text:
Parents, who have suffered the pain, the anguish of losing a child deals with this torment constantly.
A parent never truly over come's the loss and parts of you may never accept it, but you try to find ways to cope with it. I'm not saying it's easy, because not. In fact, it may end up being the toughest thing you'll ever endure.
One such parent that suffered this horrible anguish was Mark Lunsford. His daughter, Jessica Lunsford a 9-year-old girl been sexually abused, kidnapped, and buried alive in Florida.
On March 7, 2007, John Couey was found guilty of all charges to Lunsford's death, including first-degree murder, kidnapping, burglary with assault or battery upon any person, and capital sexual battery. The jury deliberated for four hours, tasked with recommending either life in prison without parole or the death penalty, the only two possible sentences available under Florida law.
A week later, after about one hour and 15 minutes of deliberation, a jury recommended John Couey be put to death.
On August 11, 2007, a jury overseeing the Lunsford case voted 10-2 that John Couey is eligible for the death sentence. The defense for John Couey argued that he had suffered from a lifetime of emotional abuse and had a below normal IQ, which would enable him to avoid a death sentence under a 2002 Supreme Court ruling prohibiting execution of mentally handicapped people.
However, the most credible intelligence test rated John Couey's IQ at 78, above the standard accepted level of mental retardation, which is 70. The testing made it clear that John Couey was capable and knew what he was doing. This was a real setback to John Covey's defense.
On September 30, 2009, at 11:15 a.m. EST, John Couey died at Jacksonville Memorial Hospital after complications from anal cancer, before the sentence of the court could be carried out.
Once John Couey was not required to wear GPS tracking went for his next victim, Jessica Lunsford. This could have been your daughter, just imagine the anguish any parent would have to live with if this happened to them.
Jessica Lunsford came from Gaston County, North Carolina before moving to Florida. In the loving memory of Mark Lunsford's daughter Jessica, a law introduced to enforce stricter laws about sex offenders called, "Jessica's Law."
In 2005, Florida legislator's designed law to protect potential victims and cut a sexual offender's ability to re-offend. Jessica Lunsford Act introduced at the federal level in 2005 but was never enacted into law by Congress.
The name is also used by the media to appoint all legislation and potential legislation in other states modeled after the Florida law. Forty-Four states have introduced such legislation since Florida's law passed.
The Jessica Lunsford Act aka. Jessica's Law:
1.) Increase the penalty for lewd and lascivious molestation of a child to life in prison or a split sentence of a mandatory least 25-year prison term, followed by lifetime supervision with electronic monitoring.
2.) The increase, from 20 to 30 years, the period before a sexual predator allowed petitioning to have the sexual predator designation removed.
3.) Increase sexual predator/offender registration and reporting requirements.
4.) Sexual predators who murder their victims now qualify for the death penalty in capital cases.
5.) Failing to re-register as a sexual offender/predator, harboring, or assisting a sexual predator/offender is a third-degree felony.
6.) Require those already convicted of sex crimes to have electronic monitoring for the rest of their probation
7.) Require all county misdemeanor probation officials to search the sexual offender registry when a new offender assigned to them.
Throughout the United States, there are many sex offenders who have fallen through the cracks? They have changed their identity and not re-registering once moved such offenders manipulate the system. North Carolina like many states has such problems and authorities limited till the laws change. There are many John Couey types and one could be living next to you?
Mr. Roger's had it right; " You need to know the people in your neighborhood."
Taking a non-political stand various people, groups and organizations have formed an action group called, "Jessica's Law Now North Carolina."
The Group formed originally in response to apathetic lawmakers, who are dithering about Jessica's Law not making a solid difference toward protecting our children. This formed coalition tired of all the prolonging games and excuses our lawmakers have made when it comes to our children.
We say,"Cut the fat !" Rather spend on pet projects and guilt trips (Apologies for Slavery, Smoking Bans, Trans Fat Bans, etc.) focus."
The excuses coming from our representatives are pathetic not looking at facts; they rather tell you why they cannot do something.
However, they certainly can find the time and funding for other things. Like other state and federal legislators, North Carolina legislators at times behave like " P. I. M. P.'s " or " Power, Influence, Money, Politics !"
We worked In Conjunction with Mark Lunsford, Volunteers, and various N.C. Legislators help see HB 933 be passed. The goal was to work with people, not a political machine.
In 2007, State Attorney General Roy Cooper realizes North Carolina laws are lenient on sex offenders. We are grateful for his public stance, on calling for harsher penalties and laws against sex offenders. Administrations have often failed to make law enforcement aware of the placement of paroled sex offenders in their communities, thus allowing violent sex offenders to go freely roam our communities. By not providing mandatory hearings and stricter penalties for non-compliances, they take the power away from our law enforcers.
"We should all work together to make sure that Jessica's Law passed in all fifty states. There are presently 15 states that have not yet passed any form of Jessica's Law, it saddens me to think that my home state of Tennessee and North Carolina where I grew up included in the list of states that have not passed Jessica's Law. I do not know why, but I intend to find out."God Bless, Charlie Daniels 2007.
With Jessica's Law not moving forward much in 2007. We knew that had to take more drastic steps with our state leaders. This would way bring our leaders in agreement on Jessica's Law.
Positive ideal came from friend Marc Klaas. We compose a joint letter on the need for such laws, as Adam Walsh Act and Jessica's Law. We were grateful to the media outlets that used letter, as news story. This started public putting many questions to N.C. Legislators.
Our organization applied much positive heat in 2008. We did various rallies and get-together that brought much public attention to Jessica's Law. We had several people who made talks educating the importance for stricter laws and guidance for sex offenders. We talked with many local leaders throughout North Carolina and telling how they can help support this.
John Walsh of America's Most Wanted and Bill O'Reilly of The O'Reilly Factor have been vocal proponents of Jessica's Law, arguing that children be protected and that child sex offenders be held to a higher standard.
In 2008, O'Reilly pointed out that the states of Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Hawaii and Vermont have shown reluctance and refused to pass a Jessica's Law in their respective state legislatures. He claims that Utah, North Carolina and New Mexico are inconclusive while all other states are either moving direction of passing a Jessica's Law or have already passed some form of it.
Jessica's Law Now North Carolina was grateful to John Walsh and his staff for their support and guidance. Along with the pressure that Bill O'Reilly was putting on North Carolina Governor Mike Easley and North Carolina Legislators in 2008.
On April 16, 2008, Mark Lunsford told Jessica's Law Now North Carolina," What happened to my daughter should have never happened, and I'm working to make sure it doesn't happen to another child. It saddens me to know my home state of North Carolina has not yet passed Jessica's Law. I won't rest until we do."
Jessica's Law Now North Carolina enforced a strong petition toward state legislators and made it personal not political. We found that politics blind sides our politician's. That is why politician's favorite color is plaid. This made many a state leader either mad or understood our reasons. We had many talks with various state legislators during this time. Make sure they fully understood our reasons in doing this.
State Representative Tim Moore and I had many conversations and times heated over Jessica's Law getting passed. Representative Tim Moore made it clear," Mark, you can do better than us, come up here and do so ." For next several months, I was a daily fixture at North Carolina State Legislator Building. Several times brought various associates, friends and media help us bring attention for Jessica's Law. I sat through every meeting that was possible and talk much as possible every representative daily.
We kept saying to North Carolina Legislators,"Are we there yet? "
Finally, it seems that Jessica's Law was going happen. Several state representatives met talk on agreement for Jessica's Law. They came out sharing news with us and shook on it. Now, we just had to wait for the votes. Seems that a selfish and greedy politician wanted play angle. Sadly everything came to a stand still, no passing Jessica's Law. Many of us frustrated beyond belief!
I got on the phone to a producer friend of mine in Atlanta and another in Charlotte. Together, we came up with ideal that would blow the doors down. Since both political parties are speaking out for Jessica's Law. We have various politicians do a press conference telling what is going on with political games comes Jessica's Law. I knew they could make this happen, since they deal and work with CNN. We knew that Bill O'Reilly would really love this and knew his producer go for it.
We talked to several of main legislators on ideal and they love possibility. They were making political problem for passing of Jessica's Law. Our solution came known by many of state legislators. We place a time limit before we enact. A 180 turn happen not long after this got out. Stands made by various state legislators with us helped Jessica's Law get passed. Many of us had tears of joy after taking 3 years get this law passed. Sadly these types of situations occur many a time in our local, state and national legislation.
"One of the proudest moments in my life was calling Mark Lunsford and told him the North Carolina Legislators have passed HB 933 aka. Jessica's Law. After Governor Easley signs Jessica's Law, it will official take effect December 1, 2008," said Mark A. Palmer, Executive Director of Jessica's Law Now North Carolina.
Mark Lunsford overjoyed to hear three years of hard work come to fruition. North Carolina was harder getting legislators come together, due to the various concerns of state cost and sexual offenders rights. Several state legislators concern more for sexual offenders than victimization of child. Again, you have to take politics out and make it personal for a "Politician."
We were all so grateful to our allies in the North Carolina Legislation that never backed down at the time. We deeply appreciated North Carolina Representative's Julie Howard, Tim Moore and North Carolina State Senator Hoyle for their leadership.
Monday, July 28, 2008, a ceremonial took place at Gastonia North Carolina Courthouse which North Carolina Governor Mike Easley signed HB 933 into law. We were all pleased that this was finally happening.
It was finally official North Carolina has Jessica's Law!
Governor Mike Easley told Mark Lunsford and I this was a harsher version of Jessica's Law. North Carolina Representative Tim Moore agreed with Governor Mike Easley. We asked them would it cover stricter guidelines of a sexual predator capabilities, where he lives and able go? Both answered, "Yes." Mark Lunsford and I were even more satisfied. I reminded Mark Lunsford that North Carolina Representative Tim Moore is a lawyer in his down time and helped drafted North Carolina's version of Jessica's Law. Well as, Governor Mike Easley adding in several adjustments that dealt with stricter background checks at schools.
Since 2005, our organization has assisted thirteen other states obtaining versions Jessica's Law. We have assisted with over one thousand cases, where a victimized or assaulted child needed help. We are part of a larger network of organizations that aids Missing and Exploited children. This network consists of child advocates, media, law enforcement and national organizations make this possible. In 2009, we changed the name to "Jessica's Law Now ."
Jessica's Law Now, is proactive not reactive, in helping families deal with these issues fraught from cases like these. We continually helped steer victimized families and children towards counseling and healing. Jessica's Law Now network works in coöperation and support many organizations, groups, individuals comes harsher laws for sexual predators or offenders. We fight for harsher laws for the welfare of our children. Many of our states have too many loopholes still in their laws comes to predators and offenders. We strive for a positive difference comes these situations.
States With/Without Jessica's Law:
• States in yellow do not have any version of Jessica's Law.
• States in green have a partial version of Jessica's Law.
• States in purple have good version of Jessica's Law.
In 2006, New York enacted water down version of Jessica's Law. It created class A-II felony for a person over the age 18 years old commits a class B violent felony sex offense (rape 1st, criminal sexual act 1st, aggravated sexual abuse 1st, and course of sexual conduct against a child 1st) against a child less than 13 years of age. Still many feel that New York can strengthen what's lacking comes to its version of Jessica's Law. New York State Senator Kathleen A. Marchione (R,C-Halfmoon) and New York State Assemblyman Jim Tedisco (R,C,I-Glenville) have introduced stronger legislation that enacts fuller version of Jessica's Law. They are hoping state legislators will pass harsher version in their 2013 session.
In 2007, we had many conversations with legislator's from Idaho, Illinois, Wyoming, Colorado, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Hawaii and Vermont with their lack of support for Jessica's Law. All we heard was complaints about lack of funding.
Basic reasons lawmakers' give of not passing Jessica's Law is the cost of longer sentences and added monitoring.
Colorado Senator Penry said, " I believe that there is a real need to enact Jessica's Law, a tough least mandatory requirement of 20 years in prison for the first time a monster rapes a child."
Senator Penry felt be worth the cost protect our children. Especially that not every District Court treats cases like Colorado Chief Deputy District Attorney Tammy Eret claims.
Colorado Senator Penry introduced Jessica's Law in 2007 and it failed.
A year later, Colorado Chief Deputy District Attorney Tammy Eret said, " We have laws here in Colorado that are very similar in fact, that actually carry lifetime sentences, some that are longer than Jessica's Law."
Sure the many victims like Jon Benet Ramsey would agree with justice is lacking in state.
State Statutes Related to Jessica's Law, August 2008:
Link – (http://www.leg.state.vt.us/WorkGroups/sexoffenders/NCSLs_Jessicas_Law_Summary.pdf)
In 2012, we have six states that do not have Jessica's Law. They include New Jersey, Vermont, Illinois, Colorado, Idaho and Hawaii. If they had Jessica's Law; it imposes a 25-year sentence on any adult convicted for the first time of violating the sexual innocence of a child.
New Jersey has been like a roller coaster with Jessica's Law. Legislators will claim going to pass Jessica's Law and does not happen. This has been going on for several years. Mark Lunsford made many trips to New Jersey give support that's been requested. Still the legislators cannot get their act together.
Both the State Senate and State House are in turmoil with their own versions of Jessica's Law. Presently we have two different versions that are sitting in state legislation. One can only hope that legislators can work this out. If not more than likely it will die.
New Jersey is the same issue that North Carolina faced, it almost did not make the floor be heard, there were fights about the"language" in the bill, and toward the end it was being held hostage.
It took legislators on both sides willing to stand up and explain to the press, people and state about why this bill would fail so close to completion. As we mediating between everyone to negotiate a last way to get this bill finalized else it would have been another year, starting from the beginning, hearing the same arguments, etc. As it was, it was several years of working towards this end. It is a shame that New Jersey come so close only to fail. We have told what it take do this. Have to sit on these guys daily and ask,"Are we there yet?"
October 21, 2012, Mark Lunsford told us:"New Jersey legislators more than likely putting off Jessica's Law until December. I am concern how Jersey's legislators are tearing Jessica's Law apart."
New Jersey Legislators seem more concern with other issue's like seat belts for pets than children's safety. Was told Jessica's Law was a lower priory many legislators.
Just like the thinking of Colorado and New Jersey legislators, other state officials are more the same in their thoughts comes to Jessica's Law. New York, Illinois, Idaho and Hawaii feel that their states are fine comes to their laws for children and predators. Even though many of these states have been in the news with various crimes comes to children.
Our children are precious gifts not only us but the world. That is our duty as parents and a society to protect their welfare. Seems that our lawmakers are forgetting their jobs and time has come to remind them. We need to pressure the State Legislators and Governors of New Jersey, New York, Illinois, Colorado, Idaho and Hawaii have Jessica's Law.
Many a parent, victims and citizens join in with Mark Lunsford's crusade. Their mission is telling importance of having Jessica's Law. Several citizens even made web sites and organized action committee's make they out cries know.
February 21, 2013, New Jersey's General Assembly finally passed Jessica's Law. It is long over due and will increases the criminal penalties on those who commit sex crimes against minors. The version prove sentence of between 25 years and life imprisonment for aggravated sexual assault of a victim less than 13 years old. The bill also establishes a period of parole eligibility of at least 25 years for a person convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a victim less than 13 years old.
Many hope New Jersey's State Senate will do the same and pass Jessica's Law. Like the New Jersey's General Assembly did. That will only leave the governor sign it.
In late 2013, Colorado, Idaho and New Jersey Legislator's still could not pass Jessica's Law. Their main excuse is funding and our state laws are tough enough. We say, tell that to the sexually abused children and their parents.
Other problem legislators have faced with trying to pass Jessica's Law and other harsher laws on sex offenders. Various lawyers, law firms challenging rights for sex offenders. Has brought many battles to our courts questioning constitution of law.
Thus far in 2013, Maryland, Oklahoma and Indian few of the states to challenge various laws about sex offenders. Various lawyers feel that the rights of sex offender's been violated making the law Unconstitutional. Sadly in many of these cases laws or statues redirected in favor of the sex offender.
This is why, it's so important that legislators use the needed wording in their laws making them constitutional not unconstitutional.
Representatives are pathetic not looking at facts; they rather tell you why they cannot do something. Tired of all the prolonging games and excuse's our lawmakers, have made when it comes to our children. We say,"Cut the BS!"
It finally came official on June 2, 2014 when New Jersey's Governor Christie signed Jessica's Law. New Jersey has become the 46 state have version of Jessica Lunsford Act aka. Jessica's Law.
Our organizations, along with many concern individual fighting with state legislators over 9 years see Jessica's Law in New Jersey.
We are truly grateful to main sponsors for new law included state Sens. Steve Oroho, R-Sussex/Warren/Morris; Diane Allen, R-Burlington; and Tom Kean Jr., R-Union; and Assembly members Alison Littell McHose, R-Sussex/Warren/Morris; Nancy Munoz, R-Union/Morris/Somerset; and Mary Pat Angelini, R-Monmouth.
Law imposes mandatory 25-year terms without parole for anyone convicted of assaulting a child younger than 13. Prosecutors would be permitted to negotiate a 15-year sentence to keep some victims from having to testify.
Littell McHose in a statement said: "The physical and emotional harm done to children, as well as the trauma suffered by their families and communities, deserves the strongest possible response by the justice system. Justice has now been served. The new law will equip law enforcement with the tools it needs to make sure sexual predators receive the punishment they deserve."
New Jersey's Governor Christie made it clear that it is up to the courts, district attorneys on how they decide use New Jersey's version of Jessica's Law.
In 2014, state of Colorado adopted what marked as version of Jessica's Law. Why people thought finally and rejoiced from a 9 year battle with state legislators. It turns out too many questions what happen?
Problem is from sponsorship of bill and cost of a stricter way is consider, the bill which passed only reluctantly a great deal of adverse publicity in the previous legislative session.
According to the following: Under legislative procedures, there are three types of bill sponsorship – the prime sponsors (one for each house) introduce the bill and present it to the committee for hearing, which is often called " carrying the bill ;" co-sponsors may sign onto the bill to show support in advance vote, or they may add their names after final passage.
The changes are part of a national movement to strengthen child molestation laws. In 2005, in the wake of the abduction, rape, and murder of 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford, Florida passed House Bill 1877, the Jessica Lunsford Act, better known as " Jessica's Law ." It mandated 25 years for first-time offenders, and the wearing of a GPS tracking device for those out on parole. The overwhelming number of states followed suit in the next several years, according to a survey of state laws done by the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Colorado would have joined them in 2007, but HB07-1137 killed 8-3 in the House Judiciary Committee, with 6 Democrats and 2 Republican voting against. (Rep. Debbie Stafford would switch parties from Republican to Democrat after the end of the 2007 session.)
Rep. Primavera was in the legislature, but not on the Judiciary Committee at that time.
In 2013, Rep. Libby Szabo (R-Arvada) introduced HB13-1149, which would have removed sentencing discretion from the district attorneys and judges, providing a 25-year sentence for first offenders, and any parole would have been for life, requiring GPS tracking. District attorneys would have continued to have discretion in what they charged defendant with.
Instead of assigning the bill to Judiciary, House Speaker Mark Ferrandino (D-Denver) sent it to the House State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee. This committee is known colloquially as the " Kill Committee ," from its bipartisan use over the years to quietly kill bills majority doesn't want brought to a floor vote. It voted down 7-4 on a straight party-line vote.
Ferrandino's decision became the object of controversy, including a much-viewed street interview on Bill O'Reilly's show, where Ferrandino defended his decision to send the bill to the Kill Committee, and asserted that Colorado's laws were strong enough as they stood. Ferrandino was mirroring an argument made by Rep. Mike Foote (D-Boulder) in committee.
In 2014, Rep. Szabo again filed her bill, HB14-1264, under the title " Jessica's Law," while Foote – yes, the same Mike Foote who argued that the laws are sufficient – and fellow Democrat Sen. Mike Johnston (Denver) submitted the less-stringent HB14-1260. Their bill classifies various offenses as Class 2, 3, or 4 felonies, with 24, 18, and 10-year minimums, and doesn't assume lifetime parole, allowing an offender to shed the tracking device after a certain period. In comments to Watchdog Wire, Szabo said, " The Democrats passed a watered-down bill that keeps the same broken system of judicial and prosecutorial discretion. All it does is giving parents a false sense of security ."
On March 3, 2014, the State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee voted both to pass the Democrats' HB1260, and to kill the stricter HB1264. The bill was eventually passed unanimously in the House, after floor amendments designed to strengthen it rejected on voice votes. The bill was eventually signed into law by Governor Hickenlooper.
Rep. Primavera's and Rep. Tyler's only action on this bill was to vote for approval on the floor, and go along with rejecting measure to make it stricter. By advertising sponsorship in their campaign literature, they seem overstating their own involvement in, and their party's enthusiasm for, a popular piece of law-and-order legislation.
It will be interesting see what comes from this. Colorado now is a state in question like New York and California been. It will be up to state government make any required differences. Hopefully this will happen before an attorney representing a child predator is able walk free!
Now that New Jersey and Colorado have passed their version of Jessica's Law. Still four states remain Idaho, Illinois, Vermont and Hawaii without version of Jessica's Law.
Battling For Caylee's Law :
In the wake of the Casey Anthony verdict, many states are making plans to adopt some version of Caylee's Law to prevent similar situations from happening. We joined several organizations for the passing of Caylee's Law .
Presently there isn't a state or federal law that requires person report the death of a child or a missing child. That is why Caylee's Law is important. We want our state legislator's pass a bolder and constitutional version of Caylee's Law. State's that already passed version of Caylee's Law are not being bold enough.
Some versions have children13 under or 12 under reported missing within 24 hours. Children older reported missing by 48 to 72 hours.
This is a travesty and our children paying the price.
A bolder version have parents to report within 24 hours of realizing their child or a child under their care is missing. Additionally, parents or legal guardians would be required to contact law enforcement within one hour of discovering their child had died. Those failing to do so would face criminal charges.
In 2011, Arizona State Representative Michele Ugenti, R-District 8, introduced House Bill 2018, or known as"Caylee's Law," it would make it a class 5 felony if a parent fails to report that a child under six years of age has gone missing.
July 2011, we had an hour-long conversation with Arizona State Senator Linda Gray made our concerns known. We explain why, Arizona's version of Caylee's Law isn't strict enough and seen hypocritical comes toward teenagers. In our discussion, Arizona State Senator Linda Gray made clear send us copy of bill and her office is contact us for a meeting. None of this actions occurred. We reach out her several ways and never receive a reply. We felt by no action, Arizona State Senator Linda Gray not concern.
Arizona Senator Linda Gray is pushing House Bill 2018, version Caylee's Law that is not bolder and no concern for missing children 7 up. It is far from what the original intent of Caylee's Law. Thus far has passed in the AZ House and hope that AZ Senators will give a Na to this version of Caylee's Law.
Arizona Legislation where in disputes over 2011 version of Caylee's Law and came tabled.
June 11, 2012, at least 6 states have enacted version of Caylee's Law. An additional 32 states have filed bills include the qualifying age of a missing or dead child, how long the legal guardian has to report the incident to law enforcement, and how the crime classified.
In 2012, Arizona State Republican Rep. Michelle Ugenti (you-gen-tee) of Scottsdale sponsored the bill; it would make it a felony punishable by a presumptive sentence of 1 1/2 years if a parent to fails to report that a child under age six has miss for 24 hours.
Arizona's 2012 version of 'Caylee's Law' died with Legislator's in much turmoil. They fought over who gets to run the police force in the polygamous community of Colorado City, which deals with known case Warren Jeff.
Arizona legislators could resolve their issue's if they wanted do so. Arizona Legislators failed children by letting petty differences get best of them.
On January 9, 2012, New Jersey became the first state to enact a "Caylee's Law" when Governor Christie signed 2011 Senate Bill 3500. The new law creates a fourth degree felony for a person with legal custody of a child to fail to report disappearance of the child to police more than 24 hours after becoming aware of the disappearance. A "child" means a person 13 years of age or younger in their version.
On April 6, 2012, Florida became the second state to enact version of Caylee's Law. Version of law states is criminal penalty, a first degree misdemeanor, for knowingly and willfully giving false information to mislead a police officer's investigation of a missing child. If the child who is the subject of the investigation suffers great bodily harm, permanent disability, permanent disfigurement, or death, then the crime becomes a third degree felony.
The Kansas Legislature passed House Bill No. 2534 on May 16, 2012, which signed by Governor. The new law criminalized failing to report a missing or dead child and giving false statements or information to a police officer.
On May 23, 2012, Connecticut House Bill No. 5512 became law states version of Caylee's Law. This new law creates a crime in failing of reporting a missing child who is under the age of 12 years old.
On May 31, 2012, the Illinois General Assembly passed Senate Bill 2537 which creates a felony punishable by up to three years in prison and a $25,000 fine for failing to report a missing child. The bill requires legal guardians of any missing child 13 years old or younger to contact police within 24 hours. Children two years old and younger be reported missing within one hour of their disappearance. The bill also criminalized the failure to report the death of any child within 12 hours. The bill sent to the Governor on June 29, 2012, for final approval.
Louisiana Act No. 454 creates the crimes of failure to report the death of a child and failure to report a missing child. The Governor signed bill into law on June 1, 2012.
We still have many states lacking accountability of requiring the reporting of dead child or missing child. This should not even be issue to state legislators but it is!
Lack of efficiency with Amber Alerts :
Questions raised constantly of lack of efficiency comes Amber Alert system. Each state AMBER Alert plan has its own criteria for issuing AMBER Alerts.
The PROTECT Act passed in 2003, which established the role of AMBER Alert Coordinator within the Department of Justice (DOJ), calls for DOJ to issue minimum standards or guidance for AMBER Alerts that states can adopt voluntarily.
Amber Alerts work once law enforcement determines that a child abducted and the abduction meets AMBER Alert criteria, law enforcement issues an AMBER Alert and notifies broadcasters and state transportation officials.
Several known cases that have occurred which authorities dragged their feet because they felt child ran-away or too much time pass before more action occurred. In these cases the child was a teenager and found dead. It should not matter the age of a child reported missing, especially when time is of the Essence for a missing child. It can mean the difference in finding a child dead or alive!
Cases like: Hailey Owens, Isabel Mercedes Celis, Chelsea King, Monte and Collin Walker, Jhessye Shockley, Kyron Horman, Max Hernandez and Gabriel Johnson, did not either have an Amber Alert issued or the Amber Alert delay, by red-tape, miscommunication, or that the abduction doesn't fit the criteria, or they felt they did not have enough evidence to suggest that an alert needed or necessary.
Some states have liaisons , who decide if an Amber Alert merited. When time is of the essence, we do not have the luxury of red tape. It is naïve to think that there is a one-size fits all criteria, when it comes to abductions, when there is clearly different cases, with unique circumstances.
Any missing child needs be looked at factually and separately. Authorities focus on the over all too many times.
Their contingency plans occur a certain issues come up, that allows for immediate response such as:
Mental and Emotional state of the abductors or parent, potential harm or danger to the child, domestic violence history, and out-of-country flight risks, etc.
Too many times, we do not err on the side of caution, and we end up with a tragic ending, what is worse is we cannot honestly say everything done to curb what happened.
If a simple Amber Alert issued, at the time of the disappearance, it may have stopped these events from unfolding in the way they had. The Amber Alert is a tool, which needs be fully used in a more effective way by law enforcement. We prefer law enforcement to err on the side of caution than to stand by, and not enact in a timely manner.
Abduction of 10-year-old Hailey Owens on February 18, 2014 was a blow to citizens of Springfield, Missouri.
Two witnesses saw adduction of Hailey Owen and tried help. They called to Hailey and her captor to bring attention. The witnesses got the license plate and told authorities. A near-by neighbor saw the innocent and followed suspect till traffic stop him.
Police could have release Amber Alert immediately but didn't. The time the authorities got to the suspects residence Craig Michael Wood. They found various forms of child pornography, various weapons and Hailey Owens body stuffed in a storage container. Craig Michael Wood worked with the Springfield, Missouri public School system for 16 years.
News asked, Springfield Police Chief Paul Williams reason it took 114 minutes for Amber Alert come out? He made it clear, it takes time go through all the rules and regulations. Then we have to wait on the state put it out.
Now, what is wrong with this picture? Our legislators have messed up our laws, alerts with red tape and political bureaucracy.
Jessica's Law Now had many state and federal legislators tell us many excuses for the need of bureaucracy and red tape. It boils down to power and money for them. They make it clear, by their actions our children's welfare isn't important. These selfish acts are a dangerous demise our children's future.
We have felt for sometime major changes need to occur with Amber Alerts. We have made many a proposal to state and federal leaders through the years. They yell of cost and that is non-sense. It boils down to selfishness on our leader's part.
We propose that national guidance need be adopted, to make Amber Alerts mandatory and not voluntary. Where there is a comprehensive, clear, concise criterion to enact upon when there is a missing child, a prenatally abducted child, etc.
We need to streamline the processes especially when lives are at stake. Once the child is safely in custody then law enforcement and courts can untangle, what is what.
Too many children that are dead or missing today fit the criteria and authorities refused to issue Amber Alert, when they should have. Most state's guidelines adhere closely to DOJ's recommended guidelines.
However, there are conflicts in criteria about parental abduction, and missing children.
The UNIFORM CHILD ABDUCTION PREVENTION ACT has criteria recognized with Amber Alert.
Many lawmakers feel that the criteria(s) are too dissimilar to include parental abduction in the Amber Alert criteria, then we formally ask that they enact a similar alert for at risk children from parental abduction.
Many believe that a child is not in grave danger if the abductors are a family member. Unfortunately, this is not true, and these assumptions continue to endanger our children's lives.
Research shows that the most common motive in family abductions was not love for the child but rather an act of anger and revenge against the other parent. More than half of abducting parents have a history of domestic violence, substance abuse, mental issues, or a criminal record. Physical and sexual abuse can and does occur during these abductions.
The overwhelming majority of family abduction cases involve families undergoing custody dispute, however there is the darker side also, where it involves a break down and the parent taking the child, using them as a weapon to inflict pain.
We have too many known case's that say different from parent taking a child. These situations become too many and our society needs to enact.
We ask that you speak with your local, state and national representatives make difference. You can discuss ideas, plans, hopes, and support them in the process. We ask that when you discuss these matters, that you do so with respect to one another. With that being said there is nothing wrong with debate, as long as you are polite.
Remember one can help make a positive difference!


text:
This product is no longer available.
Hole In One Father's Day Golf Gift Basket
Send him this grand golf Father's Day gift gift basket packed with practical golf gift items including a Golf Gift Set with a divot tool, ball marker, golf towel, golf balls & tees. Also includes a wide assortment of treats.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Eggs by Disney: Love It or Hate It?
Disney recently came out with a line of eggs. The special eggs have Disney characters stamped on the outside of the shells. I'm not against having designs on the outside of my eggs, but I can't help but feel like the ad is a little misleading. It could give the impression that the eggs will crack into fun Mickey Mouse shapes.
However, if I were a little girl, I would really want an egg with Belle on the shell. Watch the video below and let me know what you think of Disney's farm fresh eggs.


text:
Local Painters in Colorado Springs
AMC Painting is a family owned and operated company located in the heart of Colorado Springs. If you are looking for a great group of painters in Colorado Springs, AMC is your one stop, hassle free solution. We are a full-service painting company that specializes in interior and exterior painting. Our company has been in business since 2006. AMC Painting takes pride in delivering quality work and going above and beyond to ensure each customer is 100% satisfied. AMC Painting is fully insured. We hire only qualified, professional painters and have a high attention to detail. We offer free in-home estimates that include a firm written contract.
We offer a variety of services to cater to all of your aesthetic and functional needs. AMC Painting has many years of experience with residential painting in Colorado Springs, in which we have consistently exceeded our customers' expectations. We also specialize in commercial painting and multifamily homes if your business or apartment complex is in need of a makeover.
Do you need an entirely new look? It is amazing what a fresh, professional paint job can do for your home or business. We take pride in our reputation as the best painters in Colorado Springs. Our commitment to excellence means giving you the best paint job with no mess to clean up afterwards.
AMC Painting proudly uses Sherwin Williams paint to ensure that you get the best quality paint job. 100% of our interior paint is either low VOC or Zero VOC paint. We offer a wide range of paint products to meet each customer's budget needs. It is important to choose a high quality painting contractor to beautify and protect your home. Give AMC Painting a call today to schedule an estimate with the finest painters Colorado Springs has to offer. You will not be disappointed!


text:
Former All Black Jarrad Hoeata has been banned for six weeks for his ugly high tackle in a European rugby competition last weekend.
Cardiff lock Hoeata was red-carded for a "coathanger" on Irish fullback Rob Kearney as Leinster won the match 22-13.
Cardiff were leading 13-5 when Hoeata was sent off but the 14-man team crumbled in his absence.
Cardiff coach Mark Hammett labelled Hoeata's tackle as "unacceptable" and the judiciary clearly agreed when they handed down their decision at a hearing in London today.
Hoeata was initially handed a six-week suspension, with the offence being classed as mid-range. A further two weeks were added to act as a deterrent, but two weeks were removed because he accepted the red card decision as fair and his remorseful behaviour at the hearing.
After the hearing, Hoeata tweeted: "I would love to share my thoughts on that ban but I have kids that follow me …"
The hard-nosed Hoeata was no angel in his time in New Zealand rugby where he played mainly for Taranaki and the Highlanders.
He is out of rugby till February 23, meaning he will miss Cardiff's last two European Challenge Cup matches against Rovigo and Grenoble, plus next month's league trips to Munster and Treviso.


text:
30 results was found matching keyword
0 vote(s)Comment
Báo Dân Trí English 7 month(s) ago
The Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) held a conference on January 7, gathering heads of higher education institutions in Da Nang to discuss ways to enhance the quality of tertiary education.
Keywords: enhanceReasonslowIn Da NangHeadsImagesNguyen Van Hieu
SaiGon GP English 8 month(s) ago
Cambodia and China have agreed to build a mechanism to enhance bilateral cooperation in security, counter-terrorism and cybercrime prevention, source from Vietnamnews.
Keywords: enhancecountercenterministerXinhuahave
Báo điện tử CP English 9 month(s) ago
1 related news
VGP – A Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Nhat on November 29 held talks with Cambodian Secretary of State at the Ministry of Public Works and Transport Tauch Chann Kosal to enhance cooperation in transport between the two nations.
Keywords: transportjustifyenhanceMemorandumMoc Bai Bavetactively
Báo điện tử CP English 14 month(s) ago
1 related news
VGP – PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc's official visit to Mongolia from July 13-16 is expected to enhance the traditional relationship between the two countries.
Keywords: justifyenhanceNationsDiplomatic Relationsvisit
Báo Dân Trí English 15 month(s) ago
The European Commission (EC) on June 22 launched a new co-operation project with Vietnam to enhance the capacity and effectiveness of its nuclear safety authority, the Vietnam Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety (VARANS).
Keywords: VaransNuclear SafetyNuclear PowerenhanceImagesNuclear Safety AuthorityTutoring
VOV News English 22 month(s) ago
The rubber sector needs to develop a long-term development strategy to enhance its added value and ensure sustainable development, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Ha Cong Tuan said at the annual Global Rubber Conference in Ho Chi Minh City on December 4.
Keywords: ExportsenhanceThuanThe AssociationHa Cong Tuanviewvalue
Báo điện tử CP English 22 month(s) ago
VGP - President of the Lower House of Belgium Siegfried Bracke and Senate President Christine Defraigne said they support measures to enhance Belgium-Viet Nam ties that the two Prime Ministers agreed upon during their meeting in Brussels on December 2.
Keywords: justifyLower HouseMeetingsenhanceNguyen Tan DungTalkscenter
VOV News English 22 month(s) ago
2 related news
President of the Lower House of Belgium Siegfried Bracke and Senate President Christine Defraigne said they support measures to enhance Belgium-Vietnam ties that the two Prime Ministers agreed upon during their meeting in Brussels on December 2.
Keywords: BrusselsLower HouseWith VietnamMeetingsenhanceTalks
Báo Đầu Tư English 22 month(s) ago 1 duplicate news
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has approved the project to enhance efficiency of specialised checks in import and export in an effort to improve the business climate and enhance competitiveness.
Keywords: SpecialisedChecksimportbelowprojectreducePractices
Báo điện tử CP English 23 month(s) ago
3 related news
VGP – PM Nguyen Tan Dung suggested that Viet Nam and China should maintain high-level contacts and exchanges and enhance political trust and main during his meeting with Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping in Ha Noi on November 5.
Keywords: justifyThe East SeaViet Nam ChinaenhancemaintainpartyPm Dung
Báo điện tử CP English 25 month(s) ago
VGP – Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida affirmed that his country will enhance relations with Viet Nam for peace and stability in the East Sea.
Keywords: enhanceTrongOfficial Development AssistanceFor Viet NamShinzo AbeNorth SouthInfrastructure Development
Báo điện tử CP English 25 month(s) ago
2 related news
VGP - PM Nguyen Tan Dung asked ministries and sectors to closely follow the situation and enhance policy response capacity during the August Cabinet meeting in Ha Noi on August 31 and September 1.
Keywords: justifyMinistriesSocioEnsuringenhanceTargetsPrograms
VOV News English 25 month(s) ago
1 related news
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat urged the livestock sector to enhance the competitiveness of chicken farming during a workshop in Hanoi on August 21.
Keywords: enhancePracticesHouseholdstrengthenRural Development Cao Duc Phat
VietnamPlus English 26 month(s) ago 2 duplicate news
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) said on July 31 that it will continue to fund a technical assistance project to enhance the efficiency of the Vietnam Automated Cargo and Port Consolidated System and the Vietnam Customs Information System (VNACCS/VCIS).
Keywords: AssistanceSystemsprojectenhanceOfficersIn Aprilmarch
Top page
| Sign up |
Forgot password
News collection and classification on Baomoi were automatically processed by a computer program.
Publication permit No. 46/GP-TTĐT, Ministry of Information and Communications.
Copyright © by EPI Join Stock Company. All rights reserved.


text:
P.G. Wodehouse reading list: the Blandings stories
Lord Emsworth breathed heavily. He had not supposed that in these degenerate days a family like this existed. The sister copped Angus McAllister on the shin with stones, the brother bit Constance in the leg . . . It was like listening to some grand saga of the exploits of heroes and demigods.
'Lord Emsworth and the Girl Friend'
(Blandings Castle)
This piece is the third in a series of guides for readers wanting to discover the joys of P.G. Wodehouse — from the popular Jeeves and Wooster stories, and the Blandings series, to the wider world of Wodehouse 'hidden gems'. Previous instalments in the series offered:
- an overview of Wodehouse's work, with suggestions for new readers, and
- a reading list for the Bertie and Jeeves stories.
A reading list for the Blandings saga is offered below, followed by notes on the series.
A Blandings Reading List
- Something Fresh (1915; US title Something New)
- Leave it to Psmith (1923)
- Blandings Castle (1935)*
- Summer Lightning (1929; US title Fish Preferred)
- Heavy Weather (1933)
- Uncle Fred in the Springtime (1939) featuring Uncle Fred
- Full Moon (1947)
- Pigs Have Wings (1952)
- Service with a Smile (1961) featuring Uncle Fred
- Galahad at Blandings (1965; US title: The Brinkmanship of Galahad Threepwood)
- A Pelican at Blandings (1969; US title: No Nudes is Good Nudes)
- Sunset at Blandings (1977)
The evolution of Blandings
Blandings Castle has joined Narnia, Brideshead and 221B Baker Street as a hallowed setting of English literature. Every enthusiast knows its rose garden, the terraces overlooking the lake, the steps down to the lawn where Gally sips a thoughtful whiskey, the gardens presided over by McAllister, the cottage in the West Wood suitable for concealing diamond necklaces or Berkshire pigs, and the hamlet of Blandings Parva which adjoins the estate.
N.T.P Murphy: The P.G. Wodehouse Miscellany
The much loved Blandings series features the absent-minded Lord Emsworth, his prize-winning pig the Empress of Blandings, and a changing cast of relations, staff, guests and imposters. The first Blandings novel Something Fresh, written in 1915, is one of my favourites and a great place to start. Wodehouse continued to write about Blandings for another 60 years (he was working on Sunset at Blandings when he died).
The early novels have a different atmosphere to the Blandings that emerges in Blandings Castle, in which Lord Emsworth's prize-winning pig, the Empress of Blandings is introduced.
Blandings Castle is a short-story collection containing several classic Blandings stories, mostly written before Summer Lightning. Blandings Castle should be read before Summer Lightning to avoid spoilers. The stories are among Wodehouse's best, and include:
- The Custody of the Pumpkin (1929)
- Lord Emsworth Acts for the Best (1926)
- Pig-Hoo-o-o-o-ey (1927)
- Company for Gertrude (1928)
- Lord Emsworth and the Girl Friend (1928)
- The Go-getter (1931)
The volume also includes some fine non-Blandings short stories.
The tranquillity of Lord Emsworth's life at Blandings is constantly under threat throughout the series: from oily villains (like Smooth Lizzie and Eddie Cootes); regrettable relatives (such as Lady Constance Keeble and younger son Freddie Threepwood); supercilious staff (Rupert Baxter); and invited guests (the revolting Duke of Dunstable).
At an earlier point in this chronicle, we have compared the aspect of Rupert Baxter, when burning with resentment, to a thunder-cloud, and it is possible that the reader may have formed a mental picture of just an ordinary thunder-cloud, the kind that rumbles a bit but does not really amount to anything very much. It was not this kind of cloud that the secretary resembled now, but one of those which burst over cities in the Tropics, inundating countrysides while thousands flee.
'The Crime Wave at Blandings' in Lord Emsworth and Others
Happily for Lord Emsworth, Blandings' extended cast of heroes and heroines are equal to the challenges presented to them.
Lord Emsworth's younger brother, the Hon. Galahad Threepwood, makes his first appearance in Summer Lightning. He and Uncle Fred (Frederick Twistleton, 5th Earl of Ickenham) put a debonair spring-in-the-step of the later novels, much as Psmith had done in the earlier Leave it to Psmith.
The final novel Sunset at Blandings was completed after Wodehouse's death, from his draft manuscript and notes, by Richard Usborne.
When you've completed the novels, you may also wish to track down the remaining short stories, which can found in the following collections:
- 'The Crime Wave at Blandings' in Lord Emsworth and Others (1937)
- 'Birth of a Salesman' in Nothing Serious (1950)
- 'Sticky Wicket at Blandings' in Plum Pie (1966)
Happy reading!
P.G. Wodehouse: A musical celebration at the British Library — Report
On 28 January, the British Library celebrated their recent acquisition of the Wodehouse archives with P.G. Wodehouse: A musical celebration. As the title suggests, the event celebrated Wodehouse's lesser known but important contribution as a musical theatre lyricist, working in collaboration with Guy Bolton, Jerome Kern and others (including George and Ira Gershwin).
I felt privileged to be among those present as singer Hal Cazalet and actress Lara Cazalet (Wodehouse's great grandchildren) and pianist Stephen Higgins performed songs from the Wodehouse songbook, including: 'Put Me in My Little Cell', 'You Never Knew About Me', 'The Enchanted Train', 'Oh Gee Oh Joy', 'Bill', and 'Anything Goes'.
Hal Cazalet also provided a rapt audience with some professional insights into his grandfather's methods as a lyricist, and his influence on later developments in musical theatre. Hal put forward a convincing argument that Wodehouse's work as a lyricist not only influenced, but improved Wodehouse's writing.
A highlight of the day was listening to Sir Edward Cazalet, one of the few people living today who knew 'Plum' and Ethel Wodehouse well. Edward's reminiscences about his grandfather were affectionate and deeply moving – and fans will be touched to learn that Edward still has the pencil his grandfather was holding when he died.
The proceedings were further enhanced by observations from assembled experts, including Wodehouse's biographer Robert McCrum (Wodehouse: A Life), Sophie Ratcliffe (who edited PG Wodehouse: A Life in Letters) and Tony Ring, whose extensive research and numerous works on Wodehouse include the multi-volume Wodehouse Concordances.
After the formal proceedings, came the infinite pleasures of meeting other Wodehouse lovers – both old friends and new ones. It was wonderful to meet members of the Dutch P.G. Wodehouse Society, who had travelled to London especially for the event, online friends from the Facebook Fans of P.G. Wodehouse group, U.K. Society members, and even a few celebrities. A socially inclined gaggle of us, reluctant for the festivities to end, moved on to a local hostelry where the feast of reason and flow of soul continued long into a splendid Winter evening.
I recommend that you also read Mike Swaddling's account of the event at the UK Wodehouse Society website (with pictures by Dutch Wodehouse Society President Peter Nieuwenhuizen) via British Library Celebrates Plum the Lyricist (Wodehouse Society report)
The romances of Bingo Little: Charlotte Corday Rowbotham (by Ken Clevenger)
'Oh, Great Scott!' I said. 'Don't tell me you're in love again.'
He seemed aggrieved.
'What do you mean– again?'
'Well, to my certain knowledge you've been in love with at least half a dozen girls since the spring, and it's only July now. There was that waitress and Honoria Glossop and–'
'Oh, tush! Not to say pish! Those girls? Mere passing fancies. This is the real thing.'
'Where did you meet her?'
'On top of a bus. Her name is Charlotte Corday Rowbotham. '
'My God!'
'It's not her fault, poor child. Her father had her christened that because he's all for the Revolution, and it seems that the original Charlotte Corday used to go about stabbing oppressors in their baths, which entitles her to consideration and respect. You must meet old Rowbotham, Bertie. A delightful chap. Wants to massacre the bourgeoisie, sack Park Lane, and disembowel the hereditary aristocracy. Well, nothing could be fairer than that, what?'
from 'Comrade Bingo' (The Inimitable Jeeves)
Bingo Little's third documented love affair is one of the most interesting chapters in his romantic adventures. The warm-hearted Bingo, as we've established in previous instalments (see: Honoria Glossop and a waitress named Mabel), has the capacity to love all womankind without prejudice, making him one of Wodehouse's most endearing characters. The story is also an example of Wodehouse at the top of his form, making it a 'must read' for fans.
But that's enough from me. Now it's over to Ken Clevenger for more …
The romance of Bingo Little and Charlotte Corday Rowbotham
An appreciation by Ken Clevenger
While I remain convinced that Lord Emsworth and Gladys are the ultimate, or at least penultimate to Bertie and Jeeves, great lovers in Wodehouse, I think these highly charged political times call for some reconsideration.
Hence this appreciation of a new set of contenders: that ever-in-the-ring lover, Bingo Little (at least before he married the celebrated female novelist, Rosie M. Banks) and Mlle. Charlotte Corday Rowbotham, in 'Comrade Bingo'.
I suppose, given the vagaries of modern education, a bit of background on this femme fatale, Charlotte, is due for some readers. She murdered a man in his bath as a means to advance a more moderate agenda in the course of the French Revolution in 1793. Not Bingo's girlfriend, I mean her historical name-sake. Our Charlotte took rather a different view of life and revolution. She was, indeed, a Herald of the Red Dawn.
Bingo's perhaps requited passion leads him to speak feelingly for the Masses at Hyde Park Corner in a false beard and to utter a public denunciation of his uncle, Lord Bittlesham. Readers of Wodehouse may know him better as "old Mortimer Little" of "Little's Liniment (It Limbers Up the Legs)." He was a plutocrat before Pluto was down-sized. And the fellow who married Miss Watson, his cook, who was formerly engaged to Jeeves. This released Jeeves to pursue Mabel, a waitress in a "tea-and-bun shop" near the Ritz in the Metrop. Yes, the very same Mabel whom Bingo had loved to distraction, before Jeeves intervened in the Springtime, albeit without first revealing his inherent conflict of interest.
So, all straight so far? A) Bingo, who loves B) Charlotte, who would massacre C) Mortimer, uncle of A, who married D) Miss Watson. Naturally in a Wodehouse love story there are also wheels within wheels and here Comrade Butt, who "looks like a haddock with lung-trouble", plays the primary cog.
Bingo's love for Charlotte ("Billowy curves. Well-nourished perhaps expresses it best." Plus "a heart of gold" and "a tooth of gold" withal) is as boundless as, well, Charlotte. His need, however, is for the wherewithal with which to finally engage her affections, and its acquisition stumps Bingo ("Work? said young Bingo, surprised. What, me?").
However, if love fails to conquer all, it unfailingly assays the attempt. But radical political rhetoric, as is so often the case, especially when mixed with personal vituperation and discrediting revelations of a personal nature, produces public violence and the inevitable reactionary police response.
But here, in Wodehouse, in this romance, the kibosh was triggered by the hand of Jeeves, who knew ("Good Lord, Jeeves! Is there anything you don't know?") that Bingo and Charlotte were not meant to be. Scion of the upper-crust, nephew to a Lord, educated with Bertie in English public schools (they would have learned of Charlotte Corday), Bingo was set apart by Fate from Charlotte's love and her vision of blood running in the gutters of Park Lane.
But nonetheless it was a grand passion, and held forth for a season, and only expired with the Ocean Breeze, which blew Charlotte out of Bingo's life. What memories linger? (For the answer to that, please read 'The Metropolitan Touch').
Ken Clevenger
More Great Wodehouse Romances: Mrs Spottsworth and Captain Biggar (by Ashok Bhatia)
Plumtopia's annual celebration of the romances of P.G. Wodehouse (to mark the anniversary of the author's death on St Valentine's day 1975) would not be complete without a contribution from Mr Ashok Bhatia. One of the things I particularly enjoy about Mr Bhatia's musings on the subject is his choice of 'seasoned' couples, well beyond the first blooms of youth. For nobody in Wodehouse's world is too old, too irascible, or too wide of girth, to find love. And that's just as it should be.
Ashok Bhatia's latest instalment delves into the romantic adventures of the widow Mrs Rosalinda Banks Bessemer Spottsworth and big game hunter Captain Cuthbert Gervase Brabazon-Biggar (from Ring for Jeeves).
You can read it here: Of Mrs. Spottsworth and the Biggar Code of White Men | ashokbhatia
Money in the Bank (review by John Lagrue)
John Lagrue's timely review of P.G. Wodehouse's Money in the Bank (1942) touches on another great Wodehouse romance –that of Anne Benedick and Jeff Miller.
John also proposes Anne Benedick as Wodehouse's finest heroine. It's a proposal worth taking seriously from a Wodehouse lover of John's calibre. I certainly recall Anne being a good egg, but I've never ranked her among my own favourites. Have I missed something? It has been a while since I've read Money in the Bank, but it's one of Wodehouse's hidden gem and I look forward to re-reading and pondering John's suggestion.
As I said in my post last year announcing this project of reading a book a week for a year, some of the books involved would be ones I'd read before. Money In the Bank by PG Wodehouse is such a volume. Wodehouse is probably best known for the Jeeves and Wooster stories and the […]
A note on the Psmith-Halliday romance by K.V.K. Murthy
This February's Great Wodehouse romances series continues with another guest author, K.V.K. Murthy, known to Facebook friends as James Joyce. His piece takes us on a walk through romantic literary history with Psmith and Eve Halliday (Leave it to Psmith).
A note on the Psmith-Halliday romance
by K.V.K. Murthy
The question of favourites is mostly subjective, and Wodehouse's vast canvas of miniature romances doubtless provides for each taste. The Gussie-Bassett, Tuppy-Angela, Bingo-Banks and others too numerous to mention are all miniatures :a concatenation (to use Jeeves' word) of comical situation, Edwardian silly-assness and a bit of fat-headedness thrown in for seasoning. They are the staple of drawing-room one-act plays of a certain generation, given occasional revivals in schools to round off the Annual Day shindig. Barring minor changes in detail, they are all more or less cast from the same block. Wodehouse's success with that block – or formula – lay in the plasticity of his language: in anybody else's hands it would have spelt tedium, a tiresomely unfunny business.
But the Psmith-Halliday romance stands out, a class apart, with little in common with the other country-house capers. To begin with, this is not a miniature sketch: it is an epic, a work conceived on classical lines working on classical allusions ('the fruit of an expensive education,' as Psmith himself would say). If the whole comedy of errors is Bardic, Psmith's first encounter with Eve, and his first act of devotion is pleasingly (and appropriately) Elizabethan: Eve's hat, the rain, the hastily produced umbrella are nothing if not throwbacks to Sir Walter Raleigh's famous act with his cloak for his Queen(Psmith indeed mentions this parallel to the unfortunate Walderwick).
Psmith's courting is a stately progress, like a gavotte or apas-de-deux – matched perfectly by a languid stateliness of Wodehousian idiom absent from the miniature romances, which again underscores the Master's fine ear for symphonic form (the book can actually be visualised as a symphony in four movements: a brief adagio, followed by an allegro ma non troppo, a longish andante, and a final presto).
If the romance begins on an Elizabethan note, it also seems to advance through epochs. In his initial moves to Eve, Psmith's demeanour has faint courtly echoes of Andrew Marvell, although without the fatalistic overtones (in a bizarre coincidence there is even a Cynthia in one of his poems) – and with this we have stepped quietly and seamlessly into the Restoration. But we don't linger long here.
Soon, Psmith and Eve decant us, seamlessly again, and charmingly – into the Regency. It doesn't require too overwrought an imagination to see Psmith as a latter-day Beau Brummell – his fastidious appearance alone would have earned a hat doff from that laced and cravated dandy, to say nothing of his manner of speech- and Eve as a fine Belgravia belle (even if her origins in the book, though genteel, are decidedly not West End).
Whether Wodehouse saw these associations, much less intended them to be seen is a moot point. In any case it is only critics who look for them and find them, as this one did. And I'm sure the Master wouldn't complain. But there is one other aspect which sets the Psmith-Halliday chronicle apart from all the others: its is a complete novel in the classical sense, in the elegant Jane Austen mould, a perfect marriage of form and content.
Mostly Sally (The Adventures of Sally)
Sally stopped and drew a deep breath. Ginger Kemp did not reply for a moment. He seemed greatly impressed.
"When you talk quick," he said at length, in a serious meditative voice, "your nose sort of goes all squiggly. Ripping, it looks!"
Sally uttered an indignant cry.
"Do you mean to say you haven't been listening to a word I've been saying," she demanded.
"Oh, rather! Oh, by Jove, yes."
"Well, what did I say?"
"You… er… And your eyes sort of shine, too."
"Never mind my eyes. What did I say?"
"You told me," said Ginger, on reflection, "to get a job."
"Well, yes. I put it much better than that, but that's what it amounted to, I suppose…"
The Adventures of Sally (1921; US Title Mostly Sally)
Today's post concludes Jon Brierley's look at The Adventures of Sally –you can catch up from the beginning here. I am incredibly grateful to Jon for taking on this commission for Plumtopia and doing such a sterling job of it. Here's hoping that bookstores are soon filled with his novels, and we can smugly tell our friends we 'discovered' him first. Please do take a peep at his blog (he is also looking for beta-readers if you can spare some of your time for the cause).
The Adventures of Sally
A Romance (continued…)
Nobody ever accused P. G. Wodehouse of being a feminist*, but it strikes me that Sally Nicholas is quite a liberated and modern (for 1921) young woman – no doormat, she. Single, footloose and unchaperoned, she engages freely and on equal terms with all the menfolk she encounters, giving every bit as good as she gets and always (except for when kicked into the slough of despond by the shenanigans of Foster and Fillmore) standing up for herself and on her own two feet, taking no guff from anybody. Wodehouse has been accused of writing in an Edwardian timewarp, but Sally (and the whole book generally) is very clearly a woman of the 1920s, revelling in the newly won post-war freedom for women to work, travel and express themselves independently. Carmyle disapproves of this, but Carmyle is, as Ginger so rightly observes, a blighter.
One wonders if, perhaps, Sally owes something to Wodehouse's wife of sixty-one years, Ethel. Ethel is described as 'gregarious, decisive and well organised', which is Sally to the letter. Furthermore, Ethel is said to have taken the 'shy and impractical' Plum and arranged his life for him, which again is a thing Sally does (or tries to do) with everyone she meets.
If Sally was, at least in part, a portrait of Ethel, one hopes Mrs. Wodehouse took it as the great compliment it undoubtedly was. Sally is an engaging and sympathetic heroine, fun to be with and admirable in every respect. If the book is a little more serious than most Wodehouse novels, and correspondingly less funny than the bulk of his output, perhaps, just perhaps, it was because the protagonist was a little closer to Wodehouse than usual – and as we have seen, the story incorporated a number of elements from Wodehouse's real life. Plum himself, of course, was very far from being a chump, so there isn't much of him in Ginger, I don't think, but nevertheless the personal connections between the story and the author, while speculative, are, I feel, attractive. Seen in this light, what seems a fairly insubstantial work at first glance becomes more interesting, and perhaps worthy of a higher rank in the Wodehouse canon.
Of course, I could be wrong. But I'd like to think I'm not.
Jon Brierley
*Postscript from Honoria Plum
Readers may be surprised to learn Wodehouse has been accused of being a feminist. 'P.G. Wodehouse, Feminist' was the title of Elin Woodger Murphy's memorably convincing talk at the 2015 Seattle convention of The Wodehouse Society (US). Elin in turn, took her title from an excellent 2005 article by Marilee Scott. And I have argued in support of Wodehouse's feminist credentials myself (try Wodehouse's women: in the eye of the beholder).
When Ginger met Sally
Today's post continues the Great Wodehouse Romances series, exploring The Adventures of Sally , courtesy of guest author Jon Brierley. If you missed the first instalment, you can catch up here.
The Adventures of Sally
A Romance (continued…)
All caught up? Spiffing. Let us consider our principals. Here comes Sally now – if we take up an unobtrusive position behind a newspaper we shall be able to observe her closely. Sally Nicholas is a young, cheerful, intelligent, attractive and sparky all-American girl of twenty-one, and feeling especially cheerful just now as she has just had a substantial inheritance. She will be able to wave farewell to the rather down at heel environs of Mrs. Meecher's boarding house and get her own apartment, and with even more relief wave farewell to her dispiriting job as a taxi dancer at the Flower Garden dance hall.
Ah, I see a hand up. You doubtless wish to know what a taxi dancer is. No, it is not someone who dances in or on cabs, but a person employed by a dance hall to act as a partner to patrons of the hall who have neglected to bring a partner of their own. Mr. Wodehouse is at pains to tell us how nice an establishment the Flower Garden is, but I am sorry to have to relate that in real life such dance halls were usually covers for speakeasies – this being the reason why the patrons often didn't take a partner, as they were principally there to neck the booze rather than dance. Furthermore, young ladies who acted as taxi dancers were often, um, well, let's just say they didn't make all their money from dancing.
But no such taint attaches itself to Sally; she is entirely clean and wholesome, and if she has a fault it is that she is too gallant. Sally is a naturally kind person, disposed to be friendly and helpful to everyone, and now that she has the wherewithal she is keen to spread a little happiness as she goes by. She is by no means an ingénue, however; she is capable and level-headed, and adept at managing the lives of those around her, when she gets the chance.
Alas, the ones best placed to benefit from her largesse and her management are the two men currently in her life, and neither of them really deserve it. Firstly, there is her older brother Fillmore; that's him, lurking about over there, the portly chap with a rather self-satisfied expression. Fillmore is not an idiot, but he will get carried away. He can take a perfectly sound idea and build so many castles in the air on it that the thing collapses under its own weight. As, indeed, does Fillmore himself; when in funds, his food consumption increases prodigiously, and he is apt to wax not only fat but pompous. Sally encourages him to take up with the simple, but good-hearted, bit-part actress Gladys Winch, in the hopes she will provide a steadying influence on him. As she points out;
"And she's got brains enough for two, which is the exact quantity the girl who marries you will need."
The other man in Sally's life is her fiancé, Gerald Foster, a playwright. Observe him carefully; he's very good-looking, isn't he? And I trust we all know that a handsome chap in a Wodehouse novel will, almost certainly, turn out to be a frightful rotter. Perspicacious Plumtopians will have also universally acknowledged the truth that whoever a Wodehouse protagonist is initially engaged to is hardly ever the spouse they end up with.
Which brings us to the two other men who will complicate Sally's life during the course of this book. They are both English (as, indeed, is Gerald Foster) … our Sally seems to be irresistibly attractive to Englishmen. One wonders if Wodehouse was thinking of the fashion, prevalent in his youth, of hard-up members of the aristocracy making a bee-line for the nearest American heiress. The first son of Albion to consider goes by the name of Bruce Carmyle.
Mr. Carmyle (one could never call him Bruce) is stiff, and forever standing upon his dignity. Almost the first time we see him he is being haughty, not to say rude, with the waiter on a train. This is always a sign of somebody far too self-important for their own good, a fact Sally at once recognises. In consequence, despite being disposed to be friendly to one and all, she does not much like Mr. Carmyle. Alas, much to Sally's chagrin, he likes her, and is prepared to go to some lengths to show it. It's never quite clear why he feels like this, apart from Sally being exceedingly pretty; one feels that a stuffed shirt like Mr. Carmyle would want somebody altogether more meek and submissive as a love-interest.
Our third and final runner in the Sally Stakes is a cousin of the above, a red-head, and (of course) a chump. Lancelot Kemp doesn't really follow the usual Wodehouse naming conventions; he really ought to be called Bill, or Jim, but he makes up for his dubious forename by being rather unimaginatively known as Ginger. He is of a type well-known to Wodehouse readers; athletic, kind-hearted, tongue-tied and not overly blessed with grey matter. His conversation is punctuated by interjections such as 'I say,' and 'You know,' and I'm not at all certain he doesn't let fly a 'What Ho!' or two.
In life so far, Ginger has not been a success, and the Family (including Mr. Carmyle) despair of him. He had to forgo going up to Oxford due to a shortfall in the family finances, and every position the Family have found for him he has made a muff of, usually by speaking his mind to entirely the wrong person.
Ginger does have some talents, though – we first see him breaking up a dog-fight, very efficiently. This counts as a sort of Chekhov's Pug, as it is as a dog breeder and trainer that he finally manages to shine. And, yes, it is Ginger who eventually wins Sally's hand. But whilst he realises at once that Sally is his True Soul-mate, it takes Sally the whole book to come to the same conclusion. There wouldn't be much of a story if she had been quicker off the mark, of course, but besides the exigencies of Plot and Narrative Convention it is interesting to examine the reasons why she eventually sees Ginger as her true life's partner.
When Sally and Ginger first meet in Roville-sur-Mer, Ginger gets 'friend-zoned' (to use the modern parlance). Sally sees him not as a possible romantic interest but as a project, although her attempts to find him a steady job are no more successful than those of his Family. What eventually gets him out of the friend-zone and into Sally's arms is the contrast between his behaviour toward Sally, and that of Messrs. Foster and Carmyle. Ginger is loyal, and faithful, willingly humps furniture around her new flat, and lends a sympathetic ear to her woes, but above all he is not pushy. He does not force his attentions on Sally (although he does pinch a photograph of her to moon over in private).
Carmyle, by contrast, is pushy, assertive, and inclined to treat Sally as his by divine right. He does not help Sally, or listen kindly to her troubles, and he certainly doesn't lower himself to humping furniture about. Gerald Foster, meanwhile, is disloyal. He deserts Sally and marries actress Elsa Doland, and what is even more caddish, doesn't even tell Sally – she finds out at second hand, after the fact. It is Ginger who conveys the news, and his tactful behaviour after discovering he has dropped a bombshell (he had no idea Sally was engaged to Gerald) earns him several Brownie points.
Ginger's gentlemanly mien is further highlighted by the antics of brother Fillmore, who (despite the steadying hand of Gladys Winch) manages to lose all Sally's money pursuing wild theatrical dreams. What little she has left she uses to fund Ginger (who does not know she has lost her fortune) in his dog breeding scheme. Dashed twice against the rocks of fate by unreliable men, Sally returns despondently to her old job in the dance hall, where she is sought out by the importunate and over-assertive Carmyle. Sally is at such a low ebb by this point that she dully accepts his proposal of marriage, believing it to be the only option left open to her.
But no sooner has she done so than Ginger suddenly hoves into view again. His kennels have proved to be a success, and, on finding out that Sally has used the last of her money to set him up, and now having the means to support her himself (always an important point for any male romantic lead in Wodehouse) he declares his love. The scales finally fall from Sally's eyes (this is the habitual fate of scales in the last reel of a Wodehouse novel … he must have used up several snakes' worth). But she believes it to be too late – she has already promised herself to Carmyle.
All seems lost, but then Gerald Foster, having been off-stage for most of the story, re-appears. The bounder had, it seems, only married Elsa Doland to further his play-writing career, and she had only married him to enhance her acting career. When neither career prospers, the shaky marriage breaks up. Foster now surfaces back at his flat, across the hall from Sally's, full of self-pity and bootleg whisky.
I digress here to wax a little about one of the lesser perils of being a writer, even an amateur writer like your humble scribe. It does spoil your reading rather. One can't just lie back and enjoy a good yarn; your inner editor is forever twitching aside the curtain that conceals the author, and poking at the machinery behind the scenes. This matter of Foster's flat is just such a bit of business that makes the editor-writer long to reach into the book and correct things. The in-story (or Watsonian) reason given for Foster having a flat so conveniently close to Sally's is that Elsa Doland, being a great friend of Sally, wanted to be as close to her as possible. This is a weak attempt to paper over an otherwise astonishing co-incidence, and isn't convincing at all. Elsa Doland spends hardly any on-screen time with Sally, and is never actually seen at said flat. The real (or Doylist) reason, of course, is so that Wodehouse could get Foster on the spot for the penultimate scene in the book. It would be interesting to know if the weaksauce Watsonian excuse was actually present in the original serial episode in Collier's, or whether it was a retcon when the story was worked up into a novel.
But as I said, I digress. We now return to our scheduled deconstruction.
Foster, drunk and maudlin, takes to smashing up his flat. Sally, despite feeling nothing but contempt for him, is habitually helpful to those in need and decides to clear up the mess. While she does this, she packs him off to her own flat, as she cannot stand the sight of him. Befuddled by drink, Foster goes to sleep there, and this sets up the final denouement. The following morning, Carmyle turns up at his fiancée's flat, encounters a newly awoken Foster there, and jumps to the wrong conclusion. He had only discovered that Sally was working as a dancer (after proposing to her) the night before, and the idea that Sally might not be respectable enough for the Family has been eating away at him. The pompous ass. The compromising presence of Gerald Foster confirms these suspicions, and relieved to have an out, he promptly takes it.
Sally, suddenly freed, at once gets on the phone to Ginger. Ginger doesn't care what his Family thinks, or whether Sally is 'respectable' or not. Ginger may be a chump, but in Wodehouse, chumps often come out on top.
Cut to final scene, a year later, somewhere out in the boondocks of Long Island. Sally and Ginger are ensconced in (presumably) wedded bliss, running an increasingly successful dog breeding and training business. Ginger is still a chump, but it doesn't matter, because:
Sally got up and ruffled his red hair.
A Wodehouse hero can get no greater compliment from a girl than to have his hair ruffled.
Up next: Jon Brierley's third and final instalment on The Adventures of Sally.
The Great Wodehouse Romances: The Adventures of Sally (by Jon Brierley)
Every February Plumtopia celebrates the romances, great and small, in the work of P.G. Wodehouse, to mark the anniversary of his death on St Valentine's Day, 1975. Guest contributions are warmly welcomed, and this year I'm thrilled to share a series by guest author Jon Brierley on the 1921 Wodehouse novel, The Adventures of Sally.
Jon is sound on Wodehouse and has written wonderfully in the Wodehouse style at his blog, Sloopjonb: Writing Wibble (try his Jeeves' Christmas Carol). Jon is currently putting the finishing touches on his first novel and would love feedback from beta readers. Please do visit his blog to find out more.
The Adventures of Sally
A Romance
"Chumps always make the best husbands. If you marry, Sally, grab a chump. Tap his forehead first and, if it rings solid, don't hesitate. All the unhappy marriages come from the husbands having brains. What good are brains to a man? They only unsettle him."
– Gladys Winch, in The Adventures of Sally
Most readers of Wodehouse know him as a farceur, a humourist, a deliverer of reliably funny froth; they will revel in Jeeves and Wooster, quote delightedly from the Blandings saga, and may even run to snippets of Psmith. The true devotee of Wodehouse, however, knows that he had a lengthy career in other literary genres before he settled on his final winning formula. He began his novel-writing life penning school stories, entirely conventional if superior examples of the breed (until the radical intervention of Psmith), but also branched out into comedic (but not farcical) romances, apparently on the grounds that these sold better. The Adventures of Sally (American title: Mostly Sally) is one of these, first serialised in Collier's magazine in 1921, and it is to the romantic adventures of the titular Sally Nicholas that we will now turn our attention.
The plot and settings of Sally brought together several strands of Wodehouse's life; he was still heavily involved in the theatre, and like Sally herself was almost commuting across the Atlantic in pursuit of his various interests. In his early days in America Wodehouse had lived in many seedy boarding houses not unlike Mrs. Meecher's, and, like Ginger, had played Rugby football and been unable to go up to Oxford due to a family financial crisis. The story itself is something of a re-tread of an only slightly earlier novel, Jill the Reckless, featuring the common elements of a theatrical background, trans-Atlantic hopping and the losing and gaining of both fortunes and fiancés. One wonders whether this repetition is due to pressure of time; maybe Collier's needed something quick to cover a gap, and Wodehouse was unable to fashion something entirely new.
Whatever the reasons, and whisper it quietly, it has to be said that Sally is not one of Plum's best. The pacing is all off; half-way through Sally decamps to England, and recounts her adventures there in a series of letters to Ginger back in America. Whilst these are amusing, they slow the story down, especially when she visits a Rugby international game at Twickenham, an episode that must have mystified American readers. Elsewhere several important events take place off-stage, and are inadequately reported, giving the impression of a story struggling to find the right gear, and proceeding in a series of jerks. And at the end, the denouement develops with almost indecent haste, as if Wodehouse had been told the serial was ending next week, and he had to tie up all the loose ends too quickly.
Having said which, a book that is not Wodehouse's best is still better than most people's best, so don't let me put you off reading it. If you haven't read it yet (and I might mention it is free on the Gutenberg Press) you had better go and do so now, as what follows contains a lot of what the young people today call 'spoilers'. I'll wait…
Jon Brierley's piece will continue through February. While you're waiting for part two, why not add The Adventures of Sally to your Wodehouse collection ?
P.G. Wodehouse and the First World War — Great War Fiction
Yesterday I shared 'A partial book review of Middlebrow Wodehouse'. Today I'm sharing a response from George Simmers. George writes about Wodehouse often at his blog, and contributed a piece for Middlebrow Wodehouse on Wodehouse and the First World War. All this leaves me even more determined to fork out the advertised price of the volume and read it for myself.
A while ago I wrote a chapter on Wodehouse and the War for a collection, Middlebrow Wodehouse, that tried to locate PGW in the context of his times, and of popular literature. The book appeared, and seems to have sunk without much trace. It was published at the sort of silly academic price that means […]
via P.G. Wodehouse and the First World War — Great War Fiction


text:
Smoked Trout Patties With Boiled Egg And Caper Salad
If you're stuck for an easy dinner recipe and desperate to try something new, these smoked trout patties...47
If you're stuck for an easy dinner recipe and desperate to try something new, these smoked trout patties...47
There is no denying that eggs make the perfect breakfast recipe; packed with protein, and so quick...207
We've all experienced it before, right? A delicious poached egg made by a friend or from your...24
A core component of keeping your fitness routine up during winter is choosing foods that offer the...354
Callum Hann's frittata recipe from his fun new cookbook I'd Eat That make great summer picnic food,...2,083
Treat dad to perfect scrambled eggs with spicy stewed tomatoes, sweet corn and spring onion tortilla. It...418
French-style omelettes flavoured with chives and filled with slices of silky smoked salmon make the ultimate Mother's...460
You want to eat more fish but are stuck for ideas - try these tasty smoked trout...282
Start the day right with these cafe-style eggs wrapped in baby spinach, with a side of roasted...503
Scrambled eggs this good shouldn't wait for the weekend: this recipe by celebrity chef Tetsuya Wakuda makes...696
These Egg and Lettuce Salad Cups are the perfect lunch or dinner, providing you with the nutrients...460
In this frenetic age in which we live, we seldom have time to settle down and enjoy...375
Serves 4Preparation Time: 15 mins Cooking Time: 5-10 mins Ingredients 125g thinly sliced leg ham 4 crusty pieces of hot buttered...389
You don't need to be a professional bartender to make this cocktail just grab your blender and...256


text:
News and Features
Chicago, IL, March 3, 2011—The Board of Trustees of Catholic Theological Union will honor Archdiocesan priest and community leader, Monsignor Kenneth Velo, at the annual Blessed are the Peacemakers dinner Wednesday, April 27, 2011. Well-known in the city of Chicago, Monsignor Velo is someone who has the gift of bringing people together for the sake of the common good.
Join us for the annual Augustus Tolton Pastoral Ministry Lecture beginning at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 2, 2011.
Catholic Theological Union will reopen on Friday, February 4. All services will resume.
Thank you!
Due to continuing hazardous conditions, the school will remain closed on Thursday, February 3, 2011. All services, including the library and events, will not be available.
CHICAGO, IL…As it has been reported, a tour group led by Fr. Donald Senior, C.P., President of Catholic Theological Union, has been in Egypt since Tuesday, January 18. The news from the group has been minimal throughout this time due to the interruption of email and cell phone usage.
We are pleased to announce that we have heard from Fr. Senior this morning:
Dear Friends,
This past August I was in Bethlehem, the city we think of this season. With me were twenty-four pilgrims, a special group of people with disabilities: several in wheelchairs because of paralysis, one woman without a larynx who could speak only in whispers, one woman who could not hold up her head, one young man who had Down's syndrome, although it did not dim his radiant smile or his mother's devotion to him.
Join us for a reception on Wednesday, January 12, 2011 to celebrate the opening of "Dream Big," the Winter exhibition at Catholic Theological Union's Mary-Frances and Bill Veeck Gallery. The reception, which will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., will feature a talk by the artist at 6:30 p.m.
Lk 10:2 "The harvest is rich, but the laborers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send laborers to do the harvesting."
These words are inscribed on the 2010 Harvest Award presented to Catholics on Call at the National Religious Vocation Conference Convocation 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio, on November 7, 2010. The award was received by Rev. Robin Ryan, C.P., founding director of the program.
Catholic Theological Union, the largest Roman Catholic graduate school of theology and ministry in the United States, is pleased to announce the official launch of its new website, which can be found at the existing URL, www.ctu.edu. The updated site provides visitors with detailed descriptions about the various academic offerings at CTU, as well as up-to-date information regarding CTU's many community-oriented programs and events.


text:
FCW readers take issue with a recent blog post suggesting that favoritism is not as prevalent as many feds think
Cynicism abounds in the federal workplace, but FCW.com blogger Steve Kelman remains skeptical about favoritism.
He noted in a recent post at "The Lectern" that more than 70 percent of feds surveyed by the Merit Systems Protection Board believed that promotions were based on who they knew not on competence or hard work. But Kelman, who isn't buying the theory of rampant favoritism, sees basic human psychology at work. "Most people turned down for promotion genuinely believe they are above average and deserved to be promoted," he wrote. So if someone else gets the job, it's only natural to look for an explanation, and the most obvious is favoritism.
Here is a sampling of what readers had to say in response. Some comments have been edited for length, style or clarity.
Favoritism? No Duh."You are incredibly naive if you think favoritism is an illusion. The most blatant occurs when contractors become govies and then hire other contractors as each govie slot opens, whether or not the new appointee has any expertise in government operations or management decisions."— Anonymous
"Duh, water is wet, sky is blue, managers play favorites. Some places are just a little more blatant about it than others. The government is no exception. The personnel rules in place just give them a few more hoops to jump through, but any system can be gamed. In fairness to the managers, they may not even be aware they are playing favorites. They are just exhibiting the human tendency to hire/associate with those they feel more comfortable with."— Anonymous
Favoritism? It's Academic."In my agency, the only thing that matters in being considered for promotion is academic achievement. A proven track record of competence and productivity means absolutely nothing. We have reached the point where most of our younger employees do not care how well they perform on the job because they know that in terms of their future, their performance means absolutely nothing. Instead, they focus on fattening their academic portfolio and leave the actual work to the poor chumps who still believe that we are being paid to actually do a job."— Anonymous
The Root Problem: Bad Management"I recall an old saying that stated that if you wanted a promotion, do a poor job. If you are dependable, loyal and do a good job, your immediate supervisor will want to hold onto you." — Anonymous
"Were it a simply a matter of favoritism, I could live with it. What I can't live with is management's consistent failure to document and dismiss poor performers. In my 33-plus years of service with a defense agency, I noticed a trend of 'enabling,' where managers and co-workers were suckered in by employees who feigned illness (among other things) in order to gain sympathy and play the system." — FedUp
Another Skeptic"The survey asked the wrong question. What it should have asked is: The last time you were promoted, was it mainly due to favoritism, competence or hard work? I'm sure the answers would have been quite the opposite of those they actually got. Clearly, surveys like this one are worse than useless."— Ken
About the Author
John Monroe is Senior Events Editor for the 1105 Public Sector Media Group, where he is responsible for overseeing the development of content for print and online content, as well as events. John has more than 20 years of experience covering the information technology field. Most recently he served as Editor-in-Chief of Federal Computer Week. Previously, he served as editor of three sister publications: civic.com, which covered the state and local government IT market, Government Health IT, and Defense Systems.
E-Mail this page
Printable Format
Advanced Search
Read the profiles of all this year's winners.
Click here for more
The General Services Administration posted detailed data on how the $50 billion Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions contract might be divvied up.
The White House announced a long-planned move to elevate Cyber Command to the status of a full combatant command.
Verizon says it will carve a dedicated network out of its extensive national 4G LTE network for first responders, in competition with FirstNet.
The Heritage Foundation is recommending that hundreds of thousands of federal jobs be replaced by automation as part of a larger government reorganization strategy.
Defense officials hope the Common Access Card's days are numbered as they continue to test new identity management solutions.
The U.S. government walks a fine line of prosecuting alleged hackers and buying malware and other software vulnerabilities.
Favortism is beyond obvious in my office. Only certain folks are allowed to telework, get away with arriving late, taking excessive leave (Fridays and Mondays), and recieving awards. I'm tired of the lunches, the dirty looks, the outcasted feeling, and don't deserve it. I am a seasoned Fed, and deserve respect. I would file a grievance, but know it wouldn't get anywhere. This goes all the way up the chain.
I followed everything to the T. In the end after all my statements, investigations, interviews, and lack of discretion on there part they came back and said I missed a deadline at the beginning of the initial phase when the EEO favoritism was filed. Really! I had 20 years of military service to back my job experience for that promotion.
Kind of makes me feel better to know it's not just my workplace! I've got 22 years of fed. service (5 years private industry), and I'm well-educated and a good worker. I'm not complaining for myself - I've done pretty well, and I am pretty sure favoritism isn't part of it as I'm not one of the "in crowd" - but there is plenty of favoritism here. Hiring/promoting friends, neighbors, friends of friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, etc.
Favoritism is just another law on paper only. Just like no fear, just like EEO. It is all on paper only. When it comes to actually applying this law, nothing happens and if you are the one complaining most likely you will get punished. The law is weak if it is not enforced properly. The Union "used" to be power, but unfortunately, all they do now is get together, eat , and discuss how they "cannot" help.In my workplace, my supervisor goes on leave and reports it as TDY because he is going with his supervisor whom he plays golf with every Sunday. Who do you report that to? Oh and on top of that all the big heads go and play golf with them on Sunday. So your complaints are pretty much wasted, and if you complain they will come after you, oh sorry I forgot that power point slide about the no fear act..yea that will scare them all..
ICE is really bad about favoritism. Even if you work for them,have an education, and experience, they still only hire those with "connections" to someone in the local field office.
Show All Comments
8251 Greensboro Drive Suite 510, McLean, VA 22102 703-876-5100