen impact lives women work tirelessly make massproduced bilums would like take next level come back help weavers cause seen struggled weavers tend 160single mothers defectors divorced women separated think use bilum bring help back mothers recently ketau asked make 5000 bilums given gifts south pacific games papua new guineas local version olympics also chosen showcase bilums next years bilum festival registered bilum maker national cultural commission effort preserve culture art bilum making future bilum florence shows wool bilum bag made pom pom top monica orbe september 2014 participated ldny londonnew york festival held united nations headquarters new york festival featured fashion show luncheon aimed empowering inspiring coming female designers experience opened eyes far come much still go everybody knew going buyers recalls women money factories places women work everybody talking products least given times talk products lost didnt know say fashion students parsons school design london college fashion charged selecting one international designers creating item clothing designers material fashion show florence found position justify bilum something quaint tradition students would come perplexed new fabric inquisitively stammering going would explain could used designs would politely retort oh okay move next designer feared nobody would want work bilum everybody confused one lone student london college fashion came said would like make hoodie bilum bilum came runway like thats bilum completely lost sat tears coming culmination one dream start new one want huge market want export like home wear casual wear fashion fashion ethnic side says single mother grandmother trying make money kids traditional craft jaukae sells custom work clientele australia getting comfortable label international designer bilum changed life greatly160
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<p>MANAMA, Bahrain - Farida Ghulam settled down on a brocaded couch in her home in an upscale district of Manama. She's a leader of the center-left Waad party. After pouring some strong, sweet tea, Ghulam explained how sectarian differences have begun to rip apart Bahraini life.</p>
<p>Bahrain's population of 1.2 million is about 70 percent Shiite Muslim and 30 percent Sunni. The ruling family of King Hamad bin Isa al Khalifa is Sunni, but for many years both groups coexisted.</p>
<p>But that began to change in February 2011 when, inspired by the Arab Spring uprising, tens of thousands of Bahrainis poured into the streets. The opposition initially included both Shiite and Sunni, united in their calls for democratic reform. But as the conflict dragged on, sectarian differences emerged.</p>
<p>Ghulam said that Sunnis know the government is a corrupt monarchy. But they fear a Shiite takeover even more. The government has convinced them, she said, that the Shiites are determined to create an Iranian-style religious state.</p>
<p>"They forgot [the Shiites] were neighbors," she said, "and denounced them for supporting the opposition. It's like McCarthyism in the US."</p>
<p>Government officials deny that they stoke the fires of sectarianism.</p>
<p>"We don't have an issue with what sect of Islam differs with the government," said Abdul Aziz Al Khalifa, a government spokesman and second cousin to the King. "The issue is when elements within the group turn to violence to express their views."</p>
<p>At the same time he noted that Shiites are beholden to their religious leaders, something he didn't assert about other religious groups.&#160;"It's very difficult for them [Shiites] to separate the directives of a religious cleric and the directives of a political movement."&#160;</p>
<p>"There are significant numbers who want to follow the state system that is present in Iran today," he continued. "There have been calls for an Islamic Republic in the past. I think under the surface, there are many more who believe in that form of government."</p>
<p>Historically, there have been ties between Shiites in Bahrain and Iran, which is just across the Gulf. The Al Wefaq Islamic Society, Bahrain's largest opposition group, gained inspiration from Iran's 1979 revolution against the Shah.</p>
<p>But Ali Salman, general secretary of Al Wefaq, doesn't consider the current Iranian government a model for Bahrain. Dressed in white clerical robes with a white turban, he offered Bahraini coffee and chocolates during a visit to his headquarters. Salman said Iran's system is far from perfect.</p>
<p>"My opinion is that more freedom would be better in Iran," he said. Al Wefaq leaders also support the popular uprising against Syria's regime, which puts them at odds with Iran's support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.</p>
<p>On social issues, Al Wefaq is far more centrist than either the Iranian government or conservative Sunni groups in Bahrain. For example, Salman said the government should not force women to wear the hijab, and he expressed no problem with the country's current policy of limited alcohol sales.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, the government demonizes the Shiite opposition as extremists.</p>
<p>Exhibit A is Muhazza Village on the outskirts of Manama. The poor, predominantly Shiite area has dusty streets and low-rise, concrete houses - a sharp contrast with Manama's glistening skyscrapers.</p>
<p>In late October, the government prohibited all anti-government demonstrations, but Muhazza regularly defies the ban. Residents have erected roadblocks made of palm tree trunks and concrete blocks in an effort to keep out the security forces.</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/121212/bahrain-protests-opposition-violence" type="external">Bahrain's younger, more militant opposition</a></p>
<p>At 3 a.m. one recent morning, police surrounded the apartment of Abdullah al Mizo, an electrician. He said masked men in civilian clothes pounded on the doors and windows, and eventually kicked in one door.</p>
<p>He said the men were from Bahrain's security services. "They called me a bastard," he recalled. "They said you are Shia and a terrorist." Al Mizo said he had not participated in demonstrations and argued that the regime is collectively punishing Shiites.</p>
<p>"I don't know why they raided my house," he said. "I think they did it to intimidate people. I am not a political activist but I will become one because of the regime's actions."</p>
<p>Under attack for being Shiite, Al Mizo in turn, distrusts Sunnis. He noted that the government has recruited mostly Sunni police from Pakistan, Syria and other Muslim countries. He says their religion teaches them to hate Shiites. Other activists claim the Sunni religion teaches fealty to the government in power, and that accounts for their support of the King.</p>
<p>Al Wefaq's Salman acknowledged the current state of Sunni-Shiite relations is "very complicated." Salman argued that the monarchy has used clever divide-and-rule tactics long before the February uprising last year.</p>
<p>"The government told us to hate the Sunnis," he said, "especially the Muslim Brotherhood and the Salafis," groups with sharply conservative views on politics and religion. "Meanwhile the government tells the secular opposition that Al Wefaq is hopelessly backward."</p>
<p>With each group distrusting the other, said Salman, "their only connection can be with the royal family."</p>
<p>Over the past six months, however, Salman has seen changes in the Sunni community. "They realize that the government lies," he said. They know "all the communities need a change."</p>
<p>"The only way for this small country to survive is to put aside Muslims and non Muslims, Sunni and Shia, and come together as Bahrainis."</p>
<p>He admitted that, in the short run, it's an uphill battle.</p>
<p>This series was funded in part by a grant from the <a href="http://pulitzercenter.org/" type="external">Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting</a>.</p>
| false | 3 |
manama bahrain farida ghulam settled brocaded couch home upscale district manama shes leader centerleft waad party pouring strong sweet tea ghulam explained sectarian differences begun rip apart bahraini life bahrains population 12 million 70 percent shiite muslim 30 percent sunni ruling family king hamad bin isa al khalifa sunni many years groups coexisted began change february 2011 inspired arab spring uprising tens thousands bahrainis poured streets opposition initially included shiite sunni united calls democratic reform conflict dragged sectarian differences emerged ghulam said sunnis know government corrupt monarchy fear shiite takeover even government convinced said shiites determined create iranianstyle religious state forgot shiites neighbors said denounced supporting opposition like mccarthyism us government officials deny stoke fires sectarianism dont issue sect islam differs government said abdul aziz al khalifa government spokesman second cousin king issue elements within group turn violence express views time noted shiites beholden religious leaders something didnt assert religious groups160its difficult shiites separate directives religious cleric directives political movement160 significant numbers want follow state system present iran today continued calls islamic republic past think surface many believe form government historically ties shiites bahrain iran across gulf al wefaq islamic society bahrains largest opposition group gained inspiration irans 1979 revolution shah ali salman general secretary al wefaq doesnt consider current iranian government model bahrain dressed white clerical robes white turban offered bahraini coffee chocolates visit headquarters salman said irans system far perfect opinion freedom would better iran said al wefaq leaders also support popular uprising syrias regime puts odds irans support syrian president bashar alassad social issues al wefaq far centrist either iranian government conservative sunni groups bahrain example salman said government force women wear hijab expressed problem countrys current policy limited alcohol sales nevertheless government demonizes shiite opposition extremists exhibit muhazza village outskirts manama poor predominantly shiite area dusty streets lowrise concrete houses sharp contrast manamas glistening skyscrapers late october government prohibited antigovernment demonstrations muhazza regularly defies ban residents erected roadblocks made palm tree trunks concrete blocks effort keep security forces globalpost bahrains younger militant opposition 3 one recent morning police surrounded apartment abdullah al mizo electrician said masked men civilian clothes pounded doors windows eventually kicked one door said men bahrains security services called bastard recalled said shia terrorist al mizo said participated demonstrations argued regime collectively punishing shiites dont know raided house said think intimidate people political activist become one regimes actions attack shiite al mizo turn distrusts sunnis noted government recruited mostly sunni police pakistan syria muslim countries says religion teaches hate shiites activists claim sunni religion teaches fealty government power accounts support king al wefaqs salman acknowledged current state sunnishiite relations complicated salman argued monarchy used clever divideandrule tactics long february uprising last year government told us hate sunnis said especially muslim brotherhood salafis groups sharply conservative views politics religion meanwhile government tells secular opposition al wefaq hopelessly backward group distrusting said salman connection royal family past six months however salman seen changes sunni community realize government lies said know communities need change way small country survive put aside muslims non muslims sunni shia come together bahrainis admitted short run uphill battle series funded part grant pulitzer center crisis reporting
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<p>The night Hussain Saeed Alnahdi was attacked started out just like any other weekend in Menomonie, Wisconsin, a college town.</p>
<p>Alnahdi and one of his best friends, Tommy Hutson, had hung out at some local bars that Friday evening. But on Saturday night, Hutson said he decided to stay home while his friend went out. Bars had just let out for the night as students wrapped up an evening of carousing.</p>
<p>Alnahdi, a Saudi student attending the University of Wisconsin-Stout would never make it home.</p>
<p>He was attacked and left bloodied in the street near Toppers Pizza, a restaurant in downtown Menomonie around 2 a.m. (3 a.m. ET) on Sunday, according to police.</p>
<p>Alnahdi, 24, died on Monday from injuries he sustained during the attack. No arrests have been made and investigators are treating the incident as a homicide, the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MenomoniePoliceDepartment/photos/pcb.1483218758361764/1483218378361802/?type=3&amp;theater" type="external">Menomonie Police Department said</a> in a statement issued Monday.</p>
<p>Hutson has thought a lot about their final night out together and the good times he once shared with a friend he described as someone who "always had a smile on his face and and made an effort to put a smile on the face of others."</p>
<p>"Everyone has cried themselves out at this point and we are trying to remember the good times," Hutson said.</p>
<p>In his home country, Alnahdi's parents are distraught, said Abdul Rahman Kadi, president of the Saudi Students Association. He, too, is a friend in mourning and was there at the hospital the night Alnahdi died.</p>
<p>He placed the painful phone call to Alnahdi's cousin and brother. Alnahdi's father was too distraught to come to the phone, Kadi said.</p>
<p>Alnahdi's family has no relatives in the U.S., Kadi said. The Royal Consulate General Of Saudi Arabia in Houston told NBC News they are in touch with Alnahdi's family in his home country and have sent a staffer to Menomonie to learn more about the incident from authorities and help arrange transporting his body back to his family.</p>
<p>"We are in the process of appointing an attorney to help locate the attacker and to request the maximum punishment," the consulate said in a statement. "This 24 year-old, self-sponsored student had decided to attend University of Wisconsin-Stout because he believed Menomonie is a safe town to live in. He had dreams of earning a degree to secure his future and support and family. We trust the authorities will find the offender, and we trust the American courts will ensure a just punishment.”</p>
<p>Detectives were still searching for a motive on Tuesday. Witnesses told police the assailant was a white male about six feet tall.</p>
<p>"The motivation of the offender is unknown at this time," Commander Todd Swartz of the Menomonie Police Department told NBC News. "It can’t be confirmed at this time whether this was a hate crime.”</p>
<p>And the university community where Alnahdi studied is searching for meaning in the death of a young man who a classmate described to NBC News as "a quiet guy".</p>
<p>Alnahdi was a junior majoring in business administration and had arrived at University of Wisconsin-Stout last year, school Chancellor Bob Meyer said in a statement.</p>
<p>He was enrolled in the school's English as a Second Language Institute and waiting to be begin business classes, said Mark Fenton, program director of the university's business department. He'd transferred from the College of Technology at Buryidah in Saudi Arabia — a branch of the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation in that country.</p>
<p>Michael Lee, the International Student Adviser at the university, told NBC News that Alnahdi "was well-integrated in the student body and he was liked by all different students.”</p>
<p>He loved to go over to his friend's house and hang out, Ali Aldehami, a close friend told NBC News. Alnahdi was a "a nice guy" who lived off campus and was learning English, Aldehami said.</p>
<p>The two friends always felt Menomonie was a small and safe town, he said.</p>
<p>"I've never seen an incident of this type," Aldehami said.</p>
<p>The university community was similarly shocked.</p>
<p>“Our deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers go out to Hussain’s family in Buraydah, Saudi Arabia, and his friends at UW-Stout,” Meyer's statement added.</p>
<p>University of Wisconsin System President Ray Cross also sought to offer solace to Alnahdi's family, friends and the broader college community.</p>
<p>"It is difficult to find the right words in light of such of a tragedy, except to express our sorrow for all that knew Hussain," Cross said in a statement.</p>
<p>The university community was reeling on Tuesday from the news of Alnahdi's death. International students hailing from 42 nations make up 4 percent of the University of Wisconsin Stout's population. The school has 140 students from Saudi Arabia.</p>
<p>The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), an advocacy organization that has tracked <a href="http://www.startribune.com/feds-zero-in-on-rise-in-anti-muslim-hate-crimes-in-minnesota-nationally/399231181/" type="external">a rise in anti-Muslim crimes</a> in neighboring Minnesota, <a href="https://twitter.com/CAIRMN/status/793284985289641984" type="external">said</a>it is currently monitoring the situation.</p>
<p>As for Hutson, he's trying to think about the guy with the ready smile who was "very open and accepting". The two became roommates in August of last year and a friendship quickly developed, Hutson said.</p>
<p>When Alnahdi first moved in he could barely speak any English, but they were "all amazed how fast he learned."</p>
<p>And Hutson, and his other four roommates learned from him as well.</p>
<p>"He often considered myself and our other roommates as his family," Hutson said. "He was there for us when we needed him most. He is one of the best friends I've ever had and life will be a little darker without him here to light it up. If I ever spoke to someone that thought negatively of Saudis or Muslims I would tell them they needed to speak to Hussain and they would feel differently. We came from different worlds, but he showed me every day how much we had in common. He was my brother and I'll never forget him."</p>
| false | 3 |
night hussain saeed alnahdi attacked started like weekend menomonie wisconsin college town alnahdi one best friends tommy hutson hung local bars friday evening saturday night hutson said decided stay home friend went bars let night students wrapped evening carousing alnahdi saudi student attending university wisconsinstout would never make home attacked left bloodied street near toppers pizza restaurant downtown menomonie around 2 3 et sunday according police alnahdi 24 died monday injuries sustained attack arrests made investigators treating incident homicide menomonie police department said statement issued monday hutson thought lot final night together good times shared friend described someone always smile face made effort put smile face others everyone cried point trying remember good times hutson said home country alnahdis parents distraught said abdul rahman kadi president saudi students association friend mourning hospital night alnahdi died placed painful phone call alnahdis cousin brother alnahdis father distraught come phone kadi said alnahdis family relatives us kadi said royal consulate general saudi arabia houston told nbc news touch alnahdis family home country sent staffer menomonie learn incident authorities help arrange transporting body back family process appointing attorney help locate attacker request maximum punishment consulate said statement 24 yearold selfsponsored student decided attend university wisconsinstout believed menomonie safe town live dreams earning degree secure future support family trust authorities find offender trust american courts ensure punishment detectives still searching motive tuesday witnesses told police assailant white male six feet tall motivation offender unknown time commander todd swartz menomonie police department told nbc news cant confirmed time whether hate crime university community alnahdi studied searching meaning death young man classmate described nbc news quiet guy alnahdi junior majoring business administration arrived university wisconsinstout last year school chancellor bob meyer said statement enrolled schools english second language institute waiting begin business classes said mark fenton program director universitys business department hed transferred college technology buryidah saudi arabia branch technical vocational training corporation country michael lee international student adviser university told nbc news alnahdi wellintegrated student body liked different students loved go friends house hang ali aldehami close friend told nbc news alnahdi nice guy lived campus learning english aldehami said two friends always felt menomonie small safe town said ive never seen incident type aldehami said university community similarly shocked deepest sympathies thoughts prayers go hussains family buraydah saudi arabia friends uwstout meyers statement added university wisconsin system president ray cross also sought offer solace alnahdis family friends broader college community difficult find right words light tragedy except express sorrow knew hussain cross said statement university community reeling tuesday news alnahdis death international students hailing 42 nations make 4 percent university wisconsin stouts population school 140 students saudi arabia council americanislamic relations cair advocacy organization tracked rise antimuslim crimes neighboring minnesota saidit currently monitoring situation hutson hes trying think guy ready smile open accepting two became roommates august last year friendship quickly developed hutson said alnahdi first moved could barely speak english amazed fast learned hutson four roommates learned well often considered roommates family hutson said us needed one best friends ive ever life little darker without light ever spoke someone thought negatively saudis muslims would tell needed speak hussain would feel differently came different worlds showed every day much common brother ill never forget
| 539 |
<p>CAIRO, Egypt - Five years ago, long before Egypt's January 25 Revolution broke out on Police Day in reaction to alleged brutality and corruption by the force, a young artist named Hany Rashed found his muse in painting policemen in white uniforms.</p>
<p>One canvas portrayed a policeman with his back turned. This particular acrylic painting became a poster announcing a solo exhibition entitled "Faces of Egypt" at a downtown gallery in Cairo.</p>
<p>A state security officer saw the poster and called Rashed at home to invite him over for a cup of coffee at the state security building. He wanted to know what the story behind the art was.</p>
<p>"Are you implying that the policeman is turning his back on society?" the officer asked him.</p>
<p>"No, no, he's just a face among many others I chose to paint to represent Egyptian society," said Rashed, 36, recounting his interrogation.</p>
<p>"No, no, stick to painting belly dancers and pretty ladies," the official advised.</p>
<p>Rashed complied. His terror of the possible repercussions kept him from taking the risk. Like many others who received curious phone calls about their art over the past few decades, he chose not to dabble in politics for fear of police retaliation. For five years, the artist strayed away from artful political satire. He traveled through Europe, painting life in Sweden and exploring Italy's cultural dynamics in his art.</p>
<p>But on January 25, Rashed shed his fears and risked his life. "In Tahrir, we wanted freedom, not bread," he reminisces. "Hunger is easy, unlike the inability to express yourself." Rashed, who went hungry for years, knows firsthand.</p>
<p>From the start, Tahrir Square was brimming with artists desperate to break free. The Square emerged as a culture hub in a state of turmoil.</p>
<p>Today, Rashed sits in his studio in Maadi, paint cans lining the wall, hungry for inspiration. "I don't know what to paint at the moment," he says. In this period of political uncertainty, artistic energy fluctuates as it attempts to capture people's turbulent emotions synchronized with a revolutionary pulse. But at least it moves.</p>
<p>Like the stifled political arena in the era of Hosni Mubarak, art was constantly under close scrutiny. Artists were forced to either wrap their socio-political reflections in elaborate symbolism or to stop working altogether. So when freedom overflowed in Tahrir Square in January and February, art swiftly claimed its place in Egyptian society.</p>
<p>But much of the initial revolutionary art was blatant documentation of Tahrir events, devoid of conceptual refinement. Artists in Cairo have now suddenly experienced a surge of freedom. While the pre-Tahrir era was inhibiting, it drove artists to find creative ways of cryptic expression. Artists confess that they are unsure about how exactly to use their newfound freedom. Most of the artwork emerging in the Square onwards is overly literal. In galleries across the city, the Egyptian flag figures heavily as Tahrir Square photography raids their walls.</p>
<p>Despite the art scene's apparent dynamism, the melancholic uncertainty pervading the public is trickling down into the arts. Many artists are delving into activism, trying to ensure change through art. For them, freedom is as essential as bread is to the layman. And having tasted it once, they refuse to let it go.</p>
<p>Four galleries have opened up since January 25, their curators are keen on showcasing young talent, mirroring the revolutionary landscape.</p>
<p>"Freedom always changes art," says established contemporary artist Mohamed Abla. He set up art workshops for children in the Square during the 18-day uprising, and his career has been bedecked with artistic endeavors to encourage young artists. "Art flourishes with freedom," he says.</p>
<p>Abla believes that contemporary Egyptian art is more youthful and less formal, with young artists and graffiti taking the lead. "It's true that the structure of art is still vague, but change is activated." Abla does not deny that struggles are inevitable as the road to freedom unfolds.</p>
<p>Art can be engaged to unify ideologically scattered people in the face of political tensions, says Mohamed El Sawy, director of arts hub El Sawy Culture Wheel. "Art can change realities," says. He believes that Egyptian culture was in the shadows for over 50 years, while art was considered a form of deviance. "Ordinary citizens did not feel that they could express themselves."</p>
<p>But in revolutionary Cairo, art is not restricted to artists - Tahrir has made an artist of the man on the street, who equally revels in freedom.</p>
<p>El Sawy believes that closing the gap between art ad the people is the only solution for Egypt to develop. Today, people draw on pavements and spray paint on walls. "A cultural revolution is coming," El Sawy predicts. "But that will happen as the political scene settles down, and we have to keep going."</p>
<p>Filmmaker Wael Omar launched Radio Tahrir on February 11 as a reaction to Mubarak's ouster, pouring life into a project that gave voice to the masses. But as the voices subside, Radio Tahrir wanes. He tells the story of fleeting euphoria and looming melancholy, of a landscape in burgeoning color that turns to grey.</p>
<p>Everyone was easy to motivate at the dawn of revolution, Omar recalls. Amid revolutionary fever, the station had clear direction. But by time, it was "hard to keep everyone on ship." Effort dwindled. The economy being in such a tough spot post revolution, Radio Tahrir was challenging to sustain.</p>
<p>"We used to brand ourselves as the heartbeat of the revolution," he said. "And now there is no heartbeat."</p>
<p>Before the revolution, artists were not given the freedom to create and steer creative life. "None of us were used to working this heart," says Omar.</p>
<p>"Before Jan. 25, any flower that bloomed too high off the field needed to be cut," he says, slicing the air with his fingers.</p>
<p>Contrasted with years of restrained creativity, revolutionary Egypt rumbles with art. Omar now describes himself as an "artivist," combining activism with art even as the revolutionary pulse drops pace. But the "artivist" is often overwhelmed with the feeling that "a million forces are working against you every single day."</p>
<p>Like a painting in the making, colors collide on Cairo's cultural canvas, capturing emotion in a series of fluctuating brushstrokes. The landscape is rich, it's vibrant - but it is nowhere near done.</p>
<p>Independent theatre project Tahrir Monlogues takes the revolution to stages across Cairo's cultural hot spots, recreating a Tahrir Square atmosphere with personal recollections of the uprising. Raw and uncensored, the performance strips the revolution - and the performers - down to the very core.</p>
<p>Infused with nostalgia, the Tahrir Monologues project puts raw emotion in the spotlight. Euphoric pride and numbing fear ricochet, tugging at memories held deep by the audience.</p>
<p>Poignant, witty, and strong, Tahrir Monologues are everything the revolution was - until it wasn't. In the shadows of political tumult and uncertainty, the project aims to preserve and glorify the memory of Tahrir Square.</p>
<p>Founder Sondos Shabayek says the project was spurred by an "urge to create a community similar to what we had in Tahrir at the onset of the revolution." A series of intertwined monologues venture to "keep the revolution alive."</p>
<p>Another force echoing the revolutionary pulse is street art. Graffiti has been an unavoidable phenomenon, arising as an outlet for expression while providing contextual visuals to illustrate the country's political updates. Cairo's walls resemble an open book, sprawling with socio-political signage.</p>
<p>But critical street art across city walls is still unsanctioned, even months after Mubarak's ouster. The Supreme Council for Armed Forces, currently in power, set red lines for expression and systematically crackdown on anti-regime messages. On October 20, April 6 political movement member&#160;Ali Al-Halaby was detained by the military council and referred to prosecution on accounts of "damaging public property" and "approaching a military area", according to the Arab Network for Human Rights Information.</p>
<p>As the Supreme Council of Armed Forces gained opposition after a series of alleged human rights violations, anti-military graffiti spread across the city. From January 25 forward, the revolution's momentum has been mirrored in arts and culture throughout Cairo. The art scene developed into a platform on which political tensions are played out, processed, and felt.</p>
<p>Hany Rashed remembers January 28, the day of rage. "I saw a grenade soar up in the air, and watch it curve and head for an old man on my left. I pushed him aside, just in time for the grenade to hit my arm," he reminisces, his face animated. "I was bleeding. But a third man emerged from the crowds and wrapped my arms up in a flag."</p>
<p>Today, Rashed is painting policemen again.&#160;</p>
<p>This story is presented by <a href="http://thegroundtruthproject.org/" type="external">The GroundTruth Project.</a>&#160;</p>
| false | 3 |
cairo egypt five years ago long egypts january 25 revolution broke police day reaction alleged brutality corruption force young artist named hany rashed found muse painting policemen white uniforms one canvas portrayed policeman back turned particular acrylic painting became poster announcing solo exhibition entitled faces egypt downtown gallery cairo state security officer saw poster called rashed home invite cup coffee state security building wanted know story behind art implying policeman turning back society officer asked hes face among many others chose paint represent egyptian society said rashed 36 recounting interrogation stick painting belly dancers pretty ladies official advised rashed complied terror possible repercussions kept taking risk like many others received curious phone calls art past decades chose dabble politics fear police retaliation five years artist strayed away artful political satire traveled europe painting life sweden exploring italys cultural dynamics art january 25 rashed shed fears risked life tahrir wanted freedom bread reminisces hunger easy unlike inability express rashed went hungry years knows firsthand start tahrir square brimming artists desperate break free square emerged culture hub state turmoil today rashed sits studio maadi paint cans lining wall hungry inspiration dont know paint moment says period political uncertainty artistic energy fluctuates attempts capture peoples turbulent emotions synchronized revolutionary pulse least moves like stifled political arena era hosni mubarak art constantly close scrutiny artists forced either wrap sociopolitical reflections elaborate symbolism stop working altogether freedom overflowed tahrir square january february art swiftly claimed place egyptian society much initial revolutionary art blatant documentation tahrir events devoid conceptual refinement artists cairo suddenly experienced surge freedom pretahrir era inhibiting drove artists find creative ways cryptic expression artists confess unsure exactly use newfound freedom artwork emerging square onwards overly literal galleries across city egyptian flag figures heavily tahrir square photography raids walls despite art scenes apparent dynamism melancholic uncertainty pervading public trickling arts many artists delving activism trying ensure change art freedom essential bread layman tasted refuse let go four galleries opened since january 25 curators keen showcasing young talent mirroring revolutionary landscape freedom always changes art says established contemporary artist mohamed abla set art workshops children square 18day uprising career bedecked artistic endeavors encourage young artists art flourishes freedom says abla believes contemporary egyptian art youthful less formal young artists graffiti taking lead true structure art still vague change activated abla deny struggles inevitable road freedom unfolds art engaged unify ideologically scattered people face political tensions says mohamed el sawy director arts hub el sawy culture wheel art change realities says believes egyptian culture shadows 50 years art considered form deviance ordinary citizens feel could express revolutionary cairo art restricted artists tahrir made artist man street equally revels freedom el sawy believes closing gap art ad people solution egypt develop today people draw pavements spray paint walls cultural revolution coming el sawy predicts happen political scene settles keep going filmmaker wael omar launched radio tahrir february 11 reaction mubaraks ouster pouring life project gave voice masses voices subside radio tahrir wanes tells story fleeting euphoria looming melancholy landscape burgeoning color turns grey everyone easy motivate dawn revolution omar recalls amid revolutionary fever station clear direction time hard keep everyone ship effort dwindled economy tough spot post revolution radio tahrir challenging sustain used brand heartbeat revolution said heartbeat revolution artists given freedom create steer creative life none us used working heart says omar jan 25 flower bloomed high field needed cut says slicing air fingers contrasted years restrained creativity revolutionary egypt rumbles art omar describes artivist combining activism art even revolutionary pulse drops pace artivist often overwhelmed feeling million forces working every single day like painting making colors collide cairos cultural canvas capturing emotion series fluctuating brushstrokes landscape rich vibrant nowhere near done independent theatre project tahrir monlogues takes revolution stages across cairos cultural hot spots recreating tahrir square atmosphere personal recollections uprising raw uncensored performance strips revolution performers core infused nostalgia tahrir monologues project puts raw emotion spotlight euphoric pride numbing fear ricochet tugging memories held deep audience poignant witty strong tahrir monologues everything revolution wasnt shadows political tumult uncertainty project aims preserve glorify memory tahrir square founder sondos shabayek says project spurred urge create community similar tahrir onset revolution series intertwined monologues venture keep revolution alive another force echoing revolutionary pulse street art graffiti unavoidable phenomenon arising outlet expression providing contextual visuals illustrate countrys political updates cairos walls resemble open book sprawling sociopolitical signage critical street art across city walls still unsanctioned even months mubaraks ouster supreme council armed forces currently power set red lines expression systematically crackdown antiregime messages october 20 april 6 political movement member160ali alhalaby detained military council referred prosecution accounts damaging public property approaching military area according arab network human rights information supreme council armed forces gained opposition series alleged human rights violations antimilitary graffiti spread across city january 25 forward revolutions momentum mirrored arts culture throughout cairo art scene developed platform political tensions played processed felt hany rashed remembers january 28 day rage saw grenade soar air watch curve head old man left pushed aside time grenade hit arm reminisces face animated bleeding third man emerged crowds wrapped arms flag today rashed painting policemen again160 story presented groundtruth project160
| 859 |
<p>Unsealed court documents reveal that the firm behind the salacious 34-page Trump-Russia Dossier, Fusion GPS, was paid $523,000 by a Russian businessman convicted of tax fraud and money laundering,&#160;whose lawyer,&#160; <a href="https://ibankcoin.com/zeropointnow/files/2017/11/vesel.png" type="external">Natalia Veselnitskaya</a>, was a key figure in the infamous June 2016 meeting at Trump Tower arranged by Fusion GPS associate Rob Goldstone.</p>
<p>In short, D.C. opposition research firm Fusion GPS is the common denominator linked to two schemes used to damage the Trump campaign.</p>
<p><a href="https://ibankcoin.com/zeropointnow/files/2017/11/170822_gma_brianross2_0712_16x9_992-3.jpg" type="external">&lt;img src="https://ibankcoin.com/zeropointnow/files/2017/11/170822_gma_brianross2_0712_16x9_992-3-300x216.jpg" /&gt;</a></p>
<p>Founded in 2011 by former Wall St. Journal journalist Glenn Simpson and two other WSJ alumni, Fusion was responsible for the&#160; <a href="https://archive.fo/hpR9m" type="external">Clinton/DNC – funded dossier</a>&#160;( <a href="https://ibankcoin.com/zeropointnow/files/2017/11/sources.png" type="external">which two Kremlin&#160;</a> <a href="https://ibankcoin.com/zeropointnow/files/2017/11/sources.png" type="external">officials&#160;participated in</a>),&#160;and was also involved in the infamous Trump Tower meeting with the Russian attorney of another Fusion client – an encounter some suspect may have been used to obtain a FISA wiretapping warrant on the Trump campaign.</p>
<p>He [Simpson] worked closely with Natalia Veselnitskaya, the Russian lawyer who also showed up at the infamous Trump Tower meeting held on June 9, 2016.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Simpson’s research ended up in the Trump Tower meeting in the form of a four-page memo carried by Veselnitskaya. She also shared Simpson’s work with Yuri Chaika, the prosecutor general of Russia.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Simpson told the House Intelligence Committee earlier this week that he did not know that Veselnitskaya provided the Browder information to Chaika or to Donald Trump Jr., the Trump campaign’s point-man in the Trump Tower meeting. – <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/11/21/unsealed-fusion-gps-bank-records-show-russia-related-payments/" type="external">Daily Caller</a></p>
<p>Of note, the 34-page dossier created by Fusion&#160; <a href="https://archive.is/UAl0K" type="external">was reportedly used to obtain a FISA surveillance warrant</a>&#160;on the one-time adviser to the Trump campaign, Carter Page.</p>
<p>Quite a bit more notable is the fact that Glenn Simpson&#160; <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/11/07/fusion-gps-founder-met-with-russian-at-center-of-trump-tower-meeting/" type="external">met with Natalia Veselnitskaya</a>&#160;hours before the Trump Tower meeting, and&#160;also&#160;met with Hillary Clinton’s campaign chairman&#160;John Podesta&#160; <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/11/11/john-podesta-met-with-fusion-gps-founder-after-trump-dossier-was-published/" type="external">the day after</a>&#160;the 34-page dossier was published by BuzzFeed. Glenn gets around.</p>
<p>InFusion of Funds</p>
<p>The Daily Caller‘s&#160; <a href="https://twitter.com/ChuckRossDC" type="external">Chuck Ross</a>&#160;– who has done an&#160;outstanding job turning over stones and finding gold – now reports that the&#160; <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/11/21/unsealed-fusion-gps-bank-records-show-russia-related-payments/" type="external">heavily redacted Fusion GPS bank records</a>&#160;unsealed Tuesday reveal DNC law firm <a href="http://ibankcoin.com/zeropointnow/files/2017/11/rec1.png" type="external">Perkins Coie</a>&#160;paid Fusion a total of&#160;$1,024,408&#160;in 2016 for opposition research on then-candidate Donald Trump – including the 34-page dossier.</p>
<p>Ross&#160;also&#160;reports that law firm <a href="http://ibankcoin.com/zeropointnow/files/2017/11/rec2.png" type="external">Baker Hostelter</a>&#160;paid Fusion&#160;$523,651&#160;between March and October 2016 on behalf of a company owned by&#160;Russian businessman and money launderer Denis Katsyv&#160; <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/07/bill-browders-testimony-to-the-senate-judiciary-committee/534864/" type="external">to research Bill Browder</a>, a London banker who helped push through the Magnitsky Act – named after deceased Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, who Browder hired to investigate Russian corruption.</p>
<p>Veselnitskaya, through Baker Hostetler, hired Glenn Simpson of the firm Fusion GPS to conduct a smear campaign against me and Sergei Magnitsky in advance of congressional hearings on the Global Magnitsky Act. – <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/07/bill-browders-testimony-to-the-senate-judiciary-committee/534864/" type="external">Bill Browder</a>,&#160;Testimony to Senate Judiciary Committee, 7/26/17</p>
<p>Magnitsky Act</p>
<p>Magnitsky uncovered a high-level embezzlement and money laundering scheme, sanctioned by Russian Officials, in which large sums of money were stolen from the Russian government&#160;and invested in New York real estate. Some of the missing funds were&#160; <a href="https://www.reportingproject.net/proxy/en/following-the-magnitsky-money" type="external">traced to Katsyv</a> <a href="https://www.reportingproject.net/proxy/en/following-the-magnitsky-money" type="external">‘s firm</a>, Prevezon Holdings Ltd., which settled with the Justice Department in 2017 – paying&#160; <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-05-13/u-s-reaches-5-9-million-deal-in-russian-fraud-laundering-case" type="external">$5.9 million</a>&#160;in fines.</p>
<p><a href="https://ibankcoin.com/zeropointnow/files/2017/11/serge.jpg" type="external">&lt;img src="https://ibankcoin.com/zeropointnow/files/2017/11/serge-300x187.jpg" /&gt;</a></p>
<p>Magnitsky was arrested and thrown in prison for just under a year, only to die seven days before he was to be released. He developed gallstones, pancreatitis, and a blocked gall bladder for which he received little to no medical care,&#160;and was found to have been&#160; <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-drops-inquiry-into-death-of-sergei-magnitsky-8541205.html" type="external">physically assaulted</a>&#160;shortly before he died.</p>
<p>In response to Magnitsky’s horrific death and&#160;because Russian money laundering occurred on US soil, Congress and President Obama enacted the Magnitsky act in 2012 – imposing sanctions on Russia and barring Russian officials believed to be involved in Magnitsky’s death from entering the United States. Russia retaliated by halting an adoption program for US foster parents.</p>
<p>Enter Natalia</p>
<p>What’s strange is that Katsyv’s attorney, Natalia Veselnitskaya – a&#160; <a href="https://ibankcoin.com/zeropointnow/files/2017/11/mccainfan.png" type="external">John McCain fan</a>&#160;who hates Trump and <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/07/12/exclusive-radical-dem-worked-for-russian-lawyer-who-met-with-trump-jr/" type="external">uses Democrat lobbyists</a>, was initially&#160;denied entry into the United States,&#160;only to be allowed in under “extraordinary circumstances” by Obama’s Homeland Security Department and&#160; <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/342118-homeland-security-confirms-special-entry-for-russian-lawyer" type="external">approved by former AG Loretta Lynch</a>&#160;so she could represent&#160;Fusion GPS client&#160;Denis Katsyv’s company, Prevezon Holdings –&#160;and attend the meeting at Trump Tower&#160;with Donald Trump Jr. – arranged by Fusion GPS associate Rob Goldstone.</p>
<p>Let’s Review:</p>
<p>Meanwhile…</p>
<p>For their efforts, Fusion GPS was paid over $1.5 million dollars between Hillary Clinton, the&#160;DNC, and the holding company owned by pro-Kremlin businessman&#160;Denis Katsyv.</p>
<p>Russian Ties Galore!</p>
<p>Looking at&#160;other&#160;Russian affiliations on the left – since that’s the entire&#160;impetus&#160;of the witch hunt against President Trump:</p>
<p>Unfortunately,&#160;Attorney General Jeff Sessions&#160; <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/360292-sessions-wed-need-factual-basis-for-second-special-counsel-for" type="external">feels there isn’t ‘enough basis</a>‘&#160;to investigate&#160;any or all of the above.</p>
| false | 3 |
unsealed court documents reveal firm behind salacious 34page trumprussia dossier fusion gps paid 523000 russian businessman convicted tax fraud money laundering160whose lawyer160 natalia veselnitskaya key figure infamous june 2016 meeting trump tower arranged fusion gps associate rob goldstone short dc opposition research firm fusion gps common denominator linked two schemes used damage trump campaign ltimg srchttpsibankcoincomzeropointnowfiles201711170822_gma_brianross2_0712_16x9_9923300x216jpg gt founded 2011 former wall st journal journalist glenn simpson two wsj alumni fusion responsible the160 clintondnc funded dossier160 two kremlin160 officials160participated in160and also involved infamous trump tower meeting russian attorney another fusion client encounter suspect may used obtain fisa wiretapping warrant trump campaign simpson worked closely natalia veselnitskaya russian lawyer also showed infamous trump tower meeting held june 9 2016 160 simpsons research ended trump tower meeting form fourpage memo carried veselnitskaya also shared simpsons work yuri chaika prosecutor general russia 160 simpson told house intelligence committee earlier week know veselnitskaya provided browder information chaika donald trump jr trump campaigns pointman trump tower meeting daily caller note 34page dossier created fusion160 reportedly used obtain fisa surveillance warrant160on onetime adviser trump campaign carter page quite bit notable fact glenn simpson160 met natalia veselnitskaya160hours trump tower meeting and160also160met hillary clintons campaign chairman160john podesta160 day after160the 34page dossier published buzzfeed glenn gets around infusion funds daily callers160 chuck ross160 done an160outstanding job turning stones finding gold reports the160 heavily redacted fusion gps bank records160unsealed tuesday reveal dnc law firm perkins coie160paid fusion total of1601024408160in 2016 opposition research thencandidate donald trump including 34page dossier ross160also160reports law firm baker hostelter160paid fusion160523651160between march october 2016 behalf company owned by160russian businessman money launderer denis katsyv160 research bill browder london banker helped push magnitsky act named deceased russian lawyer sergei magnitsky browder hired investigate russian corruption veselnitskaya baker hostetler hired glenn simpson firm fusion gps conduct smear campaign sergei magnitsky advance congressional hearings global magnitsky act bill browder160testimony senate judiciary committee 72617 magnitsky act magnitsky uncovered highlevel embezzlement money laundering scheme sanctioned russian officials large sums money stolen russian government160and invested new york real estate missing funds were160 traced katsyv firm prevezon holdings ltd settled justice department 2017 paying160 59 million160in fines ltimg srchttpsibankcoincomzeropointnowfiles201711serge300x187jpg gt magnitsky arrested thrown prison year die seven days released developed gallstones pancreatitis blocked gall bladder received little medical care160and found been160 physically assaulted160shortly died response magnitskys horrific death and160because russian money laundering occurred us soil congress president obama enacted magnitsky act 2012 imposing sanctions russia barring russian officials believed involved magnitskys death entering united states russia retaliated halting adoption program us foster parents enter natalia whats strange katsyvs attorney natalia veselnitskaya a160 john mccain fan160who hates trump uses democrat lobbyists initially160denied entry united states160only allowed extraordinary circumstances obamas homeland security department and160 approved former ag loretta lynch160so could represent160fusion gps client160denis katsyvs company prevezon holdings 160and attend meeting trump tower160with donald trump jr arranged fusion gps associate rob goldstone lets review meanwhile efforts fusion gps paid 15 million dollars hillary clinton the160dnc holding company owned prokremlin businessman160denis katsyv russian ties galore looking at160other160russian affiliations left since thats entire160impetus160of witch hunt president trump unfortunately160attorney general jeff sessions160 feels isnt enough basis160to investigate160any
| 515 |
<p>In 1996, Jungman Elementary School in Pilsen, along with 70 other elementary schools, was put on probation for low reading scores. Only 12 percent of its students were scoring at or above national norms on the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills. Within two years, the percentage had soared past 30.</p>
<p>Jungman insiders say the key to their progress was the combination of smart, stable school leadership and Tim Shanahan’s literacy framework. “It’s a great program,” raves Interim Principal Zaida Hernandez, a former Jungman teacher who became assistant principal in 1997. “It was a big, big change to get all of us on the same page … to get everyone to see the importance of reading.”</p>
<p>“That probably was the most essential piece of the puzzle that was missing,” says former principal Fausto Lopez, who left Jungman in 2000 to become principal of Bowen High School.</p>
<p>But that piece fit because so many others were already in place. “It wasn’t just the framework,” says veteran 1st-grade teacher Anne Barry. “We were a school that wasn’t in a lot of flux. We had a principal who had been here a long time.” And not just any principal. “He’s highly read,” Barry says of Lopez. “We talked about best practices all the time.”</p>
<p>Long before probation began, Lopez had invested in professional development through Project CANAL (Creating a New Approach to Learning) and the Teachers Academy for Mathematics and Science (TAMS). He also had dismantled many of the barriers that often separate bilingual and monolingual teachers at a school—nearly half of Jungman’s children are in bilingual programs.</p>
<p>When probation arrived, Lopez skipped the approved list of external partners and asked central office to let him have Shanahan, who had previously supervised student teachers at Jungman and worked with parents through the Center for Literacy at the University of Illinois at Chicago.</p>
<p>“We saw everybody doing their own thing,” recalls Shanahan. “Everyone taught reading, but they taught it as long as they wanted to. There were no kinds of mandates on things. They had 25 reading programs, essentially.”</p>
<p>Teacher Mary Beth Clark credits Shanahan with providing a clear focus and a straightforward set of priorities that all teachers could accept. “This is sound practice whether you are teaching in Spanish or English,” she says. “Fluency is important in any language. Writing is important in any language.”</p>
<p>Shanahan’s style also won over teachers. He went the extra mile by getting into classrooms and bringing in resources. “He showed by his teaching, too,” says Barry. “He’d pull a couple of kids together and teach fluency … which was cool.”</p>
<p>Even at the end of his stay, Shanahan arranged for teachers to get more books. “Goodness,” says Barry, incredulity in her voice. “We were able to buy some books for our classroom libraries.”</p>
<p>While the external partner offered carrots, the stick of probation pushed the staff into collaboration. “When probation came, it shocked us into reality,” says Clark. “It forced us to come together: We’re going to choose one reading series. We’re all going to use it, not just say we’re using it. We’re going to do all that it requires us to do, not just the parts we like to do.”</p>
<p>Probation also gave the school’s administration extra gas for its drive to revise the work schedule. Lopez created three common preparation periods per week for teachers of children in the same grade to plan together. “This was the first time we really got [common preps] to work,” says Hernandez.</p>
<p>“Having those opportunities [for discussion] is what helps break down walls and gets teachers talking to each other,” observes Clark. But it doesn’t come naturally. “You have to be courageous enough to say ‘I don’t know how to do this,’ not just sit there feeling uncomfortable and say, ‘Well, I just won’t do that part since I don’t know how.'”</p>
<p>Shanahan says Principal Lopez was an essential partner. “Fausto, to his credit, spent a great deal of time when I wasn’t around walking around classrooms, looking for the things I was telling him to look for,” he says. He continued doing this even when Shanahan sent graduate students to observe and give feedback. “If he had disengaged,” says Shanahan, “they wouldn’t have seen the big improvement.”</p>
<p>Lopez himself sees the observations as secondary to his professional knowledge and relationship-building skills. “I am conversant with the framework. I can interpret data from the ITBS,” he notes. “I think the teachers respected that. I could engage them on a level of professional conversation.”</p>
<p>Teachers add that the power of expectations had a big impact. “It was always assumed, of course you did the framework,” says Barry.</p>
<p>Passing the torch</p>
<p>More than a dozen schools now on probation are recidivists—they had been off for a year or two and then bounced back on. In contrast, Jungman’s achievement gains have held up over five years. Those years include the transition from Lopez to Hernandez as principal.</p>
<p>“By the time I left, my teachers were my partners in leadership,” says Lopez.</p>
<p>None more so than Hernandez, a former kindergarten teacher whose advance to the principalship was gradual. Her first step was from classroom teacher to bilingual coordinator. When she started that job, she spent part of each day mentoring the new kindergarten teacher. “I would go back to the classroom as needed. I could collaborate with the other teacher,” she recalls. “The transition was slow, which helped the students, who didn’t feel abandoned, and also [helped] the teacher coming in. It gave me the opportunity to start working with teachers little by little. I think that was a benefit for all of us.”</p>
<p>During that time, Hernandez started courses for an administrator’s certificate “so that I could be assistant principal. It didn’t happen all of a sudden.” She became assistant principal in the fall of 1996, just before the probation ax fell.</p>
<p>But probation didn’t change Lopez’s management style, one Hernandez was committed to developing in herself. “We worked very hard on developing school-based management. To me, that is key,” says Hernandez. “If teachers feel that ownership, they are more willing to collaborate.”</p>
<p>In the summer of 2000, the gradual transition ended; Lopez agreed to take the top spot at Bowen as it was put on intervention, and Hernandez became interim principal at Jungman. Hernandez had just finished her summer coursework with LAUNCH, an innovative training program for principals, and was planning to leave Jungman to do her LAUNCH-required internship.</p>
<p>“[Lopez] called Friday. I had to make a decision by Monday,” she recalls. The school clerk was leaving, too, she knew. If Hernandez left, Jungman’s entire administrative staff would turn over at once. “It would be too many new people in the leadership,” she says, so she stayed and worked out an arrangement with LAUNCH.</p>
<p>“I believe the majority of the staff was pleased I decided to stay,” says Hernandez. When she took the job, she had to find an assistant principal and a bilingual coordinator, plus train a new clerk. “Thanks to the staff—and I think it was their appreciation of me coming back—we pulled through.”</p>
<p>This year has been a bigger challenge. Hernandez took a five-month leave of absence, and the acting principal sent from central office upset the apple cart.</p>
<p>“It was a wake-up call to the staff,” says Clark. “We were accustomed to an administrator who’s organized, who’s on the ball, who’s doing what needs to be done. We didn’t have that support from the administration. It wasn’t there. We had no idea what goes on behind the scenes until it wasn’t there.”</p>
<p>Faculty members faced a choice, Clark says: “Either we can continue what we’ve been doing without any support, or we can take it easy for a few months because we know nobody is watching us.”</p>
<p>For Barry, the choice was clear. “As a teacher, I set my own goals. If I do my job, I do my job. The framework is natural to me.”</p>
<p>For a core group of teachers, that’s likely to have been the case. But Hernandez acknowledges she’s still picking up the pieces. “It could impact student achievement this year; I’m not sure,” she says.</p>
<p>In uncertain waters, teachers considered jumping ship. “A lot of people started working on their resumes,” says Clark. “Hopefully, now that things are back the way they were, they’ll change their minds.”</p>
<p>Hernandez knows that even if they stay, she’ll still have work to do. “The teachers are more open to talking, but we still need to work on the idea that it’s OK to go visit each other’s classrooms and share ideas,” she says. “It’s a big challenge. I hope one day before I leave this place, that we can accomplish that.”</p>
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1996 jungman elementary school pilsen along 70 elementary schools put probation low reading scores 12 percent students scoring national norms iowa tests basic skills within two years percentage soared past 30 jungman insiders say key progress combination smart stable school leadership tim shanahans literacy framework great program raves interim principal zaida hernandez former jungman teacher became assistant principal 1997 big big change get us page get everyone see importance reading probably essential piece puzzle missing says former principal fausto lopez left jungman 2000 become principal bowen high school piece fit many others already place wasnt framework says veteran 1stgrade teacher anne barry school wasnt lot flux principal long time principal hes highly read barry says lopez talked best practices time long probation began lopez invested professional development project canal creating new approach learning teachers academy mathematics science tams also dismantled many barriers often separate bilingual monolingual teachers schoolnearly half jungmans children bilingual programs probation arrived lopez skipped approved list external partners asked central office let shanahan previously supervised student teachers jungman worked parents center literacy university illinois chicago saw everybody thing recalls shanahan everyone taught reading taught long wanted kinds mandates things 25 reading programs essentially teacher mary beth clark credits shanahan providing clear focus straightforward set priorities teachers could accept sound practice whether teaching spanish english says fluency important language writing important language shanahans style also teachers went extra mile getting classrooms bringing resources showed teaching says barry hed pull couple kids together teach fluency cool even end stay shanahan arranged teachers get books goodness says barry incredulity voice able buy books classroom libraries external partner offered carrots stick probation pushed staff collaboration probation came shocked us reality says clark forced us come together going choose one reading series going use say using going requires us parts like probation also gave schools administration extra gas drive revise work schedule lopez created three common preparation periods per week teachers children grade plan together first time really got common preps work says hernandez opportunities discussion helps break walls gets teachers talking observes clark doesnt come naturally courageous enough say dont know sit feeling uncomfortable say well wont part since dont know shanahan says principal lopez essential partner fausto credit spent great deal time wasnt around walking around classrooms looking things telling look says continued even shanahan sent graduate students observe give feedback disengaged says shanahan wouldnt seen big improvement lopez sees observations secondary professional knowledge relationshipbuilding skills conversant framework interpret data itbs notes think teachers respected could engage level professional conversation teachers add power expectations big impact always assumed course framework says barry passing torch dozen schools probation recidiviststhey year two bounced back contrast jungmans achievement gains held five years years include transition lopez hernandez principal time left teachers partners leadership says lopez none hernandez former kindergarten teacher whose advance principalship gradual first step classroom teacher bilingual coordinator started job spent part day mentoring new kindergarten teacher would go back classroom needed could collaborate teacher recalls transition slow helped students didnt feel abandoned also helped teacher coming gave opportunity start working teachers little little think benefit us time hernandez started courses administrators certificate could assistant principal didnt happen sudden became assistant principal fall 1996 probation ax fell probation didnt change lopezs management style one hernandez committed developing worked hard developing schoolbased management key says hernandez teachers feel ownership willing collaborate summer 2000 gradual transition ended lopez agreed take top spot bowen put intervention hernandez became interim principal jungman hernandez finished summer coursework launch innovative training program principals planning leave jungman launchrequired internship lopez called friday make decision monday recalls school clerk leaving knew hernandez left jungmans entire administrative staff would turn would many new people leadership says stayed worked arrangement launch believe majority staff pleased decided stay says hernandez took job find assistant principal bilingual coordinator plus train new clerk thanks staffand think appreciation coming backwe pulled year bigger challenge hernandez took fivemonth leave absence acting principal sent central office upset apple cart wakeup call staff says clark accustomed administrator whos organized whos ball whos needs done didnt support administration wasnt idea goes behind scenes wasnt faculty members faced choice clark says either continue weve without support take easy months know nobody watching us barry choice clear teacher set goals job job framework natural core group teachers thats likely case hernandez acknowledges shes still picking pieces could impact student achievement year im sure says uncertain waters teachers considered jumping ship lot people started working resumes says clark hopefully things back way theyll change minds hernandez knows even stay shell still work teachers open talking still need work idea ok go visit others classrooms share ideas says big challenge hope one day leave place accomplish
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<p>Louis Anderson lay in wait for his prey in the Illini Student Union. A 53-year-old man in faintly tinted glasses and a mustard suit, he watched as education majors at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, most of them seniors, passed by the Chicago Public Schools booth at the annual job fair in April. Anderson would eye the students, nearly all dressed in black power suits, and when he caught a sympathetic look, he’d quickly check out the tag on the student’s lapel and call out the first name.</p>
<p>“Hi, Melissa.”</p>
<p>“I’m from the suburbs,” said Melissa, who hailed from northwest suburban Mt. Prospect. “I’m interested in your schools, but not really.”</p>
<p>A nonplused Anderson barreled ahead with his pitch to Melissa and her friend Adrianne, a native of Lake Zurich. Chicago has 588 schools divided into six regions, he informed the women. He pushed “a candidate profile,” a sort of pre-application, into their hands.</p>
<p>“This is going to help me help you find a job in the Chicago Public Schools,” he said. Despite what they might assume, Anderson asserted, the Chicago schools see 1,000 or more vacancies a year, “and somebody is going to die, somebody is going to quit.” The result—opportunity for Melissa and Adrianne.</p>
<p>The Chicago Public Schools has determined it wants to fill its ranks with “fierce crusaders”— idealists driven to teach poor and disadvantaged children—and Anderson’s job is to pinpoint and attract them. As the Illini women tried to figure out whether Anderson was a legitimate charmer or a smarmy salesman—he’s more the former—he searched for signs of their professional ardor.</p>
<p>Later he would say, “If there’s a burning desire to be a fierce crusader, or even if there’s just a flicker, I know what fuel to use to turn fire into flame.”</p>
<p>“If you want to join us, here are the hard facts,” said Anderson, sticking a salary schedule into Melissa’s hand. “Great,” Melissa said lamely, as Anderson tramped through other details—information on the school system’s web site, a tip to apply through a school’s hiring committee rather than just with the principal, and some words about state certification. “I got your names and phone numbers,” said Anderson. “If I don’t hear from you, I’ll send the state troopers after you,” he joked, bursting with the ricochet laugh that is his signature.</p>
<p>Anderson, a professional recruiter imported from the business world, represents a new effort by the School Reform Board to attract a sharper instructor corps. “We want to bring the best people possible to Chicago,” says Carlos Ponce, the board’s new human resources director, who previously served as Chicago’s general services commissioner.</p>
<p>In concert with the Financial Research and Advisory Committee (FRAC), a think tank associated with the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club, the board has pumped up its approach with recruiters like Anderson, brighter literature, improved interviewing techniques, assistance from regular teachers and principals, and a web site. The goal is to draw more new teachers—ideally “fierce crusaders”—from more institutions that are more competitive than the local colleges that historically have filled Chicago’s classrooms.</p>
<p>“In concept, this is one of the most interesting models in the country,” says David Haselkorn, president of Recruiting New Teachers, a Boston-based consulting firm. “It’s an alternative to traditional recruitment. In Chicago, they have tried to think outside the box and to use technology well. They’ve scoured the country to find the best prototypes. It all certainly bears watching.”</p>
<p>In this age of accountability, Chicago is not alone in beefing up efforts to attract the best and the brightest new teachers. However, it also faces a unique set of challenges: a city residency requirement for all employees, a hiring time line that puts the city behind other districts, requirements for a certain racial mix in each school faculty, and perceptions about a lack of safety at work.</p>
<p>Both Melissa and Adrianne ended up teaching in the suburbs, and they aren’t alone—board recruiters lose many more attractive prospects than they land. Yet early indications are that Chicago’s modern hiring techniques, which have come on line over the past 12 months, are bringing incremental gains in alumni from a wider band of colleges. The board is looking to fine-tune its approach next year.</p>
<p>A Chico passion</p>
<p>Traditionally, the board’s Human Resources Department sought teachers through two job fairs held in the spring—one for high schools, the second for grammar schools—and through campus visits and desk work. “Most of the time, though, we would wait for somebody to come knocking on the door and then review their credentials,” says Xiomara Cortés Metcalfe, the department’s director of personnel services and staffing. Local institutions, led by Chicago State and Northeastern Illinois universities and the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), furnished the greatest bulk of teachers.</p>
<p>In the early 1990s, though, the board launched a joint project with FRAC that sought to upgrade various board operations, including teacher recruitment, through “corporate re-engineering.” Called the T.I.M.E. Project (short for To Improve Management of Education), this effort ended in 1995 with a number of recommendations on staffing: Increase the number of recruiters to five people, enlist principals and teachers in the salesmanship and list eligible teachers on computer.</p>
<p>After his installation, School Reform Board President Gery Chico took a special interest in hiring procedures, and it remains a passion.</p>
<p>“This is not an assault on the quality of teachers we have today, but if we don’t focus on the recruitment of teachers, we’re going to fall behind quickly,” says Chico. “I’d also like to see a broadened pool, tapping new supplies. It’s better to have diversity in your supply. Any business should operate that way. We’re applying a private-enterprise model to public education.”</p>
<p>Specifically, Chico is intent on bulking up with a range of colleges and universities.</p>
<p>However, since Chicago’s traditional teacher suppliers tend to have more minority graduates than the elite universities do, some Chicago educators have wondered whether the board’s hiring campaign is aimed at getting more white teachers. “We’re looking for background in education, not something different racially or ethnically,” says Metcalfe. “There’s no conspiracy to get whites into the system.” She continues: “We’re looking for teachers who are well-educated. Not that I want to diminish Chicago State, Northeastern or UIC—I’m not turning my back on that group—but I would tell you that if you want the best and the brightest, you have to expand your base.”</p>
<p>That goal rankles some in Chicago’s higher education community. “They [board officials] think we produce students who aren’t smart enough,” remarks Victoria Chou, the education dean at UIC. “They think good teachers have high grade-point averages and test well. They are missing the fact that our students have a greater common knowledge—and that has a lot of do with retention [keeping teachers]. I have a big problem with that [Chico’s] mind-set.”</p>
<p>Yet circumstances place UIC in “a vulnerable spot,” Chou acknowledges, because its teachers are deeply enmeshed in a system that evidences so many spoiled patches: “If we were supplying teachers and there were no schools on probation, we’d have a better case.”</p>
<p>Yet at least one dean has no problem with the new approach. “We have a minority population here, and districts are looking to integrate their faculties,” remarks Genevieve Lopardo, education dean at Chicago State. “Our students are being courted all over—there’s no problem getting jobs.”</p>
<p>In any event, FRAC attracted $1.4 million in grants from the Chicago Annenberg Challenge and the Joyce, McDougal Family and John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur foundations to help craft better ways to recruit teachers. The FRAC initiative, run by coordinator Hilton Clark, is entitled the Teacher Recruitment Initiative (TRI).</p>
<p>The project’s description notes that Chicago, like many districts, lacks special education, bilingual, math and science teachers. In addition, it notes that the city’s school faculties are “perennially out of compliance” with its court-sanctioned desegregation consent decree, which stipulates that the majority-minority mix on every school faculty should fall within 15 percentage points of the citywide average, which is 45-55. Typically, it’s West and South side schools that are short on white teachers, and North and Northwest Side schools that are short on minority teachers.</p>
<p>Change agents</p>
<p>Reprising Chico’s anthem, Hilton Clark said last year, “The board has been recruiting from local colleges, but you need diversity [of institutions] to improve the quality of teachers.”</p>
<p>FRAC and the board proceeded to try to lure driven and idealistic education graduates to Chicago, figuring they would be best able to turn around failing schools. Carlos Ponce calls the prototype “a change agent, someone who isn’t passive in life.” A small study of education students, done pro bono by Chicago-based Loran Marketing Group in August 1998, yielded the definition “fierce crusader.” According to the Loran report, a fierce crusader views teaching as “a calling or mission,” evidences “a long-held commitment to teaching” and tends to be “a passionate believer of [a] stated ideology.”</p>
<p>Some still caution that the goal of drafting fierce crusaders has hazards. “It takes several years to learn how to teach, no matter how committed you are and especially when working with kids who have deficits,” remarks Richard Murnane, a professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. “And people burn out quickly. To sign up young people with a lot of idealism who may not have the skills yet isn’t always a good strategy.”</p>
<p>Nonetheless, the board initiated techniques to realize its vision. Initially FRAC targeted two dozen colleges of education from which to draw candidates for some 40 elementary and high schools with teacher mentoring programs, a cohort that soon expanded to include all city schools. The TRI portfolio included Chicago’s traditional suppliers as well as such flagship institutions as the universities of Michigan, Ohio, Iowa and Wisconsin. The University of Texas was thrown in for its relatively high number of bilingual graduates, as was Florida A &amp; M, which boasts a large African-American student population.</p>
<p>Human Resources itself targeted a more varied universe of institutions, from Harvard and Stanford universities to Ball State and Lake Forest College.</p>
<p>The 24 TRI schools got a full-court press, starting with postcards sent to graduates to stir interest. With an assist from the business consulting firms of Deloitte &amp; Touche and Saville &amp; Holdsworth Ltd., TRI launched a web site (www.trichicago.com). Adorned with an impressionistic city skyline and pencil icons that lead readers deeper inside, the online brochure includes information about salaries—$33,810 annually to start—individual schools and school system initiatives, among other things. It also includes an interactive application form.</p>
<p>TRI contracted with JDC Solutions, an Oak Brook personnel consulting firm headed by John Cassin, a former human resources vice president at mapmaker Rand McNally Corp., to refine recruitment procedures. After observing job fairs in February 1998, Cassin concluded that Chicago recruiters showed up ill-prepared (only one-third had materials) and talked too much, intimidating visitors. Instead, he says, “The candidate should be talking 80 percent of the time, and the recruiter should be listening.”</p>
<p>Recruiters also projected their own feelings onto candidates, Cassin found, and frequently riveted on one positive aspect, like a candidate’s having been an Eagle Scout, and ignored signs of trouble. Cassin dubs the phenomenon “the halo effect.”</p>
<p>For the large job fairs, referred to as “cattle calls” for the number of prospects clogging the aisles, JDC Solutions came up with a two-tiered system whereby a front-line recruiter conducts a screening interview with a prospect. If the student passes muster—ideally, qualifying as a fierce crusader—the student is passed back to a volunteer Chicago principal or teacher, called an ambassador, who engages in a five-minute conversation. The ambassadors are to evaluate the candidates and get them to fill out a candidate profile form.</p>
<p>At a workshop held for ambassadors at Senn High School in January, Cassin said that at big job fairs, the Chicago team should aim to entice “the total graduating class” to the city’s booth. The booth should fairly glow with energy. “We want the fun-est booth,” Cassin told the ambassadors. “We want your cheeks to ache by the end of the day from smiling.”</p>
<p>In the meantime, the board’s Human Resources Department had beefed up its recruiting corps from three to seven. “We looked for people with private sector experience, who had business savvy and who had some teaching background—one or the other or both,” says Xiomara Metcalfe, formerly a senior vice president and recruiting director for EdgeMark Financial Corp., a bank holding company. “We were trying to get people with insights into several worlds.”</p>
<p>The son of a former president of Tennessee State University, Louis Anderson has toiled in personnel for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and for Deere &amp; Co., the farm-implement maker. “My job was to get minorities to consider locating in Ottumwa, Iowa,” he remarks. “If you can do that, you can sell ice to Eskimos.” He also staged retirement-planning programs for the American Association of Retirement Persons in 10 states, coming to the School Board in last September “for the opportunity.”</p>
<p>Mia Baker, Anderson’s fellow recruiter on a job fair circuit in March and April, is all of 30 yet has recruited for Kinko’s and Del Ray Farms, a string of groceries. Other recruiters include a former teacher with an MBA and a military background; an ex-bilingual teacher who once worked for a cable company; a former Arthur Andersen Co. accountant; and a onetime school counselor. Toni Hill, a former recruiting manager for Motorola, runs the board’s recruiting unit.</p>
<p>The recruiters were armed with what board officials consider a bracing message. “In the jargon of the hood, we’re what’s happnin’,” says Metcalfe. “Our image is that we’re implementing change at all levels.” Specifically, Metcalfe mentions governance by the local school councils, Mayor Richard M. Daley’s direct control of the system, the billions being spent on capital improvements, the end of social promotion and good relations with the Chicago Park District.</p>
<p>Touting Chicago</p>
<p>Chicago also produced new brochures and application materials. The lead piece calls the Chicago public schools “a national model for urban education.” The brochure contains a boiler-plate letter from Mayor Daley touting the pluses Metcalfe enumerated, plus colorful photos of teachers and children and a salary schedule tucked into a back-flap pocket. Chicago the metropolis is portrayed in hyperbolic terms: “…Chicago is one of the most sophisticated, cosmopolitan and down-to-earth cities in the nation.”</p>
<p>This season, recruiters traveled to the universities of Michigan, Indiana and Iowa, to historically black colleges in Atlanta and to the Florida A &amp; M and Florida International universities, which have large black and Hispanic enrollments. Metcalfe appeared at Harvard and Columbia universities. The School Board also bused a group of 25 promising University of Wisconsin education students—all still lower classmen—to town in March to tour five schools and hear Ponce, at a Union League Club dinner, try to allay their fears about locating in Chicago.</p>
<p>Over the last couple years, the system also has turned Reform Board members and top officials into recruitment specialists. Chico has appeared at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana; board member Gene Saffold, at black colleges in Atlanta; and Chief Education Officer Cozette Buckney, at Harvard, the University Wisconsin and Vanderbilt University, where she earned her doctorate.</p>
<p>When Louis Anderson and Mia Baker hit the road on the Mid-America Teacher tour, a week-long progression of fairs at five Illinois universities, including University of Illinois, they were armed with brochures, applications and a couple giveaways—a pen and a bookmark. Chicago’s booth was a six-foot-long table draped with a turquoise cloth. A sign on a pole depicted a mixed-race group of beaming youngsters.</p>
<p>Anderson and Baker, assisted some days by Hilton Clark, talked up Chicago and passed out materials. In general, both recruiters made favorable impressions, Baker with her matter-of-fact manner and Anderson with effervescent teasing. “There’s no one who’s been as lively as him,” remarked University of Illinois student Sara DeVries after a go-round with the recruiter.</p>
<p>“The majority of students are timid and scared,” explains Anderson. “I put them at ease with a joke here and there.”</p>
<p>Though it was spring vacation back in Chicago, few ambassadors showed up to help. “It was no show, no call,” complained Baker. At Northern Illinois University, the line at the Chicago booth sometimes stretched scores of bodies deep. “We could have used the help,” Anderson commented later. “The pass-back thing [Cassin’s job-fair technique] sounds good, but you can’t use it if there’s no one for the lead recruiter to pass back to. You yourself can’t do a proper interview in 2 minutes.”</p>
<p>Chicago faced stiff competition. The University of Illinois fair, for instance, saw 150 school districts participating, one-third more than last year. Districts from all over the country and from the Chicago suburbs—Northbrook, Villa Park, Long Grove and Elgin—showed up hungry for graduates. Morton High School in Berwyn mounted its own booth.</p>
<p>Chicago’s booth appeared pallid next to other displays. Some tables had laptops propped open to reveal lively advertisements. Elsewhere, montages of pictures and statistics decorated grabbing triptychs. “California Dreamin’?” inquired a table tent at San Diego’s booth. The booth of Galena Park, a suburb of Houston, groaned with giveaways: water bottles, key rings, markers, pens and key rings. “Teach at the beach!” read a digital sign advertising the schools of ocean-side Georgetown County, S.C., which offered a package containing sand and shells as a premium.</p>
<p>At the Fairfax County, Va., booth, an official was explaining how candidates not only apply on-line but also undergo an initial interview with a recorded phone voice. “I tell people that this is the future,” said Ann Erler, Fairfax’s instructional hiring coordinator.</p>
<p>Some districts were offering contracts then and there, putting Chicago at even more of a disadvantage. California’s Corona-Norco Unified School District, located east of Los Angeles, posted a big sign touting its starting salary of $36,264. Representatives carried with them a scrapbook of Illinoisans they had signed to contracts over the last two years and were now on staff. “We have a pipeline going,” said human service coordinator David DiPaolo, who made two offers at the University of Illinois alone.</p>
<p>“Yeah, we’ve made some deals,” said John Hawkins, a personnel specialist for the State of Hawaii, scouring the landscape for special education and math or science instructors.</p>
<p>Chicago obeys a longer process. Once back at board headquarters, recruiters make follow-up calls. “We’re calling up candidates to say, Remember us?'” says Metcalfe. Once a prospect has submitted a full application, recruiters pass his or her resume to three to five principals, chosen on the basis of the applicant’s teaching specialty and geographic preference, and the school’s faculty desegregation status. If the prospect was judged a fierce crusader at the job fair, the resume is among the first that go out.</p>
<p>When a principal makes a hire, a letter of employment is sent to the board, sometimes by fax and sometimes in the hand of the new hire. The candidate then undergoes an orientation and various credential and background checks. A medical form also is due then.</p>
<p>At the point of hire, the principal checks to see if the choice squares with the consent decree requirements for faculty desegregation, says Metcalfe. If the choice doesn’t, the principal can seek a waiver, which principals say is a cumbersome process.</p>
<p>In August, schools CEO Paul Vallas sent a memo to principals, saying that the waiver process had been suspended for two weeks and that they should simply forward requests to central office for record keeping. Principals took that to mean that, during the suspension, they could hire without regard to race.</p>
<p>Beverly Tunney, president of the Chicago Principals and Administrators Association, applauds the move. “Our goal is to have a good teacher in front of every kid,” she says. “It can become, I would say, very frustrating, if you can’t get a white teacher to go to a black school or a black teacher to go to a white school.”</p>
<p>With a few exceptions, CPS attracts enough candidates to fill its openings with properly certified teachers, says Metcalfe. The exceptions are high school chemistry and physics, Polish bilingual instruction and regular Spanish.</p>
<p>In its hiring, Chicago is governed by the strictures of school reform, which puts teacher selection in the hands of principals. “A principal has to want you, there’s no getting around that,” says John Jursa, principal of Prosser Vocational High School in Belmont-Cragin. “But young people are willing to take their chances [with that].” Louis Anderson tries to put the best face on principal hiring: “I say to a kid, ‘If you were a principal, wouldn’t you want to have a say in who you hire?'”</p>
<p>In filling vacancies, many principals employ a category of teacher called a full-time basis substitute (FTB), which, in effect, prolongs the teachers’ probationary status. FTBs also get paid less than regularly assigned teachers. “If they prove themselves, then I’ll get them assigned permanently,” says Gary Moriello, principal of Gladstone Elementary School on the Near West Side.</p>
<p>Metcalfe estimates that more than half of all new hires are FTBs. “That’s perfectly acceptable, and even advisable,” she says, maintaining that new teachers are content to weather a lengthened probationary period.</p>
<p>Principals also make arrangements outside the view of recruiters. “I get a lot of young white guys coming to my school, but I can’t use them [because of faculty desegregation standards],” says Gary Moriello. “My friend down the street gets young black girls. So we trade.”</p>
<p>Notwithstanding, Metcalfe is pleased that more and more principals are alerting Human Resources to vacancies. While only 84 vacancies got filed with the department three years ago, 1,000 were filed this year, according to Metcalfe. Yet recruiters and applicants also report that principals frequently show an indifference to the hiring process. “A principal will say she has a vacancy, and the candidate will go out and once there, the principal will act like she can’t be bothered,” relates Mia Baker.</p>
<p>Even interested principals can be slow to contact candidates sent their way. “Responsiveness [by principals] was sporadic this year, though it got better as the start of school approached,” says Hilton Clark, who held the hands of many TRI applicants as they hunted for slots. Where suburban and other districts will go trolling for new teachers in May or June, Chicago principals by and large get around to selecting from available candidates in July and August, when they have more time and know who on their staff is retiring. “Suburban districts get a jump-start on us,” says Metcalfe. “They’re giving contracts in May and June.”</p>
<p>‘CPS no help’</p>
<p>Applicants are often perplexed, or worse. Rachel Goldner, a University of Michigan graduate who scoured the Chicago landscape for an elementary education job throughout the summer, emerged with just one interview and one phone call. “Chicago Public Schools have done nothing to help me,” she said, frustrated. “I want to teach underprivileged kids, but they [the board] make it so difficult, not opening doors.”</p>
<p>“I’m not going to beat up on my principals,” remarks Metcalfe. “They have reasons they aren’t attentive to hiring. They have crises. They have a lot going on. There is a lot to be said for managers of a unit hiring their team members.”</p>
<p>“Principals get so many resumes, it’s very, very difficult to answer all the requests,” says Tunney of the principals association. “If you get 150 resumes, how do you distinguish between the good and the bad? This is not a situation where you can say principals are incompetent. It’s a matter of time.”</p>
<p>For her part, Tunney contends that a backlog of paperwork at central office, sometimes stretching to two months, bogs down hiring. “That’s the exception, not the rule,” responds Metcalfe, who nonetheless defends the paperwork: “I have to be careful of who I put in front of kids.”</p>
<p>The hiring process should take no more than a couple of weeks, says Metcalfe.</p>
<p>Safety concerns dampen the enthusiasm of some would-be recruits, as underlined in a Catalyst survey of graduates from three institutions. (See story.) “I’m kind of nervous with some of the areas where I might be teaching,” said Meghan Reece, a University of Michigan graduate and Kalamazoo native, while weighing Chicago as an option. But others hoping to teach in Chicago are not deterred. “Look, I hope I’m a dedicated teacher,” remarked Brenda Meyer, likewise emerging from the University of Michigan. “If you’re dedicated, you expect to choose a difficult neighborhood. I’m planning on it.” (Meyer ended up teaching in a Los Angeles suburb.)</p>
<p>Unlike other districts, Chicago requires its employees to reside within the city—giving them six months to relocate. In Metcalfe’s view, the residency rule has proved a plus. “Young people want to move into Chicago,” she insists. “They want Rush Street. There’s nothing to do on Saturday night if you’re stuck in Hoffman Estates.” Chico agrees: “Why did Sara Lee decide to locate their R and D plant in Chicago? Because people love to live here, and we’re talking teachers, too.”</p>
<p>Yet to many in the field, the residency mandate stands as an impediment to getting the best staff. “A lot of the people who consider the system have grown up in Oak Lawn or Palos Park, lilly-white places like that, and they want to return there to live,” observes Moriello. “Where you live has nothing to do with how good a teacher you are.” Says Mia Baker, “The residency requirement is a big problem. It’s hard to sell the concept, because it tells you where you have to live, and people may have family and commitments and don’t want to relocate.”</p>
<p>However weighty the difficulties, between Feb. 1 and Aug. 31 the board hired 1,001 teachers and was forecasting a total of 1,300 by the end of the hiring cycle, said Metcalfe. (Chicago employs 28,500 teachers in total.)</p>
<p>A mid-September board report indicates that, with a couple weeks to go in the cycle, Chicago has just barely reduced the percentage of new hires coming from Chicago State, Northeastern Illinois and the University of Illinois at Chicago. Last year, graduates of these institutions made up 27 percent of new hires; so far this year, they make up 26 percent. Of the three, Chicago State experienced the largest drop off, from 11 percent of new hires for 1998-99 to 8.6 percent, for the current school year.</p>
<p>“We’ve dropped the numbers from those places, and so we’re spreading the vacancies out to other schools,” says Metcalfe.</p>
<p>“We got people from Ball State and Olivet Nazarene,” boasts Metcalfe. “We got a couple people from Arizona State, and we didn’t even go there. It’s probably a result of all the activities we engage in. We’re broadening the base.”</p>
<p>The board attracted a slightly higher percentage of grads from several flagship state universities, including Iowa, Missouri and Indiana, and from Northwestern University. But its rate of hires from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and University of Wisconsin-Madison held steady or was down some.</p>
<p>Two recruits came from the University of California-Berkeley, another two came from Minnesota’s Carleton College, and graduates of Oberlin College and Vermont’s Middlebury College climbed aboard. However, the board gained no one from Yale University, Howard University or Williams and Macalaster colleges, as in the past. Neither Florida International nor Florida A &amp; M made a showing. The rate of hires from the more coveted schools such as the universities of Wisconsin and Michigan each fell below 3 per cent.</p>
<p>What’s promising to Hilton Clark is that a sizable slice of recruits from more prestigious schools came through TRI procedures, starting with its web site. “We landed as many kids from the University of Michigan as from Chicago State,” says Clark. TRI snagged master’s degree hires from Columbia University in New York as well as graduates of Syracuse University and the University of Virginia.</p>
<p>The recruits, as hoped, are well-educated. Some 23 percent of the hires have earned at least a master’s degree, according to board figures.</p>
<p>From July 1998 to July 1999, 38 percent of the new hires were white, 23 per cent were black and 12 per cent were Hispanic, roughly the same balance as the year before. (Overall the city’s teacher corps is 45 percent white, 42 percent African-American and 11 percent Hispanic, according to board reports.)</p>
<p>Metcalfe speculates that more whites may now be considering teaching as a profession. “More and more they are turned off by corporate America, where [the kids] never see dad,” she says. In contrast, Metcalfe says that while promising young African Americans once considered a teaching job a golden achievement, the doors of the more lucrative business world now swing open to them.</p>
<p>In a first, Human Resources welcomed 350 newly hired teachers at an August reception at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Schools CEO Paul Vallas gave a rousing speech; and guests were set upon by upper-level administrators, bearing words of welcome. In another first, every new hire will be paired with a mentor teacher at their own school. (See Catalyst, September 1999.) New teachers must also take 30 clock hours of instruction covering subjects from learning strategies to how to keep a proper attendance book.</p>
<p>“That’ll make a lot of sense, but only if the process is done well,” cautions Harvard’s Richard Murnane, who says that mentors need to spend time in the newcomers’ classrooms.</p>
<p>The hope is that the extra attention will stem teacher attrition, which, according to the American Federation of Teachers absorbs half of new hires within their first seven years of teaching. Ironically, the situation can be worse for fierce crusaders, who risk being isolated at their schools.</p>
<p>Recruitment ambassador Sheila Polk, a just-departed assistant to the principal at Juarez High School—she’s studying for her doctorate at Harvard—describes the Pilsen school as “a negative, desolate climate. We are up to it in mediocrity. You take fierce crusaders and put them in this environment, and they’ll be ostracized.” (Juarez was hit by scandal in July, when it was alleged that teachers fudged student grades from Fs to Ds.)</p>
<p>This coming year, in a stab at improving the timeliness of hiring, central office is guaranteeing jobs for 100 new teachers. “Presently, if I have vacancies in math and science, I may have to wait until August to fill them,” Metcalfe says. “With this, I can jump on those people immediately.”</p>
<p>Metcalfe would like the board to experiment with other methods to nail down vacancies more quickly fashion, such as projecting future enrollment earlier or getting the budget in place before July 1. In addition, Metcalfe intends to “tweak” the ambassador corps this year and rely on principals and teachers who are demonstrably “tops” in the system. And she wants new hires to return to their alma maters to recruit.</p>
<p>Metcalfe applauds the partnership with TRI. This past year, 150 principals were trained through TRI in interviewing techniques, a process that will now be offered to all school executives. The TRI web site drew 1,000 applicants, of whom 145 landed jobs in the system, reports Hilton Clark.</p>
<p>TRI also set up a system to judge whether Chicago is indeed hiring fierce crusaders. It put 450 applicants through an assessment center that included a paper-and-pencil test on personality traits, responding to a hypothetical classroom situation and a group exercise. The assessment center evaluations will be compared to first-year ratings of teachers by principals to determine if the best people were, in fact, chosen. “Whether what we’re getting now can actually perform—whether they are fierce crusaders—we don’t really know yet,” says Clark.</p>
<p>Metcalfe, likewise, doesn’t know if the schools have snagged any more fierce crusaders than they had before: “This is about improving achievement and making good human beings. It’s a tough business. I’ve been in personnel a long time, and I know a fierce crusader when I meet one. But I don’t know how to measure it. How can you measure a hug or a word to a kid that he can be somebody?”</p>
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louis anderson lay wait prey illini student union 53yearold man faintly tinted glasses mustard suit watched education majors university illinois champaignurbana seniors passed chicago public schools booth annual job fair april anderson would eye students nearly dressed black power suits caught sympathetic look hed quickly check tag students lapel call first name hi melissa im suburbs said melissa hailed northwest suburban mt prospect im interested schools really nonplused anderson barreled ahead pitch melissa friend adrianne native lake zurich chicago 588 schools divided six regions informed women pushed candidate profile sort preapplication hands going help help find job chicago public schools said despite might assume anderson asserted chicago schools see 1000 vacancies year somebody going die somebody going quit resultopportunity melissa adrianne chicago public schools determined wants fill ranks fierce crusaders idealists driven teach poor disadvantaged childrenand andersons job pinpoint attract illini women tried figure whether anderson legitimate charmer smarmy salesmanhes formerhe searched signs professional ardor later would say theres burning desire fierce crusader even theres flicker know fuel use turn fire flame want join us hard facts said anderson sticking salary schedule melissas hand great melissa said lamely anderson tramped detailsinformation school systems web site tip apply schools hiring committee rather principal words state certification got names phone numbers said anderson dont hear ill send state troopers joked bursting ricochet laugh signature anderson professional recruiter imported business world represents new effort school reform board attract sharper instructor corps want bring best people possible chicago says carlos ponce boards new human resources director previously served chicagos general services commissioner concert financial research advisory committee frac think tank associated civic committee commercial club board pumped approach recruiters like anderson brighter literature improved interviewing techniques assistance regular teachers principals web site goal draw new teachersideally fierce crusadersfrom institutions competitive local colleges historically filled chicagos classrooms concept one interesting models country says david haselkorn president recruiting new teachers bostonbased consulting firm alternative traditional recruitment chicago tried think outside box use technology well theyve scoured country find best prototypes certainly bears watching age accountability chicago alone beefing efforts attract best brightest new teachers however also faces unique set challenges city residency requirement employees hiring time line puts city behind districts requirements certain racial mix school faculty perceptions lack safety work melissa adrianne ended teaching suburbs arent aloneboard recruiters lose many attractive prospects land yet early indications chicagos modern hiring techniques come line past 12 months bringing incremental gains alumni wider band colleges board looking finetune approach next year chico passion traditionally boards human resources department sought teachers two job fairs held springone high schools second grammar schoolsand campus visits desk work time though would wait somebody come knocking door review credentials says xiomara cortés metcalfe departments director personnel services staffing local institutions led chicago state northeastern illinois universities university illinois chicago uic furnished greatest bulk teachers early 1990s though board launched joint project frac sought upgrade various board operations including teacher recruitment corporate reengineering called time project short improve management education effort ended 1995 number recommendations staffing increase number recruiters five people enlist principals teachers salesmanship list eligible teachers computer installation school reform board president gery chico took special interest hiring procedures remains passion assault quality teachers today dont focus recruitment teachers going fall behind quickly says chico id also like see broadened pool tapping new supplies better diversity supply business operate way applying privateenterprise model public education specifically chico intent bulking range colleges universities however since chicagos traditional teacher suppliers tend minority graduates elite universities chicago educators wondered whether boards hiring campaign aimed getting white teachers looking background education something different racially ethnically says metcalfe theres conspiracy get whites system continues looking teachers welleducated want diminish chicago state northeastern uicim turning back groupbut would tell want best brightest expand base goal rankles chicagos higher education community board officials think produce students arent smart enough remarks victoria chou education dean uic think good teachers high gradepoint averages test well missing fact students greater common knowledgeand lot retention keeping teachers big problem chicos mindset yet circumstances place uic vulnerable spot chou acknowledges teachers deeply enmeshed system evidences many spoiled patches supplying teachers schools probation wed better case yet least one dean problem new approach minority population districts looking integrate faculties remarks genevieve lopardo education dean chicago state students courted overtheres problem getting jobs event frac attracted 14 million grants chicago annenberg challenge joyce mcdougal family john catherine macarthur foundations help craft better ways recruit teachers frac initiative run coordinator hilton clark entitled teacher recruitment initiative tri projects description notes chicago like many districts lacks special education bilingual math science teachers addition notes citys school faculties perennially compliance courtsanctioned desegregation consent decree stipulates majorityminority mix every school faculty fall within 15 percentage points citywide average 4555 typically west south side schools short white teachers north northwest side schools short minority teachers change agents reprising chicos anthem hilton clark said last year board recruiting local colleges need diversity institutions improve quality teachers frac board proceeded try lure driven idealistic education graduates chicago figuring would best able turn around failing schools carlos ponce calls prototype change agent someone isnt passive life small study education students done pro bono chicagobased loran marketing group august 1998 yielded definition fierce crusader according loran report fierce crusader views teaching calling mission evidences longheld commitment teaching tends passionate believer stated ideology still caution goal drafting fierce crusaders hazards takes several years learn teach matter committed especially working kids deficits remarks richard murnane professor harvard graduate school education people burn quickly sign young people lot idealism may skills yet isnt always good strategy nonetheless board initiated techniques realize vision initially frac targeted two dozen colleges education draw candidates 40 elementary high schools teacher mentoring programs cohort soon expanded include city schools tri portfolio included chicagos traditional suppliers well flagship institutions universities michigan ohio iowa wisconsin university texas thrown relatively high number bilingual graduates florida amp boasts large africanamerican student population human resources targeted varied universe institutions harvard stanford universities ball state lake forest college 24 tri schools got fullcourt press starting postcards sent graduates stir interest assist business consulting firms deloitte amp touche saville amp holdsworth ltd tri launched web site wwwtrichicagocom adorned impressionistic city skyline pencil icons lead readers deeper inside online brochure includes information salaries33810 annually startindividual schools school system initiatives among things also includes interactive application form tri contracted jdc solutions oak brook personnel consulting firm headed john cassin former human resources vice president mapmaker rand mcnally corp refine recruitment procedures observing job fairs february 1998 cassin concluded chicago recruiters showed illprepared onethird materials talked much intimidating visitors instead says candidate talking 80 percent time recruiter listening recruiters also projected feelings onto candidates cassin found frequently riveted one positive aspect like candidates eagle scout ignored signs trouble cassin dubs phenomenon halo effect large job fairs referred cattle calls number prospects clogging aisles jdc solutions came twotiered system whereby frontline recruiter conducts screening interview prospect student passes musterideally qualifying fierce crusaderthe student passed back volunteer chicago principal teacher called ambassador engages fiveminute conversation ambassadors evaluate candidates get fill candidate profile form workshop held ambassadors senn high school january cassin said big job fairs chicago team aim entice total graduating class citys booth booth fairly glow energy want funest booth cassin told ambassadors want cheeks ache end day smiling meantime boards human resources department beefed recruiting corps three seven looked people private sector experience business savvy teaching backgroundone says xiomara metcalfe formerly senior vice president recruiting director edgemark financial corp bank holding company trying get people insights several worlds son former president tennessee state university louis anderson toiled personnel national aeronautics space administration deere amp co farmimplement maker job get minorities consider locating ottumwa iowa remarks sell ice eskimos also staged retirementplanning programs american association retirement persons 10 states coming school board last september opportunity mia baker andersons fellow recruiter job fair circuit march april 30 yet recruited kinkos del ray farms string groceries recruiters include former teacher mba military background exbilingual teacher worked cable company former arthur andersen co accountant onetime school counselor toni hill former recruiting manager motorola runs boards recruiting unit recruiters armed board officials consider bracing message jargon hood whats happnin says metcalfe image implementing change levels specifically metcalfe mentions governance local school councils mayor richard daleys direct control system billions spent capital improvements end social promotion good relations chicago park district touting chicago chicago also produced new brochures application materials lead piece calls chicago public schools national model urban education brochure contains boilerplate letter mayor daley touting pluses metcalfe enumerated plus colorful photos teachers children salary schedule tucked backflap pocket chicago metropolis portrayed hyperbolic terms chicago one sophisticated cosmopolitan downtoearth cities nation season recruiters traveled universities michigan indiana iowa historically black colleges atlanta florida amp florida international universities large black hispanic enrollments metcalfe appeared harvard columbia universities school board also bused group 25 promising university wisconsin education studentsall still lower classmento town march tour five schools hear ponce union league club dinner try allay fears locating chicago last couple years system also turned reform board members top officials recruitment specialists chico appeared university illinois champaignurbana board member gene saffold black colleges atlanta chief education officer cozette buckney harvard university wisconsin vanderbilt university earned doctorate louis anderson mia baker hit road midamerica teacher tour weeklong progression fairs five illinois universities including university illinois armed brochures applications couple giveawaysa pen bookmark chicagos booth sixfootlong table draped turquoise cloth sign pole depicted mixedrace group beaming youngsters anderson baker assisted days hilton clark talked chicago passed materials general recruiters made favorable impressions baker matteroffact manner anderson effervescent teasing theres one whos lively remarked university illinois student sara devries goround recruiter majority students timid scared explains anderson put ease joke though spring vacation back chicago ambassadors showed help show call complained baker northern illinois university line chicago booth sometimes stretched scores bodies deep could used help anderson commented later passback thing cassins jobfair technique sounds good cant use theres one lead recruiter pass back cant proper interview 2 minutes chicago faced stiff competition university illinois fair instance saw 150 school districts participating onethird last year districts country chicago suburbsnorthbrook villa park long grove elginshowed hungry graduates morton high school berwyn mounted booth chicagos booth appeared pallid next displays tables laptops propped open reveal lively advertisements elsewhere montages pictures statistics decorated grabbing triptychs california dreamin inquired table tent san diegos booth booth galena park suburb houston groaned giveaways water bottles key rings markers pens key rings teach beach read digital sign advertising schools oceanside georgetown county sc offered package containing sand shells premium fairfax county va booth official explaining candidates apply online also undergo initial interview recorded phone voice tell people future said ann erler fairfaxs instructional hiring coordinator districts offering contracts putting chicago even disadvantage californias coronanorco unified school district located east los angeles posted big sign touting starting salary 36264 representatives carried scrapbook illinoisans signed contracts last two years staff pipeline going said human service coordinator david dipaolo made two offers university illinois alone yeah weve made deals said john hawkins personnel specialist state hawaii scouring landscape special education math science instructors chicago obeys longer process back board headquarters recruiters make followup calls calling candidates say remember us says metcalfe prospect submitted full application recruiters pass resume three five principals chosen basis applicants teaching specialty geographic preference schools faculty desegregation status prospect judged fierce crusader job fair resume among first go principal makes hire letter employment sent board sometimes fax sometimes hand new hire candidate undergoes orientation various credential background checks medical form also due point hire principal checks see choice squares consent decree requirements faculty desegregation says metcalfe choice doesnt principal seek waiver principals say cumbersome process august schools ceo paul vallas sent memo principals saying waiver process suspended two weeks simply forward requests central office record keeping principals took mean suspension could hire without regard race beverly tunney president chicago principals administrators association applauds move goal good teacher front every kid says become would say frustrating cant get white teacher go black school black teacher go white school exceptions cps attracts enough candidates fill openings properly certified teachers says metcalfe exceptions high school chemistry physics polish bilingual instruction regular spanish hiring chicago governed strictures school reform puts teacher selection hands principals principal want theres getting around says john jursa principal prosser vocational high school belmontcragin young people willing take chances louis anderson tries put best face principal hiring say kid principal wouldnt want say hire filling vacancies many principals employ category teacher called fulltime basis substitute ftb effect prolongs teachers probationary status ftbs also get paid less regularly assigned teachers prove ill get assigned permanently says gary moriello principal gladstone elementary school near west side metcalfe estimates half new hires ftbs thats perfectly acceptable even advisable says maintaining new teachers content weather lengthened probationary period principals also make arrangements outside view recruiters get lot young white guys coming school cant use faculty desegregation standards says gary moriello friend street gets young black girls trade notwithstanding metcalfe pleased principals alerting human resources vacancies 84 vacancies got filed department three years ago 1000 filed year according metcalfe yet recruiters applicants also report principals frequently show indifference hiring process principal say vacancy candidate go principal act like cant bothered relates mia baker even interested principals slow contact candidates sent way responsiveness principals sporadic year though got better start school approached says hilton clark held hands many tri applicants hunted slots suburban districts go trolling new teachers may june chicago principals large get around selecting available candidates july august time know staff retiring suburban districts get jumpstart us says metcalfe theyre giving contracts may june cps help applicants often perplexed worse rachel goldner university michigan graduate scoured chicago landscape elementary education job throughout summer emerged one interview one phone call chicago public schools done nothing help said frustrated want teach underprivileged kids board make difficult opening doors im going beat principals remarks metcalfe reasons arent attentive hiring crises lot going lot said managers unit hiring team members principals get many resumes difficult answer requests says tunney principals association get 150 resumes distinguish good bad situation say principals incompetent matter time part tunney contends backlog paperwork central office sometimes stretching two months bogs hiring thats exception rule responds metcalfe nonetheless defends paperwork careful put front kids hiring process take couple weeks says metcalfe safety concerns dampen enthusiasm wouldbe recruits underlined catalyst survey graduates three institutions see story im kind nervous areas might teaching said meghan reece university michigan graduate kalamazoo native weighing chicago option others hoping teach chicago deterred look hope im dedicated teacher remarked brenda meyer likewise emerging university michigan youre dedicated expect choose difficult neighborhood im planning meyer ended teaching los angeles suburb unlike districts chicago requires employees reside within citygiving six months relocate metcalfes view residency rule proved plus young people want move chicago insists want rush street theres nothing saturday night youre stuck hoffman estates chico agrees sara lee decide locate r plant chicago people love live talking teachers yet many field residency mandate stands impediment getting best staff lot people consider system grown oak lawn palos park lillywhite places like want return live observes moriello live nothing good teacher says mia baker residency requirement big problem hard sell concept tells live people may family commitments dont want relocate however weighty difficulties feb 1 aug 31 board hired 1001 teachers forecasting total 1300 end hiring cycle said metcalfe chicago employs 28500 teachers total midseptember board report indicates couple weeks go cycle chicago barely reduced percentage new hires coming chicago state northeastern illinois university illinois chicago last year graduates institutions made 27 percent new hires far year make 26 percent three chicago state experienced largest drop 11 percent new hires 199899 86 percent current school year weve dropped numbers places spreading vacancies schools says metcalfe got people ball state olivet nazarene boasts metcalfe got couple people arizona state didnt even go probably result activities engage broadening base board attracted slightly higher percentage grads several flagship state universities including iowa missouri indiana northwestern university rate hires university illinois champaignurbana university michigan ann arbor university wisconsinmadison held steady two recruits came university californiaberkeley another two came minnesotas carleton college graduates oberlin college vermonts middlebury college climbed aboard however board gained one yale university howard university williams macalaster colleges past neither florida international florida amp made showing rate hires coveted schools universities wisconsin michigan fell 3 per cent whats promising hilton clark sizable slice recruits prestigious schools came tri procedures starting web site landed many kids university michigan chicago state says clark tri snagged masters degree hires columbia university new york well graduates syracuse university university virginia recruits hoped welleducated 23 percent hires earned least masters degree according board figures july 1998 july 1999 38 percent new hires white 23 per cent black 12 per cent hispanic roughly balance year overall citys teacher corps 45 percent white 42 percent africanamerican 11 percent hispanic according board reports metcalfe speculates whites may considering teaching profession turned corporate america kids never see dad says contrast metcalfe says promising young african americans considered teaching job golden achievement doors lucrative business world swing open first human resources welcomed 350 newly hired teachers august reception university illinois chicago schools ceo paul vallas gave rousing speech guests set upon upperlevel administrators bearing words welcome another first every new hire paired mentor teacher school see catalyst september 1999 new teachers must also take 30 clock hours instruction covering subjects learning strategies keep proper attendance book thatll make lot sense process done well cautions harvards richard murnane says mentors need spend time newcomers classrooms hope extra attention stem teacher attrition according american federation teachers absorbs half new hires within first seven years teaching ironically situation worse fierce crusaders risk isolated schools recruitment ambassador sheila polk justdeparted assistant principal juarez high schoolshes studying doctorate harvarddescribes pilsen school negative desolate climate mediocrity take fierce crusaders put environment theyll ostracized juarez hit scandal july alleged teachers fudged student grades fs ds coming year stab improving timeliness hiring central office guaranteeing jobs 100 new teachers presently vacancies math science may wait august fill metcalfe says jump people immediately metcalfe would like board experiment methods nail vacancies quickly fashion projecting future enrollment earlier getting budget place july 1 addition metcalfe intends tweak ambassador corps year rely principals teachers demonstrably tops system wants new hires return alma maters recruit metcalfe applauds partnership tri past year 150 principals trained tri interviewing techniques process offered school executives tri web site drew 1000 applicants 145 landed jobs system reports hilton clark tri also set system judge whether chicago indeed hiring fierce crusaders put 450 applicants assessment center included paperandpencil test personality traits responding hypothetical classroom situation group exercise assessment center evaluations compared firstyear ratings teachers principals determine best people fact chosen whether getting actually performwhether fierce crusaderswe dont really know yet says clark metcalfe likewise doesnt know schools snagged fierce crusaders improving achievement making good human beings tough business ive personnel long time know fierce crusader meet one dont know measure measure hug word kid somebody
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<p>By Bob Allen</p>
<p>A Southern Baptist seminary president has added his blessing to a campaign advocating for atheists.</p>
<p>Danny Akin, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C., affirmed Openly Secular, a campaign fighting discrimination against people based upon their non-belief, in a two-minute <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WJ-T2ZWGzk&amp;feature=youtu.be" type="external">video</a> message posted online.</p>
<p>“You are probably wondering immediately: why would I be doing a video at the site of Openly Secular?” Akin said in the video. “The reason is that though we do disagree about some very important issues, we also agree about some important things as well.”</p>
<p>“For example, we do believe, together, that no one should be coerced when it comes to their particular religious beliefs,” Akin continued. “Whether they are religious or not religious, they should have the freedom to express what they believe and they should be able to do so without hatred, without discrimination. They should not be put down because they happen to disagree with another person in terms of what they believe.</p>
<p>“We also believe that all people are valuable and have dignity and worth, and therefore all people should be respected and should be allowed to express their beliefs openly according to the dictates of their conscience.</p>
<p>“Of course we also believe we can come together to try to help in areas like poverty, in the area of making sure our planet and environment is well cared for, and there are a number of other things that we can come together and work together with mutual love, mutual respect and understanding for one another.”</p>
<p>Chaired by <a href="http://www.stiefelfreethoughtfoundation.org/about.html" type="external">Todd Stiefel</a>, a philanthropist and activist who lives in Raleigh, N.C., Openly Secular is a campaign launched by a coalition of more than 20 secular groups seeking to sway public opinion toward becoming more accepting of the nonreligious in the same way Americans are becoming more accepting of gays. Contrasting from the confrontational strategy of infamous atheist Madalyn Murray O’Hair in the 1960s, Stiefel’s group hopes to change minds by urging atheists, freethinkers, agnostics, humanists and nonreligious people to be open about their beliefs.</p>
<p>“Discrimination is rampant against those who are secular,” according to the Openly Secular <a href="http://www.openlysecular.org/" type="external">website</a>. “Teens are made homeless after being thrown out of their homes; young activists receive death threats; people lose relationships with friends, family, and coworkers for not believing the same.”</p>
<p>A 2014 Pew research <a href="http://www.people-press.org/2014/05/19/for-2016-hopefuls-washington-experience-could-do-more-harm-than-good/" type="external">study</a> found that Americans would more likely vote for a presidential candidate who has used marijuana, committed adultery or never held office than for one who is an atheist.</p>
<p>“We envision a world where there are no social costs for being secular, where families and communities remain whole when some members have moved away from religion or supernaturalism,” Openly Secular says.</p>
<p>Stiefel, president of the <a href="http://www.stiefelfreethoughtfoundation.org/" type="external">Stiefel Freethought Foundation</a>, has donated more than $4.7 million dollars to nonprofit organizations in the secular movement. Founded after he stepped down as chief strategy officer of Stiefel Laboratories when the family business was sold for $2.9 billion, his foundation supports organizations including American Atheists, the ACLU, Freedom from Religion Foundation and Americans United for Separation of Church and State.</p>
<p>“What I am trying to accomplish is multifold,” Stiefel <a href="http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/03/23/the-money-man-behind-atheisms-activism/" type="external">told</a> CNN in 2013. “I consider myself working on the next civil equality movement, just like women’s rights, LGBT rights and African-American civil rights. We are still in the early stages of eliminating discrimination against atheists and humanists. That is something I really want to accomplish.”</p>
<p>Stiefel, a former Catholic who began doubting Christianity while in college, recently <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/atheists-in-godlessness-we-trust/" type="external">described</a> the secularist experience to CBS News.</p>
<p>“Like a light switch, it’s, ‘You’re immoral, you’re gonna raise evil children, you’re a bad parent,'” he said. “They’re questioning your whole existence. I’d rather somebody assume I’m stupid than assume I’m wicked. It’s painful. It’s discrimination. It’s prejudice.”</p>
<p>Stiefel called Akin’s support of the mission “a significant statement.”</p>
<p>“I find it highly encouraging when Baptists and atheists speak out in support of one another,” Stiefel <a href="http://www.openlysecular.org/latest" type="external">said</a> in a press release. “Secular people and evangelicals alike should treat each other with love and kindness. We certainly disagree on some issues, but we have more in common than many realize —&#160;including respect for and acceptance of our fellow human beings, no matter their belief system. We look forward to welcoming more theist allies like Dr. Akin to join us in our mission to eliminate this insidious form of discrimination and bigotry.”</p>
<p>Stiefel <a href="http://www.charlotteobserver.com/living/religion/article22523676.html" type="external">told</a> the Charlotte Observer he met Akin a few years ago through a mutual friend. He said he thought Akin would be amenable to the video request, because, “We have our areas of disagreement, to be sure, but he’s a good guy.”</p>
<p>“My friend Todd invited me to participate in this project, and I told him I would be glad to, because there are a number of things where we can come together and be not only friends but be good friends with one another,” Akin says in the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WJ-T2ZWGzk&amp;feature=youtu.be" type="external">video</a>.</p>
<p>Others endorsing Openly Secular include former Saturday Night Live cast member <a href="http://juliasweeney.com/" type="external">Julia Sweeney</a>, former U.S. Rep. <a href="http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/03/barney-frank-life-as-gay-congressman-116027.html#.VWiH9ZVFDIU" type="external">Barney Frank</a>, illusionists <a href="http://pennandteller.net/" type="external">Penn &amp; Teller</a> and <a href="http://www.billmaher.com/" type="external">Bill Maher</a>, a comedian and host of the HBO talk show <a href="http://www.hbo.com/real-time-with-bill-maher#/" type="external">Real Time with Bill Maher</a>.</p>
<p>Openly Secular partners include the <a href="https://www.secular.org/" type="external">Secular Coalition for America</a>, <a href="https://secularstudents.org/" type="external">Secular Student Alliance</a> and the <a href="https://richarddawkins.net/" type="external">Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason &amp; Science</a>. The group sponsored its first <a href="http://www.openlysecularday.org/" type="external">Openly Secular Day</a> on April 23, encouraging secular people to open up about their worldview with at least one person as a way to “help people realize they already know good and compassionate atheist, agnostic, humanist and nonreligious people.”</p>
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bob allen southern baptist seminary president added blessing campaign advocating atheists danny akin president southeastern baptist theological seminary wake forest nc affirmed openly secular campaign fighting discrimination people based upon nonbelief twominute video message posted online probably wondering immediately would video site openly secular akin said video reason though disagree important issues also agree important things well example believe together one coerced comes particular religious beliefs akin continued whether religious religious freedom express believe able without hatred without discrimination put happen disagree another person terms believe also believe people valuable dignity worth therefore people respected allowed express beliefs openly according dictates conscience course also believe come together try help areas like poverty area making sure planet environment well cared number things come together work together mutual love mutual respect understanding one another chaired todd stiefel philanthropist activist lives raleigh nc openly secular campaign launched coalition 20 secular groups seeking sway public opinion toward becoming accepting nonreligious way americans becoming accepting gays contrasting confrontational strategy infamous atheist madalyn murray ohair 1960s stiefels group hopes change minds urging atheists freethinkers agnostics humanists nonreligious people open beliefs discrimination rampant secular according openly secular website teens made homeless thrown homes young activists receive death threats people lose relationships friends family coworkers believing 2014 pew research study found americans would likely vote presidential candidate used marijuana committed adultery never held office one atheist envision world social costs secular families communities remain whole members moved away religion supernaturalism openly secular says stiefel president stiefel freethought foundation donated 47 million dollars nonprofit organizations secular movement founded stepped chief strategy officer stiefel laboratories family business sold 29 billion foundation supports organizations including american atheists aclu freedom religion foundation americans united separation church state trying accomplish multifold stiefel told cnn 2013 consider working next civil equality movement like womens rights lgbt rights africanamerican civil rights still early stages eliminating discrimination atheists humanists something really want accomplish stiefel former catholic began doubting christianity college recently described secularist experience cbs news like light switch youre immoral youre gon na raise evil children youre bad parent said theyre questioning whole existence id rather somebody assume im stupid assume im wicked painful discrimination prejudice stiefel called akins support mission significant statement find highly encouraging baptists atheists speak support one another stiefel said press release secular people evangelicals alike treat love kindness certainly disagree issues common many realize 160including respect acceptance fellow human beings matter belief system look forward welcoming theist allies like dr akin join us mission eliminate insidious form discrimination bigotry stiefel told charlotte observer met akin years ago mutual friend said thought akin would amenable video request areas disagreement sure hes good guy friend todd invited participate project told would glad number things come together friends good friends one another akin says video others endorsing openly secular include former saturday night live cast member julia sweeney former us rep barney frank illusionists penn amp teller bill maher comedian host hbo talk show real time bill maher openly secular partners include secular coalition america secular student alliance richard dawkins foundation reason amp science group sponsored first openly secular day april 23 encouraging secular people open worldview least one person way help people realize already know good compassionate atheist agnostic humanist nonreligious people
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<p>Feb. 24, 2013</p>
<p>By Chris Reed</p>
<p>As someone who’s lived in Southern California since 1990, it’s been pretty obvious to me that Los Angeles and Los Angeles County have been in a broad decline that began when the end of the Cold War subtracted tens of thousands of well-paying defense-related jobs from the region’s economy.</p>
<p>The decline has been exacerbated by muscle-flexing by public employee unions in the city and county, which secured pay raises and huge retirement benefits, by the growing costs of dealing with the impact of illegal immigration, and by elected officials’ general indifference to helping the local economy beyond Hollywood, the port and the garment industry.</p>
<p>But over the past two decades,&#160;if one read the Los Angeles Times, the largest newspaper by far in the western U.S., one rarely got a sense of that broad overall decline. Instead, the city’s and county’s problems were depicted as part of larger economic cycles, or looked at in niche fashion that didn’t include the grimmer overall picture.</p>
<p>Finally, on Sunday, the LAT provided that <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-mayor-challenges-20130224,0,1290145,full.story" type="external">grimmer overall picture</a> in a piece about the city’s budget woes — and about their causes:</p>
<p>“Brad Smith used to consider himself a Los Angeles booster. But lately, the 48-year-old grows melancholy when he drives around the San Fernando Valley where he grew up.</p>
<p>“The parks look worn-out. The sidewalks are broken. Street trees go untended. And don’t even get him started on the sorry state of the Granada Hills pool.</p>
<p>“‘Every place I used to go as a kid, it’s tired, it’s old, it’s beaten up,’ said Smith, a project manager at an engineering firm who made a losing run for City Council two years ago out of frustration. ‘Other cities manage to maintain older facilities. I’m not really certain why Los Angeles can’t do a better job.’</p>
<p>“As Los Angeles voters head to the polls to pick a successor to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Smith’s question, or some version of it, is being asked over and over again in neighborhoods across the city.</p>
<p>“Here’s the short answer: To stay afloat financially, the city cut hundreds of millions of dollars out of everyday services and ongoing maintenance.</p>
<p>“But the deeper causes are more complex, and include costly, ill-timed spending commitments at City Hall and a failure to adjust to the region’s weakening economic foundation.”</p>
<p>The Times has covered the city’s fiscal woes over the years. But the newspaper has rarely put the focus on the city’s economic straits — no surprise given that the LAT’s business section columnist is Michael Hiltzik, a <a href="http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-hiltzik-20121211,0,770123.column" type="external">liberal crusader</a> who is <a href="http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-hiltzik-20130106,0,835662.column" type="external">hostile to the private sector</a>, a reflexive fan of higher taxes and someone who likes to write about causes, not the local economy. On Sunday, the truth was finally printed.</p>
<p>“Since 1990, the nation’s total employment has grown 23%, while the number of local jobs has shrunk 7%, according to the UCLA Anderson Forecast, which tracks economic trends.</p>
<p>“The situation appears to have worsened recently, UCLA economist William Yu said. The great recession hit Los Angeles especially hard and since then, its recovery has been weaker. ‘The economy is not healthy at all,’ Yu added.</p>
<p>“Over the past two decades, Los Angeles lost almost every sector that mattered to the middle class: automobiles, steel, shipbuilding and, of course, aerospace. In all, 56% of manufacturing jobs, or nearly half a million positions, have disappeared.</p>
<p>“The change is reflected in income statistics for that period. Nationally, personal income has increased by 2.4% per year, adjusted for inflation. Locally, it grew at half that rate.”</p>
<p>The Times notes that Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa argues the economy is fundamentally strong, but what else is a guy who thinks he’s presidential timbre going to say?</p>
<p>Then the paper goes on to discredit Villaraigosa’s claim:</p>
<p>“But with lower income growth, Angelenos are generating comparatively less tax revenue for the city, said Madeline Janis, national policy director for the Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy, an advocacy group that focuses on the city’s economy and environment.</p>
<p>“There were plenty of signals that leaner times were coming. In 1992, an aerospace task force warned that the region would experience an unprecedented economic blow … .</p>
<p>“Janis said city leaders did too little to address that long-term transformation. ‘We’ve had … an enormous loss of good-paying jobs. Without a substantive program to take us on another path, we’re going to continue on a spiral downward.'”</p>
<p>Los Angeles’ decline is an indictment of contemporary urban liberalism, and of the statist politics of the faculty lounge. The Times has now finally admitted that the decline exists. When will it start assigning blame?</p>
<p>The answer is probably never. That’s because between the paper’s superficial local coverage, its blindered editorial pages and ideological columnists like Hiltzik, <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-morrison-al-gore-20130206,0,1192410.column" type="external">Patt Morrison</a> and <a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jul/27/opinion/la-oe-0727-rutten-20110727" type="external">Tim Rutten</a>, the Times is as responsible as any single force for L.A.’s decline.</p>
<p>Some may indulge in schadenfraude at this failure of liberalism, but for me it is too painful. I love Los Angeles and have had many wonderful experiences there over the years. It’s sad to watch this great city slowly fall apart. But it is what one would expect — at least if you didn’t only get your news from the L.A. Times.</p>
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feb 24 2013 chris reed someone whos lived southern california since 1990 pretty obvious los angeles los angeles county broad decline began end cold war subtracted tens thousands wellpaying defenserelated jobs regions economy decline exacerbated muscleflexing public employee unions city county secured pay raises huge retirement benefits growing costs dealing impact illegal immigration elected officials general indifference helping local economy beyond hollywood port garment industry past two decades160if one read los angeles times largest newspaper far western us one rarely got sense broad overall decline instead citys countys problems depicted part larger economic cycles looked niche fashion didnt include grimmer overall picture finally sunday lat provided grimmer overall picture piece citys budget woes causes brad smith used consider los angeles booster lately 48yearold grows melancholy drives around san fernando valley grew parks look wornout sidewalks broken street trees go untended dont even get started sorry state granada hills pool every place used go kid tired old beaten said smith project manager engineering firm made losing run city council two years ago frustration cities manage maintain older facilities im really certain los angeles cant better job los angeles voters head polls pick successor mayor antonio villaraigosa smiths question version asked neighborhoods across city heres short answer stay afloat financially city cut hundreds millions dollars everyday services ongoing maintenance deeper causes complex include costly illtimed spending commitments city hall failure adjust regions weakening economic foundation times covered citys fiscal woes years newspaper rarely put focus citys economic straits surprise given lats business section columnist michael hiltzik liberal crusader hostile private sector reflexive fan higher taxes someone likes write causes local economy sunday truth finally printed since 1990 nations total employment grown 23 number local jobs shrunk 7 according ucla anderson forecast tracks economic trends situation appears worsened recently ucla economist william yu said great recession hit los angeles especially hard since recovery weaker economy healthy yu added past two decades los angeles lost almost every sector mattered middle class automobiles steel shipbuilding course aerospace 56 manufacturing jobs nearly half million positions disappeared change reflected income statistics period nationally personal income increased 24 per year adjusted inflation locally grew half rate times notes mayor antonio villaraigosa argues economy fundamentally strong else guy thinks hes presidential timbre going say paper goes discredit villaraigosas claim lower income growth angelenos generating comparatively less tax revenue city said madeline janis national policy director los angeles alliance new economy advocacy group focuses citys economy environment plenty signals leaner times coming 1992 aerospace task force warned region would experience unprecedented economic blow janis said city leaders little address longterm transformation weve enormous loss goodpaying jobs without substantive program take us another path going continue spiral downward los angeles decline indictment contemporary urban liberalism statist politics faculty lounge times finally admitted decline exists start assigning blame answer probably never thats papers superficial local coverage blindered editorial pages ideological columnists like hiltzik patt morrison tim rutten times responsible single force las decline may indulge schadenfraude failure liberalism painful love los angeles many wonderful experiences years sad watch great city slowly fall apart one would expect least didnt get news la times
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<p>By Bob Allen</p>
<p>Former presidential candidate turned talk-show host Mike Huckabee stood by controversial comments blaming the deadly Dec. 14 shootings in Connecticut on the lack of religion in public schools.</p>
<p>The day 27 people, including 20 children, died in a mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., Fox News host <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/your-world-cavuto/index.html" type="external">Neil Cavuto</a> asked the former Arkansas governor, an ordained Southern Baptist minister and former pastor, to respond to the inevitable question, “How could God let this happen?”</p>
<p>“Well, you know, it’s an interesting thing,” Huckabee <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/under-god/post/mike-huckabee-sandy-hook-shooting-not-surprising-after-god-removed-from-our-schools/2012/12/15/088527e6-46e4-11e2-9648-a2c323a991d6_blog.html" type="external">said</a>. “We ask why there’s violence in our schools, but we’ve systematically removed God from our schools. Should we be so surprised that schools would become a place of carnage?”</p>
<p>“We’ve made it a place where we don’t want to talk about eternity, life, what responsibility means, accountability; that we’re not just going to have to be accountable to the police if they catch us, but one day we stand before a Holy God in judgment,” said Huckabee, a past president of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. “If we don’t believe that, then we don’t fear that.”</p>
<p>Criticized for attributing the mass murder/suicide to the removal of prayer and Bible reading from public schools, Huckabee opened his own Fox News program Dec. 15 with a rejoinder to “the predictable left.”</p>
<p>“It’s far more than just taking prayer or Bible reading out of the schools,” Huckabee said. “It’s the fact that people sue a city so that we aren’t confronted with a manger scene or a Christmas carol, that lawsuits are filed to remove a cross that is a memorial to fallen soldiers, churches and Christian-owned businesses are told to surrender their values under the edict of government orders to provide tax-funded abortion pills.”</p>
<p>“We carefully and intentionally stop saying things are sinful, and we call them disorders,” he continued. “Sometimes we even say they’re normal. And to get to where that we have to abandon bedrock moral truths, then we are asked, well, where was God?</p>
<p>“And I respond, that as I see it, we have escorted him right out of our culture, and we’ve marched him off the public square, and then we express our surprise that a culture without him actually reflects what it’s become.”</p>
<p>Huckabee further addressed the controversy in a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/mikehuckabee/posts/10151182144272869" type="external">monologue</a> that he posted on his website and Facebook.</p>
<p>“I would never say that simply taking prayer and Bible reading from our institutions or silencing Christmas carols is the direct cause of a mass murder,” Huckabee <a href="http://www.mikehuckabee.com/mike-huckabee-news?ID=70415326-e438-41e4-9972-467097d2029f" type="external">said</a>. “That would be ludicrous and simplistic.”</p>
<p>“But the cause and effect we see in the dramatic changes of what our children are capable of is a part of a cultural shift from a God-centered culture to a self-centered culture,” he continued. “We have glorified uninhibited self-expression and individualism and are shocked that we have a generation of loners.</p>
<p>“We have insisted on a society where everyone gets a trophy and no one loses and act surprised that so many kids lack self-esteem and feel like losers.</p>
<p>“We dismiss the notion of natural law and the notion that there are moral absolutes and seem amazed when some kids make it their own morality to kill innocent children.</p>
<p>“We diminish and even hold in contempt the natural family of a father and mother creating and then responsibly raising the next generation and then express dismay that kids feel no real connection to their families or even the concept of a family.</p>
<p>“We scoff at the need for mothers and fathers to make it their priority to train their children to be strong in spirit and soul and responsible for right and wrong and exalt instead the virtue of having things and providing expensive toys, games, and electronics that substitute for parenting and then don’t understand why our kids would rather have ear buds dangling from their ears, fingers attaching to a smart phone and face attached to a computer screen than to have an extended conversation with their family at dinner.</p>
<p>“And we don’t teach them there is a Creator God who sets immutable rules, a God who is knowable, and to whom we are ultimately responsible. Instead we teach that God was not involved in our origins, that our very lives are biological happenstances and in fact are disposable should they be inconvenient to us, and that any outrageous behaviors are not sin, but disorders for which we should be excused and accommodated.”</p>
<p>Huckabee was governor of Arkansas on March 24, 1998, when 11-year-old and 13-year-old cousins Andrew Golden and Mitchell Johnson killed four of their classmates and a teacher in a sniper-shooting attack outside of Westside Middle School in Jonesboro, Ark.</p>
<p>At the time Huckabee expressed “collective sympathy to every one of the victims, their families, their friends, but perhaps most significantly to all of those children who will for the rest of their lives have the indelible images imbedded into their psyches” as a result of the tragedy.</p>
<p>“The activities of a few young people are not the activities of all young people,” Huckabee said of the Jonesboro attackers.</p>
<p>Running for president in 2008, Huckabee <a href="http://ethicsdaily.com/huckabee-elevates-ten-commandments-above-secular-laws-cms-12251" type="external">said</a> in a sermon at Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Va., that Arkansas changed a law that required the duo be released from custody when they turned 18, because in 161 years of history it never occurred to the legislature “that we would have 11-year-olds committing mass murder on a school campus.”</p>
<p>At least one of the Jonesboro shooters had reportedly been active in church at some point prior to “getting an attitude” while in middle school. During their incarceration at the Alexander Youth Services Center, Chaplain Greg Kirksey, at the time president of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, <a href="http://www.sbclife.net/Articles/1999/02/sla12.asp" type="external">met</a> with the two boys and described himself as their “pastor.” Kirksey recalled to Baptist Press the initial meeting, when Johnson called him “an answer to prayer.”</p>
<p>“Who is going to reach out to a love-starved guy like Mitchell if not the Christian community?” Kirksey reflected on the experience. “Where does he turn? Where does he go if he repents? Is there any hope or is he damned forever? Has he committed the unpardonable sin? Do we throw him in the dumpster for life, for eternity?”</p>
<p>Both of the Jonesboro shooters had further run-ins with the law after their release.</p>
<p>A year after his release from federal prison at age 21, Golden <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,465504,00.html" type="external">applied</a> for a concealed-carry permit under an alias that was denied after state police matched fingerprints to reveal his identity.</p>
<p>Johnson <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26556664/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/t/school-shooter-jailed-over-new-weapons-charge/" type="external">returned</a> to prison at age 24 after being convicted on a federal charge of possessing a firearm while being a user of, or addicted to, a controlled substance related to a traffic stop in 2007.</p>
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bob allen former presidential candidate turned talkshow host mike huckabee stood controversial comments blaming deadly dec 14 shootings connecticut lack religion public schools day 27 people including 20 children died mass shooting sandy hook elementary school newtown conn fox news host neil cavuto asked former arkansas governor ordained southern baptist minister former pastor respond inevitable question could god let happen well know interesting thing huckabee said ask theres violence schools weve systematically removed god schools surprised schools would become place carnage weve made place dont want talk eternity life responsibility means accountability going accountable police catch us one day stand holy god judgment said huckabee past president arkansas baptist state convention dont believe dont fear criticized attributing mass murdersuicide removal prayer bible reading public schools huckabee opened fox news program dec 15 rejoinder predictable left far taking prayer bible reading schools huckabee said fact people sue city arent confronted manger scene christmas carol lawsuits filed remove cross memorial fallen soldiers churches christianowned businesses told surrender values edict government orders provide taxfunded abortion pills carefully intentionally stop saying things sinful call disorders continued sometimes even say theyre normal get abandon bedrock moral truths asked well god respond see escorted right culture weve marched public square express surprise culture without actually reflects become huckabee addressed controversy monologue posted website facebook would never say simply taking prayer bible reading institutions silencing christmas carols direct cause mass murder huckabee said would ludicrous simplistic cause effect see dramatic changes children capable part cultural shift godcentered culture selfcentered culture continued glorified uninhibited selfexpression individualism shocked generation loners insisted society everyone gets trophy one loses act surprised many kids lack selfesteem feel like losers dismiss notion natural law notion moral absolutes seem amazed kids make morality kill innocent children diminish even hold contempt natural family father mother creating responsibly raising next generation express dismay kids feel real connection families even concept family scoff need mothers fathers make priority train children strong spirit soul responsible right wrong exalt instead virtue things providing expensive toys games electronics substitute parenting dont understand kids would rather ear buds dangling ears fingers attaching smart phone face attached computer screen extended conversation family dinner dont teach creator god sets immutable rules god knowable ultimately responsible instead teach god involved origins lives biological happenstances fact disposable inconvenient us outrageous behaviors sin disorders excused accommodated huckabee governor arkansas march 24 1998 11yearold 13yearold cousins andrew golden mitchell johnson killed four classmates teacher snipershooting attack outside westside middle school jonesboro ark time huckabee expressed collective sympathy every one victims families friends perhaps significantly children rest lives indelible images imbedded psyches result tragedy activities young people activities young people huckabee said jonesboro attackers running president 2008 huckabee said sermon thomas road baptist church lynchburg va arkansas changed law required duo released custody turned 18 161 years history never occurred legislature would 11yearolds committing mass murder school campus least one jonesboro shooters reportedly active church point prior getting attitude middle school incarceration alexander youth services center chaplain greg kirksey time president arkansas baptist state convention met two boys described pastor kirksey recalled baptist press initial meeting johnson called answer prayer going reach lovestarved guy like mitchell christian community kirksey reflected experience turn go repents hope damned forever committed unpardonable sin throw dumpster life eternity jonesboro shooters runins law release year release federal prison age 21 golden applied concealedcarry permit alias denied state police matched fingerprints reveal identity johnson returned prison age 24 convicted federal charge possessing firearm user addicted controlled substance related traffic stop 2007
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<p>Editor’s note: On Sept. 23, 2010, at 9:13 p.m., Teresa Lewis was pronounced dead — put to death by lethal injection in the Greenville Correctional Center in Virginia. Her attorney, a believer and Christ-follower, provided this first-person account of her final hours and of a faith that sustained her through the valley of the shadow of death. For seven years, Teresa Lewis lived in solitary confinement on death row awaiting execution for her part in the shooting deaths of her husband and his adult son as they slept. The crime was truly horrific. But Teresa’s life is a testimony to Christ’s power to transform any life yielded to him.</p>
<p>For Teresa, in her final days, nothing was more important than being a strong witness for her God. For that reason, I want to share with those who supported her the nature of her witness during her final hours.&#160;</p>
<p>Chaplain Julie Perry and I were privileged to be with Teresa on Sept. 23, from about 6:30 p.m. until 8:45 p.m., when the prison guards came to take her to the death chamber. It was an extraordinary time.</p>
<p>On Sept. 22, Teresa enjoyed visits with members of our defense team who had worked so hard for her—Lynn Litchfield, her chaplain at Fluvanna for six years who had fought heroically to save her life; Chaplain Perry, who had served so well as her chaplain after Lynn left Fluvanna; and with me (alone for three hours on that day).</p>
<p />
<p>On Sept. 23, Teresa visited twice with her son, Billy, and she spoke at length on the phone with her daughter, Christie. I arrived around 3:30 p.m. that day and was joined by other legal team members for their final visit, until we needed to leave at 5:30 p.m. for a short break.</p>
<p>Throughout those times, Teresa was completely at ease, joking, laughing, singing, reading aloud letters of support, recounting again and again her visits with Billy and her call with Christie, and then consoling and encouraging those of us who had come to try to console and encourage her. She did not need it; we did.</p>
<p>At around 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 23, Chaplain Perry and I were taken back to be with Teresa for the final time. She had been moved to the cell adjacent to the door that leads into the hallway to the death chamber. Gone was the prison jump suit; she was now dressed in a blue denim shirt and jeans, with flip-flops. The guard’s desk inside the unit had been moved so that there was a small area, perhaps 8 by 10 feet, just outside Teresa’s cell. Two plastic chairs were there for us to sit facing Teresa through the bars. Two prison guards sat at the desk, just behind and to the side of us.</p>
<p>Teresa was seated on her own plastic chair when we arrived, enjoying what would be her last meal — two fried chicken breasts and buttered peas. She was smiling and happy, fretting only that she might soil her shirt or Chaplain Perry’s Bible with the chicken or peas. Later she ate dessert — chocolate cake and a small amount of apple pie. Mostly she focused on the chocolate icing, scraping it off and then eating it as if she were 10 years old with her favorite birthday cake.</p>
<p>We (mostly she) talked about many things—her family visits, the support that she had received, her many friends, the pictures and letters that her friends had sent. We laughed. From time to time we were downright silly. She spent about 30 minutes writing her last words to her children and her grandson, and then reading and showing us her words for emphasis and approval.&#160;</p>
<p>As the time moved inexorably toward the hour of execution, Chaplain Perry and I became anxious that Teresa would not have enough time to pray, to enter into that state of acceptance that we hoped she would have. It became apparent, however, that Teresa was in charge and that while she appreciated our periodic reminders of the time and the need to focus, she would be the one to decide when that time would come. It also became clear that Teresa already had moved from this life to the next, that our concern that she might not have reached that final stage of acceptance was needless. For Teresa, her swiftly-approaching death had become simply another moment for her to spend on the journey.&#160; She was truly at peace.&#160;</p>
<p>Teresa had said many times that she wanted to read to me a favorite passage of hers from Philippians. At around 8:15, Chaplain Perry reminded her of that, and she raised her Bible and handed it to Teresa through the slot in the door, already opened to Paul’s letter. Teresa began reading aloud:</p>
<p>“I want you to know, brothers, that my situation has turned out rather to advance the gospel, so that my imprisonment has become well known in Christ throughout the whole praetorium and to all the rest, and so that the majority of the brothers, having taken encouragement in the Lord from my imprisonment, dare more than ever to proclaim the word fearlessly.</p>
<p>“Of course, some preach Christ from envy and rivalry, others from good will. The latter act out of love, aware that I am here for the defense of the gospel; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not from pure motives, thinking that they will cause me trouble in my imprisonment.</p>
<p />
<p>“What difference does it make, as long as in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is being proclaimed? And in that I rejoice. Indeed I shall continue to rejoice, for I know that this will result in deliverance for me through your prayers and support from the Spirit of Jesus Christ.</p>
<p>“For to me life is Christ, and death is gain. If I go on living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. And I do not know which I shall choose. I am caught between the two. I long to depart this life and be with Christ, for that is far better. Yet that I remain in the flesh is more necessary for your benefit. And this I know with confidence, that I shall remain and continue in the service of all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that your boasting in Christ Jesus may abound on account of me when I come to you again.”</p>
<p>Every verse or two she would look up and pause to make her point about how deeply she felt Paul’s letter applied to her “situation.” Paul speaks eloquently about the choice he had: To leave this world for eternal happiness with God or to continue here on earth with his ministry to others. He also speaks of his acceptance of God’s will that he continue his ministry, even though it is clear that was not Paul’s choice. Teresa dwelled on this verse; she lifted her head to make sure that we understood how deeply she had accepted God’s will for her. We then spoke of her own prison ministry, of how God was now asking her to carry out that ministry in a different way, by returning to him and allowing her spirit of goodness, caring and love to remain with all of those whom she had touched over the years.&#160;</p>
<p>Chaplain Perry and Teresa then struggled to find another of her favorite passages from Psalms. Precious minutes passed while Teresa searched, determined to find it, and find it she did in Psalm 66. This, too, she read aloud, with her simple and accepting wisdom.&#160;</p>
<p>“Shout joyfully to God, all you on earth; sing of his glorious name; give him glorious praise. Say to God:&#160; ‘How awesome your deeds! Before your great strength your enemies cringe. All on earth fall in worship before you; they sing of you, sing of your name!’ ”</p>
<p>And then she asked that we pray. The three of us joined hands through the meal tray slot, awkwardly at first, and then Teresa showed us what to do. Her left hand was cradled in both of mine; her right hand resting the same in Chaplain Perry’s. We all lowered our heads and closed our eyes, and Teresa began to pray.</p>
<p>For 10 minutes, Teresa spoke to God with simple, direct eloquence. Her prayer was utterly selfless, directed only toward others. She prayed first for Kathy Clifton, her husband and son that they might find peace.</p>
<p>“Lord, please, please help Kathy find comfort in you ….”</p>
<p>She prayed for Julian and CJ, the victims of the crime for which she had been condemned. She prayed for the Governor who professed to be “pro-life” but who, when given the opportunity to preserve Teresa’s life, decided instead that her life should not be spared.</p>
<p>“Lord, we lift up Governor Bob McDonnell to you ….”</p>
<p>She prayed for the prosecutor who decided at the outset that she should die for what she did and who had told the world just days before that Teresa “was the most evil person I’ve ever met,” despite the fact that he had never spoken a word to her.</p>
<p>“Lord, we lift up David Grimes to you ….”</p>
<p>She prayed for Judge Strauss, the man who had decided that she should die for her involvement in the crimes.</p>
<p>“Lord, please give your peace to Judge Strauss ….”</p>
<p>She prayed for me and her other attorneys who had failed in our efforts to save her life.</p>
<p>“Lord, please do not let Mr. Jim or Miss Lindsey or anyone else second guess themselves, give them the strength to know they have done all they could do.”</p>
<p>She prayed for Lynn Litchfield, thanking God for her gift and asking him to keep her strong.&#160; She prayed for President Obama, and then for all persons throughout the world who are suffering in any way—“Lord, please let them know that you are with them and that you will keep them strong and that your way is the way of truth.”</p>
<p>She continued to pray — for her children, for her grandson and for so many others.</p>
<p>These petitions came like waves in the ocean surf, one after another after another. Once or perhaps twice I raised up my head and opened my eyes to watch Teresa pray, because I could not believe the power of her spirit or the selflessness with which she prayed. Perhaps I was raising my head above the waves to catch a breath during this breathless time, but in those brief moments as I watched Teresa pray it was clear that she had already left this life and was walking towards the next, peacefully and with complete confidence in her God.&#160; Those two moments were as close as I could hope to seeing the face of God, the face of pure love and complete selflessness.</p>
<p>And then she spoke directly: “Lord, I am coming home to you, and I am so excited. Please be there when the door opens.” And then she corrected herself, “ No, Lord, I know you will be there when the door opens, and I thank you, I thank you for that.”&#160;</p>
<p>At that moment, 8:45 p.m., the prison guards came to get her, tapping on my shoulder with a soft “It’s time, it’s time.” Teresa, Chaplain Perry and I looked up. I reached my hand through the bars to touch Teresa’s cheek, and she did the same. My words to her:&#160; “It has been an honor and privilege to serve you.” Her words to me: “And it has been an honor and privilege for me.” We kissed on the cheek, exchanged expressions of love, and I got up to leave.</p>
<p>As I moved away, Teresa and Chaplain Perry were repeating the same, as the prison guards, still gently, became more anxious and insistent for us to leave. As Chaplain Perry and I walked out of the room, we could hear Teresa speaking with those who were to escort her to the death chamber. She quickly began kidding with them.&#160;</p>
<p>Chaplain Perry and I then walked down a hallway and into the witness room, with a large window overlooking the death room with the gurney. There were perhaps 20 chairs in the room. The state witnesses, required by law, were in the front row. Behind were others, including members of the press and media. David Grimes and the investigator who had collaborated so long ago in their now successful quest to have Teresa executed sat in the next to last row to watch the final fruits of their labor. Only two seats had been left for us—in the very back row. Chaplain Perry asked if there was some place closer where we could stand. We were told no, and so we walked to the last row. I sat because I could see down the short aisle and into the death room. Chaplain Perry stood to my left. Our hands firmly clasped as we waited.</p>
<p>Shortly after 9 p.m., Teresa was escorted into the room. By regulation, the prison guards must escort her by supporting her under her arms. That made it awkward for her to walk the four or five steps to the gurney. Teresa was teary-eyed but held her head high, struggling as her Lord had struggled in the Garden to be the witness to God that she desperately wanted to be.&#160;</p>
<p>One reporter later suggested she looked frightened. Having spent the preceding two hours with Teresa, however, nothing could be more wrong. She and I had spoken often over the last six years about what was about to happen. We shared how there are two worlds, God’s and man’s. We shared that if this happened, in man’s world it would be a terribly sad, and horribly wrong, moment. We also shared that in God’s world, this would be part of God’s plan for Teresa, it would be the moment for her gift of life to be concluded, it would be the moment that she “returns home” because of God’s will, not man’s. I saw in her eyes the tears of this world, but I also saw her fierce determination to be God’s witness. I knew from my last minutes with her that in her heart she was strong, loving and accepting of God’s will.</p>
<p>In the weeks preceding, Teresa and I had spoken several times of what her last words might be. She told me she planned to be saying, “Thank you Jesus. Thank you Jesus. Thank you Jesus.” True to her utter and completely selfless nature, her last spoken words were to Kathy Clifton, in a strong, loving and sure voice: “Kathy, I love you, and I am so sorry.” I know, though, that her last unspoken words, between only herself and her God, were those she had practiced for me so many times: “Thank you Jesus. Thank you Jesus. Thank you Jesus.”</p>
<p>Jim Rocap is a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Vienna, Va. He is a graduate of Notre Dame University, where he majored in theology, and of the Georgetown University Law Center.</p>
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editors note sept 23 2010 913 pm teresa lewis pronounced dead put death lethal injection greenville correctional center virginia attorney believer christfollower provided firstperson account final hours faith sustained valley shadow death seven years teresa lewis lived solitary confinement death row awaiting execution part shooting deaths husband adult son slept crime truly horrific teresas life testimony christs power transform life yielded teresa final days nothing important strong witness god reason want share supported nature witness final hours160 chaplain julie perry privileged teresa sept 23 630 pm 845 pm prison guards came take death chamber extraordinary time sept 22 teresa enjoyed visits members defense team worked hard herlynn litchfield chaplain fluvanna six years fought heroically save life chaplain perry served well chaplain lynn left fluvanna alone three hours day sept 23 teresa visited twice son billy spoke length phone daughter christie arrived around 330 pm day joined legal team members final visit needed leave 530 pm short break throughout times teresa completely ease joking laughing singing reading aloud letters support recounting visits billy call christie consoling encouraging us come try console encourage need around 630 pm sept 23 chaplain perry taken back teresa final time moved cell adjacent door leads hallway death chamber gone prison jump suit dressed blue denim shirt jeans flipflops guards desk inside unit moved small area perhaps 8 10 feet outside teresas cell two plastic chairs us sit facing teresa bars two prison guards sat desk behind side us teresa seated plastic chair arrived enjoying would last meal two fried chicken breasts buttered peas smiling happy fretting might soil shirt chaplain perrys bible chicken peas later ate dessert chocolate cake small amount apple pie mostly focused chocolate icing scraping eating 10 years old favorite birthday cake mostly talked many thingsher family visits support received many friends pictures letters friends sent laughed time time downright silly spent 30 minutes writing last words children grandson reading showing us words emphasis approval160 time moved inexorably toward hour execution chaplain perry became anxious teresa would enough time pray enter state acceptance hoped would became apparent however teresa charge appreciated periodic reminders time need focus would one decide time would come also became clear teresa already moved life next concern might reached final stage acceptance needless teresa swiftlyapproaching death become simply another moment spend journey160 truly peace160 teresa said many times wanted read favorite passage philippians around 815 chaplain perry reminded raised bible handed teresa slot door already opened pauls letter teresa began reading aloud want know brothers situation turned rather advance gospel imprisonment become well known christ throughout whole praetorium rest majority brothers taken encouragement lord imprisonment dare ever proclaim word fearlessly course preach christ envy rivalry others good latter act love aware defense gospel former proclaim christ selfish ambition pure motives thinking cause trouble imprisonment difference make long every way whether pretense truth christ proclaimed rejoice indeed shall continue rejoice know result deliverance prayers support spirit jesus christ life christ death gain go living flesh means fruitful labor know shall choose caught two long depart life christ far better yet remain flesh necessary benefit know confidence shall remain continue service progress joy faith boasting christ jesus may abound account come every verse two would look pause make point deeply felt pauls letter applied situation paul speaks eloquently choice leave world eternal happiness god continue earth ministry others also speaks acceptance gods continue ministry even though clear pauls choice teresa dwelled verse lifted head make sure understood deeply accepted gods spoke prison ministry god asking carry ministry different way returning allowing spirit goodness caring love remain touched years160 chaplain perry teresa struggled find another favorite passages psalms precious minutes passed teresa searched determined find find psalm 66 read aloud simple accepting wisdom160 shout joyfully god earth sing glorious name give glorious praise say god160 awesome deeds great strength enemies cringe earth fall worship sing sing name asked pray three us joined hands meal tray slot awkwardly first teresa showed us left hand cradled mine right hand resting chaplain perrys lowered heads closed eyes teresa began pray 10 minutes teresa spoke god simple direct eloquence prayer utterly selfless directed toward others prayed first kathy clifton husband son might find peace lord please please help kathy find comfort prayed julian cj victims crime condemned prayed governor professed prolife given opportunity preserve teresas life decided instead life spared lord lift governor bob mcdonnell prayed prosecutor decided outset die told world days teresa evil person ive ever met despite fact never spoken word lord lift david grimes prayed judge strauss man decided die involvement crimes lord please give peace judge strauss prayed attorneys failed efforts save life lord please let mr jim miss lindsey anyone else second guess give strength know done could prayed lynn litchfield thanking god gift asking keep strong160 prayed president obama persons throughout world suffering waylord please let know keep strong way way truth continued pray children grandson many others petitions came like waves ocean surf one another another perhaps twice raised head opened eyes watch teresa pray could believe power spirit selflessness prayed perhaps raising head waves catch breath breathless time brief moments watched teresa pray clear already left life walking towards next peacefully complete confidence god160 two moments close could hope seeing face god face pure love complete selflessness spoke directly lord coming home excited please door opens corrected lord know door opens thank thank that160 moment 845 pm prison guards came get tapping shoulder soft time time teresa chaplain perry looked reached hand bars touch teresas cheek words her160 honor privilege serve words honor privilege kissed cheek exchanged expressions love got leave moved away teresa chaplain perry repeating prison guards still gently became anxious insistent us leave chaplain perry walked room could hear teresa speaking escort death chamber quickly began kidding them160 chaplain perry walked hallway witness room large window overlooking death room gurney perhaps 20 chairs room state witnesses required law front row behind others including members press media david grimes investigator collaborated long ago successful quest teresa executed sat next last row watch final fruits labor two seats left usin back row chaplain perry asked place closer could stand told walked last row sat could see short aisle death room chaplain perry stood left hands firmly clasped waited shortly 9 pm teresa escorted room regulation prison guards must escort supporting arms made awkward walk four five steps gurney teresa tearyeyed held head high struggling lord struggled garden witness god desperately wanted be160 one reporter later suggested looked frightened spent preceding two hours teresa however nothing could wrong spoken often last six years happen shared two worlds gods mans shared happened mans world would terribly sad horribly wrong moment also shared gods world would part gods plan teresa would moment gift life concluded would moment returns home gods mans saw eyes tears world also saw fierce determination gods witness knew last minutes heart strong loving accepting gods weeks preceding teresa spoken several times last words might told planned saying thank jesus thank jesus thank jesus true utter completely selfless nature last spoken words kathy clifton strong loving sure voice kathy love sorry know though last unspoken words god practiced many times thank jesus thank jesus thank jesus jim rocap member lady good counsel catholic church vienna va graduate notre dame university majored theology georgetown university law center
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<p>Longstanding concerns over fairness, transparency and accountability at the Cook County assessor’s office under Joe Berrios have come under renewed scrutiny in the weeks since an investigation by the Chicago Tribune and ProPublica revealed that <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/watchdog/taxdivide/" type="external">property assessments are systematically skewed to overtax low-income communities</a>.</p>
<p>Democratic gubernatorial candidates are addressing conflict-of-interest issues by calling for a ban on donations by tax appeal lawyers to candidates for assessor, among other reforms.&#160; A citywide coalition of community groups this week called on Cook County to refund the money they say low-income neighborhoods have overpaid as a result of biased assessments.</p>
<p>Fritz Kaegi, who’s challenging Berrios in next year’s Democratic primary, argues that solving the problem requires a change of leadership in the assessor’s office.</p>
<p>A longtime progressive Democratic activist with decades of experience as an investment manager, Kaegi said, “The assessor can do much of this on his or her own, using better models, using modern statistical packages, and getting rid of this conflict-of-interest baggage and ethical cloud over the assessor’s office.” He’s refusing to take donations from tax lawyers.</p>
<p>“A fair, ethical, transparent assessment system” is “totally doable,” Kaegi said.</p>
<p>As the investigation discovered, Berrios announced in 2015 that he was implementing a new, state-of-the-art computer model designed to improve accuracy and reduce bias, but he continued to use the old model.</p>
<p>“I strongly suspect he has an interest in keeping the system opaque,” said Kaegi. “The assessor says this system has worked for 30 years, so why should we change it? The fact is, we’ve learned a lot about statistics and data and software since the 1980s.”</p>
<p>Berrios refuses to release details about how his office values properties – what factors are considered and how they are weighted.&#160; He’s now appealing a judicial ruling ordering him to fulfill a Freedom of Information Act request by the Tribune for that information.</p>
<p>The assessor touts his “hand-check system,” by which property valuations are adjusted on a case-by-case basis.&#160; That kind of discretion gives Berrios “great power” and is “totally unacceptable,” Kaegi said.</p>
<p>Berrios is just as opaque when it comes to individual homeowners, Kaegi said.&#160; Every other assessor in the state responds to homeowners’ queries by providing details about how their homes were valued, he said; the Illinois Property Tax Codes requires it.&#160; Berrios refuses to do so.</p>
<p>That makes it impossible to know the exact source of bias in the assessments, though “we do know the output is producing discriminatory results, for low-income minority neighborhoods and for other outlying areas,” Kaegi said.&#160; He’s certain, though, that the assessor’s model fails to take adequate account of the impact of foreclosures and bank-owned properties–one likely reason regressivity “exploded” following the 2009 housing crisis, according to the Tribune.</p>
<p>Fritz Kaegi</p>
<p>Kaegi agrees that the system represents “institutional racism” and adds that, “the way you address institutional racism is [to] ask, where does unintended bias come from? And it comes from a flawed statistical model, but more importantly, the influence of the tax appeals lawyers.&#160; You address those two things and you can produce a less biased outcome.”</p>
<p>Berrios cites the large number of appeals – they’ve tripled in number over the past dozen years – as evidence that the system is responsive. But the investigation showed that the appeal process consistently increased unfairness, in part because moderate-income homeowners are less likely to appeal.</p>
<p>Kaegi said a better measure of the office’s effectiveness “is how well are you doing for people who don’t appeal. When the assessor says, ‘Oh, you should just appeal,’ that’s admitting that the system doesn’t work for the average person, since the majority of people do not appeal.” He thinks the office should focus on getting valuations right the first time, and instead of promoting appeals, use its resources to educate homeowners about exemptions, which he says is one way to help long-term homeowners facing pressure from gentrification.</p>
<p>Kaegi stresses that the biggest distortions to the system come from appeals to commercial buildings downtown, which studies have shown <a href="" type="internal">account for as much as 80 percent of appeals reductions</a>. “While there are many factors creating bias in the system, the huge amount of value that’s being marked down downtown” is “the biggest source of bias,” he said.</p>
<p>He points out that the Willis Tower’s valuation is based on a market value of about $600 million, while the building sold two years ago for $1.05 billion. Or <a href="https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20161006/downtown/trump-tower-tax-break" type="external">Trump Tower, where a politically-connected law firm won a 70 percent reduction</a> on the value of its retail space.</p>
<p>“It doesn’t have to be that way,” he said, describing a straightforward process of valuing a commercial property based on its rental income and capitalization rate.</p>
<p>But Berrios’s office insists on using a variety of “alternative methodologies, where they have discretion through a very non-transparent process to look at costs and other factors, and in the case of Trump Tower, to say this retail space is substandard,” Kaegi said. “When you start making all these exceptions behind closed doors, you end up with all these strange outcomes.”</p>
<p>The bottom line is, every questionable tax break for downtown properties means higher taxes for everyone else – and the <a href="" type="internal">tax burden has been steadily shifting from commercial to residential properties</a> for years.</p>
<p>Berrios has cited his Latino heritage and the fact that he grew up in Cabrini-Green as a defense against charges of racially-biased assessments.&#160; But Latinos were heavily represented among a multi-racial group of community organizations that protested outside his office Tuesday morning.</p>
<p>“The evidence is clear: The assessments are unfair,” said Hilario Dominguez, housing organizer for The Resurrection Project.&#160; “We need leaders who are willing to step up and provide assistance for those who need it – working class families who struggle to put a roof over their heads.”</p>
<p>He dismissed the announcement by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, a Berrios ally, that she would seek a review of the assessment process. “We do not need another study,” he said. “We need transparency.”</p>
<p>Edith Roblas of the Southwest Organizing Project brought a copy of her tax bill, which went up 327 percent this year.&#160; David McDowell of SWOP said the group “expected to fight predatory lenders and big banks to keep our families in their homes, but we never expected to have to fight the Cook County assessor’s office to keep our families in their homes.&#160; But we will.”</p>
<p>Clem Balanoff of Our Revolution said the assessment system “transfers money from poor and minority communities into the hands of the wealthy.”</p>
<p>The groups delivered a letter to Berrios calling on him to stop fighting FOIA requests, to implement the new computer model, and to “refund homeowners who were punished for [his] mistakes.”</p>
<p>(This column has been updated with a corrected assessment value for the Willis Tower of $600 million, not $600,000; according to the assessor’s office, this amount is in line with an independent assessment done for the Chicago Board of Education.&#160;In addition, according to Deputy Assessor Tom Shaer, the actual sale price of the property, contrary to media reports at the time, was $1.05 billion.&#160;Shaer adds that high-end properties often sell for more than their assessed value; that the assessor’s office has turned over its assessment models to the Chicago Tribune along with millions of assessment files; that the hand-check method is used for only 2 percent of residential properties; that only 14 percent of homeowners appeal their assessments; and that the assessor’s office does educate homeowners about exemptions.)</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
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longstanding concerns fairness transparency accountability cook county assessors office joe berrios come renewed scrutiny weeks since investigation chicago tribune propublica revealed property assessments systematically skewed overtax lowincome communities democratic gubernatorial candidates addressing conflictofinterest issues calling ban donations tax appeal lawyers candidates assessor among reforms160 citywide coalition community groups week called cook county refund money say lowincome neighborhoods overpaid result biased assessments fritz kaegi whos challenging berrios next years democratic primary argues solving problem requires change leadership assessors office longtime progressive democratic activist decades experience investment manager kaegi said assessor much using better models using modern statistical packages getting rid conflictofinterest baggage ethical cloud assessors office hes refusing take donations tax lawyers fair ethical transparent assessment system totally doable kaegi said investigation discovered berrios announced 2015 implementing new stateoftheart computer model designed improve accuracy reduce bias continued use old model strongly suspect interest keeping system opaque said kaegi assessor says system worked 30 years change fact weve learned lot statistics data software since 1980s berrios refuses release details office values properties factors considered weighted160 hes appealing judicial ruling ordering fulfill freedom information act request tribune information assessor touts handcheck system property valuations adjusted casebycase basis160 kind discretion gives berrios great power totally unacceptable kaegi said berrios opaque comes individual homeowners kaegi said160 every assessor state responds homeowners queries providing details homes valued said illinois property tax codes requires it160 berrios refuses makes impossible know exact source bias assessments though know output producing discriminatory results lowincome minority neighborhoods outlying areas kaegi said160 hes certain though assessors model fails take adequate account impact foreclosures bankowned propertiesone likely reason regressivity exploded following 2009 housing crisis according tribune fritz kaegi kaegi agrees system represents institutional racism adds way address institutional racism ask unintended bias come comes flawed statistical model importantly influence tax appeals lawyers160 address two things produce less biased outcome berrios cites large number appeals theyve tripled number past dozen years evidence system responsive investigation showed appeal process consistently increased unfairness part moderateincome homeowners less likely appeal kaegi said better measure offices effectiveness well people dont appeal assessor says oh appeal thats admitting system doesnt work average person since majority people appeal thinks office focus getting valuations right first time instead promoting appeals use resources educate homeowners exemptions says one way help longterm homeowners facing pressure gentrification kaegi stresses biggest distortions system come appeals commercial buildings downtown studies shown account much 80 percent appeals reductions many factors creating bias system huge amount value thats marked downtown biggest source bias said points willis towers valuation based market value 600 million building sold two years ago 105 billion trump tower politicallyconnected law firm 70 percent reduction value retail space doesnt way said describing straightforward process valuing commercial property based rental income capitalization rate berrioss office insists using variety alternative methodologies discretion nontransparent process look costs factors case trump tower say retail space substandard kaegi said start making exceptions behind closed doors end strange outcomes bottom line every questionable tax break downtown properties means higher taxes everyone else tax burden steadily shifting commercial residential properties years berrios cited latino heritage fact grew cabrinigreen defense charges raciallybiased assessments160 latinos heavily represented among multiracial group community organizations protested outside office tuesday morning evidence clear assessments unfair said hilario dominguez housing organizer resurrection project160 need leaders willing step provide assistance need working class families struggle put roof heads dismissed announcement cook county board president toni preckwinkle berrios ally would seek review assessment process need another study said need transparency edith roblas southwest organizing project brought copy tax bill went 327 percent year160 david mcdowell swop said group expected fight predatory lenders big banks keep families homes never expected fight cook county assessors office keep families homes160 clem balanoff revolution said assessment system transfers money poor minority communities hands wealthy groups delivered letter berrios calling stop fighting foia requests implement new computer model refund homeowners punished mistakes column updated corrected assessment value willis tower 600 million 600000 according assessors office amount line independent assessment done chicago board education160in addition according deputy assessor tom shaer actual sale price property contrary media reports time 105 billion160shaer adds highend properties often sell assessed value assessors office turned assessment models chicago tribune along millions assessment files handcheck method used 2 percent residential properties 14 percent homeowners appeal assessments assessors office educate homeowners exemptions 160
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<p>A man I once knew, now deceased, liked to express his opinion on various topics, such as divorce. He was proud that he still maintained that divorce is wrong, even though his own son was divorced. He gave examples of friends who had abandoned their hard line after their children had experienced divorce.</p>
<p>Of course divorce is not part of God’s perfect plan. Duh!</p>
<p />
<p>I never challenged his views, because I knew he was more interested in talking than in listening. One day I went to visit him and took along my father. The talk turned to cold winter weather. This man, who had lived a lifetime in Tidewater, punctuated the line of conversation with, “Yep. I’ve seen it all.” Apparently he hadn’t paid attention to my father’s recounting of -40 degree weather in Saskatchewan.</p>
<p>I wonder if he listened to his son? How would you like to have been his son?</p>
<p>He was proud that life had not caused his belief in Scripture to waiver. The Bible is our guide to living. But it is also inevitable that our life experiences will guide and inform biblical interpretation. This is reflected in the very pages of the Bible itself.</p>
<p>Job was a righteous man. All his life he had believed the promises of Deuteronomy: obedience brings blessing; disobedience brings suffering. Then tragedy struck. He must have done something wrong! But he couldn’t think of anything, and he couldn’t believe that God was so cruel to have punished him for no reason.</p>
<p>The striking thing about the story of Job is God’s condemnation of Job’s accusers, who were too quick to pass easy judgment on something they didn’t understand. They thought they were being faithful to the clear teaching of Scripture.</p>
<p>The church is now making the same mistake over homosexuality that has been made over and over again with other issues. Look at our own history. Our Baptist ancestors believed that slavery was ordained by God. (Don’t you love the way people throw around words such as “ordained” and “anointed”? Being black was a curse and interracial marriage was a terrible sin. Individuals with epilepsy or other special needs were sometimes considered to be demon possessed.</p>
<p>I am by no means advocating that all churches make a mad rush to follow the lead of Ginter Park. What I criticize is the cut-and-dried way of dealing with issues we don’t understand because they apply to someone else and not to me!</p>
<p>When homosexuality first became a hot button issue, what we heard stated so often was “homosexuality is a choice.” Presumably this was based on the things that Paul said in Romans 1, concerning the ways that mankind has drifted away from God.</p>
<p>Then gays and lesbians began asking, “Do you remember making a choice to be attracted to the other sex?” We began to admit that most of us are the way we are because — that’s the way we are. I do suspect that there is a subgroup of people who develop homosexual tendencies after having been sexually abused. There is much yet unknown about the subject.</p>
<p>Now even the hardliners make a distinction between homosexual orientation and homosexual behavior. They condemn only the behavior. They urge abstinence, and there is a biblical and historical basis for remaining celibate in order to please God. Jesus made an enigmatic statement that there are eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.</p>
<p>This is also one approach to the divorce issue. Some maintain that the sin of divorce is to remarry. However, most of us have concluded that such a difficult choice of perpetual celibacy is a personal decision between a person and God, not something to be forced on someone else.</p>
<p>Apparently Paul of Tarsus thought so. He believed that the coming of Christ was imminent, and therefore it is best not to seek marriage. Yet he realized the difficulty of keeping such a vow. He said, “It is better to marry than to burn.”</p>
<p>We have finally realized that there are probably closeted gays and lesbians in our churches. We have adopted an implicit “don’t ask don’t tell” policy. Most churches dare not bestow on homosexual unions the grudging blessing that Paul gave to heterosexual marriage.</p>
<p>At the very least we must acknowledge that there is a vast difference between the wild Roman orgies that Paul might have had in mind and the quiet commitment of a monogamous couple, something Paul might not have even considered as a possibility.</p>
<p>In any case, there is an appropriate and delicate balance between rules and orthodoxy on one side, and the life stories of real people on the other side. Thinking people can disagree on just how that balance should be achieved.</p>
<p>The Virginia Baptist Mission Board’s executive committee has made a precipitous decision. The excommunicating of Ginter Park was a political move, throwing red meat to grass roots conservative Baptists: See? We may be big tent Baptists, but we know how to say Shibboleth. It was warned that, if the board did not act decisively on this matter, there would be a mass exodus of BGAV churches to the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia.</p>
<p>The expulsion was effective in the short run, based on the vote of approval. In the long run it will come back to haunt us. In a nod to orthodoxy, the gays and lesbians became expendable.</p>
<p>What did Jesus do? Half of what he did angered and alienated the religious establishment, and for that he was crucified. He hung out with the expendable people and had a reputation of being a glutton and wino.</p>
<p>Yes, I know also the command, “Go, and sin no more.” But in the real world, the process of becoming righteous, holy, Christ-like, is a lifelong struggle. The church is a collection of clueless sheep who constantly go astray and need to give and receive much patience and forgiveness.</p>
<p>Or, perhaps we should go “back to the Bible” and kick out all the churches with divorced deacons and pastors.</p>
<p>Mark Buckner ( <a href="mailto:[email protected]" type="external">[email protected]</a>) teaches music in Charlottesville, Va., and is a member of Spring Hill Baptist Church in Ruckersville, Va.</p>
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man knew deceased liked express opinion various topics divorce proud still maintained divorce wrong even though son divorced gave examples friends abandoned hard line children experienced divorce course divorce part gods perfect plan duh never challenged views knew interested talking listening one day went visit took along father talk turned cold winter weather man lived lifetime tidewater punctuated line conversation yep ive seen apparently hadnt paid attention fathers recounting 40 degree weather saskatchewan wonder listened son would like son proud life caused belief scripture waiver bible guide living also inevitable life experiences guide inform biblical interpretation reflected pages bible job righteous man life believed promises deuteronomy obedience brings blessing disobedience brings suffering tragedy struck must done something wrong couldnt think anything couldnt believe god cruel punished reason striking thing story job gods condemnation jobs accusers quick pass easy judgment something didnt understand thought faithful clear teaching scripture church making mistake homosexuality made issues look history baptist ancestors believed slavery ordained god dont love way people throw around words ordained anointed black curse interracial marriage terrible sin individuals epilepsy special needs sometimes considered demon possessed means advocating churches make mad rush follow lead ginter park criticize cutanddried way dealing issues dont understand apply someone else homosexuality first became hot button issue heard stated often homosexuality choice presumably based things paul said romans 1 concerning ways mankind drifted away god gays lesbians began asking remember making choice attracted sex began admit us way thats way suspect subgroup people develop homosexual tendencies sexually abused much yet unknown subject even hardliners make distinction homosexual orientation homosexual behavior condemn behavior urge abstinence biblical historical basis remaining celibate order please god jesus made enigmatic statement eunuchs sake kingdom heaven also one approach divorce issue maintain sin divorce remarry however us concluded difficult choice perpetual celibacy personal decision person god something forced someone else apparently paul tarsus thought believed coming christ imminent therefore best seek marriage yet realized difficulty keeping vow said better marry burn finally realized probably closeted gays lesbians churches adopted implicit dont ask dont tell policy churches dare bestow homosexual unions grudging blessing paul gave heterosexual marriage least must acknowledge vast difference wild roman orgies paul might mind quiet commitment monogamous couple something paul might even considered possibility case appropriate delicate balance rules orthodoxy one side life stories real people side thinking people disagree balance achieved virginia baptist mission boards executive committee made precipitous decision excommunicating ginter park political move throwing red meat grass roots conservative baptists see may big tent baptists know say shibboleth warned board act decisively matter would mass exodus bgav churches southern baptist conservatives virginia expulsion effective short run based vote approval long run come back haunt us nod orthodoxy gays lesbians became expendable jesus half angered alienated religious establishment crucified hung expendable people reputation glutton wino yes know also command go sin real world process becoming righteous holy christlike lifelong struggle church collection clueless sheep constantly go astray need give receive much patience forgiveness perhaps go back bible kick churches divorced deacons pastors mark buckner mandmbucknergmailcom teaches music charlottesville va member spring hill baptist church ruckersville va
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<p>Nowhere in the 165-page federal indictment unsealed Wednesday <a href="" type="internal">charging numerous powerful world soccer officials with corruption</a> does the name Sepp Blatter appear.</p>
<p>Blatter also wasn't among those arrested in a concurrent Swiss criminal inquiry into FIFA, the governing body of the world's most popular sport, of which he is president — although several of his most senior officials were taken into custody, including at least two FIFA vice presidents.</p>
<p>But one thing is undeniable: something happened to lead the Swiss authorities to bring down the hammer on FIFA and to persuade the Justice Department to bring 47 counts of racketeering, money laundering, obstruction of justice, tax and wire fraud and conspiracy against nine people. And it happened on Blatter's watch.</p>
<p>Joseph "Sepp" Blatter has led FIFA since 1998. By any measure, he is one of the world's most influential figures — the only sports figure on <a href="http://www.forbes.com/powerful-people/list/#tab:overall_category:Sports" type="external">Forbes' list of the 100 most powerful people in the world</a>.</p>
<p>"Sepp Blatter is Roger Goodell on steroids," said Richard Sheehan, a business professor at the University of Notre Dame who researches banking and the economics of sports — comparing Blatter to the all-powerful NFL commissioner.</p>
<p>Roger Bennett — a sports documentarian and co-host of the wildly popular "Men in Blazers" soccer podcast and its show of the same name on NBCSN — hit on the same analogy: Blatter, he told NBC News, "makes Roger Goodell look like a Boy Scout."</p>
<p>Wednesday's indictment certainly isn't the first time allegations of corruption have been attached to FIFA — and often to Blatter himself — since even before he took office.</p>
<p>Blatter, 79, a Swiss national, has worked for FIFA for more than half his life, beginning as technical director after leaving the Swiss Ice Hockey Federation in 1975. That was the first year of the 24-year presidency of João Havelange, an imperious Brazilian who quickly tapped Blatter as his right-hand man.</p>
<p>Together, they transformed FIFA through a series of shrewd advertising and marketing deals around the World Cup — deals that brought blue-chip companies like McDonald's, Coca-Cola, Adidas and MasterCard into the FIFA fold.</p>
<p>Havelange retired in 1998, and Blatter, who by then had risen to general secretary, succeeded him. In the following 17 years, he has continued to expand FIFA's marketing and advertising deals. Along the way, revenue from the World Cup, which generates most of FIFA's income, has risen by almost 1,100 percent — from about $400 million when he took office in 1998 to more than $4.8 billion for last year's tournament.</p>
<p>"Sepp Blatter is an ingenious man," Bennett said. "He took over FIFA at a time when football was still a relative amateur sport, a backwater in the '70s and early '80s."</p>
<p>But "as soon as television, mass marketing and football came together across the world, the World Cup became like a global eclipse — it became a money machine he's presided over like a Chicago politician in the 1960s," he said.</p>
<p>RELATED: <a href="" type="internal">Soccer by the Numbers: A Look at the Game in the U.S.</a></p>
<p>That authority has allowed Blatter to be re-elected every four years, running unopposed or easily defeating reform challengers who have pointed to the seemingly unending allegations of bribery and corruption that have attached themselves to the organization for more than four decades.</p>
<p>Blatter first won election in 1998 with significant help from the emir of Qatar — the small Arab country that has been a recurring presence in FIFA's scandals — who provided Blatter with a private airplane.</p>
<p>He used it to visit nearly all of the nations in Africa, the Middle East and the Caribbean with promises of FIFA money to help develop the game in its smallest outposts. Each of Blatter's elections have followed the same template, capitalizing on FIFA rules that give every member nation an equal vote, regardless of its size or its soccer history.</p>
<p>"Think about the NCAA with football," Sheehan said. "If you put a vote to all institutions in total, you have a lot more votes, and you're going to have decisions which are largely going to be in the interests of the smaller schools.</p>
<p>"When you look at one country-one vote, you get very much the same situation," he said. "You can buy the vote of Trinidad and Tobago or the Cayman Islands for maybe a couple of hundred thousand dollars, maybe less."</p>
<p>And there have been widespread reports that cash-filled envelopes changed hands, beginning with the 1998 election at Paris' Meridien Montparnasse Hotel. Blatter denied them at the time and sidestepped them later with these words: "I will maintain that I was not there, so it couldn't be me."</p>
<p>There have been other scandals, some of them casting Blatter as sexist and racist.</p>
<p>In 2004, he offended many in the sport by saying women's soccer would be more popular if the players wore skimpier uniforms.</p>
<p>But far more serious than gaffes like those have been persistent questions about the fairness of the way FIFA awards hosting rights for the World Cup.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">RELATED: Who Are the Victims in FIFA Corruption Scandal?</a></p>
<p>In 2000, the rights to the 2006 final round were awarded to Germany by a 12-11 vote after an Executive Committee member abstained against the orders of his own confederation, which supported South Africa. The committee member <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/sport/2000/2006_world_cup_decision/826459.stm" type="external">later said he'd been threatened</a> by "influential European interests."</p>
<p>Then came 2010 and the controversial votes to award the final rounds in 2018 to Vladimir Putin's Russia and in 2022 to Qatar — a blisteringly hot country that has had little participation or success on the soccer field, but whose royal family has backed Blatter for more than a quarter-century.</p>
<p>The choice of Russia angered human rights advocates, but it was the oddity of Qatar's selection, in particular, that raised strong protests and accusations.</p>
<p>FIFA, in response, opened an internal investigation led by Michael Garcia, a former U.S. federal prosecutor. Last year, FIFA's ethics committee closed the investigation but refused to make Garcia's 430-page report public.</p>
<p>It released only a 42-page "executive summary" saying there was no corruption in the bidding. Garcia resigned, saying the summary grossly distorted his findings and expressing deep frustration that a nondisclosure agreement bars him from revealing them.</p>
<p>RELATED: <a href="" type="internal">FIFA Insists Qatar 2022 World Cup Will Go Ahead</a></p>
<p>Besides the behavior of Russia's and Qatar's bid committees, the ethics committee also looked closely at a company called International Sports and Leisure, or ISL, which brokered World Cup TV rights for FIFA. The committee said ISL paid bribes for eight years to three powerful figures inside FIFA, including Blatter's patron, Havelange, who had retired to the post of honorary president.</p>
<p>While the ethics committee said Blatter himself wasn't guilty of any "criminal or ethical misconduct," it called his handling of the scandal "clumsy" and said he should have known that "ISL had made bribes to other FIFA officials."</p>
<p>And yet, Blatter is still expected to win re-election on Friday, thanks to his coalition-building among small and developing nations and the undeniable growth in the sport he has presided over.</p>
<p>Marveling at Blatter's "ability to escape any indictment, his ability to avoid investigations," Bennett of "Men in Blazers" said: "If I was a betting man, Sepp would probably remain untouched."</p>
<p>"The sponsors, who pour their money into FIFA, like so many — McDonald's, Visa and Coca-Cola — now have to take action," Bennett said. "Once their money is threatened, that's the only real language they understand."</p>
<p>Noting that Blatter had democratized the World Cup, spreading it to Africa and the Middle East for the first time, Sheehan of Notre Dame said, "I tend to think of Blatter as someone who's, to use a word, 'evil.' But he's done some good things."</p>
<p>Sheehan added: "My gut response is you're going to have to remove him on a slab."</p>
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nowhere 165page federal indictment unsealed wednesday charging numerous powerful world soccer officials corruption name sepp blatter appear blatter also wasnt among arrested concurrent swiss criminal inquiry fifa governing body worlds popular sport president although several senior officials taken custody including least two fifa vice presidents one thing undeniable something happened lead swiss authorities bring hammer fifa persuade justice department bring 47 counts racketeering money laundering obstruction justice tax wire fraud conspiracy nine people happened blatters watch joseph sepp blatter led fifa since 1998 measure one worlds influential figures sports figure forbes list 100 powerful people world sepp blatter roger goodell steroids said richard sheehan business professor university notre dame researches banking economics sports comparing blatter allpowerful nfl commissioner roger bennett sports documentarian cohost wildly popular men blazers soccer podcast show name nbcsn hit analogy blatter told nbc news makes roger goodell look like boy scout wednesdays indictment certainly isnt first time allegations corruption attached fifa often blatter since even took office blatter 79 swiss national worked fifa half life beginning technical director leaving swiss ice hockey federation 1975 first year 24year presidency joão havelange imperious brazilian quickly tapped blatter righthand man together transformed fifa series shrewd advertising marketing deals around world cup deals brought bluechip companies like mcdonalds cocacola adidas mastercard fifa fold havelange retired 1998 blatter risen general secretary succeeded following 17 years continued expand fifas marketing advertising deals along way revenue world cup generates fifas income risen almost 1100 percent 400 million took office 1998 48 billion last years tournament sepp blatter ingenious man bennett said took fifa time football still relative amateur sport backwater 70s early 80s soon television mass marketing football came together across world world cup became like global eclipse became money machine hes presided like chicago politician 1960s said related soccer numbers look game us authority allowed blatter reelected every four years running unopposed easily defeating reform challengers pointed seemingly unending allegations bribery corruption attached organization four decades blatter first election 1998 significant help emir qatar small arab country recurring presence fifas scandals provided blatter private airplane used visit nearly nations africa middle east caribbean promises fifa money help develop game smallest outposts blatters elections followed template capitalizing fifa rules give every member nation equal vote regardless size soccer history think ncaa football sheehan said put vote institutions total lot votes youre going decisions largely going interests smaller schools look one countryone vote get much situation said buy vote trinidad tobago cayman islands maybe couple hundred thousand dollars maybe less widespread reports cashfilled envelopes changed hands beginning 1998 election paris meridien montparnasse hotel blatter denied time sidestepped later words maintain couldnt scandals casting blatter sexist racist 2004 offended many sport saying womens soccer would popular players wore skimpier uniforms far serious gaffes like persistent questions fairness way fifa awards hosting rights world cup related victims fifa corruption scandal 2000 rights 2006 final round awarded germany 1211 vote executive committee member abstained orders confederation supported south africa committee member later said hed threatened influential european interests came 2010 controversial votes award final rounds 2018 vladimir putins russia 2022 qatar blisteringly hot country little participation success soccer field whose royal family backed blatter quartercentury choice russia angered human rights advocates oddity qatars selection particular raised strong protests accusations fifa response opened internal investigation led michael garcia former us federal prosecutor last year fifas ethics committee closed investigation refused make garcias 430page report public released 42page executive summary saying corruption bidding garcia resigned saying summary grossly distorted findings expressing deep frustration nondisclosure agreement bars revealing related fifa insists qatar 2022 world cup go ahead besides behavior russias qatars bid committees ethics committee also looked closely company called international sports leisure isl brokered world cup tv rights fifa committee said isl paid bribes eight years three powerful figures inside fifa including blatters patron havelange retired post honorary president ethics committee said blatter wasnt guilty criminal ethical misconduct called handling scandal clumsy said known isl made bribes fifa officials yet blatter still expected win reelection friday thanks coalitionbuilding among small developing nations undeniable growth sport presided marveling blatters ability escape indictment ability avoid investigations bennett men blazers said betting man sepp would probably remain untouched sponsors pour money fifa like many mcdonalds visa cocacola take action bennett said money threatened thats real language understand noting blatter democratized world cup spreading africa middle east first time sheehan notre dame said tend think blatter someone whos use word evil hes done good things sheehan added gut response youre going remove slab
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<p>Oct. 1 marked the 50th anniversary of the beginning of commercial operations for Japan’s bullet train system. The Shinkansen is by far the most successful bullet train network in the world. The <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2014/sep/30/-sp-shinkansen-bullet-train-tokyo-rail-japan-50-years" type="external">British press</a> and just about no one else outside of Japan thinks this is a big deal. Of course it is a big deal. Historians see 1964 — with the Summer Olympics being hosted in&#160;Tokyo, the debut of the world’s first bullet train linking Tokyo and Osaka, and Japan’s emergence as a consumer electronics giant — as the year in which Western powers realized Japan was an economic and technological juggernaut, not a crippled loser of World War II.</p>
<p>But from a Californian’s perspective, what’s interesting in reading up on the Shinkansen is how strikingly different the approaches are of the Japanese government and California government in their vetting and decision-making processes — how one was so thorough and one was so cursory.</p>
<p>In the past week, I’ve read <a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=cwbklrvmS-oC&amp;pg=PA209&amp;lpg=PA209&amp;dq=Shinkansen+study+history&amp;source=bl&amp;ots=ydd42YYAOR&amp;sig=k1ylhh3I4pgooZw8eCpzO9IJckk&amp;hl=en&amp;sa=X&amp;ei=CykyVNvhFoLeoATl14KIAw&amp;ved=0CC0Q6AEwAg#v=onepage&amp;q=Shinkansen%20study%20history&amp;f=false" type="external">big chunks</a> of &#160;Cardiff University professor Christopher P. Hood’s 2006 book, “Shinkansen: From Bullet Train to Modern Japan,” as well as contemporaneous newspaper and magazine coverage on Nexis.com.</p>
<p>The big three differences:</p>
<p>1. The quality of planning. The Japanese government’s leaders and analysts saw what the U.S. had done with the interstate highway system in the 1950s and were aware that rail was considered passe in some First World nations. But because of densely crowded urban conditions around Tokyo, the extreme cost of land and, well, Japanese conformism, they didn’t believe a U.S.-style car culture would emerge — but that a fast train network would have huge appeal. Key point the rest of the world doesn’t know: Japanese companies pay employee commuting costs. Think what a gigantic distortion that would have on how a government would approach the bullet-train debate and transportation in general were that the CA norm.</p>
<p>California’s planning was horrible. It was based on such insane claims as this: The California bullet train would eventually carry 4.5 times as many passengers a year (117 million) as Amtrak (26 million), which operates in 46 U.S. states and four Canadian provinces. In the run-up to the 2008 Proposition 1A vote authorizing $9.95 billion in state bond funds as seed money for the project, state leaders made up stuff as they went along about ridership, ticket cost and job-creation effects. They may have even believed what they were saying.</p>
<p>2. Honesty about who would pay. It wasn’t even debated in Japan — everyone accepted that a huge infrastructure project would require massive government subsidies. In California, from day one, we’ve been encouraged to pretend that there would be vast interest from private-sector investors despite a law that bans revenue or ridership guarantees that are de facto promises of subsidies. Such guarantees are the only way there would actually be private-sector investment interest.</p>
<p>Here’s another interesting angle about government ethics and the Shinkansen. As Japan has expanded the project far from its original Osaka-Tokyo configuration, it’s made conscious decisions to add distant cities that wouldn’t have heavy enough ridership to break even on operating costs. Why? To make it seem like a <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=japan+shinkansen+map&amp;client=firefox-a&amp;hs=Zib&amp;rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&amp;channel=sb&amp;tbm=isch&amp;imgil=QP8n7i8qfkA3eM%253A%253B4z0AUSc-7aMo8M%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fen.wikipedia.org%25252Fwiki%25252FShinkansen&amp;source=iu&amp;pf=m&amp;fir=QP8n7i8qfkA3eM%253A%252C4z0AUSc-7aMo8M%252C_&amp;usg=__DsyWe52SBNugCY18iZ8Qwl1yGYg%3D&amp;biw=1280&amp;bih=871&amp;ved=0CC4Qyjc&amp;ei=TwAzVNu1JYicygTwv4K4Aw#facrc=_&amp;imgdii=_&amp;imgrc=QP8n7i8qfkA3eM%253A%3B4z0AUSc-7aMo8M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fupload.wikimedia.org%252Fwikipedia%252Fcommons%252Fd%252Fd4%252FShinkansen_map_201208_en.png%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fen.wikipedia.org%252Fwiki%252FShinkansen%3B3100%3B3200" type="external">national system</a>, not one limited to privileged areas.</p>
<p>There’s not a single area of the bullet train project in California where officials have been remotely as honest about how they made tough but potentially unpopular decisions. Instead, we see Jerry Brown’s pathetic drivel in which he mocks all skeptics as “declinists.”</p>
<p>3. Government competence. Japan by and large avoided Big Dig-like construction debacles while building a system so good at moving people around central Japan that much of the country feels like a Tokyo bedroom community. It carries 300 million passengers a year and some segments make big operating profits.</p>
<p>In California, there is scarcely any evidence of comparable government competence. There are 10,000 examples, but one tells the whole story.</p>
<p>The main reason to have a bullet train is to swiftly and conveniently move a person from Point A to Point B.</p>
<p>But in the Golden State — under a plan that Jerry billed as saving the project from a public backlash by cutting its cost from $98 billion to $68 billion — a traveler on the bullet train network going from San Francisco to Los Angeles wouldn’t have such a straightforward journey. She would have to go from Point A to Point B to Point C to Point D.</p>
<p>Part one: Going on regular rail from San Francisco to Fresno.</p>
<p>Part two: Going on an actual bullet train from Fresno to the northern edge of the Los Angeles County exurbs.</p>
<p>Part three: Going on regular rail from north L.A. County to Union Station in L.A.</p>
<p>So the first hour and the last hour of the San Francisco-L.A. trip wouldn’t even be a bullet train experience.</p>
<p>Brilliant, Jerry, just brilliant.</p>
<p>So am I saying if the &#160;shrewd Japanese government of the 1950s and 1960s had overseen Cali’s project, we’d be seeing much more defensible and reasonable results?</p>
<p>Not in the slightest.</p>
<p>Japanese leaders would have realized how stupid it is to push for a bullet train network in a spread-out state that <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/31/us/politics/31calif.html?pagewanted=all&amp;_r=0" type="external">symbolizes sprawl</a> to the world. Not our numbskulls.</p>
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oct 1 marked 50th anniversary beginning commercial operations japans bullet train system shinkansen far successful bullet train network world british press one else outside japan thinks big deal course big deal historians see 1964 summer olympics hosted in160tokyo debut worlds first bullet train linking tokyo osaka japans emergence consumer electronics giant year western powers realized japan economic technological juggernaut crippled loser world war ii californians perspective whats interesting reading shinkansen strikingly different approaches japanese government california government vetting decisionmaking processes one thorough one cursory past week ive read big chunks 160cardiff university professor christopher p hoods 2006 book shinkansen bullet train modern japan well contemporaneous newspaper magazine coverage nexiscom big three differences 1 quality planning japanese governments leaders analysts saw us done interstate highway system 1950s aware rail considered passe first world nations densely crowded urban conditions around tokyo extreme cost land well japanese conformism didnt believe usstyle car culture would emerge fast train network would huge appeal key point rest world doesnt know japanese companies pay employee commuting costs think gigantic distortion would government would approach bullettrain debate transportation general ca norm californias planning horrible based insane claims california bullet train would eventually carry 45 times many passengers year 117 million amtrak 26 million operates 46 us states four canadian provinces runup 2008 proposition 1a vote authorizing 995 billion state bond funds seed money project state leaders made stuff went along ridership ticket cost jobcreation effects may even believed saying 2 honesty would pay wasnt even debated japan everyone accepted huge infrastructure project would require massive government subsidies california day one weve encouraged pretend would vast interest privatesector investors despite law bans revenue ridership guarantees de facto promises subsidies guarantees way would actually privatesector investment interest heres another interesting angle government ethics shinkansen japan expanded project far original osakatokyo configuration made conscious decisions add distant cities wouldnt heavy enough ridership break even operating costs make seem like national system one limited privileged areas theres single area bullet train project california officials remotely honest made tough potentially unpopular decisions instead see jerry browns pathetic drivel mocks skeptics declinists 3 government competence japan large avoided big diglike construction debacles building system good moving people around central japan much country feels like tokyo bedroom community carries 300 million passengers year segments make big operating profits california scarcely evidence comparable government competence 10000 examples one tells whole story main reason bullet train swiftly conveniently move person point point b golden state plan jerry billed saving project public backlash cutting cost 98 billion 68 billion traveler bullet train network going san francisco los angeles wouldnt straightforward journey would go point point b point c point part one going regular rail san francisco fresno part two going actual bullet train fresno northern edge los angeles county exurbs part three going regular rail north la county union station la first hour last hour san franciscola trip wouldnt even bullet train experience brilliant jerry brilliant saying 160shrewd japanese government 1950s 1960s overseen calis project wed seeing much defensible reasonable results slightest japanese leaders would realized stupid push bullet train network spreadout state symbolizes sprawl world numbskulls
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<p>HARARE, Zimbabwe — President Robert Mugabe is a bitter man.</p>
<p>When U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson attempted to explain that human rights abuses in Zimbabwe were blocking the country’s access to international aid, Mugabe branded him an "idiot."</p>
<p>Mugabe, 85, could barely contain himself when the two met on the sidelines of an African Union summit in Libya in early July.</p>
<p>Mugabe had hoped that Carson, a former U.S. ambassador to Zimbabwe, would help relieve the country's isolation from the West, as a reward for the creation of the power-sharing government forged with Mugabe's long-time foe, Morgan Tsvangirai. But when Carson attempted to suggest the need for Zimbabwe to improve its governance record, Mugabe flew into a rage and cut the meeting short.</p>
<p>He wouldn’t speak again to “an idiot of that nature,” Mugabe told Zimbabwe’s state media. “I was very angry with him, and he thinks he could dictate to us what to do …Who is he? I hope he was not speaking for [President Barack] Obama. I told him he was a great shame, being an African-American.”</p>
<p>Mugabe is having difficulty understanding why, given the very visible representation of black Americans in the Obama administration, there are no takers for his racial-solidarity mantras. He comforts himself with the thought that officials such as Carson and recently departed U.S. Ambassador James McGee are not representative of Obama’s thinking.</p>
<p>McGee, who made a robust defense of U.S. policy in his valedictory speech on July 4, made it clear where his sympathies lay.</p>
<p>“The rule of law and human rights are still under attack,” he said in defiance of a Zimbabwean Ministry of Foreign Affairs directive not to make a speech. “Innocent Zimbabweans continue to be arrested and prosecuted.”</p>
<p>McGee last year led a convoy of diplomatic vehicles into Mugabe’s heart of darkness — rural hospitals where evidence of beatings of opposition supporters by the president’s thugs was all too evident. McGee, a large man, pushed aside officials trying to block him.</p>
<p>He will be succeeded by Charles Ray, an African-American career diplomat who has served as ambassador to Cambodia and also as deputy assistant secretary of state for defense.</p>
<p>There has also been a changing of the guard at Harare's British Embassy, viewed by the regime as unforgivably hostile.</p>
<p>Previous British envoys have been castigated over the land issue, declining to take up what the government says is the former colonial power’s responsibility to compensate dispossessed white farmers. Outgoing British Ambassador Andrew Pocock in a recent statement made it clear that the lawlessness on the land was the product of Zimbabwe government policy.</p>
<p>“Therefore we have no legal obligation for compensation. We’ve never accepted that and we won’t,” he said.</p>
<p>His replacement, Mark Canning, has been transferred from Burma. His experience in dealing with a recidivist regime is obviously thought useful by Britain’s Foreign Office. Mugabe is evicting the few remaining white farmers still on the land in a move bound to compound Zimbabwe's food shortages.</p>
<p>The backgrounds of the two incoming ambassadors show that their governments view Zimbabwe as a trouble spot with a dangerous leader. Both the U.S. and British governments see Mugabe as in charge of the power-sharing government and responsible for the lack of progress made in restoring the rule of law and respect for human rights.</p>
<p>If Mugabe had any hopes left of an entente with Obama, they would have been dashed by the U.S. president’s speech in Accra, Ghana.</p>
<p>He praised the work of the Zimbabwe Election Support Network which he said “braved brutal repression to stand up for the principle that a person’s vote is their sacred right.”</p>
<p>Two days before those remarks, Mugabe had been telling a meeting of investors that his government had honored its commitment to pay compensation to evicted white farmers for improvements on their properties, an economy with the truth that had commentators gasping at its boldness. Mugabe promised that his government would uphold property rights when it has seized farms supposedly protected by bilateral investment agreements with foreign governments.</p>
<p>Business people weren’t impressed either by Mugabe’s claim that his government’s Indigenization and Economic Empowerment Bill, requiring that investors permit Zimbabweans to take a 51 percent share in their businesses, was designed to promote the participation of “our people” in the economy.</p>
<p>“We all know who 'our people' are," one commentator quipped in reference to the avaricious gang around Mugabe, who have benefited from many other "indigenization" schemes.</p>
<p>Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara, who is from the opposition side of the unity government, took issue with the president at the same meeting. He said the government should stop blaming the West for the country’s decline. Instead it should uphold the rule of law and safeguard property rights.</p>
<p>“For you to be trusted, credible to investors, we must resolve outstanding matters because if we don’t we lose credibility,” Mutambara said referring to a raft of unfulfilled goals set by the parties last September. “How can we convince investors if we don’t respect our own agreement?”</p>
<p>Mugabe looked studiously ahead, as if none of this had anything to do with him. So long as he remains the principal obstacle to change, Zimbabwe’s prospects of recovery remain slim.</p>
<p>The incoming U.S. and British ambassadors are sure to ram that point home in their dealings with Zimbabwe's recalcitrant ruler.</p>
<p>More GlobalPost dispatches from Zimbabwe:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/zimbabwe/090603/elderly-whites-return-britain-zimbabwe" type="external">Zimbabwe's elderly whites return to Britain&#160;</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/zimbabwe/090526/zimbabwes-split-personality" type="external">Zimbabwe's split personality</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/zimbabwe/090518/mugabe-still-boss-zimbabwe" type="external">Mugabe is still the boss</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/zimbabwe/090504/harare-hosts-cultural-festival" type="external">Harare rocks with cultural festival</a>&#160;</p>
<p />
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harare zimbabwe president robert mugabe bitter man us assistant secretary state african affairs johnnie carson attempted explain human rights abuses zimbabwe blocking countrys access international aid mugabe branded idiot mugabe 85 could barely contain two met sidelines african union summit libya early july mugabe hoped carson former us ambassador zimbabwe would help relieve countrys isolation west reward creation powersharing government forged mugabes longtime foe morgan tsvangirai carson attempted suggest need zimbabwe improve governance record mugabe flew rage cut meeting short wouldnt speak idiot nature mugabe told zimbabwes state media angry thinks could dictate us hope speaking president barack obama told great shame africanamerican mugabe difficulty understanding given visible representation black americans obama administration takers racialsolidarity mantras comforts thought officials carson recently departed us ambassador james mcgee representative obamas thinking mcgee made robust defense us policy valedictory speech july 4 made clear sympathies lay rule law human rights still attack said defiance zimbabwean ministry foreign affairs directive make speech innocent zimbabweans continue arrested prosecuted mcgee last year led convoy diplomatic vehicles mugabes heart darkness rural hospitals evidence beatings opposition supporters presidents thugs evident mcgee large man pushed aside officials trying block succeeded charles ray africanamerican career diplomat served ambassador cambodia also deputy assistant secretary state defense also changing guard harares british embassy viewed regime unforgivably hostile previous british envoys castigated land issue declining take government says former colonial powers responsibility compensate dispossessed white farmers outgoing british ambassador andrew pocock recent statement made clear lawlessness land product zimbabwe government policy therefore legal obligation compensation weve never accepted wont said replacement mark canning transferred burma experience dealing recidivist regime obviously thought useful britains foreign office mugabe evicting remaining white farmers still land move bound compound zimbabwes food shortages backgrounds two incoming ambassadors show governments view zimbabwe trouble spot dangerous leader us british governments see mugabe charge powersharing government responsible lack progress made restoring rule law respect human rights mugabe hopes left entente obama would dashed us presidents speech accra ghana praised work zimbabwe election support network said braved brutal repression stand principle persons vote sacred right two days remarks mugabe telling meeting investors government honored commitment pay compensation evicted white farmers improvements properties economy truth commentators gasping boldness mugabe promised government would uphold property rights seized farms supposedly protected bilateral investment agreements foreign governments business people werent impressed either mugabes claim governments indigenization economic empowerment bill requiring investors permit zimbabweans take 51 percent share businesses designed promote participation people economy know people one commentator quipped reference avaricious gang around mugabe benefited many indigenization schemes deputy prime minister arthur mutambara opposition side unity government took issue president meeting said government stop blaming west countrys decline instead uphold rule law safeguard property rights trusted credible investors must resolve outstanding matters dont lose credibility mutambara said referring raft unfulfilled goals set parties last september convince investors dont respect agreement mugabe looked studiously ahead none anything long remains principal obstacle change zimbabwes prospects recovery remain slim incoming us british ambassadors sure ram point home dealings zimbabwes recalcitrant ruler globalpost dispatches zimbabwe zimbabwes elderly whites return britain160 zimbabwes split personality mugabe still boss harare rocks cultural festival160
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<p>From left are Emily Townley, Xavier Scott Evans, Shayna Blass and Jeff Still in ‘The Mystery of Love &amp; Sex’ at Signature Theatre. (Photo by Justin Chiet; courtesy Signature)</p>
<p>‘The Mystery of Love &amp; Sex’</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>April 5-May 8</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Signature Theatre</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>703-820-9771</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p><a href="http://Sigtheatre.org" type="external">Sigtheatre.org</a></p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Bathsheba Doran won’t be attending the area premiere of her play “The Mystery of Love &amp; Sex” at Signature Theatre. She’s far too pregnant to travel.</p>
<p>“It’s true,” Doran says via phone from her home in New York. “Yesterday I bought a caftan. I never imagined myself wearing a caftan and now I never want to take it off.”</p>
<p>The baby will be Doran and her wife’s second child. The first time around her wife gave birth, and now it’s the British-born playwright’s turn. Still, Doran has been intimately involved in the lead up to the production, conferring regularly with the play’s director, Stella Powell-Jones.</p>
<p>“The Mystery of Love &amp; Sex” is about love — love between fathers and daughters, husbands and wives, best friends and ultimately romantic relationships, says Doran who’s familiarly known as Bash. It charts the turbulent journey of longtime best friends Charlotte (Shayna Blass) who is Jewish and African-American Jonny (Xavier Scott Evans) who was brought up a strict Baptist. Now college age, they take their relationship to the next level despite an absence of attraction. And while Charlotte attests to love Jonny, she also thinks she loves a new friend, Claire. Charlotte’s parents played by Emily Townley and Jeff Still, have mixed feelings. Doran requests no spoilers, citing the word “mystery” in the play’s title.</p>
<p>As playwright, Doran’s way into the work was the experience she shares with Charlotte. The details are different yet the emotions are the same. But, she adds, it’s not a coincidence that she wrote this after she became a parent.</p>
<p>“Having a child gave me an ability to look back at youth with a degree of omniscience allowing me to write from a new and different perspective,” she says.</p>
<p>What still surprises Doran is how much Charlotte’s quasi-romantic relationship with her best friend Jonny resonates with gay theatergoers. After the play was first produced at New York’s Lincoln Center last spring, she heard from many people who’d been through the same thing.</p>
<p>“It’s a really lovely example of a specific experience becoming general and relatable, and one that’s not dramatized much. It’s something beautiful but has a tragic element about it too, because it can prevent you from being who you actually are.”</p>
<p>D.C. native Shayna Blass, 25, who plays Charlotte in the Signature production, is amazed by her character’s growth throughout the play and relates to her “struggle in dealing with expectations — the struggle between who you are and who you’re supposed to be.” While Blass identifies as “primarily straight but open to more” (not an uncommon status among young people in theater, she says), she finds Charlotte’s journey relatable to everyone who is experiencing or has experienced revelations about themselves.</p>
<p>Until now, Doran’s work didn’t include a lot of gay characters or specifically gay themes. “It’s partly because a not-very-great mentor advised me not to,” she says. “On some level it had an effect on me. I had an anxiety that writing gay characters ran the risk of not being universal. This is not something I feel now.”</p>
<p>Her last play “Kin” (2011) is about two different kinds of people falling in love. And though it was inspired by the early days of her relationship when she met her wife who was stage managing her first New York production, the playwright chose to write the couple as heterosexual.</p>
<p>“I felt not wrongly that if I made it two women, it would become about two women and not that. I was more interested in the machinations of how lovers meet. I didn’t want it to be overshadowed by the specifics of sexuality.”</p>
<p>&#160;“With ‘The Mystery of Sex &amp; Love,’ I didn’t feel it needed to be about heterosexuals,” Doran says. “The play burst out of me. I wasn’t sure it would be produced. I’d thought the moment for characters struggling with their sexuality had passed. Well, turns out it hasn’t. We still live in a world of resentment and hatred. Sometimes I think people living in the bubble of Manhattan don’t understand that.”</p>
<p>Earlier in Doran’s career, Signature produced her play “Nest” (2007), a re-imagining of the true story of a Pennsylvania indentured servant who murdered her baby in 1809, and the man who wrote the ballad that was sold at her hanging. She describes it as a daring and difficult play that wouldn’t have been written if it wasn’t for the support she received from Signature. Now many plays and TV writing gigs (HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire” and Showtime’s “Masters of Sex”) later, Doran is pleased to have another Signature production. This type of support is important to playwrights, she says.</p>
<p>Director Stella Powell-Jones, granddaughter of famed biographer Lady Antonia Frazer, is a longtime Doran fan.</p>
<p>“I wish I had a more romantic story about our first meeting, but the truth is we have the same agent,” Powell-Jones says. “I read the play in London where I grew up. Bash and I are both English and that was a wonderful way to meet the play because it’s about home and family. Reading this play I fell instantly in its clutches.”</p>
<p>Powell-Jones was also struck by Doran’s “gorgeous dialogue and intelligent characters. Each is given the full range of her imagination. I love it when they use their language. It feels very human.” By setting the play in the American South, an area where the playwright has spent a lot of time, Doran not only put things in a context where society isn’t accepting toward matters of questioning sexuality, but also opened the door to interesting language, a world with characters who use language evocatively.</p>
<p>“My job has always been to honor the truths of the plays,” Powell-Jones says. “I hope I’ve done that with this work. It’s a rich, dense, and fresh intersection of race, sexuality and family. There’s a lot of personal honesty and it’s also hilarious — funny and sad at the same time because that’s how life is. It’s not trying to say this is the definitive experience of coming out. It gives you one story and hopefully from the specifics of that story you draw something broader.”</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Bathsheba Doran</a> <a href="" type="internal">Boardwalk Empire</a> <a href="" type="internal">Emily Townley</a> <a href="" type="internal">HBO</a> <a href="" type="internal">Jeff Still</a> <a href="" type="internal">Kin</a> <a href="" type="internal">Lady Antonia Frazer</a> <a href="" type="internal">Lincoln Center</a> <a href="" type="internal">Manhattan</a> <a href="" type="internal">Masters of Sex</a> <a href="" type="internal">Nest</a> <a href="" type="internal">New York</a> <a href="" type="internal">Shayna Blass</a> <a href="" type="internal">Signature Theatre</a> <a href="" type="internal">Stella Powell-Jones</a> <a href="" type="internal">The Mystery of Love &amp; Sex</a> <a href="" type="internal">Xavier Scott Evans</a></p>
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left emily townley xavier scott evans shayna blass jeff still mystery love amp sex signature theatre photo justin chiet courtesy signature mystery love amp sex 160 april 5may 8 160 signature theatre 160 4200 campbell ave arlington 160 7038209771 160 sigtheatreorg 160 bathsheba doran wont attending area premiere play mystery love amp sex signature theatre shes far pregnant travel true doran says via phone home new york yesterday bought caftan never imagined wearing caftan never want take baby doran wifes second child first time around wife gave birth britishborn playwrights turn still doran intimately involved lead production conferring regularly plays director stella powelljones mystery love amp sex love love fathers daughters husbands wives best friends ultimately romantic relationships says doran whos familiarly known bash charts turbulent journey longtime best friends charlotte shayna blass jewish africanamerican jonny xavier scott evans brought strict baptist college age take relationship next level despite absence attraction charlotte attests love jonny also thinks loves new friend claire charlottes parents played emily townley jeff still mixed feelings doran requests spoilers citing word mystery plays title playwright dorans way work experience shares charlotte details different yet emotions adds coincidence wrote became parent child gave ability look back youth degree omniscience allowing write new different perspective says still surprises doran much charlottes quasiromantic relationship best friend jonny resonates gay theatergoers play first produced new yorks lincoln center last spring heard many people whod thing really lovely example specific experience becoming general relatable one thats dramatized much something beautiful tragic element prevent actually dc native shayna blass 25 plays charlotte signature production amazed characters growth throughout play relates struggle dealing expectations struggle youre supposed blass identifies primarily straight open uncommon status among young people theater says finds charlottes journey relatable everyone experiencing experienced revelations dorans work didnt include lot gay characters specifically gay themes partly notverygreat mentor advised says level effect anxiety writing gay characters ran risk universal something feel last play kin 2011 two different kinds people falling love though inspired early days relationship met wife stage managing first new york production playwright chose write couple heterosexual felt wrongly made two women would become two women interested machinations lovers meet didnt want overshadowed specifics sexuality 160with mystery sex amp love didnt feel needed heterosexuals doran says play burst wasnt sure would produced id thought moment characters struggling sexuality passed well turns hasnt still live world resentment hatred sometimes think people living bubble manhattan dont understand earlier dorans career signature produced play nest 2007 reimagining true story pennsylvania indentured servant murdered baby 1809 man wrote ballad sold hanging describes daring difficult play wouldnt written wasnt support received signature many plays tv writing gigs hbos boardwalk empire showtimes masters sex later doran pleased another signature production type support important playwrights says director stella powelljones granddaughter famed biographer lady antonia frazer longtime doran fan wish romantic story first meeting truth agent powelljones says read play london grew bash english wonderful way meet play home family reading play fell instantly clutches powelljones also struck dorans gorgeous dialogue intelligent characters given full range imagination love use language feels human setting play american south area playwright spent lot time doran put things context society isnt accepting toward matters questioning sexuality also opened door interesting language world characters use language evocatively job always honor truths plays powelljones says hope ive done work rich dense fresh intersection race sexuality family theres lot personal honesty also hilarious funny sad time thats life trying say definitive experience coming gives one story hopefully specifics story draw something broader bathsheba doran boardwalk empire emily townley hbo jeff still kin lady antonia frazer lincoln center manhattan masters sex nest new york shayna blass signature theatre stella powelljones mystery love amp sex xavier scott evans
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<p>Fazul Rahim is a reporter and producer with NBC News in Kabul. He will be joining the United Nations next month. Here he reflects on the <a href="" type="internal">anniversary of the 9/11 attacks</a> that triggered the invasion of Afghanistan, and why, in spite of everything, there is reason to hope.</p>
<p>KABUL — My littlest, Maryam Setayesh, was born on Sunday — a full three weeks late. The children at home were delighted, and her birth was met with raucous celebrations.</p>
<p>Her older siblings weren’t planned, but my wife Fatana and I thought carefully before having a sixth. So in spite of my wife’s cesarean, the birth was the most joyous moment of our lives.</p>
<p>But within hours of her delivery two attacks tore through Afghanistan’s capital, killing 41 and forcing me to question our decision. I asked myself: Why had I taken responsibility for another life in this messy corner of the world?</p>
<p>It would be easy for me to sink into despair now, 15 years after the Sept. 11 attacks that triggered the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan and lifted the expectations of millions of my countrymen.</p>
<p>Related: <a href="" type="internal">Full coverage of the 9/11 anniversary</a></p>
<p>These are the reasons to despair.</p>
<p>When the Americans launched the war here on Oct. 7, 2001, Afghans throughout the country hoped this spelled an end to two decades of war and misery. But it hasn’t turned out that way — and the Taliban now controls more territory that it has since its ouster.</p>
<p>Kabul — long an oasis of relative calm — is increasingly under attack. The government is divided and riven with corruption. Many Afghans have given up hope and we now make up the second-largest group of refugees trying to get to Europe.</p>
<p>Monday's blasts came almost two weeks after gunmen attacked the American University of Afghanistan in Kabul and killed 14 people — truly the country’s best and brightest. Some of those killed were close friends.</p>
<p>It was one of the hardest stories I've had to report in my 15 years as a journalist here. I graduated from the school last year with high hopes and infinite optimism for the future. And on Monday, I found myself reporting on an institution that had become a second home for me — while also texting and calling friends who were trapped in classrooms. Some did not make it; others are still in the hospital.</p>
<p>But after a sleepless night I chose joy over despair — not for the first time.</p>
<p>One of the things I find fascinating about my country is that no matter how seemingly difficult the situation, we seem to get back to normal fast.</p>
<p>That is probably a good trait, and one I’ve had to employ many times.</p>
<p>I used it during my childhood when war forced my family from its home 12 times before I finished high school. I needed it when I lost my childhood best friend Younis to a stray bullet in Kabul. I employed it during multiple mortar attacks on my house.</p>
<p>It was there when three Uzbek militiamen beat and tried to kidnap me as I walked home from school. I don’t know what they wanted — maybe it was because I was Tajik and from another ethnic group. They may have wanted to kill me. Maybe they wanted to rape me.</p>
<p>But I was saved when a rival militiamen found us and forced the gunmen to hand me over.</p>
<p>I needed my resilience when I spent three nights in a Taliban cell a couple of weeks after the militants swept into Kabul on Sept. 27, 1996. Some of us hoped these “Islamic warriors” would impose peace on a country torn apart by war.</p>
<p>But as fierce men in turbans and shaggy beards beat me with electricity cables and demanded “Where are the weapons? Where are the AK-47s?” I did lose hope in them.</p>
<p>Then I was thankful for freedom when a family friend helped buy my release.</p>
<p>So I survived high school and was admitted into medical school. This was huge deal — like going to Harvard — and I was overjoyed in spite of the fact that around me the Taliban was raiding homes and taking people to jail. Life was looking up!</p>
<p>But my medical career was cut short in 1998 when a classmate took me aside and said: "Don’t go home — if you go out that gate they will catch you."</p>
<p>"They" were a gang of Taliban with a list of 15 students to be rounded up — my name was No. 2.</p>
<p>I managed to escape and stayed away from Kabul for a year-and-a-half, but snuck back once to get married to Fatana in 1999.</p>
<p>I took my bride back to my family's village in Panjshir Valley, an entirely Tajik area surrounded on three sides by the Taliban.</p>
<p>Life was tough, but our expectations were very low. So in spite everything, we were happy. At first I mined emeralds but soon I was asked to teach at the village school. There was an opportunity to launch English classes in the village for kids whose only educational options before had been through mosques or religious texts.</p>
<p>The remote and conservative community welcome the new opportunities, though the local mullahs didn't like it and some began preaching against my classes.</p>
<p>So, I invited 20 or so to come by told them: “Show me a religious fatwa that says ‘English is against Islam' and then I will stop the classes.”</p>
<p>They couldn’t show me — so I didn’t end my classes.</p>
<p>A moment of true despair came on Sept. 9, 2001 — two days before the 9/11 attacks on the U.S. — when Ahmad Shah Massoud, the anti-Communist leader leading resistance against the Taliban, was assassinated by al Qaeda. I can honestly say his funeral was the saddest day for us.</p>
<p>But the realization a few days later that al Qaeda — which was being sheltered by the Taliban — had attacked the U.S. brought us hope.</p>
<p>“This might have some effect on us,” people said. “If Taliban are involved in this attack, America is going to do something about it.”</p>
<p>People knew Stinger missiles very well — the U.S. weapons had helped defeat the Soviets 15 years earlier. They knew the might of America. So there you go: More hope and resilience in the middle of despair.</p>
<p>Soon life began to move very fast. Foreigners began to flood into Afghanistan — not soldiers, but journalists. They brought more money than any of us had ever seen. I began working for them.</p>
<p>When the U.S. launched airstrikes on Oct. 7, 2001, we thought our bad days are over, that the Taliban was done and Afghanistan had started a new chapter. We were certain it was the start of a new era of peace, prosperity and stability.</p>
<p>But things have not worked out that way.</p>
<p>We underestimated the Taliban’s resistance, and neighboring countries' desire to meddle in our affairs.</p>
<p>Related: <a href="" type="internal">As U.S. Draws Back, Afghan Women's Future in Doubt</a></p>
<p>We did not count on the alienation that many Pashtuns felt — the Taliban is a predominantly Pashtun movement and many did not feel part of the “new” Afghanistan.</p>
<p>Finally, we couldn’t foresee the invasion of Iraq in 2003, and America turning its attention away from Afghanistan.</p>
<p>So I’ve decided I’ll always be ruled by hope and worry.</p>
<p>The hope I feel is lodged in the new generation — the young people who have been exposed to ideas and the world. Nobody can turn back the clock on them.</p>
<p>My little Maryam is one of this new generation. And for her it is my duty to hold out hope for Afghanistan.</p>
<p>— As told to F. Brinley Bruton</p>
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fazul rahim reporter producer nbc news kabul joining united nations next month reflects anniversary 911 attacks triggered invasion afghanistan spite everything reason hope kabul littlest maryam setayesh born sunday full three weeks late children home delighted birth met raucous celebrations older siblings werent planned wife fatana thought carefully sixth spite wifes cesarean birth joyous moment lives within hours delivery two attacks tore afghanistans capital killing 41 forcing question decision asked taken responsibility another life messy corner world would easy sink despair 15 years sept 11 attacks triggered us invasion afghanistan lifted expectations millions countrymen related full coverage 911 anniversary reasons despair americans launched war oct 7 2001 afghans throughout country hoped spelled end two decades war misery hasnt turned way taliban controls territory since ouster kabul long oasis relative calm increasingly attack government divided riven corruption many afghans given hope make secondlargest group refugees trying get europe mondays blasts came almost two weeks gunmen attacked american university afghanistan kabul killed 14 people truly countrys best brightest killed close friends one hardest stories ive report 15 years journalist graduated school last year high hopes infinite optimism future monday found reporting institution become second home also texting calling friends trapped classrooms make others still hospital sleepless night chose joy despair first time one things find fascinating country matter seemingly difficult situation seem get back normal fast probably good trait one ive employ many times used childhood war forced family home 12 times finished high school needed lost childhood best friend younis stray bullet kabul employed multiple mortar attacks house three uzbek militiamen beat tried kidnap walked home school dont know wanted maybe tajik another ethnic group may wanted kill maybe wanted rape saved rival militiamen found us forced gunmen hand needed resilience spent three nights taliban cell couple weeks militants swept kabul sept 27 1996 us hoped islamic warriors would impose peace country torn apart war fierce men turbans shaggy beards beat electricity cables demanded weapons ak47s lose hope thankful freedom family friend helped buy release survived high school admitted medical school huge deal like going harvard overjoyed spite fact around taliban raiding homes taking people jail life looking medical career cut short 1998 classmate took aside said dont go home go gate catch gang taliban list 15 students rounded name 2 managed escape stayed away kabul yearandahalf snuck back get married fatana 1999 took bride back familys village panjshir valley entirely tajik area surrounded three sides taliban life tough expectations low spite everything happy first mined emeralds soon asked teach village school opportunity launch english classes village kids whose educational options mosques religious texts remote conservative community welcome new opportunities though local mullahs didnt like began preaching classes invited 20 come told show religious fatwa says english islam stop classes couldnt show didnt end classes moment true despair came sept 9 2001 two days 911 attacks us ahmad shah massoud anticommunist leader leading resistance taliban assassinated al qaeda honestly say funeral saddest day us realization days later al qaeda sheltered taliban attacked us brought us hope might effect us people said taliban involved attack america going something people knew stinger missiles well us weapons helped defeat soviets 15 years earlier knew might america go hope resilience middle despair soon life began move fast foreigners began flood afghanistan soldiers journalists brought money us ever seen began working us launched airstrikes oct 7 2001 thought bad days taliban done afghanistan started new chapter certain start new era peace prosperity stability things worked way underestimated talibans resistance neighboring countries desire meddle affairs related us draws back afghan womens future doubt count alienation many pashtuns felt taliban predominantly pashtun movement many feel part new afghanistan finally couldnt foresee invasion iraq 2003 america turning attention away afghanistan ive decided ill always ruled hope worry hope feel lodged new generation young people exposed ideas world nobody turn back clock little maryam one new generation duty hold hope afghanistan told f brinley bruton
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<p>President Barack Obama&#160;is set to deliver the State of the Union address on Tuesday. (Blade photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>LGBT rights supporters&#160;are hoping that President Obama will mention trans visibility and the Equality Act during his final State of the Union address next week.</p>
<p>The remarks, which will mark the final State of the Union address for Obama as his administration comes to a close, will begin at 9 p.m. on Tuesday and be delivered before a joint session of Congress.</p>
<p>Rea Carey, executive director of the National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund, said her organization wishes Obama well in his final State of the Union and hopes he builds on the progress under his administration to enumerate the difficulties faced by transgender people in his remarks.</p>
<p>“In his speech and at this time in our nation’s history, we need the president to help remind all of us of our core values of dignity and mutual respect — in what is a fiercely divisive political climate,” Carey said. “A climate that has included an unprecedented deluge of hate speech against LGBTQ people, Muslims, undocumented immigrants and other groups. Hateful words that can lead to hateful actions such as the appalling levels of violence against, and the murder of, transgender people.”</p>
<p>Other legislative endeavors Carey said she would like to hear Obama push are criminal justice reform, closing the gaps in income inequality and federal comprehensive LGBT non-discrimination legislation known as the Equality Act.</p>
<p>“And as the most LGBTQ-friendly president of all time, we hope he will express the vital importance of the Equality Act to extend more freedom, justice and equality to all LGBTQ people,” Carey said.</p>
<p>Obama has often taken the opportunity of his State of the Union address to talk about his commitment to LGBT rights. Last year, for the first time ever, Obama invoked the words “lesbian,” “bisexual” and “transgender” in remarks before a joint session of Congress.</p>
<p>Stephen Peters, a spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign, said his organization would like Obama to build on his remarks last year for greater trans inclusion in the speech and a call to pass the Equality Act.</p>
<p>“We would love to see him build on that by raising awareness and visibility of the many challenges facing the transgender community right now,” Peters said. “There are also numerous other challenges that remain that we would love to hear the president address, including the need to pass the Equality Act for full federal LGBT equality, HIV/AIDS funding, the current Department of Defense review of the outdated regulations preventing transgender service members from serving authentically, and a host of other areas.”</p>
<p>Peters added, “There is no doubt that President Obama’s legacy of progress for the LGBT community is unmatched in history, and we are hopeful he’ll continue to build on that progress during his last year in office.”</p>
<p>On Thursday, the Equality Federation, a coalition of state LGBT groups, called on <a href="http://equalityfederation.salsalabs.com/o/35001/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=1696" type="external">supporters to sign an online letter</a>encouraging Obama to include LGBT issues in his State of the Union address amid expectations “religious freedom” bills compromising LGBT rights will move in state legislatures this year.</p>
<p>“As the community faces hundreds of bills across the country meant to limit our access to housing, job protections, safe schools for our youth, and to target our transgender family members, your public support is as important now as it has ever been,” the letter says.</p>
<p>The White House didn’t respond to the Washington Blade’s request for&#160;comment on the content of the State of the Union or any LGBT inclusion in his remarks.</p>
<p>In the aftermath of Obama’s executive actions to enhance gun safety, much of his State of the Union address will likely consist of the president urging Congress to take further action. Given Republican opposition to his actions, such legislative activity seems unlikely.</p>
<p>Gregory Angelo, president of the Log Cabin Republicans, said his organization wants to see Obama reach out to Republicans, such as by enumerating radical Islamic extremism as a threat.</p>
<p>“Log Cabin Republicans is hopeful that President Obama will use his final State of the Union address to find common ground with the Republican majorities in Congress, emphasize to Democrats in the House and Senate the need for reasonable religious accommodations if any form of LGBT non-discrimination legislation has hopes of passing, and finally call out the immediate existential threat facing the LGBT community abroad and our greater Western culture for what it is: Radical Islamic extremism,” Angelo said.</p>
<p>Delivering the Republican response to Obama’s State of the Union address immediately after the president is South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.</p>
<p>On expectations for Haley’s remarks, Angelo said, “Having met Nikki Haley when she was campaigning for governor of South Carolina, and knowing her appreciation of the work of Log Cabin Republicans, I’m expecting a common-sense conservative message containing a vision for all Americans that contrasts with what will almost assuredly be a polarizing State of the Union address from the president.”</p>
<p>Mara Keisling, executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality, was more general in her wish list for the State of the Union, although trans visibility did make the list.</p>
<p>“The State of the Union address is primarily an opportunity for the president to speak symbolically,” Keisling said. “Many of the areas the president will be discussing are extremely significant for trans people. We would hope to see the president recognize that by including trans people when discussing these issues.”</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Barack Obama</a> <a href="" type="internal">Gregory Angelo</a> <a href="" type="internal">Human Rights Campaign</a> <a href="" type="internal">Log Cabin Republicans</a> <a href="" type="internal">Rea Carey</a> <a href="" type="internal">State of the Union</a> <a href="" type="internal">Stephen Peters</a></p>
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president barack obama160is set deliver state union address tuesday blade photo michael key lgbt rights supporters160are hoping president obama mention trans visibility equality act final state union address next week remarks mark final state union address obama administration comes close begin 9 pm tuesday delivered joint session congress rea carey executive director national lgbtq task force action fund said organization wishes obama well final state union hopes builds progress administration enumerate difficulties faced transgender people remarks speech time nations history need president help remind us core values dignity mutual respect fiercely divisive political climate carey said climate included unprecedented deluge hate speech lgbtq people muslims undocumented immigrants groups hateful words lead hateful actions appalling levels violence murder transgender people legislative endeavors carey said would like hear obama push criminal justice reform closing gaps income inequality federal comprehensive lgbt nondiscrimination legislation known equality act lgbtqfriendly president time hope express vital importance equality act extend freedom justice equality lgbtq people carey said obama often taken opportunity state union address talk commitment lgbt rights last year first time ever obama invoked words lesbian bisexual transgender remarks joint session congress stephen peters spokesperson human rights campaign said organization would like obama build remarks last year greater trans inclusion speech call pass equality act would love see build raising awareness visibility many challenges facing transgender community right peters said also numerous challenges remain would love hear president address including need pass equality act full federal lgbt equality hivaids funding current department defense review outdated regulations preventing transgender service members serving authentically host areas peters added doubt president obamas legacy progress lgbt community unmatched history hopeful hell continue build progress last year office thursday equality federation coalition state lgbt groups called supporters sign online letterencouraging obama include lgbt issues state union address amid expectations religious freedom bills compromising lgbt rights move state legislatures year community faces hundreds bills across country meant limit access housing job protections safe schools youth target transgender family members public support important ever letter says white house didnt respond washington blades request for160comment content state union lgbt inclusion remarks aftermath obamas executive actions enhance gun safety much state union address likely consist president urging congress take action given republican opposition actions legislative activity seems unlikely gregory angelo president log cabin republicans said organization wants see obama reach republicans enumerating radical islamic extremism threat log cabin republicans hopeful president obama use final state union address find common ground republican majorities congress emphasize democrats house senate need reasonable religious accommodations form lgbt nondiscrimination legislation hopes passing finally call immediate existential threat facing lgbt community abroad greater western culture radical islamic extremism angelo said delivering republican response obamas state union address immediately president south carolina gov nikki haley expectations haleys remarks angelo said met nikki haley campaigning governor south carolina knowing appreciation work log cabin republicans im expecting commonsense conservative message containing vision americans contrasts almost assuredly polarizing state union address president mara keisling executive director national center transgender equality general wish list state union although trans visibility make list state union address primarily opportunity president speak symbolically keisling said many areas president discussing extremely significant trans people would hope see president recognize including trans people discussing issues barack obama gregory angelo human rights campaign log cabin republicans rea carey state union stephen peters
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<p>Dems enhanced language in the Democratic platform in favor of international LGBT rights. (Image of the rainbow flag by torbakhopper; courtesy Flickr. Image of the Democratic Party donkey by TheHoosierState89; courtesy of Wikipedia)</p>
<p>Democrats over the weekend enhanced a platform already hailed as the “ <a href="" type="internal">most LGBTQ-inclusive in history</a>” with the addition of language making clear the party believes LGBT human rights should be part of U.S. foreign policy.</p>
<p>During a&#160;meeting in Orlando, Fla., the Democratic platform committee approved the amendment late Saturday by an unanimous vote as&#160;committee&#160;co-chair and former Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy presided.</p>
<p>The new plank in favor of international LGBT human rights draws on 2011 a speech presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton made as secretary of state. At the time, Clinton declared, “gay rights are human rights, and human rights are gay rights,” a now often expressed sentiment from the Obama administration.</p>
<p>Mara Keisling, a transgender rights activist and member of the platform committee, posted a screenshot of the amendment on Twitter and told the Washington Blade she’s “very happy” with the plank.</p>
<p />
<p>Adopted unanimously by the committee, the amendment was proposed by Roberta Achtenberg, a lesbian Clinton supporter who when speaking on behalf of the plank&#160;before the committee invoked the candidate’s&#160;statement that LGBT rights are human rights.</p>
<p>“That means our foreign policy should promote human rights of LGBT people around the world,”&#160;Achtenberg said. “It means that we should work to advance the ability of all people to live with dignity, security and respect regardless of who they are, who they love or where they live.”</p>
<p>During the administration of former President Bill Clinton, Achtenberg&#160;was&#160;assistant secretary at the Department of Housing &amp; Urban Development. She was the first openly gay person who was appointed and confirmed by the U.S. Senate to a position in the U.S. government.</p>
<p>The draft platform already contained language declaring the Democratic Party’s support for making LGBT human rights part of U.S. foreign policy, but that was included in the section dedicated to LGBT human rights and not as extensive as the language proposed by&#160;Achtenberg.</p>
<p>As the amendment&#160;was being considered, another member of the committee, David Braun, an anti-fracking activist and Bernie Sanders supporter, objected to the omission of “Q” from&#160;the LGBT acronym in the proposed plank&#160;and the entire platform. Many consider the “Q” as representative of queer-inclusion in the LGBT movement.</p>
<p>“LGBTQ is actually how we identify ourselves,”&#160;Braun said. “This whole document is lacking the ‘Q’ for queer.”</p>
<p>Malloy said he’d take up the proposal as an issue in the technical review process, saying he doesn’t think anyone would&#160;“use one of their remaining amendments” to make the change.</p>
<p>Dana Vickers Shelley, a Democratic National Committee spokesperson, said committee co-chairs have the prerogative to accept changes to the draft without putting them up to a vote, which is the technical review process to which Malloy referred.</p>
<p>The draft platform is still in the process of being updated, Shelley said, so whether “Q” will be included&#160;as part of&#160;the LGBT acronym remains to be seen.</p>
<p>“The next version of the platform draft will include all approved amendments and technical changes, as well as minor edits/typos,” Shelley said. “That updated platform draft is the document distributed to convention delegates for ratification.”</p>
<p>The initial draft of the 2016 Democratic platform, <a href="" type="internal">unveiled earlier this month,</a> contains for the first-time ever support for comprehensive LGBT non-discrimination legislation, but doesn’t explicitly mention the Equality Act as that litigation, nor does it explicitly say the words “gay,” “lesbian” and “bisexual.” It wasn’t immediately clear if that enumeration was made part of the platform as a result of the platform committee’s work over the weekend.</p>
<p>Also during the meeting, the committee rejected an amendment supported by Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders that would have explicitly stated the party opposes the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a proposed trade agreement among 12 nations in the Pacific Rim, including the United States. As a right now, the draft platform says “there are a diversity of views in the party” on the agreement.</p>
<p>Many LGBT groups have expressed opposition to the deal, which is opposed by the labor movement, on the basis it would open up to U.S. trade to countries that criminalize homosexuality like Malaysia and Brunei. Critics say the deal would complicate distribution of HIV/AIDS medications in the region.</p>
<p>Jerame Davis, director of the LGBT labor group Pride at Work, said the language as it stands is sufficient for opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership.</p>
<p>“A direct rejection of the TPP in the platform would’ve been great, but the broader language included in the Democratic Party platform covers all trade deals, which is more important than any single agreement,” Davis said. “The trade plank explicitly rejects any trade deal that includes the ability for corporations to sue sovereign nations if their profits are impacted by that country’s laws. Known as Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS), this is one of the defining features of TPP and is baked into the agreement. The TPP utterly fails the standards this trade plank defines.”</p>
<p>Davis added the new plank&#160;making clear the Democratic Party supports international LGBT human rights undermines the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The language, he said, directly contradicts the agreement because it would open up trade to&#160;Malaysia and Brunei.</p>
<p>“We believe it will be hard for any member of that party to stand behind TPP as it is currently written once this platform is formally adopted in Philadelphia in less than two weeks,” Davis concluded.</p>
<p>Late Saturday&#160;evening, the committee approved the entire draft platform by voice vote. The next step in the process is ratification by delegates at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia during the final week of July.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Dana Vickers Shelley</a> <a href="" type="internal">Democratic National Committee</a> <a href="" type="internal">Jerame Davis</a> <a href="" type="internal">Mara Keisling</a> <a href="" type="internal">Pride at Work</a> <a href="" type="internal">Roberta Actenberg</a></p>
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dems enhanced language democratic platform favor international lgbt rights image rainbow flag torbakhopper courtesy flickr image democratic party donkey thehoosierstate89 courtesy wikipedia democrats weekend enhanced platform already hailed lgbtqinclusive history addition language making clear party believes lgbt human rights part us foreign policy a160meeting orlando fla democratic platform committee approved amendment late saturday unanimous vote as160committee160cochair former connecticut gov dan malloy presided new plank favor international lgbt human rights draws 2011 speech presumptive democratic presidential nominee hillary clinton made secretary state time clinton declared gay rights human rights human rights gay rights often expressed sentiment obama administration mara keisling transgender rights activist member platform committee posted screenshot amendment twitter told washington blade shes happy plank adopted unanimously committee amendment proposed roberta achtenberg lesbian clinton supporter speaking behalf plank160before committee invoked candidates160statement lgbt rights human rights means foreign policy promote human rights lgbt people around world160achtenberg said means work advance ability people live dignity security respect regardless love live administration former president bill clinton achtenberg160was160assistant secretary department housing amp urban development first openly gay person appointed confirmed us senate position us government draft platform already contained language declaring democratic partys support making lgbt human rights part us foreign policy included section dedicated lgbt human rights extensive language proposed by160achtenberg amendment160was considered another member committee david braun antifracking activist bernie sanders supporter objected omission q from160the lgbt acronym proposed plank160and entire platform many consider q representative queerinclusion lgbt movement lgbtq actually identify ourselves160braun said whole document lacking q queer malloy said hed take proposal issue technical review process saying doesnt think anyone would160use one remaining amendments make change dana vickers shelley democratic national committee spokesperson said committee cochairs prerogative accept changes draft without putting vote technical review process malloy referred draft platform still process updated shelley said whether q included160as part of160the lgbt acronym remains seen next version platform draft include approved amendments technical changes well minor editstypos shelley said updated platform draft document distributed convention delegates ratification initial draft 2016 democratic platform unveiled earlier month contains firsttime ever support comprehensive lgbt nondiscrimination legislation doesnt explicitly mention equality act litigation explicitly say words gay lesbian bisexual wasnt immediately clear enumeration made part platform result platform committees work weekend also meeting committee rejected amendment supported democratic presidential candidate bernie sanders would explicitly stated party opposes transpacific partnership proposed trade agreement among 12 nations pacific rim including united states right draft platform says diversity views party agreement many lgbt groups expressed opposition deal opposed labor movement basis would open us trade countries criminalize homosexuality like malaysia brunei critics say deal would complicate distribution hivaids medications region jerame davis director lgbt labor group pride work said language stands sufficient opposition transpacific partnership direct rejection tpp platform wouldve great broader language included democratic party platform covers trade deals important single agreement davis said trade plank explicitly rejects trade deal includes ability corporations sue sovereign nations profits impacted countrys laws known investor state dispute settlement isds one defining features tpp baked agreement tpp utterly fails standards trade plank defines davis added new plank160making clear democratic party supports international lgbt human rights undermines transpacific partnership language said directly contradicts agreement would open trade to160malaysia brunei believe hard member party stand behind tpp currently written platform formally adopted philadelphia less two weeks davis concluded late saturday160evening committee approved entire draft platform voice vote next step process ratification delegates democratic national convention philadelphia final week july dana vickers shelley democratic national committee jerame davis mara keisling pride work roberta actenberg
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<p>CHURCH NEWS</p>
<p>• The Christmas story comes to life at Bethlehem Village, sponsored by churches in the Afton, Waynesboro and Charlottesville area. Located on the grounds of Hebron Church, Afton, the village will be open Dec. 19 to 23 from 6 – 9 p.m.. It will open at 4 p.m. on Sun., Dec. 21 (one day only) to allow visitors to enjoy the village during daylight. This year there will be a guided tour in Spanish starting at 7 p.m. on Tues., Dec. 23. Admission is free but donations are accepted. For additional information check the website: www. bethlehemvillage.org.</p>
<p>• Vienna Church, Vienna, owns a small retreat center in Lost River, W. Va., approximately 110 miles west of Washington, D.C. and 45 miles west of Front Royal. The church is willing to offer its retreat center at a reasonable rate to Virginia Baptist church groups that may want to attend the presidential inauguration. For more information call the church office at 703-281-4400.</p>
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<p>MISSIONS MOMENTAntioch Baptist Church, Red Oak, had a very successful VBS in 2008. Its mission project was to raise money to assist in sending one resident of the Patrick Henry Girl's Home in Wylliesburg on a beach vacation planned by the Home. The VBS children were excited about the project and in four nights collected enough money to sponsor two girls. Pictured above are children and adults attending Antioch's VBS.</p>
<p>• The Women on Mission at Main Street Church, Emporia, were honored on Nov. 23 with the presentation of a certificate from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship in recognition of the church's increased contributions to the Global Missions Offering in 2007. Pastor David Roberts presented the certificate to WOM representative Fanny Adams. The group accepted the award with the pledge to offer continued support of the CBF and its global missions projects.</p>
<p>• Powers Memorial Church, Hopewell, will celebrate its 55th anniversary on Jan. 18 with a covered-dish luncheon. Former members and friends are invited. Rod Hale is interim pastor.</p>
<p>ASSOCIATIONAL NEWS</p>
<p>• Appomattox Association will host a concert for youth featuring “Three Nails” on Sun., Jan. 25 at 4:30 p.m. at Union Hill Church in Brookneal. “Three Nails” is a music group from Dan River Association.</p>
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<p>BAPTISMAt its annual church picnic on Aug. 24, Elon Baptist Church, Pamplin, held its first ourdoor baptism in over 50 years. It took place in the pool at the home of Keith and Lori Vogt. Pictured is Kim Schleef preparing to be baptised by Andrew Matthews, pastor at Elon.</p>
<p>CHRISTMAS MUSIC AND DRAMA</p>
<p>• Bedford Church, Bedford; “Seasons Greetings,” Dec. 21 at 10:55 a.m.</p>
<p>• Bethany Church, Baskerville; “Bethlehem Speaks,” Dec. 21 at 6 p.m.</p>
<p>• Biltmore Church, Glen Allen, “The Splendor of Christmas,” Dec. 21 at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>• Central Church, Richmond; “And the World Received Him,” Dec. 21 at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>• Chancellor Church, Fredericksburg; “Worship Christ, the Newborn King,” Dec. 21 at 10:30 a.m.</p>
<p>• Charles Town Church, Charles Town, WV; “Go Tell It!”, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>• Cobham Park Church, Warsaw; “Christmas In My Heart,” Dec. 21 at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>• Colonial Beach Church, Colonial Beach; “Carol of Christmas,” Dec. 21 at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>• Concord Church, Concord; “The Love of God at Christmas,” Dec. 21 at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>• Craigs Church, Spotsylvania; “Welcome to Our World,” Dec. 21 at 9:30 and 11 a.m.</p>
<p>• Dan River Church, Halifax; “Come, Let Us Worship the King,” Dec. 21 at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>• Falling River Church, Brookneal; “Jesus, There's Something About that Name,” Dec. 21 at 6:30 p.m.</p>
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<p>NOTEBURNINGNewington Baptist Church, Gloucester, held a note burning during its 135th anniversary celebration. Pictured is Pastor Mike Grey (left) and Ellis Hall burning the note.</p>
<p>• Fieldale Church, Fieldale; “A Cricket Country Colorado Christmas,” Dec. 20 at 6 p.m.</p>
<p>• First Church, Chase City; “There is Peace in the World Tonight,” Dec. 21 at 5 p.m.</p>
<p>• First Church, Nickelsville; “Hope Has Hands,” Dec. 21 at 9:30 and 11 a.m.</p>
<p>• First Church, South Hill; “Emmanuel, Celebrating Heaven's Child,” Dec. 21 at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>• Fox Hill Church, Hampton; “Christmas! I Love to Tell the Story,” Dec. 21 at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>• Fredericksburg Church, Fredericksburg; “Angels over Fredericksburg,” indoor/outdoor drama; Sat. Dec. 20 from 5 to 8 p.m. and Dec. 21 from 8 to 10 a.m.</p>
<p>• Gwynn's Island Church, Gwynn; “Hope Has Hands,” Dec. 21 at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>• Hampton Church, Hampton; “Messiah,” Dec. 21 at 10:30 a.m.</p>
<p>• Hatcher Memorial Church, Richmond; “Festival of Carols,” Dec. 21 at 10 a.m.</p>
<p>• Hunton Church, Glen Allen; “Once Upon a Holy Night,” Dec. 20 and 21 at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>• Kentuck Church, Ringgold; “Peace on Earth,” Dec. 21 at 6 p.m.</p>
<p>• Louisa Church, Louisa; “Holy Night of Miracles,” Dec. 21 at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>• Madison Heights Church, Madison Heights; “Once Upon a Holy Night,” Dec. 21 at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>• Mentow Church, Huddleston; “Love's Pure Light,” Dec. 21 at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>• Mill Creek Church, Fincastle; “Christmas is Forever,” Dec. 21 at 6 p.m.</p>
<p>• Parham Road Church, Richmond; “Welcome to Our World,” Dec. 21 at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>• Rivermont Church, Danville; “Hope Has Hands,” Dec. 21 at 6 p.m.</p>
<p>• Smithfield Church, Smithfield; “One Incredible Moment,” Dec. 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m.</p>
<p>• Tomahawk Church, Midlothian; “Start at the Manger,” Dec. 21 at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>• Waverly Place Church, Roanoke; “Joyful and Triumphant,” Dec. 21 at 10:45 a.m.</p>
<p>STAFF CHANGES</p>
<p>• Christopher Kiser, to Buffalo Church, Buffalo Junction, as pastor.</p>
<p>• Dave Peppler, to Muddy Creek Church, Powhatan, as pastor.</p>
<p>• Ron Nicholls, to Rappahannock Indian Church, Bowling Green, as pastor.</p>
<p>• Chris Bell, to Woolridge Road Church, Moseley, as pastor.</p>
<p>• Daniel Chu, to Grace Chinese Church, Richmond, as pastor.</p>
<p>• Dallas Stallings, to Berryville Church, Berryville, as interim pastor.</p>
<p>• Aaron Kindley, to Moffett Memorial Church, Danville, as minister of children.</p>
<p>• Evelyn Conner, resigning as music director at Bethel Church, Salem.</p>
<p>• Joyce Kerrick, to Axton Church, Axton, as music director.</p>
<p>VIRGINIA BAPTIST WOMEN'S CHORALE</p>
<p>• The VBWC is a group of Virginia Baptist women who serve in music leadership roles in their churches. In 2009 the chorale will start its new year with a retreat on Jan. 16-17 at Eagle Eyrie. If you are interested in joining, please visit their website at www.vbwc. org and learn more about the group or contact its director, Susan Batten-Bell at [email protected] or Bedford Baptist Church at 540-586-9564.</p>
<p>THE CAMPUS COMES TO YOU</p>
<p>• In partnership with the John Leland Center, the Southwest Virginia Christian Leadership Network will offer college and masters Bible classes in spring 2009. These classes are ideal for ministers, those considering a call to ministry, church leaders or those who simply desire continuing education. Classes begin the week of Jan. 26, 2009, meet one night a week and conclude the week of May 15. Classes may be taken for credit or audited. Tuition is affordable and scholarships are available for members of BGAV churches. Classes and locations include: Baptist Student Center, UVa-Wise; Christian Ethics–Monday, 6:30-9:30 p.m.; Ministry of Worship–Tuesday, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Bonsack Baptist Church, Roanoke; Jesus in the Synoptic Gospels– Monday, 6:30-9:30 p.m.; Spiritual Formations (Growing in Christlikeness)–Tuesday, 9 a.m.-12 noon; Philo-sophy of Religion–Thursday, 6:30-9:30 p.m. New Testament Introduction–Thursday, 6:30-9:30 p.m. (Masters). Lebanon Association Building, Glade Spring; Introduction to New Testament–Monday, 6:30-9:30 p.m. First Baptist Church, Nickelsville; Christian Ethics–Thurs., 6:30-9:30 p.m. Henry County Baptist Association Building, Martinsville: Life &amp; Letters of Paul–Monday, 6:30-9:30 p.m. For further information and registration, contact The Southwest Virginia Christian Leadership Network by phone 540-777-3014, toll free 1-866-223-9344, or email [email protected]. Submit staff changes by email to rdilday@ religiousherald.org or mail to Religious Herald P. O. Box 8377, Richmond, VA 23226.</p>
<p>DEATHS</p>
<p>• Retired Baptist pastor Junius E. Foster died Dec. 4 in Virginia Beach at the age of 86. He served as pastor of Thalia Lynn Church, Virginia Beach, for 20 years until his retirement in 1987. Prior to that he was pastor of Hull's Memorial and Zoan churches in Fredericksburg and Norview Church in Norfolk, as well as five churches in Florida. He had served as a trustee of the Religious Herald. He is preceded in death by his wife, Dotti. He is survived by four children, Darrell, Richard, David and Lynne; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at Thalia Lynn Church on Dec. 27 at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>• Bert Johnson, pastor of Summersett Church, Pittsville, died Dec. 4 at the age of 75. He had served as pastor of Edge Hill Church, Hurt, and Friendship Church in Gresham, S.C. He had been pastor at Summersett Baptist for the past 31 years. Johnson had also served on the Virginia Baptist Mission Board. He is survived by his wife, Janie Powell Johnson; three daughters, Cynthia Fontaine, Nancy Vasser and Deborah Fitzgerald; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. A memorial service was held Dec. 7 at Summerset Church.</p>
<p>• Retired Baptist minister John W. Long died Nov. 26 in Virginia Beach at the age of 90. He served as pastor of churches in the Portsmouth and Roanoke area. He is predeceased by wives, Dorothy Craig Long and Janet Pate Long. He is survived by a son, Paul D. Long; and three grandchildren. A funeral service was held Nov. 30 in Gastonia, N.C.</p>
<p>• Virginia Baptist minister Homer C. South Jr. died Dec. 3 at the age of 85. He had spent 57 years in the ministry, serving as pastor of 25 churches in Maryland and Virginia. He had served as pastor of Olivet Church and Lower King and Queen Church, both in Mattaponi, and Beulah Church, Schley. In retirement he served as associate pastor at Poroporone Church, Shacklesford. He is survived by his wife, Charlotte; two daughters, Jean Thomas and Myrna Ashley; two sons, Chris and Phillip South; 12 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. A memorial service was held Dec. 6 at Poroporone Church.</p>
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church news christmas story comes life bethlehem village sponsored churches afton waynesboro charlottesville area located grounds hebron church afton village open dec 19 23 6 9 pm open 4 pm sun dec 21 one day allow visitors enjoy village daylight year guided tour spanish starting 7 pm tues dec 23 admission free donations accepted additional information check website www bethlehemvillageorg vienna church vienna owns small retreat center lost river w va approximately 110 miles west washington dc 45 miles west front royal church willing offer retreat center reasonable rate virginia baptist church groups may want attend presidential inauguration information call church office 7032814400 missions momentantioch baptist church red oak successful vbs 2008 mission project raise money assist sending one resident patrick henry girls home wylliesburg beach vacation planned home vbs children excited project four nights collected enough money sponsor two girls pictured children adults attending antiochs vbs women mission main street church emporia honored nov 23 presentation certificate cooperative baptist fellowship recognition churchs increased contributions global missions offering 2007 pastor david roberts presented certificate wom representative fanny adams group accepted award pledge offer continued support cbf global missions projects powers memorial church hopewell celebrate 55th anniversary jan 18 covereddish luncheon former members friends invited rod hale interim pastor associational news appomattox association host concert youth featuring three nails sun jan 25 430 pm union hill church brookneal three nails music group dan river association baptismat annual church picnic aug 24 elon baptist church pamplin held first ourdoor baptism 50 years took place pool home keith lori vogt pictured kim schleef preparing baptised andrew matthews pastor elon christmas music drama bedford church bedford seasons greetings dec 21 1055 bethany church baskerville bethlehem speaks dec 21 6 pm biltmore church glen allen splendor christmas dec 21 7 pm central church richmond world received dec 21 7 pm chancellor church fredericksburg worship christ newborn king dec 21 1030 charles town church charles town wv go tell dec 21 7 pm cobham park church warsaw christmas heart dec 21 7 pm colonial beach church colonial beach carol christmas dec 21 11 concord church concord love god christmas dec 21 11 craigs church spotsylvania welcome world dec 21 930 11 dan river church halifax come let us worship king dec 21 11 falling river church brookneal jesus theres something name dec 21 630 pm noteburningnewington baptist church gloucester held note burning 135th anniversary celebration pictured pastor mike grey left ellis hall burning note fieldale church fieldale cricket country colorado christmas dec 20 6 pm first church chase city peace world tonight dec 21 5 pm first church nickelsville hope hands dec 21 930 11 first church south hill emmanuel celebrating heavens child dec 21 11 fox hill church hampton christmas love tell story dec 21 11 fredericksburg church fredericksburg angels fredericksburg indooroutdoor drama sat dec 20 5 8 pm dec 21 8 10 gwynns island church gwynn hope hands dec 21 7 pm hampton church hampton messiah dec 21 1030 hatcher memorial church richmond festival carols dec 21 10 hunton church glen allen upon holy night dec 20 21 7 pm kentuck church ringgold peace earth dec 21 6 pm louisa church louisa holy night miracles dec 21 11 madison heights church madison heights upon holy night dec 21 11 mentow church huddleston loves pure light dec 21 7 pm mill creek church fincastle christmas forever dec 21 6 pm parham road church richmond welcome world dec 21 11 rivermont church danville hope hands dec 21 6 pm smithfield church smithfield one incredible moment dec 21 22 730 pm tomahawk church midlothian start manger dec 21 11 waverly place church roanoke joyful triumphant dec 21 1045 staff changes christopher kiser buffalo church buffalo junction pastor dave peppler muddy creek church powhatan pastor ron nicholls rappahannock indian church bowling green pastor chris bell woolridge road church moseley pastor daniel chu grace chinese church richmond pastor dallas stallings berryville church berryville interim pastor aaron kindley moffett memorial church danville minister children evelyn conner resigning music director bethel church salem joyce kerrick axton church axton music director virginia baptist womens chorale vbwc group virginia baptist women serve music leadership roles churches 2009 chorale start new year retreat jan 1617 eagle eyrie interested joining please visit website wwwvbwc org learn group contact director susan battenbell musicbedfordbaptistorg bedford baptist church 5405869564 campus comes partnership john leland center southwest virginia christian leadership network offer college masters bible classes spring 2009 classes ideal ministers considering call ministry church leaders simply desire continuing education classes begin week jan 26 2009 meet one night week conclude week may 15 classes may taken credit audited tuition affordable scholarships available members bgav churches classes locations include baptist student center uvawise christian ethicsmonday 630930 pm ministry worshiptuesday 630930 pm bonsack baptist church roanoke jesus synoptic gospels monday 630930 pm spiritual formations growing christlikenesstuesday 9 am12 noon philosophy religionthursday 630930 pm new testament introductionthursday 630930 pm masters lebanon association building glade spring introduction new testamentmonday 630930 pm first baptist church nickelsville christian ethicsthurs 630930 pm henry county baptist association building martinsville life amp letters paulmonday 630930 pm information registration contact southwest virginia christian leadership network phone 5407773014 toll free 18662239344 email garychapmanvbmborg submit staff changes email rdilday religiousheraldorg mail religious herald p box 8377 richmond va 23226 deaths retired baptist pastor junius e foster died dec 4 virginia beach age 86 served pastor thalia lynn church virginia beach 20 years retirement 1987 prior pastor hulls memorial zoan churches fredericksburg norview church norfolk well five churches florida served trustee religious herald preceded death wife dotti survived four children darrell richard david lynne four grandchildren three greatgrandchildren memorial service held thalia lynn church dec 27 11 bert johnson pastor summersett church pittsville died dec 4 age 75 served pastor edge hill church hurt friendship church gresham sc pastor summersett baptist past 31 years johnson also served virginia baptist mission board survived wife janie powell johnson three daughters cynthia fontaine nancy vasser deborah fitzgerald six grandchildren six greatgrandchildren memorial service held dec 7 summerset church retired baptist minister john w long died nov 26 virginia beach age 90 served pastor churches portsmouth roanoke area predeceased wives dorothy craig long janet pate long survived son paul long three grandchildren funeral service held nov 30 gastonia nc virginia baptist minister homer c south jr died dec 3 age 85 spent 57 years ministry serving pastor 25 churches maryland virginia served pastor olivet church lower king queen church mattaponi beulah church schley retirement served associate pastor poroporone church shacklesford survived wife charlotte two daughters jean thomas myrna ashley two sons chris phillip south 12 grandchildren 19 greatgrandchildren memorial service held dec 6 poroporone church
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<p>Nine opinions on whether Chicago has better principals today than it did in 1989, when local school councils started doing the picking.</p>
<p>Donald Moore, executive director, Designs for Change:</p>
<p>“Without a doubt the quality of principals is better [under reform]. We see 110 elementary schools that have made major gains in student achievement since 1990, and in 81 percent of schools the test scores are up at least some. We see principals originating a creative vision, working far beyond the required number of hours, developing a coherent approach to professional development and involving the parents and the community. I’ve been around the system since 1970, and this kind of commitment wasn’t there before reform, because principals had lifetime tenure and it was virtually impossible to remove them.</p>
<p>Leola Spann, president, Northwest Austin Council:</p>
<p>“In the schools in my community, I have seen the principals taking more pride. They are looking at how a school should operate. They also aren’t so closed up as administrators–you know, like they’re locked up in an office with paper. It used to be you never saw the principals, but now they’re visible, and the parents and the children know who they are.”</p>
<p>Sheila Castillo, coordinator, Chicago Association of Local School Councils:</p>
<p>“Old-time principals followed directions–it was do this, do this. Schools were locked down, and parents weren’t encouraged to come in. Since reform, the overall quality has improved, because the requirements now demand a better-rounded person with more leadership, executive and people skills than before. Principals have to satisfy the parents, the teachers and the kids, and if that makes them politicians, so what? We’re all politicians. Having to negotiate isn’t bad. I have to do that every day, too–not only at the office but at home.”</p>
<p>Cozette Buckney, chief education officer, Chicago Public Schools:</p>
<p>“The involvement of the community in the selection of a principal, on the whole, enhances the person who is selected, because the community is looking for and achieving a good match. Today, the majority of principals are hanging in out there, making a difference in their schools. This momentum started in ’89 and is continuing. What I don’t like is the tendency to hire from within. See, it’s helpful for someone to come into a school with a blank slate and the ability to make radical changes. That was true for me when I went from the assistant principal at Austin High to become principal at Fuller Elementary.”</p>
<p>Juan Rangel, executive director, United Neighborhood Organization:</p>
<p>“On one hand, principals don’t have a job for life anymore. As a result, the job is based on performance, so a school needs to improve if a principal wants a renewed contract. There is now a sense of accountability. Principals are now more mindful of their primary responsibility, the improvement of school. On the flip side, LSCs were in some cases basing their hiring decisions on personality. But now, with the passage of the new law requiring principals to be fully trained [Senate Bill 1019], we will see a higher caliber in office.”</p>
<p>G. Alfred Hess, Jr., research professor of education and social policy, Northwestern University:</p>
<p>“We have moved from a system of many, very experienced principals who understood how to keep their schools functioning, but were not focused on achievement, to a group of principals who are largely novices in their jobs and for whom the mechanics of school leadership are not yet well-established. It’s yet to be demonstrated that we have systemwide a deep corps of effective instructional change-leaders. We’re not there yet.”</p>
<p>Anthony Bryk, director, Consortium on Chicago School Research:</p>
<p>“Our conclusion in 1992 was that the initial turnover of principals brought a great deal of dynamism and energy to the schools; it brought in minorities, younger blood. But in the early ’90s, some old-guard principals tired of their changed role, and newer principals found it too difficult to hire personnel and to purchase things. Two waves of early retirement drew an extraordinary number of people away. Now the pool may be weaker. … We’re seeing a lot of teachers without administrative experience being promoted up from within their own schools.”</p>
<p>Beverly Tunney, president, Chicago Principals and Administrators Association:</p>
<p>“The way the principals are being chosen now has closed out many, many people who would make good principals. Generally speaking, 90 or so percent of all principals are chosen from within the school–most LSCs don’t even respond to applicants from outside. If you want to become a principal and you’re not sitting there as the assistant principal, it’s extremely hard to rise. If the idea of school reform was to open up the system, it did the exact opposite.”</p>
<p>Paul Vallas, chief executive officer, Chicago Public Schools:</p>
<p>“I sincerely believe that the quality of principals has not improved under school reform. The process was supposed to open up selection to new people, to people from the outside–you’d do a national search and choose the very best candidate–and now what happens all too often is that people are being promoted from within the school, people who have lobbied for the job, sometimes against the existing principal. The objective of reform was that you not have cronies coming in, and now sometimes you do.”</p>
<p>Thomas Reece, president, Chicago Teachers Union:</p>
<p>“I haven’t seen anything I would call marked improvement. The number of principals in the system with not much experience has gone up a great deal. Grievances filed by the teachers have increased. Being hired by a local council puts a human being in a difficult position, because those on the council vote on your contract and only two are teachers. What input does the faculty have? That often comes second. A principal has to be pretty strong to say, ‘Now wait a minute. I want to hear from the professionals here.’ “</p>
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nine opinions whether chicago better principals today 1989 local school councils started picking donald moore executive director designs change without doubt quality principals better reform see 110 elementary schools made major gains student achievement since 1990 81 percent schools test scores least see principals originating creative vision working far beyond required number hours developing coherent approach professional development involving parents community ive around system since 1970 kind commitment wasnt reform principals lifetime tenure virtually impossible remove leola spann president northwest austin council schools community seen principals taking pride looking school operate also arent closed administratorsyou know like theyre locked office paper used never saw principals theyre visible parents children know sheila castillo coordinator chicago association local school councils oldtime principals followed directionsit schools locked parents werent encouraged come since reform overall quality improved requirements demand betterrounded person leadership executive people skills principals satisfy parents teachers kids makes politicians politicians negotiate isnt bad every day toonot office home cozette buckney chief education officer chicago public schools involvement community selection principal whole enhances person selected community looking achieving good match today majority principals hanging making difference schools momentum started 89 continuing dont like tendency hire within see helpful someone come school blank slate ability make radical changes true went assistant principal austin high become principal fuller elementary juan rangel executive director united neighborhood organization one hand principals dont job life anymore result job based performance school needs improve principal wants renewed contract sense accountability principals mindful primary responsibility improvement school flip side lscs cases basing hiring decisions personality passage new law requiring principals fully trained senate bill 1019 see higher caliber office g alfred hess jr research professor education social policy northwestern university moved system many experienced principals understood keep schools functioning focused achievement group principals largely novices jobs mechanics school leadership yet wellestablished yet demonstrated systemwide deep corps effective instructional changeleaders yet anthony bryk director consortium chicago school research conclusion 1992 initial turnover principals brought great deal dynamism energy schools brought minorities younger blood early 90s oldguard principals tired changed role newer principals found difficult hire personnel purchase things two waves early retirement drew extraordinary number people away pool may weaker seeing lot teachers without administrative experience promoted within schools beverly tunney president chicago principals administrators association way principals chosen closed many many people would make good principals generally speaking 90 percent principals chosen within schoolmost lscs dont even respond applicants outside want become principal youre sitting assistant principal extremely hard rise idea school reform open system exact opposite paul vallas chief executive officer chicago public schools sincerely believe quality principals improved school reform process supposed open selection new people people outsideyoud national search choose best candidateand happens often people promoted within school people lobbied job sometimes existing principal objective reform cronies coming sometimes thomas reece president chicago teachers union havent seen anything would call marked improvement number principals system much experience gone great deal grievances filed teachers increased hired local council puts human difficult position council vote contract two teachers input faculty often comes second principal pretty strong say wait minute want hear professionals
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<p>By Jeff Brumley</p>
<p>Chris Wondree is a full-time seminary student and a student ministry intern at a Virginia church, all of which means he’s busy.</p>
<p>Very busy.</p>
<p>Fortunately, Wondree said, the internet helps alleviate the stress of running back and forth between Second Baptist Church and Baptist Theological Seminary in Richmond.</p>
<p>“Online courses make it possible to learn from a distance as well as free up time during the day to continue my ministry work where normally daily classes would inhibit,” Wondree, 26, told ABPnewsThe Herald via e-mail.</p>
<p>Other benefits, he said, including being forced to stay tech savvy and to be more thoughtful about the comments he submits during online discussions in classes like New Testament, Christian Tradition and Introduction to Spirituality.</p>
<p>Wondree has plenty of company. According to accreditation agencies and a number of seminary officials, offerings of and enrollment in distance-learning courses is up at divinity schools across the country.</p>
<p>Recently, a Harvard University professor offered a non-credit course on the letters of Paul that drew 22,000 students from around the world, proving to some that the future of education – including theological – is on the web.</p>
<p>“They’re setting the pace and we can learn from them,” Gene Wilkes, president of Texas-based B.H. Carroll Theological Institute, said of the Harvard experiment.</p>
<p>That course has also revived questions about online theological education and whether it’s appropriate to offer vital courses such as Old and New testaments, Hebrew, ancient Greek and preaching outside traditional classroom settings.</p>
<p>Perhaps, but some educators noted that Letters of Pau” course offered by Harvard University Professor Laura Nasrallah on edX online should not be the measuring stick because students were being graded.</p>
<p>“You can do that in a church setting but in a classroom it’s different because you’re hopefully measuring what a student is learning,” said Ronald Crawford, president of Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond.</p>
<p>But that doesn’t mean Crawford and others aren’t calculating how their institutions can add or expand online offerings.</p>
<p>And some say the rise of online theological training is inevitable, though likely to occur less slowly in some institutions than in others.</p>
<p>‘A bit of a skeptic’</p>
<p>Crawford understands the thinking that resists web-based theological training.</p>
<p>“I came to the whole conversation of online learning as a bit of a skeptic,” he said.</p>
<p>His concerns: that students can slack off in poorly designed courses or if watching videos is the main function of the online component.</p>
<p>But seven years at BTSR, where online courses have been offered a decade and where they are constantly expanding in variety, Crawford said he has become convinced internet-based learning can be just as good as face-to-face classroom instruction.</p>
<p>Even preaching classes can be done properly online if they require students to deliver sermons before congregations, and recorded on video.</p>
<p>“That is actually making a preaching class better” than if the sermons were delivered “in the artificial environment of a class.”</p>
<p>Gradable discussion board formats that require student to participate in online conversations achieve something that face-to-face classes often cannot: pushing introverts to speak up.</p>
<p>“In many ways it pushes the discussion to a deeper level,” he said of online coursework.</p>
<p>But Crawford said he sees a limit to online education as well. “Some pieces need to be done in a more face-to-face, intimate context.”</p>
<p>That includes biblical languages courses where learning the nuances of Greek and Hebrew, and learning to read and speak them properly, requires face-to-face contact.</p>
<p>“Whether we old people like it or not,” online theological education is “going to happen,” he added. “This information age is going to change everything.”</p>
<p>‘Becoming more widespread’</p>
<p>Recent developments show a lot has changed in the past decade, and quite a bit recently.</p>
<p>Currently, 103 members of the Association of Theological Schools offer at least six online courses, according to the organization’s web site. That represents 38 percent of its membership.</p>
<p>In August, the ATS Commission on Accrediting approved the first six schools who will be permitted to offer 100 percent online master’s degree and master of divinity degrees.</p>
<p>Before 2000, ATS standards permitted no distance learning of any kind, the organization said. From then until 2012, standards dictated that online classes make up no more than a third of a student’s course work.</p>
<p>Half of the institutions recently approved for 100 percent distance learning programs are Baptist theological seminaries: Golden Gate, which will offer an online master of divinity degree; Southeastern, with its master’s in church planting available online; and Southwestern, offering a master of divinity and an MA in Christian education.</p>
<p>The other schools were Anderson University School of Theology, Chicago Theological Seminary and Pentecostal Theological Seminary.</p>
<p>Given that 74,000 students at ATS member schools completed at least one course by distance learning, it’s likely more schools will seek to follow suit.</p>
<p>“Distance-learning models are becoming more widespread,” ATS Executive Director Dan Aleshire told The Christian Century.</p>
<p>‘A major option for some’</p>
<p>Baptist studies professor and church historian Bill Leonard sounded a more cautious note when predicting how quickly any sweeping changes may happen with online learning – especially among moderate Baptist schools.</p>
<p>The conservative seminaries are feeling some pressure to move on this front because of the expansive web-based offerings at Liberty University.</p>
<p>The school has “a huge online constituency in general and in theological education in particular,” Leonard said, which is “putting a lot of pressure on the six Southern Baptist seminaries and other evangelical seminaries to compete in that market.”</p>
<p>The moderate Baptist movement has been more deliberate in its movement into distance learning, he said. He cited BTSR and McAfee as examples of schools moving forward in bigger steps, while other schools, including Truett Theological Seminary, offer no courses online at the moment.</p>
<p>And there are others in between.</p>
<p>“Wake Forest (School of Divinity) has offered Hebrew online during the summer as an experiment,” he said.</p>
<p>Each seminary is trying to balance its movement into online learning with the financial benefits and the comfort level of its student and faculty.</p>
<p>“I think at this point a lot of schools are testing the methodology and feasibility for offering these courses,” he said.</p>
<p>“I think it’s going to be a major option for some schools and…some schools will use it minimally.”</p>
<p>Restoring church-based training</p>
<p>B.H. Carroll is one of those schools where online learning is a major option. In fact, Wilkes said, it’s not really an option at all because all students are required to participate in web-based courses.</p>
<p>“We are not a seminary with online classes, we started with this model from the very beginning,” he said.</p>
<p>The seminary’s campus consists of partners churches across the nation and around the world, which enables B.H. Carroll students both the online and face-to-face experience in theological education.</p>
<p>And ironically, Wilkes said information technology is reviving the tradition of the pastor-scholar and pastor-teacher by allowing students to remain in their ministry settings while learning their craft.</p>
<p>“This is returning theological education to the local church,” Wilkes said.</p>
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jeff brumley chris wondree fulltime seminary student student ministry intern virginia church means hes busy busy fortunately wondree said internet helps alleviate stress running back forth second baptist church baptist theological seminary richmond online courses make possible learn distance well free time day continue ministry work normally daily classes would inhibit wondree 26 told abpnewsthe herald via email benefits said including forced stay tech savvy thoughtful comments submits online discussions classes like new testament christian tradition introduction spirituality wondree plenty company according accreditation agencies number seminary officials offerings enrollment distancelearning courses divinity schools across country recently harvard university professor offered noncredit course letters paul drew 22000 students around world proving future education including theological web theyre setting pace learn gene wilkes president texasbased bh carroll theological institute said harvard experiment course also revived questions online theological education whether appropriate offer vital courses old new testaments hebrew ancient greek preaching outside traditional classroom settings perhaps educators noted letters pau course offered harvard university professor laura nasrallah edx online measuring stick students graded church setting classroom different youre hopefully measuring student learning said ronald crawford president baptist theological seminary richmond doesnt mean crawford others arent calculating institutions add expand online offerings say rise online theological training inevitable though likely occur less slowly institutions others bit skeptic crawford understands thinking resists webbased theological training came whole conversation online learning bit skeptic said concerns students slack poorly designed courses watching videos main function online component seven years btsr online courses offered decade constantly expanding variety crawford said become convinced internetbased learning good facetoface classroom instruction even preaching classes done properly online require students deliver sermons congregations recorded video actually making preaching class better sermons delivered artificial environment class gradable discussion board formats require student participate online conversations achieve something facetoface classes often pushing introverts speak many ways pushes discussion deeper level said online coursework crawford said sees limit online education well pieces need done facetoface intimate context includes biblical languages courses learning nuances greek hebrew learning read speak properly requires facetoface contact whether old people like online theological education going happen added information age going change everything becoming widespread recent developments show lot changed past decade quite bit recently currently 103 members association theological schools offer least six online courses according organizations web site represents 38 percent membership august ats commission accrediting approved first six schools permitted offer 100 percent online masters degree master divinity degrees 2000 ats standards permitted distance learning kind organization said 2012 standards dictated online classes make third students course work half institutions recently approved 100 percent distance learning programs baptist theological seminaries golden gate offer online master divinity degree southeastern masters church planting available online southwestern offering master divinity christian education schools anderson university school theology chicago theological seminary pentecostal theological seminary given 74000 students ats member schools completed least one course distance learning likely schools seek follow suit distancelearning models becoming widespread ats executive director dan aleshire told christian century major option baptist studies professor church historian bill leonard sounded cautious note predicting quickly sweeping changes may happen online learning especially among moderate baptist schools conservative seminaries feeling pressure move front expansive webbased offerings liberty university school huge online constituency general theological education particular leonard said putting lot pressure six southern baptist seminaries evangelical seminaries compete market moderate baptist movement deliberate movement distance learning said cited btsr mcafee examples schools moving forward bigger steps schools including truett theological seminary offer courses online moment others wake forest school divinity offered hebrew online summer experiment said seminary trying balance movement online learning financial benefits comfort level student faculty think point lot schools testing methodology feasibility offering courses said think going major option schools andsome schools use minimally restoring churchbased training bh carroll one schools online learning major option fact wilkes said really option students required participate webbased courses seminary online classes started model beginning said seminarys campus consists partners churches across nation around world enables bh carroll students online facetoface experience theological education ironically wilkes said information technology reviving tradition pastorscholar pastorteacher allowing students remain ministry settings learning craft returning theological education local church wilkes said
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<p>Analysis for Jan. 6, 2005</p>
<p>By Robert O'Brien</p>
<p>What might be called the “Baptist Diaspora”-a wide array of Baptists dispersed by a quarter century of denominational discord-will gather in Atlanta, Feb. 25-26, to envision “A New Day in Baptist Life.”</p>
<p>The gathering, at the fourth annual Mainstream Baptist Convocation, will “begin a conversation that attempts to envision what the Baptist landscape might look like as we proceed into the 21st century,” said MBN co-chairs Bill Wilson and Bob Stephenson in a letter distributed to some 70 Baptist agencies, institutions and entities.</p>
<p>MBN's goal, the letter said, is to host a representative gathering of Baptist clergy and laity, along with representatives from all entities that have emerged in the last 25 years or have been defunded by the Southern Baptist Convention across the years. The convocation is also open to churches, associations, conventions and organizations that have chosen to withdraw from official SBC connection or have chosen to partner with the new entities or network across the entire spectrum of Baptist life.</p>
<p>“We will not seek to start a new organization or denomination,” Wilson, pastor of First Baptist Church in Dalton, Ga., said in an interview. “MBN is acting as a catalyst to get an impressive array of Baptist Christians who have grown out of the conflict to explore how we can network and use our resources effectively.</p>
<p>“Baptists have a chance to create a positive future for authentic ministry that is proactive and focuses on the good things we can do collectively and individually-rather than on the pain inflicted by fundamentalists,” said Wilson, a former pastor of First Baptist Church in Waynesboro.</p>
<p>Missionaries Sarah and Larry Ballew of Blacksburg, fired by the SBC's International Mission Board for not signing the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message, agree with that.</p>
<p>“Is there life after the IMB?” ask the Ballews, who have returned to their mission field in Macau, China. “We can answer that question with a resounding yes!”</p>
<p>The Ballews represent just one example of what a multitude of fired, resigned or early retired home and foreign missionaries, seminary professors, denominational leaders, and others are doing in ministry-in life after the SBC.</p>
<p>Baptists now live in an era in which division has produced multiplication of efforts that have only begun to explore the possibilities for expanded ministries in missions, evangelism, church growth, Baptist journalism and literature and publishing, human needs, religious liberty, church history, Christian ethics, chaplaincy endorsement and theological education.</p>
<p>The proliferation of ministries includes a boom in theological education. More than 2,000 Baptist students are preparing for ministry at what now totals at least 16 theological schools not affiliated with the SBC.</p>
<p>Controversy has resulted also in separate state conventions forming in each of three states-Virginia, Texas and Missouri. That could soon possibly affect North Carolina.</p>
<p>In Virginia and Texas, conservatives split from the Baptist General Association of Virginia and the Baptist General Convention of Texas to form the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia and the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, respectively.</p>
<p>The reverse happened in Missouri, where conservatives maintained control of the original state convention, while moderates split off to form the Baptist General Convention of Missouri. Five Missouri Baptist agencies also split from the older convention-Word &amp; Way newspaper, the Baptist Home, Missouri Baptist University, Windermere Conference Center and the Missouri Baptist Foundation.</p>
<p>The original state conventions in Virginia and Texas have maintained a stance that their churches are free to make their own decisions about who to partner with and support financially. Those options include the SBC, the Baptist World Alliance and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.</p>
<p>Speakers in the convocation's pleanary session include:</p>
<p>• Theo Angelov, immediate past general secretary of the European Baptist Federation. Angelov is described as one of the brightest thinkers among European Baptists and has a powerful vision of the future of Baptist life worldwide. Angelov, a scientist and engineer turned minister, with a Ph.D. in biochemistry, has also served as pastor in Bulgaria and as president of the Bulgarian Baptist Union.</p>
<p>• Penny Long Marler, associate professor of religion at Samford University. A keen observer of Baptist life and well suited to help Baptists think about the future, she is highly respected as a teacher, writer and researcher in sociology of religion, faith development, religion in America, theories of religious change and congregational dynamics.</p>
<p>• Albert Reyes, president of the Baptist University of the Americas, a Hispanic school in San Antonio, Texas. Recently elected president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, Reyes has served as a missionary, pastor, church planter, missiologist and educator, as well as chair of the Hispanic Task Force for the White House Initiative for Academic Excellence with the U.S. Department of Education. He has been a progressive thinker and dreamer for many years in Baptist life.</p>
<p>• Walter Shurden, a long-time Baptist historian professor, speaker and author. Shurden directs the Center for Baptist Studies at Mercer University in Macon, Ga. A prolific author and keen observer, he is renown for his insights and his prophetic voice regarding the Baptist family.</p>
<p>Other features of the convocation include a variety of local church pastors to serve on panels and share their methodology, insight and thought process for making connections with Baptist entities beyond their local church.</p>
<p>A required $50 registration fee will cover program fees, a Friday night banquet and a Saturday morning breakfast. Convocation registrations need to be made through the Mainstream Baptist Network at P.O. Box 3301, San Angelo, TX 76902-3301; [email protected]; or (325) 659-4102.</p>
<p>To make a room reservation, call the Renaissance Atlanta Hotel Downtown at (404) 815-5022 or (888) 391-8724; fax, (404) 815-5350. The hotel is at 590 West Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30308. Contact the hotel by Feb. 7 to get a convocation room rate of $99 per night.</p>
<p>Special to the Herald</p>
<p>Robert O'Brien writes for the Mainstream Baptist Network.</p>
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analysis jan 6 2005 robert obrien might called baptist diasporaa wide array baptists dispersed quarter century denominational discordwill gather atlanta feb 2526 envision new day baptist life gathering fourth annual mainstream baptist convocation begin conversation attempts envision baptist landscape might look like proceed 21st century said mbn cochairs bill wilson bob stephenson letter distributed 70 baptist agencies institutions entities mbns goal letter said host representative gathering baptist clergy laity along representatives entities emerged last 25 years defunded southern baptist convention across years convocation also open churches associations conventions organizations chosen withdraw official sbc connection chosen partner new entities network across entire spectrum baptist life seek start new organization denomination wilson pastor first baptist church dalton ga said interview mbn acting catalyst get impressive array baptist christians grown conflict explore network use resources effectively baptists chance create positive future authentic ministry proactive focuses good things collectively individuallyrather pain inflicted fundamentalists said wilson former pastor first baptist church waynesboro missionaries sarah larry ballew blacksburg fired sbcs international mission board signing 2000 baptist faith message agree life imb ask ballews returned mission field macau china answer question resounding yes ballews represent one example multitude fired resigned early retired home foreign missionaries seminary professors denominational leaders others ministryin life sbc baptists live era division produced multiplication efforts begun explore possibilities expanded ministries missions evangelism church growth baptist journalism literature publishing human needs religious liberty church history christian ethics chaplaincy endorsement theological education proliferation ministries includes boom theological education 2000 baptist students preparing ministry totals least 16 theological schools affiliated sbc controversy resulted also separate state conventions forming three statesvirginia texas missouri could soon possibly affect north carolina virginia texas conservatives split baptist general association virginia baptist general convention texas form southern baptist conservatives virginia southern baptists texas convention respectively reverse happened missouri conservatives maintained control original state convention moderates split form baptist general convention missouri five missouri baptist agencies also split older conventionword amp way newspaper baptist home missouri baptist university windermere conference center missouri baptist foundation original state conventions virginia texas maintained stance churches free make decisions partner support financially options include sbc baptist world alliance cooperative baptist fellowship speakers convocations pleanary session include theo angelov immediate past general secretary european baptist federation angelov described one brightest thinkers among european baptists powerful vision future baptist life worldwide angelov scientist engineer turned minister phd biochemistry also served pastor bulgaria president bulgarian baptist union penny long marler associate professor religion samford university keen observer baptist life well suited help baptists think future highly respected teacher writer researcher sociology religion faith development religion america theories religious change congregational dynamics albert reyes president baptist university americas hispanic school san antonio texas recently elected president baptist general convention texas reyes served missionary pastor church planter missiologist educator well chair hispanic task force white house initiative academic excellence us department education progressive thinker dreamer many years baptist life walter shurden longtime baptist historian professor speaker author shurden directs center baptist studies mercer university macon ga prolific author keen observer renown insights prophetic voice regarding baptist family features convocation include variety local church pastors serve panels share methodology insight thought process making connections baptist entities beyond local church required 50 registration fee cover program fees friday night banquet saturday morning breakfast convocation registrations need made mainstream baptist network po box 3301 san angelo tx 769023301 carolscotttxbcorg 325 6594102 make room reservation call renaissance atlanta hotel downtown 404 8155022 888 3918724 fax 404 8155350 hotel 590 west peachtree st atlanta ga 30308 contact hotel feb 7 get convocation room rate 99 per night special herald robert obrien writes mainstream baptist network
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<p>DENPASAR, Indonesia — What do some of the initial reactions to the missing Malaysia airliner, a less than diplomatic Chinese send-off to a departing US ambassador, and Russia's justifications for its annexation of the Crimea all have in common?</p>
<p>The answer is a government attitude and actions that are still defined by the dividing politics of race and ethnicity.</p>
<p>Should such narrow nationalism continue, Asia and now Europe are likely to face a future that harkens more back to the wars and divisions of the last century – and to the hit United States television series and Game of Thrones novels of contending kingdoms – than one of extended peace and prosperity. That’s sad for all of us.</p>
<p>One lesson from America’s own struggles with race and racism is that sustained business and economic growth should leverage every individual’s abilities – to succeed and to fail – regardless of background, ethnicity, race or religion. That's clearly a battle still being fought in America, and certainly remains the case in many parts of Asia, given recent headlines.</p>
<p>It's also an interesting question to ponder as the first African-American president of the United States, Barack Obama, makes a return to Asia at the end of this month.</p>
<p>Let's take each example case-by-case.</p>
<p>Several weeks ago, as investigations into the disappearance of flight MH370 uncovered two passengers traveling on what proved to be stolen Austrian and Italian passports, Malaysia Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi reportedly expressed disbelief that his nation’s immigration officials had allowed two passengers with supposedly “Asian features” to board.</p>
<p>"I am still puzzled how come [immigration officers] cannot think: an Italian and Austrian but with Asian facial features," Hamidi was quoted as saying by Malaysia's national news agency Bernama, as reported by local media.</p>
<p>Perhaps, he felt, passengers with Austrian and Italian passports who did not "look" Austrian or Italian – i.e., were not white – should have attracted much more scrutiny. Malaysia's own race-based system of governance and preferences where its own citizens are treated differently based on ethnicity seemingly carried over to an ability to determine who was a "real" Austrian or Italian.</p>
<p>This was later and further incorrectly clarified as Malaysia’s civil aviation chief Azharuddin Abdul Rahman likened the two suspect passengers travelling on fake passports to AC Milan and Italy football (soccer) player Mario Balotelli, whose parents immigrated to Italy from Ghana.</p>
<p>The official was trying to explain that the two men on the flight between Malaysia and China actually did not have an “Asian” appearance. Security footage ultimately showed the two suspect passengers to be Iranian.</p>
<p>A few days earlier, as February came to a close and Gary Locke, the first Chinese-American to serve as the top US envoy to China, stepped down, a major Chinese government news service issued a decidedly derogatory and less than diplomatic editorial.</p>
<p>The opinion piece, “Farewell, Gary Locke,” called the third-generation descendant of Chinese immigrants a “banana”—a term used for Asians who identify with supposedly "Western values" (such as freedom of speech and religion) despite their skin color.</p>
<p>In essence, "yellow on the outside, white on the inside."</p>
<p>"But when a banana sits our for long, its yellow peel will always rot, not only revealing its white core but also turning into the stomach-churning color of black," read the China News Service diatribe apparently modeled after Mao Zedong's 1949 piece, "Farewell, Leighton Stewart," written of the last US Ambassador to the rival Nationalist Chinese government, then in Nanjing.</p>
<p>Putting aside what this latest missive might embarrassingly say about the mainland Chinese writer's attitudes toward people who happen to be white or black, the editorial certainly made clear a view, official or not, that the thoroughly American Locke – who had served as not only the first Chinese-American ambassador to China, but also governor of Washington state and US Secretary of Commerce – had betrayed during his time in post some hidden bond that the far-flung Chinese diaspora and all its descendants should hold to the governing powers of the land of their ancestors, based on the color of one's skin.</p>
<p>Respect for culture and heritage, it seems, was not enough for China's own minders and state-run China News Service.</p>
<p>With such an attitude, however, it is little wonder that large numbers of China's ethnic minority citizens, whether Tibetans, Uigyers or any of its "recognized minorities " may well feel uncomfortable and never fully Chinese if by virtue of their ethnicity they are seen by some Chinese authorities and fellow citizens as targets of suspicion.</p>
<p>The sentiments voiced in the anti-Locke editorial also does little to help the tens of millions of ethnic Chinese across Asia who are proudly citizens of Indonesia, Malaysia or elsewhere.</p>
<p>To the contrary, it may well reinforce suspicions and a lack of trust of ethnic Chinese, amidst China's rise, and sadly brings back memories of riots and pogroms one had hoped ended last century against Chinese, seen by some as "suspect" of allegiance to China and Communist Chinese orthodoxy.</p>
<p>And in Ukraine, as US president Barack Obama and other leaders powerlessly looked on, Russian president Vladimir Putin blatantly violated national sovereignty.</p>
<p>The justification for the annexation of this strategic peninsula? Russia says it was heeding the wishes of and protecting the ethnic Russians who made up much of the Crimea's population. Ethnicity, it seems, trumps the concept of international law and respect for another nation's sovereignty.</p>
<p>A missing plane en route to Beijing, a departing US diplomat, and a Russian land grab and conquest in all but name: such has been the setting for the arrival of spring, at least in the northern hemisphere, in 2014, and the return of US President Barack Obama to Asia.</p>
<p>Springtime once heralded new hope and renewal. Not now.</p>
<p>It remains time for Asia to move beyond a nationalism narrowly defined by race. And that remains a better model for a Burma, Nepal and all other countries still seeking to forge nations and democracies from people of different ethnicities.</p>
<p>The latest race-based sentiments, words and actions by governments or their mouthpieces should be cast aside with winter and seasons past.</p>
<p><a href="http://twitter.com/CurtisSChin" type="external">Curtis S. Chin</a>, a former US Ambassador to the Asian Development Bank under Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush, is managing director of advisory firm RiverPeak Group, LLC.</p>
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denpasar indonesia initial reactions missing malaysia airliner less diplomatic chinese sendoff departing us ambassador russias justifications annexation crimea common answer government attitude actions still defined dividing politics race ethnicity narrow nationalism continue asia europe likely face future harkens back wars divisions last century hit united states television series game thrones novels contending kingdoms one extended peace prosperity thats sad us one lesson americas struggles race racism sustained business economic growth leverage every individuals abilities succeed fail regardless background ethnicity race religion thats clearly battle still fought america certainly remains case many parts asia given recent headlines also interesting question ponder first africanamerican president united states barack obama makes return asia end month lets take example casebycase several weeks ago investigations disappearance flight mh370 uncovered two passengers traveling proved stolen austrian italian passports malaysia home minister datuk seri ahmad zahid hamidi reportedly expressed disbelief nations immigration officials allowed two passengers supposedly asian features board still puzzled come immigration officers think italian austrian asian facial features hamidi quoted saying malaysias national news agency bernama reported local media perhaps felt passengers austrian italian passports look austrian italian ie white attracted much scrutiny malaysias racebased system governance preferences citizens treated differently based ethnicity seemingly carried ability determine real austrian italian later incorrectly clarified malaysias civil aviation chief azharuddin abdul rahman likened two suspect passengers travelling fake passports ac milan italy football soccer player mario balotelli whose parents immigrated italy ghana official trying explain two men flight malaysia china actually asian appearance security footage ultimately showed two suspect passengers iranian days earlier february came close gary locke first chineseamerican serve top us envoy china stepped major chinese government news service issued decidedly derogatory less diplomatic editorial opinion piece farewell gary locke called thirdgeneration descendant chinese immigrants bananaa term used asians identify supposedly western values freedom speech religion despite skin color essence yellow outside white inside banana sits long yellow peel always rot revealing white core also turning stomachchurning color black read china news service diatribe apparently modeled mao zedongs 1949 piece farewell leighton stewart written last us ambassador rival nationalist chinese government nanjing putting aside latest missive might embarrassingly say mainland chinese writers attitudes toward people happen white black editorial certainly made clear view official thoroughly american locke served first chineseamerican ambassador china also governor washington state us secretary commerce betrayed time post hidden bond farflung chinese diaspora descendants hold governing powers land ancestors based color ones skin respect culture heritage seems enough chinas minders staterun china news service attitude however little wonder large numbers chinas ethnic minority citizens whether tibetans uigyers recognized minorities may well feel uncomfortable never fully chinese virtue ethnicity seen chinese authorities fellow citizens targets suspicion sentiments voiced antilocke editorial also little help tens millions ethnic chinese across asia proudly citizens indonesia malaysia elsewhere contrary may well reinforce suspicions lack trust ethnic chinese amidst chinas rise sadly brings back memories riots pogroms one hoped ended last century chinese seen suspect allegiance china communist chinese orthodoxy ukraine us president barack obama leaders powerlessly looked russian president vladimir putin blatantly violated national sovereignty justification annexation strategic peninsula russia says heeding wishes protecting ethnic russians made much crimeas population ethnicity seems trumps concept international law respect another nations sovereignty missing plane en route beijing departing us diplomat russian land grab conquest name setting arrival spring least northern hemisphere 2014 return us president barack obama asia springtime heralded new hope renewal remains time asia move beyond nationalism narrowly defined race remains better model burma nepal countries still seeking forge nations democracies people different ethnicities latest racebased sentiments words actions governments mouthpieces cast aside winter seasons past curtis chin former us ambassador asian development bank presidents barack obama george w bush managing director advisory firm riverpeak group llc
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<p>Hatcher Memorial’s old church house sits along busy Dumbarton Road in the Lakeside community of Richmond. It is dwarfed by the grand Georgian sanctuary which replaced it in 1955. It is a little worn at the heels; but just as it has since it was erected in 1925, the building still serves the community. And the members of the African Christian Community Church who worship, sing, laugh and rejoice inside are happy to call it home. The old Sunday school classrooms have been converted into a learning center where children and youth of African immigrants and refugees improve their literacy skills.</p>
<p />
<p>There is an old photograph from 1937 which shows the charter members of Hatcher at the church’s 15th anniversary. They are standing on the steps leading to the front door of the old church house. If they could reassemble there today, they would be in for a surprise!&#160;</p>
<p>They would find that clothing styles have changed dramatically, that Richmond’s telephone numbers have passed the four digits of yesterday and that dusty Dumbarton Road is paved and wider than they remembered. Standing in the shadow of the great steeple of the newer building, they would be amazed by everything around them.</p>
<p>Society and culture have changed in numerous ways. And after these charter members of 1922 have a chance to get caught up, they also might be pleased to see that the church they planted has become inclusive and has embraced men and women, boys and girls most in need of a Christian environment.</p>
<p>The auditorium of the old building which the founders erected still has its beautiful stained-glass and the brass rail of its former balcony. But today the worship services inside moves to a different beat. The accents are reminders of faraway Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Zambia and Sudan. The mission fields which the founders helped undergird with their Lottie Moon offerings have come to Richmond.</p>
<p />
<p>In 2003 Calvin A. Birch, a graduate of the Liberian Baptist Theological Seminary, recognized the need for a church receptive to the increasing number of African refugees. The long and horrific civil war in Liberia prompted many Liberians to seek a safe haven in America. Other Africans also needed a refuge. In developing the new church, Calvin Birch collaborated with several caring entities: the Richmond Baptist Association, the Baptist General Association of Virginia and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Virginia. Hatcher Memorial offered space. The BGAV included the new church start in its Alma Hunt Offering for Virginia Missions. The RBA provided volunteer support. The Virginia Baptist Foundation awarded a grant for the African Church’s Barnabas Project which meets “physical, educational and spiritual needs” of these new Americans.</p>
<p>The Richmond Association’s Partnership Missions Team looked all around the world for a future missions project and decided that it was right at home. The African Church is the hometown partner. The congregation has received benefits of food and clothing as well as a tutoring ministry. This summer the RBA is supporting a summer program, offering a variety of activities which encompass most of the workday hours.</p>
<p>James Nunnally, who grew up in New Bridge Baptist Church in the Richmond suburbs, has led the summer program during a sabbatical from his seminary studies at Southwestern Seminary in Texas. A graduate of Bluefield College, “Jamie” Nunnally considers himself “a work in progress” and believes that part of his development comes from serving God’s children.&#160;</p>
<p>Jamie is multi-tasking as he relates to a wide range of ages at the same time. There are precious little children alongside bright older youth. “God is using this experience to develop my ministry skills,” says Nunnally. “Just getting to know these kids is definitely worth it to me.” The summer program is a lesson even for its main teacher!</p>
<p>He has had the assistance of volunteers. Ruth Guill, the intrepid and indefatigable partnership missions coordinator, lined up many friends from among Richmond Baptist churches. They bring lunches and others bring their talents.</p>
<p>Even this columnist had a chance to participate in the summer program. I brought the museum of the Virginia Baptist Historical Society to Hatcher’s old church house. In the auditorium where once revivalists held forth, this historian shared the chief story of Virginia’s connection with Africa. I asked for a show of hands as to how many of the youth were born in Liberia and most hands were raised. I asked how many knew of Lott Cary and no hands went up. I had a ready audience for my lesson!</p>
<p>I told the basic story of Lott Cary. I told them that he was born in 1780 into slavery in Charles City County which today is less than an hour’s drive from their church. I told them of his move to Richmond, of his saving enough money to purchase his freedom and that of his wife and children, of his acceptance into the First Baptist Church of Richmond where on occasion he preached to a mixed-race congregation. I told that William Crane of Second Baptist Church, Richmond, taught him and interested him in the Liberian colonization movement. I told of his planting a Liberian church in Richmond and transporting it by ship to Liberia. I repeated the claim that Lott Cary was the first missionary of any race or nation to the continent of Africa. I told of his accomplishments in his new country.&#160;</p>
<p>I began my lesson with some artifacts which by fortunate happenstance had just come to the Historical Society’s collection. I showed the drum of a witch doctor used before the medical missionary came. It had belonged to the late Eva Sanders, celebrated missionary nurse from Virginia to Nigeria. I used wood carvings of Africans engaged in agriculture and cottage-industry. They were gifts from the late Edna Frances Dawkins, missionary personnel supporter. I was trying to impress the African (now American) children with their own heritage, to show that native Africans made accomplishments before enslavement, and to impress that these youth have a worthy hero figure in Lott Cary. The real lesson conveyed that summer day in the old church house was the same lesson taught there all through the years: “Jesus loves the little children of the world.”</p>
<p>Fred Anderson is executive director of the Virginia Baptist Historical Society and the Center for Baptist Heritage and Studies, located on the campus of the University of Richmond. He may be contacted at <a href="mailto:[email protected]" type="external">[email protected]</a> or at P.O. Box 34, University of Richmond, VA 23173.</p>
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hatcher memorials old church house sits along busy dumbarton road lakeside community richmond dwarfed grand georgian sanctuary replaced 1955 little worn heels since erected 1925 building still serves community members african christian community church worship sing laugh rejoice inside happy call home old sunday school classrooms converted learning center children youth african immigrants refugees improve literacy skills old photograph 1937 shows charter members hatcher churchs 15th anniversary standing steps leading front door old church house could reassemble today would surprise160 would find clothing styles changed dramatically richmonds telephone numbers passed four digits yesterday dusty dumbarton road paved wider remembered standing shadow great steeple newer building would amazed everything around society culture changed numerous ways charter members 1922 chance get caught also might pleased see church planted become inclusive embraced men women boys girls need christian environment auditorium old building founders erected still beautiful stainedglass brass rail former balcony today worship services inside moves different beat accents reminders faraway liberia sierra leone ghana zambia sudan mission fields founders helped undergird lottie moon offerings come richmond 2003 calvin birch graduate liberian baptist theological seminary recognized need church receptive increasing number african refugees long horrific civil war liberia prompted many liberians seek safe america africans also needed refuge developing new church calvin birch collaborated several caring entities richmond baptist association baptist general association virginia cooperative baptist fellowship virginia hatcher memorial offered space bgav included new church start alma hunt offering virginia missions rba provided volunteer support virginia baptist foundation awarded grant african churchs barnabas project meets physical educational spiritual needs new americans richmond associations partnership missions team looked around world future missions project decided right home african church hometown partner congregation received benefits food clothing well tutoring ministry summer rba supporting summer program offering variety activities encompass workday hours james nunnally grew new bridge baptist church richmond suburbs led summer program sabbatical seminary studies southwestern seminary texas graduate bluefield college jamie nunnally considers work progress believes part development comes serving gods children160 jamie multitasking relates wide range ages time precious little children alongside bright older youth god using experience develop ministry skills says nunnally getting know kids definitely worth summer program lesson even main teacher assistance volunteers ruth guill intrepid indefatigable partnership missions coordinator lined many friends among richmond baptist churches bring lunches others bring talents even columnist chance participate summer program brought museum virginia baptist historical society hatchers old church house auditorium revivalists held forth historian shared chief story virginias connection africa asked show hands many youth born liberia hands raised asked many knew lott cary hands went ready audience lesson told basic story lott cary told born 1780 slavery charles city county today less hours drive church told move richmond saving enough money purchase freedom wife children acceptance first baptist church richmond occasion preached mixedrace congregation told william crane second baptist church richmond taught interested liberian colonization movement told planting liberian church richmond transporting ship liberia repeated claim lott cary first missionary race nation continent africa told accomplishments new country160 began lesson artifacts fortunate happenstance come historical societys collection showed drum witch doctor used medical missionary came belonged late eva sanders celebrated missionary nurse virginia nigeria used wood carvings africans engaged agriculture cottageindustry gifts late edna frances dawkins missionary personnel supporter trying impress african american children heritage show native africans made accomplishments enslavement impress youth worthy hero figure lott cary real lesson conveyed summer day old church house lesson taught years jesus loves little children world fred anderson executive director virginia baptist historical society center baptist heritage studies located campus university richmond may contacted fredandersonvbmborg po box 34 university richmond va 23173
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<p>If you have been reading Baptist news the past few weeks, then you may know the answer to the following question, but just for fun, let’s make it multiple choice:</p>
<p>In A.D. 2050, the membership of the Southern Baptist Convention will be</p>
<p>A. 22.3 million</p>
<p>B. 14.7 million</p>
<p>C. 8.7 million</p>
<p>D. none of the above</p>
<p>Now the fun begins. As Ed Stetzer, director of LifeWay Research, explained to state Baptist paper editors recently, the answer depends on the assumptions one makes about the future.</p>
<p>For example, if one believes the number of Southern Baptists will continue to grow on average by the same percentage it has grown since 1974, then the correct answer to the question above is A — Southern Baptist membership in 2050 will be 22.3 million. That answer assumes the slight declines in membership the past two years are hiccups along a trend line moving continuously upward. This assumption believes the past predicts the future.</p>
<p>Make a different assumption and you get a different answer. For example, if one believes the 0.24 percent decline in membership experienced by the SBC in 2007 and the 0.02 percent decline experienced in 2008 foretell the future direction of the convention, then the correct answer to the question is B — SBC membership in 2050 will be 14.7 million. That assumption is based on an annual decline representative of years 2007 and 2008 through the year 2050.</p>
<p>The most pessimistic of the answers is based on still a different assumption. If one graphs the percentage of growth in SBC membership since 1951, then one sees the SBC is growing by a smaller and smaller percentage. In fact, in the last two years, that graph fell into a negative position. If one extends the graph forward to 2050, then one sees losses in SBC membership every year until the end of the graph.</p>
<p>It is this assumption that SBC President Johnny Hunt embraced when he said in his presidential address that SBC membership in 2050 is predicted to be half of what it is today. The correct answer for those who believe this assumption is C — SBC membership in 2050 will be 8.7 million, only slightly more than half of the present 16.24 million.</p>
<p>Hunt is not alone in accepting this assumption. LifeWay Research released a statement by longtime SBC statistician Cliff Tharp, saying, “We have been slowing in our growth and have now passed into decline. We are right at the top of the arc and beginning to go down.”</p>
<p>In raw numbers, Southern Baptist membership peaked in 2006 at 16,306,246. The next year saw a decline of 0.24 percent. In 2008, the decline was almost imperceptible at 0.02 percent, or a drop of 38,482. Still Southern Baptists failed to grow in numbers and that is troubling.</p>
<p>At the meeting with the editors, Stetzer went to great lengths to explain the importance behind the assumptions in examining the future. Unfortunately the next day’s press release only mentioned one future for Southern Baptists and included tables supporting the conclusion of a nearly 50 percent drop in SBC membership in the next 40 years.</p>
<p>But forecasting the future is difficult. That is why some may choose D — none of the above. The assumptions behind the other answers may be wrong.</p>
<p>What this exercise illustrates is the importance of knowing the assumptions underlying the conclusions announced. For example, this year, observers commented on the large number of young pastors attending the annual meeting of the SBC. Was the uptick in young pastors because of interest in the Great Commission Task Force as some contend? Or was the upturn because the meeting was held in Louisville, Ky., home of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and young pastors and seminary students were able to attend, as SBC registration secretary James Wells explained? Again one’s assumptions impact the conclusions reached.</p>
<p>Some additional information may be helpful in pondering our future. According to the latest American Religious Identification Survey, there are more than 36 million Baptists in America. Southern Baptists are the largest part of that group with 16 million, but there are 20 million Baptists outside the SBC.</p>
<p>Since 2001, the number of people who identify themselves as Baptists has increased by 2.3 million.</p>
<p>With that data, researchers concluded, “The sudden growth spurt in Baptist numbers since 2001 seems to reflect a measurable reassertion of a Baptist identity among the population.” That is not a bad thing for Southern Baptists.</p>
<p>Also consider that while the percentage of Protestant Christians in America has declined since 2001, conservative Christian denominations have actually grown.</p>
<p>Now 45 percent of all self-identified Christians, who constitute 34 percent of all Americans, call themselves “born again or evangelical.” The study defined this group as having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, together with “a certain view of salvation, Scripture and missionary work.”</p>
<p>Chuck Colson, chairman and founder of BreakPoint, emphasized this point during his address at this year's SBC Pastors Conference. Colson called this a wonderful opportunity for Bible-believing Christians, including Southern Baptists. In his judgment, the sky is not falling on Christianity or Southern Baptists.</p>
<p>Yes, Southern Baptists need to do more in evangelism and missions. Jesus died that all might have opportunity to hear and respond to the gospel. Southern Baptists also may need to look within. What does it say about a people when their own statistics indicate 50 percent of the resident members do not attend worship on Sunday and three out of 10 who do come to worship never participate in organized Bible study?</p>
<p>When the lives of Southern Baptists indicate they love God with heart and soul, mind and strength, then perhaps others will take our preaching seriously. Beginning with an examination of ourselves may be the most important step in determining what our membership will be in 2050.</p>
<p>Bob Terry is editor of The Alabama Baptist. This article was distributed by Baptist Press.</p>
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reading baptist news past weeks may know answer following question fun lets make multiple choice ad 2050 membership southern baptist convention 223 million b 147 million c 87 million none fun begins ed stetzer director lifeway research explained state baptist paper editors recently answer depends assumptions one makes future example one believes number southern baptists continue grow average percentage grown since 1974 correct answer question southern baptist membership 2050 223 million answer assumes slight declines membership past two years hiccups along trend line moving continuously upward assumption believes past predicts future make different assumption get different answer example one believes 024 percent decline membership experienced sbc 2007 002 percent decline experienced 2008 foretell future direction convention correct answer question b sbc membership 2050 147 million assumption based annual decline representative years 2007 2008 year 2050 pessimistic answers based still different assumption one graphs percentage growth sbc membership since 1951 one sees sbc growing smaller smaller percentage fact last two years graph fell negative position one extends graph forward 2050 one sees losses sbc membership every year end graph assumption sbc president johnny hunt embraced said presidential address sbc membership 2050 predicted half today correct answer believe assumption c sbc membership 2050 87 million slightly half present 1624 million hunt alone accepting assumption lifeway research released statement longtime sbc statistician cliff tharp saying slowing growth passed decline right top arc beginning go raw numbers southern baptist membership peaked 2006 16306246 next year saw decline 024 percent 2008 decline almost imperceptible 002 percent drop 38482 still southern baptists failed grow numbers troubling meeting editors stetzer went great lengths explain importance behind assumptions examining future unfortunately next days press release mentioned one future southern baptists included tables supporting conclusion nearly 50 percent drop sbc membership next 40 years forecasting future difficult may choose none assumptions behind answers may wrong exercise illustrates importance knowing assumptions underlying conclusions announced example year observers commented large number young pastors attending annual meeting sbc uptick young pastors interest great commission task force contend upturn meeting held louisville ky home southern baptist theological seminary young pastors seminary students able attend sbc registration secretary james wells explained ones assumptions impact conclusions reached additional information may helpful pondering future according latest american religious identification survey 36 million baptists america southern baptists largest part group 16 million 20 million baptists outside sbc since 2001 number people identify baptists increased 23 million data researchers concluded sudden growth spurt baptist numbers since 2001 seems reflect measurable reassertion baptist identity among population bad thing southern baptists also consider percentage protestant christians america declined since 2001 conservative christian denominations actually grown 45 percent selfidentified christians constitute 34 percent americans call born evangelical study defined group personal relationship jesus christ together certain view salvation scripture missionary work chuck colson chairman founder breakpoint emphasized point address years sbc pastors conference colson called wonderful opportunity biblebelieving christians including southern baptists judgment sky falling christianity southern baptists yes southern baptists need evangelism missions jesus died might opportunity hear respond gospel southern baptists also may need look within say people statistics indicate 50 percent resident members attend worship sunday three 10 come worship never participate organized bible study lives southern baptists indicate love god heart soul mind strength perhaps others take preaching seriously beginning examination may important step determining membership 2050 bob terry editor alabama baptist article distributed baptist press
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<p>The rise in opioid drug abuse and gun violence have led to recent calls to overhaul the nation’s mental health care system. But a law passed by the US&#160;Congress in 2014 is already driving a big new experiment in mental health care. &#160;</p>
<p>The Excellence in Mental Health Act is still in its&#160;early stages, but its estimated $1 billion investment in mental health services for low-income Americans have led advocates <a href="https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/capitol-connector/2015/05/big-day-behavioral-health-excellence-act-implementation-begins/" type="external">&#160;to call it</a>&#160;“the biggest federal investment in mental health and addiction services in generations.”</p>
<p>The new law looks to resurrect the promise of community-based mental health care, &#160;which was first attempted in the 1960s when President Kennedy signed the Community Mental Health Act. That legislation was aimed at deinstitutionalizing mental health treatment, moving it away from large, state-run mental hospitals —&#160;which had gained a reputation for being isolating and sometimes abusive.</p>
<p>“Almost every American family at some stage will experience or has experienced a case of mental affliction,”&#160;Kennedy said in a speech at the time, “we have to offer something more than crowded custodial care in our state institutions.”</p>
<p>Kennedy's legislation proposed to create hundreds of smaller community mental health centers, which were largely outpatient facilities that allowed patients to get treatment while still living at home.</p>
<p>But only half of the proposed centers &#160;were ever built. By the early 1980s, federal funding for the program was scrapped in favor of block grants given directly to state mental health agencies to distribute as they see fit.</p>
<p>But&#160; <a href="http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/notes/2007/np25/en/" type="external">growing evidence</a>&#160;supports the effectiveness of community-based care for mental health and addiction. And now the Excellence in Mental Health Act is&#160;creating a new path for federal funding to pay for care at such clinics. The Act creates a new federal designation for a type of behavioral health clinic&#160;that can be funded through enhanced Medicaid payments.&#160;</p>
<p>This is groundbreaking, explains Chuck Ingoglia, vice president of the National Council for Behavioral Health, because it begins to put mental health treatment on equal footing with primary care.&#160;</p>
<p>The newly recognized clinics — termed Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics — will be able to get funding via the same mechanism that primary care safety net clinics have relied on since 2001 to treat low-income patients. Existing community mental health centers have never been eligible for this kind of funding.</p>
<p>“What we’re doing is creating a behavioral health provider type in Medicaid where none has existed before,” explains Ingoglia. He adds that it ensures that mental health clinics are treated comparably to primary care facilities. “This is a question about parity or equity—we want to make sure that payment is consistent.”</p>
<p>The new law doesn't only address the issue of&#160;funding, Ingoglia says. When the government stopped funding community mental health centers, that also meant the loss of federal standards for public mental health. States have gone their own ways, with varying degrees of success.</p>
<p>“We have seen incredible fragmentation meaning that it’s hard for people and individuals and families to navigate the mental health system,” says Ingoglia.</p>
<p>It also means a lot of people go untreated. Data from a <a href="http://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/National_BHBarometer_2014.pdf" type="external">&#160;2013 survey</a>&#160;estimated almost one-third of American adults with a mental illness did not receive mental health treatment. In many states, that number was much higher: 54 percent in&#160; <a href="http://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/2015_Arkansas_BHBarometer.pdf" type="external">Arkansas</a>, 58 percent in&#160; <a href="http://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/2015_Wyoming_BHBarometer.pdf" type="external">Wyoming</a>, 66 percent in&#160; <a href="http://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/2015_Mississippi_BHBarometer.pdf" type="external">Mississippi</a>.&#160;</p>
<p />
<p>The new law is designed to help eliminate these differences between states by establishing national standards. This year in the Act's planning phase,&#160; <a href="http://www.thenationalcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/HHS-Planning-Grant-Announcement.pdf" type="external">24 states</a>&#160;are developing plans for how they would run these new mental health centers— with their new standards of care, staffing requirements and reimbursement methods. Under the law, eight states will be chosen to have their demonstration models funded in 2017.</p>
<p>The demonstration projects are building on recent innovation in mental health care at the state level, including a successful behavioral health home program in Missouri. &#160;</p>
<p>“Ten, twenty years from now, looking back, the hope is we’ll look at the eight states as pioneers that led us to what we hope is a new paradigm in mental health funding across the country,” says Brent McGinty, President and CEO of the Missouri Coalition for Community Behavioral Healthcare.</p>
<p>McGinty’s organization helps run the behavioral health home program in Missouri which brings together mental health care and primary care so all of a patients’ health problems can be treated at the same clinic. &#160;</p>
<p>A patient going to the clinic for a psychiatric appointment, for example, would also meet with a nurse who tracks important health indicators like blood pressure, blood sugar and weight, and helps the patient set health goals.&#160;</p>
<p />
<p>Missouri’s health home program was shown to lower hospitalizations and saved the state $31 million in Medicaid spending from 2012 to 2014. But the program is only available for a small portion of Missouri’s Medicaid population —&#160;a subset of a subset of those who need mental health care.</p>
<p>McGinty says the Excellence in Mental Health Act is an opportunity to apply lessons learned from programs like the behavioral health homes to the wider population. The federally funded clinics would be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay.</p>
<p>“It lets us get new resources,” McGinty says. “We’ve gone pretty far, but how [much farther] can we take it?”</p>
<p>Mental health advocates say the Act should be expanded more quickly than originally proposed.&#160;U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Roy Blunt (R-MO), who sponsored the original Excellence in Mental Health Act, plan to &#160;introduce a new bill to expand the demonstration program to all 24 states still in the running.</p>
<p>And if the national demonstration is expanded, more of the country could be seeing how far they can take public mental health as well.</p>
<p>This story was produced by&#160; <a href="http://sideeffectspublicmedia.org/" type="external">Side Effects Public Media</a>, a reporting collaborative focused on public health.</p>
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rise opioid drug abuse gun violence led recent calls overhaul nations mental health care system law passed us160congress 2014 already driving big new experiment mental health care 160 excellence mental health act still its160early stages estimated 1 billion investment mental health services lowincome americans led advocates 160to call it160the biggest federal investment mental health addiction services generations new law looks resurrect promise communitybased mental health care 160which first attempted 1960s president kennedy signed community mental health act legislation aimed deinstitutionalizing mental health treatment moving away large staterun mental hospitals 160which gained reputation isolating sometimes abusive almost every american family stage experience experienced case mental affliction160kennedy said speech time offer something crowded custodial care state institutions kennedys legislation proposed create hundreds smaller community mental health centers largely outpatient facilities allowed patients get treatment still living home half proposed centers 160were ever built early 1980s federal funding program scrapped favor block grants given directly state mental health agencies distribute see fit but160 growing evidence160supports effectiveness communitybased care mental health addiction excellence mental health act is160creating new path federal funding pay care clinics act creates new federal designation type behavioral health clinic160that funded enhanced medicaid payments160 groundbreaking explains chuck ingoglia vice president national council behavioral health begins put mental health treatment equal footing primary care160 newly recognized clinics termed certified community behavioral health clinics able get funding via mechanism primary care safety net clinics relied since 2001 treat lowincome patients existing community mental health centers never eligible kind funding creating behavioral health provider type medicaid none existed explains ingoglia adds ensures mental health clinics treated comparably primary care facilities question parity equitywe want make sure payment consistent new law doesnt address issue of160funding ingoglia says government stopped funding community mental health centers also meant loss federal standards public mental health states gone ways varying degrees success seen incredible fragmentation meaning hard people individuals families navigate mental health system says ingoglia also means lot people go untreated data 1602013 survey160estimated almost onethird american adults mental illness receive mental health treatment many states number much higher 54 percent in160 arkansas 58 percent in160 wyoming 66 percent in160 mississippi160 new law designed help eliminate differences states establishing national standards year acts planning phase160 24 states160are developing plans would run new mental health centers new standards care staffing requirements reimbursement methods law eight states chosen demonstration models funded 2017 demonstration projects building recent innovation mental health care state level including successful behavioral health home program missouri 160 ten twenty years looking back hope well look eight states pioneers led us hope new paradigm mental health funding across country says brent mcginty president ceo missouri coalition community behavioral healthcare mcgintys organization helps run behavioral health home program missouri brings together mental health care primary care patients health problems treated clinic 160 patient going clinic psychiatric appointment example would also meet nurse tracks important health indicators like blood pressure blood sugar weight helps patient set health goals160 missouris health home program shown lower hospitalizations saved state 31 million medicaid spending 2012 2014 program available small portion missouris medicaid population 160a subset subset need mental health care mcginty says excellence mental health act opportunity apply lessons learned programs like behavioral health homes wider population federally funded clinics would accessible everyone regardless ability pay lets us get new resources mcginty says weve gone pretty far much farther take mental health advocates say act expanded quickly originally proposed160us senators debbie stabenow dmi roy blunt rmo sponsored original excellence mental health act plan 160introduce new bill expand demonstration program 24 states still running national demonstration expanded country could seeing far take public mental health well story produced by160 side effects public media reporting collaborative focused public health
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<p><a href="" type="internal" />Sept. 18, 2012</p>
<p>By B. Wayne Hughes Jr.</p>
<p>This past July, the California Legislature approved starting construction on the first 130 miles of the much hyped high-speed rail from San Francisco to Anaheim. &#160;That’s an ante of $8 billion just for a seat at the table.</p>
<p>As many of you may know, the state budget is woefully underfunded at around $90 billion.&#160; And even though initial monies for the train are federally funded, as a businessman, I would never accept the scheme: Once it starts, they’ll argue it has to be completed. &#160;Yet, with no prospect of long-term funding, this is “the train to nowhere.”</p>
<p>But the legislators who voted for this stupid project will be long gone while taxpayers struggle to pay off the bonds.</p>
<p>The pharaohs had the pyramids. And California politicians want to build monuments to their tenure in office.&#160; They would argue they are forward-looking visionaries dedicated toward a future that holds greater promise for generations to come. It’s a dubious legacy paid for by those future generations.</p>
<p>But others&#160; would argue, as do I, that while today’s politicians enjoy the glory of what few voters take to be a bold vision, the reality is that these politicians will be living off their taxpayer-funded pensions while our children struggle to pick up the growing tab for their reckless wastefulness.</p>
<p>The bullet train is a case in point. At best, it is an ego trip for the politicians who boost it. &#160;At worst, it is the ultimate expression of crony labor-capitalism, in which special interests — unions and vendors — enrich themselves at the expense of the public purse.&#160; This is the elephant in the room.&#160; It’s truly a political pachyderm (my apologies to the GOP figure).</p>
<p>The best case, then, is that the politicians who support this 500-mile “fast train” are on an ego trip, using our tax money, to get a high.&#160; And, over the short-term, they take credit for the alleged growth in jobs, as they conveniently ignore the jobs lost through a greater tax burden to fund yet another dubious program.&#160; Why not instead cut the regulatory and tax burden to attract new industries and businesses and encourage job growth in California?&#160; What happened to Google’s self-driving car?</p>
<p>Consider, the Federal government is borrowing money from China to make grants to state and local governments for all sorts of questionable projects. This used to be called “pork-barrel”&#160; legislation.&#160; More recently, U.S. senators and members of the House of Representatives have used “earmarks” to attach spending programs for their state or district to other legislation.&#160; It’s a self-serving game, where each politician trades favors for his pet projects, until the legislation has enough “Christmas tree ornaments” to get a majority of votes to pass.</p>
<p>Yet, some governors have refused the federal bribes to pursue various federal grant programs, such as the Bullet Train. That’s because these programs come with conditions that typically require the state, county or city government to spend more money over a period of years, sometimes many years. It’s like buying too much of something at Costco. Seems like a great price, but you end up buying more than you need, and the food spoils or the merchandize expires.</p>
<p>Suppose you did this, not impulsively or occasionally, but all the time.&#160; That’s what it’s like with these federal programs, in which the feds provide continuous grants, conditioned on you (the state or local government) spending a certain amount of money.</p>
<p>Now, let’s talk about the worst case. When you look at a massive project like the Bullet Train, you’re talking about lots of companies and unions that stand to gain.&#160; And who funded the campaigns for the politicians?&#160; The companies are contractors and sub-contractors, as well as the many lobbyists, public relations people and other incidental staff.</p>
<p>Then there are the unions whose members will get more work, often at wages higher than in pure private sector jobs. The union leaders want their members to stay in the union, because union members provide a steady stream of dues money to fund the union’s organization and office, and the salaries, expense accounts and pensions of union leaders. Crony capitalists lobby for favored routes or zoning allowances.</p>
<p>Ironically, many of the liberals from central casting who would normally support High-Speed Rail felt the proposed route was an environmental disaster. The Sierra Club objected to Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposal to protect the train from environmental lawsuits. Bureaucrats rejected a more sensible route along I-5, the major north/south thoroughfare of California, in favor of blazing a trail through God knows where.</p>
<p>Even if this High-Speed Rail seems desirable, any “yes” has to be conditioned on cost. In the 1990s, California Congressman Jim Costa promoted a $10 billion state bond initiative for a project that supposedly would not require a state tax subsidy. &#160;Thus, the bulk of the then-estimated $33 billion project would come from the private sector and the federal government.</p>
<p>The latter is, of course, always depicted as free money. &#160;Once voters approved a 2008 ballot measure, the cost suddenly went from $33 billion to $43 billion. &#160;Then-Attorney General Jerry Brown refused to investigate what critics have called a “bait and switch.”</p>
<p>It’s very significant that investors want revenue guarantees that the government can’t provide because the guarantees don’t pencil out. The expected high-ticket prices would rule out most riders.&#160; It’s also worth mentioning the project starts equidistant from its two end points (kind of like insurance that something has to get built because we started out 300 miles away from anywhere).</p>
<p>The price tag is now $68 billion, and it could run to $100 billion. Once again, California is leading the way to an unsustainable future.</p>
<p>B. Wayne Hughes Jr. is a California businessman whose interests include philanthropy and public policy.</p>
<p>.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
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sept 18 2012 b wayne hughes jr past july california legislature approved starting construction first 130 miles much hyped highspeed rail san francisco anaheim 160thats ante 8 billion seat table many may know state budget woefully underfunded around 90 billion160 even though initial monies train federally funded businessman would never accept scheme starts theyll argue completed 160yet prospect longterm funding train nowhere legislators voted stupid project long gone taxpayers struggle pay bonds pharaohs pyramids california politicians want build monuments tenure office160 would argue forwardlooking visionaries dedicated toward future holds greater promise generations come dubious legacy paid future generations others160 would argue todays politicians enjoy glory voters take bold vision reality politicians living taxpayerfunded pensions children struggle pick growing tab reckless wastefulness bullet train case point best ego trip politicians boost 160at worst ultimate expression crony laborcapitalism special interests unions vendors enrich expense public purse160 elephant room160 truly political pachyderm apologies gop figure best case politicians support 500mile fast train ego trip using tax money get high160 shortterm take credit alleged growth jobs conveniently ignore jobs lost greater tax burden fund yet another dubious program160 instead cut regulatory tax burden attract new industries businesses encourage job growth california160 happened googles selfdriving car consider federal government borrowing money china make grants state local governments sorts questionable projects used called porkbarrel160 legislation160 recently us senators members house representatives used earmarks attach spending programs state district legislation160 selfserving game politician trades favors pet projects legislation enough christmas tree ornaments get majority votes pass yet governors refused federal bribes pursue various federal grant programs bullet train thats programs come conditions typically require state county city government spend money period years sometimes many years like buying much something costco seems like great price end buying need food spoils merchandize expires suppose impulsively occasionally time160 thats like federal programs feds provide continuous grants conditioned state local government spending certain amount money lets talk worst case look massive project like bullet train youre talking lots companies unions stand gain160 funded campaigns politicians160 companies contractors subcontractors well many lobbyists public relations people incidental staff unions whose members get work often wages higher pure private sector jobs union leaders want members stay union union members provide steady stream dues money fund unions organization office salaries expense accounts pensions union leaders crony capitalists lobby favored routes zoning allowances ironically many liberals central casting would normally support highspeed rail felt proposed route environmental disaster sierra club objected gov jerry browns proposal protect train environmental lawsuits bureaucrats rejected sensible route along i5 major northsouth thoroughfare california favor blazing trail god knows even highspeed rail seems desirable yes conditioned cost 1990s california congressman jim costa promoted 10 billion state bond initiative project supposedly would require state tax subsidy 160thus bulk thenestimated 33 billion project would come private sector federal government latter course always depicted free money 160once voters approved 2008 ballot measure cost suddenly went 33 billion 43 billion 160thenattorney general jerry brown refused investigate critics called bait switch significant investors want revenue guarantees government cant provide guarantees dont pencil expected highticket prices would rule riders160 also worth mentioning project starts equidistant two end points kind like insurance something get built started 300 miles away anywhere price tag 68 billion could run 100 billion california leading way unsustainable future b wayne hughes jr california businessman whose interests include philanthropy public policy 160
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<p>TAIPEI, Taiwan - Calls from a former US district attorney and a ruling party heavyweight to release jailed former President Chen Shui-bian on medical parole have sparked a fresh round of debate about Taiwan's antiquated judicial system.</p>
<p>Chen, who is serving a 17-year prison sentence for graft, has been diagnosed with depression, post-traumatic stress syndrome and heart problems. However, a team of doctors sent by the Justice Ministry found him fit to serve the remainder of his sentence.</p>
<p>The case, much like his contentious rule over the young democracy from 2000-2008, has polarized his enemies and supporters, many of whom say it was politically motivated by a system that has long been skewed in favor of the ruling nationalist Kuomintang party (KMT).</p>
<p>"We have been somewhat successful in winning political independence from the judiciary but the next step is reforming prosecutors, who can investigate in secret without oversight," said Kao Jung-chih, director of Taiwan's Judicial Reform Foundation.</p>
<p>"The real problem is with them. They have to listen to their bosses, who direct cases. The attorney general appoints the top persecutors and he is appointed by the president. There is a special investigations team in charge of Chen's case, and they have been roundly criticized for prosecuting more green-camp cases than KMT cases."</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/120607/taiwan-politics-gangsters-politicians" type="external">Taiwanese politics, gangsters' paradise?</a></p>
<p>In Taiwan's fractured political landscape, the green camp refers to the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party, which Chen led when he broke the KMT, or blue camp's, five-decade hold on power.</p>
<p>Chen's supporters got a boost from Ramsey Clark's visit, where the 84-year-old human rights activist urged President Ma Ying-jeou's administration to act or risk being "seen as his murderer" if Chen dies in prison. Ramsey's public rebuke of the government was soon followed by Taipei mayor, and KMT presidential nominee frontrunner Hau Lung-bin, breaking ranks by also calling for Chen to be released.</p>
<p>"The issue is not only a judicial problem, but also a social issue that involves the feelings of many pan-green supporters. Granting him a hospital stay would be a significant move to heal scars and bring social reconciliation," Hau said, according to the Taipei Times.</p>
<p>But while the Chen drama has dominated headlines, experts say that more deep-seated and darker problems within the judiciary need to be addressed, particularly judges continuing to sentence defendants to death with scant material evidence, such as fingerprints, DNA, or worse still, confessions through torture by police.</p>
<p>Observers say Taiwanese courts rely mainly on confessions, statements by co-defendants' or evidence from police interrogations that are not recorded, despite a ban on relying on this type of evidence.</p>
<p>"It's part of the culture in Taiwan. Judges presume that all defendants are guilty. You have to prove your innocence. If you can't, then you're guilty," said Kao.</p>
<p>A rash of spotty cases has highlighted the problems. In 1997, a Taiwanese soldier was executed for murdering and raping a 5-year-old girl on the back of a failed lie detector test and a confession. But under pressure from his family, investigators reopened the case in 2010 and found that he had been tortured by investigators. Another man, with a history of sexual crimes has since been indicted.</p>
<p>In another case, a defendant has been detained for 24 years, been retried 11 times and sentenced to death despite two prosecutors and 10 police officers being punished for using torture to obtain confessions.</p>
<p>But perhaps the most egregious of them all relates to the "Hsichih Trio," who were sentenced to death for a brutal robbery and murder of a couple in the outskirts of Taipei in 1991.</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/china/110114/taiwan-death-penalty-asia-hsichih-three-part-one" type="external">A look at the death penalty in Asia</a></p>
<p>The defendants later recanted their confessions, claiming <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/china/110114/taiwan-death-penalty-asia-hsichih-three-part-four" type="external">torture by police</a>, which they say included being hung upside down and water-boarded with urine, being made to sit on blocks of ice, shocked with cattle prods and beaten for hours at a time.</p>
<p>Police have denied the tortures took place.</p>
<p>Taiwanese-American forensic scientist Henry Lee, famous from the O.J. Simpson trial, was brought to Taiwan by the defense to conduct a crime scene reconstruction and appear in court. His report concluded through blood splatter and reconstruction analysis that the three could not have possibly been in the room at the same time as their joint confessions suggested without leaving physical evidence.</p>
<p>During the trio's 13th retrial held in late 2010, the High Court ruled the three were not guilty, in large part due to Lee's testimony.</p>
<p>In a normal world, the case would have ended there. But prosecutors appealed the verdict, and in yet another retrial earlier this year, asked the court to throw out Lee's testimony as he isn't registered with the government-run forensic lab.</p>
<p>"Prosecutors act like civil servants in the way they follow procedures. They are afraid to be criticized for being soft so they continue to appeal and appeal and then appeal again," said Kao.</p>
<p>Ironically, Lee was motivated to leave Taiwan as a police captain and study forensic science in the US because of his dissatisfaction with the number of crimes solved through forced confessions and torture.</p>
<p>More ironic still, was the court's decision to hear testimony from a lead forensic scientist, who also headed up the lab work on the botched investigation into the air force serviceman who was wrongly executed in 1997.</p>
<p>A number of international human rights groups and a former UN special rapporteur on torture have raised serious concerns about Taiwan's use of the death penalty, pointing to instances of torture, long detentions and violations of the right to a fair trial.</p>
<p>However, a new law, which came into effect last year, could bring some relief. The Speedy Verdict Law limits the time a defendant can be held without a final verdict to eight years and the number of times prosecutors may appeal after a defendant has been found not guilty.</p>
<p>"With the Speedy Law, if you have been found not guilty three times by the courts then prosecutors can't appeal. If the Trio is found not guilty, they will not be able to appeal and the case will be closed. It's a much needed step in Taiwan's continued democratization," said Kao.</p>
<p>The Hsichih Trio are expecting a verdict from a Taipei court next week.</p>
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taipei taiwan calls former us district attorney ruling party heavyweight release jailed former president chen shuibian medical parole sparked fresh round debate taiwans antiquated judicial system chen serving 17year prison sentence graft diagnosed depression posttraumatic stress syndrome heart problems however team doctors sent justice ministry found fit serve remainder sentence case much like contentious rule young democracy 20002008 polarized enemies supporters many say politically motivated system long skewed favor ruling nationalist kuomintang party kmt somewhat successful winning political independence judiciary next step reforming prosecutors investigate secret without oversight said kao jungchih director taiwans judicial reform foundation real problem listen bosses direct cases attorney general appoints top persecutors appointed president special investigations team charge chens case roundly criticized prosecuting greencamp cases kmt cases globalpost taiwanese politics gangsters paradise taiwans fractured political landscape green camp refers independenceleaning democratic progressive party chen led broke kmt blue camps fivedecade hold power chens supporters got boost ramsey clarks visit 84yearold human rights activist urged president yingjeous administration act risk seen murderer chen dies prison ramseys public rebuke government soon followed taipei mayor kmt presidential nominee frontrunner hau lungbin breaking ranks also calling chen released issue judicial problem also social issue involves feelings many pangreen supporters granting hospital stay would significant move heal scars bring social reconciliation hau said according taipei times chen drama dominated headlines experts say deepseated darker problems within judiciary need addressed particularly judges continuing sentence defendants death scant material evidence fingerprints dna worse still confessions torture police observers say taiwanese courts rely mainly confessions statements codefendants evidence police interrogations recorded despite ban relying type evidence part culture taiwan judges presume defendants guilty prove innocence cant youre guilty said kao rash spotty cases highlighted problems 1997 taiwanese soldier executed murdering raping 5yearold girl back failed lie detector test confession pressure family investigators reopened case 2010 found tortured investigators another man history sexual crimes since indicted another case defendant detained 24 years retried 11 times sentenced death despite two prosecutors 10 police officers punished using torture obtain confessions perhaps egregious relates hsichih trio sentenced death brutal robbery murder couple outskirts taipei 1991 globalpost look death penalty asia defendants later recanted confessions claiming torture police say included hung upside waterboarded urine made sit blocks ice shocked cattle prods beaten hours time police denied tortures took place taiwaneseamerican forensic scientist henry lee famous oj simpson trial brought taiwan defense conduct crime scene reconstruction appear court report concluded blood splatter reconstruction analysis three could possibly room time joint confessions suggested without leaving physical evidence trios 13th retrial held late 2010 high court ruled three guilty large part due lees testimony normal world case would ended prosecutors appealed verdict yet another retrial earlier year asked court throw lees testimony isnt registered governmentrun forensic lab prosecutors act like civil servants way follow procedures afraid criticized soft continue appeal appeal appeal said kao ironically lee motivated leave taiwan police captain study forensic science us dissatisfaction number crimes solved forced confessions torture ironic still courts decision hear testimony lead forensic scientist also headed lab work botched investigation air force serviceman wrongly executed 1997 number international human rights groups former un special rapporteur torture raised serious concerns taiwans use death penalty pointing instances torture long detentions violations right fair trial however new law came effect last year could bring relief speedy verdict law limits time defendant held without final verdict eight years number times prosecutors may appeal defendant found guilty speedy law found guilty three times courts prosecutors cant appeal trio found guilty able appeal case closed much needed step taiwans continued democratization said kao hsichih trio expecting verdict taipei court next week
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<p>Teachers at a union-backed charter school have come to a tentative contract agreement with management just months after newly unionized teachers at Chicago International charter schools ratified their contract.</p>
<p>The agreement calls for a significantly longer school day with daily professional development, revamped teacher evaluation and a remediation process that allows for quick dismissal of under-performing teachers.</p>
<p />
<p>Teachers at a union-backed charter school have come to a tentative contract agreement with management just months after newly unionized teachers at Chicago International charter schools ratified their contract.</p>
<p>The agreement calls for a significantly longer school day with daily professional development, revamped teacher evaluation and a remediation process that allows for quick dismissal of under-performing teachers. &#160;&#160;&#160; The Union Park Council of Chicago Association of Charter Teachers and Staff, known as ACTS, represents teachers at Chicago Talent Development High School, who will vote on the agreement by the end of the school year, said lead teacher negotiator Eli Argamaso.</p>
<p>American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten praised the school’s staff at a press conference this week announcing the agreement. “This is a very special school, because of the work being done here and because of the model being created for other schools,” she said. The AFT backs the charter school concept, and its largest affiliate, in New York City, operates two charters.</p>
<p>Weingarten pointed to the statements from Argamaso and school CEO Kirby Callam as evidence that the collaboration is working.</p>
<p>“The manager was talking about checks and balances and creating an environment that protects teachers,” Weingarten said. “The union representative was talking about trust and caring for kids.”</p>
<p>She also took the opportunity to urge Illinois legislators to increase school funding and avert layoffs and class-size increases. “Kids don’t get to decide whether they are born in a time of prosperity or in a time of great challenge,” she said.</p>
<p>The Chicago Teachers Union the idea for the school, and Connee Fitch-Blanks, the director of the CTU’s Quest Center, sits on the school’s board. The Talent Development High School model originated at Johns Hopkins University and is intended for schools that face serious problems with attendance, discipline, test scores and dropout rates.</p>
<p>Among the contract’s components:</p>
<p>*A work day that stretches from 8:20 a.m. to 4:05 p.m. This includes an hour a day of before-school staff professional development time, followed by four 90-minute classes.</p>
<p>“With a job like this, you have to understand that certain things are needed,” Argamaso said. “If the hours are something that’s an issue for a teacher, this may not be the best school for you.”</p>
<p>* Performance-based evaluations performed by teams that include experienced teachers. The evaluations do not include the use of student performance data, Argamaso said.</p>
<p>*A remediation process for under-performing teachers, who can be fired as soon as a year after the process begins.</p>
<p>“Even if you come into this and it might not be your profession, it’s up to the community to help recognize that, in a collaborative, fair way,” Callam said. “If we are just a school of mediocre teachers [and] pretty good teachers, CPS will close us in five years.”</p>
<p>*An automatic bump to the bottom of the pay scale in teachers’ first year at the school, regardless of previous experience. However, the school can dole out unlimited “signing bonuses” to first-year teachers. Teachers at all levels can also earn bonuses by assuming extra responsibilities like leadership roles or supervising after-school programs.</p>
<p>*Three lanes of pay for teachers, depending on whether they have a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, or National Board certification. There are seven steps in each lane.</p>
<p>* Starting at the end of a teacher’s first year, performance ratings determine their placement into the top, middle, or bottom range of steps. Then, their specific step is assigned based on their total years of experience.</p>
<p>&lt;design break&gt;</p>
<p>The contract will not be released until it is ratified. Negotiators still have to work out the details of the teacher evaluation scoring system, Argamaso said. He also would not comment on the specific salary ranges at the bottom and top ends of the pay scale.</p>
<p>But “it’s safe to say the potential to earn over the long term is greater here,” he said, noting that talented teachers can hit the top of the pay scale within seven to 10 years (although they would continue to receive cost-of-living increases and other raises).</p>
<p>Chicago Talent Development’s unionization is, perhaps, less of a surprise than that of other charter schools. It was launched by a partnership between the Illinois Federation of Teachers, the Chicago Teachers Union, and the Service Employees International Union Local 73.</p>
<p>The school, located inside Tilton Elementary, opened originally as a contract school in 2009 and will become a charter school this fall. Its parent organization, Union Park High Schools, plans to eventually open three more union-partnered high schools in Chicago.</p>
<p>A grant from the AFT Innovation Fund helped bankroll the negotiation process. “Without the [AFT Innovation] Fund, we wouldn’t have been able to get the training we need,” Principal Jackie Lemon said.</p>
<p>“There were a lot of skeptics when we opened up this school. A lot of people thought we would not get this done. [But] no blood was shed. There are no broken bones,” she said.</p>
<p>Six other union groups (all of them outside Illinois) received grants from the fund, which supports teacher-led, union-led and collaborative school reform efforts. One of the grants was given back to the union, Weingarten said, because Broward County Public Schools officials refused to work with the union there on developing a performance pay system. The other five grants did not specifically address contract issues.</p>
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teachers unionbacked charter school come tentative contract agreement management months newly unionized teachers chicago international charter schools ratified contract agreement calls significantly longer school day daily professional development revamped teacher evaluation remediation process allows quick dismissal underperforming teachers teachers unionbacked charter school come tentative contract agreement management months newly unionized teachers chicago international charter schools ratified contract agreement calls significantly longer school day daily professional development revamped teacher evaluation remediation process allows quick dismissal underperforming teachers 160160160 union park council chicago association charter teachers staff known acts represents teachers chicago talent development high school vote agreement end school year said lead teacher negotiator eli argamaso american federation teachers president randi weingarten praised schools staff press conference week announcing agreement special school work done model created schools said aft backs charter school concept largest affiliate new york city operates two charters weingarten pointed statements argamaso school ceo kirby callam evidence collaboration working manager talking checks balances creating environment protects teachers weingarten said union representative talking trust caring kids also took opportunity urge illinois legislators increase school funding avert layoffs classsize increases kids dont get decide whether born time prosperity time great challenge said chicago teachers union idea school connee fitchblanks director ctus quest center sits schools board talent development high school model originated johns hopkins university intended schools face serious problems attendance discipline test scores dropout rates among contracts components work day stretches 820 405 pm includes hour day beforeschool staff professional development time followed four 90minute classes job like understand certain things needed argamaso said hours something thats issue teacher may best school performancebased evaluations performed teams include experienced teachers evaluations include use student performance data argamaso said remediation process underperforming teachers fired soon year process begins even come might profession community help recognize collaborative fair way callam said school mediocre teachers pretty good teachers cps close us five years automatic bump bottom pay scale teachers first year school regardless previous experience however school dole unlimited signing bonuses firstyear teachers teachers levels also earn bonuses assuming extra responsibilities like leadership roles supervising afterschool programs three lanes pay teachers depending whether bachelors degree masters degree national board certification seven steps lane starting end teachers first year performance ratings determine placement top middle bottom range steps specific step assigned based total years experience ltdesign breakgt contract released ratified negotiators still work details teacher evaluation scoring system argamaso said also would comment specific salary ranges bottom top ends pay scale safe say potential earn long term greater said noting talented teachers hit top pay scale within seven 10 years although would continue receive costofliving increases raises chicago talent developments unionization perhaps less surprise charter schools launched partnership illinois federation teachers chicago teachers union service employees international union local 73 school located inside tilton elementary opened originally contract school 2009 become charter school fall parent organization union park high schools plans eventually open three unionpartnered high schools chicago grant aft innovation fund helped bankroll negotiation process without aft innovation fund wouldnt able get training need principal jackie lemon said lot skeptics opened school lot people thought would get done blood shed broken bones said six union groups outside illinois received grants fund supports teacherled unionled collaborative school reform efforts one grants given back union weingarten said broward county public schools officials refused work union developing performance pay system five grants specifically address contract issues
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<p>MANCHESTER, United Kingdom - What is England? Who are the English?</p>
<p>It may seem a little odd to be asking these questions at this point in time - surely a nation with such a well-documented history and whose national art form is the written word should have the answers to those questions at its finger tips. But what it means to be English is the question of the moment in this country; so small that it could fit five times into Texas, but so crowded it has double the Lone Star State's population.</p>
<p>Englishness: In the wake of resurgent Scottish nationalism, English politicians have been discussing it. Now, following Anders Behring Breivik's mass murder spree in Norway and his contact with the "English Defence League," it is a question that needs to be attended to with urgency.</p>
<p>Younger artists have been dealing with the question for a couple of years.</p>
<p>On a cool summer evening in early July the crowd outside Manchester's Palace Theatre was sizzling with the buzz that comes from being among the lucky ones to grab a ticket to a hot show. In this case, "Dr. Dee: An English Opera" written by Damon Albarn, better known as the front man for rock groups Blur and Gorillaz.</p>
<p>The musical theater piece delivers precisely what it says on the package, an operatic take on Englishness. As the curtain rises a raven, guardian bird of the Tower of London, flies onto the stage, and a procession of English icons - or tourist cliches - march above the stage: suffragettes, morris dancers and a bowler-hatted gent from the Ministry of Silly Walks, balloons with the cross of St. George, the symbol on the English flag, float upwards. Meanwhile Albarn, hovering above everything, sings a song about "The People of the Rose."</p>
<p />
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<p>Dr. Dee was a real person in the court of Queen Elizabeth I. John Dee in Albarn's opera is credited with being the prototype of a modern Englishman. He was a great mathematician and theorist of navigation. Dee deserves a lot of credit for convincing the Virgin Queen to build up England's naval presence in the world - not just for defense against Catholic Europe, but to develop its commercial power as well. He also put together the largest library the country had seen to that moment in time.</p>
<p>Dee lived at a moment of decisive change in England, points out Benjamin Woolley, whose biography of the doctor, "The Queen's Conjuror," inspired Albarn's piece. "The Pope had just issued what in modern terms would be called a fatwa against the Queen," he said. "England, which had been Catholic for centuries, had to cut loose from its history."</p>
<p>A new narrative had to be constructed. Catholicism was ruled from the continent. The Normans who conquered England were from the continent. "Englishness was something pre-Norman," explained Woolley. "The English were free people able to do their own thing." That notion of individual freedom became a foundation of Englishness, he added.</p>
<p>Another essential part of Englishness came about at that time, according to Woolley: irony. The first definition of irony is saying one thing and meaning the opposite. In a time where one week everyone was Catholic and the next week everyone was Protestant, irony was a useful way to laugh off the change - considering that one's immortal soul was in the balance.</p>
<p>But Dr. Dee is only part of the picture. As much as anything the English question comes out of the rapidly changing ethnic make-up of Britain. When I arrived here in the 1970s for a junior year abroad I lived in a country called England. When I returned in the mid-1980s I moved to a country called Britain. What happened?</p>
<p>Politics. England was overtaken by Britain, as conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher used the term in the hope of trying to seem inclusive, even though her policies were tilted dramatically toward southern England. Mike Kenny, a professor at Queen Mary's College, University of London, points out, "To the Scots and Welsh, when politicians in Westminster talk about Britain they are really only talking to the English."</p>
<p>The left side of British politics also adopted Thatcher's term. Kenny, who studies the politics of English nationalism, says, "The liberal project is tied up with a Britain that is a less ethnically defined space. Citizenship is not dependent on national identity."</p>
<p>Kenny says this non-ethnic approach to identity hasn't worked and now there is a backlash from traditional Labour voters. "There is an idea of Englishness as part of a sharpened politics of resentment in the white working class with attitudes that are anti-immigrant and anti-political elites."</p>
<p>One of the best British films of the last decade, Shane Meadows' This is England, looks at how that resentment permeates the culture of a white working class housing project on the outskirts of a provincial city. It comes out of his own brief experience of skinhead culture in the early 1980s.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>Ethnicity has changed dramatically in England in recent decades. Prior to the 1980 census, the question of race was not even asked. Today a little over 12 percent of the population of England is non-white. Can minorities born here be considered English? That was an underlying question of Zadie Smith's spectacularly successful debut novel "White Teeth." The answer can be avoided by saying everyone born on this island is British. Indeed many among immigrants and those born into the South Asian, Afro-Caribbean and African communities prefer to think of themselves as British or Black British.</p>
<p>The ethnic question is complicated by the fact that minorities overwhelmingly live in the cities. Official population statistics show London and Birmingham, England's largest cities, both have minority populations of about one third. To residents of those cities that seems a bit on the low side.</p>
<p>People who live in the country are white and by and large native English. The London so brilliantly depicted by Zadie Smith is as foreign to them as New York. It's a small country but the gap between city and country is enormous. Historian Kenny says you need to look in the countryside to get an understanding of Englishness. "There is a small "c" conservatism in the country that is a hallmark of Englishness, the kind of conservatism you find in villages and towns. What is distinctively English is a backward-looking and nostalgic set of memories based in the countryside."</p>
<p>The Tony-award winning hit play "Jerusalem" gets mileage out of this nostalgia. Written by Jez Butterworth, the play tells the story of Jonny "Rooster" Byron. Rooster is a middle-aged wild-man living on the outskirts of a small country town. The local kids hang out with him and he happily leads them astray, filling their heads with a vision of a wild and free England beyond the constraints of earning a living so you can be a full participant in consumer culture. Rooster is the contemporary expression of the unfettered free Anglo-Saxon whose myth was first built in the days of Dr. Dee.</p>
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<p>Beyond the arts there is currently a mania for re-discovering English roots by getting back to English nature in the raw, despite the fact as Benjamin Woolley points out, "Every centimeter of this country has been cultivated."</p>
<p>A popular way for the educated upper middle classes to get re-acquainted with England is through "Wild Swimming," that is swimming in rivers, never mind that most rivers in this country wouldn't qualify as creeks in America or Australia.</p>
<p>The cultural ferment over Englishness is finally being measured. YouGov Cambridge, the academic arm of the polling firm, YouGov, recently did a survey of 80,000 people on a wide range of subjects including identity. Thirty-eight percent of those polled said they felt more English than British, only 20 percent felt more British than English.</p>
<p>Kenny is pretty sure how this will translate into politics. "The Labour party bang on all the time about 'Britain' and that puts them at a disadavantage in 'England.'" As more than 80 percent of the people on this island live in England, that could become a very serious problem for Labour.</p>
<p>Or it may never become a problem at all. The current fuss over England and Englishness may eventually subside and become a subject for what Benjamin Woolley points out is the bedrock of the culture: irony. Maybe everyone south of the Scottish border and east of Wales will start singing the old Flanders and Swann song, "The English Are Best," and leave it at that.</p>
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manchester united kingdom england english may seem little odd asking questions point time surely nation welldocumented history whose national art form written word answers questions finger tips means english question moment country small could fit five times texas crowded double lone star states population englishness wake resurgent scottish nationalism english politicians discussing following anders behring breiviks mass murder spree norway contact english defence league question needs attended urgency younger artists dealing question couple years cool summer evening early july crowd outside manchesters palace theatre sizzling buzz comes among lucky ones grab ticket hot show case dr dee english opera written damon albarn better known front man rock groups blur gorillaz musical theater piece delivers precisely says package operatic take englishness curtain rises raven guardian bird tower london flies onto stage procession english icons tourist cliches march stage suffragettes morris dancers bowlerhatted gent ministry silly walks balloons cross st george symbol english flag float upwards meanwhile albarn hovering everything sings song people rose dr dee real person court queen elizabeth john dee albarns opera credited prototype modern englishman great mathematician theorist navigation dee deserves lot credit convincing virgin queen build englands naval presence world defense catholic europe develop commercial power well also put together largest library country seen moment time dee lived moment decisive change england points benjamin woolley whose biography doctor queens conjuror inspired albarns piece pope issued modern terms would called fatwa queen said england catholic centuries cut loose history new narrative constructed catholicism ruled continent normans conquered england continent englishness something prenorman explained woolley english free people able thing notion individual freedom became foundation englishness added another essential part englishness came time according woolley irony first definition irony saying one thing meaning opposite time one week everyone catholic next week everyone protestant irony useful way laugh change considering ones immortal soul balance dr dee part picture much anything english question comes rapidly changing ethnic makeup britain arrived 1970s junior year abroad lived country called england returned mid1980s moved country called britain happened politics england overtaken britain conservative prime minister margaret thatcher used term hope trying seem inclusive even though policies tilted dramatically toward southern england mike kenny professor queen marys college university london points scots welsh politicians westminster talk britain really talking english left side british politics also adopted thatchers term kenny studies politics english nationalism says liberal project tied britain less ethnically defined space citizenship dependent national identity kenny says nonethnic approach identity hasnt worked backlash traditional labour voters idea englishness part sharpened politics resentment white working class attitudes antiimmigrant antipolitical elites one best british films last decade shane meadows england looks resentment permeates culture white working class housing project outskirts provincial city comes brief experience skinhead culture early 1980s ethnicity changed dramatically england recent decades prior 1980 census question race even asked today little 12 percent population england nonwhite minorities born considered english underlying question zadie smiths spectacularly successful debut novel white teeth answer avoided saying everyone born island british indeed many among immigrants born south asian afrocaribbean african communities prefer think british black british ethnic question complicated fact minorities overwhelmingly live cities official population statistics show london birmingham englands largest cities minority populations one third residents cities seems bit low side people live country white large native english london brilliantly depicted zadie smith foreign new york small country gap city country enormous historian kenny says need look countryside get understanding englishness small c conservatism country hallmark englishness kind conservatism find villages towns distinctively english backwardlooking nostalgic set memories based countryside tonyaward winning hit play jerusalem gets mileage nostalgia written jez butterworth play tells story jonny rooster byron rooster middleaged wildman living outskirts small country town local kids hang happily leads astray filling heads vision wild free england beyond constraints earning living full participant consumer culture rooster contemporary expression unfettered free anglosaxon whose myth first built days dr dee beyond arts currently mania rediscovering english roots getting back english nature raw despite fact benjamin woolley points every centimeter country cultivated popular way educated upper middle classes get reacquainted england wild swimming swimming rivers never mind rivers country wouldnt qualify creeks america australia cultural ferment englishness finally measured yougov cambridge academic arm polling firm yougov recently survey 80000 people wide range subjects including identity thirtyeight percent polled said felt english british 20 percent felt british english kenny pretty sure translate politics labour party bang time britain puts disadavantage england 80 percent people island live england could become serious problem labour may never become problem current fuss england englishness may eventually subside become subject benjamin woolley points bedrock culture irony maybe everyone south scottish border east wales start singing old flanders swann song english best leave
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<p>For those of certain ages, there are events which forever stay in memory. My mother could tell me where she was when she heard about Pearl Harbor. I remember what I was doing when I heard that President Kennedy had been shot. And for all of us we remember where we were when the planes hit the World Trade Center and the rest of that day of infamy 10 years ago.&#160;</p>
<p>I was working on a new exhibit at the Virginia Baptist Historical Society and my wife called me to tell me that a plane, probably by a terrible accident, had hit the New York City building. Quickly the horror of that day began to unfold and we all realized that something terrible had happened, killing thousands of innocent people and setting us on a new course as a nation. I remember telling Darlene, the research assistant at the Historical Society, to make a vertical file and for want of what to call it just label it as “9/11.” The numerals became synonymous with terrorism. &#160;</p>
<p />
<p>George was the disaster relief coordinator for the Virginia Baptist Mission Board and he was driving to Southwest Virginia when he heard the news. Before the morning was over, Jim had placed the Virginia Baptist feeding unit on alert to be ready to respond. By the next afternoon Virginia Baptists “were rolling towards New York with 22 volunteers and 5,000 meals ready to cook for the workers and victims of the disaster.” It was the beginning of a mammoth response by Virginia Baptists — distributing meals, providing a healing presence and even cleaning apartments.&#160;</p>
<p>Within a week of the terrible day, Bill Duke, then pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church in the Richmond area, telephoned and suggested that a worthy project would be to gather and publish sermons delivered in response to 9/11. He offered to gather these and we determined that the publishing would be a worthy undertaking of our new organization, the Center for Baptist Heritage &amp; Studies.</p>
<p>Sept. 11, 2001, was a Tuesday — a crisp, beautiful, blue-skies day in Richmond — a day which began with no indication that it would become one of those “days which will live in infamy” — and before it was over every minister would be changing his sermon for the coming Sunday. Bill Duke was right. It would be important to redeem the time.</p>
<p>In the hours which followed the tragedy, many Virginia Baptists experienced shock and sadness over the sudden death on Sept. 12 of Nat Kellum, the effective, compassionate and beloved treasurer of the Baptist General Association of Virginia and director of business services for the Mission Board. The blows came heavy that week — the massive loss for the nation and the down-home personal loss for Virginia Baptists.</p>
<p>We set no parameters for accepting sermons. We were open to publishing whatever was sent and there was a large response. They came in every form: electronic, handwritten, typed, legible and illegible. We determined not to be censors and we were offering no awards for writing. We took the bundle to our homes and everyone connected with our workplace proofread. My wife and I found that in reading the sermons we experienced some measure of healing. Certainly, the overwhelming emphasis from the messages we read was the theology of Christian hope in the face of indescribable tragedy. It was an emphasis which America and the world needed in those days.</p>
<p>Bill Duke felt that the sermon which he delivered on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2001, was “the longest and hardest sermon” of his life. He admitted that “few, if any, preachers were prepared by experience or education to address their congregations in the face of such as horrific national experience.” He called it “uncharted territory for most preachers.” The images of that Tuesday and the days which followed were seared into the recent memory bank of worshippers. What does a Christian minister say in response? Bill Duke used Isaiah 36-37, employing the stories of ancient peoples in a sermon on “Our Security.”</p>
<p>None of the sermons published in the book were considered as models, but each one did offer how a particular minister addressed the common subject. There was diversity and variety with 65 sermons submitted from pastors of large and small churches, rural and urban, and from male and female ministers. Vallerie King was still new in her pastorate at Emmaus outside Richmond and she chose Luke 12:4-12 for comfort, noting the last verse which reads, “For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.”</p>
<p>Barbara Jackson, who operates her own book designing business, gave professional attention to the publication while her husband, Lloyd Jackson, was engaged in much of the disaster relief work in New York City. Jackson was a guest preacher that Sunday after 9/11 at Welcome Grove near Warsaw and he used Acts 3:1-10 for a sermon on “Tragedy and Mission.”&#160;</p>
<p>The book of sermons was entitled For the Living of These Days:&#160; Responses to Terrorism. The Center for Baptist Heritage &amp; Studies paid the costs. It was determined that the entire amount of sales would support a humanitarian endeavor. Virginia Baptists bought the book in such numbers that some $25,000 was given to the Virginia Baptist Mission Board to purchase more disaster feeding units.</p>
<p>During the days and weeks following 9/11, we all witnessed the turning by Americans to traditional sources of spiritual strength. Churches and temples opened their doors for prayer. At the University of Richmond a candlelight service was held around the lake; and there were speakers from various segments of the campus community. The speaker whose message stayed with me the longest was Bettie L. Clarke, the director of the UR dining hall. She is an African-American and a Baptist. I remember that she said to use your best tablecloth and your best china and flatware, showing that each day you will live life to its fullest.&#160;</p>
<p>In the aftermath of horrific tragedy, Virginia Baptists shined by helping victims and by sharing the Christian message of hope. In so doing, Virginia Baptists were living life to its fullest. Steve Allsbrook, director of missions for the Dover Baptist Association, wrote at the time: “Perhaps our lights shine brightest in dark times. How we handle crises, how we grieve, how we choose to go on living — all afford a chance to show others the Lord who promises to walk through the deepest, darkest times with us.”</p>
<p>Fred Anderson is executive director of the Virginia Baptist Historical Society and the Center for Baptist Heritage and Studies. He may be contacted at <a href="mailto:[email protected]" type="external">[email protected]</a> or at P.O. Box 34, University of Richmond, VA 23173.</p>
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certain ages events forever stay memory mother could tell heard pearl harbor remember heard president kennedy shot us remember planes hit world trade center rest day infamy 10 years ago160 working new exhibit virginia baptist historical society wife called tell plane probably terrible accident hit new york city building quickly horror day began unfold realized something terrible happened killing thousands innocent people setting us new course nation remember telling darlene research assistant historical society make vertical file want call label 911 numerals became synonymous terrorism 160 george disaster relief coordinator virginia baptist mission board driving southwest virginia heard news morning jim placed virginia baptist feeding unit alert ready respond next afternoon virginia baptists rolling towards new york 22 volunteers 5000 meals ready cook workers victims disaster beginning mammoth response virginia baptists distributing meals providing healing presence even cleaning apartments160 within week terrible day bill duke pastor hillcrest baptist church richmond area telephoned suggested worthy project would gather publish sermons delivered response 911 offered gather determined publishing would worthy undertaking new organization center baptist heritage amp studies sept 11 2001 tuesday crisp beautiful blueskies day richmond day began indication would become one days live infamy every minister would changing sermon coming sunday bill duke right would important redeem time hours followed tragedy many virginia baptists experienced shock sadness sudden death sept 12 nat kellum effective compassionate beloved treasurer baptist general association virginia director business services mission board blows came heavy week massive loss nation downhome personal loss virginia baptists set parameters accepting sermons open publishing whatever sent large response came every form electronic handwritten typed legible illegible determined censors offering awards writing took bundle homes everyone connected workplace proofread wife found reading sermons experienced measure healing certainly overwhelming emphasis messages read theology christian hope face indescribable tragedy emphasis america world needed days bill duke felt sermon delivered sunday sept 16 2001 longest hardest sermon life admitted preachers prepared experience education address congregations face horrific national experience called uncharted territory preachers images tuesday days followed seared recent memory bank worshippers christian minister say response bill duke used isaiah 3637 employing stories ancient peoples sermon security none sermons published book considered models one offer particular minister addressed common subject diversity variety 65 sermons submitted pastors large small churches rural urban male female ministers vallerie king still new pastorate emmaus outside richmond chose luke 12412 comfort noting last verse reads holy ghost shall teach hour ye ought say barbara jackson operates book designing business gave professional attention publication husband lloyd jackson engaged much disaster relief work new york city jackson guest preacher sunday 911 welcome grove near warsaw used acts 3110 sermon tragedy mission160 book sermons entitled living days160 responses terrorism center baptist heritage amp studies paid costs determined entire amount sales would support humanitarian endeavor virginia baptists bought book numbers 25000 given virginia baptist mission board purchase disaster feeding units days weeks following 911 witnessed turning americans traditional sources spiritual strength churches temples opened doors prayer university richmond candlelight service held around lake speakers various segments campus community speaker whose message stayed longest bettie l clarke director ur dining hall africanamerican baptist remember said use best tablecloth best china flatware showing day live life fullest160 aftermath horrific tragedy virginia baptists shined helping victims sharing christian message hope virginia baptists living life fullest steve allsbrook director missions dover baptist association wrote time perhaps lights shine brightest dark times handle crises grieve choose go living afford chance show others lord promises walk deepest darkest times us fred anderson executive director virginia baptist historical society center baptist heritage studies may contacted fredandersonvbmborg po box 34 university richmond va 23173
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<p>CURWOOD: From the Jennifer and Ted Stanley Studios in Boston and PRI, this is Living on Earth. Im Steve Curwood.</p>
<p>[INTERCOM VOICE: The next Red Line train to Alewife does not take Customers.]</p>
<p>CURWOOD: Thats the message passengers on the oldest underground railway system in the country have heard far too often over the last couple of weeks, as ferocious weather dumped over six feet of snow on Boston. At least, they heard the message if the trains arrived at all. The MBTA, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, shut down totally for over 30 hours, as the creaking elderly ill-maintained subway trains proved no match for the piles of snow.</p>
<p>A tweet from the MBTA updating customers on service suspension. (Photo: MBTA)</p>
<p>PALMER: So, how was the commute this morning?</p>
<p>DOERING: Oh, it was awful! We show up to the T stop and we see all of these people waiting. And so, were like, gosh, were not going to get on this train; were not going to get on the next three trains. So we take it the opposite direction, so we can get on it earlier. And finally we get on, ya know, but it takes us two hours to get to our destination!</p>
<p>CURWOOD: The MBTA has suffered from decades of underfunding and neglect, and when Blizzard Nemo hit back in 2013, Bostons public transit also shut down that time for 48 hours that started in advance of the storm because officials were so concerned about the fragility of the system.</p>
<p>Park Street Station, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, circa 1898. (Photo: Wikimedia)</p>
<p>Much of the woes are due to severe underfunding and politics that have saddled it with a mountain of debt. And just before the latest storm, according to published reports, Charlie Baker, the newly elected Republican governor of Massachusetts, proposed cutting another $40 million from the budget for the state transportation system. So it is interesting that back in 2012 when Living on Earths Bruce Gellerman reported on the financial woes of public transit in Boston, one person who offered him an assessment was Stephanie Pollack who is now the Transportation Secretary for Governor Baker.</p>
<p>Heres part of Bruces story that begins with her comments.</p>
<p>POLLACK: The MBTA is in pretty dire shape. Weve basically been charging all the bills and making the minimum payments on the credit card, and we just figured out if you keep making the minimum payment, you never pay it off.</p>
<p>Park Street Station, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, today</p>
<p>GELLERMAN: Until a dozen years ago budgeting wasnt a problem for the T because it didnt have a budget. If at the end of a fiscal year, there was a shortfall in running the transit service state lawmakers reached into general revenues and made up the difference. Then, in 2000, the legislature passed a measure called "Forward Funding. The mass transit system was told to come up with a balanced budget and as part of the deal got 20 percent of all the revenue from the state sales tax.</p>
<p>POLLACK: And that was actually a huge victory. It amounts to half a billion dollars a year in revenue that the MBTA has that no one can touch. The problem is that gift came with some strings attached, including some pretty substantial debt and the requirement that the MBTA pay its way in the future.</p>
<p>MBTA services include buses, trolleys, subways and regional rail. (Photo: Wikimedia)</p>
<p>GELLERMAN: The strings were attached to the giant project known as Bostons Big Dig. Its a system of tunnels, and bridges under and around the downtown area. The Big Dig was the largest, most complex and costly construction project in US history.</p>
<p>In exchange for getting money from the states sales tax - the T inherited $3.3 billion in Big Dig debt. Delayed by a decade and plagued by design flaws, the price tag for the highway project tripled. Dan McNichol is author of the book "The Big Dig".</p>
<p>MCNICHOL: This is where the big leak took place, everything on the Big Dig was big, and the leak here pushed hundreds and hundreds of gallons every minute into the Big Dig tunnels. It was a major embarrassment - 15 billion dollar tunnel and it was leaking before it was even two or three years old.</p>
<p>GELLERMAN: Today, the T is drowning in Big Dig red ink. Revenue from the state sales tax didnt increase as expected. So the T has had to borrow money. Its issued bonds, and now its debt troubles have literally compounded the original $3.3 billion owed to bondholders plus new debt has ballooned to almost $9 billion. For the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, Forward Funding was spiraling out of control. Brian Kane, Budget and Policy Analyst with the T Advisory Board wrote a report about the problem. He called it: Born Broke.</p>
<p>The excavation of Tremont St for a new line in 1896.</p>
<p>KANE: But for that transference of debt, Forward Funding would have been a smashing success. Unfortunately, with the transference of that amount of debt and the mandate to pay the debt service on that debt, the Ts finance have been broken since 2000. So to maintain the system they borrow moneythey borrow hundreds of millions of dollars every year to maintain the system and they pay that out of the operating budget every year. And going forward they will continue to basically pay every dollar they earn in fares basically in debt service.</p>
<p>GELLERMAN: If I had to pay for my ride right now on the subwaywhat would it really cost?</p>
<p>KANE: Roughly $6 of which you pay $2. Fares are roughly 450 million dollars a year. Debt service is roughly $450 million a year. They dont have enough money to operate the system let alone maintain it.</p>
<p>An MBTA Red Line subway car leaves the northbound platform at Downtown Crossing station. (Photo: Wikimedia)</p>
<p>CURWOOD: Brian Kane is now director of policy for the MBTA, and you can hear all of Bruces story on our website, LOE.org.</p>
<p>The tension between highway and transit support will be front and center as Congress deals with transportation legislation later this year. Nationwide the Highway Trust Fund is running on empty, and as Boston commuters are painfully aware, some public transit systems are in such tough shape that some days they dont run at all.</p>
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curwood jennifer ted stanley studios boston pri living earth im steve curwood intercom voice next red line train alewife take customers curwood thats message passengers oldest underground railway system country heard far often last couple weeks ferocious weather dumped six feet snow boston least heard message trains arrived mbta massachusetts bay transportation authority shut totally 30 hours creaking elderly illmaintained subway trains proved match piles snow tweet mbta updating customers service suspension photo mbta palmer commute morning doering oh awful show stop see people waiting like gosh going get train going get next three trains take opposite direction get earlier finally get ya know takes us two hours get destination curwood mbta suffered decades underfunding neglect blizzard nemo hit back 2013 bostons public transit also shut time 48 hours started advance storm officials concerned fragility system park street station boston massachusetts usa circa 1898 photo wikimedia much woes due severe underfunding politics saddled mountain debt latest storm according published reports charlie baker newly elected republican governor massachusetts proposed cutting another 40 million budget state transportation system interesting back 2012 living earths bruce gellerman reported financial woes public transit boston one person offered assessment stephanie pollack transportation secretary governor baker heres part bruces story begins comments pollack mbta pretty dire shape weve basically charging bills making minimum payments credit card figured keep making minimum payment never pay park street station boston massachusetts usa today gellerman dozen years ago budgeting wasnt problem didnt budget end fiscal year shortfall running transit service state lawmakers reached general revenues made difference 2000 legislature passed measure called forward funding mass transit system told come balanced budget part deal got 20 percent revenue state sales tax pollack actually huge victory amounts half billion dollars year revenue mbta one touch problem gift came strings attached including pretty substantial debt requirement mbta pay way future mbta services include buses trolleys subways regional rail photo wikimedia gellerman strings attached giant project known bostons big dig system tunnels bridges around downtown area big dig largest complex costly construction project us history exchange getting money states sales tax inherited 33 billion big dig debt delayed decade plagued design flaws price tag highway project tripled dan mcnichol author book big dig mcnichol big leak took place everything big dig big leak pushed hundreds hundreds gallons every minute big dig tunnels major embarrassment 15 billion dollar tunnel leaking even two three years old gellerman today drowning big dig red ink revenue state sales tax didnt increase expected borrow money issued bonds debt troubles literally compounded original 33 billion owed bondholders plus new debt ballooned almost 9 billion massachusetts bay transportation authority forward funding spiraling control brian kane budget policy analyst advisory board wrote report problem called born broke excavation tremont st new line 1896 kane transference debt forward funding would smashing success unfortunately transference amount debt mandate pay debt service debt ts finance broken since 2000 maintain system borrow moneythey borrow hundreds millions dollars every year maintain system pay operating budget every year going forward continue basically pay every dollar earn fares basically debt service gellerman pay ride right subwaywhat would really cost kane roughly 6 pay 2 fares roughly 450 million dollars year debt service roughly 450 million year dont enough money operate system let alone maintain mbta red line subway car leaves northbound platform downtown crossing station photo wikimedia curwood brian kane director policy mbta hear bruces story website loeorg tension highway transit support front center congress deals transportation legislation later year nationwide highway trust fund running empty boston commuters painfully aware public transit systems tough shape days dont run
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<p>In the middle of the night, in the middle of a rainforest in Central Panama, biologist Brian Gratwicke slogs through a stream with a group of researchers looking for little green blobs sitting on a green leaf.</p>
<p>“Anything that makes the leaf hang unusually,” Gratwicke said.</p>
<p>A colleague spots a set of tiny eyes glimmering in the beam of a flashlight. But it’s a false alarm — probably just a spider, and spiders are not the scientists’ quarry. Nor are the venomous snakes or the very large lizard the team catches sight of. No, the little green blobs Gratwicke and his colleagues are looking for are frogs, and after 90 minutes in the jungle, they have yet to find a single one.</p>
<p>It might just be bad luck, but probably not. Frogs around the world are in trouble. Scientists estimate that over the last 30 years more than 100 species have gone extinct, and that more than a third of the remaining amphibian species are at risk of extinction.</p>
<p>Habitat loss and climate change are both playing a role in the disappearances, but another big reason is a virulent fungal disease that likely originated in Africa and has been spreading around the globe for decades —&#160;Amphibian Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, or chytrid for short.</p>
<p>Gratwicke, a researcher with the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, D.C., said for the amphibian world it’s an epidemic “that could spread from dogs to cats to cows to bats, and cause the extinction of half of those species. That’s what we’re looking at with this disease.”</p>
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<p>&#160;</p>
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<p>&#160;</p>
<p>In parts of Central America chytrid is spreading by about 20 miles a year. That’s why biologists here in Panama are racing to collect frogs and other amphibians ahead of the fungus.</p>
<p>Finally, the scientists have success — a glass frog guarding a gelatinous pile of eggs, with tiny tadpoles wiggling inside. The glass frog’s skin is transparent, and right above its stomach, you can see its tiny white heart beating.</p>
<p>It’s a stunning sight, but that’s it for this expedition — just a single frog.</p>
<p>The researchers have had better luck elsewhere, and when they do find frogs, they pack them into plastic bags and medevac them out of the forest like injured soldiers, to tightly controlled buildings like the ones Angie Estrada works in at the Summit Zoo, in Gamboa, Panama. The buildings are basically converted shipping containers that Estrada calls “pods”—a safe, “chytrid free” population of frogs in captivity.</p>
<p>Each pod holds row upon row of aquariums, fog machines, and UV lights, which Estrada said are meant to reproduce the specific conditions of each species’ natural habitats.</p>
<p>“Some of these frogs are coming from cloudy mountain forests,” Estrada said, “so our pods need to keep up with high humidity and low temperatures. They need to have light–white lights resembling night light and day light. We also need to do UV lights (to allow them) to go through metamorphosis.”</p>
<p>The frogs in the pods are some of the most remarkable you’ll see anywhere. Some look like bright yellow decomposing leaves, others are black as tar and have a crown like a triceratops.</p>
<p>And the pods hold some of the very last of their kind.</p>
<p>”We call them arks,” Estrada said, “amphibian arks, because we’re basically keeping them alive for future generations.”</p>
<p>And yet it’s a bit of a rag-tag effort, as scientists race to keep up with a disease that they say is killing frogs fast.</p>
<p>Edgardo Griffith, who runs the El Valle Amphibian Conservation Center in Western Panama, where the fungus swept through several years ago, said scientists there were “behind the chytrid wave.” When chytrid arrived in El Valle, Griffith said, “we didn’t even have a facility. So we had to keep frogs in hotel rooms.”</p>
<p>Griffith’s new facility is slightly more sophisticated. His quarantined building is home to a dozen vulnerable local species.</p>
<p>But being as exotic as they are also means there’s no rule book on how to take care of these frogs. Nobody knew exactly what some of them ate, or what they needed to mate. The researchers are learning as they go. And Griffith said they “lost a lot” of frogs along the way.</p>
<p>Why go to all this trouble to save a bunch of amphibians? The Smithsonian’s Brian Gratwicke said some of them may prove important to humans.</p>
<p>“There’s a species of frog in Australia that produces a chemical called asirin, which blocks HIV transmission to T-cells,” Gratwicke said.</p>
<p>And the skin of other frogs has produced compounds that kill “superbugs” in hospitals. That’s why Gratwicke believes every extinction is a lost opportunity for humans.</p>
<p>“The untapped resources of our amphibian biodiversity are virtually unknown,” he said.</p>
<p>But Gratwicke said there’s another important reason.</p>
<p>“’To keep every cog and wheel is the first rule of intelligent tinkering,’” Gratwicke said, quoting the legendary ecologist Aldo Leopold. In this case, he said, “amphibians are more than just the cogs and wheels. They are the entire middle of the food chain. They eat all of the bugs that are then eaten by snakes and birds and other things. So we just want to make sure we look after them.”</p>
<p>Of course frogs can only play their vital ecological roles if they can survive in the wild. And that likely can’t happen for most of the species now being sheltered here in Panama without some kind of solution to the Chytrid problem. There is promising research in the United States, where scientists have discovered bacteria that confer immunity to the fungus for some amphibians. But so far there is no miracle cure that will work in the wild.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Angie Estrada has had a breakthrough in her efforts to save at least one endangered species in her frog pod in Gamboa, where about 80 miniature black and green frogs hop around a critter keeper. Estrada said they’re a brood of&#160;Atelopus certus&#160;babies, “one of the first&#160;Atelopus&#160;born in captivity ever.”</p>
<p>The species is native to a sliver of Panamanian forest called the Darien. There may be 150 species of frogs there altogether, and it’s still chytrid free. But scientists estimate that the fungus will arrive there in a year or two, and that ninety percent of them will die.</p>
<p>Estrada hopes that some day, though, her baby frogs may be able to leave her amphibian ark and go back to their parents’ forest home.</p>
<p>“I know it’s crazy,” Estrada said, “but these may be the founders for repopulating these areas.”</p>
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middle night middle rainforest central panama biologist brian gratwicke slogs stream group researchers looking little green blobs sitting green leaf anything makes leaf hang unusually gratwicke said colleague spots set tiny eyes glimmering beam flashlight false alarm probably spider spiders scientists quarry venomous snakes large lizard team catches sight little green blobs gratwicke colleagues looking frogs 90 minutes jungle yet find single one might bad luck probably frogs around world trouble scientists estimate last 30 years 100 species gone extinct third remaining amphibian species risk extinction habitat loss climate change playing role disappearances another big reason virulent fungal disease likely originated africa spreading around globe decades 160amphibian batrachochytrium dendrobatidis chytrid short gratwicke researcher smithsonians national zoo washington dc said amphibian world epidemic could spread dogs cats cows bats cause extinction half species thats looking disease 160 160 parts central america chytrid spreading 20 miles year thats biologists panama racing collect frogs amphibians ahead fungus finally scientists success glass frog guarding gelatinous pile eggs tiny tadpoles wiggling inside glass frogs skin transparent right stomach see tiny white heart beating stunning sight thats expedition single frog researchers better luck elsewhere find frogs pack plastic bags medevac forest like injured soldiers tightly controlled buildings like ones angie estrada works summit zoo gamboa panama buildings basically converted shipping containers estrada calls podsa safe chytrid free population frogs captivity pod holds row upon row aquariums fog machines uv lights estrada said meant reproduce specific conditions species natural habitats frogs coming cloudy mountain forests estrada said pods need keep high humidity low temperatures need lightwhite lights resembling night light day light also need uv lights allow go metamorphosis frogs pods remarkable youll see anywhere look like bright yellow decomposing leaves others black tar crown like triceratops pods hold last kind call arks estrada said amphibian arks basically keeping alive future generations yet bit ragtag effort scientists race keep disease say killing frogs fast edgardo griffith runs el valle amphibian conservation center western panama fungus swept several years ago said scientists behind chytrid wave chytrid arrived el valle griffith said didnt even facility keep frogs hotel rooms griffiths new facility slightly sophisticated quarantined building home dozen vulnerable local species exotic also means theres rule book take care frogs nobody knew exactly ate needed mate researchers learning go griffith said lost lot frogs along way go trouble save bunch amphibians smithsonians brian gratwicke said may prove important humans theres species frog australia produces chemical called asirin blocks hiv transmission tcells gratwicke said skin frogs produced compounds kill superbugs hospitals thats gratwicke believes every extinction lost opportunity humans untapped resources amphibian biodiversity virtually unknown said gratwicke said theres another important reason keep every cog wheel first rule intelligent tinkering gratwicke said quoting legendary ecologist aldo leopold case said amphibians cogs wheels entire middle food chain eat bugs eaten snakes birds things want make sure look course frogs play vital ecological roles survive wild likely cant happen species sheltered panama without kind solution chytrid problem promising research united states scientists discovered bacteria confer immunity fungus amphibians far miracle cure work wild meanwhile angie estrada breakthrough efforts save least one endangered species frog pod gamboa 80 miniature black green frogs hop around critter keeper estrada said theyre brood of160atelopus certus160babies one first160atelopus160born captivity ever species native sliver panamanian forest called darien may 150 species frogs altogether still chytrid free scientists estimate fungus arrive year two ninety percent die estrada hopes day though baby frogs may able leave amphibian ark go back parents forest home know crazy estrada said may founders repopulating areas
| 591 |
<p>CURWOOD: Its Living on Earth, Im Steve Curwood. Existing power plants are the biggest source of carbon pollution in the US, and new EPA rules to limit their emissions have been mired in controversy for years. As part of revising those proposed rules, EPA has been holding public hearings in 11 cities around the country, giving people a chance to sound off. In Boston, concerned citizens and activists gathered to show support for tough new limits on the biggest emitters, dirty coal plants, and Living on Earths Emmett Fitzgerald went along to listen in.</p>
<p>[CROWD SOUNDS]</p>
<p>FITZGERALD: It feels like winter outside the EPA office in downtown Boston, but the biting cold hasnt deterred the fifty-odd people huddled together in Post Office Square Park. Sierra Club organizer Catherine Corkery brings the crowd together.</p>
<p>CORKERY TO CROWD: I am so excited. Im sure you guys have been waiting as well to get some action on carbon for existing power plants, am I right? CROWD: Yeah! CORKERY:Alright!</p>
<p>Concerned citizens gathered outside the New England EPA office in Boston to tell the EPA they support tighter regulations on power plant emissions (photo: Emmett FitzGerald)</p>
<p>FITZGERALD: They carry red and blue signs that say Act On Climate, and theyve come from all over New England to show support for the EPAs new carbon regulations.</p>
<p>SCHMITT: Im Gail Schmitt, came from Grantham, New Hampshire</p>
<p>FITZGERALD: Gail made the three hour trek because shes concerned about the impact climate change is having on the plants and animals around her New Hampshire home.</p>
<p>SCHMITT: Im also here because the fish in our lake are contaminated with mercury from an existing power plant in Bow, New Hampshire, which is 50 miles away. So were poisoning our residents, thats also a major concern.</p>
<p>FITZGERALD: The health effects of fossil fuel pollution are a major concern. Dr. Linda Rudolph of the Public Health Institute.</p>
<p>RUDOLPH: We have mountains of evidence that climate change has a huge impact on our health. And if we want to prevent catastrophic harm to our children and grandchildren, we need to support EPAs rules now, and we need to remind every one of our elected leaders that they need to be thinking about climate change every time they make a decision.</p>
<p>FITZGERALD: Vincent Maraventano, Director of the Massachusetts Interfaith Power and Light, says that because most power plants are built near poor communities of color, carbon pollution is an environmental justice issue.</p>
<p>MARAVENTANO: Most of the people who die of extreme heat events are African American. More then twice the asthma sufferers in this country are African Americans.</p>
<p>FITZGERALD: And its not just in the US. Poor countries that emit relatively small amounts of greenhouse gasses will be hardest hit by the impacts of climate change.</p>
<p>MARAVENTANO: Climate change is a matter of climate justice. Environmental justice is not just about putting an incinerator next to the poor people. Its about climate change.</p>
<p>FITZGERALD: But there will be losers as well as winners when the EPA clamps down on emissions. Natural gas plants should have little trouble meeting the new standards, but coal is another story. Without massive investment, coal plants will struggle to meet the new EPA rules. Phil Smith of the United Mine Workers of America, says that regulations like these kill jobs.</p>
<p>SMITH: When the Clean Air Act was passed in the early 1990s, we, within a couple of years, lost over 20,000 jobs.</p>
<p>FITZGERALD: And Smith says the current regulations could be even worse for coal because the carbon-capture and sequestration technology needed for coal plants to meet the rules is expensive and underdeveloped. Smith believes the loss of coal jobs would devastate the economies of coal states like West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Ohio.</p>
<p>SMITH: There are hundreds upon hundreds of communities that depend on these jobs and the taxes that come in to keep going; to provide for fire protection, police protection, to provide for good schools, to provide for transportation needs. All of that would be gone.</p>
<p>FITZGERALD: The crowd in Boston has sympathy for the miners. Stan Becker, a small business owner, says the labor issues cant be ignored.</p>
<p>BECKER: People are going to lose jobs, and I think that has to be addressed. These are real people and its going to affect the communities that theyre in. So theres got to be a way to address that if were going to be making these kinds of changes.</p>
<p>FITZGERALD: But some economists argue that transitioning to a clean energy economy will spur economic growth and create green jobs. Becker says if we want a stable economy, we have to slow carbon emissions.</p>
<p>Linda Rudolph of the Public Health Institute speaks to the crowd about climate change and public health (photo: Emmett FitzGerald)</p>
<p>BECKER: Im strongly in support of these standards. Theyre essential to preserving the environment but theyre also essential for limiting the economic damage thats going to come from climate change. In terms of extreme weather, fire, drought, rising sea levelsI mean therere going to be real economic consequences.</p>
<p>FITZGERALD: The economy of the future depends on the success of small businesses, and Susan Labandibar, president of TechNetworks Boston, says that small business owners should support carbon regulation.</p>
<p>LABANDIBAR: Because small business owners are not in it for short-term profits, we dont have to watch our stock price. What were trying to do is build a business with lasting value, and we need a couple of things for that. We need a stable economic environment, and we need a stable climate. Otherwise, were not going to be able to build the kind of future that were trying to build for our children and our employees.</p>
<p>FITZGERALD: It will be months, if not years, before the EPA emissions standards are finalized, and they will undoubtedly face legal challenges. But rallies like this across the country show that the public cares about carbon pollution. Vincent Maraventano says grassroots action will help push this legislation and these new rules through.</p>
<p>LABANDIBAR: Its not going to happen top down, its going to happen bottom up. This is a moral challenge, it's a moral imperative! Thank you for coming here and helping to push the top!</p>
<p>[CHEERS OF CROWD AT RALLY]</p>
<p>FITZGERALD: For Living on Earth, Im Emmett FitzGerald in Boston.</p>
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curwood living earth im steve curwood existing power plants biggest source carbon pollution us new epa rules limit emissions mired controversy years part revising proposed rules epa holding public hearings 11 cities around country giving people chance sound boston concerned citizens activists gathered show support tough new limits biggest emitters dirty coal plants living earths emmett fitzgerald went along listen crowd sounds fitzgerald feels like winter outside epa office downtown boston biting cold hasnt deterred fiftyodd people huddled together post office square park sierra club organizer catherine corkery brings crowd together corkery crowd excited im sure guys waiting well get action carbon existing power plants right crowd yeah corkeryalright concerned citizens gathered outside new england epa office boston tell epa support tighter regulations power plant emissions photo emmett fitzgerald fitzgerald carry red blue signs say act climate theyve come new england show support epas new carbon regulations schmitt im gail schmitt came grantham new hampshire fitzgerald gail made three hour trek shes concerned impact climate change plants animals around new hampshire home schmitt im also fish lake contaminated mercury existing power plant bow new hampshire 50 miles away poisoning residents thats also major concern fitzgerald health effects fossil fuel pollution major concern dr linda rudolph public health institute rudolph mountains evidence climate change huge impact health want prevent catastrophic harm children grandchildren need support epas rules need remind every one elected leaders need thinking climate change every time make decision fitzgerald vincent maraventano director massachusetts interfaith power light says power plants built near poor communities color carbon pollution environmental justice issue maraventano people die extreme heat events african american twice asthma sufferers country african americans fitzgerald us poor countries emit relatively small amounts greenhouse gasses hardest hit impacts climate change maraventano climate change matter climate justice environmental justice putting incinerator next poor people climate change fitzgerald losers well winners epa clamps emissions natural gas plants little trouble meeting new standards coal another story without massive investment coal plants struggle meet new epa rules phil smith united mine workers america says regulations like kill jobs smith clean air act passed early 1990s within couple years lost 20000 jobs fitzgerald smith says current regulations could even worse coal carboncapture sequestration technology needed coal plants meet rules expensive underdeveloped smith believes loss coal jobs would devastate economies coal states like west virginia pennsylvania ohio smith hundreds upon hundreds communities depend jobs taxes come keep going provide fire protection police protection provide good schools provide transportation needs would gone fitzgerald crowd boston sympathy miners stan becker small business owner says labor issues cant ignored becker people going lose jobs think addressed real people going affect communities theyre theres got way address going making kinds changes fitzgerald economists argue transitioning clean energy economy spur economic growth create green jobs becker says want stable economy slow carbon emissions linda rudolph public health institute speaks crowd climate change public health photo emmett fitzgerald becker im strongly support standards theyre essential preserving environment theyre also essential limiting economic damage thats going come climate change terms extreme weather fire drought rising sea levelsi mean therere going real economic consequences fitzgerald economy future depends success small businesses susan labandibar president technetworks boston says small business owners support carbon regulation labandibar small business owners shortterm profits dont watch stock price trying build business lasting value need couple things need stable economic environment need stable climate otherwise going able build kind future trying build children employees fitzgerald months years epa emissions standards finalized undoubtedly face legal challenges rallies like across country show public cares carbon pollution vincent maraventano says grassroots action help push legislation new rules labandibar going happen top going happen bottom moral challenge moral imperative thank coming helping push top cheers crowd rally fitzgerald living earth im emmett fitzgerald boston
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<p><a href="" type="internal" />Aug. 16, 2012</p>
<p>By Wayne Lusvardi</p>
<p>The most widespread and persistent folktale about California is that some day the entire state will break away from the North American continent and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Myths-Mysteries-California-Unexplained-ebook/dp/B005IVSV5C" type="external">fall off into the vastness of the Pacific Ocean</a>.&#160; That day may not be too far off if what is unfolding in the growing number of municipal bankruptcy court cases in California plays out to its logical consequence without massive and politically legitimate pension reform.</p>
<p>As reported by urban economist <a href="http://www.realclearmarkets.com/articles/2012/08/15/muni_investors_vs_california_public_workers_99823.html" type="external">Steven Malanga</a>, municipal bond insurers may lose out in court in their attempt to get bankrupt California cities to reduce pension costs.&#160; This may lead to more than just bondholders getting wiped out and much higher borrowing rate costs across the state.</p>
<p>If the courts uphold pensions as a constitutional right over bondholders’ rights, municipal workers will be entitled to earn more in pensions and health benefits than cities can currently pay.&#160; About 70 to 80 percent of municipal operating costs are allocated to salaries and benefits.&#160; And the lion’s share of salaries and benefit costs go to police and fire protection.&#160; There is little room for large budget cuts in most municipalities.</p>
<p>Some municipalities with pre-existing pension bonds may be able to refinance them <a href="" type="internal">without voter approval</a> and shift the explosion in pension costs into long-term debt. Issuing brand new pension bonds would require voter approval. But such cities would have to have enough extra budget cash flow to handle the added debt.</p>
<p>The only choice left would be to raise property taxes enormously.&#160; The inevitable result would be a tax flight to other California cities or out of state. What is called <a href="http://glossary.econguru.com/economic-term/Tiebout+hypothesis" type="external">Tiebout’s Law</a> would prevail.&#160; People would “vote with their feet” rather than at the ballot box.</p>
<p>As a consequence, property values would fall into a death spiral.&#160; As cities raised taxes on ever-declining property values to try to maintain their revenue base, the great California property value earthquake would unfold.&#160; It would be spotty at first.&#160; Communities with huge pension-driven property tax hikes would end up with a stigma on their high property tax rates. Disinvestment would compound the problem of tax flight.</p>
<p>The shrinkage in property values would result in a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zero%E2%80%93sum_game" type="external">zero sum game.</a> The gain to municipal employees would result in a corresponding drop in property values that would only further erode the property tax base and municipal revenues. &#160;Cities caught in this death spiral would over time end up like <a href="" type="internal">Detroit</a>.</p>
<p>But many cities might not wakeup to this nightmare for 20 years in the case of deferred interest school district bonds such as those recently revealed by me in the <a href="" type="internal">Poway School District</a> in San Diego County. &#160;Deferred interest bonds — with sugarcoated terms such as “capital appreciation bonds” — are just a way to suck the equity out of home values twenty years from now after many public school retirees have likely expired. &#160;It’s a time bomb with a long fuse to blow <a href="http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California_Proposition_13_(1978)" type="external">Proposition 13</a>, the 1978 property tax limitation initiative, to smithereens.</p>
<p>In such falling real estate markets, it won’t matter if cities or counties want to use eminent domain to socialize the cost of “underwater mortgages,” such as is being explored in <a href="" type="internal">San Bernardino</a>. &#160;Property values would likely drop further even after each city or county condemns over-mortgaged loans. For example, $1 billion in underwater mortgage liabilities may double to, say $2 billion after each city or county acquires them due to pension liabilities.</p>
<p>Voters who would be asked to approve issuing bonds to socialize the losses of properties with underwater mortgages would have to approve writing a “blank check” to bail out other homeowners.&#160; Those municipalities that condemned underwater mortgages would face the problem of having to pick up the tab on property value losses that are in free fall with no certain bottom.</p>
<p>Bond insurers <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/10/us-usa-bankruptcy-stockton-mbia-idUSBRE87816U20120810" type="external">National Public Finance Guarantee Corp and Assured Guaranty Ltd</a> have challenged Stockton’s eligibility to file bankruptcy based on a lack of good faith bargaining. The case is <a href="http://www.caeb.uscourts.gov/Stockton/Default.aspx" type="external">City of Stockton, California, debtor</a>, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of California, Case No. 12-32118.</p>
<p>Self-serving city officials cut the original pension benefit deals without protecting the interests of the bondholders or insurance companies who were not allowed at the bargaining table.&#160; What lack of good faith bargaining means in political terms is lack of “consent of the governed” — or more precisely, the non-consent of bond investors, insurers and property taxpayers.</p>
<p>Another term for the non-consent of the governed is “illegitimate” political power. &#160;The political problem of California’s one-sided public pension system is that it is illegitimate.&#160; This problem is not isolated to <a href="http://beforeitsnews.com/libertarian/2012/08/new-the-right-way-the-wrong-way-and-the-poway-of-school-bond-financing-2446350.html" type="external">public pension systems</a> in California, but also to <a href="" type="internal">water rate increases</a>, <a href="" type="internal">affordable housing</a>, <a href="" type="internal">cap and trade emissions trading</a>&#160;and post- <a href="" type="internal">redevelopment</a> programs. The entire government apparatus has grown to be illegitimate.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/" type="external">“Consent of the governed”</a> is the guiding principle that galvanized the founding of the American Republic against unjust tariffs and taxes from England. And in 1978, California’s&#160; <a href="http://www.uchastings.edu/faculty-administration/faculty/weinberg/class-website/docs/TheRighttoVoteonTaxes.pdf" type="external">Proposition 13</a> brought about supermajority voting requirements to pass tax increases.&#160; Revolutions and tax revolts are formed from illegitimate taxation.</p>
<p>Presently, state Assembly Speaker John A. Perez, D-Los Angeles, is promising <a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/the_state_worker/2012/08/assembly-speaker-vows-action-on-broad-based-pension-reform.html" type="external">“broad-based” pension reform</a>.&#160; But no matter if such reforms are approved before the November 2012 election, it is unlikely they will make property tax hikes for public pensions legitimate in the eyes of the public.</p>
<p>This is why former mayor of Los Angeles <a href="http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_21320048/richard-riordan-l-business-leaders-threaten-put-pension?source=rss" type="external">Richard Riordan</a> is urgently threatening to put pension reform on the ballot.&#160; But that would be next March at the earliest and would only affect the city of Los Angeles.</p>
<p>In the new California political game of winner takes all under <a href="" type="internal">one-party rule</a>, there never will be political legitimacy for those having to pay higher property taxes for lavish public pensions. The so-called political reforms of redistricting under <a href="http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California_Proposition_11,_Creation_of_the_California_Citizens_Redistricting_Commission_(2008)" type="external">Proposition 11</a> in 2008 and majority party passage of the state budget under <a href="http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California_Proposition_25,_Majority_Vote_for_Legislature_to_Pass_the_Budget_(2010)" type="external">Proposition 25</a> in 2010 have lessened the phony problem of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/California-Crackup-Reform-Broke-Golden/dp/0520266560/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1345096477&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=california+crackup" type="external">“dysfunctional”</a> government.&#160; But these reforms have destroyed political legitimacy at the legislative level.&#160; Such reforms have only wiped out rule by the consent of the governed and replaced it with rule by a tyranny of the majority based on force and fraud.</p>
<p>Political dysfunction has replaced political legitimacy as California’s central political value.&#160; Mussolini could make the trains run on time, but his political system was illegitimate.&#160; There is almost no political dialogue about the implications of weakened political legitimacy in California.</p>
<p>The “California Dream” of home ownership and property rights is on the verge of a 10.0 earthquake on the economic Richter Scale. &#160;Broad-based pension reforms that can easily be unwound will be unlikely to cut off the negative political repercussions of such a widespread <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Windfalls-Wipe-Outs-Capture-Compensation/dp/0918286115/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1345090980&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=windfalls+or+wipeouts" type="external">wipeout of property values</a>. &#160;That is because such reforms have destroyed the very framework that would have made the reforms politically legitimate.</p>
<p>Only enshrining pension reform in the California Constitution might work because constitutional amendments require compulsory supermajority voter approval.&#160; But at this point, there are no political assurances of that happening. And how would an unscheduled supermajority vote on pension reform happen before the November election?</p>
<p>The omission of any permanent and binding pension reform on the ballot is sure to sink any tax hike propositions. The one-sided Legislature could pass pension reforms tomorrow and unwind it after the election. Voters are likely to sense that this is just one more illegitimate government move by fraud, force, and manipulation. Political illegitimacy is an issue that cuts across Red and Blue political boundaries.</p>
<p>In Edward Abbey’s 1975 novel <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&amp;field-keywords=monkey+wrench+gang" type="external">“The Monkey Wrench Gang,”</a> a gang of saboteurs steals an earthquake-making machine on a truck from a university to run an extortion scheme.&#160; They run around the Southwestern United States terrorizing the populace, threatening to set off earthquakes.&#160; In the 2012 real life version of this story, the state Assembly speaker and the <a href="http://publishing.cdlib.org/ucpressebooks/view?docId=ft0m3nb07q&amp;chunk.id=d0e8874&amp;toc.id=&amp;brand=ucpress" type="external">“Gang of Five”</a> have hijacked the earthquake-making machine.&#160;&#160; Hang on to your seats. &#160;It is going to be a wild ride to the November election. And your property values may be at stake.</p>
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aug 16 2012 wayne lusvardi widespread persistent folktale california day entire state break away north american continent fall vastness pacific ocean160 day may far unfolding growing number municipal bankruptcy court cases california plays logical consequence without massive politically legitimate pension reform reported urban economist steven malanga municipal bond insurers may lose court attempt get bankrupt california cities reduce pension costs160 may lead bondholders getting wiped much higher borrowing rate costs across state courts uphold pensions constitutional right bondholders rights municipal workers entitled earn pensions health benefits cities currently pay160 70 80 percent municipal operating costs allocated salaries benefits160 lions share salaries benefit costs go police fire protection160 little room large budget cuts municipalities municipalities preexisting pension bonds may able refinance without voter approval shift explosion pension costs longterm debt issuing brand new pension bonds would require voter approval cities would enough extra budget cash flow handle added debt choice left would raise property taxes enormously160 inevitable result would tax flight california cities state called tiebouts law would prevail160 people would vote feet rather ballot box consequence property values would fall death spiral160 cities raised taxes everdeclining property values try maintain revenue base great california property value earthquake would unfold160 would spotty first160 communities huge pensiondriven property tax hikes would end stigma high property tax rates disinvestment would compound problem tax flight shrinkage property values would result zero sum game gain municipal employees would result corresponding drop property values would erode property tax base municipal revenues 160cities caught death spiral would time end like detroit many cities might wakeup nightmare 20 years case deferred interest school district bonds recently revealed poway school district san diego county 160deferred interest bonds sugarcoated terms capital appreciation bonds way suck equity home values twenty years many public school retirees likely expired 160its time bomb long fuse blow proposition 13 1978 property tax limitation initiative smithereens falling real estate markets wont matter cities counties want use eminent domain socialize cost underwater mortgages explored san bernardino 160property values would likely drop even city county condemns overmortgaged loans example 1 billion underwater mortgage liabilities may double say 2 billion city county acquires due pension liabilities voters would asked approve issuing bonds socialize losses properties underwater mortgages would approve writing blank check bail homeowners160 municipalities condemned underwater mortgages would face problem pick tab property value losses free fall certain bottom bond insurers national public finance guarantee corp assured guaranty ltd challenged stocktons eligibility file bankruptcy based lack good faith bargaining case city stockton california debtor us bankruptcy court eastern district california case 1232118 selfserving city officials cut original pension benefit deals without protecting interests bondholders insurance companies allowed bargaining table160 lack good faith bargaining means political terms lack consent governed precisely nonconsent bond investors insurers property taxpayers another term nonconsent governed illegitimate political power 160the political problem californias onesided public pension system illegitimate160 problem isolated public pension systems california also water rate increases affordable housing cap trade emissions trading160and post redevelopment programs entire government apparatus grown illegitimate consent governed guiding principle galvanized founding american republic unjust tariffs taxes england 1978 californias160 proposition 13 brought supermajority voting requirements pass tax increases160 revolutions tax revolts formed illegitimate taxation presently state assembly speaker john perez dlos angeles promising broadbased pension reform160 matter reforms approved november 2012 election unlikely make property tax hikes public pensions legitimate eyes public former mayor los angeles richard riordan urgently threatening put pension reform ballot160 would next march earliest would affect city los angeles new california political game winner takes oneparty rule never political legitimacy pay higher property taxes lavish public pensions socalled political reforms redistricting proposition 11 2008 majority party passage state budget proposition 25 2010 lessened phony problem dysfunctional government160 reforms destroyed political legitimacy legislative level160 reforms wiped rule consent governed replaced rule tyranny majority based force fraud political dysfunction replaced political legitimacy californias central political value160 mussolini could make trains run time political system illegitimate160 almost political dialogue implications weakened political legitimacy california california dream home ownership property rights verge 100 earthquake economic richter scale 160broadbased pension reforms easily unwound unlikely cut negative political repercussions widespread wipeout property values 160that reforms destroyed framework would made reforms politically legitimate enshrining pension reform california constitution might work constitutional amendments require compulsory supermajority voter approval160 point political assurances happening would unscheduled supermajority vote pension reform happen november election omission permanent binding pension reform ballot sure sink tax hike propositions onesided legislature could pass pension reforms tomorrow unwind election voters likely sense one illegitimate government move fraud force manipulation political illegitimacy issue cuts across red blue political boundaries edward abbeys 1975 novel monkey wrench gang gang saboteurs steals earthquakemaking machine truck university run extortion scheme160 run around southwestern united states terrorizing populace threatening set earthquakes160 2012 real life version story state assembly speaker gang five hijacked earthquakemaking machine160160 hang seats 160it going wild ride november election property values may stake
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<p>In a press conference immediately following the fatal shooting of 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary in December 2012, White House spokesman Jay Carney shrunk from linking the massacre to a push for more restrictive gun laws.&#160;There will be “a day for discussion of the usual Washington policy debates, but I do not think today is that day,” Carney said. It wasn’t quite the “thoughts and prayers” that have drawn Republicans criticism from reform advocates after&#160;recent headline-grabbing gun violence, but it was close. &#160;</p>
<p>Three years later, such reticence is long gone. On Tuesday, President Barack Obama, whose frustration with the continued carnage showed in a bout of <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/06/us/politics/obama-gun-control-executive-action.html" type="external">tears</a>,&#160;made good on his vow last fall to “politicize” shootings, and did so in vivid terms. At the end of a speech introducing his new executive actions to curb gun violence, Obama cited the heroism of Zaevion Dobson, a 15-year-old high school football player from Tennessee. Dobson died <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2016/01/05/president-obama-tearfully-remembers-hero-football-player-killed-by-gun-violence/" type="external">shielding</a> three girls from gunfire shortly before Christmas, and Obama told Dobson’s story to justify his own moves — and to shame lawmakers into taking action of their own. &#160;</p>
<p>“I’m not asking people to have that same level of courage, or sacrifice, or love,” Obama said. “But if we love our kids and care about their prospects, and if we love this country and care about its future, then we can find the courage to vote.”</p>
<p>The moves Obama announced yesterday amount to the most important federal action on firearms in 20 years, and advocates for tougher gun rules applauded them, while lamenting that such modest executive actions qualify as so significant.&#160;“It’s not nearly enough, but it helps and it’s important,” said Illinois Representative Mike Quigley, whose district includes parts of Chicago, a city that ended 2015 with 468 homicides, most of them shootings.</p>
<p>In the long view, however, Obama’s emotional speech may prove more momentous for the larger transition it punctuated.&#160;The address capped&#160;a 10-year evolution within Democratic party leadership, which has shifted from staunchly avoiding conflict with gun rights advocates, to reluctantly (and intermittently)&#160;taking on&#160;gun-friendly forces, to lining up behind a cause it now deems both morally right and politically useful.</p>
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<p>Believing their 1994 election drubbing reflected backlash against gun control, Democrats regained control of Congress in the 2006 cycle with a platform that pointedly excluded proposals to regulate guns. A wave of Democrats elected in rural states with high gun ownership rates were happy to see their&#160;party leaders sidestep&#160;the issue as they came into power. Democrats <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/115953-despite-promises-obama-dem-congress-have-been-gun-friendly" type="external">continued to duck the issue</a>&#160;even after Obama was elected to the White House and the party held majorities in both chambers of Congress.&#160;</p>
<p>Urban Democrats who might have been persuasive voices for doing more — including Obama himself, who on the presidential campaign trail in 2008 had said that he supported gun laws like extending the assault weapons ban — fell in line behind the strategy. The calculus was that “not doing guns”&#160;was the price of a big-tent majority. “We had suffered politically,” former congressman Jim Moran, a Democrat from Northern Virginia, told The Trace. “People like Steny Hoyer and Nancy Pelosi remember those days not fondly. They were more than a little averse to taking on the issue.”</p>
<p>In 2009 and 2010, the Democratically controlled Congress actually rolled back federal firearm restrictions, allowing <a href="" type="internal">guns in national parks</a> and on Amtrak trains. Democrats from rural states joined Republicans on some of the votes. Quigley, who entered the House that session after winning a special election, was among the corner of the party still hopeful that Democrats might take action on gun violence. Instead, the window of opportunity abruptly closed. Republicans retook the chamber the following session.&#160;</p>
<p>But the wipeout Democrats suffered in the 2010 midterms included the defeats of&#160;many members&#160;from more rural states. And following the 2012 Newtown massacre, Jay Carney’s initial hesitance was quickly supplanted by an urge within the party — stoked by reform advocates and public outcry — to do something. With a few exceptions, Democrats&#160;united behind the Obama administration’s early 2013 effort, overseen by Vice President Joe Biden, to push Congress to pass, at minimum, stricter background check laws. The bill won a majority of Senate votes but fell to a filibuster. Reformers had to settle for two batches&#160;of mostly minor executive actions advanced by the White House in January and August of that year.</p>
<p>As the 2014 midterm elections approached, the Obama administration and Democratic leaders let the issue slide down their agendas again. Gun violence prevention groups noted that their White House meetings were now with a revolving array of junior staffers, instead of&#160;senior brass.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the party’s <a href="http://www.nationaljournal.com/next-america/newsdesk/obama-gun-control-executive-action-shows-cultural-shift-among-voters" type="external">voting coalition</a>&#160;was only becoming more urban, racially diverse, and educated — and bullish about gun restrictions. On the question of closing background check loopholes,&#160; <a href="http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/most-americans-agree-with-obama-that-more-gun-buyers-should-get-background-checks/" type="external">poll numbers showed</a>&#160;that strong majorities of Americans take Democrats’ side. The party’s presidential frontrunner, Hillary Clinton, took up the reform mantle after the Charleston church shooting in June and has since railed against gun violence with increasing avidity (it hasn’t hurt that the issue gives her an advantage over main rival Bernie Sanders, who backed legal immunity for firearms businesses as a senator from gun-loving Vermont).&#160;Announcing her own gun reform proposals following the Umpqua Community College shooting in October, Clinton vowed that she would as president use <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/05/us/to-curb-gun-violence-hillary-clinton-has-a-plan-for-possible-executive-action.html?_r=0" type="external">executive action</a> to increase gun regulations if necessary.</p>
<p>Shortly thereafter, the Obama team went into the full court press that culminated with Tuesday’s unveiling of his package of executive actions.&#160;One official involved in the effort&#160;said reform advocates would have preferred that the president act sooner, a move that would have given federal agencies time to use their formal rule-making process to impose regulations, rather than relying on the ad hoc, less forceful, but expedient&#160;actions he announced. “He could have and should have done this years ago,” the official said — though the official added that Obama’s timing made sense politically. By acting after last month’s government spending deal cleared Congress, Obama leaves Republicans with few bills to use as legislative vehicles for riders that would block his actions.</p>
<p>“He had to be cautious about the fact that Congress is going to push back on this,” said Moran. “Had he done it earlier in his administration, it would have made it more difficult to get other measures through.”</p>
<p>During Obama’s speech,&#160;gun violence prevention advocates — rarely spotted in the White House before 2013 — packed the gilded East Room. Arkadi Gerney, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, was part of the crowd, and&#160;believes its&#160;presence marks a sea change.&#160;Influential Democratic&#160;strategists who a decade ago saw gun regulation as an assured political loser and avoided anti-gun violence groups, he said, have seen the light, telling party members&#160;that “it’s not just the right thing to do as policy, but it’s the right thing to do politically.”&#160;Now, Gerney said, there is “not just reluctant support, but enthusiastic support” for pressing the issue.</p>
<p>Near the end of his remarks, Obama noted that sweeping change on federal gun laws “won’t happen during my presidency.”&#160;Advocates nonetheless left the president’s often-somber speech upbeat, choosing to view his executive actions not as the final effort of a lame duck administration, but a rallying point in a long fight.&#160;</p>
<p>[Photo: Olivier Douliery/Sipa USA]</p>
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press conference immediately following fatal shooting 20 children six adults sandy hook elementary december 2012 white house spokesman jay carney shrunk linking massacre push restrictive gun laws160there day discussion usual washington policy debates think today day carney said wasnt quite thoughts prayers drawn republicans criticism reform advocates after160recent headlinegrabbing gun violence close 160 three years later reticence long gone tuesday president barack obama whose frustration continued carnage showed bout tears160made good vow last fall politicize shootings vivid terms end speech introducing new executive actions curb gun violence obama cited heroism zaevion dobson 15yearold high school football player tennessee dobson died shielding three girls gunfire shortly christmas obama told dobsons story justify moves shame lawmakers taking action 160 im asking people level courage sacrifice love obama said love kids care prospects love country care future find courage vote moves obama announced yesterday amount important federal action firearms 20 years advocates tougher gun rules applauded lamenting modest executive actions qualify significant160its nearly enough helps important said illinois representative mike quigley whose district includes parts chicago city ended 2015 468 homicides shootings long view however obamas emotional speech may prove momentous larger transition punctuated160the address capped160a 10year evolution within democratic party leadership shifted staunchly avoiding conflict gun rights advocates reluctantly intermittently160taking on160gunfriendly forces lining behind cause deems morally right politically useful subscribe receive traces newsletters important gun news analysis believing 1994 election drubbing reflected backlash gun control democrats regained control congress 2006 cycle platform pointedly excluded proposals regulate guns wave democrats elected rural states high gun ownership rates happy see their160party leaders sidestep160the issue came power democrats continued duck issue160even obama elected white house party held majorities chambers congress160 urban democrats might persuasive voices including obama presidential campaign trail 2008 said supported gun laws like extending assault weapons ban fell line behind strategy calculus guns160was price bigtent majority suffered politically former congressman jim moran democrat northern virginia told trace people like steny hoyer nancy pelosi remember days fondly little averse taking issue 2009 2010 democratically controlled congress actually rolled back federal firearm restrictions allowing guns national parks amtrak trains democrats rural states joined republicans votes quigley entered house session winning special election among corner party still hopeful democrats might take action gun violence instead window opportunity abruptly closed republicans retook chamber following session160 wipeout democrats suffered 2010 midterms included defeats of160many members160from rural states following 2012 newtown massacre jay carneys initial hesitance quickly supplanted urge within party stoked reform advocates public outcry something exceptions democrats160united behind obama administrations early 2013 effort overseen vice president joe biden push congress pass minimum stricter background check laws bill majority senate votes fell filibuster reformers settle two batches160of mostly minor executive actions advanced white house january august year 2014 midterm elections approached obama administration democratic leaders let issue slide agendas gun violence prevention groups noted white house meetings revolving array junior staffers instead of160senior brass meanwhile partys voting coalition160was becoming urban racially diverse educated bullish gun restrictions question closing background check loopholes160 poll numbers showed160that strong majorities americans take democrats side partys presidential frontrunner hillary clinton took reform mantle charleston church shooting june since railed gun violence increasing avidity hasnt hurt issue gives advantage main rival bernie sanders backed legal immunity firearms businesses senator gunloving vermont160announcing gun reform proposals following umpqua community college shooting october clinton vowed would president use executive action increase gun regulations necessary shortly thereafter obama team went full court press culminated tuesdays unveiling package executive actions160one official involved effort160said reform advocates would preferred president act sooner move would given federal agencies time use formal rulemaking process impose regulations rather relying ad hoc less forceful expedient160actions announced could done years ago official said though official added obamas timing made sense politically acting last months government spending deal cleared congress obama leaves republicans bills use legislative vehicles riders would block actions cautious fact congress going push back said moran done earlier administration would made difficult get measures obamas speech160gun violence prevention advocates rarely spotted white house 2013 packed gilded east room arkadi gerney senior fellow center american progress part crowd and160believes its160presence marks sea change160influential democratic160strategists decade ago saw gun regulation assured political loser avoided antigun violence groups said seen light telling party members160that right thing policy right thing politically160now gerney said reluctant support enthusiastic support pressing issue near end remarks obama noted sweeping change federal gun laws wont happen presidency160advocates nonetheless left presidents oftensomber speech upbeat choosing view executive actions final effort lame duck administration rallying point long fight160 photo olivier doulierysipa usa
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<p>Under the guise of reform, Chicago’s schools are unfairly punishing thousands of innocent children whose only crime is posting a reading or math score deemed unacceptable for promotion. Somehow according to this policy, which has gained favorable national attention, failing huge numbers of children annually will solve the problems of public education. It won’t.</p>
<p>As an elementary school principal in Chicago, I presided over many graduations, and the importance of that ceremony to the children and their families was confirmed every spring. Thus the following headline from the Chicago Tribune of June 17, 1997, stunned me: “Tears of joy—and sorrow.” Above the headline: “For 8th graders at Von Humboldt School, Monday was bittersweet as 59 pupils graduated and 45 didn’t because their standardized test scores failed to make the grade.”</p>
<p>One of those 45 was Eddie, who scored a 6.8 in reading and 7.2 in math, achieving the graduation standard of 7.0 in math but just missing the 6.9 needed in reading. It was a borderline situation that the principal felt justified a waiver. The waiver wasn’t granted .</p>
<p>“It’s messed up,” Eddie said. While Eddie got that one right, he probably didn’t know that his chances of graduating high school had just been significantly reduced.</p>
<p>I feel sorry for all the Eddies of this world. They are being royally shafted by people who should know better. Scratch that. Make it, do know better. Anybody who has taken Statistics 101 or Test and Measurements 101—and that includes all professional educators—knows the limitations of norm-referenced standardized tests like the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills.</p>
<p>For those who haven’t taken Statistics 101, I offer this primer.</p>
<p>Let’s say that a group of 6,000 students has been selected as the norm group for 8th grade. Each of these students takes the test and gets a “raw” score that is equal to the number of questions he or she answered correctly. Imagine now that each student is given a placard with his raw score on it, and the children are taken to an open field. The child with the lowest score is placed on the left side of the field, and the child with the highest score on the right side of the field. The others are told to place themselves in line according to the number on their placards. Near the middle of the line, children are standing hundreds deep because their scores are very close together. But children at ends of the line are pretty lonely.</p>
<p>The chief test-maker then directs his lieutenants to start at either end of the line and begin counting off groups of 60 children. Each group of 60 now represents 1 percent of the tested population. In the future, when other children take the test, they will be graded according to where they would have stood in this line. Students whose raw scores put them at the 50th percentile are deemed popularly to be “at grade level,” even though the 50th percentile represents simply the middle scorers.</p>
<p>Test-makers also report scores by stanines, which is short for standard nine. Stanines 1, 2 and 3, which span the first 22 percentiles, are considered below average. Stanines 4, 5 and 6, which span the 23rd and 76th percentiles, are considered average. And stanines 7, 8 and 9, which span the 77th and 99th percentiles, are considered above average.</p>
<p>To make schools happy, test-makers also convert percentiles into grade-level scores, such as Eddie’s 6.8 in reading. The score Eddie got generally gets read as the eighth month of 6th grade. In reporting scores to parents and the public, school districts overwhelmingly choose grade levels even though percentiles are more accurate and stanines are vastly superior for instructional purposes. The grade-level system seems so accurate, but the perception is deceptive. An examination of Eddie’s scores shows why.</p>
<p>Eddie’s reading level of 6.8 puts him at the 24th percentile and, therefore, just inside the 4th stanine, which test-makers consider average.</p>
<p>Now look at his math score. On the 8th-grade math test, a 7.2 is at the 22nd percentile—2 points lower than Eddie’s reading rank—and, therefore, in the 3rd stanine, which test-makers consider below average.</p>
<p>So, Eddie was denied the opportunity to graduate with a 24th-percentile score in reading but deemed smart enough to graduate with a 22nd-percentile score in math. As Eddie said, things were “messed up.”</p>
<p>Whatever the classification scheme, though, some child will always be one question away from the next higher category, which is precisely why taking a year from the life of a child on the basis of one point on one test is nothing short of criminal.</p>
<p>This becomes even more apparent when the issue of test reliability is examined. As in polling, test scores have margins of error. On a test with a “reliability coefficient” of 0.95, which is highly reliable, a score of 100 could have a seven-point margin of error, meaning that a student who scores 100 could just as well have gotten a score as low as 93 or as high as 107.</p>
<p>That means that if Eddie had taken the reading test on another day, he might well have made the 6.9 minimum for graduation to high school.</p>
<p>A goodly number of the students who made the test grade after summer school likely would have done equally well simply with a retest. You can see that from the retesting at Chicago Vocational High School, where a second round of testing allowed another 89 9th-graders, half of those retested, to gain sophomore standing.</p>
<p>Nature—maturing four months between the May and August Iowa testing dates—probably helped some marginal students clear the test barrier. And some surely benefited from the wake-up call and the summer instructional program. In the end, though, the pass rate for the summer program wasn’t much different from the pass rate of the CVS retesting .</p>
<p>Convince parents</p>
<p>Forty-five percent “failed” despite small classes, individual attention and the intensive, scripted, step-by-step instructional program. They are the dirty little secret that nobody wants to talk about.</p>
<p>Remember our imaginary line? Most of the 45 percent would be dispiritedly shuffling into place at the far left end. They were at the bottom of their class in the spring when they were retained, and, judging by recent studies, they were at the bottom of their class when they returned to school in the fall—one year older—repeating 3rd, 6th, or 8th grade. The 45 percent are not the Eddies, who missed promotion by one-tenth of a grade equivalent. These children are lodged solidly in the first and second stanines.</p>
<p>There is an alternative to massive retention, and it begins with an enlightened promotion and retention policy that requires schools to justify a proposed retention to the satisfaction of the child and his or her parents. That is, the child and parents must agree that retention would be a benefit.</p>
<p>No child should be retained more than once and never in 8th grade. As a general rule, retention should take place in 3rd or 4th grade or in 6th or 7th. Children should be retained only after careful monitoring for two to three years. When it is determined on an individual basis that retention is in order, the school should consider moving the child back a grade in the spring, so he could be promoted with his new classmates at the end of the semester .</p>
<p>This, in essence, was the promotion and retention policy I followed when I was the principal in a poor neighborhood school. Under this policy, it was not necessary to retain many children; when it was, no parent objected.</p>
<p>Children retained under this policy tended to be socially and/or physically immature, had a history of lengthy illnesses and excessive absences from school, were new to the urban environment or had a history of frequent transfers. These mitigating factors were easily identified, and retention was usually accepted by the child and the parent as a positive educational act done in the best interests of the child. In an ideal world, the child would not go through the same experience in which he was already unsuccessful; but in the real world, you make do with available resources.</p>
<p>In the case of marginal 8th-graders, a special summer school should be offered that would strengthen the skills students will need in high school: reading for comprehension, outlining, note-taking, writing papers, research, problem solving and improving study habits. It should be optional; enrollment should depend on schools’ convincing parents that it would help their children get a high school diploma. This same program, suitably modified, should be available to children at the lower grades as well.</p>
<p>In the zeal to push Eddie’s standardized test scores up a few points, the schools are neglecting high-scoring students like his classmate Maylene, who scored 12.4 in reading and 9.9 in math. Summer programs should be offered to these bright youngsters, too, so they can see that learning is exciting. Let them read, talk, write. Forget about advanced placement. Time enough for that in high school. Allow them, for six weeks, the joy of pure learning without concern for grades or tests or rank. And again, modified accordingly, these programs should be available at the lower grades.</p>
<p>And finally, what about those youngsters who fall at the far left of our norming line. I’m reminded of a day long ago I when I was downtown and noticed a newsboy selling papers, making change, and greeting customers with a speed and accuracy I couldn’t match. I recognized him as one of my EMH students (Educably Mentally Handicapped). A couple years later, I saw him again in my school. I was chatting with one of my clerks when he entered the office with a package. Now a delivery truck driver, he was courteous, business-like and as efficient as he had been as a newsboy.</p>
<p>These are healthy, normal, feeling youngsters in every respect; except they come up short by the arbitrary standard of standardized tests. They are valuable and valued human beings, and, yes, their self-esteem is important. They don’t need a test score to tell them they are not as swift in school as their classmates. They know this everyday of their lives.</p>
<p>For these youngsters, I also would offer a voluntary summer program, one aimed at showing them that learning can be a pleasurable experience.</p>
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guise reform chicagos schools unfairly punishing thousands innocent children whose crime posting reading math score deemed unacceptable promotion somehow according policy gained favorable national attention failing huge numbers children annually solve problems public education wont elementary school principal chicago presided many graduations importance ceremony children families confirmed every spring thus following headline chicago tribune june 17 1997 stunned tears joyand sorrow headline 8th graders von humboldt school monday bittersweet 59 pupils graduated 45 didnt standardized test scores failed make grade one 45 eddie scored 68 reading 72 math achieving graduation standard 70 math missing 69 needed reading borderline situation principal felt justified waiver waiver wasnt granted messed eddie said eddie got one right probably didnt know chances graduating high school significantly reduced feel sorry eddies world royally shafted people know better scratch make know better anybody taken statistics 101 test measurements 101and includes professional educatorsknows limitations normreferenced standardized tests like iowa tests basic skills havent taken statistics 101 offer primer lets say group 6000 students selected norm group 8th grade students takes test gets raw score equal number questions answered correctly imagine student given placard raw score children taken open field child lowest score placed left side field child highest score right side field others told place line according number placards near middle line children standing hundreds deep scores close together children ends line pretty lonely chief testmaker directs lieutenants start either end line begin counting groups 60 children group 60 represents 1 percent tested population future children take test graded according would stood line students whose raw scores put 50th percentile deemed popularly grade level even though 50th percentile represents simply middle scorers testmakers also report scores stanines short standard nine stanines 1 2 3 span first 22 percentiles considered average stanines 4 5 6 span 23rd 76th percentiles considered average stanines 7 8 9 span 77th 99th percentiles considered average make schools happy testmakers also convert percentiles gradelevel scores eddies 68 reading score eddie got generally gets read eighth month 6th grade reporting scores parents public school districts overwhelmingly choose grade levels even though percentiles accurate stanines vastly superior instructional purposes gradelevel system seems accurate perception deceptive examination eddies scores shows eddies reading level 68 puts 24th percentile therefore inside 4th stanine testmakers consider average look math score 8thgrade math test 72 22nd percentile2 points lower eddies reading rankand therefore 3rd stanine testmakers consider average eddie denied opportunity graduate 24thpercentile score reading deemed smart enough graduate 22ndpercentile score math eddie said things messed whatever classification scheme though child always one question away next higher category precisely taking year life child basis one point one test nothing short criminal becomes even apparent issue test reliability examined polling test scores margins error test reliability coefficient 095 highly reliable score 100 could sevenpoint margin error meaning student scores 100 could well gotten score low 93 high 107 means eddie taken reading test another day might well made 69 minimum graduation high school goodly number students made test grade summer school likely would done equally well simply retest see retesting chicago vocational high school second round testing allowed another 89 9thgraders half retested gain sophomore standing naturematuring four months may august iowa testing datesprobably helped marginal students clear test barrier surely benefited wakeup call summer instructional program end though pass rate summer program wasnt much different pass rate cvs retesting convince parents fortyfive percent failed despite small classes individual attention intensive scripted stepbystep instructional program dirty little secret nobody wants talk remember imaginary line 45 percent would dispiritedly shuffling place far left end bottom class spring retained judging recent studies bottom class returned school fallone year olderrepeating 3rd 6th 8th grade 45 percent eddies missed promotion onetenth grade equivalent children lodged solidly first second stanines alternative massive retention begins enlightened promotion retention policy requires schools justify proposed retention satisfaction child parents child parents must agree retention would benefit child retained never 8th grade general rule retention take place 3rd 4th grade 6th 7th children retained careful monitoring two three years determined individual basis retention order school consider moving child back grade spring could promoted new classmates end semester essence promotion retention policy followed principal poor neighborhood school policy necessary retain many children parent objected children retained policy tended socially andor physically immature history lengthy illnesses excessive absences school new urban environment history frequent transfers mitigating factors easily identified retention usually accepted child parent positive educational act done best interests child ideal world child would go experience already unsuccessful real world make available resources case marginal 8thgraders special summer school offered would strengthen skills students need high school reading comprehension outlining notetaking writing papers research problem solving improving study habits optional enrollment depend schools convincing parents would help children get high school diploma program suitably modified available children lower grades well zeal push eddies standardized test scores points schools neglecting highscoring students like classmate maylene scored 124 reading 99 math summer programs offered bright youngsters see learning exciting let read talk write forget advanced placement time enough high school allow six weeks joy pure learning without concern grades tests rank modified accordingly programs available lower grades finally youngsters fall far left norming line im reminded day long ago downtown noticed newsboy selling papers making change greeting customers speed accuracy couldnt match recognized one emh students educably mentally handicapped couple years later saw school chatting one clerks entered office package delivery truck driver courteous businesslike efficient newsboy healthy normal feeling youngsters every respect except come short arbitrary standard standardized tests valuable valued human beings yes selfesteem important dont need test score tell swift school classmates know everyday lives youngsters also would offer voluntary summer program one aimed showing learning pleasurable experience
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<p>Sacramento Superior Court Judge Allen Sumner just issued a preliminary ruling that Siskiyou County must regulate groundwater well permits along the Scott River in accordance with “Public Trust Doctrine.” This means the water now mainly used by hay farmers also will have to be divided among commercial sports fishing, kayaking, Indian Tribes and tourist-hotel interests.</p>
<p>The result will be&#160;more water shortages as additional&#160;political special interests divvy up a limited supply.</p>
<p><a href="http://famguardian.org/Publications/PropertyRights/capubtr.html" type="external">The key is the “Public Trust Doctrine,”</a>&#160;which was&#160;explained in a 1993 report by the California State Lands Commission:</p>
<p>“This Doctrine originated in early Roman law and, as incorporated into English Common law, held that certain resources were available in common to all humankind by ‘natural law.’ Among those common resources were ‘the air, running water, the sea and consequently the shores of the sea.’ Navigable waterways were declared to be ‘common highways, forever free,’ and available to all the people for whatever public uses may be made of those waterways.</p>
<p>“In California, the Public Trust Doctrine historically has referred to the right of the public to use California’s waterways to engage in ‘commerce, navigation, and fisheries.’ More recently, the doctrine has been defined by the courts as providing the public the right to use California’s water resources for: navigation, fisheries, commerce, environmental preservation and recreation; as ecological units for scientific study; as open space; as environments which provide food and habitats for birds and marine life; and as environments which favorably affect the scenery and climate of the area.</p>
<p>“In National Audubon Society v. Superior Court of Alpine County&#160;(1983), the California Supreme Court held that the public trust doctrine protects not only navigation, commerce, wildlife and fishing, but also ‘changing public needs of ecological preservation, open space maintenance and scenic and wildlife preservation.'”</p>
<p>The Siskiyou County&#160;court case involves a recent lawsuit brought by the <a href="http://www.envirolaw.org/documents/ScottOrderonCrossMotions.pdf" type="external">Environmental Law Foundation and the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations against&#160;the State Water Resources Control Board and the County of Siskiyou</a>.&#160; ELF charged that decreased water flows in the Scott River over the past 20 years are due to excessive agricultural extractions of groundwater that flow into the river, which has harmed fish&#160;populations and the navigability of the river for recreational rafting and boat fishing.&#160;</p>
<p>The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_River" type="external">Scott River</a> runs 60 miles in Siskiyou County, located along the northerly state border with Oregon.&#160; The Scott River watershed is 800 square miles.&#160; About two-thirds is privately owned and a third publicly owned.&#160; Forty-five percent is used for forestry, 40 percent for grazing, and only 13 percent for cropland.&#160; The <a href="http://blogs.mcgeorge.edu/waterlawjournal/right-doctrine-wrong-groundwater-the-environmental-law-foundations-flawed-attempt-to-extend-public-trust-protection-to-groundwater/" type="external">Scott River Groundwater Basin</a> is still the only one in all of California that has surface water and groundwater legally defined as “interconnected” (Water Code 2500.5).</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.californiaresourcecenter.org/_sswatermasterdistrict/ScottRiverDecree_30662_1980.pdf" type="external">Scott River watershed was “adjudicated in 1980</a>,” meaning the normal court system for water rights settled local disputes.&#160; The Siskiyou County Superior Court ruled that all groundwater within 500 feet of the river was subject to court monitoring and restrictions on pumping.</p>
<p>The ruling included safeguards for fish, wildlife and natural river flow under the Public Trust Doctrine.&#160; The county issues well drilling permits outside the 500-foot zone, and the court-appointed Watermaster does so within the 500-foot setback.&#160; However, the county court has never appointed a Watermaster to govern well permits along the banks of the river within the 500-foot strip.</p>
<p>Writing in the June 26 issue of the California Water Law Journal, <a href="http://blogs.mcgeorge.edu/waterlawjournal/right-doctrine-wrong-groundwater-the-environmental-law-foundations-flawed-attempt-to-extend-public-trust-protection-to-groundwater/" type="external">Bryan Barnhart</a>&#160;said&#160;the ELF suit could have sought enforcement by the state Attorney General or the modification of the Siskiyou County court decree to assign a Watermaster for enforcement.&#160; Instead, the ELF filed its case in a Sacramento County court seeking to expand the Public Trust Doctrine to groundwater for the first time in California.</p>
<p>The Sacramento Court has issued an <a href="http://www.somachlaw.com/alerts.php?id=288" type="external">interim ruling</a> that California groundwater falls within the jurisdiction of the Public Trust Doctrine. For the interim ruling to stand under final court review, ELF would have to prove that the Scott River is navigable and that sufficient groundwater flows into the river for Public Trust purposes to be&#160;impaired.&#160; A superior court ruling, however, would not set legal precedent across the entire state.</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.kmtg.com/node/3304" type="external">Public Trust Doctrine</a>&#160;also is supposed to apply only when “feasible.”&#160; Whether the Scott River is navigable would have to be a factual finding of the court, as well as whether the Doctrine is feasible during an historic drought.</p>
<p>Other developments have not&#160;deterred the ELF from filing and threatening lawsuits to agricultural irrigation districts both in Siskiyou County and California’s Central Valley asserting that groundwater falls within the Public Trust Doctrine:</p>
<p><a href="http://cironline.org/reports/california-water-districts-face-suit-ignoring-conservation-law-6547" type="external">ELF</a> has also sent letters to 22 water irrigation districts in the state threatening to sue if they fail to comply with a 2009 law requiring the reporting of the measurement of groundwater basins.</p>
<p>A reply came from&#160; <a href="http://cironline.org/reports/california-water-districts-face-suit-ignoring-conservation-law-6547" type="external">Robert Kunde</a>, manager for the Wheeler Ridge-Maricopa Water Storage District in Bakersfield: “We comply with the vast majority of what the law requires.&#160; We just haven’t filed some paperwork to document it.” He said high water prices due to drought are driving water conservation more than the threat of regulation.</p>
<p><a href="http://cironline.org/reports/california-water-districts-face-suit-ignoring-conservation-law-6547" type="external">Mark Mulkay</a> of the Kern Delta Water District in Bakersfield said&#160;his district has been measuring water in order to charge its customers since 1965.</p>
<p>And nine of the purportedly noncompliant districts have already provided verification to ELF that they are following the law.&#160; Where some water districts are too small to be able to afford such paperwork, <a href="http://cironline.org/reports/california-water-districts-face-suit-ignoring-conservation-law-6547" type="external">Ted Trimble</a> of the Western Canal Water District in Oroville is working on creating a regional water plan.</p>
<p>If the ELF case prevails in Siskiyou County,&#160;it may not be long before such legal challenges are made against <a href="http://www.colorado.edu/conflict/full_text_search/AllCRCDocs/blomdivi.htm" type="external">adjudicated urban water basins upon which Southern California depends for about 60 percent of its water supplies</a> in a dry year.</p>
<p>The recent <a href="http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/13-14/bill/sen/sb_0801-0850/sb_848_bill_20140623_amended_sen_v95.html" type="external">$10.5 billion proposed water bond</a> that recently failed in the California Senate included $150 million for projects proximate to “major metropolitan cities for a river that has an adopted revitalization plan” (alluding to the proposed <a href="http://thelariver.com/revitalization/lar-masterplan/" type="external">Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan</a>).&#160; All such a <a href="http://www.kcet.org/socal/departures/lariver/confluence/assets_c/2012/12/1909_LARiverPlanFull-thumb-630x446-42325.gif" type="external">project</a> needs besides money is more water than the trickle that travels down the concrete-lined flood channels today.&#160; And the only place to get that water is from local groundwater basins.&#160; Water is turning into an elixir for ecological redevelopment projects.</p>
<p>At stake in the Siskiyou County groundwater case — for both rural and urban groundwater users — may be more than a drop in the bucket. Making room for kayaking in the Scott River may also make way for it in the Los Angeles River by diverting drinking water from residential users to kayakers and water-oriented real estate development in a replay of “ <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinatown_%281974_film%29" type="external">Chinatown</a>.”</p>
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160 sacramento superior court judge allen sumner issued preliminary ruling siskiyou county must regulate groundwater well permits along scott river accordance public trust doctrine means water mainly used hay farmers also divided among commercial sports fishing kayaking indian tribes touristhotel interests result be160more water shortages additional160political special interests divvy limited supply key public trust doctrine160which was160explained 1993 report california state lands commission doctrine originated early roman law incorporated english common law held certain resources available common humankind natural law among common resources air running water sea consequently shores sea navigable waterways declared common highways forever free available people whatever public uses may made waterways california public trust doctrine historically referred right public use californias waterways engage commerce navigation fisheries recently doctrine defined courts providing public right use californias water resources navigation fisheries commerce environmental preservation recreation ecological units scientific study open space environments provide food habitats birds marine life environments favorably affect scenery climate area national audubon society v superior court alpine county1601983 california supreme court held public trust doctrine protects navigation commerce wildlife fishing also changing public needs ecological preservation open space maintenance scenic wildlife preservation siskiyou county160court case involves recent lawsuit brought environmental law foundation pacific coast federation fishermens associations against160the state water resources control board county siskiyou160 elf charged decreased water flows scott river past 20 years due excessive agricultural extractions groundwater flow river harmed fish160populations navigability river recreational rafting boat fishing160 scott river runs 60 miles siskiyou county located along northerly state border oregon160 scott river watershed 800 square miles160 twothirds privately owned third publicly owned160 fortyfive percent used forestry 40 percent grazing 13 percent cropland160 scott river groundwater basin still one california surface water groundwater legally defined interconnected water code 25005 scott river watershed adjudicated 1980 meaning normal court system water rights settled local disputes160 siskiyou county superior court ruled groundwater within 500 feet river subject court monitoring restrictions pumping ruling included safeguards fish wildlife natural river flow public trust doctrine160 county issues well drilling permits outside 500foot zone courtappointed watermaster within 500foot setback160 however county court never appointed watermaster govern well permits along banks river within 500foot strip writing june 26 issue california water law journal bryan barnhart160said160the elf suit could sought enforcement state attorney general modification siskiyou county court decree assign watermaster enforcement160 instead elf filed case sacramento county court seeking expand public trust doctrine groundwater first time california sacramento court issued interim ruling california groundwater falls within jurisdiction public trust doctrine interim ruling stand final court review elf would prove scott river navigable sufficient groundwater flows river public trust purposes be160impaired160 superior court ruling however would set legal precedent across entire state public trust doctrine160also supposed apply feasible160 whether scott river navigable would factual finding court well whether doctrine feasible historic drought developments not160deterred elf filing threatening lawsuits agricultural irrigation districts siskiyou county californias central valley asserting groundwater falls within public trust doctrine elf also sent letters 22 water irrigation districts state threatening sue fail comply 2009 law requiring reporting measurement groundwater basins reply came from160 robert kunde manager wheeler ridgemaricopa water storage district bakersfield comply vast majority law requires160 havent filed paperwork document said high water prices due drought driving water conservation threat regulation mark mulkay kern delta water district bakersfield said160his district measuring water order charge customers since 1965 nine purportedly noncompliant districts already provided verification elf following law160 water districts small able afford paperwork ted trimble western canal water district oroville working creating regional water plan elf case prevails siskiyou county160it may long legal challenges made adjudicated urban water basins upon southern california depends 60 percent water supplies dry year recent 105 billion proposed water bond recently failed california senate included 150 million projects proximate major metropolitan cities river adopted revitalization plan alluding proposed los angeles river revitalization master plan160 project needs besides money water trickle travels concretelined flood channels today160 place get water local groundwater basins160 water turning elixir ecological redevelopment projects stake siskiyou county groundwater case rural urban groundwater users may drop bucket making room kayaking scott river may also make way los angeles river diverting drinking water residential users kayakers wateroriented real estate development replay chinatown
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<p>&#160;</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/" type="external">California Department of Toxic Substances Control</a> is in charge of cleaning up the state’s hazardous waste sites. But lately, the agency has had to focus on cleaning up its own image after a <a href="http://www.bsa.ca.gov/pdfs/reports/2013-122.pdf" type="external">recent audit</a> criticized DTSC’s 27 years of mismanagement that has resulted in $194 million in unrecovered cleanup costs.</p>
<p>The agency has also come under fire from state legislators for failing to adequately crack down on polluters. Two bills on Gov. Jerry Brown’s desk seek increased accountability, transparency and oversight of DTSC.</p>
<p>Senate President pro Tempore-elect <a href="http://sd22.senate.ca.gov/" type="external">Kevin de León</a>,&#160;D-Los Angeles, authored <a href="http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/13-14/bill/sen/sb_0801-0850/sb_812_bill_20140903_enrolled.htm" type="external">Senate Bill 812</a>. That bill, along with a companion measure, <a href="http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/13-14/bill/sen/sb_0701-0750/sb_712_bill_20140826_enrolled.htm" type="external">Senate Bill 712</a> by <a href="http://sd33.senate.ca.gov/" type="external">Sen. Ricardo Lara</a>, D-Huntington Park, is in response to DTSC’s failure to address contamination issues at a battery recycling facility in Los Angeles, according to a de León <a href="http://sd22.senate.ca.gov/news/2014-09-18-release-community-calls-governor-clean-exide-reform-state-s-toxics-agency-urge-signa" type="external">press release</a>.</p>
<p>The bills require DTSC to approve or deny hazardous waste permits within three years of the permit expiration and disclose permits, violations and corrective actions. The bills also create a community-based DTSC oversight committee and increase the interest rate charged to late-paying polluters.</p>
<p>As of Thursday morning, Brown had yet to sign or veto the bills.</p>
<p>Also angry at DTSC are liberal advocacy groups like <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/" type="external">Consumer Watchdog</a>, which last year issued a scathing report titled,&#160; <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/goldenwasteland.pdf" type="external">“Golden Wasteland: Regulating Toxics, or Toxic Regulation?”</a></p>
<p>Last week the <a href="http://senv.senate.ca.gov/" type="external">Senate Environmental Quality Committee</a> held an oversight hearing that placed DTSC officials on the hot seat. Since DTSC Director Debbie Raphael resigned May 31 after three years on the job, it was left to interim Director <a href="http://www.allgov.com/usa/ca/officials/california_ingenito_miriam?officialid=29952" type="external">Miriam Barcellona Ingenito</a> to put the best face on an ugly situation.</p>
<p>The focus of the hearing was on the Aug. 7 report by state Auditor Elaine Howle, “ <a href="https://www.bsa.ca.gov/reports/summary/2013-122" type="external">California Department of Toxic Substances Control:</a>Its Lack of Diligence in Cost Recovery Has Contributed to Millions in Unbilled and Uncollected Costs.” Its key findings:</p>
<p>Committee Chairman <a href="http://sd13.senate.ca.gov/" type="external">Sen. Jerry Hill</a>, D-San Mateo, led off the <a href="http://calchannel.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=7&amp;clip_id=2442" type="external">Sept. 16 hearing</a> by citing the $194 million “worth of unrecovered funds for which the department was not able to provide accounting. And frankly, I think speaking not just as a state senator but as a citizen of California, that is totally unacceptable.”</p>
<p>Hill asked Ingenito how much of the $194 million would eventually be recovered.</p>
<p>“That’s a really hard question to answer,” she said, citing unknowns such as the potential for bankruptcy being declared by those responsible for the pollution and whether the statute of limitations had run out on the department’s ability to collect.</p>
<p>Ingenito began her presentation by pointing out the $194 million in unrecovered costs represents only 10 percent of the $1.9 billion the DTSC has spent cleaning up hazardous waste sites in California. The problem in not collecting that last 10 percent has been systemic.</p>
<p>“Historically our cost-recovery efforts have suffered from a lack of clear guidance, consistency between our offices, measurement tools, systems and standard processes,” she said. “And this is not an excuse, this is a fact. It is an underlying fact that has posed a significant challenge to past administrations.</p>
<p>“[Cost recovery] wasn’t necessarily the top priority, because the top priority was then and is now always to address the safety first. We always go in when there’s a health and safety issue to clean up the site. And then we go in and deal with how do you go after addressing the responsible parties and finding who the polluters are. The systems and processes to do that have not always been in place.</p>
<p>“And that is the key difference between what we historically have done in past administrations and what we are doing now. Other administrations have known that we have a cost-recovery problem. And what they have done is basically addressed it as a collections problem. They have never gotten to the root problem, the root causes, which we believe to be nonexistent, inconsistent and antiquated processes.”</p>
<p>Ingenito and Terri Hardy, the DTSC special assistant for program review, outlined a variety of policies, procedures and training programs they are implementing to fix the problems. The Legislature aided the effort by approving $1.6 million to hire 14 additional people for two years.</p>
<p>“Because of the systemic improvements that we have begun to make and implement in the last year, I’m happy to report that the number of sites with outstanding costs have been reduced from 2,700 to about 1,600, which is a 40 percent reduction,” said Ingenito.</p>
<p>“We’ve reduced the amount of outstanding costs by more than $24 million. And of that, about $4.7 million has been received in payments in the last six months alone. And we have referred cases representing more than $60 million to the attorney general’s office to pursue legal options.</p>
<p>“I want to assure you that I fully recognize that we do still have issues and significant challenges in front of us. We look forward to working with you to establish permanent solutions to this problem and to ensure that polluters and not taxpayers pay for the cost of cleanup. While we’ve been able to resolve approximately 90 percent of our costs, we can do better.”</p>
<p>It was looking like the DTSC officials might get through the hearing relatively unscathed. But then auditor Howle responded to their presentation by suggesting they might be better at talking the talk than walking the walk.</p>
<p>“I do have concerns based on what we just heard,” Howle told the committee, adding that DTSC officials had assured her that new procedures would be in place by the end of August. “And what we are hearing today is it appears those things are not quite in place yet. So we have some concerns with respect to that.”</p>
<p>One of the major problems is the department’s antiquated database, she said. It contains inaccurate information on “orphan sites,” referring to a site where no responsible party has been found for the pollution.</p>
<p>“Well, when we looked at some of the project files, there actually was a responsible party identified,” said Howle. “So one of the things we believe they really need to continue to do is correct the database to make sure that they have not improperly designated a site as an orphan site and therefore believe there’s no one there to try to recover funds from.”</p>
<p>The database should be updated by July 2015, when it is planned to be rolled into the <a href="http://www.fiscal.ca.gov/" type="external">Financial Information System for California</a>, said Howle. But DTSC officials said it won’t be ready by then, and will take two years to fix the database.</p>
<p>Performance metrics were promised to be in place by September, but the officials failed to mention them in the hearing, said Howle. And she found the collection log DTSC put in place to ensure collection letters go out at 30-day intervals wasn’t being used.</p>
<p>DTSC is scheduled to report to Howle’s office in October on its progress and then do periodic follow-ups. Hill said he wants the department to keep the committee up-to-date as well.</p>
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160 california department toxic substances control charge cleaning states hazardous waste sites lately agency focus cleaning image recent audit criticized dtscs 27 years mismanagement resulted 194 million unrecovered cleanup costs agency also come fire state legislators failing adequately crack polluters two bills gov jerry browns desk seek increased accountability transparency oversight dtsc senate president pro temporeelect kevin de león160dlos angeles authored senate bill 812 bill along companion measure senate bill 712 sen ricardo lara dhuntington park response dtscs failure address contamination issues battery recycling facility los angeles according de león press release bills require dtsc approve deny hazardous waste permits within three years permit expiration disclose permits violations corrective actions bills also create communitybased dtsc oversight committee increase interest rate charged latepaying polluters thursday morning brown yet sign veto bills also angry dtsc liberal advocacy groups like consumer watchdog last year issued scathing report titled160 golden wasteland regulating toxics toxic regulation last week senate environmental quality committee held oversight hearing placed dtsc officials hot seat since dtsc director debbie raphael resigned may 31 three years job left interim director miriam barcellona ingenito put best face ugly situation focus hearing aug 7 report state auditor elaine howle california department toxic substances controlits lack diligence cost recovery contributed millions unbilled uncollected costs key findings committee chairman sen jerry hill dsan mateo led sept 16 hearing citing 194 million worth unrecovered funds department able provide accounting frankly think speaking state senator citizen california totally unacceptable hill asked ingenito much 194 million would eventually recovered thats really hard question answer said citing unknowns potential bankruptcy declared responsible pollution whether statute limitations run departments ability collect ingenito began presentation pointing 194 million unrecovered costs represents 10 percent 19 billion dtsc spent cleaning hazardous waste sites california problem collecting last 10 percent systemic historically costrecovery efforts suffered lack clear guidance consistency offices measurement tools systems standard processes said excuse fact underlying fact posed significant challenge past administrations cost recovery wasnt necessarily top priority top priority always address safety first always go theres health safety issue clean site go deal go addressing responsible parties finding polluters systems processes always place key difference historically done past administrations administrations known costrecovery problem done basically addressed collections problem never gotten root problem root causes believe nonexistent inconsistent antiquated processes ingenito terri hardy dtsc special assistant program review outlined variety policies procedures training programs implementing fix problems legislature aided effort approving 16 million hire 14 additional people two years systemic improvements begun make implement last year im happy report number sites outstanding costs reduced 2700 1600 40 percent reduction said ingenito weve reduced amount outstanding costs 24 million 47 million received payments last six months alone referred cases representing 60 million attorney generals office pursue legal options want assure fully recognize still issues significant challenges front us look forward working establish permanent solutions problem ensure polluters taxpayers pay cost cleanup weve able resolve approximately 90 percent costs better looking like dtsc officials might get hearing relatively unscathed auditor howle responded presentation suggesting might better talking talk walking walk concerns based heard howle told committee adding dtsc officials assured new procedures would place end august hearing today appears things quite place yet concerns respect one major problems departments antiquated database said contains inaccurate information orphan sites referring site responsible party found pollution well looked project files actually responsible party identified said howle one things believe really need continue correct database make sure improperly designated site orphan site therefore believe theres one try recover funds database updated july 2015 planned rolled financial information system california said howle dtsc officials said wont ready take two years fix database performance metrics promised place september officials failed mention hearing said howle found collection log dtsc put place ensure collection letters go 30day intervals wasnt used dtsc scheduled report howles office october progress periodic followups hill said wants department keep committee uptodate well
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<p>Accepted a new call? Been ordained? Church celebrating an anniversary? Mission trip or project that you would like highlighted on the HeraldBeat page? Send info to HeraldBeat editor Barbara Francis at <a href="mailto:[email protected]" type="external">[email protected]</a>.</p>
<p>ON THE MOVE</p>
<p>Ronnie Kiehm, to Farmville (Va.) Baptist Church, as pastor, effective Aug. 25.</p>
<p>Alan Sherouse, to First Baptist Church, Greensboro, N.C., as senior pastor.</p>
<p>Brian Weygandt, to Immanuel Baptist Church, Newport News, Va., as pastor.</p>
<p>Jason Bennett, to Gravel Hill Baptist Church, Hardy, Va., as pastor.</p>
<p>Nate Varnier, to Fairfields Baptist Church, Burgess, Va., as pastor.</p>
<p />
<p>Student choir on tour The student choir from First Baptist Church, Newport News, Va., was on tour performing at churches in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida from June 29-July 7. They attended the SonPower Conference in Orlando as well as participating in two days of mission work in that area. Members of this choir have toured every other summer for the last 30 years and are directed by Dennis Adams, minister of music.</p>
<p />
<p>Mike Walters, to Smyrna Baptist Church, Goochland, Va., as pastor.</p>
<p>Mike Collier, to First Baptist Church, Rosewood, N.C., as pastor.</p>
<p>Jim White, to Williamsburg (Va.) Baptist Church, as interim pastor.</p>
<p>Aaron Mansfield, to Catawba Valley Baptist Church, Catawba, Va., as minister to children and youth.</p>
<p>Mark Reon, resigning as pastor of Jack­son Memorial Baptist Church, Chesa­peake, Va., due to health reasons.</p>
<p>Joy Middleton Taylor, to Second Liberty Baptist Church, Quinton, Va., as interim pastor.</p>
<p>Christopher Gilliam, to St. John’s Baptist Church, Charlotte, N.C., as interim director of worship and the arts.</p>
<p>Bill Whitaker, concluding his tenure as executive pastor at Bon Air Baptist Church, Richmond, Va.</p>
<p>Laura Rice Primm, to First Baptist Church, Elon, N.C., as minister of music and children.</p>
<p>Timothy Belflowers, to First Baptist Church, Monroe, N.C., as minister of music.</p>
<p>Taylor Vancil, to First Baptist Church, Monroe, N.C., as interim director of children and youth.</p>
<p>Bobby Vann, to Mount Pleasant Bap­tist Church, Roanoke, Va., as&#160; associate pastor.</p>
<p>Kerry Johnson, to Ridge Road Baptist Church, Raleigh, N.C., as minister of music.</p>
<p>Debbie Holloway, concluding her tenure as associate pastor of children and youth at First Baptist Church, Rockingham, N.C.</p>
<p>Christina Ryan Perkins, to University Baptist Church, Baltimore, Md., as associate pastor.</p>
<p />
<p>Robin McKenzie Hardison, to Green­wood Forest Baptist Church, Cary, N.C., as minister of children and missions.</p>
<p>RETIREMENTS</p>
<p>Lawrence Biermann, retiring as pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Hampton, Va., effective Aug. 25.</p>
<p>Mary Buckner, retiring as associate minister at Spring Hill Baptist Church, Ruckersville, Va., effective Sept. 15, following 41 years in ministry.</p>
<p>David Hughes, retiring as pastor of First Baptist Church (Fifth Street), Winston-Salem, N.C. Effective Oct. 1, he will become executive director of the Transforming Center, headquartered in Wheaton, Illinois.</p>
<p>DEATHS</p>
<p>Former Virginia Baptist pastor Nathanael “Nick” Habel died July 29. He had served as pastor of Victoria (Va.) Baptist Church and Boykins (Va.) Baptist Church, and numerous churches as interim pastor. He also was the principal of two elementary schools in Amherst County. He was predeceased by his first wife, Martha Mason Habel. He is survived by his wife, Shirley Dillard Habel; her son, Dunn Dillard; and four grandchildren. A funeral service was held Aug. 1 at Rivermont Ave­nue Baptist Church, Lynchburg, Va.</p>
<p>Former Virginia Baptist minister Donald A. Williams died July 30. He had served as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Lynchburg, Va., as well as other churches in Virginia and North Carolina. He is survived by his wife, Carol Matthews Williams; children, Robert Todd Williams, Kelley T. Dillenberger, Scott M. Williams, Allison W. Jacobsen and Christopher A. Williams; and 15 grandchildren. A memorial service was held Aug. 3 at Lotz Salem Chapel in Roanoke, Va.</p>
<p>ORDINATIONS</p>
<p>Nola Boezeman, ordained to the ministry by Crabtree Valley Baptist Church, Raleigh, N.C., on Aug. 4.</p>
<p>Mary Beth Foust, ordained to the ministry on Aug. 4 by Central Baptist Church, Richmond, Va., where she serves as missions intern.</p>
<p>Katie Henry, ordained to the ministry on Aug. 11 by First Baptist Church, Huntersville, N.C.</p>
<p>Jason Kline, former children and middle school director at Maplewood Baptist Church, Yadkin­ville, N.C., will be ordained to the ministry on Aug. 18 by the church.</p>
<p>Leah Anderson Reed, minister with youth at First Baptist Church, Ahoskie, N.C., will be ordained to the ministry by the church on Aug. 25.</p>
<p>30 YEARS</p>
<p>Mary Merritt, celebrating 30 years as children’s music specialist at First Baptist Church, Newport News, Va.</p>
<p>20 YEARS</p>
<p>Kim Jessie, celebrating 20 years as church ministries missionary for Norfolk Baptist Association (now The Bridge Network of Churches).</p>
<p>Larisa Leapley, celebrating 20 years as music director of First Baptist Church, North Wilkesboro, N.C.</p>
<p>Richard Yates, celebrating 20 years as senior pastor of Beachlawn Baptist Church, Virginia Beach, Va.</p>
<p>15 YEARS</p>
<p>Tom Allen, celebrating 15 years as minister of Christian education and administration at First Baptist Church, Southern Pines, N.C.</p>
<p>5 YEARS</p>
<p>Jennifer Asbill, celebrating 5 years as associate pastor for discipleship at Zebulon (N.C.) Baptist Church.</p>
<p>David Elks, celebrating 5 years as pastor of First Baptist Church, Lumberton, N.C.</p>
<p>Buddy Hyatt, celebrating 5 years as organist at The Memorial Church, Greenville, N.C.</p>
<p>TUES., AUG. 13</p>
<p>Lakewood Manor Baptist Retirement Community, Richmond, Va.; Civil War 150 History Mobile at main en­trance from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The expandable 53-foot tractor trailer exhibit, an initiative of the Virginia Sesqui­cen­tennial of the American Civil War Com­mission, draws stories of the Civil War and Emanci­pation from viewpoints of those who experienced it across Virginia.</p>
<p>SUN., AUG. 18</p>
<p>Bethel Baptist Church, Fredericksburg, Va.; 123rd anniversary at 10:45 a.m. with former pastor Ashton Smith, guest speaker; special music by Zion Song. Lunch will follow.</p>
<p />
<p>HopeTree Family Services; first ever Batter Up for Hope, a softball game between Elkhardt Baptist Church and Tomahawk Baptist Church at Manchester Middle School, Richmond, Va., in support of HopeTree.</p>
<p>Middleburg (Va.) Baptist Church; concert of gospel music by The Spiritual Harmonizers at 4 p.m.</p>
<p>SUN.-WED., AUG. 18-21</p>
<p>Oakland Baptist Church, Gum Spring, Va.; 159th anniversary; homecoming at 11 a.m. with John Chandler, guest speaker; homecoming meal; afternoon of praise with music evangelist Smokey Wilson; revival weeknights at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>SUN., AUG. 25</p>
<p>Mount Tabor Baptist Church, Arvonia, Va.; homecoming at 11 a.m. with Jeff Whorley, guest speaker.</p>
<p>The Memorial Baptist Church, Green­ville, N.C.; concert of worship featuring The Sorrells from First Baptist Church, Asheville, N.C., at 5 p.m.</p>
<p />
<p>State Line Baptist Church, Danville, Va.; homecoming at 10:45 a.m. with Glenn Crumpton, guest speaker; music by the Yarboro Family; covered-dish lunch.</p>
<p>SUN., SEPT. 8</p>
<p>Hull’s Memorial Baptist Church, Fred­ericksburg, Va.; 125th anniversary; homecoming at 10 a.m. with Rick Clore, guest speaker; followed by dinner on the grounds.</p>
<p>SUN.-WED., SEPT. 8-11</p>
<p>Beulah Baptist Church, Gloucester, Va., revival services with Roger Roller, evangelist.</p>
<p>SAT.-SUN., SEPT. 14-15</p>
<p>Covenant Baptist Church, Gastonia, N.C.; 25th anniversary homecoming celebration; with Dennis Swanberg.</p>
<p />
<p>OTHER TRANSITIONS</p>
<p>Catoctin Valley Community Church, Purcellville, Va., is now meeting at the Loudoun Valley High School. Dan Morgan serves as senior pastor of this congregation constituted in 2011.</p>
<p>Ocean View Baptist Church, Norfolk, Va., has voted to change its name to OV Church. Aaron Dininny is senior pastor of this congregation.</p>
<p>Powhatan (Va.) Community Church will launch its third campus on Sept. 8. The church is in the process of renovating a store in Bremo Bluff, Va., for its new Riverside Campus. Chauncey Starkey will serve as campus pastor. PCC’s main campus is in Powhatan and its Westchester Campus is located in Midlothian.</p>
<p>Building improvements at The Resource Center’s new location at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Va., are nearing completion. Due to the move, their annual leadership event, Toolbox for Tomorrow, set for Sept. 14 will be rescheduled for a later date.</p>
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accepted new call ordained church celebrating anniversary mission trip project would like highlighted heraldbeat page send info heraldbeat editor barbara francis bfrancisreligiousheraldorg move ronnie kiehm farmville va baptist church pastor effective aug 25 alan sherouse first baptist church greensboro nc senior pastor brian weygandt immanuel baptist church newport news va pastor jason bennett gravel hill baptist church hardy va pastor nate varnier fairfields baptist church burgess va pastor student choir tour student choir first baptist church newport news va tour performing churches south carolina georgia florida june 29july 7 attended sonpower conference orlando well participating two days mission work area members choir toured every summer last 30 years directed dennis adams minister music mike walters smyrna baptist church goochland va pastor mike collier first baptist church rosewood nc pastor jim white williamsburg va baptist church interim pastor aaron mansfield catawba valley baptist church catawba va minister children youth mark reon resigning pastor jackson memorial baptist church chesapeake va due health reasons joy middleton taylor second liberty baptist church quinton va interim pastor christopher gilliam st johns baptist church charlotte nc interim director worship arts bill whitaker concluding tenure executive pastor bon air baptist church richmond va laura rice primm first baptist church elon nc minister music children timothy belflowers first baptist church monroe nc minister music taylor vancil first baptist church monroe nc interim director children youth bobby vann mount pleasant baptist church roanoke va as160 associate pastor kerry johnson ridge road baptist church raleigh nc minister music debbie holloway concluding tenure associate pastor children youth first baptist church rockingham nc christina ryan perkins university baptist church baltimore md associate pastor robin mckenzie hardison greenwood forest baptist church cary nc minister children missions retirements lawrence biermann retiring pastor memorial baptist church hampton va effective aug 25 mary buckner retiring associate minister spring hill baptist church ruckersville va effective sept 15 following 41 years ministry david hughes retiring pastor first baptist church fifth street winstonsalem nc effective oct 1 become executive director transforming center headquartered wheaton illinois deaths former virginia baptist pastor nathanael nick habel died july 29 served pastor victoria va baptist church boykins va baptist church numerous churches interim pastor also principal two elementary schools amherst county predeceased first wife martha mason habel survived wife shirley dillard habel son dunn dillard four grandchildren funeral service held aug 1 rivermont avenue baptist church lynchburg va former virginia baptist minister donald williams died july 30 served pastor calvary baptist church lynchburg va well churches virginia north carolina survived wife carol matthews williams children robert todd williams kelley dillenberger scott williams allison w jacobsen christopher williams 15 grandchildren memorial service held aug 3 lotz salem chapel roanoke va ordinations nola boezeman ordained ministry crabtree valley baptist church raleigh nc aug 4 mary beth foust ordained ministry aug 4 central baptist church richmond va serves missions intern katie henry ordained ministry aug 11 first baptist church huntersville nc jason kline former children middle school director maplewood baptist church yadkinville nc ordained ministry aug 18 church leah anderson reed minister youth first baptist church ahoskie nc ordained ministry church aug 25 30 years mary merritt celebrating 30 years childrens music specialist first baptist church newport news va 20 years kim jessie celebrating 20 years church ministries missionary norfolk baptist association bridge network churches larisa leapley celebrating 20 years music director first baptist church north wilkesboro nc richard yates celebrating 20 years senior pastor beachlawn baptist church virginia beach va 15 years tom allen celebrating 15 years minister christian education administration first baptist church southern pines nc 5 years jennifer asbill celebrating 5 years associate pastor discipleship zebulon nc baptist church david elks celebrating 5 years pastor first baptist church lumberton nc buddy hyatt celebrating 5 years organist memorial church greenville nc tues aug 13 lakewood manor baptist retirement community richmond va civil war 150 history mobile main entrance 10 4 pm expandable 53foot tractor trailer exhibit initiative virginia sesquicentennial american civil war commission draws stories civil war emancipation viewpoints experienced across virginia sun aug 18 bethel baptist church fredericksburg va 123rd anniversary 1045 former pastor ashton smith guest speaker special music zion song lunch follow hopetree family services first ever batter hope softball game elkhardt baptist church tomahawk baptist church manchester middle school richmond va support hopetree middleburg va baptist church concert gospel music spiritual harmonizers 4 pm sunwed aug 1821 oakland baptist church gum spring va 159th anniversary homecoming 11 john chandler guest speaker homecoming meal afternoon praise music evangelist smokey wilson revival weeknights 7 pm sun aug 25 mount tabor baptist church arvonia va homecoming 11 jeff whorley guest speaker memorial baptist church greenville nc concert worship featuring sorrells first baptist church asheville nc 5 pm state line baptist church danville va homecoming 1045 glenn crumpton guest speaker music yarboro family covereddish lunch sun sept 8 hulls memorial baptist church fredericksburg va 125th anniversary homecoming 10 rick clore guest speaker followed dinner grounds sunwed sept 811 beulah baptist church gloucester va revival services roger roller evangelist satsun sept 1415 covenant baptist church gastonia nc 25th anniversary homecoming celebration dennis swanberg transitions catoctin valley community church purcellville va meeting loudoun valley high school dan morgan serves senior pastor congregation constituted 2011 ocean view baptist church norfolk va voted change name ov church aaron dininny senior pastor congregation powhatan va community church launch third campus sept 8 church process renovating store bremo bluff va new riverside campus chauncey starkey serve campus pastor pccs main campus powhatan westchester campus located midlothian building improvements resource centers new location virginia union university richmond va nearing completion due move annual leadership event toolbox tomorrow set sept 14 rescheduled later date
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<p>Even for Afghanistan, a country where bad news is more the rule than the exception, 2015 has been shockingly terrible.</p>
<p>“The past year has been definitely, undeniably difficult,” said Shaharzad Akbar, the head of Open Society Afghanistan. Educated at Smith and Oxford, Shaharzad came back to her country with a vision of what Afghanistan could be.</p>
<p>Akbar is among Afghanistan’s “millennials,” born between 1980, the first year of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and 2001, which marked the beginning of the US-led military intervention. They are a generation that has only known war, yet has demonstrated great resiliency and hope.</p>
<p>GroundTruth has been following Akbar and a group of seven other millennials throughout 2015. The best and brightest of their generation, they were optimistic almost to a fault at the start of the year, determined to use their world-class educations, international outlook and deep patriotism to bring their beleaguered but beloved country into the light.</p>
<p>But the past 12 months have put their commitment to the test.</p>
<p />
<p>Shaharzad Akbar in Kabul</p>
<p>Ben Brody</p>
<p>As December drew to a close, a renewed insurgency captured a key district in Helmand, while the province’s&#160; <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/helmand-governors-taliban-warning-on-facebook-a6780846.html" type="external">deputy governor took to Facebook</a>&#160;to plead for the government to help.</p>
<p>In Kabul,&#160; <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/21/asia/nato-members-killed-bagram-afghanistan/index.html" type="external">a suicide bomber on a motorcycle killed six American soldiers</a>, while a mullah shot&#160; <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/22/world/lisa-akbari-killed-afghanistan/index.html" type="external">a young Afghan American woman in her housing complex.</a></p>
<p>The economy has disintegrated, leaving millions unemployed, angry and resentful. Actual statistics are difficult to come by in a country where even the population figures are not known. Estimates range&#160; <a href="http://www.tradingeconomics.com/afghanistan/unemployment-rate" type="external">as high as 40 percent.</a></p>
<p>What is clear is that the withdrawal of foreign troops and the decline in international engagement has resulted in a dramatic loss of jobs. Students have been holding a sit-in at the Kabul University campus to demand that the government do something about employment. Others turn to the Taliban as a source of income.</p>
<p>The best and brightest of their generation, they were optimistic almost to a fault at the start of the year ... but the past 12 months have put their commitment to the test.</p>
<p>After a fiercely contested election, the national unity government, brokered by Secretary of State John Kerry in August of last year, has become paralyzed by vicious in-fighting between President Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah, his chief political rival, who assumed the newly-created position of chief executive as part of the power-sharing formula.</p>
<p>More than a year after the inauguration, the country still lacks a complete cabinet, with key positions such as defense minister as yet unfilled.</p>
<p>Given the rising levels of violence and political dysfunction, the buzz in the streets is that 2017 could be the year that things completely unravel. Afghans are already voting with their feet: Record numbers are fleeing the chaos, risking their lives to cross illegally into Iran, going from there to Turkey and on to Europe. Those with even a tenuous connection to the United States are trying for special immigrant visas, which are open to those who have worked with US forces or organizations, and who might be threatened by the Taliban if they stayed.</p>
<p>Shaharzad insists that she is still hopeful, but after such a difficult year for her country, her words, and tone, are much less upbeat than before.</p>
<p>“We knew the transition would not be easy,” she said, “but we didn’t expect so many things not going right at the same time. There is certainly disappointment with the national unity government among the public, there is frustration. But I don’t think that all is lost. I think there is still space for the national unity government to make itself relevant.”</p>
<p>She points to some “small steps in the right direction,” such as the agreement to build&#160; <a href="http://www.worldpress.org/specials/pp/pipeline_timeline.htm" type="external">TAPI, a more than 1,000-mile&#160;pipeline</a>&#160;that will take natural gas from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan and Pakistan to India. The project has been in the works for decades — there had even been negotiations with the Taliban back in the 1990s — but it was only on December 11 that the deal was formalized.</p>
<p>The obstacles, however, are massive, most prominently, the security situation. The pipeline will have to go through some of the most unstable areas of the country.</p>
<p>Helmand Province, in the south, is on the verge of a complete collapse. On December 22, a key district,&#160; <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/22/middleeast/afghanistan-taliban-helmand-sangin-battle/index.html" type="external">Sangin, was reported to have fallen to the Taliban.</a></p>
<p>In September, the insurgents took&#160;and briefly held Kunduz, a major city in Afghanistan’s north. For the first time in more than a decade, there are real fears that the country could go back to the dark days of the 1990s, when Afghanistan was torn apart by civil war, then smothered under the dark yoke of the Taliban.</p>
<p>“The sad part is that it could go either way,” said Shaharzad. “Kunduz was very shocking; they said it was a wake-up call, but I think it was in the works for a long time. Those situations exist in different parts of Afghanistan where there is a failure of local governance, where officials have been unpopular for a long time, where insurgents have worked in all the surrounding villages. I’m not expecting a dramatic improvement in the security situation.”</p>
<p>Ahmad Shuja, a senior researcher for Human Rights Watch and co-founder of Impassion, Afghanistan’s first digital media agency, has a similarly gloomy outlook.</p>
<p>“Over the past year it has become abundantly clear that Afghanistan alone cannot fight the insurgency it is facing,” said Shuja.</p>
<p>“Back in March, when the president went to Washington he received a rock star’s treatment,” he added. "Now, though, I get the distinct impression that Ghani is wearing out his welcome. We have an entrenched insurgency that over the past 12 months has demonstrated that it is not tamable by the Afghan security forces, and we have a government that is rapidly losing international political credit. The net effect is that we are in a worse position than we were at the beginning of the year.”</p>
<p>The Afghan security forces, trained and equipped by the US and other members of the NATO alliance, have not been up to the task of defending the country,&#160; <a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2015/05/14/406764884/the-man-who-keeps-tabs-on-u-s-money-spent-in-afghanistan" type="external">despite more than&#160;$60 billion invested.</a></p>
<p />
<p>Ahmad Shuja</p>
<p>Ben Brody</p>
<p>But the problem with Afghanistan, from Shuja’s perspective, appears to be one that money can not fix.</p>
<p>“They seem to lack intelligence capabilities, logistics capabilities, air capabilities,” said Shuja. “They also in many cases seem to lack morale; we’ve heard credible reports of many positions in Kunduz city not firing a single shot. We’ve also heard that in a good number of cases, the Afghan security forces were given orders to fall back. The net effect is that the Taliban took over the city really quickly. That’s one reason why the Taliban are advancing so much and it’s actually happening not just in Kunduz but elsewhere as well.”</p>
<p>Qais Akbar Omar, a writer who has been living in exile in Massachusetts and California, has closely watched the news coverage and noticed that Afghanistan no longer occupies a central position in US foreign policy concerns. Desperate for information about his country, he spends hours on Afghan websites, he says, largely because the American media seems to have dropped Afghanistan as a topic.</p>
<p>“Since the Syria issue became bigger and bigger, you don’t hear much about Afghanistan,” said Qais. “I think everyone is tired of hearing about it. America had its longest war there, and yet there is no result that they can say, yes, we actually achieved this.”</p>
<p>Qais is harsh in his assessment of the US effort in Afghanistan, now in its 15th year. The waste, fraud and abuse that has accompanied the development projects, combined with the failure to subdue the insurgency, has made Afghans angry and frustrated, he said.</p>
<p>The attacks of September 11, “had nothing to do” with the Afghan people, he added. They were carried out by al-Qaeda, which was led by Saudi-born Osama Bin Laden who had established a base of support in Afghanistan from which he orchestrated his self-declared war on America.</p>
<p>“Afghanistan was invaded, and everyone was very happy that the Taliban were gone, but then they came back. What are actually the big gains, apart from the small bubble we had for a short&#160;time,&#160;when people had jobs? I agree that there was corruption. The money was stolen by the Afghan corrupt government, but who brought them back? The Americans.”</p>
<p>Qais said he is not planning on going back&#160;any time&#160;soon.</p>
<p>“What is the point if I go home? To get killed by someone? I am trying to get my two younger sisters here, to get them out of harm’s way if anything happens, God forbid. We went through all of that. We went through civil war, we went through the Taliban. We know how ugly things can get.”</p>
<p>But amid the doom and&#160;gloom, how&#160;is it that these millennials hang on to hope?</p>
<p>One consistent development that they point to is that Afghan civil society seems to have found its voice.</p>
<p />
<p>Qais Akbar Omar</p>
<p>Ben Brody</p>
<p>In November, Kabul witnessed the largest protests in decades, when tens of thousands of people poured onto the streets to demand the government take action against those who&#160; <a type="external" href="">beheaded seven people in Zabul province.</a>&#160;The victims were from the Hazara ethnic group, and many of the protesters were Hazara, but the anger and revulsion spilled over ethnic lines in a rare moment of unity.</p>
<p>The government was forced to meet with the protesters, and actually made promises that action would be taken. They may or may not be able to find and punish the perpetrators, but at least they know that the Afghan people are watching.</p>
<p>Last March, after a young woman was savagely killed in the center of Kabul after being falsely accused of burning the Quran, civil society again took the lead. Major protests in Kabul resulted in the&#160; <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-32564886" type="external">arrests of 49 men for the murder of Farkhunda.</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-33358710" type="external">Many were later released,</a>&#160;but the people had flexed their civic muscle, and they realized they had real power.</p>
<p>“In the past year, the most encouraging thing for me were the recent protests after the beheadings in Zabul,” said Shaharzad.</p>
<p>“They signaled several things: civil society is coming together more for advocacy. This is something new and different — ordinary Afghans are participating, whereas before it was just civil society activists. Now, thousands and thousands of ordinary Afghans directly want to hold the government accountable,” Shaharzad added.</p>
<p>Shuja agrees:</p>
<p>“What we saw in the Zabul Seven was entirely grass roots,” he said. “This wasn’t a US-paid activist organization with a mandate to organize. This was the people doing it with nobody else’s money but their own determination and their own will. The Farkhunda protests were also like that. There were some elite activists at the helm but their outrage was genuine and organic.”</p>
<p>Shuja sounded a note of caution, however. If the Taliban or other groups make a comeback, civil society will inevitably have to retreat.</p>
<p>“Let’s be realistic,” said Shuja. “The same activists and human rights defenders actually need a civic space in which to operate, and the intrusion of insecurity into zones of previous security is draining the oxygen out of this civic space. This was clearly demonstrable in Kunduz; when the Taliban took over, the activists were not only unable to organize, they were also threatened and frantic about getting out.”</p>
<p>Shuja, as a social media entrepreneur, is hopeful that the proliferation of technology will help to mitigate the effects of any possible extremist power grab.</p>
<p>“I think it’s going to be a much different Taliban takeover this time because of the tactics people have learned, and the technologies they’ve adopted, their connection with the wider world,” he said. “It is going to make a huge difference, and would argue against a full takeover of the Taliban.”</p>
<p>Qais, however, is skeptical.</p>
<p>“Syria had Internet, Syria had mobile phones and access to the world media, and yet look what’s happening there,” he said.</p>
<p />
<p>Yousef Dawran</p>
<p>Ben Brody</p>
<p>ISIS, or Daesh, as it is known in this part of the world, is a growing concern, although no one really knows how widespread the penetration is.</p>
<p>“We know that ISIS is not indigenous to Afghanistan, but it is a threat at the moment,” said Qais. “In that&#160;region of course&#160;they are former Taliban, or some people from Pakistan just coming and using the logo of ISIS. It is a franchise. I think what will happen is that the government is going make the Taliban their ally, and America will agree with that, and together they will fight against ISIS, but whether that will turn Afghan into another Syria, that will be a question for the future.”</p>
<p>It's not a happy picture.</p>
<p>Shuja and Shaharzad are committed to staying in Afghanistan, as is Yousef&#160;Dawran, a businessman who in January was positively boosterish about his country. He was sure President Ashraf Ghani could fix the economy, that the young generation would step up and bring change, and that Afghanistan was on the road to a prosperous future.</p>
<p>Now, however, he is a bit less cheerful.</p>
<p>“We cannot change or deny the situation on the ground,” he said. “To be honest, the context for every circumstance has changed over the past year. I am still optimistic about the future, but what is happening now is leading us in a different direction. In the short-term the economy is paralyzed by the withdrawal of foreign troops; unemployment is rampant. In the next six to 12 months no one knows what will happen. Everyone expected that 2015 would be tough — but we have been through worse in our history.”</p>
<p>Still Qais, looking at the situation from afar, has a harder time seeing the light.</p>
<p>“It’s really, really bleak,” he sighed. “The future doesn’t promise anything good. I hope I’m wrong.”</p>
<p>This piece is part of a yearlong reporting project by <a href="http://thegroundtruthproject.org/" type="external">The GroundTruth Project</a>. Read the rest of the stories about the future of Afghanistan at <a href="http://foreverstan.com/" type="external">Foreverstan.com</a>.&#160;</p>
| false | 3 |
even afghanistan country bad news rule exception 2015 shockingly terrible past year definitely undeniably difficult said shaharzad akbar head open society afghanistan educated smith oxford shaharzad came back country vision afghanistan could akbar among afghanistans millennials born 1980 first year soviet invasion afghanistan 2001 marked beginning usled military intervention generation known war yet demonstrated great resiliency hope groundtruth following akbar group seven millennials throughout 2015 best brightest generation optimistic almost fault start year determined use worldclass educations international outlook deep patriotism bring beleaguered beloved country light past 12 months put commitment test shaharzad akbar kabul ben brody december drew close renewed insurgency captured key district helmand provinces160 deputy governor took facebook160to plead government help kabul160 suicide bomber motorcycle killed six american soldiers mullah shot160 young afghan american woman housing complex economy disintegrated leaving millions unemployed angry resentful actual statistics difficult come country even population figures known estimates range160 high 40 percent clear withdrawal foreign troops decline international engagement resulted dramatic loss jobs students holding sitin kabul university campus demand government something employment others turn taliban source income best brightest generation optimistic almost fault start year past 12 months put commitment test fiercely contested election national unity government brokered secretary state john kerry august last year become paralyzed vicious infighting president ashraf ghani abdullah abdullah chief political rival assumed newlycreated position chief executive part powersharing formula year inauguration country still lacks complete cabinet key positions defense minister yet unfilled given rising levels violence political dysfunction buzz streets 2017 could year things completely unravel afghans already voting feet record numbers fleeing chaos risking lives cross illegally iran going turkey europe even tenuous connection united states trying special immigrant visas open worked us forces organizations might threatened taliban stayed shaharzad insists still hopeful difficult year country words tone much less upbeat knew transition would easy said didnt expect many things going right time certainly disappointment national unity government among public frustration dont think lost think still space national unity government make relevant points small steps right direction agreement build160 tapi 1000mile160pipeline160that take natural gas turkmenistan afghanistan pakistan india project works decades even negotiations taliban back 1990s december 11 deal formalized obstacles however massive prominently security situation pipeline go unstable areas country helmand province south verge complete collapse december 22 key district160 sangin reported fallen taliban september insurgents took160and briefly held kunduz major city afghanistans north first time decade real fears country could go back dark days 1990s afghanistan torn apart civil war smothered dark yoke taliban sad part could go either way said shaharzad kunduz shocking said wakeup call think works long time situations exist different parts afghanistan failure local governance officials unpopular long time insurgents worked surrounding villages im expecting dramatic improvement security situation ahmad shuja senior researcher human rights watch cofounder impassion afghanistans first digital media agency similarly gloomy outlook past year become abundantly clear afghanistan alone fight insurgency facing said shuja back march president went washington received rock stars treatment added though get distinct impression ghani wearing welcome entrenched insurgency past 12 months demonstrated tamable afghan security forces government rapidly losing international political credit net effect worse position beginning year afghan security forces trained equipped us members nato alliance task defending country160 despite than16060 billion invested ahmad shuja ben brody problem afghanistan shujas perspective appears one money fix seem lack intelligence capabilities logistics capabilities air capabilities said shuja also many cases seem lack morale weve heard credible reports many positions kunduz city firing single shot weve also heard good number cases afghan security forces given orders fall back net effect taliban took city really quickly thats one reason taliban advancing much actually happening kunduz elsewhere well qais akbar omar writer living exile massachusetts california closely watched news coverage noticed afghanistan longer occupies central position us foreign policy concerns desperate information country spends hours afghan websites says largely american media seems dropped afghanistan topic since syria issue became bigger bigger dont hear much afghanistan said qais think everyone tired hearing america longest war yet result say yes actually achieved qais harsh assessment us effort afghanistan 15th year waste fraud abuse accompanied development projects combined failure subdue insurgency made afghans angry frustrated said attacks september 11 nothing afghan people added carried alqaeda led saudiborn osama bin laden established base support afghanistan orchestrated selfdeclared war america afghanistan invaded everyone happy taliban gone came back actually big gains apart small bubble short160time160when people jobs agree corruption money stolen afghan corrupt government brought back americans qais said planning going back160any time160soon point go home get killed someone trying get two younger sisters get harms way anything happens god forbid went went civil war went taliban know ugly things get amid doom and160gloom how160is millennials hang hope one consistent development point afghan civil society seems found voice qais akbar omar ben brody november kabul witnessed largest protests decades tens thousands people poured onto streets demand government take action who160 beheaded seven people zabul province160the victims hazara ethnic group many protesters hazara anger revulsion spilled ethnic lines rare moment unity government forced meet protesters actually made promises action would taken may may able find punish perpetrators least know afghan people watching last march young woman savagely killed center kabul falsely accused burning quran civil society took lead major protests kabul resulted the160 arrests 49 men murder farkhunda many later released160but people flexed civic muscle realized real power past year encouraging thing recent protests beheadings zabul said shaharzad signaled several things civil society coming together advocacy something new different ordinary afghans participating whereas civil society activists thousands thousands ordinary afghans directly want hold government accountable shaharzad added shuja agrees saw zabul seven entirely grass roots said wasnt uspaid activist organization mandate organize people nobody elses money determination farkhunda protests also like elite activists helm outrage genuine organic shuja sounded note caution however taliban groups make comeback civil society inevitably retreat lets realistic said shuja activists human rights defenders actually need civic space operate intrusion insecurity zones previous security draining oxygen civic space clearly demonstrable kunduz taliban took activists unable organize also threatened frantic getting shuja social media entrepreneur hopeful proliferation technology help mitigate effects possible extremist power grab think going much different taliban takeover time tactics people learned technologies theyve adopted connection wider world said going make huge difference would argue full takeover taliban qais however skeptical syria internet syria mobile phones access world media yet look whats happening said yousef dawran ben brody isis daesh known part world growing concern although one really knows widespread penetration know isis indigenous afghanistan threat moment said qais that160region course160they former taliban people pakistan coming using logo isis franchise think happen government going make taliban ally america agree together fight isis whether turn afghan another syria question future happy picture shuja shaharzad committed staying afghanistan yousef160dawran businessman january positively boosterish country sure president ashraf ghani could fix economy young generation would step bring change afghanistan road prosperous future however bit less cheerful change deny situation ground said honest context every circumstance changed past year still optimistic future happening leading us different direction shortterm economy paralyzed withdrawal foreign troops unemployment rampant next six 12 months one knows happen everyone expected 2015 would tough worse history still qais looking situation afar harder time seeing light really really bleak sighed future doesnt promise anything good hope im wrong piece part yearlong reporting project groundtruth project read rest stories future afghanistan foreverstancom160
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<p>By Jeff Brumley</p>
<p>Over the weekend, Virginia Heights Baptist Church in Roanoke, Va., plunged headlong into a continuing, decades-long trend in American Christianity by dropping the denominational reference from its name.</p>
<p>So when <a href="http://www.heightschurch.info/about-vhbc/staff" type="external">Nelson Harris</a> showed up for work Monday it was as the pastor of what is now called Heights Community Church.</p>
<p>Harris said the change followed years of having people either avoid the church thinking it was Southern Baptist, or having conservatives show up for worship only to be shocked by the appearance of women deacons and worship leaders.</p>
<p />
<p>“If having a denominational name on the sign was going to deter people from visiting, or feeling like they could not be a part, then removing that barrier would be a good thing.”</p>
<p>But in no other way, Harris added, will the church give up its Baptist identity. Virginia Heights is maintaining its affiliation with the <a href="http://www.rvba.org/" type="external">Roanoke Valley Baptist Association</a>, the&#160; <a href="http://vbmb.org/" type="external">Baptist General Association of Virginia</a> and the <a href="http://www.thefellowship.info/" type="external">Cooperative Baptist Fellowship</a>.</p>
<p>‘Open about their relationships’</p>
<p>And that hits on another facet of the trend away from denominational identity that began in the early 1980s and picked up steam the following decade: congregations dropping the name but maintaining relationships with their original denominations and associations.</p>
<p>While the abandonment of outward organizational affiliations is largely an issue of local demographics social trends, the tendency to maintain denominational identity in almost every other capacity stems from theology, polity and missions, say a number of new church starters, pastors and denominational experts.</p>
<p>It’s also one that challenges churches which change their names to be honest and transparent with prospective members about just what kind of congregation they’re considering joining.</p>
<p />
<p>“I’m sure there are churches that have been dishonest, but I don’t think that would be a good idea,” said John Chandler, leader of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board’s <a href="http://www.spencenetwork.org/" type="external">Spence Network</a> and a <a href="" type="internal">columnist</a>&#160;for ABPnews/Herald.</p>
<p>Chandler added that churches are much more likely to be open about their affiliations if they have undergone the extensive research and discussion required to effectively change their name.</p>
<p>“Churches that are open to rebranding … are going to be more open about their relationships with denominational bodies,” he said.</p>
<p>Focus on mission</p>
<p>Rather than sitting on the information about Baptist or other denominational identity, most congregations have found that it works best to sprinkle such affiliations throughout web sites, bulletins, programs and other materials, said Eddie Hammett, author, congregational consultant and president of the North Carolina-based <a href="http://www.transformingsolutions.org/" type="external">Transforming Solutions</a>.</p>
<p>“I’ve never found anybody trying to hide it,” Hammett said. “It may not be in the phone directory or on the sign, but they don’t try to hide it.”</p>
<p>Nor do they simply state such affiliations and leave it at that. Usually relationships with other organizations are presented as catalysts for helping congregations achieve their core mission, he said.</p>
<p>“The focus isn’t on denominational loyalty but on the common mission,” Hammett said.</p>
<p>That idea is also behind the foundation of many of the missional church starts launched in recent years by the CBF.</p>
<p>‘Free to be autonomous’</p>
<p>Some Fellowship congregations, like <a href="http://www.thewellatspringfield.org/about-us/our-leadership/" type="external">The Well at Springfield</a>, in Jacksonville, Fla., were launched without Baptist in the name but see themselves immersed in Baptist in values and calling.</p>
<p>“We see our Baptist identity expressed in mission partnerships and in the way we are free to be autonomous,”said Susan Rogers, pastor of the The Well.</p>
<p>The daily living out of principles like the individual’s freedom to interpret Scripture and separation of church and state communicate that identity more than a name on the sign, she said.</p>
<p>Those hallmarks of Baptist faith are largely unknown in a city dominated by Southern Baptist churches where anti-gay attitudes led recently to defeat of a human rights ordinance. That defeat was openly celebrated in a large SBC church.</p>
<p />
<p>“We want to distance ourselves from that kind of alienation of people and that kind of treatment of other human beings,” Rogers said.</p>
<p>In Jacksonville, it would be difficult to identify as Baptist without most people assuming it’s what they see in the local media most of the time.</p>
<p>“We didn’t want to make the front door our identity —&#160;where immediately some people would feel they don’t belong,” Rogers said.</p>
<p>‘Highly contextual’</p>
<p>Using context to decide on a church name —&#160;as the Well has done —&#160;is the way all of theCBF’s missional church plants have been handled, said Bo Prosser, coordinator of organizational relationships for the Fellowship.</p>
<p>And that’s also why roughly 60 percent of those new starts have chosen to include the word Baptist in their titles, he said.</p>
<p>Basically, it’s left to the local starters to decide. They usually do so based on the community in which they are located and how well the Baptist name plays —&#160;or doesn’t.</p>
<p>“It’s so highly contextual that we don’t have a hard-and-fast rule about where you go with that,” Prosser said.</p>
<p />
<p>He added that a number of long-established CBF churches have recently dropped Baptist from their names, including congregations in Orlando and Miami.</p>
<p>“It really is a contextual response to culture,” Prosser said.</p>
<p>Embracing identity</p>
<p>In Roanoke, Harris said the congregation he has led for 17 years had grappled for some time with shifts in attitudes about church. They’d noticed that about half of new members joined by transferring their membership from non-Baptist congregations.</p>
<p>“We live in a post-denominational world,” he said. “People want a good church, whether it’s Presbyterian or Methodist or Baptist.”</p>
<p>They are in search of a place where they can connect with a local congregation that also provides them avenues for serving the world around them —&#160;locally and globally.</p>
<p>That’s why Heights Community Church will maintain its Baptist ties and identity —&#160;though just not on the sign.</p>
<p>And newcomers will know it immediately, Harris added.</p>
<p>“Our affiliation is not something we are embarrassed about or try to shy away from,” Harris said. “If you search around on our web site, you will quickly discover our Baptist affiliations.”</p>
| false | 3 |
jeff brumley weekend virginia heights baptist church roanoke va plunged headlong continuing decadeslong trend american christianity dropping denominational reference name nelson harris showed work monday pastor called heights community church harris said change followed years people either avoid church thinking southern baptist conservatives show worship shocked appearance women deacons worship leaders denominational name sign going deter people visiting feeling like could part removing barrier would good thing way harris added church give baptist identity virginia heights maintaining affiliation roanoke valley baptist association the160 baptist general association virginia cooperative baptist fellowship open relationships hits another facet trend away denominational identity began early 1980s picked steam following decade congregations dropping name maintaining relationships original denominations associations abandonment outward organizational affiliations largely issue local demographics social trends tendency maintain denominational identity almost every capacity stems theology polity missions say number new church starters pastors denominational experts also one challenges churches change names honest transparent prospective members kind congregation theyre considering joining im sure churches dishonest dont think would good idea said john chandler leader virginia baptist mission boards spence network columnist160for abpnewsherald chandler added churches much likely open affiliations undergone extensive research discussion required effectively change name churches open rebranding going open relationships denominational bodies said focus mission rather sitting information baptist denominational identity congregations found works best sprinkle affiliations throughout web sites bulletins programs materials said eddie hammett author congregational consultant president north carolinabased transforming solutions ive never found anybody trying hide hammett said may phone directory sign dont try hide simply state affiliations leave usually relationships organizations presented catalysts helping congregations achieve core mission said focus isnt denominational loyalty common mission hammett said idea also behind foundation many missional church starts launched recent years cbf free autonomous fellowship congregations like well springfield jacksonville fla launched without baptist name see immersed baptist values calling see baptist identity expressed mission partnerships way free autonomoussaid susan rogers pastor well daily living principles like individuals freedom interpret scripture separation church state communicate identity name sign said hallmarks baptist faith largely unknown city dominated southern baptist churches antigay attitudes led recently defeat human rights ordinance defeat openly celebrated large sbc church want distance kind alienation people kind treatment human beings rogers said jacksonville would difficult identify baptist without people assuming see local media time didnt want make front door identity 160where immediately people would feel dont belong rogers said highly contextual using context decide church name 160as well done 160is way thecbfs missional church plants handled said bo prosser coordinator organizational relationships fellowship thats also roughly 60 percent new starts chosen include word baptist titles said basically left local starters decide usually based community located well baptist name plays 160or doesnt highly contextual dont hardandfast rule go prosser said added number longestablished cbf churches recently dropped baptist names including congregations orlando miami really contextual response culture prosser said embracing identity roanoke harris said congregation led 17 years grappled time shifts attitudes church theyd noticed half new members joined transferring membership nonbaptist congregations live postdenominational world said people want good church whether presbyterian methodist baptist search place connect local congregation also provides avenues serving world around 160locally globally thats heights community church maintain baptist ties identity 160though sign newcomers know immediately harris added affiliation something embarrassed try shy away harris said search around web site quickly discover baptist affiliations
| 552 |
<p>Advocates gather in front of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Southwest Washington headquarters on May 27, 2015, to protest the detention of transgender asylum seekers. The National LGBTQ Task Force has cancelled a panel at its upcoming Creating Change Conference that was to have featured three ICE officials. (Washington Blade photo by Antwan J. Thompson)</p>
<p>The National LGBTQ Task Force has cancelled a panel at its upcoming conference that was to have included representatives of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.</p>
<p>A description of the panel at the Creating Change Conference that the Washington Blade obtained on Monday listed three ICE officials as presenters. They were scheduled to speak about the detention of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex immigrants.</p>
<p>“The manner in which LGBTI individuals have been detained for immigration purposes has changed dramatically,” reads the panel description. “Learn what positive steps U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has taken to ensure safe and secure environments for those in custody. Ask questions and provide input to the people drafting the policies for the agency regarding LGBTI care.”</p>
<p>Angela Peoples, co-director of GetEQUAL, is among those who sharply criticized the National LGBTQ Task Force on social media.</p>
<p>“It’s incomprehensible that the (National) LGBTQ Task Force would even consider inviting ICE officials to Creating Change,” Peoples told the Blade. “Not only was the decision to put the safety and well being of undocumented conference goers at risk by inviting ICE to the conference a breach of trust; it seems to be in direct contrast to very position and goals of Creating Change and the Task Force.”</p>
<p>National LGBTQ Task Force Deputy Executive Director Russell Roybal told the Blade on Monday in a statement that his organization has a “longstanding commitment to make our Creating Change Conference a safe space for all attendees.”</p>
<p>“After listening to concerns from our community, we have canceled a session with presenters from ICE at Creating Change 2016 called ‘Dialogue on Immigration Detention: The Past Present and Future of Immigration Detention of LGBTI Individuals,’” he said, noting the National LGBTQ Task Force informed ICE of its decision on Jan. 8.</p>
<p>ICE on Monday confirmed to the Blade that it has “been in contact with” the National LGBTQ Task Force about the panel’s cancellation.</p>
<p>“The agency’s goal during the conference was to outline the forward progress ICE has made to ensure additional protections for LGBT individuals in ICE custody and to gain valuable insight from the participants at the conference,” said ICE. “ICE is currently working with LGBT Task Force leadership to determine alternate ways to exchange information in a meaningful and productive way.”</p>
<p>Advocates have repeatedly criticized ICE over the mistreatment they say LGBT immigrants suffer while in their custody.</p>
<p>More than 20 advocates with Casa Ruby and other groups in May 2015 <a href="" type="internal">took part in a protest</a> outside ICE’s Southwest Washington headquarters.</p>
<p>D.C. police last summer <a href="" type="internal">arrested six people</a> who sat in an intersection near the White House during a protest against the detention of undocumented LGBT immigrants. The National LGBTQ Task Force was among the organizations that took part in the event.</p>
<p>A memorandum that ICE Executive Associate Director of Enforcement and Removal Operations Thomas Homan signed on June 19, 2015, contained <a href="" type="internal">new guidelines for a “respectful, safe and secure environment”</a> for trans detainees, including the requirement that detention facilities provide access to hormone therapy and other trans-specific health care. The agency announced the new regulations shortly after Jennicet Gutiérrez, an undocumented trans immigrant and advocate, <a href="" type="internal">heckled President Obama</a> during the annual White House Pride reception.</p>
<p>The National LGBTQ Task Force on Jan. 8 issued a statement in which Roybal urged the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, to no longer conduct raids against families from Central America and other undocumented immigrants who have entered the country over the last two years.</p>
<p>“These raids by Homeland Security were a heavy-handed attack on some of the most vulnerable, including families and children, for something that is not their fault — a broken immigration system that is in dire need of comprehensive and fair reform by Congress,” said Roybal. “Many of those who were targeted came to this country to flee extremely harsh circumstances. In the face of such violence and abuse, our response should not be to further intimidate and re-traumatize but rather to provide safety and refuge from often the most appalling conditions.”</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.creatingchange.org/" type="external">Creating Change Conference</a> is scheduled to take place in Chicago from Jan. 20-24.</p>
<p>Last year’s conference took place in Denver less than a month after two police officers shot to death Jessica Hernandez, a trans teenager, as she drove a stolen car through an alley.</p>
<p>Denver Mayor Michael Hancock cancelled a speech he was scheduled to deliver after LGBT rights advocates stormed the stage to protest the shooting. The city’s district attorney in June 2015 announced that he would not file charges against the two officers who shot Hernandez.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Angela Peoples</a> <a href="" type="internal">Barack Obama</a> <a href="" type="internal">bisexual</a> <a href="" type="internal">Chicago</a> <a href="" type="internal">Creating Change Conference</a> <a href="" type="internal">gay</a> <a href="" type="internal">GetEqual</a> <a href="" type="internal">intersex</a> <a href="" type="internal">Jennicet Gutiérrez</a> <a href="" type="internal">Jennifer Hernandez</a> <a href="" type="internal">lesbian</a> <a href="" type="internal">National LGBTQ Task Force</a> <a href="" type="internal">queer</a> <a href="" type="internal">Russell Roybal</a> <a href="" type="internal">transgender</a> <a href="" type="internal">U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement</a></p>
| false | 3 |
advocates gather front us immigration customs enforcements southwest washington headquarters may 27 2015 protest detention transgender asylum seekers national lgbtq task force cancelled panel upcoming creating change conference featured three ice officials washington blade photo antwan j thompson national lgbtq task force cancelled panel upcoming conference included representatives us immigration customs enforcement description panel creating change conference washington blade obtained monday listed three ice officials presenters scheduled speak detention lesbian gay bisexual transgender intersex immigrants manner lgbti individuals detained immigration purposes changed dramatically reads panel description learn positive steps us immigration customs enforcement ice taken ensure safe secure environments custody ask questions provide input people drafting policies agency regarding lgbti care angela peoples codirector getequal among sharply criticized national lgbtq task force social media incomprehensible national lgbtq task force would even consider inviting ice officials creating change peoples told blade decision put safety well undocumented conference goers risk inviting ice conference breach trust seems direct contrast position goals creating change task force national lgbtq task force deputy executive director russell roybal told blade monday statement organization longstanding commitment make creating change conference safe space attendees listening concerns community canceled session presenters ice creating change 2016 called dialogue immigration detention past present future immigration detention lgbti individuals said noting national lgbtq task force informed ice decision jan 8 ice monday confirmed blade contact national lgbtq task force panels cancellation agencys goal conference outline forward progress ice made ensure additional protections lgbt individuals ice custody gain valuable insight participants conference said ice ice currently working lgbt task force leadership determine alternate ways exchange information meaningful productive way advocates repeatedly criticized ice mistreatment say lgbt immigrants suffer custody 20 advocates casa ruby groups may 2015 took part protest outside ices southwest washington headquarters dc police last summer arrested six people sat intersection near white house protest detention undocumented lgbt immigrants national lgbtq task force among organizations took part event memorandum ice executive associate director enforcement removal operations thomas homan signed june 19 2015 contained new guidelines respectful safe secure environment trans detainees including requirement detention facilities provide access hormone therapy transspecific health care agency announced new regulations shortly jennicet gutiérrez undocumented trans immigrant advocate heckled president obama annual white house pride reception national lgbtq task force jan 8 issued statement roybal urged us department homeland security oversees ice longer conduct raids families central america undocumented immigrants entered country last two years raids homeland security heavyhanded attack vulnerable including families children something fault broken immigration system dire need comprehensive fair reform congress said roybal many targeted came country flee extremely harsh circumstances face violence abuse response intimidate retraumatize rather provide safety refuge often appalling conditions creating change conference scheduled take place chicago jan 2024 last years conference took place denver less month two police officers shot death jessica hernandez trans teenager drove stolen car alley denver mayor michael hancock cancelled speech scheduled deliver lgbt rights advocates stormed stage protest shooting citys district attorney june 2015 announced would file charges two officers shot hernandez angela peoples barack obama bisexual chicago creating change conference gay getequal intersex jennicet gutiérrez jennifer hernandez lesbian national lgbtq task force queer russell roybal transgender us immigration customs enforcement
| 528 |
<p>KYIV, Ukraine — Considering the situation, there was little Robert Pszczel could do to prevent the verbal assault.</p>
<p>For a while, he stood his ground in the state television studio and appealed to Russian viewers’ sense of reason.</p>
<p>Then a couple of guests — as well as the host — pounced.</p>
<p>“You’re a Pole!” one guest <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1RNR5AdEyI#t=18" type="external">cried out lividly</a>. “You’re a Russophobe from the outset already.”</p>
<p>Shouldering that sort of abuse has become more or less part of Pszczel’s job these days.</p>
<p>As director of the NATO Information Office in Moscow, he’s the chief spokesman of the military alliance there. Amid the worst standoff between Russia and the West since the Cold War, stumping for NATO isn’t the easiest of gigs.</p>
<p>Thanks to the crisis in Ukraine, which Russia’s powerful state media machine has exploited to shore up domestic support for the Kremlin, a wave of anti-Western hysteria has swept over Russia.</p>
<p>Criticizing the Russian government has had deadly consequences. Witness last weekend’s <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/russia/150303/thousands-russians-mourn-slain-opposition-leader-nemtsov-" type="external">apparent political assassination of Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov</a>, an opposition leader painted as an “enemy” for allegedly siding with the West against Russia.</p>
<p>It’s an environment that leaves little room for open discussion.</p>
<p>“Russia is a great country, and a great country needs a great debate,” Pszczel said in a telephone interview from Moscow. “But where is it?”</p>
<p>Pszczel first arrived in Moscow in late 2010, not long after a successful NATO summit raised hopes of closer cooperation between Russia and the alliance after several years of tension.</p>
<p>At the time, Moscow’s commitment to help NATO in Afghanistan and to easing its opposition to a European missile defense system suggested Russia’s willingness to keep peace in Europe.</p>
<p>“For the first time in history,” NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/11/20/us-nato-summit-russia-idUSTRE6AJ1EA20101120" type="external">said</a> back then, “NATO countries and Russia will be cooperating to defend themselves.”</p>
<p>Since then, it’s been mostly downhill.</p>
<p>Putin’s return to the Kremlin in 2012 marked a rise in conservative and anti-Western sentiment.</p>
<p>Then, last March, Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine. NATO called it “ <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140319/world-leaders-condemn-russias-crimea-annexation" type="external">illegal</a>” and refused to recognize it. But it gave many Russians a <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/russia/140610/moscow-russia-patriotism-ukraine-crimea" type="external">patriotic</a> recharge — their country was reasserting itself on the world stage, Putin supporters believed, and the West simply had to deal with it.</p>
<p>The Western military alliance has a lot to contend with when it comes to Moscow’s propaganda juggernaut, though many Russians would say the reverse is true.</p>
<p>Russia faults the West for fueling protests in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv that ousted Putin’s ally, ex-President Viktor Yanukovych. Putin critics blame Russian state media for helping start a rebellion in eastern Ukraine by reporting the new Kyiv government would persecute Russian speakers.</p>
<p>Fighting between separatists and Ukraine's forces in eastern Ukraine has killed more than 6,000 people in less than a year.</p>
<p>Putin himself has suggested that Ukraine’s army is a “ <a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/soldiers-killed-in-ukraine/2613435.html" type="external">NATO legion</a>.” NATO’s secretary-general <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/thomson-reuters/150126/nato-ukraine-meet-response-renewed-fighting" type="external">fired back</a>: “There is no NATO legion. The foreign forces in Ukraine are Russian.”</p>
<p>That all makes things professionally difficult for Pszczel, whose task is to promote understanding of NATO and facilitate dialogue in Russia.</p>
<p>Public events and outreach projects with local organizations have decreased since the beginning of the Ukraine crisis, he says.</p>
<p>Strangely, he has seen an uptick in media requests.</p>
<p>The downside is that the state-friendly press — and political talk shows in particular — are light on genuine debate and heavy on bashing an allegedly imperialistic West.</p>
<p>“I try to avoid it, but sometimes I take a little pill before going on [TV] just to stabilize my blood pressure,” Pszczel says.</p>
<p>Death of a critic</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Since last Friday’s murder of Nemtsov, who was shot near the Kremlin by unidentified gunmen, a renewed focus is falling on the power of Moscow’s propaganda.</p>
<p>Some critics are directly blaming the Kremlin for the murder. But <a href="" type="external">most believe the climate</a> Russian state media have created, casting critics as “enemies” and implicating them in high treason, is what really killed Nemtsov.</p>
<p>Mourners have been disappointed to find the killing apparently did little to stem <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/thomson-reuters/150302/blood-near-the-kremlin-russias-media-fight-back" type="external">state TV’s virulent attacks</a> on government critics.</p>
<p>NATO’s spokesman is dismayed as well.</p>
<p>“One was hoping, and I’m sure I’m not the only one, that when they switched on the television on Sunday evening, that there would be maybe at least a different tenor, at least out of respect for what happened,” Pszczel said. “Frankly speaking, there wasn’t much of that.”</p>
<p>Many, including Amnesty International, have noticed the lack of honest dialogue in the country. In its <a href="https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/pol10/0001/2015/en/" type="external">annual human rights report</a>, released in February, the group says “the space to express and communicate dissenting views shrunk markedly” amid Putin’s clampdown on the media.</p>
<p>That’s probably why when a small handful of Western commentators like Pszczel appear on state television, they’re often the bad guys by default. That comes with the territory of Russia’s uneasy relationship with NATO.</p>
<p>The Kremlin has been especially skeptical of the alliance’s eastward expansion. The fact that US military vehicles took part in a parade in Estonia <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2015/02/24/u-s-military-vehicles-paraded-300-yards-from-the-russian-border/" type="external">along Russia’s border</a> late last month doesn’t help those fears.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Moscow repeatedly hoists NATO bombing campaigns in Yugoslavia in 1999 and in Libya in 2011 as examples of Western aggression.</p>
<p>Pszczel, however, says NATO has “nothing to hide” over its supposed role in Ukraine — which, if Moscow has its way, will never join the alliance.</p>
<p>“And I don’t feel in any way apologetic,” he says.</p>
| false | 3 |
kyiv ukraine considering situation little robert pszczel could prevent verbal assault stood ground state television studio appealed russian viewers sense reason couple guests well host pounced youre pole one guest cried lividly youre russophobe outset already shouldering sort abuse become less part pszczels job days director nato information office moscow hes chief spokesman military alliance amid worst standoff russia west since cold war stumping nato isnt easiest gigs thanks crisis ukraine russias powerful state media machine exploited shore domestic support kremlin wave antiwestern hysteria swept russia criticizing russian government deadly consequences witness last weekends apparent political assassination kremlin critic boris nemtsov opposition leader painted enemy allegedly siding west russia environment leaves little room open discussion russia great country great country needs great debate pszczel said telephone interview moscow pszczel first arrived moscow late 2010 long successful nato summit raised hopes closer cooperation russia alliance several years tension time moscows commitment help nato afghanistan easing opposition european missile defense system suggested russias willingness keep peace europe first time history nato secretarygeneral anders fogh rasmussen said back nato countries russia cooperating defend since mostly downhill putins return kremlin 2012 marked rise conservative antiwestern sentiment last march russia annexed crimea ukraine nato called illegal refused recognize gave many russians patriotic recharge country reasserting world stage putin supporters believed west simply deal western military alliance lot contend comes moscows propaganda juggernaut though many russians would say reverse true russia faults west fueling protests ukrainian capital kyiv ousted putins ally expresident viktor yanukovych putin critics blame russian state media helping start rebellion eastern ukraine reporting new kyiv government would persecute russian speakers fighting separatists ukraines forces eastern ukraine killed 6000 people less year putin suggested ukraines army nato legion natos secretarygeneral fired back nato legion foreign forces ukraine russian makes things professionally difficult pszczel whose task promote understanding nato facilitate dialogue russia public events outreach projects local organizations decreased since beginning ukraine crisis says strangely seen uptick media requests downside statefriendly press political talk shows particular light genuine debate heavy bashing allegedly imperialistic west try avoid sometimes take little pill going tv stabilize blood pressure pszczel says death critic 160 since last fridays murder nemtsov shot near kremlin unidentified gunmen renewed focus falling power moscows propaganda critics directly blaming kremlin murder believe climate russian state media created casting critics enemies implicating high treason really killed nemtsov mourners disappointed find killing apparently little stem state tvs virulent attacks government critics natos spokesman dismayed well one hoping im sure im one switched television sunday evening would maybe least different tenor least respect happened pszczel said frankly speaking wasnt much many including amnesty international noticed lack honest dialogue country annual human rights report released february group says space express communicate dissenting views shrunk markedly amid putins clampdown media thats probably small handful western commentators like pszczel appear state television theyre often bad guys default comes territory russias uneasy relationship nato kremlin especially skeptical alliances eastward expansion fact us military vehicles took part parade estonia along russias border late last month doesnt help fears meanwhile moscow repeatedly hoists nato bombing campaigns yugoslavia 1999 libya 2011 examples western aggression pszczel however says nato nothing hide supposed role ukraine moscow way never join alliance dont feel way apologetic says
| 538 |
<p>&#160;During Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s <a href="" type="internal">announcement of performance bonuses for principals at 82 schools,</a> he touted the broad diversity of schools represented as proof that, with good teachers, good principals, and involved parents, all children can learn.</p>
<p>“If you have these three things, every kid regardless of who they are, where they’re from and their background, can succeed in our schools,” Emanuel said.</p>
<p>CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett added: “It does not essentially matter where a child comes from. We cannot change that, but we can change the arena a child comes into.”</p>
<p>In a press release, Emanuel’s office said the scores were calculated based on four factors: improving test scores, raising the percentage of students who graduate and who are ready for college, and decreasing the achievement gap. Principals who met CPS’ bar in two of the factors earned $5,000. Those who showed improvement in three factors earned $10,000.</p>
<p>Principals could have the bonus check made out to themselves or their schools.</p>
<p>Principals at four schools – Chavez, Lowell, Keller Gifted and Lavizzo – received the highest bonus of $20,000 for improving in all four areas.</p>
<p>Even so, not all schools are doing equally well. &#160;Principals at schools with the most low-income students, and those at the most segregated high schools, were less likely to earn bonuses. Principals at schools with more white students were more likely to earn bonuses. (Click here for <a href="" type="internal">a list of the bonus amounts principals received.)</a></p>
<p>A Catalyst Chicago analysis shows that:</p>
<p>*Principals at the elementary schools where fewer than half of students receive free or reduced-price lunches had a 38 percent chance of receiving bonuses. At the other end of the spectrum, principals at elementary schools where more than 95 percent of students are on free and reduced lunch had just a 10 percent chance of getting a bonus.</p>
<p>*Among elementary schools where at least one-fifth of the students are white, almost twice as many principals – 23 percent – received bonuses compared to other elementary schools, where just 12 percent did.</p>
<p>*Principals at high schools where more than 95 percent of students receive a free or reduced-price lunch were a little over half as likely as other high school principals to receive bonuses: 4 percent vs 7 percent elsewhere.</p>
<p>*More than half of all high schools are at least 80 percent African-American or 80 percent Latino students. But just two of the 10 high schools where principals got bonuses fall into this category.</p>
<p>*Gifted and magnet schools make up 12 percent of elementary schools in CPS, but 24 percent of the elementary schools whose principals earned bonuses.</p>
<p>Promising signs in struggling schools</p>
<p>Some neighborhood schools, however, showed promising signs of improvement despite the disparities. In high-poverty Roseland, principals at four schools – three of them neighborhood schools – received bonuses.</p>
<p>They included Lavizzo Elementary, <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2010/08/searching-equity/" type="external">a long-underperforming school</a> which narrowly escaped a turnaround several years ago. But today, that school’s principal, Tracey Stelley, took home a $20,000 bonus. The percentage of students meeting and exceeding state standards on the ISAT composite has increased by nearly 20 points in each of the last two years, to 75 percent today.</p>
<p>In West Garfield Park, principals at six schools earned bonuses. They were among 11 elementary schools in the Garfield-Humboldt Elementary Network who received bonuses, a third of the schools in that network.</p>
<p>One principal at a school for students with emotional and behavioral disabilities, Montefiore, also received a bonus. The percentage of students meeting or exceeding state standards on the ISAT composite increased from 8 percent in 2011 to 26 percent in 2012.</p>
<p>Principals at five elementary schools in the wealthier neighborhoods of Norwood Park, where median household income is $64,477, and Forest Glen, where it is $87,394, also received bonuses.</p>
<p>Overall, the 78 elementary schools where principals got bonuses included four turnaround schools, seven charter schools, eight schools with gifted programs, and nine magnets.</p>
<p>The 10 high schools included two charter schools: Young Women’s Leadership Charter School and Noble Street-Chicago Bulls. They also included two selective enrollment schools, Northside College Prep and Whitney Young High School.</p>
<p>Principal recruitment, retention a struggle</p>
<p>Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett told principals gathered at the press conference that “we will continue to do everything we can to support you, retain you.” And turning directly toward them, she added: “You ain’t going nowhere.”</p>
<p>CPS has long struggled with principal retention and quality, and the bonuses are one part of a strategy to improve principal recruitment and training. <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2012/03/record-principal-signing-bonuses/" type="external">CPS also began offering $25,000 signing bonuses for out of town principals,</a> but no candidates have received them since the year-long initiative began in March. Officials were aiming to recruit 50 principals through the program.</p>
<p>Starting with this fall’s class of incoming principal candidates, the district also kicked off an effort to improve principal training, <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2012/10/pipeline-principals/" type="external">called the Chicago Leadership Collaborative.</a></p>
<p>Stanley Griggs, a bonus winner who is the principal at Owen Elementary Magnet School in Ashburn, says he is not sure whether the bonuses will improve retention.</p>
<p>“It feels great because finally I feel like someone has recognized not only my efforts, but the efforts of my assistant principals, teachers, parents,” he said, adding that the recognition helped him feel energized.</p>
<p>He said the bonuses could make a difference “for some, maybe, (but) for myself, no.”</p>
<p>“I don’t think we do it for the money. It’s in our hearts to do this right for the kids,” Griggs said. But, he added, “It doesn’t hurt.”</p>
<p>This story has been updated to include additional information from CPS, including a list of the specific bonus amounts principals received.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Elementary schools where principals earned bonuses</p>
<p>1.&#160;&#160;&#160; Demetrius Bunch&#160;&#160;&#160; ARMSTRONG, L2.&#160;&#160;&#160; Estuardo Mazin&#160;&#160;&#160; BARRY3.&#160;&#160;&#160; Sandra Caudill&#160;&#160;&#160; BELL4.&#160;&#160;&#160; Troy LaRaviere&#160;&#160;&#160; BLAINE5.&#160;&#160;&#160; Staci Bennett&#160;&#160;&#160; BRADWELL6.&#160;&#160;&#160; Christopher Brake&#160;&#160;&#160; BRIDGE7.&#160;&#160;&#160; Donald Morris&#160;&#160;&#160; BURROUGHS8.&#160;&#160;&#160; Joe Piela&#160;&#160;&#160; CHAPPELL9.&#160;&#160;&#160; Barton Dassinger&#160;&#160;&#160; CHAVEZ10.&#160;&#160;&#160; Christy Krier&#160;&#160;&#160; CICS-BUCKTOWN11.&#160;&#160;&#160; David Lewis&#160;&#160;&#160; CICS-WRIGHTWOOD2.&#160;&#160;&#160; Jose Barrera&#160;&#160;&#160; COLUMBIA EXPLORERS13.&#160;&#160;&#160; Greg Zurawski&#160;&#160;&#160; COONLEY14.&#160;&#160;&#160; Bud Bryant&#160;&#160;&#160; CULLEN15.&#160;&#160;&#160; Susan Kukielka&#160;&#160;&#160; DECATUR16.&#160;&#160;&#160; Kathleen Hagstrom&#160;&#160;&#160; DISNEY17.&#160;&#160;&#160; Elizabeth Alvarez&#160;&#160;&#160; DORE18.&#160;&#160;&#160; Pamela Creed&#160;&#160;&#160; DULLES19.&#160;&#160;&#160; Chandra Byrd-Wright&#160; DUNNE TECH ACAD20.&#160;&#160;&#160; Janice Kepka&#160;&#160;&#160; EDGEBROOK21.&#160;&#160;&#160; Shirley Scott&#160;&#160;&#160; ELLINGTON22.&#160;&#160;&#160; Brian Metcalfe&#160;&#160;&#160; FIELD23.&#160;&#160;&#160; Cynthia Miller&#160;&#160;&#160; FISKE24.&#160;&#160;&#160; Barbara Kargas&#160;&#160;&#160; GOETHE25.&#160;&#160;&#160; Yvette Curington&#160;&#160;&#160; GOLDBLATT26.&#160;&#160;&#160; Donella Carter&#160;&#160;&#160; GREGORY27.&#160;&#160;&#160; James Gray&#160;&#160;&#160; HAMILTON28.&#160;&#160;&#160; Alfonso Carmona&#160;&#160;&#160; HEALY29.&#160;&#160;&#160; Jacqueline Hearns&#160;&#160;&#160; HEFFERAN30.&#160;&#160;&#160; Juliana Perisin&#160;&#160;&#160; HENDRICKS31.&#160;&#160;&#160; Mable Alfred&#160;&#160;&#160; HIGGINS32.&#160;&#160;&#160; Pam Brunson-Allen&#160;&#160;&#160; HINTON33.&#160;&#160;&#160; Matthew Ditto&#160;&#160;&#160; JACKSON, A34.&#160;&#160;&#160; Catherine Jernigan&#160;&#160;&#160; JENSEN35.&#160;&#160;&#160; Alice Henry&#160;&#160;&#160; JOHNSON36.&#160;&#160;&#160; Delena Little&#160;&#160;&#160; KELLER37.&#160;&#160;&#160; Brenda Browder&#160;&#160;&#160; KELLMAN38.&#160;&#160;&#160; Elisabeth Huetefeu&#160;&#160;&#160; LASALLE39.&#160;&#160;&#160; Tracey Stelly&#160;&#160;&#160; LAVIZZO40.&#160;&#160;&#160; Mark Armendariz&#160;&#160;&#160; LINCOLN41.&#160;&#160;&#160; Gladys Rivera&#160;&#160;&#160; LOWELL42.&#160;&#160;&#160; Carolyn Epps&#160;&#160;&#160; MARCONI43.&#160;&#160;&#160; Jo Easterling-Hood&#160;&#160;&#160; MCDOWELL44.&#160;&#160;&#160; Nancy Hanks&#160;&#160;&#160; MELODY45.&#160;&#160;&#160; Julious Lawson&#160;&#160;&#160; MONTEFIORE46.&#160;&#160;&#160; Catherine Reidy&#160;&#160;&#160; MOUNT GREENWOOD47.&#160;&#160;&#160; Sonia Caban&#160;&#160;&#160; MOZART48.&#160;&#160;&#160; Estee Kelly&#160;&#160;&#160; NOBLE STREET- COMER49.&#160;&#160;&#160; Renee Blahuta&#160;&#160;&#160; NORWOOD PARK50.&#160;&#160;&#160; Elias Estrada&#160;&#160;&#160; ORIOLE PARK51.&#160;&#160;&#160; Stanley Griggs&#160;&#160;&#160; OWEN52.&#160;&#160;&#160; Hassan Okab&#160;&#160;&#160; PECK53.&#160;&#160;&#160; Vicky Kleros&#160;&#160;&#160; PEREZ54.&#160;&#160;&#160; Kelly Moore&#160;&#160;&#160; POE55.&#160;&#160;&#160; Angela Johnson-Williams PROVIDENCE – BUNCHE56.&#160;&#160;&#160; Pat Baccellieri&#160;&#160;&#160; PULASKI57.&#160;&#160;&#160; Ana Espinoza&#160;&#160;&#160; SANDOVAL58.&#160;&#160;&#160; Isamar Vargas&#160;&#160;&#160; SAUCEDO59.&#160;&#160;&#160; Christine Munns&#160;&#160;&#160; SAUGANASH60.&#160;&#160;&#160; Suzana Ustabecir&#160;&#160;&#160; SAYRE61.&#160;&#160;&#160; Deborah Clark&#160;&#160;&#160; SKINNER62.&#160;&#160;&#160; W. Delores Robinson&#160;&#160; SUMNER63.&#160;&#160;&#160; Sean Clayton&#160;&#160;&#160; TILTON64.&#160;&#160;&#160; Sabrina Jackson&#160;&#160;&#160; TURNER-DREW65.&#160;&#160;&#160; Molly Robinson&#160;&#160;&#160; UNO – SANDRA CISNEROS66.&#160;&#160;&#160; Joann Lerman&#160;&#160;&#160; UNO – FUENTES67.&#160;&#160;&#160; Martin Masterson&#160;&#160;&#160; UNO – PAZ68.&#160;&#160;&#160; Krish Mohip&#160;&#160;&#160; WALSH69.&#160;&#160;&#160; Relanda Hobbs&#160;&#160;&#160; WARD, L70.&#160;&#160;&#160; Dina Everage&#160;&#160;&#160; WENTWORTH71.&#160;&#160;&#160; Mary Beth Cunat&#160;&#160;&#160; WILDWOOD72.&#160;&#160;&#160; Tamara Littlejohn&#160;&#160;&#160; WOODSON</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>High schools where principals earned bonuses</p>
<p>1.&#160;&#160;&#160; Barry Rodgers&#160;&#160;&#160; NORTHSIDE COLLEGE PREP HS2.&#160;&#160;&#160; Yashika Tippett&#160;&#160;&#160; AIR FORCE HS3.&#160;&#160;&#160; Patty Brekke&#160;&#160;&#160; INFINITY HS4.&#160;&#160;&#160; Chris Jones&#160;&#160;&#160; MATHER HS5.&#160;&#160;&#160; Tyson Kane&#160;&#160;&#160; NOBLE STREET- CHICAGO BULLS6.&#160;&#160;&#160; Mary Dolan&#160;&#160;&#160; RICHARDS HS7.&#160;&#160;&#160; Sue Lofton&#160;&#160;&#160; SENN HS8.&#160;&#160;&#160; Todd Yarch&#160;&#160;&#160; VOISE HS9.&#160;&#160;&#160; Joyce Kenner&#160;&#160;&#160; WHITNEY YOUNG HS10.&#160; Deniece Fields&#160;&#160;&#160; YOUNG WOMEN’S CHARTER CAMPUS</p>
| false | 3 |
160during mayor rahm emanuels announcement performance bonuses principals 82 schools touted broad diversity schools represented proof good teachers good principals involved parents children learn three things every kid regardless theyre background succeed schools emanuel said ceo barbara byrdbennett added essentially matter child comes change change arena child comes press release emanuels office said scores calculated based four factors improving test scores raising percentage students graduate ready college decreasing achievement gap principals met cps bar two factors earned 5000 showed improvement three factors earned 10000 principals could bonus check made schools principals four schools chavez lowell keller gifted lavizzo received highest bonus 20000 improving four areas even schools equally well 160principals schools lowincome students segregated high schools less likely earn bonuses principals schools white students likely earn bonuses click list bonus amounts principals received catalyst chicago analysis shows principals elementary schools fewer half students receive free reducedprice lunches 38 percent chance receiving bonuses end spectrum principals elementary schools 95 percent students free reduced lunch 10 percent chance getting bonus among elementary schools least onefifth students white almost twice many principals 23 percent received bonuses compared elementary schools 12 percent principals high schools 95 percent students receive free reducedprice lunch little half likely high school principals receive bonuses 4 percent vs 7 percent elsewhere half high schools least 80 percent africanamerican 80 percent latino students two 10 high schools principals got bonuses fall category gifted magnet schools make 12 percent elementary schools cps 24 percent elementary schools whose principals earned bonuses promising signs struggling schools neighborhood schools however showed promising signs improvement despite disparities highpoverty roseland principals four schools three neighborhood schools received bonuses included lavizzo elementary longunderperforming school narrowly escaped turnaround several years ago today schools principal tracey stelley took home 20000 bonus percentage students meeting exceeding state standards isat composite increased nearly 20 points last two years 75 percent today west garfield park principals six schools earned bonuses among 11 elementary schools garfieldhumboldt elementary network received bonuses third schools network one principal school students emotional behavioral disabilities montefiore also received bonus percentage students meeting exceeding state standards isat composite increased 8 percent 2011 26 percent 2012 principals five elementary schools wealthier neighborhoods norwood park median household income 64477 forest glen 87394 also received bonuses overall 78 elementary schools principals got bonuses included four turnaround schools seven charter schools eight schools gifted programs nine magnets 10 high schools included two charter schools young womens leadership charter school noble streetchicago bulls also included two selective enrollment schools northside college prep whitney young high school principal recruitment retention struggle schools ceo barbara byrdbennett told principals gathered press conference continue everything support retain turning directly toward added aint going nowhere cps long struggled principal retention quality bonuses one part strategy improve principal recruitment training cps also began offering 25000 signing bonuses town principals candidates received since yearlong initiative began march officials aiming recruit 50 principals program starting falls class incoming principal candidates district also kicked effort improve principal training called chicago leadership collaborative stanley griggs bonus winner principal owen elementary magnet school ashburn says sure whether bonuses improve retention feels great finally feel like someone recognized efforts efforts assistant principals teachers parents said adding recognition helped feel energized said bonuses could make difference maybe dont think money hearts right kids griggs said added doesnt hurt story updated include additional information cps including list specific bonus amounts principals received 160 elementary schools principals earned bonuses 1160160160 demetrius bunch160160160 armstrong l2160160160 estuardo mazin160160160 barry3160160160 sandra caudill160160160 bell4160160160 troy laraviere160160160 blaine5160160160 staci bennett160160160 bradwell6160160160 christopher brake160160160 bridge7160160160 donald morris160160160 burroughs8160160160 joe piela160160160 chappell9160160160 barton dassinger160160160 chavez10160160160 christy krier160160160 cicsbucktown11160160160 david lewis160160160 cicswrightwood2160160160 jose barrera160160160 columbia explorers13160160160 greg zurawski160160160 coonley14160160160 bud bryant160160160 cullen15160160160 susan kukielka160160160 decatur16160160160 kathleen hagstrom160160160 disney17160160160 elizabeth alvarez160160160 dore18160160160 pamela creed160160160 dulles19160160160 chandra byrdwright160 dunne tech acad20160160160 janice kepka160160160 edgebrook21160160160 shirley scott160160160 ellington22160160160 brian metcalfe160160160 field23160160160 cynthia miller160160160 fiske24160160160 barbara kargas160160160 goethe25160160160 yvette curington160160160 goldblatt26160160160 donella carter160160160 gregory27160160160 james gray160160160 hamilton28160160160 alfonso carmona160160160 healy29160160160 jacqueline hearns160160160 hefferan30160160160 juliana perisin160160160 hendricks31160160160 mable alfred160160160 higgins32160160160 pam brunsonallen160160160 hinton33160160160 matthew ditto160160160 jackson a34160160160 catherine jernigan160160160 jensen35160160160 alice henry160160160 johnson36160160160 delena little160160160 keller37160160160 brenda browder160160160 kellman38160160160 elisabeth huetefeu160160160 lasalle39160160160 tracey stelly160160160 lavizzo40160160160 mark armendariz160160160 lincoln41160160160 gladys rivera160160160 lowell42160160160 carolyn epps160160160 marconi43160160160 jo easterlinghood160160160 mcdowell44160160160 nancy hanks160160160 melody45160160160 julious lawson160160160 montefiore46160160160 catherine reidy160160160 mount greenwood47160160160 sonia caban160160160 mozart48160160160 estee kelly160160160 noble street comer49160160160 renee blahuta160160160 norwood park50160160160 elias estrada160160160 oriole park51160160160 stanley griggs160160160 owen52160160160 hassan okab160160160 peck53160160160 vicky kleros160160160 perez54160160160 kelly moore160160160 poe55160160160 angela johnsonwilliams providence bunche56160160160 pat baccellieri160160160 pulaski57160160160 ana espinoza160160160 sandoval58160160160 isamar vargas160160160 saucedo59160160160 christine munns160160160 sauganash60160160160 suzana ustabecir160160160 sayre61160160160 deborah clark160160160 skinner62160160160 w delores robinson160160 sumner63160160160 sean clayton160160160 tilton64160160160 sabrina jackson160160160 turnerdrew65160160160 molly robinson160160160 uno sandra cisneros66160160160 joann lerman160160160 uno fuentes67160160160 martin masterson160160160 uno paz68160160160 krish mohip160160160 walsh69160160160 relanda hobbs160160160 ward l70160160160 dina everage160160160 wentworth71160160160 mary beth cunat160160160 wildwood72160160160 tamara littlejohn160160160 woodson 160 high schools principals earned bonuses 1160160160 barry rodgers160160160 northside college prep hs2160160160 yashika tippett160160160 air force hs3160160160 patty brekke160160160 infinity hs4160160160 chris jones160160160 mather hs5160160160 tyson kane160160160 noble street chicago bulls6160160160 mary dolan160160160 richards hs7160160160 sue lofton160160160 senn hs8160160160 todd yarch160160160 voise hs9160160160 joyce kenner160160160 whitney young hs10160 deniece fields160160160 young womens charter campus
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<p>A 20-year-old midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy. A wine merchant from Italy. The head of an education technology firm. A staffer for The Associated Press. A Wells Fargo executive. A dean at a Brooklyn college. A loving father of two. A real estate executive. These are the eight people who died in the <a href="" type="internal">Amtrak train crash in Philadelphia</a>.</p>
<p>The Naval Academy student, Justin Zemser, was on leave and heading home to Queens, <a href="http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Amtrak-Crash-New-Yorker-Rockaway-Naval-Midshipman-Among-Six-Killed-303610261.html" type="external">NBC New York reported</a>. Zemser, a sophomore from Rockaway Beach, was vice president of the <a href="http://www.navysports.com/sports/m-sprintfb/mtt/justin_zemser_925063.html" type="external">Jewish Midshipmen Club at the Naval Academy</a>and a wide receiver for the school's sprint football team.</p>
<p>"He was wonderful. Absolutely wonderful," Zemser's mother, Susan Zemser, told reporters Wednesday outside her home. "Everybody looked up to my son and there are just no other words I could say."</p>
<p>Zemsers Naval Academy roommate, Brandon Teel, said Thursday he remained "in shock" over his death.</p>
<p>"I only knew him for two years, but I know more about him, and he knew more about me, we were closer than I’ve been with any friend I’ve had my entire life," Teel said.</p>
<p>Sprint football teammate Nick Ambramson said Zemser was one of the squad's hardest workers. "He made everyone want to get better," Ambramson said.</p>
<p>Defense Secretary Ash Carter said he was "saddened" to hear of Zemser's death. "This is a painful day for that midshipman's family, for the entire academy community, and for all of those affected by this tragedy," Carter said.</p>
<p>New York City Council Member Eric A. Ulrich said Zemser had worked as in intern in his office. "Justin was truly a bright, talented and patriotic young man," Ulrich said. "My deepest prayers and sympathy go out to his family and friends who are grieving during this very difficult time."</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Amtrak-Crash-New-Yorker-Rockaway-Naval-Midshipman-Among-Six-Killed-303610261.html" type="external">Read more at NBC New York</a></p>
<p>The family of Rachel Jacobs, chief executive of <a href="http://info.apprennet.com/team/" type="external">ApprenNet</a>, a Philadelphia company that develops technological systems for workplace apprenticeships and training programs, said early Wednesday night that she was also killed.</p>
<p>In a statement, Jacobs' family called her "a wonderful mother, daughter, sister, wife and friend."</p>
<p>"We cannot imagine life without her," they said.</p>
<p>The AP employee, Jim Gaines, a father of two, was returning home to Plainsboro, New Jersey, <a href="http://bigstory.ap.org/article/ebc621a9cd1b4abd9f2bf2b50fa12d05/latest-amtrak-crash-ntsb-crew-heads-derailment" type="external">the AP reported</a>. A video software architect, Gaines had attended meetings in Washington.</p>
<p>"The family of Jim Gaines thanks you for your prayers and support at this difficult time. Jim was more precious to us than we can adequately express," Gaines' family said in a statement Wednesday.</p>
<p>Also killed was Abid Gilani, a senior vice president with Wells Fargo' Commercial Real Estate Division, the bank confirmed Wednesday.</p>
<p>"It is with great sadness that Wells Fargo confirms that Abid Gilani, a valued member of our Commercial Real Estate division, has passed away," Wells Fargo communications manager Elise Wilkinson said in a statement. "Our hearts go out to all those impacted by this tragedy."</p>
<p>An educator who founded a program to help out-of-school youth enroll in and succeed in college was also among the dead.</p>
<p>Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn said late Wednesday that Derrick Griffith, dean of student affairs and enrollment management at the school, died in the crash. He recently received his doctorate, college spokesperson Jamilah Fraser said.</p>
<p>"He was a champion for the downtrodden and he encouraged students to pursue education with vigor," the college said in a statement.</p>
<p>Griffith, 42, was also the founder of CUNY Prep in The Bronx, which helps students who have dropped out get their high school equivalency diplomas and prepare for college, and supports them once they are enrolled in higher education, according to its website.</p>
<p>"We are all struggling with this terrible news and trying to find our way during this sad time," CUNY Prep said in a Facebook post Wednesday.</p>
<p>Bob Gildersleeve Jr., a 45-year-old father of two, was confirmed dead by his employer, Ecolab, where he was a vice president of sales.</p>
<p>Prior to that news, his son, Marc, 13, asked for help finding him. He said he'd last seen his father when being dropped off at sports practice, about two hours before his dad boarded the train in Baltimore, he said.</p>
<p>Gildersleeve's wife said they'd just celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary. In a statement released Thursday, Danna Gildersleeve called her husband "a remarkable dad" whose sense of humor "lights up any room."</p>
<p>"Our hearts are broken and we can't imagine a life without him," she said.</p>
<p>The family of Laura Finamore, a 47-year-old real estate executive at Cushman &amp; Wakefield in New York, confirmed Thursday that she was killed in the crash.</p>
<p>"Laura was an incredibly loving and giving person, touching many people each and every day through her generous spirit, thoughtfulness and compassion for others," her family said in a statement. "She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her."</p>
<p>Italian national Giuseppe Piras died in the accident, the Italian embassy in Washington D.C. confirmed.</p>
<p>Piras, 41, was an olive oil and wine salesman from Sardinia, was in the United States on business, <a href="http://www.ansa.it/english/news/2015/05/14/italian-among-seven-victims-of-us-rail-crash_ee040de9-dc8e-48f1-bed6-d7ca9ceedbbe.html" type="external">according to ANSA</a>, an Italian news wire service. He'd been due to fly from Washington to New York on Tuesday, but missed his flight and so took the train instead, ANSA reported.</p>
<p>— Jon Schuppe, Courtney Kube, Stephanie Siegel and Emmanuelle Saliba</p>
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20yearold midshipman us naval academy wine merchant italy head education technology firm staffer associated press wells fargo executive dean brooklyn college loving father two real estate executive eight people died amtrak train crash philadelphia naval academy student justin zemser leave heading home queens nbc new york reported zemser sophomore rockaway beach vice president jewish midshipmen club naval academyand wide receiver schools sprint football team wonderful absolutely wonderful zemsers mother susan zemser told reporters wednesday outside home everybody looked son words could say zemsers naval academy roommate brandon teel said thursday remained shock death knew two years know knew closer ive friend ive entire life teel said sprint football teammate nick ambramson said zemser one squads hardest workers made everyone want get better ambramson said defense secretary ash carter said saddened hear zemsers death painful day midshipmans family entire academy community affected tragedy carter said new york city council member eric ulrich said zemser worked intern office justin truly bright talented patriotic young man ulrich said deepest prayers sympathy go family friends grieving difficult time read nbc new york family rachel jacobs chief executive apprennet philadelphia company develops technological systems workplace apprenticeships training programs said early wednesday night also killed statement jacobs family called wonderful mother daughter sister wife friend imagine life without said ap employee jim gaines father two returning home plainsboro new jersey ap reported video software architect gaines attended meetings washington family jim gaines thanks prayers support difficult time jim precious us adequately express gaines family said statement wednesday also killed abid gilani senior vice president wells fargo commercial real estate division bank confirmed wednesday great sadness wells fargo confirms abid gilani valued member commercial real estate division passed away wells fargo communications manager elise wilkinson said statement hearts go impacted tragedy educator founded program help outofschool youth enroll succeed college also among dead medgar evers college brooklyn said late wednesday derrick griffith dean student affairs enrollment management school died crash recently received doctorate college spokesperson jamilah fraser said champion downtrodden encouraged students pursue education vigor college said statement griffith 42 also founder cuny prep bronx helps students dropped get high school equivalency diplomas prepare college supports enrolled higher education according website struggling terrible news trying find way sad time cuny prep said facebook post wednesday bob gildersleeve jr 45yearold father two confirmed dead employer ecolab vice president sales prior news son marc 13 asked help finding said hed last seen father dropped sports practice two hours dad boarded train baltimore said gildersleeves wife said theyd celebrated 18th wedding anniversary statement released thursday danna gildersleeve called husband remarkable dad whose sense humor lights room hearts broken cant imagine life without said family laura finamore 47yearold real estate executive cushman amp wakefield new york confirmed thursday killed crash laura incredibly loving giving person touching many people every day generous spirit thoughtfulness compassion others family said statement greatly missed knew loved italian national giuseppe piras died accident italian embassy washington dc confirmed piras 41 olive oil wine salesman sardinia united states business according ansa italian news wire service hed due fly washington new york tuesday missed flight took train instead ansa reported jon schuppe courtney kube stephanie siegel emmanuelle saliba
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<p>To get a different perspective from our survey, Catalyst interviewed several African-American and Latino faculty and staff at area colleges and universities. They cited the well-known problems, such as coming up with enough money and overcoming academic deficits, but they also stressed the difficulties of “fitting in” to the college culture, especially at predominantly white institutions. Here is a sample of their observations.</p>
<p>Rodrigo Carramiñana: University of Illinois at Chicago</p>
<p>Director, Latino Cultural Center, math professor</p>
<p>“I think the first thing [Latino students] face is they don’t know how to network. … They don’t check information or use the resources of the university. They have a friend, a brother of a friend, a friend of a friend, and if the person says ‘Don’t take this class,’ they don’t take it. They don’t check information [and] it affects the sequences of their coursework. … They rely on the advice of a student instead of a professional.</p>
<p>“Most of UIC’s students work more than 20 hours a week, [but] what makes a difference with Latino students is the responsibility they have at home. They’ll say, ‘Professor, I can’t come to class, I have to take my mom to the doctor and she doesn’t speak English.’ Or, ‘I have to watch my little brother or sister.’ Most Latino students [here] live at home, and there’s a responsibility that comes with that family structure.”</p>
<p>Ayana Karanja: Loyola University</p>
<p>Director, Black World Studies Department, anthropology professor</p>
<p>“If they have attended a CPS high school, there’s a good chance they have an academic deficiency. Not a deficiency in intelligence, but we know Chicago Public Schools need to do a lot more. … We have bright students, but they have not been prepared academically to compete with students from the best high schools.</p>
<p>“It’s the social world that’s the most challenging, until they can actually ‘find their space’ at Loyola. … That means they strike some kind of balance in how they relate to faculty at a place where there are few black faculty, and their total environment may be foreign [because it is majority-white]. In that sense, I have some students who feel lost, who don’t know what steps to take to be successful.</p>
<p>“Unfortunately, there have been major cutbacks in financial-aid packages, and so unless a student is able to get a work-study job and work fewer hours, it’s a problem. If they have to go off-campus with a serious job, they’re going to be greatly challenged to succeed in school.”</p>
<p>Elizabeth Lozano: Loyola University</p>
<p>Associate professor of communications</p>
<p>“With first- or second-generation [immigrant] students, many of them are the first to go to college. That is an issue because they come to the university with the weight of doing something very different from what their parents did. Very often they have to teach their parents what it means to be in college. Their parents may be very willing [to help them], but don’t know a lot about school. We need a lot of mentorship for these students because many of them do not benefit from, ‘Oh yes, when I was in college…’ because their parents didn’t go.</p>
<p>“What makes a huge difference with students’ success is making a community for them. That is a task that needs to be addressed, acknowledging their background, creating cultural events. That is what we try to do through [our] student organization, multicultural affairs. … Another element that is crucial is to see people like them in positions of power. One of the things that helps morale is to see oneself represented.</p>
<p>“Most of my Latino students try to keep a low profile. … For many reasons, some cultural, they don’t feel inclined to speak up in class. I think it has to do with being raised in families that often face humiliation as recent immigrants.”</p>
<p>Ana Vázquez: DePaul University</p>
<p>Director, Multicultural Student Affairs</p>
<p>“The transition from a high school environment to college, [and] coming to a predominantly white institution, can be hard. Part of that transition is determining whether they belong here, determining a sense of community. …They could be doing straight ‘A’ work, but if they think people don’t want them somewhere, they’re not going to do well, or they’re going to leave. …When you don’t have a support system, or network at home, don’t know many people like you who’ve gone through this experience … there may be a sense of isolation.</p>
<p>“Many students tend to struggle with math and science classes. …We’ve noticed also an avoidance, where students are delaying taking those courses, which only makes the situation more difficult. The tutoring that we offer this year [through the STARS program for minority students] is specifically focusing on these efforts.</p>
<p>“Many students work, often beyond just one job. They’re being pulled in so many directions, from having family obligations to assisting with their tuition. … That impacts their grades when they’re spread so thin, [from] being up late because of a job, [then] having to get up early to go to class.”</p>
<p>Andre Phillips: University of Chicago</p>
<p>Director, Chicago Academic Achievement Program (CAAP</p>
<p>“What we find we need to spend time on is how to think—to get these kids to think about the world in a more challenging way. … This is a challenge for students of color. Students tell us, ‘I read this book. Why do I have to read it again?’ We say ‘Yes, you may have read this book. But did you take a critical look at what you’ve read? That’s what we want you do to.’ … This is why it was important to create the CAAP program, to help students see they are playing in a new league, that they will have reached another point in college. Some had never really been challenged.</p>
<p>“The specter of spending this kind of money [at the U of C] in one school year is pretty daunting. Some kids look at the price tag and never look forward, never apply. This is unfortunate. … We provide significant assistance financially, but some students never find that out.</p>
<p>“Being in an environment as diverse as U of C [can be an obstacle for minorities]. For African-American students, in particular, the numbers here are not as representative as we would like. Students look around and don’t find as many students like them. … They are suddenly in an environment where they are the only African American in a college house or in a class. …Then you figure in the rigorous academic component. They have to retain confidence that they belong. Once they embrace the sense of belonging, then they can participate on equal footing.”</p>
<p>Sharon Wilson-Taylor: Columbia College Chicago</p>
<p>Dean of Students</p>
<p>“I’ve found that many minority students [experience] a cultural change. Many of them have gone to all-black or Latino schools, and then they come to college where there are white professors and a mix of other kids. Many of them are not used to working with a group, and at Columbia, there are a lot of group projects. All this is new.</p>
<p>“They also don’t understand that colleges have cultures. For instance, you are expected to take the initiative; no one will come to you. If you need tutoring, you have to seek it out. If you want to participate in a club, you have to go to the club. We have the resources here, but students have to seek them out.</p>
<p>“Students also have personal obstacles, like they can’t study at home [or] they commute back and forth from home to school, which takes up study time. Mom and Dad don’t have college experience, so they don’t know their kids need to study, or that after their child gets out of class, they are still on campus for several more hours because their child needs to go to the library.”</p>
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get different perspective survey catalyst interviewed several africanamerican latino faculty staff area colleges universities cited wellknown problems coming enough money overcoming academic deficits also stressed difficulties fitting college culture especially predominantly white institutions sample observations rodrigo carramiñana university illinois chicago director latino cultural center math professor think first thing latino students face dont know network dont check information use resources university friend brother friend friend friend person says dont take class dont take dont check information affects sequences coursework rely advice student instead professional uics students work 20 hours week makes difference latino students responsibility home theyll say professor cant come class take mom doctor doesnt speak english watch little brother sister latino students live home theres responsibility comes family structure ayana karanja loyola university director black world studies department anthropology professor attended cps high school theres good chance academic deficiency deficiency intelligence know chicago public schools need lot bright students prepared academically compete students best high schools social world thats challenging actually find space loyola means strike kind balance relate faculty place black faculty total environment may foreign majoritywhite sense students feel lost dont know steps take successful unfortunately major cutbacks financialaid packages unless student able get workstudy job work fewer hours problem go offcampus serious job theyre going greatly challenged succeed school elizabeth lozano loyola university associate professor communications first secondgeneration immigrant students many first go college issue come university weight something different parents often teach parents means college parents may willing help dont know lot school need lot mentorship students many benefit oh yes college parents didnt go makes huge difference students success making community task needs addressed acknowledging background creating cultural events try student organization multicultural affairs another element crucial see people like positions power one things helps morale see oneself represented latino students try keep low profile many reasons cultural dont feel inclined speak class think raised families often face humiliation recent immigrants ana vázquez depaul university director multicultural student affairs transition high school environment college coming predominantly white institution hard part transition determining whether belong determining sense community could straight work think people dont want somewhere theyre going well theyre going leave dont support system network home dont know many people like whove gone experience may sense isolation many students tend struggle math science classes weve noticed also avoidance students delaying taking courses makes situation difficult tutoring offer year stars program minority students specifically focusing efforts many students work often beyond one job theyre pulled many directions family obligations assisting tuition impacts grades theyre spread thin late job get early go class andre phillips university chicago director chicago academic achievement program caap find need spend time thinkto get kids think world challenging way challenge students color students tell us read book read say yes may read book take critical look youve read thats want important create caap program help students see playing new league reached another point college never really challenged specter spending kind money u c one school year pretty daunting kids look price tag never look forward never apply unfortunate provide significant assistance financially students never find environment diverse u c obstacle minorities africanamerican students particular numbers representative would like students look around dont find many students like suddenly environment african american college house class figure rigorous academic component retain confidence belong embrace sense belonging participate equal footing sharon wilsontaylor columbia college chicago dean students ive found many minority students experience cultural change many gone allblack latino schools come college white professors mix kids many used working group columbia lot group projects new also dont understand colleges cultures instance expected take initiative one come need tutoring seek want participate club go club resources students seek students also personal obstacles like cant study home commute back forth home school takes study time mom dad dont college experience dont know kids need study child gets class still campus several hours child needs go library
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<p>GOP to Obama: We’re not moving on</p>
<p>When President Obama announced on Thursday that eight million Americans have now enrolled for insurance under the health-care law’s exchanges, he delivered this message to Republicans: It’s time to move on from the five-year Health Care War. And Republicans immediately responded with their own message -- no. "The president says that Republicans have not accepted Obamacare as settled law. He is right. Republicans cannot and will not accept this law,” said House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) in a statement. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s (R-VA) office added, "If the president is so confident in his numbers, there is no reason not to release transparent and complete enrollment data, and answer the questions, how many enrollees were previously uninsured and how many people had lost their previous plans due to Obamacare." It’s easy to explain why the GOP doesn’t want to move on. Health care is the issue that fires up the base; it unites a party that’s divided on other issues; and the law remains mostly unpopular in most public-opinion polls. Obama even recognized this when he talked about possible bipartisan fixes to the health-care law during his news conference yesterday. “My suspicion is that probably will not happen until after November, because it seems as if this is the primary agenda item in the Republican political platform.”</p>
<p>That's a short-term winner but a long-term problem</p>
<p>That political platform looks like a short-term winner in the upcoming midterm elections, with the GOP having an excellent opportunity of winning back the Senate. But it raises other long-term challenges. What do you do with the eight million Americans who now have insurance on the exchanges, and with the 24 million Americans who are projected to be on the exchanges by 2017 (the next time there’s the possibility of a GOP president)? What about the millions more who have insurance via expanded Medicaid or via their parents’ insurance? And how do you advocate repeal and replace when you don’t have a detailed legislative alternative (that’s scored by the Congressional Budget Office)? Come 2015 and 2016, Republican presidential candidates could very well find themselves in an unsustainable position -- having to campaign on a repeal message in the primaries (because that’s what GOP voters want), but then having to face a general electorate that’s more hostile to the idea (because repeal doesn’t poll well outside the GOP).</p>
<p>Obama wary about Russia-Ukraine deal</p>
<p>Turning to the big overseas news, “Russia and Ukraine struck a deal Thursday to end unrest in eastern Ukraine stoked by pro-Russian militants, Secretary of State John Kerry said,” per <a href="" type="internal">NBC News</a>. “The militants must refrain from violence, lay down their illegal weapons and return seized buildings to their rightful owners, Kerry said. In return, Ukraine agreed to offer amnesty to protesters who had not committed capital crimes.” But in his news conference yesterday, President Obama was very cautious about the agreement. “I don’t think we can be sure of anything at this point. I think there is the possibility, the prospect that diplomacy may deescalate the situation and we may be able to move towards what has always been our goal, which is let the Ukrainians make their own decisions about their own lives,” he said. “My hope is that we actually do see follow-through over the next several days. But I don’t think given past performance that we can count on that.”</p>
<p>The Bidens and Clintons grabbed numerous headlines this week</p>
<p>It’s striking how much Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton (plus their families) have been in the spotlight this week. Consider: Joe Biden appeared with President Obama in Pennsylvania; he released <a href="http://www.msnbc.com/morning-joe/biden-snaps-first-selfie-obama" type="external">that selfie</a> with the president; Obama’s Twitter feed released an accompanying <a href="https://twitter.com/BarackObama/status/456859112169410560" type="external">“high-five” with his VP</a>; and Biden’s son, Beau, announced he will run for Delaware governor in 2016. Also consider: Hillary Clinton’s forthcoming book will be entitled <a href="http://politicalwire.com/archives/2014/04/18/clintons_book_has_a_title.html" type="external">“Hard Choices”</a>; she and daughter Chelsea appeared at a public event together; and Chelsea announced the big news on Thursday -- she’s pregnant. That’s A LOT of exposure for both the Bidens and the Clintons.</p>
<p>Another batch of Clinton records to be released</p>
<p>And there will be more exposure for the Clintons today. “Clinton White House records on President Richard Nixon, television host Oprah Winfrey, Hollywood director Steven Spielberg and late TV newsman Tim Russert are part of the next set of previously withheld documents due to be made public Friday by the Clinton Library in Little Rock, Ark,” <a href="http://www.politico.com/blogs/under-the-radar/2014/04/clinton-white-house-records-on-nixon-oprah-russert-186964.html?hp=r8" type="external">Politico says</a>. An advisory from the National Archives said the fourth batch of formerly withheld papers will number approximately 7,500 pages. In addition to the boldface names, the files include information on the transition from the Clinton White House to the George W. Bush administration — a handover that occurred amid hard feelings over court rulings that many Democrats believed cost Vice President Al Gore the presidency. Also due out are documents from several sets of records pertaining to then-first lady Hillary Clinton.” Oh, and there also was <a href="http://www.politico.com/blogs/under-the-radar/2014/04/hillary-clinton-bundler-pleads-guilty-to-illegal-contributions-187027.html?hp=l14" type="external">this news this week</a>: “Hillary Clinton bundler pleads guilty to illegal contributions.”</p>
<p>Boehner “hellbent” on getting immigration reform done this year?</p>
<p>Is the death of immigration reform a bit premature? Don’t miss this from the <a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304626304579508091839546088?mg=reno64-wsj" type="external">Wall Street Journal</a>: "Speaker John Boehner and other senior House Republicans are telling donors and industry groups that they aim to pass immigration legislation this year, despite the reluctance of many Republicans to tackle the divisive issue before the November elections. Many lawmakers and activists have assumed the issue was off the table in an election year. But Mr. Boehner said at a Las Vegas fundraiser last month he was ‘hellbent on getting this done this year,’ according to two people in the room." However, Boehner spokesman Brendan Buck tells First Read: "Nothing has changed. As he's said many times, the speaker believes step-by-step reform is important, but it won't happen until the president builds trust and demonstrates a commitment to the rule of law."</p>
<p><a href="http://is.gd/ccxyrR" type="external">Click here to sign up for First Read emails.</a> Text FIRST to 622639, to sign up for First Read alerts to your mobile phone. Check us out on <a href="http://is.gd/TzuR1b" type="external">Facebook</a>and also on <a href="http://is.gd/hkhSDT" type="external">Twitter</a>. Follow us @ <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/chucktodd" type="external">chucktodd</a>, @ <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/mmurraypolitics" type="external">mmurraypolitics</a>, @ <a href="https://twitter.com/CarrieNBCNews" type="external">carrieNBCNews</a></p>
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gop obama moving president obama announced thursday eight million americans enrolled insurance healthcare laws exchanges delivered message republicans time move fiveyear health care war republicans immediately responded message president says republicans accepted obamacare settled law right republicans accept law said house majority whip kevin mccarthy rca statement house majority leader eric cantors rva office added president confident numbers reason release transparent complete enrollment data answer questions many enrollees previously uninsured many people lost previous plans due obamacare easy explain gop doesnt want move health care issue fires base unites party thats divided issues law remains mostly unpopular publicopinion polls obama even recognized talked possible bipartisan fixes healthcare law news conference yesterday suspicion probably happen november seems primary agenda item republican political platform thats shortterm winner longterm problem political platform looks like shortterm winner upcoming midterm elections gop excellent opportunity winning back senate raises longterm challenges eight million americans insurance exchanges 24 million americans projected exchanges 2017 next time theres possibility gop president millions insurance via expanded medicaid via parents insurance advocate repeal replace dont detailed legislative alternative thats scored congressional budget office come 2015 2016 republican presidential candidates could well find unsustainable position campaign repeal message primaries thats gop voters want face general electorate thats hostile idea repeal doesnt poll well outside gop obama wary russiaukraine deal turning big overseas news russia ukraine struck deal thursday end unrest eastern ukraine stoked prorussian militants secretary state john kerry said per nbc news militants must refrain violence lay illegal weapons return seized buildings rightful owners kerry said return ukraine agreed offer amnesty protesters committed capital crimes news conference yesterday president obama cautious agreement dont think sure anything point think possibility prospect diplomacy may deescalate situation may able move towards always goal let ukrainians make decisions lives said hope actually see followthrough next several days dont think given past performance count bidens clintons grabbed numerous headlines week striking much joe biden hillary clinton plus families spotlight week consider joe biden appeared president obama pennsylvania released selfie president obamas twitter feed released accompanying highfive vp bidens son beau announced run delaware governor 2016 also consider hillary clintons forthcoming book entitled hard choices daughter chelsea appeared public event together chelsea announced big news thursday shes pregnant thats lot exposure bidens clintons another batch clinton records released exposure clintons today clinton white house records president richard nixon television host oprah winfrey hollywood director steven spielberg late tv newsman tim russert part next set previously withheld documents due made public friday clinton library little rock ark politico says advisory national archives said fourth batch formerly withheld papers number approximately 7500 pages addition boldface names files include information transition clinton white house george w bush administration handover occurred amid hard feelings court rulings many democrats believed cost vice president al gore presidency also due documents several sets records pertaining thenfirst lady hillary clinton oh also news week hillary clinton bundler pleads guilty illegal contributions boehner hellbent getting immigration reform done year death immigration reform bit premature dont miss wall street journal speaker john boehner senior house republicans telling donors industry groups aim pass immigration legislation year despite reluctance many republicans tackle divisive issue november elections many lawmakers activists assumed issue table election year mr boehner said las vegas fundraiser last month hellbent getting done year according two people room however boehner spokesman brendan buck tells first read nothing changed hes said many times speaker believes stepbystep reform important wont happen president builds trust demonstrates commitment rule law click sign first read emails text first 622639 sign first read alerts mobile phone check us facebookand also twitter follow us chucktodd mmurraypolitics carrienbcnews
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<p>For a year before returning to college, Catalyst intern Lisa Lewis worked as an aide in the discipline office of a Chicago public high school. This is her story; the names have been changed.</p>
<p>I started work at Chi-Town High with two years of college and extensive office experience, so the principal told me I’d be helping out in Mr. Belmont’s office, where messy piles of dog-eared forms were waiting to be entered into a computer.</p>
<p>Mr. Belmont, I soon learned with a sinking feeling, was the school disciplinarian.</p>
<p>As a petite 22-year-old, I felt the need at first to fortify myself with shoulder pads, high heels and a walkie-talkie. But students sometimes mistook me for a teenager anyway. And my exaggerated gruffness simply provoked odd looks. So I promptly donned jeans, let my voice go back up an octave and settled into my job, baby face and all.</p>
<p>7:45 a.m. Unlock discipline office.</p>
<p>Usually a few suspended students were standing in the hall with their parents, waiting to be reinstated by Mr. Belmont. Most had been suspended for one to five days for such transgressions as smoking in the bathroom and cutting several classes. Occasionally, a student would be out nine days for gang activity, possession of a weapon or the like. (Editor’s note: Starting last fall, students caught with weapons in school are automatically expelled.)</p>
<p>Right away, I would switch on my groaning dinosaur of a computer—whose screen sometimes froze for an hour or more—and begin keying in data from the hundreds of disciplinary records I kept in a neat “in” pile. Once entered, each detention, suspension or arrest had to be filed into a student’s folder and checked off on his or her discipline card.</p>
<p>By my third month, the discipline cards were up-to-date, and the various referrals and reports were in order. By then, the school also had installed a new computer program that accepted more information on each student. Instead of filling out and sorting cards and forms, I just scrolled down to a student’s name and typed in the most recent problem.</p>
<p>8:30 a.m. Relieve Mr. Dearborn, the teacher aide in charge of the in-school suspension center, for his half-hour break.</p>
<p>Mr. Dearborn was a champion yeller whose theatrical outbursts were mocked by his students. He handed out months-old magazines, mostly Scholastic Update, a thin newsmagazine for high school students that was loaded with ads for candy bars and pimple creams. Along with the magazines came lists of questions about the articles, questions such as “How many people live in Bangladesh?” and “Who’s the U.S. Secretary of State?” Many students never did these assignments, and Mr. Dearborn was so busy trying to keep the noise down and students in their seats that he usually let them get away with it. Compounding the problem was a lack of space; the tiny classroom could comfortably seat only 20 students, but often held 30, about equally divided between boys and girls.</p>
<p>The students were incredibly bored. Mr. Dearborn rarely changed the reading material; each issue of Update could expect three months of use. He sometimes brought in free weeklies like N’Digo but those, too, stayed around a long time. Sometimes the kids, who were not generally keen on reading, begged him for new magazines.</p>
<p>All the students went to lunch together and were not supposed to talk to other students. However, in a lunchroom packed with hundreds of teenagers, Mr. Dearborn couldn’t yell loud enough to be heard. He could grab wayward students by the shirt sleeves, but his two hands didn’t go far with 30 kids.</p>
<p>As for Miss Lewis, students seemed to think that because I had a sense of humor, I’d let them drink soda and munch on chips. When I asked them to put the snacks away, they did, but I knew from my own high school days that there are ways of stealthily feeding oneself Doritos. There was always at least one kid who told me that a “medical problem” required a trip to the bathroom—right now. The routine usually included much jumping around with crossed legs.</p>
<p>From my observation, in-school suspension accomplished its immediate objective: it was so boring that most kids stayed out of trouble to avoid it. But there were some recidivists, about a third of the group. The worst thing was that it set kids back in their education for up to three days, the maximum stay.</p>
<p>9 a.m. Spend a few hours trying to find students who were to be suspended.</p>
<p>Mr. Belmont made all decisions about punishment, usually without any discussion with students. Each day, I would gather all the teacher complaint slips, track him down in the hallway and wait for him to mete out punishments on the spot. Then I would complete the paperwork and data entry, track down each kid and bring the offender to the office, call a parent and notify the attendance office.</p>
<p>On a typical day, I had five to seven students on my hit list. Tracking them down was a job in itself. I had to look up the student’s class schedule and then, at each new period, go to the class where the student was scheduled to be. Frequently, though, the student was cutting class, or the class wasn’t in the room listed. Other staffers sometimes gave me tips on where the kid might be, but those tips often didn’t pan out. All in all, about two-thirds of each day’s “suspendees” were nowhere to be found, even after trips to as many as five classes.</p>
<p>Calling parents was also problematic. Parents were hard to track down, and though the majority accepted the news and were cooperative, others were hostile and blamed the school for their children’s problems. Sometimes, they came in drunk or high on drugs or even defended their children’s fighting. Once, a girl’s mother came in cursing, walked up to her daughter’s teacher and slapped her for disciplining the girl.</p>
<p>The bearer of bad tidings, I was, to many students, “that b—-.” Gradually, I learned to let threats and profanity roll right off of me.</p>
<p>11 a.m. Have a 20-minute lunch, in which teachers often talked to me about the kids they wanted me to suspend.</p>
<p>I couldn’t suspend anyone, though; I just carried out Mr. Belmont’s directives. It was always the same core group of teachers who complained, and they generally were older, burned-out teachers with retirement on their minds. Most sent kids to the discipline office regularly, and while usually I didn’t see teachers in action in the classroom, I often wondered if their fatigue and bitterness had rubbed off on their students. Perhaps they no longer had the energy to empathize or the restraint to deal with discipline problems without yelling or making threats.</p>
<p>Sometimes teachers created their own discipline problems. One teacher sent students to the discipline office in droves; nearly all of them said she had provoked them by insulting their parents or yelling at them the minute they got in class. I had witnessed this myself and seen how verbal barbs like “Your mother doesn’t know how to raise you” inflamed some students. In my time at Chi-Town, I never saw this teacher reprimanded or counseled by any administrator.</p>
<p>Part of the obstacle to better teacher-student relations was what I called Clash of the Cultures. Most Chi-Town students were black or Hispanic, and from poor families. Most Chi-Town teachers were middle-class whites.</p>
<p>The school once had a predominantly Jewish, middle-class student body, and some of the older teachers could not get used to the hostile and unwilling attitudes of some of today’s students. They had become teachers at a time when tardiness and gum-chewing were among the worst discipline problems. Now they had to deal with kids whose parents didn’t care if they stayed out all night, kids who fought hard and sang rap songs about killing cops. They had entered the system as degreed professionals, eager to impart knowledge, but ended up spending half their time on discipline. They were unable to teach the subjects they loved, at least in the way they had learned to teach them.</p>
<p>1 p.m. The mad dash to enter the day’s disciplinary decisions into the computer begins.</p>
<p>Since Mr. Kimbark, the attendance officer, suspended students for excessive tardiness and class cuts, I had to enter his data as well. But first, I had to sift through the papers on his overloaded desk blotter to find the data. Combined with Mr. Belmont’s forms, they made for a good hour or two of fast and furious data entry.</p>
<p>Usually I was interrupted by at least one emergency, such as an arrest for marijuana possession, a gang fight or—one of my favorite cases—a student who called his teacher “cabbage head.” The troublemakers typically sat around for an hour or two, and as I chatted with them, I learned to my surprise that they were among the brightest and most imaginative in the school.</p>
<p>2:30 p.m. Revise the “block list,” the daily listing of students barred from school or suspended, complete with due-back dates and teachers requesting a parent conference when they returned.</p>
<p>A copy of the list was posted in the main office to alert teachers, but most teachers forgot to read it—so “suspended” students often sneaked back to school unnoticed.</p>
<p>With the intensity of our jobs—Mr. Kimbark often worked 12 hours a day trying to keep up with attendance records—sometimes these daily records weren’t wholly accurate. Still, we did the best we could.</p>
<p>Also, Mr. Belmont would sometimes tell a student he or she was suspended and send the student home without telling me or anyone else and without filling out any paperwork. The attendance office then would be left wondering where the student was, which created an administrative hassle.</p>
<p>The lack of coordination between the two offices also meant that kids often returned after suspension without a parent—which was required—and attended classes a couple of days before I found out about it. This only weakened the school’s authority in their eyes. Obviously, it also subverted the goal of getting parents to talk to teachers about their kids.</p>
<p>3:45 p.m. Get into a bubble bath and cry, for the first week anyway.</p>
<p>My hide soon thickened and I was able to enjoy the zaniness of my job, despite its stresses. It’s not everyone who gets to hear a teenager’s defense as to why he mooned the teacher!</p>
<p>As time went on, I sensed several reasons for students’ misbehavior: a desperate need for attention, frustration at not being able to read or to relate to the textbooks and curriculum, fear of other students. The school didn’t have the time or resources to deal with these problems effectively. Its dedicated counselors and social worker did much good, but they were overworked.</p>
<p>Mr. Belmont, on the other hand, did little but smoke and drink coffee all day. He was supposed to be on hand to counsel students after deciding their punishments, but he wasn’t. He was supposed to help me locate students to be suspended and to keep his own paperwork on suspensions, but he didn’t. At best, Mr. Belmont made a few pat admonitions, like “Don’t lip off to your teacher.” After students departed, he often muttered “trash” or “scumbag” under his breath. He seemed to hate his job.</p>
<p>Chi-Town High proved to be a real education for me. And while I found many of its lessons amusing, I also came to the conclusion that discipline should be a higher priority. The point is not just to punish students who misbehave, but to give all kids a sense of safety and pride in their school. Ultimately, when we lay down the rules and enforce them, we’re telling students we care about them.</p>
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year returning college catalyst intern lisa lewis worked aide discipline office chicago public high school story names changed started work chitown high two years college extensive office experience principal told id helping mr belmonts office messy piles dogeared forms waiting entered computer mr belmont soon learned sinking feeling school disciplinarian petite 22yearold felt need first fortify shoulder pads high heels walkietalkie students sometimes mistook teenager anyway exaggerated gruffness simply provoked odd looks promptly donned jeans let voice go back octave settled job baby face 745 unlock discipline office usually suspended students standing hall parents waiting reinstated mr belmont suspended one five days transgressions smoking bathroom cutting several classes occasionally student would nine days gang activity possession weapon like editors note starting last fall students caught weapons school automatically expelled right away would switch groaning dinosaur computerwhose screen sometimes froze hour moreand begin keying data hundreds disciplinary records kept neat pile entered detention suspension arrest filed students folder checked discipline card third month discipline cards uptodate various referrals reports order school also installed new computer program accepted information student instead filling sorting cards forms scrolled students name typed recent problem 830 relieve mr dearborn teacher aide charge inschool suspension center halfhour break mr dearborn champion yeller whose theatrical outbursts mocked students handed monthsold magazines mostly scholastic update thin newsmagazine high school students loaded ads candy bars pimple creams along magazines came lists questions articles questions many people live bangladesh whos us secretary state many students never assignments mr dearborn busy trying keep noise students seats usually let get away compounding problem lack space tiny classroom could comfortably seat 20 students often held 30 equally divided boys girls students incredibly bored mr dearborn rarely changed reading material issue update could expect three months use sometimes brought free weeklies like ndigo stayed around long time sometimes kids generally keen reading begged new magazines students went lunch together supposed talk students however lunchroom packed hundreds teenagers mr dearborn couldnt yell loud enough heard could grab wayward students shirt sleeves two hands didnt go far 30 kids miss lewis students seemed think sense humor id let drink soda munch chips asked put snacks away knew high school days ways stealthily feeding oneself doritos always least one kid told medical problem required trip bathroomright routine usually included much jumping around crossed legs observation inschool suspension accomplished immediate objective boring kids stayed trouble avoid recidivists third group worst thing set kids back education three days maximum stay 9 spend hours trying find students suspended mr belmont made decisions punishment usually without discussion students day would gather teacher complaint slips track hallway wait mete punishments spot would complete paperwork data entry track kid bring offender office call parent notify attendance office typical day five seven students hit list tracking job look students class schedule new period go class student scheduled frequently though student cutting class class wasnt room listed staffers sometimes gave tips kid might tips often didnt pan twothirds days suspendees nowhere found even trips many five classes calling parents also problematic parents hard track though majority accepted news cooperative others hostile blamed school childrens problems sometimes came drunk high drugs even defended childrens fighting girls mother came cursing walked daughters teacher slapped disciplining girl bearer bad tidings many students b gradually learned let threats profanity roll right 11 20minute lunch teachers often talked kids wanted suspend couldnt suspend anyone though carried mr belmonts directives always core group teachers complained generally older burnedout teachers retirement minds sent kids discipline office regularly usually didnt see teachers action classroom often wondered fatigue bitterness rubbed students perhaps longer energy empathize restraint deal discipline problems without yelling making threats sometimes teachers created discipline problems one teacher sent students discipline office droves nearly said provoked insulting parents yelling minute got class witnessed seen verbal barbs like mother doesnt know raise inflamed students time chitown never saw teacher reprimanded counseled administrator part obstacle better teacherstudent relations called clash cultures chitown students black hispanic poor families chitown teachers middleclass whites school predominantly jewish middleclass student body older teachers could get used hostile unwilling attitudes todays students become teachers time tardiness gumchewing among worst discipline problems deal kids whose parents didnt care stayed night kids fought hard sang rap songs killing cops entered system degreed professionals eager impart knowledge ended spending half time discipline unable teach subjects loved least way learned teach 1 pm mad dash enter days disciplinary decisions computer begins since mr kimbark attendance officer suspended students excessive tardiness class cuts enter data well first sift papers overloaded desk blotter find data combined mr belmonts forms made good hour two fast furious data entry usually interrupted least one emergency arrest marijuana possession gang fight orone favorite casesa student called teacher cabbage head troublemakers typically sat around hour two chatted learned surprise among brightest imaginative school 230 pm revise block list daily listing students barred school suspended complete dueback dates teachers requesting parent conference returned copy list posted main office alert teachers teachers forgot read itso suspended students often sneaked back school unnoticed intensity jobsmr kimbark often worked 12 hours day trying keep attendance recordssometimes daily records werent wholly accurate still best could also mr belmont would sometimes tell student suspended send student home without telling anyone else without filling paperwork attendance office would left wondering student created administrative hassle lack coordination two offices also meant kids often returned suspension without parentwhich requiredand attended classes couple days found weakened schools authority eyes obviously also subverted goal getting parents talk teachers kids 345 pm get bubble bath cry first week anyway hide soon thickened able enjoy zaniness job despite stresses everyone gets hear teenagers defense mooned teacher time went sensed several reasons students misbehavior desperate need attention frustration able read relate textbooks curriculum fear students school didnt time resources deal problems effectively dedicated counselors social worker much good overworked mr belmont hand little smoke drink coffee day supposed hand counsel students deciding punishments wasnt supposed help locate students suspended keep paperwork suspensions didnt best mr belmont made pat admonitions like dont lip teacher students departed often muttered trash scumbag breath seemed hate job chitown high proved real education found many lessons amusing also came conclusion discipline higher priority point punish students misbehave give kids sense safety pride school ultimately lay rules enforce telling students care
| 1,050 |
<p>Over the Fourth of July weekend,&#160;Glenn Martin was&#160;sitting with his grandchildren around a campfire in Colorado’s Pike National Forest, preparing to roast marshmallows. “Ow,” his daughter reported him saying as he suddenly slumped over, blood pouring from his mouth. The&#160;60-year-old&#160;had been fatally&#160; <a href="http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_28440001/douglas-county-authorities-id-man-killed-by-apparently" type="external">hit</a> with a stray bullet that had come&#160;tearing through the surrounding trees.</p>
<p>Martin’s death has sparked renewed interest&#160;in the&#160;use of firearms in much&#160;of America’s vast wilderness: <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/08/10/forests-grapple-8500-gun-incidents/30903483/" type="external">two</a>&#160; <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/19/us/a-culture-clash-over-guns-infiltrates-the-backcountry.html?emc=eta1" type="external">newspaper reports</a> published in the weeks after the incident found that United States Forest Service Officers have dealt with 8,500 shooting incidents in national forests&#160;in the last five years. In Colorado alone, “citations, warnings and reports of people shooting guns improperly…more than tripled” from 2010 to 2014, according to USA Today.</p>
<p>The use and possession of firearms&#160;in national forests has always been <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gjAwhwtDDw9_AI8zPyhQoY6BdkOyoCAGixyPg!/?ss=110210&amp;navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&amp;cid=stelprdb5163234&amp;navid=110000000000000&amp;pnavid=null&amp;position=Not%2520Yet%2520Determined.Html&amp;ttype=detail&amp;pname=Arapaho%2520&amp;%2520Roosevelt%2520National%2520Forests%2520Pawnee%2520National%2520Grassland-%2520Recreation" type="external">generally permitted</a>.&#160;But&#160;a few years ago, gun rights advocates fought a battle to change the policy for the forests’ more-protected cousins,&#160;National Parks.&#160;While the two types of wilderness preserves are often located adjacent to one another — Great Smoky Mountains National Park, for instance, lies next to the Cherokee, Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests —&#160;National Parks largely forbid the possession&#160;of&#160;firearms.&#160;That changed in 2010,&#160;when a small, last-minute amendment to a consumer protection law&#160;significantly changed the rules for bringing firearms into millions of acres of federally protected land.&#160;</p>
<p>The first firearm regulations on National Park grounds were put in place in 1936, when the Department of the Interior restricted gun possession and use to prevent poaching. The policy <a href="http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2003-title36-vol1/pdf/CFR-2003-title36-vol1-sec2-4.pdf" type="external">was enhanced&#160;in 1983</a> to prohibit possessing, carrying, or using a firearm outside of certain approved areas and hunting seasons, with an exception for firearms kept in a car or mobile home “when such implements are rendered inoperable or packed, cased or stored in a manner that will prevent their ready use.” The revision effectively mandated that visitors store their guns, unloaded, in a car trunk or equivalent while in a national park. After four months of public comment, President Ronald Reagan approved it.&#160;</p>
<p>It’s a policy that remained&#160;for a quarter century, until its demise six years under unexpected circumstances.&#160;Elizabeth Warren — not yet the junior senator from Massachusetts — played a prominent role in securing the passage of the&#160; <a href="http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-111hr627enr/pdf/BILLS-111hr627enr.pdf" type="external">Credit CARD Act of 2009</a>.&#160;The bill’s proponents sought to put a stop to what they deemed predatory practices on the part of credit card companies. The House passed the original bill, introduced by Democratic Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney of New York in 2008, but the Senate refused to vote on it. It was reintroduced in the next session of Congress, again passed the House, and again went to the Senate, where it sat until May 2009.</p>
<p>The second time around, President Obama joined Warren in an aggressive lobbying campaign, holding town halls and publicizing consumers’ credit card horror stories. There was significant pressure on the Senate to act before Memorial Day, and leaders of both parties going back and forth before&#160;eventually reaching a deal the week of May 10.</p>
<p>Soon after the compromise announcement, an amendment to the bill was introduced, quickly voted on, and passed. This new measure had nothing to do with borrowers or lenders. Instead, <a href="http://www.nps.gov/policy/section512.pdf" type="external">Section 512</a> carried the title “Protecting Americans from Violent Crimes,” and it dismantled all existing federal restrictions on firearm possession for visitors to the national park system outside Alaska. State laws — including concealed carry statutes — would govern national forest areas instead.</p>
<p>Behind the maneuver was a group of Republicans led by Republican Senator&#160;Tom Coburn&#160;of Oklahoma, who teamed up with a small group of red state Democrats who had surfed the Obama wave into office — and were now looking ahead to tough reelection fights — to get the amendment&#160;attached during the&#160;final&#160;negotiating process. Coburn, a wily senate veteran and master of parliamentary procedure, insisted at the time that it wasn’t “a ‘gotcha’ amendment,” but some assumed it was a poison pill meant to kill the larger bill. In reality, it was a more standard rider, taking advantage of the time crunch and the bill’s groundswell of support to gain passage when it likely would have failed on its own. “Timing is everything in politics,” Coburn <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/20/us/politics/20cong.html?em" type="external">told the Times</a>. “I don’t like guns necessarily. What I want is those constitutional rights to be protected.”</p>
<p>The timing was indeed important. Just two months earlier, on March 20,&#160; <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/19/AR2009031902801.html" type="external">a federal judge had blocked</a> an eleventh-hour George W. Bush administration rule change that allowed visitors to national parks to carry loaded, concealed weapons if local state law permitted it. A lawsuit brought by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees, and another conservation group, alleged that the action violated several federal laws. U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly agreed, finding officials “abdicated their Congressionally-mandated obligation” to evaluate the rule change’s environmental impacts.</p>
<p>That ruling remained in place through May 2009, when Coburn and his allies slipped the rider into the Credit CARD Act. When the bill passed on May 22&#160;— the day before Memorial Day weekend — the legislation&#160;superseded the judge’s injunction. And&#160;for the first time in more than 25 years, visitors to national parks were again allowed to carry loaded weapons along with their picnic&#160;provisions.</p>
<p>[Photo: Flickr user&#160; <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tombricker/15363901455/in/photolist-ppE1CF-qb3cpY-e7372B-kcMi3p-oXsrec-gKsvKh-a8ywUP-5eSsvr-5eFKSw-pbPKn9-pvNEnE-i6ff39-5hkay3-dYcVrV-pdz9EP-h9RhwQ-oRbWy2-dfAFT4-cZNSvU-reWdLa-dWbtzm-fSXohE-o3L96k-dowHNL-qd86tL-hUGr3b-fpoPfY-o3Uv2x-isTze6-5eFKvo-6o115D-puHk9G-o6coZe-mwpzAW-djXCpB-deA3s5-rMB9Wx-qwdUey-pa5zcq-pWcw5E-de9jnC-7Hc47G-fznjAT-8CUYbC-bqDGnU-kyb5En-mN1tGw-dnfRab-qSwasP-9Xkuuc" type="external">Tom Bricker</a>]</p>
| false | 3 |
fourth july weekend160glenn martin was160sitting grandchildren around campfire colorados pike national forest preparing roast marshmallows ow daughter reported saying suddenly slumped blood pouring mouth the16060yearold160had fatally160 hit stray bullet come160tearing surrounding trees martins death sparked renewed interest160in the160use firearms much160of americas vast wilderness two160 newspaper reports published weeks incident found united states forest service officers dealt 8500 shooting incidents national forests160in last five years colorado alone citations warnings reports people shooting guns improperlymore tripled 2010 2014 according usa today use possession firearms160in national forests always generally permitted160but160a years ago gun rights advocates fought battle change policy forests moreprotected cousins160national parks160while two types wilderness preserves often located adjacent one another great smoky mountains national park instance lies next cherokee pisgah nantahala national forests 160national parks largely forbid possession160of160firearms160that changed 2010160when small lastminute amendment consumer protection law160significantly changed rules bringing firearms millions acres federally protected land160 first firearm regulations national park grounds put place 1936 department interior restricted gun possession use prevent poaching policy enhanced160in 1983 prohibit possessing carrying using firearm outside certain approved areas hunting seasons exception firearms kept car mobile home implements rendered inoperable packed cased stored manner prevent ready use revision effectively mandated visitors store guns unloaded car trunk equivalent national park four months public comment president ronald reagan approved it160 policy remained160for quarter century demise six years unexpected circumstances160elizabeth warren yet junior senator massachusetts played prominent role securing passage the160 credit card act 2009160the bills proponents sought put stop deemed predatory practices part credit card companies house passed original bill introduced democratic congresswoman carolyn maloney new york 2008 senate refused vote reintroduced next session congress passed house went senate sat may 2009 second time around president obama joined warren aggressive lobbying campaign holding town halls publicizing consumers credit card horror stories significant pressure senate act memorial day leaders parties going back forth before160eventually reaching deal week may 10 soon compromise announcement amendment bill introduced quickly voted passed new measure nothing borrowers lenders instead section 512 carried title protecting americans violent crimes dismantled existing federal restrictions firearm possession visitors national park system outside alaska state laws including concealed carry statutes would govern national forest areas instead behind maneuver group republicans led republican senator160tom coburn160of oklahoma teamed small group red state democrats surfed obama wave office looking ahead tough reelection fights get amendment160attached the160final160negotiating process coburn wily senate veteran master parliamentary procedure insisted time wasnt gotcha amendment assumed poison pill meant kill larger bill reality standard rider taking advantage time crunch bills groundswell support gain passage likely would failed timing everything politics coburn told times dont like guns necessarily want constitutional rights protected timing indeed important two months earlier march 20160 federal judge blocked eleventhhour george w bush administration rule change allowed visitors national parks carry loaded concealed weapons local state law permitted lawsuit brought brady campaign prevent gun violence coalition national park service retirees another conservation group alleged action violated several federal laws us district judge colleen kollarkotelly agreed finding officials abdicated congressionallymandated obligation evaluate rule changes environmental impacts ruling remained place may 2009 coburn allies slipped rider credit card act bill passed may 22160 day memorial day weekend legislation160superseded judges injunction and160for first time 25 years visitors national parks allowed carry loaded weapons along picnic160provisions photo flickr user160 tom bricker
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<p><a href="" type="internal" />JULY 29, 2011</p>
<p>By WAYNE LUSVARDI</p>
<p>With the swagger of a boxer before a match, on July 24 Gov. Jerry Brown said he would <a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2011/07/jerry-brown-pledges-to-crush-o.html#ixzz1TQMcVPe" type="external">“crush”</a> any efforts to block renewable energy projects in California.</p>
<p>Brown apparently was referring to efforts by environmentalists to stop a planned gargantuan 968 Megawatt solar energy project called Solar Millennium to be located in the Mojave Desert.&#160; This is a pet project of President Obama and is backed by a $2.1 billion federal loan guarantee to build the first half of the project.</p>
<p>With Brown’s use of his bully pulpit and the threat of legal action against any opposition to large solar power plants in the Mojave Desert and elsewhere, what are Californians left to conclude&#160; — so much for the natural environment, the rule of law and democracy?</p>
<p>But markets will eventually crush renewable energy if it is ever exposed to an open and competitive energy market instead of the government-protected and heavily subsidized energy “market” in California.</p>
<p>And the bond market may eventually react to Brown’s 2011-12 state budget gimmickry. The bond market could impose a higher interest rate premium for the greater risk of default of state general obligation and revenue bonds. Or the higher cost could come from greater risk of default in providing sufficient funds to meet mandated state services such as Medi-Cal and K-12 public education.</p>
<p>Moreover, the <a href="http://www.publicceo.com/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=3161:gaab-releases-proposed-changes-to-pension-reporting-effects-already-measureable&amp;catid=151:local-governments-publicceo-exclusive&amp;itemid=20" type="external">Government Accounting Standards Board</a> (GASB) has just issued rules that require public pension funds to “mark-to-market” the amount of unfunded pension liabilities of CalPERS, CalSTRS and other public pension funds in California. This rule change will finally reveal that CalPERS is only perhaps 50 percent funded, instead of 70 percent funded as it claims.</p>
<p>Let’s take a quick look at the scorecard of how Jerry Brown has fared with markets in relation to environmental-energy issues in his three terms as governor of California.</p>
<p>When Brown formerly was governor in the mid-1970s, the state Legislature approved whopping 55 percent tax credit for wind, solar and biomass energy plants. President Jimmy Carter signed a 1978 federal law called the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA). It encouraged states to enact their own green-power tax incentives and helped launch renewable energy. Brown claims he pioneered <a href="http://abettercalifornia.com/energy.php" type="external">tax credits for renewable energy</a> in California.</p>
<p>In July of 1979, the state Department of Water Resources filed an application for construction of two geothermal energy plants in Northern California, the <a href="" type="internal">Bottle Rock and South Geysers Geothermal Plants</a>, to carry out Brown’s plans for an environmental legacy.&#160; The Bottle Rock Plant was finally built in 1985, after Brown left office in 1983. To make a long story short, by 1990 the Bottle Rock Geothermal Plant was shut down because it couldn’t generate enough electricity to pay off the revenue bonds that financed the construction of the plant.&#160; The South Geysers Plant was never built.&#160; State government should never have built the plant, as it was financially infeasible in the market from the get-go.</p>
<p>In December 1990, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California ended up having to pay off the $283 million in bonded indebtedness on the plants.&#160; The bonds won’t be paid off until 2024.&#160; So Southern California water ratepayers ended up having to pay off the bonds on a Northern California power plant that has since been re-opened and now ironically generates power exclusively for Northern California cities.</p>
<p>Strike one against Brown.</p>
<p>Score: Markets 1. Brown 0.</p>
<p>To make another long story short, by 1998 ugly old wind machines in the Tehachapi Gorge near the desert town of Mojave in Kern County were abandoned in place. The reason: dropping natural gas prices made over-market-priced wind energy uncompetitive.&#160;&#160; To view the photographs of the visual blight and nuisance of the abandoned wind farms, go to <a href="http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/02/wind_energys_ghosts_1.html" type="external">this link</a>.</p>
<p>The tax credits under PURPA ended up a tax scam as wind developers just collected their credits and abandoned the wind turbines without restoring the land to its original condition.</p>
<p>Most counties and cities now require the removal of unsightly wind turbines if wind farm operations are ever shut down. But the sheer <a href="http://www.scpr.org/news/2010/10/25/20448/feds-approve-largest-ever-solar-project-calif/" type="external">size</a> of the proposed solar project near the Blythe would raise questions of who would remove the solar mirrors if the project went bankrupt?&#160; Without a costly demolition bond paid up front, who would pay for such removal of 11 square miles of mirrors?&#160; This has probably crossed the minds of those in Riverside County where the Blythe Solar Project — referred to by Gov. Brown and encompassing some 7,000-acres — is to be developed.</p>
<p>This does not even consider that solar thermal-power technology, as planned at the Solar Millennium Project in Blythe, is typically 4.7 times the price of low-polluting natural gas power, 3.6 times the price of clean hydropower and 2.2 times the average retail price of electricity for residential use in California in 2011 (see table below).</p>
<p>Comparative Price of Energy</p>
<p />
<p><a href="http://reason.com/archives/2011/05/10/environmentalists-were-for-fr" type="external">http://reason.com/archives/2011/05/10/environmentalists-were-for-fr</a></p>
<p>.</p>
<p>Not only is solar thermal power way over the market price of every other source of power. It doesn’t even reduce pollution because it is located in the remote desert instead of in an urban-air basin that traps smog.</p>
<p>So Brown lost again.</p>
<p>Score: Markets 2. Brown 0.</p>
<p>PURPA allowed non-public energy producers to sell electricity to utilities for the first time.&#160; PURPA led to the accounting schemes of Enron. Enron did not cause the California Energy Crisis of 2001. But PURPA did lead to the notion that energy deregulation might be able to pay off the bonds on old polluting power plants. The plants had to be mothballed to meet stricter EPA air quality standards in California in 2001, or risk forfeiting federal highway, education, and Medicaid funding.</p>
<p>Energy deregulation failed in California because a heavily Democratic majority ih the state Legislature and Democratic Gov. Gray Davis pulled the plug on it. But electricity deregulation may have failed anyway as long as it was based on PURPA tax credit schemes instead of market price competition.</p>
<p>But the California Democrats’ own plan to contrive a pricing fever — or bubble — to pay off the bonds on the old polluting power plants also failed. The result: rolling blackouts, the 2003 recall of Gov. Gray Davis and the rolling of the bond debt on mothballed dirty power plants into a $42 billion general-obligation bond that will be paid off in 2012.</p>
<p>When the $42 billion in bonds are paid off next year, the long-term energy contracts that paid off those bonds will come under SB 2, which Brown signed on April 12. SB 2 mandates that one-third of California’s electricity must come from renewable sources by 2020.</p>
<p>The Energy Crisis of 2001 morphed into 33 percent permanently over-market-priced Green Power to begin in 2012.</p>
<p>So Brown lost for a third time.</p>
<p>Score: Markets 3. Brown 0. Three strikes and he’s out.</p>
<p>In baseball, three strikes and you are out.&#160; In California politics, three policy failures and you are enshrined as the guru of renewable energy.&#160; California Gov. Jerry Brown has repeatedly failed each time an environmental project or policy of his has been exposed to the market.</p>
<p>Brown vows to “crush” any opposition to the gigantic Millennium Solar Project in the remote Mohave Desert.&#160; But NIMBY’s — Not-In-My-Back-Yarders — are not very concerned about huge solar projects that may harm the desert ecology as long as it doesn’t affect their home values or beautiful mountain views.</p>
<p>What Brown likely will end up crushing is the middle class that will eventually be sandwiched between higher energy prices and mass unemployment.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
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july 29 2011 wayne lusvardi swagger boxer match july 24 gov jerry brown said would crush efforts block renewable energy projects california brown apparently referring efforts environmentalists stop planned gargantuan 968 megawatt solar energy project called solar millennium located mojave desert160 pet project president obama backed 21 billion federal loan guarantee build first half project browns use bully pulpit threat legal action opposition large solar power plants mojave desert elsewhere californians left conclude160 much natural environment rule law democracy markets eventually crush renewable energy ever exposed open competitive energy market instead governmentprotected heavily subsidized energy market california bond market may eventually react browns 201112 state budget gimmickry bond market could impose higher interest rate premium greater risk default state general obligation revenue bonds higher cost could come greater risk default providing sufficient funds meet mandated state services medical k12 public education moreover government accounting standards board gasb issued rules require public pension funds marktomarket amount unfunded pension liabilities calpers calstrs public pension funds california rule change finally reveal calpers perhaps 50 percent funded instead 70 percent funded claims lets take quick look scorecard jerry brown fared markets relation environmentalenergy issues three terms governor california brown formerly governor mid1970s state legislature approved whopping 55 percent tax credit wind solar biomass energy plants president jimmy carter signed 1978 federal law called public utility regulatory policies act purpa encouraged states enact greenpower tax incentives helped launch renewable energy brown claims pioneered tax credits renewable energy california july 1979 state department water resources filed application construction two geothermal energy plants northern california bottle rock south geysers geothermal plants carry browns plans environmental legacy160 bottle rock plant finally built 1985 brown left office 1983 make long story short 1990 bottle rock geothermal plant shut couldnt generate enough electricity pay revenue bonds financed construction plant160 south geysers plant never built160 state government never built plant financially infeasible market getgo december 1990 metropolitan water district southern california ended pay 283 million bonded indebtedness plants160 bonds wont paid 2024160 southern california water ratepayers ended pay bonds northern california power plant since reopened ironically generates power exclusively northern california cities strike one brown score markets 1 brown 0 make another long story short 1998 ugly old wind machines tehachapi gorge near desert town mojave kern county abandoned place reason dropping natural gas prices made overmarketpriced wind energy uncompetitive160160 view photographs visual blight nuisance abandoned wind farms go link tax credits purpa ended tax scam wind developers collected credits abandoned wind turbines without restoring land original condition counties cities require removal unsightly wind turbines wind farm operations ever shut sheer size proposed solar project near blythe would raise questions would remove solar mirrors project went bankrupt160 without costly demolition bond paid front would pay removal 11 square miles mirrors160 probably crossed minds riverside county blythe solar project referred gov brown encompassing 7000acres developed even consider solar thermalpower technology planned solar millennium project blythe typically 47 times price lowpolluting natural gas power 36 times price clean hydropower 22 times average retail price electricity residential use california 2011 see table comparative price energy httpreasoncomarchives20110510environmentalistswereforfr solar thermal power way market price every source power doesnt even reduce pollution located remote desert instead urbanair basin traps smog brown lost score markets 2 brown 0 purpa allowed nonpublic energy producers sell electricity utilities first time160 purpa led accounting schemes enron enron cause california energy crisis 2001 purpa lead notion energy deregulation might able pay bonds old polluting power plants plants mothballed meet stricter epa air quality standards california 2001 risk forfeiting federal highway education medicaid funding energy deregulation failed california heavily democratic majority ih state legislature democratic gov gray davis pulled plug electricity deregulation may failed anyway long based purpa tax credit schemes instead market price competition california democrats plan contrive pricing fever bubble pay bonds old polluting power plants also failed result rolling blackouts 2003 recall gov gray davis rolling bond debt mothballed dirty power plants 42 billion generalobligation bond paid 2012 42 billion bonds paid next year longterm energy contracts paid bonds come sb 2 brown signed april 12 sb 2 mandates onethird californias electricity must come renewable sources 2020 energy crisis 2001 morphed 33 percent permanently overmarketpriced green power begin 2012 brown lost third time score markets 3 brown 0 three strikes hes baseball three strikes out160 california politics three policy failures enshrined guru renewable energy160 california gov jerry brown repeatedly failed time environmental project policy exposed market brown vows crush opposition gigantic millennium solar project remote mohave desert160 nimbys notinmybackyarders concerned huge solar projects may harm desert ecology long doesnt affect home values beautiful mountain views brown likely end crushing middle class eventually sandwiched higher energy prices mass unemployment 160 160
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<p>One fall morning, Leon Finney Jr. speeds from block to block pointing out each of the townhomes and high-rise apartment buildings he’s built in the Woodlawn community in the past four decades. With his personal cameraman in tow, the community organizer turned real estate developer and pastor pulls his Lexus sedan to the side of the road every few blocks and hastily jumps out with his keys still in the ignition. At most stops, he hikes forward 30 or so paces and then turns around, flashing a wide grin as he walks toward the camera. It’s a windy day, and his trench coat flaps in the wind, exposing his pink sweater vest and signature bow tie.</p>
<p>At 73, Finney shows no sign of slowing down. If you could sum up his style in a couple of words on a bumper sticker, it might read: Keep up. There’s hardly a major corner in Woodlawn that he hasn’t left his mark on over the years. By Finney’s count, the nonprofit he founded, the Woodlawn Community Development Corp., has overseen $300 million in real estate investment since 1971—in a community that was red-lined by major banks just a few decades ago.</p>
<p>Most of the developments were nudged along with government assistance—through a grant, a deep discount on land or a direct cash subsidy. Finney’s ability to snag those resources only affirms the clout he’s built over the years among government officials at all levels.</p>
<p>For as many buildings that his nonprofit has turned into a success, there are others that are failing. In December, the City of Chicago added Finney to the list of seven scofflaw landlords after a handful of subsidized buildings his nonprofit manages racked up more than 100 housing code violations, including no heat, no hot water and chronically broken boilers.</p>
<p>The condition of those buildings raises questions about how the nonprofit—along with its sister agency, The Woodlawn Organization, better known as TWO—manages the steady stream of anti-poverty money it collects each year. Independent auditors found that their ledgers continue to come up short, and meeting basic expenses, including payroll and building maintenance, has been an ongoing challenge.</p>
<p>Despite those financial problems, few cutbacks have been made on expenses that benefit Finney, who has cashed in on lucrative vacation payouts, unloaded properties owned by his church and his late father on the nonprofits, and charged them a premium for consulting and other services his private companies have provided, The Chicago Reporter found.</p>
<p>After 40 years, local opinion of Finney is mixed. It’s as if he’s two different people—either an overextended do-gooder who operates with an unorthodox style or a political rainmaker who spends his nonprofits’ money as if it’s his own—depending on whom you ask.</p>
<p>Yet, Finney plays up his image as a man of the community and a reverend at every chance he gets—even if it requires hiring a personal cameraman and making his own promotional videos. “I’m a complicated guy, but at the end of the day, my intent and my motives are always to improve and strengthen and fulfill,” Finney said. “The Leon Finneys in urban America are not the problem. We have been the solution.”</p>
<p>*&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; *&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; *</p>
<p>Finney’s star began to rise in the 1960s as the Civil Rights Movement hit its stride. Two years out of the U.S. Marine Corps, he was hired by Saul Alinsky to work alongside a handful of local clergy who were organizing to bring political power to Woodlawn. One thing that the South Side community had going for it at the time was its robust population. More than 80,000 African Americans lived in the lakefront community—which stretches from Lake Michigan to Martin Luther King Jr. Drive between 60th and 67th streets. The nonprofit Temporary Woodlawn Organization, which would later become The Woodlawn Organization, was formed.</p>
<p>Finney grew up in Woodlawn. He lived in a four-flat on South Rhodes Street and graduated from the local Hyde Park High School. Being the son of a prominent businessman—his father owned the famed barbeque chain Leon’s BBQ—helped open doors. He took a block-by-block approach to organizing the community and, by the mid-1970s, he helped set up a network of block clubs that became his local power base.</p>
<p>But it was a series of housing deals that Finney was able to cut with federal officials that helped propel his stature as a major player in Chicago politics.</p>
<p>Grove Parc, a community of squat, two-story red-brick buildings near 62nd Street and Cottage Grove Avenue, was the first development that Finney’s emerging economic development organization pulled off. With 504 units, Grove Parc was one of Chicago’s largest buildings receiving the “project based” subsidy under Section 8 of the federal housing act. The nonprofit would go on to develop more than 1,400 units of Section 8 housing in the following four decades.</p>
<p>Alan Cravitz, a mortgage banker who has helped the nonprofit structure loans for a series of the federally backed properties, attributed Finney’s ability to cut deals and wield influence to two factors: He’s a charmer, and he never backs down.</p>
<p>“He’s always calling me up, blowing smoke in my face, giving me compliments—which is always nice,” Cravitz said. “People do things for him because they like him, and the system plays into the way he works.”</p>
<p>Finney was tapped for a number of high-profile public positions over the years. He was a member of the Chicago Plan Commission, for which he served for more than 30 years and helped carry out former Mayor Richard M. Daley’s development agenda. He also served as the Chicago Housing Authority’s vice chairman in the 1980s. And he was a trustee at Chicago State University until his term expired in 2011.</p>
<p>That clout brought in more public resources, driving his nonprofits’ budgets to nearly $7 million last year alone. In addition to developing and managing Section 8 buildings, the Woodlawn Community Development Corp. manages a string of properties on both the North and South sides under a contract with the Chicago Housing Authority.</p>
<p>It’s like the more money Finney’s groups have brought in, the more clout he’s amassed, said Leah Levinger, a housing policy activist who cut her teeth as a community organizer at Grove Parc. “When there’s a political forum,” Levinger said, “TWO will pick people up and deliver them.”</p>
<p>*&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; *&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; *</p>
<p>On first impression, it’s hard to know if Finney is still the same grassroots community organizer that Alinsky trained in the early 1960s or if he’s gone—as one former executive at his nonprofit puts it—“over the edge” by the power that comes with having millions in public money to spend each year with very little oversight.</p>
<p>From his office, which sits on the ground floor of one of the high-rise subsidized buildings he developed in the early 1980s, Finney clacks away on a refurbished computer. His glasses hang on the end of his nose as he finishes up a report on the stifling jobless rate in black communities on Chicago’s South Side. He speaks with a wonky enthusiasm as he rattles off stats and talks about authors who’ve written more extensively on economic parity.</p>
<p>Finney’s enthusiasm is so well-received that well-resourced lenders have thrown millions behind his proposals to rebuild in distressed communities. The last major private investment his nonprofit snagged was in 2008, when the Local Initiative Support Corporation and the Chicago Community Loan Fund funded him and another developer for their ambitious plan to create the Southside Preservation Portfolio, which was poised to be one of the largest networks of low-income apartments in Chicago.</p>
<p>One year after the 25 buildings with 587 units were purchased, they were named in a $26.3 million foreclosure lawsuit. The city sued Finney’s nonprofit and its partners for $166,000 in housing court violations related to the buildings, the Reporter found. And the properties fell behind more than $194,575 on their taxes. Barbara Beck, the director of financial services and underwriting at the Local Initiative Support Corporation’s Chicago office, chalked up the project’s failure to poor planning and a weak housing market.</p>
<p>“We wanted to develop affordable housing without the layers of government,” Beck said. “Their approach seemed sound.”</p>
<p>Finney added: “One could arguably say that we should have exercised more care, but this was a great opportunity to create affordable housing.”</p>
<p>For as detail-oriented as Finney can be, he has a habit of clamming up when it comes to recalling specifics, particularly when it comes to subjects he’d apparently rather not discuss.</p>
<p>For instance, a former TWO employee, who lives in one of his nonprofit’s Section 8 buildings, told the Reporter—on the condition of anonymity because she feared retribution—that, before she left the nonprofit for a new job in November, she did not get paid for more than a month. Just weeks earlier, federal and state officials filed two liens against the nonprofit for failing to pay $88,360.86 in employer taxes.</p>
<p>Why? “I don’t know the answer to that question,” Finney said. “That’s something for the executive director of TWO to express.”</p>
<p>TWO’s Executive Director Georgette Greenlee-Finney happens to be his wife. When pressed further, Finney follows with a dose of charm. “Are you married?,” he quipped. “Well, I’m going to leave it right there.”</p>
<p>Two things are clear from public documents: The nonprofits that Finney and his wife oversee comingle money, which makes it virtually impossible to know exactly which funds have been tapped to write off the organizations’ debt. And, despite cash-flow problems, few expenses benefiting Finney have been cut back.</p>
<p>The audit reports show that they have been billed for more than $1.5 million on consulting, rent and catering services provided by companies owned by Finney between 2004 and 2010. Those businesses include Lincoln South Central Real Estate Corporation, a property management and consulting firm; Tre’s Celebrity Catering; and the Metropolitan Apostolic Community Church, where Finney preaches each Sunday.</p>
<p>The auditors have repeatedly chided the nonprofits, both of which Finney has headed up at different times in the past five years, for playing fast and loose with basic accounting principles—allegedly playing a shell game to transfer property, money and government resources back and forth, sometimes without the approval of their boards of directors that include some of Finney’s relatives and employees.</p>
<p>The audits only tell half the story, according to a whistleblower lawsuit filed in federal court last spring by Virgil Savage, former chief financial officer at the Woodlawn Community Development Corp. Savage went to the nonprofit’s board and attorney to lay out a pattern of what he saw as misappropriating funds under Finney’s leadership. The board dismissed Savage’s claims. He filed the lawsuit months after he was fired.</p>
<p>“Look at all the money he’s pulled out of the organization for his own benefit,” Savage said. “Just pile up the money, and it will look you in the face.”</p>
<p>Finney has little to say about the way the organizations transfer assets. “I’ve been instructed by my attorney not to talk about anything with finances because I have a lawsuit pending,” he said.</p>
<p>*&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; *&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; *</p>
<p>Finney’s latest pet project is opening a community-oriented media production studio next door to his church, known as the Met, which sits at the corner of 41st Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. The state cut checks worth $350,000 to get the project off the ground. But six years after the first check was cashed, there are few signs of life at the boarded-up greystone.</p>
<p>The church is one of Bronzeville’s oldest and most historically significant. Eleanor Roosevelt railed against the racial segregation of World War II troops from its pulpit. A. Philip Randolph and other labor leaders organized railroad porters in its chambers. And Ida B. Wells-Barnett and Gwendolyn Brooks worshiped there.</p>
<p>In 2003, the Met beat the wrecking ball when Finney’s congregation stepped in to buy the church, the parsonage and another building next door along with a stretch of vacant lots on the next block for $1.45 million.</p>
<p>One piece at a time, Finney unloaded the debt from his church onto his nonprofit. First, it took on the debts for the parsonage and the building next door for $372,000. Then, for $750,000, the vacant lots in the back that he planned to turn into condominiums. “The church is not in the development business,” Finney said. Those lots remain vacant and were slapped with a series of code violations in early 2010 because of unkempt conditions.</p>
<p>All told, the nonprofit was on the hook for $1.1 million in new debt by 2007. That same year, the nonprofit, along with TWO, began paying rent and other fees to the church—$232,420 between 2007 and 2010—as well. It also transferred the ownership of a commercial building at the corner of 63rd Street and Cottage Grove Avenue—which had been generating some rental income until the main tenant, a Rainbow clothing store, moved out—to the church for $10.</p>
<p>As the nonprofit was taking on the new debt, conditions at a handful of subsidized buildings it manages began to slide, federal records show, while its operating expenses, including payroll, were covered using subsidies received for the buildings, according to the nonprofit’s internal financial documents obtained by the Reporter.</p>
<p>Despite the cash crunch, Finney also cashed out on $25,576 in unused vacation time, when he quit his $267,795-a-year job at TWO in 2008 and transitioned into the role as CEO of the Woodlawn Community Development Corp., shortly after it bought the four-flat at 6121 S. Rhodes Ave.—where Finney was raised—from his late father’s estate for nearly $366,000. At the time, Finney said, it looked like a good deal. “Frankly, we thought the Olympics were coming,” he said.</p>
<p>There was something in it for Finney too; a series of tax liens against his father’s estate were also released in the sale, property records show.</p>
<p>The transactions put into focus the sort of deals that critics have long said are the problem with Finney’s business style: He blurs the line between doing community development work for the common good and doing what’s good for himself.</p>
<p>And when Finney has come under fire for crossing the line, he has no qualms about flexing his political muscle to execute a vision—or to get himself out of a jam.</p>
<p>When the city’s Office of Inspector General caught his nonprofit ghost-payrolling the Chicago Housing Authority in 2003 for labor that was supposed to be done on public housing units but instead was done on Finney’s church, he told the investigator that then-Mayor Daley and CHA’s then-CEO Terry Peterson knew that he was using the staff to complete non-CHA projects. He then warned that the investigator “might not want to write anything that may be subpoenaed later,” according to the inspector general’s report.</p>
<p>Ultimately, the CHA recouped the $50,000 in lost wages. Still, in 2005, the CHA awarded Finney’s nonprofit $4 million worth of new property management contracts. In 2009, those contracts were renewed again. The nonprofit was awarded a similar contract by the Gary Housing Authority, but it was pulled; federal officials are currently investigating whether the nonprofit engaged in similar ghost-payrolling practices by billing the housing authority for employees who were actually working in Chicago.</p>
<p>*&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; *&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; *</p>
<p>It was just after 9 a.m. on one of the last days of summer when more than two dozen TWO supporters started showing up to a local community center with banners and signs in tow. TWO was not part of the new $30 million plan to overhaul the area surrounding Grove Parc—building a community center and providing social services for area residents—that local congressmen, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan were there to promote. But that didn’t deter the supporters from setting up in front of the podium. Leading them was Finney, looking determined to edge his way into the occasion.</p>
<p>Ironically, it was under Finney’s leadership that the property was so financially mismanaged that federal officials stepped in to make sure that property changed hands in 1988.</p>
<p>Finney’s move was taken straight from Alinsky’s “Rules for Radicals,” the community organizer’s handbook for grabbing power. He’s spent the three decades building two nonprofits, which are synonymous with Woodlawn. And he wasn’t about to be cut out of the next big deal—at least not without a fight.</p>
<p>As Mattie Butler, the executive director of another community organizing outfit, Woodlawn East Community and Neighbors, sees it, Finney was making it clear that he doesn’t back down. Butler, who barely tops 5 feet, is like the yin to Finney’s yang. While he focuses on rubbing shoulders with elected officials and big businesses, the 68-year-old, who has been a Woodlawn organizer for almost as long as Finney, draws her power base from a dingy office at 64th Street and Stony Island Avenue.</p>
<p>“From TWO’s beginning, they were going after political power that would be good for the community,” she said. “How [Finney] has used that political power, I’ll leave that for someone else to answer.”</p>
<p>While Butler is the first to criticize Finney for being driven more by money than by doing what’s right for the community, she’s often the first to defend him. That’s likely because—whether she agrees with him or not—she knows he’s connected.</p>
<p>And if there’s one skill that Finney has mastered, it’s playing up his image—even under unfavorable circumstances.“Dr. Finney,” U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin said in Finney’s promotional video from the Grove Parc press conference. “You are the best. Glad to see you here.”</p>
<p>Emily Gowing and Sachiko Yoshitsugu helped research this article.</p>
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one fall morning leon finney jr speeds block block pointing townhomes highrise apartment buildings hes built woodlawn community past four decades personal cameraman tow community organizer turned real estate developer pastor pulls lexus sedan side road every blocks hastily jumps keys still ignition stops hikes forward 30 paces turns around flashing wide grin walks toward camera windy day trench coat flaps wind exposing pink sweater vest signature bow tie 73 finney shows sign slowing could sum style couple words bumper sticker might read keep theres hardly major corner woodlawn hasnt left mark years finneys count nonprofit founded woodlawn community development corp overseen 300 million real estate investment since 1971in community redlined major banks decades ago developments nudged along government assistancethrough grant deep discount land direct cash subsidy finneys ability snag resources affirms clout hes built years among government officials levels many buildings nonprofit turned success others failing december city chicago added finney list seven scofflaw landlords handful subsidized buildings nonprofit manages racked 100 housing code violations including heat hot water chronically broken boilers condition buildings raises questions nonprofitalong sister agency woodlawn organization better known twomanages steady stream antipoverty money collects year independent auditors found ledgers continue come short meeting basic expenses including payroll building maintenance ongoing challenge despite financial problems cutbacks made expenses benefit finney cashed lucrative vacation payouts unloaded properties owned church late father nonprofits charged premium consulting services private companies provided chicago reporter found 40 years local opinion finney mixed hes two different peopleeither overextended dogooder operates unorthodox style political rainmaker spends nonprofits money owndepending ask yet finney plays image man community reverend every chance getseven requires hiring personal cameraman making promotional videos im complicated guy end day intent motives always improve strengthen fulfill finney said leon finneys urban america problem solution 160160160160 160160160160 finneys star began rise 1960s civil rights movement hit stride two years us marine corps hired saul alinsky work alongside handful local clergy organizing bring political power woodlawn one thing south side community going time robust population 80000 african americans lived lakefront communitywhich stretches lake michigan martin luther king jr drive 60th 67th streets nonprofit temporary woodlawn organization would later become woodlawn organization formed finney grew woodlawn lived fourflat south rhodes street graduated local hyde park high school son prominent businessmanhis father owned famed barbeque chain leons bbqhelped open doors took blockbyblock approach organizing community mid1970s helped set network block clubs became local power base series housing deals finney able cut federal officials helped propel stature major player chicago politics grove parc community squat twostory redbrick buildings near 62nd street cottage grove avenue first development finneys emerging economic development organization pulled 504 units grove parc one chicagos largest buildings receiving project based subsidy section 8 federal housing act nonprofit would go develop 1400 units section 8 housing following four decades alan cravitz mortgage banker helped nonprofit structure loans series federally backed properties attributed finneys ability cut deals wield influence two factors hes charmer never backs hes always calling blowing smoke face giving complimentswhich always nice cravitz said people things like system plays way works finney tapped number highprofile public positions years member chicago plan commission served 30 years helped carry former mayor richard daleys development agenda also served chicago housing authoritys vice chairman 1980s trustee chicago state university term expired 2011 clout brought public resources driving nonprofits budgets nearly 7 million last year alone addition developing managing section 8 buildings woodlawn community development corp manages string properties north south sides contract chicago housing authority like money finneys groups brought clout hes amassed said leah levinger housing policy activist cut teeth community organizer grove parc theres political forum levinger said two pick people deliver 160160160160 160160160160 first impression hard know finney still grassroots community organizer alinsky trained early 1960s hes goneas one former executive nonprofit puts itover edge power comes millions public money spend year little oversight office sits ground floor one highrise subsidized buildings developed early 1980s finney clacks away refurbished computer glasses hang end nose finishes report stifling jobless rate black communities chicagos south side speaks wonky enthusiasm rattles stats talks authors whove written extensively economic parity finneys enthusiasm wellreceived wellresourced lenders thrown millions behind proposals rebuild distressed communities last major private investment nonprofit snagged 2008 local initiative support corporation chicago community loan fund funded another developer ambitious plan create southside preservation portfolio poised one largest networks lowincome apartments chicago one year 25 buildings 587 units purchased named 263 million foreclosure lawsuit city sued finneys nonprofit partners 166000 housing court violations related buildings reporter found properties fell behind 194575 taxes barbara beck director financial services underwriting local initiative support corporations chicago office chalked projects failure poor planning weak housing market wanted develop affordable housing without layers government beck said approach seemed sound finney added one could arguably say exercised care great opportunity create affordable housing detailoriented finney habit clamming comes recalling specifics particularly comes subjects hed apparently rather discuss instance former two employee lives one nonprofits section 8 buildings told reporteron condition anonymity feared retributionthat left nonprofit new job november get paid month weeks earlier federal state officials filed two liens nonprofit failing pay 8836086 employer taxes dont know answer question finney said thats something executive director two express twos executive director georgette greenleefinney happens wife pressed finney follows dose charm married quipped well im going leave right two things clear public documents nonprofits finney wife oversee comingle money makes virtually impossible know exactly funds tapped write organizations debt despite cashflow problems expenses benefiting finney cut back audit reports show billed 15 million consulting rent catering services provided companies owned finney 2004 2010 businesses include lincoln south central real estate corporation property management consulting firm tres celebrity catering metropolitan apostolic community church finney preaches sunday auditors repeatedly chided nonprofits finney headed different times past five years playing fast loose basic accounting principlesallegedly playing shell game transfer property money government resources back forth sometimes without approval boards directors include finneys relatives employees audits tell half story according whistleblower lawsuit filed federal court last spring virgil savage former chief financial officer woodlawn community development corp savage went nonprofits board attorney lay pattern saw misappropriating funds finneys leadership board dismissed savages claims filed lawsuit months fired look money hes pulled organization benefit savage said pile money look face finney little say way organizations transfer assets ive instructed attorney talk anything finances lawsuit pending said 160160160160 160160160160 finneys latest pet project opening communityoriented media production studio next door church known met sits corner 41st street martin luther king jr drive state cut checks worth 350000 get project ground six years first check cashed signs life boardedup greystone church one bronzevilles oldest historically significant eleanor roosevelt railed racial segregation world war ii troops pulpit philip randolph labor leaders organized railroad porters chambers ida b wellsbarnett gwendolyn brooks worshiped 2003 met beat wrecking ball finneys congregation stepped buy church parsonage another building next door along stretch vacant lots next block 145 million one piece time finney unloaded debt church onto nonprofit first took debts parsonage building next door 372000 750000 vacant lots back planned turn condominiums church development business finney said lots remain vacant slapped series code violations early 2010 unkempt conditions told nonprofit hook 11 million new debt 2007 year nonprofit along two began paying rent fees church232420 2007 2010as well also transferred ownership commercial building corner 63rd street cottage grove avenuewhich generating rental income main tenant rainbow clothing store moved outto church 10 nonprofit taking new debt conditions handful subsidized buildings manages began slide federal records show operating expenses including payroll covered using subsidies received buildings according nonprofits internal financial documents obtained reporter despite cash crunch finney also cashed 25576 unused vacation time quit 267795ayear job two 2008 transitioned role ceo woodlawn community development corp shortly bought fourflat 6121 rhodes avewhere finney raisedfrom late fathers estate nearly 366000 time finney said looked like good deal frankly thought olympics coming said something finney series tax liens fathers estate also released sale property records show transactions put focus sort deals critics long said problem finneys business style blurs line community development work common good whats good finney come fire crossing line qualms flexing political muscle execute visionor get jam citys office inspector general caught nonprofit ghostpayrolling chicago housing authority 2003 labor supposed done public housing units instead done finneys church told investigator thenmayor daley chas thenceo terry peterson knew using staff complete noncha projects warned investigator might want write anything may subpoenaed later according inspector generals report ultimately cha recouped 50000 lost wages still 2005 cha awarded finneys nonprofit 4 million worth new property management contracts 2009 contracts renewed nonprofit awarded similar contract gary housing authority pulled federal officials currently investigating whether nonprofit engaged similar ghostpayrolling practices billing housing authority employees actually working chicago 160160160160 160160160160 9 one last days summer two dozen two supporters started showing local community center banners signs tow two part new 30 million plan overhaul area surrounding grove parcbuilding community center providing social services area residentsthat local congressmen mayor rahm emanuel hud secretary shaun donovan promote didnt deter supporters setting front podium leading finney looking determined edge way occasion ironically finneys leadership property financially mismanaged federal officials stepped make sure property changed hands 1988 finneys move taken straight alinskys rules radicals community organizers handbook grabbing power hes spent three decades building two nonprofits synonymous woodlawn wasnt cut next big dealat least without fight mattie butler executive director another community organizing outfit woodlawn east community neighbors sees finney making clear doesnt back butler barely tops 5 feet like yin finneys yang focuses rubbing shoulders elected officials big businesses 68yearold woodlawn organizer almost long finney draws power base dingy office 64th street stony island avenue twos beginning going political power would good community said finney used political power ill leave someone else answer butler first criticize finney driven money whats right community shes often first defend thats likely becausewhether agrees notshe knows hes connected theres one skill finney mastered playing imageeven unfavorable circumstancesdr finney us sen dick durbin said finneys promotional video grove parc press conference best glad see emily gowing sachiko yoshitsugu helped research article
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<p>The ‘Looking’ coffeetable book features scenes from the memorable HBO series. (Photo courtesy First Third Books)</p>
<p>Before it was possible to Google terms like “gender creative,” Julie Tarney had to trust her instincts when her 2-year-old son Harry told her in 1992, “Inside my head I’m a girl.” “My Son Wears Heels: One Mom’s Journey from Clueless to Kickass” (out this week for $24.95) is Tarney’s story of unwavering support for her son by listening carefully, keeping an open mind, and putting Harry’s happiness before society’s edicts.</p>
<p>Originally chronicled in a serialized national column in the Guardian newspaper in the U.K., “Trans: A Memoir by Juliet Jacques” (out Nov. 15, $19.95) provides an insider’s insight into gender politics and how popular media is either ignoring or distorting the transgender movement. Jacques also provides a completely honest account of her sex reassignment surgery at the age of 30 and the journey to redefine her life for her family, her friends and herself.</p>
<p>“Before Pictures” by Douglas Crimp (out Sept. 22, $39) ticks all the boxes for anyone who has followed the long career of art critic Crimp, who famously coined the term “The Pictures Generation” in reference to the postmodern work of artists like Sherrie Levine and Cindy Sherman during the 1970s and ‘80s. The memoir follows his experiences as a young gay man in New York City in the 1960s, partying alongside the Warhol crowd, and eventually becoming an activist as AIDS began to devastate both the gay and arts communities.</p>
<p>Running parallel to Crimp’s memoir, “Life and Death on the New York Dance Floor, 1980-1983” by Tim Lawrence (out Sept. 30, $27.95) examines the intersection of New York City’s party and arts scenes in the early ‘80s, a world of intense creativity, risk and cultural crossover. Lawrence’s history outlines the convergence of disco, punk, hip hop, salsa and jazz with performance and visual art, video, film and fashion, all leading to the development of 21st century dance music.</p>
<p>Having “Looking” withdrawal now that the series and movie are over? Savor memories of the uber-gay HBO series with a coffeetable book of photos from the show. It’s out in October in two versions — one for $59 and another for $88 that features a DVD with interviews, behind-the-scenes footage from the movie and a signed cast photo. Jump fast if you’re interested — only 500 copies of each version are being issued. Details at <a href="http://firstthirdbooks.com/" type="external">firstthirdbooks.com</a>.</p>
<p>While New York or San Francisco might seem like the epicenters of America’s gay rights movement, “LGBT Milwaukee (Images of Modern America)” by Michail Takach&#160;($22.99) seeks to correct that notion, highlighting the history of gay and lesbian culture that was evolving in the Rust Belt city of Milwaukee from the early 1960s. As part of the Wisconsin LGBT History Project, the book’s 150 photographs with detailed captions focus on secret back room hangouts to mega-discos to drag queen culture.</p>
<p>“Becoming Who I Am: Young Men on Being Gay” (out Sept. 19; $27.95) is the result of extensive interviews with about 40 young gay men whose average age is 20. Author Ritch C. Savin-Williams explores their first inklings of same-sex attraction, first sexual experiences and their thoughts on love and long-term relationships.</p>
<p>Young Adult, or YA, fiction is the fastest-growing segment of the publishing market, continuing to offer sophisticated stories and viewpoints that are just as interesting for the over-18 reader. “You Know Me Well” by David Levithan and Nina LaCour&#160; ($18.99) is a coming-of-age story set in San Francisco during Pride Week, as two high school classmates, Mark and Kate, who have never spoken, suddenly run into each other one night in the city while avoiding the people they want to be with. Mark is struggling with his unrequited feelings for his best friend Ryan, while Kate is fearful of finally meeting the girl she’s loved from afar.</p>
<p>Tippi Hedren, one of the most famous Hitchcock blondes, releases her memoir “Tippi: a Memoir” ($28.99) on Nov. 1.</p>
<p>“Girl Mans Up” by M-E Girard (released this month, $17.99) is another YA title that will resonate as Pen tries to navigate a world where the cultural expectations from people around her, from her parents to her friends, make it difficult for her to simply be who she is — a girl who isn’t interested in looking feminine, has strong feelings for other girls, and, at the heart of it all, is still a girl at the end of the day who doesn’t want to pretend to be something she’s not.</p>
<p>“It Looks Like This” (out this month, $16.99) by debut author Rafi Mittlefehldt is a tale of first love and loss, following Mike as he and his family move to a new city and he starts at a new high school, constantly urged by his father to give up art for sports as he befriends new kid Sean. Ultimately hopeful, the story doesn’t shy away from the fear that compels parents to send their kids to “straight camp” or the bittersweet need for acceptance from the people we love.</p>
<p>Flynn’s girlfriend is missing, but that’s the least of his problems in “Last Seen Leaving” by Caleb Roehrig (Oct. 4; $17.99). This suspenseful mystery forces Flynn to confront his own demons while being scrutinized by cops and friends, with wit, grit and realism.</p>
<p>“Murder Ink” (Oct. 1; $14.99) is the first offering in the Dakota Jones, P.I. Mystery series, as Jones, the owner of Runaway Investigations, tries to spend a quiet holiday with her girlfriend Kris, a homicide officer, until Kris gets caught up in the investigation of the sordid murder of the proprietor of Fantasy Escorts, who Jones once worked for, back in the old days.</p>
<p>Alaska may, indeed, seem like another country, a place where people go to reinvent themselves in a fresh landscape, as evident in “Building Fires in the Snow: A Collection of Alaska LGBTQ Short Fiction and Poetry” (out this week, $29.95). The anthology gathers stories and poems from across the wide spectrum of Alaska’s LGBT community, shining a light on the everyday lives of gay and lesbian individuals and families within a historically diverse culture.</p>
<p>“The Sea Is Quiet Tonight: a Memoir” by Michael H. Ward&#160;(Nov. 1, $19.99) is, by turns, a painful reminder and inspiration tale of both the love and loss experienced by so many during the early years of the AIDS epidemic. Ward details his partner Mark’s diagnosis and death with honesty, delving into the closeness that can develop between partners, family and friends, even as death is imminent.</p>
<p>Using a collection of characters from pop culture, activism, and academia, “Queer: A Graphic History” by Meg-John Barker and Julia Scheele (Nov. 15, $17.95) uses the graphic novel to guide readers through the history of identity politics, queer theory and gender roles. Fresh interpretations and clever illustrations help bring new life to academic constructs and an understanding of the intersection of biology, psychology, and modern culture.</p>
<p>‘My Son Wears Heels’ by Julie Tarney tells of her experiences raising a gender non-conforming son. (Photo courtesy University of Wisconsin Press)</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Becoming Who I Am: Young Men on Being Gay</a> <a href="" type="internal">Before Pictures</a> <a href="" type="internal">Building Fires in the Snow: A Collection of Alaska LGBTQ Short Fiction and Poetry</a> <a href="" type="internal">Caleb Roehrig</a> <a href="" type="internal">Cindy Sherman</a> <a href="" type="internal">Dakota Jones</a> <a href="" type="internal">David Levithan</a> <a href="" type="internal">Douglas Crimp</a> <a href="" type="internal">Girl Mans Up</a> <a href="" type="internal">HBO</a> <a href="" type="internal">It Looks Like This</a> <a href="" type="internal">Julia Scheele</a> <a href="" type="internal">Julie Tarney</a> <a href="" type="internal">Last Seen Leaving</a> <a href="" type="internal">LGBT Milwaukee (Images of Modern America)</a> <a href="" type="internal">Life and Death on the New York Dance Floor 1980-1983</a> <a href="" type="internal">Looking</a> <a href="" type="internal">M-E Girard</a> <a href="" type="internal">Meg-John Barker</a> <a href="" type="internal">Michael H. Ward</a> <a href="" type="internal">Michail Takach</a> <a href="" type="internal">Murder Ink</a> <a href="" type="internal">My Son Wears Heels: One Mom's Journey from Clueless to Kickass</a> <a href="" type="internal">Nina LaCour</a> <a href="" type="internal">Queer: A Graphic History</a> <a href="" type="internal">Rafi Mittlefehldt</a> <a href="" type="internal">Ritch C. Savin-Williams</a> <a href="" type="internal">Sherrie Levine</a> <a href="" type="internal">The Sea Is Quiet Tonight: a Memoir</a> <a href="" type="internal">Tim Lawrence</a> <a href="" type="internal">Tippi Hedren</a> <a href="" type="internal">Tippi: a Memoir</a> <a href="" type="internal">Trans: A Memoir by Juliet Jacques</a> <a href="" type="internal">You Know Me Well</a></p>
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looking coffeetable book features scenes memorable hbo series photo courtesy first third books possible google terms like gender creative julie tarney trust instincts 2yearold son harry told 1992 inside head im girl son wears heels one moms journey clueless kickass week 2495 tarneys story unwavering support son listening carefully keeping open mind putting harrys happiness societys edicts originally chronicled serialized national column guardian newspaper uk trans memoir juliet jacques nov 15 1995 provides insiders insight gender politics popular media either ignoring distorting transgender movement jacques also provides completely honest account sex reassignment surgery age 30 journey redefine life family friends pictures douglas crimp sept 22 39 ticks boxes anyone followed long career art critic crimp famously coined term pictures generation reference postmodern work artists like sherrie levine cindy sherman 1970s 80s memoir follows experiences young gay man new york city 1960s partying alongside warhol crowd eventually becoming activist aids began devastate gay arts communities running parallel crimps memoir life death new york dance floor 19801983 tim lawrence sept 30 2795 examines intersection new york citys party arts scenes early 80s world intense creativity risk cultural crossover lawrences history outlines convergence disco punk hip hop salsa jazz performance visual art video film fashion leading development 21st century dance music looking withdrawal series movie savor memories ubergay hbo series coffeetable book photos show october two versions one 59 another 88 features dvd interviews behindthescenes footage movie signed cast photo jump fast youre interested 500 copies version issued details firstthirdbookscom new york san francisco might seem like epicenters americas gay rights movement lgbt milwaukee images modern america michail takach1602299 seeks correct notion highlighting history gay lesbian culture evolving rust belt city milwaukee early 1960s part wisconsin lgbt history project books 150 photographs detailed captions focus secret back room hangouts megadiscos drag queen culture becoming young men gay sept 19 2795 result extensive interviews 40 young gay men whose average age 20 author ritch c savinwilliams explores first inklings samesex attraction first sexual experiences thoughts love longterm relationships young adult ya fiction fastestgrowing segment publishing market continuing offer sophisticated stories viewpoints interesting over18 reader know well david levithan nina lacour160 1899 comingofage story set san francisco pride week two high school classmates mark kate never spoken suddenly run one night city avoiding people want mark struggling unrequited feelings best friend ryan kate fearful finally meeting girl shes loved afar tippi hedren one famous hitchcock blondes releases memoir tippi memoir 2899 nov 1 girl mans girard released month 1799 another ya title resonate pen tries navigate world cultural expectations people around parents friends make difficult simply girl isnt interested looking feminine strong feelings girls heart still girl end day doesnt want pretend something shes looks like month 1699 debut author rafi mittlefehldt tale first love loss following mike family move new city starts new high school constantly urged father give art sports befriends new kid sean ultimately hopeful story doesnt shy away fear compels parents send kids straight camp bittersweet need acceptance people love flynns girlfriend missing thats least problems last seen leaving caleb roehrig oct 4 1799 suspenseful mystery forces flynn confront demons scrutinized cops friends wit grit realism murder ink oct 1 1499 first offering dakota jones pi mystery series jones owner runaway investigations tries spend quiet holiday girlfriend kris homicide officer kris gets caught investigation sordid murder proprietor fantasy escorts jones worked back old days alaska may indeed seem like another country place people go reinvent fresh landscape evident building fires snow collection alaska lgbtq short fiction poetry week 2995 anthology gathers stories poems across wide spectrum alaskas lgbt community shining light everyday lives gay lesbian individuals families within historically diverse culture sea quiet tonight memoir michael h ward160nov 1 1999 turns painful reminder inspiration tale love loss experienced many early years aids epidemic ward details partner marks diagnosis death honesty delving closeness develop partners family friends even death imminent using collection characters pop culture activism academia queer graphic history megjohn barker julia scheele nov 15 1795 uses graphic novel guide readers history identity politics queer theory gender roles fresh interpretations clever illustrations help bring new life academic constructs understanding intersection biology psychology modern culture son wears heels julie tarney tells experiences raising gender nonconforming son photo courtesy university wisconsin press becoming young men gay pictures building fires snow collection alaska lgbtq short fiction poetry caleb roehrig cindy sherman dakota jones david levithan douglas crimp girl mans hbo looks like julia scheele julie tarney last seen leaving lgbt milwaukee images modern america life death new york dance floor 19801983 looking girard megjohn barker michael h ward michail takach murder ink son wears heels one moms journey clueless kickass nina lacour queer graphic history rafi mittlefehldt ritch c savinwilliams sherrie levine sea quiet tonight memoir tim lawrence tippi hedren tippi memoir trans memoir juliet jacques know well
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<p>Doctors at a health clinic in Lowell, Massachusetts, had a problem — their exam rooms reminded refugee patients of torture chambers. The stethoscopes, the blood pressure cuff squeezing your arm — they looked like the torture devices used on their families, during Cambodia’s genocide.</p>
<p>Sonith Peou was just 24 when the Khmer Rouge pounded on the door of their family home, and took his father away for execution. Now 63, he’s a program director at the Lowell Community Health Center and he understands why a visit to the doctor’s office can feel traumatic for Cambodian refugees. For some, he says, simply being left alone in a room and waiting for a doctor could cause anxiety.</p>
<p>“When we have patients here, we usually don’t close the door all the way. Because especially for people who have experienced torture, it’s to make them feel like they’re not sitting in the cell,” he shares.</p>
<p />
<p>Socheat Chan refuses to take Tylenol or Advil for headaches – she opts instead for a traditional treatment called coining.&#160;Pictured in the background are the types of medical devices that some Cambodian refugees would mistake for torture devices used on their families during the country’s genocide.&#160;</p>
<p>Heidi Shin</p>
<p>So the health center adapted. They opened the Metta Health Center, a department dedicated to caring for Southeast Asian refugees. They built a meditation lounge, and invited a robed Buddhist monk and a traditional Cambodian healer to consult with their clinical team. In the early years, they often performed age-old therapies like cupping, coining and acupuncture in their exam rooms. They hired new staff — refugees themselves — and lined the walls with Cambodian art.</p>
<p>It was the kind of artwork that had been destroyed in the 1970s, when the Khmer Rouge took over Cambodia’s government and drove millions of citizens to walk by foot to labor camps in the countryside, where they were routinely tortured and starved to death.</p>
<p>When thousands of Cambodian refugees were relocated to Lowell in the 1980s, many weren’t sure whom to trust, including the doctors in white lab coats, who were ready to treat their PTSD. That’s what drove the MettaHealth Center to a different approach.</p>
<p>A patient lies on an exam room table at the Metta Health Center, receiving cupping therapy.&#160;Cupping is a centuries old treatment, in which flame-heated glass cups are attached to your back, and then popped off leaving red round circles.&#160;</p>
<p>Heidi Shin</p>
<p>A patient lies on the exam room table, fluorescent lights dimmed overhead. In a process called cupping, flame heated glass cups are attached to a patient’s back, and then pulled off, leaving round red circles. The pain that fights the pain, they say.</p>
<p>Another patient, Socheat Chan, 35, was born in Cambodia and came to the US as a young woman. She turns to a traditional therapy called coining for headaches, to manage the stress of being a single mom and caring for her aging parents. Socheat pulls a quarter from her purse, and shows me how to rake a lubricated coin across your shoulders and back, leaving tiger red stripes.</p>
<p>“I feel like not heavy on my shoulder anymore,” she says, smiling widely. “I don’t need to use Tylenol or Advil. I think it’s the best medicine for me.”</p>
<p>Coining is a treatment in which a lubricated coin is rubbed across the shoulders and back, leaving tiger-like stripes. It’s routinely used to treat things like headaches and indigestion.&#160;Marks of coining are seen here on a Metta Health Center staff member.</p>
<p>Courtesy of the Lowell Community Health Center</p>
<p>Some of Metta’s staff, who are Cambodian American, regularly coin themselves. Others on the team doubt its medical efficacy — it could be the placebo effect at work. But they agree on one thing: They’re reminders of what life was like back home.</p>
<p>And sometimes it's enough to help patients consider other options, like talk therapy and medication. Eventually, most find that telling their stories — and being heard — does help.</p>
<p>***</p>
<p>Bonnie Chan joined the center’s meditation sessions just after 9/11. She’d just lost her job as a factory worker on an assembly line. “I know that I am suffering," she admits softly. "Sometimes I cannot sleep the whole night.”</p>
<p>The stresses reminded her of a very different life in Cambodia, when she was a student at the country’s top university. She laments, “In 1975, I was still a student at Phnom Penh University in Cambodia. But I did not finish it yet. So the Khmer Rouge take place. ... And I lose everything.”</p>
<p>Being identified as an intellectual — even just wearing glasses — was cause to be sent to forced labor camps. She survived, but three of her brothers didn’t. She uses the word “yet” to describe her unfinished studies, as though at age 64 she plans to return. Now she battles osteoporosis and some nights, she says she doesn’t sleep at all.</p>
<p />
<p>Bonnie Chan, age 64, was a university student when the Khmer Rouge sent her to the forced labor camps in Cambodia.&#160;She survived, but lost three brothers.&#160;She uses meditation to treat her insomnia, but often finds her meditation interrupted by unwanted memories.&#160;</p>
<p>Heidi Shin</p>
<p>She admits, “Because our mind is sometimes — it’s wandering. Sometimes it’s wandering a lot. It’s called the monkey mind. The past sometimes I think about the life in the Khmer Rouge, and when that happen...” She pauses and her voice wavers, before she continues. “I become sad. But we have to learn how to live, how to live in the present.”</p>
<p>After the meditation session, patients are ushered to the conference room next door — to debrief, alongside the center’s staff. The thoughts that interrupt their meditation are often the things they could use help with.</p>
<p>Even their daily lives trigger unwanted memories — a random sound or a particular shade of color can cause panic. Making it hard to get to work, to pay the bills or respond to their kids’ needs, who were often recruited into Lowell’s gang warfare and crack epidemic. They escaped the Cambodian genocide, but found it hard to feel safe.</p>
<p>Since losing her job, Bonnie spends her days ricocheting between the fitness center at the senior center, and her meditation sessions. The days the snow keeps her from leaving the house, she lifts jugs of milk at home. She says it’s essential to keep moving.</p>
<p>***</p>
<p>Each year, as the New England winter sets in, doctors anticipate the onset of depression and anxiety for those who come from warmer and brighter places. Sonith, the center’s program director, hosts a local cable access show to offer tips for surviving. He explains the tradition of Christmas lights, charter buses for group outings and encourages those who can’t work to volunteer — to give them a sense of purpose.</p>
<p />
<p>A painting of a Cambodian temple, which hangs on the walls of the Metta Health Center. The clinic is filled with Cambodian artwork, which has been haggled for in the markets of Phnom Penh.</p>
<p>Heidi Shin</p>
<p>“The winter will pass, and springtime, hope is just around the corner,” Sonith insists.</p>
<p>In fact, at the heart of the center’s is its ability to make people feel at home. One elderly man came routinely, even without an appointment, just to sit and read the Cambodian newspapers in the lobby, and to watch the video in the waiting room.</p>
<p>The video shows sweeping panoramas of US national parks — the kinds of places you’d go on a great American road trip. But the clinic’s walls are lined with pictures of Cambodian temples and dancers, from the markets of Phnom Penh. The smell of fried rice noodles drifts from the staff lunchroom and ceiling fans spin overhead, resembling a home in the tropics.</p>
<p>But where people call home has changed over the years, as Lowell has welcomed new refugees from other parts of the world. So, now with funding from the UN Voluntary Fund for Torture Victims, the Metta Center is offering health screenings for those who have just arrived, from places like Iraq, Congo and Somalia.</p>
<p>Some of these patients are more ready than others to share stories from their own country’s wars. And the health center’s staff — who can’t forget what life was like when they first arrived as refugees — they’re ready to help these newcomers, to also feel at home.</p>
<p>This story was produced with the support of the Images &amp; Voices of Hope Restorative Narrative Fellowship.</p>
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doctors health clinic lowell massachusetts problem exam rooms reminded refugee patients torture chambers stethoscopes blood pressure cuff squeezing arm looked like torture devices used families cambodias genocide sonith peou 24 khmer rouge pounded door family home took father away execution 63 hes program director lowell community health center understands visit doctors office feel traumatic cambodian refugees says simply left alone room waiting doctor could cause anxiety patients usually dont close door way especially people experienced torture make feel like theyre sitting cell shares socheat chan refuses take tylenol advil headaches opts instead traditional treatment called coining160pictured background types medical devices cambodian refugees would mistake torture devices used families countrys genocide160 heidi shin health center adapted opened metta health center department dedicated caring southeast asian refugees built meditation lounge invited robed buddhist monk traditional cambodian healer consult clinical team early years often performed ageold therapies like cupping coining acupuncture exam rooms hired new staff refugees lined walls cambodian art kind artwork destroyed 1970s khmer rouge took cambodias government drove millions citizens walk foot labor camps countryside routinely tortured starved death thousands cambodian refugees relocated lowell 1980s many werent sure trust including doctors white lab coats ready treat ptsd thats drove mettahealth center different approach patient lies exam room table metta health center receiving cupping therapy160cupping centuries old treatment flameheated glass cups attached back popped leaving red round circles160 heidi shin patient lies exam room table fluorescent lights dimmed overhead process called cupping flame heated glass cups attached patients back pulled leaving round red circles pain fights pain say another patient socheat chan 35 born cambodia came us young woman turns traditional therapy called coining headaches manage stress single mom caring aging parents socheat pulls quarter purse shows rake lubricated coin across shoulders back leaving tiger red stripes feel like heavy shoulder anymore says smiling widely dont need use tylenol advil think best medicine coining treatment lubricated coin rubbed across shoulders back leaving tigerlike stripes routinely used treat things like headaches indigestion160marks coining seen metta health center staff member courtesy lowell community health center mettas staff cambodian american regularly coin others team doubt medical efficacy could placebo effect work agree one thing theyre reminders life like back home sometimes enough help patients consider options like talk therapy medication eventually find telling stories heard help bonnie chan joined centers meditation sessions 911 shed lost job factory worker assembly line know suffering admits softly sometimes sleep whole night stresses reminded different life cambodia student countrys top university laments 1975 still student phnom penh university cambodia finish yet khmer rouge take place lose everything identified intellectual even wearing glasses cause sent forced labor camps survived three brothers didnt uses word yet describe unfinished studies though age 64 plans return battles osteoporosis nights says doesnt sleep bonnie chan age 64 university student khmer rouge sent forced labor camps cambodia160she survived lost three brothers160she uses meditation treat insomnia often finds meditation interrupted unwanted memories160 heidi shin admits mind sometimes wandering sometimes wandering lot called monkey mind past sometimes think life khmer rouge happen pauses voice wavers continues become sad learn live live present meditation session patients ushered conference room next door debrief alongside centers staff thoughts interrupt meditation often things could use help even daily lives trigger unwanted memories random sound particular shade color cause panic making hard get work pay bills respond kids needs often recruited lowells gang warfare crack epidemic escaped cambodian genocide found hard feel safe since losing job bonnie spends days ricocheting fitness center senior center meditation sessions days snow keeps leaving house lifts jugs milk home says essential keep moving year new england winter sets doctors anticipate onset depression anxiety come warmer brighter places sonith centers program director hosts local cable access show offer tips surviving explains tradition christmas lights charter buses group outings encourages cant work volunteer give sense purpose painting cambodian temple hangs walls metta health center clinic filled cambodian artwork haggled markets phnom penh heidi shin winter pass springtime hope around corner sonith insists fact heart centers ability make people feel home one elderly man came routinely even without appointment sit read cambodian newspapers lobby watch video waiting room video shows sweeping panoramas us national parks kinds places youd go great american road trip clinics walls lined pictures cambodian temples dancers markets phnom penh smell fried rice noodles drifts staff lunchroom ceiling fans spin overhead resembling home tropics people call home changed years lowell welcomed new refugees parts world funding un voluntary fund torture victims metta center offering health screenings arrived places like iraq congo somalia patients ready others share stories countrys wars health centers staff cant forget life like first arrived refugees theyre ready help newcomers also feel home story produced support images amp voices hope restorative narrative fellowship
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<p>&#160;</p>
<p>BOSTON, Mass. — Traffic flows down Boylston Street toward the Public Garden, past scurrying shoppers and T-riders, no longer pausing before the faded signs and soggy sneakers in front of Trinity Church. Joggers dart in and around Back Bay with purpose, angling for escape to the Charles River and its stretched, smooth track of pavement. And crowds gather at watering holes around the city, cheering on the Bruins and Red Sox.</p>
<p>As stories about the Boston Marathon bombings have slid off the front page — and out of many Bostonians’ day-to-day thoughts — by many measures, the city has returned to normal. But for some of the thousands of athletes, fans, and emergency personnel on Boylston Street last month when two homemade bombs unleashed ball bearings, nails and absolute terror in the final blocks of the Boston Marathon, the magnitude of what happened on Patriot’s Day is just beginning to reveal itself.&#160;</p>
<p>More than 30 days after a traumatic event is when signs of prolonged distress — including sleeplessness, irritability, and feelings of sadness or anger — can become more pronounced, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a distinct reality.&#160;Although Boston’s primary victim compensation response to the attacks, The One Fund, will not cover mental health benefits, other options exist for those seeking psychological support and their organizers are hopeful that Bostonians will reach out.</p>
<p>“People are going to have significant difficulty coping with what has happened, whether it’s because of what they saw, what they heard, or because they had a loved one or a friend that was injured — or they themselves were injured,” said Dr. Shamim Nejad, the director of adult burns and trauma psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital, who has been treating psychological trauma related to the Marathon since day one. “That’s going to cause a lot of difficulty in different spheres of their lives.”</p>
<p>The prevalence of PTSD varies widely according to the nature of the trauma and diagnosis, but many psychiatrists estimate that around 20 percent of people who experience trauma can develop symptoms of the disorder. In the case of the Boston event, experts say that this figure will likely be lower.</p>
<p>PTSD “is only going to affect those up close and personal,” said Dr. Roger Pitman, a professor psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and an expert in the disorder.</p>
<p>Still, experts said that the psychological toll could be strong.</p>
<p>In the initial days and weeks after a traumatic event, many people can feel distress, with symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, distraction and disbelief.</p>
<p>“After an incident or bombing such as what happened in Boston, having acute stress reactions or symptoms of acute stress reactions is not particularly unusual, and it would be within the realm of normal,” said Nejad.</p>
<p>If those symptoms continue, and become heightened to include others such as avoidance, numbing, or intrusive flashbacks, some people may have acute stress disorder. PTSD is the persistence of these symptoms.</p>
<p>The leading treatments for PTSD are cognitive processing therapy and prolonged exposure therapy, according to Dr. Margaret Harvey, associate clinical director for Veterans Programs at the <a href="" type="external">Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base Program</a>. The idea is to weaken the strength of memories by repeatedly talking or thinking about the event. This can be done in talk therapy, or in real-life situations, such as walking down Boylston Street to the Copley Square memorial.</p>
<p>Medications, including anti-depressants and sleeping aids, can be effective in some cases, but not all. Regular exercise, sleep, and even mind-body interventions can all mitigate the symptoms of PTSD, doctors said.</p>
<p>Much of what we know about PTSD and related stress disorders has been advanced in the last decade, as increasing numbers of veterans have returned home from Iraq and Afghanistan, haunted by vivid memories of violent battles and devastation caused by improvised explosive devices (IEDs).</p>
<p>Since 2009, clinicians at Home Base have treated the “invisible wounds” of more than 500 veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and families members in the New England area. Home Base estimates that more than 90 percent of its patients have PTSD.</p>
<p>“The experiences of the military have been helpful in identifying what helps healing, what confers greater resilience, what makes for greater vulnerability,” said Dr. Frederick Stoddard, clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.</p>
<p>But there are distinct differences. Those in combat may experience multiple traumatizations over a prolonged period, whereas the Boston bombings was a “single incident stressor,” Stoddard said. Moreover, several experts said, in military situations, danger and personal risk is anticipated.</p>
<p>Boston, by contrast, was an unexpected event. How an individual appraises the danger also shapes their psychological reaction. If someone thinks, “I’m dead, I’m wounded, I’ll die,” said Pitman, “They’re more likely to get PTSD.”</p>
<p>While experts agree that the Boston bombing will have a psychological toll on the injured and bystanders alike, including many of the city’s first responders, The One Fund – the state’s primary victim compensation effort for the bombings – will distribute funding based upon physical injury or death only.</p>
<p>Earlier this month, Boston Mayor Tom Menino and Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick created the Fund to provide support to victims of the bombings and related events, including to families of the four individuals who died.</p>
<p>The Fund is currently accepting claim forms from victims, and beginning June 30, plans to distribute the more than $32 million it has raised. But The One Fund’s administrator, Kenneth Feinberg, a lawyer who also oversaw distributions of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, recently told a Boston audience that the chances of funds going to those who experienced emotional trauma as a result of the bombings were <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/15/us/in-boston-kenneth-feinberg-again-divides-a-victims-fund.html?pagewanted=all" type="external">“iffy.”</a> &#160;(The 9/11 fund similarly excluded claims for mental health coverage.)</p>
<p>“It’s not an inexhaustible amount of money,” The One Fund’s deputy administrator Camille Biros told GlobalPost. Administrators wanted to distribute the funds to “those most seriously injured,” she said -- the double amputees, the single amputees, and the families of the deceased.</p>
<p>There are other resources for those in the Boston area suffering from psychological injury related to the bombings, and Biros noted that The One Fund links to some of them on its <a href="" type="external">website</a>.&#160;</p>
<p>The Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Hospital, for example, is running free mental health support groups and providing mental health services for anyone affected by the bombings, with support from the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance. Cynthia Kennedy, a clinician at the Center for Violence Prevention and Recovery, which is leading the effort, said that her department has seen an increase in calls about mental health services since the attack.</p>
<p>The state’s Victim Compensation Fund, founded in 1967, is administered by the attorney general’s office and designed to provide financial assistance to victims of violent crimes. The attorney general’s office said the <a href="http://www.mass.gov/ago/docs/victim/vcomp-app-marathon.pdf" type="external">fund</a>&#160;will help cover the cost of mental health counseling.</p>
<p>“It is important that those needing psychological assistance in the weeks and months after the bombing get appropriate counseling,” said Attorney General Martha Coakley in a statement.</p>
<p>Since the bombing, more than 150 people have applied for the program, which will reimburse medical expenses up to $25,000 for those eligible. Coakley said that victims should reach out directly to her office for more information.</p>
<p>As Boston recedes in the national light, experts agree that it's important not to forget about the unseen suffering that many residents may be experiencing.</p>
<p>“There is some very effective treatment that can be life changing,” said Home Base’s Harvey. “It takes courage to seek help, but it can be very powerful.”</p>
<p>Additional reporting for this article contributed by Emily Judem.</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/groundtruth/boston-marathon-attack-bombing-home-target" type="external">"Boston Marathon attack: When home is the target"&#160;</a> &#160;</p>
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160 boston mass traffic flows boylston street toward public garden past scurrying shoppers triders longer pausing faded signs soggy sneakers front trinity church joggers dart around back bay purpose angling escape charles river stretched smooth track pavement crowds gather watering holes around city cheering bruins red sox stories boston marathon bombings slid front page many bostonians daytoday thoughts many measures city returned normal thousands athletes fans emergency personnel boylston street last month two homemade bombs unleashed ball bearings nails absolute terror final blocks boston marathon magnitude happened patriots day beginning reveal itself160 30 days traumatic event signs prolonged distress including sleeplessness irritability feelings sadness anger become pronounced posttraumatic stress disorder ptsd distinct reality160although bostons primary victim compensation response attacks one fund cover mental health benefits options exist seeking psychological support organizers hopeful bostonians reach people going significant difficulty coping happened whether saw heard loved one friend injured injured said dr shamim nejad director adult burns trauma psychiatry massachusetts general hospital treating psychological trauma related marathon since day one thats going cause lot difficulty different spheres lives prevalence ptsd varies widely according nature trauma diagnosis many psychiatrists estimate around 20 percent people experience trauma develop symptoms disorder case boston event experts say figure likely lower ptsd going affect close personal said dr roger pitman professor psychiatry harvard medical school expert disorder still experts said psychological toll could strong initial days weeks traumatic event many people feel distress symptoms anxiety insomnia distraction disbelief incident bombing happened boston acute stress reactions symptoms acute stress reactions particularly unusual would within realm normal said nejad symptoms continue become heightened include others avoidance numbing intrusive flashbacks people may acute stress disorder ptsd persistence symptoms leading treatments ptsd cognitive processing therapy prolonged exposure therapy according dr margaret harvey associate clinical director veterans programs red sox foundation massachusetts general hospital home base program idea weaken strength memories repeatedly talking thinking event done talk therapy reallife situations walking boylston street copley square memorial medications including antidepressants sleeping aids effective cases regular exercise sleep even mindbody interventions mitigate symptoms ptsd doctors said much know ptsd related stress disorders advanced last decade increasing numbers veterans returned home iraq afghanistan haunted vivid memories violent battles devastation caused improvised explosive devices ieds since 2009 clinicians home base treated invisible wounds 500 veterans iraq afghanistan wars families members new england area home base estimates 90 percent patients ptsd experiences military helpful identifying helps healing confers greater resilience makes greater vulnerability said dr frederick stoddard clinical professor psychiatry harvard medical school distinct differences combat may experience multiple traumatizations prolonged period whereas boston bombings single incident stressor stoddard said moreover several experts said military situations danger personal risk anticipated boston contrast unexpected event individual appraises danger also shapes psychological reaction someone thinks im dead im wounded ill die said pitman theyre likely get ptsd experts agree boston bombing psychological toll injured bystanders alike including many citys first responders one fund states primary victim compensation effort bombings distribute funding based upon physical injury death earlier month boston mayor tom menino massachusetts governor deval patrick created fund provide support victims bombings related events including families four individuals died fund currently accepting claim forms victims beginning june 30 plans distribute 32 million raised one funds administrator kenneth feinberg lawyer also oversaw distributions september 11th victim compensation fund recently told boston audience chances funds going experienced emotional trauma result bombings iffy 160the 911 fund similarly excluded claims mental health coverage inexhaustible amount money one funds deputy administrator camille biros told globalpost administrators wanted distribute funds seriously injured said double amputees single amputees families deceased resources boston area suffering psychological injury related bombings biros noted one fund links website160 beth israel deaconess medical hospital example running free mental health support groups providing mental health services anyone affected bombings support massachusetts office victim assistance cynthia kennedy clinician center violence prevention recovery leading effort said department seen increase calls mental health services since attack states victim compensation fund founded 1967 administered attorney generals office designed provide financial assistance victims violent crimes attorney generals office said fund160will help cover cost mental health counseling important needing psychological assistance weeks months bombing get appropriate counseling said attorney general martha coakley statement since bombing 150 people applied program reimburse medical expenses 25000 eligible coakley said victims reach directly office information boston recedes national light experts agree important forget unseen suffering many residents may experiencing effective treatment life changing said home bases harvey takes courage seek help powerful additional reporting article contributed emily judem globalpost boston marathon attack home target160 160
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<p>On a crisp mid-October morning, 18 students from Hamline Elementary grab their coats and walk to Chavez Elementary four blocks away. An unremarkable event in most neighborhoods, perhaps, but in Back of the Yards the idea of walking from one school to another would not even have been considered just a few years ago.</p>
<p>Four to five gangs dominate the area, and violence was so prevalent back then that youngsters could easily become targets of random gunfire if they dared to venture beyond the landmarks separating gang turfs.</p>
<p>When the Hamiline students arrive at Chavez, they are greeted at the door by Assistant Principal Antonio Perez. “Hey, what school are you from?” he asks, as he holds open the door.</p>
<p>“Hamline,” the students yell in unison.</p>
<p>“I used to teach at Hamline for six years,” he says. “How’s it going over there? Come on in.” He gives a bear hug to a former Chavez student he recognizes on the way in.</p>
<p>Later, he greets more groups that come from Daley, Seward, Hedges and Lara elementaries. Chavez students are there too. In all, more than 150 6th-, 7th- and 8th-graders are gathered at Chavez to participate in the Back of the Yards 2nd annual Peace and Education Summit, sponsored by the Peace and Education Coalition of Back of the Yards/New City.</p>
<p>For four hours, students meet others from different schools; work on a project as a group; discuss such issues as diversity, tolerance, racial stereotypes and the pitfalls of gangs and drugs; and have a say in the activities they’d like to participate in.</p>
<p>The summit is one way that community leaders hope to curb violence and crime among neighborhood youths. In a neighborhood where students are segregated by viaducts, blocks and streets, the goal is to show them they are more similar than different, and that their community extends beyond their own streets and schools.</p>
<p>“You reduce fear by getting to know who’s who in the community and caring for the neighborhood,” says Rev. Bruce Wellems of Holy Cross/Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, a member of the coalition. “That’s one of the things we are trying to do with the kids.”</p>
<p>Mixing it up</p>
<p>Upon arrival at the summit, each student receives an identical Peace and Education T-shirt with a color-coded name tag. Then, they are put into groups by color and not school, ensuring that they will meet new people.</p>
<p>Each school was asked to send 30 students—10 students each from 6th, 7th and 8th grade—and to recruit student leaders for the event. “They didn’t have to be the best and the brightest,” says Marcey Reyes, Seward’s principal, “but they had to be leaders, those other kids listen to.”</p>
<p>The coalition was clear about why students had been gathered.</p>
<p>“This summit is about building relationships because we are so divided,” Rev. Ed Shea of St. Joseph’s Church told them. “There’s the city vs. the suburbs, the Cubs vs. the Sox. Do you know a fight broke out among the adults at a Peace Coalition meeting over the Cubs and the Sox?”</p>
<p>The students burst into laughter</p>
<p>“So there should not be a Hedges vs. Hamline. What is that all about? That’s crazy,” says Shea. “Is it possible to think that we are one family? Because we are. I hope you’ll really think about that today, okay?”Students were then broken up into groups to attend 30-minute workshops held over four hours. The workshops were led by the 9th District police, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Chicago Children’s Museum, the city’s Animal Care and Control Department, the social-service initiative City Year and Youth Outreach Services, a non-profit social service agency.</p>
<p>Presenters covered topics such as gangs and drugs, the juvenile arrest process and the proper way to treat animals because of the popularity of dog-fighting among gangs. Students also were challenged to examine the perceptions and realities of culture, tolerance, diversity and inclusiveness.</p>
<p>For example, in the workshop presented by Youth Outreach, students were asked to identify the nationality of one of the presenters based on how he talked and dressed. Student guesses: Jamaican or Latin. He actually was African American and Puerto Rican.</p>
<p>How often do we develop misperceptions about other people because we see them act or dress in a certain way?, the presenter asked.</p>
<p>In a Children’s Museum workshop aimed at promoting teamwork, students were grouped into teams and asked to build a device that could move a golf ball from one point to another, without the use of hands.</p>
<p>The police department encouraged students to participate in the 9th District’s peer jury, where students decide punishments for minor juvenile offenses.</p>
<p>“I called to be part of the peer jury program,” says Yasmin Quinonez, an 8th-grader at Chavez, a few weeks after the summit. “It was the first time I’d heard of the program, and I was very interested.”</p>
<p>Another popular workshop was led by Chavez’s principal, Sandra Traback, who asked students to identify community activities they’d like the coalition to sponsor. Among the top requests: karate classes, soccer, basketball, art, football and swimming. Others included a talent show, a play, a dance and taking a community trip.</p>
<p>In response to the students’ overwhelming request for sports, the coalition has approached the Chicago Park District, which Traback says is looking to rebuild Davis Square Park. The park was closed after it was damaged in a serious thunderstorm, and the coalition believes the loss of park programs contributed to some of the neighborhood violence.</p>
<p>So far, the coalition has not heard from the Park District. But with its non-profit status, the group can seek grants to help fund these initiatives.</p>
<p>Imaginary boundaries</p>
<p>In an analysis of 2000 U.S. Census data, the coalition found that 5,000 young people under the age of 18 live in a 10-by-10-block area in the neighborhood, but do not come in contact with each other based on where they live.</p>
<p>Imaginary geographic lines exist that are keeping kids from getting to know each other, says Marcey Reyes, Seward’s principal. “We had to come up with a way to break down barriers, to say, ‘Yeah, you live here, I live there, but we’re the same.'”</p>
<p>In 1998, the coalition began hosting basketball games between schools. Even though some schools are only a few blocks apart, students had to be bused in because of the frequency of violence in the neighborhood.</p>
<p>Last year, the coalition came up with the idea of a Peace and Education summit among the schools. Five of the six elementary schools participated; Hamline could not because of a scheduling problem.</p>
<p>This year, all six public schools participated.</p>
<p>“Eight years ago, these schools hadn’t even considered working together,” says Wellems. But the youth summit has taught the community the importance of adults coming together to help kids.</p>
<p>Next year, the coalition hopes to include San Miguel, a Catholic middle School, in the summit.</p>
<p>Bridges built</p>
<p>In small but noticeable ways, young people are building connections among themselves, say coalition members.</p>
<p>Valerie Brown, Hamline’s principal, says: “I see the coalition’s impact. I’m not saying the violence has totally disappeared. It hasn’t. But [it] is not as escalated as it has been. The peace coalition is making sure all the schools are on the same page.””I learned it doesn’t matter how people look, we are all really the same,” says Julio Alejandre, an 8th-grader from Seward.</p>
<p>“When I was with my friends, I saw a girl that I met at the summit that went to Daley. She was in my group,” says Tywana Gill, an 8th grader at Chavez. “I told her ‘Hi, how have you been?’ I never would have said anything if I hadn’t met her at the summit.”</p>
<p>Jeremy Sanchez, an 8th-grader from Seward, says on a recent trip to a neighborhood park, he also saw a student he’d met at the summit. “I told my friends, ‘I know him,'”says Sanchez. “I met a lot of people from Hamline, Chavez and Lara that I see around here now.”</p>
<p>And fellow Seward student Salvador Rojas says, “When I go home, I see some of the kids from Hedges. I may not say nothing, but I nod my head to let them know I’ve seen them. I thought the summit was going to be boring and all the adults would do was talk, talk, talk, but it was cool.”</p>
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crisp midoctober morning 18 students hamline elementary grab coats walk chavez elementary four blocks away unremarkable event neighborhoods perhaps back yards idea walking one school another would even considered years ago four five gangs dominate area violence prevalent back youngsters could easily become targets random gunfire dared venture beyond landmarks separating gang turfs hamiline students arrive chavez greeted door assistant principal antonio perez hey school asks holds open door hamline students yell unison used teach hamline six years says hows going come gives bear hug former chavez student recognizes way later greets groups come daley seward hedges lara elementaries chavez students 150 6th 7th 8thgraders gathered chavez participate back yards 2nd annual peace education summit sponsored peace education coalition back yardsnew city four hours students meet others different schools work project group discuss issues diversity tolerance racial stereotypes pitfalls gangs drugs say activities theyd like participate summit one way community leaders hope curb violence crime among neighborhood youths neighborhood students segregated viaducts blocks streets goal show similar different community extends beyond streets schools reduce fear getting know whos community caring neighborhood says rev bruce wellems holy crossimmaculate heart mary church member coalition thats one things trying kids mixing upon arrival summit student receives identical peace education tshirt colorcoded name tag put groups color school ensuring meet new people school asked send 30 students10 students 6th 7th 8th gradeand recruit student leaders event didnt best brightest says marcey reyes sewards principal leaders kids listen coalition clear students gathered summit building relationships divided rev ed shea st josephs church told theres city vs suburbs cubs vs sox know fight broke among adults peace coalition meeting cubs sox students burst laughter hedges vs hamline thats crazy says shea possible think one family hope youll really think today okaystudents broken groups attend 30minute workshops held four hours workshops led 9th district police cook county states attorneys office chicago childrens museum citys animal care control department socialservice initiative city year youth outreach services nonprofit social service agency presenters covered topics gangs drugs juvenile arrest process proper way treat animals popularity dogfighting among gangs students also challenged examine perceptions realities culture tolerance diversity inclusiveness example workshop presented youth outreach students asked identify nationality one presenters based talked dressed student guesses jamaican latin actually african american puerto rican often develop misperceptions people see act dress certain way presenter asked childrens museum workshop aimed promoting teamwork students grouped teams asked build device could move golf ball one point another without use hands police department encouraged students participate 9th districts peer jury students decide punishments minor juvenile offenses called part peer jury program says yasmin quinonez 8thgrader chavez weeks summit first time id heard program interested another popular workshop led chavezs principal sandra traback asked students identify community activities theyd like coalition sponsor among top requests karate classes soccer basketball art football swimming others included talent show play dance taking community trip response students overwhelming request sports coalition approached chicago park district traback says looking rebuild davis square park park closed damaged serious thunderstorm coalition believes loss park programs contributed neighborhood violence far coalition heard park district nonprofit status group seek grants help fund initiatives imaginary boundaries analysis 2000 us census data coalition found 5000 young people age 18 live 10by10block area neighborhood come contact based live imaginary geographic lines exist keeping kids getting know says marcey reyes sewards principal come way break barriers say yeah live live 1998 coalition began hosting basketball games schools even though schools blocks apart students bused frequency violence neighborhood last year coalition came idea peace education summit among schools five six elementary schools participated hamline could scheduling problem year six public schools participated eight years ago schools hadnt even considered working together says wellems youth summit taught community importance adults coming together help kids next year coalition hopes include san miguel catholic middle school summit bridges built small noticeable ways young people building connections among say coalition members valerie brown hamlines principal says see coalitions impact im saying violence totally disappeared hasnt escalated peace coalition making sure schools pagei learned doesnt matter people look really says julio alejandre 8thgrader seward friends saw girl met summit went daley group says tywana gill 8th grader chavez told hi never would said anything hadnt met summit jeremy sanchez 8thgrader seward says recent trip neighborhood park also saw student hed met summit told friends know himsays sanchez met lot people hamline chavez lara see around fellow seward student salvador rojas says go home see kids hedges may say nothing nod head let know ive seen thought summit going boring adults would talk talk talk cool
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<p>Hudson Taylor is executive director of Athlete Ally and guest editor of the Washington Blade.</p>
<p>The pace at which LGBT equality is being achieved in society and under the law has been remarkably accelerated in recent years. Today, the average age of a person coming out is 16, all U.S.&#160;states have marriage equality, hate crime legislation has been passed, and “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” and DOMA have been repealed. These advances are the direct result of an organized strategy across the LGBT civil rights movement, advances that would not be possible without the sacrifice and unwavering determination of those who have made LGBT equality their life’s work.</p>
<p>Despite the staggering progress made in recent years, on the road to LGBT equality we are still forging new paths, and not yet arrived at our ultimate destination. Across the United States, LGBT individuals are not afforded workplace protections and can still be denied housing. Anti-LGBT language is still a common occurrence throughout K-12 education; LGBT youth suffer disproportionately from homelessness; and the majority of LGBT young people still report experiencing anti-LGBT bias and bullying.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, as we begin to assess where our sports culture falls on the continuum of respect, inclusion and equality, it is clear that athletics continues to be one of the last bastions of homophobia, transphobia, and heterosexism.</p>
<p>Below are what I believe to have been successful tactics and philosophies employed by past social justice movements and how they can be applied to sports. I will highlight the particular challenges still facing our work within sports and conclude by positing some of the ways in which individuals and organizations can better work together to maximize the impact and progress of the LGBT sports movement.</p>
<p>The LGBT civil rights movement has benefitted from a diversity of approaches from the organizations and individuals involved. For sports culture to share similar advancements, we must have equally diverse tactics for our work. Across the movement, there are three primary areas of advocacy: social services, information and education, and civil liberties and social action.</p>
<p>LGBT social services in sports are centered on providing resources and opportunities for those that would otherwise not have them. This includes scholarships for LGBT athletes, creating safe spaces for LGBT individuals, providing sports equipment and putting in place LGBT specific systems of support. This work is crucial as oftentimes the perceived or actual barriers to entry for LGBT individuals are greater than those of their heterosexual counterparts. Unless safe and accessible athletic opportunities are provided, LGBT youth may forego participating in sports for other activities.</p>
<p>The second area of advocacy is that of education and information. The constituents of this work are both LGBT and non-LGBT athletes, coaches, administrators, parents and fans. This work is often comprised of educating communities about the experiences of LGBT individuals in sports, acknowledging the work still needed and highlighting the steps we can take to bring about greater LGBT equality in sports. While there continues to be an emerging field of qualified and passionate educators, the majority of athletic institutions have not yet invested in this type of training. The divide between those who need LGBT education and those who actually receive it, becomes greater when we take into account differences in age, geography, sport and positions of power.</p>
<p>The final area of advocacy is that of civil liberties and social action. This work is chiefly focused on the adoption and implementation of LGBT inclusive policies and best practices. For many institutions this work is centered on having inclusive policies and facilities for transgender athletes, creating appropriate punitive policies for anti-LGBT conduct or clearly articulating an LGBT inclusive non-discrimination policy. For some faith-based institutions, the policy advances look quite different, as prohibition of pre-marital sex forms the foundation for LGBT protections, or lack thereof. It should also be noted that the experiences of our athletic communities extend to life outside of sports, making the city, state, and federal protections of LGBT individuals equally important to the success of the LGBT sports movement.</p>
<p>The success of the LGBT sports movement is contingent upon, in part, finding and elevating diverse voices. While there has never been a successful social justice movement for a minority group without the support of the majority, we must not forget that without the visible testimony of the LGBT community, all our work remains theoretical.</p>
<p>The advancement of LGBT equality in sports is predicated upon reconciling the perception of sports culture, with the reality of sports culture. That is, if the perception is that homophobia, transphobia or heterosexism in sports exists, then LGBT individuals will not be encouraged to share their true selves with their sports community.</p>
<p>To change this, we must find and elevate as many LGBT voices within sports as possible, as well as find and elevate the voices of supportive allies. Because the perception of sports culture is defined by what one sees, hears and experiences, the telling of positive stories will be the connective tissue between each organization and individual’s advocacy approach.</p>
<p>In addition to a diversity of messengers, how the LGBT sports movement collectively frames its messaging is directly proportional to its ability to affect change. Historically, large-scale social change happens in a very particular way. Research suggests that the way a culture changes is not by engaging in conversations of right vs. wrong, but instead by redefining and appealing to the dominant identity of a target audience.</p>
<p>Over the last 10 years, we have seen significant changes to the culture and policies of the majority of Fortune 500 companies. These changes have been made possible by clear and concise messaging articulating the business case for LGBT equality. If we suppose that the dominant identity of a company is to make more money, retain and recruit better talent and appeal to more customers, then the most effective messaging to appeal to corporate culture is that which connects LGBT equality to those business objectives.</p>
<p>Similarly, if we suppose that the dominant identity of athletics is to win more games, recruit better athletes, appeal to more fans and be the best possible teammate, then our most effective messaging within sports will be that which clearly connects LGBT equality in sports with those same athletic objectives. In this way, the efficacy of the LGBT sports movement is contingent upon our ability to make LGBT equality synonymous with athletic success.</p>
<p>The continued presence of anti-LGBT bias, bullying and discrimination in sports is not by accident; it’s by design. The institution of sport suffers from three systemic issues. First, it is one of the few environments that is segregated by gender. Second, it is a competitive reward structure designed to rank one athlete over another, due not to the content of their character, but because of physical characteristics. Third, one’s ability to participate in sports is ultimately determined by a third party. Together, these factors create a unique environment within sports in which conforming to a narrowly defined standard of masculinity, femininity, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression is not only strongly encouraged, but often required.</p>
<p>In practice, and because of these factors, male athletes who more readily conform to orthodox concepts of masculinity are likely given more playing time (because that’s how you need to act in order to do well). The increased amount of playing time leads to a disproportionate improvement of skills for those who conform vs. those who do not. The disproportionate improvement of skills leads to increased success, which leads to increased popularity, which leads to an increased likelihood that an athlete will stay with his or her sport through high school and college. Those athletes who compete in high school or college are more likely to go on to become coaches only to teach the next generation of athletes the same value system that afforded them their success. In this way, homophobia, transphobia and heterosexism in sports is cyclical, intergenerational and unlikely to change unless the way in which we think about sports is substantially redefined.</p>
<p>The final obstacle for the LGBT sports movement is the perceived risk of speaking out as an ally or coming out as LGBT, versus the perceived reward. Because our coaches determine participation and our coach’s employment is determined by their athletic director, athletic institutions implicitly disdain uniqueness. If an athlete or coach’s identity or beliefs overshadow their performance as an athlete or coach, they are at risk of losing their livelihood. In this way, conforming to athletic culture and remaining silent on various social justice issues is still unfortunately often the smart decision to ensure longevity of one’s career.</p>
<p>Ending homophobia, transphobia and heterosexism in sports can be accomplished if we work together. Whether you are a current member of the athletic community, a casual fan or never participated in sports, we all have the ability to help affect positive change within our communities. As the saying goes, “A thousand candles can be lit from a single candle.” Below are a list of actions that if done collectively, will bring us closer to realizing a future of LGBT equality in sport and society.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">2015 Sports Issue</a> <a href="" type="internal">Athlete Ally</a> <a href="" type="internal">athletics</a> <a href="" type="internal">DADT</a> <a href="" type="internal">DOMA</a> <a href="" type="internal">Don't Ask Don't Tell</a> <a href="" type="internal">homophobia</a> <a href="" type="internal">Hudson Taylor</a> <a href="" type="internal">LGBT</a> <a href="" type="internal">LGBT sports</a> <a href="" type="internal">lgbt youth</a> <a href="" type="internal">LGBTQ youth</a> <a href="" type="internal">Sports</a> <a href="" type="internal">transphobia</a> <a href="" type="internal">Washington Blade</a></p>
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hudson taylor executive director athlete ally guest editor washington blade pace lgbt equality achieved society law remarkably accelerated recent years today average age person coming 16 us160states marriage equality hate crime legislation passed dont ask dont tell doma repealed advances direct result organized strategy across lgbt civil rights movement advances would possible without sacrifice unwavering determination made lgbt equality lifes work despite staggering progress made recent years road lgbt equality still forging new paths yet arrived ultimate destination across united states lgbt individuals afforded workplace protections still denied housing antilgbt language still common occurrence throughout k12 education lgbt youth suffer disproportionately homelessness majority lgbt young people still report experiencing antilgbt bias bullying unfortunately begin assess sports culture falls continuum respect inclusion equality clear athletics continues one last bastions homophobia transphobia heterosexism believe successful tactics philosophies employed past social justice movements applied sports highlight particular challenges still facing work within sports conclude positing ways individuals organizations better work together maximize impact progress lgbt sports movement lgbt civil rights movement benefitted diversity approaches organizations individuals involved sports culture share similar advancements must equally diverse tactics work across movement three primary areas advocacy social services information education civil liberties social action lgbt social services sports centered providing resources opportunities would otherwise includes scholarships lgbt athletes creating safe spaces lgbt individuals providing sports equipment putting place lgbt specific systems support work crucial oftentimes perceived actual barriers entry lgbt individuals greater heterosexual counterparts unless safe accessible athletic opportunities provided lgbt youth may forego participating sports activities second area advocacy education information constituents work lgbt nonlgbt athletes coaches administrators parents fans work often comprised educating communities experiences lgbt individuals sports acknowledging work still needed highlighting steps take bring greater lgbt equality sports continues emerging field qualified passionate educators majority athletic institutions yet invested type training divide need lgbt education actually receive becomes greater take account differences age geography sport positions power final area advocacy civil liberties social action work chiefly focused adoption implementation lgbt inclusive policies best practices many institutions work centered inclusive policies facilities transgender athletes creating appropriate punitive policies antilgbt conduct clearly articulating lgbt inclusive nondiscrimination policy faithbased institutions policy advances look quite different prohibition premarital sex forms foundation lgbt protections lack thereof also noted experiences athletic communities extend life outside sports making city state federal protections lgbt individuals equally important success lgbt sports movement success lgbt sports movement contingent upon part finding elevating diverse voices never successful social justice movement minority group without support majority must forget without visible testimony lgbt community work remains theoretical advancement lgbt equality sports predicated upon reconciling perception sports culture reality sports culture perception homophobia transphobia heterosexism sports exists lgbt individuals encouraged share true selves sports community change must find elevate many lgbt voices within sports possible well find elevate voices supportive allies perception sports culture defined one sees hears experiences telling positive stories connective tissue organization individuals advocacy approach addition diversity messengers lgbt sports movement collectively frames messaging directly proportional ability affect change historically largescale social change happens particular way research suggests way culture changes engaging conversations right vs wrong instead redefining appealing dominant identity target audience last 10 years seen significant changes culture policies majority fortune 500 companies changes made possible clear concise messaging articulating business case lgbt equality suppose dominant identity company make money retain recruit better talent appeal customers effective messaging appeal corporate culture connects lgbt equality business objectives similarly suppose dominant identity athletics win games recruit better athletes appeal fans best possible teammate effective messaging within sports clearly connects lgbt equality sports athletic objectives way efficacy lgbt sports movement contingent upon ability make lgbt equality synonymous athletic success continued presence antilgbt bias bullying discrimination sports accident design institution sport suffers three systemic issues first one environments segregated gender second competitive reward structure designed rank one athlete another due content character physical characteristics third ones ability participate sports ultimately determined third party together factors create unique environment within sports conforming narrowly defined standard masculinity femininity sexual orientation gender identity expression strongly encouraged often required practice factors male athletes readily conform orthodox concepts masculinity likely given playing time thats need act order well increased amount playing time leads disproportionate improvement skills conform vs disproportionate improvement skills leads increased success leads increased popularity leads increased likelihood athlete stay sport high school college athletes compete high school college likely go become coaches teach next generation athletes value system afforded success way homophobia transphobia heterosexism sports cyclical intergenerational unlikely change unless way think sports substantially redefined final obstacle lgbt sports movement perceived risk speaking ally coming lgbt versus perceived reward coaches determine participation coachs employment determined athletic director athletic institutions implicitly disdain uniqueness athlete coachs identity beliefs overshadow performance athlete coach risk losing livelihood way conforming athletic culture remaining silent various social justice issues still unfortunately often smart decision ensure longevity ones career ending homophobia transphobia heterosexism sports accomplished work together whether current member athletic community casual fan never participated sports ability help affect positive change within communities saying goes thousand candles lit single candle list actions done collectively bring us closer realizing future lgbt equality sport society 2015 sports issue athlete ally athletics dadt doma dont ask dont tell homophobia hudson taylor lgbt lgbt sports lgbt youth lgbtq youth sports transphobia washington blade
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<p><a href="" type="internal" />Editor’s Note: This is Part One of a two-part series. Part two is <a href="" type="internal">here</a>.</p>
<p>April 22, 2013</p>
<p>By John Hrabe</p>
<p>The second night of the 2013 state convention earlier this month, California Democrats shared the downtown convention center with two Sacramento-area high schools hosting their junior-senior proms. It was probably just a coincidence. However, there are parallels between the two celebrations.</p>
<p>Both gatherings represent the culmination of a year of hard work. The Democrats’ convention mantra, “We’re just getting started,” could easily describe high school seniors preparing for the next stage in their lives.</p>
<p>And there’s one final parallel: both parties are due in large part to the work of some talented organizers behind the scenes.</p>
<p>Democrats in California are basking in unprecedented successes.</p>
<p>In November, the party helped secure the reelection of President Barack Obama and Sen. Dianne Feinstein. It picked up its first supermajority in both houses of the state Legislature in more than a century. It added six freshmen from swing districts to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi’s Democratic caucus. All the while, passing <a href="http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California_Proposition_30,_Sales_and_Income_Tax_Increase_(2012)" type="external">Proposition 30</a>, Gov. Jerry Brown’s $6 billion-dollar tax increase, and defeating <a href="http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California_Proposition_32,_the_%22Paycheck_Protection%22_Initiative_(2012)" type="external">Proposition 32</a>, which would have weakened unions’ political funding.</p>
<p>You don’t have to ask Democrats who gets the credit. Throughout the convention, delegates wore “Viva Burton” buttons to acknowledge the work of the party’s chairman.</p>
<p>“On every issue, at every turn, John Burton has been a force for solutions for our most pressing challenges,” Pelosi said in <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/cademorg?feature=watch" type="external">a minute-long homage</a> to Burton during her Saturday convention speech to delegates. “We thank him, and I thank all of you, for all that you did in 2012 and before that for making California true blue California. Let’s hear it for our great state Chairman John Burton.”</p>
<p>But Burton, a media favorite due to his expletive-laden antics, couldn’t have done it without his right-hand woman, the party’s executive director, <a href="http://www.cadem.org/about?id=0003" type="external">Shawnda Westly</a>&#160;(pictured on the right of the above photo).</p>
<p>“She is the engine to the operation,” said Rep. Julia Brownley, D-Oak Park, one of six congressional freshmen honored at the convention’s Saturday “Red to Blue” luncheon. “The party this year played a much larger role in congressional races than they have ever played before.”</p>
<p>That larger role in congressional races, according to Democrat campaign literature, included the party designing and printing 124 mail pieces, logging more than 3.7 million knocks and dials to reach voters, 50 party field staff hired to setup the infrastructure for “Get Out The Vote” programs, 5.1 million pieces of campaign mail in mailboxes, and 607 staff working party canvass programs.</p>
<p>Westly’s overpowering campaign onslaught wasn’t a stealth operation. In April 2012, she predicted the party would pick up seats, and even suggested the two-thirds super-majority was achievable. “We have a real chance to pick up a 2/3 majority in both the Senate and Assembly, CA will play a major role in the battle for the House — its [sic] not a question of if we will pick up seats, but of how many,” she wrote in an online election chat hosted by the <a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/index2.php?option=com_altcaster&amp;task=viewaltcast&amp;altcast_code=cfa2191f0a&amp;ipod=y" type="external">Sacramento Bee.</a>&#160;</p>
<p>Much of the groundwork started a year prior. In <a href="http://www.calitics.com/diary/13433/this-was-no-happy-accident" type="external">an April 2011 piece</a> for the influential progressive blog, Calitics, Westly described why Democrats’ success “was no happy accident.” Among Westly’s highlights: a 25 percent cut in the party’s monthly expenses, an online database for every county party, 12 training bootcamps around the state, a full-time bilingual communications director, and monthly organizing calls with statewide officials.</p>
<p>Westly’s confidence in 2012 was also due to the off-year ground work running voter registration programs targeted to minority voters in traditionally Republican strongholds. “Democrats in California spent the better part of 2011 expanding voter registration and increasing the likelihood that minority voters would turn out on election day,” she told the Bee in the 2012 live chat. “Between our It Gets Bluer Latino voter reg program and our Operation Game Changer program to convert poll voters to permanent vote by mail voters, we expect to continue to see gains for Democrats among these communities.”</p>
<p>Numbers don’t lie. In the past eight years, Democrats’ efforts are best reflected in two counties that moved from Republican ground to contested territory. In 2004, Ventura County served as the home district of conservative stalwart Rep. Tom McClintock and maintained a nearly 3 percentage-point Republican registration advantage. By 2012, it had turned to a Democratic county by 2 percentage points. The registration changes in Riverside County are even more startling. Since 2004, Republicans have lost a voter registration percentage point every year, dropping from a 12 percentage-point GOP edge in 2004 to just a 4 percentage-point advantage in 2012.</p>
<p>And the trend line shows no improvement for Riverside County’s Republicans, thanks to the state’s new online voter registration program, which took effect in January 2012. <a href="http://www.capitolweekly.net/article.php?xid=10x6autsxotd5gh" type="external">Capitol Weekly reports</a> that, in Riverside County, “Democrats out-registered Republicans online by 46 percent to 27 percent.”</p>
<p>State Republicans credit Westly with the Democrats’ remarkable voter registration gains.</p>
<p>“President Obama might have won Texas with her help — if Shawnda wasn’t preoccupied with picking up a supermajority here in California,” said Ken Lopez-Maddox, a Republican who represented Orange County in the state Assembly. “Westly has dedicated her life to improving the lives of others.&#160; She is honest in her motives and provides an example to all of us of what can be when we believe in something greater than ourselves.”</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Part 2</a> is on how Shawnda Westly gets things done.</p>
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editors note part one twopart series part two april 22 2013 john hrabe second night 2013 state convention earlier month california democrats shared downtown convention center two sacramentoarea high schools hosting juniorsenior proms probably coincidence however parallels two celebrations gatherings represent culmination year hard work democrats convention mantra getting started could easily describe high school seniors preparing next stage lives theres one final parallel parties due large part work talented organizers behind scenes democrats california basking unprecedented successes november party helped secure reelection president barack obama sen dianne feinstein picked first supermajority houses state legislature century added six freshmen swing districts house minority leader nancy pelosis democratic caucus passing proposition 30 gov jerry browns 6 billiondollar tax increase defeating proposition 32 would weakened unions political funding dont ask democrats gets credit throughout convention delegates wore viva burton buttons acknowledge work partys chairman every issue every turn john burton force solutions pressing challenges pelosi said minutelong homage burton saturday convention speech delegates thank thank 2012 making california true blue california lets hear great state chairman john burton burton media favorite due expletiveladen antics couldnt done without righthand woman partys executive director shawnda westly160pictured right photo engine operation said rep julia brownley doak park one six congressional freshmen honored conventions saturday red blue luncheon party year played much larger role congressional races ever played larger role congressional races according democrat campaign literature included party designing printing 124 mail pieces logging 37 million knocks dials reach voters 50 party field staff hired setup infrastructure get vote programs 51 million pieces campaign mail mailboxes 607 staff working party canvass programs westlys overpowering campaign onslaught wasnt stealth operation april 2012 predicted party would pick seats even suggested twothirds supermajority achievable real chance pick 23 majority senate assembly ca play major role battle house sic question pick seats many wrote online election chat hosted sacramento bee160 much groundwork started year prior april 2011 piece influential progressive blog calitics westly described democrats success happy accident among westlys highlights 25 percent cut partys monthly expenses online database every county party 12 training bootcamps around state fulltime bilingual communications director monthly organizing calls statewide officials westlys confidence 2012 also due offyear ground work running voter registration programs targeted minority voters traditionally republican strongholds democrats california spent better part 2011 expanding voter registration increasing likelihood minority voters would turn election day told bee 2012 live chat gets bluer latino voter reg program operation game changer program convert poll voters permanent vote mail voters expect continue see gains democrats among communities numbers dont lie past eight years democrats efforts best reflected two counties moved republican ground contested territory 2004 ventura county served home district conservative stalwart rep tom mcclintock maintained nearly 3 percentagepoint republican registration advantage 2012 turned democratic county 2 percentage points registration changes riverside county even startling since 2004 republicans lost voter registration percentage point every year dropping 12 percentagepoint gop edge 2004 4 percentagepoint advantage 2012 trend line shows improvement riverside countys republicans thanks states new online voter registration program took effect january 2012 capitol weekly reports riverside county democrats outregistered republicans online 46 percent 27 percent state republicans credit westly democrats remarkable voter registration gains president obama might texas help shawnda wasnt preoccupied picking supermajority california said ken lopezmaddox republican represented orange county state assembly westly dedicated life improving lives others160 honest motives provides example us believe something greater part 2 shawnda westly gets things done
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