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<p>Teachers who are consistently successful with students are not given leadership roles that would allow them to reach students beyond their own classrooms, and if they don’t have enough seniority, they can be let go without anyone seeming to care come layoff time. This is enormously frustrating.</p>
<p>I’ve taught for 11 years at the same high-poverty elementary school in the Los Angeles Unified School District. My fourth- and fifth-grade students arrive in my classroom with varying degrees of preparedness, but they leave with a strong set of skills and a desire to continue learning. Both their intellectual curiosity going forward and their test scores reflect what they get from my class.</p>
<p>I’m just one among many hardworking, high-achieving teachers in LA. Unified and other districts. But we are at risk. A recent study by the educational nonprofit organization TNTP found that each year urban school districts are losing high-achieving teachers because they make little effort to retain them, or to push out the low achievers.</p>
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<p>The report, “The Irreplaceables: Understanding the Real Retention Crisis in America’s Urban Schools,” estimates that the nation’s 50 largest school districts lose about 10,000 excellent teachers a year. Those teachers are extremely difficult to replace. The report estimates that it takes 11 hires by a district to yield one truly great teacher, and so it strongly behooves schools to make sure their best teachers stay.</p>
<p>That’s often the opposite of what school districts do. In fact, TNTP found that high performance in the classroom actually may slightly lessen a teacher’s chances of being offered leadership roles within a school. Among the 90,000 teachers it studied in four large, geographically diverse school districts, just 26 percent of high-performing teachers reported that they had been offered leadership opportunities by their principals, whereas 31 percent of low-performing teachers reported having such chances.</p>
<p>Reading that made me think about a teacher I know. A few years ago, she was teaching at a school that was about to be sanctioned under No Child Left Behind, so she and another excellent teacher were asked to rewrite the school plan in order to improve student achievement.</p>
<p>They took their job seriously. Each spent more than 40 hours attending meetings and sessions on school design before rewriting the massive document that was supposed to govern the life of the school. They homed in on better professional development for teachers as the key to improving instruction, and they devised a system in which teachers at each grade would co-create a lesson, rotate teaching it and observe and critique each other in the process.</p>
<p>The plan was approved by the district. The teachers were excited to put it into practice. But weeks passed and nothing happened.</p>
<p>The teachers went to the principal to get a timeline. He looked at them dismissively, explaining that the plan just needed to be written, not implemented. Little at the school changed. The next year, the principal was promoted. Today he’s training other principals.</p>
<p>Luckily for L.A. Unified, the teachers who worked on the system, though disheartened, continued to teach in the district. But that kind of disrespect for a teacher’s time, abilities and ideas is exactly what drives so many high-performing teachers from the classroom.</p>
<p>The good news is that, according to the report, it’s not terribly difficult to keep good teachers happy. You see, we love what we do. And if we’re just given support, encouragement and recognition, we’re likely to stay around. Still, as “The Irreplaceables” points out, there is only so much a high-performing teacher can do in the face of a principal who is indifferent – or resistant – to change. Perhaps it’s time to broaden our reform focus to include the leadership at schools.</p>
<p>Indeed, the study suggests as much. Several of the paper’s recommendations point to a need for leadership cultures that are less top-down, more grounded in listening and more focused on supporting those teachers who teach students well.</p>
<p>The study recommends that we “overhaul principal hiring, support and evaluation to focus on instructional leadership abilities that result in smart teacher retention.” And it suggests that “principals and district leaders should give teachers frequent opportunities to share feedback … and they should use the results to improve teachers’ day-to-day experiences.”</p>
<p>Implemented together, these recommendations would encourage high-performing teachers to stay in the profession and make our schools better learning environments for more children. Principals who recognize and value teachers’ hard-earned expertise and treat them as collaborative partners in transforming schools ought to be rewarded.</p>
<p>Leadership like that would encourage the excellent teachers of the world to continue doing what they do: changing young lives on a daily basis.</p>
<p>Sujata Bhatt is a National Board Certified teacher in her 11th year at Grand View Boulevard Elementary. She wrote this for the Los Angeles Times.</p> | Schools Push Out Best Teachers | false | https://abqjournal.com/128043/schools-push-out-best-teachers.html | 2012-09-04 | 2 |
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<p>DALLAS – Somebody got Annie’s gun, although the person did have to pay $293,000 for it.</p>
<p>A shotgun once owned by the legendary sharpshooter Annie Oakley sold at auction Sunday to an anonymous buyer.</p>
<p>Oakley found fame in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show. She was fictionalized on Broadway in “Annie Get Your Gun.”</p>
<p>A great-grandniece of Oakley put her 16-gauge Parker Bros. Hammer shotgun up for auction.</p>
<p>Dallas-based Heritage Auctions sold it. The buyer also obtained the gun’s canvas scabbard and documents of authentication.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p> | Annie Oakley’s gun sells for $293,000 | false | https://abqjournal.com/309199/annie-oakleys-gun-sells-for-293000.html | 2 |
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<p>Aug. 9 (UPI) — A couple on a traveling in a boat along a ship channel in Louisiana spotted a rare pink dolphin.</p>
<p>Bridget Boudreaux said she and her husband spotted the dolphin known as “Pinky” while on a cruise in Calcasieu Ship Channel near Hackberry on Saturday.</p>
<p>“I about fell out the boat,” <a href="http://www.khou.com/news/local/animals/pink-dolphin-spotted-in-la-ship-channel/462608607" type="external">she told KHOU</a>. “I was like wow that’s not a regular dolphin, that’s a pink dolphin.”</p>
<p>Boudreaux said she actually spotted two pink dolphins swimming about 20 feet from the boat and playing with other dolphins but only managed to capture one on camera.</p>
<p>“My husband was driving the boat and one jumped 20 feet from our boat,” she <a href="http://wfla.com/2017/08/08/pink-dolphin-named-pinky-spotted-playing-in-louisiana-ship-channel/" type="external">told WFLA</a>. “We were just astonished. I couldn’t get my camera out fast enough.”</p>
<p>Sightings of Pinky were first reported in 2007 and some suspect the second pink dolphin may be Pinky’s offspring.</p>
<p>Some experts believe Pinky may be albino, but Kerry Sanchez of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium speculated the dolphin’s unusual color may be due to genetic variation.</p>
<p>“So what they get from mom and what they get from dad means they can look a little bit different than that perfect image we expect,” Sanchez said. “Seeing an animal that is extremely light in color is not something we would normally expect to see. And in my full time here, we’ve never seen an animal that looks like that.”</p> | Rare pink dolphin spotted near boat in Louisiana | false | https://newsline.com/rare-pink-dolphin-spotted-near-boat-in-louisiana/ | 2017-08-09 | 1 |
<p>VILLA RICA, Ga. (AP) — Police say a Georgia man has been arrested after his 3-year-old stepson was taken to a hospital with a head injury.</p>
<p>News outlets report that 21-year-old Joshua Richards was charged with aggravated battery and first-degree cruelty to children, among other offenses.</p>
<p>Villa Rica Police Captain Keith Shaddix said in a statement that police responded to a report of an injured child at the Hickory Falls Apartments Tuesday. The boy’s mother called 911.</p>
<p>The condition of the child is unknown. Shaddix says the boy had severe trauma to the head.</p>
<p>News outlets did not report if Richards has a lawyer.</p>
<p>VILLA RICA, Ga. (AP) — Police say a Georgia man has been arrested after his 3-year-old stepson was taken to a hospital with a head injury.</p>
<p>News outlets report that 21-year-old Joshua Richards was charged with aggravated battery and first-degree cruelty to children, among other offenses.</p>
<p>Villa Rica Police Captain Keith Shaddix said in a statement that police responded to a report of an injured child at the Hickory Falls Apartments Tuesday. The boy’s mother called 911.</p>
<p>The condition of the child is unknown. Shaddix says the boy had severe trauma to the head.</p>
<p>News outlets did not report if Richards has a lawyer.</p> | Georgia man charged after stepson is taken to hospital | false | https://apnews.com/700b7f667a5241c79dcb9d12b3e12542 | 2018-01-25 | 2 |
<p>At the top of his Wednesday show, Fox News host Bill O'Reilly denounced the liberal media for "subverting American democracy." He cited a particularly glaring double standard: "You may remember New Jersey Governor Chris Christie being pounded by the national media for a controversy on the George Washington Bridge....devoting 112 minutes to the situation in the first week....But when the VA scandal story broke, there was no coverage on the nightly network news broadcast for almost two weeks." [Listen to <a href="http://newsbusters.org/sites/default/files/2013/2014-06-25-FNC-OF-O%27Reilly_0.mp3" type="external">the audio</a>] Those numbers were calculated by Media Research Center senior news analyst Scott Whitlock in a <a href="" type="internal">May 22 Media Reality Check</a> entitled: "In a Month, TV News Gives Less Airtime to VA Scandal than Christie Controversy Received in Four Days."</p>
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<p>O'Reilly went on to detail a similar disparity in print media: "...the big three liberal papers – the New York Times, L.A. Times, Washington Post – printed fifty-six stories and commentaries about Governor Christie in the first week. Fifty-six. First week of the V.A. Scandal, two stories. First week of the IRS scandal, three stories. You want media bias, there it is beyond a reasonable doubt." Given the stunning data, O'Reilly concluded:</p>
<p>...corruption in the media is greatly harming this nation....There's no question the major national media in America is trying to protect President Obama....They know if they bury stories like the VA debacle, the IRS, Benghazi, Putin, whatever, that a negative perception about the Obama administration might not be formed....it is a shame that in a proud republic, in a vibrant democracy, the American press is so corrupt. It is a shame.</p>
<p>Here is a full transcript of the June 25 commentary:</p>
<p>8:01 PM ET</p>
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<p>BILL O'REILLY: Hi, I'm Bill O'Reilly. Thanks for watching us tonight. Subverting American democracy, that is the subject of this evening's Talking Points Memo. You may remember New Jersey Governor Chris Christie being pounded by the national media for a controversy on the George Washington Bridge. A grand jury is investigating whether members of Mr. Christie's staff sabotaged traffic on the bridge to get revenge on a political opponent. The story is valid and the network news went wild with it, devoting 112 minutes to the situation in the first week, 112 minutes. But when the VA scandal story broke, there was no coverage on the nightly network news broadcast for almost two weeks. No coverage. When the lost IRS email story broke, just three and a half minutes combined on all the network newscasts. Unbelievable. That is a news blackout. On the newspaper front, the big three liberal papers – the New York Times, L.A. Times, Washington Post – printed fifty-six stories and commentaries about Governor Christie in the first week. Fifty-six. First week of the V.A. Scandal, two stories. First week of the IRS scandal, three stories. You want media bias, there it is beyond a reasonable doubt. So, if James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin were with us today, they'd be the lead guests on the Factor this evening. Because those men envisioned a fair press in America, a media that would inform the people. Giving them honest information so they could make educated votes. But that's not what we have today. And that corruption in the media is greatly harming this nation. Again, there's no question about it. There's no question the major national media in America is trying to protect President Obama and will promote the candidacy of Hillary Clinton. For informed Americans, the blatant partisanship doesn't have much of a effect. But for the fifty percent of us who do not pay attention, who do not know very much about their country, media bias is devastating. Because once people think that a person is bad or good, that impression usually remains. For example, there are a whole lot of Americans who don't like me. I know it's unbelievable. They don't like me. But when we asked them why, they don't really know. They've heard things. Maybe Whoopi Goldberg said something negative. It's the same thing with politicians. If a person doesn't pay attention, he or she often bases their opinions on rumors, innuendo, idle chatter. The national media knows that. They know if they bury stories like the VA debacle, the IRS, Benghazi, Putin, whatever, that a negative perception about the Obama administration might not be formed. One caveat. Right now the President is being overwhelmed by bad news. The media cannot suppress it. It's all over the place. Just today the Gross Domestic Product fell to its lowest level since the recession ended five years ago. And take-home pay for American workers continues to stagnate. The partisan media can't influence that. But it is a shame that in a proud republic, in a vibrant democracy, the American press is so corrupt. It is a shame.</p> | Bill O'Reilly Uses MRC Stat to Show Liberal Media 'Subverting American Democracy' | true | http://mrc.org/biasalerts/bill-oreilly-uses-mrc-stat-show-liberal-media-subverting-american-democracy?utm_source%3DFacebook%26utm_medium%3DMarketing%26utm_term%3DFacebook%26utm_content%3DFacebook%26utm_campaign%3DOReilly-MediaBias | 0 |
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<p>Larry White, 74 (State Police)</p>
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<p>Lt. Elizabeth Armijo said White was last seen in Shiprock on Thursday, around 2:00 p.m., and is believed to be in danger if not found.</p>
<p>White is described as a Native American male, 5 feet 7 inches and 160 pounds, with black and silver short hair, and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a Dallas Cowboys cap, long-sleeved blue shirt with a vest, blue jeans, and tennis shoes.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p> | State Police: Shiprock man missing | false | https://abqjournal.com/1100831/state-police-shiprock-man-missing.html | 2 |
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<p>The <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Seattle-Seahawks/" type="external">Seattle Seahawks</a> placed rookie running back Chris Carson on injured reserve Monday after he broke his left leg Sunday night in the team’s 46-18 win over the <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Indianapolis-Colts/" type="external">Indianapolis Colts</a>.</p>
<p>It was one of a number of injuries sustained by the Seahawks. Pro Bowl defensive end <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Cliff-Avril/" type="external">Cliff Avril</a> is dealing with neck and spinal injuries that will sideline him indefinitely.</p>
<p>Seahawks coach <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Pete_Carroll/" type="external">Pete Carroll</a> said Carson would undergo surgery Tuesday and said the back has an “outside chance” to return to the field this season. The surgical procedure will address damage from a high ankle sprain, according to Carroll, and is not related to the broken bone.</p>
<p>Carson was carted off the field after going down midway through the fourth quarter when he was tackled for no gain. He finished with 42 yards on 12 carries. Per NFL rules, Carson must spend at least eight weeks on IR.</p>
<p>A seventh-round draft pick out of Oklahoma State, Carson impressed team management in the preseason. He moved past offseason signee <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Eddie-Lacy/" type="external">Eddie Lacy</a> and got the start in Week 2, rushing for 93 yards on 20 carries.</p>
<p>Carson broke his bone above the ankle and below his knee. Seattle running back <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Thomas-Rawls/" type="external">Thomas Rawls</a> sustained a similar fracture last season and missed seven games. Lacy and Rawls likely will both see time in Carson’s absence.</p>
<p>“Thomas Rawls gets to step up. That’s just good fortune and good planning and all of that,” Carroll said. “And Thomas is really raring to go, and we are excited to get him to play.”</p>
<p>Avril was dealing with some “serious stingers” that will keep him out for a while, Carroll said.</p>
<p>“It’s going to be awhile to figure out what he’s got. We’ve got to make sure that we get him cleared and figured out, so there are going to be some tests and stuff like that,” Carroll said. “I don’t have any timeline on that at all. But we are going to take care of him and make sure we take our time and do this very well, to look after him.”</p>
<p>The Seahawks did receive positive news on left tackle Rees Odhiambo, who was hospitalized after experiencing breathing issues. Odhiambo was diagnosed with a bruised sternum and released from the hospital Monday.</p>
<p>Odhiambo, a third-round pick in 2016 out of <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Boise_State/" type="external">Boise State</a>, took a hard hit to the chest on an interception in the third quarter and needed medical attention in the locker room after the game when he suddenly had trouble breathing.</p>
<p>The team also signed defensive lineman Quinton Jefferson off the <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/los-angeles-rams/" type="external">Los Angeles Rams</a>‘ practice squad and added him to its 53-man roster on Monday.</p>
<p>Jefferson was a fifth-round draft choice of the Seahawks in 2016. He appeared in three regular-season games with Seattle last season before going on injured reserve with a knee injury. Jefferson was signed by the Rams after the Seahawks released him last month.</p>
<p>Cornerback Jeremy Lane sustained a groin injury on the first series of the Indianapolis game, and it is unclear if he will be available for this Sunday’s game at Los Angeles against the Rams.</p> | Fantasy Football: Seattle Seahawks' Chris Carson goes on short-term IR | false | https://newsline.com/fantasy-football-seattle-seahawks039-chris-carson-goes-on-short-term-ir/ | 2017-10-02 | 1 |
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<p>SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Chip giant Intel turned in a third earnings surprise in a row Thursday, with a strong showing in several emerging product lines but a drop in its bread-and-butter line of PC processors, reflecting declining global sales of personal computers.</p>
<p>The Santa Clara chip company reported quarterly earnings of 74 cents a share and quarterly revenue of $14.9 billion. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected fourth quarter revenue of $14.8 billion and earnings of 63 cents a share.</p>
<p>Annual revenue of $55.4 billion and earnings of $2.33 per share topped analysts' estimates of $55.24 billion and $2.23 per share. Annual revenue was down 1 percent from 2014. Profit of $11.4 billion was down 2 percent from 2014.</p>
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<p>CEO Brian Krzanich said the results "marked a strong finish to the year and were consistent with expectations." He said Intel's strategy to ready the company for emerging markets such as the Internet of Things "is working."</p>
<p>Intel's PC chip business was $32 billion, down 8 percent from 2014; its data center revenue grew by 11 percent to $16 billion, and the Internet of Things Group was up 7 percent with $2.3 billion in revenue. Memory chip sales were up 21 percent, while software and services were down 2 percent.</p>
<p>The report underscores Krzanich's strategy of using earnings from large but declining PC sales to bolster research and investment as he tries to reposition the company for a massively networked 21st century.</p>
<p>Krzanich has his sights set on an expanding data center business and what is expected to be a mushrooming market called the Internet of Things, in which chips and sensors add intelligence everywhere.</p>
<p>Intel "is no longer just a PC company," said analyst Betsy Van Hees of Wedbush in a recent note.</p>
<p>At the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, analyst Van Hees noted, Intel's booth "was jam packed to overcapacity" with visitors looking at wearable products in health and fitness, lap tops, tablets, drone, robot, PC gaming and virtual reality demonstrations.</p>
<p>Still, the PC is the company's mainstay. Intel announced its sixth generation processor, Skylake, last fall and is counting on adoption of Windows 10 to help drive sales of new PCs this year.</p>
<p>"It's not like they can get out of the PC business," said industry analyst Jack Gold of Gold Associates. "They own most of it." And it's a lot of sales, he said.</p>
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<p>Krzanich said recently that the PC "is the engine of the company right now," generating new technology from the continuous improvement of processors and revenue for investment, "I believe that will shift as we go into the decade, but right now the PC is a huge asset to the company that provides the scale and volume" to grow the other parts, he said.</p>
<p>PCs account for more than half of Intel's revenue, but less than 30 percent of its profits.</p>
<p>The research firm IDC this week reported a 10.6 percent decline in global PC shipments during the fourth quarter, partly due to economic troubles in China, but said it expects PC sales to grow in the second half of 2016 on increased corporate adoption of Windows 10 and replacement of aging computers.</p>
<p>Just over 276 million PCs were shipped by vendors last year, according to IDC, which said it expects PC sales to grow in the second half of 2016 on increased corporate adoption of Windows 10 and replacement of aging computers.</p>
<p>Patrick Moorhead, an industry analyst with Moor Insights and Strategy, said Windows 10 should give Intel's new chips a boost. The new Skylake processor "is considerably more secure," he said, which should boost sales to businesses. "If Sony and Target had had that hardware-based, multi-factor authentication, they wouldn't have been hacked successfully," he said.</p>
<p>"I'm an optimist. I'm not willing to throw in the towel on a 275 million unit business that's hundreds of billions of dollars in revenues."</p>
<p>A $16.7 billion acquisition of Altera, completed last month, is expected to boost revenue in 2016. It was acquired for its technology, which Intel believes will help drive its progress in the data center business and the Internet of Things.</p>
<p>On Tuesday, Krzanich visited Altera's headquarters in San Jose. Altera employees received Intel badges and the complex was renamed as Intel's latest campus.</p>
<p>&#160;</p> | Intel beats the street again | false | https://abqjournal.com/706153/intel-beats-the-street-again.html | 2 |
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<p>As the nation moves dangerously close to a government shutdown on Oct. 1, House leaders are shifting their focus to the next big fiscal fight: raising the nation’s $16.7 trillion borrowing limit by one year before Oct. 17. On Wednesday night, Republicans <a href="http://c9.nrostatic.com/sites/default/files/20130926_Debt_Limit_Brief.pdf" type="external">circulated an outline of demands</a>, threatening to push the nation into default unless President Obama and the Democrats in the Senate agree to enact a wish list of Republican priorities.</p>
<p>Though Obama has repeatedly insisted that he would not negotiate over the must-pass legislation, leadership is hoping to satisfy conservative members by including every “major piece of the Republican agenda” save a “ban on late-term abortions — and some lawmakers who oppose abortion were arguing to add that,” the Washington Post <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/house-republicans-explore-strategy-to-avoid-federal-government-shutdown/2013/09/25/80c9d576-2618-11e3-b75d-5b7f66349852_story_1.html" type="external">reports</a>. Below is a look at some of their demands:</p>
<p>1. Approve of the Keystone XL oil pipeline. The pipeline would link Alberta’s tar sands to refineries on the U.S. Gulf Coast and is currently under review at the State Department. The project would create <a href="" type="internal">3,900 temporary construction jobs</a> per year and would would only support 35 permanent and 15 temporary jobs, with “negligible socioeconomic impacts,” after construction is complete. The Environmental Protection Agency <a href="http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/politics/stories/nasa-climate-scientist-arrested-in-keystone-xl-pipeline-protest" type="external">estimated</a> that constructing the pipeline would increase annual carbon emissions by “up to 27.6 million metric tons, or the equivalent of nearly 6 million cars on the road.” Without completing Keystone, tar sands production is estimated to <a href="http://a1024.g.akamai.net/f/1024/13859/1d/ihsgroup.download.akamai.com/13859/ihs/cera/The-Role-of-the-Canadian-Oils-Sands-in-the-US-Market.pdf" type="external">fall flat by 2020</a>. At least three Democratic senators who support the pipeline — Mark Begich of Alaska, Max Baucus of Montana and Joe Manchin of West Virginia — said in interviews that language for the project <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-09-25/senate-democrats-who-favor-keystone-xl-rebuff-debt-limit-linkage.html" type="external">should not be included</a> in the debt-ceiling measure. “I’ve supported Keystone, but we should have a clean debt-limit bill,” Begich said. “That’s been the traditional way, and it’s been very successful.”</p>
<p>2. Weaken the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Republicans have repeatedly <a href="" type="internal">tried to weaken</a> the CFPB, which was created in the aftermath of the 2008 economic crisis to protect consumers from the predatory lending practices of large banks and financial institutions. The agency has <a href="" type="internal">increased</a> supervision over mortgage lenders, brokers, consumer reporting agencies, and large banks, <a href="" type="internal">cracked down on debt collectors</a>, set up programs to help consumers better understand loan agreements and <a href="" type="internal">recoup refunds</a> from deceptive and illegal practices, and wrote new rules to <a href="" type="internal">prevent wrongful foreclosures</a>.</p>
<p>3. Delay implementation of Obamacare for one year. The demand comes just days before millions of uninsured Americans begin signing up for health care coverage in the new law’s state-based marketplaces, and could actually increase the deficit. A Congressional Budget Office report from July 2012 found that repealing the ACA in its entirety would increase the federal deficit by <a href="http://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/attachments/43471-hr6079.pdf" type="external">$109 billion over 10 years</a> and $24 billion in FY 2014. Undoing certain coverage provisions but maintaining the revenues and cuts in the law — a tactic Republicans have used in the past, most prominently in Rep. Paul Ryan’s (R-WI) budget — would decrease the deficit anywhere between <a href="http://cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/attachments/hr2668_2.pdf" type="external">$35 billion</a> and <a href="http://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/attachments/44190_EffectsAffordableCareActHealthInsuranceCoverage_2.pdf" type="external">almost $50 billion</a>. Doing so, however, would maintain billions of dollars in cuts to the Medicare program and taxes on various sectors of the health care system, which Republicans say they oppose.</p>
<p>4. Cut $120 billion from federal health programs over the next decade. The savings would come from expanding means testing in the Medicare program, instituting more tort reform, and repealing the Affordable Care Act’s Prevention and Public Health Fund, which is designed to support states and communities in fighting chronic diseases like heart disease, stroke and diabetes (conditions which <a href="" type="internal">disproportionately afflict</a> Americans living in states represented by Republican members.) The GOP would also force so-called <a href="" type="internal">“high-income” Medicare beneficiaries</a>, defined as those making $85,000 and above for individuals, or $170,000 for families, to pay more for health care coverage. Under their proposal, the definition of “high income” would actually expand over time until it includes one-fourth of all beneficieries.</p>
<p>5. Increase offshore oil drilling and energy production on federal lands. Fueled by Big Oil interests, Republicans have long supported <a href="" type="internal">opening virtually all</a> of the U.S. Atlantic coast, the Pacific coast off Southern California, and much of Alaska’s offshore space to new drilling — even though oil production on federal lands <a href="" type="internal">has been higher</a> every year from 2009 through 2011 than it was from 2006 through 2008. U.S. oil production is now <a href="" type="internal">at its highest level</a> since 1997, according to government figures. However, Congress has yet to pass a single piece of legislation that would make drilling safer in the aftermath of the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.</p>
<p>6. Block federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions. Since a 2007 Supreme Court decision found that EPA has the authority to regulate carbon dioxide under the 1973 Clean Air Act, the agency has announced <a href="" type="internal">updated draft rules</a> setting a limit on the amount of carbon dioxide that new power plants can emit and will launch a “listening tour” to hear from industry, environmental groups, and the public on how to regulate power plants already spewing carbon pollution. The GOP would reverse that progress in the face of studies showing that exposure to air pollution <a href="http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/bulletin/air-pollution-causes-200000-premature-deaths-a-year/28405" type="external">leads to about 200,000 premature deaths</a> each year, with California experiencing the most early deaths from air pollution. <a href="" type="internal">Up to 3 million premature deaths</a> could be avoided each year globally by 2100 if aggressive emissions cuts are made.</p>
<p>7. Restrict most forms of federal industry regulation. The GOP is pushing for legislation which would require all major regulations <a href="" type="internal">to get a vote in Congress</a> and nullify regulations that are not approved within 70 days. The so-called REINS Act would force federal agencies to depend on Congress to find the time to approve changes to vehicle safety standards, reductions in greenhouse emissions or streamlining the FDA’s process for approving new drugs.</p>
<p>Republicans increased the debt ceiling <a href="" type="internal">19 times during</a> the presidency of George W. Bush, raising the nation’s limit by nearly $4 trillion. The vote would pay for the spending Congress has already enacted and is not a determination of how much much the nation should spend.</p> | Republicans Will Raise The Debt Ceiling For One Year Only If Obama Becomes A Republican | true | http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2013/09/26/2683131/republicans-say-they-will-raise-the-debt-ceiling-for-one-year-if-obama-becomes-a-republican/ | 2013-09-26 | 4 |
<p>By Teis Jensen</p>
<p>COPENHAGEN (Reuters) – Danish police said on Saturday divers had found the head and the legs of Swedish journalist Kim Wall, who died in mysterious circumstances on an inventor’s homemade submarine.</p>
<p>Peter Madsen has been charged with killing the Swedish journalist who disappeared after she went on a trip with him in his submarine on August 10.</p>
<p>Madsen, a Dane, was arrested after his submarine sank and he was rescued.</p>
<p>Police identified a headless female torso that washed ashore in Copenhagen later in August as Wall’s, but a cause of death has not been determined.</p>
<p>Madsen has said Wall died in an accident when she was hit by a heavy hatch cover on board his submarine.</p>
<p>On Saturday a police spokesman told reporters in Copenhagen that there were no fractures to Wall’s skull.</p>
<p>The body parts, a knife and some of Wall’s clothes in bags weighted down by bits of metal were found in Koge Bay on Friday by Danish navy divers who are assisting the police.</p>
<p>Police spokesman Jens Moller Jensen told reporters on Saturday that the body parts will be investigated further to try and determine a cause of death.</p>
<p>He said that the Madsen and his lawyers had not had time yet to react to the new evidence.</p>
<p>A police prosecutor said this week that officers had found images “which we presume to be real” of women being strangled and decapitated on the hard drive on Peter Madsen’s computer in a laboratory he ran.</p>
<p>Madsen said the computer searched by police was not his but was used by everyone in the laboratory.</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> | Danish divers find missing body parts of Swedish journalist Kim Wall | false | https://newsline.com/danish-divers-find-missing-body-parts-of-swedish-journalist-kim-wall/ | 2017-10-07 | 1 |
<p>On Monday, United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley addressed the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference in Washington, D.C. The former Governor of South Carolina received thunderous applause when she outlined her approach to dealing with the United Nations. She also talked about how she is using her office to defend Israel from the infamously anti-Israel international organization.</p>
<p>Haley <a href="http://www.policyconference.org/article/transcripts/2017/haley.asp" type="external">spoke</a> with Dan Senor about her role at the U.N. and how the United States can hold various nations accountable for their actions by referring to the <a href="" type="internal">shameful U.N. resolution</a> that the Obama administration abstained from last December.</p>
<p>When Resolution 2334 happened, and the U.S. abstained, the entire country felt a kick in the gut. We had just done something that showed the United States at its weakest point ever. Never do we not have the backs of our friends. We don't have a greater friend than Israel. And to see that happen was not only embarrassing, it was hurtful. And so what I can tell you is everyone at the United Nations is scared to talk to me about Resolution 2334. And I wanted them to know that, look, that happened, but it will never happen again. So to answer the question on what can we do at the U.N., we can do a lot. The power of your voice is an amazing thing. So one, changing the culture of the U.N. is very important. And the way you change the culture of the U.N. is United States tells them what we're not going to put up with. We start to change the culture to what we should be talking about. And then we actually act on what we say.</p>
<p>Haley emphasized that she has no problem putting various nations in place when they act against the interests of the United States.</p>
<p>I wear heels. It's not for a fashion statement. It's because if I see something wrong, we're going to kick them every single time. So how are we kicking? We're kicking by, number one, putting everybody on notice, saying that if you have our back – we're going to have the backs of our friends, but our friends need to have our back too. If you challenge us, be prepared for what you're challenging us for, because we will respond.</p>
<p>According to <a href="http://www.thetower.org/un-ambassador-haley-the-days-of-israel-bashing-are-over/?utm_content=bufferae37f&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=twitter.com&amp;utm_campaign=buffer" type="external">The Tower</a>, Haley received the most applause from conference attendees when she emphasized her commitment to end the U.N.'s <a href="" type="internal">shameful behavior</a> toward Israel, stating:</p>
<p>The next thing we did was we said, the days of Israel-bashing are over. We have a lot of things to talk about. There are a lot of threats to peace and security. But you're not going to take our number one democratic friend in the Middle East and beat up on them. And I think what you're seeing is they're all backing up a little bit. The Israel-bashing is not as loud. They didn't know exactly what I meant outside of giving the speech, so we showed them.</p>
<p>Haley gave two examples where she and the United States put the United Nations and the Palestinian Authority in check, demonstrating that she is living up to the <a href="http://www.thetower.org/4596-watch-amb-haley-says-u-s-will-not-turn-a-blind-eye-to-uns-anti-israel-bias/" type="external">speech</a> she gave early in her tenure promising not to turn a blind-eye to anti-Israel bias in the U.N.</p>
<p>So when they decided to try and put a Palestinian in one of the highest positions that had ever been given at the U.N., we said no and we had him booted out. That doesn't mean he wasn't a nice man. That doesn't mean he wasn't good to America. What it means is, until the Palestinian Authority comes to the table, until the U.N. responds the way they're supposed to, there are no freebees for the Palestinian Authority anymore. So then they tested us again. And a ridiculous report, the Falk Report, came out. I don't know who the guy is or what he's about, but he's got serious problems. Goes and compares Israel to an apartheid state. So the first thing we do is we call the secretary general and say, this is absolutely ridiculous. You have to pull it. The secretary general immediately pulled the report. And then the director has now resigned.</p>
<p>Haley's speech demonstrates a very welcome change of tone from the United States, not only with the United Nations, but also with its relationship with the Palestinian Authority. After eight years of President Obama's malicious treatment of Israel, this should give pro-Israel Americans a sigh of relief.</p>
<p>Watch the segment here:</p>
<p />
<p>Follow Elliott on <a href="https://twitter.com/ElliottRHams" type="external">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ElliottRHams/" type="external">Facebook</a>.</p> | Nikki Haley Talks About U.S. Rule In The U.N., Says U.N.'s Days Of Israel-Bashing Are Over | true | https://dailywire.com/news/14869/nikki-haley-talks-about-us-rule-un-says-uns-days-elliott-hamilton | 2017-03-28 | 0 |
<p>The framers composed the Second Amendment for the purpose of defending against “foreign militias,” claimed MSNBC’s Nicolle Wallace while waxing historical.</p>
<p>Wallace was joined by actress Julianne Moore and John Feinblatt, both of whom belong to “Everytown for Gun Safety,” an organization pushing "gun control" led by former New York mayor, Michael Bloomberg.</p>
<p>Drawing on New York Times columnist Bret Stephens’ <a href="https://www.mediaite.com/print/conservative-ny-times-columnist-calls-for-repealing-2nd-amendment-after-vegas/" type="external">call for repeal</a> of the Second Amendment, Wallace described the Constitution's recognition of the right to keep and bear arms as anachronistic and relating to defense against non-existent foreign threats:</p>
<p>It seems like with this debate we careen from tragedy to tragedy and nothing ever changes. How do you guys stay in the fight? …</p>
<p>You know, I mentioned to you two that a conservative wrote a piece last week that got a lot of attention about maybe opening up the conversation about the Second Amendment; his name’s Bret Stephens, and he said the intellectually honest way to have this debate is to say that this isn’t what was intended; that we are an armed population. This was a right to bear arms against foreign militias.</p>
<p>Watch Wallace's historical commentary below:</p>
<p>H/T Ken Meyer at <a href="https://www.mediaite.com/tv/nicolle-wallace-second-amendment-meant-to-fight-foreign-militias-not-create-armed-population/" type="external">Mediaite</a>.</p>
<p>Follow Robert Kraychik on <a href="https://twitter.com/kr3ch3k" type="external">Twitter</a>.</p> | 'FOREIGN MILITIAS': MSNBC's Nicolle Wallace Tries And Fails To Explain Purpose Of 2nd Amendment | true | https://dailywire.com/news/22272/fake-history-msnbcs-wallace-tries-and-fails-robert-kraychik | 2017-10-15 | 0 |
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<p><a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2491376,00.asp" type="external">Social media Opens a New Window.</a> has essentially become the air we breathe online. It's where customers increasingly spend more of their time, with social applications challenging browsers as the entry point through which users interact with the web. Businesses need to know absolutely everything they can about each prevalent social networking app—from social ground rules and how customers are using the platform to all of the different features and data of which your organization can take advantage to engage its social audience.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p><a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2120736,00.asp" type="external">LinkedIn Opens a New Window.</a> <a type="external" href="" /> is the social network that's most synonymous with business. According to the company, LinkedIn has more than 450 million members, including 40 million students and recent college graduates. Whether you're part of a small to midsize business (SMB) or a large enterprise, LinkedIn can be your Swiss Army Knife. Rolled into the website are a content publishing and sharing platform, messaging, and networking, as well as a human resources (HR) platform that combines a job board, recruiting, applicant tracking (AT) tools, and more.</p>
<p>LinkedIn also offers a <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/roundup/342728/the-best-social-listening-and-influencer-identification-tool" type="external">social listening Opens a New Window.</a> gold mine of customer and marketing data, not to mention all of the ways the platform will evolve now that it's under the Microsoft banner—from software and services integrations to building out a one-stop business communications and productivity platform. Microsoft didn't set a new social media acquisition record for no reason: the tech giant spent <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/news/345202/microsoft-drops-26-2-billion-on-linkedin" type="external">$26.2 billion Opens a New Window.</a> to snatch up the "social network for professionals."</p>
<p>Content Creation and SharingOn the laundry list of features and functionality in LinkedIn, creating and publishing LinkedIn-specific social content is the first things users see (but this is probably one of its least compelling features from a business perspective). That said, the way to make the most of the news feed and your company page updates is to follow the same golden rules of content creation as those for Facebook. LinkedIn gives you more flexibility of content types than do Twitter or Instagram, so your LinkedIn post queue should be a combination of short updates and long-form articles (LinkedIn has a "Write an Article" option when creating new posts). Attach images and videos whenever possible to make your posts more engaging.</p>
<p>The long-form article option—which opens an intuitive LinkedIn Publishing article creation interface that's similar to <a href="https://medium.com/" type="external">Medium Opens a New Window.</a>—is also a good way to give company blog posts or promotional content published elsewhere a new life on social. Republishing a blog post or article excerpt on LinkedIn, with a link to the source material, makes a static blog post inherently more shareable; it can help kickstart some social buzz on a great piece of content your business has had trouble promoting. Don't sleep on <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/" type="external">SlideShare Opens a New Window.</a> either, the web-based virtual presentation app that's similar to Microsoft PowerPoint which LinkedIn acquired in 2012. SlideShare is another easy, built-in way to diversify your content, particularly for online presentations and webinars.</p>
<p>Advertisement</p>
<p>More importantly, make sure that LinkedIn marketing content is tied directly to your company's sales goals and <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2367263,00.asp" type="external">customer relationship management Opens a New Window.</a> (CRM) strategy. Your company's social media team and salespeople should be in sync on key performance indicators (KPIs) for your brand and the type of engagement you're looking for from target audiences, and should keep an eye on daily, weekly, and monthly goals. Check out PCMag's social media marketing <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article/347761/a-social-media-marketing-checklist" type="external">checklist Opens a New Window.</a> for more information on this.</p>
<p>Groups and NetworkingLinkedIn Groups have long been a favorite way for businesses and marketers to find and engage targeted audiences and prospective customers, be it through creating your own group or joining and <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/slideshow/story/332716/10-linkedin-tips-for-networking-success" type="external">becoming an active member Opens a New Window.</a> and networking in other groups. If you already have an active community around your brand, then a LinkedIn Group can be a great place to start discussions and create a more engaged audience. A few tips: Use keywords in the group title to help it surface in LinkedIn's organic search, take advantage of the weekly email feature to keep group members up to date, and designate the group as a Featured Group that you can highlight on your company page.</p>
<p>We won't spend too much more time on groups, but it's worth going over the golden rule if you plan on joining other groups and using them as marketing outreach and promotion for your business. Particularly if it's an invite-only group, don't spam it. Start discussions and participate in conversations but add value as a member beyond just pushing your brand. If a targeted audience of LinkedIn users would benefit from the resources and services your business provides, then tell them. But be a brand ambassador, not a shill. There's also a standalone Groups mobile app (as part of LinkedIn's app bundle) available.</p>
<p>Groups are a great networking tool in that way but they're far from the only useful way to use LinkedIn to facilitate connections. Integrations with services such as <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2494009,00.asp" type="external">Evernote Opens a New Window.</a> <a type="external" href="" /> allow you to use LinkedIn as the bridge between analog networking and digital connections. Using the <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2475161,00.asp" type="external">Evernote Scannable Opens a New Window.</a> <a type="external" href="" /> app, business cards scanned with Evernote can pull data from LinkedIn's database, with a new note scanned for each card including contact information, a photo, and a link to their profile so you can follow up right away with a connection request.</p>
<p>Job Boards and RecruitingOf all the LinkedIn tools for businesses, maybe none is more valuable than its role as an all-in-one <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2500026,00.asp" type="external">HR and recruiting tool</a>. LinkedIn's Job Board includes more than 6 million listings, but for businesses the LinkedIn Talent Solutions suite—which includes LinkedIn Recruiter—makes up the bulk of the company's revenue, and for good reason. LinkedIn Recruiter typically costs around $8,000 per seat depending on organization size, so it's not cheap. The value is in the unlimited access it gives recruiters to anyone in the LinkedIn database, plus advanced search filters and custom candidate profiles. Most importantly, it gives you a <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article/343125/the-best-applicant-tracking-software-of-2016" type="external">built-in AT pipeline Opens a New Window.</a> if LinkedIn is your company's primary recruiting ground, including reporting and analytics on the your recruiting team.</p>
<p>LinkedIn also has a handful of other apps and services on the HR front. LinkedIn Referrals is also part of the AT pipeline; it allows employees in your organization to suggest LinkedIn connections for the right open roles, share jobs, and track the hiring process. The LinkedIn app bundle also includes <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2385781,00.asp" type="external">Lynda.com Opens a New Window.</a> <a type="external" href="" />, the online learning website acquired in 2014 for $1.5 billion. Lynda.com offers more than 4,000 online courses, a standalone Job Search app for job seekers, a Lookup app serving as a company's HR intranet to search for coworkers on LinkedIn, and <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/news/343808/need-a-job-grads-linkedin-students-wants-to-help" type="external">LinkedIn Students Opens a New Window.</a>, which helps companies tie recruiting more closely in with specific colleges. Soon-to-be grads can see suggested jobs based on their education, a list of companies that have hired from their school, and profiles of recent alumni with their major. For entry-level recruiting, businesses should factor the school-specific outreach facilitated by LinkedIn Students into their recruiting strategies.</p>
<p>Prospect and Lead EngagementThere's a lot you can do with LinkedIn when it comes to marketing and engagement. But the first thing your business needs to get a grasp on is <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article/345532/how-to-research-prospects-and-leads-on-linkedin" type="external">how to research</a> prospects and leads. LinkedIn's database pulls in every piece of identifiable information and content about a user, but tapping into the right information means you need to ask the right questions. At a macro level, you can use the LinkedIn Economic Graph to identify larger demographic trends such as geography and job type to tailor marketing campaigns. But at a micro level, it means everyone in your organization should be perpetuating an inbound marketing strategy by actively posting, updating, and engaging with other users. Make sure all of your employees have their accounts associated with your company page.</p>
<p>How do they go about performing inbound engagement on LinkedIn? Sending messages and InMail on LinkedIn without the feeling that you're spamming your prospect is a tricky proposition. But Brent Johnson, PCMag's modern marketing columnist, laid out <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article/346482/7-steps-to-linkedin-marketing-messaging-success" type="external">seven steps Opens a New Window.</a> to ensure you're not overpaying for InMails that don't get you anywhere. While response rates on marketing messages in LinkedIn will never be through the roof, taking the time to chat with a LinkedIn prospect and provide them some useful content before diving into a pitch can lead to more sales success.</p>
<p>Marketing Research and Database MiningBeyond the base lead identification and targeted marketing efforts, LinkedIn also allows you to do much deeper dives and take full advantage of its <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article/345755/how-to-tap-into-linkedins-marketing-database-gold-mine" type="external">marketing database Opens a New Window.</a> gold mine. Johnson's aforementioned column goes into all of the means of data mining, customer research, and prospecting available through LinkedIn. The column starts with the most straightforward features: the "People Also Viewed" widget on the right-hand side of a user profile.</p>
<p>A marketing manager or salesperson who is combing through LinkedIn for leads should research your current customers and prospective clients through the "People Also Viewed" feature; this allows them to hone in on similar roles to target within different organizations. The <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/linkedin-economic-graph" type="external">LinkedIn Economic Graph Opens a New Window.</a> can help here, too, but the true data mining value lies in LinkedIn's advanced search filters. Beyond "My Network" and "People You May Know," advanced searches allow marketers to add not only kewords but companies and job titles for a more complex query. If your organization has paid for a Premium membership, you can begin to build Boolean-level listening queries that incorporate function, company size, interests, associated groups, seniority level, years of experience, and other more granular metrics that tie in every other aspect of the platform into one, high-powered search tool.</p>
<p>The Microsoft FactorMicrosoft has begun to reveal some of its plans for LinkedIn, but there's a lot we still don't know about all of the <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article/345220/6-amazing-things-microsoft-could-do-with-linkedin" type="external">software, services, and data</a> possibilities of the acquisition. For starters, businesses and users should begin to see services such as Microsoft Office 365, Microsoft Outlook, and Microsoft Skype integrated into the LinkedIn experience.</p>
<p>Beyond that, LinkedIn has the potential to become the front-facing social hub for Microsoft's converged vision of business and productivity. Microsoft's productivity suite could become natively available content creation and sharing tools within the social network. The company could tie all of the AT and HR functionality of LinkedIn Recruiter in with <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/review/344315/microsoft-dynamics-gp" type="external">Microsoft Dynamics Opens a New Window.</a> <a type="external" href="" /> or make LinkedIn credentials as ubiquitous as Facebook for one-click login across Microsoft services. In the next year or two, we'll begin to see LinkedIn reshaped and enhanced in accordance with Microsoft's larger enterprise cloud strategy. If your organization is already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem, then that could be very good for business.</p>
<p>This article <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article/347404/everything-businesses-need-to-know-about-linkedin" type="external">originally appeared Opens a New Window.</a> on <a href="http://www.pcmag.com" type="external">PCMag.com Opens a New Window.</a>.</p> | Everything Businesses Need to Know About LinkedIn | true | http://foxbusiness.com/features/2016/09/15/everything-businesses-need-to-know-about-linkedin.html | 2016-09-15 | 0 |
<p>BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — The Argentine government said Wednesday it was suing Citibank, the latest in an escalating proxy fight related to a legal battle over paying back the South American country’s long-standing debt.</p>
<p>Economy Minister Axel Kicillof said the government was seeking an injunction to nullify in Argentine courts Citibank’s recent agreement with a group of holdout creditors in the United States that Argentine officials refer to as “vulture funds.”</p>
<p>“Citibank ceded to extortion and signed an agreement with the devil on March 20,” said Kicillof, adding it was done to “abandon its business in Argentina.”</p>
<p>A Citibank statement released late Wednesday said the bank was “disappointed” by the legal actions, and that it was simply trying to comply with a U.S. court order.</p>
<p>“Citi has acted in accordance with all applicable laws and will respond to these actions in due course,” read the statement.</p>
<p>The legal fight has its roots in Argentina’s $100 billion default in 2001. In 2005 and 2010, the majority of creditors accepted bond swaps with lower payments. A group of funds led by billionaire Paul Singer refused and took their case to court.</p>
<p>U.S. district court judge Thomas Griesa in New York has repeatedly ruled that Argentina can’t pay its restructured debt without paying the holdout creditors, a position that Argentine President Cristina Fernandez flatly rejects.</p>
<p>Citibank, which is used by many multinational companies and forms an important part of Argentina’s financial landscape, had been processing payments for the restructured debt. But last month Griesa extended his ruling to the bank, saying it would be in contempt if it continued to make payments. The Argentine government threatened to revoke Citibank’s operating license in the country if it did what Griesa said, saying Citibank’s branches here came under Argentine law, not American.</p>
<p>Citibank reached an agreement with the holdout funds and the court whereby it could make payments through June and in exchange would transfer the processing of payments to another entity.</p>
<p>That decision has enraged the Argentine government, prompting it to suspend Citibank’s Argentina CEO and send inspectors to the headquarters to “ensure” the bank could still operate in the country.</p>
<p>According to Citibank’s website, the bank opened in Argentina in 1914 and currently operates 74 branches in the country. While neither side has suggested Citibank may cease other operations in Argentina, the fight has spooked many in the financial community.</p>
<p>“The Argentine government is trying to be a lawyer in New York,” said Fausto Spotorno, an Argentine economic consultant. “What they are doing doesn’t make sense.”</p>
<p>BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — The Argentine government said Wednesday it was suing Citibank, the latest in an escalating proxy fight related to a legal battle over paying back the South American country’s long-standing debt.</p>
<p>Economy Minister Axel Kicillof said the government was seeking an injunction to nullify in Argentine courts Citibank’s recent agreement with a group of holdout creditors in the United States that Argentine officials refer to as “vulture funds.”</p>
<p>“Citibank ceded to extortion and signed an agreement with the devil on March 20,” said Kicillof, adding it was done to “abandon its business in Argentina.”</p>
<p>A Citibank statement released late Wednesday said the bank was “disappointed” by the legal actions, and that it was simply trying to comply with a U.S. court order.</p>
<p>“Citi has acted in accordance with all applicable laws and will respond to these actions in due course,” read the statement.</p>
<p>The legal fight has its roots in Argentina’s $100 billion default in 2001. In 2005 and 2010, the majority of creditors accepted bond swaps with lower payments. A group of funds led by billionaire Paul Singer refused and took their case to court.</p>
<p>U.S. district court judge Thomas Griesa in New York has repeatedly ruled that Argentina can’t pay its restructured debt without paying the holdout creditors, a position that Argentine President Cristina Fernandez flatly rejects.</p>
<p>Citibank, which is used by many multinational companies and forms an important part of Argentina’s financial landscape, had been processing payments for the restructured debt. But last month Griesa extended his ruling to the bank, saying it would be in contempt if it continued to make payments. The Argentine government threatened to revoke Citibank’s operating license in the country if it did what Griesa said, saying Citibank’s branches here came under Argentine law, not American.</p>
<p>Citibank reached an agreement with the holdout funds and the court whereby it could make payments through June and in exchange would transfer the processing of payments to another entity.</p>
<p>That decision has enraged the Argentine government, prompting it to suspend Citibank’s Argentina CEO and send inspectors to the headquarters to “ensure” the bank could still operate in the country.</p>
<p>According to Citibank’s website, the bank opened in Argentina in 1914 and currently operates 74 branches in the country. While neither side has suggested Citibank may cease other operations in Argentina, the fight has spooked many in the financial community.</p>
<p>“The Argentine government is trying to be a lawyer in New York,” said Fausto Spotorno, an Argentine economic consultant. “What they are doing doesn’t make sense.”</p> | Argentina sues Citibank over recent agreement with holdouts | false | https://apnews.com/86f8f7f328444d42941ada1b86522842 | 2015-04-08 | 2 |
<p>The Difference Between the Rapture and the Revelation Things That Are Different Are Not The Same</p>
<p>As we have been showing you all through this series, the Rapture and the Revelation are not the same, because they, in fact, are two seperate events seperated by a division of at least 7 years. The Bible never meant for them to be the same, and takes great pains to show how they are different. A casual reading of these passages will blur the lines and make them appear to be one, but we will show in this lesson that they are not. Listen to Paul's advice to Timothy: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." <a href="javascript:;" type="external">2 Timothy</a> The Rapture is of, and for, the Church only Many people, including Christians, come to wrong conclusions about this event because their starting point was wrong. The Rapture of the Chuch is wholly and completely seperate from God's Plan for Israel and the Jews. People try to make the Church fit as the 'replacement' for the Jews (because of their rejection of Jesus) and that doesn't work because there is no replacement for the Jews or Israel. God has declared the Jews to be His chosen people, and that will never, ever change. Neither will the day ever come where Israel is no longer the 'apple of God's eye', for He has declared it to be forever so. God's covenant with Israel and the Jews is unbreakable, unchangable, and everlasting. "As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. "No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations. "I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. "And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. "Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God." And God said to Abraham: "As for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations." <a href="javascript:;" type="external">Genesis 17: 4-9</a> These are just some of the dozens and dozens of places where God mentions, affirms and re-affirms His covenant with the Jews and with the nation of Israel. This relationship will continue through the Tribulation, the Millenium, and throughout all of Eternity as well. So the quicker you get this idea in your head from the beginning, the easier it will be to understand that God has one path outlined for the Chruch, and another path for the Jews. The Rapture, as the Bible teaches is of, and for the Church, which is composed of both Jew and Gentile believers in Jesus as the Promised Messiah of Israel. Clarence Larkin had this to say about the Rapture of the Church: "The Rapture is described in <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/kjv/1Thes.%204.15-17" type="external">1Thes. 4:15-17</a>. "For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord HIMSELF shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel (Michael) and with the trump of God; and the DEAD IN CHRIST shall rise first; then we which are ALIVE AND REMAIN (saints only) shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord IN THE AIR, and so shall we ever be with the Lord." From this we see that "The Rapture" will be twofold.</p>
<p>1. The Resurrection of the "DEAD IN CHRIST." 2. The Translation of the "LIVING SAINTS."</p>
<p>This twofold character of "The Rapture" Jesus revealed to Martha when He was about to raise her brother Lazarus. He said to her: "I am the 'Resurrection and the Life, ' he that believeth in Me, though he were dead yet shall he LIVE (First Resurrection Saints); and whosoever LIVETH (is alive when I come back) and believeth in me shall NEVER DIE" <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/kjv/John%2011.25-26" type="external">John 11:25-26</a>. This twofold character of the Rapture, Paul emphasizes in his immortal chapter on the resurrection. "Behold, I show you a Mystery, we shall not all Sleep, but we shall All Be Changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised, and we shall be changed. For this Corruptible (the dead in Christ) must put on incorruption, and this mortal (the living saints) must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that. is written, DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY. O DEATH, WHERE IS THY STING? O GRAVE, WHERE IS THY VICTORY? " <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/kjv/1Cor.%2015.51-53" type="external">1Cor. 15:51-53</a>. The Rapture won't be a secret, but it will be a 'surprise' We see from this that when Christ comes back it will be when we are not expecting Him. He will come as a thief comes. A thief does not announce his coming. He comes for a certain purpose. He does not take everything there is in the house. He takes only the precious things. The jewels, the gold, the silver and fine wearing apparel. He does not come to stay. As soon as he secures what he is after he departs. So Jesus at the Rapture will come and take away the saints only. The thief leaves much more than he takes. He leaves the house and the furniture and the household utensils. So the Lord at the Rapture will leave the wicked and the great mass of the heathen behind, for those who will be taken will be comparatively few. <a href="javasript:;" type="external">source - Dispensational Truth, by Clarence Larkin</a> The Revelation, or Stage 2 Again, we turn to that excellent, old-school Bible scholar Clarence Larkin for insight on 'Stage 2', the Revelation of Jesus Christ, and this time it's for the entire world to see. At the "Second Stage" of Christ's Second Coming, the "Revelation, " we shall behold His "Glory." When Jesus came the first time He was disguised in the flesh. The "Incarnation" was the hiding of His Power, the veiling of His Deity. Now and then gleams of glory shot forth as on the Mt. of transfiguration; but when He comes the Second Time we shall behold Him clothed with the glory He had with the Father before the world was. The "Revelation" will be as sudden and as unexpected as was the "Rapture." The sun will rise on that day strong and clear. Gentle breezes will waft themselves over the earth. There will be no signs of a storm or of the coming judgment. The people will be buying and selling, building and planting, eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage. The statesmen will be revolving in their minds new plans for the world's betterment. The philanthropic will be devising new ways to help the people. The pleasure-loving will be seeking new sources of pleasure. The wicked will be plotting dark deeds; and the unbelieving will be proving to their own satisfaction that there is no God, no heaven, no hell, no coming judgment, when suddenly there will be a change. In the distant heaven there will appear a</p>
<p>"POINT OF LIGHT, "</p>
<p>outshining the sun. It will be seen descending toward the earth. As it descends it will assume the form of a bright cloud, out of which shall stream dazzling beams of light, and flashes of lightning. It will descend apace as if on wings of the whirlwind, and when it reaches its destination over the brow of the Mt. of Olives it will stop and unfold itself to the terrified and awestricken beholders, and there will be revealed to them Jesus seated on a "White Horse" ( <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/kjv/Rev.%2019.16" type="external">Rev. 19:16</a>) and accompanied with His Saints and the armies of Heaven. Then shall be fulfilled what Jesus foretold in His Olivet Discourse-"Then shall appear the sign (a cloud) of the Son of Man in heaven; and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of Heaven WITH POWER AND GREAT GLORY." <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/kjv/Matt.%2024.30" type="external">Matt. 24:30</a>.</p>
<p>The Imminency Of The Second Coming</p>
<p>One of the objections to the Doctrine of the "Second Coming of Christ" is the claim that He may come backat any time. Post-millennialists tell us that the writers of the New Testament looked forHim to come back in their day, and that He did not do so, is proof that they were mistaken, and that Paul in his later writings modified his statements as to the imminency of Christ's return. It is a fact that while Jesus said: "Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come...Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh" ( <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/kjv/Matt.%2024.42-44" type="external">Matt. 24:42-44</a>), He did not in these passages teach that He would return during the lifetime of those who listened to Him. In fact, in His Parables He intimated that His return would be delayed, as in the Parable of The Talents, where it is said: "After a long time the Lord of those servants cometh. <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/kjv/Matt.%2025.19" type="external">Matt. 25:19</a>. What Jesus wanted to teach was the sudden and unexpected character of His return. As to the Apostles, while they exhorted their followers to be ready, for the "night is far spent, the day is at hand, " and the "coming of the Lord draweth nigh, " their language simply implied "imminency, " but not necessarily "IMMEDIATENESS." And the use of the word "WE" in <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/kjv/1Cor.%2015.5" type="external">1Cor. 15:5</a> <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/kjv/1Cor.%2015.1" type="external">1Cor. 15:1</a>, "WE" shall not all sleep, but WE shall all be changed, " is not a declaration that the Lord would return in Paul's day and some would not die but be translated, for the Apostle is talking about the Rapture and he means by "WE" a certain class of persons, the saints that shall be alive when that event occurs, whether in his day or at some later time.</p>
<p>It was clearly known to our Lord that certain events must come to pass before His Return, but to have disclosed that fact would have nullified the command to "Watch, " therefore He in "mystery form, ' as in the seven parables of Matt. 13, hid the fact that His Return would be delayed. It would take time for the "Sowing of the Seed, " the growth of the "Wheat" and "Tares, " the growth of the "Mustard Tree, " and the "Leavening of the Meal." So rapid was the spread of the Gospel in the first century that the followers of Christ were warranted in looking for the speedy Return of the Lord, but it was true then, as in every century since, that we do not know what the extent of the "Harvest' is to be, and when it will be ripe, so the Lord can return. <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/kjv/Matt.%2013.30" type="external">Matt. 13:30</a>. Uncertainty then as to the "time" of the Lord's return is necessary to promote the "watchful" spirit. If the early Church had known that the Lord's Return would have been delayed for 20 centuries, the incentive to watchfulness would have been wanting.</p>
<p>By "Imminency" we mean "may happen at any time." For illustration, you hurry to the railroad station to catch a train. You find the train has not arrived, though it is past the hour. Though it is late it is on the way, and it would not be safe for you to leave the station, for it may arrive any minute, but as a matter of fact, it does not come for half an hour. Now if you had known that it would not arrive for half an hour you would have used the time in some other way than "waiting" and "watching." So we see that "Imminency" does not necessarily imply "IMMEDIATENESS, " but does demand "Watchfulness."</p>
<p>It is the firm conviction of the writer that there has been unnecessary delay in the Return of the Lord, caused by the failure of the Church to obey the "Divine Commission" to evangelize the world ( <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/kjv/Matt.%2028.19-20" type="external">Matt. 28:19-20</a>), and it is past the time when He should have returned. Of course, this was foreseen by God, and His foreknowledge has held back the development of the forces of evil, etc., until the "Fulness of the Gentiles" should be gathered in, and the "Harvest" is ripe for the gathering. <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/kjv/Rev.%2014.14-16" type="external">Rev. 14:14-16</a>. At no time in the history of the Christian Church have the conditions necessary to the Lord's Return been so completely fulfilled as at the present time; therefore, His Coming is IMMINENT, and will not probably be long delayed. Let us be ready and watching." <a href="javasript:;" type="external">source - Dispensational Truth, by Clarence Larkin</a></p>
<p>The Blessed Hope Of The Believer</p>
<p>The Second Coming of Christ is "The Blessed Hope." Writing to Titus Paul said-"Looking for that 'Blessed Hope, ' and the 'Glorious Appearing' of the Great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/kjv/Titus%202.13" type="external">Titus 2:13</a>. Most Christians when speaking of their "Hope" mean their "Hope of Salvation, " but we cannot "hope" for a thing we have and salvation is a present possession if we are trusting in Christ as our Saviour. The Christian's "Hope" then is the "Return of His Lord." Man is a three-fold being, he has a body, a soul, and a spirit; for him to die is to lose his "body." Now he knows that he cannot get his body back until the Resurrection and he also knows that there can be no Resurrection until Christ comes back. Therefore to him Christ's return is "The Blessed Hope, " not only that if he dies he will then be raised, but it is to him the "Hope" that Christ will come back before he dies and he shall be "caught up" to meet Him in the air without dying. <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/kjv/1Thes.%204.13-15" type="external">1Thes. 4:13-15</a>.</p>
<p>"The Blessed Hope" is also a "Purifying Hope." "And every man that hath this hope in him PURIFIETH HIMSELF.' <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/kjv/1John%203.1-3" type="external">1John 3:1-3</a>. That is, every one who is looking for the Lord's return will try to keep himself pure. It will make us "Patient." "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the Coming of the Lord. . . . Be ye also patient; establish your hearts; for the Coming of the Lord draweth nigh." <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/kjv/James%205.7-8" type="external">James 5:7-8</a>. It will make us "Watchful." "Watch ye therefore, for ye know not when the Master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning; lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all WATCH." <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/kjv/Mark%2013.35-37" type="external">Mark 13:35-37</a>. <a href="javasript:;" type="external">source - Dispensational Truth, by Clarence Larkin</a></p>
<p>So there has to be FIRST the Rapture of the Church. This event kicks-off the time of Jacob's trouble, the Tribulation period of 7 years that Daniel saw. At the end of this 7-year Tribulation period, Jesus will return to the earth, with all the saints that have been raptured out earlier, and will land at the Mount of Olives in Israel, note the following: "And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, From east to west, Making a very large valley; Half of the mountain shall move toward the north And half of it toward the south. Then you shall flee through My mountain valley, For the mountain valley shall reach to Azal. Yes, you shall flee As you fled from the earthquake In the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Thus the LORD my God will come, And all the saints with You. [fn] It shall come to pass in that day That there will be no light; The lights will diminish. It shall be one day Which is known to the LORD-- Neither day nor night. But at evening time it shall happen That it will be light. And in that day it shall be That living waters shall flow from Jerusalem, Half of them toward the eastern sea And half of them toward the western sea; In both summer and winter it shall occur. And the LORD shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be- "The LORD is one," And His name one." <a href="javascript:;" type="external">source - Zechariah 14: 4-9</a> See how it says that on "that day" the Lord Jesus Himself will make a physical return to the earth to setup His Kingdom, (which will last for 1,000 literal, actual years,) and who does He come with? - "Thus the LORD my God will come, And all the saints with You" Those 'saints' that He returns with will be those who were raptured out 7 years earlier in the Rapture.</p>
<p>"See, I have told you beforehand." Jesus in <a href="javascript:;" type="external">Matthew 24:25</a></p> The Rapture is of, and for, the Church only The Revelation, or Stage 2 Click here | The Difference Between the Rapture and the Revelation Things That Are Different Are Not The Same Things That Are Different Are Not The Same | true | http://nowtheendbegins.com/pages/rapture/the-rapture-and-the-revelation-of-jesus-christ.htm | 0 |
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<p>BorgWarner is a key supplier to the auto industry, selling systems and parts for automotive powertrains to companies such as Ford . The auto sector has been doing pretty well of late, with 2015 U.S. auto sales hitting record levels and global sales expected to increase over 2014, even if the pace of growth is slowing. That's positive for BorgWarner but highlights some potential risks. Even if you like the company's prospects, here are a few reasons BorgWarner's stock could fall further than it already has.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>BorgWarner logo. Source: BorgWarner.</p>
<p>Auto salesThe most obvious risk to BorgWarner's business is a decline in auto sales. The company is focused on the industry, and to a large extent, its results ebb and flow with its customers' production. That's not something to take lightly. For example, Cummins is a large diesel engine manufacturer. It sells to a variety of original equipment makers, but a key market is heavy industry. With end markets like mining in the doldrums, Cummins' top line fell 6% in 2015. Worse, the company is projecting a 2016 revenue decline of between 5% and 9%.</p>
<p>Although some of what ails Cummins is related to a strong U.S. dollar, weak end markets were the real trouble spot -- which brings us back to BorgWarner and its auto focus. Sure, the auto sector has been doing well, but if there's a downturn in auto sales, look for investors to shift out of BorgWarner even more aggressively.</p>
<p>Gotta be cheapLonger term, there's another issue that BorgWarner has to think about -- its competitive position. Although the company has solid relationships throughout the auto industry and getting parts into a car model generally leads to a high degree of recurring revenue, the auto industry is notoriously cost conscious. Automakers are always looking to pinch a penny. And there are plenty of companies that would be happy to take BorgWarner's place if it isn't willing to work with the automakers.</p>
<p>In other words, there's a long-term drive to keep lowering costs. But that's not new. To offset this constant downward trend, BorgWarner has invested heavily in research and development. The company's core products, turbochargers and superchargers, are high-tech devices that increase power and fuel efficiency, and reduce harmful emissions. With increasing concerns about the environment and gas mileage, this has been good for the company's business. But developing new products is expensive and could make it hard to keep up with pricing concessions demanded by automakers. (There's also the risk that a competitor innovates faster than BorgWarner and it winds up losing market share.)</p>
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<p>Then there are the costs BorgWarner faces for the commodities and products it uses. Although commodity costs are historically low today, if they should head swiftly higher the parts maker would face material business headwinds. While that may not hit its top line, it could very well crimp results on the bottom line. In the end, BorgWarner has to run lean and mean -- it has no choice in a highly competitive industry. If something should get in the way of its ability to do so, look for financial results, and the shares, to head lower.</p>
<p>Outside the StatesAnother risk to think about is BorgWarner's global exposure. Over 70% of its business is derived from outside the United States. That has a number of implications. One that's center stage today is the impact of currency fluctuations. To give you an idea of the impact, the company's third-quarter GAAP revenues were down 7%, but if you pull out the impact of currency changes, they were up 3%. So you'll want to keep an eye on this ongoing issue today. It can make underlying trends hard to read.</p>
<p>But there's more you need to be concerned about. For example, you may be able to get a feel for the U.S. economy because you live in it, but that's just one relatively small piece of BorgWarner's business. Other key markets include China, where growth is slowing down, and Europe, where many countries are facing economic headwinds. If any of these markets should tip into a tailspin, which may not affect your life directly, it could hurt BorgWarner.</p>
<p>In other words, global growth is the big issue here, and bad news out of any key region could lead investors to sell first and ask questions later. Yes, that's related to auto sales, but the impact on BorgWarner's shares is likely to show up before its orders start to slow.</p>
<p>One for the roadAnother risk to think about today is customer specific. One of BorgWarner's largest partners is Volkswagen, a company that accounted for 17% of sales in 2014 (Ford was a few percentage points behind in the number two slot). With this particular automaker in the regulatory cross hairs right now for skating emissions standards, BorgWarner could see a bigger hit to results than overall auto sales might predict if customers decide to avoid a tainted brand and large BorgWarner customer.</p>
<p>However, this one could cut the other way, too. Since the products BorgWarner sells could help solve VW's emissions problems, VW's total car sales might decline, but BorgWarner might find it gets more of its products in the Volkswagen cars that are sold. Regardless of how this customer specific issue falls out, you should keep a close eye on VW right now.</p>
<p><a href="http://ycharts.com/companies/BWA" type="external">BWA</a> data by <a href="http://ycharts.com" type="external">YCharts Opens a New Window.</a></p>
<p>Already feeling the heatBorgWarner shares have already felt the sting of investor selling. With the shares down roughly 50% since the middle of 2015 you might be tempted to jump aboard. In fact, there are plenty of reasons to like the company's long-term prospects, particularly its ability to help automakers meet environmental regulations. However, you shouldn't lose sight of the risks. A focus on one industry, a constant need to keep costs in check, and a largely foreign business are three that could derail financial performance and cause BorgWarner's stock to fall further than it already has. Volkswagen, meanwhile, is kind of a wild card right now. You'll want to keep these risks in mind if you're doing a deep dive here.</p>
<p>The article <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/02/20/3-reasons-borgwarners-stock-could-fall.aspx" type="external">3 Reasons BorgWarner's Stock Could Fall Opens a New Window.</a> originally appeared on Fool.com.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/ReubenGBrewer/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Reuben Brewer Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Cummins and Ford. The Motley Fool recommends BorgWarner. 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 Opens a New Window.</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 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?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</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 Opens a New Window.</a>.</p> | 3 Reasons BorgWarner's Stock Could Fall | true | http://foxbusiness.com/markets/2016/02/20/3-reasons-borgwarner-stock-could-fall.html | 2016-03-27 | 0 |
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<p>The business media hasn’t been kind to venture capital funds in recent weeks. When the nation’s most active deal maker stands trial for sex discrimination, the entrepreneurial community takes notice.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield &amp; Byers did win the knotty case against fired employee Ellen Pao, but the case testimony and attention to industry partnership practices seems to uphold the impression that women are not especially welcome in top venture capital fund leadership roles, unless of course they start their own venture fund themselves.</p>
<p>The obvious next area of debate is the funding preferences of regional and national venture capital funds. Do women entrepreneurs get a fair shot at venture capital funding?</p>
<p>Recent statistics are hard to come, but women-founded or women-run companies represent well below 10% of transaction activity and far less when deals are measured by dollars invested. This means that women are not well represented at the big dollar “follow-on” or expansion-stage funding rounds that tend to super-charge companies to AirBnB, Facebook or Twitter status.</p>
<p>The VC community says that women don’t tend to start businesses in high technology industries that are of interest to venture capital funds. They also don’t pursue venture capital as much as men do, so their participation rates are bound to be lower. This is all true.</p>
<p>To help change these stats I spend a lot of time encouraging women to think big and not allow their lack of resources today to limit what their businesses can become tomorrow. I rarely have these same conversations with men.</p>
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<p>I’ve also noticed that highly capable women don’t think as ambitiously as men do about building the equity value of their business. As a result, they are less attuned to navigating toward the big payday for investors, their employees who might hold stock options, and of course themselves.</p>
<p>So what is my advice to women who are wary of VCs?</p>
<p>VCs make big dreams possible. If you have a business proposal that requires more than $1 million to develop a new product or service or expand an existing business, VCs should be on your radar as a prospective funding partner.</p>
<p>With venture capital, women don’t have to accept some amount of personal liability for funding a business entirely with debt. This is especially important for 40+ women who may not want to put all their personal savings at risk for a venture that may not work out as planned.</p>
<p>And unlike the debt market which has become more restrictive since 2009, venture capital coffers are rich. According to the MoneyTree Report by PricewatershouseCoopers LLP and the National Venture Capital Association, venture funding increased 61% in 2014 to $48 billion. I’m also encouraged that there has been greater funding activity in the media, advertising, entertainment, retailing, financial services, ecommerce and Internet service sectors which may include more women innovators than popular male-dominated sectors like software.</p>
<p>Buck up. So what if too many VCs favor men-led companies over women-led companies?! It’s no excuse to bow out without a fight. As the top decision-maker in a fast-growing company you will have to face tough challenges from employees, competitors, customers, vendors and funding partners from the day you startup until the day you sell your business.</p>
<p>The best approach to working with VCs is to show them you are a relentless competitor who can manage through adversity. Ask them to help you improve your strategies and introduce you to professionals and other resources that can boost your company’s performance. VCs like to fund entrepreneurs who “get it.” This means working together, not against each other in a suspicious way.</p>
<p>Present investment value. VCs exist to make money for their limited partners.&#160; They like to buy-in low, in order to sell high. If you want a hearty handshake and a big check from VCs, prove that you can build the saleable value of your business. And you can!</p>
<p>There is a subtle but meaningful difference between a successful company and a successful investment. I get too many executive summaries and business plans that describe a new product or customer need with impressive detail but sidestep important financial metrics. Even worse, they never address the most obvious question investors think about as they read executive summaries. It is, “How will I get my money back with a sizable profit?”</p>
<p>Don’t give up. The reason why women don’t raise funds for their businesses on the best terms possible is they give up too soon. Receiving one or two “no’s” from investors should not be the final word on your company’s investment prospects.</p>
<p>Usually, adjusting presentation details and fine tuning solicitations to funds that are most inclined to invest in your industry within your geographic area can make all the difference. VCs are also more receptive to reading executive summaries if they come to them from someone within their professional network. I’m not talking here about a generic LinkedIn introduction, but referrals from their professional colleagues or other entrepreneurs who were backed by the fund.&#160;Venture capital funds always list their “portfolio companies” at their websites, making it easy to construct ecosystem introductions.</p>
<p>The last thing I usually say to women in coaching sessions is you can raise funds from VCs. You just have to believe in yourself as much as I believe in you.</p>
<p>Susan Schreter is a veteran of the venture finance community and entrepreneurship educator. Follow <a href="http://mailto:[email protected]" type="external">[email protected] Opens a New Window.</a>.</p> | Should Women Bother Trying to Raise Funds From VCs? | true | http://foxbusiness.com/features/2015/04/14/should-women-bother-trying-to-raise-funds-from-vcs.html | 2016-04-08 | 0 |
<p>SARAJEVO (Reuters) – Forensic experts began searching a ravine in central Bosnia on Thursday for the remains of around 60 Bosnian Muslims and Croats killed by Serb forces early in the 1992-95 war.</p>
<p>The search began hours after the Bosnian war crimes court ordered the exhumations at Mount Vlasic where between 160 and 220 prisoners of war were shot dead on Aug. 21, 1992.</p>
<p>Bosnian Serbs told the prisoners from detention camps for non-Serbs near the town of Prijedor that they would be released in a prisoner exchange but instead drove them away by bus, lined them up by the edge of a ravine and shot them.</p>
<p>Only a dozen survived what has become known as the Koricani Cliffs massacre, by tumbling or jumping down the steep ravine. The 1992-95 war claimed 100,000 lives.</p>
<p>The killings were part of a wave of ethnic cleansing by rebel Bosnian Serb forces who were trying to create a Serb statelet by removing Bosniaks – Bosnian Muslims – and Croats from the area.</p>
<p>The remote site is believed to be a secondary mass grave, meaning the bodies were removed from the execution site to this location some time later in an attempt to hide the crime, Amor Masovic, the head of a regional Commission for Missing Persons, told Reuters.</p>
<p>Forensic experts have already unearthed skeletal remains from two other secondary mass graves and have established the identities of 117 victims of the massacre whose bodies were mainly incomplete due to removal.</p>
<p>Eleven Bosnian Serb ex-policemen were convicted for the crime at Koricanske Stijene, including Dargo Mrdja who was jailed for 17 years by the Hague-based U.N. war crimes court. The remainder were convicted by the Bosnian war crimes court.</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> | Bosnian forensics experts search ravine for victims of 90s war | false | https://newsline.com/bosnian-forensics-experts-search-ravine-for-victims-of-90s-war/ | 2017-09-07 | 1 |
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<p>Lawyers for Carlos Martinez, 57, argued that a faulty seat belt design in his Acura Integra caused the injuries he suffered in 2010.</p>
<p>He was driving to work when a tire blew out and he lost control of the car, said his attorney, Stewart Eisenberg. The seat belt failed to prevent Martinez’s head from hitting the roof of the car as it rolled over.</p>
<p>Acura is a division of Honda. A company spokesman denied problems with a “proven restraint system.”</p>
<p>“The evidence here clearly established that there is no vehicle-based defect that caused Mr. Martinez’s injuries,” the spokesman said.</p>
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<p>Eisenberg contended Honda knew such an injury was possible based on seat belt testing it conducted in 1992.</p>
<p>Damages awarded Thursday include money for pain and suffering, future medical expenses, loss of consortium and loss of earnings. Martinez, a married father of four, worked in construction as a glazier but is now paralyzed from the chest down.</p>
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<p /> | Honda to pay $55M in crash | false | https://abqjournal.com/422025/honda-to-pay-55m-in-crash.html | 2 |
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<p>It has been over a month a month since Trayvon Martin was killed in a gated community in Florida on March 26. The unarmed, black teenager was shot by a neighborhood watch volunteer, George Zimmerman, who was not arrested by the Sanford police because he claimed self-defense.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/series/trayvon-martin-case" type="external">The case</a> has sparked a fierce debate across the United States on race and justice. Since the release of the 911 call, attention to the case has skyrocketed. Trayvon's death, which President Obama called a "national tragedy," has brought thousands into the streets to rally for George Zimmerman's arrest. It has generated mass interest across social networking sites and garnered reactions from top media and political personalities. It is also transforming the hoodie into a modern civil rights icon.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/united-states/120327/trayvon-martin-case-timeline" type="external">Here is a timeline</a> of how the events unfolded:</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.dipity.com/GlobalPost/Trayvon-Martin/" type="external">Trayvon Martin Case: A timeline</a> on <a href="http://www.dipity.com/" type="external">Dipity</a></p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>See our complete <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/series/trayvon-martin-case" type="external">Trayvon Martin case coverage</a>.</p> | Trayvon Martin Case: A timeline of events | false | https://pri.org/stories/2012-04-03/trayvon-martin-case-timeline-events | 2012-04-03 | 3 |
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<p>La Cueva’s Josh Woisin (45) runs past Sandia defenders during the Bears’ win over the Matadors on Thursday at Wilson Stadium.(Greg Sorber/Journal)</p>
<p>For all intents and purposes, this was a playoff game for the La Cueva Bears.</p>
<p>At least, that was how the Bears treated the evening.</p>
<p>“We knew we had to have it to get to the playoffs,” senior quarterback Chris Campbell said.</p>
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<p>Campbell ran for one touchdown and threw for another, and Josh Woisin rushed for 164 yards as the Bears shut out Sandia 22-0 on Thursday night at Wilson Stadium.</p>
<p>La Cueva (5-3, 2-1 in District 2-6A) held the injury-ravaged Matadors (3-5, 1-2) to just 155 total yards.</p>
<p>Woisin, on 24 carries, surpassed that total by himself.</p>
<p>“Our line did great. They did a hell of a job,” said Campbell. “And Josh did his job, did his reads, and he ran the ball hard.”</p>
<p>The 5-foot-10, 195-pound Woisin repeatedly ripped off sizable chunks of yardage as La Cueva gained 247 rushing yards as a team.</p>
<p>“Our offensive line stepped up huge tonight,” said Woisin. “It’s disappointing not to get in the end zone, but at the end of the day, it’s a team game.”</p>
<p>La Cueva scored on its second series of the game, going 70 yards in 11 plays. Campbell’s 2-yard run capped the drive. It was still 7-0 at halftime.</p>
<p>The Bears also hit paydirt on their opening drive of the second half, although this one was set up by the defense – and, oddly enough, the La Cueva band.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>The Bears’ band held up the start of the second half for five minutes, earning La Cueva a 15-yard penalty before kickoff.</p>
<p>Consequently, Sandia started that drive in La Cueva territory, at the 49, and the Matadors reached the Bear 14 when linebacker Derek Loidolt intercepted a deflected pass inside the 10 with Sandia driving to possibly tie the game.</p>
<p>The Bears consolidated that turnover quickly, going 84 yards the other way in seven plays for a 14-0 lead. Campbell threw 22 yards to Tristan Roswold for a touchdown with 7:27 left in the third quarter.</p>
<p>Chandler Johnson connected on field goals of 38 and 41 yards in the second half for La Cueva, and wasn’t far off on a 50-yarder.</p>
<p>The La Cueva defense also registered points, forcing a Sandia fumble, which the Matadors recovered in their end zone for a safety.</p>
<p>La Cueva meets Eldorado next week. The Eagles and Manzano have a crucial 2-6A battle tonight at Wilson.</p>
<p>“This was most definitely a must-win game,” Woisin said.</p>
<p>La Cueva coach Brandon Back took partial blame for the halftime fiasco, saying the senior night ceremony went too long, even before the band cranked up.</p>
<p>– James Yodice</p>
<p>VALLEY 54, RIO GRANDE 0: Vikings coach Judge Chavez suspended 15 players for Thursday night’s game at Nusenda Community Stadium because they missed two practices after Valley’s first win of the season, last week against Albuquerque High.</p>
<p>“What they did is unacceptable,” Chavez said. “They missed practices on Friday and Saturday after we won our homecoming game last Thursday. When I first got the job (this year), I told them that winning and losing isn’t the point. They have to be accountable for their actions.”</p>
<p>Chavez said the coming opponent didn’t matter, and he would have suspended the players no matter who Valley played.</p>
<p>Because it was Rio Grande, that might have just made life worse for the lowly Ravens as the Vikings had fewer players to substitute.</p>
<p>Those who got chances, made the most of them in a game that was stopped with about 3 minutes left in the third quarter via the 50-point mercy rule.</p>
<p>The Ravens (0-8, 0-3 in District 4-6A) were shut out for the sixth time this year.</p>
<p>The Vikings (2-6, 2-1) – winless just a week earlier – suddenly put themselves, at least mathematically, into the title picture of the downtrodden District 4-6A race.</p>
<p>Valley moved 59 yards in 10 plays on the game’s first possession with Isaac Estrada getting a 2-yard TD run.</p>
<p>Naseem Madani added a 12-yard touchdown and Sean Okeku had a 3-yard scoring run. After Daryl Aimes added a 35-yard interception return for a touchdown, it was 28-0 late in the first quarter.</p>
<p>The 35-second running clock started ticking by the second quarter and the lead was padded to 41-0 at halftime.</p>
<p>When Treazure Garcia – who is not even on the Valley varsity roster – scored twice in the third quarter, it was officially over.</p>
<p>The Ravens never made a first down and had minus-12 total yards.</p>
<p>– Mark Smith</p>
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<p /> | La Cueva shuts down Sandia | false | https://abqjournal.com/872043/la-cueva-shuts-down-sandia.html | 2 |
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<p>George Steinmetz is the photographer behind a new book of aerial photographs called "Desert Air."</p>
<p>Steinmetz took all the shots while riding a motorized paraglider, capturing unique views of desert landscapes from above. He tells anchor Marco Werman what it was like to travel around the globe for the the project.</p> | Photographer George Steinmetz Paraglides to Capture Deserts | false | https://pri.org/stories/2012-12-07/photographer-george-steinmetz-paraglides-capture-deserts | 2012-12-07 | 3 |
<p>FOX News medical correspondent Dr. Marc Siegel on the breakthrough of a new gene-altering leukemia treatment.</p>
<p>The Food and Drug Administration has entered a new era in medicine after an FDA advisory panel endorsed a leukemia treatment that could be the first gene-altering therapy available in the U.S.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>The panel of cancer experts voted 10-0 Wednesday, recommending that the treatment be approved. The FDA is not required to follow the panel’s recommendation, but often does.</p>
<p>The one-time treatment will genetically alter a patient’s own cells to fight cancer, transforming them into what scientists call “a living drug,” that boosts the patient's immune system and stops cancer cells from growing.</p>
<p>The concept, called CAR-T, was devised by the University of Pennsylvania and drug maker Novartis Corp. (NYSE:NVS) but other drug makers have also been developing similar types of treatments. Novartis, however, is poised to be the first one to get approved.</p>
<p>CAR-T works by removing immune cells from patients’ blood and then reprogramming them to create an army of cells that can recognize and destroy cancer. The process, however is lengthy. To use the technique, the removed cells must be frozen and shipped to a Novartis plant for thawing and processing. When the new cells are created, they are frozen again and shipped back to the treatment center.</p>
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<p>The panel has recommended this treatment for B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia for children and young adults, ages 3 to 25, after multiple studies brought long remissions and possibly some cures to patients.</p> | F.D.A. panel endorses first gene-altering therapy for leukemia patients | true | http://foxbusiness.com/features/2017/07/13/f-d-panel-endorses-first-gene-altering-therapy-for-leukemia-patients.html | 2017-07-13 | 0 |
<p>Jesse James has married for the fourth time, to pro drag-racer and heiress Alexis DeJoria.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/jesse-james-marries-alexis-dejoria-2013253" type="external">US Weekly wrote</a> that the two began dating in Sept. 2012, shortly after James broke off his engagement to “LA Ink” star Kat Von D.</p>
<p>Jesse, 43,&#160; and DeJoria, 35, walked down the aisle at his father’s Malibu, California home on Sunday, <a href="http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20685016,00.html" type="external">according to People magazine</a>.</p>
<p>James' youngest daughter Sunny, 9, from his marriage to porn star Janine Lindemulder, and DeJoria's 10-year-old daughter Bella both reportedly served as flower girls during the ceremony.</p>
<p>James also has two kids, son Jesse James, Jr. and daughter Chandler, from his marriage to first wife Karla James.&#160;</p>
<p>The West Coast Customs owner — who recently relaunched <a href="http://www.WestCoastChoppers.com" type="external">WestCoastChoppers.com</a>, opening a WCC shop in Austin, Texas, where he lives with DeJoria&#160; — also has a son by his first marriage.</p>
<p>James was also previously married to actress Sandra Bullock, and was engaged to Von D.</p>
<p>James and Bullock split in 2010, when reports surfaced he had cheated on her with several women.</p>
<p>Staright after Bullock sang James' praises as she collected an award on national TV, James' mistress, Michelle "Bomb-Shell" McGee came out with her story about being Jesse's lover.</p>
<p>DeJoria drives the Patron Nitro Funny car on the drag race circuit.</p>
<p>Her father is John Paul DeJoria, co-founder of Paul Mitchell hair products.</p>
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<p>&#160;</p> | Jesse James marries a fourth time, to professional drag-racer and hair products heiress Alexis DeJoria | false | https://pri.org/stories/2013-03-25/jesse-james-marries-fourth-time-professional-drag-racer-and-hair-products-heiress | 2013-03-25 | 3 |
<p>Screen shot: "The Black Banners"</p>
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<p>What is the best way to break a terrorist? Waterboarding? Stress positions? What about pizza, ice cream, or sugar-free cookies?</p>
<p>The most surprising element of former FBI interrogator Ali Soufan’s memoir, The Black Banners: The Inside Story of 9/11 and the War Against al-Qaeda, is how receptive terrorists are to food. When Soufan takes L’Houssaine Kherchtou, an Al Qaeda fixer, out for pizza, Khertchou tells him he’s “not an Al Qaeda guy anymore.” Mohamed Rashed Daoud al-Owhali, who helped facilitate the bombing of the American embassy in Nairobi in 1998, spills the beans after being plied with cookies and Meals Ready to Eat. Tariq el-Sawah, captured at Tora Bora and currently detained at Guantanamo Bay, has a fondness for ice cream. And in the desperate hours immediately following the 9/11 attacks, Soufan wears down the diabetic Abu Jandal, a former bodyguard for Osama bin Laden, with sugarless cookies, establishing that Al Qaeda was indeed responsible for the 9/11 attacks.</p>
<p>There are other levers Soufan uses, of course, to get information out of his subjects. Khertchou is furious over bin Laden’s refusal to pay for his wife’s cesarean section. Owhali is overwhelmed by the quality of information the FBI has assembled. Abu Jandal, despite his fondness for bin Laden, is shocked at the scale of the attacks—particularly after Soufan manipulates him into believing that hundreds of Yemenis died in the assault on the towers. Soufan also exploits regional resentments between Al Qaeda members; the “Gulf Arabs” were frequently resentful of Egyptian members’ superior influence and financial benefits, to the point that Al Qaeda would divide into Egyptian and Gulf teams for their Friday soccer games. Soufan leverages their ignorance of the Koran and uses their fidelity to extremist ideology to manipulate them into talking.</p>
<p>Because Soufan played a key role in investigating Al Qaeda’s most successful strikes against the United States, from the East Africa embassy bombings to the 9/11 attacks, his account reads a bit like a first-person version of Lawrence Wright’s <a href="http://www.salon.com/books/review/2006/08/30/looming_tower/" type="external">The Looming Tower</a>, a definitive book on bin Laden’s terrorist movement in which Soufan figures prominently. A Lebanese immigrant and self-identified “fraternity boy,” Soufan applied to the FBI armed with knowledge of Arabic, Islam, and the Middle East that would make him a crucial part of the bureau beginning in the late 1990s. His reliance on traditional methods of interrogation put him at odds with the brutal tactics implemented by the Bush administration after 9/11.</p>
<p>In 2009, having since retired, Soufan came forward as a key opponent of torturing suspected terrorists. Through newspaper op-eds and congressional testimony, he argued that torture was useless, and that the Bush administration had claimed credit for intelligence he himself had acquired without torture in order to retroactively justify its tactics. Soufan, who writes his book that he preferred Bush over Gore and identified with the “strong national security approach to the GOP,” quickly became a target for the political right because of his opposition to torture. Soufan’s criticism of the CIA, meanwhile, is reportedly the reason for the book’s <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/26/us/26agent.html?_r=3&amp;pagewanted=all" type="external">lengthy redactions</a> of information that is already public knowledge.</p>
<p>In The Black Banners, Soufan tells this story in more detail than ever before—complete with the Brechtian amateurism of the psychologists who insist, even as their “enhanced interrogation techniques” fail, that torture will work if only they can torture a little bit more. Soufan asserts that useful information extracted from key Al Qaeda operative Abu Zubaydah was acquired by Soufan prior to Zubaydah’s being waterboarded 83 times. He also points out that alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed, despite being waterboarded 183 times, didn’t just manage to withold information about the courier who ultimately helped the Obama administration find bin Laden’s secret compound; he also managed to keep secret “ticking time bombs” in Spain, Britain, and Indonesia—all places struck by Al Qaeda plots that KSM likely knew about.</p>
<p>Soufan’s story also serves as a rebuke to the Islamophobic “Shariah panic” that has gripped the right wing of the Republican Party since Bush left office. Support for torture and the blanket fear of Muslims have similar intellectual roots: Both presume that Muslim extremists are unflappable warrior-monks whose commitment to brutality is matched only by their encyclopedic knowledge of the Koran. Soufan writes of the prostitute-seeking, liquor-shot-pounding extremists that he was surprised “how morally corrupt (in Islamic terms) some al-Qaeda members are.” Soufan notes that while “they could quote bin Laden’s sayings by heart,” in many cases they were largely ignorant about theology. “I knew far more of the Koran than they did,” he writes.</p>
<p>The Islamophobes in particular blast their critics for failing to grapple adequately with the details of Al Qaeda’s brand of Islamic extremism: Know your enemy, they admonish. Which is ironic, because theirs is a mantra Soufan shares. “People ask what is the most important weapon we have against al-Qaeda,” he writes, “and I reply, ‘knowledge.'” Soufan is talking about the extremists’ unique and flawed Islamic theology, but he’s also referring to their petty jealousies, personal foibles, and past histories. Treating every terrorist as a mere drone in a massive Muhammadan hive mind misses the point. “Each detainee is different, knows different things, and has different triggers that will get him to cooperate.”</p>
<p>The title of the book stems from a hadith popular among Islamic extremists: If Muslims see an army rising from the historic region of Khurasan in Central Asia marching under the black banners, they should join them. The idea is that this army will defeat the enemies of Islam in an apocalyptic final battle. Yet despite its popularity among extremists, scholars consider the hadith to be of “questionable origin.” Like all religious extremists, Al Qaeda’s embrace of rigid textualism is selective.</p>
<p>Soufan describes many instances in which he uses his knowledge and a savvy rapport to exploit the personal foibles and intellectual weaknesses of his subjects. He kneels down to pray with Mohammed al-Qahtani, who was originally meant to be one of the 9/11 hijackers. He engages Al Qaeda propagandist Ali al-Bahlul in a theological debate whereby he shames Bahlul into giving up information. And Soufan’s encyclopedic knowledge of Al Qaeda helps him keep Fahd Mohammed Ahmed al-Quso, one of the planners of the USS Cole bombing in Yemen in 2000, talking. Shocked by how much Soufan knows, and unwilling to believe an Arab Muslim could be an FBI agent, Quso convinces himself that Soufan is an Islamist double-agent. “I saw you in Afghanistan!” Quso exclaims. “Maybe,” Soufan says. Quso starts bragging about his exploits, assuming he isn’t telling Soufan anything he doesn’t already know. He doesn’t realize how much he’s giving away. &#160;</p>
<p>The story of America’s most famous Arab American FBI agent couldn’t come at a more poignant time, with the FBI fighting off institutionalized Islamophobia in its own ranks. <a href="http://feeds.wired.com/~r/WiredDangerRoom/~3/rWCOUHFyk8I/" type="external">A recent spate</a> of stories from Spencer Ackerman at Wired exposed training that portrayed Islam as inherently violent, and mainstream American Muslims as terrorist sympathizers. FBI agents were being taught that the more religiously observant Muslims are, the more likely they are to be terrorists—a ridiculous proposition, especially when one considers that the 9/11 hijackers went out of their way not to be observant so as not to draw suspicion.</p>
<p>Soufan’s story, implicitly an example of the triumph of American pluralism, nevertheless underscores the degree to which the FBI has largely failed to produce more Ali Soufans.</p>
<p>“Having grown up in a country pulled apart by sectarian discord, I had come to appreciate the greatness of the United States and admire the ideals that had created the nation,” Soufan writes, remembering having to huddle with his parents as bombs exploded in his old neighborhood in war-torn Lebanon. “To those of us who have filled the alternatives, they are filled with meaning.” This is why families like Soufan’s have always come to the United States. Scores of America’s Muslims have similar stories—and yet agents like Soufan remain uncommon. Last year, Lawrence Wright <a href="http://www.economist.com/blogs/prospero/2010/09/islamic_fundamentalism" type="external">said in a conversation</a> about his book that there were eight Arabic speaking agents in the FBI on 9/11, and still only nine now. In fact, as Wright <a href="http://www.economist.com/blogs/prospero/2010/09/islamic_fundamentalism" type="external">told The Economist in 2010</a>, “If Ali Soufan tried to work in the FBI now, he probably couldn’t get security clearance.”</p>
<p>Towards the end of the book, Soufan recounts an incident that occurred shortly before his retirement from the FBI in 2006. At a gala in New York City, a reporter asks FBI Director Robert Mueller, “Where do you see the future of the FBI?” Mueller points to Soufan and says, “That is the future of the FBI.” It’s a prophecy that, sadly, still shows little sign of coming true.</p>
<p /> | Defeating Al Qaeda With Pizza, Cookies, and the Koran | true | https://motherjones.com/politics/2011/10/ali-soufan-book-review/ | 2011-10-04 | 4 |
<p>This is epic.</p>
<p>Tom&#160;Willis, a man born without arms, crushed the ceremonial first pitch before Monday night’s game between the Seattle Mariners and San Francisco Giants at AT&amp;T Park.</p>
<p>Stepping to the mound sans socks and shoes, Willis delivered a barefoot strike over home plate all the way from the rubber.</p>
<p>Read more: <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2497551-armless-giants-fan-crushes-throws-out-first-pitch-nails-it" type="external">bleacherreport.com</a></p> | WATCH: Armless Man Nails First Pitch at Baseball Game | true | http://girlsjustwannahaveguns.com/watch-armless-man-nails-first-pitch-at-baseball-game/ | 0 |
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<p>Photo credit: Ann Summa</p>
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<p>Nowadays, nobody blinks an eye when hip-hop artists sample backwoods folkies and bands use multiple hyphens to describe their sound.&#160;But back in the ’80s when Fishbone, a black punk-funk-ska band, hit the LA music scene, no one quite knew what to make of their uncategorizable blend of styles and influences. Their unique sound, hyperactive live shows, and magnetic stage presence won them a fervent fan base, a record deal with Columbia, and an appearance on Saturday Night Live.</p>
<p>At the height of their popularity, Fishbone was the hottest band in SoCal,&#160;beloved by fans, admired by peers, and name-dropped by celebrities (Tim Robbins wore a Fishbone shirt in Bull Durham, as did John Cusack in Say Anything). The&#160;band&#160;seemed to be on the verge of mainstream success. But their big break never came. While bands that bore Fishbone’s influence, including No Doubt and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, rose to fame and fortune, Fishbone struggled with the usual challenges of moderate success—addiction, clashing egos, struggles to preserve their integrity—and a few unusual ones: religious conversion, kidnapping charges, and people not quite knowing what to make of them.</p>
<p>Yet while Fishbone faded from the spotlight, they never stopped making music—and now they’re the subject of a new documentary, Everyday Sunshine, directed by Lev Anderson and Chris Metzler. Narrated by Laurence Fishburne, the film follows the band from its members’ meeting on the newly integrated playgrounds of Southern California through its rise to semi-stardom, slow decline, and near-dissolution. Along the way, animated segments depict the sociopolitical context of the time; the likes of Gwen Stefani, Flea, and Branton Marsalis testify to Fishbone’s influence, and clips of the band’s early live shows convey Fishbone’s energetic charisma and musical chops.&#160;</p>
<p>I sat down with bassist Norwood Fisher and frontman Angelo Moore and Everyday Sunshine‘s co-directors to chat about the making of the film, a lifetime on the road, and how they managed to land such an appropriately named star narrator.</p>
<p>Mother Jones: How did you decide the world was ready for the first Fishbone documentary?</p>
<p>Lev Anderson: I don’t know if the world was ever ready for the first Fishbone documentary. I was kind of a fan of the band as a kid growing up, but we just saw it as an opportunity to tell a fun story. I love music and history and art and politics, and with a band like Fishbone, that kind of just all comes together. Especially with the sociopolitical issues of a black punk rockers coming out of LA at the time. So that just seemed like an interesting story to start with, and then once we dug deeper there was a lot of other stuff going on.</p>
<p>MJ: You mentioned the mix of history and politics, and the documentary talks about the politics of the Reagan era. What’s the place for Fishbone in the current political moment? If punk was the music that emerged from the backdrop of the ’70s and ’80s, what is it now?</p>
<p>Norwood Fisher: Punk rock is still there! The Occupy movement is pretty punk rock.</p>
<p>Angelo Moore: Yeah, Occupy is pretty punk rock.</p>
<p>NF: Might be a marriage of hippies and punk rockers. We’ll see what the next batch of 16-year-olds come up with, but I think it’s gotta have an attitude.</p>
<p>AM: As far as I’m concerned, ever since, like, 1998 we’ve been living in the Dark Ages. Even though I consider President Obama a beam of bright positive light, you have a lot of forces around him that are just dark, ignorant, medieval-type forces trying to drown out any possibilities of something different. Some of my lyrics used to be about society and government and stuff like that, my concerns, or disgust or whatever—but now it’s just so ridiculous I can’t even write anything about it.</p>
<p>LA: I think a band like Fishbone has managed to remain relevant because they speak to issues that people experience in their lives. You saw that reflected in the <a href="http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/254461/20111122/jimmy-fallon-s-band-welcomes-michele-bachmann.htm" type="external">Jimmy Fallon thing with Michele Bachmann</a>, where 25 years after a song has been recorded, <a href="" type="internal">the Roots</a> decided to make their own kind of statement. And it’s not like “Lyin’ Ass Bitch” was such a punk rock song, but I think its attitude and the band’s legacy sort of reinforces its appropriateness.</p>
<p>NF: Coming of age in the 1970s, there’s an amazing amount of influence from comic areas that had political bite or social relevance. You look at what made a guy like Richard Pryor funny, it was his insight into the human condition. He could take a painful situation and make it funny. He was a huge influence on me. And we grew up reading <a href="" type="internal">Mad magazine</a> and National Lampoon and [stuff with] the comedy of a <a href="" type="internal">Saturday Night Live</a>. You know, it was silly but it had a political bite. It was political satire. And so that’s something that was a part of us. We had as much fun as we could but it was fun that was influenced by those things. And honestly, what Questlove did with bringing “Lyin’ Ass Bitch” to the Jimmy Fallon Show, that was a great National Lampoon moment. It was political satire. [See MoJo‘s interview with Questlove <a href="" type="internal">here</a>.]</p>
<p>Chris Meltzer: Fishbone’s kind of universal, unique, and timeless. The band has always been labeled kind of a party band because of the fun sound of their music and what a good time you can have at their shows, but there’s always been this social and political subtext to their songs. So we could showcase over the past 30 years, busing and desegregation issues in the 1970s, punk rock, the gang problems and crack epidemic in the 1980s, the election of Ronald Reagan, and then the kind of alternative scene—all these things you could see through Fishbone’s eyes. It’s a historical film but also a film about the creative process and how those events shape each other.</p>
<p>MJ: There is a lot of political history in the documentary, but I was also struck by the changes in the music industry. Because Fishbone never got that big record deal, you were basically surviving on touring, but now that the big labels are collapsing, everyone’s starting to do that. Having lived it for a couple of decades, do you think it’s sustainable?</p>
<p>NF: You gotta have what it takes. In the current paradigm, a guy like Sammy Davis Jr. would still be king because he can hit the stage and deliver. A guy like Michael Jackson—hit the stage, deliver. But it’s the mediocre stage show that might have a harder time. A band like Fishbone, we come with an explosive live show, and we survive.</p>
<p>CM: When you go to a Fishbone show, more than likely Angelo’s going to be out in the crowd beforehand hanging out, because that’s what he enjoys doing. And they go out and they sign autographs and merchandise, but they’re not doing it out of, Oh my god, I need to do it, but because they’ve always liked to break down the barrier between what’s going on stage and what’s going on in the crowd. From an outsider’s perspective that’s where they really thrive and that’s where I think some of those creative juices seem to flow from. There’s a lot of creativity that burgeons forth from that need to always keep on swimming.</p>
<p>LA: There is a little bit of parallel there between the film and the music in that, you know, we don’t have an advertising budget. We screened in all the film festivals and you get all the local media talking about your film at the local level and it’s like a band going out on tour in a way.</p>
<p>NF: Yeah, knowing you had elegantly strolled down Haight Street and put posters up your goddamn self—that’s pretty goddamn punk rock. (Laughs.) I’m looking at it like it’s an amazing opportunity. We came from a time where artists got hardly anything on the record deal and now people are making deals where you split the proceeds 50-50. Whereas we signed to a major label at age 19, and those are our records that are our classic records, and after that we moved more towards the independent realm with each successive record. It was punk rock and it was hip-hop in the 1970s that said you can do this, anybody can make this kind of music. And the internet came along and made that more possible.</p>
<p>MJ: So having a good live show is what makes it possible to survive, but it seems pretty grueling—how do you keep up the pace?</p>
<p>AM:&#160;It can be grueling, all the tours and live shows, but at the same time, it’s really gratifying to be able to get out of you all the music art and passion, you got a chance to get that out.</p>
<p>NF: And if it’s you being honest, it’s not a grueling thing. It’s about honesty, at the end of the day. If I see Tom Waits I do not expect him to turn a backflip, you know what I mean? I love Kate Bush, what do I expect from her? Just to be Kate Bush.</p>
<p>MJ: So what else do you listen to—what new artists do you like?</p>
<p>NF: There’s a band called <a href="http://pourhabit.com/wordpress/" type="external">Pour Habit</a> that I really love. They’ve got an awesome energy and they’re making punk rock that bites. There’s a band called <a href="http://cerebralballzy.com/" type="external">Cerebral Ballzy</a> that I like, another punk-rock, South Central LA band that’s coming up. There’s a band called <a href="http://www.vivavoce.com/" type="external">Viva Voce</a> out of Portland that I like a lot.</p>
<p>AM: <a href="http://dubtrio.com/" type="external">Dub Trio</a>, <a href="http://www.framix.fr/" type="external">Framix</a>.</p>
<p>NF: You know, it took me a long time to actually get dubstep, but it makes me laugh. You know, the wobbly bass thing, and the kind of, you know, the straight damage sound of the base, I love that thing. It’s got a little Flipper. I’ve gotta figure out how I can use that to my advantage as bass player.</p>
<p>AM: I like DJ Skrillex. I like <a href="http://youtu.be/2cXDgFwE13g" type="external">that video he’s got out</a>. It’s like a new form of reggae, psychedelia, rock—when I hear that womp-womp-womp, I think about <a href="http://www.myspace.com/bootzillaproduction" type="external">Bootsy [Collins]</a>, I think about <a href="http://www.flipperrules.com/" type="external">Flipper</a>, that heavy bass, that distorted bass. Oswald! Now that was dubstep. Pre-dubstep. Someone probably listened to that and said I’m gonna put that in the time capsule and come out with it five years later. Bam, you got dubstep.</p>
<p>CM: One of the things we’ve been asked while making the film is, do you think that if Fishbone came out today, they would be more commercially successful? And it’s really a chicken-and-egg question because you wouldn’t have today without a band like Fishbone laying the groundwork for this kind of style 30 years ago. The number of musicians that we’ve met of many different generations that have attributed their sound or style to these guys—we knew there were a lot of bands influenced by Fishbone, but until we really dug into it we didn’t know how far-reaching it was.</p>
<p>MJ: Yeah, it was really interesting to hear all these famous artists talk about how they saw or heard Fishbone and then went out and formed a band—it reminded me of that <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/fq4h" type="external">thing Brian Eno supposedly said</a> about the Velvet Underground. What was it like to hear people talking about how you’d influenced them?</p>
<p>NF: It gave us an opportunity to actually reflect and see that as much as the difficulties of the journey and the lack of substantial monetary compensation were a reality, to hear all those people say “Fishbone is why I do it” or “Fishbone influenced me to do it harder, to dig deeper” it served to validate the journey.</p>
<p>CM: We didn’t want to make a hagiographic portrait of these guys. They’ve done a lot of wonderful things, but we wanted people to understand the sorts of sacrifices they made to achieve those things. Because those things don’t have value unless you understand what they gave up to make that happen. It gets painful sometimes but I think in the end it’s a kind of hopeful story about doing what you want to do and pursuing your path.</p>
<p>MJ: How’d you get Laurence Fishburne to narrate?</p>
<p>NF: Brendan Mullins was the booker at a club called Club Lingerie as punk rock was growing up, and Laurence Fishburne was a bouncer there. Brendan thought it would be a great idea to introduce Fishbone to Larry Fishburne. So we became friends and we kept in touch over the years.</p>
<p>CM: Lawrence told us that he felt a kinship to the band because being in Hollywood as an African-American entertainer, there weren’t a lot of great roles. I don’t know what he was in between Apocalypse Now and Boyz n the Hood. And he would talk about the outsiders club—he thought Fishbone were these black rock-n-rollers who were kind of uncategorized because no one knew how to classify them. So I think that was another reason he was attracted to the project.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Click here</a> for more music features from Mother Jones.</p>
<p /> | Interview: Fishbone on Stage and Screen | true | https://motherjones.com/politics/2012/01/fishbone-everyday-sunshine-interview/ | 2012-01-16 | 4 |
<p>Jan 23 (Reuters) - Brio Gold Inc:</p> * BRIO GOLD RESPONDS TO ANNOUNCEMENT BY LEAGOLD
<p>* BRIO GOLD SAYS BOARD &amp; SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF CO, TOGETHER WITH THEIR ADVISORS, WILL REVIEW LEAGOLD’S PROPOSED OFFER AND RESPOND IN DUE COURSE</p>
<p>* BRIO GOLD - SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED NOT TO TAKE ACTION/ MAKE DECISION WITH REGARD TO LEAGOLD OFFER UNTIL BOARD HAS HAD OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW LEAGOLD OFFER Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage:</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>PARIS (Reuters) - A gendarme who was shot three times after voluntarily taking the place of a hostage during a supermarket siege in southwestern France on Friday has died, France announced on Saturday.</p> Flowers and messages in tribute to victim are seen in front of the Gendarmerie of Carcassonne, the day after a hostage situation in Trebes, France March 24, 2018. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau
<p>Arnaud Beltrame, who once served in Iraq, had been raced to hospital fighting for his life after the siege in which he took the place of a female hostage at the Super U store in the town of Trebes, near the Pyrenees mountains.</p>
<p>“He fell as a hero, giving up his life to halt the murderous outfit of a jihadist terrorist,” President Emmanuel Macron said in a statement shortly before dawn on Saturday.</p>
<p>Friday’s attacker was identified by authorities as Redouane Lakdim, a 25-year-old Moroccan-born French national from the city of Carcassonne, not far from Trebes, a tranquil town of about 5,000 people where he struck on Friday afternoon.</p> Related Coverage
<a href="/article/us-france-security-arrest/police-arrest-second-person-linked-to-french-attack-source-idUSKBN1H00AM" type="external">Police arrest second person linked to French attack: source</a>
<p>Lakdim was known to authorities for drug-dealing and other petty crimes, but had also been under surveillance by security services in 2016-2017 for links to the radical Salafist movement, Paris prosecutor Francois Molins said on Friday.</p>
<p>The attacker, whose rampage began when he shot at a group of police joggers and also shot the occupants of a car he stole, killed three people and injured 16 others on Friday, according to a government readout.</p>
<p>Beltrame was part of a team of gendarmes who were among the first to arrive at the supermarket scene; most of the people in the supermarket escaped after hiding in a cold storage room and then fleeing through an emergency exit.</p>
<p>He offered to trade places with a hostage the attacker was still holding, whereafter he took her place and left his mobile phone on a table, line open. When shots rang out, elite police stormed the building to kill the assailant. Police sources said Beltrame was shot three times.</p>
<p>The 44-year-old’s death takes the number killed to four.</p> A photo released by the French Gendarmerie shows Lieutenant-Colonel Arnaud Beltrame, the gendarme who voluntarily took the place of a hostage during a deadly supermarket siege in southwestern France on Friday, March 23, 2018. Gendarmerie Nationale/Handout via REUTERS
<p>The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Macron has said security services are checking that claim.</p>
<p>More than 240 people have been killed in France in attacks since 2015 by assailants who either pledged allegiance to Islamic State or were inspired by the group.</p>
<p>France is part of a group of countries whose warplanes have been bombing Islamic State strongholds in Iraq and Syria, where the group has lost substantial ground in recent months.</p> Slideshow (5 Images)
<p>One multiple attack by Islamist gunmen and suicide bombers killed 130 people in Paris while another killed close to 90 when a man ran a truck into partying crowds in the Riviera seaside city of Nice.</p>
<p>Beltrame, who would have turned 45 in April, was a qualified parachutist who served in Iraq in 2005. He also worked as part of the elite Republican Guard that protects the presidential Elysee Place offices and residence in Paris, Macron said.</p>
<p>Friday’s assault was the first deadly attack since October 2017, when a man stabbed two young women to death in the port city of Marseille before soldiers killed him.</p>
<p>Several attacks over the past year or more have targeted police and soldiers deployed in big numbers to protect civilians and patrol sensitive spots such as airports and train stations.</p>
<p>Macron said of Beltrame: “In offering himself as a hostage to the terrorist holed up in the Trebes supermarket, lieutenant colonel Beltrame saved the life of a civilian hostage, showing exceptional self-sacrifice and courage.”</p>
<p>The news of Beltrame’s death was first announced France’s interior minister, who said in a Twitter post: “Dead for his country. France will never forget his heroism, bravery and sacrifice.”</p>
<p>Additional reporting by BEmmanuel Jarry; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Mark Potter</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran should strengthen ties with Russia and China to counter a tougher U.S. stance expected after President Donald Trump’s appointment of John Bolton as national security adviser, a senior parliament member was quoted as saying on Saturday.</p> FILE PHOTO: Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Oxon Hill, Maryland, U.S. February 24, 2017. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts/File Photo
<p>Some commentators see Bolton’s nomination as another nail in the coffin of the Obama-era agreement between Iran and world powers to limit Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, already cast into grave doubt by Trump himself.</p>
<p>“Americans are pushing for harder policies toward the Islamic Republic of Iran and we need to strengthen our view toward the East, especially China and Russia,” Alaeddin Boroujerdi, head of parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, told ISNA news agency.</p> FILE PHOTO: Chairman for the Committee for Foreign Policy and National Security of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran Alaeddin Boroujerdi addresses European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) in Brussels, Belgium, January 23, 2018. Reuters/Eric Vidal
<p>“The use of hardline anti-Iran elements indicates that Americans are pushing for more pressure on Iran, ... mainly as a kick-back to Zionists (Israel) and Saudi Arabia,” Boroujerdi said, referring to Bolton who is widely seen as a pro-Israel “hawk” in the Middle East.</p>
<p>Separately, Iran denounced U.S. charges and sanctions announced against nine Iranians and an Iranian company for allegedly attempting to hack into hundreds of universities worldwide, dozens of firms and parts of the U.S. government on behalf of Tehran’s government.</p>
<p>Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi said the move was “provocative, illegitimate, and without any justifiable reason and another sign of the hostility of the (U.S.) ruling circles toward the Iranian nation”, the state news agency IRNA reported.</p>
<p>“America will certainly fail in preventing the scientific development of the Iranian people through sanctions,” Qasemi said.</p>
<p>Reporting by Dubai newsroom; Editing by Mark Potter</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump shook up his foreign policy team again on Thursday, replacing H.R. McMaster as national security adviser with John Bolton, a hawk who has advocated using military force against North Korea and Iran.</p>
<p>The move, announced in a tweet and a White House statement, came little more than a week after Trump fired Rex Tillerson as secretary of state and nominated Central Intelligence Agency Director Mike Pompeo to replace him.</p>
<p>The shake-up shows Trump, in office for 14 months, surrounding himself with advisers more likely to agree with his views and taking his foreign policy in a more hawkish direction.</p>
<p>What it means for a prospective summit meeting between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is unclear. The meeting is supposed to happen by the end of May, but an exact time and place have yet to be settled on.</p>
<p>Bolton’s appointment could doom the already endangered Iran nuclear deal. It could also lead to friction with Trump on how tough to be on Russia, with the president still holding out hope for improved ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin.</p>
<p>The news of Bolton’s appointment followed a meeting he had with Trump in the Oval Office. Even Bolton was caught by surprise. “I didn’t really expect an announcement this afternoon, but it’s obviously a great honor,” he told Fox News after the announcement. “I’m still getting used to it.”</p>
<p>Bolton, 69, is a Fox News analyst who contemplated a run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016. He is a familiar figure in Washington, with a walrus-like moustache and hard-charging views on many global challenges.</p>
<p>Some members of Congress immediately questioned his selection for the critical position in the White House.</p>
<p>“This is not a wise choice. Mr. Bolton does not have the temperament or judgment to be an effective national security adviser,” Democratic Senator Jack Reed said in a statement.</p>
<p>Bolton tweeted on Jan. 11 that time was running out on stopping North Korea’s nuclear weapons program. He said: “We’ve got to look at the very unattractive choice of using military force to deny them that capability.”</p>
<p>At a time when Trump has threatened to withdraw the United States from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, unless Europe agrees to change it, Bolton has tweeted that the deal “needs to be abrogated.”</p>
<p>He has also called for “effective countermeasures to the cyber war that Russia is engaging.”</p> ‘STRONG SIGNAL’
<p>Elliott Abrams, a senior foreign policy aide to former Republican President George W. Bush, praised Trump’s choice, saying Bolton “proved when we were both in the Bush administration that he is an excellent and forceful bureaucrat.”</p> FILE PHOTO -- Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton (L) speaks in Oxon Hill, Maryland, U.S. February 24, 2017, and White House National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster joins the daily briefing in Washington, U.S. July 31, 2017, in this combination photograph. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts, Jonathan Ernst/File Photo
<p>Whether Bolton, who was U.S. ambassador to the United Nations for Bush, will be able to swallow his own views has been debated by foreign policy experts since he appeared on Trump’s radar. His hiring does not require U.S. Senate confirmation.</p>
<p>Bolton said in the Fox News interview that his past statements on various issues were behind him and he would be an honest broker ensuring the president sees all the options available to him.</p>
<p>“The important thing is what the president says and the advice I give him,” he said.</p>
<p>Still, analysts said Bolton’s views would be influential.</p>
<p>“Bolton has long been an advocate for pre-emptive military action against North Korea, and his appointment as National Security Adviser is a strong signal that President Trump remains open to these options,” said Abraham Denmark, deputy assistant secretary of defense for East Asia under former President Barack Obama.</p> Slideshow (7 Images)
<p>“We should also expect an even more confrontational approach to China - a trade war may just be the beginning of a broader geopolitical competition,” he said.</p>
<p>Bonnie Glaser, Asia expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank in Washington, said: “Bolton has long supported regime change in North Korea and closer ties with Taiwan. Fasten your seat belts.”</p>
<p>As the State Department’s top arms control official under Bush, Bolton was a leading advocate of the 2003 invasion of Iraq - which was later found to have been based on bogus and exaggerated intelligence about President Saddam Hussein’s weapons of mass destruction and ties to terrorism.</p> ‘MUTUALLY AGREED’
<p>McMaster, hired early in Trump’s presidency to replace scandal-tarred Michael Flynn as national security adviser, had widely been expected to leave soon. Trump found McMaster’s style grating. The two had frequently clashed in meetings and Trump had been looking for a replacement, advisers said.</p> Related Coverage
<a href="/article/us-usa-trump-bolton-iran/iran-should-turn-to-russia-china-after-bolton-nomination-senior-mp-idUSKBN1H009W" type="external">Iran should turn to Russia, China after Bolton nomination: senior MP</a>
<a href="/article/us-usa-trump-bolton-asia/human-scum-and-bloodsucker-boltons-white-house-appointment-fans-worries-over-hawkish-record-in-asia-idUSKBN1GZ0CO" type="external">'Human scum and bloodsucker': Bolton's White House appointment fans worries over hawkish record in Asia</a>
<a href="/article/us-usa-trump-bolton-kremlin/kremlin-says-bolton-appointment-is-affair-of-u-s-administration-idUSKBN1GZ15M" type="external">Kremlin says Bolton appointment is affair of U.S. administration</a>
<p>The White House said Trump and McMaster had “mutually agreed” that he would leave. “I am very thankful for the service of General H.R. McMaster who has done an outstanding job &amp; will always remain my friend,” Trump’s tweet said.</p>
<p>“The two have been discussing this for some time. The timeline was expedited as they both felt it was important to have the new team in place, instead of constant speculation. This was not related to any one moment or incident, rather it was the result of ongoing conversations between the two,” a senior White House official said.</p>
<p>The announcement came a day after Trump was angered by a leak of information from his presidential briefing papers that said he was advised specifically not to congratulate Putin on his disputed election victory. Trump told reporters he had congratulated Putin.</p>
<p>McMaster, 55, is to stay on until mid-April. He said in a statement he was also requesting retirement from the U.S. Army, in which he holds the rank of three-star general.</p>
<p>White House Chief of Staff John Kelly had been hoping to entice McMaster into another military assignment in order to qualify as a four-star general.</p>
<p>Reporting by Steve Holland; Additional reporting by by Warren Strobel, Yara Bayoumy and David Brunnstrom; Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh and Peter Cooney</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a>
<p>BEIJING (Reuters) - China’s commerce ministry said on Saturday that China expressed regret at the United States for filing a challenge at the World Trade Organization, adding that it has always respected WTO rules.</p>
<p>The office of the U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said on Friday that the USTR had filed a request for consultations with China at the WTO to address “discriminatory technology licensing agreements”.</p>
<p>China has been consistent in highly valuing the protection of intellectual property, the ministry said in a statement on its website.</p>
<p>China has taken strong measures to protect the legal rights and interests of both domestic and foreign owners of intellectual property, the ministry said.</p>
<p>Reporting by Ryan Woo and Hallie Gu; editing by Richard Pullin</p> Our Standards:
<a href="" type="internal">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</a> | BRIEF-Brio Gold Responds To Leagold Mining's Acquistion Offer French policeman who took place of hostage dies of gunshot wounds Iran should turn to Russia, China after Bolton nomination: senior MP Trump picks hardliner Bolton to replace McMaster as national security adviser China expresses regret at U.S. move to file WTO challenge | false | https://reuters.com/article/brief-brio-gold-responds-to-leagold-mini/brief-brio-gold-responds-to-leagold-minings-acquistion-offer-idUSFWN1PI11X | 2018-01-23 | 2 |
<p>Broadcasting &amp; Cable The Maryland Department of Labor has denied Jon Leiberman's claim for unemployment benefits, saying he was discharged from Sinclair’s news operation for "speaking to the press/media without permission and sharing of propriety information outside the company." Under the Maryland Unemployment Insurance Law, Leiberman’s behavior "constitutes gross misconduct," says the agency. The political reporter was fired last fall after he spoke out against Sinclair's plans to air a documentary featuring Swift Boat Veterans' allegations against Sen. John Kerry.</p> | Ex-Sinclair newsman Leiberman denied unemployment pay | false | https://poynter.org/news/ex-sinclair-newsman-leiberman-denied-unemployment-pay | 2005-04-12 | 2 |
<p>.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........</p>
<p />
<p>Pauline Hanson, leader of the anti-Muslim, anti-immigration One Nation minor party, sat wearing the black head-to-ankle garment for more than 10 minutes before taking it off as she rose to explain that she wanted such outfits banned on national security grounds.</p>
<p>“There has been a large majority of Australians (who) wish to see the banning of the burqa,” said Hanson, an outspoken fan of President Donald Trump, as senators objected.</p>
<p>Attorney-General George Brandis drew applause when he said his government would not ban the burqa, and chastised Hanson for what he described as a “stunt” that offended Australia’s Muslim minority.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>“To ridicule that community, to drive it into a corner, to mock its religious garments is an appalling thing to do and I would ask you to reflect on what you have done,” Brandis said.</p>
<p>Opposition Senate leader Penny Wong told Hanson: “It is one thing to wear religious dress as a sincere act of faith; it is another to wear it as a stunt here in the Senate.”</p>
<p>Sam Dastyari, an opposition senator and an Iranian-born Muslim, said: “We have seen the stunt of all stunts in this chamber by Sen. Hanson.”</p>
<p>“The close to 500,000 Muslim Australians do not deserve to be targeted, do not deserve to be marginalized, do not deserve to be ridiculed, do not deserve to have their faith made some political point by the desperate leader of a desperate political party,” Dastyari said.</p>
<p>Senate President Stephen Parry said Hanson’s identity had been confirmed before she entered the chamber. He also said he would not dictate the standards of dress for the chamber.</p>
<p>Parliament House briefly segregated women wearing burqas and niqabs in 2014. The department that runs Parliament House said that “persons with facial coverings” would no longer be allowed in the building’s open public galleries. Instead, they were to be directed to galleries usually reserved for noisy schoolchildren, where they could sit behind soundproof glass.</p>
<p>The policy was branded a “burqa ban” and was widely condemned as a segregation of Muslim women, as well as a potential breach of anti-discrimination laws.</p>
<p>Officials relented, allowing people wearing face coverings in all public areas of Parliament House after the coverings were removed temporarily at the building’s front door so that staff can check the visitor’s identity.</p>
<p>The reason behind the segregation was never explained, but it seems to have been triggered by a rumor on Sydney talk radio that men dressed in burqas were planning an anti-Muslim demonstration in Parliament House.</p> | Anti-Muslim Australian senator wears burqa in Parliament | false | https://abqjournal.com/1049280/anti-muslim-australian-senator-wears-burqa-in-parliament.html | 2017-08-17 | 2 |
<p>AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ The winning numbers in Wednesday evening’s drawing of the Texas Lottery’s “All or Nothing Evening” game were:</p>
<p>01-07-13-14-15-16-17-18-19-22-23-24</p>
<p>(one, seven, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-four)</p>
<p>AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ The winning numbers in Wednesday evening’s drawing of the Texas Lottery’s “All or Nothing Evening” game were:</p>
<p>01-07-13-14-15-16-17-18-19-22-23-24</p>
<p>(one, seven, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-four)</p> | Winning numbers drawn in ‘All or Nothing Evening’ game | false | https://apnews.com/7b326643ff6c4ec982a94c957b21c181 | 2018-01-18 | 2 |
<p>your email</p>
<p>your name</p>
<p>recipient(s) email (comma separated)</p>
<p />
<p>message</p>
<p>captcha</p>
<p />
<p>Day one of Fight for 15 strike in Chicago, July 2013. &#160; (Steve Rhodes / Flickr)</p>
<p>As dawn was breaking today, a crowd of roughly 100 gathered in Chicago around a McDonald’s restaurant in the largely black, working-and middle-class residential neighborhood of South Shore.</p>
<p>They were part of an international wave of protests, which started in New York City during November 2012 as protests against fast food shop working conditions. In these early actions, fast food workers walked off the job, usually without warning, and often with only a fraction of workers joining protestors outside. Most of the strikers returned the next day, often accompanied by supporters to guarantee their right to their jobs.</p>
<p>Those insurgent disruptions expanded into Chicago, then other cities, as the local fights coalesced into the Fight for 15—$15 an hour minimum pay and the right to form a union. Now there are simultaneous actions around the world, well-organized and publicized like the global protests today.</p>
<p>Organizers of the campaign, primarily a project of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), said it would be the largest yet. Equally important, the campaigners have taken on a new but widely expected central focus—McDonald’s.</p>
<p>McDonald’s is both the public image of the low-wage service industry (customers get “McJobs” for the economy with their burgers and fries) and the single most influential corporation in the sector.</p>
<p>McDonald’s is also a good target because it is vulnerable. Its corporate plate is overloaded with problems, from depressed sales to&#160;lawsuits and investigations in Europe and Latin America. Sitting down to negotiate better relations with workers and their union could be a smart business move. It may even prove necessary if the National Labor Relations Board rules, as expected, that the corporation is a joint employer along with franchise owners.</p>
<p>The protests also demonstrate that the Fight for 15 has taken on much more ambitious goals in terms of attracting allies and embracing goals of both fast food workers and the allies.</p>
<p>By striking just before federal income tax returns are due, the Fight for 15 calls attention to the low wages of millions of workers but also the reasons for cheer at the recent victories in raising wages for many of the nation’s worst-paid workers.&#160;</p>
<p>Although the wage gains have not come as a direct result of unionization and contracts, the Fight for 15 clearly inspired the crucial political momentum behind a historically unprecedented rise in minimum wage hikes around the country in the past few years.</p>
<p>According to the National Employment Law Project, since November 2012, nearly 17 million workers have received wage increases, largely from public policy actions from city to federal levels of government. Some have been widespread in their impact, some narrower in scope and set below $15 an hour.</p>
<p>The changes generally came first in some big cities, like Seattle and Los Angeles, then in a variety of narrower public jurisdictions or categories of work (such as federal contractors in some areas), with a few major corporations, like Facebook, Ikea, Walmart and McDonald’s, voluntarily raising their minimums above the legal floor for full-time jobs but below $15 minimum.</p>
<p>Most dramatically, the big states of California and New York last month approved legislation that will phase in a statewide minimum wage of $15 an hour for 10 million workers, giving raises of about $4,000 a year to about one-third of the state workforces.&#160;</p>
<p>About 10 million, or 59 percent, of the workers receiving wage increases will see their pay gradually rise to $15 an hour, making it effectively the yardstick for the future. That is likely to mean that many areas with extremely low wages will be slow to reach the target. (It is also inconvenient for unions such as SEIU that are endorsing Hillary Clinton, since it makes her proposal to raise the minimum to $13 an hour an exhibit of excessive caution rather than her vaunted realism. “Both Democratic candidates are competing for the support of voters paid less than $15, a powerful new bloc,” reads one Fight for 15 press release.)</p>
<p>The Fight for 15 is becoming a central organizing force in many coalitions of community groups, unions and others with an interest in improving the lives of low-wage workers and their families. Workers with varied relationships to McDonald’s joined the march in Chicago on April 14:</p>
<p>After leaving McDonald’s, the marchers headed east, chanting: “We want respect / Put $15 on our check,” then passed a child care center, where some marchers urged caretakers to join them. Finally, they arrived at Bradwell Elementary School, where the Chicago Teachers Union and Fight for 15 embraced each other’s goals, as they had during a one-day CTU strike on April 1.</p>
<p>The marchers carried several large numerals that are keys to their biggest contemporary alliances of people, organizations and demands: 15, standing for the Fight for 15 movement; and 368, standing for the $368 million that the Fight For 15 figures would be saved by the state government if it did not have to pay for various public assistance programs for which low-wage workers in the fast food industry are now eligible, but could provide out of their own income if they earned $15 an hour.&#160;&#160;</p>
<p>The $368 million saved on the public assistance, at least in theory, could then be spent on improving (and keeping open) the neglected (and often closed) neighborhood schools, such as providing after-school activities for children. Or the money could be spent on maintaining and improving the city’s neighborhood infrastructure. But if fast food workers are paid sub-subsistence wages, it adds to the city’s money problems. As one picket sign read, “McWages Hold Chicago Back.”</p> | Chicago Fast Food Workers Join International Protests for $15 an Hour and a Union | true | http://inthesetimes.com/working/entry/19061/moberg_mcjobs_fight_for_15 | 2016-04-14 | 4 |
<p />
<p>Welcome to OnSale at FOXBusiness, where we look at cool stuff and insane bargains.</p>
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<p>A portable fitness tool makes a game out of staying fit – and it’s made just for kids. This free apps wants you to find other free apps, which is good news to your budget. Back up your computer for cheap with this tiny, new device from Toshiba. And this new service will have you pulling off gourmet dinner parties like a pro.</p>
<p>Get Fit Games</p>
<p>OnSale <a href="" type="internal">told you Opens a New Window.</a>about the latest fitness gadget from Fitbit that is geared toward adults, but what about ways to stay in shape for the kids? That’s where a nonprofit organization called <a href="http://www.hopelab.org/" type="external">HopeLab Opens a New Window.</a> comes in. A subsidiary of the group, called Zamzee, has a new tool for helping kids stay motivated to get fit.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.zamzee.com/" type="external">The Zamzee Opens a New Window.</a> is a device that lets kids track their daily activity and track their fitness pursuits online. To help kids stay motivated and interested, there are opportunities to change levels and earn rewards, such as a gift card or an iPod. There’s no monthly fee to use the Zamzee, which costs just $29.95 and can go up to two weeks on a single charge. The device, which fits conveniently in a pocket, comes in four different colors. <a href="http://store.zamzee.com/collections/zamzee-skin-and-goal/products/black-zamzee-meter" type="external">Order one here Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
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<p>Daily Freebies</p>
<p>If you have an aversion to paying for apps, or if you like to find a deal wherever you can, you’re in luck. AppsGoneFree tells you when popular apps in the app store are available free of charge, due to a promotion or contest.</p>
<p>With new updates every day, AppsGoneFree finds the latest deals for great iOS apps for your iPhone and iPad. It also has a feature called AppBump, which lets you nominate your favorite apps that you’d like to see go free at some point.</p>
<p>AppsGoneFree will approach the developers with the most “bumps” or nominations and immediately notify you if it ever becomes available free of charge. <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/appsgonefree/id470693788?mt=8" type="external">Download it Opens a New Window.</a> at the App Store.</p>
<p>Back it Up</p>
<p>Looking for a portable hard drive to back up your collection of music, videos and anything else you have on your computer? A new solution from Toshiba has a great option – and it’s about the size of a smartphone.</p>
<p>The Canvio Slim has 500GB of space and is compatible with PC and Mac. With a USB 3.0 connection, it’s easy to connect and instantly back up your media collection or next novel. Available in black or aluminum, this spacious hard drive costs just $115 or so. Check it out in stores next month or or <a href="http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/adet.to?poid=2000037313" type="external">der one at ToshibaDirect.com Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>Chef’s Special</p>
<p>If you’re a fan of food delivery service, you’ll want to check out Pop-Up Pantry. Why go grocery shopping when you can have a three-course meal brought right to your door? All you have to do is send your dinner party invitations and reheat the affordable, gourmet cuisine. Complete, five-star meals for two start at just $17 per person. After you have your first meal, you can choose from no-obligation subscription plans – with new menu options appearing on the first of each month.</p>
<p>Start building your chef-inspired menu by visiting <a href="https://popuppantry.com/" type="external">Pop-Up Pantry online Opens a New Window.</a></p>
<p>Know of a killer deal or insane bargain? Email the goods to <a href="http://mailto:[email protected]" type="external">[email protected]</a> or follow us on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/onsale_foxbiz" type="external">Twitter Opens a New Window.</a> <a type="external" href="" />and share the wealth.</p> | Fitness Tools for Kids and Gourmet Food Delivery | true | http://foxbusiness.com/features/2012/09/25/fitness-tools-for-kids-and-gourmet-food-delivery.html | 2016-03-04 | 0 |
<p>A MILITARY BASE IN SOUTHWEST ASIA — As the Iraqi Security Forces and Kurdish Peshmerga fighters continue to <a href="" type="internal">close in on Mosul on the ground</a>, the U.S. and coalition are saturating the air above them and to the west.</p>
<p>At any given time there are 15-20 aircraft right over Mosul to gather intelligence and to be in place for airstrikes. Most of those aircraft are unmanned and controlled from the Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) at a military base in southwest Asia.</p>
<p>Inside the CAOC military officials stare at a series of screens with full motion video from drone feeds and at maps showing where aircraft are operating in the region.</p>
<p>The drone feeds in the CAOC today displayed a range of subjects, from following a man as he loaded his vehicle, staying fixed on a compound, and even trailing a man speeding down a dirt road on a motorcycle.</p>
<p>RELATED: <a href="" type="internal">U.N.: ISIS Forces Thousands to Be Human Shields</a></p>
<p>One screen shows what the U.S. military calls the "donuts" over Mosul — the concentration of aircraft essentially flying circles over the city to gather intelligence and potentially conduct strikes. With the operation to re-take Mosul entering the assault phase earlier this month, much of the surveillance is focused on that area, and there is now a specific surveillance mission focused on the area west of Mosul to the Syrian border.</p>
<p>The Iraqis approached Mosul from every direction except the west, leaving it open to give ISIS fighters "an avenue out," a U.S. military official said, adding, "the Iraqis do not want to 'rubblize' Mosul," or turn it into rubble with airstrikes.</p>
<p>ISIS fighters are using that avenue to escape the city — and then return to it. The U.S. military official said that ISIS fighters have been fleeing Mosul to take their families to Raqqa and Dayr az Zawr and then the men come back to Mosul to fight. The official said they are even seeing ISIS leaders kick Raqqa residents out of their homes to make way for the families of ISIS fighters who have fled the coming offensive in Mosul.</p>
<p>RELATED: <a href="" type="external">ISIS Fight Will Get More Deadly: Top U.S. Commander</a></p>
<p>While Mosul is the main focus now, the coalition also has a surveillance mission over Syria, particularly in the north. The U.S. military official characterized the air over northern Syria as “saturated” by surveillance aircraft for more than a year.</p>
<p>The general in charge of the air war over Iraq and Syria says that he is reviewing whether he has enough assets to cover the current mission and the eventual operation to re-take Raqqa.</p>
<p>Lieutenant General Jeff Harrigian said that additional air power could come from an aircraft carrier or he could “surge” aircraft to the area for a period of time. “We are already working through what it might take to bring in some more assets,” Harrigian said.</p> | How the U.S. Military Is Helping Battle ISIS in Mosul From Above | false | http://nbcnews.com/news/world/how-u-s-military-helping-battle-isis-mosul-above-n674971 | 2016-10-29 | 3 |
<p>CHICAGO (5-10) at MINNESOTA (12-3)</p>
<p>Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX</p>
<p>OPENING LINE — Vikings by 12</p>
<p>RECORD VS. SPREAD — Bears 8-6-1, Vikings 11-4</p>
<p>SERIES RECORD — Vikings lead 59-52-2</p>
<p>LAST MEETING — Vikings beat Bears 20-17, Oct. 9</p>
<p>LAST WEEK — Bears beat Browns 20-3; Vikings beat Packers 16-0</p>
<p>AP PRO32 RANKING — Bears No. 27, Vikings No. 2 (tie)</p>
<p>BEARS OFFENSE — OVERALL (30), RUSH (11), PASS (31)</p>
<p>BEARS DEFENSE — OVERALL (8), RUSH (9), PASS (8)</p>
<p>VIKINGS OFFENSE — OVERALL (10), RUSH (8), PASS (13)</p>
<p>VIKINGS DEFENSE — OVERALL (1), RUSH (2), PASS (2)</p>
<p>STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES — Vikings have won six of last eight games vs. Bears overall and 12 of last 15 games vs. Bears at home. ... This is fifth time in 13 years Bears are at Vikings in final regular-season game, with 2005, 2011, 2014 and 2016 the others. ... Bears finishing fourth consecutive season with 10 or more losses and seventh straight missing playoffs. ... Bears haven't had winning record since 10-6 finish in 2012, when coach Lovie Smith was fired. ... With 14-33 record over three years, coach John Fox has second-lowest winning percentage in franchise history. Abe Gibron was 11-30-1 (.274) from 1972-74. ... With 2,015 yards, Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky holds franchise rookie passing record. Second overall pick in draft made first start against Vikings on Oct. 9 and threw interception that led to winning field goal for Vikings. ... NFC North champion Vikings can clinch first-round bye for playoffs with win, or loss by Panthers, Saints or Rams. ... Vikings will be one of eight teams in 12-team field to reach this postseason after missing last year, matching most in NFL since 2003. ... Vikings lead NFL in scoring defense, allowing average of 16.1 points per game. ... Vikings' defense has allowed 17 rushes of 10-plus yards, fewest in league. ... Fantasy Tip: Bears RB Jordan Howard is fifth in league with 1,113 rushing yards. In three career games vs. Vikings, Howard has 364 rushing yards.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>For more AP NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP_NFL</p>
<p>CHICAGO (5-10) at MINNESOTA (12-3)</p>
<p>Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX</p>
<p>OPENING LINE — Vikings by 12</p>
<p>RECORD VS. SPREAD — Bears 8-6-1, Vikings 11-4</p>
<p>SERIES RECORD — Vikings lead 59-52-2</p>
<p>LAST MEETING — Vikings beat Bears 20-17, Oct. 9</p>
<p>LAST WEEK — Bears beat Browns 20-3; Vikings beat Packers 16-0</p>
<p>AP PRO32 RANKING — Bears No. 27, Vikings No. 2 (tie)</p>
<p>BEARS OFFENSE — OVERALL (30), RUSH (11), PASS (31)</p>
<p>BEARS DEFENSE — OVERALL (8), RUSH (9), PASS (8)</p>
<p>VIKINGS OFFENSE — OVERALL (10), RUSH (8), PASS (13)</p>
<p>VIKINGS DEFENSE — OVERALL (1), RUSH (2), PASS (2)</p>
<p>STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES — Vikings have won six of last eight games vs. Bears overall and 12 of last 15 games vs. Bears at home. ... This is fifth time in 13 years Bears are at Vikings in final regular-season game, with 2005, 2011, 2014 and 2016 the others. ... Bears finishing fourth consecutive season with 10 or more losses and seventh straight missing playoffs. ... Bears haven't had winning record since 10-6 finish in 2012, when coach Lovie Smith was fired. ... With 14-33 record over three years, coach John Fox has second-lowest winning percentage in franchise history. Abe Gibron was 11-30-1 (.274) from 1972-74. ... With 2,015 yards, Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky holds franchise rookie passing record. Second overall pick in draft made first start against Vikings on Oct. 9 and threw interception that led to winning field goal for Vikings. ... NFC North champion Vikings can clinch first-round bye for playoffs with win, or loss by Panthers, Saints or Rams. ... Vikings will be one of eight teams in 12-team field to reach this postseason after missing last year, matching most in NFL since 2003. ... Vikings lead NFL in scoring defense, allowing average of 16.1 points per game. ... Vikings' defense has allowed 17 rushes of 10-plus yards, fewest in league. ... Fantasy Tip: Bears RB Jordan Howard is fifth in league with 1,113 rushing yards. In three career games vs. Vikings, Howard has 364 rushing yards.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>For more AP NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP_NFL</p> | Bears-Vikings Capsule | false | https://apnews.com/amp/65502b6b12b44d5b9067527fc8a65c83 | 2017-12-28 | 2 |
<p />
<p>Taylor Swift's revenge-tinged new album "Reputation" soared to the top of the iTunes charts on its first day of release on Friday, earning mixed reviews from music critics while fans devoured the lyrics for clues about her latest targets.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>"Reputation," Swift's first studio album in three years, marks another transformation in image for the country-turned-pop star. It was not made available to music streaming services, in line with the singer's previous releases.</p>
<p>Swift, 27, is known for using her love life for inspiration without ever directly naming names.</p>
<p>In "Reputation," fans and music writers saw hints of her ex-boyfriends Calvin Harris and British actor Tom Hiddleston as possible subjects in the tracks "I Did Something Bad" and "Dancing with Our Hands Tied."</p>
<p>The singer's current love, British actor Joe Alwyn, was widely seen as the inspiration for some of the more romantic tracks like "Gorgeous" and "Delicate."</p>
<p>Swift's long-running feud with rapper Kanye West surfaces again in the track "This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things."</p>
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<p>"There I was giving you a second chance, But then you stabbed my back while shaking my hand," she sings.</p>
<p>The 15-track album's mix of hip-hop, dance and just one acoustic ballad projects a tougher, more vindictive image of the singer who made her name 10 years ago with yearning songs about first love and being an outsider.</p>
<p>Swift declared that her old self was dead in "Look What You Made Me Do," released in August as the first single from the "Reputation" album. It had the biggest YouTube debut in history with more than 43 million views in the first 24 hours.</p>
<p>In a review headlined "Taylor Swift is no longer America's sweetheart", Entertainment Weekly's Leah Greenblatt called "Reputation" an "oddly bifurcated creation, half obsessed with grim score settling and celebrity damage, half infatuated with a lover who takes her away from all that."</p>
<p>USA Today's Maeve McDermott said the album was a "fully formed look at a singer in love, and in control," while Jon Caramanica at the New York Times called it "bombastic, unexpected and sneakily potent." (Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Tom Brown)</p> | Taylor Swift's 'Reputation' debuts to strong sales, mixed reviews | true | http://foxbusiness.com/features/2017/11/10/taylor-swifts-reputation-debuts-to-strong-sales-mixed-reviews.html | 2017-11-10 | 0 |
<p>Growing up outside of London, until he was 14, Nicholas McCarthy figured he would grow up to be a chef.</p>
<p>“Then I saw a friend of mine who played a Beethoven piano sonata,” he says. “She was a very good pianist and I just absolutely fell in love.”</p>
<p>McCarthy says that’s when he realized that it was what he wanted to do. At the time he thought “I want to be a concert pianist,” he says, “Not taking into consideration that I only had one hand.”</p>
<p>So despite being born without his right hand, despite not being able to read music, and — at 14 — already years behind for someone with ambitions to play serious classical music, McCarthy set about learning to do just that.</p>
<p>“I pleaded with my mom and day just to get me a cheap keyboard,” he says, which he started to play. “I literally did by ear because I enjoyed it so much you see.”</p>
<p>For hours and hours a day. A year into his new obsession, McCarthy’s parents got him piano lessons. A year into his lessons, his teacher sat him down for a talk.</p>
<p>McCarthy recalls that she said this:</p>
<p>“I can’t teach you anymore because you’re kind of above my level.”</p>
<p>And so a plucky teenage McCarthy called up the headmistress at the music school where he’d seen his friend play that Beethoven sonata, and asked to audition.</p>
<p>McCarthy describes their conversation: “She basically on the phone was like ‘you can’t possibly play the piano you’ve only got one hand.’ I said — ‘well no, I do, I’d like to show you.’ and she was like ‘no, no … I haven’t got time to see you. You can’t even play scales with two hands’ and then she hung up the phone.”</p>
<p>For weeks, he was discouraged —&#160;even depressed. And then, he realized:</p>
<p>“Out of millions and millions of people in the world why am I letting one person tell me I can’t, when I know I can.”</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>So he arranged for an audition at the even more renowned Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Only this time, he mentioned nothing about his unique style.</p>
<p>“I walked in the room and had to say, by the way, I only have one hand.”</p>
<p>He then proceeded to audition — and to his surprise, was offered a place.&#160;</p>
<p>For two years there, McCarthy specialized in a type of classical music he never even dreamed existed: Pieces written specifically, and exclusively, for the left hand. McCarthy says he researched the music in-depth and found&#160;“an absolute lifetime of work from major composers.”</p>
<p>The likes of Ravel, Prokofiev&#160;and Benjamin Britten, to name a few.</p>
<p>“I just fell in love with all that, it kind of felt like my music,” he says.</p>
<p>And it’s not easy. Unlike traditional playing your hand never gets a moment’s rest, and the compositions themselves are notoriously complex.</p>
<p>“The whole thing with left hand repertoire is trying to create the illusion of it being two or three hands playing,”&#160;McCarthy says.</p>
<p>He went on to study at the Royal College of Music. In 2012 he graduated as the only left-hand-alone pianist in the prestigious school’s 130-year history.</p>
<p>“It’s taken six years for me to get to this stage,” McCarthy says, “and now is kind of where the hard work begins.”</p>
<p>And it’s paying off. McCarthy is a rising classical star. He’s playing major concert halls around the world, and his major label debut album, "Solo," was released&#160;in the US last month.</p>
<p>“People say to me all the time you’re such an inspiration,” he says, “and blah blah blah — I don’t set out to inspire people but if I do that makes me a very happy man.”</p>
<p>Even happier, he says, than he is in the kitchen.</p>
<p>A version of&#160; <a href="https://news.wgbh.org/post/one-hand-and-lot-heart-pianist-nicholas-mccarthy-makes-name-himself" type="external">this story</a>&#160;first appeared on&#160; <a href="http://wgbhnews.org/" type="external">WGBHNews.org</a>.</p> | With one hand, this pianist makes us think about classical music in a new way | false | https://pri.org/stories/2016-03-16/one-hand-and-lot-heart-pianist-nicholas-mccarthy-makes-name-himself | 2016-03-16 | 3 |
<p>The Latest on the ongoing investigation into Russia's alleged interference in the 2016 election (all times local):</p>
<p>5 p.m.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>The Senate intelligence committee is inviting Donald Trump's personal lawyer to testify in an open hearing next month as part of its investigation into Russian meddling in the U.S. election.</p>
<p>The panel scheduled the Oct. 25 hearing Tuesday afternoon after abruptly canceling a closed-door interview with Michael Cohen Tuesday morning. The panel's leaders say they canceled the interview because Cohen had issued a public statement despite an agreement not to do so.</p>
<p>Committee Chairman Richard Burr says it changed its rules after Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, issued a similar opening statement before his own interview. Burr says the committee doesn't want witnesses to release in public what they are saying behind closed doors.</p>
<p>Burr says he doesn't think the panel will need to subpoena Cohen.</p>
<p>__</p>
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<p>12:20 p.m.</p>
<p>Senate intelligence committee leaders say they canceled a scheduled interview with President Donald Trump's personal lawyer after he released a public statement.</p>
<p>Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr, R-N.C., and the panel's top Democrat, Sen. Mark Warner, say in a statement that the panel had requested Michael Cohen "refrain from public comment." But Cohen released a statement Tuesday morning saying a proposal to develop a Trump Tower in Moscow was "solely a real estate deal and nothing more."</p>
<p>Burr and Warner say they "declined to move forward" with the closed-door staff interview and will schedule an open hearing instead.</p>
<p>The leaders said they are "disappointed that Mr. Cohen decided to pre-empt today's interview by releasing a public statement" and expect witnesses to work in good faith with the committee.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>11 a.m.</p>
<p>President Donald Trump's personal lawyer says that the Senate Intelligence Committee chose to postpone his closed-door interview.</p>
<p>Michael Cohen says the postponement happened after he was in the committee's offices for about an hour and a half Tuesday morning. He did not give a reason for the delay, referring questions to the committee.</p>
<p>The committee is one of several congressional panels investigating Russian interference in the presidential race and potential ties to the Trump campaign. Special counsel Robert Mueller and his team of investigators are conducting their own criminal investigation.</p>
<p>Cohen says in a prepared statement to the committee that he never saw any "hint" of Trump being involved in Russia's election meddling. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the statement.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>10 a.m.</p>
<p>Donald Trump's personal lawyer says a proposal to develop a Trump Tower in Moscow was "solely a real estate deal and nothing more."</p>
<p>Michael Cohen is appearing Tuesday before staff members of the Senate Intelligence Committee.</p>
<p>In an opening statement obtained by The Associated Press, Cohen addressed revelations from last month that the Trump Organization had considered doing business in Russia during the presidential election through a proposed Trump Tower in Moscow.</p>
<p>Cohen says in his statement that the proposed deal was abandoned in January 2016 — "months before the very first primary" — and that he was simply "doing my job."</p>
<p>He also said that he had seen no evidence that Trump was involved in Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.</p> | The Latest: Intel panel invites Trump lawyer to open hearing | true | http://foxbusiness.com/markets/2017/09/19/latest-trump-lawyers-statement-derailed-senate-meeting.html | 2017-09-19 | 0 |
<p>Average U.S. rates on fixed mortgages edged up slightly this week, remaining near historically low levels.</p>
<p>Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac says the nationwide average rate for a 30-year loan rose to 4.15 percent from 4.12 percent last week. The average for the 15-year mortgage increased to 3.24 percent from 3.22 percent.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Mortgage rates are slightly lower than they were at the same time last year, having fallen recently after climbing last summer. That's when the Federal Reserve began talking about reducing the monthly bond purchases it has been using to keep long-term interest rates low.</p>
<p>Rates have fallen modestly this year as Fed officials have signaled strongly that while they are trimming the bond purchases, they are in no rush to start boosting a key short-term rate the Fed controls.</p> | Average US rate on 30-year mortgage edges up to 4.15 percent; 15-year loan up to 3.24 percent | true | http://foxbusiness.com/markets/2014/07/10/average-us-rate-on-30-year-mortgage-edges-up-to-415-percent-15-year-loan-up-to.html | 2016-03-05 | 0 |
<p>New research has found that wearing makeup can not only give women a confidence boost but can also make them feel smarter.</p>
<p>Carried out by researchers from Harvard Medical School, USA, and the University of Chieti, Italy, the team looked into the “lipstick effect” among 186 female undergraduate students.</p>
<p>The “lipstick effect” is a known psychological phenomenon in which wearing makeup can give individuals a confidence boost by making them feel more physically attractive, increasing feelings of self-esteem, attitude, and personality.</p>
<p>However, a less well-known effect is that a boost in self esteem can also boost cognitive abilities. As previous research has already shown that positive emotions can improve academic performance, the new study set out to see if the positive boost in self esteem from wearing makeup could have the same effect.</p>
<p>The female undergraduates were placed into different groups and given a series of tests to complete, which consisted of answering multiple choice questions about a chapter from a general psychology textbook.</p>
<p>Before taking the test, members of one group were asked to apply makeup, another group listened to “a positive music excerpt,” and a third colored a drawing of a human face.</p>
<p>The team believed that those wearing makeup would experience the greatest boost in positive feelings, and therefore would perform better in the tests than the other two groups.</p>
<p>The results showed that although there was a significant increase in cognitive performance from the group who listened to positive music, as predicted it was those in the makeup group who performed significantly better than females in the other two groups.</p>
<p>The team pointed out that although makeup wasn’t the only way of boosting test results, the findings do offer new understanding into the ways in which boosting physical self-esteem through using makeup may interact with cognition.</p>
<p>They now suggest further research to look into whether makeup has longer lasting effects on cognitive performance.&#160;</p>
<p>The findings can be found published online in the journal&#160;Cogent Psychology.</p> | Wearing Makeup Makes Women Feel Smarter: Harvard | false | https://newsline.com/wearing-makeup-makes-women-feel-smarter-harvard/ | 2017-07-31 | 1 |
<p>So Anthony Scaramucci walked out of our lives forever.</p>
<p>There has hardly been a more cinematic week in politics than the last. Scaramucci was hired as White House communications director by President Trump, apparently with the approval of Jared and Ivanka. Scaramucci’s entry prompted the exit of White House press secretary Sean Spicer, who emerged from 180 days of excrement-smelling foulness I can’t even imagine — or maybe I just don’t want to. Spicer is now sitting on a beach in Zihuatanejo, sipping a beer.</p>
<p>Scaramucci immediately gave one of the most memorable press conferences of all time — a mashup of LeFou from Beauty and the Beast and Mini-Me from Austin Powers. Trump, he said, is “the most competitive person I’ve ever met. I’ve seen him throw a dead spiral through a tire. I’ve seen him at Madison Square Garden, he’s standing in the key, he’s hitting foul shots and swishing them. He’s sinking three-foot putts. I don’t ever see a guy under siege. . . . We’re gonna do a lot of winning.”</p>
<p>And the winning began immediately, with Scaramucci accusing White House chief of staff Reince Priebus of leaking information to the press — particularly information that was already publicly available about his financial disclosures. With all the subtlety of Luca Brasi, he went on CNN and said that he and Priebus might be like Cain and Abel. Then he did an on-the-record interview with The New Yorker’s Ryan Lizza that seemed like an outtake from American Psycho, with Scaramucci as a coked-up Patrick Bateman: He begged Lizza to out his sources for the sake of the “American country,” then threatened to fire everybody, then suggested that Priebus was a “paranoid schizophrenic” and that White House chief strategist Steve Bannon wanted to ride Trump’s coattails and focused on performing feats of tantric sexual yoga that Sting could only dream about.</p>
<p>That prompted Priebus to resign, bowing his head before Trump on his way out the door, praising the boss who allowed him to be publicly humiliated like Kevin Bacon being spanked with a fraternity paddle and then asking for seconds.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, news broke that our intrepid hero, The Mooch, would be divorced by a wife so unhappy with his social climbing that she didn’t even want him at the hospital when she gave birth to their newest child. It was hard not to see shades of Kaye arguing with Michael about the future of their family in Godfather II.</p>
<p>But, as it turned out, Scaramucci wasn’t Michael — he was Janos Slynt, the once-grand King’s Landing lord reduced to penury and finally executed for following the wrong man too sycophantically.</p>
<p>Trump, like the TV salesman from Robocop, grinned his way through this entire enterprise.</p>
<p>Politics is no longer about channeling values toward policy; it’s now about The Bachelor­–style vicarious enjoyment. I’m not the only one stretching for Hollywood comparisons for this administration. This week, Peggy Noonan of The Wall Street Journal compared President Trump unfavorably with Woody Allen. Kevin Williamson of National Review hilariously compared Trump — again unfavorably — to Wall Street bros who sit around reciting Alec Baldwin’s Glengarry Glen Ross speech to one another. I myself tweeted regarding the ouster of Scaramucci that this was my favorite episode yet of Trump: The Series.</p>
<p>But there’s a fair bit of truth to all the joking. Trump’s presidency is a Hollywood presidency — and it’s a comedy. Our obsession with Hollywood narrative has addled our mind when it comes to politics. We search for heroes and villains as opposed to trustworthy representatives to carry out their promises.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/article/450056/anthony-scaramucci-donald-trump-entertainment-hollywood-movies-comedy-tragedy-leadership" type="external">Read the rest here</a>.</p> | Shapiro At 'National Review': 'Trump: The Series' Needs To Stop, 'Trump: The Presidency' Needs To Start | true | https://dailywire.com/news/19253/shapiro-national-review-trump-series-needs-stop-ben-shapiro | 2017-08-02 | 0 |
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/artbystevejohnson/" type="external">Steve Johnson</a> / <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" type="external">CC-BY-2.0</a></p>
<p>A Guardian investigation prompted by the toxic water crisis in Flint, Mich., found that administrations in at least 33 U.S. cities, including Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia and Detroit, cut corners while testing drinking water for dangerous levels of lead.</p>
<p>Among the discoveries were the findings that officials in Philadelphia and Chicago asked employees to test water safety in their own homes, while Michigan and New Hampshire advised water departments to give themselves extra time to complete tests so that if lead contamination exceeded federal limits, officials could rsample and remove results with high levels.</p>
<p>Other cities denied knowledge of the locations of lead pipes and failed to sample the required number of homes with lead piping or refused to release maps of lead pipes, claiming it would risk the city’s security.</p>
<p />
<p>Marc Edwards, a Virginia Tech scientist who first uncovered the crisis in Flint, described water testing in some of United States’ largest cities is an “outrage”.</p>
<p>“They make lead in water low when collecting samples for EPA compliance, even as it poisons kids who drink the water,” Edwards said. “Clearly, the cheating and lax enforcement are needlessly harming children all over the United States.</p>
<p>“If they cannot be trusted to protect little kids from lead in drinking water, what on Earth can they be trusted with? Who amongst us is safe?”</p>
<p>The Guardian <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jun/02/lead-water-testing-cheats-chicago-boston-philadelphia" type="external">reports</a>:</p>
<p>For 25 years, the Environmental Protection Agency has required water utilities to test a small pool of households for lead contamination at least every three years. Typically, city water departments ask residents to collect these water samples. But the way residents are instructed to sample their water, as well as which households are chosen for testing, can profoundly impact how much lead is detected.</p>
<p>Testing methods that can avoid detecting lead include asking testers to run faucets before the test period, known as “pre-flushing”; to remove faucet filters called “aerators”; and to slowly fill sample bottles. The EPA reiterated in February that these lead-reducing methods go against its guidelines, and the Flint charges show they may now be criminal acts.</p>
<p>The arrest warrant for Glasgow, Busch and Prysby states that the men “did properly manipulate the collection of water samples by directing residents to ‘pre-flush’ their taps by running the water for five minutes the night before drawing a water sample and/or did fail to collect required sampled included in the tier 1 category of service lines.”</p>
<p>The tactic of pre-flushing, which helps clear lead from home plumbing prior to a test, is rampant across many large cities. In their most recent test cycles, Philadelphia; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Buffalo, New York, tested water for lead in this way.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jun/02/lead-water-testing-cheats-chicago-boston-philadelphia" type="external">Continue reading</a>.</p>
<p>Apparently as a consequence of the investigation, water departments that used the bad practices <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jun/02/lead-testing-cheats-us-water-departments" type="external">told The Guardian</a> that they will change their practices.</p>
<p>Most of the water departments involved said they used the testing methods because state governments told them to, federal guidance was not clear, or they had not received any word that practices may underestimate lead content.</p>
<p>The investigation into lead testing methods comes after the lead contamination crisis in Flint, Michigan, where indictments against three government officials referenced water testing methods as part of an alleged coverup.</p>
<p>The Guardian requested records from more than 80 of the most populous cities east of the Mississippi river, which have some of the oldest homes in the country. Forty-three cities provided documents to the Guardian, and 33 were found to have used methods the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advised against earlier this year.</p>
<p>—Posted by <a href="" type="internal">Alexander Reed Kelly</a>.</p> | Water Departments to Change Lead-Testing Methods After Investigators Find 'Cheats' in 33 U.S. Cities | true | https://truthdig.com/articles/water-departments-to-change-lead-testing-methods-after-investigators-find-cheats-in-33-u-s-cities/ | 2016-06-02 | 4 |
<p>PHNOM PENH (Reuters) – Cambodia’s economy is forecast to grow 6.9 percent next year, compared with a projected 6.8 percent pace in 2017, despite risks including uncertainties over next year’s election, the World Bank said on Wednesday.</p>
<p>Cambodia’s political turbulence has had little impact on economic growth, which has hovered around 7 percent for the past six years.</p>
<p>The World Bank said textile exports had moderated and the construction sector showed signs of slowing, but other manufacturing exports had increased and Cambodia was also drawing more tourists – particularly from China.</p>
<p>“The outlook remains positive,” it said in a report.</p>
<p>“A possible slowdown of the regional economy, especially China, and potential election related uncertainties, however, pose downside risks to the outlook.”</p>
<p>China is now Cambodia’s biggest aid donor and investor, but Western donors remain important and Cambodia has been increasingly at odds with them in the run-up to the 2018 election.</p>
<p>They have condemned the arrest of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s main rival, Kem Sokha, the dissolution of the main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) and a crackdown on civil rights groups and independent media.</p>
<p>The government accuses Kem Sokha of plotting to take power with American help and his party of treason – charges the opposition says are politically motivated to ensure Hun Sen keeps his more than three-decade hold on power.</p>
<p>Sweden said on Tuesday it was stopping some aid and the United States said it was ending election funding and would take further concrete steps.</p>
<p>World Bank senior country economist Miguel Sanchez said uncertainty had affected Cambodia in previous election years, leading to postponed investment decisions and a decline in foreign currency deposits.</p>
<p>“It was temporary,” he told a news conference.</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> | World Bank sees no slowing in Cambodia's strong growth | false | https://newsline.com/world-bank-sees-no-slowing-in-cambodia039s-strong-growth/ | 2017-11-22 | 1 |
<p />
<p>Much about the Navy's new carrier-based stealth drone project still remains shrouded in darkness. Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>At long last, it's official. The U.S. Navy is building <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/2016/07/23/carrier-based-uavs-to-begin-flying-in-2020s.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">a new war drone for its aircraft carriers Opens a New Window.</a> -- and in fact, it may be building two of them.</p>
<p>Officially named the "MQ-25A Stingray" when <a href="https://news.usni.org/2016/07/15/official-mq-25a-stingray-title-navys-first-carrier-uav" type="external">announced Opens a New Window.</a> back in July, the new drone is expected to be a stealthy "flying wing," capable of penetrating enemy air defenses to launch devastating attacks with cruise missiles. Either that...or it will be a bumbling, oblong-shaped fuel tanker, capable of flying in flow circles over its mother ship, and pumping gas into real fighter jets.</p>
<p>That's where the debate was left last July, with the Navy unable to decide precisely what it wants from a carrier-launched drone. At the time, I opined that Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) were likely to offer prototypes specializing in stealth. Lockheed Martin is well known as the maker of F-22 and F-35 stealth fighter jets. Northrop Grumman built the Navy's first carrier-capable jet drone, <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2013/07/11/northrop-grumman-achieves-first-ever-carrier-landi.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">the batwinged X-47B Opens a New Window.</a>. Both companies were likely to play to their strengths, and advocate for the Navy choosing a stealthy design that -- even if initially assigned only tanker roles -- could "evolve" over time into a true carrier-capable combat jet.</p>
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<p>At the same time, rival drone operators Boeing (NYSE: BA), which builds the Navy's popular ScanEagle, and General Atomics, most famous for its Air Force Predators, would probably bid to build an MQ-25A that looked more like a "traditional" aircraft, eschewing stealth in favor of cheapness and fuel-tank capacity. That's where we left the debate four months ago.</p>
<p>And that's precisely where we remain stuck today.</p>
<p>Late last month, buried in the flurry of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/defensenewsguru/photos/a.247556792035008.1073741828.243137182476969/392039160920103/?type=3&amp;theater" type="external">end-of-fiscal-year contract awards Opens a New Window.</a>, the Pentagon announced that it is funding two carrier-based drone concepts -- one each from the two competing camps. On the "stealthy" side, Lockheed Martin was awarded $43.6 million "to conduct risk reduction activities in support of the MQ-25 unmanned carrier aviation air system, including refinement of concepts and development of trade space for requirements generation in advance of the engineering and manufacturing development phase of the program."</p>
<p>Simultaneously, the Pentagon hired Boeing to do exactly the same work on a (presumably non-stealthy) Stingray design for $43.4 million.</p>
<p>The U.S. Pentagon <a href="https://www.facebook.com/defensenewsguru/?fref=nf" type="external">shoveled $14.5 billion in new contracts Opens a New Window.</a> out the door in the final week of fiscal year 2016, so it's possible I have missed mention of similar development contracts to General Atomics and/or Northrop Grumman. In fact, given Northrop's successful experience building and flying the X-47B, I <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/05/24/us-navy-spent-744-million-robotic-fighter-jet.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">admit to some shock Opens a New Window.</a> at not finding Northrop at the top of the Pentagon's MQ-25 short list. But I've read through the contract announcements twice, and don't think I've missed any official announcements.</p>
<p>Even so, if you're an investor in Northrop Grumman stock, don't panic! Just because your company didn't receive money for "risk reduction activities" doesn't mean Northrop Grumman has no chance of winning the MQ-25 contract. Nor do the two awards announced last month guarantee that Boeing or Lockheed Martin will have a "lock" on building the MQ-25 Stingray. To the contrary, no official Navy "Request for Proposals" to build the MQ-25 is even expected before next year, and no production models are expected before 2021.</p>
<p>At the same time, investors in Boeing and Lockheed Martin may take some comfort in the fact that they were the Navy's first choices to get the ball rolling on the MQ-25A Stingray. For better or worse, I'd have to say that right now, Boeing and Lockheed occupy the pole positions in this race.</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>Fool contributor <a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFDitty/info.aspx" type="external">Rich Smith Opens a New Window.</a>does not own shares of, nor is he short, any company named above. You can find him on <a href="http://caps.fool.com/" type="external">Motley Fool CAPS Opens a New Window.</a>, publicly pontificating under the handle <a href="http://caps.fool.com/ViewPlayer.aspx?t=01002844399633209838" type="external">TMFDitty Opens a New Window.</a>, where he's currently ranked No. 282 out of more than 75,000 rated members.</p>
<p>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> | Navy Greenlights 2 War Drone Prototypes for its Aircraft Carrier Fleet | true | http://foxbusiness.com/markets/2016/10/09/navy-greenlights-2-war-drone-prototypes-for-its-aircraft-carrier-fleet.html | 2016-10-09 | 0 |
<p>Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P. (EEP) will report its next earnings on Nov 01 AMC. The company reported the earnings of $0.24/Share in the last quarter where the estimated EPS by analysts was $0.24/share.</p>
<p>Many analysts are providing their Estimated Earnings analysis for Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P. and for the current quarter 7 analysts have projected that the stock could give an Average Earnings estimate of $0.2/share. These analysts have also projected a Low Estimate of $0.15/share and a High Estimate of $0.25/share.</p>
<p>In case of Revenue Estimates, 4 analysts have provided their consensus Average Revenue Estimates for Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P. as 637.18 Million. According to these analysts, the Low Revenue Estimate for Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P. is 620.87 Million and the High Revenue Estimate is 667.8 Million. The company had Year Ago Sales of 1.25 Billion.</p>
<p>These analysts also forecasted Growth Estimates for the Current Quarter for EEP to be 42.9%. They are projecting Next Quarter growth of 18.8%. For the next 5 years, Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P. is expecting Growth of 14.2% per annum, whereas in the past 5 years the growth was -3.04% per annum.</p>
<p>When it comes to the Analysis of a Stock, Price Target plays a vital role. Analysts reported that the Price Target for Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P. might touch $20 high while the Average Price Target and Low price Target is $17.18 and $16 respectively.</p>
<p>The Relative Volume of the company is 1.37 and Average Volume (3 months) is 1.43 million. The company’s P/E (price to earnings) ratio is 16.84 and Forward P/E ratio of 14.92.</p>
<p>The company shows its Return on Assets (ROA) value of 1.5%. The Return on Equity (ROE) value stands at 9.5%. While it’s Return on Investment (ROI) value is 2.9%.</p>
<p>While looking at the Stock’s Performance, Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P. currently shows a Weekly Performance of -8.91%, where Monthly Performance is -13.3%, Quarterly performance is -11.9%, 6 Months performance is -24.54% and yearly performance percentage is -47.84%. Year to Date performance value (YTD perf) value is -50.63%. The Stock currently has a Weekly Volatility of 3.84% and Monthly Volatility of 3.01%.</p> | Revenue Estimates Analysis Of Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P. (EEP) | false | https://newsline.com/revenue-estimates-analysis-of-enbridge-energy-partners-l-p-eep/ | 2017-11-28 | 1 |
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<p />
<p>to our veterans.”</p>
<p>Rhett Jeppson, of the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Veterans Business Development</p>
<p>NEW BERN, N.C. – Dan Spangler’s business started to take shape after the injured Marine started hanging around a mutt named Spanky and learned he had a soft spot for dogs.</p>
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<p>But as you might expect from a veteran, Spangler took a disciplined but steadfast approach to building his business.</p>
<p>The nearly seven-year journey to opening A Dog’s Dream in New Bern in 2010 included utilizing local small-business resources, going back to school and saving money by working unrelated jobs.</p>
<p>“We are growing by leaps and bounds,” said Spangler, 34. The transition from Marine to employee can be a difficult one, Spangler said, because some private sector opportunities limit veterans with unbending job descriptions and micro-management. That is one of the reasons self-employment is often a better – but not necessarily easier – option for many veterans.</p>
<p>Veterans are 45 percent more likely than their civilian counterparts to be small-business owners or entrepreneurs, said Rhett Jeppson, associate administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Veterans Business Development.</p>
<p>Nearly 1 in 10 small businesses nationwide are veteran-owned, he said. Collectively, those 2.4 million veteran-owned businesses employ almost 6 million Americans and generate more than $1 trillion in receipts.</p>
<p>“We think supporting that small-business veteran owner is huge,” Jeppson said. “It’s not only that we have a moral obligation to support our veterans, but also it makes a lot of economic sense to provide and foster opportunities to our veterans.”</p>
<p>Military members transitioning from active service participate in mandated transition assistance programs that introduce them to different career tracks, including entrepreneurship.</p>
<p>Scott Dorney, the North Carolina Military Business Center’s executive director, said while there are a plethora of services available to those veterans who become entrepreneurs, navigating through all those resources can be a real challenge.</p>
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<p>Jeppson found aid through the SBA’s Veteran Business Outreach Center at Fayetteville (N.C.) State University.</p>
<p>The SBA and its resource partners, Jeppson said, can help veterans with everything from building a business plan to connecting them to financing opportunities.</p>
<p>Mark Haupt, president of the N.C. Veteran’s Business Association, recommends that veterans sorting through resources talk to other business owners who have used the services. He said they should never pay for information that organizations such as the SBA provide for free.</p>
<p>“When you are a veteran, one of the things you have is will, and you are persistent, and even with no resources or very limited resources, you are going to figure things out,” said U.S. Army veteran Alisha Whiteway, who in 2008 opened Tellurvision, a video production firm for small businesses in Raleigh, N.C.</p>
<p>Whiteway said her military service gave her credibility, but she learned how to identify a target market from other business owners.</p>
<p>Whiteway sought help from the Women’s Business Center of North Carolina, along with successful women business owners, to help her move her business forward.</p>
<p>When Spangler returned to Jacksonville, N.C., from Iraq in 2003, he adopted Spanky, a tan and white mutt, from a local shelter.</p>
<p>“We ended up spending a lot of time together,” Spangler said. “He went everywhere with me.”</p>
<p>Spangler enrolled Spanky in classes at PetSmart and became infatuated with the process. He started teaching classes himself when he was given a medical discharge from the Marines in 2004.</p>
<p>He hurt his hip diving for cover when his unit came under fire.</p>
<p>The former microwave and multi-channel radio technician used his GI Bill benefits to get an associate degree at Coastal Carolina Community College.</p>
<p>Spangler visited Anne Shaw, director of the Small Business Center there, to discuss his idea to open a dog-related business. Shaw and others encouraged him to build a plan and save money.</p>
<p>“I learned there were more things I needed to learn,” he said.</p>
<p>Spangler stays in close touch with the Small Business Center and attends almost “every small business thing there is.”</p> | Small-business beginnings | false | https://abqjournal.com/260092/small-business-beginnings-2.html | 2013-09-08 | 2 |
<p>A group of bikini baristas is seeking a court injunction to prevent the city of Everett from enforcing a new dress code banning bare skin at expresso stands.</p>
<p>The request for an injunction was filed Thursday in U.S. District Court, 10 days after the baristas filed a lawsuit against two dress code ordinances passed earlier this year by the Everett City Council, <a href="http://komonews.com/news/local/bikini-baristas-seek-injunction-against-everetts-bare-skin-ban" type="external">our affiliate KOMO reported</a>.</p>
<p>The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court, claims the dress-code ordinances - which ban bare midriffs, shoulders, breasts and buttocks - violate the baristas' rights to free expression and their right to privacy. The ordinances also discriminate specifically against women, the lawsuit says.</p>
<p>The request for an injunction claims the ordinances are unconstitutional because they violate both the state and U.S. constitutions, violate due process rights and would do nothing to deter crime or to increase property values - which was the stated purpose of the ordinances.</p>
<p>The baristas also say the ordinances deprive them of the ability to earn a living in their chosen occupation.</p>
<p>The city of Everett said last week it would not enforce the dress code ordinances while the baristas' federal lawsuit is pending.</p>
<p>The plaintiffs in the lawsuit include seven baristas and an owner of a chain of bikini coffee stands, who argue that the new ordinances effectively abolish all bikini barista stands in Everett, putting women out of work or at the very least reducing their income from tips.</p>
<p>The ordinances require the workers to wear a minimum of tank tops and shorts. It specifically requires employees at "quick service" restaurants, which also include fast food and food trucks, to adhere to the dress code.</p> | Bikini baristas are seeking an injunction against a Washington city's bare skin ban | false | https://circa.com/story/2017/09/22/nation/bikini-baristas-seek-injunction-against-everett-washington-bare-skin-ban | 2017-09-22 | 1 |
<p>Some laughed, others winced, when, on the eve of the U.S. Presidential Election, Royal Jordanian Airlines launched an advertising campaign on social media with a #USElections hashtag and a tagline referencing candidate Donald Trump’s early proposal to ban Muslims from entering the United States.</p>
<p>“Just in case he wins...Travel to the US while you're still allowed to!”</p>
<p>The ad went viral. But now that Trump is the President-elect, using the election to boost sales isn’t so funny.</p>
<p>Or is it?</p>
<p>Before Election Day, Irish low-cost airline Ryanair was referencing themes from the campaign trail in its ads.</p>
<p>And on Wednesday, the carrier was still at it, with an extension of its “No One Trumps Ryanair Fares!” featuring an image of a puckered-up Trump.</p>
<p>Cheeky Ryanair also referenced the election outcome (and the Cubs’ recent World Series win) in a “No, you’re not dreaming” tweet.</p>
<p>The airline’s post #USElection social media ad campaign also made use of the President-elect’s hair:</p>
<p>Not to be outdone, Spirit Airlines rolled out a quick “Go North” fare sale, urging customers to get out of the country by buying tickets to Plattsburgh or Niagara Falls, NY and then driving into Canada from there.</p>
<p>But no word — yet — from Air Canada on whether it’s going to refresh the “Test Drive Canada” campaign it rolled out last June that commented on how many people were searching “How can I move to Canada” online.</p>
<p>The ad foreshadowed real-life: on Election Night so many people were trying to access the Canadian government’s immigration website that it got overloaded and <a href="" type="internal">shut down</a>.</p>
<p>Ultimately, this is perhaps how the skies would look if every disaffected voter were to buy a ticket:</p>
<p /> | Airlines Use Election Results to Promote Travel Far, Far Away | false | http://nbcnews.com/storyline/2016-election-day/airlines-use-election-results-promote-travel-far-far-away-n681971 | 2016-11-10 | 3 |
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<p>PANMUNJOM, South Korea — U.S. Vice President Mike Pence declared Monday the “era of strategic patience is over” with North Korea, expressing impatience with the unwillingness of the regime to move toward ridding itself of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.</p>
<p>Pence told reporters near the Demilitarized Zone separating North and South Korea that President Donald Trump is hopeful that China will use its “extraordinary levers” to pressure the North to abandon its weapons.</p>
<p>Pence, who has called the North’s failed missile test a day earlier “a provocation,” said the U.S. and its allies will achieve its objectives through “peaceable means or ultimately by whatever means are necessary” to protect South Korea and stabilize the region.</p>
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<p>Pence visited a military base near the DMZ, Camp Bonifas, for a briefing with military leaders and to meet with American troops stationed there. The joint U.S.-South Korean military camp is just outside the 2.5-mile-wide DMZ. He later stood a few meters from the military demarcation line outside Freedom House, gazing at two North Korean soldiers across the border and then a deforested stretch of North Korea from a lookout post in the hillside.</p>
<p>His visit, full of Cold War symbolism, and his remarks to reporters come amid increasing tensions and heated rhetoric on the Korean Peninsula. While the North did not conduct a nuclear test, the specter of a potential escalated U.S. response trailed Pence as he began a 10-day trip to Asia.</p>
<p>Pointing to the quarter-century since North Korea first obtained nuclear weapons, the vice president said a period of patience followed.</p>
<p>“But the era of strategic patience is over,” Pence said. “President Trump has made it clear that the patience of the United States and our allies in this region has run out and we want to see change. We want to see North Korea abandon its reckless path of the development of nuclear weapons, and also its continual use and testing of ballistic missiles is unacceptable.”</p>
<p>Trump himself asserted on Sunday that China was working with the United States on “the North Korea problem.” His national security adviser, H.R. McMaster, said the U.S. would rely on its allies as well as on Chinese leadership to resolve the issues with North Korea.</p>
<p>McMaster cited Trump’s recent decision to order missile strikes in Syria after a chemical attack blamed on the Assad government as a sign that the president “is clearly comfortable making tough decisions.” But at the same time, McMaster said on “This Week” on ABC, “it’s time for us to undertake all actions we can, short of a military option, to try to resolve this peacefully.”</p>
<p>The bottom line, McMaster said, is to stop the North’s weapons development and make the Korean Peninsula nuclear-free. “It’s clear that the president is determined not to allow this kind of capability to threaten the United States. And our president will take action that is in the best interest of the American people,” he said.</p>
<p>After a two-month policy review, officials settled on a policy dubbed “maximum pressure and engagement,” U.S. officials said Friday. The administration’s immediate emphasis, the officials said, will be on increasing pressure on Pyongyang with the help of Beijing.</p>
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<p>The officials weren’t authorized to speak publicly on the results of the policy review and requested anonymity.</p>
<p>Pence will be tasked with explaining the policy in meetings with leaders in South Korea and Japan during the trip, which will also include stops in Indonesia and Australia. He will aim to reassure allies in South Korea and Japan that the U.S. will take appropriate steps to defend them against North Korean aggression.</p>
<p>A North Korean missile exploded during launch on Sunday, U.S. and South Korean officials said. The high-profile failure came as the North tried to showcase its nuclear and missile capabilities around the birth anniversary of the North’s late founder and as a U.S. aircraft carrier neared the Korean Peninsula.</p>
<p>A White House foreign policy adviser traveling with Pence said no U.S. response to the missile launch was expected because there was no need for the U.S. to reinforce the failure. The adviser spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the administration’s initial understanding of the launch.</p>
<p>Trump, spending the Easter weekend at his Florida resort, reinforced his commitment to the armed forces under his control. “Our military is building and is rapidly becoming stronger than ever before,” he tweeted.</p>
<p>More directly on North Korea, the president returned to a theme of placing much onus on China for reining in the North. Last week, he said he would not declare China a currency manipulator, pulling back from a campaign promise, as he looks for help from Beijing, which is the North’s dominant trade partner.</p>
<p>“Why would I call China a currency manipulator when they are working with us on the North Korean problem? We will see what happens!” Trump tweeted on Sunday.</p>
<p>Deputy national adviser K.T. McFarland briefed the president on the failed missile launch. She advised patience with China on the issue.</p>
<p>“North Korea is a liability to everybody and it’s a threat not just to the United States, not just to South Korea, not just to Japan, not just to Russia, but it’s actually a threat to China as well,” McFarland said Sunday on “Fox News Sunday.”</p>
<p>Into this tense environment, Pence made his first trip to the region since taking office in January. After arriving in the South Korean capital, he placed a wreath at Seoul National Cemetery and then worshipped with military personnel at an Easter church service at the U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan.</p>
<p>During a fellowship meal after the services, he said the tensions on the Korean peninsula had put into sharp focus the importance of the joint U.S.-South Korean mission.</p>
<p>“This morning’s provocation from the North is just the latest reminder of the risks each one of you face every day in the defense of the freedom of the people of South Korea and the defense of America in this part of the world,” said Pence. “Your willingness to step forward, to serve, to stand firm without fear, inspires the nation and inspires the world.”</p>
<p>Along with the deployment of the U.S. aircraft carrier and other vessels into waters off the Korean Peninsula, thousands of U.S. and South Korean troops, tanks and other weaponry were deployed last month in their biggest joint military exercises. That led North Korea to issue routine threats of attacks on its rivals if they show signs of aggression.</p>
<p>The White House foreign policy adviser traveling with Pence told reporters that the type of missile that North Korea tried to fire on Sunday was medium-range, and that it exploded about 4 to 5 seconds after it was launched.</p>
<p>The North regularly launches short-range missiles, but is also developing mid-range and long-range missiles meant to target U.S. troops in Asia and, eventually, the U.S. mainland.</p>
<p>North Korea has conducted five nuclear tests, including two last year. Recent satellite imagery suggests the country could conduct another underground nuclear test at any time.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Follow Ken Thomas on Twitter at https://twitter.com/KThomasDC</p>
<p>.</p> | Pence warns NKorea ‘era of strategic patience is over’ | false | https://abqjournal.com/988582/trump-china-us-working-on-north-korea-problem.html | 2017-04-16 | 2 |
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<p>NEW YORK — No one, not even Maria Sharapova herself, knew quite what to expect from her return to Grand Slam tennis at the U.S. Open.</p>
<p>It had been 19 months since she had entered a major tournament. She played only nine times anywhere since a 15-month doping suspension ended in April. Two three-set tussles into her stay at Flushing Meadows, it’s clear that Sharapova’s game might be patchy, but she is as capable as ever of coming up with big strokes in big moments — and maybe, just maybe, could stick around for a while in a depleted draw that’s already missing four of the top seven seeded women.</p>
<p>Sharapova became the first woman into the third round at the U.S. Open by using 12 aces to help set aside a poor start and coming back to beat Timea Babos of Hungary 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-1 on Wednesday in Arthur Ashe Stadium.</p>
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<p>“Look, I certainly have expectations, just because I know I’ve been in these stages before and I’ve been able to execute. There’s a certain level of ‘I know I can do this. I’ve done it before. I want to have that feeling again,'” Sharapova said. “But there’s also the realistic understanding of, ‘OK, you haven’t been in this situation for a while. It’s going to take a little time.’ Of course, managing expectations is part of it, learning as you play the matches, which is something I haven’t done for a long time.”</p>
<p>Her victory was the highlight of a busy day that featured 87 singles matches on the schedule after rain washed out most play a day earlier. With so many matches going on, there were plenty of names to keep tabs on — and quite a few surprises. The most noteworthy second-round departures came at night: No. 4 Alexander Zverev and No. 8 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the men’s bracket, and No. 5 Caroline Wozniacki in the women’s.</p>
<p>Zverev, never past the fourth round at a major, was beaten 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (1), 7-6 (4) by fellow 20-year-old Borna Coric, and 2008 Australian Open finalist Tsonga put up little resistance while losing 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (3) to 18-year-old Canadian qualifier Denis Shapovalov. Two-time U.S. Open runner-up Wozniacki’s 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-1 exit against 40th-ranked Ekaterina Makarova followed first-round losses by No. 2 Simona Halep, No. 6 Angelique Kerber and No. 7 Johanna Konta.</p>
<p>“It’s upsetting. Today was upsetting,” Zverev said, perhaps summing up others’ feelings, too. “The way I played was upsetting.”</p>
<p>Past U.S. Open champions advancing included Venus Williams and Marin Cilic into the third round, and Juan Martin del Potro and Svetlana Kuznetsova — who saved three match points — into the second. No. 14 Nick Kyrgios, No. 22 Fabio Fognini, No. 26 Richard Gasquet and No. 27 Pablo Cuevas all lost their openers.</p>
<p>In the early going, it looked as if Sharapova might join them on the way out.</p>
<p>She made 19 unforced errors in the first set, which ended with her missing twice on forehands to give the 59th-ranked Babos the lead. But as the match went on, Sharapova looked more and more like someone who used to be ranked No. 1 and owns five major titles — including the 2006 U.S. Open — than someone who needed a wild-card invitation from the U.S. Tennis Association because she is now 146th, on account of her ban and lack of play.</p>
<p>Sharapova last participated in a major tournament at the 2016 Australian Open, where she tested positive for the newly banned heart drug meldonium. She declined to answer a reporter’s question about how frequently she’s been drug-tested this year.</p>
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<p>Babos said she thought it was “a little bit unfair for the other players” that Sharapova was let into the field, a sentiment echoed by No. 20 seed CoCo Vandeweghe of the U.S., who would have preferred that an American get that wild card.</p>
<p>But here Sharapova is, and she does not appear ready to be an easy out.</p>
<p>“Towards the end of the second set, I felt like I was the fresher player. Going into a third set, that’s a good position or a good feeling to have,” said the 30-year-old Russian, who wore a strip of black tape on the left forearm that bothered her earlier in the month.</p>
<p>She also had a sleeve on her right elbow, which she said was to keep that arm warm.</p>
<p>Sharapova cut down her miscues to 12 unforced errors in the second set, then just five in the third, and finished with a 39-13 advantage in winners, looking as strong as she did while eliminating No. 2 seed Simona Halep in a three-set thriller in Ashe on Monday.</p>
<p>“I definitely wanted to enjoy the quality of tennis that I played with the other night,” Sharapova said, “but I also wanted to put my mind onto this one.”</p>
<p>She already has spent nearly 5 hours on court, and so perhaps the yelling and fist-pumping she showed at the end against Babos were as much a reflection of a sense of relief as celebration.</p>
<p>If 14 return winners were a key to getting past Halep, it was Sharapova’s serving that really made a difference down the stretch against Babos: She won 16 of the last 19 points she served.</p>
<p>“In key moments, she showed why, no matter what happened to her, why she is a big player and good player,” Babos said, “because she came up with some very, very good shots and she didn’t miss her opportunities.”</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Follow Howard Fendrich on Twitter at <a href="http://twitter.com/HowardFendrich" type="external">http://twitter.com/HowardFendrich</a></p>
<p>___</p>
<p>More AP tennis coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/apf-Tennis</p> | Sharapova wins again at Open; No. 4 Zverev, No. 8 Tsonga out | false | https://abqjournal.com/1055629/busy-schedule-set-as-us-open-tries-to-catch-up-after-rain.html | 2017-08-30 | 2 |
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<p>For this reason, she faces charges of trying to poison her employers.</p>
<p>The family noticed a strange smell coming from the food and tea, and it is for this reason that they intercepted her and handed her over to the authorities.</p>
<p>During a visit to the Emirati family's home for investigation, the police discovered bottles of urine hidden under the house maid's bed and this was presented to the prosecutors to be used as evidence in the trial.</p>
<p>According <a href="http://www.gdnonline.com/Details/61389/Woman-facing-trial-for-adding-her-%E2%80%98urine%E2%80%99-in-meals-she-cooked-for-Emirati-family" type="external">The National</a>, the woman admitted to the felony asserting that it was an innocent move to try and gain control over her employers and, as a result, have them retain her for the longest time.</p>
<p>One of the prosecutors explained to the court that the woman's culture condoned the practice, citing it as one of the ways to make people treat you in a special way.</p>
<p>She further explained that she hoped her actions would result in more incentives among other favors from the family, such as salary increment.</p>
<p>She told the prosecutor that she had taken this action after being persuaded by a friend, who claimed that the jinx would work. However, she pleaded innocent during the trial.</p>
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<p>Featured image via <a href="http://www.gdnonline.com/Details/61389/Woman-facing-trial-for-adding-her-%E2%80%98urine%E2%80%99-in-meals-she-cooked-for-Emirati-family" type="external">Gulf Digital News</a></p> | Woman Facing Jail Time For Urinating In Family's Food | true | http://offthemainpage.com/2016/02/03/woman-facing-jail-time-for-urinating-in-familys-food/ | 2016-02-03 | 4 |
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<p>JERUSALEM — Violence returned Thursday to a sacred site in Jerusalem as Palestinians gathering for prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound clashed with Israeli police nearly two weeks after a deadly attack there.</p>
<p>Earlier in the day, Palestinians had celebrated as Israel rolled back security measures and thousands of worshippers heeded a call by Muslim authorities to assemble for prayers at the mosque for the first time in 11 days.</p>
<p>But as crowds pushed at one of the gates to the compound in the Old City, police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse them, with dozens reported wounded.</p>
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<p>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered police reinforcements in Jerusalem following the latest unrest, and police were weighing limiting entry of younger men in anticipation of mass protests for Friday prayers — the highlight of the Muslim religious week.</p>
<p>Israeli troops in the West Bank were put on high alert and prepared for more violence Friday, a military official said.</p>
<p>Tensions have been running high at the site sacred to both Muslims and Jews since three Israeli Arab gunmen killed two police officers on July 14, prompting Israel to install metal detectors and other security devices.</p>
<p>Israel said the measures were needed to prevent more attacks. Palestinians claimed Israel was trying to expand its control over the site, which Israel denied.</p>
<p>The security measures outraged Muslims and triggered protests, and low-level clashes have continued in and around Jerusalem since then, highlighting the deep distrust between Israel and the Palestinians over the holy site.</p>
<p>In protest, Palestinians have prayed in Jerusalem’s streets outside the shrine since the July 14 attack. Israel removed the devices Thursday and the crisis appeared to be easing as Muslim leaders told the faithful to return to pray at the Al-Aqsa Mosque.</p>
<p>Droves of Palestinians entered for afternoon prayers. A handful scaled the roof the mosque and planted Palestinian flags above the entrance. Police later removed them.</p>
<p>Just before worship began, police shot tear gas and rubber bullets at the massing crowd. The Red Crescent said tensions rose as Israeli troops closed one of the gates to the compound as large numbers of worshippers tried to enter, and that 96 people were wounded in the melee. Police said officers were struck by stones and responded with riot dispersal methods, and a spokesman said at least two officers were wounded.</p>
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<p>More clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces erupted after nightfall, with the Red Crescent saying at least eight people were hurt.</p>
<p>In addition, a 26-year-old Palestinian who was wounded earlier this week outside Jerusalem in a confrontation with Israeli troops has died, said Dr. Ahmad Betawi, head of a West Bank hospital. At least four other Palestinians have died in the past week in violent clashes with Israeli security forces.</p>
<p>Rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas both issued calls earlier this week for mass protests on Friday.</p>
<p>The fate of the shrine is an emotional issue at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Even the smallest perceived change to delicate arrangements pertaining to the site sparks tensions.</p>
<p>Jews revere the hilltop compound as the Temple Mount, site of the two Jewish biblical temples. It is the holiest site in Judaism and the nearby Western Wall, a remnant of one of the temples, is the holiest place where Jews can pray.</p>
<p>The walled compound is home to the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock. It is Islam’s third-holiest site after Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia. Muslims believe the site marks the spot where the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven.</p>
<p>Israel had faced intense pressure over the security devices and said it plans to install sophisticated cameras instead. Palestinian leaders and Muslim clerics had insisted Israel restore the situation at the shrine to what it was before the attack.</p>
<p>The simmering crisis has sparked some of the worst street clashes in years and threatened to draw Israel into conflict with other Arab and Muslim nations.</p>
<p>King Abdullah of Jordan, which is the Muslim custodian of the shrine, urged Israel to “respect the historical and legal situation in the holy shrine to prevent the recurrence of these crises.”</p>
<p>Abdullah criticized Israel’s handling of a deadly altercation last weekend at its embassy in Amman involving an Israeli security guard, calling Netanyahu’s conduct “provocative.”</p>
<p>He blasted Netanyahu for praising an Israeli security guard who killed two Jordanians at the embassy after a 16-year-old attacked the guard with a screwdriver.</p>
<p>“Such unacceptable and provocative behavior at all levels infuriates all of us, leads to insecurity and fuels extremism in the region,” Abdullah said.</p>
<p>Abdullah told senior officials that Netanyahu needs to take legal measures that “guarantee the trial of the murderer.”</p>
<p>He said the incident “will have a direct impact on the nature of our relations.”</p>
<p>The Islamic militant group that rules Gaza had praised the Israeli rollback of security at the sacred site. Izzat Risheq, a senior Hamas leader, tweeted that Palestinians achieved a “historic victory.”</p>
<p>Netanyahu is trying to halt a wave of unrest while not appearing to his hard-line base as capitulating.</p>
<p>He sought to fend off the criticism. He took a hard line against Palestinian violence by saying Thursday “the time has come for the death penalty for terrorists in extreme cases.”</p>
<p>A senior member of Netanyahu’s coalition government criticized Israel’s dismantling of the security devices, saying it could bring more violence.</p>
<p>Naftali Bennett, leader of the Jewish Home party, told Army Radio that “every time the state of Israel folds in a strategic way, we get hit with an Intifada. You seemingly benefit in the short term, but in the long term you harm deterrence.”</p> | Clashes, tensions flare at sacred site in Jerusalem | false | https://abqjournal.com/1039094/worshippers-told-keep-praying-outside-holy-shrine-for-now.html | 2017-07-27 | 2 |
<p><a href="http://pienews.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Crash.jpg" type="external" />The crash took place Wednesday night and TV reports showed at least one home on fire. Firefighters battle a blaze after a military jet crashed into a residential neighborhood of Imperial, Calif. Witnesses say two houses caught fire.(Photo: Issac Ramos AP) IMPERIAL, Calif. (AP) - A Marine jet crashed [?]</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/06/04/military-jet-crash-california/9989629/" type="external">Click here to view original web page at www.usatoday.com</a></p>
<p /> | Military jet crashes in California neighborhood | true | http://politicalillusionsexposed.com/marine-jet-crashes-in-california-neighborhood/ | 0 |
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<p>As most everyone has heard, Robin Williams died on Tuesday from <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/12/showbiz/robin-williams-dead/index.html?hpt=hp_t1" type="external">an apparent suicide</a>. The reaction on Facebook and Twitter was one of shock.</p>
<p>How could someone who brought so much joy and humor to the world be so troubled?</p>
<p>Robin Williams brought us a diversity of characters in his movies and television shows. I remember as a child watching reruns of “Mork and Mindy” and wondering, “Who is this guy? He’s so funny!”&#160;His films such as “Good Morning, Vietnam”, “Good Will Hunting”, “Mrs. Doubtfire”, and “Hook” are now classics running regularly on TV. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000245/" type="external">His long filmography</a>&#160;on IMDb yields several scrolls from the mouse.</p>
<p>As <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2014/08/11/robin-williams-is-dead/13925199/" type="external">reports surfaced</a> of his drug and alcohol abuse, we began to learn of a troubled man. Robin Williams&#160;apparent depression most likely led him down the path of suicide. &#160;Unfortunately, some have made&#160;hurtful comments. Fox News anchor, Shepherd Smith <a href="http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/08/12/fox-news-host-labels-robin-williams-such-a-coward-over-alleged-suicide/" type="external">gave his own unhelpful perspective of the nature of suicide</a>:</p>
<p>“One of the children he so loved, one of the children grieving tonight.&#160;Because their father killed himself in a fit of depression…&#160;You could love three little things so much, watch them grow, they’re in their mid-20s, and they’re inspiring you… And yet, something inside you is so horrible or you’re such a coward or whatever the reason that you decide that you have to end it. Robin Williams, at 63, did that today.</p>
<p>These types of statements are not only harmful, but fundamentally shows how many&#160;do not understand the nature of depression and suicide.</p>
<p>As a pastor, I experience a sense of shock from time to time when I&#160;learn of personal demons eating away at people. On the outside, they look fine or maybe just having a bad day, but on the inside they are in severe pain. When someone discloses their inner anguish&#160;to me, it is usually to the point of breaking.</p>
<p>In our churches, we have such a lack of support and understanding of mental health. In churches, there is a sigma attached to people who need to see a counselor, therapist, or psychiatrist. &#160;I find that most people in church keep their mental health needs secret. They do not want to even share their struggles with close friends for fear of judgement. Men, especially, are reluctant to disclose their troubles because they do not want to be seen as “weak”.</p>
<p>The shock surrounding&#160;Robin Williams’ death reveals a reality within our churches: we are poorly prepared to support those with mental health needs. Many Christians want to keep a face or appearance of “everything’s great” but do not have the capacity or opportunity to say, “Help!”</p>
<p>Last&#160;Sunday, I listened to a woman at church tell of her problems with her health and family.&#160;She shared the weight of her&#160;mental anguish. I offered the church’s assistance with meals, rides to appointments, and for folks to help her with other arrangements. She paused, hesitated, and stammered to say, “I…have such a hard time… asking for help. There’s so much on my mind. Thank you.”</p>
<p>We may not be able to solve all the mental health challenges of folks in church but we can do some simple things to create a hospitable culture&#160;for those in anguish. Our churches need to be structured and conditioned in such a way to respond with grace, compassion, and love to those who are struggling. Churches must work to end the stigmas attached to the needs of mental health.&#160;</p>
<p>Church&#160;leaders&#160;and pastors must preach the Gospel of good mental health as well as good spiritual health.&#160;</p> | Robin Williams and the church | false | https://baptistnews.com/article/robin-williams-and-the-church-2/ | 3 |
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<p>“I’ve been playing the guitar a lot more on this tour,” he explains during a recent interview from Portland, Ore. “It’s because we are down one player and I’ve got to fill in that hole.”</p>
<p>Hayes is a San Francisco-based musician who has been making music for more than 15 years. His songs have been remixed by DJ Mark Farina and his music has been featured in TV shows such as “Kyle XY,” “Brothers &amp; Sisters” and “Bored to Death.”</p>
<p>With all that exposure, Hayes is still considered an “artist on the rise.”</p>
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<p>“I just come out and try to make the most honest music that I can,” he explains. “What’s great is that I’m able to share a part of me with the world. Sometimes it’s scary and intimidating, but it’s worth it.”</p>
<p>Hayes has released a handful of albums over the course of his career. His latest album, “Before We Turn to Dust,” was released on Sept. 11.</p>
<p>It took just under two years to put the record out.</p>
<p>“As far as writing, the time went by rather quickly,” he says. “But I was so inspired that all of the words just came out of me.”</p>
<p>Hayes says the inspiration came from becoming a father.</p>
<p>“Looking at my son, it was a reminder that now I had to provide for someone other than myself,” he explains. “I then realized that along with enough money to provide him, he was going to need my attention and love. My outlook changed because I can’t just get up and go. There has to be a lot of planning that goes on before I can head out on tour.”</p>
<p>Hayes says the six-week tour he’s currently on will be the first time he’s been away from his son that long.</p>
<p>“It’s difficult because I have to balance my professional and personal life,” he explains. “I’m rather new to this but I’m slowly figuring out that I have to just roll with how things work out and it’ll be fine.”</p>
<p>Although Hayes has been making music for a while, he admits that he doesn’t think of himself as a musician. He says that he’s been trying to break beyond that thinking for sometime.</p>
<p>“I try to learn a little more from all the musicians I perform with,” he explains. “Somewhere along the line, I get comfortable and know that I’m in the right place. But I have more days where I don’t feel like a musician. But I continue to push myself and that’s the reason I’ve picked up more guitar duties. I travel as a trio now and it was just something that needed to be done.”</p> | Juggling Family, Career Brings New Lessons | false | https://abqjournal.com/137961/juggling-family-career-brings-new-lessons.html | 2012-10-12 | 2 |
<p>Published time: 16 Nov, 2017 13:34</p>
<p>Grigory Yavlinsky, a prospective presidential candidate and co-founder of the liberal party Yabloko, has said that his main goal in running for the office would not be victory, but to ‘change Russian politics.’</p>
<p>“A change of politics is my priority. Today, in November 2017, our real goal should be a change in politics and we should somehow make millions of people vote for this change,” Yavlinsky told reporters at a press conference on Thursday.</p>
<p>Read more</p>
<p><a href="https://www.rt.com/politics/333964-veteran-russian-liberal-yavlinsky-announces/" type="external" /></p>
<p>“In December there will be some other goals, like collecting supporters’ signatures, registration as a candidate, and the presidential campaign itself. Then we will talk about the vote percentage,” the politician added.</p>
<p>“Even if some other candidate unexpectedly wins this election, the fate of my proposals would depend on how many people voted for me. The candidate who gets elected would have to heed these people’s will. This is the way for the people to show their attitude and achieve some changes in politics,” Yavlinsky said.&#160;</p>
<p>Grigory Yavlinsky is a veteran politician and a co-founder of the liberal political party Yabloko. He was one of the first politicians to announce his intention to run in the 2018 presidential elections – he did so as early as February 2016. Back then, Yavlinsky assured his party comrades and reporters that his chances of victory were very real, dismissing as unimportant the fact that incumbent President Vladimir Putin enjoyed an approval rating of well over 80 percent.</p>
<p>Read more</p>
<p><a href="https://www.rt.com/politics/381399-free-land-handover-tops-veteran/" type="external" /></p>
<p>“I make this conclusion precisely because Vladimir Putin’s rating is exceptionally high today. From my point of view, the situation in the economy looks so bad that, in a year, early elections could become a reality – Putin will want to have the elections ahead of term in order not to wait for the situation to deteriorate further… So far, he has never held elections in a situation of downward trends,” Yavlinsky said.</p>
<p>In March this year, he presented his elections program, which is built around the promise to grant every Russian citizen a free one-acre plot of land on which to build a home.</p>
<p>Yavlinsky already participated in Russian presidential elections in 1996 and 2000, getting 7.35 and 5.8 percent of votes, respectively. He also registered as a candidate in the 2012 presidential elections, but his name was removed from the ballot before the polls because a large share of supporters’ signatures provided by his headquarters had been recognized as invalid.</p> | Liberal presidential hopeful Yavlinsky says victory is not a priority | false | https://newsline.com/liberal-presidential-hopeful-yavlinsky-says-victory-is-not-a-priority/ | 2017-11-16 | 1 |
<p />
<p>U.S. lawmakers on Wednesday blasted steep price increases for Mylan's EpiPen emergency allergy treatment as they grilled the company's Chief Executive Heather Bresch at a congressional hearing.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform called Bresch to testify after the company raised the list price for a pair of EpiPens to $600 compared with $100 in 2007, when it acquired the product.</p>
<p>Congressman Elijah Cummings, ranking Democrat on the committee, said Mylan "jacked up" the price of the life-saving product "to get filthy rich at the expense of our constituents."</p>
<p>"After Mylan takes our punches they'll fly back to their mansions in their private jets and laugh all the way to the bank," Cummings said.</p>
<p>The EpiPen is an automatic injector designed to treat life-threatening allergic reactions to anything from nuts to bee stings, delivering a dose of epinephrine through a quick jab in the thigh.</p>
<p>The price increases ignited a national controversy in August, as a growing number of families protested and said they were unable to afford the device through their health insurance.</p>
<p>Advertisement</p>
<p>Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz of Utah noted that Mylan said it would soon sell a generic version of EpiPen for about $300. "Suddenly feeling the heat Mylan has offered a generic version and cut the price in half, so that does beg the question what was happening with that other $300?"</p>
<p>Holding up an EpiPen, he said: "the actual juice that's in here that you need costs about a dollar."</p>
<p>The hearing comes after Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton previously called Mylan's price increases outrageous, while both Democratic and Republican lawmakers have called on federal agencies to investigate Mylan's business practices. Several U.S. states are probing the impact of the price increases on government healthcare programs such as Medicaid.</p>
<p>Mylan has responded to the criticism by offering discounts more widely to families, and said it plans to launch a half-price version of EpiPen soon, a move Bresch said on Wednesday would cannibalize its brand-name product.</p>
<p>"Our concern was absolutely that anyone who needs an EpiPen has one," she said.</p>
<p>EpiPen has more than a 90 percent market share for emergency epinephrine auto-injectors. In 2015 it accounted for $1 billion of Mylan's overall sales of $9.45 billion. The device accounts for about 20 percent of company profits.</p>
<p>Critics say EpiPen would remain profitable at a lower price.</p>
<p>A recent analysis by the consumer watchdog Public Citizen found that an EpiPen two-pack costs $69 in the United Kingdom, $181.81 in Canada and $210.21 in Germany.</p>
<p>"The EpiPen clearly is profitable at prices far lower than Mylan's U.S. prices," Robert Weissman, president of Public Citizen, said in a statement. "Mylan has dramatically hiked the price simply because it could, not because it needed to recover any cost of making the product."</p>
<p>Bresch said during testimony that after rebates, fees and costs, the company makes about $100 per EpiPen pack.</p>
<p>Lawmakers are also trying to determine whether Mylan made more money on the EpiPen than warranted from state Medicaid programs by having it classified as a generic product rather than a branded drug, resulting in much smaller rebates to the government health plans.</p>
<p>The U.S. Food and Drug Administration classifies EpiPen as branded but the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services classifies it as a generic for the purposes of Medicaid's drug rebate program.</p>
<p>Every company that participates in the Medicaid rebate program pays 13 percent in rebates back to the states on generic drug prices. They pay back 23 percent on the price of a branded drug. Mylan has said it complied with all laws and regulations regarding rebates.</p>
<p>Senate Republicans have asked the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General to investigate whether its agency CMS made sure states were getting the correct rebates on covering EpiPen prescriptions.</p>
<p>EpiPen has also increased the cost burden to the Medicare program for the elderly, according to an analysis from the Kaiser Family Foundation, a health policy research group. Before rebates, EpiPen costs for Medicare Part D increased more than 1,000 percent between 2007 and 2014, from $7 million to $87.9 million, the report said.</p> | House Members Grill Mylan CEO on EpiPen Price Hikes | true | http://foxbusiness.com/politics/2016/09/21/house-members-grill-mylan-ceo-on-epipen-price-hikes.html | 2016-09-21 | 0 |
<p>(Screenshot courtesy of YouTube)</p>
<p>“Finding Dory” raked in&#160;$136.2 million in North America on its opening weekend, setting a record for an animated film’s premiere and beating out previous winner “Shrek the Third” which made&#160;$121.6 million in 2007.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.ew.com/article/2016/06/19/weekend-box-office-finding-dory-animated-film-record" type="external">Entertainment Weekly</a>reports the Pixar film, the sequel to 2003’s “Finding Nemo,” also became the second-largest June opening of all time right behind “Jurassic World.”&#160;Internationally “Finding Dory” pulled in a weekend total of&#160;$186.2 million.</p>
<p>Ellen DeGeneres and Albert Brooks returned to voice their “Finding Nemo” characters, Dory and Marlin.</p>
<p>Comedy “Central Intelligence,” starring Kevin Hart and Dwayne Johnson, came in a number two for the weekend trailing behind at&#160;$34.5 million.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Albert Brooks</a> <a href="" type="internal">Ellen DeGeneres</a> <a href="" type="internal">Entertainment Weekly</a> <a href="" type="internal">Finding Dory</a> <a href="" type="internal">Finding Nemo</a> <a href="" type="internal">Pixar</a></p> | ‘Finding Dory’ has record-breaking opening weekend | false | http://washingtonblade.com/2016/06/20/finding-dory-has-record-setting-opening-weekend/ | 3 |
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<p>From <a href="http://articles.ktuu.com/2012-07-05/signs_32555718#.T_g4LeOSjMQ.email" type="external">KTUU</a> in Anchorage, Alaska:</p>
<p>Several electronic road construction signs around Anchorage were hacked late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning, according to the state Department of Transportation.</p>
<p>Signs that normally display closure and detour information, like the one on Minnesota Drive near 100th Avenue, were changed to read “Impeach Obama.” That particular sign wasn’t fixed until sometime between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. Thursday.</p>
<p>It happened because DOT says it doesn’t lock the boxes on the signs that hold the message control pad.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" /></p>
<p>The Alaska DOT was not happy:</p>
<p>“I’m sure somebody thought it was a pretty funny joke but we try to convey a lot of important information with these signs,” said Tim Croghan, a regional construction engineer for DOT.</p>
<p>What could be more “important information”?</p> | Important message from the Alaska DOT | true | http://legalinsurrection.com/2012/07/26751/ | 2012-07-07 | 0 |
<p>It has been reported that Trump’s former campaign chairman Paul Manafort was indeed wiretapped during the presidential campaign trail and after the election.</p>
<p>Now CNN — who were very critical of President Trump for the allegations — may have to admit Donald was right that the Obama administration did in fact wiretap Trump Tower.</p>
<p>“Terrible! Just found out that Obama had my ‘wires tapped’ in Trump Tower just before the victory. Nothing found. This is McCarthyism!” Trump tweeted on March 4 of this year.</p>
<p>Since there was no evidence of the issue, CNN severely criticized Trump for publishing the tweet.</p>
<p>Clearly, Trump made that statement on some withstanding knowledge.</p>
<p>‘After it emerged that US investigators were wiretapping Manafort under a secret court order both before and after the election, CNN was forced to concede that Trump’s original claim may have been correct,’ reports <a href="https://www.infowars.com/cnn-forced-to-admit-trump-may-have-been-right-about-being-wiretapped/" type="external">InfoWars</a>.</p>
<p />
<p>CNN’s Pamela Brown said last night, “What is possible, Don, is that [Trump] was picked up on the Manafort surveillance and we should note that Manafort does have a residence in Trump Tower.”</p>
<p><a href="https://www.infowars.com/cnn-forced-to-admit-trump-may-have-been-right-about-being-wiretapped/" type="external">InfoWars</a>&#160;claims that, ‘in making this admission, CNN is merely replicating what the New York Times reported back on January 20, that Paul Manafort and anyone else potentially residing in Trump Tower was “wiretapped” by the Obama-controlled federal government.’</p>
<p>Here is what Wikileaks founder Julian Assange had to say about it:</p>
<p />
<p>&#160;</p> | CNN Made to Report Trump’s ‘Wiretap’ Accusations May Have Been True | true | http://girlsjustwannahaveguns.com/cnn-made-report-trumps-wiretap-accusations-may-true/ | 0 |
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<p>Today is the tenth birthday of the legislation that repealed the Depression-era Glass-Steagall Act. Glass Steagall’s repeal allowed banks to combine investment banking and commercial banking operations—a move that many people believe contributed to the financial crisis by allowing banks to grow larger than ever before. If you’ve been paying attention, you know that a lot of the people who celebrated Glass-Steagall’s downfall are still running the economy today. But I didn’t know just how much they celebrated. Here, <a href="http://blogs.reuters.com/felix-salmon/2009/11/12/happy-10th-birthday-financial-modernization-bill/" type="external">via Felix Salmon</a>, is American Banker‘s contemporaneous account of the party, which reads like something straight out of the <a href="http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/" type="external">Cake Wrecks blog</a>:</p>
<p>The reaction on Capitol Hill to passage of the financial reform bill last week ranged from revelry to morbid humor. To mark the historic occasion, House Banking Committee Chairman Jim Leach played host to a group of his closest collaborators on the bill, including Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan Greenspan, Treasury Secretary Lawrence H. Summers, Comptroller of the Currency John D. Hawke Jr., Treasury Under Secretary Gary Gensler, and Rep. John J. LaFalce, D-N.Y. They joined staff members, lobbyists, and reporters in drinking champagne and devouring a large cake, which bore an epitaph for the Depression-era separation of commercial and investment banking that the bill undoes. It read: “Glass-Steagall, R.I.P., 1933-1999.”</p>
<p>Gary Gensler runs the Commodity Futures Trading Commission for the Obama administration. Larry Summers, of course, is Barack Obama’s top economic adviser. Save a piece of cake for us, guys. (As Felix notes, it would be a-mazing to find a photo of this party.)</p>
<p /> | The Glass-Steagall Cake | true | https://motherjones.com/politics/2009/11/glass-steagall-cake/ | 2009-11-12 | 4 |
<p>Two weeks before Israel’s 60th anniversary the House and Senate voted unanimously to pass resolutions honoring “the founding of the modern State of Israel.” Before the House vote, Speaker Nancy Pelosi weighed in on the deliberations saying, “I urge our colleagues to speak with one voice, and support this resolution recognizing the 60th anniversary of the state of Israel. In doing so, we not only commend Israel, we also bring luster to this House by associating ourselves with that great state of Israel.” To further commemorate Israeli independence, Pelosi reserved time through the month of June for a weekly series of floor speeches.</p>
<p>Israel Independence Day has been celebrated within Jewish communities in the United States since Israel was founded. Traditionally the celebrations were organized by synagogues or Hebrew schools. Children would sing Ha’Tikvah, the Israeli national anthem, and read scriptures on the Promised Land. But these days the anniversaries are geared toward the broader public, making headlines in places where there are large Jewish communities, but also in areas where one would be hard-pressed to find a single person identifying as Jewish. Not only are the anniversaries endorsed by celebrities and political committees (this year’s “National Committee” includes former presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, the three presidential frontrunners, and all living secretaries of state), but the organizers offer a dizzying array of festivities, requiring careful planning by those hoping to partake in all the revelry.</p>
<p>Israel’s Independence Day fell on May 8 this year, but in the US the festivities run from early April through the beginning of June. With all the events going on around the country, have you planned how you will celebrate Israeli independence?</p>
<p>Mark Your Calendar</p>
<p>If you really had your act together, you could have booked a trip to the Holy Land with Pastor John Hagee and his Christians United For Israel (CUFI) tour. During ten days in early April, the Celebrate Jerusalem Tour featured a Night to Honor Jerusalem, a Middle East Intelligence Briefing, a luncheon at the Jerusalem Convention Center, a Jerusalem Unity Rally Walk, and a “special CUFI salute” to Israel’s 60th anniversary. Best of all, you would have gotten to hear Hagee’s rallying speech, in which he announced his pledge of $6 million for Israeli causes (mostly settlement-related) and declared that ”Turning part or all of Jerusalem over to the Palestinians would be tantamount to turning it over to the Taliban.”</p>
<p>For those who don’t like to travel, not to worry. You can get a taste of Israel from the comfort of your own suburb. On May 18, jaunt on over to Dunwoody, just outside of Atlanta, where you can see all the major Israeli cities with the “re-creation” of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Jaffa, the Negev, Sefat and Haifa. The Dunwoody events feature “interactive family activities, such as camel rides, rowing across the Dead Sea, and climbing Masada.”</p>
<p>In Beachwood, Ohio, party planners are encouraging revelers to “Take in the sights and sounds of Israel without leaving home!” Among other festivities, organizers have planned a faux Israeli marketplace, where shoppers can “wander displays of one-of-a-kind jewelry, crafts and artwork; smell the flowers; pick up a unique book; and enjoy family-friendly crafts, games, songs and dances.”</p>
<p>In April, homebodies in north Jersey could have seen West Englewood Avenue in Teaneck transformed into Jerusalem’s Ben Yehuda Street, featuring “wonderful vendors, delicious food and fabulous music.”</p>
<p>If you’re not into sightseeing, don’t fret. You can celebrate in more traditional ways -with parades, marching bands and fireworks. To learn about festivals near you, sign up for Facebook’s “ <a href="" type="internal">Party Like It’s 1948</a>” group, or just google “Israel@60” and the name of your town.</p>
<p>The Israel Hobby</p>
<p>You’ve heard of the Israel Lobby? Well, this is the Israel Hobby, and there’s something for everyone. (If you missed this year’s big events, it’s not too early to start planning for next year.)</p>
<p>If you’re a poetry or film buff, drop by an Israel@60 reading or film festival. If you’re a bookworm, join a 60th birthday book club. If you’re a cyclist, register for a 5k, 10k or 60k “Ride with Israel@60” race.</p>
<p>If you like to pamper yourself, try Dead Sea Spa Days. If you’re an art lover, why not amble into an exhibit commemorating Israeli independence? If you’re a foodie, join the Israel@60 Mission, which offers a “food and wine tour of Israel culminating in a star-studded international leadership gathering.” If you prefer to cook your own Israeli delicacies, sign up for an Israel@60 pita-making or Israeli hors d’œuvre class.</p>
<p>Not into falafel? Other options beckon.</p>
<p>If you’re an American Idol addict, check out the results of the Israeli Idol Competition (part of a series of anniversary events in Ann Arbor). If The Amazing Race is more your thing, see who won the 2nd Annual Amazing Israel Race (a citywide treasure hunt in NYC to commemorate Israel’s 60th birthday.)</p>
<p>If you’d rather concentrate on learning a new language, launch a “Café Ivrit” club and commit to speaking 60 minutes of Hebrew each month to honor Israel’s 60-year history. If you’re a budding filmmaker, try your luck in the Israel@60 video contest. If you’re a famous blogger, well, you guessed it: Blog ’til you drop on <a href="" type="internal">60bloggers.com</a>. (Or mark your personal blog with the Israel@60 icon.)</p>
<p>If music is what you live for, hopefully you saw the “60@60” opening night gala at Radio City Music Hall on May 7. (60@60 is a “month-long musical celebration comprising 60 musical events across North America through June 1.”) If you’re a left coaster, you probably dropped by the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles on May 10 for the “Israel 60 At The Kodak” extravaganza. (The Los Angeles “mega-celebration” is a continuation of 60@60, but is also part of another series featuring “60 hours of live entertainment in and around L.A. culminating in an exclusive, star-studded concert.”)</p>
<p>Didn’t get your tickets on time? There are still other options.</p>
<p>If you’re an Indiana Jones-type, go on an Israel@60 archaeological dig, or watch one on video. If you’re more of an intellectual, sign up for a history course on the Israeli Declaration of Independence, or join other “mythbusters” in a class that promises to “break through the myths and get to the truth of Israel’s contributions to the world… technology, medicine, television, music and more.” (Light refreshments served.)</p>
<p>If all this sounds too tame, journey to the front lines with Volunteers for Israel where you’ll commemorate Israeli independence by working on special projects to support the IDF in northern and southern Israel.</p>
<p>With so much going on, you won’t even have time to wonder why we’re seeing such a proliferation of festivities.</p>
<p>The Sellabrations</p>
<p>In economic terms, you could say that Israel Independence Day has “market dominance.” When most people think of Israel Independence Day -if they contemplate it at all- they think of it in terms of Israel’s national narrative.</p>
<p>But in spite of all the festivities, Israel Independence Day may be losing some of its market share. Unable to market the brand to at least two demographics (Muslim and Arab Americans) and losing market share to a generation transformed by a deeper understanding of military occupation (whether in Palestine, Iraq or Tibet), a quality of desperation seems to underlie the latest efforts to sell the holiday.</p>
<p>While advocates of Israel Independence Day still market the holiday to the country as a whole, they’re increasingly turning to niche markets like health &amp; wellness and adventure travel to achieve their main objective: market saturation.</p>
<p>But is it working?</p>
<p>According to Marc Ellis, a Jewish theologian and professor of American and Jewish Studies, the festivities that mark Israel’s anniversaries have little public support in the US, even in the Jewish community: “Look at what happened with Israel’s 50th. They planned a lot of things, but it just sort of fizzled. This is typically what happens.” Ellis thinks the celebrations fizzle for a variety of reasons. First, despite the attempts to make it seem otherwise, Israel isn’t a top priority for most Americans, even Jewish Americans. Opinion polls, including one recently commissioned by a prominent Israel advocacy group, confirm this. (News flash for MSNBC’s Chris Matthews, who recently surmised that Israel is the “one key concern” of Jewish voters.)</p>
<p>But Israel’s anniversaries fizzle for other reasons, as well. The most obvious is that many people don’t see much to celebrate. Blaring Kool &amp; the Gang as loud as you can won’t block out the roar of the Palestinian/Israeli conflict. And if the myriad celebrations have anything in common -aside from their glorification of Israel- it is that they all downplay the decades-long war. The party planners seem to think they can erase the image of Israel as it really is by evoking the Israel of legend and lore. (If you google “Israel” and “make the desert bloom” you’ll see how often they try.)</p>
<p>But the edifice of legend is cracking. M.J. Rosenberg, director of the Israel Policy Forum, recently wrote about the reluctance of young Jewish Americans to embrace the Israel of lore, saying in a newsletter that “The Internet generation is not into tired organizational talking points which mix facts and myths in equal measure.” Rosenberg argues that, “you can’t defend the occupation and sell Israel at the same time.”</p>
<p>For those trying to sell Israel to the public, opinion polls show that, while Americans tend to sympathize more with Israelis, most people believe that Israelis and Palestinians share the blame for their conflict -along with the United States. A BBC World Service Poll released in early April describes the American public as “nearly evenly divided” in their opinions on Israel. This doesn’t jibe with a narrative that casts Israelis as innocent transplants who got stuck in a bad neighborhood, but are thriving just the same. The frenzy around Israel Independence Day can be seen as an attempt to freeze history back to 1948 when the public’s support of Israel was mostly unequivocal.</p>
<p>People vs. Projects</p>
<p>There is a new ethos now: If you feel for one side, you should feel for the other. Those who subscribe to this view condemn all violence. They put the needs of the people, Israelis and Palestinians, before everything else. You could call them the People-First Movement.</p>
<p>The advocates of this movement, many of whom are American Jews and Israelis, believe that the official Israeli story has to be outsold by a new narrative. This means, first, acknowledging all that happened in 1948, including al nakba: the organized killings of Palestinians, the destruction of hundreds of Palestinian towns and villages, and the expulsion of over seven hundred thousand Palestinians from their land. And it means looking at the US-backed occupation, and the fact that all Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank live under the reach of Israeli military power.</p>
<p>The most striking thing about this movement is how grassroots it is. Although it has a growing DC contingent, the movement is comprised mainly of peace activists, faith-based organizations, and campus groups, which means it doesn’t get much attention from the press. Even so, it has certain people worried, and they have mounted a Herculean effort to regain control -with support from the political and religious establishment, evangelical Christian groups like CUFI and the Joshua Fund, lobbies like AIPAC and the American Jewish Committee, and newer organizations like the Israel Project, the David Project, and the Solomon Project. You might well call this the Project-First Movement. And it has well-funded campus arms like Stand With Us, Campus Watch, and the Israel On Campus Coalition.</p>
<p>The Project-First Movement has begun to use niche marketing to attract narrower and narrower cross-sections of the American public. The goal is to enshrine ever more abstracted conceptions of Israel in the minds of key constituencies, increasingly on the right.</p>
<p>For these activists, the state of Israel -or at least its governing regime- comes first. And just as they direct many of their appeals to the most extreme right-wing constituencies in America, they are increasingly aligned with the most hawkish Israeli politicians.</p>
<p>The movement has a grassroots following (and history), but its core organizations tend to be centralized with munificent funding for PR. They administer surveys, conduct focus groups, implement dial testing, and do interviews to fine-tune their campaigns. This might explain why the PR initiatives behind Israel Independence Day tend to be sophisticated, even if their output seems relatively uninspired.</p>
<p>The Marketing Wars</p>
<p>There is a clear connection between public discourse and policy. Majority support of the status quo has to be maintained if Americans will continue to allow $3 billion of their tax dollars to be allocated annually to Israeli aid. (And up to $3 billion more in loan guarantees.) And what people hear about Israel, Palestine, and US policy in the region shapes how they think.</p>
<p>Public discourse affects policy in more indirect ways, as well. If the root causes of a conflict are obscured, or if one side is characterized as inherently violent, then efforts to negotiate a fair resolution are undermined. In a forthcoming book, Challenging Global Terrorism and American Neo-Conservatism, international law scholar Tom Farer writes that Israel “has championed the view that groups and governments employing terrorist means either have non-negotiable ends or should at least be treated as if they had them, the view that negotiations or even the examination of the substantive claims such groups make merely feeds the terrorist appetite.” The Project-First Movement promotes this narrative above all others, leaving pro-peace policy initiatives dead on arrival.</p>
<p>Although the Project-First Movement is succeeding on the political front, and probably will for the foreseeable future, the People-First Movement has been winning some of the most important narrative wars. In the IPF newsletter cited earlier, Rosenberg describes this trend within the Jewish community: “They are losing the campus battle big time….I’m talking about young opinion leaders who are turned off by the occupation and identify Israel with settlers there and neoconservatives like Feith, Perle, and Krauthammer here. They hate the paranoid style in which all dissent from the status quo is deemed anti-Israel or anti-Semitic and, generally, have no use for the mindless emotionalism and ethnic sentimentality that characterize so much of the organized pro-Israel community. As third or fourth generation Americans, they cannot be won over with scare tactics about the Holocaust or Ahmedinejad.”</p>
<p>For the Project-First Movement to prevail -within the Jewish community and in the broader society- it needs to succeed in two gargantuan tasks: it has to construct a narrative that perpetually glorifies Israel, and it has to block all counter-narratives so that even questioning its project is unthinkable. For the People-First Movement to succeed, it has to achieve only one goal: to humanize the conflict. And this is how they do it:</p>
<p>Through events focused on local organizing, public education, and interfaith dialogue. The main orgs here are peace centers, student and faith-based groups, and indy media outlets.</p>
<p>Through non-violent campaigns to end the Israeli occupation and lift the siege of Gaza. These include everything from action alerts and petitions to boycott, divestment and sanctions initiatives to fact-finding tours and direct action in the West Bank and Gaza.</p>
<p>Through policy and media work by advocacy groups. A random list (pulled from my inbox) of different kinds of US-based groups includes the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, Jewish Voice for Peace (and their MuzzleWatch and StopCaterpillar sites), Electronic Intifada, Brit Tzedek v’Shalom, J Street, the American Task Force on Palestine, Americans for Peace Now, Al Awda, and SUSTAIN (Stop US Tax-funded Aid to Israel NOW).</p>
<p>In the last decade, there has been a surge of activism in the US, Canada and Europe. Omar Baddar, who works with the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, explains that “Activism had died down in the 1990s due to the misconception that the ‘peace process’ was working and could achieve something. Once that fell through, and it became obvious that Israel was choosing illegal territorial expansion over peace with the Palestinians, people felt the need to get active on the issue again.” Baddar believes the movement is growing because it engages supporters “democratically and on many different levels.” The anniversary of Al Nakba on May 15 provides a focal point.</p>
<p>On its <a href="http://www.endtheoccupation.org/article.php?id=1632" type="external">website</a>, the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation lists commemorations happening around the country. Just looking at the cities where I’ve lived, there has been a firestorm of activism: In Philadelphia, a coalition of groups organized “60 Days for 60 Years,” a series of events and actions to commemorate Al Nakba and mobilize support for ending the occupation. In New York, a group called “Jews Remember the Nakba” held a <a href="http://notimetocelebrate.wordpress.com/" type="external">No Time To Celebrate</a> rally on May 7 outside the Israel@60 gala at Radio City Music Hall. New York peace activists will also converge on Dag Hammarskjöld Park (May 16) to commemorate Al Nakba. In Chicago, home to one of the largest Palestinian communities in the US, people will mark the anniversary at the Palestinian American National Conference from May 23 – 25. In Denver, activists organized a variety of educational and cultural events, which will conclude in a demonstration at the state Capitol on May 17.</p>
<p>Some anniversary events focus attention on specific campaigns like divestment initiatives targeting companies that are involved with the occupation, or ending the siege of Gaza. Several organizations planned cross-country speaking tours to coincide with the anniversary. I met Marc Ellis, the Jewish theologian referenced earlier, before a lecture on Jewish activism against the occupation. He was invited by Students for Justice in Palestine (University of Colorado) to take part in a commemoration of the 1948 Deir Yassin massacre.</p>
<p>The last group I’ll mention is an Israeli organization called Zochrot (which means “remembrance” in Hebrew). Its members post signs on the sites of Palestinian villages destroyed by the IDF and distribute maps identifying these sites. To commemorate the events of 1948, activists in Israel and the US have been displaying Zochrot’s maps to show how Palestinians have been cleansed from their land.</p>
<p>The Forecast</p>
<p>Sociologists look at holidays as a form of public ritual. Not only do holidays reflect a society’s values, but they serve to mold these values. With Israel Independence Day, we see a reflection of America’s strategic and cultural alliance with Israel. But we also see the outlines of a continuing military project: A campaign to sanitize Israel’s history and legitimize its aggression against the Palestinians.</p>
<p>On April 24, The Washington Post reported on the Bush Administration’s “secret” agreement with Israel to support settlement expansion in the West Bank. But it’s no secret that, even since the Annapolis talks in November, the Israeli government has authorized a surge of settlement construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. And it’s no secret that the US backs virtually all of Israel’s policies: its settlements and separation wall, its occupation and siege; policies that have strangled the Palestinian people and resulted in many lost lives on both sides.</p>
<p>Because Project-First organizations promote these policies, and thwart people’s desire for peace, they’re essentially a movement without a people, representing the needs of no one but a narrow fringe of ideologues and PR professionals.</p>
<p>LINDA MAMOUN is a PhD candidate in International Studies, an activist, and a dual US/Lebanese citizen.</p>
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<p>&#160;</p> | Marketing Ethnic Cleansing | true | https://counterpunch.org/2008/05/13/marketing-ethnic-cleansing/ | 2008-05-13 | 4 |
<p>BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Family members of people forcibly "disappeared" during Argentina's 1976-83 military dictatorship are hoping Pope Francis will order the opening of files from the era.</p>
<p>Graciela Palacio de Lois, a member of the group Families of the Disappeared and Held for Political Reasons, said Thursday that the Argentine-born pope showed signs of wanting to release the files during a meeting with the group.</p>
<p>The files contain complaints to the papal nuncio in Argentina and the episcopate by familes of those disappeared during the military crackdown, including Palacio de Lois' letter denouncing the 1976 disappearance of her husband.</p>
<p>"The Vatican would just send us a brief reply saying they had received it," Palacio de Lois said.</p>
<p>But she said that when the head of her group, Angela "Lita" Boitano, personally asked the pope to have the files released, he responded: "We're on it."</p>
<p>Boitano also asked Francis to deliver "a self-criticism about the Argentine church" and its role during the dictatorship, Palacio de Lois said. Some human rights groups have accused Argentina's Catholic Church of being an "accomplice" to the military's repression.</p>
<p>"The pope also said they're working on that and they're preparing a document," Palacio de Lois said. She said all that information was later confirmed by Monsignor Giuseppe Laterza, an official in the Vatican secretariat of state.</p>
<p>Official estimates say about 13,000 people were killed or disappeared in a government-sponsored crackdown on leftist dissidents during Argentina's "Dirty War." Human rights activists believe the real number was as high as 30,000.</p>
<p>BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Family members of people forcibly "disappeared" during Argentina's 1976-83 military dictatorship are hoping Pope Francis will order the opening of files from the era.</p>
<p>Graciela Palacio de Lois, a member of the group Families of the Disappeared and Held for Political Reasons, said Thursday that the Argentine-born pope showed signs of wanting to release the files during a meeting with the group.</p>
<p>The files contain complaints to the papal nuncio in Argentina and the episcopate by familes of those disappeared during the military crackdown, including Palacio de Lois' letter denouncing the 1976 disappearance of her husband.</p>
<p>"The Vatican would just send us a brief reply saying they had received it," Palacio de Lois said.</p>
<p>But she said that when the head of her group, Angela "Lita" Boitano, personally asked the pope to have the files released, he responded: "We're on it."</p>
<p>Boitano also asked Francis to deliver "a self-criticism about the Argentine church" and its role during the dictatorship, Palacio de Lois said. Some human rights groups have accused Argentina's Catholic Church of being an "accomplice" to the military's repression.</p>
<p>"The pope also said they're working on that and they're preparing a document," Palacio de Lois said. She said all that information was later confirmed by Monsignor Giuseppe Laterza, an official in the Vatican secretariat of state.</p>
<p>Official estimates say about 13,000 people were killed or disappeared in a government-sponsored crackdown on leftist dissidents during Argentina's "Dirty War." Human rights activists believe the real number was as high as 30,000.</p> | Argentine families expect pope to open dictatorship files | false | https://apnews.com/amp/3ca60087b32643c1b15fc22e71378974 | 2015-04-30 | 2 |
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<p>The justices will consider two appeals from Bank of America, which asserts that bankrupt homeowners should not be able to “strip off” a second loan even if they are underwater on primary loans.</p>
<p>Both cases involve Florida homeowners who were allowed to nullify second loans held by Bank of America. The Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed both cases, but Bank of America says the rulings conflict with Supreme Court precedent and every other appeals court to consider the issue.</p>
<p>Bank of America claims hundreds — and possibly thousands — of homeowners in states covered by the 11th Circuit have moved to void underwater second mortgages since the appeals court endorsed the practice two years ago. Those states include Florida, Georgia and Alabama.</p>
<p>“This case presents a critical issue of bankruptcy law affecting a large number of chapter 7 cases,” lawyers for Bank of America said in a court filing. The company urged the high court to clarify the rules “and restore uniformity to the administration of chapter 7 cases across the country.”</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>About 28 percent of mortgaged houses in Florida are worth substantially less than market value, ranking the state second only to Nevada in underwater mortgages, according to the real-estate-research company RealtyTrac.</p>
<p>Bank of America says in both cases that it loaned money to the debtors secured by a lien on the home. The company argues that even if the primary mortgage is underwater, that has no effect on the lien securing the second loan.</p>
<p>Attorneys for the homeowners argue that none of the other appeals courts dealt with second mortgages “that would be entirely worthless in foreclosure.”</p> | Court to consider when second mortgage can be void | false | https://abqjournal.com/497299/court-to-consider-when-second-mortgage-can-be-void.html | 2 |
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<p>A: An emphatic no! Unless there are broken or damaged branches or stems, no, now is not the time to prune roses of any sort. You could get down on their level and really inspect the bushes to see what should go when the time comes but for the time being keep your pruners sheathed – except if you discover damage. That should be cleaned up but as soon as the damage is removed put the pruners down. Don’t get carried away by how nice it is to prune.</p>
<p>In these parts, rose pruning is typically on the calendar for the last weeks in March. There is a logical reason, too. Roses tend to be what I describe as “hormonal.” If you fuss with them they take that as a signal that it’s time to start to grow. Well, trust me, we’re nowhere near the end of cold weather and if your roses got triggered and push any tender new growth it would be maimed or killed outright. Then you’d need to re-prune, perhaps taking off far too much of the plant, making it ever harder for it to recuperate. So wait!</p>
<p>For the time being, just keep everything watered. With the recent and continuing precipitation we’ve had that shouldn’t be difficult, but be ready to step in as needed. With each rain or snow we get mark your calendar and if there isn’t any wet weather by the time 12 to 15 days pass you will want to water – especially your pots. Remember, it’s the water that’ll insulate the plants roots, keeping them quietly dormant and protected from frost damage as our winter advances.</p>
<p>Q: I have three red yucca plants in the landscaping in the front yard. They have those long flower stalks, all light tan colored with the finished flowers at the ends. I think they are an eyesore and need to know what to do about them. – D.B., West Side</p>
<p>A: OK, counterintuitive to what I just wrote about pruning, the spent bloom stalks your red yu ccas are supporting ca n go now if you want. A couple of cautions to think about if you are really determined to tidy up your plants, OK? First, be sure to dress in stout layers. The yucca is a truly pokey creature and will stab you. Next, grab the old bloom stalk, gently but firmly, as deep into the plant as you can humanly get and give it a good tug. Sometimes the spent stalk will pop off cleanly and, voil à, you’re done. If it doesn’t give way easily don’t pull, tug and fight with the plant. Being overzealous you could actually cause the plant harm, so if the stalk doesn’t pop off, you just change your mode of attack. More times than not you will need to get into the plant, following that stalk as deep in as you can and using the sharpest hand pruner you have, and cut the stalk out. See, that’s why you’re dressing in layered armor, so to speak, to keep yourself from being attacked by this pokey plant.</p>
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<p>It does no harm to leave the spent stalks but if you’re determined to remove them and tidy up their look, you can. Just keep yourself safe and the mother plants uninjured. Happy Digging In.</p>
<p>OK, Albuquerque: The Christmas tree recycling program is fast coming to a close. This is the last weekend you’ll be able to drop your tree at any one of the three tree-cycle spots in town to turn your holiday treasure into a viable compost product and keep our community tidier in the long run. Here on the West Side you can take the cut tree to Ladera Golf Course, 3401 Ladera NW. Just be patient, watchful and stay safe with all of the road construction in the area. Thanks Albuquerque for pitching in!</p>
<p>Need tips on growing your garden? Tracey Fitzgibbon is a certified nurseryman. Send your garden-related questions to Digging In, Rio West, P.O. Drawer J, Albuquerque, NM 87103.</p>
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<p /> | Now is not the time to consider pruning those roses | false | https://abqjournal.com/927707/now-is-not-the-time-to-consider-pruning-those-roses.html | 2 |
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<p>Now that the official case for attacking Iraq made by the US and British governments has started to unravel, the question of the real reason for unleashing this death and destruction has become a hot topic of conversation again.</p>
<p>During the run-up to the invasion on Iraq, while speaking at teach-ins and other forums and taking part in other anti-war activities, I was somewhat skeptical of those who argued that the war was simply about getting hold of Iraqi oil for American oil companies. I cringed a little at the slogans and placards that said “No blood for oil!” , “No war for oil!”, etc., and disagreed with those that the attack was due to a simple quid pro quo between the administration and its oil company cronies. While I found the administration’s case for war to be unbelievable, the ‘war for oil’ thesis seemed to me to be a far too simplistic approach to global politics.</p>
<p>I fancied my self to be a much more sophisticated geo-strategic analyst. Of course, the fact that Iraq had the world’s second largest reserves could not be coincidental and definitely played a role in the war plans. But I thought it more likely that broader geopolitical concerns were more dominant, such as showing the world that the US had the power to enforce its will anywhere, and to establish a long-term and secure strategic base in the middle east from which to ensure dominance of the region. To the extent that oil played a role, I thought that purpose of the war was not mainly to divert Iraqi oil revenues to US companies but instead to ensure control over the oil flow to the rest of the world so that economic rivals such as Europe and Japan, whose economies were dependent on middle east oil, would be forced to be subservient to US global interests and pressure.</p>
<p>The thought that the war was actually about making money for individuals and corporations in the short term did not seem to me to be credible. That was too petty and crass.</p>
<p>That was why I was stunned to read the press release put out by the public interest group Judicial Watch on July 17, 2003. This organization, along with the Sierra Club, had argued that both the membership of the Energy Task Force chaired by Vice-President Cheney and the proceedings of its meetings should be made public and had sought the information under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) since April 19, 2001. The Vice President had vigorously opposed this opening up of its activities and so a lawsuit was filed. On March 5, 2002 the US District Judge ordered the government to produce the documents, which was finally done by the Commerce Department just recently.</p>
<p>The Judicial Watch press release states that these released documents “contain a map of Iraqi oilfields, pipelines, refineries and terminals, as well as 2 charts detailing Iraqi oil and gas projects, and “Foreign Suitors for Iraqi Oilfield Contracts.” The documents, which are dated March 2001, are available on the Internet at: <a href="http://www.JudicialWatch.org/" type="external">www.JudicialWatch.org</a>.”</p>
<p>The press release continues: “The Saudi Arabian and United Arab Emirates (UAE) documents likewise feature a map of each country’s oilfields, pipelines, refineries and tanker terminals. There are supporting charts with details of the major oil and gas development projects in each country that provide information on the projects, costs, capacity, oil company and status or completion date.”</p>
<p>This foreign policy involvement is a somewhat surprising turn of events. The original FOIA case was initiated (before 9/11 and before the ratcheting up of the attack on Iraq) because of more domestic concerns, specifically suspicions that the membership of the Energy Task Force may have included people such as Ken Lay of Enron Corporation who may have been in a position to exercise undue influence over government energy policy at the expense of the public interest.</p>
<p>Now, other news items come to my mind, all pointing in the direction of Cheney. Although generally keeping a low profile in his frequent stays at his hideout, Cheney has been one of the most adamant proponents of attacking Iraq and hyping its threat. He has made some of the most authoritative statements that Iraq already had weapons of mass destruction, saying things like “Simply stated, there is no doubt that Saddam Hussein now has weapons of mass destruction.” (August 26, 2002) and “And we believe he has, in fact, reconstituted nuclear weapons.” (March 16, 2003), the latter statement made just three days before the invasion.</p>
<p>It is also Cheney who reportedly had the most involvement in the fraud involving Iraqi uranium purchase from Niger, reportedly initiating the sending of Ambassador Wilson to that country to investigate. It is also Cheney who is reportedly the driving force behind the President’s foreign policy and serves as his main strategist and mentor.</p>
<p>So perhaps my friends in the antiwar movement were right all along. Perhaps we have reached such a nadir that foreign policy (and even wars) can be made, and people sent to certain death, for such crass reasons. Perhaps it is time to put the Vice-President under much closer scrutiny.</p>
<p>MANO SINGHAM is a physicist and educator at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. He can be reached at: <a href="mailto:[email protected]" type="external">[email protected]</a></p> | Cheney’s Oil Maps and the Iraq War | true | https://counterpunch.org/2003/07/17/cheney-s-oil-maps-and-the-iraq-war/ | 2003-07-17 | 4 |
<p>President Barack Obama meets with Solicitor General Elena Kagan in the Oval Office last month. Obama nominated Kagan for the Supreme Court on Monday. | White House photo/&lt;a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/whitehouse/4594663321/"&gt;Pete Souza&lt;/a&gt; (&lt;a href="http://www.usa.gov/copyright.shtml"&gt;Government Work&lt;/a&gt;)</p>
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<p>So President Obama is set to announce today that <a href="" type="internal">Solicitor General Elena Kagan</a> will be his next Supreme Court nominee. The choice doesn’t come as much surprise given all the court chatter last week, though it will be the first time since 1972 that a president has nominated someone with <a href="" type="internal">exactly zero judicial experience</a>. That’s a pretty big deal, and Republicans are no doubt about to bludgeon Kagan with her inexperience. Kagan, for her part, has recently given them some help in that department.</p>
<p>When Obama tapped Kagan as solicitor general, she was the rare lawyer to take the job who had never actually argued a Supreme Court case. Then, as now, critics said she was too inexperienced for the position. Last month, Kagan seems to have confirmed that there was some merit to that early criticism. Kagan’s first Supreme Court appearance came just last fall in the critical <a href="" type="internal">Citizens United</a> case. She lost big time when the court decided to allow unlimited corporate money to slosh into federal elections. But last month, in a tribute to Justice Anthony Kennedy at Georgetown University, Kagan revealed that she was indeed out of her depth when she stepped up to the podium that day to defend campaign finance regulation–and that Kennedy saved her from looking like an idiot.&#160; <a href="http://legaltimes.typepad.com/blt/2010/04/kagan-drops-few-clues-in-tribute-to-kennedy.html" type="external">Tony Mauro at Legal Times</a> reported last month:</p>
<p>Kagan told the Georgetown audience that the [Kennedy] had “a bit of a bad habit,” namely that he asks advocates about cases that are not mentioned anywhere in the briefs for the case. Kennedy did just that in Citizens United when he asked Kagan whether something she had just said was “inconsistent with the whole line of cases that began with Thornhill v. Alabama and Coates v. Cincinnati.” Perhaps many advocates know those cases, Kagan said, but “I at any rate did not.” She added, “There was a look of panic on my face.”</p>
<p>Without knowing for sure, Kagan said she believes that Kennedy “saw in the flash of an instant that … I really had no clue” about the cases he was asking her about. Instead of waiting for her painful reply, Kennedy quickly went on to explain the Thornhill line of cases — which relate to facial challenges to statutes under the First Amendment — with enough detail that Kagan was able to recover and answer the question. Kennedy’s kind rescue, Kagan said, showed that the justice had “sensitivity to my plight” and confirmed his “fundamental decency and abiding humanity.”</p>
<p>Kagan’s admission had the legal blogs afire with speculation about whether she really ought to be nominated to a post that does, after all, require justices to know a lot of cases that won’t be in the briefs before them. Still, critics made similar arguments about Kagan when Obama tapped her as SG, and aside from her spectacular loss in Citizens United, she seems to have gotten up to speed fairly quickly. But this time, Kagan has given her opponents some rich material, in her own words, to make a case against her that has nothing to do with the usual partisan social issues that tend to bog down Supreme Court nomination fights. In a way, I appreciate her forthright admission about her shortcomings, but at the same time, I do have to wonder what she was thinking when she made that speech not even two weeks ago. It’s not like she didn’t know she was on Obama’s short list. Disclosing ignorance of a body of law that many first year associates could have recognized was not, perhaps, very judicious on Kagan’s part.</p>
<p /> | Is Elena Kagan Too Inexperienced? | true | https://motherjones.com/politics/2010/05/elena-kagans-moment-panic/ | 2010-05-10 | 4 |
<p>Back in 2001 there were just a few schools in Kandahar City, the birthplace of the Taliban. Today there are over 100. This school is not big enough for all of its area kids, so different age groups come at different times of the days. This 14 year old boy is in grade 9 and he talks about being excited for graduating high school. Enrollment in Afghan schools has skyrocketed in recent years with some 6 million students attending school, a seven-fold increase from when the Taliban ruled Afghanistan. The Taliban barred girls from attending classes. Now girls make up a third of Afghan students. Boys and girls study together at this school, which is still a rarity in the country. the principal says his goal is to guide students away from violence. But many children still can't go to school. In this rural district, this torched building used to be a school. The Taliban torched it last year, as the Taliban continue to wreak havoc in the country and have destroyed 80 schools across the country in the past year. Poor security has forced another 600 schools to remain closed. This school manager says his biggest challenge is making sure parents have confidence to send their kids to school in the countryside. He said he needs more help from the Afghan Army and multinational forces. The Taliban also threaten teachers, accusing them of working with the Afghan government. 200 teachers have been killed by insurgents in the last year alone.</p> | Rebuilding Afghan schools | false | https://pri.org/stories/2008-10-01/rebuilding-afghan-schools | 2008-10-01 | 3 |
<p>Photo by Ronald L. Haeberle | <a href="" type="internal">CC BY 2.0</a></p>
<p>Monsters exist, but they are too few in number to be truly dangerous. More dangerous are the common men, the functionaries ready to believe and to&#160;act without asking questions.</p>
<p>— Primo Levy</p>
<p>On March 17th, 1968, The New York Times ran a brief front page lede headed, “G.I.s’ in Pincer Movement Kill 128 in Daylong Battle;” the action took place the previous day roughly eight miles from Quang Ngai City, a provincial capital in the northern coastal quadrant of South Vietnam.&#160; Heavy artillery and helicopter gunships had been “called in to pound the North Vietnamese soldiers.”&#160; By three in the afternoon the battle had ceased, and “the remaining North Vietnamese had slipped out and fled.”&#160; The American side lost only two killed and several wounded.&#160; The article, datelined Saigon, had no byline.&#160; Its source was an “American military command’s communique,” a virtual press release hurried into print and unfiltered by additional digging.</p>
<p>Several days later a more superficially factual telling of this seemingly crushing blow to the enemy was featured in Southern Cross, the weekly newsletter of the Americal Division in whose ‘area of operation’ the ‘day long battle’ had been fought.&#160; It was described by Army reporter Jay Roberts, who had been there, as “an attack on a Vietcong stronghold,” not an encounter with North Vietnamese regulars as the Times had misconstrued it.&#160; However, Roberts’ article tallied the same high number of enemy dead.&#160; When leaned on by Lt. Colonel Frank Barker, who commanded the operation, to downplay the lopsided outcome, Roberts complied, noting blandly that “the assault went off like clockwork.”&#160; But certain after action particulars could not be fudged.&#160; Roberts was obliged to report that the GIs recovered only “three [enemy] weapons,” a paradox that surely warranted clarification.&#160; None was given.&#160; It was to be assumed that, either the enemy was poorly armed, or that he had removed the weapons of his fallen comrades – leaving their bodies to be counted – when he retired from the field.&#160; Neither of the news outlets cited here, nor Stars and Stripes, the semi-official newspaper of the U. S. Armed Forces which ran with Robert’s account, makes reference to any civilian casualties.</p>
<p>It would be nearly eighteen months later when, on September 6, 1969, a front page article in the Ledger-Enquire in Columbus, Georgia reported that the military prosecutor at nearby Ft. Benning – home of the U. S. Army Infantry – was investigating charges against a junior office, Lieutenant William L. Calley,&#160; of “multiple murders” of civilians during “an operation at a place called Pinkville,” GI patois for the color denoting manmade features on their topographical maps in a string of coastal hamlets near Quang Ngai.</p>
<p>With the story now leaked, if only in the regional papers – it would migrate as well to a daily in Montgomery, Alabama – the Ft. Benning public information officer moved to “keep the story low profile,” and “released a brief statement that The New York Times ran deep inside its September 7, 1969 issue,” limited to three terse paragraphs on a page cluttered with retail advertising.&#160; The press announcement from the Army flack had referred only to “the deaths of more than one civilian.”&#160; In the nation’s newspaper of record, which also mentioned Calley by name, this delicate ambiguity was multiplied to “an unspecified number of civilians.”&#160;&#160; Yet, once again, the Times was enlisted to serve the agenda of a military publicist, and failed to approach the story independently.</p>
<p>An Army recon commando named Rod Ridenhour had taken it upon himself to do just that.&#160; While still serving with the Americal Division’s 11th Light Infantry Brigade from which Task Force Barker – named for its commander – was assembled for the attack on Pinkville, Ridenhour documented accounts of those who had witnessed or participated in a mass killing.&#160; A year later in March 1969, now stateside and a civilian, Ridenhour sent “a five page registered letter” summarizing his findings to President Richard Nixon, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and select members of the U.S. Congress urging “a widespread and public investigation.”&#160; General William Westmoreland, who had commanded U.S. forces in Vietnam until June 1968, reacted to Ridenhour’s allegations with “disbelief.”&#160; The accusations were, he told a Congressional committee, “so out of character with American forces in Vietnam that I was quite skeptical.”&#160; Nonetheless an inquiry was launched.</p>
<p>The Times, although forewarned, had once again squandered a chance to scoop for its global readership what was arguably the most sensational news story of the entire Vietnam War.&#160; The two regional reporters had done their legwork, then, bereft of big city resources had nowhere else to go.&#160; But in late October, a seasoned freelance journalist in Washington named Seymour Hersh, acting on a colleague’s anonymous tip from inside the military, immediately “stopped all other work and began to chase down the story,” which by mid-November 1969 would be revealed to the American public and the world at large as the My Lai massacre.</p>
<p>This outline of the massacre’s initial falsification and suppression, followed by its eventual disclosure, is cobbled from <a href="" type="internal">My Lai: Vietnam, 1968, and the Descent into Darkness</a>&#160;(Oxford, 2017), a thorough retreatment of the infamous Vietnam War atrocity by Howard Jones, a professor of history at the University of Alabama.&#160; The question is, to what end?&#160; Has the voluminous, careful study in the literature devoted to the My Lai massacre left something out?&#160;&#160; It’s not a matter of omissions, the historian argues, but that the record is replete with conflicting interpretations.&#160; To tell the “full story” required Jones to reorder events in their “proper sequence,” he says.&#160;&#160; His other reasons for taking us back to Pinkville are equally vague, and casually embedded among several floating asides in the author’s Acknowledgments.&#160; His debts are many, but foremost among them Jones recognizes his Vietnamese-American graduate assistant who “emphasized the importance of incorporating the Vietnamese side into the narrative and remaining objective in telling the story.”</p>
<p>I took this profession of objectivity as a signal to be on the alert for its potential subjective or editorial opposite.&#160; Jones insists that “everyone who has written… about My Lai has had an agenda.”&#160; The suspicion that a subtle revisionist agenda, nurtured perhaps by the resentments of a partisan of the losing side [his assistant], might underlie Jones’ intentions for revisiting this much examined massacre was heightened by the anecdote his tells about his wife’s emotionally fraught response when listening to his grim descriptions of the slaughter.&#160; However revolting, the atrocities must be detailed she insists.&#160; To do otherwise, the author agrees “would leave the mistaken impression that nothing extraordinary took place at My Lai.”</p>
<p>That My Lai was extraordinary I hold beyond dispute.&#160; But the privileged attention given to the massacre by historians and other commentators – not to mention its impact on the general public – which by far prefers vivid superlatives to cloudy comparisons – hangs like a curtain and obscures the broader and far grizzlier picture of the U.S. driven horrors of the Vietnam War that were commonplace and quotidian.&#160; Would the historian tell that story too, I wondered, as I plunged into his text?&#160; Or was the only purpose to take up this subject again five decades on to ensure that the censorious curtain remained firmly in place?</p>
<p>Quang Ngai was a hot bed of resistance under the Viet Minh independence movement during French colonial rule.&#160; With the transition to the American War, resistance fighters – now reconstituted as the National Liberation Front, or Viet Cong – remained capable of striking at will throughout the province, which, until 1967, was under the jurisdiction of the South Vietnamese Army.&#160; But the American command found its native allies unreliable, without ever asking if perhaps their reluctance to challenge the local resistance rested, not on fear or cowardice, but familiarity or even kinship.&#160; U.S. soldiers possessed no such scruples.</p>
<p>After “intelligence sources” targeted the area around My Lai as “an enemy bastion for mounting attacks” on Quang Ngai City and its surroundings, American forces were concentrated under Task Force Barker, “a contingent of five hundred soldiers” to bring the troublesome province under control of the government of South Vietnam. <a href="#_edn1" type="external">[i]</a></p>
<p>On the evening before the assault, Captain Earnest Medina – like Calley a principal target of the Army’s subsequent investigation – briefed the hundred men of Charlie Company under his command.&#160; “We’re going to Pinkville tomorrow… after the 48th Battalion,” he told them.&#160; “The landing zone will be hot.&#160; And they outnumber us two to one… expect heavy casualties.”&#160; Charlie Company had already taken “heavy casualties” in the two months they’d been humping the boonies of Quang Ngai.&#160; The local guerrilla unit, the lethal, elusive 48th, was all the more feared since the GIs had never seem the face of a single combatant behind the sniper bullets or booby traps that bloodied and killed their comrades.&#160; “By the last week of February,” Harold Jones reckons, “resentment and hostility had spread among the GI’s, aimed primarily at the villagers.”</p>
<p>Pinkville had been declared a free fire zone.&#160; The mission for the assault was to search and destroy.&#160; If the soldiers encountered non-combatant villagers the text book regulations dictated they be detained and interrogated as to the whereabouts of the enemy, and then moved to safety in the rear.&#160; But the various strands of intelligence-gathering that guided Task Force Barker were interpreted to suggest there would be no non-combatants, because the villagers had been warned to evacuate, or, given that the assault was on a Saturday, those residents who’d defied evacuation would be off to the market in Quang Ngai City.&#160; This was all Intel double talk.&#160; The true military objective was that the residents have no village to return to because the GIs were primed to slay all livestock, lay waste to every dwelling and defensive bunker, destroy the crops and foul the wells, that is, to ensure that My Lai and its contiguous hamlets were left uninhabitable, and thus utterly untenable as bases to support the guerrillas.</p>
<p>Beginning just before 8 a.m. on March 16th, the three platoons of Charlie Company were airlifted to the fringes of the Vietnamese hamlets where they expected to encounter fierce enemy resistance.&#160; The hail of bullets from helicopter gunships that churned up the earth around them and aimed at suppressing potential enemy fire, created for many of these soldiers who had never experienced combat the impression that they’d been dropped in the midst of the “hot landing zone” Captain Medina had promised them.&#160; But as Army photographer Ron Haeberle, assigned to document the assault, would later testify, there was “no hostile fire.”&#160; The headquarters of the 48th and what remained of its fighters had taken refuge west into the mountains after being decimated during the Tet Offensive a month before.&#160; And the few VC who had been visiting their families around My Lai, hardly ignorant of American movements, had gotten out by dawn on the 16th.</p>
<p>In a state of confusion as to exactly what they were facing, Charlie Company’s platoons stepped off from opposing positons to sweep through the village, already partially damaged by artillery, intending to squeeze the enemy between them.&#160; Instead they soon confronted, not the guerrilla fighters they were sent to dislodge, but scores of inhabitants who weren’t supposed to be there.&#160; GIs immediately shot several villagers who panicked and attempted to flee.&#160; In this war such trigger happy killings were not far from the norm.&#160; But Lieutenant Calley “had interpreted Medina’s briefing to mean that they were to kill everyone in the village… Since it was impossible to distinguish between friend and foe, the only conclusion was to presume all Vietnamese were Viet Cong and to kill them all.”&#160; Calley, moreover, was being relentlessly spurred by Medina over the radio to quicken the pace of the 1st platoon’s forward sweep, and therefore, would later claim, he could neither evacuate the non-combatants, nor, for reasons of security, leave them to his rear.</p>
<p>Jones offers from the record a facsimile of the field radio transmission between Calley and his commander:</p>
<p>&#160;“What are you doing now?” Medina asked.</p>
<p>“I’m getting ready to go.”</p>
<p>“Now damn it!&#160; I told you now. Get your men in position now.”</p>
<p>“And these people, they aren’t moving too swiftly.”</p>
<p>“I don’t want that crap.&#160; Now damn it, waste all those goddamn people!&#160; And get in the damn position.”</p>
<p>“Roger.”</p>
<p>The idea of questioning orders, comments Jones dryly, never crossed Calley’s mind, particularly during combat.</p>
<p>One brief panel of the horror show will suffice to roil the imagination toward grasping&#160; what Jones styles a ‘descent into darkness,” which, given the scale of the ensuing carnage that morning, has elevated the My Lai massacre to the extraordinary status in the Vietnam War that history has bestowed upon it.</p>
<p>Calley, in the grip of all his embedded demons – his mental and moral mediocrity, his cracker barrel knee jerk racism, his incompetence as a leader, his slavish kowtowing to authority which clearly disgusted his commander and his troops, everything that conspired to create the monster that was him – returned from his latest whipping by Medina to where one group of villagers sat on the ground, and demanded of two members of his platoon, “How come you ain’t killed them yet?”&#160; The men explained they understood only that they were to guard them.&#160; “No,” Calley said, “I want them dead…&#160; When I say fire… fire at them.”&#160; Calley and, Paul Meadlo – whose name would became almost as closely associated with the massacre as Calley’s – “a bare ten feet from their terrified targets… set their M-16s on automatic… and sprayed clip after clip of deadly fire into their screaming and defenseless victims…&#160; At this point, a few children who had somehow escaped the torrent of gunfire struggled to their feet…&#160; Calley methodically picked off the children one by one…&#160; He looks like he’s enjoying it,” one soldier remarked, who moments before had been prevented by Calley from forcing a young woman’s face into his crotch, but who now refused to shoot.</p>
<p>The mass killing, which Harold Jones parades scene by scene with exhaustive precision, was repeated throughout the morning until the bodies of hundreds of villagers lay scattered across the landscape.&#160; Not just those killed by Calley’s platoon, but by others throughout the rest of Charlie Company.&#160; And not just at My Lai 4, but also at My Khe 4 several miles distant by members of Bravo Company.&#160; “In not a few cases, women and girls were raped before they were killed.”&#160; Jones dutifully chronicles the accounts of the few who resolutely refused to shoot, and of one man who blasted his own foot with a .45 to escape the depravity.&#160; “Everyone except a few of us was shooting,” Pfc. Dennis Bunning of the second platoon would later testify.</p>
<p>But there was another man that morning who didn’t just seek to avoid the killing, he attempted to stop it.</p>
<p>Warrant Officer Hugh Thompson piloted his observation helicopter, a three seater with a crewmember on each flank armed with a machine gun, several hundred feet above My Lai.&#160; Thompson’s mission was to fly low and mark with smoke grenades any source of enemy fire, which would prompt the helicopter gunships tiered above him – known as Sharks – to swoop down and dispense their massive fire power on the target.&#160; Spotting a large number of civilian bodies in a ditch, Thompson at first suspected they’d been killed by the incoming artillery.&#160; Hovering near the ground for a closer look Thompson and his crew, Gary Andreotta and Larry Colburn, were stunned to witness Captain Medina shoot a wounded woman who was lying at his feet.&#160; Banking closer to the ditch, Thompson “estimated he saw 150 dead and dying Vietnamese babies, women and children and old men… and watched in disbelief as soldiers shot survivors trying to crawl out.”</p>
<p>Against regulations, Thompson landed and confronted Lieutenant Calley, asking him to help the wounded and radio for their evacuation.&#160; Calley made it clear he resented the pilot’s interference and would do no such thing.&#160; Thompson stormed away furiously warning Calley “he hadn’t heard the last of this.”&#160; With Medina again at his heels, Calley ordered his sergeant “to finish off the wounded,” and just as Thompson was taking off the killing resumed.</p>
<p>Aloft again Thompson saw “a small group… of women and children scurrying toward a bunker just outside My Lai 4… and about ten soldiers in pursuit,” and felt “compelled… to take immediate action.”&#160; He again put his craft down, jumped out between the civilians and the oncoming members of the second platoon led by Lieutenant Stephen Brooks.&#160; When Thompson asked Brooks to help evacuate the Vietnamese from the bunker, Brooks told him he would do so with a grenade.&#160; The two men screamed at each other.&#160; Like Calley, Brooks was unyielding, and Thompson warned his two gunners, now standing outside the chopper, “to prepare for a confrontation.”</p>
<p>“I’m going to go over to the bunker myself and get those people out.&#160; If they [the soldiers] fire on those people or fire on me while I’m doing that.&#160; Shoot ‘em.”&#160; That moment has been cast in the My Lai literature as a classic armed standoff.&#160; But Thompson’s two gunners had not aimed their weapons at Brooks and his men who stood fifty yards away, a bit of manufactured drama several chroniclers of that confrontation, among them Sy Hersh, have chiseled into the record.&#160; Harold Jones in this instance had gone beyond the dogged task of compilation.&#160; While researching his book, he had spent many hours with Larry Colburn, and befriended him.&#160; And it was Larry who told Jones that he and Andreotta did not aim their weapons directly at the soldiers who faced them.&#160; They tried to stare then down, “while carefully pointing their weapons to the ground in case one of them accidentally went off.”&#160;&#160; This verisimilitude restores a dimension of realism to a scene imagined by those who’d never been soldiers.</p>
<p>Checking Brooks, but failing to get his cooperation, Thompson took another extraordinary step.&#160; He radioed Warrant Officer Danny Millians, one of the pilots of the gunships, and convinced him to also defy the protocols against landing in a free fire zone.&#160; Then, in two trips, Millians used the Shark to transport the nine rescued Vietnamese, including five children, to safety.&#160; Making one final pass over the ditch where he’d locked horns with Calley, Thompson “hovered low… searching for signs of life while flinching at the sight of headless children.”&#160; Thompson landed a third time, remaining at the controls.&#160; He watched as Colburn, from the side of the ditch, grabbed hold of a boy that Andreotta, blood spilling from his boots, had pulled from among a pile of corpses.&#160; Do Hoa, a boy of eight, had survived.</p>
<p>Livid and in great distress at what he had witnessed, Thompson, on returning to base, and in the company of the two gunship pilots, made their superior, Major Frederic Watke, immediately aware of “the mass murder going on out there.”&#160; From that moment, every step taken to probe and verify “the substance of Thompson’s charges almost instantly came into dispute.”&#160; Although Watke would later tell investigators he believed Thompson was “over-portraying” the killings” owing to his “limited combat experience,” the major had realized that the mere charge of war crimes obliged him “to seek an impartial inquiry at the highest level.”&#160; The Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) required that field commanders investigate “all known, suspected or alleged war crimes or atrocities… Failure to [do so] was a punishable offense.”&#160; Having reported Thompson’s allegations to Task Force commander Barker, Watke had fulfilled this duty.&#160; But there was a Catch-22 permitting command authority to ignore the MACV directive if they “thought” a war crime had not been committed.</p>
<p>The trick here was for Barker and several other ranking officer in the division and brigade chain of command to assess if civilians had been killed during the assault, and if so, how many.&#160; Captain Medina – in addition to contributing to the fictional enemy body count – would supply a figure of “thirty civilians killed by artillery.”&#160; The division chaplain would characterize these deaths as “tragic… an operational mistake… in a combat operation.”&#160;&#160; For this line of argument to carry, however, it had been necessary for the commander of the Americal Division, Major General Samuel Koster, the “field commander” who alone possessed the authority to prevent the accusations from going higher, to put his own head deep into the sand.</p>
<p>When Colonel Orin Henderson, who commanded the 11th Infantry Brigade from which Medina’s Charlie Company had been detailed to the Task Force, ordered LTC Barker in the late afternoon of March 16th to send Charlie Company back to My Lai 4 to “make a detailed report of the number of men, women and children killed and how they died, along with another search for weapons… Medina strongly objected.”&#160; It would be too dangerous, he said, to move his men “in the dark through a heavily mined and booby trapped area… where the Vietcong could launch a surprise attack.”&#160; Monitoring the transmission between Barker and Medina, General Koster countermanded Henderson’s order.&#160; Later claiming he was “concerned for the safety of the troops,” Koster saw “no reason to go look at that mess.”&#160; Medina’s estimate of the number of civilian deaths, Koster ruled, was “about right.”</p>
<p>Not only had Koster’s snap judgement given Barker license to cook up the initial battlefield fantasy of 128 enemy dead, it ensured that the internal investigations into the charges of “mass murder,” notably by Henderson and other high ranking members of Koster’s staff, would not deviate from the conclusion voiced by the division commander.&#160; By navigating each twisting curve along a well camouflaged path toward the fictive end those in command were seeking, Harold Jones lays bare a virtual text book case of conspiracy, which must be read in its entirety to capture the intricate web of fabrication and self-deception the conspirators constructed to assure themselves the crypt of the cover-up had been sealed. <a href="#_edn2" type="external">[ii]</a></p>
<p>When discussing the massacre later at an inquiry, the Americal Division chaplain, faithful to the Army but not his higher calling, claimed that, had a massacre been common knowledge, it would have come out.&#160; That the massacre was “common knowledge” to the Vietnamese throughout Quang Ngai Province on both sides of the conflict (not to mention among their respective leadership on up to Hanoi and Saigon) goes without saying.&#160; Indeed low ranking local South Vietnamese officials attempted to stir public outrage about the massacre (not to mention negotiate the urgent remedy of compensation for the victims), and were suppressed by the Quang Ngai Province Chief, a creature of the Saigon government who fed at the trough of U.S. materiel and did not wish to risk the good will of his American sponsors.&#160; My Lai was quickly recast as communist propaganda, pure and simple.</p>
<p>While this proved a viable method of suppression for South Vietnamese authorities, it could not still tales of the massacre in the scuttlebutt of the soldiers who had been there, who had carried it out.&#160; From motives said to be high minded, but not fueled by an anti-military agenda, and in the piecemeal fact-gathering manner typical of any investigation, the whistleblower Ron Ridenhour had thus resurrected the buried massacre, and bestowed on Sy Hersh the journalistic coup of a lifetime.</p>
<p>As the articles and newscasts about what took place at My Lai were cascaded before the public in November 1969, efforts to manage the political fallout by various levels of government were accelerated with corresponding intensity.&#160; Pushing back at the center of that storm were Richard Nixon and other members of the Executive; congressional committees in both the House and Senate; and not least, and in some cases with considerably more integrity than their civilian political masters, members of the professional military.</p>
<p>Not surprisingly, if one understands anything about American society, a substantial portion of the public, in fact its majority, expressed far greater sympathy for William Calley than for his victims.&#160; One could cite endemic American racism as a contributing factor for this unseemly lack of human decency.&#160; More broadly speaking, an explanation less charged by aggression would point to a level of provincialism that apparently can only afflict a nation as relatively pampered as my own.&#160; In such an arrangement, turning a blind eye for expedience sake toward the pursuit of global power, consequences be damned, is as good as a national pastime.</p>
<p>Despite the spontaneous public sympathy for Calley, Nixon, fretted that news of My Lai would strengthen the antiwar movement and “increase the opposition to America’s involvement in Vietnam.”&#160; Nixon, true to form, lashed out with venom at the otherness of his liberal enemies.&#160; “It’s those dirty rotten Jews in New York who are behind this,” Nixon ranted, learning that Hersh’s investigation had been subsidized by the Edgar B. Stern Family Fund, “clearly left-wing and anti-Administration.”&#160; Nixon was strongly pressed to “attack those who attack him… by dirty tricks… discredit one witness [Thompson] and highlight the atrocities committed by the Viet Cong.”&#160; Only Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird seemed to grasp that manipulation of public opinion would not perfume the stink of My Lai.&#160; The public might tolerate “a little of this,” Laird mused, “but you shouldn’t kill that many.”&#160; There was apprehension in the White House because calls for a civilian commission had begun to escalate.&#160; Habituated to work the dark side, and unbeknownst to his Secretary of Defense, Nixon formed a secret task force “that would seek to sabotage the investigative process by undermining the credibility of all those making massacre charges.”</p>
<p>Nixon found a staunch ally for this strategy in Mendel Rivers, the “hawkish” Mississippi Democrat who chaired the House Armed Services Committee.&#160; As evidence from the military’s internal inquiries mounted to prove the contrary, members of River’s committee sought to establish that no massacre had occurred, and that the only legitimate targets of interest were Hugh Thompson and Larry Colburn (Gary Andreotta having been killed in an air crash soon after the massacre), who were pilloried at a closed hearing, virtually accused of treason for turning their guns on fellow Americans.</p>
<p>During a televised news conference on December 8th – with Calley’s court martial already under way for three weeks – Nixon announced that he had rejected calls for an independent commission to investigate what he now admitted for the first time “appears to have been a massacre.”&#160; The President would rely instead on the military’s judicial process to bring “this incident completely before the public.”&#160; The message the Administration and its pro-war allies would thenceforth steam shovel into the media mainstream wherever the topic was raised, was that My Lai was “an isolated incident,” and by no means a reflection of our “national policy” in Vietnam.</p>
<p>As maneuvers to re-consign the massacre to oblivion faltered, the Army was just then launching a commission of its own under a three-star general, William Peers, whose initial charge was to disentangle the elaborate cover-up within the Americal Division that had kept the massacre from exposure for almost two years.&#160; In order to reconcile the divergent testimonies among its witnesses, the scope of the Peers Commission soon necessarily expanded to gather a complete picture of the event the cover-up sought to erase.&#160; The Army’s criminal investigation by the CID, on which charges could be based, and which would guide any eventual legal proceedings, continued on a separate track and beyond the public eye as a matter of due process.</p>
<p>After Lieutenant General Peers had submitted the commission’s preliminary report, Secretary of the Army, Stanley Resor moved to soften the “abrupt and brutal” language.&#160; He requested that Peers not refer “to the victims as elderly men, women, children and babies,” but as “noncombatant casualties.”&#160; And might Peers “also be less graphic in describing the rapes?”&#160; Resor further edited the word “massacre” from the report, and when presenting it to the press, had the chair of his commission describe My Lai rather as “a tragedy of major proportions.”&#160; Peers was reportedly indignant, but complied.&#160; It required no such compulsion to ensure that Peers toe the line on a far more central theme.&#160; Responding to questions from the media, Peers insisted there had been no cover-up at higher levels of command beyond the Americal Division, and echoed his Commander in Chief’s mantra that My Lai was an isolated incident.&#160; When Peers was questioned about what took place at My Khe that same day, he insisted it was inseparable from what occurred at My Lai.&#160; No reporter followed up with a challenge to that assertion.</p>
<p>Investigators had a long list of suspects deployed at My Lai and My Khe in Task Force Barker, as well as those throughout the Americal chain of command, who they believed should be charged and tried.&#160; Some forty enlisted men were named, along with more than a dozen commissioned officers. <a href="#_edn3" type="external">[iii]</a>&#160; Only six among them, two sergeants and four officers would ultimately stand trial.&#160; There would be no opportunity to enlarge the scope of the massacre through the spectacle of a mass trial that would, moreover, conjure images of Nuremburg and Tokyo where America dispensed harsh justice on its defeated enemies only two decades earlier.&#160; It was agreed upon by both Nixon and the Pentagon Chiefs that defendants would be tried separately and at a spread of different Army bases.</p>
<p>If the elaborate subterfuge employed to cover-up the massacre had been the work of individuals desperate to protect their professional military careers, the court martial proceedings reveal how an entire institution operates to protect itself.&#160; George Clemenceau, French Prime Minister during the First World War, is credited with the droll observation that ‘military music is to music what military justice is to justice.”&#160; Harold Jones, using the idiom of the historian, demonstrates in his summaries of the trials the disturbing reality behind Clemenseau’s quip.</p>
<p>First before the bar at Fort Hood, Texas in November 1969 was Calley’s platoon sergeant David Mitchell, that witnesses described as someone who carried out the lieutenant’s orders with a particular gusto.&#160; Then in January it was Sergeant Charles Hutto’s turn at Fort McPhearson, Georgia.&#160; Hutto had admitted turning his machine gun on a group of unarmed civilians.&#160; These two men were so patently guilty in the eyes of their own comrades that theirs were among the strongest cases the investigators had constructed for the prosecution.&#160; Both men were acquitted in trials that can only be described as judicial parodies.</p>
<p>At Mitchell’s trial the judge, ruling on a technicality, did not allow the prosecution to call witnesses with the most damning testimony, like Hugh Thompson.&#160; Hutto had declared in court that “it was murder,” but claimed “we were doing it because we had been told.”&#160; When the jury refused to convict him because Hutto had not known that some orders could be illegal, Harold Jones nails how the court was sanctioning “the major argument that had failed to win acquittal at Nuremburg.”</p>
<p>Shortly after Hutto’s trial, the Army dropped all charges against the remaining soldiers, fearing their claims to have been following orders would likewise find merit in the prevailing temper of the military juries.&#160; Heeding the judicial trend, Lieutenant General Jonathan Seaman, a regional commander exercising jurisdiction over officers above the rank of captain, dropped all charges against Major General Koster.&#160; By some opaque calculation which convinced no one, Seaman had concluded that Koster was not guilty of “intentional abrogation of responsibilities.”&#160; A hue and cry followed in the press and on Capitol Hill denouncing Seaman for “a white wash of the top man.”&#160; The outcry did prod the Pentagon to take punitive action against Koster.&#160; The general had already been dismissed as the commandant of West Point, and he was now demoted to brigadier general and stripped of his highest commendation.</p>
<p>Seaman informed Koster through internal channels that he held him “personally responsible” for My Lai, a kind of symbolic snub among gentlemen.&#160; But in exonerating the Americal commander, Seaman had, by design it can be argued, inoculated the higher reaches of command straight up to General Westmoreland from being held responsible for the actions of their subordinates, a blatant act of duplicity in light of the ruling at the Tokyo trials following World War II where lack of knowledge of atrocities committed by his troops had not prevented General Yamaschita from being hanged.</p>
<p>With Calley’s court martial already in progress, only three other officers, Medina and the Task Force Barker intelligence officer, Captain Eugene Kotouc, for war crimes, and 11th Brigade commander Henderson, for the cover-up, remained to be tried.&#160; Harold Jones deftly unspools how the flawed and self-protective system of military justice enabled trial judges in each case to provide improvised instructions to their juries which had all but dictated the acquittal of all three men.&#160;&#160; Kotouc had been charged with murdering a prisoner, whom, given the available evidence, he almost certainly had; still the jury found him not guilty in less than an hour.&#160; Asked if he would stay in the military, Kotouc gushed, “Who would get out of a system like this… it’s the best damn army in the world.” <a href="#_edn4" type="external">[iv]</a></p>
<p>Henderson’s and Medina’s trials were media spectacles in their own right, but mere side shows compared with the main event at Fort Benning, Georgia.&#160; The Calley trial opened in November, soon after the My Lai revelation.&#160; By the middle of March when the talented young prosecutor, Captain Aubrey Daniel, began his closing argument, a great majority of Americans had been glued to the courtroom drama for four months.&#160; Calley had a courtly elderly gent, George Latimer, a former Chief Justice of the Utah Supreme Court, and later an original member of the U.S. Court of Military Appeals, to lead his defense.&#160; Clearly Latimer knew his way around the arcana of military justice; moreover as a veteran of World War II who had achieved the rank of colonel, he was of the very caste.&#160; Latimer was confident he’d prevail.&#160; As the trial progressed, the testimony of nearly one hundred witnesses so prejudiced his client that Latimer desperately veered the defense toward an insanity plea, a strategy which founded after three Army psychiatrists judged the accused to possess “the mental capacity to premeditate.”&#160; Finally Calley took the witness stand and quickly blundered.&#160; Under a rigorous cross-examination, Captain Daniel marched Calley back across the killing fields of Pinkville, at each step recapping eyewitness accounts, including the testimony of Hugh Thompson.&#160; Before he grasped the significance of his misstep, Calley had confessed to shooting into the ditch filled with Vietnamese victims.&#160; The verdict seemed ordained.</p>
<p>Yet, it was no slam dunk for the prosecution.&#160; The jury took eighty hours to deliberate, in the end finding Calley guilty of murder by a vote of four to two, one ballot shy of a mistrial, if not an outright acquittal.&#160; As a capital felony, Calley might have received the death penalty, but Daniel argued only for life imprisonment.&#160; On March 29, 1970 the judge agreed and passed sentence.&#160; Calley appeared shaken as he faced the court.&#160; Surely the shrinks had gotten it wrong in not certifying a case of mental dissociation as acutely obvious as Calley’s?&#160; He seemed the perfect robotic tool of the Cold War.&#160; Hadn’t he been madly insisting all along that he had not been killing humans, but only communists, including babes at the breast who would grow up one day to be communists themselves?&#160; Then again, maybe Calley wasn’t as clueless and out of touch as he came across.&#160; In addressing the judge at sentencing, one could read in Calley’s plea, “I beg you… do not strip future soldiers of their honor” as he had been stripped of his, a message defending the common man and shrewdly aimed at a wider audience beyond the courtroom that the defendant must have known was substantially in his corner.</p>
<p>The polls quickly confirmed this.&#160; 79% of the public opposed the conviction.&#160; Across an ideological divide embracing both the war’s supporters and opponents, a large majority saw Calley as a scapegoat, one man custom-made to bear the blame for the entire Vietnam fiasco.&#160; Nixon played this public frustration to his advantage.&#160; There was little opposition when the President saw fit to have the prisoner removed from the stockade, where he’d spent just one night, and returned to his own Ft. Benning apartment.&#160; Calley would serve only three and a half years under house arrest before going free, but, after the trial, he quickly faded into anonymity.</p>
<p>At the While House, only a week after the verdict, National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger reassured Nixon that “the public furor… [had] quieted down…&#160; Let the judicial process… take its normal course,” counselled Kissinger.&#160; Liberal efforts to stir “a feeling of revulsion against the deed,” and turn the trial into a referendum against the war, had failed.&#160; “In fact the deed itself didn’t bother anybody,” Kissinger added.&#160; “No,” Nixon agreed, picking up eagerly on his advisor’s cynical drift.&#160; “The public said, ‘Sure he was guilty but, by God, why not?’ ” Both laughed. <a href="#_edn5" type="external">[v]</a></p>
<p>The “deed” these two twisted political misanthropes found so amusing is memorialized&#160; at a shrine today in the My Lai township listing the names of the massacre’s 504 victims, more than half of whom were under the age of twenty, to include “forty-nine teenagers, 160 aged four to twelve, and fifty who were three years old or younger.”</p>
<p>In reflecting on the sordid tale he has chosen to historicize anew, and on its reduction by the U.S. political and military establishments to a judicial farce, Harold Jones explains how, “My Lai made it imperative nonetheless that the army institute major changes in training.”&#160; And further that “to understand the importance of restraint in combat, soldiers and officers must learn to disobey illegal orders… and the importance of distinguishing between ‘unarmed civilians… and the people who are shooting at us.’ ”&#160;&#160; Jones documents the extensive effort undertaken to incorporate this thinking by updating the rules of war, to “make them more specific, then teach, follow and enforce them.”</p>
<p>But in examining the next most infamous atrocity of modern memory committed by U.S. forces at Abu Ghraib during the recent Iraq War, Jones concludes that “the central problem… lies less in writing new laws and regulations than in having officers who enforce those already in effect.”&#160; That officers may not be inclined to such enforcement underscores the apparently insoluble dilemma of an autocratic institution, the military, at the heart of a civilian democracy to which it is, in principle, subordinate.&#160; But we have already been shown over a panoply of legal proceedings that, at least in its capacity to dispense justice, the military is a power unto itself. <a href="#_edn6" type="external">[vi]</a>&#160; Jones does not follow that thought directly, but rather indulges in a philosophical aside which dilutes the unhappy subject of his history in the horrors that attend all wars, concluding darkly that, in the right situation, we are all “one step away from My Lai.”</p>
<p>It’s not that the historian entirely buys Nixon’s aberration line; Jones does refer to other reported atrocities in VN.&#160; But he does buy Peers’ “right situation” explanation for why My Lai stands out, quoting the Peers Commission report that “none of the other [investigated] crimes even remotely approached the magnitude… of My Lai.”&#160; That would depend on how one defines “magnitude.”&#160; Peers had failed to do the math, and so has Jones.&#160; The American invasion, and occupation for over a decade, left a trail of bloodshed and destruction throughout Vietnam that led elements of the antiwar movement worldwide to level the charge of genocide against the U.S.</p>
<p>What one pro-war historian lamented as a veritable “war crimes industry,” had sprung up within the U.S., not from the campuses of the middle class protestors, but among the ranks of returning veterans, who for roughly two years after My Lai was exposed, brought accounts of atrocities they had participated in or witnessed before the American public.&#160; Harold Jones, to demonstrate historical balance, provides a cursory account of this effort, referring to a “sizeable segment of Vietnam veterans who considered… that My Lai was not an isolated incident and that Calley had become a scapegoat for the high ranking civilian and military officials who drew up the policies responsible for the atrocities.”</p>
<p>Having already established that Nixon denied the link between My Lai and “national policy,” Jones does not engage the argument further.&#160; But the war veterans (including the present writer) were not suggesting that the policy of genocide was etched in a secret covenant buried in a Pentagon vault.&#160; We were saying, in effect, don’t just look at the record body count attached to the slaughter at Pinkville, and imagine you have a true picture of American crimes in that war.&#160; Count the day to day toll of Vietnamese civilian deaths that resulted from premeditated frames like “mass population transfers” – the Strategic Hamlet program, or “chemical warfare” – the saturation of the countryside with phenoxy herbicides like Agent Orange, that were already prohibited by the conventions of war to which the U.S. was a signatory.</p>
<p>Other strategic tools, the Air War, and the relentless, not atypically indiscriminate, bombardment by artillery and naval guns, were employed by American forces against the “unpacified” countryside with unprecedented savagery. <a href="#_edn7" type="external">[vii]</a>&#160; While these displays of massive fire power are thought to have created the highest proportion of civilian casualties during the war, the battlefield tactics – search and destroy operations in free fire zones, systematic torture and murder of prisoners, the “mere gook rule,” that turned every dead Vietnamese into an enemy body count, were a close second.&#160; These are facts available to anyone who cares to know them <a href="#_edn8" type="external">[viii]</a></p>
<p>In both detail and presentation Harold Jones, with My Lai: Vietnam, 1968 ,and the Descent into Darkness, has produced a work of considerable value, and it is fair to acknowledge that the work, as recently characterized in a brief note by the New York Times Book Review, must now be considered the standard reference for the massacre.&#160; As for the scale and volume of terrors inflicted on the Vietnamese people during the American War, Jones, hewing close to official doctrine in the U.S., fails to acknowledge that My Lai was just the tip of the iceberg. <a href="#_edn9" type="external">[ix]</a></p>
<p>Michael Uhl served with the 11th Light Infantry Brigade as leader of a combat intelligence team eight months after the My Lai massacre.&#160; On return from Vietnam he joined the antiwar movement, and organized fellow veterans to make public their personal accounts of American atrocities in Vietnam.&#160; He presents this history in the war memoir, Vietnam Awakening (McFarland, 2007).</p>
<p>Notes.</p>
<p><a href="#_ednref1" type="external">[i]</a>.&#160; Heonik Kwon, in his study, <a href="" type="internal">After the Massacre: Commemoration and Consolation in Ha My and My Lai</a> (University of California Press, 2006), attributed to allied forces operating in Quang Ngai Province, notably units of the ROK (Republic of Korea) Marines (p.44), “at least six large scale civilian massacres during the first three months of 1968… Two secret reports made by the district communist cells to the provincial authority recorded nineteen incidents of mass killings during this short period.&#160; The tragedy of mass killings had already been witnessed in Quang Ngai in 1966.”</p>
<p>In their recent documentary film series on the Vietnam War, Ken Burns and Lynn Novick reported that no province suffered more than Quang Ngai during the war, and no place was more dangerous for operating militarily.</p>
<p><a href="#_ednref2" type="external">[ii]</a>. The author’s account of the cover-up reads as definitive; Harold Jones here follows closely Seymour M. Hersh in <a href="" type="internal">Cover Up</a> (Random House, 1972).</p>
<p><a href="#_ednref3" type="external">[iii]</a>.&#160; This would not include Barker, himself, who had died a month after the massacre when his helicopter crashed during a combat mission.</p>
<p><a href="#_ednref4" type="external">[iv]</a>. This quote (p. 347) is from <a href="" type="internal">Four Hours in My Lai,</a> by Michael Bilton and Kevin Sim, (Penguin, 1993), the standard work on the massacre for the past twenty-five years.</p>
<p><a href="#_ednref5" type="external">[v]</a>.&#160; Harold Jones is reporting here from what he heard on the Nixon tapes recorded on April 8, 1971.</p>
<p><a href="#_ednref6" type="external">[vi]</a> .&#160; One portrait of what has been called the West Point Protective Association embodying the Army’s Spartan ethic, can be found in a highly charged expose, co-authored by a former academy graduate, <a href="" type="internal">West Point: America’s Power Fraternity</a>, by Bruce Calloway and Robert Bowie Johnson (Simon and Schuster, 1973).</p>
<p><a href="#_ednref7" type="external">[vii]</a>.&#160; An extensive account of the Air War in Quang Ngai Province is found in <a href="" type="internal">The Real War</a> by Jonathan Schell (Da Capo Press, 1988).</p>
<p><a href="#_ednref8" type="external">[viii]</a>. The Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. with the names of the 58,282 American war dead is 475 feet long; a wall inscribed with the names of the Vietnamese war dead would go on for miles.</p>
<p><a href="#_ednref9" type="external">[ix]</a>. Herbicide poisoning and unexploded ordnance are legacy issues of the war that continue to take their toll on Vietnamese victims to this day.</p>
<p>A version of this essay appeared in the February / April 2018 edition of the <a href="https://mekongreview.com" type="external">Mekong Review</a>.</p> | The Tip of the Iceberg: My Lai Fifty Years On | true | https://counterpunch.org/2018/03/16/the-tip-of-the-iceberg-my-lai-fifty-years-on/ | 2018-03-16 | 4 |
<p>SANTA FE (NM)Herald-TribuneThe Associated Press</p>
<p>A Roman Catholic priest working in New Mexico was arrested on a felony warrant charging him with 25 counts of child molestation while he worked at a Daly City church, police said Tuesday.Police identified the priest as Jose Superiaso, 49, and said he was serving at St. Andrew Church in California when the molestation allegedly occurred eight years ago.Detectives began investigating the priest after a woman, now 20, reported the alleged abuse. She alleged the molestation began in July 1994 and continued through November 1995.Superiaso was ordained in his native Philippines. He served as a priest at Our Lady of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Belmont and at Our Lady of the Pillar Church in Half Moon Bay.Authorities said Superiaso moved to Santa Fe, N.M., in 1998.</p> | Roman Catholic priest arrested in Daly City on child molestation charges | false | https://poynter.org/news/roman-catholic-priest-arrested-daly-city-child-molestation-charges | 2003-06-12 | 2 |
<p>JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - In a story Jan. 1 about changes to the bail system, The Associated Press, relying on information from the Juneau Empire, reported erroneously that cash bail will no longer be used. It will no longer be used in most cases, but it still can be used as a condition of release.</p>
<p>A corrected version of the story is below:</p>
<p>Alaska changes bail system, with more people to be released</p>
<p>Alaska is starting the new year with a change in the way the state handles criminal bail</p>
<p>JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - Alaska is starting the new year with a change in the way the state handles criminal bail.</p>
<p>In some cases, people charged with a crime will no longer have to pay money to get out of jail before their trial, the Juneau Empire reported. Cash bail can still be used as a condition of release.</p>
<p>Starting Monday, the state will evaluate each individual under a point system that considers how likely they are to show up to court appearances or commit a new crime.</p>
<p>The change means more people will be out of jail with supervision, said Nancy Meade, general counsel of the Alaska Court System to the assembled attorneys.</p>
<p>It also means the state won't have to pay for jail time.</p>
<p>The individuals who qualify will also be allowed to work.</p>
<p>The change has been the works for almost two years. Lawmakers passed the bill in 2016.</p>
<p>Under the previous system, individuals could be not released from jail prior to their trial until they paid a bail amount set by a judge.</p>
<p>Defendants from poorer areas were more likely to stay in jails, according to a 2015 study by the Pew Charitable Trust and the Alaska Judicial Council.</p>
<p>The study also found that white, Hispanic and Asian defendants were more likely to be released before trial than black or Native defendants.</p>
<p>Further studies determined that keeping nonviolent offenders in jail increases their chances of reoffending.</p>
<p>"This should enhance public safety and fairness and the credibility of the justice system," said Quinlan Steiner, the state's top public defender.</p>
<p>JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - In a story Jan. 1 about changes to the bail system, The Associated Press, relying on information from the Juneau Empire, reported erroneously that cash bail will no longer be used. It will no longer be used in most cases, but it still can be used as a condition of release.</p>
<p>A corrected version of the story is below:</p>
<p>Alaska changes bail system, with more people to be released</p>
<p>Alaska is starting the new year with a change in the way the state handles criminal bail</p>
<p>JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - Alaska is starting the new year with a change in the way the state handles criminal bail.</p>
<p>In some cases, people charged with a crime will no longer have to pay money to get out of jail before their trial, the Juneau Empire reported. Cash bail can still be used as a condition of release.</p>
<p>Starting Monday, the state will evaluate each individual under a point system that considers how likely they are to show up to court appearances or commit a new crime.</p>
<p>The change means more people will be out of jail with supervision, said Nancy Meade, general counsel of the Alaska Court System to the assembled attorneys.</p>
<p>It also means the state won't have to pay for jail time.</p>
<p>The individuals who qualify will also be allowed to work.</p>
<p>The change has been the works for almost two years. Lawmakers passed the bill in 2016.</p>
<p>Under the previous system, individuals could be not released from jail prior to their trial until they paid a bail amount set by a judge.</p>
<p>Defendants from poorer areas were more likely to stay in jails, according to a 2015 study by the Pew Charitable Trust and the Alaska Judicial Council.</p>
<p>The study also found that white, Hispanic and Asian defendants were more likely to be released before trial than black or Native defendants.</p>
<p>Further studies determined that keeping nonviolent offenders in jail increases their chances of reoffending.</p>
<p>"This should enhance public safety and fairness and the credibility of the justice system," said Quinlan Steiner, the state's top public defender.</p> | Correction: Criminal Bail story | false | https://apnews.com/9e10bf32929c478b92c126273f14ee5e | 2018-01-05 | 2 |
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<p>The bitterness of it has been exhausting. The “issues” were piffle and mishegoss, there was zero illumination, the election was all about hostility. The ugly billionaire nitwit versus the Babylonian anti-Christ. The Trumpites stuck with him despite his hopelessness because his candidacy gave The New York Times fits, and the Hillareans stuck with her because the alternative was him.</p>
<p>So here we are, loathing each other. Too bad, but we are a righteous people and we need to have someone to loathe.</p>
<p>Look at the English language. The words that express peaceful harmony are so few, so pale, so flaccid, while the words that express disgust, dismay, revulsion constitute a vast and delicious vocabulary. “You’ve got bubblegum for brains, you jackass, you douchenugget, you are so average, did you eat dumb flakes for breakfast? Go sit on your thumb, you feeb, you nincompoop, you fathead” — it goes on and on and on. Shakespeare is loaded with insult from our rich Anglo-Saxon heritage. It’s a language for people who don’t like each other. You want harmony, go talk Sanskrit.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>So here we are, bilious and consternated, and in three weeks, it all comes to an end. Apparently, Mr. Trump will not call up Hillary on election night and offer her congratulations. He may file a lawsuit instead. His followers will be encouraged to believe that the election was rigged by Wall Street hedge fund managers in cahoots with the vaccine industry, followers of Saul Alinsky, and aliens living in Roswell, New Mexico, but whatever — it will be over. The shouting will die down. The “Lock her up” T-shirts will go into the bottom drawer. Families will gather for Thanksgiving and bite their tongues and avoid eye contact. There will be Christmas. The inauguration will take place, and Barack and Michelle and the girls will go to their new home and get out the Scrabble board and pop a kettle of popcorn. And next spring the 2020 campaign will begin.</p>
<p>I worry about Donald Trump. What is he going to do? He has damaged his brand. The steaks, ties, home furnishings, fragrances, whiskey, resorts, condos, golf club memberships — when you associate yourself with white supremacy, male chauvinism and invincible ignorance, this is not smart marketing. He can’t go back to the Tower. Manhattan is about 83 percent Democratic. Why live among people who don’t appreciate you and ride around in a black limo with smoked-glass windows through crowds of pedestrians giving you the finger? It’s no way to live.</p>
<p>Does the man have friends? Or only associates? This is the big question. Is Sean really and truly his friend? Or Howard? Or Rudy? Do they go out for lunch and tell jokes about the two blondes who went to the drive-in theater in February to see “Closed For The Season”? I doubt this.</p>
<p>He should pick up his traps and move to Nebraska. He is leading in Nebraska, about 2-to-1. There are wonderful warmhearted people there who love and admire him, so he would fit right in. Look at Broken Bow, a town of 4,000 on Highway 2 in Custer County. He could get a nice 3BR there for $150K. There’s a municipal airport, a hospital. The restaurants are good if you like beef. You can play golf from May through September and after that you can use a fluorescent orange ball and play in the snow. He’d be far away from The New York Times. He could make Broken Bow great, put marble floors and walls in the public school, put up a marble statue of George Armstrong Custer. He could attend a good evangelical church every Sunday and go to Bible reading Wednesday night where maybe he can learn more about those two Corinthians. He’d need to be careful about touching women suddenly without permission though because many of them are armed. If he grabbed one down there, she might cut him a new buttonhole. Even if she were a Christian.</p>
<p>—</p>
<p>Garrison Keillor is an author and radio personality.</p>
<p>—</p>
<p>(c) Garrison Keillor, distributed by The Washington Post News Service with Bloomberg News.</p>
<p>garrison-keillor</p> | Good luck in Nebraska | false | https://abqjournal.com/869803/good-luck-in-nebraska.html | 2016-10-18 | 2 |
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Is there a larger, more exploited, defenseless group of undifferentiated Americans than the 133 million individual federal income taxpayers? Their dollars are used to subsidize organized corporate interests, giveaway taxpayer assets like minerals under the public lands, and bail out speculative, self-enriching corporations and their crooked bosses.</p>
<p>As large corporations, and their trade associations, complete their takeover of the federal government-a process that President Franklin Delano Roosevelt called fascism in 1938-the corporations become the government.</p>
<p>Just look at the recent headlines in the business press. Article after article features abuses and over-runs by companies contracting with the Department of Defense and other agencies. The enormous volumes of waste, fraud and poor delivery affecting the Iraq war-occupation now only produces ho hum newspaper and television stories.</p>
<p>Recently, the student loan scandals, exorbitant burdens on students graduating from college imposed on them by companies with influence in Washington, like Sallie Mae, whose government guarantees make a mockery of capitalism, have riled members of Congress to some modest action.</p>
<p>Once again this year, the big boys on Wall Street stretched the envelope of risk and greed and ran down to Washington, D.C. to be bailed out by the accommodating Federal Reserve. Chairman Ben Bernanke testified before the Senate that he had no choice but to take on about $30 billion of Bear Stearns obligations or there could be a run on other big banks. Where was the Federal Reserve when this credit, debt and risk spree was building during the past five years?</p>
<p>There is no penalty for failure-whether on Wall Street or in Washington, D.C. for misusing or wasting the taxpayers’ monies.</p>
<p>When the heads of Citigroup and Merrill Lynch were asked to leave their positions recently as CEOs after tanking their companies’ shares, they could barely avoid tripping over the many millions of dollars they were taking with them through the exit door. Among many perverse incentives operating within these Wall Street firms, there are rewards for failure-big bucks rubber-stamped by the look-the-other-way, well paid Boards of Directors.</p>
<p>Back in 1971 and 1980 respectively, the White House proposed a $250 million loan guarantee for Lockheed corp., and a $1.5 billion loan guarantee for Chrysler with the government taking back warrants that it later sold for a profit. There was intense debate and discussion at public hearings in the House and the Senate before they authorized the guarantees.</p>
<p>Now federal agency bailouts of big business, even Mexican oligarchs, rarely seek Congressional approval. Just have the Executive Branch do what it wants. No public hearings. Midnight bailouts without transcripts.</p>
<p>I asked a powerful Senator: “What are the discernable legal limits on the Federal Reserve’s bailout authority and how much total risk can the Federal Reserve heap on the taxpayers?” “Can they go to a trillion dollars?” He did not know.</p>
<p>Shifting deficits, debts and unfair burdens to individual taxpayers while the rich and powerful become either tax escapees or big time welfare recipients keep pushing a limitless envelope on today’s and tomorrow’s taxpayers.</p>
<p>The New York Times’ prize-winning reporter David Cay Johnston, has written two books “Perfectly Legal” and just recently, the best seller “Free Lunch” that document these megatrends of corporate socialism-privatizing corporate profits and socializing corporate losses on the backs of individual taxpayers.</p>
<p>What can be done about these gigantic runaway sprees?</p>
<p>First, pass legislation that broadens individual taxpayers’ right to sue in federal court against waste, fraud and abuse, including those receivers of bailouts-the reckless, avaricious corporations who have Uncle Sam in their back pockets.</p>
<p>Second, have a voluntary checkoff on the 1040 tax return inviting individual taxpayers to join their own taxpayer defense organization. Such a group would have millions of small dues paying members and an on-the-spot skillful watchdog group in our national capital.</p>
<p>Finally, place our public elections off the private auction block and have them funded by well promoted voluntary checkoffs on the tax returns together with a certain amount of free radio and television time for ballot-qualified candidates seeking federal office.</p>
<p>These and other proposals, such as giving shareholders more power to restrain their top executives, will give taxpayers some grip on the wide-open spigot of taxpayer dollars delivered to the misfits of the giant corporate world.</p>
<p>RALPH NADER is the author of <a href="" type="internal">The Seventeen Traditions</a></p>
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<p>&#160;</p> | Runaway Bailouts | true | https://counterpunch.org/2008/04/05/runaway-bailouts/ | 2008-04-05 | 4 |
<p>Venezuelan authorities arrested on Tuesday two suspects accused of shooting US embassy officials in a strip club in May.</p>
<p>Prosecutors <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2013/07/30/world/americas/venezuela-us-officials-shot/index.html?hpt=hp_t3" type="external">charged Carlos Mejias Blanco and Windy Fabiani Mejias</a> with attempted murder after they allegedly got into a fight with two Americans at the club and opened fire, wounding them.</p>
<p>Venezuelan authorities <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323854904578636440233407314.html" type="external">identified the two US embassy employees</a> as Roberto Ezequiel Rosas and military attaché Paul Marwin, who have both since returned to the United States.</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost:&#160; <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/130528/us-embassy-workers-shot-caracas-strip-club" type="external">US embassy workers shot in Caracas strip club</a></p>
<p>The shooting occurred in the early morning hours of May 28 at Antonella 2012, a strip club located in the basement of a mall in an upscale Caracas neighborhood.</p>
<p>Both Rosas and Marwin, who worked with the embassy's defense liaison office, suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Rosas, 33, sustained an injury to his right leg and Marwin, in his 40s, was shot in the abdomen.</p>
<p>Venezuela is among the most dangerous countries in the world, which has led critics to accuse Rosas and Marwin of poor judgment in their choice of late-night outing.</p>
<p>The US State Department restricts its personnel from visiting sectors of Caracas it deems unsafe. The strip club where the shooting occurred is located in a section of the city where travel is discouraged between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.</p> | Venezuela arrests 2 for shooting of US officials in Caracas strip club | false | https://pri.org/stories/2013-07-30/venezuela-arrests-2-shooting-us-officials-caracas-strip-club | 2013-07-30 | 3 |
<p>NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — While his teammates enjoyed some time off with a bye week, Juuse Saros kept working. It paid off for the Predators on Tuesday night.</p>
<p>Saros made 43 saves, Kevin Fiala scored eight minutes into the third period and Nashville beat the Vegas Golden Knights 1-0.</p>
<p>Nashville played its first game in a week and has won three straight. The shutout was the third of the season for Saros and the fourth of his career.</p>
<p>During Nashville’s bye week, the Predators assigned Saros to the Milwaukee Admirals, their American Hockey League affiliate, where he played in three games, winning twice.</p>
<p>“It’s worked really well for this instance to keep him playing during the break, and he played extremely well down there,” Nashville coach Peter Laviolette said. “We’ve got a goaltender that’s been taking shots for the week in live action and he comes back tonight and he plays terrific.”</p>
<p>Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 26 shots for the Golden Knights, who have lost two in a row.</p>
<p>“I thought we played great hockey - our goaltending was great, our defense played a real solid game and our forwards had all kinds of scoring opportunities,” Vegas coach Gerard Gallant said. “So, it’s tough to lose the game, but I thought we played great.”</p>
<p>Saros was superb, especially against Vegas forward Jonathan Marchessault, who peppered 10 shots on the Finnish netminder but was unable to get one by him.</p>
<p>“He’s a great player and he has a lot of nifty plays, so I was ready for them,” Saros said.</p>
<p>Vegas had four power plays and put 15 shots on Saros with the man advantage.</p>
<p>Fiala got his goal off a rebound. Fleury stopped P.K. Subban’s slap shot from the right point, but the puck came to the left side, where Fiala was there to snap a wrist shot underneath the crossbar for his 11th goal.</p>
<p>“It’s not always that easy when the puck is coming at you,” Fiala said. “This one came nicely and I just buried it.”</p>
<p>Fleury’s best save came at 4:17 of the third when he made a sprawling stop on a partial breakaway by Colton Sissons.</p>
<p>Predators center Ryan Johansen did not play after the second period following a hit from William Carrier with 38 seconds remaining in the period. Johansen was at center ice along the boards when Carrier hit him high. No penalty was called.</p>
<p>Laviolette did not have an update on Johansen after the game.</p>
<p>Nashville was already playing without two-thirds of its top offensive line as forwards Filip Forsberg and Viktor Arvidsson were out of the lineup. Forsberg is out 4 to 6 weeks with an upper-body injury and his Swedish countryman Arvidsson was injured in Monday’s practice and placed on injured reserve Tuesday afternoon.</p>
<p>NOTES: This was the third and final regular-season matchup between the teams. Vegas won the first two. ... Nashville has scored a power-play goal in three straight. ... Subban has assists in three consecutive games. ... Fleury is 9-5-1 in his career against the Predators. ... Vegas is 9-5-0 against the Central Division.</p>
<p>UP NEXT</p>
<p>Golden Knights: At Tampa Bay on Thursday night.</p>
<p>Predators: Host Arizona on Thursday night.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>More AP hockey: <a href="" type="internal" /> <a href="" type="internal">https://apnews.com/tag/NHLhockey</a></p>
<p>NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — While his teammates enjoyed some time off with a bye week, Juuse Saros kept working. It paid off for the Predators on Tuesday night.</p>
<p>Saros made 43 saves, Kevin Fiala scored eight minutes into the third period and Nashville beat the Vegas Golden Knights 1-0.</p>
<p>Nashville played its first game in a week and has won three straight. The shutout was the third of the season for Saros and the fourth of his career.</p>
<p>During Nashville’s bye week, the Predators assigned Saros to the Milwaukee Admirals, their American Hockey League affiliate, where he played in three games, winning twice.</p>
<p>“It’s worked really well for this instance to keep him playing during the break, and he played extremely well down there,” Nashville coach Peter Laviolette said. “We’ve got a goaltender that’s been taking shots for the week in live action and he comes back tonight and he plays terrific.”</p>
<p>Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 26 shots for the Golden Knights, who have lost two in a row.</p>
<p>“I thought we played great hockey - our goaltending was great, our defense played a real solid game and our forwards had all kinds of scoring opportunities,” Vegas coach Gerard Gallant said. “So, it’s tough to lose the game, but I thought we played great.”</p>
<p>Saros was superb, especially against Vegas forward Jonathan Marchessault, who peppered 10 shots on the Finnish netminder but was unable to get one by him.</p>
<p>“He’s a great player and he has a lot of nifty plays, so I was ready for them,” Saros said.</p>
<p>Vegas had four power plays and put 15 shots on Saros with the man advantage.</p>
<p>Fiala got his goal off a rebound. Fleury stopped P.K. Subban’s slap shot from the right point, but the puck came to the left side, where Fiala was there to snap a wrist shot underneath the crossbar for his 11th goal.</p>
<p>“It’s not always that easy when the puck is coming at you,” Fiala said. “This one came nicely and I just buried it.”</p>
<p>Fleury’s best save came at 4:17 of the third when he made a sprawling stop on a partial breakaway by Colton Sissons.</p>
<p>Predators center Ryan Johansen did not play after the second period following a hit from William Carrier with 38 seconds remaining in the period. Johansen was at center ice along the boards when Carrier hit him high. No penalty was called.</p>
<p>Laviolette did not have an update on Johansen after the game.</p>
<p>Nashville was already playing without two-thirds of its top offensive line as forwards Filip Forsberg and Viktor Arvidsson were out of the lineup. Forsberg is out 4 to 6 weeks with an upper-body injury and his Swedish countryman Arvidsson was injured in Monday’s practice and placed on injured reserve Tuesday afternoon.</p>
<p>NOTES: This was the third and final regular-season matchup between the teams. Vegas won the first two. ... Nashville has scored a power-play goal in three straight. ... Subban has assists in three consecutive games. ... Fleury is 9-5-1 in his career against the Predators. ... Vegas is 9-5-0 against the Central Division.</p>
<p>UP NEXT</p>
<p>Golden Knights: At Tampa Bay on Thursday night.</p>
<p>Predators: Host Arizona on Thursday night.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>More AP hockey: <a href="" type="internal" /> <a href="" type="internal">https://apnews.com/tag/NHLhockey</a></p> | Saros shutout leads Predators over Golden Knights 1-0 | false | https://apnews.com/533ef2b623624659a559f4ea6bdbcaf1 | 2018-01-17 | 2 |
<p>The U.S. economy is at the beginning of a protracted period of adjustment. The sharp decline in business activity, which began in the summer of 2007, has moderated slightly, but there are few indications that growth will return to pre-crisis levels. Stocks have performed well in the last six months, beating most analysts expectations, but weakness in the underlying economy will continue to crimp demand reducing any chance of a strong rebound. Bankruptcies, delinquencies and defaults are all on the rise, which is pushing down asset prices and increasing unemployment. As joblessness soars, debts pile up, consumer spending slows, and businesses are forced to cut back even further. This is the deflationary spiral Fed chairman Ben Bernanke was hoping to avoid. Surging equities and an impressive “green shoots” public relations campaign have helped to improve consumer confidence, but the hard data conflicts with the optimistic narrative reiterated in the financial media. For the millions of Americans who don’t qualify for government bailouts, things have never been worse.</p>
<p>Kevin Harrington, managing director at Clarium Capital Management LLC, summed up the present economic situation in an interview with Bloomberg News: “If we have a recovery at all, it isn’t sustainable. This is more likely a ski-jump recession, with short-term stimulus creating a bump that will ultimately lead to a more precipitous decline later.”</p>
<p>Reflecting on the Fed’s unwillingness to force banks to report their losses on hard-to-value illiquid assets, Harrington added, “We haven’t fixed the problem. We’ve just slowed down the official recognition of it.”</p>
<p>In the two years since the crisis began, neither the Fed nor policymakers at the Treasury have taken steps to remove toxic assets from banks balance sheets. The main arteries for credit still remain clogged despite the fact that the Bernanke has added nearly $900 billion in excess reserves to the banking system. Consumers continue to reduce their borrowing despite historically low interest rates and the banks are still hoarding capital to pay off losses from non performing loans and bad assets. Changes in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) rules for mark-to-market accounting of assets have made it easier for underwater banks to hide their red ink, but, eventually, the losses have to be reported. The wave of banks failures is just now beginning to accelerate. It should persist into 2011. The system is gravely under-capitalized and at risk. Christopher Whalen does an great job of summarizing the condition of the banking system in a recent post at The Institutional Risk Analyst:</p>
<p>“The results of our Q2 2009 stress test of the US banking industry are pretty grim. Despite all of the talk and expenditure in Washington, the US banking industry is still sinking steadily and neither the Obama Administration nor the Federal Reserve seem to have any more bullets to fire at the deflation monster. With the dollar seemingly set for a rebound and the equity and debt markets looking exhausted, one veteran manager told The IRA that the finish of 2009 seems more problematic than is usual and customary for the end of year.</p>
<p>Plain fact is that the Fed and Treasury spent all the available liquidity propping up Wall Street’s toxic asset waste pile and the banks that created it, so now Main Street employers and private investors, and the relatively smaller banks that support them both, must go begging for capital and liquidity in a market where government is the only player left. The notion that the Fed can even contemplate reversing the massive bailout for the OTC markets, this to restore normalcy to the monetary models that supposedly inform the central bank’s deliberations, is ridiculous in view of the capital shortfall in the banking sector and the private sector economy more generally.” (2ndQ 2009 Bank Stress Test Results: The Zombie Dance Party Rocks On” Christopher Whalen, The Institutional Risk Analyst)</p>
<p>It’s not just the banking system that’s in trouble either. The stock market is beginning to teeter, as well. Bernanke’s quantitative easing (QE) program has provided enough liquidity to push equities higher, but he’s also created another bubble that’s showing signs of instability. According to Charles Biderman, CEO of TrimTabs Investment Research, the Fed’s bear market rally has run out of gas and company insiders are headed for the exits as fast as they can.In a Bloomberg interview Biderman said:</p>
<p>“Insider selling is 30 times insider buying, while corporate stock buybacks are non-existent. Companies are saying they don’t want to touch their own stocks.”…”When companies are heavy sellers (of their own stocks) and retail customers are borrowing to buy stocks; that’s always been a sign of a market top.”</p>
<p>The best-informed market participants believe that the 6-month rally is beginning to fizzle out. The consensus is that stocks are grossly overpriced and the fundamentals are weak. Bernanke’s strategy has improved the equity position of many of the larger financial institutions but, unfortunately, there’s been no spillover into the real economy. Money is not getting to the people who need it most and who can use it to get the economy moving again.</p>
<p>The economy cannot recover without a strong consumer. But consumers and households have suffered massive losses and are deeply in debt. Credit lines have been reduced and, for many, the only source of revenue is the weekly paycheck. That means everything must fall within the family budget. The rebuilding of balance sheets will be an ongoing struggle as households try to lower their debt-load through additional cuts to spending. But if wages continue to stagnate and credit dries up, the economy will slip into a semi-permanent state of recession. Washington policymakers–steeped in 30 years of supply side “trickle down” ideology–are not prepared to make the changes required to put the economy on a sound footing. They see the drop in consumption as a temporary blip that can be fixed with low interest rates and fiscal stimulus. They think the economy has just hit a “rough patch” between periods of expansion. But a number of recent surveys indicate that they are mistaken, and that “This time it IS different”. Working people have hit-the-wall. Consumers will not be able to lead the way out of the slump.</p>
<p>According to a recent Gallup Poll:</p>
<p>“Baby boomers’ self-reported average daily spending of $64 in 2009 is down sharply from an average of $98 in 2008. But baby boomers — the largest generational group of Americans — are not alone in pulling back on their consumption, as all generations show significant declines from last year. Generation X has reported the greatest spending on average in both years, and is averaging $71 per day so far in 2009, down from $110 in 2008….</p>
<p>Gallup finds significant declines among all generations in average reported daily spending in 2009 compared to 2008. Given that consumer spending is the primary engine of the U.S. economy, it’s not clear how much the economy can grow unless spending increases from its current low levels. But spending may not necessarily be the best course of action for baby boomers as they approach retirement age and prepare to rely on Social Security and their retirement savings as primary sources of income. Indeed, the two generations consisting largely of retirement-age Americans consistently show the lowest levels of reported spending. (“ <a href="http://www.gallup.com/poll/122546/Boomers-Spending-Generations-Down-Sharply.aspx?CSTS=alert" type="external">Boomers’ Spending, like other Generations, Down Sharply</a>“, Jeffrey M. Jones, Gallup)</p>
<p>It no longer makes any sense for people to spend more than they can afford, nor is it possible. US households doubled their debt in the last seven years to nearly $14 trillion. The massive borrowing binge fueled economic growth and pushed assets–particularly housing–steadily higher. But the spending-spree was only possible because of low interest rates, lax lending standards and deep-pocketed trading partners who were only-too-eager to purchase boatloads of US securities, bonds (Fannie and Freddie) and Treasuries. Now conditions have changed; funding has dried up and central banks and foreign investors have limited their purchases to Treasuries. Consumers are left to fend for themselves in a hostile environment where both jobs and credit are scarce.</p>
<p>Household budgets have never stretched as far as they are today. Housing prices have dropped 33 percent from their peak in 2007, but household deleveraging has only just begun. There’s a lot of belt-tightening to do if families plan to reduce their aggregate debt by roughly $2.5 trillion and return debt-to-equity ratios to their normal trend-line. Policymakers need to focus on debt-relief and mortgage-principle writedowns to ease the transition and get people back on their feet again.</p>
<p>The current recession has exposed the fault-lines dividing the classes in the US. Neither party represents working people. Both the Democrats and the Republicans are supportive of “social engineering for the rich”; regressive taxation and economic policies which shift a greater portion of the wealth to the richest Americans. The question of inequality, which has grown to levels not seen since the Gilded Age, will dominate the national conversation as the recession deepens and more people slip from the ranks of the middle class. The vast chasm between the mega-rich and everyone else is explored in a recent report by University of California, Berkeley economics professor Emmanuel Saez, who concludes that income inequality in the United States is at an all-time high, surpassing even levels seen during the Great Depression. The report shows that:</p>
<p>“The top 1 percent incomes captured half of the overall economic growth over the period 1993-2007″ …The top 14,988 households received 6.04% of income, the highest figure for any year since the data became available. The top 1% of households received 23.5% of income, while the top 10% received 49.7% of income (the highest on record.)”</p>
<p>Why does this matter? Apart from the moral question of whether a handful of people deserve to live like kings while others live in squalor; there is the political question: Are our politics being driven by plutocrats whose only interest is to fatten the bottom line and increase their own power? Don Monkerud addresses the issue in his article “Wealth Inequality Destroys US Ideals” (Consortium News):</p>
<p>“Over 40 percent of GNP comes from Fortune 500 companies. According to the World Institute for Development Economics Research, the 500 largest conglomerates in the U.S. “control over two-thirds of the business resources, employ two-thirds of the industrial workers, account for 60 percent of the sales, and collect over 70 percent of the profits.”</p>
<p>Corporations systematically created a wealth gap over the last 30 years. In 1955, IRS records indicated the 400 richest people in the country were worth an average $12.6 million, adjusted for inflation. In 2006, the 400 richest increased their average to $263 million, representing an epochal shift of wealth upward in the U.S.” (Don Monkerud “Wealth Inequality Destroys US Ideals” Consortium News)</p>
<p>The US consumer no longer has the capacity to bounce back and generate sufficient demand to produce positive growth. According to McKinsey Global Institute, Homeowners withdrew “$2.3 trillion in home equity loans and cash-out refinancings between 2003 and 2008.” Most of the money was spent on personal consumption. Where will the money come from now that home equity has gone negative? The Obama administration will need a second, third and fourth stimulus just to fill the gaping hole left by the collapse of the housing market.</p>
<p>The Fed and its allies in the corporate/financial establishment, have killed the Golden Goose. After Obama’s stimulus runs out, consumer spending will again sputter and the economy will slide back into recession. As personal consumption declines, U.S. markets will become less attractive to foreign exporters. There will be no need to continue trading in dollars.</p>
<p>MIKE WHITNEY lives in Washington state. He can be reached at <a href="mailto:[email protected]" type="external">[email protected]</a></p>
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<p>&#160;</p> | How Bad Will It Get? | true | https://counterpunch.org/2009/09/03/how-bad-will-it-get/ | 2009-09-03 | 4 |
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<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>After the company reported mixed fourth-quarter results and issued downbeat guidance for 2017, shares ofConforMIS(NASDAQ: CFMS), aproducer of custom joint replacement implants, fell more than 33% as of 11:15 a.m. EST on Thursday.</p>
<p>Here's a look at the highlights from the fourth-quarter earnings report.</p>
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<p>While the company's fourth-quarter performance was mixed, investors appear to be reacting harshly to management'sguidance for 2017.</p>
<p>Given the mixed quarterly results and bummer guidance, it is no surprise to see ConforMIS' shares getting hit hard today.</p>
<p>Image Source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>CEO Mark Augusti knew that this forecast wasn't what investors wanted to hear, so he did his best to stress that the company's U.S. operations are still performing well, saying, "Our 2017 guidance for constant currency product revenue growth in the range of 1 percent to 6 percent is not reflective of the underlying health of our U.S. business which we expect to grow in thehigh-single digitto mid-teens percentage this year over last year."</p>
<p>However, he did admit that international sales were going to remain under pressure given the challenging reimbursement environment in Germany, which is the company's largest international market.</p>
<p>Nonetheless, Augusti did his best to communicate to shareholders there are a lot of positive things happening in the year ahead:</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than ConforMISWhen 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>*Stock Advisor returns as of February 6, 2017</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFTypeoh/info.aspx" type="external">Brian Feroldi Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. 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;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p> | Why ConforMIS Stock Is Tanking Today | true | http://foxbusiness.com/markets/2017/02/16/why-conformis-stock-is-tanking-today.html | 2017-02-16 | 0 |
<p>New York Daily News The network isn't comfortable with its veteran correspondent's activist role as First Lady of California, reports Lloyd Grove. His sources say Maria Shriver was asked to quit NBC News before Christmas -- the network denies she was canned -- but the two sides are continuing discussions about her future as a contributing anchor and correspondent for "Dateline NBC."</p> | NBC News essentially fired Shriver in December, says Grove | false | https://poynter.org/news/nbc-news-essentially-fired-shriver-december-says-grove | 2004-01-06 | 2 |
<p>A new <a href="https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2017/demo/p20-579.pdf" type="external">survey</a> is out on the economic status of millennials; the numbers suggest that a decent amount of them are deadbeats living at home.</p>
<p>The survey, conducted by the Census Bureau, found that in 2016 31 percent of millenials live at home with their parents – which includes living in college dorms – while only 27 percent live with their spouse, 21 percent were in the "other" category, 12 percent lived with an unmarried partner and eight percent lived alone.</p>
<p>By contrast, in 1975 those numbers were 26 percent, 57 percent, 11 percent, one percent and five percent, respectively.</p>
<p>The survey also found that between 2005 and 2015, the percentage of young adults living at home with their parents increased from 26 percent to 34.1 percent and the percentage of young adults living independently declined from 51 percent to 40.7 percent in the same timeframe.</p>
<p>Among those in the 18 to 24 age range, nearly 15.8 million lived at home with their parents, nearly 4.5 million lived independent and slightly over 7.7 million lived with roommates.</p>
<p>Of those that lived with their parents, 65.4 percent were in the 20 to 24 age range; the rest were between the ages of 18 to 19 years old.</p>
<p>Additionally, 57.2 percent of those in the 18 to 24 age range were employed, while a combined 42.8 percent were either unemployed or out of the labor force. Nearly 95 percent of those in that age range earned incomes in the range of $0 to $29,999.</p>
<p>Among those in the 25 to 34 age range, the statistics somewhat improved, as over 24 million lived independently, over 10 million lived with roommates and a little over 8.3 million at home with their parents. But the survey noted that "less than two-thirds of older millennials live independently." Those that lived at home with their parents were mostly between the ages of 25 and 29 (65.6 percent); 68.9 percent of those in the 25 to 34 age range status were employed but 74.6 percent had incomes in the $0 to $29,999 range.</p>
<p>Overall, 25 percent of those in the 25 to 34 age range living at home with their parents were not working or going to school. They are simply deadbeats.</p>
<p>The Daily Wire has previously <a href="" type="internal">reported</a> that millennials don't consider themselves until the age of 30; these survey findings seem to reflect that.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2017/demo/p20-579.pdf" type="external">Read the full Census Bureau survey here.</a></p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/michael_hendrix/status/855046194615246848" type="external">H/T:</a> Michael Hendrix</p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/bandlersbanter" type="external">Follow Aaron Bandler on Twitter.</a></p> | UH-OH: How Many Young People Living At Home Are Deadbeats? | true | https://dailywire.com/news/15577/uh-oh-how-many-young-people-living-home-are-aaron-bandler | 2017-04-20 | 0 |
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<p>Social workers bring them on short notice, with maybe some formula and a few diapers. There are no extra onesies. No swaddling blankets. No car seats.</p>
<p>The paperwork is usually sparse beyond a name and maybe a few clues about the baby’s first few days or weeks of life. Bundschuh knows from experience to quickly read the hospital notes before the caseworker leaves with the file.</p>
<p>Even when there is no medical history, this relatively new foster parent knows what to expect in the long night ahead.</p>
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<p>The baby will constantly fidget. There can be sudden tremors in the arms and legs. The buttocks might bleed from open sores caused by runny diarrhea. The sucking reflex is off, so feeding can frustrate the baby.</p>
<p>Lullabies and cuddling rarely soothe the child who arches his or her back and cries in a high pitch. So Bundschuh will find a quiet spot away from the bedrooms where her husband and three boys are sleeping. She will rock the baby in her arms with his or her body vertical. Being cradled agitates the baby.</p>
<p>Mostly she will pace with the baby through the dark house because, in her experience, babies withdrawing from heroin, methadone, morphine or other opioids may be consoled by movement.</p>
<p>Bundschuh has cared for four babies in opioid withdrawal since she and her husband became licensed foster parents in Missouri two years ago. The most recent arrival came in late January – a newborn preemie. The previous baby was agitated for six months, a fairly typical course for full withdrawal.</p>
<p>“There would be two to three hours every night where he just screamed; he was very hard to calm,” she said.</p>
<p>Bundschuh made no special request to care for these cases when she signed on to be a foster parent.</p>
<p>Nonetheless, she has wound up on the front lines of Missouri’s opioid epidemic, which is sending children at an alarming rate to a state foster care system that is straining to serve them.</p>
<p>It’s not just newborns – though the system is seeing far more of them. It’s also older siblings who need care after Children’s Division investigators find severe neglect in a household disrupted by opioid addiction and the often unsafe parental behaviors that go with it.</p>
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<p>“We are in desperate need of more foster parents for the first time in a decade and a half,” said Melanie Scheetz, executive director of the Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition of St. Louis. “We need them for both newborns and older children.”</p>
<p>Scheetz said foster parents need to be trained about dealing with trauma in these children:</p>
<p>“We had a case where two kids were found in Fairground Park behind a bridge because their mother was turning tricks for drugs. It’s just devastating for these families.”</p>
<p>Bundschuh received no special training on how to care for babies in drug withdrawal after being exposed to opioids in the womb or given morphine in the hospital to taper the symptoms of their withdrawal. She’s learned on her own.</p>
<p>Along with the risk of burnout and frustration with an inconsolable baby, there is constant worry. She knows, for example, that babies in withdrawal are at a higher risk for seizures or sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS. If something happens, she could be legally liable.</p>
<p>“The first week is very exhausting because I’m constantly checking their breathing,” she said. “I didn’t go through that with my own.”</p>
<p>The numbers climb</p>
<p>Last year, more than 650 people died from opioid overdoses in the St. Louis region, more than four times the number in 2007. Recently, the Post-Dispatch chronicled the toll those fatalities are taking on the region’s families and communities.</p>
<p>Aaron Barber, born testing positive for opioids, has his diaper changed by his grandmother Donna Williams. Donna and her husband Darren have started adoption proceedings. (Robert Cohen/St. Louis Post-Dispatch)</p>
<p>But the epidemic is also measured in the delivery rooms of Missouri hospitals, which have seen more than a fivefold increase in the number of infants born with symptoms of opioid withdrawal in the past 10 years, according to the Missouri Hospital Association. St. Louis stood out with one of the highest rates in the state, surpassed by just two counties in rural south-central Missouri.</p>
<p>The number of children going into foster care in Missouri began to climb in 2012, following years of a general decline. Last year, 7,505 children entered foster care. That is a leap from 6,432 in 2013.</p>
<p>In the past five years, St. Louis County saw a 29 percent jump in the number of children entering foster care, peaking at 521 children last year. In St. Louis city, entries increased by more than a third. Jefferson County saw a 20 percent increase; St. Charles County, 14 percent.</p>
<p>The state lacks data to directly tie the spike in foster care to opioids.</p>
<p>But data from the St. Louis Family Court show the link.</p>
<p>Of the 46 children who have entered foster care in the city this year, 17 – or 39 percent – were due to drugs, either involving drug exposure to newborns, or issues of abuse or neglect because of substance abuse by parents.</p>
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<p /> | The tiniest victims | false | https://abqjournal.com/968311/the-tiniest-victims.html | 2 |
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<p>The day before Johnson won the tournament April 8, J.B. Collingsworth, president of the Marriage and Family Matters ministry, sent the golfer a text message of Psalm 16:8: “I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”</p>
<p>“I just believed it was his time, kind of like I did with Payne Stewart in 1999,” Collingsworth told Baptist Press. “I felt like God spoke to my heart that he was going to be the one to take that trophy home and use the platform for God's glory. I sent him the same Scripture verse that I gave Payne, and that's the only other time I've ever done that.”</p>
<p>Collingsworth gained a reputation as a spiritual leader for a number of professional golfers after preaching at Stewart's memorial service at First Baptist, Orlando, in 1999 when the golfing champion died in a plane crash. The two had met on an overnight retreat with their children who both attended First Academy, a ministry of the church.</p>
<p>Stewart and Collingsworth became friends, and because of his relationship with Stewart, Collingsworth said some golfers took him more seriously. “As Tom Lehman said, God opened these guys' hearts to me,” Collingsworth said.</p>
<p>Collingsworth first encountered Johnson in 2002 as a pastor to couples at First Baptist, Orlando. Johnson was dating a church member named Kim Barclay, and they were beginning to discuss the possibility of marriage.</p>
<p>“Kim was a real strong believer and had met Zach,” Collingsworth recounted. “He actually lived at the same apartment complex where she did. They began to be friends and then started dating, and everyone was concerned because he was not a Christian. People were kidding her about doing missionary dating and that kind of thing.”</p>
<p>As Zach attended First Baptist with Kim, they started noticing the advertisements for a marriage preparation class Collingsworth and his wife, Shugie, were leading at the church. Several hundred couples took the class each year, and Zach and Kim decided to enroll.</p>
<p>“All through the course we talked about how to have a godly marriage, how to build your marriage on Christ, how to make him the central part of your relationship,” Collingsworth said.</p>
<p>The Collingsworths regularly spoke in the class about the importance of a relationship with Christ, and they emphasized that divorce should never be an option for believers.</p>
<p>“All this began to prick his heart, he said, and when I gave an invitation toward the end of the course was when Zach asked Jesus into his heart,” Collingsworth said. “As Kim says, it was a slow progression for him to that point, and then once he accepted Christ he just went crazy [in commitment and enthusiasm].”</p>
<p>Zach and Kim married in February 2003, and he continued to work on his golf career. Collingsworth didn't see Johnson again until 2004 at a Bible study on the PGA Tour.</p>
<p>“I was sitting there and saw this guy come in, and the light was sort of glaring on his face. I couldn't really see him well but he just kept smiling at me,” Collingsworth said. “I thought, ‘I know this guy.' As soon as it was over, he came barreling over to me and said, ‘J.B, J.B! I'm Zach Johnson. Do you remember me? I was in your prep for marriage class and I accepted Christ in your class. I'm now speaking in churches and sharing my testimony and telling people what Christ has done in my life.' ”</p>
<p>Collingsworth was surprised by the encounter because Johnson had been just a regular guy in the marriage class.</p>
<p>“To hear him talk about what God was doing in his life at that time was pretty amazing,” Collingsworth said. “I kept telling people to watch out for this guy because he's just an amazing young man with a lot of determination. I would tell different friends of mine, ‘Have you heard of Zach? He's really going to be one of the up and coming guys.' And I really felt that in my heart.”</p>
<p>So when Johnson edged golf legend Tiger Woods to win the Masters on Easter Sunday, Collingsworth said he wasn't surprised.</p>
<p>“I just believe that he was a man after God's own heart, and I think God chose this time to put him in a position where a lot of people heard him give honor to the Lord and give God the credit,” Collingsworth told BP. “It kind of blows me away to see that. I just sat and cried when he cried on Sunday. I was really touched by what he said and the fact that he won was just a real awesome thing. I've been about to bust ever since just because I know that God is going to use this greatly for his glory.”</p>
<p>Long before the Masters win, the Collingsworths asked the Johnsons to be part of the national advisory board for their marriage enrichment ministry, which means the Johnsons support Marriage and Family Matters financially and with their prayers.</p>
<p>At a 2005 fundraiser for the ministry in Fort Worth, Texas, Zach and Kim gave their testimony. Johnson pointed to the class Collingsworth led at First Baptist, Orlando, and said, “At that point I thought I was a Christian, but I was not.” He credited the Collingsworths and the working of the Holy Spirit with ensuring that he was a believer by the time the class ended.</p>
<p>“They say now that as they look back on it, the things they learned in the class grounded them in their marriage and in their other relationships,” Collingsworth said of the Johnsons. “As Zach puts it, it's God first, family and friends second, and then golf is somewhere down there.”</p> | Masters winner buoyed by faith, marriage | false | https://baptistnews.com/article/masterswinnerbuoyedbyfaithmarriage/ | 3 |
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<p>Tourists cast their shadows on the ancient Anasazi ruins of Chaco Canyon. (AP Photo)</p>
<p>ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Democratic members of New Mexico’s congressional delegation are renewing their pleas for federal land managers to limit oil and natural gas drilling in the northwestern corner of the state over concerns about archaeological and cultural sites that dot the region.</p>
<p>U.S. Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and Reps. Ben Ray Lujan and Michelle Lujan Grisham sent a letter this week to the acting state director of the Bureau of Land Management in New Mexico.</p>
<p>There have been concerns that the Trump administration could relax rules that have provided a buffer around Chaco Culture National Historical Park.</p>
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<p>While the agency has deferred the leasing of several parcels within the buffer zone, critics say there are more parcels that should be excluded while officials work to update the resource management plan for the region.</p>
<p>“Gas development is critically important to New Mexico’s economy and it is important that leasing and development is done in a responsible manner that minimizes negative impacts, especially on rural, low-income and tribal communities,” the letter reads.</p>
<p>The delegates say they’re particularly concerned about some parcels that are proposed for an oil and gas lease sale scheduled in March. They pointed to a fire at a production site in July 2016 that prompted the evacuation of several dozen residents from the Navajo community of Nageezi.</p>
<p>Environmentalists say they want to see the March sale cancelled all together.</p>
<p>In the letter, the lawmakers ask for the Bureau of Land Management to use discretion and to review the current stipulations that govern oil and gas operations near homes and other structures to ensure safe distances as they work on revamping the overall management plan.</p>
<p>Agency spokeswoman Allison Sandoval said Thursday officials are reviewing the delegates’ letter and noted that the planning process is still ongoing.</p>
<p>A world heritage site, Chaco park and its outlying archaeological remnants are at the center of the fight over expanded drilling in the San Juan Basin. Environmentalists have long complained about pollution from fossil fuel extraction and coal-fired power plants in the region, and now tribal leaders and archaeologists have joined in with concerns about the potential effects on cultural resources that span what they refer to as “the greater Chaco area.”</p>
<p>The critics have asked for a moratorium on drilling, saying increased development has the potential to destroy parts of the landscape that could provide a better understanding of the ancient civilization that once inhabited the area.</p>
<p>Oil and gas developers have said they can operate in a way that protects significant sites. They point to existing regulations that require reviews to ensure important areas are not disturbed.</p>
<p>The most recent quarterly lease sale resulted in more than $30 million in competitive bids for parcels in southeastern New Mexico and a record was set for the highest bid per acre. The combined bids are shared by the federal government and the state, which uses revenues and royalties from the industry to fund education and other government services.</p> | New Mexico delegates renew push to limit drilling | false | https://abqjournal.com/1109501/new-mexico-delegates-renew-push-to-limit-drilling.html | 2017-12-21 | 2 |
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<p>Welcome to Recruiter QA, where we pose employment-related questions to the experts and share their answers! Have a question you'd like to ask? Leave it in the comments, and you might just see it in the next installment of Recruiter QA!</p>
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<p>Today's Question: In order to build and advertise a great <a href="https://www.recruiter.com/employer-branding.html" type="external">employer brand Opens a New Window.</a>, you need to start with a unique employer value proposition (EVP). What are your tips for crafting (and living up to!) EVPs that attract talent?</p>
<p>1. Be Unique and Authentic</p>
<p>Is your job description high-level HR fluff, or does it proactively address the questions a candidate is going to want to know? What makes your company's product or service unique? What is making your company successful?</p>
<p>Does the description sound like it's coming from a real person? Here's a test: Read one of your current company job descriptions out loud. Now, would you say the same thing to someone in person sitting across the table?</p>
<p>— Paul Freed, <a href="http://www.herdfreedhartz.com/filter/all" type="external">Herd Freed Hartz Opens a New Window.</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/user?screen_name=paul_freed" type="external">Twitter Social Network Opens a New Window.</a></p>
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<p>2. Focus on What Inspires Your Workforce</p>
<p>Whatever you do, don't craft an employer value proposition to attract talent. EVPs, like corporate mission statements, tend to be full of professional jargon that isn't very inspirational. Instead, start by asking employees what makes them want to get up every morning to get to work. (Side note: If they say they don't want to get out of bed but need the paycheck, you have bigger work to do.)</p>
<p>Do they get to help people? Do employees get to work on awesome projects they brag about to friends? Is the CEO a former soccer player, and do most employees spend lunchtime playing full-field, club-level soccer? Do 50 percent of all profits get distributed to employees as a bonus every quarter? Use the things that inspire existing employees to attract new talent. This is a double bonus. You won't attract just any talent – you'll attract exactly the type of talent that is looking for the experience your company offers. They will be more likely to stay and be productive after they are hired.</p>
<p>Oh, and after you've created your list of reasons employees get out of bed every day, you can call it an "employer value proposition" if you want.</p>
<p>— Joe Weinlick, <a href="http://www.beyond.com/" type="external">Beyond</a></p>
<p>3. Talk to Your Employees</p>
<p>A great way to determine your employer value proposition, especially for smaller companies, is to have a meeting with your team to discuss their personal values, what attracted them to your company in the first place, the vibe they want for the workplace, and the company culture. Compiling these values and deciding which ones you want to highlight will help attract candidates with similar values and strengthen your company culture and EVP.</p>
<p>— Paul Murskov, <a href="http://hirekeep.com/" type="external">HireKeep Opens a New Window.</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/user?screen_name=@paulmurskov" type="external">Twitter Social Network Opens a New Window.</a></p>
<p>4. Test Your EVP in the Market</p>
<p>Plenty of data today suggests that people want to do inspired work more than they want to be well compensated, so test your value prop. in the market. See if people are applying for a position with your company because you offer the opportunity to work on something meaningful.</p>
<p>— Taylor Wallace, <a href="http://www.wevue.com/" type="external">WeVue</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/user?screen_name=@WeVue" type="external">Twitter Social Network Opens a New Window.</a></p>
<p>5. Make It a Part of Your Yearly Review Process</p>
<p>Your employer value proposition doesn't exist unless you commit it to paper. Incorporate it into your yearly review process to learn more about your company culture and how you're attracting talent.</p>
<p>A couple of employer value factors to ask about every year include:</p>
<p>- Does your business offer growth to employees?</p>
<p>- How desirable is your office (location, space, etc.) to potential talent?</p>
<p>- What kind of flexibility (schedule, telecommute, etc.) is offered to employees?</p>
<p>- What kind of work culture is offered? Challenging? Relaxed?</p>
<p>- What kind of social culture is offered? Regularly scheduled team events? Are employees friendly but not social outside of work?</p>
<p>- What kind of management style is enforced? Is management highly involved with day-to-day work? Is management more hands-off?</p>
<p>From there, find the most sellable points and craft them into a bigger-picture statement.</p>
<p>Your careers page and online job postings should include your bigger-picture statement as well as employee testimonials about why they enjoy working for your business.</p>
<p>Going through these questions every year will help you learn a lot about the state of your business's culture (and if it needs any rethinking).</p>
<p>— David Scarola, <a href="http://www.thealternativeboard.com/" type="external">The Alternative Board</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/user?screen_name=@TAB_Boards" type="external">Twitter Social Network Opens a New Window.</a></p>
<p>6. Craft an 'Organizational Constitution'</p>
<p>An attractive EVP is built upon a purposeful, positive, productive culture. The problem is that most work cultures are not engaging and inspiring – they are frustrating and dull. Every company has a unique employer value proposition. Too many companies don't have a healthy, attractive one!</p>
<p>What exactly will your EVP be if you're being honest about your lousy culture? Do you really want to say, "Come work for us! We're the greatest back-stabbing, 'I win, you lose' company in town!"</p>
<p>Why are company cultures so frustrating? It's because leaders pay little attention to the quality of their work cultures. They've never been asked to do that. They don't know how. Leaders are paid to drive results, so that's what they do – at any cost.</p>
<p>To have an EVP that attracts and retains top talent, leaders must create a work culture that treats everyone with trust, respect, and dignity in every interaction. How can leaders do that? By making values – the quality of workplace interactions – as important as results by using an organizational constitution.</p>
<p>An organizational constitution formalizes your company's servant purpose (its present-day "reason for being," beyond making money), values and behaviors, strategies, and goals. By defining values in terms of observable, tangible, measurable behaviors, leaders specify what a great citizen looks, acts, and sounds like. Leaders must be role models of desired values and behaviors first – only then will team members throughout the organization embrace those desired behaviors on their own.</p>
<p>An organizational constitution creates "liberating rules" that ensure people treat others with respect every time – and work together toward the accomplishment of the company's servant purpose, strategies, and goals.</p>
<p>The benefits of a purposeful, positive, productive culture are significant. My research shows that clients that implement an organizational constitution see 40 percent gains in employee engagement, 40 percent gains in customer service, and 35 percent gains in results and profits – all within 18 months of starting their culture initiatives.</p>
<p>When your culture is packed with inspired employees applying their skills to customer needs, who serve customers beyond the minimum, who proactively solve problems together, who value their peers and customers, and have fun doing it, then you'll have an EVP that writes itself.</p>
<p>— S. Chris Edmonds, <a href="http://drivingresultsthroughculture.com/" type="external">The Purposeful Culture Group</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/user?screen_name=scedmonds" type="external">Twitter Social Network</a></p> | 6 Tips on Crafting a Talent-Winning Employer Value Proposition | true | http://foxbusiness.com/features/2016/08/24/6-tips-on-crafting-talent-winning-employer-value-proposition.html | 2016-08-29 | 0 |
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<p>NEW YORK — President-elect Donald Trump, who faced fierce opposition from some Silicon Valley leaders during the election campaign, strove to assure the titans of tech on Wednesday that his administration is “here to help you folks do well.”</p>
<p>Trump, still savoring his election victory, convened a summit at Trump Tower for nearly a dozen tech leaders, whose industry largely supported Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. Many in the industry are worried that Trump will stifle innovation, curb the hiring of computer-savvy immigrants and infringe on consumers’ digital privacy.</p>
<p>He immediately tried to allay those fears.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>“We want you to keep going with the incredible innovation. Anything we can do to help this go on, we will be there for you,” Trump said. “You’ll call my people, you’ll call me. We have no formal chain of command around here.”</p>
<p>The CEOs who filled the table in Trump’s 25th floor conference room included Apple’s Tim Cook, Alphabet’s Larry Page, Google’s Eric Schmidt, Microsoft’s Satya Nadella, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, Tesla’s Elon Musk, IBM’s Ginni Rometty, Oracle’s Safra Catz and Cisco Systems’ Chuck Robbins. Facebook’s chief operating officer, Sheryl Sandberg, attended instead of its CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, who is one of many tech executives who have expressed misgivings about Trump’s pledge to deport millions of immigrants who are in the country illegally.</p>
<p>The meeting remained amiable and the group, which agreed to meet quarterly, also had preliminary discussions about immigration and how to stay competitive with China, though no firm commitments were made, according to a person briefed on the meeting but not authorized to discuss it publicly.</p>
<p>Trump was joined by several members of his senior staff and his three eldest children, who are expected to help run his business once he takes office, again blurring the line between the president-elect’s personal and professional lives.</p>
<p>Reporters were allowed to witness only the first moments of the meeting and most of the attendees departed without comment. But Bezos, who is also owner of The Washington Post, which has been a frequent target of Trump complaints about campaign coverage, said he found the meeting to be “very productive” and said he “shared the view that the administration should make innovation one of its key pillars.”</p>
<p>No industry was more open in its contempt for Trump during the campaign. In an open letter published in July, more than 140 technology executives, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists skewered him as a “disaster for innovation.”</p>
<p>And Trump’s denigration of Mexicans, his pledge to deport millions of immigrants now living in the U.S. illegally and his crude remarks about women were widely viewed as racist, authoritarian and sexist by an industry that prides itself on its tolerance.</p>
<p>Trump, in turn, sometimes lashed out at the industry and its leaders, and — despite his reassurances Wednesday — questions remain about how he’ll govern.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>He has lambasted Bezos for the Post’s campaign coverage and has suggested that Amazon could face antitrust scrutiny after his election. Trump also rebuked Cook for fighting a government order requiring Apple to unlock an encrypted iPhone used by a shooter in last year’s terrorist attack in San Bernardino, California.</p>
<p>And Trump’s repeated negative comments about immigrants raised fears that he might dismantle programs that have enabled tech companies to hire tens of thousands of foreign workers with the skills to write computer programs, design web pages and build mobile apps.</p>
<p>The industry is also worried that Trump might try to undermine “net neutrality,” a regulation requiring internet service providers to offer equal access to all online services. Trump’s harsh characterization of the media as dishonest and unfair has raised other fears that he might try to restrict free speech online.</p>
<p>Some in Silicon Valley think the industry’s best move would be to keep its distance until Trump changes his tone. Former Google executive Chris Sacca, now a tech investor, argues that industry leaders should have steered clear of the meeting altogether.</p>
<p>Sitting down with the president-elect “would only make sense after Trump has given public assurances he won’t encourage censorship, will stop exploiting fake news, will promote net neutrality, denounce hate crimes and embrace science,” Sacca said. “If and until then, tech figures who visit are being used to whitewash an authoritarian bully who threatens not just our industry but our entire democracy.”</p>
<p>One major tech company not invited, despite Trump’s frequent use of its product, was Twitter. Sean Spicer, communications director for the Republican National Committee, disputed that they were singled out — Twitter has said it declined to make branded emojis on the campaign’s behalf — and explained its absence by simply saying “the conference table was only so big, OK?”</p>
<p>Separately on Wednesday, Michigan’s Republican Chairwoman Ronna Romney McDaniel was officially named Trump’s choice to become the new RNC chair next year. The niece of 2012 GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney would be the first woman to hold the committee’s top position in 40 years, and her promotion comes after Trump became the first Republican to carry Michigan in 28 years.</p>
<p>Trump also officially announced his selection of former Texas Gov. Rick Perry as his secretary of energy, leading a department Perry once suggested scrapping.</p>
<p>While Trump remained in his Manhattan skyscraper Wednesday, he was hitting the road Thursday for the latest stop in his “thank you” tour, this time in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The tour, which is designed to salute supporters in states that helped him win the White House, will continue Friday in Orlando, Florida, before wrapping Saturday at a Mobile, Alabama, football stadium which was the site of the biggest rally of his campaign.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Liedtke reported from San Francisco. Associated Press writer Lolita C. Baldor contributed from Washington</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Reach Lemire on Twitter at <a href="http://twitter.com///twitter.com/@liedtkesfc" type="external">http://twitter.com///twitter.com/@liedtkesfc</a></p> | Trump tells anxious tech leaders: ‘We’re here to help’ | false | https://abqjournal.com/908670/with-tillerson-trump-keeps-betting-big-on-business-leaders.html | 2016-12-14 | 2 |
<p />
<p>Dear Dr. Don,</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>I have a lot of my money in certificates of deposit. At one time, they earned 15% annually. Now, I have some expiring, which pay 5%. What should I do? By the way, I'm turning 92 years old.</p>
<p>Thank you,</p>
<p>-Helen Hardchoices</p>
<p>Dear Helen,</p>
<p>Advertisement</p>
<p>Congratulations on turning 92! Today's interest rate environment leaves plenty of fixed-income investors wondering what to do to earn a decent yield on savings. Stock market fans would have you invest your money in dividend-paying stocks. That works best when the market is rising. Since we don't really know where stocks are headed, I'm not going to recommend moving money into the equities market.</p>
<p>Don't forget that when you earned 15% on your certificates of deposit, those yields came at a price. Double-digit inflation peaked at about 13.5% in 1980. The purchasing power of your savings is based on the difference between the yield you earn and the inflation rate. In that scenario, it would be about 1.5% before taxes.</p>
<p>At your age, you're likely to be as worried about protecting principal as increasing the purchasing power of your savings. According to Bankrate, the national average for a five-year CD earns an annual percentage yield of about 0.77%. The highest yield is listed at 2.06%. When the yield is below the rate of inflation, that causes a decline in purchasing power over time. A Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.-insured account should help you get your principal back.</p>
<p>If you're not comfortable banking long distance, I'd suggest searching your local market for the best CD rates or high-yield savings accounts. You can do that here on Bankrate. Since interest rates have started to head higher, you could purchase a shorter-maturity CD and hope to renew at higher rates when the CD matures.</p>
<p>Get more news, money-saving tips and expert advice by signing up for a free Bankrate newsletter.</p>
<p>Ask the adviser</p>
<p>To ask a question of Dr. Don, go to the "Ask the Experts" page and select one of these topics: "Financing a home," "Saving &amp; Investing" or "Money." Read more Dr. Don columns for additional personal finance advice.</p>
<p>Bankrate's content, including the guidance of its advice-and-expert columns and this website, is intended only to assist you with financial decisions. The content is broad in scope and does not consider your personal financial situation. Bankrate recommends that you seek the advice of advisers who are fully aware of your individual circumstances before making any final decisions or implementing any financial strategy. Please remember that your use of this website is governed by Bankrate's Terms of Use.</p> | 92-Year-old Remembers Higher Savings Rates | true | http://foxbusiness.com/features/2013/08/13/2-year-old-remembers-higher-savings-rates.html | 2016-03-05 | 0 |
<p>Aug. 8 (UPI) — Baseball players <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Bryce-Harper/" type="external">Bryce Harper</a> and Mike Trout shared a night of career milestones Tuesday with home run No. 150 and hit No. 1,000, respectively.</p>
<p>Harper’s achievement came first.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Washington-Nationals/" type="external">Washington Nationals</a> were leading the <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Miami-Marlins/" type="external">Miami Marlins</a> 1-0 at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. when the slugger stepped in to face righty Odrisamer Despaigne in the fourth inning. Harper eyed Despaigne’s first offering. He sent the 76.3 mph curveball over the right centerfield fence for his 29th home run of the season. His solo shot traveled 402 feet and left the bat at 101.3 mph, according to ESPN’s Home Run Tracker.</p>
<p>Harper is the 14th player in Major League Baseball history to hit 150 home runs before his 25th birthday, which occurs in October. The Nationals won Monday’s battle 3-2. Harper was 2-for-4 with an RBI in the victory.</p>
<p>“Supreme talent,” Nationals first baseman <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Adam_Lind/" type="external">Adam Lind</a> told MLB.com, regarding Harper. “It’s <a href="http://m.mlb.com/news/article/247034750/adam-linds-pinch-hit-rbi-lifts-nats-vs-miami/?game_pk=491772" type="external">been a blessing to watch him</a>. I feel like I’ve played over the past four or five years with some of the best in the game. As far as talent and his age, he’s by far the best.”</p>
<p>Trout’s feat came in a losing effort.</p>
<p>The ultra-talented <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Los-Angeles-Angels/" type="external">Los Angeles Angels</a> outfielder settled in against <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Baltimore-Orioles/" type="external">Baltimore Orioles</a> righty Dylan Bundy in the fourth inning. He took Bundy’s first offering, a 90.4 mph four-seam fastball, and belted it to left field. The line drive resulted in a double and hit No. 1,000. He received a standing ovation.</p>
<p>“It felt pretty good,” Trout told reporters, <a href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/la-sp-angels-orioles-20170807-story.html" type="external">according to the Los Angeles Times</a>. “I just wanted to get it over with.”</p>
<p>Trout was also 2-for-4 with an RBI in his contest, including a home run in the sixth inning. The Nationals lost 6-2 to the Orioles.</p>
<p>After the game, Trout’s teammates gave him a shower with a slushy, baby powder, coffee creamer, cereal, eggs and more.</p>
<p>“Birthday Gift from the boys !! #Angels,” <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeTrout/status/894706369932046336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&amp;ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fm.mlb.com%2Fcutfour%2F2017%2F08%2F07%2F247048454%2Fteammates-douse-mike-trout-with-trash-on-26th-birthday" type="external">Trout wrote on Twitter.</a></p>
<p>Harper is hitting .327 this season and leads the National League with a .621 on-base percentage and 1.044 OPS. Trout, who turned 26-years-old Monday, is hitting a career-best .346 with 23 home runs. He leads the American League with 12 intentional walks.</p>
<p>Trout also hit home run No. 150 at the exact same age as Harper. Only Mel Ott, <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Jimmie_Foxx/" type="external">Jimmie Foxx</a>, <a href="https://www.upi.com/topic/Mickey_Mantle/" type="external">Mickey Mantle</a> and Trout have had 1,000 hits, 500 runs and 500 walks before their age-26 season.</p>
<p>“You obviously want to hear your name with the greats and the Hall of Famers when you do something,” <a href="http://m.mlb.com/news/article/247066354/angels-mike-trout-notches-1000th-hit-homers/" type="external">Trout told MLB.com.</a></p>
<p>“It makes you feel good. It makes you feel special to be a part of such good company. For me, it’s just going out there and playing. I’m not trying to chase any numbers. We’re trying to get to the playoffs, and that’s the main goal.”</p> | Mike Trout, Bryce Harper hack hit milestones, have epic celebration | false | https://newsline.com/mike-trout-bryce-harper-hack-hit-milestones-have-epic-celebration/ | 2017-08-08 | 1 |
<p>SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The offensively challenged Utah Jazz found a way to score points in droves Saturday night.</p>
<p>Donovan Mitchell scored 23 points and helped Utah close out a 125-113 win over the Los Angeles Clippers with their second-highest point total this season.</p>
<p>Despite missing starting guard Rodney Hood because of a leg injury, Utah set season bests for points in the first quarter (39) and first half (76). It never trailed while ending the Clippers’ six-game winning streak.</p>
<p>“Just playing with force,” Jazz center Rudy Gobert said. “Being aggressive. Moved the ball. Our defense got a lot of deflections, a lot of steals and got a lot of easy stuff from that.</p>
<p>“It felt good, but at the same time they were scoring too much. So it didn’t feel great. It’s kind of like you’re having fun offensively, but can’t get a stop. If you get stops, the game is over in the third.”</p>
<p>The Jazz drove to the basket at will in the first half, shooting 62.5 percent en route to a 76-59 halftime lead. They began the night ranked 26th in the league in points per game.</p>
<p>“Honestly, we just didn’t have it,” Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. “They played a lot harder than us, which I rarely say. They played desperate.</p>
<p>“We didn’t handle their pressure. They pressured us in the first half. Second half, we were much better. But in the first half, I just didn’t think we were ready for the intensity that they were going to bring.”</p>
<p>Joe Ingles got aggressive and finished with a career-high 21 points, reaching the 20-point mark for just the third time in his career. Mitchell had his 21st game of 20-plus points, most among rookies, and also had seven assists and four rebounds. Derrick Favors had 14 points and 12 rebounds.</p>
<p>“When the ball sticks or stays on one side of the floor, we’re not going to be as efficient,” Jazz coach Quin Snyder said. “We’re a team that needs the ball to move side-to-side. And when it does, Joe’s usually involved in helping it move and he’s the beneficiary, a lot of times, of that movement. He was ready to shoot and aggressive.”</p>
<p>Lou Williams paced the Clippers with 31 points, a franchise-record 10 steals and seven assists, and he helped cut the lead to single digits in the fourth quarter. He’s the first player in league history to reach 30 points, 10 steals and seven assists in a game since steals became a recorded stat. Blake Griffin added 25 points and eight rebounds.</p>
<p>“We’re a very resilient group,” Williams said. “We were out here again tonight with another lineup and we fought hard and fell short. But it’s a very resilient group.”</p>
<p>TIP-INS</p>
<p>Clippers: DeAndre Jordan missed his fourth straight game with a left ankle sprain. ... LA allowed 50 points in the paint. ... The Clippers were outrebounded 56-34.</p>
<p>Jazz: Gobert played 28 minutes as he works his way back from a sprained knee. He wasn’t as effective as his 23-point, 14-block effort Friday, but was able to play the second night of a back-to-back. He finished with 16 points, seven rebounds and three blocks.</p>
<p>HOOD-LESS</p>
<p>Hood did not play after suffering a lower left leg contusion Friday night. He’s averaged a career-high 16.7 points.</p>
<p>“I think it’s collective,” Snyder said about replacing his offense. “It’s more about us being efficient offensively. We’ve got a little bit of a Chinese water torture as far as how we need to score. Everybody’s got to do a little bit.</p>
<p>“Our guys are great about being unselfish and not caring who gets shots. Different guys are going to get shots. The way we’ve been balanced, we’ve had a lot of guys lead us in scoring and have big nights. That’s what we need.”</p>
<p>QUOTABLE</p>
<p>“I’ve had the most fun that I’ve had in years coaching a group,” Rivers said before the game. “It does remind me a lot of my first year in Orlando, we had that crazy group of guys. It’s just a fun group to coach. They’re extremely coachable. They want to do right. They get along and play together and sometimes you’re fortunate enough to win games.”</p>
<p>UP NEXT</p>
<p>Clippers: Hosts Minnesota on Monday night.</p>
<p>Jazz: Travels to face Atlanta on Monday night.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>More AP basketball: <a href="" type="internal" /> <a href="" type="internal">https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball</a></p>
<p>SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The offensively challenged Utah Jazz found a way to score points in droves Saturday night.</p>
<p>Donovan Mitchell scored 23 points and helped Utah close out a 125-113 win over the Los Angeles Clippers with their second-highest point total this season.</p>
<p>Despite missing starting guard Rodney Hood because of a leg injury, Utah set season bests for points in the first quarter (39) and first half (76). It never trailed while ending the Clippers’ six-game winning streak.</p>
<p>“Just playing with force,” Jazz center Rudy Gobert said. “Being aggressive. Moved the ball. Our defense got a lot of deflections, a lot of steals and got a lot of easy stuff from that.</p>
<p>“It felt good, but at the same time they were scoring too much. So it didn’t feel great. It’s kind of like you’re having fun offensively, but can’t get a stop. If you get stops, the game is over in the third.”</p>
<p>The Jazz drove to the basket at will in the first half, shooting 62.5 percent en route to a 76-59 halftime lead. They began the night ranked 26th in the league in points per game.</p>
<p>“Honestly, we just didn’t have it,” Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. “They played a lot harder than us, which I rarely say. They played desperate.</p>
<p>“We didn’t handle their pressure. They pressured us in the first half. Second half, we were much better. But in the first half, I just didn’t think we were ready for the intensity that they were going to bring.”</p>
<p>Joe Ingles got aggressive and finished with a career-high 21 points, reaching the 20-point mark for just the third time in his career. Mitchell had his 21st game of 20-plus points, most among rookies, and also had seven assists and four rebounds. Derrick Favors had 14 points and 12 rebounds.</p>
<p>“When the ball sticks or stays on one side of the floor, we’re not going to be as efficient,” Jazz coach Quin Snyder said. “We’re a team that needs the ball to move side-to-side. And when it does, Joe’s usually involved in helping it move and he’s the beneficiary, a lot of times, of that movement. He was ready to shoot and aggressive.”</p>
<p>Lou Williams paced the Clippers with 31 points, a franchise-record 10 steals and seven assists, and he helped cut the lead to single digits in the fourth quarter. He’s the first player in league history to reach 30 points, 10 steals and seven assists in a game since steals became a recorded stat. Blake Griffin added 25 points and eight rebounds.</p>
<p>“We’re a very resilient group,” Williams said. “We were out here again tonight with another lineup and we fought hard and fell short. But it’s a very resilient group.”</p>
<p>TIP-INS</p>
<p>Clippers: DeAndre Jordan missed his fourth straight game with a left ankle sprain. ... LA allowed 50 points in the paint. ... The Clippers were outrebounded 56-34.</p>
<p>Jazz: Gobert played 28 minutes as he works his way back from a sprained knee. He wasn’t as effective as his 23-point, 14-block effort Friday, but was able to play the second night of a back-to-back. He finished with 16 points, seven rebounds and three blocks.</p>
<p>HOOD-LESS</p>
<p>Hood did not play after suffering a lower left leg contusion Friday night. He’s averaged a career-high 16.7 points.</p>
<p>“I think it’s collective,” Snyder said about replacing his offense. “It’s more about us being efficient offensively. We’ve got a little bit of a Chinese water torture as far as how we need to score. Everybody’s got to do a little bit.</p>
<p>“Our guys are great about being unselfish and not caring who gets shots. Different guys are going to get shots. The way we’ve been balanced, we’ve had a lot of guys lead us in scoring and have big nights. That’s what we need.”</p>
<p>QUOTABLE</p>
<p>“I’ve had the most fun that I’ve had in years coaching a group,” Rivers said before the game. “It does remind me a lot of my first year in Orlando, we had that crazy group of guys. It’s just a fun group to coach. They’re extremely coachable. They want to do right. They get along and play together and sometimes you’re fortunate enough to win games.”</p>
<p>UP NEXT</p>
<p>Clippers: Hosts Minnesota on Monday night.</p>
<p>Jazz: Travels to face Atlanta on Monday night.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>More AP basketball: <a href="" type="internal" /> <a href="" type="internal">https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball</a></p> | Mitchell gets 23, Jazz end Clippers’ streak with 125-113 win | false | https://apnews.com/f1c1927bc22645c3af86b6cb4cdf0cf4 | 2018-01-21 | 2 |
<p>HONOLULU (AP) — A lawsuit filed by a retired soldier who says he swallowed needles in a Burger King sandwich is headed for trial after another attempt at a settlement failed.</p>
<p>Clark Bartholomew sued the fast-food chain after he said needles pierced his tongue and another got lodged in his small intestine after biting into a Triple Stacker purchased on a Hawaii military base in 2010.</p>
<p>A settlement conference was held earlier this week, and Bartholomew said he made a point to attend after a judge ordered him to pay nearly $8,500 for missing a previous meeting.</p>
<p>Bartholomew said Thursday he spent $1,300 to travel to Honolulu from his home in Chantilly, Virginia.</p>
<p>"It's not easy to get the time off all the time and spending money buying tickets to fly out to Hawaii for their lawyers not to take it seriously," he said.</p>
<p>No settlement was reached because "they didn't offer anything worthwhile," said Bartholomew's attorney, Paul Saccoccio.</p>
<p>The defendants include Miami-based Burger King Corp. and the U.S. Army and Air Force Exchange, which operates the franchise. Attorneys for the defendants didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.</p>
<p>Bartholomew was at home on base Dec. 1, 2010, when his wife brought home a value meal for his dinner. He was home because of back pain.</p>
<p>Bartholomew has since medically retired from the Army and works as a U.S. Park Police dispatcher.</p>
<p>In a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, government attorneys argued that Bartholomew can't sue because he suffered his injuries during the course of military service. U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright refused to throw out the case.</p>
<p>The needles put Bartholomew in the hospital for seven days, he said.</p>
<p>"The only time I was in the hospital longer is when I got injured in Iraq," he said. "To me it's very serious."</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Follow Jennifer Sinco Kelleher at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/JenHapa" type="external">http://www.twitter.com/JenHapa</a> .</p>
<p>HONOLULU (AP) — A lawsuit filed by a retired soldier who says he swallowed needles in a Burger King sandwich is headed for trial after another attempt at a settlement failed.</p>
<p>Clark Bartholomew sued the fast-food chain after he said needles pierced his tongue and another got lodged in his small intestine after biting into a Triple Stacker purchased on a Hawaii military base in 2010.</p>
<p>A settlement conference was held earlier this week, and Bartholomew said he made a point to attend after a judge ordered him to pay nearly $8,500 for missing a previous meeting.</p>
<p>Bartholomew said Thursday he spent $1,300 to travel to Honolulu from his home in Chantilly, Virginia.</p>
<p>"It's not easy to get the time off all the time and spending money buying tickets to fly out to Hawaii for their lawyers not to take it seriously," he said.</p>
<p>No settlement was reached because "they didn't offer anything worthwhile," said Bartholomew's attorney, Paul Saccoccio.</p>
<p>The defendants include Miami-based Burger King Corp. and the U.S. Army and Air Force Exchange, which operates the franchise. Attorneys for the defendants didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.</p>
<p>Bartholomew was at home on base Dec. 1, 2010, when his wife brought home a value meal for his dinner. He was home because of back pain.</p>
<p>Bartholomew has since medically retired from the Army and works as a U.S. Park Police dispatcher.</p>
<p>In a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, government attorneys argued that Bartholomew can't sue because he suffered his injuries during the course of military service. U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright refused to throw out the case.</p>
<p>The needles put Bartholomew in the hospital for seven days, he said.</p>
<p>"The only time I was in the hospital longer is when I got injured in Iraq," he said. "To me it's very serious."</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Follow Jennifer Sinco Kelleher at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/JenHapa" type="external">http://www.twitter.com/JenHapa</a> .</p> | Lawsuit claiming needles in Burger King food heads to trial | false | https://apnews.com/amp/7f211faa23d14d00b0dcace1636896bf | 2015-02-05 | 2 |
<p>ALEX MARLOW (HOST): Regarding running, which we talked a little bit about with Jonathan Gilliam -- and I'm a little bit reluctant to use humor at this movement in time because it's a dark moment but I will anyway. Those of you who listen to the show with some regularity have heard me mention that I'm a horror movie fan. And one of the fun horror movie comedies that's really great over the last five or six years or so is the movie called Zombieland where they actually put together a&#160;survival guide for how to survive the Zombie apocalypse and rule number one rule: cardio. Rule number one is cardio.&#160;So if you want to survive a major attack, maybe the first thing to do is hit the treadmill a little bit.</p>
<p>Previously:</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Fox &amp; Friends&#160;host speculates that Las Vegas shooter's motive was that he "didn't have a god"&#160;</a></p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Fox's Dana Perino says if Vegas shooter was connected to ISIS it “takes the NRA piece off the table"</a></p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">NRATV host befuddled that man “who had money” and “seemed to be well-adjusted” went on Las Vegas gun rampage</a></p> | Breitbart editor-in-chief: "If you want to survive a major attack, maybe the first thing to do is hit the treadmill a little bit" | true | https://mediamatters.org/video/2017/10/03/breitbart-editor-chief-if-you-want-survive-major-attack-maybe-first-thing-do-hit-treadmill-little/218123 | 2017-10-03 | 4 |
<p>Since I released "The Story of Stuff," the most frequent snarky remark I get from people trying to take me down a notch is about my own stuff: Don't you drive a car? What about your computer and your cellphone? What about your books? (To the last one, I answer that the book was printed on paper made from trash, not trees, but that doesn't stop them from smiling smugly at having exposed me as a materialistic hypocrite. Gotcha!)</p>
<p>Let me say it clearly: I'm neither for nor against stuff. I like stuff if it's well-made, honestly marketed, used for a long time, and at the end of its life recycled in a way that doesn't trash the planet, poison people, or exploit workers. Our stuff should not be artifacts of indulgence and disposability, like toys that are forgotten 15 minutes after the wrapping comes off, but things that are both practical and meaningful. British philosopher William Morris said it best: "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful."</p>
<p />
<p><a href="" type="internal">Click here to subscribe to YES!</a></p>
<p>The life cycle of a simple cotton T-shirt—worldwide, 4 billion are made, sold, and discarded each year—knits together a chain of seemingly intractable problems, from the elusive definition of sustainable agriculture to the greed and classism of fashion marketing.</p>
<p>The story of a T-shirt not only gives us insight into the complexity of our relationship with even the simplest stuff; it also demonstrates why consumer activism—boycotting or avoiding products that don’t meet our personal standards for sustainability and fairness—will never be enough to bring about real and lasting change. Like a vast Venn diagram covering the entire planet, the environmental and social impacts of cheap T-shirts overlap and intersect on many layers, making it impossible to fix one without addressing the others.</p>
<p>I confess that my T-shirt drawer is so full it's hard to close. That's partly because when I speak at colleges or conferences, I'm often given one with a logo of the institution or event. They’re nice souvenirs of my travels, but the simple fact is: I've already got more T-shirts than I need. And of all the T-shirts I have accumulated over the years, there are only a few that I honestly care about, mostly because of the stories attached to them.</p>
<p>My favorite (no eye-rolling, please) is a green number from the Grateful Dead's 1982 New Year's Eve concert. To me this T-shirt, worn for more than 30 years by multiple members of my extended family, is both useful and beautiful, not only because I attended the concert but because a dear friend gave it to me, knowing how much I would treasure it. The label even says "Made in the USA," which makes me smile because so few things are made in this country anymore, as brands increasingly opt for low-paid workers in poor countries.</p>
<p>And that takes me back to a day in 1990, in the slums of Port-au-Prince.I was in Haiti to meet with women who worked in sweatshops making T-shirts and other clothing for the Walt Disney Company. The women were nervous about speaking freely. We crowded into a tiny room inside a small cinderblock house. In sweltering heat, we had to keep the windows shuttered for fear that someone might see us talking. These women worked six days a week, eight hours a day, sewing clothes that they could never save enough to buy. Those lucky enough to be paid minimum wage earned about $15 a week. The women described the grueling pressure at work, routine sexual harassment, and other unsafe and demeaning conditions.</p>
<p>They knew that Disney's CEO, Michael Eisner, made millions. A few years after my visit, a National Labor Committee documentary, Mickey Mouse Goes to Haiti, revealed that in 1996 Eisner made $8.7 million in salary plus $181 million in stock options—a staggering $101,000 an hour. The Haitian workers were paid one-half of 1 percent of the U.S. retail price of each garment they sewed.</p>
<p>The women wanted fair pay for a day's work—which in their dire straits meant $5 a day. They wanted to be safe, to be able to drink water when hot, and to be free from sexual harassment. They wanted to come home early enough to see their children before bedtime and to have enough food to feed them a solid meal when they woke. Their suffering, and the suffering of other garment workers worldwide, was a major reason the end product could be sold on the shelves of big-box retailers for a few dollars.</p>
<p>I asked them why they stayed in the teeming city, living in slums that had little electricity and no running water or sanitation, and working in such obviously unhealthy environments instead of returning to the countryside where they had grown up. They said the countryside simply couldn’t sustain them anymore. Their families had given up farming since they couldn't compete against the rice imported from the U.S. and sold for less than half the price of the more labor-intensive, more nutritious native rice. It was all part of a plan, someone whispered, by the World Bank and U.S. Agency for International Development to drive Haitians off their land and into the city to sew clothes for rich Americans. The destruction of farming as a livelihood was necessary to push people to the city, so people would be desperate enough to work all day in hellish sweatshops.</p>
<p>The next day I called on USAID. My jaw dropped as the man from the agency openly agreed with what at first had sounded like an exaggerated conspiracy theory. He said it wasn't efficient for Haitians to work on family farms to produce food that could be grown more cheaply elsewhere. Instead they should accept their place in the global economy—which, in his eyes, meant sewing clothes for us in the United States. But surely, I said, efficiency was not the only criterion. A farmer’s connection to the land, healthy and dignified work, a parent's ability to spend time with his or her kids after school, a community staying intact generation after generation—didn’t all these things have value?</p>
<p>"Well," he said, "if a Haitian really wants to farm, there is room for a handful of them to grow things like organic mangoes for the high-end export market." That's right: USAID's plan for the people of Haiti was not self-determination, but as a market for our surplus rice and a supplier of cheap seamstresses, with an occasional organic mango for sale at our gourmet grocery stores.</p>
<p>By 2008 Haiti was importing 80&#160;percent of its rice. This left the world's poorest country at the mercy of the global rice market. Rising fuel costs, global drought, and the diversion of water to more lucrative crops—like the thirsty cotton that went into the Disney clothing—withered worldwide rice production. Global rice prices tripled over a few months, leaving thousands of Haitians unable to afford their staple food. The New York Times carried stories of Haitians forced to resort to eating mud pies, held together with bits of lard.</p>
<p>Whew. Global inequality, poverty, hunger, agricultural subsidies, privatization of natural resources, economic imperialism—it’s the whole messy saga of the entire world economy tangled up in a few square yards of cloth. And we haven't even touched on a range of other environmental and social issues around the production, sale, and disposal of cotton clothing.</p>
<p>Cotton is the world's dirtiest crop. It uses more dangerous insecticides than any other major commodity and is very water intensive. Cotton growing wouldn’t even be possible in areas like California's Central Valley if big cotton plantations didn't receive millions of dollars in federal water subsidies—even as some of the poverty-stricken farmworker towns in the Valley have no fresh water.</p>
<p>Dyeing and bleaching raw cotton into cloth uses large amounts of toxic chemicals. Many of these chemicals—including known carcinogens such as formaldehyde and heavy metals—poison groundwater near cotton mills, and residues remain in the finished products we put next to our skin.</p>
<p>Well-made cotton clothing—like my 30-year-old Grateful Dead T-shirt—can last a long time, providing years of service for multiple wearers before being recycled into new clothes or other products. But most retailers are so intent on selling a never-ending stream of new clothes to their targeted demographic that they quickly throw away clothing in last season's style.</p>
<p>And here’s one more problem with stuff: we're not sharing it well. While some of us have way too much stuff—we’re actually stressed out by the clutter in our households and have to rent off-site storage units—others desperately need more.</p>
<p>For those of us in the overconsuming parts of the world, it's increasingly clear that more stuff doesn’t make us more happy, but for the millions of people who need housing, clothes, and food, more stuff would actually lead to healthier, happier people. If you have only one T-shirt, getting a second one is a big deal. But if you have a drawer stuffed with them, as I do, a new one doesn’t improve my life. It just increases my clutter. Call it stuff inequity. One billion people on the planet are chronically hungry while another billion are obese.</p>
<p>The problems surrounding the trip from the cotton field to the sweatshop are just a smattering of the ills that not only result from the take-make-waste economy but make it possible. That’s why striving to make responsible choices at the individual consumer level, while good, is just not enough. Change on the scale required by the severity of today's planetary and social crises requires a broader vision and a plan for addressing the root causes of the problem.</p>
<p>To do that we must stop thinking of ourselves primarily as consumers and start thinking and acting like citizens. That's because the most important decisions about stuff are not those made in the supermarket or department store aisles. They are made in the halls of government and business, where decisions are made about what to make, what materials to use, and what standards to uphold.</p>
<p>Consumerism, even when it tries to embrace "sustainable" products, is a set of values that teaches us to define ourselves, communicate our identity, and seek meaning through acquisition of stuff, rather than through our values and activities and our community. Today we're so steeped in consumer culture that we head to the mall even when our houses and garages are full. We suffer angst over the adequacy of our belongings and amass crushing credit card debt to, as the author Dave Ramsey says, buy things we don’t need with money we don’t have, to impress people we don't like.</p>
<p>Citizenship, on the other hand, is about what Eric Liu, in The Gardens of Democracy, calls "how you show up in the world." It’s taking seriously our responsibility to work for broad, deep change that doesn’t tinker around the margins of the system but achieves (forgive the activist-speak) a paradigm shift. Even "ethical consumerism" is generally limited to choosing the most responsible item on the menu, which often leaves us choosing between the lesser of two evils. Citizenship means working to change what’s on the menu, and stuff that trashes the planet or harms people just doesn’t belong. Citizenship means stepping beyond the comfort zones of everyday life and working with other committed citizens to make big, lasting change.</p>
<p>One of our best models of citizenship in the United States is the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. It’s a myth that when Rosa Parks refused to move to the back of the bus it was a spontaneous act of individual conscience. She was part of a network of thousands of activists who mapped out their campaign, trained to be ready for the struggles to come, then put their bodies on the line in carefully planned civil disobedience. Consumer-based actions, such as boycotting segregated buses or lunch counters, were part of the campaign, but were done collectively and strategically. That model has been used, with varying degrees of success, in the environmental, gay rights, pro-choice, and other movements. But consumer action alone—absent that larger citizen-led campaign—isn't enough to create deep change.</p>
<p>So yes, it is important to be conscious of our consumer decisions. But we're most powerful when this is connected to collective efforts for bigger structural change. As individuals, we can use less stuff if we remember to look inward and evaluate our well-being by our health, the strength of our friendships, and the richness of our hobbies and civic endeavors. And we can make even more progress by working together—as citizens, not consumers—to strengthen laws and business practices increasing efficiency and reducing waste.</p>
<p>As individuals, we can use less toxic stuff by prioritizing organic products, avoiding toxic additives, and ensuring safe recycling of our stuff. But we can achieve much more as citizens demanding tougher laws and cleaner production systems that protect public health overall. And there are many ways we can share more, like my community of several families does. Since we share our stuff, we only need one tall ladder, one pickup truck, and one set of power tools. This means we need to buy, own, and dispose of less stuff. From public tool lending libraries to online peer-to-peer sharing platforms, there are many avenues for scaling sharing efforts from the neighborhood to the national level.</p>
<p>We can't avoid buying and using stuff. But we can work to reclaim our relationship to it. We used to own our stuff; now our stuff owns us. How can we restore the proper balance?</p>
<p>I remember talking to Colin Beavan, aka <a href="" type="internal">No Impact Man</a>, at the end of his year of living as low impact as he could manage in New York City: no waste, no preprocessed meals, no television, no cars, no buying new stuff. He shared with me his surprise at journalists calling to ask what he most missed, what he was going to run out and consume.</p>
<p>What he said has stayed with me as a perfect summation of the shift in thinking we all need to save the world—and ourselves—from stuff.</p>
<p>"They assumed I just finished a year of deprivation," Colin said. "But I realized that it was the prior 35 years that had been deprived. I worked around the clock, rushed home late and exhausted, ate take-out food, and plopped down to watch TV until it was time to take out the trash, go to sleep, and start all over again. That was deprivation."</p>
<p>Fortunately for the planet and for us, there is another way.</p>
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<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p> | Annie Leonard: How to Be More than a Mindful Consumer | true | http://yesmagazine.org/issues/the-human-cost-of-stuff/annie-leonard-more-than-a-mindful-consumer | 4 |
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<p />
<p>Hillary Clinton say’s she’s now a part of the resistance in America against President Trump. Political Cartoon by A.F. Branco ©2017.</p>
<p>To see more Legal Insurrection Branco cartoons, <a href="http://legalinsurrection.com/tag/a-f-branco/" type="external">click here</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://patriotdepot.com/comically-incorrect-a-collection-of-politically-incorrect-comics-volume-1/" type="external">A.F.Branco Coffee Table Book</a> &lt;—- Order Here!</p>
<p><a href="http://paypal.me/AntonioBranco" type="external">Donations/Tips accepted and appreciated</a>&#160;– &#160;$1.00 – $5.00 – $10 – $100 – &#160;it all helps to fund this website and keep the cartoons coming. –&#160;THANK YOU!</p>
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<p>&#160;</p> | Resist She Much | true | http://comicallyincorrect.com/2017/05/04/resist-she-much/ | 2017-05-04 | 0 |
<p>HANOVER, N.H. (AP) — A former Dartmouth College student has sued the school, saying he was unfairly expelled after a female student filed a physical assault complaint against him.</p>
<p>“John Doe” says in the New Hampshire federal lawsuit that Dartmouth’s investigation was biased.</p>
<p>It says the woman’s complaint was filed in 2016 after what she described as a consensual sexual encounter. Doe says he was incapacitated by alcohol and unable to consent; he accused her of physical and sexual assault.</p>
<p>A committee found the woman wasn’t responsible for any violations, but Doe showed behavior causing or threatening physical harm. He faced “immediate separation” in March.</p>
<p>Doe asks for a reversal of the decision and to be reinstated.</p>
<p>The Dartmouth <a href="http://www.thedartmouth.com/article/2018/01/expelled-student-sues-college-for-reinstatement" type="external">reports</a> a college spokeswoman declined to comment, citing the ongoing litigation.</p>
<p>HANOVER, N.H. (AP) — A former Dartmouth College student has sued the school, saying he was unfairly expelled after a female student filed a physical assault complaint against him.</p>
<p>“John Doe” says in the New Hampshire federal lawsuit that Dartmouth’s investigation was biased.</p>
<p>It says the woman’s complaint was filed in 2016 after what she described as a consensual sexual encounter. Doe says he was incapacitated by alcohol and unable to consent; he accused her of physical and sexual assault.</p>
<p>A committee found the woman wasn’t responsible for any violations, but Doe showed behavior causing or threatening physical harm. He faced “immediate separation” in March.</p>
<p>Doe asks for a reversal of the decision and to be reinstated.</p>
<p>The Dartmouth <a href="http://www.thedartmouth.com/article/2018/01/expelled-student-sues-college-for-reinstatement" type="external">reports</a> a college spokeswoman declined to comment, citing the ongoing litigation.</p> | Expelled student sues Dartmouth after complaint filed | false | https://apnews.com/fe72032d00854aeca2cbd1d4e19794a6 | 2018-01-18 | 2 |
<p />
<p>Enrique Mendez (left) and Miles Eric Lease at the 17th Street Festival in 2013. (Photo by Stephen Crowley)</p>
<p />
<p>In a two-page ruling and order, Judge Kimberley Knowles said she found that “a genuine issue exists regarding a material fact” over whether the relationship between D.C. resident Enrique Mendez and his partner of more than four years, Miles Eric Lease, constituted a common law marriage.</p>
<p>Mendez filed the petition last December with the court’s Domestic Relations Branch as part of an estate dispute with Lease’s family, which is being represented by his niece, Virginia resident Jennifer Lynn McKelvey.</p>
<p>At stake is Mendez’s contention that as Lease’s legal spouse, he is entitled to his deceased partner’s assets, including the Northwest Washington house that the two shared for four years.</p>
<p>Lease, 66, died unexpectedly of a heart attack on June 27, 2014.</p>
<p>Through her attorney, McKelvey contends that Mendez’s petition fails to provide sufficient evidence that he and Lease were in a relationship equivalent to marriage under D.C. law.</p>
<p>Knowles noted that each side has presented conflicting facts over whether the two men exchanged “marriage vows” and informed others of those vows, two steps that are required under D.C. law to establish a common law marriage.</p>
<p>In denying the estate’s motion for summary judgment to dismiss the case, the judge said the conflicting facts would have to be hashed out at a trial-like evidentiary hearing she scheduled for Nov. 10.</p>
<p>Meaghan Hearn, an attorney with the D.C. law firm Ackerman Brown, who’s representing Mendez, declined to comment on the court ruling, saying the matter remains an on-going case before the court. Christopher Glaser, McKelvey’s attorney, couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.</p>
<p>Mendez’s petition says he and Lease began their romantic relationship in February 2010. It says the couple “took the next step in their romantic relationship” in July of that year when Mendez moved from New York City to D.C. to live in Lease’s house.</p>
<p>“The couple immediately began residing together at 4820 Iowa Ave., N.W., sharing living expenses and jointly contributing to the household,” the petition says.</p>
<p>It says the two men fulfilled the legal requirements of common law marriage in January 2013 when they exchanged vows to one another while on vacation in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. According to the petition, the couple “presented themselves as spouses or ‘partners’ to friends, family and neighbors throughout the duration of their marriage.”</p>
<p>Court records show that Lease did not leave a will and that the court approved McKelvey as the personal representative of the estate shortly after Lease’s death. She assumed that position, which is similar to an executor of an estate, following the submission of affidavits by Lease’s mother and sister — the two next of kin — waiving their rights to be named personal representative.</p>
<p>In her motion for summary judgment seeking to have Mendez’s petition dismissed, McKelvey argues that virtually all of the property Mendez and Lease allegedly shared was owned and listed under Lease’s name, including the house, a car and truck that the two used together, and the auto insurance policy for the two vehicles.</p>
<p>It also points out that the two filed separate tax returns during the years the two were together and that each stated on the return that they were “single.” In addition, it says that although same-sex marriage became legal in D.C. in 2010, the two men did not marry.</p>
<p>“While Mendez and Lease may have intended to become married in the future, there is legally insufficient evidence to establish that a [common law] marriage had actually occurred,” McKelvey’s motion states.</p>
<p>In subsequent court filings and a deposition, Mendez identifies friends and family members whom he says he and Lease told of their vows and that the couple was widely known among their circle of friends in Washington to be in a relationship equivalent to marriage.</p>
<p>Mendez’s petition for a common law marriage declaration is believed to be only the second such petition filed in D.C. since same-sex marriage became legal in 2010. Local attorney Michelle Zavos said she knows of just one other such petition and in that case the court approved a same-sex common law marriage declaration.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">D.C.</a> <a href="" type="internal">D.C. Superior Court</a> <a href="" type="internal">Enrique Mendez</a> <a href="" type="internal">gay</a> <a href="" type="internal">Kimberley Knowles</a> <a href="" type="internal">Miles Eric Lease</a></p> | Motion to dismiss gay common law marriage case denied | false | http://washingtonblade.com/2015/08/28/motion-to-dismiss-gay-common-law-marriage-case-denied/ | 3 |
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<p>By John Ndiso</p>
<p>NAIROBI (Reuters) – Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga said on Tuesday his coalition would not participate in the re-run of a presidential election proposed for Oct. 17 unless it is given “legal and constitutional” guarantees.</p>
<p>Odinga’s conditions include the removal of some officials at the election board. He wants criminal investigations to be opened against them.</p>
<p>“You cannot do a mistake twice and expect to get different results,” Odinga told reporters.</p>
<p>Kenya’s Supreme Court ordered on Friday that the Aug. 8 vote be re-run within 60 days, saying President Uhuru Kenyatta’s victory by 1.4 million votes was undermined by irregularities in the process. Kenyatta was not accused of any wrongdoing.</p>
<p>On Monday, the election board said it would hold new elections on Oct. 17.</p>
<p>But Odinga said he wanted elections held on Oct. 24 or 31 instead.</p>
<p>“There will be no elections on the seventeenth of October until the conditions that we have spelt out in the statement are met,” he said.</p>
<p>Odinga has contested and lost the last three presidential elections in Kenya. Each time, he has said the vote was rigged against him.</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> | Kenya's Odinga rejects election re-run date without 'guarantees' | false | https://newsline.com/kenya039s-odinga-rejects-election-re-run-date-without-039guarantees039/ | 2017-09-05 | 1 |
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<p>Video shows U.N. inspection team with blue helmets speaking today with Free Syrian Army fighters in rebel-held area near Damascus, as Syrian President Bashar Assad vowed to defend his country against any attack. (AP Photo/Erbin City via AP video)</p>
<p>WASHINGTON (AP) — As the U.S. moved toward a possible military strike, President Barack Obama said even limited retaliation for Syria’s alleged chemical weapons use would send a “strong signal” to its vulnerable government. The administration scrambled Thursday to convince Congress members and international allies of the case against Syrian President Bashar Assad.</p>
<p>New hurdles appeared to be slowing the formation of an international coalition behind military action to punish Assad for the suspected chemical weapons attack that killed hundreds of civilians last week.</p>
<p>Russia blocked British efforts to seek a resolution at the United Nations authorizing the use of force. British Prime Minister David Cameron said his country would hold off on joining any military efforts until a U.N. chemical weapons inspection team releases its findings. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the team is expected to complete its inspection Friday and report to him Saturday; they will share their conclusions with members of the Security Council, Ban said, but he didn’t specify when that might happen.</p>
<p>ADVERTISEMENT</p>
<p>“If any action would be taken against Syria it would be an international collaboration,” Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel reiterated Thursday. But the United States won’t wait for U.N. backing to act, administration officials said.</p>
<p>The president said that while he had not settled on a response, the U.S. has concluded that Assad’s government perpetrated a chemical weapons attack.</p>
<p>“And if that’s so,” Obama said during an interview with “NewsHour” on PBS, “then there need to be international consequences.”</p>
<p>Obama did not present specific evidence to back up his assertion that the Assad regime is responsible for the Aug. 21 attack.</p>
<p>Many Congress members were pressing Obama to explain the need for military action and address fears that such a move might draw the U.S. deeper into the Syrian civil war. Both Democrats and Republicans were among lawmakers protesting that Obama hasn’t made the case for a military strike, with some arguing that the president needs congressional authorization to order an attack.</p>
<p>U.S. officials were in search of additional intelligence to bolster the White House’s case for a strike against Assad’s military infrastructure. American intelligence intercepted lower-level Syrian military commanders’ communications discussing the chemical attack, but the communications don’t specifically link the attack to an official senior enough to tie the killings to Assad himself, according to three U.S. intelligence officials. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the intelligence publicly.</p>
<p>The administration was planning an intelligence teleconference briefing Thursday evening on Syria for leaders of the House and Senate and the national security committees in Congress, U.S. officials and congressional aides said.</p>
<p>The lineup for the call underscored the gravity of the matter. The briefers are Obama’s national security adviser and intelligence chief, Susan Rice and James Clapper, alongside Secretary of State John Kerry, Defense Secretary Hagel and Adm. James Winnefeld, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, congressional aides said.</p>
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<p>Officials also said an unclassified version of the report by the Office of the Director for National Intelligence would be made public this week.</p>
<p>The White House ideally wants intelligence that links the attack directly to Assad or someone in his inner circle, to rule out the possibility that a rogue element of the military decided to use chemical weapons without Assad’s authorization.</p>
<p>That quest for added intelligence has delayed the release of the report laying out evidence against Assad. The report was promised earlier this week by administration officials.</p>
<p>The CIA and the Pentagon have been working to gather more human intelligence tying Assad to the attack, relying on the intelligence services of Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Israel, the officials said.</p>
<p>Both the CIA and the Defense Intelligence Agency have their own human sources — the rebel commanders and others who cross the border to brief CIA and defense intelligence officers at training camps in Jordan and Turkey. But their operation is much smaller than some of the other intelligence services, and it takes longer for their contacts to make their way overland.</p>
<p>Britain added a hurdle to deliberations about a military strike on Wednesday when it went to the U.N. Security Council with a draft resolution that would authorize the use of military force against Syria. The British resolution would authorize “all necessary measures under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter to protect civilians from chemical weapons.” Chapter 7 allows the use of international armed force to back up U.N. decisions.</p>
<p>As expected, the five permanent members of the Security Council failed to reach an agreement as Russia reiterated its objections to international intervention in the Syrian crisis. Russia, along with China, has blocked past attempts to sanction the Assad government.</p>
<p>Obama said he was not seeking a lengthy, open-ended conflict in Syria, indicating that any U.S. response would be limited in scope. But he argued that Syria’s use of chemical weapons not only violated international norms, but threatened “America’s core self-interest.”</p>
<p>“We do have to make sure that when countries break international norms on weapons like chemical weapons that could threaten us, that they are held accountable,” he said.</p>
<p>Syria defiant; UN team continues inspections</p>
<p>DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syrian President Bashar Assad said today that his country “will defend itself against any aggression,” signaling defiance to mounting Western warnings of a possible punitive strike over a suspected poison gas attack blamed on his regime.</p>
<p>U.N. chemical weapons inspectors toured stricken rebel-held areas near the Syrian capital of Damascus for a third day today.</p>
<p>Amateur video posted online showed U.N. inspectors wearing gas masks walking through a damaged building. One inspector scooped pulverized debris from the ground, placed it in a glass container and wrapped the container in a plastic bag.</p>
<p>The inspectors’ departure from Syria on Saturday could clear the path for possible military action against the Assad regime.</p>
<p>U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged Western powers to hold off on any decisions until his experts can present their findings to U.N. member states and the Security Council.</p>
<p>The suspected chemical weapons attacks took place Aug. 21 in suburbs east and west of Damascus. The humanitarian group Doctors Without Borders has said the strikes killed 355 people.</p>
<p>President Barack Obama said he has not decided how the U.S. will respond. However, he signaled Wednesday that the U.S. is moving toward a punitive strike, saying he has “concluded” that Assad’s regime is behind the attacks and that there “need to be international consequences.”</p>
<p>The U.S. has not presented proof in public. The Syrian regime has denied a role in the attacks, alleging instead, without presenting evidence, that anti-government rebels carried them out to frame Assad.</p>
<p>The Syrian president struck a tough tone today.</p>
<p>His comments, from a meeting with a delegation from Yemen, were reported by the state news agency SANA.</p>
<p>“Threats to launch a direct aggression against Syria will make it more adherent to its well-established principles and sovereign decisions stemming from the will of its people, and Syria will defend itself against any aggression,” Assad said .</p>
<p>It’s not clear if Assad would retaliate for any Western strikes or try to ride them out in hopes of minimizing the threat to his continued rule over parts of Syria. The U.S. has said regime change it not its objective.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the possibility of a Western strike and a Syrian response has sparked anxiety among civilians in neighboring countries.</p>
<p>Israelis stood in long lines today for government-issue gas masks. Turkey’s government crisis management center said officials had designated bunkers at seven areas along the border. And Lebanon’s foreign minister, Adnan Mansour, warned that international military action against Syria would pose a “serious threat” to the security and stability of the region, particularly in Lebanon.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, both Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron were trying to shore up domestic political support today for possible military action.</p>
<p>The Obama administration was planning a teleconference briefing today on Syria for leaders of the House and Senate and national security committees, U.S. officials and congressional aides said.</p>
<p>Cameron convened Parliament for an emergency meeting to vote on possible international action against Syria.</p>
<p>Ahead of the session, the British government released documents meant to bolster the case that chemical weapons were used by Syria, including an intelligence assessment that said regime involvement was “highly likely.” The government also said legal conditions have been met for taking action against Syria.</p>
<p>Earlier, Cameron had promised lawmakers he would not go to war until the U.N. weapons team has had a chance to report its findings.</p>
<p>The speaker of the Syrian parliament, Jihad Allaham, sent a letter to his British counterpart, urging British lawmakers not to endorse military action.</p>
<p>In Vienna, Ban said he spoke to Obama a day earlier about ways to expedite the U.N. investigation. Ban said the U.N. team is set to leave Syria on Saturday, and suggested that Western powers hold off on any decisions until the inspectors have presented their findings.</p>
<p>Ban said he told Obama on Wednesday that the U.N. investigators “should be allowed to continue their work as mandated by the member states and I told him that we will surely share our information and our analysis.”</p>
<p>“Diplomacy should be given a chance, and peace given a chance,” Ban said. “It’s important that all the differences of opinions should be resolved through peaceful means and through dialogue.”</p>
<p>The U.N. inspectors toured the eastern Damascus suburb of Zamalka today, according to anti-regime activists and amateur video. Other videos showed the convoys of U.N. vehicles, accompanied by armed rebels in pickup trucks.</p>
<p>The videos were consistent with AP reporting from the area.</p>
<p>The U.N. team did not issue a statement about its plans today.</p>
<p>On two previous tours this week, the inspectors visited a western suburb of the city as well as Zamalka where they took biological samples from suspected victims. Ban has said the samples would be analyzed and presented to the U.N. Security Council.</p>
<p>In countries neighboring Syria, governments began taking precautions against possible Syrian retaliation.</p>
<p>Mansour, the Lebanese foreign minister, warned in an interview with The Associated Press that a Western military strike would escalate tensions in Lebanon and dramatically increase the number of Syrian refugees.</p>
<p>Lebanon is a tiny country that shares a porous border with Syria, and has seen cross-border shelling, sectarian clashes and car bombings in recent months related to the civil war raging next door.</p>
<p>There are concerns that U.S. military action in Syria may trigger another wave of refugees fleeing across the border into Lebanon — the country of 4.5 million already is already host to nearly 1 million Syrian refugees — and trigger violence across the country.</p>
<p>Israel, meanwhile, has called up reservists and deployed missile defense batteries in preparation for a possible Syrian response to an American attack.</p>
<p>In Turkey, the government’s crisis management center said on Twitter that a team of 100 chemical weapons experts were sent to the border area, which was being screened for any signs of chemical attacks.</p>
<p>Turkey is Assad’s strongest critic and has backed Syria’s opposition and rebels. The country said this week it would take part in any international coalition that would move against the Syrian government.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>7:11am — Iran to work with Russia to stop strike on Syria</p>
<p>By Nasser Karimi/The Associated Press</p>
<p>TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said his country will press forward with efforts to ward off military action by the U.S. and its allies against the Tehran-backed regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad, Iranian state TV reported today.</p>
<p>The report said the remarks came late Wednesday during a phone conversation between Rouhani and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.</p>
<p>Rouhani was quoted as saying “military action will bring great costs for the region” and “it is necessary to apply all efforts to prevent it.”</p>
<p>Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari, chief of Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guards, used stronger rhetoric while talking to the Tasnim news website, saying an attack on Syria would draw in Israel.</p>
<p>“The Zionists should know that a U.S. military attack on Syria will not save the fake regime from the resistance but it means the immediate destruction of Israel,” Jafari was quoted as saying.</p>
<p>According to the state TV report, President Rouhani said both Iran and Russia would work in “extensive cooperation” to prevent any military action against Syria. Rouhani also called such military action an “open violation” of international laws.</p>
<p>While condemning chemical weapons, Rouhani was quoted as saying, “Early judgment can be dangerous, before clarification” can be made of allegations that Syria used the weapons.</p>
<p>“Western countries have found some excuse to prepare the ground to weaken the stance of Syria in further talks” after the Syrian government has won the upper hand in confronting rebels, Rouhani said.</p>
<p>The president also predicted regional consequences for any military strike.</p>
<p>“Syria has a strategic and sensitive situation, and any sort of military invasion would lead to instability in the entire Middle East,” he said.</p>
<p>Iran has regularly warned the U.S. over possible military action against Syria by calling it the country’s own “red line” as the U.S. naval fleet takes positions near Syria and President Barack Obama considers a military response to the alleged use of chemical weapons by the Assad government.</p>
<p>Hossein Naghavi, spokesman of Iran’s parliamentary committee on national security and foreign policy, told the semi-official Fars news agency Thursday that an Iranian parliamentary delegation will visit Syria Saturday to study developments and to express support for its people and government.</p>
<p>Assad is Iran’s main Middle East ally, and his downfall would deal a serious blow to Iran and its proxy forces, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Palestinian Hamas. Iran does not recognize Israel.</p>
<p>In a Cabinet meeting earlier on Wednesday, Rouhani strongly condemned the use of chemical weapons.</p>
<p>“Iran, as a major victim of chemical weapons, is a pioneer in fighting any kind of inhuman weapons at the global level, and it strongly condemns any use of this weapon,” he said, according to the president’s website.</p>
<p>Rouhani called for the U.N. to investigate both sides of the Syrian conflict.</p>
<p>“The U.N should probe the use of chemical weapons while regarding field realities, handmade weapons that were used and the history of transferring chemical weapons to Takfiri groups from abroad,” said Rouhani, using the general term for Muslims who accuse others of being unbelievers.</p> | Obama: US action would send Assad ‘strong signal’ | false | https://abqjournal.com/254923/iran-to-work-with-russia-to-stop-strike-on-syria.html | 2013-08-29 | 2 |
<p>A veteran NFL stadium worker from New York walked off the job after nearly 30 years over players protesting the national anthem.</p>
<p>Erich Nikischer told <a href="http://www.wcsh6.com/news/man-quits-stadium-job-after-bills-protest/478403886" type="external">WCSH</a> he doesn't have an issue with players peacefully protesting before the national anthem, but that he thinks it is disrespectful to do so during the song.</p>
<p>“During the National Anthem… the song that is about our country, our veterans that fight and die for us, it's just something I feel you shouldn't disrespect that way,” he continued. "I believe people have the right to protest; I just don't believe that's the proper venue for it.”</p>
<p>The decision to walk away from the Buffalo Bills and New Era Field wasn't an easy one for Nikischer. He said he'll miss those with whom he worked. But he was firm in his opposition to the anthem protests.</p>
<p>“I will never step foot in the that place again, I will never watch an NFL football game again until this ends,” Nikischer said.</p>
<p>More than 200 National Football League (NFL) players protested on Sunday following the president's comments and tweets suggesting that players who protest the anthem should be fired.</p>
<p>On Monday, Trump praised NASCAR for their threats to punish those who engage in the anthem protests.</p>
<p /> | An NFL stadium worker walked off the job after nearly 30 years over the anthem protests | false | https://circa.com/story/2017/09/25/nation/erich-nikischer-quits-job-at-buffalo-bills-new-era-field-over-nfl-anthem-protests | 2017-09-25 | 1 |
<p>The mainstream media is having a lot of fun reporting that Hillary is this year’s Gallup “Most Admired Woman” for a “ <a href="http://www.gallup.com/poll/187922/clinton-admired-woman-record-20th-time.aspx" type="external">record 20th time</a>.”</p>
<p>What they are leaving out, however, is that it appears that the long list of scandals and controversies&#160;that have plagued her since leaving her position as Secretary of State in early 2013 may be catching up with her (read LI’s Hillary coverage <a href="" type="internal">here</a>).</p>
<p>When one looks more closely at the Gallup poll, it becomes clear that while still topping the list, Hillary has fallen quite sharply since December 2012.</p>
<p>Take a look at the following:</p>
<p />
<p><a href="" type="internal" /></p>
<p>Hillary’s numbers have moved from 21% in 2012 to only 13% in 2015, pretty much where she was in 2014 (up 1%).</p>
<p><a href="http://www.gallup.com/poll/187922/clinton-admired-woman-record-20th-time.aspx" type="external">Gallup reports</a>:</p>
<p>Although Clinton and Obama each led this year’s poll by significant margins, the percentage mentioning each as most admired is slightly lower than the percentages they have received in the past. Across the eight times Obama has been most admired man, an average 23% of Americans have named him, while in the 20 times Clinton has been most admired woman, an average 16% have named her.</p>
<p>Interestingly, Hillary’s long run as the “most admired woman” has been unimpeded during Obama’s presidency:&#160; <a href="http://www.gallup.com/poll/1678/most-admired-man-woman.aspx" type="external">Michelle Obama is the only First Lady to never take the top spot</a> while her husband was in office.</p>
<p>As far as the “Most Admired Man” goes, the sitting president typically takes that spot, according to Gallup, so <a href="http://nypost.com/2015/12/28/trump-in-tie-with-pope-for-second-most-admired-man-in-america/" type="external">Trump tying for second with the pope</a> is notable.</p> | Hillary drops dramatically since 2012 in Gallup ‘most admired’ survey | true | http://legalinsurrection.com/2015/12/hillary-drops-dramatically-since-2012-in-gallup-most-admired-survey/ | 2015-12-28 | 0 |
<p>On Tuesday, Sheriff Joe Arpaio was <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/arizona-sheriff-joe-arpaio-officially-charged-criminal-contempt-n672846" type="external">charged</a> with criminal contempt-of-court because he ignored a judge's order in a racial-profiling case. According to <a href="http://kjzz.org/content/386320/sheriff-joe-arpaio-formally-charged-criminal-contempt" type="external">KJZZ,</a> "The charging document said the sheriff willfully disobeyed a court order by continuing to make immigration arrests after he was told to stop."</p>
<p>NPR <a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/10/11/497577585/feds-will-press-criminal-contempt-charges-against-ariz-sheriff-arpaio" type="external">reported</a>, "In December 2011, U.S. District Judge G. Murray Snow issued a preliminary injunction ordering Arpaio and his deputies to stop targeting Latino drivers. Prosecutors allege that Arpaio's deputies defied the injunction for at least 18 months. In May 2013, Snow ruled that Arpaio's office had engaged in racial profiling.”</p>
<p>Arpaio ignored the order, but insisted later that he had not ignored the order. The judge <a href="http://www.wfsb.com/story/33362032/criminal-charges-for-arpaio-court-hearing-tuesday-could-provide-answers" type="external">differed,</a> claiming Arpaio though continuing the patrols would help his 2012 re-election campaign. The initial charge was raised to a contempt of court charge.</p>
<p>Arpaio, 84, will seek a seventh term on November 8; ,if he is convicted he could spend six months in jail.</p>
<p>It has cost county taxpayers 48 million to defend Arpaio and his office; the cost could rise to $72 million.</p>
<p>On October 11, Arpaio released a statement challenging the case against him:</p>
<p>First and foremost, it is clear that the corrupt Obama Justice Department is trying to influence my re-election as Sheriff of Maricopa County. It is no coincidence that this announcement comes 28 days before the election and the day before early voting starts. It is a blatant abuse of power and the people of Maricopa County should be as outraged as I am.</p>
<p>As your elected Sheriff, my job is to enforce the law. Because enforcing illegal immigration laws is not politically correct, within the first 100 days of taking office, Obama put then-Attorney General Eric Holder in charge of pursuing a ‘racial profiling’ case against me – among other trumped up, failed legal pursuits – and eight years later they’re still pursuing the case.</p>
<p>Now, with Obama on his way out of office, he and DOJ officials know this is their last shot at taking me down. This highly unusual charge of criminal contempt against an elected local official should be seen for what is really is: a political maneuver by a corrupt Administration to damage me politically and a continuation of its War on Cops.</p> | Sheriff Joe Charged With Criminal Contempt-Of-Court | true | https://dailywire.com/news/10250/sheriff-joe-charged-criminal-contempt-court-hank-berrien | 2016-10-26 | 0 |
<p>Last quarter, the iPhone broke a trend of three consecutive quarters of unit declines, thanks to the launch of the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. In this segment from <a href="http://www.fool.com/podcasts/industry-focus?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Industry Focus: Tech Opens a New Window.</a>, Motley Fool analystsDylan Lewis and Evan Niu, CFA discuss how Apple's (NASDAQ: AAPL)most important business is faring.</p>
<p>A full transcript follows the video.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
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<p>This podcast was recorded on Feb. 3, 2017.</p>
<p>Dylan Lewis: Why don't we hopright into the iPhone segment? This is really where they're making most of their money.</p>
<p>Evan Niu:Yeah. They sold another record of 78.3 million. The last three consecutive quarters, they put up negative growth. So, theyput an end to that trend. Of course,this creates another tough comparison for next year, raises the bar for a year from now. But, personally,I wasn't that impressed with the iPhone 7as a product.</p>
<p>Lewis:Do you own it?</p>
<p>Niu:No. It'sthe first time in eight years that I haven't upgraded my phone.[laughs]</p>
<p>Lewis:I don't ownthe iPhone 7 either, so don't feel bad.[laughs]</p>
<p>Niu:But, literallyevery year I've been upgrading, this is the first time I'm not,because I just didn't think it was that compelling. But,obviously the market really does. Part of it is that the 7 Plus is really the hot seller this quarter.Apple even acknowledged thatthey did a poor job predicting demand. They allocated less than they should have to the 7 Plus production. There'snot really a killer feature in the iPhone this year. Arguably, the biggest thing is the dual camera systemthat is specifically for the 7 Plus. So,it seems like a lot of people are picking that bigger phone. I think it costs $120 extra now. You can see it in the numbers. They put up really strong results here.</p>
<p>Lewis:Yeah. AndI think you really see that when you look at average selling price. That grew to $695in the most recent quarter,up from $619 in the previous quarter. And a lot of that is the 7 Plus model, andconsumers clearly voting for the better camera,and being willing to pony up a little bit more dough for it.</p>
<p>Niu:And/orextra storage, because those things shoot 4K video,and you need a lot of storage to store all that.</p>
<p>Lewis:Yeah.absolutely. So, if you put those two numberstogether, the units and average selling price,you get roughly $54.5 billion in revenue. So,right now, we're looking at the iPhone segment making up about70% of revenue for Apple for this quarter. Higher thanit's been in the past, but not necessarily surprising,because the iPhone segment was so massively popularand so successful this quarter.</p>
<p>Niu:Yeah. They were so supply constrained theentire quarter. They acknowledged that they didn't meet supply-demand balance until January. So, they were pretty short oninventory throughout the entire quarter. To still be able to hit these numberseven with constraints and,arguably, not a super strong feature set --I was kind of blown away, honestly.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFlewis/info.aspx" type="external">Dylan Lewis Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of Apple. <a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFNewCow/info.aspx" type="external">Evan Niu, CFA Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of Apple. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Apple. The Motley Fool has the following options: long January 2018 $90 calls on Apple and short January 2018 $95 calls on Apple. 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> | The iPhone is Growing Again -- Here's How | true | http://foxbusiness.com/markets/2017/02/09/iphone-is-growing-again-here-how.html | 2017-02-09 | 0 |
<p>By AFPPublished: 2/10/06Excerpt:</p>
<p>Most American newspaper and television editors have squirmed over whether to carry cartoons of Prophet Mohammed that flashed a firestorm of protest across Europe and the Middle East. &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;But many of their readers and viewers seem to have made a personal editorial choice, with a few clicks of a mouse and an Internet hook-up that can pull up the images in seconds...Established media have traditionally operated by different standards than the new wave of blogs.&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;"The mainstream newspapers see themselves as having a responsibility to practice the best journalism they can," said Aly Colon, professor at the Poynter Institute journalism school in Florida.&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;"As a consequence, they make a decision every day about what they will publish. It requires us to understand why we go to the sources we do for the information that we receive." <a href="http://www.metimes.com/print.php?StoryID=20060210-080727-2200r" type="external">More of this article...</a> <a href="http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&amp;q=%22Aly%20Colon%22%20Poynter&amp;btnG=Google+Search&amp;sa=N&amp;tab=wn" type="external">Search Google News for more quotes by Aly Colon...</a></p> | Web trumps big US media in Mohammed cartoon frenzy | false | https://poynter.org/news/web-trumps-big-us-media-mohammed-cartoon-frenzy | 2006-02-21 | 2 |
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