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In this issue… FRMS School History Student Achievement Role Models Are You a Nerd? King Tut Your Holiday Traditions Holiday Gift Ideas The Dirt on Dashboard Rode to the Super Bowl Video Games Movie Info Chris Brown A Holiday Story Puzzles & games FRMS 12-18-07 Student ISSUE 2 Newspaper 2 By Kate Lohman the most popular. The homerooms with the best records would play against each other at the end of the nine weeks. The whole grade level watched the play-offs, making it a big event! The Pool: ~The pool we currently have is the only pool that the district has ever had. ~There is a window where you can watch swimmers in the pool from the dungeons. ~The auxiliary gym (upstairs gym) was an open area that used to have bleachers so that you watch sporting events held in the pool and our current gym. ~The diving blocks used to be at the other end from where they are now. Have you ever wondered what the middle school used to be like? Here is a quick peek: The Courtyard: The Building: ~There was once a courtyard where the seventh ~The Franklin Regional Middle School current grade "mall hall" and computer labs are today. building opened in 1971. ~This courtyard was going to be used for ~Our middle school building was first used for gardening in biology class. The soil was too seventh and eighth grades. There was an rocky to plant anything though. intermediate high school for the ninth and tenth ~The courtyard was then used to house rabbits, graders. The Intermediate High School is now chickens, and even a goat! Mr. Blank explains the current high school. Heritage Elementary how they were fed and what it was like, "The was then the high school for eleventh and students would get left over lettuce and twelfth grades. vegetable scraps from the kitchen and would ~The original building was just rooms 201-218, feed the animals by dumping the food out a which is now the sixth grade hall, rooms 301- window into the courtyard area. There was 308, the gym, and cafeteria. always a crowd of kids on one side of the glass ~The current main entrance, Little Theater, and a crowd of animals on the other side of the Primetime Studio, and offices used to be a glass at feeding time." parking lot. ~ At one time, the school was so crammed that ~The staircase by the library used to be a ramp. the courtyard was used as a classroom. The School Day: ~In the 80"s, ninth grade was moving into the The Dungeons: middle and sixth grade was moving out. The ~Our school does have sixth grade classrooms were not complete so dungeons. They are they rode a bus to a school in Monroeville for behind the downstairs three months of the school year! seventh grade hall and ~Students began school at 8:30 and went until the nurse"s office. 4:00, when the school first opened. ~The dungeons are used ~The students had three thirty-minute classes, to keep furniture and homeroom, lunch, club, or intramurals when the supplies. They were once used to hold cages of school day was so long. animals that students cared for including: ~Intramurals were games that homerooms chinchilla, gerbils, hamsters, and mice. played against each other, a schedule told you ~A window in the dungeons looks into the pool. who would play who. Homerooms would ~There were classes in the dungeon with the practice for the competitions. Speed football was pool window during a period of time when the school was rather crowded. 3 Middle School History continued ~In the three-hundred-wing, Mr. Fleming"s room was a wood shop. The tech ed room was the Band: metal shop at one time. ~ The band room used to be rooms 301, 302, ~General Music was in two classrooms in the Faculty Dinning, and half of the cafeteria. three-hundred-wing. ~A folding door separated the cafeteria from the ~ One of those General Music classrooms was band room. This affected teaching in the band used for a chorus room. The chorus at that time room. was very small. ~ The entrance to the band room was the first ~Where the technology classrooms are was set of double doors going into the cafeteria. once the metal shop, wood shop, and drafting ~ Band section and instrument storage rooms room. are now part of room 300. Teachers: Specific Classrooms: ~Some Franklin Regional teachers are Franklin ~Mr. Blank once had a real window in his Regional graduates. For example, Mrs. Miscik classroom that looked over the courtyard. Unlike went to school at Franklin Regional. the window he has now that looks over the "mall ~Some teachers have taught other teachers hall" the real window opened. when they went to Franklin Regional. ~The main entrance, main offices, guidance ~Teachers had to make phone calls from the offices, and nurse"s office used to be where the guidance counselor"s office at one time. BCK House and Panther Pit House are now. Special thanks to Mr. John Blank, Mrs. Showman, Mr. Silvestri, Mrs. Blauger, Mrs. Lazzaro, and Mr. Guadagnino on their expertise on the history of the Franklin Regional Middle School!! Survey by Jen Long As you know, the Paw Print is written by Franklin Regional students that are on the newspaper staff. But we don"t always know exactly what you want to read about in the next issue! Other FRMS students have helped us with that by taking a survey in homeroom. Two homerooms from each grade were chosen to take the survey. If you were in one of these homerooms, we"d like to thank you for your input! We learned a lot from it, and we hope to incorporate many of your ideas into future issues. This survey had two questions: the first was asking what you would like to see more of in the next issue, from school news to technology. The second question was an open-ended question asking what ideas you had for the Paw Print. We saw some great ideas! For the first question, the two top categories were sports and entertainment. They were closely followed by school news and puzzles & games. This question really gave us a good idea of what exactly we needed in future issues. In the second question, we got tons of good ideas! Many of you gave ideas for future articles. Other students suggested having more pictures in the newspaper. A big "thank you" from the Paw Print staff goes to all the students who took the time to fill out our survey. If you weren"t one of the students who took this survey, you can always e-mail your ideas to Mrs. Yeager at email@example.com. Also, if you have some great ideas that you want to write about as a staff member, we can always use more writers! E-mail Mrs. Yeager to become part of the staff. Thanks again for your input! 3 By Brianna Humbert We usually stop by my grandfather"s After receiving surveys from over house and open presents. My uncle also seventy students, I realized that every comes down often so it"s nice to see single one of those polled celebrate him. We also go to my cousin"s house Christmas. On the survey, the students on Christmas Eve. were asked to list what holiday they -Zach Jansma celebrate at this time of year, and what Go to my grandma"s house to open traditions their family has. There are presents and eat breakfast. Then, go to many different traditions everyone"s friend"s house for Christmas party and families have. dinner. -Anonymous 8th Grade I go to California every other year to We open presents Christmas night, and celebrate Christmas and just spend time go to the movies Christmas Day. with my family. -Robyn Stanley -Anonymous We go to church on Christmas Eve and Yes, on Christmas my family and I get then drive around the neighborhood our yearly tree from Delmont and we looking at the lights. each make a tree ornament of the -Anonymous year and we put our names and the We go over to my grandma"s date with Merry Christmas on the house every Christmas Eve with side. Then we hang it up. our whole family, and we eat -Anonymous dinner and trade off gifts. Then, Because we are Italian, every year the next day, my other we have the fish feast and yummy grandparents come over and we desserts. exchange gifts with them. -Anonymous -Alexis Stauros We do have one little tradition. On My family goes to one half of my family Christmas Eve night, we open family on Christmas Eve and the other half on gifts that we have gotten for each other. Christmas Day. We open all open all of It"s so much fun and I enjoy it. We also our presents after we eat dinner. go out after that, to go around -Anonymous Murrysville and Export to look at the Go to my grandma"s house Christmas Christmas lights. Eve, and then open presents Christmas -Anonymous Day. The weekend before Christmas, Every year the day after Thanksgiving, my family goes out to eat. my family and I set up the tree. -Tim Turner -Chris Harvey My family always goes to my mom"s aunt"s house on Christmas Eve. We 7th grade also go to church on Christmas Eve. On Go over to grandparents. Christmas, everyone comes to my -Bethany K. house and we have ham and chicken Everybody comes to our house for the noodle soup. holidays. We put up our tree and lights -Anonymous after Thanksgiving. We go shopping I pretty much just chill. I also eat food. I downtown after Thanksgiving for also like playing in the FR Christmas Christmas. basketball tournament. -Rachel Barkey -Mike Stewart No -Laura Kohrs 4 Holiday Traditions continued 6th grade Playing charades, my dad makes a My mom and I bake Hershey Santa Claus note. cookies. On Christmas Eve, I go to -Danielle Vensel my aunt"s house and open presents Not really, just to meet from all my relatives. We decorate together. our house with Christmas -Ivory D. decorations. I go to my aunt"s on -Rachel Carretta Christmas Eve. I stay at my We open presents in our living room house all day on Christmas. Then and our family from Indiana comes. on the 26th I drive to Harrisburg to We have big breakfasts, lunches, see the rest of my family. and dinners. -Julia Bolkovac -Quaicle Simek We eat turkey for dinner. All the My favorite traditions for Christmas grandparents come over on are when we get pajamas. Every Christmas. year on Christmas Eve, before we go -Daniel Kierschner to bed, my mom gives everyone new We make cookies every Christmas pajamas. This is my favorite Eve. We watch Christmas shows tradition on Christmas. like Frosty and Rudolph. -Anonymous -Krysta Hoover We have a huge feast. We always go the same route. Christmas Eve is always at my Wait for all the presents to be house. Christmas Day is opened before playing with always at my aunt"s house. them. Eat before opening -Julianna Carolla presents. On Christmas we have a -Tyler Smith turkey and our relatives visit. Find the pickle in the tree. -Nieha Santoro -Dominique Weakland On Christmas Eve we have seven We go to my grandma"s on fishes. Christmas Eve and have traditional -Brendan Gello Polish food. Then Santa comes and Each cousin gives a different cousin we get presents. We tell everyone a gift. We go to my grandma"s Merry Christmas. On Christmas we house. go to my other grandma"s and -Anonymous having a big turkey dinner I bake cookies with my grandma. I -Ali Fagan open my gifts from my grandma and To go to my grandparent"s house pap and cousins on Christmas Eve. and have a big meal. To give gifts to -Ashley Brett my family. Going to my aunt"s house and -Nicole Stevenson getting presents and lots of food. Every year my whole family goes to -Matt Yakshe my grandparents" house and we We open one present open all of our presents there. on Christmas Eve. -Toni Osbsky -Anonymous 5 The Best The Face of King Tut By Rachel Barkey Holiday Gifts! By Lauren Echols The famous King Tut The Holidays are starting up, and with finally showed his face all the new things out there it is so hard on November 4th. to pick out the perfect gift that everyone In Luxor, Egypt will love. There is so much new King Tutankhamen (Tut) was unveiled technology, so if you know the person for the first time in public. His body was you are buying for has an ipod or an leathery, black, and narrow with large MP3, think about getting them an itunes incisor teeth and slightly misaligned gift card. bottom teeth. Even though he was Some people you may be getting considered well fed and healthy, he was gifts for are your teachers. Are you just only 5 feet 6 inches at the time of his going to go out and get some old knick- death. knack or coffee mug, or are you going to Dr. Zahi Hawass said that get a hip new gift? Think about getting because of the humidity and heat caused them a gift card, such as a department by people entering the showcase tomb, store or a restaurant. Teachers will just their breathing will change the mummy love it, but if you're not quite sure about into dust within 50 years. The only good your gift, stick the gift receipt in with it thing left of the mummy is his face. just in case. The scientists removed Tut's If you're shopping for a brother mummy from his sarcophagus and or a sister, think about getting something placed him on a CT scanner to find out they really like or ask them what they exactly how the boy king died. The want. If you're still not sure what to get results of the scan ruled your sister, get her a lip-gloss. If she's a out the possibility that he tomboy, get her a basketball or was violently murdered, something else sporty. If you're not sure but stopped short of the what to get your brother, get him exact cause of death. something like a kickball, baseball, or a Experts are suggesting bat. For your aunts and uncles, think or that just days before ask what they want because everyone is dying, Tut badly broke different. If you need any other ideas, his left thigh, an accident get your aunt a candle or a homemade that may have resulted in a fatal gift that she will just love. For your infection, but they are not completely uncle get a key chain or a Dick's gift sure. card. A fun idea for a gift for your Even after more than three mother is a bottle of nail polish or some thousand years since Tut's death and 85 make up. If you still need some other years since the tomb's discovery by shopping ideas you can go to Howard Carter, scientists continue to www.target.com, study and learn from King www.redenvelope.com, or Tutankhamen. www.shopzilla.com. Source: Pittsbugh Post Gazette, November 15, 2007 6 7 students advanced or FRMS Student proficient in math. Plus, 92% of this year"s sixth grade Achievement scored advanced or By Jennifer Long proficient in math. Students did just as well in the "Oh no! I got a C on my math reading section! The target for all test!" "If I bring home a B at schools in reading was to have 54% midterms, my parents will kill me!" of students score advanced or "Yes! I got a 99% in English!" These proficient. In the 2005-2006 school are some of the things you might year, 85% of our eighth grade scored hear around FRMS from some of our advanced or proficient, 77% of our fellow students. seventh grade scored advanced or It"s easy to only think Ugh, my proficient, and 86% of our sixth sister beat me in science! or My grade scored advanced or proficient. friend got an A and I only got a B! As you can see, all of our Sometimes, all we think about when scores on the PSSAs were way we get our report cards are, a) how above the target scores. We were we compare to our friends, and b) also above average overall among how we compare to what we"ve done other schools who took the same in the past. We"re actually missing a test. In math, the average percent of whole concept: how we compare to students from all over Pennsylvania other kids in our area. achieving advanced or proficient are When it comes to grades, around 69 or 70%. In reading, the Franklin Regional students are doing average percent of students is about very, very well! But how do we know 65%. All three of the grades in this? Well, think all the way back to FRMS beat both these state last year. There was a week when averages! we all took a series of tests called First of all, I think that we the PSSAs. They seemed like a really need to thank all of our huge pain then, but they"re actually teachers, since they are the ones very important. The state uses the that taught us so well! I"d also like to PSSAs to make sure that every thank Mr. Kelly, Mr. Suvak, and our school in Pennsylvania is doing an PTO. Then, of course, I"d like to adequate job of teaching their congratulate all of our FRMS students. students for doing so well on the Every school in PSSAs! Congrats! Pennsylvania"s target for the PSSA If you"d like to know more math assessment is to have 45% of about Franklin Regional"s PSSA their students be "advanced" or results, you can look at our district "proficient" in math. According to the report card at 2005-2006 Franklin Regional district http://www.franklinregional.k12.pa.us report card, all of the students in /stuff/frreportcard0506.pdf or the FRMS passed with flying colors! PSSA scores for all the participating 83% of this year"s eighth grade were PA schools at advanced or proficient in math. This http://www.pde.state.pa.us/a_and_t/c year"s seventh grade had 75% of its wp/view.asp?a=3&q=115272. 8 NERD TEST Super Bowl Have you ever thought you might be a nerd? Well, take this very non-scientific Anyone? test and find out………………… By Lauren Echols 1). Do you tuck your shirt in? a) yes b) sometimes c) no never that's stupid. 2). When you're in bed do you recite Are we going to make it all the the digits of pi? way to the Super Bowl? Well, this has a) yes b) no been a pretty great season, even though c) only half it has been a bit crazy, especially with our loss on Dec. 9 to the Patriots and 3). Is your best friend homework? Sunday to the Jaguars. With only two a) yes games remaining in the regular season, I b) no think we have a pretty good chance to c) yes and my girl/boy friend is science make it to the playoffs. Our toughest opponent was the Jacksonville Jaguars, 4). Do you pick your nose and eat it? who had the same 9-4 record as the a) yes, and it's yummy Steelers. Unfortunately, playing them at b) no, that's gross home did not help. In fact, we broke our c) yes, it tastes like chicken. perfect winning record at home for the 5). Do you do your math homework in season. other subjects? Now, we play the 4-10 St. Louis a) yes Rams and the 4-10 Baltimore Ravens, b) I just do it at home both relatively weak teams, to end the c) I love math sooooooo much. season. We need to win both games to guarantee the play-offs. Our main 6). Do you play online computer games competitor for the AFC North Title is for more than 1 hour? Cleveland with 8-5, but with Big Ben on a) yes our side, we can't lose. If Cleveland b) yes, but it's 4 hours on weekends looses one and we win one, we'll clinch c) no, I play outside the playoffs. This season, even without our If you answered yes to 2 or more superstars, Troy Polamalu, Najeh questions then cut this out and tape Davenport, and Santonio Holmes, we've to your forehead: been doing fine, but hopefully we may have all three players in our next two games. I am a nerd!!!! In this reporter's opinion, the Steelers will make it all the way to the Super Bowl! (Thanks to Colin Jonov and David Leftwich for helping to By Alex Muzika update Lauren's article! – Mrs. Yeager ) 9 The Dirt On "Where have the role Dashboard! models gone?" By Luke Sciulli By Madeline Peters It is important that we all know To get the scoop on this controversial who the real role models are, and what grading program, I talked to Mrs. Allison who makes a person one. Here is the helps train teachers in our school. dilemma, there are almost none left! If What is Dashboard?? you were to look at the tabloids and on Dashboard is an Internet driven the television and search for at least one computer-grading program that lets decent character to tell a kid or teen to teachers submit grades, make seating watch and emulate, you could be looking charts, and take attendance. for quite a long time. The main reason What is so unique about the program for this is that celebrities seem to have a and how does it benefit students?? habit for the thinking that any kind of Eventually, students will be able to publicity, whether it is positive or check their own grades on the program. negative, is good publicity. The constant Another cool feature is that a teacher haunt of celebrities getting caught drunk can post a topic or lecture on a driving and attending wild parties at discussion board and students can answer online. This is where it gets ridiculous hours does nothing to support interesting. If students miss an a healthy life style. A recent study done assignment teachers can post your by Kingston University suggests that missed work on the Dashboard website. teens are 27% more likely to imitate a All you have to do is print it, do it, and celebrity's actions than their parents. turn it in!! These awesome features may Maybe, part of the problem with start appearing some time this school finding suitable role models is that kids year. are looking in all the wrong places. What are some of the problems with the When kids watch T.V. or read program? magazines, everything they read they "Things weren"t working right at first. may take as what they should be doing. You have to remember, the program is still being developed." (Mrs. Allison) So cover stories and top news such as "Paris Hilton is Finally Going to Jail" I wanted to get the opinions of the and "Britney's Twisted Childhood" do faculty, who use Dashboard on a daily not do much to improve the insight of a basis. After speaking to several teen's look and behavior in life. Teens teachers who declined to comment and children shouldn't pay attention to about the program, Mrs. Almgren the media as much as they do, because graciously submitted her view, "After the only thing they put out for them to being asked to share my thoughts on see is negative news. It should be well Dashboard, the new FR record-keeping known that the media only does this computer program, I can summarize it because they know that bad news sells, best with a report card comment: "Has made progress but still has room for and it sells a lot. improvement."" Teens and children should just look around them, at real lives and real Thanks to Mrs. Allison and Mrs. Almgren for homes, when they want to look for taking their time out to contribute to this article. promising habits and proper behavior. 10 11 Super Mario Video Game Reviews Galaxy Just in time for the holidays! Rated: E for By Matt Thornton Everyone Platform: Wii Guitar Hero 3 Price: $30-$50 Rating: TEEN Platforms: Xbox 360, This is your typical PlayStation 2, PlayStation Mario game…. 3, Wii, PC, Mac Except you get flung Price: $79.99 (Ps2) All others cost $89.99 across space at an incredible speed and you have to flip around Rock out with this new in a 3D world to find stars with large watery addition to the Guitar Hero series. This eyes that never seem to look away… version is harder than the previous ones creepy. The Mario Franchise has really with things such as, "This game"s Hard grown from its old 8-Bit NES classic. This Mode is the older game"s Expert." With game has gotten rave reviews, and from the songs such as "The Devil Went Down to short time of playing it in my local Wal-Mart, Georgia" and "Through the Fire and the I know it"s a keeper. Flames", your fingers will surely be throbbing for days after you take it out of the package. The Wii version of this game has DVD In The Spotlight "extra special" features such as the ability to By Matthew J. Lis fight it out over an online connect with a It's 1962, and change is in the air in friend. Also new with this title is all the Baltimore. Tracy Turnblad, a girl with guitars are wireless without any extra cost!! big hair and big dreams, has only one This is a very fun, addictive game that is a passion in life - to dance on "The popular hit with nearly everyone who picks Corny Collins Show." When her chance up the sleek, plastic Les Paul guitar. arrives, she grooves her way into instant stardom and the eyes of teen- Age of Empires 3: dream Link Larkin. Asian Dynasties But with the program's scheming Rating: TEEN stage manager against her, trend- Platform: Windows XP, setting Tracy will need the help of her Windows Vista best friend Penny, her bighearted Price: $29.99 mother, and sassy co-host Motormouth Maybelle to show the This expansion to the world that all it takes to make a dream Age of Empires 3 come true is a toe-tappin' beat and a allows you to play as little Hairspray! the large, populace You can get Hairspray on DVD now! Asian Dynasties and conquer your enemies. Age of Empires has a little "fact book" which This makes an awesome Christmas explains the items and units in the game present! while you maneuver your War Elephants to Regular Edition DVD attack a neighboring villager trespassing on 2-Disc Special Edition (That's What I your land. This is definitely a game a history Have!) teacher could appreciate. The graphics are Blu-Ray Disc pretty good and the landscapes are unreal, Source:http://www.igglevideo.com/co with just the fact the people have smudges ntent/movies/index.html?client=iggle& for faces. You will need the first Age of id=81005 Empires 3 edition to install this. 12 Hey MovieGoers! theaters for one week only! It will also be in Disney Digital 3-D!!! Disney Here is a list of DVDs that are Digital 3-D is the state of the art going to be coming out in the near CLEAR 3-D!! I've seen a few movies in future: it myself, and I thought it was the best 3-D I have personally ever ----DECEMBER---- experienced. The concert starts February 1, 2008, and the tickets go 4th Pirates of the Caribbean: At on sale December 1, 2007. So get Worlds End (PG-13) your tickets, because the show is 11th The Bourne Ultimatum (PG-13) only going to be in theaters for one 11th Harry Potter and the Order of week!!! the Phoenix (PG-13) 18th Balls of Fury (PG-13) The Golden 18th Bring It On: In It To Win It Compass (PG-13) 18th The Simpsons Movie (PG-13) Rating: PG-13- 18th Stardust (PG-13) sequences of 18th Underdog (PG) fantasy violence 23rd Rush Hour 3 (PG-13) Genre: Fantasy/ Adventure Opens: December ----JANUARY---- 7, 2007 15th Mr. Woodcock (PG-13) Description: Lyra 15th Suburban Girl ( PG-13) 22nd Blonde Ambition (PG) Belacqua is an orphan who lives 22nd The Game Plan (PG) happily in Jordan College, Oxford, 22nd Sydney White (PG-13) playing with local boys and terrorizing 29th The Comebacks (PG-13 the professors. However, when Lyra 29th Daddy Day Camp (PG) overhears scholars discussing a plot 29th Feel The Noise (PG-13) against her uncle, Lord Asriel, 29th The Invasion (PG-13) centering a mysterious substance called Dust, her curiosity is roused. Soon Lyra is in over her head as she uncovers a frightening plot and a Movie Info whole new world of possibilities. National Treasure: Book of Secrets Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Rating: PG- N/A Best of Both Genre: Worlds Concert in Action/Thriller Disney Digital 3D Opens: December Rating: N/A 21, 2007 Genre: Concert/Music Description: Opens: February 1, Treasure hunter 2007 Benjamin Franklin Description: Gates looks to Hannah Montana discover the truth fans everywhere will behind the get a once in a assassination of Abraham Lincoln, by lifetime chance to see her sold out uncovering the mystery within the 18 concert!! That's right! Hannah pages missing from assassin John Montana's concert will be in select Wilkes Booth's diary. By: Matthew J. Lis (Sixth Grade) 13 Chris Brown Puzzles and Games By Taylor Rowland By James Kreitzburg Just to think, Chris (see print copy) Brown, 2 years old standing in front of the TV dancing and now he"s dancing in front of millions of fans. With the 2005 hits "Run It!" and "Gimmie That" he proved himself to be Hollywood material. To top it all off, he proved he could act in his film debut of "Stomp the Yard", and this month he stars in a holiday theme movie "This Christmas." This fall his album "Exclusive" hits the stands, which formed the hits "Wall To Wall" and "Kiss Kiss" featuring T-Pain. The Kiss Kiss music video was shot on the campus of Florida International University, in Miami, Florida. Chris Brown's first self-titled album has sold 1,920,665 albums to date and is still rising. Christopher Maurice Brown was born on May 5, 1989, in Tappahannock, Virginia and was raised by Clinton Brown and Joyce Hawkins. He was influenced by artists such as Michael Jackson and Sam Cooke. He recorded "Say Goodbye" for the "Step Up" soundtrack, and he also released a DVD entitled "Chris Browns Journey" which shows his road to the Grammy's. Chris Brown will be in a scheduled 8 episodes of "The OC" playing a small role as a band geek. Soon enough you'll see him in a movie called "Phenom" where he plays the starring role as a high school basketball player on the long hard road to the play- offs. Can't get enough of Chris Brown? Listen for his new single "With You" and the "Umbrella (Cinderella Rmx)" with Rihanna and Jay-Z. Oddly enough, you will see his familiar face on a few episodes of "Sesame Street." Chris Brown is only 18. His career has skyrocketed, and its only just begun. 14 HAVE HOPE ankle. He fell face-first into the pillow. "How can you be so happy?" snapped A Holiday Story Alison. What she really wanted to say was "How can you be so happy when Hope is Alison Cleary stared into the night out roaming in the cold?" She shoved him sky. The stars twinkled above her, and off her bed and buried her face into her the moon shone brightly. Although the pillow before the tears could start snow-covered trees looked beautiful in pouring out. the moonlight, Alison still did not feel "Good morning, Alison," said happy. Even the fact that every house in Alison's father, Tim. "Hi," mumbled Alison. the neighborhood gave off a warm, happy She slipped into her kitchen chair and holiday vibe did not cheer her up. How buried her face in the itchy placemat. She could it? Tomorrow was New Year's never felt so sad in her entire life. Eve, which would be the two-week Suddenly, she recoiled. "What are you anniversary of the disappearance of the doing?" she asked. She reached across family's beloved dog, Hope. The sweet, the table and picked up a red plastic bowl easy-going Golden Retriever had strayed that had once belonged to Hope. from the Cleary household a week and six "Oh, honey." Trisha shared a look days ago; tomorrow would be exactly two with Tim. "We are getting rid of Hope's weeks. Alison was super worried things." She gestured toward the about her. Lately, the ten-year leashes, collars, and toys. old dog's arthritis had been "What?!" acting up, and sometimes she "Honey, we are donating had difficulties walking. This led them to the animal shelter. They Alison into a deep train of can use them there." She shoved a bunch thoughts, all worries about Hope. of stuffed toys and squeaky rubber balls "Still thinking about Hope?" asked into a big green garbage bag. Alison's mom, Trisha. Her words "No!" shouted Alison. She shoved interrupted Alison's thoughts, but she back her chair. "What makes you think certainly could not forget them. Alison she's not coming back?" nodded. Trisha placed a hand on her "Well, we have lots of fliers up, daughter's shoulder and pulled her close. and everyone knows what she looks like," Even though Alison was standing right said Trisha. "If someone found her, they above the blasting heat vent, she still felt would have definitely called us. She must cold inside. have gone too far." "Not possible," "Yay, yippee! It's New Year's Eve! said Tim. "Her joints hurt her." Wake up Al!" shouted Alison's bratty little "Well then, she is probably d…" brother, Petey. He ran into Alison room "No! I'm going to find her." Alison and began jumping up and down on Alison's ran to the closet in the front hall and bed, tossing her into the air like a popcorn grabbed her coat and snow boots. She was kernel in a hot air popper. "Mom and Dad not going to sit here and listen to her are going to let me stay up until midnight family make plans to sell Hope's things. on New Year's Eve!" he chanted. The more How could they just lose hope that Hope he bounced up and down, the higher Alison would return? "I am going to find her," was tossed. "Ouch. Stop it," said Alison. said Alison. With these words, she threw She grabbed the six-year old's skinny 15 Puzzles and Games off. Alison gasped. She wondered if maybe she was dreaming. Standing there By James Kreitzburg right before her eyes was Hope! "So where did you find her?" (see print copy) asked Alison. She was sitting in front of a warm fire her dad had made, petting Hope. "When I went to take her things to the shelter, I saw a Golden Retriever who looked a little familiar." Tim paused to smile at Alison and Hope. "They had found her two days after we lost her, but since they are so far away, they didn't know about our signs," explained Tim. "So, she was fine," concluded Trisha. "They fed her, and walked her, and she made some friends." Trisha handed a mug of hot chocolate to Pete. He reached in his glass and pinched off a piece of a marshmallow. He threw it to Hope, who gobbled it down. The entire family laughed. Alison smiled brightly. She just couldn't contain her happiness. The entire family was sitting around the fire sipping HAVE HOPE continued hot chocolate, laughing and talking, and her coat on over her pajamas and ran out celebrating Hope's homecoming. In an the front door. hour, it would be a new year. Alison made "Hope!" called Alison. She had a vow to make it the best year, starting been out searching for two hours, and her with how she cared for Hope. She planned entire body was frozen. "Maybe Mom was to order a personalized tag for Hope with right," she thought sadly. She dragged the Cleary's contact information to avoid her frozen feet through the snow toward this sort of situation from repeating her house. Twenty minutes later, she itself. Hope was home back where she arrived home. "Alison!" shrieked Trisha. belonged, and the family was having fun. She rushed toward her daughter and After all, they had Hope! threw her arms around her. "Come in." Written by Carly Zalevsky She ushered her daughter toward the front door. "Come on, we have a surprise for you. Alison wiped her nose. Whatever it was, she certainly didn't care. Alison pushed open the front door. She was attacked by something, and the force knocked her over. Her hood fell in her eyes, so she couldn't see, but whatever it was it was licking her. She pulled her hood 16
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Barry Bonds became MLB's all-time home run king when he hit his 756th career round-tripper on Aug.
Hank Aaron is rooting for Alex Rodriguez to make a strong comeback in 2015, as A-Rod returns from his year-long PED suspension.
Bud Selig remains steadfast, with a number of old-time sportswriters, in his assertion that Henry Aaron is the "true home run champion." In other words, that 762 is actually less than 755.
ATLANTA -- Hank Aaron is still the home run king to many. Even baseball commissioner Bud Selig has a difficult time seeing it any other way.
From Comcast SportsNet

subset: commoncrawl


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Forrest Bryant Johnson
New Upcoming Project "TROOPER, The Cat Who Came In From The Wild"
Posted by TonyGLV in Uncategorized on September 22, 2014
Long ago while hiking in the desert at the edge of Las Vegas, Nevada, I found a wounded cat, apparently the victim of a coyote attack. He was alive, but, his wounds were serious so we rushed him to a veterinarian hospital."I have a neighbors cat," I said to the doctor. "Can you save him? I'll try to find his owner later.""The doctor laughed and replied, "He doesn't belong to your neighbor. This poor kitten is not a domestic cat. What you have here is a baby bobcat! And, yes. I can save him."
The kitten survived and I elected to raise him as a member of our family. I named him "TROOPER" and he proved himself more than once to be a strong survivor. The story has humerus episodes including Troopers frustration while trying to educate a mischievous, playful Tabby cat he adopts. We named that kitten, "Brother" and learned that his family was killed by coyotes. Brother and Trooper set off on a grand adventure, meeting a variety of desert animals as they explore their territory.
Cats, like humans, have feelings and fears; fears of hunger, of being harmed, or growing old with no one to care for them. Trooper had only one fear, coyotes, the predator who also killed his family and almost killed him. One day he is forced to face his fear directly as he must battle a coyote in a fierce struggle to save a friend.
The Last Camel Charge
The Last Camel Charge; (released April 3, 2012) "A fascinating portrait of the American West…Johnson reaches deep into the essence of how America came to be." Bevin Alexandra, Military Historian and author.
The hard cover edition of The Last Camel Charge was released in April 3, 2012 and has received wonderful reviews (almost all "5 Star"). These can be found on the Internet under The Last Camel Charge, and with Amazon.
The "soft" cover edition was released in April, 2013, listed at a retail price of $16.00, much less than the hard cover.
Pleased to report that the "typo" mistakes in the first edition have been corrected.
Book is available on Kindle, at major book stores Barnes and Noble, etc. and Amazon
Phantom Warrior
Phantom Warrior; " The most riveting and unforgettable account of individual combat I've ever read.." Colonel Cole C. Kingseed, Military Historian and author.
"A vivid telling of one of World War 11's most legendary exploits." Hampton Sides, author
Hour of Redemption
Hour of Redemption; "Recommended reading." The National Defense Journal" Classic work. Credited as a major source for the best selling, Ghost Soldiers." Time Warner.
"Stirring…exhaustively detailed, thoroughly carefully and passionately well researched." Hampton Sides, author.
"Remarkable attention to detail…" Soldier of Fortune
"Quite simply the best World War 11 book I have read." Oscar Davis, authior and book reviewer.
Sony TV Pictures optioned film rights for "Hour of Redemption" in 2007 but failed to renew the option in 2009.
Raid on Cabanatuan
What Are You Doing Derby Day?
What Are You Doing Derby Day? A light story of first love.. Novel set in 1955 Louisville, Ky.
Click here or on book cover to purchase at Amazon!
Tektite; fiction murder mystery. One mans effort to block an international crime ring from stealing U.S. computer sectets. Set in th Philippines, Mexico and Arizona
Basenji Dog From The Past
Basenji Dog From The Past; a hard to find classic journey into the mystery of the Basenjis' past. The first book to provide proof as to why the dog breed is considered "bark less".
The Strange Case of Big Harry
The Strange Case of Big Harry: Fiction, satire. A Russian cosmonaut crashes his space ship in Wisconsin by mistake and befriends a strange creature leading to a case of mistaken identity by international agents.
Out of print.
July 2014. John Orland and Cross Roads Productions renewed their film rights option for "The Strange Case of Big Harry".
Out of print.
July 2014. John Orland and Cross Roads Productions renewed their film rights option for "The Strange Case of Big Harry".


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The 114th Annual Juried Art Exhibition of the New Haven Paint and Clay Club
Mar 28, 2015 - Apr 12, 2015
This event occurs weekly on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Show Dates: March 22 – April 12, 2015 Opening Reception: March 22, 2015, 2 – 5 pm. Awards will be presented at 3 pm. Entry Rules: Works must be original and executed by artists from the Northeast (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York) who can hand deliver their pieces upon acceptance. Media includes...
U.S. Coast Guard Band Chamber Concert
Mar 28, 2015
This concert features the U.S. Coast Guard Band's two participants in its annual Conducting and Leadership Program, Musician First Class Joel Baroody and Musician First Class Robert Langslet. This performance also features guest conductor Charles Peltz, Director of Wind Ensemble Activities at the New England Conservatory
Birds of Prey Feeding at Earthplace
Mar 28, 2015 - May 30, 2015
This event occurs weekly on Saturday.
Earthplace staff will answer all your questions while our Birds of Prey get their daily meal. All Ages.
Spend a weekend on the Sound with Author Chris Pramuk
Mar 28, 2015 - Mar 29, 2015
Join author, theologian and musician, Chris Pramuk, for a unique celebration of the centennial of Thomas Merton's birth, exploring the beloved poet, peacemaker and mystic's transforming contemplation of Sophia, "mysterious Unity and Integrity…Wisdom…Mother of all…the Gift of my Creator's Thought and Art within me…".
Ephemeral, Eternal: Meditations on Nature by Shen Dawei and Gar Waterman
Mar 28, 2015 - Mar 28, 2015
New Haven sculptor Gar Waterman and Chinese brush painter Shen Dawei will show their work side-by-side at the Silk Road Art Gallery's newest East/West exhibit, "Ephemeral, Eternal: Meditations on Nature by Shen Dawei and Gar Waterman," opening Saturday 2/28 at 4:00 PM.
Stamford Museum & Nature Center Facility Use
Mar 28, 2015 - Dec 31, 2015
This event occurs daily, every 1 day(s).
January 2 - December 31, After 5pm For a truly unique and memorable venue, host your event or meeting on the picturesque 118-acre former estate of Henri Bendel. With a working farm, handicapped accessible woodland trails, observatory, interactive art gallery and planetarium, the Stamford Museum & Nature Center is the ideal spot for your next company outing, off-site meeting or private...
Tavern Night- An Evening at the Lay House
Mar 28, 2015
Craft Beers of Connecticut featuring Two Roads Brewery & Willimantic Brewery with drinking songs by Rick Spencer Join us for a lively 19th-century evening as the historic Samuel Lay House is transformed into a seaside tavern from the War of 1812. The evening will include a craft beer tasting, food pairings of early American cuisine provided by Catering by Selene,...
WCSU Dinner and Opera Event
Mar 28, 2015
The WCSU Alumni Association will host a Night at the Opera at 5:30 p.m. in Room 218 of the Classroom Building on the university's Westside campus, 43 Lake Ave. Extension in Danbury. The cost will include dinner and a ticket to the Department of Music production of "The Tender Land." For more information or to make a reservation, call (203) 837-8298.
Annual Kaleidoscope Ball: Benefiting Stepping Stones Open Arms progam
Mar 28, 2015
15 Years of Playing it Forward! Mark your calendar for a spectacular evening that is sure to delight and surprise. Black Tie Optional 6:30 pm Cocktails | Hors d'oeuvres 8:00 pm Dinner by Abigail Kirsch | Dancing | Stepping Up for Children Awards | Special Guest Host Jay Michaels, WEBE 108 STEPPING UP FOR CHILDREN AWARDS A salute to the 2015 Stepping Up for Children Award honorees...
Senior Recital - Ming Zhu
Mar 28, 2015
A senior music recital by Ming Zhu,"Tunes of Ancient China: Ming's Guqin Senior Recital."


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Compact gadgetsSee in full screen
If it's a computer you're after, check out the super-compact Samsung Series 9, which just hit store shelves in Canada. Ringing in at 2.88 pounds and 0.64 inches thick, it packs a processing wallop (it ships with third-generation Intel i5 and i7 processors) despite its slim profile. The 13.3-inch screen size adds to the portability factor. It also boasts a 10-hour battery and fast boot time (just 9.8 seconds). The Series 9 starts at $1,299.99 (for the i5 version) at Best Buy. (Supplied)
The Cablox system consists of flexible plastic pads studded with little grips that hold your gadgets' cords in place. Stick them to the underside of your desk, and your cables won't budge. A set of two (in either black or white) goes for $12 at sirtified.com. (Supplied)
The HP Envy 110 is a respectably slim 16 by 13 by 4 inches, and the wireless capabilities mean you can stow this all-in-one pretty much anywhere. You can still print, copy, scan and fax - HP claims it even offers "lab-quality" photo printing. You can print directly from the Wi-fi-enabled touch screen, and the Envy's ePrint function lets you print documents straight from your phone or tablet by sending an e-mail to your printer, so you don't even really need a computer to put your thoughts down on paper. Scoop one up for $299.95 at Future Shop. (Supplied)
The clever design of the Doxie Go scanner lets you roll your documents right on through to the other side, scanning pages in eight seconds. It then stores what you've scanned (up to 600 pages), syncing to your computer when you plug it in, like a digital camera. There's also included software that lets you create a database of searchable PDFs, so you can scan important documents and store them digitally, cutting down on clutter even further. It's $199 at getdoxie.com or London Drugs stores. (Supplied)
The Workerman Machook is an ingenious way to keep your desk clear - the hand-carved hook sticks to the corner of newer-model iMacs, providing a handy perch for your headphones. Order one for $15 US at workerman.storenvy.com. (Supplied)
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Alberta high schools' robotics...
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Hudson Star Observer
'Know the Truth:' a first step on the path to prevention
'Habitat Handout Day' for Pierce, St.Croix set for May 2
BNSF pledges more inspections, slower speeds through cities; Mondovi fire-rescuer named Carnegie recipient; 11 more Wisconsin stories
Schreiber completes 40-year career with wastewater utility
Budget provision would ax environmental ed board; UW-LaX probes nepotism allegation; 11 more Wisconsin stories
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crime and courts
Hudsonites run on team of friend Billy Mills
Raider seniors shine at showcase
Hunter safety course scheduled in Somerset
Sparstad two-time All-BRC
Five Raiders are All-State hockey
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Booster Easter egg hunt is April 4
Hudson is featured destination on 'Discover Wisconsin'
Hudsonites among those receiving 'buttons'
Concordia to host Norwegian event at Hudson Middle School on Saturday
Register For Hudson Lions Garage Sale
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NOTICE TO CREDITORS: Erwin D. Danielson Estate; Case 15PR24
NOTICE TO CREDITORS: Charles A. Lonie Estate, Case No. 15PR22
GARNISHMENT SUMMONS: Capital One v. William G. Heller; Case No. 14-SC-508
VILLAGE OF NORTH HUDSON: 4/14/15 Public Hearing - Nasvik/Standafer variance
ST. CROIX COUNTY: Request For Qualifications - Bike & Pedestrian Plan
Kristan E. Janse-Dinkel, 54
Mary M. "Markee" Bourget, 95
Darlene Faye Plemon, 73
Emil M. Klatt, 83
Mary Anne (Frable) Hetrick, 64
Doug's Diggings: Home is among Hudson's oldest
Our View: Looking for family fun this Sunday?
Notes from the Dockside: Supervising grandpa
Doug's Diggings: Stadium improvements highlight spring baseball
Our View: You have a right to know
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January 27, 2013
Letter: Don't need more guns
Dear Editor, Gun control is much in the news, as it should be, since the tragedy in Newtown, Conn. In my opinion, this discussion is long overdue and much too important to receive a quick fix made when emotions run high. My hope is that cool heads will prevail and long-term solutions...
opinion / letters
January 27, 2013 - 11:36am
Letter: Argues for gun control
Dear Editor, As Evangelicals celebrate Pro-Life Week in many of their congregations this week, I have to wonder how many pulpits will courageously connect President Obama's gun control proposals to the issue of life? Also, as we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day this week,...
opinion / letters / religion
January 27, 2013 - 1:38am
January 26, 2013
Letter: Backs 'rainy day' fund for Hudson School District
Dear Editor, The School Board voted to raise the salaries of a majority of Hudson School District employees recently. They indeed should be compensated for their work. However, I believe that two-thirds to three-fourths of that money should have gone to raising compensation,...
opinion / letters / education
January 26, 2013 - 11:46am
Letter: Johnson is board choice
Dear Editor, I first met Jamie Johnson 14 years ago. He convinced me to help co-teach a fifth-grade Sunday school class at Bethel Lutheran Church in Hudson. Since that time I've watched Jamie grow professionally at the Lommen-Abdo law firm. I have also witnessed his ability to...
opinion / letters / education
January 26, 2013 - 11:45am
Letter: Hanson for school board
Dear Editor, I first met Bruce Hanson just over two years ago at a social event held by our Rotary club. It didn't take me long to figure out that Bruce was someone with whom I wanted to be acquainted. Since then I have had the opportunity to work with Bruce in many capacities...
opinion / letters / education
January 26, 2013 - 11:44am
Letter: Will vote for Jamie Johnson
Dear Editor, On Feb. 19 there will be a primary election to select candidates for two open seats on the school board. I urge all eligible voters to mark this date in their calendars. There will be five names on the primary ballot. I am sure that all five are good people who seek...
opinion / letters / education
January 26, 2013 - 11:43am
January 25, 2013
Letter: Uncomfortable with column
Dear Editor, In his report on the book "Heads on Beds," Jan. 17 Star-Observer, columnist Dave Wood seems to take great delight in sharing the author's "insider" tips for robbing from hotel mini bars. Maybe next he can highlight a book that offers tips on successful shoplifting....
opinion / letters
January 25, 2013 - 11:42am
Letter: Appreciates 'small town'
Dear Editor; To the people of Hudson: Thank you for being a small town. I have always had the privilege of living in small towns. I spoke with one of my brothers yesterday and I said to him, you know what? Every day I go out around town and every day I run into someone I know! ...
opinion / letters
January 25, 2013 - 11:40am
January 11, 2013
Letter: Hanson is solid choice for school board
Dear Editor, I last worked for Bruce Hanson four years ago yet I continue to speak with him on a weekly basis. Our professional lives have taken us our separate ways, but I continue to call Bruce because of our friendship certainly, but also because I know I can count on his thoughtful...
opinion / letters / education
January 11, 2013 - 1:19am
Letter: Best to buy locally
Dear Editor, A friend asked me the other day while looking over a stack of books my husband and I recently purchased as gifts for each other and our children if we had bought them on Amazon.
opinion / letters
January 11, 2013 - 1:17am
Letter: Lenient sentence?
Dear Editor, I recently noticed that two individuals who were found guilty of theft, here in the Valley, of over $20,000 will do no prison time. Both were sentenced to extended probation and restitution. It's not that I disagree with the sentence, in fact quite the opposite, what...
opinion / letters
January 11, 2013 - 1:15am
Letter: Appreciates Kohl's support
Dear Editor, I'm writing because U.S. Senator Herb Kohl deserves a resounding thank you for stepping up on behalf of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). LWCF is the program that ensures Wisconsin has the resources our parks, rivers, and forests need to provide opportunities...
opinion / letters
January 11, 2013 - 1:14am
Letter: Dislikes 'disease'
Dear Editor, Last week a caller to a WCCO radio talk show told of a disease that I had not hear of before. Upon learning of this probable contagious disease, it occurred to me that we probably had some of these carriers for this disease here in our Hudson area and in Baldwin and...
opinion / letters
January 11, 2013 - 1:12am
Letter: Healthcare or warfare?
Dear Editor, According to information compiled by the Inter-Faith Peacemakers of Edina, U.S. military spending (2012-2013) will exceed the combined spending of all other countries in the world! The U.S. ranks No. 1 with an annual military budget of $686 billion. China is No....
opinion / letters / politics
January 11, 2013 - 1:11am
November 2, 2012
Letter: America is on good path
Dear Editor, The election is only days away. If you haven't voted early, take the time to do so now or on election day. Your vote could decide this election.
opinion / letters / politics
November 2, 2012 - 1:42am
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The stream that leads into the San Sebastian River in the poor and tiny Central American country of El Salvador runs bright yellow, not for the gold in the mine nearby but for the chemical byproducts which leach into the water. That stream is emblematic in a fight between an Australian mining company and the El Salvador government, over whether there should be gold mining in the country.
If El Salvador wins this fight, it will preserve a bipartisan policy on mining, a country's right to make policy generally, and to protect its main water supply in particular.
If it loses, then a foreign mining company will be able to ride roughshod over the country's democratic process and prosecute a financial claim that could send its government broke.
Set among dense green foliage and steep hills, the San Sebastian River, La Union department in eastern El Salvador runs a light orange color, depending on the extent of rainfall. It has variously also flowed anything from a pale yellow to a deep orange. The San Sebastian is a 'dead' river, in that no life exists within it, and its water is poisonous to drink. The unnatural color of the San Sebastian River is a consequence of 'acid mine drainage', which conventionally includes sulfuric acid, arsenic and iron oxide (often referred to as 'yellow boy'), along with other possible poisonous trace elements. The acid mine drainage to the San Sebastian River derives from a stream the starts among the steep slopes above the village of San Sebastian, adjacent to a formally abandoned gold mine. A visit to the mine site clearly showed where the surface run-off from the mine site occurred, although acid mine drainage also occurs underground and leaches out of the soil along the hillside into the stream.
According to El Salvador's Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the river carries nine times the maximum permissible level of cyanide, approximately 1,300 times the permissible amount of iron (MARN 2012) and an unknown but certainly toxic level of arsenic.
The stream itself was a bright, almost luminous orange color, feeding directly into the San Sebastian River, which itself flows into the Gorascoran River. This river marks the eastern border between El Salvador and Honduras and then flows into the Gulf of Fonseca, also shared by Nicaragua, where it poisons the local fish stocks. Not only is the water from the San Sebastian poisonous, the community of San Sebastian says that it suffers a very high level of quite specific illnesses usually associated with arsenic and metals poisoning (see Zarraga 2014:41 for detailed account of the numerous chronic illnesses associated with arsenic poisoning, also Ventura 2011), and is required to truck in drinking water. For an impoverished community, this represents a great, almost unbearable, expense.
Not only does acid mine drainage seep from the mine above the village but, sitting abandoned in unsecured and deteriorating shipping containers, are approximately 23 barrels containing both sodium cyanide and iron sulfate, also used in gold mining. There is believed to be enough cyanide in the containers to kill approximately a half a million people.
In a country in which there has been little gold mining, the San Sebastian mine and its consequences stand as a stark illustration of what can happen when there is a confluence of a highly toxic industry, a vulnerable topography, high population density and generalized water shortage. It is, in short, a human and ecological disaster, which retains the potential to become very much worse.
A case in point of a possible new and much larger project is the El Dorado gold mining project in Cabañas district, which was initiated by Pacific Rim and upon takeover was assumed by the Australian-headquartered company OceanaGold. As a consequence, there has developed a popular movement against further gold mining – indeed all mining – in El Salvador, now supported by the government, which has by refusing to grant new permits declared a moratorium on the granting of mining permits. The government of El Salvador has to the time of writing refused to issue a permit for the mine to commence exploitation, based on strongly held environmental concerns and the fact that the predecessor company, Pacific Rim, failed to complete the necessary environmental and feasibility studies required by law. These concerns focus in particular on the pollution of both regional water supplies and, via its watershed, the main (64 per cent) water supply for El Salvador of the Lempa River. This moratorium is now confronted by an international mining industry that wishes to pursue mining in the country, regardless of local opposition, and which has taken the country to international legal arbitration in an attempt to force the issue. This paper examines some of the issues that have led to this dispute.
The latest reports of a massacre of dozens, perhaps 300, ethnic Yazidis by fighters from the self-proclaimed Islamic State has again raised fundamental questions about what can – or should – be done to protect this ethnic minority. The question is all the more pressing as while the Yazidis have been threatened with genocide, the IS has similarly targeted for extermination Iraq's small Christian community, Shias and any other group that does not immediately submit to its medieval beliefs.
The United States has made some inroads into the IS advances by attacking i from the air. This has, in turn, allowed the Kurdish Peshmerga fighters to slow the IS advance. But, having been bloodied for so little reward following the 2003 intervention, the US, like the UK and other allies involved in the 'Coalition of the Willing' are deeply reluctant to again deploy 'boots on the ground'.
The problem with the IS, though, is that while hardened Peshmerga fighters may be able to hold the IS from further northward advances, the IS continues to persecute other minorities and even those of its own Sunni faith in both Iraq and Syria that do not subscribe to its fanatical beliefs. Should the IS manage to consolidate, it has further designs on Jordan, the Palestinian territories and the north of Saudi Arabia.
As UK Prime Minister David Cameron has, among others, noted, the IS represents a threat not just to those fleeing from its immediate terror, but much more widely. The IS could be understood as a more radicalized version of Afghanistan's Taliban, which supported Al Qaeda.
US air strikes against the IS are, with the blessing of the floundering Iraqi government, necessary. However, the United States is again either casting itself or being cast as the world's policeman.
The role of the world's policeman is not one the US is necessarily comfortable with. The country has, since the late 1800s, vacillated between asserting its international authority and retreating to an introspective cocoon.
Having taken its eye off the ball in Afghanistan and manufacturing the 2003 Iraq war, the US under President Obama has been reluctant to again become directly engaged in external conflicts. The US chose not to act in Syria in 2013, which created the opening the IS was looking for there, and it has stayed similarly aloft from Russia's unsubtle interventions in Ukraine.
It is at such a time, then, that the world appears to require an alternative, legitimate strategy for confronting the IS, and the possible rise of other threats like it.
In 2005, the United Nations voted to endorse the principle of the 'Responsibility to Protect'. Following the genocides of Rwanda and in former Yugoslavia, the destruction of East Timor, the mass deaths of Darfur and many others, the United Nations endorsed the shared deployment of mechanisms, if necessary including military force, to prevent the possibility of further genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.
The conditions of invoking the Responsibility to Protect were onerous, so much that since it was agreed to it has not yet been invoked, despite numerous examples of humanitarian crises it was intended to prevent. The two critical features that have stymied its use have been a fear by some distasteful UN member states that it could be used against them, and that it requires the endorsement of the UN Security Council.
The UNSC's five permanent members have veto power on any Security Council decision which ensures that there can be no agreement on any issue that one or more permanent members have a strategic interest in. In 2009, China and Russia ensured there was no action on Sri Lanka, leading to the deaths of some 40,000 ethnic Tamils. Last year Russia vetoed any intervention in Syria, allowing that bloodbath to continue unabated.
However, none of the permanent five member of the UNSC has an interest in the progress of the IS. Indeed, Russia would be keen to see the IS disappear, given its own problems with Islamist rebellions on its southern flanks. China, if somewhat disingenuously, is also concerned with the Islamist character of Uighur separatism in its north-west Xinjiang province.
The invocation of the 'Responsibility to Protect' principle would allow genuine coalition of world powers to address the Islamist mutation that is the Islamic State. It would require boots on the ground, but they would be so universal and so overwhelming that IS would effectively disappear.
The end result in Iraq would, no doubt, be at least some reorganization of the state, which appears critically necessary in any case. It may also end up with the recognition of an independent Kurdistan, not least since neighboring Turkey, with its own militant Kurdish minority, now appears to be coming to terms with that idea.
Ultimately, the application of such a principle would also have to address the difficult issue of the IS in Syria, in which Russia has a vested interest. A resolution, though difficult, may also still be possible there.
Perhaps the US will prefer to continue to act not just as the world's policeman, but as its 'Lone Ranger'. But for the US to extricate itself from a deepening enmeshment in another protracted war, and addressing a problem that much of the world finds increasingly alarming, invoking the Responsibility to Protect could well ensure it does not get involved in another wear alone, and would bring a sense of global responsibility to international problems.
Australia is facing a new regional challenge as its northern neighbours increasingly join a global trend towards a more fundamentalist form of Islam. While this shift in religious orientation does not present a direct threat to Australia – at least for the time being - it is already complicating Australia's regional relationships. The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, an absolute monarch and one of the world's wealthiest men, recently announced his country would adopt strict sharia punishments. These will include whipping, amputation of hands for theft, and stoning to death for illicit sex (such as adultery and homosexuality) and apostasy (abandoning Islam).
When Indonesia's 180 million voters go to the polls tomorrow, they will be deciding whether Indonesia continues, more or less, with further developing its democratic experiment, or whether it turns away from a relatively open society that is necessary to allow democracy to flourish.
While the choice might appear to be obvious to anyone committed to democracy, to many Indonesians, the option of returning to a more authoritarian style of government still appeals.
Full article here:
After balking at its first diplomatic test over revelations of spying on Indonesia last year, there was still a reasonable expectation that the new government would quickly find its foreign policy feet. Julie Bishop as foreign minister was intended to present a firm but friendly policy face to the world, while Tony Abbott got on with domestic policy.
It appears now, however, that it's actually Abbott who enjoys the world stage, while Bishop seems constrained in her ability to act. In a deeply enmeshed world, this arrangement is manifesting as a poor feel for (or a lack of understanding of) the nuances of foreign policy.
Australia is now explicitly viewed as a problem by an increasingly nationalist Indonesia, eyed with suspicion by an assertive China and with anger or tepid acceptance by formerly close regional friends.
Comments by Indonesia's two presidential candidates, Joko Widodo and Prabowo Subianto, made ahead of this year's election, cast Australia as the problem in formerly close bilateral relations. Bishop's failure to offer a quick apology over Australian spying on Indonesia was an "own goal". The apology eventually came, but it was too little and much too late.
This was exacerbated by Australia's policy of unilaterally pushing asylum seekers back into Indonesia waters, transgressing Indonesian territorial sovereignty and, more recently, returning asylum seekers in Australian-supplied life boats. Bilateral cooperation put on ice last year will probably stay in the deep freeze until at least 2015.
Even further to the north, Australia's downgrading of ties with long-standing friend, Thailand, was justified in response to the May military coup. But this led to an angry rebuke by junta leader, general Prayuth Chan-ocha, who will remain as Thailand's head of government for at least 18 months. Australia has, for the time-being, lost not just Indonesia but Thailand's support in regional forums such as the strategic Asean regional forum, the east Asia summit and others.
More locally, Australia's relationship with Papua New Guinea is under renewed pressure, following corruption investigator Sam Koin's call for Australia to "take a greater interest" in allegations that embattled PNG Prime Minister, Peter O'Neill. Last year O'Neill criticised then-opposition leader Tony Abbott's "completely untrue" claims over Australian aid to PNG being linked to an asylum seeker processing agreement.
''We are not going to put up with this kind of nonsense,'' he said. ''We are helping resolving an Australian issue.
There is little doubt that PNG is riddled with problems. As PNG's largest aid provider, Australia has a right to be concerned over good governance. But this interest is increasingly unwelcome.
Earlier this year, Australia moved to normalise relations with Fiji, following the 2006 coup. Unfortunately for us, Fiji has long since dumped Australia as its dominant regional partner. We've been replaced by China's, which offers "soft power" diplomacy, in the form of loans and investment. Fiji also recently welcomed Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as a sign of strengthening relations with Indonesia, as it increases its own influence as a growing regional power.
China is playing a similarly more influential role with Australia's other Pacific neighbors. The status of the Pacific as Australia's backyard has long since dissipated – Australia's aid program has been contorted to fit changing domestic politics, our economy can't match growing regional powers and our strategic orientation remains transfixed by the distant spectre of militant Islamism.
Australia's largest trading partner, China, has tolerated Australia's diplomatic clumsiness. After Abbott identified Japan as Australia's "best friend", he responded to China's partially concealed irritation by assiduously courting the growing regional power during his recent Asian trip. These negotiations were, in turn, conducted while Abbott walks the tightrope of a US alliance competing with Chinese trade.
Globally, the Australian government's enthusiasm for supporting a return to Iraq before the US has defined its own policy position, its questionable approach to climate change and now its failed attempt to overturn the Tasmanian forest world heritage listing, has left Australia further diplomatically isolated.
Foreign policy primarily reflects domestic political concerns and there is little doubt that the Australian government would like to see a seamless link between the two. How likely is that dream? While the government struggles under the critical appraisal of a disenchanted electorate, the international stage looks more like a minefield – in part of its own making – that it seems only marginally equipped to avoid.
There will no doubt be many who see the US sending 300 military advisers to Iraq, along with 275 soldiers to protect its embassy in Baghdad, as the beginning of a US re-intervention in that beleaguered country. Added to the placement of a US aircraft carrier offshore, they would be half correct.
The US is deeply concerned about unfolding events in Iraq and has a bottom line position of not seeing the Islamic State in Iraq and Levant/Syria (ISIL/S) seize control in Iraq. But, having extricated itself from the unholy mess that was the US' Iraq war, US President Barack Obama and a majority of US people have no desire to go back there. In this, the US is caught in a bind.
The bind that the US now finds itself in is made vastly worse by the incompetent, sectarian government of Nuri al-Malaki, which has openly favoured Iraq's Shi'ite majority to the exclusion of the country's Sunni minority. The US has made it a condition for any direct support that the al-Malaki government re-engages with the Sunni minority so as not to create further fertile ground in Iraq for ISIS/L.
Despite increasingly desperate appeals for help, al-Malaki has not yet indicated that he is prepared or able to make any meaningful moves towards a re-accommodation with Iraq's Sunni population. Any moves made by a-Malaki now might also well be seen as window-dressing – just enough to re-engage the US without any longer term or substantive commitment.
At this stage, the US would, however, probably just settle for a public promise. Should ISIL/S be successful in toppling the al-Malaki government, ISIL/S would probably be halted as it encroached into the southern Shia heartland. Not only would it face Shia militias, it would also face the possibility of direct support from or intervention by neighboring Iran, which would be happy to have southern Iraq as a vassal state.
That would, however, leave the centre of Iraq in ISIL/S hands, providing a base for its future operations in the region and more permanently linking with territory it controls in Syria. With Iraqi forces now being concentrated nearer to Baghdad, Iraq's border with Jordan is now essentially undefended, and Jordan could well be the insurgent group's next target.
The other area of instability in the region is in Iraq's north, in the Kurdish area. The Kurds, already autonomous from the Baghdad government, have taken control of the oil producing town of Kirkuk. In contrast to just a few years ago, the Turkish government has reached a détente with the Kurdish regional government.
In exchange for limiting support for Kurdish separatists in eastern Turkey, Turkey now appears prepared to see the establishment of an independent Kurdish state to its east. The establishment of an independent Kurdistan may now, perhaps, be inevitable. But the break-up of Iraq that it would imply is not something that the US wants to see.
So, the US is left with a disintegrating state led by a dysfunctional, sectarian government on one hand and on the other a redrawing of the map of the Middle-East with the possibility of what amounts to an outlaw state in its middle.
It remains very unlikely that the US will commit to a full-scale 'boots on the ground' campaign. But at some point in the near future, it will seek to cripple ISIL/S's capacity. Substantial US air strikes in Iraq are, thus, now all but inevitable.
There has been a growing sense that Indonesia's presidential elections on 9 July will be much closer than initially thought and that hard man Prabowo Subianto could be a real contender for office. If Prabowo is successful, his presidency would be expected to fundamentally re-shape the orientation of Indonesia's post-Suharto era.
This shift towards Prabowo follows many months of largely uncritical adulation of the former Jakarta and Surakarta mayor, PDI-P candidate Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo, as a certainty for office. But the prevailing wisdom now sees the election as a tight race.
This increased sense of competition for the presidency was enhanced when the chairman of Indonesia's largest political party, Golkar, billionaire businessman Aburizal Bakrie, recently shifted allegiance from Jokowi to Prabowo.
Some observers have suggested that, as the largest party, Golkar's official backing for Prabowo will turn out its voters as a block. Prabowo's coalition of backers, including Golkar, controls just over half of Indonesia's legislature, compared with Jokowi's lesser 37 per cent.
Having noted this, since the return of multiparty democracy in 1999, legislative elections have only once been an indicator of presidential outcomes, and that was in 2009 on the back of the pre-existing popular presidency of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Further, Bakrie became Golkar chairman through elite wheeling and dealing, not because he is loved by its membership.
Many in Golkar would prefer to see Jokowi's running mate, Jusuf Kalla, still at the party's helm. This means that the Golkar vote is likely to be divided, diminishing the value of Bakrie's support for Prabowo.
Smaller Islamic parties have also lined up behind Prabowo, strengthening his position at the margins. Yet with many devout Muslims also concerned about corruption and justice, even here Jokowi's anti-corruption claims could give him an edge over Prabowo, who is the former son-in-law of the vastly corrupt President Suharto.
One factor in Jokowi's relative decline in popularity has been that Indonesia's media, owned by a small group of businessmen sympathetic or linked to Bakrie, have also come out strongly in favour of Prabowo. Prabowo has dominated the media airwaves and only slightly less so the print media. By contrast, Jokowi has had more limited recent exposure and even been actively blocked by some media outlets.
Despite these disadvantages, Jokowi remains so far ahead in public opinion polls that a high number of undecided voters would have to break overwhelmingly in favour of Prabowo for Jokowi to lose.
Just over half of respondents to one recent major survey said they would vote for Jokowi and his running mate, Jusuf Kalla. Slightly less than a third said they would vote for Prabowo and his running mate, former Yudhoyono economics minister, Hatta Rajasa. Other polls have shown similar results.
On that basis, despite a shift towards Prabowo, largely exaggerated by the media, Jokowi is still likely to be Indonesia's next president.
While policy matters — or it should — there is little of substance between Jokowi and Prabowo. But Indonesian presidential elections have always been more about (perceived) personality than policy substance. Jokowi is seen to be a 'man of the people'; Prabowo is a self-styled strong-man. Both styles have their supporters, but Jokowi's has fewer negative associations with the past.
Prabowo has been busy denying allegations of past human rights abuses, notably those of the kidnap, torture and disappearance of protesters just prior to Suharto's political demise. Prabowo was ousted from the army because of the claims. Luckily for him, his much darker past, in both East Timor and West Papua, raises little interest in the rest of Indonesia.
No doubt the next few weeks before the 9 July election will see a heightening of Indonesia's political competition between candidates who have consolidated Indonesian politics around two poles. It might even be possible to discern, between them, a more progressive and a more conservative orientation, giving the race a more conventional democratic hue.
Seeing Indonesian politics in such conventional progressive-conservative terms reflects a Westernised political mindset. And it may be that if Prabowo is successful, Indonesia will move in a less clearly democratic direction.
But Prabowo's victory still seems unlikely. Indonesia will perhaps not get a great president with Jokowi, who will have to confront a fractious and oppositional legislature. But the likely outcome of Indonesia's presidential elections will have taken Indonesia a significant step along the path to 'democratic consolidation' — in peculiarly Indonesian terms.
As events unfold in Iraq, the US finds itself in the curious position of moving towards effective support for Syria's President Bashar al Assad. Having first intervened in Iraq and then folding on a threat to take action in Syria, the US faces the alternative of the break-up of the nearly century-long construction of the region as a series of sovereign states.
In this, much depends on the strategic capacity and the next tacticalmoves of the organisation known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) or, more correctly, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). ISIS is used by most media because it conflates and hence simplifies two neighboring wars, and perhaps because it has echoes of the ancient Egyptian fertility goddess.
However, the name ISIL better reflects a local and historical understanding of the region, which pre-dates regional states as they currently exist. It also indicates the organisation's ambitions, which extend well beyond occupation of northern Syria and central Iraq.
Comprised of a number of multi-national groups that coalesced in the latter part of the war against the US-led occupation of Iraq, ISIL split with al Qaeda over a power struggle in late 2013. Al Qaeda's leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri, order for ISIL to disband was rebuffed by ISIL leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
This followed an earlier rebuff by al-Baghdadi's predecessor, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who was killed by a US air-strike in 2006. A number of jihadi organisations formally claiming allegiance to al Qaeda have since effectively split with the organisation, in part due to al-Zawahiri's increasing impotence as a leader in hiding and in part due to the differing circumstances in each of the jihadi fields of operation.
Having crossed from Iraq to Syria, ISIL rose by early 2013 to become the most powerful of the country's anti-Assad factions. It now controls Syria's north and north-east. With its origins in Iraq, it was unsurprising that ISIL crossed back to challenge the enfeebled government of Iraqi President Nuri al Malaki.
A large part of ISIL's advantage in Iraq is that it claims to represent Iraq's minority Sunni Mulsims, who predominate in the centre of the country. Politically dominated by Sunnis, including ousted and executed dictator Saddam Hussein, since its founding, Iraq's majority Shia Muslims are now in political control and operating to large extent to the exclusion of Sunnis.
ISIL's intervention has only deepened the Sunni-Shia divide, and in so doing has inadvertently strengthened the strategic position of Iraq's Kurds. The Kurds run a semi-autonomous state in northern Iraq and have just taken the main northern, oil-rich town of Kirkuk.
ISIL is now facing a more concerted defence by Iraq's embattled defence force but, as with Syria, may be expected to hold much of the territory it has gained. Having transitioned from being a guerrilla organisation to a state within two states, ISIL's longer term ambition is to combine the Arab lands divided by English and French colonial planners in the dying days of the Great War.
As ISIL's name suggests, its origins are in Iraq, but it rejects the division of the Middle-east based on colonial and subsequent administrative convenience. ISIL's goal, therefore, is to eventually subsume Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, southern Turkey and Cyprus into a greater Islamist caliphate.
As ISIL's strengthens its regional grip, the US is increasingly motivated to act, if not with 'boots on the ground' then with equipment and, more importantly, air strikes. If this action is successful – and it is a big 'if' – the US will have broken the back of the main anti-Assad organisation in Syria, tipping that war in favor of a dictator that, only last year, it was considering ousting.
In so doing the US will be reconfirming that, states loosely based on arbitrary conglomerates of old Ottoman administrative districts, the region can only exist as disaggregated squabbling fiefdoms or, as states, under the control of dictatorial leaders. Whatever dream the US had of exporting 'democracy' to this part of the world is now, in a functional sense, quite dead.


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In response to Sharon Gahlbeck, Belvidere "Letter: Pensions are not a gift from the state."
This is in response to Sharon Gahlbeck of Belvidere's letter: "Letter: Pensions are not a gift from the state."
Teachers are eligible to retire at full benefits after 35 years or at 75 percent of the last four years ending earnings (bumped up by teacher differentials that are mostly divvied out by seniority).
In Rockford, it also means free early retirement medical insurance until Medicare eligibility kicks in.
Compared to everyone else in the community, retiring early is nearly impossible as real pension plans significantly reduce a pension payment every month you retire early. Social Security eligibility is now 12 years later than teachers' retirements.
What far too many teachers fail to ever acknowledge is that we promised state employees (especially teachers) far more than we knew we could afford to pay.
Yet, you can bet 20, 30 or 40 years of teacher union dues applied to pay-to-play politics cajoled politicians into taxpayer paid giveaways that would come due long after they were out of office.
Sadly, now the $500 to $1,000 per year union dues paid by the 100,000 or so Illinois teachers bankrolls a $50-$100 million per year nest egg to buy more political favors, preventing politicians from admitting we simply promised teachers too much — now we gotta go through the pain to fix the problem.
— Denny Wallace, Rockford
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