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https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/bebo-valdes-cuban-pianist-and-composer-dies-at-94/2013/03/23/099d3fee-93cc-11e2-a31e-14700e2724e4_story.html
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By Matt Schudel March 23 , 2013 Bebo Valdes , one of the most important figures from Cuba ’ s golden age of music in the 1940s and 1950s who later won nine Grammy Awards after his career was revived in the 1990s , died March 22 in Stockholm . He was 94 . Nat Chediak , an author and music producer who worked extensively with Mr . Valdes , told the Miami Herald that Mr . Valdes had pneumonia and Alzheimer ’ s disease . Mr . Valdes was a classically trained musician with a keen interest in American jazz . He was such a seminal figure in Cuban music in the 1940s and 1950s that his role was later compared to that of the American music impresario Quincy Jones . “ Even though I ’ m Cuban , I ’ m really an American arranger , ” Mr . Valdes told the New York Times in 2006 . “ Because the way I write has as much to do with American music as it does with Cuban music . And at the same time it has to do with the fugue . ” As a pianist , composer , arranger and bandleader , Mr . Valdes helped create a vibrant , melodic style of music that helped define the spirit and pulse of Cuban nightlife . His music remains hauntingly popular decades later and was featured in 2000 in “ Calle 54 , ” a documentary about Cuban musicians by Spanish filmmaker Fernando Trueba . Beginning in 1948 , Mr . Valdes was the bandleader at Havana ’ s fabled Tropicana nightclub , which featured gambling , extravagantly costumed showgirls and lavish floor shows that sometimes included live elephants and lions . Palm trees grew under the Tropicana ’ s roof , and it was sometimes called the most beautiful nightclub in the world . And , of course , there was nonstop music . “ Tropicana was heaven , ” society columnist Aileen Mehle told Vanity Fair magazine in 2011 . “ Everything was yayaya : smoking and drinking champagne and laughing , having fun . And all those fabulous dances and songs . It was the acme every night , the height of glamour . ” The Tropicana was frequented by Hollywood stars , gangsters and leading entertainers , including Nat “ King ” Cole . In 1958 , Mr . Valdes taught Cole to sing in Spanish and arranged the music for his “ Cole Espanol ” album . After Fidel Castro and his followers overthrew the regime of Fulgencio Batista in 1959 , the music and the free - wheeling world of the Tropicana and Havana ’ s other nightspots came to an abrupt stop . Mr . Valdes left Cuba in 1960 , never to return . Mr . Valdes lived in Mexico and Spain before marrying a Swedish woman , Rose Marie Persson , and settling in Stockholm in 1963 . He played piano in hotel lounges for decades as he raised a second family and had retired by the time Cuban musician Paquito D ’ Rivera found him in the 1990s . D ’ Rivera coaxed Mr . Valdes out of retirement by asking him to arrange some music , then recorded an album with him , “ Bebo Rides Again , ” in 1994 . Copy Notable deaths of 2013 View Photos A look at those who have died this year . Mr . Valdes made his U.S. debut in Miami in 1996 , when he was 78 , then had a remarkable late - career resurgence that lasted more than decade . He sold out New York ’ s Village Vanguard nightclub for a week , performed at the Kennedy Center and toured the world . He wrote an eight - part composition , “ Suite Cubana , ” that he performed at New York ’ s Lincoln Center . “ His playing is a model of economy and grace , his writing is elegant and precise , his rhythms robust , ” Miami Herald critic Fernando Gonzalez wrote in 1996 . “ And as bandleader he elicits inspired , soulful playing . ” In 2004 , Mr . Valdes recorded an album with Spanish flamenco singer Diego El Cigala , “ Lagrimas negras ” — “ black tears ” — that became an international best seller . From 2002 to 2009 , Mr . Valdes won six Latin Grammy Awards and three standard Grammys — nine in all . “ This attention is a gift from God , ” he told NPR in 2006 . “ I did not ask for all of this . But since it was sent to me , I accept it from the heart . ” Trueba , who directed the “ Calle 54 ” documentary , occasionally featured Mr . Valdes in other films . In 2012 , Trueba was one of the directors of “ Chico & Rita , ” a full - length animated film loosely based on Mr . Valdes ’ s life in Cuba . “ Chico & Rita ” received an Academy Award nomination for best animated feature . An ailing Mr . Valdes composed and played music for the film , which turned out to be his farewell performance . “ It ’ s not Bebo ’ s biography , it ’ s not his life , ” Trueba told NPR ’ s Terry Gross last year , “ but he was the main inspiration of that ambience , that period . . . so Bebo is for me , he ’ s everywhere in the movie . ” Dionisio Ramon Emilio Valdes Amaro was born Oct . 9 , 1918 , in Quivican , Cuba . His parents noticed that he sang along with the radio from an early age and encouraged his interest in music . He graduated from a conservatory in Havana , where he studied classical piano and was immersed in Cuba ’ s long musical history . He worked in the 1930s and ’ 40s with composer Ernesto Lecuona , who was sometimes called the Cuban George Gershwin , and often appeared on Cuban radio programs . But he was always fascinated by American jazz . “ They said I was one of the pioneers of bebop in Cuba , ” Mrs . Valdes told the Miami Herald in 1996 . “ The truth is , I was a jazz musician from a very young age . I first started playing like the first jazz pianist I heard , a guy who was popular when I was kid : Eddy Duchin . Then came Fats Waller , then someone who has been my idol all my life , Art Tatum . And after he died , the one who filled the void was Bill Evans . Mr . Valdes wrote arrangements for big bands and led an orchestra with as many as 40 musicians . In 1952 , he led the first recorded Cuban jam sessions , or descargas , for U.S. record producer Norman Granz . He pioneered an Afro - Cuban style of music called ritmo batanga that featured a rhythm played on a two - headed drum . But after Castro seized power in 1959 , Mr . Valdes ’ s style of American - influenced music was seen as outmoded or , even worse , as counter - revolutionary . In 1960 , he organized a sham tour of Mexico — no concerts were actually scheduled — and fled the country with several other musicians . He left his family behind . Forbidden to take money out of Cuba , he took recordings of his music with him as his only form of currency . He would not see his son , Chucho Valdes , who later helped found the celebrated Cuban group Irakere with D ’ Rivera and trumpeter Arturo Sandoval , until 1977 . One of the most poignant moments of “ Calle 54 ” was when Mr . Valdes played Lecuona ’ s “ La Comparsa ” with his son Mr . Valdes had five children with his first wife , Pilar Valdes , and two with his second wife . Rose Marie Persson Valdes died in 2012 . He had a second home in Spain and often visited the United States , but Mr . Valdes vowed that he would never return to Cuba until it was a free and democratic country . Yet , for all the years he stayed away , the rhythms of Cuba never left his fingers or his heart . “ I love Cuban music , ” he said in 2006 . “ This is always going to be inside of me . If you love a thing , you die loving that thing — that does n ’ t change . ” Matt Schudel Matt Schudel has been an obituary writer at The Washington Post since 2004 . He previously worked for publications in Washington , New York , North Carolina and Florida . Follow
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[
"Bebo Valdes",
"Cuban pianist",
"composer"
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https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/trumps-welfare-reform-plan-misses-a-key-piece-transportation/2018/05/12/9e7ba684-538c-11e8-abd8-265bd07a9859_story.html
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President Donald Trump speaks during an event about prescription drug prices at the White House on Friday Evan VucciAP By Martine Powers May 12 The Trump administrations order toughening work requirements for people who receive welfare and other forms of public assistance lacks a major component of the 1990sera reform transportation When President Bill Clinton launched his landmark effort to move Americans from welfare to work more than 20 years ago it sparked significant investment in transportation for those who did not own a car or have access to affordable or reliable public transit The Clinton plan required those receiving assistance to work or look for work Many of those welfare recipients benefited from the federally funded Bridges to Work program a 17 million investment from the Department of Housing and Urban Development that helped provide new transportation services in five cities around the country In Baltimore a nowdefunct statefunded program called Career Caravan ferried people to dense job centers in Howard County And in Florida state lawmakers encouraged private support for a program called Charity Cars which loaned or donated used vehicles to welfare recipients to help them travel to job training programs interviews and jobs On 20th anniversary of welfare reform DC still foots bill for longtime recipients But advocates for those who rely on public assistance say the Trump plan highlighted in several recent executive orders increases work requirements without taking into account that those who need the benefits have little or no access to transportation In an executive order signed last month President Trump directed federal agencies to hunt for new ways to limit the number of people who would qualify for assistance Federal officials also have pushed states to impose work requirements for Medicaid so ablebodied recipients would be required to work a certain number of hours per week to receive statesubsidized health care They have proposed increasing existing work requirements for people who receive food stamps And they want to raise the age limit for the elderly who are exempt from the work requirement Trump executive order strengthens work requirements for neediest Americans Since the 1990s things have become much more difficult for welfare recipients said Evelyn Blumenberg a professor at the Luskin School of Public Affairs at the University of California at Los Angeles And I have not seen an upswell in movement for supporting the transportation part of this The link between access to reliable transportation and employment opportunities is welldocumented Studies show that transportation or the lack thereof remains the greatest barrier to lowincome people seeking steady employment And under previous administrations government officials have acknowledged that relationship In a 1998 Government Accountability Office report officials said increasing funding to programs that help organize or pay for welfare recipients commutes to job centers would be one of the most effective ways to ultimately get people on solid financial footing and off welfare Without adequate transportation welfare recipients face significant barriers in trying to move from welfare to work the report said These challenges are particularly acute for urban mothers receiving welfare who do not own cars and must make multiple trips each day to accommodate child care and other domestic responsibilities Transportation services were a critical part of welfare reform under Clinton and President Ronald Reagan The notion of reciprocal obligation that the governments role in public assistance is to help people help themselves required that the government invest significantly in secondary programs related to transportation child care and job training which would help people find quality work that would enable them to eventually stop relying on the government for basic needs But in recent years federal funding for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families the federal welfare program has remained stagnant The value of those dollars also has declined relative to inflation So states have had to concentrate those limited resources on providing basic financial assistance to families and have had to cut back on the secondary services that support people trying to fulfill the employment requirements that allow them to receive the benefits in the first place District does an aboutface on welfare reform with decision to keep helping longterm recipients Elaine Waxman senior fellow at the Urban Institute said transportation programs are usually the first thing on the chopping block Federal allocations dont keep pace with what the states need to support lowincome workers particularly when it comes to transportation said Waxman who specializes in safetynet programs Its not necessarily that theres a lack of interest in providing these programs Blumenberg said But states and counties are using their funds to provide that core benefit and some of these programs like transportation have gone by the wayside But the changes proposed by Trump stand to exacerbate the difficulties lowincome Americans face While the economy has grown in recent years and the job market is on the upswing those jobs are increasingly concentrated in suburban areas at office parks and industrial sectors that are difficult to reach by public transit Jobs are suburbanizing poverty is suburbanizing and people are living in very dispersed environments which makes accessing these jobs by modes other than a car really difficult and timeconsuming Blumenberg said Advocates for the social safety net also are concerned about another aspect of the proposed welfare reform that could affect recipients access to jobs higher limits on vehicular assets Wisconsin is the GOP model for welfare reform But as work requirements grow so does one familys desperation In Wisconsin people are not allowed to receive welfare if they have a vehicle valued at more than 20000 In California that limit is as low as 4650 although people can apply for waivers Those asset limitations can be particularly detrimental for lowincome people who may own a car from a time when they were employed but after a job loss were no longer able to pay for insurance or repairs so they cant use it to reach employment centers or job interviews With those restrictions in mind some cities and states have leaned toward attempting to find ways to provide free or reducedprice transit passes for lowincome residents But there is a problem with those programs Free or reducedcost public transit is often not as helpful to poor people as having access to a car particularly for those who dont live in areas with good public transit systems Its a touchy subject in transportation circles where funds are focused on increasing access to public transit even though poor people more than anyone need the flexibility and instant mobility of having a car Blumenberg said Unfortunately she added in almost every single neighborhood context public transit does not provide the same job opportunities as having an automobile 549 Martine Powers Martine Powers is a reporter and host of the Post Reports daily news podcast She has worked at The Post since 2016 and previously covered transportation and infrastructure She also reported wrote and hosted the narrative audio miniseries How to Flip the House Podcasts
|
[
"Transportation"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/son-of-prominent-house-republican-endorses-the-democrat-running-for-his-fathers-seat/2018/08/13/eefe6330-9f04-11e8-93e3-24d1703d2a7a_story.html
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By Jenna Portnoy August 13 2018 The son of one of the highestranking Republicans in Congress retiring Rep Bob Goodlatte of Virginia turned on his fathers politics in a series of tweets and urged voters to flip the conservative district from red to blue Bobby Goodlatte a venture capitalist who lives in San Francisco on Sunday tweeted his support for the underdog Democrat running for his fathers seat announced he had donated the maximum of 2700 to her campaign and encouraged others to do the same As word of the bombshell endorsement spread Monday the younger Goodlatte wrote that he was deeply embarrassed that fired FBI agent Peter Strzoks career was ruined by my fathers political grandstanding The tweets helped Democrat Jennifer Lewis raise more than 10000 from across the country and brought national attention to the contest in a conservative western Virginia district that President Trump won by double digits Lewis is a firsttime candidate and progressive populist running against Ben Cline a state lawmaker and Goodlattes former chief of staff who has been endorsed by the congressman Analysts consider it a safe Republican seat An aide to Goodlatte did not respond to requests for comment about his sons communications Cline declined to comment Democrat Jennifer Lewis is running for a seat held by retiring Rep Bob Goodlatte RVa Jennifer Lewis for Congress Lewis said she awoke at 530 am Monday to a flood of texts and calls alerting her to the younger Goodlattes activity Were just completely honored to have his support she said For him to put himself out there was just so honorable also He didnt have to He could have just quietly sent us a check The fact that he chose to get involved shows just how important this race is In addition to donating to Lewis Bobby Goodlatte gave to Hillary Clinton in 2016 His father is the powerful chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and former chairman of the House Agriculture Committee He is not seeking reelection after more than a quartercentury in Congress representing the 6th District which stretches from the Shenandoah Valley to the Roanoke Valley and east to Lynchburg the home of Liberty University Bobby Goodlatte 32 was raised in the Roanoke region as one of two children of the congressman and his wife Maryellen an attorney He moved to California after graduating from Duke University and was one of Facebooks early employees Today he invests in tech startups The Goodlattes daughter Jennifer Goodlatte Barblan is an attorney who works on Capitol Hill and has been a visible presence on the campaign trail friends and political observers say Bobby Goodlatte has posted liberal messages on social media in the past and told Tech Crunch in 2015 that he and his father were starting from the exact opposite sides of the political spectrum But this appears to be the first time he has publicly targeted his father Meet the Virginia congressman who tried to gut the House ethics office I just gave the maximum allowed donation to Jennifer Lewis a democrat running for my fathers congressional seat Ive also gotten 5 other folks to commit to donate the max 2018 is the year to flip districts lets do this Bobby Goodlatte tweeted Sunday evening He asked his 32000 followers to do more than retweet him Donate he wrote with a link to Lewiss Act Blue page Hours after the FBI on Monday fired Peter Strzok the agent who helped lead the bureaus investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election Bobby Goodlatte tweeted a condemnation of the way his father questioned Strzok during a hearing in July Im deeply embarrassed that Peter Strzoks career was ruined by my fathers political grandstanding That committee hearing was a low point for Congress Thank you for your service sir You are a patriot he tweeted Del Todd Gilbert RShenandoah copied the tweet and joked In related news Bobby will apparently be having Thanksgiving dinner at the Strzoks home this year Lewis 36 favors Medicare for all legalization of marijuana and hemp and a 15 minimum wage She said she would not support Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi DCalif for speaker if Democrats win control of the House Lewis works for the state helping mentally ill individuals transition from institutions to living in the community She built a reputation in the district as an early and vocal opponent of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline a 600mile project that will carry natural gas from West Virginia through central Virginia The pipeline being built by Dominion Energy would bisect the congressional district and faces opposition from environmentalists and critics of eminent domain Pipeline construction stopped last week after three judges from the US Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit vacated a National Park Serviceissued permit that allowed the pipeline to tunnel under the Blue Ridge Parkway saying the agency had not explained how the pipeline fulfilled its mandate to conserve public lands Cline a member of the House of Delegates from Rockbridge since 2002 and an attorney has a larger war chest than Lewis He has raised 390000 for the race and had 85000 cash on hand by the end of June Lewis raised 72778 and had 34363 cash on hand Cline has not said whether he opposes the pipeline
|
[
"Bob Goodlatte",
"Republican",
"Jenna Portnoy"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/who-died-in-your-house-heres-how-to-find-out/2013/10/21/937aa5b8-3a88-11e3-b6a9-da62c264f40e_story.html
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Caroline Levington poses for a portrait in her 1912 row house in the Petworth neighborhood Caroline and her husband recently participated in a workshop on how to research the history of homes through maps photos and other archives Ricky CariotiThe Washington Post By Petula Dvorak October 21 2013 At least five people have died in my house Three of them were children One of them was a Union soldier who had lost the hearing in his right ear to a musket ball he took in the head during the Battle of Sailors Creek years after a career as a Capitol Hill police officer and Navy Yard clerk Was his Irish wake in our living room Or in the dining room Did he die in the master bedroom Or the room thats now our home office These are the joys and sorrows of an old house And in the nations capital where various degrees of stupid and scandalous always bookend the inspiring and historic lots of people wish their old walls could talk Real estate history is a hot pursuit here whether it means trawling Google for the names of the people everyone in your condo complained about two years ago or whirring through the microfiche archives to see your 1920 building permit Caroline Levington poses for a portrait in her 1912 row house in the Petworth neighborhood Caroline and her husband recently participated in a workshop on how to research the history of homes through maps photos and other archives Ricky CariotiThe Washington Post The epicenter of this hobby The DC Humanities Councils annual house history workshop The sessions filled up right away with people clamoring for guidance in prowling the photo archives or the building permit database at the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Library downtown in its Washingtonia collection There were DC residents young and old including Jeff Leon 26 an accountant who recently moved here and rents a home in Bloomingdale He is one of those guys who appreciates the citys history at every corner marveling at the brickwork and facades everywhere Im from south Florida he explained Nothing is more than 50 years old So here Im surrounded by history The unsentimental field guide in this pursuit is Brian Kraft a fasttalking database guy who can help you find the permits on any building in the District Its the birth certificate of the building he said To demonstrate he punched in a random address and a database popped up on his overhead screen Its a threestory rowhouse it has a porch he said drawing an image from the various entries and codes in a permit Thats pretty uppermiddle class These owners were probably people wellplaced in the government He can tell you who built the house how much it cost to construct and how you can crossreference the entire DC portfolio of that builder Caroline Levington 31 listened carefully She recently bought a house in Petworth which was named one of the best oldhouse neighborhoods in the country by This Old House a home improvement magazine and television show Id like to know more about my neighborhoods history said Levington a trade and investment consultant who grew up in a 100yearold home in Maine and has been in the Petworth home she bought with her husband for four years She checked in after the workshop to tell me what she learned It turns out that her home was built in 1912 for 3000 and one of the original owners was a labor leader and manager of the Trade Unionist newspaper His wife died in the home when she was 58 Yes death is a popular theme in homehistory research USA Today did a just this weekend on DiedInHousecom a Web site that compiles public records to help you decide whether those noises youre hearing at night may actually be the guy who died in the basement Yeah thats the kind of information we do find said the next very important person on the homehistory research tour Bruce Yarnall operations and grants manager for the citys Historic Preservation Office Doing historical research is like lifting up a rock He remembered guiding one owner who was horrified when the paper trail led to a death in the home And we had another patron who was absolutely thrilled to learn that there were suicides in the basement and the attic of the house Yarnall is better than a Ouija board for finding out whether that creak you hear in the hallway at night is a restless spirit As for our house I dont think any of our ghosts are hanging around My kids have scared them all away To read previous columns go to washingtonpostcomdvorak
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[
"Caroline Levington",
"Petworth"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2018/10/31/pakistani-christian-woman-who-faced-death-penalty-blasphemy-is-acquitted-after-years-death-row/
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Supporters of Jamiat UlemaeIslam a hardline religious political party protest the Pakistani Supreme Courts acquittal Wednesday of a Christian woman facing execution for blasphemy Aamir QureshiAFPGetty Images By Shaiq Hussain Pamela Constable and Meagan Flynn October 31 ISLAMABAD Pakistan In a tensely awaited ruling Wednesday Pakistans highest court spared the life of a Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy prompting celebrations among human rights activists but nationwide protests by Muslim religious parties some of whose leaders called for the justices to be killed The angry outbursts drew a strong rebuke from Prime Minister Imran Khan who addressed the nation in a video message Wednesday night as demonstrations and roadblocks persisted Khan said that the despicable language used by a small section of society against the army judiciary and government is deplorable adding I appeal to you not to start a confrontation with the state But the surprise ruling in the case of Asia Bibi 47 a farmworker and mother of five who was accused of blasphemy by Muslim coworkers in 2009 after a dispute over sharing water in a sweltering berry field seemed likely to intensify the confrontation between Pakistani authorities and leaders of the fastgrowing antiblasphemy movement that has flared repeatedly in the past year In Pakistan oncefringe Islamist radicals are making their way into mainstream politics The Bibi case has been at the heart of that clash because it led to the assassination of a provincial governor who had questioned the fairness of her treatment under Pakistans stringent blasphemy laws The killer was the governors 26yearold bodyguard Mumtaz Qadri who claimed he was acting in defense of Islam Qadri was executed for murder in 2016 but later lionized as a martyr by some Pakistani Muslims and his death spawned a crusade that has since gained millions of adherents A threejudge Supreme Court panel overturned a lower courts conviction of Bibi who spent eight years in prison while appealing charges of making derogatory remarks about the prophet Muhammad The panel found that the evidence against her appeared fabricated and flimsy If Asia had not been granted clemency she could have been the first person hanged under the blasphemy laws which carry a mandatory death penalty Asia Bibi is shown in prison in Sheikhupura Pakistan near Lahore in November 2010 HandoutAFPGetty Images In the United States and elsewhere abroad religious rights activists and others praised the courts decision The US Commission on International Religious Freedom said her case illustrates the extent to which blasphemy laws can be exploited to target minority communities Christians and members of Pakistans Ahmadi minority are often falsely accused of blasphemy In expansive Pakistan Christians struggle to find space for cemeteries The commissions chairman Tenzin Dorjee called it deeply troubling that Bibis case even reached this level at which she came close to being executed In most such cases the defendants end up languishing in prison but many others have been lynched by mobs The commission called on Khans government to ensure her safety and to release 40 other people imprisoned on blasphemy charges Sen Richard J Durbin DIll a longtime critic of alleged religious abuses in Pakistan said in a tweet he was relieved Asia Bibi has been freed and acquitted of a bogus blasphemy charge in Pakistan This was the correct humane and only decision for the Court to make Her and her familys safety and her lawyers should be of the utmost importance now There were unconfirmed reports that authorities were considering sending Bibi and her family out of the country Bibi has not yet been released from custody officials said Supporters of the Movement in Service of the Prophet chant against Wednesdays ruling in the northwestern city of Peshawar Abdul MajeedAFPGetty Images On Tuesday night Khadim Hussain Rizvi leader of the national religious party known as the Movement in Service to the Prophet warned that if the high court decided in favor of Bibi the nation would be brought to a standstill The party which has used various names in the past staged a mass protest last year that blocked the highway between Islamabad and Rawalpindi city for weeks After the court ruled Wednesday hundreds of religious protesters blocked the same route We dont accept this decision which is given only to please the US and other Western powers said Haris Ahmed a young man taking part in the demonstration Our protest will continue until the Supreme Court reverses its decision and the blasphemer is sentenced to death If the government believes it can stop us by force they are living in a fools paradise In Lahore Pakistans secondlargest city Rizvi staged a separate protest outside the provincial legislature after the ruling urging people through a loudspeaker to join in All of you hearing my voice shut your doors and come join this protest he said For us the honor of our prophet is everything We are ready to face police We are not afraid of anything Its time to rise up for your religion In its ruling the court panel did not take issue with the blasphemy laws or with the imposition of the death penalty in proven cases but said it was bound to honor the presumption of innocence Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar wrote that the commission of blasphemy is abhorrent and immoral but at the same time a false allegation regarding commission of such an offence is equally detestable Constable reported from Kabul Flynn reported from Washington In Pakistan a students lynching for alleged blasphemy was a new low but no surprise Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news
|
[
"blasphemy",
"Christian woman",
"death penalty"
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https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/exodus-from-puerto-rico-grows-as-island-struggles-to-rebound-from-hurricane-maria/2018/03/06/b2fcb996-16c3-11e8-92c9-376b4fe57ff7_story.html
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A neighborhood in Cayey Puerto Rico remains without power five months after Hurricane Maria About half of the town is still in the dark one of several factors that has led Puerto Rican residents to flee to the mainland United States Erika P RodriguezFor The Washington Post By Arelis R Hernández March 6 2018 SAN JUAN Puerto Rico There have been three muses in Ramoncito El Andino Rodríguezs life love lament and la isla Puerto Rico The founder of one of the oldest musical acts here Rodríguez croons boleros and lyrical anthems that at times quicken the heart and at others create a daydreamy lull Many of them are homages to his motherland love songs to this Caribbean island It was a place he never wanted to leave But leave he did Rodríguez reluctantly abandoned Puerto Rico after several feet of floodwater spilled into his home during Hurricane Maria in September destroying his instruments albums and handwritten compositions The 78yearold joined hundreds of thousands of other islanders who boarded flights in the past five months creating a growing diaspora that as time passes is increasingly unlikely to return Rodríguez and his wife like so many others picked Florida and their stateside sojourn was supposed to be temporary They didnt expect stability back home to be so elusive for so long Im still here Rodríguez said with a sigh from his nieces house in Homestead Fla in midFebruary If the past decade of Puerto Rican history is any indication his stay could become permanent Destiny will decide what happens next How Puerto Rican artists are channeling grief and loss to restore joy around San Juan Even before Maria strafed the region a record number of Puerto Ricans were realizing that the declining island might be where their heart is but can not be where their feet stay Nearly 500000 people left Puerto Rico for the mainland during the past decade according to the Pew Research Center pushing the stateside Puerto Rican population past the number living on the island last year an estimated 33 million The government of Puerto Ricos guess is that by the end of 2018 200000 more residents will have left the US territory for good moving to places such as Florida New York Texas Pennsylvania New Jersey and New England It would mean another drop of more than 5 percent in the islands population Experts say the storm and its widespread devastation undoubtedly have sped up the pace of migration as residents have dealt with extended power outages communication lapses infrastructure failures and in some cases isolation What already was the largest exodus in the islands history now includes people fleeing in droves simply to achieve some sense of normalcy Just this week a power outage put nearly 900000 residents in and around the capital city of San Juan in the dark and without water again Tens of thousands in Puerto Rico have had no electricity since the hurricane struck five months ago and the US Army Corps of Engineers estimates that 1 in 10 customers still wont have it as of the end of March The islands bankrupt public utility has struggled to restore power amid contracting scandals materiel shortages and intermittent blackouts and the biggest restoration contractor Fluor Corp confirmed that it is pulling out of Puerto Rico The governor announced plans last month to privatize the electric utility sparking standoffs with unionized workers and arousing suspicions from residents Some municipalities such as San Sebastian a town in the islands northwest corner didnt wait and formed their own volunteer brigades to string up power lines and return electricity to thousands of residents A home damaged by Hurricane Maria in Comerio Puerto Rico The town in the mountainous area of the island is still mostly without power according to Mayor Josian Santiago Erika P RodriguezFor The Washington Post Nearly 58000 homes here have roofs made of blue tarps while they await federal assistance more than 437000 residents about 2 of every 5 who applied so far have received money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for home repairs For many the future feels ominous Victor Dominguez set a June deadline for his island If Puerto Rico doesnt get the lights back on and move the economy the mortgage banker will take his family elsewhere I am very attached to my island and my preference is to stay here but I have to think whats best for my son the 39yearold said Im in a moment in which I have to be very observant about whats happening and be flexible Parts of Puerto Rico are still in the dark after Hurricane Maria Immediately after the storm Dominguez sent his family to the States for two weeks while he continued working and taking care of their home When schools in Florida announced that they would take in Puerto Rican students he and his wife considered enrolling their 10yearold But as long as he had a job on the island the family decided to work and wait it out Many of his colleagues and neighbors did not Combined with this economic crisis this was a perfect storm for the country to just empty he said Theres still a lot of people but I hear about people who are leaving on a weekly basis Ive spoken to people who have this hope of coming back to Puerto Rico but Ive also heard from people who are happy to have permanent stability José Luis Rodríguez 53 at his home in Comerio Puerto Rico Erika P RodriguezFor The Washington Post José Luis Rodríguez 53 spends his nights in a winddamaged wooden home pressed against a steep hillside in Comerio in central Puerto Rico The mosquitoes are relentless but the loneliness is what stings he lives by himself in a barrio where most of the residents rely on government assistance and half of the homes are now vacant because of the hurricane The La Plata river that runs through the town swelled by more than 60 feet inundating hundreds of homes including that of Rodríguezs daughter 24 Having lost everything she joined her twin sister on the mainland leaving behind their father who is struggling They are the only thing I have Rodríguez said If I could I would be there My daughter said she would come back but she doesnt have a place to live A photo of the La Plata River in Comerio Puerto Rico Erika P RodriguezFor The Washington Post Pretty tough here Puerto Ricans have moved back and forth between the island and the mainland for more than a century after they received US citizenship in 1917 The circular migration is a fundamental part of the Puerto Rican experience immortalized in the islands art and music because moving from the territory is as easy as moving between states The difference between the past decades migration and that of previous generations is the character size and speed with which it threatens to change Puerto Ricos economic and social future Migrants are looking for the things they cant find on the island jobs and stability Puerto Ricos teens and young adults dont know what kinds of opportunities will be available to them as the economic depression deepens Hector Camacho 24 has tried to secure a job as a high school literature teacher for more than a year since graduating from the University of Puerto Rico He now sends résumés to places such as Wyoming and Washington DC hoping for an answer Will I have a roof tomorrow Thats the worry I have said Camacho who is waiting tables here at a newly opened restaurant and arcade I also have loans to pay Its been pretty tough here Sin Luz Life without power in the longest blackout in US history Camacho and his friend Christopher Rosario who left the island a year ago and joined the US Army were talking outside a laundromat near the university campus in San Juan last week when the power went out for the second time in 24 hours Both grew up in Utuado in the central mountains and one of the hardesthit regions of the island and what they saw there killed any lingering hope You try to see the bright side but its too dim to see anything good Camacho said Im done Once I get a chance Im out Puerto Ricos government fears Camacho is not alone The administration of Gov Ricardo Rosselló PNP of Puerto Rico published projections that put the islands population well below 3 million within a decade a possible 10 percent decline in line with what researchers expect to see in war zones or what happened during the Irish potato famine in the mid1800s What we are observing is a major depopulation event that is not extremely common in modern history said Lyman Stone an independent migration researcher and economist at the Agriculture Department who provided models to Puerto Rico People kind of treated me like a crazy person when I put it out there Demographers and economists say Stones projections appear to be on the high end but they caution that the Puerto Rican exodus will cut deeply The Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College in New York estimates that between 114000 and 213000 people will leave the island in 2018 with the vast majority headed for Florida Most projections are based in part on volatile airline passenger data tracking the number of people boarding flights leaving the island Three Florida airports reported 371000 people traveling commercially from Puerto Rico since October But so far fewer than 40000 people have visited the states multiagency service centers set up to assist migrants and far fewer about 4500 have been issued state drivers licenses The centers director Edwin Meléndez is using school enrollment data from six states receiving Puerto Rican children to more accurately pinpoint migration Since the hurricane more than 22000 students from the island have enrolled in stateside schools More than half of those 10324 students enrolled in school districts in Florida Pennsylvania State University demographer Alexis R Santos said it is difficult to measure the magnitude of the outflow without also considering people like Rodríguez the musician who expect to return Its all speculative Santos said We have to be really careful with the numbers A more accurate migration head count wont be available for months from the Census Bureau and even then it probably wont capture the entire picture of Puerto Ricos population fluctuations since the storm Even before Maria our ability to measure net migration in Puerto Rico wasnt very good said Mario Marazzi director of the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics an independent agency Josian Santiago mayor of Comerio a town that has struggled to recover after the hurricane Erika P RodriguezFor The Washington Post Economic predictions depend on good population statistics said Puerto Rican economist José Joaquín Villamil The islands economy had all but sputtered to a halt before the Category 5 hurricane hit and there already was severe turmoil and job losses The central government had tried to borrow its way out of strife to the point of bankruptcy Bondholders demanded payment and Congress appointed a fiscal oversight board in 2016 that imposed austerity measures Nearly half of the islands population lives in poverty and household income is about 18000 a year less than half that of Mississippi the countrys poorest state The scarcity of jobs along with low wages and a rising cost of living has caused young workingage Puerto Ricans to head for the mainland Villamil said He estimates that nearly half of migrants are younger than 24 Falling birthrates led to a deeper population decline and Puerto Rico has been left with a rapidly aging populace Genesis Muñoz 19 a student at the University of Puerto Rico wants to believe she can finish her bachelors degree in art and painting But money has gotten tighter since the storm She doesnt eat well her family home in Humacao was severely damaged and attending classes 40 miles away is becoming too expensive Everything is going badly Muñoz said It bothers me that there are people who live in their bubble of privilege saying everything is okay Its not and I cant judge those who leave because in the long term I know that I will also have to leave for my career Population decline is one of several factors Rossellos administration weighs in a fiscal plan that was revised this month detailing how the government views its economic future and how it will find its way out of the red Critics have said that plan depends heavily on billions in hopedfor federal spending With a lessproductive population you are heading toward serious problems Villamil said Carla Lopez works at her office in the Santurce Pop retail incubator on March 2 The space in San Juan brings together local designers and artists to set up small shops After Hurricane Maria the 33yearold left with her two young children for Florida but decided to return Erika P RodriguezFor The Washington Post Puerto Rico PaLante Despite the outlook some Puerto Ricans who left immediately after the hurricane have returned to their homes and businesses trying to salvage the lives they had here Carla Lopez was almost certain she would have to relocate her popup retail incubator Santurce Pop to central Florida in the days after the hurricane She and her husband own a building in San Juan that provides affordable space to local entrepreneurs to build their small businesses most of which specialize in locally sourced products and services Lopez 33 took her two young children to Orlando and began making arrangements with the local Chamber of Commerce to move her business there But while she was shopping at a farmers market she realized her heart was still in Puerto Rico What am I doing here she said I felt bad being there knowing what was happening back home She and her husband decided to return to San Juan and give the business six months to see if they could rebound Although they lost about half of their clients the couple reasoned that there was an opportunity to find new customers because many entrepreneurs lost their storefronts or are unable to pay high rent Since the storm they have opened a second location in metro San Juan We have a social responsibility to provide this space Lopez said This is ours this is our baby and if we dont fight for it who will Thats a decision over which Rodríguez the musician agonized He too chose to return to the island arriving Thursday to his waterlogged home carrying his blue binder of crinkled compositions Among them is a new song he wrote during his time in Florida Its called Puerto Rico PaLante said the crooner smiling beneath the brim of his Panama hat explaining that the title means that the commonwealth is moving forward The island beckoned me back Ramoncito El Andino Rodríguez 78 in his home in Levittown Puerto Rico on March 2 the day after he returned with his family after months in Florida The musician and his wife had to be evacuated the night of the storm and lost almost all of their possessions Erika P RodriguezFor The Washington Post
|
[
"Puerto Rico",
"Hurricane Maria"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/marijuana-frequently-asked-questions/2014/01/02/2b9bf6c0-73c4-11e3-8b3f-b1666705ca3b_story.html
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By Brady Dennis and Ariana Eunjung Cha January 2 , 2014 On Wednesday , Colorado became the first state to allow legal sales of marijuana for recreational use . Washington state will do the same this year , and other states might follow suit . Here are answers to some basic questions about marijuana , its effects on the body and the issues raised by legalization : How does marijuana work ? Marijuana ’ s main active ingredient is delta - 9 - tetrahydrocannabinol , or THC , found in the leaves , stems , seeds and especially the flowers of the cannabis plant . It binds to the surface of nerve cells in high - density areas of the brain involved in memory , thinking , concentration , feelings of pleasure , coordination and movement , and sensory and time perception . THC stimulates this communication network , resulting in a marijuana “ high . ” What are its medicinal uses ? About 20 states and the District allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes . Most patients seek the drug for controlling pain from medical conditions including cancer , nervous system diseases , glaucoma and migraine . It is also being used to treat nausea and improve appetites of people with HIV or chronic illnesses . Copy Buyers line up for pot in Colorado View Photos Long lines accompanied the first day of legal sales of recreational marijuana . What ’ s the difference between smoking marijuana and consuming it in food , powders or liquid extracts ? When marijuana is smoked , THC moves almost immediately from the lungs to the bloodstream and to the brain . The effects can last one to three hours . If it ’ s eaten , say in brownies or cookies , it can take 30 minutes to an hour to have an effect , but the high can last up to four hours . What are the health effects of marijuana use ? In the short term , it can lead to a rapid heart rate , increased blood pressure , red eyes , dry mouth , increased appetite and slowed reaction time . Long - term use has been linked to impaired thinking , memory problems , panic attacks and other psychological issues . There have also been studies showing a weakened immune system and , for those who smoke the drug , impaired lung function . How much marijuana is safe to use ? Can you overdose ? There is no recorded case of someone dying from an overdose of marijuana , but it has been a factor in accidents or medical issues that can lead to death . The concentration of THC in seized samples of illegal marijuana has been increasing over the past 30 years , with the average potency more than doubling since 1998 , leading to concern about the consequences for young users . But scientists do n ’ t know much about the effects of higher concentrations on the body and brain . Is it addictive ? It can be . Long - term use , especially by those who start at a young age , has been shown to lead to addiction , with an estimated one out of 11 people who use it becoming dependent on it . Marijuana was responsible for 4.5 million of the 7.1 million Americans dependent on or abusing illicit drugs , according to the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health published by the Department of Health and Human Services . Withdrawal symptoms are similar to those of withdrawal from smoking and include irritability , sleep difficulties and anxiety How does marijuana use affect the young ? Last year , Canadian and American researchers reviewed more than 120 studies examining cannabis and its effects on the teenage brain . They found strong indications that early marijuana use can alter development and contribute to mental health problems later in life . “ When you smoke marijuana , you can not memorize or learn as you should , ” Nora D . Volkow , director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse , said recently on NPR ’ s “ The Diane Rehm Show . ” “ The other issue is that , the younger you start smoking marijuana , the higher the risk not only to becoming addicted to marijuana , but it also appears to increase the risk for addiction of other drugs in adulthood . ” Volkow added : “ What we know about the marijuana , as well as other drugs , is that the effects of drugs in the human brain are not the same when you take them as a child , adolescent or as an adult , and this is because there are significant changes in the brain as we go in the transition from childhood into adulthood . ” How does marijuana use affect driving ? One of the key questions Colorado lawmakers had to wrestle with in setting up a legal marijuana market : When is someone too stoned to drive ? The answer is n ’ t simple . Prosecutors and some state lawmakers have long sought strict blood - level limits for THC . Many marijuana advocates argue that the drug affects people differently and that setting a hard limit could lead to wrongful DUI convictions . They also argue that , unlike with alcohol , traces of the drug remain in the bloodstream long after an individual has smoked pot . Officials in favor of blood - level limits say tests can pinpoint “ active ” THC in the bloodstream in the hours immediately after marijuana usage . Studies have shown that smoking marijuana tends to affect spatial perceptions . Drivers might swerve or follow other cars too closely . They can lose concentration and have slower reaction times . Such findings have led some researchers to conclude that driving while high greatly increases the chances for an accident , and that smoking pot and drinking before driving is a particularly dangerous mix . Every state forbids driving under the influence . But convictions in drugged - driving cases generally rely on the observations and testimony of police officers rather than blood tests . The White House , in a drug policy paper last year , called on states to adopt blood - limit laws in an effort to reduce drugged driving , but states continue to take different approaches . Last year , Colorado lawmakers approved a bill that creates a “ permissive inference ” that someone with a certain level of THC in their blood is impaired . Drivers suspected of driving while high generally would have to consent to have their blood drawn , and they could lose their license if they refuse . Should you use marijuana if you ’ re pregnant ? A number of studies have shown that babies born to some women who regularly used marijuana had an increased risk of cognitive and attention deficits , memory and learning problems , low birth weight , pre - term delivery and other issues . But more research is needed to figure out to what extent environmental factors played a role in these studies . Brady Dennis and Ariana Eunjung Cha Comment s
|
[
"Marijuana",
"legal",
"Colorado"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/scientist-unravels-mystery-of-coral-seas-ghostly-sandy-island/2013/04/14/76316606-a508-11e2-8302-3c7e0ea97057_story.html
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By Joel Achenbach April 14 , 2013 A research ship cruised through the Coral Sea , east of Australia , bearing down on Sandy Island . The digital scientific databases used by the researchers showed the island to be 15 miles long , north to south , and about three miles wide . Manhattan - sized . But when the ship reached the place where the island should have been , the researchers saw only open ocean . The water was nearly a mile deep . Sandy Island simply was n ’ t there . Or , it turned out , anywhere . How could an island supposedly discovered in 1876 , and appearing on many maps ever since , vanish ? Did it sink beneath the waves like the mythical Atlantis ? Or was it always a figment of some mariner ’ s imagination ? The bizarre and complicated story of ghostly Sandy Island is a cautionary tale about what we know and do n ’ t know in the 21st century — and how , even with satellite technology and modern surveying instruments , the ocean can still spring a surprise . Last October , Maria Seton , a young scientist at the University of Sydney , led a 25 - day expedition to the Coral Sea aboard the Australian national research vessel RV Southern Surveyor . The researchers wanted to understand the tectonic evolution of that corner of the Pacific . They gathered magnetic and gravity data to map the sea floor and collected rock samples from the bottom at depths up to two miles . They noticed that multiple scientific data sets , including the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans , showed Sandy Island clearly in a remote area west of New Caledonia . But the chart used by the ship ’ s master indicated only open water . Seton and her fellow sailors realized something did n ’ t add up . “ We had a cached version of Google Earth for the area — we had no Internet — and saw that the ‘ island ’ was depicted as a big black blob . This also made us very suspicious , ” she said . Seton ’ s “ undiscovery ” of the island prompted a story in the Sydney Morning Herald that went viral . This was big news in the world of cartography ; experts were puzzled , and some wondered if Sandy Island had been eroded away by the waves , like some ephemeral coral atolls . Google and National Geographic quickly removed Sandy Island from all of their maps . Seton , meanwhile , dug into the mystery and has now published an obituary of Sandy Island in EOS , the journal of the American Geophysical Union . Her research showed that the island appeared on the 1908 edition of a British admiralty map , which indicated that Sandy Island had been discovered in 1876 in French territorial waters by the whaling ship Velocity . The location and shape of the island on the 1908 map corresponds to what can be seen in the modern , erroneous databases . The island was repeatedly “ undiscovered ” over ensuing decades , but it remained a shadowy presence in the cartographic world . Some maps labeled it “ ED , ” for “ existence doubtful . ” French hydrographic maps deleted Sandy Island once and for all in 1974 . But the island kept popping up in other places . The island was clearly marked , for example , on a 1982 U.S. Defense Mapping Agency map . “ Ile de Sable , ” it says , giving the French name . There ’ s a cryptic annotation : “ Reported 1876 . Reported to be about 4 miles east , 1968 . ” Seton ’ s research pointed her to the World Vector Shoreline Database ( WVS ) , developed by the U.S. military . The database converted old , hard - copy charts to a digital format . But there were errors — perhaps decades old — lurking in the new data set . “ [ I ] nconsistencies in this data set exist in some of the least explored parts of our planet , a function of both human digitizing errors and errors in the original maps from which the digitizing took place , ” Seton wrote in EOS . The errors then migrated to other databases used by scientists such as the Global Self - consistent , Hierarchical , High - Resolution Shoreline Database ( GSHHS ) , Seton found . Christine Phillips , spokeswoman for the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency , the successor to the Defense Mapping Agency , said Sandy Island has n ’ t been on military maps for many years , though she was unable to specify when the island was removed from the charts . Modern cartography is far removed from the era when maps went blank around the edges or carried the warning Here Be Dragons . But experts in cartography say that the craft is , like any other human endeavor , vulnerable to error . The more information we assemble about the world , the more opportunity we create for making a mistake . Moreover , appearances can be deceiving : Just because a map looks professional , and just because a digital map may have impressive bells and whistles , does n ’ t mean that the underlying data has been scrubbed of errors , said David Titley , a retired rear admiral who served in the Navy for 32 years and served in the position of oceanographer and navigator . “ When we look at these computer displays , with the three - dimensional imagery and colorized , it can give you a sense that we know more than we do , ” Titley said . “ A lot of people in the Navy do n ’ t always understand the difference between having a chart and having the survey data that formed that chart . ” Another key lesson : Although the planet has been studied from space and , in some places , charted all the way to the bottom of the deepest ocean trenches , “ very little of it is surveyed to modern hydrographic international standards , ” said Phillips , the geospatial intelligence agency spokeswoman . It ’ s because of lingering uncertainties and misapprehensions that the U.S. Navy still has seven vessels that survey the oceans , Titley said . Navigational errors can be catastrophic , as the crew of the nuclear attack submarine USS San Francisco discovered on Jan . 8 , 2005 . The submarine was cruising at full speed , more than 500 feet below the sea near Guam , when it slammed into an underwater mountain . Many sailors were injured , and one died later . The submarine nearly sank . Repairs cost millions of dollars . The place where the seamount was located was marked on one map with nothing more than discolored water , Titley said . The Navy , alarmed by the accident , realized that it had a mapping problem and set out to correct the errors . “ We would find these underwater features , these underwater seamounts . They either were simply not on a chart or were misplaced by several nautical miles . Or were a significantly different depth than what had been charted , ” Titley said . “ It ’ s a really big ocean , and we certainly do n ’ t know everything . ” But back to the central mystery of how Sandy Island came into being . Was it merely imagined ? Maybe not . It ’ s possible that what the whaling vessel saw in 1876 was a floating raft of stone — a “ pumice raft . ” Pumice is a frothy , light rock produced in volcanic eruptions . Huge mats of pumice can float on the ocean before eventually breaking to pieces . “ In volcanic terrains you can get islands that are temporarily there and then disappear . I have seen floating mats of pumice that form and drift around for several years after a marine volcanic eruption , ” said Bruce Molnia , a research geologist at the U.S. Geological Survey . In her EOS article , Seton notes that an eruption near Tonga in 2001 - 2002 produced a pumice raft that traveled about 2,000 miles toward Australia , and it passed within 13 miles of the location of “ Sandy Island ” — the island that never was . Comment s Joel Achenbach Joel Achenbach covers science and politics for the National desk . He has been a staff writer for The Post since 1990 .
|
[
"Coral Sea",
"Sandy Island",
"Australia"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/act-four/wp/2015/04/07/how-to-deal-with-false-rape-allegations/
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By Alyssa Rosenberg April 7 , 2015 In their scathing report on how Rolling Stone and reporter Sabrina Rubin Erdely botched “ A Rape on Campus , ” a feature about an alleged gang rape at the University of Virginia , staff at the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism noted the story may have done damage to the very cause its authors wanted to aid . “ Erdely and her editors had hoped their investigation would sound an alarm about campus sexual assault and would challenge Virginia and other universities to do better , ” Sheila Coronel , Steve Coll and Derek Kravitz wrote . “ Instead , the magazine ’ s failure may have spread the idea that many women invent rape allegations . ” Columbia Journalism School Dean Steve Coll appears at a news conference at Columbia University in New York April 6 , 2015 . A Columbia University review of a now - discredited Rolling Stone magazine story about an alleged gang rape at a University of Virginia fraternity was released on Sunday , addressing questions of journalistic principles raised by the provocative article . ( REUTERS / Mike Segar ) This idea is old and widespread — David Lisak , a psychologist who studies sexual assault , dates one of its most prominent and influential expressions all the way back to 1847 . And in the wake of “ A Rape on Campus , ” it ’ s critically important not just to continue to push back against the misconception that false reports are common , but to think more carefully about where fabricated allegations come from and the best way to respond to them . False reports of rape do exist , of course , though they are often a sign of a different kind of crisis that merits serious intervention and sympathy . Cases of true , malicious fabrications by people who are neither Lisak , Lori Gardinier , Sarah Nicksa and Ashley Cote , in their 2010 review of academic studies that tried to determine the rate of false reports of rape , identified a critically important problem : a profound disagreement on what counts as a false allegation . Their review of the literature reveals just how hard it is to agree upon a definition of a false allegation . In some studies , “ A case can be classified as ‘ baseless ’ if , for example , a victim reports an incident that , while truthfully recounted , does not meet , in the eyes of investigators , the legal definition of a sexual assault , ” Lisak and his colleagues write . “ This classification is clearly distinct from a case in which a victim deliberately fabricates an account of being raped , yet the ‘ unfounded ’ category is very often equated with the category of ‘ false allegation . ' ” A 1992 study of And Lisak and his colleagues noted that not all false reports are filed by the supposed victims : in a 1977 study of Toronto rape cases found that of 12 allegations ( out of 116 total ) “ in which there appeared to be evidence that a rape did not occur … only 7 ( 6 % ) were false reports actually made by alleged victims themselves ; the other 5 were filed by someone other than the victim ( e.g. , a relative or boyfriend ) . ” One of the studies Lisak criticizes is E.J. Kanin ’ s 1994 study of rape allegations in a town of 70,000 people . He classified as false reports allegations where the police told him an accuser had recanted , a methodology that lead him to conclude that 41 percent of rape allegations were fabrications . But even if you ignore the issues with Kanin ’ s methodology ( and the extreme age of his report ) and accept those figures , the study ought to give pause to people who believe that hordes of malicious women are fabricating rape charges that lead to innocent men being prosecuted . Kanin accepted that 45 allegations of rape were false , and sorted them into three categories : 56 percent “ served the complainants ’ need to provide a plausible explanation for some suddenly foreseen , unfortunate consequence of a consensual encounter , though only half of those women actually named an alleged attacker . Another 18 percent of those cases seemed to stem from an accuser ’ s need for attention , and in none of those instances was any particular person accused of rape . And Kinan classified 27 percent , or 12 cases , as retaliation against a More recently , Quinnipiac University School of Nursing professor emeritus Barbara Moynihan told me that service providers and law enforcement need to look below the surface of an implausible - seeming rape allegation to see what ’ s motivating a potential victim ’ s distress . “ How many times have people said ‘ I was raped by the system ’ ? They ’ re not talking about sexual assault . But they ’ re using that to describe their feelings of helplessness and powerlessness , ” Moynihan argues . “ Maybe they ’ re using a term to describe something that is n ’ t sexual assault , but makes them feel totally powerless , vulnerable , that makes them feel like they ’ ve been raped . You begin by believing , until you find cause not to believe that particular statement , and As Drs . Kimberly Lonsway and Lisak , in collaboration with retired police Sgt . Joanne Archambault , wrote in a 2009 briefing for the National Center for the Prosecution of Violence Against Women , “ many ‘ real ’ false reports involve only a vaguely described stranger , so the victim can receive the caring attention of law enforcement officials and social service providers without the fear that someone will be arrested . Clearly , these cases can be extremely frustrating for criminal justice professionals , but they are probably best handled with appropriate referrals for social services rather than prosecution for filing a false report . ” It would be irresponsible to speculate which category the subject of “ A Rape on Campus ” falls into without further hard evidence . But the people who are concerned about the harm she may have done to the reputations of a group of young men should n ’ t compound the damage she ’ s caused by invoking her to discredit other people who may be in desperate need of help . Alyssa Rosenberg Alyssa Rosenberg writes about the intersection of culture and politics for The Washington Post ' s Opinions section . Before coming to The Post in 2014 , Alyssa was the culture editor at ThinkProgress , the television columnist at Women and Hollywood , a columnist for the XX Factor at Slate and a correspondent for The Atlantic . com . Follow
|
[
"false rape allegations",
"University of Virginia",
"desperate bid"
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https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2016/02/17/why-so-many-are-alarmed-by-the-ongoing-controversy-at-mount-st-marys/
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By Michael Bayer February 17 , 2016 test test In rural Maryland , a battle is taking place over the future of religious colleges in the U.S . What began as a public relations flap in a student newspaper has boiled over into a national controversy , with the editorial board of The Washington Post joining the faculty of Mount St . Mary ’ s in calling for university president Simon Newman to resign . To recap : the student newspaper of Mount St . Mary ’ s , a Catholic liberal arts college in Emmitsburg , Md . , published an article investigating efforts by university leaders to improve the school ’ s retention rate , a key metric used in rankings systems such as U.S. News and World Report ’ s influential annual list . In the article , Newman was quoted as saying to a member of the administration , “ you think of the students as cuddly bunnies , but you ca n ’ t . You just have to drown the bunnies … put a Glock to their heads . ” The imbroglio worsened when Newman abruptly fired two faculty members who had opposed his plan , with academics from across the country signing an online petition protesting what appeared to be political retribution for their disagreement . The controversy at Mount St . Mary ’ s goes national after professors are fired Late last week , the faculty of Mount St . Mary ’ s issued a letter to the school ’ s president , asking him to resign . Thus far , Newman has resisted such calls , and a survey commissioned by the student government actually revealed strong student support for the embattled president . It would be easy to view this episode as a unique instance of a brash personality from the business world clashing with academics in the ivory tower . But to do so would be a mistake . Rather , the incident represents a pivotal moment in the history of American higher education , and it portends future battles . At issue is nothing less than the purpose of a university in the 21st century , and whether the future landscape includes a place for religious colleges in the U.S . The modern university system can be traced back to medieval Europe ’ s cathedral schools and monastic schools . The sons of nobles and landowners studied classical liberal arts , and the majority of those pupils not in line to inherit the family fortune would end up as members of the clergy . Over time , guilds of skilled artisans sprang up across the continent , and sons of these newly affluent tradesmen joined the academic ranks . Coinciding with the demographic shift to urban centers , these expanding cathedral schools in Bologna , Paris , and Oxford became the first institutions empowered by temporal rulers and Catholic officials to certify teaching credentials and issue degrees to students . Underpinning this intellectual enterprise was the guiding belief that knowledge was valuable for its own sake , and that the study of certain disciplines led to a more fulfilled human life . Down through the centuries , the mission and composition of Western universities remained largely the same . Harvard , Princeton , Yale – each was founded upon a liberal arts curriculum for the purpose of educating wealthy young men and ordaining Christian ministers . It was not until the mid - 19th century that the paradigm began to shift . Several factors contributed to this shift : first , the political revolutions of Europe , in which monarchies supported by the Church gave way to constitutional republics and democratic assemblies ; second , the insistence of the Enlightenment that human knowledge be scientifically categorized and explored without reference to religious authority ; third , the Industrial Revolution , which catapulted chemistry , engineering and agriculture to the forefront of importance . All of that led to the genesis of the first modern research universities . In Germany , physics laboratories popped up to explore atomic particles , and , across the United States , land - grant colleges were established to study soil composition and mechanical engineering . The Morrill Act of 1862 , which outlined provisions for a series of state - sponsored agricultural colleges , may well qualify as the singular fulcrum in the evolution of higher education . Over 100 leading public research universities were founded as a direct result of this legislation , and with their creation came a completely new understanding of a university ’ s mission . For students learning about circuits rather than reciting Cicero , the purpose of a college education was simple : to prepare them to get a job . Fast forward 150 years , and this central tension over the role of a university education is at the heart of the controversy at Mount St . Mary ’ s . At a time when the Department of Education is touting federal funding for STEM ( science , technology , engineering and math ) , college rankings guides are publishing salaries charts of recent graduates , and a growing movement is advocating the elimination of tuition at public colleges , Mount St . Mary ’ s is something of a living fossil . Like so many religiously - affiliated colleges across the country , it is faced with the daunting prospect of convincing families that the study of theology , philosophy and literature is worth its steep annual cost of over $ 50,000 a year . With student loan debt having surpassed $ 1.3 trillion nationally , and an economy marked by “ stagnant wages and limited job opportunities , ” the challenge of selling students on a liberal arts degree is more than just a marketing campaign – it is an existential necessity . Mount St . Mary ’ s President Simon Newman , center , prepares to address a rally of students Monday morning , Feb . 15 , 2016 , with his wife , Michelle , at his side . About 70 students , some carry various signs , gathered in support of the embattled president . At left is rugby coach Jay Myles . ( Bill Green / The News - Post via AP ) The reality is that there has been an under - discussed split of U.S. institutions of higher education into one of three categories , all of which we colloquially lump together as “ going to college . ” The first category is elite research institutions following what some have dubbed the Harvard - Berkeley model . These universities boast a wide array of distinguished faculty , who oversee graduate programs churning out Ph . D . candidates . Undergraduate instruction takes a back seat to research endeavors , and graduate students are pressured to gain publication in academic journals , even as they are required to grade exams for college courses . The second category is state schools and community colleges that function primarily as pre - professional training grounds for careers in education , health care , business , law enforcement , and the like . Some of these schools are branch campuses of a larger research university ; many others began as teachers colleges and have since expanded the breadth of their degree programs . Over the last several decades , a percentage of these public colleges have sought to cease primarily being commuter schools , building dormitories , adding graduate programs and increasing their research focus . The third category is liberal arts colleges , a majority of which maintain affiliation with a religious denomination . Nearly all of these schools have been , from their founding , conceived of as residential colleges , and the total cost of attendance is generally two to three times that of nearby public institutions . Irrespective of major , students continue to follow a core curriculum of subjects like philosophy , literature and math , and a high value is placed on personal relationships between undergraduates and their instructors . Not all institutions can be neatly classified – schools like George Mason , Towson and the University of Buffalo , have endeavored to transition from category two to category one , and there exist outliers such as the Colorado School of Mines , Julliard and the Service Academies . Within the pantheon of American higher education , those in the third category are most likely to be facing an institutional identity crisis of the sort taking place at Mount St . Mary ’ s . A select few — Georgetown , Notre Dame , Baylor — could be said currently to occupy a position among the research universities , and a large swath of regionally respected institutions are debating whether to pursue a similar path . Should a College of the Holy Cross , Lipscomb University , or Santa Clara University hew more closely to its liberal arts founding ? Or ought it augment its graduate programs and professional schools , in an effort to climb the rankings and increase its research reputation ? But for many religiously - affiliated liberal arts colleges , a comprehensive institutional makeover is simply not feasible . Schools like Calvin College , Belmont Abbey College , Messiah College , and Mount St . Mary ’ s can not suddenly add MBA programs or pharmacy schools . If they wish to survive , these schools have to carve out a niche for themselves that compels high school students to seek out an education on their campuses . Lacking the large endowments of top research institutions , these schools are dependent on tuition dollars to cover operating costs , so a first - year class that yields 20 fewer students than expected can translate to a $ 1 million budget shortfall . This stark financial reality is what has led numerous colleges to select leaders from the business community , as is the case with Mount St . Mary ’ s Newman , who holds an MBA from Stanford and spent decades working in private equity . It is likely an acute awareness of the necessity to communicate to prospective students the distinctive value of his institution ’ s very expensive product that led Newman to opine that “ Catholic does n ’ t sell , ” “ liberal arts does n ’ t sell . ” But for schools like Mount St . Mary ’ s , the existential question that will need to be answered is : if religious identity and liberal arts are off the table , what is left ? Michael Bayer is a graduate of Georgetown University and The Graduate Theological Union at Berkeley . Want more stories about faith ? Follow Acts of Faith on Twitter or sign up for our newsletter Jesus had a body . Here ’ s why that matters for Lent . How do you prick the conscience of an NFL fan ? The problem with uncritical football fandom . Obama thought he could unite a religiously divided America . He was wrong
|
[
"controversy",
"Mount St . Mary ’s"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2017/01/12/how-donald-trump-is-bringing-billy-grahams-complicated-family-back-into-white-house-circles/
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By Sarah Pulliam Bailey January 12 , 2017 Billy Graham , right , talks with President Dwight Eisenhower during a visit at the White House May 10 , 1957 . ( Associated Press ) For decades , Billy Graham was perhaps America ’ s most famous religious figure , someone who could draw hundreds of thousands to evangelistic “ crusades , ” someone picked by president after president to pray at inaugurations . If America had a pastor , Graham was it . Yet as he aged — he ’ s now 98 and ailing — members of this evangelical royal family began to form their own views . Now as Graham ’ s son , Franklin , prepares to participate in the inauguration of Donald Trump , the views among Billy Graham ’ s descendants reflect tensions that have flared anew with the election over the proper role of Christianity in public life . File photo : Franklin Graham at Ireland ’ s Celebration of Hope was held April 2 - 4 , 2008 , in Belfast . ( Photo courtesy of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association ) Franklin Graham , 64 , never formally endorsed Trump but used his “ Decision America Tours ” to mobilize voters . Graham will read a Bible passage at Trump ’ s inauguration on Jan . 20 , though he says he does n ’ t know which one yet . Graham joined Trump in Alabama during the president - elect ’ s “ Thank You ” tour on Dec . 17 . “ Having Franklin Graham , who was so instrumental , we won so big , with evangelical Christians , ” Trump said . After the election there was lot of discussion about how Trump won , Graham told the crowd . “ I believe it was God , ” Graham said , adding that God had answered the prayers of hundreds of thousands of people . A complicated family Billy and Ruth Graham had five children , and many of their descendants work in ministry , including Billy Graham ’ s daughter Anne Graham and Franklin Graham ’ s son Will Graham , who are popular evangelists . Their grandson Boz Tchividjian works to combat child sex abuse in churches as head of a ministry called GRACE . The family is tight knit and does n ’ t often speak publicly about internal family strife . But Jerushah Armfield , Billy Graham ’ s granddaughter and Franklin Graham ’ s niece , said the Graham family is not the single unit that many on the outside see . She said that while family members respect one another and most voted for Trump , they do not all fall on the same side of social issues or hold the same views about the role of faith in politics . Armfield , a writer and a pastor ’ s wife in South Carolina , said her uncle ’ s suggestion that Trump ’ s win meant God answered the country ’ s prayer was bad theology . “ To suggest the president - elect is an ambassador to further the kingdom in the world diminishes not only my Jesus but all he stood for and came to earth to fight against , ” she said . She said Trump “ encouraged racism , sexism and intolerance , exactly what Jesus taught against . ” She said that her grandfather “ understood the love of Jesus that fought for the outliers while the president - elect ostracized them . ” “ The evangelical leaders that endorsed Trump put power and influence over principles and character , ” she said . Franklin Graham said he does n ’ t talk about politics with family members because he does n ’ t want to divide the family . As with many evangelical families , Graham said he knows some family members may have voted differently from him in the presidential election . “ I ’ ve tried to remind people in the evangelical community this election was n ’ t about crude language , it was n ’ t about lost emails , ” he said . It was about electing someone , who would appoint anti - abortion - rights Supreme Court justices , he believes . Like father ( not ) like son ? Billy Graham gives the closing benediction at windup session of the Republican National Convention in Miami , Aug . 8 , 1968 . Left to right is Maryland Gov . Spiro T . Agnew , Graham and Richard M . Nixon . ( AP Photo ) During his years as an evangelist , Billy Graham was considered close to Presidents Lyndon B . Johnson , Richard Nixon , Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush and personally knew all presidents from Harry Truman to Obama , participating in eight inaugurations . Time journalist Nancy Gibbs wrote that no other person in any field enjoyed such access to the pinnacle of American power : “ He came with the office like the draperies . ” In his early career , Billy Graham loved the sport of partisan politics , according to “ America ’ s Pastor , ” a book by religious studies professor Grant Wacker at Duke Divinity School . Graham was a lifelong registered Democrat ; as someone who grew up long before the Civil Rights era turned Southerners Republican , he said once that being a Democrat was practically synonymous with being a Southerner . But aside from Johnson and Bill Clinton , Graham likely voted for Republican candidates even if he did not explicitly endorse them , Wacker said . He maintained friendships with those on the left , especially President Johnson — he even went skinny dipping with Johnson and others in the White House pool , according to Wacker . In 2011 , however , Graham said that if he could go back in time , he would have stayed out of politics . As Graham ’ s health faded , so did his public presence . In 2001 , Franklin Graham took the place his father usually held by praying at President George W . Bush ’ s first inauguration . There he set off a controversy by praying in Jesus ’ name , a gesture some saw as less inclusive than his father would have been . Obama visited Billy Graham in his home in 2010 , the first sitting president to do so . But Franklin Graham said the family did not have much of a relationship with Obama , although he said he worked with Obama during the Ebola outbreak in Africa . But under Trump , the Grahams will once again be connected to the White House . Franklin Graham ’ s relationship with Trump goes back to 2011 , when in an interview with journalist Christiane Amanpour , Graham gave fuel to “ birther ” claims by suggesting that Obama should produce his birth certificate . He also floated the idea of Trump as president , saying he thought the businessman had some good ideas for the country . A few days after that interview , Trump called him , Graham said , the first time the two had talked . “ I never told him he should run , ” Graham said . He said he does not want to reveal things said in private . “ I have n ’ t tried to give him advice . I do n ’ t feel that ’ s my role . ” Billy Graham looks on while seated beside his son , Franklin Graham , during the memorial service for George Beverly Shea at Anderson Auditorium in Montreat , N.C. , April 21 , 2013 . ( AP Photo / The Asheville Citizen - Times , John Fletcher ) Billy Graham has met Trump once , at his 95th birthday party in 2013 . At 98 , Graham now lives in his mountaintop home near Asheville , N.C. ; Franklin said his father ca n ’ t hear , ca n ’ t see and does n ’ t talk very much . Billy Graham passed the reins of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association to Franklin Graham in 2000 , but historians note stark contrasts between the styles of father and son , especially in politics . After his close relationship with Nixon , who would resign in scandal , Billy Graham tried to avoid explicit partisanship . He declined to sign or endorse political statements , and he distanced himself from the Christian right . Graham ’ s political priorities also shifted later in his life , according to Wacker . His early years of fierce opposition to communism were a stark contrast to his later pleas for military disarmament and attention to AIDS , poverty and environmental threats . Franklin Graham also shifted his views , though observers say he became more conservative ( he is not registered with a political party ) . He was a rebellious child who took up drinking , smoking and partying as a young adult , a lifestyle he describes in his 1995 autobiography , “ Rebel With a Cause . ” After his conversion experience , Graham became involved with Samaritan ’ s Purse , a relief organization that distributes supplies to people in need , and he became its president and chairman in 1979 . He now feels he could be of help to Trump in countries where Samaritan ’ s Purse has made a footprint . Though Billy Graham passed on his ministry to his son , he was not afraid to publicly disagree with him . In 2005 , Larry King asked Billy what he thought about Franklin calling Islam “ evil and wicked . ” Billy responded , “ Well , he has [ his ] views and I have mine . And they are different sometimes . ” Anne Blue Wills , who is working on a biography of Ruth Graham , Billy Graham ’ s wife , believes that Franklin Graham was significantly influenced by his mother , who died in 2007 . Wills said they shared a stubborn streak , a love of practical jokes and a desire to win any argument . He was also influenced by his maternal grandfather , according to Wills . L . Nelson Bell , who was instrumental in mobilizing evangelicals to support Nixon over the Catholic John F . Kennedy , would have been considered a culture warrior , Trump vs . Obama Graham says he believes that the president - elect has chosen a strong team , “ maybe one of the strongest our country has seen in recent years . ” He said he does not believe Trump ’ s chief strategist Steve Bannon is a white supremacist , despite Bannon ’ s strong connection to the alt - right movement . He also does not believe that white supremacy is on the rise in this country . “ I ’ m more concerned about ‘ fake news . ’ We live in this age where people can create news and create issues when they ’ re not issues , ” he said . Graham endorses the idea Trump promoted through his campaign that Muslims should be vetted before coming to the United States . He has questioned Obama ’ s openly Christian faith , saying that Obama ’ s frame of reference is Islam since his father was Muslim . And Trump ’ s faith ? “ The times I ’ ve been around him , he has expressed his faith , no question , ” Graham said . “ I have to take the man at his word . ” The evangelical family Few observers of the evangelical movement anticipated that Franklin Graham ’ s older generation of followers would be able to wield influence like they did in the 2016 election , said Darren Dochuk , a historian at the University of Notre Dame . “ I think people had assumed evangelicals had moved into a new dispensation , that younger evangelicals were shifting the balance in evangelicalism , becoming slightly more progressive on issues , ” Dochuk said . The Rev . Billy Graham , crusading Evangelist , climaxed his tour of New England with a mass rally on historic Boston Common on April 23 , 1950 . ( AP Photo ) People often ask who the next Billy Graham will be , said William Martin , a sociologist at Rice University and biographer of Graham . Franklin Graham may have 5 million fans on Facebook , but no one can replace his father , Martin said , since so many people have access to technology to reach a large crowd . People are less tied to denominations now . “ Just as denominationalism does n ’ t matter as much , evangelicalism does n ’ t mean as much as it once did , ” he said . Like many evangelicals , Franklin Graham does n ’ t identify with a specific denomination , though he alternately attends a Southern Baptist church and a Christian and Missionary Alliance church . He was raised in a Presbyterian home , something he notes he has in common with Trump , though he grew up in a Southern denomination . Since Billy Graham ’ s leadership , evangelicals have largely defined themselves by stressing four key areas of faith : a conversion experience , faith - driven activism , a regard for the Bible as the ultimate authority and a stress on Jesus ’ s death and resurrection . Does Graham even self - identify as an evangelical , a part of the movement his father helped shape ? “ I ’ m just a follower of Jesus Christ , ” Graham said . “ It ’ s hard to know what the word evangelical means anymore . ”
|
[
"Donald Trump",
"Billy Graham",
"White House circles"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/animalia/wp/2017/12/06/this-giant-snake-is-three-times-your-size-and-why-you-should-just-avoid-the-everglades/
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Python hunters explain how they killed 17foot snake in Florida By Lindsey Bever December 6 2017 More than 17 feet long and weighing more than 130 pounds with more rows of sharp teeth than you ever cared to imagine a Burmese python has been captured and killed in the Florida Everglades Officials said the hunter Jason Leon set a record late last week for bringing in the longest snake recorded in the South Florida Water Management Districts Python Elimination Program which was designed earlier this year to help trim the reptiles troubling population District spokesman Randy Smith said the nonvenomous constrictor was captured in the Everglades about 40 miles from Miami and brought to the districts Homestead Field Station to be measured And it measured Sssssseventeen Feet the water district posted on Twitter Sssssseventeen Feet Python hunter Jason Leon set a record for the SFWMD Python Elimination Program with this 17foot1inch Burmese python that he brought to the Districts Homestead Field Station today pictwittercomp6iNnTex6H South Florida Water SFWMD December 4 2017 The hunter also claimed a bounty 50 for the first four feet and an extra 25 for each foot more according to the district spokesman You too can hunt pythons One Florida agency is offering to pay you to kill them Leon the hunter said when he saw the python it was completely submerged in water In from the South Florida Water Management District he said he got her out shot her right in the head while I was holding her I grabbed her first by the center of the body She had her head over wrapped around by the tree and I was able to go ahead and grab her farther up by the head When I had her farther up on the head I came and took a shot on her right here the hunter said in the video wrapping his hands around the dead pythons head to show where he shot it And she got popped again here on the neck later When asked about the hunt Leon told NBC Miami that no one should attempt to do it alone That snake could pretty much kill any fullgrown man he told the news station about the serpent If that snake was alive right now it would probably take like three of us to be able to control that snake Snake hunters from India are the latest weapons in Floridas war on pythons The Burmese python which is considered one of the largest snakes in the world is native to Asia and an invasive species to the Everglades according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission The South Florida Water Management District says on its website that the Burmese python was likely introduced to the Florida Everglades by accidental or intentional releases by pet owners It states Since making their way into the bountiful grounds of the Everglades these giant constrictors have thrived assuming a top position on the food web While researchers have been hard pressed to provide specific population numbers in the Everglades a rapid number of increased sightings from 2005 to 2010 is concerning The species was once relegated to only Everglades National Park and MiamiDade County but recent tracking shows pythons are moving westward into locations such as Big Cypress National Preserve and northward into Broward and Palm Beach counties Burmese pythons possess an insatiable appetite They can not only kill Florida native prey species and pose a threat to humans but also rob panthers birds of prey alligators and bobcats of a primary food source We saw that there was a very serious problem Smith the spokesman said Smith added the python program has been the most successful endeavor in trying to make a dent in the population eliminating at least 743 snakes some of them pregnant females since the programs inception in March To participate hunters must be at least 18 years old and without a felony conviction or wildliferelated offense within the past five years according to the site The cobra jumped at him How a deadly snake went missing in Central Florida Lindsey Bever Lindsey Bever is a general assignment reporter for The Washington Post covering national news with an emphasis on health She was previously a reporter at the Dallas Morning News Our journalism keeps watch on Washington and the world Try 1 month for 10 1 Already a subscriber Podcasts The confounding case of alleged spy Paul Whelan Shane Harris tells the story about a former Marine being detained in Russia on suspicion of spying Annie Linskey on how the likability question will affect female 2020 candidates Plus voices from the government shutdown Listen 2237 2 days ago
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[
"snakes"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2012/10/17/yes-students-should-take-chemistry-heres-why/
|
By Valerie Strauss October 17 , 2012 I published a post questioning mandated curriculum which was authored by a Maryland father who wrote that his 15 - year - old son was taking chemistry even though the teenager had no interest in the subject . Here ’ s a piece explaining why chemistry is in fact an important subject for students to take whether they like it or not . It was written by S . Raj Govindarajan , a Ph . D . student at the University of Akron in an interdisciplinary field that heavily involves chemistry . Govindarajan said he typically does not respond to articles , but had such a strong to the original piece By S . Raj Govindarajan I graduated in chemical engineering a couple years ago , and did rather well in high school chemistry , scoring a 5 on the AP exam without any major troubles . You may argue that I may be a little biased about the importance of chemistry . However , having thought about , and having tutored a number of indifferent students on the subject , I feel that the combination of my recent exposure to the travesty that is our public school system and my firsthand experience of students ’ apathy towards subjects they are forced to take give me I really took issue with [ David Bernstein ’ s ] reasoning as to why subjects such as chemistry are better left omitted by the obviously disinterested . I am sympathetic to his goals of need - based practical learning , and I understand his perspective on the need for school reform ( though I am sure I disagree on the particulars ) . However , what was conspicuously absent from the article was the following explanation of why students should take chemistry . One of my good friends was an apathetic chemistry - taker . He slept and slogged through it , scraped a ‘ C ’ and moved on with his life . A couple years later , he bought a few beautiful fishes and a tank . He took great care to add good water , to put good soil , etc . into this tank and give his fish a good home . Two days later , 3 / 4 of the fish had died . He could n ’ t understand why . After some analysis , another friend Nowadays , technology is progressing exponentially . There are amazing new innovations in the field of chemistry that will change our lives not too long from now . I would know ; I ’ m in the field . At the same time , there are legions of politicians elected to higher office every election cycle that are as apathetic and ignorant towards fields such as chemistry as my poor friend with his dead fishes . Every year , these apathetic politicians write bills that can impact the safety of our waters , our stance on evolution , climate change , our endeavors in space , and even fundamental concepts such as Plan B ) . Many times , science is misconstrued and twisted to meet political goals , and the public is none the wiser . I agree that school needs to be reformed . However , I suggest a different path , a path designed to instill a practical and useful understanding of science and its implications to the public . Should your son be forced to take chemistry ? Absolutely . But the curriculum needs to be rethought in a way that would instill practical knowledge , curiosity about the world , and an appetite for at least understanding scientific achievement and its necessity / implications . People do n ’ t have to become scientists if they do n ’ t want to , but they should have a fundamental understanding of scientific concepts . That way , people like myself need not be terrified that an ignorant public will vote to slash funding for scientific research and understanding . That way , iconic moments such as the landing of Curiosity on Mars will not be overshadowed in viewership by shows such as Honey Boo Boo .
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[
"chemistry"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2015/02/17/when-is-it-too-cold-outside-to-go-to-school/
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By Valerie Strauss February 17 , 2015 A front - end loader clears snow from a street in Boston on Feb . 16 , 2015 . ( AP / Michael Dwyer ) BOSTON — When is it too cold outside to go to school ? If you ask my younger daughter , a college freshman in Boston whose idea of acceptable weather is Miami ’ s , it is now too cold to go to school . It is at the moment , according to AccuWeather , 17 degrees Fahrenheit but the RealFeel ® is 4 degrees Fahrenheit . The bad and good news : Tuesday night it will drop to 13 degrees Fahrenheit , but the RealFeel ® will rise to 8 degrees Fahrenheit . She did go to class on Tuesday , but begrudgingly . So when should schools close for the cold ? There are no national rules dictating when schools should close for weather - related reasons , and local health departments can only make recommendations to districts . As the American Academy of Pediatrics says in this weather advice post : There are no national or professional standards for temperature or other weather conditions that preclude sending children outside for recess . Individual school districts often give decision - making authority to individual school principals , and the results vary widely . Students in northern Minnesota who can be expected to be dressed appropriately for cold weather may be sent out with the temperature at - 15F , while students in Florida may be kept in when the temperature approaches 40 - 50F . Other factors , such as wind and precipitation , must also be taken into account . Indeed , some cities handle snow and cold temperatures better than others . The greater Washington D.C. region just got hit with between three and six inches of snow , where it felt like 26 degrees Fahrenheit , and schools closed . In Syracuse , N.Y. , where it felt like negative 2 degrees Fahrenheit , schools were open on Tuesday , though they did close on Feb . 14 when the temperatures were forecast to drop to about 15 - 20 degrees below zero . Chicago schools sometimes close for frigid temperatures , such as on Jan . 6 - 7 , when the National Weather Service said temperatures would dip , with wind chill , to as low as 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit . The schools opened the next day , however , without much change in temperature . A Chicago lawyer named Williama Choslovsky wrote an opinion piece in the Chicago Tribune mocking the schools for closing when Milwaukee schools stayed open with most frigid temperatures , saying , Consider this the continued wussification of society . … Our kids can go to school . Considering that so few even walk anymore , what difference does the temperature make ? That Jenny and Johnnie may actually stand at the bus stop shivering for all of 10 minutes ? Who cares ? Frankly , it ’ s good for the pups . Good for the pups ? In Boston , the cold temperatures have been accompanied by unprecedented snowfall of at least six feet in the last several weeks , and schools have closed for eight days so far because of the extreme cold and the snow . The home page of the Boston Public Schools Web site is devoted to the weather and its effect on school openings and closing : In the last three weeks , Boston has experienced an unprecedented amount of snow and we anticipate more snow during the week ahead . Given this , and the need to ensure that we are able to safely re - open all schools on Monday , February 23 , we have made the difficult decision to cancel nearly all programming for the rest of the week In New York , WKBW quoted Bret Apthorpe , superintendent of the Frontier Central School District , as saying that a wind chill of negative 25 degrees Fahrenheit is the point when many schools are closed . School districts have a number of considerations , including state student attendance requirement and commuting issues ( such as how long students have to wait outdoors for a bus , whether roads are passable by car and whether public transportation is working ) , as well as health dangers posed by the cold and the condition of old and sometimes crumbling school buildings . Many districts are also concerned about students who only eat meals at school and who have working parents or guardians who ca n ’ t stay home with them . In a story about potentially record - breaking low temperatures , the Chicago Tribune said , Elana Porat , a fourth - grade teacher at Namaste Charter School in McKinley Park , said she is n ’ t concerned about hypothermia or frostbite for herself — but she worries about some of the kids she teaches and their families . “ It ’ s definitely a risk — people have to work and get to their jobs , ” Porat said . “ Not everyone has a car , not everyone has the ability to buy a really nice down coat . ” Frostbite , which causes permanent damage to tissue and can be fatal , occurs at different temperatures and wind speeds , as you can see in this charter from the National Weather Service . ( National Weather Service ) Early this year , the Department of Public Health in Monroe County , N.Y. , sent this letter to superintendents with cold - weather advice for when to close schools : There is a related question : When is it too hot to go to school in an un - air - conditioned building , but at least in the Northern regions of the United States , that seems like a question best saved for another season .
|
[
"too cold outside",
"go to school",
"AccuWeather"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2015/05/15/scientist-why-deepak-chopra-is-driving-me-crazy/
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By Valerie Strauss May 15 2015 Deepak Chopra Photo by Jason KempinGetty Images Deepak Chopra in the unlikely event you have never heard of him is a worldfamous doctor who advocates for alternative medicine Labeled by The New York Times in 2013 as the controversial New Age guru and beloved by Oprah Winfrey he has written more than 80 books and has connections to several universities including Northwestern and Columbia He founded the Chopra Center for Wellbeing more than a decade ago in southern California where Chopras website says people can go to heal their physical pain find emotional freedom empower themselves and connect to their inner spiritual life So why am I writing about him Because of the strong reaction that a scientist has had to statements by Chopra about evolution the animating principle of modern biology that people apparently including Chopra keep denying He is Steven Newton the programs and policy director of the National Center for Science Education a nonprofit organization that provides information and resources for schools parents and concerned citizens working to keep evolution and climate science in public school science education Newton taught geology and oceanography at a number of California colleges and developed courses on the history of science and the geology New Scientist Christian Science Monitor Philadelphia Inquirer Huffington Post Earth and The Earth Scientist This post about appeared on the website of the NCSE I am republishing it with permission By Steven Newton Ive never done anything to Deepak Chopra At least not in this lifetime Perhaps Ive mocked his surrealistically bizarre antiscience pronouncements among my friends a few times or a few thousand times How could I not when he tweeted that his personal meditation caused an earthquake or claimed that the moon doesnt exist unless someone sees it Chopra is so on the fringe it can actually be fun to read him But when he goes after evolution it starts to feel personal and less amusing Chopra says he believes that there is some consciousness that flows through the universean energy field created by all living things surrounding us and penetrating us binding the galaxy togetherno wait thats the Force Im thinking of Chopras notion of consciousness has more in common with that book The Secret which says if you just think really hard you can change reality A lot of children engage in this magical thinking but as they mature they outgrow itapparently with some exceptions So perhaps this universal consciousness helped Chopra sense my negative energy At a recent conference in New Delhi he reportedly said Charles Darwin was wrong Consciousness is key to evolution and we will soon prove that Why does he have to hurt my brain like thiswhat have I ever done to him Darwin wrong Consciousness directing evolution Evolution being affected by the thinking of beings that havent yet evolved in some sort of tachyoninduced time warp His words quantumentangle my mind in a synergistic charlie foxtrot of howling madness I am tempted to say indeed that his Higgs boson meditations on objective reality transmute existential silence into intrinsic photonsoh wait thats just some nonsense from the Chopra random quote generator Chopra further explains on An emerging view alternate to Darwins random mutations natural selection is that consciousness may be the driver of complexityevolution An emerging view alternate to Darwins random mutations natural selection is that consciousness may be the driver of complexityevolution Deepak Chopra DeepakChopra October 20 2014 Again with the consciousness Again with no specifics on how this drives evolution Is a jelly in the ocean obeying universal consciousness as it pulses its stinging cells toward prey Does a plant have consciousness Does Kim Kardashian When I think about the natural world consciousness is not the first thing that springs to mind I think instead of organisms frantically killing and eating other organisms munching with full cheeks if they have cheeks even as something munches on them Big fish nom little fish sea lions nom big fish orcas nom sea lions This HobbesianMad Max tableau plays the same everywhere from rain forests to deserts to coral reefs in a desperate and ultimately futile race to keep from being eaten alive Some vague universal consciousness doesnt have anything to do with driving evolution But advantages that Chopra finished his remarkable diatribe by laying into education Kids are learning more from their video games than the PhDs at the MIT I was unable to verify that MIT is admitting students based on what video games they play rather than their SAT scores Maybe Chopra needs to have a chat with the admissions office there I was also unable to verify Chopras claim that the PhDs at MIT offer less educational value in their courses than playing Grand Theft Auto Minecraft or Call of Duty But you can judge for yourself MIT has an active program of sharing its courses online so everyone has the opportunity to learn a lot if they can just pause the video games Chopra promises proof for his outlandish claims that Darwin was wrong and that consciousness drives evolution but Im not going to hold my breath Holding my breath would lead to low oxygen saturation in the blood and a slightly delusional state which might make me susceptible to hearing incoherent babbling strewn with scientific termsquantum electrochemical waveparticle dualityand mistaking it for meaningful statements Chopras misappropriation of scientific terms in the service of his nonsense mirrors the way Scientology operates and likely for the same reason to make a buck from the gullible Use your consciousness to decide to ignore Chopra Valerie Strauss Valerie Strauss is an education writer who authors The Answer Sheet blog She came to The Washington Post as an assistant foreign editor for Asia in 1987 and weekend foreign desk editor after working for Reuters as national security editor and a militaryforeign affairs reporter on Capitol Hill She also previously worked at UPI and the LA Times Reporting the facts for over 140 years Try 1 month for 10 1 Already a subscriber Podcasts
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[
"Deepak Chopra"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2016/01/09/scores-for-new-psat-are-finally-out-what-to-know-about-them-and-what-they-mean-for-redesigned-sat/
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By Valerie Strauss January 11 , 2016 Materials related to the new PSAT exam in 2015 , which came before the revised SAT that is being administered in 2016 . ( The Washington Post ) ( Update : New Information on score availability ) The College Board has just released PSAT scores — months after the tests were actually taken in high schools . About one - quarter of the students who took the test have accessed their scores online , though some have experienced trouble getting them , and many counselors who were supposed to get them have also had trouble doing so . Problems with score delivery has also plagued the SAT this past fall , frustrating students and counselors . ( The PSAT / NMSQT , for those who might not know , is the Preliminary SAT / taken by a few million sophomores and juniors every year as a warm - up for the SAT , which used to be the most popular college admissions exam but is now No . 2 behind the ACT . PSAT results are used to qualify students for the National Merit Scholarship program . ) Sandra Riley , vice president for communications at the College Board , said a new online scoring system created to accommodate scoring reports for the newly designed SAT , which is launching this coming spring , is to blame . She said that initial testing did not reveal “ large - scale issues ” but a series of “ small issues ” that are being fixed as they present themselves . According to Stacy Caldwell , the College Board vice president for the SAT and PSAT / NMSQT , more than 4 million students took the PSAT in October and about 1.2 million visits to the site have been made , with more than 1 million scores accessed . Problems have developed for some students who do not know how to sign in properly to get their scores , she said . And counselors have been frustrated by complicated instructions for accessing their own accounts . Counselors had expressed concerns about the late scores on the discussion board of the National Association for College Admissions Counselors , including Jane S . Mathias , director of guidance at Nardin Academy in Buffalo , N.Y. , and former president of the New York State Association for College Admission Counseling . She recently wrote ( and gave me permission to publish ) : “ I do not often post here , but I am hoping that my voice might lead others to contact the College Board and let them hear more than our up until now polite responses to the inquiries we have been making all fall . “ I sent an email to the College Board last night after reading the email we received concerning the latest delay . It probably went into a giant folder of will - not - reply email , but I am wondering how many high school counselors are as angry as I am about the failure of the electronic reporting system , which continues still , and the latest delay in scores ( PSAT ’ s were “ promised ” for December at two different workshops I attended ) . Do n ’ t forget that the paper score reports that “ Is this affecting my ability to counsel the Class of 2017 – a vehement and very frustrated yes ! ” Yvonne J . Dvorak , registrar and assistant director of college counseling at West Nottingham Academy in Colora , Md . , responded to Mathias with this ( and gave me permission to publish ) : “ I could not agree more ! In addition , it is frustrating our juniors who wanted to use their PSAT results for a more focused SAT prep over our winter break . The students lose out . ” In any case , the PSAT scores are now out — at least for students — and things have changed . Here ’ s an explanation of what is new and different . Ned Johnson , president and self - described tutor geek at Prep Matters , a test prep company with offices in Bethesda , Md . , McLean , Va . , and Washington , said : “ Chances are you have read plenty and heard too much about the Redesigned SAT launching in March of 2016 . If that ’ s the case , let ’ s switch gears — to the PSAT ! The College Board just made scores from the October 2015 PSAT available online . “ ‘ Wait . What took so long ? ! ? ’ Well , with the big changes to the PSAT and SAT , College Board delayed the release of scores to have plenty of time to get the scores right . ” Here ’ s what you need to know : 1 . The scale has changed Perfect on a section is no longer 800 . It ’ s 760 . College Board has instituted a tiered system , with top scores of 800 for the SAT , 760 for PSAT 11 and PSAT 10 , and 720 PSAT 8 / 9 . ( Guess they like their 40s . ) For the PSAT , scores for math and evidence - based reading and writing ( EBRW ) range from 160 - 760 . Combined scores on PSAT 10 / 11 are 320 - 1520 . So , is a current 640 like an old 680 ? Everything is 40 points lower ? Not exactly . The short answer is that it ’ s complicated . Scores are based on percentiles , not total correct answers . Here ’ s the College Board link to understand your scores . If that did n ’ t clear things up for you , here ’ s the link of how this year ’ s PSAT scores relate to the scores of tests of past years . * Note that the charts are preliminary . * College Board statisticians will continue to work with the numbers through May , when the scores for both the March and May SATs will be released ( so be patient , March SAT test - takers ) . These are big changes to the SAT , and College Board will be analyzing numbers from the PSAT , March SAT and May SAT , using the larger data set to , well , set the data . 2 . The formula for the National Merit Selection Index has changed Well , maybe regressed . College Board has returned to a formula that ’ s a blast from the past ( hint : your parents may remember this ) . The Selection Index ( score for National Merit ) will equal the math score + 2 EBRW . Yep , double the reading ! So , readers rejoice ! For example : Student A : ERW 600 , M 700 . Selection Index 190 : 2 × 60 + 70 Student B : ERW 650 , M 700 . Selection Index 200 : 2 × 65 + 70 Student C : ERW 750 , M 650 . Selection Index 215 : 2 × 75 + 65 Because the PSAT scale has changed , so too will National Merit cutoff scores . I just received a panicked email from a parent that her daughter ’ s PSAT scores were n ’ t high enough for National Merit , since her index score did n ’ t hit last year ’ s cutoff score . Well , that was then . This is now . Since the highest possible index score is no longer 240 but 228 , expect cutoff scores to be lower . Breathe . And , stay tuned . The National Merit Program notifies students in late September , so holding one ’ s breath until then is not advised Here ’ s the most interesting point : College Board seems to be inflating the percentiles . Perhaps not technically changing the percentiles but effectively presenting a rosier picture by an interesting change to score reports . From the College Board website , there is this explanation about percentiles : Percentiles A percentile is a number between 0 and 100 that shows how you rank compared to other students . It represents the percentage of students in a particular grade whose scores fall at or below your score . For example , a 10th - grade student whose math percentile is 57 scored higher or equal to 57 percent of 10th - graders . You ’ ll see two percentiles : The Nationally Representative Sample percentile shows how your score compares to the scores of all U.S. students in a particular grade , including those who do n ’ t typically take the test . The User Percentile — Nation shows how your score compares to the scores of only some U.S. students in a particular grade , a group limited to students who typically take the test . What does that mean ? Nationally Representative Sample percentile is how you would stack up if every student took the test . So , your score is likely to be higher on the scale of Nationally Representative Sample percentile than actual User Percentile . On the PSAT score reports , College Board uses the ( seemingly inflated ) Nationally Representative score , which , again , bakes in scores of students who DID NOT ACTUALLY TAKE THE TEST but , had they been included , would have presumably scored lower . The old PSAT gave percentiles of only the students who actually took the test . For example , I just got a score from a junior ; 1250 is reported 94th percentile as Nationally Representative Sample percentile . Using the College Board concordance table , her 1250 would be a selection index of 181 or 182 on last year ’ s PSAT . In 2014 , a selection index of 182 was 89th percentile . In 2013 , it was 88th percentile . It sure looks to me that College Board is trying to flatter students . Why might that be ? They like them ? Worried about their feeling good about the test ? 3 . So , what does this mean for you ? First , the percentiles do n ’ t mean what they have in past years . That ’ s okay though ; the importance of the PSAT has always been more than the actual score . Remember that the principal value of the PSAT is feedback . In a few weeks , counselors will have the actual test booklets . Take a look at them . See what you got right , got wrong or did n ’ t have time to do . Take a practice ( I know , groan ) SAT and an ACT . If the PSAT percentiles are in fact “ enhanced , ” they may not be perfect predictors of SAT success , so take a practice SAT . College Board and Khan Academy provide free ones . Then see Yes , College Board is in the business of selling SATs and ACT in the business of selling ACTs , and you may hate to fill their coffers . But , as most universities require standardized tests for admissions , your focus is just in doing well and then getting back to normal life . Or , if these tests simply are n ’ t your thing or you simply refuse to partake , mosey over to FairTest to check out hundreds of score - optional colleges and universities .
|
[
"PSAT",
"Sandra Riley"
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https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2017/01/20/ralph-lauren-the-most-bipartisan-of-designers-dresses-first-lady-melania-trump-and-hillary-clinton-for-inauguration/
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By Robin Givhan January 20 , 2017 Melania Trump ’ s strapless column gown by Herve Pierre ( REUTERS / Brian Snyder ) Patriotism came in a shade of pale blue cashmere and matching suede gloves . Glamour — and a hint of globalism — came in white crepe and silk gazar . Because this presidential election was so terribly fraught , even the subject of fashion became a matter of political debate , moral outrage and pained circumspection . It was , of course , incoming first lady Melania Trump who was at the center of all this angst and indignation because her inaugural attire — in all its possibilities — is expected to set the tone for the day and , perhaps , introduce the mythology that will come to define this administration for years to come . A host of designers announced preemptively that they would not dress her , Should designers dress Melania and Ivanka ? The question is more complex than it seems . Ultimately , for the historic swearing - in ceremony , Melania Trump chose a sky - blue , Ralph Lauren Collection cropped , cutaway jacket and a mock turtleneck dress . And for the inaugural balls , she chose a strapless , white column gown with a single fluttering ruffle floating down her torso and a narrow red silk ribbon at the waist . It was a collaboration between the first lady and French - born designer Hervé Pierre . And just like that , the controversy shifted from a boil to barely a simmer . President Trump and first lady Melania Trump shared their inaugural dance to " My Way " by Frank Sinatra . They were joined on stage by Vice President Pence , Karen Pence and other members of the first family . ( The Washington Post ) The first lady chose wisely . With Lauren , she selected a designer whose place in history is already secure . This inaugural ensemble will be a footnote in his professional story , not the essence of it . But more important , Lauren is a designer whose entire aesthetic is rooted in a kind of glorious , soft - focus Americana . He even donated $ 13 million to save and protect the flag that inspired “ The Star - Spangled Banner ” and to educate the public about its history . In 2014 , he was presented with the James Smithson Bicentennial Medal for his patriotism , entrepreneurship and philanthropy during a ceremony at the National Museum of American History . Ralph Lauren , designer of the American Dream , honored by the Smithsonian Lauren has accommodated both Democrats and Republicans , most recently serving as Hillary Clinton ’ s most reliable clothier during the campaign . To witness her rival being sworn in as the 45th president , Clinton turned once again to Lauren , choosing a white , jewel - neck suit and a cream - colored cashmere coat . And on a personal note , Lauren ’ s son , David , is married to Lauren Bush — niece of George W . Bush . Ralph Lauren is possibly the most bipartisan American designer working today . Melania Trump wears a Ralph Lauren cashmere dress and cropped jacket for the presidential inauguration of her husband Donald Trump . ( AP Photo / Alex Brandon ) “ The Presidential Inauguration is a time for the United States to look our best to the world . It was important to us to uphold and celebrate the tradition of creating iconic American style for this moment , ” read a statement from the company . For the inaugural balls , her choice was more daring . But it also seemed like a bit of an olive branch after so much talk of closed borders and nationalism . Pierre was born in France and spent 14 years in the atelier at Carolina Herrera before leaving last year . Before that , he worked at Oscar de la Renta . Pierre earned his U.S. citizenship in the fall of 2016 . The style of the gown was restrained , classic and , in particular , recalled the work that Pierre did while at Herrera . First ladies tend to make a statement with their inaugural dress choice . But this year , several designers have spoken out against working with the new first lady , Melania Trump . ( Nicki DeMarco / The Washington Post ) The silhouette of Melania Trump ’ s daytime coat has been compared to that worn by Jackie Kennedy , but it is also a silhouette that is classic and sophisticated . It was a perfect color , serving as a gentle spot of light on a drizzling , dreary day . It also gracefully referenced our nation ’ s flag without transforming Melania Trump into one . ( In contrast , presidential adviser Kellyanne Conway wore a red , white and blue Gucci coat with rows of medallions , a bright red hat and red leather gloves . The ensemble Patriotism is not a competitive sport . Hope Hicks and Kellyanne Conway wearing Gucci . ( Photo by Jabin Botsford / The Washington Post ) A fashion historian once noted that the inaugural ballgown is akin to a wedding dress . It is a bit anachronistic as a gesture but still compelling in its significance . As far back as 1889 , the inaugural gown was political . President Benjamin Harrison wanted his constituents to buy American , and so the dress of his wife , Caroline , was a trifecta of Americana : the silk was designed in Indiana , the fabric woven in Upstate New York and the dress itself made in the Big Apple . In 1977 , Rosalynn Carter ’ s At the Capitol and at the balls , Melania Trump looked polished and poised and very much like herself . She has not been seen very often since the election , or even during the campaign . But the day ’ s styles were in keeping with what the public has come to expect thus far : clean lines , body - conscious style , luxury . The ensembles reflected the formality of the occasions and quietly offered up shades of hopefulness and light on a day that was also filled with violent protests and sorrowful disbelief . One wishes that President Trump had exuded as much grace , but then that is not his style . And so , during the day his suit jacket flopped open ; his pants were too long . And the tie . The bright - red tie hung down to its usual position , far below the reaches of his belt . The eye could n ’ t help but to shift from the first couple to their family , specifically to daughter Ivanka : blond , tall and gleaming . To watch her father deliver his inaugural address , she wore a white trouser suit from Oscar de la Renta and her three little ones — Arabella , Joseph and Theodore — were all dressed in Oscar de la Renta Childrens . For the inaugural balls , Ivanka wore a gold , glittering princess - style gown from Carolina Herrera . The president ’ s eldest daughter chronicled her inaugural activities on Twitter , posting a series of images that were as glossy as fashion advertisements . When the Trump clan arrived in Washington on Thursday , Ivanka gave her nearly 2.3 million Instagram followers an image that spoke directly to her personal brand — Women Who Work . There she was striding off a military jet at Joint Base Andrews wearing a work - appropriate , bold green ruffle - front coat and dress from Oscar de la Renta . She carried baby Theodore on her hip , while guiding Melania Trump stepped off the plane and into the whirlwind of transformation dressed in a cadet - style overcoat with its rows of black buttons marching along her torso . ( Its designer , Norisol Ferrari , told Women ’ s Wear Daily that her biological father is a wounded veteran . ) The first lady walked and stood — and stood — in a pair of sleek black pumps with limousine heels . For much of the public , it was the first glimpse of her since the day after the election when she had strolled with her husband The couple accepted greetings from well - wishers on the tarmac , and then they were off — first to a luncheon with transition officials and incoming staff and then to a wreath - laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery . Despite it being another overcast day , she wore large black sunglasses in the manner of so many boldface names who try to hide in plain sight with the help of a pair of designer aviators . On Friday , there were no sunglasses . No more anonymity . There was no more hiding . Robin Givhan Robin Givhan is a staff writer and The Washington Post ' s fashion critic , covering fashion as a business , as a cultural institution and as pure pleasure . A 2006 Pulitzer Prize winner for criticism , Givhan has also worked at Newsweek / Daily Beast , Vogue magazine and the Detroit Free Press . Follow
|
[
"patriotism",
"international glamour",
"Melania Trump"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2018/03/25/it-can-happen-to-anybody-jennifer-hudson-on-gun-violence-and-her-personal-tragedy/
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Jennifer Hudson performs during the March for Our Lives rally Saturday in Washington Andrew HarnikAP By Elahe Izadi March 25 2018 Jennifer Hudson wasnt just one of several celebrity performers during Saturdays March for Our Lives rally in Washington She is also the daughter sister and aunt of victims of gun violence After her stirring performance before hundreds of thousands of demonstrators rallying for action against gun violence the Oscarwinning singer spoke out about the march and her personal tragedy It is almost impossible to understand what the victims the families are going through what they feel or even to be able to relate to a situation like this unless youve been in it Hudson told CNNs Van Jones So for people who are watching know that it can be anybody It can happen to anybody She added To me the saddest thing is no one ever reacts until it happens to them and then its too late Students demand action against gun violence in nations capital Three members of Hudsons family were fatally shot in October 2008 mother Darnell Donerson 57 brother Jason Hudson 29 and nephew Julian King 7 A jury found William Balfour guilty of the murders and a judge sentenced him to three consecutive life terms Prosecutors said Balfour who at the time was married to but separated from Hudsons sister Julia had been jealous and angry over his failing marriage The bodies of Jason Hudson and Donerson were discovered inside the matriarchs Chicago home Julian who was Julia Hudsons son was initially reported missing prompting a frantic search for the boy My greatest fear has already happened my greatest hope is for having my child I just want my son Julia Hudson said at the time Thats all I have to say Just let my baby go His body was discovered two days later inside a parked car In the immediate aftermath of the crime Jennifer Hudson and her family announced that they had started a foundation in honor of their slain relatives The specific purpose of the foundation is to care for the needs of families who have lost relatives to a violent crime the family said in a statement This encompasses their basic needs of food clothing and shelter as well as grief counseling Hudson and her sister started Hatch Day in honor of Julian their foundation collects and distributes presents to children on the boys birthday Heres what you missed at March for Our Lives in Washington March for Our Lives brought hundreds of thousands of people from across the nation to Washington on March 24 Heres some of what you missed at the event Video Monica AkhtarPhoto Salwan GeorgesThe Washington Post On Saturday the singer closed out the march in Washington with a rendition of The Times They Are A Changin Later Hudson said A day like this is almost like reliving it over and over again Its obviously something extremely close to home for that reason because you instantly connect she continued Theres very few people who know what a moment like this means what it represents everything that it entails I cant help but to be affected or taken by it Since 2008 Hudson has spoken publicly about the killings of her relatives only a handful of times but the mass shooting in Parkland Fla last month touched a deep nerve for her Every time she sees one particular clip of a grieving Lori Alhadeff whose daughter was killed in the Parkland shooting Hudson sobs she said My daughter died at Parkland Its now my job to be her voice I just spent the last two hours putting the burial arrangements for my daughters funeral who is 14 Alhadeff yells into the camera President Trump please do something Do something action We need it now These kids need safety now Your browser does not currently recognize any of the video formats available Click here to visit our frequently asked questions about HTML5 video She was just screaming out Hudson said I understood every inch of her frustration Shes angry for one because this is nonsense Then two no one understands Hudson continued Shes pouring out I could hear it I knew where it came from Its like reliving it And I was like unfortunately Welcome to my club My heart completely went out to her I was like Youre not alone I understand everything youre feeling Read more Bill Murray compares Parkland students to Vietnam War protesters Why Paul McCartney marched One of my best friends was killed in gun violence
|
[
"Jennifer Hudson",
"gun violence",
"personal tragedy"
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https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2015/09/29/amazon-flex-the-retailers-uber-like-effort-to-bring-you-packages/
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By Sarah Halzack September 29 , 2015 Amazon logos are displayed on laptop computers . ( Andrew Harrer / Bloomberg ) Amazon . com said Tuesday that it is building its own network of delivery couriers through a program called Amazon Flex — the latest attempt by the e - commerce giant to bring something close to instant gratification to the process of online shopping . With Amazon Flex , the company says , drivers can make from $ 18 to $ 25 an hour ferrying packages to customers that were ordered as part of its one - hour Prime Now delivery service . As with on - demand car services such as Uber and Lyft , drivers will be independent contractors who select their own work hours . The new approach is part of the retailer ’ s ongoing obsession with getting items to customers faster , and could help reduce Amazon ’ s dependency on major shipping carriers such as UPS and FedEx . And with Uber also experimenting with using its network for deliveries , it could also put these two big names in the tech sector in direct competition . “ T hey are more and more starting to confirm for themselves that for them to be such a big online retailer , having some capabilities of their own [ for ] distribution is a core competency , and not an outsourced one , ” Satish Jindel , president of logistics advisory firm SJ Consulting Group , said of Amazon . But Flex also could ensnare Amazon in many of the wage and policy debates that Uber has faced as it has expanded rapidly across the country . There has been a flurry of legal battles over whether such on - demand drivers should be considered employees instead of independent contractors , and labor groups have criticized companies such as Uber , Instacart and others with similar business models for not giving these contractors benefits and other perks . Amazon Flex is already active in Seattle and will soon be coming to other cities where Amazon ’ s Prime Now program is offered , including Baltimore , New York , Miami , Dallas , Austin , Chicago and Atlanta . On its Web page about Flex , Amazon says that , along with delivering Prime Now orders , Flex drivers may someday deliver other types of Amazon orders , too . Amazon frequently tests unconventional ways to get packages to customers . In April , Audi announced that it was testing an offering in Germany in which shoppers could have Amazon boxes delivered directly to their car trunks , and the Wall Street Journal has reported that Amazon tested a bike delivery service in Manhattan . Plus , the e - commerce company is famously experimenting with drone delivery Sucharita Mulpuru , an e - commerce analyst at Forrester Research , said she is skeptical that Amazon Flex will viable , since shoppers have again and again proven they hate to pay for shipping , and merchants might not be crazy about paying for this speedy delivery , either . “ That leaves Amazon subsidizing it , similar to what Instacart and the other delivery startups are doing , ” Mulpuru said in an e - mail . “ That does n ’ t make for profitable transactions or loyal customers . ” Jindel said that the key to making Flex sustainable will be building density . If each driver is being paid about $ 20 per hour , he reasons , five deliveries in an hour could get costs for Amazon down to $ 4 per package , a good price . But if a courier only delivers one package in an hour , the price no longer looks so good . Overall , Jindel estimates that Amazon ships 4.5 million packages a day , about half of the volume that FedEx Ground does in a given day . Amazon says Flex drivers will need to pass a background check and must be 21 years old . They also must have an Android phone , a sign that its app for drivers likely only works ( or works best ) on these devices . The company promises on its Web site that Flex drivers will be able to get “ consistent work , ” as deliveries take place seven days a week . Amazon chief executive Jeffrey Bezos owns The Washington Post . Comment s Sarah Halzack Sarah Halzack is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering the consumer and retail industries . She was previously a national retail reporter for the Washington Post . Follow
|
[
"Amazon Flex",
"retailer ’s Uber",
"FedEx"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2016/07/22/two-middle-east-locations-hit-129-degrees-hottest-ever-in-eastern-hemisphere-maybe-the-world/
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Two Middle East locations hit 129 degrees , hottest ever in Eastern Hemisphere , maybe the world By Jason Samenow July 22 , 2016 Temperatures simulated by the GFS model in the Middle East on Friday reached 129 degrees ( 54 Celsius ) . ( WeatherBell . com ) This story has been updated . The temperature in Mitribah , Kuwait , surged Thursday to a blistering 129.2 degrees ( 54 Celsius ) . And on Friday in Basra , Iraq , the mercury soared to 129.0 degrees ( 53.9 Celsius ) . If confirmed , these incredible measurements would represent the two hottest temperatures ever recorded in the Eastern Hemisphere , according to Weather Underground meteorologist Jeff Masters and weather historian Christopher Burt , who broke the news It ’ s also possible that Mitribah ’ s 129.2 - degree reading matches the hottest ever reliably measured anywhere in the world . Both Mitribah and Basra ’ s readings are likely the highest ever recorded outside of Death Valley , Calif . Death Valley currently holds the record for the world ’ s hottest temperature of 134.1 degrees ( 56.7 Celsius ) , set July 10 , 1913 . But Weather Underground ’ s Burt does not believe it is a credible measurement : “ [ T ] he record has been scrutinized perhaps more than any other in the United States , ” Burt wrote . “ I do n ’ t have much more to add to the debate aside from my belief it is most likely not a valid reading when one looks at all the evidence . ” If you discard the Death Valley record from 1913 , the 129.2 - degree reading from Mitribah Thursday would tie the world ’ s highest known temperature , also observed in Death Valley on June 30 , 2013 , and in Tirat Tsvi , Israel , on June 22 , 1942 . But Masters says the Israeli measurement is controversial . Death Valley hit hottest U.S. June temperature ever recorded : 129 Basra , the city of 1.5 million about 75 miles northwest of the Persian Gulf , has registered historic heat on two straight days . On Thursday , it hit 128 degrees ( 53.6 Celsius ) , the highest temperature ever recorded in Iraq , which it then surpassed on Friday , rising to 129 . While the Middle East ’ s highest temperatures have occurred in arid , land - locked locations , locations along the much more sultry Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman have faced the most oppressive combination of heat and humidity . Air temperatures of about 100 degrees ( 38 Celsius ) combined with astronomical humidity levels have pushed heat index values , which reflect how hot the air feels , literally off the charts . In Fujairah , on the east coast of the United Arab Emirates , the dew point — a measure of humidity — reached 90 degrees ( 32 Celsius ) at 4 p.m. local time Thursday . The 90 - degree dew point , combined with the air temperature of 97 degrees ( 36 Celsius ) , computes to a heat index of over 140 degrees ( 60 Celsius ) . However , this combination of temperature and humidity is so extreme that it ’ s beyond levels the heat index is designed to measure . The index , developed by R.G. Steadman in 1979 , is actually only intended to compute values up to about 136 degrees In Bandar Mahshahr , Iran , on Thursday , the air temperature soared to 106 degrees ( 41 Celsius ) , which , combined with a dew point of 86 ( 30 Celsius ) , would produce a heat index over 140 ( 60 Celsius ) , also over the limit . These conditions were only slightly less extreme than July 31 last year , when Bandar Mahshahr posted an air temperature of 115 degrees ( 46 Celsius ) and dew point of 90 ( 32 Celsius ) , which resulted in an over - the - limit heat index of 165 degrees ( 74 Celsius ) . Iran city hits suffocating heat index In the much more arid Basra , when the temperature hit 129 degrees Friday , the dew point was only in the 30s while the relative humidity was a bone - dry 4 percent . These conditions produce a heat index lower than the actual air temperature — of about 115 degrees ( 46 Celsius ) . That is , the ultra - dry air made it feel not as hot . The torrid conditions observed in the Middle East over the last two summers may be a harbinger of even more extreme heat in the future . A study published in the journal Nature Climate Change in October cautioned that by the end of the century , due to climate change , temperatures may become too hot for human survival . Persian Gulf may be too hot for human survival by 2090 . In March , the National Academy of Sciences published a report that stated worsening heat waves are among the weather events that can be most easily connected to human - caused climate change . Links between climate change and extreme weather are increasingly clear and present For some excellent perspective and commentary on the hottest recorded temperatures in modern history , see this post from Weather Underground ’ s Christopher Burt : Hottest Reliably Measured Air Temperatures on Earth Note : The original version of this story indicated Basra hit 129.2 degrees ( 54 Celsius ) Friday based on information posted on Weather Underground . But updated information posted on OgiMet , which pulls weather data from around the world , indicated the high temperature was actually 129.0 degrees ( 53.9 Celsius ) . All record temperatures in this post are preliminary and await validation from the World Meteorological Organization . Jason Samenow Jason Samenow is The Washington Post ’ s weather editor and Capital Weather Gang ' s chief meteorologist . He earned a master ' s degree in atmospheric science and spent 10 years as a climate change science analyst for the U.S. government . He holds the Digital Seal of Approval from the National Weather Association . Follow
|
[
"Middle East",
"Eastern Hemisphere",
"temperature"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2016/08/14/in-attempt-to-beat-simone-biles-41-year-old-uzbek-gymnast-attempted-the-vault-of-death/
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By Roman Stubbs August 14 , 2016 Spoiler alert : Things did n ’ t end well for Oksana Chusovitina . ( Mike Blake / Reuters ) Forty - one - year - old Uzbekistan gymnast Oksana Chusovitina was already something of a sensation before she competed in the women ’ s vault competition . She had made history by merely qualifying for her seventh Olympic Games in Rio , becoming the oldest athlete ever to compete in women ’ s gymnastics . But she did n ’ t stop there on Sunday . In an attempt to upstage her competition , and perhaps make a run at United States sensation Simone Biles — who is just two years older than Chusovitina ’ s 17 - year - old son — Chusovitina attempted the Produnova , which many have deemed “ the vault of death . ” While Biles eventually won the gold in the event , as expected , both Chusovitina and India ’ s Dipa Karmakar were celebrated for attempting the terrifying vault Sunday . As The Post ’ s Liz Clarke wrote : “ Finishing fourth was Karmakar , who like Chusovitina before her , attempted the so - called Produnova , which demands two - and - a - half somersaults . Neither landed it cleanly , resulting in costly deductions for execution of the risky move . ” “ The vault is very dangerous , ” Karmakar told the Wall Street Journal this week . “ I say , ‘ Thank you , I like risk . ’ ” Simone Biles wins her third gold medal of Rio Games , crushing field in vault final Introduced in 1999 by legendary Russian gymnast Yelena Produnova , the rare vault involves a front - handspring entry with two front tucks off the table , and its official difficulty score rating is a seven . Only four other gymnasts have ever successfully pulled it off . It has become a story line attached to Biles , who along with her American teammates has said she wo n ’ t attempt it because of the injury risks involved That did n ’ t stop Chusovitina , who first competed in the Olympics in 1992 and at one time was part of the gymnastics team with the U.S.S.R. , from attempting the terrifying move during Sunday ’ s final . It did n ’ t go according to plan , although she luckily escaped serious injury . She landed on her shins and somersaulted to her back after the attempt Oksana Chusovitina ' s Produnova ends with a forward roll . — Louise Radnofsky ( @ louiseradnofsky ) August 14 , 2016 Speaking of no guts , no glory : 41 - year - old Oksana Chusovitina somersaults out of her Produnova vault to score 14.933 — Julia ( @ juliafincher ) Oksana Chusovitina is a goddamn legend . Yeah , she fell and placed 7th , but to be 41 in her 7th Olympics and even ATTEMPT the Produnova … — Maggie Astor ( @ MaggieAstor ) The 74 - year - old great - grandmother behind the new 400 - meter world record holder The 74 - year - old great - grandmother behind the new 400 - meter world record holder Karmakar ’ s attempt at the vault was cleaner — she landed on her feet in a crouched position and did n ’ t roll — and it helped her move into second place at that point in the competition . It was n ’ t enough to earn her a medal , but she ’ ll be remembered at these Games for going all - in with a move most wo n ’ t attempt . Karmakar # GymnastiqueArtistique Dipa Karmakar completes the produnova . She scores 15.100 . Average score – 15.066 LIVE : https : / / t . co / G6K1OHCzFl — Express Sports ( @ IExpressSports ) Dipa Karmakar performed high risk produnova to win a medal for our # India at # Olympics . Salute mam . Inspiration for generations to come . — raghu ram bharadwaj ( @ raghudiddigi ) Comment s Roman Stubbs Roman Stubbs is a high school sports enterprise writer for The Washington Post . Previously , he spent four years covering University of Maryland athletics for The Post . He previously contributed to the Associated Press and has written for various publications across the United States and in South Africa . Follow Be the first to know . Try 1 month for $ 10 $ 1 Send me this offer Already a subscriber ? Sign in
|
[
"Simone Biles",
"gymnast",
"Rio"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/education/wp/2016/10/07/a-university-told-students-to-select-their-gender-pronouns-one-chose-his-majesty/
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By Lindsey Bever October 7 2016 Your browser does not currently recognize any of the video formats available Click here to visit our frequently asked questions about HTML5 video The University of Michigan has implemented a designated pronoun policy to allow students to choose the way they want their professors to refer to them in class As a protest measure one student created a new identity His Majesty Grant Strobl a junior at UM and a conservative activist inserted himself into an emotionally charged national debate over gender identity last week when he used the schools new policy to declare himself royalty When I realized that the university decided to live a fantasy of allowing students to insert words that arent even actual pronouns into the university online database that updates the rosters I decided well I might as well be the king of that fantasy and I henceforth shall be referred to as His Majesty he told Fox News last week The more and more we go down this road of political correctness at these universities Strobl said the question is When will that end How much is the university willing to sacrifice its pursuit of truth and its mission for this fantasyland of political correctness Transgender boys mom sues hospital saying he went into spiral after staff called him a girl Strobl who is studying political science German and international studies is the founding chairman of the universitys Young Americans for Freedom chapter a group whose stated goal is to provide a visible presence for the Conservative Movement energize other students and encourage students to speak out He did not respond to requests for comment from The Washington Post University officials sent an email Sept 27 to faculty members and students explaining a new process that allows students to designate personal pronouns which will appear on class rosters The new policy states that students may select from pronouns such as he she they or ze a genderneutral pronoun or choose none at all and opt to just have their names used instead It states You cant always know what someones personal pronoun is by looking at them Correctly using someones designated personal pronoun is one of the most basic ways to show your respect for their gender identity When someone is referred to with the wrong pronoun it can make them feel disrespected invalidated dismissed alienated or dysphoric or often all of the above Strobl told conservative news site CNSNewscom that when he accessed the system it also gave him the option to make up your own pronoun So he did My new identity is His Majesty Grant Strobl whats yours After you update WolverineAccess tweet to UMPronounChallenge YAF YAFUMich Grant Strobl grantstrobl September 28 2016 Kim Broekhuizen a spokeswoman for the university told The Washington Post in an email that students proposed the pronoun policy and it was considered by a campus committee An online petition urging the administration to put students personal pronouns on class rosters garnered almost 800 signatures Trans students at the University of Michigan often find themselves facing threats to their mental and physical safety the petition said adding that transgender students were forced to reach out to their professors to avoid being misgendered This can be a mentally and emotionally draining experience for individuals who constantly have to inform or correct their professors of their identity After the policy was implemented Strobl said he joined hundreds of students who changed their pronouns to protest the university policy Students have been calling me His Majesty those that have read the story and it really does illustrate the ridiculousness of the policy in ignoring the English language he told CNSNewscom It just creates more complexity more difficulty for our society as a whole and it goes against the universitys mission to pursue truth In an interview with Fox affiliate WJBK he said We are really happy that we are spreading the absurdity of this policy Strobl said some professors have sent him emails showing support But one professor has promised to punish those who abuse the policy Ive received tons of support from all across the country and even at the university Strobl told Fox News However I have had some students say that I am disrespectful But thats simply not true I love all humans this is not out of disrespect I just want to restore reality If you did UMPronounChallenge bc you thought its fun to exploit something meant for the consideration of others you should be ashamed Leslie Teng leslteng September 29 2016 httpstwittercomemilyjashinskystatus782273228005842944langen The new measure at UM comes amid a nationwide debate about gender identity and the push for greater acceptance More than 150 US colleges and universities allow students to designate a first name other than their legal name on school records and more than 50 allow students to choose their genders without documentation of medical intervention UM has joined five other schools that allow students to choose the pronouns they wish to go by according to Campus Pride an advocacy group that compiles such data Sorry grammar nerds The singular they has been declared Word of the Year Vanderbilt Universitys Faculty Senate Gender Inclusivity Task Force recently released a handout on gender pronouns for faculty members encouraging them to tell colleagues and students which pronouns they use for themselves to include them on email signatures and class syllabi and to survey students on their own pronouns Earlier this year the Justice Department and the Department of Education released guidance on Title IX protections against sexbased discrimination for transgender students Genny Beemyn transgender policy clearinghouse coordinator for Campus Pride told The Post that Title IX implies that colleges and universities must respect the names and pronouns that transgender students choose for themselves and to do that the schools must ask them what those names and pronouns are The point is for students to be able to be gendered in keeping with how they identify and not have faculty members or others misgender them said Beemyn director of the Stonewall Center an LGBT resource center at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst Beemyn is transgender and uses the pronouns they and them It feels like Im being made invisible when people are not respecting who I am Beemyn said It makes me feel invalidated Beemyn said policies such as the one implemented at the University of Michigan give transgender students an important choice Everyone has pronouns its not just trans people Beemyn said This gives cisgender people a sense that I have a certain privilege here Why MerriamWebster added cisgender genderqueer and Mx to the dictionary Broekhuizen the UM spokeswoman said the school implemented the designated pronoun policy to accommodate all students but will monitor the program and make any changes as needed But it is an important part of our efforts to be inclusive of all students including those who do not identify as strictly male or female Broekhuizen said in a statement Weve seen an outpouring of gratitude from these students for our recognition of their identity It is unfortunate that some students are not taking this serious Beemyn said that mocking such programs is offensive to transgender people I think its unfortunate Beemyn said about the push back Its belittling the importance of this for trans people Its not recognizing that for trans people this is needed to be treated in accordance with how we identify Strobl is not alone in pushing back against what he called the fantasy land of political correctness Jordan Peterson a psychology professor at the University of Toronto recently staged his own protests over genderneutral pronouns particularly against Canadian legislation that intends to include gender identity and expression in prohibited forms of discrimination according to the Toronto Sun Last week Peterson began releasing YouTube lectures saying that such policies violate freedom of speech Your browser does not currently recognize any of the video formats available Click here to visit our frequently asked questions about HTML5 video 12yearold to school board I hope you understand what being transgender means Wis transgender boy who won right to run for prom king wins right to use boys bathroom for the time being Becoming Nicole They were born identical twin boys but one always felt he was a girl Her 10yearold son wanted to shop at a store just for girls What the two found there was acceptance My heart breaks 80 million ways Father has trouble walking and writing Now his son is showing signs of the same disorder Get the Todays Headlines Newsletter By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Lindsey Bever Lindsey Bever is a general assignment reporter for The Washington Post covering national news with an emphasis on health She was previously a reporter at the Dallas Morning News Our journalism keeps watch on Washington and the world Try 1 month for 10 1 Send me this offer Already a subscriber Podcasts
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[
"University of Michigan",
"Fox News",
"Grant Strobl"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/03/03/proof-hes-the-science-guy-bill-nye-is-changing-his-mind-about-gmos/
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By Puneet Kollipara March 3 , 2015 TV ’ s “ Science Guy ” Bill Nye speaks during a debate on evolution with Creation Museum head Ken Ham . ( AP / Dylan Lovan ) He ’ s not making his popular children ’ s science show anymore , but Bill Nye the Science Guy is still making a public impact by going after pseudoscience and science denial . He ’ s railed against the idea of teaching creationism in public schools , and he ’ s come to the defense of climate science and vaccines . But on another hot - button issue involving science — genetically modified organisms ( GMOs ) — Nye has actually angered many scientists . Over the years , including in a chapter in his 2014 book “ Undeniable , ” Nye has suggested that there ’ s something fundamentally problematic with foods containing GMO crops . He has argued that GMOs may carry environmental risks that we can never rule out with certainty . Now , Nye seems to have changed his mind . Backstage after an appearance on Bill Maher ’ s “ Real Time , ” Nye said an upcoming revision to his book would contain a rewritten chapter on GMOs . “ I went to Monsanto , ” Nye said , “ and I spent a lot of time with the scientists there , and I have revised my outlook , and I ’ m very excited about telling the world . When you ’ re in love , you want to tell the world . ” Your browser does not currently recognize any of the video formats available . Click here to visit our frequently asked questions about HTML5 video . Nye ’ s sudden about - face on GMOs might strike some people as suspicious , especially since it came after he visited a corporation that many food and environmental activists detest and that has practically become synonymous with GMOs . But Nye is telling us that , irrespective of the corporation ’ s business practices , he changed his mind after learning more about the science . Is he right ? Here ’ s some background information . Normally , humans would have to wait a long time for nature to create new crop varieties by natural selection . To speed things up , humans have performed “ artificial selection ” since the advent of agriculture some 10,000 years ago . Most commonly , humans have cross - bred plants with the most desirable traits over and over again . Bill Nye : Climate change is ‘ not something you should be debating or denying ’ Today , however , humans can skip the cross - breeding process in many cases . In genetic modification , scientists insert new genes directly into plants ’ DNA . In some cases , we ’ ve given crops genes from totally different species . The process might not sound wholesome or natural . And that ’ s one of the concerns Nye has raised . In his book “ Undeniable , ” he suggests we should stop introducing genes from other species into crops , largely because “ we just ca n ’ t quite know what will happen to other species in that modified organism ’ s ecosystem . ” Essentially , Nye suggested , we ca n ’ t cut out the possibility of harm with certainty . The mere fact that something is a GMO does n ’ t tell us all that much , however , about how the plant actually functions . Rather , the way a GMO plant works stems from the new genes and traits themselves , whether they were inserted by scientists or came from the same species . So scientists assess GMOs ’ safety based not on whether they ’ re GMO , but on what their new genes actually do and the resulting changes in the plants . [ The monarch massacre : Nearly a billion butterflies have vanished ] And since GMOs cover such a wide range of traits , we have to assess them one by one . Although technically it ’ s not mandatory to test GMOs for human health risks before they hit the marketplace in the United States ( a concern of the American Medical Association ) , all current crops sold here have undergone voluntary review to test for potential toxins and allergens . Over the years , as peer - reviewed scientific studies on GMOs have piled up , scientific organizations ranging from the National Academy of Sciences to the World Health Organization have analyzed them and reached similar conclusions : GMOs on the market today are no riskier for your health than their non - GMO equivalents A recent analysis of the scientific literature also found that GMO crops have n ’ t been worse for the environment than their non - GMO counterparts and , in some cases , have been better , for instance by reducing pesticide use . That finding echoes a 2010 NAS report that said GMO crops , generally speaking , “ have had fewer adverse effects on the environment than non - GE crops produced conventionally . ” Those studies still might not have satisfied Nye . More and more of these studies and assessments could continue to pile up for decades . But just the mere possibility of an environmental impact , in his view , seems to have justified stopping the GMOs . Nothing in science is ever 100 percent certain , however . For instance , we ca n ’ t be sure that our conventional and even organic crops are 100 percent safe , either . In theory , any crop , whether the result of cross - breeding or genetic modification or even mutagenesis ( long used to create non - GMO crops such as rice and lettuce by exposing plants to DNA - altering chemicals or radiation ) carries the risk of harming human health or surrounding ecosystems . That all explains why Nye has found himself in especially hot water with scientists over GMOs . As University of Florida plant scientist Kevin Folta recently argued , Nye was being hypocritical : “ Your logic and reasoning match the fallacies of climate and evolution deniers , the people you correctly criticize . ” I ’ m not saying GMOs are a silver bullet to end world hunger or that I love Monsanto . And I ’ m not saying that there are n ’ t cases where individual GMOs might result in environmental issues , such as pest resistance . Debating GMOs ’ benefits and risks is healthy . But making GMOs the bogeyman while giving other crops a pass is n ’ t . Thanks for reading our new Energy & Environment coverage ! You can sign up for our weekly newsletter here and follow our tweets here . Also in Energy & Environment : The scary idea that wo n ’ t go away : Global warming messing with the jet stream and your weather Your shower is wasting huge amounts of energy and water . Here ’ s what you can do about it Forget about that snowball — here ’ s what climate change could actually do to our winters Knowing your ‘ energy personality ’ could save you a lot of money Comment s
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[
"Science Guy",
"mind",
"GMOs"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/05/26/viewing-nature-can-help-your-brain-work-better-study-finds/
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Just looking at nature can help your brain work better study finds By Chris Mooney May 26 2015 The Vancouver Convention Centers sixacre living roof in Vancouver Canada on Thursday Oct 9 2014 According to the convention center its the largest green roof in Canada AP PhotoThe Canadian Press Darryl Dyck While still relatively novel in the United States socalled green roofs urban rooftops covered with grasses plants and other types of greenery are becoming increasingly popular around the world In France newly built commercial rooftops must sport either greenery or solar panels according to a recent law Facebook meanwhile recently installed a massive 9acre green roof at its office in Menlo Park Calif The logic is obvious Green roofs can reduce the retention of heat in urban areas help to cool down buildings and thereby lower their energy use and even pull some carbon dioxide from the air and feed it back into plant growth Plus they look cool But the psychological benefits of green roofs to busy office workers may also be substantial according to new research In a study published in the journal Environmental Psychology the University of Melbournes Kate Lee and a group of colleagues found that interrupting a tedious attentiondemanding task with a 40second microbreak in which one simply looks at a computerized image of a green roof improved focus as well as subsequent performance on the task The research adds to a growing scientific literature on the health advantages psychological and otherwise of being exposed to views of nature in urban settings for instance through the presence of parks or trees Research in this area is so far along in fact that researchers are considering whether it might be possible to identify the right dose of nature that people need to receive in order to actually reap significant health benefits Other psychological benefits of nature views have also been captured in recent literature In one study research subjects who viewed a 12minute nature documentary before playing a game that involved managing a fishery resource engaged in more sustainable behavior The radical political implications of spending time outdoors The new study appears to break ground by showing an effect and a benefit from a much smaller and shorterlived nature exposure In the research 150 students were asked to perform a cognitively demanding task called the Sustained Attention to Response Task SART In the task respondents view a series of individual numbers between 1 and 9 on a computer screen Each number flashes by very rapidly in under a second and the research subject has to press a particular keyboard key as rapidly as possible unless that is the number is 3 In that case subjects have to catch themselves and not respond which is difficult to do given the habit built up of repeatedly and rapidly clicking the key This goes on for a large number of trials 225 of them requiring about five minutes in total to complete making the task both difficult and also fairly taxing No wonder then that it is regarded as a test of ones ability to keep focus and attention over a period of time In the current study students had to complete the SART task not once but twice However they received a 40second microbreak in between the two trials During that break their computer screens flashed either to a digital image of a city building roof covered in concrete or one covered with grass and flowers Then they completed the remainder of the SART trial The green roof view that half of research subjects observed during their microbreak University of Melbourne Afterward the students exposed to the green roof scene not only reported that it felt more restorative they performed better on the task In particular they showed less fluctuation in response time and made fewer errors of omission failing to tap the keyboard key when they saw a number other than 3 Nature can provide cognitive benefits in much shorter timeframes and in smaller amounts than previously demonstrated the authors concluded For anybody who toils all day at task after task in an office building its hard to miss the implications Modern work drains attention throughout the day so providing boosted green microbreaks may provide mental topups to offset declining attention said lead study author Kate Lee of the University of Melbourne by email Alas for many of us in the United States going to an office window and looking out at a green roof next door remains impossible for now anyway But thats not the only option Lee thinks the findings are generalizable beyond green roofs Viewing different types of nature parks and forests can also boost attention research shows she commented Based on this we would hypothesize that other types of urban greening that show similar vegetation characteristics to those studied previously may also boost attention So if you dont work next to a building sporting a green roof theres always a brief walk outside if not to a park then at least to somewhere you can see a tree Also in Energy Environment Global warming could shrink Mount Everests glaciers by 70 percent study finds Why you shouldnt freak out about swarming honeybees and how to protect bees from those who do The surprising links between faith and evolution and climate denial charted For more you can sign up for our weekly newsletter here and follow us on Twitter here
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[
"Chris Mooney",
"green roofs"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2017/07/20/president-trumps-first-six-months-the-fact-check-tally/
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By Glenn Kessler Michelle Ye Hee Lee and Meg Kelly July 20 , 2017 Shortly before reaching the six - month mark of his presidency , President Trump made an assertion and then paused that perhaps he should not be so definitive . “ I better say ‘ think , ’ otherwise they ’ ll give you a Pinocchio , ” he said . “ And I do n ’ t like those — I do n ’ t like Pinocchios . ” As it turned out , the president ’ s claim — that he has signed more bills ( 42 ) at this point than “ any president ever ” — was completely wrong . Just among recent presidents , he ’ s behind Jimmy Carter ( 70 bills signed ) , George H.W. Bush ( 55 ) and Bill Clinton ( 50 ) . So it goes with Trump , the most fact - challenged politician that The Fact Checker has ever encountered . As part of our coverage of the president ’ s first 100 days , The Fact Checker team ( along with Leslie Shapiro and Kaeti Hinck of the Post graphics department ) produced an interactive graphic that displayed a running list of every false or misleading statement made by the president . He averaged 4.9 false or misleading claims a day . Readers encouraged us to keep the list going for the president ’ s first year . So at the six - month mark , the president ’ s tally stands at 836 false or misleading claims . That ’ s an average of 4.6 claims a day , not far off his first 100 - day pace . We decided to compile this list because the pace and volume of the president ’ s misstatements means that we can not possibly keep up . This interactive database helps readers quickly search a claim after they hear it , because there ’ s a good chance he has said it before . But the database also shows how repetitive Trump ’ s claims are . Many politicians will drop a false claim after it has been deemed false . But Trump just repeats the same claim over and over . Trump ’ s most repeated claim , uttered 44 times , was some variation of the statement that the Affordable Care Act is dying and “ essentially dead . ” But the Congressional Budget Office has said that the Obamacare exchanges , despite well - documented issues , are not imploding and are expected to remain stable for the foreseeable future . If anything , actions taken by the Trump administration have spawned uncertainty . Several insurance companies have cited Trump administration policy as a reason to leave insurance markets in certain states , though others have sensed opportunity and The apparent implosion of the Senate health - care bill suggests the limits of Trump ’ s rhetoric . His repeated claim that Obamacare has already failed or is dead , in the face of objective evidence that the law is actually working , failed to win enough votes for passage — and failed to sway Democrats to consider working with him . Only rarely has the president tried to make a positive case for action on health care , as opposed to simply tearing down the Affordable Care Act . Trump , as he did during the presidential campaign , also exaggerated the impact of increases in premiums on the Obamacare exchanges , cherry - picking numbers from a handful of states . Trump also frequently uses the calculation of premium increases without incorporating the impact of tax credits — which most people in the exchanges receive . If you take the subsidies into account , the average monthly premium of most people in the Obamacare exchanges goes down , not up . Trump also has a disturbing habit of taking credit for events or business decisions that happened before he took the oath of office — or had even been elected . Some 30 times , he ’ s touted that he secured business investments and job announcements that had been previously announced and could easily be found with a Google search . Nearly 20 times he ’ s boasted that he achieved a reduction in the cost of Lockheed Martin F - 35 Joint Strike Fighters , even though the price cut had been in the works before he was elected Trump even claimed that it took “ one sentence ” to get the president of China to agree to sell U.S. beef in China . “ I said , President Xi , we ’ d love to sell beef back in China again . He said , you can do that . That was the end of that , ” Trump bragged on July 17 . Perhaps it was so easy because the Obama administration already had brokered the beef deal back in September . The only thing that was new was a set date for beef sales to start . Seventeen times , Trump asserted that because he demanded NATO members pay their fair share , “ billions of dollars more have begun to pour into NATO . ” But at a NATO summit in 2014 , after Russian aggression in Ukraine , NATO members pledged to stop cutting their defense expenditures and by 2024 “ move toward ” a goal of spending at least 2 percent of gross domestic product on defense . Since the 2014 meeting , defense expenditures from member countries have increased steadily . The cumulative spending increase from 2015 to 2017 above the 2014 level is an additional $ 45.8 billion , according to NATO , with another increase of $ 13 billion expected in 2017 . But these budget decisions were made during the 2016 calendar year , before Trump became president . ( Moreover , the money does not “ pour into NATO ” but remains with each nation . ) Ten times , Trump has said he has proposed “ the biggest tax cut in the history of our country , ” even though his administration has released no plan beyond a single sheet of paper . Even if it became a reality ( there are reports that the tax plan is being scaled back ) , it still would be smaller than tax cuts passed by Harry Truman and Ronald Reagan . Eight times , he has claimed to have already achieved “ record investments ” in the military even though his proposed defense increase is relatively modest — Trump ’ s repeated claim that he secured deals worth $ 350 billion during a trip to Saudi Arabia , creating hundreds of thousands of jobs in the United States , was greatly inflated . Many of the purported deals were not concluded and were simply aspirationa l — and key investments were in Saudi Arabia , creating few jobs for Americans . More than a dozen times , the president dismissed investigations into Russian interference into the election as a Democratic hoax , even though nonpartisan intelligence agencies concluded that Russia intervened on behalf of Trump and congressional committees led by Republicans have begun their own probes . When the president was a real estate developer , there was little consequence for repeated exaggeration or hyperbole because few people kept track . But now that he ’ s president , Trump may find that the “ art of the deal ” often requires close attention to the facts , especially if he wants to persuade lawmakers to take tough votes . As president , Trump has already earned 20 Four - Pinocchio ratings — and a total of 152 Pinocchios . If he does n ’ t like his Pinocchios , there ’ s a relatively simple solution : Stick to the facts . About our rating scale Send us facts to check by filling out this form Keep tabs on Trump ’ s promises with our Trump Promise Tracker Sign up for The Fact Checker weekly newsletter
|
[
"President Trump",
"first six months",
"interactive graphic"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/federal-eye/wp/2014/01/17/what-do-the-governments-industrial-organizational-psychologists-do/
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By Emily WaxThibodeaux January 17 2014 The federal governments industrial organizational psychologists or IOs as they are known arent exactly what people might think of when they hear the word psychologist They dont provide traditional therapy meaning oneonone talk in a warmly lit room tissue boxes at the ready a parent figure ready to blame Eduardo Salas an industrial organization psychologist works with EMTs on a helicopter landing pad at Florida Hospital in Orlando last April American Psychological Association Instead they provide sciencebased guidance to organizations from the federal government to universities Fortune 500 companies and nonprofits on how to improve morale and employee resilience in their workforce Think of it as the application of psychology to the world of work They have worked with The Department of Homeland Security Health and Human Services Environmental Protection Agency Office of Personnel Management and Department of State among others to help them recruit and select job applicants train and develop employees build effective teams measure individual team and organizational performance and identify and develop leaders But in addition to helping the federal government through furlough stress agency wide they also help employers ability to select and promote the best people They do this by creating tests and by designing products such as training courses selection procedures and surveys One example is when an IO makes sure testing questions for a departments hiring and promotions are fair and comply with employment laws and Civil Rights Acts They also ensure that the testing questions are legally defensible designing ways to measure performance and understanding the implications and caveats for each performance measure The work of an IO psychologist is very different from that of a therapist with a client on the couch said Tammy Allen president of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology or SIOP which was established in 1982 and has 8000 members dedicated to applying psychology to people in the workplace We are a completely different branch of psychology Alyssa McGonagle an assistant professor of IndustrialOrganizational Psychology at Wayne State University in Detroit studies worker health and safety on the job what causes workers to be injured on the job including safety climate or how much managers and employees value safety over production and what IOs can do about it to make workplaces safer I also study some of the challenges working with a chronic illness poses to people and how companies can ease some of that burden she said McGonagle recently completed a threemonth coaching intervention designed to help people cope with working chronic illness Shawn L Zimmerman provides services to organizations to help them develop their effectiveness IO psychologists are applying that information to business performance or government performance rather than to reduce human suffering he said One end is therapy where suffering starts the conversation the other end is IO where business returns starts the conversation When psychologists at both ends of the continuum are doing their job well we end up with individuals and systems that are performing their best happy and productive human beings in the middle of the continuum
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[
"industrial"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2015/04/06/are-harvard-yale-and-stanford-really-public-universities/
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By Jeffrey J . Selingo April 6 , 2015 Harvard University . ( Photo by Brent Lewin / Bloomberg ) . More than 800 colleges and universities across North America hold endowment assets of $ 516 billion . But the top 10 schools in terms of assets have about $ 180 billion of that total , more than one - third of all the holdings . Harvard University alone has a $ 35 billion endowment . None of that money , nor the gains on it — which at the top schools were about 16 percent last year — are taxed . As non - profit entities , neither are the extensive land holdings of the nation ’ s colleges and universities . Such benefits account for $ 41,000 in hidden taxpayer subsidies per student annually , on average , at the top 10 wealthiest private universities . That ’ s more than three times the direct appropriations public universities in the same states as those schools get . Princeton University , for example , receives $ 105,000 in taxpayer benefits for each of its students , compared to the $ 12,000 in appropriations that go to New Jersey ’ s public university , Rutgers . Those figures come from a new study , released Monday , which recommends an excise tax on private colleges ’ endowments of more than $ 500 million . Such a tax , which would not impact individual gifts to the institutions and would be reduced by the amount the schools dedicate to financial assistance , could generate $ 6 billion for the federal government to use for President Obama ’ s free community - college proposal . That large sum also could be used more generally for federal student aid programs . “ The inequality of the distribution of this is the most troublesome , ” said Mark Schneider , one of the co - authors of the study , who is a vice president at the American Institutes for Research , and a former U.S. commissioner of education statistics . “ What is the public purpose of a school that educates wealthy people and foreign students ? ” Just last week , many of these schools carrying significant endowments released admissions rates for this fall ’ s incoming class , and they noted that they rejected some nine out of 10 students who applied . At the same time , they have a poor record of enrolling economically diverse classes , according to a New York Times analysis last year . Low - income students who qualify for Pell Grants , most of whom come from families making less than $ 60,000 annually , make up 15 percent or less of the student body at Stanford , Princeton , and Yale . Total federal , state , and local tax subsidies per student Source : Nexus Research and Policy Center The endowment gains for these private universities come at a time when public schools , which educate 80 percent of Americans seeking a college degree , with massive cutbacks in their state appropriations and increasingly needy students faced with higher tuition rates Take California , for example . Stanford University has a $ 21.4 billion endowment ( as of Aug . 2014 ) and the assessed value of its land is nearly $ 8 billion . That equals a taxpayer subsidy of some $ 63,000 for each student at Stanford , according to the study by the Nexus Research and Policy Center , an independent , nonpartisan group in California . Stanford ’ s indirect subsidy compares with direct appropriations of $ 10,000 per student at the University of California at Berkeley , or $ 4,000 at California State University at Fullerton . A Stanford University student walks in front of Hoover Tower on the Stanford University campus in Palo Alto , Calif . ( AP Photo / Paul Sakuma , File ) But unlike the appropriations given to public universities , the tax breaks given to wealthy private universities are not voted on every year by Congress or state legislatures . Rather , they are a historic relic of the tax code . Proposals to tax endowments and the land holdings of colleges and universities are raised every few years , usually by lawmakers , and are promptly shot down by higher education lobbyists who maintain that the schools act in the public interest . That was their reaction to this latest salvo . If endowments were taxed , said Barry Toiv , a spokesman for the Association of American Universities , which represents the top research institutions , “ the teaching , research , and public service activities that are supported by endowment would suffer . ” “ Taxing them is not the solution to this problem , ” Toiv said in a statement . “ Rather states need to stop disinvesting and start reinvesting in higher education — and the federal government needs to provide adequate financial aid to low - income students seeking to attain college degrees . ” But the growing wealth gap between these top universities and hundreds of schools below them that serve the vast majority of college students shows that a small handful of institutions are increasingly benefiting from an often - hidden public subsidy . These top institutions need to do their part , too , rather than just claim in public statements to want to enroll a greater economic diversity of academically qualified students . Some , like the University of Chicago and Washington University in St . Louis , recently announced plans to expand financial aid to increase the proportion of qualified middle - and low - income students at their schools . The other elite universities need to do more on this front , or perhaps their endowments and land holdings should be subjected to an excise tax .
|
[
"Harvard , Yale , and Stanford",
"public universities"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2015/12/31/these-states-might-forgive-some-of-your-student-debt/
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By Danielle Douglas - Gabriel December 31 , 2015 New York Gov . Andrew Cuomo ( D ) said the state will start accepting applications for its latest student loan forgiveness program . New York is one of 48 states that offer such programs to residents . ( Andrew Kelly / Reuters ) Any college graduate with student debt can tell you that the first years out of school can be the toughest . Trying to cover rent , utilities , transportation and food on an entry - level salary is hard enough , but once you add loan payments to the mix , it can be overwhelming . To alleviate some of that frustration , New York is offering to cover up to two years of student loan payments for recent college graduates living in the state . Starting Thursday , the state will accept applications for its so - called Get On Your Feet Loan Forgiveness Program . You must earn less than $ 50,000 , have an undergraduate degree from a school located in the state , and be enrolled in the federal Income Based Repayment or Pay as You Earn plans to qualify . There are a few other criteria that you can find at hesc . ny . gov / GetOnYourFeet . Payments will be made directly to your loan servicer , the middlemen that collect and apply payments . [ What you need to know about Obama ’ s latest student loan plan before enrolling ] While New York is unique in targeting lower - income graduates from any field , it is not the only state with a student loan forgiveness plan . In fact , 45 states and the District of Columbia have programs that will wipe away some college debt for residents , according to CollegeInvestor . com , a personal finance website for millennials . Most state programs are geared towards college graduates in public service professions , such as teaching , nursing , social work and law — fields that often come with tens of thousands of dollars of student debt . States typically use these programs to address shortages in certain occupations , dangling the carrot of forgiveness to get professionals to give a few years of their service . [ Maryland county wants to ease the burden of student debt for its residents ] If you live in a state without any forgiveness programs or do n ’ t qualify for the ones that are available , there is always the federal options . Revised Pay as You Earn , or REPAYE , caps borrowers ’ monthly bills to 10 percent of their income and forgives the remaining debt after 20 years of payment . People employed at nonprofits or in the public sector can also qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness , a federal program that wipes away debt after 10 years of repayment . Check out the following list for programs available in your state : Alaska Health - care professionals and social workers residing in this state may be eligible for debt relief . Arizona : This state has programs for physicians willing to work in rural areas , legal aid attorneys as well as math and science teachers Arkansas : This state offers a helping hand to teachers and veterinarians California Physicians dentists and other health - care professionals in this state are eligible for some debt forgiveness . Colorado : If you work in health care or as a legal aid attorney , this state might forgive some of you student loans . Delaware Health - care providers in this state can qualify for up to $ 100,000 in student loan forgiveness . District of Columbia : The nation ’ s capital has loan repayment programs for health - care professionals and public - interest attorneys Florida Nurses legal aid attorneys in this state can qualify for some debt forgiveness . Georgia Physicians working in rural area can have up to $ 100,000 of their student loans forgiven by this state . Hawaii : This state will repay a portion of the student debt acquired by primary health - care providers Idaho : Working in health care may qualify you for some loan forgiveness in this state . Illinois : If you are a teacher public interest lawyer nursing instructor or a nurse working in the state ’ s veterans homes , you can receive help with your student loan payments . Indiana Legal aid attorneys in this state can qualify for loan forgiveness . Iowa : This state will lend a helping hand to teachers nurses physicians in rural areas Kansas : Graduates residing in rural areas doctors serving those communities can receive well over $ 10,000 in debt forgiveness from this state . Kentucky : This state will provide up to $ 17,500 a year for two years to Louisiana Primary health - care professionals public interest lawyers can receive student loan relief in this state . Maine Educators health professionals veterinarians dentists public interest lawyers can qualify for loan assistance in this state . Maryland : This state offers help to teachers and , as well as nonprofit and local government employees who work with undeserved communities . Massachusetts : If you work in in this state , you can qualify for up to $ 50,000 in loan forgiveness . Michigan : A wide range of healt - care professionals as well as public - interest lawyers can receive loan forgiveness in this state . Minnesota : There are debt forgiveness programs for rural doctors inner - city physicians midwives nurses pharmacists and public - interest lawyers in this state . Mississippi : This state provides up to $ 3,000 a year over four years to help pay back their student loans . Missouri : Working in the health - care field in this state can make you eligible for some loan forgiveness . Montana : If you are a teacher nurse or physician , you can receive some assistance with your student loan debt in this state . Nebraska Health - care professionals in this state can qualify for up to $ 40,000 towards their educational debt . Nevada : This state will wipe away some of the student debt of health - care workers New Hampshire Health - care professionals can qualify for loan forgiveness in this state . New Jersey : This state will help nurse doctors , dentists public defenders get rid of some of their student debt . New Mexico Health - care workers attorneys in the public defender ’ s office can get help in this state . New York : It might be easier to list the occupations in this state that do n ’ t offer student debt forgiveness , but here goes : legal aid attorney social worker farmer physician public interest attorney and North Carolina : If you teach , work in mental health or public interest law , you could qualify for loan forgiveness programs in this state . North Dakota Teachers and people working in science , technology , engineering or math - related field can receive thousands of dollars in debt forgiveness here . Ohio : This state offers loan repayment programs to public defenders Oklahoma Dentists primary care physicians doctors willing to work in rural areas can all get help with their student debt in this state . Oregon : This state offers forgiveness programs for primary care professionals therapists and public - service lawyers Pennsylvania Doctors and legal aid lawyers can apply for loan repayment programs in this state . Rhode Island : There are separate programs for physicians and other health - care workers in this state . South Carolina : University of South Carolina School of Law graduates going into public interest law can have a few dollars knocked off their student loan balance by this state . South Dakota : To lure , this state offers up to $ 100,000 loan repayment assistance . Texas Educators with PhDs speech pathologists public health - care providers and lawyers working in the attorney general ’ s office can all get help in this state . Vermont Primary care physicians health - care instructors lawyers serving low - income families can all get some of their debt forgiven in this state . Virginia : This state offers help to public sector attorneys legal aid lawyers health care professionals willing to work in undeserved communities . Washington : Doctors , nurses and other can get up to $ 35,000 a year for two years in forgiveness here . Wisconsin Health - care workers can qualify for up to $ 100,000 in loan assistance in this state . Wyoming : This state will forgive up to $ 30,000 a year over three years for
|
[
"student debt",
"Loan Forgiveness Program",
"REPAYE"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2017/09/08/pell-grant-award-to-rise-but-program-reserves-remain-in-jeopardy/
|
By Danielle DouglasGabriel September 8 2017 Washington DC including the Capitol dome Larry DowningReuters The Senate appropriations committee approved a 2018 spending bill Thursday that would increase the maximum award provided to lowincome college students through the federal Pell Grant but subsequently sap billions of dollars out of the programs reserves House Republicans at odds with Trumps proposed higher education cuts Pell remains the primary source of federal grant aid for millions of students whose families typically earn less than 60000 a year but the purchasing power of the grant has waned in the face of rising college costs Student advocates have been urging Congress to renew the grants annual inflation adjustment before it expires this year but in lieu of an extension lawmakers bumped up the award by 100 to 6020 for the 20182019 academic year Still the Senate bill would pull out 26 billion in reserve funds from the program on top of the 13 billion cut sustained in the fiscal 2017 budget agreement The reduction is lower than the 33 billion rescission in the House bill which also sought to freeze the maximum award While advocacy groups praised the Senate for the additional award money many say raiding the reserves could jeopardize the grant program in the future Even with the increase the maximum Pell Grant will still cover the smallest share of the cost of attending a public fouryear college in more than 40 years said Jessica Thompson policy and research director at the Institute for College Access Success Any proposal to cut the Pell Grants is out of step with the goal of growing an educated competitive workforce Feds kick off restoration of grant aid for students burned by forprofit college closures Through the first three months of this year the Education Department said the 30 billion Pell program benefited more than 5 million college students Nearly twothirds of African American undergraduates receive Pell funding as do 51 percent of Latino undergrads according to the Education Trust The program has been running a 10 billion surplus that higher education experts say should be used to ward off potential discretionary funding cuts in the future and provide awards throughout the school year to speed up graduation President Trump however wants to use more than half of that reserve to increase defense spending and reduce the Education Departments overall budget Though congressional Republicans and Democrats refused to withdraw that much money from the program they have still reduced the reserves Despite her disappointment with the Senate plan to draw down Pell funds Thompson commended lawmakers for agreeing to restore Pell eligibility for students who were defrauded by their colleges The provision in the bill expands on the Education Departments decision to restore grant eligibility to students whose colleges closed before they could complete their degrees Pell is available only for six years or 12 semesters Lets say a student pursuing a bachelors degree uses three years worth of that aid before his college closes If that student is unable to transfer his credits and has to start over somewhere else he would not have enough Pell money left to cover the degree Thousands of students affected by the closures of ITT Technical Institutes and Corinthian Colleges have found themselves in that position Feds kick off restoration of grant aid for students burned by forprofit college closures Last fall Sen Patty Murray DWash the ranking member on the Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions Committee found a provision in the Higher Education Act that gives the Education Department authority to grant students additional aid clearing the way for the restoration Want to read more about Pell grants Check out Needy college students have a good chance of getting government grants to take summer classes again An increasing number of lowincome college students have no financial cushion House Republicans want to cut back grants for poor college students Danielle DouglasGabriel Danielle DouglasGabriel covers the economics of education writing about the financial lives of students from when they take out student debt through their experiences in the job market Before that she wrote about the banking industry The story must be told Your subscription supports journalism that matters Try 1 month for 1 Podcasts The confounding case of alleged spy Paul Whelan Shane Harris tells the story about a former Marine being detained in Russia on suspicion of spying Annie Linskey on how the likability question will affect female 2020 candidates Plus voices from the government shutdown Listen 2237 22 hours ago
|
[
"Pell Grant",
"The Senate appropriations committee"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2018/02/21/a-texas-school-superintendent-threatens-to-suspend-students-protesting-gun-laws-but-thats-not-legal/
|
Students march for gun reform By Eli Rosenberg February 21 2018 The superintendent of a Texas public school district is drawing harsh criticism after issuing a written threat Tuesday to suspend any students who take part in demonstrations about gun violence after the school shooting in Florida last week Curtis Rhodes the superintendent of the school district in Needville a small town southwest of Houston wrote a letter to students and parents that was distributed Tuesday on the social media page for the towns high school It began with a reference to the protests around the country after a shooting in Parkland Fla left 17 people dead Please be advised that the Needville ISD will not allow a student demonstration during school hours for any type of protest or awareness Rhodes wrote Should students choose to do so they will be suspended from school for 3 days and face all the consequences that come along with an out of school suspension Life is all about choices and every choice has a consequence whether it be positive or negative We will discipline no matter if it is one fifty or five hundred students involved Rhodes a registered Republican according to public records said parental notes would make no difference Respect yourself Rhodes wrote and please understand that we are here for an education and not a political protest The move touched off an outcry after students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School called on elected officials to curb gun violence And it comes as schools around the country are having difficult conversations about campus security amid the regular occurrence of school shootings Florida high school students demand change to gun laws at boisterous rally Constitutional scholars described Rhodess threats as a blatant violation of freespeech rights Its a quintessential First Amendment violation and most Americans have an instinct about that Heidi Li Feldman a professor at Georgetown Law said in an interview Whats really weird about this is that they announced they will suspend people over the content of their offcampus protest Contentbased restrictions on speech are anathema to the First Amendment So this looks like a total problem Rhodes did not respond to an emailed request for comment His voicemail box at the school was full The high schools Facebook page was no longer available on Tuesday night Texas A letter sent to families by Needville ISD Superintendent Curtis Rhodes threatens students with a threeday outofschool suspension if they join in growing protests nationwide over the Florida shooting httpstcopZaBWZ6FIj NeverAgain MarchForOurLives pictwittercomvTnKR6EQJ1 Antonio Arellano AntonioArellano February 21 2018 Other schools have sought to curtail student protests as well though in less blunt terms Steven Walts the superintendent of schools in Virginias Prince William County also threatened students with disciplinary measures for missing school for protests over gun control PWCS recognizes your right to free speech and to protest but these rights do not extend to disrupting classes or to leaving school he wrote in a letter to parents Wednesday Students who cause disruptions or leave school without authorization will face disciplinary consequences in keeping with the PWCS Code of Behavior Feldman said that disciplinary measures for missing school and other policy violations must be handed out uniformly and not just for those who are protesting to be legally sound Feldman said that Rhodess move was reminiscent of an Iowa school districts attempt to prevent students from wearing black armbands in protest of the Vietnam War in the 1960s which prompted a challenge that resulted in a landmark Supreme Court ruling Tinker v Des Moines Officials from the citys school district had sent 13yearold Mary Beth Tinker home from school for wearing the armband and later suspended four other students at the school The Supreme Court sided overwhelmingly with the students ruling that students and teachers for that matter do not shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate Rhodes has been at the center of legal disputes before In 2008 a decision he made to forbid a Native American kindergarten student from wearing long hair was ruled to be a violation of the childs right to religious freedom twice by federal district and appeals courts Were not going to succumb to everything and just wash away our policies and procedures he told the Houston Press about his stance in the case describing Needville as a place of tradition A school district is a reflection of the community he said Weve consistently been very conservatively dressed very conservatively disciplined Its no secret what our policy is Youll cut your hair to the right point Youll tuck in your shirt Youll have a belt High students chant calls for action as they march to the federal courthouse building Wednesday in Tucson Students at dozens of US high schools walked out of class Wednesday to protest gun violence and honor the victims of last weeks deadly shooting at a school in Florida Mike ChristyArizona Daily StarAP Photos of students protesting for gun control and against gun violence View Photos In the wake of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida students from around the country are protesting for gun control legislation Read more Their school deleted an article on a teachers firing So these teens published it themselves After drubbing by media Trumps ambassador to the Netherlands apologizes for antiMuslim remarks Motel 6 gave guest lists to ICE agents looking for Latinosounding names lawsuit alleges 491 Eli Rosenberg Eli Rosenberg is a reporter on The Washington Posts General Assignment team He has worked at the New York Times and the New York Daily News Our journalism keeps watch on Washington and the world Try 1 month for 10 1 Already a subscriber Podcasts
|
[
"gun laws",
"The superintendent of a Texas"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2014/02/06/how-to-fix-our-polarized-politics-strengthen-political-parties/
|
By Richard Pildes February 6 , 2014 Boehner shakes hands with President Obama before the 2011 State of the Union address . ( Kevin Lamarque / Getty Images ) This is a guest post by Richard H . Pildes , Sudler Family Professor of Constitutional Law at New York University and author of “ Why the Center Does Not Hold : The Causes of Hyperpolarized Democracy in America . ” The dramatic polarization of our political parties is here to stay . It is primarily a product of long - term historical and structural forces that get set into motion in the 1960s when African Americans ( and many previously - excluded poor whites ) begin the process of becoming full political participants . That process begins with the 1965 Voting Rights Act , but takes decades to culminate , as it more or less now has ( for the analysis backing that up , see the article above ) . Thus , specific efforts to diminish polarization by one this and this , confirm . If we therefore accept polarization as a fact – as we should — our attention instead might better be centered on how to manage polarization ’ s consequences to promote more effective governance . My suggestion is that , if we are looking for solutions , we should re - define the problem of effective governance in our era as one of political fragmentation rather than one of political polarization . By fragmentation , I mean the external diffusion of political power away from the political parties as a whole and the internal diffusion of power away from the party leadership to individual party members and officeholders . It is political fragmentation that makes it that much more difficult , in a political world that rests on polarized parties , for party leaders nonetheless to engage in the kinds of negotiations , compromises , and pragmatic deal - making that enable government to function effectively , at least in areas of broad consensus that government must act in some way ( budgets , debt - ceiling increases ) . And because of political fragmentation , party leaders in all our political institutions have less capacity to play this kind of leadership role than in many previous eras . When political fragmentation that makes it that much harder for party leaders to command their parties is added to highly polarized parties , the mix is highly toxic to the capacity of our political institutions to function effectively . Before turning to the causes and cures of this fragmentation , here is what political fragmentation means concretely . In their first year in the Senate , and with little or no prior political career , Senators today , such as Ted Cruz or Elizabeth Warren , are able to have a political stature and independent base of power that would have been utterly inconceivable in the past , even for political figures as formidable as a Lyndon Johnson . Without being beholden to , or dependent upon , the elected leaders of their parties , they can now reach raise vast amounts of money and act as free - lance entrepreneurs , without needing any help from the political party organizations or party leaders in government . This fragmentation is more visible for now on the Republican side , but that is because having a same - party President still provides significant additional pressure to maintain party discipline . But I ’ m convinced the forces of fragmentation are just as present , if more latent for now , on the Democratic side . As a result , the party elite – the party ’ s leaders in the House and the Senate , and the President — no longer have as much leverage over party members ( even first - year Senators ) as in certain past eras . This reality is part of the broader breakdown of traditional organizational “ power ” that Moises Naim , in “ The End of Power , ” so well documents across an array of public and private institutions , from churches to boardrooms . The irreversible revolution in communications and technology is a major cause ; these changes not only enable otherwise isolated officeholders to reach out , they also enable more dispersed factional interests to be mobilized to reach in more easily . In politics , these centripetal forces the communications revolution has unleashed are then further aided by the way our laws have structured the financing of elections ( about which , more in a moment ) . As much as we tend to be Ironically , then , for those searching for ways to make the political process function more effectively , the problem is not best defined as parliamentary parties within a separated - powers system . That description is partly right , but wrong in an important way too . For excessive political fragmentation makes American parties today incapable of functioning as truly parliamentary ones ; even with polarization , party leaders frequently can not deliver their parties . And instead of the quixotic pursuit of institutional changes that might end polarization , we should instead look for structural changes that might That ’ s because political parties still remain the institutions that have the strongest incentives , through elections , to aggregate the broadest range of interests – even in ( or particularly because of ) an expanded sphere of democratic participation . And within “ the parties , ” party leaders in Congress or the White House are the ones most likely to be responsive to these broader incentives – they have the strongest stakes in ensuring the broadest electoral appeal of the party brand . In addition , party leaders are best situated to make credible commitments for their So we should use law and policy to push back against political fragmentation and to re - empower party leaders — even if this runs against the grain of American disdain for political parties and distrust of “ elites , ” including party leaders . This process might happen organically ; there are suggestions that business leaders more closely aligned with Republican Party leaders might get more actively involved in primary fights in an effort to nominate candidates more likely to adhere to leadership positions . But if a need remains to orient law and policy in the directions I suggest , we might , for example , change campaign - finance law to encourage more money to flow to the parties – rather than to outside groups or individual candidates – and to play a bigger role in their candidate ’ s campaigns . But at this stage , specifics reform proposals are less important than recognizing the role of political fragmentation in the decline of our capacity for effective governance .
|
[
"polarized politics",
"Hyperpolarized Democracy",
"Richard H . Pildes"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2016/02/17/yes-the-u-s-and-russia-can-cooperate-to-end-the-syrian-civil-war-heres-why/
|
By Yoshiko Herrera Andrew Kydd and Fyodor Lukyanov February 17 , 2016 Children peer from a partially destroyed home in Aleppo , Syria , on Feb . 11 . The fighting has created a humanitarian disaster as tens of thousands of people flee . ( Alexander Kots / Komsomolskaya Pravda via AP ) You probably would n ’ t know it from the news , but the United States and Russia might not be completely at odds over Syria . In a recent paper for the Working Group on the Future of U.S. - Russia Relations , we consider whether U.S. and Russian goals in Syria are compatible — and whether they can cooperate to end the civil war . Even in the midst of ongoing attacks such as the ones that targeted hospital facilities in Aleppo , Russia and the U.S. have at least agreed on a plan for a cessation of hostilities . Here are two important examples . In December 2015 , the United States and Russia agreed on U.N. Security Council Resolution 2254 . The resolution ’ s road map for peace led to the current Geneva negotiations , which have been temporarily suspended . And before that , in 2013 , the two countries agreed to eliminate Syrian chemical weapons , implemented in 2014 . Given this , we argue that the United States and Russia can work side by side , if not together , to defeat the Islamic State in Syria . If successful , they could push their respective Syrian allies into negotiations toward a multi - ethnic , multi - sectarian , unified Syria . While their goals are not completely aligned , we believe that each side ’ s positions are flexible enough to make at least some compromise possible . Why are Syrian Kurds pivoting toward Moscow ? On the one hand , the United States and Russia disagree about whether Assad should stay in power . On the other , the Islamic State may be enough of a threat to push this pair of frenemies into working together . What do the U.S. and Russia agree on ? Both the United States and Russia urgently want to defeat the Islamic State . That ’ s the only reason the United States intervened directly in Syria at all . The United States also wants to defeat or at least weaken other Islamist extremists among the anti - Assad rebels , particularly al - Nusra , the al - Qaeda affiliate in Syria . So do the Russians . Here ’ s why we can only contain the Islamic State , not bomb it back to the Stone Age What else do the United States and Russia agree on ? Well , both want Syria to remain one unified country rather than being broken up into sectarian bits . That might be hard to picture now , considering how bitterly divided the country is . While the country may end up with some kind of federal system , both the United States and Russia would prefer to avoid partition . Where do the U.S. and Russia disagree ? First , should Assad stay or go ? That ’ s the biggest disagreement between Russia and the United States . Russia wants Assad in place to hold back Islamist radicalization . Airstrikes alone ca n ’ t defeat the Islamic State — but no outside powers are ready to put their own soldiers on the ground . The Russians believe that the best option is an alliance with the Syrian army and the nation ’ s sectarian militias . That ’ s because Russia says that fighting both Assad and ISIS at the same time , as the United States wants , will not only fail but will lead directly to a genuine Islamic State , with Damascus as its capital . After all , getting rid of Moammar Qaddafi left Libya in chaos that has spread across the region . Thousands have deserted the Syrian army . New research tells us why they left . But the United States wants Assad to go . The United States and its European allies blame the Syrian president for turning a domestic protest into a civil war . They believe Syria wo n ’ t have peace so long as Assad stays in power . Second , Russia and the United States disagree on how exactly to approach the various opposition groups . Russia tends to ignore the distinction between the Islamic State and other groups , viewing ISIS as but one group of jihadi fighters , which could mutate into some other similar group . For Russia , any opponent of Assad is a force for instability to be opposed . The United States , in contrast , draws sharper distinctions between Syrian opposition groups , arguing that some are “ moderate ” and deserve support . Third , Russia and the United States would each like to maintain or increase their influence in the region , and limit each other ’ s role . Russia wants to be able to shape the future of the region to suit its interests . The Russian leadership has no doubt that the Middle East will be an area of severe instability for years — if not decades — to come . Since this instability will inevitably spill over to Eurasia , Moscow wants a presence there to project power and to influence political developments . Since refugees have begun flooding into Europe , it ’ s become clear that European security is linked to Middle East stability . Russia believes that controlling Syria is key to controlling the security situation and future of the region . At the same time , of course , the United States has long sought to be the dominant power in the region and finds Russian intervention irksome . So can there be compromise ? Yes . Consider the question of Assad . The United States and European Union alliance have recently softened , suggesting that Assad may stay in power for some undefined ‘ “ transitional ” period . Who knows how long that might last ? Moscow has also indicated that it is not bound to support the Assad family forever . However , the Russians say they believe a new power structure can be discussed only after the territory of Syria ( ideally whole , possibly divided ) is secured and the Syrian state survives . The United States and Russia are unlikely to have a meeting of the minds about the “ moderates ” that the United States supports and Russia bombs . However , the two powers have already agreed on a peace process designed to bring many of these groups to the bargaining table . The main sticking point in that regard has been with the parties themselves , rather than the United States and Russia . So while the two nations will not support the same groups , they do support negotiations among these groups , which offers some hope of an So are Russian and Iran best buddies now ? Umm , maybe not . The larger geopolitical pushing and shoving seems like a luxury that neither side can afford for long . With oil prices this low , Russia will find a long - term military commitment draining . The United States , for its part , has shown little appetite for another land war in the Middle East , so a compromise solution is the best possible outcome for both parties . What might cooperation look like ? So what should we expect to happen next ? The United States and Russia are brokering peace negotiations with the aim of ending the war and preserving Syria as a multi - ethnic , multi - sectarian state . With this in mind , the parties are trying to gain as much territory on the ground as they can before the cease - fire . If neither side can secure a military victory , they will eventually have to turn to negotiations . The path will be enormously difficult . But if each group needs outsider supporters like the United States and Russia — and they would — then those two would have considerable leverage . Of course , there ’ s a danger that other issues — like Ukraine — could get in the way of U.S. - Russian cooperation . But if the two powers stay focused , together they could help end the Syrian war . Yoshiko M . Herrera and Andrew Kydd are political science professors at the University of Wisconsin at Madison . Fyodor Lukyanov is editor in chief of Russia in Global Affairs and a research professor at National Research University Higher School of Economics in Moscow .
|
[
"Syrian civil war",
"U.S",
"Russia"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2016/11/19/the-country-by-county-data-on-trump-voters-shows-why-he-won/
|
By Loren Collingwood November 19 , 2016 Supporters cheer as they wait for President - elect Donald Trump to give his acceptance speech on Nov . 9 in New York . ( Mary Altaffer / Associated Press ) In trying to explain Donald Trump ’ s stunning victory last week , observers have offered numerous explanations . He won by running up the vote among people without college degrees . He succeeded by appealing to racial resentment . He profited from economic decline in rural parts of the Midwest . He capitalized on a mix of economic anxiety , racism and sexism among his supporters . All of these factors probably contributed to Trump ’ s victory . But which explain the most about his support ? Without examining each of these factors simultaneously , it is difficult to figure out whether one or some mattered more than the others . Polls may be making voters worse at predicting elections One way of testing various explanations against one another is to examine county - level vote returns , where contextual information — education levels , racial composition and so forth — can help sort out statistically which factors are most strongly related to Trump ’ s support . My analysis suggests that education was an especially strong predictor of the vote , with race and economic distress — particularly declines in manufacturing — playing important , yet somewhat less influential , roles . To draw these conclusions , I first gathered Trump ’ s vote share at the county level and combined it with statistics from the U.S. Census and American Community Survey ( ACS ) . I then used variables measuring county - level education levels , racial composition and other characteristics to predict Trump ’ s vote share in a regression model . The model is weighted by county population and controls for Mitt Romney ’ s vote share in 2012 , since his vote was highly correlated with Trump ’ s . The figure below shows the relationship between several variables and Trump ’ s county - level support . The steeper the line , the stronger the correlation between the measure and Trump ’ s vote share . Consistent with much post - election analysis , the share of a county ’ s residents with a college education is the strongest predictor . Counties with more college - educated residents gave Trump substantially fewer votes . This is in line with the exit polls , which revealed a fairly sharp cleavage on education A county ’ s racial composition also mattered . The larger the percentage of minority residents in a county — whether black , Hispanic , or Asian — the lower Trump ’ s support . In the graph , I plot lines for the black and Latino populations . Notably , size of the Latino population was an even stronger predictor in 2016 than in 2012 . In 2016 , the effect of moving from a prototypically low Hispanic county to a prototypically high Hispanic county was 14 points larger in the Democrats ’ favor than in 2012 . In other words , counties with large Latino populations , such as Cook County , Ill . , Los Angeles County , Calif . , and Hidalgo County , Tex . , are places where Clinton ran up the score . Given Trump ’ s demonization of Latino immigrants and I also found evidence consistent with the “ racial threat ” hypothesis . As shown by the orange dotted line in the graph , Trump ’ s vote was higher in counties where the number of Latinos has increased significantly since 2000 . This suggests that some voters may have supported Trump as a way of expressing white identity in an increasingly diverse nation . Finally , Trump also did better in counties experiencing a loss in manufacturing since 2000 . ( The downward slope of the red line means that Trump did better in counties with manufacturing losses , on the left , and worse in areas with manufacturing gains , on the right . ) Indeed , economic struggles may well have been the factor that flipped some Midwestern counties in such places as Michigan and Wisconsin : The effect of the manufacturing variable is stronger in that part of the country than elsewhere . In the end , these county - level results suggest that numerous factors contributed to Trump ’ s win . But the education gap was especially influential , with race and economic decline — particularly in parts of the Midwest — playing a supporting role .
|
[
"Trump voters",
"stunning victory",
"racial resentment ."
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/02/03/fidel-castro-is-not-dead-according-to-these-new-photos/
|
By Justin Wm . Moyer and Nick Kirkpatrick February 3 , 2015 Rumors have circulated for some time that Fidel Castro was dead or near - death . Last week , to prove otherwise , Cuba released a long letter by Fidel . Now , to pound home the point , Cuba has released some photos of Castro on the theory that pictures do n ’ t lie . These are the first photos of Castro released since August , Reuters reported Be advised , however , that while pictures may not lie , those who fool around with them do . Official photos of Castro released by Cuba ’ s government have been doctored in the past . Last year , the Associated Press removed seven photographs of the leader from its archive after determining the images were altered to delete what appeared to be Castro ’ s hearing aid . Castro in two cropped handout photos from 2014 . The photograph on the left is believed by the Associated Press to be digitally altered to remove Castro ’ s hearing aid . The photograph on the right clearly shows Castro ’ s hearing aid . ( Argentine Presidency / Handout via Reuters ) “ We have concluded that a number of official photographs of Fidel Castro were manipulated , ” the AP said at the time . “ Removing elements from a photograph is entirely unacceptable and is in clear violation of AP ’ s standards . ” Anyway , as Cuba ’ s leader in name or in spirit , Fidel Castro , 88 , has outlasted presidents Eisenhower , Kennedy , Johnson , Nixon , Ford , Carter , Reagan , Clinton and two Bushes . But how ’ s the octogenarian looking as President Obama tries to thaw diplomatic relations with Florida ’ s island neighbor ? Castro and Randy Garcia Perdomo . ( Estudios Revolucion / Cubadebate via European Pressphoto Agency ) The photos were released with a piece published in Granma — that ’ s the “ official voice of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee . ” The article detailed a meeting between Castro and student leader Randy Garcia Perdomo , who wrote it . “ Especially Randy — prepare yourself , ” the aging revolutionary told Perdomo . “ I ’ ll tell anecdotes , when we meet , about our experiences in the Sierra . ” Perdomo met with Castro , and was pretty enthused about the get - together . “ Fidel followed one constant march — to the beat of our time — like an everlasting symbol , like a universal , eternal youth , ” Perdomo wrote . “ I can not express everything in words , because this is a dream . The essence of miracles is unattainable even though we try . Fidel is one of a kind . ” A screenshot of Cuba ’ s Web site Cubadebate shows 10 photos of Castro and Perdomo . ( AP ) Comment s Justin Wm . Moyer Justin Wm . Moyer is a breaking news reporter for The Washington Post . After a long stint as a contributing writer at the Washington City Paper , he came to The Post in 2008 , becoming an editor in Outlook and for the Morning Mix , The Post ' s overnight team . He became a reporter in 2015 . Follow Nick Kirkpatrick Nick Kirkpatrick is a photo editor at The Washington Post where he works on an interdisciplinary team focused on visual storytelling . Follow him on Instagram or on Twitter Follow
|
[
"Fidel Castro",
"Reuters reported"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/04/06/a-lynyrd-skynyrd-saga-rock-n-roll-loses-another-bandmate-drummer-bob-burns-to-tragedy/
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By Lindsey Bever April 6 , 2015 Billy Powell , Bob Burns and Gary Rossington of Lynyrd Skynyrd are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March 2006 . ( Timothy A . Clary / AFP via Getty Images ) Lynyrd Skynyrd ’ s original drummer , Robert Lewis Burns , was a behind - the - band man , swinging his drumsticks and shaking his long , raven - colored hair in the shadows of its guitar army during the late 1960s and early ’ 70s . He was instrumental in creating the Southern rock band ’ s signature sound with anthems such as “ Sweet Home Alabama , ” “ Simple Man ” and “ Freebird . ” But just years later , he seemed to fade from view . “ Bob Burns , the original drummer , lives in total obscurity , ” Mark Ribowsky , author of “ Whiskey Bottles and Brand - New Cars , ” told the Birmingham News . “ … He made that sound go and he was discarded like a bucket of garbage . ” Burns , 64 , died Friday night when his car crashed into a mailbox and then a tree near his home in Cartersville , Ga . , some 40 miles from Atlanta , police said . It was raining , and he was not wearing his seat belt , Georgia State Patrol spokesman Tracey Watson told the Associated Press . His death marks at least eight among Lynyrd Skynyrd members — a band bedeviled with bad luck . The band was born in the mid - 1960s in a high school in Jacksonville , Fla . , when lead singer Ronnie Van Zant grabbed some guys from school and soon started practicing under the name Noble Five . Gary Rossington and Allen Collins were on guitar , Larry Junstrom on the bass and Burns on drums . In 1969 , the men named themselves Lynyrd Skynyrd after their high school gym teacher , Leonard Skinner — a disciplinarian with a revulsion for long hair and loud music , according to a 1977 article in The Washington Post . They used different vowels to avoid legal trouble . But Burns , just a teenager , had a rough go from the start . He had to leave for several months in 1969 when his parents moved away . “ I had no place to stay , ” he told the Examiner in 2011 . “ I was 15 and 16 years old . I was crashing in people ’ s bushes . I was crashing wherever I could . . . . I was borrowing clothes from the roadies to play shows with . I did n ’ t even have any shoes and it just got to me . ” He took another leave a couple of years later when he was hospitalized for mood swings . “ They found that I was bipolar , ” he added . “ They gave me medication , and I ’ ve been a free man ever since . ” The band made it big in 1974 when “ Sweet Home Alabama ” shot to the top of the charts . But the musicians were hell - raisers — addicted to drugs and alcohol , and pursued by police . “ We ’ re kind of like an old dog that ai n ’ t housebroken , ” Van Zant told The Post in 1976 . Over the years , the band became marred by violence , tragedy and death . In Marley Brant ’ s 2002 book “ Freebirds : The Lynyrd Skynyrd Story , ” she described a moment Burns refused to play a particular song : “ Ronnie … stuck [ his gun ] up to Bob ’ s head . He says , ‘ You play the motherf — ing song or I ’ m gonna blow your brains all over this room . ’ This was just a rehearsal . ” In 1975 , Burns stepped away from the band — for good — when he had a “ disabling ” reaction to a drug he did in Europe , his father , Robert Burns Sr . , told the Los Angeles Times . He was quickly replaced by drummer Artimus Pyle . Burns ’ s father said he was hospitalized , got clean and never rejoined . Burns ’ s death brings to mind similar tragedies that have taken other former Lynyrd Skynyrd bandmates — most notably the 1977 chartered plane crash in a Mississippi swamp that killed three : lead singer Ronnie Van Zant , guitarist Steve Gaines and his sister , vocalist Cassie Gains . Others were injured in the accident but survived , including Pyle , who crawled from the wreckage to get help . After the accident in 1977 , Lynyrd Skynyrd fell apart , though the early members — including Burns — were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 . In the 1980s , some members got back together for a reunion tour with Van Zant ’ s younger brother , Johnny , as lead vocalist . Collins survived the plane crash only to be partially paralyzed in a 1980s car accident that killed his girlfriend . In 1990 , he died from chronic pneumonia Leon Wilkeson , a bassist who joined in the early 1970s , also survived the plane crash . In 2001 , he died from emphysema and liver disease . His replacement , Ean Evans , died from lung cancer in 2009 . Guitarist Hughie Thomasson died from a heart attack in 2007 . Two years later , keyboardist Billy Powell died from heart problems Larry Junstrom and Gary Rossington are the only two original band members left alive . After Burns ’ s death over the weekend , Rossington said he was “ at a loss for words . ” “ I just remember Bob being a funny guy , ” he wrote on Facebook . “ He was just so funny , he used to do skits for us and make us laugh all the time , he was hilarious ! “ Ironically , since we played Jacksonville yesterday . Dale , my daughter and I , went by the cemetery to see some of the guys in the band and my parents grave sites . On the way back , we went by Bob Burns old house , it was there in the carport where we used to first start to practice with Skynyrd . “ My heart goes out to his family and God bless him and them in this sad time . He was a great great drummer . ” Comment s Lindsey Bever Lindsey Bever is a general assignment reporter for The Washington Post , covering national news with an emphasis on health . She was previously a reporter at the Dallas Morning News . Follow
|
[
"Lynyrd Skynyrd",
"Bob Burns",
"drummer"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/08/26/pittsburgh-fans-temporarily-discontented-after-michael-vick-signs-with-steelers/
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By Justin Wm . Moyer August 26 , 2015 He ’ ll soon be in a different uniform : Michael Vick as a New York Jet last year . ( Bill Kostroun / AP ) Many years ago , NFL quarterback Michael Vick did very bad things to dogs . He ran a dogfighting ring , hanging or drowning animals who did n ’ t perform well , and served 21 months in federal prison “ I want to apologize to all the young kids out there for my immature acts , ” he said when he pleaded guilty to related charges in 2007 . “ If I ’ m more disappointed with myself than anything , it ’ s because of all the young people , young kids that I ’ ve let down , who look at Michael Vick as a role model . ” Vick ’ s career was resurrected with the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Jets . But now that he ’ s signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers , criticism of his past misdeeds has left the City of Bridges discontented . Slightly . When announcing the signing , Pittsburgh appeared to gird itself against criticism . “ Obviously we ’ re sensitive to those potential things but we are going to do our due diligence , ” Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said , as The Washington Post reported . “ Rest assured that we ’ ve done that , but rest assured he ’ s done a lot since he ’ s gone through some of the things he ’ s gone through and his track record at this point in that regard speaks for itself . ” Michael Vick signs with Steelers as a backup quarterback That criticism came . There was n ’ t just the dog - themed Facebook page “ Pittsburghers Against Michael Vick ” — there was an online petition . “ Michael Vick is a convicted felon and no - class piece of crap , ” an online petition — one of many anti - Vick efforts — signed by more than 8,000 at press time read . “ He is also a terrible QB which is why he has no team . Let ’ s unite as Steeler fans — as NFL fans — and stop him from playing on our team ! ” Some on Twitter also voiced discontent . “ I am a steelers fan but I will not cheer for Michael Vick , ” one user wrote . “ I ’ m disappointed that he is still playing for the NFL let alone my team . ” But no matter how badly a new prospect behaved a decade ago , there is always another season to think about . Pittsburgh Post - Gazette columnist Ron Cook had some advice for fans targeting Vick and the family that owns the Steelers : “ Get over it . ” “ You have doubts about Vick , at 35 , being able to help the Steelers as a backup quarterback with Bruce Gradkowski out after finger surgery ? ” Cook wrote . “ That ’ s fair . But spare me the nonsense about his baggage from eight years ago . And , please , spare me your outrage at the Rooneys for this perceived violation of the so - called Steeler Way . There is no Steeler Way , never has been . ” Cook also pointed out the short memories of Steelers fans , who have previously embraced players accused of doing evil . “ You were quick to overlook James Harrison ’ s domestic - abuse incident in 2008 , the sexual - assault allegations against [ Ben ] Roethlisberger in Milledgeville , Ga . , in 2010 and Le ’ Veon Bell ’ s arrest on marijuana charges a year ago , ” he wrote . “ You will be quick to embrace Vick if he helps the Steelers win . You will give him a standing ovation the first time he throws a touchdown pass . ” Cook was not alone in defending Vick . “ Vick paid for his crimes already , ” one Twitter user wrote . “ I hate what he did , but it ’ s done and he ’ s served the consequences . He ’ s owned it and has done everything . ” Then there was the vegetarian angle — particularly cutting in a city that ’ s home to this famous sandwich “ Ready for an unpopular opinion ? ” one Twitter user wrote . “ I ’ m not happy Vick is a Steeler either , but if you really care about animals maybe you should n ’ t eat them . ” Also , wherever Vick treads , he has an endorsement perhaps unique in the annals of football : that of President Obama . In 2010 , the president called the Philadelphia Eagles to praise the team for giving the quarterback another shot . “ He said , ‘ So many people who serve time never get a fair second chance , ' ” Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said at the time . “ He said , ‘ It ’ s never a level playing field for prisoners when they get out of jail . ’ And he was happy that we did something on such a national stage that showed our faith in giving someone a second chance after such a major downfall . ” Comment s Justin Wm . Moyer Justin Wm . Moyer is a breaking news reporter for The Washington Post . After a long stint as a contributing writer at the Washington City Paper , he came to The Post in 2008 , becoming an editor in Outlook and for the Morning Mix , The Post ' s overnight team . He became a reporter in 2015 . Follow
|
[
"Pittsburgh fans",
"Michael Vick",
"NFL"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/09/08/the-tragic-tale-of-judy-carne-sock-it-to-me-girl-of-laugh-in-dead-at-76/
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By Justin Wm Moyer September 8 2015 Judy Carne in 1970 Harry NaltchayanThe Washington Post The joke now seems as cruel and as difficult to explain to millennials as it seemed hilarious in the 1960s A young lithe woman often in a miniskirt or less stands onstage She announces that its sockittome time Then she is hit with a bucket of water or dropped through the floor or otherwise clobbered in some form or fashion Sure Richard Nixon famously said the words but he didnt have his clothes ripped off Sock it to me Television runs on catchphrases consider the instant memories sparked by De plane or What you talkin bout Willis but none seem as strange four decades later as the four words routinely uttered by actress Judy Carne on Rowan Martins LaughIn And now that Carne who died at 76 last week reportedly of pneumonia is gone her derailed career and tragic life can have no other epitaph Born Joyce Audrey Botterill to a grocerystore owner in England in 1939 Carnes training at the Bush Davies Theatrical School for Girls led to a spate of appearances on British television as Variety reported Her resume stateside was bolstered by appearances on such 60s staples such as Gidget I Dream of Jeannie and The Patty Duke Show culminating in a starring role on the littleremembered Love on a Rooftop 1966 which was canceled after one season Then it was sockittome time LaughIn hit the airwaves in 1968 A representative exchange with the smirking Dan Rowan and Dick Martin Carne All right fellas Its about that time Let me have it Im ready Martin Cmon Judy open your eyes Theres no sock it to me anymore Carne There isnt You wouldnt lead me on would you Rowan Why of course not Just once fellas lets spare our blameless moppet from these unending indignities to which Judy I must say you have displayed amazing fortitude and endurance You have held in there no matter what theyve done to you Youve taken it all never a whimper Carne Dan thats really sweet of you But the audience is getting bored Carne is hit by a board Carne Well at least it wasnt water Carne is hit with a bucket of water Carne I get it all now It was all just a trap wasnt it Carne is dropped through the floor After a few decades this didnt seem funny anymore And LaughIn s treatment of women Noel Murray of the Onions AV Club wrote in 2012 Not exactly sterling especially in the early seasons LaughIn featured a diverse cast of gifted female comedians Carne giggly ingénue Goldie Hawn brash giantess Jo Anne Worley fearless character actress Ruth Buzzi Lily Tomlin and more But many of the shows jokes involved the women being stripped dropped through trapdoors and depicted as boycrazy Not until Tomlin arrived halfway through season three did LaughIn have a woman in the cast who broke the shows mold In 1969 Carne offered a more concise assessment of the show that had her dancing in a bikini when it wasnt pummeling her Frankly it has become a big bloody bore she said before leaving the show the next year Had Carne gone on to a storied career like Hawn or Tomlin her time as the sockittome girl might not seem worth mentioning However she quite spectacularly flamed out A starring role on Broadway devolved into appearances on game shows and talk shows Everyone wanted me to sock it to them everywhere I went she told People in 1978 the same year she broke her neck in a car accident The role that made me nearly destroyed me The People articles headline Busted Three Times Judy Carne Says Life Is Still Socking It to Her Busts for drug possession didnt help her cause nor did a reported drugfueled affair with Aerosmiths Joe Perry Between 1977 and 1978 Carne was arrested three times on charges that included drug possession and auto theft We expect all charges to be dropped Carne just 38 said at the time But its painful that this has happened at a time when Ive been trying to reestablish myself Until Im cleared there is no chance of getting a job As Burt Reynolds became a star Carne arguably became best known as his first wife the pair were married from 1963 to 1966 When she faced legal trouble in the late 1970s however her calls to Reynolds then on top of the world after his appearance in Smokey and the Bandit were not returned At least he could have helped with the legal fees Carne said After all I supported him when he was out of work and I never asked for alimony She broke my heart she really did Reynolds later said Ive never said a bad word about Judy but shes made a great deal of money talking about me Carne with her second husband producer Robert Bergman in 1970 They were married for less than a year Associated Press In 1985 Carne wrote a biography detailing her short marriage to Reynolds her bisexuality and her drug addiction Even the title was a downer Laughing on the Outside Crying on the Inside The Bittersweet Saga of the SockItToMe Girl And finally after those celebrities have sold every usedup comedy line or discountshoe or 15minute stint on a cable talk show or twominute cameo appearance one Los Angeles Times reviewer wrote they go into their Emotional Ready Reserve and drawing on resources they never even legitimately had sell the very last things in their lives their memories and fabrications The next year she was sentenced to three months in jail for for returning from the United States with cocaine and cannabis in her pocket as UPI put it at the time Carnes last credit according to IMDB dates back to 1993 She was a bit of a recluse toward the end Jon Barrett who confirmed her death to the New York Times said Im a 1960s flowerchild who has refused to grow up she once said as the Telegraph reported Mature and responsible are words I dont understand Judy Carne with Andy Williams in 1967 David SmithAP More from Morning Mix Missing American volunteer Dahlia Yehia beaten to death in Nepal A white guy named Michael couldnt get his poem published Then he became YiFen Chou Justin Wm Moyer Justin Wm Moyer is a breaking news reporter for The Washington Post After a long stint as a contributing writer at the Washington City Paper he came to The Post in 2008 becoming an editor in Outlook and for the Morning Mix The Posts overnight team He became a reporter in 2015
|
[
"Judy Carne"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/09/24/michelle-carter-can-face-manslaughter-charge-for-allegedly-encouraging-boyfriends-suicide-judge-rules/
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Michelle Carter can face manslaughter charge for allegedly encouraging boyfriend ’ s suicide , judge rules By Michael E . Miller September 24 , 2015 Michelle Carter listens to her defense attorney argue for an involuntary manslaughter charge against her to be dismissed at Juvenile Court in New Bedford , Mass . ( Peter Pereira / The New Bedford Standard Times via AP ) The controversial case against Michelle Carter can go ahead , a judge ruled Wednesday . Carter , 18 , is facing involuntary manslaughter charges in a Massachusetts juvenile court over the suicide of her boyfriend . According to prosecutors , Carter relentlessly pressured Conrad Roy III to kill himself in the days before his July 12 , 2014 , death . She allegedly calmed his fears ; helped him research suicide methods ; cajoled him to go through with his plans when he got cold feet and lied to police , family and friends in order to enable the 18 - year - old ’ s final act . “ When are you doing it ? ” she asked repeatedly in text messages . “ You better not be bullsh — ing me and saying you gonna do this and then purposely get caught . ” “ You always say you ’ re gonna do it , but you never do , ” Carter complained in one of the more than 1,000 texts the two teens shared . She was tired of his “ excuses , ” she said several times . “ I just want to make sure tonight is the real thing . ” When , at the last minute , Roy said he was afraid and did n ’ t want to abandon his family , Carter told him to climb back into his exhaust - filled truck . “ Get back in , ” she told him . He did — and he died as a result . Police found Roy the next morning , dead inside his pickup in a Kmart parking lot . Next to his lifeless body lay his cellphone , on which his girlfriend had listened to him die . Investigators quickly pulled the damning text messages discussing the suicide from that phone . Prosecutors said Carter “ assisted Conrad ’ s suicide . ” And a grand jury indicted the teen in February . If convicted , Carter could spend the next 20 years in prison — more than her time so far on earth . “ Instead of attempting to assist him or notify his family or school officials , Ms . Carter is alleged to have strongly influenced his decision to take his own life , encouraged him to commit suicide and guided him in his engagement of activities which led to his death , ” Gregg Miliote , a spokesman for Bristol County District Attorney Tom Quinn , told the Sun Chronicle Michelle Carter and Conrad Roy III . ( Courtesy of the Sun Chronicle ) Her attorneys claim that Carter , who was 17 at the time of her boyfriend ’ s suicide , was herself pressured into going along with the idea . “ He ultimately persuaded a young , impressionable girl , ” Joseph P . Caldato told reporters , according to South Coast Today . “ Eventually he gets her to endorse his plan . ” She was “ brainwashed , ” Caldato added . His client has pleaded not guilty , according to media reports . Last month , Carter ’ s attorneys filed a motion to dismiss the indictment against her . In addition to the “ brainwashing ” defense , they argued that her texts were protected by the First Amendment . They have also introduced other text messages that , they claim , show Carter initially tried to convince Roy to abandon his suicide obsession . One text , allegedly sent by Carter , asked Roy to “ promise ” her he was n ’ t going to kill himself . “ I wanna help you live again , ” said another text , also allegedly from Carter . “ It ’ s a sad story , a tragedy , but it ’ s not manslaughter , ” Cataldo told CBS in March . “ What we have here is a young man who made a voluntary decision to end his own life . It was his voluntary decision . His death was not caused by Michelle Carter . ” The attorney said the case , “ where a person who is 30 miles away is charged with committing manslaughter by text , ” was unprecedented in Massachusetts . The state does not have a statute criminalizing assisted suicide . On Wednesday , juvenile court judge Bettina Borders rejected Cataldo ’ s motion to dismiss , effectively allowing the case to proceed to trial . In a seven - page ruling citing the teens ’ 45 - minute phone conversation just before Roy ’ s death , Borders ruled that prosecutors had shown enough evidence of wrongdoing to override any First Amendment concerns . “ Even if the defendant did not understand the consequences of her actions , a reasonable person would have realized that telling a person to get back into a truck filled with carbon monoxide would pose a grave risk of danger to that person , ” the judge wrote , according to the Sun Chronicle “ We are pleased with the judge ’ s thorough review of the law as it pertains to the facts of this case , and her ultimate ruling to deny the defendant ’ s motion to dismiss the indictment , ” Miliote , the district attorney ’ s spokesman , said in a statement . “ We can now focus our efforts on preparing for the upcoming trial in this case . ” Carter ’ s attorneys said they plan to appeal Wednesday ’ s ruling . “ I ’ m both surprised and disappointed , ” said Cataldo , who could not be reached by The Washington Post on Wednesday night . “ I ’ m surprised the court did n ’ t analyze the text messages that Michelle Carter sent to Conrad Roy throughout June ( of 2014 ) asking him to get help , ” he said . “ It seemed to have relied on the text messages the government put forward . ” Carter is scheduled to appear in court on Nov . 30 for a pretrial hearing . Michelle Carter , now 18 , faces a charge of involuntary manslaughter for allegedly pressuring her boyfriend , Conrad Roy III , to commit suicide on July 13 , 2014 . ( Peter Pereira / The New Bedford Standard Times via AP ) The case has drawn heavy scrutiny , both in southern Massachusetts and across the country , largely because of the revealing text messages and the fact that Carter became a suicide prevention spokesperson afterwards . Prosecutors have even suggested that the teen encouraged her boyfriend to commit suicide in order to gain sympathy for herself , according to the Sun Chronicle “ Hey everyone , as some of you already know my boyfriend Conrad Roy recently passed away on July 13 . He suffered from mental illness and depression , ” she wrote on Facebook . “ Conrad ’ s death was a wake - up call for me . I want to speak out to fight the public stigma and to give a clearer picture of what mental illness is all about . Even though I could not save my boyfriend ’ s life , I want to put myself out there to try to save as many other lives Carter has been criticized in her own community and on Internet message boards as “ sick ” and a “ sociopath . ” “ A lot of people who think she ’ s guilty are disgusted with her , ” a student at Carter ’ s former school , King Phillip Regional High School in Wrentham , Mass . , told But friends and family have defended her . “ She ’ s a good kid , a sweet kid , ” her high school softball coach told South Coast Today “ Our hearts have and remain broken for the Roy family , ” Carter ’ s parents said in a statement to the Boston Herald . “ For everyone that does not know our daughter , she is not the villain the media is portraying her to be . She is a quiet , kind , and sympathetic young girl . She tried immensely to help Mr . Roy in his battle with depression . We know that once all of the facts are released , our daughter will be found innocent . ” If the case does go to trial , the verdict could hang on the jury ’ s view of the text messages , which Carter asked Roy to delete before he killed himself . The teen appeared to understand exactly how bad her texts would look . “ [ If the police ] read my messages with him I ’ m done , ” she wrote to a friend after Roy ’ s suicide . “ His family will hate me and I can go to jail . ” Now her words are , indeed , coming back to haunt her . “ His death is my fault , ” she texted a friend on September 15 , 2014 , two months after Roy ’ s suicide . “ Like , honestly I could have stopped it . I was the one on the phone with him and he got out of the car because he was working and he got scared and I [ expletive ] told him to get back in … because I knew he would do it all over again the next day and I could n ’ t have him live that way the way he was living anymore . “ I could n ’ t do it , ” she said . “ I would n ’ t let him . ” More from Morning Mix A heartbreaking trail of missed chances in death of 8 - month - old forgotten in car ‘ Pharma bro ’ Martin Shkreli and the very American debate over maximizing profit Comment s Michael E . Miller Michael E . Miller is a reporter on the local enterprise team . He joined The Washington Post in 2015 and has also reported from Afghanistan . Follow
|
[
"Michelle Carter",
"Conrad Roy",
"Massachusetts juvenile court"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/04/15/charles-manson-follower-killer-leslie-van-houten-approved-for-parole/
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By Yanan Wang and Justin Wm . Moyer April 15 , 2016 Leslie Van Houten was 19 when she was arrested for two murders she committed as a member of Charles Manson ' s infamous " Family " cult . Now , after serving 46 years in prison , a panel has recommended her for parole . ( Jenny Starrs / The Washington Post ) The vicious killers that crawled out of Spahn Ranch in the summer of 1969 at Charles Manson ’ s behest to kill innocent people did n ’ t just terrify California , but the entire country . The addled , apocalyptic death cult these murderers and their master were the faces of — a cult that embraced a pseudo - philosophy that had something to do with the Beatles song “ Helter Skelter ” and a race war — was terrifying precisely because it made no sense . The Manson “ family ” became another emblem of the strange years But Leslie Van Houten , a former member of Manson family who killed a married couple almost 50 years ago and wrote messages of revolution on the walls in their blood , may soon be on her way out . Hope for Van Houten came at the conclusion of a five - hour hearing at the California Institution for Women in Corona on Thursday , when a panel recommended parole for the 66 - year - old convicted killer . She had previously been denied 19 times . Cult leader Charles Manson may have left his bride at the altar Van Houten said the decision made her “ numb . ” “ I do n ’ t let myself off the hook , ” Van Houten told the parole panel , according to the Associated Press . “ I do n ’ t find parts in any of this that makes me feel the slightest bit good about myself . ” Unlike the 81 - year - old Manson — who , even as he approached his ninth decade , called himself a “ prisoner of the political system ” and was caught with a contraband cellphone — Van Houten has long been known as a model inmate . Her attorney , Richard Pfeiffer , told the Los Angeles Times that 18 psychiatrists who have evaluated her over three decades found her suitable for parole . “ The opposition to parole has always been the name Manson , ” Pfeiffer said . “ A lot of people who oppose parole do n ’ t know anything about Leslie ’ s conduct . Her role was bad . Everyone ’ s was . But they do n ’ t know what she ’ s done since then and all of the good she ’ s done . ” Commissioner Ali Zarrinnam told Van Houten that her “ behavior in prison speaks for itself … 46 years and not a single serious rule violation . ” Van Houten was 19 when she participated in the murders of Rosemary and Leno La Bianca , a supermarket executive . Before the panel , Van Houten recounted how she held Rosemary down with a pillow and lamp cord as Charles “ Tex ” Watson , another Manson member , stabbed her . Then he passed the knife to her , and Van Houten proceeded to stab Rosemary 14 times , later using the blood of the slain La Biancas to write messages on the walls of their home . The word “ WAR ” was carved on Leno La “ I took one of the knives … and we started stabbing and cutting up the lady , ” Van Houten testified in 1971 , as the Los Angeles Times noted . At a parole hearing in 1991 , Van Houten said of Manson : “ I thought he was Jesus Christ . ” Charles Manson walks to court in Independence , Calif . , in 1970 . ( AP ) Van Houten , who grew up in a Los Angeles suburb , was a homecoming queen who fell in with the counterculture . Her parents divorced when she was 14 , and her mother forced her to have an abortion when she got pregnant not long after . As Manson prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi recounted in the true - crime classic “ Helter Skelter , ” a psychiatrist who interviewed Van Houten called her “ a spoiled little princess ” unable “ to suffer frustration and delay of gratification ” who once beat her adopted sister with a shoe . “ It is quite clear that Leslie Van Houten was a psychologically loaded gun which went off as a consequence of the complex intermeshing of highly unlikely and bizarre circumstances , ” Joel Simon Hochman said . Hochman also said that Van Houten was not as much under Manson ’ s spell as were other members of the family . “ She listened to [ Manson ’ s ] talk of philosophy , but it was n ’ t her trip , ” he said . Van Houten ’ s attorney argued unsuccessfully that she and Manson ’ s other followers were merely pawns in his sick game and , as a result , could n ’ t be held responsible for their actions . “ If you believe the prosecution theory that these female defendants and Mr . Watson were extensions of Mr . Manson — his additional arms and legs , as it were — if you believe that they were mindless robots , they can not be guilty of premeditated murder , ” Maxwell Keith said The jury did n ’ t buy it . Van Houten , who carved an “ X ” into her forehead during her trial after Manson did , was sentenced to death — reportedly the youngest woman in California history to be sent to death row . Her sentence was commuted to life in prison after a court decision temporarily ended the death penalty in California in the 1970s . Remembering Vincent Bugliosi , who prosecuted Charles Manson While behind bars , Van Houten has earned college degrees , organized self - help groups for women in prison — and found unlikely defenders . “ I have a really good friend who was convicted of killing two innocent people when she was nineteen years old on a horrible night of 1969 cult madness , ” filmmaker John Waters wrote in 2011 . “ Her name is Leslie Van Houten and I think you would like her as much as I do . ” Waters added : “ Leslie is hardly a ‘ Manson girl ’ today . Sixty years old , she looks back from prison on her involvement in the La Bianca murders … in utter horror , shame , and guilt and takes full responsibility for her part in the crimes . I think it ’ s time to parole her . ” Cory La Bianca , Leno and Rosemary La Bianca ’ s daughter , will urge Gov . Jerry Brown ( D ) to deny Van Houten ’ s parole — as he did that of Bruce Davis , another killer affiliated with Manson , in 2014 . “ Maybe Leslie Van Houten has been a model prisoner , ” Cory La Bianca told the Los Angeles Times . “ But you know what , we still suffer our loss . My father will never be paroled . My stepmother will never get her life back . ” Cory La Bianca said while she does not “ seek revenge , ” she thought “ it ’ s just for someone to do that to stay in prison . ” " We still suffer our loss " : LaBianca daughter ca n ' t support parole for Leslie Van Houten https : / / t . co / TJ8dzKC0ts pic . twitter . com / IXn53lly5V — Chicago Tribune ( @ chicagotribune ) April 15 , 2016 Copy The many faces of Manson View Photos The 80 - year - old convict has been issued a marriage license . Here ’ s a look at the man behind “ Helter Skelter . ” Comment s Yanan Wang Yanan Wang was a reporter on the Morning Mix team . She left The Washington Post in September 2016 . Follow Justin Wm . Moyer Justin Wm . Moyer is a breaking news reporter for The Washington Post . After a long stint as a contributing writer at the Washington City Paper , he came to The Post in 2008 , becoming an editor in Outlook and for the Morning Mix , The Post ' s overnight team . He became a reporter in 2015 . Follow
|
[
"Charles Manson follower",
"Leslie Van Houten",
"parole"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/08/12/a-new-front-in-the-opioid-war-elephant-tranquilizer/
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By Derek Hawkins August 12 , 2016 Consider this : A 10 milligram dose of the animal tranquilizer carfentanil is powerful enough to sedate , even kill , a 15,000 - pound African elephant , and more than strong enough to take down a musk ox , bull moose or fully grown buffalo . If diluted sufficiently , a dose of the same size — just the fraction of the weight of a paper clip — could also send 500 humans to the morgue . So when authorities say they ’ re worried about kilograms ’ worth of the drug making their way into the North American heroin supply , they mean it . Carfentanil is the most potent commercial opioid in the world — 10,000 times stronger than morphine — and law enforcement from northwest Canada to the eastern U.S. have raised alarms about it tainting heroin batches , and even being sold as the drug itself . Heroin cut with carfentanil offers a harder - hitting , longer - lasting high and allows dealers a shortcut to increase their supplies . But users often do n ’ t know what they ’ re getting . In recent months , authorities have linked carfentanil to a spike in overdoses in several states , and have warned that it could spread to others . The emergence of carfentanil poses a new set of problems for drug enforcement officers , who are already spread thin fighting a nationwide epidemic of opioid addiction . In addition to heroin , authorities have struggled to contain the spread of fentanyl , a more powerful heroin cousin that has killed thousands of users in recent years — perhaps most famously Prince in April 2016 . Now , carfentanil is on the radar too . “ You feel like a kid with his finger in the dike , you know ? ” Joseph Pinjuh , a Department of Justice drug task force chief based in Ohio , told the Associated Press . “ We ’ re running out of fingers . ” Just this week , Canadian law enforcement agencies announced charges against a man they said was supposed to be on the receiving end of a one kilogram package of carfentanil shipped from China earlier in the summer . In a news conference Tuesday , the Canadian Border Services Agency and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said they found the drug hidden in a box labeled as printer accessories and addressed to a man in Calgary . They charged the man , age 24 , with one count of importing a controlled substance and one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking . The package , authorities said , could have produced 50 million doses . “ It is hard to imagine what the impact could have been if even the smallest amounts of this drug were to have made its way to the street , ” Canadian Border Services Regional Director Roslyn H . MacVicar said in a statement In the United States , Ohio has been ground zero for the drug ’ s appearance . Last month , prosecutors indicted a Columbus man they claim passed off a batch of the drug as heroin , causing 10 overdoses , one of them fatal . Rayshon Alexander has pleaded not guilty to 20 counts , including murder and drug trafficking . Investigators initially thought the deaths were caused by fentanyl , but lab results came back positive for carfentanil , prosecutors said . Also in July , police in Akron , Ohio , reported that paramedics had logged 236 drug overdoses in a three - week period — nearly as many as they ’ d seen in all of the first half of the year , according to the Akron Beacon Journal . Police in the city ’ s suburbs reported similar trends , the Beacon Journal reported . “ Without toxicology reports , it ’ s hard to know for sure , ” said Lt . Rick Edwards of the Akron Police Department , “ but it ’ s looking like this is because of carfentanil . ” The rise in overdoses has prompted Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine to urge police to stop field testing drugs on the scene , out of fear that they could be handling substances much more powerful than they realize . “ It ’ s just too high of a risk , ” DeWine said , according to the Columbus Dispatch . “ This stuff is just now hitting . You ’ re really not seeing [ police ] departments with any experience with it at all . ” On Thursday , prosecutors in western Pennsylvania issued a similar warning to law enforcement , saying more than 200 recent overdoses in the region — 20 of them fatal — may be linked to carfentanil . The drug has also been blamed for spates of overdoses this year in Kentucky and Florida . It ’ s hard to overstate just how deadly carfentanil is . For starters , carfentanil , in liquid form , is odorless and colorless , making it virtually impossible for recreational drug users to know what they ’ re taking , or how much . They may think they ’ re getting heroin or fentanyl , but whatever they shoot or ingest could contain the exponentially stronger analog . Veterinarians who handle the drug wear protective gloves , aprons and masks , treating it “ almost like uranium , ” in the words of one zoo veterinarian who spoke to Fusion . A dose the size of a grain of salt could kill a person , and carfentanil can even be lethal when absorbed through the skin , according to the Drug Enforcement Administration . The anti - overdose drug naloxone can be used to treat a carfentanil overdose , but it takes a lot . One or two shots is usually enough to counteract a heroin overdose , but a half - dozen or more are required for carfentanil . To put carfentanil ’ s strength in a different perspective , the Buffalo Field Campaign , which works to protect bison in Yellowstone National Park , says the drug is so powerful that humans should n ’ t even eat the meat of animals sedated with it . Carfentanil may have even been used as a chemical weapon that caused the deaths of 170 people in a hostage crisis in Russia in 2002 . When Chechen separatists seized a movie theater in Moscow , authorities deployed an unknown gas through the building ’ s ventilation system and raided it . The 40 attackers died , along with 130 of the hostages . A 2012 analysis of survivors ’ urine and clothing by British scientists showed that carfentanil was part of the chemical agent pumped through the theater . Brian Escamilla , a California forensic chemist formerly with the DEA , told the Calgary Herald that the kilogram of carfentanil recently seized in Canada was jaw - dropping . He said authorities everywhere face an uphill battle detecting it because only a minuscule amount is required to dramatically boost the effects of a hit of heroin . “ There ’ d be a hell of a lot more heroin in there than there would be carfentanil , and so the carfentanil would just be a blip on the screen , ” Escamilla told the Herald . “ Whether the toxicologists pick that up or not … that could easily be missed . ”
|
[
"opioid war",
"Elephant tranquilizer",
"animal tranquilizer carfentanil"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/02/09/when-trump-says-illegals-immigrant-advocates-recoil-he-would-have-been-all-right-in-1970/
|
The long struggle over what to call undocumented immigrants or as Trump said in his order illegal aliens By Derek Hawkins February 9 2017 As a candidate and now as president Donald Trump has made copious use of the term illegal to describe people who enter the United States without the proper paperwork or stay here longer than their papers allow On the campaign trail he regularly blustered about illegal aliens As presidentelect he scolded Germany about taking in all these illegals from the Middle East Now in the White House his controversial travel ban orders federal agencies to swiftly send illegal aliens back to their home countries Trump deployed the term again on Wednesday telling a conference of police chiefs to turn illegal immigrant gang members over to federal authorities You know the illegals he said Language like that makes immigrant advocates cringe In recent years there has been a push to change the vocabulary surrounding immigration to avoid the term illegal The main idea is that its not a crime for a noncitizen to stay in the country without authorization but a civil offense Advocates frequently invoke the quote no human being is illegal from Nobel Peace Prize winner and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel They propose using undocumented or unauthorized instead The effort has gained steam In 2013 the Associated Press dropped illegal immigrant from its stylebook saying illegal should be used to describe actions not people Other publications followed suit including USA Today In a similar move California Gov Jerry Brown in 2015 scrubbed alien from the states labor code More recently the Library of Congress announced in March 2016 that it would seek to remove illegal alien from its subject headings The Washington Posts stylebook says illegal immigrant is accurate and acceptable but notes that some find it offensive The Post does not refer to people as illegal aliens or illegals per its guidelines It comes as zero surprise that a man defined by his contempt for political correctness wouldnt use a more polite term to describe the people he has vowed to deport en masse Indeed Trump may very well use terms such as illegals deliberately to needle his opponents It wouldnt have gotten him in any trouble in 1970 At the time the offending word was wetback For decades it was used to describe Mexicans living in the United States and it wasnt unusual to see it in newspaper articles and popular literature In 1954 the US government even titled a mass deportation effort Operation Wetback By the 1960s it was increasingly regarded as an ethnic slur but major publications were still using it in stories and headlines In 1970 after the Los Angeles Times ran an editorial using the term wetback a group of Chicano law students from UCLA proposed an alternative as KPCC has reported We are still faced with insensitive and racist terms such as wetback to refer to Mexican nationals who have entered the country illegally the students wrote in a letter to the editor We are now educating the public to use terms like illegal aliens or illegal entrants Its not clear how successful the students were in that particular case But over the next 20 years illegal alien or some variation of it became commonplace according to University of Berkeley sociologist Edwin Ackerman who has studied the terms use in media Ackerman said the change was spurred by the civil rights movements attempts to make racist language less acceptable Thats partly why the language of illegality starts to pick up he told NPR in 2015 because it has this supposed neutrality to it By the 1990s however illegal alien had fallen out of favor As Ackerman told NPR It allows you to speak of a certain group of people and everybody knows what particular group of people that is without having to recourse to any sort of racist language Attorney and professor José Angel Gutiérrez holds up a Tshirt at a 1993 event for US Senate candidates in Texas Library of Congress In the past decade debate over the use of illegal alien has played out in government Federal agencies make wide use of the term So do federal courts The phrase has appeared in numerous Supreme Court decisions though theres no requirement that jurists use it in immigration cases Some judges and legal scholars have argued in favor of illegal alien An appeals court decision on one of President Barack Obamas immigration executive actions defended the term citing a popular legal dictionary that rejected alternatives such as undocumented immigrant as needless euphemisms and neargobbledygook Because undocumented suggests unaccounted for the meaning could be obscured reads the passage in the Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage Illegal alien is not an opprobrious epithet it describes one present in a country in violation of the immigration laws the passage says Justice Sonia Sotomayor disagrees In 2009 she became the first judge on the high court to opt for the term undocumented immigrant in an opinion as Adam Liptak of the New York Times noted She explained her perspective on the issue in later interviews saying illegal alien creates the perception that immigrants are all criminals and criminals in a negative sense of drug addicts thieves and murderers A 2012 immigration decision in the Supreme Court drew praise from advocates for omitting illegal immigrants and illegal aliens altogether except when quoting other sources As a general rule Justice Anthony M Kennedy noted in the majority opinion it is not a crime for a removable alien to remain present in the United States CNN contributor Charles Garcia said the courts nonjudgmental language reflected a more humanistic approach to reforming US immigration policy With an epic legal challenge to Trumps travel ban underway the high court will again have the opportunity to parse the language of illegality Given its recent rulings the court is likely to choose its words carefully The president meanwhile has made his preference clear Derek Hawkins Derek Hawkins is a cybersecurity policy reporter and author of The Cybersecurity 202 newsletter He previously wrote for The Washington Posts Morning Mix where he covered law crime politics and breaking news He has also worked for Law360 focusing on federal courts and the energy industry Reporting the facts for over 140 years Try 1 month for 10 1 Already a subscriber Podcasts
|
[
"undocumented immigrants",
"Trump",
"illegal aliens"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/on-leadership/wp/2016/07/14/clinton-and-trump-are-the-oldest-candidates-ever-no-one-seems-to-care/
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By Jena McGregor July 14 , 2016 In 2008 , John McCain admitted he did n ' t use a computer , prompting negative ads by then - candidate Barack Obama saying he was " out of touch . " In 1992 , a 45 - year - old Bill Clinton surprised the political world by picking Al Gore , 44 , as his running mate , setting up a youthful duo to run against a 68 - year - old George H.W. Bush . And back in 1984 , when Ronald Reagan was asked in a debate whether he had the stamina needed for the job , his famous quip - - " I am not going to exploit for political purposes my opponent ' s youth and inexperience " - - got plenty of laughter . Age has long been a factor in presidential campaigns - - a litmus test for experience , a line of attack in political ads , a way of signaling to groups of voters about either new , fresh leadership or hard - earned veteran wisdom . Yet in this election - - the oldest matchup between presumptive major party nominees in history - - age is not spoken about nearly as much . Donald Trump turned 70 last month , and would be the oldest president ever elected if he were to win in November . Hillary Clinton will turn 69 just before the election , and if she wins , would be the second oldest president to take office , after Reagan . Yes , Trump has lashed out with attacks about Clinton lacking strength or stamina . But it has n ' t seemed to stick , with other issues like the email controversy taking center stage , and there have n ' t been many others questioning the candidates ' age . " There ' s no longer a bias about age and the presidency , " says Douglas Brinkley , a historian at Rice University and author of several books about presidents . Indeed , a McClatchey - Marist Poll from last November - - when there were still plenty of younger candidates in the race - - showed that 71 percent of registered voters actually consider advanced age a benefit to the presidency , and that even among the youngest voters , 67 percent would have no problem supporting a candidate over 65 . Meanwhile , the oldest candidate in this year ' s primary race - - Bernie Sanders , who is 74 - - has been a favorite among the youngest voters One obvious reason age is n ' t a theme of this campaign is that when both candidates are of a similar age , there ' s little contrast to make between the two . " I t makes it moot , " Brinkley says . He does n ' t think it will be a focus of attacks by either candidate , " even if they attack each other on everything else . " Beyond that , historians say age is n ' t getting much attention because of the highly abnormal nature of this year ' s campaign . " Y ou ’ re dealing with such unusual candidates - - both of them - - that in some way it overcomes age , " says Julian Zelizer , a professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University . Clinton is most identified with being the first female major party nominee , as well as a polarizing , well - known political figure , he says , while Trump is a truly atypical political outsider . " The particularities of these candidates has made an issue that often does come up less relevant and less interesting , " Zelizer says . " If it was , say , Dick Cheney running against maybe Joe Biden , you probably would hear more about age . " He also says that whatever voters might think of either candidate , it ' s hard to believe either of them are lethargic or lack the energy to do the job . Clinton has built a career reputation as an indefatigable hard worker , while Trump appears to " have as much energy as someone who ’ s still in his 20s , " Zelizer says , and someone who took pains during the primary campaign to " quickly turn Jeb Bush ' s ' low energy ' against him . In a way , it was deflecting his age . " Both candidates also represent broader issues that are tied to youthful characteristics , which helps to avert attention from their age . Trump , says Leonard Steinhorn , a professor of public communication and history at American University , represents a disruption to politics , a theme often tied to youthfulness . In addition , " s ome people would say he has adolescent qualities , " Steinhorn says . Clinton , meanwhile , is the " quintessential baby boomer , " he says , a generation so associated with youth and challenging norms that it makes her age less of an issue , even if she comes off now as a clear member of the political establishment . " T he fact that both of them can lay claim to characteristics associated with youthfulness mitigates any negative associations with their chronological age . " There may also be a more permanent shift going on , one that has less to do with the characters of this election and more to do with shifts in American society or demographics . With Americans living longer , making age a factor in the campaign is likely to turn off older voters . And as the ranks of aging baby boomers grow , do n ' t expect to see ads that condescend around the issue of age , even in future elections when there might be more of a contrast between candidates ' years . It could cost them substantial votes . Meanwhile , in an American zeitgeist that has always valued youthfulness , attitudes toward retirement and old age are shifting rapidly in ways that could change how people view leaders , too . " The idea that ' with age , comes wisdom and experience ' is being replaced by ' with age , vitality continues , ' " Zelizer says . " There ’ s no need to discount people who are in their 60s and 70s . " Read also : Trump ’ s military pick for VP now looks less likely . Here ’ s why no one should be surprised . Racism , feminism and the complicated legacy of Woodrow Wilson Like On Leadership ? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter , and subscribe to our podcast on iTunes Comment s Jena McGregor Jena McGregor writes on leadership issues in the headlines – corporate management and governance , workplace trends and the personalities who run Washington and business . Prior to writing for the Washington Post , she was an associate editor for BusinessWeek and Fast Company magazines and began her journalism career as a reporter at Smart Money . Follow
|
[
"Leadership",
"Analysis"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2014/07/28/fatal-lightning-strikes-are-rare-but-they-still-happen-across-the-country-each-year/
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By Mark Berman July 28 , 2014 A man in California was killed when lightning struck people at Venice Beach on Sunday . Several other people were injured , including one man who was playing volleyball and told ABC 7 “ it felt like someone punched me in the back of my head . ” Storms and lightning strikes of this nature are extremely rare in California , as Angela Fritz outlines at Capital Weather Gang . And while fatal lightning strikes are also rare across the country , they are still a danger , as dozens of people are killed by lightning each year . So far this year , at least 16 people have been killed by lightning strikes in the United States , according to the National Weather Service As of July 28 , 2014 . ( National Weather Service The death in Venice on Sunday was the first for California this year , but it was the eighth lightning - related death so far this month , according to the list of fatalities kept by the NWS . Although this is a rather bracing fact — fully half of the people killed by lightning this year in the United States were killed in this month alone — it fits with a pattern that sees lightning deaths climb in the summer , with June , July and August seeing the highest numbers each year , according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration . ( This makes sense , because it is when people are likeliest to be out and about , but the numbers remain troubling . ) These deaths have occurred in 10 states across the country and they have occurred at beaches , national parks , on highways and in backyards . Thomas Coburn Wartell was killed by lightning while riding his motorcycle in New Mexico , the state police said . James Donald McDaniel , a 71 - year - old in Florida , was struck and killed by lightning while picking blueberries Lightning strikes killed two people in two days at Rocky Mountain National Park earlier this month ; Rebecca R . Teilhet was killed on July 11 , while Gregory Cardwell died the following day , the National Park Service said . The death on Sunday in California was the second to occur on a beach this year , following the death of Scott Wilcox last week in Florida . ( Occurrences like these are why the Ironman competition in Lake Placid , N.Y. , opted to cancel a round of swimming over the weekend due to thunder and lightning . ) Since 2006 , there have been 277 people killed by lightning strikes in the United States . The number of fatal lightning strikes has declined in recent years , as this graphic shows : As of July 28 , 2014 . ( NOAA / NWS Many of the people struck and killed by lightning “ were either headed to safety at the time of the fatal strike or were just steps away from safety , ” John S . Jenesius Jr . , a lightning safety specialist for NOAA , wrote in an analysis of lightning strikes between 2006 and 2013 . “ For many of the lightning victims , safe shelters were available ; however , the victims simply did not act soon enough to get to safety before they were struck , ” he wrote . This highlights why it is so important that people seek shelter rather than waiting to see if conditions improve and why people in charge of outdoor activities need to act quickly , he said . ( One odd quirk that shows up over the years : Men are much , much more likely to be killed by lightning than women . Eight in 10 victims since 2006 were men , according to the NWS data . Jenesius outlined a number of possible explanations in his analysis — maybe men are unwilling to be inconvenienced , or they do n ’ t react quickly enough , or they are in areas where it ’ s difficult to find shelter quickly enough — but the end result is that men remain at a much higher risk of Jenesius ’ s analysis also showed that while golfers — who stand in the middle of open areas for hours and hours and hours at a time — are perceived to be the group that suffers the most lightning strikes , that is n ’ t actually true . Lightning killed more than three times as many people who were fishing than people who were golfing between 2006 and 2013 , he wrote . And the number of people struck and killed while camping or boating was also about double the number of people who were golfing . The best guidance for such people is to make sure a safe shelter is available if you ’ re going to be fishing , boating , camping or golfing , Jenesius wrote . And if the weather says storms could be coming , it would be a good idea to postpone your camping trip , he noted . Comment s Mark Berman Mark Berman covers national news for The Washington Post . He has been at The Post since 2007 and previously covered transportation and local news . Follow
|
[
"Fatal lightning",
"California",
"Venice Beach"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2016/09/17/new-york-officials-say-25-people-injured-after-explosion-in-chelsea/
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What we know about the recent bombings By Philip Bump Mark Berman Amy B Wang and Matt Zapotosky September 18 , 2016 NEW YORK — Dozens of people were injured Saturday night in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan in an intentional bombing apparently caused by an improvised explosive device , authorities said . Twenty - nine people suffered non - life - threatening injuries in the blast , which occurred on the street , according to the New York Police Department . Authorities confirmed that all 29 victims had been treated and released from hospitals Sunday morning . New York Gov . Andrew Cuomo ( D ) said Sunday that there is “ no evidence of an international terrorism connection ” in the explosion in Chelsea , though he stopped short of saying whoever caused the incident did not want to incite terror . “ It depends on your definition of terrorism , ” Cuomo said . “ A bomb exploding in New York is obviously an act of terrorism , but it ’ s not linked to international terrorism . In other words , we find no ISIS connections . ” He said later : “ This is the nightmare scenario . ” Pipe bomb explodes along Jersey Shore charity 5K racecourse , officials say Not long after the blast , police said they had found another possible explosive device just blocks away . This device appeared to be similar to a pressure cooker and had wiring on it , according to a law enforcement official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation . Pressure cookers were used in the two bombs detonated at the Boston Marathon in 2013 . The bomb squad safely removed the second device , New York police tweeted early Sunday . Police officers , firefighters and other first responders had rushed to the scene of the blast , which closed a major roadway and forced people out of nearby buildings . New York Mayor Bill de Blasio ( D ) said Sunday that the explosion was “ intentional , ” but noted that few details were available because the investigation was in its early stages . “ We know there was a bombing , ” de Blasio said . “ We know it was a very serious incident , but we have a lot more work to do to be able to say what kind of motivation was behind this . ” He also echoed his comments from Saturday night that there was no specific , credible threat against New York from any terrorist group . The FBI and NYPD are trying to understand what motivation lay behind the blast . “ We will look at individuals . We will look at associations . We will look at social media , ” William Sweeney , Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI New York Field Office , said . “ Until we have that information it is not fair for us to give a conclusion [ as to motivation ] , ” DeBlasio said . “ Let the law enforcement experts draw the conclusions . ” Police Commissioner James O ’ Neill , whose first day in the position was Saturday , told reporters on Sunday that police were still gathering evidence . “ We did find some components indicative of an IED … that went off intentionally , ” O ’ Neill said . Late Saturday , police had ruled out natural gas as a possible cause of the blast . The New York Police Department ’ s counterterrorism bureau responded to the explosion , along with officials with the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives . While O ’ Neill said authorities were still trying to determine what , precisely , exploded , the NYPD counterterrorism bureau posted a photo online earlier Saturday showing what appeared to be a dumpster or garbage container mangled by a blast : # Update re : Explosion ( photo ) pic . twitter . com / AtqllF3JEZ — NYPDCounterterrorism ( @ NYPDCT ) September 18 , 2016 Police in New York also reported shortly after 11 p.m. that they had found the “ possible secondary device ” a few blocks away from the Chelsea explosion scene on 27th Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues . Police directed people away from that intersection , and one officer could be heard telling pedestrians that “ there is a possible explosive ” in the area . Not long after midnight , police said in a statement that they were asking people in the area of this potential explosive to move away from their windows “ until we clear the suspicious package , ” although officers did not fully evacuate the area . According to the Associated Press , the second device was removed with a robot and taken to the department firing range in the Bronx . O ’ Neill said Sunday that two “ very dedicated ” former New York state troopers had responded to the initial report of the blast last night . In a search for other explosives , they had parked their vehicle on 27th Street . Walking down the block , they found the second , unexploded device , O ’ Neill said . Reports of another suspicious package at 28th Street and Fifth Avenue turned out to be a false alarm — the package was only garbage , J . Peter Donald , a police spokesman , posted on Twitter around 12 : 30 a.m. Sunday . A truck with a containment trailer pulls out . pic . twitter . com / tZ4cjxlukc — Philip Bump ( @ pbump ) The Chelsea explosion occurred about 11 hours after a pipe bomb exploded in a Jersey Shore garbage can , shortly before a scheduled charity 5K race there benefiting Marines and Navy sailors . Authorities have said they have not yet found anything connecting the Chelsea and New Jersey incidents but are continuing to investigate . Minnesota mall stabber was ‘ a soldier of the Islamic State , ’ ISIS - linked news agency claims On Sunday , Cuomo said the “ bombs ” in Chelsea “ appear to be different ” from those discovered earlier in the day in New Jersey , though the devices from both states were being shipped to the FBI lab in Quantico for further assessment . He said the devices in New Jersey were “ pipe bombs , ” and those in Chelsea were not . Cuomo said agents in New York were in touch with those in New Jersey . Cuomo said officials “ have no reason to believe at this time that there is any further immediate threat , ” though the National Guard and the New York State Police were deploying an additional 1,000 personnel to bus terminals , airports and subways “ just to err on the side of caution . ” Cuomo said the blast in Chelsea “ caused significant property damage , ” though he a nearby subway station was structurally safe . He said law enforcement would work diligently to identify and locate those responsible . “ Whoever placed these bombs , we will find , and they will be brought to justice , ” Cuomo said . The explosion in the area of 23rd Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues occurred about 8 : 30 p.m. police said . Several of those injured were brought to area hospitals , Donald , the police spokesman , posted on Twitter . All victims were treated and released by Sunday morning , Cuomo said . A spokeswoman for Lenox Health Greenwich Village , which treated nine of the victims , said patients were treated for minor injuries that included lacerations to the head and body . Other hospitals declined to provide specifics about the extent of patients ’ injuries from the explosion . Photos and accounts posted on social media Saturday night showed large crowds — as well as a large law enforcement presence — in the area near where the explosion occurred . Soleil Filomena , 64 , was leaving a convenience store at Seventh Avenue and 23rd Street when she heard the explosion . “ It was so loud it just went through my whole body , ” she said . “ People started running up 23rd Street , and I started running with them . ” Filomena said she saw a “ big black cloud in the sky . ” After the explosion , she said her “ ear was ringing for 15 minutes . ” Just kicked out of the diner due to explosion next door # Chelsea # 23rdstreet # nyc pic . twitter . com / PtnfCT0YJD — Brian R ( @ trainsflyby ) When Keith Salomon of Delaware felt the explosion , he was having dinner a block and a half from the site of the blast . His chair and table shook , he said , and he saw people being taken away in ambulances . “ We did n ’ t know what it was and so , at first , we just kept eating , ” said Salomon , 52 , who was visiting his son in the city . “ But then we realized something was wrong . ” # ChelseaExplosion pic . twitter . com / F9z55WXIAw — Renae Merle ( @ renaemerle ) Others did not hear the explosion but saw the aftermath . When Jacob Schulman left his apartment a few blocks away shortly before 9 p.m. , he saw people running and screaming . “ I did n ’ t know what was going on , but everyone looked so panicked . I started running . too , ” said Schulman , 26 , who has lived in the neighborhood since 2014 . Two blocks from the blast scene , a group of people emerged from a screening of the animated movie “ Beauty and the Beast ” and saw the flashing lights . One man who came out of the theater said he could not hear anything and had no idea about the explosion not far from where he was sitting . Our whole high rise building shook . 23rd St & 6th Ave . More response vehicles arriving : pic . twitter . com / IgbjXgy9JD — Alexandra Sowa , M.D. ( @ AlexandraSowaMD ) President Obama was briefed on the situation in New York and will be updated as more information becomes available , a White House official said late Saturday . Speaking in Colorado not long after the explosion , Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump quickly commented on the situation before much information was known . “ I must tell you that just before I got off the plane , a bomb went off in New York and nobody knows exactly what ’ s going on , ” said Trump shortly after getting off of his plane . His comments were made before authorities confirmed the nature of the explosion . Late Saturday , Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton said it was important to “ know the facts ” before drawing conclusions about such incidents . Scene of the explosion this morning . pic . twitter . com / cohpujnr5j — Soledad O ' Brien ( @ soledadobrien ) Early Sunday , posts on social media from people in New York showed the area of the explosion to be relatively calm and quiet . Authorities had closed large swaths of roads in the area Saturday night . On Sunday , several roads had reopened but there remained a large police presence in the area . Getting briefed on the scene in # Chelsea this morning by NYPD and @ FBI pic . twitter . com / fVDUfEZdXV — Andrew Cuomo ( @ NYGovCuomo ) The explosion in New York comes as foreign leaders , including many heads of state , are heading to Manhattan for the United Nations General Assembly . Secretary of State John F . Kerry arrived Saturday , while Obama is scheduled to head to the city on Monday . This annual meeting — held more than two miles from the site of the explosion in Chelsea — is traditionally a challenging time for New York , as many roads are shut down and the heavy security leads to traffic jams . The FBI still has no determination as to motive , said a law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing . Agents are examining the detonated material from the first device as well as studying the second , which appeared to resemble a pressure cooker . They are also looking at video from security cameras , social media — “ all the logical leads , ” the official said . The explosion in Chelsea coincided with a separate attack that took place in Minnesota Saturday night , in which a man stabbed eight people in a St . Cloud mall before he was killed by an off - duty police officer . On Sunday , an ISIS - linked news agency claimed the mall attacker was “ a soldier of the Islamic State . ” An FBI spokesman said in an emailed statement that the agency had not determined whether the stabbings were related to the bombing in Manhattan the same night . Speaking to CNN ’ s Jake Tapper on Sunday morning , New Jersey Gov . Chris Christie ( R ) said there were no known links so far between the incident in New Jersey and those in New York and Minnesota . Authorities urged any witnesses with tips , video or other credible information about the explosion to call 1 - 800 - 577 - TIPS . Berman and Wang reported from Washington . Renae Merle in New York and Karen DeYoung , Ellen Nakashima , Steven Overly and Sari Horwitz in Washington contributed to this report . [ This is a developing story . First published : 10 : 10 p.m. on Saturday . ] Read more : Minnesota mall stabber was ‘ a soldier of the Islamic State , ’ ISIS - linked news agency claims Philadelphia gunman , ‘ driven by hatred , ’ ambushed officer , then went on deadly rampage Explosion that injured 29 in New York ‘ obviously an act of terrorism , ’ governor says Comment s Philip Bump Philip Bump is a correspondent for The Washington Post based in New York . Before joining The Post in 2014 , he led politics coverage for the Atlantic Wire . Follow Mark Berman Mark Berman covers national news for The Washington Post . He has been at The Post since 2007 and previously covered transportation and local news . Follow Amy B Wang Amy B Wang is a general assignment reporter covering national and breaking news for The Washington Post . She joined The Post in 2016 after seven years with the Arizona Republic . Matt Zapotosky Matt Zapotosky covers the Justice Department for The Washington Post ' s national security team . He has previously worked covering the federal courthouse in Alexandria and local law enforcement in Prince George ' s County and Southern Maryland .
|
[
"Explosion",
"New York",
"terrorism"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2016/09/30/want-to-make-a-million-become-a-dea-informant/
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By Joe Davidson Columnist September 30 , 2016 A sign with a DEA badge marks the entrance to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Museum in Arlington , Va . ( Jonathan Ernst / Reuters ) There ’ s an unfortunate saying on the street : Snitches get stitches . Turns out some get paid , too , sometimes very , very well . Consider this from a new report on major problems with the Drug Enforcement Administration ’ s confidential - informant program . DEA paid : One source $ 30 million over a 30 - year period , “ some of it in cash payments of more than $ 400,000 . ” Nine people $ 25 million during a five - year period , averaging $ 555,555 annually , for narcotics - related information and assisting law enforcement . A parcel worker more than $ 1 million over five years , or $ 200,000 a year . An airline employee over $ 600,000 in less than four years , more than $ 150,000 a year . Not bad for part - time work . Of course , there ’ s the danger of earning the enmity of drug gangs , but apparently some think it ’ s worth the risk . The report by the Justice Department ’ s Office of Inspector General ( IG ) found serious deficiencies with the DEA ’ s confidential - source program , including poor oversight that “ exposes the DEA to an unacceptably increased potential for waste , fraud , and abuse , ” IG Michael Horowitz said . Experts who represent people who could be the target of confidential informants question their use even under the best of circumstances . “ The government should not sponsor testimony from paid informants , ” said National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers President Barry J . Pollack . “ If a defendant paid a fact witness , he would be charged with committing obstruction of justice , a federal felony . The credibility of paid informants is always suspect . If the DEA and other law enforcement agencies insist on relying on such questionable testimony , its use should be rare and the payments well documented and fully disclosed . The IG report demonstrates the routine use of paid informants without these basic safeguards . ” Bill Piper , a senior director of the Drug Policy Alliance , which advocates for liberal drug policies , agreed , saying , “ Paying informants creates incentives to lie or fabricate evidence . ” Michael J . Stanfill , a DEA deputy chief inspector , defended the use of confidential informants . They “ provide invaluable contributions and assistance to DEA investigations , ” he told the IG in a response printed in the report . “ However , DEA recognizes the inherent risk involved when relying on persons whose motivations can be suspect . Thus , steps have been taken to mitigate identified risks . ” The DEA presumably is better at rousting drug dealers than it is at record - keeping . Its intelligence division was not able to provide the IG ’ s office an itemized list of total payments to confidential sources . That contributed to the report ’ s conclusion that the agency ’ s oversight “ is not commensurate with the significant amount of money that it pays to confidential sources . ” Because of the agency ’ s limited record - keeping on informants , the report said , the DEA “ is unable to examine their reliability and whether they frequently or rarely provide useful information , or whether the information DEA agents acted upon resulted in identifying individuals involved in illegal activity or instead caused DEA to regularly approach innocent civilians for questioning . ” The IG ’ s office said it is “ deeply concerned about this inability to assess source reliability , which seriously impairs DEA ’ s ability to oversee and manage the activity of these sources . ” In January , the IG revealed that the DEA had improperly used Amtrak and Transportation Security Administration ( TSA ) screeners as informants . That practice continued for months after the revelation . The DEA has since changed its rules on using employees of government or quasi - government agencies . Thursday ’ s document says the DEA paid two Amtrak employees thousands of dollars “ for information that was available at no cost to the government … thereby wasting substantial government funds . ” One of those two got the bulk of the money , almost $ 855,000 over 20 years . The DEA paid $ 1.5 million to at least 33 Amtrak informants from fiscal 2011 through 2015 . Eight TSA staffers got $ 94,000 “ for information that the screener was already obligated to provide to law enforcement . ” In another example of poor management , the DEA continued to use and pay informants who had been “ deactivated ” because they were suspected of committing serious crimes . “ In one case , the DEA reactivated a confidential source who previously provided false testimony in trials and depositions , ” according to the report . “ During the approximate 5 - year period of reactivation , this source was used by 13 DEA field offices and paid $ 469,158 . More than $ 61,000 of the $ 469,158 was paid after this source was once again deactivated for making false statements to a prosecutor . ” The DEA accepted all seven of the IG ’ s recommendations , including “ more frequent and rigorous confidential source management and oversight training . ” Barbara L . Carreno , a DEA spokeswoman , said agency officials “ welcome the OIG recommendations and we are committed to strengthening the accountability and effectiveness of this mission - critical program . ” Read more : FBI impersonation of journalists can be hazardous to their health ATF sting operation : ‘ Operation Fearless ’ or feckless ? Is DEA a bad guy in opioid - addiction fight ?
|
[
"DEA informant",
"narcotics",
"parcel worker"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2017/02/06/dear-science-why-do-we-love-our-pets/
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By Sarah Kaplan February 6 2017 iStock illustration Dear Science Why do we humans love our pets so much Heres what science has to say It really is an amazing question said Clive Wynne director of the Canine Science Collaboratory at Arizona State University Wynne has devoted his career to studying animal behavior and the evolutionary relationship between animals and people He said its easy to see why our pets would love us The success of dogs and other domesticated creatures on the surface of the Earth is entirely due to the fact that we take some level of care of them In fact some scientists have suggested that pets exhibit a form of parasitism taking food and shelter from humans without offering much in return They argue that we love our pets because they have hoodwinked us into it Wynne said He doesnt buy that argument Then again he is a dog owner hes under the spell But he acknowledged theres no satisfying evolutionary explanation for that warm gooey feeling we get when we look at our dogs and cats Cats are popular pets but how much do they like humans This love story started with dogs our most ancient animal companions Analysis of dog and wolf genomes along with numerous discoveries of ancient bone suggests that humans domesticated our canine friends somewhere between 13000 and 30000 years ago Wynne thinks its likely that the animals started out as wolves that scavenged from human garbage pits those willing to get closer to people got more food and they evolved to become tamer over time Eventually humans felt comfortable around dogs and dogs liked being around us enough that we took them into our homes and recruited them for our hunts Recent excavations at mammoth kill sites uncovered dog bones among the remains suggesting that dogs and humans hunted together But even then its not clear that we loved dogs Wynne said That change happened around 10000 years ago when dogs started showing up in our artwork and burial grounds Last year scientists discovered an ancient cemetery near Siberias Lake Baikal where 5000 to 8000yearold dogs were buried right alongside their humans You get dog burials which show there was a lot of care and attention paid to the burial Wynne said and they include grave goods valuable items placed in the grave for use in the afterlife which really seems like there was a strong indication of affection By ancient Egyptian times household pets were laid to rest in elaborate tombs decorated with inscriptions furnished with treasure and scented by incense Though archaeologists believe that some of the dogs were likely raised specifically to be killed making the gesture seem somewhat less thoughtful Dear Science Why do we cry If dogs evolved to be the companions of human hunters then cats came along to be farmers pets DNA evidence suggests that cats were first tamed by the Natufians who lived in the Levant roughly 10000 years ago and are often credited with being the inventors of agriculture Cats the logic goes are very useful for catching the rodents that inevitably inhabit grain storehouses As the animals started to congregate around human settlements they became more social developing the communication skills needed to deal with other cats and humans In the cases of both species the process of domestication probably started with the animals themselves tamer animals were better able to take advantage of the resources made available by human settlements Then people got involved selectively breeding the cutest cuddliest and most cooperative creatures until we got the pets we know today So thats how we came to love animals but it still doesnt really explain why We cant love dogs and cats simply because of their utility For one thing domesticated livestock are also useful but we typically dont name cows or cry over movies about sheep that find their way home For another Wynne noted dogs and cats really arent that useful anymore My own dog who I love out of all proportion is utterly and completely useless he said Dear Science Could my body include an atom from Shakespeare For several decades it was believed that pet ownership was good for humans physical and mental health But with further research the picture has become less clear A 2009 study of nearly 40000 people in Sweden found that pet owners suffered from more mental health problems than their nonpetowning peers Other theories suggest that the benefit of pet ownership could have more to do with other humans For example pets might be whats called an honest signal of their humans wealth demonstrating that their owners have so much time and money to spare that they can afford to keep a creature whose purpose is only cuteness Then again some argue that our love for pets is purely social rather than biological After all a 2015 survey of more than 60 countries found that even though dogs were kept in 52 countries they were considered companions in fewer than half of them Harold Herzog a psychologist at Western Carolina University has written that love for pets is a contagious habit we catch from our peers as evidenced by the rise and fall of fads in dog breed ownership Perhaps the warm and gooey feeling we get when we look into a puppys eyes is just a consequence of social pressure and Lassie Come Home As a scientist Wynne isnt happy with any of the theories put forward to explain our love for our pets Hed like to see more and better data perhaps an experiment that examined brain scans of people taken while they looked at cats and dogs But as someone who knows what its like to love a dog he was willing to indulge in some unscientific musing Wynne noted that domesticated dogs are very childlike They exhibit several behaviors usually found only among juveniles in wild animals such as licking or kissing their owners faces and theyre unable to survive on their own When Wynnes family adopted their dog his wife who is an engineer and very practical he said remarked that perhaps they should have had more kids She perceived that same buttons were being pressed that were pressed when we had our child Wynne said Maybe thats all there is to it Humans are programmed to love soft and helpless things Have a question for Dear Science Ask it here Sarah Kaplan Sarah Kaplan is a science reporter covering news from around the nation and across the universe She previously worked overnights on The Washington Posts Morning Mix team
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[
"pets"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/sports/wp/2017/04/03/virginia-tech-football-coach-justin-fuente-gets-contract-extension-through-2023/
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By Ava Wallace April 3 2017 Virginia Tech Coach Justin Fuente and his team celebrate their 5210 win over Virginia in November Steve HelberAssociated Press Virginia Tech and head football Coach Justin Fuente agreed to a twoyear contract extension that will keep the reigning ACC coach of the year in Blacksburg through the 2023 season Athletic Director Whit Babcock announced Monday Fuente who is entering his second season with the Hokies will earn 4 million in the last year of the deal Fuente exceeded expectations in his first year at Virginia Tech The 40yearold Tulsa native led the Hokies to their first 10win season since 2011 a berth in the ACC championship game against Clemson and a win in the Belk Bowl helping put the Hokies back in the national conversation Succeeding legendary coach Frank Beamer came with its own set of challenges but Fuente also ingratiated himself with Virginia Techs local fan base by honoring the former coach throughout the season My family feels incredibly blessed that Im able to work at Virginia Tech and were able call Blacksburg our home Fuente said in a statement thanking Babcock deputy athletics director Desiree ReedFrancois and university president Dr Timothy Sands I am very appreciative for the leadership of Whit Desiree Dr Sands and the Board of Visitors in making Virginia Tech such an attractive destination for a head coach and a staff Their support a talented and hardworking group of studentathletes and an unbelievably passionate fan base were all paramount in helping us build on Coach Beamers winning culture Im also indebted to our coaching staff and support personnel for their continued loyalty and dedication he continued Our studentathletes know how invested our staff is in the success of our team and in helping them achieve their personal goals in the classroom in life and on the football field Im excited that well continue the work that weve begun at Virginia Tech for many years to come The key to a smooth transition for Justin Fuente at Virginia Tech is a memory of turbulence Fuentes initial contract signed in November 2015 was set to run through the 2021 season and paid him 32 million in 2016 Under the extended contract Fuentes pay for 2017 remains the same 325 million and increases after that He stands to make 34 million in 2018 35 million in 2019 365 million in 2020 375 million in 2021 39 million in 2022 and 4 million in 2023 in base salary and supplemental compensation The youngest coach in the ACC Fuente will earn a 2017 salary that ranks in the upper half of the league according to a USA Today database Virginias Bronco Mendenhall stands to make 34 million just more than Fuente Florida States Jimbo Fisher who made 525 million in the 2016 season and Clemsons Dabo Swinney who earned 4422 million topped the list this year Fuente has a retention bonus of 200000 payable on April 1 2018 and 250000 payable on April 1 2020 His buyout figure remains 6 million in 2017 and tapers to 500000 in 2022 The contract extension places Fuente alongside mens basketball Coach Buzz Williams who signed a contract extension to stay in Blacksburg through the 202223 season in July Babcock wasted little time in rewarding his two top hires at Virginia Tech Coach Fuente has exceeded our expectations in terms of how well he and his staff have embraced the winning tradition established by Coach Frank Beamer at Virginia Tech while adding their own distinct touches to enhance the legacy of our program Babcock said in a statement Justin has set high expectations for our team in the classroom in the community and on the field I personally appreciate the way he exemplifies our Virginia Tech values and helps instill those attributes in our studentathletes I have the utmost confidence in his ability to lead our program as he continues making a positive impact on our campus and in the lives of every individual associated with Virginia Tech football Ava Wallace Ava Wallace covers college sports with a focus on Georgetown Navy and Maryland as well as tennis and the WNBA for The Washington Post Before her current role she covered Virginia and Virginia Tech athletics for The Post Reporting the facts for over 140 years Try 1 month for 10 1 Already a subscriber
|
[
"Virginia Tech football",
"Coach Justin Fuente",
"contract extension"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/sports/wp/2017/12/07/larry-nassar-usa-gymnastics-doctor-sentenced-to-60-years-on-child-porn-charges/
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Dr . Larry Nassar , 54 , appears in court for a plea hearing Nov . 22 . ( AP Photo / Paul Sancya ) By Will Hobson December 7 , 2017 A judge sentenced Larry Nassar , the former Olympic gymnastics team physician and longtime Michigan State University instructor , to 60 years in prison on Thursday for federal child pornography crimes . The sentence , handed down by a judge in Grand Rapids , Mich . , ensures that Nassar , 54 , likely will spend the rest of his life in prison . Nassar , accused in civil and criminal complaints of sexually assaulting more than 140 women , also has pleaded guilty to several sex crimes in two counties in Michigan , and will be sentenced for those charges in separate hearings in state courts next month . The judge Thursday ordered Nassar to serve his federal sentence — 20 years each for three counts — consecutively to state sentences , seemingly foreclosing any possibility he obtains an early release . Olympians McKayla Maroney , Aly Raisman and Gabby Douglas are among those who have said Nassar assaulted them . “ He abused my trust , he abused my body and he left scars on my psyche that may never go away … He needs to be behind bars so he will never prey upon another child , ” Maroney wrote in a statement to the judge before Thursday ’ s hearing . Once one of the most respected sports physicians in the country specializing in treating gymnasts , Nassar ’ s swift downfall started last August , when a woman filed a police report alleging Nassar had assaulted her during a medical examination years prior , when she was a 15 - year - old gymnast in Michigan seeking treatment for back pain . Doctor at center of USA Gymnastics scandal left warning signs at Michigan State The woman — Rachael Denhollander , 32 , of Louisville — then told her story to the Indianapolis Star , prompting dozens of women , including several former Team USA gymnasts , to come forward with similar allegations . Women accused Nassar of assaulting them at a campus clinic at Michigan State , at local gyms across the country , at the Karolyi Ranch outside Houston , and at international competitions around the globe , including the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney , and the 2012 Summer Games in London . Michigan State fired Nassar last September . Michigan authorities arrested him last November , and in December , federal authorities added child pornography charges . While the criminal penalties for Nassar will be decided over the next few weeks , the fallout for the organizations that employed him , or allowed him to volunteer his services and work with children , may have just begun . Every six weeks for more than 36 years : When will sex abuse in Olympic sports end ? More than 100 civil claims are pending against Michigan State and USA Gymnastics . Earlier this year , Steve Penny resigned as chief executive of USA Gymnastics after acknowledging he had waited five weeks to report Nassar to law enforcement in 2015 , and Michigan State gymnastics coach Kathie Klages retired after the university suspended her for defending Nassar in a private meeting with her gymnasts . In lawsuits , two gymnasts have alleged they complained to Klages in 1997 about Nassar ’ s treatment , to no avail . Klages has denied those claims . There were also police investigations in 2004 and 2014 that did n ’ t result in charges , and a Michigan State Title IX office inquiry in 2014 that concluded a student had misinterpreted legitimate pain treatment . After the 2014 inquiry , Nassar ’ s supervisors required him to wear gloves and never perform the therapy that had upset that student without another person in the room , conditions Nassar Michigan State has commissioned an internal review of how university employees responded to suspicions about Nassar , but had planned to keep that review confidential , drawing criticism from victims and their attorneys . On Monday , Michigan ’ s Attorney General formally asked Michigan State to turn over the findings of its internal review . “ We recognize the pain sexual violence causes and deeply regret any time someone in our community experiences it , ” Michigan State spokesman Jason Cody said . “ Nassar ’ s behavior was deeply disturbing and repugnant , as the state and federal criminal charges that he has been convicted of show . ” Comment s Will Hobson Will Hobson is a national sports reporter for The Washington Post . He has previously worked for the Tampa Bay Times , the Daytona Beach News - Journal , and the Panama City News Herald . Follow Your support helps our journalists report news that matters . Try 1 month for $ 10 $ 1 Send me this offer Already a subscriber ? Sign in
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[
"Larry Nassar",
"Gymnastics doctor",
"child porn charges"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2014/06/05/watch-ronald-reagans-address-commemorating-the-40th-anniversary-of-d-day/
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By Natalie Jennings June 5 , 2014 Ronald Reagan died 10 years ago today . His death came just shy of 20 years to the day after he delivered one of the most memorable speeches of his career to mark the 40th anniversary of D - Day Ronald Reagan ' s address on the 40th anniversary of D - Day Before a gathering of veterans of at Normandy ' s Pointe Du Hoc , Reagan paid tribute to American and allied soldiers : " These are the boys of Pointe du Hoc . These are the men who took the cliffs . These are the champions who helped free a continent . These are the heroes who helped end a war . " He also wove a message to the Soviet Union into the speech . At a particularly tense time for U.S. - Soviet relations - - the Soviets would boycott the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles the following month - - Reagan appealed for peace . " We look for some sign from the Soviet Union that they are willing to move forward , that they share our desire and love for peace , and that they will give up the ways of conquest , " he said . Peggy Noonan , a Reagan speechwriter who authored the remarks , wrote about them in a 2002 Wall Street Journal column The subtext was a message aimed at the leaders of the West and the people of Europe . It was : Fellow NATO members , you must remember that just as our fathers beat back the totalitarian Nazis , we now must beat back the totalitarian Soviets - - and we can do it , we can triumph if we hold fast , hold firm and stand together just as our fathers did 40 years ago . Here ' s a full transcript of the speech : Remarks to Veterans at Pointe du Hoc We ' re here to mark that day in history when the Allied armies joined in battle to reclaim this continent to liberty . For 4 long years , much of Europe had been under a terrible shadow . Free nations had fallen , Jews cried out in the camps , millions cried out for liberation . Europe was enslaved , and the world prayed for its rescue . Here in Normandy the rescue began . Here the Allies stood and fought against tyranny in a giant undertaking unparalleled in human history . We stand on a lonely , windswept point on the northern shore of France . The air is soft , but 40 years ago at this moment , the air was dense with smoke and the cries of men , and the air was filled with the crack of rifle fire and the roar of cannon . At dawn , on the morning of the 6th of June , 1944 , 225 Rangers jumped off the British landing craft and ran to the bottom of these cliffs . Their mission was one of the most difficult and daring of the The Rangers looked up and saw the enemy soldiers - - the edge of the cliffs shooting down at them with machine guns and throwing grenades . And the American Rangers began to climb . They shot rope ladders over the face of these cliffs and began to climb over the face of these cliffs and began to pull themselves up . When one Ranger fell , another would take his place . When one rope was cut , a Ranger would grab another and begin his climb again . They climbed , shot back , and held their footing Two hundred and twenty - five came here . After 2 days of fighting , only 90 could still bear arms . Behind me is a memorial that symbolizes the Ranger daggers that were thrust into the top of these cliffs . And before me are the men who put them there . These are the boys of Pointe du Hoc . These are the men who took the cliffs . These are the champions who helped free a continent . These are the heroes who helped end a war . Gentlemen , I look at you , and I think of the words of Stephen Spender ' s poem . You are men who in your " lives fought for life . . . and left the vivid air signed with your honor . " I think I know what you may be thinking right now - - thinking " we were just part of a bigger effort ; everyone was brave that day . " Well , everyone was . Do you remember the story of Bill Millin of the 51st Highlanders ? Forty years ago today , British troops were pinned down near a bridge , waiting desperately for help . Suddenly , they heard the sound of bagpipes , and some thought they were dreaming . Well , they were n ' t . They looked up and saw Bill Millin with Lord Lovat was with him - - Lord Lovat of Scotland , who ca l mly announced when he got to the bridge , " Sorry I ' m a few minutes late , " as if he ' d been delayed by a traffic jam , when in truth he ' d just come from the bloody fighting on Sword Beach , which he and his men had just taken . There was the impossible valor of the Poles who threw themselves between the enemy and the rest of Europe as the invasion took hold , and the unsurpassed courage of the Canadians who had already seen the horrors of war on this coast . They knew what awaited them there , but they would not be deterred . And once they hit Juno Beach , they never looked back . All of these men were part of a rollcall of honor with names that spoke of a pride as bright as the colors they bore : the Royal Winnipeg Rifles , Poland ' s 24th Lancers , the Royal Scots Fusiliers , the Screaming Eagles , the Yeomen of England ' s armored divisions , the forces of Free France , the Coast Guard ' s " Matchbox Fleet " and you , the American Rangers . Forty summers have passed since the battle that you fought here . You were young the day you took these cliffs ; some of you were hardly more than boys , with the deepest joys of life before you . Yet , you risked everything here . Why ? Why did you do it ? What impelled you to put aside the instinct for self - preservation and risk your lives to take these cliffs ? What inspired all the men of the armies that met here ? We look at you , and somehow we know the answer . The men of Normandy had faith that what they were doing was right , faith that they fought for all humanity , faith that a just God would grant them mercy on this beachhead or on the next . It was the deep knowledge - - and pray God we have not lost it - - that there is a profound , moral difference between the use of force for liberation and the use of force for conquest . You were here to liberate , not to conquer , and so you and those others did not doubt your cause You all knew that some things are worth dying for . One ' s country is worth dying for , and democracy is worth dying for , because it ' s the most deeply honorable form of government ever devised by man . All of you loved liberty . All of you were willing to fight tyranny , and you knew people of your countries were behind you . The Americans who fought here that morning knew word of the invasion was spreading through the darkness back home . They fought - - or felt in their hearts , though they could n ' t know in fact , Remarks to Veterans at Pointe du Hoc . We ' re here to mark that day in history when the Allied armies joined in battle to reclaim this continent to liberty . For 4 long years , much of Europe had been under a terrible shadow . Free nations had fallen , Jews cried out in the camps , millions cried out for liberation . Europe was enslaved , and the world prayed for its rescue . Here in Normandy the rescue began . Here the Allies stood and fought against tyranny in a giant undertaking unparalleled in human history . We stand on a lonely , windswept point on the northern shore of France . The air is soft , but 40 years ago at this moment , the air was dense with smoke and the cries of men , and the air was filled with the crack of rifle fire and the roar of cannon . At dawn , on the morning of the 6th of June , 1944 , 225 Rangers jumped off the British landing craft and ran to the bottom of these cliffs . Their mission was one of the most difficult and daring of the The Rangers looked up and saw the enemy soldiers - - the edge of the cliffs shooting down at them with machine guns and throwing grenades . And the American Rangers began to climb . They shot rope ladders over the face of these cliffs and began to climb over the face of these cliffs and began to pull themselves up . When one Ranger fell , another would take his place . When one rope was cut , a Ranger would grab another and begin his climb again . They climbed , shot back , and held their footing Two hundred and twenty - five came here . After 2 days of fighting , only 90 could still bear arms . Behind me is a memorial that symbolizes the Ranger daggers that were thrust into the top of these cliffs . And before me are the men who put them there . These are the boys of Pointe du Hoc . These are the men who took the cliffs . These are the champions who helped free a continent . These are the heroes who helped end a war . Gentlemen , I look at you , and I think of the words of Stephen Spender ' s poem . You are men who in your " lives fought for life . . . and left the vivid air signed with your honor . " I think I know what you may be thinking right now - - thinking " we were just part of a bigger effort ; everyone was brave that day . " Well , everyone was . Do you remember the story of Bill Millin of the 51st Highlanders ? Forty years ago today , British troops were pinned down near a bridge , waiting desperately for help . Suddenly , they heard the sound of bagpipes , and some thought they were dreaming . Well , they were n ' t . They looked up and saw Bill Millin with Lord Lovat was with him - - Lord Lovat of Scotland , who calmly announced when he got to the bridge , " Sorry I ' m a few minutes late , " as if he ' d been delayed by a traffic jam , when in truth he ' d just come from the bloody fighting on Sword Beach , which he and his men had just taken . There was the impossible valor of the Poles who threw themselves between the enemy and the rest of Europe as the invasion took hold , and the unsurpassed courage of the Canadians who had already seen the horrors of war on this coast . They knew what awaited them there , but they would not be deterred . And once they hit Juno Beach , they never looked back . All of these men were part of a rollcall of honor with names that spoke of a pride as bright as the colors they bore : the Royal Winnipeg Rifles , Poland ' s 24th Lancers , the Royal Scots Fusiliers , the Screaming Eagles , the Yeomen of England ' s armored divisions , the forces of Free France , the Coast Guard ' s " Matchbox Fleet " and you , the American Rangers . Forty summers have passed since the battle that you fought here . You were young the day you took these cliffs ; some of you were hardly more than boys , with the deepest joys of life before you . Yet , you risked everything here . Why ? Why did you do it ? What impelled you to put aside the instinct for self - preservation and risk your lives to take these cliffs ? What inspired all the men of the armies that met here ? We look at you , and somehow we know the answer . The men of Normandy had faith that what they were doing was right , faith that they fought for all humanity , faith that a just God would grant them mercy on this beachhead or on the next . It was the deep knowledge - - and pray God we have not lost it - - that there is a profound , moral difference between the use of force for liberation and the use of force for conquest . You were here to liberate , not to conquer , and so you and those others did not doubt your cause You all knew that some things are worth dying for . One ' s country is worth dying for , and democracy is worth dying for , because it ' s the most deeply honorable form of government ever devised by man . All of you loved liberty . All of you were willing to fight tyranny , and you knew people of your countries were behind you . The Americans who fought here that morning knew word of the invasion was spreading through the darkness back home . They fought - - or felt in their hearts , though they could n ' t know in fact , that in Georgia they were filling the churches at 4 a.m. , in Kansas they were kneeling on their porches and praying , and in Philadelphia they were ringing the Liberty Bell . Something else helped the men of D - day : their rockhard belief that Providence would have a great hand in the events that would unfold here ; that God was an ally in this great cause . And , so , the night before the invasion , when Colonel Wolverton asked his parachute troops to kneel with him in prayer he told them : Do not bow your heads , but look up so you can see God and ask His blessing in what we ' re about to do . Also that night , General Matthew Ridgway on These are the things that impelled them ; these are the things that shaped the unity of the Allies . When the war was over , there were lives to be rebuilt and governments to be returned to the people . There were nations to be reborn . Above all , there was a new peace to be assured . These were huge and daunting tasks . But the Allies summoned strength from the faith , belief , loyalty , and love of those who fell here . They rebuilt a new Europe together . There was first a great reconciliation among those who had been enemies , all of whom had suffered so greatly . The United States did its part , creating the Marshall plan to help rebuild our allies and our former enemies . The Marshall plan led to the Atlantic alliance - - a great alliance that serves to this day as our shield for freedom , for prosperity , and for peace . In spite of our great efforts and successes , not all that followed the end of the war was happy or planned . Some liberated countries were lost . The great sadness of this loss echoes down to our own time in the streets of Warsaw , Prague , and East Berlin . Soviet troops that came to the center of this continent did not leave when peace came . They ' re still there , uninvited , unwanted , unyielding , almost 40 years after the war . Because of this , allied forces still stand on this continent We in America have learned bitter lessons from two World Wars : It is better to be here ready to protect the peace , than to take blind shelter across the sea , rushing to respond only after freedom is lost . We ' ve learned that isolationism never was and never will be an acceptable response to tyrannical governments with an expansionist intent . But we try always to be prepared for peace ; prepared to deter aggression ; prepared to negotiate the reduction of arms ; and , yes , prepared to reach out again in the spirit of reconciliation . In truth , there is no reconciliation we would welcome more than a reconciliation with the Soviet Union , so , together , we can lessen the risks of war , now and forever . It ' s fitting to remember here the great losses also suffered by the Russian people during World War II : 20 million perished , a terrible price that testifies to all the world the necessity of ending war . I tell you from my heart that we in the United States do not want war . We want to wipe from the face of the Earth the terrible weapons that man now has in his hands . And I tell you , we are ready to seize that beachhead . We look for some sign from the Soviet Union We will pray forever that some day that changing will come . But for now , particularly today , it is good and fitting to renew our commitment to each other , to our freedom , and to the alliance that protects it . We are bound today by what bound us 40 years ago , the same loyalties , traditions , and beliefs . We ' re bound by reality . The strength of America ' s allies is vital to the United States , and the American security guarantee is essential to the continued freedom of Europe ' s democracies . We were with you then ; we are with you now . Your hopes are our hopes , and your destiny is our destiny . Here , in this place where the West held together , let us make a vow to our dead . Let us show them by our actions that we understand what they died for . Let our actions say to them the words for which Matthew Ridgway listened : " I will not fail thee nor forsake thee . " Strengthened by their courage , heartened by their value [ valor ] , and borne by their memory , let us continue to stand for the ideals for which they lived and died . Thank you very much , and God bless you all .
|
[
"Ronald Reagan",
"anniversary of D-Day"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/08/31/heres-what-donald-trump-said-in-his-big-immigration-speech-annotated/
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By Philip Bump August 31 , 2016 Watch Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump ' s full speech on immigration in Phoenix . ( Victoria Walker / The Washington Post ) Donald Trump delivered his long - awaited speech outlining his immigration policy on Wednesday night in Phoenix , the city where he launched his campaign on the same issue last year . A transcript of Trump ' s speech is below . Sections in yellow have been annotated by The Fix team and will offer more information when clicked . Thank you , Phoenix . I am so glad to be back in Arizona . The state that has a very , very special place in my heart . I love people of Arizona and together we are going to win the White House in November . Now , you know this is where it all began for me . Remember that massive crowd also . So , I said let ' s go and have some fun tonight . We ' re going to Arizona , OK ? This will be a little bit different . This wo n ' t be a rally speech , per se . Instead , I ' m going to deliver a detailed policy address on one of the greatest challenges facing our country today , illegal immigration . I ' ve just landed having returned from a very important and special meeting with the President of Mexico , a man I like and respect very much . And a man who truly loves his country , Mexico . And , by the way , just like I am a man who loves my country , the United States . We agree on the importance of ending the illegal flow of drugs , cash , guns , and people across our border , and to put the cartels out of business . We also discussed the great contributions of Mexican - American citizens to our two countries , my love for the people of Mexico , and the leadership and friendship between Mexico and the United States . It was a thoughtful and substantive conversation and it will go on for awhile . And , in the end we ' re all going to win . Both countries , we ' re all going to win . This is the first of what I expect will be many , many conversations . And , in a Trump administration we ' re going to go about creating a new relationship between our two countries , but it ' s going to be a fair relationship . We want fairness . But to fix our immigration system , we must change our leadership in Washington and we must change it quickly . Sadly , sadly there is no other way . The truth is our immigration system is worse than anybody ever realized . But the facts are n ' t known because the media wo n ' t report on them . The politicians wo n ' t talk about them and the special interests spend a lot of money trying to cover them up because they are making an absolute fortune . That ' s the way it is Today , on a very complicated and very difficult subject , you will get the truth . The fundamental problem with the immigration system in our country is that it serves the needs of wealthy donors , political activists and powerful , powerful politicians . It ' s all you can do . Thank you . Thank you . Let me tell you who it does not serve . It does not serve you the American people . Does n ' t serve you . When politicians talk about immigration reform , they usually mean the following , amnesty , open borders , lower wages . Immigration reform should mean something else entirely . It should mean improvements to our laws and policies to make life better for American citizens . Thank you . But if we ' re going to make our immigration system work , then we have to be prepared to talk honestly and without fear about these important and very sensitive issues . For instance , we have to listen to the concerns that working people , our forgotten working people , have over the record pace of immigration and its impact on their jobs , wages , housing , schools , tax bills and general living conditions . These are valid concerns expressed by decent and patriotic citizens from all backgrounds , all over . We also have to be honest about the fact that not everyone who seeks to join our country will be able to successfully assimilate . Sometimes it ' s just not going to work out . It ' s our right , as a sovereign nation to chose immigrants that we think are the likeliest to thrive and flourish and love us . Then there is the issue of security . Countless innocent American lives have been stolen because our politicians have failed in their duty to secure our borders and enforce our laws like they have to be enforced . I have met with many of the great parents who lost their children to sanctuary cities and open borders . So many people , so many , many people . So sad . They will be joining me on this stage in a little while and I look forward to introducing , these are amazing , amazing people . Countless Americans who have died in recent years would be alive today if not for the open border policies of this administration and the administration that causes this horrible , horrible thought process , called Hillary Clinton . This includes incredible Americans like 21 year old Sarah Root . The man who killed her arrived at the border , entered Federal custody and then was released into the U.S. , think of it , into the U.S. community under the policies of the White House Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton . Weak , weak policies . Weak and foolish policies . He was released again after the crime , and now he ' s out there at large . Sarah had graduated from college with a 4.0 , top student in her class one day before her death . Also among the victims of the Obama - Clinton open - border policy was Grant Ronnebeck , a 21 - year - old convenience store clerk and a really good guy from Mesa , Arizona . A lot of you have known about Grant . He was murdered by an illegal immigrant gang member previously convicted of burglary , who had also been released from federal custody , and they knew it was going to happen again . Another victim is Kate Steinle . Gunned down in the sanctuary city of San Francisco , by an illegal immigrant , deported five previous times . And they knew he was no good . Then there is the case of 90 - year - old Earl Olander , who was brutally beaten and left to bleed to death in his home , 90 years old and defenseless . The perpetrators were illegal immigrants with criminal records a mile long , who did not meet Obama administration standards for removal . And they knew it was going to happen . In California , a 64 - year - old Air Force veteran , a great woman , according to everybody that knew her , Marilyn Pharis , was sexually assaulted and beaten to death with a hammer . Her killer had been arrested on multiple occasions but was never , ever deported , despite the fact that everybody wanted him out . A 2011 report from the Government Accountability Office found that illegal immigrants and other non - citizens , in our prisons and jails together , had around 25,000 homicide arrests to their names , 25,000 . On top of that , illegal immigration costs our country more than $ 113 billion a year . And this is what we get . For the money we are going to spend on illegal immigration over the next 10 years , we could provide 1 million at - risk students with a school voucher , which so many people are wanting . While there are many illegal immigrants in our country who are good people , many , many , this does n ' t change the fact that most illegal immigrants are lower skilled workers with less education , who compete directly against vulnerable American workers , and that these illegal workers draw much more out from the system than they can ever possibly pay back . And they ' re hurting a lot of our people that can not get jobs under any circumstances . But these facts are never reported . Instead , the media and my opponent discuss one thing and only one thing , the needs of people living here illegally . In many cases , by the way , they ' re treated better than our vets . Not going to happen anymore , folks . November 8th . Not going to happen anymore . The truth is , the central issue is not the needs of the 11 million illegal immigrants or however many there may be - - and honestly we ' ve been hearing that number for years . It ' s always 11 million . Our government has no idea . It could be 3 million . It could be 30 million . They have no idea what the number is . Frankly our government has no idea what they ' re doing on many , many fronts , folks . But whatever the number , that ' s never really been the central issue . It will never be a central issue . It does n ' t matter from that standpoint . Anyone who tells you that the core issue is the needs of those living here illegally has simply spent too much time in Washington . Only the out - of - touch media elites think the biggest problems facing America - - you know this , this is what they talk about , facing American society today is that there are 11 million illegal immigrants who do n ' t have legal status . And , they also think the biggest thing , and you know this , it ' s not nuclear , and it ' s not ISIS , it ' s not Russia , it ' s not China , it ' s global warming . To all the politicians , donors , and special interests , hear these words from me and all of you today . There is only one core issue in the immigration debate , and that issue is the well - being of the American people . Nothing even comes a close second . Hillary Clinton , for instance , talks constantly about her fears that families will be separated , but she ' s not talking about the American families who have been permanently separated from their loved ones because of a preventable homicide , because of a preventable death , because of murder . No , she ' s only talking about families who come here in violation of the law . We will treat everyone living or residing in our country with great dignity . So important . We will be fair , just , and compassionate to all , but our greatest compassion must be for our American citizens . Thank you . President Obama and Hillary Clinton have engaged in gross dereliction of duty by surrendering the safety of the American people to open borders , and you know it better than anybody right here in Arizona . You know it . President Obama and Hillary Clinton support sanctuary cities . They support catch and release on the border . They support visa overstays . They support the release of dangerous , dangerous , dangerous , criminals from detention . And , they support unconstitutional executive amnesty . Hillary Clinton has pledged amnesty in her first 100 days , and her plan will provide Obamacare , Social Security , and Medicare for illegal immigrants , breaking the federal budget . On top of that she promises uncontrolled , low - skilled immigration that continues to reduce jobs and wages for American workers , and especially for African - American and Hispanic workers within our country . Our citizens . Most incredibly , because to me this is unbelievable , we have no idea who these people are , where they come from . I always say Trojan horse . Watch what ' s going to happen , folks . It ' s not going to be pretty . This includes her plan to bring in 620,000 new refugees from Syria and that region over a short period of time . And even yesterday , when you were watching the news , you saw thousands and thousands of people coming in from Syria . What is wrong with our politicians , our leaders if we can call them that . What the hell are we doing ? Hard to believe . Hard to believe . Now that you ' ve heard about Hillary Clinton ' s plan , about which she has not answered a single question , let me tell you about my plan . And do you notice - - And do you notice all the time for weeks and weeks of debating my plan , debating , talking about it , what about this , what about that . They never even mentioned her plan on immigration because she does n ' t want to get into the quagmire . It ' s a tough one , she does n ' t know what she ' s doing except open borders and let everybody come in and destroy our country by the way . While Hillary Clinton meets only with donors and lobbyists , my plan was crafted with the input from federal immigration offices , very great people . Among the top immigration experts anywhere in this country , who represent workers , not corporations , very important to us . I also worked with lawmakers , who ' ve led on this issue on behalf of American citizens for many years . And most importantly I ' ve met with the people directly impacted by these policies . So important . Number one , are you ready ? Are you ready ? We will build a great wall along the southern border . And Mexico will pay for the wall . One hundred percent . They do n ' t know it yet , but they ' re going to pay for it . And they ' re great people and great leaders but they ' re going to pay for the wall . On day one , we will begin working on intangible , physical , tall , power , beautiful southern border wall . We will use the best technology , including above and below ground sensors that ' s the tunnels . Remember that , above and below . Above and below ground sensors . Towers , aerial surveillance and manpower to supplement the wall , find and dislocate tunnels and keep out criminal cartels and Mexico you know that , will work with us . I really believe it . Mexico will work with us . I absolutely believe it . And especially after meeting with their wonderful , wonderful president today . I really believe they want to solve this problem along with us , and I ' m sure they will . Number two , we are going to end catch and release . We catch them , oh go ahead . We catch them , go ahead . Under my administration , anyone who illegally crosses the border will be detained until they are removed out of our country and back to the country from which they came . And they ' ll be brought great distances . We ' re not dropping them right across . They learned that . President Eisenhower . They ' d drop them across , right across , and they ' d come back . And across . Then when they flew them to a long distance , all of a sudden that was the end . We will take them great distances . But we will take them to the country where they came from , OK ? Number three . Number three , this is the one , I think it ' s so great . It ' s hard to believe , people do n ' t even talk about it . Zero tolerance for criminal aliens . Zero . Zero . Zero . They do n ' t come in here . They do n ' t come in here . According to federal data , there are at least 2 million , 2 million , think of it , criminal aliens now inside of our country , 2 million people criminal aliens . We will begin moving them out day one . As soon as I take office . Day one . In joint operation with local , state , and federal law enforcement . Now , just so you understand , the police , who we all respect - - say hello to the police . Boy , they do n ' t get the credit they deserve . I can tell you . They ' re great people . But the police and law enforcement , they know who these people are . They live with these people . They get mocked by these people . They ca n ' t do anything about these people , and they want to . They know who these people are . Day one , my first hour in office , those people are gone . And you can call it deported if you want . The press does n ' t like that term . You can call it whatever the hell you want . They ' re gone . Beyond the 2 million , and there are vast numbers of additional criminal illegal immigrants who have fled , but their days have run out in this country . The crime will stop . They ' re going to be gone . It will be over . They ' re going out . They ' re going out fast . Moving forward . We will issue detainers for illegal immigrants who are arrested for any crime whatsoever , and they will be placed into immediate removal proceedings if we even have to do that . We will terminate the Obama administration ' s deadly , and it is deadly , non - enforcement policies that allow thousands of criminal aliens to freely roam our streets , walk around , do whatever they want to do , crime all over the place . That ' s over . That ' s over , folks . That ' s over . Since 2013 alone , the Obama administration has allowed 300,000 criminal aliens to return back into United States communities . These are individuals encountered or identified by ICE , but who were not detained or processed for deportation because it would n ' t have been politically correct . My plan also includes cooperating closely with local jurisdictions to remove criminal aliens immediately . We will restore the highly successful Secure Communities Program . Good program . We will expand and revitalize the popular 287 ( g ) partnerships , which will help to identify hundreds of thousands of deportable aliens in local jails that we do n ' t even know about . Both of these programs have been recklessly gutted by this administration . And those were programs that worked . This is yet one more area where we are headed in a totally opposite direction . There ' s no common sense , there ' s no brain power in our administration by our leader , or our leaders . None , none , none . On my first day in office I am also going to ask Congress to pass Kate ' s Law , named for Kate Steinle . To ensure that criminal aliens convicted of illegal reentry receive strong mandatory minimum sentences . Strong . And then we get them out . Another reform I ' m proposing is the passage of legislation named for Detective Michael Davis and Deputy Sheriff Danny Oliver , to law enforcement officers recently killed by a previously deported illegal immigrant . The Davis - Oliver bill will enhance cooperation with state and local authorities to ensure that criminal immigrants and terrorists are swiftly , really swiftly , identified and removed . And they will go face , believe me . They ' re going to go . We ' re going to triple the number of ICE deportation officers . Within ICE I am going to create a new special deportation task force focused on identifying and quickly removing the most dangerous criminal illegal immigrants in America who have evaded justice just like Hillary Clinton has evaded justice , OK ? Maybe they ' ll be able to deport her . The local police who know every one of these criminals , and they know each and every one by name , by crime , where they live , they will work so fast . And our local police will be so happy that they do n ' t have to be abused by these thugs anymore . There ' s no great mystery to it , they ' ve put up with it for years , and no finally we will turn the tables and law enforcement and our police will be allowed to clear up this dangerous and threatening We ' re also going to hire 5,000 more Border Patrol agents . Who gave me their endorsement , 16,500 gave me their endorsement . And put more of them on the border instead of behind desks which is good . We will expand the number of border patrol stations significantly . I ' ve had a chance to spend time with these incredible law enforcement officers , and I want to take a moment to thank them . What they do is incredible . And getting their endorsement means so much to me . More to me really than I can say . Means so much . First time they ' ve ever endorsed a presidential candidate . Number four , block funding for sanctuary cities . We block the funding . No more funds . We will end the sanctuary cities that have resulted in so many needless deaths . Cities that refuse to cooperate with federal authorities will not receive taxpayer dollars , and we will work with Congress to pass legislation to protect those jurisdictions that do assist federal authorities . Number five , cancel unconstitutional executive orders and enforce all immigration laws . We will immediately terminate President Obama ' s two illegal executive amnesties in which he defied federal law and the Constitution to give amnesty to approximately 5 million illegal immigrants , 5 million . And how about all the millions that are waiting on line , going through the process legally ? So unfair . Hillary Clinton has pledged to keep both of these illegal amnesty programs , including the 2014 amnesty which has been blocked by the United States Supreme Court . Great . Clinton has also pledged to add a third executive amnesty . And by the way , folks , she will be a disaster for our country , a disaster in so many other ways . And do n ' t forget the Supreme Court of the United States . Do n ' t forget that when you go to vote on November 8 . And do n ' t forget your Second Amendment . And do n ' t forget the repeal and replacement of Obamacare . And do n ' t forget building up our depleted military . And do n ' t forget taking care of our vets . Do n ' t forget our vets . They have been forgotten . Clinton ' s plan would trigger a constitutional crisis unlike almost anything we have ever seen before . In effect , she would be abolishing the lawmaking powers of Congress in order to write her own laws from the Oval Office . And you see what bad judgment she has . She has seriously bad judgment . Can you imagine ? In a Trump administration all immigration laws will be enforced , will be enforced . As with any law enforcement activity , we will set priorities . But unlike this administration , no one will be immune or exempt from enforcement . And ICE and Border Patrol officers will be allowed to do their jobs the way their jobs are supposed to be done . Anyone who has entered the United States illegally is subject to deportation . That is what it means to have laws and to have a country . Otherwise we do n ' t have a country . Our enforcement priorities will include removing criminals , gang members , security threats , visa overstays , public charges . That is those relying on public welfare or straining the safety net along with millions of recent illegal arrivals and overstays who ' ve come here under this current corrupt administration . Number six , we are going to suspend the issuance of visas to any place where adequate screening can not occur . According to data provided by the Senate Subcommittee on Immigration , and the national interest between 9 / 11 and the end of 2014 , at least 380 foreign born individuals were convicted in terror cases inside the United States . And even right now the largest number of people are under investigation for exactly this that we ' ve ever had in the history of our country . Our country is a mess . We do n ' t even know what to look for anymore , folks . Our country has to straighten out . And we have to straighten out fast . The number is likely higher . But the administration refuses to provide this information , even to Congress . As soon as I enter office I am going to ask the Department of State , which has been brutalized by Hillary Clinton , brutalized . Homeland Security and the Department of Justice to begin a comprehensive review of these cases in order to develop a list of regions and countries from which immigration must be suspended until proven and effective vetting mechanisms can be put in place . I call it extreme vetting right ? Extreme vetting . I want extreme . It ' s going to be so tough , and if somebody comes in that ' s fine but they ' re going to be good . It ' s extreme . And if people do n ' t like it , we ' ve got have a country , folks . Got to have a country . Countries in which immigration will be suspended would include places like Syria and Libya . And we are going to stop the tens of thousands of people coming in from Syria . We have no idea who they are , where they come from . There ' s no documentation . There ' s no paperwork . It ' s going to end badly folks . It ' s going to end very , For the price of resettling one refugee in the United States , 12 could be resettled in a safe zone in their home region . Which I agree with 100 percent . We have to build safe zones and we ' ll get the money from Gulf states . We do n ' t want to put up the money . We owe almost $ 20 trillion . Doubled since Obama took office , our national debt . But we will get the money from Gulf states and others . We ' ll supervise it . We ' ll build safe zones which is something that I think all of us want to see . Another reform , involves new screening tests for all applicants that include , and this is so important , especially if you get the right people . And we will get the right people . An ideological certification to make sure that those we are admitting to our country share our values and love our people . Thank you . We ' re very proud of our country . Are n ' t we ? Really ? With all it ' s going through , we ' re very proud of our country . For instance , in the last five years , we ' ve admitted nearly 100,000 immigrants from Iraq and Afghanistan . And these two countries according to Pew Research , a majority of residents say that the barbaric practice of honor killings against women are often or sometimes justified . That ' s what they say . That ' s what they say . They ' re justified . Right ? And we ' re admitting them to our country . Applicants will be asked their views about honor killings , about respect for women and gays and minorities . Attitudes on radical Islam , which our president refuses to say and many other topics as part of this vetting procedure . And if we have the right people doing it , believe me , very , very few will slip through the cracks . Hopefully , none . Number seven , we will insure that other countries take their people back when they order them deported . There are at least 23 countries that refuse to take their people back after they ' ve been ordered to leave the United States . Including large numbers of violent criminals , they wo n ' t take them back . So we say , OK , we ' ll keep them . Not going to happen with me , not going to happen with me . Due to a Supreme Court decision , if these violent offenders can not be sent home , our law enforcement officers have to release them into your communities . And by the way , the results are horrific , horrific . There are often terrible consequences , such as Casey Chadwick ' s tragic death in Connecticut just last year . Yet despite the existence of a law that commands the Secretary of State to stop issuing visas to these countries . Secretary Hillary Clinton ignored this law and refused to use this powerful tool to bring nations into compliance . And , they would comply if we would act properly . In other words , if we had leaders that knew what they were doing , which we do n ' t . The result of her misconduct was the release of thousands and thousands of dangerous criminal aliens who should have been sent home to their countries . Instead we have them all over the place . Probably a couple in this room as a matter of fact , but I hope not . According to a report for the Boston Globe from the year 2008 to 2014 nearly 13,000 criminal aliens were released back into U.S. communities because their home countries would not , under any circumstances , take them back . Hard to believe with the power we have . Hard to believe . We ' re like the big bully that keeps getting beat up . You ever see that ? The big bully that keeps getting beat up . These 13,000 release occurred on Hillary Clinton ' s watch . She had the power and the duty to stop it cold , and she decided she would not do it . And , Arizona knows better than most exactly what I ' m talking about . Those released include individuals convicted of killings , sexual assaults , and some of the most heinous crimes imaginable . The Boston Globe writes that a Globe review of 323 criminals released in New England from 2008 to 2012 found that as many as 30 percent committed new offenses , including rape , attempted murder and child molestation . We take them , we take them . Number eight , we will finally complete the biometric entry - exit visa tracking system , which we need desperately . For years Congress has required biometric entry - exit visa tracking systems , but it has never been completed . The politicians are all talk , no action , never happens . Never happens . Hillary Clinton , all talk . Unfortunately when there is action it ' s always the wrong decision . You ever notice ? In my administration we will ensure that this system is in place . And , I will tell you , it will be on land , it will be on sea , it will be in air . We will have a proper tracking system . Approximately half of new illegal immigrants came on temporary visas and then never , ever left . Why should they ? Nobody ' s telling them to leave . Stay as long as you want , we ' ll take care of you . Beyond violating our laws , visa overstays , pose - - and they really are a big problem , pose a substantial threat to national security . The 9 / 11 Commission said that this tracking system would be a high priority and would have assisted law enforcement and intelligence officials in August and September in 2001 in conducting a search for two of the 9 / 11 hijackers that were in the United States expired visas . And , you know what that would have meant , what that could have meant . Would n ' t that have been wonderful , right ? What that could have meant ? Last year alone nearly half a million individuals overstayed their temporary visas . Removing these overstays will be a top priority of my administration . If people around the world believe they can just come on a temporary visa and never , ever leave , the Obama - Clinton policy , that ' s what it is , then we have a completely open border , and we no longer have a country . We must send a message that visa expiration dates will be strongly enforced . Number nine , we will turn off the jobs and benefits magnet . We will ensure that E - Verify is used to the fullest extent possible under existing law , and we will work with Congress to strengthen and expand its use across the country . Immigration law does n ' t exist for the purpose of keeping criminals out . It exists to protect all aspects of American life . The work site , the welfare office , the education system , and everything else . That is why immigration limits are established in the first place . If we only enforced the laws against crime , then we have an open border to the entire world . We will enforce all of our immigration laws . And the same goes for government benefits . The Center for Immigration Studies estimates that 62 percent of households headed by illegal immigrants use some form of cash or non - cash welfare programs like food stamps or housing assistance . Tremendous costs , by the way , to our country . Tremendous costs . This directly violates the federal public charge law designed to protect the United States Treasury . Those who abuse our welfare system will be priorities for immediate removal . Number 10 , we will reform legal immigration to serve the best interests of America and its workers , the forgotten people . Workers . We ' re going to take care of our workers . And by the way , and by the way , we ' re going to make great trade deals . We ' re going to renegotiate trade deals . We ' re going to bring our jobs back home . We ' re going to bring our jobs back home . We have the most incompetently worked trade deals ever negotiated probably in the history of the world , and that starts with NAFTA . And now they want to go TPP , one of the great disasters . We ' re going to bring our jobs back home . And if companies want to leave Arizona and if they want to leave other states , there ' s going to be a lot of trouble for them . It ' s not going to be so easy . There will be consequence . Remember that . There will be consequence . They ' re not going to be leaving , go to another country , make the product , sell it into the United States , and all we end up with is no taxes and total unemployment We ' ve admitted 59 million immigrants to the United States between 1965 and 2015 . Many of these arrivals have greatly enriched our country . So true . But we now have an obligation to them and to their children to control future immigration as we are following , if you think , previous immigration waves . We ' ve had some big waves . And tremendously positive things have happened . Incredible things have happened . To ensure assimilation we want to ensure that it works . Assimilation , an important word . Integration and upward mobility . Within just a few years immigration as a share of national population is set to break all historical records . The time has come for a new immigration commission to develop a new set of reforms to our legal immigration system in order to achieve the following goals . To keep immigration levels measured by population share within historical norms . To select immigrants based on their likelihood of success in U.S. society and their ability to be financially self - sufficient . We take anybody . Come on in , anybody . Just come on in . Not anymore . You know , folks , it ' s called a two - way street . It is a two - way street , right ? We need a system that serves our needs , not the needs of others . Remember , under a Trump administration it ' s called America first . Remember that . To choose immigrants based on merit . Merit , skill , and proficiency . Does n ' t that sound nice ? And to establish new immigration controls to boost wages and to ensure that open jobs are offered to American workers first . And that in particular African - American and Latino workers who are being shut out in this process so unfairly . And Hillary Clinton is going to do nothing for the African - American worker , the Latino worker . She ' s going to do nothing . Give me your vote , she says , on November 8th . And then she ' ll say , so long , see you in four years . That ' s what it is . She is going to do nothing . And just look at the past . She ' s done nothing . She ' s been there for 35 years . She ' s done nothing . And I say what do you have to lose ? Choose me . Watch how good we ' re going to do together . Watch . You watch . We want people to come into our country , but they have to come into our country legally and properly vetted , and in a manner that serves the national interest . We ' ve been living under outdated immigration rules from decades ago . They ' re decades and decades old . To avoid this happening in the future , I believe we should sunset our visa laws so that Congress is forced to periodically revise and revisit them to bring them up to date . They ' re archaic . They ' re ancient . We would n ' t put our entire federal budget on autopilot for decades , so why should we do the same for the very , very complex subject of immigration ? So let ' s now talk about the big picture . These 10 steps , if rigorously followed and enforced , will accomplish more in a matter of months than our politicians have accomplished on this issue in the last 50 years . It ' s going to happen , folks . Because I am proudly not a politician , because I am not behold to any special interest , I ' ve spent a lot of money on my campaign , I ' ll tell you . I write those checks . Nobody owns Trump . I will get this done for you and for your family . We ' ll do it right . You ' ll be proud of our country again . We ' ll do it right . We will accomplish all of the steps outlined above . And , when we do , peace and law and justice and prosperity will prevail . Crime will go down . Border crossings will plummet . Gangs will disappear . And the gangs are all over the place . And welfare use will decrease . We will have a peace dividend to spend on rebuilding America , beginning with our American inner cities . We ' re going to rebuild them , for once and for all . For those here illegally today , who are seeking legal status , they will have one route and one route only . To return home and apply for reentry like everybody else , under the rules of the new legal immigration system that I have outlined above . Those who have left to seek entry - - Thank you . Thank you . Those who have left to seek entry under this new system - - and it will be an efficient system - - will not be awarded surplus visas , but will have to apply for entry under the immigration caps or limits that will be established in the future . We will break the cycle of amnesty and illegal immigration . We will break the cycle . There will be no amnesty . Our message to the world will be this . You can not obtain legal status or become a citizen of the United States by illegally entering our country . Ca n ' t do it . This declaration alone will help stop the crisis of illegal crossings and illegal overstays , very importantly . People will know that you ca n ' t just smuggle in , hunker down and wait to be legalized . It ' s not going to work that way . Those days are over . Importantly , in several years when we have accomplished all of our enforcement and deportation goals and truly ended illegal immigration for good , including the construction of a great wall , which we will have built in record time . And at a reasonable cost , which you never hear from the government . And the establishment of our new lawful immigration system then and only then will we be in a position to consider the appropriate disposition of those individuals who remain . That discussion can take place only in an atmosphere in which illegal immigration is a memory of the past , no longer with us , allowing us to weigh the different options available based on the new circumstances at the time . Right now , however , we ' re in the middle of a jobs crisis , a border crisis and a terrorism crisis like never before . All energies of the federal government and the legislative process must now be focused on immigration security . That is the only conversation we should be having at this time , immigration security . Cut it off . Whether it ' s dangerous materials being smuggled across the border , terrorists entering on visas or Americans losing their jobs to foreign workers , these are the problems we must now focus on fixing . And the media needs to begin demanding to hear Hillary Clinton ' s answer on how her policies will affect Americans and their security . These are matters of life and death for our country and its people , and we deserve answers from Hillary Clinton . And do you notice , she does n ' t answer . She did n ' t go to Louisiana . She did n ' t go to Mexico . She was invited . She does n ' t have the strength or the stamina to make America great again . Believe me . What we do know , despite the lack of media curiosity , is that Hillary Clinton promises a radical amnesty combined with a radical reduction in immigration enforcement . Just ask the Border Patrol about Hillary Clinton . You wo n ' t like what you ' re hearing . The result will be millions more illegal immigrants ; thousands of more violent , horrible crimes ; and total chaos and lawlessness . That ' s what ' s going to happen , as sure as you ' re standing there . This election , and I believe this , is our last chance to secure the border , stop illegal immigration and reform our laws to make your life better . I really believe this is it . This is our last time . November 8 . November 8 . You got to get out and vote on November 8 . It ' s our last chance . It ' s our last chance . And that includes Supreme Court justices and Second Amendment . Remember that . So I want to remind everyone what we ' re fighting for and who we are fighting for . I am going to ask - - these are really special people that I ' ve gotten to know . I ' m going to ask all of the " Angel Moms " to come join me on the stage right now . These are amazing women . These are amazing people . I ' ve become friends with so many . But Jamiel Shaw , incredible guy , lost his son so violently . Say just a few words about your child . SPEAKER : My son Ronald da Silva ( ph ) was murdered April 27 , 2002 by an illegal alien who had been previously deported . And what so - - makes me so outrageous is that we came here legally . Thank you , Mr . Trump . I totally support you . You have my vote . TRUMP : Thank you , thank you . SPEAKER : God bless you . TRUMP : You know what ? Name your child and come right by . Go ahead . SPEAKER : Laura Wilkerson . And my son was Joshua Wilkerson . He was murdered by an illegal in 2010 . And I personally support Mr . Trump for our next president . SPEAKER : My name is Ruth Johnston Martin ( ph ) . My husband was shot by an illegal alien . He fought the good fight but he took his last breath in 2002 . And I support this man who ' s going to change this country for the better . God bless you . SPEAKER : My name Maureen Maloney ( ph ) , and our son Matthew Denise ( ph ) was 23 years old when he was dragged a quarter of a mile to his death by an illegal alien , while horrified witnesses were banging on the truck trying to stop him . SPEAKER : Our son Matthew Denise , if Donald Trump were president in 2011 , our son Matthew Denise and other Americans would be alive today . SPEAKER : Thank you . My name is Kathy Woods ( ph ) . My son Steve ( ph ) , a high school senior , 17 years old , went to the beach after a high school football game . A local gang came along , nine members . The cars were battered to - - like war in Beirut . And all I can say is they murdered him and if Mr . Trump had been in office then the border would have been secure and our children would not be dead today . SPEAKER : Hi . My name is Brenda Sparks ( ph ) , and my son is named Eric Zapeda ( ph ) . He was raised by a legal immigrant from Honduras only to be murdered by an illegal in 2011 . His murderer never did a second in handcuffs or jail . Got away with killing an American . So I ' m voting for trump . And by the way , so is my mother . SPEAKER : My name is Dee Angle ( ph ) . My cousin Rebecca Ann Johnston ( ph ) , known as Becky , was murdered on January the 1st , 1989 in North Little Rock , Arkansas . Thank you . And if you do n ' t vote Trump , we wo n ' t have a country . Trump all the way . SPEAKER : I ' m Shannon Estes ( ph ) . And my daughter Shaley Estes ( ph ) , 22 years old , was murdered here in Phoenix last July 24 by a Russian who overstayed his visa . And vote Trump . SPEAKER : I ' m Mary Ann Mendoza , the mother of Sergeant Brandon Mendoza , who was killed in a violent head - on collision in Mesa . Thank you . I want to thank Phoenix for the support you ' ve always given me , and I want to tell you what . I ' m supporting the man who will - - who is the only man who is going to save our country , and what we our going to be leaving our children . SPEAKER : I ' m Steve Ronnebeck , father of Grant Ronnebeck , 21 years old . Killed January 22 , 2015 by an illegal immigrant who shot him in the face . I truly believe that Mr . Trump is going to change things . He ' s going to fight for my family , and he ' s going to fight for America . TRUMP : These are amazing people , and I am not asking for their endorsement , believe me that . I just think I ' ve gotten to know so many of them , and many more , from our group . But they are incredible people and what they ' re going through is incredible , and there ' s just no reason for it . Let ' s give them a really tremendous hand . That ' s tough stuff , I will tell you . That is tough stuff . Incredible people . So , now is the time for these voices to be heard . Now is the time for the media to begin asking questions on their behalf . Now is the time for all of us as one country , Democrat , Republican , liberal , conservative to band together to deliver justice , and safety , and security for all Americans . Let ' s fix this horrible , horrible , problem . It can be fixed quickly . Let ' s our secure our border . Let ' s stop the drugs and the crime from pouring into our country . Let ' s protect our social security and Medicare . Let ' s get unemployed Americans off the welfare and back to work in their own country . This has been an incredible evening . We ' re going to remember this evening . November 8 , we have to get everybody . This is such an important state . November 8 we have to get everybody to go out and vote . We ' re going to bring - - thank you , thank you . We ' re going to take our country back , folks . This is a movement . We ' re going to take our country back . This is an incredible movement . The world is talking about it . The world is talking about it and by the way , if you have n ' t been looking to what ' s been happening at the polls over the last three or four days I think you should start looking . You should start looking . Together we can save American lives , American jobs , and American futures . Together we can save America itself . Join me in this mission , we ' re going to make America great again . Thank you . I love you . God bless you , everybody . God bless you . God bless you , thank you . Copy Photos from Donald Trump ’ s trip to Mexico to meet with President Pena Nieto View Photos In his first formal international trip as the Republican presidential nominee , Donald Trump visited a country where he is broadly despised for his vilification of illegal immigrants .
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[
"big immigration speech",
"Donald Trump"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2013/08/23/how-goya-brought-ethnic-food-to-white-america/
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By Lydia DePillis August 23 , 2013 Copy Goya behind the scenes View Photos Goya , the largest Hispanic - owned food company in the United States , is striving to become a food company for all and is even moving into other cuisines , such as Indian and Chinese . Here ’ s a look at a D.C. store where Goya products are sold and a New Jersey site where some of those foods come from . A BOUT a year ago , in Washington ’ s Mount Pleasant neighborhood , an independent grocer called Bestway changed hands . The new owner is In Suk Pak , a South Korean by way of Pennsylvania . He renamed the store Bestworld , replacing the second word of the big - block letters out front . Then he rejiggered the store ’ s product mix to fit the neighborhood ’ s changing demographics , adding gourmet chips and high - end beers , and Asian items like wasabi peas and dried seaweed . But there was one aisle he did n ’ t touch : Goya ’ s , which is festooned with blue Goya - labeled tape and features a Goya - logoed spice rack . The aisle is densely packed with sacks , cans , boxes , bottles and jars of every imaginable bean , grain , sauce , juice and spice . The Goya salesperson just tells him what he needs to fill the section , and he ’ s happy to take the advice . “ I ’ m not Latino . I do n ’ t know what they eat , ” says Pak , shuffling around in a pink striped polo shirt supervising stocking on a Wednesday morning . Plus , he says , all the neighborhood ’ s non - Hispanic residents will buy Goya , too . Though it ’ s not as if there ’ s any shortage : Just a block away , Progreso International also stocks Goya products — they ’ re both > cheap and of good quality , the proprietor says . That level of trust among urban Hispanic communities has landed Goya in nearly every corner bodega and medium - size independent grocery store like Bestworld . And while Goya seems exotic , the company is based in New Jersey . It was founded 77 years ago by Spaniards who had come to New York through Puerto Rico . It ’ s hired enough natives of Spanish - speaking countries to develop a flavor profile that ’ s decently close to the real thing , and has marketed itself as an Hispanic - owned company . Now , it ’ s But the burgeoning Hispanic population is n ’ t enough for Goya . It has started moving into other foreign cuisines , like Indian and Chinese , in a bid to become the food company for all people new to America . It ’ s also developing products for second and third generations of immigrants , who might want something pre - cooked but still homey - tasting , or who might have intermarried with other nationalities and want to mix everything together ( “ Latin Fusion ” is featured prominently in the Web site ’ s recipe section ) . “ It ’ s a United Nations kind of label , ” says Bob Gorland , a supermarket consultant at Matthew P . Casey & Associates . He regards Goya , more than any other brand , as a section unto itself , much like the kosher aisle or natural foods area . Now , as the “ general market ” becomes more interested in ethnic cuisines , Goya has positioned itself as the “ authentic ” option that you do n ’ t have to rummage through ethnic markets to find . In other words , Goya is becoming - - - - Goya — so named after the Spanish painter because founder Prudencio Unanue Ortiz liked the simplicity and vague familiarity of the name — started out packing and selling olives and olive oil in Lower Manhattan . It ’ s now a sprawling network of 16 worldwide processing and distribution centers , mostly U.S. - based in the United States . In Spain , Goya now supplies the reverse immigrant population from Latin American countries . Although the bulk of Goya ’ s beans are grown in the United States , many of its specialty products come from around the world The company headquarters is across the street from the Secaucus , N.J. , train station , but visitors are advised to take a cab door to door , so as not to get lost in the nest of highways in between . The factory entryway , lined with little plaques signifying production records , smells like motes of adobo have drifted through ceiling vents . On the reception desk is a copy of “ The Inferno , ” by Dan Brown , who after “ The Da Vinci Code ” moved on to conspiracies surrounding public health . ( Later To see the actual packing underway , visitors don a hairnet and earplugs and push through a door to the factory floor , where machines deposit rice into pre - printed boxes , spice into packets and beans into bags ( most of the canning is done up in Buffalo ) . A scale can tell whether there are even a few grams are missing and will boot an offending product off the assembly line into a bin . From there , conveyor belts run along the ceiling , ferrying boxes toward a device that packs them neatly into pallets In modern food processing , everyone ’ s a manager , just watching to make sure the robots are doing their jobs right and sweep up the stray grains that fall onto the floor . From there , it ’ s another very short cab ride to the cavernous warehouse , which is a vast facility stacked floor to ceiling both with gigantic sacks of raw ingredients on their way to packaging as well as Goya ’ s 2,200 finished products ( plus quite a few products from other big brands like Nestle that Goya stores and distributes ) . The fact that Goya has warehouses at all is unusual . Many big food companies just ship their products directly to ones belonging to grocery chains , like Safeway , which load their own trucks from there . Goya has always done direct store delivery ( or “ DSD ” in industry jargon ) , because , as the owners see it , every store has a different audience . The sales staff researches local immigrant groups with the help of a business intelligence tool called Geoscape , as well as more enterprising techniques , like hanging out at the “ To us , it ’ s important to make the connection through a product that maybe we ’ re not going to sell truckloads of , but we ’ re going to have the product on the shelf so when a consumer goes in they say , ‘ Wow , I can relate to Goya because it ’ s authentic , this product makes me feel like I ’ m at home , ’ ” says Peter Unanue , the chief executive ’ s younger brother and an executive vice president in charge of distribution . In regentrified neighborhoods , like parts of downtown Philadelphia that are now packed with yuppies , the less exotic products sell better . “ You put a pacaya or a loroco in , and they do n ’ t know what to do with it , ” says Juan Lopez , Goya ’ s district manager for the Mid - Atlantic . “ You put a low - sodium yellow rice , pretty much everybody across the board eats beans and rice . ” ( Though a jar of pacaya or loroco might also convince yuppies that the rest of Often , Goya ’ s representatives will even help the big supermarkets decide how to stock the rest of their store to welcome local immigrant groups , like selling plantains and yucca in the produce section if there are lots of Mexicans living nearby , and consulting on the right cuts of meat . " It ’ s important to make the connection through a product that maybe we ’ re not going to sell truckloads of , but we ’ re going to have the product on the shelf so when a consumer goes in they say , ‘ Wow , I can relate to Goya because it ’ s authentic , this product makes me feel like I ’ m at home . ’ ” — Goya vice president Peter Unanue In more and more demographics , Goya is now familiar . “ People have the tendency to be a little more creative with what they ’ re cooking , and I think they get that alternative with the products Goya offers , ” says Gary Budd , who manages stocking for Giant Foods in the Mid - Atlantic . Usually he ' ll put all Goya ' s products in one aisle , but if it looks like they ' re selling well and have crossover appeal - - like yellow rice - - he ' ll stock some of them in the general sections as well . At Giant , Some natural foods have made that leap , too : Kashi cereal , for example , appears both in the natural - foods section and the regular cereal aisle . “ We see a lot of that , switching over to the mainstream , ” he says . Now even Wal - Mart is seeing things Goya ’ s way . “ When we first started to do business with them , they wanted to put a generic program in place , ” Lopez says . “ It was n ’ t successful because of the diverse ethnicities . ” Goya certainly is n ’ t without competition — from name brands like Del Monte and Bush ’ s , but also often from supermarkets themselves . Giant and Target will put a store - brand can of beans right next to Goya ’ s , at a few nickels off the price . In those situations , Goya likes to contend that its products are just higher quality than the generic brand ; it has run ads showing a dumped - out Goya can having more actual beans in it than a cheaper substitute . “ Can the homemaker risk saving 10 cents , to make a dish , and they go home , and it turns out lousy ? ” says Joe Perez , Goya ’ s senior vice president in charge of sales and marketing . The difference in quality is n ’ t necessarily noticeable , even to discerning palates . “ They ’ ve never seemed better to me , ” says Mark Bittman , the New York Times food writer and best - selling cookbook author . “ I ’ ve never detected the slightest difference in canned beans , except sometimes they taste tinny . And overly salty . But both of those phenomena have occurred with Goya , in my experience . ” Ubiquity , however , is an even bigger advantage for Goya than perceptions of quality . Food bloggers will sometimes specify Goya ingredients because it ’ s the easiest way to identify what to look for . Yvette Marquez runs a popular Mexican food Web site called Muy Bueno . She started out in El Paso , where there were lots of options for ingredients . Now she ’ s in Denver , where she ’ s found that the ethnic food aisles often can be pretty much are more limited to Goya products . “ I ’ ve recommended Goya products because I know people will be able to find it , ” she says . Plus , they have items like ready - made empanada dough . But , she notes , it ’ s not exactly gourmet fare . The hipster foodies will still probably seek out super - specialty items in bodegas that carry things the supermarkets wo n ’ t . For everyone else , there ’ s Goya . - - - - Upstairs from the break room at the Goya plant , past the test kitchen , across a floor full of sales and advertising people , is Bob Unanue ’ s office . It ’ s full of the memorabilia from the past of a three quarters of a century run , including a 6.6 - pound coffee - table book commemorating Goya ’ s 75th anniversary and a three - foot - tall model can of beans . Bob Unanue , president of Goya foods , Inc . ( Yana Paskova / For The Washington Post ) In 2004 , Unanue took over from his uncle Joseph , who died in June . Inheriting an empire has piled on the frequent - flier miles . He breezes in , puts down his coat and heaves himself into a couch , just back from a few days at a bean convention in Chicago . At conventions , buyers like Unanue forge and maintain relationships with farmers from the “ bean belt ” that stretches from New York over the mountains to Idaho . “ I learned something yesterday I did n ’ t know , which happens a lot , ” Unanue begins in a soft Jersey accent . “ The average age of a bean farmer is 63 years old . It ’ s a lot more work than if you ’ re planting corn or soybeans . ” That launches a diatribe against federal ethanol requirements for gasoline that have boosted the price of corn — and the cost of farming , even for beans . That ’ s a real concern for Goya , which ca n ’ t stray far from its low - cost price point and which is scrambling to supply a ballooning infrastructure . The company has opened facilities in the past few years in Miami , Houston and outside Chicago , and it ’ s expanding westward and into Mexico . Meanwhile , its product line has doubled over the past eight years , moving into categories like healthy food lines and organics . Huge food companies typically diversify their offerings — and bolster their authenticity in hopes of resonating with the immigrant crowd — by buying smaller brands like Hormel Foods did with La Victoria Mexican products , Campbell Soup did with Pace Salsa , and B&G Foods did with Ortega . Goya banks on its own authenticity , developing all its own products along two basic principles : First , stick with tropical cuisines that share ingredients , like coconut milk and pigeon peas that can be adapted for Indian recipes ( they also sell imported Basmati rice and Jasmine rice for Thai food ) . Second , develop more convenient products that serve the upwardly mobile immigrant , like microwaveable rice and beans , low - sodium and sugar - free colas , baby food in Latin flavors and even stuff in squeeze tubes . And all the while , " You lose your authenticity . It becomes , ‘ Well , we do n ’ t really need you anymore , there ’ s all these other lines . You ’ re not that special . You ’ ve lost your reason for being . ’ " — Goya vice president Joe Perez Sometimes , though , Goya you ca n ’ t do it all itself . For its new line of baked beans , which have no Spanish on their shiny metallic labels , Goya partnered with another processor . If the product starts to sell well , Unanue says , they ’ ll bring the production in house . While charging into the 21st century , Goya is also a very old - world American company in many ways . It has a high cost structure , with a large sales force and labor - intensive delivery model . At the same time , its growth potential makes it an attractive acquisition target . Buyout offers come his way “ all the time , ” Unanue says . But he says he could n ’ t be less interested in selling to some megacorporation or hedge fund that might turn Goya into a financial instrument , like KKR did “ Sometimes , an outside company would come in and say , ‘ Well , the way you do business is very expensive , ’ ” Unanue says . “ We can cut costs , and then there ’ s hundreds of brokers out of jobs , hundreds of drivers out of jobs , and warehouse people , and we ’ re not serving the consumer . ” Plus , that might ultimately not be good for the business . Joe Perez takes Progresso Soup — now owned by General Mills — as a cautionary tale . “ Progresso in its day , the 1950s and 1960s , was the Goya of Italian food . And now what is Progresso ? It ’ s a soup company , ” Perez says . “ They were lulled into believing ‘ yes , go through the major chains , do n ’ t have a single focus , we ’ ll take these items only . ’ For two or America already has a Sysco foods , after all , which supplies general staples in bulk . What Goya is becoming is a Sysco for the new America , where chipotle is as common as ketchup . At the end of the day , what ’ s good for immigrant America is good for Goya . “ We are a country of immigrants , and thank goodness , ” he says . “ Because that way , we can tailor our product lines to all those who are coming in . ” Comment s Lydia DePillis Lydia DePillis was a reporter for The Washington Post ' s Financial desk . She left The Post in April 2016 .
|
[
"Goya",
"ethnic food",
"In Suk Pak"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2014/06/02/one-easy-way-to-end-gerrymandering-stop-letting-politicians-draw-their-own-districts/
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By Christopher Ingraham June 2 2014 Ive written a bit lately about the phenomenon of gerrymandered House districts in the 113th Congress and the decades leading up to it Its pretty clear that gerrymandering leads to lopsided party breakdowns in Congress which undermines the whole notion of representative government Just as important it undermines voters faith in the democratic process The burning question then can we do better The simplest and most obvious reform would be to take redistricting out of the hands of politicians completely Several states have already set up independent commissions to handle their redistricting California Arizona Washington and Idaho And now US Rep Alan Lowenthal DCalif who was behind the effort to bring an independent redistricting commission to his state has introduced legislation in the House that would do the same for the rest of the states I spoke with him recently about the process of getting the bill passed in California and the likelihood of doing the same nationwide Lowenthals Let the People Draw the Lines Act would create independent panels consisting of five Democrats five Republicans and four Independents These would be people who havent run for office who arent paid by either party and who havent contributed to either party Lowenthal says That group would follow set criteria for drawing maps and would hold public hearings throughout the state The commission would approve the maps and would not require legislative or governors approval If there was a legal challenge it would immediately go to federal district court Congress has tried to tackle the redistricting issue previously without much success Democrat Bruce Braley of Iowa currently has a bill out that would establish redistricting commissions as independent agencies of state legislative branches but keeps authority for approval of the plans with the legislatures Since politicians would still be very much in the drivers seat its hard to see how this would be much of an improvement over the current situation In the early 2000s Lowenthal introduced a bill similar to his current House bill in the California legislature when he was a state assemblyman representing the city of Long Beach Redistricting from the 2000 Census was happening at the time Lowenthal says the process was marked by a lot of horsetrading happening behind closed doors Republicans and Democrats got together to divvy everything up with the primary aim of protecting incumbents all around There was tremendous interest from Washington Lowenthal recalls Both parties wanted to make sure their incumbents were protected In 2003 Lowenthal along with a group of other assembly Democrats and Republicans first introduced legislation to create an independent redistricting commission Nobody wanted to support it Lowenthal said We couldnt even get a second in committee After a long uphill slog through the legislative process a version of the bill passed in 2010 seven years later Two factors were key growing popular pressure and the support of thengovernor Arnold Schwarzenegger Elected to the US House in 2012 Lowenthal promptly introduced the Let the People Draw the Lines Act to create similar independent redistricting commissions for the rest of the states The bill currently has only two cosponsors both freshman Democrats from California If Californias bill was a tough sell a national bill will be even harder according to govtrackus it has a 1 percent chance of being enacted Here just getting everyones attention in an environment where so little gets done I think its gonna be much more difficult Lowenthal says Its going to take a lot of pressure from the media from editorial boards from communities and from the people Getting a bill like this passed would require convincing legislators to vote some degree of power out of their own hands And if theres anything we know about congressmen its that they try to hold on to power at any cost There is such distrust in government today Lowenthal says This would be one small step of many to reestablish that trust But if the California bill is any example politicians arent going to budge on the measure without a huge amount of popular support behind it not to mention the efforts of a strong executive to push the bill across the finish line Voters seem to be stuck in a vicious cycle of cynicism and apathy they believe nothing will ever change in Congress so theyre disinclined to try to bring about change One telling statistic Voter dissatisfaction with incumbents is at record highs But so far only one incumbent has been voted out this primary season What do you think about turning redistricting over to independent committees Let me know in the comments Tomorrow Ill look at a solution that takes redistricting out of human hands completely
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[
"gerrymandered House"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2014/12/03/heres-exactly-how-the-united-states-spends-2-9-trillion-on-health-care/
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By Jason Millman December 3 , 2014 The United States spent $ 2.9 trillion on health care in 2013 , or about $ 9,255 per person , according to a new detailed accounting of the nation ' s health care dollars . The 2013 totals represent just 3.6 percent growth in national health spending from 2012 — the lowest annual growth rate since 1960 , according to a federal report published in the policy journal Health Affairs . It also marks the fifth straight year of low health spending growth , and it shows a slowdown from the 4.1 percent growth rate in 2012 . And for the fifth straight year , health care spending as a share of the economy held steady at 17.4 percent . The annual spending report from the CMS Office of the Actuary provides the most comprehensive look at where the nation ' s health care dollars go . Most of the $ 2.9 trillion is spent on hospital care ( $ 936.9 billion ) , physicians and clinical services ( $ 586.7 billion ) , and prescription drugs ( $ 271.1 billion ) . Here ' s how that spending breaks down : ( CMS Office of the Actuary ) That spending changes from year - to - year though . As the following chart shows , most health - care services saw a lower rate in spending growth in 2013 compared to 2012 . Prescription drug spending , which accounts for almost one in every 10 dollars spent on health care , saw modest spending growth after being pretty flat in 2012 . That ' s on the account of a number of blockbuster drugs getting generic competition in 2012 , while there were more new drug launches in 2013 than any of the past 10 years . The ongoing question — the one that matters for consumers and for state and federal budgets — is what ' s behind the slowdown in health spending growth in recent years . Is it a function of the slow recovery , or is the health - care system getting more efficient ? Officials from the CMS actuary ' s office says they ' re not surprised by the recent slowdown in health spending growth , since it usually tracks with GDP growth coming out of a recession . They point to the following chart , which tracks the growth in national health expenditures ( NHE ) against GDP growth : ( CMS Office of the Actuary ) At the same time , the actuary report cites a number of factors contributing to the slowdown that do n ' t seem to apply to the experience of previous recoveries . There ' s been significant recent growth in high - deductible health plans , which come with lower premiums and higher out - of - pocket costs , which could mean people use less heath care . The report also cites cuts to Medicare spending , through last year ' s budget sequester and the 2010 Affordable Care Act , as well as greater Medicaid drug rebates and And though private insurance enrollment grew 0.7 percent in 2013 — the third straight year of growth — the private insurance rolls in 2013 were still below pre - recession levels . That could change in 2014 , the first year of the ACA ' s coverage expansion . The actuary report also points out new pressures driving up health spending , such as the ACA ' s Medicaid expansion , the closing of Medicare ' s prescription drug doughnut hole and new fees on drugmakers . So what happens to health - care spending when the recovery gets stronger ? The CMS actuary ' s most recent projections predict that health spending will almost double to $ 5.2 trillion in 2023 , when it will account for 19.3 percent of the economy . Those projections come from September and are based on 2012 data , so they ' ll undergo revisions next year and in future years . All these shifting pieces are still playing out in the health - care system , and Wednesday ' s report concludes with this over - arching theme : " The balance of these and many other factors over the next few years will determine how historically low health spending growth from 2009 - 2013 is viewed : as the temporary aftermath of the great recession or the beginning of a new era . " Comment s Jason Millman Jason Millman covers all things health policy , with a focus on Obamacare implementation . He previously covered health policy for Politico . Follow
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[
"health care",
"United States",
"annual spending report"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/08/05/what-it-would-look-like-if-the-hiroshima-bomb-hit-your-city/
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Maps bring the horror of Hiroshima home - - literally By Ana Swanson August 5 , 2015 The Hiroshima A - bomb blast , photographed by the US military on 06 August 1945 . EPA / HIROSHIMA PEACE MEMORIAL MUSEUM Seventy years ago Thursday , the U.S. dropped an atomic uranium bomb on Hiroshima , Japan . The bomb , code - named Little Boy , killed 66,000 people , mostly civilians , and injured at least 69,000 more , according to estimates the U.S. Army made in 1946 After Japan refused to surrender in the following days , the U.S. dropped another bomb on Aug . 9 , this time on Nagasaki . That bomb , Fat Man , killed 39,000 and injured 25,000 more , according to the same Army report . Different sources provide different estimates for casualties and mortalities , and countless more people were likely affected by radiation , malnutrition and illness . Those bombs , the only nukes that have ever been used in war , helped bring an end to World War II , with Japan surrendering on Aug . 15 . They also allowed U.S. troops to avoid what would have likely been a deadly ground invasion of Japan . But that victory came at a great toll to humanity . Alex Wellerstein , a nuclear historian at the Stevens Institute of Technology , created a NukeMap that allows you to visualize what the Hiroshima and Nagasaki explosions would look like in your hometown . Kuang Keng Kuek Ser at Public Radio International has also developed a version , using slightly different estimates . Here is what Little Boy , the Hiroshima bomb , would look like on Wellerstein ' s map if detonated in Washington , D.C. An explanation of what the colors mean is below . Nuke Map , Alex Wellerstein The effects of a nuclear bomb depend a lot on the height of the detonation . Little Boy , a 15 kiloton bomb , was detonated higher in the air , increasing the size of its effects . As the key below shows , the area within the central yellow ring would be the maximum size of the nuclear fireball . The red ring shows the air blast radius , in which the pressure from the bomb is intense enough to severely damage or demolish heavily built concrete buildings , and fatalities approach 100 percent . The green ring shows the radiation radius . Without medical treatment , 50 to 90 percent of people within that circle will die from the acute affects of radiationalone , either within several hours or several weeks . The gray circle shows the air blast radius , in which pressure is high enough to knock over most residential buildings . Injuries are universal and fatalities are widespread , says Wellerstein . Finally , the yellow circle shows the thermal radiation radius . People within this circle would sustain third degree burns , which can cause severe scarring or disablement , and can require amputation . Wellerstein says those who are out in the open would fare far worse than those inside buildings . But either way , the resulting scene would be absolutely horrific . Here ' s what the Hiroshima explosion would look like if it hit New York City , using the same key as above . Most of lower Manhattan would likely be devastated . Nuke Map , Alex Wellerstein As Wellerstein ' s map shows , the bomb that hit Nagasaki , Fat Man , was actually even more destructive . That bomb was 20 kilotons , compared with 15 kilotons in Hiroshima . Here ' s what that would look like over New York City : If as if that ' s not scary enough , weapons technologies have progressed a lot in the past 70 years . The World War II weapons used fission , the process of splitting an atom . By the 1950s , the U.S. had figured out how to harness the power of fusion in bombs as well , making them much more powerful , Wellerstein says . In more recent decades , we ' ve focused on developing smaller weapons that are much more precise , but still destructive . " The idea here is that these bombs are maybe 20 times the power of Hiroshima , but are only the size of a trashcan , " says Wellerstein . Here ' s what a W - 87 , a 300 - kiloton weapon that is currently in the U.S. arsenal , would look like if detonated over D.C . Again , the green area is the radiation radius , and the yellow area is the nuclear fireball . The grey area is the air blast radius , which knocks down most residential buildings , and the yellow area is the thermal radiation radius , which results in third - degree burns as far as Mt . Rainer , Md . , and Arlington , Va . And here ' s what a 60 - kiloton bomb , the size of the largest nuclear bomb that India claims to have tested in 1998 , could do to New York . This time , the damage spreads well beyond Manhattan into Brooklyn and New Jersey . These maps bring home the absolute horror of nuclear war , and the experience of hundreds of thousands of people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki 70 years ago . In Wellerstein ' s description , the most terrifying aspect of Hiroshima was the chaos and confusion . People did n ' t realize at first that their city had been hit by a nuclear weapon . Most thought their house had been struck by a conventional bomb , and then gradually realized the devastation extended to the whole city . Many people died due to secondary fires that started when bomb destroyed houses and knocked over stoves . Others started feeling sick , vomiting , having miscarriages and eventually dying due to radiation poisoning , without really understanding what was happening to them . Japanese soldiers were slow to arrive , and could n ' t do much once they got there . Many people made their way to hospitals , only to find the building destroyed or the doctors sick or dead . “ It truly was a vision of hell , ” a woman who saw the bombing as a little girl recalled An Allied war correspondent stands amid the ruins of Hiroshima , Japan in 1945 , just weeks after the city was leveled by an atomic bomb . ( AP Photo ) You might also like : What ’ s across the ocean from you when you ’ re at the beach , in 7 fascinating maps A stunning new look from space at nature , North Korea and Chipotle Why half of the life you experience is over by age 7 Copy In Hiroshima , the horror is to be remembered View Photos As those that witnessed the blast from 70 years ago get older , they ’ re sharing their stories in hopes that it will never happen again . Comment s Ana Swanson Ana Swanson covered the economy , trade and the Federal Reserve for The Washington Post . She left The Post in August 2017 . Follow
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[
"Hiroshima",
"bomb",
"atomic uranium bomb"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/10/19/more-evidence-expanding-medicaid-increases-emergency-room-visits/
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More evidence expanding Medicaid increases emergency room visits By Carolyn Y Johnson October 19 2016 An emergency room entrance at a hospital in Santa Clarita Calif in 2011 AP PhotoJason Redmond When a provocative study showed that expanding Medicaid increased trips to the emergency room two years ago some supporters of health reform were disappointed and hoped that it would prove to be only a temporary spike After all the findings based on Oregons expansion of Medicaid in 2008 challenged the key assumption that lowincome people who gained insurance coverage would go to primary care doctors instead of relying on emergency rooms Critics of the law pointed to the study as evidence that the states that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act were making a mistake The surge in emergency room visits wasnt temporary at two years and counting according to a new study in the New England Journal of Medicine led by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology I think its yet another example of why economists were called the dismal science for a reason Theres no free lunch said Amy Finkelstein a professor of economics at MIT We see the increase of utilization doesnt show any time pattern It just seems to persist over the two years Obamacare exchange signups fall short of forecasts Finkelstein is drawing on an unusual opportunity in health care policy a true experiment that occurred in 2008 when Oregon expanded Medicaid to people on a waiting list through a randomized lottery That randomization allowed researchers to compare people who got coverage with those who did not According to the new study people who gained Medicaid visited the emergency room about 65 percent more often than individuals who did not gain Medicaid in the first six months and the trend continued out to two years The estimates of increased emergency department use at 12 months 18 months and 24 months are similar and for the most part statistically indistinguishable from each other the authors wrote People covered by Medicaid were more likely to both see a physician at a regular office visit and also go to the emergency room casting doubt on the idea that people were using health coverage to shift their health care to a primary care doctor Michael Strain an economist at the American Enterprise Institute said the findings support the idea that the increased emergency department use wasnt just an implementation effect and adds to the case that Medicaid needs to be reformed Theres always been this kind of assumption that theres this pentup demand for primary care and if only people had insurance to receive primary care they would get it Strain said pointing out that many primary care doctors dont even accept Medicaid I do think that this suggests our Medicaid program isnt what we would hope it would be To economists these results havent actually been all that surprising Making something nearly free in this case emergency room visits often means people will use more of it A Health Affairs study published in August found that expanding Medicaid did not increase emergency room visits overall but who paid for them did shift In 2014 visits by Medicaid patients increased while uninsured visits decreased according to the study Ezekiel Emanuel a top White House health policy adviser during Obamas first term now at the University of Pennsylvania said that the best way to reduce emergency room visits would be to change how health care is paid for He pointed to a program in Seattle in which home health care workers faced an increased copay for using an emergency room compared to urgent care Changing payment systems he argues can incentivize doctors and patients to act differently Right now those incentives dont exist and the system is built so that the path of least resistance may be the emergency room for many patients Emanuel was especially struck by a quote in the study from a patient who was sent to the emergency room by a doctor Your blood sugar is way too high Its going to take us hours to get it down So you need to go to the ER the patient reported being told during a regular office visit We have a system that hasnt actually changed both on the physician side and on the patient side and I think thats what were seeing here Emanuel said We know we can change emergency room practices but its not the kind of thing where just giving someone insurance or a primary care doctor is going to do it Read More How the doctorpatient relationship has become a prisoners dilemma This controversial rule could change how doctors profit from using the most expensive drugs Carolyn Y Johnson Carolyn Johnson is a science reporter She previously covered the business of health and the affordability of health care to consumers
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[
"Medicaid"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/05/03/the-government-is-going-to-try-to-convince-you-to-like-gmo-foods/
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By Caitlin Dewey May 3 2017 A Monsanto employee discusses genetically modified corn at the SXSW booth for the group GMO Answers an education initiative funded by companies including Dow Agrosciences and Monsanto Erich SchlegelAP The Food and Drug Administration will fund a campaign to promote genetically modified organisms in food under a bipartisan agreement to keep the government funded through the end of September The deal to avert a government shutdown which passed the Senate by a vote of 79 to 18 Thursday allocates 3 million to consumer outreach and education regarding agricultural biotechnology which includes genetic engineering of food and commodity crops The money is to be used to tout the environmental nutritional food safety economic and humanitarian impacts of biotech crops and their derivative food products Were having the wrong argument about GMOs More than 50 agriculture and food industry groups had signed on to an April 18 letter urging the funding to counter a tremendous amount of misinformation about agricultural biotechnology in the public domain But some environmental groups and House Democrats have derided the provision as a governmentsponsored public relations tour for the GMO industry It is not the responsibility of the FDA to mount a governmentcontrolled propaganda campaign to convince the American public that genetically modified foods are safe said Rep Nita M Lowey DNY who attempted to get the measure struck from the bill last month The FDA has to regulate the safety of our food supply and medical devices They are not nor should they be in the proindustry advertising business Lowey said during a congressional hearing Its unclear what the FDA campaign will look like or when it will launch The 3 million allocated is little more than a speck in the FDAs total allocated budget of 28 billion The budget specifies only that the initiative be developed in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and include the publication and distribution of sciencebased educational information An attempt by Democrats to redirect the projects funding to pediatric medical projects within FDA was unanimously voted down by Republicans A 2016 study by the Pew Research Center found that 39 percent of American adults believe that genetically modified foods are worse for health than their conventional equivalents an assessment with which the vast majority of scientists disagree Nearly 90 percent of the members of the American Association for the Advancement of Science believe GMOs are safe to eat according to another Pew study Clearly communication of the benefits of biotechnology from the scientific community has not gone well and this presents an opportunity to engage with the public in a more meaningful dialogue said Mark Rieger the dean of the University of Delawares College of Agriculture and Natural Resources who signed the industry letter We see it as a communication issue not a political one But critics argue the issue is inherently political given the financial ties between lawmakers and the ag biotech industry According to the Center for Responsive Politics agribusiness interests donated more than 263 million to political campaigns including those of several congressmen who sit on the House agriculture appropriations subcommittee Rep Robert B Aderholt RAla the chair of that subcommittee and a defender of the GMO education funding received 10000 from Monsanto in 2016 This is a really clear example of big ag influencing policy said Dana Perls the senior food and technology campaigner for the environmental group Friends of the Earth The Trump administration is putting big ag before consumer desire and public health Consumers do not want this Critics have also wondered whether its the governments job to communicate this particular information and whether that information as written in the budget oversteps what scientists really know While theres a widespread consensus that GM crops are safe there are valid and lingering questions about the environmental and social impacts of GMOs Last year an academic analysis of 14 years of farm data found that an uptick in GM seed plantings goes handinhand with increased herbicide use for instance Some herbicides have been found to contribute to health problems in animals and humans Many of the touted benefits of GMOs havent materialized either argues Andy Kimbrell the executive director of the Center for Food Safety a DC nonprofit that has filed numerous legal challenges against the makers of GM crops An October analysis by the New York Times found that the technology does not significantly increase yields And few GM products with tangible consumer benefits such as better taste or nutrition have yet made it onto the US market So yes that gives them a marketing problem Kimbrell said But Monsanto has plenty of money to advocate for GMOs Why do we need to use taxpayer dollars One possible answer from industrys perspective is that taxpayer dollars are already funding a Department of Agriculture initiative to label GM foods Last year Congress passed a bill mandating that food companies disclose the GM ingredients in their products and USDA has said it is actively working on the standards for those labels Patrick Delaney a spokesman for the American Soybean Association said it will be important for consumers to understand those labels once they roll out likely after September 2018 We recognize that there is a need for better and more accessible information on what this technology is and what it provides to consumers he said by email We supported and still support that 3 million in funding for biotech education to better inform the public about the use of biotechnology in food and agricultural production Correction This story originally said that the Food and Drug Administration was working on an initiative to label GMO foods The effort to develop those labels is based at the Department of Agriculture The Post regrets the error More from Wonkblog Industry is counting on Trump to back off rules that tell you whats in your food The apple that never browns wants to change your mind about genetically modified foods Your organic milk may not be organic
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[
"Food and Drug Administration",
"GMO foods"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2018/06/06/we-try-to-solve-the-great-nebraska-mobile-home-mystery/
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Max Soto 56 walks toward his mobile home in May in Guymon Okla Matt McClainThe Washington Post By Andrew Van Dam June 6 When the Wall Street Journal reported that Nebraskas housing shortage was making it nigh on impossible for needed workers to move there the logical reaction was Why dont they just plop down a few manufactured or modular homes and live there until the construction sector catches up It came up on Twitter where University of Colorado at Boulder economist Miles Kimball asked Arent sudden surges in housing needs like this what mobile homes are for It pops up again and again in the comments below the story where one person asked Okay so why isnt the prefabricated home industry being tapped to place houses in rural areas Why trailer parks are all over rural America but not Iowa Its a critical question for Nebraska which is facing an unusual quandary Employers there seem willing to pay more to attract workers Average weekly earnings have grown faster in Nebraska since 2014 than in all but two states Delaware and Washington Its unemployment rate is fourthlowest in the United States over the past year 28 percent compared with a nationwide 42 percent over that time as employers raise wages to compete for scarce workers But workers arent biting Nebraska job growth ranks 40th in the country since 2014 All rankings include the District of Columbia What gives As the Journal article noted part of the answer has to be the lack of housing According to Zillow Research only two other places in the entire country California and the District had tighter housing inventory over the past year Only 1 in every 184 or so housing units in the state were for sale in any given month that makes available homes about 17 times as scarce than they are in the country as a whole So whats holding Nebraska back from adopting what seems like a nobrainer shortterm solution The obvious answer was that mobile homes suffer from decades of stigma and their use is falling nationwide even as they become safer and more loaded with amenities But stigma alone cant fully explain the Nebraska situation where the Journal reported that employers are abandoning expansion plans because they cant find labor and the state is granting millions of dollars to local governments to help create affordable housing Here are the three other possible explanations Problem one Land prices The greatest asset of many Nebraska farm towns that theyre surrounded by what Nebraskan Ron Ratzlaff owner of Lifetime Modular Homes in York Neb called the best land in the world is also a secret weakness It hems them in Nearby farmland is so valuable that farmers arent always willing to sell Home builders arent just competing with one another for land theyre competing with the generations of crops it could otherwise produce In Omaha housing costs enough that builders can afford to overcome that resistance But a margin that makes sense on a 229250 stickbuilt home in the big city doesnt work for a 48700 entrylevel mobile unit in a rural town Indeed over the past decade farmers been so hellbent on wringing every last bushel of wheat or corn from the countryside that according to the Agriculture Department Nebraska has outstripped all but two states both in terms of growth in crop acres planted and in terms of the speed at which farmland is getting pricier The only exceptions are its northern neighbors the Dakotas Ratzlaff has been in the manufactured and modular home business for 50 years Hes also a devoted hunter who remembers a time not long ago when he could head out and bag three or four pheasants in one morning Now its been at least two years since hes even seen that many pheasants in a day all the marginal land where they used to nest has been plowed under to fit more crops If the farmers arent leaving enough room for a pheasant nest then they definitely dont have enough room to sell off edge lots for entrylevel housing Problem two The hidden costs of higher standards In Nebraska mobilehome retailers say its not just land costs that have lifted prices Its now more expensive to stick a mobile home into the ground In December 2015 the Department of Housing and Urban Development began enforcing strict installation standards in Nebraska and other states that lacked local oversight Most notably new homeowners are forced to spend an estimated 3000 to 8000 to lay a footing or foundation that will protect the home from being damaged when the ground underneath shifts as it freezes The cost isnt always covered by financing which makes it unattainable to many buyers On an entrylevel home installation cost could surpass the down payment Nebraska mobilehome retailers say the rules seem overzealous and appear especially cruel because the residents typically dont own the plot of land into which theyre pouring thousands of dollars Furthermore the custombuilt foundations arent guaranteed to fit the next home to use the lot and theyll have to go through the entire costly process again when they move HUD has nearly killed the manufactured homes with their stupid regulations Ratzlaff said Industry consultant Mark Conte argued however that preparing the foundation properly and installing the homes in line with federal standards would pay off in the long run and would help disprove the homes reputation as tornado magnets In my almost 30 years in the industry Ive never seen a manufactured home personally when it was properly anchored and supported that did blow away Conte said Problem three Financing Retailers often pointed to lack of financing as a key reason they couldnt sell more homes This has been felt acutely in Nebraska where the outofstate job hunters small towns hope to attract with affordable housing are often the same individuals who are finding it difficult to secure loans If youre looking at a 60000 house more than likely you dont have the best job and you dont have the best credit said Daryl Mouw of Swanson Homes in Lincoln Neb He added that even with credit scores above 700 manufacturedhome purchasers often face unfavorable terms Ron Anderson of Lonnies Homes in Schuyler Neb said as many as 4 out of 5 potential customers including one who had half of the purchase price in cash as a down payment had failed to be approved for financing at local banks recently Theyre turning away customers who could easily afford a home Anderson said Most manufactured homes are financed with chattel loans that have more in common with a car loan than a traditional mortgage Theyre secured only by the home itself not by the land underneath which is often leased from a mobilehome park Like a car the home tends to depreciate and interest rates and downpayment requirements are higher than youd see on a standard 30year fixedrate mortgage Lenders have been reluctant to enter the mobilehome space since the spectacular implosion of Green Tree which in the 1990s singlehandedly created a nationwide mobilehomespecific preview of the later greater housing crisis Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac may change that with a plan to purchase tens of thousands of manufacturedhome mortgages and perhaps even chattel loans over the coming years The goal is to entice more lenders into the market and help fulfill the companies mandate to provide affordable housing rural housing and manufactured housing
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[
"Nebraska",
"Andrew Van Dam"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2014/05/27/what-language-did-jesus-speak-the-pope-and-israels-prime-minister-disagree/
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WorldViews What language did Jesus speak ? The pope and Israel ’ s prime minister disagree . By Ishaan Tharoor May 27 , 2014 Pope Francis and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended a memorial ceremony at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem on Monday . ( EPA / Abir Sultan ) Pope Francis carried out a headline - grabbing three - day tour of the Holy Land , visiting refugees , hugging clerics and honoring the victims of the Holocaust . But perhaps the most interesting moment of the trip came during an exchange with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a meeting in Jerusalem . The Israeli premier and the pope found occasion for a slight historical quibble . " Jesus was here , in this land . He spoke Hebrew , " Netanyahu told the pope , through an interpreter . " Aramaic , " the pontiff immediately corrected . " He spoke Aramaic , but he knew Hebrew , " offered Netanyahu . You can watch the full exchange below ( it takes place around the one minute - mark ) . Netanyahu is addressing the Spanish - speaking , Argentine pope in Hebrew , which is translated by the interpreter into Italian . Your browser does not currently recognize any of the video formats available . Click here to visit our frequently asked questions about HTML5 video . Reaction on social media was swift , with many siding with the Pope ' s correction . Reza Aslan , author of a recent , best - selling popular history of Jesus , chimed in : And no . Jesus did n ' t speak Hebrew . He may have understood it but it was n ' t primary spoken language . He spoke Aramaic . http : / / t . co / x7S4HBnJxh — Reza Aslan ( @ rezaaslan ) May 26 , 2014 Neither Netanyahu nor the pope was wrong , but the question is a matter of emphasis . There ' s scholarly consensus that the historical Jesus principally spoke Aramaic , the ancient Semitic language which was the everyday tongue in the lands of the Levant and Mesopotamia . Hebrew was more the preserve of clerics and religious scholars , a written language for holy scriptures . Even so , certain portions of the Old Testament are written in Aramaic , a sign of its prevalence in Jewish antiquity . ( There remain those , particularly devout Christians , who dispute Aramaic ' s primacy at the time . ) Aramaic and Hebrew are from the same family ; the former ' s script likely informed both written Hebrew and Arabic . Like most languages , Aramaic spread through centuries of conquest , spurred by the invasions of the Assyrian and later Persian empires . A version of it is spoken by communities of Chaldaean Christians in Iraq and Syria . Last year , when a historic Christian town near Damascus fell to Syrian rebels , Western media warned of Islamists planting their flag among those who still speak the language of Jesus . In the age of the historical Jesus , Aramaic was confronted by new imperial realities : The whole of the Levant , including Judaea , the ancient province that contains Jerusalem and Bethlehem , was part of the Roman empire . The historical Jesus probably did not speak Latin . The lingua franca through much of the eastern Roman world was Greek , and he could have picked up a few words of that Mediterranean tongue from traders plying its caravan routes . The gospels carried down by tradition were written in Greek - - a crucial link that cemented eastern Roman empire Netanyahu ' s desire to link Jesus to Hebrew carries with it a very modern concern . It ' s a gesture attempting to bridge Jesus to the modern Israeli state , where Hebrew has been made the dominant language , superseding the polyglot dialects of the Jewish diaspora . It also echoes a competing strain of rhetoric from some Arabs who claim that Jesus was a Palestinian , born in what is now the occupied West Bank . Netanyahu likes to make historical allusions . In speeches , he frequently mentions his possession of a near 3,000 - year - 0ld golden signet ring , found by archaeologists near the Western Wall . It is inscribed " Netanyahu " - - " That ' s my last name , " he reminded everyone at a speech at the U.N. General Assembly in 2011 . Invoked this way , the Israeli premier was explaining his ( and Israel ' s ) unbreakable bond to the city of Jerusalem , whose geographic east is contested by the Palestinians . But Netanyahu ' s father was born in Warsaw with the last name Mileikowsky and only adopted Netanyahu upon moving to Israel . Identities , like languages , are malleable things . Comment s
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[
"Pope Francis",
"visiting refugees",
"Israeli premier"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2014/12/03/7-countries-where-you-can-become-a-citizen-or-resident-if-you-have-the-cash/
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WorldViews 7 countries where you can become a citizen or resident — if you have the cash By Rick Noack December 3 , 2014 In this photograph taken on January 25 , 2013 , stateless Arabs , locally known as bidoons , hold signs demanding Kuwaiti citizenship during a demonstration in Jahra , 31 miles northwest of Kuwait City . ( YASSER AL - ZAYYAT / AFP via Getty Images ) As countries in the Middle East and Europe struggle with a surge in refugees and the United States debates immigration reform , the oil - rich kingdom of Kuwait is pursuing an unusual solution to a similar problem . It announced last month that it would offer citizenship to tens of thousands of stateless people from nomadic Bidoon tribes - - . . .
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[
"United States",
"Europe",
"refugees"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2015/09/10/president-obama-directs-administration-to-accept-at-least-10000-syrian-refugees-in-the-next-fiscal-year/
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By Juliet Eilperin and Carol Morello September 10 , 2015 President Obama has directed the U.S. government to accept at least 10,000 refugees from Syria in the next fiscal year , White House press secretary Josh Earnest announced Thursday , a six - fold increase over the number admitted this year to the United States . The new figure , which Earnest described as an “ ambitious goal , ” reflected the growing pressure the administration faces to develop a more robust response to the spiraling humanitarian crisis that has grown out of armed conflict in Syria as well as neighboring countries . Earnest also urged other nations in Europe and the Mideast — including some that do n ’ t typically welcome asylum seekers — to “ ramp up ” their willingness to take in Syrian refugees . The administration ’ s response comes as a top European Union official earlier this week proposed spreading about 160,000 refugees across nearly two dozen countries . So far , the United States has lagged far behind several European countries in its refu gee aid efforts , largely due to the time - consuming screening procedure to block Islamist militants and criminals from entering the United States under the guise of being legitimate refugees . Almost 1,600 Syrian refugees have arrived in the United States since the civil war began , according to State Department figures . Many of the Syrians so far have ended up moving to Michigan and California , where there are sizeable Arabic - speaking communities and where they often have family living already , said Kevin Appleby , director of migration policy for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops , which helps resettle a quarter of all refugees to this country . When asylum seekers accepted for resettlement first arrive in the United States , most go to orientation programs run by a coalition of faith - based and refugee non - profit groups . These groups receive federal funds to help welcome the arriving refugees , determine the best place in the country for them to relocate , find housing , learn some English and start looking for jobs . As refugees , they are eligible for Medicaid and become permanent residents authorized to work in the country . After a year , they are eligible for a green card , and five years after that , they can become U.S. citizens . “ We want them to be able to transition to self - sufficiency , ” Appleby said . “ The idea of the program is to stay . They could return , but most of them will stay . Then they ’ ll try to petition for families to join them if they can . ” As both American and European Union officials scrambled this week to fashion a response to the massive influx of refugees from the Mideast and North Africa , former administration officials and foreign affairs experts said the current predicament underscored how leaders in both regions had failed to adequately assess the risks posed by the ongoing crises in Syria and Iraq . Europeans leaders have struggled to unite over a plan , with some countries such as Germany welcoming refugees and others such as Hungary being staunchly resistant . In the United States , the administration has faced pressure from some lawmakers to do more . Copy Migrants ’ desperate quest to cross into Europe View Photos More than 332,000 people have reached the continent this year . Julie Smith , who served as deputy national security adviser to Vice President Biden from April 2012 to June 2013 , said that while the administration has repeatedly looked at how to cope with instability in the region but did not anticipate this chain of events . “ It was hard for us in 2011 , 2012 to look this far out and imagine how bad this could actually get , ” she said . “ There were many points in this crisis where it looked like [ Syrian President Bashar ] Assad would fall and the rebels would win the day . We allowed that optimism to color our policy ” decisions . “ Shame on all of us for not thinking this through , ” said Smith , who directs the Strategy and Statecraft Program at the Center for a New American Security . Robert Ford , who served as U.S. deputy ambassador to Iraq between 2008 and 2010 and then U.S. ambassador to Syria from 2011 to 2014 , said top policymakers were aware that as Iraq became increasingly unstable in 2012 and 2013 , “ there was an understanding the humanitarian situation would get worse and worse as the security situation deteriorated . ” But he added , “ I do n ’ t think in 2012 and 2013 anyone had in their heads there would be tens of thousands of Syrian boat people going into Europe . ” “ I do n ’ t think anybody ’ s really surprised that this is happening , ” said Ford , now a scholar at the Middle East Institute . “ It ’ s a different question to ask what is to be done . ” Lawmakers from both parties have expressed some openness to supporting the admission to additional refugees , even as a few of them have faulted the administration for not doing more to address the root crisis in Syria . Sen . Jeff Flake ( R - Ariz . ) and Sen . Tim Kaine ( D - Va . ) , both members of the Foreign Relations Committee , expressed support for the number released Thursday . “ That ’ s showing we ’ re playing our role with the international community , ” Kaine said . “ But there needs to be a conversation . . . about what the upstream strategy is to halt the flow of these refugees from a pretty horrible situation . ” Like many Republicans , Sen . John Cornyn of Texas called the refugee crisis a result of President Obama ’ s failure to properly deal with the Syrian civil war . He suggested proposals to raise the existing U.S. cap on refugee resettlements amounted to “ a Band - Aid on a bullet hole . . . an inconsequential patch . ” But Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush said that while he had n ' t seen the specifics of the administration ' s plan , he thought this country needed to participate . " We have been a country that has allowed refugees to come in and over the long haul it ' s been to our benefit . " Others were disappointed , saying the figure was insufficient . Among them were officials with the non - profit and faith - based groups that sent a letter to Obama Wednesday asking the refugee cap be raised from 70,000 to 200,000 , with 100,000 slots allocated just for refugees from Syria . “ It ’ s a symbolic gesture , ” said Appleby with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops . “ It ’ s not going to ease the burden in any significant way for Europe or countries in the Middle East . ” David Miliband , president and chief executive of the International Rescue Committee said the announcement was " cold comfort to the victims of the Syrian conflict . " The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has submitted more than 18,000 names to the U.S. government . But it takes 18 to 24 months for the average Syrian refu gee to be investigated and granted refu gee status . Earnest emphasized Thursday that while the announcement was a way of scaling up the administration ’ s response to the crisis , “ it does not , however , reflect the intent by the administration to cut any corners when it comes to the security protocols that are in place , prior to any refugee traveling to the United States . ” The United States ranks as the largest donor to the Syrian refugee crisis , and Jon B . Alterman , who directs the Middle East program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies , said in an interview that part of the motivation behind that aid “ has been about keeping the problem over there , and not having it come over here . ” A senior administration official , who asked for anonymity in order to discuss internal deliberations , said Obama ’ s aides had been working for months to determine the upper limit of Syrian refugees they could accept . “ The president pushed his team to come up with an aggressive number that was feasible in the short term , recognizing this is a small part of the overall response , but an important part , ” the official said . On Thursday , Earnest emphasized that the decision to admit more people displaced by Syria ’ s ongoing civil war should not be interpreted as a reason people should “ entrust themselves or their loved ones to a human trafficker or somebody who claims that they can get them into the United States . ” White House officials have also made it clear that they have no intention of dispatching more troops to the Middle East , even as they emphasized that a political resolution to the fighting represents the only long - term response to the current humanitarian crisis . “ Well , I do want it to be clear that ultimately the refugee crisis is a symptom of the horrendous conditions in Syria , and that ultimately a lot of these refugees would presumably want to return home once conditions are safe , “ said White House principal deputy secretary Eric Schultz Wednesday . “ So at the end of the day , the only true resolution to this will be a Syria that is safe for them to return home to . ” Faysal Itani , a resident fellow at the Atlantic Council , said in an interview that he does n ’ t “ anticipate that there would be a major shift in U.S. policy toward the Syrian conflict , regardless of the scale of the refugee problem . ” But he added that even before the recent arrival of so many refugees on European soil , top administration officials had been discussing how to introduce “ bit more nuance , and a bit more flexibility ” into their resettlement program for Syrian refugees . “ There ’ s a humanitarian strain ” in the administration , Itani said , that had manifested itself in the policy discussions surrounding Syrian refugees . “ It ' s not the dominant one , but it ’ s there . ” Mike DeBonis and Ed O ' Keefe contributed to this report . Read more : Kerry : U.S. will take in more Syrian refugees The refugee crisis could actually be a boon for Germany This extended Syrian family made it to Hungary : ' What happens next ? ' Comment s
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[
"U.S. government",
"ambitious goal"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2015/12/31/huge-fire-engulfs-hotel-in-downtown-dubai/
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WorldViews Huge fire engulfs high - rise hotel in downtown Dubai By Adam Taylor and Azhar AlFadl Miranda December 31 , 2015 DUBAI – A fire broke out at the Address Hotel in downtown Dubai on Thursday just hours before a planned New Year ' s Eve fireworks display nearby . The fire erupted as people gathered for the celebration at the Address complex , which includes the world ' s tallest building , the Burj Khalifa . The hotel , which includes luxury residences , is located near the skyscraper , the centerpiece for an extravagant fireworks display designed to ring in the new year . The city ' s media office announced on Twitter that at least 14 people were slightly injured , one was moderately injured and one person suffered a heart attack . Despite the situation at the Address Hotel , the nearby New Year ' s Eve celebration went ahead as planned . A number of guests told The Washington Post that the evacuation was well organized . " I was on the 45th floor , the fire was on the opposite side . However , our room was full of smoke , " said one 47 - year - old tourist who did not want to be named , adding that the " evacuation was extremely professional " and carried out by hotel security staff . About an hour before the planned midnight fireworks , Dubai ' s media office said that about 90 percent of the blaze was under control and that the New Year ' s Eve celebrations would go ahead . The Address , capped by an iconic fin design , is part of the complex anchored by the Burj Khalifa and including palm - lined walkways , lagoons , a huge mall and a “ dancing fountain ” programmed to send huge jets of water choreographed to music . It is not clear what caused the fire , which Dubai ' s media office said started on the 20th floor . Photos and videos from the scene are being widely shared on social media . Dubai right now ! # horrific ! ! Address Hotel on fire pic . twitter . com / Q5qzGuBYRO — Atieh S ( @ AtiehS ) December 31 , 2015 I ' m next to The Address in Dubai where a sudden fire enveloped the building . Started from a terrace & raced up . pic . twitter . com / p8OWF6NIW5 — Omar Abdullah ( @ abdullah_omar ) It started from a tiny fire & in no time at all spread all the way up the building # Dubai # AddressFire pic . twitter . com / rykqos5Euj — Omar Abdullah ( @ abdullah_omar ) AlFadl Miranda reported from Dubai and Taylor from Washington . Brian Murphy contributed to this post . More on WorldViews How the story of two fires reveals the UAE ' s great inequities Comment s
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[
"Huge fire",
"Hotel",
"downtown Dubai"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/a-lost-letter-from-ronald-reagan-to-his-dying-father-in-law-shows-the-presidents-faith/2018/09/14/5aaab8c0-b140-11e8-9a6a-565d92a3585d_story.html
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By Karen Tumulty Columnist September 14 2018 Something tugged at Ronald Reagan on that otherwise slow August weekend in 1982 Again at the WH the president noted in his diary More of Saturdays work plus a long letter I have to write to Loyal Im afraid for him His health is failing badly Loyal Davis Reagans fatherinlaw and a pioneering neurosurgeon was just days away from death Something else worried Reagan The dying man was by most definitions of the word an atheist I have never been able to subscribe to the divinity of Jesus Christ nor his virgin birth I dont believe in his resurrection or a heaven or hell as places Davis once wrote If we are remembered and discussed with pleasure and happiness after death this is our heavenly reward Reagan on the other hand believed everyone would face a day of judgment and that Daviss was near So the most powerful man in the world put everything else aside took pen in hand and set out on an urgent mission to rescue one soul Dear Loyal Reagan began I hope youll forgive me for this but Ive been wanting to write you ever since we talked on the phone Im aware of the strain you are under and believe with all my heart there is help for that The letter dated Aug 7 is not part of the presidential records publicly available at the Reagan Library I came across it earlier this year in a cardboard box of Nancy Reagans personal effects The library gave me access to them as part of my research on a biography of the late first lady I quote the letter here with permission of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute which has also allowed The Washington Post to reproduce it Document Zoom Page 1 of 4 Read here the full text of the letter transcribed and annotated The discovery of this intimate missive four pages of White House stationery randomly tucked in a file stopped me You do not have to be a believer yourself or believe that Reagans policies were perfectly aligned with Christian teachings to appreciate what this private letter said about him I could sense Reagans earnest intensity how carefully he had collected his thoughts Not a word of his small round script was crossed out Had he written and revised several versions sending the one that said just what he wanted it to Near the end were three watery smudges Spilled coffee Someones later tears His language did not have the speechwriterpolished sheen we associate with the president who came to be known as the Great Communicator It was an intimate humble profession of faith He was Ronnie assuring his fatherinlaw Weve been promised this is only a part of life and that a greater glory awaits us It was a miracle Reagan wrote that a young man of 30 yrs without credentials as a scholar or priest had more impact on the world than all the teachers scientists emperors generals and admirals who ever lived all put together Either he was who he said he was or he was the greatest faker charlatan who ever lived But would a liar faker suffer the death he did Religious faith for better or worse is a proxy in our politics offered as proof that those who lead us start from a foundation of values Americans seem to expect piety from their presidents Polls over the years suggest at least 4 out of 10 would not support an otherwisequalified candidate who does not believe in God Reagan represented a conundrum for social conservatives He had arisen from the Gomorrah of Hollywood divorced signed the most liberal abortion law in the country when he was California governor and rarely set foot inside a church while president Another letter from Reagans mother shows his faith setting out for Hollywood But he managed to marshal an army of fundamentalists in 1980 to defeat a bornagain Christian Jimmy Carter who taught Sunday school and who was married to his hometown sweetheart That election marked the emergence of the religious right as a force in politics These days Reagans name is regularly invoked by evangelical leaders as they are pressed to explain the suspect bargain they have made with a hedonistic narcissistic president who seems to be driven by no moral code All of this has engendered a certain cynicism about what Reagan actually believed Does it really matter what a president carries in his heart and how he lives his personal life Or are the only things to consider the size of his tax cuts and the tilt of his judicial nominees Some supporters of President Trump have even gone so far as to slander the 40th president in service of the 45th In July amid a new round of furor over Trumps alleged extramarital affairs with an adultfilm star and a Playboy model Robert Jeffress pastor of the First Baptist Church in Dallas chuckled and told Fox News that weve been here before Reagan Jeffress declared had been a known womanizer in his acting days The truth is Reagan was devastated when his first wife actress Jane Wyman left him In a few intervening years before he married Nancy Davis he had an active social life chronicled by the gossip columns A newly created bachelor is watched like a hawk and a simple dinner date becomes a new romance he once lamented But there is no evidence that he was anything but devoted to Nancy after they wed The couple was routinely mocked for their starryeyed affection The letter to his fatherinlaw the only man who would ever come close to Ronnie in Nancys estimation revealed how marital fidelity intertwined with Reagans religious beliefs He saw it not only as a source of happiness in this life but a reward in the next Loyal Davis and Nancys mother Edith who themselves experienced early divorces were in many ways a model for the Reagan marriage Loyal you and Edith have known a great love more than many have been permitted to know That love will not end with the end of this life Reagan wrote all that is required is that you believe and tell God you put yourself in his hands Did the letter have any impact Nancy Reagan who was with Loyal Davis when he died and who saved the letter he received from his soninlaw would later claim that her father did turn to God at the end of his life Two days before his death on Aug 19 1982 Davis sought out a hospital chaplain and prayed with him Nancy said I noticed he was calmer and not as frightened A deathbed conversion That may have been a daughters wishful thinking One thing however is certain something that should not be lost as religious people rationalize their political allegiances today Faith was not an electoral stratagem for Ronald Reagan his private words show it was his starting point and the core of who he was
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[
"Ronald Reagan"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/george-washington-saw-america-as-a-safe-place-for-jews-trumps-america-isnt/2018/10/28/e21ea6e6-dade-11e8-b3f0-62607289efee_story.html
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By Dana Milbank Columnist October 28 2018 George Washington in his 1790 letter to the Touro Synagogue in Newport RI told Jews they would be safe in the new nation The government of the United States gives to bigotry no sanction to persecution no assistance he wrote May the children of the stock of Abraham who dwell in this land continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other inhabitants while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree and there shall be none to make him afraid Though that assurance has been tested the United States has endured as a safe haven for Jews Now President Trump has violated Washingtons compact He has given sanction to bigotry and assistance to persecution After the shooting in Pittsburgh which the AntiDefamation League believes is the deadliest antiSemitic attack in US history there is no longer safety under the vine and fig tree I had been dreading and expecting this day and more like it for two years This was more than predictable it was predicted After Trumps presidential campaign began with genteel antiSemitism progressed to dog whistles and ended with a fullthroated targeting of Jewish globalists I wrote on Election Day that the results would be coming in on the 78th anniversary of Kristallnacht the infamous night of Nazi violence and vandalism against German Jews I pray that on this solemn anniversary Americans tell Donald Trump and the world that we are never going back there People arrive for a vigil at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh on Sunday Brendan SmialowskiAFPGetty Images After Charlottesville when Trump said there were very fine people marching among the neoNazis chanting Jews will not replace us I wrote about my daughters fear of returning to Hebrew school because of violence armed white supremacists had chanted Sieg Heil and forced worshipers to flee a Charlottesville synagogue Consider some of the many times Trump gave sanction to bigotry before 11 worshipers were shot dead at the Tree of Life Telling Jewish Republicans they wouldnt support him because I dont want your money Tweeting an image from an antiSemitic message board with a Star of David atop a pile of cash Saying I dont have a message for supporters who threatened antiSemitic violence against a Jewish journalist and Melania Trump saying the writer provoked the threats Branding his campaign with the America First slogan of the antiSemitic prewar movement Alleging that blood suckers and a global power structure including international banks are secretly plotting against ordinary Americans And when urged by the AntiDefamation League to stop using traditionally antiSemitic tropes repeating the tropes in an ad with images of prominent Jews including George Soros Once in office in addition to making common cause with the Nazis of Charlottesville Trump stocked his administration with Stephen K Bannon and other figures of the nationalist altright hesitated to condemn the rise of antiSemitic threats and vandalism issued a Holocaust remembrance statement without mention of Jews lamented the attempts to silence Alex Jones who peddles antiSemitic conspiracy theories and declaring himself a nationalist increased verbal attacks on globalists particularly Soros Supposedly American Jews are protected by Trumps daughter Ivanka marrying into the faith or by Trumps fondness for Israels nationalist policies But it doesnt work that way The ADL reports a 57 percent rise in antiSemitic incidents in 2017 Other groups Trump targets African Americans Latinos Muslims have long experienced this and worse a man in Kentucky last week allegedly tried to enter a black church before killing two black people at a supermarket It is the new normal though for Jewish journalists and public figures to endure routine threats for unabashed antiSemitism to flourish in social media and now for Jews to fear for their safety in quiet places like Pittsburgh where I lived and worshiped for three years Whatever Trumps motives his words and deeds inspire the hateful and the violent The man accused of sending pipe bombs to a dozen favorite Trump targets including Soros eschewed politics his familys lawyer says until he found a father in Trump The accused Pittsburgh gunman though apparently rejecting Trump for being insufficiently nationalist embraced on social media the themes Trump has popularized the globalist danger immigrant invaders that kill our people and an infestation of undesirables After the shooting Trump read from the teleprompter the proper denunciation of antiSemitism But proceeding with a rally mere hours after the massacre he galvanized the crowd with the same complaint the alleged Pittsburgh killer cited in social media before the carnage the migrant caravan Trump told the crowd No caravans right We dont want caravans Were not having caravans Build the wall the crowd chanted Trump closed with his usual vow to fight others who are trying to destroy our proud American heritage White supremacists get the message On Shabbat Jewish custom says God gives each of us a neshamah yeteirah an extra soul for rejuvenation on the day of rest But this Shabbat we lost 11 souls And our Jewish and American souls will continue to be so drained unless our president changes his ways or we change our president Read more from Dana Milbanks archive follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook The Posts View Pittsburgh We will not accept the unacceptable Max Boot What is happening to our country Karen Tumulty The slaughter in Pittsburgh was not unimaginable It was inevitable Jeff Blattner Pittsburghers treat each other as one community We should all learn from them Danielle Allen What is domestic tranquility It is not being gunned down in your house of worship
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[
"Jews"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/israel-is-driving-jewish-america-farther-and-farther-away/2018/09/21/de2716f8-bdbb-11e8-8792-78719177250f_story.html
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correction An earlier version of this column incorrectly identified the World Zionist Congress and the location of its 1939 meeting This version has been corrected President Trump meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office in March Evan VucciAP By Dana Milbank Columnist September 21 2018 My rabbi Danny Zemel comes from Zionist royalty His grandfather Rabbi Solomon Goldman led the Zionist Organization of America in the late 1930s and presided over the World Zionist Congress in Geneva in 1939 So Zemels words carried weight when he told his flock this week on Kol Nidre the holiest night of the Jewish year that the current government of Israel has turned its back on Zionism My love for Israel has not diminished one iota he said but this is to my way of thinking Israels first antiZionist government He recounted Israels transformation under Benjamin Netanyahu the rise of ultranationalism tied to religious extremism the upsurge in settler violence the overriding of Supreme Court rulings upholding democracy and human rights a crackdown on dissent harassment of critics and nonprofits confiscation of Arab villages and alliances with regimes in Poland Hungary and the Philippines that foment antiSemitism The prime ministers joint declaration in June absolving Poland of Holocaust culpability which amounted to trading Holocaust denial for good relations earned a rebuke from Yad Vashem Israels Holocaust memorial The current government in Israel has like Esau sold its birthright Zemel preached Similarly anguished sentiments can be heard in synagogues and in Jewish homes throughout America For 70 years Israel survived in no small part because of American Jews support Now we watch in horror as Netanyahu with President Trumps encouragement leads Israel on a path to estrangement and destruction Both men have gravely miscalculated Trump seems to think support for Netanyahu will appeal to American Jews otherwise appalled by his treatment of immigrants and minorities Trump observed Rosh Hashanah last week by ordering the Palestinian office in Washington closed another gratuitous blow to the moribund twostate solution that a majority of American Jews favor But his green light to extremism does the opposite Netanyahu for his part is dissolving Americas bipartisan proIsrael consensus in favor of an unstable alliance of endtimes Christians orthodox Jews and wealthy conservatives such as Sheldon Adelson The two have achieved Trumps usual result division They have split American Jews from Israelis and Americas minority of politically conservative Jews from the rest of American Jews A poll for the American Jewish Committee in June found that while 77 percent of Israeli Jews approve of Trumps handling of the USIsraeli relationship only 34 percent of American Jews approve Although Trump is popular in Israel only 26 percent of American Jews approve of him Most Jews feel less secure in the United States than they did a year ago No wonder given the sharp rise in antiSemitic incidents and highlevel winks at antiSemitism from Charlottesville to Eric Trumps recent claim that Trump critics are trying to make three extra shekels The AJC poll was done a month before Israel passed a law to give Jews more rights than other citizens betraying the countrys 70year democratic tradition We are the stunned witnesses of new alliances between Israel Orthodox factions of Judaism throughout the world and the new global populism in which ethnocentrism and even racism hold an undeniable place Hebrew University of Jerusalem sociologist Eva Illouz wrote in an article appearing this week on Yom Kippur in Israels Haaretz newspaper titled The State of Israel vs the Jewish people Netanyahu has undertaken a profound shift in the states identity as a representative of the Jewish people to a state that aims to advance its own expansion through seizure of land violation of international law exclusion and discrimination she wrote Israel will be able to count only on the support of a handful of billionaires and the ultraOrthodox in America Trumpism is a passing phase in American politics Latinos and leftwing Democrats will become increasingly involved in the countrys politics and as they do these politicians will find it increasingly difficult to justify continued American support of Israeli policies that I fear she is correct Netanyahu is betting Israels future on people such as Pastor John Hagee of Christians United for Israel featured at the ceremony for Trumps opening of the Jerusalem embassy Hagee once said Hitler was a hunter sent by God to drive Jews to Israel ProIsrael apocalypseminded Christians see Israel as a precursor to the second coming when Jews must convert or go to hell Netanyahus moves toward authoritarianism and away from negotiated peace also make it more difficult for traditional liberal supporters of Israel to counter the lefts Boycott Divest and Sanction movement founded by Palestinians and tainted by antiSemitism Jeremy Ben Ami who runs the liberal proIsrael group J Street says the splits happening on the left are very troublesome American Jews cant appreciate the daily threat Israelis face from Hamas and Hezbollah But if the answer is an ultranationalist apartheid state American Jews have a duty to tell Israelis that support can not be sustained here nor should it be Read more from Dana Milbanks archive follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook The Posts View Israel must avoid a moral and political defeat Ron Dermer Stop demonizing Israel for defending itself Editorial Board Trumps Jerusalem move is a big risk David Rothkopf Benjamin Netanyahu is Israels Donald Trump Jennifer Rubin Netanyahu is playing to Trumps abject ignorance and it might work
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[
"World Zionist Congress"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/janet-yellen-is-wrong-expansions-do-die-of-old-age/2016/02/21/e5947076-d730-11e5-be55-2cc3c1e4b76b_story.html
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Federal Reserve Board Chair Janet Yellen on Capitol Hill in Washington on Feb . 11 . ( Michael Reynolds / European Pressphoto Agency ) By Robert J . Samuelson February 21 , 2016 At her most recent news conference , in December , Federal Reserve Board Chair Janet Yellen had this ( abbreviated ) exchange with ABC News reporter Rebecca Jarvis . Jarvis : Historically , most economic expansions fade after this long . How confident are you that our economy wo n ’ t slip back into recession in the near term ? Yellen : . . . I think it ’ s a myth that expansions die of old age . I do not think they die of old age . So the fact that this has been quite a long expansion does n ’ t lead me to believe that . . . its days are numbered . Yellen is wrong — and she has a lot of company . It is an amazing reality that , among economists , the faith in the possibility of endless expansions has survived the 2008 - 2009 financial crisis and the Great Recession . It is true , as Yellen explained , that there is no magic threshold ( say , six years ) beyond which an economic expansion must give way to a recession , usually defined as two quarters of falling output ( gross domestic product ) . Business cycles differ . But it is also true that the longer an expansion continues , the more it changes attitudes , behavior and spending patterns in ways that doom it . Sooner or later , old age is fatal . Some threats are widely recognized . Pent - up demand for cars or homes is exhausted . Inventories of consumer goods become excessive , as personal purchases slow faster than production . There ’ s overinvestment in some sector ( example : high tech ) that results in bankruptcies . Higher inflation prompts the Fed to raise interest rates . Or there are outside “ shocks ” to the economy — for instance , a huge jump in oil prices . All these causes are standard . They usually take about a year to work through the system . ( The average length of the 12 recessions since 1945 has been 11 months , says the National Bureau of Economic Research , an academic group that designates recessions . ) Less understood and more destructive are the widespread changes in economic behavior induced by the two longest business expansions in U.S. history : the 106 - month stretch in the 1960s , almost nine years from February 1961 to December 1969 ; and the decade - long expansion from March 1991 to March 2001 . At the time , they seemed pleasurable triumphs ; with hindsight , the booms led to destabilizing busts that lasted for years . The 1960s ’ legacy was inflationary psychology . Government had seemed to promise that , with the right economic policies , it could end recessions and guarantee “ full employment . ” This liberated companies and workers from price and wage restraint . The consequences were devastating . In practice , both inflation and unemployment got worse , as the Fed vacillated between fighting one and then the other . Inflation peaked at 13 percent in 1980 . There were four recessions from 1969 to 1981 . Americans were frightened . In Gallup polls from 1973 to 1981 , they consistently ranked inflation as the nation ’ s No . 1 problem . The boom in the 1990s and early 2000s had a similar , though not identical , effect . The economy seemed to have become less risky . Economists proclaimed the “ Great Moderation ” of the business cycle . The Fed had crushed inflation . With tiny changes in interest rates , it could defuse serious slumps . There were only two mild recessions ( 1990 and 2001 ) . A less risky economy justified once - dangerous practices . Banks became overly dependent on short - term borrowings . Home loans could go to less worthy borrowers because jobs would be plentiful and house prices would always rise , making the collateral stronger . We now know that this was mostly wishful thinking . The economy had not become permanently more stable . Paradoxically , the longer the prosperity lasted , the more it bred self - deceptive and self - destructive thinking . Psychology shifted for the worse , just as in the 1960s . No one wants the present business expansion to end soon . Though the recovery is approaching seven years , it still does n ’ t feel like a recovery to millions of Americans . As with the 1960s , the aftermath of the boom has been a prolonged period of heightened instability and anxiety . But we also dare not ignore the larger lesson of these episodes . What history teaches is disquieting . It is that the quest for unending prosperity is doomed to fail . Indeed , it may backfire . Periodic recessions and bear markets perform a useful , if distasteful , function . They remind people of risk ; they restrain inflation . Too many setbacks , of course , transform a desirable discipline into social tragedy . What is the optimal mix of recessions and expansions ? This is a hard , perhaps impossible , question to answer , but economists ought to be trying and are n ’ t . The trouble with thinking that expansions do n ’ t die of old age is that they do — not on any predictable schedule but simply as a practical matter . Ignoring this holds out the false promise that some ideal set of policies can sustain economic expansion forever . It ca n ’ t . Read more from Robert Samuelson ’ s archive Read more on this topic : Robert J . Samuelson : The business cycle , RIP ? Robert J . Samuelson : Is the economy experiencing another Great Moderation ? Robert J . Samuelson : An impending recession ? Lawrence Summers : The global economy is in serious danger Lawrence Summers : Why the Fed needs to prepare for the worst right now We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program , an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon . com and affiliated sites . Robert J . Samuelson Robert J . Samuelson writes a twice - weekly column on economics .
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[
"Janet Yellen"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/last-chance-republicans/2018/08/23/5c2fc152-a6f7-11e8-a656-943eefab5daf_story.html
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By David Ignatius Columnist August 23 2018 Waiting for the jury to come in is a good description of what this August has felt like Weve all been wondering how our legal system would cope with President Trump even as weve awaited the broader verdict of public opinion that will come with the November midterm elections Many Americans will probably remember how they heard the news Tuesday that 12 of our fellow citizens had voted to convict Trumps former campaign chairman Paul Manafort on eight felony counts and that Trumps former personal lawyer Michael Cohen had pleaded guilty to eight counts of his own It was one of those days when the world seemed suspended momentarily and then turned a bit as if on a hinge My vantage point couldnt have been foggier I was on a sailboat off the coast of Maine literally in a fog bank with my cellphone connection fading in and out So for some time after the Manafort conviction and the Cohen plea deal it was impossible to know what had happened Historians describe battles whose outcome was uncertain to observers because of the smoke of the cannons and the delay of messengers Thats what Tuesday felt like for me As the news was confirmed Im sure many people shared a similar sense that our legal system had worked that it had surmounted its first big challenge in containing a lawless and defiant president This story still has a very long way to go but if Cohen hadnt made his plea agreement and if the Manafort jury hadnt agreed to convict on some counts our national narrative would today be headed in a different direction We can be grateful for some unlikely gifts this week Were lucky as it turns out that US District Judge TS Ellis III was so sharp in criticizing prosecutors in the Manafort case that an upset lead attorney Greg Andres protested at one point The court interrupts every single one of the governments direct questions every single one After Elliss interjections it will be difficult for Trumps defenders to argue that the trial was biased in favor of special counsel Robert S Mueller III and his team Were probably fortunate too that the jury reached a split verdict convicting Manafort on eight of 18 counts Reportedly because of one holdout juror the panel was not unanimously convinced by the entire case presented by the government For a divided America this outcome ought to evoke our national icon of justice blindfolded and holding a balance in her hand to weigh the evidence fairly And however odd it seems we should celebrate the fact that Cohen the man who did Trumps legal dirty work for so many years decided that he wanted to cop a plea and in the process to present himself as a man seeking to serve his country by telling the truth at last about his former boss Though six of the counts to which Cohen pleaded guilty involved fraud schemes that had no apparent connection to Trump the last two directly implicated the president Heres how his lawyer Lanny Davis described the implication of Cohens plea that he facilitated payments to an adultfilm star and Playboy Playmate Donald Trump directed him to commit a crime by making payments to two women for the principal purpose of influencing an election The Cohen case so far has nothing to do with the two central allegations at the heart of the Mueller probe obstruction of justice and election collusion with Russia But interestingly Russia does figure in Cohens motivations according to Davis After watching Trump support Russian President Vladimir Putin against US intelligence agencies at the news conference following the Helsinki summit Cohen worried about the future of the country with somebody who was aligning himself with Mr Putin Davis told NBC on Wednesday As Trumps world collapses around him the danger for the country arguably increases Trump could lash out at his tormentors reasoning that a constitutional crisis is his only possible salvation the partisan fever in America could spike even further with angry people on both sides taking to the streets and foreign adversaries could seek to exploit our troubles But this week it seems more likely that America is heading toward a gradual recovery from the trauma of the Trump presidency For Republicans there is a last chance over these next two months to finally show some guts and principle by separating themselves from Trump Then come the November elections and it seems a reasonable bet after Tuesday to trust in the good sense of the American public Read more from David Ignatiuss archive follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook Paul Waldman Democrats dont need to impeach President Trump to hold him accountable Dana Milbank Republicans wont have anything left to salvage Jennifer Rubin Speaking of collusion Nancy Gertner The extraordinary bias of the judge in the Manafort trial Bradley Smith Those payments to women were unseemly That doesnt mean they were illegal
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[
"David Ignatius"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/what-the-triangle-shirtwaist-fire-means-for-workers-now/2011/03/15/ABVAFIs_story.html
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Mourners honor victims of New York ' s 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Company fire at the Mount Richmond Cemetery in Staten Island on March 1 . 22 of the fire ' s 146 casualties were buried in the cemetery . ( David Karp / ASSOCIATED PRESS ) By Hilda L . Solis March 18 , 2011 A century ago this week , in Lower Manhattan , a young social worker named Frances Perkins was having tea at the Greenwich Village townhouse of her friend , the socialite Margaret Morgan Norrie . They were interrupted by clanging fire truck bells . Then they heard the anguished screams : “ Do n ’ t jump ! ” They raced out of the townhouse and ran toward the commotion : a fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory , just off Washington Square . Flames and black smoke shot from the top floors , and as they watched in shock , young girls and women , some alone , some clutching hands , inched up to the windows ’ ledges — and jumped to their deaths . Perkins would describe the scene in lectures later : “ They could n ’ t hold on any longer . There was no place to go . The fire was between them and any means of exit . It ’ s that awful choice people talk of — what kind of choice to make ? ” She added : “ I shall never forget the frozen horror that came across as we stood with our hands on our throats watching that horrible sight , knowing that there was no help . ” The sewing factory employed more than 500 people , who worked long hours for low wages , in wretched and unsanitary conditions . They turned out “ shirtwaists ” — blouses with puffed sleeves and tight bodices popularized by the “ Gibson Girl . ” The factory owners had locked the fire - escape doors . The seamstresses were trapped when fire raced through the sweatshop just before closing on March 25 , 1911 . In less than 20 minutes , 146 people , mostly Italian and Jewish immigrant women and girls , were dead . The last six victims were officially identified just a few weeks ago . Triangle outraged the public and offered a grisly example of how powerless workers were without collective bargaining , because unionized garment workers received better pay and had safer conditions . And it galvanized Frances Perkins . Twenty - two years later , President Franklin D . Roosevelt appointed her secretary of labor , the first woman to serve as a Cabinet secretary . During her 12 - year tenure , she directed the formulation and implementation of the Social Security Act , one of the most important pieces of social legislation in our history . Among other extraordinary accomplishments , she helped create unemployment insurance , the minimum wage , and the legislation that guarantees the right of workers to organize and bargain collectively . She also established the department ’ s Labor Standards Bureau , Now I have the same job she once held , with the responsibility of repairing and strengthening that net . And although our passion for workers ’ rights came from different paths ( she was the daughter of privilege ; I am the daughter of immigrant union members ) , I understand the impact that moment had on her work . I had my own moment involving a sweatshop . Although it was not as horrifying as that afternoon was for Perkins , it fueled my beliefs . In 1995 , 75 Thai immigrants were freed from a so - called factory in the city of El Monte , Calif . , part of the district I represented in the state Senate . They had been forced to eat , sleep and work in a place they called home . Their employer confiscated their passports and kept them like slaves . Threatened with violence to themselves or their families , the workers hunched over sewing machines in dimly lit garages bound by barbed wire , sewing brand - name clothing for less than $ 2 an hour . Most of them were women . I met them shortly after they were freed and heard their stories . And at that moment , the unthinkable became real for me . I had assumed that sweatshops were a thing of the past . But they had just spread — from Perkins ’ s New York City to my Los Angeles , from the Italian and Eastern European immigrants victimized in her day to the Asian and Latino immigrants victimized in mine . Combating garment sweatshops is , sadly , still on the labor secretary ’ s agenda . In the past fiscal year , the department ’ s Wage and Hour division conducted 374 investigations and collected $ 2.1 million for 2,215 workers , primarily in the major U.S. garment centers of Southern California and New York . In these cases , vulnerable immigrant workers have been deprived of minimum - wage pay , overtime pay and safe working conditions — all the haunting echoes of Triangle . We have had many improvements in the past century . Today , we have more tools to pursue violators who deny workers their pay , including issuing subpoenas and preventing companies from shipping goods produced in violation of the law . In 1911 , more than 100 workers were estimated to have died on the job each day . In 2010 , 4,340 workers were killed on the job — and more than 3.3 million were seriously injured . Last April 5 , in a fiery explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia , 29 miners died in one day . I was at the mine the next day , while rescue efforts still were underway . In times of crisis , one often becomes two people . In one sense , I was simply Hilda , the person I ’ ve always been , there just to be by the family members ’ sides as they kept vigil . In another sense , I was Labor Secretary Hilda L . Solis , trying to convey to them the depth of their government ’ s commitment . In either case , no words can adequately express your emotion and sympathy . A grief that great can be endured only if it is shared — and then acted Both Triangle and Upper Big Branch became calls to action . New York quickly implemented groundbreaking workplace safety laws and regulations , including fire exits . But nearly one year after Upper Big Branch , the Mine Safety and Health Administration , part of the Labor Department , still needs additional tools that only Congress can provide . And OSHA needs better tools , such as stricter penalties against employers who put their workers ’ lives at risk , and stronger protections for whistle - blowers . In both cases , if these workers had a voice — a union — and the ability to speak up about conditions , these events probably could have been prevented , because unions play an important role in making workplaces safer . In both cases , they had tried to organize and faced virulent opposition . Today , workers and their allies are being met with that same kind of opposition . In states nationwide , working people are protesting the actions to strip them of collective bargaining . The Triangle fire and the Upper Big Branch explosion a century later make clear to me that workers want and need that voice — about wages and benefits , yes , but about more , too . Collective bargaining still means a seat at the table to discuss issues such as working conditions , workplace safety and workplace innovation , empowering individuals to do the best job I ’ ll be thinking about all of this as I make my way to New York on Friday for the 100th anniversary of the Triangle factory tragedy . The building is still there ; it now houses offices for New York University . Thousands are expected to mark the occasion with a march , speeches , the reading of the victims ’ names and the laying of flowers in their honor at the site by schoolchildren . It will be a powerful reminder of what we ’ ve lived through , and what we still have to do . History is an extraordinary thing . You can choose to learn from it , or you can choose to repeat it . For me , the choice is clear , as it was for Frances Perkins . We must always be a nation that catches workers before they fall . talktosolis @ dol . gov Hilda L . Solis is the U.S. secretary of labor .
|
[
"Triangle Shirtwaist fire",
"collective bargaining"
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https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/white-americans-where-are-you-really-from/2018/02/02/dc324fb2-0843-11e8-b48c-b07fea957bd5_story.html
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Some changes are coming to the questionnaire for the next census in 2020 Gerald MartineauFTWP By Christine Emba Columnist February 2 2018 In 2020 perhaps for the first time white Americans will be asked a question that has been lobbed innocently and invidiously at minorities for years So where are you really from And it will be the government doing the asking Last week the US Census Bureau revealed its proposed questionnaire for the 2020 Census in advance of a March 31 deadline for its delivery to Congress for review The updated format did not accommodate many suggestions made since 2010 It doesnt ask about citizenship status despite a request to do so by the Trump Justice Department and wont include a separate Middle Eastern and North African category in its question about race But there are some key changes to the questions about race and ethnicity In particular black and white respondents will be asked to provide specific information about their origins Rather than just marking a single race respondents will be prodded for a bit more information For the text box under the White checkbox the census instructions helpfully state Print for example German Irish English Italian Lebanese Egyptian etc The data obtained is likely to be extremely messy and it is not immediately clear how it will be put to use What exactly does the Census Bureau plan to do for the emergent category of white Egyptians Still this change is a good thing especially for white Americans Why On a basic level it could be a welcome exercise in empathy Youre offended Confused Welcome to the world of being a visible minority in America perhaps you might relate to those Asian Americans who are so frequently informed that they couldnt really be from Connecticut or African Americans whose countries of origin are obscured by the painful haze of slavery It might even be good practice for 2044 the year the United States is projected to become a majorityminority country But on a broader scale this new question could be a step toward dismantling the binary racial categories that have held America back since its founding By asking whites to consider whence their supposed whiteness derives the census may begin to help break down our countrys persistent belief in whiteness as some monolithic norm After all race as the Census Bureau itself readily admits is a socialpolitical construct Distinct but devoid of much complexity until now whiteness in America was originally defined only in opposition to and implicitly and explicitly valued over being brown or black For the first several decades of the census white and black were the only categories black was broken out into other definitions but all were explicitly notwhite Previous generations of Irish Italian and other immigrants were seen as notwhite until suddenly for a variety of reasons they were White is a necessarily vague category but it has significant benefits Most notable is that those under its umbrella are rarely asked to shoulder the burdens of being an outsider in America at its best a physically and psychologically exhausting existence at worst a determinant for a host of subpar social economic and political outcomes In contrast whiteness has long been seen as the default neutral a way to leave other concerns behind That preferencing may be part of the reason some immigrants who can pass as white usually those of Hispanic descent have frequently begun to identify as white as they assimilate This new census question upsets that thinking Adding color to the binary definition of whiteness could push us all to come to terms with what being white really means Is it many things or nothing Is it broader or emptier than we thought Can it contain multitudes Opening up about origins will allow greater visibility into the true diversity of America And with so many distinctions and gradations newly visible we may be able to focus on new conceptions of unity that can include us all Naturally some worry that all this will be fodder for more division an excuse for an ever more narrowly sliced identity politics and a hindrance to our melting pot ideal Conservative critics have cited Arthur M Schlesinger Jr who wrote about the historic theory of America as one people the theory that has thus managed to keep American society whole Schlesinger was optimistic We have consistently failed to live up to that ideal and America has always been subject to divides along racial lines The racial animus that launched the Trump administration and continues to flourish under it only makes that more clear So why not try a new tack This new census can help us to acknowledge difference and create a new racial vision that might finally cross color lines Now were all Other Americans yes even whites We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazoncom and affiliated sites
|
[
"Columnist",
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] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/why-politicians-got-away-with-sexual-misconduct-for-so-long/2017/11/10/4bb1ecc6-c4d8-11e7-aae0-cb18a8c29c65_story.html
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Everyone knew about Bob Packwood He won reelection anyway Sen Bob Packwood ROre in January 1992 CQ ArchiveCQ Roll Call By Rachel Gorlin Rachel Gorlin a political media consultant at Tipping Point Strategies in Washington worked for years on Capitol Hill November 10 2017 My Harvey Weinstein was a US senator We were never alone together or even had a private conversation he never harassed me But Sen Bob Packwood of Oregon was a textbook case of everyone knew when I served as press secretary for his 1992 challenger Les AuCoin I watched with dismay as our campaign and the press corps covering the race grappled with the knowledge of Packwoods sexual misconduct well beyond the adulterous realm of Gary Hart without knowing what to do about it Anyone wondering how Weinsteins dealings with women could have been kept from the public for almost 30 years need look no further than the 1992 Oregon Senate race and the 1991 confirmation hearings at which Clarence Thomass former employee Anita Hill accused the Supreme Court nominee of workplace sexual harassment Together they were a crash course in the politics of sexual harassment After the HillThomas controversy I assumed that Packwoods predatory behavior toward women would be a major issue in his 1992 reelection race Unfortunately for most of the voters of Oregon it was not They were kept in the dark Packwoods skirt problem an anachronistic term for varieties of sexual misconduct ranging from adultery to rape was as well known in political circles as Weinsteins was in the entertainment world The stories about Packwood ranged from trivial to terrifying I heard the most devastating account from a reporter for a Portland TV station the incident had happened to one of his friends who said the senator assaulted her in his office during a job interview The public accounts of Packwoods offenses eventually ran the gamut from inappropriate sexual conversations with young interns to unwanted intimate physical conduct Local and national Bill Cosby raped me Why did it take 30 years for people to believe my story My answer as decided by the campaign brain trust was no In the May primary contest we had run hardhitting controversial TV ads attacking our chief opponent over an unrelated issue This prompted numerous outraged editorials about negative campaigning and angry public feedback now we were all of one mind about ignoring anything but Packwoods voting record political alliances public statements and campaign finances In most races this would have been enough to build a strong case against an incumbent But Packwood was ruthless and he owned a huge campaign war chest and powerful positions on the Senate Finance and Commerce committees AuCoin was an underdog who had spent most of his campaign money to survive the brutal Democratic primary in which Packwood also ran ads attacking him We worried that winning might require an extra boost from voters repelled by reports of the senators sexual misconduct But for them to find any stories credible we all thought the accounts needed to come from a third party That meant either womens rights groups or the news media Unusual for a Republican even then Packwood was considered an ally on womens issues A rare GOP supporter of abortion rights he also backed measures such as the Equal Rights Amendment that were controversial in the 1970s and early 1980s His former wife had been on the board of the bipartisan Womens Campaign Fund According to People magazine none other than Gloria Steinem had raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for his 1980 reelection More recently he had cast an unusual and for Packwood unusually quiet GOP vote against Thomass Supreme Court nomination It turned out to be a sad irony but he was seen as one of the good guys by many mainstream womens groups The AuCoin campaign fought several of their endorsements to a draw but it lost others such as NARALs Incumbent Republican senators were considered more important to the cause than Democratic challengers despite AuCoins leadership on abortion rights in the House The Oregon press corps also showed surprisingly little enterprise when it came to Packwood and sexual harassment is a tough subject to report After the harsh treatment of Hill it was difficult to imagine that going public would be worth the risk to any woman with a story to tell Reporters were more skittish in those days about digging around in a public servants sex life and sexual harassment still felt more National Enquirer than family newspaper One of my colleagues observed that it had a high ick factor Even I who believed what Id heard about Packwoods behavior considered Dont be so sure Harvey Weinstein is going away for good One journalist did try to broach the issue but without mentioning Packwood by name The Oregonian the largest newspaper in the state ran a column in March 1992 by Steve Duin quoting an anonymous former staffer about her alltooclose encounter with a Northwest politician Duin wrote that the politician had pulled his employees hair and started to remove her clothes in a 1969 attempt to coerce her to have sex with him in his office Virtually all the reporters and many others in Oregon politics knew that the unnamed pol was Packwood Even though Duins source had shared her experience Another Oregonian reporter Holley Gilbert was assigned to look into Packwoods harassment but left the paper over the summer without having turned up any stories according to a 1993 account in the American Journalism Review The investigation was not reassigned according to a later postmortem Finally in September 1992 a freelance investigative journalist named Florence Graves convinced The Washington Post that allegations of Packwoods sexual misconduct warranted serious scrutiny Graves and Post reporter Charles Shepard conducted many interviews in Oregon and Washington as the Senate race continued to tighten By midOctober they had persuaded multiple women all former staffers volunteers or lobbyists to tell their stories on the record word of this reached both campaigns As Tom Bates wrote in a 1993 Los Angeles Times Magazine piece that reconstructs the entire series of events Packwood complained to Post publisher Katharine Graham Top editor Len Downie then urged the senator to give his side of the story to Graves and Shepard who had been seeking an interview Packwood agreed but cleverly put them off until five days before the election He denied all the allegations and the delay had given him time to gather dirt on his accusers It was the same tactic allies of Thomas had used to undermine Hills credibility Weinstein tried the same approach with less success After the interview according to the LATimes Magazine piece the Packwood campaign faxed pages of supposedly incriminating claims to the Post reporters and to Downies home Failing to check out the allegations against their sources could have put Graves and Shepard on risky ground both legally and journalistically Packwoods ploy made it impossible for The Post to publish the story before the election As Oregonians cast their votes on Election Day 1992 Duins oblique column was the only public hint of Packwoods serial sexual harassment The senator won reelection with 52 percent of the vote The frontpage Post exposé by Graves and Shepard ran almost three weeks after Packwoods victory It included ontherecord accounts of the senators unwanted sexual overtures to 10 women over more than two decades A Portland TV station made the final call to AuCoins Capitol Hill office on the evening the phones were turned off in December 1992 Did we have any comment on its recent poll showing that AuCoin would have defeated Packwood if the election had been held after the Post story came out Packwoods fate closely resembles the Weinstein saga though it took almost three years to play out Public outrage ensued even without social media to disseminate or encourage it The senator blamed his bad behavior on having been raised in an earlier era then he left town for inpatient treatment Other accusers came forward Packwoods feminist supporters such as NARAL and eventually Steinem abandoned him offering minor mea culpas about their years of silence but playing down any hint of complicity We did trust him Oregon NARAL leader Diane Linn told the LA Times in December 1992 We just feel betrayed at this point A coalition of womens and goodgovernment organizations called for a Senate Ethics Committee investigation of Packwood His peers in the Senate abandoned him though not all at once His influence dimmed as the scandal intensified In September 1995 he finally resigned following an extraordinary unanimous vote by the Ethics Committee to recommend his expulsion Of course Weinsteins victims smiled in their photos I smiled too Oregon news outlets especially the Oregonian were much criticized by the public Portlands alternative weeklies and the national news media for having missed the Packwood story The Oregonians top editor retired as the paper played catchup with The Post It sent a team of reporters to cast a wide net for Packwood harassment stories After The Post broke the ice it was not that hard to find them Graves wrote in The Post shortly after Packwoods resignation that she knew of more than 40 women who had been subjected to various forms of his unwanted attention Almost half of those came forward publicly Among them was a 64yearold Oregonian correspondent on whose lips Packwood had planted an unwanted kiss following an interview in his Washington office Today news organizations are more willing to tackle these problems thanks in no small part to the Weinstein scandal which has set off a chain reaction against sexual harassment extending from the entertainment industry into politics both in Washington and in state capitals Social media also makes bottling up a story like this impossible and a challenger campaign like ours would now have options for disseminating it that were unthinkable in 1992 That power carries with it responsibility for verification that used to be the province of the news media a responsibility well worth bearing so that the stories everyone Packwoods predatory behavior belonged front and center in the 1992 Senate race because it raised grave questions about the senators attitudes toward women his respect for the law his hypocrisy and perhaps most important his abuse of power A candidates history of sexual predation is an electoral issue as valid as public corruption conflicts of interest or campaign finance violations It took Harvey Weinstein for me to fully embrace this all these years later Read more from Outlook and follow our updates on and Rachel Gorlin Rachel Gorlin a political media consultant at Tipping Point Strategies in Washington worked for years on Capitol Hill Follow
|
[
"Bob Packwood",
"Rachel Gorlin",
"Weinstein"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/emily-badger/
|
Emily Badger Washington DC Reporter Emily Badger was a reporter for Wonkblog covering urban policy She left The Washington Post in September 2016 Share confidential news tips with The Post Latest from Emily Badger How migration to cities mars their future Two books delve into the past and future of urban development successes and failures Sep 30 2016 The little misfit buildings that make cities wonderful and hold them back The architectural allure and bad economics of holdout houses Sep 20 2016 The ugly choice American cities face What 60 years of housing growth reveal about the future Sep 15 2016 How Airbnb plans to fix its racialbias problem The company rolls out a new nondiscrimination policy as well as more training for hosts and new tweaks to the site Sep 8 2016 Where todays jobs are most likely to vanish tomorrow Why the unemployment rate may be a bad measure of economic anxiety this election Sep 6 2016 What more than 1 million Craigslist rental listings tell us about the housing market Why its so hard to find an affordable rental in expensive cities Sep 1 2016 How free preschool may help poor kids when they become parents A major federal investment in poor children shows signs of paying off years later Aug 24 2016 Why affordable housing in a black neighborhood may not help black residents The moral dilemma and racial politics of a housing lottery Aug 19 2016 Tim Kaine just called out Donald Trumps history of housing discrimination Someone finally starts talking about housing in the presidential election Aug 12 2016 Baltimore shows how historic segregation shapes biased policing today Segregated cities are easily conducive to biased policing Aug 10 2016
|
[
"Emily Badger",
"Reporter"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2018/09/26/kavanaughs-calendar-annotated/
|
By Philip Bump September 26 2018 To rebut an allegation that he assaulted a teenage girl at a party while he was in high school Judge Brett Kavanaugh provided the Senate Judiciary Committee with a detailed calendar of his activities over the summer of 1982 The calendar shows a full schedule for Kavanaugh ranging from doctors appointments to basketball games His team lost every contest recorded We transcribed each months entries and have annotated them to add context and information Click yellowhighlighted text to read more The bold annotations are those that appear in boxes on the calendar Among the people named repeatedly are Mark Judge Judge a classmate of Kavanaughs who is now a conservative writer and who was said to have been at the party where the alleged assault occurred Another alleged attendee was Patrick Smyth PJ also a classmate There are also repeated references to Chris Garrett Squi who played on the football team with Kavanaugh May 1982 Provided by Brett Kavanaugh to the Senate Judiciary Committee Philip BumpNew York May 1 GO TO HOLY CHILD PARTY DRIVE NIKKI Sunday May 2 GO TO BULLETS GAME W SQUI NIKKI LOSE 10399 OT May 3 CUT OUR LAWN May 4 May 5 Bullets Lose in Double OT May 6 May 7 Grounded Stay In May 8 Gaelic Football 1100 PROM Donny Drives Sunday May 9 1 YEAR May 10 May 11 May 12 NIKKI COMES OVER May 13 May 14 GROUNDED GO TO ST MICHAELS Gaelic Football 300 NIKKI AT BEACH May 15 ST MICHAELS HiCh PROM NIKKI AT BEACH struck out MY PARTY Sunday May 16 May 17 May 18 May 19 NIKKI COMES OVER May 20 GO TO LIBRARY PLAY BBALL AT SQUIS SWIM AT DONNYS HOLIDAY May 21 BBALL FBALL MEETING GROUNDED FATHERSON DINNER NIKKI AT BEACH May 22 HAIRCUT TIMMYS PARTY NIKKI AT BEACH Sunday May 23 May 24 May 25 May 26 May 27 May 28 May 29 Sunday May 30 May 31 HOLIDAY June Provided by Brett Kavanaugh to the Senate Judiciary Committee Philip BumpNew York June 1 MATH 830 OUT OF SCHOOL EXAMS June 2 Dr Dellatorre 200 English Paper due EXAMS KEMPER June 3 EXAMS KEMPER June 4 Go to Kemper w Dad EXAMS KEMPER June 5 Achievement Tests 830 Whitman BEACH WEEK Sean Feeley Drives 1 Sunday June 6 BEACH WEEK Suzanne 2 June 7 BEACH WEEK 3 June 8 BEACH WEEK Suzanne 4 June 9 BEACH WEEK Suzanne Nikki DADS BIRTHDAY 5 June 10 BEACH WEEK 6 June 11 BEACH WEEK 7 J une 12 End SPEND NIGHT AT SQUIS IN REHOBOTH 8 Sunday June 13 Go to Rocky III w Squi PJ Dee COME HOME FROM BEACH June 14 GAME 530 LOST 4839 11 PTs 713 GO TO URGOS June 15 Go to Matts Baseball Game June 16 GAME 530 LOST 01 2 PTS GO TO GREASE II w Suzanne June 17 Pick Up Pictures June 18 FIVESTAR BASKETBALL CAMP STARTS June 19 Basketball camp Sunday June 20 Basketball camp June 21 Basketball camp June 22 Basketball camp June 23 Basketball camp June 24 Basketball camp June 25 BBALL CAMP ENDS Go to party at boathouse w JC Squi Donny June 26 Go to St Michaels w Squi Mark See Poltergeist Sunday June 27 COME HOME FROM ST MICHAELS Play BBall at Chevy Chase Playground June 28 START WORK GAME 530 vs Blair LOST 1214 12 pts Lift after June 29 Tobins House Workout 68 Play BBall at Maplewood WORK June 30 Dr Dellatorre 200 Game 530 vs Whitman 21 PTS LOST 78 LIFT at Prep July Provided by Brett Kavanaugh to the Senate Judiciary Committee July 1 Tobins House Workout Go to Timmys for Skis w Judge Tom PJ Bernie Squi July 2 Go to Beach w Squi for weekend 9 struck out Dellatorre 500 July 3 Beach ctd 10 Sunday July 4 Anne Doughertys Party 11 July 5 Come Home from Beach w Donny July 6 Game 645 vs Tigers LOST 5 PTS 56 July 7 Columbia LIFT AT PREP July 8 Congressional Dr Strawberry 130 July 9 Game 800 vs St Albans Go to St Michaels for weekend July 10 St Michaels ctd Richie Stantons Party Sunday July 11 Come Home from St Ms July 12 LIFT July 13 July 14 LIFT July 15 Game 645 vs High Point LOST 14 PTS 46 July 16 Go to St Michaels for Weekend July 17 St Michaels ctd Sunday July 18 Come Home from St Michaels July 19 LIFT July 20 Game 915 vs WJ LOST 19 PTS July 21 Game 645 vs Gonzaga LOST 9 PTS LIFT July 22 Game 530 vs St Albans LOST 9 PTS July 23 Go to Connecticut for weekend w Grammy July 24 Connecticut ctd Sunday July 25 July 26 INTERVIEW BROWN July 27 INTERVIEW YALE July 28 Dr Dellatorre 200 Go to Judges July 29 July 30 Go to Beach w Tom Squi 12 July 31 13 August Provided by Brett Kavanaugh to the Senate Judiciary Committee Philip BumpNew York Above the dates on the calendar is text reading Jay 4903 Crescent KAV 5013 Bolt Sunday August 1 Stay at Bernies At Beach 14 August 2 15 August 3 Come Home From Beach w Bernie Go to Os Doubleheader w Squi Tom Marc Matt Donny Tim August 4 Lift at Prep145 August 5 Go to New York w Mom Dad August 6 New York ctd August 7 Come Back From New York Go to Beckys Matt Denise Laurie Jenny Hail Sunday August 8 Play Tennis w Mom at CCC Play BBall At Prep August 9 Dads Car 125 LIFT WEIGHTS BILLY BELTS Fr Calvin 400 at Prep August 10 5103 Ball Tobins Get Cleats BBall 4903 Crescent 118 Worthington PAID August 11 lift Weights Urgos Joe Harrington 400 at GMU August 12 5307 Wriley PAID Go to St Ms w Dad August 13 St Michaels ctd August 14 Go to Rehoboth w Squi Tom Mark Donny 16 Sunday August 15 Come Home From Beach August 16 Dr Strawberry 930 August 17 Rosies CALL JOE HARRINGTON Pick Up Pictures August 18 Dr Crowley Joe Harrington 400 August 19 GO TO EJS w Squi Judge Work for Mom 4903 Crescent PAID August 20 KAV 5103 Balt 5314 Wriley Jay spend night at Squis August 21 GET PRESCRIPTIONS REFILLED GET FOOD FOR CAMP GET HAIRCUT Sunday August 22 FOOTBALL CAMP STARTS August 23 CAMP August 24 CAMP August 25 CAMP August 26 CAMP August 27 CAMP August 28 NIGHT OFF Urgos Party Suzanne SCRIMMAGE VS SEVERN AT PREP 1100 Sunday August 29 CAMP STARTS AGAIN August 30 CAMP August 31 CAMP 25k Philip Bump Philip Bump is a correspondent for The Washington Post based in New York Before joining The Post in 2014 he led politics coverage for the Atlantic Wire Your support helps our journalists report news that matters Try 1 month for 10 1 Already a subscriber Podcasts
|
[
"calendar",
"annotated"
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https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/bob-woodwards-new-book-reveals-a-nervous-breakdown-of-trumps-presidency/2018/09/04/b27a389e-ac60-11e8-a8d7-0f63ab8b1370_story.html
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By Philip Rucker and Robert Costa September 4 2018 John Dowd was convinced that President Trump would commit perjury if he talked to special counsel Robert S Mueller III So on Jan 27 the presidents thenpersonal attorney staged a practice session to try to make his point In the White House residence Dowd peppered Trump with questions about the Russia investigation provoking stumbles contradictions and lies until the president eventually lost his cool This things a goddamn hoax Trump erupted at the start of a 30minute rant that finished with him saying I dont really want to testify The dramatic and previously untold scene is recounted in Fear a forthcoming book by Bob Woodward that paints a harrowing portrait of the Trump presidency based on indepth interviews with administration officials and other principals Woodward writes that his book is drawn from hundreds of hours of interviews with firsthand participants and witnesses that were conducted on deep background meaning the information could be used but he would not reveal who provided it His account is also drawn from meeting notes personal diaries and government documents Woodward depicts Trumps anger and paranoia about the Russia inquiry as unrelenting at times paralyzing the West Wing for entire days Learning of the appointment of Mueller in May 2017 Trump groused Everybodys trying to get me part of a venting period that shellshocked aides compared to Richard Nixons final days as president The 448page book was obtained by The Washington Post Woodward an associate editor at The Post sought an interview with Trump through several intermediaries to no avail The president called Woodward in early August after the manuscript had been completed to say he wanted to participate The president complained that it would be a bad book according to an audio recording of the conversation Woodward replied that his work would be tough but factual and based on his reporting Exclusive audio Phone call between President Trump and Bob Woodward The books title is derived from a remark that thencandidate Trump made in an interview with Woodward and Post political reporter Robert Costa in 2016 Trump said Real power is I dont even want to use the word Fear A central theme of the book is the stealthy machinations used by those in Trumps inner sanctum to try to control his impulses and prevent disasters both for the president personally and for the nation he was elected to lead Woodward describes an administrative coup detat and a nervous breakdown of the executive branch with senior aides conspiring to pluck official papers from the presidents desk so he couldnt see or sign them Again and again Woodward recounts at length how Trumps national security team was shaken by his lack of curiosity and knowledge about world affairs and his contempt for the mainstream perspectives of military and intelligence leaders At a National Security Council meeting on Jan 19 Trump disregarded the significance of the massive US military presence on the Korean Peninsula including a special intelligence operation that allows the United States to detect a North Korean missile launch in seven seconds vs 15 minutes from Alaska according to Woodward Trump questioned why the government was spending resources in the region at all Were doing this in order to prevent World War III Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told him After Trump left the meeting Woodward recounts Mattis was particularly exasperated and alarmed telling close associates that the president acted like and had the understanding of a fifth or sixthgrader In Woodwards telling many top advisers were repeatedly unnerved by Trumps actions and expressed dim views of him Secretaries of defense dont always get to choose the president they work for Mattis told friends at one point prompting laughter as he explained Trumps tendency to go off on tangents about subjects such as immigration and the news media Inside the White House Woodward portrays an unsteady executive detached from the conventions of governing and prone to snapping at highranking staff members whom he unsettled and belittled on a daily basis Chief of Staff John F Kelly in the Oval Office in February Jabin BotsfordThe Washington Post White House Chief of Staff John F Kelly frequently lost his temper and told colleagues that he thought the president was unhinged Woodward writes In one small group meeting Kelly said of Trump Hes an idiot Its pointless to try to convince him of anything Hes gone off the rails Were in Crazytown I dont even know why any of us are here This is the worst job Ive ever had Reince Priebus Kellys predecessor fretted that he could do little to constrain Trump from sparking chaos Woodward writes that Priebus dubbed the presidential bedroom where Trump obsessively watched cable news and tweeted the devils workshop and said early mornings and Sunday evenings when the president often set off tweetstorms were the witching hour Trump apparently had little regard for Priebus He once instructed thenstaff secretary Rob Porter to ignore Priebus even though Porter reported to the chief of staff saying that Priebus was like a little rat He just scurries around Few in Trumps orbit were protected from the presidents insults He often mocked thennational security adviser HR McMaster behind his back puffing up his chest and exaggerating his breathing as he impersonated the retired Army general and once said McMaster dresses in cheap suits like a beer salesman Trump told Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross a wealthy investor eight years his senior I dont trust you I dont want you doing any more negotiations Youre past your prime Attorney General Jeff Sessions at the White House in March Jabin BotsfordThe Washington Post A nearconstant subject of withering presidential attacks was Attorney General Jeff Sessions Trump told Porter that Sessions was a traitor for recusing himself from overseeing the Russia investigation Woodward writes Mocking Sessionss accent Trump added This guy is mentally retarded Hes this dumb Southerner He couldnt even be a oneperson country lawyer down in Alabama At a dinner with Mattis and Gen Joseph F Dunford Jr the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff among others Trump lashed out at a vocal critic Sen John McCain RAriz He painted the former Navy pilot as cowardly falsely suggesting he took an early release from a prisonerofwar camp in Vietnam because of his fathers military rank and left others behind Mattis swiftly corrected his boss No Mr President I think youve got it reversed The defense secretary explained that McCain who died Aug 25 had in fact turned down early release and was brutally tortured during his five years at the Hanoi Hilton Oh okay Trump replied according to Woodwards account With Trumps rage and defiance impossible to contain Cabinet members and other senior officials learned to act discreetly Woodward describes an alliance among Trumps traditionalists including Mattis and Gary Cohn the presidents former top economic adviser to stymie what they considered dangerous acts It felt like we were walking along the edge of the cliff perpetually Porter is quoted as saying Other times we would fall over the edge and an action would be taken After Syrian President Bashar alAssad launched a chemical attack on civilians in April 2017 Trump called Mattis and said he wanted to assassinate the dictator Lets fucking kill him Lets go in Lets kill the fucking lot of them Trump said according to Woodward Mattis told the president that he would get right on it But after hanging up the phone he told a senior aide Were not going to do any of that Were going to be much more measured The national security team developed options for the more conventional airstrike that Trump ultimately ordered ThenWhite House chief economic adviser Gary Cohn in September 2017 Jabin BotsfordThe Washington Post Cohn a Wall Street veteran tried to tamp down Trumps strident nationalism regarding trade According to Woodward Cohn stole a letter off Trumps desk that the president was intending to sign to formally withdraw the United States from a trade agreement with South Korea Cohn later told an associate that he removed the letter to protect national security and that Trump did not notice that it was missing Cohn made a similar play to prevent Trump from pulling the United States out of the North American Free Trade Agreement something the president has long threatened to do In spring 2017 Trump was eager to withdraw from NAFTA and told Porter Why arent we getting this done Do your job Its tap tap tap Youre just tapping me along I want to do this Under orders from the president Porter drafted a notification letter withdrawing from NAFTA But he and other advisers worried that it could trigger an economic and foreign relations crisis So Porter consulted Cohn who told him according to Woodward I can stop this Ill just take the paper off his desk Despite repeated threats by Trump the United States has remained in both pacts The administration continues to negotiate new terms with South Korea as well as with its NAFTA partners Canada and Mexico Cohn came to regard the president as a professional liar and threatened to resign in August 2017 over Trumps handling of a deadly whitesupremacist rally in Charlottesville Cohn who is Jewish was especially shaken when one of his daughters found a swastika on her college dorm room Trump was sharply criticized for initially saying that both sides were to blame At the urging of advisers he then condemned white supremacists and neoNazis but almost immediately told aides That was the biggest fucking mistake Ive made and the worst speech Ive ever given according to Woodwards account When Cohn met with Trump to deliver his resignation letter after Charlottesville the president told him This is treason and persuaded his economic adviser to stay on Kelly then confided to Cohn that he shared Cohns horror at Trumps handling of the tragedy and shared Cohns fury with Trump I would have taken that resignation letter and shoved it up his ass six different times Kelly told Cohn according to Woodward Kelly himself has threatened to quit several times but has not done so Woodward illustrates how the dread in Trumps orbit became allencompassing over the course of Trumps first year in office leaving some staff members and Cabinet members confounded by the presidents lack of understanding about how government functions and his inability and unwillingness to learn At one point Porter who departed in February amid domestic abuse allegations is quoted as saying This was no longer a presidency This is no longer a White House This is a man being who he is Such moments of panic are a routine feature but not the thrust of Woodwards book which mostly focuses on substantive decisions and internal disagreements including tensions with North Korea as well as the future of US policy in Afghanistan Woodward recounts repeated episodes of anxiety inside the government over Trumps handling of the North Korean nuclear threat One month into his presidency Trump asked Dunford for a plan for a preemptive military strike on North Korea which rattled the combat veteran In the fall of 2017 as Trump intensified a war of words with Kim Jong Un nicknaming North Koreas dictator Little Rocket Man in a speech at the United Nations aides worried the president might be provoking Kim But Woodward writes Trump told Porter that he saw the situation as a contest of wills This is all about leader versus leader Man versus man Me versus Kim The book also details Trumps impatience with the war in Afghanistan which had become the United States longest conflict At a July 2017 National Security Council meeting Trump dressed down his generals and other advisers for 25 minutes complaining that the United States was losing according to Woodward The soldiers on the ground could run things much better than you Trump told them They could do a much better job I dont know what the hell were doing He went on to ask How many more deaths How many more lost limbs How much longer are we going to be there The presidents family members while sometimes touted as his key advisers by other Trump chroniclers are minor players in Woodwards account popping up occasionally in the West Wing and vexing adversaries Ivanka Trump and her husband White House senior adviser Jared Kushner in March Jabin BotsfordThe Washington Post White House senior adviser Stephen K Bannon second from left national security adviser HR McMaster and Chief of Staff Reince Priebus right in 2017 Jabin BotsfordThe Washington Post Woodward recounts an expletiveladen altercation between Ivanka Trump the presidents eldest daughter and senior adviser and Stephen K Bannon then the chief White House strategist Youre a goddamn staffer Bannon screamed at her telling her that she had to work through Priebus like other aides You walk around this place and act like youre in charge and youre not Youre on staff Ivanka Trump who had special access to the president and worked around Priebus replied Im not a staffer Ill never be a staffer Im the first daughter Such tensions boiled among many of Trumps core advisers Priebus is quoted as describing Trump officials not as rivals but as natural predators When you put a snake and a rat and a falcon and a rabbit and a shark and a seal in a zoo without walls things start getting nasty and bloody Priebus says Hovering over the White House was Muellers inquiry which deeply embarrassed the president Woodward describes Trump calling his Egyptian counterpart to secure the release of an imprisoned charity worker and President Abdel Fatah alSissi saying Donald Im worried about this investigation Are you going to be around Trump relayed the conversation to Dowd and said it was like a kick in the nuts according to Woodward The book vividly recounts the ongoing debate between Trump and his attorneys about whether the president would sit for an interview with Mueller On March 5 Dowd and Trump attorney Jay Sekulow met in Muellers office with the special counsel and his deputy James Quarles where Dowd and Sekulow reenacted Trumps January practice session Woodwards book recounts the debate between Trump and his lawyers including John Dowd regarding whether the president will sit for an interview with special counsel Robert S Mueller III Richard DrewAP Dowd then explained to Mueller and Quarles why he was trying to keep the president from testifying Im not going to sit there and let him look like an idiot And you publish that transcript because everything leaks in Washington and the guys overseas are going to say I told you he was an idiot I told you he was a goddamn dumbbell What are we dealing with this idiot for John I understand Mueller replied according to Woodward Later that month Dowd told Trump Dont testify Its either that or an orange jumpsuit But Trump concerned about the optics of a president refusing to testify and convinced that he could handle Muellers questions had by then decided otherwise Ill be a real good witness Trump told Dowd according to Woodward
|
[
"nervous breakdown",
"President Trump"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/whats-left-of-the-political-center/2014/07/05/37122966-0447-11e4-8572-4b1b969b6322_story.html
|
By Dan Balz July 5 , 2014 In a politically polarized nation , what constitutes the middle ground ? The answer is not as simple as it might seem . We are in a time in which there are both rising expressions of independence from the two major parties by many Americans and elections in which the red - blue divisions are increasingly stark . Party identification tells one part of it , the story of a country moving away from allegiance to the major political parties . A decade ago , about one - third of Americans described themselves as independents , according to Gallup surveys . Today that ’ s grown to four in 10 or more . In some states that allow registration by party , the biggest increases have been among those who decline to identify with either the Republicans or Democrats . Voting behavior tells a different story . In recent elections , at least nine of every 10 people who identify themselves as Republicans or Democrats — or who say they are independents but lean toward one party or the other — vote for the candidate of their party down the ballot . In 2012 , only about 11 percent of voters said they cast split tickets . The percentage of true independents may be only about 10 percent of the electorate . The trend toward polarized politics is well documented . From the most recent studies by the Pew Research Center to a sizeable body of continuing work by political scientists , it ’ s clear that partisanship drives a considerable portion of the electorate . The gap between those on the left and right — especially among the most politically engaged citizens — is deeper and more passionately expressed that it was in the past . View Graphic Election Lab : See our current forecast for every congressional race in 2014 About a fifth of the population is now either consistently conservative or consistently liberal , according to Pew ’ s analysis . Add to that those citizens who are generally conservative or generally liberal and that accounts for , roughly , an additional 40 percent of the population . That leaves about four in 10 somewhere in the ideological middle . According to Pew , that middle ground has shrunk over the past decade or so , when it accounted for half the population . Those in the middle are often assumed to be moderate in their political outlook . If that ’ s the measure , they too constitute a smaller share of the electorate than they once did . Until 2009 , according to Gallup ’ s historical tables , moderates were the largest group in the electorate — more than four in 10 . Last year , 34 percent of Americans identified themselves as moderate , the lowest found by Gallup in its polls . Today a plurality of people describe themselves as conservatives — but the group that has risen most rapidly in the past few years are those who call themselves liberals . Independents are still more likely to call themselves moderates than as liberals or conservatives . What Gallup has seen in recent years is that more and more independents describe their ideology as conservative . The reason for that , according to Gallup ’ s analysis of the numbers , is that people who once called themselves Republicans now say they ’ re independents . Their party identification has changed but not necessarily their ideology . Still another factor that complicates the picture is the fact that people who may be classified as part of the political middle are n ’ t necessarily in the middle of the electorate and does n ’ t mean they really are moderate in their views . The Pew study in fact found something quite different . People who did n ’ t fall into the polarized extremes sometimes hold views similar to those who are . They ’ re just not consistent about it . “ Being in the center of the ideological spectrum means only that a person has a mix of liberal and conservative values , not that they take moderate positions on all issues , ” according to the Pew analysis . One consistent finding is that those who now constitute the middle are less active politically than those on the left or right . “ The voters in the middle tend to be much less engaged in politics than those near the poles — less interested , less attentive , less knowledgeable and less active , ” said Alan Abramowitz , a political science professor at Emory University . “ So the more active and knowledgeable the set of voters , the more polarized they tend to be . ” The Pew study looked at the electorate in another way , grouping people into different categories based on a variety of measures . This typology , the latest in a series dating to 1987 , described eight distinct groups among the population . Seven of the groups are politically engaged . The other is on the sidelines — not even registered to vote . Three of the seven politically engaged groups are the partisan anchors for either the Democrats or the Republicans . “ Steadfast Conservatives ” and “ Business Conservatives ” are loyal to the Republican Party and “ Solid Liberals ” are attached to the Democratic Party . Together they make up 36 percent of the population , 43 percent of registered voters and 57 percent of the people who are politically engaged . Among those not at the polarized wings of the electorate are three groups that lean toward the Democrats — “ Hard - Pressed Skeptics , ” “ Next Generation Left ” and “ Faith and Family Left ” — and one that aligns with the Republicans — “ Young Outsiders . ” These four groups make up 54 percent of the population but only 43 percent of politically engaged people . Notably they are more difficult to categorize in their political behavior . As the Pew study put it , they are “ less partisan , less predictable and have little in common with each other or the groups at either end of the political spectrum . The one thing they do share is that they are less engaged politically than the groups on the right or left . ” However disparate , however disengaged and whatever its size , the middle of the electorate can not be ignored by either party . The shifting sentiments of these voters have caused big swings in elections over the past decade . In 2006 , independents swung one way and helped Democrats take control of the House . In 2010 , they went the opposite way and gave Republicans control of the House . Gary Jacobson , a political science professor at the University of California at San Diego , describes the political middle this way in an e - mail message : “ It does not form a potentially coherent coalition around which some political entrepreneur might build a centrist party , ” he wrote . “ People in it are more susceptible to short - term political tides ( because they are less partisan and ideological ) and thus help to swing elections . ”
|
[
"political center",
"Gallup surveys"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2017/02/07/defunding-planned-parenthood-was-a-disaster-in-texas-congress-shouldnt-do-it-nationally/
|
Women suffered after a 2011 state law . By Joseph E . Potter and Kari White February 7 , 2017 The Trump administration and the Republican - controlled Congress are pushing to prevent Planned Parenthood from receiving federal funds to pay for contraception and cervical and breast cancer screenings . Funding for the federal Title X program , which provides infrastructure support to a network of nearly 4,000 clinics across the country , could also be in jeopardy . Five years ago , we learned in Texas what can happen when efforts to defund Planned Parenthood are carried out : The network of health - care providers falls apart and women lose access to essential preventive services . Now Trump and his allies are poised to wreak the same havoc on the country that the 2011 Republican state legislature imposed on Texas . The motivation for the Texas action was the same as the motivation for what Congress plans to do : appeasing groups opposed to legal abortion . But none of these family planning programs pay for abortion care , which the law already prohibits spending federal money on . Defunding Planned Parenthood only reduces access to contraception and other necessary health care . Indeed , by reducing unintended pregnancies , the programs Republicans want to cut Planned Parenthood out of actually reduce the number of abortions . Our study of what happened in Texas provides some warnings of what to expect if the GOP carries out its plan . In 2011 , the Texas legislature cut the two - year budget for funding family planning from $ 111 million to $ 38 million in an effort to defund Planned Parenthood . After these cuts , 82 Texas family planning clinics — one out of every four in the state — closed or stopped providing family planning services . An unintended consequence of the law was that two - thirds of the clinics that closed were not even Planned Parenthood clinics . Organizations that remained open , many with reduced hours , were often unable to offer the most effective methods of contraception , such as IUDs and contraceptive implants , to women who wanted them . The closings and reduced hours also eliminated or cut back access to primary care providers for a significant number of women The leaders of family planning clinics who we interviewed felt devastated by the choices they had to make , and some ended their interview sessions in tears . Organizations also were forced to begin charging uninsured women fees for birth control and other health services that had previously been free or lower cost . In focus groups with low - income Texas women , we heard again and again that it was more difficult for them to obtain birth control . Some said they did not seek care at all because they were unable to pay the new fees . Want to reduce abortion rates ? Give parents money . Another component of the 2011 legislation prohibited any doctor or clinic associated with abortion care from participating in the Women ’ s Health Program , the state ’ s Medicaid fee - for - service family planning program . This effectively excluded Planned Parenthood , which until then had cared for more than 40 percent of the program ’ s clients . Over the two - year period following the funding cuts and exclusion from the Women ’ s Health Program , 31 of Planned Parenthood ’ s 74 Texas family planning clinics closed . ( The others were able Removing Planned Parenthood from the Women ’ s Health Program reduced access to IUDs and implants at a time when use of these methods was increasing in the rest of the country . Comparing counties with and without a Planned Parenthood clinic , our research found that in counties with no clinic , there was a reduction of 36 percent in the provision of IUDs and implants and a reduction of 31 percent in the provision of injectable contraceptives . In a survey we conducted among former Planned Parenthood clients who used injectable contraception in Houston and Midland , many reported difficulties finding a new provider , having to repeat exams or make multiple appointments before getting a method and being charged unauthorized co - payments . Several years later , many were using less - effective methods , and some had become pregnant . These findings represent a stark rebuttal to the repeated assurances made by state leaders then — and Republicans in Congress now — that the gap left by Planned Parenthood would be easily filled by community health centers or women switching their care to private physicians . In interviews with other health - care providers that have not been working in family planning , we learned that many lack the training to provide IUDs and implants . Some also lack the commitment to integrate family planning into their current services , because they are struggling to meet the demand for primary care in their communities . Perhaps voters are already aware that defunding Planned Parenthood brings a lot of unintended consequences . In an October 2016 poll conducted by Politico and the Harvard School of Public Health , 58 percent of likely voters supported federal funding for Planned Parenthood , including almost half of Trump voters . As shown in a Quinnipiac poll last month , the proportion is even higher — 8 in 10 — when respondents are told that the money will be used for non - abortion services . Rather than repeat the Texas experience , the new administration could be inspired by another era in Republican history . With the 1970 bipartisan passage of the Title X program , President Richard Nixon stated “ no American woman should be denied access to family planning assistance because of her economic condition . ” This national commitment to women should not be abandoned now . Read more : Being a doctor who performs abortions means you always fear your life is in danger I was a devout Catholic . Not being able to get birth control shook my faith . Sandra Fluke : The Hobby Lobby case is an attack on women Joseph E . Potter Joseph E . Potter is the principal investigator of the Texas Policy Evaluation Project Kari White Kari White is an associate professor of health care organization and policy at the University of Alabama at Birmingham . Your support helps our journalists report news that matters . Try 1 month for $ 10 $ 1 Send me this offer Already a subscriber ? Sign in
|
[
"Parenthood",
"Texas",
"Congress"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/realestate/fannie-freddie-block-mortgages-for-many-by-relying-on-old-fico-models-critics-say/2014/09/24/bb83ccda-4278-11e4-b437-1a7368204804_story.html
|
By Kenneth R . Harney September 26 , 2014 Are the two biggest players in the American mortgage arena — Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac — needlessly preventing millions of African Americans , Latinos and young consumers from qualifying for a loan because they do n ’ t have a FICO credit score ? Some critics say the answer is an emphatic yes . James H . Carr , formerly a vice president at Fannie Mae and now a senior policy fellow with the nonprofit Opportunity Agenda , says the failure of both corporations to adopt up - to - date , more sophisticated credit - scoring models has a “ disparate impact ” on minority consumers and is discouraging first - time home purchases . Large numbers of Americans can not be scored using the decade - old FICO models that are still mandatory at Fannie and Freddie , Carr says , and Typically these are consumers who make minimal use of traditional forms of credit . They pay their bills for rent , utilities and cellphones , but none of these are reported to the national credit bureaus Equifax , Experian and TransUnion . Many are young , just starting out in their careers . Disproportionately , they are minorities . Some civil rights and financial groups agree that to more fairly serve the full range of home buyers , the two dominant mortgage corporations need to adopt the technologically superior and more inclusive models that are now available from Fair Isaac , developer of the FICO score , and its chief competitor , VantageScore Solutions . The Vantage score is widely used by banks in the credit card and auto loan fields . Yet neither Fannie nor Freddie accepts Vantage scores , they have not accepted any of the improved models offered by FICO since the housing boom and bust , and they do not appear to be in much of a rush to do so . Here ’ s the problem : Without a credit score , most mortgage applicants are doomed to rejection by lenders that expect to sell loans to either of the giant corporations . When consumers have little or no information on file , their credit data may be “ unscoreable ” and they must either forgo borrowing or use alternative lending sources that charge high or extortionate interest rates . But advanced scoring methods , as used in the latest Vantage and FICO models ( Vantage 3.0 and FICO 9 ) , are able to score larger numbers of people with what are called “ thin ” files , making them eligible for lower - priced loans . VantageScore claims that its newest version can score 30 million to 35 million consumers who are currently unscoreable by the systems used by Fannie and Freddie . Of these consumers , roughly 10 million have scores that are near or that exceed the minimums required by the two companies . Roughly 9.5 million of the newly scoreable consumers are either African American or Hispanic , and 2.7 million of these have scores that could open them to qualifying for a mortgage , assuming they meet income and underwriting criteria . Some financial and credit industry groups have urged Fannie and Freddie to open their systems to more inclusive scoring models . In a letter to the companies ’ regulator this month , the National Association of Federal Credit Unions asked that lenders be allowed to use more “ updated and accurate credit scoring models ” in order to “ expand access to [ mortgages ] for those consumers who are unable to be scored by the FICO model . ” In a letter to financial regulators , seven interest groups representing consumers , lenders and credit reporting companies said the mandatory use of FICO models “ disenfranchises millions of potential well - qualified borrowers ” who have thin files or are infrequent credit users . Lisa Rice , vice president of the National Fair Housing Alliance , told me in an e - mail that her organization has “ been pushing [ Fannie and Freddie ] for some time to test the VantageScore system so they can begin allowing lenders to use [ it ] , ” at least on So what ’ s Fannie and Freddie ’ s take on all this ? A spokesman for Freddie was noncommittal : “ We study scoring model refinements on an ongoing basis , ” he said . Fannie Mae was slightly more positive and specific : “ We are studying the costs and benefits of incorporating Vantage 3.0 or FICO 9 into our process , ” said spokesman Andrew Wilson . However , he added , “ we are confident that the tools we use today accurately consider a borrower ’ s credit history . ” Bottom line if you ’ re one of the millions with “ thin ” or unscoreable credit and would like to buy a home but are shut out : Do n ’ t give up hope . Fannie and Freddie are at least thinking about adopting more advanced scoring techniques . That ’ s got to be a plus . Ken Harney ’ s e - mail address is kenharney @ earthlink . net Comment s
|
[
"Fannie",
"Freddie block mortgages"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/realestate/standard-commission-for-the-sale-of-a-house-is-far-from-universally-applied/2015/03/05/eb85c8c4-bb8c-11e4-b274-e5209a3bc9a9_story.html
|
By Kenneth R . Harney February 27 , 2015 As a home buyer or seller , do you really understand real estate commissions ? Do you know how much a real estate agent who lists a house for sale typically gets ? Equally important , do you know how much the agent who brings you in as a buyer gets paid ? In other words , are you aware of how the total commission pie gets sliced up ? You may have heard that the “ standard ” commission is 6 percent , split between the listing agent and the selling agent who represents the buyer . A portion of the agents ’ splits then goes to the brokerage under whose banner they work . But 6 percent is n ’ t the real number . The average commission rate nationwide on home sale transactions has n ’ t been 6 percent since 1992 , when it was 6.04 percent , according to Real Trends , an industry publishing and consulting firm that obtains confidential transaction data from brokerages annually . In 2005 , at the height of the housing bubble , it was 5.02 percent and in 2013 it was 5.38 percent . Why bring this up ? A controversy over disclosure of commission rates in listing contracts erupted in Denver last month , shedding fresh light on what can be a contentious subject that is often shrouded from public view . The Denver issue : A discount realty firm that offers flat fees — $ 2,100 to the listing agent , $ 3,000 to the agent who brings in the buyer — broke ranks with industry practice by publishing the commission percentages promised to buyer agents in listing agreements . Key details of listing agreements are available online to realty agents who are members of the local “ multiple listing service ” or MLS , but not to the general public . In Denver , as in many other areas , MLS rules prohibit disclosure of the commission rates offered to agents working on behalf of buyers . Joshua Hunt , the founder and chief executive of Trelora , the flat - fee brokerage at the center of the controversy , disagrees with such rules . He believes buyers deserve complete transparency upfront regarding the commissions offered to agents on houses they are considering . Though sellers may pay the commission to both the listing and selling agents , the buyer ’ s dollars typically fund the transaction . Buyers should know in advance how much their agent stands to make , and they should be able to negotiate that amount lower than what is offered in the listing contract , Hunt told me in an interview . After being threatened with severe penalties by the local MLS , Hunt pulled down the commission data from his Web site . The dispute in Denver pits discount - fee brokers — and their advocates — against traditional brokerages . Stephen Brobeck , executive director of the Consumer Federation of America and a longtime critic of real estate industry practices , says “ the lack of disclosure of brokerage fees significantly increases consumers ’ cost of purchasing a home . ” Glenn Kelman , chief executive of Redfin , a national realty firm with 54 offices in 29 states and the District , charges 1.5 percent to list a home ( 1 percent in the D.C. market ) and rebates money to More - traditional , full - fee brokers , including the major franchises and large independent firms , contend not only that they bring superior skills and levels of service to their clients compared with discounters — expensive marketing campaigns , high - quality photography and staging , among others — but also that their fees are negotiable and available to clients who ask about them . Frank B . LLosa , a broker at Frankly Realtors , an independent agency in Falls Church , said in an interview that experienced buyer agents often save their clients thousands of dollars Where do you come out in all this ? First and foremost , be aware of the wide variety of options available to you as seller or buyer . Some brokerages charge clients a small fee to list them on the local MLS but offer strictly limited other services . In California markets , for example , MLS Access offers to list houses for six months for a $ 75 fee . Other firms offer menus of services at flat fees . At the other end of the spectrum are the full - service brokerages that may quote a “ Check them all out , and ask a lot of questions — who does what and who gets what — if you truly want to negotiate a good deal . Ken Harney ’ s e - mail address is kenharney @ earthlink . net
|
[
"Standard commission",
"real estate",
"house"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2018/10/23/wayne-rooney-is-officially-making-million-mls-thats-just-start/
|
Wayne Rooney has recorded 12 goals and seven assists in 19 appearances since signing this summer John McDonnellThe Washington Post By Steven Goff October 23 2018 From the moment Wayne Rooney signed with DC United this summer there was no doubt he had become the highestpaid player in team history Without any firm numbers however his earnings were left to speculation and rumor Now were beginning to gain some but not all details about his wages In an updated list of 2018 salaries released Tuesday the MLS Players Association reported that the English superstar has an annualized base salary of 2769230 The previous United record was Argentine midfielder Marcelo Gallardos 19 million in 2008 Few players in the clubs 23season history have eclipsed 1 million Rooneys base is eighth in the league well behind such players as Chicagos Bastian Schweinsteiger 61 million Torontos Michael Bradley 6 million and Sebastian Giovinco 56 million and New York City FCs David Villa 56 million Beyond base salaries Giovinco has the largest overall compensation at 71 million Rooneys is 2776730 However according to people with knowledge of the agreement Rooney is making far more than the listed numbers Those sources said he is collecting about 51 million the balance coming largely from guarantees tied to his image rights and other unspecified compensation Rooney 32 earned about 10 million in salary for Everton in the Premier League last season Playoff scenarios for United and the rest of the Eastern Conference He signed a 3year contract with DC the first 2 are guaranteed and the third is believed to be a clubheld option The base salary is expected to grow slightly next year Rooney is an MLS designated player which means the centralized league covers 504375 and United is responsible for the balance Before Rooneys arrival Uniteds highestpaid player this year was midfielder Zoltan Stieber 999999 The other top earners are midfielderdefender Paul Arriola 625000 midfielder Luciano Acosta 550000 and defender Steve Birnbaum 500000 Until the Rooney signing United had one of the lowest payrolls in the 23team league Rooneys impact has exceeded Uniteds wildest expectations In 19 appearances he has posted 12 goals and seven assists United is unbeaten in nine straight and on Sunday completed its rise from last place to a playoff berth The regular season finale is Sunday at Chicago The postseason will begin Oct 31 and Nov 1 Teammates and the coaching staff credit Rooney with elevating the team on and off the field through both performance and leadership he was named captain three weeks into his tenure From a business standpoint Rooneys impact has helped United sell tickets at Audi Field the teams new 20000seat stadium in Southwest DC Despite packing 15 home matches into a 14week span the club was able to sell out six and offer standingroomonly sales while drawing 18000plus for several others Although he has been in the league for only three months Rooney is No 4 on the list of topselling jerseys on the leagues online store Among the other midseason signings goalkeeper Bill Hamid is collecting only 67500 in base salary and 93175 overall However because of salary cap limitations his income was backloaded and hell earn considerably more next year Hamid was reacquired on a 1year loan from Danish club Midtjylland Before leaving for Europe last winter Hamid was earning 350000 base and 400000 overall in MLS Defender Vytautas Andriuskevicius who has yet to play because of injuries is listed with a base salary of 250000 However his previous club the Portland Timbers is responsible for most of that figure this year Reserve defender Kevin Ellis a lateseason signing is earning 150000 US soccer executive Dan Flynn to step down How 113 American soccer players abroad fared this weekend Paul Arriola returns to DC United grieving his father Steven Goff Steven Goff has covered soccer for The Washington Post since the early 1990s His beats include DC United MLS and the US national teams He has been on assignment at every World Cup since 1994 plus four Womens World Cups Be the first to know Our awardwinning journalists are there when the news breaks Try 1 month for 10 1 Already a subscriber Podcasts
|
[
"Wayne Rooney",
"MLS"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2018/10/26/pewdiepie-is-youtubes-most-subscribed-channel-hes-about-be-dethroned/
|
PewDiePie at his 2015 book signing for This Book Loves You at Barnes Noble Union Square in New York City John LamparskiGetty Images By Abby Ohlheiser October 26 2018 Two numbers sit sidebyside PewDiePie 67343327 TSeries 67155597 Both numbers representing each YouTube channels subscriber counts are growing by the second But TSeries is growing faster Those numbers popped up recently on a livestream that the analytics firm SocialBlade created to monitor the competition between the pair In a matter of days SocialBlade estimates something monumental will happen TSeries will overtake PewDiePie as YouTubes mostsubscribed channel a spot hes held since 2013 If youre an American who cares at all about YouTube youll know PewDiePie aka Felix Kjellberg Hes Swedish he became famous for playing and reacting on camera to scary video games The videos gave him an enormous and very loyal fan base He was one of the first famous YouTubers whose influence challenged the idea of what it means to be a real celebrity instead of simply someone who is famous online As the years passed Kjellberg branched out into vlogs commentary and comedy videos packaged and protected by layers of injokes and irony In 2017 he lost his premium YouTube show and a number of business deals when the Wall Street Journal highlighted a number of Nazi jokes on his channel Its tempting to conclude that the imminent dethroning is a result of the personalitys serial controversies But thats not quite right Kjellberg is about to lose the top spot not because of who he is but because of what TSeries represents In fact Kjellbergs subscriber count has only grown since those controversies just not as quickly as TSeriess TSeries is an Indian YouTube channel that taps into the popularity of Bollywood and focuses on music videos Unlike PewDiePie the channel posts multiple videos a day about four to six and is run by an entertainment company And its growing at a staggering pace as Indias Internet user base expands Since the beginning of the year TSeries has gained more than 35 million subscribers There are a lot of things that TSeries has going for it and its hard to say which one is the driving force behind its takeover of the YouTube subscriber chart Motherboard noted recently that TSeries has done a couple of super smart things It has catered to regional audiences like those in Bengali and Tamil and has focused on music Bollywood music Motherboard writes isnt as accessible in digital formats as youd think So a free YouTube channel with a huge catalogue of songs immediately becomes appealing In a September video Matthew Patrick a YouTuber who runs the popular Game Theory channel outlined several factors that he believes have contributed to TSeriess impending coronation including increased interest by major tech companies in tapping into Indias growing user base Patrick argues that as more of Indias population gets online there are still relatively few channels that cater to its interests and produce frequent professionalquality videos In other words TSeries is benefiting from having little competition something that contributed to Kjellbergs rise several years ago Patrick has argued Your browser does not currently recognize any of the video formats available Click here to visit our frequently asked questions about HTML5 video Kjellberg responded to the impending takeover the way he responds to most things these days with chaotic memeladen semi ironic commentary In August he released a video in which he jokingly challenged TSeries to a saber fight IRL to the death If they wont accept my sword challenge then the only thing we can do is fight fire with fire Kjellberg says before screaming smash subscribe several times Your browser does not currently recognize any of the video formats available Click here to visit our frequently asked questions about HTML5 video As YouTubes biggest star Kjellberg was one of the first to make appearances on mainstream TV shows as a kind of ambassador for the culture of YouTube and its fans I want to thank the Internet for allowing their emperor to be here for the evening Stephen Colbert joked in 2015 when interviewing Kjellberg on The Late Show The interview is charming Kjellberg explains why people might want to watch videos of him playing video games I think its not just watching me play it Its like were hanging out and he teaches Colbert some Swedish swear words But PewDiePies content has made him unsuitable for the ambassador role in recent years Aside from his Nazi jokes and dropping of the nword PewDiePie has more or less become a selfreferential fortress impenetrable to anyone who doesnt get the joke Recently PewDiePie argued that he had been singled out by YouTube for unfair punishment Logan Paul the popular vlogger who once filmed himself joking in front of a dead body in Japan will now see his premium YouTube movie released after months of controversydriven delay PewDiePies premium series is still canceled Besides the TV hosts have moved on Now they all want to play Fortnite with Ninja I played Fortnite with Ninja Ive never felt more like a millennial pictwittercom2Z02Y6yrjJ Ellen DeGeneres TheEllenShow October 13 2018
|
[
"PewDiePie",
"YouTube channel"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2018/10/18/persistent-alaska-warmth-this-fall-has-brought-back-blob-if-it-lasts-it-could-mean-wild-winter-lower/
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Persistent Alaska warmth this fall has brought back the blob If it lasts it could mean a wild winter in the Lower 48 Sea surface temperature anomalies highlight the expansive blob of warm water around Alaska earthnullschoolnet By Ian Livingston October 18 2018 Throughout early fall Alaska has been oddly warm and pleasant The cause of the freakishly nice weather has been massive high pressure anchored over and around the state One of the strongest on record for fall this sprawling dome of warm air has helped keep the usual transition to cold stunted Since days are still long in early fall across Alaska the sunny September and into October skies have also allowed ocean temperatures in the Northeast Pacific to rise significantly as well This has led to a return pool of abnormally warm ocean water in the Northeast Pacific known as the blob and just in time for Halloween But scientists are unsure whether the blob will remain a fixture or fade away If it manages to linger into the winter the consequences for the Lower 48 could be profound NOAA winter outlook El Niño may mean stormy conditions in the South and Eastern US Although the blob is focused over the Northeast Pacific and the Gulf of Alaska it has played a substantial role in the development of extreme weather patterns over the Lower 48 when it has formed in the past Generally it has been linked to abnormally warm and dry conditions in the West and cold and stormy conditions in the East When the blob is in place the jet stream which both divides warm and cold air and acts as super highway for storms tends to veer north over the top of the blob This results in a big ridge of high pressure forming over western North America which brings mild weather and blocks storms The blobs presence was linked to the persistence and intensity of the drought in California from 2013 to 2015 It also was blamed for contributing to 2015 being the hottest year on record in Seattle according to Scott Sistek a meteorologist with KOMO in Seattle Thanks to climate change the weather that roasts California and freezes the East may thrive As the cold air displaced by the blob has to go somewhere it then often crashes south in the East Remember the polar vortex intrusions during the winters of 20132014 and 20142015 The blob played a role So what will happen to the current iteration of the blob After Alaskas stunningly sunny September warmerthannormal conditions have persisted into October despite some change in the pattern which is now delivering more in the way of clouds and precipitation While the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center is forecasting warmerthannormal conditions for Alaska the rest of the month the megahighpressure zone feeding the blob is expected to continue to shift and break down a bit In its wake a stormier pattern may take over at least for a time This would allow the waters where the blob currently resides to begin to mix better perhaps ultimately diminishing or even destroying it How long will BLOB Jr last At least as long as we have persistent high pressure over the north Pacific wrote Cliff Mass a professor of atmospheric science at the University of Washington in a blog post At this point it looks like things are evolving to a pattern with less high pressure offshore so the BLOB should weaken Over the next week weather modeling indicates high pressure will move east into Canada as low pressure moves into the region where the blob is hanging out Tropical Tidbits According to Brian Brettschneider a climatologist in Alaska even if high pressure persists it may turn into a source of cold air rather than warmth given Alaskas waning sunlight which would weaken the blob Ultimately its hard to say much conclusively about the blobs fate The blob last showed up around this time in 2016 Back then there was some thinking that it may lead to a new round of winter cold outbreaks in the East That didnt really happen as the blob dissipated Blob or not the damage has been done in Alaska where drought persists in the coastal rain forest of the southeast and its been an extraordinarily peculiar start to the cold season The onset of autumn in Alaska the wettest part of the year for southcentral and southeast Alaska has been slow to arrive by four weeks or so said Dave Snider of the National Weather Service forecast office in Anchorage Anchorage has yet to witness a freeze Although the city could see its first freeze in about a week that will be about 10 days to two weeks past the old record for latest a substantial gap Nome should have 20 freezes by now This year just one Brettschneider said Anchorage should have 20 days with temperatures below 38 degrees This year zero So its not just the lack of a freeze its that everything about the air mass is exceptional and persistent Another oddity Fairbanks has yet to see any snow so far this season the latest on record But history shows that the lack of snow so far means little with respect to what winter will bring Okay Fairbanks If youre bummed that its Oct 16th raining and 45F take heart it will yet snow Past century theres no significant correlation between snowfall in SeptemberOctober and how much falls the rest of the winter akwx Climatologist49 newsminer tomhewittnews pictwittercomMGgJlmfnhT Rick Thoman AlaskaWx October 16 2018 Much like the future of the blob the future of winter in Alaska is very much to be determined Brettschneider sees the potential for a perfect confluence of conditions to keep the warmth coming Since September turned to October a dominant feature has been a low pressure area in the Bering Sea This is a conduit for driving relatively mild Pacific Ocean air into the state Its still quite early in the cold season even in the snowy north For now its a waiting game Waiting for summer to finally end and waiting to see what winter might bring It wont only have implications for Alaska but for all of us 285 Ian Livingston Ian Livingston is a forecasterphotographer and information lead for the Capital Weather Gang By day Ian is a defense and national security researcher at a DC think tank Podcasts The confounding case of alleged spy Paul Whelan Shane Harris tells the story about a former Marine being detained in Russia on suspicion of spying Annie Linskey on how the likability question will affect female 2020 candidates Plus voices from the government shutdown Listen 2237 1 day ago
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[
"Alaska warmth",
"winter",
"blob"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/indonesian-plane-crashes-into-the-sea-with-more-than-180-on-board/2018/10/29/a6e8343e-db24-11e8-aa33-53bad9a881e8_story.html
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Lion Air jet crashes with more than 180 on board By Shibani Mahtani and Ainur Rohmah October 29 2018 A Lion Air passenger plane that took off Monday from Jakarta Indonesias largest city heading to a nearby island crashed into the sea shortly after takeoff with 189 people on board in clear skies launching a grim mission to find unlikely survivors and remains from the deep waters Rescuers began pulling out debris from the depths of the sea including parts of the aircrafts fuselage ID cards and bags belonging to the passengers on board People at an offshore refining facility nearby also found remains of the aircraft including plane seats in the water Officials say they have received no confirmation that anyone has survived We are waiting for a miracle of God said Nugroho Budi Wiryanto deputy operations chief at the national searchandrescue agency At least 300 rescuers have been deployed from the agency he said and are still searching for the main body of the plane Lion Air JT610 lost contact with air traffic officials and fell from over 3000 feet about 13 minutes after takeoff plunging into the sea below officials said adding that people on a nearby tugboat watched the plane descend The air traffic websites FlightAware and Flightradar24 showed the plane climbing erratically barely reaching above 5000 feet before quickly dropping and disappearing from radar Among those on board were two pilots six flight attendants and two babies Twenty employees from Indonesias Finance Ministry were also on board Sutopo Purwo Nugroho a spokesman for Indonesias national disaster agency shared a video on Twitter of rescuers on tugboats looking for debris off the coast of Karawang an area in West Java close to Jakarta He also shared photos of mangled cellphones and a torn bag that rescuers recovered Rescuers will also dive to find debris and remains in the sea which has a depth of about 114 feet The aircraft a Boeing 737 Max 8 was purchased this year by Lion Air Southeast Asias secondlargest lowcost airline The plane is one of Boeings newest and had flown several hundred hours since Lion Air started operating it on Aug 15 It departed at 621 am local time and was scheduled to arrive about 720 am at Pangkal Pinang the largest city on the nearby Indonesian island of Bangka Boeing said it had received confirmation that the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation had located the wreckage of the flight The Boeing Company is deeply saddened by the loss of Flight JT 610 We express our concern for those on board and extend heartfelt sympathies to their families and loved ones a company statement read Boeing stands ready to provide technical assistance to the accident investigation A crisis center has been set up at Jakartas SoekarnoHatta International Airport and the Depati Amir Airport in Pangkal Pinangfor families of passengers and crew members on the plane said Pramintohadi Soekarno the acting director general of civil aviation The flight was commanded by Capt Bhavye Suneja who had more than 6000 flight hours and his copilot who had more than 5000 hours officials said Indonesian officials and experts say the exact cause of the crash will not be clear until flight data particularly from the planes black box is retrieved An estimated location of the black box has been identified and divers are searching for it A statement from Indonesias Transport Ministry said the plane had requested to return to base before it lost contact Skies were clear and there were no abnormalities in the weather Aircraft makers and carriers have long prized Indonesia as one of the regions fastest growing aviation market with a rising middleclass Air travel is a necessity to dart across Indonesias large archipelago of islands Domestic passenger traffic has tripled over the past 12 years to 97 million in 2017 But the country has long received mixed reviews on airline safety and all its airlines were only removed from the European Unions air safety list and deemed safe to travel on this June Lion Air was allowed to fly in EU air space in 2016 Lion Air established in 1999 is Indonesias largest budget airline It has been involved in a number of incidents in recent years but none with fatalities One of its jets collided with a plane from another carrier Wings Air on the island of Sumatra last year but no one was injured In 2013 a Lion Air flight crashed into the sea after landing on the resort island of Bali Several were injured but no one was killed In 2004 a Lion Air plane skid off the runway in heavy rains when it landed in the city of Solo killing 31 Timothy McLaughlin in Hong Kong contributed to reporting Mahtani reported from Hong Kong Rohmah reported from Jakarta Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news
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[
"Boeing Company"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/intelligence-community-investigating-covert-russian-influence-operations-in-the-united-states/2016/09/04/aec27fa0-7156-11e6-8533-6b0b0ded0253_story.html
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A view through a construction fence shows the Kremlin towers and St . Basil ' s Cathedral in central Moscow . ( Maxim Zmeyev / Reuters ) By Dana Priest Ellen Nakashima and Tom Hamburger September 5 , 2016 U.S. intelligence and law enforcement agencies are investigating what they see as a broad covert Russian operation in the United States to sow public distrust in the upcoming presidential election and in U.S. political institutions , intelligence and congressional officials said . The aim is to understand the scope and intent of the Russian campaign , which incorporates cyber - tools to hack systems used in the political process , enhancing Russia ’ s ability to spread disinformation . The effort to better understand Russia ’ s covert influence operations is being coordinated by James R . Clapper Jr . , the director of national intelligence . “ This is something of concern for the DNI , ” said Charles Allen , a former longtime CIA officer who has been briefed on some of these issues . “ It is being addressed . ” A Russian influence operation in the United States “ is something we ’ re looking very closely at , ” said one senior intelligence official who , like others interviewed , spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter . Officials also are examining potential disruptions to the election process , and the FBI has alerted state and local officials to potential cyberthreats . The official cautioned that the intelligence community is not saying it has “ definitive proof ” of such tampering , or any Russian plans to do so . “ But even the hint of something impacting the security of our election system would be of significant concern , ” the official said . “ It ’ s the key to our democracy , that people have confidence in the election system . ” The Kremlin ’ s intent may not be to sway the election in one direction or another , officials said , but to cause chaos and provide propaganda fodder to attack U.S. democracy - building policies around the world , particularly in the countries of the former Soviet Union . Russia ’ s anti - American fever goes beyond the Soviet era ’ s U.S. intelligence officials described the covert influence campaign here as “ ambitious ” and said it is also designed to counter U.S. leadership and influence in international affairs . Their comments came just before President Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin talked privately about cyberspying and other matters on the sidelines of the Group of 20 talks in China . After their meeting Monday , Obama acknowledged tensions over digital espionage and said the United States had strong capability in this area . “ Our goal is not to suddenly , in the cyber arena , duplicate the cycle of escalation we saw when it comes to other arms races in the past , ” Obama said . One congressional official , who has been briefed recently on the matter , said “ Russian ‘ active measures ’ or covert influence or ma nipu la tion efforts , whether it ’ s in Eastern Europe or in the United States , ” are worrisome . It “ seems to be a global campaign , ” the aide said . As a result , the issue has “ moved up as a priority ” for the intelligence agencies , which include the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security as well as the CIA and the National Security Agency . Some congressional leaders briefed recently by the intelligence agencies on Russian influence operations in Europe , and how they may serve as a template for activities in the United States , were disturbed by what they heard . After Senate Minority Leader Harry M . Reid ( D - Nev . ) ended a secure 30 - minute phone briefing given by a top intelligence official recently , he was “ deeply shaken , ” according to an aide who was with Reid when he left the secure room at the FBI ’ s Las Vegas office . The Russian government hack of the Democratic National Committee , disclosed by the DNC in June but not yet officially ascribed by the U.S. government to Russia , and the subsequent release of 20,000 hacked DNC emails by WikiLeaks , shocked officials . Cyber analysts traced its digital markings to known Russian government hacking groups . Cyber researchers confirm Russian hack of DNC “ We ’ ve seen an unprecedented intrusion and an attempt to influence or disrupt our political process , ” said Rep . Adam B . Schiff ( Calif . ) , the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee , speaking about the DNC hack and the WikiLeaks release on the eve of the Democratic convention . The disclosures , which included a number of embarrassing internal emails , forced the resignation of DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz . Members of both parties are urging the president to take the Russians to task publicly . Sen . Ben Sasse ( R - Neb . ) in a statement urged Obama to publicly name Russia as responsible for the DNC hack and apparent meddling in the electoral process . “ Free and legitimate elections are non - negotiable . It ’ s clear that Russia thinks the reward outweighs any consequences , ” he wrote . “ That calculation must be changed . . . . This is going to take a cross - domain response — diplomatic , political and economic — that turns the screws on Putin and his cronies . ” Another Republican , Sen . Daniel Coats of Indiana , a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee , said Sunday that if Moscow is indeed trying to influence the U.S. election , “ such actions would be an outrageous violation of international rules of behavior and can not be tolerated . ” Administration officials said they are still weighing their response . Russia has denied that it carried out any cyber - intrusions in the United States . Putin called the accusations against Russia by U.S. officials and politicians an attempt to “ distract the public ’ s attention . ” “ It does n ’ t really matter who hacked this data from Mrs . Clinton ’ s campaign headquarters , ” Putin said in an interview with Bloomberg News , referring to Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton . “ The important thing is the content was given to the public . ” Russian hackers targeted Arizona election system The Department of Homeland Security has offered local and state election officials help to prevent or deal with Election Day cyber disruptions , including vulnerability scans , regular actionable information and alerts , and access to other tools for improving cybersecurity at the local level . It will also have a cyber team ready at the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center to alert jurisdictions if attacks are detected . Last month , the FBI issued an unprecedented warning to state election officials urging them to be on the lookout for intrusions into their election systems and to take steps to upgrade security measures across the voting process , including voter registration , voter rolls and election - related websites . The confidential “ flash ” alert said investigators had detected attempts to penetrate election systems in several states . Arizona , Illinois and both the Democratic and Republican parties , as well as the DNC , have been the victims of either attempted or successful cyberattacks that FBI agents with expertise in Russian government hacking are investigating . Federal law enforcement and local election officials say the decentralized nature of the voting process , which is run by states and counties , makes it impossible to ensure a high level of security in each district . “ I have a lot of concern ” about this year ’ s election , said Ion Sancho , the longtime supervisor of elections in Leon County , Fla . “ America does n ’ t have its act together . ” Sancho , who has authorized red - team attacks on his voting system to identify its vulnerabilities , added : “ We need a plan . ” Sancho and others are particularly concerned about electronic balloting from overseas that travels on vulnerable networks before landing in the United States , and about efforts to use cyberattacks to disrupt vote tabulations being transmitted to state - level offices . Encryption , secure paper backups and secure backup computers are critical , he said . Tom Hicks , chairman of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission , an agency set up by Congress after the 2000 Florida recount to maintain election integrity , said he is confident that states have sufficient safeguards in place to ward off intrusions . He noted that electronic balloting from overseas is conducted by email , not through online voting machines . The overseas voter “ waives their right of privacy ” by emailing the ballot , which is tabulated by election officials . The email may still be hacked , but it is not a systemic risk , he said Recently , Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said he favors designating the voting systems used in the country ’ s 9,000 polling places as “ critical infrastructure ” — in other words , as vital to the nation ’ s safe functioning as nuclear power plants and electrical power grids . Readout of Secretary Jeh Johnson ’ s call with state election officials on cybersecurity Such a designation could mean increased DHS funding to localities to help ensure that voter registration , ballots and ballot tabulation remain free from interference . But it wo n ’ t happen before the November elections , federal and local officials said . Russia has been in the vanguard of a growing global movement to use propaganda on the Internet to influence people and political events , especially since the political revolt in Ukraine , the subsequent annexation of Crimea by Russia , and the imposition of sanctions on Russia by the United States and the European Union . The Baltic states , Georgia and Ukraine have been subject to Russian cyberattacks and other hidden influence operations meant to disrupt those countries , officials said . “ Our studies show that it is very likely that [ the influence ] operations are centrally run , ” said Janis Sarts , director of the NATO Strategic Communications Center of Excellence , a research organization based in Riga , Latvia . He also said there is “ a coordinated effort involving [ groups using ] Twitter and Facebook and networks of bots to amplify their message . The main themes seem to be orchestrated rather high up in the hierarchy of the Russian state , and then there are individual endeavors by people to exploit specific themes . ” Sarts said the Russian propaganda effort has been “ successful in exploiting the vulnerabilities within societies . ” In Western Europe , for instance , such Russian information operations have focused on the politically divisive refugee crisis . On the eve of a crucial post - revolution presidential vote in Ukraine in 2014 , a digital assault nearly crippled the country ’ s Central Election Commission ’ s website . Pro - Moscow hackers calling themselves the CyberBerkut claimed responsibility , saying they were not state - affiliated , but the authorities in Kiev blamed Moscow . The Russians used a “ denial of service ” technique , flooding the commission ’ s Web server with a high volume of requests , which was meant to slow down or disable the network . Comment s
|
[
"presidential election",
"U.S. intelligence",
"law enforcement agencies"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-official-cuba-frees-political-prisoners-under-diplomatic-pact-with-washington/2015/01/12/70440abe-9a61-11e4-a7ee-526210d665b4_story.html
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National Security Cuba completes prisoner release agreed to under U.S. pact Recently released dissidents Aide Gallardo , left , and Sonia Garro hold the Cuban national flag during a march in Havana on Jan . 11 . As part of a normalization deal with the U.S. , Cuba agreed to release 53 political prisoners . ( Reuters ) By Karen DeYoung January 12 , 2015 All 53 political prisoners Cuba pledged to release as part of a normalization agreement with the United States have now been freed , the Obama administration said Monday . “ We welcome this very positive development and are pleased that the Cuban government followed through on this commitment , ” said State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf . “ Clearly , we think this is a good thing , ” she added . The names of the 53 prisoners were part of a longer list the United States presented to Cuba during 18 months of secret talks that led to the announcement last month that the two governments would reestablish diplomatic relations . During the talks , the Cuban government responded by singling out the 53 detainees it was prepared to release . Harf said the number of detainees who were left off the list refined by Cuba was “ small ” but declined to provide an exact count . Other U.S. officials said that the U.S. Interests Section in Havana had confirmed that the prisoners were actually released . Dissident Wilberto Parada , 42 , center , is reflected in a mirror with his son and wife in his home in Havana on Jan . 9 , a day after his release . The island ' s government has freed all the dissidents it agreed to release , the U.S. said . ( Ramon Espinosa / AP ) Neither the United States nor Cuba publicly disclosed the names of the 53 , but copies of the list surfaced Monday after being provided to congressional leaders — an outcome the administration encouraged . Many of those released are members of the Patriotic Union of Cuba , a small dissident group ; other groups represented include the Ladies in White , made up of relatives of other detainees . A large number of those released had been charged or convicted of “ assault , ” a term frequently used for dissidents who resist arrest . Most were held a relatively brief time , from several years to a few months , reflecting an apparent shift away from long - term imprisonments by the Cuban government to what Harf called “ short - term detentions . ” In recent years , Cuba has released many of the best - known long - term political prisoners . Elizardo Sánchez , head of the Havana - based Cuban Human Rights and National Reconciliation Commission , said he could confirm that 40 prisoners on the list had been released since last month ’ s announcements ; the others , he said , had been freed weeks and in some cases months earlier . Sánchez said at least 70 individuals classified by his organization as political prisoners remain incarcerated . Some of them have spent up to 20 years in prison and a number are in poor health , he said . The announcement came as Pope Francis , who was instrumental in forging the accord between the two countries to reestablish diplomatic relations , broke his official silence over the historic overtures that came after more than 50 years of Cold War - era estrangement . Speaking to a group of diplomats at the Vatican , the pope said that “ an example of how dialogue can build bridges is the recent decision of the United States and Cuba to end a reciprocal silence that lasted a half - century and draw near to each other for the good of their citizens . ” In a letter to senior lawmakers who were sent the list of 53 detainees , Secretary of State John F . Kerry noted that a small number had been released even before the Dec . 17 announcement and that “ in the last few days , the remainder . . . were released . ” “ We will continue to make clear to the Cuban government that neither those 53 individuals released , nor any Cuban exercising their universal right to have their voices heard , be subject to harassment , arrest or beatings , ” Kerry wrote . At a political event in Kentucky , the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations , Samantha Power , praised Cuba ’ s move as “ heartening ” to the families of the former prisoners , the Associated Press reported . But she noted that it does not “ solve the larger human rights problems ” in Cuba — an issue that is certain to cast a shadow as the countries expand diplomatic dialogue . The administration was hopeful that the prisoner release would be completed before the Jan . 21 beginning of talks in Havana over the process of reestablishing diplomatic relations , severed by the United States after the Cuban revolution brought the Communist government of Fidel Castro to power in 1959 . Critics of the agreement in this country , including some Cuban American citizens and lawmakers , had charged that Cuba was slow to comply with the pledge . They said Havana got more than it had given in the accord , which included promises by President Obama to take executive action to ease restrictions on trade and travel . The Treasury and Commerce departments plan to publish the new regulations as early as this week . As a steady flow of releases began late last week , the State Department said that the names were “ consistent with the cases that we raised with the Cuban Government . ” Meanwhile , a Venezuelan - based satellite television station featured a letter to Argentine soccer great Diego Maradona that it said was signed by Fidel Castro and dated Jan . 11 . The station , which is partly sponsored by the Cuban government , broadcast a photograph of Maradona holding the letter , which the station said disproved widespread rumors late last week that Castro had died . Castro , 88 , who ceded power to his brother Raúl in 2008 after a prolonged illness , has not been seen in public for more than a year . Comment s
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[
"Cuba",
"prisoner",
"U.S. pact"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/south-sudan-civilians-are-trapped-in-conflict-over-oil/2012/05/01/gIQAUX6buT_story.html
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By Sudarsan Raghavan May 1 , 2012 Every few moments , Nyameat Nyak glances nervously at the sky . It ’ s been two weeks since Sudanese warplanes bombed her tea shop as she was serving five traders , pregnant with her sixth child . Shrapnel sliced through the walls , covering her in flesh and blood . The men died . Her baby lived . Since the attack , there have been more bombings , more deaths and a growing unease that this nation ’ s prized asset is becoming its biggest misfortune . “ If we had no oil , ” said Nyak , 27 , seated outside her hut , “ we would not be attacked . ” Tens of thousands of South Sudanese are trapped in a conflict over oil and territory between their newly independent country and their northern neighbor , Sudan . For the past three weeks , Sudanese warplanes have bombed the town of Bentiu , killing 15 civilians and injuring several dozen more , according to the United Nations . From Angola to Chad , Nigeria to Equatorial Guinea , oil and other natural resources have been more bane than blessing , generating conflicts and corruption while millions of Africans languish in poverty . But many thought oil revenue would prevent another conflict here , with South Sudan dependent on Sudan ’ s pipelines and ports to export its crude . But with each assault , and as both nations mass troops on their contested border 50 miles north of here , the countries are drawing closer toward a full - blown war , potentially destabilizing a region containing one of Africa ’ s most significant oil reserves . “ The oil is a curse , ” Mohamed Abdurahman Kili , 56 , mumbled from his hospital bed , his body covered with burns . He was inside his shop in a crowded market on the edge of town when a Sudanese warplane attacked , killing a 9 - year - old child and another person , and setting his shop on fire . Oil was a key incentive in the 2005 peace deal that ended Sudan ’ s 22 - year civil war , Africa ’ s longest . With an estimated three - quarters of their combined reserves in South Sudan , both sides agreed to split the revenue equally . Tensions , though , have steadily risen since South Sudan ’ s independence in July , fueled by ethnic strife , contested borders — and oil . South Sudan reneged on paying Sudan hundreds of millions of dollars for using its pipelines , saying the fees were exorbitant . Sudan responded by seizing tankers carrying South Sudanese crude and imposed a blockade on the export of the oil . In February , South Sudan shut down its entire oil production , roughly 350,000 barrels a day . Since then , oil talks have fallen apart . Sudan has bombed oil facilities inside South Sudan . South Sudan , in turn , took over the disputed town of Heglig , the site of Sudan ’ s largest oil field , last month . That prompted Sudanese President Omar Hassan al - Bashir to declare that he would “ liberate ” South Sudan . Two days later , yielding to international pressure , South Sudan withdrew from Heglig . But that has n ’ t silenced the rumblings of war . On Friday , South Sudanese President Salva Kiir returned from China , where he sought funds to build an alternative pipeline through Kenya or Djibouti , and declared Heglig and its oil part of South Sudan . ( By Laris Karklis / The Washington Post ) The forceful rhetoric has continued even as the economies of both countries are under immense pressure because of the oil shutdown . Both currencies are rapidly sinking in value , while fuel and food prices are soaring . Epicenter of bombings In Bentiu , the impact is visible . Near the main bridge , more than 160 South Sudanese languish in shacks with their meager possessions . Most had fled the civil war more than a decade ago . In Sudan ’ s capital , Khartoum , they were treated as second - class citizens , beaten by police , because they were southerners . Two months ago , they returned as part of a South Sudanese government program to repatriate southerners to their new country , where they hoped for a peaceful life . Today , they are living at the epicenter of the bombings . The bridge has been targeted three times in the past three weeks because South Sudan ’ s army uses it to transport soldiers , weapons and food to the front lines . Every time they hear the sound of a plane , they run for cover or lie flat on the ground . “ We did n ’ t know we would end up in the middle of another conflict , ” said John Mai Wang , 43 , shaking his head and glancing at the bridge . South Sudan ’ s government , which depends on oil for 98 percent of its revenue , has not had the money to send the returnees back to their traditional homes . And inflation has quickly consumed what little savings they had . “ All our money has gone to feed our children , ” said Paul Khan Mameew , 30 . “ We have nowhere to go . ” Little benefit from oil Even before the current tensions , Bentiu saw little benefit from oil . The streets are unpaved and covered with trash ; electricity is scarce , reserved for those with private generators . Now , the bombings have forced many residents to flee and return to their villages , said U.N. and local officials . At the market , some stalls are shuttered . “ The market is not normal , ” said David Rieak , 41 , who fixes computers and estimates that 35 percent of the stalls are closed . “ Most of the store owners are afraid . These people do n ’ t care if they bomb civilians . ” Most expect more violence . Bentiu has become more militarized , with armed soldiers placed at checkpoints and at the bridge . Troops are constantly moving to the front . Weapons are being flown into the airport . South Sudan ’ s army commanders say several militias backed by Sudan originate in the town and are battling them in areas along the disputed border . If Bentiu falls , Sudan would be within striking distance of controlling some of South Sudan ’ s most lucrative oil fields . “ They are interested in driving away the people of Bentiu so they can enter and take over the oil . But we will never let this happen , ” said Maj . Gen . James Gatduel Gatluak , a South Sudanese military commander . “ If they start war , we will not only retake Heglig . We will reach up to Khartoum . ” Nyak is not taking any chances . She has no plans to rebuild her tea shop , which was located at the foot of the bridge . Whenever she and her neighbors hear the sounds of an airplane in the sky , they yell to their children in their local language : “ Minaknaath ! ” It means : “ The killer is coming . ” Comment s
|
[
"South Sudan civilians",
"Nyameat Nyak"
] |
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/venezuelas-crisis-is-so-bad-that-people-are-abandoning-their-beloved-pets/2018/09/12/e7479252-abd3-11e8-9a7d-cd30504ff902_story.html
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Canelo Olivia and Serena are among the many dogs being abandoned at pet shelters or on the street by Venezuelan owners who can no longer afford to take care of them Rachelle KrygierThe Washington Post By Rachelle Krygier September 13 CARACAS VENEZUELA It was Sheldons 6th birthday and Mary Cruz Lema realized she had to give him up As Venezuelas economic crisis had deepened she and her husband had been struggling to feed their beloved blackandwhite schnauzer Their collective salaries hers as a schoolteacher and his as a nurse equaled no more than 10 a month barely enough to cover meals for themselves and their two children The last time Sheldon had had a dog treat was in November By January the familys budget was so tight that Lema stopped buying pet shampoo and began limiting Sheldons meals to one a day By June his only sustenance was a few leftover vegetables from the family table Once playful Sheldon became lethargic sitting in a corner in distress I looked at the dog and couldnt sleep Lema said It felt urgent So she took a step that is becoming increasingly common in this collapsing nation giving up the family pet If life in Venezuela has become hard for humans it has become even harder for many pets With inflation soaring toward 1 million percent dog food and veterinary care have spiraled out of reach for millions of people One kilo or 22 pounds of dog food for instance now costs nearly the equivalent of three weeks salary for a minimumwage worker The result animal specialists say has been an exploding population of abandoned dogs on the streets and rising numbers in underfunded shelters Although there are no reliable national figures on the phenomenon officials from eight shelters in the capital Caracas said they had seen a roughly 50 percent rise in the number of pets left at their facilities this year At the same time pet adoptions have a dropped by as much as a third they said People are being forced to choose their priorities and dogs for the most part arent one of them said Esmeralda Larrosa owner of the Kauna Animal Foundation a Caracas shelter Her facility she said is now struggling to feed its 125 dogs including 15 that arrived within the previous two weeks The rise in abandonment we are seeing is simply crazy Millions flee Maduros Venezuela only to become a new underclass On one recent morning dozens of dogs many of them emaciated languished inside Evelias Shelter in eastern Caracas The smell of dog urine filled the air a scent hard to wash away in a city where businesses and homes have running water only intermittently A tiny skeletal black poodle brought in a week earlier sat in one corner A 1yearold golden retriever recently surrendered by a man unable to feed him roamed the yard Every day is incredibly sad said Aida Lopez Mendez 53 one of the shelters owners We never thought the situation could get so tragic As prices of goods and services surge Larrosa said she has been forced to cease most vaccinations and medical treatments for the animals in her shelter Anesthesia injections for animal operations for instance can cost the equivalent of 50 At the same time donations to shelters have fallen drastically To get by Larrosa is feeding her dogs discarded pieces of meat from a nearby restaurant And new animals are arriving in everworse conditions We mostly get malnourished dogs now she said Three such canines were left at her door last month two died within weeks For pets as well as people the crisis here is likely to get worse This petroleumrich countrys woes are the result of a combination of factors including lower oil prices corruption and failed socialist policies In an attempt to stabilize the economy President Nicolás Maduro the successor of Hugo Chávez who died in 2013 announced a 3000 percent minimumwage hike last month So far though that measure and others have seemed to backfire with prices for basic goods almost doubling Some shelters are considering closing once theyre able to place all their dogs Its a critical situation because we have to spend three times as much as we used to to maintain each animal said Mariant Lameda owner of the Network of Canine Support which has 270 dogs Only one has been adopted this year compared with 13 last year and more than 200 in 2015 The crisis is forcing people such as Johnny Godoy a 40yearold businessman to make desperate decisions about their pets Unable to get by on the money he makes selling paper products Godoy is planning to move to Peru a journey of more than 2000 miles He has spent months trying to find a family with whom he can leave his 6yearold miniature pinscher Because of the countrys situation its hard to find someone who wants to keep her But I cant take her Im leaving by bus and we still dont know how long it will take for us to get settled he said Were going to miss her horribly For Lema the teacher saying goodbye to her dog was one of the most traumatic experiences of her life On that late June morning she recalled she walked out of the house holding Sheldon accompanied by her two children as representatives of an animalaid group arrived in a car to pick up the dog The three of them were crying Her boy who is autistic was especially distraught She gave the aid workers Sheldons purple pillow his little red quilt with polka dots and the dog As their vehicle started to pull away her 13yearold son started hitting the car window shouting for his pet Lema said she kept Sheldons dog tag We miss him every single day she said Anthony Faiola in Miami contributed to this report A historic exodus is leaving Venezuela without teachers or doctors Millions of Venezuelans are fleeing to Latin American cities The region may never be the same As Venezuela disintegrates a new breed of pirates threatens the Caribbean Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news
|
[
"Venezuela",
"pets"
] |
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/feb/22/b-36-veteran-remembers-crash-of-fort-worth-built-b/
|
Home News B36 veteran remembers crash of Fort Worthbuilt bomber Follow Us ADVANCE FOR SUNDAY FEB 22 2015 In this photo taken on Wednesday Feb 11 2015 Dick Thrasher talks about having to jump out of a B36 Peacemaker from his home in Hurst Texas Sixtyfive years ago on Valentines Day By BILL HANNA Associated Press Sunday February 22 2015 HURST Texas AP At 93 Dick Thrasher considers himself lucky Not only lucky to be alive he said but also lucky enough to have survived three harrowing events in the sky Sixtyfive years ago he was a gunner on the crew of an Air Force mission that was supposed to simulate a nuclear attack The B36 Peacemaker would take off on Feb 13 1950 from Eielson Air Force Base in Fairbanks Alaska fly south off the Canadian coast on a simulated bombing run over San Francisco before flying home to Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth It never made it Several hours into the flight the plane began icing three engines caught fire and it started losing altitude Before the crew could bail out they had to fly out to sea and get rid of the planes lethal payload a 10000pound Mk4 nuclear bomb It would become the United States first broken arrow code for a mishap involving a nuclear weapon Thrasher and 11 others survived by parachuting out of the plane Five crewmen Air Force Staff Sgt Elbert W Pollard Capt Theodore F Schreier Capt William Phillips Lt Holiel Ascol and Staff Sgt Neil A Straley did not survive While many details of the crash remained secret for decades there have been news articles and books written and documentaries made recounting the events of that night as the bomber flew on autopilot for another 200 miles before crashing atop Mount Kologet in a remote section of British Columbia The crash site wouldnt be found until 1953 and the secrecy that surrounded the mission left a lot of questions At the time of the crash the Canadians and the public werent told what the plane had onboard Thrasher would see the flash of an explosion beneath the clouds from the back of the bomber We were carrying an atomic bomb Thrasher told the Fort Worth StarTelegram httpsbitly1MyNPCA It didnt have the plutonium to make it work It exploded in the air a conventional explosion not atomic We turned around and went toward land Thrasher who retired as a senior master sergeant in 1971 and the other survivors parachuted onto Princess Royal Island just off the coast of British Columbia They spent about 36 hours on the island before a Canadian fishing boat picked them up The mystery surrounding their mission would last for decades Thrasher would make a trip to the crash site in 1998 at the invitation of a writer to see it for himself And in 2012 some remains that were found inside a boot by a Canadian fishing boat in 1952 were identified after multiple DNA tests as belonging to one of his crewmen Pollard He was buried at San Francisco National Cemetery at the Presidio near the Golden Gate Bridge Streets in an area of Westworth Village that was once part of Carswell are named after some of the missing men including Pollard Thrasher has his own theory about why he survived and others perished None of the rest of them bothered with a Mae West he said in a 2012 StarTelegram interview referring to the personal flotation device I was having trouble fastening my chest strap over the Mae West then when I got out of the airplane I couldnt find my Dring When I did finally find it the chute made two oscillations and then I hit a tree He assumes high winds blew the five missing men out into the icecold waters while the rest landed safely on land Although the crash happened on Feb 13 shortly before midnight Thrasher always said that it happened on Valentines Day since it was already the 14th back home in Fort Worth It wasnt Thrashers only brush with death In July 1949 he was on a B36 that had an engine fall off On April 27 1951 there was an even closer call He was on a training mission over Oklahoma in which P51 Mustangs would be simulating attacks on the bombers During one pass a P51 flew too close and slammed into the nose of the B36 breaking in two I seen one pass under our right wing I just got a glimpse of something said Thrasher who was in the back of the plane Right after that all this debris went by and all six engines shut off and we were out of control I knew exactly what happened His No 2 man didnt make it His wing man didnt make it Hit right into the cockpit Thrasher scrambled to the planes entrance hatch and jumped to safety But he was seconds away from possibly tumbling to his death They said as soon as I made it out the tail broke off and just dumped everybody else out Thrasher said All of them except one had a chute on They made it The one that didnt have it didnt have a prayer None of the 12 crew members in the front of the B36 survived including Capt Harold Barry who had also been on the illfated flight that crashed off of British Columbia a year earlier Barry and Thrasher had been placed on different crews after that 1950 crash but were together again on that deadly 1951 flight Thrasher said Barry believed trouble would follow whenever the two of them flew together He said as much just before they took off He said Were bound to have trouble Thrasher said Lord help him he didnt know what trouble we were going to have Other crew members also believed they were cursed when they flew with Thrasher and would tell him so He was never sure if they were joking or not They would say You were a jinx on that crew because after you left we never had trouble Thrasher said Before that we had nothing but trouble But it was the airplane it wasnt me The first two years in the B36 we had nothing but trouble During the height of the Cold War Thrasher was taught enough Russian to ask for a cigarette in the event they were shot down Thrasher never took the idea of a bombing run into the Soviet Union as a real possibility I just couldnt see us attacking Russia and I couldnt see Russia attacking us Thrasher said Once he moved from B36s to B52s his close calls came to an end He would fly in that plane until his retirement in 1971 including 25 missions over Vietnam from June 1968 to June 1969 Yet he was never convinced those bombs struck any targets After you dropped the bombs you would flip the optic sight to see if there was any secondary explosions he said Thats when you knew you had hit something I never saw any secondary explosions All I could see down there was trees in the jungle Apparently it didnt do any good because we lost the war Thrasher who served in the Army during World War II retired after 30 years and bought a place in the country near Cross Plains He still drives mows his own lawn and does his laundry but he never forgets how lucky he is to still be around I tell everyone Im a very fortunate survivor and I know that Thrasher said Information from Fort Worth StarTelegram httpswwwstartelegramcom Copyright 2018 The Washington Times LLC The Washington Times Comment Policy The Washington Times welcomes your comments on Spotim our thirdparty provider Please read our before commenting
|
[
"BILL HANNA"
] |
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/sep/21/dj-moore-scores-for-maryland-on-power-speed-savvin/
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Home Sports Ncaa D.J. Moore scores for Maryland on power , speed , savviness Terrapins receiver ' s play a hit on YouTube Maryland receiver D.J. Moore leads the Big Ten with an average of 115 yards receiving per game while the Terrapins score 57 points per game . ( Associated Press ) more > Print By David Ginsburg - Associated Press - Thursday , September 21 , 2017 COLLEGE PARK | D.J. Moore is best known at Maryland for his ability to catch the football and take it to the end zone . The talented junior out of Philadelphia has at least one reception in 23 straight games and has 12 touchdown catches in 25 career starts . Over the past two weeks , however , Moore has received accolades and high fives because of an eye - opening run that has already generated more 2,000 hits on YouTube . In a game against Towson on Sept . 9 , Moore took a handoff on a play called Jet Sweep . After shedding the grasp of a linebacker in the backfield , the 5 - foot - 11 , 215 - pound Moore broke five additional tackles on his way to a 21 - yard score . “ You can just see how strong he is , whether he ’ s blocking somebody on the perimeter or that Towson play that everybody ’ s been talking about , ” Terrapins defensive back Josh Wood said this week . “ That was ridiculous . ” That was Moore ’ s third touchdown in a 63 - 17 rout . He finished with seven catches for 97 yards , a sufficient encore to his performance in the opener at Texas , when he caught seven passes for 133 yards and a TD in Maryland ’ s 51 - 41 upset . As a result , Moore leads the Big Ten with an average of 115 yards receiving per game , and Maryland ( 2 - 0 ) is averaging a whopping 57 points per game heading into Saturday ’ s matchup against visiting Central Florida ( 1 - 0 ) . Moore ’ s work in the weight room , combined with his speed and on - the - field awareness , make him a formidable moving target after he catches the football . D.J . is a physical guy . He ’ s built big for a receiver and still has the ability to run and change direction , ” Terps coach D.J. Durkin said . “ You do n ’ t see many guys like that . ” Moore ’ s 12 touchdown catches is tied for seventh in school history . That lofty number is as much a product of his strength as his determination to make something happen . “ I look at it as , there are two parts to every play . If I catch it , then the next part is for me to go execute and not get tackled , ” Moore said . “ I do n ’ t really like going down . ” That is evident — to the opposition , his teammates and the Maryland coaching staff . “ When he catches that ball , he wants to do something with it , ” Durkin said . “ That ’ s a mindset . ” Moore prides himself in doing the little things that make a player great . That includes being on time for team meetings , attending every class , eating well and getting the proper amount of sleep . Maryland awards student athletes with those qualities by making them members of the elite Champions Club . “ He ’ s the only guy on the team who ’ s been a Champion every quarter since we ’ ve been here , ” Durkin said . “ That speaks to his work ethic , accountability , all the things we talk about as a program . He ’ s the model guy for that . ” On the field , Moore is impressive in a different way . “ Even though we see him every day , ” Wood said , “ D.J . still makes plays where we go , ‘ How did he do that ? ’ ” Copyright © 2018 The Washington Times , LLC . The Washington Times Comment Policy The Washington Times welcomes your comments on Spot . im , our third - party provider . Please read our Comment Policy before commenting . Popular In the Community Loretta Lynch , James Comey issued subpoenas from House Judiciary Committee BlueScooter 10h Do n ' t get your hopes up , the Demokkkrats will stall and obstruct , as usual . Eric Holder simply ignored a similar call , and all that happened is he was held in contempt , and the matter ended there . The Swamp is deep , and the mud is thick . Stacey Abrams , Democrats cry illegality after loss in elections Guy Smith 4h Democrats are projecting their crimes onto Republicans again . This was organized cheating by the Democrats that they are now falsely accusing the Republicans of . Brian Kemp has launched an investigation into their criminal activity . Chief Justice John Roberts shows how high the height of absurdity can actually reach johne37179 16h Denying the reality of judges who do n ' t set their politics aside when they don the black robe is to deny reality . Chief Justice John G . Roberts rebuts Trump on criticism of judges BlueDice 1d Except for the Obama judges who have made so many ridiculous rulings as illustrated by the large number of decisions which were wrong and needed to be overturned . Justice Roberts . . . With all due respect this all happened before Trump made his accurate comments . Waiting for Robert Mueller to find a destination Guy Smith 5h So far , special counsel Robert S . Mueller III has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Kremlin was waging a massive , divisive cyberwar campaign on our elections , with the help of American political operatives to poison our free democratic process . And those operatives are also known as Democrats Laura Ingraham challenges Donald Trump over Adam Schiff insult 2d There ' s no better name for little Adam , is there ? Republican Presidents have behaved Presidential long enough . Look where it ' s got us . I for one celebrate President Trump ' s honesty . Adam is a Schitt . It ’ s not war , but a remarkable skirmish at the top OrangePopcorn 4h Roberts is delusional . Liberal judges are appointed by Democrats and Consevative judges are appointed by Republicans . Rider University rejects Chick - fil - A as students ’ top pick for new eatery , citing ‘ corporate values ’ Waiting4Godot 11h What a shame that Ridder and its staff do n ' t share the Chik - Fil - A values of philanthropy , morality and family . Donald Trump says CIA did n ’ t blame Saudi crown prince for journalist ’ s death BluePlanet 11h donnie is an idiot . Nothing new here . Robert S Jim Carrey rage pivots from Trump to ‘ Christian right , ’ says it ’ s ‘ never been about morality ’ GreenBulb 2d Well lookey here , another washed up HollyWeird entertainer , with curtains over toes syndrome . . . Jerry Brown pardons Roderick Wright , California state senator convicted of felony voter fraud BlueBullhorn 1d The crook pardoning fellow crooks . These are his true constituents . Conservative comedians struggle to find gigs due to opposite opinions GreenBottle 48m .Why do n ' t the so - called conservative comedians start their own comedy clubs instead of whining ? If they are as good as they think they are , people will come out in droves to see them . . ‘ Macron ’ s disease ’ and the cure of European burden sharing GoldBattery 13m Great . .time to bring hOME all US troops from EU and put them on the USA borders for a chg . Migrant caravan in Tijuana pushes to enter US PurpleBulb 5h Go home ! Americans do n ' t want anymore Illegal Aliens with their Anchor Babies to take care of ! Trump Thanksgiving dinner menu at Mar - a - Lago includes Chilean Sea bass GoldBattery 1h . . . . about time the guy has a little relaxation with his family . Click to Read More and View Comments
|
[
"D.J. Moore",
"Maryland",
"Philadelphia"
] |
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/jan/15/maxine-waters-martin-luther-king-jr-would-have-wan/
|
Home Culture Maxine Waters : Martin Luther King Jr . would have wanted Trump impeached Rep . Maxine Waters , D - Calif . , listens during a news conference on Capitol in Washington , in this Feb . 28 , 2013 , file photo . ( AP Photo / J . Scott Applewhite , File ) more > Print By Jessica Chasmar - The Washington Times - Monday , January 15 , 2018 Rep . Maxine Waters marked Martin Luther King Jr . Day on Twitter by suggesting that the slain civil rights icon would have advocated for the impeachment of President Trump if he was still alive today . “ Dr . Martin Luther King Jr . would have encouraged every responsible human being to march for justice , to march for peace , and most of all , to march for the impeachment of Donald Trump . # ThankYouMLK50 , ” the California Democrat tweeted Monday . “ If MLK was alive today , he ’ d be marching not only for civil rights & protecting voting rights , but to urge Members of Congress to accept their responsibility to save the U.S. from a dangerous man who has no respect for our Constitution & no concern for strengthening our democracy , ” she wrote . Dr . Martin Luther King Jr . would have encouraged every responsible human being to march for justice , to march for peace , and most of all , to march for the impeachment of Donald Trump # ThankYouMLK50 Maxine Waters ( @ RepMaxineWaters ) January 15 , 2018 If MLK was alive today , he ’ d be marching not only for civil rights & protecting voting rights , but to urge Members of Congress to accept their responsibility to save the U.S. from a dangerous man who has no respect for our Constitution & no concern for strengthening our democracy Maxine Waters ( @ RepMaxineWaters ) January 15 , 2018 Mrs . Waters , who has long demanded Mr . Trump be impeached for a number of purported offenses , said Friday that she would be joining Democratic Reps . John Lewis and Earl Blumenauer in boycotting the president ’ s first State of the Union address over his alleged comments denigrating Haiti , El Salvador and African nations as “ sh — hole countries . ” “ The United States of America is represented by the most despicable human being that could possibly ever walk the earth , ” Mrs . Waters said on MSNBC ’ s “ All In with Chris Hayes . ” “ Why would I take my time to go and sit and listen to a liar ? ” she asked . “ I do n ’ t trust him , I do n ’ t appreciate him and I would n ’ t waste my time sitting in that House , listening to what he has to say . He does not deserve my attention . ” similarly boycotted Mr . Trump ’ s January 2017 inauguration and his speech several weeks later to a joint session of Copyright © 2019 The Washington Times , LLC . Click here for reprint permission The Washington Times Comment Policy The Washington Times welcomes your comments on Spot . im , our third - party provider . Please read our Comment Policy before commenting . Popular In the Community Kamala Harris ’ Jamaican father , Donald Harris , rips 2020 Democrat for pushing marijuana ‘ stereotype ’ OlivePizza 21h High or not . . Kamala has no chance of being Presidnet . How about being an effective US Senator for at least a day or two before running around marketing half baked ideas and hoping to get more than half of the country to support her for President . Not going to happen . . . . . Susan Collins says she ’ d back resolution against Trump emergency declaration GreenElephant 1h Susan , read the poll taken today on the subject of whether Trump was right to declare an emergency . . .85 % approve that he did ! Just switch parties , idiot . ‘ Second Amendment Sanctuary County ’ movement spreads in New Mexico Hobbes_Wayne 22m People are afraid . When the government takes all the guns , only the government and the criminals will have guns . That is what the Founders of the Constitution were writing the 2nd Amendment for . Just ask Miriam Carey or Kate Steinle . Oops , they are both dead by a government employee and an illegal alien . House Democrats plan resolution to block Trump border wall emergency declaration CyanMagnet 1h I would expect nothing less than this from the democrats who are the party of No Border Security , Illegal Immigration and Higher Taxes . Jussie Smollett now a suspect , police official says PurpleAirBalloon I hope the judge makes an example of this race baiting snowflake . Too many police man - hours wasted on this scumbag . Gavin Newsom accuses Donald Trump of ‘ political retribution ’ in bullet - train money fight RedFlower 22h The feds gave Moonbeam money to build a train that Newsom canceled . Why would they get to keep the money ? Time for a refund ! Donald Trump says Robert Mueller report release up to William Barr Guy Smith 2h Mueller should not be allowed to write a report unless he can produce definitive proof that Russia is responsible for President Trump ' s victory and that President Trump was a witting participant in the meddling that allegedly elected him . Donald Trump says Andrew McCabe was ‘ caught ’ plotting to remove him from office ggraider 2h so let ’ s say President Obama fired Comey and admitted that he did this because Comey refused to back off on his investigation of the 2012 Obama campaign and refused to cut a break to his National Security Advisor Susan Rice who had lied about the fact that she had served as a foreign agent to a country hostile to American interests . Then , Obama invited two Russian spies into the White House , kicked out the American press and bragged to them “ that nut job Comey is gone and they wo n ’ t have to Why Congress must act on the internet sales tax CyanGuitar 5 Jul actually , the Supreme Court did mention one other critical detail that unravels most of your concerns regarding complexity and the ability for small businesses to comply . South Dakota has adopted the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement , as most of the sales tax collecting states have . This means South Dakota has taken steps to modernize and simplify their sales tax policies , and even pays for software and service providers that any business can use to easily comply . The Certified Service Providers handle calculation , collection , reporting , remittance , and even audit defense Kirstjen Nielsen : Central American countries agree to help stop migrant caravans Hobbes_Wayne 9m Sounds good , but enforcement is a long shot and how will we hold them accountable when the democrats are encouraging them with open border ideals and New Green Deal welfare state incentives ? The left is openly cheering for the demise of America Spec Ops Lawyer 23h What a coincidence ! I amhoping for the demise of the Democratic Party and the ejection of every Socialist and Progressive , they ’ re identical twins , from the United States and banned from ever return in that Party and anywhere else they are found in this exceptional country regardless of race , wealth , fame , family and political connection . Let them taking up living in such Socialist paradises as Venezuela , Russia , Cuba , and North Korea . Let Schumer , Pelosi , Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama lead them onto the tramp steamers that Hoda Muthana not a U.S. citizen , Mike Pompeo says OrangeTree 19m She should never be allowed in the U.S. again ; not even to be buried . But , I suspect , you will see her sitting next to the Democrat nominee for president in 2020 . Jussie Smollett apparent hoax burns Democrats Kamala Harris and Cory Booker , media lisabrat07 23h It is PROVEN time and time and time again who the ACTUAL RACISTS are in this Country . Why ca n ' t just one Liberal finally call out the behavior of their party ? Right here were two prominent examples , and there have been many , many more that were n ' t quite as high profile . Who exactly is dividing this Country , LIBS ? Mueller report may be available by next week : Report OliveCherries 3h Awesome , now the real Russia collusion can finally be exposed . Hillary and Obama were the real Russian puppets . Donald Trump blasts Andrew McCabe ’ s claims , calls moves ‘ illegal and treasonous ’ PurpleCoffee 2d Do n ’ t let the cries of coup distract you . Why have a 25th Amendment if you ca n ’ t even discuss it ? Imagine the worst case scenario — a president who is a Russian spy . Should the FBI do nothing ? No . They should discuss their options and then take action to protect our country ? Definitely . It would be malpractice not to . Click to Read More and View Comments
|
[
"Maxine Waters",
"Martin Luther King Jr .",
"Trump"
] |
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/oct/23/professional-drag-queen-middle-school-career-day-s/
|
Home Culture Culture Clash Professional drag queen Jessica LWhor at middle school career day sparks outrage Follow Us SPONSORED CONTENT How To Fix Your Fatigue And Get More Energy SPONSORED CONTENT Oncologists Are Freaking Out Over True Cause of Cancer Story TOpics Education Zack Sullivan A Colorado middle school principal apologized Monday after parents were not notified ahead of time that Zack Sullivan a drag queen known professionally as Jessica LWhor would be speaking to their children on career day KDVR By Jessica Chasmar The Washington Times Tuesday October 23 2018 A Colorado middle school principal apologized Monday after parents found out that a professional drag queen spoke to their children on career day Zack Sullivan known professionally as Jessica LWhor read a chapter from the Suzy Kline book Horrible Harry and talked about bullying at the career day event Friday at Rocky Top Middle School in Thornton He later told local Fox affiliate KDVR that he introduced himself to the students as Ms Jessica because he didnt think the last name was appropriate in that setting Parents expressed concern over the event mainly because they werent notified ahead of time that Mr Sullivan would be speaking to their children This person is an adult entertainer and is talking to 12yearold students about something thats adult nature parent Heather Rogers told KDVR I was pretty appalled added parent Jen Payer It was a shock because no one was notified Parents are in an outrage and this is so inappropriate on so many levels another parent told CBS 4 District spokesperson Joe Ferdani defended the appearance as representing the diversity of the work field but admitted that the school should have notified parents first The schools focus is to have an event that is representative of the diverse backgrounds and careers in the community Mr Ferdani said Parents should have known in advance who was going to be speaking and that didnt happen in this particular situation he acknowledged Parents just needed to have more info and context about what was going to be talked about and some background on this individual and they werent given that information Principal Chelsea Behanna sent a letter to parents Monday promising to send them a guest list ahead of next years event I take responsibility for not notifying families ahead of time and apologize for any stress this has caused you and your child she said Moving forward a prominent step in planning for next year will be to share the guest list for all families prior to the event Should you feel like any of the sessions are not appropriate for your child youll be welcome to notify us and well make alternate arrangements for your child during that time Mr Sullivan who works as a fulltime drag queen at Hamburger Marys in Denver said he knew the appearance would be controversial but wouldnt allow it to be a deterrent to helping children speak out about bullying I had a couple kids that were like Im gay in school and I get bullied every week and I dont know what to do and just talking to you helped me realize that I can still be me and still be happy Mr Sullivan said I got messages being like thank you so much for coming to my class I was having a really horrible week and you made my day I want to go to more elementary schools because of this experience at Rocky Top Ive already reached out to a couple people about how to develop a Ted Talk he told Fox 31 Copyright 2019 The Washington Times LLC Click here for reprint permission The Washington Times Comment Policy The Washington Times welcomes your comments on Spotim our thirdparty provider Please read our before commenting Click to Read More and View Comments
|
[
"Professional drag queen",
"Colorado middle school"
] |
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/oct/4/gop-congressional-candidate-i-want-to-keep-our-cul/
|
Home News GOP Congressional candidate I want to keep our culture Follow Us SPONSORED CONTENT How To Fix Your Fatigue And Get More Energy SPONSORED CONTENT Oncologists Are Freaking Out Over True Cause of Cancer Story TOpics Social Issues Politics Topeka Capital By Associated Press Thursday October 4 2018 INDEPENDENCE Kan AP A Kansas Republican running for Congress said he supports President Donald Trumps call for a border wall with Mexico because he wants to keep our culture Steve Watkins a political novice said Wednesday during a candidate forum with Democrat Paul Davis in Independence that people who back the wall arent mean spirited or the racist bigots some leftists would have you believe The Topeka Capital Journal reported Im proud of our country said Watkins who is vying for the seat left open in eastern Kansas 2nd Congressional District by the retirement of GOP Rep Lynn Jenkins I want to keep our culture Davis an attorney and former Kansas House minority did not directly address the issue of a border wall in his remarks But he said Republicans and Democrats in Washington squandered opportunities in the past to adopt comprehensive immigration reform by engaging in useless bickering He said there was bipartisan interest in dealing with the young immigrants brought to the US illegally as children often called Dreamers whose fate is in limbo after Trump tried to end an Obamaera program protecting them from deportation and Congress deadlocked on a solution He says there also is support from both sides for offering work visas to immigrants for agriculture and other industries Were a nation of immigrants Davis said People who are contributing to our economy that are playing by the rules that are paying taxes that are learning English should be given a pathway to becoming an American citizen The candidates who were given questions in advance by the coalition of organizations that sponsored the event shared similar views on the harm of agriculture tariffs the need for infrastructure improvements and the need to take better care of veterans Information from The Topeka Kan CapitalJournal httpwwwcjonlinecom Copyright 2019 The Washington Times LLC The Washington Times Comment Policy The Washington Times welcomes your comments on Spotim our thirdparty provider Please read our before commenting Click to Read More and View Comments
|
[
"Kansas Republican",
"young immigrants"
] |
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/sep/12/andrew-miller-roger-stone-associate-challenges-rob/
|
Home News National Andrew Miller Roger Stone associate challenges Muellers authority in DC appeals court Follow Us Story TOpics Law_Crime Politics Roger Stone In this June 21 2017 file photo former FBI Director Robert Mueller the special counsel probing Russian interference in the 2016 election departs Capitol Hill following a closeddoor meeting in Washington AP PhotoAndrew Harnik File By Andrew Blake The Washington Times Wednesday September 12 2018 An attorney for Andrew Miller an associate of President Trumps former campaign adviser Roger Stone filed a brief in federal appeals court early Wednesday challenging Robert Muellers appointment as special counsel Filed in the DC Circuit Court of Appeals the brief by Mr Millers attorney questioned Mr Muellers authority in light of Mr Miller being held in contempt of court for refusing to comply with a subpoena issued by the special counsels office as part of its investigation into the 2016 race In sum the purported appointment of the Special Counsel violated the Appointments Clause because the Special Counsel was required to be appointed by Attorney General Jeff Sessions and not Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein Paul Kamenar argued in the brief A former FBI director Mr Mueller was picked to lead the bureaus probe into the 2016 election after Mr Trump fired his successor James B Comey last May roughly two months after Mr Sessions a former Trump campaign surrogate vowed to recuse himself from any investigative matters related to the race While General Sessions may have recused himself from a certain investigation he can not divest himself of or delegate his constitutional duty to appoint the investigator Mr Kamenar argued in the brief A spokesperson for the special counsels office declined to comment Mr Miller is an acquaintance of Mr Stone a longtime Republican strategist who worked on the 2016 Trump campaign and was originally subpoenaed to testify before the special counsels grand jury in June He unsuccessfully challenged the subpoena in DC federal court and Chief Judge Beryl A Howell subsequently held him in contempt pending appeal for failing to appear The DC Court of Appeals has given Mr Muellers office until Sept 28 to file its own brief in the matter Mr Stone 66 admitted being in touch with an internet persona known as Guccifer 20 and claimed to be in contact with WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange during the 2016 race Guccifer 20 and Mr Assanges website both leaked internal Democratic documents in the lead up to Election Day and US officials have determined that the disclosures consisted of material sourced by Russian statesponsored hackers including several Russian military officers previously charged by Mr Muellers office In an Instagram post early Wednesday Mr Stone said he had no advance knowledge of the material leaked during the race No evidence or proof or testimony to the contrary Mr Stone said in a caption accompanying a photograph of himself outside an ice cream store Enough with your fake news bullexpletive Copyright 2018 The Washington Times LLC Click here for reprint permission The Washington Times Comment Policy The Washington Times welcomes your comments on Spotim our thirdparty provider Please read our before commenting Click to Read More and View Comments
|
[
"Andrew Miller",
"Robert Mueller",
"federal appeals"
] |
https://www.washingtonwaterfronts.com/long-beach/
|
Home Long Beach Long Beach Waterfront Real Estate Set on the southwestern tip of the Long Beach Peninsula Long Beach proclaims itself home to the Worlds Longest Beach with 28 miles of sand To the west of course is the magnificent expanse of the Pacific Ocean and to the east is Willapa Bay providing prospective Long Beach waterfront real estate owners with the choice of either oceanfront or bay front property Either way owning a waterfront home here means easy or instant access to a host of activities on the sand and on the water including surfing If you ever wanted to learn to surf there is always Learn More About Long Beach WA Waterfront Browse by Long Beach Waterfront Neighborhoods Browse all Long Beach Waterfront Real Estate for Sale Long Beach January 4 2019 30 Listed 222 Avg DOM 20430 Avg SqFt 234450 Med List Price 30 Properties Found Showing 112 List Gallery Price Highest Refine Results 15403 J Place Long Beach WA 98631 1 of 25 1585000 Subdivision Long Beach BEDS 3 BATHS 4 SQFT 4305 BUILT 2001 ON SITE 93 Days MLS 1370939 Customdesigned acclaimed and published home perfectly positioned on oceanfront acreage between a 30acre butterfly habitat and unblockable ocean access Elegant modern design that seamlessly MLS 1370939 111 23rd St NW Long Beach WA 98631 1 of 6 1500000 Subdivision Long Beach ACRES 964 ON SITE 297 Days MLS 973975 280 OF OCEAN FRONT PROPERTY ACCRETIONS TO MHT Zoned Shoreline Resort Perfect for a hotel restaurant or other similar development Access streets on north and south City water and sewer is MLS 973975 1001 151st Lane Long Beach WA 98631 1 of 25 1300000 Subdivision Long Beach BEDS 4 BATHS 6 SQFT 3968 BUILT 2013 ON SITE 249 Days MLS 1281394 Simply Captivating Expansive view of Pacific Ocean and miles of coastline Thoughtfully designed and tastefully appointed custom home with a comfortable open concept encompassing the entire 3rd MLS 1281394 1312 147th Place Long Beach WA 98631 1 of 25 1050000 125000 Subdivision Long Beach BEDS 4 BATHS 4 SQFT 3400 BUILT 2003 ON SITE 196 Days MLS 1298411 Seaview Farm is an equestrian oceanfront estate which brilliantly creates charismatic artistry by combining a romantic bluff Pacific Oceanfront home and separate beautifully designed 3 stall barn MLS 1298411 910 120th Place Long Beach WA 98631 1 of 25 990000 110000 Subdivision Long Beach BEDS 3 BATHS 4 SQFT 3906 BUILT 2008 ON SITE 297 Days MLS 1072372 PRICE REDUCED Located on 30360 sq feet lot with view protected easements additional lots ownership to MHT this incredible 3 bed 35 bath home captures coastal living at its finest Lower MLS 1072372 18007 Pacific Wy Long Beach WA 98631 1 of 25 625000 14000 Subdivision Long Beach BEDS 3 BATHS 2 SQFT 1590 BUILT 2004 ON SITE 43 Days MLS 1387976 Private drive through tranquil forest to private warm light filled chalet style home on peaceful meadow Vaulted great room 2 bedrooms and bath down master with bath upstairs New appliances MLS 1387976 10601 Pacific Way Long Beach WA 98631 1 of 25 479900 Subdivision Long Beach ACRES 1021 ON SITE 264 Days MLS 1274995 Fantastic opportunity for over ten acres of Oceanfront Resort ownership No other properties on the West coast offer such a combination of location size and price Build the next hot hotel in Long MLS 1274995 1210 102nd Lane Long Beach WA 98631 1 of 21 474500 Subdivision Long Beach BEDS 2 BATHS 3 SQFT 1992 BUILT 1991 ON SITE 143 Days MLS 1345770 Ocean front view property on 45 acres to mean high tide with unique 2 bedroom3 bath pole building home Beautifully finished upstairs living space with open workshopgarageart studio space below MLS 1345770 1311 Ocean Beach Blvd N Long Beach WA 98631 Under Contract 1 of 24 447500 101500 Subdivision Long Beach BEDS 5 BATHS 3 SQFT 2224 BUILT 1900 ON SITE 267 Days MLS 1273678 5BR3bath turn of the century WUB Ocean Front Craftsman in Long Beach Lovingly restored with exceptional vintage charm and modern amenities Master on the main level with marbleporcelain MLS 1273678 14909 Pacific Way Long Beach WA 98631 1 of 13 399000 Subdivision Long Beach ACRES 852 ON SITE 221 Days MLS 1300888 Ocean front parcel of land in great location This beautiful property stretches from Pacific Way to Mean High Tide of The Pacific Ocean and is 200 feet wide Recently surveyed this property is 85 MLS 1300888 15217 Pacific Way Long Beach WA 98631 1 of 15 362500 12450 Subdivision Long Beach BEDS 3 BATHS 2 SQFT 1248 BUILT 1980 ON SITE 292 Days MLS 1258818 MEAN HIGH TIDE OCEAN FRONT WITH HORSE FRIENDLY RR ZONING Well maintained 1980 home with beautiful ocean views Master bedroom down large semiopen 2nd floor with ample sleeping space closets MLS 1258818 410 28th St NW 4 Long Beach WA 98631 1 of 25 312000 Sunset Dunes BEDS 3 BATHS 3 SQFT 1299 BUILT 2001 ON SITE 35 Days MLS 1390851 Ocean Front Condo Comfortable Let your cares melt away This 3 bdrm home has slate floors and crown molding and a beautiful view of the ocean as well as the Lewis and Clark tree Gas fireplace MLS 1390851 Prev 1 2 3 The data relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange Program Real estate listings held by IDX Brokerage firms other than Coldwell Banker Bain are marked with the Internet Data Exchange logo or the Internet Data Exchange thumbnail logo and detailed information about them includes the name of the listing IDX Brokers This information is provided exclusively for personal noncommercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing The Broker providing these data believes them to be correct but advises interested parties to confirm them before relying on them in a purchase decision Information deemed reliable but is not guaranteed Long Beach Waterfront Real Estate Long Beach waterfront real estate owners can also look forward to a front row seat for the popular annual Washington State International Kite Festival held in August every year as well as yearround access to a variety of entertainment including carnival rides games bumper cars and a carousel ideal for families with kids as well as those guests who are sure to want to visit Theres a beautiful long boardwalk and miles of trails running through the dunes between the water and the town too perfect for a morning or after dinner stroll Coastal living can be enjoyed at its finest in Long Beach with waterfront real estate here often a great value Youll find immaculate oceanfront homes that are ideal for a fulltime residence or a summer retreat lowmaintenance condos where you can enjoy ocean views from your very own deck and even affordable lakefront homes where youll gain private access to both a lake and the Pacific Ocean No matter which Long Beach waterfront property you choose if youre craving the beach life in a convenient urban setting youll find your perfect abode right here on this barely touched peninsula where time seems to stand still Take advantage of our industryleading tools to make your property search as easy as possible and be sure to register for a FREE account so that you can receive email alerts whenever new Long Beach waterfront real estate for sale hits the market If youre seeking to sell your Long Beach waterfront property contact our Waterfront Specialists directly for a comprehensive listing analysis and to learn more about the cuttingedge marketing strategies well use to sell your home quickly for top dollar Long Beach Neighborhoods Breakers Tides West WASHINGTON WATERFRONT Featured Searches Seattle Waterfront Lake Washington Bellevue Waterfront Lake Sammamish Mercer Island Waterfront Lake Tapps Riverfront Property Waterfront Under 300k Vacant Waterfront Land Puget Sound Browse Current Listings Hood Canal Browse Current Listings Islands Browse Current Listings
|
[
"Long Beach",
"Real Estate",
"15403 J Place"
] |
https://www.washingtonwinnelson.com/
|
301 3867771 Welcome to Washington Winnelson Your source for plumbing pipes fittings valves and water heaters from some of the top manufacturers in the industry Washington Winnelson was established in 2004 by people who bring forth strong industry experience both wholesaler and contractor The entire team combined has over 300 years of industry expertise and have strong get it done right attitudes with a focus on dynamic service Our counter at Washington Winnelson is staffed by Pros Like You who have done the job and know how to provide exceptional service With the best selection of available products Washington Winnelson is a major wholesale distributor We serve specialized markets and are experts in the industry Have questions about a specific brand or product Give us a call or stop in today Our team is ready to help and knows exactly what youre looking for Our Mission Statement To be relentless in our effort to provide great service to our business partners Trustworthy and caring employees with industry experience A wide breadth of inventory to adequately supply our clients needs And fair pricing to help our partners be competitive successful and profitable
|
[
"Winnelson",
"Washington",
"manufacturers"
] |
https://www.waste360.com/companies/nortech-waste-llc
|
Archive Nortech Waste LLC Aug 27 2010 2010 Waste Age 100 Rank 64 Previous Rank Not Ranked Headquarters Roseville CA CEO Wayne Trewhitt Public or Private Privately Held Founded 1993 Employees 240 Customers CommercialIndustrial Residential Services Recycling Services Landfills 2009 Revenue 181 mil Projected 2010 Revenue 220 mil TAGS Transfer Stations
|
[
"Nortech Waste LLC"
] |
https://www.watchcartoononline.io/playlist-cat/490291/little-bear-season-2-episode-9-auntie-hen-play-ball-lucys-okay
|
Little Bear Season 2 Episode 9 Auntie Hen Play Ball Lucys Okay If you are having LAG SKIPPING issues on videos please Click Here Little Bear Season 2 Episode 9 Auntie Hen Play Ball Lucys Okay Info Episode Description Little Bear 28 Jan 2017 Episode List Little Bear Season 1 Episode 1 What Will Little Bear Wear Hide and Seek Little Bear Goes to the Moon Little Bear Season 1 Episode 2 Birthday Soup Polar Bear Gone Fishing Little Bear Season 1 Episode 3 Up All Night A Flu Exploring Little Bear Season 1 Episode 4 Father Bear Comes Home Little Bears Bath Fishing with Father Bear Little Bear Season 1 Episode 5 Little Bears Wish Little Bears Shadow A Present for Mother Bear Little Bear Season 1 Episode 6 To Grandmothers House Grandfather Bear Mother Bears Robin Little Bear Season 1 Episode 7 Hiccups Date with Father Bear Pudding Hill Little Bear Season 1 Episode 8 Little Bears Mermaid Fathers Flying Flapjacks Maracas Little Bear Season 1 Episode 9 A Family Portrait Little Bears New Friend Emilys Visit Little Bear Season 1 Episode 10 Duck Baby Sitter Little Bears Band Hop Frog Pond Little Bear Season 1 Episode 11 Little Bear and the Wind The Goblin Story Not Tired Little Bear Season 1 Episode 12 Grandfathers Attic Little Bears Egg Party at Owls House Little Bear Season 1 Episode 13 The Rain Dance Play Your Friend Little Bear Fall Dream Little Bear Season 1 Episode 14 Little Bear the Magician Doctor Little Bear Bigger Little Bear Little Bear Season 1 Episode 15 Little Bears Trip to the Stars Little Bears Surprise Little Bear and the North Pole Little Bear Season 2 Episode 1 Little Bear Meets No Feet The Campout Emilys Balloon Little Bear Season 2 Episode 2 Cats Short Cut Little Bears Bad Day Captain Little Bear Little Bear Season 2 Episode 3 Building a House for Emily Emily Returns Little Sherlock Bear Little Bear Season 2 Episode 4 Little Bears Tooth Little Red Riding Hood Little Bear and the Cupcakes Little Bear Season 2 Episode 5 Snowball Fight Winter Solstice Snowbound Little Bear Season 2 Episode 6 Little Bears Garden Prince Little Bear A Painting for Emily Little Bear Season 2 Episode 7 Follow the Leader Little Scarecrow Bear Little Bear and the Baby Little Bear Season 2 Episode 8 Rafting on the River Little Bears Kite Night of the Full Moon Little Bear Season 2 Episode 9 Auntie Hen Play Ball Lucys Okay Little Bear Season 2 Episode 10 Between Friends The Blueberry Picnic Lucy Needs a Friend Little Bear Season 2 Episode 11 Picnic on Pudding Hill Little Bears Walkabout Secret Friend Little Bear Season 2 Episode 12 Owls Dilemma School for Otters Spring Cleaning Little Bear Season 2 Episode 13 A Whale of a Tale Mitzi Arrives Grannys Old Flying Rug Little Bear Season 2 Episode 14 Little Bear Sing a Song A House for Mitzi Up a Tree Little Bear Season 3 Episode 1 Father Bears Nightshirt How to Scare Ghosts Search for Spring Little Bear Season 3 Episode 2 Mitzis Little Monster Simon Says Applesauce Little Bear Season 3 Episode 3 The Big Bear Sitter The Top of the World The Campfire Tale Little Bear Season 3 Episode 4 Out of Honey Message in a Bottle Little Bears Sweet Tooth Little Bear Season 3 Episode 5 Where Lucy Went Monster Pudding Under the Covers Little Bear Season 3 Episode 6 Gingerbread Cookies Marbles The Garden War Little Bear Season 3 Episode 7 The Red Thread Princess Duck Little Bear Meets Duck Little Bear Season 3 Episode 8 Mother Nature Dance Steps Who Am I Little Bear Season 3 Episode 9 Emilys Birthday The Great Race Circus for Tutu Little Bear Season 3 Episode 10 Clever Cricket Leaves Big Bad Broom Little Bear Season 3 Episode 11 Pillow Hill Diva Hen Father Bears Little Helper Little Bear Season 3 Episode 12 Ill Be You Youll Be Me Frog In My Throat The Puddle Jumper Little Bear Season 3 Episode 13 Family Bath Time Winter Wonderland Mitzis Mess Little Bear Season 4 Episode 1 Moonlight Serenade Caterpillars Goblin Night Little Bear Season 4 Episode 2 Sleep Over Sand Castle Happy Anniversary Little Bear Season 4 Episode 3 The April Fool Balloonheads Mother Bears Button Little Bear Season 4 Episode 4 Little Bear and the Ice Boat Baby Deer Invisible Little Bear Little Bear Season 4 Episode 5 Valentines Day Thinking of Mother Bear I Spy Little Bear Season 4 Episode 6 Blue Feather Thunder Monster Duck Soup Little Bear Season 4 Episode 7 Little White Skunk Mothers Day Little Footprints Little Bear Season 4 Episode 8 Rainy Day Friends Little Goblin Bear Picnic on the Moon Little Bear Season 4 Episode 9 Little Bear and the Sea Monster Hat Parade Finding Fisherman Bear Little Bear Season 4 Episode 10 The Painting The Kiss The Wedding Little Bear Season 5 Episode 1 Duck Loses Her Quack Feathers in a Bunch Detective Little Bear Little Bear Season 5 Episode 2 The Sky is Falling Fathers Day Fisherman Bears Big Catch Little Bear Season 5 Episode 3 The Dandelion Wish The Broken Boat Duck Takes the Cake Little Bear Season 5 Episode 4 Magic Lemonade Silly Billy Good Night Little Bear Little Bear Season 5 Episode 5 First Frost Hello Snow Duck and the Winter Moon Little Bear Season 5 Episode 6 Little Bear Talks to Himself Who Do I Look Like Mister Nobody Little Bear Season 5 Episode 7 I Can Do That Pied Piper Little Bear The Big Swing Little Bear Season 5 Episode 8 The Greatest Show in the World Lucky Little Bear Little Bears Tall Tale Little Bear Season 5 Episode 9 Opposites Day Wish Upon a Star Sleepy Head Monster Little Bear Season 5 Episode 10 Little Bears Favorite Tree Something Old Something New In A Little While Little Bear Season 5 Episode 11 Were Lost Little Little Bear Ducks Big Catch Little Bear Season 5 Episode 12 Little Bear Scares Everyone The One That Got Away Where Are Little Bears Crayons Little Bear Season 5 Episode 13 How to Love a Porcupine A Houseboat for Duck How Little Bear Met Owl
|
[
"Little Bear"
] |
https://www.watchcartoononline.io/samurai-deeper-kyo-episode-1-english-dubbed
|
Samurai Deeper Kyo Episode 1 English Dubbed Click to Close This Ad Stream anime episodes online for free Watch Samurai Deeper Kyo Episode 1 English version online and free episodes Anime Episode guide Chapter Samurai Deeper Kyo Episode 1 English dubbed The Way to Armageddon The first episode shows Kyo and Kyoshiro battling each other while Yukimura Sanada Sasuke Sarutobi and Saizo Kirigakure arrive at the battle ground where Kyo and Kyoshiro continuing fighting Meanwhile Kyo destroys Kyoshires sword and tells him that he lost and should give up Then Yukimura comes and tells them to stop because Sakuya creates a meteor raining down on the battle field Then four years later Kyoshiro meets Yuki and then a demon attacks them The demon was actually a guy who fought in the war four years ago The demon beats up Kyoshiro but 45 5 10 ratings Watch on Playlist Player 1 Click to Remove ADS Samurai Deeper Kyo 18 November 2010 Previous Anime Next Anime Samurai Deeper Kyo Episode 2 English Dubbed Video Errors Solutions Attention About 80 of brokenmissing video reports we recieve are invalid so that we believe the problems are caused by you your computer or something else Please read below and find your solution If you think it is something else please report us Q There is no video at all What do I do A Video is definitely there but it may take some time to load because of high demands to the servers Give it a few minutes and click refresh on your browser However we also experienced that your browser may cause the problem if this is the case restart your browser completely and try again Q I can not watch video on my computer What do I do A If you click refresh on your browser problem will be solved 76 If still persists report to us Q Invalid Url or Video What do I do A Dont panic refresh your page 23 times and try It usually works but if it is still same report it Samurai Deeper Kyo Episode 1 English Dubbed images pictures Episode List Samurai Deeper Kyo Episode 26 English Dubbed Samurai Deeper Kyo Episode 25 English Dubbed Samurai Deeper Kyo Episode 24 English Dubbed Samurai Deeper Kyo Episode 23 English Dubbed Samurai Deeper Kyo Episode 22 English Dubbed Samurai Deeper Kyo Episode 21 English Dubbed Samurai Deeper Kyo Episode 20 English Dubbed Samurai Deeper Kyo Episode 19 English Dubbed Samurai Deeper Kyo Episode 18 English Dubbed Samurai Deeper Kyo Episode 17 English Dubbed Samurai Deeper Kyo Episode 16 English Dubbed Samurai Deeper Kyo Episode 15 English Dubbed Samurai Deeper Kyo Episode 14 English Dubbed Samurai Deeper Kyo Episode 13 English Dubbed Samurai Deeper Kyo Episode 12 English Dubbed Samurai Deeper Kyo Episode 11 English Dubbed Samurai Deeper Kyo Episode 10 English Dubbed Samurai Deeper Kyo Episode 9 English Dubbed Samurai Deeper Kyo Episode 8 English Dubbed Samurai Deeper Kyo Episode 7 English Dubbed Samurai Deeper Kyo Episode 6 English Dubbed Samurai Deeper Kyo Episode 5 English Dubbed Samurai Deeper Kyo Episode 4 English Dubbed Samurai Deeper Kyo Episode 3 English Dubbed Samurai Deeper Kyo Episode 2 English Dubbed Samurai Deeper Kyo Episode 1 English Dubbed
|
[
"Samurai Deeper Kyo"
] |
https://www.watchdog.org/news/who-got-the-ut-law-admits-students-with-bad-lsat/article_e12db590-b67d-5ed4-9d7a-301ccf8edc92.html
|
Who got the 128 UT Law admits students with bad LSAT scores Part 19 of 72 in the series Trouble in Texas By Jon Cassidy Watchdogorg HOUSTON By reputation the University of Texas School of Law is practically the Harvard of the Southwest By the quality of some of the students it lets in however UT Law would have a hard time beating West Amarillo Upstairs By Jon Cassidy May 23 2014 By Jon Cassidy Watchdogorg HOUSTON By reputation the University of Texas School of Law is practically the Harvard of the Southwest By the quality of some of the students it lets in however UT Law would have a hard time beating West Amarillo Upstairs Law College Dozens of students admitted to UT Law in recent years have scores on the Law School Admissions Test or LSAT that are below the standards of the lowest ranked law schools in the country a Watchdogorg investigation into admissions favoritism has found The LSAT is scored on a scale of 120180 UT Law students get a median score of 167 according to the 2014 US News survey and the great majority of the class scores a 160 or better Even a score in the 170s with a nearperfect grade point average is no guarantee of admission as this roster of selfreported scores for UT applicants from lawschoolnumberscom makes clear Those applications are worth skimming for anybody unfamiliar with UT Laws standards Most lower tier law schools nationwide accept students with LSAT scores in the 150s With a score below 150 youre something of a longshot even at the lowest ranked law schools in the country The University of La Verne College of Law in California for example came in dead last in the peer reputation survey on the 2013 US News rankings of accredited law schools yet threequarters of its students scored a 150 or better In recent years UT Law has admitted students not just with LSATs in the 140s but with scores as low as 138 137 136 even 128 Several of them were rejected by other Texas law schools of lesser reputation A 128 is down at the very bottom 1 percent of testtakers nationwide It means the person got less than a quarter of the answers correct State Sen Dan Patrick called for an investigation into admissions favoritism at UT Law earlier this week As a parent or grandparent if your son or grandson or daughter or granddaughter has the LSAT scores to get in and a legislator with influence gets their child or relative or friend or donors friend in then thats not right Patrick said That can bring down the whole law school Watchdogorg requested the LSAT scores of 122 UT Law students from four other public law schools in Texas figuring that most people apply to more than one law school We obtained scores for 47 people from the other schools almost all of them with names redacted Only six of the 47 scores were above 160 The average high score for the applicants on our lists was 1497 which is barely good enough for the worst law schools in the country Even schools like Whittier Law College and Golden Gate University School of Law which put less than a fifth of their graduates into fulltime jobs expect most of their class to have scores above 150 A few commenters attacked Watchdogorg s recent report on the political connections of dozens of students who had failed the bar exam at least twice in recent years on the grounds that bar failure didnt prove that the student had poor LSAT scores The argument in other words is that just because somebody failed the bar twice doesnt mean he didnt deserve his place at UT These LSAT scores however prove just that Almost every score we got was somewhere between borderline and horrendous There were 1824 scores below 150 and five to six scores below 140 Because the names were blacked out we had to assume that a 137 on Texas Techs list for example might be the same person who got a 137 on Texas Southern Universitys list The 122 names we requested came from a database we built to tally the number of times UT Law grads had failed the bar We requested the LSAT scores of the 90 Longhorns who failed the bar two or more times from 20062013 We figured that their struggles to pass the bar 42 of them never passed made them the most likely candidates to have benefited from favoritism We requested the scores of 26 others who passed the bar on a second try who also either shared a last name with a lawmaker or who had already attained a highlevel government job Then we picked six current UT Law students five for no reason other than to obscure our interest in the sixth Jonathan Seliger son of state Sen Kel Seliger who is chairman of the Higher Education Committee We have no reason to doubt Seligers qualifications other than his fathers position and the general pattern of legislative influence on admissions If we could have predicted our scores would be provided without names attached we would have asked just for the 90 double flunkies so as not to contaminate our failure pool with success All six of the scores of 160 or better might well have come from Seliger and his classmates who have yet to take the bar While conventional wisdom holds that LSAT and other standardized test scores are private under federal law the conventional wisdom is mistaken The Family Education Rights Privacy Act or FERPA only applies to applicants records once they matriculate at a school If they never attend their test scores never become private under federal law grades however remain private State law generally treats education records identically to federal law Texas AM complied with the presumption of openness in state law and turned over five scores with names one of which happened to be James Ryan Pitts son of the state House Appropriations Committee chairman Texas Tech the University of Houston and Texas Southern University all appealed our request to Attorney General Greg Abbott whose office decided that the US Constitution provides a right to take these standardized tests anonymously Then Abbott apparently changed his mind on Monday but Texas Tech and TSU had already shared the scores We provide all three lists here Texas Tech Texas AM TSU for any additional analysis and comments from readers We did black out Texas AMs folks so as not to single them out Since the names were blacked out we have no way of confirming that every score comes from the person we requested or that none came from someone with an identical name We did provide middle names to all the schools and birth dates and partial Social Security numbers to the schools that requested them Although its impossible to say conclusively from this sample whether affirmative action is a factor as opposed to favoritism to a politician or a donor to UTs Law School Foundation we can say that the demographics of our list roughly reflect the states demographics Of the 122 names 47 were Hispanic the states Hispanic population is 35 percent of the total Fourteen students applied to TSU a historically black college In inspecting 90 of the applicants more closely for our political favoritism story we only noticed a handful of African Americans Contact Jon Cassidy at jonwatchdogorg or jpcassidy000 If you would like to send him documents or messages anonymously download the Tor browser and go to our SecureDrop submission page http5bygo7e2rpnrh5voonion Recommended for you
|
[
"University of Texas School of Law",
"LSAT scores"
] |
https://www.watches-of-switzerland.co.uk/c/Brands/Omega/Omega-Ladies-Watches/
|
Home Brands Omega Omega Ladies Watches Filter by Delivery Option Next Day Delivery 43 Recipient For Her 81 For Him 2 Brand Collections Price Feature Diameter Offers Watch Markers Case Material Dial Colour Movement Strap Material Water Resistant 83 Products Show 24 48 96 1 4 Omega Constellation Ladies 27mm Automatic CoAxial Diamond Watch 784000 584000 From per month Omega Constellation Ladies 24mm Quartz Diamond Dot Watch 252000 From per month Omega De Ville Prestige Butterfly BiMetal Diamond Ladies Watch 392000 From per month Omega Constellation Ladies 27mm Automatic CoAxial Diamond Watch 748000 598000 From per month Omega Constellation Ladies 27mm Automatic CoAxial Watch 536000 From per month Omega De Ville Dew Drop Ladies Watch 644000 From per month Omega De Ville Ladies 27mm Quartz Stainless Steel Watch 208000 From per month Omega De Ville Ladies CoAxial 327mm Automatic Watch 280000 From per month Omega De Ville Prestige Ladies 327mm CoAxial Automatic Watch 544000 From per month Omega De Ville Prestige Ladies 327mm CoAxial Automatic Watch 472000 From per month Omega De Ville Prestige Ladies 327mm CoAxial Automatic Watch 352000 From per month Omega De Ville Prestige Ladies 327mm CoAxial Automatic Watch 280000 From per month Omega De Ville Prestige Ladies 327mm CoAxial Automatic Watch 256000 From per month Omega De Ville Prestige Ladies 244mm Quartz Bicolour Watch 324000 From per month Omega Constellation Ladies 24mm Quartz Diamond Dot Watch 228000 From per month Omega Constellation Ladies 27mm Quartz Diamond Dot Watch 340000 From per month Omega Constellation Ladies 27mm Automatic CoAxial Diamond Watch 740000 540000 From per month Omega Constellation Ladies 24mm Bicolour Quartz Watch 328000 258000 From per month Omega De Ville Orbis Ladies Blue 274mm Quartz Watch 204000 From per month Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M Mens 395mm Automatic CoAxial Divers Watch 1496000 From per month
|
[
"Omega Ladies Watches"
] |
https://www.watchfinder.co.uk/IWC/Pilot%27s%20Watches/watches
|
IWC Pilots Watches When IWC created its first Pilots Watch in 1936 a legend was born The brand has become synonymous with exceptional aviation watches and its Pilots Watch line has become an icon in horology Inspired by cockpit instruments IWC Pilots Watches are built intuitively for aviators of all kinds both professional and enthusiast alike Certified Service Centre Mark XVI 5 Pilots Double Chrono 6 Mark XVII 4 Pilots UTC 7 Pilots Worldtimer 1 Spitfire 3 Mark XII 1 MARK XVIII Edition LE Petit Prince 1 Pilots Chrono Antoine de St Exupéry 2 Pilots Classic 2 IWC Pilots Watches New Arrivals IWC Pilots Chrono IW387803 Box Yes Papers Yes Less than a year 2018 Manufacturers Warranty 12950 IWC Mark XVI IW325502 Box Yes Papers Yes 7 years 2011 3215 IWC Pilots Chrono IW371701 Box No Papers No Approx Less than a year 2950 IWC MARK XVIII Edition LE Petit Prince IW327004 Box Yes Papers Yes Less than a year 2018 Manufacturers Warranty 3315 View All IWC Pilots Watches New Arrivals
|
[
"IWC"
] |
https://www.watchtvabroad.com/how-to-watch-starz-play-outside-the-usa/
|
How To Watch Starz Play Outside The USA Chris Chris has a passion for helping you watch your favourite TV abroad When he isnt helping you he can be found watching football browsing Netflix or watching a good documentary Share this Some people call it Starz and others STARZ Play but regardless of what you call it one thing is clear Starz rules There is a ton of content on Starz from shows to movies I like to think of Starz like Hulu but a good version of Hulu and if you have access to Starz then youll certainly know what I mean STARZ Play is the online service allowing you to catchup and watch live shows from the comfort of your computer or tablet and if youre travelling around the US then you can keep up to date with all of your favorites Sadly though if youre outside the US then Starz is blocked and if youve tried to watch then Im sure like me youve been disappointed to see the following message Sadly fans of our shows and movies in other countries other planets and distant galaxies can not access STARZ Play You must be in the United States or a US Territory to watch Now this message baffles me a little After all you need access to a Starz subscription via your cable package in the first place to even watch so its almost impossible for someone outside the US to have an account unless theyre borrowing an account from someone in the US So if you do have a STARZ Play account and you want to watch outside the US when travelling on vacation or as an expat then what can you do Thankfully there is a service called a VPN that will allow you to watch Starz and STARZ Play outside the US and below Im going to tell you where you can get one and how you can use it How To Watch Starz Play Outside The USA VPN services are offered by hundreds of different companies around the world Some offer a good service and others arent so good When watching Starz outside the US you need a VPN service that is fast as video streaming is a speed intensive task and the second most important feature is that they have a US server When you connect to a VPN it lets you assume the location of where you connect to For instance when you connect to the a VPN server in the US then to websites you visit it then looks like you are in the US Most VPN services cost between 6 and 10 per month and can be cheaper if you sign up for a longer period of time Ive made a list of the three best VPN services to watch STARZ Play outside the USA so feel free to visit them by clicking on their name below I recommend ExpressVPN due to their ease of use and price Theyve also got a 30day money back guarantee so its riskfree ExpressVPN Readers Choice IPVanish NordVPN 30day money back guarantee Get ExpressVPN How to use the VPN service for Starz Play After youve clicked one of the links above and signed up you need to download their software or app for your device All major devices are supported so find the one for yours and download it Once installed you simply connect to the United States Im using Windows 10 with ExpressVPN and as you can see in the screenshot below its really easy to get connected Just click on Choose Location on the right hand side of the window and then press United States Watch StarzPlay outside the US with ExpressVPN The software and apps for the other VPN providers might look a little different but the theory is the same Just pick their US option and connect Once the software or app lets you know it has connected then visit the STARZ Play website Instead of seeing the block message that we saw before youll be able to play any of the shows or movies that you would normally be able to in the US Just use the service like you would at home When youve finished disconnect from the VPN service You can reconnect when you want to continue watching Starz or you can also use it to watch other US services like Netflix Hulu NBC and more Now you can watch Ash vs Evil Dead Da Vincis Demons Flesh and Bone and your other favorites anywhere in the world Ready to save up to 49 Get ExpressVPN Share this article
|
[
"STARZ Play",
"Ash vs Evil Dead"
] |
https://www.watcocompanies.com/careers/join/
|
COME JOIN THE WATCO TEAM Where we are guided by our Customer First Safety Always Principles Value our Customers Value our People Safely Improve Every Day Click play to learn more WHYWATCO Click play to learn more WE ARE WATCOSTRONG We value our Team Members and their families We know that people matter Click play to learn more THE SKY IS THE LIMIT AT WATCO Watco is one of those places where truly the sky is the limit Click play to learn more What sets us apart WhyWatco Your job search starts here At Watco we believe that our Team Members are our greatest asset Our Team Members provide service excellence to all of our Customers and create our safety always culture We value our Team Members by providing safe service honest and fair relationships and consistent communication Team Member Testimonials I have been with Boise Valley Railroad for three years and cant imagine myself working for another company Everyone here has a family type bond and will go extra lengths any day to help the team Tyler Stapleton Boise Valley Railroad Engineer Our goal here in Stockton is to keep the Customer happy while extending our 10year safety record Working together and looking out for each other has made both goals easier to reach Sambo Sam Operator Stockton California Fertilizer Terminal When I decided to make a career change Watcos backstory really interested me Seeing how they went from one location to going international without losing focus on what really matters shows how much they value their Customers and Team Members Crystal Arnold Watco Marketing I have been with Boise Valley Railroad for three years and cant imagine myself working for another company Everyone here has a family type bond and will go extra lengths any day to help the team Tyler Stapleton Boise Valley Railroad Engineer Our goal here in Stockton is to keep the Customer happy while extending our 10year safety record Working together and looking out for each other has made both goals easier to reach Sambo Sam Operator Stockton California Fertilizer Terminal When I decided to make a career change Watcos backstory really interested me Seeing how they went from one location to going international without losing focus on what really matters shows how much they value their Customers and Team Members Crystal Arnold Watco Marketing I have been with Boise Valley Railroad for three years and cant imagine myself working for another company Everyone here has a family type bond and will go extra lengths any day to help the team Tyler Stapleton Boise Valley Railroad Engineer View Our Benefits View benefits offered with employment Create Talent Profile Create an account to make applying for jobs quick and easy
|
[
"service"
] |
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