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<p>Verizon Communications Inc's AOL digital media company will lay off 5 percent of its workforce, or about 500 employees, to consolidate operations after recent acquisitions, a person familiar with the situation said on Thursday.</p>
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<p>Most of the cuts will be in corporate units, including human resources, finance, marketing and communications, while resources will be shifted more to AOL's mobile, video and data offerings, the source said.</p>
<p>Chief Executive Officer Tim Armstrong informed employees about the workforce cuts in an email on Thursday morning.</p>
<p>"Due to the deals we have done over the past 12 months, we have added over 1,500 new people to the company," Armstrong said in the email, which Reuters saw. "As we have settled into those changes, there are a number of areas that require consolidation to improve operations and limit the amount of hand-offs in our business processes."</p>
<p>Verizon bought AOL for $4.4 billion in July last year, betting that a push into mobile video and targeted advertising could help it tap revenue outside the saturated wireless market.</p>
<p>Following that, AOL took over much of Microsoft Corp's advertising technology business and bought Millennial Media for about $250 million.</p>
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<p>The cuts do not stem from Verizon's impending plans to buy Yahoo Inc's core internet properties for $4.83 billion. Verizon, the No. 1 U.S. wireless provider, said in July it would buy Yahoo to combine its websites, search, email and messenger assets as well as advertising technology tools with AOL.</p>
<p>Technology news site Recode first reported news of the job cuts in an interview with Armstrong. (http://on.recode.net/2g1Bpsv)</p>
<p>(Reporting by Malathi Nayak in Washington and Rishika Sadam in Bengaluru; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn)</p> | AOL to Lay Off 500 Employees | true | http://foxbusiness.com/markets/2016/11/17/aol-to-lay-off-500-employees.html | 2016-11-17 | 0 |
<p>It has the escalating, claustrophobic structure of the darkest farce, but humor doesn’t pile up in “ <a href="http://variety.com/t/under-the-tree/" type="external">Under the Tree</a>” so much as it bleeds out. In the course of Icelandic writer-director <a href="http://variety.com/t/hafsteinn-gunnar-sigurdsson/" type="external">Hafsteinn Gunnar Sigurdsson</a>’s memorably mordant third feature, savage black comedy passes almost imperceptibly into stunned, visceral tragedy — like a laugh turning in the throat and coming out as a choke. Charting an initially familiar battle of across-the-fence attrition between bad neighbors in polite surroundings, Sigurdsson gradually takes petty bourgeois tensions to alien, gasp-worthy extremes; what the film occasionally lacks in human finesse, it makes up for in sheer anything-goes resolve. The bleakness of its blackness might not portend a major crossover hit, but on the strength of both its universality and its singular Scandi irony, “Under the Tree” should spread its branches into international arthouses.</p>
<p>Columbia graduate Sigurdsson’s 2011 debut feature “Either Way” wasn’t widely released beyond the festival circuit, but wound up being comfortably remade by David Gordon Green as “Prince Avalanche” — and it’s not hard to see the director’s latest enjoying similar treatment, given how smoothly its sins-of-suburbia narrative could transfer to a middle-American context. Which is not to say “Under the Tree” wants for cultural or geographical particularity, beginning with the dove-gray northern light that dominates&#160;Monika Lenczewska’s deliberately muted widescreen lensing: With a wry eye for trivial detail, Sigurdsson fills in a boxy, tidy, perennially overcast world where even the outdoors seem indoors, and the parking lot of IKEA doubles for one desperate parent as an idyllic picnic spot.</p>
<p>The parent in question is Atli (Steinþór Hróar Steinþórsson), an unremarkable thirtysomething husband and father thrown out on his ear by his wife Agnes (Lára Jóhanna Jónsdóttir) after being caught wet-handed with an old girlfriend’s sex tape. Her calm, abrupt decision to cut him from her life and that of their young daughter sends Atli into a fevered spiral of stalking, though their messy, hostile separation is practically civil compared to the film’s other driving dispute, as Atli’s retired parents — into whose trim modern identikit house their son is forced to move — go to war with their younger, somewhat hipper neighbors Konrad (Þorsteinn Bachmann) and Eybjorg (Selma Björnsdóttir).</p>
<p>Sigurdsson and co-writer Huldar Breiðfjörð’s Chablis-dry script deftly staggers conflict not just across domestic walls, but between them, with points of argument ranging from patently absurd to distinctly raw. Atli’s father Baldvin (Sigurður Sigurjónsson, quietly excellent) is mild-mannered to a point; his mother Inga (Edda Björgvinsdóttir), however, has long dispensed with niceties even to her nearest and dearest, corroded as she is by mourning for an absent second son. Unhinged grief pulls her into arguments with anyone, with newish trophy wife Eybjorg her most persistent opponent — and the vast, venerable tree in Inga’s backyard their most regular bone of contention.</p>
<p>Such towering natural features are rare in an area of manicured lawns and sharp-cornered patios, and the film and Inga alike treat the tree as an old-school emblem of tradition and security; to Eybjorg, however, it’s merely a large, unwanted shadow on her year-round sunbathing space. Foliage isn’t the only thing under threat in an ugly clash between old and new worlds: Family members, material possessions and pets are all potentially caught in the crossfire, and Sigurdsson watches the extreme fallout with a dispassionate gaze that only amplifies the frequent, galling ugliness of the situation. Given the most flagrantly off-kilter character in the ensemble,&#160;Björgvinsdóttir takes much the same approach: Her deep-frozen performance skilfully hovers on the line between catatonic and psychotic, with alternately, sometimes simultaneously, hilarious and horrifying results.</p>
<p>Talented, country-hopping cinematographer Lenczewska (whose diverse recent credits range from “Message to the King” to the new-wave Greek formality of “Park”) opts for about the most washed-out palette available in each frame — a half-erased palette that initially seems limiting but eventually connotes the pervasive extent of the characters’ respective emotional fugs. Daníel Bjarnason’s tart, brittle score makes clear from the outset that this is no cuddly dysfunctional family sitcom, though its yawning silences leave plenty of room for unsettled laughter.</p>
<p>Reviewed at Venice Film Festival (Orizzonti), Sept. 1, 2017. (Also in Toronto Film Festival — Contemporary World Cinema.) Running time: 89 MIN. (Original title: “Undir Trénu”)</p>
<p>(Iceland-Denmark-Poland-Germany) A Netop Films, Profile Pictures, Madants, One Two Films production. (International sales: New Europe Film Sales, Warsaw.) Producers: Grímar Jónsson, Sindri Páll Kjartansson, Þórir Snær Sigurjónsson. Co-producers: Caroline Schluter Bingestam, Ditte Milsted, Jacob Jarek, Beata Rzeźniczek, Klaudia Smieja, Jamila Wenske, Sol Bondy.</p>
<p>Director: Hafsteinn Gunnar Sigurdsson. Screenplay: Sigurdsson, Huldar Breiðfjörð. Camera (color, widescreen): Monika Lenczewska. Editor: Kristján Loðmfjörð. Music: Daníel Bjarnason.</p>
<p>Steinþór Hróar Steinþórsson, Edda Björgvinsdóttir, Sigurður Sigurjónsson, Lára Jóhanna Jónsdóttir, Þorsteinn Bachmann, Selma Björnsdóttir, Dóra Jóhannsdóttir, Sigríður Sigurpálsdóttir Scheving. (Icelandic dialogue)</p> | Film Review: ‘Under the Tree’ | false | https://newsline.com/film-review-under-the-tree/ | 2017-09-18 | 1 |
<p>Thirteen-time “Playboy” cover model and actress Pamela Anderson shared an emotional tribute with the world on Instagram after the death of the magazine’s founder, Hugh Hefner. Hefner died at the Playboy Mansion on&#160;Wednesday at the age of 91 due to natural causes. His death emotionally impacted Anderson, as seen in the video, because outside of […]</p> | Pamela Anderson Breaks Down During Emotional Hugh Hefner Tribute | false | https://newsline.com/pamela-anderson-breaks-down-during-emotional-hugh-hefner-tribute/ | 2017-09-28 | 1 |
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<p>PHOENIX — A 9-year-old boy shot in the head by his 2-year-old brother with their mother’s handgun died Tuesday, and their mother told police she had previously let the toddler handle the gun when it wasn’t loaded, authorities said.</p>
<p>Landen Lavarnia was declared dead at a hospital, Phoenix police spokesman Sgt. Vince Lewis said. Police had initially said the boy died on Monday when he was shot. But they corrected themselves and said he remained on life support earlier Tuesday before dying in the late afternoon.</p>
<p>The mother, Wendy Lavarnia, 28, told police she had put her loaded gun on a bed within reach of her 2-year-old and 4-year-old sons while she turned to get a holster, according to court records. That’s when the 2-year-old grabbed the gun and shot her 9-year-old son, who was playing video games a few feet away, police said.</p>
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<p>Wendy Lavarnia told police she had allowed “the 2-year-old to practice pulling the trigger of this gun when empty on previous occasions,” the records showed.</p>
<p>Lavarnia had appeared in court briefly before the boy was declared dead, and asked the judge whether she could go to the hospital to see him, but the judge said she couldn’t get out of jail without posting a $25,000 bond. The judge also said she had to stay away from victims in the case as well as any children.</p>
<p>She didn’t have an attorney and spoke little during her brief appearance. She was jailed on suspicion of four counts of child abuse — one count for each of her four children in the home.</p>
<p>Lewis says investigators are examining whether to bring additional charges against the boy’s parents.</p>
<p>The father, 31-year-old Kansas Lavarnia, arrived home as police investigated the shooting. He was arrested because he was barred from having a gun in the family home because of a theft conviction, authorities said. He completed a three-year prison sentence in 2012.</p>
<p>Authorities say he knew there was a gun in his home.</p>
<p>He said only his name and date of birth in his court appearance.</p>
<p>He was ordered released on his own recognizance because he isn’t accused of directly causing harm in the shooting by the 2-year-old, said Maricopa County Court Commissioner Paula Williams.</p>
<p>He hasn’t been assigned a lawyer, and there’s no phone listing under his name.</p>
<p>A review conducted by The Associated Press and the USA TODAY Network found that minors died from accidental shootings at their own hands, or at the hands of other children or adults, at a pace of one every other day during the first six months of 2016.</p>
<p>“It’s gun safety,” Jason Burns, a neighbor of the Lavarnias, told KPHO-KTVK-TV (https://goo.gl/qGMpyz ) . “You need to keep it locked up and you need to educate your kids that this is not a toy.</p> | Police: Mom let 2-year-old handle gun before fatal shooting | false | https://abqjournal.com/973222/phoenix-police-9-year-old-shot-at-home-on-life-support.html | 2017-03-21 | 2 |
<p>Foot Locker (NYSE: FL) Q3 2017 Earnings Conference CallNov. 17, 2017 9:00 a.m. ET</p>
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<p>Operator</p>
<p>Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to Foot Locker's Q3 2017 financial results conference call. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. Later, we will conduct a question and answer session. This conference call may contain forward-looking statements that reflect management's current views of future events and financial performance.</p>
<p>These forward-looking statements are based on many [Inaudible] factors including the effects of currency fluctuations and customer preferences, economic and market conditions worldwide and other risk and [Inaudible] described in the company's press release and the SEC filings [Inaudible] to Foot Locker Incorporated's most recently filed our Form 10Q for a complete description of these factors. Any change in such assumptions or factors could produce significantly different results and actual results may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. If you have not received today's release, it is available on the internet at www.PRNewswire.com or www.Foot Locker-Inc.com. Please note this cost is being recorded.</p>
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<p>I will now turn the call over to John Maurer, Vice President and Treasurer, Investor Relations. Mr. Maurer, you may now begin.</p>
<p>John Maurer -- Treasurer, Vice President and Head, Investor Relations</p>
<p>Hello, everyone. We're pleased to have you join us this morning to discuss Foot Locker Inc.'s results for the Q3 of 2017. Joining us on today's call are Lauren Peters, Food Locker's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, who will start with prepared remarks with a detailed review of our financial results and an update of our outlook for the rest of fiscal 2017 and Dick Johnson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, who will discuss how we're positioning the company for success in the midst of the changes we see with our customer and within the broader athletic industry.</p>
<p>First, though, I'll provide you with a brief summary of the company's results which were broadly in line with our expectations going into the quarter. We reported a comparable sales decline of 3.7% and net income of 156 million dollars which equated to earnings of $0.81 per share. These results included a 13-million-dollar pre-tax charge related to reducing and reorganizing our divisional and corporate staff which both Lauren and Dick will touch upon further. This charge equaled $0.06 per share but on a non-GAAP basis, our adjusted EPS for the quarter was $0.87.</p>
<p>A reconciliation of our GAAP to non-GAAP results is provided in the press release issued earlier this morning.</p>
<p>I'll now turn the call over to Lauren.</p>
<p>Lauren Peters -- Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President</p>
<p>Thank you, John. Good morning to all of you and thank you for your interest in Foot Locker. As John mentioned, Q3 comparable sales declined 3.7% within the down 3% or 4% guidance we provided on our prior call and as expected an improvement over the decline we experienced to the Q2. Our comp was negatively affected by hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.</p>
<p>Overall, we had almost 450 stores closed at some point during the Q3 as a result of these storms although for the most part sales were covered in Texas and Florida within the quarter. The primary impact on us was actually from hurricane Maria which shut down all 56 of our stores in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and most of these stores remained closed for a month or more after that devastating storm hit in mid-September. Our thoughts are with the people in the Caribbean and elsewhere including hundreds of our own associates who are continuing to cope bravely with the devastation left behind by this season's hurricanes. We estimate that the net sales loss primarily due to Maria lowered overall comp by 20 to 40 basis points.</p>
<p>Hurricanes also lead to significant inventory losses which I'll get to when I talk about SG&amp;A.</p>
<p>In terms of [Inaudible] comp results, we're steady throughout the period with results in August, September, and October all within the quarterly guidance. Let's now reveal the details of our performance starting with our families of business. As expected, footwear remains challenged and decrease mid-single digits. Apparel, on the other hand, was strong, producing a mid-single-digit comparable sales gain with increases across men's, women's and kids' accessories such as socks and hats [Inaudible] double-digit. Within footwear, sales of men's shoes were down low single digits, kid's decreased mid-single digits and women's posted a double-digit decline. Running remains the strongest category in men's footwear, finishing with a high single-digit comp gain which was driven by [Inaudible] and Air Max 97 form Nike and MMD [Inaudible] from Adidas.</p>
<p>Although men's basketball category decreased mid-single digit, this trend improvement over the double-digit decline in Q2 was driven by stronger sales [Inaudible] of select Jordan retro releases compared to Q2 and other casual basketball styles such Air Force Ones from Nike. And [Inaudible] men's casual styles posted a double-digit drop as strong demand for Vans, especially Old School, and Skate 5 style was more than offset by a decline in Converse and a slower start to our Timberland business compared to last year.</p>
<p>The decline in children's footwear sales was driven by the shifts away from signature basketball and casual court styles. However, the overall downtrend in the kid's business did improve versus Q2 due to the higher sale [Inaudible] for the Jordan Retro releases I just mentioned, a solid running category led by [Inaudible], Shadow and Explore from Adidas and positive results for the Lebron 15 and Lebron Soldier on top of ongoing slow sales [Inaudible] of Superstars and Stan Smith.</p>
<p>Trends in our women's footwear softened further during the quarter due to a lack of new on-trend offering to offset last year's strong demand for Puma Fancy Style. The weaker footwear sales have the biggest impact at [Inaudible] and led to a double-digit comp decline for that brand.</p>
<p>Turning to our apparel business, we were quite pleased that it was at mid-single digits with strong gains across most of our geographies and banners. Branded [Inaudible] and Wind Wear assortments from Nike, Adidas and Champion were the key on-trend items during the quarter. Our branded T-shirt business also had a strong quarter. Overall ASPs and apparels were up high single digit reflecting the more premium assortment in our inventory while units were down low single digit.</p>
<p>Our children's apparel business was up high single digit, men's apparel posted a solid mid-single-digit gain while women's was up double digits. However, the gain in women's apparel was largely markdown driven.</p>
<p>Breaking up the comparable sales results by segment. Direct to customer posted a 6.1% increase while our stores were down 5.1%. Starting with the direct to customer segment, East Bay generated a high single digit top line increase. Our StoreBanner.com businesses in the US and Europe were both up mid-single digit while our digital sales in Canada increased at a strong double-digit rate.</p>
<p>overall, direct to customer sales increased 13.8% of total sales, up from 12.8% a year ago.</p>
<p>Within our store division, Foot Locker Canada and Foot Action posted solid results, both generating low single-digit comp increases led by double-digit gains in apparel and mid-single-digit gains in men's footwear. The other store divisions posted comparable sales decline. In the US, Foot Locker was down low single digits while kid's Foot Locker and Champ Sports were each down mid-single digits. Overall, traffic at our US stores declined mid-single digit.</p>
<p>Internationally, traffic also declined mid-single digit. Comparable sales at Foot Locker Asia Pacific and [Inaudible] were down mid-singles while Foot Locker Europe and Runner's Point were both down low double-digit sales. Sales at Foot Locker Europe which has a relatively high penetration of Adidas were pressured by further declines of Superstars and Stan Smiths and lower than expected sales [Inaudible] of some other Adidas styles.</p>
<p>Moving on to the rest of the income statement. Gross margin decreased 290 basis points, just 31% of sales. The lower rate was driven by a 190-basis-point decrease in our merchandise margin, a 10-basis-point increase and shipping expense and 90 basis points of de-leverage on our occupancy and buyer's compensation expenses. Lower merchandise rate both year over year and compared to last quarter's guidance is the result of higher markdown both in-store and online.</p>
<p>The higher markdowns reflect our ongoing efforts to drive traffic and clear slow moving inventory in the current promotional retail environments. Despite this even greater than anticipated markdown pressure, average selling prices in footwear were actually up low single digits while units were down high single digits.</p>
<p>Our SG&amp;A expense rate rose in the quarter by 30 basis points to 19.7% of sales. Included in SG&amp;A were 7 million dollars of hurricane-related expenses including lost inventory, damage to fixed assets and repair and maintenance expenses. Although we did not adjust our non-GAAP results for these costs which total about $0.03 per share, SG$A would've levered by 10 basis points during the quarter had these hopefully one-time costs not been incurred.</p>
<p>The expense rate performance was driven by the team's consistently strong expense management which helped offset some of the pressures for minimum wage increases and higher healthcare costs. The 13-million-dollar reduction in force and reorganization charge that John mentioned is part of an overall strategy to address the challenges we are facing in today's fast-changing retail environment. The vast majority of the charge relates to severance. The changes, while difficult, position us to create a more agile flexible organization that will concentrate on those strategies that we believe will most effectively drive our long-term earnings growth.</p>
<p>Dick will comment further about these initiatives in a few minutes.</p>
<p>Depreciation expense increased to 44 million dollars from 4 million in the prior year. The increase reflects the investments we have made and continue to make in our store fleet, digital capabilities, and logistics network. On a GAAP basis, our tax rate came in at 34.7%, 380 basis points higher than last year. As you may recall, the lower rate in the Q3 last year reflected the benefit from an intellectual property valuation reassessment in Europe.</p>
<p>The non-GAAP basis of our tax rate was 34.8%.</p>
<p>Inventory ended the quarter down 3.4% from a year ago compared to an overall sales decrease of 0.8%. On a constant currency basis, inventory decreased 4.9% compared to a 2.3% total sales decrease. Our proactive markdown actions during the quarter helped ensure that we are headed into the holidays with the ability to flow in good quantities of our improving product assortments. We ended the quarter with 890 million dollars of cash and cash equivalents and an increase of 25 million dollars from the end of Q3 last year.</p>
<p>We mentioned on our last call that we and our board are fully confident in the ability of our business to reaccelerate over time and that we would consider a full range of share repurchase alternative. Given that and in light of the value we saw in the price of the company's stock, we significantly accelerated our buyback program, spending 304 million dollars to repurchase 8.7 million shares during the quarter. In addition, we returned 38 million dollars to our shareholders through our quarterly dividends. In total, we have returned 482 million dollars to shareholders year to date.</p>
<p>Capital expenditures in the quarter were 54 million dollars, bringing our total through the first 9 months of the year to 204 million. We are on track to spend almost all of the 277 million dollars we planned for 2017.</p>
<p>Turning your real estate, we ended Q3 with 3349 company-owned stores, a decrease of 10 from the end of the Q2. For the year we currently expect to close 150 stores, up from the 135 we mentioned on the last call. We'll open about 90 stores and relocate or remodel 180 stores.</p>
<p>Before I turn the call over to Dick, let me make some comments about how we see Q4 unfolding. We now expect comparable sales to decline 2% to 4%, slightly better than the previous guidance of down 3% to 4%. Gross margin is likely to decrease 220 to 240 basis points in Q4 on a 13-week basis. This decline is steeper than our guidance in August due to the anticipated need to maintain relatively high markdowns in Q4 to move through slow-moving inventory to position ourselves for a stronger 2018.</p>
<p>SG&amp;A is likely to increase by 68 basis points as rate of sale. This is improved from the guidance we gave on the last call, due in large measure to the recent reduction in force I mentioned and the timing shift of certain projects into early 2018. In total, EPS is likely to decrease between 15% to 25% in the Q4. Please remember that this guidance does not include the 53rd week which we still estimate will be worth an incremental $0.12 per share.</p>
<p>With that, let me turn the call over to Dick to discuss our initiative that we believe will reposition the company for a long-term growth. Dick.</p>
<p>Richard Johnson Thank you, Lauren, and good morning, everyone. It's great to have you join us to discuss Foot Locker's performance and the outlook for the future. Before I get started describing the current business dynamics, I want to circle back to the Q3 reorganization charge. While it was a very important step in keeping us headed in the right direction on this journey through the turbulence that defines the retail industry today, it was also a very difficult and painful step.</p>
<p>It was hard to see people who had contributed a great deal to the company leave the business. I want to sincerely thank them for all they did. At the same time, I want to thank the outstanding team of associates of the company today for their leadership and positioning Foot Locker for continued success in our industry.</p>
<p>With the disruption, we are witnessing in retail in general and the athletic industry more specifically, we will have to make many critical decisions as we shape our future. However, the actions we are taking now are not meant to simply enable us to survive in the evolving retail market. Rather, we are proactively adjusting our course to ensure that Foot Locker will continue to thrive at the center of sneaker culture or more broadly youth culture. Due to the creation of outstanding customer engagement, experience, and satisfaction, we believe we will also thrive financially in terms of shareholder returns over the long term.</p>
<p>Let me tell you about a few of the things we are doing to achieve that. First, we are reorganizing our North American businesses to give all channel responsibility to the general managers of each of our banners under the leadership of James Jacob. The level of coordination between the store divisions and our digital commerce team in Wisconsin has improved tremendously over the years. However, having the two groups manage separately, while an effective strategy for the past 20 years is no longer the best approach to creating a seamless brand experience.</p>
<p>A critical step in the process of removing friction points for our customers is having fully integrated sales channel responsibility for each banner.</p>
<p>At the same time, we are investing in the creation of a North America product marketing strategy team led by Andy Gray, which will work closely with our vendors in the cultivation and development unique product platforms and stories that only a partner with the power and reach of Foot Locker Inc. can scale globally. The primary charter advantage scene is to create significant incremental revenue streams through new brand and product ideas. A perfect example of the sort of vendor collaboration with our portfolio of brands that team will be amplifying is today's formal announcement of Foot Locker's partnership with Nike and Sneak Easy, NBA player editions of House of Hoops and Nike [Inaudible] associates of Foot Locker.</p>
<p>Sneak Easy, for example, is a window to what's next in the world of sneakers which will come to life next week during Foot Locker's Week of Greatness. In this case, Nike is clearly demonstrating what differentiated retail looks like for them and how their top strategic partners like us played few ongoing role in bringing it to reality. I'll let you learn more of the details from our joint press release with Nike which is coming up shortly but suffices to say we're very excited for the future as these truly innovative ideas turn into great experiences for our customers.</p>
<p>Another key initiative, as you know, is concentrating a significantly greater portion of our capital and operating spending in enhancing our digital capabilities. We are making solid progress on several fronts including three of the biggest initiatives which I have discussed previously-our new digital what e-commerce platform, our mobile app platform development, and our new POS technology. Each of these multi-year projects will play a key role in enhancing our customer's experience and engage with our banners. Among many other customer-facing benefits, we expect to leverage greater visibility of the shopping and buying patterns of individual customers and households into much more effective loyalty and marketing program initiative, have quicker visibility and access to Illinois across our entire enterprise that's speeding up customer access to all of our great products and create elevated storytelling in alignment between our stores, digital sites and mobile apps, all of which should do lead the higher customer satisfaction and ultimately even higher rates of converting shoppers into buyer.</p>
<p>These three initiatives have a very important behind-the-scenes benefit as well. All of our e-commerce sites globally will finally be on the same platform. Our mobile apps will also be on a common global platform and for the first time ever all of our stores around the world will be operating the same POS software. Once fully rolled out, the common platforms and software will greatly enhance the efficiency and speed at which we can make ongoing upgrades and improvements across all of our banners, in turn enabling us to stay at the forefront of technology which we know is extremely important for our always-on, always connected consumers.</p>
<p>Among other benefits, the simplified architecture will facilitate enhanced data analytics which is a key component of connecting ever more personally with our existing customers as well as those potential consumers who share key characteristics with our top customers. We are currently in the process of prioritizing a number of other digital projects based on projected returns balanced with instrumental costs and risk. While speed is important, we know there's nothing that slows down an organization's progress more than having to stop and rework a critical system that was not implemented properly and [Inaudible]. Put together though, we are confident these investments will be critical to keeping our banners top of mind of our customers as well as with our top vendors when it comes time to cement strategic partnerships such as the ones we're announcing today with Nike.</p>
<p>Related to digital functionality, we're also making significant investments in our supply chain capabilities. The first step which is well underway is the process of reconfiguring our primary warehouse in Kansas to be able to fulfill direct-to-consumer shipments, easing the constraints on the DTC facility in Wisconsin which came with the original East Bay acquisition. This step should be complete by the middle of next year. To facilitate faster delivery of products bought online, we're going to test the mini-hub concept in certain major metropolitan areas.</p>
<p>These mini distribution hubs will hold inventory to replenish stores more quickly and efficiently than from Kansas, thereby over time reducing the need for expensive backroom retail space. Even more importantly, we expect mini-hubs to facilitate next day or perhaps even same-day delivery for DTC orders. We are upgrading a facility in New Jersey as well as an existing logistics facility in central Pennsylvania to handle large sections of the east coast and we will test other locations in 2018.</p>
<p>With all this discussion about digital and supply chain investment, I don't want to overlook that the majority of our capital is still spent on our store fleet which, after our people, is one of our most important competitive advantages. Keep in mind that our store banners collectively still do less than 10% of their sales digitally despite the fact we've had internet sites and DTC procurement capabilities for 20 years and the core customers of most of our banners, young males from about 12 to 25 years old, are essentially born with a mobile device in their hands. Our customers value a compelling story experience and the integration of the digital in-store experience remains a critical element of fulfilling the customer's desire for an emotional connection with the premium sneakers and apparel that we sell.</p>
<p>Kids today, our core customers, aren't just sitting at home buying shoes on a screen or device. They want to be part of something, engaged with the things that are important to them. Our banners and stores are key components in their connection to the sneaker and youth culture that they share with their friends, not just their friends in the classroom at school but likeminded people they find through social media who could be anywhere in the world.</p>
<p>We are continuing to invest judiciously in our store fleet. In some cases, these are pinnacle locations including four Foot Locker stores that will open in the next few weeks in Rome this weekend, in [Inaudible] and Paris week, in Oslo our first store in what will be our 24th country the week after and finally right before Christmas a flagship store on Hollywood and Highland in LA that will feature another great 602 Shop and Shop. we have another set of strong stores across our banners that we believe will generate significant sales [Inaudible] through remodeling into our most current format. We have engineered most of these remodels to be less expensive than in prior years, lowering the comp hurdle required to improve ROIC.</p>
<p>And while we will continue to close underperforming locations, our sales and even more important, profit performance of those stores in relatively weaker malls and shopping centers have tended to hold up relatively well this year. Since most of these profitable doors already have low rents and short-term leases, it makes no sense to us to rush and close hundreds of them, leaving customers who still shop in them day in and day out without a clear choice for accessing the premium product we offer.</p>
<p>I want to close by saying that I hope what you take away from my comments this morning is that we are not in this game to get a for participation. We're in this game to win it. We're partnering with our vendors to win together and connecting emotionally with the customer creating great experiences and delivering innovative premium product when and where they want. We see our biggest vendor, Nike, on the verge of a major breakthrough in terms of product innovation and customer engagement and of course we're working closely with them on that.</p>
<p>Adidas, meanwhile, has certainly proven that they too can compete at the highest levels. We also have ad number of other key suppliers that play important roles in the athletic marketplace and we collaborate with them constantly on ideas, big and small. Our position at the center sneaker culture is strong but not guaranteed or inevitable. We work hard every day at understanding what is influencing and motivating our customers that day, whether it be a global music icon, a young artist popular of social media, or rebuilding a playground in their neighborhood.</p>
<p>We intend to continue partnering with our vendors on this challenging but exhilarating journey, making course adjustments as necessary as we retain and build our strong leadership positions in the athletic industry.</p>
<p>[Inaudible], let's go ahead and open up the [Inaudible] questions now.</p>
<p>Operator</p>
<p>Thank you very much. Ladies and gentlemen, we will now begin the question and answer session. If you'd like to register a question, press the 1 followed by the 4 on your telephone. You'll hear [Inaudible] prompt to acknowledge the request.</p>
<p>If your question has been asked or you want to withdraw your question, press the 1 followed by 3. If you're on a speakerphone, please place the handset before entering your request. And once you've done [Inaudible] any questions or comments you may have, you may press the 1 followed by the 4 on your telephone keypad.</p>
<p>One moment please, our first question. We'll get our first question on the line from Kate McShane with Citi. Please go ahead.</p>
<p>Kate McShane -- Citigroup -- Analyst</p>
<p>Hi. Thank you. Good morning.</p>
<p>Richard Johnson -- Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman</p>
<p>Good morning, Kate.</p>
<p>Kate McShane -- Citigroup -- Analyst</p>
<p>With regards to your Cap-Ex spend, I know you said you are reallocating more to be on the digital side but will there be any change to your longer-term Cap-Ex guidance that you've provided? Will it be increasing or is it really just the shift away or shift more into digital?</p>
<p>Richard Johnson -- Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman</p>
<p>There's no change to the guidance that we've given. We're allocating, according to the comments that we just made, a little bit more of it going to digital, stores still important and obviously the supply chain investments as well.</p>
<p>Kate McShane -- Citigroup -- Analyst</p>
<p>Okay, great. And then my bigger picture question is just in the relationship with Nike. They told us a lot of a couple of weeks ago at their Analyst Day about how they're evolving the marketplace [Inaudible] clear that Foot Locker is one of the key partners based on what they said and what you have to highlight today. Could you maybe work through the three initiatives that Nike has in place with the Sneaky Easy and the Nike Pro in the stores and what exactly it will mean in terms of how your stores look and how the relationship evolves over the next few years?</p>
<p>Richard Johnson -- Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman</p>
<p>Yeah. [Inaudible] is very different and unique, right? So, Sneak Easy is a pop-up retail space and while I'm not going to go into a lot of details because it's about discovery, I can tell you that it'll open up down at 30 Wall Street next week during the Week of Greatness and it really is a look into the future of sneakers and how we will work with Nike. The format itself may or may not be a popup somewhere else but it's really a view on how we want to digitally empower our consumer's [Inaudible] physical space and have them interact with the Foot Locker and Nike brands together. The Nike Pro is in store.</p>
<p>It's something that we're testing in the New York City market in the Holiday Season beginning next week with our Week of Greatness. It'll put dedicated Nike resources in the store, our employees but Nike experts in the store us to talk about the stories and the product in a little bit more depth to enhance the experience that the consumer will undoubtedly start from a digital perspective but will be able to make a great connection in store when they interact with the Pro along with our [Inaudible] in store. And then the third element was the player exclusives that were really one of the mainstays of the House of Hoops when we opened the House of Hoops 10 years ago. We'll start to see those returning to the House of Hoops as well which again will add some excitement back to the basketball footwear assortment specifically in the House of Hoops as those player editions become available.</p>
<p>Kate McShane -- Citigroup -- Analyst</p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>Operator</p>
<p>Thank you very much. We'll get to our next question on the line from Robert Ohmes from Bank of America/Merrill Lynch. Please go ahead.</p>
<p>Robert Ohmes -- Bank of America / Merrill Lynch -- Analyst</p>
<p>Hey, guys. Actually two questions, Dick. I think the first one is I thought it's interesting that your ASPs are up. I think the overall industry may not be seeing that in footwear.</p>
<p>Was there a mixed shift that supported the ASPs even though there was a lot of discounting going on or mix away from kids. Just curious about what's driving that. And then the second question is in the press release you mentioned the availability of premium product for holiday improving. What premium product wasn't available and what are you getting? Maybe give us some insight on that.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Richard Johnson -- Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman</p>
<p>I'll start with the ASPs, Robert. We talk a lot about our ASPs not being a simple function of plus this minus that as across the families of business, [Inaudible], scales, gender. The mix mixed out sort of really isn't changing [Inaudible]. Again, we've got some great high-end product when you think about [Inaudible] when you think about Vapor Max when you think about Ultra Boost but it's also across the range that we're seeing nice [Inaudible] in some of our apparel pricing.</p>
<p>So, there's just a real complex model behind ASPs and it washed up positively even given the markdown. So, again, I think our team did a great job of managing the markdowns while selling premium products. When it comes to availability, we've talked about it all year that the availability of [Inaudible] would become more, there would be more quantities available in the back half specifically as we got into Q3 and Q4, later in Q3 and in the Q4, things like more quantities of Vapor Max, the right quantities of Jordan Retros. It's Ultra Boost and Easies in bigger quantities.</p>
<p>So, it's not that we didn't have availability. It's that the quantities have now started to ramp up a little bit more commercially in the marketplace and we're giving access to those quantities that we need to drive business from a commercial point of view.</p>
<p>Robert Ohmes -- Bank of America / Merrill Lynch -- Analyst</p>
<p>Got it. That's helpful. Hey, good luck in the Holiday Season.</p>
<p>Richard Johnson -- Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman</p>
<p>Thank you, Robert.</p>
<p>Operator</p>
<p>Thank you very much. We'll get to our next question on the line from Paul Trussell with Deutsche Bank Research. Please go ahead.</p>
<p>Paul Trussell -- Deutsche Bank -- Analyst</p>
<p>Hey, good morning. Help us to understand your mindset on expenses. You clearly took some pretty meaningful steps this quarter to reduce cost but you're also making investments for the long term around digital supply chain to store fleet, the customer experience, as you spoke about. How should we think about the ability to leverage expenses over time and SG&amp;A growth rate, etc?</p>
<p>Lauren Peters -- Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President</p>
<p>Well, we described, I think, fairly thoroughly the reorganization and the positioning of ourselves to get off to those long-term growth opportunities to make sure that the organization is set up to do that but as we have it, in the Q3 we really have very strong expense management culture and we look for the opportunities to lever at lower cost. That leverage point has been mid single-digit cost for our structure this year but we look to manage sales for payroll [Inaudible] that's the biggest function within SG&amp;A [Inaudible] wages to look to make sure that we have got this. The very [Inaudible] salespeople in the store at the peak hours at management [Inaudible] scheduling is very important. And then we look to make sure that marketing money that we spend is driving what we wanted to-increase traffic and increase conversion.</p>
<p>Paul, we looked at every lever. We manage our electricity through using things like LED bulbs because they're much more cost-effective. So, every lever but SPH and sales per square foot are obviously very meaningful.</p>
<p>Richard Johnson -- Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman</p>
<p>As I said, we will continue to invest in the things that are going to allow us to be more agile and flexible. That does include people, data analytics, supply chain, [Inaudible] things that we mentioned but Lauren's right. We've got a culture of managing expenses tightly and we will continue to do that.</p>
<p>Paul Trussell -- Deutsche Bank -- Analyst</p>
<p>Got it. Thank you. And then some of the initiatives, the initiatives that you've announced with Nike obviously sound exciting. Just wondering if you can maybe spend some time talking about some of the partnerships and initiatives you have ongoing with some of the other brands and maybe detail a bit how just the assortment on the shelves has been transforming a bit in terms of where customers are shaking out [Inaudible] trends today.</p>
<p>Richard Johnson -- Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman</p>
<p>Paul, if you think about, I know you get into our stores but if you get into our Times Square and 34th Street store, you can see experiential spaces that we worked on without Adidas and the assortment and the storytelling, the connectivity of footwear and apparel in those spaces is critical and you see that happening. The Legends Club with Timberland is another one that we look at and say we bring in unique product into that space, very seasonally driven at this point but, again, very strong statements about product and connectivity. And, most importantly, we work with our brand partners to create great social connectivity and great digital connectivity with our consumers that ultimately end up driving consumers into physical experience with us but across our various banners, each banner has different relationships and different engagement opportunities with the consumers and they work with all the various brands to create some excitement in store. So, [Inaudible] physical space but a lot of it really is making sure that the engagement which know is going to begin digitally is intriguing to the consumer and it helps them move through their journey into a physical space in many cases to make a purchase.</p>
<p>Paul Trussell -- Deutsche Bank -- Analyst</p>
<p>Thanks a lot.</p>
<p>Operator</p>
<p>Thank you very much. We'll get to our next question on the line from Camilo Lyon with Canaccord Genuity. Please go ahead.</p>
<p>Camilo Lyon -- Canaccord Genuity -- Analyst</p>
<p>Thank you. Good morning, everyone. I was hoping if you could provide a little color as to where you think you are in the markdown in inventory clearance cycle and when you'd expect to be in the right inventory position to begin expanding gross margins. Again, you've done a very good job of working down that inventory in the past two quarters and obviously the commentary today on the Q4 [Inaudible] suggests that there's more work to be done there.</p>
<p>I'm just trying to understand when we could expect that the balance of both better product, larger quantities of better products as well as the slower turning inventory will start to unfold so that you can get back on this gross margin [Inaudible].</p>
<p>Lauren Peters -- Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President</p>
<p>Thank you for calling out what we've done on the inventory for the last couple of quarters because that really is the thought process to make sure that we're keeping the inventory fresh and that we've got a capacity to bring in those [Inaudible] assortments. And I'm not going to get into expectations around 2018. At this point, it'll be a little bit premature but we do believe that the actions that we're taking and will continue to take through Q4 will set us up well to coming into 2018 with strong inventory.</p>
<p>Richard Johnson -- Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman</p>
<p>I think the [Inaudible] is because our customers are moving quickly, right? So, the old markdown model will have to be adjusted a bit to respond. Actually, the whole [Inaudible] model have to be adjusted a bit to respond to that faster lifecycle of a product and effectively having a good clean inventory [Inaudible] is the place that we want to start as we head into 2018.</p>
<p>Lauren Peters -- Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President</p>
<p>And certainly the speed initiative that our suppliers are working on and we're partnering with them on are helpful to that [Inaudible] expectation.</p>
<p>Camilo Lyon -- Canaccord Genuity -- Analyst</p>
<p>Do you feel that your incoming receipts over the next few weeks, over the next few months accurately represents where the demand is most vibrant?</p>
<p>Richard Johnson -- Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman</p>
<p>Absolutely. I'm a merchant at heart. [Inaudible] we will never buy a product that you don't like. So, we believe that our team is aligned with where the customer is.</p>
<p>We work hard with our vendor partners to get in position to bring in the right qualities, the right product and we like the way the quarter winds. As Lauren talked to, our expectation is a little bit better than it was when we were here a quarter ago. We're still not where we want to be but I like the way our product lines up for the quarter.</p>
<p>Camilo Lyon -- Canaccord Genuity -- Analyst</p>
<p>And then just the last one. Could you just remind us when we should expect [Inaudible], the Superstars [Inaudible] get a better kind of [Inaudible] on that particular category considering that it is a big drag on [Inaudible].</p>
<p>Richard Johnson -- Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman</p>
<p>It's different in the markets, right? Europe was on the court classics from [Inaudible] before the US market was. Europe is starting to lap it but the slowdown has definitely happened in our stores in the US and I would expect that we will start to see a little bit better Q2 of next year is really when the peak [Inaudible] and that we should be working down off that.</p>
<p>Camilo Lyon -- Canaccord Genuity -- Analyst</p>
<p>Perfect. Best of luck in the Holiday. Thank you.</p>
<p>Richard Johnson -- Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman</p>
<p>Thanks, Camilo.</p>
<p>Operator</p>
<p>Thank you very much. We'll get to our next question on the line from Scott Krassik with Buckingham Research. Please go ahead.</p>
<p>Scott Krassik -- Buckingham Research -- Analyst</p>
<p>Hey, everyone. Nice job laying out everything you control. That's important. Just wondering specifically around basketball, what do you think drove the improvement in the Retro business? Was it just the stories that were told? Were there specific styles? And then in terms of the basketball go-forward, how do you think about that until we start to [Inaudible] the worst numbers in the sort of mid next year?</p>
<p>Richard Johnson -- Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman</p>
<p>Well, it's a combination of a number of things, right? We all know that no two Retros are created equally and that there is different storytelling that goes with them and clearly in Q3 the stories in the Retro has been launched with the effective management of quantities in the marketplace led to higher pushes and better results. So, I think that that bodes well as we think about Q4. The other piece is that we've seen some things like the Lebron 15 of Lebron Soldier, some [Inaudible] products, some [Inaudible] product, a little bit of push in some places there that that is slightly better than the spend. So, when the consumer sees the right price-value relationship, when they see us some excitement around the product and the storytelling, basketball shoes are certainly in high demand but they have so many alternatives that everything's got to be right in that equation.</p>
<p>Price-value relationship, the storytelling, the digital connectivity, it all helps. So, we're going to continue obviously supporting basketball across a number of brands and we see some excitement coming.</p>
<p>Scott Krassik -- Buckingham Research -- Analyst</p>
<p>That's great. And then one of your peers gave specific guidance for next year to account for some of the investments. You laid out a handful of investments [Inaudible] initiatives. Just wondering how you sort of balance those investments plus some margin pressure probably early in the year and at least on a 52-week to 52-week basis how you view next year's earnings growth right now.</p>
<p>Richard Johnson -- Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman</p>
<p>Yeah, it's too early for us. Scott, we're in the middle of our planning process for next year and it is has been our practice. We'll share much more detail about 2018 when we get to our early year call in February but our job is to balance that pressure, our job is to figure out how and where and when to invest and I feel comfortable and confident that the team has got that in mind as we lay out 2018.</p>
<p>Scott Krassik -- Buckingham Research -- Analyst</p>
<p>Great. Okay, thanks. Good luck.</p>
<p>Richard Johnson -- Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman</p>
<p>Thank you, Scott.</p>
<p>Operator</p>
<p>Thank you. And our next question on the line is from the line of Sam Poser with Susquehanna Financial Group. Please go ahead.</p>
<p>Sam Poser -- Sterne Agee -- Analyst</p>
<p>Thanks for taking my question. I just want to follow up on the inventory. What percentage of the inventory still need to be worked through to sort of get that residual underperforming inventory in the right place so you can then open up more [Inaudible] dollars to bring in the better product that's becoming available.</p>
<p>Lauren Peters -- Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President</p>
<p>Sam, I'm not going to go into the detail of what those percentages look like but suffices to say that we have standards that we have in place at this organization, once that business [Inaudible] to make sure that the inventory is in a good place. That has been a discipline that has served us well for years and we are sticking to that.</p>
<p>Sam Poser -- Sterne Agee -- Analyst</p>
<p>And I know you're not guiding 2018 yet but, I mean, is this situation, I mean, given the sort of way that comparisons work, that we would expect some residual gross margin pressure probably into the Q1 of next year? Is that a fair way to think about it?</p>
<p>Richard Johnson -- Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman</p>
<p>We're merchants, Sam, as you know, and there's always gross margin pressure. Our team has done a great job of giving the inventory a good shape. If our sales expectations are met in Q4, we would see us ending the quarter with inventory in a strong position. Again, with the faster life cycle of products, I'm just not sure that the old markdown model will be as effective going forward.</p>
<p>So, our team reads and reacts and adjusts quickly, utilizing all of the channels that we can to move to through product that that may become an issue but there will continue, I believe, to be some gross margin pressure as we enter 2018.</p>
<p>Sam Poser -- Sterne Agee -- Analyst</p>
<p>Thank you. Just two more things. Number one, we're anniversarying the 53rd week next year and because of that, I think there's a big shift in between the last week of Q2 into Q3 as a big a big week of back to school shift from Q3 the Q2 which would mean that in theory your flat comp, for the sake of argument, in Q2 would give you a very large increase and a flat comp in Q3 because of the shift sales would decrease all other things being equal. Am I thinking about that correctly because, I mean, it's always very entertaining when we get how the quarterly model for next year [Inaudible]?</p>
<p>Richard Johnson -- Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman</p>
<p>Yeah [Inaudible] creates certainly some shifts. You've got that right. And as we talked about, we will give a clear guidance around 2018 when we get to our February call.</p>
<p>Sam Poser -- Sterne Agee -- Analyst</p>
<p>And lastly, outside let's say the big five-Adidas, Nike, Puma, Under Armor, Timberland-and let's say New Balance arguably as well, what are you doing to test and grow new brands, brands that may have been on the back burner for a while. I know [Inaudible] a couple stories, you've got some Reebok Classics and so on. What are you doing there? And as we look into next year, are there a chance to, I would guess, commercialize them with yourselves in a greater way and what are you looking from entering into a new vendors are old new vendors or however you want to talk about it?</p>
<p>Richard Johnson -- Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman</p>
<p>The team has a test and try and react sort of mentality, Sam, and if you take a look in the stores today, brands like Champion on the apparel side, we've got a couple of banners that are testing [Inaudible] on the footwear and apparel side. We've had a tremendous run with Vans and we think that there's more opportunity there. So, each of the banners, because their customer's a little bit different, each of them tests and tries different brands and clearly when you've got a division that has a number of stores across Europe, we get some insight from that as well. So, all of those brands that you named are critically important to us.</p>
<p>Yet we're testing and trying and looking to commercialize quickly some of these new old brands or old new brands, depending on how you want to look at it.</p>
<p>John Maurer -- Treasurer, Vice President and Head, Investor Relations</p>
<p>Thanks for the question, Sam, and as Dick has mentioned a couple of times the next call being in February, but it currently is scheduled to be March 2nd.</p>
<p>Richard Johnson -- Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman</p>
<p>It's because of the 53rd week.</p>
<p>John Maurer -- Treasurer, Vice President and Head, Investor Relations</p>
<p>Because of the 53rd week.</p>
<p>Richard Johnson -- Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman</p>
<p>Sorry about that.</p>
<p>Operator</p>
<p>Thank you. And we'll get to our next question from the line of Omar Saad with Evercore ISI. Please go ahead.</p>
<p>Omar Saad -- Credit Suisse -- Analyst</p>
<p>Thanks for taking my question. And a great job kind of laying out how you guys are evolved into the marketplace and the quick react and respond that you kind of right size your cost structure. You're clearly attuned to what's going on in the marketplace. Can you talk a little bit about what's happening with some of these new limited-edition sneaker launches? It feels like a lot of the brands are using their own sneaker apps to launch some of these things.</p>
<p>What's your take on this new development with that kind of core fashion-oriented sneakerhead consumer and what Foot Locker's role will be in some of these digital launches and how you see that evolving? Thanks.</p>
<p>Richard Johnson -- Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman</p>
<p>We know that our vendor partners have DTC objectives, right? And we know that the boutique sort of launches has been part of our industry for a long, long time and our vendors utilizing their apps and some of the boutique partners, something that we certainly expect to continue. I think the group that I mentioned, our North American product and marketing strategy group that Andy Gray is going to lead is working with each of our vendor partners to identify things that we can, in fact, take a bigger commercializable position. I think that those [Inaudible] sort of launches that they do in their own apps and then the sneaker boutique stores, I think, are good for the industry. They add excitement.</p>
<p>So, as much as we want to participate at some point, the truth is this it's a big ecosystem and you need to bring heat into it to make sure that the consumer sees the excitement around the sneakers that we believe is there every day and we'll find a way to commercialize as we work with our vendor partners.</p>
<p>Lauren Peters -- Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President</p>
<p>That connection of apps releases [Inaudible] store connection as well and this is an advantage for us that we have a store fleet that can complement that experience and our vendor partners appreciate that asset that we have.</p>
<p>Omar Saad -- Credit Suisse -- Analyst</p>
<p>Yeah, understood, agreed. Thanks very much. Good luck.</p>
<p>Richard Johnson -- Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman</p>
<p>Thanks, Omar.</p>
<p>Operator</p>
<p>Thank you very much. And we'll get to our next question the line from Christopher Svezia with Wedbush Securities. Please go ahead.</p>
<p>Christopher Svezia -- Susquehanna -- Analyst</p>
<p>Good morning. Thanks for taking my questions and congratulations on [Inaudible] in a pretty tough environment. I guess first I just want to clarify something inventory, just [Inaudible] understand this clearly and the commentary about a better product that you're seeing in the marketplace right now. Against a more challenging gross margin expectations for Q4, is that just a function of your view that you want to go into 2018 as clean as possible or is it just the simple fact that still works in the marketplace is potentially taking a little bit higher markdowns in order to actually moved that product.</p>
<p>I'm just trying to understand the dynamics between those two observations.</p>
<p>Richard Johnson -- Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman</p>
<p>It's a combination, right? We want to manage our inventory because that's really the only piece that we can control. We can't control what others do in the marketplace. We occasionally react to it but our markdown strategy is based on our being competitive in the marketplace, making sure that we move through the product that we need to in a given season so that we can enter the next season with the ability to flow in the best goods possible and [Inaudible] good if needed. So, it's really a combination.</p>
<p>The marketplace is competitive. The marketplace is driven by markdowns. We stay focused and remain focused on being the premium retailer of athletic specialty shoes. So, the sneakers that we've got are going to be at the premium end.</p>
<p>If we see something not selling to the expectations that we've got, we're certainly going to be aggressive with our markdowns to make sure that we move through the product.</p>
<p>Christopher Svezia -- Susquehanna -- Analyst</p>
<p>Thank you. And then when you think about, as you step into next year, the All-Star Game and the comments about basketball, the All-Star is in LA this year versus [Inaudible]. How do you think about that in terms of how it could be a positive for the businesses in general. Just overall thoughts on [Inaudible] comparison, how you think about that.</p>
<p>Richard Johnson -- Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman</p>
<p>Well, simply the LA market versus NOLA, it's an easy comparison to say we think All-Star Game will be better in 2018 then it wasn't 2017 but more importantly, the excitement that I believe is going to be generated on basketball product and in the marketplace in general, I think, will be a positive. We've got to plans in the works to activate of course in the LA market but work on activating basketball across the marketplace in the House of Hoops and across all of our geographies. So, certainly, the impact of Los Angeles versus New Orleans should be a positive but I would caution that with I expect that the [Inaudible] flow in 2018 will be similar to 2017 which is significantly different than it was in 2016. So, it's about finding of money in the market and product in the market to go along with the All-Star Game.</p>
<p>Christopher Svezia -- Susquehanna -- Analyst</p>
<p>Lastly, just on Europe, I know you referenced [Inaudible] and Superstar, Stan Smith, Exposure. Anything else you can call out in terms of positive or negative that's impacting that region for you year whether it's either other categories, just strictly traffic. Just any color on Europe and what's going on there would be helpful. Thank you.</p>
<p>Richard Johnson -- Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman</p>
<p>We talked about traffic being down to mid singles in Europe and it's pretty spread across the continent and the U K. So, I don't know if it is the cumulative effect of some terrorist type activities, some unrest. There are all sorts of things that go on in various markets in Europe. Running continues to be the most important category there.</p>
<p>The core product that you mentioned-Adidas Superstars and Stan Smith – have slowed down but our team continues to reinvest into some great running platforms and while we've seen negative comps for a few quarters, I have a lot of confidence in our team there to be able to turn it around and get positive.</p>
<p>Christopher Svezia -- Susquehanna -- Analyst</p>
<p>Okay. Thank you and all the best for the Holidays, you guys.</p>
<p>John Maurer -- Treasurer, Vice President and Head, Investor Relations</p>
<p>I think we have time for one more question.</p>
<p>Operator</p>
<p>We'll get to our next question on the line from Bob Drbul from Guggenheim Securities. Please go ahead.</p>
<p>Bob Drbul -- Guggenheim -- Analyst</p>
<p>Hi. Good morning. Two quick questions. I think the first one is you guys were pretty aggressive round the share buyback this most recent quarter.</p>
<p>Just give us an update in terms of where you are with the program and how you're approaching going forward. And the second one is I think you mentioned that shared inventory proposition with some of your vendors. Dick, I was wondering if you could just elaborate a little bit more how that would work and sort of how long it would take to get to such an initiative.</p>
<p>Lauren Peters -- Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President</p>
<p>On the share buyback, we ended the Q3 with remaining 863 million of our original billion two authorization. The share buyback is a not a formulaic. Our number one priority is investing in the business but a very important objective is a meaningful return of cash to the shareholders and certainly, we've demonstrated that this year but where we see value, we act appropriately.</p>
<p>Richard Johnson -- Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman</p>
<p>And in the shared inventory comment, Bob, I didn't comment about shared inventory with our vendor partners as of yet. It's something that we're certainly looking to explore and figure out how we can make the inventory in the sneaker ecosystem more productive. My commentary was around better access across our portfolio of brands and banners. So, better utilization of our own supply chain to make sure that all of our inventory is available and visible to our consumers and that we can deliver to them as quickly and efficiently as possible.</p>
<p>Bob Drbul -- Guggenheim -- Analyst</p>
<p>Thanks very much.</p>
<p>John Maurer -- Treasurer, Vice President and Head, Investor Relations</p>
<p>Thanks, everybody, for questions today. I'll back at my desk shortly. If we didn't get to your question or didn't answer any follow-up questions you may have, again, the next call currently is scheduled for March 2nd. In the meantime, Happy Holidays, everyone and thanks again and goodbye.</p>
<p>Operator</p>
<p>Thank you very much. Thanks, everyone. Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes today's conference. Thank you for participating.</p>
<p>You may now disconnect your line. Have a good day, everyone.</p>
<p>Duration: 62 minutes</p>
<p>John Maurer -- Treasurer, Vice President and Head, Investor Relations</p>
<p>Lauren Peters -- Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President</p>
<p>Richard Johnson -- Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman</p>
<p>Kate McShane -- Citigroup -- Analyst</p>
<p>Robert Ohmes -- Bank of America / Merrill Lynch -- Analyst</p>
<p>Paul Trussell -- Deutsche Bank -- Analyst</p>
<p>Camilo Lyon -- Canaccord Genuity -- Analyst</p>
<p>Scott Krassik -- Buckingham Research -- Analyst</p>
<p>Sam Poser -- Sterne Agee -- Analyst</p>
<p>Omar Saad -- Credit Suisse -- Analyst</p>
<p>Christopher Svezia -- Susquehanna -- Analyst</p>
<p>Bob Drbul -- Guggenheim -- Analyst</p>
<p><a href="https://www.fool.com/quote/fl?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=3fa34a24-ce33-11e7-85b1-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">More FL analysis</a></p>
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<p>10 stocks we like better than Foot LockerWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*</p>
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<p>The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=3fa34a24-ce33-11e7-85b1-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy</a>.</p> | Foot Locker (FL) Q3 2017 Earnings Conference Call Transcript | true | http://foxbusiness.com/markets/2017/11/21/foot-locker-fl-q3-2017-earnings-conference-call-transcript.html | 2017-11-21 | 0 |
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<p><a href="" type="internal">Hadrian</a>&#160;|&#160; <a href="" type="internal">Shutterstock.com</a></p>
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<p>Not that long ago in Europe, one had to go to a church, a temple or a mosque to imbibe industrial quantities of religious doctrine.</p>
<p>Since the beginning of the 21st century, however, it has become possible to access it in a great and self-satisfied profusion on the editorial pages of the continent’s “serious” and nominally progressive dailies, papers like The Guardian, El País, La Repubblica, Le Monde, and Suddeutsche Zeitung.</p>
<p>&#160;The particular brand of theology being pushed?</p>
<p>Neo-Liberal Imperialism, something the faith’s leading clerics—people like Timothy Garton-Ash, Niall Ferguson. Moisés Naim, Mario Vargas Llosa, Hermann Tertsch, Antonio Caño, Joseph Joffe, and that erstwhile philosopher-clown, Bernard Henry-Levi—prefer to describe in terms of “promoting trans-Atlantic partnerships” and creating and maintaining “Open Societies”.</p>
<p>One day, historians will wonder how it was that the EU, a wealthy and ostensibly unified polity with a population of over 500 million people and an extremely deep and sophisticated history of indigenous intellectual production, came to have its public discourse dominated by the narrow and often quite parochial concerns of the elites of another country (right down to their absurd and largely unconditional devotion to a small and bellicose apartheid state in the Middle East) located halfway around the globe.</p>
<p>And if these historians are sharp, they will zero in on whatever it was that took place in newsrooms and other centers of media production (or perhaps more germanely, the boardrooms that set their policies) in Europe during the first decade of the 21st century.</p>
<p>The US desire to spread the Atlanticist creed, which essentially holds that life for Europeans is best when sublimate their economic and strategic interests to those of the US security and financial establishments, is nothing new. Indeed, it has been one of the primary thrusts of US diplomatic and intelligence activity in Europe since the end of World War II.</p>
<p>The career of Joffe, marked by residencies at the Stanford’s Hoover Institution and&#160;appearances on the US establishment’s pre-eminent venue for self-promotion and the consolidation of US-Israeli official talking points, The Charlie Rose Show, provides eloquent testimony to the benefits that accrue those willing to promote the American view of reality to their European countrymen on a daily basis.</p>
<p>What is different today is the relative weight of this ideology, with its love of military force and fiscal bullying, on one hand, and crass indifference to the clear long-term interests of the great bulk of the European population (e.g. establishing vigorous cultural and commercial interchanges with Russia, the basic physical health of Greeks) on the other, within the continent’s opinion-making landscape. Whereas slavish pro-Americans like Joffe used to constitute one voice among many, they and their views on foreign policy are now predominant in most major European papers.</p>
<p>How did this happen?</p>
<p>For those with a need to believe—and there are, sadly, still many—in the essentially benevolent nature of the US foreign policy and the existence of a more or less free and unfettered “marketplace of ideas” within the US and Europe, the answer is simple. As they got older and more prosperous Europeans became more conservative and began to demand the presence in major outlets of people whose ideas reflected these changing views.</p>
<p>However, for those that understand the enormous importance that the post-war US establishment has always put on “perception management” and how information warfare was and is an enormously important element of the Rumsfeldian notion of “Full Spectrum Dominance”, such an explanation strains credibility.</p>
<p>For example, are we really supposed to believe that of all the intelligent, experienced and well-traveled people available in the traditionally pro-Palestinian country of Spain, the person best equipped to serve as El País’ weekend foreign policy guru was Moisés Naím, a Zionist former minister of the arch-corrupt Venezuelan government of Carlos Andrés Pérez, former executive director of the World Bank, and long-time editor of the in-house bible of mainstream US imperialism Foreign Policy? Do we really believe that the paper’s core socialist readership, which is traditionally pro-welfare state and very solidly anti-interventionist was pining for that?</p>
<p>Lest this all seem too speculative, I suggest you watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5eJXXhwG5I" type="external">an interview</a> with conducted with Udo Ulfkotte, a veteran German reporter and former assistant editor at the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankfurter_Allgemeine_Zeitung" type="external">Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung</a>, conducted in 2014. In it, he speaks of how he and other European journalists were, and are, routinely bought off by American operatives of one sort or another, going so far as to describe his country, Germany, as a “banana republic” and also a “colony of the Americans” where journalists who serve the interests of “trans-Atlantic” organizations are rewarded handsomely and where those that do not play along suffer dire consequences.</p>
<p>The interview took place on the occasion of the release his book Gekaufte Journalisten which is to be translated, I am told, as “Bought Journalists”, in which he goes into great detail about these matters. It is interesting to note that despite having been published two years ago and quickly rising to the status of a best-seller in Germany, it is still not available in English or any other European language. There has been talk for a while now of a “forthcoming” English version of the text. But every time I check up on it, the release date seems to have been pushed back another few months.</p>
<p>Think there is any pressure being applied to the people in charge of bringing the English translation of the book to market?</p> | Europe’s “Bought Journalists” | true | https://counterpunch.org/2016/08/02/europes-bought-journalists/ | 2016-08-02 | 4 |
<p>Hulu officially stated on Monday that they have ordered an original series based on Stephen King’s novel 11/22/63. The nine-hour adaptation of the novel will be produced by JJ Abrams and put a science-fiction twist on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on that historically tragic date.</p>
<p>In King’s 2011 novel, high school English teacher Jake Epping travels back in time to try to prevent Kennedy’s assassination.</p>
<p>“If I ever wrote a book that cries out for long-form, event-TV programming, ‘11/22/63’ is it. I’m excited that it’s going to happen, and am looking forward to working with J.J. Abrams and the whole Bad Robot team,” said King.</p>
<p>Hulu will be the distributor for 11/22/63 in the U.S., but since Warner Bros. Television will distribute the series for the rest of the world, this will be the first original programming collaboration between Hulu and WBTV.</p>
<p>“J.J. Abrams and Stephen King are two of the most celebrated storytellers of our time, and we are excited to be working with them and Warner Bros. Television to bring this unique take on one of the most seminal historic events of the 20th century to Hulu,” said Craig Erwich, Hulu’s SVP and head of content. “’11/22/63′ already resonated with audiences as a best-selling novel, and we are looking forward to bringing the riveting story to the screen.”</p>
<p>It is unclear how active a role Abrams can possibly play with this series, as the filmmaker and producer is currently busy helming Star Wars: Episode VII and producing the next Mission: Impossible and Star Trek films. However, Abrams’ excitement over finally getting to collaborate with King will hopefully keep 11/22/63 high on his priority list.</p>
<p>“I’ve been a fan of Stephen King since I was in junior high school,” Abrams said in a statement. “The chance to work with him at all, let alone on a story so compelling, emotional and imaginative, is a dream.”</p>
<p>Hulu has not yet announced whether the full series will be exclusively available to Hulu Plus subscribers, or if some episodes will be available for free online. A premiere date has not yet been set for&#160;the limited “event series.”</p>
<p /> | Hulu orders series based on Stephen King’s JFK assassination novel | false | http://natmonitor.com/2014/09/22/hulu-orders-series-based-on-stephen-kings-jfk-assassination-novel/ | 2014-09-22 | 3 |
<p>The continued nuclear negotiations between Iran and the P5 +1 in Moscow ended yesterday with no sign of sanctions relief for ordinary Iranians. A spokesperson for Catherine Ashton, the European Union’s foreign policy chief and lead negotiator for the six powers, was quoted by The New York Times as stating that there is no question that EU sanctions will go into effect as scheduled on the first of July.</p>
<p>Over the past three years we have witnessed a tremendous escalation of sanctions against Iran. Sanctions expert Dr. Joy Gordon, author of Invisible War: The United States and The Iraq Sanctions, has described the sanctions against Iran as overbroad and indiscriminate. They will likely fail to achieve their objective, in this case curtailing Iran’s nuclear program, and instead will add to the suffering of ordinary Iranians who are already suffering under a repressive government.</p>
<p>The extent to which Dr. Gordon’s prediction is accurate is made evident by a report yesterday from WSB-TV in Atlanta. The story follows Iranian, U.S. citizens in their attempts to purchase an Apple iPad. The Apple salesperson refused to complete the sale because the women spoke Farsi, the primary language spoken in Iran and identified herself as being from Iran. After learning of similar experiences from other Iranians the reporter accompanies one of the Iranian women who had sought to purchase the iPad to the Apple store. Once at the Apple store, their refusal to sell to Iranians is reiterated by the manager and they are shown Apple’s policy on Iran and other sanctioned countries:</p>
<p>The exportation, reexportation, sale or supply, directly or indirectly, from the United States, or by a U.S. person wherever located, of any Apple goods, software, technology (including technical data), or services to any of these countries is strictly prohibited without prior authorization by the U.S. Government. This prohibition also applies to any Apple owned subsidiary or any subsidiary employee worldwide.</p>
<p>Just three days ago New York Times reporter Nicolas Kristof recounted his visit to a store in Tehran selling iPads and iPhones with a statue of Steve Jobs. This should not come as any surprise to Mr. Kristof or the U.S. government. Not three years ago Secretary of State Clinton was boasting of young Iranians and their “Twitter revolution” in response to Iranian use of social networking to organize protests after the disputed 2009 Presidential elections. Iran is a tech- savvy, young society, with an estimated 28 million Internet users and the highest number of active blogs in the Middle East.</p>
<p>But what doesn’t seem to matter to Clinton or Kristof is that the very sanctions policy driven by the U.S. is further isolating and repressing the society they speak so highly of. They know these sanctions have already started to take their toll on the Iranian people. In the midst of an already devastated economy Iranians have been faced with inflation rates of over 20%, estimates of underemployment at 35%, and some reported food and medicine shortages.</p>
<p>I went to Iraq in 2002 and witnessed first-hand what comprehensive sanctions on a country can do to the well-being and livelihood of a society. Imposition of sanctions did not weaken the regime’s hold over its people, it was strengthened. It did not force people to rise-up against the Saddam; rather, the economic sanctions made many struggle and worry about how they were going to get by.</p>
<p>The U.S. has made some efforts to ease technology software sanctions against Iran, but in the breadth of the current sanctions it is impossible to prevent the chilling effect against all things Iranian. The sanctions against Iran are neither smart nor targeted. Technology and telecommunications companies like Apple should be leading the charge to lift sanctions that violate freedom of speech and access to information, not overzealously applying these policies. Iranian-Americans, estimated at over 1 million,should protest against sanctions on Iran while simultaneously calling on Apple to “think differently” and stand with their users in Iran.</p>
<p>Bitta Mostofi is a nonprofit, immigrant rights attorney and a long time civil and human rights advocate. Over the last three years Bitta has advocated for an end to Iranian government suppression of its people. In 2002 Bitta traveled to Iraq in protest against the U.S. led sanctions and the then impending war.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p> | Why Apple Should “Think Different” on Iran Sanctions | true | https://counterpunch.org/2012/06/21/why-apple-should-think-different-on-iran-sanctions/ | 2012-06-21 | 4 |
<p>The editors of Esquire magazine once wrote, “If there is one thing that always comes out of a terrible tragedy, it is really dumb legislation.”</p>
<p>On October 25, 2001, a mere 45 days after the 9/11attacks, Congress passed, with virtually no debate, House Resolution 3162, entitled “Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism” Act. You’ve probably heard it called by its ominous acronym: USA PATRIOT.</p>
<p>The PATRIOT Act, running longer than 340 pages, amends more than 50 current federal statutes and was passed in the Senate by a vote of 98-1, with the lone dissenting vote cast by Democratic Senator Russell Feingold of Wisconsin.</p>
<p>The PATRIOT Act has been back in the news lately for two reasons: First, the Senate Intelligence Committee decided in a closed session last week to allow “administrative subpoenas” that would allow the FBI to obtain terrorism suspects’ medical and other records without going through a judge. Second, President Bush last week started a campaign to support PATRIOT, traveling the nation on a self-righteous promotion tour of the act and other proven misguided tactics in our continuing “war on terror.” It’s all in anticipation of Dec. 31, 2005, the date when 16 provisions of PATRIOT are set to expire or “sunset.”</p>
<p>So the debate over whether to renew certain objectionable provisions of PATRIOT is coming to a head. On one side is President Bush and his administration supporters. On the other is a bipartisan coalition calling itself “Patriots to Restore Checks and Balances”, leading the charge to promote alternatives to the PATRIOT act and make certain that unconstitutional provisions of PATRIOT rightfully expire at the end of December. Led by political polar opposites-the American Civil Liberties Union and the American Conservative Union-this coalition seeks to increase grassroots awareness of the pitfalls of PATRIOT and show President Bush and all Americans that opposition to USA PATRIOT and the desire to protect civil liberties is a non-partisan issue of importance to all Americans.</p>
<p>Opponents of the PATRIOT Act have welcomed the introduction of S. 737-the bipartisan Security and Freedom Enhancement (SAFE) Act of 2005-sponsored by Senators Larry Craig, R-Idaho, and Richard Durbin, D-Ill., and currently being considered in the Senate.</p>
<p>The SAFE Act would provide the stronger standards for judicial oversight and review of federal law enforcement investigations that are clearly missing from the PATRIOT Act. It also would correct provisions of USA PATRIOT that are not due to sunset in December.</p>
<p>One notable improvement the SAFE Act has over PATRIOT is much-needed judicial oversight in the use of the so-called “sneak and peek” provision. The “sneak-and-peak” provision of PATRIOT (Section 213) allows law enforcement agencies to conduct secret searches of anyone’s home or apartment without a warrant or even notification to the owner. This means that investigators could potentially enter anyone’s place of residence, take pictures, download computer files and seize items without informing them of the search until days, weeks or even months later. PATRIOT contains a “catch-all” provision that would permit the use of this extraordinary power in virtually any criminal investigation that the government deemed fit without any sort of significant judicial oversight. Under the SAFE Act, “sneak and peek” could be used only when a federal judge finds that not using it would result in endangered lives or tampering of material evidence.</p>
<p>The one major shortcoming of the SAFE Act is that it fails to address PATRIOT’s overbroad definition of “domestic terrorism.” That portion still needs to be amended to ensure that political activists exercising their legitimate First Amendment rights cannot be targeted by a fanatical administration intent on staging political witch hunts.</p>
<p>Why is the upcoming “sunset” date so important? Many provisions of PATRIOT have opened a new chapter in the debate on the application of constitutionally suspect laws in the post-9/11 world that we live in today. Although not all 340 pages of PATRIOT Act are legally controversial, there are major sections of the law that should tremendously concern those who cherish due process, free speech and other fundamental protections guaranteed by the United States Constitution.</p>
<p>For example, Sections 411 and 802 of PATRIOT broadly expand the official definition of “domestic terrorism,” so that college student groups who engage in certain types of protests could very well find themselves labeled as “terrorists.” For example, the Sheriff of Hennepin County, Minn., once declared that the student groups “Anti-Racist Action,” “Students Against War” and “Arise” were all potential ‘terrorist’ threats.</p>
<p>This week, Republicans joined with Democrats in the House of Representatives to pass an amendment to an appropriations bill introduced by Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., which would block one of the PATRIOT Act’s most controversial provisions-Section 215. Under Sections 215 and 505 of PATRIOT, law enforcement officials are given broad access to any type of record-sales, library, financial, medical, etc.-without having to show probable cause of any crime. PATRIOT also forbids the holders of this information, such as university librarians and college registrars, from disclosing that they have ever provided such records to federal officials.</p>
<p>A University of Illinois survey of American public libraries found that at least 545 libraries have been asked for records by law enforcement in the year following 9/11 alone. According to the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, approximately 200 colleges and universities have turned over student information to the FBI, INS and other law enforcement agencies.</p>
<p>While the bipartisan forces rejecting Section 215 are indeed cause for celebration, the victory party may be short-lived. The White House has promised to veto the measure. Fortunately, other signs of resistance to the Patriot Act can be found in cities and states throughout the country.</p>
<p>Since its inception in October 2001, the debate over privacy and constitutional issues raised by PATRIOT has motivated more than four states and 357 cities, representing more than 55 million people in 44 states, to pass resolutions officially condemning portions of PATRIOT in their local, city and state legislatures. In addition to resolutions passed in more than 200 smaller cities, the list of successful resolutions includes those passed in the large metropolitan cities of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis and Philadelphia. In addition, the states of Hawaii, Alaska, Maine and Vermont have also passed statewide resolutions condemning portions of PATRIOT as being unconstitutional and infringing on individual rights.</p>
<p>Even traditionally conservative voices like former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, Republican Senators Larry Craig of Idaho, Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska have all publicly voiced criticism of the PATRIOT Act.</p>
<p>Come December 31st, our nation’s character will be protected and American will be stronger if we see these unconstitutional provisions of USA PATRIOT ride off into the sunset.</p>
<p>ARSALAN IFTIKHAR is national legal director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest American Muslim advocacy group in Washington.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p> | Patriots Against the PATRIOT Act | true | https://counterpunch.org/2005/06/22/patriots-against-the-patriot-act/ | 2005-06-22 | 4 |
<p>With misinformation going around about semi-automatic and automatic weapons (see&#160; <a href="" type="internal">Michael Moore Proposes New Amendment to Protect People from Guns</a>&#160;and&#160; <a href="" type="internal">[Video] MSNBC Reporter Goes Off on Gun Silencers. Makes Herself Look Like an Idiot…</a>) it’s hard to know what to believe. One man is showing how easy it is to convert an average firearm into a fully automatic weapon. This is so dangerous.</p>
<p>Please watch for your own safety. Also, don’t drink a hot beverage while viewing this video. You’ll see why.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>Best lines:</p>
<p>The only thing you need for this is actually gonna be a mil-spec butter knife.</p>
<p>Some guys&#160;that haven’t been around guns will probably call it a charging handle. It’s actually the pullmagibber.</p>
<p>All you have to do once you’re completed with this… you’ll call your local FBI field office. You’ll just need the serial number of your ghost gun, your name, your social security number, and your address.</p>
<p>Some leftist noobs fell for the shenanigans. The amount they know about guns: little.</p>
<p>&lt;img class="alignnone wp-image-48368" src="http://www.louderwithcrowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Whychange.jpg" alt="" width="494" height="78" srcset="https://www.louderwithcrowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Whychange.jpg 456w, https://www.louderwithcrowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Whychange-300x47.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 494px) 100vw, 494px" /&gt; &lt;img class="alignnone wp-image-48369" src="http://www.louderwithcrowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/everyone.jpg" alt="" width="489" height="113" srcset="https://www.louderwithcrowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/everyone.jpg 450w, https://www.louderwithcrowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/everyone-300x69.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 489px) 100vw, 489px" /&gt;</p>
<p>Three cheers to Andy Orlando for even making this video without laughing his own ass off. Sadly we know all too well how anti-gun people know nothing of that which they’re protesting.</p>
<p>Watch this:</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>NOT SUBSCRIBED TO THE PODCAST?&#160; <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/louder-with-crowder/id929121341?mt=2" type="external">FIX THAT</a>! IT’S COMPLETELY FREE ON BOTH&#160; <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/louder-with-crowder/id929121341?mt=2" type="external">ITUNES&#160;HERE</a>&#160;AND&#160; <a href="https://soundcloud.com/louderwithcrowder" type="external">SOUNDCLOUD&#160;HERE</a>.</p>
<p /> | Man Demonstrates How AR-15 Shoots 70,000 Rounds a Minute! | true | https://louderwithcrowder.com/man-convert-fully-automatic/ | 2017-10-05 | 0 |
<p>There’s no longer any reason to believe the police in this case.</p>
<p>The dramatic changing of the timeline on when security guard Jesus Campos was shot was the final straw.</p>
<p>Listen to the Clark County Sheriff Joseph Lombardo BS his way through explaining the change, insisting it was “minute.”</p>
<p />
<p>It doesn’t make any sense that Campos was shot 6 minutes before Paddock’s attack began and police did nothing in response.</p>
<p>MGM came out today and said the police’s new timeline “may not be accurate” and people should&#160; <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4968802/MGM-questions-accuracy-Las-Vegas-police-timeline.html" type="external">expect the timeline to change again</a>.</p>
<p />
<p>I don’t know if there was multiple shooters or not, but it’s becoming clearer by the day we’re being lied to and intentionally kept in the dark.</p>
<p>They also tried to claim his “note” contained information on bullet trajectories, which they won’t share with us for handwriting analysis, etc. The shooter planned the hell out of this shooting, I guarantee he knew how to properly use a scope (he had multiple according to the pictures which were leaked).</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>Today we learn his house was broken into over the weekend.</p>
<p>From&#160; <a href="https://www.rt.com/usa/406310-paddock-house-reno-break-in/" type="external">RT</a>:</p>
<p>FBI agents returned to search a house in Reno owned by Las Vegas shooter Stephen Paddock after local police told them that someone had broken into the home over the weekend.</p>
<p>Reno police officer Tim Broadway said they were called to the house Sunday morning by a neighbor who saw lights on in the home owned by Paddock.</p>
<p>“Nobody really saw anything, just a light was on with nobody in the residence,” Broadway said, according to the&#160; <a href="https://lasvegassun.com/news/2017/oct/10/break-in-reported-at-las-vegas-shooters-home-in-re/" type="external">Associated Press</a>.</p>
<p>Broadway said officers discovered that “someone had broken into the house” and he immediately contacted the FBI.</p>
<p>He added that the suspects broke into the home through the front door over the weekend, but said he was not sure exactly how they gained entry. Police are not aware of any damages or anything that was stolen.</p>
<p>There are no suspects at this time or any descriptions of a suspect.</p>
<p>The FBI is working with Reno police to ensure “there are no further incidents,” Broadway told the&#160; <a href="http://www.rgj.com/story/news/crime/2017/10/10/las-vegas-shooters-reno-home-broken-into-fbi-revisiting/750725001/" type="external">Reno-Gazette Journal</a>.</p>
<p>Paddock, 64, bought the house in the upscale retirement community in 2013 and lived there with his girlfriend, Marilou Danley.</p>
<p>Investigators previously searched the residence on October 3 and found five handguns, two shotguns, numerous electronic devices and a “plethora of ammunition,” according to&#160; <a href="http://www.kolotv.com/content/news/RPD-not-involved-in-investigation-into-Vegas-shooting-suspect-449079193.html" type="external">KOLO</a>.</p>
<p>During a&#160; <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=935&amp;v=HkOdPK0Qgv8" type="external">news conference</a>&#160;Monday, Las Vegas Sheriff Joseph Lombardo said the FBI and behavioral analysis agents were revisiting Paddock’s properties in order to possibly “discern additional evidence.”</p>
<p>How do they not know if anything was taken? Did they not take photographs of his property?</p>
<p>This whole case reminds me of how the Florida Sheriff’s office that investigated Casey Anthony&#160; <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/casey-anthony-detectives-overlooked-google-search-for-fool-proof-suffocation-methods-sheriff-says/" type="external">only checked her search history on Internet Explore and not Firefox</a>, where they later found she did a Google search for “full-proof” suffocation methods the same day her daughter was last seen alive.</p>
<p>What we know for certain is Paddock chose to massacre white Christian conservatives at a country music concert, which is just about as close to a Trump rally as you can get.</p>
<p>Courtesy of <a href="http://www.informationliberation.com/?id=57495" type="external">Information Liberation</a></p>
<p />
<p /> | Cleanup Crew?: “Break-In At Las Vegas Shooter’s Home In Reno Confounds Police” | true | http://dcclothesline.com/2017/10/12/cleanup-crew-break-in-at-las-vegas-shooters-home-in-reno-confounds-police/ | 2017-10-12 | 0 |
<p>Airlines are about to start making more money off fliers.</p>
<p>The pro: It won’t cost fliers a dime. The con: It includes more ads with creepily accurate targeting.</p>
<p>Panasonic Avionics, a in-flight entertainment supplier for airlines like United and Singapore Airlines, inked a partnership this week with digital ad tech firm MediaShift to build an ad platform that generates ancillary revenue for carriers by creating a direct ad path to travelers.</p>
<p>Panasonic previously delivered ads to passengers using a service called OneMedia, but it’d lose fliers as soon as they logged into a Wi-Fi session.</p>
<p>The new technology from MediaShift helps Panasonic solve this problem and, according to a Panasonic spokesperson, “open up a previously untapped revenue stream for our airline partners.”</p>
<p>Advertisers will pay Panasonic and their airline customers for the privilege of sending targeted ads to often affluent travelers that have time to spare a few extra seconds on an ad at 30,000 feet.</p>
<p>The new ads will appear both on devices provided by the carrier and flyers’ personal devices. A website’s regular ads will appear for one second before being replaced by a targeted ad served through the in-flight Wi-Fi and entertainment system.</p>
<p>A MediaShift spokesperson says there’s already been strong interest in the new platform. The company expects the advertisers will be a mix of travel and destination advertisers as well as large brand advertisers from financial services, clothing, and entertainment.</p>
<p>MediaShift’s Monetization Platform is already used on the ground at more than 5,000 hotels and several large ariports in North America.</p>
<p>Related content from Skift</p>
<p><a href="http://skift.com/2014/04/10/google-travels-grand-plan-become-the-ultimate-aggregator/" type="external">Google Travel’s Grand Plan? Become the Ultimate Aggregator</a></p>
<p><a href="http://skift.com/2014/04/09/airbnbs-new-terms-of-service-are-about-taxes-law-breaking-and-evictions/" type="external">Airbnb’s New Terms of Service Are About Taxes, Law Breaking and Evictions</a></p>
<p><a href="http://skift.com/2014/04/09/tomorrows-business-class-seat-will-blow-your-mind-and-freak-you-out-a-bit/" type="external">The Business Class Seat of Tomorrow Will Blow Your Mind, and Freak You Out a Bit</a></p> | Airlines Plan to Serve Targeted Ads to Idle Fliers | false | http://nbcnews.com/business/travel/airlines-plan-serve-targeted-ads-idle-fliers-n77401 | 2014-04-11 | 3 |
<p>PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa (AP) - South Africa stormed to an innings win over Zimbabwe on Wednesday, needing less than two days of the four-day test to dispatch the visitors.</p>
<p>South Africa bowled the Zimbabweans out for 68 and 121 in the day-night match to win by an innings and 120 runs after making 309-9 declared batting first.</p>
<p>Zimbabwe lost four first-innings wickets quickly under floodlights on day one, but didn't even make it to the night session on day two. South Africa collected another 16 wickets in less than two sessions on the second day at St. George's Park to romp to victory before the dinner break.</p>
<p>Fast bowler Morne Morkel destroyed Zimbabwe's top and middle order in the first innings with his 5-21 from 11 overs. In the second innings, the Zimbabweans collapsed from 54-0 to 121 all out with left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj taking 5-59.</p>
<p>Aiden Markram set up South Africa's first-innings total with his 125 - a second century in three tests for the opener. AB de Villiers added 53 in his first test in two years.</p>
<p>But the game was decided by the fragility of the Zimbabwe batting lineup as South Africa's bowlers ran through the tourists twice in quick succession, led by the pace and hostility of Morkel in the first innings and the persistence of Maharaj in the second.</p>
<p>The highest score by a Zimbabwe batsman was 23. Only two Zimbabweans reached double figures in the first innings.</p>
<p>South Africa was also understrength, missing captain Faf du Plessis, who was unavailable because of a virus. Fast bowler Dale Steyn, who was expected to make his return from a series shoulder injury in the game, also missed out because of illness.</p>
<p>The Proteas didn't miss them.</p>
<p>Morkel knocked Ryan Burl's off stump out of the ground for the first wicket of the second day, starting a procession of Zimbabwe wickets that ended with Maharaj clinching his five-wicket haul and sealing South Africa's victory when Chris Mpofu was bowled attempting a big heave down the ground.</p>
<p>PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa (AP) - South Africa stormed to an innings win over Zimbabwe on Wednesday, needing less than two days of the four-day test to dispatch the visitors.</p>
<p>South Africa bowled the Zimbabweans out for 68 and 121 in the day-night match to win by an innings and 120 runs after making 309-9 declared batting first.</p>
<p>Zimbabwe lost four first-innings wickets quickly under floodlights on day one, but didn't even make it to the night session on day two. South Africa collected another 16 wickets in less than two sessions on the second day at St. George's Park to romp to victory before the dinner break.</p>
<p>Fast bowler Morne Morkel destroyed Zimbabwe's top and middle order in the first innings with his 5-21 from 11 overs. In the second innings, the Zimbabweans collapsed from 54-0 to 121 all out with left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj taking 5-59.</p>
<p>Aiden Markram set up South Africa's first-innings total with his 125 - a second century in three tests for the opener. AB de Villiers added 53 in his first test in two years.</p>
<p>But the game was decided by the fragility of the Zimbabwe batting lineup as South Africa's bowlers ran through the tourists twice in quick succession, led by the pace and hostility of Morkel in the first innings and the persistence of Maharaj in the second.</p>
<p>The highest score by a Zimbabwe batsman was 23. Only two Zimbabweans reached double figures in the first innings.</p>
<p>South Africa was also understrength, missing captain Faf du Plessis, who was unavailable because of a virus. Fast bowler Dale Steyn, who was expected to make his return from a series shoulder injury in the game, also missed out because of illness.</p>
<p>The Proteas didn't miss them.</p>
<p>Morkel knocked Ryan Burl's off stump out of the ground for the first wicket of the second day, starting a procession of Zimbabwe wickets that ended with Maharaj clinching his five-wicket haul and sealing South Africa's victory when Chris Mpofu was bowled attempting a big heave down the ground.</p> | South Africa hammers Zimbabwe by innings in 4-day test | false | https://apnews.com/amp/8f89a3b3b57247a7af22ed9caf92a8a6 | 2017-12-27 | 2 |
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<p>WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump will revive a program that provides local police departments with surplus military equipment such as high-caliber weapons and grenade launchers, despite past concerns that armored vehicles and other gear were inflaming confrontations with protesters.</p>
<p>Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the program to roaring applause Monday at a national convention of the Fraternal Order of Police, one of the groups that had long urged Trump to restore the military program.</p>
<p>The plan will “ensure that you can get the lifesaving gear that you need to do your job and send a strong message that we will not allow criminal activity, violence, and lawlessness to become a new normal,” Sessions told the cheering crowd.</p>
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<p>Trump plans to sign an order undoing Obama-era limitations on police agencies’ access to camouflage uniforms, bullet-proof vests, riot shields, firearms, ammunition and other items. The changes are another way in which Trump and Sessions are enacting a law-and-order agenda that sees federal support of local police as key to driving down violent crime.</p>
<p>Groups across the political spectrum have expressed concern about the militarization of police, arguing that the equipment encourages and escalates confrontations with officers. But many law enforcement agencies and policing organizations see it as needed to ensure officers aren’t put in danger when responding to active shooter calls and terrorist attacks. An armored vehicle played a key role in the police response to the December 2015 mass shooting in San Bernardino, California.</p>
<p>Congress authorized the Pentagon program in 1990, allowing police to receive surplus equipment to help fight drugs, which then gave way to the fight against terrorism.</p>
<p>President Barack Obama issued an executive order in 2015 that severely limited the program, partly triggered by public outrage over the use of military gear during protests in Ferguson, Missouri, following the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown. Police responded in riot gear and deployed tear gas, dogs and armored vehicles. At times they also pointed assault rifles at protesters.</p>
<p>Obama’s order prohibited the federal government from providing grenade launchers, bayonets, tracked armored vehicles, weaponized aircraft and vehicles, and firearms and ammunition of .50-caliber or greater to police.</p>
<p>“Those restrictions went too far,” Sessions said. “We will not put superficial concerns above public safety.”</p>
<p>As of December, the agency overseeing the program had recalled at least 100 grenade launchers, more than 1,600 bayonets and 126 tracked vehicles — those that run on continuous, tank-like tracks instead of wheels — that were provided through the program.</p>
<p>Trump vowed to rescind the executive order in a written response to a Fraternal Order of Police questionnaire that helped him win an endorsement from the organization of rank-and-file officers. He reiterated his promise during a gathering of police officers in July, saying the equipment still on the streets is being put to good use.</p>
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<p>“In fact, that stuff is disappearing so fast we have none left,” Trump said.</p>
<p>The NAACP Legal Defense Fund said in a statement Sunday night it is “exceptionally dangerous and irresponsible” for the administration to lift the ban.</p>
<p>“Just a few summers ago, our nation watched as Ferguson raised the specter of increased police militarization. The law enforcement response there and in too many places across the country demonstrated how perilous, especially for Black and Brown communities, a militarized police force can be,” the LDF said.</p>
<p>“The President’s decision to make this change in the wake of the tragedy in Charlottesville and against a backdrop of frayed relations between police and communities of color further reflects this administration’s now open effort to escalate racial tensions in our country,” the organization said.</p>
<p>Justice Department documents summarizing the order describe much of the gear as “defensive in nature,” intended to protect officers from danger.</p>
<p>Most police agencies rarely require military equipment for daily use but see a need to have it available, said Chuck Wexler, executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum.</p>
<p>“It is hard to imagine any situation where a grenade launcher or bayonet would be something that a major police department would need, but defensive shields and armored vehicles kept on reserve will be welcome,” he said.</p>
<p>Sessions has said he believes boosting morale among police can help curb spikes in violence in some cities. The plan to restore access to military equipment comes after Sessions has said he intends to pull back on court-enforceable improvement plans with troubled police departments, which he says can malign entire agencies and make officers less aggressive on the street.</p> | Trump rolling back limits on military gear for police | false | https://abqjournal.com/1054570/trump-rolling-back-limits-on-military-gear-for-police.html | 2017-08-28 | 2 |
<p>Most of us are familiar with the Biblical story of Joseph and his multicolored coat, which his father, Jacob, made for him as a sign of his favor. Joseph’s brothers became jealous, threw him into a pit, and then sold him as a slave, and Joseph ended up in Egypt, eventually becoming second-in-command to Pharaoh himself. When the brothers eventually traveled to Egypt to look for food, Joseph as the viceroy, who was unbeknownst to them, revealed himself to them.</p>
<p>This major Biblical event was the precursor to the Israelites becoming slaves in Egypt until God, with the help of Moses, took them out, an event which Jews commemorate on Passover.</p>
<p>The story of Joseph is a major catalyst, if not the main precursor, to most of the Torah (Five books of Moses). The entire story of the Exodus is based on it. And no one would deny that it was the children of Israel who went to Egypt and later left based on this event.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.truthrevolt.org/news/kids-production-joseph-musical-removes-israel-lyrics" type="external">Except history-revising Leftists</a>.</p>
<p>A children’s production of the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, originally written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, scheduled to play in September at the Artsplash Festival in New Zealand, was criticized by the original musical’s lyricist Tim Rice for replacing the phrase “Children of Israel” with “Children of Kindness” without his permission.</p>
<p>The change in lyrics was noticed when song sheets were handed out to the participants. One astute woman saw the change and questioned on Twitter why they changed the lyrics and if they had permission to do this.</p>
<p>Rice saw the tweet and chimed in:</p>
<p />
<p>He later added:</p>
<p>The Wellington City Council, which partially funds the festival, promised Rice it will force the production company to put the original lyrics back in. But as reported by <a href="https://www.christiantoday.com/article/fury.as.new.zealand.festival.removes.word.israel.from.joseph.musical/110096.htm" type="external">Christian Today</a>, Artsplash coordinator Mary Prichard and her team made the changes in order to “keep life simple” for the schoolchildren. Prichard added that she wanted the music to cover kids from all countries and backgrounds. She then apologized on Facebook, saying how she “would never consider doing anything racist or anti any religion.”</p>
<p>However, according to New Zealand Jewish Council president Stephen Goodman, it was a clear case of unnecessary political correctness. Additionally, Jewish academic Dr. Irene Lancaster said that the move is clearly part of an anti-Semitic agenda that is plaguing the West.</p>
<p>It is sad to say that this story is not surprising in the least. This incident comes from the same mentality that leads to the failed and naïve notion that peace between Israel and the Palestinians can be achieved and that giving away half of Israel would do that. It is the same worldview that thinks that both Muslims and Jews have equal claim to Jerusalem and that it is not the capital of Israel. And it is truly egregious that most world leaders believe that even the Western Wall, the one remnant of the Jewish Temple destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D. (600 years before the rise of Islam) and currently the holiest site in Judaism, does not belong to the Jews.</p>
<p>This is what happens when a worldview is based in feelings and not in facts. As Daily Wire Editor-in-Chief Ben Shapiro has stated, "Facts don’t care about your feelings.” But when feelings take over, facts fall by the wayside, and these types of stunts, such as the one of the Artsplash festival’s blatant whitewash of history, are the fruit that is borne.</p>
<p>Follow Jeremy Frankel on <a href="https://mobile.twitter.com/FrankelJeremy" type="external">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://m.facebook.com/frankeljeremy/?ref=bookmarks" type="external">Facebook</a>.</p> | Revising History: ‘Joseph’ Musical Removes ‘Israel’ From Its Lyrics | true | https://dailywire.com/news/17794/revising-history-joseph-musical-removes-israel-its-jeremy-frankel | 2017-06-21 | 0 |
<p>The Kremlin is known for tightly controlling information. But apparently, secret plans for a Russian long-range nuclear torpedo were accidentally made public on Russian State television.</p>
<p>During a news broadcast on Channel One, a video segment showed President Vladimir Putin meeting with some military officials in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. When the camera shifted angles it showed a Russian general looking over a technical diagram of a devastating new, submarine-launchable, nuclear torpedo.</p>
<p>Oops! Or as Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov put it, "It's true some secret data got into the shot, therefore it was subsequently deleted.”</p>
<p>So the Kremlin says secret designs for a Russian long-range nuclear torpedo — code named "Status-6" — should not have appeared on Russian TV news.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34797252" type="external">The weapon system is said</a> to be designed to be able to "destroy important economic installations of the enemy in coastal areas and cause guaranteed devastating damage to the country's territory by creating wide areas of radioactive contamination, rendering them unusable for military, economic or other activity for a long time."&#160;</p>
<p>But not everyone is going for this story hook, line, and sinker. Could it be nuclear propaganda?&#160;&#160;</p>
<p>It's hard to believe that the Kremlin which strenuously guards information would make such a mistake, and then draw more attention to the lapse with a public statement. How could&#160;such a security breach&#160;be missed by government television censors?&#160;</p>
<p>The&#160;technical diagram itself is a little suspicious, says reporter Charles Maynes in Moscow.&#160;</p>
<p>”This image is almost a coloring book style diagram," he says. "It gives some of the details of the weapon — this 'Status-6' nuclear sub — it tells you about the manufacturer in Saint Petersburg, it gives all sorts of little details, but it’s obscenely big compared to the other weapons displayed, longer, bigger and more threatening than all the others. It has this kind of highly devastating, ‘Doctor Evil,' ‘Don’t give the kids the remote!’ kind of feel to it. And, the question is whether it really is top secret or whether this is a bluff?”&#160;</p> | Did Russian television accidently leak secret plans for a nuclear torpedo or is it just propaganda? | false | https://pri.org/stories/2015-11-12/did-russian-television-accidently-leak-secret-plans-nuclear-torpedo-or-it-just | 2015-11-12 | 3 |
<p>At the stroke of midnight on March 6, 1957, as the new day began, so, too, began a new nation. It was the moment at which the Union Jack was replaced with a flag of red, gold and green with a distinctive black star at is center. The British-ruled Gold Coast was now a self-ruled country, Ghana - the first sub-Saharan nation to claim its independence from colonialism.</p>
<p>It was a historic event, heralded as the force that urged other sub-Saharan African nations forward in their quests for liberation. What is not as widely discussed is the impact that Ghana's independence also had on America's civil rights movement, or the impact that black America had on Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the man who would ultimately lead his country to freedom.</p>
<p>Most African intellectuals of that era completed their tertiary and postgraduate education in Europe. It was customary, if not expected. Ever the visionary, Nkrumah set his sights on America. He enrolled in Lincoln University, which has the distinction of being one of America's oldest historically black colleges. There he studied economics, sociology and theology; he also received an informal education in the politics of race and the plight of black people in America.</p>
<p>When Nkrumah was not in school in Philadelphia, he lived in Harlem, N.Y., where he earned a meager living by working such odd jobs as selling fish on the streets and waiting tables on merchant ships. Nkrumah frequented black churches in Harlem and Philadelphia. He aligned himself with black political organizations such as the NAACP, where he met and began working with the scholar W.E.B. Du Bois, who quickly became a mentor to Nkrumah.</p>
<p>Upon completing his studies at Lincoln University, Nkrumah attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned master's degrees in education and philosophy. It was there that an already politicized Kwame Nkrumah began to shape his ideas of Pan-Africanism as well as his vision for a liberated and unified continent, a place to which all people of African descent in the Diaspora could return, and a place they could consider home.</p>
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<p>Marcus Garvey, the Jamaican activist who advocated black self-reliance in the United States, was another instrumental figure in Nkrumah's life and education. "But I think," Nkrumah noted in his autobiography, "that of all the literature that I studied, the book that did more than any other to fire my enthusiasm was <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0912469242?ie=UTF8linkCode&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0912469242&amp;tag=kinjaroot-20&amp;ascsubtag=3fa1cc4e7561cecd421dd5c39b47c5f8c7cd3881&amp;rawdata=%5Br%7C(direct)%5Bt%7Clink%5Bp%7C1790863012%5Ba%7C0912469242%5Bau%7C5876237249236879664%5Bb%7Ctheroot" type="external">Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey</a>. Garvey, with his philosophy of 'Africa for Africans' and his 'Back to Africa' movement, did much to inspire the Negroes of America in the 1920s."</p>
<p>During Nkrumah's time at the University of Pennsylvania, he helped to establish its African-studies section. He also established the African Students Association of America and Canada, and served as its first president.</p>
<p>Given all this, it is no wonder that some of the most notable black people in American history were present to witness the moment of Ghana's independence: U.N. Undersecretary for Special Political Affairs Ralph Bunche, also a Nobel Peace Prize recipient; Sen. Charles Diggs; Rep. Adam Clayton Powell Jr.; Mordecai Johnson, the first black president of Howard University; international labor activist Maida Springer; Horace Mann Bond, the first black president of Lincoln University and the father of Julian Bond; Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King; and Lucille Armstrong, representing her husband, Louis, who could not attend.</p>
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<p>Also present was then-Vice President Richard Nixon. A rather telling story has been written numerous times of how Nixon approached a group of black people whom he assumed to be Ghanaians and asked, "How does it feel to be free?"</p>
<p>"We wouldn't know," they responded. "We're from Alabama." Their response only emphasized a remark made to the vice president by Dr. King at a reception that was held two days prior to independence. It was the first time the two had ever met. "I want you to come visit us down in Alabama," King said, "where we are seeking the same kind of freedom the Gold Coast is celebrating."</p>
<p>The repeated reference to Alabama and freedom was especially poignant because Ghana's independence occurred virtually on the heels of a major civil rights victory there: the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The yearlong boycott began on Dec. 1, 1955, when Rosa Parks refused to get up and give her seat on a bus to a white person, and effectively ended in November of 1956, when the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling in which it was declared that the laws of segregation on buses were unconstitutional.</p>
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<p>In his book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0807858935?camp=213381&amp;creative=390973&amp;linkCode=as4&amp;creativeASIN=0807858935&amp;adid=1RT7ERN4KRB8PJB1D25V&amp;tag=kinjaroot-20&amp;ascsubtag=b58f674a1fa1c80a72cc5dfc7456537ac017c3c7&amp;rawdata=%5Br%7C(direct)%5Bt%7Clink%5Bp%7C1790863012%5Ba%7C0807858935%5Bau%7C5876237249236879664%5Bb%7Ctheroot" type="external">African Americans in Ghana:</a>Black Expatriates and the Civil Rights Era, author Kevin Kelly Gaines writes that "The fulfillment of Ghanaian and African demands for national independence informed many African Americans' struggles for equal citizenship."</p>
<p>During a radio interview that King gave while still in Accra, he said of Ghana's independence: "It renews my conviction in the ultimate triumph of justice. And it seems to me that this is fit testimony to the fact that eventually the forces of justice triumph in the universe, and somehow the universe itself is on the side of freedom and justice. So that this gives new hope to me in the struggle for freedom."</p>
<p>Ghana's close relationship with black America, which was forged by Nkrumah, has continued. Du Bois, who was not at the independence celebrations because the U.S. government refused to issue him a passport, moved to Ghana in 1961 and spent his remaining years here.</p>
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<p>The list of African Americans who have called Ghana home is long and includes such people as poet Dr. Maya Angelou, writer and Pan-Africanist George Padmore, writer Julian Mayfield and lawyer-author the Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray. In 2001 Ghana's parliament passed "the Right to Abode"; it is legislation that affords any individual of African descent the ability to live and work here indefinitely. Ghana is the first African country to make such an overture to people in the Diaspora.</p>
<p>"Africa's future is up to Africans," U.S. President Barack Obama said when he addressed Ghana's parliament in July 2009. "The people of Africa are ready to claim that future. And in my country, African Americans - including so many recent immigrants - have thrived in every sector of society. We've done so despite a difficult past, and we've drawn strength from our African heritage."</p>
<p>As Obama spoke, I couldn't help thinking how fitting it was for the first black president of America to have chosen Ghana as the destination of his first official visit to Africa. It was a wonderful tribute to a long-standing and important relationship that has defined our mutual destinies.</p>
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<p>John Dramani Mahama, vice president of Ghana, is writing a nonfiction book about Africa.</p>
<p>This article has been updated to reflect the fact that it was a passport, and not a visa, that the U.S. government refused to issue Du Bois in relation to the independence celebrations mentioned above.</p> | Your Take: The Bridge Between Ghana and Black America | true | https://theroot.com/your-take-the-bridge-between-ghana-and-black-america-1790863012 | 2011-03-06 | 4 |
<p>The NBA draft has always fascinated me as an incongruous piece of social engineering in a larger environment that finds the concept repugnant.</p>
<p>Here’s something from the web describing it:</p>
<p>“The NBA draft is divided into two rounds. The order of selections is based on certain rules. The first turns of the draft belong to the fourteen teams that did not enter the playoffs in that year’s season. These teams participate in a lottery that determines the spot each team will have in the draft. The next sixteen spots in the draft are reserved for the teams that made it into that season’s playoffs. The order of these sixteen teams’ selection is determined by their regular-season win-loss record, going from worst to best.”</p>
<p>Here’s a similar description of the NFL’s recruitment of new players:</p>
<p>“The NFL draft is an annual event in which National Football League franchises take turns selecting amateur football players and other first-time eligible players. Currently, the draft consists of seven rounds. Each team is assigned a selection in each round, with the teams with the worst record from the previous year being assigned the best picks in each round. This helps the league achieve a degree of parity.”</p>
<p>The operative idea in both cases is ‘parity’, the opposite of which is ‘disparity’. To ensure an element of parity, as the descriptions attest, leagues deliberately set down procedures to promote equalization of team strengths. It is still possible for some teams to dominate over short periods of time, such as the Chicago Bulls in the late 90’s or the Dallas Cowboys for a while the same decade, but there is an institutional check on monotonic increases in one team’s strength, such a trend being recognized as serving the league ill.</p>
<p>It seems odd, when you think about it, that a truth grasped by something as puerile as a sports league has been forgotten by the country that swears by sports, where even presidents and senators cannot go one sound-bite without invoking a Hail Mary metaphor here or a Slam Dunk there (or taking great pains to emphasize that it is NOT an Islam Dunk).</p>
<p>The single greatest distinction between developed nations and underdeveloped nations is not the GDP or the technological gap. It is the absence or presence of great economic disparity. But it is a lesson that has America has shelved for many years now, and the result is its slide into third-world status. Lest there be any confusion, that superpowers can turn quickly into third world countries was proven by the old Soviet Union, and that they can be both simultaneously will be proven by China and India in the coming decades.</p>
<p>Disparity in America has grown by leaps and bounds (no pun intended) over the past quarter century, in a game that shows no signs of ending. The driving force behind this growing divide is the ruling idea of the age, the trickle-down theory, a view tantamount to the following: it is fine for one basketball franchise to hire the entire Olympic “Dream Team”, if it is able. Over time, players can be expected to drift to weaker teams, and over the years, the league will find its own parity. In other words, you get the drift (not the draft).</p>
<p>A funny word, that. ‘Draft’ also means a sharp, cold, burst of air, one avoided by wise men and women for fear of catching something. As in members of Congress refusing to touch the word with a barge pole. Not to be confused with ‘daft’, which describes exactly those who would quickly endorse wild adventures so as to “put the war behind us and get the discussion back to the ‘economy'” before a mid-term election.</p>
<p>The donkey is a draft animal in every part of the world. But barring Rep. Charlie Rangel’s brief flirtation with the idea before the Iraq war started, a trial floatation he quickly abandoned, no Democrat has brought up the topic again. The impact of the draft is a reflection of society as a whole. When I talk to members of the World War II generation, many were in the war themselves, others had their relatives in the war, in some cases they even had relatives who died in the war. Among my Vietnam era friends, they were intimately aware of the war, more rarely, some had served there, but many at least knew someone who had gone. And Iraq?</p>
<p>The elephant too is a draft animal, but only in remote places like the forests of India, Burma or Thailand, where it is used to drag huge logs of wood to the railhead (Is it just chance that even there it seems to be used to promote logging?). This noble animal, social, familial and intelligent in nature, is controlled in captivity by a puny mahout who has gained its allegiance by the use of fear, and the constant threat of an ankush (ambush?), an instrument that he uses as both spear and mallet (queer and wallet?)</p>
<p>Animals, as a rule, are drafted without their consent. They cannot escape across the border, seek five deferments, or promise they will serve in the National Guard instead. Of course, some drafts are more final than others.Was it Churchill who observed that in a breakfast of eggs and bacon, the hen was ‘involved’, but the pig was ‘committed’?. As we look at our predicament this Thanksgiving Day, while donkeys and elephants may be involved in how we arrived here, it is the turkeys that are ‘committed’. Who are the turkeys, you ask. Abbot hinted at the answer as he turned to Costello in the old movie and barked, “Idiot, you are the people!”</p>
<p>NIRANJAN RAMAKRISHNAN is a writer living on the West Coast. He can be reached at <a href="" type="internal">[email protected]</a>.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p> | Thoughts on Thanksgiving | true | https://counterpunch.org/2005/11/24/thoughts-on-thanksgiving/ | 2005-11-24 | 4 |
<p>“A spirit of adulation, bordering on servility, already exists among some of the same Democratic-friendly Catholic writers, scholars, editors and activists who once accused pro-lifers of being too cozy with Republicans.” Archbishop Charles Chaput The Denver, Colo., prelate was speaking of fellow Catholics’ admiration for President Obama. He was quoted by Zenit, a Catholic news agency. (RNS)</p>
<p>“It’s incumbent for Christians, if they say that ending one’s own life is unsatisfactory, to provide alternatives. Is the conservative Christian community willing to step up, provide their own financial resources, and say, ‘We’re going to be the presence of Christ in the valley of the shadow of death?’ ” Hessell Bouma The biology professor at Calvin College was telling Christianity Today that Christians should develop hospice programs for the terminally ill while they contest legalized assisted suicide. (RNS)</p>
<p>“I know there’s some who would like to engage with Muslim communities without bringing religion into the conversation. But to them, I say, ‘Good luck.’ ” Madeleine Albright The former secretary of state was speaking at a congressional hearing on improving U.S. relations with the Muslim world. She was quoted by Congregessional Quarterly. (RNS)</p> | OUT LOUD | false | https://baptistnews.com/article/outloud-104/ | 3 |
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<p>Image source: Medicare.gov.</p>
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<p>If you're getting close to age 65, or have even reached or surpassed it, you may be assuming that you know all you need to know about Medicare. If you mainly just know that it will provide health insurance for you in your golden years, you need to learn a little more. For example, there are different kinds of Medicare coverage to sign up for, some services and products are surprisingly not covered, and there is a bit of means-testing involved.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFSelena/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Selena Maranjian</a>: One things that many Americans don't realize about Medicare is that if they want Medicare coverage, they don't have to sign up for the U.S. government-provided original Medicare coverage. Private insurance companies such as Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) now offer Medicare Advantage plans.</p>
<p>Medicare Advantage plans, which debuted in 1995, are administered by private insurers but are regulated by the U.S. government. Each must offer at least as much coverage as what is now called "original Medicare" (i.e., the benefits you'll find in Part A and Part B that respectively cover hospital and medical services). In order to attract customers, many offer broader coverage, such as vision and/or dental care. Most include prescription drug coverage, too. While original Medicare doesn't cover healthcare provided outside the U.S., some Medicare Advantage plans do. While original Medicare will often have you footing 20% of many bills, a Medicare Advantage plan might charge you a low copay per doctor visit or service. Medicare Advantage plans also have out-of-pocket limits, beyond which the plan will pick up all your healthcare costs for the year.</p>
<p>Original Medicare lets you see any healthcare provider who accepts Medicare, but Medicare Advantage plans will typically limit you to a network of doctors -- though these networks can be very big sometimes.</p>
<p>If you think you might be interested in a Medicare Advantage plan, see which ones are offered in your area. Know, too, that choosing between original Medicare and a Medicare Advantage plan isn't a permanent decision. At least once a year, you will be able to switch between them.</p>
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<p>Eye exams are generally not covered by original Medicare. Image source: Pixabay.</p>
<p>: One surprising fact about Medicare is that it doesn't cover a lot of services that millions of elderly patients typically need. For example, Medicare generally won't cover trips to the dentist, ophthalmologist, or audiologist, leaving recipients who want basic care for their mouth, eyes, or ears to foot the entire bill.</p>
<p>Let's look at each in a bit more detail so you can know what to expect.</p>
<p>Medicare won't pay for trips to the dentist for basic services such as cleanings, fillings, tooth extractions, or dentures. However, if have an extreme dental emergency and you wind up in the hospital, then Medicare will payfor certain dental services as part of your Part A benefit.</p>
<p>Just as with dental care, Medicare doesn't pay for many eye care services, either. Need a routine eye exam, eyeglasses, or contact lenses? You will likely be on your own. There are a few exceptions to this rule, though, as Medicare will pay for an annual eye exam to check for diabetic retinopathy (if you have diabetes) and for a yearly glaucoma test (if you are deemed to be a high-risk candidate). It will also cover some tests and treatments if you have been diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration by an eye doctor. But that's about it.</p>
<p>As for the ears, Medicare will cover some diagnostic tests to check your hearing and balance if your healthcare provider deems them necessary, but it won't pay for routine hearing exams or even a hearing aid. That's surprising, as the National Institute of Health estimates that almost half of people age 75 years or older have a hearing impairment.</p>
<p>If you're worried about any of these routine coverage gaps, then you might want to look at buying a Medicare Advantage Plan that covers these services. Not all of them do so, make sure you ask about each of these before you sign up.</p>
<p>Image source: MyMedicare.gov.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFGalagan/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Dan Caplinger</a>: Many people see the means-testing of benefits to bethe solution to the financial woes faced by major government programs such as Social Security. But what a lot of Americans don't realize is that Medicare already has a form of means-testing that charges higher premiums to high-income participants.</p>
<p>Specifically, for premium payments in 2016, individuals with incomes of less than $85,000 or joint filers with earnings of less than $170,000 pay the standard Part B premium of $121.80. However, those with higher incomes also have to pay an additional surcharge. For singles making up to $107,000, the add-on surcharge is $48.70 per month. From $107,000 to $160,000, singles pay double what low- and middle-income retirees pay. For incomes between $160,000 and $214,000, the extra payment is $194.90 per month, and those above that income level top out at $268 extra per month. The income ranges for joint filers are all exactly double the single-filer ranges.</p>
<p>Similar surcharges add costs for Part D prescription drug coverage. Supplemental costs follow the same ranges as Part B premium surcharges, and add $12.70, $32.80, $52.80, or $72.90 to your monthly costs depending on where you fall. These extra payments go part of the way toward helping to finance Medicare for the bulk of its lower-income participants.</p>
<p>The article <a href="http://www.fool.com/retirement/general/2016/03/28/3-things-you-never-knew-about-medicare.aspx" type="external">3 Things You Never Knew About Medicare</a> originally appeared on Fool.com.</p>
<p>Try any of our Foolish newsletter services <a href="http://www.fool.com/shop/newsletters/index.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">free for 30 days</a>. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that <a href="http://wiki.fool.com/Motley?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">considering a diverse range of insights</a> makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">disclosure policy</a>.</p>
<p>Copyright 1995 - 2016 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/help/index.htm?display=about02" type="external">disclosure policy</a>.</p> | 3 Things You Never Knew About Medicare | true | http://foxbusiness.com/markets/2016/03/28/3-things-never-knew-about-medicare.html | 2016-03-28 | 0 |
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<p>The New Mexico Music Educators Association’s All-State Music Festival and conference, which took place this week at the University of New Mexico, winds up today with a series of performances at Popejoy Hall. Music students from around the state have been rehearsing with notable music directors in preparation for today’s concerts: All-State Orchestra and Guitar concert at 9 a.m.; Small School All-State Band and All-State Concert and Symphonic Bands at noon; All-State Treble and Mixed Choirs at 3 p.m. Tickets are available at Popejoy Hall.</p>
<p>Renowned conductor Paula A. Crider, professor emerita at The University of Texas, rehearses Friday with the All-State Symphonic Band at UNM’s Popejoy Hall.</p>
<p>— This article appeared on page C1 of the Albuquerque Journal</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p> | Strike up the band at festival | false | https://abqjournal.com/159654/strike-up-the-band-at-festival.html | 2013-01-12 | 2 |
<p>NATO said on Monday there was a "high probability" that Russia could launch an invasion of eastern Ukraine under the guise of a humanitarian operation, but a defiant President Vladimir Putin said Moscow was sending an aid convoy into the country.</p>
<p>With Ukraine reporting Russia has massed 45,000 troops on its border, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso also warned Putin against any military intervention in the country.</p>
<p>The past week has seen increasingly urgent warnings from Kyiv and Western countries that Putin appeared to be planning an invasion.</p>
<p>Western countries said Putin — who has whipped up the passions of Russians with a relentless nationalist campaign in state-controlled media since annexing Ukraine's Crimea peninsula in March — could invade to head off a humiliating rebel defeat.</p>
<p>The European Union chief delivered his message in a telephone call to Putin. "President Barroso warned against any unilateral military actions in Ukraine, under any pretext, including humanitarian," the Commission said in a statement.</p>
<p>However, the Kremlin made clear that Moscow, which has expressed its concern about Russian speakers in eastern Ukraine as Kyiv forces try to crush pro-Russian rebels, would indeed send aid.</p>
<p>"It was noted that the Russian side, in collaboration with representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross, is sending an aid convoy to Ukraine," the Kremlin said in a statement on the conversation between the two leaders.</p>
<p>Kyiv said it was in the "final stages" of recapturing the eastern city of Donetsk — the main base of the separatist rebels in a battle that could mark a turning point in a conflict that has caused the biggest confrontation between Russia and the West since the Cold War.</p>
<p>An industrial metropolis with a pre-war population of nearly 1 million, Donetsk rocked to the crash of shells and gunfire over the weekend, and heavy guns boomed through the night into Monday from the outskirts of the city.</p>
<p>NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said there was no sign Russia had withdrawn the troops it had massed at the Ukrainian frontier. Asked in a Reuters interview how he rated the chances of Russian military intervention, Rasmussen said: "There is a high probability."</p>
<p>"We see the Russians developing the narrative and the pretext for such an operation under the guise of a humanitarian operation, and we see a military build-up that could be used to conduct such illegal military operations in Ukraine," he said.</p>
<p>Humanitarian pretext</p>
<p>NATO believes any Russian humanitarian mission would be used as a pretext to save the rebels, who are fighting for control of two provinces under the banner of "New Russia," a term Putin has used for southern and eastern Ukraine, where mostly Russian is spoken.</p>
<p>Ukraine appears to be pressing ahead with its offensive, undeterred by the presence of what NATO says are about 20,000 Russian troops massed on the nearby border for a potential ground invasion.</p>
<p>Kyiv put the size of the Russian forces much higher. "As of 11 o'clock today, about 45,000 troops of the armed forces and internal forces of the Russian Federation are concentrated in border areas," Ukrainian military spokesman Andriy Lysenko told a briefing.&#160;</p>
<p>He said they were supported by 160 tanks, 1,360 armoured vehicles, 390 artillery systems, up to 150 Grad missile launchers, 192 fighter aircraft and 137 attack helicopters.</p>
<p>Kyiv has said in recent days that it succeeded in using diplomacy to prevent Russia from launching a ground invasion to protect the rebels under the guise of a humanitarian mission. Moscow announced on Friday it was ending war games in the area.</p>
<p>Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has himself said he is ready to support a humanitarian mission for Luhansk but only as long as it is sponsored by the international community. His administration said on Monday that Barroso, in a phone call with Poroshenko, had said the EU was ready to earmark 2.5 million euros for such a mission.</p>
<p>Cities 'cut off'</p>
<p>Lysenko said Ukrainian government forces had finally succeeded in cutting off the road between Donetsk and Luhansk, the other main rebel-held city, which is closer to the Russian border. Kyiv and its Western allies say the route has been the principal means of supplying the rebels in Donetsk with weapons.</p>
<p>"The forces of the anti-terrorist operation are preparing for the final stage of liberating Donetsk," Lysenko told Reuters. "Our forces have completely cut Donetsk off from Luhansk. We are working to liberate both cities, but it's better to liberate Donetsk first - it is more important."</p>
<p>The leader of the rebels in Donetsk, Alexander Zakharchenko, a local man who took over the leadership from a Russian citizen last week, said the fighters were considering mounting a counter attack against government forces in the next two or three days.</p>
<p>And a volunteer government fighter suggested claims that government forces were about to take Donetsk were inflated. "Taking the town is an extremely complicated business and painful ... It will take, at the very least, several weeks," said Andriy Beletsky, commander of the so-called Azov battalion told journalists.</p>
<p>Lysenko said clashes took place in several parts of eastern Ukraine over the past 24 hours, with six Ukrainian service members killed and big losses to the rebel side. Rebel losses could not be independently confirmed.</p>
<p>Municipal authorities in Donetsk said artillery shelling knocked out power stations in the city and hit a high-security prison, killing one inmate and allowing more than a 100 criminals to escape.</p>
<p>U.N. agencies say more than 1,100 people have been killed including government forces, rebels and civilians in the four months since rebels seized territory in the east and the government launched its crackdown. Kyiv says 568 of its troops have been killed in combat.</p>
<p>Government forces have been advancing since June, pushing rebels into Donetsk and Luhansk, capitals of two provinces that the fighters have declared independent "people's republics."</p>
<p>Fighting in recent weeks has focused on the route linking the cities, near where Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 crashed in July, killing all 298 people on board. Washington says the plane was almost certainly shot down accidentally by rebels using an advanced Russian missile. Moscow denies this.</p>
<p>Fighting near the site forced the Netherlands to put off a mission to recover human remains and investigate the crash.</p>
<p>The rebels in eastern Ukraine have been led mostly by Russian citizens and they have heavy weaponry that Kyiv and its allies say can only have come from Russia. Moscow denies aiding them.</p>
<p>Donetsk is facing an increasing shortage of food, water and fuel. Few people are on the streets, apart from groups of armed separatist fighters. There is relatively little traffic, with petrol in short supply. Those who have not left for the countryside are staying indoors. Banks are closed and pensions and social allowances are not being paid.</p>
<p>Shelling on Monday from the direction of the international airport and the suburb of Yasynuvata to the north knocked out a string of power stations, the municipal authority said.</p> | NATO sees 'high probability' of Russian invasion in eastern Ukraine | false | https://pri.org/stories/2014-08-11/nato-sees-high-probability-russian-invasion-eastern-ukraine | 2014-08-11 | 3 |
<p>It's the fourth day of French air strikes against Islamist militants in the West African nation of Mali.</p>
<p>The intervention has been welcomed by many Malians hoping for an end to Islamist control of Mali's north.</p>
<p>Ousmane Diadie Toure is a film-maker in Mali's capital, Bamako.</p>
<p>He's a member of Defenders of the Republic, an activist movement led by artists and professionals.</p>
<p>Anchor Jeb Sharp speaks to him about reaction in Bamako to the French bombardment of Islamist bases.</p> | Mali Welcomes French Intervention | false | https://pri.org/stories/2013-01-14/mali-welcomes-french-intervention | 2013-01-14 | 3 |
<p>The so-called affluenza teen and his mother are fighting extradition from Mexico and have been granted a temporary stay. The Daily Mail <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3378910/Fugitive-affluenza-teen-mom-caught-surveillance-video-looking-relaxed-new-life-run-Mexico-just-two-hours-arrested.html" type="external">reports</a>:</p>
<p>Affluenza teen Ethan Couch has won a temporary stay against his deportation back to the United States, according to officials. The controversial decision comes after the killer drink-driver and his mother Tonya filed papers to fight their extradition from Mexico, meaning it could be months before they face a judge in Texas.</p>
<p>The 18-year-old killer and his mom were taken into Mexican custody on Monday, two hours after they were caught on surveillance camera looking relaxed in their short-lived life on the run. Police in Texas were trying to get them into court as early as Wednesday, but the U.S. Marshals have revealed their attorney has filed an ‘AMPARO’ writ of habeas corpus.</p>
<p>Other sources say the stay may be lifted in as soon as three days. Couch and his mother were nabbed after they traced his call to a Domino’s Pizza outlet in Puerto Vallarta. Lots of surveillance images are at the link. (Tipped by JMG reader David)</p> | Mexico Grants Deportation Stay For “Affluenza” Teen | true | http://joemygod.com/2015/12/30/mexico-grants-deportation-stay-for-affluenza-teen/ | 2015-12-30 | 4 |
<p>As the battle in Washington continues, I often wonder why there is not more outrage from all Americans over the debt ceiling debate.&#160;I am disappointed,&#160; but not surprised,&#160; because most people don't really understand how to connect the dots -- to understand what increasing the debt ceiling means to them personally and, more specifically, to their purchasing power.</p>
<p>The issue is simple: Your ability to make ends meet is being ambushed by this administration and its policies. In order to pay for this increase in the debt ceiling, the government will continue to print money. When you print money, it lessens the value of the money you already have. This devaluation of your currency means you have lower purchasing power.&#160; So you cannot buy what you used to with the same amount of cash. It will be harder to feed your family, pay your mortgage or rent, clothe your family, pay your rising tax bills. It's going to be tougher to pay your water bills, electricity, etc.</p>
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<p>Some might say that rising prices aren't a problem --&#160;there are many theorists who claim there isn't any inflation in the economy.&#160; That is hogwash. Do not blindly accept the government's assertion that the rising cost of your goods and services -- as measured by the government's Consumer Price Index -- is accurately calculated. It simply isn't. It is a biased and manipulated index that in no way accurately reflects what it costs to maintain a constant standard of living year over year.</p>
<p>Just look at your own bills.&#160; Many years ago, I created my own study on the rising costs of living ( <a href="http://www.chapwoodindex.com/" type="external">www.chapwoodindex.com Opens a New Window.</a>), and I found most Americans have seen their cost of living rise, on average, 10% a year.</p>
<p>That's a far cry from the official CPI. As a result of raising the debt ceiling again, the government&#160; will be required to print more and more&#160; money to meet the out-of-control spending. This will then increase the amount of money required by you to maintain the same standard of living that you did the prior year.</p>
<p>Additionally, another critical result of raising the debt ceiling will be a slowing of the economy. This will raise unemployment,&#160;increase food stamp usage,&#160; result in little-to-no wage increases,&#160; and will expand the need for entitlement programs.</p>
<p>This all adds up to one thing: your life will get tougher if the debt ceiling is raised without reigning in spending. This will impact every income level, but especially the middle class, because they spend a higher percentage of their income on items that increase in cost the most.</p>
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<p>Having read this, you should be outraged and demand that spending cuts be tied to any type of debt ceiling increase. If you aren't beside yourself with anger, then wait until you go to the checkout line in your grocery store. When it hurts to pay that bill, you can thank the rampant spending in this country.</p>
<p>So make no mistake, the money used to raise the debt ceiling will be coming directly out of your wallet or purse.</p> | Where is Your Outrage? | true | http://foxbusiness.com/politics/2013/02/05/where-is-your-outrage.html | 2016-03-04 | 0 |
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<p>The students say in court documents filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Kansas that the university gave “a free pass” to a male student who they allege attacked each of them in separate incidents. The documents were filed as part of a civil suit against Kansas State.</p>
<p>Crystal Stroup, 19, one of the plaintiffs, said she was raped one night in 2015 by the male student — identified in the suit as “J.G.” — at her apartment near the Kansas State campus in Manhattan. She said Tuesday that she was shocked to hear earlier this year that she was not the first K-State student to report that the man had been involved in a rape.</p>
<p>Stroup said she reported the rape to authorities, because she didn’t want it to happen again to somebody else. Then, she said, she heard that the same man had been accused of raping another K-State student, Sara Weckhorst, a year earlier. “I was the ‘somebody else,’ and that really hurt,” Stroup said. “And that motivated me even more.”</p>
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<p>Stroup and Weckhorst have joined forces in the civil suit, accusing Kansas State of negligence and of violating their rights under the federal anti-discrimination law Title IX. The Washington Post generally does not identify victims of alleged sexual assault, but Stroup and Weckhorst said they wanted to go public.</p>
<p>Kansas State spokesman Steve Logback said the university had no comment on the pending litigation. “K-State provides support and assistance services to all reported victims of sexual assault, regardless of where the assault is reported to have occurred,” Logback said.</p>
<p>The suit against Kansas State focuses on the university’s internal deliberations over investigations of sexual assault.</p>
<p>But rape charges related to the 2014 and 2015 incidents are also moving on a separate track in state court. Criminal court documents show that Jared Ralph Gihring is charged with rape and sodomy in connection with the alleged assault against Stroup, and with rape in the alleged assault against Weckhorst.</p>
<p>Brenda Jordan, an attorney for Gihring, declined to comment.</p>
<p>At issue in Stroup and Weckhorst’s complaint is whether Kansas State was reluctant to pursue internal investigations of reported sexual violence that occurs off campus. The two women, who are represented by attorney Cari Simon, accused Kansas State of “deliberate indifference” to Weckhorst’s 2014 report of being raped at a fraternity house. They charged that the university “refused to investigate” because the alleged assault occurred off-campus.</p>
<p>The Obama administration has pushed colleges and universities repeatedly in the past several years to take steps to prevent sexual violence and respond promptly to reports of sexual assault, no matter where it occurs.</p>
<p>“Under Title IX, a school must process all complaints of sexual violence, regardless of where the conduct occurred, to determine whether the conduct occurred in the context of an education program or activity or had continuing effects on campus or in an off-campus education program or activity,” the Education Department said in a question-and-answer document in 2014.</p>
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<p>Kansas State is one of more than 200 schools under investigation by the department’s Office for Civil Rights for its handling of sexual violence reports.</p>
<p>Stroup told The Washington Post she left Kansas State last spring after finishing her freshman year. She described that year as an ordeal. Her grades suffered, she said, as she dealt with the fallout from the October 2015 rape and fears over whether she would encounter her assailant again. Throughout the school year, she said, “he was allowed to roam campus.”</p>
<p>The civil suit said that her assailant was arrested in July 2016 on a rape charge, and that the university subsequently expelled him. If K-State had investigated Weckhorst’s original report in 2014, the suit alleges, the assailant would have been removed from campus and prevented from harming Stroup.</p>
<p>The university knew of Weckhorst’s “disturbing report of rape by J.G. and did nothing to decrease the substantial and foreseeable risk he posed to other female students,” the suit said.</p>
<p>Stroup said she does not intend to return to the university and aims to pursue her studies elsewhere.</p>
<p>college-rape</p> | Lawsuit alleges Kansas State’s ‘indifference’ to one rape helped lead to another | false | https://abqjournal.com/898887/lawsuit-alleges-kansas-states-indifference-to-one-rape-helped-lead-to-another.html | 2016-11-30 | 2 |
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<p>This is why Taylor – the middle brother of the trio Hanson – spends his time balancing family life and the band, which has been in the music industry for 20-plus years.</p>
<p>“We have a unique set-up now,” he says. “We produce our own music and are in charge of all of our merchandise. We run our website and have full creative control.”</p>
<p>Taylor, now 30, and his brothers Isaac and Zac skyrocketed to fame in the late 1990s with their huge hit, “MMMBop.”</p>
<p />
<p>Since then, the brothers have navigated their way into adulthood. They’ve also changed their sound from pop to a blues-inspired sound.</p>
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<p>“We knew from the beginning that we were going to be around for the long haul,” Taylor says. “What’s been great is that each one of us has grown as a person and as a musician. We have different perspectives on what life is all about. We’re all fathers now and we are working at balancing that part into our lives.”</p>
<p>Hanson has released 11 studio albums and its latest, “Anthem,” was released June 18.</p>
<p>Taylor says the songs that would eventually become part of “Anthem” started from the trio’s frustrations.</p>
<p>“We had hit a little bit of a wall,” he says. “So we took the majority of last summer and didn’t write as a group. When we came back together last fall, there was a different energy. There’s a sense of size and space and there’s more fight in it and we’ve brought a new attitude to our music.”</p>
<p>What’s also new is that the brothers introduced some R&amp;B elements to their songs.</p>
<p>“The songs are emotive and it’s about moving forward with our music,” he says. “We were in a different place and we found a new path for us.”</p>
<p>Taylor is looking forward to continuing to grow alongside his brothers with the band.</p>
<p>“The challenge for us growing up in front of the world is maintaining purpose and not getting diverted,” he says. “We started the band not for celebrity. It was always about making music and carving our place out there in the industry. We’ve been able to do that and it’s an amazing thing.”</p> | Boy band grows up: Hanson, heartthrobs of the ’90s, is still making music — their way | false | https://abqjournal.com/261989/albuquerque-bluesinspired.html | 2013-09-13 | 2 |
<p>As we honor Martin Luther King Jr. today, it’s worth recalling that among his great contributions was that King&#160;saw great injustice and sought to confront it within the American political tradition. This was very different than the approach taken by, among others, Malcolm X, who declared&#160;nonviolence to be the “philosophy of the fool.”</p>
<p>Consider what the Reverend King said during his commencement address at Lincoln University on June 6, 1961:</p>
<p>One of the first things we notice in this [American] dream is an amazing universalism. [The Declaration of Independence] does not say some men [are created equal], but it says all men. It does not say all white men, but it says all men, which includes black men. It does not say all Gentiles, but it says all men, which includes Jews. It does not say all Protestants, but it says all men, which includes Catholics.</p>
<p>And there is another thing we see in this dream that ultimately distinguishes democracy and our form of government from all of the totalitarian regimes that emerge in history. It says that each individual has certain basic rights that are neither conferred by nor derived from the state. To discover where they came from it is necessary to move back behind the dim mist of eternity, for they are God-given. Very seldom if ever in the history of the world has a sociopolitical document expressed in such profoundly eloquent and unequivocal language the dignity and worth of the human personality. The American dream reminds us that every man is heir to the legacy of worthiness.</p>
<p>In that sense, King was very much like Lincoln, who continually urged Americans to embrace the truths of the Declaration of Independence and spoke about the “mystic chords of memory” that return us to the American founding and the American creed. In that sense, Dr. King was not a political revolutionary; he was calling on America to live up to its founding principles. “When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence,” he said in <a href="http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm" type="external">his most famous speech</a>, “they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir.” King understood, as did Lincoln, that the United States is a nation founded on a proposition. Our greatest failures have been when we have deviated from them; when we have, as Lincoln put it, “descend[ed] from the high republican faith of our ancestors.”</p>
<p>This is in large measure why King succeeded. He took Americans from where we were to where we needed to be, and he did so in a way that appealed to our conscience rather than our hate, in ways that uplifted the human personality rather than degraded it, that aligned our nation with moral law rather than against it. He was an imperfect and yet supremely great man, among the most important America has ever produced. Which is why we’re right to honor him.</p>
<p>— Peter Wehner is a Senior Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center</p> | MLK and the American Founding | false | https://eppc.org/publications/mlk-and-the-american-founding/ | 1 |
|
<p>TIDMINVP TIDMTSCO</p>
<p>FORM 8.5 (EPT/RI)</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>PUBLIC DEALING DISCLOSURE BY AN EXEMPT PRINCIPAL TRADER WITH RECOGNISED</p>
<p>INTERMEDIARY STATUS DEALING IN A CLIENT-SERVING CAPACITY</p>
<p>1. KEY INFORMATION</p>
<p>(a) Name of exempt principal trader:</p>
<p>Investec Bank plc</p>
<p>Advertisement</p>
<p>(b) Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant</p>
<p>securities this form relates: Tesco plc</p>
<p>Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree</p>
<p>(c) Name of the party to the offer with which exempt</p>
<p>principal trader is connected: Investec are Broker to Booker Group plc</p>
<p>d) Date dealing undertaken:</p>
<p>30(th) January 2018</p>
<p>(e) Has the EPT previously disclosed, or is it today Yes</p>
<p>disclosing, in respect of any other party to this</p>
<p>offer?</p>
<p>2. DEALINGS BY THE EXEMPT PRINCIPAL TRADER</p>
<p>(a) Purchases and sales</p>
<p>Class of Purchases/ sales Total Highest price per unit paid/received Lowest price per unit paid/received</p>
<p>relevant number of (pence) (pence)</p>
<p>security securities</p>
<p>Ordinary Purchases 521,926 211.2 207.7</p>
<p>Shares</p>
<p>Ordinary Sales 519,065 211.7 207.8</p>
<p>Shares</p>
<p>(b) Derivatives transactions (other than options)</p>
<p>Class of Product description Nature of dealing Number of Price</p>
<p>relevant e.g. CFD e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing reference per</p>
<p>security a long/short position securities unit</p>
<p>(c) Options transactions in respect of existing securities</p>
<p>(i) Writing, selling, purchasing or varying</p>
<p>Class of Product Writing, Number of Exercise Type Expiry Option</p>
<p>relevant description purchasing, securities price e.g. American, European etc. date money</p>
<p>security e.g. call selling, to which per paid/</p>
<p>option varying option unit received</p>
<p>etc. relates per</p>
<p>unit</p>
<p>(ii) Exercising</p>
<p>Class of relevant Product description Number of Exercise price per</p>
<p>security e.g. call option securities unit</p>
<p>(d) Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)</p>
<p>Class of relevant Nature of dealing Details Price per unit</p>
<p>security e.g. subscription, conversion (if applicable)</p>
<p>The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.</p>
<p>Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant</p>
<p>securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(b), copy table 2(a), (b),</p>
<p>(c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant</p>
<p>security dealt in.</p>
<p>3. OTHER INFORMATION</p>
<p>(a) Indemnity and other dealing arrangements</p>
<p>Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or</p>
<p>any agreement or understanding, formal or informal,</p>
<p>relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement</p>
<p>to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the</p>
<p>exempt principal trader making the disclosure and</p>
<p>any party to the offer or any person acting in concert</p>
<p>with a party to the offer:</p>
<p>If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings,</p>
<p>state "none"</p>
<p>None</p>
<p>(b) Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to</p>
<p>options or derivatives</p>
<p>Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding,</p>
<p>formal or informal, between the exempt principal trader</p>
<p>making the disclosure and any other person relating</p>
<p>to:</p>
<p>(i) the voting rights of any relevant securities under</p>
<p>any option; or</p>
<p>(ii) the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal</p>
<p>of any relevant securities to which any derivative</p>
<p>is referenced:</p>
<p>If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings,</p>
<p>state "none"</p>
<p>None</p>
<p>Date of disclosure:</p>
<p>31(st) January 2018</p>
<p>Contact name:</p>
<p>Robert Letson</p>
<p>Telephone number:</p>
<p>0207 597 5690</p>
<p>This announcement is distributed by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions on behalf</p>
<p>of Nasdaq Corporate Solutions clients.</p>
<p>The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely</p>
<p>responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information</p>
<p>contained therein.</p>
<p>Source: Investec Bank plc via Globenewswire</p>
<p>https://www.investec.co.uk/</p>
<p>(END) Dow Jones Newswires</p>
<p>January 31, 2018 05:26 ET (10:26 GMT)</p> | Investec Bank plc Investec Bank Plc : Form 8.5 (EPT/RI) - Tesco Plc | true | http://foxbusiness.com/features/2017/12/07/investec-bank-plc-investec-bank-plc-form-8-5-eptri-tesco-plc.html | 2018-01-31 | 0 |
<p>Last week, Patrick Modiano was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature, promptly eliciting the expected reactions. “Who the Hell Is Patrick Modiano?” the Daily Beast <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/10/09/who-the-hell-is-patrick-modiano.html" type="external">indignantly asked</a>. The Guardian’s Emma Brockes <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/emma-brockes-column/2014/oct/09/patrick-modiano-nobel-prize-literature-prize-philip-roth-loser" type="external">argued</a> that several of Modiano’s peers — Philip Roth in particular — may have been more worthy.</p>
<p>But the Nobel committee does not just ferret out works that best exemplify the literary as an obvious pre-existing category. It is one of the most prestigious institutions engaged in constructing what constitutes the literary, and then working to universalize that construction as an unquestioned standard to which all writers should aspire.</p>
<p>This standard <a href="http://newleftreview.org/II/80/benedict-anderson-the-unrewarded" type="external">has varied somewhat</a> since the prize was founded in 1901. But since World War&#160;II it has congealed into a model of liberal, humanist, idealist universalism, which tends to emphasize moral ambiguities, individual struggles with conscience, and avowedly apolitical commentary on world affairs.</p>
<p>Nor are its choices, and its way of explaining its choices, irrelevant beyond the literary field. The Nobel prize in literature is a mechanism for delineating the “serious” and “cultured.” Its doxa entails a purportedly non-ideological faith in the intellectual’s distinction from the social and the political, and suggests that only those who believe in this supreme separation should be taken seriously as thinkers.</p>
<p>The basic <a href="http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/laureates/" type="external">terms</a> that the committee uses to consecrate selected authors are the most telling here. Orhan Pamuk’s “quest for the melancholic soul of his native city” is noted, J.&#160;M. Coetzee’s portrayal of the “surprising involvement of the outsider” is praised, and Naguib Mahfouz’s&#160;forming of&#160;“an Arabian narrative art that applies to all mankind” is highlighted. These terms are constitutive of the standard liberal conception of the literary as an expression of the author’s unique ability to perceive the world clearly and truthfully. There never appears to be a structuring field of power or relations into which the work itself is placed.</p>
<p>The literary work is transcendentally above those, looking down on them, passing judgment on the petty squabbles of the local combatants. The work does not manifest, embody, or refract social or political relations. It always comments on them from some remove. So Modiano is celebrated because, though his work is mainly set in one European city, he has “evoked the most ungraspable human destinies.” Mario Vargas Llosa is prized for his “trenchant images of the individual’s resistance, revolt, and defeat.” Doris Lessing has “subjected a divided civilization to scrutiny,” and Harold Pinter “forces entry into oppression’s closed rooms.”</p>
<p>The implication is that art is able to comment on events in the world only to the extent that it can separate itself from those events. When the Nobel committee chooses a writer, they do not discuss his or her work as a manifestation of contradictory social or historical forces. They do not present it as a filtering and highlighting of particular social codes. Instead, they very clearly support the idealist image of the writer as a lone source and engine of creative innovations, as an expressive being whose authentic originality results in unique works of art.</p>
<p>So who exactly is doing the selecting? The prize committee is composed of mostly white men trained in European aesthetic traditions and convinced of literature’s unbiased, reflective moral purpose. They favor works that explore an individual’s psychic life in ways that are complex and ambivalent. They avoid emphasizing features of the work that could be perceived as explicitly political, meaning explicitly committed to the truth of a particular point of view about an identifiable problem that could be redressed by human actions.</p>
<p>From its earliest years, the prize committee has been devoted to championing writers defined by their neutrality in world affairs (in 1901, the first prize went to Sully Prudhomme for his “lofty idealism”), and that emphasis has continued in various guises. Currently, it often means celebrating authors whose work can be said to transcend local circumstances and comment on the broader human condition.</p>
<p>Using Pascale Casanova’s <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/310503.The_World_Republic_of_Letters" type="external">terms</a>, to earn a Nobel prize is to ascend to world literary space, which is the space of autonomy removed from the forms of determination that ruin art. It is to leave behind all those underdeveloped literary worlds that are much too interested in, or informed by, political struggles.</p>
<p>Prize-winning work that does show an interest in such struggles – think J.&#160;M. Coetzee’s treatment of apartheid South Africa – expresses that interest in a particular way. It is work that is annoyed by what Timothy Brennan <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/561447.At_Home_in_the_World" type="external">has called</a> “the clichés of the postwar rhetoric of third-world embattlement.” It prefers to question or parody any sort of avowed radicalism. It is against violent resistance.</p>
<p>If the work is about “problems,” those problems are presented as ones that could arise anywhere. The writer’s relation to them is framed as one of contemplation rather than commitment. The contemplation’s quality is often guaranteed by the narrator’s or character’s or author’s feeling of living in permanent exile, estrangement, or alienation, and finding community only in the work of making art.</p>
<p>Modiano was born in France just after World War&#160;II, and he says his work is informed by the painful memory of the Holocaust and the German occupation. Recurring topics are tyranny, memory, and suffering. Like Modiano, others selected for the prize — winners include Seamus Heaney, Alice Munro, Gunter Grass, Toni Morrison, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and Derek Walcott — are literary in a way that is recognizable to cosmopolitan audiences accustomed to a particular kind of sober, complex, ambivalent, “mature” literary expression.</p>
<p>This faith in the constitutive separateness of art from ideology is, of course, decidedly ideological, and it <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16946.The_Ideology_of_the_Aesthetic" type="external">arises</a> within particular historical circumstances. The transcendent, non-ideological sphere of border-crossing universal non-ideological endeavour serves transnational capital and its foot soldiers very well. The liberal literary object could not be more managerial, really: it is self-reflexive, self-involved, complicated, ambivalent, and pluralistic. Instead of fighting, it dwells. It is opposed to nothing except whatever can be construed as dogmatic opposition.</p>
<p>And, as it happens, ironic appraisal of any dogmatic opposition has been an important feature of the academic and popular reception of literary prize culture. This is part of what James English’s celebrated 2005 <a href="http://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674030435" type="external">book</a> The Economy of Prestige details. He argues that eschewing cultural prizes fails to threaten their critical and commercial centrality. Indeed, questioning the validity of prizes, or refusing to accept one, simply helps generate interest in the whole prize system and secure its ongoing relevance. When Thomas Pynchon’s publisher <a href="http://nymag.com/arts/books/features/48268/index2.html" type="external">sent</a> a comedian to accept a 1974 National Book Award for Gravity’s Rainbow, the literati had weeks and weeks of material.</p>
<p>The same is true of other gestures of refusal or criticism of the commodification of literature. Controversy sells; our wariness about how controversy sells also sells; it’s endless. When writers refuse or query prizes they do not step outside of the whole system. Instead they may simply be solidifying their own value, given that so many critics and readers share their wariness about how prize decisions are made and what prizing writers is meant to achieve. Thus the only possible position is the ironic acknowledgement of complicity.</p>
<p>This is a basic feature of our literary world, and of the broader liberal sensibility in its current form: much value is assigned to signs that one is aware of being involved in things that might be considered troubling. But ironic acknowledgement of complicity, and resigned exhaustion in the face of the prize industry’s strange tendency to flourish the more it is criticised, are part of the literary field that should be the target of our inquiry. We will not get very far in understanding that field if we interpret literary prizes only as occasions for particular affects — affirmation, detachment, resignation, bemusement, etc.</p>
<p>The Nobel prize in literature plays a crucial role in circulating and universalizing liberal norms of originality, autonomy, and estranged, ambivalent contemplation. It enshrines Europe as the locus of cultural consecration, and makes a virtue of the intellectual’s practical ineffectiveness in the face of massive inequities. These are the prize’s basic features. They suggest the depth of affinity between liberal idealism and mainstream literary culture.</p>
<p>In the idealist mode that the Nobel committee supports, literature is an expression of humanistic liberalism, in which the genius writer, possessed of unique visionary abilities, examines the world from the outside, determines its realities, and presents them for our contemplation as art.</p>
<p>The alternative approach — and the approach that itself allows us to understand the Nobel’s position — is a materialist one that perceives art as principally shaped by the circumstances in which it emerges. Even literature that understands itself as apolitical is enmeshed in conflict and riddled with contradictions. The position of distant observation is not art’s natural purpose; it is a specific disposition that has been valorized for particular reasons.</p>
<p>Whether Modiano deserved plaudits from the Nobel prize committee is immaterial. More consequential than any individual winner is the committee’s misguided wish to silo off literature from politics.</p> | Literature is Liberalism | true | https://jacobinmag.com/2014/10/literature-is-liberalism/ | 2018-10-03 | 4 |
<p>The United States posted a monthly budget deficit of $188 billion in March as the government spent more than twice what it took in last month, the Treasury Department reported on Tuesday.</p>
<p>The Treasury said the cumulative deficit through the first half of fiscal 2011, which began Oct. 1, was a record $829 billion, about 16 percent higher than the prior year's $717 billion first half shortfall.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>The monthly budget deficit was the second largest shortfall recorded in any March, outsized only by the $192 billion gap posted in March 2009.</p>
<p>The monthly shortfall was just shy of the $189 billion forecast of economists polled by Reuters.</p>
<p>(Reporting by Corbett B. Daly; Editing by Neil Stempleman)(([email protected]; +1-202-898-8395; Reuters Messaging: [email protected]))</p>
<p>Advertisement</p> | U.S. Monthly Budget Deficit Hits $188B in March | true | http://foxbusiness.com/markets/2011/04/12/budget-deficit-hits-188b-march.html | 2016-01-28 | 0 |
<p>Michael Schuette, owner and operator of Outlaw Guns in Anniston, Alabama, has stirred a hornets' nest with his Facebook post on Veterans Day in which he slammed vets saying, "You are NOT hero's." [sic]</p>
<p>Here is a screenshot of his rant:</p>
<p />
<p>As the post began making the viral rounds Tuesday, threats to boycott Schuette's business began. According to <a href="http://yellowhammernews.com/faithandculture/alabamians-anti-veterans-rant-lands-serious-hot-water/" type="external">YellowhammerNews.com</a>, he and his wife are administrators of a 5,000-member Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/OutlawGuns/" type="external">group</a> for their shop. The two also have a separate business website for the <a href="http://outlawhydrographing.wix.com/outlawhydrographing" type="external">hydro-graphics</a> side of their business. That site was also bombarded with threats of boycott.</p>
<p>Shortly after his initial rant -- <a href="http://a.disquscdn.com/uploads/mediaembed/images/1444/9470/original.jpg" type="external">which apparently he does every year</a> -- he posted an update to his <a href="https://www.facebook.com/michael.schuette.39" type="external">personal</a> Facebook page:</p>
<p />
<p>Another screenshot from Tuesday was posted to his wife's Facebook page showing no remorse:</p>
<p />
<p>Someone even uncovered a screenshot of a previous&#160; <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1500275650248188&amp;set=p.1500275650248188&amp;type=1&amp;theater" type="external">post</a>&#160;where Schuette threatened violence against a local police officer, "badge or no badge."&#160;</p>
<p>By Wednesday, Schuette&#160;attempted an apology for his comments and begged for the threats, which apparently became more personal, to stop:</p>
<p /> | Gun Shop Owner to Vets: 'You NEVER FOUGHT FOR ANY OF MY FREEDOMS!!!!!' | true | http://truthrevolt.org/news/gun-shop-owner-vets-you-never-fought-any-my-freedoms | 2018-10-04 | 0 |
<p>Attorney General Jeff Sessions released the following statement on Monday regarding the first of weekly forthcoming reports from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on “sanctuary cities” with data from Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.):</p>
<p>This important report demonstrates a clear and ongoing threat to public safety. It is not acceptable for jurisdictions to refuse to cooperate with federal law enforcement by releasing criminal aliens back into our communities when our law required them to be deported. The Department of Justice will use all lawful authority to ensure that criminals who are illegally in this country are detained and removed swiftly and to hold accountable jurisdictions that willfully violate federal law.</p>
<p>In late January, President Donald Trump directed DHS <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/01/25/presidential-executive-order-enhancing-public-safety-interior-united" type="external">via executive order</a> to produce a “comprehensive” weekly list outlining crimes committed by foreigners illegally in the country:</p>
<p>To better inform the public regarding the public safety threats associated with sanctuary jurisdictions, the [Secretary of Homeland Security] shall utilize the Declined Detainer Outcome Report or its equivalent and, on a weekly basis, make public a comprehensive list of criminal actions committed by aliens and any jurisdiction that ignored or otherwise failed to honor any detainers with respect to such aliens.</p>
<p>Trump's executive order warned "sanctuary jurisdictions" against violating federal law, describing such conduct as causing "immeasurable harm to the American people and to the very fabric of the Republic."</p>
<p>"Sanctuary jurisdictions" failing to comply with federal law, declared Trump's executive order, would not receive federal funds beyond those mandated by law.</p>
<p>DHS released its own statement on Monday, describing forthcoming weekly reports as highlighting jurisdictions that refuse to comply with directions from I.C.E. (emphases added):</p>
<p>WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security today issued the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) <a href="http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&amp;enid=ZWFzPTEmbXNpZD0mYXVpZD0mbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTcwMzIwLjcxMzExMjcxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE3MDMyMC43MTMxMTI3MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE2OTExODg0JmVtYWlsaWQ9ZGFuaWVsbGUuY3V0cm9uYUB1c2Rvai5nb3YmdXNlcmlkPWRhbmllbGxlLmN1dHJvbmFAdXNkb2ouZ292JnRhcmdldGlkPSZmbD0mZXh0cmE9TXVsdGl2YXJpYXRlSWQ9JiYm&amp;&amp;&amp;101&amp;&amp;&amp;https://www.ice.gov/declined-detainers" type="external">Declined Detainer Outcome Report</a> required by President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Order, Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the United States, signed on January 25. This report will be issued weekly to highlight jurisdictions that choose not to cooperate with ICE detainers or requests for notification, therefore potentially endangering Americans. ICE places detainers on aliens who have been arrested on local criminal charges or who are in local custody and for whom ICE possesses probable cause to believe that they are removable from the United States, so that ICE can take custody of the alien when he or she is released from local custody.</p>
<p>“When law enforcement agencies fail to honor immigration detainers and release serious criminal offenders, it undermines ICE’s ability to protect the public safety and carry out its mission,” said Acting ICE Director Thomas Homan. “Our goal is to build cooperative, respectful relationships with our law enforcement partners. We will continue collaborating with them to help ensure that illegal aliens who may pose a threat to our communities are not released onto the streets to potentially harm individuals living within our communities.”</p>
<p>The Declined Detainer Outcome Report is a weekly report that lists the jurisdictions that have declined to honor ICE detainers or requests for notification and includes examples of criminal charges associated with those released aliens. The report provides information on declined detainers and requests for notification for that reporting period. A jurisdiction’s appearance on this report is not an exclusive factor in determining a jurisdiction’s level of cooperation with ICE. This report is intended to provide the public with information regarding criminal actions committed by aliens and any jurisdiction that ignores or otherwise failed to honor any detainers or requests for notification with respect to such aliens.</p>
<p>Follow Robert Kraychik on <a href="https://twitter.com/kr3ch3k" type="external">Twitter</a>.</p> | Attorney General Sessions Warns Sanctuary Cities: You Are Creating A 'Clear And Ongoing Threat To Public Safety' | true | https://dailywire.com/news/14601/sessions-warns-sanctuary-cities-robert-kraychik | 2017-03-20 | 0 |
<p>By Nick Carey</p>
<p>(Reuters) – Luxury electric vehicle maker Tesla Inc (O:) said on Monday its deliveries rose 4.5 percent in the third quarter from the prior-year period, but said “production bottlenecks” had left the company behind its planned ramp-up for the new Model 3 mass-market sedan.</p>
<p>Tesla said it delivered 26,150 vehicles in the third quarter, including 14,065 Model S vehicles and 11,865 Model X cars, up 17.7 percent from the second quarter of this year.</p>
<p>The company, based in Palo Alto, California, delivered just 220 Model 3 sedans and produced 260 during the quarter. It began production in July of the Model 3, which starts at $35,000, half the starting price of the Model S.</p>
<p>Tesla launched production of the Model 3 in July and said in early August that it was “confident” it could hit production of just over 1,500 cars per week in the third quarter.</p>
<p>“It is important to emphasize that there are no fundamental issues with the Model 3 production or supply chain,” Tesla said in a statement. “We understand what needs to be fixed and we are confident of addressing the manufacturing bottleneck issues in the near-term.”</p>
<p>Tesla said it was on track to deliver around 100,000 S and X models this year.</p>
<p>The production figures for the Model 3 are also well below the company’s earlier projections in a regulatory filing, when it said: “We expect to achieve a rate of 5,000 Model 3 vehicles per week by the end of 2017.”</p>
<p>The company rushed this year to launch the Model 3 sedan and quickly ramp up production to reach a target of 500,000 cars per year in 2018</p>
<p>Tesla said on Monday that a handful of systems at its Fremont, California, car plant and its battery factory in Reno, Nevada, “have taken longer to activate than expected.”</p>
<p>The automaker said 4,820 Model S and X vehicles were in transit to customers at the end of the third quarter and would be counted with its fourth-quarter figures.</p>
<p>In after-market trading, Tesla shares fell more than 1 percent to $337.84, from the close on Nasdaq of $341.53.</p>
<p />
<p>Fusion Media or anyone involved with Fusion Media will not accept any liability for loss or damage as a result of reliance on the information including data, quotes, charts and buy/sell signals contained within this website. Please be fully informed regarding the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, it is one of the riskiest investment forms possible.</p> | Tesla deliveries rise in third quarter, but Model 3 faces 'bottlenecks' | false | https://newsline.com/tesla-deliveries-rise-in-third-quarter-but-model-3-faces-039bottlenecks039/ | 2017-10-02 | 1 |
<p>This package of stories on Illinois’ practice of prosecuting 17-year-olds as adults for felony crimes and its impact was made possible, in part, by a grant from the Fund for Investigative Journalism. The statements made and views expressed are solely the responsibility of The Chicago Reporter.</p>
<p>As police pinned Derrick Reed to the hood of a squad car, one thought raced through his mind: “Oh, man. I’m going to go away. I’m 17 now.”</p>
<p>The East Garfield Park teen’s coming-of-age story isn’t filled with school dances or football-team tryouts. Rather, the day that shaped his adolescence was Nov. 30, 2009.</p>
<p>It started out fairly unremarkable for him. Reed stepped out of his apartment and into a local open-air drug market. The operation was standard, and he had his role.</p>
<p>Customers would walk up to a 14-year-old and hand him some cash. The boy would signal to Reed to grab the drugs from a stash spot. Reed waded through the thick weeds of a vacant, trash-strewn lot.</p>
<p>On this day, two beat cops were within eyeshot, watching as the teens dealt the drugs. Reed fished around the ground, locating an empty juice bottle. He tipped it over, spilling out a shiny packet. As the 5-foot-6 teen ran the tiny foil wrapper back for the handoff, he could hear someone yelling back to him. “Lock it up. Five-O!” The voice pierced the crisp fall air. Before Reed knew it, a squad car had jumped the curb and officers were darting out after him.</p>
<p>The officers found the juice bottle and recovered from it five packets of heroin. The crime lab priced the drugs at $75. It was enough for a felony.</p>
<p>To make matters worse, Reed had just turned 17 one month earlier. That meant he could be booked as an adult.</p>
<p>Months later, he was a convicted felon.</p>
<p>Had Reed been charged in most parts of the country, he would have been subject to juvenile jurisdiction–”taking high school classes and receiving social services instead of in adult jail watching television round-the-clock and rooming with an adult twice his age. However, Illinois is one of only 12 states to automatically prosecute minors facing felony charges in the adult penal system. Over the past decade, fewer states are prosecuting minors as adults, and a state commission is now trying to figure out whether Illinois should be next.</p>
<p>“In no other arena are we willing to look at 17-year-olds as adults,” said Randell Strickland, the Illinois disproportionate minority contact coordinator of the McArthur Foundation’s Models for Change program. As a member of the state’s Juvenile Justice Commission, he’s hoping the research nudges lawmakers to transition the teens into the juvenile system. “We’re killing flies with sledgehammers. It’s not only wasting resources, but wasting lives,” he said.</p>
<p>A Chicago Reporter analysis of court data found that 17-year-olds convicted of felonies defy the perception of some that these teens are violent criminals who deserve to be punished alongside adults. A majority, 54 percent, of 17-year-olds prosecuted in Cook County’s adult courts were convicted for drug deals and property theft alone, according to the analysis.</p>
<p>Of all the convictions, 58 percent were for nonviolent offenses. Include robbery without a gun, and nonviolent offenses are 71 percent of all convictions. The single largest number of convictions was based on low-level drug offenses.</p>
<p>An overwhelming majority of these 17-year-olds, like Reed, are black–”77 percent. And most hail from just five impoverished areas, some of which are home to the highest long-term unemployment rates in the country–”including Austin, Humboldt Park, North Lawndale, Roseland and West Englewood.</p>
<p>Once these teens were charged and their cases headed to court, the odds were they’d plead guilty and end up with an adult felony conviction, regardless of whether they had a private lawyer or public defender, according to the analysis. All this, well before they’re able to vote, buy a pack of cigarettes or join the military.</p>
<p>“Why are we giving young people felony records that will haunt them for the rest of their lives?” said Liz Kooy, who has been tracking juveniles in adult court systems across the state over the better part of the past decade through the Illinois-based advocacy group the Juvenile Justice Initiative.</p>
<p>Kooy is among the few people who know the ins and out of how teens are prosecuted as adults under Illinois’ maze of laws. She worked at the Juvenile Transfer Advocacy Unit in the Cook County Public Defender’s Office at the beginning of the decade. There, she quickly became the go-to expert for minors caught in the adult system.</p>
<p>As Kooy saw it, her main job was to advocate for the teens so they wouldn’t slip through the cracks in the nation’s largest courthouse. She saw how judges, prosecutors and public defenders–”who represent a vast majority of the teens–”were at times under enormous pressure to move cases swiftly through the system. In her eyes, that has led to a lot of negotiating on criminal charges to get guilty pleas over the years, often with little regard for the long-term consequences of a felony conviction. All of those teens in the Reporter’s analysis are now convicted felons and will be locked out of federal student aid for college, military service, public aid and, in many cases, jobs–”for the rest of their lives.</p>
<p>These teens “are given a lot of bad choices,” Kooy said. “They’re told, –˜You can plead and get two years or face six.’ “</p>
<p>The Reporter analyzed what happened when a plea was entered and found that overwhelmingly, 99 percent of all 17-year-olds pleaded guilty. Only one percent–”27 people–”pleaded not guilty.</p>
<p>Once convicted, the teens weren’t given just a slap on the wrist for their crimes. More than half of them were sentenced to adult prison. According to the Reporter’s analysis, 882 of the 17-year-olds whose cases were opened since 2006 were sentenced to a combined 3,103 years behind bars in adult prison. More than half of those youth were sentenced to prison times of more than three years. Those remaining were sentenced to alternatives, including probation, community service or court supervision.</p>
<p>Abishi Cunningham, who now oversees the Cook County Public Defender’s Office, said he would not comment on the Reporter’s findings without seeing the analysis. But it’s common knowledge that annual attorney caseloads in Cook County have long exceeded the national standard of 150 felony cases per attorney, drawing criticism from the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers that the lawyers don’t have the resources to adequately vet cases. “I don’t think you’d ever find someone who would say, –˜I twisted someone’s arm to get a plea,’ ” said former Public Defender Sean Harrison who now works criminal cases in private practice. “They’d lose their [law] license for starters.”</p>
<p>According to the Public Defender’s Office, the 80 lawyers at Cook County’s largest courthouse–”at 26th Street and California Avenue–”were representing people in 10,007 felony cases within the first six month of this year. If the caseloads were to remain constant for the rest of the year, each lawyer would have worked on an estimated 189 cases, or about 25 percent more than the national recommendation.</p>
<p>For Reed, his drug conviction was just another reminder of the role drugs played in his life. Child welfare workers began putting his file together from the day he was born, hooked on crack at St. James Hospital in south suburban Chicago Heights. Social workers charted his first year as a fragile infant tethered to a heart monitor, his days as a ward of the state and his teen father’s effort to stop selling drugs.</p>
<p>Ultimately, his grandmother, Patricia, who scraped by as a home health care worker since the early 1980s, adopted him and his older brother. Social workers kept tabs on Reed. His mom had at least a dozen additional drug-addicted children–”all of whom were taken away from her as well.</p>
<p>The effects of being a drug baby lingered for Reed. He suffered seizures until he was 8. School work was a challenge. And by the time he reached high school, he had spent time in a psychiatric hospital with signs of schizophrenia.</p>
<p>Now, at 17, in many ways he has grown into the typical teenager. He loves cartooning, has two pierced ears, likes to hole up in his bedroom listening to loud music, and longs for the latest gym shoes and movie money. The latter is what got him thinking about selling drugs. “It was all about money,” he said from behind a plate glass window at the Cook County Jail, where he sat in July awaiting trial on a new set of drug-related charges.</p>
<p>Those charges were leveled on April 17 after Reed told his grandparents he was stepping out to pick up the jacket he left at his friend’s house. Minutes after he walked out the front door, police stormed the 3600 block of West 5th Avenue in a drug raid. Reed and some officers locked eyes, and Reed shouted that police were moving into the courtyard.</p>
<p>His grandfather, Albert Sims, heard the commotion and went to the window. Reed “was pinned to the ground with a gun to his head,” Sims said. Reed was charged with attempting to ditch a clear, knotted plastic bag stuffed with crack, ecstasy and marijuana, initially valued at $710. He went back to jail, this time sharing a cell with a 34-year-old in Division XI on Chicago’s Southwest Side.</p>
<p>Reed was transferred among a handful of adult units while there, including a psychiatric hospital after he got so agitated that he started picking fights and plucking the hairs out of his head, which left a bald spot.</p>
<p>His grandparents have been on the move as well. They had waited nearly two decades on the Chicago Housing Authority’s waiting list for an apartment. But under the agency’s zero-tolerance drug policy, the now-unemployed couple was evicted and sent packing in July because of Reed’s drug activity.</p>
<p>In late July, Chicago Public Schools sent his grandparents a letter asking which high school Reed wanted to enroll in for the fall. His former school, John Marshall Metropolitan High School, had dismal academic performance this year. The school’s graduation rate dropped to 41 percent, and only 4 percent of 11th graders met state benchmarks last year.</p>
<p>As Reed sat in a jail cell, high school was the furthest thing from his mind. His biggest question was whether to request a bench trial. He pointed out what he considered some inconsistencies in his case. The officer who testified at his preliminary hearing wasn’t the arresting officer, he said.</p>
<p>If he lost, however, he could get between four and 16 years behind bars–”nearly the sum total of his life–”his public defender told his grandparents. If he cut a deal, he might get probation based on his schizophrenia. It was a gamble. “Whatever gets me out of here the soonest,” he said.</p>
<p>Ultimately, Reed pleaded guilty. After spending three months behind bars, Cook County Circuit Court Judge Rickey Jones on July 29 closed the case in all of 13 minutes. Reed and another 17-year-old from the West Side were convicted of adult felonies in one fell swoop. Reed was sentenced to probation predicated on him getting mental health treatment.</p>
<p>His grandmother wept with relief.</p>
<p>She and her husband had waited patiently, showing up early to each court appearance, as the case dragged on for months. His grandfather shook his head in disappointment as he left the courtroom. “These kids –¦ they plead to get out of here. Who wouldn’t?” he said. “[What about] the long-term effect? What’s going to happen on the job hunt when he’s 25?”</p>
<p>Founded a century ago, the juvenile justice system is built on the premise that teenagers should be treated differently from adults. Take Reed, for example. If he were in juvenile detention, he’d be held to a dawn-to-dusk regimen of high school classes, recreation time, peer groups and social services with the intent of getting his life on track. Instead, he spent most of his jail time in a cell or watching television.</p>
<p>He thought about attending GED classes but said that the adult prison classrooms are crowded and notorious for gang activity. It’s an environment that Reed, who weighs 140 pounds at most, chose to avoid.</p>
<p>Illinois lawmakers convened a juvenile justice commission to weigh whether 17-year-olds should be in the juvenile system rather than locked up with adults. Gov. Pat Quinn named 19 members to the 25-member commission in January, charging the group with delivering recommendations by 2012.</p>
<p>Advocates, psychologists, public defenders and some lawmakers are hoping that the commission will consider that all of Illinois’ laws calling for prosecuting juveniles as adults predate scientific studies on adolescent brain development. That research has found that the frontal lobe of the brain, the nerve center for impulse control, is not fully developed until the early 20s–”long after these teens were convicted as adults.</p>
<p>Judge William O’Brien oversaw the Felony Trial and Narcotics Prosecution divisions of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office from 1996 to 2002 before taking the bench. He said that from a legal standpoint, it’s up to lawmakers to rectify the inconsistencies in who is deemed a minor under Illinois law. Crime victims are juveniles until they turn 18. Misdemeanor cases aren’t brought to adult court until a defendant turns 18. But there are still a score of additional statutes on the books, which spell out how juveniles, 16 and younger, can be transferred to adult prosecution.</p>
<p>For years, Illinois has been chipping away at its own laws that affect youth. Lawmakers decided that minors were being prosecuted too harshly under state laws, and in 2005 struck down a law that automatically transferred 15- and 16-year-olds into the adult system for selling drugs within 1,000 feet of a school or public housing. Last year, the legislature agreed to return 17-year-olds with misdemeanors to juvenile court.</p>
<p>Shifting all 17-year-olds would require a reallocation of resources, including additional lawyers and investigators, said Linda Uttal, who heads up the juvenile justice division in the Cook County Public Defender’s Office.</p>
<p>Still, “It’s not a far-fetched idea,” Strickland said. In the past two and a half years, 13 percent, or 1,740, of the teens admitted to Cook County’s juvenile detention center were 17, according to detention center records obtained by the Reporter.</p>
<p>Earl Dunlap, a plain-spoken, juvenile corrections veteran appointed by federal court to overhaul the county’s juvenile detention system in 2007, said that he would welcome the shift, but only if the people who needed to be in jail were held there. “But if we’ve got to keep every Tom, Dick and Harry who commits a Mickey Mouse crime –¦ It gets to be insane in here.”</p>
<p>Contributing: Alissa Groeninger, Catherine Newhouse, Kayla Bensing, Samantha Winslow, Brittney Wong and Rebecca Freitag.</p> | Seventeen | false | http://chicagoreporter.com/seventeen/ | 2010-09-01 | 3 |
<p>On a day when car bombs <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/iraq;_ylt=Aqtnoffh3GqnBdWAuPZZahIDW7oF;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl" type="external">killed at least 62 people in Baghdad</a>, reinforcing fears of an all-out civil war, John Burns, the N.Y. Times’ Baghdad bureau chief, <a href="http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002157326" type="external">tells Editor &amp; Publisher</a> that this struggle has, in fact, always been a civil war, and worse, that America will “probably” fail in Iraq.</p>
<p>Editor &amp; Publisher</p>
<p>A day after returning to the U.S., after another long term as bureau chief in Baghdad, John F. Burns of The New York Times said on Bill Maher’s live Friday night HBO program that he now feels, for the first time, that the American effort in Iraq will likely “fail.”</p>
<p>Asked if a civil war was developing there, Burns said, “It’s always been a civil war,” adding that it’s just a matter of extent. He said the current U.S. leaders there–military and diplomatic–were doing their best but sectarian differences would “probably” doom the enterprise.</p>
<p />
<p><a href="http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002157326" type="external">Full story</a></p>
<p>AFP:</p>
<p>Iraq suffered one of its worst days of bloodshed this year as 62 people were killed and at least 250 wounded, many of them in a six car bomb attack on a Baghdad Shiite neighborhood, sparking fresh fears of sectarian violence.</p>
<p>The blood-letting came as Iraqi politicians rushed forward the opening of their parliament to Thursday in a bid to foil extremists’ efforts to exploit the political vacuum and further inflame communal tensions between the majority Shiites and the historically-dominant Sunnis.</p>
<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/iraq;_ylt=Aqtnoffh3GqnBdWAuPZZahIDW7oF;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl" type="external">Full story</a></p> | N.Y. Times Bureau Chief: U.S. Effort in Iraq Likely to Fail | true | https://truthdig.com/articles/n-y-times-bureau-chief-u-s-effort-in-iraq-likely-to-fail/ | 2006-03-13 | 4 |
<p>Protesters on Sunday descended upon Washington, D.C. for the Unity March for Puerto Rico, an event aimed at helping the U.S. territory's economy as it recovers from Hurricane Maria.</p>
<p>Organizers on Sunday said in a press release before the march that it would feature speakers including Rep. Luis Guiterrez (D-IL) and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda.</p>
<p>Demonstrators will demand that President Trump's administration eliminate the Jones Act, which mandates that American-made-and-operated vessels transport cargo between U.S. ports.</p>
<p />
<p>Protesters will also call for the cancellation of Puerto Rico's debt, an economic challenge that troubled the island before Maria struck in September.</p>
<p>Maria was a Category 5 hurricane, and Trump's administration has since faced criticism for its handling of the humanitarian crisis it caused on Puerto Rico.</p> | The Unity March for Puerto Rico hits DC | false | https://circa.com/story/2017/11/19/politics/unity-march-for-puerto-rico-hits-dc-targets-jones-act-territorys-debt | 2017-11-19 | 1 |
<p>By Gergely Szakacs</p>
<p>OCSENY, Hungary (Reuters) – Zoltan Fenyvesi’s offer to host migrants for a free holiday in his guest house set off a backlash in this southern Hungarian village. His van’s tires were slashed and angry locals railed against him. He says there was even a death threat.</p>
<p>The controversy also triggered the resignation of the long-time mayor of Ocseny, a quiet village nestled among swathes of farmland 160 kilometers (100 miles) south of Budapest, as well as national debate about Hungarians’ tolerance levels.</p>
<p>As right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orban gears up for an election in April that he is widely expected to win, this four-bedroom guesthouse, just across the street from an elementary school and a Catholic church, has become an unlikely flash point for anti-migrant sentiment.</p>
<p>Orban has taken a hard line on immigration which has included a barbed-wire fence on Hungary’s southern border and tough laws criticized by human rights groups. He has also referred to the importance of maintaining “ethnic homogeneity”.</p>
<p>The measures have kept out migrants and shored up support for his Fidesz party since 2015 when at the peak of the crisis hundreds of thousands of migrants from the Middle East crossed Hungary on their way to western Europe.</p>
<p>Billboard campaigns, television ads and questionnaires sent to Hungarians to bolster Orban’s platform have contributed to a surge in anti-migrant sentiment to record levels according to a survey by Tarki, a think-tank.</p>
<p>Last week’s town hall meeting in Ocseny to discuss Fenyvesi’s offer, raised jointly with Migration Aid, a group set up to help migrants, descended into angry shouting and locals voicing fears of violence and robbery if migrants showed up.</p>
<p>“Who can guarantee that the little boys and girls will not be harmed, like we heard of in other countries?” shouted a middle-aged woman in footage taken at the scene by local media.</p>
<p>“Who will protect you if they sneak into your property at night and beat you to death?” she said.</p>
<p>BOOS AND WHISTLES</p>
<p>At one point, as Fenyvesi tried to make his case for hosting the migrants amid a cacophony of boos and whistles, a man walked up to him and took the microphone, prompting applause from the scores of agitated locals gathered at the town hall.</p>
<p>“I thought I would be able to explain this (his offer of a free holiday),” said Fenyvesi, who has already hosted poor children, including Roma, at his guesthouse, which led to no such furor.</p>
<p>Fenyvesi told Reuters that he had wanted to set a positive example after learning that a previous attempt to host some migrants for a holiday near Lake Balaton fell through due to local opposition.</p>
<p>“It turned out otherwise. Very soon people started shouting and told me squarely they will have none of this,” Fenyvesi said in an interview.</p>
<p>Once the meeting was over, Fenyvesi said he had received a death threat in the street from a local he did not want to identify. Later that night, someone slashed the tires of his van parked outside the guesthouse. Tires on his son’s vehicle were also cut. Police have launched an investigation.</p>
<p>Fenyvesi abandoned the project because of the outcry.</p>
<p>When 54-year-old Orban, whose Fidesz party is well ahead of its main rivals in opinion polls, was asked whether his government bore any responsibility for the anti-migrant feelings expressed by villagers in Ocseny, he said:</p>
<p>“People have been lied to on the migrant issue so much, that they do not believe it is only children coming.”</p>
<p>Orban told reporters ahead of a European Council meeting:</p>
<p>“I fully understand them and it is very right that they have expressed their opinion so resolutely, so loudly and clearly.”</p>
<p>MAYOR STANDS DOWN</p>
<p>With the main opposition Socialists in disarray after the resignation of their candidate for prime minister, nationalist Jobbik is emerging as Orban’s main challenger in the 2018 vote.</p>
<p>Dressed in a dark blue suit, Balazs Szabo, a Jobbik council member in nearby Szekszard called on Fenyvesi at the debate in the town hall to devote his goodwill to poor Hungarians and children in need instead.</p>
<p>His remarks earned a big round of applause. Szabo, Jobbik’s candidate for parliament, said locals invited him to the event.</p>
<p>Janos Fulop, the independent mayor of Ocseny who quit because of the row, said there was no legal recourse to stop legally residing refugees coming to Ocseny, if they wanted to.</p>
<p>Some of his local critics deemed that stance too soft even though Fulop himself is opposed to the idea of mass immigration.</p>
<p>“But if there are such people here already, the country must meet its obligations under international law,” he said. Official data showed 881 migrants received some sort of state protection in Hungary, a country of about 10 million people, in 2017, including 75 granted refugee status.</p>
<p>“I hope that people will find calm and talk to one another, but this will take time,” Fulop said. He resigned after seeing the divisions both in the village and within the local council.</p>
<p>Reuters tried to interview more than 20 locals on a week-day morning near the guesthouse, to no avail. The few who spoke off-camera expressed relief that no migrants would come.</p>
<p>FIDESZ DOMINATING</p>
<p>With Fidesz dominating the public discourse on migration, Orban’s government announced a campaign aimed at Hungarian-born U.S. financier George Soros for what it said was a plan to bring a stream of refugees to Europe. His spokesman has described the government’s portrayal of him as “fantasy”.</p>
<p>Orban has vowed to fight a ruling by the European Union’s top court that dismissed a challenge by Hungary and Slovakia against migrant quotas that reignited an east-west row that has shaken EU cohesion.</p>
<p>Data from Tarki shows the proportion of people deemed as xenophobic shot up to 60 percent this year, rising 19 points from two years ago when the migrant issue came to the fore and more than double the levels seen in 2010, when Orban took power.</p>
<p>“I do not think this is all due to the government’s behavior, but it plays a very large role nonetheless,” Tarki researcher Endre Sik said.</p>
<p>“Ocseny is not some sort of hell-hole from this regard,” he said. “These are average people, who have displayed non-average behavior, the groundwork of which was laid very firmly by the government.”</p>
<p>The government declined to comment on the Tarki findings. Orban’s chief of staff, Janos Lazar has said such feelings of distrust were inherent in Hungarians anyway.</p>
<p>In a rare display of solidarity, the Roma mayor of Cserdi, a poor village also in southern Hungary, told local media that he would host any refugees rejected from Ocseny.</p> | Hungarian villagers in backlash against holiday for migrants | false | https://newsline.com/hungarian-villagers-in-backlash-against-holiday-for-migrants/ | 2017-10-06 | 1 |
<p />
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
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<p>Data center operator and global interconnection specialist Equinix (NASDAQ: EQIX) <a href="http://finance.yahoo.com/news/equinix-reports-second-quarter-2016-200500612.html" type="external">reported Opens a New Window.</a> second-quarter results shortly after the closing bell on Wednesday. Here's how the quarter worked out for Equinix and its investors.</p>
<p>YOY = year over year.Data source: Equinix.</p>
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<p>The second quarter provided smooth sailing for Equinix, even though the company is working through the integration of two significant buyouts at the moment.</p>
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<p>Equinix CEO Steve Smith underscored the fact that second-quarter results exceeded management's expectations and reminded investors that the company's sales have now seen 54 consecutive quarters of uninterrupted growth.</p>
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<p>We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that <a href="http://wiki.fool.com/Motley" type="external">considering a diverse range of insights Opens a New Window.</a> makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p> | Equinix, Inc. Earnings: Growth by Acquisition | true | http://foxbusiness.com/markets/2016/08/04/equinix-inc-earnings-growth-by-acquisition.html | 2016-08-04 | 0 |
<p>PARIS (AP) — Pastor Maldonado announced that he won’t be driving in the Formula One world championships this season.</p>
<p>The Venezuelan driver started his career in F1 five years ago with Williams, winning the Spanish Grand Prix in 2012. In 2014 he moved to Lotus, which was acquired by Renault last year.</p>
<p>Maldonado said in a statement: “Today, with the biggest humility, I inform you that I won’t be on the grid at the start of the 2016 season.”</p>
<p>Renault is expected to announce its lineup for the 2016 season at a press conference on Wednesday, with former McLaren racer Kevin Magnussen having reportedly sealed a deal to replace Maldonado and partner Jolyon Palmer.</p>
<p>PARIS (AP) — Pastor Maldonado announced that he won’t be driving in the Formula One world championships this season.</p>
<p>The Venezuelan driver started his career in F1 five years ago with Williams, winning the Spanish Grand Prix in 2012. In 2014 he moved to Lotus, which was acquired by Renault last year.</p>
<p>Maldonado said in a statement: “Today, with the biggest humility, I inform you that I won’t be on the grid at the start of the 2016 season.”</p>
<p>Renault is expected to announce its lineup for the 2016 season at a press conference on Wednesday, with former McLaren racer Kevin Magnussen having reportedly sealed a deal to replace Maldonado and partner Jolyon Palmer.</p> | Maldonado says he won’t drive in F1 this season | false | https://apnews.com/7d04b27b60164e00b2173d17f239567e | 2016-02-01 | 2 |
<p>LONDON (Reuters) – Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May will meet GlaxoSmithKline (L:), Vodafone (L:) and HSBC (L:) and other major companies on Monday to hear what they want from talks on Britain’s relationship with the EU after Brexit.</p>
<p>Businesses have become increasingly alarmed by the slow progress of negotiations and the prospect that the country could crash out of the trading bloc without a deal in 2019.</p>
<p>They have also complained that their voice has been drowned out by disagreement and division in the government, and they have not heard anything to give them the certainty they need to plan and invest in their businesses.</p>
<p>The government sought to reset its relationship with employers by setting up a business advisory council in June, shortly after May lost her majority in a bungled election.</p>
<p>She will meet the leaders on Monday with her authority further diminished by a disastrous party conference and an attempt to topple her by a group of her lawmakers.</p>
<p>However, she will set out a confident pitch, based on her goal to achieve a transitional period so that companies could benefit from a smooth, orderly exit.</p>
<p>“Last month in Florence I set out my vision for a bold and unique new economic partnership with the EU,” she said ahead of Monday’s meeting.</p>
<p>“We are working hard to achieve this and are optimistic about our future as a global, free-trading nation.”</p>
<p>May will be joined by finance minister Philip Hammond, business minister Greg Clark, minister for exiting the EU David Davis and trade minister Liam Fox at the council.</p>
<p>Companies attending will also include Balfour Beatty (L:), WPP (L:), Morgan Stanley (N:) and AB Foods (L:), the government said.</p>
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<p>Fusion Media or anyone involved with Fusion Media will not accept any liability for loss or damage as a result of reliance on the information including data, quotes, charts and buy/sell signals contained within this website. Please be fully informed regarding the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, it is one of the riskiest investment forms possible.</p> | Britain's May to consult business leaders on Brexit | false | https://newsline.com/britain039s-may-to-consult-business-leaders-on-brexit/ | 2017-10-08 | 1 |
<p>The discovery of multiple pipeline&#160;leaks in the waters of Alaska's Cook Inlet&#160;has been discoverd.</p>
<p>First, a natural gas leak was reported. That leak, which is ongoing and sending <a href="http://peninsulaclarion.com/sites/default/files/attachments/article/Hilcorp%20statement%20on%20leak.pdf" type="external">210,000 to 310,000 cubic feet</a> of natural gas into the watershed every day, was later said to have started in December of last year.</p>
<p>A second leak in a separate pipeline was discovered after oil sheens were found on Cook Inlet's water. While the source of the first leak remains unknown, the second leak appears to have come from a 2-inch gash that repair divers found in the pipeline, according to <a href="https://www.adn.com/business-economy/energy/2017/04/10/hilcorp-finds-2-inch-gash-in-leaking-natural-gas-line-in-cook-inlet/" type="external">Alaska Dispatch News</a>.</p>
<p>A statement released by a Hilcorp spokeswoman on Monday&#160;says&#160;the damage was found at the "very bottom of the pipeline resting on a boulder embedded in the seafloor."</p>
<p>A temporary repair for this new leak is currently in the works, and, as soon as it is completed, the company has said that they will further inspect the pipeline and perform permanent repairs.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Hilcorp refuses to shut down the pipeline that is the source of the ongoing leak, claiming that shutting it&#160;down completely could lead to more damage.</p>
<p>"Shutting in the pipeline presents safety risks for our people, the environment, and has the potential to further damage offshore infrastructure."</p>
<p>Hilcorp is no stranger to pipeline leaks. In 2014, two leaks on the same pipeline that was damaged this month had to be repaired. Both of those leaks were also blamed on rock abrasions.</p>
<p>As pipelines continue to hemorrhage gas and oil, environmental activists worry about the area's wildlife, particularly the endangered beluga whales that occupy the waters in Cook Inlet.&#160;The numerous leaks from Hilcorp's pipelines, in particular, has led to a <a href="https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2017/offshore-drilling-04-06-2017.php" type="external">petition</a> calling for inspection of all the pipelines in Cook Inlet.</p>
<p>The petition from the Center for Biological Diversity points out the fact that Hilcorp has been cited repeatedly by the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission for <a href="http://doa.alaska.gov/ogc/orders/ev/evindex.html" type="external">violating safety regulations</a>. An attorney for the organization,&#160;Kristen Monsell, is also quoted calling first for government-mandated inspection and repair and then for a rapid transition to cleaner energy sources.</p>
<p>"To truly protect our coasts, we need to stop offshore drilling and rapidly transition to cleaner energy sources.&#160;But in the meantime, the government must discover and order the fix of faulty pipelines before another spill occurs - not after."</p>
<p>The video below, available via <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORkCV4RBPuk" type="external">YouTube</a>, shows the effects the gas and oil leaks are having on Cook Inlet's water.</p>
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<p>Featured image via <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rjshade/4777070343/in/photolist-8h8JzM-8jQmHN-dzqhzz-EGaNMP-o4BjBf-okUo8C-6AATX4-9ySeey-jznnWW-9uzZLL-8NVmVZ-9gM2ym-fFtnnw-8TSnbM-8TVrAC-9hbrRD-8TSmHt-E36UmY-9gvyF5-a8sfA7-8NVmEv-4qoeQA-8TVrx5-8TVrtb-oKhgpw-8NYt2A-9gvvCL-8TSmvt-5dp3rL-8hbZkE-nPjd9k-5dp3rS-oKhKBS-mXoYK3-nS41HK-8TSncZ-5f27MV-8TSmG8-8TVrDb-8TVryh-bsKsLq-qDbcAV-6shcqu-nRYyaS-6PgHNQ-gUYR8F-nUSASL-6acj2g-5Jzneb-oZK6Qj" type="external">Robbie Shade/Flickr</a>, available under a <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" type="external">Creative Commons license</a>.</p> | BREAKING: Pipeline Spills 310,000 Cu Ft Of Gas In Pristine Water After Hole Blows In Pipe | true | http://bipartisanreport.com/2017/04/13/breaking-pipeline-spills-310000-cu-ft-of-gas-in-pristine-water-after-hole-blows-in-pipe/ | 2017-04-13 | 4 |
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<p>Liberals are furious at former President, Bill Clinton, for what he did on Super Tuesday. Clinton went to a polling place in&#160;Massachusetts to vote for his wife and candidate, Hillary. However, while he was there he gave a speech with a bullhorn outside of the polling place and caused so much traffic congestion that the poll was closed. Liberals are accusing Clinton of attempting to stop Bernie Sanders supporters from voting, and are calling for his arrest for violating election laws.</p>
<p>Nearly 100,000 people have signed an online petition calling for Bill Clinton's arrest for violating Massachusetts election law on Super Tuesday by campaigning close to - and even inside - polling places.</p>
<p>The drive was launched by supporters of Bernie Sanders, who accused Bubba of stumping for his wife, Hillary, within 150 feet of a polling location in New Bedford and inside others in Newton and Boston's West Roxbury neighborhood.</p>
<p>"This is a call for the immediate arrest of President Bill Clinton for clear, knowing and egregious violation of the campaign laws to swing an election in a significant way. It could not be any clearer in the Massachusetts General Laws," the petition states.</p>
<p>Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin's Web site says, "On Election Day, certain activities are prohibited within the polling location and within 150 feet of the polling place," including the "solicitation of votes for or against, or any other form of promotion or opposition of, any person or political party."</p>
<p><a href="https://www.change.org/p/massachusetts-attorney-general-maura-healey-arrest-prosecute-bill-clinton-john-f-mitchell-violation-of-ma-election-laws" type="external">The petition</a> makes it clear that they want to see the Former President in handcuffs, today!</p>
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<p><a href="http://nypost.com/2016/03/03/why-85000-people-are-calling-for-bill-clintons-arrest/" type="external">Read more?</a></p>
<p>0 comments</p> | 100,000+ Liberals Sign A Petition To Have Clinton ARRESTED Because? | true | http://freedomsfinalstand.com/100000-liberals-sign-a-petition-to-have-clinton-arrested-because/ | 0 |
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<p>Shira Banki, a 16-year-old girl who was stabbed during a Jerusalem Pride march, succumbed to her injuries on Aug. 2, 2015. (Photo courtesy of Jerusalem Open House)</p>
<p>The recent <a href="" type="internal">attack</a> on the gay pride march in Jerusalem that left one dead and five others injured has led to a great deal of soul searching in Israel about the challenges facing the LGBT community in a country often lauded for being progressive on sexuality issues.</p>
<p>Anger in Israel has focused both on the lack of police preparation for a possible attack as well as the climate of growing Jewish religious extremism in which it occurred.</p>
<p>Shira Banki, 16, was stabbed to death on July 30 with a butcher’s knife by a Jewish religious extremist named Yishai Shlissel who considered the holding of a gay Pride in Jerusalem repugnant to God and against Jewish religious law. Shlissel charged the march and stabbed at random, hoping to kill and maim as many as possible.</p>
<p>Shockingly, Shlissel had been released only days before from prison. The crime? He attacked the same gay Pride march with a butcher knife 10 years before, stabbing three participants that time.</p>
<p>Although Jerusalem has always been a religious city, in recent years ultra-Orthodox Jewish groups have been given increasingly free reign in deciding how the lives of citizens will be run.</p>
<p>As in all of Israel, public transportation <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2012/apr/06/sabbath-buses-israel" type="external">shuts</a> on the Jewish Sabbath, but increasingly in West Jerusalem private businesses that open on Saturday are pressured to close and ultra-Orthodox demonstrators frequently target those that do not, even shutting down roads in order to prevent others from driving.</p>
<p>In religious neighborhoods, advertisements featuring women are torn down by ultra-Orthodox youth who also organize modesty patrols targeting women’s dress, and in some areas public buses and sidewalks are informally and formally gender segregated. Secular Jewish citizens often complain they are being squeezed out, and it is not hard to see why.</p>
<p>But to explain Banki’s killing by focusing on ultra-Orthodox Jews enforcing religious codes on secular Jews tells only a part of the story, and does little to account for the violent tactics used, a rarity in inter-Jewish disputes.</p>
<p>It is more instructive to look at the kind of violent religious Jewish extremism that has become <a href="http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2015/08/israel-violence-palestine-extreme-right-settlers-price-tag.html" type="external">all too common</a> in Israeli society in recent decades: anti-Palestinian racism.</p>
<p>Hours after Banki was stabbed, Jewish extremists firebombed a Palestinian home in the West Bank village of Douma, <a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/08/israel-arrests-jewish-activist-nationalist-crimes-150803202610076.html" type="external">killing</a> a Palestinian child named Ali Dawabsha and leaving the rest of the members of his family with severe burns.</p>
<p>The attack was not an isolated incident – since the beginning of the year, Palestinian authorities say Jewish settler radicals have carried out nearly <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/31/israel-talk-is-cheap-price-tag-violence" type="external">370 attacks</a> on Palestinian civilians, and nearly two-dozen Palestinian churches and mosques have been targeted. The United Nations recorded <a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/01/un-attacks-west-bank-palestinians-rise-20141177423535834.html" type="external">2,100 settler attacks</a> against Palestinians between 2006 and 2014, leaving 10 dead and 17,000 injured.</p>
<p>Israeli human rights organizations say that nearly <a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2015/08/israel-culpability-settler-violence-150802103507841.html" type="external">99 percent</a> of Israeli investigations into these incidents are dropped without any convictions, while the few sentences that are given to Jewish radicals are extremely lenient. For comparison, 99.74 percent of Palestinians arrested for any kind of security-related offense by Israeli authorities are found guilty and sentenced, regardless of the evidence in a specific case.</p>
<p>But the Israeli state is not just <a href="http://www.btselem.org/press_release/20150731_killing_of_baby_in_dum" type="external">indifferent</a> to such racist terror; Israeli authorities themselves have encouraged such violence by referring to Palestinians as “savages” and using <a href="https://electronicintifada.net/blogs/rania-khalek/israeli-leaders-lit-match-burned-baby-ali-dawabsha" type="external">dehumanizing</a> language to justify their deaths.</p>
<p>Israel’s current deputy-defense minister, Eli Ben-Dahan, has previously claimed that Palestinians “are beasts, they are not human,” while justice minister Ayelet Sheked has <a href="http://mondoweiss.net/2015/05/netanyahu-palestinians-government" type="external">argued</a> that the “the entire Palestinian people is the enemy.”</p>
<p>The backdrop of this culture of racist incitement is Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip since 1967, where millions of Palestinians are kept under military rule while the 500,000 Israelis living in settlements built on land confiscated from Palestinians enjoy the full benefits of Israeli civil law. Shlissel, the gay pride attacker, himself lived in Modiin, an Israeli ultra-Orthodox settlement in the West Bank.</p>
<p>The system of&#160; <a href="http://imeu.org/article/is-israel-an-apartheid-state" type="external">apartheid</a> in the West Bank, combined with the system of <a href="http://imeu.org/article/discrimination-against-palestinian-citizens-of-israel" type="external">two-tier citizenship</a> inside Israel itself — where the majority of Palestinians once lived until being forced out and forbidden from returning in 1948 — has made anti-Arab racism normative and anti-Palestinian violence forgivable.</p>
<p>It is no wonder that the killing of more than 2,200 Palestinians in Gaza – more than <a href="" type="external">62 families</a> bombed in their homes — by the Israeli military was met with <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=1&amp;ved=0CB0QFjAAahUKEwjWnqLdrZLHAhWHnXIKHR2HCH8&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fworld%2F2014%2Fjul%2F31%2Fisraeli-polls-support-gaza-campaign-media&amp;ei=FznCVZa3JYe7ygOdjqL4Bw&amp;usg=AFQjCNECYg8XMAfzgz4D8tRTm1li6y6lkQ&amp;sig2=YcC8HQT3hFySWEjkS4gcMA&amp;bvm=bv.99261572,d.bGQ" type="external">more than 90%</a> approval by the Jewish Israeli public (i.e. excluding the 20% of Israelis who are Arab), who even urged the government to go even further.</p>
<p>By permitting Jewish settler terror against Palestinians to go unchecked, the Israeli government has encouraged a culture of impunity for Jewish nationalist and religious violence.</p>
<p>While the majority of this venom has been directed at Palestinians, the potent mix of racist nationalism and religious extremism that Israel’s settler movement embodies is a threat to all of those who fail to adhere to it.</p>
<p>Less than a few hundred meters from the site in West Jerusalem where Shira Banki was stabbed, a group called Lehava holds weekly rallies. The group’s main goal is to prevent Arabs from being allowed to mix with Jews, and a primary target are Jewish girls who date Arab men, even holding protests at marriages to ensure Arab blood not “taint” the Jewish gene pool.</p>
<p>Hatred of “the other” has gone unchecked for so long in Israeli society that the weekly rallies hardly draw attention. Nor do the regular attacks on Palestinian passersby in the area that too often follow.</p>
<p>But the group’s goal is not only preventing racial miscegenation; it is also about ensuring heterosexuality in order to preserve what they deem the Jewish race. The same day the stabbings took place, members were protesting the gay Pride march, and a Lehava leader even <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=1&amp;ved=0CB0QFjAAahUKEwia47DArpLHAhUKvnIKHZJSBDs&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jpost.com%2FIsrael-News%2FLehava-representative-equates-homosexuality-to-bank-robbery-ahead-of-Jerusalem-gay-pride-parade-410677&amp;ei=5znCVdrTHIr8ygOSpZHYAw&amp;usg=AFQjCNEqvPZ6tmBf7ygiUi65bk_tL8H-ig&amp;sig2=kQWaFyS-rvGSGXhfMUWnrw&amp;bvm=bv.99261572,d.bGQ" type="external">compared</a> “being homosexual” to “robbing a bank” and argued that the LGBT community harmed the “Jewish nation.”</p>
<p>It is no wonder that in such a climate, where difference is vilified and violence in the name of nation and religion is encouraged by the powers that be, the LGBT community has ended up being a target as well.</p>
<p>The killing of Shira Banki, a young teenager expressing her solidarity with the queer community, is intrinsically related to the killing of Ali Dawabsheh.</p>
<p>These two deaths – which were immediately followed by the <a href="http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/7/31/palestinians-left-reeling-after-settler-attack.html" type="external">killings</a> of two Palestinians protesting Dawabsheh’s death by the Israeli military – highlight the fact that homophobia cannot be separated from racism, and that violence against national “others” will inevitably lead to violence against internal others.</p>
<p>A state built on racist exclusion can hardly be a safe space for queers – Israeli or Palestinian – or anyone else.</p>
<p>Perpetuating the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/23/opinion/pinkwashing-and-israels-use-of-gays-as-a-messaging-tool.html" type="external">idea</a> that Israel is somehow a gay paradise, in line with a government-sponsored campaign to promote the country’s gay-friendly image and cover up its violence against Palestinians, only hurts Israeli queers in the long run, as it obscures the fact that nationalist, religious, and homophobic terror and violence are all intrinsically connected.</p>
<p>By <a href="" type="internal">supporting</a> pinkwashing efforts, queers around the world risk embracing Israel’s racist policies against Palestinians and its encouragement of terror and hatred against the state’s perceived others. Sadly, the deaths of Shira Banki and Ali Dawabsheh demonstrate this all too clearly.</p>
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<p>Alex Shams is a journalist based in the West Bank and a doctoral student of anthropology at the University of Chicago.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Ali Dawabsha</a> <a href="" type="internal">anti-gay</a> <a href="" type="internal">Ayelet Sheked</a> <a href="" type="internal">Douma</a> <a href="" type="internal">Eli Ben-Dahan</a> <a href="" type="internal">Gaza Strip</a> <a href="" type="internal">Israel</a> <a href="" type="internal">Jerusalem</a> <a href="" type="internal">Modiin</a> <a href="" type="internal">Palestine</a> <a href="" type="internal">racism</a> <a href="" type="internal">Shira Banki</a> <a href="" type="internal">West Bank</a> <a href="" type="internal">Yishai Shlissel</a></p> | Killings reveal link between homophobia, anti-Arab racism | false | http://washingtonblade.com/2015/08/14/killings-reveal-link-between-homophobia-anti-arab-racism/ | 3 |
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<p>There has been plenty of chatter regarding the technology sector’s June slump, but the Technology Select Sector SPDR (NYSEArca: XLK), the largest technology exchange traded fund by assets, along with rival, traditional technology ETFs are rebounding to start the third quarter. XLK is higher by almost 45 over the past week, helping cement technology’s status… <a href="https://www.etftrends.com/tech-etfs-more-good-news-than-bad/" type="external">Click to read more at ETFtrends.com. Opens a New Window.</a></p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p> | Tech ETFs: More Good News Than Bad | true | http://foxbusiness.com/markets/2017/07/17/tech-etfs-more-good-news-than-bad.html | 2017-07-17 | 0 |
<p>One wonders why only 20% of Americans believe President Obama is a Muslim, considering the overwhelming evidence conclusively proving his slavish allegiance to Islam and utter disregard for Christianity.</p>
<p>After Obama’s wishy-washy defense of Muslim Americans’ freedom to build a community center, which includes a mosque, two blocks away from Ground Zero, a poll from the Pew Research Center reveals that nearly 20% of Americans — up from 11% a year ago — consider him a Muslim, and nearly 43% are unsure of his religion.</p>
<p>As a Muslim American, I presciently spotted the tell-tale signs of Obama’s Muslimy-ness and raucously celebrated — along with the entire monolithic entity of 1.5 billion Muslims — our successful Islamization of America. With one of us finally implanted in the White House and the other wearing a Miss USA tiara, minarets on the Capitol and a burqa-clad Hillary Clinton were only a lunar cycle away.</p>
<p>The smoking gun proving Obama belonged to the “stars and crescent” occurred during his interview with influential pastor Rick Warren, when he publicly admitted, “I believe Jesus died for my sins and I’m redeemed through him — that is a source of strength and sustenance on a daily basis.” Further testimony came with his 2009 Notre Dame graduation speech, where Obama referenced his community organizing days in Chicago, boldly declaring, “it was through this service I was brought to Christ.”</p>
<p>His decisive break with Christianity and subsequent undying fealty to the Islamic empire clearly then occurred at the White House Easter prayer breakfast, where he welcomed the esteemed guests as his “brothers and sisters in Christ”. And how can one forget Obama publicly denouncing Reverend Jeremiah Wright, his pastor for over 20 years at the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago?</p>
<p>However, despite this powerful evidence of his Islamic faith, my mind is plagued with doubts concerning Obama’s authentic Muslim credibility. The world takes photos of him eating lunch during Ramadan, a holy month for Muslims in which we abstain from food and drink until sunset. Also, Obama apparently likes beer — which is strictly forbidden in Islam — and he never hesitates to flagrantly exhibit this sin. Memorable examples include his drinking bout with Professor Henry Louis Gates’ arresting officer, Sgt Crowley, or his chugging a few bottles while awkwardly bowling to pacify nervous, middle-class white voters in Pennsylvania during the primaries.</p>
<p>It also appears that President Obama indulges in eating swine — thoroughly forbidden for Muslims — and he was subsequently caught devouring a tasty piece of salami with Mayor Bloomberg of New York, who may also be a closet Muslim given his recent stirring and eloquent defense of religious liberties in light of the Park 51 mosque controversy.</p>
<p>So I worry about my Muslim brother’s observance. In over two years, Obama has yet to step foot in a mosque. Furthermore, when given the ripe opportunity to pick a Muslim judge for the supreme court — thereby implementing Sharia law through stealth judicial activism — Obama instead nominated Elena Kagan (a Jew and a female to boot!). His cabinet, which counsels him on the most critical domestic and foreign policy issues, does not contain even one member with an Arabic name.</p>
<p>And despite all the president’s obvious Muslim credentials and avowed commitment to convert America to an Islamic theocracy, there are only two elected Muslim American officials out of 435 Congress members. What is more, hummus has not supplanted peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, hookahs have yet to be installed in congressional chambers, male elected officials continue shaving their facial hair, Egyptian soap operas and al-Jazeera have yet to replace Fox News and CNN, and the Iron Sheik, sadly, is still not the White House spokesman.</p>
<p>And yet, many impassioned and determined voices continue proclaiming Obama a “card-carrying Muslim”.</p>
<p>Objectively reviewing the evidence, one notices that Obama’s middle name is indeed shared by a recently deposed Iraqi dictator, and the president’s first and last name contain superfluous multi-syllables. Also, Obama, who is biracial and raised primarily by his white, Christian mother, had a Kenyan father, who was a (non-practising) Muslim. Further, the family lived in Indonesia, a Muslim country, for nearly four years. Obama also wore a traditional African turban and dress — a little too confidently and comfortably — while visiting Kenya in 2006, and he said “Assalam aleikum” — a little too eloquently — while addressing Muslims in his famous Cairo speech.</p>
<p>If one was to disavow common sense, history, evidence and truth, and, instead, rely purely on hysteria and hearsay created out of conjecture, then perhaps superficial appearances do conclusively prove Obama is a Muslim. Following this logic, Bill O’Reilly could secretly be a Manchurian Candidate for Hamas because of his prolific knowledge of Arabic, as gleaned from his usage of “loofah” and “falafel” when allegedly attempted to sexually harass a female producer. George W Bush could potentially be a covert, homosexual Saudi Arabia spy, since photos show him holding hands with Prince Abdullah and kissing him on the cheek. Rachel Ray, that perky culinary superstar, could be cooking lethal, anthrax-laced batches of girl scout cookies for Hezbollah, because, after all, she wore a keffiyeh in a Dunkin Donuts commercial.</p>
<p>After review, the evidence produces a hung jury in deciding whether or not Obama is a Muslim. But, even if he is one, it appears he is a “secular Muslim” — precisely the type Pamela Geller, the rightwing blogger responsible for creating much of the anti-NYC mosque hysteria, allegedly welcomes with open arms. She and her like-minded ilk should embrace “secular” Obama, who drinks beer, eats pork and doesn’t observe Ramadan, instead of relentlessly demonizing him.</p>
<p>It seems, after all, that his “Muslim” values coincide closely with American family values – of being married, staying loyal to your wife, raising well-behaved children, actively helping neighbors and contributing to the public good of the community members, as he did in Chicago. With his deep understanding of “Muslim culture”, the president could also foster conciliation and healing with Muslim communities in Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. Finally, Obama being a Muslim would permanently negate al-Qaida’s narrative that America is at “war with Islam”. How could “America” hate Islam if American citizens had elected a biracial citizen with an Arabic name and non-Christian religion as their President?</p>
<p>Thankfully, at least 80% of Americans seem impervious to the “Obama is a Muslim” Kool-Aid being peddled abundantly by a reactionary minority. But that 20%, maybe more, choose to remain ignorant of American principles and history, thereby paralysing their ability to reflect on how similar fear tactics, baseless doubts and paranoid allegations smeared another US president nearly 50 years ago. His name was John F Kennedy and his offence was to be a Catholic.</p>
<p>The irony of this shameful debacle is that Obama is, in fact, a “card-carrying Christian”. Ultimately, it suggests the question: had he actually been Muslim, or instead been Hindu, Jewish or atheist, would he be any less American?</p>
<p>The overwhelming evidence suggests not.</p>
<p>WAJAHAT ALI is a playwright, journalist and attorney, whose play, <a href="http://www.domesticcrusaders.com/" type="external">The Domestic Crusaders</a>, will be published by McSweeney’s in December, 2010. He is consulting <a href="http://voiceofwitness.com/after-911/" type="external">Voice of Witness</a> on their forthcoming book of post-9/11 oral histories. He blogs at <a href="http://www.goatmilkblog.com/" type="external">Goatmilk</a>.</p> | The Muslim Obama | true | https://counterpunch.org/2010/08/23/the-muslim-obama/ | 2010-08-23 | 4 |
<p>By Jonathan Landay</p>
<p>WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Democratic lawmakers are investigating whether retired U.S. General Michael Flynn secretly promoted a U.S.-Russian project to build dozens of nuclear reactors in the Middle East after becoming President Donald Trump’s first national security adviser.</p>
<p>Representatives Elijah Cummings and Eliot Engel made the disclosure in a letter they sent on Tuesday to Flynn’s lawyer and executives of the private firms that developed the project. Flynn’s now-defunct company worked as a consultant on it.</p>
<p>Robert Kelner, Flynn’s lawyer, declined to comment.</p>
<p>Separately on Wednesday, NBC News reported that Flynn’s son, Michael Flynn Jr., is being investigated by Special Counsel Robert Mueller as part of his inquiry into U.S. allegations that Russia meddled in the 2016 presidential election. Flynn worked for his father’s consulting firm.</p>
<p>A lawyer for Flynn Jr. declined to comment to NBC.</p>
<p>“The American people deserve to know whether General Flynn was secretly promoting the private interests of these businesses while he was a (Trump) campaign adviser, transition official, or President Trump’s national security adviser,” Cummings and Engel said in the letter made public on Wednesday.</p>
<p>They asked Flynn’s lawyer and executives of the companies involved to provide “all communications” they had with Flynn or other administration officials during Flynn’s association with Trump.</p>
<p>The project proposes to build 40 nuclear reactors across the Middle East that would feed a regional electric grid. The reactors would be “proliferation proof,” meaning they could not be used to produce fuel for nuclear weapons.</p>
<p>A promotional slide of the project said security would be provided by Rosoboron, a Russian state-owned arms exporter that is under U.S. sanctions. The sanctions imposed during the administration of former President Barack Obama soured relations between Moscow and Washington and Trump said in his election campaign that he wanted to improve those ties.</p>
<p>Intelligence reports indicate that some Trump associates may have violated a law called the Logan Act, which prohibits unauthorized U.S. citizens from negotiating with a foreign government that has a dispute with the United States, sources familiar with the reports said.</p>
<p>Cummings, the top Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, and Engel, the senior Democrat on the House Foreign Relations Committee, asked that the documents be provided by Oct. 4.</p>
<p>‘SIGNIFICANT QUESTIONS’</p>
<p>The retired general is a central figure in Mueller’s investigation into whether Trump aides colluded with Russia to boost Trump’s campaign. Russia has denied interfering in the U.S. election and Trump has said there was no collusion.</p>
<p>Trump, who took office on Jan. 20, fired Flynn on Feb. 13, 18 days after a top Justice Department official warned that the former Defense Intelligence Agency director could be blackmailed because Moscow knew he made misleading statements about his contacts with Russian officials.</p>
<p>Cummings and Engel sent their letter as part of an inquiry into the renewal of Flynn’s 2016 Top Secret security clearance.</p>
<p>They said Flynn failed to disclose a June 2015 trip he made to Egypt and Israel to promote the reactor project to investigators reviewing his renewal application and that he also did not list the foreigners with whom he met.</p>
<p>The lawmakers wrote that replies from the executives and Kelner to a June letter confirmed that Flynn made the trip.</p>
<p>“Based on your responses, it appears that General Flynn violated federal law,” they wrote.</p>
<p>“Since these violations carry criminal penalties of up to five years in prison, we are providing your responses to Special Counsel Robert Mueller,” they wrote to Kelner, Alex G. Copson of X-Co Dynamics/ACU Strategic Partners, and retired Rear Admiral Michael Hewitt of X-Co Dynamics/Ironbridge Group/IP3. All are private companies.</p>
<p>“Second, your responses raise significant questions about whether General Flynn continued to communicate with you and others about this project after the presidential election, after Donald Trump was sworn in as president, and after General Flynn assumed the post of national security adviser – without disclosing his foreign travel or contacts,” the lawmakers added.</p>
<p>Donald Gross, counsel for ACU Strategic Partners, said the company has cooperated with the oversight committee in providing information about the project being developed along with Hewitt’s IP3, and “General Flynn’s limited involvement in June 2015.”</p>
<p>Hewitt did not respond to a LinkedIn (NYSE:) message seeking comment.</p>
<p>The proposed reactor project would be funded by Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab states and built and run by a consortium of U.S., Russian, French, Dutch, Arab, British, Ukrainian and Israeli firms.</p> | Democrats probe whether Flynn pushed nuclear project as Trump aide | false | https://newsline.com/democrats-probe-whether-flynn-pushed-nuclear-project-as-trump-aide/ | 2017-09-13 | 1 |
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<p>Mahmoud A.M. Elhassan of Woodbridge was arrested in January, as was his friend, Joseph Farrokh, following a government sting. The two had been in regular contact with a government informant who they believed could help them travel to Syria to join the Islamic State, prosecutor Dennis Fitzpatrick said.</p>
<p>At a plea hearing Monday in federal court in Alexandria, Elhassan admitted driving Farrokh in January to the Richmond airport, where they believed they would face less scrutiny from security and where Farrokh planned to start a trip to Syria. Elhassan also admitted that he lied to federal agents who interviewed him about the true nature of Farrokh’s trip.</p>
<p>Prosecutors said Monday that they believe Elhassan also planned to travel to join the Islamic State at a later date. Elhassan’s attorney, Thomas Durkin, disputed the assertion that Elhassan ever had any serious intention of joining the group.</p>
<p>Farrokh has already been sentenced to 8 ½ years in prison, and renounced his support of the Islamic State.</p>
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<p>Similarly, Durkin said Elhassan’s support of the Islamic State was an aberration brought on by significant personal problems, including the recent death of his mother, that left him more receptive to a message of religious zealotry.</p>
<p>Elhassan struck no plea bargain in making his guilty pleas at Monday’s hearing. He pleaded guilty to a count of attempting to provide material support to a terrorist group and a count of making false statements. But a terror conspiracy count remains unresolved and set for trial in January.</p>
<p>Durkin said after the hearing that he is surprised the Justice Department still seems set on bringing the final count to trial, given that a conviction would be unlikely to result in a substantially different sentence. But he said he is prepared to go to trial if necessary.</p>
<p>Elhassan and Farrokh are among a half-dozen northern Virginia men charged this year with trying to help the Islamic State. Most of the cases have developed out of government stings.</p> | Man pleads guilty to trying to help friend join IS | false | https://abqjournal.com/873742/man-pleads-guilty-to-trying-to-help-friend-join-is.html | 2016-10-24 | 2 |
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<p>LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers. ( <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/keithallison/15823062226" type="external">Keith Allison / CC BY-SA 2.0</a>)</p>
<p>The Cleveland Cavaliers are the latest NBA team to take a stand against the president-elect by refusing to stay at a Donald Trump-branded hotel.</p>
<p>According to ESPN, LeBron James is among a group of Cavaliers players granted <a href="http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/18213423/lebron-james-cleveland-cavaliers-plan-stay-donald-trump-branded-hotel" type="external">alternate accommodations</a> while staying in New York City to play the Knicks on Wednesday. The Cavaliers hold a contract with the Trump SoHo hotel (no longer owned by Trump) in Manhattan, and James chose to stay elsewhere.</p>
<p>His choice was made out of “personal preference,” James said. “I’m not trying to make a statement. … At the end of the day, I hope he’s one of the best presidents ever for all of our sake—my family, for all of us. But it’s just my personal preference.”</p>
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<p>This marks the <a href="http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2016/12/lebron_james_not_staying_at_tr.html" type="external">first time in James’ 14 seasons in the league</a> that he is not staying with the rest of his team, he said.</p>
<p>The move was not much of a surprise, since James <a href="http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/17705863/cleveland-cavaliers-forward-lebron-james-explained-why-wrote-op-ed-support-hillary-clinton-president" type="external">publicly endorsed Hillary Clinton</a> in October.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, teammate Iman Shumpert has made his stance on the president-elect clear.</p>
<p>In <a href="http://www.complex.com/sports/2016/11/iman-shumpert-im-not-going-white-house-see-donald-trump-if-cavaliers-win-another-title" type="external">an interview with Complex</a> last week, Shumpert said, “I’m not going to the White House” if the Cavaliers win their second consecutive title.</p>
<p>AllDigitocracy’s Tracie Powell believes the players’ decision not to stay at the Trump SoHo had less to do with politics than <a href="http://alldigitocracy.org/about-lebron-james-refusal-to-stay-at-trump-hotel/" type="external">with racism</a>.</p>
<p>Powell writes:</p>
<p>For the record, for many people of color the decision not to step foot inside a hotel with president-elect Donald Trump’s name on it has nothing to do with Clinton, and everything to do with the hate and racism stirred up by Trump’s presidential campaign, and continues to be associated with his pending administration.</p>
<p>“If journalists ask the right questions, which would allow them to add context to their reporting, we wouldn’t get ignorant responses like <a href="http://www.mediaite.com/online/fran-tarkenton-on-athletes-declining-trump-wh-invites-nobody-boycotted-obama-cause-hes-black/" type="external">this one from Pro Football Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton</a>, who falsely stated that no athletes ever boycotted President Barack Obama. Neither Mediaite — nor TMZ, which originally reported the claim — bothered to set the record straight, but AllDigitocracy will.</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2016/12/lebron_james_not_staying_at_tr.html" type="external">separate hotel accommodations</a> for Cavaliers players is “not normal,” according to head coach Tyronn Lue. “But considering the circumstances, that’s what we have,” he told Cleveland.com.</p>
<p>The Milwaukee Bucks, Memphis Grizzlies and Dallas Mavericks reportedly also have distanced themselves from Trump by <a href="http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/18059741/at-least-3-nba-teams-no-longer-staying-trump-brand-hotels-nyc-chicago" type="external">forgoing their contracts with Trump-brand hotels</a> in New York City and Chicago.</p>
<p>This move is “in part to avoid any implied association with the new president-elect, according to league sources,” ESPN’s Marc Stein and Zach Lowe report. However, Grizzlies coach David Fizdale and Mavericks owner Mark Cuban deny claims that choices of their teams’ hotels are politically motivated. Cuban and Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry were supporters of Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign.</p>
<p>Other, unnamed, teams have also changed hotels “but did not specifically attribute the switch to any political reason,” according to Stein and Lowe.</p>
<p>Teams’ hotel arrangements for the season are usually made in August, meaning that the Grizzlies and Mavericks may have made the change during the offseason. The Bucks, after staying at the Trump International Tower and Hotel in Chicago preseason, have made arrangements with a different Chicago hotel for the regular season. Seven other NBA teams reportedly have contracts with Trump-licensed properties this season.</p>
<p>—Posted by <a href="" type="internal">KiMi Robinson</a></p>
<p /> | LeBron James, Other Cavaliers Excused From Staying at a Trump-Branded Hotel | true | https://truthdig.com/articles/lebron-james-other-cavaliers-excused-from-staying-at-a-trump-branded-hotel/ | 2016-12-08 | 4 |
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<p>A major study released Wednesday found that the sharpest increase in heroin use and addiction was among young, white men with lower education and income levels.</p>
<p>The findings come as much of the focus surrounding the opioid crisis has been on the mortality rates among middle-aged white women since the turn of this century.</p>
<p>But researchers now say younger white men are being hit even harder – at least by heroin.</p>
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<p>In fact, men ages 25 to 44 accounted for the highest heroin-related death rate (13.2 per 100,000) in 2015 – a 22 percent rise from the previous year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.</p>
<p>Silvia Martins, the lead author of the new study, said increases in heroin use and addiction may be related to several factors, including prescription opioid abuse and market forces that favor cheaper alternatives to pills – such as heroin.</p>
<p>“We saw that most of them had already used prescription opioids,” Martins, associate professor of epidemiology at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, said in a phone interview. “We saw that in 2001-2002, only 36 percent of white heroin users reported they had already used prescription opioids before. Now, more than half of them – 53 percent of them – said they had used prescription opioids before. So we believe there is a link to the prescription opioid epidemic.</p>
<p>“Other potential reasons for that are the fact that heroin has become cheaper in recent years in the U.S.”</p>
<p>Or, as Drug Enforcement Administration spokesman Rusty Payne said, “The world is filled with addicts who got a legitimate prescription for an opioid and then became dependent on that and continued long after their recovery. Pill addiction is extremely expensive, so they move to heroin because it’s cheaper and easier to get.”</p>
<p>Payne added that the DEA is “seeing a lot of the traffickers who have substituted fentanyl for heroin, and so it’s just a vicious cycle of addiction we’ve seen with a lot of people.”</p>
<p>The study, published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry, looked at data from two nationally representative household surveys from 2001-2002 and 2012-2013, analyzing responses from nearly 80,000 respondents. It showed that the number of people who reported using heroin at some point in their lives has climbed over the decade from 0.33 percent of the adult population to 1.61 percent, or roughly 3.8 million Americans.</p>
<p>The number of those who met the criteria for heroin use disorder, or addiction, more than tripled from 0.21 percent in 2001-2002 to 0.69 percent in 2012-2013.</p>
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<p>Researchers say they also discovered a widening of the gender gap among heroin users.</p>
<p>“There are more men than woman that are heroin users and that also have problems like heroin use disorder,” Martins said. “And that is different from what we see happening with other drugs and alcohol, so that was a surprising finding.”</p>
<p>The research also revealed that the most notable increases were among whites, climbing from 0.34 percent to 1.9 percent over the decade, as well as among those with lower levels of education and income.</p>
<p>In the few years since the survey ended, the opioid epidemic has tightened its grip on an expanding portion of the U.S. population.</p>
<p>Synthetic opioids – including heroin and its deadlier cousin fentanyl – are the main drivers of overdose deaths across the United States, according to the CDC.</p>
<p>Opioid deaths have continued to spike, with more than 33,000 fatalities across the country in 2015 – the highest figure in recent history, according to data released by the CDC. As The Washington Post’s Christopher Ingraham reported, that marked an increase of nearly 5,000 deaths from 2014. Deaths involving synthetic opiates, such as fentanyl, rose by nearly 75 percent from 2014 to 2015.</p>
<p>Nearly 13,000 people died of heroin overdoses that year, according to the data.</p>
<p>On Wednesday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order creating a commission to deal with the escalating epidemic.</p>
<p>The commission, which will be led by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R), will work to “combat and treat the scourge of drug abuse, addiction, and the opioid crisis,” the White House said in a statement.</p>
<p>“I made a promise to the American people to take action to keep drugs from pouring into our country and to help those who have been so badly affected by them,” Trump said.</p>
<p>A Post investigation revealed that the opioid epidemic erupted several years ago as the DEA slowed its enforcement.</p>
<p>Asked about the recent survey findings, Payne, the DEA spokesman, said the rise in heroin use and, more broadly, opioid abuse is manifested through “monster increases” in border seizures of heroin and other opioids, such as fentanyl, and a “huge spike” in internet sales of fentanyl-based compounds from China.</p>
<p>He said it is also seen in emergency room visits and tragic overdose deaths that have been grabbing headlines across the country.</p>
<p>In particular, Payne said, New Hampshire, Ohio and West Virginia are struggling with “significant amounts of abuse and addiction.”</p>
<p>Martins, the lead author of the new study, called for more intervention and education efforts to help curb not only heroin use and addiction, but also the greater opioid epidemic in the United States.</p>
<p>“The findings show us that we truly have a heroin epidemic in the U.S. and that we need to tackle it in better ways,” Martins said.</p> | A staggering increase in U.S. heroin use has hit young, white men the hardest | false | https://abqjournal.com/979446/a-staggering-increase-in-u-s-heroin-use-has-hit-young-white-men-the-hardest.html | 2 |
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<p>Leaders of the BRICS nations, from left, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff, China’s President Xi Jinping and South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma, pose for a group photo during the BRICS summit in Fortaleza, Brazil, Tuesday, July 15, 2014. The leaders of the BRICS nations are expected to officially create a bailout and development fund worth $100 billion. It’s meant to be an alternative to the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, which are seen as being dominated by the U.S. and Europe. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)</p>
<p>FORTALEZA, Brazil — The leaders of five emerging market powers said at a summit Tuesday that they agreed to create a development bank worth $100 billion that will have its headquarters in China.</p>
<p>The first president of the New Development Bank will be from India and the position will rotate every five years among Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — the so-called BRICS nations, a joint statement from the leaders said.</p>
<p>BRICS leaders conferred in a closed session earlier in the day at their conference in northeastern Brazil, then announced concrete plans for the bank at an afternoon session open to the press.</p>
<p>The new bank is seen as a strong push by the BRICS against the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, which the developing world has long complained it far too U.S.- and European-centric.</p>
<p>“Based on sound banking principles, the NDB will strengthen the cooperation among our countries and will supplement the efforts of multilateral and regional financial institutions for global development,” the statement said.</p>
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<p>Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told the Russian news agency ITAR-Tass that the decision “confirmed that BRICS members, while speaking against unilateral actions in the world economy and politics, are not seeking confrontation but propose working out collective approaches toward the resolution of any problems.”</p>
<p>The New Development Bank will have an African regional branch in South Africa and eventually other nations would be able to participate.</p>
<p>The statement also alluded to Brazil’s and India’s longstanding quest to overhaul the United Nations Security Council, of which China and Russia are two of five permanent members with veto power. Those nations have in the past proved reluctant to endorse Brazil’s and India’s ambitions, but Tuesday’s statement said the BRICS nations “support their aspiration to play a greater role in the U.N.”</p>
<p>Though exhaustive, the joint statement largely steered clear of potentially divisive issues, like the conflict in Ukraine between pro-government and pro-Russia factions.</p>
<p>It touched only briefly on the matter, saying the five countries expressed their “deep concern” with the situation in Ukraine and urged “comprehensive dialogue, the de-escalation of the conflict and restraint from all the actors involved, with a view to finding a peaceful political solution, in full compliance with the U.N. Charter and universally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms.”</p> | BRICS nations agree to create own development bank | false | https://abqjournal.com/429480/brics-nations-agree-to-create-own-development-bank.html | 2 |
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<p><a href="" type="internal" />TORONTO - Mattel Inc. has made a friendly takeover offer for Canadian toy maker Mega Brands Inc., which has the world's No. 2 line of construction sets after Lego.</p>
<p>The deal values the Montreal-based company at US$460 million, including debt that the American industry giant will assume or repay.</p>
<p>Mattel manufactures Barbie dolls and Hot Wheels cars among numerous other toys. The company says Mega Brands will help it expand in two of the fastest-growing product segments: construction sets and arts and crafts.</p>
<p>Bryan Stockton, Mattel's chairman and CEO, told analysts Friday that Mattel plans to keep the Mega Brands head office in Montreal and to invest in its manufacturing operations, which he said are integral to the business.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p> | Mattel to buy Canadian toy maker Mega Brands | false | https://abqjournal.com/360778/mattel-to-buy-canadian-toy-maker-mega-brands.html | 2 |
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<p>A&amp;E has ordered two new true-crime series — “Marcia Clark Investigates The First 48” with the former prosecutor and “Grace vs. Abrams” with hosts Nancy Grace and Dan Abrams. Produced by ITV Entertainment, “Marcia Clark Investigates The First 48” will feature Clark, the prosecutor from the O.J. Simpson murder trial, investigating the events of the […]</p> | A&E Adds Marcia Clark, Nancy Grace & Dan Abrams Crime Shows | false | https://newsline.com/ae-adds-marcia-clark-nancy-grace-dan-abrams-crime-shows/ | 2018-01-15 | 1 |
<p>I’m really excited by George Bush’s latest reason for bombing Iraq: he’s running out of patience. And so am I!</p>
<p>For some time now I’ve been really pissed off with Mr Johnson, who lives a couple of doors down the street. Well, him and Mr Patel, who runs the health food shop. They both give me queer looks, and I’m sure Mr Johnson is planning something nasty for me, but so far I haven’t been able to discover what. I’ve been round to his place a few times to see what he’s up to, but he’s got everything well hidden. That’s how devious he is.</p>
<p>As for Mr Patel, don’t ask me how I know, I just know–from very good sources–that he is, in reality, a Mass Murderer. I have leafleted the street telling them that if we don’t act first, he’ll pick us off one by one.</p>
<p>Some of my neighbours say, if I’ve got proof, why don’t I go to the police? But that’s simply ridiculous. The police will say that they need evidence of a crime with which to charge my neighbours.</p>
<p>They’ll come up with endless red tape and quibbling about the rights and wrongs of a pre-emptive strike and all the while Mr Johnson will be finalising his plans to do terrible things to me, while Mr Patel will be secretly murdering people. Since I’m the only one in the street with a decent range of automatic firearms, I reckon it’s up to me to keep the peace. But until recently that’s been a little difficult. Now, however, George W. Bush has made it clear that all I need to do is run out of patience, and then I can wade in and do whatever I want!</p>
<p>And let’s face it, Mr Bush’s carefully thought-out policy towards Iraq is the only way to bring about international peace and security. The one certain way to stop Muslim fundamentalist suicide bombers targeting the US or the UK is to bomb a few Muslim countries that have never threatened us.</p>
<p>That’s why I want to blow up Mr Johnson’s garage and kill his wife and children. Strike first! That’ll teach him a lesson. Then he’ll leave us in peace and stop peering at me in that totally unacceptable way.</p>
<p>Mr Bush makes it clear that all he needs to know before bombing Iraq is that Saddam is a really nasty man and that he has weapons of mass destruction–even if no one can find them. I’m certain I’ve just as much justification for killing Mr Johnson’s wife and children as Mr Bush has for bombing Iraq.</p>
<p>Mr Bush’s long-term aim is to make the world a safer place by eliminating ‘rogue states’ and ‘terrorism’. It’s such a clever long-term aim because how can you ever know when you’ve achieved it? How will Mr Bush know when he’s wiped out all terrorists? When every single terrorist is dead? But then a terrorist is only a terrorist once he’s committed an act of terror. What about would-be terrorists? These are the ones you really want to eliminate, since most of the known terrorists, being suicide bombers, have already eliminated themselves.</p>
<p>Perhaps Mr Bush needs to wipe out everyone who could possibly be a future terrorist? Maybe he can’t be sure he’s achieved his objective until every Muslim fundamentalist is dead? But then some moderate Muslims might convert to fundamentalism. Maybe the only really safe thing to do would be for Mr Bush to eliminate all Muslims?</p>
<p>It’s the same in my street. Mr Johnson and Mr Patel are just the tip of the iceberg. There are dozens of other people in the street who I don’t like and who–quite frankly–look at me in odd ways. No one will be really safe until I’ve wiped them all out.</p>
<p>My wife says I might be going too far but I tell her I’m simply using the same logic as the President of the United States. That shuts her up.</p>
<p>Like Mr Bush, I’ve run out of patience, and if that’s a good enough reason for the President, it’s good enough for me. I’m going to give the whole street two weeks–no, 10 days–to come out in the open and hand over all aliens and interplanetary hijackers, galactic outlaws and interstellar terrorist masterminds, and if they don’t hand them over nicely and say ‘Thank you’, I’m going to bomb the entire street to kingdom come.</p>
<p>It’s just as sane as what George W. Bush is proposing–and, in contrast to what he’s intending, my policy will destroy only one street.</p>
<p>TERRY JONES is a founding member of Monty Python.</p>
<p>&#160;</p> | My Patience is Running Out, Mr. Bush | true | https://counterpunch.org/2003/01/28/my-patience-is-running-out-mr-bush/ | 2003-01-28 | 4 |
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<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>There are plenty of ways to profit on a stock's movement beyond investing in the actual stock itself. Options provide a nearly endless array of strategies, due to the countless ways you can combine buying and selling call option(s) and put option(s) at different strike prices and expirations.</p>
<p>A call is an options contract that gives the owner the right to purchase the underlying security at the specified strike price at any point up until expiration. A put is an options contract that gives the owner the right to sell the underlying asset at the specified strike price at any point up until expiration.</p>
<p>One of the most basic positions that an investor can take is a long call.</p>
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<p>A long call is simply owning a call option. You would purchase a call option if you believe that the stock is going to rise, since the value of a call goes up if the underlying stock price goes up. However, any option has the risk of expiring completely worthless upon the expiration date, so buying options is considered a speculative strategy.</p>
<p>For example, let's say a stock is trading at $50. If you believe that the stock will go up, you could consider purchasing a $55 call. Let's say that the premium for that call is $2.</p>
<p>Any time that you purchase an option, the most that you can lose is the premium that you paid for the option. This is true for both calls and puts. This occurs if the option is out-of-the-money upon expiration, in which case it expires worthless.</p>
<p>In this example, you would lose the full $2 in premium if the stock closes upon expiration below $55, since the call would then be worthless.</p>
<p>There is no theoretical upper-bound limit to stock prices, so the maximum gain is potentially unlimited. Of course, stock prices don't increase to infinity in reality, so this gain is purely hypothetical.</p>
<p>In this example, if the stock was acquired by another company for $200 per share, you would enjoy substantial gains of $148.</p>
<p>The breakeven on a long call is the strike price plus the premium. If the stock closes at this price upon expiration, the gains associated with the trade will exactly offset the upfront premium paid.</p>
<p>In this example, if the stock closed at $57, you would gain $2 on the trade itself (buying at $55 and selling at $57). This would offset the $2 in premium paid upfront.</p>
<p>The $15,834 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known "Social Security secrets" could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. For example: one easy trick could pay you as much as $15,834 more... each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we're all after. <a href="http://www.fool.com/mms/mark/ecap-foolcom-social-security?aid=8727&amp;source=irreditxt0000002&amp;ftm_cam=ryr-ss-intro-report&amp;ftm_pit=3186&amp;ftm_veh=article_pitch&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Simply click here to discover how to learn more about these strategies. Opens a New Window.</a></p>
<p>Try any of our Foolish newsletter services <a href="http://www.fool.com/shop/newsletters/index.aspx?source=isiedilnk018048&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">free for 30 days Opens a New Window.</a>. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that <a href="http://www.fool.com/knowledge-center/motley.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">considering a diverse range of insights Opens a New Window.</a> makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p> | What Is a Long Call? | true | http://foxbusiness.com/markets/2016/09/21/what-is-long-call.html | 2016-09-21 | 0 |
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<p>“One of the things that we’re seeing is gift sets and collector’s edition sets,” says Stacy Thrailkill, Costco Wholesale buyer for DVD &amp; music.</p>
<p>“Those work well for our members as gift-giving ideas,” she says.</p>
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<p>The company expects that “Lawrence of Arabia” 50th Anniversary Collector’s Edition released on Blu-ray disc will be among the most popular of the gift packages this year, Thrailkill says.</p>
<p>“It’s one of the top-requested movies of all time,” she points out.</p>
<p>The four-disc set includes a fully-restored version of the movie, as well as picture-in-graphic detail and interviews with Peter O’Toole and Martin Scorsese. A soundtrack CD includes two previously unreleased tracks and a full-color, hard-bound, coffee-table book discusses the history of the film and its significance.</p>
<p>The mercurial James Bond is celebrating 50 years, as well, and all 007 movies leading up the recently released “Skyfall,” are together as one package for the first time, Thrailkill says.</p>
<p>All of the discs are Blu-ray but nine have not been released in that format previously, she says.</p>
<p>The set also includes about an hour’s worth of new content from the Bond archives, as well as a videoblog detailing a behind-the-scenes look at the making of “Skyfall” from its cast and crew.</p>
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<p>Classics and more</p>
<p>When it comes to classics, few can top the hilarious Carol Burnett, whose off-the-cuff show featured such stars as Steve Martin, Betty White, Carl Reiner and Joan Rivers.</p>
<p>Costco is releasing a seven-disc set of 18 of Burnett’s favorite shows that include some of her most-famous skits, Thrailkill says.</p>
<p>It also includes about three hours of new material with Burnett, Tim Conway, Vicki Lawrence and Lyle Waggoner.</p>
<p>“This is perfect for our demographics,” Thrailkill says.</p>
<p>The popular HBO series, “Game of Thrones,” which is an adaptation of a book of the same name, is out with its first season on disc.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>The eight-disc set includes both DVD and Blu-ray formats. A complete guide to the land of Westeros – where the tale unfolds – as well as an in-episode guide and a dragon egg paperweight make it a must gift for any “Thrones'” fan, Thrailkill says.</p>
<p>For fans of the action/adventure genre, one of the masters is being recognized with a boxed set of eight movies.</p>
<p>“Tarantino XX,” includes the works of Quentin Tarantino: “Pulp Fiction,” “Inglourious Basterds,” “Reservoir Dogs,” “Kill Bill Vol. 1,” “Kill Bill Vol. 2,” “Jackie Brown,” “Death Proof” and “True Romance.”</p>
<p>“It should be strong,” Thrailkill says.</p>
<p>The prices for the sets varies from store to store.</p>
<p>Children and family</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>At Kmart, many of the children’s classics that came around just once a year can now be enjoyed repeatedly, says Molly Sheehan, Zeno Group vice president for consumer marketing.</p>
<p>“The family-children’s holiday classics such as ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas,’ ‘Frosty the Snowman,’ and ‘Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,’ are extremely popular DVDs,” she says. The holiday classics are expected to sell for about $10.</p>
<p>And new releases such as “Savages,” a crime drama, and “The Amazing Spider-Man,” which is a prequel to the Spider-Man series, are expected to be big sellers, Sheehan says. Both will go for about $15.</p>
<p>Although not a movie, British-Irish boy band One Direction’s “Up All Night The Live Tour,” should be high on many lists, Sheehan says. It will sell for about $12.</p>
<p>At Barnes &amp; Noble, the three-movie collection “The Qatsi Trilogy,” directed by Santa Fe resident Godfrey Reggio, is expected to be popular, particularly among those with green leanings.</p>
<p>The set, which sells for $67.99, includes 1982’s “Koyaanisqatsi,” 1988’s “Powaqqatsi” and 2002’s “Naqoyqatsi,” according to a company news release.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>The films draw in the viewer to ponder the havoc our obsession with technological advancement has wrought on the world from ancient to modern times.</p>
<p>Among the features of the box set is a new interview with Reggio relating to his 1970s multimedia privacy campaign in New Mexico.</p>
<p>It also includes 1992’s “Anima Mundi,” Reggio’s 28-minute montage of footage of over 70 animal species, scored by composer Philip Glass, who also produced the music for the trilogy.</p>
<p>“The Trilogy of Life,” which sells for $39.99, features Pier Paolo Pasolini’s adaptations of “Decameron,” “The Canterbury Tales,” and “The Thousand and One Nights.”</p>
<p>Bawdy and provocative, the trio of movies shapes the classic tales into a peek at modern life, which should make it an entertaining work for those inclined to see life a bit differently, the release says.</p> | Classics, TV series top DVD choices for gift-giving | false | https://abqjournal.com/153765/classics-tv-series-top-dvd-choices-for-giftgiving.html | 2012-12-16 | 2 |
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<p>WASHINGTON — The Latest on President Donald Trump signing executive actions to advance the construction of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access oil pipelines (all times local):</p>
<p>12:35 p.m.</p>
<p>President Donald Trump’s decision to restart the Keystone XL pipeline approval process is disheartening but not surprising to a central Nebraska farmer whose property is slated to be bisected by the project.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Jim Tarnick told The Associated Press on Tuesday that he and other landowners who oppose the pipeline will continue to fight. But he says he hopes he doesn’t have to do so “for the rest of my life.”</p>
<p>Tarnick says he’s confident landowners in Nebraska will continue to block the pipeline through lawsuits and other procedural challenges.</p>
<p>Tarnick has previously rejected at least six financial offers from TransCanada for access to his land, ranging from $30,000 to $58,000. He says he’s concerned about the pipeline’s possible effects on groundwater and soil.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>11:30 a.m.</p>
<p>President Donald Trump has signed executive actions to advance the construction of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access oil pipelines.</p>
<p>Trump tells reporters in the Oval Office that the construction of the pipelines will be subject to the terms and conditions being renegotiated by the U.S.</p>
<p>Former President Barack Obama killed the proposed Keystone XL pipeline in late 2015, saying it would hurt American efforts to reach a global climate change deal.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>The pipeline would run from Canada to U.S. refineries in the Gulf Coast. The U.S. government needs to approve the pipeline because it crossed the border.</p>
<p>The Army decided last year to explore alternate routes for the Dakota pipeline after the Standing Rock Sioux tribe and its supporters said the pipeline threatened drinking water and Native American cultural sites.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>10 a.m.</p>
<p>President Donald Trump is expected to take executive action to advance construction of the Dakota Access and Keystone XL oil pipelines.</p>
<p>That’s according to a person with knowledge of the action. The president is scheduled to sign orders at the White House late Tuesday morning.</p>
<p>The Army decided last year to explore alternate routes for the Dakota Access pipeline after the Standing Rock Sioux tribe and its supporters said the pipeline threatened drinking water and Native American cultural sites. The pipeline is to carry North Dakota oil through South Dakota and Iowa to a shipping point in Illinois.</p>
<p>Former President Barack Obama killed the proposed Keystone XL pipeline in late 2015, declaring it would have undercut U.S. efforts to clinch a global climate change deal. The pipeline would run from Canada to U.S. refineries in the Gulf Coast. The U.S. government needed to approve the pipeline because it crossed U.S. border.</p>
<p>The person with knowledge of the decisions insisted on anonymity because they were not authorized to confirm the moves ahead of a formal announcement.</p>
<p>(Associated Press writer Julie Pace contributed to this report.)</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>9:45 a.m.</p>
<p>President Donald Trump says he’s an environmentalist.</p>
<p>The president made the comments Tuesday at a breakfast with auto industry executives.</p>
<p>He didn’t elaborate on why he sees himself as an environmentalist, but the comments came after urging companies from the auto industry and beyond to bring jobs back to the U.S.</p>
<p>On Monday, he made similar comments at a business breakfast, stating, again without elaborating, “I’m a very big person when it comes to the environment. I have received awards on the environment.”</p> | Farmer vows to keep fighting pipeline | false | https://abqjournal.com/934596/the-latest-trump-take-executive-action-on-oil-pipelines.html | 2017-01-24 | 2 |
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<p><a href="https://d3el53au0d7w62.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/BBB-LOGO-109-13.jpg" type="external" />Now there are reports of text messages being sent threatening to kill you if you don’t pay up or if you contact the police.</p>
<p>On Friday, the national Better Business Bureau issued a “ <a href="http://snakeriverbbb.wordpress.com/tag/threatening-texts-from-hitman/" type="external">Scam Alert!</a>“, warning consumers not to fall for the so-called “hitman” scheme.</p>
<p>An email version of this scam dates back to at least 2006, but the text version is new, says the BBB, making it “more personal … and intimidating.”</p>
<p>While the wording and the demands vary from text to text, the BBB cited two specific examples:</p>
<p>Should you be unfortunate enough to receive one of these frightening texts, the BBB recommends you just delete it. If you text back, you will be confirming that they reached an active number.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>Another option is to forward the text to 7726 (SPAM), the BBB says, which will notify your carrier to block any future texts from that number.</p>
<p>And, of course, “Text messages that threaten physical harm should be reported to the local police,” the BBB says.</p>
<p>As of Friday afternoon, the Albuquerque-based <a href="http://newmexicoandsouthwestcolorado.bbb.org/" type="external">Better Business Bureau Serving New Mexico and Southwest Colorado</a> hadn’t received any calls or inquiries about this one.</p>
<p>Let’s hope it stays that way.</p> | New texting scam: ‘Pay up or die’ | false | https://abqjournal.com/319844/new-texting-scam-pay-up-or-die.html | 2 |
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<p>DENVER (AP) — Federal regulators have cited four employers, including the largest oil and gas producer in Colorado, for exposing employees to health and safety hazards in connection with a May 2017 explosion that killed one employee and burned others.</p>
<p>The Denver Post <a href="http://dpo.st/2nd14ms" type="external">reports</a> that the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration on Thursday cited Anadarko Petroleum Corp., Energes Services LLC, Dominguez Welding LLC and Unlimited Services LLC.</p>
<p>The companies face $70,711 in proposed penalties.</p>
<p>Workers were merging two tank batteries into a single battery operated by Anadarko in Mead when the explosion and fire occurred.</p>
<p>Thirty-two-year-old Oscar Lopez Velasquez died in the explosion.</p>
<p>Anadarko spokeswoman Jennifer Brice said the company takes the findings very seriously. She says Anadarko has been reviewing its procedures since the incident.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Information from: The Denver Post, <a href="http://www.denverpost.com" type="external">http://www.denverpost.com</a></p>
<p>DENVER (AP) — Federal regulators have cited four employers, including the largest oil and gas producer in Colorado, for exposing employees to health and safety hazards in connection with a May 2017 explosion that killed one employee and burned others.</p>
<p>The Denver Post <a href="http://dpo.st/2nd14ms" type="external">reports</a> that the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration on Thursday cited Anadarko Petroleum Corp., Energes Services LLC, Dominguez Welding LLC and Unlimited Services LLC.</p>
<p>The companies face $70,711 in proposed penalties.</p>
<p>Workers were merging two tank batteries into a single battery operated by Anadarko in Mead when the explosion and fire occurred.</p>
<p>Thirty-two-year-old Oscar Lopez Velasquez died in the explosion.</p>
<p>Anadarko spokeswoman Jennifer Brice said the company takes the findings very seriously. She says Anadarko has been reviewing its procedures since the incident.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Information from: The Denver Post, <a href="http://www.denverpost.com" type="external">http://www.denverpost.com</a></p> | Federal regulators cite 4 employers in deadly 2017 explosion | false | https://apnews.com/amp/10bf8197a17b412b80434db900bdb1fb | 2018-01-26 | 2 |
<p>Scientists believe they have found a reliable way to assess someone's risk of catching the common cold.</p>
<p>Carnegie Mellon University researchers <a href="http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1653523" type="external">found</a> that the length of chromosome caps called&#160;telomeres could help doctors understand why some people are more prone to the common cold.</p>
<p>Older studies have linked longer telomeres with an increased lifespans and better health, <a href="http://www.scienceworldreport.com/articles/5085/20130220/risk-common-cold-predicted-shorter-telomeres.htm" type="external">said Science World Report</a>.</p>
<p>The study looked at 152 volunteers between the ages of 18 and 55.</p>
<p>The healthy paricipants were exposed to the rhonovirus, which causes the common cold.</p>
<p>Participants were then quarantined for five days to see if they developed a cold.</p>
<p>After the five days the study authors found that those with shorter telomeres were more likely to become sick, <a href="http://www.9news.com/news/local/article/318251/222/Study-Predicting-our-ability-to-fight-the-common-cold" type="external">reported NBC News</a>.</p>
<p>The link wasn't found in the youngest participants in the study, however.</p>
<p>"We knew that people in their late 50s and older with shorter telomeres are at a greater risk for illness and mortality. We also knew that factors other than aging, such as chronic stress and poor health behaviors, are associated with shorter telomeres in older people," said study co-author Sheldon Cohen, <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-57570305/telomeres-may-predict-common-cold-risk-in-adults-what-are-they/" type="external">said CBS News</a>.</p>
<p>"Consequently, we expected that younger people would vary in their telomere length as well and wanted to see what this would mean for their health."</p>
<p>The study was published in the <a href="http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1653523" type="external">Journal of the American Medical Association</a>.</p> | Common cold risk linked to length of chromosome caps | false | https://pri.org/stories/2013-02-21/common-cold-risk-linked-length-chromosome-caps | 2013-02-21 | 3 |
<p>“If I were advising him, I’d tell him to give a one-line speech and say, ‘Hey, at least I'm not a Muslim.’ ” Arsalan Iftikhar The contributing editor to Islamica magazine was referring to the advice he’d give to former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a Mormon, for a possible 2012 presidential campaign. (RNS)</p>
<p>“There are actually 34 of us, because God has never left us down here.” Jimmy Sanchez The Chilean miner, one of 33 trapped underground for more than two months, was writing in a letter sent up during his captivity. (RNS)</p>
<p>“We speak of homosexuals as a particular class of especially depraved sinners and we lie about how homosexuals experience their own struggle. Far too many evangelical pastors talk about sexual orientation with a crude dismissal or with glib assurances that gay persons simply choose to be gay.” Albert Mohler The president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary was writing on his website of Christian complicity in the rash of gay teens committing suicide. (RNS)</p> | OUT LOUD | false | https://baptistnews.com/article/outloud-56/ | 3 |
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<p>Sen. Gay Kernan, R-Hobbs, said making third-grade students pass a state-sponsored standardized reading assessment to advance in grade level is problematic to her.</p>
<p>KERNAN: Opposes using one test</p>
<p>"The No. 1 concern I have is basing retention on one test," said Kernan, a retired first-grade teacher.</p>
<p>She also pointed out that two other states - Oklahoma and Florida - have in recent years relaxed or temporarily paused their reading requirements, which would be similar to those proposed in New Mexico.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>"We need to just take a close look at this before we jump into something other states are backing away from," Kernan said in an interview.</p>
<p>Gov. Susana Martinez has pushed since taking office in 2011 for legislation that would end social promotion, by providing reading assistance to struggling students and making third-graders who cannot read proficiently repeat the grade level.</p>
<p>The two-term Republican governor renewed her call during this week's State of the State address, saying, "This is one of those moments: Confront reality or punt. We must end the practice of passing our students from grade to grade when they cannot read."</p>
<p>A bill on the subject has been introduced during this year's 30-day legislative session by Rep. Monica Youngblood, R-Albuquerque.</p>
<p>Public Education Secretary Hanna Skandera said Friday that the Martinez administration is still committed to the proposal, adding that the legislation would provide exemptions for several different groups of students.</p>
<p>SKANDERA: Bill allows exemptions for some kids</p>
<p>Those exempt would include students who score well on an alternative assessment, students with disabilities, those who speak English as a second language and those who have already been held back in school.</p>
<p>"It's a priority that our kids are learning and that we don't socially promote them," said Skandera, who held an education policy post in Florida before coming to New Mexico.</p>
<p>However, skeptics of the mandatory retention legislation have said it could hurt students' morale and possibly lead to higher dropout rates.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>A 2012 Legislative Finance Committee report found that the legislation, had it been in place, would have led to 1,923 third-graders - or roughly 8 percent of students in that grade level - being held back the previous year.</p>
<p>The report also said the cost of retaining the 1,923 students for an additional year would have amounted to about $13.5 million, or $7,000 per student.</p>
<p>Kernan said that she began having misgivings about the social promotion legislation last year and that she has not been asked to sponsor it this year. She sponsored GOP-backed social promotion bills during three previous regular legislative sessions - in 2013, 2014 and 2015.</p>
<p>Despite the misgivings, Kernan said she still believes that retention - or making students repeat a grade level - is appropriate for some children.</p>
<p>"I'm not opposed to retention," she said.</p>
<p>In Oklahoma, lawmakers in 2014 passed a bill that relaxed reading requirements and allowed a team of parents, teachers and school administrators to make retention decisions.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Florida's program is on a one-year hiatus of sorts, due to a delay in the release of state test scores after that state switched to a new standardized test.</p>
<p>The New Mexico bill introduced for this year's 30-day legislative session, House Bill 67, calls for targeting reading assistance at struggling students, starting as young as kindergarten. The bill would not appropriate funding, though the state is already spending $15 million on early reading initiatives, which include reading coaches for some students.</p>
<p>In addition, current law already enables schools to retain students, although parents have a one-time option to overrule the decision.</p>
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<p /> | Supporter of 3rd grade retention balks at key provision in bill | false | https://abqjournal.com/710955/bill-on-3rdgrade-retention-questioned.html | 2016-01-23 | 2 |
<p>Did you watch the Super Bowl on Sunday night? Not only did we have a thrilling game and an extravagant half-time show, but the commercials were a focal point of the night as they always are. The Super Bowl is the one night of the year when I actually want to watch the commercials.</p> | What the church can learn from Super Bowl commercials | false | https://baptistnews.com/article/what-the-church-can-learn-from-super-bowl-commercials/ | 3 |
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<p>Superstition Fire and Medical officials say the SUV was traveling on Apache Trail near the lake’s first bridge when it fell about 100 feet into water below Saturday night.</p>
<p>Everyone was able to escape from the vehicle before responders arrived.</p>
<p>Authorities say two people were airlifted to trauma centers and two others were transported to hospitals.</p>
<p>They say four other people suffered minor injuries.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>All eight are between the ages of 16 and 18.</p>
<p>Authorities say it’s the third vehicle to drive off the cliff on State Route 88 in the past two weeks.</p>
<p>The Arizona Department of Transportation is planning to add guardrails in the area.</p> | 8 injured after vehicle goes into lake near Apache Junction | false | https://abqjournal.com/962609/8-injured-after-vehicle-goes-into-lake-near-apache-junction.html | 2 |
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<p>Gaston de Cardenas/Zuma</p>
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<p>With the sting of defeat in the South Carolina primary still fresh at last week’s Republican presidential debate in Tampa, <a href="http://www.cfr.org/us-election-2012/republican-debate-transcript-tampa-florida-january-2012/p27180" type="external">Mitt Romney slammed Newt Gingrich</a> for his record as a consultant—or “ <a href="" type="internal">historian</a>,” in Newt-speak—for government mortgage-backer Freddie Mac.</p>
<p>But perhaps Romney should think twice before setting his sights on the former speaker’s lobbying-related past. That’s because the ex-governor has benefited handsomely from the influence-peddling of Bain Capital, the private equity firm he cofounded in 1983. Though he’s been gone from Bain for over a decade, Romney continues to rake in millions from accounts with the firm—and in 2007, he took Bain’s side in a key lobbying battle with Washington—one that saved him millions of dollars.</p>
<p>2007, as it turns out, was something of a watershed for private equity lobbying: In that year, lobbying expenditures for the industry practically tripled. The spike was the result of an industry-wide effort to preserve a number of tax giveaways for the finance industry and its CEOs—including the carried interest rule, a tax loophole that allows Romney and other private equity mavens to reduce their taxes by millions of dollars. Carried interest refers to the commission that private equity and hedge fund executives receive for managing investors’ money.&#160;Although commissions may seem like ordinary income to the rest of us, the carried interest loophole allows some money managers to claim this income as long-term capital gains, which are taxed at a rate much lower (15 percent) than the top tax rate for normal income (35 percent).</p>
<p>After Democrats won control of both the House and the Senate in the 2006 midterm elections, they advanced several pieces of legislation that threatened to end this lucrative quirk of the tax code and other tax policies that favor the rich. Mitt Romney, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/26/us/politics/talk-of-taxing-rich-more-faces-political-hurdles.html" type="external">who made just over $20 million in investment income in 2010</a>, wasn’t having any of it. During an August 2007 appearance on Kudlow &amp; Company, Romney was asked what he thought of the effort to close the loophole. He wasn’t happy. “I want people to be able to save their money and invest in America’s economy tax-free,” Romney said. “I want to lower taxes. I want to lower marginal rates across the board. I want to lower taxes for corporations,” he told Kudlow.</p>
<p>Bain was doing its part to make Romney’s vision a reality. The firm spent $300,000 between August of 2007 and April of 2008 lobbying the House and Senate on bills that threatened the carried interest loophole.&#160;Along with other private equity titans like Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Apollo Management, Bain and its ilk paid lobbying shops, public relations firms, and trade groups&#160; <a href="http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2007/08/15/counting-up-private-equitys-lobbying-tab/" type="external">like Ogilvy and the Private Equity Growth Capital Council</a> <a href="http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2001015,00.html#ixzz1kPLWZqxH" type="external">an estimated $15 million</a>&#160;between January 2009 and April 2010 to convince lawmakers to keep the loophole alive.&#160;The force of those combined lobbying efforts kept the carried interest loophole wedged open, denying the federal government some&#160; <a href="http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2001015,00.html#ixzz1kPLWZqxH" type="external">$10 billion in revenues in the process</a>. “Everyone who has looked at this boondoggle [of carried interest] thinks it’s an egregious giveaway,” Jacob Hacker, the co-author (with Paul Pierson) of Winner-Take-All Politics, says. “It still lives because of the lobbying of the industry, and in particular the PEGCC.”</p>
<p>From 1998 to 2006,&#160; <a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/industries/lobbying.php?cycle=2012&amp;ind=F2600" type="external">private equity and investment firms spent $3 million a year lobbying Congress</a>, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Bain got into the game in 2007, registering with prominent Washington lobbying firms Public Strategies, Inc. and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer &amp; Feld. To date, Bain has paid some $3 million to these firms to make sure corporate taxes stay low and CEOs remain fat and happy.</p>
<p>As the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/11/business/as-romney-campaign-advances-private-equity-becomes-part-of-the-debate.html?_r=1&amp;pagewanted=2&amp;partner=rss&amp;emc=rss" type="external">New York Times reported several weeks ago</a>, Bain was a member of the Private Equity Growth Capital Council up until last year, when it abruptly ended its $1-million-a-year membership with the powerful trade group. Its reasons for doing so remain unclear. (PEGCC did not respond to a request for comment.)</p>
<p>Investment fund managers and former CEOs like Mitt Romney suggest that taxing their carried interest as income would crimp investments, and, ultimately, kill jobs. But as Howard Gleckman, a tax policy expert at the Urban Institute, has found, there is little evidence to support that claim. “Losing a couple percentage points off your returns isn’t going to change things very much,” Gleckman says. “Taxing carried interest as if it were wages…wouldn’t really affect these deals very much.”</p>
<p>Now that a small sample of Romney’s tax returns is out in the open, voters may be asking more questions about how policies like the carried interest rule work. Josh Kosman, author of The Buyout of America: How Private Equity Is Destroying Jobs and Killing the American Economy, says that’s terrifying for the private equity world. “The private equity industry exists because of tax gimmicks,” Kosman argues. “They want to convince people they create value because if anyone started looking at it, the tax rates don’t make any sense, and they cost the government a lot of money.”</p>
<p>As Hacker explains, today’s favorable tax treatment towards capital gains dates back to the late 1970s, when the lobbying might of business groups like the US Chamber of Commerce successfully sliced the tax on capital gains in half. The Tax Reform Act of 1986 brought the rate back into line with the rate on ordinary income, but business lobbies spent the next decade knocking it back down. “For an industry that’s held up as a paragon of individual entrepreneurship, private equity is strikingly dependent on favorable tax policies,” Hacker said.</p>
<p>Of course, private equity isn’t the exclusive terrain of one party or the other. As Hacker and Pierson outlined in their book, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) has been one of the carried interest loophole’s most ardent defenders. And as Kosman points out, four of the past eight Treasury secretaries have direct ties to the private equity industry.</p>
<p>All of this, of course, could pose a huge a problem for Romney—so much so that <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203806504577180811581675618.html?mod=WSJ_hp_LEFTTopStories#printMode" type="external">his campaign recently suggested</a> that he might be open to reconsidering the carried interest loophole if he were to be elected president. Although Bain did not start lobbying until some eight years after Romney left, his just-released tax records indicate that he still collects significant investment income from the firm. Bain’s gain, then, has clearly been Romney’s as well—and the candidate has publicly endorsed the same policies the company has backed.&#160;</p>
<p>So when Bain’s lobbyists have tried to sway the political system in Washington, Romney has gained. Maybe he ought to be careful when denigrating the influence peddlers in the nation’s capital.</p>
<p /> | How Bain’s Lobbying Saved Mitt Millions | true | https://motherjones.com/politics/2012/01/bain-lobbying-saved-mitt-romney-millions/ | 2012-01-30 | 4 |
<p />
<p>From the JLL Investor Relation site</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Given the considerable anxiety expressed by widening credit spreads at the start of the year, the first-quarter results from commercial property services company Jones Lang LaSalle were pretty solid.In addition,the market no longer fears commercial property Armageddon via the credit markets -- the company's stock has rallied more than 7% in the last month. That said, what can investors glean from the first-quarter results?</p>
<p>Jones Lang LaSalle's first quarter: The raw numbersThe best way to look at the company's results is to split its real estate services (RES) into geographic regions and then compare adjusted EBITDA with the remaining LaSalle investment management business. For reference, RES comprises a mix of services that rely on transactions (such as leasing and capital markets) and services that don't (property and facility management, project and development services, etc.) -- a point I will return to later.</p>
<p>Data source: Jones Land LaSalle presentations.</p>
<p>The turbulence in equity and credit markets at the start of the year clearly had an effect on the commercial property. For example, global investment sales were down 14% in the first quarter, but Jones Lang LaSalle did relatively better in only suffering a 3% decline in investment sales.It was a similar story with leasing, whereby market leasing volumes declined 1%, but the company's increased 6%.</p>
<p>What happened in the quarter Essentially, the quarter started off with very difficult conditions that got better as the months progressed. CEO Colin Dyer discussed the issue on the earnings call, saying, "As we predicted on our February call, this to be a pause, not a trend. Equity market started to rebound in mid-February, Chinese economy has stabilized and the slide in oil prices was arrested."</p>
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<p>The one remaining fly in the ointment is the so-called Brexit referendum, in which the U.K. will vote on whether to remain or exit from the European Union. The vote takes place on June 23, and fears over an exit caused Britain to be the only country (aside from Russia) in Europe to suffer a revenue decline in the quarter -- "around 10%," according to Dyer.</p>
<p>End-market conditions in 2016Aside from the Brexit issue, CFO Christie Kelly argued that the company would "go into the second quarter with improved market conditions." Nevertheless, management took down full-year guidance for two key market indicators.</p>
<p>Moreover, observant readers will note (see table above) the importance of real estate services in the Americas to JLL's profitability, and there is a cause for concern. Specifically, management significantly reduced its full-year expectations for capital market sales volumes in the Americas. Three months ago management forecast an increase of 5% to 10%, but now the forecast is for flat to negative 5%.</p>
<p>The weakening outlook for transaction volumes -- particularly in the Americas -- is probably the reason why management highlighted its ability to diversify revenue streams, particularly from activities that don't require transactional volume. But will it be enough?</p>
<p>Looking aheadThe company outperformed the market in the first quarter and investors will be hoping for more of the same going forward. The Americas region is the key to the company's prospects and investors will be hoping that institutional investors continue to favor commercial real estate as an asset class. Meanwhile, any improvement in the economy is likely to feed into a pick-up in rents and leasing activity, and conversely any negative news on credit markets or global growth could weigh heavily on the stock.</p>
<p>The article <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/04/28/jones-lang-lasalle-over-the-worst.aspx" type="external">Jones Lang LaSalle: Over the Worst?</a> originally appeared on Fool.com.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFSaintGermain/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Lee Samaha</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Jones Lang LaSalle. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services <a href="http://www.fool.com/shop/newsletters/index.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">free for 30 days</a>. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that <a href="http://wiki.fool.com/Motley?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">considering a diverse range of insights</a> makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">disclosure policy</a>.</p>
<p>Copyright 1995 - 2016 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/help/index.htm?display=about02" type="external">disclosure policy</a>.</p> | Jones Lang LaSalle: Over the Worst? | true | http://foxbusiness.com/markets/2016/04/28/jones-lang-lasalle-over-worst.html | 2016-04-28 | 0 |
<p>Joe Biden and Meghan McCain shared a truly powerful emotional moment Wednesday morning on The View while discussing how cancer has affected their loved ones.</p>
<p>Biden’s son <a href="" type="internal">Beau passed away</a> in 2015 from <a href="" type="internal">glioblastoma</a>, a notoriously fast-growing brain cancer with a dramatically low survival rate. It’s the same cancer Meghan’s father, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), was <a href="" type="internal">diagnosed with earlier this year</a>.</p>
<p>Already fighting back tears, McCain told the former vice president, “I couldn’t get through your book,” referring to Biden’s Promise Me, Dad, a memoir about his son’s battle with the deadly cancer. “I tried... I’m sorry.”</p>
<p>She continued, tears beginning to flow: “I think about Beau almost every day, and I was told—I’m sorry—that this doesn’t get easier, but you cultivate the tools to work with this. I know you and your family have been through a tragedy that I haven’t conceived of.”</p>
<p>Biden immediately began to console McCain, switching seats to be next to her, and holding her hand as she wept.</p>
<p>“Look, look, look... one of the things that gave Beau courage—my word—was John. You may remember when you were a little kid, your dad took care of my Beau. Your dad... became friends with Beau. And Beau talked about your dad’s courage—not about illness—but about his courage.”</p>
<p>He turned to the audience, still holding McCain’s hand, and attempted to offer some hope for anyone suffering from glioblastoma, “which is about as bad as it gets”: “There’s a lot of things happening... there’s breakthroughs that are occurring now... It could happen tomorrow.” Biden cited the University of Pennsylvania’s <a href="" type="internal">recent innovation of using immune cells to fight solid tumors</a>.</p>
<p>“So there is hope,” he emphasized. “And if anyone can make it, your dad—her dad is one of my best friends.”</p>
<p>The pair joked about how Sen. McCain has gone after Biden “hammer and tong” in the past, but “I know if I picked up the phone tonight and called John McCain and said, ‘John, I’m at Second and Vine in Oshkosh, and I need your help. Come,’ he would get on a plane and come.”</p>
<p>Biden concluded: “The thing that I found—and Beau insisted on, your dad is going to insist on—is you’ve got to maintain hope. You have to have hope.”</p> | Joe Biden Consoles Meghan McCain in Powerfully Emotional TV Moment | true | https://thedailybeast.com/joe-biden-consoles-meghan-mccain-in-powerfully-emotional-tv-moment | 2018-10-04 | 4 |
<p>JMJ says Bashir has the outlook of the military man that he once was: he came about in Sudan in a military coup and ever since then the biggest challenge for him has been the bloody civil war between North and South, which he prefers to settle militarily and not through diplomacy. He's resorted then to the use of militias as the way to undermine the rebel support base. (How has he been able to survive?) he's secretive and contradictory, but he's also a pragmatist and will accept settlements when he has to. But he's also proud and can be prone to rages. (Bashir has aligned himself with Islamic, but how important is his Islamic identity to him?) Extremely important, in terms of the Palestinian cause and also because Sudan has been pushing to become an Islamic state itself. (Why is he then encouraging and sponsoring militias which kill people in Darfur?) The twist to this is that Islam intersects with race so you need to add this element of Arab identity as inclusion as an Islamic state, and this is what Sudanese people have objected to. You need to be an Arab Muslim and not just a Muslim in Sudan. (What drives Bashir to these extremes?) I think it's just a question of pride in Bashir himself. He won't accept failure and responds with rage to the prospect of failure.</p> | Sudan's president and the genocide | false | https://pri.org/stories/2008-07-14/sudans-president-and-genocide | 2008-07-14 | 3 |
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<p>Yesterday, I reported on their occupations. <a href="" type="internal">(Who Are These Guys? Part 1)</a> &#160;Today we’re looking at political parties, gender, ethnicity and race.</p>
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<p>If you followed election-year tussling, you might already know that in the&#160; House of Representatives this year, there are 38 Democrats and 32 Republicans. In the Senate, there are 25 Democrats and 17 Republicans.</p>
<p>Overall in the Legislature: 63 Democrats and 49 Republicans.</p>
<p>Men outnumber women in both chambers. Overall, there are 81 men and 31 women. And see Deborah Baker’s earlier Journal report &#160;on this score: ( <a href="" type="internal">Female Senators Decline in N.M. Legislature</a>).</p>
<p>The ethnic and racial breakdown is a little harder to get to and frankly, I and the Legislative Council Service are still double-checking with individual members. But here are the best counts so far:</p>
<p>Hispanics – 45; Native Americans – 6;&#160;African-Americans – 2. The rest we would classify as Anglos.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p> | At the Roundhouse: Who Are These Guys? Part 2 | false | https://abqjournal.com/164970/at-the-roundhouse-who-are-these-guys-part-2.html | 2013-01-31 | 2 |
<p>Photo by The U.S. Army | <a href="" type="internal">CC BY 2.0</a></p>
<p>Opening the August 30&#160;New York Times,&#160;I was surprised (and personally appalled) to find Erik Prince on the opinion page with his own by-lined article (“Contractors, Not Troops, Will Save Afghanistan”). While Prince is entitled to his opinion, it seemed to me his former role as head of Blackwater should have denied him the privilege of expressing it from the vaulted platform of the&#160;NYT.</p>
<p>Taking issue with the Prince op-ed, I maintain that the U.S. military should&#160;never&#160;hire mercenaries, whether directly or through Blackwater-type firms since contract soldiers have a vested interest in prolonging a war.&#160; Their private employers, investors, and lobbyists have a similar interest in advocating pro-war policies in the halls of Congress.</p>
<p>Enriched by a succession of lucrative government security contracts and serving for years as a CIA lackey, Prince’s security company Blackwater earned opprobrium for its high-handed aggressiveness in Iraq as it escorted government VIPs around Baghdad and beyond.&#160; Repeated abuses of Iraqi pedestrians and motorists came to a head when four Blackwater employees opened fire in a crowded square in Baghdad in 2007, killing 17 and wounding 20.&#160; Prince defended his security force but sold the company in 2010.</p>
<p>Now Prince would elevate the role of the private contractor from security to actual combat. His op-ed envisions a “contractor force of less than 6,000 (far less than the 26,000 in the country now)” that would “provide a support structure for the Afghans, allowing the United States’ conventional forces to return home.” All this sounds attractive, but why would such “former Special Operations veterans” be expected to accomplish on the battlefield what U.S. Special Ops cannot?</p>
<p>In a 2007 Brookings article (“The Dark Truth about Blackwater”), Peter W. Singer concluded that the “massive outsourcing of military operations,” creating a dependency on private firms like Blackwater, has given rise to “dangerous vulnerabilities.”&#160; He went on to cite the firm’s cutting corners “that may have contributed to employee deaths,” the classification of documents “to cover up corporate failures,” and public relations fiascos that have diverted the attention of military planners and shamed America.&#160; As to costs, Singer questioned whether firms like Blackwater really save the taxpayer money.</p>
<p>A more serious objection to outsourcing soldiers lies in its bypassing of citizen scrutiny.&#160; As opposed to the deployment of more troops or the call-up of National Guard and Reserves, the hiring of contract forces lies beneath the public radar screen. Even in its more limited “bodyguard” role, the private military industry has become, according to Singer, “the ultimate enabler, allowing operations to happen that might otherwise be politically impossible.”</p>
<p>As with Blackwater in Iraq, military contractors often create a negative image of America.&#160; Disrespect of and assault on ordinary civilians were frequent complaints against Blackwater in Iraq. With direct government control lacking, private contractors take orders from their corporate bosses, who in turn respond to investor preoccupation with the “bottom line.”</p>
<p>Corruption is another reason to limit contractor roles in warfare.&#160; In addition to the contributions and gift travel that military industry lobbyists shower on lawmakers in an effort to win contracts, there is corruption in contractor procurement practices.&#160; According to Singer, the Defense Contract Audit Agency identified “a staggering $10 billion in unsupported or questionable costs from battlefield contractors” in Iraq.</p>
<p>Many of the same objections can be laid against private prison operators, where an inherent conflict of interest divides contract employee loyalty between government and the corporate bosses who pay their salaries.&#160; In war, the military industry profits from continuing conflict, while in peace, private prison companies profit from occupied cell blocks and minimal operating costs.&#160; Without government control and civilian oversight, both military and prison contractors tend to skimp on support costs and resort to abuse.</p>
<p>Private military/security companies and private prison companies have in common the vulnerabilities of conflict of interest, corruption, policy distortion and lack of transparency.&#160; To remain the guarantor of the public interest, the U.S. government should beware of contracting out its military, security (and prison) functions.</p> | Profiteering in War: the Case Against Mercenaries | true | https://counterpunch.org/2017/09/15/profiteering-in-war-the-case-against-mercenaries/ | 2017-09-15 | 4 |
<p>Archer Daniels Midland Co. earnings fell to $284 million, or 48 cents per share, from $386 million, or 62 cents per share in the year-earlier period. Adjusted earnings per share were 41 cents, compared with the FactSet consensus of 45 cents. Revenue fell to $15.6 billion from $17.2 billion, below the FactSet consensus of $16.9 billion. The company said that after a "challenging" first half of 2016, with improved fundamentals it expected a "more favorable second half of the year." The stock gained 9.9% over the last three months, compared with a 4.3% rise in the S&amp;P 500 .</p>
<p>Copyright © 2016 MarketWatch, Inc.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p> | Archer Daniels Misses Second-quarter Earnings And Revenue Expectations | true | http://foxbusiness.com/markets/2016/08/02/archer-daniels-misses-second-quarter-earnings-and-revenue-expectations.html | 2016-08-02 | 0 |
<p>After happily putting on concerts in Middle Eastern countries that regularly persecute homosexuals, aging Canadian rocker Bryan Adams announced that he's <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mississippi-religion-bryanadams-idUSKCN0X81M8" type="external">canceling his concert</a> in Mississippi this week because he cannot "in good conscience" play in state that allows "discrimination" according to sexual orientation. The hypocrisy didn't go unnoticed on social media and <a href="http://hotair.com/archives/2016/04/12/bryan-adams-cancels-mississippi-concert-over-new-anti-gay-law-after-playing-egypt-last-month/" type="external">conservative outlets</a>.</p>
<p>Mississippi passed a law last week intended to protect employers' religious rights by allowing their deeply religious beliefs and moral convictions to determine workplace policies on grooming, dress code, and bathroom and locker room access (e.g., not allowing men to use women's facilities). The law has resulted in the predictable outrage from the celebrity class, among them Adams and Bruce Springsteen, who recently <a href="http://www.bizpacreview.com/2016/04/09/lawmaker-slams-bruce-springsteens-whining-bully-tactics-after-he-cancels-show-over-transgender-bathrooms-327162" type="external">conducted his own boycott of North Carolina</a> for a similar measure.</p>
<p>Citing the "extremely discriminatory" law, Adams posted the announcement on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BEC8kyBoeDX/" type="external">Instagram</a> and his website. "I cannot in good conscience perform in a State where certain people are being denied their civil rights due to their sexual orientation. Therefore I’m canceling my 14 April show at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum," he wrote. Adams received a bunch of <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mississippi-religion-bryanadams-idUSKCN0X81M8" type="external">praise</a> for his act of protest, including from Springsteen.</p>
<p>Unfortunately for Adams, after his "brave" announcement, some folks took a closer look at his past concert schedule. Turns out he's spent a lot of his time in recent years playing in countries notorious for persecuting the people he says he cares so much about. One of those countries: Egypt, which, as <a href="http://www.bizpacreview.com/2016/04/11/bryan-adams-does-shows-in-egypt-but-cancels-mississippi-event-because-of-transgender-bathrooms-327770" type="external">BizPac Review</a> points out, "sentenced two men to <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/09/world/africa/egypts-gay-community-living-in-fear/" type="external">three years in jail</a> for getting married to each other in 2015" and in which, as CNN puts, the gay community as a whole is " <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/09/world/africa/egypts-gay-community-living-in-fear/" type="external">living in fear</a>."</p>
<p>HotAir's <a href="http://hotair.com/archives/2016/04/12/bryan-adams-cancels-mississippi-concert-over-new-anti-gay-law-after-playing-egypt-last-month/" type="external">Allahpundit</a> nails Adams' on the glaring double standard:</p>
<p>If Adams is bothered by the persecution of gays, he should find the thought of playing Egypt more repugnant than playing Mississippi. But it’s also not true that even a has-been like Adams has zero influence over how foreigners behave. If he made a show of boycotting Muslim countries for their treatment of gays, some Americans would pay attention. That would put public pressure on better-known stars to start practicing what they preach too. A broader boycott by American entertainment, depending of course on how broad it is, would at least give the powers that be something to think about.</p>
<p>For the "inconsistency," Adams was roundly ripped on social media (via <a href="http://hotair.com/archives/2016/04/12/bryan-adams-cancels-mississippi-concert-over-new-anti-gay-law-after-playing-egypt-last-month/" type="external">BizPac Review</a>):</p>
<p>Bryan Adams had a heck of a 2010, playing countries where women and LGBT are subjugated and abused <a href="https://twitter.com/smittie61984" type="external">@smittie61984</a> <a href="https://t.co/VepT6aZ5Be" type="external">pic.twitter.com/VepT6aZ5Be</a></p>
<p>Hi <a href="https://twitter.com/bryanadams" type="external">@bryanadams</a> I appreciate your brave stand against intolerance. By the way, how did your Egypt shows go? <a href="https://t.co/HIyoPMrY9P" type="external">https://t.co/HIyoPMrY9P</a></p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/CNN" type="external">@CNN</a> Holy shit, <a href="https://twitter.com/bryanadams" type="external">@bryanadams</a> played in Qatar also. This fucking Qatar. Do you regret playing there Bryan? <a href="https://t.co/oBYeLoaC0M" type="external">pic.twitter.com/oBYeLoaC0M</a></p>
<p>Funny how Bryan Adams &amp; Springsteen are so outraged by <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/lgbt?src=hash" type="external">#lgbt</a> discrimination that they decided to discriminate against ppl of entire states.</p>
<p>It's not the summer of 69 anymore. Why do you want these guys in the ladies room? <a href="https://twitter.com/NYDailyNews" type="external">@NYDailyNews</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/bryanadams" type="external">@bryanadams</a> <a href="https://t.co/CIU76ghXK5" type="external">https://t.co/CIU76ghXK5</a></p> | Rocker Cancels Concert In Mississippi Over 'Discrimination.' Gets CRUSHED for Hypocrisy. | true | https://dailywire.com/news/4895/rocker-cancels-concert-mississippi-because-james-barrett | 2016-04-13 | 0 |
<p>Crooks &amp; Liars ( <a href="http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/fox-whacko-ralph-peters-smacks-down-bil" type="external">9/26/12</a>) notes Bill O’Reilly is proposing a naval blockade of Iraq:</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>Says O’Reilly:</p>
<p>We’re going to block it, nothing in, nothing out. OK? That’s what we’re going to do. And if you challenge the blockade, we’ll do what we have to do like the Cuban missile crisis, same thing–not gonna do it, not gonna let your nukes in Cuba. Kennedy did that. Not gonna let your nukes in Iran. BANG! That’s what we’re gonna do. So you’ve either got to stop now and not force us to do it, because if you force us to do it, we’re gonna do it, and then it’s going to be really, really bad for you.</p>
<p>By “BANG!,” O’Reilly apparently means that the U.S. should threaten to use nuclear weapons, as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuban_missile_crisis#U.S._alert_level_raised" type="external">Kennedy did</a> during the Cuban Missile Crisis.</p>
<p>O’Reilly’s suggestion has a remarkable justification:</p>
<p>I would draw up a naval blockade of Iran and I would make those plans public and I would say to the world if they don’t let the UN inspectors in at a certain time, in whatever time it may be.</p>
<p>UN inspectors, of course, frequently visit Iran–they’ve spent a total of <a href="http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-08-22/un-inspectors-to-meet-iran-over-access-to-dispute-sites" type="external">4,000 person-days</a> there. O’Reilly is, of course, following the <a href="" type="internal">proud tradition</a> of pretending that the enemy state brought on war brought war on itself by refusing to submit to required inspections–though usually you wait until the inspections are no longer ongoing before rewriting history.</p>
<p>(It’s true that the UN’s IAEA <a href="http://www.iranaffairs.com/iran_affairs/2012/09/why-iran-resists-pressure-to-open-parchin-to-iaea-inspectors.html" type="external">seeks access</a> to sites that Iran is not obligated to open to inspection–sites that have no demonstrable connection to Iran’s nuclear energy program–and when Iran has allowed inspectors into such areas in the past, they’ve <a href="http://original.antiwar.com/porter/2012/07/02/how-a-nonexistent-bomb-cylinder-distorts-the-iran-nuclear-issue/" type="external">found nothing</a>. The strategy of insisting that a country under the threat of armed attack open up all its secret military facilities to inspection by forces <a href="" type="internal">aligned with the countries</a> threatening to bomb those same facilities was, of course, used to great effect in the run-up to the Iraq War.)</p>
<p>Even Fox News analyst <a href="" type="internal">Ralph Peters</a>–who, as Crooks &amp; Liars has noted, is <a href="http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/another-ralph-peters-idea-eventually" type="external">deranged</a>–thought this was a bad idea, telling O’Reilly: “Iran’s not Cuba, it’s not an island. Most of its weaponry and black market supplies come from Russia.”</p>
<p>O’Reilly had a comeback to that: “Yeah, but you starve ’em.”</p>
<p>Which is, for the record, <a href="" type="internal">something he’s advocated before</a>, when he advised that the people of Libya should be forced to suffer after the 9/11 attacks:</p>
<p>And we mine the harbor in Tripoli. Nothing goes in, nothing goes out. We also destroy all the airports in Libya. Let them eat sand.</p> | Don’t Tell O’Reilly, but His Iran Blockade Idea Already Worked | true | http://fair.org/blog/2012/09/27/dont-tell-oreilly-but-his-iran-blockade-idea-already-worked/ | 2012-09-27 | 4 |
<p>Truck drivers at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach agreed Saturday to a cooling-off period following five days of striking that briefly shut the massive ports.</p>
<p>Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said he requested the cooling-off period, and the truckers agreed Saturday to pull down pickets while the city's harbor commission investigates their allegations of poor working conditions and unfair labor practices.</p>
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<p>"The city will facilitate a dialogue among the parties in the weeks ahead," he said in a statement.</p>
<p>The drivers agreed to resume work Monday after three trucking companies agreed to accept all drivers back to work without retaliation and without being forced to sign away all future rights in new truck leases, said Barb Maynard, a spokeswoman for a campaign to organize truckers.</p>
<p>On Monday, 120 drivers began striking against Green Fleet Systems, Total Transportation Services Inc. and Pacific 9 Transportation Inc. They said the companies have prevented them from unionizing and improperly classified them as contractors - rather than full-time employees - to minimize wages and benefits. They say that their paychecks often register below minimum wage once the cost of renting and maintaining a truck is factored in, and they have filed lawsuits and complaints with state and federal labor agencies to change their status.</p>
<p>The companies counter that pay is good and those picketing do not represent the majority of drivers.</p>
<p>Cargo moved normally, but on Tuesday nearly 1,000 dockworkers at four of the ports' 14 terminals left their posts in solidarity with the truckers. The walkout briefly disrupted the movement of international cargo before an arbitrator ruled the job action was not permissible and ordered dockworkers to resume loading and unloading ships.</p>
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<p>The action came as the union representing dockworkers at 29 West Coast ports negotiate a new contract.</p>
<p>The ports are the primary West Coast gateway for hundreds of billions of dollars of annual trade with Asia.</p>
<p>The three trucking companies have about 400 trucks registered at the Port of Los Angeles - about 10 percent of those that operate on a regular day, port spokesman Phillip Sanfield said.</p> | Truckers at Los Angeles, Long Beach ports agree to cooling period following five-day strike | true | http://foxbusiness.com/markets/2014/07/12/truckers-at-los-angeles-long-beach-ports-agree-to-cooling-period-following-five.html | 2016-03-09 | 0 |
<p>SEATTLE (AP) - A man who pleaded guilty to murder in the killing and dismembering a woman in her suburban home and dumping her remains in a Seattle recycling bin has been sentenced to nearly 28 years in prison.</p>
<p>John Robert Charlton was sentenced Friday in the death of Ingrid Lyne, a 40-year-old registered nurse and mother of three. Charlton had also pleaded guilty to stealing Lyne's car.</p>
<p>The sentence of 27 years and nine months was the maximum allowed under state guidelines, KOMO-TV <a href="http://komonews.com/news/local/man-who-killed-dismembered-renton-mom-gets-nearly-28-years-in-prison" type="external">reported</a> .</p>
<p>"He deserves more," Lyne's ex-husband Phil Lyne said at sentencing. He told Charlton, "You've taken our daughters' compassionate, caring mother who I respected very much. You have taken someone who was not yours to take."</p>
<p>Superior Court Judge Julie Spector said she would have sentenced the 39-year-old Charlton to life in prison if state guidelines had allowed.</p>
<p>A Seattle homeowner called police April 9, 2016, after finding three plastic garbage bags in his recycling bin containing what he believed were human body parts. A medical examiner later confirmed they belonged to Lyne.</p>
<p>Lyne was reported missing earlier that day when her ex-husband dropped off their daughters at Lyne's Renton home and she wasn't there. Her SUV was missing but her purse and phone were still in the house.</p>
<p>When interviewed by police, Charlton told detectives that he and Lyne met on a dating site and had been in a relationship for a month.</p>
<p>He told police they went to a baseball game the night before she was reported missing, according to court documents. Charlton, who said he was a day laborer and homeless, told police the two went to a bar and later to her house.</p>
<p>He said she dropped him off in Seattle and he ended up sleeping on a sidewalk and that he was too intoxicated to remember most of the evening.</p>
<p>Seattle police detectives searched Lyne's home on April 10 and found a 15-inch pruning saw near the bathtub, and an empty box of plastic garbage bags identical to the ones containing Lyne's body parts.</p>
<p>Charlton wept in court Friday and said, "There are no words that can alleviate the pain that I caused, and for that I am truly sorry."</p>
<p>SEATTLE (AP) - A man who pleaded guilty to murder in the killing and dismembering a woman in her suburban home and dumping her remains in a Seattle recycling bin has been sentenced to nearly 28 years in prison.</p>
<p>John Robert Charlton was sentenced Friday in the death of Ingrid Lyne, a 40-year-old registered nurse and mother of three. Charlton had also pleaded guilty to stealing Lyne's car.</p>
<p>The sentence of 27 years and nine months was the maximum allowed under state guidelines, KOMO-TV <a href="http://komonews.com/news/local/man-who-killed-dismembered-renton-mom-gets-nearly-28-years-in-prison" type="external">reported</a> .</p>
<p>"He deserves more," Lyne's ex-husband Phil Lyne said at sentencing. He told Charlton, "You've taken our daughters' compassionate, caring mother who I respected very much. You have taken someone who was not yours to take."</p>
<p>Superior Court Judge Julie Spector said she would have sentenced the 39-year-old Charlton to life in prison if state guidelines had allowed.</p>
<p>A Seattle homeowner called police April 9, 2016, after finding three plastic garbage bags in his recycling bin containing what he believed were human body parts. A medical examiner later confirmed they belonged to Lyne.</p>
<p>Lyne was reported missing earlier that day when her ex-husband dropped off their daughters at Lyne's Renton home and she wasn't there. Her SUV was missing but her purse and phone were still in the house.</p>
<p>When interviewed by police, Charlton told detectives that he and Lyne met on a dating site and had been in a relationship for a month.</p>
<p>He told police they went to a baseball game the night before she was reported missing, according to court documents. Charlton, who said he was a day laborer and homeless, told police the two went to a bar and later to her house.</p>
<p>He said she dropped him off in Seattle and he ended up sleeping on a sidewalk and that he was too intoxicated to remember most of the evening.</p>
<p>Seattle police detectives searched Lyne's home on April 10 and found a 15-inch pruning saw near the bathtub, and an empty box of plastic garbage bags identical to the ones containing Lyne's body parts.</p>
<p>Charlton wept in court Friday and said, "There are no words that can alleviate the pain that I caused, and for that I am truly sorry."</p> | Man gets 28 years in Seattle-area dismemberment slaying | false | https://apnews.com/amp/8413dce18df4413eb2d395facfad5d48 | 2018-01-05 | 2 |
<p>Voices of protest crying out against the direction of their age feature prominently in many, if not most of humanity’s major mythological traditions. There have always been people who feel themselves at odds with the direction of their tribe, community or nation, so the figure of lone protester has understandable appeal.</p>
<p>But those audiences are almost always a minority, as Medea Benjamin, co-founder of the activist group Code Pink and author of the book “Drone Warfare: Killing by Remote Control,” discovered for the umpteenth time when she interrupted President Obama on Thursday during his first major counterterrorism address of his second term.</p>
<p>Obama was explaining to the audience at National Defense University in Washington, D.C., that Congress was preventing him from closing the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay when Benjamin raised her voice to inform him that he, as commander in chief, has the power to close the facility with the stroke of a pen.</p>
<p>Obama is known for displaying almost supernatural cool in the face of criticism, but on this occasion he was obviously flustered. No doubt he was wondering how this woman, an activist, had gotten past the Secret Service. As Benjamin told “Democracy Now!” in a show broadcast the day after the speech, the president’s security team immediately rushed to her and threatened her with arrest if she refused to leave.</p>
<p />
<p>Benjamin didn’t budge. “Don’t touch me,” she told the agents with a resolve that obviously made them think twice. “I’ll scream. You don’t want to make a scene in front of the president. You will regret this if you do it.”</p>
<p>The tactic worked. Benjamin was able to interrupt Obama not just once, but a total of three times during his address. “They were really confused about what to do,” she told “Democracy Now!”</p>
<p>“They sat down next to me. They sat down behind me. They got up again. They told me I must leave,” she continued. “I said, ‘No, I’m not leaving.’ This was all going on in between those three interruptions.”</p>
<p>In that same show, Benjamin explained that she did not do what she did to embarrass the president. She did it because she feels “he needs to be pushed more, that it has been over four years now of policies that have been killing innocent people with drones. It has been now over 11 years that innocent people are still being held in Guantanamo and now being force-fed. These are crisis situations, and it requires more from us as citizens.”</p>
<p>After Benjamin was removed from the building, Obama told the audience members, who had clapped at various moments while he was dealing with her, that she wasn’t listening to him. Benjamin denies that was the case. She spoke up, she said, precisely because she was listening to him. She had hoped the president would announce some real shifts in his program of war on terror.</p>
<p>“I was hanging on every single word,” Benjamin said. “And I really expected to hear some major policy changes, and I didn’t know whether I was going to speak up or not. If he had said something like, ‘To show my commitment to Guantanamo, next week we will start releasing those prisoners who have been cleared,’ or if he had said, ‘We’re taking drones out of the hands of the CIA immediately,’ or, ‘We’re going to immediately say that signature strikes, where people are killed on the basis of suspicious behavior, will no longer be allowed,’ if he had said anything like that significant, I wouldn’t have spoken up.”</p>
<p>Indeed, the president appears to have expanded his mandate for targeted killing. On “Democracy Now!” co-host Juan Gonzalez references McClatchy newspapers’ assessment that drone strikes would no longer be limited in code to “ ‘senior operational leaders of al-Qaida and associated forces’ plotting imminent violent attacks against the United States.” Obama made no reference at all to senior operational leaders in his speech Thursday.</p>
<p>Benjamin also took issue with Obama’s claim that his policy is to capture, not kill. “That’s just not true,” she said. “I know personally of many incidents where it would have been very easy to capture people … but instead they sent in a drone.”</p>
<p>Again, Benjamin did not hear the president announce major changes. Instead, he seems to be giving himself rhetorical cover for the continuation and expansion of drone technology and his war.</p>
<p>“The drone strikes are lessening in Pakistan,” she said. “We don’t really know yet what’s happening in Yemen. But there are drone bases being built up all over the world, including in places like Saudi Arabia, that are making us less safe here at home. So, I think the president is really justifying the use of drones, which will continue to happen under his administration and be passed on to the next.”</p>
<p>Benjamin was denounced as a heckler by much of the press. When a CNN host <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/25/carol-costello-medea-benjamin-cnn-crazy-obama_n_3333498.html" type="external">suggested</a> in a follow-up interview that she was “rude” and “a little crazy” for speaking out, Benjamin had this to say: “I think killing innocent people with drones is rude. I think keeping innocent people in detention for 11 years is rude. I think not respecting the lives of Muslim people who are killed is rude. There are a lot of rude things about our policies. Speaking out is actually not rude.”</p>
<p>Based on the audience members’ reaction to Obama’s speech and Benjamin’s interruptions, they seemed to approve of what the president said. But among the number of lessons we have learned from Obama’s first four and a half years in office is this: On points of major value to people — the public option, gun control, etc. — what the president says he will do and what he does are two different things. Benjamin appears to have been one of the only people in the crowd Thursday who understood that. Even if there were others, she was the only one who had the courage and principle to stand up and show it. For calling out political hypocrisy and double dealing in our age, we honor Medea Benjamin as our Truthdigger of the Week.</p>
<p>See Benjamin and President Obama’s complete exchange and her interview with “Democracy Now!” below.</p>
<p>‘Democracy Now!’:</p> | Truthdigger of the Week: Medea Benjamin | true | https://truthdig.com/articles/truthdigger-of-the-week-medea-benjamin/ | 2013-05-26 | 4 |
<p>House Judiciary Committee Republicans called on the Justice Department to appoint a special counsel to investigate actions taken by Obama Administration officials like former Attorney General Loretta Lynch, FBI Director James Comey, and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.</p>
<p>In a <a href="https://judiciary.house.gov/press-release/goodlatte-judiciary-republicans-renew-call-second-special-counsel-address-issues-outside-scope-muellers-investigation/" type="external">Tuesday-published press release</a>, 14 Republicans requested a “second special counsel to investigate unaddressed matters that appear to be outside the scope of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation.”</p>
<p>The request’s signatory Republicans are Representatives Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Louie Gohmert (R-TX), Steve King (R-IA), Lamar Smith (R-TX), Raúl Labrador (R-ID), Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Doug Collins (R-GA), Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Jim Jordan (R-OH), Martha Roby (R-AL), Mike Johnson (R-LA), John Ratcliffe (R-TX), Blake Farenthold (R-TX), and John Rutherford (R-FL).</p>
<p>An attached letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein points to James Comey’s preparation of a letter — in his former capacity as FBI director — regarding the termination of an investigation of Hillary Clinton’s use of a personal email system through which to execute government correspondences as secretary of state:</p>
<p>We write to renew this Committee’s recent call for a second special counsel, to investigate matters which may be outside the scope of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation. Such a step is even more critical given the recent revelation that former FBI Director James Comey had prepared a statement ending the investigation into former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, before interviewing at least 17 key witnesses, including the former Secretary herself. At least one former career FBI supervisor has characterized this action as “so far out of bounds it’s not even in the stadium,” and “clearly communicating to [FBI executive staff] where the investigation was going to go.”</p>
<p>The letter also noted the extension of immunity to Cheryl Mills and Heather Samuelson by the FBI, who both joined Clinton during her <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SejYDIAooj4" type="external">unrecorded interview with the FBI</a>. The FBI’s decision not to record its interview with Clinton is described as “inexplicable.”</p>
<p>The letter describes the Obama administration’s refusal to meaningfully investigate Clinton’s felonious conduct as a violation of the rule of law:</p>
<p>The nation’s top law enforcement officials … conspired to sweep the Clinton ‘matter’ under the rug … [confirming] that there is, truly, one system for the powerful and politically well-connected, and another for everyone else.</p>
<p>H/T Cristina Laila at <a href="http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2017/09/breaking-republicans-renew-call-second-special-counsel-investigate-hillary-comey-lynch/" type="external">Gateway Pundit</a>.</p>
<p>Follow Robert Kraychik on <a href="https://twitter.com/kr3ch3k" type="external">Twitter</a>.</p> | LOCK HER UP: House Judiciary GOP Calls For Second Special Counsel | true | https://dailywire.com/news/21578/lock-her-house-judiciary-gop-calls-second-special-robert-kraychik | 2017-09-26 | 0 |
<p>A few hundred meters from the home of Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, in the field where the flaming wreckage of her car landed after being blown off the road by an assassin's bomb, a plastic pen is stuck into the ground near a Maltese flag.</p>
<p>A hand-written note among bunches of flowers nearby reads: "What you wrote and what you uncovered cannot be blown away."</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Grief and anger are still palpable in this tiny Mediterranean nation, where Caruana Galizia's website, "Running Commentary," was essential reading in cafes, corridors of power, boardrooms and newsrooms.</p>
<p>"You wouldn't sleep at night if you hadn't read Daphne," said Rachel Attard, news editor at the Malta Independent, which published a twice-weekly column by Caruana Galizia.</p>
<p>Nearly two weeks after the journalist's brutal death, police have said almost nothing about their investigation or the prospect of identifying suspects. There have been six car bombings in Malta over the past two years, including Caruana Galizia's. None have been solved.</p>
<p>Caruana Galizia, 53, was educated at Catholic schools before starting work as a journalist in 1987. She cited her parents as her inspiration, saying in one of her posts that they faced challenges "with dignity, correctly and without moral compromise" from 1971-87, when Malta was ruled by the Labor Party and gripped by political turmoil.</p>
<p>She set up her blog in 2008 with the same absence of moral compromise. Fed by a network of sources who tipped her off about stories, Caruana Galizia turned into a headline machine that could set the nation's news agenda on any given day.</p>
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<p>"She received so many stories from her sources, she was struggling to keep up," her son Andrew told The Associated Press at the family home.</p>
<p>She targeted both sides of politics with the same sense of moral outrage, accusing the country's leaders of corruption and undermining its democratic institutions.</p>
<p>Her sons, in a Facebook post after her Oct. 16 death, took up where she left off, calling on Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat to resign "for watching over the birth of a society dominated by fear, mistrust, crime and corruption."</p>
<p>Caruana Galizia also followed up on the Maltese content in the Panama Papers offshore accounts leaks in 2016. She alleged earlier this year that documents provided by a whistleblower showed that the wife of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat had an offshore holding in Panama to receive money from Azerbaijan. Muscat and his wife, Michelle, denied that they had companies in Panama.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, opposition leader Adrian Delia sued her over stories linking him to a prostitution racket in London. He dropped the case after her death.</p>
<p>Despite her hard-hitting reporting, in private the journalist was gentle and reserved, said a lawyer who defended her in some libel cases.</p>
<p>"In person, she was very timid, docile, she was almost shy. It was the opposite of what one would think if you were to read her blogs, her posts, her articles," said Roberto Montalto.</p>
<p>Her life was not totally dominated by her hard-hitting investigations of corruption. She also edited a glossy, monthly lifestyle magazine called Taste&amp;Flair, which was distributed free of charge with the Malta Independent on Sunday.</p>
<p>Caruana Galizia would unwind at her home, driving into the hills, along narrow country lanes lined by trees and dusty cactus plants to a house built from limestone blocks quarried in Malta that stands, shaded by trees, at the end of a long dirt track.</p>
<p>"She created a paradise at home for herself that was an escape from everything she saw in her journalism," said Matthew, another of her three sons and a member of The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists that won a Pulitzer Prize for its reporting on the Panama Paper revelations.</p>
<p>When protesters camped out outside Muscat's office in the capital, Valletta, in a show of support for the slain journalist and to call for the resignations of the country's police chief and attorney general, the sons sent them pizza and branches of bay laurel from the garden, calling them symbols of courage and strength.</p>
<p>But even in her beloved garden, Caruana Galizia never sat still. Shortly before her death, she had bought saplings of native trees to plant and was considering building a chicken coop.</p>
<p>"It's like she collected responsibilities," Andrew said.</p>
<p>Her supporters in Malta are now hoping the outrage generated by Caruana Galizia's killing will spark change that could help this nation shrug off its reputation as a haven for money laundering and corruption.</p>
<p>Greta Muscat Azzopardi, a 34-year-old project manager who was among those camping outside the prime minister's office, said the journalist was an inspiration.</p>
<p>"I haven't always agreed with what she posted, but I really believe we need to be OK with criticizing each other in public," she said. "A lot of things get hidden because we are so afraid to criticize and challenge and question."</p> | Killing of Maltese journalist silences anti-corruption voice | true | http://foxbusiness.com/markets/2017/10/29/killing-maltese-journalist-silences-anti-corruption-voice.html | 2017-10-29 | 0 |
<p>UPDATE: AFP says that it has replaced the image in the spot, calling the original use of the photo "an unfortunate oversight."</p>
<p>Their official statement:</p>
<p>A helpful reminder for all political TV ad-makers: Don't use an image of tragedies when making an unrelated point.</p>
<p>Democrats have seized on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATjfejSvd3A#t=21" type="external">a TV ad that the Koch Brothers-backed Americans for Prosperity is airing</a> in Colorado hitting Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO) on the health-care law.</p>
<p>But here's the problem: The ad contains an image of Obama and Udall standing together when the president visited the state after the Aurora, CO theater shooting in 2012.</p>
<p>Here is the statement from Udall campaign manager Adam Dunstone, which calls on Republican opponent Cory Gardner to denounce the ad:</p>
<p>"All Coloradans, regardless of political party, agree that using the Aurora tragedy in political attacks is callous, insensitive and wrong. Congressman Cory Gardner should do the right thing by demanding his friends and allies stop using the Aurora tragedy for political gain.</p>
<p>"As someone who attended an Aurora memorial alongside Sen. Udall, Gardner surely has the decency to publicly condemn the Koch brothers for this cynical ad."</p>
<p>The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee also sent out a statement from some of the families of the shooting victims who are demanding the ad be pulled from the air.</p>
<p>"The use of an image taken from the president's visit to Colorado to meet with us after our children were killed in the Aurora Theater shooting is an utter disgrace. And to insinuate the somber expressions were for anything other than their compassionate response to our heartbreak is beyond unconscionable," the statement reads, which is signed by the parents of four victims.</p> | Conservative Group Slammed for Ad Using Obama, Udall Image After Meeting Aurora Shooting Victims | false | http://nbcnews.com/politics/first-read/conservative-group-slammed-ad-using-obama-udall-image-after-meeting-n88071 | 2014-04-23 | 3 |
<p>President Bush issued an <a href="http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/S/SENATE_MUKASEY?SITE=AP&amp;SECTION=HOME&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT" type="external">ultimatum</a> of sorts on Thursday over his embattled nominee for attorney general, Michael Mukasey, who refuses to say whether he considers waterboarding a form of torture. Bush said if the Democrats block the nomination, it "would guarantee that America would have no attorney general during this time of war."</p>
<p>AP:</p>
<p>President Bush sought to save Michael Mukasey's troubled nomination for attorney general Thursday, defending the retired judge's refusal to say whether he considers waterboarding torture and warning of a leaderless Justice Department if Democrats don't confirm him.</p>
<p>"If the Senate Judiciary Committee were to block Judge Mukasey on these grounds, they would set a new standard for confirmation that could not be met by any responsible nominee for attorney general," Bush said in a speech at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank.</p>
<p />
<p>"That would guarantee that America would have no attorney general during this time of war," the president said.</p>
<p><a href="http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/S/SENATE_MUKASEY?SITE=AP&amp;SECTION=HOME&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT" type="external">Read more</a></p> | Bush: You Get Mukasey or No One at All | true | https://truthdig.com/articles/bush-you-get-mukasey-or-no-one-at-all/ | 2007-11-02 | 4 |
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<p>The officials told The Associated Press that U.S. jets and drones targeted at least six districts and they were all located in a mountainous area where the three provinces of Bayda, Shabwa and Abyan meet. The vast region is known for its rocky mountains, which have been used by al-Qaida as a hideout.</p>
<p>One media official in Bayda said a total of 23 airstrikes were carried out by U.S. jets. Another official said four al-Qaida militants were killed in the airstrikes that targeted Shabwa’s Saeed district.</p>
<p>The bombings took place between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., shaking houses and causing panic among sleeping residents who fled in fear, while smoke billowed into the sky and flashes of light were seen from a distance because of the explosions.</p>
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<p>The Yemeni officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak to the media.</p>
<p>U.S. military officials were not immediately available for comment.</p>
<p>Thursday’s airstrikes come a month after U.S. special forces carried out a raid in the same province. In that operation, one U.S. Navy Seal was killed, six American soldiers were wounded and a military aircraft suffered a hard landing and had to be destroyed.</p>
<p>The attack was launched just days after President Donald Trump’s inauguration.</p>
<p>Survivors and witnesses say at least 25 Yemenis were killed in the attack, including 10 children and nine women, sparking outrage in Yemen and prompting the government to ask Washington for a review of the Jan. 29 assault on the district of Yakla.</p>
<p>A week ago, Human Rights Watch called upon the U.S. to carry out an investigation saying that the U.S. needs to “go a step further and provide a full accounting of possible laws-of-war violations.”</p>
<p>Al-Qaida in Yemen, seen as the militant group’s most dangerous offshoot, has seized large swaths of land and entire cities starting from 2011, the year the mass uprising started and ended with longtime ruler Ali Abdullah Saleh leaving power.</p>
<p>However, the group grew in weapons and numbers after the start of the 2015 Saudi-led campaign that targeted Houthi rebels who seized control of the capital Sanaa, forcing the internationally recognized government to flee the country. Since then, the war exasperated the state of lawlessness and gave al-Qaida freedom of movement and recruitment.</p>
<p>The group has also emerged as a de facto ally of the US-backed Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi and his backers Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates against the Shiite rebels. The United States has also supported the oil-rich kingdom Saudi Arabia with military advisers, logistics and intelligence in addition to billions of dollars in arms.</p>
<p>Throughout the years, the U.S. has depended on drone strikes in hunting down al-Qaida’s top leaders and operatives. In 2015, the group’s leader was killed in a drone strike in the southern city of Mukalla, the provincial capital of Yemen’s largest province of Hadramawt, and which fell into the hands of the group for a year.</p> | Series of US airstrikes target al-Qaida positions in Yemen | false | https://abqjournal.com/960468/series-of-us-airstrikes-target-al-qaida-positions-in-yemen.html | 2 |
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<p>A former employee of <a href="http://www.calnewsroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Steve-Fox-Lawsuit-CalNewsroom.pdf" type="external">Assemblyman Steve Fox</a> alleges that the <a href="http://asmdc.org/members/a36/" type="external">Democrat lawmaker</a> forced employees in his taxpayer-funded state office to work for <a href="http://www.calnewsroom.com/2014/02/27/asm-steve-fox-denies-claims-he-used-government-staff-at-his-law-office/" type="external">his private law practice</a>.</p>
<p>The allegations are contained in a lengthy complaint filed last Friday in <a href="http://www.lasuperiorcourt.org/" type="external">Los Angeles Superior Court</a> by Kristina Zahn, who worked as a paralegal at Fox’s law firm and later as a scheduler in his taxpayer-funded district office.</p>
<p>The lawsuit also claims the Palmdale legislator committed “serial violations of California wage and hour laws,” failed to pay his employees minimum wage, and required employees at his law firm to “perform between 15 and 25 hours per week of free labor on behalf of his campaigns.”</p>
<p>“Rather than hire campaign workers or solicit volunteers from the community, Fox was propelled into elected office thanks to the unpaid work performed by Ms. Zahn and other law office employees,” the lawsuit alleges.</p>
<p>Fox denies the allegations and says he looks forward to clearing his name in court.</p>
<p>“They’re meritless claims by a disgruntled ex-employee,” Fox, a first-term Democrat, said in a Thursday interview. “Nothing will ever be offered for settlement because I expect to litigate it out and win.”</p>
<p>According to Zahn’s lawsuit,&#160;Fox frequently prevented his employees from taking a full lunch break and that “a&#160;break that involved anything other than using the restroom was a luxury.” If the phones went unanswered, the plaintiff claims in her lawsuit, “Steve Fox would become angry and belligerent if a potential client called while everyone was at lunch and no one picked up the phone.”</p>
<p>In addition to no lunch breaks, Zahn claims that she was forced to work an average of 50 hours per week but was never paid overtime as required by state law. “Instead he paid her a weekly ‘salary’ of $461.54,” the lawsuit claims, alleging Fox treated her “as though she were exempt” from overtime regulations. &#160;In some instances, the former employee claims she worked&#160;more than 60 hours, dropping her salary below&#160;minimum wage.</p>
<p>“But Ms. Zahn was not just underpaid,” the lawsuit claims. “She was also denied other basic rights afforded California employees.”</p>
<p>Perhaps the most damaging of the allegations contained in the lawsuit are claims that Fox used government employees both when he was on the board of Antelope Valley College and while he was in the Assembly to perform unpaid work on his behalf.&#160;When Fox moved from the college board to the Assembly, “Ms. Zahn hoped things would improve,” according to the complaint. “However, she soon discovered that, in addition to her&#160;numerous&#160;new duties that she had to perform as a State employee, Fox continued to expect her to&#160;perform law office work — this time for free.”</p>
<p>In her lawsuit,&#160;Zahn claims that she fielded client phone calls, prepared legal briefs and filed documents on behalf of law clients at the courthouse.&#160;In one instance, at Fox’s bequest, the district director of Fox’s government office instructed a state employee to complete a trial brief while on the government clock.</p>
<p>When an employee complained about the inappropriate nature of mixing Fox’s business with government work, according to the lawsuit, “Steve Fox said words to the effect of ‘Don’t worry&#160;about&#160;it. No one will ever find out.'”</p>
<p>“They are untrue,” Fox said, when asked specifically about those allegations.&#160;“There was no request to use public employees for my private law practice.”</p>
<p>According to the lawsuit, Fox’s first chief of staff tried to stop the inappropriate actions of mixing personal business with government employees.</p>
<p>“The Chief of Staff expressed concern about the law practice not being separate, and made comments to the effect that Steve Fox should ‘get out of the law office’ and ‘he shouldn’t be practicing law while he’s with the Assembly,'” the lawsuit claims. Shortly thereafter, the chief of staff was discharged.</p>
<p>Fox refused to speak about the circumstances surrounding the departure of his first chief of staff because “that’s a personnel matter.” He said that employees in his district office are not under his control.</p>
<p>“They were not my employees,” he said. “You would have to talk to the Rules Committee.”</p>
<p>The state Legislature is notorious for maintaining a “cloak of secrecy around misconduct claims” involving elected officials. “Lawmakers have repeatedly kept workplace misconduct claims secret, releasing only the settlement papers — and only when requests are made citing state records law,” the <a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2009/jul/16/local/me-harass16" type="external">Los Angeles Times reported</a> in 2009. “The agreements are not adopted at public meetings or included in public files, as other legislative business is.”</p>
<p>The allegations in the lawsuit could have proven damaging in Fox’s re-election campaign.&#160;In 2012, Fox was elected to the 36th Assembly District by a <a href="http://www.aroundthecapitol.com/districts/AD36/" type="external">razor-thin margin of 145 votes</a>. Republicans hold a slight advantage in voter registration and have made picking up the seat one of its top priorities.</p>
<p>Here is a link to the <a href="http://www.calnewsroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Steve-Fox-Lawsuit-CalNewsroom.pdf" type="external">lawsuit filed against Fox</a>.</p> | Lawsuit: Assemblyman forced staffers to work for his law firm | false | https://calwatchdog.com/2014/02/27/lawsuit-assemblyman-forced-staffers-to-work-for-his-law-firm/ | 2018-02-20 | 3 |
<p>LONDON (AP) — Oil giant BP reported a 96-percent drop in third-quarter profit Tuesday and announced further efforts to curtail spending as it prepares for a prolonged period of low oil prices.</p>
<p>The London-based company said net income fell to $46 million from $1.29 billion in the third quarter of 2014. So-called underlying replacement cost profit, BP’s preferred measure of performance, fell 40 percent to $1.82 billion.</p>
<p>BP also said it plans to cut costs by $6 billion through 2017 — $3 billion more than already achieved — forecasting oil prices at around $60 a barrel by that time. Brent crude, the benchmark for North Sea oil, averaged $50.26 a barrel in the third quarter, down 51 percent from a year earlier.</p>
<p>The company also expects to sell as much as $5 billion of assets next year.</p>
<p>“BP has successfully adapted to changing circumstances many times in its history and, in a hard time for the entire industry, I believe we will once again successfully take on today’s challenges,” Chief Executive Officer Bob Dudley said in a statement.</p>
<p>Oil prices dropped to a six-year low in August and haven’t rebounded much. That is prompting oil companies to cut production, with the International Energy Agency forecasting declines in the United States, North Sea and Russia next year.</p>
<p>BP is trying to protect dividends as it charts a course through to an eventual price recovery.</p>
<p>Dudley said the cost savings announced Tuesday underpin “our strong priority of sustaining our dividend and then growing free cash flow and shareholder distributions over the long term.”</p>
<p>Some analysts believe BP’s cost-cutting efforts are beginning to pay off. Three of 12 analysts tracked by Hargreaves Lansdown, a London-based stockbroker, upgraded their recommendations on the company last month.</p>
<p>BP took a further charge for $426 million for costs related to the Deepwater Horizon spill, pushing total charges to $55 billion. In July, the U.S. Justice Department and five states agreed to a final settlement of environmental damage claims arising from the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.</p>
<p>Once approved by a judge, the deal would resolve all civil claims against BP and end five years of legal fighting over a 134 million-gallon spill that affected 1,300 miles of shoreline. BP would also commit to a massive cleanup project in the Gulf Coast area aimed at restoring wildlife, habitat and water quality.</p>
<p>LONDON (AP) — Oil giant BP reported a 96-percent drop in third-quarter profit Tuesday and announced further efforts to curtail spending as it prepares for a prolonged period of low oil prices.</p>
<p>The London-based company said net income fell to $46 million from $1.29 billion in the third quarter of 2014. So-called underlying replacement cost profit, BP’s preferred measure of performance, fell 40 percent to $1.82 billion.</p>
<p>BP also said it plans to cut costs by $6 billion through 2017 — $3 billion more than already achieved — forecasting oil prices at around $60 a barrel by that time. Brent crude, the benchmark for North Sea oil, averaged $50.26 a barrel in the third quarter, down 51 percent from a year earlier.</p>
<p>The company also expects to sell as much as $5 billion of assets next year.</p>
<p>“BP has successfully adapted to changing circumstances many times in its history and, in a hard time for the entire industry, I believe we will once again successfully take on today’s challenges,” Chief Executive Officer Bob Dudley said in a statement.</p>
<p>Oil prices dropped to a six-year low in August and haven’t rebounded much. That is prompting oil companies to cut production, with the International Energy Agency forecasting declines in the United States, North Sea and Russia next year.</p>
<p>BP is trying to protect dividends as it charts a course through to an eventual price recovery.</p>
<p>Dudley said the cost savings announced Tuesday underpin “our strong priority of sustaining our dividend and then growing free cash flow and shareholder distributions over the long term.”</p>
<p>Some analysts believe BP’s cost-cutting efforts are beginning to pay off. Three of 12 analysts tracked by Hargreaves Lansdown, a London-based stockbroker, upgraded their recommendations on the company last month.</p>
<p>BP took a further charge for $426 million for costs related to the Deepwater Horizon spill, pushing total charges to $55 billion. In July, the U.S. Justice Department and five states agreed to a final settlement of environmental damage claims arising from the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.</p>
<p>Once approved by a judge, the deal would resolve all civil claims against BP and end five years of legal fighting over a 134 million-gallon spill that affected 1,300 miles of shoreline. BP would also commit to a massive cleanup project in the Gulf Coast area aimed at restoring wildlife, habitat and water quality.</p> | Oil company BP reports 96 percent drop in 3Q profit | false | https://apnews.com/95fd68ade70b4dc49079b5c4ffaface2 | 2015-10-27 | 2 |
<p />
<p>Russian state television’s leading anchor said last Sunday that Russia could effectively turn the United States to radioactive ash. The incendiary comment comes as tension between the United States and Russia are at an all time high for recent years, amidst the outcome of the Crimean referendum. Since his comments were made, we now know for certain that an&#160;&#160;overwhelming majority of Crimeans have voted to leave Ukraine and join Russia.</p>
<p>“Russia is the only country in the world realistically capable of turning the United States into radioactive ash,” the anchor Dmitry Kiselyov said during his weekly news show.</p>
<p>Kiselyov made the comment on&#160;Rossiya 1 television, which is widely acknowledged as state media. He suggested that the actions and statements made by US President Barack Obama are borne out of fear of&#160;President Vladimir Putin</p>
<p>In the studio, Kiselyov stood before a gigantic image of a mushroom cloud, as well as the words “into radioactive ash”.</p>
<p>“Americans themselves consider Putin to be a stronger leader than Obama,” he continued.</p>
<p>“Why is Obama phoning Putin all the time and talking to him for hours on end?” he asked the viewers.</p>
<p>Kiselyov was hand-picked by Putin last year to head the new Russia Today news agency that is due to replace the soon to be liquidated RIA Novosti news agency.</p>
<p>“Even if people in all our command posts after an enemy atomic attack cannot be contacted, the system will automatically fire our missiles from mines and submarines in the right direction,” the anchor added.</p>
<p>The pro-opposition news site slon.ru took Kiselyov’s comments as a direct threat from the man hand-picked to head up Russian state media himself.</p>
<p>“This evening… Dmitry Kiselyov threatened the United States with a nuclear strike if the conflict over Crimea deepens,” the site said.</p>
<p>(Article by M.B. David; image via Sina)</p> | Russia State Media Says Putin Could Turn USA to ‘radioactive ash’ | true | http://politicalblindspot.com/russia-state-media-says-putin-could-turn-usa-to-radioactive-ash/ | 2014-03-18 | 4 |
<p>The brakes on the 2010 Toyota Prius have prompted a U.S. government investigation and a possible third recall for the troubled automaker, if a report in Japan’s biggest business newspaper is to be believed.</p>
<p>The latest setback affects 270,000 vehicles.</p>
<p>The Prius’ brakes are a key feature of the car’s hybrid system and something of an engineering marvel. They capture heat from the friction of braking and transform the energy into electricity that can charge the battery.</p>
<p>The reported recall is the first that would reach the home islands, striking a deeper blow to the national pride of Japan, which has already been wounded by Toyota’s recalls.</p>
<p />
<p>Toyota has reportedly had success correcting the problem through a software fix. The automaker has not confirmed reports of a third recall. — PZS</p>
<p>Sources: <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100205/ap_on_bi_ge/as_japan_toyota_prius" type="external">AP</a>, <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8497471.stm" type="external">BBC</a>, <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTOE6130AO20100205?type=marketsNews" type="external">Reuters</a></p>
<p /> | Make It Three: Prius Brakes Could Spark Another Toyota Recall | true | https://truthdig.com/articles/make-it-three-prius-brakes-could-spark-another-toyota-recall/ | 2010-02-05 | 4 |
<p>MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Deaths from opioid-related overdoses jumped nearly 160 percent in Vermont between 2010 and 2016 and continue to rise while more than half of the 266 young children in state custody are there due to opioid abuse issues, according to a draft report from the governor’s opioid council formed to bolster the state’s response to the crisis.</p>
<p>Among the strategies that the Vermont Opioid Coordination Council plans to recommend in the coming weeks are developing a continuum of care for pregnant women with substance use disorders and their young children and families; expanding the number of state residents in recovery who have jobs; and implementing a statewide system for delivery of school-based prevention programs.</p>
<p>The council, created by Republican Gov. Phil Scott, also will recommend expanding medication-assisted treatment in correctional facilities, creating a drug prevention messaging campaign, increasing drug trafficking investigations and pursuing roadside drugged-driving testing, according to the draft report obtained by The Associated Press on Tuesday.</p>
<p>“We want to always reduce the supply of illicit drugs,” said Jolinda LaClair, the state’s director of drug prevention policy, who oversees the council. “We want to reduce the number of people ever trying these drugs, and that means enhancing our prevention programming, our prevention messaging.”</p>
<p>The report, based on the council’s findings in its first six months of work, noted that Vermont has made progress in attacking the problem with its prescription monitoring system, new rules for prescribers, patient and prescriber education and its nationally recognized hub and spoke treatment system, comprised of regional treatment centers as hubs and clinicians who treat opioid use disorders in their own practices as spokes.</p>
<p>“The next steps, however, are critical,” the report said.</p>
<p>Many of the strategies call for a working group or committee to convene to come up with a plan for carrying out the strategy. That work may require doing an inventory of existing programs and making sure they’re reaching the people who need them, LaClair said.</p>
<p>“I think that many things are moving in the right direction,” she said. “It is a matter of connecting the resources, better connecting the resources across state government and from the public sector and the nonprofit sector to people in communities wherever they are.”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>This story has been corrected to reflect the deaths from opioid-related overdoses jumped 159 percent, not 158 percent.</p>
<p>MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Deaths from opioid-related overdoses jumped nearly 160 percent in Vermont between 2010 and 2016 and continue to rise while more than half of the 266 young children in state custody are there due to opioid abuse issues, according to a draft report from the governor’s opioid council formed to bolster the state’s response to the crisis.</p>
<p>Among the strategies that the Vermont Opioid Coordination Council plans to recommend in the coming weeks are developing a continuum of care for pregnant women with substance use disorders and their young children and families; expanding the number of state residents in recovery who have jobs; and implementing a statewide system for delivery of school-based prevention programs.</p>
<p>The council, created by Republican Gov. Phil Scott, also will recommend expanding medication-assisted treatment in correctional facilities, creating a drug prevention messaging campaign, increasing drug trafficking investigations and pursuing roadside drugged-driving testing, according to the draft report obtained by The Associated Press on Tuesday.</p>
<p>“We want to always reduce the supply of illicit drugs,” said Jolinda LaClair, the state’s director of drug prevention policy, who oversees the council. “We want to reduce the number of people ever trying these drugs, and that means enhancing our prevention programming, our prevention messaging.”</p>
<p>The report, based on the council’s findings in its first six months of work, noted that Vermont has made progress in attacking the problem with its prescription monitoring system, new rules for prescribers, patient and prescriber education and its nationally recognized hub and spoke treatment system, comprised of regional treatment centers as hubs and clinicians who treat opioid use disorders in their own practices as spokes.</p>
<p>“The next steps, however, are critical,” the report said.</p>
<p>Many of the strategies call for a working group or committee to convene to come up with a plan for carrying out the strategy. That work may require doing an inventory of existing programs and making sure they’re reaching the people who need them, LaClair said.</p>
<p>“I think that many things are moving in the right direction,” she said. “It is a matter of connecting the resources, better connecting the resources across state government and from the public sector and the nonprofit sector to people in communities wherever they are.”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>This story has been corrected to reflect the deaths from opioid-related overdoses jumped 159 percent, not 158 percent.</p> | Vermont opioid deaths jump nearly 160 percent, report shows | false | https://apnews.com/842935e597844cbeb6d81939938ef8ca | 2017-12-27 | 2 |
<p>&#160; &#160; Jose Antonio Vargas testifies on Capitol Hill before the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on comprehensive immigration reform in 2013. AP/Susan Walsh</p>
<p>Every week the Truthdig editorial staff selects a Truthdigger of the Week, a group or person worthy of recognition for speaking truth to power, breaking the story or blowing the whistle. It is not a lifetime achievement award. Rather, we’re looking for newsmakers whose actions in a given week are worth celebrating.</p>
<p>Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, job creator, civil rights activist — Jose Antonio Vargas is something of a model American. But he is also one of America’s 12 million undocumented immigrants, and that fact is determining how he is treated by the U.S. government.</p>
<p>On Tuesday, during a trip in which he sought to document the crisis of thousands of migrant children fleeing poverty and violence in Central America, Vargas was <a href="" type="internal">arrested</a> by immigration authorities at a border crossing in McAllen, Texas. His eight-hour detention became a top trend on Twitter with the hashtag #IStandWithJose before he was released with orders to appear before an immigration judge.</p>
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<p>The episode is the latest in nearly two decades defined by the experience of living as an unofficial American. At age 16, four years after his mother sent him from the Philippines to live with his grandparents in the United States, Vargas was informed that the documentation provided by his family was fraudulent when he tried to apply for a driver’s license in California. He kept his immigration status secret and continued his education with the help of friends and teachers and further false documentation that helped him avoid deportation.</p>
<p>In high school he discovered journalism. He began an internship with a local paper and later became a copy boy with the San Francisco Chronicle. Barred from applying for traditional financial aid, he secured a private scholarship with the help of his school’s principal and superintendent. He earned a degree in political science and black studies at San Francisco State University and interned during the summers with the Philadelphia Daily News and The Washington Post.</p>
<p>Vargas was hired at the Post immediately after graduating in 2004. In 2008 he and his colleagues won a Pulitzer Prize for their stories about the Virginia Tech shootings. His coverage, including of the 2008 presidential election, paid special attention to the increasing importance of social media in American life. At the Post he wrote a column called The Clickocracy, and when he left for The Huffington Post in 2009 he led development on the site’s new technology and college sections.</p>
<p>But Vargas’ most important work was ahead. In 2011 he revealed his status as an undocumented immigrant in a <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/magazine/my-life-as-an-undocumented-immigrant.html?pagewanted=all" type="external">widely read and shared essay</a> for The New York Times Sunday Magazine. The piece detailed how he lived in fear for 15 years, working, lying about his citizenship and paying taxes along the way, and won a Sidney Award from The Sidney Hillman Foundation for “outstanding … socially-conscious journalism.” The confession cost him work as he had no visa that would allow him to be employed.</p>
<p>Undeterred in his cause, Vargas founded Define American in 2011. The nonprofit advocates for informed and humane discussion around immigration issues. (It was involved especially in the DREAM Act, which would allow undocumented immigrants citizenship via military service or education.) In 2012, Vargas and the organization succeeded in getting The Associated Press to shed the traditional phrase “illegal immigrant” in its writing and instead use the term “undocumented.” He subsequently worked on a number of documentaries on the subject of immigration, including the 2013 autobiographical film “Documented: A Film by an Undocumented American.” (Though Vargas himself can’t gain employment, U.S. law enabled him to hire 40 people to work on his latest film.)</p>
<p>Vargas’ role as a national face for undocumented immigrants was confirmed by his latest encounter with the authorities. Five days before his arrest, on July 10, he spoke at a news conference in front of the Sacred Heart Church in McAllen and organized by the immigrant youth advocacy group United We Dream. It is one of the sites around the country where immigrant children displaced by violence and poverty caused in their home countries in large part by U.S. international economic policy are being sheltered. The sheltering is occurring against the wishes of protesters who complain that their tax dollars are paying for the care of “foreign nationals.” Vargas spoke powerfully about the duty human beings have toward others in need, regardless of their nationality. He specifically targeted conservatives in office.</p>
<p>“The way many news organizations and the way many pundits in the media and the way many politicians, particularly in the Republican Party, are talking about this humanitarian crisis is an affront to America and to Americans,” he said. “A few days ago, a headline story on CBSNews.com, the headline was: ‘Is the Surge of Illegal Child Immigrants a National Security Threat?’ That was the headline. These children are not illegal; they are human beings. And they are not a national security threat. The only threat that these children pose to us is the threat of testing our own conscience.”</p>
<p>As Truthdig reported Wednesday, Vargas wrote via Facebook of his arrest, ending by asking the question behind his advocacy organization:</p>
<p>“As an unaccompanied child migrant myself, I came to McAllen, Texas, to shed a light on children who parts of America and many in the news media are actively turning their backs on. But what I saw was the generosity of the American people, documented and undocumented, in the Rio Grande Valley.</p>
<p>I’ve been released by Border Patrol. I want to thank everyone who stands by me and the undocumented immigrants of south Texas and across the country. Our daily lives are filled with fear in simple acts such as getting on an airplane to go home to our family.</p>
<p>With Congress failing to act on immigration reform, and President Obama weighing his options on executive action, the critical question remains: how do we define American?”</p>
<p>Improbably given his origins, which he <a href="http://www.democracynow.org/2014/5/2/pulitzer_winning_journalist_jose_antonio_vargas" type="external">says</a> involved “a lower-middle-class family of … service workers” in which writing wasn’t valued, Vargas has made himself into exactly the kind of American his fellow citizens need, a champion of the rights of all people to live peacefully, securely and with educational and economic opportunities. He embodies the humane, pioneering spirit outlined in the nation’s founding documents and thus deserves the support of those who mistakenly view him and others who were simply born elsewhere as opponents. Papers or not, he is our Truthdigger of the Week.</p> | Truthdigger of the Week: Jose Antonio Vargas | true | https://truthdig.com/articles/truthdigger-of-the-week-jose-antonio-vargas/ | 2014-07-21 | 4 |
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<p><a href="" type="internal" />LAS VEGAS — Samsung, the world’s largest maker of TVs, is tackling the problem of getting ultra-high-definition content to its new TV sets by teaming up with the Internet streaming services of Comcast, Netflix and Amazon.</p>
<p>Like other TV makers, Samsung is betting that a quadrupling of the resolution of TV sets will get consumers interested in upgrading their existing, high-definition sets. The problem is that cable services and Blu-ray discs don’t support the bump in resolution, leaving the ultra-sharp sets without ultra-sharp content.</p>
<p>On Monday, at the International CES gadget show in Las Vegas, Samsung said it would get UHD content through partnerships with U.S. streaming services, bypassing traditional cable and disc delivery. Internet delivery will place high demands on home broadband connections.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p> | Samsung teams up with Comcast for ultra-HD movies | false | https://abqjournal.com/332082/samsung-teams-up-with-comcast-for-ultra-hd-movies.html | 2 |
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<p>The <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/abbas-is-punished-by-200m-cut-in-aid-from-us-2363976.html" type="external">United States Congress</a> has reportedly blocked $200 million in aid to the <a href="http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=240095" type="external">Palestinian Authority</a> since August, in a move a PA official described as "collective punishment" for its United Nations bid.</p>
<p>One third of U.S. aid had been blocked, threatening projects such as food aid, health care, and rebuilding efforts, the Independent reports.</p>
<p>It says PA spokesman Ghassan Khatib called the move "unjustified".</p>
<p>The United States is opposed to the Palestinian bid to seek full UN membership and has vowed to veto such a move in the Security Council.</p>
<p>"These are mainly humanitarian and development projects - it is another kind of collective punishment which is going to harm the needs of the public without making any positive contribution", Ghassan Khatib said.</p>
<p>In mid-September, the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee began debating cutting off US aid to the Palestinian Authority for breaking ranks with the American-brokered peace process, the Jerusalem Post reports.</p>
<p>The Independent reports:</p>
<p>The decision to delay the payments runs counter to the wishes of the Obama administration and reflects Congressional anger at Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's so far unrealized pursuit of Fatah-Hamas reconciliation and statehood recognition at the UN.</p>
<p>The freezing of the funds, which were to have been dispersed in the US fiscal year that ends today, is the most tangible sign yet of the seriousness of Congressional leaders' threats of an even wider halt to funding in the coming year if Mr Abbas continues with his actions at the UN. It was strongly condemned yesterday by the Palestinian Authority.</p> | U.S. Congress reportedly blocked Palestinian aid | false | https://pri.org/stories/2011-10-01/us-congress-reportedly-blocked-palestinian-aid | 2011-10-01 | 3 |
<p>In the wake of the scandal involving disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein Chelsea Clinton, often pictured with Weinstein in the past at fundraising events, stayed silent along with many other lefty celebrities, until Saturday night, when she tweeted out a link addressing Weinstein, but attacking conservatives and by extension President Trump.</p>
<p>That is correct, the left is finding a way to blame Donald Trump for Harvey Weinstein, a long time advocate and financial backer of the Democratic Party, being a sexual predator.</p>
<p>The thread, tweeted out by Clinton was written by Judd Legum, an editor for the left wing political website Think Progress, which is funded by billionaire George Soros.</p>
<p />
<p>Legum condemns Weinstein, saying he is “despicable,” but then fairly rapidly turns the thread into a hit piece on the right and Trump, accusing conservatives of ‘absorbing it into ‘their slime machine’.</p>
<p />
<p>Legum also claimed that Weinstein’s financial support of people like Hillary Clinton in the past should not be an issue.</p>
<p />
<p>Some replying to the thread even attempted to suggest that because Trump has been pictured with Weinstein in the past, that makes him guilty by association.</p>
<p />
<p>A claim that many noted is laughable given the amount of times Weinstein has been pictured with the Obamas and the Clintons.</p>
<p>https://twitter.com/DigitalForests/status/916549211918884864</p>
<p>The internet responded to Chelsea Clinton accordingly:</p>
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<p />
<p />
<p />
<p />
<p>Chelsea retweets Legum's pathetic attempt to cover up Weinstein's conduct by claiming it is a vast right wing conspiracy. Heard this before? <a href="https://t.co/4v20e8nXZ7" type="external">https://t.co/4v20e8nXZ7</a></p>
<p>— Deepest State (@DeepestState) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeepestState/status/916850779964796929?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" type="external">October 8, 2017</a></p>
<p />
<p />
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<p>Other Democrats don’t quite agree that Weinstein’s political donations should not be an issue. Sen. Chris Murphy (D., Conn.) said Sunday that Democrats should return or donate money received from Weinstein, noting that he’d done “truly awful things.”</p>
<p /> | Internet Destroys Chelsea Clinton For Posting Weinstein Thread Attacking Trump | true | https://infowars.com/internet-destroys-chelsea-clinton-for-posting-weinstein-thread-attacking-trump/ | 2017-10-09 | 0 |
<p>When I told my East Coast friends a few years ago that I was going to live in Montana, they were stunned. “Isn’t that near Nebraska?” one wondered. (“Yes, relative to Washington, D.C.,” I replied). Another New York friend recently sneered about my move last year to Colorado. “I’d never move to Denver,” she said. “It’s a B-list city.”</p>
<p>Some friends, right?</p>
<p>But, as most Westerners know, such condescension is commonplace because this eight-state inland expanse between California and Kansas is often portrayed in our political culture as a backwater.</p>
<p>National journalists pen their occasional on-location dispatches from the West with self-congratulatory tones, suggesting they equate a visit here to an act of bravery — as if this were a war zone. Parties brag about plotting special “Western strategies” — like sci-fi armies planning assaults on alien planets. Through it all, the West is cast as a hinterland.</p>
<p />
<p>Normally, this region is totally ignored. But now, Rocky Mountain states are taking center stage in the February 5th nominating contests and the general election. With the South stymieing Democrats and the Northeast rejecting Republicans, the West is 2008’s big prize.</p>
<p>To compete for Western votes, every Republican presidential candidate is likening himself to Ronald Reagan — politics’ version of a cowboy. On the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton’s campaign has been labeling Barack Obama “the black candidate,” as the Associated Press reported — an effort designed to stoke ugly impulses among the area’s white-flighters. Obama is countering with an outsider appeal to frontier independence.</p>
<p>But which candidates win the Rocky Mountains will be less about who is Reaganesque, racially divisive or rhetorically gifted, and more about who ignores the red-versus-blue fictions and appreciates some nuanced truths about this storied place.</p>
<p>Consider the myth that Western “red states” reflexively support right-wing national security policies. This storyline was most famously forwarded by New York Sen. Charles Schumer (D) when in 2006 he attacked fellow Democrats working to end the Patriot Act. He said, “To let [the Patriot Act] lapse would be a disaster, particularly for our Democrats in red states.”</p>
<p>Schumer’s comments came despite legislatures in “red states” like Montana, Colorado and Idaho passing bipartisan bills condemning the Patriot Act for restricting civil liberties.</p>
<p>Then again, others fail to comprehend that this Western libertarianism is limited. In an overstatement typical of national pundits, New York Post columnist Ryan Sager proclaimed that Rocky Mountain voters cling to a “leave-me-alone philosophy when it comes to government.” Except on lots of issues, that’s false.</p>
<p>For example, OpenLeft.com’s Paul Rosenberg discovered that when it comes to budgets, the Rocky Mountain West actually wants the government to stop leaving it alone. Specifically, he found roughly three-quarters of Westerners polled by the General Social Survey believe government spends too little on domestic priorities. In fact, many Western incumbents are re-elected on pledges to bring more government money home — a promise they largely fulfill considering most Western states receive more cash from Washington than they contribute. Meanwhile, Montana, Nevada and Arizona voters have passed ballot measures raising the minimum wage — a government mandate if ever there was one.</p>
<p>The fairy tales are endless. Congressional debates imply that the West’s most precious resources are oil and gas. But to many locals, the area’s most valuable commodity is water.</p>
<p>Commentators have claimed Bill Clinton’s 1992 victory in four Western states is not only proof of his political genius, but also of the region’s devotion to Clintonism — an ideology that sold out the middle class with initiatives like NAFTA. Somehow, everyone forgets that Ross Perot used a populist indictment of both parties’ corporate sycophancy to take 1.4 million Western votes from George H. W. Bush.</p>
<p>But perhaps the biggest misconception is the belief that the West is a strange, Siberia-like realm — square-state “flyover” country separate from the rest of America.</p>
<p>Sure, had you walked among the belt buckles and boots at Denver’s annual Western Stock Show last week you certainly would have seen some unique styles. But looking at the event’s diverse crowd, chatting with National Guardsmen at a recruiting stand, listening to vendors and buyers haggle — watching regular people be regular people — you would have also seen that this place is just like the rest of the nation: complex and not easily stereotyped.</p>
<p>The candidates who understand that fundamental reality will be the ones Westerners reward at the polls.</p>
<p>David Sirota is a best-selling author whose newest book, “The Uprising,” will be released in June. He is a fellow at the Campaign for America’s Future and a board member of the Progressive States Network, both nonpartisan organizations.</p>
<p>© 2008 Creators Syndicate Inc.</p> | Rocky Mountain Realities | true | https://truthdig.com/articles/rocky-mountain-realities/ | 2008-02-01 | 4 |
<p>Janine Jackson interviewed Neil deMause about coverage of hurricanes and poverty for the <a href="" type="internal">September 1, 2017, episode</a> of CounterSpin. This is a lightly edited transcript.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">MP3 Link</a></p>
<p>Janine Jackson: You still sometimes hear things like “disasters don’t discriminate,” or “it’s wrong to politicize a tragedy.” But as we continue to assess the ravages of Hurricane Harvey, it seems like maybe we’re moving a bit beyond that. Sure, we know that no one ordered up a hurricane, but public policy and political choices do play a role, do make some disasters worse than they might be, and do leave some people more vulnerable than others. Media may be moving beyond “nature, what are ya gonna do?,” but where will they end up? Accountability, translated through the corporate media machine, often winds up just being blame—and blame and accountability are not the same thing. It’s not a question of who to be mad at; it’s about who has the power to make things different, and what should they do? Media themselves are, of course, important players here, so what can we say about their work so far in covering this natural, and not-so-natural, disaster?</p>
<p>We’re joined now by journalist Neil deMause; he writes often about social policy issues for various outlets, including &#160; <a href="" type="internal">FAIR.org</a>. And he’s author of the book <a href="http://www.brooklynwars.com/" type="external">The Brooklyn Wars</a>, and co-author of <a href="http://www.fieldofschemes.com/" type="external">Field of Schemes</a>. He joins us now by phone from Brooklyn. Welcome back to CounterSpin, Neil deMause.</p>
<p>Neil deMause: Good to be here, Janine.</p>
<p>JJ: We don’t need to cram Hurricane Harvey into a comparison with Hurricane Katrina; they aren’t the same. &#160;But in terms of media, one of the things that people remember about Hurricane Katrina, besides irresponsible and <a href="" type="internal">straight-up racist</a> reporting, was <a href="" type="internal">mainstream media “discovering” poverty</a>, and the combination of poverty and racism. There was a kind of a lightbulb for a minute there, and media outlets promised that they wouldn’t forget what they learned. Is it your sense that, generally, looking at the coverage of Harvey, media outlets have retained much of that purported lesson?</p>
<p>Extra! ( <a href="" type="internal">11-12/05</a>)</p>
<p>NdM: I would say that the media have retained a little bit of the lesson? I think the coverage has gotten somewhat better in some small ways, and has not especially improved in some larger ways. I think you have not seen the kind of overtly racist coverage of, you know, people looking for supplies, and calling them “looters” when they are people of color, that you did after Katrina. &#160;I think you see a little bit more sympathy for the people who are trapped in this disaster.</p>
<p>But at the same time, what the lesson of Katrina supposedly was—again, for that one minute that the lightbulb went off—was the realization that oh, there are some people who, when faced with a disaster, can’t just pick up and leave, not because they are afraid to or are too stubborn to leave their homes, but because they don’t have the resources. And that’s the kind of thing that you would hope the media would be exploring more when you have another disaster of this scale, and I don’t think we have seen an awful lot of that so far.</p>
<p>JJ: There still is this idea that a disaster is an equalizer, when what it really does is call attention to real differences that exist, such that different people just can’t react the same way. And one of the things that I know you have been thinking about relates to insurance, even. As simple as that.</p>
<p>NdM: So there’s been a fair bit of coverage about the fact that only around one-fifth of homeowners in the Houston area have flood insurance. And I was just watching CNN, and they were again talking about what is the government going to do, and how are we going to address the fact that there is going to be a huge need for additional aid. Those are good questions to ask, but at the same time, are you also asking why people choose not to, or can’t afford to, have flood insurance, or are not getting it? And there have been some indications that one reason is that the National Flood Insurance Program has been running short on cash, both because of the series of storms that we’ve had, thanks to climate change, and more devastating storms, thanks to both climate change and the fact that we have more sprawling development that is getting in the way of these storms.</p>
<p>On top of that, there is underfunding, and President Trump has been talking about cutting funding for the Flood Insurance Program, which would force them either to scale back on the flood maps that would enable people to determine whether they are actually in need of flood insurance, or if they went and paid for it out of the program’s own pocket, then you would have to raise premiums and price people out of affording flood insurance. Again, it’s a complicated series of dynamics that you have to look into, and the coverage mostly stops short of that. It’s just been, “Oh, too bad, people don’t have flood insurance, what are you gonna do?”</p>
<p>JJ: It’s not that it’s not sympathetic, exactly, but if it doesn’t go deep enough, then you sort of have to wonder how sympathetic is it, if it’s not really going to get at the root of these problems? A few times, I’ve heard that, oh well, Houston doesn’t have zoning. But I haven’t really seen it spelled out how that might affect impacts from something like this.</p>
<p>Democracy Now! ( <a href="https://www.democracynow.org/2017/8/30/environmental_crisis_unfolding_in_houston_as" type="external">8/30/17</a>)</p>
<p>NdM: Right, and there are a couple ways. One is that when you don’t have zoning, you can have a lot of sprawl into areas that, otherwise, you possibly shouldn’t be building in, because these areas are needed as reservoirs for water when you do have a flood. The other piece that there has been a little bit of coverage about is the chemical facility that is having fires. There’s a lot of petrochemical facilities in close proximity to low-income communities in the Houston area. And again, there has been a little bit of coverage of that; Democracy Now! <a href="https://www.democracynow.org/2017/8/30/environmental_crisis_unfolding_in_houston_as" type="external">talked about it</a> a bit, and the Houston Chronicle had some <a href="http://www.houstonchronicle.com/chemical-breakdown/1/" type="external">coverage</a> of it before the storm. But, again, these things are very easy for the media to start looking into, once you have all this attention on Texas, and instead we’re largely getting the helicopter of the hour, and let’s see the latest rescue, but not actually talking to people being rescued about what got them into this circumstance, and what is going to prevent this from happening in the future?</p>
<p>JJ: Of course, we hoped that the discovery of the nexus of poverty and racism, and how that affects people’s lives day to day, we hoped that would encourage media to look at that all the time, and not just during times of disaster. But having said that, there will, very sadly, be many chances for media to explore the connections between climate change and its impacts, and poverty. They could be doing that even when there isn’t a hurricane, right?</p>
<p>Neil deMause: “We’re largely getting the helicopter of the hour, and let’s see the latest rescue, but not actually talking to people being rescued about what got them into this circumstance, and what is going to prevent this from happening in the future?” (photo: David Dyte)</p>
<p>NdM: Oh, absolutely. Again, the broader problem, like you say, is that the media tends to look at everything—except for something like homelessness, that has to be looked at through poverty—they tend to look at everything through the lens of this mythical middle-class everyperson. Right? And the idea that you have around a third of Americans who are living either in poverty or near poverty, and that maybe we should be looking at, whether it’s climate change, or any other issue, how it’s going to affect them, let alone how it’s going to affect the much broader group of people living in poverty worldwide, a lot of whom are going to be hit by climate change a lot worse than anyone here. That never really seems to come up.</p>
<p>And, again, I’m happy to see that the coverage has not been terrible, and that at least there’s been occasional glimpses of trying to examine people’s economic situations and how it impacts what happens in a disaster like this, but it seems like we really still have a long way to go before you start to have that lens being applied to every sort of different political issue, including climate change.</p>
<p>JJ: I did see someone note, or a few places note, that the Texas Border Patrol checks were going to stay in operation, so people who are out of status or undocumented might be making a choice between do I go out on the roads, or do I stay home and possibly die? It’s true that it’s complicated, that there are a lot of interconnected issues, but it just seems that it’s not politicizing it to say that hey, this actually has something to do with immigration policy, it also has to do with a number of other things, and maybe this is an opportunity to get into them, rather than a deflection from the “drama” story.</p>
<p>NdM: Yeah, that was something that the media realized for about two seconds after Katrina, the idea that there are people in this country who cannot just pick up and get into their car and rent a hotel room for a couple of weeks when they need to get out of danger. It’s something slowly trickling into the media, but it’s very, very slow. For example, that story about the immigration checks, right. That that was not seen as politicizing it, and I think that was fairly well-covered, initially; I haven’t seen any follow-up after the storm actually hit. But I think that’s a positive step, in that we actually can talk about these issues. Whether we actually are talking about these issues in the media, that’s another step beyond.</p>
<p>JJ: And then also, who do we talk to when we talk about them? There’s always the question of sources. And some people may have seen the CNN situation in which, I’m not sure if they pre-interviewed this woman or not, but this woman basically <a href="https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2017/08/29/rescued_woman_cnn_for_heartless_hurricane_harvey_coverage.html" type="external">said</a>, “People are at the worst moment of their lives and you’re sticking a microphone in our face, and this isn’t the way to do it.” There’s a certain just human-to-human thing that has to happen for reporters, especially when they’re parachuting into a situation like this.</p>
<p>NdM: Which I think is one reason why a lot of the coverage has tended to be on the rescuers, the people who are going in and pulling people out, because that’s what they’re there to do, and they’re not going to feel like you’re imposing on them if you’re interviewing them. But at the same time, you then leave out a big part of the story. The job of journalists here is to figure out a way to tell the stories of the people who are caught in this, and why they’re caught in this, without just sticking a microphone at them, saying, “Hi, you just lost all your possessions, how does it feel?” That’s not easy, but at the same time, that’s what the job of journalism is all about, and I don’t think it’s impossible.</p>
<p>JJ: Let me just ask you, finally, about making connections. We did see mention of the fact that the Trump administration had <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/15/climate/flooding-infrastructure-climate-change-trump-obama.html" type="external">overturned</a> a rule that infrastructure projects, including roads and bridges, be designed to withstand the impacts of climate change. Even as we’re seeing a lot of focus on Melania’s stilettos, there are certainly national level, as well as state-level, things that are so relevant that you can also be including them in this story as well.</p>
<p>FAIR.org ( <a href="" type="internal">9/1/17</a>)</p>
<p>NdM: One of the things that I’m actually really encouraged by, even though it’s coming decades too late, is that there is finally discussion around Harvey, “Yes, climate change is making these storms worse.” It took an awful long time for that to be able to be acknowledged in the mainstream media, and I think it’s good that there is discussion of Trump’s overturning of that Obama-era rule around taking climate change into account. Again, the lesson here of all this isn’t that the media are continuing to do a terrible job, it’s that the media were doing such a terrible job of reporting all of these things a decade ago that incremental improvement is not happening soon enough.</p>
<p>It’s very much like the climate change story itself, right? We were doing not enough to address it 20–30 years ago, now we’re doing a little bit to address it, but we really do not have the time to make incremental improvements to the point where we’re really gonna get this down, I don’t know, 100 or 200 years from now.</p>
<p>JJ: We’ve been speaking with Neil deMause. He is the co-author of <a href="http://www.fieldofschemes.com/" type="external">Field of Schemes</a> and author of <a href="http://www.brooklynwars.com/" type="external">The Brooklyn Wars</a>. And he will be writing <a href="" type="internal">something for us</a> about Hurricane Harvey very soon. Thank you for joining us this week on CounterSpin.</p>
<p>NdM: My pleasure.</p>
<p>Subscribe: <a href="" type="internal">Android</a> | <a href="" type="internal">RSS</a></p> | ‘Some People Faced With a Disaster Can’t Just Pick Up and Leave’ | true | http://fair.org/home/some-people-faced-with-a-disaster-cant-just-pick-up-and-leave/ | 2017-09-07 | 4 |
<p>For as long as the environment has existed, it’s been in crisis. Nature has always been a focus of human thought and action, of course, but it wasn’t until pesticides and pollution started clouding the horizon that something called “the environment” emerged as a matter of public concern.</p>
<p>In 1960s and 1970s America, dystopian images provoked anxiety about the costs of unprecedented prosperity: smog thick enough to hide skylines from view, waste seeping into suburban backyards, rivers so polluted they burst into flames, cars lined up at gas stations amid shortages, chemical weapons that could defoliate entire forests. Economists and ecologists alike forecasted doom, warning that humanity was running up against natural limits to growth, extinction crises, and population explosions.</p>
<p>But the apocalypse didn’t happen. The threat that the environment seemingly posed to economic growth and human well-being faded from view; relieved to have vanquished the environmental foe, many rushed to declare themselves its friends instead.</p>
<p>Four decades later, everyone’s an environmentalist — and yet the environment appears to be in worse shape than ever. The problems of the seventies are back with a vengeance, often transposed into new landscapes, and new ones have joined them. Species we hardly knew existed are dying off en masse; oceans are acidifying in what sounds like the plot of a second-rate horror movie; numerous fisheries have collapsed or are on the brink; freshwater supplies are scarce in regions home to half the world’s population; agricultural land is exhausted of nutrients; forests are being leveled at staggering rates; and, of course, climate change looms over all.</p>
<p>These aren’t issues that can be fixed by slapping a filter on a smokestack. They’re certainly not about hugging trees or hating people. To put it bluntly, we’re confronted with the fact that human activity has transformed the entire planet in ways that are now threatening the way we inhabit it — some of us far more than others. And it’s not particularly helpful to talk in generalities: the idea that The Environment is some entity that can be fixed with A Solution is part of the problem.</p>
<p>The category “environmental problems” contains multitudes, and their solutions don’t always line up: water shortages in Phoenix are a different matter than air pollution in Los Angeles, disappearing wetlands in Louisiana, or growing accumulations of atmospheric carbon. So instead of laying out some kind of template for a sustainable future, I argue that there’s no way to get there without tackling environmentalism’s old stumbling blocks: consumption and jobs. And the way to do that is through a universal basic income.</p>
<p>Environmentalists have long lectured Americans about overuse of natural resources. By now, the talking points on overconsumption are familiar: 5&#160;percent of the world’s population uses 25&#160;percent of its resources, and emits about the same percentage of its greenhouse gases; if the whole world lived like Americans, we’d need four planets, or maybe five. We eat too much meat, drive too many miles, live in houses that are too big and too far apart, shop too much for stuff we don’t need. When it comes to climate change, it’s even worse than the numbers suggest: Western nations outsource a huge percentage of emissions to the places that increasingly produce our goods.</p>
<p>Such international disparities have, of course, long presented a challenge to those concerned with both domestic and global justice: how to acknowledge that America’s poor are wealthier than most of the world without simply concluding that they’re part of the problem? But while discussions of consumption tends to focus on a universal “we,” as epitomized by the famous Pogo Earth Day cartoon — “we have met the enemy, and he is us” — it’s important to look more closely within the rich world rather than simply heaping scorn on national averages.</p>
<p>Depictions of American consumerism tend to focus on the likes of Walmart and McDonald’s, suggesting that blame lies with the ravenous, grasping masses. Meanwhile it’s trendy for the wealthy to appear virtuous as they drive Priuses, live in homes that tout “green design,” and eat organic kale. But whether you “care about the environment,” believe in climate change, or agonize over your coffee’s origins doesn’t matter as much as your tax bracket and the consumption habits that go with it.</p>
<p>Consumption doesn’t correspond perfectly to income — in large part because of public programs like SNAP that supplement low-income households — but the two are closely linked. The US Congressional Budget Office estimates that the carbon footprint of the top quintile is over three times that of the bottom. Even in relatively egalitarian Canada, the top income decile has a mobility footprint nine times that of the lowest, a consumer goods footprint four times greater, and an overall ecological footprint two-and-a-half times larger. Air travel is frequently pegged as one of the most rapidly growing sources of carbon emissions, but it’s not simply because budget airlines have “democratized the skies” — rather, flying has truly exploded among the hyper-mobile affluent. Thus in Western Europe, the transportation footprint of the top income earners is 250&#160;percent of that of the poor. And global carbon emissions are particularly uneven: the top five hundred million people by income, comprising about 8&#160;percent of global population, are responsible for 50&#160;percent of all emissions. It’s a truly global elite, with high emitters present in all countries of the world.</p>
<p>But that doesn’t mean America is off the hook altogether. The global wealthy may consume far more than the rest, but global consumption can’t be leveled out by bringing everyone up to even Western median levels; consumption in rich nations, even at relatively low levels of income, has to decline if we’re to achieve some measure of global equality.</p>
<p>For those in rich countries, this sounds suspiciously close to an argument for austerity: we’ve been profligate, and now the bill is coming due. That may be easily reconciled with more ascetic strains of environmentalism and anti-consumerist left currents. But for those who aren’t bothered by decadent consumption so much as by the fact that so few are able to enjoy it — and who are wary of recalling Soviet bread lines — the prospect of limiting consumption is deeply worrisome.</p>
<p>It’s hard to talk about consumption without a whiff of moralizing disapproval, as if there was something inherently wrong with having nice things. So the condemnations of consumer culture that once occupied social critics have largely fallen out of fashion, seen as too Puritan, too patronizing, too snobbish — and maybe even too boring. We get it already.</p>
<p>But it’s important to distinguish between different types of consumption. For all the resonances in the rhetoric of anti-consumerist environmentalism and austerity, reducing public consumption would actually be an environmental disaster. Reductions in public goods tend to produce increases in private consumption: people drive cars instead of taking the bus, move to a house with a yard instead of going to the park, buy books and home entertainment systems instead of going to libraries and museums, drink bottled water instead of tap — if they can afford to. Those who can’t just have to go without.</p>
<p>It’s hard to think of many things more disingenuous than arguing that addressing environmental issues will impose unacceptable restrictions on the American standard of living while simultaneously promoting austerity measures — yet that attitude is pervasive in mainstream political discourse.</p>
<p>And while having stuff doesn’t make you a miserable soulless materialist, as some of the shriller anti-consumerist rhetoric would suggest, it doesn’t necessarily make you happier, either. Rather, the “status treadmill” frequently does the opposite: fueling anxiety, inadequacy, and debt under the banner of democracy and freedom. Meanwhile, consumer guilt has led to an explosion in “green” products — recycled toilet paper, organic T-shirts, all-natural detergents — but most do little more than greenwash the same old stuff, bestowing a sheen of virtue on their users, suggesting personal choices will save the planet. But the individual agonizing that constitutes consumer politics isn’t going to get around the fact that the global economy depends on more or less indefinitely expanding consumption. In fact, consumption has come full circle and become virtuous: protesting sweatshops and ranting about exploitation is passé; buying gadgets is the new way to lift people out of poverty. And so it’s not just workers who are threatened with jobs blackmail — we’re all threatened with consumption blackmail, wherein consuming less will put millions out of work worldwide and crash the global economy. Even our trash is creating jobs somewhere.</p>
<p>Indeed, you can’t talk about consumption without talking about production — which brings us to jobs, which environmentalists have long been accused of killing. To be sure, the history of environmentalism is littered with projects aimed at keeping patches of nature free from human impact, often demonizing workers in the process. And industry has long taken advantage of the popular stereotype of job-killing tree-huggers to resist improving safety and pollution standards, threatening that forced installation of sulfur scrubbers or proper ventilation of workspaces will put thousands out of work.</p>
<p>Such estimates of job loss tend to be wildly exaggerated scare tactics, while the jobs that dirty industry projects claim to create are usually vastly overhyped. TransCanada, for example, has claimed that building the Keystone XL tar-sands pipeline would create twenty thousand jobs, while the State Department projects something more on the order of five thousand, most of them temporary. But regulations sometimes do kill jobs within industries, even if on balance they often create more — and sometimes they destroy industries altogether. And while nakedly extractive occupations like coal mining and oil drilling are the standard examples of practices that the shining eco-future will render obsolete, a closer look implicates less obvious industries and kinds of work.</p>
<p>A “green economy” can’t just be one that makes “green” versions of the same stuff, or one that makes solar panels in addition to SUVs. Eco-Keynesianism in the form of public works projects can be temporarily helpful in building light rail systems and efficient infrastructure, weatherizing homes, and restoring ecosystems — and to be sure, there’s a lot of work to be done in those areas. But a spike in green jobs doesn’t tell us much about how to provide for everyone without creating jobs by perpetually expanding production. The problem isn’t that every detail of the green-jobs economy isn’t laid out in full — calls for green jobs are meant to recognize the fraught history of labor-environmentalist relations, and to signify a commitment to ensuring that sustainability doesn’t come at the expense of working communities. The problem is that the vision they call forth isn’t a projection of the future so much as a reflection of the past — most visions of a “new economy” look a whole lot like the same old one. Such visions reveal a hope that climate change will be our generation’s New Deal or World War II, vaulting us out of hard times into a new era of widespread prosperity.</p>
<p>But the Keynesianism underpinning that vision was the answer to a problem that was identified as underconsumption rather than overproduction: it was intended to jump-start demand rather than reduce supply. If overconsumption is actually the problem, we can’t fix it by consuming more, however eco-certified the products. Indeed, the very idea that green jobs will drive economic recovery is closely tied to notions of continued American hegemony: green tech is the next big thing, the rhetoric goes, and America needs to get ahead in the global race to innovate. But nearly every country in the world harbors similar hopes. That the wealthiest country in the world is so panicked at the prospect that others might catch up reveals the fallacy of the notion that continued growth will somehow reach an endpoint in which everyone enjoys a decent standard of living.</p>
<p>Continued growth isn’t the only way to get there. The mythology surrounding the New Deal often obscures the fact that labor’s response to the Depression was not to make more work, but to share existing work more broadly by shifting to a thirty-hour workweek; Keynes himself famously predicted we’d be down to a fifteen-hour workweek by the end of the century. The decision to use fiscal policy to stimulate consumption instead was a way of avoiding deeper structural changes — to grow the pie rather than ask who was eating most of it. Since then, instead of increasing leisure time, productivity gains have largely increased private consumption for an increasingly small number of people. These days, of course, people are having leisure forced on them — it’s employers who are cutting hours and workers who are desperate for more. It’s clear that we can meet needs with vastly less labor than will support a population dependent on stagnating wages. While neoclassical economists pose the consumption-leisure tradeoff as a choice made by individuals, whether or not people work in the first place is clearly determined by decisions made at a society-wide level.</p>
<p>It’s beginning to look like we should have taken the other New Deal. We need to explicitly shift toward working less — to reorient the consumption-leisure tradeoff towards the latter on a social level — and share the work that remains more evenly. The sociologist Juliet Schor says we could work four-hour days without any decline in the standard of living; similarly, the New Economics Foundation proposes we could get by on a twenty-one-hour workweek. Meanwhile, David Rosnick and Mark Weisbrot suggest that the US could cut energy consumption by 20&#160;percent by shifting to a schedule more like Western Europe’s, with thirty-five hour workweeks and six weeks of vacation — certainly not a panacea, but hardly impoverishing for a start. In a study of industrialized nations over the past fifty years, Schor, Kyle Knight, and Gene Rosa find that shorter working hours are correlated with smaller ecological footprints.</p>
<p>While making people work shitty jobs to “earn” a living has always been spiteful, it’s now starting to seem suicidal. So perhaps it’s time to reclaim job-killing environmentalism, this time not as a project that demonizes workers, or even work — but rather, as one that rejects work done for its own sake. Instead of stigmatizing, criminalizing, and imprisoning the unemployed and “non-industrious poor,” perhaps we should see them, as David Graeber suggests, as the “pioneers of a new economic order” — one where we all work and consume less, and have more time for other pursuits.</p>
<p>In fact, addressing environmental issues suggests the need not only for new kinds of jobs but for new approaches to work altogether. No work or human activity, however removed from “the land,” is without environmental impact — but some work is less material-intensive than others. An ecologically viable future will rely on many kinds of work that are typically undervalued, or not considered work at all — caring for people and ecosystems; building communities; learning and educating. This emphatically doesn’t mean we should all become artisans engaged in small-scale production; to the contrary, there are dangers in romanticizing supposedly “natural” and unalienated forms of labor. Rejecting fast food in favor of gardening and canning, for example, might just reinstitute a toilsome regime for women; acknowledging the problems of certain maximalist projects can’t mean ceding liberatory goals. But done right, a reevaluation of work from an ecological perspective could elevate the unpaid work of making a social, livable world.</p>
<p>Proposals to shorten the workweek are often defended on the basis of giving people more time for what they will — to spend time with friends, family, and loved ones, start a band, write a novel, cook a meal, and so on. But calling those activities “leisure” diminishes their importance in making a life with less stuff a worthwhile and fulfilling one. Likewise, the word “leisure” doesn’t credit the fact that strong communities are as important for surviving natural disasters as strong seawalls. If we’re paying people to build the latter, shouldn’t we also pay them to build the former?</p>
<p>As it turns out, some of the most interesting efforts to rethink the relationship between work, production, and nature are thus far taking place in unlikely places: namely, in the payment-for-ecosystem-services (PES) framework that now dominates mainstream environmental economics. The general idea is to identify different ecological processes — pollination, say, or soil fertility — and put a price on them. It sounds like a quintessentially neoliberal strategy — and indeed, that’s often how it’s been deployed. But the ideas originally motivating payment for ecosystem services in many ways recall those of the radical feminist Wages for Housework movement of the 1970s. Wages for Housework pointed out that capitalism depends on the socially reproductive labor of the household, and by calling that work an act of love, makes it free. By demanding recognition of and payment for household labor, the Wages for Housework movement sought to unsettle assumptions about “women’s work,” force recognition of undervalued work, and force a reconsideration of the relationship between reproductive labor and traditional notions of the productive economy. Forced to pay the costs of reproducing life, capitalism would no longer be viable.</p>
<p>As with Wages for Housework, in which the concrete demand for payment acted as a provocative starting point, the demand for payment for work done to and by ecosystems was originally meant as an unsettling metaphor: the first step in a broader project of changing the way we think about the relationship between human society and the natural world. Concocted not by political radicals but by largely apolitical ecologists desperate to protect the systems they studied from destruction, payment for ecosystem services began as an attempt to value the work that we call nature and make free: it sought to recognize the ecological functions that are taken for granted, to acknowledge that livelihoods don’t exist separately from environments, and to reject old, often racialized ideas of conservation that emphasize keeping humans out of pristine environments. While it was never anticapitalist in intent, there was always an element of destabilizing absurdity in the prospect of pricing the entire planet.</p>
<p>In practice, however, while the ecosystem-services framework has been deeply uneven in its implementation, it has often served to advance privatization and commodification of the services it claims to protect. The monetary value produced by ecosystems is frequently captured and consolidated by powerful local actors, or translated into tradable commodities like credits for carbon markets, which have been wildly volatile and largely failed to achieve goals of either environmental protection or poverty alleviation. PES programs that assign value to ecosystems without attention to equity and ownership often incentivize states or speculators to take over suddenly-profitable natural assets, dispossessing people of access to subsistence holdings and delivering benefits solely to investors. Meanwhile, dividing ecosystems into packages of services to be traded and sold loses sight of the complexity and interdependence of what’s supposedly being preserved. In short, like so many ideas, payment for ecosystem services has largely been captured by neoliberalism.</p>
<p>But the underlying principles may still be salvageable — recognizing the use value of ecosystems, that so-called environmental issues can’t be separated from questions of livelihood and broader society, and that the world we live in is constituted by human and “natural” work alike. Those principles gesture toward an economy that recognizes the value of the care given to ecosystems, and the value of the work necessary to sustain life — the work of reproducing the very world in which we live. And they recognize the value of not working, of not producing, as in programs that pay people not to cut down trees — compensating them for income lost in the name of global sustainability.</p>
<p>We need to think seriously and expansively about these kinds of work and value — and about the real costs that “sustainability” will impose on individuals and communities. And we need to recognize that this is a truly collective project — that individualized, atomized systems of work and reward are increasingly untenable in the face of the interdependent tangle in which we’re enmeshed.</p>
<p>How might we do that? To begin with, by divorcing income from conventional notions of production, and by instituting a social wage in the form of universal basic income. Basic income won’t, in and of itself, solve environmental problems; it won’t replace coal plants with solar panels or ease pressure on depleted aquifers. If instituted as a justification for cuts to other social programs, it would be disastrous both socially and environmentally; robust public services are necessary if we’re to live on less. But it marks a critical starting point in rethinking the relationship between labor, production, and consumption, without which environmental hand-wringing will go nowhere.</p>
<p>More pragmatically, in providing an alternative to dependence on destructive industries and removing the threat of job blackmail from communities desperate for livelihoods, it makes change a real option, giving workers and communities more power to demand protections against environmental harms. It can start to reorient social focus away from an eternal game of consumption catch-up toward the good life.</p>
<p>It admittedly won’t do much to curb the upper bounds of consumption, at least not right away. But it might point in that direction. Environmentalists like to point to World War&#160;II for evidence that people will accept restrictions on consumption for the sake of a shared cause, but the so-called Greatest Generation didn’t exactly accept rations with a patriotic grin. What that experience does demonstrate, however, is that while people don’t like limiting consumption under any circumstances, what they really don’t like is cutting back if everyone else isn’t doing the same. That sentiment is typically mobilized in service of anti-welfare politics: why should I have to work if someone else just gets a check? But during the war, it went the other way: over 60&#160;percent of the population supported capping incomes at $25,000 a year, a relatively paltry $315,000 today.</p>
<p>Of course, the post-work future has long been over the horizon; to propose it as a solution to such time-sensitive problems may seem wildly, even irresponsibly utopian. The revolution might happen in time to avoid environmental catastrophe, but we probably shouldn’t count on it, though some African climate activists have put basic income grants, financed by wealthy nations’ payment of ecological debt, at the centerpiece of their demands.</p>
<p>Even the US presents some interesting opportunities. One prominent alternative to a straight carbon tax or cap-and-trade system is a policy known as tax-and-dividend, in which the proceeds from a carbon tax would be distributed unconditionally to all citizens — similar to the oil dividend paid to every Alaskan resident. It’s defended as a compensatory mechanism for the higher energy prices that would result from a carbon tax; in more bluntly political terms, it functions as a bribe to garner support for a tax that would otherwise be unpopular. There are plenty of criticisms to be leveled against the plan as currently designed, particularly if it’s considered a stand-alone climate solution — individual dividends won’t maintain levees, support public transportation systems, or build affordable urban housing. But it’s also a potential wedge into new obligations and relationships: the first suggestion of an unconditional guaranteed income, financed mostly by a tax on the environmentally destructive consumption habits of the wealthy. It’s an assertion of public ownership of the atmosphere, and the staking of a new claim to public resources.</p>
<p>Viewed as a bulwark linking unconditional livelihood provision to environmental sustainability, it could be the beginning of a much larger project of ensuring decent standards of living for all regardless of productive input, while reclaiming environmental commons from the false yet persistent narrative of tragedy.</p>
<p>That may seem overly hopeful about dim prospects. To be sure, it must be emphasized that this is meant as a suggestion for a general direction rather than a precise solution. While we can draw ideas from past efforts to cope with environmental problems, there are no real precedents for what we now face. We’re going to have to figure some of this out as we go — which is another argument in basic income’s favor. Addressing environmental problems will entail significant and widespread changes, yet without a commitment to unconditional social provision, talk of resilience, flexibility, and adaptation are all too easily collapsed into justifications of perpetual precarity.</p>
<p>Observing the protests outside the Copenhagen climate summit in 2009, reflecting on the apparent tension between the recognition of limits cautioned by those claiming “there is no planet B” and the limitlessness implied by chants of “everything for everyone,” Michael Hardt suggested the need to “develop a politics of the common that both recognizes the real limits of the earth and fosters our unlimited creative capacities — building unlimited worlds on our limited earth.” Virginia Woolf might seem an odd place to turn in response, but her essay A Room of One’s Own, while best known as a classic piece of feminist polemic, could serve just as well as a manifesto for such a politics. In it, she reflects on the “instinct for possession, the rage for acquisition” which keeps “the stockbroker and the great barrister going indoors to make money and more money and more money when it is a fact that five hundred pounds a year will keep one alive in the sunshine.” With that five hundred pounds, she wrote, came the freedom to think and write as she pleased. We should add a few more things to the list — universal healthcare, a bus pass — but figuring out what it takes to keep all seven-billion-plus people on the planet alive in the sunshine will be the fundamental task of the twenty-first century.</p>
<p>The post-work future is often characterized as a vision of a post-scarcity society. But the dream of freedom from waged labor and self-realization beyond work suddenly looks less like utopia than necessity.</p>
<p>Finding ways to live luxuriously but also lightly, adequately but not ascetically, won’t always be easy. But perhaps in the post-post-scarcity society, somewhere between fears of generalized scarcity and dreams of generalized decadence, we can have the things we never managed to have in the time of supposed abundance: enough for everyone, and time for what we will.</p> | Alive in the Sunshine | true | https://jacobinmag.com/2014/01/alive-in-the-sunshine/ | 2018-10-03 | 4 |
<p>July 27 (UPI) — The U.S. Department of Justice has filed court documents arguing that a provision of the 1964 Civil Rights Act does not protect employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation.</p>
<p>The Justice Department under Attorney General <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Jeff_Sessions/" type="external">Jeff Sessions</a> made the declaration in <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/26/politics/doj-amicus-brief-title-vii-sexual-orientation/index.html" type="external">an amicus brief</a> over a New York case in which a former skydiving instructor argues he was fired because he disclosed he was gay to a female customer, whose husband then complained to his employer.</p>
<p>In the amicus brief, the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/27/nyregion/justice-department-gays-workplace.html?mtrref=news.google.com&amp;_r=0" type="external">Justice Department concluded</a> that “Title VII does not prohibit discrimination because of sexual orientation.”</p>
<p>“The sole question here is whether, as a matter of law, Title VII reaches sexual orientation discrimination. It does not, as has been settled for decades. Any efforts to amend Title VII’s scope should be directed to Congress rather than the courts,” the Justice Department wrote.</p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/LGBTCenterNYC/status/890576967757684736" type="external">The Center</a>, an LGBT advocacy group, on Thursday said it “denounces this deplorable act of aggression against all LGBT people” following news of the amicus brief.</p>
<p>Title VII prohibits workplace discrimination due to sex, race, color, national origin and religion. In April, the federal 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago ruled the Civil Rights Act extended protections for homosexuals.</p>
<p>“Any discomfort, disapproval or job decision based on the fact that the complainant — woman or man — dresses differently, speaks differently, or dates or marries a same-sex partner, is a reaction purely and simply based on sex,” Chief Judge Diane Wood then wrote for the court.</p>
<p>The amicus brief is the first time the Justice Department under President <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Donald_Trump/" type="external">Donald Trump</a> has legally positioned itself on Title VII’s scope as it relates to sexual orientation. Former President <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Barack_Obama/" type="external">Barack Obama</a>‘s administration previously said Title VII <a href="https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2016/05/09/NC-bathroom-controversy-DOJ-responds-to-states-lawsuit-with-significant-law-enforcement-action/1591462789022/" type="external">extended protections</a> to the LGBT community.</p>
<p>The amicus brief was filed the same day <a href="https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2017/07/26/Trump-US-government-will-not-accept-transgender-troops-in-military/9311501075148/" type="external">Trump said his government</a> will not “accept or allow” transgender people to serve in the U.S. military, “in any capacity.”</p> | DOJ: sexual orientation not protected under Title VII | false | https://newsline.com/doj-sexual-orientation-not-protected-under-title-vii/ | 2017-07-27 | 1 |
<p>FORT MOHAVE, Ariz. (AP) — The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office says the deaths of two people whose bodies were found at the scene of a burned vehicle appear to have been a double homicide.</p>
<p>The Sheriff’s Office says one dead body was found Wednesday evening near the burned vehicle in a desert area east of Fort Mohave and that deputies subsequently found a second body at the scene.</p>
<p>No victims’ identities weren’t released and the Sheriff’s Office says no additional information is immediately available.</p>
<p>FORT MOHAVE, Ariz. (AP) — The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office says the deaths of two people whose bodies were found at the scene of a burned vehicle appear to have been a double homicide.</p>
<p>The Sheriff’s Office says one dead body was found Wednesday evening near the burned vehicle in a desert area east of Fort Mohave and that deputies subsequently found a second body at the scene.</p>
<p>No victims’ identities weren’t released and the Sheriff’s Office says no additional information is immediately available.</p> | Sheriff’s Office: Deaths at burned vehicle a double homicide | false | https://apnews.com/6461d761634c4ce6a9cf49c86c7d0133 | 2018-01-11 | 2 |
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<p>When Boeing (NYSE: BA) began delivering its 787 Dreamliner in late 2011, it set the program accounting quantity -- an estimate of foreseeable sales over the next decade -- at 1,100 units. Two years later, it <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2013/10/28/with-or-without-accounting-tricks-boeings-earnings.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">raised this estimate Opens a New Window.</a> to 1,300 units, providing a modest boost to its profitability.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Boeing may be close to raising the Dreamliner program accounting quantity again. Let's take a look at what that means, when it could happen, and why it matters for investors.</p>
<p>When a new aircraft type is introduced, the first few models produced tend to be extremely costly. Indeed, Boeing spent an <a href="http://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-celebrates-787-delivery-as-programs-costs-top-32-billion/" type="external">average of about $400 million Opens a New Window.</a> to build the first 40 or so Dreamliners, according to the Seattle Times. That's several times the average selling price.</p>
<p>Boeing incurred huge losses on the first 40 or so Dreamliners it built. Image source: Boeing.</p>
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<p>However, costs decline significantly over time. It's fairly typical for costs to fall by about 15% every time the number of units produced doubles. In other words, the 200th plane off the line costs 15% less to build than the 100th plane, while the 400th plane built is 15% cheaper than the 200th.</p>
<p>Program accounting allows Boeing to smooth out the profitability of new aircraft programs. It looks up to 10 years ahead and estimates the program's total profitability over that time period. The estimated profit is essentially spread evenly over each plane produced. Thus, Boeing can report steady earnings rather than rack up huge losses on early production models followed by profits later on.</p>
<p>Program accounting has been stretched to its limit for the 787. Cash costs related to Dreamliner production over the past decade have exceeded revenue by more than $30 billion. However, Boeing hasn't reported losses on the Dreamliner program, because it expects to offset the cash losses it has incurred thus far with <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/2016/10/10/boeings-rising-cash-flow-story-is-intact.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">large profits Opens a New Window.</a> over the next six years or so. Not surprisingly, this has stirred up quite a bit of controversy.</p>
<p>For the past three years, Boeing's program accounting quantity for the 787 has been 1,300 units. This covers about six more years of production. That's much less than the 10-year forecast horizon Boeing used when it originally set the accounting block at 1,100 units.</p>
<p>Theoretically, this means that Boeing could extend the 787 accounting block. (As noted above, it did this once in late 2013, increasing the accounting quantity to 1,300 units.) To extend the accounting block, Boeing must be able to estimate the revenue and costs associated with those additional airplanes.</p>
<p>This doesn't mean Boeing needs to have sold all of those planes. For example, Boeing had fewer than 1,000 Dreamliner orders when it extended the block from 1,100 to 1,300. However, Boeing has faced significant pricing pressure and a slowdown in orders for the 787 recently. That makes it harder to estimate the profitability of planes it will be delivering in the mid-2020s.</p>
<p>Between the beginning of 2014 and the end of last month, Boeing booked just 131 net orders for the 787 family: 41 in 2014, 71 in 2015, and 19 through the first nine months of 2016. That gave it a total of 1,161 Dreamliner orders as of the end of last quarter.</p>
<p>However, Boeing could add significantly to that total in the last few months of 2016. Last week, it announced that Qatar Airways had ordered 30 787-9s. This week, Boeing added another order for 12 787-9s from China Southern Airlines.</p>
<p>Additionally, China's Donghai Airlines committed to buy five 787-9s earlier this year, but that order is still waiting to be finalized. Saudia also recently announced plans to buy 13 787s, although it isn't clear whether those are already included in Boeing's order book.</p>
<p>Boeing has captured dozens of Dreamliner orders in the past month. Image source: Boeing.</p>
<p>The big prize is a potential order from Emirates. By year-end, the Middle Eastern airline giant is expected to decide between the 787 and Airbus' A350 for an order of roughly 70 jets. Finally, Pakistan International Airlines appears to be on the verge of ordering eight Dreamliners.</p>
<p>If the Emirates deal comes to fruition and these other orders are finalized, Boeing would end the year with nearly 1,300 total orders for the 787. Additionally, racking up more than 100 orders in a few months would give Boeing a lot more clarity about the Dreamliner's future profitability. As a result, it could cause Boeing to extend the 787 Dreamliner accounting block again.</p>
<p>Extending the program accounting block would have zero impact on Boeing's cash flow, which is arguably the most important metric for any business. Nevertheless, most investors pay close attention to accounting earnings as well as cash flow -- and a block extension would have a big impact on Boeing's earnings.</p>
<p>For now, Boeing is reporting very slim profits on each Dreamliner it delivers, because the projected cash profits of future deliveries in the 1,300 unit accounting block are barely enough to offset the losses sustained thus far. By contrast, since aircraft production costs decline continuously, any units added to the accounting block would be highly profitable sales.</p>
<p>Those profits would be spread across all the remaining deliveries in the 787 accounting block. As a result, extending the accounting block would immediately increase the amount of profit Boeing reports for each 787 delivery.</p>
<p>787 accounting block extensions are thus a crucial aspect of Boeing's plans to boost profitability at its commercial airplanes division. The sooner Boeing can meet the requirements needed to extend the 787 accounting block, the sooner it will be able to report the strong profit growth it has promised to shareholders.</p>
<p>A secret billion-dollar stock opportunity The world's biggest tech company forgot to show you something, but a few Wall Street analysts and the Fool didn't miss a beat: There's a small company that's powering their brand-new gadgets and the coming revolution in technology. And we think its stock price has nearly unlimited room to run for early in-the-know investors! To be one of them, <a href="http://www.fool.com/mms/mark/ecap-foolcom-apple-wearable?aid=6965&amp;source=irbeditxt0000017&amp;ftm_cam=rb-wearable-d&amp;ftm_pit=2691&amp;ftm_veh=article_pitch&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">just click here Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFGemHunter/info.aspx" type="external">Adam Levine-Weinberg Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of Boeing. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services <a href="http://www.fool.com/shop/newsletters/index.aspx?source=isiedilnk018048&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">free for 30 days Opens a New Window.</a>. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that <a href="http://www.fool.com/knowledge-center/motley.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">considering a diverse range of insights Opens a New Window.</a> makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p> | When Will Boeing Raise the 787 Dreamliner Accounting Block? (And Why It Matters) | true | http://foxbusiness.com/markets/2016/10/15/when-will-boeing-raise-787-dreamliner-accounting-block-and-why-it-matters.html | 2016-10-15 | 0 |
<p>Progressive reform is not socialized medicine. The Urban Institute wrote in an April 2008 <a href="http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/411648_socialized_medicine.pdf" type="external">analysis</a> that "socialized medicine involves government financing and direct provision of health care services," and explained that recent progressive health care reform proposals do not "fit this description." The analysis also <a href="http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/411648_socialized_medicine.pdf#page=2" type="external">noted</a>, "Similar rhetoric was used to defeat national health care reform proposals in the 1990s and, with less success, to argue against the creation of Medicare in the 1960s."</p>
<p>Obama has not proposed socialized medicine, single payer, or nationalized health care. As PolitiFact.com noted in a March 5 <a href="http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2009/mar/05/tom-coburn/obama-health-plan-does-not-include-government-run-/" type="external">post</a>, "Obama's plan leaves in place the private health care system, but seeks to expand it to the uninsured," and "the plan is very different from some European-style health systems where the government owns health clinics and employs doctors." And during a March 26 <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-at-Open-for-Questions-Town-Hall/" type="external">online town hall</a>, Obama explicitly rejected the notion of implementing a health care system "the way European countries do or Canada does," explaining that what "we should do is to build on the [employer-based] system that we have."</p>
<p>Congressional Budget Office: More enrollees in employer-provided insurance under House, Senate legislation than under current law. In both its July 26 <a href="http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/104xx/doc10400/07-26-InfoOnTriCommProposal.pdf#page=17" type="external">analysis</a> of the House tri-committee draft bill and its July 2 <a href="http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/104xx/doc10431/07-02-HELPltr.pdf#page=7" type="external">preliminary score</a> of the Senate health committee bill, CBO found that more people would be enrolled in employer-based insurance under the bills than under current law in every year CBO examined following the legislation's implementation.</p>
<p>Conservatives cite Reagan's anti-"socialized medicine" recording to fearmonger about health reform. On August 14, the Drudge Report, Rush Limbaugh, and O'Reilly Factor guest host Laura Ingraham featured a <a href="/research/2009/08/17/conservatives-push-reagans-1961-attacks-on-soci/153389" type="external">recording of Ronald Reagan</a> speaking in 1961 against "socialized medicine" for the American Medical Association's " <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/06/18/INME187IB0.DTL&amp;type=printable" type="external">Operation Coffeecup</a>" campaign. Neither Drudge, nor Limbaugh, nor Ingraham, however, noted that Reagan was speaking out against a legislative precursor to Medicare, which has become very popular since it was enacted 44 years ago, or that Reagan's dire predictions of curtailments of freedom were never realized.</p>
<p>Conservative media figures repeatedly invoke socialism in stating their opposition to health reform. <a href="/research/2009/04/30/media-infected-with-conservatives-socialized-me/149717" type="external">Numerous conservative media figures</a> have revived the "socialized medicine" smear or raised the specter of socialism in their discussions of Democratic health care reform proposals. Examples include:</p>
<p>Numerous media figures baselessly link Obama's reform efforts to Canadian, British health care systems. Despite Obama's explicit rejection on March 26 of implementing health care systems like those of Canada or the United Kingdom, media figures have continued to link Democratic reform efforts to such systems. Examples include:</p>
<p>Smear dates back to 1930s. A Media Matters <a href="/research/2009/03/05/report-limbaugh-conservatives-continue-75-year/148009" type="external">analysis</a> found that dating as far back as the 1930s -- with respect to at least 16 different reform initiatives -- conservatives have attempted to smear those proposals by calling them "socialized medicine" or a step toward that inevitable result. These reform efforts include President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's <a href="http://www.ssa.gov/history/corningchap2.html" type="external">consideration</a> of government health insurance when crafting the 1935 Social Security bill; President Lyndon Johnson's 1965 amendment to the Social Security Act establishing Medicare; President Bill Clinton and first lady Hillary Clinton's health-care initiative in 1993 and 1994; the creation of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) in 1997, as well as its 2007 reauthorization and 2009 expansion; Barack Obama's and Hillary Clinton's health-care proposals during the 2008 presidential campaign; health information technology provisions included in the <a href="http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&amp;docid=f:h1enr.pdf" type="external">American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009</a>; and health-care provisions included in President Obama's fiscal year 2010 <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/assets/fy2010_new_era/A_New_Era_of_Responsibility2.pdf" type="external">budget blueprint</a>.</p>
<p>Roosevelt's consideration of government health insurance when crafting the 1935 Social Security bill</p>
<p>Truman's <a href="http://www.ssa.gov/history/corningchap3.html" type="external">health-care reform</a> <a href="http://www.trumanlibrary.org/anniversaries/healthprogram.htm" type="external">proposal</a> (the Wagner-Murray-Dingell bill)</p>
<p>Kennedy's health-care reform <a href="http://www.ssa.gov/history/corningchap4.html" type="external">proposal</a> (the Anderson-King bill)</p>
<p>Johnson's 1965 amendment to the Social Security Act establishing Medicare</p>
<p>Clinton's 1992 campaign health-care proposal</p>
<p>The Clintons' 1993 health-care initiative</p>
<p>Creation of SCHIP in 1997</p>
<p>Gore's 2000 campaign health-care plan</p>
<p>2001 Patients Bill of Rights</p>
<p>Kerry's 2004 campaign health-care plan</p>
<p>MD's 2005 proposal requiring Wal-Mart to pay increased health benefits</p>
<p>2007 SCHIP reauthorization</p>
<p>2008 campaign health-care proposals by Obama and Clinton</p>
<p>2009 SCHIP expansion</p>
<p>Health information technology provisions in 2009 economic recovery package</p>
<p>Obama's 2010 budget blueprint</p> | UPDATED REPORT: Conservative media push 75-year-old "socialized medicine" smear against health care reform | true | http://mediamatters.org/research/200908190039 | 2009-08-19 | 4 |
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<p>LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) - New Mexico State University has named a new business dean.</p>
<p>The university said Wednesday that it has selected James Hoffman of Texas Tech University as the next dean of the College of Business.</p>
<p>Hoffman replaces former Gov. Garrey Carruthers, who is now president of NMSU.</p>
<p>Hoffman taught courses in strategy, management, leadership and information systems for 15 years at Texas Tech, eventually serving as associate dean for MBA Programs and Executive Education. He previously taught at Florida State University.</p>
<p>Hoffman will begin his duties at NMSU on July 1. His salary will be $225,000 per year</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p> | New Mexico State names new business dean | false | https://abqjournal.com/400280/new-mexico-state-names-new-business-dean.html | 2 |
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<p>The ever-useful Moving Ideas Network has just posted <a href="http://www.movingideas.org/content/en/on_the_hill/anwr_drilling.htm" type="external">Oil Drilling in the Arctic: Wildlife Refuge at Risk</a>, a report explaining the importance of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and detailing recent congressional attempts (via a two-track approach using the budget process and the energy bill) to open the preserve to oil drilling. This is still very much a live issue, and we’ll have more to say about it in a forthcoming article on the Mother Jones site.</p>
<p /> | All about ANWR | true | https://motherjones.com/politics/2005/06/all-about-anwr/ | 2005-06-09 | 4 |
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<p>Reports indicate that a Russian warship entered the eastern Mediterranean on Friday. The vessel was heading towards the location where two U.S. Navy destroyers launched missile strikes into Syria. U.S. defense officials reported that the Admiral Grigorovich RFS-494 cruised through the Bosphorus Strait just a few hours after the attack from the Black Sea.</p>
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<p>The Russian warship is currently in the eastern Mediterranean heading towards the U.S. warships. The Admiral Grigorovich is equipped with Kalibr cruise missiles. Reports also indicate that one of the American destroyers that launched the missiles into Syria changed its route and headed to undisclosed location to rearm.</p>
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<p>The U.S. military struck the Syrian airbase in retaliation for the deadly chemical attack against citizens, the victims included small children and infants. Reports from the Russian news agency TASS indicated that the Russian warship was destined for the Syrian port of Tartus on a routine voyage. The source also revealed that the Russian ship, which is armed with cruise missiles Kalibr will visit the logistics base in Tartus, Syria.</p>
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<p>TASS reported that the ship was near the Black Sea straits.&#160;It left on a voyage after stopping at Novorossiisk for supplies and taking part in a joint exercise with Turkish ships in the Black Sea.</p>
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<p>SOURCE: <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/04/07/russian-warship-steams-toward-us-destroyers-that-launched-syria-strikes.html" type="external">http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/04/07/russian-warship-steams-toward-us-destroyers-that-launched-syria-strikes.html</a></p> | Russia Redirects Warship Towards US Destroyers | true | http://thegoldwater.com/news/2140-Russia-Redirects-Warship-Towards-US-Destroyers | 2017-04-07 | 0 |
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