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<p>32 national teams representing 32 nations. Not sure who to root for in the upcoming World Cup? No worries, we've got some help from The World's soccer editor William Troop and Roger Bennett, from the soccer podcast, <a href="http://meninblazers.com/" type="external">Men in Blazers.</a></p>
<p>Marco Werman:&#160; William Troop, how do you choose a soccer team and what's your process?</p>
<p>William Troop: What I tell everybody is the best thing you can do is choose with your heart and not with your head. I'll give you an example. I could root for a number of different countries. I could root for Mexico, the country where I was born. I could root for the US, the country where I live. Or I could root for Italy, the country where I grew up. And guess what? Italy wins. It just reminds me of when I first started playing and rooting for my childhood teams.</p>
<p>Roger Bennett:&#160; It's truly an American question.&#160; Where I come from — Liverpool, England — you are saddled with the team that you grew up with, for better or for worse. Unfortunately in my case, it's England which is for the worse right now, which is remarkably underachieving. The English jersey is like a suit of armor that just weighs them down when they take the field and they wilt. Normally its penalties which are their poison of choice, crushing a nation.</p>
<p>The USA, I have to tell you, what a gorgeous group of gents. The basic question for your audience is, "where was I born?” If you believe in USA, you're also backing a winner. I believe they're going to win the World Cup in 2014.</p>
<p>Marco: Wait a minute.&#160; Are you kidding me?</p>
<p>Roger: I believe, in the middle of July, Clint Dempsey is going to wipe his hands on his jersey, look up and see Sepp Blatter, the FIFA honcho, hold out that World Cup trophy. And Clint will lift it up over his head and America is going to fall in love with the sport it's long kept at arm’s length. But that's a dream. It may not come true.</p>
<p>Marco: I think we've got a dissenting opinion from William Troop.</p>
<p>Roger: William Troop may disagree, but the real question is who would be your second team if the US team defies my expectations and does not win at all.</p>
<p>Marco: OK, let's pretend the US defies your expectations and doesn't win the World Cup. Where would you go for second place?</p>
<p>Roger:It depends on what kind of person you are. There are so many gorgeous teams that are playing. And you look at them and see the jerseys. You are drawn to Croatia with that red and white checkered pattern that harkens back to the kingdom of Croatia in 1525.&#160; Then it depends on what kind of person you like, what kind of value you like, what kind of literature you like. If you like the movies of John Woo or the Clockwork Orange, then you're immediately drawn to say, Lionel Messi and Argentina. &#160;&#160;</p>
<p>Marco: How do you get from Clockwork Orange to Lionel Messi?</p>
<p>Roger:&#160;The way Argentina plays football so beautifully. But also with a true respect for physicality, violence, the dark arts, whatever it takes to win. The classic team in the 1950s was called, "The Angels with Dirty Faces."&#160; And they play a beautiful style of football called 'la Nuestra' where whatever you need today, would be it, beautiful or pragmatic. Of course, it's winning that really counts.</p>
<p>Lionel Messi, one of the world's great players, has never, ever played well at a World Cup. This is his third. The team has gone out in the quarter finals, both times, but this is a team that's now completely built around him. Last time they had (Diego) Maradona, a gentleman who many of you may actually know by name. He was Rob Ford before there was a Rob Ford — and the campaign was a bit of a mess. It will be very different this time. And if you support Lionel Messi and Argentina, you may support a team that will go deep on rival Brazil's turf.&#160; And that will be a remarkable, dramatic narrative to cheer for.</p>
<p>Marco: So Roger, you're laying out your flow chart on how you pick your own team. Let's say, you're a soccer virgin in this country and you don't necessarily have an affection for the national team. Give us some guidelines on how go about picking a team to root for?</p>
<p>Roger: If you like watching Game of Thrones on a Sunday night, go and pick Spain. That midfield, the tiny, tiny, little cluster of gentlemen is like watching four or five Tyrion Lannisters just troddle all over that field, passing that ball to each other in an inevitable style, that they call 'tiki taka" — tiny little passes and movements where they paper cut their opponents to death. They're the defending champions. People are counting them out. They're aging now, as opposed to the team that took the field in 2010.</p>
<p>William: I have a question for you, Marco. Who do you root for and how do you go about choosing them?</p>
<p>Marco: I guess it should be the United States because I was born in the United States. But I spent so much time in West Africa and then I was at the BBC, working for the BBC African Service in 1990, when Argentina played Cameroon in the first match and my heart just went for Cameroon. They had the old guy, Roger Milla, the retired police chief who was in his late 40s.&#160; And I just thought, "I'm rooting for Cameroon." I put £5 on Cameroon to win; odds were 8-to-1. And they won. I took my office down to the pub for a drink. So, it's Cameroon, this time. It's always Cameroon, I love that team.</p>
<p>William:&#160; And Cameroon has this great crest on their jerseys with the indomitable lions on it.</p>
<p>Roger:&#160; Most of things in life should be indomitable. I adore them. I've saved you five bucks this time Marco. But in 1990, they were finally knocked out by England in a very hard-fought game. Where the English manager, and this is a classic way to surmise English football, he said, "we didn't disrespect Cameroon, we didn't underestimate them. We just didn't think they'd be that game."&#160;</p>
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32 national teams representing 32 nations sure root upcoming world cup worries weve got help worlds soccer editor william troop roger bennett soccer podcast men blazers marco werman160 william troop choose soccer team whats process william troop tell everybody best thing choose heart head ill give example could root number different countries could root mexico country born could root us country live could root italy country grew guess italy wins reminds first started playing rooting childhood teams roger bennett160 truly american question160 come liverpool england saddled team grew better worse unfortunately case england worse right remarkably underachieving english jersey like suit armor weighs take field wilt normally penalties poison choice crushing nation usa tell gorgeous group gents basic question audience born believe usa youre also backing winner believe theyre going win world cup 2014 marco wait minute160 kidding roger believe middle july clint dempsey going wipe hands jersey look see sepp blatter fifa honcho hold world cup trophy clint lift head america going fall love sport long kept arms length thats dream may come true marco think weve got dissenting opinion william troop roger william troop may disagree real question would second team us team defies expectations win marco ok lets pretend us defies expectations doesnt win world cup would go second place rogerit depends kind person many gorgeous teams playing look see jerseys drawn croatia red white checkered pattern harkens back kingdom croatia 1525160 depends kind person like kind value like kind literature like like movies john woo clockwork orange youre immediately drawn say lionel messi argentina 160160 marco get clockwork orange lionel messi roger160the way argentina plays football beautifully also true respect physicality violence dark arts whatever takes win classic team 1950s called angels dirty faces160 play beautiful style football called la nuestra whatever need today would beautiful pragmatic course winning really counts lionel messi one worlds great players never ever played well world cup third team gone quarter finals times team thats completely built around last time diego maradona gentleman many may actually know name rob ford rob ford campaign bit mess different time support lionel messi argentina may support team go deep rival brazils turf160 remarkable dramatic narrative cheer marco roger youre laying flow chart pick team lets say youre soccer virgin country dont necessarily affection national team give us guidelines go picking team root roger like watching game thrones sunday night go pick spain midfield tiny tiny little cluster gentlemen like watching four five tyrion lannisters troddle field passing ball inevitable style call tiki taka tiny little passes movements paper cut opponents death theyre defending champions people counting theyre aging opposed team took field 2010 william question marco root go choosing marco guess united states born united states spent much time west africa bbc working bbc african service 1990 argentina played cameroon first match heart went cameroon old guy roger milla retired police chief late 40s160 thought im rooting cameroon put 5 cameroon win odds 8to1 took office pub drink cameroon time always cameroon love team william160 cameroon great crest jerseys indomitable lions roger160 things life indomitable adore ive saved five bucks time marco 1990 finally knocked england hardfought game english manager classic way surmise english football said didnt disrespect cameroon didnt underestimate didnt think theyd game160
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<p>BUIES CREEK, N.C. — George Braswell grew up “marching to a different drum” and, at 77, he still does.</p>
<p>Braswell — a highly-regarded Baptist expert on world religions — spent much of his early life on the “wrong” side of the railroad tracks in a small Virginia town, according to his recently-released memoir, Crossroads of Religion and Revolution. As a teenager, he earned his undergraduate degree at Wake Forest University — then located in Wake Forest, N.C. — and met his wife, the former Joan Owen. Twice while in Wake Forest, he lost jobs because he stood up to managers who were cheating their customers.</p>
<p>After completing their degrees, the young Southern couple set out for the North, where he studied Christian missions at Yale University in New Haven, Conn.</p>
<p />
<p>Though he explored interests in medicine and baseball, Braswell eventually became pastor of <a href="http://cullowheebaptist.com/" type="external">Cullowhee Baptist Church</a> in the mountains of North Carolina where he says the couple had some of the most fulfilling years of their lives. Amidst the race riots of the early 1960s, African and Native Americans were serving through this college town church.</p>
<p>In the summer of 1966, the Braswells took their youth to Ridgecrest Conference Center for its annual Foreign Missions Week. There they began a journey of exploring overseas missions service. Their first inquiry was discouraged by the Southern Baptist Convention’s Foreign (now International) Mission Board because Braswell had graduated from Yale, not a Southern Baptist seminary, which he was told was a prerequisite for missionary appointment.</p>
<p>But one letter of refusal was not enough to keep Braswell from following the path he felt was God’s will; he pursued it further and the mission board approved his appointment without additional work at an SBC seminary.</p>
<p>Continuing to “march to a different drum,” the Braswells were the only two out of 100 missionaries assigned to the Middle East; they would be the first Southern Baptist missionaries to Iran.</p>
<p>Following appointment, the Braswells went back to Ridgecrest for missionary orientation, a 16-week boot camp of intensive cross-cultural and life-skills training. Attendance at the numerous learning sessions was mandatory. At one point, Braswell felt he had to get away. He and a fellow missionary skipped classes and played golf. A stranger at the course offered to pay their way and play with them. The stranger was Billy Graham, the budding evangelist who was already rising to world recognition. Braswell and his friend were reprimanded by the director of missionary orientation but became the envy of everyone at Ridgecrest.</p>
<p>In Iran, their family would be among a handful of Americans among millions of Iranians, an expanded version of his experience as a minority in Emporia, Va., where he grew up among African-Americans. He taught English and world religions (minus Islam) to Muslim clergy at the University of Teheran. He also was associate director for university relations at Armaghan Institute, a Presbyterian language and cultural center across the street from the campus.</p>
<p>In his autobiography, Braswell says that being a professor was a highly-respected occupation and they were doubly welcomed because he was an American professor. “My family and I felt the safest in Iran of any place we had lived,” he wrote.</p>
<p>While serving there from 1968 to 1971, they were able to start Bible studies and other witnessing opportunities. “Christian minorities in Iran during my residence lived basically under the protection of the Shah’s government and the laws of the land,” Braswell wrote. Some of his friends would become martyrs when the Shah was deposed.</p>
<p />
<p>While home on an extended furlough, Braswell enrolled in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned a master’s degree in cultural anthropology and at the same time earned a doctor of ministry degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest.</p>
<p>The Braswell family was back in Iran for only seven months when he received a call to come back to Southeastern to teach missions and church history. Before he left, however, he had a very unusual experience. As part of his teaching responsibility at Damavand College, a Presbyterian college for women, he became acquainted with many female Muslim students. One of them invited him to a Sofreh, “perhaps the heart of the religious world for Iranian women,” and he went to the all-female gathering and observed from a distance. His other varied religious and cultural experiences had been among men.</p>
<p>In 1974, he returned to Southeastern to teach and started work on a Ph.D. in cultural anthropology, graduating in 15 months. Thirty-one years later, he retired as distinguished professor emeritus of missions and world religions, never having signed the controversial 2000 Faith and Message SBC doctrinal statement. This was long after many of his friends had left the school because of changes in administration but only weeks before he started teaching at <a href="http://divinity.campbell.edu/" type="external">Campbell University Divinity School</a> as senior professor of world religions.</p>
<p>The theological controversy in the Southern Baptist Convention in the 1980s and ’90s had not boxed him in; he continued to “march to a different drum.” In his memoir, he compares some of the happenings in the last quarter of the 20th century in SBC life with the revolution in Iran.</p>
<p>In 2007, Braswell founded the <a href="http://divinity.campbell.edu/NewsEvents/WorldReligionsandGlobalCulturesCenter.aspx" type="external">World Religions and Global Cultures Center</a> at Campbell, a one-of-a-kind missions learning experience, where students are taught world religions and are trained and given opportunities to teach churches and individuals. More than 1,000 students have been through his world religions courses and more than 100 have taken the intensive teacher training courses.</p>
<p>“This center has been a culmination of a life given to the understanding of and a gospel witness to the world’s tribes and nations,” says Andrew Wakefield, dean of Campbell University Divinity School.</p>
<p>Of all Braswell’s life experiences, the hardest was losing his 14-year-old granddaughter to cancer. “The death of my granddaughter, Dana, with cancer at the age of 14, remains unanswerable for me,” he writes.</p>
<p>Braswell says the most universal cultural attribute in all societies might be death. “Everyone dies. Some die too young. I know.” But in the midst of his pain, Braswell says he remembers the pain of Jesus who made the choice to die on the cross for the salvation of the world.</p>
<p>Crossroads of Religion and Revolution is published by <a href="http://www.xulonpress.com/bookstore/bookdetail.php?PB_ISBN=9781625092342&amp;HC_ISBN=" type="external">Xulon Press</a> and may be purchased there or at other major book stores. Profits from the sale of the book through Xulon will be donated to the World Religions and Global Cultures Center at Campbell.</p>
<p>Irma Duke ( <a href="mailto:[email protected]" type="external">[email protected]</a>) is director of church relations at the Campbell University Divinity School.</p>
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buies creek nc george braswell grew marching different drum 77 still braswell highlyregarded baptist expert world religions spent much early life wrong side railroad tracks small virginia town according recentlyreleased memoir crossroads religion revolution teenager earned undergraduate degree wake forest university located wake forest nc met wife former joan owen twice wake forest lost jobs stood managers cheating customers completing degrees young southern couple set north studied christian missions yale university new conn though explored interests medicine baseball braswell eventually became pastor cullowhee baptist church mountains north carolina says couple fulfilling years lives amidst race riots early 1960s african native americans serving college town church summer 1966 braswells took youth ridgecrest conference center annual foreign missions week began journey exploring overseas missions service first inquiry discouraged southern baptist conventions foreign international mission board braswell graduated yale southern baptist seminary told prerequisite missionary appointment one letter refusal enough keep braswell following path felt gods pursued mission board approved appointment without additional work sbc seminary continuing march different drum braswells two 100 missionaries assigned middle east would first southern baptist missionaries iran following appointment braswells went back ridgecrest missionary orientation 16week boot camp intensive crosscultural lifeskills training attendance numerous learning sessions mandatory one point braswell felt get away fellow missionary skipped classes played golf stranger course offered pay way play stranger billy graham budding evangelist already rising world recognition braswell friend reprimanded director missionary orientation became envy everyone ridgecrest iran family would among handful americans among millions iranians expanded version experience minority emporia va grew among africanamericans taught english world religions minus islam muslim clergy university teheran also associate director university relations armaghan institute presbyterian language cultural center across street campus autobiography braswell says professor highlyrespected occupation doubly welcomed american professor family felt safest iran place lived wrote serving 1968 1971 able start bible studies witnessing opportunities christian minorities iran residence lived basically protection shahs government laws land braswell wrote friends would become martyrs shah deposed home extended furlough braswell enrolled university north carolina chapel hill earned masters degree cultural anthropology time earned doctor ministry degree southeastern baptist theological seminary wake forest braswell family back iran seven months received call come back southeastern teach missions church history left however unusual experience part teaching responsibility damavand college presbyterian college women became acquainted many female muslim students one invited sofreh perhaps heart religious world iranian women went allfemale gathering observed distance varied religious cultural experiences among men 1974 returned southeastern teach started work phd cultural anthropology graduating 15 months thirtyone years later retired distinguished professor emeritus missions world religions never signed controversial 2000 faith message sbc doctrinal statement long many friends left school changes administration weeks started teaching campbell university divinity school senior professor world religions theological controversy southern baptist convention 1980s 90s boxed continued march different drum memoir compares happenings last quarter 20th century sbc life revolution iran 2007 braswell founded world religions global cultures center campbell oneofakind missions learning experience students taught world religions trained given opportunities teach churches individuals 1000 students world religions courses 100 taken intensive teacher training courses center culmination life given understanding gospel witness worlds tribes nations says andrew wakefield dean campbell university divinity school braswells life experiences hardest losing 14yearold granddaughter cancer death granddaughter dana cancer age 14 remains unanswerable writes braswell says universal cultural attribute societies might death everyone dies die young know midst pain braswell says remembers pain jesus made choice die cross salvation world crossroads religion revolution published xulon press may purchased major book stores profits sale book xulon donated world religions global cultures center campbell irma duke dukecampbelledu director church relations campbell university divinity school
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<p>CAIRO, Egypt — Egypt's mass death sentences — 529 condemned to die on March 24, and 683 on Monday — have sparked outrage worldwide. But if it wasn't for one of the defendants, now languishing in prison, dozens more would now be facing either the noose or a life behind bars.</p>
<p>That man is lawyer Ahmed Eid, and it is precisely because he managed to save 60 others that, according to an account his family gave GlobalPost, he ended up on the prosecution list himself.</p>
<p>His story, of one man's struggle for fairness and the rule of law, is a window into the cruelty and absurdity of Egypt's security state and its judiciary.</p>
<p>Like the rest of those convicted in the two cases, Eid, 36, is accused of participating in violence that took place in the province of Minya in southern Egypt on Aug. 14 last year. Early that morning, police <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/140221/what-happened-rabaa-square" type="external">stormed two sit-ins</a>&#160;in Cairo held by supporters of the recently-ousted president Mohamed Morsi, a supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood, killing hundreds. As the news reached Minya, a three-hour drive south of the capital, mobs attacked and burned police stations and churches, accusing Christians as well as police of having backed the deadly crackdown. They killed policemen.</p>
<p>But that night, according to his family, Eid was at home with his parents, his wife Maha and their two young children, Adam (5) and Bassant (7), watching the violence in Cairo on the television news. They sat in their comfortable living room, which has pictures of the children's favorite cartoon characters pasted on the wall.</p>
<p>In the months that followed Aug. 14, police investigated and arrested hundreds of people for involvement in the attacks — although they would not draw up a formal charge list until January.</p>
<p>Eid took on the cases of 60 of those who had been arrested, and argued successfully in court that their detention was unlawful. They were freed. His wife, who has reviewed the case file, said she believes 20 or 30 of them were members of the Brotherhood — as of December labeled a terrorist organization by the military-led Egyptian authorities. No evidence of the Muslim Brotherhood’s terrorist activities has yet been presented by the government.</p>
<p>Eid's decision to take the case was not politically motivated, his father said. "As a lawyer, he'd work with anyone, defend anyone; the good and the bad, that is their right," he said. "Besides, he used to say 'all politicians are prostitutes.'"</p>
<p>On Jan. 22, police came to Eid's home, but he was working at one of his firm's offices out of town. The officers took a computer belonging to the children, their mother said, and left a message for their father to call when he returned.</p>
<p>Eid was used to discussing cases with investigators, so didn't think anything of the invitation to the police station for a meeting. But once inside he was arrested. While he'd been out of town, prosecutors had issued the charge list — and although he had never been asked about his involvement in the case before, his name was on it. His family believe the authorities were taking revenge for the blow his recent victory in court had dealt them. A police spokesman declined to be interviewed for this story.</p>
<p>Three other families interviewed by GlobalPost also said their relatives had been accused after a personal dispute with a policeman or supporter of the authorities.</p>
<p>Others were lucky: news of the names on the list filtered out before the arrests, and hundreds went into hiding.</p>
<p>On March 24, along with 528 others, Eid was sentenced to death by Judge Saeed Youssef, who set a record for the largest mass death sentence ever handed down in memory anywhere in the world, <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/egypt-sentences-528-supporters-of-the-ousted-islamist-president-mohammed-morsi-to-death-9211871.html" type="external">according</a> to Amnesty International. On the court day in March, Youssef spent just a few hours hearing evidence. At one point defense lawyers were booted from the courtroom.</p>
<p>Egyptian law requires that death sentences be reviewed by the judge after the Grand Mufti, the country's leading religious authority, is given the opportunity to comment. The Mufti's comment is confidential, but this past Monday, a little over a month after the original sentencing, Youssef commuted all but 37 of those death sentences to life sentences — 25 years in the <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/140311/what-its-be-hauled-the-street-and-thrown-egyptian-prison" type="external">dank and abusive prisons</a> of Egypt.&#160;</p>
<p>But in the same eight-minute session on Monday, he sentenced a further 683 people to death, breaking his own record from March. A block away from the courtroom, in front of a cordon of soldiers and police officers, families of those accused in both cases broke down crying.</p>
<p>Egyptian women faint as they react outside the courtroom in Minya after the sentences were announced. (Khaled Desouki/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Under Egyptian law, all people tried in absentia — as more than 1,000 of the 1,200 defendants here were — are automatically entitled to a retrial. Lawyers hope that the remainder, who were either in custody or present for their trials, will receive justice in the Court of Appeal.</p>
<p>For now, hundreds of families live in the shadow of the noose, and hundreds more in that of life sentences.</p>
<p>Nathan Brown, a scholar of Egypt's judiciary at George Washington University, has <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/egypt/131229/muslim-brotherhood-terrorist" type="external">previously told GlobalPost</a> that in the current political climate, the evidentiary standards required by courts are lowered.</p>
<p>In a statement issued Monday, Amnesty International called the cases a "mockery of justice."</p>
<p>Eid's father shares that view. He combed the 6,000-page prosecution file searching for his son's name. It appears, he says, only in Eid's capacity as a lawyer for other defendants. His name does not appear in any of the 22 witness statements, nor in the transcript of an alleged video — not publicly available or viewed in court — in which informants put names to the faces they allegedly identified. Defense lawyers have said they believe that the judge has not even read the full file.</p>
<p>It was not possible to reach the judge for comment.</p>
<p>A press release from the Ministry of Justice on Monday said that, because “the case is still in a legal proceeding ... it is not categorically allowed to comment on judicial rulings.” The statement, however, emphasized the defendants' right to appeal. “If they would show up in court they would have the right to defend themselves.”</p>
<p>When Eid's wife and father went to see him in prison — a seven-hour trip for a two-minute visit, with an officer looking over his shoulder — he seemed, they said, "broken down."</p>
<p>Under Egyptian law, a “life sentence” is 25 years. If he serves out his full sentence, Eid's children will be 30 and 32 years old by the time he is released. On Monday they were playing on his living room floor, while the television set showed montages of other recent court cases decried by observers and opposition activists: the trial of three Al Jazeera journalists on terrorism charges and the banning of the <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/egypt/140429/egypts-young-revolutionaries-2011-still-protesting-no" type="external">April 6 youth movement</a> which, just over three years ago, led calls for a revolution.</p>
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cairo egypt egypts mass death sentences 529 condemned die march 24 683 monday sparked outrage worldwide wasnt one defendants languishing prison dozens would facing either noose life behind bars man lawyer ahmed eid precisely managed save 60 others according account family gave globalpost ended prosecution list story one mans struggle fairness rule law window cruelty absurdity egypts security state judiciary like rest convicted two cases eid 36 accused participating violence took place province minya southern egypt aug 14 last year early morning police stormed two sitins160in cairo held supporters recentlyousted president mohamed morsi supporter muslim brotherhood killing hundreds news reached minya threehour drive south capital mobs attacked burned police stations churches accusing christians well police backed deadly crackdown killed policemen night according family eid home parents wife maha two young children adam 5 bassant 7 watching violence cairo television news sat comfortable living room pictures childrens favorite cartoon characters pasted wall months followed aug 14 police investigated arrested hundreds people involvement attacks although would draw formal charge list january eid took cases 60 arrested argued successfully court detention unlawful freed wife reviewed case file said believes 20 30 members brotherhood december labeled terrorist organization militaryled egyptian authorities evidence muslim brotherhoods terrorist activities yet presented government eids decision take case politically motivated father said lawyer hed work anyone defend anyone good bad right said besides used say politicians prostitutes jan 22 police came eids home working one firms offices town officers took computer belonging children mother said left message father call returned eid used discussing cases investigators didnt think anything invitation police station meeting inside arrested hed town prosecutors issued charge list although never asked involvement case name family believe authorities taking revenge blow recent victory court dealt police spokesman declined interviewed story three families interviewed globalpost also said relatives accused personal dispute policeman supporter authorities others lucky news names list filtered arrests hundreds went hiding march 24 along 528 others eid sentenced death judge saeed youssef set record largest mass death sentence ever handed memory anywhere world according amnesty international court day march youssef spent hours hearing evidence one point defense lawyers booted courtroom egyptian law requires death sentences reviewed judge grand mufti countrys leading religious authority given opportunity comment muftis comment confidential past monday little month original sentencing youssef commuted 37 death sentences life sentences 25 years dank abusive prisons egypt160 eightminute session monday sentenced 683 people death breaking record march block away courtroom front cordon soldiers police officers families accused cases broke crying egyptian women faint react outside courtroom minya sentences announced khaled desoukiafpgetty images egyptian law people tried absentia 1000 1200 defendants automatically entitled retrial lawyers hope remainder either custody present trials receive justice court appeal hundreds families live shadow noose hundreds life sentences nathan brown scholar egypts judiciary george washington university previously told globalpost current political climate evidentiary standards required courts lowered statement issued monday amnesty international called cases mockery justice eids father shares view combed 6000page prosecution file searching sons name appears says eids capacity lawyer defendants name appear 22 witness statements transcript alleged video publicly available viewed court informants put names faces allegedly identified defense lawyers said believe judge even read full file possible reach judge comment press release ministry justice monday said case still legal proceeding categorically allowed comment judicial rulings statement however emphasized defendants right appeal would show court would right defend eids wife father went see prison sevenhour trip twominute visit officer looking shoulder seemed said broken egyptian law life sentence 25 years serves full sentence eids children 30 32 years old time released monday playing living room floor television set showed montages recent court cases decried observers opposition activists trial three al jazeera journalists terrorism charges banning april 6 youth movement three years ago led calls revolution
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<p>On a humid Saturday afternoon in a suburb south of Chicago, a group of about 10 girls are jumping rope. But they aren’t doing the simple single-rope tricks typically seen on area playgrounds. While navigating two long jump ropes, they are performing handstands and cartwheels.</p>
<p>The Pink Panthers Double Dutch team has competed across the nation and around the globe. They’ve appeared on TV’s Steve Harvey Show and Windy City Live and in multiple commercials. Based in south suburban Hazel Crest, the team features about two dozen girls and young women from across the state.</p>
<p>Coach Joyce Dickerson formed the Pink Panthers with two other parents over a decade ago and the team has grown in number ever since.</p>
<p>“It’s my passion,” she says. “I just feel so privileged.”</p>
<p>The Reporter recently met with Dickerson at one of the team’s practices to talk jump rope and what jumpers learn from being a Pink Panther.</p>
<p>Tell me a little about the Pink Panthers. How did it begin and how did you get involved?</p>
<p>To be honest with you, my inspiration came from my daughter. You need three people to jump Double Dutch or even to teach Double Dutch, so I got with a couple of her friends, got them a rope and started jumping Double Dutch—and really the rest was almost history. We actually started almost 15 years ago with just a couple of girls and it grew very fast thereafter. It’s been a wonderful experience with the team. I’ve been exposed to people and places I would not have normally been exposed to. They’ve had the opportunity to do commercials. They’ve also been able to have several appearances on television and they’ve also been in several parades. We’ve been to over half the United States. We’ve competed with teams from Switzerland, New Mexico, Africa, Italy, Paris. The list goes on and on.</p>
<p>What are the requirements to be a Pink Panther?</p>
<p>You can start as early as five, and to be honest, you can jump when you’re 50. I was actually walking on a trail and I saw a group of women take out a rope — I wanted to say they were about 40 or 50. I was on the telephone and I was like, “Let me call you back.” (laughs) I went over there and turned for them and we all jumped. It is one of the fastest ways to get your heart rate up, because you’re using all of your limbs. Everything has to move at the same time.</p>
<p>There is no audition required. I’m very passionate about the sport and there are many reasons why people want to jump. It could be that I want to lose weight, it could be for camaraderie, it could be to be a part of a sport. That’s one thing I love about jump rope — you can be thin, you can be big, you can be small, you can be short, you can be tall. Anybody can join. There are no criteria as far as learning how to jump.</p>
<p>Tell me a little about yourself.</p>
<p>Before the Pink Panthers, I worked at Harris Bank for 25 years in downtown Chicago. When they were going through the different massive layoffs, I was probably in the third cut. I was sitting at home going, “What am I going to do?” and then that’s how the idea birthed. Whereas you would think being let go of your job could be a horrible experience, sometimes God has another thing that he wants you to do. I really think this was a gift. I got in it and I’ve loved it ever since.</p>
<p>What skills do the girls gain from being on the team?</p>
<p>One young lady who is at the University of Illinois in the engineering program, she called me and she said, “Thank you, Coach. Because of being a part of the jump rope team, I didn’t let any obstacles stop me.” She said “can’t” just did not come to her mind, because “can’t” is not used in our practice. Just constantly inspiring them and building them up, it’s a good feeling to know that they come back and they say thank you. The skills could be public speaking — we work with the girls on how to speak to interviewers or just speak in general. Sometimes we get a lot of shy girls and parents put them in so that they can learn how to speak to other people. They get a lot of skills that are not taught in school. In the school setting, it’s sit still and be quiet, but here you can just be yourself. It’s like putting a seed in a pot and just watching a flower bloom. We’re the water. We just kind of watch it grow up and watch it bloom.</p>
<p>Can you share a favorite memory from your years coaching the Pink Panthers?</p>
<p>That’s a really difficult question, because it’s so many memories. I’m going to go with one. When [team member] Carissa Townsend first came to the organization, we would have interviews, and at that particular time we had the demonstration team. We had them interviewed just to find out if they were mentally ready to be a part of the demonstration team. She had the skill set, but she was not mentally ready. Competition requires so much more dedication, and she wasn’t ready. Carissa — she’s always been a 3.8, 4.0 student — came in and said, “I’ve chosen to be around the wrong crowd. I’m very good in school, but I’m just not choosing the right people to be around, and since being a part of the team, I have developed new relationships and new friends and I’m going in a new direction.” She was in like the sixth or seventh grade! I came up from the table and I gave her a big hug, and now, she just graduated from the U of I so she’s going to Loyola University Chicago for law school.</p>
<p>That was the best ever — to actually watch the kids, to give them the opportunity to be a part of something so positive and then watch them change as a result of that.</p>
<p>It really takes a village to raise a child. It’s the mother, it’s the father, it’s the grandparents, it’s your aunts, it’s your uncles, it’s your community, and now I can say it’s the Pink Panthers. We’re there whenever they need us. Parents have come to me and said, “My child is going through this, can you talk to them?” I encourage them. It’s an extension of family.</p>
<p>This interview was edited and condensed for clarity.</p>
<p />
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humid saturday afternoon suburb south chicago group 10 girls jumping rope arent simple singlerope tricks typically seen area playgrounds navigating two long jump ropes performing handstands cartwheels pink panthers double dutch team competed across nation around globe theyve appeared tvs steve harvey show windy city live multiple commercials based south suburban hazel crest team features two dozen girls young women across state coach joyce dickerson formed pink panthers two parents decade ago team grown number ever since passion says feel privileged reporter recently met dickerson one teams practices talk jump rope jumpers learn pink panther tell little pink panthers begin get involved honest inspiration came daughter need three people jump double dutch even teach double dutch got couple friends got rope started jumping double dutchand really rest almost history actually started almost 15 years ago couple girls grew fast thereafter wonderful experience team ive exposed people places would normally exposed theyve opportunity commercials theyve also able several appearances television theyve also several parades weve half united states weve competed teams switzerland new mexico africa italy paris list goes requirements pink panther start early five honest jump youre 50 actually walking trail saw group women take rope wanted say 40 50 telephone like let call back laughs went turned jumped one fastest ways get heart rate youre using limbs everything move time audition required im passionate sport many reasons people want jump could want lose weight could camaraderie could part sport thats one thing love jump rope thin big small short tall anybody join criteria far learning jump tell little pink panthers worked harris bank 25 years downtown chicago going different massive layoffs probably third cut sitting home going going thats idea birthed whereas would think let go job could horrible experience sometimes god another thing wants really think gift got ive loved ever since skills girls gain team one young lady university illinois engineering program called said thank coach part jump rope team didnt let obstacles stop said cant come mind cant used practice constantly inspiring building good feeling know come back say thank skills could public speaking work girls speak interviewers speak general sometimes get lot shy girls parents put learn speak people get lot skills taught school school setting sit still quiet like putting seed pot watching flower bloom water kind watch grow watch bloom share favorite memory years coaching pink panthers thats really difficult question many memories im going go one team member carissa townsend first came organization would interviews particular time demonstration team interviewed find mentally ready part demonstration team skill set mentally ready competition requires much dedication wasnt ready carissa shes always 38 40 student came said ive chosen around wrong crowd im good school im choosing right people around since part team developed new relationships new friends im going new direction like sixth seventh grade came table gave big hug graduated u shes going loyola university chicago law school best ever actually watch kids give opportunity part something positive watch change result really takes village raise child mother father grandparents aunts uncles community say pink panthers whenever need us parents come said child going talk encourage extension family interview edited condensed clarity
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<p>NEW YORK—Contrary to popular belief, newsmakers agree that Americans care about international news stories, but what journalists can’t agree on is when and how international stories should be covered.</p>
<p>At a forum Monday hosted by International House, with generous financial support from the Ford Foundation, some of the most influential names in news making discussed what is not being covered by the media and why?</p>
<p>“Anyone who has worked for a major news organization knows the litany of complaints you constantly receive from folks who feel like we aren’t covering the news or not covering it fairly,” moderator and International House President Calvin Sims said in his opening remarks.</p>
<p>The panel of five journalists ranging from television correspondents to journalism professors got into a heated debate over whether or not American audiences have an appetite for international news outside of a crisis situation.</p>
<p>“For the consumer, and what they’re looking for, I think that sensational news sells,” Kathy Chow, Executive Director of the Asian American Journalists Association, said. “We’re not interested in the in-depth, the why, until it hits home for us in our communities.”</p>
<p>Using the recent crisis in the Ukraine as an example, Chow pointed out that detailing history lessons, political pressures, and insight into foreign relations is just too much information to dump on the average consumer.</p>
<p>“Folks out in the fly over states, their most frequent answer to much of this is, ‘we don’t want to get involved we don’t even care,’” ABC News correspondent Jim Avila added.</p>
<p>Managing Editor of the New York Times, Dean Baquet, strongly disagreed. Baquet pointed out that to this day, the Times’ coverage of the 2011 Tsunami in Japan is one of the most read stories ever published on the paper’s website.</p>
<p>“I think that Americans, despite what everyone says, have a real hankering for in-depth international news,” he said. “I think that news organizations cut back on covering international news, because it’s more expensive than domestic news, and then said there was a lack of interest to justify it.”</p>
<p>Baquet attributed the interest and high readership of the detailed international stories published by the Times to the world being more connected than in the past, pointing out that many Americans have travelled outside of the country and have friends and family who live abroad.</p>
<p>The success of international news sites like the Guardian US support Baquet’s argument.</p>
<p>The Guardian went from being the ninth largest print newspaper in the United Kingdom to the third largest online English-language newspaper website in the world.</p>
<p>“Globally, the Guardian has an audience of nearly 40 million unique users, over a third of which are based in the US,” said Gennady Kolker who manages press relations for the Guardian. “In the two and a half years since launching Guardian US, we've grown over 33 percent.”</p>
<p>The paper has built an audience in the US largely by giving American readers broad international news.</p>
<p>“I’m not saying everyone is dying for it but I think this tells us that more people are dying for it,” Baquet said of the Guardian’s success. “There’s a bigger audience for international news than we give people credit for.”</p>
<p>But the Guardian and the New York Times are very different organizations than ABC News, where Avila reports.</p>
<p>“Where I work it is called World News and we cover world events, but still, in that 18 minute broadcast it’s going to be heavily domestic unless there is a flare-up somewhere,” Avila said.</p>
<p>“There’s no room anymore on our network, or the other two networks, for the feature story unless it’s about the royals,” Avila joked.</p>
<p>He also noted that, like it or not, there is dictum that on a morning show or evening news program there are very few process pieces leading up to major events and that on television news, what viewers will find are stories about the event or crisis itself.</p>
<p>The panel also addressed the limitations they face when pitching and covering international stories, based on the medium through which they deliver the news.</p>
<p>“Our mission is to give them [viewers] a headline surface. If they are looking for the process in-depth story they aren’t going to find it with us,” Avila said of ABC.</p>
<p>Broadcast corporations and print publications have different priorities. The mission of television news programs is to deliver headline surface news in the allotted time of the broadcast. This sets up limitations that print and digital publications don’t face in the same way.</p>
<p>The newest international broadcast corporation, Al Jazeera America, has tried to break this mold, but has had a difficult time pulling in the same ratings as its competitors that focus on more domestic news stories.</p>
<p>In the six months since Al Jazeera America’s inauguration, the channel has averaged just 15,000 total viewers in prime time, with only 5,000 viewers in the target 25-to-54-year-old demographic, based on Nielsen figures, <a href="http://adage.com/article/media/al-jazeera-america-months-ads-viewers/291943/" type="external">according to Advertising Age</a>. Such low ratings are considered by Nielsen to be ‘scratch.’</p>
<p>Is the solution then to put process pieces on digital platforms and save sensational or crisis international headlines for television news? The group was unable to come up with a definitive answer.</p>
<p>The panel also looked at issues closer to home, discussing the shortcoming in covering topics about poverty, race, high incarceration rates, and issues of sexual orientation--what Janine Jackson, Program Director for Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting, categorized as “anything standing between where we are and social justice.”</p>
<p>Jackson and Journalism Professor Dale Maharidge agreed that issues surrounding human rights and social justice are often hard for reporters to broach because they fear that their editors, peers, and audience will categorize them as advocates if they are passionate about writing for change.</p>
<p>The key, Professor Maharidge suggested, is in making sure news organizations employ reporters who have diverse backgrounds, cultures, and experiences so that the mentality of creating social change is something that is infused in a reporter’s mindset when they are covering different communities and breaking news events.</p>
<p>“Being a journalist, especially in this time of transition, is like being on a limited budget for one’s household,” Calvin Sims said after the forum.</p>
<p>The challenge then becomes how to tell stories in new ways, and on multiple platforms, which also means providing an array of different kinds of content even if it means not allotting as much real estate as one would like to topics such as international news.</p>
<p>“That’s what successful people do in managing their household,” Sims said. “They find innovative ways to provide nutrition, and clothing, and comfort, and everything else, and I think that’s what we as journalists are called on to do today.” &#160;</p>
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new yorkcontrary popular belief newsmakers agree americans care international news stories journalists cant agree international stories covered forum monday hosted international house generous financial support ford foundation influential names news making discussed covered media anyone worked major news organization knows litany complaints constantly receive folks feel like arent covering news covering fairly moderator international house president calvin sims said opening remarks panel five journalists ranging television correspondents journalism professors got heated debate whether american audiences appetite international news outside crisis situation consumer theyre looking think sensational news sells kathy chow executive director asian american journalists association said interested indepth hits home us communities using recent crisis ukraine example chow pointed detailing history lessons political pressures insight foreign relations much information dump average consumer folks fly states frequent answer much dont want get involved dont even care abc news correspondent jim avila added managing editor new york times dean baquet strongly disagreed baquet pointed day times coverage 2011 tsunami japan one read stories ever published papers website think americans despite everyone says real hankering indepth international news said think news organizations cut back covering international news expensive domestic news said lack interest justify baquet attributed interest high readership detailed international stories published times world connected past pointing many americans travelled outside country friends family live abroad success international news sites like guardian us support baquets argument guardian went ninth largest print newspaper united kingdom third largest online englishlanguage newspaper website world globally guardian audience nearly 40 million unique users third based us said gennady kolker manages press relations guardian two half years since launching guardian us weve grown 33 percent paper built audience us largely giving american readers broad international news im saying everyone dying think tells us people dying baquet said guardians success theres bigger audience international news give people credit guardian new york times different organizations abc news avila reports work called world news cover world events still 18 minute broadcast going heavily domestic unless flareup somewhere avila said theres room anymore network two networks feature story unless royals avila joked also noted like dictum morning show evening news program process pieces leading major events television news viewers find stories event crisis panel also addressed limitations face pitching covering international stories based medium deliver news mission give viewers headline surface looking process indepth story arent going find us avila said abc broadcast corporations print publications different priorities mission television news programs deliver headline surface news allotted time broadcast sets limitations print digital publications dont face way newest international broadcast corporation al jazeera america tried break mold difficult time pulling ratings competitors focus domestic news stories six months since al jazeera americas inauguration channel averaged 15000 total viewers prime time 5000 viewers target 25to54yearold demographic based nielsen figures according advertising age low ratings considered nielsen scratch solution put process pieces digital platforms save sensational crisis international headlines television news group unable come definitive answer panel also looked issues closer home discussing shortcoming covering topics poverty race high incarceration rates issues sexual orientationwhat janine jackson program director fairness accuracy reporting categorized anything standing social justice jackson journalism professor dale maharidge agreed issues surrounding human rights social justice often hard reporters broach fear editors peers audience categorize advocates passionate writing change key professor maharidge suggested making sure news organizations employ reporters diverse backgrounds cultures experiences mentality creating social change something infused reporters mindset covering different communities breaking news events journalist especially time transition like limited budget ones household calvin sims said forum challenge becomes tell stories new ways multiple platforms also means providing array different kinds content even means allotting much real estate one would like topics international news thats successful people managing household sims said find innovative ways provide nutrition clothing comfort everything else think thats journalists called today 160
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<p>BANGKOK —&#160;For those with cash to spare, there are doctors.</p>
<p>For those without, there is Cipro.</p>
<p>The drug, a potent antibiotic, has a worldwide reputation for wiping out bacterial infections with a vengeance. “That’s the one customers usually ask for,” says Cherry, 32, who runs a Bangkok pharmacy on a noisy urban strip lined with massage joints and 7-Elevens.</p>
<p>If a customer has diarrhea? “I give them Cipro,” she says. Gonorrhea? “Usually Cipro.” Pneumonia? “I think we have something even stronger than Cipro,” Cherry says. “But they’d better see a doctor.”</p>
<p>This is the way much of humanity seeks medical treatment — in an open-air pharmacy doling out $2 to $5 packets of pills.</p>
<p>No prescription necessary. And hardly any medical science, either.</p>
<p>Cherry wears a white lab coat to work. But she isn’t a doctor. Still, she does her best to guide customers toward the best antibiotics for their ailments. “Most,” she says, “just want to buy the strongest pill we have,” regardless of whether it’s known to be effective against what afflicts them.</p>
<p>This free flow of powerful antibiotics is breeding a devastating consequence: “superbugs” that have evolved, in Darwinian fashion, to fight and win against antibiotic treatment. As the Centers for Disease Control explains: “When bacteria are exposed to antibiotics, they start learning how to <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/features/antibioticresistancethreats/" type="external">outsmart the drugs.</a>”</p>
<p>So the more they are used — and the more they are misused, for the wrong ailments or without completing an entire course — the less effective they become.</p>
<p>Humanity is fast approaching a “post-antibiotic era,” according to the World Health Organization. If unchecked, superbugs could reset the clock to a time when pneumonia, dog bites and urinary tract infections were life-threatening afflictions, even in the healthiest countries.</p>
<p>“This is no longer a prediction for the future,” says a <a href="http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2014/amr-report/en/" type="external">new WHO report</a> backed by data from more than 100 countries. “It is happening right now in every region of the world and has the potential to affect anyone, of any age, in any country.”</p>
<p>Ranking among mankind’s greatest discoveries, antibiotics have gained a popular reputation as a miracle cure-all.</p>
<p>In much of the developing world, buying antibiotics is hardly more difficult than buying a Pepsi.</p>
<p>In the US, where buying antibiotics requires a doctor’s prescription, “the public often expects or demands antibiotics for every sniffle that comes along,” according to the California Medical Association. In China, a Peking University study shows the meds are prescribed <a href="http://www.wanchuanlin.org/papers/Demand_and_Supply.pdf" type="external">“twice as frequently”</a> as the WHO recommends. In India, common antibiotics were <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Antibiotics-syrups-need-prescription/articleshow/31508622.cms" type="external">legally sold with no prescription</a> until this year.</p>
<p>The upshot? If unchecked, superbugs will become far more threatening than AIDS. This isn’t some dire prophecy. HIV and AIDS contributed to the deaths of roughly 15,000 Americans in 2010. A superbug called MRSA — a potent strain of staph bacteria — <a href="http://www.pewhealth.org/reports-analysis/issue-briefs/mrsa-a-deadly-pathogen-with-fewer-and-fewer-treatment-options-85899380134" type="external">kills at least 11,000 Americans per year</a> and, according to the Pew Health Group, fewer and fewer antibiotics are proving capable of treating it.</p>
<p>Unlike HIV, superbugs aren’t easily preventable. One of the biggest risk factors is simply being <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mrsa/basics/risk-factors/con-20024479" type="external">admitted to a hospital</a>, where the bugs camp out. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria can infect anyone who nicks their finger while chopping onions. Or walks barefoot through a public shower. Or simply falls ill from the flu, which can weaken the immune system and allow an infection to proliferate. In the world’s most destitute places, where antibiotics are still scarce, these are modern-day threats.</p>
<p>Surgeries, from hip replacements to organ transplants, leave patients particularly susceptible to superbug infection. Diarrhea, gonorrhea and pneumonia are flagged by the WHO as “high concern” ailments potentially caused by superbugs.</p>
<p>The world must now mobilize against superbugs “as it did to the AIDS crisis of the 1980s,” says Laura Piddock, a University of Birmingham microbiologist.</p>
<p>But as of now, new classes of antibiotics able to take down superbugs <a href="http://antibiotic-action.com" type="external">aren’t in the pipeline.</a> “Very few new antibiotics are being developed by pharmaceutical companies,” Piddock says, “and some have even stopped developing these drugs altogether.” A completely new class of antibiotic drugs hasn’t been discovered since the 1980s.</p>
<p>Governments around the world are just now waking up to the superbug threat. Both China and India have warned doctors to stop overprescribing antibiotics.</p>
<p>But as in much of the world, the US included, antibiotics are already fixed in the public’s mind as a wonder cure and are often demanded from doctors.</p>
<p>Often, physicians acquiesce: 65 percent of US pediatricians offer antibiotics when “they perceive parents expect them,” according to the California Medical Association. But if parents don’t bring up antibiotics, they’re prescribed only 12 percent of the time.</p>
<p>The association also complains that American doctors commonly hand out antibiotics for colds and flus, both caused by viruses antibiotics can’t even fight. (Antibiotics don’t attack viruses, only bacteria.)</p>
<p>This bodes badly for the world’s poor, who are more likely to fall ill and less likely to access a skilled doctor. Their health care is more often meted out in drug stores that don’t ask questions. India has <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2013/04/23/india-has-lost-superbug-war/" type="external">already “lost” the superbug war</a>, according to the microbiologist who led research into one of the nation’s most dangerous superbugs; his revelation, he claims, got him kicked out of the country.</p>
<p>This bleak superbug forecast is reinforced by Doctors Without Borders, which sends clinicians to the world’s poorest and most remote places. In response to the WHO’s report, the agency says it already sees <a href="http://www.msfaccess.org/content/msf-reponse-who-report-antimicrobial-resistance" type="external">“horrendous rates of antibiotic resistance</a> wherever we look in our field operations” and urges a global “wake-up call.”</p>
| false | 3 |
bangkok 160for cash spare doctors without cipro drug potent antibiotic worldwide reputation wiping bacterial infections vengeance thats one customers usually ask says cherry 32 runs bangkok pharmacy noisy urban strip lined massage joints 7elevens customer diarrhea give cipro says gonorrhea usually cipro pneumonia think something even stronger cipro cherry says theyd better see doctor way much humanity seeks medical treatment openair pharmacy doling 2 5 packets pills prescription necessary hardly medical science either cherry wears white lab coat work isnt doctor still best guide customers toward best antibiotics ailments says want buy strongest pill regardless whether known effective afflicts free flow powerful antibiotics breeding devastating consequence superbugs evolved darwinian fashion fight win antibiotic treatment centers disease control explains bacteria exposed antibiotics start learning outsmart drugs used misused wrong ailments without completing entire course less effective become humanity fast approaching postantibiotic era according world health organization unchecked superbugs could reset clock time pneumonia dog bites urinary tract infections lifethreatening afflictions even healthiest countries longer prediction future says new report backed data 100 countries happening right every region world potential affect anyone age country ranking among mankinds greatest discoveries antibiotics gained popular reputation miracle cureall much developing world buying antibiotics hardly difficult buying pepsi us buying antibiotics requires doctors prescription public often expects demands antibiotics every sniffle comes along according california medical association china peking university study shows meds prescribed twice frequently recommends india common antibiotics legally sold prescription year upshot unchecked superbugs become far threatening aids isnt dire prophecy hiv aids contributed deaths roughly 15000 americans 2010 superbug called mrsa potent strain staph bacteria kills least 11000 americans per year according pew health group fewer fewer antibiotics proving capable treating unlike hiv superbugs arent easily preventable one biggest risk factors simply admitted hospital bugs camp antibioticresistant bacteria infect anyone nicks finger chopping onions walks barefoot public shower simply falls ill flu weaken immune system allow infection proliferate worlds destitute places antibiotics still scarce modernday threats surgeries hip replacements organ transplants leave patients particularly susceptible superbug infection diarrhea gonorrhea pneumonia flagged high concern ailments potentially caused superbugs world must mobilize superbugs aids crisis 1980s says laura piddock university birmingham microbiologist new classes antibiotics able take superbugs arent pipeline new antibiotics developed pharmaceutical companies piddock says even stopped developing drugs altogether completely new class antibiotic drugs hasnt discovered since 1980s governments around world waking superbug threat china india warned doctors stop overprescribing antibiotics much world us included antibiotics already fixed publics mind wonder cure often demanded doctors often physicians acquiesce 65 percent us pediatricians offer antibiotics perceive parents expect according california medical association parents dont bring antibiotics theyre prescribed 12 percent time association also complains american doctors commonly hand antibiotics colds flus caused viruses antibiotics cant even fight antibiotics dont attack viruses bacteria bodes badly worlds poor likely fall ill less likely access skilled doctor health care often meted drug stores dont ask questions india already lost superbug war according microbiologist led research one nations dangerous superbugs revelation claims got kicked country bleak superbug forecast reinforced doctors without borders sends clinicians worlds poorest remote places response whos report agency says already sees horrendous rates antibiotic resistance wherever look field operations urges global wakeup call
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<p>Last year, sacred music composer Christopher Teichler noted a disturbing paradox.</p>
<p>The widely observed decline in biblical literacy among American Christians has paralleled a growing interest in developing new and enriched ways of worshipping.</p>
<p />
<p>"How can these two events — biblical illiteracy and a great passion for worship — be happening at the same time?” asked Teichler, who teaches at an evangelical university in the Chicago area and blogs on music issues.</p>
<p>“If biblical literacy is so low at this point in Western history, then the God of the Bible is not the god being worshipped but rather a shallow and incomplete version of him.”</p>
<p>Many church leaders who share Teichler’s concern believe they’ve found an antidote — injecting worship with a bracing dose of Scripture, through systematic readings, carefully selected musical texts and thoughtfully crafted sermons.</p>
<p>“I gained a new perspective on the problem when I was teaching religion to college freshmen,” said Jim Somerville, pastor of First Baptist Church in Richmond. “Even at a Baptist college, there was a high rate of biblical illiteracy.”</p>
<p>The trend isn’t new. In his 2007 book, Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know — And Doesn’t, Stephen Prothero traces the decline in biblical knowledge not to the cultural upheavals of the late 1960s or the Supreme Court’s prayer rulings of the early 1960s but to the postwar Christian revivals of the 1940s and 1950s.</p>
<p>For the spiritually fervent, the unprecedented leap in church — and synagogue — membership represented a distinctive kind of American identity, especially in the face of godless Communism. Seeking common ground to face the threat, church members jettisoned content, and the result was a sort of nebulous common faith that President Dwight Eisenhower called “the Judeo-Christian concept.” Eisenhower encapsulated the spirit exactly when he famously said, after meeting with a Soviet official in 1952, “Our form of government has no sense unless it is founded in a deeply felt religious faith, and I don’t care what it is.”</p>
<p>The result was a loss of biblical memory and that legacy of illiteracy continues, in part, Somerville believes, because churches present Scripture “in bits and fragments throughout the year.”</p>
<p>“One Sunday you might hear Hebrews 13 in Sunday school, then the next week it’s Jeremiah, chapter 1,” he said. “You’re not building any kind of synthesis, or any constructive way to understand how the pieces fit together.” Without the connections, biblical literacy is hard to maintain, he said.</p>
<p>Somerville tries to correct the trend by following the lectionary, both in public readings in worship and as a basis for his sermons. “When you flip through the readings, you can get a sense of how the lectionary committee was trying to get the full story of Scripture into the congregation,” he said. “It’s like a nutritionist trying to put together a balanced biblical diet for the church.”</p>
<p>Somerville crafts sermons in the context of the larger biblical pattern, to help his listeners make connections among texts.&#160; “Unless I do a good job of establishing context, then that passage of Scripture will be untethered and floating around above the congregations’ heads. And that’s not helpful in figuring out how the whole thing holds together.”</p>
<p>Preston Trail Community Church, a Baptist General Convention of Texas-affiliated congregation in Frisco, Texas, pastor Jim Johnson finds his youthful congregation successfully absorbs Scripture through both an exposure to large portions of it in a relatively short time and smaller segments over a longer period.</p>
<p>“We’re trying to be culturally relevant in all that we do,” said Johnson, whose church worships in a contemporary style. “As we started reaching people, we realized we were attracting not just Baptists but people across the board denominationally. Now we have a ton of people who don’t know the [biblical] story. We had to ask how do we help people get the stories?”</p>
<p>Last summer, he and co-pastor Paul Basden used each Sunday’s worship to relate stories from the Old and New Testaments.</p>
<p>“We went through all the narratives of the Bible,” Johnson said. “People found it fascinating and discovered models of discipleship.”</p>
<p>This winter and spring — January through May — the two pastors are spending five months on the Sermon on the Mount, “couching it in a contemporary package that will meet people at their point of need.”</p>
<p>Keith Herron, pastor of Holmeswood Baptist Church in Kansas City, Mo., thinks congregations’ retention of Scripture would increase if pastors would “step up to the plate more in the way we handle it.”</p>
<p>“There have been some taboos we’ve stayed away from — complicated things we’re afraid to address,” he said. “Our congregation won’t go anywhere we’re not already headed.”</p>
<p>The Old Testament especially is where pastors “shy away from an adult reading of the Scripture story,” Herron said. “The Noah narrative is one that we continue to tell and teach as if we were speaking to preschoolers. … We just don’t handle it in a way that’s challenging and speaks to adult needs.”</p>
<p>In its worship services, Holmeswood practices lectio divina, an ancient Christian practice intended to engender communion with God and increase knowledge of God’s word by studying, pondering, listening to and praying the Scripture.</p>
<p>“For many of us, it’s a new way of praying and a new way of absorbing the Bible,” said Herron. “We invite quietness into our worship service to meditate on Scripture instead of thinking that some activity has to happen all the time.”</p>
<p>Biblical literacy also will increase when Scripture is sung, agreed the ministers, but vetting the texts is essential.</p>
<p>“We use a lot of contemporary music at Preston Trail, and the songs are very biblically based,” said Johnson. “They’re Psalms or portions of Psalms. It’s coming straight out of Scripture.”</p>
<p>Tom Ingram, coordinator of church music and worship for the Virginia Baptist Mission Board, said singing “gives people an opportunity to remember something much longer – to internalize it.”</p>
<p>But he added, “I would certainly be very aware of the texts that are sung. Sometimes the texts of musical pieces used in hymns or choruses, or choral anthems or duets or solos just have very poor theology. And sometimes they aren’t biblical at all. They just express a nice sentiment.”</p>
<p>Ingram, who serves on a committee developing a new hymnal to be released next year by Mercer University Press, said, “Music has always been a teaching tool. But Baptists have not always done a good job of explaining why we sing what we sing. Many worshippers never understand what’s happening [in worship] or why it’s happening.”</p>
<p>Herron said his church’s biblical literacy has increased with its use of world music, a growing trend in hymnody. “There’s a richness in seeing the world as God’s work and joining in unity with Christians of other countries and languages and cultures. That’s a biblical worldview.”</p>
<p>A church’s aim in offering the full range of Scripture is to “lay out the meal” and “lead people to the buffet,” said Herron. “That offers an opportunity for people to become more in tune with the rhythm of Scripture and make the connections. The themes of our faith are carried in the stories.”</p>
<p>Robert Dilday is associate editor of the Religious Herald.</p>
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last year sacred music composer christopher teichler noted disturbing paradox widely observed decline biblical literacy among american christians paralleled growing interest developing new enriched ways worshipping two events biblical illiteracy great passion worship happening time asked teichler teaches evangelical university chicago area blogs music issues biblical literacy low point western history god bible god worshipped rather shallow incomplete version many church leaders share teichlers concern believe theyve found antidote injecting worship bracing dose scripture systematic readings carefully selected musical texts thoughtfully crafted sermons gained new perspective problem teaching religion college freshmen said jim somerville pastor first baptist church richmond even baptist college high rate biblical illiteracy trend isnt new 2007 book religious literacy every american needs know doesnt stephen prothero traces decline biblical knowledge cultural upheavals late 1960s supreme courts prayer rulings early 1960s postwar christian revivals 1940s 1950s spiritually fervent unprecedented leap church synagogue membership represented distinctive kind american identity especially face godless communism seeking common ground face threat church members jettisoned content result sort nebulous common faith president dwight eisenhower called judeochristian concept eisenhower encapsulated spirit exactly famously said meeting soviet official 1952 form government sense unless founded deeply felt religious faith dont care result loss biblical memory legacy illiteracy continues part somerville believes churches present scripture bits fragments throughout year one sunday might hear hebrews 13 sunday school next week jeremiah chapter 1 said youre building kind synthesis constructive way understand pieces fit together without connections biblical literacy hard maintain said somerville tries correct trend following lectionary public readings worship basis sermons flip readings get sense lectionary committee trying get full story scripture congregation said like nutritionist trying put together balanced biblical diet church somerville crafts sermons context larger biblical pattern help listeners make connections among texts160 unless good job establishing context passage scripture untethered floating around congregations heads thats helpful figuring whole thing holds together preston trail community church baptist general convention texasaffiliated congregation frisco texas pastor jim johnson finds youthful congregation successfully absorbs scripture exposure large portions relatively short time smaller segments longer period trying culturally relevant said johnson whose church worships contemporary style started reaching people realized attracting baptists people across board denominationally ton people dont know biblical story ask help people get stories last summer copastor paul basden used sundays worship relate stories old new testaments went narratives bible johnson said people found fascinating discovered models discipleship winter spring january may two pastors spending five months sermon mount couching contemporary package meet people point need keith herron pastor holmeswood baptist church kansas city mo thinks congregations retention scripture would increase pastors would step plate way handle taboos weve stayed away complicated things afraid address said congregation wont go anywhere already headed old testament especially pastors shy away adult reading scripture story herron said noah narrative one continue tell teach speaking preschoolers dont handle way thats challenging speaks adult needs worship services holmeswood practices lectio divina ancient christian practice intended engender communion god increase knowledge gods word studying pondering listening praying scripture many us new way praying new way absorbing bible said herron invite quietness worship service meditate scripture instead thinking activity happen time biblical literacy also increase scripture sung agreed ministers vetting texts essential use lot contemporary music preston trail songs biblically based said johnson theyre psalms portions psalms coming straight scripture tom ingram coordinator church music worship virginia baptist mission board said singing gives people opportunity remember something much longer internalize added would certainly aware texts sung sometimes texts musical pieces used hymns choruses choral anthems duets solos poor theology sometimes arent biblical express nice sentiment ingram serves committee developing new hymnal released next year mercer university press said music always teaching tool baptists always done good job explaining sing sing many worshippers never understand whats happening worship happening herron said churchs biblical literacy increased use world music growing trend hymnody theres richness seeing world gods work joining unity christians countries languages cultures thats biblical worldview churchs aim offering full range scripture lay meal lead people buffet said herron offers opportunity people become tune rhythm scripture make connections themes faith carried stories robert dilday associate editor religious herald
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<p>WATERTOWN, Mass. — The neighbors who live in the modest Victorian homes along the dogleg turn of Franklin Street don’t talk much about what happened here one year ago.</p>
<p>It brought them closer, and it comes up now and then, at a barbecue or a block party. Not the details, but unmistakable allusions: How good it feels to relax, how they have all really earned a drink.</p>
<p>But Franklin Street, a 20-minute drive from the finish line of the Boston Marathon, will forever be the place where Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was cornered, where a city’s day of lockdown and week of terror came to their pyrotechnic end.</p>
<p>And so there are always reminders.</p>
<p>In the early days after it happened, you would spot a neighbor patching up a bullet hole on a window shutter. Today there are tourists, fewer now but still frequent, license plates from all over, slowing the car to gawk.</p>
<p>And a stray helicopter can still rattle Lori Toye, shaking her psyche the same way the choppers seemed to shake her whole house on the day when the police, and what seemed an entire convoy of armored cars, closed in on Tsarnaev.</p>
<p>She had lived in Watertown only six weeks.</p>
<p>“Life did go back to normal,” she said. “It was about two weeks just trying to comprehend the whole thing. Still, anytime there was helicopters — still, to this day, the helicopters — that feeling still comes back.”</p>
<p>She was speaking from the backyard of her home, 71 Franklin St., while her husband, Brendan, casually practiced his golf swing, and their son, Garvin, who turns two in July, tottered around wielding a driver.</p>
<p>Garvin was 9 months old on the day of the lockdown, April 19, the day after the overnight police firefight elsewhere in Watertown that left Tsarnaev’s younger brother, Tamerlan, dead.</p>
<p>Lori Toye said that she could hear the bullets fly. She couldn’t sleep that night, and spent the following day, like pretty much all of greater Boston, cooped up inside.</p>
<p>On the evening of April 19, Toye said, she spotted David Henneberry and his wife out for a cigarette next door. She remembers thinking: “Wow, they’re brave.” The lockdown was over, but not the terror. The surviving Tsarnaev brother was still out there.</p>
<p>Henneberry’s family said later that it was on that smoke break that he discovered something about his boat that did not look right. He spotted a strap that had been cut clean. He saw blood on the tarp.</p>
<p>Henneberry fetched a stepladder, had a look, saw a pool of blood and a figure hunched in the forward section of the boat. He went back inside his house and called the police.</p>
<p>Toye was washing dishes when all hell broke loose one house away.</p>
<p>“We just heard — it wasn’t even sirens at first. It was footsteps. Like pounding footsteps,” she said. “We just knew right away.”</p>
<p>She grabbed little Garvin, headed for a hallway that had no windows, and lay on top of him.</p>
<p>She knew that Tsarnaev was probably somewhere in Watertown, and he might be armed with who knows what. She did not yet know that Tsarnaev, gravely wounded, was in the boat right next door.</p>
<p>The police came in a hurry, Brendan Toye recalled, and they said: “I’m sure you’ve been watching the news. We think we’ve got him cornered in the boat next door. We’re going to need you to get out.”</p>
<p>An officer grabbed Garvin, who was wearing shorts, and ran with him up the street. He told Lori, “Grab a blanket.”</p>
<p>She grabbed what she could and chased after. Some of her neighbors were running, others cowering behind cars.</p>
<p>She and her husband were taken in by a woman they had never met who lives nearby. They watched Tsarnaev’s capture on television — the house next door beamed around the world. Officers fired a barrage of bullets at the boat.</p>
<p>One year after the marathon attack, some people on Franklin Street said they did not feel like talking to reporters.</p>
<p>On the day before the anniversary, Henneberry was out back tending to his new boat. The old one, ruined, was hauled off by the FBI. A crowd-sourced fundraising campaign helped raise $50,000 to buy him the new one.</p>
<p>Henneberry expressed deep gratitude in a letter to the fundraising site, Crowdtilt, but is tired of talking about it. He ordered an NBC News reporter and photographer off his property Monday, then disappered into the house.</p>
<p>“I’m done,” he said.</p>
<p>After Tsarnaev was captured, it was two days before the Toyes were allowed back into their home and a week before they were allowed in their yard, which was still considered a crime scene.</p>
<p>Today they point out the 21 bullet holes in the wooden fence that divides their property from Henneberry’s. And they point to where police bullets struck their shed out back. They are marked, like the shutter next door with the spot of patching paint, by little up-pointed burgundy arrows where the FBI recorded the shots.</p>
<p>Brendan Toye, who works in construction, plans to follow Tsarnaev’s trial in the fall, although for months he was rattled just to hear the name. Lori Toye recently read a book about the manhunt and felt a surge of anxiety when the story got to her neighborhood.</p>
<p>They are thankful that Garvin was only 9 months old when it happened. When he hears something fly overhead, he gets excited and points to the sky.</p>
<p>He will have little, if any, memory of the night last April. His parents will have plenty, but they said they have never considered moving.</p>
<p>“It made us realize what a great neighborhood we live in,” she said. “The one good thing that came of it was that we got to meet our neighbors.”</p>
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watertown mass neighbors live modest victorian homes along dogleg turn franklin street dont talk much happened one year ago brought closer comes barbecue block party details unmistakable allusions good feels relax really earned drink franklin street 20minute drive finish line boston marathon forever place dzhokhar tsarnaev cornered citys day lockdown week terror came pyrotechnic end always reminders early days happened would spot neighbor patching bullet hole window shutter today tourists fewer still frequent license plates slowing car gawk stray helicopter still rattle lori toye shaking psyche way choppers seemed shake whole house day police seemed entire convoy armored cars closed tsarnaev lived watertown six weeks life go back normal said two weeks trying comprehend whole thing still anytime helicopters still day helicopters feeling still comes back speaking backyard home 71 franklin st husband brendan casually practiced golf swing son garvin turns two july tottered around wielding driver garvin 9 months old day lockdown april 19 day overnight police firefight elsewhere watertown left tsarnaevs younger brother tamerlan dead lori toye said could hear bullets fly couldnt sleep night spent following day like pretty much greater boston cooped inside evening april 19 toye said spotted david henneberry wife cigarette next door remembers thinking wow theyre brave lockdown terror surviving tsarnaev brother still henneberrys family said later smoke break discovered something boat look right spotted strap cut clean saw blood tarp henneberry fetched stepladder look saw pool blood figure hunched forward section boat went back inside house called police toye washing dishes hell broke loose one house away heard wasnt even sirens first footsteps like pounding footsteps said knew right away grabbed little garvin headed hallway windows lay top knew tsarnaev probably somewhere watertown might armed knows yet know tsarnaev gravely wounded boat right next door police came hurry brendan toye recalled said im sure youve watching news think weve got cornered boat next door going need get officer grabbed garvin wearing shorts ran street told lori grab blanket grabbed could chased neighbors running others cowering behind cars husband taken woman never met lives nearby watched tsarnaevs capture television house next door beamed around world officers fired barrage bullets boat one year marathon attack people franklin street said feel like talking reporters day anniversary henneberry back tending new boat old one ruined hauled fbi crowdsourced fundraising campaign helped raise 50000 buy new one henneberry expressed deep gratitude letter fundraising site crowdtilt tired talking ordered nbc news reporter photographer property monday disappered house im done said tsarnaev captured two days toyes allowed back home week allowed yard still considered crime scene today point 21 bullet holes wooden fence divides property henneberrys point police bullets struck shed back marked like shutter next door spot patching paint little uppointed burgundy arrows fbi recorded shots brendan toye works construction plans follow tsarnaevs trial fall although months rattled hear name lori toye recently read book manhunt felt surge anxiety story got neighborhood thankful garvin 9 months old happened hears something fly overhead gets excited points sky little memory night last april parents plenty said never considered moving made us realize great neighborhood live said one good thing came got meet neighbors
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<p>HHS is seeking to eliminate a question for LGBT elders in a health survey.</p>
<p>LGBT advocacy groups are opposing&#160;the Trump administration’s announced plans to remove questions seeking to identify gay, lesbian and bisexual elders in a U.S. health survey, saying the move represents a systematic plan to undermine LGBT progress.</p>
<p>Services &amp; Advocacy for LGBT Elders announced Monday the launch of a campaign to oppose the Department of Health &amp; Human Services’ proposed elimination of the questions from the National Survey of Older Americans Act Participants, or NSOAAP. The survey is intended to evaluate the effectiveness of programs funded by the Older Americans Act, such as services for home-delivered meals, homemaker services and the National Family Caregiver Support Program.</p>
<p>Michael Adams, CEO&#160;of SAGE, said in a statement the proposed change jeopardizes assurances LGBT elders will receive benefits under those programs.</p>
<p>“Caring about our LGBT elders means making sure they have access to publicly funded senior services, which can be literally life-saving,” Adams said. “Now, it appears that the Trump administration wants to make believe LGBT older people don’t exist, by erasing them from this critically important survey. We insist that this decision be reversed and that the federal government commit to serving all elders in need, including those who are LGBT.”</p>
<p>The Trump administration announced plans to remove the sexual-orientation questions from the NSOAAP shortly after the confirmation of Tom Price as secretary of health and human services.</p>
<p>As a U.S. lawmaker, Price had an anti-LGBT record, including support for a U.S. constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage nationwide and opposition to hate crimes protections legislation, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal and a version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. In 2013, Price participated in an event call hosted by Tea Party Unity and said a caller was “absolutely right” about potentially negative health and fiscal impacts of measures promoting LGBT rights.</p>
<p>The declaration that HHS&#160;was considering eliminating the notices was published March 13 in the <a href="https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2017-03-13/pdf/2017-04843.pdf" type="external">Federal Register</a>, the daily journal of the U.S. government that includes rule changes.</p>
<p>LGBT elders or questions on U.S. surveys are nowhere explicitly found in the notice. Instead, the notice provides a link to descriptions of previous surveys and a link to a proposed draft of the 2017 survey, incorrectly saying there will “no change” to the new survey. But a look at the survey reveals a change: The elimination of a question on whether respondents identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual, which had been included in each annual survey since 2014.</p>
<p>According to the notice, federal agencies are required under the Paperwork Reduction Act to allow 60 days for a public comment period on changes in the collection of information and those are due May 12.</p>
<p>Laura Durso, vice president for LGBT research and communications at the Center for American Progress, said in a statement the proposed roll back makes it impossible to know whether the Department of Health and&#160;Human Services is equitably serving LGBT people in need.</p>
<p>“Without the information provided in these surveys, we can’t ensure that LGBT seniors have equal access to important government services or that LGBT people with disabilities have equal access to independent living services that empower them to live full and self-determined lives,” Durso said. “We can’t ensure that the administration is fulfilling its duty to eliminate the barriers that shut vulnerable LGBT people out of the safety net. By walking back data collection on LGBT populations, this administration is saying that they would rather erase disparities than end them.”</p>
<p>No question in the survey ever addressed transgender status. Even during the Obama years, the U.S. government never included a question in its surveys seeking to identify the transgender population in the United States, citing difficulty in asking the questions and being assured of responses. The absence of those questions was a source of frustration at the National Center for Transgender Equality, which collected its own information on the transgender population in its&#160;2015 U.S. Transgender Survey.</p>
<p>Kelly Mack, an HHS spokesperson, said in response to the criticism the question on sexual orientation was included in previous surveys as part of a trial effort, but is now being eliminated because it didn’t yield sufficient information.</p>
<p>“The questions have been included in previous ACL surveys as part of a pilot test,” Mack said. “These pilot questions are no longer proposed for inclusion in the surveys. The sample size of responses to these questions while piloted has not been sufficient enough to date to allow for reliability and reporting.”</p>
<p>Mack added HHS will seek to receive public comment on the proposed 2017 survey for an additional 30 days beyond the 60 days required under the Paperwork Reduction Act. A clarification for the Federal Register notice, Mack said, will “be out soon to highlight the proposed changes.”</p>
<p>The proposed elimination of the questions on sexual orientation in the NSOAAP is the latest move from the Trump administration to reverse administrative changes in favor of LGBT people seen under President Obama.</p>
<p>Most notably, one such change was the <a href="" type="internal">elimination of guidance</a> to schools assuring transgender kids have access to the restroom consistent with their gender identity. Earlier this month, the Department of Housing &amp; Urban Development also withdrew plans seeking to ensure homeless shelters notify transgender people they can’t be subject to discrimination there and for a survey to evaluate the effectiveness of the LGBTQ Youth Homelessness Prevention Initiative.</p>
<p>Mara Keisling, executive director of the National Center for&#160;Transgender Equality, drew a contrast in a statement between these LGBT rollbacks and <a href="" type="internal">the State Department’s appointment of anti-LGBT activists to the U.S. delegation to the U.N.’s 61st annual Commission on the Status of Women.</a></p>
<p>“Apparently, President Trump doesn’t want the government to know, or want anyone else to know, basic information about the lives of LGBT older Americans, LGBT people with disabilities, or LGBT youth facing homelessness,” Keisling said. “He doesn’t want people to know they can’t be kicked out of shelters for being LGBT. But he does want a group like C-FAM — which promotes ugly lies and slurs about transgender people—to represent our country to the world.”</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Department of Health &amp; Human Services</a> <a href="" type="internal">LGBT elders</a> <a href="" type="internal">Mara Keisling</a> <a href="" type="internal">Tom Price</a></p>
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hhs seeking eliminate question lgbt elders health survey lgbt advocacy groups opposing160the trump administrations announced plans remove questions seeking identify gay lesbian bisexual elders us health survey saying move represents systematic plan undermine lgbt progress services amp advocacy lgbt elders announced monday launch campaign oppose department health amp human services proposed elimination questions national survey older americans act participants nsoaap survey intended evaluate effectiveness programs funded older americans act services homedelivered meals homemaker services national family caregiver support program michael adams ceo160of sage said statement proposed change jeopardizes assurances lgbt elders receive benefits programs caring lgbt elders means making sure access publicly funded senior services literally lifesaving adams said appears trump administration wants make believe lgbt older people dont exist erasing critically important survey insist decision reversed federal government commit serving elders need including lgbt trump administration announced plans remove sexualorientation questions nsoaap shortly confirmation tom price secretary health human services us lawmaker price antilgbt record including support us constitutional amendment banning samesex marriage nationwide opposition hate crimes protections legislation dont ask dont tell repeal version employment nondiscrimination act 2013 price participated event call hosted tea party unity said caller absolutely right potentially negative health fiscal impacts measures promoting lgbt rights declaration hhs160was considering eliminating notices published march 13 federal register daily journal us government includes rule changes lgbt elders questions us surveys nowhere explicitly found notice instead notice provides link descriptions previous surveys link proposed draft 2017 survey incorrectly saying change new survey look survey reveals change elimination question whether respondents identify lesbian gay bisexual included annual survey since 2014 according notice federal agencies required paperwork reduction act allow 60 days public comment period changes collection information due may 12 laura durso vice president lgbt research communications center american progress said statement proposed roll back makes impossible know whether department health and160human services equitably serving lgbt people need without information provided surveys cant ensure lgbt seniors equal access important government services lgbt people disabilities equal access independent living services empower live full selfdetermined lives durso said cant ensure administration fulfilling duty eliminate barriers shut vulnerable lgbt people safety net walking back data collection lgbt populations administration saying would rather erase disparities end question survey ever addressed transgender status even obama years us government never included question surveys seeking identify transgender population united states citing difficulty asking questions assured responses absence questions source frustration national center transgender equality collected information transgender population its1602015 us transgender survey kelly mack hhs spokesperson said response criticism question sexual orientation included previous surveys part trial effort eliminated didnt yield sufficient information questions included previous acl surveys part pilot test mack said pilot questions longer proposed inclusion surveys sample size responses questions piloted sufficient enough date allow reliability reporting mack added hhs seek receive public comment proposed 2017 survey additional 30 days beyond 60 days required paperwork reduction act clarification federal register notice mack said soon highlight proposed changes proposed elimination questions sexual orientation nsoaap latest move trump administration reverse administrative changes favor lgbt people seen president obama notably one change elimination guidance schools assuring transgender kids access restroom consistent gender identity earlier month department housing amp urban development also withdrew plans seeking ensure homeless shelters notify transgender people cant subject discrimination survey evaluate effectiveness lgbtq youth homelessness prevention initiative mara keisling executive director national center for160transgender equality drew contrast statement lgbt rollbacks state departments appointment antilgbt activists us delegation uns 61st annual commission status women apparently president trump doesnt want government know want anyone else know basic information lives lgbt older americans lgbt people disabilities lgbt youth facing homelessness keisling said doesnt want people know cant kicked shelters lgbt want group like cfam promotes ugly lies slurs transgender peopleto represent country world department health amp human services lgbt elders mara keisling tom price
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<p><a href="" type="internal" />May 9, 2013</p>
<p>By Katy Grimes</p>
<p>You’ve heard of the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Millionaire-Next-Door-Thomas-Stanley/dp/0671015206" type="external">Millionaire Next Door?</a> Now meet the Criminal Next Door.</p>
<p>In what appears to be a nod to the powerful prison guards union, California is shunning sending prison inmates to lower cost, out-of-state prisons to reduce the overcrowded prison population. Instead, it’s releasing “non-violent,” “non-sexual,” “low-level” criminals out onto the streets and into minor parole programs.</p>
<p>In the 2006 class-action case&#160; <a href="http://www.caed.uscourts.gov/caed/staticOther/page_1644.htm" type="external">Coleman vs. Schwarzenegger</a>, a three-judge U.S. District Court ordered a large cut in the prison population. It found that overcrowded prison conditions were the cause of severely inadequate inmate&#160; <a href="http://topics.sacbee.com/health+care/" type="external">health care</a>. The order also imposed a population cap on California’s prisons.</p>
<p>Under Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, California sent prisoners to prisons in other states. The out-of-state prison cost savings over what it costs per bed in a California prison was significant. But since Gov. Jerry Brown was elected, this practice has been curtailed. Outsourcing of the state’s prisoners on a large scale apparently is not a politically feasible option for the Brown administration.</p>
<p>“Prison realignment” has been in the news since 2010, the year Brown was elected. In office, he immediately was faced with an ongoing federal court order to deal with California’s overcrowded prisons. But what exactly is prison realignment, what was it supposed to do, and is it working?</p>
<p>In 2011, <a href="http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/realignment/" type="external">AB 109</a>, the prison realignment law,&#160;was passed by the Legislature and signed into law by Brown. AB 109 was supposed to shift “low-level,” “non-violent,” and “non-sexual” inmates from state prisons to county jails. Many inmates then were shifted to county probation departments for post-release supervision.</p>
<p>But AB 109 also required some felons released from prison be placed on post-release community supervision instead of state parole. A largely ignored result of AB 109 is that&#160;nearly half of these “non-violent offenders” had previously been incarcerated for serious crimes. But parole supervision is now based entirely on an inmate’s current conviction, not on cumulative crimes for which he had served prison time in the past.</p>
<p>Before the realignment law was passed, parole violators were transferred to state prisons, where they faced up to a year in custody. This no longer happens under prison realignment.</p>
<p>Instead of releasing prisoners, California could reduce its corrections costs significantly by transferring inmates to lower-cost facilities out of state. “Expanding this strategy by transferring an additional 25,000 low- to medium-security inmates to such facilities—5,000 per year for five years—would result in an estimated&#160;savings of between $111 million and $120 million for the first year of the prisoner transfer plan, and between $1.7 billion and $1.8 billion in savings by the end of year five,” according to a study by the&#160; <a href="http://reason.org/files/private_prisons_california.pdf" type="external">Reason Foundation</a>.</p>
<p>The study continued, “Based on correctional partnership experiences across the nation and the globe, California could reasonably and conservatively expect to realize cost savings of between 5 and 15% from outsourcing its correctional services.&#160;Applying this savings range to the state’s current (Fiscal Year 2009-10) corrections operating budget of $8,233,620,000 yields estimated savings of between $412 million and $1.24 billion per year….</p>
<p>“The potential savings may be even greater than this. First, California prison guards’ salaries and benefits are higher than those of their counterparts in other states, so contracting should realize greater personnel cost savings (particularly from fringe benefits) than in other places.</p>
<p>“Second, there is a large discrepancy in CDCR’s self-reported average costs per inmate per day and other data the agency has reported on its operational budget and inmate population, suggesting that the state may be underreporting its true per diem costs. California’s self-reported average cost per inmate per day is $133, but the cost calculated by simply dividing the correctional operating budget by the number of inmates is $162. By contrast, as noted above, the per diem rate received by private firms in recent contracts ranges from $60 to $75.”</p>
<p>Yet, California sends a much higher percentage of repeat offenders back to prisons and jails than other states.</p>
<p>Fast forward to last week. Rather than using out-of-state prisons to help reduce California’s prison population, Brown’s administration <a href="http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/News/3_judge_panel_decision.html" type="external">told the federal court</a> that the state Legislature would have to agree to dramatically restructure California’s corrections system.</p>
<p>Brown, under a threat of contempt of court by the federal judges if he did not implement a plan to meet the prison population cap by December, submitted a late-night report.</p>
<p>“In a <a href="http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/News/3_judge_panel_decision.html" type="external">46-page brief</a>filed shortly before midnight Thursday, state officials outlined how they would reduce the prison population by about 10,000 inmates over the next year, hoping to satisfy a three-judge panel that last month blasted the governor for failing to comply with a 2009 order requiring California to reduce its prison population to about 110,000 by this summer,” the San Jose Mercury News <a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/politics-government/ci_23164686/gov-jerry-brown-proposes-plan-california-prison-crisis" type="external">reported</a>.</p>
<p>California’s 33 prisons currently house 119,506 inmates. But the prisons were designed for 79,959 inmates.&#160;The federal court has ordered another 9,500 inmates cut by Dec. 31.</p>
<p>Brown recently filed a motion to vacate or modify the reduction order, but it was denied by the federal court.</p>
<p><a href="http://gov.ca.gov/news.php?id=16964" type="external">Brown signed AB 109</a>only two years ago to “stop the costly, ineffective and unsafe ‘revolving door’ of lower-level offenders and parole violators through our state prisons.”</p>
<p>Republicans fought realignment, and now are focused on the many serious problems caused by it.</p>
<p>Due to sweeping changes in California’s criminal justice system, paroled rapists, molesters and other sex offenders statewide are often doing little or no jail time for violating the terms of their release, according to state records and interviews with parole agents, according to Sen. Jim Nielsen, R-Gerber.</p>
<p>The law also prevents habitual criminals convicted of new felonies such as assault, auto theft, drug dealing, identity theft, fraud and commercial burglary from receiving prison sentences. Instread the offenders are get sentences in overcrowded county jails, probation or “treatment” in county-managed rehabilitation programs, according to the&#160; <a href="http://www.cjlf.org" type="external">Criminal Justice Legal Foundation</a>.</p>
<p>On Tuesday,&#160;Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento,&#160;told reporters he wanted more money spent on the <a href="http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/Parole/Mental-Health-Services-Continuum-Program.html" type="external">Integrated Services for Mentally Ill Parolees</a>program. But his plan would not be considered by the District Court as part of the overcrowding order. The program is run by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, which oversees the prison system.</p>
<p>“Fifteen hundred and two individuals have been enrolled in the program,” Steinberg said. “Only 359, or 24 percent, are re-incarcerated or rearrested.”</p>
<p>Steinberg’s plan also calls for more money to be provided for mental health services in the community, including 2,000 crisis treatment beds in a neighborhood setting, KCRA Channel 3&#160; <a href="http://www.kcra.com/news/Steinberg-unveils-plan-to-ease-prison-overcrowding/-/11797728/20052360/-/format/rsss_2.0/-/cu66sd/-/index.html#ixzz2SiJLmtAY" type="external">reported</a>.</p>
<p>Steinberg said the funding would come from the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare); California’s <a href="http://www.dmh.ca.gov/prop_63/mhsa/" type="external">Proposition 63</a>, the 2004 initiative that increased mental health spending; and the state general fund.</p>
<p>It appears that the Brown administration is ignoring the viable option of transferring prisoners to out-of-state prisons. Steinberg’s plan to address the important issue of prisoners with mental illness is an important component to prison overcrowding, and should be considered by the federal court as addressing the overcrowding issue.</p>
<p>Brown’s administration has to submit a report by July 30 on what actions have been undertaken to identify inmates who might be candidates for early release or are unlikely to re-offend.</p>
<p>However, the federal judges <a href="http://www.sacbee.com/2013/05/02/5390756/california-to-say-how-it-will.html" type="external">stated</a>&#160;that if California does not reduce the prison population to the mandated level by the July 30 deadline, “this system will permit defendants to nevertheless comply with the order through the release of low-risk prisoners.”</p>
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may 9 2013 katy grimes youve heard millionaire next door meet criminal next door appears nod powerful prison guards union california shunning sending prison inmates lower cost outofstate prisons reduce overcrowded prison population instead releasing nonviolent nonsexual lowlevel criminals onto streets minor parole programs 2006 classaction case160 coleman vs schwarzenegger threejudge us district court ordered large cut prison population found overcrowded prison conditions cause severely inadequate inmate160 health care order also imposed population cap californias prisons gov arnold schwarzenegger california sent prisoners prisons states outofstate prison cost savings costs per bed california prison significant since gov jerry brown elected practice curtailed outsourcing states prisoners large scale apparently politically feasible option brown administration prison realignment news since 2010 year brown elected office immediately faced ongoing federal court order deal californias overcrowded prisons exactly prison realignment supposed working 2011 ab 109 prison realignment law160was passed legislature signed law brown ab 109 supposed shift lowlevel nonviolent nonsexual inmates state prisons county jails many inmates shifted county probation departments postrelease supervision ab 109 also required felons released prison placed postrelease community supervision instead state parole largely ignored result ab 109 that160nearly half nonviolent offenders previously incarcerated serious crimes parole supervision based entirely inmates current conviction cumulative crimes served prison time past realignment law passed parole violators transferred state prisons faced year custody longer happens prison realignment instead releasing prisoners california could reduce corrections costs significantly transferring inmates lowercost facilities state expanding strategy transferring additional 25000 low mediumsecurity inmates facilities5000 per year five yearswould result estimated160savings 111 million 120 million first year prisoner transfer plan 17 billion 18 billion savings end year five according study the160 reason foundation study continued based correctional partnership experiences across nation globe california could reasonably conservatively expect realize cost savings 5 15 outsourcing correctional services160applying savings range states current fiscal year 200910 corrections operating budget 8233620000 yields estimated savings 412 million 124 billion per year potential savings may even greater first california prison guards salaries benefits higher counterparts states contracting realize greater personnel cost savings particularly fringe benefits places second large discrepancy cdcrs selfreported average costs per inmate per day data agency reported operational budget inmate population suggesting state may underreporting true per diem costs californias selfreported average cost per inmate per day 133 cost calculated simply dividing correctional operating budget number inmates 162 contrast noted per diem rate received private firms recent contracts ranges 60 75 yet california sends much higher percentage repeat offenders back prisons jails states fast forward last week rather using outofstate prisons help reduce californias prison population browns administration told federal court state legislature would agree dramatically restructure californias corrections system brown threat contempt court federal judges implement plan meet prison population cap december submitted latenight report 46page brieffiled shortly midnight thursday state officials outlined would reduce prison population 10000 inmates next year hoping satisfy threejudge panel last month blasted governor failing comply 2009 order requiring california reduce prison population 110000 summer san jose mercury news reported californias 33 prisons currently house 119506 inmates prisons designed 79959 inmates160the federal court ordered another 9500 inmates cut dec 31 brown recently filed motion vacate modify reduction order denied federal court brown signed ab 109only two years ago stop costly ineffective unsafe revolving door lowerlevel offenders parole violators state prisons republicans fought realignment focused many serious problems caused due sweeping changes californias criminal justice system paroled rapists molesters sex offenders statewide often little jail time violating terms release according state records interviews parole agents according sen jim nielsen rgerber law also prevents habitual criminals convicted new felonies assault auto theft drug dealing identity theft fraud commercial burglary receiving prison sentences instread offenders get sentences overcrowded county jails probation treatment countymanaged rehabilitation programs according the160 criminal justice legal foundation tuesday160senate president pro tem darrell steinberg dsacramento160told reporters wanted money spent integrated services mentally ill paroleesprogram plan would considered district court part overcrowding order program run department corrections rehabilitation oversees prison system fifteen hundred two individuals enrolled program steinberg said 359 24 percent reincarcerated rearrested steinbergs plan also calls money provided mental health services community including 2000 crisis treatment beds neighborhood setting kcra channel 3160 reported steinberg said funding would come affordable care act obamacare californias proposition 63 2004 initiative increased mental health spending state general fund appears brown administration ignoring viable option transferring prisoners outofstate prisons steinbergs plan address important issue prisoners mental illness important component prison overcrowding considered federal court addressing overcrowding issue browns administration submit report july 30 actions undertaken identify inmates might candidates early release unlikely reoffend however federal judges stated160that california reduce prison population mandated level july 30 deadline system permit defendants nevertheless comply order release lowrisk prisoners
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<p>The big engine sputtered to a stop and the pilgrim-laden wooden boat glides silently to a stop in the blue water. The only sounds are made by the gentle waves lapping playfully at the hull. Along with the others on board, I sit alone with my thoughts observing the Galilean hills surrounding this fresh-water lake, arguably the most famous in the world.</p>
<p>To some, the lake, or Sea of Galilee as it is usually called in Scripture, might look like any other. Fed by the Jordan River, the lake measures 4.5 miles, east to west, and some 13 miles from north to south. It is cool and clear. I’m told it’s about 150 feet deep and full of fish, although I can personally verify neither claim.</p>
<p>What makes the Sea of Galilee remarkable, of course, is what happened here in ancient times; and, in a sense, what has not happened in times modern. Because most of the land surrounding the lake is owned by local municipalities, the government of Israel or by the Greek Orthodox or Roman Catholic churches, the shoreline has been kept almost pristine. Development at the water’s edge and even up the slopes of the surrounding hills has taken place only as necessity has required.</p>
<p>That said, from the lake I looked upon the same hills Jesus beheld. They have changed little. Biblical vignettes began to play themselves in the theater of my mind. Perhaps it was just over there that Peter, watching Jesus approach walking on the waves, accepted the Lord’s invitation to join him and stepped out of the boat and onto the water. And, only few feet further on is the place where he began to sink and cried out to be saved.</p>
<p>It would be easier to chide Peter for his lack of faith if even a single one of my water-walking attempts had ever proved even moderately successful.</p>
<p>And over there may have been where Jesus slept so soundly in exhausted slumber that the tossing boat, rocked by whipping winds and pounding breakers, failed to wake him. Finally, the experienced sailors reached the limits of their considerable skill and in desperation (and in some apparent anger) they awakened Jesus, seeking his intervention. “Don’t you care that we perish? How can you lie there sleeping?”</p>
<p>Jesus spoke a word to the wind demanding silence and the storm stilled.&#160; He then tossed a zinger of his own, finding it remarkable that they had such little faith.</p>
<p>I wonder how many times Christ has chided me for my little faith? More times than I know about, I’m sure.</p>
<p>It seems obvious to me, as I sit on that lake, that Jesus was saddened that the disciples still did not understand. God’s purpose required Jesus’ redemptive death and their participation in the telling of it. Therefore, their anxiety over their own well-being, even when death seemed certain, was unnecessary and unjustified. They just didn’t get it. I cannot escape asking myself, “Do I?”</p>
<p>There, in another place by the north shore, was where the disciples had fished all night without catching anything. Only a few days after that first Easter, their minds still struggled to accept the whole concept of resurrection as a reality.</p>
<p>When Peter announced that he was going fishing, was he merely seeking to assuage his grief and guilt by turning to something familiar, or did this fishing expedition signify something more to him and the disciples who accompanied him?</p>
<p>Perhaps Peter had been so despondent over his denial that his friends worried about him being out there on the lake alone. Could it be that in his mind the unlikely chapter in his biography called “Disciple” had come to a sudden tragic close and a new one called “Life Resumed” had begun? If so, their complete and utter failure to catch even a single sardine must have only heightened his sense of hopelessness.</p>
<p>From where I sit in the boat, I can see a church called the Primacy of Peter. Tradition says this is the place from which Jesus called to them, “Catching anything?” I think he already knew. He had already lit the fire to cook the catch he knew they would have—if they only believed and obeyed. He had even provided a few fish of his own for their breakfast.</p>
<p>I wonder if God engineered their failure that night to put them in a proper frame of mind to resume doing what he had called them to do? I suspect so because it seems obvious that he was now responsible for their fishing success. Regardless of the disciples’ confusion about their futures, he was still in control. That may have been the point.</p>
<p>I look back to the place I had imagined their boat. There, in obedience or perhaps only in appeasement to Christ’s admonishment to try fishing on the other side, they filled their nets with the haul. They counted 153 fish and John noted that they were large. No doubt, we should have seen the ones that got away.</p>
<p>In my mind I seethem there in that place and I watch as Jesus took Peter aside. “Do you love me,” he asked three times? Peter replied affirmatively though timidly. “Feed my sheep,” Jesus said. And with that, Peter was redeemed.</p>
<p>I wonder to myself, how could Jesus, the master story-teller, have failed to use a fishing metaphor? How natural it would have been to say, “Catch my fish!” or even “Feed my fish!” No, on the shore of the Sea of Galilee Jesus talked about sheep instead of fish. Suddenly it occurs to me that it could not have been by accident.</p>
<p>Jesus meant to draw a clear distinction between Peter’s past and future. Fishing was the past. His future would be devoted to the sheep of Christ’s pasture.</p>
<p>I wonder to myself, in my silent meditation, how many times I have opted for the familiar instead of pressing ahead into an uncertain future? People, pastors and even churches do it all the time choosing what does not threaten rather than having faith enough to accept something different. Being content with what is rather than pressing for what could be.</p>
<p>I wonder whether some of my failures are God’s attempt to steer me to his greater successes? I reflect on the times in my life when I wanted to abandon what seemed unreasonable or impossible to embrace something I could control. But I can’t control things, can I? Not really. Any more than Peter could control whether they caught fish that night.</p>
<p>To myself I affirm again, “He is Lord, he is Lord. He is risen from the dead and he is Lord!”</p>
<p>The growl of the engine announces the need to return to the 21st century, but I am going back with some altered perceptions, for I have been with Jesus.</p>
<p><a href="mailto:[email protected]" type="external">Jim White</a> is editor of the Religious Herald.</p>
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big engine sputtered stop pilgrimladen wooden boat glides silently stop blue water sounds made gentle waves lapping playfully hull along others board sit alone thoughts observing galilean hills surrounding freshwater lake arguably famous world lake sea galilee usually called scripture might look like fed jordan river lake measures 45 miles east west 13 miles north south cool clear im told 150 feet deep full fish although personally verify neither claim makes sea galilee remarkable course happened ancient times sense happened times modern land surrounding lake owned local municipalities government israel greek orthodox roman catholic churches shoreline kept almost pristine development waters edge even slopes surrounding hills taken place necessity required said lake looked upon hills jesus beheld changed little biblical vignettes began play theater mind perhaps peter watching jesus approach walking waves accepted lords invitation join stepped boat onto water feet place began sink cried saved would easier chide peter lack faith even single one waterwalking attempts ever proved even moderately successful may jesus slept soundly exhausted slumber tossing boat rocked whipping winds pounding breakers failed wake finally experienced sailors reached limits considerable skill desperation apparent anger awakened jesus seeking intervention dont care perish lie sleeping jesus spoke word wind demanding silence storm stilled160 tossed zinger finding remarkable little faith wonder many times christ chided little faith times know im sure seems obvious sit lake jesus saddened disciples still understand gods purpose required jesus redemptive death participation telling therefore anxiety wellbeing even death seemed certain unnecessary unjustified didnt get escape asking another place north shore disciples fished night without catching anything days first easter minds still struggled accept whole concept resurrection reality peter announced going fishing merely seeking assuage grief guilt turning something familiar fishing expedition signify something disciples accompanied perhaps peter despondent denial friends worried lake alone could mind unlikely chapter biography called disciple come sudden tragic close new one called life resumed begun complete utter failure catch even single sardine must heightened sense hopelessness sit boat see church called primacy peter tradition says place jesus called catching anything think already knew already lit fire cook catch knew would haveif believed obeyed even provided fish breakfast wonder god engineered failure night put proper frame mind resume called suspect seems obvious responsible fishing success regardless disciples confusion futures still control may point look back place imagined boat obedience perhaps appeasement christs admonishment try fishing side filled nets haul counted 153 fish john noted large doubt seen ones got away mind seethem place watch jesus took peter aside love asked three times peter replied affirmatively though timidly feed sheep jesus said peter redeemed wonder could jesus master storyteller failed use fishing metaphor natural would say catch fish even feed fish shore sea galilee jesus talked sheep instead fish suddenly occurs could accident jesus meant draw clear distinction peters past future fishing past future would devoted sheep christs pasture wonder silent meditation many times opted familiar instead pressing ahead uncertain future people pastors even churches time choosing threaten rather faith enough accept something different content rather pressing could wonder whether failures gods attempt steer greater successes reflect times life wanted abandon seemed unreasonable impossible embrace something could control cant control things really peter could control whether caught fish night affirm lord lord risen dead lord growl engine announces need return 21st century going back altered perceptions jesus jim white editor religious herald
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<p>Clare Byarugaba, Kevin Muehleman, Didi Baks, Shoshanna Ehrlich, Nate Freeman and Adebayo Katiiti at the IGLA world championships in Edmonton (Photo by Kevin Majoros)</p>
<p>The rapid progression of LGBT rights and support for the LGBT sports movement in the United States over the past few years has ignited a hope in many of us that the same progression will happen in other countries around the world.</p>
<p>When I arrived at the pool two weeks ago in Edmonton, Canada for the International Gay &amp; Lesbian Aquatics world championships (IGLA), I was excited to meet the five members of the Uganda Kuchus Aquatic Team who would be competing with us over five days of competition. Kuchu is Ugandan slang for “gay.”</p>
<p>I was greeted with hugs and shy smiles at our meeting which evolved into a kinship over the week through the commonality of sports.</p>
<p>Just six months earlier, <a href="" type="internal">Nate Freeman</a>, an American human rights lawyer working in Kampala, Uganda had begun the process of <a href="" type="internal">obtaining visas and funding</a> to bring the swimmers to Canada to compete.</p>
<p>The IGLA Board, led by co-presidents Kris Pritchard and Elisabeth Turnbull-Brown, stepped forward with funding along with the host team, Edmonton’s Making Waves Swim Club providing free meet registration and housing. Several of the swim teams under the IGLA umbrella also donated money to the cause.</p>
<p>Uganda is one of the countries that criminalizes same-sex sexual acts and just a few days before the meet, two of the swimmers were sitting in a Ugandan jail cell after being arrested at a <a href="" type="internal">Pride event</a>.</p>
<p>One thing that probably surprised many people at the swim meet was that the presence of the Ugandan swimmers changed the atmosphere of the entire event.</p>
<p>“Having the Uganda Kuchus at IGLA this year was inspiring for many of us at the meet. The very existence of teams like the Kuchus is an act of bravery that deserves our support,” says Evan Cobb of Team New York Aquatics. “One of the best outcomes of their participation was how it changed the conversation at the meet itself. To me it seemed like more than ever before, IGLA participants were talking about how sports play a role in the struggle for LGBT rights and dignity around the world and that we as athletes have a big role to play.”</p>
<p>It’s hard to say why any of us get involved in particular causes, but I like to point to the “Popcorn Theory” that was presented in the book, “In a Heartbeat: Sharing the Power of Cheerful Giving” by Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy of “Blind Side” fame.</p>
<p>“It’s about noticing others and assigning that person value and potential,” they write. “You can’t help everyone, but you can try to help the hot ones who pop up in front of you. It requires that you perceive the person standing right in front of you and extend a hand in kindness.”</p>
<p>That speaks to what one of the Ugandan swimmers stated during a discussion panel when the moderator asked what people in the West could do to help the Ugandan cause. She replied, “We don’t need your help, we need your solidarity.”</p>
<p>One person who embodied that solidarity was swimmer Shoshanna Ehrlich of Liquid Assets New England Swimming in Boston. Not only did she spearhead the drive to raise $3,000 with her teammates, she was also seen poolside on a daily basis encouraging the Ugandan swimmers and offering tips on their swimming techniques.</p>
<p>“We have a lot of privilege here in the United States and we have a moral responsibility to contribute to the human rights of others,” Ehrlich says. “I wanted to offer as much swimming and emotional support as I could. They have risked so much just being here.”</p>
<p>Indeed. One Ugandan swimmer said that members of his family had asked him not to return and warned that he could be killed if he did. His future remains unclear.</p>
<p>As the week progressed, I bristled as the Ugandan swimmers were inundated with daily interviews from Canadian news outlets, often about deep topics and often right before they were stepping up on the blocks to compete.</p>
<p>I also smiled as I watched swimmers from all over the world engage with them on a human level. The week was filled with a mix of emotions as we enjoyed what we were experiencing, but also knew that it would be coming to an end. The Ugandans would be returning to an environment of persecution.</p>
<p>On night three of the competition, 20 members of the D.C. Aquatics Club hosted the Ugandan delegation for dinner and the two teams spent time enjoying a meal and watching the Olympic swimming together. I smiled again as my teammates engaged the Ugandans in typical swimmer conversations.</p>
<p>“Their presence at the meet really made me think about the human rights I have been afforded in the United States,” says D.C. Aquatics swimmer Kevin Muehleman. “Our conversation was light and I asked how their swims were going and what they would be swimming the next day. It was important not to make a spectacle of them.”</p>
<p>While it was clear that everyone was affected by the presence of the Ugandan swimmers, it really hit home on the final day when we were joined at the pool by M.P. Randy Boissonnault and his caseworker, Nathalie Gahimbare. They had been instrumental in obtaining the visas to allow the swimmers to travel to Canada.</p>
<p>At the end of the competition, the Uganda Kuchus Aquatic Team had won the world title in the small-team category. After they received their victory plaque, they performed a rap to the song “I Know Who I Am” that left the audience in tears.</p>
<p>Saying goodbye is never easy but we will remain connected in solidarity through social media. My heart is heavy, but it is filled with hope.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Evan Cobb</a> <a href="" type="internal">IGLA</a> <a href="" type="internal">International Gay &amp; Lesbian Aquatics</a> <a href="" type="internal">Liquid Assets New England</a> <a href="" type="internal">Nate Freeman</a> <a href="" type="internal">Shoshanna Ehrlich</a> <a href="" type="internal">Team New York Aquatics</a> <a href="" type="internal">Uganda</a></p>
| false | 3 |
clare byarugaba kevin muehleman didi baks shoshanna ehrlich nate freeman adebayo katiiti igla world championships edmonton photo kevin majoros rapid progression lgbt rights support lgbt sports movement united states past years ignited hope many us progression happen countries around world arrived pool two weeks ago edmonton canada international gay amp lesbian aquatics world championships igla excited meet five members uganda kuchus aquatic team would competing us five days competition kuchu ugandan slang gay greeted hugs shy smiles meeting evolved kinship week commonality sports six months earlier nate freeman american human rights lawyer working kampala uganda begun process obtaining visas funding bring swimmers canada compete igla board led copresidents kris pritchard elisabeth turnbullbrown stepped forward funding along host team edmontons making waves swim club providing free meet registration housing several swim teams igla umbrella also donated money cause uganda one countries criminalizes samesex sexual acts days meet two swimmers sitting ugandan jail cell arrested pride event one thing probably surprised many people swim meet presence ugandan swimmers changed atmosphere entire event uganda kuchus igla year inspiring many us meet existence teams like kuchus act bravery deserves support says evan cobb team new york aquatics one best outcomes participation changed conversation meet seemed like ever igla participants talking sports play role struggle lgbt rights dignity around world athletes big role play hard say us get involved particular causes like point popcorn theory presented book heartbeat sharing power cheerful giving leigh anne sean tuohy blind side fame noticing others assigning person value potential write cant help everyone try help hot ones pop front requires perceive person standing right front extend hand kindness speaks one ugandan swimmers stated discussion panel moderator asked people west could help ugandan cause replied dont need help need solidarity one person embodied solidarity swimmer shoshanna ehrlich liquid assets new england swimming boston spearhead drive raise 3000 teammates also seen poolside daily basis encouraging ugandan swimmers offering tips swimming techniques lot privilege united states moral responsibility contribute human rights others ehrlich says wanted offer much swimming emotional support could risked much indeed one ugandan swimmer said members family asked return warned could killed future remains unclear week progressed bristled ugandan swimmers inundated daily interviews canadian news outlets often deep topics often right stepping blocks compete also smiled watched swimmers world engage human level week filled mix emotions enjoyed experiencing also knew would coming end ugandans would returning environment persecution night three competition 20 members dc aquatics club hosted ugandan delegation dinner two teams spent time enjoying meal watching olympic swimming together smiled teammates engaged ugandans typical swimmer conversations presence meet really made think human rights afforded united states says dc aquatics swimmer kevin muehleman conversation light asked swims going would swimming next day important make spectacle clear everyone affected presence ugandan swimmers really hit home final day joined pool mp randy boissonnault caseworker nathalie gahimbare instrumental obtaining visas allow swimmers travel canada end competition uganda kuchus aquatic team world title smallteam category received victory plaque performed rap song know left audience tears saying goodbye never easy remain connected solidarity social media heart heavy filled hope evan cobb igla international gay amp lesbian aquatics liquid assets new england nate freeman shoshanna ehrlich team new york aquatics uganda
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<p>GLOBALPOST LIVE BLOG: UKRAINE STRUGGLES FOR UNITY</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/9/14 3:40 PM ET</p>
<p>Signing off</p>
<p>This live blog is now closed. Please <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/wires-archive-all" type="external">check here</a> for further developments or <a href="https://twitter.com/GlobalPost/lists/kyiv-protests" type="external">follow our Twitter list</a> for updates.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/9/14 1:00 PM ET</p>
<p>More individuals and companies will be added to the EU sanctions list</p>
<p>Reuters — European Union ambassadors have agreed in principle to add about 15 people and several Crimean-based companies to the bloc's list of sanctions against Russia over its annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region, EU diplomats said on Friday.</p>
<p>The EU has so far imposed asset freezes and visa bans on 48 Russians and Ukrainians over Moscow's annexation of Crimea but it will be the first time the 28-nation bloc has targeted companies.</p>
<p>The new list will include two Crimean firms active in the energy sector, one EU diplomat said. Other diplomats said four or five Crimean companies or organizations would be targeted.</p>
<p>The final decision on extra sanctions will only be taken by EU foreign ministers on Monday, taking account of developments over the weekend when pro-Russian separatists plan to hold an independence referendum in eastern Ukraine, the diplomats said.</p>
<p>European Budget Commissioner Janusz Lewandowski told Polish broadcaster TVN 24 BiS on Friday he expected the EU on Monday to strengthen sanctions against individuals and entities linked to Russia's intervention in Ukraine.</p>
<p>The names of the people and companies set to be added to the sanctions list are kept secret until publication but they are unlikely to include any well-known Russian companies such as energy giant Gazprom.</p>
<p>The companies set to be added to the list on Monday are Crimean branches of Ukrainian companies that have been taken over by Russians, one EU diplomat said.</p>
<p>There have been violent clashes in eastern Ukraine, parts of which have been taken over by pro-Russian separatists.</p>
<p>Yet despite the turmoil, the EU is not yet prepared to move to hard-hitting trade or financial sanctions on Russia, of the kind its leaders threatened in March to impose if Moscow took further steps to destabilize the situation.</p>
<p>Many EU governments fear that tough sanctions could lead to Russian retaliation and damage their own economies. They are also wary of antagonizing a major supplier of energy to the EU.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/9/14 12:30 PM ET</p>
<p>A majority of Ukrainians, even in the east, want a united country</p>
<p>If you went by the size and visibility of pro-Russian protests in eastern Ukraine, you would assume that most of the region wants to secede from Ukraine and become the "People's Republic of Donetsk."</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Pro-Russian activists march on May 1, 2014 in Donetsk, Ukraine.</p>
<p>This poll suggests you would be wrong.</p>
<p>A clear majority of Ukrainians want their country to remain united, although more of them reside in the patriotic western part of the country. <a href="http://www.pewglobal.org/2014/05/08/despite-concerns-about-governance-ukrainians-want-to-remain-one-country/" type="external">Pew Research conducted</a> face-to-face interviews with 1,659 adults in the country between April 5-23. They found that 77 percent of those surveyed wanted Ukraine to remain united.</p>
<p>Even among Russian speakers, 58 percent wanted a united Ukraine. The region of Crimea was an exception, with 54 percent wanting the option for regions to secede, compared to 12 percent who wanted a united Ukraine.</p>
<p>In eastern Ukraine, <a href="http://www.pewglobal.org/2014/05/08/despite-concerns-about-governance-ukrainians-want-to-remain-one-country/" type="external">70 percent want</a> the country to remain intact, while 18 percent want regions to be allowed to secede.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Sunday's referendum, which pro-Russian separatists in Donetsk decided to go ahead with even after Putin urged them to postpone, will ask voters a single, vague <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/09/us-ukraine-crisis-vote-idUSBREA480IO20140509" type="external">question</a>:</p>
<p>"Do you support the act of self-rule of the People's Republic of Donetsk?"</p>
<p>And this is what the head of Donetsk's hastily-established election commission <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/09/us-ukraine-crisis-vote-idUSBREA480IO20140509" type="external">told Reuters</a>: "Okay, it's not really in line with the law, but I think that's the only way out."</p>
<p>According to Reuters, Ukraine's state security service released a recording it claims contains a conversation between a Russian nationalist leader and a leader of the rebels in Donetsk. The Russian's voice is reportedly heard saying, "Just do what you like and write that it [the result] was 99 percent."</p>
<p>The vote is scheduled to take place on Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., across the eastern cities of Donetsk and Luhansk.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/09/us-ukraine-crisis-vote-idUSBREA480IO20140509" type="external">Read the full piece in Reuters</a>, which outlines the possibility of vote manipulation and the vagueness of demands from the separatists.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/9/14 11:35 AM ET</p>
<p>A closer look at the violence in Mariupol</p>
<p>Reuters has more details on what happened in Mariupol today:</p>
<p>Ukraine's interior minister said security forces had killed about 20 pro-Russian rebels in the port city of Mariupol on Friday, in what appeared one of the biggest actions in Kyiv's attempt to end an insurgency in the country's east.</p>
<p>Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said an attempt by "terrorists" to seize police headquarters turned into a pitched battle inside the building with Ukrainian army, national guard and security forces.</p>
<p>The Ukrainian forces brought armored personnel carriers into the town and the building caught fire at one point. The rebels then fled into the town.</p>
<p>The clash came amid international attempts to forge some form of settlement in Ukraine to prevent a slide into a civil war that could have dramatic consequences for the whole region.</p>
<p>Mariupol, an important industrial and shipping centre in the Donetsk region that is planning to hold a secessionist referendum on Sunday, has been the focus of frequent skirmishes in recent days. But Friday's action appeared to be a concerted effort by several forces to claw back control from rebels.</p>
<p>"A terrorist group of about 60 men armed with automatic weapons attacked the police headquarters...About 20 terrorists were destroyed and four taken prisoner," Avakov said on his Facebook page.</p>
<p>"To those who come with weapons and who shoot and who take hostages, torture them, rob people, hiding behind various slogans — to them there can be only one answer from the Ukrainian state — annihilation."</p>
<p>The death toll could not be confirmed independently and each side has tended to exaggerate the other's losses during clashes.</p>
<p>If confirmed, it would be among the heaviest tolls inflicted on the rebels during fighting. Kiev says the separatists are backed by Moscow and by Russian special forces on the ground but Russia denies this.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.interpretermag.com/ukraine-liveblog-day-81-fighting-breaks-out-in-mariupol-on-victory-day/#2708" type="external">Interpreter Mag collected</a> some of the footage emerging from Mariupol. These clips have not been independently verified by GlobalPost.</p>
<p>This clip appears to show a Ukrainian soldier using an RPG:</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>This video shows what appear to be civilians, trying to stop an APC:</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>UPDATE: 5/9/14 11:15 AM ET</p>
<p>Putin tells Crimea, Russia is stronger with you</p>
<p>Reuters — Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday during his first visit to the Crimea region annexed from Ukraine in March, that Russia had become stronger with Crimea.</p>
<p>"I am sure that 2014 will go into the annals of our whole country as the year when the nations living here firmly decided to be together with Russia, affirming fidelity to the historical truth and the memory of our ancestors," Putin said in a brief speech after watching a military parade in the Black Sea port of Sevastopol.</p>
<p>"There is a lot of work ahead but we will overcome all difficulties because we are together, which means we have become stronger."</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/9/14 10:55 AM ET</p>
<p>Celebrating Victory Day during a crisis</p>
<p><a href="http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/victory-day-celebrations-start-as-fire-cuts-major-channels-off-air-live-updates-347033.html" type="external">Kyiv Post reported</a> that there were "noticeably fewer people" celebrating Victory Day in Kyiv on Friday. Authorities feared the potential for more provocations from pro-Russian separatists, and Kyiv's Glory Park had a heavy security presence.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>In Luhansk, in eastern Ukraine, around <a href="http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/victory-day-celebrations-start-as-fire-cuts-major-channels-off-air-live-updates-347033.html" type="external">2,000 people gathered</a> to mark Victory Day.</p>
<p>Some 1,000 people commemorated Victory Day in the eastern city of Donetsk, visiting war memorials and gathering outside the regional government building.</p>
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<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>In Slovyansk:</p>
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<p>UPDATE: 5/9/14 10:20 AM ET</p>
<p>Startling violence in Mariupol</p>
<p>Journalists are still trying to piece together what happened today. Fighting broke out this morning in the eastern city of Mariupol, and the death toll is still rising. Initial reports suggested eight were killed in clashes between Ukrainian security forces and pro-Russian separatists.</p>
<p>Ukraine's acting Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said security forces killed around <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/ukrainian-troops-storm-eastern-police-hq-building-ablaze-125723204.html" type="external">20 pro-Russian rebels</a> as they attempted to seize the police headquarters.</p>
<p>James Mates and John Angier are editors for Britain's ITV News:</p>
<p>Olaf Koens is a local journalist, and Shaun Walker writes for the Guardian:</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/9/14 10:00 AM ET</p>
<p>Putin visits Crimea on Victory Day</p>
<p>Reuters — President Vladimir Putin went to Crimea on Friday for the first time since Russia annexed the peninsula from Ukraine in March, a visit that is likely to anger the Ukrainian leadership and upset the West.</p>
<p>The Kremlin press service said Putin flew to Crimea after presiding over the annual Victory Day parade in Moscow marking the anniversary of the World War Two victory over Nazi Germany.</p>
<p>He attended a military parade and other war anniversary events in Crimea. This year is also the 70th anniversary of the battle in which the Red Army won back control of the Black Sea peninsula from the Nazis.</p>
<p>German Chancellor Angela Merkel said earlier this week that although May 9 was an important date in Russia, the conflict in Ukraine made a parade in Crimea inappropriate.</p>
<p>Meanwhile in Moscow, tanks rumbled across Red Square and fighter jets screamed overhead on Friday in Russia's biggest Victory Day military parade in years, fueling patriotic fervor as Putin rallied his people over the Ukraine crisis.</p>
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<p>Thousands of goose-stepping troops, motorized artillery and ballistic missile launchers paraded past Putin under the Kremlin's red walls in a show of military might, while jets, helicopters and bombers flew in cloudless skies overMoscow.</p>
<p>State television called it the biggest such parade in 20 years on the holiday honoring the World War II victory over Nazi Germany, a day which stirs national pride more than any other in Russia.</p>
<p>Putin sought to maximize the surge of patriotism by also staging big parades this year in the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, following its annexation from Ukraine.</p>
<p>But in a break from tradition reflecting the East-West standoff over Ukraine, Moscow and Kyiv did not stage joint marches of their countries' sailors in the Crimean port of Sevastopol, where Russia's Black Sea Fleet is based.</p>
<p>Putin has used Crimea to whip up patriotism with the help of state media and did not miss the opportunity to stir national pride some more, with Moscow's accusations that neo-fascists are on the rise in Ukraine ringing in the ears as he praised the Soviet role in defeating fascism.</p>
<p>"The iron will of the Soviet people, their fearlessness and stamina saved Europe from slavery. It was our country which chased the Nazis to their lair, achieved their full and final destruction, won at the cost of millions of victims and terrible hardships," Putin said in a speech to the military and war veterans gathered on Red Square.</p>
<p>"We will always guard this sacred and unfading truth and will not allow the betrayal and obliteration of heroes, of all who, not caring about themselves, preserved peace on the planet."</p>
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<p>Moscow has in the last few weeks repeatedly warned of the dangers posed by leaders it portrays as neo-fascists in Ukraine, and urged Europe to prevent the rise of the far-right, although some Putin critics have made similar accusations against him.</p>
<p>Relations between Moscow and the West are at their lowest ebb since the Cold War over the crisis in Ukraine, a fellow former Soviet republic.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/6/14 4:40 PM ET</p>
<p>Signing off</p>
<p>This live blog is now closed. Please <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/wires-archive-all" type="external">check here</a> for further developments or <a href="https://twitter.com/GlobalPost/lists/kyiv-protests" type="external">follow our Twitter list</a> for updates.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/7/14 4:20 PM ET</p>
<p>All lines are blurred in Ukraine</p>
<p>TIME's Simon Shuster outlines <a href="http://time.com/89747/ukraine-conflict-kramatorsk-donetsk-russia/" type="external">the real problem</a> facing Kyiv authorities:</p>
<p>The Ukrainian military has now encircled both peaceful citizens in the eastern region of Donetsk and fiercely aggressive militant groups. But the question lies in how its troops will tell these groups apart. More than any other factor, this will determine whether Kiev’s campaign results in a massacre of its own people, a restoration of its authority, a Russian “peacekeeping” invasion, or some combination of all three.</p>
<p>TIME's piece takes a look at how <a href="http://time.com/89747/ukraine-conflict-kramatorsk-donetsk-russia/" type="external">lines have blurred</a> between the different factions, as they band together even if their goals are disparate.</p>
<p>We took a look at how the <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/140429/eastern-ukraine-crisis-protesters-separatists-rebels" type="external">language referring</a> to the separatists has evolved throughout the unrest, from "protesters" and "activists" to "rebels" and "insurgents."</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/7/14 3:00 PM ET</p>
<p>Putin confused the separatists with his comments</p>
<p>It seems Russia watchers weren't the only ones surprised by Putin's comments urging separatists in eastern Ukraine to postpone their planned referendum. <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/mikegiglio/pro-russian-separatists-in-east-ukraine-left-stumped-by-puti" type="external">BuzzFeed reports</a>:</p>
<p>Pro-Russian separatists in east Ukraine scrambled on Wednesday to make sense of surprise remarks from Russian President Vladimir Putin, after he called for a planned independence referendum to be postponed and said Russia had pulled back its troops from the border.</p>
<p>Andriy Porgin, a senior pro-Russian separatist leader in Donetsk who is helping to oversee the referendum, planned for May 11, said he didn’t yet know what to make of Putin’s remarks statement and that the top brass would meet tonight to discuss its implications. “We can’t ignore him,” he said of Putin. He seemed to still be coming to grips with the statement. “I want to read it in context.”</p>
<p>Most registered confusion, bewilderment. <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/mikegiglio/pro-russian-separatists-in-east-ukraine-left-stumped-by-puti" type="external">Read the full piece</a>.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/7/14 1:20 PM ET</p>
<p>Putin's appeal is just a lot of 'hot air,' says Ukraine's PM</p>
<p>Reuters — Ukraine's Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk dismissed as "hot air" Russian President Vladimir Putin's appeal to pro-Russian separatists in eastern regions to postpone a referendum on independence, the Interfax-Ukraine agency said.</p>
<p>Putin had called on the separatists to postpone the referendum, scheduled for Sunday. Kyiv has ruled the referendum illegal.</p>
<p>"Yatsenyuk on Putin's proposal to postpone the referendum in eastern Ukraine: There is no point in dealing in hot air," the brief Interfax-Ukraine bulletin said.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the Pentagon said it saw no change in the Russian force posture along the Ukrainian border, despite Putin's assertion that they had returned to their training areas.</p>
<p>Asked whether Russia could be withdrawing troops without the Pentagon being able to see it, spokesman Colonel Steve Warren told reporters: "We would know."</p>
<p>"We have seen no change in the Russian force posture and we've long called on the Russians ... to withdraw their troops" from along the border, Warren said.</p>
<p>And the White House had this to say on the matter:</p>
<p>"We would certainly welcome a meaningful and transparent withdrawal" of Russian military forces from the border region, White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters traveling with President Barack Obama to Arkansas and California.</p>
<p>"To date, there has been no evidence that such a withdrawal has taken place," Earnest said.</p>
<p>On Putin's appeal to separatists to postpone the referendum, Earnest said, "We've said repeatedly that the referendum is illegitimate, illegal. Secretary of State Kerry referred to this referendum as bogus."</p>
<p>"So we don't believe this referendum should be postponed, we believe it should be canceled."</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/7/14 11:35 AM ET</p>
<p>How would Putin benefit from eastern Ukraine?</p>
<p>Putin says he has ordered the Russian army to withdraw from near Ukraine's border. NATO says it has seen no indication of such movement. While we wait for confirmation either way, here is <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-05-07/putin-eyes-ukrainian-arms-prize-as-troops-build-up-along-border.html" type="external">Bloomberg's write-up</a> on why eastern Ukraine is so attractive to Russia:</p>
<p>"The parts of Ukraine where separatists and loyalists face off in ever-more violent clashes are home to the most valuable assets of the nation’s defense industry. More than 50 factories form an arms cluster that caters to Russia based on a trade accord from two decades ago, churning out air cargo transporters, helicopter engines and other hardware."&#160;</p>
<p>"'Taking Ukraine’s eastern and southern regions would be hugely beneficial for Russia from a military and economic point of view,' said Mikhail Barabanov, the editor-in-chief of the Moscow Defense Brief magazine. 'Russia will have control of the very important and valuable defense companies and plants.'"</p>
<p>The article goes on to note that Putin had <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-05-07/putin-eyes-ukrainian-arms-prize-as-troops-build-up-along-border.html" type="external">actually worked out a trade pact</a> with now ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych that would have forged a closer relationship between the defense industries of the two countries.</p>
<p>TIME's Simon Shuster <a href="http://time.com/64303/ukraine-is-not-ready-for-the-consequences-of-taking-russias-military-bait/" type="external">interviewed</a> Ukraine's interim deputy defense minister Petr Mekhed in April. Mekhed blamed Ukraine's close ties to and dependence on Russia for the Ukrainian military's unpreparedness:&#160;</p>
<p>"In recent years, its military infrastructure has been 'systematically destroyed' through the neglect, corruption and malfeasance of Ukraine’s former leaders, says Mekhed, but bringing them back to working order would require buying up spare parts from Russia, which Moscow has unsurprisingly refused to sell."</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/7/14 11:10 AM ET</p>
<p>NATO says Russia hasn't withdrawn its forces</p>
<p>Reuters — NATO has no indication that Russia has withdrawn its forces from close to the Ukraine border despite Russian President Vladimir Putin's assertion that they had returned to their training areas, a NATO military official said on Wednesday.</p>
<p>"We have no indication of a change in the position of military forces along the Ukraine border," the official told Reuters.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/7/14 11:00 AM ET</p>
<p>'Ukraine has already said goodbye to us'</p>
<p>Reuters — Behind the barricades of tires and car bumpers, past the masked militants who hold Donetsk's filthy administration building, there is a man in a suit in a spotless office, working from an Apple iMac on a vote to dismember Ukraine.</p>
<p>Roman Lyagin, 33, head of this self-proclaimed republic's electoral commission, does not hide his distaste for the gunmen who seized control here a month ago, but he shares their aims.</p>
<p>"Every revolution accumulates its fair share of loons," he told Reuters. But, he said, "we simply cannot live any more within Ukraine. Ukraine has already de facto said goodbye to us."</p>
<p>If Kyiv has not already lost its industrial east, it risks doing so on Sunday, when people in this steel and coal belt — many of them ethnic Russians or native Russian-speakers — plan to vote in a 'Yes' or 'No' referendum on secession.</p>
<p>What comes next will decide whether this country of some 45 million people slides into civil war, or settles into a frozen conflict that could scupper any plans for integration into Western-led multinational institutions for years to come.</p>
<p>The self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic faces joining Georgia's Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Azerbaijan's Nagorno-Karabakh and Moldova's Transdniestria as would-be statelets, unrecognized and ignored almost the entire world over since being spawned by the 1991 breakup of the Soviet Union.</p>
<p>Kyiv will reject the referendum result, but Russia's response is uncertain. On Wednesday, the Russian president called on separatists to postpone the referendum from its planned May 11 date. Russia annexed Crimea after a similar plebiscite in March, held under the watch of a Russian invasion force, but has been careful not to show its hand ahead of Sunday's vote.</p>
<p>Despite recent opinion polls suggesting only a minority supports secession, Lyagin says the result is in no doubt.</p>
<p />
<p>The red-blue-black tricolor flag of the rebel republic already flies at the regional administration building in Donetsk, a well-tended city traversed by a long park dotted with open-air cafes and restaurants. There are nods to the old Soviet order such as a statue of Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin.</p>
<p>Beyond the city, large factories and mines loom over a rolling green landscape.</p>
<p>Western observers won't be attending the poll, their absence fueling accusations that it will be fixed. Nor will there be a minimum turnout for the result to stand. Neighboring Luhansk region, on the Russian border, will also vote. Gunmen hold sway there too, stoking fears that not everyone's voice will be heard.</p>
<p>Interviews in towns and cities across the rebel zone reveal deep division among the more than three million people who Lyagin says are eligible to vote.</p>
<p>Reuters reporters have spoken to people who variously want greater autonomy within Ukraine, a federal arrangement, an independent statelet and annexation by Russia.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/7/14 10:10 AM ET</p>
<p>Putin calls on separatists to postpone referendum, backs Ukraine's elections</p>
<p>Reuters — Russian President Vladimir Putin called on separatists in east Ukraine on Wednesday to postpone a May 11 referendum on the status of the mostly Russian-speaking region.</p>
<p>Putin spoke after talks with the head of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, who said the security and rights body would soon propose a "road map" to defuse the Ukraine crisis.</p>
<p>Putin also said that Russia has withdrawn its forces from its border with Ukraine, where NATO has said there were about 40,000 Russian troops in recent weeks, the Interfax news agency reported.</p>
<p>"We're always being told that our forces on the Ukrainian border are a concern. We have withdrawn them. Today they are not on the Ukrainian border, they are in places where they conduct their regular tasks on training grounds," Putin was quoted as saying.</p>
<p>Pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region said they would consider Putin's call to postpone the referendum at a meeting of their assembly tomorrow.</p>
<p>"Tomorrow we will discuss that at the people's assembly," Denis Pushilin, a leader of the self-declared Donetsk People's Republic, told Reuters. "We have the utmost respect for president Putin. If he considers that necessary, we will of course discuss it."</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27314816#TWEET1121879" type="external">The BBC also reported</a> that Putin said Ukraine's presidential election would be a step "in the right direction" and called for an end to the violence.</p>
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<p>UPDATE: 5/6/14 4:40 PM ET</p>
<p>Signing off</p>
<p>This live blog is now closed. Please <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/wires-archive-all" type="external">check here</a> for further developments or <a href="https://twitter.com/GlobalPost/lists/kyiv-protests" type="external">follow our Twitter list</a> for updates.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/6/14 3:35 PM ET</p>
<p>Gunmen melt into background, leaving civilians to man barricades</p>
<p>Reuters — Most mornings Alexandra, a painter and decorator in her late 20s, leaves her 10-year-old daughter at home, puts a starting pistol in her belt and walks to barricades in her hometown Slovyansk.</p>
<p>She is one of several volunteers at checkpoints inside the rebel stronghold town in eastern Ukraine replacing gunmen in camouflage who have melted into the background since Kyiv stepped up what it describes as an anti-terrorist operation.</p>
<p>The self-declared separatist mayor, Vyacheslav Ponomaryov, says they are training or resting, but other rebels say it is a strategic move to deter attempts by Ukrainian troops to retake the town by putting civilians in their way.</p>
<p>"Gunmen are standing at the most important checkpoints only," said pro-Russian activist Filipp.</p>
<p />
<p>"But if they enter the town, they still will be hit from every window and every backyard. If someone is able to do anything bad to them, they will."</p>
<p>On Friday, Ukrainian troops in armored personnel carriers, supported by helicopters, surrounded Slovyansk, the rebels' most heavily fortified redoubt, taking control of several routes out of the town as part of its "anti-terrorist operation."</p>
<p>Kyiv said its troops had taken all rebel-held checkpoints surrounding the town, trapping the separatists inside and cutting their supply lines.</p>
<p>But Ponomaryov told Reuters his men had simply left the checkpoints. The rebels have launched a fierce attack against the Ukrainian troops in recent days, shooting down three helicopters. At least 10 people have been killed.</p>
<p>Kyiv has accused the rebels of using civilians as human shields, complicating the army's efforts to restore control to swathes of Ukraine's industrial east where the rebels have seized buildings and now run local administrations.</p>
<p />
<p>Before the fighting in Slovyansk, all checkpoints were run by at least one well-armed man. Now, the number of barricades has doubled and they are mostly manned by largely unarmed civilians.</p>
<p>On Friday, Reuters encountered a new barricade of felled trees a few hundred meters away from the town centre manned by two teenagers who welcomed cars with gunshots.</p>
<p>They made passengers leave their cars with their hands up to search them, but then apologized for the overreaction.</p>
<p>At a checkpoint near city hall Alexandra says she has no military experience.</p>
<p>"It is only a starting pistol," she says.</p>
<p>"If you shoot someone in the face, you can kill them, but it's not a machine gun. They won't give me a machine gun. I'm not a military person."</p>
<p>Pro-Russian rebel Sergei agrees, saying guns are given only to those who know how to use them. "If you come and you can (fire a gun), you get it," he says. "If you served in the army."</p>
<p>The calm that has descended on Slovyansk belies the town's combat readiness.</p>
<p>When Ukrainian troops approach pro-Russian checkpoints around Slovyansk they usually find them abandoned and the tires that form the barriers on fire — a warning to people inside the town that soldiers are coming.</p>
<p />
<p>When fighting starts, people are called to the main square by an air raid siren and church bells. Some separatists melt into the crowds, taking off their uniforms.</p>
<p>And at the barricades, the most frequent answer as to why the gunmen have gone is: "We don't have guns. We are peaceful people."</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/6/14 3:10 PM ET</p>
<p>This is what Donetsk looked like today</p>
<p />
<p />
<p />
<p>UPDATE: 5/6/14 2:50 PM ET</p>
<p>Disturbing reports from Donetsk</p>
<p><a href="http://www.kyivpost.com/multimedia/photo/first-we-fire-in-the-air-then-at-you-pro-russian-rebels-descend-upoin-military-academy-346580.html" type="external">Kyiv Post's Christopher Miller reported</a>:</p>
<p>With guns locked and loaded, about 40 heavily armed pro-Russian rebels in two trucks descended upon a military academy in Donetsk on May 6, temporarily blocking access to the building and threatening to engage with anyone who might pose a threat to them.</p>
<p>'If there is any provocation against us, first shoot in the air, and then at them,' one rebel commander was heard shouting to his men at the military academy.</p>
<p>Read <a href="http://www.kyivpost.com/multimedia/photo/first-we-fire-in-the-air-then-at-you-pro-russian-rebels-descend-upoin-military-academy-346580.html" type="external">the full account on Kyiv Post</a>.</p>
<p>And <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/mikegiglio/ukraine-activists-flee-amid-death-threats-and-kidnappings" type="external">BuzzFeed's Mike Giglio filed this</a> from Donetsk:</p>
<p>"The threats were one more sign of darkening times: Those activists, journalists and politicians who opposed the separatists in and around Donetsk were increasingly faced with beatings, abductions and even attempted assassinations in what felt like a concerted push to drive them out. Some used the word 'hunted' to describe their ordeal, and each day brought word that more had fled."</p>
<p><a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/mikegiglio/ukraine-activists-flee-amid-death-threats-and-kidnappings" type="external">Giglio's report</a> details how the war (and paranoia) has already begun for those who supported the pro-Ukrainian side. Many have reportedly fled death threats.</p>
<p>Which raises the question: What happens if/when the Donbass region holds its referendum to secede from Ukraine and join Russia (currently planned for May 11)? Who will be left to vote?</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/6/14 2:20 PM ET</p>
<p>Police in Odessa were complicit in Friday's clashes, says Ukraine's prosecutor general</p>
<p>The violence that killed at least 46 people in the Ukrainian city of Odessa was planned in advance, Ukraine's acting Prosecutor General Oleh Makhnitsky said, <a href="http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/prosecutor-general-police-were-complicit-in-odesa-unrest-346579.html" type="external">according to the Kyiv Post</a>.</p>
<p>"Today, we can say that this was a planned event," Makhnitsky told Channel 5. "We can currently speak not only of the inactivity [of the police], but of their complicity."</p>
<p>He said, "There was an agreement between the police and bandits."</p>
<p>On Monday, Ukraine's interior minister said a new special forces unit had replaced the leadership of the police force in Odessa.</p>
<p>According to Reuters, he said the new Odessa force was based on "civil activists who wanted to help the Black Sea city "in these difficult days."</p>
<p />
<p>Policemen stand guard outside the regional state administration building in the southern Ukrainian port city of Odessa on May 5, 2014, expecting a protest rally of pro-Russian activists.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/6/14 2:10 PM ET</p>
<p>US dismisses secession referendum as bogus</p>
<p>Reuters — The United States condemned on Tuesday a referendum on secession planned by pro-Russian separatists for Sunday as "bogus" and an "illegal effort to further divide Ukraine."</p>
<p>"This is the Crimea playbook all over again. No civilized nation will recognize the results. And if Russia takes the next step to re-enact its illegal Crimea annexation in eastern or southern Ukraine and sends more forces over the border, harsh US and EU sanctions will follow," US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters.</p>
<p>The referendum planned by separatists in the eastern Donbass region is similar to the one that preceded Russia's annexation of Crimea. Psaki called it "a bogus independence referendum," adding, "We flatly reject this illegal effort to further divide Ukraine."</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/6/14 11:15 AM ET</p>
<p>In Kramatorsk and Odessa, grief and anger as Ukrainians bury their dead</p>
<p>Reuters — Both sides have been burying their dead as Ukraine slides further towards war, with supporters of Russia and of a united Ukraine accusing each other of tearing the country apart.</p>
<p>Tuesday morning was quieter than past days in eastern and southern Ukraine, but the deadliest week since the separatist uprising began has transformed the conflict, hardening positions and leaving little room for peace.</p>
<p>In Kramatorsk, a separatist-held town in the east that saw an advance by Ukrainian troops at the weekend, the coffin of 21-year-old nurse Yulia Izotova was carried through streets stilled by barricades of tires and tree trunks on Monday. Scattered red carnations traced the route.</p>
<p>At the Holy Trinity Church, seven priests led mourners in prayer for a woman killed by large caliber bullets, which the townsfolk believe were fired by Ukrainian troops.</p>
<p />
<p>In Odessa, a previously peaceful, multi-ethnic Black Sea port where more than 40 people were killed on Friday in the worst day of violence since a February revolt toppled Ukraine's pro-Russian president, pall-bearers carried Andrey Biryukov's open casket from a van to the street corner where he was shot.</p>
<p>A pro-Ukrainian activist, Biryukov, 35, was killed during a day that began with hundreds of pro-Russian sympathizers armed with axes, chains and guns attacking a Ukrainian march, and ended later that night with the pro-Russians barricaded inside a building that was set on fire, killing dozens.</p>
<p>A small crowd of about 50 people stood around the body, covering it with carnations and roses. A Ukrainian flag fluttered in the wind, and a patriotic song about dead heroes was played from a sound system.</p>
<p>Relatives wept and a young woman fell on her knees crying loudly. The corner where the man died was decorated with flowers and small Ukrainian flags.</p>
<p>"The government has failed to protect its own people. The police have failed miserably," said Nikita, a grizzled 56-year-old with a Ukrainian yellow and blue arm-band.</p>
<p>Sergei, in his 40s, who also came to mourn, said violence "was imported to Odessa."</p>
<p>"We were proud of Odessa as a unique place where people used to live in peace, regardless of their beliefs and religion and race," he said. "Now this is all gone."</p>
<p />
<p>UPDATE: 5/6/14 10:30 AM ET</p>
<p>Caption contest</p>
<p>Let's hope this picture isn't a metaphor for how things went at the Council of Europe meeting in Vienna:</p>
<p />
<p>UPDATE: 5/6/14 9:30 AM ET</p>
<p>Could Moscow be setting up a reason to question the legitimacy of Ukraine's elections?</p>
<p>Reuters — Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday it would be "unusual" to hold a presidential election in Ukraine while the army was being deployed against Ukrainians.</p>
<p>Lavrov's comments, after a meeting of the Council of Europe human rights organization in Vienna, suggested Moscow could be preparing a reason to question the legitimacy of the May 25 election if it is unhappy with the outcome.</p>
<p>"Holding elections at a time when the army is deployed against part of the population is quite unusual," he told a news conference in response to a question about whether Moscow would recognize the vote. "We will see how this process ends."</p>
<p>Lavrov said Ukraine should agree a new constitution to define presidential powers before people cast their ballots.</p>
<p>Asked about a German proposal to hold a second international meeting on Ukraine, Lavrov said the agreements reached during the first round of talks in Geneva had still not been implemented.</p>
<p>"Meeting in the same format, when the opposition to the current Ukrainian regime will be absent at the negotiating table, would hardly add (anything)," he said.</p>
<p>"One could possibly do it but we would be going round in circles, again saying that one needs to carry out what we had agreed on. And it's the Ukrainians who should deliver, both the regime and those opposing it."</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/6/14 7:15 AM ET</p>
<p>30 ministers meet in Vienna over Ukraine, while UN chief offers his mediation services</p>
<p>Agence France-Presse — Diplomatic efforts to contain the crisis tearing Ukraine apart intensified Tuesday as government forces stepped up an offensive around Slovyansk.</p>
<p>Thirty foreign ministers — including from Russia and Ukraine — were set to discuss the escalating violence at a Council of Europe meeting in Vienna, while UN chief Ban Ki-moon offered to help negotiate a solution before the crisis "spins out of control."</p>
<p>As diplomats scrambled to dial down the tensions in the worst East-West crisis since the end of the Cold War, the UN chief offered himself as a personal go-between.</p>
<p>Speaking exclusively to AFP in Abu Dhabi, Ban offered "to provide my own role if necessary" before the crisis "spins out of control and creates huge consequences beyond anybody's control."</p>
<p>Ban's offer came as European leaders, fearing all-out civil war on their eastern flank, launched a new peace bid, urging a negotiated solution.</p>
<p>Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Ukrainian counterpart Andriy Deshchytsia have arrived in the Austrian capital for Tuesday's Council of Europe meeting which will also include Britain's William Hague.</p>
<p>Hague will travel to Kyiv later in the day where parliament will discuss the crisis in a closed-door meeting.</p>
<p>In Washington, US Secretary of State John Kerry is to hold talks with EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.</p>
<p>The chairman of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Didier Burkhalter, is due in Moscow on Wednesday.</p>
<p>German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said he was in talks with Russia, the United States, the European Union and the OSCE to hold a second peace conference in Geneva.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/6/14 6:50 AM ET</p>
<p>Some forces in eastern Ukraine are out of both Kyiv and Moscow's control, says German FM</p>
<p>Reuters — Ukraine is close to war, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned in interviews published in four European newspapers on Tuesday.</p>
<p>Dozens of people died in the Ukrainian city of Odessa last week when pro-Russian militants clashed with their opponents, and Kyiv forces are fighting separatists who have seized control of towns in the east of the country.</p>
<p>"The bloody pictures from Odessa have shown us that we are just a few steps away from a military confrontation," Steinmeier told El Pais, Le Monde, La Repubblica and Gazeta Wyborcza. He added that the conflict had taken on an intensity "that a short time ago we would not have considered possible."</p>
<p>Steinmeier's ministry also warned Germans on Tuesday against traveling to Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in March, and reiterated an earlier advisory to avoid eastern areas.</p>
<p>"It is urgently advised to avoid traveling to Crimea," the Foreign Ministry wrote on its website. "In the German government's view, Crimea belongs to Ukraine but in actuality it is controlled by Russia. Due to the current situation German citizens can no longer be guaranteed consular services."</p>
<p>The ministry added that it was advising against any traveling to eastern and southern Ukraine. It also urged German citizens to leave those regions and said journalists were particularly endangered.</p>
<p>"The situation in the east and south of Ukraine is extremely tense at the moment," it said. "There are an increased number of armed occupations of state buildings .... there have been incidents of foreigners being held.</p>
<p>In a television interview late on Monday, Steinmeier said he feared that neither Russia nor Ukraine could now control forces unleashed as fighting intensified around the pro-Russian stronghold of Slovyansk.</p>
<p>"I'm convinced we are struggling against a situation that has taken on a dynamic of its own. There are groups in eastern Ukraine that are not listening to either Kyiv ... or Moscow."</p>
<p />
<p>UPDATE: 5/6/14 6:40 AM ET</p>
<p>More submarines and warships for the Black Sea fleet</p>
<p>Reuters — Russia will beef up its Black Sea fleet this year with new submarines and warships, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu was quoted as saying on Tuesday, following the annexation of the Crimean peninsula.</p>
<p>New air defense and marine infantry units would also be deployed at the fleet's bases, which include Sevastopol in Crimea.</p>
<p>"New submarines will join the Black Sea fleet, as well as new-generation surface ships, this year. All this requires much attention from us," Interfax news agency quoted Shoigu as saying.</p>
<p>Shoigu said the fleet would receive funding of 86.7 billion rubles ($2.43 billion) by 2020.</p>
<p>The fleet, which analysts say comprises around 40 frontline warships, is seen as a guarantor of Russia's southern borders and a platform for projecting power into the Black Sea and the Mediterranean.</p>
<p>Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in March sparked the worst East-West crisis since the Cold War. President Vladimir Putin said last month that Russia's action over Crimea was partly a response to NATO expansion in Eastern Europe.</p>
<p>Russia also feared Ukraine's new government would cancel a lease allowing the fleet to stay until 2042.</p>
<p />
<p>UPDATE: 5/6/14 6:30 AM ET</p>
<p>Slovyansk casualties more than 30, says Ukraine's government</p>
<p>Reuters — More than 30 pro-Russian separatists were killed in fighting near the rebel stronghold of Slovyansk in eastern Ukraine, Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said on Tuesday.</p>
<p>"We estimate that the terrorists lost more than 30 people," Avakov wrote on Facebook.</p>
<p>Pro-Russian rebels ambushed Ukrainian forces on Monday, triggering fierce fighting near Slovyansk. Avakov said four Ukrainian servicemen had been killed and 20 wounded.</p>
<p>The pro-Russian rebels said on Monday four of their number had been killed in the fighting.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/5/14 5:10 PM ET</p>
<p>Signing off</p>
<p>This live blog is now closed. Please <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/wires-archive-all" type="external">check here</a> for further developments or <a href="https://twitter.com/GlobalPost/lists/kyiv-protests" type="external">follow our Twitter list</a> for updates.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/5/14 5:00 PM ET</p>
<p>'The more blood that flows, the less the chance of a united Ukraine'</p>
<p>Reuters — If Kramatorsk needed a martyr, it has one now — a 21-year-old nurse called Yulia Izotova, killed on Saturday, buried on Monday.</p>
<p>"The driver thought she was unconscious," said her best friend, Lena. "But when they reached the hospital, she was pulled out dead."</p>
<p>Shot in the back by what friends and relatives say were large-caliber bullets fired from a column of Ukrainian armor as she travelled by car after dark between rebel-held towns, Izotova joins a small but growing list of dead in this mining region's month-old uprising.</p>
<p>Though in life she played no active role in the conflict, her open coffin was brought to Kramatorsk's central square and laid at the foot of the town hall, occupied by gunmen who say they would rather secede from Ukraine than live under a government in Kyiv that has chosen Europe over Russia.</p>
<p>Hundreds gathered to pay their respects, in a scene that recalled late February in Kyiv, when coffin after coffin was borne through a crowd on the Maidan, the capital's central square, carrying the victims of gunbattles with police defending Moscow-backed president Viktor Yanukovych.</p>
<p>In Kyiv, the crowd bayed for revenge, and Yanukovych fled the next day. Ukraine looked westward. But little more than two months later, this country of 45 million is sliding towards civil war, the cycle of violence fast extinguishing any hope of a political resolution.</p>
<p>"They shoot at us. Why? Because we don't want to live with fascists?" asked 58-year-old passport photographer Sergei Forminski, standing with his wife among the mourners. "We're not slaves; we kneel to no one."</p>
<p>The coffin was carried through streets stilled by barricades of tires and trees, into the town's Holy Trinity Church, where seven priests led the many mourners in prayer. Scattered red carnations traced the route.</p>
<p>Opinions as to what should happen here vary, more than the catch-all terms "pro-Russian" and "separatist" might suggest.</p>
<p>But if some were once preaching moderation, for a future still within Ukraine, with each death they are fast being drowned out by those calling for this southeastern steel and coal belt to break away altogether after a referendum on Sunday that is being organized by anti-Kyiv activists.</p>
<p>Denis Pushilin, leader of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic in the regional capital, was not wrong when, in the wake of a Ukrainian military advance against the rebel stronghold of Slovyansk last week, he warned: "The more blood that flows, the less the chance of a united Ukraine."</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/5/14 12:15 PM ET</p>
<p>Ukrainian forces near Slovyansk</p>
<p />
<p />
<p />
<p>UPDATE: 5/5/14 12:00 PM ET</p>
<p>Russia tells Kyiv to come to its senses</p>
<p>Reuters — Russia called on the Kyiv government on Monday to stop using armed force against its people and enter talks aimed at resolving the Ukraine crisis.</p>
<p>The foreign ministry said in a statement that a humanitarian crisis was looming in blockaded towns in eastern Ukraine, where Ukrainian forces have been trying to dislodge pro-Russian separatists who have occupied official buildings.</p>
<p>It called on the Kyiv authorities "to come to their senses, stop the bloodshed, withdraw forces and finally sit down at the negotiating table to begin a normal dialogue about ways to resolve the political crisis."</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/5/14 11:30 AM ET</p>
<p>Who are the anti-Kyiv separatists?</p>
<p>Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ukraine-crisis/vladimir-putin-admits-russian-forces-helped-crimea-separatists-n82756" type="external">admitted</a> that Russian forces had been present in Crimea — the so-called " <a href="http://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21601048-government-kiev-has-no-obvious-counters-russian-inspired-occupations-industrial" type="external">little green men.</a>"</p>
<p>Since the unrest began in eastern Ukraine, all sides have disputed the real identity of the armed militias who occupied buildings in cities like Donetsk, Luhansk and Slovyansk. The authorities in Kyiv say they're Moscow's operatives, while Russia insists they are local Ukrainians.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/04/world/europe/behind-the-masks-in-ukraine-many-faces-of-rebellion.html?_r=1" type="external">The New York Times'</a> C.J. Chivers and Noah Sneider went to the eastern city of Slovyansk to get a closer look:</p>
<p>The rebels of the 12th Company appear to be Ukrainians but, like many in the region, have deep ties to and affinity for Russia. They are veterans of the Soviet, Ukrainian or Russian Armies, and some have families on the other side of the border. Theirs is a tangled mix of identities and loyalties.</p>
<p>Further complicating the picture, while the fighters share a passionate distrust of Ukraine’s government and the Western powers that support it, they disagree among themselves about their ultimate goals.</p>
<p>Read ' <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/04/world/europe/behind-the-masks-in-ukraine-many-faces-of-rebellion.html?_r=1" type="external">Behind the Masks in Ukraine, Many Faces of Rebellion</a>'</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/5/14 11:10 AM ET</p>
<p>'War is being waged on us'</p>
<p>Ukraine is already at war, if you ask its acting president.</p>
<p>Oleksander Turchynov said roadblocks were set up around Kyiv to guard against "provocative" actions on May 9 from Russian operatives, <a href="https://uk.news.yahoo.com/europe-tries-peace-bid-ukraine-kiev-warns-war-080407697.html#lH5WiGQ" type="external">according to Agence France-Presse</a>. That's the day when Ukraine celebrates victory during WWII.</p>
<p>"War is in effect being waged against us, and we must be ready to repel this aggression," Turchynov said. Ukraine's armed forces are already on combat alert, and Kyiv reintroduced the draft last week to build up the strength of its military.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/5/14 10:40 AM ET</p>
<p>The mob rules</p>
<p><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/05/us-ukraine-crisis-mob-idUSBREA4406E20140505?feedType=RSS&amp;feedName=worldNews" type="external">Reuters</a> — His mistake was to run from the advancing mob, and that was enough for the men and women carrying clubs, knives and swords through Donetsk's Lenin district.</p>
<p>They set upon him. Beaten and bloodied, the unidentified man was saved, in a manner, by militiamen who dragged him through the crowd under metal shields, bundled him into the back of a car and drove him off at speed to an unknown fate.</p>
<p />
<p>No one could say what he'd done; he was a "provocateur," a term used by both sides of Ukraine's increasingly bitter divide to describe the other, but in the rebel-held east it means only one thing — a supporter of the "Fascist" government in Kyiv.</p>
<p>It was a brutal picture of the mob-rule that has descended upon this city in eastern Ukraine, the biggest to fall to an armed uprising against a government in Kyiv that wants to take the country west. Kyiv blames Russia for fomenting the violence, a charged denied by Moscow.</p>
<p>Read more from ' <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/05/us-ukraine-crisis-mob-idUSBREA4406E20140505?feedType=RSS&amp;feedName=worldNews" type="external">In eastern Ukraine, the mob rules</a>'</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/5/14 10:30 AM ET</p>
<p>Another helicopter shot down</p>
<p>Reuters — A Ukrainian military helicopter was shot down near the pro-Russian rebel-controlled eastern town of Slovyansk on Monday, but the pilots survived, the Defense Ministry said.</p>
<p>The helicopter, an Mi-24, which came under fire from a heavy machine gun, crashed into a river. The ministry said in a statement the crew were evacuated to a nearby camp but did not give any detail of their condition.</p>
<p>At least three other helicopters have been shot down by pro-Russian rebels since uprisings began in eastern parts of the country early this year.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/5/14 10:25 AM ET</p>
<p>We do not think this word means what you think it means</p>
<p>No one is exempt from being called a Nazi:</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/5/14 9:25 AM ET</p>
<p>Four fatalities for Ukrainian forces</p>
<p>Reuters — Four Ukrainian paramilitary police were killed in fighting on Monday with pro-Russian separatists near the rebel stronghold of Slovyansk, the Interior Ministry said, in renewed violence Kyiv is struggling to stop across the east.</p>
<p>The sound of an air siren could be heard in the center of Slovyansk and a church bell rang in the main square. Gunfire seemed to be coming closer to the center of the town.</p>
<p>Cars ferried the wounded from the sites of the clashes.</p>
<p>There were fatalities on the side of the separatists though no figures were available.</p>
<p>One civilian woman was hit in the head by a bullet, her sister told Reuters at the hospital. Her husband sat next to his sister and wept.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/5/14 6:30 AM ET</p>
<p>Gunfire and fatalities in on the outskirts of Slovyansk</p>
<p>Reuters — Pro-Russian separatists ambushed Ukrainian forces on Monday, triggering heavy fighting on the outskirts of the rebel stronghold of Slovyansk, Interior Minister Arsen Avakov was quoted as saying.</p>
<p>A Reuters correspondent said at least two separatist armored personnel carriers and several rebels fled the area, where almost continuous gunfire had been heard since morning.</p>
<p>The gunfire seemed closer to Slovyansk, in eastern Ukraine, than a day earlier.</p>
<p>"In the morning, a squad in the anti-terrorist operation was hit by an ambush by terrorist groups. They are using heavy weapons," Avakov was quoted as saying by Interfax-Ukraine news agency near Slovyansk.</p>
<p>He said there were fatalities on the Ukrainian side but did give a figure.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/5/14 6:15 AM ET</p>
<p>A new special forces unit for Odessa</p>
<p>Reuters — Ukraine's Interior Minister said on Monday he had drafted a new special forces unit into the southern port city of Odessa after the "outrageous" failure of police to tackle pro-Russian separatists in a weekend of violence that killed dozens.</p>
<p>The violence in Odessa, a southwestern port with a broad ethnic mix from Russians and Ukrainians to Georgians and Tatars, is seen as something as a turning point in Kyiv; a warning of dangers if rebellion spreads beyond the Russian-speaking east.</p>
<p>Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said the new Odessa force was based on "civil activists who wanted to help the Black Sea city "in these difficult days." The entire leadership of the local police had been sacked and could face criminal action.</p>
<p>The Odessa violence was the deadliest since Moscow-oriented president Viktor Yanukovych fled to Russia in February and pro-Russian militants launched uprisings in the industrial east.</p>
<p />
<p>"The police in Odessa acted outrageously, possibly in a criminal fashion," Avakov said on his Facebook page. "The 'honor of the uniform' will offer no cover."</p>
<p>Ukrainian leaders have made it clear they see the police force across wide areas of the country as unreliable in the face of rebellion they say is backed by Moscow and led on the ground by Russian special forces. The units Avakov referred to emerged partly from the uprising against Yanukovych early this year.</p>
<p>That could fuel anger among the government's opponents, who accuse it of promoting "fascist" militant groups, such as Right Sector, which took part in the Kyiv uprising over the winter.</p>
<p>Loss of control of Odessa would be a huge economic and political blow for Kyiv, which accuses Moscow of scheming to dismember Ukraine, a country the size of France.</p>
<p>Odessa, a city of a million people, with a grand history as the cosmopolitan southern gateway for the tsars' empire, has two ports, including an oil terminal, and is a key transport hub.</p>
<p>It would also heighten Western concern that Ukraine, already culturally divided between an industrial, Russian-speaking east and a more westward looking west, could disintegrate.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/4/14 6:30 PM ET</p>
<p>Another round of violence in Odessa, as Ukraine tips toward war</p>
<p>Agence France-Presse — Thousands of pro-Russian protesters assaulted Odessa's police headquarters Sunday, days after deadly clashes and a fire there killed dozens of their comrades in what Kyiv charged was a Russian plot to "destroy Ukraine."</p>
<p>The unrest in the southern port city threatened a new front in the Ukrainian government's battle against pro-Moscow militants, with an expanded military operation under way in the east against gunmen holding more than a dozen towns.</p>
<p>Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said Russia was executing a plan "to destroy Ukraine and its statehood."</p>
<p>He was in Odessa to observe mourning for the 42 people who died there in clashes and the fire on Friday — most of them pro-Russian militants.</p>
<p>The unrest shaking the Black Sea city of one million people, he said, aimed "to repeat in Odessa what is happening in the east of the country."</p>
<p>In an effort to head off any retribution on the streets for Friday's bloodshed, Yatsenyuk sacked Odessa's police chiefs and ordered an inquiry.</p>
<p>The police in the headquarters managed to calm the crowd outside by releasing 67 pro-Russian militants they were holding, nearly half the 150 total who had been arrested in Friday's clashes. One person, though, was reported wounded by gunshot in the city.</p>
<p />
<p>Although Moscow has admitted sending troops into Crimea ahead of annexing the strategic peninsula in March, it denies having a hand in Ukraine's unrest in the east and in Odessa.</p>
<p>Instead it blames the Kyiv government and its Western backers for the carnage.</p>
<p>Moscow has also demanded a halt to the Ukrainian military offensive in the east, saying it has received "thousands" of calls for help from the population there for it to intervene.</p>
<p>Tens of thousands of Russian troops have been parked on Ukraine's border for two months, ready for an invasion Russian President Vladimir Putin says he has a right to launch — but "hopes" he won't have to.</p>
<p>But Ukrainian officials have pushed on with the operation, determined to crush the pro-Kremlin rebels.</p>
<p>Late Sunday, a spokeswoman for rebels in the insurgent-controlled bastion of Slovyansk said "the town is completely surrounded."</p>
<p>AFP confirmed that, observing seven armored vehicles blocking the last main route out, the road to the regional hub of Donetsk.</p>
<p>Ukrainian authorities have already put all armed forces on "combat alert" and brought back conscription as the risk of invasion looms.</p>
<p>The three-day death toll from the eastern offensive meanwhile stood at 10 at least — half of them servicemen — as soldiers confronted gunmen in towns around Slovyansk.</p>
<p>AFP reporters near the eastern town of Kostyantynivka saw a pro-Russian checkpoint abandoned and smoldering while barricades were hastily erected in the center.</p>
<p>Rebels defending Kostyantynivka told AFP there had been fighting overnight near the town's television tower.</p>
<p>In nearby Kramatorsk, pro-Russians were holed up in the town hall while burned-out trolley buses and minivans blocked off streets in the city center.</p>
<p>But in the center of besieged Slovyansk — whose outskirts saw fierce gun battles on Saturday — the situation remained relatively calm. Some of its 160,000 citizens reported increasing difficulty obtaining basic foodstuffs.</p>
<p>In annexed Crimea there were clashes between police and 2,000 pro-Kyiv Tatars demonstrating against Russia's refusal to allow their leader Mustafa Dzhemilev into the peninsula.</p>
<p>The spreading violence eclipsed the small nugget of positive news in Ukraine on Saturday: the release of seven European OSCE inspectors, who were all safely home after a Russian envoy went to Slovyansk to organize their release.</p>
<p />
<p>Ukraine's violence sparked a new round of accusations and counter-accusations between the United States and Moscow as relations between the Cold War foes continued to suffer.</p>
<p>Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called his US counterpart John Kerry to demand Washington use its influence over Kyiv to stop what he called Ukraine's "war against its own people."</p>
<p>Lavrov warned that the military operations were pushing the former Soviet republic towards a "fratricidal conflict" and urged a greater mediating role for the OSCE.</p>
<p>Moscow has pronounced dead an accord struck last month in Geneva to defuse the crisis.</p>
<p>And it has dismissed Ukraine's plans for a presidential election on May 25 as "absurd" given the country's spiral into conflict.</p>
<p>Its stance has opened up the possibility that the West could impose its toughest punishment yet on Russia over the crisis.</p>
<p>US President Barack Obama said he would impose broader sanctions against Moscow if it destabilized its neighbor ahead of the election.</p>
<p>Kerry stressed to Lavrov the "possibility or the reality of sectoral sanctions" targeting specific areas of the already weakening Russian economy.</p>
<p>He hailed the release of the OSCE inspectors as a welcome step, but stressed that others needed to be taken "to de-escalate the situation."</p>
<p>As Moscow and Washington traded barbs about interference in Ukraine, Germany's Bild am Sonntag weekly alleged that dozens of US intelligence agents were advising the Kyiv authorities, citing unnamed Germany security sources.</p>
<p>The separatists in Ukraine were preparing their own spoiler of the May 25 election by moving ahead with plans to hold an independence referendum next Sunday.</p>
<p>The presidential vote was called by Ukraine's new leaders shortly after the ouster of pro-Russian leader Viktor Yanukovych in February, the culmination of months of pro-EU protests.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 5/4/14 9:25 AM ET</p>
<p>Read more</p>
<p>Read our <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/140430/masked-gunmen-luhansk-horlivka-eastern-ukraine-live-blog" type="external">previous live blog</a> to catch up on events that happened in Ukraine last week.</p>
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globalpost live blog ukraine struggles unity update 5914 340 pm et signing live blog closed please check developments follow twitter list updates update 5914 100 pm et individuals companies added eu sanctions list reuters european union ambassadors agreed principle add 15 people several crimeanbased companies blocs list sanctions russia annexation ukraines crimea region eu diplomats said friday eu far imposed asset freezes visa bans 48 russians ukrainians moscows annexation crimea first time 28nation bloc targeted companies new list include two crimean firms active energy sector one eu diplomat said diplomats said four five crimean companies organizations would targeted final decision extra sanctions taken eu foreign ministers monday taking account developments weekend prorussian separatists plan hold independence referendum eastern ukraine diplomats said european budget commissioner janusz lewandowski told polish broadcaster tvn 24 bis friday expected eu monday strengthen sanctions individuals entities linked russias intervention ukraine names people companies set added sanctions list kept secret publication unlikely include wellknown russian companies energy giant gazprom companies set added list monday crimean branches ukrainian companies taken russians one eu diplomat said violent clashes eastern ukraine parts taken prorussian separatists yet despite turmoil eu yet prepared move hardhitting trade financial sanctions russia kind leaders threatened march impose moscow took steps destabilize situation many eu governments fear tough sanctions could lead russian retaliation damage economies also wary antagonizing major supplier energy eu update 5914 1230 pm et majority ukrainians even east want united country went size visibility prorussian protests eastern ukraine would assume region wants secede ukraine become peoples republic donetsk 160 prorussian activists march may 1 2014 donetsk ukraine poll suggests would wrong clear majority ukrainians want country remain united although reside patriotic western part country pew research conducted facetoface interviews 1659 adults country april 523 found 77 percent surveyed wanted ukraine remain united even among russian speakers 58 percent wanted united ukraine region crimea exception 54 percent wanting option regions secede compared 12 percent wanted united ukraine eastern ukraine 70 percent want country remain intact 18 percent want regions allowed secede 160 sundays referendum prorussian separatists donetsk decided go ahead even putin urged postpone ask voters single vague question support act selfrule peoples republic donetsk head donetsks hastilyestablished election commission told reuters okay really line law think thats way according reuters ukraines state security service released recording claims contains conversation russian nationalist leader leader rebels donetsk russians voice reportedly heard saying like write result 99 percent vote scheduled take place sunday 8 10 pm across eastern cities donetsk luhansk read full piece reuters outlines possibility vote manipulation vagueness demands separatists update 5914 1135 et closer look violence mariupol reuters details happened mariupol today ukraines interior minister said security forces killed 20 prorussian rebels port city mariupol friday appeared one biggest actions kyivs attempt end insurgency countrys east interior minister arsen avakov said attempt terrorists seize police headquarters turned pitched battle inside building ukrainian army national guard security forces ukrainian forces brought armored personnel carriers town building caught fire one point rebels fled town clash came amid international attempts forge form settlement ukraine prevent slide civil war could dramatic consequences whole region mariupol important industrial shipping centre donetsk region planning hold secessionist referendum sunday focus frequent skirmishes recent days fridays action appeared concerted effort several forces claw back control rebels terrorist group 60 men armed automatic weapons attacked police headquartersabout 20 terrorists destroyed four taken prisoner avakov said facebook page come weapons shoot take hostages torture rob people hiding behind various slogans one answer ukrainian state annihilation death toll could confirmed independently side tended exaggerate others losses clashes confirmed would among heaviest tolls inflicted rebels fighting kiev says separatists backed moscow russian special forces ground russia denies interpreter mag collected footage emerging mariupol clips independently verified globalpost clip appears show ukrainian soldier using rpg video shows appear civilians trying stop apc update 5914 1115 et putin tells crimea russia stronger reuters russian president vladimir putin said friday first visit crimea region annexed ukraine march russia become stronger crimea sure 2014 go annals whole country year nations living firmly decided together russia affirming fidelity historical truth memory ancestors putin said brief speech watching military parade black sea port sevastopol lot work ahead overcome difficulties together means become stronger update 5914 1055 et celebrating victory day crisis kyiv post reported noticeably fewer people celebrating victory day kyiv friday authorities feared potential provocations prorussian separatists kyivs glory park heavy security presence 160 160 160 luhansk eastern ukraine around 2000 people gathered mark victory day 1000 people commemorated victory day eastern city donetsk visiting war memorials gathering outside regional government building 160 160 160 slovyansk 160 update 5914 1020 et startling violence mariupol journalists still trying piece together happened today fighting broke morning eastern city mariupol death toll still rising initial reports suggested eight killed clashes ukrainian security forces prorussian separatists ukraines acting interior minister arsen avakov said security forces killed around 20 prorussian rebels attempted seize police headquarters james mates john angier editors britains itv news olaf koens local journalist shaun walker writes guardian update 5914 1000 et putin visits crimea victory day reuters president vladimir putin went crimea friday first time since russia annexed peninsula ukraine march visit likely anger ukrainian leadership upset west kremlin press service said putin flew crimea presiding annual victory day parade moscow marking anniversary world war two victory nazi germany attended military parade war anniversary events crimea year also 70th anniversary battle red army back control black sea peninsula nazis german chancellor angela merkel said earlier week although may 9 important date russia conflict ukraine made parade crimea inappropriate meanwhile moscow tanks rumbled across red square fighter jets screamed overhead friday russias biggest victory day military parade years fueling patriotic fervor putin rallied people ukraine crisis 160 thousands goosestepping troops motorized artillery ballistic missile launchers paraded past putin kremlins red walls show military might jets helicopters bombers flew cloudless skies overmoscow state television called biggest parade 20 years holiday honoring world war ii victory nazi germany day stirs national pride russia putin sought maximize surge patriotism also staging big parades year black sea peninsula crimea following annexation ukraine break tradition reflecting eastwest standoff ukraine moscow kyiv stage joint marches countries sailors crimean port sevastopol russias black sea fleet based putin used crimea whip patriotism help state media miss opportunity stir national pride moscows accusations neofascists rise ukraine ringing ears praised soviet role defeating fascism iron soviet people fearlessness stamina saved europe slavery country chased nazis lair achieved full final destruction cost millions victims terrible hardships putin said speech military war veterans gathered red square always guard sacred unfading truth allow betrayal obliteration heroes caring preserved peace planet 160 moscow last weeks repeatedly warned dangers posed leaders portrays neofascists ukraine urged europe prevent rise farright although putin critics made similar accusations relations moscow west lowest ebb since cold war crisis ukraine fellow former soviet republic update 5614 440 pm et signing live blog closed please check developments follow twitter list updates update 5714 420 pm et lines blurred ukraine times simon shuster outlines real problem facing kyiv authorities ukrainian military encircled peaceful citizens eastern region donetsk fiercely aggressive militant groups question lies troops tell groups apart factor determine whether kievs campaign results massacre people restoration authority russian peacekeeping invasion combination three times piece takes look lines blurred different factions band together even goals disparate took look language referring separatists evolved throughout unrest protesters activists rebels insurgents update 5714 300 pm et putin confused separatists comments seems russia watchers werent ones surprised putins comments urging separatists eastern ukraine postpone planned referendum buzzfeed reports prorussian separatists east ukraine scrambled wednesday make sense surprise remarks russian president vladimir putin called planned independence referendum postponed said russia pulled back troops border andriy porgin senior prorussian separatist leader donetsk helping oversee referendum planned may 11 said didnt yet know make putins remarks statement top brass would meet tonight discuss implications cant ignore said putin seemed still coming grips statement want read context registered confusion bewilderment read full piece update 5714 120 pm et putins appeal lot hot air says ukraines pm reuters ukraines prime minister arseniy yatsenyuk dismissed hot air russian president vladimir putins appeal prorussian separatists eastern regions postpone referendum independence interfaxukraine agency said putin called separatists postpone referendum scheduled sunday kyiv ruled referendum illegal yatsenyuk putins proposal postpone referendum eastern ukraine point dealing hot air brief interfaxukraine bulletin said meanwhile pentagon said saw change russian force posture along ukrainian border despite putins assertion returned training areas asked whether russia could withdrawing troops without pentagon able see spokesman colonel steve warren told reporters would know seen change russian force posture weve long called russians withdraw troops along border warren said white house say matter would certainly welcome meaningful transparent withdrawal russian military forces border region white house spokesman josh earnest told reporters traveling president barack obama arkansas california date evidence withdrawal taken place earnest said putins appeal separatists postpone referendum earnest said weve said repeatedly referendum illegitimate illegal secretary state kerry referred referendum bogus dont believe referendum postponed believe canceled update 5714 1135 et would putin benefit eastern ukraine putin says ordered russian army withdraw near ukraines border nato says seen indication movement wait confirmation either way bloombergs writeup eastern ukraine attractive russia parts ukraine separatists loyalists face evermore violent clashes home valuable assets nations defense industry 50 factories form arms cluster caters russia based trade accord two decades ago churning air cargo transporters helicopter engines hardware160 taking ukraines eastern southern regions would hugely beneficial russia military economic point view said mikhail barabanov editorinchief moscow defense brief magazine russia control important valuable defense companies plants article goes note putin actually worked trade pact ousted ukrainian president viktor yanukovych would forged closer relationship defense industries two countries times simon shuster interviewed ukraines interim deputy defense minister petr mekhed april mekhed blamed ukraines close ties dependence russia ukrainian militarys unpreparedness160 recent years military infrastructure systematically destroyed neglect corruption malfeasance ukraines former leaders says mekhed bringing back working order would require buying spare parts russia moscow unsurprisingly refused sell update 5714 1110 et nato says russia hasnt withdrawn forces reuters nato indication russia withdrawn forces close ukraine border despite russian president vladimir putins assertion returned training areas nato military official said wednesday indication change position military forces along ukraine border official told reuters update 5714 1100 et ukraine already said goodbye us reuters behind barricades tires car bumpers past masked militants hold donetsks filthy administration building man suit spotless office working apple imac vote dismember ukraine roman lyagin 33 head selfproclaimed republics electoral commission hide distaste gunmen seized control month ago shares aims every revolution accumulates fair share loons told reuters said simply live within ukraine ukraine already de facto said goodbye us kyiv already lost industrial east risks sunday people steel coal belt many ethnic russians native russianspeakers plan vote yes referendum secession comes next decide whether country 45 million people slides civil war settles frozen conflict could scupper plans integration westernled multinational institutions years come selfproclaimed donetsk peoples republic faces joining georgias abkhazia south ossetia azerbaijans nagornokarabakh moldovas transdniestria wouldbe statelets unrecognized ignored almost entire world since spawned 1991 breakup soviet union kyiv reject referendum result russias response uncertain wednesday russian president called separatists postpone referendum planned may 11 date russia annexed crimea similar plebiscite march held watch russian invasion force careful show hand ahead sundays vote despite recent opinion polls suggesting minority supports secession lyagin says result doubt redblueblack tricolor flag rebel republic already flies regional administration building donetsk welltended city traversed long park dotted openair cafes restaurants nods old soviet order statue bolshevik leader vladimir lenin beyond city large factories mines loom rolling green landscape western observers wont attending poll absence fueling accusations fixed minimum turnout result stand neighboring luhansk region russian border also vote gunmen hold sway stoking fears everyones voice heard interviews towns cities across rebel zone reveal deep division among three million people lyagin says eligible vote reuters reporters spoken people variously want greater autonomy within ukraine federal arrangement independent statelet annexation russia update 5714 1010 et putin calls separatists postpone referendum backs ukraines elections reuters russian president vladimir putin called separatists east ukraine wednesday postpone may 11 referendum status mostly russianspeaking region putin spoke talks head organization security cooperation europe said security rights body would soon propose road map defuse ukraine crisis putin also said russia withdrawn forces border ukraine nato said 40000 russian troops recent weeks interfax news agency reported always told forces ukrainian border concern withdrawn today ukrainian border places conduct regular tasks training grounds putin quoted saying prorussian separatists ukraines eastern donetsk region said would consider putins call postpone referendum meeting assembly tomorrow tomorrow discuss peoples assembly denis pushilin leader selfdeclared donetsk peoples republic told reuters utmost respect president putin considers necessary course discuss 160 bbc also reported putin said ukraines presidential election would step right direction called end violence 160 160 update 5614 440 pm et signing live blog closed please check developments follow twitter list updates update 5614 335 pm et gunmen melt background leaving civilians man barricades reuters mornings alexandra painter decorator late 20s leaves 10yearold daughter home puts starting pistol belt walks barricades hometown slovyansk one several volunteers checkpoints inside rebel stronghold town eastern ukraine replacing gunmen camouflage melted background since kyiv stepped describes antiterrorist operation selfdeclared separatist mayor vyacheslav ponomaryov says training resting rebels say strategic move deter attempts ukrainian troops retake town putting civilians way gunmen standing important checkpoints said prorussian activist filipp enter town still hit every window every backyard someone able anything bad friday ukrainian troops armored personnel carriers supported helicopters surrounded slovyansk rebels heavily fortified redoubt taking control several routes town part antiterrorist operation kyiv said troops taken rebelheld checkpoints surrounding town trapping separatists inside cutting supply lines ponomaryov told reuters men simply left checkpoints rebels launched fierce attack ukrainian troops recent days shooting three helicopters least 10 people killed kyiv accused rebels using civilians human shields complicating armys efforts restore control swathes ukraines industrial east rebels seized buildings run local administrations fighting slovyansk checkpoints run least one wellarmed man number barricades doubled mostly manned largely unarmed civilians friday reuters encountered new barricade felled trees hundred meters away town centre manned two teenagers welcomed cars gunshots made passengers leave cars hands search apologized overreaction checkpoint near city hall alexandra says military experience starting pistol says shoot someone face kill machine gun wont give machine gun im military person prorussian rebel sergei agrees saying guns given know use come fire gun get says served army calm descended slovyansk belies towns combat readiness ukrainian troops approach prorussian checkpoints around slovyansk usually find abandoned tires form barriers fire warning people inside town soldiers coming fighting starts people called main square air raid siren church bells separatists melt crowds taking uniforms barricades frequent answer gunmen gone dont guns peaceful people update 5614 310 pm et donetsk looked like today update 5614 250 pm et disturbing reports donetsk kyiv posts christopher miller reported guns locked loaded 40 heavily armed prorussian rebels two trucks descended upon military academy donetsk may 6 temporarily blocking access building threatening engage anyone might pose threat provocation us first shoot air one rebel commander heard shouting men military academy read full account kyiv post buzzfeeds mike giglio filed donetsk threats one sign darkening times activists journalists politicians opposed separatists around donetsk increasingly faced beatings abductions even attempted assassinations felt like concerted push drive used word hunted describe ordeal day brought word fled giglios report details war paranoia already begun supported proukrainian side many reportedly fled death threats raises question happens ifwhen donbass region holds referendum secede ukraine join russia currently planned may 11 left vote update 5614 220 pm et police odessa complicit fridays clashes says ukraines prosecutor general violence killed least 46 people ukrainian city odessa planned advance ukraines acting prosecutor general oleh makhnitsky said according kyiv post today say planned event makhnitsky told channel 5 currently speak inactivity police complicity said agreement police bandits monday ukraines interior minister said new special forces unit replaced leadership police force odessa according reuters said new odessa force based civil activists wanted help black sea city difficult days policemen stand guard outside regional state administration building southern ukrainian port city odessa may 5 2014 expecting protest rally prorussian activists update 5614 210 pm et us dismisses secession referendum bogus reuters united states condemned tuesday referendum secession planned prorussian separatists sunday bogus illegal effort divide ukraine crimea playbook civilized nation recognize results russia takes next step reenact illegal crimea annexation eastern southern ukraine sends forces border harsh us eu sanctions follow us state department spokeswoman jen psaki told reporters referendum planned separatists eastern donbass region similar one preceded russias annexation crimea psaki called bogus independence referendum adding flatly reject illegal effort divide ukraine update 5614 1115 et kramatorsk odessa grief anger ukrainians bury dead reuters sides burying dead ukraine slides towards war supporters russia united ukraine accusing tearing country apart tuesday morning quieter past days eastern southern ukraine deadliest week since separatist uprising began transformed conflict hardening positions leaving little room peace kramatorsk separatistheld town east saw advance ukrainian troops weekend coffin 21yearold nurse yulia izotova carried streets stilled barricades tires tree trunks monday scattered red carnations traced route holy trinity church seven priests led mourners prayer woman killed large caliber bullets townsfolk believe fired ukrainian troops odessa previously peaceful multiethnic black sea port 40 people killed friday worst day violence since february revolt toppled ukraines prorussian president pallbearers carried andrey biryukovs open casket van street corner shot proukrainian activist biryukov 35 killed day began hundreds prorussian sympathizers armed axes chains guns attacking ukrainian march ended later night prorussians barricaded inside building set fire killing dozens small crowd 50 people stood around body covering carnations roses ukrainian flag fluttered wind patriotic song dead heroes played sound system relatives wept young woman fell knees crying loudly corner man died decorated flowers small ukrainian flags government failed protect people police failed miserably said nikita grizzled 56yearold ukrainian yellow blue armband sergei 40s also came mourn said violence imported odessa proud odessa unique place people used live peace regardless beliefs religion race said gone update 5614 1030 et caption contest lets hope picture isnt metaphor things went council europe meeting vienna update 5614 930 et could moscow setting reason question legitimacy ukraines elections reuters russian foreign minister sergei lavrov said tuesday would unusual hold presidential election ukraine army deployed ukrainians lavrovs comments meeting council europe human rights organization vienna suggested moscow could preparing reason question legitimacy may 25 election unhappy outcome holding elections time army deployed part population quite unusual told news conference response question whether moscow would recognize vote see process ends lavrov said ukraine agree new constitution define presidential powers people cast ballots asked german proposal hold second international meeting ukraine lavrov said agreements reached first round talks geneva still implemented meeting format opposition current ukrainian regime absent negotiating table would hardly add anything said one could possibly would going round circles saying one needs carry agreed ukrainians deliver regime opposing update 5614 715 et 30 ministers meet vienna ukraine un chief offers mediation services agence francepresse diplomatic efforts contain crisis tearing ukraine apart intensified tuesday government forces stepped offensive around slovyansk thirty foreign ministers including russia ukraine set discuss escalating violence council europe meeting vienna un chief ban kimoon offered help negotiate solution crisis spins control diplomats scrambled dial tensions worst eastwest crisis since end cold war un chief offered personal gobetween speaking exclusively afp abu dhabi ban offered provide role necessary crisis spins control creates huge consequences beyond anybodys control bans offer came european leaders fearing allout civil war eastern flank launched new peace bid urging negotiated solution russian foreign minister sergei lavrov ukrainian counterpart andriy deshchytsia arrived austrian capital tuesdays council europe meeting also include britains william hague hague travel kyiv later day parliament discuss crisis closeddoor meeting washington us secretary state john kerry hold talks eu foreign policy chief catherine ashton chairman organization security cooperation europe didier burkhalter due moscow wednesday german foreign minister frankwalter steinmeier said talks russia united states european union osce hold second peace conference geneva update 5614 650 et forces eastern ukraine kyiv moscows control says german fm reuters ukraine close war german foreign minister frankwalter steinmeier warned interviews published four european newspapers tuesday dozens people died ukrainian city odessa last week prorussian militants clashed opponents kyiv forces fighting separatists seized control towns east country bloody pictures odessa shown us steps away military confrontation steinmeier told el pais le monde la repubblica gazeta wyborcza added conflict taken intensity short time ago would considered possible steinmeiers ministry also warned germans tuesday traveling crimea russia annexed ukraine march reiterated earlier advisory avoid eastern areas urgently advised avoid traveling crimea foreign ministry wrote website german governments view crimea belongs ukraine actuality controlled russia due current situation german citizens longer guaranteed consular services ministry added advising traveling eastern southern ukraine also urged german citizens leave regions said journalists particularly endangered situation east south ukraine extremely tense moment said increased number armed occupations state buildings incidents foreigners held television interview late monday steinmeier said feared neither russia ukraine could control forces unleashed fighting intensified around prorussian stronghold slovyansk im convinced struggling situation taken dynamic groups eastern ukraine listening either kyiv moscow update 5614 640 et submarines warships black sea fleet reuters russia beef black sea fleet year new submarines warships defense minister sergei shoigu quoted saying tuesday following annexation crimean peninsula new air defense marine infantry units would also deployed fleets bases include sevastopol crimea new submarines join black sea fleet well newgeneration surface ships year requires much attention us interfax news agency quoted shoigu saying shoigu said fleet would receive funding 867 billion rubles 243 billion 2020 fleet analysts say comprises around 40 frontline warships seen guarantor russias southern borders platform projecting power black sea mediterranean russias annexation crimea ukraine march sparked worst eastwest crisis since cold war president vladimir putin said last month russias action crimea partly response nato expansion eastern europe russia also feared ukraines new government would cancel lease allowing fleet stay 2042 update 5614 630 et slovyansk casualties 30 says ukraines government reuters 30 prorussian separatists killed fighting near rebel stronghold slovyansk eastern ukraine interior minister arsen avakov said tuesday estimate terrorists lost 30 people avakov wrote facebook prorussian rebels ambushed ukrainian forces monday triggering fierce fighting near slovyansk avakov said four ukrainian servicemen killed 20 wounded prorussian rebels said monday four number killed fighting update 5514 510 pm et signing live blog closed please check developments follow twitter list updates update 5514 500 pm et blood flows less chance united ukraine reuters kramatorsk needed martyr one 21yearold nurse called yulia izotova killed saturday buried monday driver thought unconscious said best friend lena reached hospital pulled dead shot back friends relatives say largecaliber bullets fired column ukrainian armor travelled car dark rebelheld towns izotova joins small growing list dead mining regions monthold uprising though life played active role conflict open coffin brought kramatorsks central square laid foot town hall occupied gunmen say would rather secede ukraine live government kyiv chosen europe russia hundreds gathered pay respects scene recalled late february kyiv coffin coffin borne crowd maidan capitals central square carrying victims gunbattles police defending moscowbacked president viktor yanukovych kyiv crowd bayed revenge yanukovych fled next day ukraine looked westward little two months later country 45 million sliding towards civil war cycle violence fast extinguishing hope political resolution shoot us dont want live fascists asked 58yearold passport photographer sergei forminski standing wife among mourners slaves kneel one coffin carried streets stilled barricades tires trees towns holy trinity church seven priests led many mourners prayer scattered red carnations traced route opinions happen vary catchall terms prorussian separatist might suggest preaching moderation future still within ukraine death fast drowned calling southeastern steel coal belt break away altogether referendum sunday organized antikyiv activists denis pushilin leader selfproclaimed donetsk peoples republic regional capital wrong wake ukrainian military advance rebel stronghold slovyansk last week warned blood flows less chance united ukraine update 5514 1215 pm et ukrainian forces near slovyansk update 5514 1200 pm et russia tells kyiv come senses reuters russia called kyiv government monday stop using armed force people enter talks aimed resolving ukraine crisis foreign ministry said statement humanitarian crisis looming blockaded towns eastern ukraine ukrainian forces trying dislodge prorussian separatists occupied official buildings called kyiv authorities come senses stop bloodshed withdraw forces finally sit negotiating table begin normal dialogue ways resolve political crisis update 5514 1130 et antikyiv separatists last month russian president vladimir putin admitted russian forces present crimea socalled little green men since unrest began eastern ukraine sides disputed real identity armed militias occupied buildings cities like donetsk luhansk slovyansk authorities kyiv say theyre moscows operatives russia insists local ukrainians new york times cj chivers noah sneider went eastern city slovyansk get closer look rebels 12th company appear ukrainians like many region deep ties affinity russia veterans soviet ukrainian russian armies families side border tangled mix identities loyalties complicating picture fighters share passionate distrust ukraines government western powers support disagree among ultimate goals read behind masks ukraine many faces rebellion update 5514 1110 et war waged us ukraine already war ask acting president oleksander turchynov said roadblocks set around kyiv guard provocative actions may 9 russian operatives according agence francepresse thats day ukraine celebrates victory wwii war effect waged us must ready repel aggression turchynov said ukraines armed forces already combat alert kyiv reintroduced draft last week build strength military update 5514 1040 et mob rules reuters mistake run advancing mob enough men women carrying clubs knives swords donetsks lenin district set upon beaten bloodied unidentified man saved manner militiamen dragged crowd metal shields bundled back car drove speed unknown fate one could say hed done provocateur term used sides ukraines increasingly bitter divide describe rebelheld east means one thing supporter fascist government kyiv brutal picture mobrule descended upon city eastern ukraine biggest fall armed uprising government kyiv wants take country west kyiv blames russia fomenting violence charged denied moscow read eastern ukraine mob rules update 5514 1030 et another helicopter shot reuters ukrainian military helicopter shot near prorussian rebelcontrolled eastern town slovyansk monday pilots survived defense ministry said helicopter mi24 came fire heavy machine gun crashed river ministry said statement crew evacuated nearby camp give detail condition least three helicopters shot prorussian rebels since uprisings began eastern parts country early year update 5514 1025 et think word means think means one exempt called nazi update 5514 925 et four fatalities ukrainian forces reuters four ukrainian paramilitary police killed fighting monday prorussian separatists near rebel stronghold slovyansk interior ministry said renewed violence kyiv struggling stop across east sound air siren could heard center slovyansk church bell rang main square gunfire seemed coming closer center town cars ferried wounded sites clashes fatalities side separatists though figures available one civilian woman hit head bullet sister told reuters hospital husband sat next sister wept update 5514 630 et gunfire fatalities outskirts slovyansk reuters prorussian separatists ambushed ukrainian forces monday triggering heavy fighting outskirts rebel stronghold slovyansk interior minister arsen avakov quoted saying reuters correspondent said least two separatist armored personnel carriers several rebels fled area almost continuous gunfire heard since morning gunfire seemed closer slovyansk eastern ukraine day earlier morning squad antiterrorist operation hit ambush terrorist groups using heavy weapons avakov quoted saying interfaxukraine news agency near slovyansk said fatalities ukrainian side give figure update 5514 615 et new special forces unit odessa reuters ukraines interior minister said monday drafted new special forces unit southern port city odessa outrageous failure police tackle prorussian separatists weekend violence killed dozens violence odessa southwestern port broad ethnic mix russians ukrainians georgians tatars seen something turning point kyiv warning dangers rebellion spreads beyond russianspeaking east interior minister arsen avakov said new odessa force based civil activists wanted help black sea city difficult days entire leadership local police sacked could face criminal action odessa violence deadliest since moscoworiented president viktor yanukovych fled russia february prorussian militants launched uprisings industrial east police odessa acted outrageously possibly criminal fashion avakov said facebook page honor uniform offer cover ukrainian leaders made clear see police force across wide areas country unreliable face rebellion say backed moscow led ground russian special forces units avakov referred emerged partly uprising yanukovych early year could fuel anger among governments opponents accuse promoting fascist militant groups right sector took part kyiv uprising winter loss control odessa would huge economic political blow kyiv accuses moscow scheming dismember ukraine country size france odessa city million people grand history cosmopolitan southern gateway tsars empire two ports including oil terminal key transport hub would also heighten western concern ukraine already culturally divided industrial russianspeaking east westward looking west could disintegrate update 5414 630 pm et another round violence odessa ukraine tips toward war agence francepresse thousands prorussian protesters assaulted odessas police headquarters sunday days deadly clashes fire killed dozens comrades kyiv charged russian plot destroy ukraine unrest southern port city threatened new front ukrainian governments battle promoscow militants expanded military operation way east gunmen holding dozen towns prime minister arseniy yatsenyuk said russia executing plan destroy ukraine statehood odessa observe mourning 42 people died clashes fire friday prorussian militants unrest shaking black sea city one million people said aimed repeat odessa happening east country effort head retribution streets fridays bloodshed yatsenyuk sacked odessas police chiefs ordered inquiry police headquarters managed calm crowd outside releasing 67 prorussian militants holding nearly half 150 total arrested fridays clashes one person though reported wounded gunshot city although moscow admitted sending troops crimea ahead annexing strategic peninsula march denies hand ukraines unrest east odessa instead blames kyiv government western backers carnage moscow also demanded halt ukrainian military offensive east saying received thousands calls help population intervene tens thousands russian troops parked ukraines border two months ready invasion russian president vladimir putin says right launch hopes wont ukrainian officials pushed operation determined crush prokremlin rebels late sunday spokeswoman rebels insurgentcontrolled bastion slovyansk said town completely surrounded afp confirmed observing seven armored vehicles blocking last main route road regional hub donetsk ukrainian authorities already put armed forces combat alert brought back conscription risk invasion looms threeday death toll eastern offensive meanwhile stood 10 least half servicemen soldiers confronted gunmen towns around slovyansk afp reporters near eastern town kostyantynivka saw prorussian checkpoint abandoned smoldering barricades hastily erected center rebels defending kostyantynivka told afp fighting overnight near towns television tower nearby kramatorsk prorussians holed town hall burnedout trolley buses minivans blocked streets city center center besieged slovyansk whose outskirts saw fierce gun battles saturday situation remained relatively calm 160000 citizens reported increasing difficulty obtaining basic foodstuffs annexed crimea clashes police 2000 prokyiv tatars demonstrating russias refusal allow leader mustafa dzhemilev peninsula spreading violence eclipsed small nugget positive news ukraine saturday release seven european osce inspectors safely home russian envoy went slovyansk organize release ukraines violence sparked new round accusations counteraccusations united states moscow relations cold war foes continued suffer russian foreign minister sergei lavrov called us counterpart john kerry demand washington use influence kyiv stop called ukraines war people lavrov warned military operations pushing former soviet republic towards fratricidal conflict urged greater mediating role osce moscow pronounced dead accord struck last month geneva defuse crisis dismissed ukraines plans presidential election may 25 absurd given countrys spiral conflict stance opened possibility west could impose toughest punishment yet russia crisis us president barack obama said would impose broader sanctions moscow destabilized neighbor ahead election kerry stressed lavrov possibility reality sectoral sanctions targeting specific areas already weakening russian economy hailed release osce inspectors welcome step stressed others needed taken deescalate situation moscow washington traded barbs interference ukraine germanys bild sonntag weekly alleged dozens us intelligence agents advising kyiv authorities citing unnamed germany security sources separatists ukraine preparing spoiler may 25 election moving ahead plans hold independence referendum next sunday presidential vote called ukraines new leaders shortly ouster prorussian leader viktor yanukovych february culmination months proeu protests update 5414 925 et read read previous live blog catch events happened ukraine last week color bordercolorbbbbbb borderstylesolid borderwidth1px backgroundcolorf8f8f8 floatcenter marginleft 5px marginright 15px marginbottom 30px lineheight14px displayblock padding 15px
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<p>By David Gushee</p>
<p>Follow David: @dpgushee</p>
<p>It should be clear by now that “the LGBT Issue” is by no means just one issue, and that its complexity requires a sufficiently complex response.</p>
<p>Careful readers will see that my approach in these columns so far has been to try to identify areas of rather broad Christian agreement.</p>
<p>I hope that I have brought the vast majority of readers with me on the following claims, which I have generally identified as “forks in the road.” None of them are directly related to the traditionalist/revisionist normative argument but they all impinge upon it.</p>
<p>1) Whether rightly or not, the LGBT issue has become the hottest of hot-button issues in our generation, so ultimately avoidism proves insufficient. Everyone will have to figure out what they will think and do about this.</p>
<p>2) Historic Christian understandings of sexuality are being reconsidered due to evidence offered in the lives of those who do not fit the historic heterosexual norm, together with associated research and mental health efforts.</p>
<p>3) Several recent studies&#160;for the US suggest a lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender population ranging from&#160; <a href="http://www.gallup.com/poll/158066/special-report-adults-identify-lgbt.aspx" type="external">3.4%</a>&#160;to <a href="http://publicreligion.org/research/2014/02/2014-lgbt-survey/" type="external">&#160;5%</a>. &#160;Human sexual orientation diversity is a fact.</p>
<p>4) The admitted failure of the ex-gay movement has destroyed the plausibility of sexual-orientation-change efforts. Whatever pastoral approach the church takes, it should not be that discredited and damaging one.</p>
<p>5) Traditionalist Christians have come a long way since the 1970s in rejecting criminalization, discrimination, derogatory speech, bullying, violence, stigmatization, and dehumanization of gay people. This is good news.</p>
<p>6) While some traditionalist voices still dispute it, more are willing to acknowledge that the LGBT community contains a sizable population of professing Christians.&#160;Celibate gay Christians—sometimes called Side B Christians—are actually featured in much contemporary traditionalist literature.</p>
<p>7) Churches have at least four options for welcoming gay seekers or Christians that do not involve rejection of heterosexual-only sexual ethics: these are the “ask no questions” option, the “who are we to judge” option, the “dialogue &amp; discernment/disputable matter” option, and the “pastoral accommodation” option. These implicate far broader questions in ecclesiology, such as what it means to be a church member, and whether churches will practice any form of what used to be called church discipline.&#160; The LGBT issue surfaces, but did not create, this broader ecclesial issue.</p>
<p>I am grateful for feedback from conservative Christian readers suggesting that at least many have stayed with me to this point on the journey.</p>
<p>There may be a large number of readers, perhaps especially traditionalists, who will want to get off the bus at this point. But if you do, I ask you to think a bit further about the implications of what you have “agreed to” so far. I think this leaves you–all of us, really–with a bit of homework that still needs to be done:</p>
<p>1) Read narratives of LGBT people as well as reputable work in contemporary psychology to inform your interactions with this population and the ways you speak about these issues. Previous columns have linked to a considerable literature. Dive in, if only to become better-informed.&#160;</p>
<p>2) Become aware that in any room with twenty or more people the likelihood is that at least one is LGBT in orientation and/or identity. Add to this the friends and family members and others who fiercely love LGBT people. So any time you or I make any statement about “the gays” or “those people” we are likely speaking about people who are in the room with us. Speak with consequent care. People get their backs up when their loved ones are spoken of carelessly or contemptuously.</p>
<p>3) Make a commitment never to accept derogatory speech or any form of bullying or mistreatment of LGBT people in your presence, no more than you would allow people to use the “n” word in your presence. If you are a parent or youth pastor, never allow kids to throw around terms like “gay” or “queer” as slurs. If you are a college student or teenager, never accept bullying or slurs without challenge. If your pastor says hurtful things from the pulpit, ask him or her to stop, and explain why. This commitment calls for courage, including a readiness to endure attacks on yourself for standing up for gay people.&#160;</p>
<p>4) Help parents respond in constructive ways when their children come out as gay or lesbian or express questions about their sexuality. Make your church a context where parents know that the right response to their teenagers is never to reject them as human beings, never to throw them out. Did you know there are parents who tell their gay kids they wish those kids had never been born? Parents who refuse to acknowledge the existence of a child who comes out as gay? Please: never, ever again! Read the materials available on websites like the Family Acceptance Project. And if you know a teenager or young adult who has been rejected by their family because they are gay or lesbian, offer that child Christian love and hospitality.</p>
<p>5) Get to know gay Christians (or ex-Christians) if you get the chance. Listen to their stories with a teachable spirit.</p>
<p>6) Become an advocate for the welcome of LGBT Christians in your congregation to the maximal point theologically possible in your setting. Ask for some clarity from your church leaders. End avoidism.</p>
<p>7) Even if you oppose civil gay marriage, consider public policy steps you can support. Perhaps you can get behind anti-bullying curriculum in schools, or laws that classify physical attacks on gays as a hate crime. Perhaps you can support employment non-discrimination laws with appropriate exemptions for religious employers. (It remains legal in 29 states to fire an employee because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.) Perhaps you can oppose often demagogic legislation related to what the curriculum in public schools says about gay and lesbian people. Whatever you decide that you can support, do so publicly. This sets a good example for others, and helps observers see that being Christian does not equal being anti-gay.</p>
<p>If this is where you get off the bus, please go with a new sense of resolve to love and serve LGBT people and to make your family, friendship group, and church a safe and loving place for everyone—and to resist the easier path of silence or indifference.</p>
<p>If you are willing to engage the issue further, read on in future weeks as I tackle the normative dispute over same-sex relationships and the Bible.</p>
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david gushee follow david dpgushee clear lgbt issue means one issue complexity requires sufficiently complex response careful readers see approach columns far try identify areas rather broad christian agreement hope brought vast majority readers following claims generally identified forks road none directly related traditionalistrevisionist normative argument impinge upon 1 whether rightly lgbt issue become hottest hotbutton issues generation ultimately avoidism proves insufficient everyone figure think 2 historic christian understandings sexuality reconsidered due evidence offered lives fit historic heterosexual norm together associated research mental health efforts 3 several recent studies160for us suggest lesbian gay bisexual transgender population ranging from160 34160to 1605 160human sexual orientation diversity fact 4 admitted failure exgay movement destroyed plausibility sexualorientationchange efforts whatever pastoral approach church takes discredited damaging one 5 traditionalist christians come long way since 1970s rejecting criminalization discrimination derogatory speech bullying violence stigmatization dehumanization gay people good news 6 traditionalist voices still dispute willing acknowledge lgbt community contains sizable population professing christians160celibate gay christianssometimes called side b christiansare actually featured much contemporary traditionalist literature 7 churches least four options welcoming gay seekers christians involve rejection heterosexualonly sexual ethics ask questions option judge option dialogue amp discernmentdisputable matter option pastoral accommodation option implicate far broader questions ecclesiology means church member whether churches practice form used called church discipline160 lgbt issue surfaces create broader ecclesial issue grateful feedback conservative christian readers suggesting least many stayed point journey may large number readers perhaps especially traditionalists want get bus point ask think bit implications agreed far think leaves youall us reallywith bit homework still needs done 1 read narratives lgbt people well reputable work contemporary psychology inform interactions population ways speak issues previous columns linked considerable literature dive become betterinformed160 2 become aware room twenty people likelihood least one lgbt orientation andor identity add friends family members others fiercely love lgbt people time make statement gays people likely speaking people room us speak consequent care people get backs loved ones spoken carelessly contemptuously 3 make commitment never accept derogatory speech form bullying mistreatment lgbt people presence would allow people use n word presence parent youth pastor never allow kids throw around terms like gay queer slurs college student teenager never accept bullying slurs without challenge pastor says hurtful things pulpit ask stop explain commitment calls courage including readiness endure attacks standing gay people160 4 help parents respond constructive ways children come gay lesbian express questions sexuality make church context parents know right response teenagers never reject human beings never throw know parents tell gay kids wish kids never born parents refuse acknowledge existence child comes gay please never ever read materials available websites like family acceptance project know teenager young adult rejected family gay lesbian offer child christian love hospitality 5 get know gay christians exchristians get chance listen stories teachable spirit 6 become advocate welcome lgbt christians congregation maximal point theologically possible setting ask clarity church leaders end avoidism 7 even oppose civil gay marriage consider public policy steps support perhaps get behind antibullying curriculum schools laws classify physical attacks gays hate crime perhaps support employment nondiscrimination laws appropriate exemptions religious employers remains legal 29 states fire employee sexual orientation gender identity perhaps oppose often demagogic legislation related curriculum public schools says gay lesbian people whatever decide support publicly sets good example others helps observers see christian equal antigay get bus please go new sense resolve love serve lgbt people make family friendship group church safe loving place everyoneand resist easier path silence indifference willing engage issue read future weeks tackle normative dispute samesex relationships bible
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<p>Does your congregation exhibit kingdom of God characteristics?</p>
<p>An oft-repeated television commercial captured my attention the other day. I watched people use a ribbon to see how far their money would stretch into retirement. Finally, one lady, surprised by how quickly her funds disappear, says, “I’m gonna have to rethink this thing!”</p>
<p>I wonder how many of us in local congregations think about the state of the church and mutter, “We’re gonna have to rethink this thing.” Thinking “outside the box” when you live “inside the box” is difficult. Standard operating procedures are comfortable. Doing church in patterned ways helps people know what to expect. Asking hard questions and challenging current practices and cultural expectations require serious, time-consuming reflection.</p>
<p>I’m reading a thoughtful book Dirty Word—The Vulgar, Offensive Language of the Kingdom of God by Presbyterian pastor Jim Walker. Throughout the book Walker shows great capacity to rethink this whole church thing. Walker affirms three kingdom of God characteristics: authenticity, intimacy, and tightly-knit relationships. Unfortunately, Walker’s congregational experience reveals churches often display the opposite—superficiality, isolation, and individualism—much like our culture does.</p>
<p>To expand upon his understanding that kingdom of God and church are not the same, Walker provides this insightful chart:</p>
<p>Kingdom of God&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; “Church”</p>
<p>Authenticity &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;Superficiality</p>
<p>Assurance &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;Fear</p>
<p>Belonging &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;Rejection</p>
<p>Meaning/compassion &#160; &#160; &#160; Luxury</p>
<p>Intimacy &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; Isolation</p>
<p>Tightly-knit relationships &#160; Individualism</p>
<p>We &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;Me</p>
<p>Communion with God &#160; &#160; &#160; Religion</p>
<p>Sharing in community &#160; &#160; &#160; Advancing politics</p>
<p>Heart for the suffering/poor &#160; &#160;The idol of “big, bigger, biggest”</p>
<p>The Word of God &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;Cultural values of beauty, fame, and wealth</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Walker’s list prompts me to ask: Is the “kingdom of God” list accurate for God’s expectations of Christ-followers? Is the “church” list a fair representation of what is happening in congregational life today?</p>
<p>Many are confused about the meaning of the kingdom of God. According to the Gospel writers, “kingdom of God” was the central theme of Jesus’ ministry and teaching, so it is important for us to understand the concept. Literally, the “kingdom of God” means God is king.</p>
<p>N.T. Wright in How God Became King provides additional insight. He says the story of Jesus is told in a way that reveals the tension between God’s kingdom and Caesar’s kingdom. Jesus knew this competition for loyalty would play out in the life and witness of his followers. Wright says, “Caesar’s kingdom will do what Caesar’s kingdom always does, but this time [in Jesus] God’s kingdom will win the decisive victory…Jesus explains that his kingdom is not the sort that grows in this world. His kingdom is certainly for this world, but it isn’t from it. It comes from God…The difference between the kingdoms is striking. Caesar’s kingdom (and all other kingdoms that originate in this world) make their way by fighting. But Jesus’ kingdom—God’s kingdom enacted through Jesus—makes its way with quite a different weapon: telling the truth (see John 18:37-38).” Wright also notes, “All is to be done within the bounds of God’s kingdom. It cannot be otherwise. That kingdom is universal, all-present, and all-powerful.” Earthly power will vie for our loyalty and attention, but the kingdom of God is the ideal toward which Christ-followers strive.</p>
<p>A thorough study of Jesus’ life and ministry reveals Christ embodied the “kingdom of God” list. Jesus was known for the quality and quantity of time he spent with the disciples, his compassion for the needy and oppressed, his challenge of the corrupt religious establishment, and his focus on what is ultimately important in life. In fact, Jesus said, “But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33 NRSV). I think Walker’s list accurately reflects Jesus’ expectations.</p>
<p>Is the “church” list an accurate description of current reality in congregations today? My experience as a staff minister and congregational coach confirms many of the words under “Church” ring true. I love the church, am a student of the church and have committed my life to service through the church, but honest, often difficult, reflection reveals expectations for God’s kingdom can be hijacked by what is culturally acceptable. The prophetic demands of God’s kingdom are suppressed or outrightly ignored because they collide with prevailing thought in our politically charged world. Here are quotes I’ve heard:</p>
<p>These words help us recognize the huge gap between theory (belief) and practice as revealed by the chart. How do we know if our “church” is more congruent with the “kingdom of God” or the “church” list? An illustration may help you evaluate your context.</p>
<p>Many churches overtly welcome everyone. The words are used in promotional materials and often on church signs. One place where “truth in advertising” gets put to the test is Wednesday night suppers. Churches frequently offer free dinner for first-time guests to encourage them to participate. However, when new folks show up, they bump into the “church” list: they are excluded from table fellowship, sometimes they are shunned or ignored, members failed to go out of their way to make a place at their table. Many times only staff ministers extended hospitality to the guests. A safe place for guests failed to deliver because of “fear of the stranger” or “isolation within pre-set groupings of people.”</p>
<p>The gap between the “kingdom of God” and “church” list is real, and as followers of Jesus, we cannot ignore the discrepancy between God’s expectation and congregational practice. This disconnect keeps the church from building authentic community, expressing spiritual vitality, and achieving desired kingdom impact.</p>
<p>As a congregational coach, my objective is not to provide prescriptive answers for your congregation. Your church must take its own journey to discover what it means to be faithful to God’s call. Holy Spirit uses myriad experiences to awaken the consciousness of Christ-followers and congregations. My hope and prayer is Holy Spirit will supply the courage needed to initiate honest conversation and the commitment required to bridge the gap between “kingdom of God” expectations and “church” expectations. How that happens will look different in each congregation.</p>
<p>I end with these reflection questions: What will lead members of your congregation to rethink current practices in light of kingdom expectations? What can you do to awaken consciousness about kingdom priorities—authenticity, intimacy, and tight-knit relationships? Aren’t those the exact qualities of community the “nones” (those who claim no religious affiliation) and “dones” (once dedicated congregants who have given up on church) seek and often fail to find at church? Wrestling with these questions is not easy but can lead to personal and congregational transformation. Don’t you think it is time to rethink this church thing?</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
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congregation exhibit kingdom god characteristics oftrepeated television commercial captured attention day watched people use ribbon see far money would stretch retirement finally one lady surprised quickly funds disappear says im gon na rethink thing wonder many us local congregations think state church mutter gon na rethink thing thinking outside box live inside box difficult standard operating procedures comfortable church patterned ways helps people know expect asking hard questions challenging current practices cultural expectations require serious timeconsuming reflection im reading thoughtful book dirty wordthe vulgar offensive language kingdom god presbyterian pastor jim walker throughout book walker shows great capacity rethink whole church thing walker affirms three kingdom god characteristics authenticity intimacy tightlyknit relationships unfortunately walkers congregational experience reveals churches often display oppositesuperficiality isolation individualismmuch like culture expand upon understanding kingdom god church walker provides insightful chart kingdom god160160160160160160160160160160160 church authenticity 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160superficiality assurance 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160fear belonging 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160rejection meaningcompassion 160 160 160 luxury intimacy 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 isolation tightlyknit relationships 160 individualism 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160me communion god 160 160 160 religion sharing community 160 160 160 advancing politics heart sufferingpoor 160 160the idol big bigger biggest word god 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160cultural values beauty fame wealth 160 walkers list prompts ask kingdom god list accurate gods expectations christfollowers church list fair representation happening congregational life today many confused meaning kingdom god according gospel writers kingdom god central theme jesus ministry teaching important us understand concept literally kingdom god means god king nt wright god became king provides additional insight says story jesus told way reveals tension gods kingdom caesars kingdom jesus knew competition loyalty would play life witness followers wright says caesars kingdom caesars kingdom always time jesus gods kingdom win decisive victoryjesus explains kingdom sort grows world kingdom certainly world isnt comes godthe difference kingdoms striking caesars kingdom kingdoms originate world make way fighting jesus kingdomgods kingdom enacted jesusmakes way quite different weapon telling truth see john 183738 wright also notes done within bounds gods kingdom otherwise kingdom universal allpresent allpowerful earthly power vie loyalty attention kingdom god ideal toward christfollowers strive thorough study jesus life ministry reveals christ embodied kingdom god list jesus known quality quantity time spent disciples compassion needy oppressed challenge corrupt religious establishment focus ultimately important life fact jesus said strive first kingdom god righteousness things given well matthew 633 nrsv think walkers list accurately reflects jesus expectations church list accurate description current reality congregations today experience staff minister congregational coach confirms many words church ring true love church student church committed life service church honest often difficult reflection reveals expectations gods kingdom hijacked culturally acceptable prophetic demands gods kingdom suppressed outrightly ignored collide prevailing thought politically charged world quotes ive heard words help us recognize huge gap theory belief practice revealed chart know church congruent kingdom god church list illustration may help evaluate context many churches overtly welcome everyone words used promotional materials often church signs one place truth advertising gets put test wednesday night suppers churches frequently offer free dinner firsttime guests encourage participate however new folks show bump church list excluded table fellowship sometimes shunned ignored members failed go way make place table many times staff ministers extended hospitality guests safe place guests failed deliver fear stranger isolation within preset groupings people gap kingdom god church list real followers jesus ignore discrepancy gods expectation congregational practice disconnect keeps church building authentic community expressing spiritual vitality achieving desired kingdom impact congregational coach objective provide prescriptive answers congregation church must take journey discover means faithful gods call holy spirit uses myriad experiences awaken consciousness christfollowers congregations hope prayer holy spirit supply courage needed initiate honest conversation commitment required bridge gap kingdom god expectations church expectations happens look different congregation end reflection questions lead members congregation rethink current practices light kingdom expectations awaken consciousness kingdom prioritiesauthenticity intimacy tightknit relationships arent exact qualities community nones claim religious affiliation dones dedicated congregants given church seek often fail find church wrestling questions easy lead personal congregational transformation dont think time rethink church thing 160
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<p>Latino lawmakers may have ended the year proclaiming support for Gov. Rod Blagojevich, but their patience is wearing thin.</p>
<p>Blagojevich reaped political benefits from Latinos throughout 2002, edging out his rivals in the hard-fought March primary with overwhelming support from Latino neighborhoods. So the following spring, legislators from those districts felt confident about a deal struck with the new governor to increase funding for cherished programs on homelessness, immigrant health care and citizenship classes.</p>
<p>During the summer, however, he turned around and sliced some of that money out to help cure a $5 billion budget deficit. The move shocked many community leaders. “There was a high level of frustration,” said Juanita Irizarry, executive director of Latinos United, a Chicago nonprofit advocate for affordable housing. “We did a lot to elect this governor.”</p>
<p>So did members of the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus. Like many Democratic legislators during Blagojevich’s first year in office, caucus members felt blindsided by their party’s first governor in 30 years. They thought a verbal agreement with the governor’s staff was enough, said state Sen. Miguel del Valle, a Democrat from the city’s Northwest Side. It wasn’t.</p>
<p>Politicians should not have expected business as usual, said Abby Ottenhoff, press secretary for the governor. “A lot of lawmakers are used to the way things were done by the former administration, which did include a lot of inside meetings,” she said. And she did not apologize for any misunderstanding. “There were never any specific promises made about specific [dollar] amounts,” she added.</p>
<p>But Blagojevich’s mandate to balance the budget and change the culture in Springfield has collided with the expectations of a community exercising its growing political power. Latinos gained five seats in the General Assembly last year, after the population grew 69 percent statewide in the previous decade.</p>
<p>Immigrants accounted for more than half of that growth, and politicians are being forced to respond to them and the advocacy organizations calling attention to their population’s issues, said Sylvia Puente, director of the Metropolitan Chicago Initiative of the University of Notre Dame’s Institute for Latino Studies.</p>
<p>Del Valle cautions the governor that the Latino caucus now has 13 members, including four senators–a powerful force, with the Senate now divided 32-26-1 in favor of the Democrats. “Four votes are crucial votes,” he said.</p>
<p>African American and white ethnic voters, who also backed Blagojevich, can claim the new governor owes them a few favors. But their support came relatively late, after former Illinois Attorney General Roland W. Burris and former Chicago schools chief Paul G. Vallas were defeated in the spring primary. Seven percent of voters in mostly black wards backed Blagojevich then, along with 40 percent of those in white wards. Latinos, however, gave him 60 percent of their votes during the primary, thanks in part to the early backing of U.S. Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez. Blagojevich, after all, emphasized repeatedly in his campaign that he is the son of immigrants. But the high hopes many had were quickly shaken.</p>
<p>Shortly after the governor’s spending cuts were announced in July, del Valle, state Rep. Edward J. Acevedo, a Democrat from the Pilsen neighborhood, and the other members of the caucus held a press conference denouncing the action. The event, caucus members contend, worsened relations with the governor’s office. “I’ve waited 16 years in the General Assembly to work with a Democratic governor,” del Valle said, “but he can’t be successful if he doesn’t work with us.”</p>
<p>House Speaker Michael J. Madigan, a Southwest Side Democrat who chairs the party statewide, said he will not blame this year’s rash of infighting between the executive and legislative branches on the governor directly, but that “the politics of Rod Blagojevich” appear more focused on “getting a good news report” for the administration than on addressing some of the communications problems. But he said he also has no plans to press the issue. “I’m just not going to get into it with the guy,” he said. “I won’t be his target.”</p>
<p />
<p>Amid the controversies, Blagojevich has achieved some significant victories. Even some critics admit, for instance, that he provided key leadership in successful efforts to increase the minimum wage to $6.50 an hour by Jan. 1, 2005.</p>
<p>He also emphasized the importance of House Bill 60, which allows non-citizens to attend state colleges and universities at the reduced price given to Illinois residents, by signing it in May at a ceremony at Benito Juarez Community Academy in Pilsen. And, for the first time since 1997, the state raised the amount of income a parent can earn and still qualify for state-subsidized day care. The move, which ensures that parents can keep their subsidies when they change jobs, will cost the state $48.4 million per year.</p>
<p>Latinos “are the youngest population in the state,” said Ric Estrada, executive director of Erie Neighborhood House, which receives state funds to provide day care, nutrition and early education to about 400 children, mostly Latinos, in the Northwest Side’s West Town neighborhood.</p>
<p>“The governor did commit to bring more dollars to early childhood development, and he’s kept his promise,” he said. “When you stand back and look at the successes,” said Ottenhoff of the governor’s office, “they far outweigh any tension that existed in the process.”</p>
<p>Not so fast, say many Latinos, who charge that Blagojevich missed some key details. Leaders such as Juan Salgado, executive director of the Institute for Latino Progress, had pressed the Latino caucus to increase funding for the citizenship classes and other immigrant services his agency provides. By June, caucus members thought Deputy Governor Bradley Tusk, with whom they negotiated, had agreed to boost funding to more than $6 million, an increase in excess of $1 million.</p>
<p>But, after the legislature approved a budget in May, Ottenhoff said, the governor’s office moved to cut some additional spending the General Assembly had added, fearful it would push the state back into the red. Blagojevich used his amendatory veto power to strip spending measures without legislative approval.</p>
<p>The governor made $220 million in cuts in July. They included $1 million for immigrant services, along with some funding for AIDS outreach in black and Latino communities, homeless services and job training. Added together, these reductions totaled about $7.5 million, del Valle said–a tiny percentage of the budget.</p>
<p>Ottenhoff reiterated that the governor’s staff did not commit to any specific dollar amounts for such services. And she countered that the only dollars cut were increases from the previous year, so the governor “basically maintained or improved a funding commitment while in the midst of a huge budget deficit.”</p>
<p>Both Latino and black lawmakers recognize the need for spending limits, but many said these particular cuts targeted the state’s most vulnerable populations. “Suburban and Downstate Latinos don’t have these services,” Salgado said.</p>
<p>According to the census, Illinois is home to more than 350,000 Latino immigrants outside Chicago, and nearly half moved here in the last decade. “We couldn’t believe that such a small amount of money that goes such a long way would get cut,” Salgado said.</p>
<p>The Latino legislators struck back during the July press conference, vowing to overturn the cuts during the fall veto session. Then, in stark contrast to Blagojevich’s staged event at Juarez High, another six bills sponsored by Latino lawmakers and passed by the legislature in the spring languished for 60 days without the governor signing them, at which point they became law automatically. Not since the early 1970s, under Gov. Dan Walker, had a governor failed to personally sign bills into law.</p>
<p>Most of the bills didn’t even address specific Latino concerns. But many members of the Latino caucus and their supporters took the inaction as pay-back for tussling with the governor. Del Valle now says he received two explanations. Blagojevich told him that someone on his staff “goofed up,” and didn’t realize the bills had reached the 60-day mark. But some press reports, citing unnamed sources in the governor’s office, pointed to the July press conference. “I have to take the governor at his word,” del Valle said.</p>
<p>Some blame Blagojevich’s team of advisors as much as the governor himself. “I couldn’t fathom why this Democratic governor would not receive a better analysis on these issues,” said state Rep. William Delgado, a Northwest Side Democrat who belongs to both the Latino and black caucuses.</p>
<p>“Any new administration that comes in has to start from scratch and figure out how things go,” Ottenhoff countered. But she maintains the cuts were necessary. “There are probably a lot of groups out there that support very good programs,” she said, but added that the governor has to think about the whole state, and balancing the budget is the top priority.</p>
<p>Chalking the controversy up to a clerical error “seemed like a weak excuse,” said Irizarry, who echoes the opinion of many advocates. At the same time, they stop short of wholly condemning the governor.</p>
<p>“You have a brand new administration that might not know what they’re doing,” said Victor Alvarez, the housing program manager for Latinos United.</p>
<p>Founded in 2002, today’s Latino caucus is a symbol of changes since 1986, when del Valle became the first Latino elected to the General Assembly.</p>
<p>The need for allies from similar neighborhoods was driven home early on. Del Valle’s 2nd Senate District lies in the heart of Chicago’s Puerto Rican neighborhood, and has pockets of high poverty.</p>
<p>When he went to Sprinfield, del Valle received letters from Latinos across the state. At first, he tried to steer many to their own representatives or senators, to no avail. “They didn’t want to hear how the state is divided up into districts,” he said, and they preferred instead to talk to someone who spoke their language. Del Valle quickly became the first non-African American member of the black caucus. There, he was able to address many of the issues that mattered to his own community. But del Valle felt that only legislators who were accountable to Latino voters would be sure to address issues such as immigration or the lack of bilingual state employees.</p>
<p>Legislative districts are redrawn every 10 years, and Republicans controlled the process after the 1990 census. As the Latino population ballooned, it remained split up into districts stretched out to include traditionally Republican voters.</p>
<p>But Democrats won a lottery to control redistricting after the 2000 census. They consolidated much of Aurora, a city about 40 miles west of Chicago, from five House districts into one, which is about 45 percent Latino and 12 percent African American. And, in 2002, Linda Chapa LaVia, a 37-year-old small-businesswoman and real estate broker, became the first Latino elected to the legislature from outside Cook County.</p>
<p>Each of the caucus members is expected to focus on one issue and become the eyes and ears for other members. Del Valle has made himself into an education expert, while state Rep. Cynthia Soto, a Northwest Side Democrat first elected in 2000, concentrates on business development. “Our peripheral vision has improved dramatically,” del Valle said.</p>
<p>But, as Latinos become a real force in state politics, their burgeoning population has also brought about a greater political diversity within the caucus. One of the members, state Rep. Frank J. Aguilar, is a Republican from west suburban Cicero. He criticizes Blagojevich for not taking enough action against crime and plans to push a bill that would label street gang members “terrorists.”</p>
<p>Chapa LaVia labels herself a “very conservative Democrat.” In the 2002 general election, her Republican opponent garnered more than 45 percent of the vote. Politically cautious, she has no plans to press the governor during the budget crisis. And Blagojevich has been attentive. Two Aurora school districts got about $5 million in extra aid this year, she said.</p>
<p>But Delgado said he has had to contend with election challenges from people who are connected to the nearby 33rd Ward, led by Blagojevich’s father-in-law, Alderman Richard F. Mell. While Delgado said Mell pledged in December to endorse him this time, he remains adamant about Blagojevich.</p>
<p>“I’ve been led astray too often by the governor’s office,” he said, slapping his office desk. Unless improvements are seen, he added, he does not “anticipate endorsing any of his programs.”</p>
<p>Del Valle, however, seems to speak for many when he claims the caucus and the governor have “patched things up.” It has not hurt that the caucus members won a few victories of their own during the fall veto session, such as restoring $500,000 for homeless services. Both del Valle and Acevedo, as caucus co-chairs, met with Blagojevich during the veto session, and del Valle said they agreed that the Illinois Department of Human Services would try and shift any extra money into immigrant services to make up for the $1 million cut. Blagojevich also promised to try and hunt down some money for a program to lower Latino dropout rates, del Valle said.</p>
<p>Blagojevich’s continued standing among Latinos also depends on how he responds to issues in the coming year. Last year, the Latino caucus pushed a measure that would allow undocumented immigrants to get driver’s licenses. Blagojevich initially raised some concerns with the legislation, but lawmakers agreed to several amendments he suggested, and they expect he will sign it if it passes this year.</p>
<p>But, if any issue is brought up again and again, it’s communication. Estrada of Erie Neighborhood House has been waiting a year for a $100,000 grant from Illinois FIRST, former Gov. George H. Ryan’s public works program, to repair structural damage. “What’s disturbing is we’re not getting any notice on the status of these grants.”</p>
<p>Ottenhoff said Ryan approved thousands of such grants, and some are undoubtedly wasteful. The governor’s office is reviewing each proposal.</p>
<p>But the past year has left caucus members wary. Del Valle said they have agreed with the governor that any future budget agreements will be put in writing. He hopes communication between the two groups improves, but warns, “I want it to get better fast; it’s already been a year.”</p>
<p>Barbara Castellán, the chief executive officer of Gads Hill Center in the Pilsen and North Lawndale neighborhoods, usually teaches English as a second language and family literacy classes. But the center relies heavily on government grants, so state budget cuts forced it to cancel the family classes. While she sympathizes with Blagojevich, she thinks he’ll have to change his style soon to satisfy his supporters.</p>
<p>“He has the community we serve at heart. But he’s on a steep learning curve,” she said. “He could dig his grave really easy.”</p>
<p>Contributing: Alysia Tate. Hiroko Abe, Kimberly A. Evans and Erin Meyer helped research this article.</p>
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latino lawmakers may ended year proclaiming support gov rod blagojevich patience wearing thin blagojevich reaped political benefits latinos throughout 2002 edging rivals hardfought march primary overwhelming support latino neighborhoods following spring legislators districts felt confident deal struck new governor increase funding cherished programs homelessness immigrant health care citizenship classes summer however turned around sliced money help cure 5 billion budget deficit move shocked many community leaders high level frustration said juanita irizarry executive director latinos united chicago nonprofit advocate affordable housing lot elect governor members illinois legislative latino caucus like many democratic legislators blagojevichs first year office caucus members felt blindsided partys first governor 30 years thought verbal agreement governors staff enough said state sen miguel del valle democrat citys northwest side wasnt politicians expected business usual said abby ottenhoff press secretary governor lot lawmakers used way things done former administration include lot inside meetings said apologize misunderstanding never specific promises made specific dollar amounts added blagojevichs mandate balance budget change culture springfield collided expectations community exercising growing political power latinos gained five seats general assembly last year population grew 69 percent statewide previous decade immigrants accounted half growth politicians forced respond advocacy organizations calling attention populations issues said sylvia puente director metropolitan chicago initiative university notre dames institute latino studies del valle cautions governor latino caucus 13 members including four senatorsa powerful force senate divided 32261 favor democrats four votes crucial votes said african american white ethnic voters also backed blagojevich claim new governor owes favors support came relatively late former illinois attorney general roland w burris former chicago schools chief paul g vallas defeated spring primary seven percent voters mostly black wards backed blagojevich along 40 percent white wards latinos however gave 60 percent votes primary thanks part early backing us rep luis v gutierrez blagojevich emphasized repeatedly campaign son immigrants high hopes many quickly shaken shortly governors spending cuts announced july del valle state rep edward j acevedo democrat pilsen neighborhood members caucus held press conference denouncing action event caucus members contend worsened relations governors office ive waited 16 years general assembly work democratic governor del valle said cant successful doesnt work us house speaker michael j madigan southwest side democrat chairs party statewide said blame years rash infighting executive legislative branches governor directly politics rod blagojevich appear focused getting good news report administration addressing communications problems said also plans press issue im going get guy said wont target amid controversies blagojevich achieved significant victories even critics admit instance provided key leadership successful efforts increase minimum wage 650 hour jan 1 2005 also emphasized importance house bill 60 allows noncitizens attend state colleges universities reduced price given illinois residents signing may ceremony benito juarez community academy pilsen first time since 1997 state raised amount income parent earn still qualify statesubsidized day care move ensures parents keep subsidies change jobs cost state 484 million per year latinos youngest population state said ric estrada executive director erie neighborhood house receives state funds provide day care nutrition early education 400 children mostly latinos northwest sides west town neighborhood governor commit bring dollars early childhood development hes kept promise said stand back look successes said ottenhoff governors office far outweigh tension existed process fast say many latinos charge blagojevich missed key details leaders juan salgado executive director institute latino progress pressed latino caucus increase funding citizenship classes immigrant services agency provides june caucus members thought deputy governor bradley tusk negotiated agreed boost funding 6 million increase excess 1 million legislature approved budget may ottenhoff said governors office moved cut additional spending general assembly added fearful would push state back red blagojevich used amendatory veto power strip spending measures without legislative approval governor made 220 million cuts july included 1 million immigrant services along funding aids outreach black latino communities homeless services job training added together reductions totaled 75 million del valle saida tiny percentage budget ottenhoff reiterated governors staff commit specific dollar amounts services countered dollars cut increases previous year governor basically maintained improved funding commitment midst huge budget deficit latino black lawmakers recognize need spending limits many said particular cuts targeted states vulnerable populations suburban downstate latinos dont services salgado said according census illinois home 350000 latino immigrants outside chicago nearly half moved last decade couldnt believe small amount money goes long way would get cut salgado said latino legislators struck back july press conference vowing overturn cuts fall veto session stark contrast blagojevichs staged event juarez high another six bills sponsored latino lawmakers passed legislature spring languished 60 days without governor signing point became law automatically since early 1970s gov dan walker governor failed personally sign bills law bills didnt even address specific latino concerns many members latino caucus supporters took inaction payback tussling governor del valle says received two explanations blagojevich told someone staff goofed didnt realize bills reached 60day mark press reports citing unnamed sources governors office pointed july press conference take governor word del valle said blame blagojevichs team advisors much governor couldnt fathom democratic governor would receive better analysis issues said state rep william delgado northwest side democrat belongs latino black caucuses new administration comes start scratch figure things go ottenhoff countered maintains cuts necessary probably lot groups support good programs said added governor think whole state balancing budget top priority chalking controversy clerical error seemed like weak excuse said irizarry echoes opinion many advocates time stop short wholly condemning governor brand new administration might know theyre said victor alvarez housing program manager latinos united founded 2002 todays latino caucus symbol changes since 1986 del valle became first latino elected general assembly need allies similar neighborhoods driven home early del valles 2nd senate district lies heart chicagos puerto rican neighborhood pockets high poverty went sprinfield del valle received letters latinos across state first tried steer many representatives senators avail didnt want hear state divided districts said preferred instead talk someone spoke language del valle quickly became first nonafrican american member black caucus able address many issues mattered community del valle felt legislators accountable latino voters would sure address issues immigration lack bilingual state employees legislative districts redrawn every 10 years republicans controlled process 1990 census latino population ballooned remained split districts stretched include traditionally republican voters democrats lottery control redistricting 2000 census consolidated much aurora city 40 miles west chicago five house districts one 45 percent latino 12 percent african american 2002 linda chapa lavia 37yearold smallbusinesswoman real estate broker became first latino elected legislature outside cook county caucus members expected focus one issue become eyes ears members del valle made education expert state rep cynthia soto northwest side democrat first elected 2000 concentrates business development peripheral vision improved dramatically del valle said latinos become real force state politics burgeoning population also brought greater political diversity within caucus one members state rep frank j aguilar republican west suburban cicero criticizes blagojevich taking enough action crime plans push bill would label street gang members terrorists chapa lavia labels conservative democrat 2002 general election republican opponent garnered 45 percent vote politically cautious plans press governor budget crisis blagojevich attentive two aurora school districts got 5 million extra aid year said delgado said contend election challenges people connected nearby 33rd ward led blagojevichs fatherinlaw alderman richard f mell delgado said mell pledged december endorse time remains adamant blagojevich ive led astray often governors office said slapping office desk unless improvements seen added anticipate endorsing programs del valle however seems speak many claims caucus governor patched things hurt caucus members victories fall veto session restoring 500000 homeless services del valle acevedo caucus cochairs met blagojevich veto session del valle said agreed illinois department human services would try shift extra money immigrant services make 1 million cut blagojevich also promised try hunt money program lower latino dropout rates del valle said blagojevichs continued standing among latinos also depends responds issues coming year last year latino caucus pushed measure would allow undocumented immigrants get drivers licenses blagojevich initially raised concerns legislation lawmakers agreed several amendments suggested expect sign passes year issue brought communication estrada erie neighborhood house waiting year 100000 grant illinois first former gov george h ryans public works program repair structural damage whats disturbing getting notice status grants ottenhoff said ryan approved thousands grants undoubtedly wasteful governors office reviewing proposal past year left caucus members wary del valle said agreed governor future budget agreements put writing hopes communication two groups improves warns want get better fast already year barbara castellán chief executive officer gads hill center pilsen north lawndale neighborhoods usually teaches english second language family literacy classes center relies heavily government grants state budget cuts forced cancel family classes sympathizes blagojevich thinks hell change style soon satisfy supporters community serve heart hes steep learning curve said could dig grave really easy contributing alysia tate hiroko abe kimberly evans erin meyer helped research article
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<p>Peter TerVeer, a former Library of Congress management analyst, claims his boss fired him because he’s gay. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>With no public notice, a gay man last December agreed to settle a potentially groundbreaking gay rights lawsuit he filed in 2012 accusing the Library of Congress of violating the U.S. Civil Rights Act of 1964 by firing him because of his sexual orientation and gender.</p>
<p>A document filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on Dec. 8, 2015, says former Library of Congress management analyst Peter TerVeer, 33, and representatives of the library agreed that TerVeer would ask the court to dismiss the case in exchange for a payment of $235,000.</p>
<p>“This payment is in full and final satisfaction of all of plaintiff’s claims in this case,” according to an 11-page Joint Stipulation of Settlement and Dismissal document, which is part of the court’s public records.</p>
<p>TerVeer and government attorneys representing the library jointly drafted the stipulation document. U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly signed the document three days later when she dismissed the case on Dec. 11.</p>
<p>Although TerVeer’s attorneys called two news conferences to announce the filing of his lawsuit in August 2012, no public announcement and no known media coverage accompanied the decision to settle the case in December.</p>
<p>“[T]his stipulation is not intended and shall not be deemed an admission by either party of the merit or lack of merit of the opposing party’s claims and defenses,” the document states.</p>
<p>“Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this stipulation does not constitute, and shall not be construed as, an admission that defendant, the agency, or any of the agency’s present or former employees or agents violated any of plaintiff’s rights or any laws or regulations, or as an admission of any contested fact alleged by plaintiff in connection with this case or otherwise,” it says.</p>
<p>TerVeer charged in his lawsuit that his supervisor, John Mech, subjected him to a hostile work environment after discovering he was gay by, among other things, repeatedly quoting biblical passages condemning homosexuality during work related office conversations.</p>
<p>The lawsuit says library officials denied TerVeer’s repeated requests to be transferred to another assignment in an office not under Mech’s supervision. It says Mech, meanwhile, gave him work assignments he knew TerVeer wasn’t trained for in a thinly veiled effort to set him up to fail and receive negative performance reviews.</p>
<p>The stress caused by the hostile work environment prompted TerVeer’s doctor to advise him to take an extended medical leave, the lawsuit says. It says that although library officials agreed to his request for disability leave he was fired after his leave time expired and he did not return to work.</p>
<p>The lawsuit called for the Library of Congress to reinstate TerVeer to his job, provide him with back pay, compensatory and punitive damages for is emotional distress, and an order prohibiting Mech from harassing and discriminating against him.</p>
<p>A Library of Congress spokesperson declined to comment on the lawsuit’s allegations at the time it was filed, saying the library never discusses internal personnel matters or matters under litigation.</p>
<p>Gay rights attorneys considered the case important because a ruling affirming that anti-gay employment discrimination is a form of sex discrimination and is covered under the famed 1964 Civil Rights Act, as TerVeer maintained in his lawsuit, could potentially lead to full employment non-discrimination protection for lesbians and gay men nationwide.</p>
<p>The case received national attention in April 2014 when Kollar-Kotelly denied a motion to dismiss the case filed by the Office of the U.S. Attorney for D.C., which represented the Library of Congress. The motion asserted that TerVeer failed to show he has legal standing to pursue his claim that he’s covered under the 1964 Civil Rights Act on grounds that he was subjected to illegal sex discrimination based on gender stereotyping as a gay man.</p>
<p>Jon Davidson, national legal director of the LGBT litigation group Lambda Legal, which filed a friend of the court brief in support of TerVeer’s lawsuit, said the settlement eliminates any chance of an appeals court setting a legal precedent in the case confirming that the 1964 Civil Rights Act covers gays and lesbians.</p>
<p>However, Davidson said at least five other pending cases with which Lambda Legal is involved could bring about the same result.</p>
<p>“All of these cases also present the issue of sexual orientation based employment discrimination as a form of sex discrimination barred by Title VII,” he said in referring to a clause in the 1964 Civil Rights Act.</p>
<p>“We understand that private parties may settle a case for many reasons, including not wanting to expend further resources on it or further delay a recovery,” Davidson told the Washington Blade on Sunday.</p>
<p>“We have no specific information about the settlement and no comment other than to thank Mr. TerVeer and his counsel for having filed the case, which resulted in a positive district court decision in 2014 finding that Mr. TerVeer sufficiently alleged cognizable sex discrimination under title VII to be entitled to proceed with his lawsuit,” said Davidson.</p>
<p>The settlement came 15 months after the two sides entered into court supervised mediation for a possible settlement in September 2014. The court docket shows that on Nov. 21, 2014, — three weeks after the mediation negotiations were scheduled to end — the lawsuit’s information gathering process known as discovery resumed, indicating that no settlement was reached and the case was moving forward to trial.</p>
<p>William Miller, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, said the government’s decision to pay TerVeer $235,000 is not an acknowledgement that the Library of Congress acted improperly in firing TerVeer. He pointed to the stipulation agreement’s assertion that the settlement was “entered into to resolve the matter and avoid the risks and burdens of continued litigation.”</p>
<p>Miller said the U.S. Attorney’s Office follows a longstanding federal regulation on open judicial proceedings.</p>
<p>“Most settlements involving the federal government are publicly available, pursuant to this regulation, which we adhere to,” he said.</p>
<p>Christopher Brown of the D.C. law firm Ackerman-Brown, who was part of the legal team representing TerVeer, couldn’t immediately be reached for comment on the ultimate decision to settle the case and why the settlement terms were made public.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Christopher Brown</a> <a href="" type="internal">Colleen Kollar-Kotelly</a> <a href="" type="internal">D.C.</a> <a href="" type="internal">gay</a> <a href="" type="internal">John Mech</a> <a href="" type="internal">Jon Davidson</a> <a href="" type="internal">Lambda Legal</a> <a href="" type="internal">Library of Congress</a> <a href="" type="internal">Peter TerVeer</a> <a href="" type="internal">William Miller</a></p>
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peter terveer former library congress management analyst claims boss fired hes gay washington blade file photo michael key public notice gay man last december agreed settle potentially groundbreaking gay rights lawsuit filed 2012 accusing library congress violating us civil rights act 1964 firing sexual orientation gender document filed us district court district columbia dec 8 2015 says former library congress management analyst peter terveer 33 representatives library agreed terveer would ask court dismiss case exchange payment 235000 payment full final satisfaction plaintiffs claims case according 11page joint stipulation settlement dismissal document part courts public records terveer government attorneys representing library jointly drafted stipulation document us district court judge colleen kollarkotelly signed document three days later dismissed case dec 11 although terveers attorneys called two news conferences announce filing lawsuit august 2012 public announcement known media coverage accompanied decision settle case december stipulation intended shall deemed admission either party merit lack merit opposing partys claims defenses document states without limiting generality foregoing stipulation constitute shall construed admission defendant agency agencys present former employees agents violated plaintiffs rights laws regulations admission contested fact alleged plaintiff connection case otherwise says terveer charged lawsuit supervisor john mech subjected hostile work environment discovering gay among things repeatedly quoting biblical passages condemning homosexuality work related office conversations lawsuit says library officials denied terveers repeated requests transferred another assignment office mechs supervision says mech meanwhile gave work assignments knew terveer wasnt trained thinly veiled effort set fail receive negative performance reviews stress caused hostile work environment prompted terveers doctor advise take extended medical leave lawsuit says says although library officials agreed request disability leave fired leave time expired return work lawsuit called library congress reinstate terveer job provide back pay compensatory punitive damages emotional distress order prohibiting mech harassing discriminating library congress spokesperson declined comment lawsuits allegations time filed saying library never discusses internal personnel matters matters litigation gay rights attorneys considered case important ruling affirming antigay employment discrimination form sex discrimination covered famed 1964 civil rights act terveer maintained lawsuit could potentially lead full employment nondiscrimination protection lesbians gay men nationwide case received national attention april 2014 kollarkotelly denied motion dismiss case filed office us attorney dc represented library congress motion asserted terveer failed show legal standing pursue claim hes covered 1964 civil rights act grounds subjected illegal sex discrimination based gender stereotyping gay man jon davidson national legal director lgbt litigation group lambda legal filed friend court brief support terveers lawsuit said settlement eliminates chance appeals court setting legal precedent case confirming 1964 civil rights act covers gays lesbians however davidson said least five pending cases lambda legal involved could bring result cases also present issue sexual orientation based employment discrimination form sex discrimination barred title vii said referring clause 1964 civil rights act understand private parties may settle case many reasons including wanting expend resources delay recovery davidson told washington blade sunday specific information settlement comment thank mr terveer counsel filed case resulted positive district court decision 2014 finding mr terveer sufficiently alleged cognizable sex discrimination title vii entitled proceed lawsuit said davidson settlement came 15 months two sides entered court supervised mediation possible settlement september 2014 court docket shows nov 21 2014 three weeks mediation negotiations scheduled end lawsuits information gathering process known discovery resumed indicating settlement reached case moving forward trial william miller spokesperson us attorneys office said governments decision pay terveer 235000 acknowledgement library congress acted improperly firing terveer pointed stipulation agreements assertion settlement entered resolve matter avoid risks burdens continued litigation miller said us attorneys office follows longstanding federal regulation open judicial proceedings settlements involving federal government publicly available pursuant regulation adhere said christopher brown dc law firm ackermanbrown part legal team representing terveer couldnt immediately reached comment ultimate decision settle case settlement terms made public christopher brown colleen kollarkotelly dc gay john mech jon davidson lambda legal library congress peter terveer william miller
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<p>Modern Nigeria emerged through the merging of two British colonial territories in 1914. The amalgamation was an act of colonial convenience. It occurred mainly because British colonizers desired a contiguous colonial territory stretching from the arid Sahel to the Atlantic Coast, and because Northern Nigeria, one of the merging units, was not paying its way while Southern Nigeria, the other British colony, generated revenue in excess of its administrative expenses.</p>
<p>It made practical administrative sense to have one coherent British colony rather than two. It also made sense to merge a revenue-challenged colonial territory with a prosperous colonial neighbor, so the latter can subsidize the former.</p>
<p>The amalgamation made little sense otherwise and has often been invoked by Nigerians as the foundation of the rancorous relationship between the two regions of Nigeria. Northern Nigeria, now broken into several states and three geopolitical blocs, is largely Muslim. It was the center of a precolonial Islamic empire called the Sokoto Caliphate, and its Muslim populations, especially those whose ancestors had been part of the caliphate, generally look to the Middle East and the wider Muslim world for solidarity and sociopolitical example. The South, an ethnically diverse region containing many states and three geopolitical units, is largely Christian. The major sociopolitical influences there are Western and traditional African.</p>
<p>These differences have been a source of political disagreements and suspicions between the two regions since colonial times.</p>
<p>To add to this cauldron, each of the two regions contains ethnic and religious minorities who harbor grievances against ethnic and religious majorities they see as hegemonic oppressors. These grievances are sometimes expressed through bitter political complaints, through sectarian crises stoked by political elites and incendiary media rhetoric, and through violent insurgencies.</p>
<p>Between 1947 and 1959 Nigerian nationalist leaders from different regional, ethnic, and religious communities came together in a series of conferences and parliaments to negotiate the transition to self-rule and to map out a common future. During these interactions and in the first few years after independence in 1960, the jarring effects of arbitrary colonial unification manifested as seemingly irreconcilable differences of aspirations, priorities, and visions. So deep were these religious and ethnic antagonisms that one Northern Nigerian Muslim nationalist leader declared Nigeria “the mistake of 1914” while a prominent Southern Nigerian Christian nationalist figure called Nigeria “a mere geographic expression.”</p>
<p>In Nigeria’s national politics, Christian anxieties about Muslim domination of the national political space and the accompanying fear that politically dominant Muslims would use their privileged perch to Islamize national institutions and impose Islamic Sharia law on non-Muslims date back to colonial times. Muslims, especially those from Northern Nigeria, for their part, have sought to fend off what they regard as unbridled Westernization and have sporadically sought refuge in parochial religious reforms.</p>
<p>Mismanagement of national resources and misrule by multi-ethnic and multi-religious coalitions of successive rulers since independence have impoverished and denied opportunities to the majority of Nigerians. As a result, religious rhetoric blaming members of other religious communities and proposals for religious reform as a solution to society’s ills have found purchase among the masses.&#160;This genuine, if misplaced, quest for a religious utopia has given some opportunistic political gladiators an excuse to curry legitimacy through politicized appeals to piety and religious fervor.</p>
<p>The desperate advancement of religious solutions to socioeconomic and political problems has deepened social fissures and spawned extremist and violent insurgencies such as the ongoing Boko Haram Islamist terrorist campaign, which has killed and maimed Christians and Muslims alike.</p>
<p>The adoption of the Sharia criminal legal system by a slew of Northern Nigerian Muslim-majority states between 2000 and 2002 was the highpoint of this new politicization of religion. Once Sharia was introduced, it only added to the fear of Christians that they would be persecuted and their freedoms, guaranteed in the Nigerian constitution, curtailed. Christian communities in the affected states protested, their protests stoked by the rhetoric of Christian politicians and leaders. Clashes between Christian and Muslim communities with a history of peaceful cohabitation followed, in which thousands of people were killed, property destroyed, and hundreds of thousands displaced.</p>
<p>Sharia had been a sticking point in Nigerian politics for decades. In 1978 when many Northern Nigerian Muslim delegates to a constitutional conference sought to extend Sharia beyond the realm of family law, Christian delegates protested, and the Sharia debate almost tore the conference apart. A compromise allowed states with majority or significant Muslim populations to set up Islamic courts but Sharia’s application was restricted to inheritance and family law.</p>
<p>Subsequently, religion became a major topic of national political debates, with each religious community pushing increasingly adversarial agendas. In Northern Nigeria, clashes between Muslim groups—mainly ethnic Hausa and Fulani—and Christian and traditionalist communities have become a monthly affair, with devastating consequences. In this charged environment where religion functions as the primary idiom of political identity, conflicts over resources, cattle, land, and political offices have often taken on a religious coloration, with Muslims pitted against Christians.</p>
<p>Christian ethnic groups in Southern Nigeria have been drawn into these religious conflicts, with their members in Northern Nigerian cities frequently targeted by Muslim mobs. Muslim Northern Nigerians have sometimes been targeted in revenge killings in Southern Nigeria.</p>
<p>Colonialism did not cause the primordial conditions and identities that have generated tensions and conflicts between Christians and Muslims, but it made them worse. The British colonial policy of Indirect Rule, a divide-and-rule system that required sharp ethno-religious differentiation among Nigerians, made religion and ethnicity the preeminent markers of identity and pushed exclusionary identity politics into the political arena. As a result, in Northern Nigeria, minority ethnic groups, mostly Christians, defined and still define themselves against the Muslim Hausa-Fulani majority, under the political rubric of Middle Belt, which is usually a stand-in for “non-Muslim.”</p>
<p>Since colonization established the basis for using identity politics as a means of accessing political and economic resources, religious differences have exacerbated political crises and have been implicated in major national conflicts such as the Nigerian civil war (1967-70), in which the Biafran separatist movement initiated by the predominantly Christian Igbo people was crushed by a Federal Nigeria which used pogroms, blockades, and starvation to exact victory. Religious animosities only grew from that tragic episode of Nigerian history.</p>
<p>Since independence, religious and ethnic rhetoric has leveraged claims to political representation and opportunities. This is bad enough and often degenerates into fierce zero-sum conflicts. Corruption and incompetent leadership have added another wrinkle, preventing the equitable distribution of resources and opportunities and making the politics of religious and ethnic exclusivity more appealing.</p>
<p>Official graft needs to be tackled headlong. A new constitution that defines rights and privileges of citizenship in terms of residency rather than nativism, ancestry, and religion needs to be crafted. This new constitution needs to devolve power over resource distribution and development from an all-powerful central government to local constituencies.</p>
<p>This will ensure economic justice and equity. It will make central political power less attractive and less corrupt and contests over national political offices less contentious. The use of religious and ethnic appeals as tools of political mobilization will become less attractive and find a diminished reception in a climate of justice, equitable resource distribution, and equal opportunities for all.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Dr. Ochonu is Professor of African History at Vanderbilt University and is the author of "Colonialism By Proxy: Hausa Imperial Agents and Middle Belt Consciousness in Nigeria" (2014). &#160;</p>
<p>This story is presented by <a href="http://thegroundtruthproject.org/" type="external">The GroundTruth Project.</a></p>
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modern nigeria emerged merging two british colonial territories 1914 amalgamation act colonial convenience occurred mainly british colonizers desired contiguous colonial territory stretching arid sahel atlantic coast northern nigeria one merging units paying way southern nigeria british colony generated revenue excess administrative expenses made practical administrative sense one coherent british colony rather two also made sense merge revenuechallenged colonial territory prosperous colonial neighbor latter subsidize former amalgamation made little sense otherwise often invoked nigerians foundation rancorous relationship two regions nigeria northern nigeria broken several states three geopolitical blocs largely muslim center precolonial islamic empire called sokoto caliphate muslim populations especially whose ancestors part caliphate generally look middle east wider muslim world solidarity sociopolitical example south ethnically diverse region containing many states three geopolitical units largely christian major sociopolitical influences western traditional african differences source political disagreements suspicions two regions since colonial times add cauldron two regions contains ethnic religious minorities harbor grievances ethnic religious majorities see hegemonic oppressors grievances sometimes expressed bitter political complaints sectarian crises stoked political elites incendiary media rhetoric violent insurgencies 1947 1959 nigerian nationalist leaders different regional ethnic religious communities came together series conferences parliaments negotiate transition selfrule map common future interactions first years independence 1960 jarring effects arbitrary colonial unification manifested seemingly irreconcilable differences aspirations priorities visions deep religious ethnic antagonisms one northern nigerian muslim nationalist leader declared nigeria mistake 1914 prominent southern nigerian christian nationalist figure called nigeria mere geographic expression nigerias national politics christian anxieties muslim domination national political space accompanying fear politically dominant muslims would use privileged perch islamize national institutions impose islamic sharia law nonmuslims date back colonial times muslims especially northern nigeria part sought fend regard unbridled westernization sporadically sought refuge parochial religious reforms mismanagement national resources misrule multiethnic multireligious coalitions successive rulers since independence impoverished denied opportunities majority nigerians result religious rhetoric blaming members religious communities proposals religious reform solution societys ills found purchase among masses160this genuine misplaced quest religious utopia given opportunistic political gladiators excuse curry legitimacy politicized appeals piety religious fervor desperate advancement religious solutions socioeconomic political problems deepened social fissures spawned extremist violent insurgencies ongoing boko haram islamist terrorist campaign killed maimed christians muslims alike adoption sharia criminal legal system slew northern nigerian muslimmajority states 2000 2002 highpoint new politicization religion sharia introduced added fear christians would persecuted freedoms guaranteed nigerian constitution curtailed christian communities affected states protested protests stoked rhetoric christian politicians leaders clashes christian muslim communities history peaceful cohabitation followed thousands people killed property destroyed hundreds thousands displaced sharia sticking point nigerian politics decades 1978 many northern nigerian muslim delegates constitutional conference sought extend sharia beyond realm family law christian delegates protested sharia debate almost tore conference apart compromise allowed states majority significant muslim populations set islamic courts sharias application restricted inheritance family law subsequently religion became major topic national political debates religious community pushing increasingly adversarial agendas northern nigeria clashes muslim groupsmainly ethnic hausa fulaniand christian traditionalist communities become monthly affair devastating consequences charged environment religion functions primary idiom political identity conflicts resources cattle land political offices often taken religious coloration muslims pitted christians christian ethnic groups southern nigeria drawn religious conflicts members northern nigerian cities frequently targeted muslim mobs muslim northern nigerians sometimes targeted revenge killings southern nigeria colonialism cause primordial conditions identities generated tensions conflicts christians muslims made worse british colonial policy indirect rule divideandrule system required sharp ethnoreligious differentiation among nigerians made religion ethnicity preeminent markers identity pushed exclusionary identity politics political arena result northern nigeria minority ethnic groups mostly christians defined still define muslim hausafulani majority political rubric middle belt usually standin nonmuslim since colonization established basis using identity politics means accessing political economic resources religious differences exacerbated political crises implicated major national conflicts nigerian civil war 196770 biafran separatist movement initiated predominantly christian igbo people crushed federal nigeria used pogroms blockades starvation exact victory religious animosities grew tragic episode nigerian history since independence religious ethnic rhetoric leveraged claims political representation opportunities bad enough often degenerates fierce zerosum conflicts corruption incompetent leadership added another wrinkle preventing equitable distribution resources opportunities making politics religious ethnic exclusivity appealing official graft needs tackled headlong new constitution defines rights privileges citizenship terms residency rather nativism ancestry religion needs crafted new constitution needs devolve power resource distribution development allpowerful central government local constituencies ensure economic justice equity make central political power less attractive less corrupt contests national political offices less contentious use religious ethnic appeals tools political mobilization become less attractive find diminished reception climate justice equitable resource distribution equal opportunities 160 dr ochonu professor african history vanderbilt university author colonialism proxy hausa imperial agents middle belt consciousness nigeria 2014 160 story presented groundtruth project
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<p>MAY 19, 2010</p>
<p>By KATY GRIMES</p>
<p>In what appears to be political posturing, on May 18 the Assembly Judiciary Committee held an oversight hearing titled, “Judicial Elections in California: Threats To The Perception of Fairness.”</p>
<p>The committee heard three presentations. The first was on the potential impact of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision last January in the Citizens United case, which ruled that Congress couldn’t limit corporate and union funding of independent political broadcasts in candidate elections. The second part was devoted to the Caperton Case and “implications of fairness in the Judiciary.” That case spotlighted a coal company executive who spent $3 million to help elect a West Virginia justice. The third and final issue presented in the hearing was the “growing concern” about judicial elections and recommendations for impartial courts.</p>
<p>Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean of the University of California, Irvine School of Law was the presenter against the Citizens United case and its effects on California Judicial elections. &#160;Chemerinsky expressed his concern about corporate spending on elections and suggested that publicly financed elections would answer the problem.</p>
<p>“Once the judicial election begins, Judges are politicians,” said Chemerinsky. Warning that corporations spend money to keep judges on and off of the bench, Chemerinsky said that elections can and do affect the impartiality of judges. “In all instances, Judges are interpreting the law to the best of their ability, but they are making law for the state of California,” he added.</p>
<p>Committee Chair Mike Feurer, D-Los Angeles, said that independent expenditures are just a way of “gaming the system.” They’re also much more difficult to regulate. An independent expenditure is usually a political advertisement, intended to assist or oppose a political candidate, and is made without the candidate’s approval or direct knowledge. Chemerinsky agreed, adding that people behind independent expenditures always know the intent of the political advertisements.</p>
<p>Assembly member Charles Calderon, D-City of Industry, said that Citizens United was “a horrible case” and equated the outcome with corporate influence used during the Obama health care debate.</p>
<p>With the Citizen United decision, the Supreme Court overturned a provision of the McCain-Feingold legislation enacted in 2002, as well as one of its own rulings. The decision has drawn frequent rebukes from President Obama, who is quoted as saying that it would empower “special interests and their lobbyists” at the expense of “average Americans who make small contributions to support their preferred candidates.” Obama even criticized Citizens United during his State of the Union address.</p>
<p>Since federal law supersedes state law, this appears to be political posturing, unless state Democrats are anticipating that Congress might legislate around the Citizens United decision.</p>
<p>The Caperton Case and its implications for perceptions of fairness in the judiciary was presented by Stanford Law School’s Professor of Public Interest Law, Pamela Karlan, who is also a former Commissioner of the Fair Political Practices Commission. “Money only matters in elections as a translation to votes,” said Kaplan, claiming that big business interest and money distracts the entire judicial process.</p>
<p>Kaplan said that right before an election, judges’ sentences get tougher, effectively proving that they are “using the lever that effects voters.” Facing electoral retaliation, judges’ careers are on the line with every election, according to Kaplan.</p>
<p>Kaplan stated that surveys have revealed that most average citizens do not know anything about the judicial system, or even how their own states operate. “People do not understand what they are voting on,” said Kaplan. She added that most people cannot even name the branches of government, whether their states had a constitution or if judges are elected or appointed.</p>
<p>Kaplan’s solution is to make it unattractive for corporations to spend money on elections by making the contributor lists more public and exposed in advertisements. She also discussed the issue of when judges recuse themselves from cases that involve campaign donors, explaining that the amount of money should not be the sole issue. According to Kaplan, judges responsible for organizing hundreds of people for political campaigns are just as conflicted as those who accepted donations.</p>
<p>The argument of appointed or elected judges vary, and Kaplan reminded the committee that other types of people might consider the Judiciary if there were not elections involved. Since judges always have to consider what they will do if they lose an election, Kaplan argued that their decisions must be effected by elections.</p>
<p>The third and final presentation was by Ming Chin, Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court, and Chair of the Commission for Impartial Courts.Chin has experienced both judicial appointment and election. He was appointed to the California Supreme Court by Governor Pete Wilson in 1996, and won retention election November 1998.</p>
<p>“In California we have a very good judicial system,” Chin said. He added that because all&#160; judicial nominees are closely evaluated, there are checks and balances in place. Longer judicial terms would thus mean fewer elections, resulting in a possible improvement to the system. Chin added that once elected judges become politicians, they shouldn’t be treated like other politicians.</p>
<p>Feurer asked the presenters for their recommendations and to identify the most important step the legislature can take in fending off corporate funded political commercials. All three&#160; said that education of the public is the most important aspect, starting in schools.</p>
<p>When Feurer asked for public comment, Justice Arthur Scotland of the 3rd District Court of Appeals rose &#160;from the audience. Scotland said that legislators should not let perception prevail over reality. Scotland offered that he has worked for five different governors in 23 years and has never had been driven by political views.&#160; “Judges are not politicians, have no constituency and do not make policy,” he said.</p>
<p>Scotland warned of unintended consequences in the form of mischief. Scotland explained that there will be those who deliberately take advantage of any new rules by forcing judges into recusal positions in order to get them off particular cases. “I can see someone making contributions to get a judge to recuse himself,” he said.</p>
<p>Calderon added his support for educating the public, but asked that the Legislature take a “consensus view” to the public. “We’ve got to speak with one voice so we are patriots, not partisans,” he said.</p>
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may 19 2010 katy grimes appears political posturing may 18 assembly judiciary committee held oversight hearing titled judicial elections california threats perception fairness committee heard three presentations first potential impact us supreme courts decision last january citizens united case ruled congress couldnt limit corporate union funding independent political broadcasts candidate elections second part devoted caperton case implications fairness judiciary case spotlighted coal company executive spent 3 million help elect west virginia justice third final issue presented hearing growing concern judicial elections recommendations impartial courts erwin chemerinsky dean university california irvine school law presenter citizens united case effects california judicial elections 160chemerinsky expressed concern corporate spending elections suggested publicly financed elections would answer problem judicial election begins judges politicians said chemerinsky warning corporations spend money keep judges bench chemerinsky said elections affect impartiality judges instances judges interpreting law best ability making law state california added committee chair mike feurer dlos angeles said independent expenditures way gaming system theyre also much difficult regulate independent expenditure usually political advertisement intended assist oppose political candidate made without candidates approval direct knowledge chemerinsky agreed adding people behind independent expenditures always know intent political advertisements assembly member charles calderon dcity industry said citizens united horrible case equated outcome corporate influence used obama health care debate citizen united decision supreme court overturned provision mccainfeingold legislation enacted 2002 well one rulings decision drawn frequent rebukes president obama quoted saying would empower special interests lobbyists expense average americans make small contributions support preferred candidates obama even criticized citizens united state union address since federal law supersedes state law appears political posturing unless state democrats anticipating congress might legislate around citizens united decision caperton case implications perceptions fairness judiciary presented stanford law schools professor public interest law pamela karlan also former commissioner fair political practices commission money matters elections translation votes said kaplan claiming big business interest money distracts entire judicial process kaplan said right election judges sentences get tougher effectively proving using lever effects voters facing electoral retaliation judges careers line every election according kaplan kaplan stated surveys revealed average citizens know anything judicial system even states operate people understand voting said kaplan added people even name branches government whether states constitution judges elected appointed kaplans solution make unattractive corporations spend money elections making contributor lists public exposed advertisements also discussed issue judges recuse cases involve campaign donors explaining amount money sole issue according kaplan judges responsible organizing hundreds people political campaigns conflicted accepted donations argument appointed elected judges vary kaplan reminded committee types people might consider judiciary elections involved since judges always consider lose election kaplan argued decisions must effected elections third final presentation ming chin associate justice california supreme court chair commission impartial courtschin experienced judicial appointment election appointed california supreme court governor pete wilson 1996 retention election november 1998 california good judicial system chin said added all160 judicial nominees closely evaluated checks balances place longer judicial terms would thus mean fewer elections resulting possible improvement system chin added elected judges become politicians shouldnt treated like politicians feurer asked presenters recommendations identify important step legislature take fending corporate funded political commercials three160 said education public important aspect starting schools feurer asked public comment justice arthur scotland 3rd district court appeals rose 160from audience scotland said legislators let perception prevail reality scotland offered worked five different governors 23 years never driven political views160 judges politicians constituency make policy said scotland warned unintended consequences form mischief scotland explained deliberately take advantage new rules forcing judges recusal positions order get particular cases see someone making contributions get judge recuse said calderon added support educating public asked legislature take consensus view public weve got speak one voice patriots partisans said
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<p>JERUSALEM — Pope Francis arrives in Amman on Saturday, as part of his three-day Holy Land pilgrimage that will culminate with him formally meeting the patriarch of the Eastern Orthodox church in Jerusalem.</p>
<p>How do you welcome a pope? We’re glad you asked. Israeli and Palestinian authorities appear to be going by the “totally lose your stuffing” method: His Holiness is being treated like a rock star to such an extent that confusion is rampant. Below, a quick cheat sheet in case you, too, ever have to plan a greeting party for the Supreme Pontiff.</p>
<p>Chaos, Marx Brothers style. (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Youtube)</p>
<p>The Palestinian government scheduled three events for the media hoards at precisely the same time on Thursday morning, with the president's office, Bethlehem's municipality and various excited ministries evidently not in communication. A chaotic accreditation took place in Ramallah, a tour of the pontiff's upcoming footsteps occurred in Beit Jala and Bethlehem's mayor held a papal press conference at City Hall. In Jerusalem, at exactly the same time, the Israeli Foreign Ministry held its pontifical briefing. Amid vociferous grumbling, journalists considered dissecting themselves into four.</p>
<p>When the Dalai Lama visited Israel in 2006, he visited the offices of both chief rabbis: Sephardic and Ashkenazi. (Orel Cohen/AFP/Getty Images)&#160;</p>
<p>In an unprecedented step, the pope will be <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/rabbi-muslim-leader-join-pope-francis-holy-land-trip-article-1.1793254" type="external">accompanied</a> on his pilgrimage to the Holy Land by rabbi Abraham Skorka and Omar Abboud, a Muslim leader. In an interview with GlobalPost, Papal Nuncio Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto said both are "old friends of the pope from Buenos Aires."</p>
<p>Accompanying Francis to meet with Israel's chief rabbis will be <a href="http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Sacca" type="external">Isaac Sacca</a>,&#160;another Buenos Aires rabbi. Sacca is not part of the official entourage, but requested to join the group because Skorka, who heads Buenos Aires' Jewish Seminary, is an Ashkenazi Jew, whereas he is Sephardic. Really.</p>
<p>Jaime Torres (Maxi Failla/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>Then there's the entertainment section: Argentine crooner <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaime_Torres_(musician)" type="external">Jaime Torres</a>&#160;and the duo Cesar&#160;Lerner&#160;and Marcelo&#160;Moguilevsky, who call themselves <a href="http://www.thewanderingmuse.net/musicians/lerner-moguilevsky-duo" type="external">The Wandering Muse</a>, are landing in Israel at the same time as Francis, to present an eclectic concert including fragments of Argentina's famous Misa Criolla and pieces of Latino Klezmer at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art in honor of the visit, which Argentine media is <a href="http://www.clarin.com/espectaculos/musica/Junto-Papa-Tierra-Santa_0_1138086353.html" type="external">following</a> more closely than presidential travels. In one interview, Torres said he admires and "would love to meet the pope," thus joining thousands of riveted Israelis and Palestinians.</p>
<p>Given the expanding list of hangers-on and new papal BFFs, some Buenos Aires media observers have taken to referring to the visit as "the field trip" and "the carnival."</p>
<p>An Israeli policeman asks a Jewish man reciting the Psalm of David to leave the Cenacle or Upper Room on Mount Zion. (Constance Decorde/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>In fact, almost no civilians outside of those attending the mass in Bethlehem will see the pope. Francis <a href="http://forward.com/articles/198236/pope-francis-ditches-bulletproof-popemobile-for-is/?" type="external">refuses</a>, on principle, to be driven in armored vehicles. In reaction, skittish Israeli security officials are not taking any chances: He will ride in the open-topped vehicle he prefers, but all roads he travels on will be closed off. Some in the Vatican are <a href="http://www.economist.com/blogs/pomegranate/2014/05/christians-israel-palestine" type="external">complaining</a> that the Israelis are turning holy sites into "military camps" that will prevent the faithful from seeing the pope. On the other hand, in the face of recent threats by extremist Jewish groups, other senior Catholics are <a href="http://www.cathnewsusa.com/2014/05/vatican-urges-israel-secure-christian-sites-popes-visit/" type="external">demanding</a> that Israel guarantee the security of all the sites.</p>
<p>Right-wing Israeli protesters during an anti-prisoner-release demonstration in October 2013. (Menahem Kahana/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>For now, and until the end of Pope Francis's visit, Israeli security services have put <a href="http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.592018" type="external">four right-wing activists&#160;</a> under administrative restraining orders.&#160;</p>
<p>A staff favorite (Noga Tarnopolsky)</p>
<p>This is harder than you might think.</p>
<p>In Hebrew, the pope is called his Latin name Franciscus.</p>
<p>In Arabic, he is Baba, meaning dad. This may or may not explain a certain poster seen in Bethlehem welcoming “pop Frances.”</p>
<p>In the acronym used by the visit's organizers, he is HF (Holy Father).</p>
<p>In Spanish, he is often referred to by the shorthand used to refer to the Vatican, La Santa Sede, meaning The Holy Seat.</p>
<p>Should you run into him, the proper format is Your Holiness.</p>
<p>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. You'd be irritated too if you had to ask politely to see the pope while the president got a visit as a matter of course. (Sebastian Scheiner/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
<p>In his off hours from being a rock star, Pope Francis is a head of state. He is, in fact, head of one of the few states geographically smaller than the tiny Israel and Palestine. As a result, while in Israel, he will pay a courtesy call to President Shimon Peres, his equal. But Israel's head of government, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, had to request a meeting with the pope, and will be received by the pontiff, who according to protocol is his superior, at the Notre Dame Pontifical Institute.</p>
<p>Shumai. Not the pope's shumai. Didn't you read Step 4? (Wikimedia Commons)</p>
<p>What does one feed a pope? Yedioth Acharonoth, the Israeli tabloid, reports that at the midday reception taking place with the pope's official arrival at Ben Gurion airport, His Holiness will be served a typically eclectic Israeli bar mitzvah-like Smorgasbord, including dim sum; a liver pate "truffle on chorizo medallion;" Moroccan pastilia hors d'oeuvres; pullet brochettes; Israeli vegetable salad; lamb kebabs; Norwegian salmon ceviche; and roast beef fingers.</p>
<p>The chorizo, one assumes, is in homage to the pope's national origins. The first non-European pope will arrive in Palestine and Israel on May 25, Argentina's National Day. So expect him to be greeted with not a few sunny Argentine flags.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>Above is a video slideshow containing a small sample of the popephernalia plastered across Jerusalem, Ramallah, and Bethlehem right now. Below is a recording of James Taylor playing "Whenever I See Your Smiling Face," the GlobalPost-recommended soundtrack for this slideshow. We could, of course, actually set our slideshow to the music, but that would be copyright infringement, in which GlobalPost would never, ever engage. There is absolutely not a bootleg copy of a Pope Francis/James Taylor mashup floating around our offices.</p>
<p>See if you can spot the poster in which the His Holiness is referred to as “pop frances.”</p>
<p />
<p />
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jerusalem pope francis arrives amman saturday part threeday holy land pilgrimage culminate formally meeting patriarch eastern orthodox church jerusalem welcome pope glad asked israeli palestinian authorities appear going totally lose stuffing method holiness treated like rock star extent confusion rampant quick cheat sheet case ever plan greeting party supreme pontiff chaos marx brothers style metrogoldwynmayeryoutube palestinian government scheduled three events media hoards precisely time thursday morning presidents office bethlehems municipality various excited ministries evidently communication chaotic accreditation took place ramallah tour pontiffs upcoming footsteps occurred beit jala bethlehems mayor held papal press conference city hall jerusalem exactly time israeli foreign ministry held pontifical briefing amid vociferous grumbling journalists considered dissecting four dalai lama visited israel 2006 visited offices chief rabbis sephardic ashkenazi orel cohenafpgetty images160 unprecedented step pope accompanied pilgrimage holy land rabbi abraham skorka omar abboud muslim leader interview globalpost papal nuncio archbishop giuseppe lazzarotto said old friends pope buenos aires accompanying francis meet israels chief rabbis isaac sacca160another buenos aires rabbi sacca part official entourage requested join group skorka heads buenos aires jewish seminary ashkenazi jew whereas sephardic really jaime torres maxi faillaafpgetty images theres entertainment section argentine crooner jaime torres160and duo cesar160lerner160and marcelo160moguilevsky call wandering muse landing israel time francis present eclectic concert including fragments argentinas famous misa criolla pieces latino klezmer tel aviv museum art honor visit argentine media following closely presidential travels one interview torres said admires would love meet pope thus joining thousands riveted israelis palestinians given expanding list hangerson new papal bffs buenos aires media observers taken referring visit field trip carnival israeli policeman asks jewish man reciting psalm david leave cenacle upper room mount zion constance decordeafpgetty images fact almost civilians outside attending mass bethlehem see pope francis refuses principle driven armored vehicles reaction skittish israeli security officials taking chances ride opentopped vehicle prefers roads travels closed vatican complaining israelis turning holy sites military camps prevent faithful seeing pope hand face recent threats extremist jewish groups senior catholics demanding israel guarantee security sites rightwing israeli protesters antiprisonerrelease demonstration october 2013 menahem kahanaafpgetty images end pope franciss visit israeli security services put four rightwing activists160 administrative restraining orders160 staff favorite noga tarnopolsky harder might think hebrew pope called latin name franciscus arabic baba meaning dad may may explain certain poster seen bethlehem welcoming pop frances acronym used visits organizers hf holy father spanish often referred shorthand used refer vatican la santa sede meaning holy seat run proper format holiness israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu youd irritated ask politely see pope president got visit matter course sebastian scheinerafpgetty images hours rock star pope francis head state fact head one states geographically smaller tiny israel palestine result israel pay courtesy call president shimon peres equal israels head government prime minister benjamin netanyahu request meeting pope received pontiff according protocol superior notre dame pontifical institute shumai popes shumai didnt read step 4 wikimedia commons one feed pope yedioth acharonoth israeli tabloid reports midday reception taking place popes official arrival ben gurion airport holiness served typically eclectic israeli bar mitzvahlike smorgasbord including dim sum liver pate truffle chorizo medallion moroccan pastilia hors doeuvres pullet brochettes israeli vegetable salad lamb kebabs norwegian salmon ceviche roast beef fingers chorizo one assumes homage popes national origins first noneuropean pope arrive palestine israel may 25 argentinas national day expect greeted sunny argentine flags video slideshow containing small sample popephernalia plastered across jerusalem ramallah bethlehem right recording james taylor playing whenever see smiling face globalpostrecommended soundtrack slideshow could course actually set slideshow music would copyright infringement globalpost would never ever engage absolutely bootleg copy pope francisjames taylor mashup floating around offices see spot poster holiness referred pop frances
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<p>Five men and one woman were found in the municipality of Tlaquepaque in a crime which defies imagination and disproves Donald Trump’s theory that Mexico is sending its worst people to the United States. In the Mexican city of Guadalajara in what is believed to be a drug deal gone awry, one person was killed and the remaining six had their hands cut off. Swift and irreparable punishment that will remain with these victims for the rest of their lives. A constant reminder of the price they each paid for their malfeasance which was believed to be theft. A note was pinned on the body of a seventh victim, which according to local media reports it stated, “This is what happens to scoundrels.” Signed “sincerely Anti-Rate Group.</p>
<p>These mutilations occurred in the western state of Jalisco, but the victims who ranged in age from 24 to 44 had been kidnapped from various parts of Guadalajara on Monday, October 10, 2016, and tortured to send a message to future would be betrayers. Though two men have been arrested, this crime and its victims are thought to be members of a larger criminal enterprise.</p>
<p>Fear mongering has been a mainstay of Donald Trump’s candidacy, especially the assertion that Mexicans are coming across the border in droves to reap mayhem on an unsuspecting population. Much like the racist D.W. Griffith whose 1915 film The Birth of a Nation, which glorified the Ku Klux Klan and vilified black men as both rapists and threats to the ‘chastity and purity’ of white women; 100 years later, Trump has whipped his followers into a frenzy using these same tactics. However, instead of African-American men, Mexican men are the newest iteration of ‘colored’ people threatening the sovereignty of the ‘white nation.’</p>
<p>Throughout 2015 Trump continuously alluded to the dangers posed by marauding Mexican men who are here illegally and were raping beautiful, blond women and girls, some as young as 14-years-old.&#160; Although, the alt-right has been promoting these falsities for years, Trump from his bully pulpit has convinced his followers that these violent criminals have been allowed to stay in the U.S. despite being identified by law enforcement as illegals. Thus, he extrapolates that the legal system and President Barack Obama’s administration are equally culpable when these Mexicans murder and rape.</p>
<p>Trump&#160; drove this point home by continuing to time again to malign an entire country and its citizens by insinuating that they are all inherently savage reprobates.</p>
<p>When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re not sending you. They’re not sending you. They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.”</p>
<p>Conspiracy theorists like Laura Ingraham, also promote these falsities, by covertly signaling to adherents that these Mexican men, as well as Black men, are a particular threat to white women such as herself. She encourages ‘patriots’ a euphemism for ‘white nationalists’ men and women to arm themselves against these aggressors, using assault weapons to inflict the maximum damage and send a clear message. Trump, a paragon of intellectual curiosity and perspicacity continues to erroneously reference an article titled, ‘ <a href="http://fusion.net/story/17321/is-rape-the-price-to-pay-for-migrant-women-chasing-the-american-dream/" type="external">Is rape the price to pay for migrant women chasing the American Dream?</a>” as evidence of the predatory nature of Mexican men.</p>
<p>However, the article which was published in 2014, authored by Erin Siegal McIntyre and Deborah Bonello was actually a revealing expose into the plight of 80% percent of Central American women and girls who are raped while crossing Mexico to illegally enter America. These unfortunate females were generally violated by the smugglers, drug dealers, and sometimes the authorities. Nothing in the article proved Trump’s or the alt-right’s claims that these same rapists were migrating to the United States. In fact, there does not appear to be any incentive for these criminals to illegally cross the border into America where they would be relegated to an inferior social status, and their lucrative criminal enterprises vastly curtailed.</p>
<p>Mexico is not sending its rapist and criminals to the U.S., unlike the period between April and October 1980 when 125,000 Cubans immigrated to the U.S. during the Mariel boat-lift. The transaction was a negotiated agreement between Fidel Castro’s government and then president Jimmy Carter’s administration. It was subsequently discovered that of the 125,000 immigrants who arrived in Florida, many were&#160; criminals and mentally ill people who had been deliberately sent by Castro to rid his country of undesirables. Few Americans living outside of Florida remember this debacle and the crime wave which followed, but it was infamously immortalized in the 1983 film <a href="https://youtu.be/2W628Z9vspk" type="external">Scarface</a>.</p>
<p>Bottom line, the Mexican federal police are diligent and put their lives at great risk to capture and imprison criminals. Despite rampant corruption, there are those who take their oaths to uphold law and order seriously. They hunt down criminals, and those who escape capture by them eventually fall victim to barbaric street justice similar to that meted out to the six amputees at the beginning of this article. There is no Mexican hand off, and most people who cross illegally in America are in many cases fleeing the tyranny of drug lords or extortion by gang members.</p>
<p>In fact, the notorious drug lord, Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman (pictured above) initially fled to Guatemala from which he was subsequently extradited back to Mexico. Then, he escaped from a second Mexican maximum-security prison and hid out in his condo in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazatl%C3%A1n" type="external">Mazatlán</a>, Sinaloa. After his third escape from prison he hid in Mexico, but was subsequently recaptured “ <a href="http://abcnews.com.co/drug-kingpin-el-chapo-escapes-mexican-prison-once-again/" type="external">during [a] raid, [in which] five gunmen were killed, six others arrested, and one Marine was wounded</a>.” Not once during this entire ordeal did Guzman try to enter the U.S. illegally to hide out and engage in criminal activities.</p>
<p>Mexicans and other Central Americans who risk the crossing are at the very fringes of society. They are vulnerable, and though they know that the journey is fraught with danger, they would rather risk life and limb, rape and violence, robbery and abandonment, all in the hope of coming to this country to earn a living working in jobs most Americans eschew.</p>
<p>Does it make it right? No. But can you say that you would not do the same to save your family under such exigent circumstances? Thank God, as American citizens, the chances are slim that you will ever face such a dilemma.</p>
<p>An online publication dedicated to reporting on human rights issues in the Middle East, Africa, and other countries with emerging economies. Her writings have appeared in The Forward, Huffington Post, and The American Spectator. She is a frequent public speaker, philanthropist, and founder of the Zimbabwe Farm Project. An American by birth, she spent her formative years in Nigeria and Tanzania, but now lives in the U.S. and Zimbabwe.</p>
<p />
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five men one woman found municipality tlaquepaque crime defies imagination disproves donald trumps theory mexico sending worst people united states mexican city guadalajara believed drug deal gone awry one person killed remaining six hands cut swift irreparable punishment remain victims rest lives constant reminder price paid malfeasance believed theft note pinned body seventh victim according local media reports stated happens scoundrels signed sincerely antirate group mutilations occurred western state jalisco victims ranged age 24 44 kidnapped various parts guadalajara monday october 10 2016 tortured send message future would betrayers though two men arrested crime victims thought members larger criminal enterprise fear mongering mainstay donald trumps candidacy especially assertion mexicans coming across border droves reap mayhem unsuspecting population much like racist dw griffith whose 1915 film birth nation glorified ku klux klan vilified black men rapists threats chastity purity white women 100 years later trump whipped followers frenzy using tactics however instead africanamerican men mexican men newest iteration colored people threatening sovereignty white nation throughout 2015 trump continuously alluded dangers posed marauding mexican men illegally raping beautiful blond women girls young 14yearsold160 although altright promoting falsities years trump bully pulpit convinced followers violent criminals allowed stay us despite identified law enforcement illegals thus extrapolates legal system president barack obamas administration equally culpable mexicans murder rape trump160 drove point home continuing time malign entire country citizens insinuating inherently savage reprobates mexico sends people theyre sending best theyre sending theyre sending theyre sending people lots problems theyre bringing problems us theyre bringing drugs theyre bringing crime theyre rapists assume good people conspiracy theorists like laura ingraham also promote falsities covertly signaling adherents mexican men well black men particular threat white women encourages patriots euphemism white nationalists men women arm aggressors using assault weapons inflict maximum damage send clear message trump paragon intellectual curiosity perspicacity continues erroneously reference article titled rape price pay migrant women chasing american dream evidence predatory nature mexican men however article published 2014 authored erin siegal mcintyre deborah bonello actually revealing expose plight 80 percent central american women girls raped crossing mexico illegally enter america unfortunate females generally violated smugglers drug dealers sometimes authorities nothing article proved trumps altrights claims rapists migrating united states fact appear incentive criminals illegally cross border america would relegated inferior social status lucrative criminal enterprises vastly curtailed mexico sending rapist criminals us unlike period april october 1980 125000 cubans immigrated us mariel boatlift transaction negotiated agreement fidel castros government president jimmy carters administration subsequently discovered 125000 immigrants arrived florida many were160 criminals mentally ill people deliberately sent castro rid country undesirables americans living outside florida remember debacle crime wave followed infamously immortalized 1983 film scarface bottom line mexican federal police diligent put lives great risk capture imprison criminals despite rampant corruption take oaths uphold law order seriously hunt criminals escape capture eventually fall victim barbaric street justice similar meted six amputees beginning article mexican hand people cross illegally america many cases fleeing tyranny drug lords extortion gang members fact notorious drug lord joaquin el chapo guzman pictured initially fled guatemala subsequently extradited back mexico escaped second mexican maximumsecurity prison hid condo mazatlán sinaloa third escape prison hid mexico subsequently recaptured raid five gunmen killed six others arrested one marine wounded entire ordeal guzman try enter us illegally hide engage criminal activities mexicans central americans risk crossing fringes society vulnerable though know journey fraught danger would rather risk life limb rape violence robbery abandonment hope coming country earn living working jobs americans eschew make right say would save family exigent circumstances thank god american citizens chances slim ever face dilemma online publication dedicated reporting human rights issues middle east africa countries emerging economies writings appeared forward huffington post american spectator frequent public speaker philanthropist founder zimbabwe farm project american birth spent formative years nigeria tanzania lives us zimbabwe
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<p>Meet the Press - October 2, 2016</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>This Sunday, Trump's terrible week, a rough debate, 3:00 AM tweets, and an obsession with the 1996 Miss Universe.</p>
<p>DONALD TRUMP:</p>
<p>She was the winner, and, you know, she gained a massive amount of weight, and it was a real problem.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>And now a report that Trump could have avoided paying taxes for 18 years. I'll talk to Trump supporter Rudy Giuliani and Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook. Plus how a lead opinion has lined up against Donald Trump, but to what effect? I'll talk to anti-establishment voices from the left and right, Michael Moore and Glenn Beck. Also, the VP debate, how much will Tuesday's Pence-Kaine face-off matter? And live from New York, it's SNL.</p>
<p>KATE MCKINNON (AS HILLARY CLINTON):</p>
<p>He hasn't released his tax returns, which means he's either not that rich--</p>
<p>ALEC BALDWIN (AS DONALD TRUMP):</p>
<p>Wrong.</p>
<p>KATE MCKINNON (AS HILLARY CLINTON):</p>
<p>--not that charitable--</p>
<p>ALEC BALDWIN (AS DONALD TRUMP):</p>
<p>Wrong.</p>
<p>KATE MCKINNON (AS HILLARY CLINTON):</p>
<p>--or he's never paid taxes in his life.</p>
<p>ALEC BALDWIN (AS DONALD TRUMP):</p>
<p>Warmer. (LAUGHTER)</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Joining me for insight and analysis this Sunday morning are Amy Walter, editor of The Cook Political Report, Mark Halperin, managing editor of Bloomberg Politics, Maria Teresa Kumar, president and CEO of Voto Latino, and Rich Lowry, editor of The National Review. Welcome to Sunday, it's Meet the Press.</p>
<p>ANNOUNCER:From NBC News in Washington, this is Meet the Press, with Chuck Todd</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Good Sunday morning. Surprise, it's October. Donald Trump's bad week may have just gotten a lot worse. Today's New York Times has a front-page exposé that Trump declared a loss of $916 million on his 1995 tax return, which means it could have allowed him to avoid paying federal income taxes on nearly a billion dollars' worth of income over an 18-year period, all legal, by the way.</p>
<p>The losses came from mismanagement of three casinos, his airline, and the Plaza Hotel in New York. The Times received the 1995 documents in the mail anonymously with a return address of Trump Tower. And his former accountant, who's now retired, verified them.</p>
<p>The Clinton campaign jumped on the news saying, quote, "There it is. This bombshell report reveals the colossal nature of Donald Trump's business failures..." Trump's campaign told The Times that Trump has paid hundreds of millions of dollars in state, local and federal taxes. And then Trump tweeted this, this morning: "I know our complex tax laws better than anyone who has ever run for president, and am the only one who can fix them." As you can see, no specific denial of anything in The Times report.</p>
<p>This news comes at the end of a week when Trump followed an unsteady and unfocused debate performance with a parade of outbursts on Twitter, on television and on the trail. And all came just as he was closing the gap with Hillary Clinton.</p>
<p>(BEGIN TAPE)</p>
<p>DONALD TRUMP:</p>
<p>I don't even think she's loyal to Bill, if you want to know the truth. And really, folks, really? Why should she be, right?</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Just when he looks competitive, Trump veers off message.</p>
<p>DONALD TRUMP:</p>
<p>That person was a Miss Universe person, and she was the worst we ever had. The worst.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Trump's inability to control his own emotions is standing between himself and the presidency.</p>
<p>DONALD TRUMP:</p>
<p>What's happened to our jobs--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Instead of talking about jobs and trade, Clinton's e-mail controversy, or admit he's spinning out of control, Trump spent five days this week attacking 1996 Miss Universe winner Alicia Machado.</p>
<p>NATALIE MORALES:</p>
<p>What were the names that he called you?</p>
<p>ALICIA MACHADO:</p>
<p>Miss Piggy, Miss Housekeeping, Miss Eating Machine.</p>
<p>DONALD TRUMP:</p>
<p>She was the winner and, you know, she gained a massive amount of weight. And it was a real problem.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>When the controversy was dying down, it was Trump who kept it alive in a 3:00AM Tweet storm. "Did crooked Hillary help disgusting (check out sex tape and past) Alicia M become a U.S. citizen so she could use her in the debate?”</p>
<p>SEC. HILLARY CLINTON:</p>
<p>His latest Twitter meltdown is unhinged, even for him.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Tony Schwartz was Trump's ghostwriter for his 1987 memoir The Art of the Deal.</p>
<p>TONY SCHWARTZ:</p>
<p>He's like an untrained Rottweiler. And every time they let him off his leash, he ends up biting someone and putting himself in jeopardy.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Every scientific poll shows Trump lost Monday's debate. But Trump isn't buying it.</p>
<p>DONALD TRUMP:</p>
<p>Every single online poll said we won, which is great.</p>
<p>TONY SCHWARTZ:</p>
<p>From very early in his life with his father, and later when his mentor became Roy Cohn, the advice was the same, which is never surrender, no matter what.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>But Trump is acting as if he lost, attacking the Clinton's marital history in an interview with The New York Times, saying, quote, "She's nasty, but I can be nastier than she ever can be."</p>
<p>SEC. HILLARY CLINTON:</p>
<p>Look, he can say whatever he wants to say.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Trump supporters embrace the idea of a flawed messenger who they say will shake up Washington. But even they had become skeptical.</p>
<p>FEMALE TRUMP SUPPORTER #1:</p>
<p>I wish he would talk about everything that he's gonna change, and that's it, and stop all this little petty stuff, you know. A beauty queen from how many years ago?</p>
<p>FEMALE TRUMP SUPPORTER #2:</p>
<p>Twenty.</p>
<p>FEMALE TRUMP SUPPORTER #1:</p>
<p>I mean really.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Even Trump's surrogates say Trump will lose if he does not reign himself in.</p>
<p>NEWT GINGRICH:</p>
<p>This last week, I think, has been frankly a lost week, a week which has hurt him, which has shaken his own supporters. And you can't tweet at 3:00 in the morning, period. There's no excuse ever, not if you're going to be president of the United States.</p>
<p>(END TAPE)</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Joining me now is the former mayor of New York City and a top advisor to Donald Trump, Rudy Giuliani. Mr. Mayor, welcome back to the show.</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:</p>
<p>Thank you very much, Chuck.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Let me get you to respond to Newt Gingrich there. He basically said this has been a lost week. Do you disagree with that?</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:</p>
<p>Yeah, I disagree with that. I think that Donald Trump did really well in the debate. I think he accomplished what he had to accomplish, which is he showed that he understands the economy better than Hillary Clinton. She demonstrated she has no understanding of the economy at all. She was just completely lost in her answer to how we're going to bring back jobs in America is just to tax people more, which, of course, is the very reason they've been driven out of America. And I thought, on foreign policy, he displayed a better understanding of Islamic radical terrorism. Now--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>That's not what-- Mr. Mayor, that's not what you thought on Monday. On Monday, you tweeted, "This debate was not Trump's best, but there are--</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:</p>
<p>I didn’t--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>--still two more."</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:</p>
<p>I didn't tweet that. That's not my tweet.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Okay. Fair enough.</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:</p>
<p>My-- that--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:Fair enough.</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:</p>
<p>I never said that. That's somebody pretending to be me. There are about four of them out there that pretend to be me.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Okay. So you thought everything went just hunky dory on Monday night? You thought that was the best he could do?</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:</p>
<p>No. I think he can do better. I think he can do a lot better. I think that there-- look, we're all debaters, and we all-- I'm a lawyer, so I can always find four or five more things you could have done. I thought, for example, when she brought up cyber security, it was an excellent chance to point out how she's been the worst violator of cyber security so far in the history of the United States. She's exposed more of our top secret documents than any--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Right.</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:</p>
<p>--Secretary of State in history. There are-- If I were to analyze that debate, I would say he won it. And then there were two or three opportunities where he could have delivered a knockout blow and he didn't take them.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Let me go to, go ahead finish your thought--</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:</p>
<p>But we have more debates coming, so--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Fair enough. Let me ask you about The New York Times story this morning where now there is some evidence that he legally avoided paying federal income taxes on almost a billion dollars' worth of income because of losses he attained in his businesses. Is it important now for Donald Trump to release his tax returns? Many even if his supporters, including a guy like Roger Stone, even thinks he ought to release his tax returns.</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:</p>
<p>Well, you know, this points out one of the reasons why releasing tax returns is so bad. The New York Times writes this long story. And then somewhere around paragraph 18 they point out there was no wrongdoing. Now, people have a hard time understanding how taxes work.</p>
<p>If Donald Trump hadn't taken those losses, he could have been sued by his investors. He could have been sued by his business partners. When I run a business, and I run a business, if I don't take advantage of the five deductions that are available to me, even if you think those deductions are unfair, then I've violated my fiduciary duty. So I have clients, and I have clients that take losses like that, and I advise them, "You have to take those losses. Otherwise, you're not doing your job."</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>But the very people--</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:</p>
<p>What he--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>The very people he wants to work for, when they basically fail at their jobs, or their job goes away, you know, they don't have this kind of ability. I mean this is basically a deduction that benefits wealthy businessmen. He failed at his businesses. Those first three businesses were failures. And then he was able to get a tax break for that failure on the next billion dollars of income. Look, it's all legal. Should it be?</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:</p>
<p>That's a good question. But it is, and it was, and we're talking about 21 years ago. And if he didn't take advantage of it, he would have been sued. And that's why maybe somebody doesn't want to put out their tax returns, because somebody will distort it that way. I mean the reality is he's a genius. What he did was he took advantage--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Okay.</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:</p>
<p>-of something that could save his enterprise. And he did something we admire in America, he came back. The Art of the Deal is all about that. He talks about it. So did Steve Jobs. So did Winston Churchill. Winston Churchill was--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Okay.</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:</p>
<p>--thrown out of politics twice and came back. Great men have big failures.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>All right.</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:</p>
<p>And then they take those failures and they turn them into great results. I'd rather have a genius like Donald Trump running this country than someone like Hillary Clinton. And all she seems to do--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>So you think it’s--</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:</p>
<p>--is to produce jobs for the F.B.I..</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>You think it's a good example to avoid-- to basically being able to avoid paying federal taxes, to take advantage of loopholes where somebody wealthy can avoid paying actual federal taxes. I understand that it's legal. And we--</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:</p>
<p>Look.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>--debating whether it should be. But is this the right thing we should have in a president?</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:</p>
<p>Well first of all, a lot of the people that are poor take advantage of loopholes and pay no taxes. Those are loopholes, also, and they pay no taxes. And also, no matter who you are, if you have a $30 operating loss, you can carry it forward to the next year. And poor people do take advantage of that, also.</p>
<p>Now, do I think the tax code should be simplified? Absolutely. Will he do away with things like this? He probably is better positioned than anyone to figure out how to do away with it, because he understands the tax code better than anyone else. I'd rather have a genius who understands the tax code--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Right.</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:</p>
<p>--that wants to reform it. He's the one who's against giving hedge fund guys the big break they get--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Okay.</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:</p>
<p>--in paying only 15 percent tax. So you've got to figure out who you're working for. There, he was working for private interests.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Okay.</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:</p>
<p>He has to take advantage of those rules, no wrongdoing.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Right.</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:</p>
<p>If he were to-- if he can have these kinds of results for us in America, we wouldn't be having 1.5 percent recovery, we'd be having five percent recovery.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>All right.</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:</p>
<p>Plus, he did pay hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes, state taxes, local taxes.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Well, we don't know this until--</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:</p>
<p>--excise taxes.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>How do we know this without him releasing his tax returns?</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:</p>
<p>Because if he didn't, he'd be in jail. That's why. Because he'd be sitting behind bars if he didn't pay taxes, if he didn't pay sales tax, if he didn't pay excise tax, if he didn't--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Okay.</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:</p>
<p>--if he didn't pay property tax.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>I understand that. But we don't know how much--</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:</p>
<p>He'd be sitting in jail.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>We don't know how much it was.</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:All you have to do--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>We only can take your word for it.</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:</p>
<p>All you have to do is look at his--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Okay.</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:</p>
<p>--104-page financial disclosure form. Look at the property--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>All right.</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:</p>
<p>--that he has. Figure out what the tax rate is in that community. You can figure out what he paid. And since they--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Okay.</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:</p>
<p>--didn't put him in jail, I can guarantee you he paid it.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Before I let you go, what did you mean when you talked about Monica Lewinsky and Hillary Clinton that if she didn't know what Bill Clinton was doing, she's too stupid to be president?</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:</p>
<p>What I meant was, after the long, long history of Bill Clinton, Gennifer Flowers, Juanita Broaddrick, I don't know, 27 people making claims against him, including a settlement with one of them were it was obviously true, when she first heard about Monica Lewinksy, to pretend for five or six months that it was false--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>So she was wrong to stand by her husband?</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:</p>
<p>No, she was wrong to attack the victim. The woman who says--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Are you the right person to level this charge?</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:</p>
<p>Yeah. I'm the right person to level this charge, because I've never made such a charge, and I've prosecuted people who've committed rape.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>But your past, you have your own infidelities, sir.</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:</p>
<p>Well, everybody does. And I'm a Roman Catholic, and I confess those things to my priest. But I've never-- I’ve never ever attacked someone who's been the victim--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Okay.</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:</p>
<p>--who's been the victim of sexual abuse. Not only that, I’ve put people in jail who've been the victim of sexual abuse.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Well, all right. Well--</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:</p>
<p>And I've never participated in that. And I think your bringing up my personal life really is kind of irrelevant to what Hillary Clinton did. She's running for president, I'm not. A woman who pretends to be--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Okay.</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:</p>
<p>--a feminist shouldn't be taking money from countries where--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>All right, Mr. Mayor.</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:</p>
<p>--where women are stoned, where women are killed for adultery, where women can't drive, she's taken hundreds of millions of dollars from those countries.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>All right, Mr. Mayor, I will leave it there.</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:</p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Appreciate you coming on and sharing your views.</p>
<p>RUDY GIULIANI:</p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Joining me now from the other side, Hillary Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook. Mr. Mook, welcome to the show.</p>
<p>ROBBY MOOK:</p>
<p>Good morning.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>I want to play a new ad that the Trump campaign is hitting on Hillary Clinton and get you to respond to it on the other side.</p>
<p>(BEGIN TAPE)</p>
<p>HILLARY CLINTON:</p>
<p>Why aren't I fifty points ahead, you might ask.</p>
<p>MALE NARRATOR:</p>
<p>Maybe it's because the director of the F.B.I. said you lied about your e-mail.</p>
<p>JAMES COMEY:</p>
<p>There was classified material e-mailed.</p>
<p>MALE NARRATOR:</p>
<p>Or maybe it's because your policies have allowed ISIS and terrorism to spread. Or maybe it's because you call Americans deplorable.</p>
<p>(END TAPE)</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>So it's that last part, the "deplorable," and, and everything they put together in that ad, anything in that ad that tells you it's not an effective hit on Secretary Clinton?</p>
<p>ROBBY MOOK:</p>
<p>Well, a lot of it simply isn't true. You know, the, the F.B.I. said that there was no wrongdoing that they would bring against Secretary Clinton. I think a lot of the people that stand by Donald Trump are deplorable. And the things that they say are deplorable.</p>
<p>You know, Trump has had a really bad week. He failed in the debate. He has spun out of control. Subsequent to that, insulting Alicia Machado. His 3:00 AM Tweet storm. You know, his campaign's just spinning out. They're grasping for anything that they can, that they can to, to throw mud back.</p>
<p>And Secretary Clinton's going to keep on the campaign trail, talking about how she's actually going to make a difference in people's lives. And, you know, this morning, we see Donald Trump is having to defend the fact that he may not have paid taxes for 20 years, which is something most Americans don't have the option to do.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Do--</p>
<p>ROBBY MOOK:</p>
<p>So we're just going to stay focused on how she's going to create jobs--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>But are you--</p>
<p>ROBBY MOOK:</p>
<p>--and get wages rising.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Are you concerned-- you know, with everything that has come out on Donald Trump, all of the different hits that have come out on Donald Trump, and yet, you're not 50 points ahead. If anything, this is a close race. This-- he does have a path to 270. He can win. Everything that's happened, and he can still win. Is that a reflection on what the country thinks of Hillary Clinton?</p>
<p>ROBBY MOOK:</p>
<p>No, I think it's a reflection that the presidential campaign process is competitive. Our country, fortunately or unfortunately, is very polarized right now. People fall into their different camps. And people are, are concerned. And they, they want to see change.</p>
<p>But what's becoming clear, particularly since this debate, is that Donald Trump isn't going to present that change in any way whatsoever. We talk about the rigged system out there. Donald Trump embodies that. The idea that he didn't have to pay taxes for 20 years, or at least that's what The New York Times is telling us. So we feel very good about where we are. But this will be competitive up until the end, and we're going to have to work hard.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Are-- You guys are struggling to win over voters under the age of 30. New audio has come out from a fundraiser from earlier this year when Secretary Clinton was running against Bernie Sanders. And she described some of Sanders’ supporters as kids that essentially are still living in their parents' basement. Was that meant to be a shot at Sanders' supporters?</p>
<p>ROBBY MOOK:</p>
<p>Well, Chuck, actually, I'm really glad you asked this question. And I really encourage everybody to listen to that full audio. The, the original piece that came out on it had to have the headline changed because it completely mischaracterized what she was talking about. She was talking about young people that she'd met who were frustrated that they graduated from college and went into an economy where they couldn't find the job they wanted or expected.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Didn't help that the folks laughed when she said that at the fundraiser. It made it seem like a pejorative.</p>
<p>ROBBY MOOK:</p>
<p>Well, when I listened to it, I didn't hear it that way at all. I heard her reflecting the things that she's hearing when she's out campaigning. And in fact, of these two candidates, she's the only one who's presented a real plan to--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Okay.</p>
<p>ROBBY MOOK:</p>
<p>--create jobs and a real plan to help families afford college. She and Bernie Sanders worked together--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>All right.</p>
<p>ROBBY MOOK:</p>
<p>--on a new college compact that will create tuition-free education for people and families earning under $125,000 a year.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Very quickly, I know you're not pulling out of Ohio. But it’s clear--</p>
<p>ROBBY MOOK:</p>
<p>No, not at all.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>-- it’s clear that the numbers aren't, aren’t great. Do you view Ohio as a must-win state anymore?</p>
<p>ROBBY MOOK:</p>
<p>I-- I actually just don't even accept that premise. 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.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>All right. Robby Mook, campaign manager for Hillary Clinton, I will--</p>
<p>ROBBY MOOK:</p>
<p>Thanks, Chuck.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>--leave it there. Coming up, anti-establishment opinion is trumping the elites this campaign season. I'm going to be joined by filmmaker Michael Moore on the left and broadcaster Glenn Beck from the right to talk about it. And later, they're back, Saturday Night Live takes on the 2016 campaign.</p>
<p>(BEGIN TAPE)</p>
<p>KATE MCKINNON (AS HILLARY CLINTON):</p>
<p>He hasn't released his tax returns, which means he's either not that rich--</p>
<p>ALEC BALDWIN (AS DONALD TRUMP):</p>
<p>Wrong.</p>
<p>KATE MCKINNON (AS HILLARY CLINTON):</p>
<p>--not that charitable--</p>
<p>ALEC BALDWIN (AS DONALD TRUMP):</p>
<p>Wrong.</p>
<p>KATE MCKINNON (AS HILLARY CLINTON):</p>
<p>--or he's never paid taxes in his life.</p>
<p>ALEC BALDWIN (AS DONALD TRUMP):</p>
<p>Warmer.</p>
<p>(END TAPE)</p>
<p>***COMMERCIAL BREAK***</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Welcome back. The panel is here with us: Rich Lowry, editor of The National Review, Maria Teresa Kumar, president and CEO of Voto Latino, Amy Walter, editor of The Cook Political Report, and Mark Halperin, managing editor of Bloomberg Politics. Little correction here, Rudy Giuliani was right, that was a parody account that we got that. What Rudy Giuliani said the night of the debate was he did think, as he clarified, and that night he said, "I would skip the next debates, if I were Trump." That is the correct aspect of Rudy Giuliani. Mark Halperin, tax returns. What we have this morning. How bombshell-y is it?</p>
<p>MARK HALPERIN:</p>
<p>It's the first of many October surprises. The Times chose to publish on October 1st. And I think we'll see more from both of them. I don't know if this is as big a deal as The Times has blown it up to be. I don't know that we learned anything new. We knew the guy took tons of deductions. They don't know for a fact he didn't pay federal taxes. The story says he could not, he might not have. And I think Americans are going to-- the Clinton campaign will continue to press on it. Americans who think this is a bad thing that he won't release his returns I think will continue to go for it. But I don't think it's some dominant factor. And I don't think it’ll change the race very much.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Rich, how'd you think of Rudy defending it as smart?</p>
<p>RICH LOWRY:</p>
<p>Well, I wouldn't go with the "poor people exploit the tax system too," argument. But he--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Do you think that was a mistake? I was interested in that--</p>
<p>RICH LOWRY:</p>
<p>But did come around to the "he knows the system, therefore he can fix it." And that argument has, for Trump, had much more traction than I would have thought. "Look, I exploited a rigged system and I was inside it, therefore I can fix it." And that argument is more intuitive to people than I would have thought.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>It--He had said that the whole time. The Times didn't change the narrative of what many people already--</p>
<p>AMY WALTER::</p>
<p>Already believed, right.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>--believed.</p>
<p>AMY WALTER:</p>
<p>This is already baked in. I think those are the points here, they're already baked into your perceptions of who Donald Trump is. The question in my mind isn't, "Is this a bombshell report?" It's, "How does Trump react to it as we go forward?" And 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. All right?</p>
<p>The story in and of itself, he can pivot off of this and make it about the rigged system and make it about that he's the only one who's going to change the system. Or is he going to get caught up in this and spin his wheels and go off topic?</p>
<p>MARIA TERESA KUMAR:</p>
<p>Oh, and I think that's the thing. This whole week has just been drip, drip, drip. He could have actually avoided this whole thing with the taxes had he just showed it. Because no one is surprised the fact that he hasn't paid it. But I think there is some-- there is hypocrisy in the fact that he keeps talking about that we don't have good education, that we don't have infrastruc-- you know, deteriorating infrastructure. And he keeps talking about undocumented immigrants. Undocumented immigrants pay $12 billion of taxes every single year. They pay their taxes. They have skin in the game. He is not contributing to a system that he says he's going to go in and fix.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>What about, okay, if this is an-- I kind of think that, if you're the Clinton campaign, Mark, will you sit there and say, we miss the Machado story? Because it seemed to drive him crazier, in some ways, than even taxes.</p>
<p>MARK HALPERIN:</p>
<p>Right. Well, I don't know if that story is done. Look, just to be clear, I think his failure to release his returns and whether he paid taxes or not is a big problem for him. I just don't think it's a new big problem. It's an old new problem. Look, the Clinton campaign decided months ago, they had to pick their-- Donald Trump is a target-rich environment. What are we going after?</p>
<p>They decided, basically, on one thing, that he's not fit to be president, he doesn't have the right temperament, he's not someone who's great--is nice to people. The Machado story allowed them to go right to their message. This story does, to some extent, too. Because, as Amy suggested, he's set off. He's tweeting today, not about changing Washington, not about how Hillary Clinton's part of the problem, he's tweeting about his taxes. So I think this is another story they're happy with it, because it goes to the fact that he's so easily baited.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>If they go the Monica route, I don't see--</p>
<p>AMY WALTER:I don’t understand--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>I don't understand it.</p>
<p>AMY WALTER:</p>
<p>I think that is a terrible--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Does anybody understand this?</p>
<p>RICH LOWRY:</p>
<p>Well, I think it's right that she was part of the defense against these women. And just given Bill's vulnerabilities, it was part of his political operation to discredit and basically smear these women when they got in the way. And a lot of them were telling the truth. But prosecuting that in a way that doesn't make it seem as though you're blaming Hillary for Bill's infidelities is going to be really difficult. And it opens up a can of worms for Trump and every surrogate who may have had problems in their marriage.</p>
<p>MARIA TERESA KUMAR:</p>
<p>Well, and I think what he's been trying to do is basically open up his base. He needs Republican women to come in his camp. And going after a woman that basically said, "My marriage is important, my family is important," I mean that's really hard for him to face--</p>
<p>MARK HALPERIN:</p>
<p>The three people at the top of his campaign: Dave Bossie, Steve Bannon and Kellyanne Conway, have been talking about Bill Clinton's personal life for a quarter century. So it's no surprise that, as they look around to say what inspires us to say the Clintons shouldn't be back in the White House, it's no surprise that they would be tempted to turn to this.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Well. it does hit the 30 year old argument.</p>
<p>AMY WALTER:It hurts-- right. It reminds people--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>--Meaning that like it reminds people they've been around.</p>
<p>AMY WALTER:</p>
<p>It reminds people of that. But the number one concern, this goes to what Mark said, too, when you talk to the Clinton campaign and others around them, the number one concern that voters have about Donald Trump is his temperament and his judgment. If he is going to get this campaign back on the rails, it's on judgment and temperament, not on this.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Okay. I'm gonna leave it there for a minute. When we come back, we’ve just heard a bunch of elite opinion right here, right? We're going to talk about the fact, elite opinion around the country is lining up behind Hillary Clinton. And this year, it doesn't seem to matter. From stage left, filmmaker Michael Moore, and from stage right, TV and radio's Glenn Beck will join me next on why that is.</p>
<p>***COMMERCIAL BREAK***</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Welcome back. Elite opinion in the United States is lining up against Donald Trump in ways we've never seen before. Consider this: neither President George H.W. Bush or President George W. Bush, nor any member of the Bush family, is openly backing Trump. Not a single CEO of a Fortune 100 company has endorsed Trump. Eleven of them are backing Clinton.</p>
<p>Not one major newspaper has endorsed Trump, and some are endorsing a Democrat for the first time in over 100 years. Even conservative thought leaders like The National Review, The Weekly Standard and George Will are, in some form, anti-Trump, and in some cases, a few have become pro-Clinton.</p>
<p>And yet, Republican voters right now are ignoring establishment opinion. They're sticking with Trump. We're witnessing a withering away of the power of the elites. Joining me now this morning are two people who have bucked the establishment themselves. From the left, filmmaker Michael Moore, and in a few minutes, I'll talk from the right to broadcaster and founder of The Blaze, Glenn Beck. But joining me first is Mr. Moore. Michael, welcome back to the show, sir.</p>
<p>MICHAEL MOORE:</p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Let me start with something you wrote a few months ago. You believe Donald Trump is going to win this election. You believed it before the convention. And you wrote this: "From Green Bay to Pittsburgh...is the middle of England-- broken and depressed, struggling, the smoke stacks strewn across the countryside with the carcass of what we used to call the middle class, angry, embittered working and non-working people, who were lied to by the trickle-down of Reagan and abandoned by Democrats..." And I know after the debate you were, unlike many, you thought Trump was successful in what he needed to do. Explain.</p>
<p>MICHAEL MOORE:</p>
<p>Yes, I-- which I don't want him to win. Let’s just make that clear. I-- I've been trying to say for months here, I live in Michigan. And, and across the Midwest, across the Rust Belt, I understand why a lot of people are angry. And they see Donald Trump as their human Molotov cocktail that they get to go into the voting booth on November 8th and throw him into a political system that has made their lives miserable.</p>
<p>And, and so I think, at the convention, I was worried, Democrats, the Clinton campaign, were all doing an end zone dance when they were only on the 50 yard line. And, and the celebrating after the debate-- everybody needs to have their game face on here and realize that Trump can win. He can pull this off. And, and everybody has to, has to be full force here. Otherwise, it’s, it has a chance of happening. And I've lived long enough to know--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:Right.</p>
<p>MICHAEL MOORE:</p>
<p>-- where I've seen, you know, I never thought a B actor whose co-star was a chimpanzee would ever be president of the United States. Or, or George W. Bush, who was just completely not there himself, that he could ever get elected. Well, I take this seriously now. So I don't just-- Trump is not just comedy to me. I, I, I think that, that people--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Yeah.</p>
<p>MICHAEL MOORE:</p>
<p>--see that he is maybe their messenger. Even though they don't necessarily like him or agree with him so much, I think that they--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Do you--</p>
<p>MICHAEL MOORE:</p>
<p>--they love the idea of blowing up the system.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Do you think every time a newspaper editorial comes out and denounces Trump, and every time a former cabinet secretary in a Bush administration comes out and denounces Trump, you think that has a-- Do you think that backfires? You think it oddly reinforces Trump's message?</p>
<p>MICHAEL MOORE:</p>
<p>I think a lot of people who have seen their livelihood vaporized, who are no longer part of the middle class, who are struggling to survive, pay no attention anymore to what the media or the people in power-- they've lost all credibility, I think, with a lot, with a lot of people. I mean just take what's happened from how we got into the Iraq War.</p>
<p>Where was the media on that before the war? Where was The New York Times, for instance? Putting Judith Miller's stories concocting weapons of mass destruction on the front page of their paper. Where was the media while, while Wall Street was, was creating this crisis that was about to happen?</p>
<p>I mean so people don't trust the media. They don't listen to it, and for good reason, because the, the media has let them down. The, the rich and the powerful have let them down. They used to believe in that. They used to vote for the rich and powerful. And a lot of them aren't going to do that this time. And they, for some strange reason, see Donald Trump as their, as their means to get back--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:They--</p>
<p>MICHAEL MOORE:</p>
<p>--at, at, at this system.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Will they ever see Hillary Clinton as somebody that can change the system and make their lives better?</p>
<p>MICHAEL MOORE:</p>
<p>I hope so. I, I, I really--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>But how does she do it? How does she convince them? Or do you think that her, she just carries too much establishment baggage?</p>
<p>MICHAEL MOORE:</p>
<p>Yeah. Well, yes and no. I mean look, she's also creating history here. We have a chance to elect the first woman president in this country. This rarely gets discussed anymore. But I think that-- I mean I ask, people say, "Well, I don't trust Hillary," or, "She's not trustworthy." And I'm like, "What did she ever do to you?" "Well-- " you know, it's like, "Did you, did you, you know, she was going to water your plants for you while you were gone for the weekend and she didn't?"</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>But how do Democrats--</p>
<p>MICHAEL MOORE:</p>
<p>--so she's not trustworthy?</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>But clearly--</p>
<p>MICHAEL MOORE:</p>
<p>I don’t. What is this--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>But clearly-- Democrats--</p>
<p>MICHAEL MOORE:</p>
<p>--knock on her--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>--let them down, right? I mean is that the issue here, and she's--</p>
<p>MICHAEL MOORE:</p>
<p>The Democrats--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>--just another Democrat and they don't trust them anymore?</p>
<p>MICHAEL MOORE:</p>
<p>I don't think people do trust the Democ-- How else could a socialist win 22 states? I mean in my state of Michigan, Bernie Sanders won. If, if, if Hillary Clinton and the Democrats had a difficult time with him, that should have been the red flag to everybody that there is a, a, a mood out there where people are upset at the Democrats and the Republicans.</p>
<p>What has to happen here, though, like with the Brexit vote in England, is that people, where I'm from, have to understand that, while they may not like Hillary that much or she may be a bitter pill to swallow or whatever, you better, you better take your medicine. Because the, the opposite is going to be much, much worse.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Okay.</p>
<p>MICHAEL MOORE:</p>
<p>And I also don't think it's-- To be picking on the millennials is wrong. The last-- We were all 19. The last thing that you want to do is wag your finger, your adult finger, at these millennials. They're upset at the whole thing. They're upset at the world that's been handed to them. And, and, you know, they didn't create the climate change. They didn't start the war. And, and now it's like they've got to fix this election? No. I think, I think-- I hope they vote for Hillary Clinton. But, but the rest of us have got to get out there and do what we have to do.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Okay. Michael Moore, appreciate you coming on. I know you're in the middle of doing a documentary on these very voters and what's going on. So it’ll be-- we'll all look forward to that. Thank you for coming on.</p>
<p>MICHAEL MOORE:</p>
<p>Yes. Thank you.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Let's talk about this from another perspective. From the right, Glenn Beck, founder of The Blaze. Himself an anti-establishment type of guy. Mr. Beck, welcome back to the show.</p>
<p>GLENN BECK:</p>
<p>Thank you very much, Chuck.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>You know, the last time you were on, you said the following to me. You said, "I don't belong to anything anymore, and I want to feel like I belong to something. I don't even like my country, is even the same. I don't belong to anything. Nobody's listening to me. And I don't have any levers that control my own life." You were sort of describing the way you feel as if there are people out there-- and I had somebody else describe it to me, they feel homeless in their home-- own country. Is that--</p>
<p>GLENN BECK:</p>
<p>Yes.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>--what you were trying to get, get across?</p>
<p>GLENN BECK:</p>
<p>I, I-- Yeah. And that's not just describing me, I think that's describing a lot of people. And I, I can't actually bring myself to say that your last guest was right, only because then there will be a YouTube clip of me saying that. It will be used against me.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>That's okay. That’s-- By the way--</p>
<p>GLENN BECK:</p>
<p>But he is--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>--I think Mr. Moore probably doesn't want-- is worried about the same thing for him, I mean--</p>
<p>GLENN BECK:</p>
<p>Right. I mean, right. But there is-- he has diagnosed the, the problem in the country. Nobody feels like they're listening. We're, we’re, we’re shouting over each other, and you know, everything-- I mean I was watching the first 20 minutes of the show. Gee, who would have guessed those guests, those guests would have said those things?</p>
<p>Everybody feels like there's a play going on, and we're just watching it and looking at each other and shaking our heads in disbelief. And nobody's listening to the hardworking American who doesn't feel like they belong to anything anymore. In fact, it's almost as if we're being, we’re standing outside and we're not being invited to this party at all.</p>
<p>And, and it's, it’s going to backfire. And it's interesting that you would have Michael Moore and me both on the same show talking about this. Because I think there's a lot of people that would claim that Michael Moore and Glenn Beck are responsible for a lot of this.</p>
<p>When, I can't speak for Michael, because I, honestly, I don't watch much of what he does, and I'm sure he doesn't with me. But I warned about this. You know, when they were mocking me for bringing up Nazis, the reason why I did, many of the times, was to warn about the rise of the uber right in Europe that would bleed into America. And it's happening. We, we have to change our, our course. And we have to change--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Well, let's--</p>
<p>GLENN BECK:</p>
<p>-- our course as individuals now.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>You know, you and I were, had an interesting back and forth before this show when we were talking about this segment. And I think one of the challenges, I know you wanted to discuss, is how do you-- the eventual winner has to govern. Right? And the eventual winner is going to be governing a populace, 40 percent of which will maybe not accept the result, and 40 percent of which certainly won't listen to what anyone is saying out of Washington. So how to-- what’s a-- give a recipe of how to start to fix this problem.</p>
<p>GLENN BECK:</p>
<p>No, I've been looking through history. And the only thing I can come back to is Gandhi and Martin Luther King. What we're going through right now is more of a Malcolm X attitude, where we don't understand reconciliation, we just want to win. We have to stop winning, and we have to start reconciling with each other.</p>
<p>And, and realize, we're not going to lose our houses or our jobs or our country. We're losing something much more important. We're losing ourselves. We're losing our civility. We're losing our decency. We're, we’re losing our neighbors and our family.</p>
<p>How high of a price are we willing to pay before we say the idea that Martin-- that, that Malcolm X had, which was, "Get 'em" is not the path that we should go on? We have to start reconciling with each other. And unfortunately, right now, there's no leader to do that nationally. It's going to require each of us, in our own communities--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>All right.</p>
<p>GLENN BECK:</p>
<p>--to stand and, and, and be shamed, and be, and be pilloried for it--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Well.</p>
<p>GLENN BECK:</p>
<p>--but actually stand and do it.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>All right. Glenn Beck, I'm going to leave it there. But both you and Michael Moore proved why this was a segment that all of us here were looking forward to. I appreciate you coming on. Thanks very much.</p>
<p>GLENN BECK:</p>
<p>You bet.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Later in the broadcast, Tim Kaine and Mike Pence get ready to square off in the vice presidential debate on Tuesday. Can they do anything to make a dent into this campaign? But up next, conservatives are argued for years, there's a missing white vote out there ready to back a Republican nominee. Is Donald Trump the candidate who can get them to come out and vote? Stay with us.</p>
<p>***COMMERCIAL BREAK***</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Welcome back to this week’s Data Download. There’s been the belief by some that in 2016, a working class white army is going to emerge for Donald Trump and swing key states for him. Well we’ve looked at the data in two of these states: Florida and Pennsylvania. And the numbers suggest there is a missing working class white vote out there. Working class whites who stayed home in 2012. But are these folks actually registering to vote for 2016? Well let’s start with Florida. In the five counties with the highest percentage of white working class voters, places that should lean Republican this year, voter registration is up four and a half percent from last fall. But that's lower than the state's total registration increase of 4.7 percent.</p>
<p>And compare that to the five most diverse counties in Florida, which largely lean Democratic, where registration is up 5.7 percent. So there does not seem to be a Trump advantage in Florida.</p>
<p>Well let's go to Pennsylvania. In the five most white working class counties, voter registration is up a mere 2.8 percent. It's significantly lower than the state up-- updates overall: 4.8 percent. And again, lower in Pennsylvania than the five most diverse counties in the state, where voter registration has increased over 5 percent.</p>
<p>So in these places where Trump has the most votes to gain -- the voters who could potentially win him this election -- there's no evidence that people are registering to vote in droves. In fact, there’s no evidence that anybody’s in these counties registering people to vote. Many of the folks in these counties stayed home in 2012, and it's quite possible we'll see the same thing this November. Coming up, more from SNL's take on the election from an unbelievable season premiere.</p>
<p>(BEGIN TAPE)</p>
<p>KATE MCKINNON (AS HILLARY CLINTON):</p>
<p>He’s spent his life cheating middle class laborers, laborers like my own human father, who made I-- I guess drapes, or printed drapes, or sold drapes, or something with drapes. And he was relatable and I am also relatable.</p>
<p>(END TAPE)</p>
<p>***COMMERCIAL BREAK***</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Let’s bring the panel back. Welcome back guys. I know all of you were curious about the Michael Moore, Glenn Beck conversation. Let me throw up one other statistic, which is about this opinion elite here. So far, major newspaper endorsements sort of from the top 100 newspapers. Sixteen for Clinton, four for Gary Johnson, Donald Trump has zero. We do not include the National Enquirer in our list of major newspapers.</p>
<p>MARK HALPERIN:</p>
<p>Coveted.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>I know others do.This--look elite opinions have had I would say no new influence on this campaign. How about that?</p>
<p>AMY WALTER:</p>
<p>You could also argue they’re having less and less influence every year. Whether you put this up in 2004 or 2008. When we’ve seen it now, the gradual decline, not just in elites in media, but in elites in everything. In business, organized religion, it’s become much more diffused.</p>
<p>The question though, I think that didn’t get answered in this was who's responsible for creating this? And people in the media also have a responsibility for that. And so, when I see folks coming out and kind of wringing their hands about how terrible and uncivil it is, they've been helping to-- they've been making a lot of money in helping to foment this kind of conversation.</p>
<p>RICH LOWRY:</p>
<p>You look at just a trust of the federal government, in 1964, it was about 80 percent of people thought it would do the right thing all or some of the time. Now it's in the teens. And that's true of almost every major institution. I think a lot of this is we live in a different, decentralized age. And we're probably never going back to a time when people have that sort of faith in big, centralizing institutions. The one institution that’s held up very well, very notably, is local government.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Right. And the military.</p>
<p>AMY WALTER:</p>
<p>And the military. Yeah.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>The military, also, I would argue, also draws from a more diverse pool of Americans. So that has helped.</p>
<p>MARIA TERESA KUMAR:</p>
<p>But I think when you start looking at the effect within the media, you basically have a network for the last 15 years saying that you can't trust politicians, that our government is broken. And after that, people start internalizing that. And we end up in getting a candidate like Donald Trump, who's completely anti-establishment, completely populist rhetoric. And it's like, well, there is such a shift when people say, "Well, I don't trust government." But it's because we've actually had a propaganda machine for the last 15, 20 years, saying, "You shouldn't."</p>
<p>MARK HALPERIN:</p>
<p>There's a spiritual and cultural element to this. But to me, it's mostly economic. You look at Bernie Sanders, Donald Trump, they weren't members of the parties whose nominations they ran for about a year ago. And both of them talked about the economic elites and the government elites being out of touch with what's happened to the American dream. And I think both parties have to get an understanding of why those two guys did so well, regardless of who wins.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>I was just going to say, let's either one of these, particularly President Hillary Clinton, will have to deal with 40 percent of the country that may not think the election--</p>
<p>AMY WALTER:</p>
<p>Is even--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>--is even--</p>
<p>AMY WALTER:</p>
<p>Legitimate.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>--legitimate, and will not listen to anything she's saying. How do you begin to repair that trust? That was a question that I don't think either one of them could answer.</p>
<p>MARIA TERESA KUMAR:</p>
<p>Right. Well, and I think that was very telling when Lester Holt, that was his final question, and I think it was one of the most brilliant ones. She was forthright. She said, "I will accept the results of the election." Donald Trump, on the other side, hemmed and hawed and kind of said, "Well--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>I don't know, I would give him-- he answered the question, "I'll support her," and then later, say, "I'll support-- " but then the next day, pulled it back.</p>
<p>MARIA TERESA KUMAR:</p>
<p>No, but when he answered the question, he literally said, "Well, there's a lot-- " and it was interesting watching his rhythm. When he first started saying, "Well, there's a lot of people that are supposed to be deported but now they're citizens."</p>
<p>So he said that, he was trying to say, like, "I'm going to try to delegitimize this, because at the end of the day, I don't like to lose." It's a real-- I think it's a window into how he feels about winning at all costs, even to the cost of our democracy.</p>
<p>AMY WALTER:</p>
<p>Well, and we know that, if Republicans, if Hillary Clinton wins, Republicans who compromise with her in any way, shape or form, will be completely demonized, will have no ability to win a primary. And it just is a self perpetuating--</p>
<p>RICH LOWRY:</p>
<p>Yeah. She'll probably win with under 50 percent. There’ll probably be a Republican House completely opposed to her. The e-mail thing will drag on.</p>
<p>MARIA TERESA KUMAR:</p>
<p>Yep.</p>
<p>RICH LOWRY:</p>
<p>And she's not a good politician. So none of this adds up to be an aspiring administration that's going to restore faith in government.</p>
<p>MARK HALPERIN:</p>
<p>The winner, the keeper, whoever wins, their election night speech, their appointments, their cabinet appointments, reaching out to the other side, and their inauguration address, those three things are always important.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>I think you're leaving out one more, though.</p>
<p>MARK HALPERIN:</p>
<p>Yeah.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>The concession speech.</p>
<p>MARIA TERESA KUMAR:</p>
<p>Yep. That’s right.</p>
<p>MARK HALPERIN:</p>
<p>But the winner can't control that.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>No, but the concession speech--</p>
<p>MARIA TERESA KUMAR:That’s exactly right--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>--Might be more important.</p>
<p>MARK HALPERIN:</p>
<p>Yeah.</p>
<p>MARIA TERESA KUMAR:</p>
<p>Well, and I think one of the things that we're not talking about with Donald Trump, he's low on the polls. But I actually think that we can expect almost a Bradley surprise, meaning that there's a lot of folks that may not feel that they want to publicly say in polls, that they want to vote for him. But when they get behind that-- when it's between them and the box, they actually might pull that lever.</p>
<p>AMY WALTER:</p>
<p>I don't buy that yet. I mean we've not seen any evidence of that in the primaries, people who said they're going to vote for Donald Trump voted for him. And the people that are saying, that we're hearing, "I'm not going to vote for Donald Trump," They’re Republicans, if they come home and vote for Donald Trump, there's no surprise in that. The surprise would be those people that Chuck pointed out who don't vote, who aren't normally part of the process. If they come out, that would be the surprise.</p>
<p>RICH LOWRY:</p>
<p>Even though you don't see it in the registration data, and they don't have any ground operation to speak of, because I still would not be shocked if he can change the electorate somewhat by turning out these working class white voters who were missing in 2012. And his core message is built for those people.</p>
<p>MARK HALPERIN:</p>
<p>And with his current trajectory, he could get to 265 electoral votes and some honest Democrats would admit that.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Right.</p>
<p>MARK HALPERIN:</p>
<p>He's five electoral votes away. And once you're five away, any--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>No, anything can happen. My favorite parlor game, though, is more hidden Hillary vote or more hidden Trump vote? I think it's more even--</p>
<p>AMY WALTER:</p>
<p>Yeah.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>--then you guys might think.</p>
<p>AMY WALTER:</p>
<p>I agree.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>I'm going to quick pause here. Moderator prerogative. Back in 45 seconds with our Endgame segment and some more SNL. We'll be right back.</p>
<p>***COMMERCIAL BREAK***</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Back now with End Game as we try to land the show plane here. VP debate-- good news is I put a compilation of the most memorable moments from VP debates. Here it is.</p>
<p>(BEGIN TAPE)</p>
<p>LLOYD BENTSEN:</p>
<p>Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you’re no Jack Kennedy.</p>
<p>BOB DOLE:</p>
<p>If we added up the killed and wounded in Democrat wars in this century it’d be about 1.6 million Americans. Enough to fill the city of Detroit.</p>
<p>SARAH PALIN:</p>
<p>Nice to meet you. Hey, can I call you Joe?</p>
<p>(END TAPE)</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>And there you go. And by the way all these most memorable moments--</p>
<p>AMY WALTER:</p>
<p>They all had one thing in common.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Yeah?</p>
<p>AMY WALTER:</p>
<p>None of those candidates ended up winning.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Correct. That’s the point. You can win the VP debate and it does your ticket that much good. Right Mark?</p>
<p>MARK HALPERIN:</p>
<p>I think there’s one way this debate will get attention and break through, which is if Tim Kaine pulls out his cellphone and tweets about a Mike Pence sex tape. That’s the only way they’re going to get any attention.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Look it can stop a bad news cycle and Donald Trump desperately needs to stop a bad news cycle.</p>
<p>RICH LOWRY:</p>
<p>No one is anticipating this vice presidential debate like the Trump campaign. It cannot get here soon enough just to change the media conversation. Otherwise, it’ll be perhaps one of the most earnest presidential debates in American history and one of the least consequential.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>You know, Maria, it is interesting talking to Clinton folks. They don’t--they want to try-- Kaine’s goal is apparently to make Mike Pence defend everything that Donald Trump says. And Pence’s goal is to normalize this debate, make it about issues. That’s a-- it’s an awkward position for Kaine to be because he has to be the guy that says ‘no, no, no let’s not talk about trade, let’s talk about Trump.</p>
<p>MARIA TERESA KUMAR:</p>
<p>Right. And well what they don’t want to do is they don’t want to make it seem like the angry person going after Mike Pence, right? Mike Pence is very reasonable. He’s the one that actually normalizes Donald Trump. So that is going to be something that I don’t actually think that Mike Pence actually wants to get into the issues either, he just wants to say “look he just gets off his handles a little but he’s actually a really good guy. That’s why I put my political career on you and I think that’s going to be a challenge for them.</p>
<p>MARK HALPERIN:</p>
<p>I think there’s one other thing Pence can do, in all seriousness, he can energize the base of the Republican Party. He can through dog whistles but also some pretty direct statements about the center right movement. I think he can inspire people to vote for the ticket.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>You know there was no-- of the many things Trump forgot to do at his debate, the biggest one I’ve heard from some actually is he forgot to talk about the Supreme Court. That was actually a-- because it is how you get skeptical Republicans-- that’s been like how you yank them onboard. AKA Ted Cruz.</p>
<p>AMY WALTER:</p>
<p>And again I think Mike Pence is going to go in very prepared. He knows how to do this. He’s going to be on message and we’ll talk about how incredibly on message he was. And then by the next day we may be off on another tweet storm.</p>
<p>RICH LOWRY:</p>
<p>I mean he’s had a very tough job.</p>
<p>MARIA TERESA KUMAR:</p>
<p>Who knows.</p>
<p>RICH LOWRY:</p>
<p>He’s the defender in chief of Donald Trump. He has to constantly deflect, defend, explain away and he has not had a hiccup. He has done an exemplary job.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>With a smile on his face--</p>
<p>MARK HALPERIN:</p>
<p>Whatever happens, almost certainly we wake up Wednesday morning and the next presidential debate’s just a couple days away so--</p>
<p>AMY WALTER:</p>
<p>That’s right</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>And we know he’s prepping for that. Alright last night SNL was back obviously they waited to set their sights on the campaign. Here you go.</p>
<p>(BEGIN TAPE)</p>
<p>ALEC BALDWIN (AS DONALD TRUMP):</p>
<p>Gina, Gina, huge, Gina.</p>
<p>MICHAEL CHE (AS LESTER HOLT):</p>
<p>Secretary Clinton, what do you think about that?</p>
<p>KATE MCKINNON (AS HILLARY CLINTON):</p>
<p>I think I’m going to be President.</p>
<p>LARRY DAVID (AS BERNIE SANDERS):</p>
<p>Senator Clinton is the prune juice of this election. She might not seem that appetizing but if you don’t take her now, you’re going to be clogged with crap for a very long time.</p>
<p>MICHAEL CHE (AS LESTER HOLT):</p>
<p>Secretary Clinton, did you have a response?</p>
<p>KATE MCKINNON (AS HILLARY CLINTON):</p>
<p>Not a uh-- not a response, more of a request. Can America vote right now?</p>
<p>(END TAPE)</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Look, we laugh about SNL, but it-- when it stamps the campaign, the candidates don’t shake that image.</p>
<p>MARIA TERESA KUMAR:</p>
<p>Well, I mean Tina Fey basically sealed the fate of Sarah Palin and I think that’s what they’re looking for right now-- Alec Baldwin. Is he going to seal the fate of Donald Trump once and for all?</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>What’d you make of the Alec Baldwin? I was skeptical-- better than I thought.</p>
<p>MARK HALPERIN:</p>
<p>Genius.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>He really a--</p>
<p>MARK HALPERIN:</p>
<p>He’s got it totally nailed. Look, the reality-- we all see this-- you talk to any voters around the country, there’s not a great deal of happiness about these being the two choices and I think that’s what the SNL thing tapped into as much as anything else.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>I-- to me that prune juice line might be the most accurate line--</p>
<p>AMY WALTER:</p>
<p>I think it’s how many voters are feeling--</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Poltifact may fact-check that line and say--</p>
<p>MARK HALPERIN</p>
<p>Zero pinocchios.</p>
<p>CHUCK TODD:</p>
<p>Right, zero Pinocchios on that one. Alright before we go quick programming note-- NBC News will provide live coverage of the vice-presidential debate on Tuesday. It begins at 9:00 Eastern Time. And one more thing-- I want to say thank you and all of us here at Meet The Press want to say thank you and good luck to the great Jim Miklaszewski, who’s leaving NBC after 31 years. Mik, enjoy retirement, enjoy that golf game of yours-- it’s still mediocre. That’s all for today. We’ll be back next week because if it’s Sunday, it’s Meet the Press.</p>
<p>***END TRANSCRIPT***</p>
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meet press october 2 2016 chuck todd sunday trumps terrible week rough debate 300 tweets obsession 1996 miss universe donald trump winner know gained massive amount weight real problem chuck todd report trump could avoided paying taxes 18 years ill talk trump supporter rudy giuliani clinton campaign manager robby mook plus lead opinion lined donald trump effect ill talk antiestablishment voices left right michael moore glenn beck also vp debate much tuesdays pencekaine faceoff matter live new york snl kate mckinnon hillary clinton hasnt released tax returns means hes either rich alec baldwin donald trump wrong kate mckinnon hillary clinton charitable alec baldwin donald trump wrong kate mckinnon hillary clinton hes never paid taxes life alec baldwin donald trump warmer laughter chuck todd joining insight analysis sunday morning amy walter editor cook political report mark halperin managing editor bloomberg politics maria teresa kumar president ceo voto latino rich lowry editor national review welcome sunday meet press announcerfrom nbc news washington meet press chuck todd chuck todd good sunday morning surprise october donald trumps bad week may gotten lot worse todays new york times frontpage exposé trump declared loss 916 million 1995 tax return means could allowed avoid paying federal income taxes nearly billion dollars worth income 18year period legal way losses came mismanagement three casinos airline plaza hotel new york times received 1995 documents mail anonymously return address trump tower former accountant whos retired verified clinton campaign jumped news saying quote bombshell report reveals colossal nature donald trumps business failures trumps campaign told times trump paid hundreds millions dollars state local federal taxes trump tweeted morning know complex tax laws better anyone ever run president one fix see specific denial anything times report news comes end week trump followed unsteady unfocused debate performance parade outbursts twitter television trail came closing gap hillary clinton begin tape donald trump dont even think shes loyal bill want know truth really folks really right chuck todd looks competitive trump veers message donald trump person miss universe person worst ever worst chuck todd trumps inability control emotions standing presidency donald trump whats happened jobs chuck todd instead talking jobs trade clintons email controversy admit hes spinning control trump spent five days week attacking 1996 miss universe winner alicia machado natalie morales names called alicia machado miss piggy miss housekeeping miss eating machine donald trump winner know gained massive amount weight real problem chuck todd controversy dying trump kept alive 300am tweet storm crooked hillary help disgusting check sex tape past alicia become us citizen could use debate sec hillary clinton latest twitter meltdown unhinged even chuck todd tony schwartz trumps ghostwriter 1987 memoir art deal tony schwartz hes like untrained rottweiler every time let leash ends biting someone putting jeopardy chuck todd every scientific poll shows trump lost mondays debate trump isnt buying donald trump every single online poll said great tony schwartz early life father later mentor became roy cohn advice never surrender matter chuck todd trump acting lost attacking clintons marital history interview new york times saying quote shes nasty nastier ever sec hillary clinton look say whatever wants say chuck todd trump supporters embrace idea flawed messenger say shake washington even become skeptical female trump supporter 1 wish would talk everything hes gon na change thats stop little petty stuff know beauty queen many years ago female trump supporter 2 twenty female trump supporter 1 mean really chuck todd even trumps surrogates say trump lose reign newt gingrich last week think frankly lost week week hurt shaken supporters cant tweet 300 morning period theres excuse ever youre going president united states end tape chuck todd joining former mayor new york city top advisor donald trump rudy giuliani mr mayor welcome back show rudy giuliani thank much chuck chuck todd let get respond newt gingrich basically said lost week disagree rudy giuliani yeah disagree think donald trump really well debate think accomplished accomplish showed understands economy better hillary clinton demonstrated understanding economy completely lost answer going bring back jobs america tax people course reason theyve driven america thought foreign policy displayed better understanding islamic radical terrorism chuck todd thats mr mayor thats thought monday monday tweeted debate trumps best rudy giuliani didnt chuck todd still two rudy giuliani didnt tweet thats tweet chuck todd okay fair enough rudy giuliani chuck toddfair enough rudy giuliani never said thats somebody pretending four pretend chuck todd okay thought everything went hunky dory monday night thought best could rudy giuliani think better think lot better think look debaters im lawyer always find four five things could done thought example brought cyber security excellent chance point shes worst violator cyber security far history united states shes exposed top secret documents chuck todd right rudy giuliani secretary state history analyze debate would say two three opportunities could delivered knockout blow didnt take chuck todd let go go ahead finish thought rudy giuliani debates coming chuck todd fair enough let ask new york times story morning evidence legally avoided paying federal income taxes almost billion dollars worth income losses attained businesses important donald trump release tax returns many even supporters including guy like roger stone even thinks ought release tax returns rudy giuliani well know points one reasons releasing tax returns bad new york times writes long story somewhere around paragraph 18 point wrongdoing people hard time understanding taxes work donald trump hadnt taken losses could sued investors could sued business partners run business run business dont take advantage five deductions available even think deductions unfair ive violated fiduciary duty clients clients take losses like advise take losses otherwise youre job chuck todd people rudy giuliani chuck todd people wants work basically fail jobs job goes away know dont kind ability mean basically deduction benefits wealthy businessmen failed businesses first three businesses failures able get tax break failure next billion dollars income look legal rudy giuliani thats good question talking 21 years ago didnt take advantage would sued thats maybe somebody doesnt want put tax returns somebody distort way mean reality hes genius took advantage chuck todd okay rudy giuliani something could save enterprise something admire america came back art deal talks steve jobs winston churchill winston churchill chuck todd okay rudy giuliani thrown politics twice came back great men big failures chuck todd right rudy giuliani take failures turn great results id rather genius like donald trump running country someone like hillary clinton seems chuck todd think rudy giuliani produce jobs fbi chuck todd think good example avoid basically able avoid paying federal taxes take advantage loopholes somebody wealthy avoid paying actual federal taxes understand legal rudy giuliani look chuck todd debating whether right thing president rudy giuliani well first lot people poor take advantage loopholes pay taxes loopholes also pay taxes also matter 30 operating loss carry forward next year poor people take advantage also think tax code simplified absolutely away things like probably better positioned anyone figure away understands tax code better anyone else id rather genius understands tax code chuck todd right rudy giuliani wants reform hes one whos giving hedge fund guys big break get chuck todd okay rudy giuliani paying 15 percent tax youve got figure youre working working private interests chuck todd okay rudy giuliani take advantage rules wrongdoing chuck todd right rudy giuliani kinds results us america wouldnt 15 percent recovery wed five percent recovery chuck todd right rudy giuliani plus pay hundreds millions dollars taxes state taxes local taxes chuck todd well dont know rudy giuliani excise taxes chuck todd know without releasing tax returns rudy giuliani didnt hed jail thats hed sitting behind bars didnt pay taxes didnt pay sales tax didnt pay excise tax didnt chuck todd okay rudy giuliani didnt pay property tax chuck todd understand dont know much rudy giuliani hed sitting jail chuck todd dont know much rudy giulianiall chuck todd take word rudy giuliani look chuck todd okay rudy giuliani 104page financial disclosure form look property chuck todd right rudy giuliani figure tax rate community figure paid since chuck todd okay rudy giuliani didnt put jail guarantee paid chuck todd let go mean talked monica lewinsky hillary clinton didnt know bill clinton shes stupid president rudy giuliani meant long long history bill clinton gennifer flowers juanita broaddrick dont know 27 people making claims including settlement one obviously true first heard monica lewinksy pretend five six months false chuck todd wrong stand husband rudy giuliani wrong attack victim woman says chuck todd right person level charge rudy giuliani yeah im right person level charge ive never made charge ive prosecuted people whove committed rape chuck todd past infidelities sir rudy giuliani well everybody im roman catholic confess things priest ive never ive never ever attacked someone whos victim chuck todd okay rudy giuliani whos victim sexual abuse ive put people jail whove victim sexual abuse chuck todd well right well rudy giuliani ive never participated think bringing personal life really kind irrelevant hillary clinton shes running president im woman pretends chuck todd okay rudy giuliani feminist shouldnt taking money countries chuck todd right mr mayor rudy giuliani women stoned women killed adultery women cant drive shes taken hundreds millions dollars countries chuck todd right mr mayor leave rudy giuliani thank chuck todd appreciate coming sharing views rudy giuliani thank chuck todd joining side hillary clinton campaign manager robby mook mr mook welcome show robby mook good morning chuck todd want play new ad trump campaign hitting hillary clinton get respond side begin tape hillary clinton arent fifty points ahead might ask male narrator maybe director fbi said lied email james comey classified material emailed male narrator maybe policies allowed isis terrorism spread maybe call americans deplorable end tape chuck todd last part deplorable everything put together ad anything ad tells effective hit secretary clinton robby mook well lot simply isnt true know fbi said wrongdoing would bring secretary clinton think lot people stand donald trump deplorable things say deplorable know trump really bad week failed debate spun control subsequent insulting alicia machado 300 tweet storm know campaigns spinning theyre grasping anything throw mud back secretary clintons going keep campaign trail talking shes actually going make difference peoples lives know morning see donald trump defend fact may paid taxes 20 years something americans dont option chuck todd robby mook going stay focused shes going create jobs chuck todd robby mook get wages rising chuck todd concerned know everything come donald trump different hits come donald trump yet youre 50 points ahead anything close race path 270 win everything thats happened still win reflection country thinks hillary clinton robby mook think reflection presidential campaign process competitive country fortunately unfortunately polarized right people fall different camps people concerned want see change whats becoming clear particularly since debate donald trump isnt going present change way whatsoever talk rigged system donald trump embodies idea didnt pay taxes 20 years least thats new york times telling us feel good competitive end going work hard chuck todd guys struggling win voters age 30 new audio come fundraiser earlier year secretary clinton running bernie sanders described sanders supporters kids essentially still living parents basement meant shot sanders supporters robby mook well chuck actually im really glad asked question really encourage everybody listen full audio original piece came headline changed completely mischaracterized talking talking young people shed met frustrated graduated college went economy couldnt find job wanted expected chuck todd didnt help folks laughed said fundraiser made seem like pejorative robby mook well listened didnt hear way heard reflecting things shes hearing shes campaigning fact two candidates shes one whos presented real plan chuck todd okay robby mook create jobs real plan help families afford college bernie sanders worked together chuck todd right robby mook new college compact create tuitionfree education people families earning 125000 year chuck todd quickly know youre pulling ohio clear robby mook chuck todd clear numbers arent arent great view ohio mustwin state anymore robby mook actually dont even accept premise ohios battleground state think either candidate win working incredibly hard think secretary clinton win going going keep working make sure happens chuck todd right robby mook campaign manager hillary clinton robby mook thanks chuck chuck todd leave coming antiestablishment opinion trumping elites campaign season im going joined filmmaker michael moore left broadcaster glenn beck right talk later theyre back saturday night live takes 2016 campaign begin tape kate mckinnon hillary clinton hasnt released tax returns means hes either rich alec baldwin donald trump wrong kate mckinnon hillary clinton charitable alec baldwin donald trump wrong kate mckinnon hillary clinton hes never paid taxes life alec baldwin donald trump warmer end tape commercial break chuck todd welcome back panel us rich lowry editor national review maria teresa kumar president ceo voto latino amy walter editor cook political report mark halperin managing editor bloomberg politics little correction rudy giuliani right parody account got rudy giuliani said night debate think clarified night said would skip next debates trump correct aspect rudy giuliani mark halperin tax returns morning bombshelly mark halperin first many october surprises times chose publish october 1st think well see dont know big deal times blown dont know learned anything new knew guy took tons deductions dont know fact didnt pay federal taxes story says could might think americans going clinton campaign continue press americans think bad thing wont release returns think continue go dont think dominant factor dont think itll change race much chuck todd rich howd think rudy defending smart rich lowry well wouldnt go poor people exploit tax system argument chuck todd think mistake interested rich lowry come around knows system therefore fix argument trump much traction would thought look exploited rigged system inside therefore fix argument intuitive people would thought chuck todd ithe said whole time times didnt change narrative many people already amy walter already believed right chuck todd believed amy walter already baked think points theyre already baked perceptions donald trump question mind isnt bombshell report trump react go forward weve seen history certainly week history campaign donald trumps reaction difficult stories difficult situations gets trouble right story pivot make rigged system make hes one whos going change system going get caught spin wheels go topic maria teresa kumar oh think thats thing whole week drip drip drip could actually avoided whole thing taxes showed one surprised fact hasnt paid think hypocrisy fact keeps talking dont good education dont infrastruc know deteriorating infrastructure keeps talking undocumented immigrants undocumented immigrants pay 12 billion taxes every single year pay taxes skin game contributing system says hes going go fix chuck todd okay kind think youre clinton campaign mark sit say miss machado story seemed drive crazier ways even taxes mark halperin right well dont know story done look clear think failure release returns whether paid taxes big problem dont think new big problem old new problem look clinton campaign decided months ago pick donald trump targetrich environment going decided basically one thing hes fit president doesnt right temperament hes someone whos greatis nice people machado story allowed go right message story extent amy suggested hes set hes tweeting today changing washington hillary clintons part problem hes tweeting taxes think another story theyre happy goes fact hes easily baited chuck todd go monica route dont see amy walteri dont understand chuck todd dont understand amy walter think terrible chuck todd anybody understand rich lowry well think right part defense women given bills vulnerabilities part political operation discredit basically smear women got way lot telling truth prosecuting way doesnt make seem though youre blaming hillary bills infidelities going really difficult opens worms trump every surrogate may problems marriage maria teresa kumar well think hes trying basically open base needs republican women come camp going woman basically said marriage important family important mean thats really hard face mark halperin three people top campaign dave bossie steve bannon kellyanne conway talking bill clintons personal life quarter century surprise look around say inspires us say clintons shouldnt back white house surprise would tempted turn chuck todd well hit 30 year old argument amy walterit hurts right reminds people chuck todd meaning like reminds people theyve around amy walter reminds people number one concern goes mark said talk clinton campaign others around number one concern voters donald trump temperament judgment going get campaign back rails judgment temperament chuck todd okay im gon na leave minute come back weve heard bunch elite opinion right right going talk fact elite opinion around country lining behind hillary clinton year doesnt seem matter stage left filmmaker michael moore stage right tv radios glenn beck join next commercial break chuck todd welcome back elite opinion united states lining donald trump ways weve never seen consider neither president george hw bush president george w bush member bush family openly backing trump single ceo fortune 100 company endorsed trump eleven backing clinton one major newspaper endorsed trump endorsing democrat first time 100 years even conservative thought leaders like national review weekly standard george form antitrump cases become proclinton yet republican voters right ignoring establishment opinion theyre sticking trump witnessing withering away power elites joining morning two people bucked establishment left filmmaker michael moore minutes ill talk right broadcaster founder blaze glenn beck joining first mr moore michael welcome back show sir michael moore thank chuck todd let start something wrote months ago believe donald trump going win election believed convention wrote green bay pittsburghis middle england broken depressed struggling smoke stacks strewn across countryside carcass used call middle class angry embittered working nonworking people lied trickledown reagan abandoned democrats know debate unlike many thought trump successful needed explain michael moore yes dont want win lets make clear ive trying say months live michigan across midwest across rust belt understand lot people angry see donald trump human molotov cocktail get go voting booth november 8th throw political system made lives miserable think convention worried democrats clinton campaign end zone dance 50 yard line celebrating debate everybody needs game face realize trump win pull everybody full force otherwise chance happening ive lived long enough know chuck toddright michael moore ive seen know never thought b actor whose costar chimpanzee would ever president united states george w bush completely could ever get elected well take seriously dont trump comedy think people chuck todd yeah michael moore see maybe messenger even though dont necessarily like agree much think chuck todd michael moore love idea blowing system chuck todd think every time newspaper editorial comes denounces trump every time former cabinet secretary bush administration comes denounces trump think think backfires think oddly reinforces trumps message michael moore think lot people seen livelihood vaporized longer part middle class struggling survive pay attention anymore media people power theyve lost credibility think lot lot people mean take whats happened got iraq war media war new york times instance putting judith millers stories concocting weapons mass destruction front page paper media wall street creating crisis happen mean people dont trust media dont listen good reason media let rich powerful let used believe used vote rich powerful lot arent going time strange reason see donald trump means get back chuck toddthey michael moore system chuck todd ever see hillary clinton somebody change system make lives better michael moore hope really chuck todd convince think carries much establishment baggage michael moore yeah well yes mean look shes also creating history chance elect first woman president country rarely gets discussed anymore think mean ask people say well dont trust hillary shes trustworthy im like ever well know like know going water plants gone weekend didnt chuck todd democrats michael moore shes trustworthy chuck todd clearly michael moore dont chuck todd clearly democrats michael moore knock chuck todd let right mean issue shes michael moore democrats chuck todd another democrat dont trust anymore michael moore dont think people trust democ else could socialist win 22 states mean state michigan bernie sanders hillary clinton democrats difficult time red flag everybody mood people upset democrats republicans happen though like brexit vote england people im understand may like hillary much may bitter pill swallow whatever better better take medicine opposite going much much worse chuck todd okay michael moore also dont think picking millennials wrong last 19 last thing want wag finger adult finger millennials theyre upset whole thing theyre upset world thats handed know didnt create climate change didnt start war like theyve got fix election think think hope vote hillary clinton rest us got get chuck todd okay michael moore appreciate coming know youre middle documentary voters whats going itll well look forward thank coming michael moore yes thank chuck todd lets talk another perspective right glenn beck founder blaze antiestablishment type guy mr beck welcome back show glenn beck thank much chuck chuck todd know last time said following said dont belong anything anymore want feel like belong something dont even like country even dont belong anything nobodys listening dont levers control life sort describing way feel people somebody else describe feel homeless home country glenn beck yes chuck todd trying get get across glenn beck yeah thats describing think thats describing lot people cant actually bring say last guest right youtube clip saying used chuck todd thats okay thats way glenn beck chuck todd think mr moore probably doesnt want worried thing mean glenn beck right mean right diagnosed problem country nobody feels like theyre listening shouting know everything mean watching first 20 minutes show gee would guessed guests guests would said things everybody feels like theres play going watching looking shaking heads disbelief nobodys listening hardworking american doesnt feel like belong anything anymore fact almost standing outside invited party going backfire interesting would michael moore show talking think theres lot people would claim michael moore glenn beck responsible lot cant speak michael honestly dont watch much im sure doesnt warned know mocking bringing nazis reason many times warn rise uber right europe would bleed america happening change course change chuck todd well lets glenn beck course individuals chuck todd know interesting back forth show talking segment think one challenges know wanted discuss eventual winner govern right eventual winner going governing populace 40 percent maybe accept result 40 percent certainly wont listen anyone saying washington whats give recipe start fix problem glenn beck ive looking history thing come back gandhi martin luther king going right malcolm x attitude dont understand reconciliation want win stop winning start reconciling realize going lose houses jobs country losing something much important losing losing civility losing decency losing neighbors family high price willing pay say idea martin malcolm x get em path go start reconciling unfortunately right theres leader nationally going require us communities chuck todd right glenn beck stand shamed pilloried chuck todd well glenn beck actually stand chuck todd right glenn beck im going leave michael moore proved segment us looking forward appreciate coming thanks much glenn beck bet chuck todd later broadcast tim kaine mike pence get ready square vice presidential debate tuesday anything make dent campaign next conservatives argued years theres missing white vote ready back republican nominee donald trump candidate get come vote stay us commercial break chuck todd welcome back weeks data download theres belief 2016 working class white army going emerge donald trump swing key states well weve looked data two states florida pennsylvania numbers suggest missing working class white vote working class whites stayed home 2012 folks actually registering vote 2016 well lets start florida five counties highest percentage white working class voters places lean republican year voter registration four half percent last fall thats lower states total registration increase 47 percent compare five diverse counties florida largely lean democratic registration 57 percent seem trump advantage florida well lets go pennsylvania five white working class counties voter registration mere 28 percent significantly lower state updates overall 48 percent lower pennsylvania five diverse counties state voter registration increased 5 percent places trump votes gain voters could potentially win election theres evidence people registering vote droves fact theres evidence anybodys counties registering people vote many folks counties stayed home 2012 quite possible well see thing november coming snls take election unbelievable season premiere begin tape kate mckinnon hillary clinton hes spent life cheating middle class laborers laborers like human father made guess drapes printed drapes sold drapes something drapes relatable also relatable end tape commercial break chuck todd lets bring panel back welcome back guys know curious michael moore glenn beck conversation let throw one statistic opinion elite far major newspaper endorsements sort top 100 newspapers sixteen clinton four gary johnson donald trump zero include national enquirer list major newspapers mark halperin coveted chuck todd know others dothislook elite opinions would say new influence campaign amy walter could also argue theyre less less influence every year whether put 2004 2008 weve seen gradual decline elites media elites everything business organized religion become much diffused question though think didnt get answered whos responsible creating people media also responsibility see folks coming kind wringing hands terrible uncivil theyve helping theyve making lot money helping foment kind conversation rich lowry look trust federal government 1964 80 percent people thought would right thing time teens thats true almost every major institution think lot live different decentralized age probably never going back time people sort faith big centralizing institutions one institution thats held well notably local government chuck todd right military amy walter military yeah chuck todd military also would argue also draws diverse pool americans helped maria teresa kumar think start looking effect within media basically network last 15 years saying cant trust politicians government broken people start internalizing end getting candidate like donald trump whos completely antiestablishment completely populist rhetoric like well shift people say well dont trust government weve actually propaganda machine last 15 20 years saying shouldnt mark halperin theres spiritual cultural element mostly economic look bernie sanders donald trump werent members parties whose nominations ran year ago talked economic elites government elites touch whats happened american dream think parties get understanding two guys well regardless wins chuck todd going say lets either one particularly president hillary clinton deal 40 percent country may think election amy walter even chuck todd even amy walter legitimate chuck todd legitimate listen anything shes saying begin repair trust question dont think either one could answer maria teresa kumar right well think telling lester holt final question think one brilliant ones forthright said accept results election donald trump side hemmed hawed kind said well chuck todd dont know would give answered question ill support later say ill support next day pulled back maria teresa kumar answered question literally said well theres lot interesting watching rhythm first started saying well theres lot people supposed deported theyre citizens said trying say like im going try delegitimize end day dont like lose real think window feels winning costs even cost democracy amy walter well know republicans hillary clinton wins republicans compromise way shape form completely demonized ability win primary self perpetuating rich lowry yeah shell probably win 50 percent therell probably republican house completely opposed email thing drag maria teresa kumar yep rich lowry shes good politician none adds aspiring administration thats going restore faith government mark halperin winner keeper whoever wins election night speech appointments cabinet appointments reaching side inauguration address three things always important chuck todd think youre leaving one though mark halperin yeah chuck todd concession speech maria teresa kumar yep thats right mark halperin winner cant control chuck todd concession speech maria teresa kumarthats exactly right chuck todd might important mark halperin yeah maria teresa kumar well think one things talking donald trump hes low polls actually think expect almost bradley surprise meaning theres lot folks may feel want publicly say polls want vote get behind box actually might pull lever amy walter dont buy yet mean weve seen evidence primaries people said theyre going vote donald trump voted people saying hearing im going vote donald trump theyre republicans come home vote donald trump theres surprise surprise would people chuck pointed dont vote arent normally part process come would surprise rich lowry even though dont see registration data dont ground operation speak still would shocked change electorate somewhat turning working class white voters missing 2012 core message built people mark halperin current trajectory could get 265 electoral votes honest democrats would admit chuck todd right mark halperin hes five electoral votes away youre five away chuck todd anything happen favorite parlor game though hidden hillary vote hidden trump vote think even amy walter yeah chuck todd guys might think amy walter agree chuck todd im going quick pause moderator prerogative back 45 seconds endgame segment snl well right back commercial break chuck todd back end game try land show plane vp debate good news put compilation memorable moments vp debates begin tape lloyd bentsen jack kennedy friend mine senator youre jack kennedy bob dole added killed wounded democrat wars century itd 16 million americans enough fill city detroit sarah palin nice meet hey call joe end tape chuck todd go way memorable moments amy walter one thing common chuck todd yeah amy walter none candidates ended winning chuck todd correct thats point win vp debate ticket much good right mark mark halperin think theres one way debate get attention break tim kaine pulls cellphone tweets mike pence sex tape thats way theyre going get attention chuck todd look stop bad news cycle donald trump desperately needs stop bad news cycle rich lowry one anticipating vice presidential debate like trump campaign get soon enough change media conversation otherwise itll perhaps one earnest presidential debates american history one least consequential chuck todd know maria interesting talking clinton folks dontthey want try kaines goal apparently make mike pence defend everything donald trump says pences goal normalize debate make issues thats awkward position kaine guy says lets talk trade lets talk trump maria teresa kumar right well dont want dont want make seem like angry person going mike pence right mike pence reasonable hes one actually normalizes donald trump going something dont actually think mike pence actually wants get issues either wants say look gets handles little hes actually really good guy thats put political career think thats going challenge mark halperin think theres one thing pence seriousness energize base republican party dog whistles also pretty direct statements center right movement think inspire people vote ticket chuck todd know many things trump forgot debate biggest one ive heard actually forgot talk supreme court actually get skeptical republicans thats like yank onboard aka ted cruz amy walter think mike pence going go prepared knows hes going message well talk incredibly message next day may another tweet storm rich lowry mean hes tough job maria teresa kumar knows rich lowry hes defender chief donald trump constantly deflect defend explain away hiccup done exemplary job chuck todd smile face mark halperin whatever happens almost certainly wake wednesday morning next presidential debates couple days away amy walter thats right chuck todd know hes prepping alright last night snl back obviously waited set sights campaign go begin tape alec baldwin donald trump gina gina huge gina michael che lester holt secretary clinton think kate mckinnon hillary clinton think im going president larry david bernie sanders senator clinton prune juice election might seem appetizing dont take youre going clogged crap long time michael che lester holt secretary clinton response kate mckinnon hillary clinton uh response request america vote right end tape chuck todd look laugh snl stamps campaign candidates dont shake image maria teresa kumar well mean tina fey basically sealed fate sarah palin think thats theyre looking right alec baldwin going seal fate donald trump chuck todd whatd make alec baldwin skeptical better thought mark halperin genius chuck todd really mark halperin hes got totally nailed look reality see talk voters around country theres great deal happiness two choices think thats snl thing tapped much anything else chuck todd prune juice line might accurate line amy walter think many voters feeling chuck todd poltifact may factcheck line say mark halperin zero pinocchios chuck todd right zero pinocchios one alright go quick programming note nbc news provide live coverage vicepresidential debate tuesday begins 900 eastern time one thing want say thank us meet press want say thank good luck great jim miklaszewski whos leaving nbc 31 years mik enjoy retirement enjoy golf game still mediocre thats today well back next week sunday meet press end transcript
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<p>Hopes were high that Chicago’s local school councils would get a fresh start when Arne Duncan replaced Paul Vallas as the school system’s chief executive officer nearly three years ago. However, few of these hopes have been borne out—leaving LSCs with many of the same problems they faced before.</p>
<p>“It’s hard to say whether things are worse, but they’re definitely not better,” says Julie Woestehoff, executive director of PURE (Parents United to Reform Education). “The players are essentially the same, and they’re playing the same games.”</p>
<p>Fifteen years after LSCs were created, some are asleep at the switch, but many continue to struggle to establish the full role that the Chicago School Reform Act intended for them, according to their supporters. And yet, LSCs have proven themselves resilient, and some recent events point toward at least modest improvements in their situation in the future.</p>
<p>The mid-April LSC elections are the most immediate challenge. A late-starting campaign season is typical, but this year there is little money to recruit new council members. LSC advocates could not persuade private funders to renew their support—up to $430,000 in recent years—for citywide, community-based recruitment. The School Board has made a contribution to the cause, but it is just $50,000.</p>
<p>“There’s always a new group of parents coming up,” says Don Moore, executive director of Designs for Change, a research and advocacy group. “They don’t learn about LSCs by osmosis.”</p>
<p>As of mid-February, just 885 candidates had signed up to run, compared to over 1,800 at the same time two years ago.</p>
<p>Encroachment on authority</p>
<p>LSC advocates see more fundamental, long-running challenges, including encroachment on their authority over principal selection, budget approval and school improvement plans.</p>
<p>“There was sort of a turning point in the late 1990s when LSCs started to be told that if they didn’t approve [the budget] by a certain time, then the budget would be ‘loaded’ without their approval,” says Woestehoff. “It happens all the time.” As a result, she says, LSCs’ budget authority is increasingly “more on paper than anything else.”</p>
<p>There are lots of ways that principals can bypass LSCs or limit their opportunities to influence the budget and school improvement plan, LSC members say. They can neglect to give LSC members monthly budget reports. They can hide what they are doing by splitting funds into a variety of places. They can delay showing the next year’s budget to the LSC until the last minute, thereby running out the clock until budgets are due in central office.</p>
<p>Roughly two-thirds of LSCs aren’t participating meaningfully in the budget and school improvement process, says Valencia Rias, a policy advocate with Designs for Change. She calls the situation a “quiet epidemic.”</p>
<p>More generally, council advocates say that CPS has largely left LSCs out of its core education initiatives.</p>
<p>“How are LSCs being included in the conversation about instructional improvement?” asks Andy Wade, executive director of the Cooperative for Chicago School Leadership. There are “two different school reforms going on,” he says, one by CPS and the other by individual LSCs. Wade cites the board’s decision to place reading and math specialists in many schools without preparing or integrating the new specialists with school-based approaches.</p>
<p>Larger trends in education reform also have tended to push LSCs out of the picture, according to Don Moore. “Everything is about instruction,” he says—even though research that he and others have done finds that parent involvement and collaboration among adults are just as important. “A ‘laser-like focus on instruction’ is just not going to do it,” he contends.</p>
<p>LSC federations are forming</p>
<p>But LSC advocates take heart from several recent developments.</p>
<p>New alliances of neighboring LSCs are popping up in several areas of the city. (See article on page 26.) And LSC advocates lined up citywide leaders, including Duncan and Chicago Teachers Union President Deborah Lynch, to participate in a citywide summit and 15th anniversary celebration. Forming a new collaboration, Lynch worked with LSC advocates last year on the law that revamped the Professional Personnel Leadership Committees at each school.</p>
<p>The LSC Roundtable, an advisory group of CPS officials and community groups, has recently reconvened after several months’ hiatus. Previously, it scored a few small accomplishments. LSC members now can have ID badges to ensure that they can gain entry to their schools. And CPS accepted a recommendation of the roundtable that an external, conflict resolution program be piloted at roughly 12 schools this spring.</p>
<p>What little research has been conducted on LSCs suggests that most of them fulfill their basic responsibilities and are viewed positively by their school communities. Surveys conducted in the mid-1990s by the Consortium on Chicago School Research indicated that only a handful of councils suffered from serious dysfunction. However, a 1997 Consortium report said that a quarter to a third fell short of being “proactive agents for improvements.”</p>
<p>“Some LSCs are dormant,” says John Ayers, executive director of Leadership for Quality Education, which has supported LSC elections in the past.</p>
<p>A 2003 teacher survey conducted by the Consortium found that more teachers had no knowledge of their councils. One out of three teachers said they were “not at all” knowledgeable about the LSC, up from one out of five teachers in 1994. However, teachers who did know about their councils thought more highly of them than before. Seventy percent of those familiar with their LSCs said they were “really helping to make this school better,” up from 63 percent nine years ago.</p>
<p>Historically, LSCs have shown themselves to be remarkably persistent, having faced down a series of direct attacks from 1995 through 2001, when Paul Vallas left the school system’s helm. More than 7,500 candidates ran for some 5,600 LSC seats in 2002.</p>
<p>“Under all of this pressure, it’s a real tribute that LSCs haven’t gone away,” says Woestehoff. “In spite of all odds, LSCs are as strong as ever, maybe even stronger.”</p>
<p>And many are tireless. Roughly half of LSC members run for re-election, advocates estimate.</p>
<p>Veronica Butler, council chair at Brennemann Elementary in Edgewater, is one of them. Despite a running battle between the LSC and the principal, Butler says, “I will run again. As long as my son is in that school, I want to be a part of what is going on.”</p>
<p>To contact Alexander Russo, call (312) 673-3837 or send an e-mail to [email protected].</p>
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hopes high chicagos local school councils would get fresh start arne duncan replaced paul vallas school systems chief executive officer nearly three years ago however hopes borne outleaving lscs many problems faced hard say whether things worse theyre definitely better says julie woestehoff executive director pure parents united reform education players essentially theyre playing games fifteen years lscs created asleep switch many continue struggle establish full role chicago school reform act intended according supporters yet lscs proven resilient recent events point toward least modest improvements situation future midapril lsc elections immediate challenge latestarting campaign season typical year little money recruit new council members lsc advocates could persuade private funders renew supportup 430000 recent yearsfor citywide communitybased recruitment school board made contribution cause 50000 theres always new group parents coming says moore executive director designs change research advocacy group dont learn lscs osmosis midfebruary 885 candidates signed run compared 1800 time two years ago encroachment authority lsc advocates see fundamental longrunning challenges including encroachment authority principal selection budget approval school improvement plans sort turning point late 1990s lscs started told didnt approve budget certain time budget would loaded without approval says woestehoff happens time result says lscs budget authority increasingly paper anything else lots ways principals bypass lscs limit opportunities influence budget school improvement plan lsc members say neglect give lsc members monthly budget reports hide splitting funds variety places delay showing next years budget lsc last minute thereby running clock budgets due central office roughly twothirds lscs arent participating meaningfully budget school improvement process says valencia rias policy advocate designs change calls situation quiet epidemic generally council advocates say cps largely left lscs core education initiatives lscs included conversation instructional improvement asks andy wade executive director cooperative chicago school leadership two different school reforms going says one cps individual lscs wade cites boards decision place reading math specialists many schools without preparing integrating new specialists schoolbased approaches larger trends education reform also tended push lscs picture according moore everything instruction sayseven though research others done finds parent involvement collaboration among adults important laserlike focus instruction going contends lsc federations forming lsc advocates take heart several recent developments new alliances neighboring lscs popping several areas city see article page 26 lsc advocates lined citywide leaders including duncan chicago teachers union president deborah lynch participate citywide summit 15th anniversary celebration forming new collaboration lynch worked lsc advocates last year law revamped professional personnel leadership committees school lsc roundtable advisory group cps officials community groups recently reconvened several months hiatus previously scored small accomplishments lsc members id badges ensure gain entry schools cps accepted recommendation roundtable external conflict resolution program piloted roughly 12 schools spring little research conducted lscs suggests fulfill basic responsibilities viewed positively school communities surveys conducted mid1990s consortium chicago school research indicated handful councils suffered serious dysfunction however 1997 consortium report said quarter third fell short proactive agents improvements lscs dormant says john ayers executive director leadership quality education supported lsc elections past 2003 teacher survey conducted consortium found teachers knowledge councils one three teachers said knowledgeable lsc one five teachers 1994 however teachers know councils thought highly seventy percent familiar lscs said really helping make school better 63 percent nine years ago historically lscs shown remarkably persistent faced series direct attacks 1995 2001 paul vallas left school systems helm 7500 candidates ran 5600 lsc seats 2002 pressure real tribute lscs havent gone away says woestehoff spite odds lscs strong ever maybe even stronger many tireless roughly half lsc members run reelection advocates estimate veronica butler council chair brennemann elementary edgewater one despite running battle lsc principal butler says run long son school want part going contact alexander russo call 312 6733837 send email russocatalystchicagoorg
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<p>I was recently at an NBA Toronto Raptors game. The game was a blowout, the Raptors were winning big and the fans were getting a little bored.&#160;Then, the team mascot, the Raptor, appeared.</p>
<p>This Raptor was a big, round, inflated dinosaur head on human legs, standing about six feet tall. The dinosaur shimmied, did summersaults, then climbed into the crowd and bounced end-over-end down the stairs to the delight of most everyone.</p>
<p>I tried to interview the Raptor, but the organization told me dinosaurs can’t speak. The mascot can Tweet and type, though. The Raptor sent me an email and said he gets outfitted from the company <a href="http://walkaround.com/" type="external">Signs &amp; Shapes International, Inc.</a>&#160;in Omaha, Nebraska. The Raptor added, “They are amazing and they are always willing to work on my crazy ideas!”</p>
<p>For example, the Raptor often swallows people.</p>
<p />
<p>Signs &amp; Shapes’ space in Omaha is just about the coolest factory you’ve ever seen — a huge warehouse filled with dogs, ducks&#160;and astronaut costumes being stitched, then inflated and tested.</p>
<p>“The company was started in my dad’s basement, my folks’ basement, just about 30 years ago, and we started as distributors for inflatable signs,” said&#160;Scott Bowen,&#160;the company’s co-owner.</p>
<p>The company eventually expanded into props for plays, parade floats&#160;and inflatable costumes. Today, Signs &amp; Shapes exports to 74 countries.</p>
<p>Bowen flipped through a photobook showing me some of their overseas customers: a Chinese basketball team, an ad agency representing Thailand, a dentist’s office in Spain&#160;and a Swiss pizzeria.</p>
<p>“There’s an inflatable pizza slice running around some town in Switzerland, I guess,” Bowen said.</p>
<p />
<p>It’s a fun company. But what lessons can another small business learn about becoming a global exporter? Lee Bowen, Scott’s father, who helps run international sales, explained how they find their foreign customers: “Word of mouth. ...&#160;We don’t do any advertising.”</p>
<p>Signs &amp; Shapes relies on reputation and having a niche. If you want a high-end inflatable that won’t pop when your mascot is bouncing on its head in front of 20,000 people, call Omaha.</p>
<p>This type of “passive” exporting among small business is pretty common.</p>
<p>“Maybe a customer came their way, in which case that’s fantastic, and then they meet that order,” said Josh Nichol-Caddy, an export consultant at the Nebraska Business Development Center.</p>
<p>Nichol-Caddy is trying to help small businesses in Nebraska go beyond this thinking, to fulfil a lot of international orders to even out their sales.&#160;Nichol-Caddy admits, though, navigating the export process can be daunting for a small business.</p>
<p>“When do you link in the bank? When do you talk to the logistics person to actually take the shipment off your hands? Might you need an export license for your product?” said&#160;Nichol-Caddy.</p>
<p>Scott Bowen has been at the export game for a while now and says the export process has become “quite easy” for his company. Business is going well, but still, Signs &amp; Shapes only has 25 employees. And Bowen said they’re limited in&#160;how much they can grow.&#160;</p>
<p>“We need seamstresses with a really high level of sewing intelligence that can look at a pattern of a couple of hundreds of pieces&#160;that’s never been made before, and put the whole thing together accurately,” says Bowen. “But [they also must] have a business or commercial mentality in terms of speed.”</p>
<p>It’s a common problem.</p>
<p>“Everybody in the industry complains that, in this country, it’s hard to find people who have those construction skills,” said Michael James, chair of the textiles, merchandising and fashion design department at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.</p>
<p>His department has graduated students who now work for Signs &amp; Shapes designing products.&#160;</p>
<p>James said textiles companies —&#160;and that’s what Signs &amp; Shapes really is —&#160;could never compete with China and its seemingly endless supply of seamstresses who are paid a fraction of what people in the US make. &#160;&#160;</p>
<p>“A small manufacturer like Signs &amp; Shapes can keep everything in house because they’re not doing huge volume,” said James. “If they ever got to that point where the demand was so big, they wouldn’t be able to find the production capacity here, in this country, at a cost that they could probably manage.”</p>
<p>And then there’s another issue facing Signs &amp; Shapes. While letting the product speak for itself has become the company’s best marketing strategy, they can’t take credit for some of the coolest stuff they make due to non-disclosure agreements. It can be a highly secretive industry.</p>
<p>In a back room, airbrush artist Shane Perrin put the finishing touches on a mascot as Scott Bowen looked on.</p>
<p>“He’s had stuff on Broadway stages, the biggest amusement parks,&#160;huge international sporting events,” said Bowen, who can’t name many of the actual places or events where Perrin’s work has been on display.</p>
<p>Still, I asked Perrin if it was gratifying to see his work broadcast out to hundreds of millions of viewers.</p>
<p>“Oh definitely, it’s always gratifying to see [your]&#160;stuff,” he said.</p>
<p>When his work comes on screen, he keeps quiet among his friends. “But I can tell them, ‘Hey, that’s really neat, isn’t it?’ And then wink a lot, but that’s about it.”</p>
<p>So if you’re watching a Thansgiving Day parade Thursday and see a float that you really, really like, chances are a group of folks in Nebraska may have had a hand putting that together. Or not.</p>
<p />
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recently nba toronto raptors game game blowout raptors winning big fans getting little bored160then team mascot raptor appeared raptor big round inflated dinosaur head human legs standing six feet tall dinosaur shimmied summersaults climbed crowd bounced endoverend stairs delight everyone tried interview raptor organization told dinosaurs cant speak mascot tweet type though raptor sent email said gets outfitted company signs amp shapes international inc160in omaha nebraska raptor added amazing always willing work crazy ideas example raptor often swallows people signs amp shapes space omaha coolest factory youve ever seen huge warehouse filled dogs ducks160and astronaut costumes stitched inflated tested company started dads basement folks basement 30 years ago started distributors inflatable signs said160scott bowen160the companys coowner company eventually expanded props plays parade floats160and inflatable costumes today signs amp shapes exports 74 countries bowen flipped photobook showing overseas customers chinese basketball team ad agency representing thailand dentists office spain160and swiss pizzeria theres inflatable pizza slice running around town switzerland guess bowen said fun company lessons another small business learn becoming global exporter lee bowen scotts father helps run international sales explained find foreign customers word mouth 160we dont advertising signs amp shapes relies reputation niche want highend inflatable wont pop mascot bouncing head front 20000 people call omaha type passive exporting among small business pretty common maybe customer came way case thats fantastic meet order said josh nicholcaddy export consultant nebraska business development center nicholcaddy trying help small businesses nebraska go beyond thinking fulfil lot international orders even sales160nicholcaddy admits though navigating export process daunting small business link bank talk logistics person actually take shipment hands might need export license product said160nicholcaddy scott bowen export game says export process become quite easy company business going well still signs amp shapes 25 employees bowen said theyre limited in160how much grow160 need seamstresses really high level sewing intelligence look pattern couple hundreds pieces160thats never made put whole thing together accurately says bowen also must business commercial mentality terms speed common problem everybody industry complains country hard find people construction skills said michael james chair textiles merchandising fashion design department university nebraskalincoln department graduated students work signs amp shapes designing products160 james said textiles companies 160and thats signs amp shapes really 160could never compete china seemingly endless supply seamstresses paid fraction people us make 160160 small manufacturer like signs amp shapes keep everything house theyre huge volume said james ever got point demand big wouldnt able find production capacity country cost could probably manage theres another issue facing signs amp shapes letting product speak become companys best marketing strategy cant take credit coolest stuff make due nondisclosure agreements highly secretive industry back room airbrush artist shane perrin put finishing touches mascot scott bowen looked hes stuff broadway stages biggest amusement parks160huge international sporting events said bowen cant name many actual places events perrins work display still asked perrin gratifying see work broadcast hundreds millions viewers oh definitely always gratifying see your160stuff said work comes screen keeps quiet among friends tell hey thats really neat isnt wink lot thats youre watching thansgiving day parade thursday see float really really like chances group folks nebraska may hand putting together
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<p>Vivid memories of the Million Man March still grip George Brydie four months after the historic event. Taut, hyper, ping-ponging back and forth, the 7th-grade teacher shares the stirring sights and sounds with 25 students and parents in a recent evening of male mentoring at Edward H. White Career Academy in Victory Heights.</p>
<p>Amid the massive throng in Washington D.C., Brydie had spotted a fellow White Academy staffer, R.C. Hardy, a husky, no-nonsense, Vietnam veteran who is the school’s custodian. Both had accepted Minister Louis Farrakhan’s challenge to marchers to seek right relationships with the Creator and reconciliation with each other, and to take personal and collective responsibility for their lives and the welfare and future of their families and communities.</p>
<p>Brydie and Hardy are seeking to make good on their pledges by reaching out to the 146 young brothers among 208 students at White, and the hundreds of non-students adrift in the surrounding Victory Heights community.</p>
<p>Here and there throughout the city—at Carver Primary, at Westinghouse Vocational and at Harlan, Harper, Orr, Phillips and South Shore high schools—fellow Chicago marchers are doing much the same, exploring how personal commitment might somehow be fashioned into mentoring, tutoring and other youth rescue operations.</p>
<p>“We need to get some planning going,” Brydie tells his White Academy listeners. “We need to be doing things. What should we be doing? That’s where we need you all. Me and Hardy don’t want to dictate, Here’s what we gonna do. What is it that we can do in an hour and a half together [each month]? We want to know what you all want.”</p>
<p>Suggestions come slowly at first, then quicken: chess-playing, table tennis, bid whist (a popular card game), computer instruction, CPR demonstrations. Having agreed on these and other activities, the meeting adjourns.</p>
<p>“Our first meeting was in November,” Brydie later recalls. “Only one person showed up. We wondered, What is it that we’re doing wrong? Are we disseminating the information wrong? What is it that we’re doing wrong? We’re not going to give up on this.”</p>
<p>Their first invitation had summoned black men in Victory Heights. One student, a Caucasian lad, asked: “Well, can my daddy come?” Quickly, Brydie and Hardy changed their invitation to read simply “men of the community,” but the boy’s father never came.</p>
<p>The group’s December meeting attracted 15 people, who discussed how to get organized. A slightly larger January meeting addressed the question, What is a mentor? “Usually someone outside the family,” Brydie said, reading from Career World magazine, “an experienced adult who befriends and guides you and shows you the ropes … believes in your abilities and wants to help you succeed.”</p>
<p>Clearly, it’s going to be a struggle for the fledgling program, but that doesn’t faze Brydie and Hardy. “One of the reasons why I work so hard is because I don’t want to go to funerals,” says Brydie. “I’ve been to a lot of them. A lot of young brothers got caught up one way or the other—dead! That’s sad!”</p>
<p>“If you walk into a classroom and introduce yourself to a kid, he may shake your hand and tell you his name, but he will put his head down first,” reports Charles Lewis, describing part of the challenge he faces at Carver Primary School in Altgeld Gardens.</p>
<p>Lewis, a pest exterminator who lives in Englewood, is a Carver graduate. He, too, found a partner in Washington, D.C. “I ran into a kid that grew up with me in the neighborhood,” he recalls. “He’s a former gang leader who spent some time in prison. He was at the march for the same reason that I was. We decided we would try to do something about our old neighborhood.”</p>
<p>Lewis pleaded their cause at a November meeting of Park Manor Christian Church, explaining that perhaps 95 percent of Carver’s students have female teachers and no classroom exposure to men. Initially, 12 churchmen agreed to become big brothers or tutors, to speak to classes or to help finance field trips and the like. Park Manor’s minister, the Rev. James Demus, slated talks on the vital importance of earning honest money. Now the number of volunteers is up to 45.</p>
<p>Darlene Reynolds, Carver’s assistant principal, says about a third of the school’s 900-plus 6-, 7- and 8-year-olds—boys and girls alike—will participate in the program. “All of them need help,” Lewis explains. Faculty volunteers will join the churchmen for 90-minute tutoring sessions, which will be held twice a week after school.</p>
<p>At Westinghouse Vocational, about 100 men met recently to establish a mentoring program under the guidance of Jimmie Lee Tilman, dean of students, jazz drummer and persistent peacemaker.</p>
<p>Because of the march, Tilman himself has taken a more positive approach to student discipline, symbolically turning the “in-school suspension room” into the “restrictive learning center,” with soothing, piped-in music. In this meditative setting, some students have sharpened their academic skills and undergone personality changes, says Tilman. “One at-risk boy who spent 20 days in the center is now on the honor roll,” he reports. Further, the number of fights at Westhinghouse dropped to 41 last semester; previously, 100 was typical.</p>
<p>Tilman also has arranged for a drug- and alcohol-abuse counselor to visit the school once a week.</p>
<p>Long before the March, Orr High School teacher Richard Watkins had tried, without success, to revive a failed mentoring program. “After the march,” he says, “we felt that, with the commitment black men had made, we should be able to do something with that momentum.” Despite a major snowstorm, 12 men showed up for a December organizational meeting. Later, a town hall meeting attracted 70 of Orr’s 647 male students. Now each of 15 mentors has charge of 10 young men, and the students have their mentors’ home phone numbers.</p>
<p>The mentors focus on improving grades and self-esteem and teaching legitimate ways of earning money. They’re also trying to break the boys’ habit of using “the B-word” for females and “the MF-words” for males.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the Chicago Transit Authority garage at Chicago Avenue and Huron Street has adopted Orr, and Watkins sees it as a rich resource. “We want to utilize as many of the 1,200 people who frequent that facility as we can,” he says. “We want to make sure we serve every young man who wants a male figure in his life.”</p>
<p>That also is the aim of Harlan High School teachers Sidney Moffett, Leo Boughton, Keith Kennard, James Yates and Michael Wellington, who all marched in Washington.</p>
<p>To achieve its goal of unity at Harlan, the teachers plan to work with the school’s 400 male students individually or in small groups. An earlier mentoring program had dealt with students collectively in assemblies. “You can get Jesse Jackson or somebody to speak, but you’re going to lose two-thirds of the kids in a half hour,” observes Moffett. “We intend to deal with them one-to-one so they can feel better about themselves. Once they do, they’ll go to class, do their homework, stop shooting each other, and teenage pregnancy and drug addiction will stop.”</p>
<p>Current plans call for 90-minute workshops twice a month.</p>
<p>“It’s going to be hard to just concentrate on the boys,” Moffett predicts, “because people are going to ask, ‘Why not the girls, too?’ The message didn’t reach a lot of people. What we’re trying to do is reach the boys.”</p>
<p>At Phillips High, Donald Linder, dean of students, is trying to recruit all of the school’s male staffers—janitors, cooks, faculty members—for a male mentoring program. So far, about 20 have signed up and divided up eight divisions, each with 13 to 20 boys. Mentors talk to the boys about their appearance, hygiene, self-respect and respect for women—advice that many young brothers never get from an adult male.</p>
<p>Senior Terrence Thomas, a football cornerback, got his send-off into manhood at the march itself. “The march was a life-turning-around experience for me,” he says. “It showed me that black Americans can do if they want to do. It showed me that I can be successful. My grades are going up because I’m working much harder now than before, and I plan to go to Jackson State College to major in English and physical education.”</p>
<p>Thomas was among four Phillips students who joined football coach Pierre Henderson and 61 other passengers on a bus chartered by Pilgrim Baptist Church. “There were a lot of street gang members at the march,” Henderson recalls. “There were guys from Chicago that I know usually wear their hats turned all the way to the side. But their hats were on straight. There was nothing but love, black love like back in the ’60s.”</p>
<p>At Harper High, Louis Wright, a youth guidance counselor, has talked with 62 students about striving for excellence and is working to get a Community Fathers Committee off the ground.</p>
<p>At South Shore High, teachers Edwin Brown, Herb Hedgman and Gregory Lee also are starting a mentoring program, aimed in particular at 75 to 100 young brothers in particular need of tutoring.</p>
<p>“We might not see the fruits of the march in our lifetime,” says Jerry Muhammad, a middle-aged member of both the Phillips High faculty and the Nation of Islam. “But seeds have been planted in the young brothers.”</p>
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vivid memories million man march still grip george brydie four months historic event taut hyper pingponging back forth 7thgrade teacher shares stirring sights sounds 25 students parents recent evening male mentoring edward h white career academy victory heights amid massive throng washington dc brydie spotted fellow white academy staffer rc hardy husky nononsense vietnam veteran schools custodian accepted minister louis farrakhans challenge marchers seek right relationships creator reconciliation take personal collective responsibility lives welfare future families communities brydie hardy seeking make good pledges reaching 146 young brothers among 208 students white hundreds nonstudents adrift surrounding victory heights community throughout cityat carver primary westinghouse vocational harlan harper orr phillips south shore high schoolsfellow chicago marchers much exploring personal commitment might somehow fashioned mentoring tutoring youth rescue operations need get planning going brydie tells white academy listeners need things thats need hardy dont want dictate heres gon na hour half together month want know want suggestions come slowly first quicken chessplaying table tennis bid whist popular card game computer instruction cpr demonstrations agreed activities meeting adjourns first meeting november brydie later recalls one person showed wondered wrong disseminating information wrong wrong going give first invitation summoned black men victory heights one student caucasian lad asked well daddy come quickly brydie hardy changed invitation read simply men community boys father never came groups december meeting attracted 15 people discussed get organized slightly larger january meeting addressed question mentor usually someone outside family brydie said reading career world magazine experienced adult befriends guides shows ropes believes abilities wants help succeed clearly going struggle fledgling program doesnt faze brydie hardy one reasons work hard dont want go funerals says brydie ive lot lot young brothers got caught one way otherdead thats sad walk classroom introduce kid may shake hand tell name put head first reports charles lewis describing part challenge faces carver primary school altgeld gardens lewis pest exterminator lives englewood carver graduate found partner washington dc ran kid grew neighborhood recalls hes former gang leader spent time prison march reason decided would try something old neighborhood lewis pleaded cause november meeting park manor christian church explaining perhaps 95 percent carvers students female teachers classroom exposure men initially 12 churchmen agreed become big brothers tutors speak classes help finance field trips like park manors minister rev james demus slated talks vital importance earning honest money number volunteers 45 darlene reynolds carvers assistant principal says third schools 900plus 6 7 8yearoldsboys girls alikewill participate program need help lewis explains faculty volunteers join churchmen 90minute tutoring sessions held twice week school westinghouse vocational 100 men met recently establish mentoring program guidance jimmie lee tilman dean students jazz drummer persistent peacemaker march tilman taken positive approach student discipline symbolically turning inschool suspension room restrictive learning center soothing pipedin music meditative setting students sharpened academic skills undergone personality changes says tilman one atrisk boy spent 20 days center honor roll reports number fights westhinghouse dropped 41 last semester previously 100 typical tilman also arranged drug alcoholabuse counselor visit school week long march orr high school teacher richard watkins tried without success revive failed mentoring program march says felt commitment black men made able something momentum despite major snowstorm 12 men showed december organizational meeting later town hall meeting attracted 70 orrs 647 male students 15 mentors charge 10 young men students mentors home phone numbers mentors focus improving grades selfesteem teaching legitimate ways earning money theyre also trying break boys habit using bword females mfwords males meanwhile chicago transit authority garage chicago avenue huron street adopted orr watkins sees rich resource want utilize many 1200 people frequent facility says want make sure serve every young man wants male figure life also aim harlan high school teachers sidney moffett leo boughton keith kennard james yates michael wellington marched washington achieve goal unity harlan teachers plan work schools 400 male students individually small groups earlier mentoring program dealt students collectively assemblies get jesse jackson somebody speak youre going lose twothirds kids half hour observes moffett intend deal onetoone feel better theyll go class homework stop shooting teenage pregnancy drug addiction stop current plans call 90minute workshops twice month going hard concentrate boys moffett predicts people going ask girls message didnt reach lot people trying reach boys phillips high donald linder dean students trying recruit schools male staffersjanitors cooks faculty membersfor male mentoring program far 20 signed divided eight divisions 13 20 boys mentors talk boys appearance hygiene selfrespect respect womenadvice many young brothers never get adult male senior terrence thomas football cornerback got sendoff manhood march march lifeturningaround experience says showed black americans want showed successful grades going im working much harder plan go jackson state college major english physical education thomas among four phillips students joined football coach pierre henderson 61 passengers bus chartered pilgrim baptist church lot street gang members march henderson recalls guys chicago know usually wear hats turned way side hats straight nothing love black love like back 60s harper high louis wright youth guidance counselor talked 62 students striving excellence working get community fathers committee ground south shore high teachers edwin brown herb hedgman gregory lee also starting mentoring program aimed particular 75 100 young brothers particular need tutoring might see fruits march lifetime says jerry muhammad middleaged member phillips high faculty nation islam seeds planted young brothers
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<p>Billionaire Democratic activist Tom Steyer wants 2016 candidates to address what he calls the "urgent" issue of income inequality, specifically laws that allow wealthy private equity managers and venture capitalists to be taxed at a lower rate.</p>
<p>Billionaire Democratic activist Tom Steyer wants 2016 candidates to address what he calls the "urgent" issue of income inequality, specifically laws that allow wealthy private equity managers and venture</p>
<p>Environmentalists consider billionaire San Francisco philanthropist and former hedge fund manager Tom Steyer a godsend for spending millions to defend California's landmark climate change law, and for his current quest to stop the proposed transcontinental Keystone XL pipeline.</p>
<p>On Saturday, Steyer will have a prime speaking slot at the state Democratic Party convention in Sacramento, just days after hosting a $5,000-a-person political fundraiser starring President Obama at his San Francisco home.</p>
<p>But the way that Democrat Steyer is shoveling money toward his favorite causes - he's spent $400,000 in recent weeks in the Democratic U.S. Senate primary in Massachusetts - is no different than billionaire Republican casino magnate Sheldon Adelson's or the billionaire Koch brothers' spending of millions in support of conservative candidates and causes, analysts say.</p>
<p>Like Adelson, whose family spent $90 million largely to back Republicans Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich for president in 2012, Steyer is taking full advantage of something that many liberals loathe: the U.S. Supreme Court decision known as Citizens United, which allows corporations, labor unions and individuals to spend unlimited amounts on political campaigns.</p>
<p>"No individual should be able to spend that amount," said Craig Holman, government affairs lobbyist for Public Citizen, the nonpartisan government reform organization. "It just leads to a corruption of our governmental process."</p>
<p>Candidates who are the targets of such unlimited spending "will have to scramble to raise money to counter it, and they could wind up selling themselves to other specific interests," Holman said.</p>
<p>Big campaign donors such as Steyer, Adelson and the Kochs "are kingmakers," said Daniel G. Newman, president of the nonpartisan MapLight, which analyzes the intersection of money and politics. "It's nice if the king agrees with what you want. But if he doesn't?"</p>
<p>While liberals have howled over wealthy conservatives' spending, they've been muted over Steyer's actions - except for Democratic Rep. Stephen Lynch of Massachusetts, the target of Steyer's spending in Massachusetts.</p>
<p>Steyer is targeting Lynch for supporting construction of the Keystone pipeline, the transcontinental conduit for tar sands fuel from Canada that many scientists say could expedite climate change. Lynch, a former ironworker, said building the pipeline would bring construction jobs to the U.S.</p>
<p>But a March study from the State Department estimated that while the two-year construction phase will create around 42,100 jobs, there would be just 35 permanent jobs needed to perform maintenance along the pipeline route.</p>
<p>While Lynch and his opponent, Rep. Ed Markey, a fellow Democrat, have a signed a pledge forbidding outside groups to run TV ads or send mailers in their race, Steyer's forces intend to contact 350,000 voters before the April 30 primary, a huge chunk of the expected electorate.</p>
<p>Steyer's money has funded a series of high-profile stunts, such as paying for a plane to pull a banner over Fenway Park during a Boston Red Sox game. It read: "Steve Lynch for Oil Evil Empire."</p>
<p>"It is like an Austin Powers movie," Lynch told reporters recently. "This guy is Dr. Evil. He's got a billion dollars and he's coming after me. I don't know why."</p>
<p>Said Kathy Kiely, managing editor for the nonpartisan Sunlight Foundation, which analyzes the influence of money in politics: "This is what happens when you open that Pandora's box (Citizens United). You don't know what gremlins are going to come out and bite you."</p>
<p>Steyer intends to keep spending money, from what Forbes estimates to be his $1.4 billion fortune, to reshape elections. His role model: New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who has steered $12 million to candidates who share his views on gun control.</p>
<p>While Steyer's contributions may seem large, his spokesman Chris Lehane said they are paltry compared with those of the oil industry. Petroleum interests gave $70 million to candidates and political committees in 2012, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics.</p>
<p>Those same petroleum interests helped fuel Steyer's estimated $1.4 billion fortune, which he amassed as the head of Farallon Capital before retiring last year.</p>
<p>According to Securities and Exchange Commission filings, Farallon Capital holdings include BP, the petroleum company involved in the 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion in the Gulf of Mexico, one of the world's worst ecological disasters in recent years. Steyer has asked that his personal portfolio be "greened" - combed of any petroleum-based interests.</p>
<p>"That is one of the reasons he left Farallon," Lehane said. "He was uncomfortable" profiting, in part, from petroleum interests. Steyer has taken the "Giving Pledge," promising to give away most of his fortune to philanthropic interests.</p>
<p>But Steyer doesn't plan to disarm politically, even if he disagrees with the outcome of the Citizens United case.</p>
<p>"We didn't write the rules. Tom feels this way: It would be great if Citizens United hadn't happened. The alternative is not spend while they continue to spend," Lehane said.</p>
<p>Steyer's push seems to be working. Lynch recently softened his stand on Keystone, saying he would wait until the environmental impact reports were complete before making his final decision.</p>
<p>Joe Garofoli is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: <a href="" type="internal">[email protected]</a> Twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/joegarofoli" type="external">@joegarofoli</a></p>
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caption close billionaire democratic activist tom steyer wants 2016 candidates address calls urgent issue income inequality specifically laws allow wealthy private equity managers venture capitalists taxed lower rate billionaire democratic activist tom steyer wants 2016 candidates address calls urgent issue income inequality specifically laws allow wealthy private equity managers venture environmentalists consider billionaire san francisco philanthropist former hedge fund manager tom steyer godsend spending millions defend californias landmark climate change law current quest stop proposed transcontinental keystone xl pipeline saturday steyer prime speaking slot state democratic party convention sacramento days hosting 5000aperson political fundraiser starring president obama san francisco home way democrat steyer shoveling money toward favorite causes hes spent 400000 recent weeks democratic us senate primary massachusetts different billionaire republican casino magnate sheldon adelsons billionaire koch brothers spending millions support conservative candidates causes analysts say like adelson whose family spent 90 million largely back republicans mitt romney newt gingrich president 2012 steyer taking full advantage something many liberals loathe us supreme court decision known citizens united allows corporations labor unions individuals spend unlimited amounts political campaigns individual able spend amount said craig holman government affairs lobbyist public citizen nonpartisan government reform organization leads corruption governmental process candidates targets unlimited spending scramble raise money counter could wind selling specific interests holman said big campaign donors steyer adelson kochs kingmakers said daniel g newman president nonpartisan maplight analyzes intersection money politics nice king agrees want doesnt liberals howled wealthy conservatives spending theyve muted steyers actions except democratic rep stephen lynch massachusetts target steyers spending massachusetts steyer targeting lynch supporting construction keystone pipeline transcontinental conduit tar sands fuel canada many scientists say could expedite climate change lynch former ironworker said building pipeline would bring construction jobs us march study state department estimated twoyear construction phase create around 42100 jobs would 35 permanent jobs needed perform maintenance along pipeline route lynch opponent rep ed markey fellow democrat signed pledge forbidding outside groups run tv ads send mailers race steyers forces intend contact 350000 voters april 30 primary huge chunk expected electorate steyers money funded series highprofile stunts paying plane pull banner fenway park boston red sox game read steve lynch oil evil empire like austin powers movie lynch told reporters recently guy dr evil hes got billion dollars hes coming dont know said kathy kiely managing editor nonpartisan sunlight foundation analyzes influence money politics happens open pandoras box citizens united dont know gremlins going come bite steyer intends keep spending money forbes estimates 14 billion fortune reshape elections role model new york city mayor michael bloomberg steered 12 million candidates share views gun control steyers contributions may seem large spokesman chris lehane said paltry compared oil industry petroleum interests gave 70 million candidates political committees 2012 according nonpartisan center responsive politics petroleum interests helped fuel steyers estimated 14 billion fortune amassed head farallon capital retiring last year according securities exchange commission filings farallon capital holdings include bp petroleum company involved 2010 deepwater horizon explosion gulf mexico one worlds worst ecological disasters recent years steyer asked personal portfolio greened combed petroleumbased interests one reasons left farallon lehane said uncomfortable profiting part petroleum interests steyer taken giving pledge promising give away fortune philanthropic interests steyer doesnt plan disarm politically even disagrees outcome citizens united case didnt write rules tom feels way would great citizens united hadnt happened alternative spend continue spend lehane said steyers push seems working lynch recently softened stand keystone saying would wait environmental impact reports complete making final decision joe garofoli san francisco chronicle staff writer email jgarofolisfchroniclecom twitter joegarofoli
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<p>SOUTH HAMILTON, Mass. (RNS) — Repentant for having spent a generation bowing at the altars of church growth and political power, concerned evangelicals gathered recently to search the soul of their movement and find a new way forward.</p>
<p>That evangelicals, who compose a quarter of the American population, must refocus on shaping authentic disciples of Jesus Christ has garnered wide support for a long time. But how to do that in a consumerist society with little appetite for self-denial is fueling internal debate.</p>
<p>The state of evangelicalism drew the scrutiny of intellectuals as 500 people attended a conference at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary on “renewing the evangelical mission.” Leading thinkers called fellow believers to repent for a host of sins, from reducing the gospel to a right-wing political agenda to rendering God as a lenient father who merely wants “cuddle time with his kids.”</p>
<p>“We are seeing the very serious weakening of American faith, even among people who profess to be believers,” said Os Guinness, senior fellow of the EastWest Institute in New York and author of The Case for Civility. “Yet an awful lot of people haven’t really faced up to the true challenge and still think they can turn it around with things like political action.”</p>
<p />
<p>Speakers earned applause for highlighting where evangelicalism, which began as a Protestant renewal movement, ironically has come to need its own renewing. At one point, participants sang a new hymn that’s setting the tone for a new era: “We spurned God’s way and sought our own,” they sang, “and so have become worthless.”</p>
<p>“The church in a sense has lost its mission to go out and love the people,” said Steven Mayo, pastor of Elm Street Congregational Church in Fitchburg, Mass. “We’ve become useless in a society that desperately needs us.”</p>
<p>How to become useful again, however, is a matter without consensus.</p>
<p>Calvin Theological Seminary President Cornelius Plantinga urged pastors to talk less about fulfilling personal potential and offer more from the likes of Old Testament prophet Joel, who warns God’s people to wail and repent before the Lord scorches the earth. But church leaders responded to Plantinga’s prescription with a reality check.</p>
<p>“For pastors, it’s very easy to lose (a) job by taking your advice,” said Rachel Stahle, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Carteret, N.J., after Plantinga’s 45-minute lecture. “It’s even harder to find another one by taking your advice. So, what wisdom do you share with us to take what you’ve said back to the churches?”</p>
<p>Some evangelicals are taking little comfort these days in successes of the past two decades, which included hundreds of mushrooming megachurches and the advancement of a socially conservative agenda under former President George W. Bush. Too often, they say, Christians came to display un-Christian behavior in the public square and did their disciple-making cause a disservice.</p>
<p>“Beware the escalation of extremism,” Guinness said. “Christian sayings such as, ‘Love your enemies’ — they’re forgotten. People are attacking their enemies, (but) they’re certainly not on the side of Jesus in this.”</p>
<p>For some, the solution lies in re-emphasizing Reformation doctrines. This approach resonates with the growing ranks of “New Calvinists,” who profess such teachings as man’s total depravity, God’s complete sovereignty and predestination of souls to heaven and hell.</p>
<p>Some church leaders feel the drift away from traditional teachings has led evangelicals to neglect such biblical mandates as ecumenism and organize around lesser principles, such as political preferences.</p>
<p>“We (evangelicals) have moved from a church grounded in solid theology to a church grounded in personal relationships,” said Neil Gastonguay, pastor of Bath United Methodist Church in Bath, Maine. “We don’t have a message anymore.”</p>
<p>But others say evangelicals have worried too much about doctrinal differences when they’ve needed to be joining forces on larger issues.</p>
<p>Richard Alberta, senior pastor of Cornerstone Evangelical Presbyter-ian Church in Brighton, Mich., said preoccupations with doctrinal purity help explain why he struggles to round up fellow evangelicals to join him at anti-abortion events.</p>
<p>“When you get evangelicals among themselves, instead of addressing the social and moral issues, they get backwatered into some debate about dispensationalism or Calvin or Charismatic Renewal,” Alberta said. “There’s lots of suspicion, and those (worries) seem to act as filters that keep evangelicals from getting together.”</p>
<p>Similar frustrations beleaguer Travis Hutchinson, pastor of Highlands Presbyterian Church in Lafayette, Ga. He routinely gets a cool response from fellow evangelicals, he said, when he asks them to show courage and join his efforts to minister among undocumented immigrants. The problem, as he sees it, is that the doctrine-obsessed have lost touch with the heart of Jesus Christ.</p>
<p>“The missing ingredient is not the primacy of the mind and doctrine,” Hutchinson said. “It’s the willingness to suffer.”</p>
<p>Although renewal strategies may vary in the years ahead, evangelicals agree their calling is to be found in their bedrock source — Scripture.</p>
<p>Theologian John Jefferson Davis of Gordon-Conwell, for instance, said today’s Christians “need a high-intensity experience of God” and should seek it through meditative readings of Scripture. Still, he conceded, even Bible-based worship will need to be “more attractive and more enjoyable than a trip to the shopping mall.”</p>
<p>“Unless we can experience God (in a way) that is as real and as appealing as what we see on a 60-inch, high-definition plasma home theater screen, we are in trouble,” Davis said.</p>
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south hamilton mass rns repentant spent generation bowing altars church growth political power concerned evangelicals gathered recently search soul movement find new way forward evangelicals compose quarter american population must refocus shaping authentic disciples jesus christ garnered wide support long time consumerist society little appetite selfdenial fueling internal debate state evangelicalism drew scrutiny intellectuals 500 people attended conference gordonconwell theological seminary renewing evangelical mission leading thinkers called fellow believers repent host sins reducing gospel rightwing political agenda rendering god lenient father merely wants cuddle time kids seeing serious weakening american faith even among people profess believers said os guinness senior fellow eastwest institute new york author case civility yet awful lot people havent really faced true challenge still think turn around things like political action speakers earned applause highlighting evangelicalism began protestant renewal movement ironically come need renewing one point participants sang new hymn thats setting tone new era spurned gods way sought sang become worthless church sense lost mission go love people said steven mayo pastor elm street congregational church fitchburg mass weve become useless society desperately needs us become useful however matter without consensus calvin theological seminary president cornelius plantinga urged pastors talk less fulfilling personal potential offer likes old testament prophet joel warns gods people wail repent lord scorches earth church leaders responded plantingas prescription reality check pastors easy lose job taking advice said rachel stahle pastor first presbyterian church carteret nj plantingas 45minute lecture even harder find another one taking advice wisdom share us take youve said back churches evangelicals taking little comfort days successes past two decades included hundreds mushrooming megachurches advancement socially conservative agenda former president george w bush often say christians came display unchristian behavior public square disciplemaking cause disservice beware escalation extremism guinness said christian sayings love enemies theyre forgotten people attacking enemies theyre certainly side jesus solution lies reemphasizing reformation doctrines approach resonates growing ranks new calvinists profess teachings mans total depravity gods complete sovereignty predestination souls heaven hell church leaders feel drift away traditional teachings led evangelicals neglect biblical mandates ecumenism organize around lesser principles political preferences evangelicals moved church grounded solid theology church grounded personal relationships said neil gastonguay pastor bath united methodist church bath maine dont message anymore others say evangelicals worried much doctrinal differences theyve needed joining forces larger issues richard alberta senior pastor cornerstone evangelical presbyterian church brighton mich said preoccupations doctrinal purity help explain struggles round fellow evangelicals join antiabortion events get evangelicals among instead addressing social moral issues get backwatered debate dispensationalism calvin charismatic renewal alberta said theres lots suspicion worries seem act filters keep evangelicals getting together similar frustrations beleaguer travis hutchinson pastor highlands presbyterian church lafayette ga routinely gets cool response fellow evangelicals said asks show courage join efforts minister among undocumented immigrants problem sees doctrineobsessed lost touch heart jesus christ missing ingredient primacy mind doctrine hutchinson said willingness suffer although renewal strategies may vary years ahead evangelicals agree calling found bedrock source scripture theologian john jefferson davis gordonconwell instance said todays christians need highintensity experience god seek meditative readings scripture still conceded even biblebased worship need attractive enjoyable trip shopping mall unless experience god way real appealing see 60inch highdefinition plasma home theater screen trouble davis said
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<p>The School Board is re-examining its 21-year-old desegregation plan, which it has been unable to fully live up to.</p>
<p>The board has hired a legal expert and a team of consultants to chart its course for future desegregation policy. The consultants will study the existing plan’s effects on integrating school faculties and student bodies, then report back to the board in April. By September, says Marilyn Johnson, the board’s chief attorney, the board will be ready to “roll out” a plan.</p>
<p>Board President Michael Scott and schools CEO Arne Duncan have been careful to characterize the effort as an evaluation, not a move to end the program. However, the move could lead to an end of court supervision and to “unitary status”—a finding by a court that the district has satisfied its legal obligation to desegregate.</p>
<p>A number of Supreme Court decisions from the 1990s are “telling us that we can’t remain under court orders forever,” says Maree Sneed, a national expert in school desegregation law whom the board hired as outside counsel. “If our experts find that we haven’t done everything we’re supposed to do [to desegregate], then we’ll develop a plan … because that’s the ultimate goal.”</p>
<p>Since the early 1990s, many school districts have asked courts to end legally mandated desegregation plans, and the courts have often agreed. In one judicial circuit, courts have turned the tables on school districts, requiring that they show evidence that makes the case for continuing court supervision of their desegregation plans.</p>
<p>However, local civil rights advocates are concerned that the end result may take some options away from minority students, such as the opportunity to attend magnet schools that set aside the majority of their seats for minority students.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the district is not enforcing all the provisions of the current plan, and in some areas it has lost ground in recent years. The existing plan set a cap for white students at neighborhood schools, established goals for faculty integration, created magnet schools and programs and provided for extra money to go to inner-city schools that the district did not expect to integrate.</p>
<p>Majority-white schools: The plan caps white enrollment at any given school at 65 percent. In 1983, the year the provision took effect, six schools exceeded the limit. This year, 15 schools are more than 65 percent white.</p>
<p>Faculty integration: The plan re-quires that the racial make-up of each school’s faculty fall within 15 percentage points of the racial make-up of the district’s entire teaching force. Currently, that means that each elementary school should have no more than 60 percent white teachers and no more than 70 percent minority teachers, for high schools, no more than 63 percent white or 67 percent minority. More than half of all schools fail to hit the mark, Human Resources Director Carlos Ponce told the board’s Desegregation Monitoring Commission in a February 2002 meeting.</p>
<p>The board has repeatedly tried and failed to get the U.S. Justice Department to ease hiring guidelines. But even if its proposed formula had been approved, more than 80 schools would still be out of compliance, according to a CATALYST analysis of March 2002 CPS Human Resources Department data.</p>
<p>Magnet schools: The plan says that magnet schools should use lotteries to keep white enrollment between 17 percent and 35 percent. Some schools never hit the range because they had too few white students. Since the board changed admissions and transportation policies in 1998, even more have joined the out-of-compliance list. Two highly rated magnet elementary schools, Hawthorne and Decatur, now have white enrollments of more than 43 percent, well above the cap, according to this year’s CPS Racial-Ethnic Survey.</p>
<p>And only one of the five new college prep magnet high schools—Walter Payton—falls within the target range. White student enrollment at Northside College Prep is nearly 48 percent; it’s well below 17 percent at Gwendolyn Brooks, Lindblom and Jones.</p>
<p>Magnet programs: Under the plan, hundreds of magnet programs were created at neighborhood schools to boost student integration at non-magnet schools. By most accounts, the quality of the programs was mixed, and there was little oversight. Before he was appointed CEO, Arne Duncan worked to retool that patchwork into a “magnet cluster” program that encouraged neighboring schools to work together, reduced the number of academic specialties and limited busing.</p>
<p>Last year, the board’s Desegregation Monitoring Commission studied the effects of magnet clusters and found that streamlined academic offerings and more teamwork made educational sense. However, the study also found that getting rid of busing rendered clusters a bust as a desegregation initiative because students could not escape segregated neighborhoods to go to school. “As the Magnet Cluster Program is currently organized, the Monitoring Commission does not believe that it is a coherent desegregation strategy,” says a written report.</p>
<p>Some magnet cluster schools in white neighborhoods became more segregated since then, but the study found that they continue to get extra “desegregation” funds to hire additional staff. Garvy Elementary, a school on the Northwest Side that is 75 percent white, gets desegregation money for its magnet cluster program. “The program has worked very favorably for us,” says Principal Julie McGlade. “We’ve been able to get a staff person and a very good program in science and math.”</p>
<p>Targeted funds: The desegregation plan acknowledges that many inner-city schools will probably never be desegregated. As a result, it calls for special funds to create programs at so-called racially isolated schools to compensate for the effects of segregation. This year, the Office of Academic Enhancement, which administers desegregation programs, budgeted $14.8 million for such schools.</p>
<p>Last year, researchers for the Desegregation Monitoring Commission found that at least 12 percent of the schools receiving special “compensatory” funds for racially isolated schools were actually integrated, with 25 percent or more white students. Meanwhile, hundreds of racially isolated schools received no compensatory funds.</p>
<p>What might happen if CPS leaves court supervision is anybody’s guess, and civil rights advocates here are concerned about the prospects.</p>
<p>“I’m trying to figure it out, what’s the agenda?” says civil rights attorney Patricia Mendoza, regional counsel for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund.</p>
<p>“My concern is the impact on Latino kids,” Mendoza explains. “What access will they have to quality programs? Under the busing system, we’re not getting our fair shake, but show me how we’re going to do better.”</p>
<p>A study by the Consortium on Chicago School Research found that Latino neighborhoods have fewer magnet schools than other parts of the city, and African American students travel farther than other students to attend magnets.</p>
<p>A recent report that the board had “de-magnetized” Sayre Elementary in Austin and was considering similar moves elsewhere fueled speculation about the status of magnet schools without the consent decree. (See story.) However, CPS attorney Johnson says the board wants to increase the number of magnet programs. “That is inevitably going to cause some shift—some programs may not ultimately be magnet programs,” she says.</p>
<p>Ending the consent decree might mean less flexibility for the board to use race-based lotteries to ensure that magnet schools enroll minority students, says attorney Harvey Grossman of the American Civil Liberties Union in Chicago.</p>
<p>Federal courts have struck down race-based admissions policies in some districts that don’t have consent decrees, but not in others. “The decisions are sort of all over the map,” says Dennis Parker, an NAACP Legal Defense Fund attorney. “At some point, one of these cases is going to go up to the Supreme Court.”</p>
<p>CPS legal advisor Sneed says the consent decree is not a shield for the board from reverse-discrimination lawsuits. “We’re not trying to hide behind a court order,” she says. “The school board has a responsibility to do analysis and determine where they stand before they get a legal challenge.”</p>
<p>One of the board’s consultants, Gordon Foster, says that given how few white students remain in the system, the board may want to limit its ambitions for desegregation. Since the board entered the consent decree in 1980, white enrollment has dropped from about 17 percent to only 10 percent. Under those circumstances, “not too much is feasible,” says Foster.</p>
<p>He suggests that CPS follow the lead of Miami, where he helped craft a desegregation plan that focused on the part of the district where most white students lived. Now, he says, that area is “almost completely desegregated,” while the rest of the district is 98 percent minority.</p>
<p>Chicago might focus its efforts on the district’s Region 1, which covers the city north of Belmont Avenue. “The rest of it is all Hispanic or all black, pretty much,” he says. “It’s obvious to anybody … that there’s not much to play with.”</p>
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school board reexamining 21yearold desegregation plan unable fully live board hired legal expert team consultants chart course future desegregation policy consultants study existing plans effects integrating school faculties student bodies report back board april september says marilyn johnson boards chief attorney board ready roll plan board president michael scott schools ceo arne duncan careful characterize effort evaluation move end program however move could lead end court supervision unitary statusa finding court district satisfied legal obligation desegregate number supreme court decisions 1990s telling us cant remain court orders forever says maree sneed national expert school desegregation law board hired outside counsel experts find havent done everything supposed desegregate well develop plan thats ultimate goal since early 1990s many school districts asked courts end legally mandated desegregation plans courts often agreed one judicial circuit courts turned tables school districts requiring show evidence makes case continuing court supervision desegregation plans however local civil rights advocates concerned end result may take options away minority students opportunity attend magnet schools set aside majority seats minority students meanwhile district enforcing provisions current plan areas lost ground recent years existing plan set cap white students neighborhood schools established goals faculty integration created magnet schools programs provided extra money go innercity schools district expect integrate majoritywhite schools plan caps white enrollment given school 65 percent 1983 year provision took effect six schools exceeded limit year 15 schools 65 percent white faculty integration plan requires racial makeup schools faculty fall within 15 percentage points racial makeup districts entire teaching force currently means elementary school 60 percent white teachers 70 percent minority teachers high schools 63 percent white 67 percent minority half schools fail hit mark human resources director carlos ponce told boards desegregation monitoring commission february 2002 meeting board repeatedly tried failed get us justice department ease hiring guidelines even proposed formula approved 80 schools would still compliance according catalyst analysis march 2002 cps human resources department data magnet schools plan says magnet schools use lotteries keep white enrollment 17 percent 35 percent schools never hit range white students since board changed admissions transportation policies 1998 even joined outofcompliance list two highly rated magnet elementary schools hawthorne decatur white enrollments 43 percent well cap according years cps racialethnic survey one five new college prep magnet high schoolswalter paytonfalls within target range white student enrollment northside college prep nearly 48 percent well 17 percent gwendolyn brooks lindblom jones magnet programs plan hundreds magnet programs created neighborhood schools boost student integration nonmagnet schools accounts quality programs mixed little oversight appointed ceo arne duncan worked retool patchwork magnet cluster program encouraged neighboring schools work together reduced number academic specialties limited busing last year boards desegregation monitoring commission studied effects magnet clusters found streamlined academic offerings teamwork made educational sense however study also found getting rid busing rendered clusters bust desegregation initiative students could escape segregated neighborhoods go school magnet cluster program currently organized monitoring commission believe coherent desegregation strategy says written report magnet cluster schools white neighborhoods became segregated since study found continue get extra desegregation funds hire additional staff garvy elementary school northwest side 75 percent white gets desegregation money magnet cluster program program worked favorably us says principal julie mcglade weve able get staff person good program science math targeted funds desegregation plan acknowledges many innercity schools probably never desegregated result calls special funds create programs socalled racially isolated schools compensate effects segregation year office academic enhancement administers desegregation programs budgeted 148 million schools last year researchers desegregation monitoring commission found least 12 percent schools receiving special compensatory funds racially isolated schools actually integrated 25 percent white students meanwhile hundreds racially isolated schools received compensatory funds might happen cps leaves court supervision anybodys guess civil rights advocates concerned prospects im trying figure whats agenda says civil rights attorney patricia mendoza regional counsel mexican american legal defense education fund concern impact latino kids mendoza explains access quality programs busing system getting fair shake show going better study consortium chicago school research found latino neighborhoods fewer magnet schools parts city african american students travel farther students attend magnets recent report board demagnetized sayre elementary austin considering similar moves elsewhere fueled speculation status magnet schools without consent decree see story however cps attorney johnson says board wants increase number magnet programs inevitably going cause shiftsome programs may ultimately magnet programs says ending consent decree might mean less flexibility board use racebased lotteries ensure magnet schools enroll minority students says attorney harvey grossman american civil liberties union chicago federal courts struck racebased admissions policies districts dont consent decrees others decisions sort map says dennis parker naacp legal defense fund attorney point one cases going go supreme court cps legal advisor sneed says consent decree shield board reversediscrimination lawsuits trying hide behind court order says school board responsibility analysis determine stand get legal challenge one boards consultants gordon foster says given white students remain system board may want limit ambitions desegregation since board entered consent decree 1980 white enrollment dropped 17 percent 10 percent circumstances much feasible says foster suggests cps follow lead miami helped craft desegregation plan focused part district white students lived says area almost completely desegregated rest district 98 percent minority chicago might focus efforts districts region 1 covers city north belmont avenue rest hispanic black pretty much says obvious anybody theres much play
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<p>It’s been one month since the Federal Communications Commission <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/rights/fcc-votes-favor-proposed-net-neutrality-rules" type="external">voted to push forward a proposal</a> that critics have said would kill net neutrality, leaving just one more month for US citizens to file comments about the legislation to the FCC’s database, before the first comment period ends on July 15.</p>
<p>The move threw the principle of equal access to information online into the center of a heated debate over whether or not internet service providers (ISPs) should be allowed to create a system of paid-prioritization that would propel some web content forward, while hindering other content — a shift that net neutrality advocates argue would greatly restrict free speech on the internet.</p>
<p>“These implications are most dangerous for — and indeed most likely to impact — smaller and marginalized speakers and listeners; those with the most controversial and least popular ideas who are unable or unwilling to pay,” said Morgan Weiland, a Student Fellow at Stanford’s Center for Internet and Society.</p>
<p>Driving the debate are two competing First Amendment claims.</p>
<p>Advocates of net neutrality believe that ISPs, including Verizon and Comcast, are infringing on the free speech of consumers who access legal information on the web. Proponents of the new rules, like Verizon with the support of other large cable companies, on the other hand, have argued that the First Amendment protects their right to deliver content to consumers in any way they see fit.</p>
<p>ISPs must, at some level, prioritize content they deliver online. But with video streaming increasingly consuming more of network capacities, cable companies claim they should be allowed to collect fees for delivering high-bandwidth content, because the way they choose to deliver content is a matter of their free speech.</p>
<p>But Tim Wu, the Isidor and Seville Sulzbacher Professor of Law at Columbia Law School, who first wrote about net neutrality, in January said that <a href="http://blog.constitutioncenter.org/2014/01/podcast-net-neutrality-the-internet-and-the-first-amendment/" type="external">cable companies should not be allowed to use the First Amendment to avoid regulation</a>.</p>
<p>Wu and other net neutrality supporters emphasize the consumer’s First Amendment right to access information over a service provider’s right to choose what content gets delivered.</p>
<p>But if cable companies actually do have a constitutional right to free speech, government <a href="http://blog.constitutioncenter.org/2014/01/podcast-net-neutrality-the-internet-and-the-first-amendment/" type="external">regulations could be hard to enforce</a>, according to Stuart M. Benjamin, a law professor at Duke Law School.</p>
<p>Without net neutrality laws, some say we can expect more cases like one instance in 2008, when Comcast attempted to secretly slow Bit Torrent — a peer-to-peer sharing service — while, some believe, favoring Comcast’s own content.</p>
<p>In a 2010 case, Verizon versus the FCC, the court said that the FCC could likely enforce net neutrality laws by reclassifying broadband as an “information service,” and placing it under “common carrier” regulations that would treat broadband as a public utility.</p>
<p>Under “common carrier” regulations, ISPs would have to treat all content equally.</p>
<p>So far, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, a former cable industry lobbyist, has said the FCC prefers handling decisions on a case-by-case basis, rather than through broad regulation.</p>
<p>Last month’s proposal issued by the FCC aims to prevent content discrimination without reclassifying broadband, which critics argue is a backward and likely ineffective strategy.</p>
<p>Under the proposed rules, the FCC says it will monitor ISPs to prevent anticompetitive behavior, but will not place an outright ban on paid prioritization.</p>
<p>As per its current regulations, the FCC will also not allow ISPs to provide slower speeds than customers have already paid for, nor will it allow ISPs to block access to any legal content.</p>
<p>However, there could be systemic issues affecting the future of free speech on the web that may be missed in the current debate, and which go beyond the FCC’s proposed rules.</p>
<p>The problem lies in how ISPs control high-speed internet in the United States, which “is one of captive monopoly,” Andrew McLaughlin, former Deputy Chief Technology Officer for President Obama, and former Vice President of Tumblr, said in an email.</p>
<p>Cable companies maintain local monopolies in many parts of the US and often charge high fees for slow service compared to other countries. <a href="http://www.netindex.com/value/2,1/United-States/" type="external">According to the Net Index</a>, by internet metrics company Ookla, the US ranks 32nd in the world in its cost-to-speed ratio for internet access, and 19th accounting for per-capita GDP.</p>
<p>There is generally more competition between ISPs in Europe, where some countries, including Germany and France, have net neutrality laws.</p>
<p>If there is a certain level of competition, it is not in an ISP’s interest “to start slowing down services that consumers really like,” Joshua Gans, who holds the Jeffrey S. Skoll Chair of Technical Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Toronto, told GlobalPost.</p>
<p>Gans said he believes the FCC’s proposed rules for an open internet are necessary.</p>
<p>“The way we’ve gotten competition around the world is by regulating,” he said, comparing internet regulation with regulating phones and telephony.</p>
<p>Every “connection into your house [besides the internet] has been regulated by the government,” he added.</p>
<p>Yet even strong net neutrality laws, opponents of net neutrality point out, might not prevent big companies, like Netflix, from storing content at ISPs’ local data centers, creating private lanes beyond the FCC’s regulation.</p>
<p>Still, some think failing to regulate could encourage conflict-of-interests, where ISPs are inclined toward censorship, prioritizing their own content, or possibly even creating a sterile version of the web, as suggested by Columbia University’s Tim Wu.</p>
<p>This is something to avoid, <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/commentary/the-fcc-net-neutrality-internet-rules" type="external">net neutrality advocates say</a>.</p>
<p>Currently, apps or service providers “risk having their message blocked or slowed because they didn’t pay the ISP,” said Morgan Weiland, of Stanford’s Center for Internet and Society.</p>
<p>And individuals could loose “the power to control what speech they are exposed to,” she added.</p>
<p>Some advocates believe that municipal broadband or public-private partnerships could help solve structural issues in the way internet service is provided.</p>
<p>Finland presents an example of one alternative, where public pipes are put in place once, which private companies then use to provide their services, Susan Crawford, a Harvard Law professor and co-director of Harvard’s Berkman Center, <a href="" type="external">said in a 2011 interview</a> for the Berkman Center.</p>
<p>This is ideal for consumers, Gans explained, because consumers “own the connection into their house, and then they can choose [the ISP] it goes to.”</p>
<p>For example, someone could switch to a different ISP if their own slowed down a certain content provider.</p>
<p>“Consumers would get options,” Gans said.</p>
<p>Although there is widespread dissatisfaction with the way high-speed internet is delivered in many parts of the country, there would also be great difficulty in replacing the current system.</p>
<p>For one, some doubt whether a widespread municipal or public-private alternative could work in the US, without being exorbitant to install and maintain.</p>
<p>Additionally, many of those who support an open internet, including FCC Chairman Wheeler, believe that reclassifying broadband to enforce strong net neutrality laws would do more harm than good.</p>
<p>Cable companies argue that this could strangle innovation and limit investment in improving high-speed internet access.</p>
<p>Still there is a general agreement in mainstream media that something needs to be done.</p>
<p>In five years, startups will face a much more difficult climate, “if the default position of Comcast,” is charging fees to access a fast lane, said Gans.</p>
<p>McLaughlin, the Obama administration’s former Deputy Chief Technology Officer, said he thinks the FCC’s proposed rules are necessary, but also that reclassifying broadband internet as a telecommunications service would be a viable option.</p>
<p>“Reclassification doesn't magically resolve net neutrality concerns,” he wrote, “the FCC still needs to grapple with what is and isn't OK.”</p>
<p>Weiland said the new rules would also present problems for the press, and could especially harm news startups online.</p>
<p>“If they not only have to pay ISPs for prioritization of their traffic, but also fear discrimination if ISPs don’t like what they have to say, that has a potential chilling effect on the press,” she explained.</p>
<p>None of the FCC’s five commissioners, who were contacted by phone or email, as well as a separate request through the FCC’s press office, could be reached when asked to comment last week.</p>
<p>An email response from FCC Chairman Wheeler said:</p>
<p>“We're hoping to hear from as many people as possible about this critical issue… I'm a strong supporter of the Open Internet, and I will fight to keep the internet open.</p>
<p>Below is a timeline of events in the fight for net neutrality.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p />
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one month since federal communications commission voted push forward proposal critics said would kill net neutrality leaving one month us citizens file comments legislation fccs database first comment period ends july 15 move threw principle equal access information online center heated debate whether internet service providers isps allowed create system paidprioritization would propel web content forward hindering content shift net neutrality advocates argue would greatly restrict free speech internet implications dangerous indeed likely impact smaller marginalized speakers listeners controversial least popular ideas unable unwilling pay said morgan weiland student fellow stanfords center internet society driving debate two competing first amendment claims advocates net neutrality believe isps including verizon comcast infringing free speech consumers access legal information web proponents new rules like verizon support large cable companies hand argued first amendment protects right deliver content consumers way see fit isps must level prioritize content deliver online video streaming increasingly consuming network capacities cable companies claim allowed collect fees delivering highbandwidth content way choose deliver content matter free speech tim wu isidor seville sulzbacher professor law columbia law school first wrote net neutrality january said cable companies allowed use first amendment avoid regulation wu net neutrality supporters emphasize consumers first amendment right access information service providers right choose content gets delivered cable companies actually constitutional right free speech government regulations could hard enforce according stuart benjamin law professor duke law school without net neutrality laws say expect cases like one instance 2008 comcast attempted secretly slow bit torrent peertopeer sharing service believe favoring comcasts content 2010 case verizon versus fcc court said fcc could likely enforce net neutrality laws reclassifying broadband information service placing common carrier regulations would treat broadband public utility common carrier regulations isps would treat content equally far fcc chairman tom wheeler former cable industry lobbyist said fcc prefers handling decisions casebycase basis rather broad regulation last months proposal issued fcc aims prevent content discrimination without reclassifying broadband critics argue backward likely ineffective strategy proposed rules fcc says monitor isps prevent anticompetitive behavior place outright ban paid prioritization per current regulations fcc also allow isps provide slower speeds customers already paid allow isps block access legal content however could systemic issues affecting future free speech web may missed current debate go beyond fccs proposed rules problem lies isps control highspeed internet united states one captive monopoly andrew mclaughlin former deputy chief technology officer president obama former vice president tumblr said email cable companies maintain local monopolies many parts us often charge high fees slow service compared countries according net index internet metrics company ookla us ranks 32nd world costtospeed ratio internet access 19th accounting percapita gdp generally competition isps europe countries including germany france net neutrality laws certain level competition isps interest start slowing services consumers really like joshua gans holds jeffrey skoll chair technical innovation entrepreneurship university toronto told globalpost gans said believes fccs proposed rules open internet necessary way weve gotten competition around world regulating said comparing internet regulation regulating phones telephony every connection house besides internet regulated government added yet even strong net neutrality laws opponents net neutrality point might prevent big companies like netflix storing content isps local data centers creating private lanes beyond fccs regulation still think failing regulate could encourage conflictofinterests isps inclined toward censorship prioritizing content possibly even creating sterile version web suggested columbia universitys tim wu something avoid net neutrality advocates say currently apps service providers risk message blocked slowed didnt pay isp said morgan weiland stanfords center internet society individuals could loose power control speech exposed added advocates believe municipal broadband publicprivate partnerships could help solve structural issues way internet service provided finland presents example one alternative public pipes put place private companies use provide services susan crawford harvard law professor codirector harvards berkman center said 2011 interview berkman center ideal consumers gans explained consumers connection house choose isp goes example someone could switch different isp slowed certain content provider consumers would get options gans said although widespread dissatisfaction way highspeed internet delivered many parts country would also great difficulty replacing current system one doubt whether widespread municipal publicprivate alternative could work us without exorbitant install maintain additionally many support open internet including fcc chairman wheeler believe reclassifying broadband enforce strong net neutrality laws would harm good cable companies argue could strangle innovation limit investment improving highspeed internet access still general agreement mainstream media something needs done five years startups face much difficult climate default position comcast charging fees access fast lane said gans mclaughlin obama administrations former deputy chief technology officer said thinks fccs proposed rules necessary also reclassifying broadband internet telecommunications service would viable option reclassification doesnt magically resolve net neutrality concerns wrote fcc still needs grapple isnt ok weiland said new rules would also present problems press could especially harm news startups online pay isps prioritization traffic also fear discrimination isps dont like say potential chilling effect press explained none fccs five commissioners contacted phone email well separate request fccs press office could reached asked comment last week email response fcc chairman wheeler said hoping hear many people possible critical issue im strong supporter open internet fight keep internet open timeline events fight net neutrality 160
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<p>In the first part of this blog I suggested that there is in fact a definition of the word love which can cover all the various forms of human and divine love. &#160;It is a definition which I believe gets to the heart of the nature of the love of God. &#160;Are you ready?</p>
<p>Love is an intentional decision to see somebody else become fully who God designed them to be.</p>
<p>Let me write that again to make sure you have it.</p>
<p>Love is an intentional decision to see somebody else become fully who God designed them to be.</p>
<p>There’s only one caveat to this. &#160;When talking about the love we have for God (or the love shared among the members of the godhead) the definition changes slightly in light of the fact that He wasn’t designed and isn’t becoming anything (I am not a process theologian). &#160;The definition in this one case changes to this: Loving God is an intentional decision to see Him fully recognized for who He is.</p>
<p>Let me unpack this a bit. &#160;Although it’s particular expression might change depending on the circumstances, this definition is capable of covering every situation of human and divine love. &#160;God’s love for us is an intentional decision on His part (He was under no compunction to create us and especially since the Fall does not by any means have to accept us) to see us become perfect expressions of His image in us. &#160;Everything He does toward us is motivated by love because He is love. &#160;And, everything He does toward us is geared at moving us more in line with who He designed us to be. &#160;Thus, His love is an intentional decision to see us become fully who He designed us to be.</p>
<p>How about the love of Christ? &#160;Well what was His death and resurrection if not an intentional decision to open the doors to life such that we can, with the Spirit’s help, become fully reflective of His image, which is what God the Father designed us to bear? &#160;When we say that Jesus loves us, this is what we should have in mind: an intentional decision on the part of Christ to see us become fully who God designed us to be.</p>
<p>What about the various expressions of human love? &#160;Surely these are more complex than a single definition can cover. &#160;I don’t think so. &#160;Consider the shared between a husband and wife. &#160;What did Paul say is the model for that love? &#160;The love of Christ for His church. &#160;Remember what he said? &#160;Husbands, you shall love your wives just as Christ loved the church. &#160;And what did we just say is the driving force behind the love of Christ? &#160;An intentional decision to see us become fully who God designed&#160;us to be. &#160;When you look at the rest of what Paul said this makes even more sense. &#160;The love of a husband for his wife should result in her being a fitting offering to Christ, in other words, fully who God designed her to be. &#160;The love of a wife for her husband should do the same thing but in reverse. &#160;This, by the way, is a great deal better a definition of love than the notion of love as mere amorous feelings (always capricious) that so many modern young people have in mind when they begin moving toward the romance table.</p>
<p>Or how about the love of parents for their children? &#160;The application of this definition to the attitude Christian parents should have toward their children should be obvious. &#160;If we are not working intentionally to see them become fully who God designed them to be then what are we doing? &#160;If any other goal clouds our vision we are failing them. &#160;Note well here that this understanding of love has no similarities to the overly permissive, be-whoever-you-want-to-be “love” that far too many parents have for their children. &#160;If we are working intentionally to see them become fully who God designed them to be, this will necessarily have a huge impact on the kinds of opportunities we allow and the kinds we don’t.</p>
<p>This applies equally well to love of neighbor. &#160;Jesus’ illustration of the proper shape of this love in the parable of the Good Samaritan made fairly clear how this is so. &#160;It even applies to the love we are to have for our enemies. &#160;In fact, I dare say that if we are not operating on the basis of this kind of love we cannot properly obey Jesus’ command to love our enemies. &#160;It calls for no starry-eyed idealism, but a gritty realism wherein we are to recognize that they are not currently reflecting the image God designed them to bear and begin taking the steps necessary to see that happen. &#160;Those might be hard. &#160;The application of this kind of love takes both wisdom and courage.</p>
<p>Well, assuming you haven’t already run ahead of my argument to this point and have been waiting for me to arrive, let’s talk about what is probably the most significant challenge to this particular definition of love. &#160;How do we know who God designed someone to be? &#160;That seems to be an awfully weighty decision to make. &#160;In fact, that seems to be too weighty a decision for any single person or even a group of people to make about someone else. &#160;With that assessment I would have to agree. &#160;Our judgment cannot be the final determining factor here. &#160;This definition of love necessarily assumes the person doing the loving is approaching the matter with a great deal of prayer, the input of a community of committed believers, and a detailed study of the Scriptures. &#160;Apart from this we can’t get it right.</p>
<p>The next challenge, of course, is that different people read the Scriptures and come away with different conclusions. &#160;And, I readily acknowledge this to be the case. &#160;There is a certain amount of subjectivity part and parcel with this definition. &#160;But, in spite of some variance on the details, there are some things we can say with assurance about God’s vision for any single person. &#160;God envisions each of us to be fully devoted followers of Jesus. &#160;Thus, loving people out of this definition should always be moving them in this direction. &#160;God envisions each of us to live righteously which necessarily requires an elimination of sin from our lives. &#160;Thus, loving people out of this definition should always involve humbly and gently calling them to leave their sin behind in favor of righteousness. &#160;God envisions each of us to put Him first over and against our own feelings and desires in all things. &#160;Thus, loving people out of this definition will equip them with the knowledge and accountability to do that.</p>
<p>There is no doubt&#160;much more to be said here in exploring some of the details of all of this, but the bottom line is that this definition gives us a great rubric as to when we are practicing love and when we are not. &#160;If an action toward another person is moving them intentionally in the direction of becoming fully who God designed them to be it is a loving one. &#160;If not, it isn’t. &#160;Love is an intentional decision to see somebody else become fully who God designed them to be. &#160;If we want to love like God loves, this is how we do it. &#160;The rock trolls from Frozen were right: everyone is a bit of a fixer-upper (that’s being generous), but when push comes to shove, the only fixer upper fixer that will fix we fixer-uppers is an intentional decision to see us become fully who God designed us to be. &#160;That doesn’t rhyme quite as well, I’ll grant you, but it will accomplish the goal. &#160;Let’s get loving.</p>
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first part blog suggested fact definition word love cover various forms human divine love 160it definition believe gets heart nature love god 160are ready love intentional decision see somebody else become fully god designed let write make sure love intentional decision see somebody else become fully god designed theres one caveat 160when talking love god love shared among members godhead definition changes slightly light fact wasnt designed isnt becoming anything process theologian 160the definition one case changes loving god intentional decision see fully recognized let unpack bit 160although particular expression might change depending circumstances definition capable covering every situation human divine love 160gods love us intentional decision part compunction create us especially since fall means accept us see us become perfect expressions image us 160everything toward us motivated love love 160and everything toward us geared moving us line designed us 160thus love intentional decision see us become fully designed us love christ 160well death resurrection intentional decision open doors life spirits help become fully reflective image god father designed us bear 160when say jesus loves us mind intentional decision part christ see us become fully god designed us various expressions human love 160surely complex single definition cover 160i dont think 160consider shared husband wife 160what paul say model love 160the love christ church 160remember said 160husbands shall love wives christ loved church 160and say driving force behind love christ 160an intentional decision see us become fully god designed160us 160when look rest paul said makes even sense 160the love husband wife result fitting offering christ words fully god designed 160the love wife husband thing reverse 160this way great deal better definition love notion love mere amorous feelings always capricious many modern young people mind begin moving toward romance table love parents children 160the application definition attitude christian parents toward children obvious 160if working intentionally see become fully god designed 160if goal clouds vision failing 160note well understanding love similarities overly permissive bewhoeveryouwanttobe love far many parents children 160if working intentionally see become fully god designed necessarily huge impact kinds opportunities allow kinds dont applies equally well love neighbor 160jesus illustration proper shape love parable good samaritan made fairly clear 160it even applies love enemies 160in fact dare say operating basis kind love properly obey jesus command love enemies 160it calls starryeyed idealism gritty realism wherein recognize currently reflecting image god designed bear begin taking steps necessary see happen 160those might hard 160the application kind love takes wisdom courage well assuming havent already run ahead argument point waiting arrive lets talk probably significant challenge particular definition love 160how know god designed someone 160that seems awfully weighty decision make 160in fact seems weighty decision single person even group people make someone else 160with assessment would agree 160our judgment final determining factor 160this definition love necessarily assumes person loving approaching matter great deal prayer input community committed believers detailed study scriptures 160apart cant get right next challenge course different people read scriptures come away different conclusions 160and readily acknowledge case 160there certain amount subjectivity part parcel definition 160but spite variance details things say assurance gods vision single person 160god envisions us fully devoted followers jesus 160thus loving people definition always moving direction 160god envisions us live righteously necessarily requires elimination sin lives 160thus loving people definition always involve humbly gently calling leave sin behind favor righteousness 160god envisions us put first feelings desires things 160thus loving people definition equip knowledge accountability doubt160much said exploring details bottom line definition gives us great rubric practicing love 160if action toward another person moving intentionally direction becoming fully god designed loving one 160if isnt 160love intentional decision see somebody else become fully god designed 160if want love like god loves 160the rock trolls frozen right everyone bit fixerupper thats generous push comes shove fixer upper fixer fix fixeruppers intentional decision see us become fully god designed us 160that doesnt rhyme quite well ill grant accomplish goal 160lets get loving
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<p>Gov. Pat McCrory (R-N.C.) (Photo by Hal Goodtree; courtesy Wikimedia Commons)</p>
<p>Despite calls from LGBT advocates urging him to veto the measure, North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory signed into law late Wednesday legislation that would undo pro-LGBT non-discrimination ordinances in his state, including the recently approved measure in Charlotte.</p>
<p>In a statement, McCrory said he had signed the measure, House Bill 2, because he thinks the Charlotte ordinance, which would have allowed transgender people to use public restrooms consistent with their gender identity, violated privacy rights.</p>
<p>“As a result, I have signed legislation passed by a bipartisan majority to stop this breach of basic privacy and etiquette which was to go into effect April 1,” McCrory said. “Although other items included in this bill should have waited until regular session, this bill does not change existing rights under state or federal law.”</p>
<p>McCrory blamed the city of Charlotte for enacting the ordinance, saying “the mayor and city council took action far out of its core responsibilities.”</p>
<p>“The basic expectation of privacy in the most personal of settings, a restroom or locker room, for each gender was violated by government overreach and intrusion by the mayor and city council of Charlotte,” McCrory said. “This radical breach of trust and security under the false argument of equal access not only impacts the citizens of Charlotte but people who come to Charlotte to work, visit or play. This new government regulation defies common sense and basic community norms by allowing, for example, a man to use a woman’s bathroom, shower or locker room.”</p>
<p>McCrory was expected to sign the law, although he didn’t give much notice about his planned action. After the legislature approved the measure&#160;on Wednesday, his office informed the media he would sign it&#160;before the next day.</p>
<p>At an estimated cost&#160;of $42,000, the North Carolina Legislature <a href="" type="internal">held a special session on Wednesday</a>with the sole&#160;purpose of passing House Bill 2 and sending it McCrory. The House passed it after a three-hour debate by an 83-25 vote, but the Senate passed it more quickly, 32-0, after Senate Democrats walked out in protest of the bill.</p>
<p>Ian Palmquist, a North Carolina resident and director of leadership programs for the Equality Federation, a national umbrella group for state LGBT groups, condemned McCrory in a statement that called House Bill 2 “the most extreme, anti-LGBTQ legislation in the country.”</p>
<p>“If the governor had met personally with gay and transgender North Carolinians he would have seen people who go to work, go out to eat, and live their daily lives in our communities just like everyone else,” Palmquist said. “He would have seen people who should have a fair opportunity to provide for themselves and their families in our great state. I stand with the majority of North Carolinians when I say that this discriminatory law does not speak for us. We believe in fairness, freedom, and the ability of our cities and towns to govern themselves.”</p>
<p>The new law, among other things, prohibits transgender people from using public restrooms and locker rooms in schools and public agencies consistent with their gender identity. The law also supersedes all local ordinances governing non-discrimination and employment practices, which in a state with no prohibition against anti-LGBT bias would enable such discrimination across North Carolina.</p>
<p>The measure won’t only undo the Charlotte ordinance, but any LGBT non-discrimination city ordinance in the state, in addition to ordinances governing employee rights such as those making requirements for the minimum wage.</p>
<p>The law is along the lines of similar measures in Arkansas and Tennessee, which prohibit localities from enacting ordinances that go beyond non-discrimination protections in state law. But House Bill 2 is unprecedented in its scope and incorporation of language from anti-trans “papers to pee” bathroom bills in state legislatures across the country.</p>
<p>In a joint statement, Lambda Legal, the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of North Carolina and Equality North Carolina announced they were exploring legal options to challenge the law.</p>
<p>“We expect the ACLU’s and Lambda Legal’s Legal Help Desks will light up with calls from those who suffer discrimination imposed by this law, and we stand ready to help,” said Tara Borelli, senior attorney with Lambda Legal. ”This law is in direct conflict with protections provided to students under Title IX and could cause the state to lose billions in federal funds. Instead of solving any real problems, the law would create new ones and could lead to intolerable and unfair conditions for transgender students who are entitled, by federal law, to a safe and equitable education.”</p>
<p>Critics say the state law contravenes Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which the Obama administration has interpreted to prohibit discrimination against transgender students in schools. According to Freedom for All Americans, bucking the federal law could result in the loss of $4.5 billion in federal funds for North Carolina.</p>
<p>“With the stroke of a pen, Gov. McCrory is torching his state’s reputation and intentionally exposing hundreds of thousands of LGBT people to harassment and discrimination,” said Matt McTighe, executive director for Freedom for All Americans. “Gov. McCrory’s decision to hastily sign this bill will undoubtedly have economic consequences, but more worrisome is the message it sends to LGBT people – particularly youth – across the state. North Carolina is now squarely on the wrong side of history. Every single person – including LGBT people – deserves fairness and equality under the law, and we won’t rest until we can make that a reality across this nation.”</p>
<p>Joining the condemnation of McCrory for signing the legislation was Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz.</p>
<p>“This is sadly unsurprising from a party that seems determined to stay stuck in the Stone Age on LGBT equality,” Wasserman Schultz. said. “From their refusal to accept marriage equality as the law of the land, to their disingenuous ‘free speech’ and ‘religious freedom’ justifications for discrimination, Republicans are hurting Americans who deserve the full and equal protection of the law. Now the same state lawmakers who pretend to love limited government are steamrolling over local officials just because they had the courage to stand up for transgender rights. Our friends in the LGBT community deserve better and so do all the people of North Carolina.”</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Equality Federation</a> <a href="" type="internal">House Bill 2</a> <a href="" type="internal">Ian Palmquist</a> <a href="" type="internal">North Carolina</a> <a href="" type="internal">Pat McCrory</a></p>
| false | 3 |
gov pat mccrory rnc photo hal goodtree courtesy wikimedia commons despite calls lgbt advocates urging veto measure north carolina gov pat mccrory signed law late wednesday legislation would undo prolgbt nondiscrimination ordinances state including recently approved measure charlotte statement mccrory said signed measure house bill 2 thinks charlotte ordinance would allowed transgender people use public restrooms consistent gender identity violated privacy rights result signed legislation passed bipartisan majority stop breach basic privacy etiquette go effect april 1 mccrory said although items included bill waited regular session bill change existing rights state federal law mccrory blamed city charlotte enacting ordinance saying mayor city council took action far core responsibilities basic expectation privacy personal settings restroom locker room gender violated government overreach intrusion mayor city council charlotte mccrory said radical breach trust security false argument equal access impacts citizens charlotte people come charlotte work visit play new government regulation defies common sense basic community norms allowing example man use womans bathroom shower locker room mccrory expected sign law although didnt give much notice planned action legislature approved measure160on wednesday office informed media would sign it160before next day estimated cost160of 42000 north carolina legislature held special session wednesdaywith sole160purpose passing house bill 2 sending mccrory house passed threehour debate 8325 vote senate passed quickly 320 senate democrats walked protest bill ian palmquist north carolina resident director leadership programs equality federation national umbrella group state lgbt groups condemned mccrory statement called house bill 2 extreme antilgbtq legislation country governor met personally gay transgender north carolinians would seen people go work go eat live daily lives communities like everyone else palmquist said would seen people fair opportunity provide families great state stand majority north carolinians say discriminatory law speak us believe fairness freedom ability cities towns govern new law among things prohibits transgender people using public restrooms locker rooms schools public agencies consistent gender identity law also supersedes local ordinances governing nondiscrimination employment practices state prohibition antilgbt bias would enable discrimination across north carolina measure wont undo charlotte ordinance lgbt nondiscrimination city ordinance state addition ordinances governing employee rights making requirements minimum wage law along lines similar measures arkansas tennessee prohibit localities enacting ordinances go beyond nondiscrimination protections state law house bill 2 unprecedented scope incorporation language antitrans papers pee bathroom bills state legislatures across country joint statement lambda legal american civil liberties union aclu north carolina equality north carolina announced exploring legal options challenge law expect aclus lambda legals legal help desks light calls suffer discrimination imposed law stand ready help said tara borelli senior attorney lambda legal law direct conflict protections provided students title ix could cause state lose billions federal funds instead solving real problems law would create new ones could lead intolerable unfair conditions transgender students entitled federal law safe equitable education critics say state law contravenes title ix education amendments 1972 obama administration interpreted prohibit discrimination transgender students schools according freedom americans bucking federal law could result loss 45 billion federal funds north carolina stroke pen gov mccrory torching states reputation intentionally exposing hundreds thousands lgbt people harassment discrimination said matt mctighe executive director freedom americans gov mccrorys decision hastily sign bill undoubtedly economic consequences worrisome message sends lgbt people particularly youth across state north carolina squarely wrong side history every single person including lgbt people deserves fairness equality law wont rest make reality across nation joining condemnation mccrory signing legislation democratic national committee chair debbie wasserman schultz sadly unsurprising party seems determined stay stuck stone age lgbt equality wasserman schultz said refusal accept marriage equality law land disingenuous free speech religious freedom justifications discrimination republicans hurting americans deserve full equal protection law state lawmakers pretend love limited government steamrolling local officials courage stand transgender rights friends lgbt community deserve better people north carolina equality federation house bill 2 ian palmquist north carolina pat mccrory
| 635 |
<p>Changing the subject</p>
<p>For the second time in the past week, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie today will deliver much-anticipated remarks in Trenton -- this time in his “State of the State” address at 3:00 pm ET. And the question is how much, if anything, he says about the George Washington Bridge scandal that has engulfed his administration. (Remember, Bill Clinton avoided any mention to the raging Lewinsky scandal when he gave his 1998 State of the Union address.) According to excerpts of Christie’s remarks, it appears the governor will try to change the subject by proposing to lengthen the school day and school year in the state. "It is time to lengthen both the school day and school year in New Jersey,” he’s expected to say. “If student achievement is lagging at the exact moment when we need improvement more than ever in order to compete in the world economy, should we not take these steps -- every possible step -- to boost student achievement?" Christie’s office also says that the governor will focus on property-tax relief, as well as crime prevention. And he will ask the legislature and state residents to put politics aside and focus on the people first. So the smart bet is on him omitting any direct reference to the scandal he faces (although he probably alludes to the politics of the moment). After all, if he says anything about it, that will be the headline, not anything else."</p>
<p>What was supposed to be a triumphant moment</p>
<p>Still, this was supposed to be a triumphant moment for the potential 2016 presidential candidate. After his 20-point re-election victory, after assuming the reins of the Republican Governors Association, and after all the ’16 speculation had already begun, Christie had two high-profile events scheduled this month -- his State of the State, and his Jan. 21 inauguration. But the bridge scandal now hangs over both. As for the investigation into the GWB lane closures, the level of Christie’s cooperation will be a big tell. If he and his administration are truly cooperative -- turning over every email, appearing before every investigative panel -- then it will appear they have nothing to hide, and it will be a reminder he really does want to rescue his national ambitions. But if they stonewall, then it may be that Christie and his folks have concluded they have bigger problems than 2016.</p>
<p>Two polls on Christie, two different stories</p>
<p>On Monday, two polls on Christie were released, and they told two stories. One, most Americans aren’t paying close attention to this bridge story -- at least not yet. According to a national Pew Research Center survey (conducted Jan. 9-12), only 18% say they’re closely following the story, versus 44% who closely followed the recent arctic blast, 28% who closely followed the latest on the U.S. economy, and 19% who closely followed the unemployment debate in Washington, DC. What’s more, 16% of national respondents say the story has given them a less favorable impression of Christie, compared with 6% who have a more favorable impression. A whopping 60% say their opinion hasn’t changed. Two, the story hasn’t hurt his approval rating in the state, but it has hurt some of his numbers below the surface. According to a Monmouth University/Asbury Park Press poll, 59% of New Jersey resident approve of the governor’s job -- down from 65% a month ago. That’s the good news. The bad news for Christie is that only 44% believe he has the right temperament to be president, which is down from 56% last September. In addition, 51% say that Christie hasn’t been completely honest regarding the scandal. Christie is in this uncomfortable position where a majority of his constituents believe he’s not being truthful, even as they approve of the job he’s doing as governor.</p>
<p>Breaking down the new health-care statistics</p>
<p>Speaking of numbers, the Obama administration released updated enrollment statistics for the new health-care law. The numbers: 2.2 million Americans had enrolled (in either federal or state exchanges) as of Dec. 28, and 24% of the enrollees are those 18-34, which is lower than the expected 40% from that age group. Remember, for the health-care law to work, you have to have a sizable pool of young, healthy people to pay for those who are older and sick. But these numbers are through December, not through the FINAL enrollment deadline of March 31. If the 18-to-34 percentage stays at 24%, the administration could have a problem. But the White House points to the experience from Massachusetts -- see this chart via the New Republic’s Jonathan Cohn -- when younger adults largely signed up in the final month or two. And the administration tells us that it will begin a major outreach effort to these young/younger adults in the coming weeks. To help prevent second-year premium sticker shock, the under-35 number has to get to the mid-30s as a percentage of insured. By the way, we still don’t have a breakdown of “healthy” vs “non-healthy” in the pool of currently insured.</p>
<p>Hop on the (omni)bus, Gus</p>
<p>Per NBC’s Frank Thorp, House and Senate negotiators came to an agreement on a $1.012 trillion government-funding bill last night -- it’s a massive 1,582 page piece of legislation that will fund the government through Sept. 30, 2014. Congress, Thorp says, must pass a bill to keep the government funded by midnight on Wednesday, or we will face another shutdown. Because it will likely take longer to finish this omnibus bill, Congress will pass a three-day “continuing resolution” to extend that deadline to Saturday at midnight. The Washington Post has a good look at the winners and losers in this spending legislation.</p>
<p>FL-13 primary day</p>
<p>Lastly, today is special GOP congressional primary in the race to succeed the late Rep. Bill Young (R-FL). The favorite is former Young aide David Jolly, who faces off against state Rep. Kathleen Peters. The winner takes on Democrat Alex Sink on March 11.</p>
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changing subject second time past week new jersey gov chris christie today deliver muchanticipated remarks trenton time state state address 300 pm et question much anything says george washington bridge scandal engulfed administration remember bill clinton avoided mention raging lewinsky scandal gave 1998 state union address according excerpts christies remarks appears governor try change subject proposing lengthen school day school year state time lengthen school day school year new jersey hes expected say student achievement lagging exact moment need improvement ever order compete world economy take steps every possible step boost student achievement christies office also says governor focus propertytax relief well crime prevention ask legislature state residents put politics aside focus people first smart bet omitting direct reference scandal faces although probably alludes politics moment says anything headline anything else supposed triumphant moment still supposed triumphant moment potential 2016 presidential candidate 20point reelection victory assuming reins republican governors association 16 speculation already begun christie two highprofile events scheduled month state state jan 21 inauguration bridge scandal hangs investigation gwb lane closures level christies cooperation big tell administration truly cooperative turning every email appearing every investigative panel appear nothing hide reminder really want rescue national ambitions stonewall may christie folks concluded bigger problems 2016 two polls christie two different stories monday two polls christie released told two stories one americans arent paying close attention bridge story least yet according national pew research center survey conducted jan 912 18 say theyre closely following story versus 44 closely followed recent arctic blast 28 closely followed latest us economy 19 closely followed unemployment debate washington dc whats 16 national respondents say story given less favorable impression christie compared 6 favorable impression whopping 60 say opinion hasnt changed two story hasnt hurt approval rating state hurt numbers surface according monmouth universityasbury park press poll 59 new jersey resident approve governors job 65 month ago thats good news bad news christie 44 believe right temperament president 56 last september addition 51 say christie hasnt completely honest regarding scandal christie uncomfortable position majority constituents believe hes truthful even approve job hes governor breaking new healthcare statistics speaking numbers obama administration released updated enrollment statistics new healthcare law numbers 22 million americans enrolled either federal state exchanges dec 28 24 enrollees 1834 lower expected 40 age group remember healthcare law work sizable pool young healthy people pay older sick numbers december final enrollment deadline march 31 18to34 percentage stays 24 administration could problem white house points experience massachusetts see chart via new republics jonathan cohn younger adults largely signed final month two administration tells us begin major outreach effort youngyounger adults coming weeks help prevent secondyear premium sticker shock under35 number get mid30s percentage insured way still dont breakdown healthy vs nonhealthy pool currently insured hop omnibus gus per nbcs frank thorp house senate negotiators came agreement 1012 trillion governmentfunding bill last night massive 1582 page piece legislation fund government sept 30 2014 congress thorp says must pass bill keep government funded midnight wednesday face another shutdown likely take longer finish omnibus bill congress pass threeday continuing resolution extend deadline saturday midnight washington post good look winners losers spending legislation fl13 primary day lastly today special gop congressional primary race succeed late rep bill young rfl favorite former young aide david jolly faces state rep kathleen peters winner takes democrat alex sink march 11
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<p>(Editor’s note: This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Chicago Freedom Movement, an open housing and racial justice campaign that brought the Southern civil rights movement to Chicago, where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. lived for a time in a tenement in North Lawndale. Through the eyes of scholars and participants, “ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Chicago-Freedom-Movement-Activism/dp/0813166500" type="external">The Chicago Freedom Movement: Martin Luther King Jr. and Civil Rights Activism in the North</a>” explores a historic campaign that some people have dismissed as a political failure, and argues that the efforts had a lasting impact in the city and the nation. Here is an excerpt from the introduction of the book, which will be published in April. )</p>
<p>In September 1965 a dozen or so members of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s southern field staff moved into the West Side Christian Parish’s Project House in the heart of Chicago’s Near West Side, joining other volunteers already living there. Black and white, male and female, most of them still in their early twenties, they had already been tested by civil rights struggles in the South. It was just weeks after passage of the Voting Rights Act and six months after Selma—where civil rights demonstrators had overcome brutal beatings to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge and march to Montgomery, Alabama, in the struggle to obtain voting rights in the South. They came to Chicago to work for James Bevel, himself fresh from Selma, where he had been director of direct action for King. Bevel was serving as the parish’s program director, and he would soon be appointed director of the Chicago Project of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) as well, an “elder” at the age of twenty-eight.</p>
<p>Among these SCLC staffers were James Orange, age twenty-two, who had joined the movement in Birmingham and helped the Selma-to-Montgomery marchers persevere in the rain with his inspired song-leading; eighteen-year-old Dorothy Wright (later known as Dorothy Tillman), who had joined the SCLC staff after organizing a student walkout at her Montgomery, Alabama, high school on the day the Selma march arrived; and Lynn Adler, twenty-two, a recent University of Pennsylvania graduate who had spent the summer in Hale County, Alabama, working for SCLC’s Summer Community Organization and Political Education project (SCOPE).</p>
<p>Some were Chicagoans who had headed south and were returning to their home territory: Claudia King had been active with the Chicago chapter of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE); Jimmy Wilson, a former gang leader from Chicago’s Lawndale community, had been helping the West Side Christian Parish organize youth before going south. Suzi Hill and Jimmy Collier were Chicago students who had been drawn south by the excitement of the campaign in Selma; Jimmy would soon be writing new freedom songs for the Chicago movement.</p>
<p>Others came from afar: Charlie Love from San Francisco, Eric Kindberg and Anne Gillie from elsewhere in the Midwest. Many came dressed in blue work shirts and overalls, the signature uniform for southern civil rights workers organizing rural farmers, ready to meet Chicago head-on. Twenty-five-year-old Bernard LaFayette Jr., a veteran of the Nashville movement and the Freedom Rides and a former college roommate and compatriot of James Bevel’s, was already established on Chicago’s West Side, on the staff of the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC). LaFayette had arrived a year earlier, invited by AFSC to develop a nonviolent approach to the West Side’s problems.</p>
<p>The Project House where these new arrivals settled was just half a block from the famed Maxwell Street Sunday market, an old immigrant community bustling with peddlers, shopkeepers, and families selling wares from the backs of trucks. Even more popular were Chicago’s Polish sausages sold at a vending stand on the corner. And there was music everywhere; in fact, many a Chicago blues musician first found an audience at the Sunday market. Residents of the Project House were awakened at 6:30 on Sunday morning by the vibrant sounds of tambourine and gospel music wafting in the windows from a market street band just outside.</p>
<p>They had indeed arrived in Chicago.</p>
<p>The new arrivals soon moved from the Maxwell Street neighborhood to shared apartments in East Garfield Park, farther out on the West Side and closer to the Warren Avenue Congregational Church, which would be their headquarters. There, they discovered Edna’s, a tiny, newly opened soul-food restaurant on Madison Street, just a block away. Edna’s one-dollar fried chicken dinners—served by Edna and cooked by her father—became a mainstay. As the staff became better acquainted with Edna, she and her father often served them free dinners when paychecks were late or money was short.</p>
<p>The staff’s arrival in Chicago was the first concrete step in Dr. King’s move to join forces with that city’s civil rights movement in what would soon become the Chicago Freedom Movement (CFM), a coalition of King’s SCLC and the Chicago-based Coordinating Council of Community Organizations (CCCO). And so it began. Meetings took place and an official organizational structure emerged as autumn unfolded and relationships between SCLC and CCCO were formalized. By the time their collaboration went public, the staff’s work was well under way. The movement that grew out of this collaborative effort soon declared its intention to end the slums in Chicago. ..</p>
<p>What was the Chicago Freedom Movement? The answer to this question is more complex than it first appears. Most visibly, the Chicago Freedom Movement was the organizational collaboration between Martin Luther King’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference and Chicago’s Coordinating Council of Community Organizations headed by Al Raby. This collaboration began with James Bevel’s arrival in Chicago in September 1965 and lasted until CCCO was dissolved in the fall of 1967, marking the formal end of the Chicago Freedom Movement. …</p>
<p>Next Monday: <a href="/the-chicago-freedom-movement-and-the-fight-for-fair-lending/" type="external">The Fight for Fair Lending</a>.</p>
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editors note year marks 50th anniversary chicago freedom movement open housing racial justice campaign brought southern civil rights movement chicago rev martin luther king jr lived time tenement north lawndale eyes scholars participants chicago freedom movement martin luther king jr civil rights activism north explores historic campaign people dismissed political failure argues efforts lasting impact city nation excerpt introduction book published april september 1965 dozen members dr martin luther king jrs southern field staff moved west side christian parishs project house heart chicagos near west side joining volunteers already living black white male female still early twenties already tested civil rights struggles south weeks passage voting rights act six months selmawhere civil rights demonstrators overcome brutal beatings cross edmund pettus bridge march montgomery alabama struggle obtain voting rights south came chicago work james bevel fresh selma director direct action king bevel serving parishs program director would soon appointed director chicago project southern christian leadership conference sclc well elder age twentyeight among sclc staffers james orange age twentytwo joined movement birmingham helped selmatomontgomery marchers persevere rain inspired songleading eighteenyearold dorothy wright later known dorothy tillman joined sclc staff organizing student walkout montgomery alabama high school day selma march arrived lynn adler twentytwo recent university pennsylvania graduate spent summer hale county alabama working sclcs summer community organization political education project scope chicagoans headed south returning home territory claudia king active chicago chapter congress racial equality core jimmy wilson former gang leader chicagos lawndale community helping west side christian parish organize youth going south suzi hill jimmy collier chicago students drawn south excitement campaign selma jimmy would soon writing new freedom songs chicago movement others came afar charlie love san francisco eric kindberg anne gillie elsewhere midwest many came dressed blue work shirts overalls signature uniform southern civil rights workers organizing rural farmers ready meet chicago headon twentyfiveyearold bernard lafayette jr veteran nashville movement freedom rides former college roommate compatriot james bevels already established chicagos west side staff american friends service committee afsc lafayette arrived year earlier invited afsc develop nonviolent approach west sides problems project house new arrivals settled half block famed maxwell street sunday market old immigrant community bustling peddlers shopkeepers families selling wares backs trucks even popular chicagos polish sausages sold vending stand corner music everywhere fact many chicago blues musician first found audience sunday market residents project house awakened 630 sunday morning vibrant sounds tambourine gospel music wafting windows market street band outside indeed arrived chicago new arrivals soon moved maxwell street neighborhood shared apartments east garfield park farther west side closer warren avenue congregational church would headquarters discovered ednas tiny newly opened soulfood restaurant madison street block away ednas onedollar fried chicken dinnersserved edna cooked fatherbecame mainstay staff became better acquainted edna father often served free dinners paychecks late money short staffs arrival chicago first concrete step dr kings move join forces citys civil rights movement would soon become chicago freedom movement cfm coalition kings sclc chicagobased coordinating council community organizations ccco began meetings took place official organizational structure emerged autumn unfolded relationships sclc ccco formalized time collaboration went public staffs work well way movement grew collaborative effort soon declared intention end slums chicago chicago freedom movement answer question complex first appears visibly chicago freedom movement organizational collaboration martin luther kings southern christian leadership conference chicagos coordinating council community organizations headed al raby collaboration began james bevels arrival chicago september 1965 lasted ccco dissolved fall 1967 marking formal end chicago freedom movement next monday fight fair lending
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<p>By Bob Allen</p>
<p>The goal of ministry to gays and lesbians isn’t to make them heterosexual, three speakers said Oct. 28 at a Southern Baptist Convention-sponsored conference on the gospel and homosexuality. It’s to make them holy.</p>
<p><a href="http://rosariabutterfield.com/" type="external">Rosaria Champagne Butterfield</a>, a former college English professor who described her journey from a liberal, lesbian feminist to a full-time mother and pastor’s wife in her 2013 book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Secret-Thoughts-Unlikely-Convert/dp/1610458206" type="external">Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert</a>, told participants at the Oct. 27-29 conference on <a href="http://erlc.com/conference" type="external">The Gospel, Homosexuality, and the Future of Marriage</a> that the Bible’s understanding of sexuality is “the best-kept secret on the planet, sadly even among Christians.”</p>
<p>“When we as Christians call one another to sexual holiness, we are not saying that the answer is heterosexual marriage,” Butterfield said. “We acknowledge that marriage is God’s design, but we acknowledge that not everyone is designed for marriage.”</p>
<p>Butterfield was one of several speakers at the event, sponsored by the SBC’s Ethics &amp; Religious Liberty Commission.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.christopheryuan.com/main/index.html" type="external">Christopher Yuan</a>, co-author of his own prodigal son-type memoir titled <a href="http://www.christopheryuan.com/main/index.html" type="external">Out of a Far Country: A Gay Son’s Journey to God. A Broken Mother’s Search for Hope</a>, recounted bad choices that landed him in prison on drug charges and a diagnosis of HIV-positive. After accepting Christ through reading the Bible in prison, he said, his transformation began slowly with his deliverance from drugs.</p>
<p>“The last thing that I was holding on to that I didn’t want to let go was my sexual identity, my sexuality,” he said. “As I read the Bible it was so clear to me that God loved me unconditionally, and I also came across some passages in the Bible that seemed condemning of that core part of who I thought I was, my sexuality.”</p>
<p>“So I went to the prison chaplain, asking his opinion, and to my surprise the chaplain told me that the Bible does not condemn homosexuality,” Yuan said. “He gave me a book explaining that view.”</p>
<p>Yuan said he took the book “in much curiosity” and in hope of finding biblical justification for celebrating his same-sex orientation.</p>
<p>“From a human perspective, I had every reason in the world to accept what that book was claiming, to justify the way I had lived, but God’s indwelling Holy Spirit convicted me that those assertions just did not line up with the word of God,” Yuan said. “I couldn’t even finish that book, and I gave it back to the chaplain.”</p>
<p>Yuan said he then turned to the Bible, figuring if there were questions and debate about the six passages most frequently used to condemn homosexuality there must also be passages that would seem to bless a monogamous gay relationship.</p>
<p>“I read it cover to cover several times,” he said. “I couldn’t find anything.”</p>
<p>“So a decision had to be made, either abandon God and pursue a gay relationship by allowing my desire for a relationship to dictate how I lived, or abandon pursuing a monogamous gay relationship by delivering myself from my desires and my sexuality and live as a follower of Jesus Christ,” he said. “My decision was clear and obvious. I chose God.”</p>
<p>“I realized my sexuality shouldn’t be the core of who I was,” Yuan said. “I told myself before that God loved unconditionally, but he doesn’t want me to change. But I realize now after reading the Bible that unconditional love is not the same thing as unconditional approval of my behavior.”</p>
<p>“My identity should not be grounded only in my sexuality,” he said. “My identity is not gay, homosexual or even heterosexual for that matter. But my sole identity as a child of the living God must be in Jesus Christ alone.”</p>
<p>Butterfield, a former tenured professor of English at Syracuse University, lived in a series of monogamous lesbian relationships before she converted to Christianity in 1999. She made that decision after reading the Bible cover-to-cover for a book project critiquing the Religious Right.</p>
<p>From a literary perspective, Butterfield said “it was hermeneutically shocking” to discover a unified message throughout Scripture “that God deals differently with people when people deal differently with God.”</p>
<p>“I was blown away by the democratization of original sin and the free gift of the gospel,” she said.” And most of all, my total undoing was to realize that I had thought I was on the side of righteousness and goodness and kindness and compassion, and it was my total undoing to realize that not only was it Jesus I had been persecuting the whole time, but it was my Jesus, my prophet, my priest, my savior, my king and my friend.”</p>
<p>Butterfield said when Christians talk about chastity or dealing with sexual temptation, they don’t mean repression or slapping people on the wrist.</p>
<p>“We’re talking about acknowledging and loving the image of God in someone else deeply enough to be sacrificial with what he wants,” Butterfield said.</p>
<p>Butterfield said Christianity isn’t a quick fix to homosexuality or any other temptation. To this day, she said, she prays daily, “Lord, how has original sin distorted me, and how is indwelling sin manipulating me?”</p>
<p>“I’m no different now than then,” she said. “You’re no different than I am. These are our questions, and if we could share those instead of pretending we’re all cleaned up, we might have a powerful witness for what the gospel can do in a sexually broken world.”</p>
<p><a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/oct/27/christian-rapper-jackie-hill-perry-comes-out-as-ex/" type="external">Jackie Hill&#160;Perry</a>, a Christian rapper who credits her faith for helping her to resist lust for other women and is now married and eight months pregnant, said during a panel discussion she doesn’t care much for people with same-sex attraction who agree that homosexual activity is a sin and remain celibate self-identifying as a “gay Christian.”</p>
<p>“I don’t like it,” she said. “It’s like, ‘I’m a blaspheming Christian.’”</p>
<p>“I don’t know how one title that represents that I glorify God can be coupled with a title of sin that God hates,” Perry said. “It’s just weird. I feel like I would want to be titled in a way that truly represents that God gets all the glory in my life.”</p>
<p>Previous stories:</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Seminary grad outs ‘closets’ in Baptist life</a></p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">ERLC conference drawing diverse crowd</a></p>
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bob allen goal ministry gays lesbians isnt make heterosexual three speakers said oct 28 southern baptist conventionsponsored conference gospel homosexuality make holy rosaria champagne butterfield former college english professor described journey liberal lesbian feminist fulltime mother pastors wife 2013 book secret thoughts unlikely convert told participants oct 2729 conference gospel homosexuality future marriage bibles understanding sexuality bestkept secret planet sadly even among christians christians call one another sexual holiness saying answer heterosexual marriage butterfield said acknowledge marriage gods design acknowledge everyone designed marriage butterfield one several speakers event sponsored sbcs ethics amp religious liberty commission christopher yuan coauthor prodigal sontype memoir titled far country gay sons journey god broken mothers search hope recounted bad choices landed prison drug charges diagnosis hivpositive accepting christ reading bible prison said transformation began slowly deliverance drugs last thing holding didnt want let go sexual identity sexuality said read bible clear god loved unconditionally also came across passages bible seemed condemning core part thought sexuality went prison chaplain asking opinion surprise chaplain told bible condemn homosexuality yuan said gave book explaining view yuan said took book much curiosity hope finding biblical justification celebrating samesex orientation human perspective every reason world accept book claiming justify way lived gods indwelling holy spirit convicted assertions line word god yuan said couldnt even finish book gave back chaplain yuan said turned bible figuring questions debate six passages frequently used condemn homosexuality must also passages would seem bless monogamous gay relationship read cover cover several times said couldnt find anything decision made either abandon god pursue gay relationship allowing desire relationship dictate lived abandon pursuing monogamous gay relationship delivering desires sexuality live follower jesus christ said decision clear obvious chose god realized sexuality shouldnt core yuan said told god loved unconditionally doesnt want change realize reading bible unconditional love thing unconditional approval behavior identity grounded sexuality said identity gay homosexual even heterosexual matter sole identity child living god must jesus christ alone butterfield former tenured professor english syracuse university lived series monogamous lesbian relationships converted christianity 1999 made decision reading bible covertocover book project critiquing religious right literary perspective butterfield said hermeneutically shocking discover unified message throughout scripture god deals differently people people deal differently god blown away democratization original sin free gift gospel said total undoing realize thought side righteousness goodness kindness compassion total undoing realize jesus persecuting whole time jesus prophet priest savior king friend butterfield said christians talk chastity dealing sexual temptation dont mean repression slapping people wrist talking acknowledging loving image god someone else deeply enough sacrificial wants butterfield said butterfield said christianity isnt quick fix homosexuality temptation day said prays daily lord original sin distorted indwelling sin manipulating im different said youre different questions could share instead pretending cleaned might powerful witness gospel sexually broken world jackie hill160perry christian rapper credits faith helping resist lust women married eight months pregnant said panel discussion doesnt care much people samesex attraction agree homosexual activity sin remain celibate selfidentifying gay christian dont like said like im blaspheming christian dont know one title represents glorify god coupled title sin god hates perry said weird feel like would want titled way truly represents god gets glory life previous stories seminary grad outs closets baptist life erlc conference drawing diverse crowd
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<p>Executive Director of the National Center for Transgender Equality Mara Keisling (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>Amid increased transgender visibility and pro-trans policy changes at the federal level, a leading transgender advocacy group is seeking to recreate an influential survey to monitor developments in the trans experience.</p>
<p>Four years ago, the questionnaire — titled “Injustice at Every Turn” and jointly organized by the National Center for Transgender Equality and the National LGBTQ Task Force — was the most extensive survey ever taken of the transgender community and found widespread anti-trans discrimination.</p>
<p>Mara Keisling, executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality, said her organization is renewing the survey to obtain updated data years later.</p>
<p>“The survey data is used by all activists, almost all journalists, so we wanted everybody to have the most up-to-date data,” Keisling said.</p>
<p>According to NCTE, as of Friday, a total of 12,000 people have committed online to taking the survey — almost double the 6,400 who took the 2011 survey. Keisling said she doesn’t have a goal in mind for the new survey other than an increased number of respondents and outreach to populations such as seniors and people of color. Transgender people can register <a href="http://ustranssurvey.org" type="external">here</a> to take the survey, which will be online Aug. 19.</p>
<p>“Honestly, we want to see if things are improving,” Keisling said. “It’s been five years. There seems to have been a lot of cultural and policy movement, and we want to see if that’s impacting people’s lives.”</p>
<p>Among the findings of the survey in 2011: Transgender people faced double the rate of unemployment, nine-in-10 say they experienced harassment or discrimination on the job and 19 percent said they were refused housing because of their gender identity.</p>
<p>Many of the questions in the new survey would be the same, but others will be added for more complete data on the trans experience. For example, one question on the 2011 survey found 41 percent of respondents reported attempting suicide and another found one-fifth experienced homelessness at some point in their lives. The updated survey will include follow-up questions on whether these incidents of suicide and homelessness occurred in the past year for more accurate data.</p>
<p>Another new change is redirecting those who complete the survey, which will be anonymous, to a form allowing them share personal stories of anti-trans discrimination. The intent is to add the sense of personal experience for potential use in advocacy work at a later time.</p>
<p>Keisling said the personal story option portion of the survey will add to efforts for advocacy on transgender rights not just on Capitol Hill, but in state capitols and media situations.</p>
<p>“Everybody can opt out of that if they want, but it’s just really important for advocacy to be able to tell real people stories and to be able to find individuals who can come forward and tell their own stories,” Keisling said.</p>
<p>In 2011, the transgender survey was a co-project of NCTE and what is now the National LGBTQ Task Force. This time around, the Task Force has stepped aside to keep the project within NCTE.</p>
<p>Rea Carey, executive director of the Task Force, said in a statement to the Blade her organization is excited about the survey and supporting the launch, but opted to leave it to NCTE.</p>
<p>“Together, the National LGBTQ Task Force and NCTE agreed that NCTE would be the sole producer of the report this year and we look forward to seeing the results,” Carey said. “Like our work together on Injustice at Every Turn, NCTE, the National LGBTQ Task Force, and our movement will be able to use the data to continue to make the case for increased attention to the needs of all transgender people.”</p>
<p>Also contributing to the research team for the survey is Jody Herman, scholar of public policy at the Williams Institute, University of California, Los Angeles. As a consultant to the project, she’s working on survey question design to ensure it’s on par with federal surveys and will help with analysis once data is gathered.</p>
<p>“We’re going to design a public use data set so the data can be made available to other organizations or researchers, academics, so they conduct their own research with the data set, so I’m hoping it’ll fuel another wave of research about transgender people,” Herman said.</p>
<p>One reason for renewing the survey is the lack of information on transgender people in the American population at the federal level. Although the Department of Health &amp; Human Services has included sexual orientation questions in health surveys, questions about gender identity have&#160;not been included.</p>
<p>Keisling said most information about groups of people in the United States comes&#160;from federal government initiatives, which she called “the gold standard for data,” but she said information is lacking for LGBT people.</p>
<p>“One of the most disappointing things about the federal government currently, and there has been so much progress on LGBT issues in the Obama administration…but still we do not have the federal government data for trans people, or even gay, bi people, or just queer people in general,” Keisling said. “We just don’t have them studying us as they should be yet. We’re going to keep pushing for that, but until then, we’re going to have to be collecting our own data.”</p>
<p>It seems unlikely a transgender-related question will be added to the questionnaire the U.S. Census Bureau distributes every 10 years and anticipated in 2020 because that survey will be reduced to a short form. Instead, transgender advocates are pushing for inclusion in the American Community Survey, the annual survey with more extensive questions.</p>
<p>Keisling said there are dozens of other surveys to which LGBT questions could be added, including many conducted by the Department of Health &amp; Human Services. The best way to look at the issue, Keisling said, is through agencies. Just last week, she said she had a meeting with the Bureau of Justice Statistics within the Justice Department.</p>
<p>“There’s the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there’s the National Center for Health Statistics, there are just so many, and there’s just a very small few now that are beginning to count LGBT people,” Keisling said.</p>
<p>Jamal Brown, a spokesperson for the White House Office of Management &amp; Budget, responded by saying policymakers for years have collected data on LGBT populations, but acknowledged more work remains.</p>
<p>“LGBT people are not uniform, with experiences shaped by a diversity of factors including age, race, gender, socioeconomic background, education, and disability,” the spokesperson said. “And without improved data, there’s no way to adequately describe these differences and what they mean for LGBT Americans.”</p>
<p>But Brown said an interagency review is underway to evaluate federal data gathering for LGBT people and “develop recommendations that will inform federal statistics in the future.” The White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs held its first interagency meeting on the issue April 9.</p>
<p>Once the data from the latest transgender survey is obtained, Keisling said she expects it to show where anti-trans discrimination exists and that it will help lead the way to fixing it.</p>
<p>“But we’re also going to disseminate the information to the state LGBT groups, to local HIV service organizations, the federal government probably will use the survey in different ways and the media, which has become such an important public education around trans issues, will be no doubt using the survey,” Keisling said.</p>
<p>Keisling said much like the 2011 questionnaire, she predicts the survey will reveal the problems facing transgender people are compounded when they’re part of racial minority groups because of persistent racism.</p>
<p>For example, the 2011 survey found black transgender people live in a significantly higher rate of poverty. Thirty-four percent reported a household income of less than $10,000 a year. That’s more than twice the rate for transgender people of all races (15 percent), four times the general black population rate (9 percent) and more than eight times the general U.S. population rate (4 percent).</p>
<p>But Keisling said the data from the updated survey will “absolutely” be a tool to help ameliorate those compounded problems going forward.</p>
<p>“When you’re trying to move forward, it’s important to understand where you are and which moves forward are the most urgently needed, and this survey will really help with that,” Keisling said.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Mara Keisling</a> <a href="" type="internal">National Center for Transgender Equality</a> <a href="" type="internal">Office of Management &amp; Budget</a> <a href="" type="internal">Rea Carey</a></p>
| false | 3 |
executive director national center transgender equality mara keisling washington blade photo michael key amid increased transgender visibility protrans policy changes federal level leading transgender advocacy group seeking recreate influential survey monitor developments trans experience four years ago questionnaire titled injustice every turn jointly organized national center transgender equality national lgbtq task force extensive survey ever taken transgender community found widespread antitrans discrimination mara keisling executive director national center transgender equality said organization renewing survey obtain updated data years later survey data used activists almost journalists wanted everybody uptodate data keisling said according ncte friday total 12000 people committed online taking survey almost double 6400 took 2011 survey keisling said doesnt goal mind new survey increased number respondents outreach populations seniors people color transgender people register take survey online aug 19 honestly want see things improving keisling said five years seems lot cultural policy movement want see thats impacting peoples lives among findings survey 2011 transgender people faced double rate unemployment ninein10 say experienced harassment discrimination job 19 percent said refused housing gender identity many questions new survey would others added complete data trans experience example one question 2011 survey found 41 percent respondents reported attempting suicide another found onefifth experienced homelessness point lives updated survey include followup questions whether incidents suicide homelessness occurred past year accurate data another new change redirecting complete survey anonymous form allowing share personal stories antitrans discrimination intent add sense personal experience potential use advocacy work later time keisling said personal story option portion survey add efforts advocacy transgender rights capitol hill state capitols media situations everybody opt want really important advocacy able tell real people stories able find individuals come forward tell stories keisling said 2011 transgender survey coproject ncte national lgbtq task force time around task force stepped aside keep project within ncte rea carey executive director task force said statement blade organization excited survey supporting launch opted leave ncte together national lgbtq task force ncte agreed ncte would sole producer report year look forward seeing results carey said like work together injustice every turn ncte national lgbtq task force movement able use data continue make case increased attention needs transgender people also contributing research team survey jody herman scholar public policy williams institute university california los angeles consultant project shes working survey question design ensure par federal surveys help analysis data gathered going design public use data set data made available organizations researchers academics conduct research data set im hoping itll fuel another wave research transgender people herman said one reason renewing survey lack information transgender people american population federal level although department health amp human services included sexual orientation questions health surveys questions gender identity have160not included keisling said information groups people united states comes160from federal government initiatives called gold standard data said information lacking lgbt people one disappointing things federal government currently much progress lgbt issues obama administrationbut still federal government data trans people even gay bi people queer people general keisling said dont studying us yet going keep pushing going collecting data seems unlikely transgenderrelated question added questionnaire us census bureau distributes every 10 years anticipated 2020 survey reduced short form instead transgender advocates pushing inclusion american community survey annual survey extensive questions keisling said dozens surveys lgbt questions could added including many conducted department health amp human services best way look issue keisling said agencies last week said meeting bureau justice statistics within justice department theres bureau labor statistics theres national center health statistics many theres small beginning count lgbt people keisling said jamal brown spokesperson white house office management amp budget responded saying policymakers years collected data lgbt populations acknowledged work remains lgbt people uniform experiences shaped diversity factors including age race gender socioeconomic background education disability spokesperson said without improved data theres way adequately describe differences mean lgbt americans brown said interagency review underway evaluate federal data gathering lgbt people develop recommendations inform federal statistics future white house office information regulatory affairs held first interagency meeting issue april 9 data latest transgender survey obtained keisling said expects show antitrans discrimination exists help lead way fixing also going disseminate information state lgbt groups local hiv service organizations federal government probably use survey different ways media become important public education around trans issues doubt using survey keisling said keisling said much like 2011 questionnaire predicts survey reveal problems facing transgender people compounded theyre part racial minority groups persistent racism example 2011 survey found black transgender people live significantly higher rate poverty thirtyfour percent reported household income less 10000 year thats twice rate transgender people races 15 percent four times general black population rate 9 percent eight times general us population rate 4 percent keisling said data updated survey absolutely tool help ameliorate compounded problems going forward youre trying move forward important understand moves forward urgently needed survey really help keisling said mara keisling national center transgender equality office management amp budget rea carey
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<p>HONG KONG — China's coming for your <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-26124989" type="external">water</a>. Your <a href="http://www.resilience.org/stories/2012-05-28/global-scarcity-scramble-dwindling-natural-resources" type="external">food</a>. Your <a href="http://ideas.time.com/2012/06/08/the-resource-shortage-is-real/" type="external">oil</a>. Your <a href="http://www.economist.com/node/21528986" type="external">iron ore</a>.</p>
<p>The country has a <a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052748703806304576241861343768204" type="external">“voracious appetite.”</a></p>
<p>At least that's the drumbeat you've been hearing in headlines over the last several years.</p>
<p>With nearly 1.4 billion people and a surging economy, it’s easy to see why China’s resource demand has shaken world markets and generated outsized fears.</p>
<p>After all, oil prices spiked to an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Price_of_petroleum" type="external">all-time high</a> in 2008. Food prices hit a <a href="https://www.un.org/apps/news//story.asp?NewsID=46896&amp;Cr=food&amp;Cr1=#.UwcfMkI6bJw" type="external">record high</a> in 2011.</p>
<p>True, China has launched an impressive series of projects to secure mines, farmland, and water resources, from Brazil to Zimbabwe to Papua New Guinea.</p>
<p>Given all that it’s easy to think that China may be single-handedly driving the world into a desperate, dangerous contest for Earth’s dwindling resources.</p>
<p>The reality, however, is more complicated.</p>
<p>Elizabeth Economy of the Council on Foreign Relations helps cut through the hype in her new, co-authored book, " <a href="http://www.amazon.com/By-All-Means-Necessary-Resource/dp/0199921784" type="external">By All Means Necessary: How China’s Resource Quest Is Changing the World</a>."</p>
<p>She spoke with GlobalPost about the risks and realities of China’s strategy for securing raw materials. This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.</p>
<p>GlobalPost: Your book talks about the significance of China’s push into the outside world. What are the main effects, from an economic point of view?</p>
<p>Elizabeth Economy: The consequences are across the board, whether you’re talking about global economics, global governance or international security. I think on the economic front, China’s quest for resources has certainly contributed to rejuvenating some economies, particularly resource-rich economies. And, it has certainly contributed to price rises in the case of some commodities.</p>
<p>What were the biggest surprises of your research?</p>
<p>One of the most interesting things we found was China’s impact on the iron ore market. You’d tend to think that China’s going to come in and just drive up prices. But in fact iron ore prices had traditionally been negotiated in a very structured way between large consumers and large producers. When China came in, thousands of producers came too, and this made the market more flexible, instead of rigid. That was one surprise.</p>
<p>Another surprise was that Beijing is not really the puppet master controlling trade and deals in the way we think it does. [China’s National Development and Reform Commission] will go out and put together a package for a country, but it doesn’t mean the Chinese companies want to participate. In Brazil, for example, only about 30 percent of the promised investment in 2007 has been realized. It’s especially these big promised investments that don’t come to fruition.</p>
<p>I think we’re beginning to see that Chinese companies, particularly the private firms, realize that the projects China proposes are not necessarily money-making. About 67 percent of all [China's] foreign direct investment is money-losing.</p>
<p>In what aspects is China’s quest causing real friction?</p>
<p>One issue is the extent to which China at home is really China abroad. At home, Chinese companies do not typically do environmental impact assessments. When they go abroad they act the same way. When I was in Brazil, [Chinese investors] would assume that the Brazilian officials could simply appropriate land from the public.</p>
<p>They’re also learning what the US learned in the ‘60s and ‘70s, which is when you get into bed with ugly leaders, and then those leaders fall out of power, the people in those countries remember you as tied to those leaders. In Zambia, certainly in Myanmar, there’s a lot of mistrust because they see the Chinese as having done a lot of deals with an authoritarian, dictatorial government.</p>
<p>I think China is beginning to understand it needs to take stock of what people believe. China investment usually operates only at the top level, and they thought they didn’t need to consult with local communities.</p>
<p>There’s no doubt that there’s been a backlash in a number of countries against Chinese resource investment. On land issues there have been protests in Kazakhstan and the Philippines. Brazil and Argentina passed land laws that they said were not developed directly in opposition to China, but appeared just when China was going out in full force.</p>
<p>What sort of new pressures does this put on China’s government? In other words, what sort of challenges does this global push for resources create for China?</p>
<p>One big challenge is the export of Chinese labor. Much of the Chinese labor exported isn’t for [extracting] the resources themselves but for the infrastructure projects that surround the resources.</p>
<p>You also see in Africa small scale Chinese farmers who go in to support the Chinese communities that grow up. So you have almost self-sufficient communities, and this has bred a lot of resentment — not only because of the sense that the Chinese keep to themselves, but when the Chinese come in and announce these big investment deals, there’s a fear that these jobs will be taken by Chinese workers.</p>
<p>There’s a very strong feeling — I’ve heard this from Chinese diplomats — that other people don’t work as hard as the Chinese. They say, “In Africa they all want to sing and dance and don’t want to work on weekends.” That’s an area of strong conflict.</p>
<p>This is an area where I think they need to be more sensitive to local concerns. But I don’t see any sign that they are changing.</p>
<p>How does China’s global push compare to what other emerging economies have done?</p>
<p>When you look back to the 1970s and ’80s, all major powers went out and sought resources. In the 1970s, Japan commanded 10 percent of global oil output, and China today commands 11 to 12 percent. We don’t want to demonize China in this regard, because in some ways it’s following the trajectory of all developing powers.</p>
<p>What challenges does this create for the United States?</p>
<p>In terms of what it suggests for the US, on the sheer demand side, it suggests a need for new technologies. For example, one of the things China’s rare earth embargo [against Japan] triggered in 2010 was the need to develop alternative sources of rare earth metals. Ideas of conservation and recycling, these are processes that can be triggered by Chinese demand.</p>
<p>On the global security front, given what’s going on now with the South China Sea and East China Sea, it’s important to disentangle resources from security. I think, yes, resource security plays into China’s strategic drive, but China’s security policy is really driven by a different consideration: China’s desire to assert its power, and the sense that China is not simply a regional power but a global power.</p>
<p>What is the biggest misperception about China’s resource quest?</p>
<p>I’d say it’s that China is the Cookie Monster of global resources, gobbling up everything everywhere it looks. The reality is, if you look at the biggest overseas agricultural investment, Canada is first, the US is second, and China is third.</p>
<p>China is responsible for a substantial portion of foreign direct investment, but I think there’s this sense that they are sucking up all the resources, and are a massive investor across all continents. In fact, they are nowhere near the biggest overseas investor. They are the fourth largest overseas investor in Africa, the third largest in South America, third in Southeast Asia, and so on.</p>
<p>It’s part of the hype that has surrounded China’s resource quest. There are issues to be concerned about but we need to have everything in perspective.</p>
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hong kong chinas coming water food oil iron ore country voracious appetite least thats drumbeat youve hearing headlines last several years nearly 14 billion people surging economy easy see chinas resource demand shaken world markets generated outsized fears oil prices spiked alltime high 2008 food prices hit record high 2011 true china launched impressive series projects secure mines farmland water resources brazil zimbabwe papua new guinea given easy think china may singlehandedly driving world desperate dangerous contest earths dwindling resources reality however complicated elizabeth economy council foreign relations helps cut hype new coauthored book means necessary chinas resource quest changing world spoke globalpost risks realities chinas strategy securing raw materials interview condensed edited clarity globalpost book talks significance chinas push outside world main effects economic point view elizabeth economy consequences across board whether youre talking global economics global governance international security think economic front chinas quest resources certainly contributed rejuvenating economies particularly resourcerich economies certainly contributed price rises case commodities biggest surprises research one interesting things found chinas impact iron ore market youd tend think chinas going come drive prices fact iron ore prices traditionally negotiated structured way large consumers large producers china came thousands producers came made market flexible instead rigid one surprise another surprise beijing really puppet master controlling trade deals way think chinas national development reform commission go put together package country doesnt mean chinese companies want participate brazil example 30 percent promised investment 2007 realized especially big promised investments dont come fruition think beginning see chinese companies particularly private firms realize projects china proposes necessarily moneymaking 67 percent chinas foreign direct investment moneylosing aspects chinas quest causing real friction one issue extent china home really china abroad home chinese companies typically environmental impact assessments go abroad act way brazil chinese investors would assume brazilian officials could simply appropriate land public theyre also learning us learned 60s 70s get bed ugly leaders leaders fall power people countries remember tied leaders zambia certainly myanmar theres lot mistrust see chinese done lot deals authoritarian dictatorial government think china beginning understand needs take stock people believe china investment usually operates top level thought didnt need consult local communities theres doubt theres backlash number countries chinese resource investment land issues protests kazakhstan philippines brazil argentina passed land laws said developed directly opposition china appeared china going full force sort new pressures put chinas government words sort challenges global push resources create china one big challenge export chinese labor much chinese labor exported isnt extracting resources infrastructure projects surround resources also see africa small scale chinese farmers go support chinese communities grow almost selfsufficient communities bred lot resentment sense chinese keep chinese come announce big investment deals theres fear jobs taken chinese workers theres strong feeling ive heard chinese diplomats people dont work hard chinese say africa want sing dance dont want work weekends thats area strong conflict area think need sensitive local concerns dont see sign changing chinas global push compare emerging economies done look back 1970s 80s major powers went sought resources 1970s japan commanded 10 percent global oil output china today commands 11 12 percent dont want demonize china regard ways following trajectory developing powers challenges create united states terms suggests us sheer demand side suggests need new technologies example one things chinas rare earth embargo japan triggered 2010 need develop alternative sources rare earth metals ideas conservation recycling processes triggered chinese demand global security front given whats going south china sea east china sea important disentangle resources security think yes resource security plays chinas strategic drive chinas security policy really driven different consideration chinas desire assert power sense china simply regional power global power biggest misperception chinas resource quest id say china cookie monster global resources gobbling everything everywhere looks reality look biggest overseas agricultural investment canada first us second china third china responsible substantial portion foreign direct investment think theres sense sucking resources massive investor across continents fact nowhere near biggest overseas investor fourth largest overseas investor africa third largest south america third southeast asia part hype surrounded chinas resource quest issues concerned need everything perspective
| 679 |
<p>By Bob Allen</p>
<p>Instability in Ukraine cast a spotlight on the former Soviet republic’s minority Baptist religious population with the <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26312008" type="external">selection</a> of interim president Oleksandr Turchynov, a veteran politician, author and lay preacher at the Word of Life Center in Kiev, which <a href="http://www.ebf.org/baptists-helping-to-serve-new-ukraine" type="external">belongs</a> to the Evangelical Baptist Union of Ukraine.</p>
<p>Turchynov, an opposition leader to deposed President Viktor Yanukovych and a one-time member of the youth organization of the Soviet Communist Party, became a Christian in 1998. He has a long record for advocacy of religious freedom, pushing for legislation including the <a href="http://old.risu.org.ua/eng/news/article;13388/" type="external">return</a> of church properties seized by the state under Communism and <a href="http://old.risu.org.ua/eng/news/article;31175/" type="external">ending</a> import taxes on Bibles brought into the country by religious organizations.</p>
<p>He is named in a Wikileaks memo about an interfaith dialogue luncheon in 2006, where he disputed a speaker’s assertion that Ukraine needed a national church. “Turchynov, an ordained Baptist minister, stressed that one of Ukraine’s great strengths was its tolerance and diversity; no single denomination dominated society,” the document <a href="https://www.wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/06KIEV1061_a.html" type="external">said</a>. “Turchynov, no friend of the Kremlin, quipped that if the State created a single, national church ‘we’ll wind up looking like Russia or Belarus.’”</p>
<p>The European Baptist Federation <a href="http://www.ebf.org/baptists-helping-to-serve-new-ukraine" type="external">identifies</a> Turchynov as a Baptist elder at the Word of Life Church, <a href="http://users.i.kiev.ua/~lifeword/engl/word_of_life.htm" type="external">created</a> in 1992 in the city of Kiev. Because of his clean-cut image —&#160;he doesn’t smoke or drink, for example —&#160;and his high-profile Baptist identity, media reports often label him a pastor. He preaches regularly at the church, even though he <a href="http://www.christianitytoday.com/gleanings/2014/february/ukraine-names-baptist-pastor-as-acting-president.html" type="external">travels</a> with security.</p>
<p>Over the years Turchynov has met a number of Baptist leaders from organizations such as the European Baptist Federation and the Baptist World Alliance during their visits to the region.</p>
<p>“I have met him on several occasions, most recently last August with [BWA President] John Upton,” said Tony Peck, general secretary of the European Baptist Federation. “We tried to be supportive to him in the difficult years when he was in opposition.”</p>
<p>Turchynov’s longtime political ally, Yulia Tymoshenko, a leader of the <a href="http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/60620/adrian-karatnycky/ukraines-orange-revolution" type="external">Orange Revolution</a> of 2004, was jailed in 2011 for abuse of power but dramatically <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/ukraines-yulia-tymoshenko-back-on-stage-but-this-revolution-happened-without-her/2014/02/24/030d14bc-9d42-11e3-9ba6-800d1192d08b_story.html" type="external">released</a> last weekend after the Ukrainian parliament <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26304842" type="external">voted</a> her nemesis out of office Feb. 22.</p>
<p>Baptist World Alliance General Secretary Neville Callam <a href="http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2009/s09040048.htm" type="external">met</a> with Turchynov in 2008, commending the then-deputy prime minister on the level of religious freedom enjoyed in the country.</p>
<p>The election of a Baptist might seem unlikely in a nation with an overwhelming Orthodox Christian religious identity and Protestant population smaller than 1 percent, but observers say Turchynov is well equipped to promote unification and healing in a country sharply divided between citizens seeking closer ties to the European Union and those more in agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin.</p>
<p>In a 2006 paper for the National Council for Eurasian and East European Research, Pennsylvania State University history professor <a href="http://history.psu.edu/directory/cew10" type="external">Catherine Wanner</a> <a href="http://www.ucis.pitt.edu/nceeer/2006_819_19g_Wanner.pdf" type="external">said</a> Ukraine offers far more freedoms to non-traditional and foreign religious organizations than other successor Soviet states like Belarus and Russia.</p>
<p>One result is greater religious diversity and higher levels of religious participation, including a notable increase in the number of Baptist and Pentecostal communities since Ukraine achieved <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100111101705/http:/gska2.rada.gov.ua:7777/site/postanova_eng/Declaration_of_State_Sovereignty_of_Ukraine_rev1.htm" type="external">independence</a> in 1991.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.bwanet.org/about-us2/statistics" type="external">With</a> 2,362 churches and 121,645 members, the <a href="http://www.ecbua.info/" type="external">All-Ukrainian Union of Associations of Evangelical Christians-Baptists</a> is among the largest Protestant groups in Ukraine and one of the largest Baptist bodies in <a href="http://www.ebf.org/all-ukrainian-union-of-associations-of-evangelical-christians-baptists" type="external">Europe</a>.</p>
<p>Before the USSR collapsed, Wanner <a href="http://www.ucis.pitt.edu/nceeer/2006_819_19g_Wanner.pdf" type="external">said</a>, Soviet Ukraine was home to the second-largest Baptist community in the world, after the United States. “With good reason, Ukraine was called the ‘Bible Belt’ of the former Soviet Union,” she observed.</p>
<p>The history of Baptists in Ukraine dates to the second half of the 19th century, when the rural population in the south began baptizing members following their profession of faith. Over time a community began to emerge, and in 1884 the first Baptist congress was held.</p>
<p>Estimates of the number of Ukrainian Baptists in the late 19th century vary widely, from as few as 100,000 to as many as 300,000, significant numbers during the era of Konstantin <a href="http://universalium.academic.ru/283637/Pobedonostsev,_Konstantin_Petrovich" type="external">Pobyedonostsyev</a>, who cracked down on minority sects including Baptists as chief administrative head of the <a href="http://universalium.academic.ru/189620/Russian_Orthodox_church" type="external">Russian Orthodox church</a> between 1880 and 1905.</p>
<p>As part of its unofficial policy of state atheism, the Soviet Union adopted a law in 1929 putting high taxes on religious buildings and clergy meant to cripple religious bodies financially and permit the government to confiscate buildings for non-payment. During the 1930s about half of Ukrainian Baptist churches were closed.</p>
<p>It wasn’t until 1990 that the Baptist Union of Ukraine was restored after the Supreme Court finally abandoned the Soviet ideal of establishing a scientific, atheistic worldview by guaranteeing freedom of conscience and a legal status for all religious communities.</p>
<p>Like many Baptists in former Soviet republics, Turchynov holds conservative views on some social issues, such as same-sex marriage. He once responded to a reporter’s comment that his views are more typical of the Ukrainian National Conservative Party by <a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=TXNBsRCBiLkC&amp;pg=PT577&amp;lpg=PT577&amp;dq=Turchynov+homosexuality&amp;source=bl&amp;ots=hNuVN0WB4f&amp;sig=4s6J4hFej9P4Rf6vu5WZGKu7w0k&amp;hl=en&amp;sa=X&amp;ei=U_8MU4zWO8uDkQfE64DoAQ&amp;ved=0CFEQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&amp;q=Turchynov%20homosexuality&amp;f=false" type="external">saying</a>: “I do not agree. If a man has normal views, then you label him a conservative, but those who use drugs or promote sodomy, you label them progressive. All of these are perversions.”</p>
<p>Baptist leaders reportedly view Turchynov’s ascendancy as good news but are cautious about commenting publicly on political controversy in a climate where at least 88 people have been killed in clashes between protesters and government forces over the last three months.</p>
<p>‘What Ukraine needs is not just a change of people in authority but a change of the system and the relationship of the authorities to ordinary citizens,” <a href="http://www.ebf.org/baptists-helping-to-serve-new-ukraine" type="external">said</a> Pavel Unguryan, international missions department director with the Baptist Union of Ukraine and a member of Parliament. “Ukraine needs love, mercy and forgiveness. Ukraine needs Christ!”</p>
<p>In December the Evangelical Baptist Union of Ukraine called on Christians not to be indifferent to the country’s conflicts and to intensify their prayers for an end to hatred and violence.</p>
<p>“Regardless of the diverse views on political battles, we ask you, brothers and sisters, to join the active thoughts of those citizens who are trying to prevent the destruction of the relations between the government and the people,” Baptist union chairman Vyacheslav Nesteruk said in a <a href="http://risu.org.ua/en/index/all_news/state/national_religious_question/54461/" type="external">statement</a>.</p>
<p>“Remember, a heart that cares for his people [and] does not stand apart from its problems is able to love and conquer this aggression, hatred and arbitrary behavior with love,” Nesteruk said. “We will be careful not to cross the boundary, where anger and hostility replace the principles of the gospel.”</p>
<p>Peck said he is encouraging all Baptists to get behind Turchynov in prayer “for what is a very challenging and critical moment in Ukraine’s history.”</p>
<p>—&#160;George Bullard of the North American Baptist Fellowship contributed to this report.</p>
<p />
| false | 3 |
bob allen instability ukraine cast spotlight former soviet republics minority baptist religious population selection interim president oleksandr turchynov veteran politician author lay preacher word life center kiev belongs evangelical baptist union ukraine turchynov opposition leader deposed president viktor yanukovych onetime member youth organization soviet communist party became christian 1998 long record advocacy religious freedom pushing legislation including return church properties seized state communism ending import taxes bibles brought country religious organizations named wikileaks memo interfaith dialogue luncheon 2006 disputed speakers assertion ukraine needed national church turchynov ordained baptist minister stressed one ukraines great strengths tolerance diversity single denomination dominated society document said turchynov friend kremlin quipped state created single national church well wind looking like russia belarus european baptist federation identifies turchynov baptist elder word life church created 1992 city kiev cleancut image 160he doesnt smoke drink example 160and highprofile baptist identity media reports often label pastor preaches regularly church even though travels security years turchynov met number baptist leaders organizations european baptist federation baptist world alliance visits region met several occasions recently last august bwa president john upton said tony peck general secretary european baptist federation tried supportive difficult years opposition turchynovs longtime political ally yulia tymoshenko leader orange revolution 2004 jailed 2011 abuse power dramatically released last weekend ukrainian parliament voted nemesis office feb 22 baptist world alliance general secretary neville callam met turchynov 2008 commending thendeputy prime minister level religious freedom enjoyed country election baptist might seem unlikely nation overwhelming orthodox christian religious identity protestant population smaller 1 percent observers say turchynov well equipped promote unification healing country sharply divided citizens seeking closer ties european union agreement russian president vladimir putin 2006 paper national council eurasian east european research pennsylvania state university history professor catherine wanner said ukraine offers far freedoms nontraditional foreign religious organizations successor soviet states like belarus russia one result greater religious diversity higher levels religious participation including notable increase number baptist pentecostal communities since ukraine achieved independence 1991 2362 churches 121645 members allukrainian union associations evangelical christiansbaptists among largest protestant groups ukraine one largest baptist bodies europe ussr collapsed wanner said soviet ukraine home secondlargest baptist community world united states good reason ukraine called bible belt former soviet union observed history baptists ukraine dates second half 19th century rural population south began baptizing members following profession faith time community began emerge 1884 first baptist congress held estimates number ukrainian baptists late 19th century vary widely 100000 many 300000 significant numbers era konstantin pobyedonostsyev cracked minority sects including baptists chief administrative head russian orthodox church 1880 1905 part unofficial policy state atheism soviet union adopted law 1929 putting high taxes religious buildings clergy meant cripple religious bodies financially permit government confiscate buildings nonpayment 1930s half ukrainian baptist churches closed wasnt 1990 baptist union ukraine restored supreme court finally abandoned soviet ideal establishing scientific atheistic worldview guaranteeing freedom conscience legal status religious communities like many baptists former soviet republics turchynov holds conservative views social issues samesex marriage responded reporters comment views typical ukrainian national conservative party saying agree man normal views label conservative use drugs promote sodomy label progressive perversions baptist leaders reportedly view turchynovs ascendancy good news cautious commenting publicly political controversy climate least 88 people killed clashes protesters government forces last three months ukraine needs change people authority change system relationship authorities ordinary citizens said pavel unguryan international missions department director baptist union ukraine member parliament ukraine needs love mercy forgiveness ukraine needs christ december evangelical baptist union ukraine called christians indifferent countrys conflicts intensify prayers end hatred violence regardless diverse views political battles ask brothers sisters join active thoughts citizens trying prevent destruction relations government people baptist union chairman vyacheslav nesteruk said statement remember heart cares people stand apart problems able love conquer aggression hatred arbitrary behavior love nesteruk said careful cross boundary anger hostility replace principles gospel peck said encouraging baptists get behind turchynov prayer challenging critical moment ukraines history 160george bullard north american baptist fellowship contributed report
| 657 |
<p>OCT. 21, 2010</p>
<p>By JOHN SEILER</p>
<p>On Nov. 2 Californians face the most important election in decades, deciding the governorship, a U.S. Senate seat that could tip the Senate into the Republican camp, legislative and local races and several crucial ballot measures. When looking at a state election, it’s always essential to start with the national picture.</p>
<p>Golden Staters boast like this: “Californians can certainly be proud of statistics like these: California’s economy is the largest in the United States and the eighth largest in the world.&#160;…” That’s <a href="http://www.gavinnewsom.com/issues" type="external">from the Web site of Gavin Newsom</a>, the Democratic San Francisco mayor who’s running for lieutenant governor, a pointless jobs whose very existence displays the waste in California’s governmental system.</p>
<p>But it’s irrelevant. If California split up tomorrow into 10 smaller states, economically not much would change for anybody. The reason is because we’re all part of the United States, which still has the world’s largest and most productive economy — although repeated economic mistakes probably will lead to China overtaking us in a couple of decades.</p>
<p>The mistakes include inflation of 8 percent — <a href="http://www.shadowstats.com/alternate_data/inflation-charts" type="external">the real number</a> — caused by Federal Reserve Board inflationism; &#160;a <a href="" type="internal">debasement of the dollar</a> by the Fed to “prop up” the economy; two expensive wars that have bled the treasury dry; a Social Security system <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2010/08/05/news/economy/social_security_trustees_report/index.htm" type="external">now running red ink</a>; endemic, $1 trillion deficits; and a tax-and-regulatory system that punishes production and rewards complication.</p>
<p>California’s unemployment rate, officially 12.4 percent but <a href="" type="internal">might really be as high as 25 percent</a>, won’t drop much, if at all, until at least some of the federal foolishness is fixed, no matter what happens in the state house in Sacramento.</p>
<p>That’s why the crucial statewide race is incumbent Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer vs. Republican businesswoman Carly Fiorina. If Fiorina wins, then Republicans have a good chance of taking over the U.S. Senate, in addition to the House. They then could make matters difficult for President Obama, especially on the economy.</p>
<p>But as <a href="" type="internal">my article here on Fiorina</a> here showed, she favors maintaining the Bush-Obama status quo on the wars and the inflationary Federal Reserve Board. So do most Republicans. So other than changing the faces in the leadership chairs in the Senate chamber, it’s not clear exactly how her election would shake things up.</p>
<p>Boxer, meanwhile, is the poster girl for liberal failure. Her latest strange stance was to favor the violation of the&#160; <a href="http://www.google.com/url?url=http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2010/0628/Supreme-Court-Second-Amendment-rights-apply-across-US&amp;rct=j&amp;sa=U&amp;ei=rUC_TPS6LYq-nAe-mOiJDg&amp;ved=0CB8QFjAB&amp;sig2=DEHKx1PmlFRHB9kWylTWSA&amp;q=supreme+court+second+amendment&amp;usg=AFQjCNEk7YsgNgdbZh8tXsQsFGLRc9vJow" type="external">Second Amendment right</a>to keep and bear arms of anyone put on the federal No Fly List. On October 18, <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/california-politics/2010/10/boxer-and-fiorina-spar-over-rights-of-those-on-the-no-fly-list.html" type="external">Boxer insisted</a>that the election “is a choice between someone who is working to keep our airlines safe and working to keep guns out the hands of terrorists, versus someone who believes that those on the suspected terrorist no-fly list should be able to buy a gun –- any gun.”</p>
<p>The mysterious <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_Fly_List" type="external">No Fly List</a> is compiled by the top-secret <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrorist_Screening_Center" type="external">Terrorist Screening Center</a>, part of the FBI. Its criteria for putting someone on the list are secret. So are the names on the list. Those flagged on the list have included the late <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A17073-2004Aug19.html" type="external">Sen. Edward Kennedy</a>, Boxer’s former liberal Democratic colleague.</p>
<p>Liberal Democrats are supposed to be against arbitrary police powers. Apparently not during elections.</p>
<p>Across the country, hundreds of congressional districts are undergoing the exhilarating practice of democracy in action. National issues are being debated, especially, between Tea Party Republicans eager for change and incumbent liberal Democrats. An estimated 50 to 100 seats are in play, out of 435.</p>
<p>Not in California. Severe gerrymandering following the 2000 U.S. Census has frozen districts for a decade as either heavily Republican or heavily Democrat.</p>
<p><a href="http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California_Proposition_11_(2008)" type="external">According to Ballotpedia</a>, Proposition 11, passed by California voters in 2008, is supposed to end the gerrymandering by turning redistricting for the state Legislature&#160;over to the new California Citizens Redistricting Commission. But that won’t happen until next year. Meanwhile, on this ballot in less than two weeks, another initiative, <a href="http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California_Congressional_Redistricting_Initiative_(2010)" type="external">Proposition 20</a>, would add congressional seats to those configured by the commission.</p>
<p>And to make matters more confusing, also on this November’s ballot is <a href="http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California_Financial_Accountability_in_Redistricting_Act_(2010)" type="external">Proposition 27</a>, which would eliminate the commission, essentially restoring the old system of gerrymandering.</p>
<p>One of the few competitive congressional races in California is between incumbent Democrat Loretta Sanchez and Republican challenger Van Tran. The Orange County Register <a href="http://www.ocregister.com/articles/sanchez-270250-race-tran.html" type="external">described it this way</a>:</p>
<p>Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez has held sway there for nearly 14 years, easily dispatching a series of lackluster Republican opponents for more than a decade. She’s the daughter of immigrants in an immigrant district, a Democrat with an easy advantage in money and registered voters.</p>
<p>But her opponent this year is a political patriarch of the very Vietnamese community that Sanchez has worked to win over. Republican Assemblyman Van Tran hopes to ride the same tide of voter discontent that national Republicans think will put Congress in their hands this November.</p>
<p>Polls and pundits give Sanchez the edge, but many put Tran within striking distance. The chairman of the Republican National Committee called the race a “top 10” for the party.</p>
<p>For her part, Sanchez brought in former President Bill Clinton, who to <a href="http://www.ocregister.com/news/clinton-271475-sanchez-tran.html" type="external">ld cheering crowds at an Oct. 15 rally</a>:</p>
<p>“This is about what kind of country this is going to be, what kind of community this is going to be, what kind of Orange County this is going to be,” Clinton said, speaking from the steps of the Old Orange County Courthouse to a crowd that police estimated at 1,000 people.</p>
<p>He warned later in his speech: “When you make an important decision when you are mad, there’s an 80 percent chance that you’ll make a mistake.” And then, to shouts and cheers, he added: “I’m old enough to admit mine.”</p>
<p>Unlike President Obama, President Clinton remains popular, and his appearance could turn the tide in favor of Sanchez.</p>
<p>The California race getting the most statewide and national exposure naturally is that to replace “Governator” Arnold Schwarzenegger. Both Republican candidate Meg Whitman and Democratic candidate Jerry Brown <a href="http://www.sacbee.com/2010/10/20/3117163/whitman-brown-try-to-link-other.html#mi_rss=State%20Politics" type="external">just put up attack ads</a> linking the other to Schwarzenegger’s tenure of failure.</p>
<p>Ironically, both Brown and Whitman back Schwarzenegger’s favorite accomplishment, AB32, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Warming_Solutions_Act_of_2006" type="external">Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006</a>; although Whitman favors suspending it for a year. None is convinced by the arguments that AB32 <a href="" type="internal">would kill many California jobs</a>.</p>
<p>All three oppose <a href="http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California_Proposition_23_(2010)" type="external">Proposition 23</a>, which would suspend AB32 until unemployment drops to 5.5 percent or lower for a year.</p>
<p>All three — Arnold, Meg and Jerry — also favor only minor tinkering with the state’s Doomsday Issue — state worker pension liabilities that <a href="" type="internal">could be as high as $500 billion</a>. Although here, the are real differences in approach. Whitman promises a “business” approach to the problem, while Brown promises to use his vast experience in the mechanics of state government.</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.pensiontsunami.com/" type="external">pension tsunami i</a>s so immense that, to a certain extent, it won’t matter who’s the next governor. There just isn’t enough money to pay for the pensions. The New York banks and bond house will be reluctant to loan California more money to prop up the pensions. So the pensions will have to be cut — and the cuts will have to be big.</p>
<p>Budgets also will have to be cut. The shape of things to come is prefigured in <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11579979" type="external">the 19 percent government budget cuts</a> just announced in the United Kingdom. Years of profligacy there, as in California and the rest of the United States, have brought an inevitable Day of Reckoning. And that Day is now.</p>
<p>California initiatives</p>
<p>Given the dysfunctional nature of the governor’s office and the state Legislature, as in the past most tough policy choices will be decided through initiatives.</p>
<p>The major initiative, Prop. 23, was mentioned above. The <a href="http://www.yeson23.com/" type="external">initiative’s proponents say</a> it will save up to a million jobs by suspending AB32, which would impose draconian new environmental laws on the state.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.stopdirtyenergyprop.com/" type="external">Those opposing 23</a> say it will halt the creation of “green” jobs and prevent California from becoming the world leader in “clean” energy.</p>
<p>A Google search for “Prop. 23” done while writing this article found that the top ads and articles all were anti-23. Perhaps that could change before election day.</p>
<p>The bottom line is that Prop. 23 is about whether California will be perceived by global investors as a nutty place that comes up with screwball laws that could destroy your business in a heartbeat. The small number of “green” businesses subsidized or aided by AB 32 and other laws backed by high-tech investors excepted, of course.</p>
<p>The second most important initiative is <a href="http://www.google.com/url?url=http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California_Proposition_19,_the_Marijuana_Legalization_Initiative_(2010)&amp;rct=j&amp;sa=U&amp;ei=SDu_TJ3KHpSqsAPg5MWNDQ&amp;ved=0CBEQFjAA&amp;sig2=_we0EoaScDOIREmmlWMKsA&amp;q=ballotpedia+prop19&amp;usg=AFQjCNEzH2ruahOm8nxHrVi4Y-lUXtXaKg" type="external">Proposition 19</a>, which effectively would legalize marijuana in California. Proponents say it would reduce the number of people in prisons for drug arrests. And that marijuana is effectively legalized anyway, with the possession of a small amount <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/01/maijuana-possession-in-ca_n_747516.html" type="external">recently reduced to a $100 infraction</a>.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Opponents say</a> that Mary Jane is a “gateway” drug that leads to heroin, meth, cocaine and other “hard” drugs, although there’s little evidence to back up those claims.</p>
<p>A big complication is that the federal government, under supposed “liberal” President Obama and Attorney General Holder, will ignore the clear will of California voters, should 19 pass, and continue imposing the federal government’s draconian laws. Interfering in the actions of a sovereign state, <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE69F03V20101016" type="external">Holder threatened</a>, “Accordingly, we will vigorously enforce the [Controlled Substances Act] against those individuals and organizations that possess, manufacture or distribute marijuana for recreational use, even if such activities are permitted under state law.”</p>
<p>Proposition 22, <a href="http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California_Proposition_22,_Ban_on_State_Borrowing_from_Local_Governments_(2010)" type="external">according to Ballotpedia</a>, “would prohibit the state from raiding” local funds. So it’s another form of “ballot-box budgeting” that has gotten the state in trouble in the past. The main part is that it would protect local redevelopment agencies, which misuse “eminent domain” to grab local private property and give it to other private companies.</p>
<p>Proposition 25, <a href="http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California_Proposition_25,_Majority_Vote_for_Legislature_to_Pass_the_Budget_(2010)" type="external">according to Ballotpedia</a>, would “end the current requirement in the state that&#160; <a href="http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Supermajority_requirement" type="external">two-thirds</a> of the members of the&#160; <a href="http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California_State_Legislature" type="external">California State Legislature</a> must vote in favor of the state’s budget in order for a budget to be enacted. It also requires&#160; <a href="http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California_State_Legislature" type="external">state legislators</a> to forfeit their pay in years where they have failed to pass a budget in a timely fashion.” Tax increases still would require a two-thirds vote.</p>
<p>The pay part is just bait. The real effect would be to make the Republican minority even more irrelevant.</p>
<p><a href="" type="external">The gerrymandered Legislature</a></p>
<p>Due to the gerrymandering discussed above, little will change in the state Legislature. After the election, it still will be just shy of two-thirds Democratic in both houses. Because the game currently is rigged, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2010/09/21/where-are-the-angry-california-voters" type="external">the Tea Party revolution sweeping the country is almost irrelevant here</a>.</p>
<p>Everyone now is waiting to see what happens to Prop. 27 (discussed above), how the Redistricting Commission will work (should Prop. 27 fail), and what the results of the U.S. Census will show.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the California’s Legislature remains an entrenched, clueless, global embarrassment.</p>
<p>But as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_Stein" type="external">Herb Stein’s Law</a> goes, “If something cannot go on forever, it will stop.” Regardless of what one thinks of democracy and the “will of the people,” California’s dreamy, unrealistic, even preposterous budget and other policies cannot go on forever.</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>
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oct 21 2010 john seiler nov 2 californians face important election decades deciding governorship us senate seat could tip senate republican camp legislative local races several crucial ballot measures looking state election always essential start national picture golden staters boast like californians certainly proud statistics like californias economy largest united states eighth largest world160 thats web site gavin newsom democratic san francisco mayor whos running lieutenant governor pointless jobs whose existence displays waste californias governmental system irrelevant california split tomorrow 10 smaller states economically much would change anybody reason part united states still worlds largest productive economy although repeated economic mistakes probably lead china overtaking us couple decades mistakes include inflation 8 percent real number caused federal reserve board inflationism 160a debasement dollar fed prop economy two expensive wars bled treasury dry social security system running red ink endemic 1 trillion deficits taxandregulatory system punishes production rewards complication californias unemployment rate officially 124 percent might really high 25 percent wont drop much least federal foolishness fixed matter happens state house sacramento thats crucial statewide race incumbent democratic senator barbara boxer vs republican businesswoman carly fiorina fiorina wins republicans good chance taking us senate addition house could make matters difficult president obama especially economy article fiorina showed favors maintaining bushobama status quo wars inflationary federal reserve board republicans changing faces leadership chairs senate chamber clear exactly election would shake things boxer meanwhile poster girl liberal failure latest strange stance favor violation the160 second amendment rightto keep bear arms anyone put federal fly list october 18 boxer insistedthat election choice someone working keep airlines safe working keep guns hands terrorists versus someone believes suspected terrorist nofly list able buy gun gun mysterious fly list compiled topsecret terrorist screening center part fbi criteria putting someone list secret names list flagged list included late sen edward kennedy boxers former liberal democratic colleague liberal democrats supposed arbitrary police powers apparently elections across country hundreds congressional districts undergoing exhilarating practice democracy action national issues debated especially tea party republicans eager change incumbent liberal democrats estimated 50 100 seats play 435 california severe gerrymandering following 2000 us census frozen districts decade either heavily republican heavily democrat according ballotpedia proposition 11 passed california voters 2008 supposed end gerrymandering turning redistricting state legislature160over new california citizens redistricting commission wont happen next year meanwhile ballot less two weeks another initiative proposition 20 would add congressional seats configured commission make matters confusing also novembers ballot proposition 27 would eliminate commission essentially restoring old system gerrymandering one competitive congressional races california incumbent democrat loretta sanchez republican challenger van tran orange county register described way congresswoman loretta sanchez held sway nearly 14 years easily dispatching series lackluster republican opponents decade shes daughter immigrants immigrant district democrat easy advantage money registered voters opponent year political patriarch vietnamese community sanchez worked win republican assemblyman van tran hopes ride tide voter discontent national republicans think put congress hands november polls pundits give sanchez edge many put tran within striking distance chairman republican national committee called race top 10 party part sanchez brought former president bill clinton ld cheering crowds oct 15 rally kind country going kind community going kind orange county going clinton said speaking steps old orange county courthouse crowd police estimated 1000 people warned later speech make important decision mad theres 80 percent chance youll make mistake shouts cheers added im old enough admit mine unlike president obama president clinton remains popular appearance could turn tide favor sanchez california race getting statewide national exposure naturally replace governator arnold schwarzenegger republican candidate meg whitman democratic candidate jerry brown put attack ads linking schwarzeneggers tenure failure ironically brown whitman back schwarzeneggers favorite accomplishment ab32 global warming solutions act 2006 although whitman favors suspending year none convinced arguments ab32 would kill many california jobs three oppose proposition 23 would suspend ab32 unemployment drops 55 percent lower year three arnold meg jerry also favor minor tinkering states doomsday issue state worker pension liabilities could high 500 billion although real differences approach whitman promises business approach problem brown promises use vast experience mechanics state government pension tsunami immense certain extent wont matter whos next governor isnt enough money pay pensions new york banks bond house reluctant loan california money prop pensions pensions cut cuts big budgets also cut shape things come prefigured 19 percent government budget cuts announced united kingdom years profligacy california rest united states brought inevitable day reckoning day california initiatives given dysfunctional nature governors office state legislature past tough policy choices decided initiatives major initiative prop 23 mentioned initiatives proponents say save million jobs suspending ab32 would impose draconian new environmental laws state opposing 23 say halt creation green jobs prevent california becoming world leader clean energy google search prop 23 done writing article found top ads articles anti23 perhaps could change election day bottom line prop 23 whether california perceived global investors nutty place comes screwball laws could destroy business heartbeat small number green businesses subsidized aided ab 32 laws backed hightech investors excepted course second important initiative proposition 19 effectively would legalize marijuana california proponents say would reduce number people prisons drug arrests marijuana effectively legalized anyway possession small amount recently reduced 100 infraction opponents say mary jane gateway drug leads heroin meth cocaine hard drugs although theres little evidence back claims big complication federal government supposed liberal president obama attorney general holder ignore clear california voters 19 pass continue imposing federal governments draconian laws interfering actions sovereign state holder threatened accordingly vigorously enforce controlled substances act individuals organizations possess manufacture distribute marijuana recreational use even activities permitted state law proposition 22 according ballotpedia would prohibit state raiding local funds another form ballotbox budgeting gotten state trouble past main part would protect local redevelopment agencies misuse eminent domain grab local private property give private companies proposition 25 according ballotpedia would end current requirement state that160 twothirds members the160 california state legislature must vote favor states budget order budget enacted also requires160 state legislators forfeit pay years failed pass budget timely fashion tax increases still would require twothirds vote pay part bait real effect would make republican minority even irrelevant gerrymandered legislature due gerrymandering discussed little change state legislature election still shy twothirds democratic houses game currently rigged tea party revolution sweeping country almost irrelevant everyone waiting see happens prop 27 discussed redistricting commission work prop 27 fail results us census show meanwhile californias legislature remains entrenched clueless global embarrassment herb steins law goes something go forever stop regardless one thinks democracy people californias dreamy unrealistic even preposterous budget policies go forever john seiler editorial writer orange county register 20 years reporter analyst calwatchdogcom email writejohnseilergmailcom
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<p>We need good teachers, and there isn’t a place for everyone in the district. If someone makes the decision to teach and does it well, they have earned applause no matter where they decide to work. Nobody wants a C-.</p>
<p>In particular, nobody wants a C- on the critical issue of keeping good teachers in the classroom. But that’s the grade Illinois got for “retaining effective teachers,” in the National Council on Teacher Quality’s 2013 State Policy Yearbook. Teacher retention is in fact a well-documented national crisis that negatively impacts students, especially those from low-income communities. &#160;</p>
<p>Elevating the profession to keep the best teachers is a hot topic in education.&#160; One low-cost, in fact free, way to do this is to change the way we talk about teachers and schools. This re-branding should start with an end to “shaming” the step-children of the education community: charter school teachers.</p>
<p>After seven years of working in a traditional district-run school, I made the decision to work at a charter this year. After being subject to the large-scale reduction-in-force at CPS last summer, I decided to try something new. The reaction from my friends and former colleagues was…well, mixed. Bad press and budget cuts have fueled the fire against any non-district-run institution.</p>
<p>Despite the metaphorical rotten fruit thrown daily in my direction, this was the right move for me. The environment is professional, my colleagues are dedicated, and the administration is inspiring. I realize as I’m writing this readers may respond with negativity and complaints, but here are the facts: We need good teachers, and there isn’t a place for everyone in the district. If someone makes the decision to teach and does it well, they have earned your applause no matter where they decide to work.</p>
<p>Here is my own list of “Frequently Asked Questions” about charters and my defense of those of us who choose to teach in one:</p>
<p>Q: According to The Charter Difference, a 2009 study by the University of Illinois at Chicago, charter schools have a “significant under-enrollment of special needs students [that] may be discriminatory and warrants further investigation.” Aren’t they just taking all the “good kids” to boost their scores?</p>
<p>A: Not in my experience. To offer more information on this, see Illinois Network of Charter Schools President Andrew Broy’s article “Setting the Facts Straight on Charter Schools” (published in the Chicago Sun Times on August 7th, 2013). Broy reminds us that charter schools are public and “free and open to anyone who wishes to enroll, no matter a student’s neighborhood, family income, previous education, ethnicity or family status.” Another 2009 study by the RAND Corporation found that charter schools generally are not drawing the best students away from local traditional public schools. The previous test scores for students who transferred into charters were near or below-average (except for white students), and the racial makeup of charters was similar to that of the traditional schools the students had previously attended.</p>
<p>Q: How can any teacher agree to work for “union busters?”</p>
<p>A: Actually, we do have a right to unionize—in Chicago, we have Chicago ACTS Local 4343. At my orientation, administration from our network even encouraged us to sign up and invited representatives to get us registered.</p>
<p>Q: Isn’t it true that there are cases of high-level corruption in some charter networks?</p>
<p>A: Yes. But isn’t that also true in most districts? Do teachers make those decisions? Why punish them?</p>
<p>Q: Aren’t charter networks big business in disguise?</p>
<p>A: Some are. And some are not-for-profits, or are funded partly by competitive grants programs. In Illinois, charters can only be awarded to a non-profit, although the non-profit may then contract with a for-profit to run the school. Plus, many charters were started by teachers.</p>
<p>Q: Why should state funding go to charters when the district schools are undergoing budget cuts?</p>
<p>A: Again, not a teacher decision. I’d like to stress that there is simply not sufficient funding for all of us to work in the district, so all we can do is make sure that somehow, somewhere, we are in front of students doing the best we can.</p>
<p>Q: Aren’t teachers treated badly in charter schools?</p>
<p>A: Some charter schools may treat teachers badly. Some district schools treat teachers badly. At my school, teachers are consulted on every matter from content of professional development to curriculum. Performance and tangible outcomes are rewarded with job security (as opposed to quality-blind layoffs in the district). It’s almost like we have a tiny, renegade district that values teacher voice! Yes, this may not be everyone’s experience, but I resent the prevailing generalizations.</p>
<p>Q: Don’t charters have underqualified teachers?</p>
<p>A: Frankly, it looks like few of us teachers, anywhere, are well-prepared when we begin. According to the National Council on Teacher Quality Teacher Prep Review, “less than 10% of all rated programs earned 3 stars or more.” This study included 1,200 programs across the country. Shall we agree to let each individual teacher’s data speak for itself, and hope that new evaluation systems will help to improve us all?</p>
<p>So, if I have to operate as an outcast in order to keep a job that I love, then let the judgmental comments commence! Excellent teachers, I applaud you, no matter where you work. You are a treasure, and we need you to stay in this field. Ignore the non-productive, hurtful, and prejudiced statements that will surely follow us throughout our careers. District colleagues and general public, I urge you to use a new lens to view all educators, one informed by research. Create a world in which every teacher is given a fair chance to show what they can do.</p>
<p>Susan Volbrecht is an eighth-year teacher on the South Side of Chicago. She is an alumni of the Chicago Teaching Fellows and the Teach Plus Policy Fellowship. She currently works as an academic interventionist at a charter school.</p>
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need good teachers isnt place everyone district someone makes decision teach well earned applause matter decide work nobody wants c particular nobody wants c critical issue keeping good teachers classroom thats grade illinois got retaining effective teachers national council teacher qualitys 2013 state policy yearbook teacher retention fact welldocumented national crisis negatively impacts students especially lowincome communities 160 elevating profession keep best teachers hot topic education160 one lowcost fact free way change way talk teachers schools rebranding start end shaming stepchildren education community charter school teachers seven years working traditional districtrun school made decision work charter year subject largescale reductioninforce cps last summer decided try something new reaction friends former colleagues waswell mixed bad press budget cuts fueled fire nondistrictrun institution despite metaphorical rotten fruit thrown daily direction right move environment professional colleagues dedicated administration inspiring realize im writing readers may respond negativity complaints facts need good teachers isnt place everyone district someone makes decision teach well earned applause matter decide work list frequently asked questions charters defense us choose teach one q according charter difference 2009 study university illinois chicago charter schools significant underenrollment special needs students may discriminatory warrants investigation arent taking good kids boost scores experience offer information see illinois network charter schools president andrew broys article setting facts straight charter schools published chicago sun times august 7th 2013 broy reminds us charter schools public free open anyone wishes enroll matter students neighborhood family income previous education ethnicity family status another 2009 study rand corporation found charter schools generally drawing best students away local traditional public schools previous test scores students transferred charters near belowaverage except white students racial makeup charters similar traditional schools students previously attended q teacher agree work union busters actually right unionizein chicago chicago acts local 4343 orientation administration network even encouraged us sign invited representatives get us registered q isnt true cases highlevel corruption charter networks yes isnt also true districts teachers make decisions punish q arent charter networks big business disguise notforprofits funded partly competitive grants programs illinois charters awarded nonprofit although nonprofit may contract forprofit run school plus many charters started teachers q state funding go charters district schools undergoing budget cuts teacher decision id like stress simply sufficient funding us work district make sure somehow somewhere front students best q arent teachers treated badly charter schools charter schools may treat teachers badly district schools treat teachers badly school teachers consulted every matter content professional development curriculum performance tangible outcomes rewarded job security opposed qualityblind layoffs district almost like tiny renegade district values teacher voice yes may everyones experience resent prevailing generalizations q dont charters underqualified teachers frankly looks like us teachers anywhere wellprepared begin according national council teacher quality teacher prep review less 10 rated programs earned 3 stars study included 1200 programs across country shall agree let individual teachers data speak hope new evaluation systems help improve us operate outcast order keep job love let judgmental comments commence excellent teachers applaud matter work treasure need stay field ignore nonproductive hurtful prejudiced statements surely follow us throughout careers district colleagues general public urge use new lens view educators one informed research create world every teacher given fair chance show susan volbrecht eighthyear teacher south side chicago alumni chicago teaching fellows teach plus policy fellowship currently works academic interventionist charter school
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<p>Gerri Cannon wants to hear more from presidential candidates on trans rights. (Photo courtesy of Gerri Cannon)</p>
<p>MANCHESTER, N.H. — The presidential primary came and went in New Hampshire, but transgender advocates said candidates left the state before giving adequate voice to issues facing the community.</p>
<p>Gerri Cannon, a 63-year-old resident of Sommersworth, N.H., said transgender rights were a sorely missed topic in a state that lacks legal protections based on gender identity, even though anti-gay discrimination is prohibited.</p>
<p>“I don’t think any of the candidates are speaking about transgender issues on the campaign trail,” Cannon said. “I think it’s one of those things that’s buried because it’s too contentious.”</p>
<p>New Hampshire is one of three states in the country — along with Wisconsin and New York — that prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation under their human rights laws, but have no statutory bans on anti-transgender bias. (Last year, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo took executive action to spell out the prohibition on gender discrimination in the state applies to transgender people.)</p>
<p>Cannon said seven years ago she was fired from her job at Hewlett Packard, even though she had been with the combined company for more than 30 years, after she issued a statement indicating she would transition on the job. (Cannon said she was terminated after Carly Fiorinia was CEO of the company.)</p>
<p>“For a company that had a 100 percent [Human Rights Campaign] status, that was a little awkward, and it hurt,” Cannon said.</p>
<p>After leaving behind a six-figure salary and being homeless for a time, Cannon eventually found work in carpentry, then driving a 70-foot, 18-wheel tractor trailer. She agreed to not take legal action against Hewlett Packard in exchange for a severance package, she said. Now, she’s essentially retired and lives on disability.</p>
<p>She’s now a transgender activist and is part of the PFLAG council in New Hampshire and serves on the board of the United Church of Christ in the state.</p>
<p>“I am a proud, Christian transgender woman,” Cannon said. “I know there are some places around the country that would have a fit with that statement, but I am. That’s the way it is.”</p>
<p>Cannon said transgender rights are “non-existent for the most part” in New Hampshire and transgender people have “run into situations” in employment or housing.</p>
<p>“It’s inconsistent how transgender people are treated in the state,” Cannon said. “Because there is no formal law, whether every business place…when you go out to a restaurant or club or whatever is totally dependent on the owners of the facility and how they want to treat people. Because there are no laws, sometimes they get the shaft and sometimes they don’t.”</p>
<p>Another problem for trans people in New Hampshire, Cannon said, is they cannot change the gender marker on their birth certificates, even though they can change their name or the gender identification on their driver’s licenses. The driver’s license policy was changed about a year-and-a-half ago.</p>
<p>“When you’re applying for health insurance, there’s still a chance that comes up because you have to let people know how you are listed,” Cannon said.</p>
<p>Those kinds of challenges make trans advocates in New Hampshire say they want to see&#160;more from the presidential candidates on where they stand on issues facing the transgender community. (Cannon, however, said it might be better for the Republicans to remain silent because anything they’d say would be negative.)</p>
<p>Casey O’Dea of University of New Hampshire was among those who said he wants to hear more from the presidential candidates on transgender rights.</p>
<p>“I would definitely like to see more protection for trans people in employment and housing and just anti-discrimination policies in general being talked about more and being put into place, especially in New Hampshire where obviously that is lacking right now,” O’Dea said.</p>
<p>For her part, Hillary Clinton outlined her views on transgender rights in her LGBT policy platform documenting her campaign late last year. Under a section devoted to protecting transgender rights, the platform says Clinton will seek to protect transgender people from violence, streamline identity documents and invest in law enforcement training on interactions with LGBT people.</p>
<p>Over the weekend in New Hampshire, when a college student asked her about gay rights, Clinton addressed the level of violence faced by transgender people, calling it a “terrible problem.”</p>
<p>In an interview with the Washington Blade last year, Bernard Sanders said he’d make a point of including transgender people in&#160;his policies and said America’s police should be better educated to address transgender violence.</p>
<p>“The point is we need to make sure that police departments are sensitive to the fact that every person in this country — man, woman, transgender, whatever you may be — is entitled to equal protection under the law, and abusing people is not acceptable,” Sanders said.</p>
<p>In 2009, when Democrats controlled the New Hampshire Legislature and the governor’s mansion, efforts began&#160;to&#160;pass a transgender&#160;rights&#160;bill.</p>
<p>An advocate working to pass the bill, Cannon recalled the legislature “came very close” to making it happen. When the bill passed in the House, Cannon said the speaker at the time, Terie Norelli, took the unusual step of coming down from the podium to vote on the bill.</p>
<p>But in addition to “outside forces” working against the bill, Norelli said the transgender bill ultimately didn’t pass because it was competing with another LGBT initiative: same-sex marriage.</p>
<p>“At the same time, we had marriage on the table, so they picked up the lesser of two evils in many ways,” Cannon said. “I spoke out on same-sex marriage at the same time. I was part of Freedom to Marry. That bill went through, but the transgender issue was left behind.”</p>
<p>Now, Cannon said trans advocates are shooting for 2017 to pass transgender protections in the state and, in the meantime, are working on advancing them in localities.</p>
<p>“Our current legislature is so Republican and against it, we know that it wouldn’t go through right now,” Cannon said.</p>
<p>Janson Wu, executive director of the New England-based Gay &amp; Lesbian Advocates &amp; Defenders, said the time has come for New Hampshire to add statutory gender identity to current law.</p>
<p>“New Hampshire is the only New England state that does not have any explicit protections for gender identity and expression,” Wu said. “That’s a problem, because it sends a message that it’s OK to discriminate against trans people. While there is both federal and New Hampshire state case law finding protections for trans people under other statutes, that does not obviate New Hampshire’ Legislature from the responsibility of protecting its trans citizens from discrimination.”</p>
<p>A Sanders supporter, Cannon said she spoke about transgender issues during the 2016 election with Martin O’Malley, describing him as “very supportive of transgender people.” But he’s since dropped out of the race. Cannon said she hasn’t yet had an opportunity to speak with Sanders or Clinton.</p>
<p>In 2007, Cannon said she had the chance to talk with then-Democratic candidate Barack Obama about transgender issues, which she said he referred to at the time as “a state issue.”</p>
<p>“Now, he’s learned a lot in the past few years,” Cannon said. “I think all the candidates should learn more about the transgender community to realize that we are people, we are American citizens just like everyone else.”</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Gay &amp; Lesbian Advocates &amp; Defenders</a> <a href="" type="internal">Gerri Cannon</a> <a href="" type="internal">Janson Wu</a> <a href="" type="internal">New Hampshire</a></p>
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gerri cannon wants hear presidential candidates trans rights photo courtesy gerri cannon manchester nh presidential primary came went new hampshire transgender advocates said candidates left state giving adequate voice issues facing community gerri cannon 63yearold resident sommersworth nh said transgender rights sorely missed topic state lacks legal protections based gender identity even though antigay discrimination prohibited dont think candidates speaking transgender issues campaign trail cannon said think one things thats buried contentious new hampshire one three states country along wisconsin new york prohibit discrimination basis sexual orientation human rights laws statutory bans antitransgender bias last year new york gov andrew cuomo took executive action spell prohibition gender discrimination state applies transgender people cannon said seven years ago fired job hewlett packard even though combined company 30 years issued statement indicating would transition job cannon said terminated carly fiorinia ceo company company 100 percent human rights campaign status little awkward hurt cannon said leaving behind sixfigure salary homeless time cannon eventually found work carpentry driving 70foot 18wheel tractor trailer agreed take legal action hewlett packard exchange severance package said shes essentially retired lives disability shes transgender activist part pflag council new hampshire serves board united church christ state proud christian transgender woman cannon said know places around country would fit statement thats way cannon said transgender rights nonexistent part new hampshire transgender people run situations employment housing inconsistent transgender people treated state cannon said formal law whether every business placewhen go restaurant club whatever totally dependent owners facility want treat people laws sometimes get shaft sometimes dont another problem trans people new hampshire cannon said change gender marker birth certificates even though change name gender identification drivers licenses drivers license policy changed yearandahalf ago youre applying health insurance theres still chance comes let people know listed cannon said kinds challenges make trans advocates new hampshire say want see160more presidential candidates stand issues facing transgender community cannon however said might better republicans remain silent anything theyd say would negative casey odea university new hampshire among said wants hear presidential candidates transgender rights would definitely like see protection trans people employment housing antidiscrimination policies general talked put place especially new hampshire obviously lacking right odea said part hillary clinton outlined views transgender rights lgbt policy platform documenting campaign late last year section devoted protecting transgender rights platform says clinton seek protect transgender people violence streamline identity documents invest law enforcement training interactions lgbt people weekend new hampshire college student asked gay rights clinton addressed level violence faced transgender people calling terrible problem interview washington blade last year bernard sanders said hed make point including transgender people in160his policies said americas police better educated address transgender violence point need make sure police departments sensitive fact every person country man woman transgender whatever may entitled equal protection law abusing people acceptable sanders said 2009 democrats controlled new hampshire legislature governors mansion efforts began160to160pass transgender160rights160bill advocate working pass bill cannon recalled legislature came close making happen bill passed house cannon said speaker time terie norelli took unusual step coming podium vote bill addition outside forces working bill norelli said transgender bill ultimately didnt pass competing another lgbt initiative samesex marriage time marriage table picked lesser two evils many ways cannon said spoke samesex marriage time part freedom marry bill went transgender issue left behind cannon said trans advocates shooting 2017 pass transgender protections state meantime working advancing localities current legislature republican know wouldnt go right cannon said janson wu executive director new englandbased gay amp lesbian advocates amp defenders said time come new hampshire add statutory gender identity current law new hampshire new england state explicit protections gender identity expression wu said thats problem sends message ok discriminate trans people federal new hampshire state case law finding protections trans people statutes obviate new hampshire legislature responsibility protecting trans citizens discrimination sanders supporter cannon said spoke transgender issues 2016 election martin omalley describing supportive transgender people hes since dropped race cannon said hasnt yet opportunity speak sanders clinton 2007 cannon said chance talk thendemocratic candidate barack obama transgender issues said referred time state issue hes learned lot past years cannon said think candidates learn transgender community realize people american citizens like everyone else gay amp lesbian advocates amp defenders gerri cannon janson wu new hampshire
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<p>Note: This is additional backround to the <a href="" type="internal">series of stories</a> CalWatchDog.com has been running on the court battle between Gerawan Farms and the United Farm Workers union. The following is from late November, but has not been reported elsewhere.</p>
<p>An&#160; <a href="https://services.saccourt.ca.gov/publicdms/Search.aspx" type="external">order</a>&#160;issued by a Sacramento Superior Court judge on Nov. 27 ruled Gerawan Framing did not have to enter into collective bargaining while preparing an appeal. The UFW didn’t even mention this setback on its <a href="http://www.ufw.org/_board.php?mode=view&amp;b_code=org_key&amp;b_no=14438&amp;page=&amp;field=&amp;key=&amp;n=" type="external">website</a>.</p>
<p>While Gerawan Farming was awaiting the results of the Nov. 5 <a href="" type="internal">&#160;Gerawan employee election&#160;</a>to decertify the UFW, the UFW&#160; <a href="https://services.saccourt.ca.gov/publicdms/Search.aspx" type="external">requested a temporary restraining order&#160;</a>Nov. 22 to force Gerawan into collective bargaining anyway. This attempt to force unionization on the Gerawan employees was helped along by the &#160;California Agricultural Labor Relations Board, which&#160; <a href="http://www.alrb.ca.gov/legal_searches/admin_orders/2012/2012-22_Ace_2012-CE-024-VIS.pdf" type="external">ordered</a>&#160;the collective bargaining, while the Board simultaneously has been sitting on the employee election results.</p>
<p>Gerawan Farming refused to enter into the collective bargaining process pending the allotted 30-days to prepare an appeal. The company has since <a href="" type="internal">&#160;filed a complaint&#160;</a>with the&#160;with the California Court of Appeal, Fifth District in Fresno, against the ALRB’s invocation of the&#160;California’s Mandatory Mediation and Conciliation Statute.</p>
<p>The UFW tried to get the state court to issue a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction prohibiting Gerawan Farming from refusing to abide by the ALRB’s collective bargaining order. The UFW argued, “Otherwise the UFW and the workers will suffer irreparable harm from precisely the automatic stay that the Legislature declined to enact.”</p>
<p>(All of the documents in this case, including the UFW complaint and judge’s order, can be found&#160; <a href="https://services.saccourt.ca.gov/publicdms/Search.aspx" type="external">here</a>. Case number 2013-00153803)</p>
<p>Superior Court Judge David Brown explained in his Nov. 27 decision:</p>
<p>“The review by the court shall not extend further than to determine, on the basis of the entire record, whether any of the following occurred:</p>
<p>“(1) The board acted without, or in excess of, its powers or jurisdiction.</p>
<p>“(2) The board has not proceeded in the manner required by law.</p>
<p>“(3) The order or decision of the board was procured by fraud or was an abuse of discretion.</p>
<p>“(4) The order or decision of the board violates any right of the petitioner under the Constitution of the United States or the California Constitution.”</p>
<p>The UFW argued that the language within the state law compels the result they were seeking. “They assert the Legislature’s deliberate creation a narrow framework for review of a Mediator’s report by the Board (ALRB), demonstrates a desire to provide farm workers with the benefit of a collective bargaining agreement,” the judge wrote.</p>
<p>The UFW argued that the language of the statute provided that no final order of the Board should be stayed on appeal unless the appellant shows irreparable harm, and a likelihood of success on appeal shows an explicit intent to provide a collective bargaining agreement to agricultural workers without delay.</p>
<p>But the judge didn’t buy the UFW’s legal argument.</p>
<p>“Unfortunately, there are no provisions of the Agricultural Labor Relations Act governing the Mandatory Mediation Process that permit the Agriculture Labor Relations Board to seek temporary relief during the pendency of the 30-day period for seeking appellate review,” the judge said, quoting from a similar 2012 case,&#160; <a href="http://www.alrb.ca.gov/legal_searches/admin_orders/2012/2012-22_Ace_2012-CE-024-VIS.pdf" type="external">Ace Tomato Company Inc., v. United Farm Workers</a>.</p>
<p>Judge Brown explained:</p>
<p>“In <a href="http://www.alrb.ca.gov/legal_searches/admin_orders/2012/2012-22_Ace_2012-CE-024-VIS.pdf" type="external">Ace</a>, following a Board Decision affirming the mediator’s report, the UFW filed a request for agency action to enforce the anti-stay provision in the Mandatory Mediation Law, alleging that Ace had failed to implement the CBA as ordered, and requesting that the Board go to court to enforce its decision (under Lab. Code § 1164.3(f), either party or the Board may file an action to enforce the Order of the Board),” the Judge wrote. “Immediately thereafter, the Board issued an Administrative Order requesting that Ace provide a response to the UFW’s request for enforcement. Ace provided a response indicating that it intended to file a petition for review in the Court of Appeal of the Board’s decision affirming the mediator, but did not indicate whether it had implemented the agreement. Shortly thereafter, the Board issued another Administrative Order, ordering Ace to state whether it had in fact implemented the CBA.”</p>
<p>“As in unfair labor practice proceedings, the Board’s decisions are not self-enforcing,” the judge said. “Rather, in order to enforce its decisions, the Board must first obtain a judgement.” And judgments are obtained through the Superior Court.</p>
<p>The judge explained legislative intent should be gathered from the whole legislative act, rather than cherry-picking a few words or isolated parts. He wrote, “Courts should thus construe all provisions of a statute together,… significance being given when possible to each word, phrase, sentence, and part of the act in pursuance of the legislative purpose.”</p>
<p>In other words, the judge told the UFW that words matter, especially in context.&#160;“The meaning of a statute may not be determined from a single word or sentence. Its words must be construed in context, keeping in mind the nature and obvious purpose of the statute where they so as to make sense of the entire statutory scheme,” the judge said.</p>
<p>The judge added there was “no legal mechanism by which the UFW could seek to enforce the collective bargaining agreement” at that time.</p>
<p>Judge Brown ruled: “The application is DENIED.”</p>
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note additional backround series stories calwatchdogcom running court battle gerawan farms united farm workers union following late november reported elsewhere an160 order160issued sacramento superior court judge nov 27 ruled gerawan framing enter collective bargaining preparing appeal ufw didnt even mention setback website gerawan farming awaiting results nov 5 160gerawan employee election160to decertify ufw ufw160 requested temporary restraining order160nov 22 force gerawan collective bargaining anyway attempt force unionization gerawan employees helped along 160california agricultural labor relations board which160 ordered160the collective bargaining board simultaneously sitting employee election results gerawan farming refused enter collective bargaining process pending allotted 30days prepare appeal company since 160filed complaint160with the160with california court appeal fifth district fresno alrbs invocation the160californias mandatory mediation conciliation statute ufw tried get state court issue temporary restraining order preliminary injunction prohibiting gerawan farming refusing abide alrbs collective bargaining order ufw argued otherwise ufw workers suffer irreparable harm precisely automatic stay legislature declined enact documents case including ufw complaint judges order found160 case number 201300153803 superior court judge david brown explained nov 27 decision review court shall extend determine basis entire record whether following occurred 1 board acted without excess powers jurisdiction 2 board proceeded manner required law 3 order decision board procured fraud abuse discretion 4 order decision board violates right petitioner constitution united states california constitution ufw argued language within state law compels result seeking assert legislatures deliberate creation narrow framework review mediators report board alrb demonstrates desire provide farm workers benefit collective bargaining agreement judge wrote ufw argued language statute provided final order board stayed appeal unless appellant shows irreparable harm likelihood success appeal shows explicit intent provide collective bargaining agreement agricultural workers without delay judge didnt buy ufws legal argument unfortunately provisions agricultural labor relations act governing mandatory mediation process permit agriculture labor relations board seek temporary relief pendency 30day period seeking appellate review judge said quoting similar 2012 case160 ace tomato company inc v united farm workers judge brown explained ace following board decision affirming mediators report ufw filed request agency action enforce antistay provision mandatory mediation law alleging ace failed implement cba ordered requesting board go court enforce decision lab code 11643f either party board may file action enforce order board judge wrote immediately thereafter board issued administrative order requesting ace provide response ufws request enforcement ace provided response indicating intended file petition review court appeal boards decision affirming mediator indicate whether implemented agreement shortly thereafter board issued another administrative order ordering ace state whether fact implemented cba unfair labor practice proceedings boards decisions selfenforcing judge said rather order enforce decisions board must first obtain judgement judgments obtained superior court judge explained legislative intent gathered whole legislative act rather cherrypicking words isolated parts wrote courts thus construe provisions statute together significance given possible word phrase sentence part act pursuance legislative purpose words judge told ufw words matter especially context160the meaning statute may determined single word sentence words must construed context keeping mind nature obvious purpose statute make sense entire statutory scheme judge said judge added legal mechanism ufw could seek enforce collective bargaining agreement time judge brown ruled application denied
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<p>I remember rifling nervously through the photographs. Click, click, click. The life-long membrane of fear that had always kept me from finding my father was about to be broken, and I was terrified, thrilled and obsessed. I had skipped a meal. I hadn’t washed the dishes.</p>
<p>When I first saw his picture on Facebook, it sent a coded message straight to my body, bypassing my brain altogether. My head had no reason to believe it was him. I had never seen him except in a blurry, tattered photo from the ‘70s, where he was only recognizable as a tall, slim shadow. But my arms, my chest, my large intestine — they all knew, instinctively, reflexively, and without need of further evidence, that they were looking at a previous iteration of themselves. That, they said to me, is your father.</p>
<p>The need to know who he was — who I was — had always been inside me, hiding someplace I had never looked. The first time I felt it stir was in Málaga, Spain. I was on a research trip and wound up bunking with an Argentine student. Maybe it was because we were in an unknown place. Maybe it was plain boredom. But that night, we talked as if we were old friends; as if each other’s thoughts and feelings were old hometown roads; some loved, some loathed, but all familiar. I remember him telling me his dad was his best friend in the world. I told him I’d never met my father, and his eyes widened.</p>
<p>“And you’ve never wanted to meet him, David? Never?”</p>
<p>“I guess not. It’s just never been a thing, you know.”</p>
<p>“Man, you’ve gotta think about it. I mean, what if you never meet him? What if he dies before you get the chance? Don’t you think you’d regret that?”</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" /></p>
<p />
<p>Those words turned a little knob inside me I didn’t know was there. Father. Best friend. Death. My 20-something brain reached for patterns, and suddenly the love between my newfound Argentine friend and his father felt analogous to a hole in my heart. If the thing that was supposed to fill that hole — a father — was as good, as sweet as this guy had just said, then maybe I should seek it out. And if death was already sniffing out my father, maybe I should do it now.</p>
<p>Fast-forward through four years of terrified searches for my father, like looking for landmines with your face. Noel and I had gotten married and had our first son, Eli. She was struggling through postpartum depression, which gave me lots of time to bond with this quiet little alien who had my nose, her eyes and a full head of hair that stood on end.</p>
<p>One night, I was putting Eli to sleep. We entered the sanctuary of his nursery; a place devoid of harshness, all pastels and soft shadows. I sang. He stared up and made an ooh shape with his lips. I swore that I’d be right there again in the morning, every morning, forever. And then suddenly, whatever had been holding back the pain of fatherlessness broke.</p>
<p>The pieces aligned perfectly that night in our Salt Lake City basement apartment: young father, infant son; a mirror image of another night 26 years earlier somewhere in Guatemala’s capital. And in that quiet, holy place, where baby and I worshipped trust and love with words and music each night, where he depended on me like a fish on a river, where I ached for his happiness like God might, I understood what my father had abandoned. The 2,800 miles between those two nights — my arrival to the US at 9 years old with my mom and sister, an adolescence of swearing my father didn’t matter, my marriage to Noel, our leafy street, our brightly colored accent walls — all shrunk down to nothing. The two nights slammed against each other like bones sans cartilage, and waves of pain shot through my unsuspecting body.</p>
<p>I walked away from the nursery disoriented, bewildered. I crawled into bed with Noel and I cried as if my father had left me that very night.</p>
<p>Years later, the night I saw his picture on Facebook, my facial features started talking to his: a fast, excited inventory of their similarities. It was without my supervision, without my approval. At the time, I still hated him. It upset me how much my jaw wanted to look like his jaw, how much my hairline longed to see itself above his forehead, how much our eyes knew about each other. I didn’t know where all this chatter was coming from. I wanted them all to shut up.</p>
<p>There, staring at his photograph with something far too much like love, I understood. See, Eli was 5 by then, and had discovered that he could climb a tree like an expert, almost without trying. He was bragging about it at dinner one night when Noel suggested, “It’s because you’re small and strong, just like papi.” He looked at me, mac ‘n cheese sauce on his smiling lower lip, and said, “Papi, ¡tú y yo somos iguales! Daddy, you and I are the same!”</p>
<p>That night I let my desire to look like my own father breathe, move its stiff joints, rise to its feet. It frightened me to no end, but it felt right, the way a pointer feels when it puts its paw up in the middle of a field.</p>
<p>My search became bolder over the next couple of years. The fear was still there, but I had intentionally run it over, left it bleeding behind me. After a few months, I found an estranged cousin in Guatemala on Facebook who gave me my father’s email address and told me to write to him. It was the first sign of life from my father’s side of the world, the first time I had any evidence that he wasn’t imaginary. I was thrilled. I wrote to him on a Monday afternoon at 3 p.m., when I should’ve been working.</p>
<p>What do you say to your estranged father after 33 years of radio silence? I wrote in a blend of candor and formality, of awkwardness and boldness, and then I combed through the words slowly and obsessively. I didn’t hit the send button until 5 p.m.</p>
<p>By the time I reached the parking lot, I felt my phone vibrate. He had replied. In 60 seconds: “I’m so glad you reached out to me. Congratulations on your beautiful family. I’m at work in a meeting right now, but I’ll write back to you later, when I can take more time.”</p>
<p>HIs reply sent a flood of hope and excitement through me, and for the first time I allowed myself to need him, want for him to write back the way a kid wants dessert. I wanted him to tell me his side of the story. I wanted his words to undo the damage his absence had done. I needed him to heal me.</p>
<p>That night, I let my mind off leash and it ran eagerly and excitedly through scenarios of catharsis and reconciliation. He would write back. He would come visit me. I would go visit him. We would talk. We would click. It was inevitable. We were so much alike. In every scenario, I would learn that my father had always wanted to contact me, that he had been waiting for the right time. In every scenario, his side of the story made perfect sense. He had never stopped loving me. He had thought about me every day.</p>
<p>He never wrote back.</p>
<p>But it was too late to put my hope and my pain back in their hiding places, and I spent the next year wrestling them. I learned that year to retire the phrases “It’s all right” and “It doesn’t matter” as my most trusted instruments of emotional first aid. It wasn’t all right. The man had left my mother, my sister and I without a cent, without a note. It did matter. It hurt like hell. I could feel it inside myself as if the wound were fresh.</p>
<p>And then the pain began to teach me.</p>
<p>It taught me that when he left, I blamed myself. That I believed that, had I been cuter, had I cried less, had I slept more soundly, he would’ve stayed. It taught me that I was blaming all fathers for his choices, including myself. That the feeling of guilt I felt when I left for work, the feeling that I was abandoning my family, that I was failing them — ultimately came from how I felt towards him.</p>
<p>I emailed him every few weeks. Sometimes I let him have it. I told him he had destroyed me. I asked him to be a man and come forward and write back. Other times I pretended nothing had happened. I told him about my week as if we were talking over Sunday dinner. One night, I told him I forgave him. It wasn’t a lie, I wanted to mean it. I was just wrong. I hadn’t really done it yet.</p>
<p>The fall Eli turned seven, I flew to Guatemala City to meet my father for the very first time. I realize now that my emails and this trip were all based on the belief that I could single-handedly repair our relationship, that if I just worked harder at it, I could fix us. I proposed that we meet at a nice restaurant and chat. I promised a pleasant experience: no drama, no messy feelings, like a first date with a polished veneer of manners and small talk. I offered to pay for dinner myself. I reached out to the cousin I had met on Facebook and arranged for he and I to meet as well.</p>
<p>That week in Guatemala felt eternal. Each morning I checked my email compulsively. Each evening I could feel the burden of expectation become more and more concentrated over fewer and fewer days left in my visit. And still I hoped, still I needed. It wasn’t until I got off the plane on a layover in Mexico City that the fever finally broke, and I knew neither he nor my cousin would show. And I didn’t have the wherewithal to cry.</p>
<p>Noel always falls asleep before I do. One night about a week after my trip I was laying in bed, my mind racing, her steady breathing next to me in the dark. With no one to talk to and so much to say, I prayed. I opened up to God as if he were my first girlfriend. I told him everything. I said I had done my best to heal, to move forward, to be whole. I had even gone down there to try and reconcile, to try to forgive, but none of it had worked. I didn’t feel any better. I wasn’t any closer to healing. I looked inside and for the life of me I couldn’t find forgiveness for my father.</p>
<p>Praying made me feel loved, as if I’d just finished one of those hours-long conversations with my mom that left us both teary-eyed. And there, sleepless and quiet, God talked back. A simple phrase entered my mind, and a feeling of belonging washed over me, like warm water on my chest.</p>
<p>Don’t look to him for restitution. Look to me. I will pay you what he owes you, every penny and more.</p>
<p />
<p>David Lindes and his son Eli in the fall of 2014 in Salt Lake City, Utah.</p>
<p>Courtesy of the Lindes family</p>
<p>A few days ago my mom found two dozen childhood photos of me. Noel and I showed them to our kids. There are four of them now: Eli, Diego, Savannah&#160;and Raquel. They did their best to find me in every picture and they laughed at the idea of Dad being a kid. As they walked downstairs to bed I heard Diego ask Noel, “Mami, Papi never knew his father?” “Nope,” said Noel. “He’s Bruuuuce!” the kid responded, referring to the aspiring vegetarian great white shark in "Finding Nemo." The kids all broke out into laughter and Eli, the oldest, delivered his best Aussie impression: “I never knewww my faaathah!”</p>
<p>I chuckled at my desk, watching my childhood self stare back from the old photographs. To me, fatherlessness is a bloody machete whose marks are all over my body. To them, it’s a joke on the way to bed. They don’t know that pain. And that’s the way I like it.</p>
<p>David Lindes is an independent singer-songwriter and producer. He immigrated to the US at age 9 and spent his adolescence in the agricultural communities of California’s Central Coast. He later graduated in Latin American Studies from Brigham Young University.</p>
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remember rifling nervously photographs click click click lifelong membrane fear always kept finding father broken terrified thrilled obsessed skipped meal hadnt washed dishes first saw picture facebook sent coded message straight body bypassing brain altogether head reason believe never seen except blurry tattered photo 70s recognizable tall slim shadow arms chest large intestine knew instinctively reflexively without need evidence looking previous iteration said father need know always inside hiding someplace never looked first time felt stir málaga spain research trip wound bunking argentine student maybe unknown place maybe plain boredom night talked old friends others thoughts feelings old hometown roads loved loathed familiar remember telling dad best friend world told id never met father eyes widened youve never wanted meet david never guess never thing know man youve got ta think mean never meet dies get chance dont think youd regret words turned little knob inside didnt know father best friend death 20something brain reached patterns suddenly love newfound argentine friend father felt analogous hole heart thing supposed fill hole father good sweet guy said maybe seek death already sniffing father maybe fastforward four years terrified searches father like looking landmines face noel gotten married first son eli struggling postpartum depression gave lots time bond quiet little alien nose eyes full head hair stood end one night putting eli sleep entered sanctuary nursery place devoid harshness pastels soft shadows sang stared made ooh shape lips swore id right morning every morning forever suddenly whatever holding back pain fatherlessness broke pieces aligned perfectly night salt lake city basement apartment young father infant son mirror image another night 26 years earlier somewhere guatemalas capital quiet holy place baby worshipped trust love words music night depended like fish river ached happiness like god might understood father abandoned 2800 miles two nights arrival us 9 years old mom sister adolescence swearing father didnt matter marriage noel leafy street brightly colored accent walls shrunk nothing two nights slammed like bones sans cartilage waves pain shot unsuspecting body walked away nursery disoriented bewildered crawled bed noel cried father left night years later night saw picture facebook facial features started talking fast excited inventory similarities without supervision without approval time still hated upset much jaw wanted look like jaw much hairline longed see forehead much eyes knew didnt know chatter coming wanted shut staring photograph something far much like love understood see eli 5 discovered could climb tree like expert almost without trying bragging dinner one night noel suggested youre small strong like papi looked mac n cheese sauce smiling lower lip said papi tú yo somos iguales daddy night let desire look like father breathe move stiff joints rise feet frightened end felt right way pointer feels puts paw middle field search became bolder next couple years fear still intentionally run left bleeding behind months found estranged cousin guatemala facebook gave fathers email address told write first sign life fathers side world first time evidence wasnt imaginary thrilled wrote monday afternoon 3 pm shouldve working say estranged father 33 years radio silence wrote blend candor formality awkwardness boldness combed words slowly obsessively didnt hit send button 5 pm time reached parking lot felt phone vibrate replied 60 seconds im glad reached congratulations beautiful family im work meeting right ill write back later take time reply sent flood hope excitement first time allowed need want write back way kid wants dessert wanted tell side story wanted words undo damage absence done needed heal night let mind leash ran eagerly excitedly scenarios catharsis reconciliation would write back would come visit would go visit would talk would click inevitable much alike every scenario would learn father always wanted contact waiting right time every scenario side story made perfect sense never stopped loving thought every day never wrote back late put hope pain back hiding places spent next year wrestling learned year retire phrases right doesnt matter trusted instruments emotional first aid wasnt right man left mother sister without cent without note matter hurt like hell could feel inside wound fresh pain began teach taught left blamed believed cuter cried less slept soundly wouldve stayed taught blaming fathers choices including feeling guilt felt left work feeling abandoning family failing ultimately came felt towards emailed every weeks sometimes let told destroyed asked man come forward write back times pretended nothing happened told week talking sunday dinner one night told forgave wasnt lie wanted mean wrong hadnt really done yet fall eli turned seven flew guatemala city meet father first time realize emails trip based belief could singlehandedly repair relationship worked harder could fix us proposed meet nice restaurant chat promised pleasant experience drama messy feelings like first date polished veneer manners small talk offered pay dinner reached cousin met facebook arranged meet well week guatemala felt eternal morning checked email compulsively evening could feel burden expectation become concentrated fewer fewer days left visit still hoped still needed wasnt got plane layover mexico city fever finally broke knew neither cousin would show didnt wherewithal cry noel always falls asleep one night week trip laying bed mind racing steady breathing next dark one talk much say prayed opened god first girlfriend told everything said done best heal move forward whole even gone try reconcile try forgive none worked didnt feel better wasnt closer healing looked inside life couldnt find forgiveness father praying made feel loved id finished one hourslong conversations mom left us tearyeyed sleepless quiet god talked back simple phrase entered mind feeling belonging washed like warm water chest dont look restitution look pay owes every penny david lindes son eli fall 2014 salt lake city utah courtesy lindes family days ago mom found two dozen childhood photos noel showed kids four eli diego savannah160and raquel best find every picture laughed idea dad kid walked downstairs bed heard diego ask noel mami papi never knew father nope said noel hes bruuuuce kid responded referring aspiring vegetarian great white shark finding nemo kids broke laughter eli oldest delivered best aussie impression never knewww faaathah chuckled desk watching childhood self stare back old photographs fatherlessness bloody machete whose marks body joke way bed dont know pain thats way like david lindes independent singersongwriter producer immigrated us age 9 spent adolescence agricultural communities californias central coast later graduated latin american studies brigham young university
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<p>As a Coptic Christian, 24-year-old George Gerges said signs over the past year haven't been good. This winter, The Muslim Brotherhood and ultraconservative Salafi parties won almost 75 percent of the seats in Egypt's parliamentary elections. Last October, more than 20 Christians were killed during a demonstration demanding equal rights. And not too long ago, several Christian churches were burned during clashes between Christians and Muslims.</p>
<p>"When we live together, without any political factors, we live in peace," Gerges said. "But when religion becomes an issue, they burn churches, they burn houses, they kill Christians. There's a bad history."</p>
<p>Gerges is afraid that Christians will be forced to pay a special religious tax, that Christian women will be forced to wear the Islamic veil, and that alcohol will be banned.</p>
<p>He works at a gift shop in the oldest part of the city, called Coptic Cairo. The community, with its seven churches, has been here since Roman times. Copts trace their faith back to the days of Jesus, when their patron saint, St. Mark, proselytized here.</p>
<p>Coptic Cairo is blocked off from the rest of the city by a big steel gate, and by Egyptian police with automatic weapons. It's nothing new. It's been like this for years. But before, Islamist groups didn't dominate the country's parliament. Gerges said people voted for them because they were afraid that Egypt was losing its "Muslim Identify."</p>
<p>"The people elected the Islamic parties because they are afraid for the religion," Gerges said. "They are afraid for the identity of Egypt. The Islamic identify of Egypt. The Muslims would like to live alone, like Saudi Arabia, in a closed community, only for Muslims. And that will not happen."</p>
<p>Gerges said Copts were here long before the Muslim conquests of the 7th century.</p>
<p>But since then it hasn't been easy. Under former president Hosni Mubarak and to this day, Coptic Christians have a much harder time building churches than Muslims do Mosques. The state also makes it very easy for a Christian to convert to Islam, but nearly impossible for Muslims to convert to Christianity.</p>
<p>Although Christians had senior positions in the Muslim Brotherhood's political party during this winter's parliamentary elections, the Brotherhood still endorses laws that discriminate between Muslims and Christians. Mohammad Soudan is the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party foreign relations chief in Alexandria.</p>
<p>"The Muslim man can marry from Christian woman. The Christian man cannot marry from a Muslim woman," Soudan said. "The Islamic law and local law, would prevent my daughter marrying Christian. No body can make this kind of marriage certificate; even a judge. It's forbidden. The religious law forbid, and local law forbid."</p>
<p>These types of statements do not give comfort to those Christians who had hoped Egypt's revolution would mean a chance for equal rights for all citizens. It's even more disturbing for those Christians who just want security.</p>
<p>At St Mark's cathedral, the seat of the Coptic pope in Cairo, worshippers attend a noon mass. Rumors have spread in the past few months that thousands of Christians are fleeing Egypt. But there's no real evidence, beyond the anecdotal, to back up the rumors. Many Christians say there's no reason to leave, at least not yet.</p>
<p>"We are worried, but not freaked out. There's a difference," said Christine Atef Habib, a medical student in Cairo.</p>
<p>Habib and fellow student Carolos Maher Fayez supported the revolution, and say the Islamic parties can't make the country any worse than it already was under Mubarak. They say they want equal rights with Muslims, and both Christine and Carlos have faith in their fellow Egyptians.</p>
<p>"There are a lot of Muslim Egyptians, liberals, and they are our friends. I was in school with 250 Muslims, we were only 6 Christians, we were living there, sleeping there, eating together, playing together, till today we are best friends in college," Fayez said.</p>
<p>"We live a normal life. They are my colleagues and friends. We are not killing each other each time we see each other," said Habib. "The situation isn't that dark. Even among Christians you will find some people in the extremes. But most people are in between."</p>
<p>But Adel Iskander Abdullah, who owns the shop where George Gerges works in Coptic Cairo, disagrees. He wonders now, with the army in control and the Islamists having won parliament, where the Christians fit into the "new" Egypt.</p>
<p>"How can I love the Muslims?" he asked. "I heard them talking about justice, and talking about following the Islamic law. But I don't see any justice. Do they not have justice, or is there no justice in Islamic law? 25:40 Where is the Christian role? The name they are calling themselves is wrong: the Freedom and Justice Party. Under them there's no freedom and no justice."</p>
<p>A few blocks away, merchants opened their shops at an outdoor mall. It's mixed with Christian and Muslim owned stores, although 40 percent of them have closed in the past year because of the lack of tourists. Hamdi Badr works at one shop that sells tin lanterns and other artisanal gifts. The 22 year old protested in Tahrir Square last Winter. Badr said Islam obliges Muslims to protect Christians, and that the Egyptian government should not make any laws further curtailing their rights.</p>
<p>"The government can't force can't force us to do anything we don't want, because the people now have a voice," she said. "And if they go and make those Christians wear hijab, I will go protest, because their religion doesn't say they should."</p>
<p>But even Badr's pledge can come across as patronizing to Christians who wonder why they should be dependent on individuals coming to their defense.</p>
<p>At a nearby shop, a Christian woman sums it up succinctly: "we don't want Christianity or Islam to have anything to do with the law. Keep religion out of politics, and give us all equal rights."</p>
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coptic christian 24yearold george gerges said signs past year havent good winter muslim brotherhood ultraconservative salafi parties almost 75 percent seats egypts parliamentary elections last october 20 christians killed demonstration demanding equal rights long ago several christian churches burned clashes christians muslims live together without political factors live peace gerges said religion becomes issue burn churches burn houses kill christians theres bad history gerges afraid christians forced pay special religious tax christian women forced wear islamic veil alcohol banned works gift shop oldest part city called coptic cairo community seven churches since roman times copts trace faith back days jesus patron saint st mark proselytized coptic cairo blocked rest city big steel gate egyptian police automatic weapons nothing new like years islamist groups didnt dominate countrys parliament gerges said people voted afraid egypt losing muslim identify people elected islamic parties afraid religion gerges said afraid identity egypt islamic identify egypt muslims would like live alone like saudi arabia closed community muslims happen gerges said copts long muslim conquests 7th century since hasnt easy former president hosni mubarak day coptic christians much harder time building churches muslims mosques state also makes easy christian convert islam nearly impossible muslims convert christianity although christians senior positions muslim brotherhoods political party winters parliamentary elections brotherhood still endorses laws discriminate muslims christians mohammad soudan muslim brotherhoods freedom justice party foreign relations chief alexandria muslim man marry christian woman christian man marry muslim woman soudan said islamic law local law would prevent daughter marrying christian body make kind marriage certificate even judge forbidden religious law forbid local law forbid types statements give comfort christians hoped egypts revolution would mean chance equal rights citizens even disturbing christians want security st marks cathedral seat coptic pope cairo worshippers attend noon mass rumors spread past months thousands christians fleeing egypt theres real evidence beyond anecdotal back rumors many christians say theres reason leave least yet worried freaked theres difference said christine atef habib medical student cairo habib fellow student carolos maher fayez supported revolution say islamic parties cant make country worse already mubarak say want equal rights muslims christine carlos faith fellow egyptians lot muslim egyptians liberals friends school 250 muslims 6 christians living sleeping eating together playing together till today best friends college fayez said live normal life colleagues friends killing time see said habib situation isnt dark even among christians find people extremes people adel iskander abdullah owns shop george gerges works coptic cairo disagrees wonders army control islamists parliament christians fit new egypt love muslims asked heard talking justice talking following islamic law dont see justice justice justice islamic law 2540 christian role name calling wrong freedom justice party theres freedom justice blocks away merchants opened shops outdoor mall mixed christian muslim owned stores although 40 percent closed past year lack tourists hamdi badr works one shop sells tin lanterns artisanal gifts 22 year old protested tahrir square last winter badr said islam obliges muslims protect christians egyptian government make laws curtailing rights government cant force cant force us anything dont want people voice said go make christians wear hijab go protest religion doesnt say even badrs pledge come across patronizing christians wonder dependent individuals coming defense nearby shop christian woman sums succinctly dont want christianity islam anything law keep religion politics give us equal rights
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<p>CAIRO — In the brief afterglow of the Jan. 25 revolution of 2011, any association with the former regime of Hosni Mubarak was considered a black mark. But the overthrow of the man who had ruled Egypt for 30 years failed to rid the country of much of his clique, the business associates and higher-ups of the now-dissolved National Democratic Party. Their continued presence in political life led them to be labelled "felool" —&#160;meaning "remnant."&#160;</p>
<p>The new reign of President Abdel-Fatah al-Sisi has ushered in what many believe is a new golden age for the felool. The networks of business interests and political cliques can once again operate openly, without fear of reprisal from the public, or even the government. This was confirmed Monday when it was announced that Gamal and Alaa Mubarak, the sons of the former leader, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/27/world/middleeast/mubaraks-sons-are-released-from-jail-in-egypt.html?_r=0" type="external">had been released from prison</a>&#160;to await retrial on corruption charges.</p>
<p>The brothers' release immediately followed&#160; <a href="http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/121360/Egypt/Politics-/-died-at-protests-on-Egypt-revolution-anniversary.aspx" type="external">the deaths of 23 protesters</a> as they commemorated the anniversary of the revolution this Jan. 25, a reminder that the new regime is more than ready to flex its muscles to preserve power.&#160;</p>
<p>In the four years since Egyptians first took to the streets, the term felool has expanded to encompass anyone who supports the policies of <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/egypt/130915/reporting-egypt-crisis" type="external">the military-led government</a>, including a small section who fetishize a return to the era of former leader Hosni Mubarak.</p>
<p>"The term felool became so broad that I became proud to be felool, proud to be against what was happening: if this is what felool means, then screw the alternative," said Adam Mowafi, a 28-year-old CFO with the M04 creative agency.</p>
<p>Mowafi’s office on the 23rd floor of a Giza high-rise is filled with white leather sofas and glass-topped desks. One room has a panoramic view, where Mowafi and his 50 employees can look down over the tops of the tallest buildings in Zamalek, the affluent central Cairo neighborhood.</p>
<p>While felool is typically used to mean the older generation who were resistant to the demands of the revolution, Mowafi represents a slice of society who were the same age as the young demonstrators who filled Tahrir Square, but who have come to realize they favor the regime's way of doing business.&#160;</p>
<p>Sisi reclaimed Egypt for the military regime by capitalizing on massive street demonstrations in June 30, 2013 against former president Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood. Sisi took power and arrested Morsi in an undisclosed location, carrying out what many observers termed to be a military coup. The army then brutally suppressed pro-Morsi demonstrations, notably at Raba’a al Adawiya Square in August 2013.&#160;</p>
<p>President Sisi later called for elections, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/28/egypt-election-extension-credibility-democracy" type="external">in which he won 97 percent of the vote</a>. The election was brought into question by international observers, who were concerned about extending the presidential run-off. Observers from <a href="http://democracyinternational.com/sites/default/files/Egypt%20Presidential%20Election%20Observation%20Report%20%28ES%29%20-%20for%20web.pdf" type="external">Democracy International</a> also later stated that they had “limited access to some polling places.</p>
<p>The upcoming parliamentary election has been presented as the next pivotal phase in Egypt’s modern history. Some observers believe the parliamentary election could end up showcasing a range of new voices and faces, as the supporters of the new electoral system have espoused. Others believe the election is simply an opportunity to rubber-stamp Egypt as being on a path to democracy.</p>
<p>But critics point out that even if most of the faces are new, their beliefs look like a return to ideas that prevailed before January 2011.&#160;</p>
<p>"I feel part of a band of people who love Egypt, love equality and love rights. But we also understand the importance of work," Mowafi says.&#160;"The word felool was why June 30 happened.&#160;When people talk about binaries, they forget that the revolutionaries created that binary themselves — if you're not with us, you support the police crackdown."</p>
<p>Mowafi speaks English with an accent that belies the expensive British education he had before returning to Egypt six years ago to start his business. He is proud of having weathered what he sees as three years of economic turbulence after the revolution, and now has high hopes that the forthcoming parliamentary election will aid what he believes is a simultaneous weakening of corruption and a strengthening of business under Sisi.&#160;</p>
<p>"We understand the advantage of having an army man in charge. Roads and bridges need to be repaired. There are things he's done, like subsidy reform, which would have taken the Muslim Brotherhood or the liberals 10 to 15 years," says Mowafi. "There are advantages to authoritarian tendencies when you understand the reason behind them."</p>
<p>The first round of parliamentary elections is due to kick off on March 21 after a series of delays. Mowafi says he doesn't yet know who he'll vote for, but that "like any voter", he's looking for practical promises that will help grow business, and not ideology. He credits the changes that have happened after June 30, 2013, when former president Morsi was ousted, with having created an environment that is now "open for business."</p>
<p>He is pleased that companies like Samsung and Coca-Cola are now looking to do business in Egypt, and believes that a growing economy better answers the needs of the common man.</p>
<p>"Everyone going into Tahrir Square to protest every little thing hurt a lot of people, the people the revolutionaries claimed to be helping," he says.&#160;"Jan 25. was essentially a revolution about bread — the right to work."</p>
<p>New System, New Faces, Same Policies</p>
<p>In one sense, there is plenty of choice for Egyptians when it comes to choosing who to vote into parliament. The past 18 months have witnessed an explosion of political parties. <a href="http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2013/09/25/constituent-assembly-bans-formation-of-political-parties-on-religious-grounds/" type="external">A ban on religious parties enacted in September 2013</a> means that there is no threat from the Muslim Brotherhood, although the Salafist Nour Party has not been prevented from running in the elections.</p>
<p>Critics of the party like Mowafi say that this is a way of ensuring that the “Salafist bogeyman” is still around to scare voters into handing power to secularist liberal parties.</p>
<p>But a reform of the voting system sets the stage to hand power back to those who were powerful at a micro level under the Mubarak era, relying as it does on individual candidates rather than parties.&#160;</p>
<p>The new voting rules are complex. The system will draw 74 percent of representatives by popular vote, and 21 percent from winner-take-all party lists (meaning that a candidate or list need only to get 51 percent to win a seat or block), plus 5 percent directly appointed by President Sisi.</p>
<p>This has been combined with widespread redistricting, leading many Egyptian political parties <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/06/06/us-egypt-election-idUSKBN0EH16L20140606" type="external">to criticize&#160;the changes</a>, saying they are designed to weaken parties’ influence.&#160;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.ifes.org/Content/Publications/Articles/2014/Electoral-System-Changes-in-Egypt-Spark-Dialogue-on-postRevolution-Future.aspx" type="external">The International Foundation for Electoral Systems agrees</a>, arguing that redrawing the electoral boundaries to include far larger areas means there can be no relationship between a party candidate and their constituency.</p>
<p>Analysts and political parties alike say that this all adds up to a return to power for those who led districts in the Nile Delta region and Upper Egypt under Mubarak, meaning prominent and relatively wealthy local families who either ran as members of the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP), or <a href="http://www.codesria.org/IMG/pdf/2-thabet.pdf" type="external">became NDP members after being elected</a>.</p>
<p>Former NDP members had been banned from running in elections, <a href="http://jurist.org/paperchase/2014/07/egypt-court-overturns-political-participation-ban-on-mubarak-party-members.php" type="external">but a court overturned this ruling in July 2014</a>, meaning 2015 looks to be the year they stage a comeback.&#160;</p>
<p>Adding to this resurgence is a tradition that Egypt's parliament serves as a " <a href="http://www.democracy-reporting.org/files/dri_egypt.pdf" type="external">rubber stamp</a>" to the president's decrees. Thus parliamentarians tend to focus on providing municipal services to those they represent rather than being a check on the government. This has fostered a political culture that favors the wealthy and connected, who are likely to be better placed to fulfill these demands.&#160;</p>
<p>Analyst Ahmed Morsy, formerly of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Foundation, argues this return to power makes the term "felool" somewhat redundant.</p>
<p>"In a way we are all felool," he laughs "we were all around before the Jan. 25 revolution. Felool is just a term for stigmatizing people," he said.</p>
<p>Morsy argues that understanding the current situation means taking a wider focus beyond the resurgence of former NDP members and Mubarak's clique.</p>
<p>"The Salafist Nour party&#160;Al-Nour stood by Sisi and the regime, so they could be called felool by these standards," he says. "It's not 2011 anymore, the old cadres of the NDP are there, but they're not the most influential on the scene," explains Morsy.&#160;</p>
<p>Morsy uses the example of <a href="http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/3/12/75321/Business/Economy/Egypts-steel-tycoon-Ahmed-Ezz-acquitted-of-monopol.aspx" type="external">Ahmed Ezz</a>, an infamous Mubarak-era steel tycoon who was acquitted of an array of corruption charges in June 2013.</p>
<p>"Technically he's at home working on his business in Monofuiyeh, where he used to run. But now we hear that&#160;he's quietly supporting candidates financially, and could form coalition or group, and that by 2022 after eight years of Sisi he could run [for president] himself," says Morsy.</p>
<p>"But there are now new versions of Ahmed Ezz,&#160;connected to the state one way or another, who are not necessarily always in favor of the every single policy, but they see that survive they have to align themselves with the current regime and leadership," he adds.</p>
<p>The New Grey Area</p>
<p>This growth in new candidates who support old ideas has created a grey area in Egyptian politics.</p>
<p>"We are often punished with the idea that we are a felool party. But I say, show me five names of people who are felool in my party. We haven't more than three," says&#160;Dr. Magdy Morshed, vice president of the Conference Party (also known as the Congress Party).</p>
<p>The pary’s founder is Amr Moussa, a longtime foreign minister under Mubarak and former head of the Arab League. Moussa is also a failed presidential candidate <a href="http://www.thenational.ae/world/middle-east/why-is-el-sisi-egypts-hope-amr-moussa-explains" type="external">who went on to back Sisi</a> and become his political adviser.&#160;</p>
<p>Morshed distinguishes between hardcore felool, who he estimates included up to 500 formerly powerful individuals, and the 3 million rank-and-file members of the NDP.</p>
<p>"To call someone part of the old regime, they really had to have a powerful place in the old regime, not just be a regular member of the NDP," he explained.&#160;</p>
<p>But fundamentally, he says that someone being considered a felool politician shouldn't necessarily be a black mark.&#160;"If someone is a felool but they're honest, not a thief, not stealing the rights of others, there is nothing pending before a judge or in the courts for example, there's no problem for them to continue — this person can continue to practice politics," he argues. The independence of Egypt's judiciary, particularly after Morsi's ouster, has routinely been called into question by groups such as <a href="http://www.hrw.org/world-report/2014/country-chapters/egypt" type="external">Human Rights Watch</a> and <a href="http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/egypt-s-defence-human-rights-record-cynical-and-shameful-2014-11-05" type="external">Amnesty International</a>.&#160;</p>
<p>Morshed argues that there is a diversity of views within his party, and within the six-party Egyptian Hope Coalition. <a href="http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/108236/Egypt/Politics-/Egypts-secular-electoral-blocs-halved-into-two-aft.aspx" type="external">All espouse secular liberal politics</a> and are headed by prominent Egyptian businessmen or longstanding politicians.&#160; &#160; He argues that the political culture has changed in Egypt in a way that will influence the parliament.</p>
<p>"Normal citizens have had a political education these past four years, the mentality of people has completely changed," he says.</p>
<p>Even so, he is more than able to wax lyrical about the advantages of having Sisi as president.&#160;</p>
<p>"Our party, the people hoped the president wouldn't be from the military.&#160;But the presence of someone who actively and clearly touches the desires of the people like Sisi changed the minds of most people to elect a military man. He came to us not as someone from the military but as a kind person," he explains.&#160;"Emotions play a big role in the way that Egyptian people make decisions. In Sisi they saw a kind, caring person who will protect them. When he talks to the people, he talks to their hearts, people want that.&#160;He got 97 percent in an election. That's an abnormal result."</p>
<p>He denies that the role of the coming parliament will be to "rubber stamp" Sisi's decrees or to provide services. &#160;</p>
<p>"Finding agreement inside parliament will be very difficult as there's no majority or ideology — there are more individuals than parties and a two-thirds majority is needed to pass decisions," he says.</p>
<p>Morshed argues that the main job of parliament will be "the problem of translating the constitution into laws and rules. This is a massive job for parliament, including all the decisions that our president took up until now. There are more than 400 to be legalized."&#160;</p>
<p>He agreed that it may be difficult to have genuine debates about the laws given the nature of the parliament. Citing a law that his party would like to change, he named the controversial 2013 Protest Law, saying&#160;"we want to change the law in part, so that you're not forced to ask permission from the police to protest, but just forced to inform them."</p>
<p>What's Left of What's Left</p>
<p>"Democracy is not like instant coffee. You can't prepare and drink it in five minutes," says Khaled Dawoud of the Constitution Party, quoting its leader Mohamed ElBaradei.</p>
<p>Dawoud, the spokesman for the party, is trying to find political space to reflect the values of the Jan. 25 revolution inside the forthcoming parliament.&#160;</p>
<p>Still, he has lost what he dismisses as his own idealism that took place around the time of the revolution, as well as the ouster of Morsi, in which he also participated.&#160;</p>
<p>"There's no intention to change the state institutions," he says.&#160;"When we propose to restructure the Interior Ministry to focus on human rights, it's seen as a threat to the state."</p>
<p>The Constitution Party, with its support base firmly with those who took to Tahrir Square in 2011, is split over whether participating in elections is wise in the current political climate. The debate has peaked with a series of votes, none yet conclusive, which began on Jan. 18.&#160;</p>
<p>Dawoud thinks they should participate. "To have a definite banner, a voice in parliament to speak the values of January 25th, is better than staying outside "If we don't take part, we'll be marginalized.&#160;I fear for our existence, so we have to take part."&#160;</p>
<p>Even so, he is highly critical of the new electoral system. He describes the current state of Egyptian politics as one where he feels he has a giant "X" on his head each time he gives a public appearance. He recently appeared on a cable TV channel, to be greeted by the news that someone had opened a court case against him.&#160;</p>
<p>"We don't have an NDP now, but it's coming," he says, citing the example of Sisi's economic adviser and <a href="http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/120736/Egypt/Politics-/Egyptian-political-parties-seeking-electoral-conse.aspx" type="external">former Prime Minister Kamel El-Ganzouri's ongoing efforts to create a single list of non-Islamist candidates</a>. "They're tailoring the election to create public support for Sisi, as it's treason not to support Sisi. The old state machinery is trying to make a pharaoh out of him whereby he's the only one capable of doing stuff."</p>
<p>As the machinery of elections slowly grinds into gear, many of the people who went out into Tahrir four years ago say they are looking at a bleak future, whatever the outcome. <a href="http://www.pewglobal.org/2014/05/22/one-year-after-morsis-ouster-divides-persist-on-el-sisi-muslim-brotherhood/" type="external">Opinion polls show</a> that slogans about stability, security and the economy are winning out — ones that the current regime have positioned in opposition to democracy and human rights.&#160;</p>
<p>Dawoud sums up a widespread cynicism in Egypt these days, saying "I'm negative about the current prospects for democracy.” &#160;</p>
<p>Support for this project was provided by The Correspondents Fund with additional funding from the Stabile Center for Investigative Journalism at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in New York. The reporting fellowship is dedicated to the spirit of late colleagues Anthony Shadid, Marie Colvin and James Foley who all dedicated themselves to on-the-ground reporting to tell the stories of the people caught in the tumult and conflict of the Middle East.</p>
<p>Editor's note: This story has been updated with the increased death toll of Jan. 25 protesters and news of the release of Gamal and Alaa Mubarak.</p>
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cairo brief afterglow jan 25 revolution 2011 association former regime hosni mubarak considered black mark overthrow man ruled egypt 30 years failed rid country much clique business associates higherups nowdissolved national democratic party continued presence political life led labelled felool 160meaning remnant160 new reign president abdelfatah alsisi ushered many believe new golden age felool networks business interests political cliques operate openly without fear reprisal public even government confirmed monday announced gamal alaa mubarak sons former leader released prison160to await retrial corruption charges brothers release immediately followed160 deaths 23 protesters commemorated anniversary revolution jan 25 reminder new regime ready flex muscles preserve power160 four years since egyptians first took streets term felool expanded encompass anyone supports policies militaryled government including small section fetishize return era former leader hosni mubarak term felool became broad became proud felool proud happening felool means screw alternative said adam mowafi 28yearold cfo m04 creative agency mowafis office 23rd floor giza highrise filled white leather sofas glasstopped desks one room panoramic view mowafi 50 employees look tops tallest buildings zamalek affluent central cairo neighborhood felool typically used mean older generation resistant demands revolution mowafi represents slice society age young demonstrators filled tahrir square come realize favor regimes way business160 sisi reclaimed egypt military regime capitalizing massive street demonstrations june 30 2013 former president mohamed morsi muslim brotherhood sisi took power arrested morsi undisclosed location carrying many observers termed military coup army brutally suppressed promorsi demonstrations notably rabaa al adawiya square august 2013160 president sisi later called elections 97 percent vote election brought question international observers concerned extending presidential runoff observers democracy international also later stated limited access polling places upcoming parliamentary election presented next pivotal phase egypts modern history observers believe parliamentary election could end showcasing range new voices faces supporters new electoral system espoused others believe election simply opportunity rubberstamp egypt path democracy critics point even faces new beliefs look like return ideas prevailed january 2011160 feel part band people love egypt love equality love rights also understand importance work mowafi says160the word felool june 30 happened160when people talk binaries forget revolutionaries created binary youre us support police crackdown mowafi speaks english accent belies expensive british education returning egypt six years ago start business proud weathered sees three years economic turbulence revolution high hopes forthcoming parliamentary election aid believes simultaneous weakening corruption strengthening business sisi160 understand advantage army man charge roads bridges need repaired things hes done like subsidy reform would taken muslim brotherhood liberals 10 15 years says mowafi advantages authoritarian tendencies understand reason behind first round parliamentary elections due kick march 21 series delays mowafi says doesnt yet know hell vote like voter hes looking practical promises help grow business ideology credits changes happened june 30 2013 former president morsi ousted created environment open business pleased companies like samsung cocacola looking business egypt believes growing economy better answers needs common man everyone going tahrir square protest every little thing hurt lot people people revolutionaries claimed helping says160jan 25 essentially revolution bread right work new system new faces policies one sense plenty choice egyptians comes choosing vote parliament past 18 months witnessed explosion political parties ban religious parties enacted september 2013 means threat muslim brotherhood although salafist nour party prevented running elections critics party like mowafi say way ensuring salafist bogeyman still around scare voters handing power secularist liberal parties reform voting system sets stage hand power back powerful micro level mubarak era relying individual candidates rather parties160 new voting rules complex system draw 74 percent representatives popular vote 21 percent winnertakeall party lists meaning candidate list need get 51 percent win seat block plus 5 percent directly appointed president sisi combined widespread redistricting leading many egyptian political parties criticize160the changes saying designed weaken parties influence160 international foundation electoral systems agrees arguing redrawing electoral boundaries include far larger areas means relationship party candidate constituency analysts political parties alike say adds return power led districts nile delta region upper egypt mubarak meaning prominent relatively wealthy local families either ran members ruling national democratic party ndp became ndp members elected former ndp members banned running elections court overturned ruling july 2014 meaning 2015 looks year stage comeback160 adding resurgence tradition egypts parliament serves rubber stamp presidents decrees thus parliamentarians tend focus providing municipal services represent rather check government fostered political culture favors wealthy connected likely better placed fulfill demands160 analyst ahmed morsy formerly carnegie endowment international peace foundation argues return power makes term felool somewhat redundant way felool laughs around jan 25 revolution felool term stigmatizing people said morsy argues understanding current situation means taking wider focus beyond resurgence former ndp members mubaraks clique salafist nour party160alnour stood sisi regime could called felool standards says 2011 anymore old cadres ndp theyre influential scene explains morsy160 morsy uses example ahmed ezz infamous mubarakera steel tycoon acquitted array corruption charges june 2013 technically hes home working business monofuiyeh used run hear that160hes quietly supporting candidates financially could form coalition group 2022 eight years sisi could run president says morsy new versions ahmed ezz160connected state one way another necessarily always favor every single policy see survive align current regime leadership adds new grey area growth new candidates support old ideas created grey area egyptian politics often punished idea felool party say show five names people felool party havent three says160dr magdy morshed vice president conference party also known congress party parys founder amr moussa longtime foreign minister mubarak former head arab league moussa also failed presidential candidate went back sisi become political adviser160 morshed distinguishes hardcore felool estimates included 500 formerly powerful individuals 3 million rankandfile members ndp call someone part old regime really powerful place old regime regular member ndp explained160 fundamentally says someone considered felool politician shouldnt necessarily black mark160if someone felool theyre honest thief stealing rights others nothing pending judge courts example theres problem continue person continue practice politics argues independence egypts judiciary particularly morsis ouster routinely called question groups human rights watch amnesty international160 morshed argues diversity views within party within sixparty egyptian hope coalition espouse secular liberal politics headed prominent egyptian businessmen longstanding politicians160 160 argues political culture changed egypt way influence parliament normal citizens political education past four years mentality people completely changed says even able wax lyrical advantages sisi president160 party people hoped president wouldnt military160but presence someone actively clearly touches desires people like sisi changed minds people elect military man came us someone military kind person explains160emotions play big role way egyptian people make decisions sisi saw kind caring person protect talks people talks hearts people want that160he got 97 percent election thats abnormal result denies role coming parliament rubber stamp sisis decrees provide services 160 finding agreement inside parliament difficult theres majority ideology individuals parties twothirds majority needed pass decisions says morshed argues main job parliament problem translating constitution laws rules massive job parliament including decisions president took 400 legalized160 agreed may difficult genuine debates laws given nature parliament citing law party would like change named controversial 2013 protest law saying160we want change law part youre forced ask permission police protest forced inform whats left whats left democracy like instant coffee cant prepare drink five minutes says khaled dawoud constitution party quoting leader mohamed elbaradei dawoud spokesman party trying find political space reflect values jan 25 revolution inside forthcoming parliament160 still lost dismisses idealism took place around time revolution well ouster morsi also participated160 theres intention change state institutions says160when propose restructure interior ministry focus human rights seen threat state constitution party support base firmly took tahrir square 2011 split whether participating elections wise current political climate debate peaked series votes none yet conclusive began jan 18160 dawoud thinks participate definite banner voice parliament speak values january 25th better staying outside dont take part well marginalized160i fear existence take part160 even highly critical new electoral system describes current state egyptian politics one feels giant x head time gives public appearance recently appeared cable tv channel greeted news someone opened court case him160 dont ndp coming says citing example sisis economic adviser former prime minister kamel elganzouris ongoing efforts create single list nonislamist candidates theyre tailoring election create public support sisi treason support sisi old state machinery trying make pharaoh whereby hes one capable stuff machinery elections slowly grinds gear many people went tahrir four years ago say looking bleak future whatever outcome opinion polls show slogans stability security economy winning ones current regime positioned opposition democracy human rights160 dawoud sums widespread cynicism egypt days saying im negative current prospects democracy 160 support project provided correspondents fund additional funding stabile center investigative journalism columbia university graduate school journalism new york reporting fellowship dedicated spirit late colleagues anthony shadid marie colvin james foley dedicated ontheground reporting tell stories people caught tumult conflict middle east editors note story updated increased death toll jan 25 protesters news release gamal alaa mubarak
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<p>Thirteen-year-old Ibnul Islam isn't spending his summer at camp or playing video games. Three days a week, he sits in a small class at <a href="http://www.khanstutorial.com/" type="external">Khan's Tutorial</a> in Jackson Heights, Queens, going over algebra equations and logic questions. Once he's home, he said, "three to four hours consists of doing SHSAT prep."</p>
<p>SHSAT is an acronym for the <a href="http://schools.nyc.gov/Accountability/resources/testing/SHSAT.htm" type="external">Specialized High Schools Admissions Test</a>. It's given to eighth graders in October and determines who will get into New York City's eight most competitive schools, which include <a href="http://data.schoolbook.org/school/113-stuyvesant-high-school/" type="external">Stuyvesant</a> and <a href="http://data.schoolbook.org/school/536-bronx-high-school-of-science/" type="external">Bronx High School of Science</a> — considered the Ivy League of public high schools.</p>
<p>Almost all of the kids at Khan's are Bangladeshi American. Like other Asian immigrants, they know tutoring can make a huge difference in passing the test. This helps explain why Asians now make up more than half of the students admitted to specialized high schools this year, even though they account for just 15 percent of the city's public school students.</p>
<p />
<p>Isaak Liptzin</p>
<p>Ivan Khan, whose father started Khan's Tutorial 21 years ago while working as a high school teacher, said Bangladeshis are among the fastest-growing immigrant groups in New York and their "very robust and dynamic media and press" help spread the word about the importance of tutoring for the SHSAT. His company places full-page ads in Bangladeshi newspapers with the smiling faces of students accepted to the schools.</p>
<p>Khan's now has 10 tutoring centers in neighborhoods throughout the city, mostly in areas with large South Asian immigrant communities. Bangladeshis are following the same path set by Chinese and Korean immigrants, who have opened their own tutoring companies throughout Brooklyn and Queens. Lulu Zhou, whose family started the <a href="http://www.aplusnewyork.com/" type="external">A+ Academy</a> more than 20 years ago, said demand is high in these communities because of a long tradition of tutoring. "They come from a culture where this is the norm," she explained. "They come from a culture where this is something that everybody goes to."</p>
<p>Schools in China, Korea and Japan are so competitive that Asia represents the fastest-growing market for private tutoring, according to a <a href="http://www.strategyr.com/pressMCP-1597.asp" type="external">2014 industry analysis</a>.</p>
<p>But while Asians make up the majority of kids attending the elite high schools, blacks and Latinos are barely visible — just 12 percent of those admitted this year, even though they make up 68 percent of public school students. That skewed figure has led to a big debate about whether the city should continue relying on a single test to determine admissions, with Mayor Bill de Blasio proposing <a href="http://www.wnyc.org/story/debate-about-specialized-high-schools-test-flares-during-application-season/" type="external">other factors</a>, including grades and attendance.</p>
<p>Those involved in the tutoring business believe the deck is stacked because too many smart kids don't even know about the importance of test prep.</p>
<p>While certain Asian immigrants have created a pipeline of tutoring centers, educators say black and Latino students often don’t have the same networks in their communities. "I think there’s a belief in the cultures and different cultures that the school system will provide everything that the kids need to be successful," said Sam Adewumi, a graduate of <a href="http://data.schoolbook.org/school/682-brooklyn-technical-high-school/" type="external">Brooklyn Tech</a>, one of the elite public schools. He is also a math teacher there now. Adewumi, 49, was born in Nigeria but grew up in the Bronx.</p>
<p />
<p>Isaak Liptzin</p>
<p>"I think our kids walk in there and get destroyed by that test," he said.</p>
<p>Adewumi started his own business a couple of years ago in Bedford Stuyvesant to prepare underrepresented minority students for the SHSAT. It expanded this summer to include 25 rising eighth-graders, all black and Latino, taking weekday classes in a church basement.</p>
<p>One of the students, Andrew Hall, said he was surprised by algebra and logic questions he’d never seen before. "Based on what I learned in school during the school year, I thought I could use that to take the test," he said. "But from going here I know it’s not just that."</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>. Below, you can take a stab at some of the sample <a href="http://schools.nyc.gov/NR/rdonlyres/441F37BC-FF75-403D-B265-60F3B1F4C84D/0/2016SHSAT_English.pdf" type="external">test questions</a> students might encounter on the SHSAT.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>In this section, arrange each group of sentences to create the best paragraph. The first sentence for each paragraph is given; the remaining five sentences are listed in random order. Choose the order for these five sentences that will create the best paragraph.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>1. In most dictionaries, the first meaning listed for “bluegrass” refers to a bluish-green mass frequently grown in Kentucky; the second meaning usually refers to a type of country music.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>_____ Q. You won’t hear that style at any of the dozens of traditional bluegrass festivals held each year across the United States.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>_____ R. Included among the non-amplified strings will be guitars, banjos, mandolins, and fiddles, but never drums or accordions.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>_____ S. If, on the other hand, either the instruments or the music is non-traditional, the music may be called “newgrass.”</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>_____ T. The traditional rapid-fire bluegrass sound that was Monroe’s trademark is played on non-amplified stringed instruments and features free improvisation.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>_____ U. The connection between those two meanings is a band called the Blue Grass Boys — named in honor of the state of Kentucky — whose leader, Bill Monroe, effectively created this style of music</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Read the information given and choose the best answer to each question. Base your answer only on the information given.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>2. If it is snowing, I cannot ride my bike. If it is dark, I cannot ride my bike.</p>
<p>Based only on the information above, which of the following must be true?</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>A. If I cannot ride my bike, then it must be dark.</p>
<p>B. If I cannot ride my bike, then it must be snowing.</p>
<p>C. I do not have a headlight on my bike.</p>
<p>D. If I ride my bike, then it is not dark or snowing.</p>
<p>E. If it is snowing, then it must be dark.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>3. Most people in the Skydiving Club are not afraid of heights. Everyone in the Skydiving Club makes three parachute jumps a month.</p>
<p>Based only on the information above, which of the following statements must be true.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>F. Skydivers are less afraid of heights than are non-skydivers.</p>
<p>G. A person must make three parachute jumps a month in order to join the Skydiving Club.</p>
<p>H. Some people who are afraid of heights make three parachute jumps a month.</p>
<p>J. Most people who are not afraid of heights are in the Skydiving Club.</p>
<p>K. Every skydiver makes at least one parachute jump a month.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>4. Jack scored a mean of 15 points per game in his first 3 basketball games. In his 4th game, he scored 27 points. What was Jack’s mean score for the 4 games?</p>
<p>A. 15</p>
<p>B. 16</p>
<p>C. 17</p>
<p>D. 18</p>
<p>E. 21</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>5. 1 sind = 5.6 ricks</p>
<p>1 sind = 12.88 dalts</p>
<p>Using the conversions above, how many dalts are equivalent to 1 rick?</p>
<p>F. 0.43 dalts</p>
<p>G. 2.3 dalts</p>
<p>H. 7.28 dalts</p>
<p>J. 18.48 dalts</p>
<p>K. 72.128 dalts</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>1. UTRSQ - The two definitions of “bluegrass” given in the opening sentence are connected by U, which introduces bluegrass music and its founder, Bill Monroe. The description of Monroe’s traditional bluegrass sound, including its instruments, is in T. R mentions two instruments not in a bluegrass band. A bluegrass band that does not perform traditional music on traditional instruments is mentioned in S ­­–“newgrass” music, a combination of the words “new” and “bluegrass.” “Newgrass” is not heard at traditional bluegrass festivals.</p>
<p>2. D - The problem says that either of two circumstances, snow or darkness, will prevent me from riding my bike. We do not know whether these are the only two circumstances, because the information given does not say so. Therefore, you can rule out Options A and B. Option C is not mentioned, and E incorrectly combines two pieces of information. D is correct. If I ride my bike, then it is not snowing; otherwise I cannot ride my bike. Nor is it dark; if it was, I cannot ride my bike.</p>
<p>3. H - Read each option to determine whether it must be true. Option F is ruled out because the question does not mention non-sky-divers. The question does not state the requirements for joining the Skydiving Club (Option G), only for maintaining membership. Option H is correct; some people who are afraid of heights belong to the Skydiving Club, and these people make three jumps a month. There is no support for Option J, and Option K applies to skydivers in general, not to members of the Skydiving Club.</p>
<p>4. D - Since Jack scored a mean of 15 points per game in each of the first 3 games, he must have earned a total of 45 points for the first three games by definition. Use that information to calculate the mean over the four games: 45+27/4 = 72/4 = 18</p>
<p>5. G - Since 5.6 ricks and 12.88 dalts are both equal to 1 sind, then 5.6 ricks = 12.88 dalts. To calculate the number of dalts (d) in 1 rick, set up a proportion:</p>
<p>5.6/12.88 = 1/d</p>
<p>5.6d = 12.88</p>
<p>d = 2.3</p>
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thirteenyearold ibnul islam isnt spending summer camp playing video games three days week sits small class khans tutorial jackson heights queens going algebra equations logic questions hes home said three four hours consists shsat prep shsat acronym specialized high schools admissions test given eighth graders october determines get new york citys eight competitive schools include stuyvesant bronx high school science considered ivy league public high schools almost kids khans bangladeshi american like asian immigrants know tutoring make huge difference passing test helps explain asians make half students admitted specialized high schools year even though account 15 percent citys public school students isaak liptzin ivan khan whose father started khans tutorial 21 years ago working high school teacher said bangladeshis among fastestgrowing immigrant groups new york robust dynamic media press help spread word importance tutoring shsat company places fullpage ads bangladeshi newspapers smiling faces students accepted schools khans 10 tutoring centers neighborhoods throughout city mostly areas large south asian immigrant communities bangladeshis following path set chinese korean immigrants opened tutoring companies throughout brooklyn queens lulu zhou whose family started academy 20 years ago said demand high communities long tradition tutoring come culture norm explained come culture something everybody goes schools china korea japan competitive asia represents fastestgrowing market private tutoring according 2014 industry analysis asians make majority kids attending elite high schools blacks latinos barely visible 12 percent admitted year even though make 68 percent public school students skewed figure led big debate whether city continue relying single test determine admissions mayor bill de blasio proposing factors including grades attendance involved tutoring business believe deck stacked many smart kids dont even know importance test prep certain asian immigrants created pipeline tutoring centers educators say black latino students often dont networks communities think theres belief cultures different cultures school system provide everything kids need successful said sam adewumi graduate brooklyn tech one elite public schools also math teacher adewumi 49 born nigeria grew bronx isaak liptzin think kids walk get destroyed test said adewumi started business couple years ago bedford stuyvesant prepare underrepresented minority students shsat expanded summer include 25 rising eighthgraders black latino taking weekday classes church basement one students andrew hall said surprised algebra logic questions hed never seen based learned school school year thought could use take test said going know share thoughts ideas facebook global nation exchange twitter globalnation contact us take stab sample test questions students might encounter shsat 160 section arrange group sentences create best paragraph first sentence paragraph given remaining five sentences listed random order choose order five sentences create best paragraph 160 1 dictionaries first meaning listed bluegrass refers bluishgreen mass frequently grown kentucky second meaning usually refers type country music 160 _____ q wont hear style dozens traditional bluegrass festivals held year across united states 160 _____ r included among nonamplified strings guitars banjos mandolins fiddles never drums accordions 160 _____ hand either instruments music nontraditional music may called newgrass 160 _____ traditional rapidfire bluegrass sound monroes trademark played nonamplified stringed instruments features free improvisation 160 _____ u connection two meanings band called blue grass boys named honor state kentucky whose leader bill monroe effectively created style music 160 160 read information given choose best answer question base answer information given 160 2 snowing ride bike dark ride bike based information following must true 160 ride bike must dark b ride bike must snowing c headlight bike ride bike dark snowing e snowing must dark 160 3 people skydiving club afraid heights everyone skydiving club makes three parachute jumps month based information following statements must true 160 f skydivers less afraid heights nonskydivers g person must make three parachute jumps month order join skydiving club h people afraid heights make three parachute jumps month j people afraid heights skydiving club k every skydiver makes least one parachute jump month 160 4 jack scored mean 15 points per game first 3 basketball games 4th game scored 27 points jacks mean score 4 games 15 b 16 c 17 18 e 21 160 5 1 sind 56 ricks 1 sind 1288 dalts using conversions many dalts equivalent 1 rick f 043 dalts g 23 dalts h 728 dalts j 1848 dalts k 72128 dalts 160 160 1 utrsq two definitions bluegrass given opening sentence connected u introduces bluegrass music founder bill monroe description monroes traditional bluegrass sound including instruments r mentions two instruments bluegrass band bluegrass band perform traditional music traditional instruments mentioned newgrass music combination words new bluegrass newgrass heard traditional bluegrass festivals 2 problem says either two circumstances snow darkness prevent riding bike know whether two circumstances information given say therefore rule options b option c mentioned e incorrectly combines two pieces information correct ride bike snowing otherwise ride bike dark ride bike 3 h read option determine whether must true option f ruled question mention nonskydivers question state requirements joining skydiving club option g maintaining membership option h correct people afraid heights belong skydiving club people make three jumps month support option j option k applies skydivers general members skydiving club 4 since jack scored mean 15 points per game first 3 games must earned total 45 points first three games definition use information calculate mean four games 45274 724 18 5 g since 56 ricks 1288 dalts equal 1 sind 56 ricks 1288 dalts calculate number dalts 1 rick set proportion 561288 1d 56d 1288 23
| 895 |
<p>It was just supposed to be a cruise to celebrate 15 years of marriage, see some of the Dominican Republic and even do a little service work, Tony Lankford recalls.</p>
<p>Lankford, senior pastor at First Baptist Church in St. Simons Island, Ga., and his wife, Tiffany, had signed up for the inaugural “impact travel” voyage called <a href="https://www.fathom.org/" type="external">Fathom</a>. They were to spend two days at sea aboard the MV Adonia and the rest of the week in the D.R.</p>
<p>They knew that volunteer work was involved, he says, but didn’t know how much.</p>
<p>“We did not go for some big mission experience,” Lankford adds. “We figured we would go and celebrate our anniversary.”</p>
<p>They did celebrate that anniversary during the late-April&#160;getaway. But the service part of the cruise was much more than they had anticipated.</p>
<p>Tony and Tiffany Lankford stand beside MV Adonia during the Fathom cruise to the Dominican Republic. Tony Lankford, the pastor of First Baptist Church in St. Simons Island, Ga., said the service-oriented cruise changed his outlook on missions. (Photo/Tony Lankford)</p>
<p>“What we didn’t expect was to have such a shaping and formative experience while we were there,” he says. “As a pastor, there is a ton I can learn about what Fathom is doing.”</p>
<p>One thing, Fathom is making global headlines on its current cruise to Cuba. The Adonia, which is a member of the Carnival Corp. fleet, tied up in Havana this week —&#160; <a href="http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/cuba-cruise/fl-cuba-cruise-sails-20160501-story.html" type="external">the first cruise ship to do so in decades</a>.</p>
<p>Online, Fathom said the 704-passenger ship will also make port calls at Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba during the ongoing cruise. In Cuba, passengers are offered cultural immersion&#160;tours that emphasize direct contact with Cubans, the company has said.</p>
<p>Travel that matters</p>
<p>When it isn’t on seven-day cruises to Cuba, Adonia will be on weeklong trips to the Dominican Republic for trips that are more service oriented.</p>
<p>“Join us,” the Fathom website’s <a href="https://www.fathom.org/discover/" type="external">D.R. sign-up page</a> says. “And help us transform the future of families and communities for generations to come.”</p>
<p>The depth of the service work dawned on Lankford when the ship got underway and passengers were treated to a series of videos and courses on topics ranging from Dominican heritage and culture to social norms, customs and language.</p>
<p>There was also a course on growing the next generation of change-makers, he said. Every cabin contained a copy of Aaron Hurst’s book <a href="http://purposeeconomy.com/book/" type="external">The Purpose Economy: How Your Desire for Impact, Personal Growth and Community is Changing the World</a>.</p>
<p>“Fathom did a great job of education,” Lankford says. “I felt introduced to the people I was going to meet … you really got a sense of who they are.”</p>
<p>The education continued once the passengers went ashore.</p>
<p>They were treated to a range of volunteer activities to choose from. They could tutor students in English and teach it to adults. They could help under-employed and unemployed residents with entrepreneurial projects. They could work in reforestation and environmental education. They could help provide clean water access —&#160;and more.</p>
<p>“You can choose up to six activities or just do one,” Lankford says.</p>
<p>That was for the entire five days ashore. At night, they dined and slept aboard the ship.</p>
<p>Fostering impact</p>
<p>The Fathom concept originated with customers, says&#160;Ted Howes, the cruise brand’s director of product and experience.</p>
<p>“This is actually what the market was asking for —&#160;people are looking to have impact when they travel.”</p>
<p>More research revealed that younger generations of travelers not only want to make a difference when they travel, but throughout their lives, he adds.</p>
<p>That revelation inspired Fathom to provide the education and training passengers need to be of service not only for an ongoing cruise, but throughout their lives.</p>
<p>Tony Lankford tutors a student in the Dominican Republic during the Fathom cruise in late April. Lankford is a Baptist pastor who said he has been inspired by the week-long volunteer trip to the island nation. (Photo/courtesy of Tony Lankford)</p>
<p>Passengers also learn time-management and storytelling ”&#160;abilities that will aid in future service work.</p>
<p>“So the trip doesn’t end when you come back from the D.R.,” Howes says.</p>
<p>While the Fathom cruises are not operated from a religious standpoint, Howes says&#160;they are designed so that people of faith can bring their spirituality to the table if desired.</p>
<p>Likewise, those with no faith background also feel comfortable on the cruises.</p>
<p>“We are trying to create a community of travelers who work alongside locals to have impact and foster further impact.”</p>
<p>Consumers vs. producers</p>
<p>Participating in volunteer work outside of a Christian context turned out to be a game-changer, Lankford says.</p>
<p>“We worked alongside people of all kinds of faith understandings — and of no faith understanding. We worked with young and old, black and white and gay and straight.”</p>
<p>The projects were especially meaningful, he says, because he was free to make it about being Christ.</p>
<p>“For my wife and I, being Christian in a diversity of people was tremendously inspiring and it became a Christian mission … for us in ways we didn’t expect.”</p>
<p>Lankford has been inspired to further study and emulate, where he can, the Fathom model of channeling the growing desire of young people to serve.</p>
<p>The cruise was a reminder to stop conceiving of potential church members as consumers and designing services and ministries for their consumption, Lankford says. Instead, the focus of the church needs to be on people as producers who want to put their talents to use for others.</p>
<p>It’s the kind of model that other research and experience has shown is&#160;already helping churches find their niche in society.</p>
<p>“The church should not cater to consumers … but to their desire to produce —&#160;and Fathom has done that,” he says.</p>
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supposed cruise celebrate 15 years marriage see dominican republic even little service work tony lankford recalls lankford senior pastor first baptist church st simons island ga wife tiffany signed inaugural impact travel voyage called fathom spend two days sea aboard mv adonia rest week dr knew volunteer work involved says didnt know much go big mission experience lankford adds figured would go celebrate anniversary celebrate anniversary lateapril160getaway service part cruise much anticipated tony tiffany lankford stand beside mv adonia fathom cruise dominican republic tony lankford pastor first baptist church st simons island ga said serviceoriented cruise changed outlook missions phototony lankford didnt expect shaping formative experience says pastor ton learn fathom one thing fathom making global headlines current cruise cuba adonia member carnival corp fleet tied havana week 160 first cruise ship decades online fathom said 704passenger ship also make port calls cienfuegos santiago de cuba ongoing cruise cuba passengers offered cultural immersion160tours emphasize direct contact cubans company said travel matters isnt sevenday cruises cuba adonia weeklong trips dominican republic trips service oriented join us fathom websites dr signup page says help us transform future families communities generations come depth service work dawned lankford ship got underway passengers treated series videos courses topics ranging dominican heritage culture social norms customs language also course growing next generation changemakers said every cabin contained copy aaron hursts book purpose economy desire impact personal growth community changing world fathom great job education lankford says felt introduced people going meet really got sense education continued passengers went ashore treated range volunteer activities choose could tutor students english teach adults could help underemployed unemployed residents entrepreneurial projects could work reforestation environmental education could help provide clean water access 160and choose six activities one lankford says entire five days ashore night dined slept aboard ship fostering impact fathom concept originated customers says160ted howes cruise brands director product experience actually market asking 160people looking impact travel research revealed younger generations travelers want make difference travel throughout lives adds revelation inspired fathom provide education training passengers need service ongoing cruise throughout lives tony lankford tutors student dominican republic fathom cruise late april lankford baptist pastor said inspired weeklong volunteer trip island nation photocourtesy tony lankford passengers also learn timemanagement storytelling 160abilities aid future service work trip doesnt end come back dr howes says fathom cruises operated religious standpoint howes says160they designed people faith bring spirituality table desired likewise faith background also feel comfortable cruises trying create community travelers work alongside locals impact foster impact consumers vs producers participating volunteer work outside christian context turned gamechanger lankford says worked alongside people kinds faith understandings faith understanding worked young old black white gay straight projects especially meaningful says free make christ wife christian diversity people tremendously inspiring became christian mission us ways didnt expect lankford inspired study emulate fathom model channeling growing desire young people serve cruise reminder stop conceiving potential church members consumers designing services ministries consumption lankford says instead focus church needs people producers want put talents use others kind model research experience shown is160already helping churches find niche society church cater consumers desire produce 160and fathom done says
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<p>President Trump speaks before the United Nations General Assembly. (Screenshot via CSPAN)</p>
<p>President Trump is receiving predictably bad reviews from LGBT foreign policy experts for remarks he made Tuesday before the United Nations in which he denounced “rogue nations” for bad behavior, taunted “loser terrorists” and threatened to “totally destroy” North Korea.</p>
<p>In his first address before the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Trump said respecting national sovereignty was paramount to U.S. foreign policy.</p>
<p>“Our success depends on a coalition of strong and independent nations that embrace their sovereignty to promote security, prosperity, and peace for themselves and for the world,” Trump said. “We do not expect diverse countries to share the same cultures, traditions, or even systems of government. But we do expect all nations to uphold these two core sovereign duties: To respect the interests of their own people and the rights of every other sovereign nation. This is the beautiful vision of this institution, and this is foundation for cooperation and success.”</p>
<p>LGBT groups found that emphasis on sovereignty troubling because they appear to fly in the face of a U.S. policy seeking to secure LGBT rights overseas — even if that means demanding sovereign governments make changes to those laws.</p>
<p>Ty Cobb, director of HRC Global, took to Twitter to say Trump’s words about respecting sovereignty and other cultures were just an excuse to ignore anti-LGBT human rights abuses.</p>
<p />
<p>Jessica Stern, executive director of OutRight Action International, said in a statement Trump’s repeated use of the word “sovereignty” in his speech “underscored that his political agenda promotes political isolationism and undermines the global cooperation that protects vulnerable people from natural disasters, corrupt governments, and civil war.”</p>
<p>“As an organization that serves as a watchdog on the U.N., we know that sovereignty is a term loaded with negative meaning,” Stern said. “Sovereignty is often an excuse for states to ignore their obligation to protect the human rights of individuals, especially those that are most marginalized and vulnerable.”</p>
<p>Also raising eyebrows was Trump’s use of the word “reform” in his United Nations speech as he reminded the international body the United States is responsible for 22 percent of its funding. (According to <a href="http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2017/sep/19/fact-checking-donald-trumps-speech-un/" type="external">Politifact</a>, that’s actually an understatement from Trump because many U.S. agencies support the U.N. outside the regular budget, including about $2.2 billion a year toward peacekeeping activities.)</p>
<p>“We also thank the Secretary General for recognizing that the United Nations must reform if it is to be an effective partner in confronting threats to sovereignty, security, and prosperity.” Trump said. “Too often the focus of this organization has not been on results, but on bureaucracy and process.</p>
<p>Stern said Trump’s use of the word “reform” in his speech is in fact “code for stripping the human rights system of much-needed resources.”</p>
<p>“We believe the only reform that is truly needed puts LGBTIQ people and all vulnerable groups at the center of U.N. governance, human rights, and programs,” Stern said. “The reform and resources we need would elevate the rights of the world’s most marginalized, open space for meaningful civil society participation, and invest in climate justice.”</p>
<p>Trump, who has issued a travel ban placing America’s refugee program on hold, also outlined a plan during his speech in which the United States would seek to repatriate refugees coming to its shores, saying that policy is better for both countries where people are fleeing and countries accepting the migrants.</p>
<p>“We have learned that, over the long term, uncontrolled migration is deeply unfair to both the sending and the receiving countries,” Trump said. “For the sending countries, it reduces domestic pressure to pursue needed political and economic reform, and drains them of the human capital necessary to motivate and implement those reforms. For the receiving countries, the substantial costs of uncontrolled migration are borne overwhelmingly by low-income citizens whose concerns are often ignored by both media and government.”</p>
<p>Eleanor Acer, director of refuge protections for the pro-LGBT Human Rights First, said in a statement the refugee policy Trump proposes is “a false and shortsighted choice.”</p>
<p>“The United States cannot simply write a check; it must provide actual leadership,” Acer said. “We must make clear to the countries that continue to host the overwhelming majority of the world’s refugees that the United States truly stands with them. We must demonstrate this commitment by helping to host at least a small portion of the millions of refugees in the world who desperately need resettlement. By abdicating this leadership, the United States contributes to global instability, leaves allies in the lurch, and ultimately thwarts U.S. interests.”</p>
<p>Although Trump said for the cost of resettling one refugee, the United States can assist more than 10 in their home countries, Acer said that figure is false and based on a now disputed study.</p>
<p>On the day before the speech, <a href="https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/09/18/us/politics/refugees-revenue-cost-report-trump.html?smid=tw-nytimes&amp;smtyp=cur&amp;referer=http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/trump-administration-rejects-report-showing-refugees-contributed-net-63-billion-gain-in-last-decade/article/2634847" type="external">The New York Times</a> reported Trump aide Stephen Miller sought to suppress a study from the Department of Health &amp; Human Services that refugees, in fact, contributed $63 billion more in government revenue over the past decade than their cost.</p>
<p>To be fair, among the “rogue nations” Trump denounced during his speech was Iran — a nation that has a record of anti-LGBT human rights abuses and penalizing homosexuality with death. Although Trump didn’t explicitly mention the country’s hostility toward gay people, he did say the country was unfairly treating its own people.</p>
<p>“The Iranian government masks a corrupt dictatorship behind the false guise of a democracy,” Trump said. “It has turned a wealthy country with a rich history and culture into an economically depleted rogue state whose chief exports are violence, bloodshed, and chaos. The longest-suffering victims of Iran’s leaders are, in fact, its own people.”</p>
<p>Mark Bromley, chair of the pro-LGBT international Council for Global Equality, said despite those words Trump came up short in ensuring U.S. commitment to human rights in his address.</p>
<p>“Once again, the president failed to stand firmly for human rights,” Bromley said. “He spoke about our interests, but not in support of the traditional human rights norms that have long centered our country’s foreign policy.”</p>
<p>Other countries Trump denounced during the speech were North Korea for its continued advancement of nuclear weapon technology, Syria for its use of chemical weapons on its own people and Venezuela for abandoning democratic norms.</p>
<p>Ned Price, who worked under the Obama administration at the CIA and the National Security Council, said Trump’s speech “was a uniquely Trumpian address that was as dark and dystopian in places as it was childish and asinine in others,” but that was par for the course for this president.</p>
<p>“So much for the ‘adults’ around Trump acting as a moderating force,” Price said. “Where were they to caution against including schoolyard taunts in a major policy address? What we heard was a foreign policy that surrenders America’s position as the world’s leader, diminishes our credibility and alienates the same countries and institutions that we need to deal with threats like North Korea, terrorism and climate change.”</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Donald Trump</a> <a href="" type="internal">HRC Global</a> <a href="" type="internal">Jessica Stern</a> <a href="" type="internal">Mark Bromley</a> <a href="" type="internal">Ned Price</a> <a href="" type="internal">OutRight Action International</a> <a href="" type="internal">Ty Cobb</a> <a href="" type="internal">United Nations</a></p>
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president trump speaks united nations general assembly screenshot via cspan president trump receiving predictably bad reviews lgbt foreign policy experts remarks made tuesday united nations denounced rogue nations bad behavior taunted loser terrorists threatened totally destroy north korea first address 72nd session united nations general assembly trump said respecting national sovereignty paramount us foreign policy success depends coalition strong independent nations embrace sovereignty promote security prosperity peace world trump said expect diverse countries share cultures traditions even systems government expect nations uphold two core sovereign duties respect interests people rights every sovereign nation beautiful vision institution foundation cooperation success lgbt groups found emphasis sovereignty troubling appear fly face us policy seeking secure lgbt rights overseas even means demanding sovereign governments make changes laws ty cobb director hrc global took twitter say trumps words respecting sovereignty cultures excuse ignore antilgbt human rights abuses jessica stern executive director outright action international said statement trumps repeated use word sovereignty speech underscored political agenda promotes political isolationism undermines global cooperation protects vulnerable people natural disasters corrupt governments civil war organization serves watchdog un know sovereignty term loaded negative meaning stern said sovereignty often excuse states ignore obligation protect human rights individuals especially marginalized vulnerable also raising eyebrows trumps use word reform united nations speech reminded international body united states responsible 22 percent funding according politifact thats actually understatement trump many us agencies support un outside regular budget including 22 billion year toward peacekeeping activities also thank secretary general recognizing united nations must reform effective partner confronting threats sovereignty security prosperity trump said often focus organization results bureaucracy process stern said trumps use word reform speech fact code stripping human rights system muchneeded resources believe reform truly needed puts lgbtiq people vulnerable groups center un governance human rights programs stern said reform resources need would elevate rights worlds marginalized open space meaningful civil society participation invest climate justice trump issued travel ban placing americas refugee program hold also outlined plan speech united states would seek repatriate refugees coming shores saying policy better countries people fleeing countries accepting migrants learned long term uncontrolled migration deeply unfair sending receiving countries trump said sending countries reduces domestic pressure pursue needed political economic reform drains human capital necessary motivate implement reforms receiving countries substantial costs uncontrolled migration borne overwhelmingly lowincome citizens whose concerns often ignored media government eleanor acer director refuge protections prolgbt human rights first said statement refugee policy trump proposes false shortsighted choice united states simply write check must provide actual leadership acer said must make clear countries continue host overwhelming majority worlds refugees united states truly stands must demonstrate commitment helping host least small portion millions refugees world desperately need resettlement abdicating leadership united states contributes global instability leaves allies lurch ultimately thwarts us interests although trump said cost resettling one refugee united states assist 10 home countries acer said figure false based disputed study day speech new york times reported trump aide stephen miller sought suppress study department health amp human services refugees fact contributed 63 billion government revenue past decade cost fair among rogue nations trump denounced speech iran nation record antilgbt human rights abuses penalizing homosexuality death although trump didnt explicitly mention countrys hostility toward gay people say country unfairly treating people iranian government masks corrupt dictatorship behind false guise democracy trump said turned wealthy country rich history culture economically depleted rogue state whose chief exports violence bloodshed chaos longestsuffering victims irans leaders fact people mark bromley chair prolgbt international council global equality said despite words trump came short ensuring us commitment human rights address president failed stand firmly human rights bromley said spoke interests support traditional human rights norms long centered countrys foreign policy countries trump denounced speech north korea continued advancement nuclear weapon technology syria use chemical weapons people venezuela abandoning democratic norms ned price worked obama administration cia national security council said trumps speech uniquely trumpian address dark dystopian places childish asinine others par course president much adults around trump acting moderating force price said caution including schoolyard taunts major policy address heard foreign policy surrenders americas position worlds leader diminishes credibility alienates countries institutions need deal threats like north korea terrorism climate change donald trump hrc global jessica stern mark bromley ned price outright action international ty cobb united nations
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<p>Aerial view of the new MGM National Harbor. (Photo courtesy of MGM)</p>
<p>The showy excitement of Las Vegas can now be experienced minutes away from the Potomac River. The MGM National Harbor (101 MGM National Ave., Oxon Hill, Md.), a $1.4 billion casino and resort from MGM Resorts International, opened on Dec. 8. It will offer luxury hotel services, an extensive casino and retail space, numerous restaurants and a theater showing top-name acts. The Washington Blade was able to get a sneak peek into the project that promises to become a tourist destination and DMV hotspot.</p>
<p>MGM National Harbor broke ground in May 2015 and since then has grown at lightening speed. Walking through the front entrance, guests are greeted with “The Conservatory,” a two-story, 85-foot-high atrium that is 20 percent larger than the atrium at The Bellagio in Vegas. “The Conservatory” features a design comprised of 90,000 flowers by artist Ed Libby. It also is home to the Heritage Art Collection, displaying work from international and local artists, including lesbian artist Margaret Boozer.</p>
<p>Right behind the front lobby desk where many will come to check in hangs a topographical map of the DMV area made with 10,000 pounds of soil from the resort’s construction site by Boozer. Boozer, who works primarily in clay, says the collaboration came about after MGM contacted the Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council for artists to feature on the property. MGM chose her work and Boozer proposed collecting clay from the construction site to create a map.</p>
<p>MGM loved the idea and Boozer was excited to share her love of clay.</p>
<p>“Clay is everywhere; it’s very common. The dirt, the ground that you walk on, you don’t really pay that much attention to it,” Boozer says. “If you take a close look at this clay, it’s beautiful. But as it was on the construction site no one is really paying attention to it. But now that the ground is filled over, this is a way I can show people what’s down there, what’s underneath the ground and that it’s actually really beautiful material.”</p>
<p>Boozer says she is proud of her identity.</p>
<p>“I definitely am happy to be identified as a lesbian artist and have that be known about my work for sure,” she says.</p>
<p>Lesbian artist Margaret Boozer created this map of the area made of clay from the MGM construction site. It stands over the reception area. (Washington Blade photo by Mariah Cooper)</p>
<p>Singer-songwriter Bob Dylan also has his work displayed in an iron gate collage, titled “Portals,” that covers the front of the casino entrance.</p>
<p>The 125,000-square-foot casino features 3,300 slot machines and 124 table games that is filled with all of the lights, dinging sound effects and glitz of a Vegas casino. Those interested in hosting their own parties can have private rooms designed for their specific gambling needs. Staff will include gaming tables or slot machines of the guest’s choice to celebrate a special occasion.</p>
<p>For shoppers, 18,000 square feet of retail await in an area dubbed “The District.” The types of shops are varied and include home decor and menswear. Sarah Jessica Parker will open her first stand-alone boutique, SJP, selling her line of shoes, handbags and little black dresses.</p>
<p>A bite to eat isn’t hard to find with 15 restaurants on site. “National Market” is MGM National Harbor’s version of an upscale food court that has an outdoor terrace area. It includes restaurant options such as Shake Shack, Honey’s Fried Chicken &amp; Donuts, District Deli, Zizi’s Pizza, S’Cream, Starbucks and Pappas Crab Cakes. For guests who want a more formal dining experience there are plenty of celebrity-chef run restaurants.</p>
<p>Marcus Samuelsson’s restaurant will be open 24/7 and offers an array of comfort food. Samuelsson also created the room service menu for guests staying at the hotel. Another choice is Steak House by brother team Bryan and Michael Voltaggio. The restaurant was designed to look like the brothers’ childhood home in Frederick, Md. and diners can have a drink in the library or even eat in the kitchen. Local celebrity chef José Andrés will also open his first seafood restaurant at the resort.</p>
<p>Expected to be a social media favorite is the world’s largest chocolate fountain at bakery and cafe Bellagio Patisserie. The fountain will have 4,000 pounds of white, milk and dark chocolate to make guests salivate.</p>
<p>A 3,000-seat theater offers guests the chance to get up close and personal with some of your favorite acts. MGM National Harbor partnered with Live Nation to book some of the top musicians, including Cher.</p>
<p>Cher will have a mini-residency at MGM National Harbor on March 17, March 19-20, March 23 and March 25-26. She returns for a late summer run on Aug. 31, Sept. 2-3, Sept. 7 and Sept. 9-10. Tickets range from $105-$330.</p>
<p>Boys II Men kicks off the MGM’s concerts on Dec. 15. Bruno Mars, Lionel Ritchie and Kings of Leon are also scheduled to perform in the coming months. Duran Duran will give a New Year’s Eve performance on Dec. 31.</p>
<p>As for the 308-room hotel, room rates start at $300 per night. The price gives guests a “luxury boutique” room with floor-to-ceiling windows. The hotel also includes an outdoor pool, which will open in the summer, and a spa.</p>
<p>The grand opening is expected to draw 30,000 people with parking to be complimentary at first. Valet parking is offered for $25 per 12 hours or $45 per 12-24 hours. While there is no metro close by those who want to explore the resort using public transportation are encouraged to use busses leaving from the closest Metro stations.</p>
<p>The NH2 leaves from the Huntington and King Street stations in Alexandria, Va. and Prince George’s County 35 bus will leave from Southern Avenue station in Hillcrest Heights, Md.</p>
<p>For more information on MGM National Harbor, visit <a href="http://mgmnationalharbor.com" type="external">mgmnationalharbor.com</a>.</p>
<p>A view through the Conservatory at MGM National Harbor. (Washington Blade photo by Mariah Cooper)</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Bellagio Patisserie</a> <a href="" type="internal">Bob Dylan</a> <a href="" type="internal">Boys II Men</a> <a href="" type="internal">Bruno Mars</a> <a href="" type="internal">Bryan Voltaggio</a> <a href="" type="internal">Cher</a> <a href="" type="internal">District Deli</a> <a href="" type="internal">Duran Duran</a> <a href="" type="internal">Frederick</a> <a href="" type="internal">Heritage Art Collection</a> <a href="" type="internal">Honey’s Fried Chicken &amp; Donuts</a> <a href="" type="internal">Kings of Leon</a> <a href="" type="internal">Las Vegas</a> <a href="" type="internal">Lionel Ritchie</a> <a href="" type="internal">Marcus Samuelsson</a> <a href="" type="internal">Margaret Boozer</a> <a href="" type="internal">Maryland</a> <a href="" type="internal">MGM National Harbor</a> <a href="" type="internal">MGM Resorts International</a> <a href="" type="internal">Michael Voltaggio</a> <a href="" type="internal">Oxon Hill</a> <a href="" type="internal">Pappas Crab Cakes</a> <a href="" type="internal">Potomac River</a> <a href="" type="internal">scream</a> <a href="" type="internal">Shake Shack</a> <a href="" type="internal">Starbucks</a> <a href="" type="internal">The Bellagio</a> <a href="" type="internal">The Conservatory</a> <a href="" type="internal">Zizi’s Pizza</a></p>
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aerial view new mgm national harbor photo courtesy mgm showy excitement las vegas experienced minutes away potomac river mgm national harbor 101 mgm national ave oxon hill md 14 billion casino resort mgm resorts international opened dec 8 offer luxury hotel services extensive casino retail space numerous restaurants theater showing topname acts washington blade able get sneak peek project promises become tourist destination dmv hotspot mgm national harbor broke ground may 2015 since grown lightening speed walking front entrance guests greeted conservatory twostory 85foothigh atrium 20 percent larger atrium bellagio vegas conservatory features design comprised 90000 flowers artist ed libby also home heritage art collection displaying work international local artists including lesbian artist margaret boozer right behind front lobby desk many come check hangs topographical map dmv area made 10000 pounds soil resorts construction site boozer boozer works primarily clay says collaboration came mgm contacted prince georges arts humanities council artists feature property mgm chose work boozer proposed collecting clay construction site create map mgm loved idea boozer excited share love clay clay everywhere common dirt ground walk dont really pay much attention boozer says take close look clay beautiful construction site one really paying attention ground filled way show people whats whats underneath ground actually really beautiful material boozer says proud identity definitely happy identified lesbian artist known work sure says lesbian artist margaret boozer created map area made clay mgm construction site stands reception area washington blade photo mariah cooper singersongwriter bob dylan also work displayed iron gate collage titled portals covers front casino entrance 125000squarefoot casino features 3300 slot machines 124 table games filled lights dinging sound effects glitz vegas casino interested hosting parties private rooms designed specific gambling needs staff include gaming tables slot machines guests choice celebrate special occasion shoppers 18000 square feet retail await area dubbed district types shops varied include home decor menswear sarah jessica parker open first standalone boutique sjp selling line shoes handbags little black dresses bite eat isnt hard find 15 restaurants site national market mgm national harbors version upscale food court outdoor terrace area includes restaurant options shake shack honeys fried chicken amp donuts district deli zizis pizza scream starbucks pappas crab cakes guests want formal dining experience plenty celebritychef run restaurants marcus samuelssons restaurant open 247 offers array comfort food samuelsson also created room service menu guests staying hotel another choice steak house brother team bryan michael voltaggio restaurant designed look like brothers childhood home frederick md diners drink library even eat kitchen local celebrity chef josé andrés also open first seafood restaurant resort expected social media favorite worlds largest chocolate fountain bakery cafe bellagio patisserie fountain 4000 pounds white milk dark chocolate make guests salivate 3000seat theater offers guests chance get close personal favorite acts mgm national harbor partnered live nation book top musicians including cher cher miniresidency mgm national harbor march 17 march 1920 march 23 march 2526 returns late summer run aug 31 sept 23 sept 7 sept 910 tickets range 105330 boys ii men kicks mgms concerts dec 15 bruno mars lionel ritchie kings leon also scheduled perform coming months duran duran give new years eve performance dec 31 308room hotel room rates start 300 per night price gives guests luxury boutique room floortoceiling windows hotel also includes outdoor pool open summer spa grand opening expected draw 30000 people parking complimentary first valet parking offered 25 per 12 hours 45 per 1224 hours metro close want explore resort using public transportation encouraged use busses leaving closest metro stations nh2 leaves huntington king street stations alexandria va prince georges county 35 bus leave southern avenue station hillcrest heights md information mgm national harbor visit mgmnationalharborcom view conservatory mgm national harbor washington blade photo mariah cooper bellagio patisserie bob dylan boys ii men bruno mars bryan voltaggio cher district deli duran duran frederick heritage art collection honeys fried chicken amp donuts kings leon las vegas lionel ritchie marcus samuelsson margaret boozer maryland mgm national harbor mgm resorts international michael voltaggio oxon hill pappas crab cakes potomac river scream shake shack starbucks bellagio conservatory zizis pizza
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<p>ATUONA, Hiva Oa, French Polynesia — Nowadays, colonial possessions tend to be islands, the great land masses in Africa and Asia having been given, or having wrested, independence from their rulers in the years following World War II.</p>
<p>In terms of length and breadth, French Polynesia may be the largest colonial possession left on the face of the earth; 2 million square miles spread out over the eastern Pacific, roughly the size of Europe. But in terms of landmass, the 130 islands amount to less than Rhode Island, with a population of less than 300,000.</p>
<p>Elections are coming soon to this self-governing colony; the first round at the end of April and the second round in early May. President Oscar Temaru, if re-elected, will be pushing for independence from France. Earlier, he annoyed Paris by going to the United Nations without French permission to discuss de-colonialization.</p>
<p>As it is, French Polynesia elects its own assembly and its own president, and controls all its affairs except education, justice, defense and foreign affairs. Polynesians also send two members to the French national assembly, one a senator, and can vote for the French president, as well. Although French Polynesians have their own flag, it is the tri-color of France that takes prominence over public buildings.</p>
<p>French Polynesia has sailed against the prevailing French winds before. In World War II this colony opted to back Charles de Gaulle’s Free French and oppose the Vichy government that, following the defeat in 1940, decided to side with the Germans.</p>
<p>After Pearl Harbor, the Americans quickly took advantage of this schism and constructed a military base on Bora Bora, which helped resupply ships and planes headed for Australia and Guadalcanal to the south. Five thousand Americans came to an island with a population of 1000. Four years later they departed, leaving behind 60 children whose descendants live there today.</p>
<p>Not all French Polynesians want independence, however. France provides heavy subsidies, making its Pacific dependencies, French Polynesia and New Caledonia, better off economically than all the Pacific island groups except Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii.</p>
<p>The once tourist-rich islands of Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora, however, are in economic difficulty, and only just now recovering from a dramatic dip in tourism during the Great Recession years.</p>
<p>I saw one of the famous cottages-over-water hotels in the lagoon of Bora Bora abandoned with holes in the thatched roofs opening to the rain. A 2013 guidebook lists the hotels that have been closed since its last edition. Unemployment in all the islands is distressingly high.</p>
<p>Here in the remote Marquesas, people might rather stick with France than opt for independence because they depend so much on French subsidies. Yet the wealth that France once brought to this colony is receding. The considerable French military presence has been greatly reduced, and I am told that today there is only one French warship to patrol this huge expanse of ocean.</p>
<p>Some are hoping that Chinese investment may be the answer to dwindling French largesse. The Chinese consulate in Tahiti is the largest, and the only consulate to have professional diplomats from the home country. All the others are honorary consuls. But some fear that when Chinese investment steps in the Chinese will send in their own workers to construction sites rather than hiring locals.</p>
<p>Whereas Britain long ago granted independence to its Pacific islands, France decided to keep French Polynesia, perhaps because it needed a place for its nuclear testing after Algeria got its independence in 1962.</p>
<p>Nuclear testing caused violent protests in Tahiti, and although the official version is that the testing never harmed anyone, there are enough cases of thyroid cancer to cast doubts among Tahitians. Nuclear tests ended for good in the 1990s, and with them ended much income for local businesses.</p>
<p>America is France’s only colonial rival in terms of Pacific possessions. The US owns many small islands dotted around the world’s largest ocean, including Wake and Midway of World War II fame.</p>
<p>The most important American possessions are Guam, American Samoa and the Northern Marianas. The US gained Guam in the Spanish American War and the Northern Marianas from Japan after World War II. America nearly came to blows with Imperial Germany over Samoa in the late 19th century. An American naval squadron was about to confront the Kaiser’s war ships when a typhoon damaged them both, so an armistice was declared, and eastern Samoa became American peacefully.</p>
<p>The Northern Marianas today enjoy Commonwealth status, along with Puerto Rico. Guam, which is being built up as a major American military base, likes to say it is where “America’s day begins.” Being just on the other side of the International Date Line, Guam can challenge Maine as America’s eastern most point of land.</p>
<p>The word “paradise” has been associated with French Polynesia ever since the great explorer Louis Antoine de Bougainville, arrived in Tahiti in 1797, saying “I thought I was walking in the garden of Eden.” Herman Melville wrote of the Polynesians that “their physical beauty and amiable disposition harmonized completely with the softness of their clime.”</p>
<p>Paul Gauguin, who is buried on a hillside here overlooking the harbor, came in his last years seeking the primitive that he immortalized in colors unfamiliar in the salons of Paris.</p>
<p>I suspect, however, that it was the unconventionality of Polynesian sexual morals that intrigued the early European explorers who had been at sea for months and made these islands a destination for the romantically inclined. It certainly contributed to the most famous mutiny in history when the “Bounty” crew put Capt. Bligh overboard in a small boat and headed back to Tahiti to revisit their Tahitian girl friends.</p>
<p>Missionaries soon put a stop to Polynesia’s free and easy ways before France took possession of these islands in 1842. Today’s sex tourists need look elsewhere.</p>
<p>If Oscar Temaru wins re-election, there will certainly be more talk of complete independence and a new Pacific nation; but, like Alex Salmond in Scotland, Temaru may be a nationalist leader with a constituency not yet ready to take such a big step.</p>
| false | 3 |
atuona hiva oa french polynesia nowadays colonial possessions tend islands great land masses africa asia given wrested independence rulers years following world war ii terms length breadth french polynesia may largest colonial possession left face earth 2 million square miles spread eastern pacific roughly size europe terms landmass 130 islands amount less rhode island population less 300000 elections coming soon selfgoverning colony first round end april second round early may president oscar temaru reelected pushing independence france earlier annoyed paris going united nations without french permission discuss decolonialization french polynesia elects assembly president controls affairs except education justice defense foreign affairs polynesians also send two members french national assembly one senator vote french president well although french polynesians flag tricolor france takes prominence public buildings french polynesia sailed prevailing french winds world war ii colony opted back charles de gaulles free french oppose vichy government following defeat 1940 decided side germans pearl harbor americans quickly took advantage schism constructed military base bora bora helped resupply ships planes headed australia guadalcanal south five thousand americans came island population 1000 four years later departed leaving behind 60 children whose descendants live today french polynesians want independence however france provides heavy subsidies making pacific dependencies french polynesia new caledonia better economically pacific island groups except australia new zealand hawaii touristrich islands tahiti moorea bora bora however economic difficulty recovering dramatic dip tourism great recession years saw one famous cottagesoverwater hotels lagoon bora bora abandoned holes thatched roofs opening rain 2013 guidebook lists hotels closed since last edition unemployment islands distressingly high remote marquesas people might rather stick france opt independence depend much french subsidies yet wealth france brought colony receding considerable french military presence greatly reduced told today one french warship patrol huge expanse ocean hoping chinese investment may answer dwindling french largesse chinese consulate tahiti largest consulate professional diplomats home country others honorary consuls fear chinese investment steps chinese send workers construction sites rather hiring locals whereas britain long ago granted independence pacific islands france decided keep french polynesia perhaps needed place nuclear testing algeria got independence 1962 nuclear testing caused violent protests tahiti although official version testing never harmed anyone enough cases thyroid cancer cast doubts among tahitians nuclear tests ended good 1990s ended much income local businesses america frances colonial rival terms pacific possessions us owns many small islands dotted around worlds largest ocean including wake midway world war ii fame important american possessions guam american samoa northern marianas us gained guam spanish american war northern marianas japan world war ii america nearly came blows imperial germany samoa late 19th century american naval squadron confront kaisers war ships typhoon damaged armistice declared eastern samoa became american peacefully northern marianas today enjoy commonwealth status along puerto rico guam built major american military base likes say americas day begins side international date line guam challenge maine americas eastern point land word paradise associated french polynesia ever since great explorer louis antoine de bougainville arrived tahiti 1797 saying thought walking garden eden herman melville wrote polynesians physical beauty amiable disposition harmonized completely softness clime paul gauguin buried hillside overlooking harbor came last years seeking primitive immortalized colors unfamiliar salons paris suspect however unconventionality polynesian sexual morals intrigued early european explorers sea months made islands destination romantically inclined certainly contributed famous mutiny history bounty crew put capt bligh overboard small boat headed back tahiti revisit tahitian girl friends missionaries soon put stop polynesias free easy ways france took possession islands 1842 todays sex tourists need look elsewhere oscar temaru wins reelection certainly talk complete independence new pacific nation like alex salmond scotland temaru may nationalist leader constituency yet ready take big step
| 608 |
<p>In naming a trusted political ally and local technocrat to take over Chicago Public Schools, Mayor Rahm Emanuel acknowledged that his strategy of bringing in outsider educators with experience managing other school districts was not working.</p>
<p>Instead, Emanuel went back to the leadership structure his predecessor, Richard M. Daley, had &#160;put in place a decade earlier by hiring a non-educator to lead the system. That’s when Daley named his budget director, Paul Vallas, as CEO and his chief of staff, Gery Chico, as board president.</p>
<p>Today, Emanuel opted for his own chief of staff and the former president of the Chicago Transit Authority, Forrest Claypool — who has no experience in education and says his first priority will be “making the system as efficient as it can possibly be.”</p>
<p>“This is a team approach that deals with both building on the educational gains [and] being up front with the fact we now face financial challenges,” Emanuel said at a press conference Thursday announcing the new CPS leadership team.</p>
<p>Claypool takes over from interim CEO and CPS board member Jesse Ruiz, who stepped into the role in April after a federal corruption investigation into then-CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett prompted her departure.</p>
<p>Other changes to CPS leadership include:</p>
<p>The Board of Education is slated to vote on the new district appointments on July 22, though no salary or other contract details have been released.</p>
<p>Jackson says she supports spreading out the responsibility at a time when the district is facing a&#160;growing financial crisis tied to years of unpaid debt.</p>
<p>“A lot of people, I believe, were waiting for Superman and that’s no longer necessary,” she said. “What we have right now are two people with expertise in both domains that were really necessary in order to lead this district.”</p>
<p>‘Mr. Fix It’</p>
<p>Claypool has been described as an ace trouble-shooter and has been applauded — as well as <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-cta-firings-met--20141013-story.html#page=1" type="external">criticized by transit union workers</a> — for major cost-cutting measures during his three-year stint at the CTA. Emanuel had only recently called him away from that gig to serve as his own chief of staff, a position he’d previously held twice under Daley.</p>
<p>The mayor called Claypool “the right person at the right time” to lead the school district, which is struggling to close a $1.1 billion budget deficit and earlier this week gave school-level budgets to principals that counted on $500 million in pension relief from Springfield that has yet to materialize.</p>
<p>While some critics have blasted CPS for releasing a partial budget that isn’t backed by revenue, Claypool defended the decision, which he said helps the district avoid laying off teachers or increasing class sizes unnecessarily. “The budget is designed to give Springfield time to work out a solution,” he said in response to a reporter’s question.</p>
<p>The very fact Claypool was allowed to answer questions both during and after the press conference showed the level of trust Emanuel has in his new CEO — something that was not visible in 2011, when Emanuel presented his first pick for the job: Jean-Claude Brizard. During that press conference, Brizard — an educator and schools administrator whose previous post was at a much smaller school district in upstate New York — read from prepared notes and was whisked away before reporters could ask questions.</p>
<p>Claypool, meanwhile, spoke freely and without notes as he gave some general ideas about how he’d run the school district. He said he plans to look both within Chicago and outside the city for the expert help, and will “follow best practices” to support teachers and principals in schools.</p>
<p>After the meeting, Claypool said he’d maintain Byrd-Bennett’s five-year moratorium on school closures, a public commitment set to expire in fall 2018, and that he doesn’t see any school closings “on the horizon.”</p>
<p>While Claypool made no references to any plans to make additional cuts at CPS, some outsiders seemed worried that he’d attempt to try to find the same efficiencies in CPS as he did in the CTA. Saving money on things like labor or class sizes on the front end can cost more later, one observer warned.</p>
<p>Before the press conference, Claypool had already reached out to Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis and asked for a meeting. “I think we need CTU — despite some of the rhetoric — to be our partners in Springfield. They have the same vested interests as we do” in terms of increasing state aid to schools, he added.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Lewis says that if Claypool was brought in to “fix” CPS, then it ought to be a short-term gig.</p>
<p>“If you’re going to do that, bring him in, fix it, and then let him go and find somebody [else],” said Lewis, who has long advocated for ending the CEO title and hiring a schools superintendent. “Let us not pretend that he’s the real CEO on the education piece. Let’s just know that he’s here to keeps the lights on.”</p>
<p>A ‘visionary thinker’</p>
<p>Jackson has overseen a network of about two dozen South Side schools since last August, but previously she was the first principal at Westinghouse College Prep, helped open Al Raby High School and taught at South Shore High School. By many accounts, she has a reputation as a capable and respected administrator who makes personal connections and helps develop others as leaders.</p>
<p>Murray Language Academy Principal Greg Mason described her as a supportive network chief and a “visionary thinker” who could look at the bigger picture. Jackson encouraged him to go after a two-week fellowship this summer at Columbia University’s Teachers College in New York City.</p>
<p>“She’s good at looking at students, teachers and administrators and at thinking about how the district can support us,” he says.</p>
<p>Though Lewis expressed some concern that Jackson is young and doesn’t have experience working on a broader, citywide level, others say she’s experienced enough to understand the district and what could be done to improve the relationship between schools and central office.</p>
<p>Jackson hinted at her desire to move up the ranks in a 2010 <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2010/04/new-generation/" type="external">interview</a> with Catalyst about principal demographics. A year after becoming Westinghouse’s leader, Jackson was already envisioning herself in other jobs. “I will always be in education, but do I see myself being a principal for 20 or 30 years? No, and I probably shouldn’t be. It’s a very demanding job,” she said.</p>
<p>Mary Ann Pitcher, who co-directs the University of Chicago’s Network for College Success, which works to improve CPS high schools, has worked with Jackson. She says that as a network chief, Jackson managed to maintain the perspective of a principal, keeping her attention on providing support for teaching and learning. The challenge, Pitcher says, will be replicating that on a district level.</p>
<p>“She’s just very clear about what matters most for student outcomes,” Pitcher says. “She’s very direct in a way that’s non-judgmental.”</p>
<p>Carlos Azcoitia, a former CPS board member and principal, says Jackson’s work as a building leader will help prepare her for the bigger job. Principals learn that what happens in the district is driven by what goes on in local schools.</p>
<p>“You’re able to really learn from that experience and develop insight,” he says.</p>
<p>Maintaining continuity</p>
<p>For the last three years, Little has overseen network chiefs and provided them with support. But before that, she was a network chief herself, overseeing elementary schools in the Garfield Park and Humboldt Park areas. She also led Hefferan Elementary in West Garfield Park as principal for 13 years and worked as an elementary school teacher.</p>
<p>While one CPS observer says her “old-school leadership style” can “rub people the wrong way,” Little’s long-term experience also affords her a “ton of credibility” that will likely make her an asset to both Claypool and Jackson.</p>
<p>Claypool says he asked Little to be his senior advisor and that he will “rely heavily on her expertise and judgement.”</p>
<p>“I’ve seen her work firsthand, as has the mayor,” Claypool said. “Many of the gains in the last four years, she’s had her fingerprints on them.”</p>
<p>Little also offers stability and knowledge of the inner workings of central office that a CEO coming from outside CPS and a chief education officer coming from the network level won’t have.</p>
<p>Pitcher, who worked with Little to provide training to network chiefs, says “building relationships is a key attribute for her leadership” and that Little knows how to lead without micromanaging.</p>
<p>She has high hopes that Little and Jackson can “build on what’s working and not just come in and restructure and reorganize… [and] destroy the many good things” happening at CPS.</p>
<p>Vitale out, Clark in</p>
<p>Emanuel wouldn’t answer a question about whether David Vitale’s departure is tied to his vote in favor of a giving a $20 million, no-bid contract to a company tied to Byrd-Bennett that’s now the subject of a federal investigation. Instead, Emanuel said Vitale wanted out so that the new CEO could have a brand-new leader on the board with whom to work.</p>
<p>Vitale did not speak during the press conference. A former banker and CPS chief administrative officer, Vitale had served on the board since 2011.</p>
<p>In his own brief remarks, Clark stressed the need for “cooperation and understanding” on the part of parents, teachers and union leadership — in addition to the General Assembly — as the district works to balance its budget.</p>
<p>“The task before us, while difficult, is not unachievable,” he said. “There is a path to balance the scales and keep the schools financially solvent and do the business we’re about […] the business of education.”</p>
<p>By far, Clark’s appointment to the school board is the most controversial. He retired from a 40-year career at ComEd three years ago after serving as the company’s chair and CEO.</p>
<p>But educators and community activists will know Clark more for his role leading the Commission on School Utilization, a mayoral-appointed group that weighed in on the historic 2013 school closings. The group held community meetings throughout the city, warned against closing high schools and ultimately suggested CPS closer far fewer schools than had been initially proposed.</p>
<p>Still, many had questioned the independence of the commission and its final <a href="https://docs.google.com/a/schoolutilization.com/viewer?a=v&amp;pid=sites&amp;srcid=c2Nob29sdXRpbGl6YXRpb24uY29tfGNvbW1pc3Npb24tb24tc2Nob29sLXV0aWxpemF0aW9ufGd4OjRiNzFjMWEyNGIxZWU0YmU" type="external">report</a>.</p>
<p>Valencia Rias-Winstead, who sat on a separate state task force created to monitor decisions on school facilities in CPS, says that though she had no personal interactions with Clark, she was disappointed with his work on the school closings commission.</p>
<p>“The commission that he headed was less than receptive or inclusive or even willing to look at anything that the task force had done,” Rias-Winstead says. “They could have learned tremendously from our own work.”</p>
<p>When she learned Clark had been named to head the school board, Rias-Winstead says her first thought was, “So he’s just coming to finish up Barbara Byrd-Bennett’s hatchet job? He’ll be here long enough for the sunset of the moratorium on school closings.”</p>
<p>Lewis says she has a “huge problem” with the mayor’s choice of Clark as the new board president, citing his role in the commission and the fact that a Noble charter school, Rowe-Clark Math &amp; Science Academy, is named after him.</p>
<p>“Are you sending us a message?” Lewis asked. “Are we going to be seeing more school closings, more charters?”</p>
| false | 3 |
naming trusted political ally local technocrat take chicago public schools mayor rahm emanuel acknowledged strategy bringing outsider educators experience managing school districts working instead emanuel went back leadership structure predecessor richard daley 160put place decade earlier hiring noneducator lead system thats daley named budget director paul vallas ceo chief staff gery chico board president today emanuel opted chief staff former president chicago transit authority forrest claypool experience education says first priority making system efficient possibly team approach deals building educational gains front fact face financial challenges emanuel said press conference thursday announcing new cps leadership team claypool takes interim ceo cps board member jesse ruiz stepped role april federal corruption investigation thenceo barbara byrdbennett prompted departure changes cps leadership include board education slated vote new district appointments july 22 though salary contract details released jackson says supports spreading responsibility time district facing a160growing financial crisis tied years unpaid debt lot people believe waiting superman thats longer necessary said right two people expertise domains really necessary order lead district mr fix claypool described ace troubleshooter applauded well criticized transit union workers major costcutting measures threeyear stint cta emanuel recently called away gig serve chief staff position hed previously held twice daley mayor called claypool right person right time lead school district struggling close 11 billion budget deficit earlier week gave schoollevel budgets principals counted 500 million pension relief springfield yet materialize critics blasted cps releasing partial budget isnt backed revenue claypool defended decision said helps district avoid laying teachers increasing class sizes unnecessarily budget designed give springfield time work solution said response reporters question fact claypool allowed answer questions press conference showed level trust emanuel new ceo something visible 2011 emanuel presented first pick job jeanclaude brizard press conference brizard educator schools administrator whose previous post much smaller school district upstate new york read prepared notes whisked away reporters could ask questions claypool meanwhile spoke freely without notes gave general ideas hed run school district said plans look within chicago outside city expert help follow best practices support teachers principals schools meeting claypool said hed maintain byrdbennetts fiveyear moratorium school closures public commitment set expire fall 2018 doesnt see school closings horizon claypool made references plans make additional cuts cps outsiders seemed worried hed attempt try find efficiencies cps cta saving money things like labor class sizes front end cost later one observer warned press conference claypool already reached chicago teachers union president karen lewis asked meeting think need ctu despite rhetoric partners springfield vested interests terms increasing state aid schools added meanwhile lewis says claypool brought fix cps ought shortterm gig youre going bring fix let go find somebody else said lewis long advocated ending ceo title hiring schools superintendent let us pretend hes real ceo education piece lets know hes keeps lights visionary thinker jackson overseen network two dozen south side schools since last august previously first principal westinghouse college prep helped open al raby high school taught south shore high school many accounts reputation capable respected administrator makes personal connections helps develop others leaders murray language academy principal greg mason described supportive network chief visionary thinker could look bigger picture jackson encouraged go twoweek fellowship summer columbia universitys teachers college new york city shes good looking students teachers administrators thinking district support us says though lewis expressed concern jackson young doesnt experience working broader citywide level others say shes experienced enough understand district could done improve relationship schools central office jackson hinted desire move ranks 2010 interview catalyst principal demographics year becoming westinghouses leader jackson already envisioning jobs always education see principal 20 30 years probably shouldnt demanding job said mary ann pitcher codirects university chicagos network college success works improve cps high schools worked jackson says network chief jackson managed maintain perspective principal keeping attention providing support teaching learning challenge pitcher says replicating district level shes clear matters student outcomes pitcher says shes direct way thats nonjudgmental carlos azcoitia former cps board member principal says jacksons work building leader help prepare bigger job principals learn happens district driven goes local schools youre able really learn experience develop insight says maintaining continuity last three years little overseen network chiefs provided support network chief overseeing elementary schools garfield park humboldt park areas also led hefferan elementary west garfield park principal 13 years worked elementary school teacher one cps observer says oldschool leadership style rub people wrong way littles longterm experience also affords ton credibility likely make asset claypool jackson claypool says asked little senior advisor rely heavily expertise judgement ive seen work firsthand mayor claypool said many gains last four years shes fingerprints little also offers stability knowledge inner workings central office ceo coming outside cps chief education officer coming network level wont pitcher worked little provide training network chiefs says building relationships key attribute leadership little knows lead without micromanaging high hopes little jackson build whats working come restructure reorganize destroy many good things happening cps vitale clark emanuel wouldnt answer question whether david vitales departure tied vote favor giving 20 million nobid contract company tied byrdbennett thats subject federal investigation instead emanuel said vitale wanted new ceo could brandnew leader board work vitale speak press conference former banker cps chief administrative officer vitale served board since 2011 brief remarks clark stressed need cooperation understanding part parents teachers union leadership addition general assembly district works balance budget task us difficult unachievable said path balance scales keep schools financially solvent business business education far clarks appointment school board controversial retired 40year career comed three years ago serving companys chair ceo educators community activists know clark role leading commission school utilization mayoralappointed group weighed historic 2013 school closings group held community meetings throughout city warned closing high schools ultimately suggested cps closer far fewer schools initially proposed still many questioned independence commission final report valencia riaswinstead sat separate state task force created monitor decisions school facilities cps says though personal interactions clark disappointed work school closings commission commission headed less receptive inclusive even willing look anything task force done riaswinstead says could learned tremendously work learned clark named head school board riaswinstead says first thought hes coming finish barbara byrdbennetts hatchet job hell long enough sunset moratorium school closings lewis says huge problem mayors choice clark new board president citing role commission fact noble charter school roweclark math amp science academy named sending us message lewis asked going seeing school closings charters
| 1,062 |
<p>When Salih Abdullah, 33, decided to move from the United States to Saudi Arabia, he thought he would have refuge from religious discrimination in a “Muslim utopia” abroad. He never imagined that, five years later, he would find himself so disillusioned with that utopia that he would be considering a move back to the US.</p>
<p>Abdullah met me at a cafe in New York City, while he was taking a vacation from his job in Saudi Arabia as an English teacher for the Saudi National Guard. He says he is just one of many African American Muslims to leave the US because of anti-Muslim bigotry and government surveillance in the wake of 9/11. Like him, he says, many of these expatriates have been sorely disappointed to discover even more unequal treatment abroad, often because of the color of their skin.</p>
<p>Abdullah’s parents converted to Islam when they were teenagers in the 1970s, but he did not identify strongly with the religion as a child. Growing up, Abdullah moved from Hartford, Connecticut, to Columbia, Maryland, and then Atlanta, Georgia. Like many other youths, he dabbled in petty crime and mischief as he struggled to find a sense of place and identity.</p>
<p>“That era ended when I realized I did not have the impoverished background where I needed to have this lifestyle,” says Abdullah, who went on to get his GED and attend college.</p>
<p>Abdullah felt like he still needed to find himself, though.</p>
<p>“I was not getting what I needed in college,” he says. He recalls how, in 2003, while attending Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, New York, “a professor humiliated me in front of the class for not knowing from where I ethnically descend.”</p>
<p>So in 2004, when he was 20 years old, Abdullah decided to embrace his faith and make the hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. And instead of returning to the US afterward, he moved to Egypt for several months. It was there, Abdullah says, that his identity as a Muslim began to form and he embraced the Saud-oriented interpretation of Islam called Salafism.</p>
<p>Also: <a href="" type="internal">Islamophobia is on the rise in the US. But so is Islam.</a></p>
<p>Zareena Grewal, a professor of American and religious studies at Yale University, has done ethnographic field research in Egypt, Syria and Jordan, about the influence of transnational Islamic movements on American Muslims. She says that there are communities of African American Muslims studying and forming communities in Muslim-majority countries.</p>
<p>With Islam’s overall emphasis on a global religious community that transcends ethnic and national boundaries, it’s not hard to imagine its appeal to an African American man facing racial and religious discrimination in post-9/11 America. And for the pious, the birthplace of Islam in what is now Saudi Arabia, has an especially powerful draw — especially for Salafis, says Grewal.</p>
<p>Umar Lee, who in 2014 wrote a book about African American converts called “The Rise and Fall of the Salafi Dawah in America,” says that Salafism is more popular among African Americans than it is with white converts like him.</p>
<p />
<p>Salih Abdullah takes a portrait of himself at the Kaaba in Mecca, one of holiest sites for Islam in Saudi Arabia on Aug. 5, 2017.</p>
<p>Courtesy of Salih Abdullah</p>
<p>“In Saudi Arabia, you get Muslims from all over the world, so then you get to see how they interact and treat one another,” says Lee. “And there actually is a hierarchy. And the Saudis … are at the top, you know what I'm saying? And then, you know, blacks are near the bottom."</p>
<p>But Grewal cautions that, while racism certainly exists in Saudi Arabia,“ it's not as simple as anti-black racism in the way that Americans understand it.”</p>
<p>“For example, Oprah Winfrey was the top-rated show in Saudi Arabia for many years, among not just women but also men,” says Grewal. “She’s considered very beautiful in a place like Saudi Arabia. It’s not that there’s this rampant anti-black racism across the board in a simple way. There is, in general, a profound xenophobia against anyone who is not Saudi.”</p>
<p>In the years following 9/11, as Abdullah grew wary of the <a href="" type="internal">heightened scrutiny of Muslims</a>, he says he did not think twice about the intricacies of Saudi racial dynamics: He wanted to be out of the US and was “naively optimistic” about his prospects abroad.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.timesunion.com/tuplus-local/article/Divisive-Albany-terror-case-forged-lasting-bonds-6134889.php" type="external">In 2004, the FBI arrested his imam, Yassin Aref, on suspicion of supporting terrorism</a>. Soon after, Abdullah says, they raided the home of his grandfather for the same reason. Abdullah’s grandfather was not charged with any crime, but Aref was sentenced to 15 years in prison for conspiring to aid a terrorist group and provide support for a weapon of mass destruction. Aref’s supporters maintain he is innocent.</p>
<p>“I know these guys,” says Abdullah. “They're not real threats to the fabric of America, so I'm like, if these guys can get it" — Abdullah pauses before saying the next part — “it's probably likely gonna come on me next.”</p>
<p>“So then right after that they started to basically target everyone else who was close associates of him. So I was in that category,” he says.</p>
<p>“They were right outside my block like every single day," he says. “I fit the profile of a person who could do something. Somebody who's young, between the ages of 20 and 30, educated, has been overseas, and is passionate about Islam. That's the profile."</p>
<p>Salih Abdullah lived in Saudi Arabia, but it put a strain on his marriage. His wife and children lived in Canada while he looked for a new job.</p>
<p>Arthur Nazaryan/PRI</p>
<p>So in 2012, Abdullah packed up and left the US for a new life in Saudi Arabia. His wife, daughter and newborn son joined him a year and a half later. He used to teach English at Green Tech High in Albany, New York, and, by this point, had earned two master's degrees in adolescent education and educational leadership from the College of Saint Rose. So he took a job teaching English again at Saudi Electronic University in Medina, and by 2014 started working as a private educational consultant on the side.</p>
<p>It did not take long before the dream of utopia began to fade. His clients often didn’t take him seriously. “I have two master’s degrees, I’m almost finished my PhD, but they would look at me and they would say [to themselves], ‘Well, you know you’re black though, so how can you really know what you claim you know?’ And a white guy would come along and he’s barely a bachelor’s degree holder and he has the red carpet laid out for him.”</p>
<p>Abdullah says that the dimension of nationality makes it more complicated than just a question of skin color though. While being black certainly put him at a disadvantage relative to white expats, being American put him in a privileged position compared to those from African or South Asian countries.</p>
<p>"Salaries are often dictated by not just the color of your skin but also what passport you have,” says Grewal.</p>
<p>Abdullah felt increasingly uncomfortable living in a society that treats people so unfairly. Bosses would regularly “forget” to sign the paychecks of their employees. Some <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/saudi-arabia-flogs-workers-unpaid-wages-protest-foreign-construction-binladin-group-mecca-a7508621.html" type="external">employees would have their wages withheld</a>, while the employers who sponsored them held onto their passports.</p>
<p>Domestic workers are <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-africa-34121412/kenyan-domestic-workers-abused-in-saudi-arabia" type="external">notoriously mistreated</a> in the kingdom, to the point that Indonesia even <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/06/22/indonesia.migrant.workers/index.html" type="external">once imposed a moratorium</a> on sending workers there. A common term used to refer to black people in Saudi Arabia, which abolished slavery in 1962, is abeed,&#160;meaning “slave.” Abdullah says black people are pointed to and laughed at, even called “monkeys,” while walking in public.</p>
<p>"Not being Saudi means you're inferior. Not being Arab means you're even more inferior. Not being white means you're more inferior,” he said. People with dark skin are “at the bottom of the barrel.”</p>
<p>Some Saudis push back on accusations of societal racism and xenophobia, though. In the major English-language newspaper Saudi Gazette, writer Talal al-Qashqari says that things aren’t nearly as bad as some reports indicate. "It is a fact that despite the presence of thousands of unemployed Saudis in the kingdom, we have not seen any racist behavior or hate crimes in the kingdom like in other parts of the world,” he wrote in a February 2017 article titled <a href="http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/173116/Yes-Saudi-Arabia-is-for-Saudis" type="external">“Yes, Saudi Arabia is for Saudis.”</a> “Foreign workers try to form their own mafias in Saudi companies to monopolize jobs preventing others from getting employed. Naturally, Saudis are also prevented from getting a chance to get employed due to this attitude of expat groups.” Mahmoud Ahmad, a managing editor at the Saudi Gazette, has a different point of view though. In a Jan. 2017 article called <a href="http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/171069/Expatophobia" type="external">“Expatophobia,”</a> he wrote that the “language of racism is not our language. It is against Islam and against humanity to paint a negative picture as a whole of others. Expatriates, who worked with us in our country, deserve our thanks and appreciation.”</p>
<p>Still, Abdullah is convinced that the rigidity of the culture makes it impossible for someone like him to get ahead. After five years in Saudi Arabia, Abdullah counts himself among what he says are many foreign Muslims who have “had a rude awakening” in the kingdom.</p>
<p>"The expectation of being just embraced as a Muslim in the Middle East, by other Muslims, and then encountering racism is a real shock to the system,” says Grewal. “Especially when people are going with this presumption that they're trying to leave the US precisely because they're so sick of the racism in the US. So it's really disorienting."</p>
<p>There aren’t statistics about American Muslims who move to Saudi Arabia. We do not know how many go or why. Albert Cahn, legal director at the Council on American-Islamic Relations New York office, says this is not a phenomenon that has been well tracked or studied, but “we definitely hear these stories.”</p>
<p>Abdullah has conducted interviews with other Muslim expats and began writing an academic research paper for his doctoral program in Global and Comparative Education at Walden University, which he has since put on hold. In an attempt to string together a community out of expats with similar experiences scattered across the country, he created a Facebook group, which had 380 members as of August 25th, 2017.</p>
<p>One of Abdullah’s family friends, Labeebah Sabree, is also an African American Muslim expat working in Saudi Arabia. She says she “left America for religious purposes and once I got [to Saudi Arabia], [I] was confronted with racism and behavior that is totally un-Islamic.” Now she is in a bitter dispute with her employer, whom she has accused of withholding her pay.</p>
<p>Jarrett Jamahl Risher is an African American who converted to Islam and also moved to Saudi Arabia for his faith and to escape anti-Muslim discrimination. He’s an English teacher at Saudi Electronic University, where Abdullah used to work. Risher has had a different experience, though.</p>
<p>“Me being a teacher, teaching English and training, my value is very high, so that's the respect they give you. And I give them respect as well,” he told me on the phone from Saudi Arabia. “I would say, it's 100 times less racist than America.”</p>
<p>Neither Abdullah nor his wife and children wanted to return to Saudi Arabia after vacationing in New York. But Abdullah returned in July; he didn’t find a new job in the US and didn’t want to break his employment contract. It’s a situation that was tough on his marriage.</p>
<p>In the long run, though, Abdullah knows there is no place for him and his family in Saudi Arabia. “There's no long-term prospects of you being acclimated into the culture,” says Abdullah. That’s why, the next month, Abdullah abruptly flew back to the US.</p>
<p>“I came back only because it was almost unbearable for me. Hot, dry, boring, lonely."</p>
<p>He took his last exam to be certified as a school administrator in the US and, within a month of his return, was negotiating to become the principal of an Islamic elementary school in Ottawa, Canada, where his wife and children are currently living. That job didn't pan out, so he's returning Saudi Arabia to finish out his contract, and still searching for a position in the US or Canada.</p>
<p>He still sees major problems with American politics and society, but life in Saudi Arabia seems to have given him a new perspective, so he is open to moving back to the US eventually.</p>
<p>“It's the systems of America where you find different types of oppression but in Saudi, it's the whole culture. It's just the way things are in every level, from institutions to the street, to, you know, pay at your job."</p>
<p>But for now, Abdullah is still moving from place to place, just as he did as a child.</p>
<p>“Sometimes I feel like I'm a man of no land,” he says.</p>
<p>Editor’s note: An earlier version of this piece stated that Salih Abdullah was hired as a principal in a Canadian school. The position actually fell through before he was hired.</p>
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salih abdullah 33 decided move united states saudi arabia thought would refuge religious discrimination muslim utopia abroad never imagined five years later would find disillusioned utopia would considering move back us abdullah met cafe new york city taking vacation job saudi arabia english teacher saudi national guard says one many african american muslims leave us antimuslim bigotry government surveillance wake 911 like says many expatriates sorely disappointed discover even unequal treatment abroad often color skin abdullahs parents converted islam teenagers 1970s identify strongly religion child growing abdullah moved hartford connecticut columbia maryland atlanta georgia like many youths dabbled petty crime mischief struggled find sense place identity era ended realized impoverished background needed lifestyle says abdullah went get ged attend college abdullah felt like still needed find though getting needed college says recalls 2003 attending hudson valley community college troy new york professor humiliated front class knowing ethnically descend 2004 20 years old abdullah decided embrace faith make hajj pilgrimage mecca instead returning us afterward moved egypt several months abdullah says identity muslim began form embraced saudoriented interpretation islam called salafism also islamophobia rise us islam zareena grewal professor american religious studies yale university done ethnographic field research egypt syria jordan influence transnational islamic movements american muslims says communities african american muslims studying forming communities muslimmajority countries islams overall emphasis global religious community transcends ethnic national boundaries hard imagine appeal african american man facing racial religious discrimination post911 america pious birthplace islam saudi arabia especially powerful draw especially salafis says grewal umar lee 2014 wrote book african american converts called rise fall salafi dawah america says salafism popular among african americans white converts like salih abdullah takes portrait kaaba mecca one holiest sites islam saudi arabia aug 5 2017 courtesy salih abdullah saudi arabia get muslims world get see interact treat one another says lee actually hierarchy saudis top know im saying know blacks near bottom grewal cautions racism certainly exists saudi arabia simple antiblack racism way americans understand example oprah winfrey toprated show saudi arabia many years among women also men says grewal shes considered beautiful place like saudi arabia theres rampant antiblack racism across board simple way general profound xenophobia anyone saudi years following 911 abdullah grew wary heightened scrutiny muslims says think twice intricacies saudi racial dynamics wanted us naively optimistic prospects abroad 2004 fbi arrested imam yassin aref suspicion supporting terrorism soon abdullah says raided home grandfather reason abdullahs grandfather charged crime aref sentenced 15 years prison conspiring aid terrorist group provide support weapon mass destruction arefs supporters maintain innocent know guys says abdullah theyre real threats fabric america im like guys get abdullah pauses saying next part probably likely gon na come next right started basically target everyone else close associates category says right outside block like every single day says fit profile person could something somebody whos young ages 20 30 educated overseas passionate islam thats profile salih abdullah lived saudi arabia put strain marriage wife children lived canada looked new job arthur nazaryanpri 2012 abdullah packed left us new life saudi arabia wife daughter newborn son joined year half later used teach english green tech high albany new york point earned two masters degrees adolescent education educational leadership college saint rose took job teaching english saudi electronic university medina 2014 started working private educational consultant side take long dream utopia began fade clients often didnt take seriously two masters degrees im almost finished phd would look would say well know youre black though really know claim know white guy would come along hes barely bachelors degree holder red carpet laid abdullah says dimension nationality makes complicated question skin color though black certainly put disadvantage relative white expats american put privileged position compared african south asian countries salaries often dictated color skin also passport says grewal abdullah felt increasingly uncomfortable living society treats people unfairly bosses would regularly forget sign paychecks employees employees would wages withheld employers sponsored held onto passports domestic workers notoriously mistreated kingdom point indonesia even imposed moratorium sending workers common term used refer black people saudi arabia abolished slavery 1962 abeed160meaning slave abdullah says black people pointed laughed even called monkeys walking public saudi means youre inferior arab means youre even inferior white means youre inferior said people dark skin bottom barrel saudis push back accusations societal racism xenophobia though major englishlanguage newspaper saudi gazette writer talal alqashqari says things arent nearly bad reports indicate fact despite presence thousands unemployed saudis kingdom seen racist behavior hate crimes kingdom like parts world wrote february 2017 article titled yes saudi arabia saudis foreign workers try form mafias saudi companies monopolize jobs preventing others getting employed naturally saudis also prevented getting chance get employed due attitude expat groups mahmoud ahmad managing editor saudi gazette different point view though jan 2017 article called expatophobia wrote language racism language islam humanity paint negative picture whole others expatriates worked us country deserve thanks appreciation still abdullah convinced rigidity culture makes impossible someone like get ahead five years saudi arabia abdullah counts among says many foreign muslims rude awakening kingdom expectation embraced muslim middle east muslims encountering racism real shock system says grewal especially people going presumption theyre trying leave us precisely theyre sick racism us really disorienting arent statistics american muslims move saudi arabia know many go albert cahn legal director council americanislamic relations new york office says phenomenon well tracked studied definitely hear stories abdullah conducted interviews muslim expats began writing academic research paper doctoral program global comparative education walden university since put hold attempt string together community expats similar experiences scattered across country created facebook group 380 members august 25th 2017 one abdullahs family friends labeebah sabree also african american muslim expat working saudi arabia says left america religious purposes got saudi arabia confronted racism behavior totally unislamic bitter dispute employer accused withholding pay jarrett jamahl risher african american converted islam also moved saudi arabia faith escape antimuslim discrimination hes english teacher saudi electronic university abdullah used work risher different experience though teacher teaching english training value high thats respect give give respect well told phone saudi arabia would say 100 times less racist america neither abdullah wife children wanted return saudi arabia vacationing new york abdullah returned july didnt find new job us didnt want break employment contract situation tough marriage long run though abdullah knows place family saudi arabia theres longterm prospects acclimated culture says abdullah thats next month abdullah abruptly flew back us came back almost unbearable hot dry boring lonely took last exam certified school administrator us within month return negotiating become principal islamic elementary school ottawa canada wife children currently living job didnt pan hes returning saudi arabia finish contract still searching position us canada still sees major problems american politics society life saudi arabia seems given new perspective open moving back us eventually systems america find different types oppression saudi whole culture way things every level institutions street know pay job abdullah still moving place place child sometimes feel like im man land says editors note earlier version piece stated salih abdullah hired principal canadian school position actually fell hired
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<p>Alex Newell of ‘Glee’ fame says Pride is important because it gives the LGBT community a place to celebrate its accomplishments. (Photo by Brian Ziff)</p>
<p>Singer/actor Alex Newell, best known for playing Unique on “Glee,” is one of this year’s headliners on the Capitol Concert Stage at Capital Pride this weekend.</p>
<p>Look for him in the 2 p.m. slot where he’ll showcase his soaring, buttery vocals. We caught up with the soft-spoken, yet outspoken, 23-year-old performer by phone from Los Angeles.</p>
<p>BLADE: You have a new song out?</p>
<p>NEWELL: Well right now I’m kind of doing the Pride circuit. It’s Pride month, Pride season. I also have a new song out today called “Need Somebody.” It just came out. This first week, we’re donating a portion of the sales to the Trevor Project.</p>
<p>BLADE: Who produced it?</p>
<p>NEWELL: Cutfather. He’s amazing.</p>
<p>BLADE: You had an EP (“Power”) out earlier this year. Do you plan more?</p>
<p>NEWELL: It depends. We’re just trying to see. There’s no set plan. I think we’re going to do another, but this is just its own thing. We’re focusing on making new music and making good songs. The EP was so good and everyone enjoyed it and it was successful so now we’re just trying to match that or go above and beyond it.</p>
<p>BLADE: How many Prides are you doing?</p>
<p>NEWELL: I don’t know. Maybe four, five or six. I don’t like to count them because then it starts to feel overwhelming.</p>
<p>BLADE: Why is Pride important?</p>
<p>NEWELL: It’s a time to celebrate each other and the accomplishments in our community. Because that’s where it starts. It always starts at home. If we don’t celebrate each other and where we are, it just gets kind of superfluous after a while.</p>
<p>BLADE: You toured with Adam Lambert earlier this year and played Washington in March. How was it?</p>
<p>NEWELL: It was amazing. I went on tour with one of my good friends. I had fun. I couldn’t have asked for a better time. We played D.C. right after New York. The audience was warm and responsive and welcoming. It was a good time.</p>
<p>BLADE: What was it like on the “Glee” set? Fun and hanging out or nerve-wracking and hard? All of the above?</p>
<p>NEWELL: It was very friendly like a giant family. It’s basically like a household. It’s dysfunctional, it’s functional. And at the same time you’re working 16-hour days a lot of the time and you’re with each other five days out of the week and sometimes more than that because we’re friends at the end of the day. And you’re trying to make the best product you can whether you’re singing, dancing, acting or having dance rehearsals and makeup tests and filming scenes or filming a music number or having a fitting or going to pre-record the song. There’s so many variables to it so it was just as crazy as anyone would think it was. But at the end of the day, we were all there together and we were just working at a well-oiled machine.</p>
<p>BLADE: Which “Glee” episode was your favorite?</p>
<p>NEWELL: I don’t know. They started to blur together after a while. Like sometimes I’ll forget what I did in each episode. I think one of my favorites would have to be my second-to-last one where I sang “I Know Where I’ve Been” with the trans chorus. It was just a good moment to have everyone rally. I also really liked the “Grease” episode. I felt that one has so much heart.</p>
<p>BLADE: Was (creator/executive producer) Ryan Murphy around a lot?</p>
<p>NEWELL: Yeah, we saw him all the time. He was there as much as someone who has three shows on TV is there. It’s not like he’d be there everyday all the time because he had “Glee” and “American Horror Story,” and then one year he had “Glee,” “American Horror Story” and “The New Normal” on TV at the same time. Then “The New Normal” got canceled and he had “American Horror Story,” “Glee” and he was developing “Scream Queens” and “American Crime Story.” So I feel like the show runner doesn’t always have to be there but his ear was to the ground. He knew what was going on the entire time.</p>
<p>BLADE: Was he approachable?</p>
<p>NEWELL: Oh yeah. He was amazing. He’s so sweet and kind. He’s very intelligent. He’s smart and every time he greeted me, he gave me a warm hug. He’s known me since I was like 17, 18. He’s watched me grow, not just as an actor but as a performer. He’s always very welcoming and warm.</p>
<p>BLADE: Were you and Chris Colfer (Kurt) especially friendly?</p>
<p>NEWELL: I love him dearly. I don’t want to judge it based on other friendships I may have, but we were very friendly.</p>
<p>BLADE: You got really famous really fast at something really specific. How hard has it been trying to funnel that momentum into other things you want to do?</p>
<p>NEWELL: Well, it’s always hard and difficult when you’re coming off playing a specific thing and a role on such a large scale because after a while, that’s all people can see you for. You kind of have to prove yourself on another scale. A lot of people say, “Well, they pre-recorded on ‘Glee,’ none of them are really singers,” but in actuality, the majority of us were actual wingers and we’ve honed our craft and all. But there’s always that thing of trying to prove myself even more than just being a TV actor or a TV personality. That I’m actually talented and that I can do other things than play that specific role. But this is not exactly news to anyone. It happened to lots of child stars. When they grew up, it was always hard for them to be seen as anything other than the role they’d been playing.</p>
<p>BLADE: I know you can’t quantify this exactly, but how much of what you’ve achieved has been talent vs. perspiration?</p>
<p>NEWELL: I feel like it’s an even balance. I work extremely hard for everything that I have and everything that I’ve gotten. Where I’ve been, I’ve fought tooth and nail and just as much as anyone else if not harder. You have to know that you’re amazing and not get complacent. You have to remind yourself that you’re the best at what you do and it’s always good to know that no one else can do exactly what you do. They can do it like you, but they can never do it exactly like you do it. You bring something special to the table.</p>
<p>BLADE: You’ve said you’re a big Beyonce fan. How do you like “Lemonade”?</p>
<p>NEWELL: Oh, it’s amazing. It’s honest, it’s truthful and something we haven’t seen. I hear some people wishing the old Beyonce was back but after a while, you have to evolve. You have to go places and I mean, old Beyonce, new Beyonce, Beyonce is Beyonce. I live for her.</p>
<p>BLADE: How do you feel she stands up to classic divas like Donna Summer or Diana Ross? Like when Miss Ross was at her commercial peak with “Upside Down” and “I’m Coming Out” and all that, is Beyonce’s stuff in that league?</p>
<p>NEWELL: I think it’s like a whole other thing. It’s completely different. It’s apples and oranges or like comparing the Civil War to the Cold War. They happened in completely different times. I think too often people want to compare people to the past when they did it on their own and made something their own out of nothing. So I’m not a huge person about comparing things. And with all the changes that have happened in the industry since then, I feel sometimes we have to fight more now because there’s so much that goes on with pirating and not selling, so you end up working even harder. It was easier back in the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s because the only way you got it back then was if you went to the store and physically picked it up. The game has changed so much, it’s hard to even start to compare.</p>
<p>BLADE: Name someone who you’d just be beside yourself if she put out a new record.</p>
<p>NEWELL: Chaka Khan. She hasn’t done anything in so long. I feel like everyone’s kind of reinventing themselves. Barbra’s going back on tour. Cher went back. It’s like everyone’s kind of reinventing themselves saying, “I’m still here, I can still kick your ass.” I’d be shocked if one of them came out with something new, honestly.</p>
<p>BLADE: What do you have planned for your Pride set?</p>
<p>NEWELL: I’m going to do some new things, I’m going to do some old things, I’m going to do some “Glee” things. I think it’s going to be like 30-40 minutes. It’s just gonna be fun. When I do a show I like to reflect. I feel like reflection’s always really nice and just to the obvious of what people expect you to do.</p>
<p>BLADE: I know they’re totally different from your role on “Glee,” but do you feel any connection with shows like “Transparent” or “I Am Cait” or keep up with them?</p>
<p>NEWELL: I do. I’m always for representation because for the longest of time, there weren’t many people on TV who looked like me. Obviously I’m African American, and for the longest time after the ‘90s, after shows like “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and “Family Matters” and “Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper” went off the air, it felt like everything got very whitewashed. So not only was my race not represented, my sexual orientation wasn’t either. I imagine millions of other people felt the same way. So I will always stand up for the trans community because I know what it feels like to be that person who has no representation. Laverne (Cox) is one of my good friends. We have lunch and talk and text. We’re good. I’m always there for it.</p>
<p>BLADE: How do you feel about this North Carolina stuff with House Bill 2?</p>
<p>NEWELL: It’s just people trying to control others. It’s basically a dumbed-down version of segregation like having a blacks-only entrance and a whites-only entrance. People are trying to get rid of something they don’t like just because they don’t understand it. I feel like it’s just too much. Like when Stacey Dash said they should just go pee in the bushes. I’m like, “I’m pretty sure your ancestors were being hung from trees just like the rest of us, so why would you say something as inhumane as that?”</p>
<p>BLADE: Is this the tipping point for the transgender movement?</p>
<p>NEWELL: I can’t really speak to that. I think it’s a catapulting movement where this could really put the limelight on things, but is this the start of the avalanche going down? I just don’t know. I don’t know if this is the last straw, but it’s poking at that bear.</p>
<p>BLADE: You identify as gay but you’re so heavily identified with a transgender role. Does that ever get weird or are you OK with it?</p>
<p>NEWELL: I get mistaken as trans all the time and it’s something I’m fine with and welcome it only because it means my role was so important in helping or it means I did a good job with it at the end of the day. It’s something I stand for and something I represent and I want to be a voice with, so it’s fine. I mean, I’ll correct someone, but ti’s OK. When I’m back in Boston with my mom and we go out to dinner, they’ll often say, “And how are you ladies doing?” My mom’s like, “I don’t see a lady,” and I’m like, “I don’t either,” but most people do. I have a very effeminate face and I have long hair and I’m extremely gay, so it happens. I haven’t really heard anything negative, like somebody saying I’m pretending to be something I’m not. I haven’t experienced that.</p>
<p>BLADE: Is there any song you remember from growing up singing in church that has stayed with you?</p>
<p>NEWELL: I used to sing a song called “Give Me a Clean Heart.” Sometimes I hum it and when I go back to church, it’s always the song they want to hear. So that’s kind of followed me my entire career.</p>
<p>Out actor Alex Newell says he doesn’t mind getting mistaken for being transgender. (Photo by Brian Ziff)</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Alex Newell</a> <a href="" type="internal">Capital Pride Festival</a> <a href="" type="internal">gay</a> <a href="" type="internal">Glee</a> <a href="" type="internal">HB 2</a> <a href="" type="internal">HB2</a> <a href="" type="internal">House Bill 2</a> <a href="" type="internal">I Am Cait</a> <a href="" type="internal">Laverne Cox</a> <a href="" type="internal">LGBT</a> <a href="" type="internal">North Carolina</a> <a href="" type="internal">Pride</a> <a href="" type="internal">Pride 2016</a> <a href="" type="internal">Stacey Dash</a> <a href="" type="internal">transgender</a> <a href="" type="internal">Transparent</a></p>
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alex newell glee fame says pride important gives lgbt community place celebrate accomplishments photo brian ziff singeractor alex newell best known playing unique glee one years headliners capitol concert stage capital pride weekend look 2 pm slot hell showcase soaring buttery vocals caught softspoken yet outspoken 23yearold performer phone los angeles blade new song newell well right im kind pride circuit pride month pride season also new song today called need somebody came first week donating portion sales trevor project blade produced newell cutfather hes amazing blade ep power earlier year plan newell depends trying see theres set plan think going another thing focusing making new music making good songs ep good everyone enjoyed successful trying match go beyond blade many prides newell dont know maybe four five six dont like count starts feel overwhelming blade pride important newell time celebrate accomplishments community thats starts always starts home dont celebrate gets kind superfluous blade toured adam lambert earlier year played washington march newell amazing went tour one good friends fun couldnt asked better time played dc right new york audience warm responsive welcoming good time blade like glee set fun hanging nervewracking hard newell friendly like giant family basically like household dysfunctional functional time youre working 16hour days lot time youre five days week sometimes friends end day youre trying make best product whether youre singing dancing acting dance rehearsals makeup tests filming scenes filming music number fitting going prerecord song theres many variables crazy anyone would think end day together working welloiled machine blade glee episode favorite newell dont know started blur together like sometimes ill forget episode think one favorites would secondtolast one sang know ive trans chorus good moment everyone rally also really liked grease episode felt one much heart blade creatorexecutive producer ryan murphy around lot newell yeah saw time much someone three shows tv like hed everyday time glee american horror story one year glee american horror story new normal tv time new normal got canceled american horror story glee developing scream queens american crime story feel like show runner doesnt always ear ground knew going entire time blade approachable newell oh yeah amazing hes sweet kind hes intelligent hes smart every time greeted gave warm hug hes known since like 17 18 hes watched grow actor performer hes always welcoming warm blade chris colfer kurt especially friendly newell love dearly dont want judge based friendships may friendly blade got really famous really fast something really specific hard trying funnel momentum things want newell well always hard difficult youre coming playing specific thing role large scale thats people see kind prove another scale lot people say well prerecorded glee none really singers actuality majority us actual wingers weve honed craft theres always thing trying prove even tv actor tv personality im actually talented things play specific role exactly news anyone happened lots child stars grew always hard seen anything role theyd playing blade know cant quantify exactly much youve achieved talent vs perspiration newell feel like even balance work extremely hard everything everything ive gotten ive ive fought tooth nail much anyone else harder know youre amazing get complacent remind youre best always good know one else exactly like never exactly like bring something special table blade youve said youre big beyonce fan like lemonade newell oh amazing honest truthful something havent seen hear people wishing old beyonce back evolve go places mean old beyonce new beyonce beyonce beyonce live blade feel stands classic divas like donna summer diana ross like miss ross commercial peak upside im coming beyonces stuff league newell think like whole thing completely different apples oranges like comparing civil war cold war happened completely different times think often people want compare people past made something nothing im huge person comparing things changes happened industry since feel sometimes fight theres much goes pirating selling end working even harder easier back 60s 70s 80s way got back went store physically picked game changed much hard even start compare blade name someone youd beside put new record newell chaka khan hasnt done anything long feel like everyones kind reinventing barbras going back tour cher went back like everyones kind reinventing saying im still still kick ass id shocked one came something new honestly blade planned pride set newell im going new things im going old things im going glee things think going like 3040 minutes gon na fun show like reflect feel like reflections always really nice obvious people expect blade know theyre totally different role glee feel connection shows like transparent cait keep newell im always representation longest time werent many people tv looked like obviously im african american longest time 90s shows like fresh prince belair family matters hangin mr cooper went air felt like everything got whitewashed race represented sexual orientation wasnt either imagine millions people felt way always stand trans community know feels like person representation laverne cox one good friends lunch talk text good im always blade feel north carolina stuff house bill 2 newell people trying control others basically dumbeddown version segregation like blacksonly entrance whitesonly entrance people trying get rid something dont like dont understand feel like much like stacey dash said go pee bushes im like im pretty sure ancestors hung trees like rest us would say something inhumane blade tipping point transgender movement newell cant really speak think catapulting movement could really put limelight things start avalanche going dont know dont know last straw poking bear blade identify gay youre heavily identified transgender role ever get weird ok newell get mistaken trans time something im fine welcome means role important helping means good job end day something stand something represent want voice fine mean ill correct someone tis ok im back boston mom go dinner theyll often say ladies moms like dont see lady im like dont either people effeminate face long hair im extremely gay happens havent really heard anything negative like somebody saying im pretending something im havent experienced blade song remember growing singing church stayed newell used sing song called give clean heart sometimes hum go back church always song want hear thats kind followed entire career actor alex newell says doesnt mind getting mistaken transgender photo brian ziff alex newell capital pride festival gay glee hb 2 hb2 house bill 2 cait laverne cox lgbt north carolina pride pride 2016 stacey dash transgender transparent
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<p>Something shiny and new is winding its way through the streets of Jerusalem. It’s Israel’s first commuter light rail.</p>
<p>It was designed to give Jerusalem’s public transportation a much needed upgrade.</p>
<p>But it charges right through the city’s sensitive geopolitics — and it’s upsetting locals for all kinds of reasons.</p>
<p>You could call it the streetcar that few desire. But Jerusalem’s new light rail does give the city a fresh look.</p>
<p>“First of all it is very beautiful,” said Nadav Meroz, director of the planning team that brought the line into service. “Very delicate. It has very modern shape. The color of silver. When it moves near the old city walls you can see the history of Jerusalem near the newest system in the world. You can see modern against oldness.”</p>
<p>Israel decided to build the line back in the late 1990s. The goal was to provide better public transportation for the people who most rely on it. Jerusalem is one of Israel’s poorest cities, and many people here can’t afford cars. But in the year 2000, just as the plan was getting off the ground, the intifada, the second Palestinian uprising, erupted.</p>
<p>Suicide bombers started blowing up buses in the city. Only in 2007, after the bombings had mostly stopped, did engineers break ground.</p>
<p>Construction did not go smoothly. The cement cracked, the tracks were installed backwards, roads were clogged.</p>
<p />
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<p>Jerusalemites were mad.</p>
<p>Finally, 11 years after the plans were first approved, and about $1.5 billion later, the light rail made its maiden voyage. It’s been operating for many months now ... with mixed results.</p>
<p>“It’s not very pleasant to drive here,” said David Felber, on his early morning commute to work.</p>
<p>He boards the train near his house in an area Israel annexed after the 1967 Mideast war.</p>
<p>“I live in Pisgat Zeev, which is the biggest neighborhood in Jerusalem and maybe in the entire country. But we live near Arab neighborhoods, like Beit Hanina," he said.</p>
<p>Israeli buses stopped going through here in the 80s, when the first Palestinian uprising broke out and Israeli passengers were pelted with rocks and Molotov cocktails. A new highway was built so Israelis could completely bypass Arab neighborhoods on their way downtown.</p>
<p>But now, they have no choice: the light rail takes them right through.</p>
<p>“People here are dressed like Arabs, people feel like Arabs, people behave like Arabs — some are friendly, some are not. You don’t want to find those which are not,” Felber said.</p>
<p>Earlier this year, a young Israeli soldier was stabbed by a Palestinian on the train. Police have also arrested Israelis accused of attacking Palestinian riders.</p>
<p>The train also sparked an international uproar, because it winds through disputed parts of Jerusalem that Palestinians want for their future state. A French company backed out of the project because of a Palestinian lawsuit. The United Nations human rights council spoke out against the light rail too.</p>
<p>The planners insist there’s nothing political about the tram. They say they routed it through populous neighborhoods to maximize the number of passengers who’d ride it.</p>
<p>At a large mosque, right across from a train stop in an Arab neighborhood in East Jerusalem, Jamal Abu Khdeir, a teacher and father of three, said he understands why an Israeli man would get jittery when the train passed through Arab parts of town.</p>
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<p>&#160;</p>
<p>“Because during the Intifada and buses came through here there were rocks and things thrown at the buses,” Khdeir said. “That’s unfortunately the fault of some people that have taken to the politics of killing people on buses. The people who have done that are sick people. We’re not those people.”</p>
<p>Back in West Jerusalem, near the outdoor vegetable market, Devora Avidan works at a community center. She’s a resident historian of sorts, collecting old photos of Jerusalem from the 1800s.</p>
<p>She does a lot of thinking about the city.</p>
<p>Jerusalem’s mentality, she joked, is more suited to horses and buggies — not a light rail.</p>
<p>“Jerusalem is like French cheese. French cheese has mold and that’s what gives it its quality. The same in Jerusalem. There is a kind of mold here that makes this city special," she said. "Modernity (it) isn’t exactly built for it. There’s something nice about something that’s old.”</p>
<p>Yes, old is nice. But new can be nice too. Take the train. The seats are comfy. The facades of the buildings next to the tracks have been cleaned. There are café tables lined up along the road where the train passes.</p>
<p>Sure, the light rail is still a pain. The ticketing machines rarely work, and passengers complain that transit police hand out unfair fines.</p>
<p>And when a train arrives after a long delay — which happens a lot — everyone piles in. And then the passengers start to complain “they’re packing us in here like sardines.”</p>
<p>Then again, some months ago, on a crowded train. a young ultra-orthodox Jewish woman pushed her way inside with a large stroller.</p>
<p>She picked up her baby from the carriage and handed it over to a complete stranger, some guy in his late 20s who hadn’t shaved in a few days. The mother tried to collapse the stroller. She couldn’t figure out how to do it.</p>
<p>Everyone around her pitched in.</p>
<p>All the while, the stranger was holding the baby and just staring at it with the biggest grin. That's Jerusalem.</p>
<p>It’s brash and opinionated and tense. And it’s filled with lots of people who don’t like each other.</p>
<p>But there’s something comforting knowing that everyone’s squeezed in this same train car. And when times are tense, a complete stranger could hand you her baby, and for a few precious moments it seems like everyone’s in this together.</p>
| false | 3 |
something shiny new winding way streets jerusalem israels first commuter light rail designed give jerusalems public transportation much needed upgrade charges right citys sensitive geopolitics upsetting locals kinds reasons could call streetcar desire jerusalems new light rail give city fresh look first beautiful said nadav meroz director planning team brought line service delicate modern shape color silver moves near old city walls see history jerusalem near newest system world see modern oldness israel decided build line back late 1990s goal provide better public transportation people rely jerusalem one israels poorest cities many people cant afford cars year 2000 plan getting ground intifada second palestinian uprising erupted suicide bombers started blowing buses city 2007 bombings mostly stopped engineers break ground construction go smoothly cement cracked tracks installed backwards roads clogged jerusalemites mad finally 11 years plans first approved 15 billion later light rail made maiden voyage operating many months mixed results pleasant drive said david felber early morning commute work boards train near house area israel annexed 1967 mideast war live pisgat zeev biggest neighborhood jerusalem maybe entire country live near arab neighborhoods like beit hanina said israeli buses stopped going 80s first palestinian uprising broke israeli passengers pelted rocks molotov cocktails new highway built israelis could completely bypass arab neighborhoods way downtown choice light rail takes right people dressed like arabs people feel like arabs people behave like arabs friendly dont want find felber said earlier year young israeli soldier stabbed palestinian train police also arrested israelis accused attacking palestinian riders train also sparked international uproar winds disputed parts jerusalem palestinians want future state french company backed project palestinian lawsuit united nations human rights council spoke light rail planners insist theres nothing political tram say routed populous neighborhoods maximize number passengers whod ride large mosque right across train stop arab neighborhood east jerusalem jamal abu khdeir teacher father three said understands israeli man would get jittery train passed arab parts town 160 160 intifada buses came rocks things thrown buses khdeir said thats unfortunately fault people taken politics killing people buses people done sick people people back west jerusalem near outdoor vegetable market devora avidan works community center shes resident historian sorts collecting old photos jerusalem 1800s lot thinking city jerusalems mentality joked suited horses buggies light rail jerusalem like french cheese french cheese mold thats gives quality jerusalem kind mold makes city special said modernity isnt exactly built theres something nice something thats old yes old nice new nice take train seats comfy facades buildings next tracks cleaned café tables lined along road train passes sure light rail still pain ticketing machines rarely work passengers complain transit police hand unfair fines train arrives long delay happens lot everyone piles passengers start complain theyre packing us like sardines months ago crowded train young ultraorthodox jewish woman pushed way inside large stroller picked baby carriage handed complete stranger guy late 20s hadnt shaved days mother tried collapse stroller couldnt figure everyone around pitched stranger holding baby staring biggest grin thats jerusalem brash opinionated tense filled lots people dont like theres something comforting knowing everyones squeezed train car times tense complete stranger could hand baby precious moments seems like everyones together
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<p>Michael Campbell and Angel Rivera accuse a Starbucks manager of anti-gay harassment. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>The D.C. Office of Human Rights has found probable cause that the Starbucks coffee shop at Dupont Circle discriminated against a gay male couple based on their sexual orientation and based on the Hispanic race of one of the two men.</p>
<p>The action by the OHR, which is considered a civil version of an indictment, is based on a complaint filed by Michael Campbell, 31, and Angel Rivera, 23, that Starbucks manager Christian Lokossou subjected them to a harrowing confrontation during their visit to the Starbucks at Connecticut Avenue and R Street, N.W. on May 18, 2014.</p>
<p>Separate complaints filed by each of the two men charge that Lokossou started a verbal confrontation with Campbell possibly after seeing him and Rivera kiss one another as they placed their order with another employee.</p>
<p>Minutes later, both complaints state, Lokossou chased after them as they left the store, shouting anti-gay slurs at them before bumping into Campbell with his shoulder and chest as startled customers seated in an outdoor patio looked on.</p>
<p>“You are fucking with the wrong one and I will break your neck you little fag, and I will break your spic boyfriend’s neck as well,” the two complaints quote Lokossou as saying.</p>
<p>In a 15-page Letter of Determination of probable cause in Campbell’s complaint, OHR Director Monica Palacio says an OHR investigation that included interviews with several witnesses considered to be impartial found that Campbell established a “prima facie” case that discrimination occurred.</p>
<p>“OHR finds probable cause to believe that Respondent discriminated against Complainant on the basis of his sexual orientation on May 18, 2014 when Respondent’s Manager ordered Complainant to leave the establishment, called Complainant a ‘faggot,’ and threatened to harm him,” the letter of determination states.</p>
<p>“OHR [also] finds probable cause to believe that Respondent retaliated against Complainant by banning him from Respondent’s store after he filed a complaint with OHR alleging that Respondent was discriminated on the basis of his sexual orientation on May 18, 2014,” the letter states.</p>
<p>In a separate 10-page Letter of Determination in Rivera’s complaint, Palacios states, “OHR finds probable cause that Respondent discriminated against Complainant on the basis of his race (Hispanic) and sexual orientation (homosexual).”</p>
<p>Palacio’s letter adds, “The record, including disinterested witness statements, indicate that Respondent’s manager called Complainant a ‘spic’ and a ‘fag,’ while threatening Complainant and his partner with physical violence, which resulted in Complainant receiving services in a markedly hostile manner while he was patronizing Respondent’s store on May 18, 2014.”</p>
<p>At the time Campbell and Rivera filed their complaints, a Starbucks spokesperson told the Washington Blade the company was investigating the claims made by the two gay men but it has a longstanding policy of never commenting on pending litigation.</p>
<p>But the spokesperson, Laurel Harper, added, “At Starbucks we want all of our customers to have a positive experience. We have zero tolerance for discrimination and take this type of accusation seriously.”</p>
<p>Brian Markovitz, the attorney representing Campbell and Rivera, said the fact that higher up Starbucks officials continue to side with Lokossou and that the district manager made the decision to bar Campbell from returning to the Starbucks store shows that the company is responsible for the alleged discriminatory actions.</p>
<p>But according to a summary of Starbucks’ position on the case stated in Palacio’s finding of probable cause, Campbell acted in a hostile way toward Lokossou during a January 2011 incident in which Lokossou claims Campbell shouted obscenities at him when he closed the Starbucks store earlier than the normal closing time due to a snowstorm.</p>
<p>With that as a backdrop, Starbucks claims that Campbell was the aggressor in the 2014 incident, Palacio states in her probable cause finding.</p>
<p>“Respondent states that on May 18, 2014, Complainant visited Respondent’s store and initiated another altercation with Manager, calling Manager names and threatening acts of physical violence,” Palacio reports Starbucks as saying. “Respondent contends that when the Manager went outside to the patio, Complainant followed, continuing to harass Manager,” Starbucks alleges.</p>
<p>Palacio says the OHR investigation included statements from witnesses sitting in the patio who backed up Campbell and Rivera’s assertions that Lokossou was clearly the aggressor and that he called the two men names and deliberately bumped into Campbell, which at least one witness viewed as an assault.</p>
<p>Markovitz said an OHR official contacted him on May 13 informing him that OHR has certified the case to advance to the D.C. Commission on Human Rights, which is charged with holding a public evidentiary hearing that includes testimony by witnesses before it makes a final decision on whether discrimination has occurred.</p>
<p>He said that under OHR rules, his clients and Starbucks entered into discussions as part of a mandatory conciliation process to determine if the case could be resolved without a hearing. The negotiations failed, Markowitz said, after Starbucks declined to make a serious settlement offer.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Angel Rivera</a> <a href="" type="internal">Brian Markovitz</a> <a href="" type="internal">Christian Lokossou</a> <a href="" type="internal">gay</a> <a href="" type="internal">Laurel Harper</a> <a href="" type="internal">Michael Campbell</a> <a href="" type="internal">Monica Palacio</a> <a href="" type="internal">Office of Human Rights</a> <a href="" type="internal">OHR</a> <a href="" type="internal">Starbucks</a></p>
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michael campbell angel rivera accuse starbucks manager antigay harassment washington blade photo michael key dc office human rights found probable cause starbucks coffee shop dupont circle discriminated gay male couple based sexual orientation based hispanic race one two men action ohr considered civil version indictment based complaint filed michael campbell 31 angel rivera 23 starbucks manager christian lokossou subjected harrowing confrontation visit starbucks connecticut avenue r street nw may 18 2014 separate complaints filed two men charge lokossou started verbal confrontation campbell possibly seeing rivera kiss one another placed order another employee minutes later complaints state lokossou chased left store shouting antigay slurs bumping campbell shoulder chest startled customers seated outdoor patio looked fucking wrong one break neck little fag break spic boyfriends neck well two complaints quote lokossou saying 15page letter determination probable cause campbells complaint ohr director monica palacio says ohr investigation included interviews several witnesses considered impartial found campbell established prima facie case discrimination occurred ohr finds probable cause believe respondent discriminated complainant basis sexual orientation may 18 2014 respondents manager ordered complainant leave establishment called complainant faggot threatened harm letter determination states ohr also finds probable cause believe respondent retaliated complainant banning respondents store filed complaint ohr alleging respondent discriminated basis sexual orientation may 18 2014 letter states separate 10page letter determination riveras complaint palacios states ohr finds probable cause respondent discriminated complainant basis race hispanic sexual orientation homosexual palacios letter adds record including disinterested witness statements indicate respondents manager called complainant spic fag threatening complainant partner physical violence resulted complainant receiving services markedly hostile manner patronizing respondents store may 18 2014 time campbell rivera filed complaints starbucks spokesperson told washington blade company investigating claims made two gay men longstanding policy never commenting pending litigation spokesperson laurel harper added starbucks want customers positive experience zero tolerance discrimination take type accusation seriously brian markovitz attorney representing campbell rivera said fact higher starbucks officials continue side lokossou district manager made decision bar campbell returning starbucks store shows company responsible alleged discriminatory actions according summary starbucks position case stated palacios finding probable cause campbell acted hostile way toward lokossou january 2011 incident lokossou claims campbell shouted obscenities closed starbucks store earlier normal closing time due snowstorm backdrop starbucks claims campbell aggressor 2014 incident palacio states probable cause finding respondent states may 18 2014 complainant visited respondents store initiated another altercation manager calling manager names threatening acts physical violence palacio reports starbucks saying respondent contends manager went outside patio complainant followed continuing harass manager starbucks alleges palacio says ohr investigation included statements witnesses sitting patio backed campbell riveras assertions lokossou clearly aggressor called two men names deliberately bumped campbell least one witness viewed assault markovitz said ohr official contacted may 13 informing ohr certified case advance dc commission human rights charged holding public evidentiary hearing includes testimony witnesses makes final decision whether discrimination occurred said ohr rules clients starbucks entered discussions part mandatory conciliation process determine case could resolved without hearing negotiations failed markowitz said starbucks declined make serious settlement offer angel rivera brian markovitz christian lokossou gay laurel harper michael campbell monica palacio office human rights ohr starbucks
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<p>JAKARTA, Indonesia — Komariah says she’ll show us how female circumcision is done. She grabs a tangerine on the kitchen table, peels it and takes out a segment. She picks up a huge knife from a shelf. Then she bursts out laughing.</p>
<p>“I’m just kidding,” she says, before taking a much smaller pair of scissors. She sits at the table, holds the tangerine segment up, and carefully makes a small incision at the top. “That’s it!” She laughs again. Her daughter watches, shyly smiling. She was “circumcised” three days after she was born, 13 years ago.</p>
<p>At a midwives clinic in Jakarta, Sri Helmi Yuli is very firm. “Things have changed since then,” she says. “We used to cut a bit of the clitoris hood. And yes, there was a lot of blood. That used to be the right way to do it.”</p>
<p>Not anymore, she says. In the past 10 years, she says social campaigning by health workers — as well as government regulations — have forced the practice of female genital mutilation into the fringes. It is no longer an accepted practice in Indonesia. While the worst forms of female circumcision have largely fallen out of custom, the subtler practice still persists in potentially harmful ways.</p>
<p>“Now we only scratch the hood with a needle, drawing no blood,” says Sri Helmi Yuli, who is the head of the clinic. She tries to convince her patients that even this is not necessary, but says traditional beliefs in the benefits of female circumcision are stronger. “They see imams on TV saying they should do it and that influences them. So I just do the scratch.”</p>
<p>Indonesia is home to some 210 million Muslims, the world’s largest population. Researchers believe most Muslim women here are circumcised. The authorities banned the practice in 2006, but backpedaled in 2010 following pressure from some of the country’s powerful religious organizations.</p>
<p>The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), an influential quasi-government body of Muslim scholars, was one of them.</p>
<p>“The MUI met with the health ministry, and explained that banning female circumcision was against human rights, and sharia law,” says Huzaemah Yanggo, the vice-president of the council’s fatwa commission.</p>
<p>She says female circumcision is not mandatory according to Islamic law. But in some interpretations it is “strongly recommended.”</p>
<p>“It will lead to a much purer and healthier life” for women, avoid infections, preserve their dignity, and help “stabilize” their libido, Yanggo adds. “If it’s not done, women will become oversexed.” The last point is the main argument Komariah gave for circumcising her daughter, like most people who support female circumcision in the country.</p>
<p>Government guidelines released in 2010 detailed how trained medical personnel should perform female circumcision. The instructions infuriated women’s rights activists, who saw it as a clear indication that the government condoned the procedure.</p>
<p>Health ministry officials insisted this wasn’t the case, arguing that it was better to provide guidance for a practice it couldn’t possibly prevent.</p>
<p>“We prefer the circumcision was done by a trained health worker rather than some random shaman or traditional healer, which may not be safe,” said the ministry’s former director of mothers’ health, Ina Hernawati, at the time. The decree allows “scratching the clitoral hood, without injuring the clitoris,” which the government argued was largely symbolic, and couldn’t be equated to female genital mutilation.</p>
<p>Yanggo, from the Ulema Council, claims, “We’re not like Sudan,” or other countries in parts of Africa and the Middle East, where female circumcision consists of removing part of or the entire clitoris. “What they do is not Islam, mutilation is of course forbidden. We don’t touch the clitoris,” she insists. She believes the government regulation helped reduce “bad practices.”</p>
<p>In Bandung, West Java, mass circumcisions are held every year for girls, from new-borns to 12-year-olds, but organizers say they replaced “scissor snipping” with “pin pricking” several years ago.</p>
<p>A 2003 study found that 22 percent of 1,307 female circumcision cases were excisions (meaning part of the clitoris or labia was removed). Almost 50 percent involved incisions, 28 percent were “symbolic.”</p>
<p>There are no recent national statistics but experts believe the situation has improved in the past decade.</p>
<p>Atas Habsjah, vice-chairwoman of the Indonesian Planned Parenthood Association (PKBI), acknowledges a transition from “scissor snipping” to “needle scratching,” but says it’s not enough. Most Indonesian girls, she says, still undergo some kind of circumcision. She argues that many clinics continue offering female circumcision because it’s “good business.” Female circumcision, like ear piercing, is charged as an optional extra to delivery.</p>
<p>“They shouldn’t do anything at all. There is no medical indication, and it’s not in the Quran. We say don’t touch the genitals, it’s against human rights,” she says.</p>
<p>The World Health Organization defines four types of female genital mutilation, all of which are banned. Type 4 includes “pricking, piercing or incising” the clitoris, and activists argue that’s what needle scratching is.&#160;</p>
<p>A 2012 UN resolution banning female genital mutilation seems to have had an impact. GlobalPost visited a dozen clinics and hospitals in Jakarta and its suburbs, and most of them said they systematically recommend against female circumcision since the resolution.</p>
<p>“Older parents insist, but it’s easier to convince young parents that it’s not necessary,” says Reni Sejahtera, the head of a midwives clinic in Depok, in the suburbs of Jakarta.&#160;</p>
<p>Riana, 34, says she knows the issue is “controversial.” She didn’t circumcise her first daughter because her doctor told her not to, but she’s now pregnant with a second one and is considering it. “I will Google it, I know it must be a good thing if everyone does it,” her husband says.</p>
<p>Esti’s daughter is 10 months old, and not circumcised. “I can’t do that to her body without her permission,” she says. Still, she won’t tell her neighbors, and says she’s under a lot of family pressure to do it.</p>
<p>“Every time I go visit my family, the subject comes back to the table,” she says. Her husband also wants their daughter to be circumcised, so they made a deal. “He has until she’s 2 years old to find and show me where in the Quran it says that I have to circumcise my daughter.” She laughs. “Until now, he hasn’t found anything.”</p>
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jakarta indonesia komariah says shell show us female circumcision done grabs tangerine kitchen table peels takes segment picks huge knife shelf bursts laughing im kidding says taking much smaller pair scissors sits table holds tangerine segment carefully makes small incision top thats laughs daughter watches shyly smiling circumcised three days born 13 years ago midwives clinic jakarta sri helmi yuli firm things changed since says used cut bit clitoris hood yes lot blood used right way anymore says past 10 years says social campaigning health workers well government regulations forced practice female genital mutilation fringes longer accepted practice indonesia worst forms female circumcision largely fallen custom subtler practice still persists potentially harmful ways scratch hood needle drawing blood says sri helmi yuli head clinic tries convince patients even necessary says traditional beliefs benefits female circumcision stronger see imams tv saying influences scratch indonesia home 210 million muslims worlds largest population researchers believe muslim women circumcised authorities banned practice 2006 backpedaled 2010 following pressure countrys powerful religious organizations indonesian ulema council mui influential quasigovernment body muslim scholars one mui met health ministry explained banning female circumcision human rights sharia law says huzaemah yanggo vicepresident councils fatwa commission says female circumcision mandatory according islamic law interpretations strongly recommended lead much purer healthier life women avoid infections preserve dignity help stabilize libido yanggo adds done women become oversexed last point main argument komariah gave circumcising daughter like people support female circumcision country government guidelines released 2010 detailed trained medical personnel perform female circumcision instructions infuriated womens rights activists saw clear indication government condoned procedure health ministry officials insisted wasnt case arguing better provide guidance practice couldnt possibly prevent prefer circumcision done trained health worker rather random shaman traditional healer may safe said ministrys former director mothers health ina hernawati time decree allows scratching clitoral hood without injuring clitoris government argued largely symbolic couldnt equated female genital mutilation yanggo ulema council claims like sudan countries parts africa middle east female circumcision consists removing part entire clitoris islam mutilation course forbidden dont touch clitoris insists believes government regulation helped reduce bad practices bandung west java mass circumcisions held every year girls newborns 12yearolds organizers say replaced scissor snipping pin pricking several years ago 2003 study found 22 percent 1307 female circumcision cases excisions meaning part clitoris labia removed almost 50 percent involved incisions 28 percent symbolic recent national statistics experts believe situation improved past decade atas habsjah vicechairwoman indonesian planned parenthood association pkbi acknowledges transition scissor snipping needle scratching says enough indonesian girls says still undergo kind circumcision argues many clinics continue offering female circumcision good business female circumcision like ear piercing charged optional extra delivery shouldnt anything medical indication quran say dont touch genitals human rights says world health organization defines four types female genital mutilation banned type 4 includes pricking piercing incising clitoris activists argue thats needle scratching is160 2012 un resolution banning female genital mutilation seems impact globalpost visited dozen clinics hospitals jakarta suburbs said systematically recommend female circumcision since resolution older parents insist easier convince young parents necessary says reni sejahtera head midwives clinic depok suburbs jakarta160 riana 34 says knows issue controversial didnt circumcise first daughter doctor told shes pregnant second one considering google know must good thing everyone husband says estis daughter 10 months old circumcised cant body without permission says still wont tell neighbors says shes lot family pressure every time go visit family subject comes back table says husband also wants daughter circumcised made deal shes 2 years old find show quran says circumcise daughter laughs hasnt found anything
| 592 |
<p>NEW DELHI — Not long ago in the south Indian city of Hyderabad, television viewers were treated to a real-life soap opera as newscasters interrupted the regular TV programming to broadcast the elopement of 19-year-old Sreeja Konidela and 23-year-old Shirish Bharadwaj — just one of the millions of Romeo-and-Juliet couples who are hammering cracks into the foundation of Indian society.</p>
<p>Because the youngsters came from different sub-castes and different economic backgrounds, Sreeja's father — a hugely popular South Indian film star named Chiranjeevi — had forbidden them from dating and kept Sreeja under virtual house arrest for more than a year.</p>
<p>But Chiranjeevi's untold wealth, police connections and implicit authority as a superstar were nothing compared with the power of love.</p>
<p>They didn't catch a glimpse of one another for all that time, but Shirish and Sreeja kept the flame burning by exchanging notes, passed once a month through a friend. Then Shirish popped the question. After Sreeja's father forced her to drop out of college, there was no longer any reason to wait.</p>
<p>"When she was coming to college, we never thought we could marry for another three or four years," Shirish recalls. "But once she was house arrested, we knew if something had to be done now. Through the letters, she communicated that she was getting marriage proposals [for arranged marriages]."</p>
<p>It wouldn't be easy. In India, the fundamentalist thugs who terrorize young couples every Valentine's Day aren't the only forces aligned against romance. With the traditional institution of the arranged marriage under pressure — threatening to break down the boundaries of caste and creed — teachers, neighbors, the police and even sometimes the courts conspire to make sure young people follow their parents' wishes.</p>
<p>Though intercaste and intercommunity marriages have been legal since 1872 — almost 100 years before interracial marriages were legalized in all 50 U.S. states — over time the law designed to facilitate these civil unions, known as the Special Marriage Act, has come to be used to prevent self-arranged marriages. Thanks to a 1954 amendment, the couple must announce their impending nuptials, provide the names and addresses of their parents, and wait 30 days while the police verify with their families that neither person is already married. The delay helps parents locate runaway couples and retrieve them by filing false kidnapping and abduction cases (which have grown 30 percent faster than other crimes against women since 2002).</p>
<p>The police track the couple down, throw the groom in jail and return the bride to her parents. The courts, too, are often complicit, as judges reject the girl's own testimony as proof of consent and reject the usual legal documents as proof that she is of marriageable age. Among communities that place a high premium on their izzat, or honor, like the Jat caste of rural Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, the reaction is stronger still. "If a lower-caste man is involved with a higher-caste woman, he is invariably killed. And the girl, whether belonging to the higher caste or the lower, is also almost certainly eliminated," says Prem Chowdhry, author of "Contentious Marriages, Eloping Couples: Gender, Caste and Patriarchy in Northern India."</p>
<p>Shirish and Sreeja knew all about the obstacles they would face. But they also knew that sometimes, love does conquer all. Through their secret communiques, the couple made plans to elope. Sreeja would tell her parents that she was going to her aunt's house, but instead she'd meet Shirish on a nearby street corner, abandon her car, and go directly to the temple to get married. That wasn't all, though.</p>
<p>Because parents often use false abduction cases against grooms to recapture runaway brides, the couple used Chiranjeevi's fame against him and called the news media to their wedding ceremony. The live broadcast made the marriage indisputable. But it also alerted Chiranjeevi and his passionate fans to what was going on. "We actually wanted to go to the registrar's office after we were married at [the temple]," says Shirish. "But there were lots of people and police waiting there." Frightened, the couple kept driving — first across the country to Goa and then all the way north to Delhi, where they sought court protection from "the illegal and malafide actions" of the girl's father.</p>
<p>Slowly, public opinion began to shift in their favor. Progressive editorials in local and national newspapers argued that the youngsters were both adults and had married by mutual consent, so any actions to stop them violated their rights. The Delhi high court — following the lead of a 2006 Supreme Court judgment in favor of protecting love marriages — also expressed its support. Eventually, the young couple were able to return to their lives in Hyderabad, where today they live with Shirish's family.</p>
<p>But it's not entirely "happily ever after." Many months after the elopement story had died down, one of Sreeja's close relatives passed away. Word came that her father had decided that she could attend the funeral, but Shirish would have to wait outside. As more than an hour passed, he grew more and more worried that — like many families — his in-laws had decided to keep Sreeja prisoner until she agreed to an annulment. Finally, though, she reappeared, looking flustered and upset, at the entrance of the wedding hall. Shirish gave a sigh of relief. She'd been forced to endure an hour and a half of browbeating. But she'd stood up for herself. "They kept saying, 'We don't think it's right. It's time to realize for yourself. If at all you realize, we'll always welcome you back — alone," Sreeja recalls. "They just tried brainwashing. So I got out of the situation."</p>
<p>With or without the sanction of the film star and his family, Sreeja and Shirish say nothing will drive them apart. "All these obstacles have made us even closer," Sreeja says.</p>
<p>More Valentine's Day dispatches:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/afghanistan/090213/love-the-time-taliban" type="external">Afghanistan: Love in the time of Taliban</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/benelux/090213/chocolate-recession-proof" type="external">BeNeLux: Is chocolate recession-proof?</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/ghana/090212/west-african-cocoa-crops-threatened-disease" type="external">Ghana: Cocoa crops threatened by disease</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/jordan/090213/high-price-true-love" type="external">Jordan: A high price for true love</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/italy/090214/beneath-juliets-balcony" type="external">Italy: Beneath Juliet's balcony</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/nigeria/090212/love-helps-nigerian-couple-cope-hiv" type="external">Nigeria: Love helps couple cope with HIV</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/saudi-arabia/090213/kingdom-forbidden-romance" type="external">Saudi Arabia: Kingdom of forbidden romance</a></p>
<p>&#160;</p>
| false | 3 |
new delhi long ago south indian city hyderabad television viewers treated reallife soap opera newscasters interrupted regular tv programming broadcast elopement 19yearold sreeja konidela 23yearold shirish bharadwaj one millions romeoandjuliet couples hammering cracks foundation indian society youngsters came different subcastes different economic backgrounds sreejas father hugely popular south indian film star named chiranjeevi forbidden dating kept sreeja virtual house arrest year chiranjeevis untold wealth police connections implicit authority superstar nothing compared power love didnt catch glimpse one another time shirish sreeja kept flame burning exchanging notes passed month friend shirish popped question sreejas father forced drop college longer reason wait coming college never thought could marry another three four years shirish recalls house arrested knew something done letters communicated getting marriage proposals arranged marriages wouldnt easy india fundamentalist thugs terrorize young couples every valentines day arent forces aligned romance traditional institution arranged marriage pressure threatening break boundaries caste creed teachers neighbors police even sometimes courts conspire make sure young people follow parents wishes though intercaste intercommunity marriages legal since 1872 almost 100 years interracial marriages legalized 50 us states time law designed facilitate civil unions known special marriage act come used prevent selfarranged marriages thanks 1954 amendment couple must announce impending nuptials provide names addresses parents wait 30 days police verify families neither person already married delay helps parents locate runaway couples retrieve filing false kidnapping abduction cases grown 30 percent faster crimes women since 2002 police track couple throw groom jail return bride parents courts often complicit judges reject girls testimony proof consent reject usual legal documents proof marriageable age among communities place high premium izzat honor like jat caste rural haryana punjab uttar pradesh reaction stronger still lowercaste man involved highercaste woman invariably killed girl whether belonging higher caste lower also almost certainly eliminated says prem chowdhry author contentious marriages eloping couples gender caste patriarchy northern india shirish sreeja knew obstacles would face also knew sometimes love conquer secret communiques couple made plans elope sreeja would tell parents going aunts house instead shed meet shirish nearby street corner abandon car go directly temple get married wasnt though parents often use false abduction cases grooms recapture runaway brides couple used chiranjeevis fame called news media wedding ceremony live broadcast made marriage indisputable also alerted chiranjeevi passionate fans going actually wanted go registrars office married temple says shirish lots people police waiting frightened couple kept driving first across country goa way north delhi sought court protection illegal malafide actions girls father slowly public opinion began shift favor progressive editorials local national newspapers argued youngsters adults married mutual consent actions stop violated rights delhi high court following lead 2006 supreme court judgment favor protecting love marriages also expressed support eventually young couple able return lives hyderabad today live shirishs family entirely happily ever many months elopement story died one sreejas close relatives passed away word came father decided could attend funeral shirish would wait outside hour passed grew worried like many families inlaws decided keep sreeja prisoner agreed annulment finally though reappeared looking flustered upset entrance wedding hall shirish gave sigh relief shed forced endure hour half browbeating shed stood kept saying dont think right time realize realize well always welcome back alone sreeja recalls tried brainwashing got situation without sanction film star family sreeja shirish say nothing drive apart obstacles made us even closer sreeja says valentines day dispatches afghanistan love time taliban benelux chocolate recessionproof ghana cocoa crops threatened disease jordan high price true love italy beneath juliets balcony nigeria love helps couple cope hiv saudi arabia kingdom forbidden romance 160
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<p>WASHINGTON — Few countries are as directly threatened by the crisis in Iraq as Turkey, a US ally and NATO member. Not only does it share a border with Iraq, but more than 100 of its citizens, including several diplomats and soldiers, have been kidnapped by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) since it overran Mosul last month.</p>
<p>In contrast to the Obama administration, which wisely jettisoned its misguided passive Iraq policy in favor of actively brokering a political solution in Iraq, Ankara remains publicly disengaged. Turkey must get off the diplomatic sidelines and look beyond its domestic political agenda — as the White House has done — or risk lasting damage to Turkey and the region as a whole.</p>
<p>So far, Turkey’s only response to ISIS, now calling itself the Islamic State, seizing large swathes of territory in Iraq has been to impose a total media blackout within Turkey on vague national security grounds. The Turkish Government seems to regard the kidnapping of its consul general and staff in Mosul as cause for the media blackout. Three journalists who reported on the situation have been jailed under Turkey’s draconian press laws.</p>
<p>While most of the Turkish truck drivers who were rounded-up by ISIS after Mosul’s collapse have been released, all of Turkey’s officials remain hostages.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the Turkish government is not making public statements about ISIS’s gains, Turkey’s support of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), the importance of replacing incumbent Iraqi Prime Minister Al-Maliki with a more conciliatory figure, or the host of related issues with which Washington and every capital in the region is currently preoccupied.</p>
<p>Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is instead exclusively focused on next month’s presidential election where he is running as the ruling AKP Party’s nominee and will likely triumph against a divided and weak opposition. The election will be the first time Turkey’s president is chosen via a national vote. The grandeur and symbolism of the post exceed its traditionally ceremonial role, but it is an important election nonetheless.</p>
<p>Even from Turkey’s domestic political perspective, ignoring Iraq is shortsighted.</p>
<p>Few national security issues are as important as negotiating the safe release of kidnapped Turkish citizens. Turkey must also face the reality that potential American airstrikes — recently requested by Baghdad but still under consideration by Washington — would originate from Turkish territory.</p>
<p>Assuming such strikes materialize, refusing US requests to launch from Incirlik Air Base would create real friction with the US; allowing them to proceed, however, could prompt a domestic backlash given general Turkish public opposition to the United States’ use of force in other countries.</p>
<p>Turkey is not motivated by a lack policy options in Iraq. In fact, Ankara has no shortage of allies and influence there. A central pillar of Erdogan’s foreign policy has been his savvy building of close ties with the KRG over Iraq’s central government.</p>
<p>Now as the Kurd’s contemplate true independence, Turkey is the KRG’s main trading partner and its primary conduit to export crude oil to world markets despite vehement opposition by Iraq’s Central Government. Ankara’s frosty relationship with Baghdad is understandably driven by the belief that Iraqi Prime Minister Al-Maliki is unreliable and heavily influenced by Turkey’s historical rival Iran.</p>
<p>Now that the Kurds control Kirkuk — the traditional homeland they have long sought to reclaim — the KRG’s quest for independence may very well accelerate. For the first time in its history, Turkey may have to contend with a “soft partition” of Iraq and the emergence of a truly independent Kurdish state on Turkey’s borders. Turkey’s deep relationship with the Kurds gives Turkey influence as the KRG considers its future within or separate from Iraq.</p>
<p>Likewise, Turkey has friends within Iraq’s Sunni minority. Rather than ignore the crisis they face, Turkey should be working with leading Sunnis, including Osama Al Nujeifi and his Mutahidoon Party, to forge a political solution. It should also engage tribal elements and insurgent groups to dampen their support for ISIS.</p>
<p>As the largest Sunni state in the Middle East, Turkey has the resources and relationships to facilitate the active involvement of moderate Sunnis in Iraq’s government formation process, whenever it is completed. Defeating ISIS and bringing stability to Iraq can only be accomplished via political compromise on all sides.</p>
<p>Turkey can play a key role as a regional champion for Iraq’s Sunni and Kurdish communities. Rather than simply ignoring the crisis in Iraq, Prime Minister Erdogan should follow President Obama’s example: put domestic political concerns aside for the moment, and do all that he can to help bring Iraq back from brink.</p>
<p>As Washington’s about face shows, it’s never too late to embrace a more involved and effective Iraq policy. Eli Sugarman is a Truman National Security Fellow and senior director at Gryphon Partners, an emerging markets firm. Dr. Joshua Walker is a Truman National Security Fellow and formerly was a senior advisor at the U.S. Department of State. They are regional experts who recently co-authored the policy report “Iraqi-Kurdistan and Turkey: America’s Middle-Eastern Silver Lining.” &#160;</p>
| false | 3 |
washington countries directly threatened crisis iraq turkey us ally nato member share border iraq 100 citizens including several diplomats soldiers kidnapped islamic state iraq syria isis since overran mosul last month contrast obama administration wisely jettisoned misguided passive iraq policy favor actively brokering political solution iraq ankara remains publicly disengaged turkey must get diplomatic sidelines look beyond domestic political agenda white house done risk lasting damage turkey region whole far turkeys response isis calling islamic state seizing large swathes territory iraq impose total media blackout within turkey vague national security grounds turkish government seems regard kidnapping consul general staff mosul cause media blackout three journalists reported situation jailed turkeys draconian press laws turkish truck drivers roundedup isis mosuls collapse released turkeys officials remain hostages meanwhile turkish government making public statements isiss gains turkeys support kurdistan regional government krg importance replacing incumbent iraqi prime minister almaliki conciliatory figure host related issues washington every capital region currently preoccupied prime minister recep tayyip erdogan instead exclusively focused next months presidential election running ruling akp partys nominee likely triumph divided weak opposition election first time turkeys president chosen via national vote grandeur symbolism post exceed traditionally ceremonial role important election nonetheless even turkeys domestic political perspective ignoring iraq shortsighted national security issues important negotiating safe release kidnapped turkish citizens turkey must also face reality potential american airstrikes recently requested baghdad still consideration washington would originate turkish territory assuming strikes materialize refusing us requests launch incirlik air base would create real friction us allowing proceed however could prompt domestic backlash given general turkish public opposition united states use force countries turkey motivated lack policy options iraq fact ankara shortage allies influence central pillar erdogans foreign policy savvy building close ties krg iraqs central government kurds contemplate true independence turkey krgs main trading partner primary conduit export crude oil world markets despite vehement opposition iraqs central government ankaras frosty relationship baghdad understandably driven belief iraqi prime minister almaliki unreliable heavily influenced turkeys historical rival iran kurds control kirkuk traditional homeland long sought reclaim krgs quest independence may well accelerate first time history turkey may contend soft partition iraq emergence truly independent kurdish state turkeys borders turkeys deep relationship kurds gives turkey influence krg considers future within separate iraq likewise turkey friends within iraqs sunni minority rather ignore crisis face turkey working leading sunnis including osama al nujeifi mutahidoon party forge political solution also engage tribal elements insurgent groups dampen support isis largest sunni state middle east turkey resources relationships facilitate active involvement moderate sunnis iraqs government formation process whenever completed defeating isis bringing stability iraq accomplished via political compromise sides turkey play key role regional champion iraqs sunni kurdish communities rather simply ignoring crisis iraq prime minister erdogan follow president obamas example put domestic political concerns aside moment help bring iraq back brink washingtons face shows never late embrace involved effective iraq policy eli sugarman truman national security fellow senior director gryphon partners emerging markets firm dr joshua walker truman national security fellow formerly senior advisor us department state regional experts recently coauthored policy report iraqikurdistan turkey americas middleeastern silver lining 160
| 516 |
<p><a href="" type="internal" />APRIL 18, 2011</p>
<p>It’s difficult to ignore the two-headed snake that has become California’s political process — and it’s not just the Democrats fighting the Republicans. Today, Republicans fight each other while Democrats are passing laws that hamstring California’s future.</p>
<p>Gov. Jerry Brown just signed into law a <a href="http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/sen/sb_0001-0050/sbx1_2_bill_20110201_introduced.html" type="external">bill</a> requiring utility companies to increase purchases of renewable energy so that, by 2020, at least 33 percent of retail sales must be from renewable energy resources. And while this may seem like only another notch on the belt for global-warming enthusiasts, it’s a very big problem for California residents, utility ratepayers and taxpayers.</p>
<p>California’s regulatory climate prevents new construction of just about any facility, including power plants and transmission lines.&#160; The same environmentalist extremists who for decades pushed for solar and wind power are now preventing wind farms from operating because of harm to the condor and several other raptors which have been killed in the big turbines. Environmental groups have fought solar plants and transmission lines, using regulations that largely favor those opposed to projects.&#160; If renewable energy projects are blocked, then supply will be reduced and rates will go up.</p>
<p>The Democrats have won. They have managed to set up a system to halt to any future growth in California through legislative gridlock — alternative energy mandates on one side, and environmentalist restrictions on the other. Competing and conflicting laws, passed by through committees controlled by Democratic legislators, are now being signed by Gov. Brown, in his third term after a 30-year break in between terms.</p>
<p>Jamming the bureaucratic gears into gridlock in order to bring the entire system crashing down is a tactic right out of the 1971 book <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rules_for_Radicals" type="external">Rules For Radicals</a>, by Saul Alinsky. He was a “transformational Marxist” who promoted the strategy of capturing the culture and turning it inside out as the most effective means of overturning western society, through stealth and deception. By cultivating an image of centrism and pragmatism, and a master of infiltration, Alinsky successfully won over Chicago mobsters and Wall Street financiers alike. And successive Democratic politicians fell under his spell.</p>
<p>Examples of this can be found in the actions and bills being promoted by lawmakers.</p>
<p>“This bill establishes California&#160;as the national leader in clean energy, improving the environment and stimulating the economy while protecting ratepayers from excessive costs,” state Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Santa Cruz, said about his&#160; <a href="http://www.dra.ca.gov/NR/rdonlyres/8A3EFA33-7B17-461B-BFF9-AD16597B623A/0/SBX12Supportfinal.pdf" type="external">SB X 1 2</a>.</p>
<p>However, even the California Public Utilities Commission has&#160; <a href="http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/NR/rdonlyres/B5EAD4C2-1683-4915-A76C-CC4750543FB5/0/LEGISLATIVESUMMARY2009FINAL091113.pdf" type="external">warned</a> that increasing the renewable standard would cost utility companies in the state “tens of billions of dollars” and increase electricity costs to ratepayers. In its 2009 Legislative Summary, the CPUC wrote about Simitian’s previous renewable bill, <a href="http://www.senatorsimitian.com/entry/sb_0014_33_renewable_energy_by_2020/" type="external">SB 14</a>, “[A]s drafted this measure would make it more difficult and&#160;costly to achieve this very important goal,” and “adds new regulatory hurdles to permitting&#160;renewable resources in the state, at the same time limiting the importation of cost-effective renewable energy&#160;from other states in the West.”</p>
<p>With the restrictions in the bill on how much renewable energy can be purchased out of state, several energy company representatives recently testified in legislative committee hearings that it is a violation of the&#160; <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commerce_Clause" type="external">Commerce Clause</a> of the U.S. Constitution, which gives Congress, not the state governments, control over interstate commerce; that violation could cause the need for a judicial remedy.</p>
<p>The other problem with creating more renewable energy is using old technology. An energy expert I recently spoke with said that California’s electricity plants are like old machinery — they still run, but are not as efficient as the new technology. Most electricity plants in the state were built between 1947 and 1978.</p>
<p>He said it’s like an old car needing to be warmed up before driving, where a new car can be started right up and driven immediately. The energy produced in the old plants is not produced efficiently or cost effectively. And ramping up the clean-energy demand will only further strain the old energy plants.</p>
<p>But new plant start-ups are difficult and, in California, take exorbitant amounts of time to build. Construction faces built-in timetables and extra costs for litigation, <a href="http://ceres.ca.gov/ceqa/guidelines/" type="external">California Environmental Quality Act</a>(CEQA) restrictions and permitting for every layer of government (local, state and federal). Thus far, California has built no new energy plants in at least 10 years.</p>
<p>He added that we know that wind and solar doesn’t always work, and cannot be counted on. At best, solar and wind work intermittently, when there is wind or sun. For every megawatt of wind or solar power, there needs to be plenty of traditional electrical backup, costing ratepayers far more than if we just counted on traditional energy production.</p>
<p>And the same environmentalists who for decades pushed for solar and wind power are trying to stop wind farms from operating because the California condor and several other native raptors can be killed in the big turbines.</p>
<p>As justification for creating a false demand for renewable energy, Democrats relish claiming that oil companies receive billion-dollar subsidies. But according to Lawrence McQuillan, Ph.D., with the <a href="http://www.pacificresearch.org/keypeople/lawrence-j-mcquillan" type="external">Pacific Research Institute</a>(CalWatchdog’s parent think tank), “While oil and gas receive slightly more than 1 percent of government energy R&amp;D funding, renewables receive 22 times as much funding.”</p>
<p>And, McQuillan says that oil and gas supplies more than 60 percent of all U.S. energy needs, compared to just 8 percent for renewable energy production. “While renewables are expected to grow in coming years, analysts say that even by 2035, more than half of the nation’s energy demand will still be met by oil and gas,” said McQuillan.</p>
<p>Where do the subsidies for wind and solar projects go? <a href="" type="internal">The energy companies have already run through the $2 billion subsidy</a> allotted for commercial solar projects, leaving nothing for homeowners.</p>
<p>The latest pet project of the California do-gooder crowd is putting solar on the roofs of affordable housing projects. And the companies even provide financing, <a href="http://www.borregosolar.com/solar-projects/affordable-housing/" type="external">such as that by Borrego Solar</a>:</p>
<p>We’ve secured funds to finance more than $100 million of solar power installations for customers with good credit and high energy bills. We’ve also established strategic partnerships with financial institutions that allow us to bring the latest solar financing options to customers looking to eliminate the upfront cost of installing solar.</p>
<p>While energy plant construction is at a halt, the government money available for clean energy subsidies is moving around to other government entities, or “public” projects as they prefer to be called.</p>
<p>Government and municipal buildings, water authorities and public housing are all being built with the latest in green technology. But the average homeowner can’t afford this.</p>
<p>It’s a terrifying notion that our elected lawmakers are creating legislated gridlock. And while doing so, they are also moving public money around to other public entities. Much of the subsidy for renewable energy has gone to government entities and municipalities. They were even named as a “priority” in how the money was to be used in the <a href="http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/puc/energy/solar/aboutsolar.htm" type="external">California Solar Initiative</a>.</p>
<p>While preventing the sources of energy from being produced, and at the same time mandating higher and higher clean energy standards, Democrats are realizing the fruits of their strategies. And the more entitlements they hand out, the more entitlement voters they get.</p>
<p>Spain already found out the hard way that every subsidized <a href="http://www.aei.org/outlook/101026" type="external">green job</a> cost more than three private-sector jobs. And the billions spent on wind power in Denmark have not helped to lower their carbon output because of the constant backup energy needed to cover intermittent wind energy output.</p>
<p>This would be a good time, given California’s history, to start up a moving company to handle the coming exodus from California. Business would be booming. But I couldn’t afford the time it would take for two-year permitting process to start up such a company. Nor could I afford the excessive&#160; <a href="http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/onrdiesel/onrdiesel.htm" type="external">diesel regulations</a> imposed on the trucks — or the expensive &#160;workers compensation insurance for the employees.</p>
<p>Californians are just going to have to rent their own U-Haul trailers on the way out of the state.</p>
<p>I recently read this observation:</p>
<p>A limited government can better protect the economic health of its citizens by policing corruption from the private sector, under the direction of term-limited representatives who will never become worth the risk of buying off. The larger government becomes, the more its arrogant ruling class believe themselves worthy of royal treatment … and the more justified they feel about lying to the public for their own good.</p>
<p>We are there already.</p>
<p>– Katy Grimes</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
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april 18 2011 difficult ignore twoheaded snake become californias political process democrats fighting republicans today republicans fight democrats passing laws hamstring californias future gov jerry brown signed law bill requiring utility companies increase purchases renewable energy 2020 least 33 percent retail sales must renewable energy resources may seem like another notch belt globalwarming enthusiasts big problem california residents utility ratepayers taxpayers californias regulatory climate prevents new construction facility including power plants transmission lines160 environmentalist extremists decades pushed solar wind power preventing wind farms operating harm condor several raptors killed big turbines environmental groups fought solar plants transmission lines using regulations largely favor opposed projects160 renewable energy projects blocked supply reduced rates go democrats managed set system halt future growth california legislative gridlock alternative energy mandates one side environmentalist restrictions competing conflicting laws passed committees controlled democratic legislators signed gov brown third term 30year break terms jamming bureaucratic gears gridlock order bring entire system crashing tactic right 1971 book rules radicals saul alinsky transformational marxist promoted strategy capturing culture turning inside effective means overturning western society stealth deception cultivating image centrism pragmatism master infiltration alinsky successfully chicago mobsters wall street financiers alike successive democratic politicians fell spell examples found actions bills promoted lawmakers bill establishes california160as national leader clean energy improving environment stimulating economy protecting ratepayers excessive costs state sen joe simitian dsanta cruz said his160 sb x 1 2 however even california public utilities commission has160 warned increasing renewable standard would cost utility companies state tens billions dollars increase electricity costs ratepayers 2009 legislative summary cpuc wrote simitians previous renewable bill sb 14 drafted measure would make difficult and160costly achieve important goal adds new regulatory hurdles permitting160renewable resources state time limiting importation costeffective renewable energy160from states west restrictions bill much renewable energy purchased state several energy company representatives recently testified legislative committee hearings violation the160 commerce clause us constitution gives congress state governments control interstate commerce violation could cause need judicial remedy problem creating renewable energy using old technology energy expert recently spoke said californias electricity plants like old machinery still run efficient new technology electricity plants state built 1947 1978 said like old car needing warmed driving new car started right driven immediately energy produced old plants produced efficiently cost effectively ramping cleanenergy demand strain old energy plants new plant startups difficult california take exorbitant amounts time build construction faces builtin timetables extra costs litigation california environmental quality actceqa restrictions permitting every layer government local state federal thus far california built new energy plants least 10 years added know wind solar doesnt always work counted best solar wind work intermittently wind sun every megawatt wind solar power needs plenty traditional electrical backup costing ratepayers far counted traditional energy production environmentalists decades pushed solar wind power trying stop wind farms operating california condor several native raptors killed big turbines justification creating false demand renewable energy democrats relish claiming oil companies receive billiondollar subsidies according lawrence mcquillan phd pacific research institutecalwatchdogs parent think tank oil gas receive slightly 1 percent government energy rampd funding renewables receive 22 times much funding mcquillan says oil gas supplies 60 percent us energy needs compared 8 percent renewable energy production renewables expected grow coming years analysts say even 2035 half nations energy demand still met oil gas said mcquillan subsidies wind solar projects go energy companies already run 2 billion subsidy allotted commercial solar projects leaving nothing homeowners latest pet project california dogooder crowd putting solar roofs affordable housing projects companies even provide financing borrego solar weve secured funds finance 100 million solar power installations customers good credit high energy bills weve also established strategic partnerships financial institutions allow us bring latest solar financing options customers looking eliminate upfront cost installing solar energy plant construction halt government money available clean energy subsidies moving around government entities public projects prefer called government municipal buildings water authorities public housing built latest green technology average homeowner cant afford terrifying notion elected lawmakers creating legislated gridlock also moving public money around public entities much subsidy renewable energy gone government entities municipalities even named priority money used california solar initiative preventing sources energy produced time mandating higher higher clean energy standards democrats realizing fruits strategies entitlements hand entitlement voters get spain already found hard way every subsidized green job cost three privatesector jobs billions spent wind power denmark helped lower carbon output constant backup energy needed cover intermittent wind energy output would good time given californias history start moving company handle coming exodus california business would booming couldnt afford time would take twoyear permitting process start company could afford excessive160 diesel regulations imposed trucks expensive 160workers compensation insurance employees californians going rent uhaul trailers way state recently read observation limited government better protect economic health citizens policing corruption private sector direction termlimited representatives never become worth risk buying larger government becomes arrogant ruling class believe worthy royal treatment justified feel lying public good already katy grimes 160
| 817 |
<p>A moderate Baptist ethicist says U.S. churches should show compassion toward undocumented immigrants in ways that are legal, but he isn’t convinced that flaws in America’s immigration system rise to the level of a moral issue to justify the use of civil disobedience.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.davidpgushee.com/" type="external">David Gushee</a>, distinguished university <a href="https://theology.mercer.edu/faculty-staff/gushee/" type="external">professor</a> of Christian ethics at Mercer University’s McAfee School of Theology and director of Mercer’s&#160; <a href="https://ctpl.mercer.edu/" type="external">Center for Theology and Public Life</a>, analyzed the New Sanctuary Movement —&#160;the name given to the growing number of churches and other faith groups choosing to shelter families facing separation due to what they believe are unjust immigration laws —&#160;in a Religion News Service <a href="http://religionnews.com/2017/03/19/analysis-new-sanctuary-movement/" type="external">column</a> March 19.</p>
<p>David Gushee</p>
<p>Gushee, who is currently serving as <a href="http://www.fbcdecatur.com/staff-leadership/" type="external">interim pastor</a> of First Baptist Church in Decatur, Ga., said he supports legislation for comprehensive immigration reform, but he doesn’t think the government’s enforcement of current law represents “such a clear and profound” violation of human rights that churches are permitted or obligated to disobey.</p>
<p>“There are many such cases in human history,” Gushee opined. “Despite my sympathy for undocumented immigrants, I do not believe this is one of them. We have to draw a distinction between laws that we think could be improved versus laws that are an inversion of the very purpose of law, and therefore fundamentally unjust.”</p>
<p>Critics accused the longtime professor —&#160;writing in this case from the perspective of &#160;a local church pastor sorting through the various requests to align with organizations or embrace particular causes that come in from week to week —&#160;of letting his white privilege show.</p>
<p>“We don’t very often read our Scriptures through the lens of the immigrant experience,” <a href="" type="internal">said Maria Swearingen</a>, senior co-pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. She said American Christians typically don’t think of biblical characters like Abraham and Sarah as immigrants or of Ruth as a refugee “because we don’t have to.”</p>
<p>Calvary Baptist Church voted in January to <a href="http://calvarydc.org/calvary-sanctuary-for-immigrants/" type="external">join</a> the national sanctuary movement and become a safe haven for immigrants in light of recent actions regarding immigration taken by President Donald Trump. The church plans to establish a satellite legal clinic to serve those in need in the D.C. area and open its facilities to immigrants at risk of imminent deportation.</p>
<p>Maria Swearingen</p>
<p>Swearingen, daughter of a Southern Baptist pastor and Puerto Rican mother who grew up speaking Spanish in a bilingual household, recommended that clergy like Gushee “listen directly and deeply to stories of undocumented people.”</p>
<p>“I don’t mean read articles about them or their experiences,” she said. “I mean very specifically, talk with them, both to learn their stories and their experiences navigating our immigration system.” If you don’t know someone like that, she suggested, “a re-evaluation regarding what relationships you do and not have is well worth deeper reflection, particularly if you seek to make claims of your own social justice commitments as a pastor.”</p>
<p>Gushee, who in the past has worked as theologian-in-residence with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and as senior columnist for Baptist News Global, said “it is&#160;undoubtedly true that God loves everyone, and that people need a safe place to live, work and worship,” but “this cannot mean that every human being has a right to live in any country that they might choose.”</p>
<p>“This would imply that either there should be no immigration laws in any country, or that such laws should never be enforced,” he argued.</p>
<p>“Undoubtedly there are many violations of justice and rights in the immigration enforcement process, but I cannot agree that any immigration law enforcement is by definition unjust,” he said.</p>
<p>“If our government were to start targeting and deporting a group of its own citizens, such as Baptists or Jews or Mormons or Muslims or citizens of Swedish or Somali descent, then we would have a clear, flagrant violation of the Constitution and American laws, and the strongest forms of protest and resistance would be demanded of all of us,” Gushee said. “But we are talking about non-citizens, who are here illegally. That is a very different kind of public policy question, and the difference should not be missed.”</p>
<p>Swearingen said the Sunday before she read Gushee’s piece, her church hosted a “know-your-rights” training for the congregation and wider D.C. community.</p>
<p>“As we sifted through bullet point after bullet point, I could sense anxiety levels rising,” she recounted. “How could they not? We were talking about establishing guardianship should deportation result in separation between parents and children. We were talking about ICE raids and detention centers. We were talking about the power of our words to unjustly detain and incarcerate whole swaths of people.”</p>
<p>“And at one point, I had about all I could stand as I thought about my passport tucked away safely in my house, ensuring that I never have to spend time anxiously flipping through a ‘know-your-rights’ training, wondering if any wrong turn I make would result in my imprisonment,” she continued.</p>
<p>Tossing aside her notes, she said in Spanish: “This whole system is built on ensuring that you understand yourselves as criminals. That you duck in and out of the shadows. That you never see yourselves as citizens of a particular place. But you are not criminals. You are not illegal. You are citizens of the kingdom of God. And no matter what anyone tells you, your citizenship is in heaven. And as a community of faith, we will do everything in our power to renounce this language of criminality, together.”</p>
<p>Related stories:</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Religion students petition Baylor to become sanctuary campus</a></p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Trump inspiring more churches to enter sanctuary movement</a></p>
<p>Related opinion:</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">A pastoral response to an ethical analysis: Why we said ‘yes’ to being a sanctuary church&#160;/ Maria Swearingen</a></p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Being sanctuary: Calling churches to holy risk / Cody Sanders</a></p>
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moderate baptist ethicist says us churches show compassion toward undocumented immigrants ways legal isnt convinced flaws americas immigration system rise level moral issue justify use civil disobedience david gushee distinguished university professor christian ethics mercer universitys mcafee school theology director mercers160 center theology public life analyzed new sanctuary movement 160the name given growing number churches faith groups choosing shelter families facing separation due believe unjust immigration laws 160in religion news service column march 19 david gushee gushee currently serving interim pastor first baptist church decatur ga said supports legislation comprehensive immigration reform doesnt think governments enforcement current law represents clear profound violation human rights churches permitted obligated disobey many cases human history gushee opined despite sympathy undocumented immigrants believe one draw distinction laws think could improved versus laws inversion purpose law therefore fundamentally unjust critics accused longtime professor 160writing case perspective 160a local church pastor sorting various requests align organizations embrace particular causes come week week 160of letting white privilege show dont often read scriptures lens immigrant experience said maria swearingen senior copastor calvary baptist church washington dc said american christians typically dont think biblical characters like abraham sarah immigrants ruth refugee dont calvary baptist church voted january join national sanctuary movement become safe immigrants light recent actions regarding immigration taken president donald trump church plans establish satellite legal clinic serve need dc area open facilities immigrants risk imminent deportation maria swearingen swearingen daughter southern baptist pastor puerto rican mother grew speaking spanish bilingual household recommended clergy like gushee listen directly deeply stories undocumented people dont mean read articles experiences said mean specifically talk learn stories experiences navigating immigration system dont know someone like suggested reevaluation regarding relationships well worth deeper reflection particularly seek make claims social justice commitments pastor gushee past worked theologianinresidence cooperative baptist fellowship senior columnist baptist news global said is160undoubtedly true god loves everyone people need safe place live work worship mean every human right live country might choose would imply either immigration laws country laws never enforced argued undoubtedly many violations justice rights immigration enforcement process agree immigration law enforcement definition unjust said government start targeting deporting group citizens baptists jews mormons muslims citizens swedish somali descent would clear flagrant violation constitution american laws strongest forms protest resistance would demanded us gushee said talking noncitizens illegally different kind public policy question difference missed swearingen said sunday read gushees piece church hosted knowyourrights training congregation wider dc community sifted bullet point bullet point could sense anxiety levels rising recounted could talking establishing guardianship deportation result separation parents children talking ice raids detention centers talking power words unjustly detain incarcerate whole swaths people one point could stand thought passport tucked away safely house ensuring never spend time anxiously flipping knowyourrights training wondering wrong turn make would result imprisonment continued tossing aside notes said spanish whole system built ensuring understand criminals duck shadows never see citizens particular place criminals illegal citizens kingdom god matter anyone tells citizenship heaven community faith everything power renounce language criminality together related stories religion students petition baylor become sanctuary campus trump inspiring churches enter sanctuary movement related opinion pastoral response ethical analysis said yes sanctuary church160 maria swearingen sanctuary calling churches holy risk cody sanders
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<p>ALICANTE, Spain — It's not the grandiose architecture of Granada’s Moorish Alhambra Palace or Seville’s Cathedral that is sparking a full-out defense of a "cultural asset." Nor is it flamenco dancing or Spanish guitar playing.</p>
<p>Rather, beach bars and restaurants have become the cause celebre.</p>
<p>These chiringuitos — the local lingo for the bars and restaurants built in the sand — dot the Spanish coast. But Spain's zealous Ministry of Environment could wipe them out with a new campaign to&#160;enforce coastal protection legislation that has been on the books for two decades.</p>
<p>Politicians, business owners and citizens, however, are rallying to save the chiringuito, saying they are part of the appeal of the coastline.&#160;</p>
<p>Andalusian politicians called them a "basic ethnographic heritage" when earlier this year they approved a motion in their regional parliament to preserve the chiringuitos. The bars are linked to Spanish Mediterranean gastronomy, traditions, identity and way of life, they said.</p>
<p>Chiringuitos serve drinks, ice cream and food. “If they take away the chiringuitos, they take away the beach’s charm,” said Raquel Miro, enjoying a calamari tapa with her mother and daughter at La Ponderosa, a restaurant on San Juan beach, Alicante. “Instead of having lunch at a downtown restaurant, we prefer to eat here, looking at the sea. It’s comfortable and pleasant.”</p>
<p>La Ponderosa is one of the restaurants targeted by the ministry for demolition. There are no private beaches in Spain so authorities grant land use permits — for a fee — so restaurants can do business. Permits are valid for a number of years, even decades, but time is up for many restaurants. Some will have to close; others will be relocated to the boardwalk. The Coast Law enacted in 1988 imposes strict conditions for renewals and new permits.</p>
<p>But the sweeping away of one business model has made room for another, less permanent one on some beaches this summer. In little more than a white-washed hut occupying 250 square feet, Buddha Alcoy serves beer and spirits, sodas, ice cream, chips and packaged, pre-cooked meals from 9 a.m. through 3 a.m. The wooden structure with a thatched roof and a few wooden tables in the sand is unimposing. Sunset brings a shift from Latino rhythms to chill-out melodies. “We have more people at night than during the day,” owner Renata Forges said. “If there’s a nice moon, this is beautiful, beautiful,” she added. Buddha Alcoy will be dismantled without a trace at summer’s end, until the next season.</p>
<p>It is the concrete restaurants built into the sandy beaches that are in danger. Many have septic tanks, but waste like cooking oil from frying fish and making paella still winds up in the sea in some cases. The law bans permanent construction within 320 feet of the shore and sets a limit of 1,600 square feet for restaurants — conditions that many chiringuitos, built years ago, do not meet.</p>
<p>“There’s a lot of space here; chiringuitos are not invasive. If this were a virgin beach, with no buildings, I would understand the need to demolish the chiringuitos. But look at all those apartments,” said Miro, pointing to the towering apartment blocks sitting a few yards from La Ponderosa.</p>
<p>“Nobody understands why they want to make chiringuitos disappear,” said Israel, the Ponderosa waiter.</p>
<p>Even green organizations question the Ministry of Environment’s focus on these beach restaurants and bars when there are other illegal coastal constructions. “Coast protection is vital, but the big disasters are large complexes, such as hotels and marinas, many built after the law came into effect,” said Pilar Marcos, a Greenpeace spokeswoman. “A chiringuito is a small family business. It may be illegal, but so is a 21-story hotel built 14 meters [46 feet] from the water,” she insisted. Greenpeace identifies 100 of these so-called “black points” along the Spanish coast.</p>
<p>Ecologistas en Accion, another green organization, supports the demolition of illegal chiringuitos but also says that picking on them causes “a smoke screen” to “distract attention from high-impact problems,” which should be given priority, according to a press note.</p>
<p>The leading opposition political party, PP, recently cited economic arguments during a motion before Spain's Parliament to keep the chiringuitos. The party pointed to the 300 chiringuitos in Malaga province as an example, noting the area’s chiringuitos are a tourist attraction that provides 7,500 permanent and 7,000 seasonal jobs, and that they spend 225 million euros on purchases from suppliers. Congress rejected the motion.</p>
<p>Casa Julio, a restaurant on Alicante’s San Juan beach, has been serving meals since 1940. Alejandro Bolanos, a third-generation owner, said, “I don’t believe in the beach without chiringuitos. They provide services. It would be like going to the Sahara desert.” He said he collected 6,000 signatures in three weeks from customers against reducing the size of his place, now at 2,368 square feet. He serves about 300 meals a day in the summer and about the same amount on weekends during the winter. He said Casa Julio’s permit was granted until 2043; but demolition for most other restaurants on this beach, whose permits ended in 2000, will probably start in October.</p>
<p>Or not. Israel, the waiter at La Ponderosa, is hopeful. He explained to a group of German tourists enjoying a paella in his restaurant that San Juan beach chiringuitos should have been gone in January but that authorities seem to be aware of the unpopularity of making more people jobless. “The crisis keeps us here, for now,” he said.</p>
<p>More GlobalPost dispatches on Spain:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/spain/090611/mediterranean-beaches-jellyfish" type="external">Jellyfish invade Meditteranean beaches</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/spain/090526/universal-jurisdiction-audencia-nacional" type="external">Villains of the world beware</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/spain/090509/christopher-columbus-remains-dispute" type="external">The mysteries inside Columbus' casket</a></p>
<p />
<p><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=spain&amp;oe=utf-8&amp;client=firefox-a&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=37.788081,-1.82373&amp;spn=6.076473,12.744141&amp;z=6&amp;source=embed" type="external">View Larger Map</a></p>
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alicante spain grandiose architecture granadas moorish alhambra palace sevilles cathedral sparking fullout defense cultural asset flamenco dancing spanish guitar playing rather beach bars restaurants become cause celebre chiringuitos local lingo bars restaurants built sand dot spanish coast spains zealous ministry environment could wipe new campaign to160enforce coastal protection legislation books two decades politicians business owners citizens however rallying save chiringuito saying part appeal coastline160 andalusian politicians called basic ethnographic heritage earlier year approved motion regional parliament preserve chiringuitos bars linked spanish mediterranean gastronomy traditions identity way life said chiringuitos serve drinks ice cream food take away chiringuitos take away beachs charm said raquel miro enjoying calamari tapa mother daughter la ponderosa restaurant san juan beach alicante instead lunch downtown restaurant prefer eat looking sea comfortable pleasant la ponderosa one restaurants targeted ministry demolition private beaches spain authorities grant land use permits fee restaurants business permits valid number years even decades time many restaurants close others relocated boardwalk coast law enacted 1988 imposes strict conditions renewals new permits sweeping away one business model made room another less permanent one beaches summer little whitewashed hut occupying 250 square feet buddha alcoy serves beer spirits sodas ice cream chips packaged precooked meals 9 3 wooden structure thatched roof wooden tables sand unimposing sunset brings shift latino rhythms chillout melodies people night day owner renata forges said theres nice moon beautiful beautiful added buddha alcoy dismantled without trace summers end next season concrete restaurants built sandy beaches danger many septic tanks waste like cooking oil frying fish making paella still winds sea cases law bans permanent construction within 320 feet shore sets limit 1600 square feet restaurants conditions many chiringuitos built years ago meet theres lot space chiringuitos invasive virgin beach buildings would understand need demolish chiringuitos look apartments said miro pointing towering apartment blocks sitting yards la ponderosa nobody understands want make chiringuitos disappear said israel ponderosa waiter even green organizations question ministry environments focus beach restaurants bars illegal coastal constructions coast protection vital big disasters large complexes hotels marinas many built law came effect said pilar marcos greenpeace spokeswoman chiringuito small family business may illegal 21story hotel built 14 meters 46 feet water insisted greenpeace identifies 100 socalled black points along spanish coast ecologistas en accion another green organization supports demolition illegal chiringuitos also says picking causes smoke screen distract attention highimpact problems given priority according press note leading opposition political party pp recently cited economic arguments motion spains parliament keep chiringuitos party pointed 300 chiringuitos malaga province example noting areas chiringuitos tourist attraction provides 7500 permanent 7000 seasonal jobs spend 225 million euros purchases suppliers congress rejected motion casa julio restaurant alicantes san juan beach serving meals since 1940 alejandro bolanos thirdgeneration owner said dont believe beach without chiringuitos provide services would like going sahara desert said collected 6000 signatures three weeks customers reducing size place 2368 square feet serves 300 meals day summer amount weekends winter said casa julios permit granted 2043 demolition restaurants beach whose permits ended 2000 probably start october israel waiter la ponderosa hopeful explained group german tourists enjoying paella restaurant san juan beach chiringuitos gone january authorities seem aware unpopularity making people jobless crisis keeps us said globalpost dispatches spain jellyfish invade meditteranean beaches villains world beware mysteries inside columbus casket view larger map
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<p>Editor's update: Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, accused by the government of inciting violence, <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/venezuela/140218/fourth-person-dies-venezuelan-political-unrest" type="external">turned</a> himself in Tuesday and Wednesday appeared in another pre-recorded video <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/thomson-reuters/140219/jailed-venezuela-protest-leader-urges-maduros-exit" type="external">calling</a> for the government's "exit." Reports also emerged Tuesday of a fourth fatal victim in the protests.&#160;</p>
<p>LIMA, Peru — Tensions in Venezuela look close to boiling over after an opposition leader wanted for supposedly inciting anti-government violence said he would lead a protest march in downtown Caracas on Tuesday.</p>
<p>After several days in hiding, Leopoldo Lopez published a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCmoGxEnEJc&amp;feature=youtu.be" type="external">YouTube video</a> defiantly blaming President Nicolas Maduro for the bloodletting during protests last week, effectively daring the government to arrest him at the march on the ministry of justice and the interior.</p>
<p>Lopez described the ministry as the “symbol of the repression, persecution, torture and lies” carried out by the government against the Venezuelan people.</p>
<p>“I will be there showing my face. I have nothing to fear,” Lopez said in the grainy, three-minute video of the murder and terrorism charges leveled against him.</p>
<p>“If there is any illegal decision to jail me, then I will accept that decision and this infamous persecution by the state.”</p>
<p>The opposition leader's plan sets him on a collision course with the government, which is rallying supporters to launch a rival march along the same route.</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/the-grid/opvenezuela-global-hacker-coalition-hits-venezuelan-government-servers-fall" type="external">Hackers around the world send Venezuelan government sites "falling like dominoes"</a></p>
<p>Three people were shot dead and dozens injured in clashes in Caracas last week as students took to the streets calling on Maduro, a left-wing populist and the political heir to late President Hugo Chavez, to quit.</p>
<p>They are enraged over a series of <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/venezuela/140213/venezuela-protest-explainer" type="external">deep national crises</a>, including widespread food shortages, skyrocketing inflation, one of the world’s worst violent crime waves and the government’s increasingly authoritarian direction.</p>
<p>The protesters were confronted by riot police and “colectivos,” armed Chavista neighborhood militias. Two of the dead were student demonstrators and the third was a colectivo leader.</p>
<p>Maduro has responded by blaming everyone but his government for the turmoil — despite his United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) having held power for the last 15 years.</p>
<p>Over the weekend, he expelled three US diplomats, faulting them for encouraging the demonstrations.</p>
<p>The government also <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-02-14/twitter-says-venezuela-blocks-its-images-amid-protest-crackdown.html" type="external">blocked</a> Twitter users’ access to images of the protests shaking the country. A Colombian cable news station, NTN24, was also taken off air in Venezuela after reporting on the disturbances.</p>
<p>Venezuelans are largely reliant on social media and foreign TV news to track the turmoil in the streets across their nation after all critical local news networks have been squeezed off the air since the late Chavez first took power in 1999.</p>
<p>President Maduro, a 51-year-old former bus driver and union leader who rose to the top of the Chavez administration, has also accused Lopez of launching an attempted coup — though the latter insists that all protests should be peaceful and constitutional.</p>
<p>On his English-language <a href="http://twitter.com/maduro_en" type="external">Twitter feed</a>, Maduro described Lopez, whose small center-left party is a <a href="http://www.socialistinternational.org/viewArticle.cfm?ArticleID=2253&amp;ArticleImageID=4949&amp;ModuleID=18" type="external">member</a> of the Socialiast International movement, as a “coward” and “fascist,” adding: “Surrender we are looking for you.”</p>
<p>But Lopez, whose home was raided along with that of his parents by security forces over the weekend, appears unintimidated.</p>
<p>In his video, released Sunday, he demanded an impartial investigation of the government’s role in the deaths last week, an end to official repression of dissent, and the disarmament of the colectivos, who speed around Caracas on motorbikes wielding guns.</p>
<p>They were first armed by Chavez in response to the 2002 attempted coup — apparently backed by the George W. Bush White House — as “el Comandante” vowed never to permit a US invasion. Critics now accuse the colectivos of being thuggish government enforcers who are routinely used to bully opposition demonstrators.</p>
<p>Lopez makes an unlikely rabble-rouser. A Harvard-educated economist, the 42-year-old is a former mayor of the wealthy Caracas district of Chacao and one of the opposition’s most telegenic and articulate figures.</p>
<p>This isn’t his first run-in with the Chavistas.</p>
<p>In 2008, government officials barred Lopez from seeking public office over alleged corruption — even though he was never convicted by a court. The region’s top human rights court ruled in 2011 that that was a breach of his rights.</p>
<p>After last week’s violence, Human Rights Watch called for a full investigation and <a href="http://www.hrw.org/news/2014/02/13/venezuela-investigate-violence-during-protests" type="external">said</a> the probe “should not be used as a pretext for prosecuting political opponents or limiting free speech.”</p>
<p>Both the European Union and the United Nations have called for calm and for the government to respect human rights and the rule of law.</p>
<p>The State Department had not received official notification of the expulsion of its three Caracas staff members, spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a <a href="http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2014/02/221720.htm" type="external">statement</a> Monday.</p>
<p>“The allegations that the United States is helping to organize protesters in Venezuela is baseless and false,” she added.</p>
<p>The US government has responded to several previous expulsions of its diplomats from Venezuela by booting out staff from the South American nation’s embassy in Washington.</p>
<p>Venezuela and the US have not had ambassadors in each others’ capitals since a 2010 falling out.</p>
<p>But, according to Maduro, US officials this weekend called on him to negotiate with the opposition, free jailed protesters and drop the charges against Lopez.</p>
<p>“I replied that I don't accept threats from anyone in this world,” Maduro told Venezuelans during a Sunday night TV address.</p>
<p>But a massive turnout for Lopez’s march would ramp up the pressure on the besieged president.</p>
<p>And even small numbers might not do Maduro much good. Modest crowds could vindicate the more cautious power-seizing strategy of former presidential candidate Henrique Capriles, until now the unofficial but undisputed leader of the Venezuelan opposition.</p>
<p>But the authorities’ response will also be in the spotlight. Arresting Lopez for any longer than a few hours could backfire, ramping up the domestic and international pressure on a desperate president whose political credit appears to have run out.</p>
<p>All eyes will be on Caracas on Tuesday.</p>
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editors update venezuelan opposition leader leopoldo lopez accused government inciting violence turned tuesday wednesday appeared another prerecorded video calling governments exit reports also emerged tuesday fourth fatal victim protests160 lima peru tensions venezuela look close boiling opposition leader wanted supposedly inciting antigovernment violence said would lead protest march downtown caracas tuesday several days hiding leopoldo lopez published youtube video defiantly blaming president nicolas maduro bloodletting protests last week effectively daring government arrest march ministry justice interior lopez described ministry symbol repression persecution torture lies carried government venezuelan people showing face nothing fear lopez said grainy threeminute video murder terrorism charges leveled illegal decision jail accept decision infamous persecution state opposition leaders plan sets collision course government rallying supporters launch rival march along route globalpost hackers around world send venezuelan government sites falling like dominoes three people shot dead dozens injured clashes caracas last week students took streets calling maduro leftwing populist political heir late president hugo chavez quit enraged series deep national crises including widespread food shortages skyrocketing inflation one worlds worst violent crime waves governments increasingly authoritarian direction protesters confronted riot police colectivos armed chavista neighborhood militias two dead student demonstrators third colectivo leader maduro responded blaming everyone government turmoil despite united socialist party venezuela psuv held power last 15 years weekend expelled three us diplomats faulting encouraging demonstrations government also blocked twitter users access images protests shaking country colombian cable news station ntn24 also taken air venezuela reporting disturbances venezuelans largely reliant social media foreign tv news track turmoil streets across nation critical local news networks squeezed air since late chavez first took power 1999 president maduro 51yearold former bus driver union leader rose top chavez administration also accused lopez launching attempted coup though latter insists protests peaceful constitutional englishlanguage twitter feed maduro described lopez whose small centerleft party member socialiast international movement coward fascist adding surrender looking lopez whose home raided along parents security forces weekend appears unintimidated video released sunday demanded impartial investigation governments role deaths last week end official repression dissent disarmament colectivos speed around caracas motorbikes wielding guns first armed chavez response 2002 attempted coup apparently backed george w bush white house el comandante vowed never permit us invasion critics accuse colectivos thuggish government enforcers routinely used bully opposition demonstrators lopez makes unlikely rabblerouser harvardeducated economist 42yearold former mayor wealthy caracas district chacao one oppositions telegenic articulate figures isnt first runin chavistas 2008 government officials barred lopez seeking public office alleged corruption even though never convicted court regions top human rights court ruled 2011 breach rights last weeks violence human rights watch called full investigation said probe used pretext prosecuting political opponents limiting free speech european union united nations called calm government respect human rights rule law state department received official notification expulsion three caracas staff members spokeswoman jen psaki said statement monday allegations united states helping organize protesters venezuela baseless false added us government responded several previous expulsions diplomats venezuela booting staff south american nations embassy washington venezuela us ambassadors others capitals since 2010 falling according maduro us officials weekend called negotiate opposition free jailed protesters drop charges lopez replied dont accept threats anyone world maduro told venezuelans sunday night tv address massive turnout lopezs march would ramp pressure besieged president even small numbers might maduro much good modest crowds could vindicate cautious powerseizing strategy former presidential candidate henrique capriles unofficial undisputed leader venezuelan opposition authorities response also spotlight arresting lopez longer hours could backfire ramping domestic international pressure desperate president whose political credit appears run eyes caracas tuesday
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<p>BARCELONA, Spain — The summer in Barcelona typically begins on the first of June. As you cycle round the city, the newly strong sun brings certain smells to the fore.</p>
<p>Occasionally a waft of frangipani or cannabis smoke will cut above the ubiquitous exhaust fumes, but this weekend in the southern suburb of Sants, another fragrance was added to the mix; the cloying, sandy aroma that fills the air after a demolition.</p>
<p>Last Monday, as the media picked over the results of the elections to the European Parliament, police and bailiffs led <a href="http://canvies.barrisants.org" type="external">the eviction of Can Vies</a>; a squat established in 1997, in a building owned by Barcelona's public/private transport consortium TMB.</p>
<p>Diggers moved in the next day, tearing down much of the facade, while the demonstrations that had started in Sants from the moment of the eviction gathered pace. As the week wore on, groups from around Barcelona and further afield joined the struggle, extending the protest and the destruction into the town center on Thursday — awakening tourists from their Vicky Cristina Barcelona daydream, and prompting Barcelona's mayor, Xavier Trias, a man known for bending over backwards to protect commercial interests, to call a temporary halt to the demolition.</p>
<p>Often characterised as 'working class,' Sants is in many ways one of the last authentic barrios in Barcelona.</p>
<p>Just a little too far from the center to have suffered the planned gentrification that has consumed large swathes of the city since the 1992 Olympics, its winding mid 19th century streets house Latin American produce shops, Bangladeshi hairdressers and Catalan butchers. It doesn’t exactly feel like a hotbed of grassroots political activism. But as the neurological center of Barcelona's anarchist and libertarian movement, and the home of one of the most active asembleas de barrio, (the horizontally organised weekly drop in sessions set up in the wake of 15M), that’s exactly what it is.</p>
<p>At 7 P.M. on Monday June 2, as the sun set on <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/spain/140602/spains-king-juan-carlos-abdicates-favor-his-son-prince-fel" type="external">the day King Juan Carlos announced his abdication</a>, a small shifting group gathered behind the wire fence sealing off the crumbling building. Only half demolished, the site has been turned into a temporary shrine to the week’s struggle. A charred JCB sits on a pile of rubble, adorned with a ragged looking teddy bear and graffittied banners calling for “Resistance!”</p>
<p>Since the following Saturday, a human chain has been at work, rebuilding the walls brick by brick. Given the councils' determination to complete the demolition sooner rather than later, it’s a gesture at best, but also a powerful symbol of the community organisation that is the backbone of the growing anti establishment movement.</p>
<p>It also holds the key to why these protests blew up so fast, so quickly.</p>
<p>Compared to other European countries, and much to the bafflement of outside commentators, Spain’s response to the crisis has been relatively peaceful.</p>
<p>For the most part, Spaniards have reacted to post-crash austerity with brash political optimism — the 15M movement — and resignation — mass emigration. But following the ultra-conservative government’s introduction of measures that <a href="http://elpais.com/elpais/2013/12/02/inenglish/1385989604_721063.html" type="external">result in jail terms for people engaging in peaceful protest</a>, citizens are now less inclined to take part in the kind of mass gatherings exemplified by the 15M marches for democracy, and 2012’s <a href="http://elpais.com/elpais/2012/09/30/inenglish/1349030126_344872.html" type="external">Rodea el Congreso movements</a>.</p>
<p>The anger however, has by no means dissipated: On the national level, activist pressure groups such as the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plataforma_de_Afectados_por_la_Hipoteca" type="external">PAH</a>, and the Iaoflutas — pensioners against austerity — enjoy mass popular support online, and from much of the mainstream press.</p>
<p>But it’s in the weekly assembleas; of the kind hosted at Can Vies where the true strength of the protest movement lies. While their aim is to primarily address local issues through direct action such as soup kitchens and picketing evictions, the groups are linked through informal media channels, and through their common root in 15M. When they need to organise, they can, and rapidly.</p>
<p>The strength of these grassroots networks has allowed small scale local conflicts, often over planning decisions or corrupt local politicians, to grow quickly in size and scope. January’s riots in the Gamonal district of the northern Spanish city of Burgos, <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-25775122" type="external">became the center of national media attention</a>, as protests against the construction of a new boulevard served as a catalyst for wider discontent. In that case, the protests raged for a week, resulting in 47 arrests, amid an unprecedented police crackdown.</p>
<p>Similarly, in Barcelona, as news of the eviction in Can Vies spreads, so too did support from groups around the city.</p>
<p>“There were people from barrios I’ve never had contact with, protesting in their areas,” a black clad activist in Ray-Ban Balorama sunglasses told me as he killed time before a meeting to discuss next steps. “We knew there’d be a response, after all Can Vies was an important symbol in the community. But we didn’t think it would spread so far.”</p>
<p>While talking animatedly, he still seemed awestruck by the events of the last week.</p>
<p>“It’s not the first time they’ve closed a squat,” he said. “And even when the government overturned the dacción en pago [ <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-06-15/spain-rejects-proposal-to-reform-mortgage-foreclosure-rules.html" type="external">a reform to the mortgage law</a>], people didn’t come out on the street like this.”</p>
<p>It doesn’t take a political scientist to conclude that the motivations of the protesters weren’t limited to stopping the eviction: “It says it right there”, my new activist friend told me, pointing to graffiti on one of the metal fences around the destroyed squat. “Fight the closure of Can Vies, Fight Capitalism,” it reads.</p>
<p>In fact, everywhere I look in Sants, and around the city, I see signs linked to the countrywide struggle against austerity and authority. At the epicenter of the unrest, in Sants, walls are plastered with posters calling for people to take to the streets to change the system. Bank windows as far north as Barcelona’s leafy and bourgeois Eixample bore the slogan “Salvemos Can Vies,” along with an anarchist A. On Sunday, #effectecanvies was still trending nationally on twitter.</p>
<p>As one half of the anti-establishment left <a href="http://globalvoicesonline.org/2014/06/01/the-rise-of-podemos-in-spain-the-citizens-party/" type="external">prepares its assault on the political system from within</a>, the local assembleas seem increasingly focused on street level activism that achieves short term goals related to their communities, while drawing attention to and support from the wider struggle. Refreshingly, so far those going down the political route haven’t distanced themselves from the protests – David Fernandez, <a href="http://cup.cat/" type="external">president of the Catalan Nationalist CUP</a> party has publicly offered his support. Podemos <a href="https://twitter.com/ahorapodemos" type="external">also expressed their support</a> through twitter.</p>
<p>A short walk from Can Vies is another CSO, Can Batlló. With its bar, library and performance space, it has more in common with certain warehouse district art spaces than with the traditional idea of a squat.</p>
<p>An allotment grows organic vegetables, and local teenagers loiter on the sidewalks outside the bar. Behind them, in white paint on a rust colored garage door, reads the slogan: “Si Can Vies cierra, Barri en Guerra” – ‘If Can Vies is closed, the neighborhood will go to war.’</p>
<p>Whether the events of Burgos and Barcelona will repeat over the summer remains to be seen, but the climate for it seems to be just about perfect.</p>
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barcelona spain summer barcelona typically begins first june cycle round city newly strong sun brings certain smells fore occasionally waft frangipani cannabis smoke cut ubiquitous exhaust fumes weekend southern suburb sants another fragrance added mix cloying sandy aroma fills air demolition last monday media picked results elections european parliament police bailiffs led eviction vies squat established 1997 building owned barcelonas publicprivate transport consortium tmb diggers moved next day tearing much facade demonstrations started sants moment eviction gathered pace week wore groups around barcelona afield joined struggle extending protest destruction town center thursday awakening tourists vicky cristina barcelona daydream prompting barcelonas mayor xavier trias man known bending backwards protect commercial interests call temporary halt demolition often characterised working class sants many ways one last authentic barrios barcelona little far center suffered planned gentrification consumed large swathes city since 1992 olympics winding mid 19th century streets house latin american produce shops bangladeshi hairdressers catalan butchers doesnt exactly feel like hotbed grassroots political activism neurological center barcelonas anarchist libertarian movement home one active asembleas de barrio horizontally organised weekly drop sessions set wake 15m thats exactly 7 pm monday june 2 sun set day king juan carlos announced abdication small shifting group gathered behind wire fence sealing crumbling building half demolished site turned temporary shrine weeks struggle charred jcb sits pile rubble adorned ragged looking teddy bear graffittied banners calling resistance since following saturday human chain work rebuilding walls brick brick given councils determination complete demolition sooner rather later gesture best also powerful symbol community organisation backbone growing anti establishment movement also holds key protests blew fast quickly compared european countries much bafflement outside commentators spains response crisis relatively peaceful part spaniards reacted postcrash austerity brash political optimism 15m movement resignation mass emigration following ultraconservative governments introduction measures result jail terms people engaging peaceful protest citizens less inclined take part kind mass gatherings exemplified 15m marches democracy 2012s rodea el congreso movements anger however means dissipated national level activist pressure groups pah iaoflutas pensioners austerity enjoy mass popular support online much mainstream press weekly assembleas kind hosted vies true strength protest movement lies aim primarily address local issues direct action soup kitchens picketing evictions groups linked informal media channels common root 15m need organise rapidly strength grassroots networks allowed small scale local conflicts often planning decisions corrupt local politicians grow quickly size scope januarys riots gamonal district northern spanish city burgos became center national media attention protests construction new boulevard served catalyst wider discontent case protests raged week resulting 47 arrests amid unprecedented police crackdown similarly barcelona news eviction vies spreads support groups around city people barrios ive never contact protesting areas black clad activist rayban balorama sunglasses told killed time meeting discuss next steps knew thered response vies important symbol community didnt think would spread far talking animatedly still seemed awestruck events last week first time theyve closed squat said even government overturned dacción en pago reform mortgage law people didnt come street like doesnt take political scientist conclude motivations protesters werent limited stopping eviction says right new activist friend told pointing graffiti one metal fences around destroyed squat fight closure vies fight capitalism reads fact everywhere look sants around city see signs linked countrywide struggle austerity authority epicenter unrest sants walls plastered posters calling people take streets change system bank windows far north barcelonas leafy bourgeois eixample bore slogan salvemos vies along anarchist sunday effectecanvies still trending nationally twitter one half antiestablishment left prepares assault political system within local assembleas seem increasingly focused street level activism achieves short term goals related communities drawing attention support wider struggle refreshingly far going political route havent distanced protests david fernandez president catalan nationalist cup party publicly offered support podemos also expressed support twitter short walk vies another cso batlló bar library performance space common certain warehouse district art spaces traditional idea squat allotment grows organic vegetables local teenagers loiter sidewalks outside bar behind white paint rust colored garage door reads slogan si vies cierra barri en guerra vies closed neighborhood go war whether events burgos barcelona repeat summer remains seen climate seems perfect
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<p>Daddy was coming back, of that Wyatt Paterson was certain. Wyatt didn’t know where his dad was, exactly, but he knew his faith would be rewarded.</p>
<p>Wyatt, who is developmentally disabled, and his twin sister Lucy were 4 years old when the World Trade Center towers fell, killing their father, Steven, and thousands more. After September 11, Wyatt began to sit and stare out the window of his New Jersey home at the same time his father had always returned home from work.</p>
<p>Through the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, the passage of the Patriot Act and Osama bin Laden’s Houdini act at Tora Bora, Wyatt took up sentry there. Through President Bush’s “Axis of Evil” speech, the establishment of the 9/11 Commission, and the invasion of Iraq, he held vigil. It was not until the spring of 2003 — around the time Bush was landing on an aircraft carrier to declare “Mission Accomplished” in Iraq — that Wyatt gave up his post. His doctors would eventually diagnose Wyatt with the worst case severe post-traumatic stress disorder they'd ever seen.</p>
<p>Related: <a href="" type="internal">Unidentified Remains Leave a Lingering Void for 9/11 Families</a></p>
<p>Wyatt's twin sister Lucy's sole memory of that time is of her mother Lisa and a few relatives gathered in Wyatt's room, the pall that would hang over them all for years already cast. Lucy's reaction was markedly different from her brother's. She tucked the news away, engrossing herself with friends and play. As workers at Ground Zero began to sift through the rubble that held her father’s remains, Lucy was compiling her own prodigious mound, entombing her pain beneath it. Behind her happy-go-lucky facade, she was struggling to fill the void left by her father’s death.</p>
<p>Lisa Paterson probably “shouldn’t be here.” That, at least, was the conclusion drawn by the doctor tasked with assessing the scope of the psychological damage inflicted by the tragedy-piled-upon-tragedy arc of her life. She was abandoned by her biological mother, then adopted into a loving home - only to be left fatherless at age 11. As a teenager, she lost her brother to drug addiction and a subsequent overdose. After her husband's murder, she was forced to raise her young twins as a single parent, unable to pull her son from the chasm of his grief.</p>
<p>“People with a lot less trauma often end up either in prison, or with a serious drug addiction,” says Dr. Richard Guild, Lisa’s psychologist for more than a decade.</p>
<p>That the Patersons survived is a testament to the near infinite capacity of the human race to endure suffering, but also to hope. That they thrive is due in no small part to the vow Lisa made a few days after the towers fell. “This will not break me,” she swore to herself. She simply would not allow the same fighting spirit that had first attracted Steven to her to die alongside him. And she would not allow the men responsible for the attacks, who had already taken so much, to hold her children captive in despair.</p>
<p>“My job,” she says today, “was not to let those terrorists ruin my kids.”</p>
<p>More than 3,000 children lost a parent on 9/11. And while the traumas inflicted on other family members and first responders was no doubt felt as deeply as any, for the children of 9/11, theirs is a distinct kind of pain.</p>
<p>“It’s not a badge of honor," says Terry Sears, executive Director of <a href="http://www.tuesdayschildren.org/" type="external">Tuesday’s Children</a>, the response and recovery support organization formed in the aftermath of 9/11: “It’s almost like ‘I’m different,’ and no kid wants to be different.”</p>
<p>While not a mental health professional, Sears has observed a complex layer of emotions in these children and young adults. Parents and professionals are not always able to easily discern what is normal adolescent behavior, and what is attributable to 9/11. The high-profile nature of the event, Sears says, is also a contributing factor. Dr. Abba Cargan, Wyatt Paterson’s pediatric neurologist since he was an infant, concurs: “I don’t know if there’s anything comparable — most people don’t have their trauma broadcast day in, day out.”</p>
<p>“If your first real view of the world is your parent being murdered, it’s very hard to put that in its place,” Sears says.</p>
<p>For a developmentally disabled child like Wyatt, it would prove to be spectacularly difficult.</p>
<p>By the age of two, Wyatt had taught himself to ride a scooter and routinely batted balls all over the house — a skill that thrilled his sports-obsessed father. But he was also exhibiting worrisome signs of impairment. His speech development lagged behind that of Lucy’s and other peers. He would throw tantrums for seemingly no reason. His doctors were quick to rule out autism, but his symptoms perplexed them.</p>
<p>In early 2000, Wyatt suffered the first of two grand mal seizures. One night at dinner, his head suddenly dropped forward into his dinner plate; an atonic seizure common in epileptic children. His doctors eventually managed to get the seizures under control, but the hundreds of epileptic episodes he suffered in the interim had left him with irreversible brain damage.</p>
<p>A few days before 9/11, the Patersons were enjoying a family day at the beach, and Steven was feeling especially hopeful about the future. Wyatt had been seizure-free for months, and after a long legal battle with the school district, he was about to join his sister at preschool. Steven assured Lisa that everything was going to be OK.</p>
<p>“Do you trust me?” Lisa remembers him asking that day.</p>
<p>“Yes,” she affirmed.</p>
<p>The morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001, was clear and bright, a gorgeous late summer day in the New York area. Steven had been sick with a fever and headache the night before, and sleep had done little to help. Despite Lisa’s protestations, he dutifully trudged in to work.</p>
<p>His job as a trader for Cantor Fitzgerald was a demanding one, and mornings were especially busy. Steven called when he got to the office around 7:30 a.m., as he always did. He gave Lucy and Wyatt pep talks about their second day of school, and talked about what games they would play that night.</p>
<p>When the phone made its way back to Lisa, she asked how he was feeling. “Worse,” Steven conceded, finally agreeing to leave around lunchtime, and to stop and see his doctor on the way home. He asked Lisa to have his watch repaired — part of a matching set they had picked up on their honeymoon.</p>
<p>“I love you,” Lisa said just before hanging up</p>
<p>“I love you,” Steven replied.</p>
<p>Those were the last words they would ever share.</p>
<p>Lisa left the house minutes before the first plane struck the North Tower, where Steven worked. His watch was strapped to her wrist beside her own as a reminder to drop it off for repair. It would be a year before she could bring herself to take it off.</p>
<p>Shortly after she got the kids to school, the radio station had breaking news of a “small plane” striking the World Trade Center. Back at home, she tried calling Steven at the office, and got a strange busy signal. Then she turned on the TV, and began to scream.</p>
<p>Her husband’s death was overwhelming, ruinous, final. But it would also reveal other traumas long left untreated. Lisa calls her abandonment as a day-old baby “the initial wound that has tempered everything in my life.” She was tormented by imaginings of Steven’s final moments.</p>
<p>“I hated the idea that he thought, ‘Oh my God, her worst fears are coming true. I’m leaving her,’” Lisa said.</p>
<p>Before she could tend those wounds, however, there was the not-so-small matter of tending to her four year-old, now fatherless twins.</p>
<p>Related: <a href="http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/For-911-Anniversary-Obama-Hails-True-Spirit-of-911-392981121.html" type="external">Obama on 9/11: 'Americans Will Never Give In to Fear'</a></p>
<p>Wyatt’s mind was simply incapable of fully processing his father’s absence. He would fixate on photographs of Steven, begging him to come back. Placing them on the floor, he would try and jump into the photographs to join him — much as he’d seen done with sidewalk chalk drawings by the characters from a favorite movie, “Mary Poppins.” He would ask for his father dozens of times a day, every day.</p>
<p>“He didn’t have the same understanding another child would have had regarding 9/11,” Cargan, his pediatric neurologist, says. “All of the emotions are in there, but his ‘news feed’ is different than ours.”</p>
<p>When nothing brought Steven back, Wyatt would have regular, often epic tantrums. Lucy, an otherwise patient child, would sometimes default to her own screams: “Make him stop! Make him stop asking!” All of this went on for nearly a decade.</p>
<p>With hindsight, Lisa observes that Wyatt mourning “so openly and furiously and without inhibition, the way we all wish we could when someone we love dies,” helped pave the way for her own eventual emergence from grief, and Lucy’s.</p>
<p>“There’s a bit of, ‘Get over it already, it’s been ten years, it’s been fifteen years,’” says Guild, Lisa’s therapist, alluding to a small but stubborn refrain regarding victims of 9/11. That sentiment was amplified by a 2006 book written by the right-wing political commentator Ann Coulter, in which she wrote of the widows who pushed for the creation of the 9/11 Commission: “I have never seen people enjoying their husband’s deaths so much.”</p>
<p>Related: <a href="" type="internal">'The Forgotten 9/11': Returning to the Pentagon 15 Years Later</a></p>
<p>Lisa has observed another disturbing pattern with regard to victims of 9/11. “Some teachers don't understand why the 9/11 kids are still grieving, or just starting to. These kids weren't living it in real time, necessarily, and now their young brains are trying to process it all,” she says.</p>
<p>For years, Lisa sent a form letter to Lucy’s teachers, changing only the name and date, informing them that there was a 9/11 child in their classroom.</p>
<p>“School should be a safe place for me,” Lucy contends. She recites a series of wrenching incidents throughout grade school: A third grade teacher who had pinned a photo of the twin towers up in the classroom, a classmate who taunted her because her father had died on 9/11, and a senior year high school teacher who had the class watch a video on PTSD, complete with scenes from the worst day of her life.</p>
<p>As her children came of age, Lisa did her best to dole out information about their father’s death in an age-appropriate way, parsing what she knew into little bits of emotionally digestible pieces. “Lucy was probably ten years old,” Lisa says, “when she very pointedly asked me, ‘What happened to Daddy in that building?’ How do you tell them that the boogeyman is real?”</p>
<p>As a high school student, Lucy took part in “Project Common Bond,” a Tuesday’s Children program for young adults who have lost family members to terrorism or violent extremism.</p>
<p>“Everyone focuses on 9/11 because it’s an American tragedy,” Lucy points out, “but there are people from all over this world who have this common connection.” She is pursuing a degree in studio arts and psychology, and is thriving. But that September day still casts a long shadow.</p>
<p>“I consider myself a very happy young adult," she says, “but it chipped away a little piece of me. It’s almost like losing a limb, and having to relearn everything you knew before.”</p>
<p>For her twin, Wyatt, reaching that final stage of grief — acceptance — took nearly a decade.</p>
<p>“Grief is not something you ‘get over,’” Lisa insists. “It’s something you go through.”</p>
<p>Wyatt’s neurologist says the entire process was different for Wyatt.</p>
<p>“He sort of bought into his own script to finally understand that his father wasn’t coming home," Cargan says. "As horrific as this whole experience has been for him, he hasn’t been soured by it. He’s still trying to enjoy life, and to move forward.”</p>
<p>What helped Wyatt’s transition was finally finding a place, after eight schools and countless therapists and unsuccessful methods, that allowed him to blossom. That place? A <a href="http://camphillspecialschool.org/" type="external">working farm</a> in Pennsylvania that caters to intellectually and developmentally disabled (IDD) adults. The farm is an example of an “intentional community” designed as a cooperative with a common purpose, and of the kind of place advocates say the U.S. needs more of to address the <a href="" type="internal">rising number of adults with special needs</a>. The first time Wyatt walked onto the farm, the dogs flocked to him, and he’s never looked back, Lisa says.</p>
<p>Asked why he liked it there so much, Wyatt floored his mother with his reply: “Daddy’s in the sky there.”</p>
<p>Lisa is moved by the author Brene Brown’s summary of the healing process: “When we deny our stories, they define us. When we own our stories, we get to write the ending.”</p>
<p>She is writing hers in part by helping students write their own beginnings. Motivated by a private conversation with President Obama at Ground Zero after Osama bin Laden was killed, she started <a href="http://www.writethisway.biz/about-lisa/" type="external">her own business</a> helping high school kids with college essay writing and other writing workshops.</p>
<p>Just this week, Wyatt began life at a <a href="http://triform.org/" type="external">new farm</a>in Duchess County, New York, one that Lisa hopes will be a long-term home for him. Securing Wyatt’s future has been a source of near-constant anxiety for her, but she worries too about other victims of 9/11 who have fallen through the cracks.</p>
<p>"There’s this feeling that kids are so resilient, and I don’t think that’s necessarily the case," Lisa says. "What they don’t realize is that the only way through grief is by telling your story, and having it heard.”</p>
<p>She has forged the kind of life with Lucy and Wyatt of which she knows Steven would be proud. She points to this Jackson Browne lyric as a template for her post 9/11 world:</p>
<p>"Forget what life used to be/You are what you choose to be/It's whatever it is you see/That life will become."</p>
<p>"That's me after 9/11, says Paterson. I've chosen to create the life I want."</p>
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daddy coming back wyatt paterson certain wyatt didnt know dad exactly knew faith would rewarded wyatt developmentally disabled twin sister lucy 4 years old world trade center towers fell killing father steven thousands september 11 wyatt began sit stare window new jersey home time father always returned home work us invasion afghanistan passage patriot act osama bin ladens houdini act tora bora wyatt took sentry president bushs axis evil speech establishment 911 commission invasion iraq held vigil spring 2003 around time bush landing aircraft carrier declare mission accomplished iraq wyatt gave post doctors would eventually diagnose wyatt worst case severe posttraumatic stress disorder theyd ever seen related unidentified remains leave lingering void 911 families wyatts twin sister lucys sole memory time mother lisa relatives gathered wyatts room pall would hang years already cast lucys reaction markedly different brothers tucked news away engrossing friends play workers ground zero began sift rubble held fathers remains lucy compiling prodigious mound entombing pain beneath behind happygolucky facade struggling fill void left fathers death lisa paterson probably shouldnt least conclusion drawn doctor tasked assessing scope psychological damage inflicted tragedypiledupontragedy arc life abandoned biological mother adopted loving home left fatherless age 11 teenager lost brother drug addiction subsequent overdose husbands murder forced raise young twins single parent unable pull son chasm grief people lot less trauma often end either prison serious drug addiction says dr richard guild lisas psychologist decade patersons survived testament near infinite capacity human race endure suffering also hope thrive due small part vow lisa made days towers fell break swore simply would allow fighting spirit first attracted steven die alongside would allow men responsible attacks already taken much hold children captive despair job says today let terrorists ruin kids 3000 children lost parent 911 traumas inflicted family members first responders doubt felt deeply children 911 distinct kind pain badge honor says terry sears executive director tuesdays children response recovery support organization formed aftermath 911 almost like im different kid wants different mental health professional sears observed complex layer emotions children young adults parents professionals always able easily discern normal adolescent behavior attributable 911 highprofile nature event sears says also contributing factor dr abba cargan wyatt patersons pediatric neurologist since infant concurs dont know theres anything comparable people dont trauma broadcast day day first real view world parent murdered hard put place sears says developmentally disabled child like wyatt would prove spectacularly difficult age two wyatt taught ride scooter routinely batted balls house skill thrilled sportsobsessed father also exhibiting worrisome signs impairment speech development lagged behind lucys peers would throw tantrums seemingly reason doctors quick rule autism symptoms perplexed early 2000 wyatt suffered first two grand mal seizures one night dinner head suddenly dropped forward dinner plate atonic seizure common epileptic children doctors eventually managed get seizures control hundreds epileptic episodes suffered interim left irreversible brain damage days 911 patersons enjoying family day beach steven feeling especially hopeful future wyatt seizurefree months long legal battle school district join sister preschool steven assured lisa everything going ok trust lisa remembers asking day yes affirmed morning tuesday september 11 2001 clear bright gorgeous late summer day new york area steven sick fever headache night sleep done little help despite lisas protestations dutifully trudged work job trader cantor fitzgerald demanding one mornings especially busy steven called got office around 730 always gave lucy wyatt pep talks second day school talked games would play night phone made way back lisa asked feeling worse steven conceded finally agreeing leave around lunchtime stop see doctor way home asked lisa watch repaired part matching set picked honeymoon love lisa said hanging love steven replied last words would ever share lisa left house minutes first plane struck north tower steven worked watch strapped wrist beside reminder drop repair would year could bring take shortly got kids school radio station breaking news small plane striking world trade center back home tried calling steven office got strange busy signal turned tv began scream husbands death overwhelming ruinous final would also reveal traumas long left untreated lisa calls abandonment dayold baby initial wound tempered everything life tormented imaginings stevens final moments hated idea thought oh god worst fears coming true im leaving lisa said could tend wounds however notsosmall matter tending four yearold fatherless twins related obama 911 americans never give fear wyatts mind simply incapable fully processing fathers absence would fixate photographs steven begging come back placing floor would try jump photographs join much hed seen done sidewalk chalk drawings characters favorite movie mary poppins would ask father dozens times day every day didnt understanding another child would regarding 911 cargan pediatric neurologist says emotions news feed different nothing brought steven back wyatt would regular often epic tantrums lucy otherwise patient child would sometimes default screams make stop make stop asking went nearly decade hindsight lisa observes wyatt mourning openly furiously without inhibition way wish could someone love dies helped pave way eventual emergence grief lucys theres bit get already ten years fifteen years says guild lisas therapist alluding small stubborn refrain regarding victims 911 sentiment amplified 2006 book written rightwing political commentator ann coulter wrote widows pushed creation 911 commission never seen people enjoying husbands deaths much related forgotten 911 returning pentagon 15 years later lisa observed another disturbing pattern regard victims 911 teachers dont understand 911 kids still grieving starting kids werent living real time necessarily young brains trying process says years lisa sent form letter lucys teachers changing name date informing 911 child classroom school safe place lucy contends recites series wrenching incidents throughout grade school third grade teacher pinned photo twin towers classroom classmate taunted father died 911 senior year high school teacher class watch video ptsd complete scenes worst day life children came age lisa best dole information fathers death ageappropriate way parsing knew little bits emotionally digestible pieces lucy probably ten years old lisa says pointedly asked happened daddy building tell boogeyman real high school student lucy took part project common bond tuesdays children program young adults lost family members terrorism violent extremism everyone focuses 911 american tragedy lucy points people world common connection pursuing degree studio arts psychology thriving september day still casts long shadow consider happy young adult says chipped away little piece almost like losing limb relearn everything knew twin wyatt reaching final stage grief acceptance took nearly decade grief something get lisa insists something go wyatts neurologist says entire process different wyatt sort bought script finally understand father wasnt coming home cargan says horrific whole experience hasnt soured hes still trying enjoy life move forward helped wyatts transition finally finding place eight schools countless therapists unsuccessful methods allowed blossom place working farm pennsylvania caters intellectually developmentally disabled idd adults farm example intentional community designed cooperative common purpose kind place advocates say us needs address rising number adults special needs first time wyatt walked onto farm dogs flocked hes never looked back lisa says asked liked much wyatt floored mother reply daddys sky lisa moved author brene browns summary healing process deny stories define us stories get write ending writing part helping students write beginnings motivated private conversation president obama ground zero osama bin laden killed started business helping high school kids college essay writing writing workshops week wyatt began life new farmin duchess county new york one lisa hopes longterm home securing wyatts future source nearconstant anxiety worries victims 911 fallen cracks theres feeling kids resilient dont think thats necessarily case lisa says dont realize way grief telling story heard forged kind life lucy wyatt knows steven would proud points jackson browne lyric template post 911 world forget life used beyou choose beits whatever seethat life become thats 911 says paterson ive chosen create life want
| 1,283 |
<p>Michelle Murphy is a professor in Canada, but her research on the Great Lakes depends on water quality data collected by her neighbors to the south.</p>
<p>Specifically, the US&#160;Environmental Protection Agency.</p>
<p>“Without EPA data, you are blinded," Murphy says of her work studying chemical emissions into the Great Lakes.</p>
<p>She’s concerned that EPA data that’s now accessible to the public on government websites may soon disappear.</p>
<p>“We’re worried that the incoming administration is going to remove data sets that are available now and make them inaccessible offline,” Murphy said. “And once they’re offline, we don’t know what’s going to happen to them.”</p>
<p>Data sets haven’t been purged from government websites yet, but all mentions of the word “climate change” have been <a href="" type="internal">removed</a> from the official White House website. And <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/25/us/politics/some-agencies-told-to-halt-communications-as-trump-administration-moves-in.html" type="external">memos</a>&#160;have been sent out to workers at at least four federal agencies directing them not to send out news releases, post to social media, or write blog entries — though some bans have been modified. &#160;&#160;</p>
<p>A Trump transition team member said Wednesday&#160;that new studies and data by scientists at the EPA will be put on a <a href="http://bigstory.ap.org/article/c1423276fb574b07953651a68a082db9" type="external">“temporary hold”</a> from being released publically.</p>
<p>All this has scientists worried about accessing publicly funded research.</p>
<p>But some of them have been preparing.&#160;</p>
<p>Shortly after Donald Trump won the election, Michelle Murphy and other academics in the US and Canada — including environmental studies professors, scientists and historians — started organizing efforts to back up&#160;data sets and documents from the EPA and other government agencies dealing with environment and climate data, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NASA. &#160;</p>
<p>Murphy helped found the Environmental Data and Governance Initiative, or EDGI, which in mid-December hosted a data archiving event at the University of Toronto, where Murphy teaches.</p>
<p>Fueled by pizza and coffee, about 150 people spent a Saturday backing up EPA data. The work didn’t stop when they went home.</p>
<p>“We’ve been working 24/7,” Murphy says. “The coding community has been downloading and scraping data sets every day. I get emails at 1:00 in the morning, 4:00 in the morning, and I’m sorry to say, I’m often up to read them.”</p>
<p>EDGI is one of a handful of new and&#160;overlapping data archiving efforts that have emerged during the Trump era.</p>
<p>The Toronto hackathon was followed by one that focused on NOAA data in Philadelphia in mid-January, led by the&#160;group from University of Pennsylvania that runs the <a href="https://www.datarefuge.org/" type="external">Data Refuge</a>.&#160;</p>
<p>“We started really building a coordinated network of data rescue events, so Philadelphia was the second data rescue event,” said Data Refuge coordinator Bethany Wiggin, followed by events in Chicago, Indianapolis and Los Angeles. “And there are others coming on.”</p>
<p>Archiving events are planned for Jan. 27 and 28 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and for Feb. 4 in New York.</p>
<p>Most of the organizers are based in the United States and Canada, but some of the volunteers who download data for a third group, <a href="http://climatemirror.org/" type="external">Climate Mirror</a>, are based around the world.</p>
<p>Jonathan Schmid, a student in Arabic studies at the University of Leipzig in Germany, says he’s downloaded about a gigabyte of satellite images from NOAA. &#160;&#160;</p>
<p>“I’m not a scientist involved with climate or anything, I’m not interested in the data myself,” Schmid says. “For me, it’s just lending my basement out to someone who doesn’t have the space or feels like their basement might not be safe.”</p>
<p>Another terabyte of US&#160;data on temperature and greenhouse gases lives on Antonios Chariton’s computer in a small, windowless room in his apartment in Crete, Greece.&#160;</p>
<p>Chariton is a security researcher, not a scientist, but he knows climate change knows no borders. So he’s eager to lend a hand — or a server — to help them. &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</p>
<p>“It will help them in a way that will also help us. So, if scientists can work on better ways to slow down global warming, I think it can benefit us, too,” Chariton says.</p>
<p>The reams of raw data gathered by scientists working for American agencies is used not just in the US or neighboring Canada, but around the world.&#160;</p>
<p>Anders Levermann, a leading climate change scientist at Germany’s Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, says NOAA data forms the baseline for every&#160;ocean model he knows. These models are used to predict ocean warming and sea level rise.</p>
<p>“Climate models are used everywhere, Japan, China, Germany, the UK, the US of course, but they all use the NOAA data to start from,” Levermann says. “That’s just one example.”</p>
<p>“There was moments when people would say to us, ‘You’re being paranoid,’” Murphy says. "'Why are you worrying?’ And I’m sad to say that it looks like we will have been very wise to have taken the actions we did."</p>
<p>Murphy’s concerns are rooted in recent Canadian history. Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who left office in November 2015, waged what some called a “war on science.”</p>
<p>“We had things like libraries and archives being destroyed, we had scientists fired and muzzled,” Murphy says.&#160;“In order to get data from scientists we would do Freedom of Information requests and the majority came back redacted if you got them at all. It was a brutal time for science.”</p>
<p>Murphy is busy preparing for a similarly brutal time in the United States, as is her colleague Bethany Wiggin, who says she’s taking her cue on how worried to be from her contacts in Washington. &#160;</p>
<p>“The insiders who we’ve been talking to, at the Department of Agriculture but also at other agencies, are concerned,” Wiggin said. “And that’s our best gauge on how concerned we should be.”</p>
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michelle murphy professor canada research great lakes depends water quality data collected neighbors south specifically us160environmental protection agency without epa data blinded murphy says work studying chemical emissions great lakes shes concerned epa data thats accessible public government websites may soon disappear worried incoming administration going remove data sets available make inaccessible offline murphy said theyre offline dont know whats going happen data sets havent purged government websites yet mentions word climate change removed official white house website memos160have sent workers least four federal agencies directing send news releases post social media write blog entries though bans modified 160160 trump transition team member said wednesday160that new studies data scientists epa put temporary hold released publically scientists worried accessing publicly funded research preparing160 shortly donald trump election michelle murphy academics us canada including environmental studies professors scientists historians started organizing efforts back up160data sets documents epa government agencies dealing environment climate data including national oceanic atmospheric administration noaa nasa 160 murphy helped found environmental data governance initiative edgi middecember hosted data archiving event university toronto murphy teaches fueled pizza coffee 150 people spent saturday backing epa data work didnt stop went home weve working 247 murphy says coding community downloading scraping data sets every day get emails 100 morning 400 morning im sorry say im often read edgi one handful new and160overlapping data archiving efforts emerged trump era toronto hackathon followed one focused noaa data philadelphia midjanuary led the160group university pennsylvania runs data refuge160 started really building coordinated network data rescue events philadelphia second data rescue event said data refuge coordinator bethany wiggin followed events chicago indianapolis los angeles others coming archiving events planned jan 27 28 ann arbor michigan feb 4 new york organizers based united states canada volunteers download data third group climate mirror based around world jonathan schmid student arabic studies university leipzig germany says hes downloaded gigabyte satellite images noaa 160160 im scientist involved climate anything im interested data schmid says lending basement someone doesnt space feels like basement might safe another terabyte us160data temperature greenhouse gases lives antonios charitons computer small windowless room apartment crete greece160 chariton security researcher scientist knows climate change knows borders hes eager lend hand server help 160160160160 help way also help us scientists work better ways slow global warming think benefit us chariton says reams raw data gathered scientists working american agencies used us neighboring canada around world160 anders levermann leading climate change scientist germanys potsdam institute climate impact research says noaa data forms baseline every160ocean model knows models used predict ocean warming sea level rise climate models used everywhere japan china germany uk us course use noaa data start levermann says thats one example moments people would say us youre paranoid murphy says worrying im sad say looks like wise taken actions murphys concerns rooted recent canadian history prime minister stephen harper left office november 2015 waged called war science things like libraries archives destroyed scientists fired muzzled murphy says160in order get data scientists would freedom information requests majority came back redacted got brutal time science murphy busy preparing similarly brutal time united states colleague bethany wiggin says shes taking cue worried contacts washington 160 insiders weve talking department agriculture also agencies concerned wiggin said thats best gauge concerned
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<p>JAN. 24, 2011</p>
<p>The news is not good for college students in California, or at least that’s what lawmakers want everyone to believe.</p>
<p>Earlier this week a legislative committee held a formal hearing at the Capitol to discuss the governor’s proposed budget cuts to the colleges and universities in the state. And as expected, the chancellors from California’s Community College system, the California State University and University of California systems showed up at the hearing to offer dire reasons why budget cuts should not be made.</p>
<p>Students attempting to transfer from community college to CSU or UC campuses are already being turned away with budget cuts cited as the reason, and more fee hikes are imminent, numerous news reports around the state claim. “‘This is a sad day for California,’ UC President Mark Yudof said, summing up the reaction to Gov. <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/jerry-brown/" type="external">Jerry Brown’s</a> proposal Monday to cut $500 million each from the budgets of UC and CSU, and an additional $400 million from the state’s community college system,” the San Francisco Chronicle recently reported.</p>
<p>But missing from the education hearing was any talk of education reform, or any sincere, creative ideas for how to more effectively educate California’s college students. And, noticeably absent from the hearing were any educational reform groups. The Assembly Higher Education Committee only heard from those who fit the agenda of the state.</p>
<p>Online education was only mentioned briefly during the hearing, but never fully discussed. Yet many states are embracing the benefits of online education in undergraduate and lower division college coursework.</p>
<p>California surprisingly is not one of the states leading online education, and in fact, many experts say California lags behind in the availability of online college studies.</p>
<p>California education leaders have been focused for decades on providing educational access to all students. &#160;So, it would seem that one of the most efficient ways to make education more accessible today would be through the Internet.</p>
<p>The California <a href="http://www.cft.org/about/comm/ed_tech.html" type="external">Federation</a> of Teachers has been a vocal opponent of online education in spite of the research proving its success. The federation has even published a <a href="http://www.cft.org/about/comm/framework.pdf" type="external">framework</a> for community college contract negotiations. “Rationale for policy statements” in the framework document states, “As a general rule, distance education should be undertaken when a campus-based alternative is impractical. Where possible, these courses should also be offered in the traditional classroom manner.”</p>
<p>It appears that the CFT does not want to lose any classroom teachers.</p>
<p>The CFT makes its position abundantly clear further into the same paragraph. “Quality of instruction should be the major factor in deciding to offer distance learning courses, and the quality of education must be maintained regardless of the method of delivery. The institution may decide to offer distance education courses when a particular group of students is unable to reach the campus, because the college cannot offer an equivalent course, or because the distance-based instruction is recognized by the faculty as being equal or superior to what the institution can provide on campus.”</p>
<p>Instead of providing online education to anyone in the state, the CFT appears to be attempting to run interference on behalf of teachers, should any find themselves no longer needed. The CFT wants teachers kept in classroom instruction, and only to offer limited coursework online.</p>
<p>In the new <a href="http://www.pacificresearch.org/press/default.asp" type="external">book</a> “Short Circuited: The Challenges Facing the Online Learning Revolution in California,” published by the Pacific Research Institute (CalWatchdog’s parent organization), the authors explain that California has imposed so much red tape and regulations that the expansion of online education has become ridiculously difficult. “Virtual charters are governed by obsolete independent-study rules that fail to recognize the potential of online learning options,” the introduction explains.</p>
<p>And, California’s online students are only allowed to partake in online education in the counties in which they reside, instead of accessing any community college in the state, which is completely illogical given the expanse and purpose for online education.</p>
<p>Charter schools were created to operate outside the regular school district structure in order to be free from most regulations that apply to other public schools. In return, these schools were supposed to be more accountable for student achievement than traditional public schools. This combination of freedom and accountability was meant to spur innovation and instill choice and competition in the public school system. And it has.</p>
<p>But, the state has continued to make significant amendments to the charter plan, and has expanded state policies tying the hands of charter schools, making them adhere to more and more public school guidelines. In spite of the restrictions and regulations, it is undeniable how successful the academic performance of charter schools compares with that of most traditional public schools.</p>
<p>Despite the Legislature’s disregard of educational reforms, evidenced at the hearing this week, online charter schools are in demand. Traditional education and teaching methods are being modified to make education more accessible. The state should cheer.</p>
<p>What is missing is any acknowledgment of the need for cuts to teaching and administrative staff. The state could make meaningful budget cuts to the higher education budget by reducing the number of paid staff, require tenured professors to teach lower division and undergraduate classes, and use teaching resources more creatively and wisely.</p>
<p>And the public should demand to know why the state’s cost per pupil at UC campuses is so much higher than at community colleges, which have to accept every student that applies.</p>
<p>Given that student preparedness has dropped so significantly, online education as an alternative or even supplement to traditional education should be a viable choice, and could increase accessibility to many more students in the state, while providing parents and students more educational alternatives.</p>
<p>But the Legislature would have to invite all of the education interests to the table for the discussion, and not just the usual suspects.</p>
<p>–Katy Grimes</p>
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jan 24 2011 news good college students california least thats lawmakers want everyone believe earlier week legislative committee held formal hearing capitol discuss governors proposed budget cuts colleges universities state expected chancellors californias community college system california state university university california systems showed hearing offer dire reasons budget cuts made students attempting transfer community college csu uc campuses already turned away budget cuts cited reason fee hikes imminent numerous news reports around state claim sad day california uc president mark yudof said summing reaction gov jerry browns proposal monday cut 500 million budgets uc csu additional 400 million states community college system san francisco chronicle recently reported missing education hearing talk education reform sincere creative ideas effectively educate californias college students noticeably absent hearing educational reform groups assembly higher education committee heard fit agenda state online education mentioned briefly hearing never fully discussed yet many states embracing benefits online education undergraduate lower division college coursework california surprisingly one states leading online education fact many experts say california lags behind availability online college studies california education leaders focused decades providing educational access students 160so would seem one efficient ways make education accessible today would internet california federation teachers vocal opponent online education spite research proving success federation even published framework community college contract negotiations rationale policy statements framework document states general rule distance education undertaken campusbased alternative impractical possible courses also offered traditional classroom manner appears cft want lose classroom teachers cft makes position abundantly clear paragraph quality instruction major factor deciding offer distance learning courses quality education must maintained regardless method delivery institution may decide offer distance education courses particular group students unable reach campus college offer equivalent course distancebased instruction recognized faculty equal superior institution provide campus instead providing online education anyone state cft appears attempting run interference behalf teachers find longer needed cft wants teachers kept classroom instruction offer limited coursework online new book short circuited challenges facing online learning revolution california published pacific research institute calwatchdogs parent organization authors explain california imposed much red tape regulations expansion online education become ridiculously difficult virtual charters governed obsolete independentstudy rules fail recognize potential online learning options introduction explains californias online students allowed partake online education counties reside instead accessing community college state completely illogical given expanse purpose online education charter schools created operate outside regular school district structure order free regulations apply public schools return schools supposed accountable student achievement traditional public schools combination freedom accountability meant spur innovation instill choice competition public school system state continued make significant amendments charter plan expanded state policies tying hands charter schools making adhere public school guidelines spite restrictions regulations undeniable successful academic performance charter schools compares traditional public schools despite legislatures disregard educational reforms evidenced hearing week online charter schools demand traditional education teaching methods modified make education accessible state cheer missing acknowledgment need cuts teaching administrative staff state could make meaningful budget cuts higher education budget reducing number paid staff require tenured professors teach lower division undergraduate classes use teaching resources creatively wisely public demand know states cost per pupil uc campuses much higher community colleges accept every student applies given student preparedness dropped significantly online education alternative even supplement traditional education viable choice could increase accessibility many students state providing parents students educational alternatives legislature would invite education interests table discussion usual suspects katy grimes
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<p>July 12, 2013</p>
<p>By Katy Grimes</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" /></p>
<p>Chino Hills will be waving bye-bye to the 200 foot electrical transmission towers erected near homes, schools and churches in the lovely bedroom community.</p>
<p>Yesterday the Southern California city won a long and arduous battle against utility giant <a href="https://www.sce.com/wps/portal/home/!ut/p/b1/04_Sj9CPykssy0xPLMnMz0vMAfGjzOIt3Q1cPbz8DTzdQwKNDTyNAw38gh0djQ0MzIAKIoEKDHAARwNC-sP1o8BK8Jjg55Gfm6pfkBthoOuoqAgAgIrzaA!!/dl4/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/" type="external">Southern California Edison</a>. A group of dedicated, committed and faithful citizens proved that the voting public still has a voice, but only as long as it is willing to put forth the effort.</p>
<p>After several years of legal challenges, the <a href="http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/puc/" type="external">California Public Utilities Commission</a> issued a final decision in the <a href="" type="internal">Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project,&#160;</a>which grants the City of Chino Hills its proposal to run new electrical transmission lines&#160;underground.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.hopeforthehills.org" type="external">Hope for the Hills</a>, the group of Chino Hills residents created to officially fight SCE on the Tehachapi transmission towers project, demonstrated amazing strength in its battle to win back their rights and their neighborhoods.</p>
<p>A couple of years ago, residents of Chino Hills came home from work one day to find monster 200-foot electrical towers suddenly being erected&#160;inside parks and only feet from homes and area churches. Outraged, knowing this would never happen in Malibu, Beverly Hills or San Francisco’s Pacific Heights neighborhood, a&#160;small group made immediate phone calls and did some initial research. They found it was SCE’s Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project, which would construct renewable energy generators from Kern County to western San Bernardino County. The project has been funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, also known as President Obama’s “stimulus money” for “shovel-ready” projects.</p>
<p>In October 2010,&#160; <a href="http://www.sce.com/PowerandEnvironment/Transmission/CurrentProjects/TRTP4-11/approval.htm" type="external">SCE</a>&#160;contractors began removing old, 200- <a href="http://www.thefreedictionary.com/kilovolt" type="external">kilovolt</a>&#160;(kV) transmission lines which had been idle for several decades, and installing new, beefier, taller, 500 kV transmission lines. By May 2011, new towers were being erected. The old towers had been located on an easement, and had not been used in 40 years. SCE had assured developers that the old electrical towers were only still there as backup electricity in an emergency.</p>
<p>But suddenly the old towers were removed, and new, much larger towers were rapidly being installed — right in the backyards of some Chino Hills residents.</p>
<p>Today’s big win didn’t happen overnight, or without unbelievable <a href="" type="internal">organization, commitment and faith</a> by Chino Hills residents. The <a href="http://www.hopeforthehills.org" type="external">Hope for the Hills website</a>has hundreds of photos showing the devastation to the city because of the monster towers already erected.</p>
<p>Together with the City of Chino Hills, the residents&#160; <a href="http://www.chinohills.org/archives/48/PR09-066%20City%20Submits%20Written%20Testimony%20to%20CPUC.pdf" type="external">proposed</a>&#160;various alternate routes that would move the transmission lines away from residential communities and schools into a local state park area.</p>
<p>The&#160; <a href="http://www.chinohills.org/index.aspx?nid=1000" type="external">city spent $4.6 million on experts</a>, lawyers and specialty engineers to&#160; <a href="http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/published/proceedings/A0706031.htm" type="external">fight</a>&#160;SCE to develop an alternate route through the Chino Hills State Park, a plan blessed by environmentalists.</p>
<p>The alternate route plan was initially rebuffed by the CPUC. But in November 2011, Chino Hills received word that the CPUC had ordered SCE to halt work on the project, and to come up with alternate route proposals by January 10, 2012. This came after the Chino Hills City Council voted to file a request with the California Supreme Court to accept review of the Court of Appeal’s ruling against Chino Hills.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" /></p>
<p>In fall 2011, I traveled to Chino Hills to see the towers for myself. I was shocked at what this residential community was being told they had to live with. That’s when I took the pictures in this story.</p>
<p>I met <a href="http://www.hopeforthehills.org" type="external">Hope for the Hills</a>President Bob Goodwin and several of the Hope for the Hills faithful.&#160;During a tour of the city to see the towers, Goodwin and the group showed me parks and schools, as well as the residential &#160;areas dwarfed by the monster towers. Goodwin and I walked up to one of the towers and posed for a photo (below).</p>
<p>He told me Chino Hills was a city people wanted to live in. “Homes were still in demand, even under the current economic downturn. Prices in Chino Hills remained fairly stable. But now we have the monster poles adjacent to our schools, churches and in parks.”</p>
<p>Goodwin said that the number of homes for sale in Chino Hills jumped 400 percent once the towers began to sprout up.</p>
<p>“The Decision, approved by a 3-2 vote, states that the burden imposed on Chino Hills by the overhead lines is unfair and contrary to community values,” the <a href="http://www.chinohills.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=898" type="external">City of Chino Hills</a> posted on its <a href="http://www.chinohills.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=898" type="external">website</a>&#160;today. “Accordingly, the Decision orders removal of the towers already built in the 3.5 mile section of the TRTP right of way in Chino Hills and orders Southern California Edison to complete the project by constructing a single circuit, two cable per phase underground XLPE cable in place of the overhead lines.”</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" /></p>
<p>Back when I first learned of the towers, the more I researched the SCE project, the more it became obvious it was a product of the passage of the&#160; <a href="http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/energy/Renewables/index.htm" type="external">California Renewable Portfolio Standard</a>&#160;by the state Legislature. It then was signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown.</p>
<p>The 2011&#160; <a href="http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/energy/Renewables/index.htm" type="external">CRPS</a>&#160;mandated that 33 percent of electricity generated in the state by 2020 must be from renewable energy.</p>
<p>That means sellers of electricity must procure 33 percent of their total energy supplies from&#160; <a href="http://www.energy.ca.gov/2010publications/CEC-300-2010-007/CEC-300-2010-007-CMF.PDF" type="external">certified renewable resources</a>.</p>
<p>This project was one way to capture&#160; <a href="http://www.recovery.gov/Pages/default.aspx" type="external">federal stimulus money</a>&#160;while looking like heroes to the environmentalist crowd by promoting renewables. (Although some environmentalists objected to the power lines themselves.)</p>
<p>The game is to grab as many federal dollars as possible, regardless of what strings come attached to them.&#160;This explained the speed with which the towers went up. It was largely due to having to spend the federal money by a certain deadline, regardless of the pending legal battles.</p>
<p>It was obvious that SCE circumvented many procedures to get the electrical towers project going so quickly. They were even shut down at one point by OSHA for safety violations, and the by Federal Aviation Administration for airspace infringement because of the height of the tall towers.</p>
<p>Today, the Hope for the Hills <a href="http://www.hopeforthehills.org" type="external">website message</a> says, “Together we made a difference.”</p>
<p>The <a href="http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PublishedDocs/Published/G000/M071/K423/71423831.PDF" type="external">Alternate Proposed Decision</a>&#160;the CPUC voted on today is available <a href="http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PublishedDocs/Published/G000/M071/K423/71423831.PDF" type="external">HERE</a>.</p>
<p>Read my main story on Chino Hills <a href="" type="internal">HERE</a>,&#160;and a full listing of CalWatchdog.com stories&#160; <a href="" type="internal">HERE</a>.</p>
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july 12 2013 katy grimes chino hills waving byebye 200 foot electrical transmission towers erected near homes schools churches lovely bedroom community yesterday southern california city long arduous battle utility giant southern california edison group dedicated committed faithful citizens proved voting public still voice long willing put forth effort several years legal challenges california public utilities commission issued final decision tehachapi renewable transmission project160which grants city chino hills proposal run new electrical transmission lines160underground hope hills group chino hills residents created officially fight sce tehachapi transmission towers project demonstrated amazing strength battle win back rights neighborhoods couple years ago residents chino hills came home work one day find monster 200foot electrical towers suddenly erected160inside parks feet homes area churches outraged knowing would never happen malibu beverly hills san franciscos pacific heights neighborhood a160small group made immediate phone calls initial research found sces tehachapi renewable transmission project would construct renewable energy generators kern county western san bernardino county project funded american recovery reinvestment act 2009 also known president obamas stimulus money shovelready projects october 2010160 sce160contractors began removing old 200 kilovolt160kv transmission lines idle several decades installing new beefier taller 500 kv transmission lines may 2011 new towers erected old towers located easement used 40 years sce assured developers old electrical towers still backup electricity emergency suddenly old towers removed new much larger towers rapidly installed right backyards chino hills residents todays big win didnt happen overnight without unbelievable organization commitment faith chino hills residents hope hills websitehas hundreds photos showing devastation city monster towers already erected together city chino hills residents160 proposed160various alternate routes would move transmission lines away residential communities schools local state park area the160 city spent 46 million experts lawyers specialty engineers to160 fight160sce develop alternate route chino hills state park plan blessed environmentalists alternate route plan initially rebuffed cpuc november 2011 chino hills received word cpuc ordered sce halt work project come alternate route proposals january 10 2012 came chino hills city council voted file request california supreme court accept review court appeals ruling chino hills fall 2011 traveled chino hills see towers shocked residential community told live thats took pictures story met hope hillspresident bob goodwin several hope hills faithful160during tour city see towers goodwin group showed parks schools well residential 160areas dwarfed monster towers goodwin walked one towers posed photo told chino hills city people wanted live homes still demand even current economic downturn prices chino hills remained fairly stable monster poles adjacent schools churches parks goodwin said number homes sale chino hills jumped 400 percent towers began sprout decision approved 32 vote states burden imposed chino hills overhead lines unfair contrary community values city chino hills posted website160today accordingly decision orders removal towers already built 35 mile section trtp right way chino hills orders southern california edison complete project constructing single circuit two cable per phase underground xlpe cable place overhead lines back first learned towers researched sce project became obvious product passage the160 california renewable portfolio standard160by state legislature signed law gov jerry brown 2011160 crps160mandated 33 percent electricity generated state 2020 must renewable energy means sellers electricity must procure 33 percent total energy supplies from160 certified renewable resources project one way capture160 federal stimulus money160while looking like heroes environmentalist crowd promoting renewables although environmentalists objected power lines game grab many federal dollars possible regardless strings come attached them160this explained speed towers went largely due spend federal money certain deadline regardless pending legal battles obvious sce circumvented many procedures get electrical towers project going quickly even shut one point osha safety violations federal aviation administration airspace infringement height tall towers today hope hills website message says together made difference alternate proposed decision160the cpuc voted today available read main story chino hills here160and full listing calwatchdogcom stories160
| 624 |
<p>Editor's note: The Academy Awards really like the "sound" of this film — it was nominated Thursday for Oscars for sound editing and sound mixing.</p>
<p>BUZZARDS BAY, Mass. — You can say one thing for Marcus Luttrell, author of the Afghan war narrative “Lone Survivor”: He certainly has a lot of confidence.</p>
<p>The former Navy SEAL, whose account of a disastrous operation in Afghanistan has just been made into a <a href="http://www.lonesurvivorfilm.com/site" type="external">movie</a>, is now making the rounds of news organizations and talk shows, and finding the terrain almost as perilous.</p>
<p>One tense interview with CNN anchor Jake Tapper has received particular attention.</p>
<p>When the journalist remarked on the film, and the emotions he felt while watching four brave soldiers try to fight their way out of a situation in which they were hopelessly outnumbered, Luttrell all but exploded.</p>
<p>“Hopelessness really never came into it,” he <a href="http://newsbusters.org/blogs/tim-graham/2014/01/12/lone-survivor-takes-cnns-jake-tapper-over-whether-his-deadly-afghanistan" type="external">said</a>, visibly upset, during last Friday's interview. “I mean, where did you see that? … We never felt like we were losing until we were actually dead.”</p>
<p>Below is a clip from the CNN show, via <a href="http://www.motherjones.com/mixed-media/2014/01/lone-survivor-marcus-luttrell-really-hates-liberal-media-jake-tapper" type="external">Mother Jones</a>.</p>
<p />
<p>Three of Luttrell’s brothers-in-arms died in a failed bid to kill or capture a Taliban “bad guy.” Sixteen more servicemen perished when insurgents shot down their rescue helicopter.</p>
<p>It was the worst loss of life in Navy SEAL history.</p>
<p>The film, which stars Mark Wahlberg, is breaking all sorts of <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/how-lone-survivor-scored-top-670146" type="external">box office records</a> and is on track to become the biggest war movie of the post-9/11 era.</p>
<p>Directed by Peter Berg, the movie version of “Lone Survivor” is a love poem to courage and grace in combat. These men suffered and died but never gave up, never abandoned their fellow soldiers and never, ever doubted what they were doing was right.</p>
<p>The book, co-written with British novelist Patrick Robinson, is a bit more prosaic. But the unshakable conviction that the SEALs are always on the side of the angels comes through loud and clear.</p>
<p>This Navy SEAL knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that he’s defending the greatest nation on Earth, and that God is on his side. This is his good ol’ Texas God, mind you, not the rather iffy Muslim one he repeatedly refers to in the book, “a god who’d effectively booted the Ten Commandments over the touchline and out of play.”</p>
<p>Luttrell’s concept of his mission is equally firm: “This was payback time for the World Trade Center,” he wrote. “We were coming after the guys who did it. If not the actual guys, then their blood brothers, the lunatics who still wished us dead and might try it again. Same thing, right?”</p>
<p>Well, not exactly. The destruction of the World Trade Center was the work of Al Qaeda, Osama bin Laden’s militant Islamist organization, which has plotted and carried out <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/jul/13/history.alqaida" type="external">numerous attacks</a> on the United States and others in the years since its founding in 1988.</p>
<p>When the twin towers fell, bin Laden was in Afghanistan; the Taliban had taken him in after he was stripped of his Saudi citizenship, then booted out of Sudan in 1996.</p>
<p>Afghanistan’s offer of shelter was at least partially due to bin Laden’s role in helping the Afghans fight and ultimately defeat the Soviet invaders in the 1980s.</p>
<p>The Taliban has consistently denied it had any part in, or prior knowledge of, the 9/11 attacks. No hard evidence has ever linked it to the plot or its execution, as authors Alex Strick van Linschoten and Felix Kuehn point out in their 2012 <a href="http://www.amazon.com/An-Enemy-Created-Taliban-Al-Afghanistan-ebook/dp/B008PPWB18" type="external">study</a>, "An Enemy We Created: The Myth of the Taliban-Al Qaeda Merger in Afghanistan."</p>
<p>This makes little difference to Luttrell, however.</p>
<p>“They may not have been the precise same guys who planned 9/11. But they were most certainly their descendants, their heirs, their followers. And our coming task was to stop them, right there in those mountains, by whatever means necessary.”</p>
<p>The SEAL team’s specific target was a Taliban bomb maker known in the book as Ben Sharmak; in the film he’s named Ahmad Shah.</p>
<p>Luttrell states baldly that Sharmak was “one of Osama bin Laden’s closest associates” — a statement that falls more into the realm of fiction than fact. Analysts say Ahmad Shah, who was an <a href="http://www.onviolence.com/#13" type="external">insurgent leader</a> in Afghanistan aligned with the Taliban, had never met bin Laden.</p>
<p>Luttrell is not alone in his confusion. For more than a decade, the US has been fighting Al Qaeda in Afghanistan — long after bin Laden and the bulk of his fighters had <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/12/15/how-bin-laden-escaped-in-2001-the-lessons-of-tora-bora.html" type="external">scarpered over the Hindu Kush Mountains</a> into Pakistan in 2001.</p>
<p>In 2010, Leon Panetta, then director of the Central Intelligence Agency, estimated there may have been as few as <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2010/06/cia-at-most-50100-al-qaeda-in-afghanistan/" type="external">50 Al Qaeda operatives</a> left in Afghanistan, at a time when the <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-a-new-strategy-afghanistan-and-pakistan" type="external">stated mission</a> of the <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2010/05/for-first-time-more-us-troops-in-afghanistan-than-iraq/" type="external">more than 90,000 US forces</a> in Afghanistan was to “disrupt, dismantle and defeat Al Qaeda.”</p>
<p>Luttrell has great admiration for President George W. Bush. He is, in the words of a fellow SEAL, “a real dude, man.”</p>
<p>But he has the deepest contempt for journalists, the “liberal media” which he blames for his teammates’ deaths.</p>
<p>As the SEALs claw trough the mountains on their way to their target, they’re discovered by a trio of goatherds.</p>
<p>As Luttrell tells it, the sensible thing to do would have been to kill them all, to prevent them from betraying the presence of the soldiers to the Taliban. But, aware of the possible outcry from “untrained and half-educated journalists” with their “know-nothing rules of etiquette in war and human rights,” the team takes a vote and decides to let the unarmed civilians go.</p>
<p>It was, Luttrell concedes, “the stupidest, most southern-fried, lame brained decision I ever made in my life.”</p>
<p>Soon the team was ambushed by the Taliban, a gruesome firefight ensued, and three SEALs were dead.</p>
<p>Luttrell is rescued by an Afghan, a villager who extends protection under the Pashtun code of hospitality, or Pashtunwali. This was, in fact, the same protection that had earlier been accorded to bin Laden.</p>
<p>It’s just as well that Luttrell and his savior, Gulab, did not share a common language. The SEAL’s pejorative references to the Afghan’s country and its customs might have put a strain on the relationship.</p>
<p>Afghanistan, in Luttrell’s estimation, is “Primitive with a capital ‘P’” and does not belong to “the civilized side of the world,” which is made up of Western countries. He talks of “guys with different colored towels around their heads” munching on “mule-dung sandwiches,” which could be considered a tad offensive.</p>
<p>He is equally dismissive of Pashtuns, whose members make up “that vicious little tribal army,” the Taliban.</p>
<p>Luttrell is convinced — erroneously — that “a vast number of bin Laden’s Al Qaeda fighters” were Pashtun. They were actually drawn mostly from Arab countries.</p>
<p>Even now Luttrell doesn’t really know what he was fighting for — not that it bothers him much.</p>
<p>“Are we a peacekeeping force? Are we fighting a war on insurgents on behalf of the Afghan government, or are we fighting it on behalf of the USA?... Search me. But everything’s cool with us. Tell us what you want and we’ll do it.”</p>
<p>Luttrell is ultimately rescued by Army Rangers, and returns to tell his tale, with a book contract and a movie deal, and, finally, an interview with Jake Tapper.</p>
<p>It’s hard not to sympathize with Luttrell’s agonized challenge to Tapper, who is talking in his “liberal-media” way about “senseless American deaths.”</p>
<p>“We spend our whole lives training to defend this country and then we were sent over there by this country — so you’re telling me because we were over there doing what we were told by our country that it was senseless?” Luttrell said. “And my guys — what? They died for nothing?”</p>
<p>That’s the trillion-dollar question, and unlikely to be answered by this book or movie.</p>
<p>Journalist Jean MacKenzie worked as a reporter in Afghanistan from October 2004 to December 2011.</p>
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editors note academy awards really like sound film nominated thursday oscars sound editing sound mixing buzzards bay mass say one thing marcus luttrell author afghan war narrative lone survivor certainly lot confidence former navy seal whose account disastrous operation afghanistan made movie making rounds news organizations talk shows finding terrain almost perilous one tense interview cnn anchor jake tapper received particular attention journalist remarked film emotions felt watching four brave soldiers try fight way situation hopelessly outnumbered luttrell exploded hopelessness really never came said visibly upset last fridays interview mean see never felt like losing actually dead clip cnn show via mother jones three luttrells brothersinarms died failed bid kill capture taliban bad guy sixteen servicemen perished insurgents shot rescue helicopter worst loss life navy seal history film stars mark wahlberg breaking sorts box office records track become biggest war movie post911 era directed peter berg movie version lone survivor love poem courage grace combat men suffered died never gave never abandoned fellow soldiers never ever doubted right book cowritten british novelist patrick robinson bit prosaic unshakable conviction seals always side angels comes loud clear navy seal knows beyond shadow doubt hes defending greatest nation earth god side good ol texas god mind rather iffy muslim one repeatedly refers book god whod effectively booted ten commandments touchline play luttrells concept mission equally firm payback time world trade center wrote coming guys actual guys blood brothers lunatics still wished us dead might try thing right well exactly destruction world trade center work al qaeda osama bin ladens militant islamist organization plotted carried numerous attacks united states others years since founding 1988 twin towers fell bin laden afghanistan taliban taken stripped saudi citizenship booted sudan 1996 afghanistans offer shelter least partially due bin ladens role helping afghans fight ultimately defeat soviet invaders 1980s taliban consistently denied part prior knowledge 911 attacks hard evidence ever linked plot execution authors alex strick van linschoten felix kuehn point 2012 study enemy created myth talibanal qaeda merger afghanistan makes little difference luttrell however may precise guys planned 911 certainly descendants heirs followers coming task stop right mountains whatever means necessary seal teams specific target taliban bomb maker known book ben sharmak film hes named ahmad shah luttrell states baldly sharmak one osama bin ladens closest associates statement falls realm fiction fact analysts say ahmad shah insurgent leader afghanistan aligned taliban never met bin laden luttrell alone confusion decade us fighting al qaeda afghanistan long bin laden bulk fighters scarpered hindu kush mountains pakistan 2001 2010 leon panetta director central intelligence agency estimated may 50 al qaeda operatives left afghanistan time stated mission 90000 us forces afghanistan disrupt dismantle defeat al qaeda luttrell great admiration president george w bush words fellow seal real dude man deepest contempt journalists liberal media blames teammates deaths seals claw trough mountains way target theyre discovered trio goatherds luttrell tells sensible thing would kill prevent betraying presence soldiers taliban aware possible outcry untrained halfeducated journalists knownothing rules etiquette war human rights team takes vote decides let unarmed civilians go luttrell concedes stupidest southernfried lame brained decision ever made life soon team ambushed taliban gruesome firefight ensued three seals dead luttrell rescued afghan villager extends protection pashtun code hospitality pashtunwali fact protection earlier accorded bin laden well luttrell savior gulab share common language seals pejorative references afghans country customs might put strain relationship afghanistan luttrells estimation primitive capital p belong civilized side world made western countries talks guys different colored towels around heads munching muledung sandwiches could considered tad offensive equally dismissive pashtuns whose members make vicious little tribal army taliban luttrell convinced erroneously vast number bin ladens al qaeda fighters pashtun actually drawn mostly arab countries even luttrell doesnt really know fighting bothers much peacekeeping force fighting war insurgents behalf afghan government fighting behalf usa search everythings cool us tell us want well luttrell ultimately rescued army rangers returns tell tale book contract movie deal finally interview jake tapper hard sympathize luttrells agonized challenge tapper talking liberalmedia way senseless american deaths spend whole lives training defend country sent country youre telling told country senseless luttrell said guys died nothing thats trilliondollar question unlikely answered book movie journalist jean mackenzie worked reporter afghanistan october 2004 december 2011
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<p>The panel chosen to pick candidates for Hong Kong's 2017 election could be made "more democratic," the territory's leader said on Tuesday, the first indication of a possible concession to pro-democracy protesters who have blocked city streets for weeks.</p>
<p>Leung Chun-ying was talking just hours before formal talks got under way between student protest leaders and city officials aimed at defusing the crisis in the former British colony that returned to Chinese rule in 1997.</p>
<p>"There's room for discussion there," he told reporters. "There's room to make the nominating committee more democratic."</p>
<p>In August, Communist Party rulers in Beijing offered Hong Kong people the chance to vote for their own leader in 2017, but said only two to three candidates could run after getting majority backing from a 1,200-person nominating committee, which is widely expected to be stacked with Beijing loyalists.</p>
<p>The protesters decry this as "fake" Chinese-style democracy and say they won't leave the streets unless Beijing allows open nominations.</p>
<p>Discussion of the injection of more democracy into the formation of the nominating committee could only start later in the year when the city government launches a new round of consultations for electoral methods, Leung told reporters in a conference room in his office building.</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost:&#160; <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/141006/Hong-Kong-protests-inspiring-images" type="external">10 incredibly inspiring things about the Hong Kong protests, in photos</a></p>
<p>After more than three weeks of demonstrations that have snarled traffic, and mostly tough talk from Leung and other government officials, expectations are low for a major breakthrough in Tuesday's talks.</p>
<p>Three large screens and projectors were set up at the tent-strewn main protest site on a thoroughfare in the Admiralty district, next to the government offices. Thousands of people jammed around them to watch the dialogue, with periodic cheering during the opening remarks by student leader Alex Chow and jeering when Chief Secretary Carrie Lam spoke.</p>
<p>"The students' voices and demands have been clearly heard by the special administrative region government, Hong Kong society and the central government," said Lam, seated on one side of a U-shaped table with four colleagues facing an equal number student leaders wearing black t-shirts.</p>
<p>"But no matter how high the ideals, they must be strived for through legal, appropriate and rational means."</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost:&#160; <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/141003/meet-the-enemies-occupy-hong-kong" type="external">Meet the enemies of Occupy Hong Kong</a></p>
<p>For their part, the students urged the government to build trust by putting forward a "realistic and feasible" timetable and roadmap for democratic development.</p>
<p>"The Hong Kong government is in the best position to get the people of Hong Kong to go home (and end the protests)," said Chow.</p>
<p>China's CCTV showed the talks live, but only the government officials, not the students.</p>
<p>The protests have sparked occasional scuffles between demonstrators and the police, who once fired tear gas on the crowd and have also used pepper spray and batons, but have not attempted to clear the streets.</p>
<p>Leung told reporters, however, that such action "could take place whenever the police see it as necessary. It is their duty to maintain law and order in Hong Kong.</p>
<p>"We are not tying the dialogue with the students to police actions ... we have never said that while dialogues go on — and there will probably be several rounds of dialogue with the students — the police will not carry out necessary actions."</p>
<p>Leung, who was not taking part in the talks with students, declined to say if there was a deadline for clearing the protesters from city streets and said the government did not have "any instructions from Beijing."</p>
<p>But he said he believed that people of Hong Kong were losing patience.</p>
<p>A numbers game</p>
<p>In blunt remarks on Monday that could inflame students, Leung told some foreign media that free elections were unacceptable partly because they risked giving Hong Kong's poor and working class a dominant voice in politics.</p>
<p>"If it's entirely a numbers game and numeric representation, then obviously you would be talking to half of the people in Hong Kong who earn less than $1,800 a month," Leung told the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and the Financial Times.</p>
<p>"Then you would end up with that kind of politics and policies," added Leung, warning of the dangers of populism and insisting that the electoral system needed to protect minority groups.</p>
<p>Critics say the political system already favors the rich in Hong Kong, which has one of the biggest wealth gaps in Asia and where the vast majority of people cannot afford their own home.</p>
<p>The government canceled talks scheduled for earlier this month after the students called for the protests to expand.</p>
<p>Hong Kong's streets have been calm after dozens of people were injured in two nights of clashes over the weekend in the Mong Kok shopping district, including 22 police.</p>
<p>Besides Mong Kok, where demonstrators remain, about 1,000 protesters are camped out at the headquarters of the civil disobedience "Occupy" movement at Admiralty in a sea of tents on an eight-lane highway beneath skyscrapers close to government headquarters.</p>
<p>Hong Kong is ruled under a "one country, two systems" formula that allows it wide-ranging autonomy and freedoms and specifies universal suffrage as an eventual goal. But Beijing is wary about copycat demands for reform on the mainland.</p>
<p>Leung told the foreign newspapers that Hong Kong had been "lucky" that Beijing had not yet felt the need to intervene.</p>
<p>The Hong Kong leader appears hamstrung, unable to compromise because of the message that would send to Chinese on the mainland, while using more force would likely only galvanize the protests.</p>
<p>(Additional reporting by Clare Jim, Farah Master and Yimou Lee; Writing by John Ruwitch; Editing by Nick Macfie)</p>
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panel chosen pick candidates hong kongs 2017 election could made democratic territorys leader said tuesday first indication possible concession prodemocracy protesters blocked city streets weeks leung chunying talking hours formal talks got way student protest leaders city officials aimed defusing crisis former british colony returned chinese rule 1997 theres room discussion told reporters theres room make nominating committee democratic august communist party rulers beijing offered hong kong people chance vote leader 2017 said two three candidates could run getting majority backing 1200person nominating committee widely expected stacked beijing loyalists protesters decry fake chinesestyle democracy say wont leave streets unless beijing allows open nominations discussion injection democracy formation nominating committee could start later year city government launches new round consultations electoral methods leung told reporters conference room office building globalpost160 10 incredibly inspiring things hong kong protests photos three weeks demonstrations snarled traffic mostly tough talk leung government officials expectations low major breakthrough tuesdays talks three large screens projectors set tentstrewn main protest site thoroughfare admiralty district next government offices thousands people jammed around watch dialogue periodic cheering opening remarks student leader alex chow jeering chief secretary carrie lam spoke students voices demands clearly heard special administrative region government hong kong society central government said lam seated one side ushaped table four colleagues facing equal number student leaders wearing black tshirts matter high ideals must strived legal appropriate rational means globalpost160 meet enemies occupy hong kong part students urged government build trust putting forward realistic feasible timetable roadmap democratic development hong kong government best position get people hong kong go home end protests said chow chinas cctv showed talks live government officials students protests sparked occasional scuffles demonstrators police fired tear gas crowd also used pepper spray batons attempted clear streets leung told reporters however action could take place whenever police see necessary duty maintain law order hong kong tying dialogue students police actions never said dialogues go probably several rounds dialogue students police carry necessary actions leung taking part talks students declined say deadline clearing protesters city streets said government instructions beijing said believed people hong kong losing patience numbers game blunt remarks monday could inflame students leung told foreign media free elections unacceptable partly risked giving hong kongs poor working class dominant voice politics entirely numbers game numeric representation obviously would talking half people hong kong earn less 1800 month leung told new york times wall street journal financial times would end kind politics policies added leung warning dangers populism insisting electoral system needed protect minority groups critics say political system already favors rich hong kong one biggest wealth gaps asia vast majority people afford home government canceled talks scheduled earlier month students called protests expand hong kongs streets calm dozens people injured two nights clashes weekend mong kok shopping district including 22 police besides mong kok demonstrators remain 1000 protesters camped headquarters civil disobedience occupy movement admiralty sea tents eightlane highway beneath skyscrapers close government headquarters hong kong ruled one country two systems formula allows wideranging autonomy freedoms specifies universal suffrage eventual goal beijing wary copycat demands reform mainland leung told foreign newspapers hong kong lucky beijing yet felt need intervene hong kong leader appears hamstrung unable compromise message would send chinese mainland using force would likely galvanize protests additional reporting clare jim farah master yimou lee writing john ruwitch editing nick macfie
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<p>To the unacquainted eye, southeastern Ohio is a picturesque vision of rolling, grass-covered hills dotted with trees. But for Guy Riefler, an associate professor of civil engineering at the University of Ohio specializing in environmental restoration, this pastoral landscape is deceptive.</p>
<p>It hides abandoned, underground coal mines that leach iron and acid waste into nearby streams, filling them with an orange sludge that kills fish and destroys habitat. &#160;</p>
<p>Bent on restoring these streams, Riefler has devised an unorthodox strategy: He’s mining the pollution for the ingredients to make pigments — the kind used to tint paint. Not only does Riefler’s process remove pollutants from stream waters, but the pigments he produces could one day be sold to fund the streams’ cleanup.</p>
<p>Riefler’s focus on coal mines began about 12 years ago when he learned that they were a major source of local pollution. He realized early on that his biggest hurdle wasn’t figuring out how to clean up the contaminated streams&#160;— it was overcoming the lack of state funds to pay for restoration.</p>
<p>Inspiration struck when Riefler discovered that the acidic, iron-rich conditions of Ohio’s streams were strikingly similar to the starting materials used to produce commercial pigments. “In my reading, I came across a description of how synthetic pigments are manufactured using ‘pickle liquor,’ a waste product of the steel industry containing iron dissolved in sulfuric acid,” he says. “[That’s] basically the same thing coming out of these mines.”</p>
<p>When the region’s underground coal mines were abandoned, many were improperly sealed, allowing them to fill with water. Over time, as that water has been exposed to the mines’ natural deposits of iron and sulfur, it has turned into a kind of accidental “pickle liquor.”</p>
<p>Riefler’s process begins when he collects water in plastic jugs from a mine, where the liquid is still clear. While underground, the water has an acidic pH that keeps the iron in a dissolved form. It’s not until the water is exposed to air at the surface that the iron oxidizes and precipitates as an orange sludge that taints the riverbeds.</p>
<p>Back in the lab, Riefler simulates that natural oxidation process by raising the pH of the water and bubbling air through it. The iron separates from the water and falls as sludge to the bottom where it can be collected. A series of de-watering and drying steps transforms the sludge into a non-toxic iron oxide powder that can then be used as a pigment to tint paint. Meanwhile, the leftover water is now iron-free, and after Riefler neutralizes its pH, he can return it to the stream.</p>
<p>He explains the process in this short documentary, "Toxic Art."</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>Theoretically, from a starting point of dissolved iron, variations on three main colors are possible: yellow, red&#160;and black. But, in practice, which color actually develops is dependent on the crystal structure of the iron oxide that Riefler precipitates. There are about 10 to 15 different iron crystals that can form, he says, but they all consist of iron, oxygen and hydrogen. Through trial and error, Riefler has learned how to control, to an extent, the crystal structure — and hence the resulting color — by manipulating conditions such as pH and temperature.</p>
<p>But creating consistent colors is just one part of the pigment-concocting challenge. “I could produce a pigment with a known composition,” Riefler explains, “but paint companies are looking for different qualities such as ‘hiding power,’ ‘tinting strength,’ and ‘hue,’ that don’t translate well into chemistry.” Riefler realized that to create a pigment people would use, he needed someone with an artist’s eye to help him.</p>
<p>That’s where Riefler’s colleague, Ohio University fine arts professor John Sabraw, came in. Sabraw is a painter, known for his vibrant depictions of life forms and natural landscapes. Coincidentally, he’s also well-versed in creating his own paints. By examining Riefler’s pigments for qualities such as opacity, texture, purity and, of course, color, Sabraw could judge whether the results of the pigment-making process would translate into a viable product. “We’ve made a lot of bad paint together, but now we’re able to get something that is basically identical to what’s commercially available,” says Sabraw.</p>
<p>Sabraw adds that Riefler’s pigments have a scent reminiscent of where they came from. “They have just a little tiny fraction of a percent of extra stuff in there from the source stream, and this gives them a certain deep and pleasant earthy aroma,” he says. “I am loving working with them.”</p>
<p>Sabraw now uses Riefler’s pigments in all of his art (though not exclusively). His “Chroma” series reveals the beauty that can be derived from polluted streams. Each Chroma painting begins with Sabraw dropping a large water bubble on an aluminum composite panel. He then carefully places a mixture of various paints onto the droplet’s surface and leaves the panel to dry for four to six weeks, or longer. As the water evaporates, ambient factors such as temperature, humidity, and airflow take over, affecting how the paints spread and dry. “Once I make the initial selection of colors, I have no control,” says Sabraw. “This series is about me as an artist letting go and letting the environment have a say in what happens.”</p>
<p />
<p>One of the paintings from John Sabraw’s “Chroma” series. Mixed media on aluminum composite panel.</p>
<p>Courtsey of&#160;John Sabraw.</p>
<p>While Riefler hopes to one day make his pigments available for artists to purchase, his focus now is on the big picture: He’d like to build an on-site treatment plant at a stream in Truetown, Ohio, that would treat one million gallons of polluted water and produce up to two tons of pigment daily. With such a large volume of pigment to sell, he’s looking towards products with bigger markets than artistic media, such as concrete colorants and paints for bridges or other infrastructure.</p>
<p>“The main reason I got into this was to clean up the streams,” says Riefler. “Creating pigment is a way I can do this is in an affordable way.”</p>
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unacquainted eye southeastern ohio picturesque vision rolling grasscovered hills dotted trees guy riefler associate professor civil engineering university ohio specializing environmental restoration pastoral landscape deceptive hides abandoned underground coal mines leach iron acid waste nearby streams filling orange sludge kills fish destroys habitat 160 bent restoring streams riefler devised unorthodox strategy hes mining pollution ingredients make pigments kind used tint paint rieflers process remove pollutants stream waters pigments produces could one day sold fund streams cleanup rieflers focus coal mines began 12 years ago learned major source local pollution realized early biggest hurdle wasnt figuring clean contaminated streams160 overcoming lack state funds pay restoration inspiration struck riefler discovered acidic ironrich conditions ohios streams strikingly similar starting materials used produce commercial pigments reading came across description synthetic pigments manufactured using pickle liquor waste product steel industry containing iron dissolved sulfuric acid says thats basically thing coming mines regions underground coal mines abandoned many improperly sealed allowing fill water time water exposed mines natural deposits iron sulfur turned kind accidental pickle liquor rieflers process begins collects water plastic jugs mine liquid still clear underground water acidic ph keeps iron dissolved form water exposed air surface iron oxidizes precipitates orange sludge taints riverbeds back lab riefler simulates natural oxidation process raising ph water bubbling air iron separates water falls sludge bottom collected series dewatering drying steps transforms sludge nontoxic iron oxide powder used pigment tint paint meanwhile leftover water ironfree riefler neutralizes ph return stream explains process short documentary toxic art theoretically starting point dissolved iron variations three main colors possible yellow red160and black practice color actually develops dependent crystal structure iron oxide riefler precipitates 10 15 different iron crystals form says consist iron oxygen hydrogen trial error riefler learned control extent crystal structure hence resulting color manipulating conditions ph temperature creating consistent colors one part pigmentconcocting challenge could produce pigment known composition riefler explains paint companies looking different qualities hiding power tinting strength hue dont translate well chemistry riefler realized create pigment people would use needed someone artists eye help thats rieflers colleague ohio university fine arts professor john sabraw came sabraw painter known vibrant depictions life forms natural landscapes coincidentally hes also wellversed creating paints examining rieflers pigments qualities opacity texture purity course color sabraw could judge whether results pigmentmaking process would translate viable product weve made lot bad paint together able get something basically identical whats commercially available says sabraw sabraw adds rieflers pigments scent reminiscent came little tiny fraction percent extra stuff source stream gives certain deep pleasant earthy aroma says loving working sabraw uses rieflers pigments art though exclusively chroma series reveals beauty derived polluted streams chroma painting begins sabraw dropping large water bubble aluminum composite panel carefully places mixture various paints onto droplets surface leaves panel dry four six weeks longer water evaporates ambient factors temperature humidity airflow take affecting paints spread dry make initial selection colors control says sabraw series artist letting go letting environment say happens one paintings john sabraws chroma series mixed media aluminum composite panel courtsey of160john sabraw riefler hopes one day make pigments available artists purchase focus big picture hed like build onsite treatment plant stream truetown ohio would treat one million gallons polluted water produce two tons pigment daily large volume pigment sell hes looking towards products bigger markets artistic media concrete colorants paints bridges infrastructure main reason got clean streams says riefler creating pigment way affordable way
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<p>When President-elect Donald Trump moves into the White House, he’ll be the most conflict-of-interest-prone president in modern history, thanks to the sprawling empire he’s built over the last several decades. He controls more than 500 companies across many industries.</p>
<p>“The sheer scale and private nature of his business suggest it would be an unprecedented and potentially thorny situation for a president,” said Ari Melber, MSNBC’s chief legal correspondent.</p>
<p>While on the campaign trail, Trump said that if he were elected to the nation’s highest office, he would hand the reins of his businesses to his children and not “discuss it with them.” And Trump declared he would “absolutely get out in some form” if there were sanctions placed on countries where the Trump Organization operates.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Related: With Empty Rooms and Bookings Plummeting, Trump's Brand is Taking a Beating</a></p>
<p>When Mitt Romney was running for the presidency in 2012, he vowed to place his massive fortune in a blind trust, were he elected. But it's different for Trump, because there's nothing "blind" about the vast business empire he has built; he's seen it all — one reason why Hillary Clinton’s campaign called on Trump to go even further than Romney's plan, and divest from the entire Trump Organization.</p>
<p>So what are the most pressing questions on how President Trump will handle his massive holdings? We asked legal experts to weigh in.</p>
<p>No, explained Melber, citing the Ethics in Government Act of 1978.</p>
<p>“There are laws compelling disclosure of personal assets, but no law requires presidents to sell or avoid interacting with their business interests on the job.” He notes that this is a special exception for the president. “There are federal laws and regulations restricting how other government officials handle private business, outside employment and conflicts of interest. Congress deliberately exempted the president from such restrictions.</p>
<p>“The bottom line is presidents can do whatever they want with their business interests. They simply must meet disclosure requirements and avoid abusing government power for private gain,” said Melber.</p>
<p>“The rationale is if there is an elected official in such a high position, everything could be looked at as a conflict of interest,” said Kenneth Gross, a partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher &amp; Flom, who has advised several wealthy presidential candidates on ethics rules.</p>
<p>Unlike members of Congress, he added, the “president is considered to be above having to be concerned about those conflicts. He would not be expected to be acting in dereliction.” But because Trump’s entanglements with businesses both domestic and abroad are so complex, those rules could change with the Trump presidency, surmised Gross. “I think there would be some serious reconsideration,” he said.</p>
<p>Not legally. But it could appear awfully shady in the minds of Americans, said Gary Hufbauer, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics.</p>
<p>“It’s hard to see how you keep this wall between you and your children ….It’s hard to imagine that Trump wouldn’t know what was going on with these properties, with how they are performing, if money is coming in or not, and decisions on buying new properties. There’s not the same degree of ignorance you would have with a blind trust.”</p>
<p>While Trump wouldn’t have any legal obligation to sell or step away from his business interests under the Ethics in Government Act, Richard Painter, who served as chief ethics lawyer for President George W. Bush, said Trump could face legal issues under the Emoluments clause in the Constitution, which dates back to 1787. It has since been interpreted by the Department of Justice as banning government officials from accepting any kind of gift from a foreign entity.</p>
<p>Painter gave the example of corporations putting the Trump name on a building owned by a foreign company. “That could be considered as a gift," he said. “If you have a transaction between a Trump entity and a company owned by a foreign government — that could be grounds for impeachment.”</p>
<p>There are really two key legal obligations that impact a president’s business interests, explains Melber: A federal law that compels the president to report assets and business activities over the previous year, and a set of federal laws that already prohibits government officials from abusing their office for private gain, or using government resources for bribery or extortion.</p>
<p>“It is notable that some of the hypotheticals regarding a president with sprawling business interests, such as Donald Trump, basically envision a scenario where the president would misuse government power to directly enrich his own businesses. That is already illegal. Any blatant abuse of government power or resources can be pursued by federal prosecutors, completely separate from the wide latitude Congress afforded presidents to maintain business holdings,” said Melber.</p>
<p>In terms of stock holdings, several former presidents, including George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Ronald Reagan, voluntarily used blind trusts, noted Melber. President Obama, meanwhile, did not use a blind trust, arguing his holdings were so limited it wasn’t necessary.</p>
<p>Trump’s situation is rather unique, though the closest analogy in recent American history is Michael Bloomberg, who maintained private ownership of a large company while serving as New York City mayor. “Bloomberg formally delegated management to other employees, and coordinated with New York City regulators on the arrangement, but also publicly exercised control over major decisions such as acquisitions and hiring,” said Melber.</p>
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presidentelect donald trump moves white house hell conflictofinterestprone president modern history thanks sprawling empire hes built last several decades controls 500 companies across many industries sheer scale private nature business suggest would unprecedented potentially thorny situation president said ari melber msnbcs chief legal correspondent campaign trail trump said elected nations highest office would hand reins businesses children discuss trump declared would absolutely get form sanctions placed countries trump organization operates related empty rooms bookings plummeting trumps brand taking beating mitt romney running presidency 2012 vowed place massive fortune blind trust elected different trump theres nothing blind vast business empire built hes seen one reason hillary clintons campaign called trump go even romneys plan divest entire trump organization pressing questions president trump handle massive holdings asked legal experts weigh explained melber citing ethics government act 1978 laws compelling disclosure personal assets law requires presidents sell avoid interacting business interests job notes special exception president federal laws regulations restricting government officials handle private business outside employment conflicts interest congress deliberately exempted president restrictions bottom line presidents whatever want business interests simply must meet disclosure requirements avoid abusing government power private gain said melber rationale elected official high position everything could looked conflict interest said kenneth gross partner skadden arps slate meagher amp flom advised several wealthy presidential candidates ethics rules unlike members congress added president considered concerned conflicts would expected acting dereliction trumps entanglements businesses domestic abroad complex rules could change trump presidency surmised gross think would serious reconsideration said legally could appear awfully shady minds americans said gary hufbauer senior fellow peterson institute international economics hard see keep wall children hard imagine trump wouldnt know going properties performing money coming decisions buying new properties theres degree ignorance would blind trust trump wouldnt legal obligation sell step away business interests ethics government act richard painter served chief ethics lawyer president george w bush said trump could face legal issues emoluments clause constitution dates back 1787 since interpreted department justice banning government officials accepting kind gift foreign entity painter gave example corporations putting trump name building owned foreign company could considered gift said transaction trump entity company owned foreign government could grounds impeachment really two key legal obligations impact presidents business interests explains melber federal law compels president report assets business activities previous year set federal laws already prohibits government officials abusing office private gain using government resources bribery extortion notable hypotheticals regarding president sprawling business interests donald trump basically envision scenario president would misuse government power directly enrich businesses already illegal blatant abuse government power resources pursued federal prosecutors completely separate wide latitude congress afforded presidents maintain business holdings said melber terms stock holdings several former presidents including george w bush bill clinton george hw bush ronald reagan voluntarily used blind trusts noted melber president obama meanwhile use blind trust arguing holdings limited wasnt necessary trumps situation rather unique though closest analogy recent american history michael bloomberg maintained private ownership large company serving new york city mayor bloomberg formally delegated management employees coordinated new york city regulators arrangement also publicly exercised control major decisions acquisitions hiring said melber
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<p>Editor’s note: To celebrate four decades of muckraking on issues of race and poverty, we kick off this 40th anniversary edition with a focus on four of The Chicago Reporter’s key beats–criminal justice, immigration, labor and housing.</p>
<p>The history behind each issue has had its own trajectory since the Reporter’s founding in 1972. To illustrate that, we sat down with prominent figures whose activism has made its mark in their respective fields and asked them to reflect on their experiences.</p>
<p>We are confident these retrospective articles provide a unique insight into what it’s been like to work “in the trenches” of the nation’s toughest social justice issues.&#160;</p>
<p>When Richard Wheelock took his first job out of law school, he became “the classic, storefront legal-aid attorney” who toiled out of a gritty office on the corner of Milwaukee Avenue and Division Street.</p>
<p>It was 1984. Wheelock was juggling between 40 and 50 cases at a time for the Legal Assistance Foundation, he estimated. He quickly learned how to litigate a range of cases–from disability benefits to car repossessions and evictions. He was particularly drawn to housing cases, though, because they could make or break his clients.</p>
<p>“Most of these families had very little or no income at all,” said Wheelock, now 58. “You knew, if you lost the case, they would be out on the streets.”</p>
<p>In the decades since, Wheelock has made a name for himself as a staunch advocate for the rights of public housing residents. Along the way, he has played a unique role in shaping city policies by holding city officials accountable on plans–both big and small–for overhauling public housing. Wheelock and a handful of his fellow attorneys were there to make sure they got the details right.</p>
<p>For Wheelock, the ‘80s served as a critical learning period. Back then, a good number of Wheelock’s cases came out of the Cabrini-Green public housing development, about a mile up the road from his office. At the time, Cabrini was the second-poorest community in the United States, according to an analysis of 1980 census data by Pierre DeVise, a public administration professor at Roosevelt University. The annual per-capita income for the estimated 12,000 residents at Cabrini was $1,400. A decade earlier, it was twice that.</p>
<p>In Wheelock’s eyes, the Cabrini buildings were in deep distress. Maintenance had been deferred dating back to the 1970s. Burned-out units were boarded up and ignored. Lobbies and stairwells were urine soaked and squalid. In the high-rises, the elevators were routinely out of service. But the neglect was only part of the problem.</p>
<p>In 1984, during the week after Thanksgiving, a 13-year-old boy took a stray bullet to the stomach, and hundreds of parents decided that sending their children to school was too risky. In then-Mayor Harold Washington’s words, the environment had grown “cancerous,” and the Chicago Housing Authority faced a growing number of lawsuits filed by Wheelock and other attorneys.</p>
<p>In 1999, the agency came up with its “Plan for Transformation” to remedy the conditions by tearing down the high-rises and replacing most of them with mixed-income communities. During the past 13 years, however, rebuilding has been slow going, and thousands of tenants have moved from poor, racially segregated public housing units to equally segregated neighborhoods with failing schools, violent crime and substandard housing.</p>
<p>“Are we better off?” Wheelock asked. “If we’re talking about the 25,000 families living in public housing at the beginning of the Plan for Transformation, it’s not clear. For families that did get rehabbed housing? Yeah, it made all the difference in the world.”</p>
<p>*&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; *&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; *</p>
<p>Cabrini has gotten more than its fair share of attention during the past four decades largely because it stood next door to the nation’s second-wealthiest community, the Gold Coast.</p>
<p>By the mid-1990s, it had become increasingly clear that public housing high-rises wouldn’t survive the turn of the century.</p>
<p>Wheelock began representing Cabrini tenants through a tenant leadership council. They worked with then-CHA Executive Director Joseph Shuldiner to solicit developers who would remake a section of mid-rise buildings, including the one made famous by the sitcom, “Good Times.”</p>
<p>“Our focus was not to preserve the status quo but to see that the units that were demolished would be replaced,” Wheelock said.</p>
<p>At the time, “No one was wedded to staying in public housing,” he added.</p>
<p>Shuldiner was hired after the federal government took over the CHA because of financial mismanagement. But the agency’s problems were deeply entrenched. A decade earlier, federal auditors found that the CHA had become “a vehicle for patronage,” and, according to a New York Times report, was “operating in a state of profound confusion and disarray.” It didn’t improve much until 1995 when the CHA’s parent agency, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, sent in Schuldiner, then the agency’s No. 2 administrator, to manage the federal takeover.</p>
<p>Wheelock was optimistic that the CHA was committed to building better housing for his clients. But he wasn’t the only one who saw opportunity. The Chicago Reporter found that developers were snapping up properties around Cabrini. Between 2000 and 2005, there were $1 billion worth of residential property sales in Cabrini area alone, the Reporter story found. “We were hearing rumors that the CHA was meeting behind closed doors with city officials and making new plans for Cabrini,” Wheelock said. In 1996, then-Mayor Richard M. Daley unveiled that plan, which called for tearing down more public housing than Shuldiner had previously supported.</p>
<p>Ultimately, Wheelock filed a federal lawsuit to halt the CHA’s demolition plans, arguing that tenants’ rights were violated. A federal judge agreed, and, by the time the case was settled in 2000, the Cabrini residents he represented were guaranteed that at least 700 new units would be replaced, and that their return would be a priority.</p>
<p>The Cabrini redevelopment was just one small part of the Plan for Transformation, which aimed to cut the CHA’s housing stock by 18,532 units to 24,773 units. Within a few years, thousands of units would be torn down, and the CHA, the city’s largest landlord, would scatter thousands of families throughout Chicago.</p>
<p>“Right or wrong, [the high-rises] are coming down,” Wheelock’s former colleague, attorney Bill Wilen, told the Chicago Sun-Times in the midst of the widespread demolition under the Plan for Transformation. “Now it’s a battle of who gets to stay.”</p>
<p>*&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; *&#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; *</p>
<p>The number of families who stayed is smaller than was initially anticipated. Under a relocation rights contract negotiated by Wheelock, protections were extended to those who wanted to return once the new housing was built. Others opted for a CHA voucher program that would help them move into the private rental market.</p>
<p>Today, 37,783 families are using vouchers in the private rental market, according to the CHA. In 2003, Professor Paul Fischer of Lake Forest College tracked the families who received vouchers. He found that more than 80 percent of them were living in areas that are “overwhelmingly African American and disproportionately poor.”</p>
<p>Wheelock believes the lives of families who took vouchers are “incrementally better” than they were in the high-rises. One factor that “might wipe out the marginal progress,” he added, is hundreds of families that had a right to return to public housing but, as federal monitor Thomas P. Sullivan found, never returned because they were lost in the haste to clear the buildings and knock them down.</p>
<p>Advocates are critical of the CHA for dragging its feet in rehabbing traditional public housing in gentrifying neighborhoods that have attracted a growing number of white residents and are close to jobs and high-achieving schools.</p>
<p>According to a Reporter analysis, there are only three family public housing developments left in predominantly white neighborhoods or areas that are growing in white population today: the Frances Cabrini Rowhouses and the Julia H. Lathrop Homes on the North Side, and a section of the former Henry Horner Homes known as the “superblock” on the Near West Side. More than 70 percent of the 1,709 apartments in those developments are empty.</p>
<p>Wheelock, who is representing tenants in a planning group that’s debating the future of the Cabrini rowhouses, is pressing for the sites to be rehabbed and rented to working-poor families. Which way it’ll go, he said, depends on how the CHA decides to answer this question: “Do we build new housing in neighborhoods with resources? Or do we build a fraction of the units we could in favor of mixed income and then ship the rest off to low-income segregated areas?”</p>
<p>The CHA has rehabbed sites similar to Lathrop in other parts of the city. What’s different is that those buildings are in predominantly black neighborhoods.</p>
<p>Wendy Parks, director of communications at the CHA, said that her agency has yet to finalize future plans for the sites. But she added that, if the units are demolished, a federal court order would require that any replacements be located in “opportunity areas”–census tracts where less than 20 percent of residents live below the poverty level and subsidized housing is minimal.</p>
<p>Wheelock predicted that eliminating any units from Lathrop or Cabrini will likely only put the CHA “much farther in the hole” in reaching the 25,000 replacement units that the agency was funded by the HUD to create when the transformation plan took off in 2000.</p>
<p>“Competing interests,” by city officials and developers, often “drown out” Wheelock’s clients living in the Cabrini rowhouses, he said. Wheelock anticipates the CHA will unveil the next stages of the Plan for Transformation later this year.</p>
<p>“We’re all waiting with bated breath,” Wheelock said. If Chicago’s history is a predictor, change will likely take time, he added. “This is definitely a marathon.”</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">[email protected]</a></p>
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editors note celebrate four decades muckraking issues race poverty kick 40th anniversary edition focus four chicago reporters key beatscriminal justice immigration labor housing history behind issue trajectory since reporters founding 1972 illustrate sat prominent figures whose activism made mark respective fields asked reflect experiences confident retrospective articles provide unique insight like work trenches nations toughest social justice issues160 richard wheelock took first job law school became classic storefront legalaid attorney toiled gritty office corner milwaukee avenue division street 1984 wheelock juggling 40 50 cases time legal assistance foundation estimated quickly learned litigate range casesfrom disability benefits car repossessions evictions particularly drawn housing cases though could make break clients families little income said wheelock 58 knew lost case would streets decades since wheelock made name staunch advocate rights public housing residents along way played unique role shaping city policies holding city officials accountable plansboth big smallfor overhauling public housing wheelock handful fellow attorneys make sure got details right wheelock 80s served critical learning period back good number wheelocks cases came cabrinigreen public housing development mile road office time cabrini secondpoorest community united states according analysis 1980 census data pierre devise public administration professor roosevelt university annual percapita income estimated 12000 residents cabrini 1400 decade earlier twice wheelocks eyes cabrini buildings deep distress maintenance deferred dating back 1970s burnedout units boarded ignored lobbies stairwells urine soaked squalid highrises elevators routinely service neglect part problem 1984 week thanksgiving 13yearold boy took stray bullet stomach hundreds parents decided sending children school risky thenmayor harold washingtons words environment grown cancerous chicago housing authority faced growing number lawsuits filed wheelock attorneys 1999 agency came plan transformation remedy conditions tearing highrises replacing mixedincome communities past 13 years however rebuilding slow going thousands tenants moved poor racially segregated public housing units equally segregated neighborhoods failing schools violent crime substandard housing better wheelock asked talking 25000 families living public housing beginning plan transformation clear families get rehabbed housing yeah made difference world 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 cabrini gotten fair share attention past four decades largely stood next door nations secondwealthiest community gold coast mid1990s become increasingly clear public housing highrises wouldnt survive turn century wheelock began representing cabrini tenants tenant leadership council worked thencha executive director joseph shuldiner solicit developers would remake section midrise buildings including one made famous sitcom good times focus preserve status quo see units demolished would replaced wheelock said time one wedded staying public housing added shuldiner hired federal government took cha financial mismanagement agencys problems deeply entrenched decade earlier federal auditors found cha become vehicle patronage according new york times report operating state profound confusion disarray didnt improve much 1995 chas parent agency us department housing urban development sent schuldiner agencys 2 administrator manage federal takeover wheelock optimistic cha committed building better housing clients wasnt one saw opportunity chicago reporter found developers snapping properties around cabrini 2000 2005 1 billion worth residential property sales cabrini area alone reporter story found hearing rumors cha meeting behind closed doors city officials making new plans cabrini wheelock said 1996 thenmayor richard daley unveiled plan called tearing public housing shuldiner previously supported ultimately wheelock filed federal lawsuit halt chas demolition plans arguing tenants rights violated federal judge agreed time case settled 2000 cabrini residents represented guaranteed least 700 new units would replaced return would priority cabrini redevelopment one small part plan transformation aimed cut chas housing stock 18532 units 24773 units within years thousands units would torn cha citys largest landlord would scatter thousands families throughout chicago right wrong highrises coming wheelocks former colleague attorney bill wilen told chicago suntimes midst widespread demolition plan transformation battle gets stay 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 number families stayed smaller initially anticipated relocation rights contract negotiated wheelock protections extended wanted return new housing built others opted cha voucher program would help move private rental market today 37783 families using vouchers private rental market according cha 2003 professor paul fischer lake forest college tracked families received vouchers found 80 percent living areas overwhelmingly african american disproportionately poor wheelock believes lives families took vouchers incrementally better highrises one factor might wipe marginal progress added hundreds families right return public housing federal monitor thomas p sullivan found never returned lost haste clear buildings knock advocates critical cha dragging feet rehabbing traditional public housing gentrifying neighborhoods attracted growing number white residents close jobs highachieving schools according reporter analysis three family public housing developments left predominantly white neighborhoods areas growing white population today frances cabrini rowhouses julia h lathrop homes north side section former henry horner homes known superblock near west side 70 percent 1709 apartments developments empty wheelock representing tenants planning group thats debating future cabrini rowhouses pressing sites rehabbed rented workingpoor families way itll go said depends cha decides answer question build new housing neighborhoods resources build fraction units could favor mixed income ship rest lowincome segregated areas cha rehabbed sites similar lathrop parts city whats different buildings predominantly black neighborhoods wendy parks director communications cha said agency yet finalize future plans sites added units demolished federal court order would require replacements located opportunity areascensus tracts less 20 percent residents live poverty level subsidized housing minimal wheelock predicted eliminating units lathrop cabrini likely put cha much farther hole reaching 25000 replacement units agency funded hud create transformation plan took 2000 competing interests city officials developers often drown wheelocks clients living cabrini rowhouses said wheelock anticipates cha unveil next stages plan transformation later year waiting bated breath wheelock said chicagos history predictor change likely take time added definitely marathon acaputochicagoreportercom
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<p>Standing before a Mumbai classroom packed with teenagers, Yojana Salunke begins her weekly one-hour lesson on a subject which many experts say is crucial to helping India address one of its biggest challenges —&#160;gender inequality.</p>
<p>"Hands up all those girls who have to do housework before or after school?" Salunke asks, as every pig-tailed girl in the dilapidated state-run school classroom raises their hands.&#160;</p>
<p>"And how many boys help their mothers with the chores?" she continues, looking around the room trying to spot the few boys who have lifted their hands.</p>
<p>The girls laugh and accuse the boys of being lazy, while the boys retort that there is no need to do domestic work as their mothers and sisters do it all. A heated debate ensues.</p>
<p>As India grapples to stem rising violence against women, activists say classes like these - which confront traditional gender roles and challenge sexism amongst the youth —&#160;are key to changing attitudes and curbing widespread gender abuse.</p>
<p>"The lessons are interesting. We talk about how boys and girls are equal as human beings, but how we treat girls differently," said Shakir Parvez Shaikh, 15, a student at the Shahaji Nagar Municipal Hindi School in Mumbai's Cheeta Camp area.</p>
<p>"For example, girls are not allowed to play cricket or watch as much television as boys because they have to do housework or because it is not safe outside for them. I didn't realise before ... I think it's unfair."</p>
<p>From female foeticide, child marriage and dowry killings to rape and domestic violence, Indian girls and women face a barrage of threats, say experts, largely because of age-old patriarchal attitudes that view them as inferior to men.</p>
<p>A massive wave of public protests after the fatal gang rape of a woman on a Delhi bus in December 2012 jolted many in the world's second most populous country out of apathy and forced the government to enact stiffer penalties on gender crimes.</p>
<p>Since then, voracious reporting by the media, campaigns by the government and programs by civil society groups have brought greater public awareness of women's rights and emboldened victims to come forward and register abuses.</p>
<p>There were 309,546 reports of crimes against women in India in 2013, a 26.7 percent jump from 2012, according to the National Crime Records Bureau, including rape, kidnap, sexual harassment, trafficking, and cruelty by husbands and relatives.</p>
<p>But violence is not the only problem. Women also face less visible forms of discrimination with little say over their lives and lacking access to finance, land, inheritance, education, employment, healthcare and nutrition.</p>
<p>The World Economic Forum 2014 Global Gender Gap Index ranked India as 114 out of 142 countries —&#160;based on how women fared against men when it came to economic participation and opportunities, educational attainment and health and survival.</p>
<p>India had the biggest difference between women and men in average minutes spent per day on unpaid work —&#160;&#160;a gap of 300 minutes, said the report —&#160;while working women earned on average $1,980 annually,&#160;compared to men earning $8,087.</p>
<p>During to a visit to India this month, International Monetary Fund&#160;chief Christine Lagarde said the gender disparity in the labour sector was a "huge missed opportunity."</p>
<p>She cited a study putting India's female participation at 33 percent of the workforce against a global average of 50 percent.</p>
<p>While activists have welcomed harsher punishments for gender crimes and moves to improve security, they stress authorities and society must address inequality at a deeper level with adult attitudes and behaviour often shaped by childhood experiences.</p>
<p>"If today's boys are taught to question gender abuse now, they are less likely to be violent when they become men tomorrow," said Ravi Verma, Asia director at the International Center for Research on Women.</p>
<p>"And if girls are taught to speak out now, they will be less likely to endure it as adults."</p>
<p>A survey by the UN&#160;Population Fund and the ICRW last November found that 6&#160;out of 10 Indian men admitted violence against their partners, with men who experienced or witnessed discrimination as children more likely to be abusive.</p>
<p>Although not part of India's formal education curriculum, organizations such as the ICRW have been working with government schools in states such as Maharashtra and Jharkhand to introduce gender classes like those at the Shahaji Nagar Municipal School.</p>
<p>Working with 12- to 14-year-olds in over 12,000 schools, teachers use a range of activities from role play, games and group assignments to spark discussions about discrimination.</p>
<p>For example, the teens act out and discuss familiar scenes in their lives, such as when a daughter is given less food than her brother, or a husband beats his wife for not cooking his dinner, or a girl is harassed by boys in the street.</p>
<p>In the cramped one-room&#160;homes lining the narrow lanes of Cheeta Camp's slums where many of the students live, girls say the classes have boosted their confidence to speak out.</p>
<p>"Before I never used to say anything when a boy in the neighborhood used to make negative comments as I walked past on my way to and from school. But after the classes, I confronted him and told my mother and she went and spoke to him," said 15-year-old Princy Dhananjay Gupta, who wants to become a teacher.</p>
<p>Researchers admit the two-year program&#160;may not be enough to turnaround deep-rooted views over the lower status of women, but say it may plant the seeds of change in the next generation.</p>
<p>Many students seem to agree.</p>
<p>"If you look at my grandfather and great-grandfather, they never thought men and women were equal," said aspiring cricketer Shaikh Mohsin Mohammad Anis, 15, who also lives in Cheeta Camp.</p>
<p>"But I have learned&#160;this, and now I will teach my children about equality — and that's how things will change."</p>
<p>This story was originally published by the&#160; <a href="http://www.trust.org" type="external">Thomson Reuters Foundation</a>, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
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standing mumbai classroom packed teenagers yojana salunke begins weekly onehour lesson subject many experts say crucial helping india address one biggest challenges 160gender inequality hands girls housework school salunke asks every pigtailed girl dilapidated staterun school classroom raises hands160 many boys help mothers chores continues looking around room trying spot boys lifted hands girls laugh accuse boys lazy boys retort need domestic work mothers sisters heated debate ensues india grapples stem rising violence women activists say classes like confront traditional gender roles challenge sexism amongst youth 160are key changing attitudes curbing widespread gender abuse lessons interesting talk boys girls equal human beings treat girls differently said shakir parvez shaikh 15 student shahaji nagar municipal hindi school mumbais cheeta camp area example girls allowed play cricket watch much television boys housework safe outside didnt realise think unfair female foeticide child marriage dowry killings rape domestic violence indian girls women face barrage threats say experts largely ageold patriarchal attitudes view inferior men massive wave public protests fatal gang rape woman delhi bus december 2012 jolted many worlds second populous country apathy forced government enact stiffer penalties gender crimes since voracious reporting media campaigns government programs civil society groups brought greater public awareness womens rights emboldened victims come forward register abuses 309546 reports crimes women india 2013 267 percent jump 2012 according national crime records bureau including rape kidnap sexual harassment trafficking cruelty husbands relatives violence problem women also face less visible forms discrimination little say lives lacking access finance land inheritance education employment healthcare nutrition world economic forum 2014 global gender gap index ranked india 114 142 countries 160based women fared men came economic participation opportunities educational attainment health survival india biggest difference women men average minutes spent per day unpaid work 160160a gap 300 minutes said report 160while working women earned average 1980 annually160compared men earning 8087 visit india month international monetary fund160chief christine lagarde said gender disparity labour sector huge missed opportunity cited study putting indias female participation 33 percent workforce global average 50 percent activists welcomed harsher punishments gender crimes moves improve security stress authorities society must address inequality deeper level adult attitudes behaviour often shaped childhood experiences todays boys taught question gender abuse less likely violent become men tomorrow said ravi verma asia director international center research women girls taught speak less likely endure adults survey un160population fund icrw last november found 6160out 10 indian men admitted violence partners men experienced witnessed discrimination children likely abusive although part indias formal education curriculum organizations icrw working government schools states maharashtra jharkhand introduce gender classes like shahaji nagar municipal school working 12 14yearolds 12000 schools teachers use range activities role play games group assignments spark discussions discrimination example teens act discuss familiar scenes lives daughter given less food brother husband beats wife cooking dinner girl harassed boys street cramped oneroom160homes lining narrow lanes cheeta camps slums many students live girls say classes boosted confidence speak never used say anything boy neighborhood used make negative comments walked past way school classes confronted told mother went spoke said 15yearold princy dhananjay gupta wants become teacher researchers admit twoyear program160may enough turnaround deeprooted views lower status women say may plant seeds change next generation many students seem agree look grandfather greatgrandfather never thought men women equal said aspiring cricketer shaikh mohsin mohammad anis 15 also lives cheeta camp learned160this teach children equality thats things change story originally published the160 thomson reuters foundation charitable arm thomson reuters 160
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<p><a href="" type="internal" />APRIL 22, 2011</p>
<p>By WAYNE LUSVARDI</p>
<p>The desire for imaginary benefits often involves the loss of present blessings. — Aesop’s Fables.</p>
<p>In Kern County, things evaporate.&#160;&#160;The County once had a 100-square mile seasonal body of water called Buena Vista Lake near its center that dried up when Lake Isabella Dam and the California Aqueduct were built in 1953.&#160;&#160;The size of the lake swelled and shrank wildly depending on intermittent rainfall.</p>
<p>Now, a Kern County labor leader has charged that the notion that the County’s pension fund has dried up has been “made up” to extract concessions from county employees.</p>
<p>The problem in Kern County is reality. The original Lake Buena Vista no longer exists, although it is shown on old maps. And Kern County’s pension fund has not so much evaporated as the promised level of benefits was imaginary in the first place.</p>
<p>As the&#160; <a href="" type="internal">Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management</a> reported in October 2010, Kern County is facing a situation in the “best case” where 51 percent of its General Fund would have to be dedicated to paying pensions by 2019. And in the “worst case” situation, 82 percent of its operating budget would have to paid for pensions by 2015:</p>
<p>Percent Municipal Revenues Consumed by Pensions</p>
<p />
<p>(2019)</p>
<p />
<p>(2015)</p>
<p>.</p>
<p>Kern County apparently is on track for the worst-case scenario. But labor leaders are still true believers, just as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_Madoff" type="external">Bernie Madoff’s</a> investors were.</p>
<p>Labor leader&#160; <a href="http://www.bakersfield.com/news/local/x2092349415/County-union-rejects-contract-offer-cites-made-up-financial-crisis" type="external">Regina Kane, president of Chapter 521 of the SEIU</a>, issued a press release this week stating:</p>
<p>We have been told to sacrifice the price of our medical coverage and promised retirement benefits for a made-up financial crisis so the supervisors can call themselves pension reformers, in keeping with the current political fashion.</p>
<p>Such rhetoric is expected in hotly contested labor negotiations, but may mislead union members into believing they are getting the shaft from an unfair game of political football.&#160;&#160;Social psychologists call this “cognitive dissonance” – when a prophecy has been shown to be false, those who believed in it don’t abandon their faith. Instead their beliefs just get stronger.</p>
<p>Another true disbeliever is economist Dean Baker of the left-leaning Center for Economic Policy and Research, who has stated that the major driver of the County’s pension fund shortfall was the stock market crash of 2008, not&#160; <a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/opinion/ci_17859240?click_check=1" type="external">“ever-increasing or overpromised benefits to employees.”</a></p>
<p>Apparently even economists’ opinions are also based on beliefs and unrealistic assumptions.&#160;&#160;Kern County’s pension fund was based on linear projections of annual compounded returns on investments, lasting forever, to plug the gap between promised benefits and actual contributions from employees.&#160;&#160;But financial markets are not linear and upward; they are cyclical, as history has proven and everyone knows.&#160;&#160;Seasonal lakes dry up or are drained and imaginary pension benefits evaporate or recede when financial markets panic.</p>
<p>This is especially so for the 2008 financial market bubble that was invested in speculative sub-prime real estate mortgages and retail real estate projects “puffed” by local redevelopment schemes. In essence, local pension funds, growth management plans, affordable housing quotas and redevelopment were a connected house of cards.</p>
<p>Of 459 cities in California, 413 of them have redevelopment agencies. And over 100 cities had inclusionary housing ordinances as of 2003.</p>
<p>To pump up sales taxes for municipal pension funds, redevelopment projects were created based on overpriced retail outlets and “inclusionary” housing that inflated prices of retail goods and services, condos and apartments.&#160;&#160;Union leaders and advocate economists can blame the bogeyman of Wall Street, but this was also a crisis that was cooked up&#160; <a href="http://ideas/blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/20/a-local-not-national-housing-bubble/" type="external">locally</a>.</p>
<p>Financiers may have packaged globalized mortgage-backed securities, but municipal governments acted locally to bring it all about by a combustible package of slow-growth zoning, inclusionary housing laws, affordable housing mandates and redevelopment. In a quid pro quo, redevelopment promised to avoid developing in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NIMBY" type="external">NIMBYs</a>‘ back yards if the NIMBYS would just allow the redevelopers to build mixed-use housing and retail in older, hollowed-out downtowns.</p>
<p>The public seems to have never caught on that, to build one unit of inclusionary housing, about four units of market-rate housing have to be built at an over-market price to subsidize that one affordable unit. This is called a bubble.</p>
<p>Developers, planners and city councilpersons can respond to the anti-growth NIMBYs that they are forced to build overpriced market-rate housing just to meet affordable-housing mandates. So state affordable housing mandates are the cart that drives the horse of local development, so to speak.</p>
<p>This is why affordable housing mandates are artificial and have no bearing in reality as to whether a city has enough older affordable housing stock or not.</p>
<p>True affordable housing is old, obsolescent and located further from commercial services and transit centers.</p>
<p>But in recent years, “affordable housing” has been redefined as a lack of brand new condos or apartments built on pricey commercial land with pools, spas and gyms, and located next to light-rail transit stations.&#160;&#160;In other words, affordable housing is imaginary and has been redefined as lack of luxury housing for the poor — an oxymoron.&#160;Affordable Cadillacs can’t be far behind.</p>
<p>The story of local complicity in the national financial panic has largely not been told, however. A Cato Institute study,&#160; <a href="http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=10570" type="external">“How Urban Planners Caused the Bubble,”</a> found:</p>
<p />
<p>* Home prices did not bubble in 29 states, only one of which had a growth management law. Conversely, home prices bubbled in 16 of 21 states with such laws.</p>
<p>* Between 2000 and 2008, the Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston metropolitan populations each grew by more than 125,000 per year without out experiencing bubbles, while having no strong growth-management plans.</p>
<p>. Such studies, however, have failed to see how growth management plans, redevelopment, affordable housing quotas and inclusionary housing combined to induce a housing price fever to generate more sales taxes and a larger property tax base to pay for overcommitted pension funds. By definition, redevelopment is an economic bubble not manufactured on Wall Street but on Main Street. Redevelopment projects functioned as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potemkin_village" type="external">Potemkin</a> casinos that cities bet their futures on and lost.</p>
<p>Redevelopment is also not just physical real estate, tax increment financing or a bubble — but an ideology. An ideology is not a lie, deception, propaganda or trickery. By definition, the liar knows he is lying, the ideologist does not. Those advocating saving redevelopment in California are perfectly sincere. Just look at the beautiful projects they have created (they would say)!</p>
<p>But ideologies frequently serve a vested interest and distort reality where it is beneficial for them to do so.&#160;&#160;You can tell when an ideology has been operating when those beneficiaries claim that when things didn’t work out right, it must be imaginary.</p>
<p>They say in Kern County that once a year you can see a mirage of the former Buena Vista Lake.</p>
<p />
<p>&#160;</p>
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april 22 2011 wayne lusvardi desire imaginary benefits often involves loss present blessings aesops fables kern county things evaporate160160the county 100square mile seasonal body water called buena vista lake near center dried lake isabella dam california aqueduct built 1953160160the size lake swelled shrank wildly depending intermittent rainfall kern county labor leader charged notion countys pension fund dried made extract concessions county employees problem kern county reality original lake buena vista longer exists although shown old maps kern countys pension fund much evaporated promised level benefits imaginary first place the160 northwestern university kellogg school management reported october 2010 kern county facing situation best case 51 percent general fund would dedicated paying pensions 2019 worst case situation 82 percent operating budget would paid pensions 2015 percent municipal revenues consumed pensions 2019 2015 kern county apparently track worstcase scenario labor leaders still true believers bernie madoffs investors labor leader160 regina kane president chapter 521 seiu issued press release week stating told sacrifice price medical coverage promised retirement benefits madeup financial crisis supervisors call pension reformers keeping current political fashion rhetoric expected hotly contested labor negotiations may mislead union members believing getting shaft unfair game political football160160social psychologists call cognitive dissonance prophecy shown false believed dont abandon faith instead beliefs get stronger another true disbeliever economist dean baker leftleaning center economic policy research stated major driver countys pension fund shortfall stock market crash 2008 not160 everincreasing overpromised benefits employees apparently even economists opinions also based beliefs unrealistic assumptions160160kern countys pension fund based linear projections annual compounded returns investments lasting forever plug gap promised 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<p>DAVID GREGORY: Good Sunday morning. Speaking to U.S. officials over the weekend, they say they are very concerned. They've not yet found that missing Malaysian Airlines jet. Was it sabotage or a terror plot? The mystery has only deepened. We'll discuss that story this morning as well as the other big developing story, that's Crimea. Thousands of Russian troops are massing at the Ukrainian border as Crimeans vote on whether to join Russia today. So how does the U.S. stop Russia from going even further? I'll be joined by the president's senior advisor Dan Pfeiffer and just back from Ukraine two key voices from the Senate.</p>
<p>Plus, the politics of this election year. Danger ahead for Democrats after a special election that puts Obamacare at the center of the fight.</p>
<p>And a different perspective on the country's ideological debates this morning. Comedian Bill Maher working the red states and speaking his mind about what's ailing America.</p>
<p>ANNOUNCER: From NBC News in Washington, the world's longest running television program, this is MEET THE PRESS with David Gregory.</p>
<p>GREGORY: Lost, the Malaysian Airlines 777 vanished now nine days ago. And all of our 21st century technology has turned up no concrete evidence of what happened to Flight 370. These are the latest pictures from the U.S. Navy as they're tracking any potential wreckage. The fate of the 239 people on board is still unknown. However, the latest signs are pointing to a criminal act. Malaysia's prime minister now saying the plane was deliberately diverted and its communication systems disabled. In a moment, I'm going to speak to Dan Pfeiffer, senior adviser to President Obama. He's here about what the White House knows at this juncture. But first, Greg Feith, a former NTSB investigator, pilot and NBC News analyst. He joins me from Denver and he's been tracking this now for all the days that it's been missing. Greg, it's good to see you here. So I just mentioned the evidence, the concrete evidence that points to this being a criminal act. Take me through that that leads you to believe that's the case.</p>
<p>MR. GREG FEITH (Former NTSB Investigator): Well, early on, David, one of the things that we had was the initial radar track. That was just the outbound portion that tended to believe-- make us believe that this was just at event that took place and we didn't know if it was an accident. It was that second turn. It was that initial left hand turn with the track for about an hour, and then the subsequent return or right turn that-- that caused me and I think others to believe, especially the Malaysians that that was not on the flight plan route, that it had to have been human intervention that actually initiated that turn. And so when you're going away from your intended destination of Beijing and you start to wander well off that course, that to me having done SilkAir, working with the Indonesians, that led me to believe that there was something else going on that was not intended as far as conducting this flight point A to point B.</p>
<p>GREGORY: So-- so Greg, the point is that there is evidence that somebody in the crew is turning off its communications, turning off the radar and then all of a sudden you see it re-emerge on a different flight path-- plath-- path, rather, after a turn. That says to you somebody has-- has made a deliberate decision to commandeer this aircraft and go in a different direction?</p>
<p>MR. FEITH: Absolutely. There would never be a reason for a pilot to turn off the transponders. That is the key for air traffic controllers to be able to track that airplane at all times when it's in the air. So there would have been no reason to turn off the transponders. The fact that the ACAR systems or at least the data portion was shut down indicates that somebody didn't want to be tracked, either through the transponder or the ACAR system. And as a primary target, the military only had a skin paint, non-descript blip on the radar that said the airplane was at a distance and heading in a direction. But that was it.</p>
<p>GREGORY: So let's look at potential flight paths here on the map because it's interesting, it could have gone a couple of different directions. The-- the southern route versus the northern route. If you're going north, all of a sudden you get over a big land mass in South Asia and Middle East. A lot of U.S. military assets there, other military assets that other countries have. It seems implausible that you could fly a plane and not be detected. Doesn't this still point to the idea that it's crashed?</p>
<p>MR. FEITH: It-- it does to an extent, David. I would think that if this person, whoever is flying the aircraft, turned off all the transponders and the ACAR system, they didn't want to be detected. So if you take that northerly track you go back into a radar environment and at a potential environment where we have space assets that are looking down on that part of the world. Why would you want to go back and get into a detected area? If you go south, there is very little radar coverage, if any. And, of course, I don't believe that we would be looking there from space because that's the middle of the ocean and there's not really any activity going on out there. So that would be a great place to disappear.</p>
<p>GREGORY: So theories run wild. You're an experienced investigator. In just a few seconds, what do you have to be running through here to think about likely outcomes?</p>
<p>MR. FEITH: I think right now, while we all hold out hope that there may be a successful end to this situation, if you will, the airplane is sitting somewhere even though there may have been a nefarious intent but I believe based on my experience in all the years that this will not have the outcome especially for the families that they want, but we're not really going to be fully confident as to what the-- the motive was for this type of event, whether it was some sort of intentional act by a pilot for selfish reasons or some sort of terroristic type or at least implied terrorististic event.</p>
<p>GREGORY: All right. Greg Feith, thanks so much for your expertise this morning. I appreciate it.</p>
<p>MR. FEITH: You're welcome.</p>
<p>GREGORY: Here now is Dan Pfeiffer senior adviser to President Obama. Dan, welcome back. Besides the personal toll, which is potentially devastating and devastating for families already, what else troubles the president at this point?</p>
<p>MR. DAN PFEIFFER (White House Senior Adviser): About the crash in Malaysia?</p>
<p>GREGORY: Yeah.</p>
<p>MR. PFEIFFER: Well, look, we don't know the-- what's troubling is we don’t know the answer yet. The Malaysian government is in the lead. But the president has directed his administration to dedicate the resources necessary to help them. So what we are doing is, we have the FBI, supporting the Malaysian criminal investigation. We have naval assets helping to look for the plane and the National Transportation Safety Board is on the ground trying to figure out what happened. So we're going to do everything we can to help them, but we need to get the answers and we need to get them soon.</p>
<p>GREGORY: Do you have specific evidence that points to a terror plot of any kind?</p>
<p>MR. PFEIFFER: It's too early to rule anything in or out yet. We-- we simply just don't know enough information.</p>
<p>GREGORY: Any elevated chatter that the government is concerned about in terror circles?</p>
<p>MR. PFEIFFER: Not-- not necessarily around this. We're still-- we have to get to the bottom of what's happening here.</p>
<p>GREGORY: The question about security. A lot of people look at the situation and say, wow, could a-- could a plane originating in the United States experience this kind of trouble, this kind of criminal act? Does the president want to see any additional reviews around our own security?</p>
<p>MR. PFEIFFER: I think we have to figure out what happened here and then go back into an after action report and see what could be done better. We just don't know enough to know exactly how this would impact things in the United States in the future.</p>
<p>GREGORY: Let me move onto the big developing story in Ukraine. Is Crimea lost at this point?</p>
<p>MR. PFEIFFER: Look that is-- we don’t-- we are putting as much pressure on the Russians as we can to do the right thing. They-- we have given them the opportunity and the path to deescalate and get this in the right place because they know that there are costs to their action here. The costs are economic, the Russian economy, the Russian stock market and the Ruble are at five-year lows. Russia's isolated in the world. You saw that in the U.N. Security Council yesterday and the more they escalate, the longer this goes, the greater those costs will be.</p>
<p>GREGORY: So if Crimea votes to become part of Russia, there's still a concern there might be an attempt to move into eastern Ukraine, maybe even militarily move into Crimea further. Do you think that’s going to happen, starting with Crimea?</p>
<p>MR. PFEIFFER: Well, first, as relates to the referendum…</p>
<p>GREGORY: Yeah.</p>
<p>MR. PFEIFFER: …as we've said this referendum is in violation of international law. The United States is not going to recognize the results of that referendum and we are working with our partners around the world, the Europeans in particular to marshal forces against the Russians to put pressure on them in the form of sanctions and the president has signed an executive order last week that gives them authority to do this and you can expect sanction designations in the coming days.</p>
<p>GREGORY: If there is a move militarily into the rest of the Ukraine, how important is it from the president's point of view to arm Ukraine, to send military aid to Ukraine to be able to protect itself.</p>
<p>MR. PFEIFFER: Supporting the new Ukrainian government in every way possible is the top of our priority list. We're looking at all-- at all-- all ways of assistance and we're going to keep talking to the Ukrainians…</p>
<p>(Cross talk)</p>
<p>GREGORY: But would-- would the president call on Congress to pass more military aid for Ukraine?</p>
<p>MR. PFEIFFER: We-- we are calling on them right now to pass economic aid for Ukraine. There's a bill that came out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee just last week. They should do that and we're going to keep working this as much as we can.</p>
<p>GREGORY: Is Eastern Ukraine the new red line here?</p>
<p>MR. PFEIFFER: What we have to do here, everything the Russians have done thus far has been in violation of international law and bad for peace and stability in the region and bad for the Russians. And President Putin has a choice about what he's going to do here. Is he going to continue to further isolate himself, further hurt his economy, further diminish Russian influence in the world or is he going to do the right thing.</p>
<p>GREGORY: Let's talk about domestic politics and the president's approval rating. We had a big poll out, Wall Street Journal, NBC News this week. Here's what it found, overall job approval for the president 41 percent. Handling the economy 41 percent, same number when it came to foreign policy. And here's what's striking. Approval is 74 percent among Democrats, sounds high, but it's the lowest that the president's had in terms of his approval among Democrats. He can't very well blame Republicans for this. The president has really slipped.</p>
<p>MR. PFEIFFER: Well, look, on this-- the public polls are a little bit all over the map. On a same day, your poll came out, another poll came out that showed the president gaining six points in the last couple months. But look, I've looked at a lot of data and let me tell you what we see. There's no question that everyone in Washington, the president included took a big hit from the double whammy of a shutdown in the problems of healthcare.gov. We have stabilized and we're working our way back and look at the aggregate of public polling. We've gained three points in the last couple of months. But there's no question we have more work to do.</p>
<p>GREGORY: But there's so much disappointment, there's so much disappointment in Washington, but this is an election year and Democrats are worried, in the New York Times this morning-- I've been reading. Jonathan Martin and Ashley Parker write this. "Democrats are becoming increasingly alarmed about their midterm election fortunes amid President Obama's shrinking approval ratings, a loss in a special House election in Florida this past week, and millions of dollars spent by Republicans-aligned groups attacking the new health care law. The combination has led to uncharacteristic criticism of Mister Obama and bitter complaints that his vaunted political organization has done little to help the party's vulnerable congressional candidates."</p>
<p>MR. PFEIFFER: Well, look, there is no question this is a tough map for Democrats. That's what happens when you win a lot of elections like we did in 2008. But-- but the good news is this that we have good candidates and most importantly we’re on the right side of the issue that matters most to the-- most to the public, jobs and the economy. Here's what the president's going to do. He is going to lay out the terms of-- of the debate in this election as a choice between Democrats who support an agenda of opportunity for all, for Republicans for an agenda of opportunity for a few. And-- and let's not forget, this president wrote the book on running and winning modern campaigns. So we're going to take all of our resources and help Democrats up and down the ballots, our technology, our…</p>
<p>(Cross talk)</p>
<p>GREGORY: Right. But do they want your help? Is the president more of a liability than he is an asset at this stage for Democrats?</p>
<p>MR. PFEIFFER: We-- we are going to set the terms of the debate. We’re going to provide our-- our organizational ability to help them if the president's going to raise money. We want to help them in every way we can. If…</p>
<p>GREGORY: Liability or asset?</p>
<p>MR. PFEIFFER: The president will be an asset in every way possible and help these candidates.</p>
<p>GREGORY: But you're talking about framing this as a choice that frankly is-- is an argument the Democrats have been making for 20 years in terms of jobs and the economy. Republicans are very unified around one thing, Obamacare is bad. And a lot of voters seem to agree with that. How much does Obamacare hurt Democrats?</p>
<p>MR. PFEIFFER: Well, David, that’s not true. The-- the Republican position on Obamacare of repeal at all costs is opposed by a majority of Americans. It was not a factor in the Florida '13 election. But don’t take my word for it. Peter-- Geoff Garin, who was the pollster in that race, who’s the partner of NBC's own Peter Hart, said it was a negligible effect. Karl Rove, someone I don’t agree with often, said this…</p>
<p>GREGORY: Geoff Garin-- since you brought him up. Geoff Garin also told us--because we've looked at his comments--there is no question that Obamacare is a huge motivator for Republicans and turning out the vote, which they did very effectively in Florida '13 much more so than Democrats could become a national trend.</p>
<p>MR. PFEIFFER: Well, we absolutely have to do-- Democrats have to do a better job at turning out in midterm elections. We’re very good at presidential years and less good in midterms. And if more Democrats don't turn out, we will not do well. (Unintelligible) coming up all of us, the president included, to get as many people to the polls in November as possible.</p>
<p>GREGORY: There is an issue with Obamacare, too, is about ultimately how is going to look, what impact is it going to have, and did the president sell this thing accurately? Here is the latest. You go back to Jan-- June of 2009 and even last Friday. Listen to this.</p>
<p>(Videotape; June 6, 2009)</p>
<p>PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: If you like the plan you have, you can keep it. If you like the doctor you have, you can keep your doctor, too. The only change you'll see are falling costs as our reforms take hold.</p>
<p>(End videotape)</p>
<p>(Videotape; Friday)</p>
<p>PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: For the average person, many a folk-- folks who don't have health insurance initially, you know, they're going to have to make some choices and they might end up having to switch doctors in part because they're saving money.</p>
<p>(End videotape)</p>
<p>GREGORY: The president had already apologized for saying if you like your plan you can keep it. That didn’t turn out to be true for everybody. Now it seems like he's backtracking on whether you can keep your doctor if you like your doctor.</p>
<p>MR. PFEIFFER: No, David, this is a very different issue. Insurance companies make decisions about what doctor is in your network. That was true before Obamacare. That’s true after Obamacare. There's nothing in Obamacare that's going to cause-- mandates an insurance company make any change around doctors. That's a decision for insurance companies because Obamacare is built on the private insurance system.</p>
<p>GREGORY: Can you rule out the idea that the president doesn't delay the individual mandate?</p>
<p>MR. PFEIFFER: Yes, I can.</p>
<p>GREGORY: You can? That will not happen.</p>
<p>MR. PFEIFFER: That will not happen.</p>
<p>GREGORY: But there're so many changes that the administration has made. And I wonder whether you worry that a future president, a Republican president could make the same kind of rollbacks unilaterally to the implementation of the law that Democrats wouldn't like.</p>
<p>MR. PFEIFFER: Well, look, what-- what we’re doing here is very consistent with how large pieces of legislation are implemented. This is how it was done with Medicare, how it was done with the prescription drug benefit passed under President Bush is to find ways to implement it in a way that is best for everyone. If that includes giving people some additional transition time like we’ve done for businesses, then that's the right thing to do and it's very consistent with how law-- laws are implemented.</p>
<p>GREGORY: Let me ask you about the-- the debate now between the Senate and the CIA over past interrogation techniques. But this has become a big debate about this. Is this a fight over documents or did the CIA spy on the Senate?</p>
<p>MR. PFEIFFER: Well, look, let's take a step back to what this entire issue is about. This is about a Senate report and the conduct conducted under the previous administration, conduct this president outlawed on his first day in office.</p>
<p>GREGORY: Mm-Hm.</p>
<p>MR. PFEIFFER: We've provided millions of pages of documents to the Senate and the president is urging the Senate Committee to finish the report as soon as possible so he can declassify the findings. Now there're allegations on both sides and those have been referred to the appropriate authorities of the Inspector General and the Department of Justice and we'll let them get to the bottom of it.</p>
<p>GREGORY: So you're not prepared to say whether the head of the CIA John Brennan should apologize?</p>
<p>MR. PFEIFFER: Let's let them get to the bottom of what happened here.</p>
<p>GREGORY: Let me ask you about immigration. The president's supporters in some quarters have taken to calling him the deporter in chief. Some two million deportations under his tenure and counting. Will the president take executive action to do anything to slow those deportations?</p>
<p>MR. PFEIFFER: The president has asked his secretary of Homeland Security to look at our current enforcement practices and see how we can enforce them more humanely within the constraints of the law. That is the right thing to do, because the president…</p>
<p>GREGORY: But that would mean slowing down deportations.</p>
<p>MR. PFEIFFER: What it means is it-- what it means is enforcing them more humanely and directing our resources towards the highest priorities, like…</p>
<p>GREGORY: Give me an example of what that could be.</p>
<p>MR. PFEIFFER: Well, what that means is-- I'm not going to prejudge the results of Secretary Johnson's review. But it means looking at how focusing our resources towards folks crossing the border, towards criminals-- which is what we've been doing. And the president is-- he feels the pain of the community, the separation in the community from our broken immigration system. But here's what I’ll say. There is nothing that will come at the end of this review that is a substitute for comprehensive immigration reform.</p>
<p>GREGORY: Right. But part of the reason to take executive action, my understanding, from my own reporting within the White House, the debate is-- look. If-- if immigration reform is dead, the president's got to do something unilaterally. Or else his own supporters, Democrats, are going to have a hard time with so many deportations and a president who fails to get immigration reform. Is immigration reform dead? Is that your fear? I know it's not your hope. Is it your fear?</p>
<p>MR. PFEIFFER: Look, there is a window to pass immigration reform. There is a bipartisan majority for it in the House right now. There are a series-- there are a number of Republicans, I think the speaker included, who sincerely want to solve this problem. The problem we have is that the power in the Republican party right now is in the self-deportation wing of the party. And if we-- if the speaker will allow us-- allow a bill to come to the floor, I think we can get something done.</p>
<p>GREGORY: So when does the window close?</p>
<p>MR. PFEIFFER: I think we're going to keep pushing this and try to get this done as soon as possible.</p>
<p>GREGORY: Hard it see it this year though, right?</p>
<p>MR. PFEIFFER: Well, look, if-- it could happen this week…</p>
<p>GREGORY: Yeah.</p>
<p>MR. PFEIFFER: …if the Republicans would put a bill on the floor.</p>
<p>GREGORY: Final question about politics. Is the Senate in danger of falling to Republicans?</p>
<p>MR. PFEIFFER: I believe we will keep the Senate. We had-- we have great candidates with experience winning in tough states, and we're on the right side of the issues.</p>
<p>GREGORY: All right. One of the president's political gurus, Dan Pfeiffer, thanks so much. Appreciate you being here. We're back here in 90 seconds. Will Russia invade Ukraine after this key secession vote in the Crimean region today? I'm going to be joined by two members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee who have just returned from Ukraine. I'll ask them if Crimea is lost to Russia? And if so, who lost it? Coming up.</p>
<p>(Announcements)</p>
<p>GREGORY: We are back. The latest now on the other big story we're following this morning, the crisis in Ukraine. Ukraine has accused Russia of seizing a gas plant over the Crimean border, calling the move a military invasion. As Crimeans vote today on whether to secede from Ukraine to join Russia, referendum President Obama, and you heard it for-- here from his advisor, says it would be illegal. So every indication suggests the Crimeans will vote yes on this vote. So on Saturday, Russia blocked a draft UN resolution that would condemn the referendum. But China, normally a staunch Russian ally, abstained. I'm joined now by two members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, just back from meetings with Ukraine's new government in the country's capital of Kiev: Democratic Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, and Republican Jeff Flake of Arizona. Welcome to both of you. Nice to have you here in the studio after a long trip, so I appreciate you being here.</p>
<p>SEN. DICK DURBIN (D-IL/Assistant Majority Leader): Good to be here.</p>
<p>GREGORY: So, look. I'm operating, Senator Durbin, on the assumption that Crimea is gone, effectively. That this vote moves forward and it's into Russia's orbit. So what's the plan to change Putin's calculation? To either get him to reverse this or to stop where he is?</p>
<p>SEN. DURBIN: First, this election or referendum is a lame excuse by Putin to invade Crimea and take it over. You know, when you move in thousands of Russian troops from Sochi Olympics to garrison their positions in Crimea, then to have these masked gunmen with automatic weapons and no insignia roaming the streets, what a-- what a delightful election atmosphere. This is a Soviet-style election, we know what-- what the ending is going to be. Now the west has to decide-- not just the west, but the civilized world has to decide whether we're going to do anything to stop Putin's design.</p>
<p>GREGORY: Right. But what's the thing? So what's the thing? That's my question.</p>
<p>SEN. DURBIN: Well, there are plenty of things we can do. And the president is working now to put together an agenda. We passed-- Jeff and I are in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee-- we passed a measure-- a 14 to 4 bipartisan measure last week, that provides not only economic assistance to Ukraine and the possibility of IMF loans coming their way with reform; but also some very serious sanctions against Russia for its conduct.</p>
<p>GREGORY: What about military aid to Ukraine? I mean does that have to become a bigger issue? Are you for it? Does-- does Ukraine need more military support to hold off Russia if it would-- were to move into the eastern part of the country?</p>
<p>SEN. JEFF PEGUES FLAKE (R-AZ/Foreign Relations Committee): Their military has been hollowed out over the past couple of years. They have-- according to some Ukrainians, we have nothing that-- that shoots, runs or flies. And it’s because the Russians have had such close ties with the previous government that they hauled the military out. So, yes, they need a lot of help. But nothing we can do will help the Ukraine withstand what Russia is going to do if they decide to go into (unintelligible) Ukraine.</p>
<p>GREGORY: But what if Russia decides not to? What if they get the successful vote, it becomes part of Russia; and then they say, okay, that’s it, we’ll have a truce, we’re not sending any more troops in. Is that an acceptable status quo?</p>
<p>SEN. FLAKE: No. Yeah.</p>
<p>SEN. DURBIN: From my-- from my point of view, no. I mean they have invaded--</p>
<p>GREGORY: So the sanctions would still go? Asset freezes?</p>
<p>SEN. DURBIN: They’ve invaded a sovereign nation.</p>
<p>GREGORY: Yeah.</p>
<p>SEN. DURBIN: And if we are going to stand by and let them do to Ukraine what they have done to Georgia, the Republic of Georgia eight years ago, then-- you know-- you can expect more.</p>
<p>GREGORY: But Senator Flake, can you reverse that with economic penalties?</p>
<p>SEN. FLAKE: Possibly. Possibly. It’s going to be difficult, let’s face it, Russia has always had its design on Crimea, it considers Crimea a part of Russia. And so that’s going to be difficult. But all you can do is increase the cost significantly, and-- and hope that they don't move further into Ukraine. It's going to be very difficult.</p>
<p>GREGORY: All right. So to that point, is eastern Ukraine a red line for the United States?</p>
<p>SEN. FLAKE: Well, certainly we've got to move in hard now with sanctions, regardless of whether they move tomorrow or the next week or hold back. We're going to move forward with sanctions; not just us, but our European allies as well.</p>
<p>GREGORY: You know, when we deal with Vladimir Putin, this issue of hypocrisy comes up. And the United Nations spoke of this this week. The United Nations pointedly criticized the U.S.' human rights record over drone strikes, NSA surveillance, the death penalty. Does it make it hard to deal with the likes of Putin and Lavrov when you’ve got the U.N. criticizing the U.S. that way?</p>
<p>SEN. DURBIN: Listen, there are plenty imperfections in every government of every nation. But look at what we have here. Putin-- this is the-- I think the single most serious act of aggression since the Cold War.</p>
<p>GREGORY: Mm-Hm.</p>
<p>SEN. DURBIN: He ended up the final ceremony at the Sochi Olympics, which are network-covered, trying to make it a charm offensive for the world that this is a modern Russian nation. And within hours he’s invading one of his neighbors, sending the same troops that were protecting the athletes at Sochi into the Crimea. Now, are we going to stand by and say this is acceptable conduct? Because this isn't the end of his ambition. He’ll go as far as (unintelligible)…</p>
<p>GREGORY: But how do you change the calculation? That's what I still don't see.</p>
<p>SEN. FLAKE: Speaking of the U.N., what's important is what happened yesterday, when the U.S. and the Security Council-- with China actually abstaining, not siding with Russia-- actually voting to condemn what happened. That's important. What resolutions in the General Assembly or whatever are less important, certainly; and there's no way you can have some moral equivalency of what Putin is doing and what we've done in the past.</p>
<p>GREGORY: Today, another foreign note before I ask you a couple things domestically, and that is Syria. NBC News devoted a great deal of coverage to the untold suffering of the children of Syria in this refugee crisis. On the heels of that, Congress has taken action, moving to-- as you did, Senator Durbin, with your name on it-- pushing for more humanitarian aid. But the reality is, as this moves into its fourth year, those children in Syria, those refugees are not going to be helped unless something is done to step Assad. Can anything besides some sort of military intervention do that?</p>
<p>SEN. DURBIN: First let-- let's focus on refugees and children. I'm glad NBC did. 2.3 million was one estimate that I've read that’s close to accurate. The United States has absorbed so few of these families. We have to be more welcoming and open to help these families transition into a safe place in their lives. Then comes the political question: what can we do in Syria to change what's happened there for several years? And it is a quandary. You know, trying to find the right opposition force that will stand by us and effectively fight against Assad has been a challenge. Many of the opposition forces are the not friendly to the United States. So let's be careful. The allies we choose, let's support them as best we can, so that we put pressure on Assad to end the killing.</p>
<p>GREGORY: Senator Flake, the president two years ago, said Assad's days were numbered. How did he misjudge it?</p>
<p>SEN. FLAKE: Well I think we do have a problem when you have somebody willing to draw red lines that nobody has a problem stepping over. And so I think that was a miscalculation and could have been handled better. Now, I'm not suggesting that we could end the suffering there or would have ended it all or future suffering. But I think we could have done a better job with our policy in Syria.</p>
<p>GREGORY: But this is the ultimate thing with Russia, as well. Conservative Charles Krauthammer calling it Obama's fruitless accommodationism. Does it invite Russia's Putin to take the action he's taken, or Assad to feel like he's got more staying power, when the president doesn’t follow through with Syria?</p>
<p>SEN. DURBIN: Mister Krauthammer has a short memory. Do you realize what happened in the Georgia Republic under President Bush? Virtually the same thing that's happening in Crimea. Putin went in there and seized territory and held it. Now what does Mister Krauthammer say of the Bush administration those days? And as far as our policy in responding to Putin's aggression, there's a basic question here. What will the bipartisan Congress do to support the president's actions? When the president asked for just the authority for military action to stop chemical weapons in Syria, it was hard to get. In fact, we couldn't achieve it on the floor of the House or the Senate. We couldn't get a bipartisan consensus behind foreign policy.</p>
<p>SEN. FLAKE: I-- I--I voted to give the president that authority.</p>
<p>SEN. DURBIN: You did. Yeah.</p>
<p>SEN. FLAKE: I've been-- I've been critical of the president in the past, but I don't think anything the president did or said lended itself to what Putin did here.</p>
<p>GREGORY: Just a few seconds left. Do you both believe the CIA illegally spied on the Senate?</p>
<p>SEN. DURBIN: I have the highest respect for Dianne Feinstein. There isn't a person in the Senate who works harder to be bipartisan and fair, with one of the toughest assignments as head of the Senate Intelligence Committee. I read her statement she gave on the floor. It was a thoughtful, serious effort to establish the role of Congress and the Senate and the oversight of the CIA. And I am...</p>
<p>GREGORY: Did it illegally spy on the Senate?</p>
<p>SEN. DURBIN: Well, I can tell you this, I-- I don’t know the particulars. But we need to get to the bottom of it, and I've called on the administration and the CIA to release this report once and for all.</p>
<p>GREGORY: Right.</p>
<p>SEN. DURBIN: So we know what happened.</p>
<p>GREGORY: But my question is, did the CIA illegally spy on the Senate?</p>
<p>SEN. DURBIN: I am…</p>
<p>GREGORY: Are you prepared to reach a conclusion?</p>
<p>SEN. DURBIN: Dianne Feinstein believes that's the case. I'll stand behind her. But let's get the investigation underway.</p>
<p>GREGORY: Should Brennan apologize?</p>
<p>SEN. FLAKE: I'm not prepared to say it. I'm not on the Intel committee. There is a lot of confusion surrounding it. So I'll wait until they do their investigation.</p>
<p>GREGORY: All right. I'll leave it there. Senators, thank you so much. Appreciate you being here. Coming up here, our roundtable. With the country restless and pessimistic and hostile toward both parties of Congress, they're now on notice that November may be pretty tough. We're going to analyze the key themes that you may be seeing in videos like this one from Republican Scott Brown, former senator, now a possible Senate candidate from New Hampshire.</p>
<p>(Videotape)</p>
<p>MAN: It's been proven that nothing is working in Washington.</p>
<p>WOMAN: We need change in Washington. Nothing down there seems to work.</p>
<p>MAN: I am so worried about the future of this country.</p>
<p>(End videotape)</p>
<p>(Announcements)</p>
<p>GREGORY: We're going to talk some nitty-gritty politics this week. I want to show you a couple of findings from our Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll that are pretty striking, about the-- the pessimism, the hostility toward both parties. Look at this, positive and negative. Republicans: 27 positive, 45 negative. Democrats: 35 positive, 38 negative. And the-- the country's just overall in a kind of malaise. Look at this. 71 percent think that the government's not working well or is stagnant. Right track, wrong track, 65 percent say it's in the wrong direction. And 57 percent still think that the country is in recession. So my roundtable is here and let me get to it this morning. Joining me back here is Carolyn Ryan, Washington bureau chief for the New York Times; Robert Gibbs, who's served as White House press secretary between 2009 and 2011. I'm pleased to welcome a couple of new faces to the program as well: Israel Ortega of the Conservative Heritage Foundation; and to get a perspective from outside Washington, Jon Ralston, long time political reporter from Nevada and host of the Ralston Reports, which airs in Las Vegas on our NBC station there. Welcome to all of you. Jon, let me start with you. I think this is the ultimate question about what is driving such disappointment with both parties right now?</p>
<p>MR. JON RALSTON (Nevada Political Journalist, Ralston Reports): Well, people are always disappointed, David, I-- I found in covering politics, and anybody who does. It's just especially with the polarization in Washington, and it's spreading across the country. People are upset that things are just not getting done. And-- and you saw it, Dan Pfeiffer, in an almost Robert Gibbs-like masterful way, dodging every question that-- that you asked. They don’t want to talk about whether the president's going to go out to the States. I don't think anyone's clamoring. But I think people forget. And I don't think it's just a D. C. phenomenon. It's March. Things could dramatically change by-- by November. But I think the Democrats are worried, not just because of what happened in Florida; but because of those numbers that you put up, and the fact that the president's approval rating is in the low 40s.</p>
<p>GREGORY: Right.</p>
<p>MS. CAROLYN RYAN (Washington Bureau Chief, New York Times): I think what unites all of these recent developments and what would be most worrisome to the Democrats and to the Obama administration is, it feels like in some real way, that people have lost trust in President Obama. And I don't mean trust just in the narrow sense of-- is he honest, is he forthright. But do they trust President Obama to solve the problems that are most important to them and to their families? So when you look at those numbers from the NBC/Wall Street Journal poll, it really cuts across a range of issues-- foreign policy, the economy-- the economy. But it was the Obamacare rollout and the kind of halting incompetence of that, that really I think vividly demonstrated it.</p>
<p>GREGORY: And-- and you're writing about it in the paper this morning, the disappointment, Robert. The disappointment that Democrats have in this president, about ObamaCare. That seems to be-- I mean, you know what the Republicans are coming after him. But his own party’s saying, ah. They’re just not so motivated.</p>
<p>MR. ROBERT GIBBS (White House Press Secretary, 2009-2011): Well, I think there's a trust deficit in America with Washington. I think there's a belief when looking at Washington that we're in no danger here of solving any problems that people suffer out in actual America. There's no doubt that the rollout for healthcare is still providing a huge hanger-- hangover. I think the genuine problem that Democrats are nervous about, is-- we're looking at a midterm election where the electorate is much less likely to look like a presidential, and much more to look like 2010. And quite frankly, if this electorate is more conservative, less Hispanic, less African-American and less young…</p>
<p>GREGORY: Right.</p>
<p>MR. GIBBS: …then there's…</p>
<p>GREGORY: Much like the presidentials.</p>
<p>MR. GIBBS: Right. There's real, real danger that the Democrats could suffer big losses. Because the real estate and the turf in which these elections are taking place begin with an advantage to the Republicans.</p>
<p>GREGORY: You also see-- you see motivated Republicans, Israel?</p>
<p>MR. ISRAEL ORTEGA (Contributor, The Foundry; The Heritage Foundation): Yeah.</p>
<p>GREGORY: You see disappointed Democrats. And whenever I look at that right track, wrong track, I see a very high wrong track number; that also tells me that a lot of independent voters…</p>
<p>MR. ORTEGA: Right.</p>
<p>GREGORY: …are turned off to the majority party.</p>
<p>MR. ORTEGA: Right.</p>
<p>GREGORY: So that's quite a trifecta.</p>
<p>MR. ORTEGA: Yeah. I know. And I think-- I think it goes to-- to the-- the questions you just raised about trust. And I think, you know, you heard Kathleen Sebelius this week said premiums are likely to go up next-- next year. And you see this on a lot of-- you know, that-- that clip you just played, David, of-- of the president basically saying, well, if you like your doctor, you can keep it. I mean this is going to be something that's going to be come-- coming up a lot in the midterm election. And so I think it's got to be raised.</p>
<p>MR. GIBBS: But let's-- let's be clear. Because the NBC polls showed that the American people don't want to see a wholesale repeal of healthcare…</p>
<p>GREGORY: True enough.</p>
<p>MR. GIBBS: …reform, because they know what healthcare was like. They know that an insurance company got to control whether or not they got treatment. And the American people don't like that. It is incumbent upon Democrats, though, in order to even that number up, to have aggressive campaigns that push Republicans, not just on what they'd repeal-- we know that-- but what would they do in its place?</p>
<p>GREGORY: But Jon, it's-- my question is, as you talk to people, especially outside of Washington, are they still listening? Do they want to hear the particulars that-- that Robert's talking about on healthcare? Or do they-- are they kind of thinking, wow, this thing just is kind of a disaster?</p>
<p>MR. RALSTON: Yeah. You know, David, I think the whole repeal question is misleading. Maybe people don't want it repealed, but they're still upset with-- with healthcare.gov, they're-- they're upset with the rollout. They may have friends or members of their family who have had problems with healthcare.gov. In Nevada, we set up our own exchange, which has been an absolute disaster, almost makes the-- the federal one look like a well-oiled machine. So people are upset with it. So it's not going to be a binary choice, repeal or not repeal. It's do you think that this it is working? Do you have confidence in the Democrats who have-- who have supported this?</p>
<p>GREGORY: So-- so here's a question that came up in our polling and that we-- we've been asking on the program, which is what do people actually want in their elected representatives here in Congress? We sent our John Yang to southwestern Iowa, to an historically swing district, to get some of the answers to that question. Have a look.</p>
<p>(Videotape)</p>
<p>MR. JOHN YANG: For more than 70 years, breakfast in Indianola, Iowa has meant the Crouse Café, where the servings are big and often come with a side of politics. In this swing state, Indianola is deep purple; going for Barack Obama in 2008 and Mitt Romney in 2012. The Republicans and Democrats we talked to here, differed on Obamacare and other issues; but on one question, there was unanimity.</p>
<p>How do you think Washington is doing these days?</p>
<p>MAN #1: Terrible-- terrible.</p>
<p>MAN #2: Well, it seems a bit dysfunctional.</p>
<p>MR. YANG: They want less bickering and more problem-solving.</p>
<p>WOMAN: We have to work together.</p>
<p>MAN #3: It's time to stop worrying about who's going to be in office next, who's going to in charge next, it's time to start thinking to make America what we used to be.</p>
<p>MR. YANG: Democrats hope candidate Staci Appel can turn Iowa's third district-- which includes Indianola-- from red to blue; and become the first woman to ever represent the state in the House or Senate. Six Republicans have filed for the June primary.</p>
<p>(Videotape; Staci Appel web video)</p>
<p>MS. STACI APPEL: Put Iowa values to work in order to get things done.</p>
<p>(End videotape)</p>
<p>MR. YANG: Her website's video never mentions her party or President Obama's name; instead stressing bipartisanship, independence and making things work.</p>
<p>MR. JOE SHANNAHAN (Democratic Strategist): We want the Democrats to act like Democrats and-- and support the things that we care about. You know, improving middle class, improving education and making the environment safe.</p>
<p>MR. YANG: In the state Senate race, key in the struggle for the majority, groups like Americans For Prosperity are already slamming Democrat Bruce Braylee for supporting Obamacare.</p>
<p>(Videotape; Americans for Prosperity Ad)</p>
<p>WOMAN #1: Tell Congressman Braylee Obamacare is hurting Iowa families and we deserve better.</p>
<p>(End videotape)</p>
<p>MR. TIM ALBRECHT (Republican Strategist): Republicans are fired up. Democrats are depressed, because they understand that their president just isn't that popular here anymore.</p>
<p>MR. YANG: As the battle for Iowa voters begins to heat up; for MEET THE PRESS, John Yang, NBC News, Indianola, Iowa.</p>
<p>(End videotape)</p>
<p>GREGORY: So Carolyn, what do you take away from it?</p>
<p>MS. RYAN: One thing that's very striking-- and it comes across in that piece and I think it came across in your poll-- is that voters do want to see Washington, the parties working together. And it's-- and it is striking given that politicians are such conscientious, if not obsessive, readers of polls that they don't seem to pick up on that. But there aren’t examples. What we have is an accumulation of examples to the contrary.</p>
<p>GREGORY: Right.</p>
<p>MS. RYAN: Just the most simple, basic, fundamental workings of government seem so difficult for them.</p>
<p>GREGORY: Well, but there's also this contradiction among voters that I find so striking. In our poll-- let me show it to our viewers, it's very interesting. More-- are you more or less likely to vote for a candidate willing to compromise? Eighty-six percent says yes, you're more likely. But as our political team noted, it seems like the conclusion from all the questions was, we want brand new politicians who will compromise, raise the minimum wage, cut spending, and build new bridges back in your home state if they need repair. I'm scratching my head, voters seem to be saying a few different things at once, Israel?</p>
<p>MR. ORTEGA: Right. Well I guess we can't have what we want. But I think a lot of these themes have been playing out of course on Tuesday, there was a special election. And so I think you saw the argument about-- that Dan was making earlier about-- about Obamacare and sort of tweaking it. And I think it's just-- it's not as crisp of-- of an argument to make. And I think that’s going to be a problem for a lot of Democrats, particularly in-- in Republican states. You know, Senator Mary Landrieu, Senator Kay Hagan, among others, you know-- senators, by the way, who weren’t at the Tuesday all-nighter, during the climate change talkathon. So this is-- I think it’s playing out and it's going to continue to be a problem till November.</p>
<p>GREGORY: Mm-Hm.</p>
<p>MR. GIBBS: I think what you saw, I loved that NBC was coincidentally in Iowa. I think you saw in that video what's going to be a big issue in this race, and that is, outside spending, right? Ads that are going to come not just by the millions, but by the tens and maybe the hundreds of millions. And I think if Democrats are going to survive that way, the president’s going to have to get a lot more involved in raising money for the party committees and for the national party, if the Democrats are going to have any hope of keeping the Senate.</p>
<p>MR. RALSTON: But I-- and I think that's why Harry Reid goes on the Senate floor, not to talk about the minimum wage as much as he wants to talk about the Koch Brothers, right?</p>
<p>GREGORY: Right.</p>
<p>MR. RALSTON: Americans For Prosperity. The Democrats want to make this about outside spending. And this is how they frame-- the-- the-- the issues. This is the Republicans trying to buy the election. There’s no evidence, though, David, that people really respond to those kinds of arguments as much as they’re-- they’re going to respond to healthcare.gov, Obamacare-- that’s why Scott Brown announced by saying Obamacare Democrats got…</p>
<p>GREGORY: Right.</p>
<p>MR. RALSTON: …in-- into the race, as opposed to moving to New Hampshire...</p>
<p>GREGORY: It's very 2010, right?</p>
<p>MR. RALSTON: Right. Exactly.</p>
<p>GREGORY: That was the great strategy.</p>
<p>MS. RYAN: But when you talked about Democrats' disappointment or depression or feeling disaffected, one interesting thing that you're seeing on the Hill and in Washington, is the private grumbling about the Obama campaign operation, the political operation; in that Democrats are saying, you know, where is it? Where's the cavalry? You know, who's going to rescue us? And was Obama-- Obama tends to see himself as sort of a singular figure in American politics. And he got himself elected very impressively. But has he built a party? Does he care about these (unintelligible)? And it seems like Democrats are saying that he doesn’t.</p>
<p>MR. GIBBS: Well, I think that's going to be the difference. Because if he doesn't get, as I said, more involved in raising money, in getting voters excited-- we know, as you said, that Obamacare is going to bring Republicans out. What issues can the president try to put on the table to get Democrats excited? But if he doesn't get more involved in-- again, raising money and-- and-- and making this a-- a-- a choice as-- as Dan Pfeiffer said, you lose the Senate, and if you lose the Senate, turn out the lights because the party's over.</p>
<p>GREGORY: Is the Senate in danger?</p>
<p>MR. GIBBS: Definitely.</p>
<p>GREGORY: Yeah.</p>
<p>MR. GIBBS: Absolutely. There’s…</p>
<p>GREGORY: How come Dan Pfeiffer didn't say it?</p>
<p>MR. GIBBS: Because I-- I did the same thing a few years ago on your show…</p>
<p>GREGORY: Right.</p>
<p>MR. GIBBS: …and I still have tire tracks from Nancy Pelosi, from saying…</p>
<p>GREGORY: Not being so happy with you?</p>
<p>MR. GIBBS: …that I thought that-- you-- you…</p>
<p>GREGORY: Yeah.</p>
<p>MR. GIBBS: Honesty, you can only go so far in Washington when you're employed. So as a consultant, I can say all these things now. But there’s no doubt. I mean, and if you look at-- they’ve got to pick up six seats, which is not a small number. But what gives them a huge advantage, obviously, is the states that they're in. As Israel mentioned…</p>
<p>GREGORY: Yeah.</p>
<p>MR. GIBBS: …in-- in-- in Louisiana and in North Carolina, in Montana, places that the president didn't do well.</p>
<p>GREGORY: All right. But Israel, be a little counterintuitive here against your own party. Yeah, David Jolly won in-- in Florida '13 and he ran on a big anti-Obamacare message, shows that he can get voters out behind him, Republicans who are certainly motivated to-- to make a statement against Obamacare as a symbol of what they don't like about the president. But there is still the government shutdown. There’s still the idea as Dan Pfeiffer said that Republicans are going to be seen as the wrong-- on the wrong side of the those economic issues. Is there something you worry about?</p>
<p>MR. ORTEGA: I think Kimberly Strauss had a great column in The Washington Post or-- I’m sorry…</p>
<p>(Cross talk)</p>
<p>MR. ORTEGA: …(Unintelligible) Journal on Friday. And she basically said that what-- what was interesting about that election was that now, Congressmen-elect David Jolly was on the offensive. And so not only was he criticizing Obamacare, but he was talking about conservative policy prescriptions on providing health insurance for those who don't have it. And so I think that could be what you can draw from that election is if-- if conservatives are on the offensive…</p>
<p>GREGORY: Mm-Hm.</p>
<p>MR. ORTEGA: …and are not just receiving the Democrats’ and-- and liberals' attacks, then I think they can be successful.</p>
<p>GREGORY: You know, John, again, to get a perspective outside of our-- our focus inside the beltway. What breaks this? I mean if you-- you sense this pessimism, a sense of stagnation in Washington. What shakes it up? Because that's a question I get a lot as I go around the country.</p>
<p>MR. RALSTON: You know, the interesting thing is, Tip O'Neill said what he said for a reason. You know, all these places are different. You know, the swing district in Nevada, which is congressional district three, held by a Republican, it's very close to the district. A lot of resources there. It’s different than Florida '13 or-- or-- or any other place in the country. People have different feelings about where they live and-- and-- and what motivates them. We can talk about the macro all we want, but it’s-- there's a reason 95 percent of-- of-- of congressmen keep getting re-elected. It’s how those districts are drawn. The one really interesting thing that Dan Pfeiffer said and it kind of was a throwaway line to you, David-- was this technology and-- and the ability of the Obama campaign to go to a different level on this. I think Republicans are finally like waking up, oh-- oh, the internet? It exists? And-- and so, I think, they're finally learning how to use some of the same techniques. But the Democrats have been so far ahead, thanks to the Obama campaign. That could still make a difference in some of these races.</p>
<p>GREGORY: All right.</p>
<p>MS. RYAN: But I think what-- what breaks is a string of successes that some-- some evidence or examples of Washington working together and…</p>
<p>GREGORY: Yeah.</p>
<p>MS. RYAN: …one of the more discouraging points is that the one issue where it seemed like there could be progress, immigration-- it really seems dead and it seems like that was all but an admission of it.</p>
<p>GREGORY: I-- I-- the incentives have to change. And…</p>
<p>MS. RYAN: Right.</p>
<p>GREGORY: …this is-- this is-- this is about citizens, you know, changing the incentives for politicians. All right. We’re going to take a break here. We'll come back with all of you. Coming up next, our Harry Smith talks to outspoken comedian Bill Maher. Maybe he has the answer on what ails America. He does think our political system is broken, including some strong words for the president's health insurance plan.</p>
<p>MR. BILL MAHER: The problem with Obamacare is not, of course, too much socialism. It’s still too much capitalism.</p>
<p>(Announcements)</p>
<p>GREGORY: Now, time for our MEET THE PRESS Moment. And on this Sunday, we couldn't help but go beyond the MEET THE PRESS archives. This week mark, as you know, the 25th anniversary of the invention of the World Wide Web. And here's some keen insight into future trends from a young reporter with KCRA television in Sacramento way back in 1994.</p>
<p>(Videotape; KCRA-TV 1994)</p>
<p>GREGORY: What's out there is limitless. There's an internet yellow pages listing subjects of information from A to Z you can access on the system.</p>
<p>It's estimated there are at least 30 million people using the internet service worldwide and experts predict by the turn of the century, that number could go up to several hundred million.</p>
<p>And while the service has always been able to be offer facts about the world or the weather, coming in 1995…</p>
<p>WOMAN: This is the Godiva Chocolate homepage.</p>
<p>GREGORY: That's right. Purchasing power. You can buy such things as chocolates on the internet or even order pizza from this electronic storefront.</p>
<p>(End videotape)</p>
<p>GREGORY: Wow. I just-- I couldn't resist poking a little bit of fun at myself the idea that you can buy chocolate on the internet. It's as if they did that a hundred years ago.</p>
<p>MS. RYAN: It's a revolution, yes.</p>
<p>GREGORY: Yeah.</p>
<p>MS. RYAN: The-- the piece that you did and we've seen a lot of 25th anniversary pieces, the-- but the innovation that the internet has offered my industry, for example…</p>
<p>GREGORY: Yeah.</p>
<p>MS. RYAN: ...just in terms of changing communication from a unilateral model to bilateral model, different level of civic engagement, it's still kind of wondrous to people.</p>
<p>GREGORY: It's just show-- I mean, you know, even-- even 1994 doesn't seem like that long ago. It was-- in this realm, it was a long time ago. Okay. We'll get another break in here. We're going to come back with our images to remember. And later, as I said, comedian Bill Maher with his take on what needs to be fixed in this country.</p>
<p>(Announcements)</p>
<p>GREGORY: Here now some of this week's images to remember.</p>
<p>MH370: Praying for passengers of missing Malaysia plane.</p>
<p>Throwback Photo: Colin Powell posts selfie from 60 yrs ago.</p>
<p>St. Patrick's Day: Chicago River dyed green.</p>
<p>Iconic WWII Image: Man known as kissing sailor dies at 86.</p>
<p>Paralympics: U.S. sled hockey wins gold against Russia.</p>
<p>GREGORY: This week's images to remember. In a moment here, our Harry Smith meets comedian Bill Maher who speaks his mind about Obamacare, marijuana legalization and what he says is the biggest problem in the country today.</p>
<p>(Announcements)</p>
<p>(Videotape; Saturday)</p>
<p>MR. BILL MAHER: Harry Reid, the leader in the Senate, the cure for common charisma, a man with the oratorical skills of the OnStar operator.</p>
<p>(End videotape)</p>
<p>GREGORY: We are back. So when it comes to politics, comedian Bill Maher doesn't pull any punches. You might have noticed that if you watch his HBO show. Well recently, he's been thinking about how dysfunctional politics has become in this country and he’s been dishing on both parties as he takes his message to red state America. Our Harry Smith caught up with him.</p>
<p>(Videotape)</p>
<p>MR. HARRY SMITH: Reliably funny and reliably liberal, Bill Maher has been mounting a one-man comedic insurgency around the country.</p>
<p>MR. MAHER: I know everywhere there are smart, progressive, free-thinking people. They're just surrounded by a bunch of red necks. I understand that.</p>
<p>MR. SMITH: What's it like when you take your stuff to a red state?</p>
<p>MR. MAHER: Better than-- better than blue states even. But there is an extra added excitement in the red states in places where people don't often see someone like me. There is not a place I can find in America that is so red that I can't get 3,000 screaming atheists to come see me on a Sunday, you know.</p>
<p>MR. SMITH: Maher’s sardonic smirk has held forth Friday nights on HBO for more than a decade. He says if the country has a case of the blahs, he's not surprised. Take health care, please.</p>
<p>Was Obamacare a mistake?</p>
<p>MR. MAHER: The problem with Obamacare is not of course too much socialism. It's still too much capitalism. The reason why it's so screwed up is because we have to have this Rube Goldberg plan that allows for pharmaceutical companies to get their cut and insurance companies to get their cut and hospitals to enrich themselves and doctors to get rich. It should be a non-profit thing. Perhaps elections should not be a profit-making endeavor or cost two billion dollars. Of course, we're American, the exceptionalism, exceptionally stupid on this point but we are exceptional.</p>
<p>Obama's soft on terror. Ask any wedding party in Afghanistan. He is so soft on terror. Like remember that time he found bin Laden and he let him off? With a warning and a stiff fine.</p>
<p>MR. SMITH: And if anyone's to blame for most of what ails us, including the president's low approval ratings, it's not hard to guess who he faults.</p>
<p>Who are you most displeased with these days, Republicans or Democrats?</p>
<p>MR. MAHER: Oh, come one. Really? Seriously? Republicans. You know, I mean, in the last 20 years, that has not really been a choice. They just drove the short bus to crazy town at a certain point.</p>
<p>MR. SMITH: In a Bill Maher run world there’d be more news on the news, more Democrats in Congress, and a marijuana store in every strip mall.</p>
<p>Is legalization of marijuana…</p>
<p>MR. MAHER: Yes.</p>
<p>MR. SMITH: …an inevitability?</p>
<p>MR. MAHER: I think it is, yeah. I keep comparing it to gay marriage. Once you see it becoming legal and the world doesn't fall down the next day or the next week or the next year the issue kind of goes away.</p>
<p>MR. SMITH: For Maher's admittedly clouded perspective the world is most definitely askew.</p>
<p>MR. MAHER: I understand why the one percent-- the richest one percent vote Republican, they deserve those votes. You know what, they represent the richest one percent perfectly. Anybody else who does, just corporate America's useful idiots.</p>
<p>MR. SMITH: As for (Unintelligible) or malaise, if it's real, it's our fault.</p>
<p>What's wrong with us?</p>
<p>MR. MAHER: Well, oh gosh, where to begin with there? Well first of all, we're not very well informed. I mean, the political process, you know people used to take civics to at least know how the country work. We have become a country where science is pooh-poohed. It’s another one of those things that somehow has become politicized. People never used to argue that much about science.</p>
<p>We might argue about how we take these facts and move forward in a different direction. But we don't argue about the facts themselves. That's not true anymore. Facts themselves, come on, Harry, how much do we really know about facts?</p>
<p>MR. SMITH: For MEET THE PRESS, Harry Smith.</p>
<p>(End videotape)</p>
<p>GREGORY: Thank you, Harry. I want to end with this. Bill Maher is talking about comparing Republicans and Democrats. We posed this question a little bit earlier on Facebook. Will President Obama be an asset or a liability for Democrats in November? It ties this conversation together. What do you think, Israel?</p>
<p>MR. ORTEGA: Well, I mean, I think especially this week, I think it's going to be a liability. I'm going to be curious to see how the president follows through on-- on the Russian Ukraine situation. We heard a lot of frankly platitudes and so I'm looking for-- for substance. At the Heritage Foundation we made a number of recommendations including withdrawing from the-- the New START Treaty. So that's what I'm looking for.</p>
<p>MS. RYAN: One Democrat and our reporters found-- said that Obama has become poison, so I think that's in the liability column.</p>
<p>GREGORY: That's in the liability. What do you see, Jon?</p>
<p>MR. RALSTON: I think it's a little literally. This 41 percent, no one's going to be inviting him now. We don’t know what's going to change but the other thing that was in that poll, Republican brand is not very good at all. In fact, it's-- it's worse than the Democratic brand in term when it comes to Congress. So it's not going to be like the Republicans are going to be able to capitalize on that that much. But I don't think you're going to see the president visiting as many places as he has in the past.</p>
<p>GREGORY: Yeah.</p>
<p>MR. GIBBS: Real estate wise, obviously, it will not be a positive but the only person that can get Democratic voters excited and push an agenda that gets them some matter of enthusiasm to change turnout has to be the president.</p>
<p>GREGORY: Yeah.</p>
<p>MS. RYAN: Or Bill Clinton.</p>
<p>GREGORY: Or Bill Clinton. Right. Where's Bill Clinton? All right. Thank you all very much.</p>
<p>Final note here, March Madness is here and this year it will include my alma mater, American University, the Eagles. They're going to the big dance for the first time since 2009 after winning the Patriot League Championship. We're very proud. Go AU. That's all for today. We'll be back next week. If it's Sunday, it's MEET THE PRESS.</p>
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david gregory good sunday morning speaking us officials weekend say concerned theyve yet found missing malaysian airlines jet sabotage terror plot mystery deepened well discuss story morning well big developing story thats crimea thousands russian troops massing ukrainian border crimeans vote whether join russia today us stop russia going even ill joined presidents senior advisor dan pfeiffer back ukraine two key voices senate plus politics election year danger ahead democrats special election puts obamacare center fight different perspective countrys ideological debates morning comedian bill maher working red states speaking mind whats ailing america announcer nbc news washington worlds longest running television program meet press david gregory gregory lost malaysian airlines 777 vanished nine days ago 21st century technology turned concrete evidence happened flight 370 latest pictures us navy theyre tracking potential wreckage fate 239 people board still unknown however latest signs pointing criminal act malaysias prime minister saying plane deliberately diverted communication systems disabled moment im going speak dan pfeiffer senior adviser president obama hes white house knows juncture first greg feith former ntsb investigator pilot nbc news analyst joins denver hes tracking days missing greg good see mentioned evidence concrete evidence points criminal act take leads believe thats case mr greg feith former ntsb investigator well early david one things initial radar track outbound portion tended believe make us believe event took place didnt know accident second turn initial left hand turn track hour subsequent return right turn caused think others believe especially malaysians flight plan route human intervention actually initiated turn youre going away intended destination beijing start wander well course done silkair working indonesians led believe something else going intended far conducting flight point point b gregory greg point evidence somebody crew turning communications turning radar sudden see reemerge different flight path plath path rather turn says somebody made deliberate decision commandeer aircraft go different direction mr feith absolutely would never reason pilot turn transponders key air traffic controllers able track airplane times air would reason turn transponders fact acar systems least data portion shut indicates somebody didnt want tracked either transponder acar system primary target military skin paint nondescript blip radar said airplane distance heading direction gregory lets look potential flight paths map interesting could gone couple different directions southern route versus northern route youre going north sudden get big land mass south asia middle east lot us military assets military assets countries seems implausible could fly plane detected doesnt still point idea crashed mr feith extent david would think person whoever flying aircraft turned transponders acar system didnt want detected take northerly track go back radar environment potential environment space assets looking part world would want go back get detected area go south little radar coverage course dont believe would looking space thats middle ocean theres really activity going would great place disappear gregory theories run wild youre experienced investigator seconds running think likely outcomes mr feith think right hold hope may successful end situation airplane sitting somewhere even though may nefarious intent believe based experience years outcome especially families want really going fully confident motive type event whether sort intentional act pilot selfish reasons sort terroristic type least implied terrorististic event gregory right greg feith thanks much expertise morning appreciate mr feith youre welcome gregory dan pfeiffer senior adviser president obama dan welcome back besides personal toll potentially devastating devastating families already else troubles president point mr dan pfeiffer white house senior adviser crash malaysia gregory yeah mr pfeiffer well look dont know whats troubling dont know answer yet malaysian government lead president directed administration dedicate resources necessary help fbi supporting malaysian criminal investigation naval assets helping look plane national transportation safety board ground trying figure happened going everything help need get answers need get soon gregory specific evidence points terror plot kind mr pfeiffer early rule anything yet simply dont know enough information gregory elevated chatter government concerned terror circles mr pfeiffer necessarily around still get bottom whats happening gregory question security lot people look situation say wow could could plane originating united states experience kind trouble kind criminal act president want see additional reviews around security mr pfeiffer think figure happened go back action report see could done better dont know enough know exactly would impact things united states future gregory let move onto big developing story ukraine crimea lost point mr pfeiffer look dont putting much pressure russians right thing given opportunity path deescalate get right place know costs action costs economic russian economy russian stock market ruble fiveyear lows russias isolated world saw un security council yesterday escalate longer goes greater costs gregory crimea votes become part russia theres still concern might attempt move eastern ukraine maybe even militarily move crimea think thats going happen starting crimea mr pfeiffer well first relates referendum gregory yeah mr pfeiffer weve said referendum violation international law united states going recognize results referendum working partners around world europeans particular marshal forces russians put pressure form sanctions president signed executive order last week gives authority expect sanction designations coming days gregory move militarily rest ukraine important presidents point view arm ukraine send military aid ukraine able protect mr pfeiffer supporting new ukrainian government every way possible top priority list looking ways assistance going keep talking ukrainians cross talk gregory would would president call congress pass military aid ukraine mr pfeiffer calling right pass economic aid ukraine theres bill came senate foreign relations committee last week going keep working much gregory eastern ukraine new red line mr pfeiffer everything russians done thus far violation international law bad peace stability region bad russians president putin choice hes going going continue isolate hurt economy diminish russian influence world going right thing gregory lets talk domestic politics presidents approval rating big poll wall street journal nbc news week heres found overall job approval president 41 percent handling economy 41 percent number came foreign policy heres whats striking approval 74 percent among democrats sounds high lowest presidents terms approval among democrats cant well blame republicans president really slipped mr pfeiffer well look public polls little bit map day poll came another poll came showed president gaining six points last couple months look ive looked lot data let tell see theres question everyone washington president included took big hit double whammy shutdown problems healthcaregov stabilized working way back look aggregate public polling weve gained three points last couple months theres question work gregory theres much disappointment theres much disappointment washington election year democrats worried new york times morning ive reading jonathan martin ashley parker write democrats becoming increasingly alarmed midterm election fortunes amid president obamas shrinking approval ratings loss special house election florida past week millions dollars spent republicansaligned groups attacking new health care law combination led uncharacteristic criticism mister obama bitter complaints vaunted political organization done little help partys vulnerable congressional candidates mr pfeiffer well look question tough map democrats thats happens win lot elections like 2008 good news good candidates importantly right side issue matters public jobs economy heres presidents going going lay terms debate election choice democrats support agenda opportunity republicans agenda opportunity lets forget president wrote book running winning modern campaigns going take resources help democrats ballots technology cross talk gregory right want help president liability asset stage democrats mr pfeiffer going set terms debate going provide organizational ability help presidents going raise money want help every way gregory liability asset mr pfeiffer president asset every way possible help candidates gregory youre talking framing choice frankly argument democrats making 20 years terms jobs economy republicans unified around one thing obamacare bad lot voters seem agree much obamacare hurt democrats mr pfeiffer well david thats true republican position obamacare repeal costs opposed majority americans factor florida 13 election dont take word peter geoff garin pollster race whos partner nbcs peter hart said negligible effect karl rove someone dont agree often said gregory geoff garin since brought geoff garin also told usbecause weve looked commentsthere question obamacare huge motivator republicans turning vote effectively florida 13 much democrats could become national trend mr pfeiffer well absolutely democrats better job turning midterm elections good presidential years less good midterms democrats dont turn well unintelligible coming us president included get many people polls november possible gregory issue obamacare ultimately going look impact going president sell thing accurately latest go back jan june 2009 even last friday listen videotape june 6 2009 president barack obama like plan keep like doctor keep doctor change youll see falling costs reforms take hold end videotape videotape friday president barack obama average person many folk folks dont health insurance initially know theyre going make choices might end switch doctors part theyre saving money end videotape gregory president already apologized saying like plan keep didnt turn true everybody seems like hes backtracking whether keep doctor like doctor mr pfeiffer david different issue insurance companies make decisions doctor network true obamacare thats true obamacare theres nothing obamacare thats going cause mandates insurance company make change around doctors thats decision insurance companies obamacare built private insurance system gregory rule idea president doesnt delay individual mandate mr pfeiffer yes gregory happen mr pfeiffer happen gregory therere many changes administration made wonder whether worry future president republican president could make kind rollbacks unilaterally implementation law democrats wouldnt like mr pfeiffer well look consistent large pieces legislation implemented done medicare done prescription drug benefit passed president bush find ways implement way best everyone includes giving people additional transition time like weve done businesses thats right thing consistent law laws implemented gregory let ask debate senate cia past interrogation techniques become big debate fight documents cia spy senate mr pfeiffer well look lets take step back entire issue senate report conduct conducted previous administration conduct president outlawed first day office gregory mmhm mr pfeiffer weve provided millions pages documents senate president urging senate committee finish report soon possible declassify findings therere allegations sides referred appropriate authorities inspector general department justice well let get bottom gregory youre prepared say whether head cia john brennan apologize mr pfeiffer lets let get bottom happened gregory let ask immigration presidents supporters quarters taken calling deporter chief two million deportations tenure counting president take executive action anything slow deportations mr pfeiffer president asked secretary homeland security look current enforcement practices see enforce humanely within constraints law right thing president gregory would mean slowing deportations mr pfeiffer means means enforcing humanely directing resources towards highest priorities like gregory give example could mr pfeiffer well means im going prejudge results secretary johnsons review means looking focusing resources towards folks crossing border towards criminals weve president feels pain community separation community broken immigration system heres ill say nothing come end review substitute comprehensive immigration reform gregory right part reason take executive action understanding reporting within white house debate look immigration reform dead presidents got something unilaterally else supporters democrats going hard time many deportations president fails get immigration reform immigration reform dead fear know hope fear mr pfeiffer look window pass immigration reform bipartisan majority house right series number republicans think speaker included sincerely want solve problem problem power republican party right selfdeportation wing party speaker allow us allow bill come floor think get something done gregory window close mr pfeiffer think going keep pushing try get done soon possible gregory hard see year though right mr pfeiffer well look could happen week gregory yeah mr pfeiffer republicans would put bill floor gregory final question politics senate danger falling republicans mr pfeiffer believe keep senate great candidates experience winning tough states right side issues gregory right one presidents political gurus dan pfeiffer thanks much appreciate back 90 seconds russia invade ukraine key secession vote crimean region today im going joined two members senate foreign relations committee returned ukraine ill ask crimea lost russia lost coming announcements gregory back latest big story following morning crisis ukraine ukraine accused russia seizing gas plant crimean border calling move military invasion crimeans vote today whether secede ukraine join russia referendum president obama heard advisor says would illegal every indication suggests crimeans vote yes vote saturday russia blocked draft un resolution would condemn referendum china normally staunch russian ally abstained im joined two members senate foreign relations committee back meetings ukraines new government countrys capital kiev democratic senator dick durbin illinois republican jeff flake arizona welcome nice studio long trip appreciate sen dick durbin dilassistant majority leader good gregory look im operating senator durbin assumption crimea gone effectively vote moves forward russias orbit whats plan change putins calculation either get reverse stop sen durbin first election referendum lame excuse putin invade crimea take know move thousands russian troops sochi olympics garrison positions crimea masked gunmen automatic weapons insignia roaming streets delightful election atmosphere sovietstyle election know ending going west decide west civilized world decide whether going anything stop putins design gregory right whats thing whats thing thats question sen durbin well plenty things president working put together agenda passed jeff senate foreign relations committee passed measure 14 4 bipartisan measure last week provides economic assistance ukraine possibility imf loans coming way reform also serious sanctions russia conduct gregory military aid ukraine mean become bigger issue ukraine need military support hold russia would move eastern part country sen jeff pegues flake razforeign relations committee military hollowed past couple years according ukrainians nothing shoots runs flies russians close ties previous government hauled military yes need lot help nothing help ukraine withstand russia going decide go unintelligible ukraine gregory russia decides get successful vote becomes part russia say okay thats well truce sending troops acceptable status quo sen flake yeah sen durbin point view mean invaded gregory sanctions would still go asset freezes sen durbin theyve invaded sovereign nation gregory yeah sen durbin going stand let ukraine done georgia republic georgia eight years ago know expect gregory senator flake reverse economic penalties sen flake possibly possibly going difficult lets face russia always design crimea considers crimea part russia thats going difficult increase cost significantly hope dont move ukraine going difficult gregory right point eastern ukraine red line united states sen flake well certainly weve got move hard sanctions regardless whether move tomorrow next week hold back going move forward sanctions us european allies well gregory know deal vladimir putin issue hypocrisy comes united nations spoke week united nations pointedly criticized us human rights record drone strikes nsa surveillance death penalty make hard deal likes putin lavrov youve got un criticizing us way sen durbin listen plenty imperfections every government every nation look putin think single serious act aggression since cold war gregory mmhm sen durbin ended final ceremony sochi olympics networkcovered trying make charm offensive world modern russian nation within hours hes invading one neighbors sending troops protecting athletes sochi crimea going stand say acceptable conduct isnt end ambition hell go far unintelligible gregory change calculation thats still dont see sen flake speaking un whats important happened yesterday us security council china actually abstaining siding russia actually voting condemn happened thats important resolutions general assembly whatever less important certainly theres way moral equivalency putin weve done past gregory today another foreign note ask couple things domestically syria nbc news devoted great deal coverage untold suffering children syria refugee crisis heels congress taken action moving senator durbin name pushing humanitarian aid reality moves fourth year children syria refugees going helped unless something done step assad anything besides sort military intervention sen durbin first let lets focus refugees children im glad nbc 23 million one estimate ive read thats close accurate united states absorbed families welcoming open help families transition safe place lives comes political question syria change whats happened several years quandary know trying find right opposition force stand us effectively fight assad challenge many opposition forces friendly united states lets careful allies choose lets support best put pressure assad end killing gregory senator flake president two years ago said assads days numbered misjudge sen flake well think problem somebody willing draw red lines nobody problem stepping think miscalculation could handled better im suggesting could end suffering would ended future suffering think could done better job policy syria gregory ultimate thing russia well conservative charles krauthammer calling obamas fruitless accommodationism invite russias putin take action hes taken assad feel like hes got staying power president doesnt follow syria sen durbin mister krauthammer short memory realize happened georgia republic president bush virtually thing thats happening crimea putin went seized territory held mister krauthammer say bush administration days far policy responding putins aggression theres basic question bipartisan congress support presidents actions president asked authority military action stop chemical weapons syria hard get fact couldnt achieve floor house senate couldnt get bipartisan consensus behind foreign policy sen flake ii voted give president authority sen durbin yeah sen flake ive ive critical president past dont think anything president said lended putin gregory seconds left believe cia illegally spied senate sen durbin highest respect dianne feinstein isnt person senate works harder bipartisan fair one toughest assignments head senate intelligence committee read statement gave floor thoughtful serious effort establish role congress senate oversight cia gregory illegally spy senate sen durbin well tell dont know particulars need get bottom ive called administration cia release report gregory right sen durbin know happened gregory question cia illegally spy senate sen durbin gregory prepared reach conclusion sen durbin dianne feinstein believes thats case ill stand behind lets get investigation underway gregory brennan apologize sen flake im prepared say im intel committee lot confusion surrounding ill wait investigation gregory right ill leave senators thank much appreciate coming roundtable country restless pessimistic hostile toward parties congress theyre notice november may pretty tough going analyze key themes may seeing videos like one republican scott brown former senator possible senate candidate new hampshire videotape man proven nothing working washington woman need change washington nothing seems work man worried future country end videotape announcements gregory going talk nittygritty politics week want show couple findings wall street journalnbc news poll pretty striking pessimism hostility toward parties look positive negative republicans 27 positive 45 negative democrats 35 positive 38 negative countrys overall kind malaise look 71 percent think governments working well stagnant right track wrong track 65 percent say wrong direction 57 percent still think country recession roundtable let get morning joining back carolyn ryan washington bureau chief new york times robert gibbs whos served white house press secretary 2009 2011 im pleased welcome couple new faces program well israel ortega conservative heritage foundation get perspective outside washington jon ralston long time political reporter nevada host ralston reports airs las vegas nbc station welcome jon let start think ultimate question driving disappointment parties right mr jon ralston nevada political journalist ralston reports well people always disappointed david found covering politics anybody especially polarization washington spreading across country people upset things getting done saw dan pfeiffer almost robert gibbslike masterful way dodging every question asked dont want talk whether presidents going go states dont think anyones clamoring think people forget dont think c phenomenon march things could dramatically change november think democrats worried happened florida numbers put fact presidents approval rating low 40s gregory right ms carolyn ryan washington bureau chief new york times think unites recent developments would worrisome democrats obama administration feels like real way people lost trust president obama dont mean trust narrow sense honest forthright trust president obama solve problems important families look numbers nbcwall street journal poll really cuts across range issues foreign policy economy economy obamacare rollout kind halting incompetence really think vividly demonstrated gregory youre writing paper morning disappointment robert disappointment democrats president obamacare seems mean know republicans coming partys saying ah theyre motivated mr robert gibbs white house press secretary 20092011 well think theres trust deficit america washington think theres belief looking washington danger solving problems people suffer actual america theres doubt rollout healthcare still providing huge hanger hangover think genuine problem democrats nervous looking midterm election electorate much less likely look like presidential much look like 2010 quite frankly electorate conservative less hispanic less africanamerican less young gregory right mr gibbs theres gregory much like presidentials mr gibbs right theres real real danger democrats could suffer big losses real estate turf elections taking place begin advantage republicans gregory also see see motivated republicans israel mr israel ortega contributor foundry heritage foundation yeah gregory see disappointed democrats whenever look right track wrong track see high wrong track number also tells lot independent voters mr ortega right gregory turned majority party mr ortega right gregory thats quite trifecta mr ortega yeah know think think goes questions raised trust think know heard kathleen sebelius week said premiums likely go next next year see lot know clip played david president basically saying well like doctor keep mean going something thats going come coming lot midterm election think got raised mr gibbs lets lets clear nbc polls showed american people dont want see wholesale repeal healthcare gregory true enough mr gibbs reform know healthcare like know insurance company got control whether got treatment american people dont like incumbent upon democrats though order even number aggressive campaigns push republicans theyd repeal know would place gregory jon question talk people especially outside washington still listening want hear particulars roberts talking healthcare kind thinking wow thing kind disaster mr ralston yeah know david think whole repeal question misleading maybe people dont want repealed theyre still upset healthcaregov theyre theyre upset rollout may friends members family problems healthcaregov nevada set exchange absolute disaster almost makes federal one look like welloiled machine people upset going binary choice repeal repeal think working confidence democrats supported gregory heres question came polling weve asking program people actually want elected representatives congress sent john yang southwestern iowa historically swing district get answers question look videotape mr john yang 70 years breakfast indianola iowa meant crouse café servings big often come side politics swing state indianola deep purple going barack obama 2008 mitt romney 2012 republicans democrats talked differed obamacare issues one question unanimity think washington days man 1 terrible terrible man 2 well seems bit dysfunctional mr yang want less bickering problemsolving woman work together man 3 time stop worrying whos going office next whos going charge next time start thinking make america used mr yang democrats hope candidate staci appel turn iowas third district includes indianola red blue become first woman ever represent state house senate six republicans filed june primary videotape staci appel web video ms staci appel put iowa values work order get things done end videotape mr yang websites video never mentions party president obamas name instead stressing bipartisanship independence making things work mr joe shannahan democratic strategist want democrats act like democrats support things care know improving middle class improving education making environment safe mr yang state senate race key struggle majority groups like americans prosperity already slamming democrat bruce braylee supporting obamacare videotape americans prosperity ad woman 1 tell congressman braylee obamacare hurting iowa families deserve better end videotape mr tim albrecht republican strategist republicans fired democrats depressed understand president isnt popular anymore mr yang battle iowa voters begins heat meet press john yang nbc news indianola iowa end videotape gregory carolyn take away ms ryan one thing thats striking comes across piece think came across poll voters want see washington parties working together striking given politicians conscientious obsessive readers polls dont seem pick arent examples accumulation examples contrary gregory right ms ryan simple basic fundamental workings government seem difficult gregory well theres also contradiction among voters find striking poll let show viewers interesting less likely vote candidate willing compromise eightysix percent says yes youre likely political team noted seems like conclusion questions want brand new politicians compromise raise minimum wage cut spending build new bridges back home state need repair im scratching head voters seem saying different things israel mr ortega right well guess cant want think lot themes playing course tuesday special election think saw argument dan making earlier obamacare sort tweaking think crisp argument make think thats going problem lot democrats particularly republican states know senator mary landrieu senator kay hagan among others know senators way werent tuesday allnighter climate change talkathon think playing going continue problem till november gregory mmhm mr gibbs think saw loved nbc coincidentally iowa think saw video whats going big issue race outside spending right ads going come millions tens maybe hundreds millions think democrats going survive way presidents going get lot involved raising money party committees national party democrats going hope keeping senate mr ralston think thats harry reid goes senate floor talk minimum wage much wants talk koch brothers right gregory right mr ralston americans prosperity democrats want make outside spending frame issues republicans trying buy election theres evidence though david people really respond kinds arguments much theyre theyre going respond healthcaregov obamacare thats scott brown announced saying obamacare democrats got gregory right mr ralston race opposed moving new hampshire gregory 2010 right mr ralston right exactly gregory great strategy ms ryan talked democrats disappointment depression feeling disaffected one interesting thing youre seeing hill washington private grumbling obama campaign operation political operation democrats saying know wheres cavalry know whos going rescue us obama obama tends see sort singular figure american politics got elected impressively built party care unintelligible seems like democrats saying doesnt mr gibbs well think thats going difference doesnt get said involved raising money getting voters excited know said obamacare going bring republicans issues president try put table get democrats excited doesnt get involved raising money making choice dan pfeiffer said lose senate lose senate turn lights partys gregory senate danger mr gibbs definitely gregory yeah mr gibbs absolutely theres gregory come dan pfeiffer didnt say mr gibbs thing years ago show gregory right mr gibbs still tire tracks nancy pelosi saying gregory happy mr gibbs thought gregory yeah mr gibbs honesty go far washington youre employed consultant say things theres doubt mean look theyve got pick six seats small number gives huge advantage obviously states theyre israel mentioned gregory yeah mr gibbs louisiana north carolina montana places president didnt well gregory right israel little counterintuitive party yeah david jolly florida 13 ran big antiobamacare message shows get voters behind republicans certainly motivated make statement obamacare symbol dont like president still government shutdown theres still idea dan pfeiffer said republicans going seen wrong wrong side economic issues something worry mr ortega think kimberly strauss great column washington post im sorry cross talk mr ortega unintelligible journal friday basically said interesting election congressmenelect david jolly offensive criticizing obamacare talking conservative policy prescriptions providing health insurance dont think could draw election conservatives offensive gregory mmhm mr ortega receiving democrats liberals attacks think successful gregory know john get perspective outside focus inside beltway breaks mean sense pessimism sense stagnation washington shakes thats question get lot go around country mr ralston know interesting thing tip oneill said said reason know places different know swing district nevada congressional district three held republican close district lot resources different florida 13 place country people different feelings live motivates talk macro want theres reason 95 percent congressmen keep getting reelected districts drawn one really interesting thing dan pfeiffer said kind throwaway line david technology ability obama campaign go different level think republicans finally like waking oh oh internet exists think theyre finally learning use techniques democrats far ahead thanks obama campaign could still make difference races gregory right ms ryan think breaks string successes evidence examples washington working together gregory yeah ms ryan one discouraging points one issue seemed like could progress immigration really seems dead seems like admission gregory incentives change ms ryan right gregory citizens know changing incentives politicians right going take break well come back coming next harry smith talks outspoken comedian bill maher maybe answer ails america think political system broken including strong words presidents health insurance plan mr bill maher problem obamacare course much socialism still much capitalism announcements gregory time meet press moment sunday couldnt help go beyond meet press archives week mark know 25th anniversary invention world wide web heres keen insight future trends young reporter kcra television sacramento way back 1994 videotape kcratv 1994 gregory whats limitless theres internet yellow pages listing subjects information z access system estimated least 30 million people using internet service worldwide experts predict turn century number could go several hundred million service always able offer facts world weather coming 1995 woman godiva chocolate homepage gregory thats right purchasing power buy things chocolates internet even order pizza electronic storefront end videotape gregory wow couldnt resist poking little bit fun idea buy chocolate internet hundred years ago ms ryan revolution yes gregory yeah ms ryan piece weve seen lot 25th anniversary pieces innovation internet offered industry example gregory yeah ms ryan terms changing communication unilateral model bilateral model different level civic engagement still kind wondrous people gregory show mean know even even 1994 doesnt seem like long ago realm long time ago okay well get another break going come back images remember later said comedian bill maher take needs fixed country announcements gregory weeks images remember mh370 praying passengers missing malaysia plane throwback photo colin powell posts selfie 60 yrs ago st patricks day chicago river dyed green iconic wwii image man known kissing sailor dies 86 paralympics us sled hockey wins gold russia gregory weeks images remember moment harry smith meets comedian bill maher speaks mind obamacare marijuana legalization says biggest problem country today announcements videotape saturday mr bill maher harry reid leader senate cure common charisma man oratorical skills onstar operator end videotape gregory back comes politics comedian bill maher doesnt pull punches might noticed watch hbo show well recently hes thinking dysfunctional politics become country hes dishing parties takes message red state america harry smith caught videotape mr harry smith reliably funny reliably liberal bill maher mounting oneman comedic insurgency around country mr maher know everywhere smart progressive freethinking people theyre surrounded bunch red necks understand mr smith whats like take stuff red state mr maher better better blue states even extra added excitement red states places people dont often see someone like place find america red cant get 3000 screaming atheists come see sunday know mr smith mahers sardonic smirk held forth friday nights hbo decade says country case blahs hes surprised take health care please obamacare mistake mr maher problem obamacare course much socialism still much capitalism reason screwed rube goldberg plan allows pharmaceutical companies get cut insurance companies get cut hospitals enrich doctors get rich nonprofit thing perhaps elections profitmaking endeavor cost two billion dollars course american exceptionalism exceptionally stupid point exceptional obamas soft terror ask wedding party afghanistan soft terror like remember time found bin laden let warning stiff fine mr smith anyones blame ails us including presidents low approval ratings hard guess faults displeased days republicans democrats mr maher oh come one really seriously republicans know mean last 20 years really choice drove short bus crazy town certain point mr smith bill maher run world thered news news democrats congress marijuana store every strip mall legalization marijuana mr maher yes mr smith inevitability mr maher think yeah keep comparing gay marriage see becoming legal world doesnt fall next day next week next year issue kind goes away mr smith mahers admittedly clouded perspective world definitely askew mr maher understand one percent richest one percent vote republican deserve votes know represent richest one percent perfectly anybody else corporate americas useful idiots mr smith unintelligible malaise real fault whats wrong us mr maher well oh gosh begin well first well informed mean political process know people used take civics least know country work become country science poohpoohed another one things somehow become politicized people never used argue much science might argue take facts move forward different direction dont argue facts thats true anymore facts come harry much really know facts mr smith meet press harry smith end videotape gregory thank harry want end bill maher talking comparing republicans democrats posed question little bit earlier facebook president obama asset liability democrats november ties conversation together think israel mr ortega well mean think especially week think going liability im going curious see president follows russian ukraine situation heard lot frankly platitudes im looking substance heritage foundation made number recommendations including withdrawing new start treaty thats im looking ms ryan one democrat reporters found said obama become poison think thats liability column gregory thats liability see jon mr ralston think little literally 41 percent ones going inviting dont know whats going change thing poll republican brand good fact worse democratic brand term comes congress going like republicans going able capitalize much dont think youre going see president visiting many places past gregory yeah mr gibbs real estate wise obviously positive person get democratic voters excited push agenda gets matter enthusiasm change turnout president gregory yeah ms ryan bill clinton gregory bill clinton right wheres bill clinton right thank much final note march madness year include alma mater american university eagles theyre going big dance first time since 2009 winning patriot league championship proud go au thats today well back next week sunday meet press
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<p>Ismail al-Kanon had been held captive for more than a year, and threatened with execution more times than he cared to remember. But this time was different.</p>
<p>The people who held him, ISIS fighters, found in his possession a picture of Jesus and two small crosses. They took the items away, burned them, and told him he would be beheaded if they found any more.</p>
<p>Ismail could tell they were serious this time. So he took his last cross — the only one they hadn’t found — and hid it very carefully in the back of a cable receiver box.</p>
<p>“When I left it there, I told myself the cross is not just around the neck, it’s in the heart,” Ismail, 16, says.</p>
<p>It was a small act of defiance — an attempt to retain a part of himself. It was also a symbol of hope. He was telling himself that one day he would be back to collect it. That he would survive.</p>
<p>For two years, Ismail and his mother, Jandar Nasi,&#160;were captives of ISIS. More than most people living under the group’s rule, they had reason to expect that they would never escape.</p>
<p>When ISIS fighters captured Mosul in&#160;the summer&#160;of 2014, they offered Christians a choice: either convert to Islam or pay a tax. Anyone who refused these options, they announced, “ <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-security-christians-idUSKBN0FN29J20140718" type="external">will have nothing but the sword</a>.”</p>
<p />
<p>A cross hangs around Ismail al-Kanon's neck, as he sits in his temporary home in an office building in Erbil, Iraq.</p>
<p>Sam Tarling/PRI</p>
<p>But not everyone was able to escape.</p>
<p>“We’re the only ones who stayed, everybody else left. We had no clue what had happened,” Ismail says.</p>
<p>Ismail and Jandar are Chaldean Catholics, the leading Christian denomination in Iraq.&#160;They&#160;were living&#160;in Bartella, a Christian town east of Mosul. The town largely emptied when ISIS made its advance. Ismail’s mother was too sick to travel, so they hid in their home. When they emerged three days later, there was practically nobody&#160;in sight.</p>
<p>They went to the main road, flagged down a car and asked to&#160;go to Erbil, the capital of the Kurdish region. They got as far as a checkpoint in Khazer, midway between Mosul and Erbil. It was manned by armed men with beards.</p>
<p>“There were some men at a checkpoint. They asked me where I am from. I told one of them I was a Christian from Bartella. He ordered me to step out of the car and hit me on the head. He then tied my hands and took us to Mosul,”&#160;Ismail says. “That was the first time I saw ISIS.”</p>
<p>He didn’t know it then, but that was the start of his two-year nightmare.</p>
<p>Ismail is a wiry young man, tall and still growing. He comes across as shy at first, but that impression soon gives way when a topic takes him.</p>
<p>Aside from video games and computers, the story of how he escaped the clutches of the deadly&#160;terror group&#160;is one such topic.</p>
<p>His is a story of survival, strong will and dedication to his mother, who shared his nightmare with him.</p>
<p>It begins with the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, when he was just 3 years old.</p>
<p>That year would set in motion a chain of events that still affect Ismail’s life today. Even before ISIS came along, Iraq’s Christian population had been steadily dwindling.</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.irinnews.org/report/61897/iraq-christians-live-fear-death-squads" type="external">last census</a> in Iraq — conducted in 1987&#160;—&#160;counted 1.4 million Christians. Many were <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/17/world/middleeast/17christians.html" type="external">reported to have fled</a> during the 1990s, when US sanctions against the country started to bite.</p>
<p />
<p>That flight accelerated after 2003, when the US invaded Iraq to remove Saddam Hussein. Extremist groups like al-Qaeda that rose in the chaotic insurgency against US occupation targeted and killed Christians, who left en masse, to Syria, Europe and elsewhere.</p>
<p>By 2013, the Christian population of Iraq stood at around 500,000, according to the US <a href="http://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/USCIRF%202016%20Annual%20Report.pdf" type="external">Commission on International Religious Freedom</a>, in a country of nearly 40 million people. Church leaders in Iraq put the number today as low as 275,000, the bipartisan government commission said in its annual report.</p>
<p>Bartella, where Ismail grew up, retained its Christian identity. It is home to six churches, one of which was right by his home. He helped out during services. His religion was important to him.</p>
<p>So when, a few days into his captivity, he was forced to convert to Islam, it hurt him deeply.</p>
<p>“One of the ISIS fighters asked us,&#160;‘Why won’t you become Muslims?’&#160;We told him that we didn’t want to. He got angry at me,” Ismail says.</p>
<p>“They put the gun on my head and told my mother, ‘If you don’t convert we will kill your son.’ We were scared. My mother told him to give us some time to think.”</p>
<p>While they were thinking, the men went to a cell next door. Ismail could hear everything. A Shiite Muslim&#160;man was told to convert to Sunni Islam or he would die. He refused. The militants shot him.</p>
<p>“They came and took us to [the man’s corpse]&#160;and told us that this would be my fate if we don't convert,” he says.&#160;</p>
<p>“My mother then said let’s do whatever they want so that they wouldn’t kill me. So we told them yes, we will convert. They asked us to say the shahada and we said it,” he adds, referring to the Muslim profession of faith.</p>
<p>The forced conversion would save their lives. But it wasn’t real to them.&#160;Ismail still wore a cross under his shirt.</p>
<p />
<p>Jandar Nasi, a 54-year-old Christian Iraqi&#160;who fled ISIS-held Mosul with her son.</p>
<p>Sam Tarling/PRI</p>
<p>The pair were moved around between different houses, and kept under a virtual house arrest. ISIS fighters mistreated them horribly.</p>
<p>“They would come and check on us every day and teach us the prayers. When we didn't learn their prayer correctly, they would beat us,” Ismail says.</p>
<p>He was forced to watch his mother beaten and humiliated many times.</p>
<p>“My mother is epileptic. She would learn something then forget it after she had&#160;a seizure. They would teach her, then come to her the next day, they would ask her the same question but she wouldn’t know the answer,” he says.</p>
<p>“They would then take a needle and stick it in her flesh, they would say the blood will keep coming out until you learn.”</p>
<p>Ismail would pass the time&#160;playing video games on his laptop. He played “Grand Theft Auto” nearly every day — never in the presence of ISIS fighters. Sometimes he would walk down to the market just to watch people. But he was incredibly lonely. He couldn’t talk to anyone.</p>
<p>“I would swim in the river, or go the souks, just to blend in with them. I was too afraid to talk to anyone in case they found out I was Christian and punished me,” he says.&#160;</p>
<p>His boredom and isolation were punctuated by horror.</p>
<p>“During that time they came and arrested me seven times. They would take me from the house and take me to a prison. They would sometimes keep me there for three days. Every time, they would give me 25 lashes, shave my head and then release me,” he says.</p>
<p>Also in this series:&#160; <a href="" type="internal">ISIS forced this Iraqi teacher to change all his lessons — 'it became all about death'</a></p>
<p>Ismail&#160;and his mother tried to escape often, but each time were caught and punished. Twice, they waited until their minders had gone and convinced a driver to take them out of Mosul.&#160;But&#160;then they ran into an ISIS checkpoint.</p>
<p>He was only 14 when he was captured, but Ismail took on the responsibility of caring for his mother.</p>
<p>Jandar, 54, can’t move around much. Today, as they both sit in a small room in an office building in Erbil that’s housing Christian families who fled ISIS, she is happy to be alive.</p>
<p>“He’s a gift from God. He saved me from death,” she says of her son. “Many times they tortured him. If not for him, I’d be gone.”</p>
<p />
<p>Ismail al-Kanon is interviewed in his home in Erbil, Iraq, on Nov.&#160;25.</p>
<p>Sam Tarling/PRI</p>
<p>When the fighting came to the city limits, Ismail’s handlers became occupied with combat. Ismail and his mother slipped away from the house they were being held in and found an empty apartment just behind the front line.</p>
<p>The neighborhood of Samah was under siege, and the fighting raged all around them.</p>
<p>“ISIS were on the roofs of the buildings, they saw us and started shooting at us. They aimed at my mother but [the&#160;bullet]&#160;went through her robe and didn’t hit her. She could have died,” he says.</p>
<p>Also in this series:&#160; <a href="" type="internal">This Iraqi woman escaped ISIS and a bad marriage, all for the love of her children</a></p>
<p>Despite the risks, they did not want to turn back.</p>
<p>“We thought that either we die or we get to the army, it would be way better than staying with ISIS.”</p>
<p>“I took a white sheet and wrapped it on a stick, then we ran toward&#160;the army,” he says.</p>
<p>Finally, after his long punishment, he escaped ISIS territory. He was liberated.</p>
<p>“I was in disbelief. I saw the army’s faces, they had no beards, their faces were clear like a shining light. I would see ISIS fighters all the time looking like monkeys, hair all over, they looked like they came from the stone ages,” he says.</p>
<p>Ismail and his mother were taken to a camp for displaced people east of Mosul. They stayed there a few days before going to Erbil, where they now live, in an abandoned office building.</p>
<p />
<p>They were fortunate to make it out alive. According to some church leaders in Iraq, more than <a href="http://www.stopthechristiangenocide.org/en/resources/Genocide-report.pdf" type="external">500 Christians</a> were killed during the ISIS takeover of Mosul. John Kerry, the former US secretary of state, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/17/john-kerry-isis-genocide-syria-iraq" type="external">said</a> ISIS “is responsible for genocide against groups in areas under its control including Yazidis, Christians and Shia Muslims.”</p>
<p>But Ismail doesn’t feel lucky. His ordeal has taken a huge toll.</p>
<p>“I’m mentally and physically tired,” he says.</p>
<p>“My feelings towards ISIS are that I want to completely erase them. But at the same time our religion doesn’t promote cruelty. It says ‘Whoever hits you on the cheek offer him the other also.’”&#160;</p>
<p>Before ISIS was kicked out of Ismail’s hometown of Bartella, they ransacked the churches, burning pews and smashing altars. ( <a href="https://twitter.com/_RichardHall/status/799340260190781441" type="external">Watch our video</a> of walking through one of the churches.)</p>
<p>He thinks the cross that he hid is still where he left it. He had meant to go back to get it. Now, he is not so sure if he will.</p>
<p>“I will leave Iraq,” he says. “It is ruined.”</p>
<p>His mother nods silently in agreement.</p>
<p>This story is part of the series Iraq Interrupted:&#160;stories of survival from Iraqi men and women who have struggled and persevered through more than a decade of conflict.&#160; <a href="" type="internal">Click here</a>&#160;for another profile, of Zikra Younis, an Iraqi&#160;woman who escaped ISIS rule and her husband. And <a href="" type="internal">click here</a> to meet an Iraqi teacher who was forced to keep teaching with&#160;ISIS' revised curriculum.</p>
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ismail alkanon held captive year threatened execution times cared remember time different people held isis fighters found possession picture jesus two small crosses took items away burned told would beheaded found ismail could tell serious time took last cross one hadnt found hid carefully back cable receiver box left told cross around neck heart ismail 16 says small act defiance attempt retain part also symbol hope telling one day would back collect would survive two years ismail mother jandar nasi160were captives isis people living groups rule reason expect would never escape isis fighters captured mosul in160the summer160of 2014 offered christians choice either convert islam pay tax anyone refused options announced nothing sword cross hangs around ismail alkanons neck sits temporary home office building erbil iraq sam tarlingpri everyone able escape ones stayed everybody else left clue happened ismail says ismail jandar chaldean catholics leading christian denomination iraq160they160were living160in bartella christian town east mosul town largely emptied isis made advance ismails mother sick travel hid home emerged three days later practically nobody160in sight went main road flagged car asked to160go erbil capital kurdish region got far checkpoint khazer midway mosul erbil manned armed men beards men checkpoint asked told one christian bartella ordered step car hit head tied hands took us mosul160ismail says first time saw isis didnt know start twoyear nightmare ismail wiry young man tall still growing comes across shy first impression soon gives way topic takes aside video games computers story escaped clutches deadly160terror group160is one topic story survival strong dedication mother shared nightmare begins us invasion iraq 2003 3 years old year would set motion chain events still affect ismails life today even isis came along iraqs christian population steadily dwindling last census iraq conducted 1987160160counted 14 million christians many reported fled 1990s us sanctions country started bite flight accelerated 2003 us invaded iraq remove saddam hussein extremist groups like alqaeda rose chaotic insurgency us occupation targeted killed christians left en masse syria europe elsewhere 2013 christian population iraq stood around 500000 according us commission international religious freedom country nearly 40 million people church leaders iraq put number today low 275000 bipartisan government commission said annual report bartella ismail grew retained christian identity home six churches one right home helped services religion important days captivity forced convert islam hurt deeply one isis fighters asked us160why wont become muslims160we told didnt want got angry ismail says put gun head told mother dont convert kill son scared mother told give us time think thinking men went cell next door ismail could hear everything shiite muslim160man told convert sunni islam would die refused militants shot came took us mans corpse160and told us would fate dont convert says160 mother said lets whatever want wouldnt kill told yes convert asked us say shahada said adds referring muslim profession faith forced conversion would save lives wasnt real them160ismail still wore cross shirt jandar nasi 54yearold christian iraqi160who fled isisheld mosul son sam tarlingpri pair moved around different houses kept virtual house arrest isis fighters mistreated horribly would come check us every day teach us prayers didnt learn prayer correctly would beat us ismail says forced watch mother beaten humiliated many times mother epileptic would learn something forget had160a seizure would teach come next day would ask question wouldnt know answer says would take needle stick flesh would say blood keep coming learn ismail would pass time160playing video games laptop played grand theft auto nearly every day never presence isis fighters sometimes would walk market watch people incredibly lonely couldnt talk anyone would swim river go souks blend afraid talk anyone case found christian punished says160 boredom isolation punctuated horror time came arrested seven times would take house take prison would sometimes keep three days every time would give 25 lashes shave head release says also series160 isis forced iraqi teacher change lessons became death ismail160and mother tried escape often time caught punished twice waited minders gone convinced driver take mosul160but160then ran isis checkpoint 14 captured ismail took responsibility caring mother jandar 54 cant move around much today sit small room office building erbil thats housing christian families fled isis happy alive hes gift god saved death says son many times tortured id gone ismail alkanon interviewed home erbil iraq nov16025 sam tarlingpri fighting came city limits ismails handlers became occupied combat ismail mother slipped away house held found empty apartment behind front line neighborhood samah siege fighting raged around isis roofs buildings saw us started shooting us aimed mother the160bullet160went robe didnt hit could died says also series160 iraqi woman escaped isis bad marriage love children despite risks want turn back thought either die get army would way better staying isis took white sheet wrapped stick ran toward160the army says finally long punishment escaped isis territory liberated disbelief saw armys faces beards faces clear like shining light would see isis fighters time looking like monkeys hair looked like came stone ages says ismail mother taken camp displaced people east mosul stayed days going erbil live abandoned office building fortunate make alive according church leaders iraq 500 christians killed isis takeover mosul john kerry former us secretary state said isis responsible genocide groups areas control including yazidis christians shia muslims ismail doesnt feel lucky ordeal taken huge toll im mentally physically tired says feelings towards isis want completely erase time religion doesnt promote cruelty says whoever hits cheek offer also160 isis kicked ismails hometown bartella ransacked churches burning pews smashing altars watch video walking one churches thinks cross hid still left meant go back get sure leave iraq says ruined mother nods silently agreement story part series iraq interrupted160stories survival iraqi men women struggled persevered decade conflict160 click here160for another profile zikra younis iraqi160woman escaped isis rule husband click meet iraqi teacher forced keep teaching with160isis revised curriculum
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<p>Justin Hartley as a Santa stripper in ‘A Bad Moms Christmas.’ (Photo courtesy STX)</p>
<p>When it’s time to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, head to the movies. There will be some great releases waiting for you.</p>
<p>With the sexual harassment scandal still rocking Hollywood, this year’s holiday film schedule has even more moving pieces than usual. Be sure to confirm times and dates before heading to the theater.</p>
<p>For example, the movie “I Love You, Daddy,” directed by Louis C.K., was pulled from distribution hours before its release. The prestige film “The Current Wars,” starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Thomas Edison and Michael Shannon as George Westinghouse, has had its release postponed until things settle down over at the Weinstein Company. And director Ridley Scott is removing actor Kevin Spacey from “All the Money in the World” and digitally replacing him with Christopher Plummer. The movie is still scheduled to be released on Dec. 22; Plummer’s name has already replaced Spacey’s on the grisly poster.</p>
<p>Some of fall’s great releases are still lingering on area screens. If you’re lucky, you can still catch the queer indies “My Friend Dahmer” about the high school experiences of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer and “BPM” the dazzling film about the early days of ACT UP Paris. “Lady Bird,” the outstanding directoral debut of Greta Gerwig, also includes a gay twist, but it’s a plot spoiler.</p>
<p>The magnificent “Mudbound” is premiering both on Netflix and in theaters. Under the leadership of the openly lesbian director Dee Rees (“Pariah” and “Bessie”), the film takes a close look at race and class in rural Mississippi after World War II. Frances McDormand’s amazing performance as a grieving mother anchors the excellent “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” and Willem Dafoe is the solid center of “The Florida Project” by Sean Baker (“Tangerine”).</p>
<p>“Thor” and the members of “The Justice League” will still be saving cinemas until the New Year, and the “Bad Moms” will be trying to reclaim Christmas from their overpowering mothers until the sequel is released. “A Bad Moms Christmas” features Justin Hartley (“This Is Us”), who was the highlight of the film’s outrageous restricted trailer&#160; and who helps fine tune the amazing balance between comedy, sentiment and raunch.</p>
<p>The flurry of holiday releases starts with “The Man Who Invented Christmas” (Nov. 22). Directed by Bhahat Nalluri, the movie stars Dan Stevens (“Downton Abbey”) as Charles Dickens. Also opening Thanksgiving week is Pixar’s “Coco,” a stunning animated tale inspired by the Mexican holiday commemorating the dead.</p>
<p>Reel Affirmations will commemorate Worlds AIDS Day (Dec. 1) with a screening of “After Louie.” Directed by Vincent Gagliostro, the movie stars Alan Cumming as an artist and activist coming to terms with the toll that AIDS has taken on his life and his community. The deeply-moving film also features performances by the legendary Everett Quinton, Wilson Cruz and David Drake (“The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me).</p>
<p>Other queer movies opening in December include the extraordinary “Thelma” (Dec. 1) about a young student who discovers the power of love as she explores her sexuality and discovers her own superpowers; “Tom of Finland” (Dec. 8), about the legendary gay illustrator; and the highly anticipated “Call Me By Your Name” (Dec. 15).</p>
<p>Impatient fans can also see “Tom of Finland” from Nov. 24-30 with the Maryland Film Festival at the inventively restored SNF Parkway. For more information on this and other great programming, go to <a href="http://mdfilmfest.com" type="external">mdfilmfest.com</a>.</p>
<p>Surprisingly, one of the queerest releases of 2017 may be Guillermo del Toro’s “The Shape of Water” (Dec. 8). Inspired by the paranoid monster movies of the Cold War era, the visual masterpiece tells the story of a brave gang of outsiders who band together to save an aquatic creature who is being tortured in a government research lab. Sally Hawkins stars as Elisa Esposito, a mute who communicates through sign language and dance. Richard Jenkins is Giles, her gay next-door neighbor. The cast of this beautiful adult fairy tale is rounded out by Octavia Spencer, Michael Sheen and Michael Stuhlbarg.</p>
<p>Other December openings include James Franco as “The Disaster Artist” (Dec. 1), the animated feature “Ferdinand” with John Cena providing the voice of the gentle bull, Woody Allen’s “Wonder Wheel” (Dec. 8) featuring Justin Timberlake, and “The Post” (Dec. 22) starring Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks as the publisher and editor of the venerable D.C. newspaper.</p>
<p>As always, AFI Silver in downtown Silver Spring is ready to celebrate the holidays with style and humor. There are seasonal classics like “Meet Me in St. Louis,” “It’s A Wonderful Life” and “Miracle on 34th Street.” There’s “The Bishop’s Wife” with David Niven, Loretta Young and Cary Grant and “The Preacher’s Wife” with Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston. There’s “A Muppet Christmas Carol” with Michael Caine and Kermit the Frog, as well as the classic 1951 version of the story with Alastair Sis. Finally, the annual AFI holiday screening of “Die Hard.”</p>
<p>With a more continental flair, AFI is also dedicating December to its annual European Union Film Showcase. This year’s offerings include “The Workshop” with a script by Robin Campillo (“BPM”); Vanessa Redgrave’s directoral debut “Sea Sorrow” and “The Young Karl Marx,” written and directed by Raoul Peck (“I Am Not Your Negro”). For more information on these and other fine films, go to <a href="http://afi.com/silver" type="external">afi.com/silver</a>.</p>
<p>Finally, the two big holiday blockbusters will appear. “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” lands in DC theaters on Dec. 15. The eighth film in the multi-generational space opera brings back Daisy Ridley (Rey), John Boyega (Finn), Oscar Isaac (Poe) and Adam Driver (Kylo Ren), along with the Wookie, the droids and the old warriors Luke (Mark Hamill) and Leia (Carrie Fisher, who died shortly after filming was wrapped). There’s no official word yet on whether or not Poe and Finn will finally get to consummate their relationship in Episode Nine.</p>
<p>“The Greatest Showman” arrives in D.C. on Dec. 22. Hugh Jackman plays showman and politician Phineas Taylor Barnum and sings songs by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. The high-flying cast also includes Michelle Williams, Zac Efron, Zendaya and Rebecca Ferguson.</p>
<p>Hugh Jackman and Michelle Williams in ‘The Greatest Showman,’ one of this holiday season’s hotly anticipated releases. (Photo courtesy 20th Century Fox)</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">A Bad Moms Christmas</a> <a href="" type="internal">A Muppet Christmas Carol</a> <a href="" type="internal">Act Up-Paris</a> <a href="" type="internal">Adam Driver</a> <a href="" type="internal">AFI Silver</a> <a href="" type="internal">After Louie</a> <a href="" type="internal">AIDS</a> <a href="" type="internal">Alan Cumming</a> <a href="" type="internal">Alastair Sis</a> <a href="" type="internal">All the Money in the World</a> <a href="" type="internal">Bad Moms</a> <a href="" type="internal">Benedict Cumberbatch</a> <a href="" type="internal">benj pasek</a> <a href="" type="internal">Bhahat Nalluri</a> <a href="" type="internal">BPM</a> <a href="" type="internal">Call Me By Your Name</a> <a href="" type="internal">Carrie Fisher</a> <a href="" type="internal">Cary Grant</a> <a href="" type="internal">Charles Dickens</a> <a href="" type="internal">Christopher Plummer</a> <a href="" type="internal">Coco</a> <a href="" type="internal">Daisy Ridley</a> <a href="" type="internal">Dan Stevens</a> <a href="" type="internal">David Drake</a> <a href="" type="internal">David Niven</a> <a href="" type="internal">Dee Rees</a> <a href="" type="internal">Denzel Washington</a> <a href="" type="internal">Die Hard</a> <a href="" type="internal">European Union Film Showcase</a> <a href="" type="internal">Everett Quinton</a> <a href="" type="internal">Ferdinand</a> <a href="" type="internal">Frances McDormand</a> <a href="" type="internal">George Westinghouse</a> <a href="" type="internal">Greta Gerwig</a> <a href="" type="internal">Guillermo del Toro</a> <a href="" type="internal">Hugh Jackman</a> <a href="" type="internal">I Love You Daddy</a> <a href="" type="internal">It's a Wonderful Life</a> <a href="" type="internal">James Franco</a> <a href="" type="internal">Jeffrey Dahmer</a> <a href="" type="internal">John Boyega</a> <a href="" type="internal">John Cena</a> <a href="" type="internal">Justin Harley</a> <a href="" type="internal">justin paul</a> <a href="" type="internal">Justin Timberlake</a> <a href="" type="internal">Kermit the Frog</a> <a href="" type="internal">Kevin Spacey</a> <a href="" type="internal">Lady Bird</a> <a href="" type="internal">Loretta Young</a> <a href="" type="internal">Louis C.K.</a> <a href="" type="internal">Mark Hamill</a> <a href="" type="internal">Maryland</a> <a href="" type="internal">Maryland Film Festival</a> <a href="" type="internal">Meet Me in St. Louis</a> <a href="" type="internal">Meryl Streep</a> <a href="" type="internal">Michael Caine</a> <a href="" type="internal">Michael Shannon</a> <a href="" type="internal">Michael Sheen</a> <a href="" type="internal">Michael Stuhlbarg</a> <a href="" type="internal">Michelle Williams</a> <a href="" type="internal">Miracle on 34th Street</a> <a href="" type="internal">Mudbound</a> <a href="" type="internal">My Friend Dahmer</a> <a href="" type="internal">Netflix</a> <a href="" type="internal">Octavia Spencer</a> <a href="" type="internal">Oscar Issac</a> <a href="" type="internal">Phineas Taylor Barnum</a> <a href="" type="internal">Pixar</a> <a href="" type="internal">Raoul Peck</a> <a href="" type="internal">Rebecca Ferguson</a> <a href="" type="internal">Reel Affirmations</a> <a href="" type="internal">Richard Jenkins</a> <a href="" type="internal">Ridley Scott</a> <a href="" type="internal">Robin Campillo</a> <a href="" type="internal">Sally Hawkins</a> <a href="" type="internal">Sea Sorrow</a> <a href="" type="internal">Sean Baker</a> <a href="" type="internal">Silver Spring</a> <a href="" type="internal">Star Wars: The Last Jedi</a> <a href="" type="internal">The Bishop's Wife</a> <a href="" type="internal">The Current Wars</a> <a href="" type="internal">The Disaster Artist</a> <a href="" type="internal">The Florida Project</a> <a href="" type="internal">The Greatest Showman</a> <a href="" type="internal">The Justice League</a> <a href="" type="internal">The Man Who Invented Christmas</a> <a href="" type="internal">The Post</a> <a href="" type="internal">The Preacher's Wife</a> <a href="" type="internal">The Shape of Water</a> <a href="" type="internal">The Workshop</a> <a href="" type="internal">The Young Karl Marx</a> <a href="" type="internal">Thelma</a> <a href="" type="internal">Thomas Edison</a> <a href="" type="internal">Thor</a> <a href="" type="internal">Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri</a> <a href="" type="internal">Tom Hanks</a> <a href="" type="internal">Tom of Finland</a> <a href="" type="internal">Vanessa Redgrave</a> <a href="" type="internal">Vincent Gagliostro</a> <a href="" type="internal">Weinstein Company</a> <a href="" type="internal">Whitney Houston</a> <a href="" type="internal">Willem Dafoe</a> <a href="" type="internal">Wilson Cruz</a> <a href="" type="internal">Wonder Wheel</a> <a href="" type="internal">World AIDS Day</a> <a href="" type="internal">Zac Efron</a> <a href="" type="internal">Zendaya</a></p>
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justin hartley santa stripper bad moms christmas photo courtesy stx time take break hustle bustle holiday season head movies great releases waiting sexual harassment scandal still rocking hollywood years holiday film schedule even moving pieces usual sure confirm times dates heading theater example movie love daddy directed louis ck pulled distribution hours release prestige film current wars starring benedict cumberbatch thomas edison michael shannon george westinghouse release postponed things settle weinstein company director ridley scott removing actor kevin spacey money world digitally replacing christopher plummer movie still scheduled released dec 22 plummers name already replaced spaceys grisly poster falls great releases still lingering area screens youre lucky still catch queer indies friend dahmer high school experiences serial killer jeffrey dahmer bpm dazzling film early days act paris lady bird outstanding directoral debut greta gerwig also includes gay twist plot spoiler magnificent mudbound premiering netflix theaters leadership openly lesbian director dee rees pariah bessie film takes close look race class rural mississippi world war ii frances mcdormands amazing performance grieving mother anchors excellent three billboards outside ebbing missouri willem dafoe solid center florida project sean baker tangerine thor members justice league still saving cinemas new year bad moms trying reclaim christmas overpowering mothers sequel released bad moms christmas features justin hartley us highlight films outrageous restricted trailer160 helps fine tune amazing balance comedy sentiment raunch flurry holiday releases starts man invented christmas nov 22 directed bhahat nalluri movie stars dan stevens downton abbey charles dickens also opening thanksgiving week pixars coco stunning animated tale inspired mexican holiday commemorating dead reel affirmations commemorate worlds aids day dec 1 screening louie directed vincent gagliostro movie stars alan cumming artist activist coming terms toll aids taken life community deeplymoving film also features performances legendary everett quinton wilson cruz david drake night larry kramer kissed queer movies opening december include extraordinary thelma dec 1 young student discovers power love explores sexuality discovers superpowers tom finland dec 8 legendary gay illustrator highly anticipated call name dec 15 impatient fans also see tom finland nov 2430 maryland film festival inventively restored snf parkway information great programming go mdfilmfestcom surprisingly one queerest releases 2017 may guillermo del toros shape water dec 8 inspired paranoid monster movies cold war era visual masterpiece tells story brave gang outsiders band together save aquatic creature tortured government research lab sally hawkins stars elisa esposito mute communicates sign language dance richard jenkins giles gay nextdoor neighbor cast beautiful adult fairy tale rounded octavia spencer michael sheen michael stuhlbarg december openings include james franco disaster artist dec 1 animated feature ferdinand john cena providing voice gentle bull woody allens wonder wheel dec 8 featuring justin timberlake post dec 22 starring meryl streep tom hanks publisher editor venerable dc newspaper always afi silver downtown silver spring ready celebrate holidays style humor seasonal classics like meet st louis wonderful life miracle 34th street theres bishops wife david niven loretta young cary grant preachers wife denzel washington whitney houston theres muppet christmas carol michael caine kermit frog well classic 1951 version story alastair sis finally annual afi holiday screening die hard continental flair afi also dedicating december annual european union film showcase years offerings include workshop script robin campillo bpm vanessa redgraves directoral debut sea sorrow young karl marx written directed raoul peck negro information fine films go aficomsilver finally two big holiday blockbusters appear star wars last jedi lands dc theaters dec 15 eighth film multigenerational space opera brings back daisy ridley rey john boyega finn oscar isaac poe adam driver kylo ren along wookie droids old warriors luke mark hamill leia carrie fisher died shortly filming wrapped theres official word yet whether poe finn finally get consummate relationship episode nine greatest showman arrives dc dec 22 hugh jackman plays showman politician phineas taylor barnum sings songs benj pasek justin paul highflying cast also includes michelle williams zac efron zendaya rebecca ferguson hugh jackman michelle williams greatest showman one holiday seasons hotly anticipated releases photo courtesy 20th century fox bad moms christmas muppet christmas carol act upparis adam driver afi silver louie aids alan cumming alastair sis money world bad moms benedict cumberbatch benj pasek bhahat nalluri bpm call name carrie fisher cary grant charles dickens christopher plummer coco daisy ridley dan stevens david drake david niven dee rees denzel washington die hard european union film showcase everett quinton ferdinand frances mcdormand george westinghouse greta gerwig guillermo del toro hugh jackman love daddy wonderful life james franco jeffrey dahmer john boyega john cena justin harley justin paul justin timberlake kermit frog kevin spacey lady bird loretta young louis ck mark hamill maryland maryland film festival meet st louis meryl streep michael caine michael shannon michael sheen michael stuhlbarg michelle williams miracle 34th street mudbound friend dahmer netflix octavia spencer oscar issac phineas taylor barnum pixar raoul peck rebecca ferguson reel affirmations richard jenkins ridley scott robin campillo sally hawkins sea sorrow sean baker silver spring star wars last jedi bishops wife current wars disaster artist florida project greatest showman justice league man invented christmas post preachers wife shape water workshop young karl marx thelma thomas edison thor three billboards outside ebbing missouri tom hanks tom finland vanessa redgrave vincent gagliostro weinstein company whitney houston willem dafoe wilson cruz wonder wheel world aids day zac efron zendaya
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<p>Officials at the <a href="http://www.coveredca.com/" type="external">Covered California</a> insurance exchange, the state’s implementation of Obamacare, worry&#160;passage of <a href="http://ballotpedia.org/California_Proposition_45,_Public_Notice_Required_for_Insurance_Company_Rates_Initiative_(2014)" type="external">Prop. 45</a> could damage its operations, potentially affecting insurance coverage for millions of Californians. But the board has chosen not to notify California voters of their concerns by formally opposing Prop. 45.</p>
<p>“The initiative could seriously undermine the work that we have underway, our operations, and could compromise the terrific movement and progress that we are making with implementing health reform in California,” said Covered California Board Member Kimberley Belshé at the board’s recent meeting ( <a href="http://cal-span.org/cgi-bin/archive.php?player=silverlight&amp;owner=HBEX&amp;date=2014-09-18" type="external">webcast</a>here).</p>
<p>Board Member Diana Dooley agreed. “I personally have very serious concerns about the interaction of the plain language of this initiative and the work that we’ve invested in making the Affordable Care Act real in California and to some considerable degree somewhat successful,” she said.</p>
<p>Those concerns were confirmed in <a href="http://board.coveredca.com/meetings/2014/9-18/PDFs/CCA-Prop%2045%20Analysis%208-21-14.pdf" type="external">a report</a>by Executive Director Peter Lee, which found, “Proposition 45 could have a significant detrimental impact on Covered California’s operations….”</p>
<p>Known as the Insurance Rate Public Justification and Accountability Act, Prop. 45 would require health insurance rates to be approved by the state insurance commissioner, similar to the car insurance rate approval mandated by <a href="http://ballotpedia.org/California_Proposition_103,_Insurance_Rates_and_Regulation_(1988)" type="external">Proposition 103</a> in 1988.</p>
<p>Lee’s Prop. 45 analysis cited several concerns:</p>
<p>The Covered California board members could have laid out their concerns in a resolution opposing Prop. 45 to help voters make a better informed decision ahead of the Nov. 4 election. But they unanimously declined to do so.</p>
<p>“I think the beauty and the right kind of influence of this board is to remain as apolitical as possible,” said Board Member Robert Ross. “I’m philosophically opposed to taking any formal position on this ballot measure or any other. I think there’s plenty of politics to go around. Let it go on and let’s try to keep it out of the deliberations of this body.”</p>
<p>The board’s decision to remain neutral on Prop. 45 was welcomed by more than a dozen Prop. 45 supporters who spoke at the meeting.</p>
<p>“People will differ in their analysis of whether Prop. 45 will make the world better for consumers or not better,” said <a href="https://consumersunion.org/experts/elizabeth-betsy-imholz/" type="external">Betsy Imholz</a>, representing <a href="http://consumersunion.org/" type="external">Consumers Union</a>. “But one thing is indisputable, that the insurance industry is unanimously and vociferously opposed to it. Were you to align with that position, I think it would create a bad public image.</p>
<p>“And were it to pass, I think the public would be watching closely and questioning your implementation of the act. You don’t need that. None of us needs that. We just want to move forward with the very successful work that you’ve been doing over the past several years.”</p>
<p>Elizabeth Pataki, a retired intensive care nurse representing the <a href="http://californiaalliance.org/" type="external">California Alliance for Retired Americans</a>, agreed.</p>
<p>“Since Covered California is prohibited under California and federal law from spending taxpayer money to campaign for the ballot initiatives, and since you negotiate with the powerful health care industry to ensure Californians must buy health care and have access to that care, as such it’s very important that you avoid taking sides and getting involved in a political fight with consumer advocates on one side and the health care industry on the other,” she said.</p>
<p>“We need Proposition 45 because there have been 185 percent increases in rates, which have caused severe difficulties. Those severe difficulties include working people and retired people going bankrupt. Proposition 45 will apply the same rates as car coverage. It does not undermine the Affordable Care Act. And it’s public, it’s transparent, it’s open. The public can see what’s happening.”</p>
<p>Only one person argued that the board should make its concerns public about Prop. 45.</p>
<p>“We have substantial experience with Prop. 103,” said Steve Young, representing the <a href="http://iiabcal.com/default.asp" type="external">Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of California</a>. “From our position, Prop. 45 was a sham. What it is represented to be is not in fact what it would be. We believe and are sure that there is no empirical evidence to suggest that the Prop. 103 rating law, or especially the public intervention process, has done anything to lower insurance costs in property casualty insurance.</p>
<p>“Our view is Covered California itself already has done and will continue to do more to temper and lower insurance costs for California consumers than Prop. 45 ever could. So our view, while we certainly understand your position, is that it would be appropriate for you to call a pig a pig, and take a position against Prop. 45.”</p>
<p>Although the Covered California board has sought to stay above the political fray, it has found itself mired in it anyway. &#160; <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/" type="external">Consumer Watchdog</a>, which is leading the campaign for Prop. 45, on Monday sent <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/images/LtrAgCC.pdf" type="external">a letter</a>&#160;to Attorney General Kamala Harris seeking an investigation of the agency’s <a href="" type="internal">no-bid contracts</a> and suggesting Covered California is in collusion with insurance companies against Prop. 45:</p>
<p>“Covered California has refused for months to release information requested by Consumer Watchdog under the Public Records Act concerning the agency’s communications with insurance industry executives about Prop. 45 …. Californians deserve to know the truth about hundreds of millions of dollars in no-bid contracts and industry influence at Covered California before they vote November 4th.”</p>
<p>Dooley responded to criticism at the September Covered California meeting.&#160;“I … am deeply troubled by the politicization of the work that we’ve done and the suggestions that necessarily come up in a political campaign,” she said. “And the characterizations that have been made and may continue to be made that we are not a sufficient steward of consumers.</p>
<p>“I kind of take personal offense at that because I’m here because of my consumer commitment. And I think we have established a reputation of openness and evidence of consumer protection.”</p>
<p>In other action at the meeting, Lee told the board that many Californians who called Covered California in the previous month were put on hold for as long as 40 minutes while those whose citizenship was in question were moved to the front of the call line.</p>
<p>The number of suspected illegal residents, who were in danger of losing their insurance eligibility, had grown to 148,000. Prioritizing their cases reduced that to just 10,474 clients whose legal residency is still in question, according to a <a href="http://news.coveredca.com/2014/10/covered-california-clears-most.html" type="external">press release</a>.</p>
<p>Lee told the board that, although the law requires illegal residents be dropped from coverage after 90 days, Covered California has extended their coverage “well beyond that.”</p>
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160 officials covered california insurance exchange states implementation obamacare worry160passage prop 45 could damage operations potentially affecting insurance coverage millions californians board chosen notify california voters concerns formally opposing prop 45 initiative could seriously undermine work underway operations could compromise terrific movement progress making implementing health reform california said covered california board member kimberley belshé boards recent meeting webcasthere board member diana dooley agreed personally serious concerns interaction plain language initiative work weve invested making affordable care act real california considerable degree somewhat successful said concerns confirmed reportby executive director peter lee found proposition 45 could significant detrimental impact covered californias operations known insurance rate public justification accountability act prop 45 would require health insurance rates approved state insurance commissioner similar car insurance rate approval mandated proposition 103 1988 lees prop 45 analysis cited several concerns covered california board members could laid concerns resolution opposing prop 45 help voters make better informed decision ahead nov 4 election unanimously declined think beauty right kind influence board remain apolitical possible said board member robert ross im philosophically opposed taking formal position ballot measure think theres plenty politics go around let go lets try keep deliberations body boards decision remain neutral prop 45 welcomed dozen prop 45 supporters spoke meeting people differ analysis whether prop 45 make world better consumers better said betsy imholz representing consumers union one thing indisputable insurance industry unanimously vociferously opposed align position think would create bad public image pass think public would watching closely questioning implementation act dont need none us needs want move forward successful work youve past several years elizabeth pataki retired intensive care nurse representing california alliance retired americans agreed since covered california prohibited california federal law spending taxpayer money campaign ballot initiatives since negotiate powerful health care industry ensure californians must buy health care access care important avoid taking sides getting involved political fight consumer advocates one side health care industry said need proposition 45 185 percent increases rates caused severe difficulties severe difficulties include working people retired people going bankrupt proposition 45 apply rates car coverage undermine affordable care act public transparent open public see whats happening one person argued board make concerns public prop 45 substantial experience prop 103 said steve young representing independent insurance agents brokers california position prop 45 sham represented fact would believe sure empirical evidence suggest prop 103 rating law especially public intervention process done anything lower insurance costs property casualty insurance view covered california already done continue temper lower insurance costs california consumers prop 45 ever could view certainly understand position would appropriate call pig pig take position prop 45 although covered california board sought stay political fray found mired anyway 160 consumer watchdog leading campaign prop 45 monday sent letter160to attorney general kamala harris seeking investigation agencys nobid contracts suggesting covered california collusion insurance companies prop 45 covered california refused months release information requested consumer watchdog public records act concerning agencys communications insurance industry executives prop 45 californians deserve know truth hundreds millions dollars nobid contracts industry influence covered california vote november 4th dooley responded criticism september covered california meeting160i deeply troubled politicization work weve done suggestions necessarily come political campaign said characterizations made may continue made sufficient steward consumers kind take personal offense im consumer commitment think established reputation openness evidence consumer protection action meeting lee told board many californians called covered california previous month put hold long 40 minutes whose citizenship question moved front call line number suspected illegal residents danger losing insurance eligibility grown 148000 prioritizing cases reduced 10474 clients whose legal residency still question according press release lee told board although law requires illegal residents dropped coverage 90 days covered california extended coverage well beyond
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<p>BUZZARDS BAY, Mass. — “We don’t need a new idea,” said Sen. Marco Rubio, Republican of Florida. “The idea is called America, and it still works.”</p>
<p>Rubio was one of the headline speakers at the three-day Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Md., an event billed as the largest and oldest gathering of conservatives.</p>
<p>The line got enthusiastic applause, but it exposed one much-debated concept: speaker after speaker touted the idea that the United States remains ”the greatest nation in the history of the world” — even despite what many claim is a failing economy, a dysfunctional government and a broken education system.</p>
<p>Ronald Reagan ruled as the guardian angel of CPAC, the beloved repository of wisdom and strength. By contrast, Mitt Romney was something of the specter at the feast, faulted by many for running a weak campaign, for failing to attack President Barack Obama firmly enough, and for not being sufficiently true to the conservative ideal.</p>
<p>His resounding defeat in November was not the fault of the conservative message, however.</p>
<p>“The popular media narrative is that this country has shifted away from conservative ideals,” said Texas Gov. Rick Perry, himself a failed presidential contender. “That might be true if Republicans had actually nominated conservative candidates.”</p>
<p>CPAC is, first and foremost, a beauty contest in which presidential hopefuls strut their stuff for the audience and the cameras. That might seem to be a ridiculous endeavor less than two months after the Democratic incumbent was sworn into his second term, but many of the big names appeared to be doing just that.</p>
<p>Day One was devoted to the GOP’s current favorites: matched against Rubio was Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, who shot to prominence last week with his now-famous <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/politics/world-leaders/130307/brennan-confirmation-rand-paul-senate-cia" type="external">13-hour filibuster to highlight what he considered the dangers of the administration’s unrestricted and non-transparent drone program</a>.</p>
<p>“I was told I get 10 measly minutes,” said Paul, to loud laughter as he took the stage. “But I brought 13 hours worth of information just in case.”</p>
<p>For many, Paul was the hero of the hour, greeted with “Stand with Rand” signs in the hall.</p>
<p>Neither man, however, is the popular front-runner. That honor belongs to New Jersey Gov. Christ Christie, who was the leading Republican in a <a href="http://www.quinnipiac.edu/institutes-centers/polling-institute/pennsylvania/release-detail?ReleaseID=1866" type="external">Quinnipiac University poll</a> conducted last week.</p>
<p>Yet Christie was not invited to CPAC, in what many saw as a slapdown for <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/united-states/121030/njs-gov-chris-christie-calls-obama-outstanding" type="external">his embrace of President Obama</a> during the Hurricane Sandy aftermath, just before November’s election.</p>
<p>On Saturday, the conservative conference will take a straw poll of prospective nominees for the 2016 presidential election, which now features 23 names, including Rubio, Rand, and Christie. Another top contender, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, asked that his name not be entered, saying it is just too early.</p>
<p>But Friday’s roster of speakers contained many others who may be looking for greater exposure in the long run-up to 2016. They projected a fairly unified message: Our country is exceptional, our country is good, our country is just plain better than all the rest.</p>
<p>There were some jarring notes, however.</p>
<p>The day was opened by entrepreneur and television personality Donald Trump, who warned of the “very very serious trouble” both the country and the Republican Party were in. The country had lost its momentum, and had to get it back, he insisted.</p>
<p>But he did have a novel approach to immigration. Remarking on recent proposals to grant a path to citizenship to illegal immigrants, he warned that “every single one of those 11 million illegals will be voting Democratic.”</p>
<p>His solution: admit more Republicans. “Why don’t we take more from Europe?” he asked, adding that he believes Europeans are often graduates of prestigious schools like Harvard and Wharton, and therefore perhaps more in sync with the Republican ethos.</p>
<p>His views on the United States’ recent wars were also quite original.</p>
<p>Remarking that the Iraq War cost the United States $1.5 trillion, he advised going in and seizing at least the equivalent amount of money in oil.</p>
<p>“We should take it, pay ourselves back,” he insisted. “What the hell are we thinking? We get nothing.”</p>
<p>For Kelly Ayotte, the junior senator from New Hampshire, and another politician looking for a possible spot on the 2016 ticket, security is the great concern.</p>
<p>“How many of you think that radical Islam is a threat to our way of life?” she asked, raising her hand high.</p>
<p>She condemned what she termed Obama’s policies that “repeatedly undercut Israel,” and all but called directly for military action to take out Iran’s nuclear centrifuges.</p>
<p>“This is a matter of life and death for Israel,” she reminded the audience.</p>
<p>Wayne LaPierre, president of the National Rifle Association, unsurprisingly touted the Second Amendment, which grants American citizens the right to bear arms.</p>
<p>“That freedom makes America stronger than other countries, and that freedom makes America better than other countries,” he said succinctly.</p>
<p>Rick Santorum, who had, as he told the audience, come to CPAC from his nephew’s deathbed, was fairly somber.</p>
<p>As is usual with Santorum, he frequently invoked the Almighty, and sounded his by now familiar indictment of the French Revolution.</p>
<p>The mottos of 1789 were good, he said, up to a point: “liberty” and “equality” sounded a lot like American values. But “fraternite” (brotherhood) scuttled the whole venture, in his view. It should have been “paternite” (Fatherhood) to signal that rights come from the Creator.</p>
<p>“They replaced a sovereign king with a sovereign mob,” he said. “That led to the guillotine and Bonaparte.”</p>
<p>That led to a "godless, anti-clerical Europe, where government is the center,” rather than the Deity.</p>
<p>That, he insisted, would not happen in America; not on his watch.</p>
<p>A panel on defense cuts sounded the alarm at a possible loss of American prestige, given the severe funding cuts instituted by the Obama administration.</p>
<p>But, as Christopher Preble, vice president at the Cato Institute, put it, the United States has got to stop being the world’s policeman.</p>
<p>“US troops should not be first responders to every 911 call that goes out [in the world],” he said. Preble also stressed that the United States should not be asked to “provide security for countries that cannot defend themselves.”</p>
<p>Some of the characterizations of foreign leaders might raise a few eyebrows, such as one speaker’s reference to “that nut-job in North Korea” or another’s laughing reference to <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/series/venezuela-president-hugo-chavez-dead-cancer-what%27s%20next" type="external">Hugo Chavez, the Venezuelan president who died March 5</a>, now being “Satan’s roommate.”</p>
<p>Romney seemed much more temperate when he gave his long-awaited speech on Friday, his first major public appearance since the November election.</p>
<p>He refused to indulge in pessimism, saying the American people are strong, resilient, and will come back to the conservative message eventually — which they must do if America is to stay at the top of the world.</p>
<p>“It is no secret that the last century was an American century,” he said. “And it is no secret that over the span of the 21st century, America's pre-eminent position is far from guaranteed. The consequence if America were to be surpassed would be devastating.”</p>
<p>America is the only country in the world to use its military hegemony exclusively for liberation, rather than conquest, he insisted.</p>
<p>"Who came to the rescue of Europe when it faced its darkest hour and came to the rescue of others under the threat of tyranny, in Korea, Vietnam, Panama, Bosnia, Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq? Whatever you think of these interventions, whatever, the impulse behind every single one of them was liberation, not conquest," Romney said. "In all of human history, there has never been a great power that has so often used that power to liberate others, to free the captives.”</p>
<p>Romney did mention his loss, at the end of his speech.</p>
<p>“I am sorry that I will not be your president — but I will be your co-worker and I will stand shoulder to shoulder with you,” he said.” In the end, we will win just as we have won before, and for the same reason: because our cause is right ... and just.”</p>
<p>Perhaps he’d better have a word with Donald Trump on Iraqi oil, just in case.</p>
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buzzards bay mass dont need new idea said sen marco rubio republican florida idea called america still works rubio one headline speakers threeday conservative political action conference national harbor md event billed largest oldest gathering conservatives line got enthusiastic applause exposed one muchdebated concept speaker speaker touted idea united states remains greatest nation history world even despite many claim failing economy dysfunctional government broken education system ronald reagan ruled guardian angel cpac beloved repository wisdom strength contrast mitt romney something specter feast faulted many running weak campaign failing attack president barack obama firmly enough sufficiently true conservative ideal resounding defeat november fault conservative message however popular media narrative country shifted away conservative ideals said texas gov rick perry failed presidential contender might true republicans actually nominated conservative candidates cpac first foremost beauty contest presidential hopefuls strut stuff audience cameras might seem ridiculous endeavor less two months democratic incumbent sworn second term many big names appeared day one devoted gops current favorites matched rubio kentucky sen rand paul shot prominence last week nowfamous 13hour filibuster highlight considered dangers administrations unrestricted nontransparent drone program told get 10 measly minutes said paul loud laughter took stage brought 13 hours worth information case many paul hero hour greeted stand rand signs hall neither man however popular frontrunner honor belongs new jersey gov christ christie leading republican quinnipiac university poll conducted last week yet christie invited cpac many saw slapdown embrace president obama hurricane sandy aftermath novembers election saturday conservative conference take straw poll prospective nominees 2016 presidential election features 23 names including rubio rand christie another top contender former florida gov jeb bush asked name entered saying early fridays roster speakers contained many others may looking greater exposure long runup 2016 projected fairly unified message country exceptional country good country plain better rest jarring notes however day opened entrepreneur television personality donald trump warned serious trouble country republican party country lost momentum get back insisted novel approach immigration remarking recent proposals grant path citizenship illegal immigrants warned every single one 11 million illegals voting democratic solution admit republicans dont take europe asked adding believes europeans often graduates prestigious schools like harvard wharton therefore perhaps sync republican ethos views united states recent wars also quite original remarking iraq war cost united states 15 trillion advised going seizing least equivalent amount money oil take pay back insisted hell thinking get nothing kelly ayotte junior senator new hampshire another politician looking possible spot 2016 ticket security great concern many think radical islam threat way life asked raising hand high condemned termed obamas policies repeatedly undercut israel called directly military action take irans nuclear centrifuges matter life death israel reminded audience wayne lapierre president national rifle association unsurprisingly touted second amendment grants american citizens right bear arms freedom makes america stronger countries freedom makes america better countries said succinctly rick santorum told audience come cpac nephews deathbed fairly somber usual santorum frequently invoked almighty sounded familiar indictment french revolution mottos 1789 good said point liberty equality sounded lot like american values fraternite brotherhood scuttled whole venture view paternite fatherhood signal rights come creator replaced sovereign king sovereign mob said led guillotine bonaparte led godless anticlerical europe government center rather deity insisted would happen america watch panel defense cuts sounded alarm possible loss american prestige given severe funding cuts instituted obama administration christopher preble vice president cato institute put united states got stop worlds policeman us troops first responders every 911 call goes world said preble also stressed united states asked provide security countries defend characterizations foreign leaders might raise eyebrows one speakers reference nutjob north korea anothers laughing reference hugo chavez venezuelan president died march 5 satans roommate romney seemed much temperate gave longawaited speech friday first major public appearance since november election refused indulge pessimism saying american people strong resilient come back conservative message eventually must america stay top world secret last century american century said secret span 21st century americas preeminent position far guaranteed consequence america surpassed would devastating america country world use military hegemony exclusively liberation rather conquest insisted came rescue europe faced darkest hour came rescue others threat tyranny korea vietnam panama bosnia kuwait afghanistan iraq whatever think interventions whatever impulse behind every single one liberation conquest romney said human history never great power often used power liberate others free captives romney mention loss end speech sorry president coworker stand shoulder shoulder said end win reason cause right perhaps hed better word donald trump iraqi oil case
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<p>AMSTERDAM — The idea behind Women on Waves could hardly have been more provocative.</p>
<p>In 1999 the Dutch group launched a plan to send ships to countries that ban abortion so women could come aboard, sail into international waters and terminate their pregnancies under the liberal laws of The Netherlands.</p>
<p>A decade on, the group’s vision of a fleet of floating abortion clinics never quite materialized. Now, changes to Dutch law mean the contentious voyages are currently suspended pending the results of a court battle.</p>
<p>However, as she prepares for WoW's 10th anniversary in September, the group's founder is far from downbeat.</p>
<p>"We've been able to help thousands of women by giving them information about how to do safe abortions themselves" with pills, said Rebecca Gomperts. "That's extremely important work that we've been doing over the years." While political developments have hampered the movement, Gomperts said medical progress has made abortion easier and safer, with the widespread availability of pills like mifepristone and misoprostol. The use of such drugs in so-called medical abortions removes the need for the traditional intrusive procedures which, when carried out illegally by backstreet abortionists, kill almost 70,000 women every year, according to Women on Waves.</p>
<p>WoW used its ships to distribute the pills and in 2006 helped set up an independent, Canadian-registered organization, Women on Web, which offers advice on the pills and enables them to place orders over the internet. The year after its creation, Women on Web was sending pills to 150 women every month. Gomperts said she doesn’t have current figures because the Canadian group is separate from the Dutch group, but she estimated that several hundred women a month use the service.</p>
<p>Here's how it works:&#160;Women who call are put in touch with a doctor, who gives them an online consultation of 25 questions. If the doctor is satisfied, she or he sends the caller the pills. The patients are then asked to donate 70 euros to Women on Web.</p>
<p>The ships and their high-profile sailings to countries such as Spain, Ireland and Poland have played a significant role in stimulating debate and raising awareness of abortion issues in those countries, Gomperts said, rather than in fulfilling their original role as floating clinics.</p>
<p>"The ship is a symbol, more than anything," said Gomperts, who is a medical doctor, explaining that only a handful of women were ever given abortions on the WoW voyages.</p>
<p>"I don't know the exact number. It's never enough to be a real response to the needs of women in these countries,” she said.</p>
<p>Reports on the organization’s website say 10 women were given medically induced abortions during a 2003 campaign off the Polish coast while four had them last year off Spain. Legal problems prevented any abortions being carried out on the debut sailing to Ireland in 2001 although the group says it had requests from about 300 women at the time. A tropical storm left a WoW boat unable to continue a trip to Ecuador in 2008.</p>
<p>Gomperts said WoW's biggest achievement was perhaps a 2004 campaign in Portugal where warships were deployed to prevent the Dutch ship Borndiep from approaching the coast.</p>
<p>No women were able to come aboard for abortions, but Gomperts said the publicity generated helped win over Portuguese public opinion in a referendum that voted to legalize abortion in 2007. Early in 2009, WoW won a case at the European Court of Human Rights against the Portuguese navy’s action.</p>
<p>"We have been able to help a symbolic number of women in order to create a better awareness about the social injustice that is created by illegal abortion and the suffering that is caused for women," she said. "The ship is never a solution ... . It has been a very important tool to mobilize women's organizations, and other groups, doctors and lawyers, around safe and legal abortion." As it approaches the anniversary, WoW is confined to port. Recent legislation put forward by the Dutch government has restricted the distribution and use of the abortion pills that are used by the group.</p>
<p>Gomperts fears the legal changes could leave women who board the ship vulnerable to prosecution in their own countries, so WoW has postponed a planned voyage to Nicaragua, Chile, Brazil and Argentina while it seeks clarification from the Dutch courts, a process expected to take at least a year.</p>
<p>Gomperts is worried the new law reflects growing anti-abortion sentiment in the Netherlands, which legalized the practice in 1981.</p>
<p>The Christian Union party, which says Dutch abortion laws go “against one of the most elementary values: the protection of life,” joined the country’s coalition government in 2007 and has pushed for a tightening of the rules on abortion. Dutch authorities are already considering legal proceedings against the WoW for distributing abortion pills off the coast of Spain last year.</p>
<p>"A lot of the groups that are against abortion rights have substantially more financial means, while a lot of the women's organizations have had funding cut," Gomperts complained. "The anti-abortion groups teach in schools; they are very active in the media."</p>
<p>Gomperts said WoW's main task now is education, helping women understand how they can use the medication to terminate their pregnancies.</p>
<p>“That’s what our focus will be, really, to train people and to make sure that the information about medical abortion gets into the hands of the women themselves,” Gomperts said.</p>
<p>She remains adamant, however, that if the group's legal fight against the new Dutch restrictions is successful the abortion boat will sail again.</p>
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amsterdam idea behind women waves could hardly provocative 1999 dutch group launched plan send ships countries ban abortion women could come aboard sail international waters terminate pregnancies liberal laws netherlands decade groups vision fleet floating abortion clinics never quite materialized changes dutch law mean contentious voyages currently suspended pending results court battle however prepares wows 10th anniversary september groups founder far downbeat weve able help thousands women giving information safe abortions pills said rebecca gomperts thats extremely important work weve years political developments hampered movement gomperts said medical progress made abortion easier safer widespread availability pills like mifepristone misoprostol use drugs socalled medical abortions removes need traditional intrusive procedures carried illegally backstreet abortionists kill almost 70000 women every year according women waves wow used ships distribute pills 2006 helped set independent canadianregistered organization women web offers advice pills enables place orders internet year creation women web sending pills 150 women every month gomperts said doesnt current figures canadian group separate dutch group estimated several hundred women month use service heres works160women call put touch doctor gives online consultation 25 questions doctor satisfied sends caller pills patients asked donate 70 euros women web ships highprofile sailings countries spain ireland poland played significant role stimulating debate raising awareness abortion issues countries gomperts said rather fulfilling original role floating clinics ship symbol anything said gomperts medical doctor explaining handful women ever given abortions wow voyages dont know exact number never enough real response needs women countries said reports organizations website say 10 women given medically induced abortions 2003 campaign polish coast four last year spain legal problems prevented abortions carried debut sailing ireland 2001 although group says requests 300 women time tropical storm left wow boat unable continue trip ecuador 2008 gomperts said wows biggest achievement perhaps 2004 campaign portugal warships deployed prevent dutch ship borndiep approaching coast women able come aboard abortions gomperts said publicity generated helped win portuguese public opinion referendum voted legalize abortion 2007 early 2009 wow case european court human rights portuguese navys action able help symbolic number women order create better awareness social injustice created illegal abortion suffering caused women said ship never solution important tool mobilize womens organizations groups doctors lawyers around safe legal abortion approaches anniversary wow confined port recent legislation put forward dutch government restricted distribution use abortion pills used group gomperts fears legal changes could leave women board ship vulnerable prosecution countries wow postponed planned voyage nicaragua chile brazil argentina seeks clarification dutch courts process expected take least year gomperts worried new law reflects growing antiabortion sentiment netherlands legalized practice 1981 christian union party says dutch abortion laws go one elementary values protection life joined countrys coalition government 2007 pushed tightening rules abortion dutch authorities already considering legal proceedings wow distributing abortion pills coast spain last year lot groups abortion rights substantially financial means lot womens organizations funding cut gomperts complained antiabortion groups teach schools active media gomperts said wows main task education helping women understand use medication terminate pregnancies thats focus really train people make sure information medical abortion gets hands women gomperts said remains adamant however groups legal fight new dutch restrictions successful abortion boat sail
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<p>KABUL, Afghanistan — The Taliban here and in Pakistan have dramatically stepped up their attacks on two fronts.</p>
<p>In Peshawar, Pakistan, a car bomb killed at least 80 people, the latest in a series of militant strikes in answer to the Pakistani Army’s offensive against Taliban strongholds in South Waziristan, on the border with Afghanistan. The attack came just hours after U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in the country.</p>
<p>Here in Kabul, at least six U.N. staffers were killed and another nine injured in Kabul on Wednesday as the Taliban made good on threats to wreak havoc in the days before the run-off election for the presidency scheduled for Nov. 7. In addition to the attack on the U.N., insurgents fired at least three mortar rounds, targeting the presidential palace and a five-star hotel popular with election workers and diplomats.</p>
<p>The double-barreled strikes send a strong message that the Taliban are on the move on both sides of the region’s troubled border.</p>
<p>The Kabul attacks began shortly after 6:00 a.m., when three suicide bombers armed with machine guns stormed a compound housing staffers from UNDP-Elect, the UN Development Program mission charged with supporting the Afghan elections.</p>
<p>According to various reports, the men were dressed in Afghan national police uniforms, and killed a guard outside before gaining entry to the compound. Official police reports say that one of the attackers detonated his vest directly inside the compound, killing or wounding the remaining three guards.</p>
<p>Sources within the Interior Ministry say that the attackers had free rein within the guest house for several minutes before an Afghan Quick Reaction Force arrived.</p>
<p>A two-hour gun battle then ensued, in which the remaining two attackers killed themselves by exploding their suicide vests. Three international U.N. staffers were shot, and an additional three were killed when the final attacker detonated his vest, which was loaded with deadly ball-bearings.</p>
<p>An Afghan civilian was also caught in the crossfire, according to police reports, bringing the death total to 12.</p>
<p>The U.S. Embassy has confirmed that one of the staffers killed was an American citizen. The nationalities of the others have not yet been released.</p>
<p>Approximately 20 UN employees lived in the guest house according to UN sources who did not want to be named. Media reports say that some managed to escape during the mayhem, jumping out of windows or climbing out over the roof.</p>
<p>The attack occurred in the very heart of the city, a neighborhood called Shahr-e-Naw, giving rise to fears that the Taliban were now able to operate anywhere within the capital.</p>
<p>At the Kabul Serena Hotel, close to the presidential palace in another downtown quarter, two mortar rounds landed in the garden at approximately 8:30. Alarms went off throughout the hotel, and the entire first floor area filled with acrid smoke. No casualties were reported, but security guards herded guests into a basement room until they were certain the attacks had stopped.</p>
<p>“Two incendiary devices were fired at the Serena and two at the presidential palace,” said a security official, who did not identify himself by name, addressing the approximately 100 people assembled in the bunker. “Thank God nobody was hurt.”</p>
<p>The attacks shocked a city that is now preparing for a second round of elections in Afghanistan’s troubled presidential poll.</p>
<p>The first round, on Aug. 20, was badly marred by fraud. Incumbent President Hamid Karzai claimed victory, but an audit by the U.N.-backed Electoral Complaints Commission determined that close to 1 million of his votes were suspect, and ordered the election commission to nullify them. The adjusted tally put him below the 50-percent-plus-one threshold needed to avoid a runoff.</p>
<p>The Taliban have warned the population not to participate in the new poll, saying that they would use any means at their disposal to disrupt the vote.</p>
<p>“The Mujaheddin of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan have worked out programs to foil and prevent this [election] process,” read a statement issued by the Taliban on October 25. “[We] closely monitor all workers, officials and voters … Everyone is responsible for the harm he sustains as a result of his participation in the elections. The Mujaheddin have repeatedly warned the people and announced their program of action.”</p>
<p>It appears that they were not making idle threats: Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahed immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks.</p>
<p>“These attacks are part of a series ordered some days ago by the Taliban leadership,” he said in a statement released on the Taliban website. “These attacks will continue. We will prevent this second round of elections.”</p>
<p>The United Nations struggled to come to grips with their losses, the worst they have suffered since the fall of the Taliban in 2001.</p>
<p>“This is a very dark day for the U.N. in Afghanistan,” said U.N. Special Representative. Kai Eide, in a statement released to the press Wednesday morning. “This attack will not deter the U.N. from continuing all its work to reconstruct a war torn country and to build a better future for all Afghans.”</p>
<p>Eide said that the U.N. would review its security measures in place to ensure that all appropriate action was being taken to protect its staff.</p>
<p>But even before the smoke had cleared, questions were being raised about whether or not the U.N. should have been more prepared. The Taliban had made no secret of its intention to target the elections, and the choice of UNDP-Elect sent a clear message that anyone associated with the poll could expect reprisals.</p>
<p>“We chose this guest house because it houses those who will manage the second round,” said Mujahed in his official statement. “There are also a lot of election workers at the Serena Hotel.”</p>
<p>In advance of the August elections, the U.N. required all non-essential personnel to leave the country. Many U.N. staffers were wondering why similar measures were not taken this time around.</p>
<p>“We asked about additional security at the last meeting of U.N. chiefs,” said the head of one U.N. agency, who could not speak on the record because of the sensitivity of the issue. “Kai Eide said that it would send the wrong message politically.”</p>
<p>Many, including the former Deputy Special Representative Peter Galbraith, have accused Eide of being partial to the Afghan president, and of willfully ignoring realities on the ground in favor of political expediency.</p>
<p>But U.N. spokesperson Aleem Siddique called this “nonsense.”</p>
<p>“We keep our security measures under review,” he said. “The safety of our staff is of paramount importance to us. I think it is inappropriate to get into a blame game in the immediate aftermath of this incident.”</p>
<p>The UN staffer disagreed.</p>
<p>“It is Kai’s tendency to look at Afghanistan through rose-tinted glasses,” he fumed. “But he is playing with our safety, with our lives.”</p>
<p>(Jean MacKenzie reports from Kabul for GlobalPost and was an eyewitness to the attack at the Serena hotel. Reporting from Pakistan for this story relied in part on Reuters and the BBC.)</p>
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kabul afghanistan taliban pakistan dramatically stepped attacks two fronts peshawar pakistan car bomb killed least 80 people latest series militant strikes answer pakistani armys offensive taliban strongholds south waziristan border afghanistan attack came hours us secretary state hillary clinton arrived country kabul least six un staffers killed another nine injured kabul wednesday taliban made good threats wreak havoc days runoff election presidency scheduled nov 7 addition attack un insurgents fired least three mortar rounds targeting presidential palace fivestar hotel popular election workers diplomats doublebarreled strikes send strong message taliban move sides regions troubled border kabul attacks began shortly 600 three suicide bombers armed machine guns stormed compound housing staffers undpelect un development program mission charged supporting afghan elections according various reports men dressed afghan national police uniforms killed guard outside gaining entry compound official police reports say one attackers detonated vest directly inside compound killing wounding remaining three guards sources within interior ministry say attackers free rein within guest house several minutes afghan quick reaction force arrived twohour gun battle ensued remaining two attackers killed exploding suicide vests three international un staffers shot additional three killed final attacker detonated vest loaded deadly ballbearings afghan civilian also caught crossfire according police reports bringing death total 12 us embassy confirmed one staffers killed american citizen nationalities others yet released approximately 20 un employees lived guest house according un sources want named media reports say managed escape mayhem jumping windows climbing roof attack occurred heart city neighborhood called shahrenaw giving rise fears taliban able operate anywhere within capital kabul serena hotel close presidential palace another downtown quarter two mortar rounds landed garden approximately 830 alarms went throughout hotel entire first floor area filled acrid smoke casualties reported security guards herded guests basement room certain attacks stopped two incendiary devices fired serena two presidential palace said security official identify name addressing approximately 100 people assembled bunker thank god nobody hurt attacks shocked city preparing second round elections afghanistans troubled presidential poll first round aug 20 badly marred fraud incumbent president hamid karzai claimed victory audit unbacked electoral complaints commission determined close 1 million votes suspect ordered election commission nullify adjusted tally put 50percentplusone threshold needed avoid runoff taliban warned population participate new poll saying would use means disposal disrupt vote mujaheddin islamic emirate afghanistan worked programs foil prevent election process read statement issued taliban october 25 closely monitor workers officials voters everyone responsible harm sustains result participation elections mujaheddin repeatedly warned people announced program action appears making idle threats taliban spokesman zabiullah mujahed immediately claimed responsibility attacks attacks part series ordered days ago taliban leadership said statement released taliban website attacks continue prevent second round elections united nations struggled come grips losses worst suffered since fall taliban 2001 dark day un afghanistan said un special representative kai eide statement released press wednesday morning attack deter un continuing work reconstruct war torn country build better future afghans eide said un would review security measures place ensure appropriate action taken protect staff even smoke cleared questions raised whether un prepared taliban made secret intention target elections choice undpelect sent clear message anyone associated poll could expect reprisals chose guest house houses manage second round said mujahed official statement also lot election workers serena hotel advance august elections un required nonessential personnel leave country many un staffers wondering similar measures taken time around asked additional security last meeting un chiefs said head one un agency could speak record sensitivity issue kai eide said would send wrong message politically many including former deputy special representative peter galbraith accused eide partial afghan president willfully ignoring realities ground favor political expediency un spokesperson aleem siddique called nonsense keep security measures review said safety staff paramount importance us think inappropriate get blame game immediate aftermath incident un staffer disagreed kais tendency look afghanistan rosetinted glasses fumed playing safety lives jean mackenzie reports kabul globalpost eyewitness attack serena hotel reporting pakistan story relied part reuters bbc
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<p>OWL’S HEAD, Maine — President Barack Obama has backed himself into a corner. A US air attack against Syria has become necessary — but more in reaction to Obama's threats than to Bashar al-Assad's alleged use of chemical weapons.</p>
<p>It was just over a year ago that Obama made his forceful statement that the use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime would cross a "red line" that would require a US response.</p>
<p>A few months ago, gas may have been used by Assad's military, but the evidence was inconclusive and the casualties small. Was Assad testing Obama? This time, the evidence is all but irrefutable, the death toll in the hundreds with thousands wounded.</p>
<p>It’s small compared to the more than 100,000 deaths, the majority civilian, in the 30-month-long civil war. But the death toll is irrelevant: the key factor requiring a US response is US credibility, which Obama unwisely put on the line.</p>
<p>Whatever military action we choose will have little impact on the actual war. The administration will try to get the UN Security Council to back an air attack, but Russia, a key Syrian ally, is unlikely to go along. Failing that, we'll at least get strong NATO backing, although maybe not from Sunni Arab countries, primarily Saudi Arabia and its Gulf neighbors who have long opposed Assad.</p>
<p>Overall, US military action will have no impact on what is the most dangerous aspect of the war in Syria. And that's not the use of chemical weapons.</p>
<p>It's the growing influence of the radical Islamist elements from neighboring Arab states and even beyond.</p>
<p>In the past few weeks, thousands of Syrian Kurds have crossed the northeastern border into Iraqi Kurdistan, escaping increased violence. Just a few months ago, Syrian Kurds appeared to have carved out their own autonomous province as Assad's military focused its efforts on Aleppo and the area from Damascus to Homs and the Mediterranean coast.</p>
<p>And, indeed, it's not the Syrian army that's driving the Kurds out: it's radical Islamists, such as the Nusra Front and other Al Qaeda types.</p>
<p>Neither Assad's army nor his government is the real threat in Syria today; it's the radical Sunnis, who are the best organized of the rebel groups and who could easily take over were Assad overthrown.</p>
<p>After the first hint that gas had been used against rebel villagers, Obama announced he would start sending increased supplies of arms to the rebel forces. Not much, if anything, has actually been sent, because of the very real concern that such arms would ultimately end up in the hands of jihadi groups rather than more moderate militias.</p>
<p>In fact, in the murky equation the US now faces in Syria, the one thing that is clear is that there is a worse scenario than Assad remaining in power: radical Sunni militias replacing him.</p>
<p>So the dilemma Obama faces is two-fold: what happens if, having backed himself into a credibility bind, military strikes have no impact and chemical weapons are used once again? And how, in any case, do we use military force, of whatever kind, against Assad without strengthening the Al Qaeda types, whose ultimate victory would be a much bigger disaster than a long-term stalemate that keeps Assad in power?</p>
<p>So what to do? Russia's interest in Assad is partially a continuation of the old Soviet Cold War approach to the US position in the Middle East; a pro-Russian government in Damascus means less American influence in the area. Beyond that, Russia has a real strategic interest in supporting Assad because of the access he has given the Russian navy to the port of Latakia. With Assad as an ally, Russia has Mediterranean access.</p>
<p>That can be a key element in getting the Russians on the US side. When the Syrian civil war began in early 2011, no one could foresee that Assad's downfall could lead to a failed state where Al Qaeda inspired groups would have free rein. Russia has its own concern about radical Islam; a post-Assad Syria with extremist elements in charge is as much anathema to them as to the US.</p>
<p>In May, Secretary of State John Kerry was discussing with the Russians convening a summit to seek a negotiated settlement of the Syrian civil war. At that time, the Russians were insisting that Assad, or his representatives, participate; the rebel forces in touch with the US and the West were equally adamant that the Assad government be excluded.</p>
<p>Things have changed. It's time the US let the Russians know that an acceptable outcome of those long-anticipated peace discussions would be a coalition in which the current Syrian government would not be excluded. It would also include "our" rebels, but not the radical Islamists.</p>
<p>The settlement would have to involve a timetable for elections that would be overseen by the UN. UN peacekeeping forces might well be necessary. And somehow the US would have to assure the Russians that it would support the continuation of their access to Latakia.</p>
<p>What the US would, in fact, hope to arrange would be a ceasefire in which the moderate rebels end up aligned more with Assad and his supporters, which include Sunni businessmen and elements of the Sunni middle class, as well as Christians.</p>
<p>It's a tricky piece of work, and it involves concessions to the Russians. Considerably worse from a moral perspective would be concessions to the Assad government as well.</p>
<p>Getting the moderate elements that have been fighting Assad and his military for over two years to switch sides, in effect, would not be easy. But stranger things have happened in the area.</p>
<p>Recall the Lebanese civil war where various factions were constantly switching sides for temporary gains. A compromise that cuts the power of the Nusra Front and its radical Islamist allies is, in the short run, beneficial to the US, to the Russians, to the Assad government, and, as well, to the moderate rebels.</p>
<p>How would it evolve in the long run? Who knows, but if the jihadis are emasculated, everyone else wins. And that's a pretty solid basis for compromise.</p>
<p>The Middle East is on the brink of what could be an all-engulfing Sunni-Shiite conflagration. Syria is clearly the hot spot, but sectarian violence in Iraq is worsening, too. Egypt is far from stable, though at least its problems are between religious Sunnis and more moderate ones.</p>
<p>In recent decades, Iran’s revolutionary government has narrowed its ambitions, using its pro-Palestinian credentials and its support of Hezbollah and Assad to maintain influence beyond its borders.</p>
<p>With the more moderate President Hassan Rouhani in place, now is the ideal moment to work out a compromise with Iran that helps bring it back into the mainstream of the Middle East in exchange for a halt to its nuclear ambitions. Saudi Arabia would not be happy with a more moderate Iran accepted by the West, but, with the resurgence of the US energy sector, Saudi Arabia is not as important to the US as it once was.</p>
<p>An ambitious approach with Russia once again in a co-equal role would have the overarching purpose of heading off the ever-broadening Sunni-Shiite battle lines. It is worth the effort. Terrorism, whether fostered by Syria's civil war or Salafist radicals as far afield as Pakistan, Afghanistan and Yemen, continues to grow. If the Sunni-Shiite split festers and expands, so will terrorism.</p>
<p>Now's the time to think big, and to take a comprehensive approach to the entire Middle East.</p>
<p>Mac Deford is retired after a career as a Foreign Service officer, an international banker, and a museum director. He lives in Owl's Head, Maine and still travels frequently to the Middle East. &#160;</p>
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owls head maine president barack obama backed corner us air attack syria become necessary reaction obamas threats bashar alassads alleged use chemical weapons year ago obama made forceful statement use chemical weapons assad regime would cross red line would require us response months ago gas may used assads military evidence inconclusive casualties small assad testing obama time evidence irrefutable death toll hundreds thousands wounded small compared 100000 deaths majority civilian 30monthlong civil war death toll irrelevant key factor requiring us response us credibility obama unwisely put line whatever military action choose little impact actual war administration try get un security council back air attack russia key syrian ally unlikely go along failing well least get strong nato backing although maybe sunni arab countries primarily saudi arabia gulf neighbors long opposed assad overall us military action impact dangerous aspect war syria thats use chemical weapons growing influence radical islamist elements neighboring arab states even beyond past weeks thousands syrian kurds crossed northeastern border iraqi kurdistan escaping increased violence months ago syrian kurds appeared carved autonomous province assads military focused efforts aleppo area damascus homs mediterranean coast indeed syrian army thats driving kurds radical islamists nusra front al qaeda types neither assads army government real threat syria today radical sunnis best organized rebel groups could easily take assad overthrown first hint gas used rebel villagers obama announced would start sending increased supplies arms rebel forces much anything actually sent real concern arms would ultimately end hands jihadi groups rather moderate militias fact murky equation us faces syria one thing clear worse scenario assad remaining power radical sunni militias replacing dilemma obama faces twofold happens backed credibility bind military strikes impact chemical weapons used case use military force whatever kind assad without strengthening al qaeda types whose ultimate victory would much bigger disaster longterm stalemate keeps assad power russias interest assad partially continuation old soviet cold war approach us position middle east prorussian government damascus means less american influence area beyond russia real strategic interest supporting assad access given russian navy port latakia assad ally russia mediterranean access key element getting russians us side syrian civil war began early 2011 one could foresee assads downfall could lead failed state al qaeda inspired groups would free rein russia concern radical islam postassad syria extremist elements charge much anathema us may secretary state john kerry discussing russians convening summit seek negotiated settlement syrian civil war time russians insisting assad representatives participate rebel forces touch us west equally adamant assad government excluded things changed time us let russians know acceptable outcome longanticipated peace discussions would coalition current syrian government would excluded would also include rebels radical islamists settlement would involve timetable elections would overseen un un peacekeeping forces might well necessary somehow us would assure russians would support continuation access latakia us would fact hope arrange would ceasefire moderate rebels end aligned assad supporters include sunni businessmen elements sunni middle class well christians tricky piece work involves concessions russians considerably worse moral perspective would concessions assad government well getting moderate elements fighting assad military two years switch sides effect would easy stranger things happened area recall lebanese civil war various factions constantly switching sides temporary gains compromise cuts power nusra front radical islamist allies short run beneficial us russians assad government well moderate rebels would evolve long run knows jihadis emasculated everyone else wins thats pretty solid basis compromise middle east brink could allengulfing sunnishiite conflagration syria clearly hot spot sectarian violence iraq worsening egypt far stable though least problems religious sunnis moderate ones recent decades irans revolutionary government narrowed ambitions using propalestinian credentials support hezbollah assad maintain influence beyond borders moderate president hassan rouhani place ideal moment work compromise iran helps bring back mainstream middle east exchange halt nuclear ambitions saudi arabia would happy moderate iran accepted west resurgence us energy sector saudi arabia important us ambitious approach russia coequal role would overarching purpose heading everbroadening sunnishiite battle lines worth effort terrorism whether fostered syrias civil war salafist radicals far afield pakistan afghanistan yemen continues grow sunnishiite split festers expands terrorism nows time think big take comprehensive approach entire middle east mac deford retired career foreign service officer international banker museum director lives owls head maine still travels frequently middle east 160
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<p><a href="" type="internal" />APRIL 27, 2011</p>
<p>With the sharp political divide found in just about every issue today, class warfare has taken an interesting turn. Issues including education, food choices, housing, health care and even pet care no longer are just defined as tensions between groups of different social classes</p>
<p>Now, class warfare has surfaced in the workplace. The war is between public employee unions and the private-sector workforce.</p>
<p>Gubernatorial candidates in states across the country campaigned last year on property tax caps, state employee salary freezes and even took on public-sector unions. Currently, Ohio and Wisconsin Govs. John Kasich and Scott Walker, both Republicans, have made collective bargaining for government workers the top priority for changes needed in their states.</p>
<p>But in California, after getting elected for a third term with 28 years in between, Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown is the sweetheart of the state’s public employee unions. And in California, the divide between the public and private employment sectors is only growing more pronounced.</p>
<p>As the economy has soured, the dramatic differences between public and private sector employees have become more pronounced. The two groups live in very different worlds.</p>
<p>In the private sector, employees pay the majority of their own health care, retirement plan contributions and long-term medical care, and have limited time off. &#160;Private-sector employees usually have to contribute 100 percent to a&#160;defined-contribution pension plan for retirement, such as 401(k) plans, and have been faced with across-the-board pay cuts, cuts to benefits and time off, layoffs and downsizing.</p>
<p>While some public sector employees in the state have faced furloughs, there have been no substantial layoffs. In fact, the state is still hiring. And as threats of budget cuts continue, tales from disgruntled state employees are leaked to the public about coworkers who perform no real jobs, problem employees being transferred to other departments instead of being terminated, and rich benefit and pension packages getting richer thanks to negotiations with the governor.</p>
<p>The way the system works is no secret: Government unions use their political clout to help elect politicians in exchange for generous taxpayer-paid contracts and benefits. The twist is that it’s the politicians who will determine the pay for public-employee union workers. It’s like being able to vote yourself a big salary and benefits.</p>
<p>But even faced with the overly generous public employee health care plans and pensions threatening to bankrupt many cities and counties, California politicians just keep on supporting the union benefits increases.</p>
<p>As if California is operating on a parallel universe, in response to the crisis, government unions continue to demand more, and the higher taxes to pay for it all, with a complicit Legislature’s approval.</p>
<p>This just drives businesses and individuals out of California to states with lower taxes, fewer regulations and higher business incentives for job creators.</p>
<p>Only 10 days ago, a group of California politicians and business leaders traveled to Texas to meet with Republican Gov. Rick Perry and Texas state legislators and to hear from businesses that closed up shop in California and moved to Texas.</p>
<p>The delegation, led by Republican Assemblyman Dan Logue of Linda, not only met with Perry, but the California lawmakers participated in a hearing at the Texas state Capitol. “Texas has wrapped its arms around the future,” Logue said upon his return to Sacramento. “There’s just a different spirit there.”</p>
<p>Logue tells anyone and everyone, “Texas has added 165,000 jobs during the last three years while California has lost 1.2 million.” But California’s jobless rate of 12 percent in March, compared to 8.1 percent in Texas, seems to be lost on California’s Legislature, which continues to pass bills expanding state government.</p>
<p>Logue explained that Perry embraced the need for business-friendly changes immediately upon becoming governor. Perry moved the Texas economic development department right into the governor’s office as a statement of just how serious he was about changing the state’s attitude toward business. Logue reported that under Perry’s direction, Texas successfully got rid of the “gotcha” attitude many government agencies exude when dealing with business owners and employers.</p>
<p>Analyzing why the attitude change worked in Texas, Logue responded, “It has to come from the top.”</p>
<p>Last month, I attended Logue’s monthly Economic Recovery Group lunch meeting where Andy&#160;Puzder — the CEO of CKE Restaurants, whose biggest franchise is Carl’s Jr. — told how the company would not be expanding in California in the future. Instead it would be opening 300 new Carl’s Jr. restaurants in Texas.</p>
<p>I <a href="" type="internal">wrote</a>:</p>
<p>Carl’s Jr. has 700 restaurants in California, one-half of which&#160;are owned by CKE Restaurants, and the other one-half are franchises. The company has more than 72,000 employees total, 18,500 of which are in California.</p>
<p>And while Puzder made very clear that Carl’s Jr. would be “maintaining” the status of their California restaurants, the company plans on opening 300 new restaurants in Texas.</p>
<p>Describing CKE Restaurants as a ” job creation machine,”&#160;Puzder said that the company had more than $4 billion last year in revenues, and paid $60 million in California taxes.</p>
<p>But more than just the large, Texas-sized revenue and tax bills, new Carl’s Jr. restaurants in Texas have already realized record opening-week sales figures, and much less upfront costs than the California restaurants.</p>
<p>“It costs us $250,000 more to build one California restaurant than in Texas” said Puzder. “And once it is opened, we’re not allowed to run it.”</p>
<p>Some have said that Texas has a plan and California does not. If predictability is a plan, then California is without one.</p>
<p>Jack Stewart, president of the California Manufacturers Association, went on the Texas trip. “Gov. Perry is prudent,” said Stewart. “He is working with state agencies to make sure that regulations will be workable with companies down the line.” Stewart described a “passion” that not only Perry has for the businesses and owners located in Texas, but a pride that is not happening in California. “Folks in Texas are proud of their state,” said Stewart — a pride Californians also once owned.</p>
<p>Ironically, &#160;only hours after the legislators met with Mr. Perry, another business, Fujitsu Frontech, announced that it is abandoning California, <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704570704576275051374356340.html" type="external">reported</a> John Fund in the Wall Street Journal.</p>
<p>Another one bites the dust.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
| false | 3 |
april 27 2011 sharp political divide found every issue today class warfare taken interesting turn issues including education food choices housing health care even pet care longer defined tensions groups different social classes class warfare surfaced workplace war public employee unions privatesector workforce gubernatorial candidates states across country campaigned last year property tax caps state employee salary freezes even took publicsector unions currently ohio wisconsin govs john kasich scott walker republicans made collective bargaining government workers top priority changes needed states california getting elected third term 28 years democratic gov jerry brown sweetheart states public employee unions california divide public private employment sectors growing pronounced economy soured dramatic differences public private sector employees become pronounced two groups live different worlds private sector employees pay majority health care retirement plan contributions longterm medical care limited time 160privatesector employees usually contribute 100 percent a160definedcontribution pension plan retirement 401k plans faced acrosstheboard pay cuts cuts benefits time layoffs downsizing public sector employees state faced furloughs substantial layoffs fact state still hiring threats budget cuts continue tales disgruntled state employees leaked public coworkers perform real jobs problem employees transferred departments instead terminated rich benefit pension packages getting richer thanks negotiations governor way system works secret government unions use political clout help elect politicians exchange generous taxpayerpaid contracts benefits twist politicians determine pay publicemployee union workers like able vote big salary benefits even faced overly generous public employee health care plans pensions threatening bankrupt many cities counties california politicians keep supporting union benefits increases california operating parallel universe response crisis government unions continue demand higher taxes pay complicit legislatures approval drives businesses individuals california states lower taxes fewer regulations higher business incentives job creators 10 days ago group california politicians business leaders traveled texas meet republican gov rick perry texas state legislators hear businesses closed shop california moved texas delegation led republican assemblyman dan logue linda met perry california lawmakers participated hearing texas state capitol texas wrapped arms around future logue said upon return sacramento theres different spirit logue tells anyone everyone texas added 165000 jobs last three years california lost 12 million californias jobless rate 12 percent march compared 81 percent texas seems lost californias legislature continues pass bills expanding state government logue explained perry embraced need businessfriendly changes immediately upon becoming governor perry moved texas economic development department right governors office statement serious changing states attitude toward business logue reported perrys direction texas successfully got rid gotcha attitude many government agencies exude dealing business owners employers analyzing attitude change worked texas logue responded come top last month attended logues monthly economic recovery group lunch meeting andy160puzder ceo cke restaurants whose biggest franchise carls jr told company would expanding california future instead would opening 300 new carls jr restaurants texas wrote carls jr 700 restaurants california onehalf which160are owned cke restaurants onehalf franchises company 72000 employees total 18500 california puzder made clear carls jr would maintaining status california restaurants company plans opening 300 new restaurants texas describing cke restaurants job creation machine160puzder said company 4 billion last year revenues paid 60 million california taxes large texassized revenue tax bills new carls jr restaurants texas already realized record openingweek sales figures much less upfront costs california restaurants costs us 250000 build one california restaurant texas said puzder opened allowed run said texas plan california predictability plan california without one jack stewart president california manufacturers association went texas trip gov perry prudent said stewart working state agencies make sure regulations workable companies line stewart described passion perry businesses owners located texas pride happening california folks texas proud state said stewart pride californians also owned ironically 160only hours legislators met mr perry another business fujitsu frontech announced abandoning california reported john fund wall street journal another one bites dust 160 160 160 160
| 626 |
<p>By Bob Allen</p>
<p>A woman who claims she was victimized by a preacher years later exposed as a sexual predator says a new autobiography by former Southern Baptist Convention President Jerry Vines minimizes his and fellow former SBC President Paige Patterson’s role in promoting convicted child molester Darrell Gilyard despite numerous allegations of sexual misconduct.</p>
<p>Tiffany Croft —&#160;who in 2008 launched a blog titled “Let’s Stop Pastor Darrell Gilyard Together” to track Gilyard’s arrest, conviction and imprisonment for molesting a 15-year-old girl and sending lewd text messages to another —&#160;returned to the blogosphere June 22 with a new title, “ <a href="http://www.hurtingthesheep.blogspot.com/" type="external">What Hurts the Most</a>.”</p>
<p>In her second posting on July 7, Croft said the new <a href="http://www.lifeway.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/LWProductDetailCmd?catalogId=10001&amp;langId=-1&amp;productId=1531396&amp;storeId=10054&amp;krypto=vcytNqgprTcHBvbCbh2NgMpX31oSeoHHLVVlnJQ4u9LdFRb1DMCafzl0ef4%2Bu41vK5ysydjPkSa8%0AY%2FTqmGEW7I2zcA1Nnjnz&amp;ddkey=http:LWProductDetailCmd" type="external">Vines: My Life and Ministry</a> published by B&amp;H Publishing includes an “incorrect retelling” of her story.</p>
<p>Toward the end of his memoir, Vines details his experience with Gilyard, a charismatic young African-American preacher who he and Patterson helped educate for the ministry in the 1980s. Gilyard went on to resign from five churches due to allegations of sexual misconduct.</p>
<p>“There were rumors,” Vines wrote. “Accusations of moral improprieties began to surface. All of them were denied by Darrell. Dr. Patterson checked them out as best he could. There were inconsistencies and contradictions in the stories. Some were made by church people who had moral failings themselves. One accuser was a member of the KKK. As it turns out the rumors were true. A young person in our FBC, Jacksonville church met with me about a matter of impropriety as well. I didn’t understand it to go beyond some flirtation. They were both single at the time. Perhaps I misunderstood.”</p>
<p>Croft says Vines is referring to her. She says it is true that she was single, because at the time she was a senior in high school and a leader in the youth group at First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Fla. Gilyard was 29, married and a pastor from Texas who traveled with her youth group as an evangelist on a mission trip.</p>
<p>She described their encounter in the introductory <a href="http://tiffanycroft.blogspot.com/2008/01/lets-stop-him-together.html" type="external">posting</a> of her previous blog, dated Jan. 4, 2008.</p>
<p>“I have a personal testimony of this man preying on me as an 18-year-old,” Croft wrote. “I left the matter in the church’s hands, as did all of the other girls and women who came forward at that time. We truly thought he would never preach again based on all of the sexual improprieties against him.”</p>
<p>Croft said Gilyard “targets and preys on women and young girls, especially those who may be slightly vulnerable and seeking counsel from him.”</p>
<p>“He uses this time to find their weaknesses and to make them feel as if they can trust him [as their pastor] then he begins to come on to them and has been repeatedly accused of rape.”</p>
<p>Croft said Gilyard groomed her by asking her to move to Texas to be on staff at his church, a move she never made.</p>
<p>“I trusted and looked up to him as a spiritual leader,” she said. “I was blessed to get away from him the night he tried to get me to go to his hotel room. I literally ran away from him. He ran after me and was not apologetic or remorseful when confronted later.”</p>
<p>Croft said she contacted LifeWay Christian Resources to set the record straight. LifeWay spokesman Marty King said B&amp;H has removed three sentences from future printings that “upon further reflection, Dr. Vines agrees do not accurately describe the situation.”</p>
<p>“Recently, Dr. Vines reopened this story with the incorrect re-telling of this story,” Croft said on her blog. “Many of the things said are false or misrepresented. Many things were said to attempt to restore his legacy and to repaint his part in this saga. But we didn’t allow it, and I won’t allow it. For all of the victims, I want the record straight! Lifeway has recently agreed to edit out parts of the story in future publications, but there were already thousands in print and on bookshelves nationally, and I am not OK with that.”</p>
<p>Croft said she is also not OK with a <a href="http://www.firstcoastnews.com/story/news/local/2014/07/07/pastor-darrell-gilyard-breaks-silence--sex-offender/12315629/" type="external">news story</a> aired July 7 on First Coast News in Jacksonville in which Gilyard discusses his “fall from grace” for the first time since his release from prison. Among other things, the story quotes Gilyard about his thoughts on being included in the Vines autobiography.</p>
<p>“It was negative,” Gilyard said. “He could have left it out. It is his autobiography, not mine.”</p>
<p>Croft <a href="http://www.hurtingthesheep.blogspot.com/2014/07/pedophile-predator-pastor-gilyard.html" type="external">said</a> Gilyard did not just “fall from grace” and now is trying to play the victim card.</p>
<p>“This man has done nothing to apologize, he has never asked our forgiveness, he has never done anything to repay the victims or their families, he has not admitted to any counseling nor treatment for his problem (it doesn’t just go away) and he was hardly out of prison before you had him in a pulpit,” she said.</p>
<p>“Now he speaks on the news report and all he talks about is ‘poor me’ because people haven’t forgotten his crimes, because it is still there for the world to be warned, because it’s been so tough for him, because he has been talked about negatively, he is labeled as a leper (good choice of words), he feels he is in the right ministry, he feels he has changed and he has ‘paid my debt to society.’”</p>
<p>Croft said Gilyard never should have been given the role of a pastor in the first place.</p>
<p>“Paige Patterson and Jerry Vines —&#160;they were the two advising, leading, guiding, promoting and introducing the young up-and-coming dynamo Darrell Gilyard,” she said. “They were the ones that introduced and promoted him to Jerry Falwell and to all of the ‘Big Dogs’ of the Southern Baptist Convention. They were the Watch Keepers, and they failed miserably.”</p>
<p>Previous stories:</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Probation terms altered to permit sex offender pastor to minister to children</a></p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Baptist association asks church with sex-offender preacher to leave</a></p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Children turned away from church while sex offender preaches</a></p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Gilyard hasn’t ruled out starting new church</a></p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Clergy sex offender released from prison</a></p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Former high-profile preacher admits to fathering child</a></p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Former rising star preacher pleads guilty to molestation</a></p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Baptist pastor Gilyard arrested for sex messages to teens</a></p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Gilyard, once darling of SBC elites, again forced to resign over sex</a></p>
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bob allen woman claims victimized preacher years later exposed sexual predator says new autobiography former southern baptist convention president jerry vines minimizes fellow former sbc president paige pattersons role promoting convicted child molester darrell gilyard despite numerous allegations sexual misconduct tiffany croft 160who 2008 launched blog titled lets stop pastor darrell gilyard together track gilyards arrest conviction imprisonment molesting 15yearold girl sending lewd text messages another 160returned blogosphere june 22 new title hurts second posting july 7 croft said new vines life ministry published bamph publishing includes incorrect retelling story toward end memoir vines details experience gilyard charismatic young africanamerican preacher patterson helped educate ministry 1980s gilyard went resign five churches due allegations sexual misconduct rumors vines wrote accusations moral improprieties began surface denied darrell dr patterson checked best could inconsistencies contradictions stories made church people moral failings one accuser member kkk turns rumors true young person fbc jacksonville church met matter impropriety well didnt understand go beyond flirtation single time perhaps misunderstood croft says vines referring says true single time senior high school leader youth group first baptist church jacksonville fla gilyard 29 married pastor texas traveled youth group evangelist mission trip described encounter introductory posting previous blog dated jan 4 2008 personal testimony man preying 18yearold croft wrote left matter churchs hands girls women came forward time truly thought would never preach based sexual improprieties croft said gilyard targets preys women young girls especially may slightly vulnerable seeking counsel uses time find weaknesses make feel trust pastor begins come repeatedly accused rape croft said gilyard groomed asking move texas staff church move never made trusted looked spiritual leader said blessed get away night tried get go hotel room literally ran away ran apologetic remorseful confronted later croft said contacted lifeway christian resources set record straight lifeway spokesman marty king said bamph removed three sentences future printings upon reflection dr vines agrees accurately describe situation recently dr vines reopened story incorrect retelling story croft said blog many things said false misrepresented many things said attempt restore legacy repaint part saga didnt allow wont allow victims want record straight lifeway recently agreed edit parts story future publications already thousands print bookshelves nationally ok croft said also ok news story aired july 7 first coast news jacksonville gilyard discusses fall grace first time since release prison among things story quotes gilyard thoughts included vines autobiography negative gilyard said could left autobiography mine croft said gilyard fall grace trying play victim card man done nothing apologize never asked forgiveness never done anything repay victims families admitted counseling treatment problem doesnt go away hardly prison pulpit said speaks news report talks poor people havent forgotten crimes still world warned tough talked negatively labeled leper good choice words feels right ministry feels changed paid debt society croft said gilyard never given role pastor first place paige patterson jerry vines 160they two advising leading guiding promoting introducing young upandcoming dynamo darrell gilyard said ones introduced promoted jerry falwell big dogs southern baptist convention watch keepers failed miserably previous stories probation terms altered permit sex offender pastor minister children baptist association asks church sexoffender preacher leave children turned away church sex offender preaches gilyard hasnt ruled starting new church clergy sex offender released prison former highprofile preacher admits fathering child former rising star preacher pleads guilty molestation baptist pastor gilyard arrested sex messages teens gilyard darling sbc elites forced resign sex
| 565 |
<p>Like the airplanes landing at nearby Midway Airport, noisy students cram into Hearst Elementary School’s auditorium on June 7 to celebrate the end of a different kind of journey, the completion of another school year. Rewards large and small, from MP3 players to $10 gift certificates, go to those who essentially traveled furthest—the students with the highest marks or biggest gains on standardized tests.</p>
<p>Those scores are the centerpiece of Principal Reginald Miller’s “data wall” of classroom-level test scores—good or bad—posted in large, color-coded charts just outside the main office. In Room 215, for example, just four out of 14 students met reading standards on one of last year’s benchmark tests.</p>
<p>This mix of incentives and transparency is at the heart of a turnaround effort at Hearst, a low-income, predominantly African-American school that has languished on probation. Miller, now in his second year as principal, is pushing a data-driven system that features new curricula, professional development and a reshuffling of teachers’ preparation periods.</p>
<p>Focusing on students’ performance data helps teachers be lifelong learners, says Miller. “But there’s a risk. You have to be working with people you trust because you’re going to be putting out your dirty laundry.”</p>
<p>His willingness to post classroom-level data so openly may be unique in Chicago Public Schools, perhaps even detrimental to staff morale, but it ultimately reflects CPS objectives to push schools to use data to improve instruction.</p>
<p>“That message has surely filtered down, not just to the principals, but the teachers, too,” says Rebeca de los Reyes, Area 11 instructional officer, who oversees Hearst.</p>
<p>Hearst also reflects a national trend, one spurred by ever-mounting pressure to raise performance on standardized tests under No Child Left Behind. The federal law requires 100 percent of students to meet state standards by 2014, and has touched off a race to figure out how best to turn assessment data into better instruction.</p>
<p>Experts add a warning: Don’t “teach to the test.” Schools need to think of “data” in the broadest sense and continually work at refining their assessment, they say, instead of burning up teaching time on test-taking strategies and drill-and-kill study.</p>
<p>Growing pains</p>
<p>Miller, a former teacher with a background in chemical engineering, turned entrepreneur and dabbled in the restaurant business before returning to education. Because of his scientific and business background, Miller has emphasized the use of test data and a strong incentives system.</p>
<p>But that emphasis strained his relations with teachers. Many bristled at the posting of their students’ test results on his data wall, and 18 of the school’s 35 teachers have since left Hearst.</p>
<p>“It wasn’t pretty,” remembers math and science specialist Elizabeth Anthony. She says she tried to convince teachers that the data wall “formed a baseline” to measure their ongoing efforts, not an indictment of past work. Still, teachers left en masse.</p>
<p>Miller has plowed ahead, hiring only new teachers who he says were willing to embrace his data-driven approach.</p>
<p>The results so far seem to support the effort. Test scores went up in every grade level and subject last year, with one caveat: Scores among special education students remained flat and kept the school from meeting annual yearly progress goals.</p>
<p>That’s a shortcoming Miller hopes to address with another round of reforms and even greater attention to data.</p>
<p>To get the job done, much of the heavy data lifting will fall on Anthony, Hearst’s data specialist.</p>
<p>Last year, with help from her area math coach, Anthony learned to open data files in Microsoft Excel and sort results by classroom and subject. She suspects Miller will ask her to run similar reports using student demographic data this year, especially as the school targets its lagging special education students.</p>
<p>But figuring out how to sort and graph test data is just the beginning of a long process of data mastery, according to Kathryn Parker Boudett, co-editor of “Data Wise” and an expert on data-driven instruction. She and other Harvard researchers spent years working with Boston Public Schools to fine-tune data gathering and the processes that make it useful to teachers.</p>
<p>“Teachers get pretty glassy-eyed if you tell them that 42 percent of their students passed a test,” says Boudett. “The thing that we’ve found most powerful is just looking at the actual student work produced every day.”</p>
<p>Schools that want to be data-driven need to expand their idea of what data is, she adds. By getting teachers to look at a student’s written work, especially if it’s buttressed by test data that can tie the discussion to state standards, the chances for a fruitful conversation multiply, she says.</p>
<p>Assessing student work “is what makes them teachers. It allows them to draw on what they know best,” Boudett says.</p>
<p>Eventually, the Boston schools that Harvard worked with found opportunities for teachers to visit classrooms and watch one another teach. That helped teachers reflect deeply on their own instruction, Boudett says, and it put a second set of eyes into classrooms during group activities.</p>
<p>It takes time to analyze data. But by turning teachers’ attention to state test scores and students’ written work, Boudett says, the faculty meetings that used to dwell on scheduling and discipline problems all but disappeared in Boston. Instead, teachers began having meaningful conversations about what matters most: student learning and using data to understand and improve it.</p>
<p>More than test scores</p>
<p>Many of the changes Miller has planned for Hearst this year dovetail with Boudett’s suggestions.</p>
<p>This year, teachers will merge two of their four preparation periods into one 90-minute block that will be used for data-intensive, grade-level meetings. Miller also has focused professional development on the data-analysis process, requiring his teachers to read “Collaborative Analysis of Student Work,” another book aimed at helping teachers make sense of student assessment data.</p>
<p>Hearst also will look more closely at students’ written work, a priority CPS has set for schools districtwide.</p>
<p>Students “have to be able to write in complete sentences [about] what they did and how they did it. It’s not just a ‘Yes,’ it’s a ‘Yes, because…'”says Anthony.</p>
<p>Looking back, she says last year’s data push was ultimately about Miller setting expectations.</p>
<p>Teachers also had to master new math and reading curricula, which have better built-in assessment activities, according to Anthony.</p>
<p>Learning how to parse the Illinois Standards Achievement Test data, as well as the results from the district’s new assessments in math and reading proved beneficial but took time, Anthony notes.</p>
<p>Ideally, she says all students would have been placed into groups based on the questions they missed on the tests. Anthony planned to do pullout tutoring with each student, but there were too many.</p>
<p>In the end, she took a triage approach, tutoring only the students who were most likely to pass the ISAT with a little boost—those students who scored between 40 percent and 50 percent (the ISAT passing score) on the Learning First and Math Benchmark tests. She narrowed her job further by focusing on the standards the students most often missed.</p>
<p>The effort may not measure up to the “Data Wise” ideal, which calls for a more holistic analysis of student work, but it did lay the groundwork for Hearst’s more ambitious plans for this year: using Anthony’s reports to help teachers think about specific learning standards as they review students’ written work.</p>
<p>That has at least one of the new teachers excited. Kisha McNulty, an 8th-grade math teacher, expects the school’s focus on assessment and data analysis will help her be “reflective as a teacher.”</p>
<p>‘Data Wise’ district</p>
<p>De los Reyes says schools in Area 11 have taken slightly different approaches to the same task: Focus on student work, especially written work, and organize teachers into regular grade-level meetings to analyze it. “That’s data,” she says.</p>
<p>Her schools are following the district’s game plan by digging past test data and into writing assessments. CPS has tried to ramp up its professional development to match, says Patrick Baccellieri, deputy officer in the district’s new Instructional Design and Assessment office.</p>
<p>Baccellieri, former principal at South Loop Elementary, built a reputation as a savvy data analyst while piloting the school’s transformation. Not satisfied with a simple once-over of ISAT data, he spent countless hours delving into the test and the specific state standards the various questions measured. The fruits: learning standards re-worded so South Loop’s students could better grasp their meaning and prioritized so the teachers could focus on what Baccellieri said was most important.</p>
<p>Once he had thoroughly digested the ISAT, Baccellieri started breaking down his school’s test data in ways that helped him communicate his instructional aims to his teachers. In fact, data became his preferred communication tool. He soon went beyond test scores, even charting out discipline referrals by the hour.</p>
<p>Surprising trends lurked in that data, too, including a huge spike in referrals just after lunch. Though teachers knew discipline issues were greatest at that time, they had never seen the problem’s true magnitude—until Baccellieri’s charts surfaced. Teachers clamped down and referrals fell dramatically.</p>
<p>Baccellieri, who joined Botana’s group this summer, is essentially trying to replicate his South Loop plan across the district. To do it, CPS may get help from Harvard’s “Data Wise” researchers.</p>
<p>This summer, Baccellieri and 11 other principals, teachers and administrators from CPS traveled to Brown University for a weeklong data summit sponsored by The Joyce Foundation. With guidance from Boudett and her team, Chicago and representatives from Milwaukee, Cleveland and Providence tried to determine best data strategies and learn from one another’s efforts.</p>
<p>Chicago’s approach has, to date, been largely about its new assessments, Learning First and Math Benchmark. Both tests, given three times a year in quick exams (less than an hour), have provided much-needed measures in the year-long gap between ISAT tests. Results are returned to schools within two weeks and have helped schools better measure progress throughout the year.</p>
<p>Tying this benchmark data to a deeper analysis of written work marks the next assessment push, Baccellieri says.</p>
<p>“In the end, what’s really critical is to help teachers understand what’s important for 8th-graders to know and do, so they can move on and get a 20 or better on the ACT,” he says. “And then [we must] go backwards and [ask] what does that mean for 6th grade? What does that mean for 3rd?”</p>
<p>To help get the data in the hands of teachers, the district also is rolling out a curriculum management tool built into its new $60 million IMPACT (Instructional Management Program and Academic Communication Tool) student information system.</p>
<p>The ultimate goal is to have the IMPACT system tie the Learning First, Math Benchmark and ISAT data into one outlet where schools can see how the test questions connect to state learning standards and easily analyze test results by classroom, demographics or student.</p>
<p>Boudett says the “Data Wise” project has shied away from the technical front, given the plethora of tools available to help schools slice and dice data. She says it’s important, however, to make sure teachers get the data quickly and easily, and that any software tools used make it easy to analyze the data by test question, classroom, learning standard and individual student.</p>
<p>For his part, Hearst’s principal hopes that despite the early snafus, the IMPACT system will deliver and free up his math and reading specialist from the school’s heavy data lifting and analysis.</p>
<p>“To the extent that you can get data back faster, the better you can make decisions to improve your school,” says Miller.</p>
<p>To contact John Myers, call (312) 673-3874 or e-mail [email protected].</p>
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like airplanes landing nearby midway airport noisy students cram hearst elementary schools auditorium june 7 celebrate end different kind journey completion another school year rewards large small mp3 players 10 gift certificates go essentially traveled furthestthe students highest marks biggest gains standardized tests scores centerpiece principal reginald millers data wall classroomlevel test scoresgood badposted large colorcoded charts outside main office room 215 example four 14 students met reading standards one last years benchmark tests mix incentives transparency heart turnaround effort hearst lowincome predominantly africanamerican school languished probation miller second year principal pushing datadriven system features new curricula professional development reshuffling teachers preparation periods focusing students performance data helps teachers lifelong learners says miller theres risk working people trust youre going putting dirty laundry willingness post classroomlevel data openly may unique chicago public schools perhaps even detrimental staff morale ultimately reflects cps objectives push schools use data improve instruction message surely filtered principals teachers says rebeca de los reyes area 11 instructional officer oversees hearst hearst also reflects national trend one spurred evermounting pressure raise performance standardized tests child left behind federal law requires 100 percent students meet state standards 2014 touched race figure best turn assessment data better instruction experts add warning dont teach test schools need think data broadest sense continually work refining assessment say instead burning teaching time testtaking strategies drillandkill study growing pains miller former teacher background chemical engineering turned entrepreneur dabbled restaurant business returning education scientific business background miller emphasized use test data strong incentives system emphasis strained relations teachers many bristled posting students test results data wall 18 schools 35 teachers since left hearst wasnt pretty remembers math science specialist elizabeth anthony says tried convince teachers data wall formed baseline measure ongoing efforts indictment past work still teachers left en masse miller plowed ahead hiring new teachers says willing embrace datadriven approach results far seem support effort test scores went every grade level subject last year one caveat scores among special education students remained flat kept school meeting annual yearly progress goals thats shortcoming miller hopes address another round reforms even greater attention data get job done much heavy data lifting fall anthony hearsts data specialist last year help area math coach anthony learned open data files microsoft excel sort results classroom subject suspects miller ask run similar reports using student demographic data year especially school targets lagging special education students figuring sort graph test data beginning long process data mastery according kathryn parker boudett coeditor data wise expert datadriven instruction harvard researchers spent years working boston public schools finetune data gathering processes make useful teachers teachers get pretty glassyeyed tell 42 percent students passed test says boudett thing weve found powerful looking actual student work produced every day schools want datadriven need expand idea data adds getting teachers look students written work especially buttressed test data tie discussion state standards chances fruitful conversation multiply says assessing student work makes teachers allows draw know best boudett says eventually boston schools harvard worked found opportunities teachers visit classrooms watch one another teach helped teachers reflect deeply instruction boudett says put second set eyes classrooms group activities takes time analyze data turning teachers attention state test scores students written work boudett says faculty meetings used dwell scheduling discipline problems disappeared boston instead teachers began meaningful conversations matters student learning using data understand improve test scores many changes miller planned hearst year dovetail boudetts suggestions year teachers merge two four preparation periods one 90minute block used dataintensive gradelevel meetings miller also focused professional development dataanalysis process requiring teachers read collaborative analysis student work another book aimed helping teachers make sense student assessment data hearst also look closely students written work priority cps set schools districtwide students able write complete sentences yes yes becausesays anthony looking back says last years data push ultimately miller setting expectations teachers also master new math reading curricula better builtin assessment activities according anthony learning parse illinois standards achievement test data well results districts new assessments math reading proved beneficial took time anthony notes ideally says students would placed groups based questions missed tests anthony planned pullout tutoring student many end took triage approach tutoring students likely pass isat little boostthose students scored 40 percent 50 percent isat passing score learning first math benchmark tests narrowed job focusing standards students often missed effort may measure data wise ideal calls holistic analysis student work lay groundwork hearsts ambitious plans year using anthonys reports help teachers think specific learning standards review students written work least one new teachers excited kisha mcnulty 8thgrade math teacher expects schools focus assessment data analysis help reflective teacher data wise district de los reyes says schools area 11 taken slightly different approaches task focus student work especially written work organize teachers regular gradelevel meetings analyze thats data says schools following districts game plan digging past test data writing assessments cps tried ramp professional development match says patrick baccellieri deputy officer districts new instructional design assessment office baccellieri former principal south loop elementary built reputation savvy data analyst piloting schools transformation satisfied simple onceover isat data spent countless hours delving test specific state standards various questions measured fruits learning standards reworded south loops students could better grasp meaning prioritized teachers could focus baccellieri said important thoroughly digested isat baccellieri started breaking schools test data ways helped communicate instructional aims teachers fact data became preferred communication tool soon went beyond test scores even charting discipline referrals hour surprising trends lurked data including huge spike referrals lunch though teachers knew discipline issues greatest time never seen problems true magnitudeuntil baccellieris charts surfaced teachers clamped referrals fell dramatically baccellieri joined botanas group summer essentially trying replicate south loop plan across district cps may get help harvards data wise researchers summer baccellieri 11 principals teachers administrators cps traveled brown university weeklong data summit sponsored joyce foundation guidance boudett team chicago representatives milwaukee cleveland providence tried determine best data strategies learn one anothers efforts chicagos approach date largely new assessments learning first math benchmark tests given three times year quick exams less hour provided muchneeded measures yearlong gap isat tests results returned schools within two weeks helped schools better measure progress throughout year tying benchmark data deeper analysis written work marks next assessment push baccellieri says end whats really critical help teachers understand whats important 8thgraders know move get 20 better act says must go backwards ask mean 6th grade mean 3rd help get data hands teachers district also rolling curriculum management tool built new 60 million impact instructional management program academic communication tool student information system ultimate goal impact system tie learning first math benchmark isat data one outlet schools see test questions connect state learning standards easily analyze test results classroom demographics student boudett says data wise project shied away technical front given plethora tools available help schools slice dice data says important however make sure teachers get data quickly easily software tools used make easy analyze data test question classroom learning standard individual student part hearsts principal hopes despite early snafus impact system deliver free math reading specialist schools heavy data lifting analysis extent get data back faster better make decisions improve school says miller contact john myers call 312 6733874 email myerscatalystchicagoorg
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<p>BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Agostina Senese is a vegetarian in a country where cooking beef on the grill is considered a sacred rite.</p>
<p>"It's like you're doing something really wrong if you don't eat meat here — it's like a like a sin," says Senese.</p>
<p>It's not easy to go vegetarian in the world's biggest beef-eating nation. Traditional barbecues are the signature event of most weekends and holidays — one that Senese feels left out of. "I don't have friends that are vegetarians so it's really really difficult for me."</p>
<p>But it's getting easier. Vegetarians like Senese are finding support among a new generation of groceries, markets and businesses catering to the small but burgeoning community of vegetarians in Buenos Aires.</p>
<p>At the Almacen Casero, there aren't any tables, just shelves stacked with whole grains and coolers with vegetarian entrees for people to carry home. Behind the counter stacked with cereal bars, store owner Maria Magdalena consoles Senese.</p>
<p>"In the beginning, you'll find it very lonely," Magdalena says. " But you'll get to to know more people and the people around you start to adapt."</p>
<p>Magdalena sounds like a therapist, but she's a pioneering entrepreneur. She and her husband opened up their vegetarian grocery only three months ago in Almagro, a squarely working middle-class neighborhood in Buenos Aires.</p>
<p>Maria Magdalena's store seems like a leap of faith in the carnivore capital of the world. Last year, the average Argentine ate 154 pounds of beef — that's about two servings of beef everyday for the 365 days in the year. And typically Argentines don't make space for vegetables on their plates.</p>
<p>Magdalena concedes it's a challenge, but she's still betting on the growth of vegetarianism here. "Our ancestors, the gauchos, butchered the cows and ate the meat. It's a tradition that's deeply rooted in our culture. Why do people change things? Well they do it because everything changes," she says.</p>
<p>A lot has changed in Argentina, particularly since the economic crisis in 2001. That's when many say vegetarianism first made its entrance in Buenos Aires. The overhead to maintain large meat freezers became expensive and an influx of health-conscious foreigners transformed the cosmopolitan restaurant scene.</p>
<p>"Suddenly vegetarianism started making sense," said Angelita Bianculli, owner of La Esquina de Flores, the city's first vegetarian restaurant, which opened in 1983. "I trained people how to use soy in 2001, when we were doing so bad economically."</p>
<p>Nevertheless, vegetarian eateries like La Esquina de Flores thrive primarily in upscale neighborhoods like Palermo, where many expats like to live and vegetarian cuisine is fashionable in restaurants.</p>
<p>While keeping a vegetarian diet is often cheaper than eating beef, that's not necessarily the case in Argentina where the government controls the price of beef. In the past three years, beef has been cheaper than empanadas or even pizza.</p>
<p>But beef prices have soared in the last two months, as the country faces herd shortages and the prospect of importing cattle for the first time in decades. With inflation soaring and a severe drought, on top of the government's price caps, cattle farmers began liquidating their herds. Many started planting soy crops, which recorded yields this year. Dubbed the "green gold," soy has become Argentina's top export, driven in part by increasing demand in China.</p>
<p>And a "milanesa de soja" — Italian-style breaded soy patty — is commonly found in Argentine restaurants alongside the traditional beef and chicken versions.</p>
<p>With vegetarian food becoming more common on the restaurant scene, entrepreneurs are hoping the trend can make its way into Argentine kitchens.</p>
<p>Marcelo Barraza is starting a homemade vegetarian frozen food delivery service after having worked in an organic vegetable company. "I realized it was a great business opportunity in the long run," he said.</p>
<p>"There is a demand," agreed Fenando Baz, owner of Jardin Organico, which sells organic foods and vegetables in Buenos Aires. "Maybe 60 to 70 percent of my clients are vegetarians." And he says his company is growing about 20 percent every year.</p>
<p>The country has the resources to support growing domestic demand for vegetarian and health food. Argentina's pampas are famous for producing grass-fed beef, but the length of the country allows it to grow a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, similar to California. Argentina is currently is the world's second largest producer of organic vegetables per acre after Australia, but most of it is exported.</p>
<p>Still creating a strong domestic market for those vegetables is a question of changing not just the Argentine diet, but also a fundamental characteristic of its culture.</p>
<p>Back at Almacen Casero, Maria Magdalena isn't counting on raking in the profits just yet. "I don’t know if a great future but there is a future. The idea isn't to become rich."</p>
<p>Yet something is definitely stirring to give her quiet confidence in her new business. In an eight-block radius of her grocery, one can find two more vegetarian groceries and several restaurants with "comida vegetariana" written on the windows.</p>
<p>"We're in Almagro — a middle class neighborhood and it's starting to be accepted, " says Magdalena sipping mate tea as customers casually peak in the door." We can even see it in our own families: they are already making some room when they make a barbecue. This is going to grow. It's going to grow. "</p>
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buenos aires argentina agostina senese vegetarian country cooking beef grill considered sacred rite like youre something really wrong dont eat meat like like sin says senese easy go vegetarian worlds biggest beefeating nation traditional barbecues signature event weekends holidays one senese feels left dont friends vegetarians really really difficult getting easier vegetarians like senese finding support among new generation groceries markets businesses catering small burgeoning community vegetarians buenos aires almacen casero arent tables shelves stacked whole grains coolers vegetarian entrees people carry home behind counter stacked cereal bars store owner maria magdalena consoles senese beginning youll find lonely magdalena says youll get know people people around start adapt magdalena sounds like therapist shes pioneering entrepreneur husband opened vegetarian grocery three months ago almagro squarely working middleclass neighborhood buenos aires maria magdalenas store seems like leap faith carnivore capital world last year average argentine ate 154 pounds beef thats two servings beef everyday 365 days year typically argentines dont make space vegetables plates magdalena concedes challenge shes still betting growth vegetarianism ancestors gauchos butchered cows ate meat tradition thats deeply rooted culture people change things well everything changes says lot changed argentina particularly since economic crisis 2001 thats many say vegetarianism first made entrance buenos aires overhead maintain large meat freezers became expensive influx healthconscious foreigners transformed cosmopolitan restaurant scene suddenly vegetarianism started making sense said angelita bianculli owner la esquina de flores citys first vegetarian restaurant opened 1983 trained people use soy 2001 bad economically nevertheless vegetarian eateries like la esquina de flores thrive primarily upscale neighborhoods like palermo many expats like live vegetarian cuisine fashionable restaurants keeping vegetarian diet often cheaper eating beef thats necessarily case argentina government controls price beef past three years beef cheaper empanadas even pizza beef prices soared last two months country faces herd shortages prospect importing cattle first time decades inflation soaring severe drought top governments price caps cattle farmers began liquidating herds many started planting soy crops recorded yields year dubbed green gold soy become argentinas top export driven part increasing demand china milanesa de soja italianstyle breaded soy patty commonly found argentine restaurants alongside traditional beef chicken versions vegetarian food becoming common restaurant scene entrepreneurs hoping trend make way argentine kitchens marcelo barraza starting homemade vegetarian frozen food delivery service worked organic vegetable company realized great business opportunity long run said demand agreed fenando baz owner jardin organico sells organic foods vegetables buenos aires maybe 60 70 percent clients vegetarians says company growing 20 percent every year country resources support growing domestic demand vegetarian health food argentinas pampas famous producing grassfed beef length country allows grow wide variety fruits vegetables similar california argentina currently worlds second largest producer organic vegetables per acre australia exported still creating strong domestic market vegetables question changing argentine diet also fundamental characteristic culture back almacen casero maria magdalena isnt counting raking profits yet dont know great future future idea isnt become rich yet something definitely stirring give quiet confidence new business eightblock radius grocery one find two vegetarian groceries several restaurants comida vegetariana written windows almagro middle class neighborhood starting accepted says magdalena sipping mate tea customers casually peak door even see families already making room make barbecue going grow going grow
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<p>As we begin 2014, we still haven’t engaged in a conversation about gun control that brings both sides together.</p>
<p>Polls indicate a country more or less divided over how to prevent another school shooting. And while legislation has been proposed to reign in the gun lobby, sales of guns have soared.</p>
<p>This debate is not a new one in the United States, and while it intensifies with each tragic mass shooting, the conversation rarely advances. Frustration sets in as each new action causes the other side to dig in their heels even further.</p>
<p>We wonder: Is there another way to frame this issue?</p>
<p>For the last 20 years I have led an <a href="http://www.beyondconflictint.org" type="external">international organization</a> that works in war torn countries to negotiate an end to conflict. In places like Northern Ireland, El Salvador, South Africa and the Balkans, groups once driven to violence to defend their beliefs have put down their weapons, sat down at a table, overcome their differences and negotiated. Moving beyond conflict is, indeed, possible.</p>
<p>One dynamic I have observed present in all successful negotiations — which is missing from our current debate over gun control — is a recognition of the role of sacred values.</p>
<p>Social scientists define sacred values as a set of values or principles that individuals and communities hold dear to their idea of right and wrong, that define who they are and help guide their daily lives. We first came to see the critical role played by sacred values in the 1990s in dealing with the bloody conflict in Northern Ireland in which thousands of people were killed.</p>
<p>No one used the term sacred values back then, but we could see clearly that one of the reasons negotiations to end sectarian conflict between Catholics and Protestants in Ireland were failing was because they were not recognizing or respecting the deep differences in values, cultures and identities that each side held.</p>
<p>Over several years, working with a team of international negotiators, we created programs that specifically addressed the threats each side felt to their core identities. We didn’t try to resolve these historic differences, we just worked to get each side to recognize and respect them. This involved exercises in self-examination, envisioning and humanizing each other. When negotiations broke down, we brought leading members of the political parties to Harvard University to have a neutral space. It took eight years, dozens of meetings, and hundreds of people to begin to change people’s minds. At the time, we didn’t use the term sacred values, but peace would have not been possible without doing so. People do not kill each other over symbolic issues like the design of their flag. They kill each other when they feel their core identities, as they ascribe to that flag, are under threat.</p>
<p>Although the role sacred values play in conflict has been in psychology literature for at least 20 years, and resonates intuitively with many people, it has yet to move from the social sciences to policy, or be regularly applied in resolving conflict abroad or at home. However, this research is growing and becoming interdisciplinary, and now includes neuroscientists, all of whom substantiate the role sacred values play in driving human behavior.</p>
<p>The most recent <a href="http://rstb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/367/1589/633.abstract" type="external">research</a> shows that sacred values actually have a biological basis in the brain and are experienced in ways observable to scientific study. Gregory Berns, a neuroscientist at Emory University, has used neuroimaging technology to identify brain regions associated with calculations of sacred values. Early results suggest that sacred values are processed in a separate part of the brain than less important decisions or beliefs, and may cause us to react physically when a challenge is made to our sacred belief. It’s hard to listen to reason when you’re feeling under threat. No wonder the conversation is going nowhere.</p>
<p>Perhaps some will say that a discussion involving sacred values and gun control is too emotional and not concrete. Partisans on both sides insist this is a policy debate that needs to be determined by facts and figures and the emotional component should be set aside so rational debate can take place. But 20 years of experience, as well as the insights about the way sacred values are processed, suggest that emotions, symbols and narratives must be engaged rather than dismissed in order to make progress.</p>
<p>In fact, research and statistics alone are getting us nowhere. An interdisciplinary team of social scientists examining the Israeli-Palestine conflict <a href="http://www.pnas.org/content/104/18/7357.full" type="external">showed</a> that when asked to compromise a sacred value through a utilitarian trade off, respondents replied with aggression to that approach, exhibited moral outrage and held on to that sacred value more deeply than previously. In short, facts and figures hurt rather than helped the case.</p>
<p>How can we address gun violence through the lens of sacred values?</p>
<p>To begin, we can advocate creating a neutral space for representatives of both sides to actually meet, face to face, and listen to each other. People need to be able to articulate for themselves what is sacred. These conversations should focus on getting each side of the debate to recognize and respect the identities and sacred values of their opposition. It is only once people feel that their identities are not threatened that their minds can be open to listening, and we can bring this debate back into the arena of facts and figures and make it a rational discussion.</p>
<p>Speaking more broadly, we call on social scientists to elucidate the values behind our beliefs about guns. We advocate for a campaign that recognizes and respects the identities and sacred values of each side of the debate.</p>
<p>Looking forward, we call to further neuroscience research into how we process sacred values and how certain issues become immune to resolution. Such research should be supported, continued and valued as critical to policymakers and negotiators.</p>
<p>Recognition of the sacred values in play in the gun control debate could form the basis for a new approach to deeply felt and polarizing conversations about gun control and other issues of public policy and lead to a greater awareness of human behavior. Talking about them won’t bring any change to the families of the many victims of gun violence, but it may just bring us as a nation a little closer to resolving our differences and address the most fundamental challenge we face as individuals and as a society – agreeing on how to protect our families and homes.</p>
<p>Tim Phillips is co-founder of Beyond Conflict, an international organization that advocates for peace and reconciliation. &#160;</p>
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begin 2014 still havent engaged conversation gun control brings sides together polls indicate country less divided prevent another school shooting legislation proposed reign gun lobby sales guns soared debate new one united states intensifies tragic mass shooting conversation rarely advances frustration sets new action causes side dig heels even wonder another way frame issue last 20 years led international organization works war torn countries negotiate end conflict places like northern ireland el salvador south africa balkans groups driven violence defend beliefs put weapons sat table overcome differences negotiated moving beyond conflict indeed possible one dynamic observed present successful negotiations missing current debate gun control recognition role sacred values social scientists define sacred values set values principles individuals communities hold dear idea right wrong define help guide daily lives first came see critical role played sacred values 1990s dealing bloody conflict northern ireland thousands people killed one used term sacred values back could see clearly one reasons negotiations end sectarian conflict catholics protestants ireland failing recognizing respecting deep differences values cultures identities side held several years working team international negotiators created programs specifically addressed threats side felt core identities didnt try resolve historic differences worked get side recognize respect involved exercises selfexamination envisioning humanizing negotiations broke brought leading members political parties harvard university neutral space took eight years dozens meetings hundreds people begin change peoples minds time didnt use term sacred values peace would possible without people kill symbolic issues like design flag kill feel core identities ascribe flag threat although role sacred values play conflict psychology literature least 20 years resonates intuitively many people yet move social sciences policy regularly applied resolving conflict abroad home however research growing becoming interdisciplinary includes neuroscientists substantiate role sacred values play driving human behavior recent research shows sacred values actually biological basis brain experienced ways observable scientific study gregory berns neuroscientist emory university used neuroimaging technology identify brain regions associated calculations sacred values early results suggest sacred values processed separate part brain less important decisions beliefs may cause us react physically challenge made sacred belief hard listen reason youre feeling threat wonder conversation going nowhere perhaps say discussion involving sacred values gun control emotional concrete partisans sides insist policy debate needs determined facts figures emotional component set aside rational debate take place 20 years experience well insights way sacred values processed suggest emotions symbols narratives must engaged rather dismissed order make progress fact research statistics alone getting us nowhere interdisciplinary team social scientists examining israelipalestine conflict showed asked compromise sacred value utilitarian trade respondents replied aggression approach exhibited moral outrage held sacred value deeply previously short facts figures hurt rather helped case address gun violence lens sacred values begin advocate creating neutral space representatives sides actually meet face face listen people need able articulate sacred conversations focus getting side debate recognize respect identities sacred values opposition people feel identities threatened minds open listening bring debate back arena facts figures make rational discussion speaking broadly call social scientists elucidate values behind beliefs guns advocate campaign recognizes respects identities sacred values side debate looking forward call neuroscience research process sacred values certain issues become immune resolution research supported continued valued critical policymakers negotiators recognition sacred values play gun control debate could form basis new approach deeply felt polarizing conversations gun control issues public policy lead greater awareness human behavior talking wont bring change families many victims gun violence may bring us nation little closer resolving differences address fundamental challenge face individuals society agreeing protect families homes tim phillips cofounder beyond conflict international organization advocates peace reconciliation 160
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<p>CURWOOD: From the Jennifer and Ted Stanley Studios in Boston, this is Living on Earth. Im Steve Curwood. Theres much at stake in the standoff between Russia and the Western Powers over Ukraine and the Crimea. Its a power struggle that dates back at least to the Crimean War in the 1850s when Britain and France fought Russia over religious differences and for territorial hegemony. Today the question of hegemony is intertwined with energy. Russia is currently the second largest producer of natural gas in the world after the US. And as Western Europe has reduced its use of coal and nuclear power, it has relied more and more on natural gas from Russia, and that complicates any possible economic sanctions - places like Germany need the gas. For more analysis, we turn to Joe Stanislaw, a long-time observer of energy markets and an independent senior advisor to Deloitte LLP. STANISLAW: For Russia, the economy is oil and gas. Thats the starting point. Secondly, Russia and Europe are intimately linked by pipelines. Europe relies upon Russia for approximately 30 percent of its natural gas supplies, and those gas supplies are contracted out for another 15, 20, sometimes 30 years. Russia needs the European gas market. Almost 90 percent of all Russian gas exports go to Europe. Depending on how you count the numbers and whose numbers you use, oil and gas revenues account for somewhere around two thirds of the revenues of the Russian economy, the Russian government. CURWOOD: So they have little interest in stopping oil and gas exports Id imagine. STANISLAW: That's the point. They need this as much or more than the Europeans need them. CURWOOD: This showdown that Russia has set up here, how might that affect their long-term prospects for exporting fossil fuels? STANISLAW: This is almost...its not the same degree, but its almost like 1973, 74, when the Arab oil embargo took place. Its a warning shot that, geez, geopolitics does play significantly in how global oil and natural gas markets work. So that says to most countries, the US included, how can we become more energy secure? What could happen as a result of this, in Europe in particular, is there are known deposits of shale gas in Germany and Poland, Ukraine, Romania, and other parts and even France maybe that will get the Europeans to revise their policy and the approach to allowing those developments to take place. And if the shale gas is there to the degree that some people think, that is a real change for the Russians in the gas market. CURWOOD: So Russia's power move here may have put them in a tough business position going years ahead, huh? STANISLAW: Yes, indeed. That's why I refer to the Arab oil embargo in 1973, 74. What that Arab oil embargo did is unleashed this concern about the security of energy. As a result of that, the North Sea was propelled into dominance. Companies flocked to the North Sea that wouldnt have done so beforehand, and that released how many millions and millions of barrels of production still in there. And it opened up areas that it wouldnt have opened up otherwise where there are more benign governments who had resources but didnt need to develop them because there was cheap middle eastern oil. That changed the attitudes of many many governments on the supply side, and that was underlying on the demand side too. Policies were put in place to use less of the stuff. In this case youre going to find more policies to put in place to use less energy and less natural gas. CURWOOD: It's ironic isn't it, Joe, that the Great Game...the contest for the oil resources in some respects began in Crimea back in the mid 1800s, and now we have a new version of the Great Game. STANISLAW: Steve, you're absolutely right. The Great Game was Crimea and it was with the, what we all call now the east and the west, Cold War terms, Russia and Great Britain, and were right back there again. All things come full circle. This time a little thing called natural gas, and the changing driving force in the Great Game will be technology, and that's why I referred to earlier the issue of maybe the Europeans will change their attitude about this shale gas extraction. That's revolutionized the United States, which was about to become a major major importer of oil, now potentially exporter of oil, and a significant exporter of natural gas. CURWOOD: Joe, to what extent does Russia depend on US technology to extract its oil and gas resources at this point? STANISLAW: This is really an underlying critically important issue, Steve. What allowed Russia to reverse their declining oil production in the 1990s was using both software and hardware from US companies, both service and oil gas companies that they did not have access to before the fall of the Iron Curtain, and it changed how companies worked and operate in Russia to allow them to begin to increase what was a declining production curve. Dont forget by the time the Iron Curtain fell, Russian production, which is well over 12 million barrels a day, had fallen to five or six. But when the wall fell and things began to settle down after four or five years, companies reorganized themselves, brought in western technology and revitalized the production curve in Russian. Going forward that's exactly the same - they need that technology. Equally, theyre sitting on mountains and mountains of shale gas which they havent even started to touch yet. And the same with some hard to extract oils that requires a lot of technologies that are called western technologies which they need to access those flow rates. So the way the world works, this is one big interdependent world. Their access to our technology is as critical to their energy industry as the access to the market they want to sell their energy to. CURWOOD: So therein lies a critical sanction the US could impose, perhaps. STANISLAW: It is, without question, but also its a driving force that goes back to just after World War II where if goods can't cross borders, armies will. Lets let the goods flow, and armies wont cross borders. CURWOOD: So if the Russian invasion of the Ukraine escalates in the days, months, ahead, how might the prices of oil and natural gas be affected by that? STANISLAW: Well, so far if you look at the markets, the biggest factor affecting natural gas prices in United States has been the weather where you're sitting in Boston and the whole northeast, the whole east of the United States. In Europe, the price of natural gas has gone up significantly because of fears of potential disruption of supplies for that Ukrainian pipeline. On the oil side, the oil really isnt an issue here in the same way natural gas is. Oil, I think, moved up maybe a dollar. If you live in the oil market as I have over the past 30 years, a swing of 1 percent is...that's not even a sneeze. The energy markets, both the gas and oil markets, are used to this cyclical up-down behavior. Thats the part of the business, because the energy markets are very political markets and the market actors are used to it. CURWOOD: Joe Stanislaw is the founder of the JA Stanislaw Group. Thanks so much for taking this time today, Joe. STANISLAW: Steve, its been a pleasure speaking with you. Thank you for having me.</p>
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curwood jennifer ted stanley studios boston living earth im steve curwood theres much stake standoff russia western powers ukraine crimea power struggle dates back least crimean war 1850s britain france fought russia religious differences territorial hegemony today question hegemony intertwined energy russia currently second largest producer natural gas world us western europe reduced use coal nuclear power relied natural gas russia complicates possible economic sanctions places like germany need gas analysis turn joe stanislaw longtime observer energy markets independent senior advisor deloitte llp stanislaw russia economy oil gas thats starting point secondly russia europe intimately linked pipelines europe relies upon russia approximately 30 percent natural gas supplies gas supplies contracted another 15 20 sometimes 30 years russia needs european gas market almost 90 percent russian gas exports go europe depending count numbers whose numbers use oil gas revenues account somewhere around two thirds revenues russian economy russian government curwood little interest stopping oil gas exports id imagine stanislaw thats point need much europeans need curwood showdown russia set might affect longterm prospects exporting fossil fuels stanislaw almostits degree almost like 1973 74 arab oil embargo took place warning shot geez geopolitics play significantly global oil natural gas markets work says countries us included become energy secure could happen result europe particular known deposits shale gas germany poland ukraine romania parts even france maybe get europeans revise policy approach allowing developments take place shale gas degree people think real change russians gas market curwood russias power move may put tough business position going years ahead huh stanislaw yes indeed thats refer arab oil embargo 1973 74 arab oil embargo unleashed concern security energy result north sea propelled dominance companies flocked north sea wouldnt done beforehand released many millions millions barrels production still opened areas wouldnt opened otherwise benign governments resources didnt need develop cheap middle eastern oil changed attitudes many many governments supply side underlying demand side policies put place use less stuff case youre going find policies put place use less energy less natural gas curwood ironic isnt joe great gamethe contest oil resources respects began crimea back mid 1800s new version great game stanislaw steve youre absolutely right great game crimea call east west cold war terms russia great britain right back things come full circle time little thing called natural gas changing driving force great game technology thats referred earlier issue maybe europeans change attitude shale gas extraction thats revolutionized united states become major major importer oil potentially exporter oil significant exporter natural gas curwood joe extent russia depend us technology extract oil gas resources point stanislaw really underlying critically important issue steve allowed russia reverse declining oil production 1990s using software hardware us companies service oil gas companies access fall iron curtain changed companies worked operate russia allow begin increase declining production curve dont forget time iron curtain fell russian production well 12 million barrels day fallen five six wall fell things began settle four five years companies reorganized brought western technology revitalized production curve russian going forward thats exactly need technology equally theyre sitting mountains mountains shale gas havent even started touch yet hard extract oils requires lot technologies called western technologies need access flow rates way world works one big interdependent world access technology critical energy industry access market want sell energy curwood therein lies critical sanction us could impose perhaps stanislaw without question also driving force goes back world war ii goods cant cross borders armies lets let goods flow armies wont cross borders curwood russian invasion ukraine escalates days months ahead might prices oil natural gas affected stanislaw well far look markets biggest factor affecting natural gas prices united states weather youre sitting boston whole northeast whole east united states europe price natural gas gone significantly fears potential disruption supplies ukrainian pipeline oil side oil really isnt issue way natural gas oil think moved maybe dollar live oil market past 30 years swing 1 percent isthats even sneeze energy markets gas oil markets used cyclical updown behavior thats part business energy markets political markets market actors used curwood joe stanislaw founder ja stanislaw group thanks much taking time today joe stanislaw steve pleasure speaking thank
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<p>‘Log Cabin Republicans is the only LGBT advocacy organization that is committed to working with Donald Trump,’ said Log Cabin’s Gregory Angelo. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>In another sign of how the political landscape has changed in Washington, the gay GOP group Log Cabin Republicans appears to have emerged as the lead LGBT organization expected to have access to the administration of President Donald Trump.</p>
<p>&#160;With most of the longstanding national LGBT advocacy groups, including the Human Rights Campaign, strongly supporting or tilting toward Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in the November election, many political observers expect them to have little if any access to the Trump White House and federal agencies that oversee LGBT-related issues.</p>
<p>Log Cabin President Gregory Angelo points to an email message from HRC to its supporters shortly before the Trump inauguration calling on the LGBT community to “defy” Trump.</p>
<p>The HRC message said the group had created a new “defy” logo and encouraged supporters to “resist” action by Trump that would harm LGBT people or roll back LGBT supportive policies put in place by President Barack Obama.</p>
<p>“While I can be sympathetic to any efforts to oppose the rollback of LGBT protections – and I don’t anticipate that in a Trump administration – an organization as prominent as the Human Rights Campaign that is committed to defying anti-LGBT actions should also be committed to praising pro-LGBT action, which I fully anticipate the Trump administration to take on short order,” Angelo said.</p>
<p>“But I’m seeing no such promises from the Human Rights Campaign or any other LGBT advocacy organization on the gay left,” he said.</p>
<p>“I would just add that Log Cabin Republicans is the only LGBT advocacy organization that is committed to working with Donald Trump that has been invited to advise the president on LGBT issues and that has had an ongoing dialogue with his transition team and the incoming administration,” Angelo told the Washington Blade.</p>
<p>Log Cabin officials said the Trump administration’s overtures to Log Cabin during the transition period were backed up on Jan. 21 when a high-level transition team official, David Blair, and two Republican U.S. House members who served as Trump campaign officials attended a Log Cabin Inaugural ‘T’ Party held at the Capitol Hill Club, which is part of the Republican National Committee headquarters.</p>
<p>Angelo told the more than 150 LGBT Republicans attending the Log Cabin event that he expected Log Cabin to play an important role in advising the Trump administration on LGBT issues from a conservative Republican perspective in 2017, as the group celebrates its 40th anniversary.</p>
<p>He noted that Log Cabin, at the invitation of the transition team, submitted a white paper calling on Trump to retain an executive order issued by Obama banning discrimination against LGBT employees of federal contractors.</p>
<p>Earlier this week, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told Washington Blade White House correspondent Chris Johnson, that he wasn’t sure of Trump’s position on the executive order and would seek to find out where the new administration stands on that order.</p>
<p>“Beyond that we are going to be working toward federal LGBT non-discrimination legislation that includes responsible protections and exemptions for churches and religiously affiliated organizations,” Angelo said.</p>
<p>In a break with nearly all other LGBT advocacy groups, Angelo said Log Cabin doesn’t support the Equality Act, the latest version of a federal LGBT non-discrimination bill pending in Congress. He said the group would soon push for a different version of an LGBT non-discrimination bill that would likely gain more support among GOP lawmakers in Congress.</p>
<p>“And then there is a greater agenda we are pursuing together with the Trump administration involving making a case as LGBT conservatives for traditional conservative issues,” Angelo said, emphasizing further Log Cabin’s differences from most other LGBT advocacy groups.</p>
<p>Log Cabin would be speaking out, he said, for gun owners’ rights through “preservation of the Second Amendment, to repeal Obamacare and to replace it with a common sense conservative solution, repeal of the death tax, which is a tax that Log Cabin Republicans has fought against since time immemorial, and eradication of the threat of Islamic terrorism that poses an existential threat to the LGBT community as the Orlando terrorist event showed us.”</p>
<p>He noted that at the request of the Trump transition team earlier this month, Log Cabin wrote letters to wavering U.S. senators expressing support for Trump’s nomination of Betsy DeVos to be the Department of Education Secretary and in support of the nomination of the controversial former ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson to become Secretary of State.</p>
<p>Angelo’s remarks come at a time when a newly formed New York City-based LGBT group called Rise and Resist has called on the LGBT community to oppose the Trump administration on all issues. In a statement on its website, the group has threatened to work for the defeat of Democratic members of Congress, including Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), a longtime LGBT rights supporter, if they take any action making them “collaborators” with the Trump administration.</p>
<p>With that as a backdrop, some LGBT activists have expressed concern that national LGBT groups like HRC could face pressure to avoid having any interaction with the Trump administration, even if a situation arises where those groups could push for LGBT supportive policies.</p>
<p>JoDee Winterhof, HRC’s senior vice president for policy and political affairs, told the Blade this week that while HRC plans to speak out against any effort by the new administration to reverse existing LGBT rights protections, it has already made contact with the administration.</p>
<p>“To be clear, we’ve already started doing that,” said Winterhof. “That’s already been started.”</p>
<p>Although she didn’t say with whom within the Trump administration HRC has been in touch, she noted that HRC, the nation’s largest LGBT advocacy group, doesn’t plan to discontinue its longtime practice of lobbying for LGBT equality before both Democratic and Republican presidents.</p>
<p>“There are nominees at agencies that could impact our issues,” she said. “For us not to communicate with those folks would not be the best approach,” Winterhof said, adding, “So of course we do those sorts of things. That’s what we do.”</p>
<p>At the same time, Winterhof said, HRC isn’t naïve and knows a large number of Trump appointees, including cabinet appointees, have records hostile to LGBT rights.</p>
<p>In an apparent reference to Log Cabin, she added, “If others in the movement have information where we should all rest easy, that our protections and gains are in place and they’re solid, then that’s fabulous news. But so far we don’t have information that tells us that.”</p>
<p>The Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, which helps elect LGBT people to public office on the local, state and national levels and also lobbies for presidential appointments of LGBT people, issued a strongly worded statement on the day following the election leaving no doubt about its opposition to Trump.</p>
<p>“Today I am heartbroken that racist, xenophobic, sexist and transphobic demagoguery won last night’s presidential election,” said Aisha Moodie-Mills, the Victory Fund’s president and CEO.</p>
<p>“The devastating results hit the LGBT community particularly hard because we are unique in spanning all the demographic groups targeted by the president-elect throughout his campaign,” she said.</p>
<p>‘If President Trump appoints an LGBT person supportive of the entire community, that is welcome,’ said a skeptical Aisha Moodie-Mills, the Victory Fund’s president and CEO. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>In a separate statement to the Blade this week, Moodie-Mills said Victory Fund and its affiliated group, the Victory Institute, would continue to push hard for LGBT rights advances through the large number of openly LGBT elected officials it regularly works with. But she said she was doubtful that the Victory Institute’s Presidential Appointments Initiative would continue in a meaningful way during the Trump administration.</p>
<p>The Presidential Appointments Initiative “exists to advance equality for the entire LGBT community – including LGBT immigrants, women and people of color,” she said. “We will not use resources to secure LGBT appointments just for the sake of there being LGBT appointments,” she continued.</p>
<p>“If President Trump appoints an LGBT person supportive of the entire community, that is welcome,” she said. “But we are clear-eyed and realistic about the influence such an appointee may have on LGBT issues.”</p>
<p>D.C. gay public affairs and communications company executives Robert Raben, who heads the Raben Group, and Jeff Trammell, who heads Trammell &amp; Company, each said LGBT groups whenever possible should attempt to advocate for LGBT-related issues within the Trump administration.</p>
<p>“It’s the wrong question – engage or not,” Raben told the Blade. “People should engage when they need to, fight when they need to, and be somewhere in between when they need to,” he said. “It’s an enormous waste of people’s energy to fight among ourselves about whether to engage or not.”</p>
<p>Added Raben, “We have one president at a time, one government at a time. Abdicating the responsibility to get in there and fight for what you want just turns your power over to those who will, to your detriment.”</p>
<p>Trammell, who has also been a longtime Democratic Party activist, said he is skeptical about Log Cabin Republicans’ ability to sway either the Republican Party or the Trump administration on LGBT issues based on what he says has been the group’s record.</p>
<p>“My point is I will applaud any LGBT Republican and any LGBT-supportive Republican who does things on behalf of the LGBT community,” said Trammell. “But the burden is on them at this time because there has been so much talk before and very little delivery,” he said. “So if they will do it, more power to them.”</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Aisha Moodie-Mills</a> <a href="" type="internal">Barack Obama</a> <a href="" type="internal">Betsy Devos</a> <a href="" type="internal">Capitol Hill Club</a> <a href="" type="internal">Charles Schumer</a> <a href="" type="internal">Chris Johnson</a> <a href="" type="internal">David Blair</a> <a href="" type="internal">Department of Education</a> <a href="" type="internal">Donald Trump</a> <a href="" type="internal">EqualityAct</a> <a href="" type="internal">Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund</a> <a href="" type="internal">Hillary Clinton</a> <a href="" type="internal">HRC</a> <a href="" type="internal">Human Rights Campaign</a> <a href="" type="internal">Jeff Trammell</a> <a href="" type="internal">JoDee Winterhof</a> <a href="" type="internal">LGBT</a> <a href="" type="internal">Log Cabin Republicans</a> <a href="" type="internal">New York City</a> <a href="" type="internal">Raben Group</a> <a href="" type="internal">Republican National Committee</a> <a href="" type="internal">Republican Party</a> <a href="" type="internal">Rex Tillerson</a> <a href="" type="internal">Rise &amp; Resist</a> <a href="" type="internal">Rise and Resist</a> <a href="" type="internal">Robert Raben</a> <a href="" type="internal">Sean Spicer</a> <a href="" type="internal">Trammell &amp; Company</a> <a href="" type="internal">Victory Fund</a> <a href="" type="internal">Victory Institute</a></p>
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log cabin republicans lgbt advocacy organization committed working donald trump said log cabins gregory angelo washington blade file photo michael key another sign political landscape changed washington gay gop group log cabin republicans appears emerged lead lgbt organization expected access administration president donald trump 160with longstanding national lgbt advocacy groups including human rights campaign strongly supporting tilting toward democratic presidential candidate hillary clinton november election many political observers expect little access trump white house federal agencies oversee lgbtrelated issues log cabin president gregory angelo points email message hrc supporters shortly trump inauguration calling lgbt community defy trump hrc message said group created new defy logo encouraged supporters resist action trump would harm lgbt people roll back lgbt supportive policies put place president barack obama sympathetic efforts oppose rollback lgbt protections dont anticipate trump administration organization prominent human rights campaign committed defying antilgbt actions also committed praising prolgbt action fully anticipate trump administration take short order angelo said im seeing promises human rights campaign lgbt advocacy organization gay left said would add log cabin republicans lgbt advocacy organization committed working donald trump invited advise president lgbt issues ongoing dialogue transition team incoming administration angelo told washington blade log cabin officials said trump administrations overtures log cabin transition period backed jan 21 highlevel transition team official david blair two republican us house members served trump campaign officials attended log cabin inaugural party held capitol hill club part republican national committee headquarters angelo told 150 lgbt republicans attending log cabin event expected log cabin play important role advising trump administration lgbt issues conservative republican perspective 2017 group celebrates 40th anniversary noted log cabin invitation transition team submitted white paper calling trump retain executive order issued obama banning discrimination lgbt employees federal contractors earlier week white house press secretary sean spicer told washington blade white house correspondent chris johnson wasnt sure trumps position executive order would seek find new administration stands order beyond going working toward federal lgbt nondiscrimination legislation includes responsible protections exemptions churches religiously affiliated organizations angelo said break nearly lgbt advocacy groups angelo said log cabin doesnt support equality act latest version federal lgbt nondiscrimination bill pending congress said group would soon push different version lgbt nondiscrimination bill would likely gain support among gop lawmakers congress greater agenda pursuing together trump administration involving making case lgbt conservatives traditional conservative issues angelo said emphasizing log cabins differences lgbt advocacy groups log cabin would speaking said gun owners rights preservation second amendment repeal obamacare replace common sense conservative solution repeal death tax tax log cabin republicans fought since time immemorial eradication threat islamic terrorism poses existential threat lgbt community orlando terrorist event showed us noted request trump transition team earlier month log cabin wrote letters wavering us senators expressing support trumps nomination betsy devos department education secretary support nomination controversial former exxonmobil ceo rex tillerson become secretary state angelos remarks come time newly formed new york citybased lgbt group called rise resist called lgbt community oppose trump administration issues statement website group threatened work defeat democratic members congress including senate minority leader charles schumer dny longtime lgbt rights supporter take action making collaborators trump administration backdrop lgbt activists expressed concern national lgbt groups like hrc could face pressure avoid interaction trump administration even situation arises groups could push lgbt supportive policies jodee winterhof hrcs senior vice president policy political affairs told blade week hrc plans speak effort new administration reverse existing lgbt rights protections already made contact administration clear weve already started said winterhof thats already started although didnt say within trump administration hrc touch noted hrc nations largest lgbt advocacy group doesnt plan discontinue longtime practice lobbying lgbt equality democratic republican presidents nominees agencies could impact issues said us communicate folks would best approach winterhof said adding course sorts things thats time winterhof said hrc isnt naïve knows large number trump appointees including cabinet appointees records hostile lgbt rights apparent reference log cabin added others movement information rest easy protections gains place theyre solid thats fabulous news far dont information tells us gay lesbian victory fund helps elect lgbt people public office local state national levels also lobbies presidential appointments lgbt people issued strongly worded statement day following election leaving doubt opposition trump today heartbroken racist xenophobic sexist transphobic demagoguery last nights presidential election said aisha moodiemills victory funds president ceo devastating results hit lgbt community particularly hard unique spanning demographic groups targeted presidentelect throughout campaign said president trump appoints lgbt person supportive entire community welcome said skeptical aisha moodiemills victory funds president ceo washington blade photo michael key separate statement blade week moodiemills said victory fund affiliated group victory institute would continue push hard lgbt rights advances large number openly lgbt elected officials regularly works said doubtful victory institutes presidential appointments initiative would continue meaningful way trump administration presidential appointments initiative exists advance equality entire lgbt community including lgbt immigrants women people color said use resources secure lgbt appointments sake lgbt appointments continued president trump appoints lgbt person supportive entire community welcome said cleareyed realistic influence appointee may lgbt issues dc gay public affairs communications company executives robert raben heads raben group jeff trammell heads trammell amp company said lgbt groups whenever possible attempt advocate lgbtrelated issues within trump administration wrong question engage raben told blade people engage need fight need somewhere need said enormous waste peoples energy fight among whether engage added raben one president time one government time abdicating responsibility get fight want turns power detriment trammell also longtime democratic party activist said skeptical log cabin republicans ability sway either republican party trump administration lgbt issues based says groups record point applaud lgbt republican lgbtsupportive republican things behalf lgbt community said trammell burden time much talk little delivery said power aisha moodiemills barack obama betsy devos capitol hill club charles schumer chris johnson david blair department education donald trump equalityact gay lesbian victory fund hillary clinton hrc human rights campaign jeff trammell jodee winterhof lgbt log cabin republicans new york city raben group republican national committee republican party rex tillerson rise amp resist rise resist robert raben sean spicer trammell amp company victory fund victory institute
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<p>Earlier this month, during protests marking the one-year anniversary of the killing of Michael Brown, the Oath Keepers reappeared in Ferguson, Missouri. The group was&#160;present during the protests&#160; <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/30/us/on-rooftops-of-ferguson-volunteers-with-guns.html" type="external">last fall</a>, when armed members of the militia group stood guard atop neighborhood apartments and businesses. These newly deployed Oath Keepers mingled with demonstrators and videotaped the&#160;occasional&#160; <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BP_HgKWrTYU" type="external">tense encounter</a> with law enforcement officers, including St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar.</p>
<p>A few days after the Oath Keepers’ arrival, on August 14, the group’s leader, Sam Andrews, <a href="http://www.reddirtreport.com/red-dirt-news/oath-keepers-plan-unique-demonstration-assault-rifles-ferguson" type="external">announced</a> that he and his followers would be back again soon — bringing along 50 African-American protestors openly carrying long guns. “It will be an iconic event,” <a href="http://www.reddirtreport.com/red-dirt-news/oath-keepers-plan-unique-demonstration-assault-rifles-ferguson" type="external">Andrews told</a> Oklahoma’s Red Dirt Report, likening it to Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 1963 March on Washington.</p>
<p>No date has been set for the march. The Ferguson police say they have no information on the Oath Keepers’ plans beyond what has already appeared in media reports and have not heard from Andrews and the Oath Keepers directly; a spokesperson declined to comment further.&#160;But speaking with The Trace last week, Andrews elaborated on his vision and gave his perspective on the events in the Missouri city&#160;over the past year.</p>
<p>The Oath Keepers group&#160;describes itself&#160;as a loosely affiliated paramilitary group comprised mostly of former and current members of the military, law enforcement, and emergency responders. All swear a self-described “nonpartisan” <a href="http://oathkeepers.org/declaration-of-orders-we-will-not-obey/" type="external">oath</a> to disregard orders that they deem to be unconstitutional, especially those that infringe on the right to bear arms. In recent years, Oath Keepers have stood off with Federal Bureau of Land Management personnel during the <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/2014/05/02/militiamen-fight-over-cliven-bundys-ranch-far-over-248354.html" type="external">Cliven Bundy affair</a> and a dispute over a <a href="http://talkingpointsmemo.com/muckraker/blm-sugar-pine-mine-stand-down" type="external">gold mine</a> in Medford, Oregon. Following this summer’s Chattanooga shootings, founder Stewart Rhodes announced “Operation Protect the Protectors,” which led to members taking up guard posts outside military recruiting stations from <a href="http://www.ksfy.com/home/headlines/Oath-Keepers-Among-Those-Stand-Guard-in-Sioux-Falls-318356381.html" type="external">South Dakota</a> to <a href="http://www.wyff4.com/news/oath-keepers-guard-upstate-military-recruitment-centers/34301348" type="external">South Carolina</a>. After the Army warned its personnel to treat any open carriers at its sites as a “security threat,” Rhodes <a href="http://oathkeepers.org/oktester/critical-update-and-clarification-on-operation-protect-the-protectors-from-stewart-rhodes/" type="external">doubled down</a>, telling Oath Keepers to only withdraw from sites when personally told to do so by local recruiters. “We don’t stop protecting the protectors,” Rhodes wrote, “just because sellouts in the Pentagon are acting as puppets for Obama.”</p>
<p>The Oath Keepers have been <a href="https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/intelligence-report/2009/evidence-grows-far-right-militia-resurgence" type="external">labeled</a> as an antigovernment militia by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Because the SLPC tracks both hate groups and extremists of other orientations, some have taken its <a href="https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2013/07/25/oath-keepers-rally-reveals-radical-politics-group" type="external">monitoring</a> of the Oath Keepers as evidence of the group’s racist motivations. Sam Andrews vehemently rejects that characterization. “We have people of all races in our organization,” he told The Trace. “If you make you racist comments, even on the Internet, joking, you can’t be an Oath Keeper. You’ve got to be willing to stand up for the rights of all people, and if you can’t do that, we don’t want you associated with us.”</p>
<p>Andrews is in his late 50s&#160;and describes himself as “a graduate mechanical engineer who has worked as a Department of Defense contractor.” He says he and his “security team” headed to Ferguson on August 10 to provide protection for two reporters from Info Wars, a libertarian and conspiracy-minded news site. (According to Andrews, members of his group have done security work for journalists from mainstream outlets, as well.) One of those reporters, Joe Biggs, is white; the other, Jakari Jackson, is black. According to Andrews, when he picked up Biggs and Jackson from their hotel, he asked each of them if they were carrying weapons. Per Andrews, Biggs replied, “I got armored plates; I got a pistol; I’ve got my concealed permit with me; I’m good to go.” Despite having his own carry license, Jackson was armed only with “a can of bear spray,” telling Andrews, “There’s no way I’m carrying a gun in Ferguson.” Andrews claims that during his time on the ground, he spoke with “over 200” black protestors, all of whom were afraid to carry weapons as the Oath Keepers do.</p>
<p>While on the ground in Ferguson that week, Andrews and his crew also had a street-corner conversation with St. Louis County&#160;Police Chief Jon Belmar. To Andrews, it seemed like Belmar misunderstood Missouri’s open-carry laws, and would arrest the Oath Keepers if he felt they were inciting demonstrators. “I’m driving away from Ferguson at five&#160;in the morning thinking, ‘Man, we’ve got a real problem,’” Andrews says.</p>
<p>The solution, to Andrews, is his planned march. Andrews says that his open-carrying protestors will come from within the Ferguson community, and have gun permits that, per Missouri law, will have to be certified by the Ferguson police. “All of our black protestors are going to have permits, signed by Chief Belmar! How’s he going to arrest them if he’s the one who signed their permits and is supposed to protect them?” Oath Keeper lawyers will “make sure their applications are handled fairly by the county,” while black Oath Keepers will train the black activists to handle long guns in the context of a “nonthreatening, peaceful protest.” The ultimate vision is of a phalanx of gun-toting “Ferguson residents, and marching side-by-side with them will be Oath Keepers from around the country.”</p>
<p>Andrews acknowledges that this image may be a “difficult sell” within the black community. “We’ve had people go, ‘Those long guns, they’re unnecessary.’ We’ve had people go, ‘What’re you doing, white man, in my neighborhood?’ We’ve had folks calling us KKK,” he says. “But when we’ve sat down and talked with them, and given them respect, and told them we respect their right to protest, and told them we loved them, their whole attitude changes. The vast majority of people have changed their minds and accepted us.” He argues that he can win over skeptics with a dual appeal to personal safety and posterity. “It’s important that young black children see you on TV exercising your rights in public, that they see you doing this, and that they see that the police can’t shoot you.”</p>
<p>While Andrews spoke at length about his goals for the march, he was cagey about the details. He said his group is weighing three possible dates, and needs to take time to ensure that everything is done in a way that is “lawful and structured.” He added that he and his members have been trying to coordinate with activists involved with Black Lives Matter and the New Black Panthers, though declined to give specifics about those talks (“we’re not revealing to any reporters who we’re working with, because we don’t want this sabotaged by the powers that be”), and attempts to reach Black Lives Matter and the New Black Panthers for comment were unsuccessful.&#160;What he’s hoping to put together, Andrews insists, would be no mere publicity stunt. If the march does go forward, he says it will be simultaneously pro-nonviolence, pro-law, and anti-police-brutality, with the overarching message of “Peace Through Strength.”</p>
<p>In the end, from Andrews’s perspective, the authorities have imposed a false choice on Ferguson and its protestors: Either accept crime and violence in the community, or “accept our hypermilitarized police force watching your every move.” But there is “a third option,” he contends. “And that’s black people educating themselves on the laws, lawful black people arming themselves and securing their own city. And that works everywhere.”</p>
<p>“It’s one thing to scream F— the police and throw bricks,” Andrews says. “It’s another thing to stand in the street with an AR-15, pointed in a safe direction, and look at the police, and say, ‘We’re not going to take it anymore, this is going to stop, and it’s going to stop now.’ That’s an entirely different message, and it begs a whole different response.”</p>
<p>[Photo: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHteEBDj2tQ" type="external">Ruptly TV&#160;via&#160;You Tube</a>]</p>
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earlier month protests marking oneyear anniversary killing michael brown oath keepers reappeared ferguson missouri group was160present protests160 last fall armed members militia group stood guard atop neighborhood apartments businesses newly deployed oath keepers mingled demonstrators videotaped the160occasional160 tense encounter law enforcement officers including st louis county police chief jon belmar days oath keepers arrival august 14 groups leader sam andrews announced followers would back soon bringing along 50 africanamerican protestors openly carrying long guns iconic event andrews told oklahomas red dirt report likening martin luther king jrs 1963 march washington date set march ferguson police say information oath keepers plans beyond already appeared media reports heard andrews oath keepers directly spokesperson declined comment further160but speaking trace last week andrews elaborated vision gave perspective events missouri city160over past year oath keepers group160describes itself160as loosely affiliated paramilitary group comprised mostly former current members military law enforcement emergency responders swear selfdescribed nonpartisan oath disregard orders deem unconstitutional especially infringe right bear arms recent years oath keepers stood federal bureau land management personnel cliven bundy affair dispute gold mine medford oregon following summers chattanooga shootings founder stewart rhodes announced operation protect protectors led members taking guard posts outside military recruiting stations south dakota south carolina army warned personnel treat open carriers sites security threat rhodes doubled telling oath keepers withdraw sites personally told local recruiters dont stop protecting protectors rhodes wrote sellouts pentagon acting puppets obama oath keepers labeled antigovernment militia southern poverty law center slpc tracks hate groups extremists orientations taken monitoring oath keepers evidence groups racist motivations sam andrews vehemently rejects characterization people races organization told trace make racist comments even internet joking cant oath keeper youve got willing stand rights people cant dont want associated us andrews late 50s160and describes graduate mechanical engineer worked department defense contractor says security team headed ferguson august 10 provide protection two reporters info wars libertarian conspiracyminded news site according andrews members group done security work journalists mainstream outlets well one reporters joe biggs white jakari jackson black according andrews picked biggs jackson hotel asked carrying weapons per andrews biggs replied got armored plates got pistol ive got concealed permit im good go despite carry license jackson armed bear spray telling andrews theres way im carrying gun ferguson andrews claims time ground spoke 200 black protestors afraid carry weapons oath keepers ground ferguson week andrews crew also streetcorner conversation st louis county160police chief jon belmar andrews seemed like belmar misunderstood missouris opencarry laws would arrest oath keepers felt inciting demonstrators im driving away ferguson five160in morning thinking man weve got real problem andrews says solution andrews planned march andrews says opencarrying protestors come within ferguson community gun permits per missouri law certified ferguson police black protestors going permits signed chief belmar hows going arrest hes one signed permits supposed protect oath keeper lawyers make sure applications handled fairly county black oath keepers train black activists handle long guns context nonthreatening peaceful protest ultimate vision phalanx guntoting ferguson residents marching sidebyside oath keepers around country andrews acknowledges image may difficult sell within black community weve people go long guns theyre unnecessary weve people go whatre white man neighborhood weve folks calling us kkk says weve sat talked given respect told respect right protest told loved whole attitude changes vast majority people changed minds accepted us argues win skeptics dual appeal personal safety posterity important young black children see tv exercising rights public see see police cant shoot andrews spoke length goals march cagey details said group weighing three possible dates needs take time ensure everything done way lawful structured added members trying coordinate activists involved black lives matter new black panthers though declined give specifics talks revealing reporters working dont want sabotaged powers attempts reach black lives matter new black panthers comment unsuccessful160what hes hoping put together andrews insists would mere publicity stunt march go forward says simultaneously prononviolence prolaw antipolicebrutality overarching message peace strength end andrewss perspective authorities imposed false choice ferguson protestors either accept crime violence community accept hypermilitarized police force watching every move third option contends thats black people educating laws lawful black people arming securing city works everywhere one thing scream f police throw bricks andrews says another thing stand street ar15 pointed safe direction look police say going take anymore going stop going stop thats entirely different message begs whole different response photo ruptly tv160via160you tube
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<p>To see Bartolo now — happy, healthy, slurping a Go-Gurt in an English language class — you’d never know what he’s been through since he left his town of San Mateo Ixtatán in northern Guatemala four years ago.</p>
<p>He grew up working in the fields alongside his father, occasionally selling items in the market to help support his parents and siblings. But weeks after turning 16, he set out to the US, joining tens of thousands of other undocumented, unaccompanied minors fleeing poverty and violence in Central America.</p>
<p>"I wanted to come here. There, there isn't money, I couldn't get money. That's why I came here," Bartolo says. Because he is worried about backlash and he is a teenager, we are only using his first name.</p>
<p>He was a child when he crossed the border in Texas in late 2013. He'd been traveling for months.</p>
<p>"I passed through the desert. I wanted to come here. But yes, there are people who say people die in the desert or they get caught. So, yeah, then I got scared," he says.</p>
<p>Because he was a minor and from Central America, US Customs and Border Protection agents&#160;didn't turn him away when he reached the border. Rather, immigration officials first sent him to a detention facility in Florida.</p>
<p>What happened next is a controversial practice that has been in place for years. After a few weeks, the US government placed him with a cousin who agreed to be Bartolo's sponsor, to take care of him for an undetermined amount of time. In the meantime, the government began the process of sending him back to Guatemala.</p>
<p>Also named Bartolo, his cousin was in his 20s and lived in a suburb outside of Pittsburgh. He, too, was undocumented.</p>
<p>Read more: <a href="" type="internal">Are the unaccompanied children crossing into the US refugees or migrants?</a></p>
<p>From October 2016 through last March, almost 35,000 unaccompanied children were released to sponsors, <a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/programs/ucs/state-by-state-uc-placed-sponsors" type="external">according to the Office of Refugee Resettlement</a>. The year before that, more than 50,000 children were released to sponsors.</p>
<p>Critics say that this policy of placing kids with sponsors encourages children to take the perilous journey north to the US. Others argue that there isn't enough scrutiny of sponsors, that the US government could be placing children like Bartolo in dangerous living conditions.</p>
<p>Older Bartolo had been in the US for a decade. He worked at a restaurant, sent money home and periodically returned to their hometown and then illegally came back to the US to work again. Younger Bartolo moved in with his cousin to do the same. They lived in a house managed by the owners of the restaurant.</p>
<p>Joyce Gallagher Ramirez, the immigration lawyer who ultimately represented the younger Bartolo, has seen many of these kinds of setups — kids, houses, restaurants — over the past two decades.</p>
<p>"The owners or managers of the restaurant will rent an apartment, and there is usually quite a few people living together in the house," she says.</p>
<p>In this case, it was about a dozen men. Bartolo says it wasn't that bad to join his cousin. But others who saw the house say it was kind of rough.</p>
<p />
<p>Barotolo’s hometown of San Mateo Ixtatán in northern Guatemala is home to protected archaeological sites built by ancestors of the Chuj people. People there make less than $30 per week, says Bartolo. When he came to the US, he was able to work and send $100 home to his family each month.</p>
<p>Simon Burchell/CC BY-SA 4.0 (Image cropped)</p>
<p>Grace Muller worked with Casa San Jose, an organization that helps mostly Spanish-speaking immigrants in Pittsburgh. She visited the house where Bartolo was staying. Some men, she says, slept on lawn chairs and others on camping cots. The cousins lived in the unfinished basement.</p>
<p>“In Bartolo and Bartolo’s room, it was just kind of — a mattress. I don't know if there were even sheets on it," she remembers. But "that was a lot more money than they were making in Guatemala and they could eat whatever Chinese food they could get left over at the Chinese restaurant, so for them, they thought it was a pretty good deal.”</p>
<p>Young Bartolo made his way making less than minimum wage — what he made varied from week to week and he took whatever the restaurant gave him. He worked 12 hour days, six days a week. Once a week, he sent $100 to his family. In Guatemala, that money went far. He says in his hometown, most workers made the equivalent of about $28 dollars a week.</p>
<p>"People need the jobs, and the employers need the employees. It’s not a good situation for either side, but that's how it’s been for years," says Gallagher-Ramirez, the immigration attorney.</p>
<p>Since Bartolo arrived, the numbers of children crossing the border alone have increased. Just over 38,000 came in 2013, and nearly 60,000 arrived in 2016, <a href="https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/southwest-border-unaccompanied-children/fy-2016" type="external">according to US Customs and Border Protection</a>. But this is not a new phenomenon.</p>
<p>"My husband came here when he was 15 from Mexico and did the exact same thing,” says Gallagher-Ramirez. “It’s almost like a rite of passage. The boys just kind of grow up knowing or believing that at some point, it’s going to be their turn to go to the United States to work to support their families.”</p>
<p>To be clear, it’s not something every boy in Central American does. While the number of undocumented children has risen, it’s still only a small percentage of children from Mexico and Central America who have made this journey. But those who do, face significant challenges.</p>
<p>Read more: <a href="" type="internal">Why would any parent send their kids on the deadly trip to cross the Mexico-US border? Here's why.</a></p>
<p>Bartolo only spoke his native Chuj language when he first arrived in Pittsburgh in late 2013. Once he settled in, he started picking up Spanish and attending church. He connected to services via Casa San Jose, which is where he met Muller. She was working mostly with Central American teenagers who had come here on their own, many fleeing violence back home.</p>
<p>"The summer I met Bartolo, that was the biggest wave we've had,” Muller says. “And that was a wave nationwide. We had so many cases, we didn't know what to do with them.”</p>
<p>“Those kids needed everything. They came with just — no clothes. The houses they were staying in had no food. A lot of times, the people they were staying with were vaguely related to them."</p>
<p>Odds were, Bartolo was just going to work and send money home for the foreseeable future, just like his cousin and so many others had. It wasn't clear when he would hear from immigration authorities again. There was a backlog of about a year and a half of unaccompanied minors’ cases.&#160;</p>
<p>And then one morning, about a year after Bartolo first arrived in the US, Muller got a text message.</p>
<p>"Younger Bartolo had some sort of growth or bubble on his back," Muller says. "And I was like, ‘Listen, I'm not there and I don't know anything about back bubbles or growths, and you need to see a doctor about that,’" she says.</p>
<p>It was the kind of moment an undocumented immigrant dreads: coming face-to-face with the system. If they could have, the cousins would have avoided it. They didn’t have money to pay for hospital bills. But they knew it could be a matter of life or death. So, the two Bartolos went to the hospital.</p>
<p>At the hospital, it turned out a lot was wrong. The bubbles were related to Pott's disease or spinal tuberculosis. Bartolo also had a potentially fatal heart murmur. And he needed glasses. At 5-foot-3, he weighed 90 pounds. Hospital staff wrote in his records that he was possibly malnourished.</p>
<p>But getting treated was tricky — he was a minor and even though the US government had placed him with his cousin when he entered the country, his cousin wasn't actually his legal custodian. No one was.</p>
<p>"So here he was, a kid who is 16, and he can't sign the papers, he can't make informed decisions about his own health care. But no one else could either," says Muller. "No one seemed to know what to do to handle a kid who doesn't have health insurance, doesn't speak English and needed a lot of follow-up care."</p>
<p>It was a case for the courts. Specifically, for Eleanor Bush, a judge of the Allegheny County Court of Family Pleas. Bush isn't an immigration judge, but she ends up handling juvenile migrant cases because there isn't anywhere else for unaccompanied minors to go. Judges like her can rule on custody issues, and they can make recommendations to the federal government. In this case, she recommended Bartolo try to stay in the US legally by applying for Special Immigrant Juveniles status.</p>
<p>"That category, Special Immigrant Juveniles, applies to children who have been abused, neglected or abandoned by one or both parents, and that abuse could have happened in the country that the child came from, or it could be something that happened here," Bush says.</p>
<p>Nearly 9,000 children were approved for this status in 2015 — but the backlog is so extensive that <a href="https://bipartisanpolicy.org/blog/central-american-children-backlog-special-immigrant-juvenile-status/" type="external">the State Department said last year</a> that it may be months or years before all of those approved receive green cards or legal permanent resident status.</p>
<p>Based on a judge’s findings, any child for whom it’s not in their best interest to return home can qualify for SIJ status. Violence, if perpetrated by parents or encouraged by parents, can qualify a child — but this is determined by judges. And something specific like illness that hasn’t been attended to or detected can be considered neglect.</p>
<p>Bartolo had never seen a doctor before arriving in the US. That was normal back home, where the closest doctor was five hours away. But here, that could be considered neglect.</p>
<p>"I am a state court judge in the state of Pennsylvania, so I need to apply Pennsylvania law to the situations that I see," Bush says.</p>
<p>But because he was a minor, Bartolo's parents still needed to be involved. Which meant overcoming a language barrier. Even with a translator, there aren't words in the dialect of Chuj Bartolo’s parents speak&#160;that translate to the words they were hearing from Judge Bush.&#160;</p>
<p>But they got through the conversations. In the end, the court placed him in an orphanage. As a ward of a state, he was entitled to medical care. And immigration authorities approved his SIJ status, which meant he could apply for a green card.</p>
<p>"He's probably the only case that I can recall with the unaccompanied minor cases that's really turning on a medical problem, a medical issue," says Gallagher-Ramirez, who represented him. "And, for sure, if his situation hadn't been detected and treated, and he had been sent back to Guatemala, he would have died. There's just no two ways about that."</p>
<p>The people who know him all say the same thing: His illness ended up being kind of lucky. He underwent treatment for the Pott’s disease and still gets follow-up care. Doctors still monitor his heart. He gained weight. And he got glasses. His special immigration status got him a work permit, a social security number and permission to stay in the US.</p>
<p />
<p>Bartolo met Grace Muller while he was working at a Chinese restaurant and living in a home with about a dozen men. His plan was to work and send money home until he was sent back to Guatemala. He was 16 years old when he arrived in the US by himself in 2013. Four years later, he has become close with Muller, who worked as a service coordinator at Casa San Jose in Pittsburgh, and they often share meals.</p>
<p>Erika Beras/PRI</p>
<p>That was two years ago. Bartolo still spends time with Muller, whose advice to go to the hospital might have saved his life.</p>
<p>"I wouldn't call it a friendship. I'm an adult woman, and this is a teenager,” Muller says. “But I care a lot about him, and I still try to spend a lot of time with him."</p>
<p>Once a month, she takes him out for breakfast. When she shows up to get him, he's ready and excited to see her and has a lot to say. At a diner, they catch up. She asks about the cousin he lived with when he first came here — the older Bartolo has since returned to Guatemala. They talk about music, telenovelas and weekend plans.</p>
<p>"Yesterday, I came home from work and I started watching Netflix, and I didn't have dinner," she tells him on a recent outing. Bartolo laughs.</p>
<p>"Yes, that happens to me too, when I like a movie," he says.</p>
<p>These days, Bartolo lives with a foster family. Once a week, his foster mother, Monica Ruiz, buys him an international calling card. He uses it to call his family back home in Guatemala. He gets updates on his siblings. Then, when he hangs up, he's back to his new reality in Pittsburgh — far in every way from the poor, rural Guatemalan town where he spent the first 15 years of his life.</p>
<p>He’s far from the dusty journey he took through Mexico to cross the border into the US. And far from the flophouse where he lived when he first came to Pittsburgh. Ruiz's house is comfortable, in a suburban part of the city where the pantry is always stuffed with food and Bartolo has everything he could possibly want.</p>
<p>"I'm used to them,” he says. “They are my family. They take care of me like a son.”</p>
<p>"Now, he's like any of my other kids,” Ruiz says. “Anything he needs, anything he wants — ‘I need this, I need that, I'm going here, I'm going there.’”</p>
<p />
<p>"Now he's like any of my other kids,” says Monica Ruiz, on the right. She is Bartolo’s foster mother and can remain so for just over a year longer, until he turns 21 years old.</p>
<p>Erika Beras/PRI</p>
<p>And that's meant some growing pains as Bartolo has relearned how to be a kid — and Ruiz has learned how to parent someone like him. A few years ago, she and her husband signed up to foster unaccompanied kids coming from Central America. The first was a 4-year-old; she was quickly reunited with her family. Then they got Bartolo. He was 17 but had been on his own for a while. His closest friends are kids just like him, who came to the US by themselves and are also living with foster families.</p>
<p>Ruiz gets it. She was born into a Latino family, and her husband came to the US alone from Mexico when he was 17. She has watched Bartolo and his friends change. When she first met them, they were more like men than boys because of what they’d been through.</p>
<p>"Right now, they have an opportunity to be teenagers and they've never been teenagers. They've had so many adult responsibilities for so long that this is an experience that they've never had, and it takes them a while to adjust to it," Ruiz says.</p>
<p>"Not having to work all day every day, getting to stay at home, play video games, go to the mall, go see a game, go swimming, go to the park,” she says. “What we take for granted.”</p>
<p />
<p>Bartolo sits in English language class at his high school in Pittsburgh in May 2016. He’s finishing his sophomore year of high school now. He’s been doing well in his classes and is on target to graduate in two years.&#160;</p>
<p>Erika Beras/PRI</p>
<p>"Here, I want to have everything — I want to buy a house, a car, all of that,” Bartolo&#160;says. “And then Guatemala — well, I'm forgetting that. But my family lives there so I still have my heart there.”</p>
<p>Read more: <a href="" type="internal">Getting an education is the latest battle for migrant children who crossed US border alone last summer</a></p>
<p>As she makes dinner, Ruiz says when he first moved in, Bartolo never asked for anything. Now, his tastes have changed.</p>
<p>"He's getting a little too big for his britches,” she says. “He's wanting really expensive things and, I mean, we're not wealthy. And I don't believe in spending $150 on a pair of shoes. I'm not that way, even if I was wealthy."</p>
<p>At the same time, like her two other children, she wants him to want those things&#160;and to do better for himself.</p>
<p>"I want him to be successful here. I don't want him just to get by. The same way I push my other kids, I push him, too. ‘OK, that's great, but what’s the next thing? How can we do more?’”</p>
<p>Bartolo has come a long way since that day he crossed the border in 2013. There’s nothing certain about this future, but it’s a lot more secure than it was in those days when he was sick, undocumented and far from home.</p>
<p>Bartolo is still waiting for his green card, which will give him legal permanent resident status in the US. He will turn 20 in July, but he can stay in the foster system until he turns 21. He’s gained weight and is still getting treatment for his health problems including the heart murmur. &#160;</p>
| false | 3 |
see bartolo happy healthy slurping gogurt english language class youd never know hes since left town san mateo ixtatán northern guatemala four years ago grew working fields alongside father occasionally selling items market help support parents siblings weeks turning 16 set us joining tens thousands undocumented unaccompanied minors fleeing poverty violence central america wanted come isnt money couldnt get money thats came bartolo says worried backlash teenager using first name child crossed border texas late 2013 hed traveling months passed desert wanted come yes people say people die desert get caught yeah got scared says minor central america us customs border protection agents160didnt turn away reached border rather immigration officials first sent detention facility florida happened next controversial practice place years weeks us government placed cousin agreed bartolos sponsor take care undetermined amount time meantime government began process sending back guatemala also named bartolo cousin 20s lived suburb outside pittsburgh undocumented read unaccompanied children crossing us refugees migrants october 2016 last march almost 35000 unaccompanied children released sponsors according office refugee resettlement year 50000 children released sponsors critics say policy placing kids sponsors encourages children take perilous journey north us others argue isnt enough scrutiny sponsors us government could placing children like bartolo dangerous living conditions older bartolo us decade worked restaurant sent money home periodically returned hometown illegally came back us work younger bartolo moved cousin lived house managed owners restaurant joyce gallagher ramirez immigration lawyer ultimately represented younger bartolo seen many kinds setups kids houses restaurants past two decades owners managers restaurant rent apartment usually quite people living together house says case dozen men bartolo says wasnt bad join cousin others saw house say kind rough barotolos hometown san mateo ixtatán northern guatemala home protected archaeological sites built ancestors chuj people people make less 30 per week says bartolo came us able work send 100 home family month simon burchellcc bysa 40 image cropped grace muller worked casa san jose organization helps mostly spanishspeaking immigrants pittsburgh visited house bartolo staying men says slept lawn chairs others camping cots cousins lived unfinished basement bartolo bartolos room kind mattress dont know even sheets remembers lot money making guatemala could eat whatever chinese food could get left chinese restaurant thought pretty good deal young bartolo made way making less minimum wage made varied week week took whatever restaurant gave worked 12 hour days six days week week sent 100 family guatemala money went far says hometown workers made equivalent 28 dollars week people need jobs employers need employees good situation either side thats years says gallagherramirez immigration attorney since bartolo arrived numbers children crossing border alone increased 38000 came 2013 nearly 60000 arrived 2016 according us customs border protection new phenomenon husband came 15 mexico exact thing says gallagherramirez almost like rite passage boys kind grow knowing believing point going turn go united states work support families clear something every boy central american number undocumented children risen still small percentage children mexico central america made journey face significant challenges read would parent send kids deadly trip cross mexicous border heres bartolo spoke native chuj language first arrived pittsburgh late 2013 settled started picking spanish attending church connected services via casa san jose met muller working mostly central american teenagers come many fleeing violence back home summer met bartolo biggest wave weve muller says wave nationwide many cases didnt know kids needed everything came clothes houses staying food lot times people staying vaguely related odds bartolo going work send money home foreseeable future like cousin many others wasnt clear would hear immigration authorities backlog year half unaccompanied minors cases160 one morning year bartolo first arrived us muller got text message younger bartolo sort growth bubble back muller says like listen im dont know anything back bubbles growths need see doctor says kind moment undocumented immigrant dreads coming facetoface system could cousins would avoided didnt money pay hospital bills knew could matter life death two bartolos went hospital hospital turned lot wrong bubbles related potts disease spinal tuberculosis bartolo also potentially fatal heart murmur needed glasses 5foot3 weighed 90 pounds hospital staff wrote records possibly malnourished getting treated tricky minor even though us government placed cousin entered country cousin wasnt actually legal custodian one kid 16 cant sign papers cant make informed decisions health care one else could either says muller one seemed know handle kid doesnt health insurance doesnt speak english needed lot followup care case courts specifically eleanor bush judge allegheny county court family pleas bush isnt immigration judge ends handling juvenile migrant cases isnt anywhere else unaccompanied minors go judges like rule custody issues make recommendations federal government case recommended bartolo try stay us legally applying special immigrant juveniles status category special immigrant juveniles applies children abused neglected abandoned one parents abuse could happened country child came could something happened bush says nearly 9000 children approved status 2015 backlog extensive state department said last year may months years approved receive green cards legal permanent resident status based judges findings child best interest return home qualify sij status violence perpetrated parents encouraged parents qualify child determined judges something specific like illness hasnt attended detected considered neglect bartolo never seen doctor arriving us normal back home closest doctor five hours away could considered neglect state court judge state pennsylvania need apply pennsylvania law situations see bush says minor bartolos parents still needed involved meant overcoming language barrier even translator arent words dialect chuj bartolos parents speak160that translate words hearing judge bush160 got conversations end court placed orphanage ward state entitled medical care immigration authorities approved sij status meant could apply green card hes probably case recall unaccompanied minor cases thats really turning medical problem medical issue says gallagherramirez represented sure situation hadnt detected treated sent back guatemala would died theres two ways people know say thing illness ended kind lucky underwent treatment potts disease still gets followup care doctors still monitor heart gained weight got glasses special immigration status got work permit social security number permission stay us bartolo met grace muller working chinese restaurant living home dozen men plan work send money home sent back guatemala 16 years old arrived us 2013 four years later become close muller worked service coordinator casa san jose pittsburgh often share meals erika beraspri two years ago bartolo still spends time muller whose advice go hospital might saved life wouldnt call friendship im adult woman teenager muller says care lot still try spend lot time month takes breakfast shows get hes ready excited see lot say diner catch asks cousin lived first came older bartolo since returned guatemala talk music telenovelas weekend plans yesterday came home work started watching netflix didnt dinner tells recent outing bartolo laughs yes happens like movie says days bartolo lives foster family week foster mother monica ruiz buys international calling card uses call family back home guatemala gets updates siblings hangs hes back new reality pittsburgh far every way poor rural guatemalan town spent first 15 years life hes far dusty journey took mexico cross border us far flophouse lived first came pittsburgh ruizs house comfortable suburban part city pantry always stuffed food bartolo everything could possibly want im used says family take care like son hes like kids ruiz says anything needs anything wants need need im going im going hes like kids says monica ruiz right bartolos foster mother remain year longer turns 21 years old erika beraspri thats meant growing pains bartolo relearned kid ruiz learned parent someone like years ago husband signed foster unaccompanied kids coming central america first 4yearold quickly reunited family got bartolo 17 closest friends kids like came us also living foster families ruiz gets born latino family husband came us alone mexico 17 watched bartolo friends change first met like men boys theyd right opportunity teenagers theyve never teenagers theyve many adult responsibilities long experience theyve never takes adjust ruiz says work day every day getting stay home play video games go mall go see game go swimming go park says take granted bartolo sits english language class high school pittsburgh may 2016 hes finishing sophomore year high school hes well classes target graduate two years160 erika beraspri want everything want buy house car bartolo160says guatemala well im forgetting family lives still heart read getting education latest battle migrant children crossed us border alone last summer makes dinner ruiz says first moved bartolo never asked anything tastes changed hes getting little big britches says hes wanting really expensive things mean wealthy dont believe spending 150 pair shoes im way even wealthy time like two children wants want things160and better want successful dont want get way push kids push ok thats great whats next thing bartolo come long way since day crossed border 2013 theres nothing certain future lot secure days sick undocumented far home bartolo still waiting green card give legal permanent resident status us turn 20 july stay foster system turns 21 hes gained weight still getting treatment health problems including heart murmur 160
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<p><a href="http://www.woundedmindsproject.com/" type="external">Columbine Wounded Minds</a></p>
<p>Columbine: Wounded Minds is a documentary project about the survivors of tragedies and what happens after the news cameras stop rolling; how they have picked up the pieces and continued living. It aims to help find long-term healing for the millions of individuals who suffer through traumatic events and are left with a lifetime of mental scarring.</p>
<p>As a survivor of the Columbine shooting of April 20, 1999, Sam Granillo’s original idea was to find a way to tell his own story; to raise awareness of and get help for the lasting effects that he and fellow Columbine survivors suffered. After digging deeper, he realized that it's a much broader worldwide issue that needs to be addressed. The project raises awareness of the importance of mental health, of active healing, and brings people together by connecting communities across the world via social medias and other interpersonal relationships. It's not just a documentary; it's a project, a movement and a journey.</p>
<p>You can watch the trailer <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&amp;v=9uJz1AlMQWo" type="external">here</a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://sites.google.com/a/westsideschools.org/westside-schools/middle-school/mgf" type="external">Westside Middle School Memorial Garden Fund</a></p>
<p>At Westside Middle School in Jonesboro, Arkansas Sam met with two teachers Debbie Spencer and Lynette Thetford. Debbie, who still teaches at the same school today, has made it her goal to preserve the memorial garden, which was created in honor of the four students and teacher who lost their lives on the playground on March 21, 1988. The memorial, which is located in the renovated playground, has weathered over the years and Debbie, along with Westside Schools has created a fund to help restore it.</p>
<p><a href="http://koshkafoundation.org/" type="external">Koshka Foundation for Safe Schools</a></p>
<p>Virginia Tech shooting survivor Kristina Anderson went on to create the Koshka Foundation, a non profit which is dedicated to improving campus safety, educating students, and building a comprehensive network of survivors. The foundation was started to ensure that the memory of April 16th, the day of the Virginia Tech shooting, is continued in a meaningful way. And it was through her work with the Koshka Foundation that Kristina first met Sam Granillo at a conference held at Columbine High School. They both bonded over their shared goal of connecting survivors of school shootings.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.hopeww.org/" type="external">HOPE Worldwide</a></p>
<p>One of Sam’s most emotional breakthroughs on his journey came at Northern Illinois University where he met with marriage and grief counselor, Joe Dubowski. Joe who lost his daughter Gayle on the Valentine’s Day shooting in 2008, went on to get a degree in counseling and write a book, “Cartwheels in the Rain: Finding Faith in the Wake of the Unthinkable.” In memory of his daughter HOPE Worldwide, an international charity, created the Gayle Dubowski Fund for Youth. The fund supports work done in orphanages run by HOPE Worldwide in Russia and the former Soviet countries, the places where Gayle was interested in traveling someday.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.iloveuguys.org" type="external">I Love U Guys</a></p>
<p>When Sam returned to Columbine High School he met up with his Principal Frank DeAngelis, who is retiring this year. Frank works with the I Love U Guys foundation, which was founded in honor of Emily Keys. On September 27, 2006 a gunman entered Platte Canyon High School and held seven girls hostages, he then shot and killed Emily. While she was held hostage, Emily sent her parents text messages, “I love you guys” and “I love u guys, k?” The “I Love u Guys” Foundation was created to restore and protect the joy of youth through educational programs and positive actions in collaboration with families, schools, communities, organizations and government entities.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.phoenix999.org/" type="external">Phoenix 999</a></p>
<p>Sam has remained close with many of his friends from high school, and when he returned to Columbine at the end of his 10-day journey he invited some of them to meet him at the school. Joining him were Zachary Cartaya and Stephen Huock- founders of a non-profit organization, Phoenix 999. Their organization is dedicated to supporting victims of mass violence and those who suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Phoenix 999 was created in the wake of the Aurora, Colorado Theater shooting, as an effort to provide financial and educational resources to victims of violence and violent crime. Their mission is to provide financial and educational resources to victims of and victims’ families affected by mass tragedy and violence.</p>
<p><a href="" type="external">The Rebels Project</a></p>
<p>Heather Egland, another one of Sam's former classmates who joined him at Columbine, was also pushed into action in the wake of the shootings in Aurora, Colorado. The day after the 2012 shootings at the movie theater, Heather's classmate Jennifer Hammer sent her a text, "What do you think about starting a group of shooting survivors that can be available for victims?" to which Heather quickly responded, "I'm in." From there The Rebels Project was born, their main goal from that day forward was to reach out to the Aurora community to let them know they were not alone, and today their message continues to be: You Are Not Alone. The Rebels Project, provides information and support for those seeking help, advice, and above support from people who have gone through a similar event. Both Heather and Jennifer spoke to <a href="" type="internal">NBC News.com</a> about their long path to healing and the creation of their support group.</p>
<p><a href="http://%20www.crystalwoodmanmiller.com" type="external">Crystal Woodman Miller</a></p>
<p>Also joining Sam was another classmate and Columbine survivor, Crystal Woodman Miller. Crystal has gone on to write a book, “Marked For Life: Choosing Hope and Discovering Purpose After Earth-Shattering Tragedy.” She’s also an international speaker on the issues of faith and hope in the midst of suffering, choosing to speak out and share her story in an effort to prevent school violence and help those, who unfortunately have already been impacted by it.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.rachelschallenge.org/" type="external">Rachel’s Challenge</a></p>
<p>Sam lost several of his close friends at Columbine including one of his best friends Rachel Scott. Rachel who was eating lunch outside on the day of the shooting was the first victim of the shooting. After her death her family went on to create a nonprofit organization in her honor. Rachel’s Challenge is a series of student empowering, educator motivating programs and strategies that equip students and adult to create and sustain safe, caring and supportive learning environments essential for academic achievement. The programs are based on the writings and life of Rachel, who left a legacy of reaching out to those who were different, who were picked on by others, or who were new at her school. Members of her family, including her brother Craig Scott, who was also at Columbine on the day of the shootings, give the Rachel’s’ Challenge Presentations in schools and communities across the country.</p>
<p><a href="http://sandyhookcolumbine.org/" type="external">A Sandy Hook-Columbine Cooperative</a></p>
<p>Following Sam’s journey he has since reached out to other school shooting survivors in the Denver area, including parents of a Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting survivor, Dave and Carly Posey. The Poseys, whose children where at school on the day of the 2012 shootings in Newtown, Connecticut, moved to Denver. They soon reached out to the Columbine community and created the Sandy Hook-Columbine Cooperative. An organization aimed at finding ways to help schools and communities prepare, respond, then recover from a traumatic event. They are committed to making a difference for those whose lives are forever changed by the experience of traumatic loss.</p>
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columbine wounded minds columbine wounded minds documentary project survivors tragedies happens news cameras stop rolling picked pieces continued living aims help find longterm healing millions individuals suffer traumatic events left lifetime mental scarring survivor columbine shooting april 20 1999 sam granillos original idea find way tell story raise awareness get help lasting effects fellow columbine survivors suffered digging deeper realized much broader worldwide issue needs addressed project raises awareness importance mental health active healing brings people together connecting communities across world via social medias interpersonal relationships documentary project movement journey watch trailer westside middle school memorial garden fund westside middle school jonesboro arkansas sam met two teachers debbie spencer lynette thetford debbie still teaches school today made goal preserve memorial garden created honor four students teacher lost lives playground march 21 1988 memorial located renovated playground weathered years debbie along westside schools created fund help restore koshka foundation safe schools virginia tech shooting survivor kristina anderson went create koshka foundation non profit dedicated improving campus safety educating students building comprehensive network survivors foundation started ensure memory april 16th day virginia tech shooting continued meaningful way work koshka foundation kristina first met sam granillo conference held columbine high school bonded shared goal connecting survivors school shootings hope worldwide one sams emotional breakthroughs journey came northern illinois university met marriage grief counselor joe dubowski joe lost daughter gayle valentines day shooting 2008 went get degree counseling write book cartwheels rain finding faith wake unthinkable memory daughter hope worldwide international charity created gayle dubowski fund youth fund supports work done orphanages run hope worldwide russia former soviet countries places gayle interested traveling someday love u guys sam returned columbine high school met principal frank deangelis retiring year frank works love u guys foundation founded honor emily keys september 27 2006 gunman entered platte canyon high school held seven girls hostages shot killed emily held hostage emily sent parents text messages love guys love u guys k love u guys foundation created restore protect joy youth educational programs positive actions collaboration families schools communities organizations government entities phoenix 999 sam remained close many friends high school returned columbine end 10day journey invited meet school joining zachary cartaya stephen huock founders nonprofit organization phoenix 999 organization dedicated supporting victims mass violence suffer posttraumatic stress disorder phoenix 999 created wake aurora colorado theater shooting effort provide financial educational resources victims violence violent crime mission provide financial educational resources victims victims families affected mass tragedy violence rebels project heather egland another one sams former classmates joined columbine also pushed action wake shootings aurora colorado day 2012 shootings movie theater heathers classmate jennifer hammer sent text think starting group shooting survivors available victims heather quickly responded im rebels project born main goal day forward reach aurora community let know alone today message continues alone rebels project provides information support seeking help advice support people gone similar event heather jennifer spoke nbc newscom long path healing creation support group crystal woodman miller also joining sam another classmate columbine survivor crystal woodman miller crystal gone write book marked life choosing hope discovering purpose earthshattering tragedy shes also international speaker issues faith hope midst suffering choosing speak share story effort prevent school violence help unfortunately already impacted rachels challenge sam lost several close friends columbine including one best friends rachel scott rachel eating lunch outside day shooting first victim shooting death family went create nonprofit organization honor rachels challenge series student empowering educator motivating programs strategies equip students adult create sustain safe caring supportive learning environments essential academic achievement programs based writings life rachel left legacy reaching different picked others new school members family including brother craig scott also columbine day shootings give rachels challenge presentations schools communities across country sandy hookcolumbine cooperative following sams journey since reached school shooting survivors denver area including parents sandy hook elementary school shooting survivor dave carly posey poseys whose children school day 2012 shootings newtown connecticut moved denver soon reached columbine community created sandy hookcolumbine cooperative organization aimed finding ways help schools communities prepare respond recover traumatic event committed making difference whose lives forever changed experience traumatic loss
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<p><a type="external" href="" /> <a href="#time" type="external">Timeline</a> | <a href="#else" type="external">Elsewhere</a></p>
<p>| <a href="#short" type="external">In Short</a></p>
<p><a href="#askcat" type="external">Ask Catalyst</a> | <a href="#math" type="external">Math Class</a></p>
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<p>TIMELINE <a type="external" href="" /></p>
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<p>May 4: Vote selling?</p>
<p>Parents from South Loop Elementary filed a complaint with the district’s legal department, charging that men from a local homeless shelter were paid to vote for two local school council candidates. The men were reportedly spotted with flyers for Jacques Eady and Enrique Perez, who won seats as community reps. The Chicago Tribune reports that one man asked the principal, “Where do we get our $5 for voting?” Eady says he did not pay anyone to vote for him or Perez.</p>
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<p>May 24: Lottery sale</p>
<p>The lottery never provided the financial fix for schools that was touted when it was first introduced, but Gov. Rod Blagojevich wants to rely on it again. He proposes selling or leasing the lottery to bring in $10 billion. But only $4 billion would go directly into schools, while $6 billion would be invested to bring in some $650 million per year until 2024. Critics accused the governor of side-stepping the issue of over-reliance on property taxes to pay for schools.</p>
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<p>May 25: Salary freeze</p>
<p>To save $4.5 million, about 1,360 administrators who make more than $40,000 per year will have their salaries frozen next year. The freeze won’t affect principals or assistant principals. More central office reorganization and cuts are expected. The district received an extra $100 million from the state, but is still facing a likely property tax hike and is set to borrow $75 million in reserve funds. In January, CEO Arne Duncan announced that the district faces a $328 million deficit in 2007.</p>
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<p>ELSEWHERE <a type="external" href="" /></p>
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<p>Texas: Tax swap</p>
<p>Legislators agreed on a revamp of state funding for public schools that includes a “tax swap” of higher sales taxes for lower property taxes, according to the May 16 Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Faced with a deadline set by the state’s Supreme Court, Gov. Rick Perry called lawmakers back to the capital to craft the bill, which increases taxes on tobacco, businesses and the private sales of used cars, while decreasing school district property taxes. The bill also includes a $2,000 pay increase for teachers.</p>
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<p>California: Exit exams</p>
<p>Thousands of seniors who failed the state’s controversial high school exit exam may end up graduating after a judge tossed out the test, according to the May 13 Los Angeles Times. Opponents of the exam had asked for an injunction against it, saying the test is an unfair burden on poor and minority students stuck in low-performing schools. Some 47,000 students, about one in 10 of all seniors across the state, failed the test. Students must answer slightly more than half the test questions correctly to pass, and may take the test more than once.</p>
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<p>Iowa: Performance pay</p>
<p>Higher test scores may mean higher pay for teachers in Iowa, according to the May 4 Des Moines Register. The state Senate is debating the proposed merit pay program, which would pay teachers higher salaries if their students show academic gains. The program is part of a larger bill that would also increase teacher salaries by $2,500, costing the state an additional $35 million next year and up to $105 million by 2009. The merit pay program would pilot in 10 districts.</p>
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<p>IN SHORT <a type="external" href="" /></p>
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<p>“Until CPS stops using police and the criminal justice system for discipline, the problems are just going to get worse.”</p>
<p>David Collins, 17, Schurz High. Collins was part of a small group that protested at central office on May 25, demanding a full accounting of student arrests in schools.</p>
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<p>ASK CATALYST <a type="external" href="" /></p>
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<p>I am Moroccan and consider myself African. My wife is Swedish. Our daughter appears white. What does CPS consider a minority for magnet-school admissions?</p>
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<p>An anonymous parent</p>
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<p>Parents decide what race they want to consider their child in magnet school admissions, according to Jack Harnedy, chief officer of academic enhancement. The district does not require any documentation, he adds. “We take them at their word.”</p>
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<p>CPS follows the racial and ethnic classifications set by the U.S. Department of Education: white, black (or African-American), Native American, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Hispanic.</p>
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<p>Some North Africans, including some Moroccans, are white. In your case, you could truthfully claim that your daughter is a minority only if your ancestry is from sub-Saharan Africa.</p>
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<p>E-mail your question to <a href="mailto:[email protected]" type="external">[email protected]</a></p>
<p>or send it to Ask Catalyst, 332 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 500, Chicago,</p>
<p>IL 60604.</p>
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<p>MATH CLASS <a type="external" href="" /></p>
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<p>Under the federal No Child Left Behind law, school districts are supposed to make sure that highly qualified teachers are distributed equally among low-income and wealthier schools. Yet the number of districts that report taking specific steps to meet the requirement has fallen dramatically since last year. In 2005, 53% of districts said they provided more professional development funds and 43% said they stepped up recruiting efforts to get better teachers in poorer schools, according to a recent report from the Center on Education Policy, which surveyed 417 districts about their implementation of NCLB. In 2006, those numbers dropped to 26% and 19%, respectively.</p>
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timeline elsewhere short ask catalyst math class timeline may 4 vote selling parents south loop elementary filed complaint districts legal department charging men local homeless shelter paid vote two local school council candidates men reportedly spotted flyers jacques eady enrique perez seats community reps chicago tribune reports one man asked principal get 5 voting eady says pay anyone vote perez may 24 lottery sale lottery never provided financial fix schools touted first introduced gov rod blagojevich wants rely proposes selling leasing lottery bring 10 billion 4 billion would go directly schools 6 billion would invested bring 650 million per year 2024 critics accused governor sidestepping issue overreliance property taxes pay schools may 25 salary freeze save 45 million 1360 administrators make 40000 per year salaries frozen next year freeze wont affect principals assistant principals central office reorganization cuts expected district received extra 100 million state still facing likely property tax hike set borrow 75 million reserve funds january ceo arne duncan announced district faces 328 million deficit 2007 back top elsewhere texas tax swap legislators agreed revamp state funding public schools includes tax swap higher sales taxes lower property taxes according may 16 fort worth startelegram faced deadline set states supreme court gov rick perry called lawmakers back capital craft bill increases taxes tobacco businesses private sales used cars decreasing school district property taxes bill also includes 2000 pay increase teachers california exit exams thousands seniors failed states controversial high school exit exam may end graduating judge tossed test according may 13 los angeles times opponents exam asked injunction saying test unfair burden poor minority students stuck lowperforming schools 47000 students one 10 seniors across state failed test students must answer slightly half test questions correctly pass may take test iowa performance pay higher test scores may mean higher pay teachers iowa according may 4 des moines register state senate debating proposed merit pay program would pay teachers higher salaries students show academic gains program part larger bill would also increase teacher salaries 2500 costing state additional 35 million next year 105 million 2009 merit pay program would pilot 10 districts back top short cps stops using police criminal justice system discipline problems going get worse david collins 17 schurz high collins part small group protested central office may 25 demanding full accounting student arrests schools back top ask catalyst moroccan consider african wife swedish daughter appears white cps consider minority magnetschool admissions anonymous parent parents decide race want consider child magnet school admissions according jack harnedy chief officer academic enhancement district require documentation adds take word cps follows racial ethnic classifications set us department education white black africanamerican native american asianpacific islander hispanic north africans including moroccans white case could truthfully claim daughter minority ancestry subsaharan africa email question askcatcatalystchicagoorg send ask catalyst 332 michigan ave suite 500 chicago il 60604 back top math class federal child left behind law school districts supposed make sure highly qualified teachers distributed equally among lowincome wealthier schools yet number districts report taking specific steps meet requirement fallen dramatically since last year 2005 53 districts said provided professional development funds 43 said stepped recruiting efforts get better teachers poorer schools according recent report center education policy surveyed 417 districts implementation nclb 2006 numbers dropped 26 19 respectively back top
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<p>Anthony Scaramucci is the new White House communications director. (Photo by Jdarsie11; courtesy Wikimedia Commons)</p>
<p>Marking an unusual shift for the Trump administration, the new White House communications chief has declared support for LGBT rights and professed to have donated to LGBT groups.</p>
<p>Anthony Scaramucci, a prominent New York financier, was named White House communications director on Friday, pledging during a news conference to work to reshape Trump’s image amid widespread disapproval of his administration.</p>
<p>“I think there’s been at times a disconnect between the way we see the president and how much we love the president, and the way some of you perhaps see the president,” Scaramucci said. ” … To use a Wall Street expression, there might be an albatross spread between how well we are doing and how well some of you guys think we are doing, and we’re going to work hard to close that spread.”</p>
<p>A Trump fundraiser, Scaramucci is a founder and co-managing partner of Skybridge Capital hedge fund and a former employee at Goldman Sachs. No stranger to defending Trump on cable news, Scaramucci was the host of “Wall Street Week” on the Fox Business Network and a regular contributor to Fox News.</p>
<p>It was not long ago that Scaramucci professed his support for LGBT rights and defended Trump as an LGBT rights supporter.</p>
<p>In November, Scaramucci criticized the progressive movement for instituting political correctness, which he said “the average person” rejects, but nonetheless insisted he’s a supporter of LGBT rights and has donated to the Human Rights Campaign and the American Unity PAC, a pro-LGBT Republican group.</p>
<p>“I’m also a gay rights activist,” Scaramucci said. “You can look it up. I’ve given to American Unity PAC, I’ve given to the Human Rights Campaign, I’m for marriage equality. And by the way, this’ll be the first American president in U.S. history that enters the White House with a pro-gay rights stance.”</p>
<p>Scaramucci erroneously said during the interview gay singer Elton John would perform at Trump’s inauguration. John denied that was the case. Scaramucci later admitted his error on Twitter, but also reiterated his support for LGBT rights.</p>
<p>The Blade has confirmed Scaramucci donated to the American Unity Fund, a non-profit pro-LGBT Republican organization. Scaramucci seems to have misspoken by saying he contributed to the American Unity PAC, a political action committee.</p>
<p>It’s hard to say what Scaramucci meant by Trump having a “pro-gay rights stance,” let alone being the first president to have that position following the milestone LGBT achievements of the Obama administration.</p>
<p>Since Trump has taken office, he’s rescinded guidance assuring transgender kids have access to school restrooms consistent with their gender identity, failed to issue a Pride proclamation for the month of June and made numerous anti-LGBT appointments. Nonetheless, the White House has said Trump is “respectful and supportive of LGBT rights” and would keep President Obama’s 2014 executive order against anti-LGBT workplace discrimination.</p>
<p>The announcement Scaramucci would become White House communications director preceded news White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer resigned over objections to the appointment. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, formerly deputy White House press secretary, has been promoted to Spicer’s old role after his resignation.</p>
<p>Also reportedly objecting to Spicer was White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and White House strategist Steve Bannon. It’s unclear whether Scaramucci’s positions on LGBT rights were among the views to which Spicer and other administration officials objected.</p>
<p>Scaramucci’s support for LGBT rights isn’t limited to those remarks. As an organizer of SALT, an annual political and business conference in Las Vegas for hedge fund managers, Scaramucci had invited as a speaker TV personality and transgender Republican advocate Caitlyn Jenner. A report last year in the Huffington Post on business support for LGBT rights quotes him as saying, “We don’t want to be on the wrong side of history.”</p>
<p>On Twitter, Scaramucci has also criticized North Carolina’s anti-LGBT House Bill 2, calling the measure prohibiting transgender people from using the restroom in schools and government buildings “shameful.”</p>
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<p>Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign, said in a statement to the Washington Blade he sees an opportunity for the Trump administration to reverse course in the aftermath of Scaramucci’s appointment.</p>
<p>“Anthony has been strong supporter of LGBTQ rights in the past, and we hope he is able to influence the Trump administration to abandon their attacks on all those who make up our diverse community,” Griffin said.</p>
<p>The Human Rights Campaign didn’t respond to an email inquiry to confirm whether Scaramucci was in fact a donor to the organization.</p>
<p>For a supporter of LGBT rights, Scaramucci has made unusual choices in his selection of presidential candidates to back. In 2012, Scaramucci supportedRepublican presidential nominee Mitt Romney. In the 2016 election, Scaramucci initially backed Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, then former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush before moving to Trump.</p>
<p>In a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/07/business/dealbook/salt-conference-draws-hedge-fund-stars-to-las-vegas.html" type="external">New York Times</a> report last year on the SALT conference, Scaramucci was quoted as deriding Hillary Clinton moving to the left in the Democratic primary, reportedly saying, “You can search and see the weather vane on top of her head.”</p>
<p>At the time he was supporting Romney, a 2012 profile in <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/08/30/mitt-s-man-on-wall-street.html" type="external">The Daily Beast</a> quoted him as describing himself as “socially progressive, pro-choice, and against the death penalty.”</p>
<p>Notably, Scaramucci wasn’t among the more than 300 Republicans in 2015 who jointly signed the Republican friend-of-the-court before the U.S. Supreme Court in favor of same-sex marriage.</p>
<p>Scaramucci was initially named head of the White House Office of Public Engagement at the start of the Trump administration. However, that appointment was rescinded months before Trump ultimately named him communications director.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Anthony Scaramucci</a> <a href="" type="internal">Chad Griffin</a> <a href="" type="internal">Human Rights Campaign</a> <a href="" type="internal">White House</a></p>
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anthony scaramucci new white house communications director photo jdarsie11 courtesy wikimedia commons marking unusual shift trump administration new white house communications chief declared support lgbt rights professed donated lgbt groups anthony scaramucci prominent new york financier named white house communications director friday pledging news conference work reshape trumps image amid widespread disapproval administration think theres times disconnect way see president much love president way perhaps see president scaramucci said use wall street expression might albatross spread well well guys think going work hard close spread trump fundraiser scaramucci founder comanaging partner skybridge capital hedge fund former employee goldman sachs stranger defending trump cable news scaramucci host wall street week fox business network regular contributor fox news long ago scaramucci professed support lgbt rights defended trump lgbt rights supporter november scaramucci criticized progressive movement instituting political correctness said average person rejects nonetheless insisted hes supporter lgbt rights donated human rights campaign american unity pac prolgbt republican group im also gay rights activist scaramucci said look ive given american unity pac ive given human rights campaign im marriage equality way thisll first american president us history enters white house progay rights stance scaramucci erroneously said interview gay singer elton john would perform trumps inauguration john denied case scaramucci later admitted error twitter also reiterated support lgbt rights blade confirmed scaramucci donated american unity fund nonprofit prolgbt republican organization scaramucci seems misspoken saying contributed american unity pac political action committee hard say scaramucci meant trump progay rights stance let alone first president position following milestone lgbt achievements obama administration since trump taken office hes rescinded guidance assuring transgender kids access school restrooms consistent gender identity failed issue pride proclamation month june made numerous antilgbt appointments nonetheless white house said trump respectful supportive lgbt rights would keep president obamas 2014 executive order antilgbt workplace discrimination announcement scaramucci would become white house communications director preceded news white house press secretary sean spicer resigned objections appointment sarah huckabee sanders formerly deputy white house press secretary promoted spicers old role resignation also reportedly objecting spicer white house chief staff reince priebus white house strategist steve bannon unclear whether scaramuccis positions lgbt rights among views spicer administration officials objected scaramuccis support lgbt rights isnt limited remarks organizer salt annual political business conference las vegas hedge fund managers scaramucci invited speaker tv personality transgender republican advocate caitlyn jenner report last year huffington post business support lgbt rights quotes saying dont want wrong side history twitter scaramucci also criticized north carolinas antilgbt house bill 2 calling measure prohibiting transgender people using restroom schools government buildings shameful chad griffin president human rights campaign said statement washington blade sees opportunity trump administration reverse course aftermath scaramuccis appointment anthony strong supporter lgbtq rights past hope able influence trump administration abandon attacks make diverse community griffin said human rights campaign didnt respond email inquiry confirm whether scaramucci fact donor organization supporter lgbt rights scaramucci made unusual choices selection presidential candidates back 2012 scaramucci supportedrepublican presidential nominee mitt romney 2016 election scaramucci initially backed wisconsin gov scott walker former florida gov jeb bush moving trump new york times report last year salt conference scaramucci quoted deriding hillary clinton moving left democratic primary reportedly saying search see weather vane top head time supporting romney 2012 profile daily beast quoted describing socially progressive prochoice death penalty notably scaramucci wasnt among 300 republicans 2015 jointly signed republican friendofthecourt us supreme court favor samesex marriage scaramucci initially named head white house office public engagement start trump administration however appointment rescinded months trump ultimately named communications director anthony scaramucci chad griffin human rights campaign white house
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<p>Daoism might be the only world religion that is often not thought of as a religion at all. This could have something to do with the fact that there has never been an internationally renowned Daoist leader like the Pope or the Dalai Lama. There is no all-important Daoist holy site equivalent to Mecca or Jerusalem. Nor is it possible to come up with even the roughest of estimates for how many Daoists there are around the world.</p>
<p>Daoist teachings and practices began to emerge around 2,500 years ago in China. More than once, the rulers of China tried to stamp out Daoism. The entire Daoist canon might have been lost forever, if not for the work of some intrepid scholars of the early 20th&#160;century. But across the ages, Daoism has proved to be a remarkable, adaptable survivor in its native China and around the world.</p>
<p>That goes a long way to explaining why Daoism is included as one of six religious traditions in the <a href="http://books.wwnorton.com/books/The-Norton-Anthology-of-World-Religions/" type="external">Norton Anthology of World Religions</a>, published in November. The giant two-volume tome was nearly a decade in the making. And in addition to sections on Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism, it has a broad array of translations of Daoist scriptures, commentaries and musings on the ancient religion.</p>
<p>People often think of Daoism as philosophy rather than a religion, says James Robson of Harvard University, who edited the section on Daoism for the Norton Anthology. But this is based on a long-running misconception of Daoism, he suggests.</p>
<p>Jesuit missionaries were the first westerners to travel to China in the 17th and 18th centuries and translate what they considered to be the Holy Bible of the Daoist faith. The Daode jing, or The Scripture of the Way and its Virtue, was authored by the Chinese sage and philosopher Laozi, who is also considered to be the founding father of Daoism.</p>
<p>Starting with the Jesuits, “Daoism [in the West] was just represented as a tradition that existed within this sacred book,” Robson says, as a philosophy. Western scholars have also been particularly drawn to a second book, called the Zhuangzi, or The Book of Master Zhuang, and they have tended to ignore the religious aspects of Daoism – the rituals, symbols and practices associated with the tradition, many of which are tied up with traditional Chinese folk religion.</p>
<p>This is not to take away from the impact of these Daoist ideas on western writers, thinkers and artists. Following in the footsteps of the Jesuits, for example, philosophers Immanuel Kant and Martin Heidegger were inspired by translations of the Daoist classics. As were Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Oscar Wilde.</p>
<p>Then came the counterculture icons of the late 1960s, like Timothy Leary who published “a psychedelic reading” of The Scripture of the Way and its Virtue. George Harrison put some lines from Daode jing to music and recorded Inner Light with the Beatles, singing “Without going out of my door, I can know all things on Earth.”</p>
<p>This version of Daoism with its ‘go with the flow’ ethos, James Robson says, has had tremendous appeal around the world. And it touches on a classic irony in Daoism, “which is the Daode jing itself was never meant to be written down.”</p>
<p>As the story goes, Laozi was leaving China when he was stopped by a guardian at the gates and persuaded to write down his teachings. “So, you have this irony of something that’s supposed to be inexpressible in words, but it’s become the most-translated book around the world besides the Bible.”</p>
<p>Robson says two or three new translations of the The Scripture of the Way and its Virtue are still published almost every year. But another side of Daoism has grabbed the popular attention of the western world in the last quarter century or so, he says. And it is related to the practices of martial arts, health and healing.</p>
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<p>Matthew Bell</p>
<p>“Qigong is the art of moving your life force,” says Marie Favorito, who directs the Boston Healing Tao. “Qi means energy. Gong means practice, your discipline.”</p>
<p>Taking a moment during a taijiquan —&#160;also known as tai chi —&#160;class she teaches at a local senior center, Favorito says, “What makes this so powerful is that it works. If you do it, if you practice, it works. It gives you a way of aging gracefully.”</p>
<p>“It’s not just a philosophy, it’s a practice,” she adds.</p>
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<p>Marie Favorito teaches tijiquan at a senior center.</p>
<p>Matthew Bell</p>
<p>These kinds of body cultivation practices have become more and more popular across the United States and Europe, says Robson. And this is where RZA of the Wu Tang Clan fits in.</p>
<p>The Norton Anthology includes an excerpt from RZA’s 2005 book, The Wu-Tang Manual, in which the rapper talks about meeting Shi Yan-Ming. The monk from Shaolin temple emigrated from China to the US in 1992. RZA says Shi helped him and the other members of the Wu Tang Clan learn about balance and humility in life.</p>
<p>“I think if you talk to everybody in the crew and ask them why they’re humble now, they’d say it’s because they felt the need to achieve balance. Once you have knowledge of yourself, you’ll seek balance consciously. If you don’t seek balance yourself, life will balance you,” RZA writes.</p>
<p>Robson says there was a reason to include writings from RZA and other popular culture figures in the anthology. “It’s not just to have shock value,” he says. “I think it actually helps to the tell the story of this longer arc of the appropriation of Daoism by the West.”</p>
<p>“I hope that’s not all people focus on though,” Robson adds. The bulk of the anthology, which runs at 700-plus pages, is made up of translated texts from the Daoist tradition itself, compiled in one volume for the first time.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
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daoism might world religion often thought religion could something fact never internationally renowned daoist leader like pope dalai lama allimportant daoist holy site equivalent mecca jerusalem possible come even roughest estimates many daoists around world daoist teachings practices began emerge around 2500 years ago china rulers china tried stamp daoism entire daoist canon might lost forever work intrepid scholars early 20th160century across ages daoism proved remarkable adaptable survivor native china around world goes long way explaining daoism included one six religious traditions norton anthology world religions published november giant twovolume tome nearly decade making addition sections buddhism christianity hinduism islam judaism broad array translations daoist scriptures commentaries musings ancient religion people often think daoism philosophy rather religion says james robson harvard university edited section daoism norton anthology based longrunning misconception daoism suggests jesuit missionaries first westerners travel china 17th 18th centuries translate considered holy bible daoist faith daode jing scripture way virtue authored chinese sage philosopher laozi also considered founding father daoism starting jesuits daoism west represented tradition existed within sacred book robson says philosophy western scholars also particularly drawn second book called zhuangzi book master zhuang tended ignore religious aspects daoism rituals symbols practices associated tradition many tied traditional chinese folk religion take away impact daoist ideas western writers thinkers artists following footsteps jesuits example philosophers immanuel kant martin heidegger inspired translations daoist classics henry david thoreau ralph waldo emerson oscar wilde came counterculture icons late 1960s like timothy leary published psychedelic reading scripture way virtue george harrison put lines daode jing music recorded inner light beatles singing without going door know things earth version daoism go flow ethos james robson says tremendous appeal around world touches classic irony daoism daode jing never meant written story goes laozi leaving china stopped guardian gates persuaded write teachings irony something thats supposed inexpressible words become mosttranslated book around world besides bible robson says two three new translations scripture way virtue still published almost every year another side daoism grabbed popular attention western world last quarter century says related practices martial arts health healing matthew bell qigong art moving life force says marie favorito directs boston healing tao qi means energy gong means practice discipline taking moment taijiquan 160also known tai chi 160class teaches local senior center favorito says makes powerful works practice works gives way aging gracefully philosophy practice adds marie favorito teaches tijiquan senior center matthew bell kinds body cultivation practices become popular across united states europe says robson rza wu tang clan fits norton anthology includes excerpt rzas 2005 book wutang manual rapper talks meeting shi yanming monk shaolin temple emigrated china us 1992 rza says shi helped members wu tang clan learn balance humility life think talk everybody crew ask theyre humble theyd say felt need achieve balance knowledge youll seek balance consciously dont seek balance life balance rza writes robson says reason include writings rza popular culture figures anthology shock value says think actually helps tell story longer arc appropriation daoism west hope thats people focus though robson adds bulk anthology runs 700plus pages made translated texts daoist tradition compiled one volume first time 160 160
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<p>The tense election season has spawned violence and vandalism across the country — with law enforcement and political groups fearing the pranks are growing aggressive and increasingly malicious.</p>
<p>While there isn't comprehensive nationwide data on politically motivated vandalism, officials point to the recent <a href="" type="internal">torching of a black church</a> in Greenville, Mississippi, and the <a href="" type="internal">firebombing last month</a> of GOP offices in Hillsborough, North Carolina, as alarming examples.</p>
<p>"There has been a lot of rhetoric in this election that is causing all kinds of trouble across the country," said Greenville Mayor Errick Simmons in response to the burning of Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church, which he's called a hate crime.</p>
<p>Perhaps fueled by the swings in Donald Trump's campaign bombast — often on <a href="" type="internal">display at his rallies</a>— vandalism in opposition and in favor of the candidate has been a constant since he launched his presidential bid in June 2015, observers say.</p>
<p>The cases are highlighted locally by incidents as petty as <a href="http://www.necn.com/news/new-england/Grumpy-Gumby-Destroys-Trump-Sign-on-Halloween-in-Easton-Massachusetts-399931341.html" type="external">a man in a Gumby costume destroying a Trump lawn sign outside Boston on Halloween</a> to attacks on the Mississippi church and the North Carolina GOP headquarters that have caught national attention.</p>
<p>Although police classified the North Carolina firebombing as vandalism and arson, local Republican leaders said it felt like much worse.</p>
<p>“This was not vandalism,” Evelyn Poole-Kober, vice chairwoman of the Orange County Republican Party, told NBC News. “Vandalism is when you tear down signs, which they’re doing all over the county, or when they tear up our elephant out front, which they’ve done."</p>
<p>She described crying with hands covered in ash while clearing the devastation wrought by a Molotov cocktail. A nearby building was also scrawled with graffiti warning "Nazi Republicans" to "leave town or else."</p>
<p>"It is crime when they deliberately throw a firebomb through a plate glass window with the intention to burn and destroy," Poole-Kober said.</p>
<p>The firebombing is only one extreme example. While signs were often stolen or spray-painted in past elections, local law enforcement in several swing states told NBC News the vitriol has never been this tangible.</p>
<p>In Nevada, Reno police Officer Tim Broadway said campaign-based vandalism has been more prevalent this season than during any election in his 12-year career.</p>
<p>“A lot of it is the nature of the two candidates who are running,” Broadway told NBC News, adding that Trump supporters have had their property damaged the most in northern Nevada. Still, supporters can be "extreme on both sides of the platform."</p>
<p>Trump-branded properties and iconography have been especially targeted. His new hotel in Washington, D.C., was <a href="" type="internal">defaced last month</a>with the spray-painted slogans "Black Lives Matter" and "No Justice No Peace."</p>
<p>Even Trump’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame has been marred this past year with spray-painted swastikas and a mute symbol, written on with permanent marker, peed on by individuals and purposefully defecated on by pet owners’ dogs.</p>
<p>The Los Angeles-based street artist Plastic Jesus made headlines when he constructed a tiny-sized wall around Trump’s Walk of Fame star, aiming to use the highly foot-trafficked spot to criticize the Republican nominee's immigration policies.</p>
<p>But the treatment of Trump's star took a nastier turn a week ago when an heir to an elevator fortune <a href="" type="internal">used a pick-ax to demolish it</a>. Some believe this act of dissent went too far.</p>
<p>“I think the act of protest that leads to the damage or destruction of the star certainly crosses the line,” said Plastic Jesus, who does not go by his real name because he uses methods to create his art that some would consider vandalism. “I don’t think it adds anything to the conversation about why people are so opposed to Trump and his policies. That’s really just an act of vandalism.”</p>
<p>But even hackneyed election high jinks has been taken to another level this year.</p>
<p>David Jones, chairman of the Making Maine Great Again political action committee, said he purchased 5,000 signs and distributed them across Maine’s 1st Congressional District. But he estimates losing about 1,000 of them to thieves.</p>
<p>“We were finding that we would put them up one day and they’d be gone the next, if they lasted a day,” Jones told NBC News. “They would be destroyed, stolen, painted, cut. It’s unbelievable how people reacted to it.”</p>
<p>The disappearance of signs across District 1 grabbed attention last week after one of the thieves, Betta Stothart, admitted to her crime in a <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/10/25/how-angry-does-donald-trump-make-me-angry-enough-to-steal-40-trump-signs/" type="external">Washington Post op-ed</a>.</p>
<p>“Reflecting back, I realize that I momentarily snapped,” the 52-year-old mother wrote after she was caught stealing Trump placards. “But there was a deeper reason for my anger than just the signs. Over the past several weeks, grasping the depth of Trump’s predatory behavior toward women throughout his adult life (and even worse, his denial of it) has simply become unbearable. I became unhinged.”</p>
<p>Stothart declined to comment further. Her family has received a number of threats since the publication of her essay.</p>
<p>“She called me, and we had a conversation,” Jones said. "She was apologetic for what she did. I think she realized how stupid it was and that there was no excuse for what she did.”</p>
<p>Maine law calls for a $250 fine per stolen or tampered sign.</p>
<p>Although Jones continues to pursue charges against those who stole his signs, he said he doesn't want to escalate the situation with any other tactics.</p>
<p>“There’s no reason to,” Jones said. “This is an election. We’re just citizens of the United States who have the right to vote. Let us vote. Let whoever wins win. Let’s have a peaceful transition of power and be done with it. Period.”</p>
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tense election season spawned violence vandalism across country law enforcement political groups fearing pranks growing aggressive increasingly malicious isnt comprehensive nationwide data politically motivated vandalism officials point recent torching black church greenville mississippi firebombing last month gop offices hillsborough north carolina alarming examples lot rhetoric election causing kinds trouble across country said greenville mayor errick simmons response burning hopewell missionary baptist church hes called hate crime perhaps fueled swings donald trumps campaign bombast often display rallies vandalism opposition favor candidate constant since launched presidential bid june 2015 observers say cases highlighted locally incidents petty man gumby costume destroying trump lawn sign outside boston halloween attacks mississippi church north carolina gop headquarters caught national attention although police classified north carolina firebombing vandalism arson local republican leaders said felt like much worse vandalism evelyn poolekober vice chairwoman orange county republican party told nbc news vandalism tear signs theyre county tear elephant front theyve done described crying hands covered ash clearing devastation wrought molotov cocktail nearby building also scrawled graffiti warning nazi republicans leave town else crime deliberately throw firebomb plate glass window intention burn destroy poolekober said firebombing one extreme example signs often stolen spraypainted past elections local law enforcement several swing states told nbc news vitriol never tangible nevada reno police officer tim broadway said campaignbased vandalism prevalent season election 12year career lot nature two candidates running broadway told nbc news adding trump supporters property damaged northern nevada still supporters extreme sides platform trumpbranded properties iconography especially targeted new hotel washington dc defaced last monthwith spraypainted slogans black lives matter justice peace even trumps star hollywood walk fame marred past year spraypainted swastikas mute symbol written permanent marker peed individuals purposefully defecated pet owners dogs los angelesbased street artist plastic jesus made headlines constructed tinysized wall around trumps walk fame star aiming use highly foottrafficked spot criticize republican nominees immigration policies treatment trumps star took nastier turn week ago heir elevator fortune used pickax demolish believe act dissent went far think act protest leads damage destruction star certainly crosses line said plastic jesus go real name uses methods create art would consider vandalism dont think adds anything conversation people opposed trump policies thats really act vandalism even hackneyed election high jinks taken another level year david jones chairman making maine great political action committee said purchased 5000 signs distributed across maines 1st congressional district estimates losing 1000 thieves finding would put one day theyd gone next lasted day jones told nbc news would destroyed stolen painted cut unbelievable people reacted disappearance signs across district 1 grabbed attention last week one thieves betta stothart admitted crime washington post oped reflecting back realize momentarily snapped 52yearold mother wrote caught stealing trump placards deeper reason anger signs past several weeks grasping depth trumps predatory behavior toward women throughout adult life even worse denial simply become unbearable became unhinged stothart declined comment family received number threats since publication essay called conversation jones said apologetic think realized stupid excuse maine law calls 250 fine per stolen tampered sign although jones continues pursue charges stole signs said doesnt want escalate situation tactics theres reason jones said election citizens united states right vote let us vote let whoever wins win lets peaceful transition power done period
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<p>Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled [Caucasian?] masses, yearning to breathe free.</p>
<p>Three days before the 2018 Martin Luther King Jr. memorial observances, and in the 50th&#160;year after Dr. King’s assassination, the plague of racism in America continued, even as white supremacy, long lingering just below the surface, reasserted itself with a vengeance.</p>
<p>On Jan. 12, the president of the United States, at a White House meeting on immigration, allegedly asked why “all these people from shithole countries,” specifically Haiti and Africa, should be admitted to the U.S. He was also said to have wondered aloud why the U.S. could not secure more immigrants from countries like Norway (83 percent Caucasian). Confirmation of his remarks vary from those in attendance. Some confirm the alleged statements; others deny them. Somebody’s lying.</p>
<p>The mere report of the comments was immediately celebrated across the country’s white supremacist network, much as when Trump affirmed “good people on both sides” in last year’s violent neo-Nazi-led demonstrations in Charlottesville, Va. White nationalist Richard Spencer chastised Trump’s defenders for suggesting the statements were related to law or economics, since they were actually “all about race.” Spencer was, of course, delighted. The Neo-Nazi blog, the Daily Stormer, hailed the President’s words as “encouraging and refreshing” since they indicated that “Trump is more or less on the same page as us” regarding “race and immigration.” In America, 2018, white supremacy is now apparently “refreshing.”</p>
<p>Dallas Baptist pastor Robert Jeffress defended the president, noting that “apart from the vocabulary attributed to him,” Trump’s comments were “right on target” with his presidential responsibility “to place the interests of our nation above the needs of other countries.” That’s unlike Christians’ “biblical responsibility” to “place the needs of others” above themselves. (Racism’s OK; it’s vulgar language that’s the problem.)</p>
<p>Amid debates over the veracity of witnesses to the White House event, the fact remains that the dogmas of white supremacy lie at the center of America’s long night of racism, in politics, social structures and racial stereotypes. At this moment in history, how can American Christians, themselves deeply divided over scripture, doctrine, sexuality, abortion and other culture war accoutrements, foster a common compulsion to speak out against white supremacist fiction before it gains an even stronger implicit or explicit influence?</p>
<p>Even if President Trump did not use vulgar words to highlight his views on immigration, did he in fact wistfully promote a 21st&#160;century America where Aryans (remember the history of that word?) are preferred to immigrants of color? Surely it is time to break the silence, not simply because of those shameful remarks, but because they are part of a larger litany of racial dog whistles from Trump’s birther campaign, to attacks on a “Mexican” judge and a Gold Star Muslim family, to the infamous Charlottesville slurs.</p>
<p>We have many reasons to break the silence: First, because white supremacy itself is an inherently evil, yet enduring, vision of the nature of humanity, and must be resisted for that fact alone. It has polluted our national psyche long enough!</p>
<p>Second, we break the silence on this matter because we hear again Dr. King’s words from that Birmingham jail: “Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.”</p>
<p>Third, we Aryan Christians cannot be silent because it’s our racial ancestors who first planted the banner of racism in our laws, our institutions (churches included), and in our hearts. And some among us still won’t let it go. We need to get “saved” from it.</p>
<p>Fourth, we speak out now because American churches, at least many of them, remained silent for too long.&#160; Indeed, Trump’s only a symptom; we scapegoat him at our peril. When his remarks hit the fan, I returned to James Baldwin’s The Fire Next Time, a book that has taught me, shamed me, blessed me and broken me for decades. Baldwin writes: “It is not too much to say that whoever wishes to become a truly moral human being (and let us not ask whether or not this is possible) must first divorce him[her]self from all the prohibitions, crimes and hypocrisies of the Christian church. If the concept of God has had any validity or any use, it can only be to make us larger, freer and more loving. If God cannot do this, then it is time we got rid of Him.” (Whatever God is, it damn sure isn’t white supremacy.)</p>
<p>Mercer University professor Robert Nash illustrates Baldwin’s point in a superb essay entitled, “Peculiarly Chosen: Anglo-Saxon Supremacy and Baptist Missions in the South,” documenting that ecclesiastical collusion with the case of James Franklin Love, corresponding secretary of the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, 1915-1928. Nash notes that Love “was profoundly influenced by the concept of Anglo-Saxon supremacy … that white races possessed a superior intellect, religion and civilization.”</p>
<p>Love’s mission strategy focused on evangelization of Europe since white Christians could more readily convert the darker races. He wrote: “Let us not forget that to the white man God gave the instinct and talent to disseminate his ideals among other people and that he did not, to the same degree, give this instinct and talent to the yellow, brown or black race. The white race only has the genius to introduce Christianity into all lands and among all people.” (In 2017, the Southern Baptist Convention went on record condemning white supremacy then and now. It’s about time.)</p>
<p>Finally, we break the silence, confronting white supremacy and its accompanying racism at this moment because we will neither deny nor sully the African heritage of our African-American sisters and brothers, who as W.E.B. Dubois wrote, “would not bleach … [their] Negro soul in a flood of white Americans,” since they know “that Negro blood has a message for the world.”</p>
<p>On what would have been his 89th&#160;birthday, Dr. King retains his prophetic voice for black and white alike, declaring from his jail cell then and now: “We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people. Human progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability; it comes through the tireless efforts of men [women] willing to be co-workers with God, and without this hard work, time itself becomes an ally of the forces of social stagnation.”</p>
<p>This Advent, we read again Matthew’s haunting assessment of the Holy Family’s immigration from Herod’s not-so-holy-land: “Out of Egypt I have called my son.” Sweet Jesus, Egypt’s in Africa! Amen.</p>
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give tired poor huddled caucasian masses yearning breathe free three days 2018 martin luther king jr memorial observances 50th160year dr kings assassination plague racism america continued even white supremacy long lingering surface reasserted vengeance jan 12 president united states white house meeting immigration allegedly asked people shithole countries specifically haiti africa admitted us also said wondered aloud us could secure immigrants countries like norway 83 percent caucasian confirmation remarks vary attendance confirm alleged statements others deny somebodys lying mere report comments immediately celebrated across countrys white supremacist network much trump affirmed good people sides last years violent neonaziled demonstrations charlottesville va white nationalist richard spencer chastised trumps defenders suggesting statements related law economics since actually race spencer course delighted neonazi blog daily stormer hailed presidents words encouraging refreshing since indicated trump less page us regarding race immigration america 2018 white supremacy apparently refreshing dallas baptist pastor robert jeffress defended president noting apart vocabulary attributed trumps comments right target presidential responsibility place interests nation needs countries thats unlike christians biblical responsibility place needs others racisms ok vulgar language thats problem amid debates veracity witnesses white house event fact remains dogmas white supremacy lie center americas long night racism politics social structures racial stereotypes moment history american christians deeply divided scripture doctrine sexuality abortion culture war accoutrements foster common compulsion speak white supremacist fiction gains even stronger implicit explicit influence even president trump use vulgar words highlight views immigration fact wistfully promote 21st160century america aryans remember history word preferred immigrants color surely time break silence simply shameful remarks part larger litany racial dog whistles trumps birther campaign attacks mexican judge gold star muslim family infamous charlottesville slurs many reasons break silence first white supremacy inherently evil yet enduring vision nature humanity must resisted fact alone polluted national psyche long enough second break silence matter hear dr kings words birmingham jail shallow understanding people good frustrating absolute misunderstanding people ill lukewarm acceptance much bewildering outright rejection third aryan christians silent racial ancestors first planted banner racism laws institutions churches included hearts among us still wont let go need get saved fourth speak american churches least many remained silent long160 indeed trumps symptom scapegoat peril remarks hit fan returned james baldwins fire next time book taught shamed blessed broken decades baldwin writes much say whoever wishes become truly moral human let us ask whether possible must first divorce himherself prohibitions crimes hypocrisies christian church concept god validity use make us larger freer loving god time got rid whatever god damn sure isnt white supremacy mercer university professor robert nash illustrates baldwins point superb essay entitled peculiarly chosen anglosaxon supremacy baptist missions south documenting ecclesiastical collusion case james franklin love corresponding secretary foreign mission board southern baptist convention 19151928 nash notes love profoundly influenced concept anglosaxon supremacy white races possessed superior intellect religion civilization loves mission strategy focused evangelization europe since white christians could readily convert darker races wrote let us forget white man god gave instinct talent disseminate ideals among people degree give instinct talent yellow brown black race white race genius introduce christianity lands among people 2017 southern baptist convention went record condemning white supremacy time finally break silence confronting white supremacy accompanying racism moment neither deny sully african heritage africanamerican sisters brothers web dubois wrote would bleach negro soul flood white americans since know negro blood message world would 89th160birthday dr king retains prophetic voice black white alike declaring jail cell repent generation merely hateful words actions bad people appalling silence good people human progress never rolls wheels inevitability comes tireless efforts men women willing coworkers god without hard work time becomes ally forces social stagnation advent read matthews haunting assessment holy familys immigration herods notsoholyland egypt called son sweet jesus egypts africa amen
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<p>DUBLIN — For Declan Ganley, <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/european-union/090608/european-union-parliament-elections-results" type="external">the European elections</a> provided what seemed like an excellent opportunity to establish his fledgling Libertas Party as the first pan-European grouping to take on the bureaucracy in Brussels.</p>
<p>In Ireland in particular, with the electorate in a lather of anti-government fury, it seemed that all opposition groups stood to gain. But Ganley, the controversial businessman who led the successful "no" campaign in a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty in Ireland last year, was defeated as a Euro candidate in his three-seat home constituency of North West, on Ireland’s Atlantic coast.</p>
<p>Libertas colleagues who contested two of the other three European constituencies in the Republic of Ireland, East and Dublin, were also rejected by voters. Throughout Europe, candidates associated with Libertas, which a month ago hoped for 100 seats in the European Parliament, failed to win popular support, and only a handful of its 531 runners in 14 EU states were successful.</p>
<p>The humiliation of the Libertas leader, who had promised to step down if defeated, could have far-reaching consequences for future European unity, which was threatened by the Irish rejection of the pro-reform Lisbon Treaty last June.</p>
<p>A majority of Irish voters is now convinced that EU membership saved the country from a fate like Iceland’s when the economic crisis came, and is less inclined to snub Ireland’s European partners again. Opinion polls indicate that a second referendum on the treaty, due in the autumn, will now succeed.</p>
<p>There were other factors at work against the 40-year-old Libertas leader, whose defeat in Ireland was met with scarcely disguised glee by establishment politicians. The conservative Catholic vote, which was expected to help Ganley in his rural constituency, has been set back by <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/ireland/090521/institutionalized-children-abuse" type="external">recent Catholic Church scandals</a>. And many Irish voters didn’t like his association with far-right anti-immigration groups on the European continent. Another leader of the anti-treaty campaign last year, Sinn Fein’s Mary Lou McDonald, also lost her European seat in the Dublin constituency.</p>
<p>The European election in Ireland, which coincided with state-wide local elections and two by-elections for the Irish parliament, the Dail, was otherwise a disaster for the hugely unpopular Irish government.</p>
<p>Voters are furious about its perceived mishandling of the economy. Fianna Fail, the majority partner in the government and in essence the "ruling party" since independence, received the lowest share of the vote in its history, and its partner in government, the small Green Party, was just about wiped out (guilt by association).</p>
<p>Fianna Fail is seen as hand-in-glove with developers, the villains in post-Celtic Tiger Ireland, who are held responsible with the banks for bringing the country to the brink of bankruptcy. The “anyone-but-Fianna Fail” mood is so strong that in the three-seat Dublin European constituency, a formerly safe Fianna Fail seat held by Eoin Ryan, was captured by Joe Higgins of the miniscule Socialist Party.</p>
<p>In the local elections, the Fianna Fail share of the vote dropped to 25 percent, 17 percent less than in the general election two years ago, and the main opposition party, Fine Gael, surged to 32 percent. Both parties are centrist and they were judged more on leadership, competence and integrity than ideology.</p>
<p>Party loyalty in Ireland has often been a family matter, going back to the origins of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael in the Civil War of 1922, but this time many voters abandoned the habits of a lifetime and brought about a fundamental shift in Irish politics.</p>
<p>The two by-elections were just as devastating for Fianna Fail. In Dublin Central, the home turf of former Fianna Fail prime minister Bertie Ahern, his brother Maurice, could only come fifth behind working class hero Maureen O’Sullivan, a schoolteacher running as an independent.</p>
<p>In Dublin South, where the vacancy was caused by the death of Fianna Fail’s popular Seamus Brennan, his son Shay Brennan came fourth behind George Lee, who until a few weeks ago was the economics editor of Ireland’s main radio and television station, RTE, where he had a reputation for warning that the government’s policies were leading the country to ruin.</p>
<p>Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said the government had been “convicted” by the people and Eamon Gilmore, leader of the Labour party, which also polled strongly at 15 percent, called on the government to stand down. Though his Dail majority has been reduced to three, Prime Minister Brian Cowen said, “We’re absolutely determined and united as a government to proceed with policies that will bring order back to our public finances.”</p>
<p>In Northern Ireland, where voting is mostly along tribal lines, there was also a political upset.&#160;</p>
<p>Sinn Fein topped the poll in the European election, the first time a party supporting Irish unity has achieved such a result in Northern Ireland’s nine-decade history. This came about because of divisions within the ranks of unionist parties representing the majority pro-British population.&#160;</p>
<p>Northern Ireland constitutes one of 18 UK constituencies in the EU elections and returns three members of the European Parliament. Sinn Fein’s Bairbre de Brun toped the poll in a low turnout.</p>
<p>See <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/notebook/europe/090607/votes-the-european-parliament-takes-shape" type="external">here</a> for a roundup of the results from across the EU.</p>
<p>More GlobalPost dispatches on Ireland:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/ireland/090528/irish-corruption" type="external">Will corrupt leaders get their due?</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/video/ireland/090424/the-return-the-spud" type="external">The return of the spud</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/ireland/090323/ireland-returns-old-love-the-potato" type="external">Ireland returns to an old love: the potato</a></p>
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dublin declan ganley european elections provided seemed like excellent opportunity establish fledgling libertas party first paneuropean grouping take bureaucracy brussels ireland particular electorate lather antigovernment fury seemed opposition groups stood gain ganley controversial businessman led successful campaign referendum lisbon treaty ireland last year defeated euro candidate threeseat home constituency north west irelands atlantic coast libertas colleagues contested two three european constituencies republic ireland east dublin also rejected voters throughout europe candidates associated libertas month ago hoped 100 seats european parliament failed win popular support handful 531 runners 14 eu states successful humiliation libertas leader promised step defeated could farreaching consequences future european unity threatened irish rejection proreform lisbon treaty last june majority irish voters convinced eu membership saved country fate like icelands economic crisis came less inclined snub irelands european partners opinion polls indicate second referendum treaty due autumn succeed factors work 40yearold libertas leader whose defeat ireland met scarcely disguised glee establishment politicians conservative catholic vote expected help ganley rural constituency set back recent catholic church scandals many irish voters didnt like association farright antiimmigration groups european continent another leader antitreaty campaign last year sinn feins mary lou mcdonald also lost european seat dublin constituency european election ireland coincided statewide local elections two byelections irish parliament dail otherwise disaster hugely unpopular irish government voters furious perceived mishandling economy fianna fail majority partner government essence ruling party since independence received lowest share vote history partner government small green party wiped guilt association fianna fail seen handinglove developers villains postceltic tiger ireland held responsible banks bringing country brink bankruptcy anyonebutfianna fail mood strong threeseat dublin european constituency formerly safe fianna fail seat held eoin ryan captured joe higgins miniscule socialist party local elections fianna fail share vote dropped 25 percent 17 percent less general election two years ago main opposition party fine gael surged 32 percent parties centrist judged leadership competence integrity ideology party loyalty ireland often family matter going back origins fianna fail fine gael civil war 1922 time many voters abandoned habits lifetime brought fundamental shift irish politics two byelections devastating fianna fail dublin central home turf former fianna fail prime minister bertie ahern brother maurice could come fifth behind working class hero maureen osullivan schoolteacher running independent dublin south vacancy caused death fianna fails popular seamus brennan son shay brennan came fourth behind george lee weeks ago economics editor irelands main radio television station rte reputation warning governments policies leading country ruin fine gael leader enda kenny said government convicted people eamon gilmore leader labour party also polled strongly 15 percent called government stand though dail majority reduced three prime minister brian cowen said absolutely determined united government proceed policies bring order back public finances northern ireland voting mostly along tribal lines also political upset160 sinn fein topped poll european election first time party supporting irish unity achieved result northern irelands ninedecade history came divisions within ranks unionist parties representing majority probritish population160 northern ireland constitutes one 18 uk constituencies eu elections returns three members european parliament sinn feins bairbre de brun toped poll low turnout see roundup results across eu globalpost dispatches ireland corrupt leaders get due return spud ireland returns old love potato
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<p>EDITOR'S NOTE: Stephen McSwain served as the keynote speaker for the Virginia Baptist Historical Society's stewardship convocation and annual meeting at Bon Air Baptist Church in Richmond May 20. Donald J. Campbell, stewardship director for the Virginia Baptist Mission Board, sat down with McSwain to pose a series of questions to help readers understand his latest book, The Giving Myths: Giving Then Getting the Life You've Always Wanted, published by Smyth and Helwys. Royalties from the sale of the book go to Modest Needs, an organization which aims to prevent otherwise financially self-sufficient individuals and families from entering the cycle of poverty, which might be avoided with a small amount of well-timed financial assistance. After serving as a senior minister for more than 20 years, McSwain joined the consulting team of Cargill Associates Inc. in the mid-1990s and continues with them as senior vice president. A gifted communicator, McSwain inspires audiences across the nation with his message of generous giving and living. McSwain's first book, Spiritual Living, was distinguished by Broadman and Holman Press as one of the top five best-selling books at the time of its publication. McSwain, his wife Pamela, and their four children live in Louisville, Ky.</p>
<p>CAMPBELL: What were the circumstances or underlying issues that led you to write The Giving Myth, or, as you mentioned in the book, your eureka moments?</p>
<p>McSWAIN: Well, I had a number of eureka moments, Don. When I got into the ministry of stewardship development 12 years ago I went right from the pastorate into this work with Cargill Associates. I was not in this work very long before I made a number of discoveries.</p>
<p>Number one was that what I had thought I understood about giving or stewardship was not on point—most of it was wrong. I had been raised in the church and so I had to kind of go back and rethink a lot of things and concepts. My first eureka moment was … the number of times the Scriptures talk about giving. And when I thought about that, an interesting question came to my mind and that was this: why is it that the subject about which Jesus spoke more than any other is the least discussed subject in the church? That was my first theological crisis issue that I had to deal with, and it impacted me personally. I went back and relearned (or learned in many respects for the first time) what the Bible taught about giving—particularly what Jesus taught about giving.</p>
<p>The second major eureka moment for me came from the people I met all across the country in virtually every Christian communion in the church. I've been in virtually all of them. I would meet people, not many, but I would meet people who for me sort of embodied a most extraordinary kind of living. When I started looking at what it was that was driving these people, they all shared one thing in common. And that was what I've ultimately come to call a philosophy of life by which they lived to give themselves away.</p>
<p>CAMPBELL: That's a good place to move to the next question because it covers that. One premise of the book, the subtitle, is that in giving you will get the life you've always wanted. On the surface, this sounds like “God wants you to be rich, prosperity theology.” Could you explain what you mean for those who haven't read the book.</p>
<p>McSWAIN: Well, it has been interesting because that has been the automatic conclusion of a lot of people looking at the title. Some of that is because this is where our culture is. Our culture is really into what you can get for nothing. You know, that's what drives the sale of lottery tickets in every state. People want something for nothing. It doesn't take long in reading the book before you quickly discover that I don't mean that at all. Giving, then getting the life you've always wanted refers to my understanding theologically and personally that at the heart of who we are as human beings, is a fundamental truth. It is that we find meaning in life by sharing of our abundance, our resources with the world. That's not just your pocketbook, but it certainly includes your pocketbook.</p>
<p>CAMPBELL: In other words, if you want B, which is getting, it's got to be preceded by A, which is giving.</p>
<p>McSWAIN: Exactly.</p>
<p>CAMPBELL: It is interesting that you are a vice president with Cargill which is one of the major companies in the world in the area of fund-raising. How do you deal with the paradox of raising money for an intensive campaign, or short-term approach, while still holding to the long-term, more desirable approach, which is giving yourself away?</p>
<p>McSWAIN: Well, it is a paradox. It provides a place to live out my ministry because there are times when I'm in places where personally I feel that maybe the church could better utilize its resources in ways other than what they've decided to do. Of course, being hired by a church to do a job I have a fiduciary responsibility to my company to be there to do my work and help them raise money for a new building or whatever it is they're trying to do. But I almost always try in the training of my leadership teams of the laypeople out of that church to use those opportunities to give a broader picture of Christian stewardship from a biblical standpoint.</p>
<p>CAMPBELL: So what you leave with them is more than they contracted for?</p>
<p>McSWAIN: That's correct. You stated it a lot better than I did. That's what I hope to accomplish.</p>
<p>CAMPBELL: You've compared living a life devoted to giving yourself away to taking “the road less traveled,” in the words of poet Robert Frost. How has taking the road less traveled made a difference for you? What you are advocating is counter-cultural. Is it not radical?</p>
<p>MCSWAIN: Well, it is—totally radical. And it's totally contrary to our culture, even the culture in the church. When Robert Frost wrote those words I'm sure he did not have in his mind what Jesus said about the road to life is narrow and few people will ever find it. But the analogy there, for me, is fundamentally the same and that is that the great paradox of the human experience: that what you would think would give your life meaning is in reality almost always just the opposite.</p>
<p>So when you go out looking for life, fulfillment, meaning, happiness, our culture is going to tell you you're going to find that in the right job, being married to the right person, making a lot of money, having a big retirement account. It's the same old stuff that Jesus gave us in the story of the man he called the rich fool who wanted the bulging barns and he got them. He had to build more barns to accommodate his abundance, all because his ambition was, “I'm going to find that life. One day I'm going to be able to recline, drink iced tea, and just enjoy my retirement years,” and this is the world we're in. Most people live and die and never find the secret to life.</p>
<p>CAMPBELL: In the book, you talk about the secret to life but you also talk about what appears to me to be the rhythm of life; the giving, the getting. You get in order to give; you give, you get. In the book, you paint the ego as the main culprit and the enemy of good stewards. In discussing the ego and fear you wrote, “fear is the mistress of the ego.” Why?</p>
<p>McSWAIN: In the story of the rich young ruler the fundamental question becomes, what motivated him to want to build, to amass this fortune? What was driving that? Historically, I've always said it was greed. He was just a very selfish man, and certainly greed does drive people to want to see how much they can accumulate, how much they can amass. But I think that the more I thought about that story, fundamentally what was driving him was fear. Fear of the inevitable, fear of not having enough, and when I think of most people who sit in the pews who have resistance to generous living and giving, at the heart of a lot of it is a lack of faith and a “drivenness” from fear. We're afraid we're not going to have enough. Jesus said “Seek first the kingdom and the kingdom is within you.” When you seek the kingdom go within and find your connection with God. Everything else God has promised to provide. Now that's either true or it's not true.</p>
<p>CAMPBELL: That's a good place to insert the next question and that is, you use the phrase about God's divinely given giveability, by which you mean the ability to give. Is that your phrase?</p>
<p>McSWAIN: If not I'll claim it. Yes, that's grace. To me that's what grace means. You know Frederick Buechner once beautifully defined grace. He said, “You know when you can acknowledge the fact that even the capacity to receive a gift is a gift you've got it.” That's when you get it. And that's what I mean by God's divine giveability. God gives us even the capacity to recognize everything we have as gift. Even the capacity to recognize our gifts is a gift.</p>
<p>CAMPBELL: Following up on that then, what you are saying is that giving should come not just of necessity and not certainly by conscription but as gratitude for grace.</p>
<p>McSWAIN: It is what happens when people experience the depths of God's grace. This is why Henry Nouwen said, “Fundraising, fundamentally, when it is really Christian fundraising, is a call to conversion. It's the transformation of human life.”</p>
<p>CAMPBELL: Based on your research and observations in the book you seem to imply that some of today's stewardship practices are equal to Tetzel's less-then-sanctified ways of motivating stewards. Luther certainly found Tetzel's ways distasteful. It certainly supports your observations that people, as a rule, are not giving in the attitude of grace.</p>
<p>McSWAIN: We say to people that we don't want them to give out of compulsion, but many of our practices are such that we get caught up in guilt giving, in comparative giving. Like what is everyone else doing? And yet it takes all the joy out of it. I'll never forget—I was talking somewhere about giving and making these points about grace being the real motivation for genuine giving and gratitude giving and how God wants cheerful givers. And after I had finished this guy ran to me and he said, “Well, God may prefer cheerful giving but my church isn't nearly as particular.” But what he was saying was, “My church has missed it, because in my church it doesn't matter what the motivation is. They just want money.” This, I think, is the culture we have created; that church people feel like they are giving because we have created a self-perpetuating institution, and if we're not helping by giving, it's going to die.</p>
<p>CAMPBELL: It's whether we support the cause or the institution.</p>
<p>McSWAIN: Yes.</p>
<p>CAMPBELL: And you are right. I recall a statement that suggested that stewardship has been kidnapped and held hostage to the tyranny of the urgent. Which is basically that it is institutionalized giving.</p>
<p>McSWAIN: Which is another way of saying that a lot of us get caught up in this system and then our interest is on seeing people converted to the church and not converted to Christ. Because the church has become now this entity it's got to save itself.</p>
<p>CAMPBELL: Based on what you have learned in writing The Giving Myths, what would you have liked to have included in it or if you were to revise, would you include?</p>
<p>McSWAIN: Well there are probably quite a lot of things, but most prevalent in my thinking I wish there had been a way I had included a study guide approach for a group study. At the end of each section of the book I have kind of a suggestion for implementing some of the ideas in the book and I try to get at that a little. But had I the opportunity to do this over I would have made that a bit more specific to group study because I have had a lot of pastors call me up and tell me, “Hey, this book has touched me; I'm going to use it to teach on Sunday nights” or “I'm going to be using it in small groups.” I even had one pastor say, “This book is so important to me personally that I'm having it put in our church budget next year to buy every family in our household a copy of this book. I think it would be as important for them as it has been for me.”</p>
<p>CAMPBELL:What would you like to leave with Virginia Baptists as you have been through the state? Hopefully, you will return!</p>
<p>McSWAIN: I would leave with you my mantra for living—I leave this everywhere I go—and that is, “Learn to receive everything that is God's gift to you.” Period. “Learn as your gift to yourself.” Period. “Then, give what you learned and give what you received as your gift to the world.”</p>
<p>CAMPBELL: Thank you, Dr. McSwain, for your insights and your excellent and challenging words shared in today's interview.</p>
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editors note stephen mcswain served keynote speaker virginia baptist historical societys stewardship convocation annual meeting bon air baptist church richmond may 20 donald j campbell stewardship director virginia baptist mission board sat mcswain pose series questions help readers understand latest book giving myths giving getting life youve always wanted published smyth helwys royalties sale book go modest needs organization aims prevent otherwise financially selfsufficient individuals families entering cycle poverty might avoided small amount welltimed financial assistance serving senior minister 20 years mcswain joined consulting team cargill associates inc mid1990s continues senior vice president gifted communicator mcswain inspires audiences across nation message generous giving living mcswains first book spiritual living distinguished broadman holman press one top five bestselling books time publication mcswain wife pamela four children live louisville ky campbell circumstances underlying issues led write giving myth mentioned book eureka moments mcswain well number eureka moments got ministry stewardship development 12 years ago went right pastorate work cargill associates work long made number discoveries number one thought understood giving stewardship pointmost wrong raised church kind go back rethink lot things concepts first eureka moment number times scriptures talk giving thought interesting question came mind subject jesus spoke least discussed subject church first theological crisis issue deal impacted personally went back relearned learned many respects first time bible taught givingparticularly jesus taught giving second major eureka moment came people met across country virtually every christian communion church ive virtually would meet people many would meet people sort embodied extraordinary kind living started looking driving people shared one thing common ive ultimately come call philosophy life lived give away campbell thats good place move next question covers one premise book subtitle giving get life youve always wanted surface sounds like god wants rich prosperity theology could explain mean havent read book mcswain well interesting automatic conclusion lot people looking title culture culture really get nothing know thats drives sale lottery tickets every state people want something nothing doesnt take long reading book quickly discover dont mean giving getting life youve always wanted refers understanding theologically personally heart human beings fundamental truth find meaning life sharing abundance resources world thats pocketbook certainly includes pocketbook campbell words want b getting got preceded giving mcswain exactly campbell interesting vice president cargill one major companies world area fundraising deal paradox raising money intensive campaign shortterm approach still holding longterm desirable approach giving away mcswain well paradox provides place live ministry times im places personally feel maybe church could better utilize resources ways theyve decided course hired church job fiduciary responsibility company work help raise money new building whatever theyre trying almost always try training leadership teams laypeople church use opportunities give broader picture christian stewardship biblical standpoint campbell leave contracted mcswain thats correct stated lot better thats hope accomplish campbell youve compared living life devoted giving away taking road less traveled words poet robert frost taking road less traveled made difference advocating countercultural radical mcswain well istotally radical totally contrary culture even culture church robert frost wrote words im sure mind jesus said road life narrow people ever find analogy fundamentally great paradox human experience would think would give life meaning reality almost always opposite go looking life fulfillment meaning happiness culture going tell youre going find right job married right person making lot money big retirement account old stuff jesus gave us story man called rich fool wanted bulging barns got build barns accommodate abundance ambition im going find life one day im going able recline drink iced tea enjoy retirement years world people live die never find secret life campbell book talk secret life also talk appears rhythm life giving getting get order give give get book paint ego main culprit enemy good stewards discussing ego fear wrote fear mistress ego mcswain story rich young ruler fundamental question becomes motivated want build amass fortune driving historically ive always said greed selfish man certainly greed drive people want see much accumulate much amass think thought story fundamentally driving fear fear inevitable fear enough think people sit pews resistance generous living giving heart lot lack faith drivenness fear afraid going enough jesus said seek first kingdom kingdom within seek kingdom go within find connection god everything else god promised provide thats either true true campbell thats good place insert next question use phrase gods divinely given giveability mean ability give phrase mcswain ill claim yes thats grace thats grace means know frederick buechner beautifully defined grace said know acknowledge fact even capacity receive gift gift youve got thats get thats mean gods divine giveability god gives us even capacity recognize everything gift even capacity recognize gifts gift campbell following saying giving come necessity certainly conscription gratitude grace mcswain happens people experience depths gods grace henry nouwen said fundraising fundamentally really christian fundraising call conversion transformation human life campbell based research observations book seem imply todays stewardship practices equal tetzels lessthensanctified ways motivating stewards luther certainly found tetzels ways distasteful certainly supports observations people rule giving attitude grace mcswain say people dont want give compulsion many practices get caught guilt giving comparative giving like everyone else yet takes joy ill never forgeti talking somewhere giving making points grace real motivation genuine giving gratitude giving god wants cheerful givers finished guy ran said well god may prefer cheerful giving church isnt nearly particular saying church missed church doesnt matter motivation want money think culture created church people feel like giving created selfperpetuating institution helping giving going die campbell whether support cause institution mcswain yes campbell right recall statement suggested stewardship kidnapped held hostage tyranny urgent basically institutionalized giving mcswain another way saying lot us get caught system interest seeing people converted church converted christ church become entity got save campbell based learned writing giving myths would liked included revise would include mcswain well probably quite lot things prevalent thinking wish way included study guide approach group study end section book kind suggestion implementing ideas book try get little opportunity would made bit specific group study lot pastors call tell hey book touched im going use teach sunday nights im going using small groups even one pastor say book important personally im put church budget next year buy every family household copy book think would important campbellwhat would like leave virginia baptists state hopefully return mcswain would leave mantra livingi leave everywhere goand learn receive everything gods gift period learn gift period give learned give received gift world campbell thank dr mcswain insights excellent challenging words shared todays interview
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<p>Creating small public high schools was supposed to cure much of what ailed Chicago’s large, failing ones. Breaking through the isolation and anonymity common in large buildings, small schools staff would band together around an essential mission: improving classroom instruction. National and local foundations pledged $26 million toward Chicago’s small high school initiative.</p>
<p>But reality fell short of expectations, a new study finds. Despite the collegial atmosphere, efforts to improve teaching are minimal, according to a report released in January by the Consortium on Chicago School Research.</p>
<p>Most professional development in these new schools is aimed at solving immediate problems with a particular lesson or student rather than long-term professional growth. Small school size creates extra responsibilities for staffers, who are too focused on day-to-day survival to plan together for ongoing improvements. Instructional leadership is also lacking, researchers find.</p>
<p>Just as in large high schools, many small school principals don’t understand what good classroom instruction looks like or how to advance it, says John Easton, executive director of the Consortium. “The leadership’s not there and the vision’s not there.”</p>
<p>Small high schools do have advantages, according to earlier Consortium research. Teachers report more trusting relationships and a stronger commitment to school improvement than do those at larger Chicago high schools.</p>
<p>But their size also creates obstacles to improving instruction, the researchers found. A smaller staff means a heavier workload, which reduces time and energy available for organizing teacher training.</p>
<p>Small school teachers must often teach a wider variety of courses, which requires more preparation.</p>
<p>There are also fewer of them available to divvy up tasks such as supervising detention, running after-school clubs and serving on school committees. Principals are also stretched thin with a bare-bones support staff. Most have no assistant principal and many share a clerk with other small schools.</p>
<p>District and foundation officials say they have taken new steps to support staff development at small schools, which they agree is lacking. In March, they hired coaches to provide more leadership training for small school principals and their lead teachers. Creating quality staff development is one of the topics, and Allen Bearden, who formerly ran the Quest Center at the Chicago Teachers Union, is one of the coaches.</p>
<p />
<p>Michael Klonsky, director of the non-profit Small Schools Workshop, thinks the last thing that principals need is more coaches, especially with all the mentoring already provided to rookie principals. “Some of these new principals have more coaches than a pro athlete does,” he says. “They’re going to so many coaches meetings that there’s no time left to be an instructional leader.” He advocates a stronger role for teachers in directing instruction.</p>
<p>But the study authors see training for principals as part of the solution, along with identifying teachers with the skills needed to lead professional development. Overwhelmed small school staff also need help to better manage their time, they say.</p>
<p>Leadership needed</p>
<p>The Consortium interviewed principals and teachers and observed professional development at seven of the small high schools during 2004-05. Those schools were among the 23 opened since 2001 by the Chicago High School Redesign Initiative (CHSRI), a partnership between the Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation, local funders and CPS.</p>
<p>Most schools scheduled adequate time for professional development, the researchers found—with regular grade-level, departmental, and whole-staff meetings, as well as planning periods. But these meetings were often spent on administrative concerns such as book orders and standardized testing. Discussions about teaching were spontaneous, unstructured, and not usually followed up.</p>
<p>Only one school in the study engaged teachers in ongoing, in-depth discussions about their own classroom strategies in a way that might lead to improved student achievement, the researchers found.</p>
<p>At that school, which they declined to identify, the principal would organize a series of workshops on a given topic, such as how to better align the curriculum with state standards. Teachers debated, for instance, whether certain standards were too broad or narrow and how to best use them to plan lessons. They also analyzed each other’s classroom assessments on whether they tested only literal knowledge or the higher level thinking skills required on state exams.</p>
<p>Despite the demands on their time, teachers will devote the extra work needed to improve instruction, researchers concluded, but only if someone leads them in a sustained effort.</p>
<p>Leadership appears to be the key to the sustained efforts observed at Al Raby High, a new small school in East Garfield Park. Raby builds a 90-minute block of staff development time into its schedule each week, when students leave early for internships. The lead teacher and the principal structure the discussions, but also draw on others to lead them. Administrative concerns are given lower priority and left until the meeting’s end.</p>
<p>A recent workshop led by one of the school’s teachers included a steady mix of ideas, conversation and small-group sharing on how to evaluate your own teaching and adjust it to better engage students.</p>
<p>Absent was the interminable PowerPoint monologue that often passes for professional development elsewhere. Even better, no one graded papers or read the newspaper, a sight not uncommon in many Chicago high schools.</p>
<p>But Raby has advantages over more established schools in finding time to plan worthwhile sessions. So far, the school has the old Lucy Flower building to itself. Most small schools share a building, forcing principals to spend time coordinating logistics. Raby only has two grade levels enrolled at the moment, which leaves the principal and lead teacher with fewer staff and students to supervise.</p>
<p>When it’s time to meet, the entire faculty can fit around a library table.</p>
<p>Principals, teachers ‘swamped’</p>
<p>Staff at other small schools, however, say the report’s critique rang a few bells.</p>
<p>At Chicago Discovery Academy on the Bowen Campus, English teacher Ira Abrams says that the professional development he’s experienced has often been ill-planned and of little long-term benefit.</p>
<p>It was the same story at his previous small high school, Abrams adds. Given the administrative demands placed on small school staff, planning quality professional development is “an almost impossible task” for a principal, he says. “They’re swamped.”</p>
<p>But this year he convinced his principal to let him lead some of the sessions himself, he says. Now teachers are beginning to examine examples of student work to identify which skills students have mastered, and whether the assignments are clear and rigorous enough.</p>
<p>At the School of Entrepreneurship on the South Shore campus, teachers often share ideas informally, but are still reluctant to discuss classroom practices in front of the whole faculty, says Principal Bill Gerstein. Staff meetings tend to get eaten up with administrative matters instead, he says. “We haven’t used our time to improve instruction as much as I [had hoped].”</p>
<p>Cynthia Barron, who became area instructional officer for some of the district’s small high schools last August also agrees with the report’s main findings. “The majority of our schools have not been focused on building strong courses and doing the hard work of examining their own practice.”</p>
<p>Barron says that as AIO she wants to avoid mandating specific professional development practices, such as Raby’s 90-minute weekly workshops, that might result in superficial compliance rather than a real commitment to learning.</p>
<p>Instead, she is running an intensive summer program for her teachers on how to plan more rigorous coursework. She hopes that working in structured teams will influence how they approach professional development at their own schools. “I would hope it would look much better next year.”</p>
<p>Alexander Russo is a Catalyst contributing editor. E-mail him at [email protected].</p>
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creating small public high schools supposed cure much ailed chicagos large failing ones breaking isolation anonymity common large buildings small schools staff would band together around essential mission improving classroom instruction national local foundations pledged 26 million toward chicagos small high school initiative reality fell short expectations new study finds despite collegial atmosphere efforts improve teaching minimal according report released january consortium chicago school research professional development new schools aimed solving immediate problems particular lesson student rather longterm professional growth small school size creates extra responsibilities staffers focused daytoday survival plan together ongoing improvements instructional leadership also lacking researchers find large high schools many small school principals dont understand good classroom instruction looks like advance says john easton executive director consortium leaderships visions small high schools advantages according earlier consortium research teachers report trusting relationships stronger commitment school improvement larger chicago high schools size also creates obstacles improving instruction researchers found smaller staff means heavier workload reduces time energy available organizing teacher training small school teachers must often teach wider variety courses requires preparation also fewer available divvy tasks supervising detention running afterschool clubs serving school committees principals also stretched thin barebones support staff assistant principal many share clerk small schools district foundation officials say taken new steps support staff development small schools agree lacking march hired coaches provide leadership training small school principals lead teachers creating quality staff development one topics allen bearden formerly ran quest center chicago teachers union one coaches michael klonsky director nonprofit small schools workshop thinks last thing principals need coaches especially mentoring already provided rookie principals new principals coaches pro athlete says theyre going many coaches meetings theres time left instructional leader advocates stronger role teachers directing instruction study authors see training principals part solution along identifying teachers skills needed lead professional development overwhelmed small school staff also need help better manage time say leadership needed consortium interviewed principals teachers observed professional development seven small high schools 200405 schools among 23 opened since 2001 chicago high school redesign initiative chsri partnership bill amp melinda gates foundation local funders cps schools scheduled adequate time professional development researchers foundwith regular gradelevel departmental wholestaff meetings well planning periods meetings often spent administrative concerns book orders standardized testing discussions teaching spontaneous unstructured usually followed one school study engaged teachers ongoing indepth discussions classroom strategies way might lead improved student achievement researchers found school declined identify principal would organize series workshops given topic better align curriculum state standards teachers debated instance whether certain standards broad narrow best use plan lessons also analyzed others classroom assessments whether tested literal knowledge higher level thinking skills required state exams despite demands time teachers devote extra work needed improve instruction researchers concluded someone leads sustained effort leadership appears key sustained efforts observed al raby high new small school east garfield park raby builds 90minute block staff development time schedule week students leave early internships lead teacher principal structure discussions also draw others lead administrative concerns given lower priority left meetings end recent workshop led one schools teachers included steady mix ideas conversation smallgroup sharing evaluate teaching adjust better engage students absent interminable powerpoint monologue often passes professional development elsewhere even better one graded papers read newspaper sight uncommon many chicago high schools raby advantages established schools finding time plan worthwhile sessions far school old lucy flower building small schools share building forcing principals spend time coordinating logistics raby two grade levels enrolled moment leaves principal lead teacher fewer staff students supervise time meet entire faculty fit around library table principals teachers swamped staff small schools however say reports critique rang bells chicago discovery academy bowen campus english teacher ira abrams says professional development hes experienced often illplanned little longterm benefit story previous small high school abrams adds given administrative demands placed small school staff planning quality professional development almost impossible task principal says theyre swamped year convinced principal let lead sessions says teachers beginning examine examples student work identify skills students mastered whether assignments clear rigorous enough school entrepreneurship south shore campus teachers often share ideas informally still reluctant discuss classroom practices front whole faculty says principal bill gerstein staff meetings tend get eaten administrative matters instead says havent used time improve instruction much hoped cynthia barron became area instructional officer districts small high schools last august also agrees reports main findings majority schools focused building strong courses hard work examining practice barron says aio wants avoid mandating specific professional development practices rabys 90minute weekly workshops might result superficial compliance rather real commitment learning instead running intensive summer program teachers plan rigorous coursework hopes working structured teams influence approach professional development schools would hope would look much better next year alexander russo catalyst contributing editor email editorcatalystchicagoorg
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<p>On a chilly day in early November, yellow caution tape stretches across entrances to the Thompson Center, a sign of the action to come. By 4 p.m., some 100 Chicago Public Schools students have gathered outside, and several hundred more are heading their way from Randolph and Clark.</p>
<p>“Save our schools, save our teachers” they chant. “People over profits” and “Where’s the funds” they demand in hand-scrawled signs.</p>
<p>Eventually 600 to 800 strong, according to organizers’ estimates, the students begin circling the massive building to protest the threatened layoff of thousands of CPS teachers and the elimination of school programs. This protest, held Nov. 6 by students from mainly selective-enrollment schools, is one of the biggest that CPS students have conducted in a bid to protect already dwindling resources at their schools.</p>
<p>On Oct. 5, students from Roosevelt, Foreman and Schurz high schools held a walkout on Roosevelt’s grounds.</p>
<p>On Oct. 28, Walter Payton College Prep senior Matthew Mata helped stage a “study-in” outside CPS headquarters during the School Board meeting.</p>
<p>On Oct. 29, 15 students and staff from Lindblom Math and Science Academy in Englewood marched to a nearby Bank of America branch in protest of so-called toxic swaps that have drained money from their schools.</p>
<p>On Nov. 13, students held another massive rally, roughly the same size as the one a week earlier, at the Thompson Center.</p>
<p>CPS students lie on the ground outside the Thompson Center at the Nov. 6 citywide rally to show a unified group against budget cuts.</p>
<p>The Nov. 6 protest was born largely out of a Facebook discussion among several students from selective-enrollment high schools, including Jones junior Darcy Palder and Payton senior Matthew Mata.</p>
<p>“You don’t realize how much you love something until it’s kind of out of our reach,” Palder said at the rally. “And when I started realizing that we might not have those special classes that we love or those teachers who have helped us so much, I realized that we needed to do something.”</p>
<p>A history of student activism</p>
<p>These rallies and study-ins are the latest in a long history of student activism in Chicago.</p>
<p>In the late 1990s, Jackson Potter, now chief of staff for the Chicago Teachers Union, was a student activist at Whitney Young High School, which joined Lane Tech to protest over federal budget cuts. While there was some collaboration among high schools, he says, it wasn’t as “robust” as today’s efforts. And students today are more often taking the initiative rather than depending on teachers to get the ball rolling.</p>
<p>A more substantive difference, Potter adds, is that today’s student leaders more readily recognize racial and economic inequalities.</p>
<p>“Usually, you begin seeing resistance around things students find disturbing,” he says. “But what’s new and different … is the number of students who then act immediately and start making the connections.”</p>
<p>In 1997, the Mikva Challenge was born as a tribute to former White House Counsel, Judge and U.S. Congressman Abner Mikva and his wife Zoe, a teacher and lifelong education activist. Focused on participation in the political process and community building, the organization now serves more than 6,000 students at 100 Chicago area schools.</p>
<p>In 2007, several community-based organizations across the city launched Voices of Youth in Chicago Education (VOYCE) to give students of color a voice in school district policies. A long-running focus has been the high suspension and expulsion rates in CPS and the burden they place in particular on students of color.</p>
<p>This summer, the group’s research and activism paid off big time, as Gov. Bruce Rauner signed into law <a href="http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=099-0456" type="external">SB100</a>, a bill to curtail <a href="http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/rulesforengagement/2015/08/illinois_governor_signs_school_discipline_bill_championed_by_students.html" type="external">extreme forms of punishment in schools</a> statewide.</p>
<p>VOYCE helped craft and lobby for passage of the bill, which they describe as <a href="http://voyceproject.org/2015/05/21/groundbreaking-bill-sb-100-to-address-school-to-prison-pipeline-passes-illinois-legislature/" type="external">“perhaps the most aggressive and comprehensive effort ever made by a state to address the ‘school-to-prison pipeline.’”</a></p>
<p>Six years after the formation of VOYCE, another group of CPS students formed the <a href="http://www.progressillinois.com/quick-hits/content/2013/08/08/cps-students-launch-union-demand-voice-districts-decision-making-proce" type="external">Chicago Students Union</a> in response to school closings. In addition to participating in the current protests over budget cuts, union members encouraged their peers to support the fight for Dyett High School.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, discussions in social media have raised the question of whether teachers and adults from advocacy organizations are behind the current student protests.</p>
<p>Students and staff from Lindblom Math and Science Academy protest CPS “toxic swaps” on Oct. 29 in Englewood.</p>
<p>Ed Hershey, a teacher at Lindblom, thinks the level of adult influence varies. While students took the initiative to create posters for the Lindblom protest, he says, the idea to take action stemmed from teachers.</p>
<p>On the other hand, one of his former students organized an anti-violence demonstration in early 2013. “I’d say we inspired them, but it really seems like they’ve taken up that cause on their own at this point.”</p>
<p>What about neighborhood schools?</p>
<p>Student activists are not without their own internal issues.</p>
<p>For example, Mata of Payton Prep says he has received criticism, even from fellow Payton students, that selective-enrollment students are leading the protests, when it is neighborhood schools that suffer the most from budget cuts.</p>
<p>“But what they don’t understand is … It takes time to reach every single school,” Mata says.</p>
<p>He estimates that the 150 who attended the Oct. 28 study-in hailed from Payton, Jones, Lane Tech, Northside, Whitney Young, Infinity, Lincoln Park; and Senn high schools. He says he reached out to other schools, including Kenwood, Taft and Curie. But with just four days to plan the rally, he says, it was difficult for neighborhood schools to be represented.</p>
<p>“We found out a lot that of students from neighborhood schools actually could not make it ‘cause they lived in too dangerous neighborhoods to make it here,” Palder said of the Nov. 6 turnout. “But a lot of them are supporting us.”</p>
<p>While Hershey of the Lindblom faculty agrees that a protest’s distance from a school can determine who shows up, he thinks that selective-enrollment students are more comfortable taking on leadership roles and that their teachers can devote more time to helping them.</p>
<p>“To get it running well, you need a substantial commitment from somebody,” he says, noting that some neighborhood schools don’t always have this.</p>
<p>In attempts to resolve the imbalance, Mata recently sat down with other CPS students, parents, teachers and community organizers to set up regional meetings that are scheduled to start at the beginning of next month. He also plans to meet monthly with all CPS schools to give everyone a voice in planning future events. He says the logistics are still being ironed out.</p>
<p>“These are just steps … for something bigger that needs to happen,” Mata says.</p>
<p>This story was updated on Nov. 24 to correct a paraphrase made by Ed Hershey.</p>
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chilly day early november yellow caution tape stretches across entrances thompson center sign action come 4 pm 100 chicago public schools students gathered outside several hundred heading way randolph clark save schools save teachers chant people profits wheres funds demand handscrawled signs eventually 600 800 strong according organizers estimates students begin circling massive building protest threatened layoff thousands cps teachers elimination school programs protest held nov 6 students mainly selectiveenrollment schools one biggest cps students conducted bid protect already dwindling resources schools oct 5 students roosevelt foreman schurz high schools held walkout roosevelts grounds oct 28 walter payton college prep senior matthew mata helped stage studyin outside cps headquarters school board meeting oct 29 15 students staff lindblom math science academy englewood marched nearby bank america branch protest socalled toxic swaps drained money schools nov 13 students held another massive rally roughly size one week earlier thompson center cps students lie ground outside thompson center nov 6 citywide rally show unified group budget cuts nov 6 protest born largely facebook discussion among several students selectiveenrollment high schools including jones junior darcy palder payton senior matthew mata dont realize much love something kind reach palder said rally started realizing might special classes love teachers helped us much realized needed something history student activism rallies studyins latest long history student activism chicago late 1990s jackson potter chief staff chicago teachers union student activist whitney young high school joined lane tech protest federal budget cuts collaboration among high schools says wasnt robust todays efforts students today often taking initiative rather depending teachers get ball rolling substantive difference potter adds todays student leaders readily recognize racial economic inequalities usually begin seeing resistance around things students find disturbing says whats new different number students act immediately start making connections 1997 mikva challenge born tribute former white house counsel judge us congressman abner mikva wife zoe teacher lifelong education activist focused participation political process community building organization serves 6000 students 100 chicago area schools 2007 several communitybased organizations across city launched voices youth chicago education voyce give students color voice school district policies longrunning focus high suspension expulsion rates cps burden place particular students color summer groups research activism paid big time gov bruce rauner signed law sb100 bill curtail extreme forms punishment schools statewide voyce helped craft lobby passage bill describe perhaps aggressive comprehensive effort ever made state address schooltoprison pipeline six years formation voyce another group cps students formed chicago students union response school closings addition participating current protests budget cuts union members encouraged peers support fight dyett high school meanwhile discussions social media raised question whether teachers adults advocacy organizations behind current student protests students staff lindblom math science academy protest cps toxic swaps oct 29 englewood ed hershey teacher lindblom thinks level adult influence varies students took initiative create posters lindblom protest says idea take action stemmed teachers hand one former students organized antiviolence demonstration early 2013 id say inspired really seems like theyve taken cause point neighborhood schools student activists without internal issues example mata payton prep says received criticism even fellow payton students selectiveenrollment students leading protests neighborhood schools suffer budget cuts dont understand takes time reach every single school mata says estimates 150 attended oct 28 studyin hailed payton jones lane tech northside whitney young infinity lincoln park senn high schools says reached schools including kenwood taft curie four days plan rally says difficult neighborhood schools represented found lot students neighborhood schools actually could make cause lived dangerous neighborhoods make palder said nov 6 turnout lot supporting us hershey lindblom faculty agrees protests distance school determine shows thinks selectiveenrollment students comfortable taking leadership roles teachers devote time helping get running well need substantial commitment somebody says noting neighborhood schools dont always attempts resolve imbalance mata recently sat cps students parents teachers community organizers set regional meetings scheduled start beginning next month also plans meet monthly cps schools give everyone voice planning future events says logistics still ironed steps something bigger needs happen mata says story updated nov 24 correct paraphrase made ed hershey
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