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- published: 20 Aug 2013
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- author: NTDTV
Disgraced Chinese official Bo Xilai is facing trial on Thursday, more than a year after his political downfall. Bo's son, Bo Guagua has come in and out of th...
Bo Xilai 薄熙来 |
CPC Chongqing Committee Secretary | |
In office November 2007 – March 2012 |
Deputy (Mayor) | Wang Hongju (2007–2009) Huang Qifan (2009–) |
Preceded by | Wang Yang |
Succeeded by | Zhang Dejiang |
Minister of Commerce of the PRC | |
In office February 2004 – December 2007 |
Premier | Wen Jiabao |
Preceded by | Lü Fuyuan |
Succeeded by | Chen Deming |
Personal details | |
Born | (1949-07-03) 3 July 1949 (age 62) Beijing, Republic Of China |
Political party | Communist Party of China |
Spouse(s) | Li Danyu (divorced) Gu Kailai |
Relations | Bo Yibo (father) |
Children | Li Wangzhi Bo Guagua |
Alma mater | Peking University Chinese Academy of Social Sciences |
Bo Xilai | |||||||||
Simplified Chinese | 薄熙来 | ||||||||
Traditional Chinese | 薄熙來 | ||||||||
Bo Xilai (born 3 July 1949) is a Chinese politician. He came to prominence through his tenures as the mayor of the coastal economic hub of Dalian and then governor of Liaoning province. From 2004 to November 2007, he served as Minister of Commerce. Between 2007 and 2012 he served as a member of the Politburo and head of the Communist Party's Chongqing branch.
The son of Bo Yibo, one of the Eight Elders of the Communist Party of China, Bo Xilai is identified as one of the "princelings" of Chinese politics. He cultivated a casual and charismatic image in the media that marked a departure from the normally staid nature of Chinese politics.
In Chongqing, Bo became known for heavy-handed populism. He initiated a campaign against organized crime, increased spending on welfare programs, maintained consistent double-digit percentage GDP growth, and campaigned to revive Cultural Revolution-era "red culture." Bo's promotion of egalitarian values and the achievements of his "Chongqing model" made him the champion of the Chinese New Left, composed of both Maoists and social democrats disillusioned with the country's market-based economic reforms and increasing economic inequality.[1] However, the perceived lawlessness of Bo's anti-corruption campaigns, coupled with concerns about his outsized personality, made him a controversial figure.
Bo was considered a likely candidate for promotion to the elite Politburo Standing Committee in CPC 18th National Congress in 2012. His political fortunes came to an abrupt end following the Wang Lijun incident, in which his top lieutenant and police chief sought asylum at the American consulate in Chengdu and revealed details of Bo's alleged involvement in a homicide plot. In the fallout, Bo was removed as Chongqing party chief in March 2012 and suspended from the politburo the following month. Bo's dismissal was notable for exposing disunity within Communist Party ranks shortly before a leadership transition.
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Bo Xilai was the fourth child of prominent Communist Party leader Bo Yibo, who served as Minister of Finance in the early years of the People's Republic of China but who fell from favor in 1965 for supporting more open trade relations with the West[citation needed]. When the Cultural Revolution began in 1966, Bo Yibo was labeled a "rightist" and a "counterrevolutionary" and purged from his posts.[2] He spent the ensuing twelve years in prison, where he was reportedly tortured. His wife, Hu Ming, was abducted by Red Guard in Guangzhou, and was either beaten to death or committed suicide.[3]
Bo Xilai was 17 years old when the Cultural Revolution began, and at the time attended the prestigious No. 4 High School in Beijing — one of the best in the country.[3][4] In the early years of the Cultural Revolution, Bo is reported to have been an active member of the liandong Red Guard organization[4][5] and may have at one point denounced his father.[6]
As the political winds of the Cultural Revolution shifted, Bo and his siblings were either imprisoned or sent to the countryside, and Bo Xilai was locked up for five years.[7] After the death of Mao Zedong in 1976, the members of the Gang of Four were officially blamed for the chaos of the Cultural Revolution, and Bo's family was released. Bo Yibo was politically rehabilitated, and in 1979 became vice premier.[2]
After his release, Bo Xilai worked at the Hardware Repair Factory for the Beijing Second Light Industry Bureau.[8] He was admitted to the Peking University by public examination in 1977. Unlike many of his contemporaries in the Chinese leadership who studied engineering, Bo majored in world history.[9] In his sophomore year, Bo enlisted in a Master's program in international journalism at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences,[4] graduating with a Master's degree in 1982.[10] He joined the Communist Party in October 1980.[10]
During the 1980s, the Bo family regained its political influence. Bo Yibo served successively as vice premier and vice-chairman of the Central Advisory Commission. The elder Bo came to be known as one of the "eight elders" (sometimes referred to as the "eight immortals") of the Communist Party and was instrumental in the implementation of market reforms in the 1980s. Although he favored more liberal economic policies, the elder Bo was politically conservative, and endorsed the use of military force against demonstrators during the 1989 Tiananmen Square Protests.[2] After the 1989 crackdown, Bo Yibo helped ensure the ascent of Jiang Zemin to succeed Deng Xiaoping as the leader of the Party and helped Jiang consolidate power in the 1990s.[9] Bo Yibo remained a prominent figure in the party until his death in 2007[2] and was influential in shaping his son's career.[11]
After graduating from university, Bo was assigned to Zhongnanhai[9] – the headquarters of the Communist Party – where he worked with the research office of the CPC Central Committee Secretariat and CPC Central Committee General Office.[4] He soon requested a transfer to the provinces, and in 1984 was appointed deputy party secretary of Jin County, near Dalian in the northeastern province of Liaoning.[9][10] In an interview with People's Daily, Bo said that his family name created career obstacles. "For quite a long time people had reservations about me," he said.[11] Bo subsequently became deputy secretary and then secretary of the party committee of the Dalian Economic and Technological Development Zone and secretary of the Jinzhou party committee.[10]
Rising again in rank within the party, he became a member of the Standing Committee of the Dalian Municipal CPC Committee, the city's top decision-making body, and became the Vice-mayor of Dalian in 1990.[10] In 1993, Bo became deputy Party secretary and mayor of Dalian.[9]
Bo became acting mayor of Dalian in 1992 and formally assumed the post in 1993. He remained mayor until 2000. Bo served as Dalian's deputy party secretary from 1995.[10] Bo was promoted to party chief in 1999 and served in that position until 2000.
Bo's tenure in Dalian was marked by the city's phenomenal transformation from a drab port city to a modern metropolis, a 'showcase' of China's rapid economic growth.[12] In the early 1990s, Bo took some credit for the construction of the Shenyang-Dalian Expressway, China's first controlled-access freeway, winning accolades for the rapid expansion of infrastructure and for environmental work.[13] Since Bo's time in office, Dalian became known as one of the cleanest cities in China, having won the UN Habitat Scroll of Honour Award in 1999. In addition, Bo was an advocate for free enterprise and small businesses, and successfully courted foreign investment from South Korea, Japan, and Western countries.[12] In contrast to his colleagues, he held press conferences at Chinese New Year, and developed a reputation among foreign investors for 'getting things done'.[13]
Bo spent seventeen years in the city of Dalian, a lengthy term in comparison to colleagues of the same rank, who are often transferred to different locales throughout their careers. Despite the accompanying economic growth and rise in living standards, Bo's tenure in Dalian has sometimes been criticized as having been too focused on aesthetic development projects such as expansive boulevards, monuments, and large public parks.[13] To make way for his large-scale projects, Bo's administration moved large numbers of local residents from downtown areas into new homes in the city's outskirts. Dalian's greenery was dubbed "Xilai Grass".[14] He also reputedly had a remote control in the Mayor's office for the fountains on the city's main square.[15] In addition, he spearheaded the construction of a huabiao in the city.[16] In 2000, Bo was frontrunner for the post of Mayor of Shenzhen, based on his success in making Dalian the "Hong Kong of the North". However it was suggested that Bo was too independent and outspoken for the post. The post went to Yu Youjun instead.[17]
During the 15th Party Congress in 1997, Bo Xilai's family launched an unsuccessful campaign to secure his promotion to become a member of the Central Committee of the CCP. Although nepotism was generally frowned upon in China, Bo Yibo's ambitions for his son were well-known.[14] Bo Yibo advanced the idea that revolutionary elders should 'nominate' their children to become high officials, and Bo Xilai was selected as his family's 'representative' over his older brother Bo Xicheng,[14] ostensibly because of Xilai's superior academic credentials, which included attendance at the elite Peking University and a master's degree.
In order to secure Bo Xilai's selection for promotion during the 15th Party Congress, the family launched a nationwide campaign to publicize his son's "achievements" as mayor of Dalian.[14] They commissioned author Chen Zufeng to pen a report portraying Bo as a man who is "as statesman-like as Henry Kissinger, as environmentally conscious as Al Gore, and almost as beloved by the public as Princess Diana."[14] Despite the publicity campaign, Bo Xilai failed even to gain a seat in the Liaoning provincial delegation to the Party Congress. Ultimately, Bo Yibo helped him gain a seat with the Shanxi delegation, but the younger Bo was unable to secure a promotion.[14]
In addition, Bo placed second-last in the confirmation vote for membership in the 15th Central Committee. As he placed in the bottom 5% of candidates, Bo was denied entry into the elite council, suffering a major political embarrassment.[4] Bo's failure to get elected was attributed to a general opposition to nepotism within the Party.[14] Moreover, during his tenure in Dalian, Bo caused resentment for the amount of 'special favours' that he procured for the coastal city at the expense of the rest of the province.[14] His perceived partisan interests locked Bo's kin in a factional struggle against Li Tieying, one of China's central leadership figures, who may have created obstacles to his promotion.[14]
In 2001, a corruption scandal involving former Liaoning governor Zhang Guoguang provided an opportunity for Bo's advancement.[13] Prior to the 15th Party Congress, Bo Yibo and Bo Xilai assisted then-President Jiang Zemin in preparing to force political rival Qiao Shi into retirement. The Bo family also supported Jiang's lacklustre "Three Stresses" (San Jiang) campaign in 1997.[9] Such unwavering support for Jiang was said to have worked in Bo Xilai's favour when the vacancy for Governor of Liaoning opened. Bo became acting Governor in 2001 after the dismissal and arrest of Zhang Guoguang,[9] and was officially confirmed as Governor in 2003.[10] In his position as governor, which he held until 2004, Bo gained membership to the Central Committee of the Communist Party.[4]
During his tenure in Liaoning, Bo played a critical role in the promotion of the Northeast Area Revitalization Plan. Adopted in 2003 by party authorities, the policy aimed to strengthen economic development in the provinces of Liaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang. Bo Xilai was particularly enthusiastic about the policy, stating his desire to see the northeast become "China's fourth economic engine" (the others being the Pearl River Delta, Yangtze River Delta, and the Bohai Economic Region).[4]
The northeast region was at one time known as the "cradle of industrialization" of China. In 1980, industrial output for Liaoning province alone was twice that of the southern Guangdong province. However, the northeast was left behind amidst market reforms of the 1980s and 1990s, while regions like Guangdong prospered. Its economy—still largely tied to state-owned enterprises—stagnated relative to other regions, with high unemployment rates.[4] The revitalisation plan aimed to address this by reviving the region's traditional industries, strengthening trade ties with and encouraging investment from South Korea and Japan, and experimenting with free trade zones in select cities.[18] In 2004, official media reported that foreign direct investment in Liaoning had nearly doubled since the launch in 2003 of the northeastern rejuvenation strategy.[19]
Although Bo established a reputation as a comparatively clean politician during his tenures in Dalian and as governor of Liaoning,[20] he was not immune to corruption allegations. In particular, Bo was the subject of critical investigative reports by Liaoning journalist Jiang Weiping,[21] the whistleblower in the Mu and Ma corruption case in Liaoning – a scandal that Bo benefited from politically. While Bo was not directly involved in the scandal, Jiang accused Bo of providing political cover for his friends and relatives.[21] Jiang was initially sentenced to eight years in prison on trumped-up charges, for which Bo was criticized, but was released after five years under international pressure.[13][22] Yang Rong, the former chief executive of Brilliance China Automotive who fled to the United States after getting embroiled in a dispute against state property authorities, accused Bo of interfering in his judicial proceedings in Beijing.[13] In addition, Bo openly clashed with Wen Shizhen, then-party secretary in Liaoning who was technically Bo's superior.[4][13] Wen reportedly criticized Bo for "developing China's cities like Europe and its countryside like Africa," and even held a party to celebrate Bo's departure from Liaoning in 2004.[23]
Falun Gong practitioners and their supporters have accused Bo of leading an especially severe crackdown on the group during his tenure in Liaoning.[24][25] They have filed lawsuits against Bo in over ten countries, alleging torture and crimes against humanity.[26][27] In 2007 Bo was found liable for the torture of a Falun Gong practitioner in an uncontested civil suit in Australia.[28]
At the 16th Party Congress in 2002, Bo's age, regional tenures, and patronage links fit the profile for a potential candidate to be groomed for the "5th generation of leaders" that would assume power in 2012. His chief competitors were seen as Xi Jinping, then party chief in the coastal province of Zhejiang, and Li Keqiang, a populist Tuanpai candidate who was the Governor of the central province of Henan.[9] As with the 15th Party Congress five years earlier, the elder Bo lobbied for his son's promotion.[9] The Bo family enjoyed the patronage of Jiang Zemin. However, Bo Xilai's unequivocal support for Jiang strengthened the reluctance of his political opponents to support his nomination. Ultimately, although Bo remained a top contender for higher promotion, Xi and Li remained the main candidates to succeed Hu Jintao as Paramount leader.[9]
When Hu Jintao succeeded Jiang Zemin as General Secretary in late 2002, Bo's career as a local official ended with his appointment to Minister of Commerce in Wen Jiabao's cabinet to replace Lü Fuyuan, who retired for health reasons. Bo concurrently served as a member of the 16th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.
Bo's stint as Minister of Commerce significantly raised his international profile and generated media attention both in China and abroad. Described as good-looking, articulate and open-minded in his approach to problems,[29] Bo's rise from a municipal official to the central government generated great media fanfare and elevated his status to something of a 'political star.' Bo's political persona was considered a departure from the generally serious and conservative leadership in Beijing. With his youthful vigour, populism, and purported popularity with female reporters, Bo's political rise had been compared to that of John F. Kennedy.[30]
Bo presided over a continued rise in foreign investment in China as Minister of Commerce. His daily schedule was dominated by receiving foreign guests and dignitaries. By the time that he became Minister, he spoke relatively fluent and colloquial English. During a meeting with American officials, Bo reputedly told a struggling interpreter to stop translating because the Chinese officials could understand English and it was wasting time. In May 2004 Bo was one of the few ministers hand-picked to accompany Premier Wen Jiabao on a five-country trip to Europe.[30] The trade policy of the United States toward China also sparked significant controversy. Bo maintained a conciliatory but assertive attitude as he attended talks in Washington.[30] On his trips to the United States, he conducted substantive discussions with his American counterparts and signed agreements on intellectual property, the services sector, agricultural products, food safety, and consumer protection.[30]
Bo also oversaw the restructuring of the Ministry, formed from the amalgamation of the National Economics and Commerce Bureau and the Department of International Trade. Bo sought to balance the amount of attention given to foreign investors and domestic commercial institutions. He began tackling the imbalance from the retail sector, whose success up to that point was largely dependent on foreign companies.[30] He drew up plans to protect Chinese industries' competitive position within a domestic market that was quickly being crowded out by foreign competition.[31]
At the 17th Party Congress in October 2007, Bo gained a seat on the 25-member Politburo, effectively China's ruling council. He was then tipped to leave the Ministry of Commerce and take over as party chief in the southwestern megalopolis of Chongqing. Bo's predecessor, political rival Wang Yang, was reassigned as party chief of Guangdong province.
At the time, Chongqing was reeling from problems such as air and water pollution, unemployment, poor public health, and complications from the Three Gorges Dam.[6] According to analysts, Hu wanted to transfer his ally Wang Yang out of Chongqing before these problems intensified.[6] Bo was initially reluctant to go to Chongqing and was reportedly unhappy with his new assignment. He had hoped to become vice-premier instead,[32] but Premier Wen Jiabao and Vice-premier Wu Yi argued against Bo's promotion to vice-premiership. In particular, Wu was critical of Bo's penchant for self-promotion,[23] and Wen cited international lawsuits against Bo by Falun Gong adherents as a barrier to his holding higher office.[6]
Bo took up the Chongqing post on 30 November, a month following the conclusion of the Congress, even though Wang Yang had vacated the position on 13 November.[32] Whilst some saw this transfer as a 'banishment' from the central government to the hinterlands to keep Bo's perceived arrogance and high-profile antics out of Beijing's view,[6] others considered it a promotion since being the party chief in one of the four direct-controlled municipalities came with an ex officio seat on the Politburo.[32][33]
Although Bo was initially unhappy about his re-assignment in Chongqing, he soon resolved to use his new position as a staging ground for a return to higher national office.[34] Bo made no secret of his desire to enter the nine-member Politburo Standing Committee (PSC) during the 18th Party Congress in autumn 2012,[35] all but two of the PSC members—including President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao—were expected to retire.[29] The transition would be an opportunity for Bo to join the highest echelon of national leadership, likely as a replacement for ally Zhou Yongkang, secretary of the Central Political and Legislative Committee, serving as the head of the party's security apparatus.[35][36]
In Chongqing, Bo pioneered a new style of governance dubbed the "Chongqing Model" — a set of social and economic policies intended to address diverse challenges facing modern China following economic reforms.[37][38]
The Chonqging model was characterized in part by increased state control and the promotion of a neo-leftist ideology. Along with his police chief Wang Lijun, Bo launched a sweeping campaign against organized crime, and increased the security and police presence in the city. Critics noted these policies were accompanied by the erosion of the rule of law, and allegations surfaced of political and personal rivals being victimized amidst Bo's anti-corruption drive. As a means of addressing declining public morality, Bo launched a "red culture" movement to promote Maoist-era socialist ethics. On the economic front, he actively courted foreign investment—much as he had done in Liaoning province. The Chongqing model was also characterized by massive public works programs, subsidized housing for the poor, and social policies intended to make it easier for rural citizens to move to the city, thus reaping the benefits of urban status.[37] Some have compared Bo's governing style to Russian president Vladimir Putin.[39]
The Chongqing model provided an 'alternate' comprehensive roadmap for development that diverged from the policies favored by the reformist faction dominated by Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao.[37] Bo's leadership in Chongqing dramatically raised his profile, both nationally and internationally. In 2010, he was named as one of the 'World's 100 Most Influential People in 2010' by Time.[40] Observers noted that, in China's non-electoral political system, Bo's high-profile presence and bold political maneuvers effectively amounted to a public campaign for the top leadership.[41] However, he drew the ire of some of the country's leaders; President Hu and Premier Wen were reluctant to acknowledge Bo publicly, ostensibly due to a discomfort over his leadership style.[41]
Bo's tenure in Chongqing was dominated by a protracted war against organized crime and corruption known as dahei ("striking black"). Between 2009 and 2011, an estimated 5,700 people were arrested in the sweeping campaign that ensnared not only criminals, but also businessmen, members of the police force, judges, government officials, and political adversaries.[42][43] The campaign was overseen by Wang Lijun, whom Bo had worked with previously in Liaoning province.[29]
Wen Qiang, one of the most prominent figures implicated in the trials, had been a prominent municipal official since the days of party chiefs He Guoqiang and Wang Yang. China observer Willy Lam suggested that the such a large-scale crackdown was given 'go-ahead' from central authorities and general secretary, president Hu Jintao, and Bo was careful to not look as though Chongqing was trying to 'set an example' for the rest of the country so he could benefit from the success politically.[44]
The dahei campaign earned Bo national recognition and widespread popularity in Chongqing—all the more because of the city's historical reputation as a center for criminal activity.[35] In contrast to often colorless and orthodox politicians, Bo gained the reputation as a party boss that "got things done."[45] The apparent success of the campaign gave Bo a 'rock star status', and resulted in calls for a nation-wide campaign modeled on Chongqing. Through the campaign, Bo gained the support of a number of powerful members of the Politburo Standing Committee, including Wu Bangguo, Jia Qinglin, Li Changchun, Xi Jinping and Zhou Yongkang, all of whom visited Chongqing or praised Bo's achievements sometime between 2010 and 2011.[38]
However, Bo's campaign was criticized for running roughshod over judicial due process and eroding the rule of law.[42] Individuals targeted in the campaign were arbitrarily detained by the authorities, with an estimated 1,000 being sent to forced labor.[46] Lawyers for the accused were intimidated and harassed, and in at least one case, sentenced to 18 months in prison.[45] Allegations also surfaced over the use of torture to extract confessions.[45] Moreover, assets seized during the campaign were allegedly redirected to help pay for Bo's popular social housing programs.[47] The Wall Street Journal reported that the $11 billion went into government coffers through the campaign.[42] Li Jun, a fugitive businessman, asserted that he became a target of Bo anti-corruption drive as a result of a land dispute with the government. When he refused government demands to give up the land, he claims that he was abducted and tortured, and that the $700 million worth of assets in his business were seized.[48][49]
During his time in Chongqing, Bo initiated a series of Maoist-style campaigns to revive 'red culture' and improve public morale. The initiative included the promotion of Maoist quotes, 'red' songs, revolutionary television programing and operas, and initiatives to encourage students to work in the countryside, akin to the way students were required to do during the Down to the Countryside Movement of the Cultural Revolution.[50] As part of the movement, Bo and the city's Media Department initiated a "Red Songs campaign" that demanded every district, government department, commercial enterprise, educational institution, state radio and TV station begin singing 'red songs' praising the achievements of the Communist Party of China. Bo pledged to reinvigorate the city with the Marxist ideals reminiscent of the Mao era.[51][52][53][54]
Prior to the 60th Anniversary of the People's Republic of China celebrations, for instance, Bo sent out 'red text messages' to the city's 13 million cellphone users.[55] According to Xinhua, Bo's text messages are usually quotes from Mao's Little Red Book, and include phrases such as "I like how Chairman Mao puts it: The world is ours, we will all have to work together,"[56] and "responsibility and seriousness can conquer the world, and the Chinese Communist Party members represent these qualities."[35] Bo and his team of municipal administrators also raised new Mao statues in Chongqing, while providing 'social security apartments' to the city's less well-off.[57] Some scholars have characterized this as an example of the revival of Maoism in the Chinese Communist ethos.[57]
Reactions to the red culture movement were divided. Bo's revival of Mao-era culture and accompanying social welfare programs were popular within much of the middle to lower income strata of Chongqing society, and made Bo a star with both conventional Marxists and neo-leftists. Bo won praise for returning the city to what some called China's 'true socialist heritage' by de-emphasizing material wealth, and evoked nostalgia to the social equality that existed during Mao's time.[58] Some retirees said they wanted to pass on "revolutionary spirit" to their children, while others participated as a means to praise the Communist Party for the country's economic progress.[59]
The campaign also had many detractors. Some intellectuals and reformers criticized the campaign for being regressive, akin to "being drowned in a red sea", and bringing back painful memories from the Cultural Revolution.[58][60] Several mid-level officials in the city committed suicide due to overwhelming pressure to organize events for the red songs campaign.[60] Bo's critics derisively referred to him as "little Mao".[61]
A cornerstone of Bo's Chongqing model involved a series of egalitarian social policies aimed to lessen the gap between rich and poor, and ease the rural-urban divide. Bo promoted the notion of pursuing "red GDP"—an economic model embodying communist egalitarianism—and suggested that, if economic development were analogous to 'baking a cake', then the primary task should be to divide the cake fairly rather than building a larger cake.[62]
To that end, the city reportedly spent $15.8 billion on public apartment complexes for use by recent college graduates, migrant workers and low-income residents.[38] In 2007, the cities of Chongqing and Chengdu were selected to run pilot projects intended to mitigate the rural-urban divide and ease integration of rural residents into the cities. Under China's hukou registration system, citizens are classified as either rural or urban—a distinction that determines nor only where they may live, but also affects educational opportunities, taxation, property rights, and so on. Of Chongqing's 32 million residents, only 27% held urban hukous as of 2007.[63] The 2007 project made it easier for rural residents to obtain urban status, a policy intended not only to help balance inequality, but also to enable the government to develop underused rural land. Under Bo's leadership, Chongqing established "land exchanges" where rural villages could earn credits for maximizing farmland.[64]
Bo's approach to social policy was demonstrated during the November 2008 taxi strikes, which saw over 8,000 taxi drivers take to the streets for two days in protests over high fees, unregulated competition and rising fuel charges. Similar protests in China are frequently suppressed—sometimes forcefully—with official media sometimes blaming labor unrest on criminal instigation.[65] Bo's government instead held a televised roundtable dialogues with the protesters and citizens, and agreed to allow the formation of a trade union. His handling of situation earned him praise as a comparatively restrained and progressive leader.[66][67]
Another major component of Bo's Chongqing model concerned the city's economic policies. Just as he had done in Liaoning province, Bo ambitiously pursued foreign investment in the city, lowering corporate income tax rates (15% compared to the 25% national average), and sought to stimulate rapid urbanization and industrialization.[63] He also carried on with policies initiated by his predecessors which focused on domestic consumption, rather than export-led growth.
During his tenure, Chongqing reported annual GDP growth far exceeding the national average. In 2008, for instance, nationwide GDP growth was reported at 8%, while Chongqing reported 14.3%; the same year, foreign trade rose by 28%, and bank loans were up 29%.[63]
Bo model of economic growth won national and international praise for seamlessly combining foreign investment and state-led growth. However, Bo's critics called the model of "red GDP" – subsidized infrastructure, housing and public works projects – unsustainable and a drain on the city's budget. Some civil servants complained that they were not getting salaries on time.[60] Chongqing received a disproportionately high share (some $34 billion) of stimulus money from the Beijing in 2008. Political rivals such as Bo's predecessor Wang Yang also suggested that economic figures in Chongqing were "rigged"—artificially inflated through unnecessary construction and public works projects.[68]
Although many of Bo's campaigns earned popular support, especially from the city's poor, his leadership style has been described as "propagandistic," "ruthless," and "arrogant" by subordinates and city officials, academics, journalists, and other professionals.[23][60] Michael Wines of the New York Times wrote that although Bo was possessed of "prodigious charisma and deep intelligence," these qualities were offset by a "studied indifference to the wrecked lives that littered his path to power…Mr. Bo's ruthlessness stood out, even in a system where the absence of formal rules ensures that only the strongest advance."[23] Bo placed onerous demands on government officials in the city, requiring them to be available to work all day and all night, seven days a week.[60] He reportedly called subordinates to late-night meetings, publicly criticized and humiliated those with whom he disagreed, and even hit underlings who failed to meet his demands.[23] According to a psychologist quoted in the Daily Telegraph, since Bo Xilai assumed power, "depression, burn out and suicides have all risen among officials…Officials now make up the largest share of patients in counselling in the city."[60]
In late 2009, a popular investigative television show on China Central Television aired a critical story on Bo's anti-crime drive, expressing concern over the apparent disregard for the legal process. In response, Bo utilized his connections to have the show's host temporarily banned from the airwaves, and its producer moved to another program.[23] Others who opposed Bo's initiatives were also met with retribution. Li Zhuang, a defense lawyer from Beijing, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison (lated reduced to 18 months) in 2009 for attempting to defend one of the high-profile targets of Bo's crackdown.[23][69] Cheng Li, a scholar at the Brookings Institution, remarked that "Nobody really trusts [Bo]: a lot of people are scared of him, including several princelings who are supposed to be his power base."[23]
As part of Bo's efforts to fight crime and maintain social and political stability in Chongqing, he initiated a major electronic surveillance operation. Wang Lijun, Bo's police chief, served as the architect of the state-funded project, which was described in official media as a "comprehensive package bugging system covering telecommunications to the Internet."[70] The system involved wiretaps, eavesdropping, and monitoring of internet communications, and was designed with the help of cybersecurity expert Fang Binxing, known for his pivotal role in the construction of China's Great Firewall.[70]
According the New York Times, the eavesdropping operations did not only target local criminals, but also the communications of top Chinese leaders, including general secretary, president Hu Jintao.[71] One source connected to the Chinese leadership said that Bo tried to monitor nearly all central leaders who had visited Chongqing.[70] In August 2011, a phone call between President Hu Jintao and anti-corruption official Ma Wen was found to be wiretapped under Bo's orders. The revelation about the eavesdropping operation resulted in intense scrutiny from Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, and contributed in Bo's downfall in 2012.[70]
On 14 November 2011, British citizen Neil Heywood was found dead in his Chongqing hotel room. At the time, local authorities declared he had died from alcohol over-consumption, though his family noted that he was not a heavy drinker. The official cause of death was not scrutinized until several months later, when revelations emerged that Heywood's death was a homicide, and Bo Xilai was implicated.
Heywood served as an intermediary linking western companies to powerful Chinese politicians.[72] He was a long-time associate of the Bo family: he reportedly shared a close personal relationship with Bo's wife, Gu Kailai, and had helped the couple's son earn admission to the Harrow School in England.[73] Heywood also allegedly served as a middleman for the family, helping them clandestinely move large sums of money overseas.[74]
In October 2011, Heywood reportedly had a business dispute with Bo's wife, Gu Kailai, when he demanded a higher commission for his services. The dispute escalated, with Heywood ultimately threatening to reveal the family's business dealings and overseas assets, estimated to total in excess of $136 million.[75][76] Heywood was then allegedly poisoned by Gu and an assistant.[77]
In early 2012, the party's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection bolstered its presence within Chongqing as the city's leaders came under investigation. Much of the attention focused on Bo's police chief, Wang Lijun, who may have been under investigation for his role in a corruption case in Liaoning province. Growing scrutiny over the city's wiretapping operation against senior leaders also likely fell mainly on Wang.[70] Although details are scarce, several sources have suggested that Wang's resentment against Bo grew amidst the investigations—resentment that was compounded when Wang realized that he and his wife had also been targets of wiretapping under Bo's orders.[70]
Moreover, Wang was privy to details of Neil Heywood's death, and had reportedly attempted to voice his concerns to Bo about alleged poisoning. Around 16 January, Wang is believed to have confronted Bo over evidence that implicated Bo's wife in the murder. Although Bo initially agreed to allow an inquiry, he then changed course and sought to obstruct investigations.[78] Wang was abruptly demoted on 2 February to the far less prestigious position of Vice-mayor overseeing education, science, and environmental affairs.[79] Bo placed Wang under surveillance, and several of his close associates were reportedly taken into custody. Some reports allege that Bo may have been plotting to have Wang assassinated.[80]
On 6 February 2012, apparently fearing for his life, Wang traveled to the U.S. consulate in the nearby city of Chengdu, bringing evidence implicating Bo and his family in the Neil Heywood murder. According to reports, Wang sought and was denied asylum in the United States.[81] He remained in the consulate for approximately 24 hours before leaving "of his own volition" and being taken into the custody of state security officials dispatched from Beijing.[82][83][84] Local media in Chongqing announced that he was on a mental health-related sick leave.[85]
A day after Wang's leave, several overseas Chinese-language news websites posted an open letter allegedly penned by Wang, which sharply criticized Bo as a "hypocrite" and "the greatest gangster in China" and accused Bo of corruption.[86] Without knowing what incriminating material Wang may have held against Bo, even Bo's supporters in China's top leadership were reluctant to vouch for him.[87] Bo responded in an unusually open press conference during the 2012 National People's Congress, acknowledging "negligent supervision" of his subordinates, saying he may have "relied upon the wrong person".[88]
On 15 March, Bo was dismissed as Chongqing party chief and its related municipal posts, while temporarily retaining a seat on the Politburo. Due to the potentially destructive effects Bo's dismissal would have on party unity, party elders were consulted on the matter.[89] The decision was reportedly made at a meeting of the Politburo Standing Committee on 7 March, during which security tsar Zhou Yongkang cast a lone dissenting vote.[89] On 14 March, Bo was reprimanded by Premier Wen Jiabao during the Premier's annual press conference.[90][91] Wen called the achievements of Chongqing "significant," but the result of "multiple administrations," i.e., not just Bo himself. Wen also made numerous allusions to the damage wrought by the Cultural Revolution, an indirect rebuke of Bo's efforts to revive "red culture".[32][91] Addressing high-level political changes by a Premier to an open public forum was unprecedented. Political observers believe that Wen's remarks and Bo's downfall represented a consensus within the central leadership that Bo not only needed to shoulder the responsibility for the Wang Lijun scandal, but also marked a significant victory for liberal reformers.[92][93]
On 10 April, Bo was suspended from the party's Central Committee and its Politburo, pending investigation for "serious disciplinary violations." Bo's wife, Gu Kailai, was now a prime suspect in the inquiry into the death of British businessman Neil Heywood.[94] The announcements, carrying criminal implications, likely marked the end of Bo's political career.[95][96]
Bo's downfall elicited strong reactions among the Chinese public and with commentators across the political spectrum.[97] Leftist websites such as Utopia, Red China, and Maoflag were full of angry commentary over Bo's dismissal. These websites were shut down for a period of "maintenance" shortly after.[97][98] Leftist commentators voiced support for Bo: Kong Qingdong called Bo's dismissal 'a plot by enemies of the state'; Sima Nan said associating Bo with the Cultural Revolution was a 'smear campaign';[99] Sima's pro-Bo microblogs were censored.[98] Large numbers of sympathetic posts for Bo appeared in microblogs from Chongqing, and Dalian, where Bo was once mayor.[97][100] The Global Times also wrote a sympathetic editorial. Liberal media reacted positively, criticizing Bo's style of 'personality-based rule' as dangerous and regressive.[101] Right-leaning commentators said Bo's downfall signified a 'correct orientation' to China's future development.[101] Southern Media Group editor Yan Lieshan remarked that Bo correctly identified China's problems but prescribed the wrong solution.[101] Businesspeople whose assets were seized by Bo's administration in Chongqing also reacted positively.[97]
Bo's dismissal caused political shockwaves unseen since the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989,[95][102] and exposing internal conflicts within Communist Party. In the weeks following 15 March, party authorities deliberated on Bo's case.[103] In the absence of official reports of the proceedings, microblogs churned out a flood of speculation, including rumours of a coup.[104] In response, the authorities instructed newspapers and websites to strictly report only official releases, and arrested six people accused of 'rumourmongering'.[103]
Aware of its potentially divisive impact, authorities carefully controlled media coverage of Bo's removal from office. State media reported 'pledges of loyalty' to the party's decision to disgrace Bo, including statements from the new Chongqing party authorities, Beijing municipal organs, and grassroots party members rallying to the party line. The party's mouthpiece People's Daily issued a front-page editorial calling for unity behind the "correct decision".[103][96] The military held 'political education' sessions on short notice, stressing unity and loyalty to the Party under the leadership of Hu Jintao.[105] Bo's downfall also affected his ally Zhou Yongkang, who had reportedly relinquished his operational control over Chinese security institutions and lost the right to influence who would succeed him at the 18th Party Congress.[106]
In the course of his career, Bo Xilai was the beneficiary of considerable patronage from former Communist Party leader Jiang Zemin.[107] He is thus associated with Jiang's faction,[68] sometimes referred to as the "elitists," that is generally known to favor a model that emphasizes free trade, economic development in the coastal regions, and export-led growth. It is a coalition composed largely of "princelings" (the children of high-ranking former party leaders), business people, leaders of coastal cities, and members of the erstwhile "Shanghai clique."[108] By contrast, the "populist" coalition of Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao advocates more balanced economic development and improvements to China's social safety net.[68] The populist faction is generally associated with the "left," and comprised rural leaders, socialist intellectuals, and several leaders who rose to prominence through their connections with the Communist Youth League.[108]
Although Bo is identified with the elitist bloc for his time in Liaoning and as Minister of Commerce, during his tenure in the interior city of Chongqing, he adopted a number of populist policies more typically associated with the left. Namely, he implemented social housing programs, gave residency status (and therefore the associated social welfare benefits) to rural migrant workers, and emphasized a need for a more balanced distribution of wealth.[109] Although Bo relentlessly pursued technology, capital, and business opportunities, he also spearheaded a large number of government programs to help the working class and disadvantaged groups.[38] Bo's campaigns against corruption also allegedly seized the assets of private entrepreneurs, in turn funneling these funds into state projects and welfare programs, effectively re-asserting state control over wealth.[47] He also sought to promote "red culture," and mandated the revival of Mao-era slogans and songs, evoking a time of an egalitarian society.
Bo's policies in Chongqing ultimately made him a prominent figure among neo-Maoists and leftists,[47] and a representative of the conservative wing of the Communist Party. Although Bo did not favor the discontinuation of market economics or a return to Mao-era policies, he was seen to advocate a strong role for the state in peoples' lives.[110] Bo's anti-corruption campaign, in particular, earned him a reputation for heavy-handedness and authoritarian methods in crime and punishment.[111][112] Bo's policies put him in opposition to the more liberal and reform-oriented faction, particularly Premier Wen Jiabao and Guangdong party chief Wang Yang, who favored the strengthening of rule of law and a continuation of political reform.[47][110] To observers, Bo and Wang's verbal warfare over the future direction of development marked an increasing polarization of Chinese politics into leftist and reformer camps.[113]
Bo's first wife was Li Danyu, the daughter of former Beijing Party First Secretary Li Xuefeng. Their son, Li Wangzhi, graduated from Columbia University in 2001.[114][115] Li Danyu insisted that her son change his surname to Li following her divorce from Bo Xilai.[114] Li Wangzhi is reportedly low-key and modest, and has a master's degree in media studies. He worked at Citibank and a law firm in Beijing.[114]
Bo married his second wife, Gu Kailai, in 1986. Gu was a prominent lawyer and founder of the Kailai lawfirm in Beijing.[116] Gu's father, Gu Jingsheng, was a Communist revolutionary. Her mother, Fan Chengxiu, is a descendant of the renowned Song Dynasty Prime Minister and Poet Fan Zhongyan.[116]
Bo Xilai drew criticism from others in the party for his high-profile courting of media attention and using his family pedigree to further the interests of his wife and her law firm.[9] Bo denied that his wife had profited from his position, saying that his wife had retired her legal practice while the couple lived in Dalian in the 1990s. Bo said that Gu "now basically just stays at home, doing some housework for me."[117] Jiang Weiping claimed that Gu served as Bo's "gatekeeper" when Bo was the mayor of Dalian, regularly accepting gifts and bribes from property developers seeking access to him, and from Party officials seeking government appointments.[118] There was speculation that Bo Xilai may have attempted to interfere with a corruption investigation into his wife.[119] Following his dismissal, his wife was reported to have been implicated in the death of British businessman and family friend Neil Heywood.[120]
Bo and Gu have one son, Guagua. He attended Harrow School, and was later admitted to Balliol College, Oxford, where in 2006 he started studying for a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics. Guagua then went on to study at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government.[121][122] Bo Guagua's high-profile and privileged lifestyle has provided tabloid fodder for Chinese-language media.[117][121] Asked how he could afford his son's tuition fees on his estimated annual salary of $22,000,[121] Bo replied that his son received "full scholarships" from the respective institutions.[117] Maclean's reported that Bo's family associate, Neil Haywood, pulled strings to have Guagua accepted into Harrow shortly after becoming involved with Bo.[118]
Bo Xiyong, Bo Xilai's eldest brother, is a vice-chairman and executive director of Hong Kong-listed China Everbright International, but does so under a pseudonym. Although the name used, according to company filings, is 'Li Xueming', the company declined to confirm if they are one and the same.[123]
Political offices | ||
Preceded by Zhang Guoguang |
Governor of Liaoning 2003–2004 Acting 2001–2003 |
Succeeded by Zhang Wenyue |
Preceded by Lü Fuyuan |
Minister of Commerce of the People's Republic of China 2004–2007 |
Succeeded by Chen Deming |
Party political offices | ||
Preceded by Wang Yang |
Secretary of the CPC Chongqing Committee 2007–2012 |
Succeeded by Zhang Dejiang |
Persondata | |
Name | Bo, Xilai |
Alternative names | |
Short description | Chinese politician |
Date of birth | 3 July 1949 |
Place of birth | Beijing |
Date of death | |
Place of death |


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Boss 101
A boy and his jetpack save the world against an army of randomly generated bosses.
4.01 / 5.00 39,512 ViewsLog in to save your medals! Don't have an account? Create one for free!
After much waiting, Dad is BACK! Play as Dad and go on an adventure to save his town! Once you finish the story mode, test your skills in the 4 unlockable challenge rooms! Unlock secret weapons and fancy accessories to help Dad on his quest! Can you get 100% completion??? :D :D :D
"Dadgame: The Soundtrack" is on SALE!! Now available at sakupen.com!!!
9/22/09 - TEMPORARY MEDAL FIX! Go to the unlock menu and hit the NG MEDALS button!
If your medals aren't working it's because of the NG medals system. Tom is working on this, so be patient and it'll be fixed! In the meantime, there is a button in the unlock menu which will resubmit the medal unlock code based on your game progress
Me:(Shows My Dad This as a Fathers day gift) (5 hours later) Dad:(Still playing Dadgame earning everything) me:(O_o)

subset: commoncrawl


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On Sat, Feb 23, 2013 at 6:02 PM, |*Pinky's Lover *| said:
stopin by to tell my babe I miss an love her :)))
On Sun, Oct 14, 2012 at 10:06 AM, |*Pinky's Lover *| said:
Happy Late 18th Birthday Babe (: I Didn't Forget .. I Love You
On Wed, May 30, 2012 at 8:04 AM, howard said:
On Thu, May 17, 2012 at 1:36 PM, |*Pinky's Lover *| said:
when they ask mehh if im single? i tell'em "im TAKEN !!!" #complicated-bmc boyz
On Wed, May 16, 2012 at 11:33 AM, |*RiRi's Lover *| said:
dhixx behh Riri hackin my baby's page_lolss #team_hack'd
On Wed, May 16, 2012 at 11:20 AM, |*Pinky's Lover *| said:
yuhh tell'em boo...lolss myy lil mama goin hard #team_hard core
On Wed, May 16, 2012 at 8:21 AM, |*RiRi's Lover *| said:
Ohkay look man ; all yall femaless gonn' have too stop writin' on my page , i gotta girl i know yall see dhat ; but all dhat love & bae shixt is OVERRR !
On Wed, May 16, 2012 at 8:19 AM, Swagger_Fresh said:
no problem bae
On Thu, May 10, 2012 at 11:32 AM, Nickipickyy said:
I know that everybody has love 4 you but I have the most
On Tue, May 8, 2012 at 8:14 AM, Mrzz. CaRtEr said:
Hey jusxx stop'n by to show MAJOR' love.... FwM!!!!


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The family of Joanne Cadrain invites her friends to join them in honoring her as she turns 80. An open house will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, April 12, at her home located at 1780 1300 Road in Delta.
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You see all these HD remakes of old games these days on XBox Live Arcade and PS Network (off the top of my head: Worms, StreetFighter 2, Monkey Island, Beyond Good & Evil, Perfect Dark...etc) and IMO it would be amazing to see GTA 1 + 2 remade in this way.
They could even use assets (vehicles, peds, textures, buildings) etc from GTA 4, and just lock it to a top down view. There's a mode in CoD Black Ops called 'Dead Ops Arcade' which basically does what I'm saying: uses character models from the single player campaign and changes the gameplay to something like Smash TV, with the top down view and moving the player with the left stick, shooting with the right.
In my idea of how they should remake this game, that's probably the control scheme I'd imagine, while the buttons ( etc) could do the same purpose as GTA 4 pretty much.
Although, maybe there's a mod for the original games that would just let me fix the controls a bit... but whatever, what do you all think? Who would buy a HD Remake of GTA 1 + 2, with top notch 3D/2D graphics?
Basically like the above images, but more zoomed out... and in GTA's Liberty City, not GTA 4's or GTA 3's.
(pictures taken from the GTA Wiki)
Edited by PigManDan, 15 June 2011 - 12:22 AM.


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DOWNEY -- The El Camino Real girls soccer team was pushed to a point it had never been before Saturday at the Southern California Div. I regional final.
And the Conquistadores displayed the calm and resolve that has led made them the most successful program in City Section history.
ECR converted all seven penalty kicks and sophomore goalkeeper Alex Best made a stop to lift El Camino Real to a 7-6 shootout victory over Westview of San Diego at Warren High after the teams played to a scoreless draw.
El Camino Real (20-3-4) is the third program, along with Santa Margarita and San Clemente, to have its boys and girls teams win regional titles in the tournament's six-year history.
It also became the first area girls team to win a regional Div. I title, alongside its boys team, which captured a championship in 2009.
And it was Best who made the last save.
On the Wolverines' seventh penalty-kick attempt, Best blocked Laura Buck's shot with diving stop to the left, setting off a wild celebration.
"I knew I had to make the save for us to win it," Best said. "I read (Buck) before she took the kick. When I made the save, I looked down to make sure I had the ball in my hands. Next thing I know, I was being dogpiled."
The teams traded penalty kicks until the seventh round when Julia Herbkersman drilled her shot inside the right post, setting the stage for Best.
Westview (16-10-3) almost ended it in sudden- death overtime when Buck had a shot in the open net but the ball was cleared by ECR defender Shannon Appleton.
El Camino Real, which extended its unbeaten streak to 18, also had a scoring chance in the 74th minute, but Alex Marquez's shot from the left side just missed wide right.
"I kept thinking I didn't want to go into overtime," said Marquez, who had three of ECR's seven shots. "I knew once we got into PKs we would pull it out. We've come too far and worked too hard to let it slip away."


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Teacher quality
Principal leadership
Parent involvement
This school rates poorly in all areas. The curriculum may be touted as above average but that is meaningless if the school and teachers fail. And Challenger fails. There are many public schools in the area that outshine Challenger and I would think there are plenty of private schools in the area that can do better than Challenger in all aspects.
We did Challenger for four years. No more! My issues? 1.Teacher:Student ratio. Supposed to be 1:14. It's been 1:24 since 1st grade. 2. Total lack of accountability on the teachers' parts. My son aces his home assignments but struggles in class. I ask for in-class materials to be sent home so I can help him. I'm told no, he needs to do better in class. How can I control what happens during class? That's the teacher's job, but she's busy focusing on 23 other students. 3. Study materials are notes taken during class. Well, he's 7 and the notes are, expectantly, lacking. When I ask for textbooksto be sent home I am told that the they won't be any help to him. They are no good so she pulls from other resources. Why doesn't he have proper textbooks? 4. My son was bullied. When he told his teacher that he was being made fun of, she said "Don't tattle." 5. I have a BA in English and I constantly correct spelling and grammar mistakes made by the TEACHERS when grading tests and assignments. 6. "Challenger isn't for everyone." That's their response to these issues and more If all that matters is the prestige of saying "Challenger, that's my school!" then go ahead and empty your pocketbooks.
I have two kids at Challenger - a 4yo and a 2nd grade. I can't say enough positive things about the academic achievement both have obtained. Challenger teaches the love of learning in the preschool class and the pride of achievement in the elementary - along with an advanced classroom school work. The teachers have been very responsive when I had a question or concern and proactive in making sure my elementary student fully understood the concepts in class. I can't say enough good things about the school and staff.
My son has being attending the challenger school since he was 3 years old. He is now almost 10 and it is the great school and his siblings will be attending this coming fall. I can not imagine enrolling my children to a different school. The school is very advance academically and they teach to respect each others so there is no bullying.
Challenger school though it boosts of many benefits to its students has some definite issues parents should be aware of prior to enrolling their children in this school. First, the school may have supposed highly developed programs yet it does not communicate with the parents so therefore tracking a child's progress is very difficult. On many occasions my wife and I spoke with our child's teacher asking for more communication, the teacher to explain her grading system (as our child scored a 10/10 on the first portion of a test; on the second portion, which was on the same page, scored a 5/10 yet received an overall 50%, while 15/20 should equal 75%), and updates weekly which were not provided. As a parent who wants to be involved, this school and it's teachers make that more difficult. Second, as many other reviews specified this school is always focused on the results that matter to them, not on developing a child's social skills or interests in experiences outside the classroom. The students at an early age are pressured more, receive more homework, and are less socially experienced than this students in a public school.
My twin boys have been going to the preschool program at Challenger for 2 years now. They started with the 3's class and just finished the 4's class this year. My husband and I have been thrilled with all the things that they have learned through Challenger. They are reading...counting...learning about our presidents....etc. This is a real school...not your garden variety place that is really just a day care. Very happy to recommend Challenger to anyone.
Challenger gets an A+ for academics. Challenger provides a challenging program that our kids love. From the start, children are learning rules of phonics and spelling, grammar rules, poems, speeches, math facts, logic and more all while having fun. From what we have seen so far, a child educated at Challenger will be at least a grade level above public and private school counterparts. Challenger is not a school where every child gets an award or trophy, given so that every child can "feel good" about being there. It is really refreshing to be able to escape the mediocrity that is so prevalent is so many schools today, where standards are seem to have been dropped so that all students can feel great and get promoted to the next grade. Challenger is a unique school and with the good we have learned to take the bad. Some areas that could use improvement are: Parent/Teacher/Administration Communication - The school does not encourage proactive communication from parents. They do not have regular parent teacher conferences, no email contact whatsoever. Adopt Technology - Less paper and start sending emails! Class Sizes - The class sizes have increased by 20%-25% this year.
My child has went to challenger school for a few years now. This school was great intel my child hit the first grade. The classes are as big as public school with only one teacher. The the communication with teachers and parents is very poor. If your child happens to fall behind in firts grade they just keep moving foward without notifying you before its to late. They don't let the childern express there self they are like walking robots, and hope your child doesn't get an altercation because they won't notify you and then all of a sudden your child will be sent home on suspension for even get expelled. What Challenger doesn't understand is first graders are still young and learning in life, they expect them to be perfect and if they aren't they don't have time for it. I use to believe in this school intel my child started first grade and then I realized that all they care about is the money. They make u feel like your child isn't good enough if they have any kind of problems. It sucks that a lot of these private school have become so corporate and really forgot the true meaning of a private school. If you are thinking for taking your child here I would strongly reconsider.
This school has to be one of the worst private school I have ever seen. They classes are large the teacher don't care if your child falls behind there is no communcation between parents and teachers. They don't let your child express there self at all. If your child mess up at all they make them feel like they are a bad kid. They will suspend or even expel your child for the littlest things. I'm disappointed in myself that I wasted any of my time or money at the school.
I am so disappointed at this school, the teachers do not really care About the students , they just want results no matter what. They want kids to be robots.
My son is in the 3 year old preschool program and my husband and I could not be happier! Our son loves the teachers and staff and will push us out of the class room to leave. We are amazed with the level of education he is receiving in a preschool class. He is already reading at a 1st grade level and asks us to write sentances with him! If I can, I would have him in Challenger until he graduates high school.
Both my daughter and son have attended Challenger beginning at 2 years of age, and we have had nothing but a great experience throughout all of our years there. The teachers are all very nurturing and supportive of the students and their individuals needs. The staff is very consistent with their policies, which made the communication process very seamless. Both of my kids received an outstanding education and social skills from Challenger, and I am forever grateful that their first years in school were so impactful. Although there are costs involved to attend Challenger, we felt that it was worth every penny. You can't put a price on this type of education, especially in the most important years of a child's development.
Challenger-that's my school! I could not dislike this school if I tried. The staff has been so understanding with my sons transition to a real preschool from daycare. He had a rough beginning, but they stayed consistent with their behavior management techniques and hung in there with us. He is now starting to read at 3, he knows his numbers and can sing me a new song everyday we pick him up from school. My wife and I also love that this school teaches about liberty and values. Go see it for yourself, the bad reviews on here must be bitter about something other than Challenger.
My daughter has been going to this school since she turned two and half .. I love this school's teacher and way's for teaching. If I could tell you guys anything I would say sign your childern up for this school asap..
I am sending my daughter in Pre-K and I am really happy at her pace, her confidence building and her ability to read. She is having all the fun activities without omitting the high standard of education. I never faced a rude behaviour from the front desk. I am amazed at how people twist things. Well, for me so far the experience is very good.
Wow. I have rarely seen a posting board full of so many ghost written entries. It is very obvious that either the staff or the teachers have been hard at work writing pretty little things to overcome the serious drawbacks of such a school. The children are like little robots and are not allowed to express themselves in school which causes behavior issues in the home. Worst of all, I am comparing the study/class materials used by Challenger to places like Kindercare and I am regretting my decision to dump so much money into Challenger. I now know that I was keeping up with the Joneses. What a waste.
We love this school. My 3 year old son attends Challenger at Silverado. He is reading and loves to read at home. He can't get enough of activity books that include spelling and counting and even beginning math. The staff is great, esp. the preschool director. We wouldn't go anywhere else. They are teaching him to think for himself and to be a leader. Who wouldn't want that for their kids?
Great School!!!!! The front desk is amazing. My child is reading and she is 3! Not only reading, but is extreamly well rounded and confiedent to take on the world. There are parties and activities every month that parents are encouraged to come to. I can not say it enough, we love Challenger!
I am a student at Challenger. I absolutely LOVE it there. Compared to all my friends, I am the smartest, because of the challenging acedemic programs. The teachers are great, and friendly, though they teach strongly biased things on the government. The principal is welcoming, and friendly, but also able to listen to a students arguments if they get sent to the office! This school is absolutely WONDERFUL! I highly recommend it, though i go to the LONE MOUNTAIN campus, not the silverado campus! Challenger is a great school that teaches children to be individuals, to respect the rights of others! Challenger is overall AWESOME!
I'm amazed after reading some of the reviews. I have been sending my children there for 5 years now. The curriulm is amazing but so are the teachers. My children love each and every one of them. The front office has always been warm, welcoming and helpful. Yes there is a fun field day on the last day of school but there are also so many other events throughout the year which the children are excited for. The children are so proud when we see them at Western Days, eat with them at their Thanksgiving Feast, sing to us at the Winter and Spring programs. They show us their proud work at the Spelling Bee, Speech Festival, Young Author, and Science Fair presentations. The children receive an amazing education and learn to respect themselves and the rights of others.
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The Community Rating is the school's average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.
1725 E Serene Ave
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Expedition Cruises to the Antarctic Peninsula and Sub-Antarctic Islands
Experience one of the world's greatest natural history destinations on one of our superb expedition cruises. Our award-winning program includes voyages to the Antarctic Peninsula, the Falklands, South Georgia Island, the epic Ross Sea, and New Zealand's incredible sub-Antarctic wildlife oases.
View our brochure in three ways!
- Online digital brochure to view on your computer or mobile device
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Want to experience WT's award-winning annual Catalog online? Check out the new digital version of our 2014 Catalog. Special features include a Table of Contents bar, a search feature, and a thumbstrip display, all of which make the navigation a breeze.
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WNAB-TV CW58 Shows - The 100
Draconian measures including capital punishment and population control are the order of the day, as the leaders of the Ark take ruthless steps to ensure their future, including secretly exiling a group of 100 juvenile prisoners to the Earth's surface to test whether it's habitable. For the first time in nearly a century, humans have returned to planet Earth.
Among the 100 exiles are Clarke, the bright teenage daughter of the Ark's chief medical officer; Wells, son of the Arks Chancellor; the daredevil Finn; and the brother/sister duo Bellamy and Octavia, whose illegal sibling status has always led them to flaunt the rules. Technologically blind to whats happening on the planet below them, the Arks leaders - Clarkes widowed mother, Abby; the Chancellor, Jaha; and his shadowy second in command, Kane - are faced with difficult decisions about life, death and the continued existence of the human race.
For the 100 young people on Earth, however, the alien planet theyve never known is a mysterious realm that can be magical one moment and lethal the next. With the survival of the human race entirely in their hands, THE 100 must find a way to transcend their differences, unite and forge a new path on a wildly changed Earth thats primitive, intense and teeming with the unknown.


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Flash is not supported on this device. If you wish to listen to this audio, you must download and play an mp3 using an mp3 player on your device. CLICK HERE
Press the play button to hear the latest news from THE REGION.
Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson, alongside Gary Police Chief Wade Ingram and members of the Gary Police and Fire Departments Thursday, announced charges had been filed against two Lake Station men, accused of murder, murder in the perpetration of arson and arson in the blaze that killed 33-year-old Bernice King and her 14-year-old daughter Angel Harris at Lakeshore Dunes apartments last week. Police allege the deadly fire that also left dozens homeless was set after a disagreement over a deal involving an X-Box and marijuana. Freeman-Wilson attended funeral services for the victims earlier in the day.
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Blackout: Homes in darkness, lay-offs and traffic chaos
The price the public will pay if ESB strike starts on December 16th as semi-state's chief executive Pat O'Doherty (pictured) refuses to answer questions
The price the public will pay if ESB strike starts on December 16th as semi-state's chief executive Pat O'Doherty (pictured) refuses to answer questions
Tense two-hour stand-off with gardai on suburban street ends as man shoots himself in the head
Met Eireann warns of strong gusts
Boy alleged to have spent two days with Dr Pfeiffer at his home
Tony O'Brien's top-up not formally sanctioned
Consumers losing out as vouchers expire
Sinn Fein leader came under intense pressure to apologise last night
Whistleblower may have learnt to hack on €1,200 course
Return of popular show to streaming service
Come to wise conclusions by following these tips
PAUL WALLACE believes Leinster's Irish players can channel their All Black disappointment into a performance at Franklin's Gardens this weekend.
Loyalty and consistency in politics is often judged only in party political terms. However, it has always been my view that fidelity to your personal beliefs and values are also important.
Would you pay haute-cuisine prices for a fish pie TV dinner?
Mother of two Edel Shaw was overcome with emotion when she brought her son Jack, fondly nicknamed Dash, to a new sensory friendly show created for children with autism at Dublin's Helix Theatre.
Two Facebook pranksters who posted a photo of themselves with a mat from the Carbon Nightclub in Galway have been issued a challenge from the bar.
Join Denise Calnan from 6:30am to 10:30am for all your news, entertainment, traffic and weather updates this morning.
19 magical Christmas markets in Ireland and Europe
Man said to be in a critical condition after incident with gardai this afternoon. Credit: Damien Eagers
Giant craters were ripped out of roads in southern Italy and buildings sank into the ground after a major landslide tore through a small town.
JUSTICE Minister Alan Shatter has described Gerry Adams's claim that two RUC officers were to blame for their own murders as "nauseating". Credit: Kyran O'Brien
A MINI earthquake has been recorded off the Cork coast – for the first time since records began.
A MAN who shot himself in the head with his own gun was taken to hospital after a tense two-hour stand-off with gardai on a suburban street.
A 'SPARE tyre' or 'beer gut' can weaken our ability to fight cancer, according to new research.
There are some evenings at Anfield when a footballer is granted a standing ovation, and others when only gasps of approval are sufficient.
ALL-IRELAND club football champions St Brigid's have confirmed they will seek a hearing after star player Frankie Dolan was hit with a proposed 48-week suspension following an incident in their Connacht club SFC final defeat to Castlebar.
Ulster centre Darren Cave has risked burning his bridges with Ireland after he admitted that his "face may not fit" following his omission from the November internationals.
Ireland named best country for business
Facebook's staff in Ireland reaped a €11.84m share windfall in 2012, the same year the social networking giant floated on the Nasdaq stock exchange.
More than €400m worth of sales were wiped from Tesco's Irish arm in the third quarter following a plunge in its business here as the retail giant lost ground to Lidl and Aldi.
Olympic diver's new partner said to be Hollywood writer Dustin Lance Black, who won an Oscar for gay rights movie.
Top model Nadia Forde is proving to be a popular stocking filler for Christmas.
Jay Z and Beyoncé are going vegan until Christmas Day.
NIGELLA Lawson explained yesterday for the first time the story behind the now infamous row in Scott's restaurant.
Nelson Mandela, South Africa's ailing former president, is not "doing well" but is continuing to put up a courageous fight from his "death bed", his family have said.
Edward Snowden, the CIA contractor who revealed the scale of America's internet surveillance around the world, may have learnt the hacking skills to leak thousands of files on a €1,200 course he attended in India.
Anne grabs 390,000 viewers in her TV quiz comebackDELIGHTED: Anne Doyle
The Downton Abbey Christmas special is set to be one of the TV highlights of the festive season.
There was a surprise double eviction for the I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here! campmates - as dancer Vincent Simone and television presenter Matthew Wright were given the boot.
Daniel Radcliffe jokes about how often he gets naked on screen, but says it isn't as much as Ewan McGregor.
Will Ferrell has been discussing why the team decided to make another Anchorman movie and the pressures when making a sequel.
Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lilly and Martin Freeman hit the red carpet for the world premiere of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug in LA.
19 magical Christmas markets in Ireland and Europe to explore.
The only problem with this beautiful place is there is too much to do and see.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is a charity that saves lives at sea. It provides an on-call, 24-hour lifeboat search and rescue service off the coast of Ireland and the UK and on selected inland waters.
As Jade Jagger announces that her 21-year-old daughter Assisi is pregnant, Gabrielle Monaghan asks if youth tops experience for mothers
Campaigner Katie Piper said her life has changed in a "wonderful" way since she discovered she was pregnant - and revealed she is expecting a baby girl.
My daughter turns one next week.
This good publicity will be wiped away by the greed of Brendan Ogle and the ESB workers
If these top-ups are "allowances" do the recipients pay tax on them?
The price we pay should be taken out on the ESB workers, we should protest the protesters and show them up for they are.
Glam up your glasses ahead of Christmas party season thanks to Aurora at Specsavers.
Specsavers is once again sponsoring the children's categories at this year's Bord Gais Energy Irish Book Awards.
The clock's going back and the end of Daylight Savings Time marks a period when the days get shorter and the evenings get longer.
If you get a strong sense of 'déjà vu' when you open your Christmas presents this year, you may have very good reason.
There's a new dance craze sweeping Ireland ...
A new study of people in Ireland has found that those who consult a financial adviser have more than twice the value in savings and investments than those who don't (€50,800 v €24,447)
The increase in the credit appeal limit figure from €500k to €3m, has been given a strong welcome by the Head of the Credit Review Office, John Trethowan.
The natural choice for parcel deliveries in Ireland has always been An Post. With unrivalled local knowledge, An Post collect from any address in the Republic of Ireland and deliver nationwide or anywhere worldwide.
Financial freedom …. These two words are on everybody's wishlist.


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Hi all,
Last week I purchased my first Mustang - a 2008 GT.
We got the car from Texas Direct Auto, and they acquired it from an auction. There has been some aftermarket upgrades, the most obvious one is the exhaust system - I revved it for my mother, grandmother, and toddler son. My mom screamed, my grandmother threw her hands up and dang near had a heart attack, and it made my son cry.
In other words, it sounds "just right" IMO
Being new to mustangs (and sports cars in general) can someone please give advice on any of the following:
1. Mustang friendly shops
2. How to find out what upgrades have been done
3. Who's got a good dyno to benchmark my car
4. Anything else that, as a noob, I don't know to ask about.


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Just because you have a restricted diet, doesn't mean you have a restricted life.
This sounds so nice!
thanks jennifer! it's gonna be fab. i heard the kids play last spring (in prep for this year) and they are fantastic musicians! and inspiring to see kids playing songs from the 20s, 30s & 40s. love it!
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