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What next for Israel's chaotic politics after Benjamin Netanyahu fails to form government? | Netanyahu appears to have run out of time to form a coalition - AP Israels longest serving prime minister woke up to a throbbing political headache on Wednesday morning after his deadline to form a coalition government expired on Tuesday night. Benjamin Netanyahu, who is fighting for his political survival amid a series of poor election results and a corruption trial, is now looking more vulnerable than ever. The Right-wing Likud party leader had been asked to form a coalition by Israels president after the countrys fourth election in two years in March, which failed to produce a clear winner. But after several fruitless weeks of coalition talks and backroom meetings, his deadline for forming a government expired at midnight on Tuesday, plunging his political career into deeper turmoil. It is not the last straw for the embattled leader, who may yet be able to cling on to power if he finds more supporters in the coming days and convinces Reuven Rivlin, the Israeli president, to grant him an extension. But his failure to find a 61-seat majority is delightful news for the so-called anti-Netanyahu bloc of left-wingers and centrists, who now hope to form their own alternative government. Here we look at what is most likely to happen now that Mr Netanyahus deadline has expired, and whether there is any hope of ending the worst political deadlock in Israeli history any time soon. Option 1: Netanyahus enemies try to form government The next few weeks could get very busy for the anti-Netanyahu coalition led by Yair Lapid, the head of the centrist Yesh Atid party. Israeli media reports say Mr Rivlin is poised to give Mr Lapid the next chance at forming a government within 28 days as his party came second, after Likud, in the March 23 polls. This will not be easy, as the Lapid-led bloc does not currently have a 61-seat majority and would need to unite voices across the political spectrum against Likud, something it failed to do after the previous three elections. No party has a clear majority in the Knesset, Israel's parliament - GETTY IMAGES Mr Lapid may turn his attention to Naftali Bennett, the leader of the right-wing Yamina party. Though Mr Bennett has expressed a preference for a Netanyahu-led government, he says he is prepared to cross the floor if it is the only way of avoiding a fifth election. Story continues Mr Bennett has also stressed that he will always put the stability of the country ahead of his own partys interests, which could potentially lead him to joining forces with Mr Lapid. It may take a few days before Mr Rivlin formally announces a decision on whether to pass the mandate to Mr Lapid. Option 2: Netanyahu gets more time Mr Netanyahu may argue that he is, despite outward appearances, close to forming a government and that all he needs is a little more time. According to Israeli news website Walla!, the Likud leader is considering this option though it is unclear how he would progress from there if the extension is granted. Netanyahu can ask Reuven Rivlin, the Israeli president, for an extension - REUTERS The report was also denied by Mr Netanyahus office, and late on Tuesday night it was reported that Likud would not seek an extension. In theory, Mr Netanyahu could secure a majority if he manages to convince both the far-Right Religious Zionism party and the leftwing Islamist party Raam to back him. But they have both already ruled out this scenario, which suggests that if Mr Netanyahu were to gain an extension it may only defer the inevitable. Option 3: Parliament decides In the event that Mr Rivlins next nominee cannot find a majority, then the issue could be handed to the Knesset, the Israel parliament. The Knesset would have three weeks to decide for itself as to who should be the next prime minister. Yair Lapid, the leader of Yesh Atid, could get the chance to form a government - EPA However, as the parliamentary arithmetic will remain unchanged, it is hard to see how this would lead to a breakthrough. And if that fails, then Israel will be heading towards arguably the worst case scenario for its weary voters. Option 4: Fifth election In the absence of any other solution to the deadlock, Israel may have to call an election for the fifth time in just two and a half years. The vote would likely be held in the late summer or autumn, allowing time for the main political heavyweights to consider reforging alliances or perhaps even breaking away to form new parties. This is what happened before the March 23 election, which saw former Likud politician Gideon Sa'ar form his own right-wing movement, New Hope, that initially performed very strongly in the polls. However, Mr Saar went on to secure only six seats in the March election, a sign that he was not regarded by the Israeli public as a credible right-wing alternative to Mr Netanyahu. A similar fate could befall other politicians who are tempted to make a dash for the crown. In the meantime, Mr Netanyahus corruption trial continues, though he strongly denies all the charges. And his critics remain as convinced as ever that removing him from power is the only means of restoring stability to Israeli politics. | https://news.yahoo.com/next-israels-chaotic-politics-benjamin-211812058.html |
Are CEOs living up to the pledges they made after George Floyd's murder? | George Floyd's murder last year forced a reckoning on race that extended to the boardroom. Photo / AP Promises on diversity and racial justice have proved easier to make than to keep. The words "systemic racism" used not to be spoken on US companies' earnings calls. The murder of George Floyd, a black man killed by a white police officer last May, abruptly changed that, putting the phrase into the mouths of the country's top executives and forcing them to consider their part in a system they were now denouncing. Chief executives from Apple's Tim Cook to David Solomon of Goldman Sachs declared that business leaders needed not only to speak up, but to do more to address racial disparities in their own companies. An assessment of the changes they have made in the intervening period suggests that Floyd's death did catalyse corporate diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. But on several key measures, much more still needs to change to turn executives' newly activist rhetoric into reality. American corporations have pledged to spend US$50 billion on racial equity since Floyd's murder, according to a tally of public promises compiled by Creative Investment Research. The funds were to be spread between donations to civil rights organisations, targeted investments in communities of colour and overhauls of their internal recruiting and training programmes. Yet only about US$250 million has actually been spent or committed to a specific initiative, according to an analysis by the research consulting firm. "We looked to see how much cash is there, how much actual money is there, and it was a small percentage of the pledges and that continues to be the case, by the way," said William Cunningham, Creative Investment Research's chief executive. This slow progress has made observers including Cunningham cynical about corporations' sincerity, noting that such pledges can be easily walked back if the company's financial outlook or priorities change before the funds are fully paid out. "Time will tell," said Cunningham. "It's still early. We're one year in and what did we have, 400 years of pain and suffering?" Hiring and pay equity Some of America's largest companies have set hiring and promotion targets, with Amazon, for example, committing to doubling its number of black leaders to about 8 per cent of senior directors this year. Several have also started reporting detailed demographic data, with Goldman Sachs revealing that just 49 of its 1,548 executives, senior officials and managers in the US are black. Hubert Joly, the former chief executive of Best Buy and author of a new book on leadership, said there was "a level of seriousness" about setting public goals by which executives' racial equity efforts can be measured and a wider recognition of the financial case for addressing injustices. "When the city is on fire you cannot run a business," he said. Some companies are resisting more disclosure, however, with Berkshire Hathaway and Johnson & Johnson among those that have fought shareholder proposals to push them harder on diversity. Equally concerning for activists, few boards are yet tying any of their executives' pay to diversity targets. When Just Capital released a "tracker" of companies' commitments to racial equity earlier this month, it found that only 31 per cent of the country's 100 largest companies were analysing how equitably they paid employees of different races and ethnicities. "When we polled black Americans on what are the things companies should do on racial equity, paying a living wage was at the top of the list," said Martin Whittaker, Just Capital's chief executive. "It's pretty clear companies sit on this data until they have a good news story to tell." Of the few companies that conducted pay equity audits, the likes of Lyft, Levi Strauss and Verizon said they had revealed no systemic pay differences between ethnicities. But transparency about pay equity remains limited, making the issue a priority for reformers. Using the power of their platforms Ken Frazier, the outgoing chief executive of drugmaker Merck, who has been one of the few black leaders of S&P 500 companies, said last summer that groups needed "to go to the seat of government" to help create a society that would be good for business. Companies such as Delta Air Lines and Home Depot have been dragged into political battles over new voting laws which are expected to discriminate against black voters, but relatively few have used their political clout that explicitly. Instead, most have preferred to lobby behind the scenes, co-ordinate their responses to specific pieces of legislation through industry groups, and stick to broad statements of principles in public. A few have used the power of their platforms more forcefully with their suppliers, however. A local resident stands next to a mural painted in June 2020 showing George Floyd. Photo / AP "We are demanding much more responsibility and accountability around subcontractors," said Dambisa Moyo, an economist who is a director of companies including 3M and Chevron. She said the companies she works for were scrutinising whether the accountants, law firms and headhunters they employ were sufficiently diverse. Coca-Cola went public with such a demand in January, telling US law firms they must commit within 18 months to having at least 30 per cent of their billable hours be from "diverse" attorneys, half of whom must be black. On current trends, black lawyers could not expect to be equitably represented among law firm partners until 2391, said Bradley Gayton, Coke's general counsel at the time: "We have developed scorecards, held summits, established committees and written action plans. These efforts are not working." Weeks after sending the letter and just eight months into his job, however, Gayton had stepped back to a consulting role. Asked whether Gayton's diversity demand remained in place, the company said only that his successor would take time to "thoughtfully review" its initiatives. The boardroom monoculture shifts The S&P 500 still counts only a handful of black chief executives, but the composition of its boardrooms has started to shift a little faster in the past year as investors, financiers and exchanges prioritise the diversity that, successive studies show, correlates with stronger financial performance. The "glacial" progress historically means 40 per cent of Russell 3000 companies still lack apparent racial or ethnic diversity on their boards, according to Institutional Shareholder Services. And just below board level, black Americans still hold only 3 per cent of executive or senior level roles in companies with 100 or more employees, according to EEOC data. Derek Chauvin listens as the verdict is read. Photo / AP Pressure is building for that to change, with Nasdaq announcing in December that companies on its exchange should have at least one woman and one member of an under-represented minority on their boards. Goldman Sachs similarly said that it would not take companies public from this year without at least two diverse board members, and State Street said it would vote against directors whose companies fail to disclose their boards' racial and ethnic composition. But few large investors are yet voting against non-diverse boards. In an open letter earlier this month, racial justice activists and union leaders noted that large asset managers had re-elected the vast majority of all-white boards last year. The latest annual meeting season has just begun. This year's votes, the letter said, would show whether asset managers' pledges had been meaningful or "cynically performative". Written by: Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson and Taylor Nicole Rogers Financial Times | https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/are-ceos-living-up-to-the-pledges-they-made-after-george-floyds-murder/B4K5MNGLZYWK63VNSRSLC3JBME/ |
Will Donald Trump run again? | (CNN) Strike up a conversation with any Republican or really, any person and tell them youre a political reporter and the first question you always get is this: So, is Trump running again? That question is, of course, both absolutely critical to the future of the Republican Party (and the country) and utterly unanswerable at the moment. As you know, its very early, Trump said Tuesday in an interview with Candace Owens on The Daily Wire. But I think people are going to be very, very happy when I make a certain announcement. That sort of winking, you-know-the-deal response about 2024 has become de rigueur from the former President as he ponders his political future. But it also doesnt really mean anything. We are a long way off from the official (or even unofficial) start of the 2024 campaign were only 183 days removed from the 2020 election and Trump still hasnt conceded defeat and he is legendary for changing his mind on a whim. Plus, even if Trump wants to run, its not entirely clear whether his ongoing legal and financial troubles will allow him to do so. That uncertainty has created a fascinating dynamic among would-be candidates attempting to be deferential to Trump (and his wishes) while also courting his support in the event he doesnt run. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (R) is the latest example of this ring-kissing, traveling to Mar-a-Lago to have dinner with the former President on Tuesday night. Former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley felt the need to make clear that she wouldnt run in 2024 if Trump does. Former Vice President Mike Pence touted Trump we made America greater than ever before at a recent speech despite the former Presidents ongoing animosity toward him regarding the 2020 election. While its not yet clear whether Trump will actually run, what is clear is that unless something changes drastically he will: a) be the CLEAR front-runner for the Republican nomination. b) be the CLEAR underdog against President Joe Biden in the general election. Trump remains immensely popular within the GOP base and almost nowhere else. Which, if he runs again, is a huge problem for Republicans because they cant stop him from getting the nomination (see 2016) and he will struggle to win the White House. The Point: Im not at all convinced even Trump knows what he will do in 2024. But the entire Republican political world will be hanging on what he decides. | https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/05/politics/trump-run-for-president-again-2024/index.html |
Should the 49ers Bring Back Richard Sherman? | Richard Sherman was adamant he would not re-sign with the 49ers in December. Now the former All-Pro is changing his tune. As the weeks have gone by, Sherman has softened those comments back in December and is leaving the door open for a return with the 49ers this season. There's always a chance it could end up working back in the Bay, that I head back that way," Said Sherman on ESPN First Take. "Obviously I know the staff, know the team well. Just spent time there and would be ecstatic if something happened there." The starting corners for the 49ers right now are Jason Verrett, Emmanuel Moseley, and K'Waun Williams. The 49ers really need to start rolling out younger talent to allow them to develop. Right now, no. Bringing Sherman in now would indicate that he is the starter. And to be quite frank, I do not believe he is starting caliber anymore, at least not as a corner. Ideally, having Sherman as depth would be a sweet deal, but I sincerely doubt he would be okay with that after being the starter for the last few seasons. I also don't think Kyle Shanahan would allow him to be a non-starter either. Signing Sherman would be best if the 49ers sustain an injury to a cornerback or two, or even a safety, leading up to the season. The 49ers likely can afford to avoid signing Sherman right now because no one else has seriously pursued him. Sherman has mentioned the Seahawks, Raiders, and Saints as potential landing spots, but Sherman himself admitted the Saints likely do not need him. The Raiders also just signed Casey Hayward, so Sherman is likely out of their plans to. Only Seattle looks to be the alternative if the 49ers stand pat. Signing Sherman would be a double-edged sword for the 49ers. The self-inflicting part is that he is no longer the elite corner he once was. That much became evident when he returned from a calf injury, which is why Robert Saleh started incorporating him as a safety. He just can't run anymore. It doesn't matter what coverage or the scheme is for the 49ers. The part where Sherman benefits the 49ers is his leadership and knowledge. Sherman can be a great player to rally behind after Fred Warner. His knowledge to all the young corners like Deommodore Lenoir and Ambry Thomas could serve as a way to expedite their development. The tipping point here is whether or not the 49ers believe Sherman can be a sufficient starter, along with concerns of his health. I do not believe signing Sherman now is wise only because he is assuredly going to start. The 49ers have flipped the page on Jimmy Garoppolo because he is injury prone. Sherman is looking more and more injury prone now to go with his decline in performance. Start Moseley and groom the young corners to set a core for the foreseeable future is the ideal method. | https://www.si.com/nfl/49ers/news/should-the-49ers-bring-back-richard-sherman |
Should Washington Football Team Sign Malik Hooker, Former Colts DB Star? | After failing to address the need at free safety, Ron Rivera should be intrigued by signing Malik Hooker The addition of Jamin Davis was the icing on the cake to a sweet defense for the Washington Football Team. Entering draft weekend, coach Ron Rivera was an athletic linebacker and free safety away from having perhaps the league's top defense. Depending on who one asks, they're still missing that free safety. We say that could be fixed before Week 1 with the addition of free agent Malik Hooker. ... as long as it is understood that there is a large "if'' in the middle of the idea. WFT drafted versatile defender Benjamin St-Juste out of Minnesota with the No. 74 pick to help improve a top-five secondary. The 6'3" Golden Gopher is considered a hybrid player, expecting to take reps at both cornerback and free safety. Of course, should St-Juste hit immediately, WFT could transition Kendall Fuller back inside as the primary slot defender an area he thrived in early coming on in his career. That's an ideal situation but one that is still unknown. Perhaps fifth-round selection Darrick Forrest's cover skills will help him earn some reps during the 2021 season, but Rivera views him as a special-teams ace. Despite second-year standout Kam Curl recording three interceptions, he's better used as a strong safety. If Landon Collins is unhappy moving down to full-time linebacker - something Rivera has discussed with the rehabbing safety - there also is the problem. A healthy Hooker can help. And there's that "if.'' Even in a limited role for the Indianapolis Colts, Hooker's presence was top-notch in coverage. Since coming out of Ohio State, the former No. 15 pick has finished with a coverage grade of 65.4 or better. Hooker also has recorded at least two interceptions and three pass breakups in each of his first three years. The biggest knock against Hooker is his availability. Since 2017, he's missed at least two games or more, with season-ending injuries in both his rookie and final season at the Horseshoe. READ MORE: Barry Sanders Messages New Washington 'Little Guy RB Jaret Patterson The 2019 campaign allowed Colts GM Chris Ballard to toy with the idea of extending Hooker following the decline of the fifth-year option. He recorded a career-high 51 combined tackles, three passes defensed and two interceptions. A Week 2 torn Achilles against Minnesota ultimately ended the conversation. WFT's defense has been heralded for its well-rounded structure at each level. Collins, who also is coming off a torn Achilles, might be best suited playing near the line of scrimmage. Hooker can do it all. He has shown high-end starter capabilities but doesn't have the numbers to back it up. In a full healthy season with WFT, it would be a prove-it season for Hooker to remain a starter and stabilize the coverage. Now to the downside, as Hooker reportedly makes his way to Miami for a workout: A source tells WashingtonSI that in at least one of his recent NFL tryouts, "The medicals didn't work out.'' That might be a gentle way of saying that Hooker is not ready to pass a physical just yet. But a free safety might be the only tool missing here. Hooker adds tremendous value for a bargain price. It's not just a cheap option, it's also one that fits the missing hole in D.C.'s defense. No, it's not worth a contract offer just yet. It's worth a tryout, though ... as a passed physical would make a good defense vault closer to "great.'' CONTINUE READING: Rivera Admits Washington Had 'Big Conversation' About QB Trade In NFL Draft | https://www.si.com/nfl/washingtonfootball/news/washington-football-team-sign-malik-hooker-colts-star |
Is Meghan Markle's new children's book an attempt to rewrite her own family story? | Meghan Markle's new children's book, The Bench, features an all-too-familiar illustration of a ginger-haired soldier lifting his cute baby son in the air. Photo / Getty Images The children's book could not have been better timed, to mark Archie's second birthday on Thursday, May 6 as Harry and Meghan prepare to welcome a daughter into the world in the coming weeks. Focusing on fatherhood, the duchess' literary debut, The Bench, is set to share the "special bond between father and son". Featuring an all-too-familiar illustration of a ginger-haired soldier lifting his cute baby son in the air, there is a clear sense that this first foray into the written word could not be more personal for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex has authored her first childrens book, THE BENCH, about the special bond between father and son as seen through a mothers eyes. It was inspired by her own husband and son and will be published on June 8. It is illustrated by Christian Robinson. pic.twitter.com/d1cWFIk3nO Victoria Murphy (@byQueenVic) May 4, 2021 Indeed, it was based on a Father's Day poem Meghan originally wrote for Harry in 2019, a month after Archie was born. In light of Harry's fractured relationship with the Prince of Wales in the wake of Megxit, opinions will be divided on whether this represents the literary waving of a white flag from across the pond or an act of dramatised defiance. It is no secret that the relationship between the heir to the throne and his younger son is not what it once was. The pair appeared to barely speak after the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral at Windsor Castle on April 17, although it is understood they did have a lengthy conversation afterwards, away from the media gaze. The once close father and son appeared to barely speak after reuniting at Duke of Edinburgh's funeral at Windsor Castle on April 17. Photo / Getty Images The awkward reunion came after Harry, 36, described his father, 72, and his brother William, 38, as being "trapped" in the monarchy during a jaw-dropping interview with Oprah Winfrey in March, in which the Sussexes also accused an unnamed member of the royals of being racist and unsupportive. Revealing Charles "stopped taking my calls" in the lead up to the couple's decision to step down as senior royals in January 2020, Harry painted a picture of a father who had delegated his parental responsibilities to his staff. Naturally, the future king was described as "devastated", "despairing" and "deeply saddened" by the revelations, which sent shockwaves through the House of Windsor. The tensions seemed to deepen further when Gayle King, co-host of CBS' This Morning show and a close friend of Harry and Meghan, revealed on US television that subsequent phone calls between father and son had proved "unproductive". Of course it wasn't always this way. When Meghan, 39, first arrived on the royal scene in 2016, Harry and Charles had arguably never been closer, while William was said to have had the cooler relationship with his father. When the 20th anniversary of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, came round in 2017, aides begged William to acknowledge his father's role in their upbringing when he addressed journalists before the screening of an ITV documentary but he flatly refused. Charles' only mention came in another documentary for the BBC that year when it was left to Harry to pay tribute, saying: "He was there for us; he was the one out of two left and he tried to do his best and to make sure we were protected and looked after." It is thought this was done with Meghan's encouragement after the American former actress stressed the importance of Harry remaining as close as possible to "the one parent you have left". Harry was once said to be very close to his father, Prince Charles, while his relationship with Prince William was more strained. Now, it is very much the opposite. Photo / Getty Images Both children of divorce, at that point Meghan enjoyed a close relationship with her own father, Thomas Markle Snr, with whom she lived fulltime until her adolescence following the Hollywood lighting director's divorce from her mother, Doria Ragland, in 1987. Yet their once tight bond was irretrievably broken after Markle appeared to conspire with a paparazzi photographer before the royal wedding in May 2018, and then pulled out of the ceremony at the last minute due to ill health leaving the bride with no one to walk her down the aisle. The soon to be newlyweds were so distraught they were both left in tears. Meghan's once tight bond with her father, Thomas, was irretrievably broken after he conspred with paparazzi and then pulled out of her wedding at the last minute. Photo / Twitter Sensing their deep anguish, Charles was only too willing to do the honours for his adored soon to be daughter-in-law in the absence of Markle, 76, who lives in Mexico. He had taken an instant shine to the Northwestern graduate, who shared his passion for holistic remedies and impressed him early on by taking an interest in British military history and the arts. Both Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, took great delight in hosting Doria for afternoon tea when she landed in the UK for the Windsor wedding, with one royal insider describing them as having "got on like a house on fire". Yet as Harry and Meghan began to plan a departure from The Firm in a bid to seek financial independence in the US, which with TV and book deals is now coming to fruition, cracks in familial relationships soon appeared. Although, as the Queen put it, "recollections may vary" as to what exactly happened in the months leading up to the Sussexes' bombshell announcement, it is accurate to say Harry felt let down by his father after he attempted to speak to him and his grandmother face to face, only to be blocked by royal aides. Yet palace insiders have since put a different spin on those events. They claim the Sussexes had a propensity to "blame the staff" when they did not get their own way and according to one well-placed source: "He [Charles] ploughed money into the wedding and into Frogmore [the couple's Windsor home] and did his utmost to make them feel financially supported but then when they said they were upping sticks, he had less and less inclination to take calls." Meghan insists her new book, for which she is believed to have received an advance of between 250,000 and 500,000, involves "warmth, joy and comfort". She said: "My hope is that The Bench resonates with every family, no matter the make-up, as much as it does with me." According to psychologist Linda Blair, even though the book talks about fatherhood in a generic way, "It's always important if you want to make something public that everybody you talk about is on board with it". Both Meghan and Harry are children of divorce, with Charles seperating from Diana, Princes of Wales, in 1992. Photo / Getty Images "When people have a difficult time, they react in one of three ways. The first is to say: 'My past is not going to control me, I'll forge ahead and see what happens'. The second is not to be conscious of it but to idealise it and the third is to remain stuck in misery and feel you can't rise above it. "No one is necessarily able to 'write' their way forward it should be simply an offloading of freedom to let go and not to prescribe the future." Laverne Antrobus, a consultant child and educational psychologist at The Tavistock Clinic, says for those who have experienced trauma in their childhood, becoming a parent can stir things up in a way they can't anticipate. "It really does bring losses into quite sharp focus," she says. "The moment you have your own child, you have that relationship that speaks to the unspoken bits and creates a narrative in your mind that you really have to work hard to understand." Harry and Meghan will both have to "manage something about loss in very different ways", she suggests. "It's incredibly important for this subject matter to be talked about because it's the undoing of a lot of adults who can't get past a loss." While parents will often go to extra lengths to try to create for their own children the childhood they didn't have themselves, it remains to be seen whether putting pen to paper will be enough to heal their own family troubles and persuade Meghan and Harry to take their own fatherly relationships off the bench. | https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/is-meghan-markles-new-childrens-book-an-attempt-to-rewrite-her-own-family-story/D6YWRSYNC4FYJ5KPD77WYU5BBY/ |
Who Gets Xanadu 2.0, the Gates family mansion? | The couple, worth an estimated $124 billion according to Forbes, announced their split in a joint statement posted to their social media profiles Monday. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, of which they are co-chairs, said that nothing will change in its organizational structure. But their 66,000-square-foot home on the shore of Lake Washington in Medina is another matter. The sprawling complex which, at the time of a 1995 New York Times story, included a spa, a 60-foot pool, a gym paneled with stone from a mountain peak in the Pacific Northwest, a trampoline room, and a stream for salmon, trout and other fish got the nickname Xanadu 2.0 from Gates biographers. The details of the waterfront compound have been kept incredibly private by the Gates family so much so that a tour of the property went for $35,000 at a charity auction in 2009, according to TechCrunch. The Gateses own multiple other parcels of land surrounding the main property, according to public records, so walking by to catch a glimpse is out of the question. But an intern for Microsoft who made it inside in 2007 was allowed to write about the visit on the companys blog. According to his account, the house is built out of orangey wood and the sand on the beach is imported from Hawaii. The wood is Douglas fir; the origin of the sand, unconfirmed. (Going down Bills driveway is like arriving at Jurassic Park, the intern wrote. The landscaping is just insane.) Advertising Other known details about the house are that it was divided into pavilions that were terraced into a 170-foot hill and that it was designed by architects James Cutler and Peter Bohlin. Bohlins firm later designed the famous Apple cube at the companys store on Fifth Avenue in New York. And, Melinda Gates once said that the mansion caused her to have a mini sort of personal crisis. Bill Gates was already working on his dream home before marrying Melinda Gates in 1994. But construction was halted when she arrived on the scene. The place was a bachelors dream and a brides nightmare, according to a 2008 profile of Melinda Gates in Fortune magazine, with enough software and high-tech displays to make a newlywed feel as though she were living inside a video game. After six months of discussions about whether the entire project should be scrapped, Melinda Gates decided to influence further construction by incorporating her preferences and insisted on making the place a home for a family and not a lone tech wizard. To that end, she hired interior designer Thierry Despont, who has been the creative mind behind the restoration of famous interiors like the Palm Court at the Plaza Hotel in New York and the Ritz in Paris. Still, Bill Gates made big promises about the houses technological powers in his 1995 book, The Road Ahead. He described his vision of a smart home where guests would be given badges that would communicate with sensors around the house. As they moved through the rooms, lights would dim or brighten, music would play and the temperature would automatically adjust to their preference. Its not clear whether these plans panned out. Another aspect of Bill Gates vision was to turn the walls into video screens where he would be able to display digitized works of art. As the house was being built, Gates began to purchase the electronic rights to world-famous pieces from museums like the National Gallery in London through a company called Interactive Home Systems. Advertising These acquisitions were part of an entrepreneurial experiment: Gates imagined that in the future, other people would be able to decorate their homes with digitized artworks just like he was attempting to do. His vision didnt come to fruition. (Interactive Home Systems became Corbis, a rich photography archive, which later sold its image and licensing division to a Chinese company.) Despite the changes she made to the couples home, Melinda Gates recently expressed misgivings about continuing to live there. We wont have that house forever, she told The Times in 2019. Im actually really looking forward to the day that Bill and I live in a 1,500-square-foot house. | https://www.seattletimes.com/business/real-estate/who-gets-xanadu-2-0-the-gates-family-mansion/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_business |
Who are the Quebecers most hesitant to get vaccinated? | Fear of negative side effects along with a general distrust in vaccines are the two main reasons cited by those who are reluctant. Photo by John Mahoney / Montreal Gazette Article content For Quebec to reach the vaccination rate of roughly 80 per cent health authorities believe necessary to quell COVID-19, it must find a way to convince one-quarter of the population still reluctant to get their shot. Regular polls taken since the beginning of the pandemic show the number of people hesitant to get vaccinated for COVID-19 has stayed stable at 25 per cent, including eight per cent who are considered extremely reluctant. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. tap here to see other videos from our team. Back to video Among the most hesitant are those in the 25-44 age group, many of whom say they dont feel at risk from the disease. Fear of negative side effects along with a general distrust in vaccines are the two main reasons cited, said medical anthropologist ve Dub, a researcher in the scientific group on immunization of the Institut national de la sant publique du Qubec (INSPQ). Vaccination hesitancy is evenly split among women and men. Quebecers are less likely than most of their provincial confrres to be reluctant, perhaps because there is a greater trust in health authorities here, Dub said. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Those with higher levels of education are less hesitant, as are those who live in larger urban centres, surveys found, in part because residents of more remote areas have had less exposure to the disease. Health authorities expressed relief the vaccination problem is much less politicized in Canada than in the United States, where a recent NPR-PBS NewsHour-Marist poll found 49 per cent of Republican men do not plan to get vaccinated. Hope lies as well in the fact that vaccination rates climb as people see numbers rising around them. No one wants to be the first to be vaccinated, or to be in the first group to be vaccinated. Thats normal, Dub said. The more people around us are getting vaccinated, people we know, people we love, it can modify our intentions. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content That evolution was exemplified in a survey conducted among 2,000 Canadians that found the usage of masks throughout the pandemic increased dramatically as authorities mandated their use. Among the 16 per cent who said they would never wear a mask, their numbers dropped to one per cent by December, when usage became widespread. People are social animals, said Roxane de la Sablonnire, psychology professor with the Universit de Montral and lead investigator of the study coming out next week. They tend to follow social norms. Those who objected to wearing masks were also likely to resist being vaccinated, the study found. Most respondents cited restrictions on their freedoms as their main reason for dissent. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content A 2014 Sherbrooke University study of 8,700 respondents in the Eastern Townships found vaccine hesitancy on the rise, with one in three reluctant to take vaccines or administer them to their children. Thirteen per cent said they were very vaccine hesitant, 19 per cent somewhat. Reasons cited included the belief that children receive too many vaccines, a healthy lifestyle can eliminate the need, and using alternative medicines offsets the needs for vaccinations. Factors linked to hesitancy included not being vaccinated against the flu, having a low or moderate income, and a distrust in public health authorities. Combatting vaccine hesitancy is complicated by the fact the reasons behind it are so diverse there is no one-size-fits-all strategy. Health Minister Christian Dub said in late April a coercive policy of forcing the 35 per cent of health-care workers who had not yet been vaccinated to endure three COVID-19 tests a week was having an effect. Governments, including Quebec, are suggesting that outings like restaurants or concerts wont be possible without a certain level of vaccination. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Offering easier access to low-income workers reluctant to miss work, as Montreal did in Parc-Extension recently, can do a lot to overcome hesitancy, Dub noted. Surveys show younger people who may not be worried about contracting the disease themselves are very concerned about passing it to those more vulnerable, a possible focus for information campaigns. Dr. Caroline Quach-Thanh, professor of immunology at the Universit de Montral and a pediatric specialist at Ste-Justines Hospital, said staff have told her theyre hesitant because theyre pregnant, or because they have family in other countries who tell them people arent getting vaccinated there. The most effective approach she has found is to listen carefully, and try to calmly answer peoples questions. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Share this article in your social network Latest National Stories Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Montreal Gazette Headline News Sign up to receive daily headline news from the Montreal Gazette, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. Email Address There was an error, please provide a valid email address. By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300 Thanks for signing up! A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it please check your junk folder. The next issue of Montreal Gazette Headline News will soon be in your inbox. We encountered an issue signing you up. 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Can LaMelo Ball catch Anthony Edwards in Kia Rookie of the Year race? | MMA Weekly Jiri Prochazka was the big winner when the UFC Vegas 25 bonuses were announced following Saturday night's fights at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Not only did Prochazka win his main event bout opposite Dominick Reyes, earning a light heavyweight title shot, he also won $100,000 in bonus money. Fight of the Night: Dominick Reyes vs. Jiri Prochazka The UFC Vegas 25 main event lasted less than 10 minutes, but it was packed with action. Yes, Prochazka got the victory with a stunning combination of elbows that ended with a spinning back elbow knockout, but that's not to discount Dominick Reyes's performance. Reyes had several moments throughout the fight that he stunned Prochazka, marking up the Czech fighter's face, and nearly finishing him with a guillotine choke. It's just that Prochazka wasn't to be denied, his creativity shining in the Octagon. UFC Vegas 25 bonuses: Fight of the Night Dominick Reyes vs. Jiri Prochazka Performance of the Night: Jiri Prochazka Prochazka is a former Rizin FF light heavyweight champion, but it is his back-to-back knockouts of former title contenders Reyes and Volkan Oezdemir that put him next up for a shot at the UFC belt. Though he was rocked several times from punch combinations and another time from a brutal upkick, Prochazka kept plowing forward. After backing Reyes up to the fence, he unloaded with several elbows, culminating in a cutting right elbow that set up the spinning back elbow knockout. UFC Vegas 25 bonuses: Performance of the Night Jiri Prochazka Performance of the Night: Giga Chikadze Featherweight Giga Chikadze has been stellar in his run up the UFC's 145-pound division, but scored his most impressive victory on Saturday night when he stopped Cub Swanson. It only took him 1:03 to find Swanson's liver with his patented Giga Kick. Though he had to follow up with a few punches to force the referee to stop the fight, the fight was really over when Chikadze landed the liver kick, which sent Swanson to his knees. UFC Vegas 25 bonuses: Performance of the Night Giga Chikadze (Photos courtesy of UFC) Jon Jones disputes Dana Whites claim that he wanted $30 million to fight Ngannou UFC Vegas 25 bonuses Fight of the Night: Dominick Reyes vs. Jiri ProchazkaPerformance of the Night: Jiri ProchazkaPerformance of the Night: Giga Chikadze | https://sports.yahoo.com/lamelo-ball-catch-anthony-edwards-234259190.html?src=rss |
Wheres Manitobas roadmap to recovery? | The province just west of Manitoba, with equivalent if not higher COVID-19 case counts per capita, has come up with a detailed reopening roadmap for businesses and residents. Saskatchewan is using a three-pronged approach that hinges on vaccination levels for different age groups, which would allow that province to lift public-health restrictions using a targeted timeline this summer. In interviews with the Free Press, business leaders and stakeholders across the province said thats something theyve been asking for months. But the Manitoba government has yet to deliver, they said. So far into this pandemic, no one has had any idea or opportunity to prepare for what comes next, said Chuck Davidson, president and chief executive officer of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, on Wednesday. Especially for businesses, weve found it to be an uncomfortable position of just being constantly frustrated. What Saskatchewan is doing is exactly what needs to be done now, because it shows everyone when there might be light at the end of this... Or, if anything, its a carrot dangled in front of people who are hesitant to get vaccines or waiting on it to say, look, these businesses will open if you go get your shot and help your neighbour get one. In a statement on Wednesday, the province was quickly defensive about its coronavirus roadmap. Any re-opening plan consists of more than just an one-page infographic (sic), a Manitoba government spokeswoman said pointedly about Saskatchewan. In August of 2020, Manitoba launched the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System the first of its kind in Canada an online public health toolkit to provide detailed, timely and localized information about the current risk of COVID-19 and the specific measures being taken to reduce its spread and protect Manitobans. This system provides a guideline as to what can be open, and in... In January, 2021, Manitoba began its cautious and careful reopening process which was covered by your paper. The spokeswoman touted Manitobas most generous emergency support programs, which have yet to be extended or expanded, and said the Tories are in constant talks with the business community about creating an environment for a sustained reopening of our economy. She also lauded the $2 million in traditional and digital advertising, daily media bulletins, almost daily press conferences with elected officials and/or public health leaders, telephone town halls, stakeholder and industry roundtable discussions and multiple public surveys on EngageMB. However, leaders from that very business community said it couldnt be a better time to actually apply their suggestions to Manitobas pandemic protocols. The strength of the Saskatchewan approach is that it actually provides a path forward, said Loren Remillard, CEO and president of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce. It doesnt provide certainty, and we dont expect that of our government when things are constantly shifting. But its a solid document which gives people a sense of control that cannot be overstated when so much fatigue and mental health burnout is happening right now. And its powerful because it enables a framework for recovery, while giving rise to consumer confidence. Under Saskatchewans roadmap, three steps are dedicated to meeting the benchmark of 70 per cent people vaccinated for different age groups: people 40 and older (for Step 1, expected to be met by the last week of May); 30 and older (Step 2 by third week in June); and 18 and older (Step 3 by the second week of July). That approach would allow capacity limits for restaurants, bars, fitness centres, bingo halls, theatres, libraries and retail or personal services to gradually lift under each step. It would also slowly increase indoor and outdoor gathering sizes and change masking guidance. Its the biggest encouragement and peace of mind Manitoba could offer to businesses, said Jonathan Alward, Prairies director for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. But more than that, it also allows them to anticipate hiring and anything else they need to be prepared for during the summer. The average Manitoba business is currently $180,000 in debt, according to the CFIB. Theres a lot that goes into paying back any of that money, said Alward. Businesses have been under the stress of closures or stringent capacity limits for more than a year now, so certainly anything to help them should be top of the list for the government. Barry Cooper, vice-president of the Brandon Chamber, agreed. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... At the end of the day, weve all consistently asked for something like this, he said. And if Manitoba has the opportunity to steal a good idea, I say, why not do it? [email protected] Twitter: @temurdur Read more about: | https://www.thestar.com/winnipeg/business/2021/05/05/wheres-manitobas-roadmap-to-recovery.html |
Should Packers file tampering charges against the 49ers and/or Broncos? | The Packers reportedly believe that the 49ers and Broncos may have tampered with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The Packers reportedly wont be doing anything about it. Maybe they should. Theres one important reason for considering filing tampering charges against the 49ers or the Broncos. Even if the teams have covered their tracks and/or even if the NFL wont look very hard for the evidence and/or even if the league finds evidence and wont do anything about it, filing tampering charges against the 49ers and/or the Broncos would potentially keep any future tampering from happening, if the Packers are intent on taking a play for us or play for no one position with Rodgers. The 49ers have been surprisingly candid about their effort to explore a Rodgers trade. G.M. John Lynch mentioned it during a press conference last week. Coach Kyle Shanahan acknowledged it during an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show. Even CEO Jed York alluded during an appearance on the NBC Sports Bay Area 49ers Talk podcast that Kyle had talked about trading for Aaron. Any public or private statement of interest, qualified or unqualified, in another clubs player to that players agent or representative, or to a member of the news media, is a violation of this Anti-Tampering Policy, says the relevant league document. If the league wanted to apply the policy literally and strictly (something it rarely if ever does), the NFL could find that the public comments already made amount to a violation. Heres the other reality for the Packers. Everybody tampers. So if the Packers officially accuse the 49ers and/or the Broncos of tampering, they open the door to be accused of tampering by other teams. Besides, if the Packers are going to dig in and not judge, it doesnt matter if every other team tampers with Rodgers. The damage to the relationship already has been done. Nothing any team says or does is going to make Rodgers more determined to leave. So its probably smart for the Packers to not push it. But an argument could be made for taking an aggressive position, if only to ensure that all other teams will back off while the drama plays out between the Packers and Rodgers, however it plays out. originally appeared on Pro Football Talk | https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-file-tampering-charges-against-001416155.html?src=rss |
Wheres Manitobas road map to recovery? | The province just west of Manitoba, with equivalent if not higher COVID-19 case counts per capita, has come up with a detailed reopening road map for businesses and residents. Saskatchewan is using a three-pronged approach that hinges on vaccination levels for different age groups, which would allow that province to lift public-health restrictions using a targeted timeline this summer. In interviews with the Free Press, business leaders and stakeholders across the province said thats something theyve been asking for months. But the Manitoba government has yet to deliver, they said. So far into this pandemic, no one has had any idea or opportunity to prepare for what comes next, said Chuck Davidson, president and chief executive officer of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, on Wednesday. Especially for businesses, weve found it to be an uncomfortable position of just being constantly frustrated. What Saskatchewan is doing is exactly what needs to be done now, because it shows everyone when there might be light at the end of this... Or, if anything, its a carrot dangled in front of people who are hesitant to get vaccines or waiting on it to say, look, these businesses will open if you go get your shot and help your neighbour get one. In a statement on Wednesday, the province was quickly defensive about its coronavirus road map. Any reopening plan consists of more than just an one-page infographic (sic), a Manitoba government spokeswoman said pointedly about Saskatchewan. In August of 2020, Manitoba launched the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System the first of its kind in Canada an online public health toolkit to provide detailed, timely and localized information about the current risk of COVID-19 and the specific measures being taken to reduce its spread and protect Manitobans. This system provides a guideline as to what can be open, and... In January 2021, Manitoba began its cautious and careful reopening process which was covered by your paper. The spokeswoman touted Manitobas most generous emergency support programs, which have yet to be extended or expanded, and said the Tories are in constant talks with the business community about creating an environment for a sustained reopening of our economy. She also lauded the $2 million in traditional and digital advertising, daily media bulletins, almost daily press conferences with elected officials and/or public health leaders, telephone town halls, stakeholder and industry roundtable discussions and multiple public surveys on EngageMB. However, leaders from that very business community said it couldnt be a better time to actually apply their suggestions to Manitobas pandemic protocols. The strength of the Saskatchewan approach is that it actually provides a path forward, said Loren Remillard, CEO and president of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce. It doesnt provide certainty, and we dont expect that of our government when things are constantly shifting. But its a solid document which gives people a sense of control that cannot be overstated when so much fatigue and mental health burnout is happening right now. And its powerful because it enables a framework for recovery, while giving rise to consumer confidence. Under Saskatchewans road map, three steps are dedicated to meeting the benchmark of 70 per cent people vaccinated for different age groups: people 40 and older (for Step 1, expected to be met by the last week of May); 30 and older (Step 2 by third week in June); and 18 and older (Step 3 by the second week of July). That approach would allow capacity limits for restaurants, bars, fitness centres, bingo halls, theatres, libraries and retail or personal services to gradually lift under each step. It would also slowly increase indoor and outdoor gathering sizes and change masking guidance. Its the biggest encouragement and peace of mind Manitoba could offer to businesses, said Jonathan Alward, Prairies director for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. But more than that, it also allows them to anticipate hiring and anything else they need to be prepared for during the summer. The average Manitoba business is currently $180,000 in debt, according to the CFIB. Theres a lot that goes into paying back any of that money, said Alward. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Businesses have been under the stress of closures or stringent capacity limits for more than a year now, so certainly anything to help them should be top of the list for the government. Barry Cooper, vice-president of the Brandon Chamber, agreed. At the end of the day, weve all consistently asked for something like this, he said. And if Manitoba has the opportunity to steal a good idea, I say, why not do it? Read more about: | https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2021/05/05/wheres-manitobas-road-map-to-recovery.html |
Why Is Ad Tech Targeting So Bad? | Previously we showed that ad tech targeting was bad. But skeptical marketers, who had already spent millions on the ad tech magic sauce, didnt want to believe it. So they asked why is it so bad or how can it be so bad? Well, let me explain. Ad tech targeting parameters are all inferred from the behavior of anonymous users. Most people visit web pages without being logged in. Users rarely give sites their personal information and have never given permission to the ad tech trackers loaded on the pages to harvest their data. So ad tech data brokers have to infer who they are and what they like based on what sites they visited and what web pages they looked at. In the simplest of cases, this might be good enough e.g. if a user visited Sports Illustrated, ESPN, NFL.com, etc. it is likely the user is male; if a user visited Victorias Secret, Sephora, Tampax, etc. it is likely the user is female. Whatever is inferred is a guess at best. And the accuracy of the data goes downhill from there. As documented by previous studies, with just 1 parameter gender the ad tech targeted audience segment was worse than the random control. Accuracy for gender was 42%, when the natural population is closer to 50%. So a spray and pray campaign with no targeting at all would have hit more of the correctly gender randomly than the targeted campaign. With just two targeting parameters gender + age the accuracy drops to 24%, on average. Marketers who paid for this ad tech snake oil will still insist it must be more accurate than this. OK, so lets look at it from a different angle lets ask users how many ads were relevant, out of the ones they were shown. Adalytics, an ad effectiveness research firm, collects ads with a browser extension installed by users. It then asks users whether they recall seeing an ad and whether the ad was relevant to them. In a previously published study, Adalytics found that less than 1 in 100 ads could be remotely considered relevant. While that initial data set was limited, ongoing examples repeatedly corroborate that users overwhelmingly dont think the ads they are shown are relevant to them. Now combine those observations with your own experiences. Others of you may have experienced the other extreme creepily targeted ads the ads that follow you around the web. Those are not due to targeting; those ads are retargeted which means the ad tech companies plant a cookie in your browser when you visit a site or look at a product. Then they repeatedly retarget you with ads from that site or ads with that product in it. Even that is irrelevant, creepy, and crappy because the ad tech companies didnt know you already bought the item; or you were looking for baby clothes for someone elses baby, not your own. That was 534 words to answer the question why ad tech targeting is so bad? No consumers think the ads are relevant; the only parties that do think targeting makes ads more relevant are the advertisers themselves and the ad tech companies that sold them the snake oil oops targeting data. Sorry. Even now, some marketers will still say it must be working because it appears to be working so well. What they mean is that performance seems so much better than before programmatic ad tech came along. Some marketers will remember the days of 0.1% click through rates on banner ads. Today they are seeing 5% - 13% click through rates all the time. Yay! Well, that is if you consider lots of bot clicks to be better for your digital marketing campaign outcomes. The programmatic campaigns appear to perform so well because bots are clicking on the ads to trick marketers into giving them more money. When marketers see programmatic media spend driving much higher engagement than buys from real publishers with real human audiences, they take money away from real publishers with real human audiences and give it to programmatic exchanges. Human marketers just did exactly what the bots wanted them to do - give them more money. More clicks does not mean ads were better targeted and more humans clicked on them. More clicks just means more clicks by bots. click through rates on display ads Augustine Fou In the chart above, you can see click through rates magically jumped by orders of magnitude from the 0.1% range to the 10% range in the years since programmatic took off (circa 2012-13). If you compare that to the chart below, you will see that humans and their usage of the internet, social, and mobile (yellow and green lines) have all but plateaued since 2012-13. But digital ad spend (blue line) continues to shoot upward. Right with bots. Right, with bots. Thats because fake and fraudulent sites can sell mass quantities of ads at low prices, because they dont actually produce any real content, like real publishers do. digital ad spend versus humans usage of internet, social, and mobile Augustine Fou Ad tech salesmen had the perfect storm indeed a trifecta of snake oiliness: large scale, high performance, and low prices with which to dupe marketers into forking over more and more their money. Despite all that targeting, few consumers think ads are targeted well; most joke about actually how bad it is. Marketers are starting to open their eyes to this fact especially like those marketers that turned off or paused their digital ad spending, and noticed no change in business outcomes. Read on, brave marketer. | https://www.forbes.com/sites/augustinefou/2021/05/05/why-is-ad-tech-targeting-so-bad/ |
Can COVID-19 vaccines affect my period? | It's not known, but researchers are starting to study the issue. Vaccines are designed to activate your immune system, and some experts have wondered if that could temporarily disrupt menstrual cycles. So far, reports of irregular bleeding have been anecdotal. And its hard to draw any links to the vaccines since changes could be the result of other factors including stress, diet and exercise habits. There's also a lack of data tracking changes to menstrual cycles after vaccines in general. If scientists do eventually find a link between the vaccine and short-term changes in bleeding, experts say that would be no reason to avoid getting vaccinated. The benefits of taking the vaccine certainly way outweigh putting up with one heavy period, if indeed theyre related, said Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, a gynecologist and a professor at the Yale University School of Medicine. Researchers recently launched a survey to begin gathering data. The findings wont determine whether theres a relationship between COVID-19 vaccines and menstrual changes, but could help form the basis for further research, said Katharine Lee, one of the researchers, who is based at Washington University in St. Louis. Dr. Jen Gunter, an obstetrician and gynecologist in the San Francisco Bay Area, said a link is possible, since the uterine lining, which is shed during menstruation, contains immune cells that help protect the uterus. Theres no evidence that any vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, affect fertility, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. ___ The AP is answering your questions about the coronavirus in this series. Submit them at: [email protected]. | https://www.sfgate.com/living/article/Can-COVID-19-vaccines-affect-my-period-16155588.php |
Why Isnt Anyone Seriously Challenging The Big Bang? | This image represents the evolution of the Universe, starting with the Big Bang. Despite how ... [+] counterintuitive the Big Bang picture is, and the number of scientific attempts to come up with viable, testable alternatives, the Big Bang remains the only modern theory in the context of General Relativity to explain our observations of the Universe. NASA / GSFC In the early half of the 20th century, even after the discovery of the expanding Universe, physicists considered a wide variety of origin stories for our Universe. In the mid-1960s, the cosmic microwave background widely interpreted as the leftover glow predicted by the Big Bang was discovered. While many considered that the decisive evidence in favor of the Big Bang, others dug in harder to non-standard positions. Alternative cosmologies didnt just persist, they grew in number and in detail. As recently as 20 years ago, the Big Bang was one of many ideas that scientists continued to entertain: quasi-steady state theory, plasma cosmology, and quantized redshifts remained mainstays in the scientific literature. But today, its largely crackpots and a few fringe contrarians who muster even the flimsiest of challenges to the consensus position: that the Universe began with a hot Big Bang. Lets dive in and find out. A visual history of the expanding Universe includes the hot, dense state known as the Big Bang and ... [+] the growth and formation of structure subsequently. The full suite of data, including the observations of the light elements and the cosmic microwave background, leaves only the Big Bang as a valid explanation for all we see. As the Universe expands, it also cools, enabling ions, neutral atoms, and eventually molecules, gas clouds, stars, and finally galaxies to form. NASA / CXC / M. WEISS If we want to examine any scientific theory, the first thing we need to do is understand what the theory assumes, what it predicts, and to compare those predictions with whats been measured. The big idea of the Big Bang came about as scientists began to investigate the mathematical properties of Einsteins General Relativity: the theory of gravity that was put forth in 1915 to supersede Newtons law of universal gravitation. Unlike Newtonian gravity, General Relativity: brought gravity into a framework that was consistent with the speed of light being the cosmic speed limit, was able to explain the orbit of Mercury and how its perihelion precessed over the centuries, and predicted novel effects like the bending of starlight, gravitational lensing, gravitational time delays, and gravitational redshifts and blueshift. By the end of 1919, it was clear that General Relativity succeeded where Newtonian gravity did not, and that its consequences of spacetime being a fabric whose curvature was determined by matter and energy could not be ignored. Thats the first assumption: that General Relativity is our theory of gravity. The results of the 1919 Eddington expedition showed, conclusively, that the General theory of ... [+] Relativity described the bending of starlight around massive objects, overthrowing the Newtonian picture. This was the first observational confirmation of Einstein's General Relativity, and appears to align with the 'bent-fabric-of-space' visualization. The Illustrated London News, 1919 From there, people started searching for, finding, and working out the consequences of various exact solutions in General Relativity. Unlike in Newtonian gravity, this is incredibly difficult. In Newtonian gravity, if you can describe the positions and masses of every object in your Universe at any one moment in time, you can know the effects of gravity everywhere and always. But in Einsteins General Relativity, only a few spacetimes are exactly solvable, and theyre all relatively simple cases. For instance: We can solve an empty Universe: thats Minkowski space. We can solve for a Universe with one uncharged, non-rotating mass: the Schwarzschild solution. We can write down the equations for a Universe containing one massive, rotating object: the Kerr solution. And we can solve the equations governing spacetime for a Universe thats uniformly filled with matter and radiation: we get the Friedmann equations. This last option, as was recognized almost immediately, could represent our Universe. If our Universe is homogeneous (the same in all location) and isotropic (the same in all directions), even on average, even only on the largest of cosmic scales, the Friedmann equations will tell us how the Universe evolves over time. The expected fates of the Universe (top three illustrations) all correspond to a Universe where the ... [+] matter and energy combined fight against the initial expansion rate. In our observed Universe, a cosmic acceleration is caused by some type of dark energy, which is hitherto unexplained. All of these Universes are governed by the Friedmann equations, which relate the expansion of the Universe to the various types of matter and energy present within it. There's an apparent fine-tuning issue here, but there may be an underlying physical cause. E. Siegel / Beyond the Galaxy Specifically, it must evolve and cannot be static: it has to either expand or contract. When galaxies were identified as being objects outside of the Milky Way, and then observed to have greater redshifts at greater distances, it was clear that the picture of an expanding Universe, consistent with the Friedmann equations (and hence, an isotropic, homogeneous Universe) remained valid. One but not the only interpretation of that involved a tremendous extrapolation: the Big Bang. What the Big Bang hypothesized was that the volume which the objects within our Universe occupied increased over time, and hence the Universe got less dense as time went on, as well as cooler, as light within it became shifted to longer wavelengths and lower temperatures. But in addition to extrapolating forwards, we could extrapolate backwards in time as well: to a hotter, denser state. In fact, there was no limit to this, in principle. We could go back to arbitrarily high temperatures and arbitrarily large densities, and if the Big Bang were correct, the act of expanding and cooling during the evolution of the cosmos would lead to three major predictions, in addition to the expanding Universe. Galaxies comparable to the present-day Milky Way are numerous, but younger galaxies that are Milky ... [+] Way-like are inherently smaller, bluer, more chaotic, and richer in gas in general than the galaxies we see today. For the first galaxies of all, this ought to be taken to the extreme, and remains valid as far back as we've ever seen. The exceptions, when we encounter them, are both puzzling and rare. NASA and ESA 1.) A cosmic web of growing, evolving structure. If we go back in time, we should find galaxies that are smaller, less massive, filled with younger stars, and are less evolved in their shape. Over time, they gravitationally grow and merge together, so galaxy clusters and a large cosmic web should be richer at late times (and close distances) and sparser at early times (and larger distances). And, going way back in time, we should see eras where there are no galaxy clusters, no galaxies, and eventually, not even any stars. The formation of structure is an enormous success for the Big Bang, with dark matter and dark energy being necessary but sufficient ingredients to get our observations to match the models predictions exquisitely. Galaxies grow, evolve, become richer in heavy elements, and cluster together in precisely the fashion that the Big Bang predicts. Even with the advent of modern deep galaxy surveys, the agreement is spectacular. According to the original observations of Penzias and Wilson, the galactic plane emitted some ... [+] astrophysical sources of radiation (center), but above and below, all that remained was a near-perfect, uniform background of radiation, consistent with the Big Bang and in defiance of the alternatives. NASA / WMAP SCIENCE TEAM 2.) A low-energy, omnidirectional, leftover glow of radiation. If the Universe were hotter, denser, and more uniform in the past, eventually youd reach a point where it was so hot and dense that even neutral atoms couldnt form. The instant an electron bound to an atomic nucleus, a sufficiently energetic photon would come along and reionize that atom, preventing neutral atoms from stably forming. Only when the Universe expanded and cooled sufficiently would these photons lose enough energy that the Universe could become neutral, releasing that radiation which would stretch its wavelength as the Universe expanded. This release typically occurs at a temperature of a few thousand Kelvin, meaning that the temperature of this background today should be only a few degrees above absolute zero. Moreover, this radiation should have the spectrum of a perfect blackbody, with only tiny imperfections at the ~0.01% level or less. This leftover glow originally called the primeval fireball and today known as the cosmic microwave background was discovered in the mid-1960s, and has been verified to be blackbody in spectrum and to have imperfections in it at the 1-part-in-30,000 level. In many ways, it is the most spectacular confirmation of a scientific theory in history. From beginning with just protons and neutrons, the Universe builds up helium-4 rapidly, with small ... [+] but calculable amounts of deuterium, helium-3, and lithium-7 left over as well. This nuclear fusion chain that occurs in the early stages of the Big Bang explains the overwhelming majority of the light elements, which exist even before any stars have formed. E. Siegel / Beyond The Galaxy 3.) A particular set of ratios for the light elements, even before any stars were ever formed. Even before neutral atoms could form, it was hot and dense enough that the Universe couldnt even form atomic nuclei. Only free protons and neutrons could exist, as the instant they fused together to create deuterium, another particle would come along and blast them apart. Only after sufficiently cooling could deuterium stably form, whereupon it would combine with other protons, neutrons, deuterons, and the elements that formed subsequently to produce whatever was possible. But because of how quickly the Universe expands and cools, these reactions can only take place briefly. After the dust settles, the Universe becomes about 75% hydrogen, 25% helium-4, 0.01% each helium-3 and deuterium, and about 0.0000001% lithium-7. The science of Big Bang Nucleosynthesis the process by which these elements are formed is now standard fare for graduate students, and has been observationally validated for galaxies, quasars, gas clouds, and from the cosmic microwave background as well. According to the tired light hypothesis, the number of photons-per-second we receive from each ... [+] object drops proportional to the square of its distance, while the number of objects we see increases as the square of the distance. This leads to a very different predicted set of deep galaxy counts compared to the Big Bang's view of the expanding Universe. The data favors the Big Bang and refutes the tired light hypothesis. Even factoring in galaxy evolution results in a changing surface brightness that's fainter at great distances, consistent with what we see. WIKIMEDIA COMMONS USER STIGMATELLA AURANTIACA The overwhelming agreement between the Big Bangs predictions and these observations including in greater and greater detail was what led to its widespread acceptance. Initial alternatives fell by the wayside as: non-relativistic ideas, like the Milne Universe, failed to account for the subsequently verified tests of General Relativity, like the Pound-Rebka experiments, the idea of tired light cosmology, where redshift was due to light losing energy as it traveled through space, was discredited by the observed sharpness of distant galaxies, and the idea of the early Steady State Theory, which predicted a low-energy, background glow of reflected starlight, failed to match the observed spectrum of the cosmic microwave background. Still, new challenges emerged. Some, like the quasi-steady state model, added proverbial epicycles to the earlier incarnations of contrarian ideas, seeking new physics or new phenomena to bring their theoretical predictions in line with the now-robust observations that contradicted the earlier predictions. Still others sought to pursue alternatives rooted in gravitational theories other than General Relativity; the ones that made testably different predictions from Einsteins theory have all been ruled out. But one type of alternative took longer to rule out: those rooted in observational skepticism. This histogram, from 2007, shows the number of discovered quasars (y-axis) as a function of redshift ... [+] (x-axis). Note that the redshifts of these objects form a continuous distribution, and that there is no evidence of quasar redshift quantization. This overwhelming data completely undermines one of the Big Bang's most serious challenges of the late 20th century. D. Schneider et al. (2007), arXiv:0704.0806 In particular, when very distant galaxies and quasars began to be discovered, they appeared to have an unusual property: their redshifts appeared to come in at specific values that were all multiples of one another. This suggested that redshifts might be quantized, and perhaps had a non-cosmological origin. Geoffrey Burbidge, William Tifft, and Halton Arp all explored alternative cosmologies that accounted for this, but large-area deep surveys have shown that galaxy and quasar redshifts arent quantized, after all. Although a few people still pursue these lines, the evidence is overwhelmingly against it. Additionally, laboratory experiments on plasmas showed that electromagnetic effects could easily dominate gravitational ones, and so plasma cosmology rebranded a few decades ago as the electric Universe was developed to further flesh out this idea. Unfortunately, its predictions were in absurd conflict with observations: the Universe was always expanding and never contracting (a necessary component for plasma oscillations), gravitation dominates the Universe and is required to explain the details of the cosmic web, and the spectacularly blackbody nature of the cosmic microwave background all combined to rule this alternative out. The Sun's actual light (yellow curve, left) versus a perfect blackbody (in grey), showing that the ... [+] Sun is more of a series of blackbodies due to the thickness of its photosphere; at right is the actual perfect blackbody of the CMB as measured by the COBE satellite. Note that the "error bars" on the right are an astounding 400 sigma. The agreement between theory and observation here is historic, and the peak of the observed spectrum determines the leftover temperature of the Cosmic Microwave Background: 2.73 K. Wikimedia Commons user Sch (L); COBE/FIRAS, NASA / JPL-Caltech (R) Today, the only serious challenges to the standard Big Bang picture come in the form of add-ons: Universes where exotic forms of matter or energy (including dark matter and dark energy) are present, Universes that depart significantly (but within the observational limits) from isotropy or homogeneity, Universes with a different theory of gravity than General Relativity (but that dont conflict with any of General Relativitys already-observed successes). All of the modern alternatives still possess a hot, dense, uniform, and rapidly expanding early state, which expands, cools, and gravitates to form the Universe we see today. Two major events: the collection of large suites of high-quality data, which validated the Big Bangs major predictions to incredibly high precision, and the fact that the main advocates of the alternatives once they no longer became defensible on their own merits got old and died. If any scientifically viable alternatives to the Big Bang ever arise, almost every modern cosmologist would thoroughly welcome it, and then immediately put it to the test. The problem is that every such alternative is already ruled out by the evidence in hand. Until an idea arises that meets those necessary criteria, the Big Bang will stand alone as the only idea compatible with the full suite of data we now possess. | https://www.forbes.com/sites/startswithabang/2021/05/06/why-isnt-anyone-seriously-challenging-the-big-bang/ |
How High Can Carmelo Anthony Climb Up NBA's All-Time Scoring List? | Carmelo Anthony recently moved up to 10th on the NBA's all-time scoring list. CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE FREE ALL SYRACUSE NEWSLETTER TO GET THE LATEST ORANGE UPDATES SENT TO YOUR INBOX! Anthony is 36 years old. That remains to be seen, but he is still a very effective offensive player. Anthony is currently 75 points behind ninth place (Moses Malone), 1,262 points behind eighth place (Shaquille O'Neal) and 4,085 points behind seventh place (Wilt Chamberlain). Let's take a look at a few different scenarios. RETIRES AT AGE 40 If Carmelo Anthony plays past his 40th birthday (2023-24 season) and then retires, he will play three more full season beyond this year. There are 82 games in a season, but let's take a conservative approach and say he averages 72 games played each year. Currently, Melo averages 13.7 points per game. Let's assume he keeps that up for the final six games of the regular season this year and that takes a slight dip to 12 points per game over the next three seasons. At 12 points per game in 72 games in each of three seasons, along with 13.7 points over the next six games this year, that is another 2,674 points. His total as of May 5, 2021 was 27,334. Add those two together and Melo would have a career total of 30,008 points. In that scenario, Melo would pass Moses Malone and Shaquille O'Neal to claim 8th place all time. SUBSCRIBE TO ALLSYRACUSE.COM NOW TO GET ACCESS TO EXCLUSIVE INSIDER CONTENT! SIX MORE SEASONS Few players play significantly beyond age 40, but some have. If Carmelo plays six more seasons, he would have to average at least 9.5 points per game while playing at least 72 games in order to pass Wilt for seventh place on the list. If Melo averages 10 points per game over those six seasons while averaging 72 games, or plays in 74 games each season while scoring 9.5 points per game, Anthony would pass Dirk Nowitzki for sixth place. Carmelo would need to average at least 11.3 points per game over six seasons and play at least 72 each year to pass Michael Jordan for 5th on the all-time scoring list. BECOMES OLDEST PLAYER TO PLAY IN A GAME IN NBA HISTORY Going much further than Jordan will be extremely difficult. The oldest player to play in an NBA game was just less than 46 years of age. That was Nat Hickey, who was 45 years and 363 days old in 1948. If Carmelo Anthony makes history and plays until he is 46 years old, that would mean he plays for another 10 season after this one through the 2030-31 campaign. In order to pass Kobe Bryant for 4th place, Anthony would need to average 8.7 points per game over those 10 seasons while playing at least 72 games per year. In order to pass Karl Malone, who is currently in 2nd place but would likely be 3rd at that time, Anthony would have to average 13.3 points per game while playing at least 72 games per season over 10 years. Note: LeBron James is currently 3rd all-time. He is so far ahead of Melo and averaging nearly double the points per game. Outside of James retiring in the next year or two and Anthony playing for a decade beyond that, Melo will not pass James. James could pass Malone for 2nd place next season. FINAL THOUGHTS As Carmelo Anthony continues to move up the scoring list, the most likely ceiling for him is eighth place with an outside shot at getting to sixth. It will depend on how many more seasons he wishes to play, which will likely be determined by how his body holds up over the next few years. | https://www.si.com/college/syracuse/basketball/carmelo-anthony-how-high-climb-nba-scoring-list |
What is behind the dispute over fishing rights around Jersey? | The immediate threat to which the prime minister was apparently responding when he dispatched the patrol vessels on Wednesday evening was a mooted blockade by French fishing boats of the port of St Helier, Jerseys main entry point for supplies. French fishers accuse the Jersey authorities of limiting access to the waters around the Channel island and being in breach of the post-Brexit arrangements agreed between the EU and the UK in its Christmas Eve trade and cooperation agreement. A flotilla of boats full of angry fishers did indeed gather at the port on Thursday morning under the watchful gaze of two Royal Navy River class patrol vessels. The bigger picture, however, is the rancour and tension between Britain and EU member states after a bruising few years since the June 2016 referendum result. When the UK left the EUs single market and customs union on 31 January 2020 the so-called transition period following the end of the countrys membership of the bloc it left the common fisheries policy that has peacefully divvied up the spoils of Europes waters since the 1970s. It also ended the Bay of Granville agreement, signed in 2000 by Britain and the Channel Islands government, which had established a pattern of rights for French boats up to three miles from the islands coasts. Within the Brexit trade and cooperation agreement struck last Christmas Eve there is a new EU-UK fisheries agreement that offers French fishers the continuation of the status quo in a zone between six and 12 miles from the UKs shores up to 2026, if they can prove that they had previously been operating in those waters. Jersey published on Friday a list of licences issued for 41 French boats of more than 12 metres that could prove they had met the requirement they had fished in the islands waters for at least 10 days over a period of 12 months within the past three years. The licences also show what species of fish they were fishing and the numbers of days spent at sea. An extended amnesty on providing such proof has been offered to smaller vessels. But there are 17 larger boats that have been unable to provide the evidence required and those who were granted access complain that additional conditions were set on securing the licences. Those extra conditions were that dredgers could only have 12 lines coming off them and that the vessels respected the closure of the bream nesting areas for a small period of time to allow scientific research to be undertaken. The French government said those conditions were null and void claiming they were were not arranged or discussed with them. The European Commission has also said that the conditions are in breach of the trade and cooperation agreement. The trade and cooperation agreement foresees that both the fisheries agreement maintaining the status quo in the Channel and the UKs retention of access to the EU single market in energy ends in 2026. On Tuesday, the French minister for maritime affairs, Annick Girardin, made the link between Jersey continuing to benefit from three sub-cables from France supplying the island with energy and the smooth running of the fishing deal. The agreement contains retaliatory measures, she had told the French national assembly. Well, we are ready to use these retaliatory measures; Europe, France has the means, it is written into the agreement. So as far as Jersey is concerned, I would remind you, for example of the transport of electricity by sub-marine cables. Whenever armed forces get involved in disputes of this sort there is a risk, however small, of mistakes and escalation. A dispute between the UK and Iceland over fishing waters nown as the cod wars led to violence on the high seas at various points from the 1950s to the 1970s, with ramming and net cutting abounding. In the early 1970s, the Icelandic prime minister at the time lafur Jhannesson even reportedly asked the US to send jets to bomb the British frigates. But the dispute seems eminently fixable. The Jersey authorities are looking for a compromise. | https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/may/06/what-jersey-fishing-rights-dispute-boris-johnson-patrol-boats |
Can COVID-19 vaccines affect periods? | It's not known, but researchers are starting to study the issue. Vaccines are designed to activate your immune system, and some experts have wondered if that could temporarily disrupt menstrual cycles. BREASTFEEDING MOMS WHO GET COVID-19 VACCINE PASS ANTIBODIES TO BABY, STUDY FINDS So far, reports of irregular bleeding have been anecdotal. And its hard to draw any links to the vaccines since changes could be the result of other factors including stress, diet and exercise habits. There's also a lack of data tracking changes to menstrual cycles after vaccines in general. If scientists do eventually find a link between the vaccine and short-term changes in bleeding, experts say that would be no reason to avoid getting vaccinated. "The benefits of taking the vaccine certainly way outweigh putting up with one heavy period, if indeed theyre related," said Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, a gynecologist and a professor at the Yale University School of Medicine. WOMAN GIVES BIRTH TO TWINS CONCEIVED 3 WEEKS APART Researchers recently launched a survey to begin gathering data. The findings wont determine whether theres a relationship between COVID-19 vaccines and menstrual changes, but could help form the basis for further research, said Katharine Lee, one of the researchers, who is based at Washington University in St. Louis. Dr. Jen Gunter, an obstetrician and gynecologist in the San Francisco Bay Area, said a link is possible, since the uterine lining, which is shed during menstruation, contains immune cells that help protect the uterus. CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE Theres no evidence that any vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, affect fertility, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. | https://www.foxnews.com/health/can-covid-19-vaccines-affect-periods |
Why Do Only Rich People Own The Places We Live, Work And Play? | CEO and Co-Founder at Rhove. Expanding access and opportunity for everyone to invest in and own real estate. getty As it stands, non-accredited investors (individuals who make less than $200,000 annually and have a net worth of less than $1 million) cannot invest in the real estate that defines our cities. While it is possible to invest in a real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns commercial multifamily investment properties, there is no easy way to build a community of investors around the aligned values of specific owners, developers and financiers. The time for change has come. This is more than an economic imperative; it's about citizenship and social responsibility. Our democracy is strongest when everyone has ownership. That's why I quit my job as a venture capitalist to dedicate my career to expanding access and opportunity for everyone to invest in and own real estate. We find ourselves in a new era of ownership managing financial portfolios and holding cryptocurrency from smartphone apps, buying art in the form of non-fungible tokens (NFTs), building community and moving markets with the click of a button but this generational shift has barely tapped the worlds most important and largest asset class: the $2.69 trillion global real estate market. While society is putting a premium on the act of possessing both physical and digital assets, the idea of owning even a single-family home has become a stretch for many. Young people have $0 in net real estate wealth and nearly 20% of millennials say they plan to rent forever. Fractional ownership could be a solution, but investing in multifamily real estate buildings with more than one residence continues to be the exclusive domain of millionaires and billionaires. The answer is simple. Until now, the barriers to entry were too high. Technology and a more favorable regulatory environment open a world of possibilities. These arent just possibilities. This is the reality we must create. Let The People Invest Young people are expected to earn much less than previous generations on a traditional portfolio of stocks and bonds, according to Credit Suisse (download). Millennials can expect average annual real returns of just 5% on investment portfolios and Gen Z is expected to only earn 2%. No wonder our generation is flocking to higher-growth, riskier investment opportunities such as crypto assets. Multifamily real estate can provide attractive returns that do not correlate highly with the stock market. This is great for rich people with access, but everyday investors are locked out of the private real estate market. The only thing worse than the financial inequity of locking Main Street out of real estate ownership is the social impact of keeping everyday people out of the wealth generated in our communities. There is no value in the community if we do not pay rent or patronize the businesses that set up shop. We should have the access and opportunity to participate in real estate value created in our communities. In this new era of democratized ownership, anyone should be able to invest in the specific places they love. Social + Real Estate Investing = Community Capitalism Real estate is the next frontier for people to invest dollars to both capture value and advance their values. Todays emphasis on ESG investing which considers matters of environmental, social and corporate governance is being driven by both institutional and retail investors who embrace more than just the sheer maximization of profits for shareholders. This sustainable investing approach became entrenched in public markets in 2019 with corporate leaders from the Business Roundtable looking beyond shareholder value by committing to delivering value to customers, employees, suppliers and communities. The purpose of a corporation, they said, should be about more than just maximizing profits for shareholders. The social-purpose approach has been a key factor in the growing YIMBY movement. This yes, in my backyard contingent supports multifamily development to strengthen communities, creating an environment of collaboration and shared success among developers, residents, neighbors and investors. But it doesnt go far enough. We need more housing in our communities, but we also need a way for everyone to own the housing in our communities. Tokenize The World, Democratize Real Estate Finance The world is changing and it is about time that multifamily real estate catches up. As technology democratizes finance and allows investors to hold fractional shares, there should be platforms for multifamily real estate that do for these investors what Robinhood did for stock traders or Coinbase did for Bitcoin enthusiasts. Commercial multifamily real estate could be the next great wealth-creation opportunity. However, everyday people are being shut out and 20% of all homes in the U.S. are being bought by investors. Weve seen what happens when ownership is a level removed. When Wall Street is the landlord, the value of an asset and the well-being of a community can become disconnected. Rich people shouldnt be the only ones to own our city blocks. It's not sustainable. When we solve this problem and make ownership accessible to everyone, the impact will be immeasurable. Say it with me: No wealth creation without representation. Its time we work together to democratize real estate finance. Forbes Real Estate Council is an invitation-only community for executives in the real estate industry. | https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesrealestatecouncil/2021/05/06/why-do-only-rich-people-own-the-places-we-live-work-and-play/ |
Would Gersson Rosas still make Wiggins (plus pick) for Russell swap? | Timberwolves fans spent the first 100 games of Gersson Rosas' tenure as team president being frustrated over the team's lack of wins. In the COVID-shortened 2019-20 season, the Wolves went 19-45; in the first half of this 72-game season they were 7-29. That's a 26-74 mark, an all-too-familiar plummet for a franchise that is perpetually rebuilding. But since the break coinciding in large part with the return to health of D'Angelo Russell in addition to Karl-Anthony Towns and ascending rookie Anthony Edwards the Wolves have been much better. And some fans different ones largely, and not as many of them are now frustrated by the winning because of what it means to this year's draft odds. Rosas, appearing on Thursday's Daily Delivery podcast, chuckled at that contrast. "I learned early on in life that you can't please everybody," he said. "Do the right things for the right reasons and let the results fall where they may." Still, the dichotomy leads to an interesting question largely because it all comes back to Russell in one way or another. It was Russell in whom Rosas placed tremendous faith last February, acquiring him in a trade with Golden State after a dogged pursuit that began in free agency during the summer of 2019. That Rosas managed to get Russell and shed Andrew Wiggins overpaid and underachieving, albeit pleasantly in the same deal was such a boon that we hardly had time to worry about the draft pick the Wolves had to include to complete the trade: a first round pick in 2021 that was protected only if it landed in the top 3, and unprotected in 2022 if it did not convey in 2021. But no matter: The Wolves would be much better in 2020-21, leaving no doubt that the pick owed the Warriors would maybe be in the 10-15 range valuable but not a ransom. And then ... COVID hit. Russell and Towns barely played together. The Wolves drafted Edwards No. 1 overall after winning last year's lottery and gave a 19-year-old with little ramp-up time heavy minutes. Moves to add veterans like Ricky Rubio and Ed Davis were early flops. And there was that 7-29 record weighing down the organization like an anchor, with this fret to add on to the on-court misery: If the Wolves finished with the league's worst record this season, which they were trending toward, there was only a 40% chance they would keep their draft pick. And there was a 60% chance they would owe it to the Warriors, where it would be either the No. 4 or No. 5 selection in a talent-rich top of the draft. The Wolves' improvement lately, fueled in part by Russell's return, has made it conceivable they will rise as "high" as the sixth-worst record in the league. That would diminish their chances of keeping the pick to 29.5% but also make it less likely to convey quite as high to the Warriors. As Minnesota seems intent on trying to win let the results fall where they may, as Rosas said, with any finish outside the bottom three reducing their odds of keeping the pick but faces a better chance than not that they will lose a high lottery pick no matter what, I had to ask Rosas this question: With the benefit of knowing how the 2020-21 season would play out, would he still have made the exact same trade of Wiggins and a No. 1 pick with the same protections for Russell. Now: Any decisionmaker worth his mettle is not going to admit his signature move was a mistake. But I did find Rosas to be honest and more steadfast than expected in his continued belief that it was worth it and he would do it all over again. "The reality is it's the cost of doing business. Anytime you want to acquire a player you have to give something of value," Rosas said. "And the reality is we worked through it last year. Our focus on changing a player we that had here for a player with higher-end talent at an incredible position of need is something we were incredibly focused on. "As of now, I think our resurgence has happened with D'Angelo's return, so that's paying dividends now. We put the protection in the pick that we felt like was critical to keeping the pick. At some point you're going to give the pick up whether it's this year or next year. We're firm believers. We did it for a purpose. We're seeing the return on that deal now." It's still hard for me to imagine the Wolves thought they would be this bad this season and at risk of giving up a top-five pick. But maybe the perception of what that would mean doesn't concern Rosas in the big picture as much as I think it would. The cost of offloading Wiggins who has been a slightly better version of his average self in Golden State, and who doesn't figure to be anything more than a high-priced fourth option on any good team was a draft pick. It might be better for the Wolves to have the best chance at keeping a top three pick this season and giving up the pick in 2022 when they might have a better record though next season carries the risk of that pick being unprotected but regardless Rosas is comfortable with any outcome. "The reality is moving forward draft-wise none of us control it. You don't try to manipulate the game," Rosas said. "I think that hurts the organization's character. It hurts players' motivation. Players are very sensitive and intelligent. If you're not trying to win in the NBA, players know that. And they lose credibility and trust in the organization, in leadership and in the mission of what you're trying to do. "We're going to give that pick up at some point, whether it's now or next year, whatever the case may be. It will happen and it will process and it will transition. We're a better team with D'Angelo Russell, and we're excited about the future because of what that means." Again, this comes back to Russell and what's at stake. The success of Rosas' tenure very much hinges on all the ramifications of the Russell trade. "D'Angelo is a bona fide closer in this league," Rosas said. "His ability to make (and) create shots for himself and teammates late in games is something we were desperately missing in the past. It's something you just can't replicate and you just can't reproduce in this league. Either you have that or you don't." And that last sentence can also be said in regards to the Wolves' 2021 first-round pick. | https://www.startribune.com/would-gersson-rosas-still-make-wiggins-plus-pick-for-russell-swap/600054134/ |
Is America the merciful nation immigrants want it to be? | Some of the worlds most vulnerable people arrive at the U.S.-Mexico border every day. Men and women fleeing violence in Central America, political strife in Haiti and Venezuela. Boys and girls sent alone by their families, in the hope that America will offer them better lives. They are beckoned by the image of the United States as a welcoming and merciful nation. But a disturbing increase in racist and xenophobic attacks targeting Americans with Asian and Pacific Island backgrounds makes it brutally obvious that my country doesnt always live up to its promise of acceptance. Advertisement Advertisement Sam Ramirez of Tijuana brings enriched soil from Mexico for this community garden plot in San Diego, where his mother lives. (Alejandro Tamayo / San Diego Union-Tribune) Many in San Diego who welcome President Bidens more sympathetic tone cautiously say yes. But as a Black descendant of enslaved Africans, I have reason to doubt. It takes effort to see the best in America when the border comes into view as I drive a dusty road that runs along the southern edge of San Diego. The most distinguishing feature is an imposing double layer of fencing, fortified with coils of razor wire, that climbs over hills, plunges down ravines and runs directly into the crashing waves of the Pacific. MY COUNTRY As a Black man in America, Ive always struggled to embrace a country that promotes the ideals of justice and equality but never fully owns up to its dark history of bigotry, inequality and injustice. Now, more than any time in recent history, the nation seems divided over this enduring contradiction as we confront the distance between aspiration and reality. Join me as I explore the things that bind us, make sense of the things that tear us apart and search for signs of healing. This is one in a series were calling My Country. When San Diego native Pedro Rios describes what this border represents for him, it dawns on me why I identify so strongly with the migrants gathered on the other side, even though my experience bears little outward resemblance to theirs. Advertisement The border fence and all the infrastructure around it, like the concertina wire and the Border Patrol agents these are all monuments to hatred, says Rios, a specialist on U.S.-Mexico border issues at the American Friends Service Committee. And in the case of the Trump presidency, we can say the border was a monument to white supremacy that intended to define who belongs and who doesnt, who merits entry into the United States and who doesnt. A double layer of fencing, built by the U.S., separates Mexicos Playas de Tijuana, at left, and Border Field State Park in San Diego County, right. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) It hurts to look out at this border and admit to myself that I, too, sometimes feel as if Im standing on the outside of the U.S. looking in an inconvenient guest in a nation created to advantage its white majority. Rios, 48, says the border has caused suffering in his own family. His paternal grandparents, who lived in Los Angeles, were both born in the United States. In the 1930s, they were among the hundreds of thousands of citizens and noncitizens of Mexican descent who were rounded up and forcibly removed from this country under the discriminatory Mexican Repatriation program. Rios recalls what his grandmother, who eventually resettled in San Diego, told him about the experience how her heart broke when the nation of her birth turned its back on her. The current increase in migrants at the border forces Americans to wrestle with the uncomfortable question of who stays and who goes once again. The crisis has led to wrenching scenes of a mass deportation farther east in Texas and images of migrants crowded into makeshift holding facilities. With arrivals by minors reaching all-time highs in California, temporary shelters have been set up in San Diego as well as in Long Beach and Pomona. Lori Riis rides Stitch at the horse ranch she and her husband run near the U.S.-Mexico border. A lifelong Republican, Riis voted for President Biden because she wants the U.S. to show more compassion for migrants, whom she says have never caused her problems. (Tyrone Beason / Los Angeles Times) Advertisement This is hardly the outcome Biden planned for when he set about reversing the racist immigration policies of a predecessor who falsely claimed that migrant caravans from Central America were intent on invading the U.S. But Lori Riis, who operates a horse training facility with her husband within sight of the border, sees in Bidens immigration stance the underlying decency that Im searching for and that she believes America still possesses. Its all geography, Riis says as she takes in Mexico in the distance. If Im blessed to be born on this side and someone else was born on the other side, I realize we cant take them all in, but theyre human beings. :: A Mexican police officer patrols Playas de Tijuana, where graffiti on the border fencing includes the words, We are all migrants. (Alejandro Tamayo / San Diego Union-Tribune) Its easy to feel lulled at first by the seemingly peaceful atmosphere of the border neighborhood that spreads out around Riis ranch along Hollister Street, about 20 minutes south of downtown San Diego. Birds chirp in the surrounding ranches and marshes. Horses carrying Mexican American cowboys known as charros clip-clop along a network of park trails. At a sprawling community garden, many plots have been decorated with lawn furniture and American flags. The tranquility is fleeting, though. Agents from U.S. Customs and Border Protection in white pickups, patrol wagons and four-wheelers pass by every couple of minutes. There goes another one, Riis says one afternoon while riding her horse Stitch in a dirt arena at the 20-acre Rancho Los Amigos. An agent in an off-road vehicle rumbles past her property. Advertisement Riis says she used to frequently spot families whod slipped across from Mexico wandering along the road before being apprehended by border agents, but the sightings slowed after Trump won the presidency in 2016 in part because of his vow to build the wall. The 60-year-old lifelong Republican was turned off by Trumps anti-immigrant rhetoric and voted for Biden last year. Were not bothered by the people crossing, Riis says. We never have to deal with any issues because of it. The beach and neighborhood of Playas de Tijuana in Mexico, with the border and San Diego in the distance. (Alejandro Tamayo / San Diego Union-Tribune) Hopefully were going to see more compassion toward migrants in the Biden era, she says. We should be the land of opportunity. As I continue my drive, I think of the migrants Ive seen in Mexico in years past: Men and women cried as they spoke of wanting to raise their children without the threat of gang violence. One woman had abandoned her hometown in Guatemala after being shot at by gunmen and receiving death threats for being transgender. Not only is it a physical journey; its an emotional journey, says Michael Hopkins, executive director of Jewish Family Service, one of the local nonprofits that help migrants whove crossed the border. Beginning to let your guard down, to believe in people again that does take time for many. Americas understaffed and overloaded refugee system presents its own problems even for migrants who legally enter the U.S., especially for those who lack lawyers or fluency in English. Advertisement Its setting people up to fail indeed it already has failed many asylum seekers, says immigration attorney Carmen Chavez, executive director of Casa Cornelia Law Center, a nonprofit agency that offers free legal services to asylum seekers. Dozens of asylum seekers set up tents at El Chaparral border crossing in Tijuana while waiting for their chance to enter the U.S. via San Ysidro. (Alejandro Tamayo / San Diego Union-Tribune) Biden recently ended the Trump-era Remain in Mexico program, which forced those seeking U.S. asylum to wait across the border or sneak in with the help of smugglers. The danger of crossing illegally was highlighted in March. Thirteen migrants died when the SUV they were crammed into collided with a semi truck two hours to the east in Imperial County after passing through a hole in the border fence. Tragedy struck again in early May when an overloaded boat crashed off San Diego in a suspected human smuggling attempt, killing at least three people and injuring dozens. These are very vulnerable people, Chavez says. It calls upon us as Americans to make sure this is a just process. :: On the day the Remain in Mexico policy ends, I exit a customs building onto a small plaza in downtown Tijuana, where Im greeted by confusion and fear. Hundreds of masked migrants from Central America and Haiti, some cradling babies, have gathered to see whether Bidens empathetic tone on immigration means theyll soon get to plead for asylum and live in the U.S. while their cases proceed. A Honduran boy holding a sign asking President Biden for help is one of hundreds of migrants camping by the main border crossing in Tijuana, hoping theyll get to wait in the U.S. while their cases proceed. (Tyrone Beason / Los Angeles Times) A Honduran boy holds a cardboard sign with a handwritten plea: You promised to help us, Mr. President, it reads in Spanish. Advertisement I dont have the heart to tell him the truth. Hondurans, Guatemalans, Salvadorans and Mexicans, despite filing the most asylum applications in recent years, have had the lowest success rates among all nationalities, according to a nonpartisan team of researchers based at Syracuse University that tracks immigration cases. A father and baby are among hundreds of Haitians waiting in Tijuana in hopes of applying for asylum across the border in the U.S. (Tyrone Beason / Los Angeles Times) Asylum is never guaranteed and the need for it is hard to prove, something Chavez says many Americans dont realize. A young man from Haiti, who gives just his first name as Vilmy, explains that hes been living in Tijuana for over a year while waiting for his turn to apply for asylum. Vilmy leans in close, then asks, Is there anything you can do to help us? His willingness to sacrifice so much his homeland, his roots, his language to start a new life in my country leaves me speechless. Asylum seekers line up for a meal in Tijuana as they wait to cross into California. An increase in migrants, including thousands of unaccompanied children, has overwhelmed the U.S. immigration system. (Alejandro Tamayo / San Diego Union-Tribune) As much as I might want to flee America when its bigotry feels like a curse, on this side of the border Im the one whos blessed as much an example of this countrys wide-open sense of possibility as any white American. Vilmy seems unaware that Americas immigration system historically has regarded Haitian refugees as undeserving of asylum. In the last year, border officials have turned away or deported hundreds of Haitians under the pretext of helping to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the U.S., despite knowing the refugees face danger from political turmoil back home in Haiti, according to an investigation by BuzzFeed News. Racism is real in America, and it always has been; xenophobia is real in America, and always has been. Vice President Kamala Harris Advertisement For its part, the Biden administration is slowly moving to reunite immigrant families separated under Trump. Vice President Kamala Harris has announced more than $300 million in aid to Central America to help stem the flow of migrants from that region. And after facing criticism over delays in lifting the Trump administrations historically low cap on refugee admissions, Biden has quadrupled the yearly limit to 62,500. Legal aid groups that have been given access to migrant facilities housing unaccompanied minors have reported disturbing conditions in recent months: Children confined to crowded tents are prevented from venturing outdoors for days at a time, or have to go days without showers. Many slept on gym mats with foil sheets. At one facility in Texas, lawyers found children as young as 1. Children join other asylum seekers waiting in line for food at the main border crossing in Tijuana. (Alejandro Tamayo / San Diego Union-Tribune) Americans are deeply conflicted over Bidens performance on immigration so far. An ABC News/Ipsos poll taken in late March found that 89% of Riis fellow Republicans and 54% of independents disapproved. Even some Democrats are unhappy. Only 64% of them approved of Bidens actions on immigration, a much smaller share than were pleased with his handling the COVID-19 vaccine rollout and the economic recovery. We were seduced into thinking that things were going to be radically different with Trump gone, says Brandi T. Summers, a progressive scholar at UC Berkeley who studies how land can be used as a tool of both racial exclusion and social change. Vice President Harris, during a visit to Atlanta with Biden after a gunman killed eight people, six of them of Asian descent, spoke of prejudice as embedded in Americas collective psyche. Racism is real in America, and it always has been; xenophobia is real in America, and always has been, Harris said. But Summers doesnt believe that a more tolerant administration can, on its own, redeem a society that since its inception has wavered in its promise to treat people with humanity. Advertisement :: The U.S. and Mexico feel like extensions of each other in San Diego. When the sun goes down over the warships and sailboats of Californias third-largest city, the lights twinkle on the hillsides of Tijuana. More than 90,000 Americans and Mexicans cross the busy portal at San Ysidro each day to go to school or work, to shop or to meet with friends and relatives. Our tas live on one side; our aunties live on the other side, says Nora Vargas, the first Latina and first immigrant to serve on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. Vargas, a 49-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen who was born in Tijuana, represents some of the neighborhoods that straddle the border. For fronterizas like her who carry in them the cultures of both countries, the border isnt necessarily something to dread. On Hollister Street, the bright blue sky over the community garden makes the banana trees and collard greens stand out in vibrant green. But immigration and the symbolism of the border are on some of the gardeners minds. Fay Benson, 65, says she immigrated from the Philippines to the U.S. as a little girl and understands how traumatic it can be to settle in a new country. She praises Americans as kindhearted but worries that its too dangerous to migrate to the border with children or to send them alone. Sam Ramirez relaxes in the shade of avocado trees he grew from saplings. The 34-year-old travels regularly into the U.S. to visit his mother in San Diego and work in the garden. His plot is an international affair, nourished with rich topsoil he cultivates across the border in Tijuana, where he lives. He kneels and scoops up some earth in his bare hands, then lets the soil of two nations fall through his fingers. Advertisement Ramirez sees selfishness and tribalism in the Trumpian view that migrants streaming toward the border represent a threat to Americas very survival. I feel like people are fearful of the other coming in, because we all want to have our own thing protected, he said. Like the nutrients in his garden, he says, immigration can help replenish a society rather than deplete it. Living close to the border brings with it a moral obligation to look after those who need housing, food and help acclimating to the new culture after they cross over, says the Rev. Bill Jenkins, who runs Christ Ministry Center, an ecumenical nonprofit in a former Methodist church near downtown San Diego. Over just a five-month period in 2016, the center temporarily housed about 5,000 Haitians migrants who crossed from Tijuana. We were literally a refugee camp right here in the heart of San Diego, and not many people knew about it, says Jenkins, 72. Whats sad, he says, is that a lot of those who made it across were eventually sent back. San Diego horse breeder Roberto Sanchez pets Red Lips, an Andalusian horse, at one of the many stables that dot the border area south of the city. A native of Michoacn state in Mexico whose family immigrated to the U.S. when he was a boy, Sanchez says riding near the border helps him relax and connect with his homelands ranching culture. (Tyrone Beason / Los Angeles Times) With political tensions in the U.S. running high and racially motivated hate crimes on the rise, he wouldnt allow reporters to visit any of the migrants living in his shelters for fear that publicity might make them targets. Advertisement As a white man who was profoundly shaken by the brutality of racism and Jim Crow segregation while growing up in Mississippi in the 1960s, Jenkins who with his wife adopted a 5-year-old boy from Haiti feels heartened by Bidens view that were in a battle for the nations soul. Its a battle for our soul in the political sense, and in the spiritual sense, Jenkins says. The country still has a long way to go before it can forge a singular identity that all Americans including myself and other people of color who know its worst impulses can embrace. And yet, even with all of this nations flaws, Chavez, the immigration attorney, sees hope in this time of darkness and despair. As San Diegos response to the surge at the border shows, she says, we are still a beacon of light. | https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2021-05-06/my-country-crisis-poses-dilemma-for-americans |
Can police be taught to stop their own violence? | Revisiting the video in any form remains upsetting. We will almost certainly see it again when Thao, Kueng, and Lane go on trial, scheduled to start August 23. The three former officers face charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. But one section of the video offers a near-textbook example of how tragedy might have been averted. THE KILLING OF George Floyd is a recurring national nightmare. It played out again during the trial of his murderer, former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin nine minutes and 29 seconds of Chauvin kneeling on Floyds neck, ignoring Floyds pleas and the shouts to stop from people nearby. What has been relatively less examined is the behavior of the other officers at the scene: Tou Thao, who stood facing the crowd, stopping people who were trying to help; J. Alexander Kueng, who held Floyds waist; and Thomas Lane, who held his legs. Advertisement Minutes into the arrest, Lane asked, Here, should we get his legs up, or is this good? Leave him, Chauvin said. A few moments later, as recorded on Lanes body camera, Lane asks another question about repositioning Floyds body, only to be rebuffed: Lane: Should we roll him on his side? Chauvin: No, hes staying put where we got him. Lane: OK. I just worry about excited delirium or whatever. Chauvin: Well thats why we got the ambulance coming. Lane: OK, I suppose. Lane was a rookie with four days on the job and Chauvin, with 19 years experience, was senior officer on the scene. Lane twice spoke up, if tentatively, to express concern about Floyds condition, comments Chauvin brushed away. Perhaps deferring to Chauvins rank and experience, Lane stopped questioning. Neither of the other officers apparently said or did anything to stop him. Moments later, George Floyd was dead. Advertisement Things could have gone differently, says Ervin Staub, a professor emeritus of psychology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and an expert on the science of intervention. Many factors figured into Floyds murder, including race and a lack of accountability for Chauvins past violence (18 formal complaints were filed against him in his 19-year career, although only one led to a reprimand). Staub believes a police training program he helped develop would have taught the other officers how to effectively intervene with a superior officer in a moment of crisis. Staub is the guiding mind behind a program making its way across the countrys police forces. Called ABLE for Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement its based on Staubs decades of research into how passive police bystanders become active intervenors to stop a situation from getting dangerous. The decision to intervene in such cases is not just a question of innate courage or moral impulse, Staub says. Instead, intervention is a teachable skill that helps overcome common inhibitors like rank or seniority that can hamper police officers from interceding with a fellow officer when they know they should. ABLE lowers barriers to action by explaining the psychology of intervention, teaching practical techniques, and setting up scenarios that the officers can rehearse just like we practice car stops or building entry, says Captain Phillip Terenzi, commander of the Training and Education Division of the Boston Police Department. Thats whats good about ABLE. The program is also designed to be ongoing, with reminders about it at roll calls and annual follow-up training modules, among other steps. In April, Terenzis division started training new Boston recruits in ABLE, and expects to offer it as in-service training for the departments more than 2,000 officers starting in July. Advertisement Training police to intercede with each other was a key component of police reform legislation Massachusetts passed in December. While just one piece of many that are needed for broad reform, ABLE is exactly the kind of program we hoped would come out of the duty to intervene language in the bill, says Democratic state Representative Russell Holmes, a Mattapan legislator who has pushed for police reform for years. State Representative Russell Holmes called for duty to intervene language to be part of the police reform bill passed by the Massachusetts Legislature in 2020. Harry Scales for The Boston Globe While the Minneapolis police already had a legal duty to intervene, officers there had not been properly trained. Advocates hope ABLE will address that gap. The New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Council adopted ABLE training last fall, in part because it reverses previous top-down approaches. As a young officer, I was taught that if you were told something, you did it, says Lieutenant Justin I. Paquette, a law enforcement training specialist at the academy. He says ABLE empowers the junior officers to take action. This is a pivotal moment in police reform, as viral videos have exposed a cascade of police violence toward people of color even after Floyds widely publicized death. Many of those cases could have been prevented if only one of the officers at the scene had intervened. Advertisement Even in the worst of times, there are some people who care. Ervin Staub ERVIN STAUB credits his life to the intervention of others. As a 6-year-old in Hungary in 1944, he was walking up a Budapest street with the familys maid and nanny, Maria Gogan, when Nazi tanks rolled into town. As the Nazis began rounding up Jewish people, Gogan, a gentle Christian woman who had lived with the Staubs since before Ervin was born, hid him and his sister with a Christian family, saying they were her cousins from the country. Gogan went on to repeatedly help shelter the family. Years later, a friend asked Staub what he had learned from the Holocaust. Even in the worst of times, he replied in a letter, there are some people who care. After the war, Staubs family opened a clothing business in Hungary. He left the country in the aftermath of the failed Hungarian Revolution of 1956, and eventually made his way to the United States. He earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota and did graduate work in psychology at Stanford University, where he met Perry London, a psychologist who did pioneering studies of people London called rescuers European Christians who helped Jews during the Holocaust. Having grown up with rescuers, Staub became curious about the forces that shape them. While an assistant professor at Harvard University and then a professor at UMass, he conducted dozens of experiments to understand what influences people to help. In one that took place near Porter Square, Staub instructed an assistant to collapse on a street, and then observed whether passersby would stop to help. Some rushed over, while others averted their eyes or crossed to the other side of the street. In another experiment, Staub found that when young children working on a drawing heard a crash and a moan in an adjacent room, they jumped up to help. But by sixth grade, that impulse had nearly vanished. Older children would explain they thought they should keep working, or werent sure if they had permission to leave. Advertisement To measure the influence of bystanders, Staub put one of his assistants in a room with someone else. They would hear a crash and sounds of distress from the next room. If the assistant said not to worry, only about 1 in 4 of the subjects went to help. If the assistant said That sounds bad but stayed seated, about two-thirds went to help. But when the assistant said, That sounds bad. Ill go find the experimenter. You go see what happened, and then left the room, every one of the subjects took action. This study would greatly influence Staubs later work with police. Staub studies what motivates people to take action during a crisis. zack wittman for the boston globe Staub also studied the Holocaust, the Cambodian genocide, and other mass killings. He saw how in a troubled society, people might commit small acts of aggression that could become a cascade of force if ignored. Thats what allows the violence to increase, says Staub, a trim man who at 82 still speaks with a mild Hungarian accent. The aggressors deny the target groups humanity an othering that insists victims deserve ill treatment. Yet in the face of such cruelty, a small number of rescuers may perform acts of courage, like Darnella Frazier, the 17-year-old who took video of Chauvins actions that day in Minneapolis. Such was the case when the residents of the rural French village of Le Chambon followed the example of their pastor and sheltered more than 3,000 Jews during World War II. Staub refers to such people as active bystanders, another concept he would bring to police training. Staubs introduction to working with police came in 1991, after Rodney King, a Black man, was beaten by four Los Angeles police officers while 17 other officers stood by and watched all of which was caught on video by a bystander and made public. A commission formed to investigate the incident called on Staub to speak about his research on the roles of bystanders. After hearing his testimony, state officials asked him to create a peer intervention training program for police, hoping to improve police-community relations. Staub spent months developing the course, and in July 1992 after massive riots in response to a jurys acquittal of the officers on assault charges presented it to a committee of civilians and police. He says it seemed to go well until he mentioned role-playing would be essential to the training. I dont do role-playing, Staub recalls a police captain saying, and the session went downhill from there. They never called Staub back. STAUB CONTINUED his human rights work, designing anti-bullying curricula for schools and working on reconciliation projects in several countries, most notably post-genocide Rwanda. He spent 17 years visiting the country for three weeks at a time along with his wife, Laurie Anne Pearlman, a psychologist who specializes in trauma treatment. He also wrote nine books on the psychology of good and evil. It wasnt until 2012 that he got another chance to work with police, when the federal government put the New Orleans Police Department under a consent decree, a legal agreement to make a series of reforms. Civil rights lawyer Mary Howell has spent decades litigating against the New Orleans police, which had been one of the nations most corrupt and violent departments. (She had asked Staub to provide expert testimony for a 1993 case involving the beating death of a suspect in police custody.) Shes worked on cases of police committing murder, terrorizing neighborhoods, and trafficking in drugs. And shes seen police protect each other with their code of silence. Ive also represented police whistle-blowers, says Howell, whose rapid-fire monologues and tireless pursuit of justice are the model for the Toni Bernette character on the HBO series Treme. Ive seen the pain thats inflicted on people who intervene. When the consent decree was put in place, Howell saw the chance for more effective reform than just suing the New Orleans police for brutality. She introduced the idea to Christy Lopez, one of the US Justice Department officials overseeing the process, and active bystander training was included in the agreement. Getting a requirement to train to intervene was a defining moment, Howell says. For the next two years, Staub consulted with Howell, Lopez, community leaders in New Orleans, and most importantly police officers and a new chief who took over in 2014 to develop a curriculum based on the one he created some 20 years earlier. One key difference: In addition to framing the program as a way to improve community relations, they made it about looking out for your partner protecting him or her from making a career-ending mistake. They also stressed that it could benefit the officers personally, since people caught in bad situations suffer psychologically, says Staub, with higher rates of substance addiction, family problems, and suicide. Finally, they made sure members of the department took the lead in developing the training, thus gaining buy-in. Mary Howell (left), with Fuki Madison in April 2012, after police officers who had killed Madison's son and other New Orleans residents were sentenced. AP/FIle The New Orleans program was called Ethical Policing Is Courageous, EPIC for short. It consisted of lectures, discussion groups, and role-playing. Starting in 2016, every member of the department trained with it, from new recruits to the chief. It didnt always go smoothly. Some officers refused to comply and had to be re-assigned or dismissed, according to Jonathan Aronie, a partner at the Washington, D.C., law firm Sheppard Mullin who was assigned by the Justice Department to oversee the agreement. But gradually the initiative took effect. Police shootings declined; for two years there were no police shootings at all. Taser discharges dropped by nearly two-thirds from 2014 to 2018, according to an Office of the Consent Decree monitoring report, and civilian complaints declined as well. Granted, multiple factors affected those outcomes, including other reforms enforced by the consent decree. But one measure of the programs effectiveness in local police culture is that EPIC became a verb, as in I EPICed my partner who was losing control. One officer spoke of EPICing herself after a driver insulted and spit at her. Some members of the New Orleans Police Department became evangelists for the program, giving lectures to other departments and urging them to adopt peer intervention. A few did, including in Ashland, North Carolina, and Charleston, South Carolina. Other departments developed their own programs. The police in Washington, D.C., for example, have a practice called tapping out, in which officers step in if they see their partner getting too agitated. But the killing of George Floyd galvanized longstanding reform efforts. So, over the course of last summer, members of the original EPIC team, including Staub, worked under the auspices of Georgetown Laws Innovative Policing Program to create Project ABLE. Meant for adoption by police nationwide, it includes more science, real-life stories, role-playing, and practical tactics. I think of it as EPIC 5.0, says Aronie, who is chair of the ABLE board of advisers. It builds on the foundation of EPIC but significantly improves upon it by incorporating many of the lessons we learned over the last five years. The goal of the training is not only to teach a technique, but to permeate a departments culture. The training had to work on cultural change, Staub wrote when he conceived of the program. It had to transform the meaning of good teamwork, so that an officer preventing or stopping a fellow officer from harming an innocent civilian is seen as [an example of] good teamwork and real loyalty. It starts with an eight-hour session for new recruits, followed by annual two-hour refresher courses, in-service training each year for veteran officers, plus a written commitment from the agencys leadership to fully support the program and whatever policy changes are necessary to maintain it. Our approach is to give officers the skills and tactics to make it easier to intervene. Jonathan Aronie, Project ABLE Recently, Aronie, who also leads ABLE trainings, described how it works. The sessions begin with three scenes based on real-life incidents in which police made damaging or dangerous decisions. In one, a suspect cuffed to a bench in a waiting area taunts a Latina desk officer with sexist and racist slurs until she cant take it anymore, strides over to him, and smashes his head against the wall. In another, a detective who had worked several shifts in a row thoughtlessly makes fat jokes in the presence of media, while standing over the corpse of an obese man. In the third, a rookie notices a sergeants haphazard search and handcuff of a man hes arrested, but feels too intimidated to speak up. The suspect, when seated in the back of the patrol car, frees his hands, takes out a gun the sergeant had missed, and murders the officer driving the car. These are horrible stories, but we dont let the recruits discuss them right away, Aronie says. We want them to be thinking about them during the day. Instructors then conduct a series of seminars, working their way from the theoretical to the practical. They start by describing famous psychological studies on obedience to authority, peer pressure, and leadership. Staubs studies of bystanders and the roots of goodness and evil are recapped. Then they discuss inhibitors those things that get in the way of taking action, such as fear of being disloyal, embarrassing a fellow officer, or jumping ones rank. The process of deciding to intervene takes barely a second in real life, but in the training its dissected in detail. Finally, the instructors discuss what to do if it becomes necessary to publicly contradict a superior. That process can start by raising a question (Lieutenant, are you sure this is normal procedure?); progress to issuing a challenge (Lieutenant, I can see hes not breathing. We need to let him up.); and escalate to shouting a command and physically intervening (Youre killing him! Im taking over! and pulling the officer off the suspect). Most interventions dont need to follow the entire sequence. A minor situation such as tempers rising over a traffic stop can be easily resolved. (Ill take it from here. Why dont you go and check on his warrants?) At the end of the day, its time for the trainees to give their opinions on how they would avert the situations they heard about that morning. Some of them are simple, some of them are brilliant, some are complicated, Aronie says. Most say that they could have prevented violence and saved their Latina colleague from disciplinary action by paying attention to the suspect instead of ignoring him, and moving him, or the officer, to another room. Some say they would have stopped the overtired detective as soon as he uttered the first remark about the victims weight. Early intervention is best, says Justin Paquette, the New Hampshire state police trainer. The longer you wait the harder it becomes to intervene. Correcting the sergeants improper search could be more complex, because it involves a rookie challenging a superior in public. Heres where a bit of tact can be helpful, says Phillip Terenzi, because it doesnt trigger the sergeants defenses, which are likely to be heightened in a tense situation. The rookie could have said, Hey Sarge, I need some practice in pat-downs and searches, can I take a try at that? " Or he could have reminded the sergeant that its policy to do an additional search before putting the suspect in the police car. Concern about the sergeants feelings might sound absurd in a life-or-death situation, but Terenzi says those are exactly the moments where a small bit of tact can defuse emotions. The point is, you dont have to make a big deal of it, he says. Aronie explains that in hierarchical cultures such as police departments, the inhibitors to contradicting a superior can be strong. For that reason role-playing in ABLE training includes pairing up rookies with senior officers so the veterans get used to accepting intervention. Other professions have confronted the same problem. Years ago, after a series of air crashes related to human error, the airline industry instituted a program to teach copilots to speak up and pilots to listen. The medical industry did the same with nurses and doctors in the operating room. We make this mistake of not understanding how powerful the inhibitors are, even among good people, Aronie says. We explain it away by telling ourselves that the cops who dont intervene are bad people. But plenty of times, theyre not. Of course not. Our approach is to give officers the skills and tactics to make it easier to intervene. SINCE THE NEW PROGRAM launched last fall, Aronie and his colleagues have trained about 475 instructors from more than 100 departments in 30 states lessons they hope will change the practices of more than 100,000 officers who serve some 50 million people. In Boston, Terenzi and nine other ABLE-trained instructors at the academy taught the program to Aprils class of nearly 100 recruits and it will soon be made part of required in-service training for veteran officers. Paquette has taught ABLE to between 150 and 200 recruits since the fall in New Hampshire. New York Citys police department recently started using the program, and New Jersey will require the training for its 33,000 state and local police officers. Captain Phillip Terenzi, head of Boston's police academy and training division, says a new duty to intervene training program will help improve policing. Harry Scales for The Boston Globe ABLE-type training is no cure-all. Systemic racism is rife in our justice system, including police departments. Some departments have an adversarial history with their communities, as seen in Ferguson, Missouri, and elsewhere. Police officers also face mission creep, as they are asked to respond to situations better suited to social workers or mental health professionals. A code of secrecy among police is another problem. Its true that theres a problem of protecting ones own, just as in the military and there was in the church, Staub says. Being an active bystander, he says, should include refusing to cover up any form of a colleagues misbehavior. The police reform bill that Governor Charlie Baker signed in December does not address qualified immunity, the legal doctrine that makes it almost impossible for citizens to sue public officials, including the police, for violating their rights. It does seek to address many other problems, including having a civilian review board with subpoena and enforcement powers, banning chokeholds as a form of restraint, requiring a duty to intervene, and putting strict limits on no-knock entry and other dangerous practices. A similar broad police reform law recently was passed in New Hampshire. Yet even in the best of circumstances, with 18,000 police forces in America, hundreds of thousands of police, and tens of millions of police-citizen interactions per year, its impossible to ensure all of those interactions go well. State Representative Holmes says ABLE training is only a beginning. You need training, you need oversight, and you need to demilitarize the police, he says. Still, he feels that many police officers have become much more socially conscious. They understand the system is broken and that they need to do something about it. Staub acknowledges that peer intervention cant address every problem that will arise between citizens and police. Yet he sees reason for hope. If this becomes part of the consciousness of the country, and certainly, therefore, the consciousness of the police, then things may begin to change, he says. Citizens benefit from better policing. Police officers benefit because they dont get into trouble. The police department benefits from positive relationships with the community, who are more willing to come forward as witnesses to crimes. As I see it, everybody wins. Douglas Starr is a Boston-area writer with a special interest in science and the justice system. His most recent book is The Killer of Little Shepherds: A True Crime Story and the Birth of Forensic Science. Send comments to [email protected]. | https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/05/06/magazine/can-police-be-taught-stop-their-own-violence/ |
Is Former Gators DT T.J. Slaton the Answer For the Packers Up Front? | The Green Bay Packers' offseason has been one overshadowed by the controversy surrounding the face of their franchise in quarterback Aaron Rodgers. With reports surfacing about Rodgers' disdain for the front office due to a long-brewing fracture in communication between both parties Thursday afternoon, the Packers were forced to enter draft night with the concerns of mending a broken relationship floating around the back of their minds. Taking on the process with a level head, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst operated in a sustainable fashion. Electing to utilize the strategy of drafting strictly based on need, Green Bay did not bring in the flashy bunch many gravitate towards when recapping draft winners but undoubtedly got better in the process. While their best pick may have been wide receiver out of Clemson Amari Rodgers to provide an enticing complement to Davante Adams and Robert Tonyan in the passing game, Gutekunst targeted four linemen (three offensive, one defensive), proving he is adamant about strengthening the trenches on each side of the ball. As the lone defensive big man selected by Green Bay, former Florida Gators defensive tackle Tedarrell "T.J." Slaton travels to Lambeau to provide a monstrous presence to the middle of the Packers front four. Green Bay suffered from brief incompetence against the run last season, culminating in a rushing explosion by Dalvin Cook and the division-rival Vikings in the unforeseen loss to Minnesota at home in week 8. Allowing a combined 226 yards and four touchdowns to Cook on that day, the Packers were in dire need of answers upfront. Patching the hole until the seasons close, the problems they faced early last season were still lying beneath the surface for them to address. Targeting a nose tackle prospect in the draft to provide the run-stopping ability, Green Bay looked to get a project piece that could be developed into a contributor in the limited defensive tackle class. By acquiring Slaton, who tallied 37 tackles, 3.5 TFL, and 1.5 sacks in his first year as a full-time starter for Florida, the Packers look to maximize his potential to stop the run. Despite the overall struggles seen by the Gators defense, Slaton assisted the unit against the run to be drastically better against the rush than against the pass. (71st ranked rushing defense compared to 100th against the pass). For example, Slaton recorded a team-leading five total tackles to help Florida bounce back from a 75-yard touchdown run by Zamir White just 12 seconds into the UF vs. UGA game this past season. Facing a historically talented Georgia Bulldogs rushing attack, Slaton would be vital for the Gators to hold the ground game to just 90 yards (165 yards total) and zero scores from that point forward. Slaton will be utilized as an interior lineman as he was at Florida, asked to eat up space in the middle of the Green Bay defense beside Kenny Clark as the Packers' nose tackle. Standing at 6-foot-4, 330-pounds, Slaton immediately became the heaviest player on the Green Bay roster upon his selection. As a result, the Packers front is now set to display an abundance of mass to opposing offenses, with Slaton playing at 1-tech and Clark playing at 3-tech at least in some packages. Dating back to pre-draft last offseason, Slaton has been considered an NFL-caliber defensive tackle. With a physical makeup that suggests Slaton is ready for the NFL game, continuing to grow from a technical standpoint will determine the volume in which he operates early on in his career. The downsides of Slaton's game are his relative inexperience as a starter, playing in 45 games but starting in just 14 (12 in 2020, two in 2018) through his career and his low stamina resulting in a significant dropoff in production with higher snap counts. Slaton weighed as much as 373 pounds during his UF career but after trimming down over the years, he was able to weigh-in at 330-pounds at Florida's pro day, something that could aid him from growing quickly fatigued at the next level. While there may be more the organization needs to figure out in the coming months from a personnel standpoint, Slaton's standing as a first and second down contributor with his size (ranked in the 92nd percentile in weight of defensive tackles) and all-around average-or-better athleticism brings high upside for his future as a run stuffer. Even if his playing time comes limitedly in year one, Slaton can be a crucial factor in providing relief for Clark in the middle upon his arrival and bring increased depth to the Packers' defensive front as a rookie. | https://www.si.com/college/florida/football/florida-gators-tedarrell-slaton-green-bay-packers-fit-nfl-draft-analysis |
Will Elise Stefanik replace Liz Cheney in GOP leadership role? | This is a rush transcript from "Special Report with Bret Baier," May 5, 2021. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated. LARA TRUMP, DONALD TRUMP'S DAUGHTER-IN-LAW: The reality is, he is going to have a platform that he will roll out in due time that is going to rival Facebook, that's going to rival Twitter. People want to hear from former President Trump. They want to hear what he has to say about a range of issues. They are thirsty to hear from him. Quite frankly, Twitter and Facebook have been pretty boring without him on there. (END VIDEO CLIP) BAIER: Former President Trump's daughter-in-law saying who cares, really, but Facebook making the decision, the suspension of the former president on his page will continue, and Facebook will have to make that decision within six months after that. Let's bring in our panel about the decision first, Harold Ford Jr., former Tennessee Congressman, CEO of Empowerment and Inclusion Capital, Mollie Hemingway, senior editor at "The Federalist," and Steve Hayes, editor of "The Dispatch." MOLLIE HEMINGWAY, SENIOR EDITOR, "THE FEDERALIST": Well, these big tech oligarchs have a tremendous amount of power. Amazon controls servers for governments throughout the world. Twitter and Facebook control the public conversation. Google controls what you're allowed to see and what you're not allowed to see. This is a tremendous amount of power and it's very bad that they're using it for nefarious ends. It's also true that is not what powerful regimes do. There are a lot of ties between Facebook and the Democratic Party. Obviously, these big tech oligarchs are very closely allied with the Democratic Party. I don't think they feel very strong if they feel the need to censor their political opponents and take such drastic action just to keep them from being able to express themselves. BAIER: Steve, it has opened the door to some congressional action, already called for hearings. And it's actually a bipartisan issue when it comes to big tech. STEVE HAYES, EDITOR, "THE DISPATCH": Yes, it really is, for totally different reasons. I think what Facebook tried to do with this oversight board was, in effect, outsource some of these difficult decisions. And what the oversight board said was no, no, this goes back to you, Facebook. But as we have seen from the reaction today, nobody is satisfied with this outcome. You have Democrats criticizing Facebook for a number of reasons, conservatives criticizing Facebook for others. I think the long-term effect of this is that Facebook is going to find itself in the crosshairs for quite a while to come. HAROLD FORD JR., FORMER TENNESSEE REPRESENTATIVE: It's interesting to me that the president, former President Trump has not challenged this in the courts. There is no doubt every morning when he was president the press, politicians, the American people, Twitter followers waited to hear the message of the day, and he dictated the political momentum, the political dynamic and momentum for the day. Him being off of it, I don't know if people miss it, how much they miss it. I think there are probably some supporters who want to hear more of it. But this will reignite around the accountability for these social media platforms. We have a lot to sort of play out, but there is no doubt the Facebook advisory committee kicked it back to Facebook, saying this is on you to make this decision. BAIER: Next big decision up on Capitol Hill, the conference chair vote next Wednesday about Liz Cheney. Take a listen. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) REP. KEVIN MCCARTHY, (R-CA), HOUSE MINORITY LEADER: I have heard from members concerned about her ability to carry out the job as conference chair, to carry out the message. We all need to be working as one if we're able to win the majority. REP. ANDY BIGGS, (R-AZ): When she is out there attacking him, she is attacking the leader of the Republican Party, and she is attacking those of us who supported President Trump, there will be enough votes to remove her next week. JOE BIDEN, (D) PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It seems as though the Republican Party is trying to identify what it stands for. And they are in the midst of significant sort of mini-revolution. (END VIDEO CLIP) BAIER: Tonight Liz Cheney is writing in a "Washington Post" op-ed "The Republican Party is at a turning point. Republicans must decide whether we are going to choose truth and fidelity to the Constitution. While embracing or ignoring Trump's statements might seem attractive to some for fundraising and political purposes, that approach will do profound long- term damage to our party and our country. We Republicans need to stand for genuinely conservative principles, stir away from the dangerous and anti-democratic Trump cult of personality. History is watching. Our children are watching. We must be brave enough to defend the basic principles that underpin and protect our freedom and our democratic process. I'm committed to doing that no matter what the short- term political consequences might be." HAYES: Yes, I think it's very clear that Liz Cheney is not going to go down without a fight. I expect that she will lose the vote next Wednesday. I think she expects that she will lose the vote next Wednesday. But I think what she wants to lay out is a different vision of the Republican Party, a different vision of the conservative movement's role in the Republican Party for the future from what Donald Trump has done. She believes that Donald Trump has led a grievance filled party, a backward looking party, an angry party, and she wants to lead a party that's committed to conservative principles, to limited government, to strong national defense, and the kind of things that Republicans used to agree on. I do think we'll find that more Republicans than will say so publicly agree with the things that she says in her op-ed. It will be interesting to see how many of them step up and actually say that. BAIER: Mollie, Elise Stefanik from New York is getting a lot of attention and endorsement from Steve Scalise and others. However, it's interesting, tracking Congress in the age of Trump, Cheney voted with Trump 92.9 percent of the time compared with Elise Stefanik at 77.7 percent as this vote happens next week. MOLLIE HEMINGWAY, SENIOR EDITOR, "THE FEDERALIST": Yes, a lot of people want to make this about Trump, and that's not really what this is about. The conference chair role is a leadership role. It is one where you need to be serving everybody in the caucus. Liz Cheney had recently survived a leadership vote, but there has been a lot of frustration about how she has undermined her caucus, her fellow caucus members. She supported primary opponents. She is not good at raising money for them. And she falls for every single media and Democrat narrative that comes along. Elise Stefanik has shown courage. She fought against the Russia collusion hoax. She fought against the first impeachment hoax. And she has got that strength that Liz Cheney -- Liz Cheney is very good about wanting wars in Afghanistan to last forever. But these aren't the ideas that work well in the Republican Party or in the public at large. BAIER: All right, Harold, I will get you next time. In fact, after the break. When we come back, tomorrow's headlines tonight with the panel. (COMMERCIAL BREAK) BAIER: Finally tonight, a lack at tomorrow's headlines tonight with the panel, but we ran out of time, so we are going to leave it to Harold. You have one headline for everybody. Here you go. FORD: Well, Liz Cheney being pushed out for two reasons -- she accepts Biden won, and she believes that January 6th shouldn't be whitewashed. So my headline is inspired by the late great, Lesley Gore who wrote, inspired, saying, it's his party, President Trump. And those who have been pushed out can cry if they want to. BAIER: All right, guys. Thanks for inviting us into your home tonight. That's it for the SPECIAL REPORT, fair, balanced, and unafraid. "FOX NEWS PRIMETIME" hosted by Pete Hegseth starts right now. Sorry, I took four seconds from you. Content and Programming Copyright 2021 Fox News Network, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Copyright 2021 VIQ Media Transcription, Inc. All materials herein are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of VIQ Media Transcription, Inc. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. | https://www.foxnews.com/transcript/will-elise-stefanik-replace-liz-cheney-in-gop-leadership-roll |
Does Sean Penns humanitarian work speak for itself? | There are two Sean Penns, and we each decide which ones real based on our own political leanings and overall cynicism. Theres the attention-hogging Penn, a self-important blowhard hypocrite leveraging his celebrity to affect the appearance of a selfless do-gooder while enjoying a life of fabulous luxury on his own time. And theres the activist Penn, a workhorse putting in the effort to separate himself from the A-listers merely posturing as Mother-Teresas-in-training, who talks a big game about changing the world but wont hesitate to put his money where his occasionally foot-shaped mouth is. In the new documentary Citizen Penn, director Don Hardy isnt particularly interested in promoting one image of the actor-director over the other. Hed rather let the footage of devastation and recuperation in Haiti do that for him. Though Penn may have provided the household name required to get a low-budget nonfiction project such as this one off the ground, the man himself isnt the subject as much as his deeds, and the legacy of public aid hes created. I dont want to put myself in a place of being a mouthpiece for Sean Penns PR, Hardy tells the Guardian over the phone. There are other people to do that. What I hope comes across in the film is honesty. He admits to some of the tough lessons hes learned through all this, as we take a little trip through Sean Penn history going back to the early 80s. But if viewers can walk away thinking, Eh, I still dont like the guy, but I am impressed by the work hes done, thats enough for me. Hardy has been navigating the line between a cordial and professional relationship to this polarizing figure for nearly two decades. The pair met through a mutual friend in 2005, and they quickly found common ground on matters of social justice; Hardy was working on Witch Hunt, a documentary focusing on wrongful convictions, and Penns drama Dead Man Walking addressed that same topic. He ended up stepping in to narrate and executive produce Witch Hunt, and, as Hardy puts it, This started my film career. The premiere a few years later brought him some momentum, and he approached Penn again in 2010 for another project, but the star had more urgent business to attend to. A cataclysmic earthquake had struck Haiti, claiming thousands of lives and leaving the survivors with a critically damaged infrastructure. Penn sprung into action, and Hardy was there to watch. I saw him hurriedly set up some way for a plane to get into Haiti with supplies, watched it right in front of me, he says. He was on the first plane he could get. I reached out to his assistant to ask if Sean needed someone there on site to film what was going on, and she said yes. A couple weeks later, myself and a few friends were there on the ground shooting footage that could go out to news organizations and show what was going on. Hardy tiptoed through a minefield strewn with potential conflicts of interest by concentrating on reportage over portraiture, privileging the how over the who. With a combination of his own footage and contributions shot by affable videographer Captain Barry along with the many volunteers who passed around the camera, we see a small outfit of thirty balloon to nearly sixty. They expand outward as their numbers rise, eventually commandeering the countrys lone golf course as a camp for around sixty thousand displaced persons. All the while, Penns buzzing about taking calls and meeting with local liaisons and being generally hands-on, from handing out food rations to accompanying an ailing man on a nightlong scramble for medical care that ends in tragedy. Though Penn ran the show with the Jenkins-Penn Haiti Relief Organization (now renamed Core), he recognized that his authority would have to have hard limits with Hardy. I kept documenting it over the years, occasionally approaching Sean and asking if we could make a movie about this, and he was always very reluctant, he says. Certainly didnt want it to be any kind of vanity piece. By 2018, I had another movie coming out and I thought Id have the capacity to raise money for this film, so I sat down with Sean and he agreed to let this out into the world. And he let me have full editorial control to make the movie as I wanted to make it. Hardy will concede that Penn made for an intimidating figure when they sat down together for the seven-hour interview that provides the film with its structural backbone. He must have smoked three packs of cigarettes, but he did allow himself to be a little more vulnerable than in his other interviews, where he tends to be more guarded, he recalls. From that long and candid sit-down, Hardy conjures a glimpse of the transformative effects service can have on a person, rather than any penetrating inquest into the enigma that is Sean Penn. While his personal life goes unremarked upon, we can see his longstanding critical attitude of the US military evolve into a newfound esteem as he observes their effectiveness as a humanitarian force. Say what you will about Sean Penn, but his numbers have a way of speaking for themselves. Photograph: Publicity image Seans organization was working so closely with the 82nd Airborne, Hardy explains. You can glimpse a little of the friendship that was formed between those groups, but it took some time. The military people were very suspicious of Seans motives when he got there. Staying, listening, finding a way to work together as Anderson Cooper says in the film, in those early days of Haiti, any help was good help. You saw a lot of alliances forming between unlikely partners. But even in the early 00s, most of the criticisms Sean had were aimed at the president and the administration that got us into the war, as opposed to the people who were fighting it themselves. When they had those meetings, I felt like there was a good sense of mutual respect between them. A willingness to let go of ones ego and learn emerges as the key to creating lasting progress in Haiti. Penn was all too aware of the white savior reputation that Hollywood types can attract when they go to countries in need, and pre-empted it by embracing collaboration and empowerment for the existing community. They didnt go in with an agenda of how they were going to provide water or tents, Hardy says. Bigger institutions go in with notions of whats worked elsewhere and how they can replicate that in Haiti, but Seans organization had a willingness to listen. All right, we can work together to find a way to provide that. They worked well with the Haitian people, who are now running things on the ground day-to-day. Penn doesnt seem preoccupied with coming off as the hero, reinforced in the scenes of his annual fundraising gala, in which he breaks his own cardinal rule to never bum the crowd out by adopting a tone between the hostile and the discomfiting. The film ends with the Covid-19 pandemic, the latest challenge Core is meeting head-on. When the crisis hit Los Angeles, Penn sprung into action and mobilized his resources to accelerate testing and ultimately vaccination. Their operations led to another one of the dustups that follow Penn everywhere he goes; a handful of anonymous volunteers complained of substandard working conditions, which Penn emphatically refuted in a 2,200-word email leaked to the press. I havent had the opportunity to talk to Sean about it, Hardy says, but its the same-old-same-old for a personality with headlines always at his heels. The film anticipates this latest dustup, and allows his coarser side to coexist with his commitment to giving. Say what you will about Sean Penn really, the documentary invites us, go right ahead but his numbers have a way of speaking for themselves. | https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/may/06/sean-penn-citizen-penn-haiti-humanitarian-hero |
What's the difference between a Crockpot and a slow cooker? | On my 27th birthday, my Mom gave me a gift I hadn't even asked for: My first slow cooker. I wasn't too thrilled at first (I was hoping for cash! ), but within weeks I realized that it was probably one of the best gifts I had ever gotten. Not only did it make my meals a whole lot tastier, it also made my Sunday evening meal prepping way more convenient (yes, despite the name slow cooker it even saved me time). Here's the thing, though: Every time that I'd be sitting at home Googling slow cooker recipes, this one simple word would keep popping up in every recipe that I found: Crockpot. Let's dive right in. After a little more research it becomes pretty clear: A Crockpot is a type of slow cooker but not every slow cooker is a Crockpot. Crock Pot Slow Cooker|8 Quart Programmable Slow Cooker with Digital Countdown Timer, Black Stainless Steel - SCCPVFC800-DS - amazon.com 59.99 Shop Now Crockpot is, in fact, the name of a brand that debuted the first slow cooker variation (a bean cooker marketed toward working mothers) over 40 years ago. Today, the Crockpot is a brand of slow cookers (and pressure cookers), and while there are other slow cooker brands (for example KitchenAid and Black+Decker), Crockpot is arguably the most popular one, especially considering the name is even being used interchangeably with the term slow cooker, even though they're not the exact same thing. You could compare that to brands like Kleenex and Band-Aid, that have become originators in their niche in the past (Who even uses the term facial tissue?!) only to go through a process called genericization when they got too popular. But thats neither here nor there. Now that we know that every Crockpot is a slow cooker but not every slow cooker is a Crockpot, let's have a look at the technical differences. The most basic Crockpots offer three settings: On/Off, low slow cook, and high slow cook, which is comparable to many other slow cooker brands. Models have advanced over the years though, and now come with digital timers, a keep-warm setting, and other special options like this Crockpot that you can conveniently control with an app on your phone. Instant Pot DUO60 6 Qt 7-in-1 Multi-Use - amazon.com 89.00 Shop Now When we look at the material, it's evident that slow cookers and Crockpots consist of the same three components: Glass lid, pot, and heating element. However, Crockpots generally have ceramic or porcelain pots, while most slow cookers have a metal pot. As with a lot of cooking appliances, the biggest difference comes from the distribution of heat. The pot of the slow cooker usually sits on a base that houses the heating element on the bottom, while Crockpots have their pots inside of a container (or crock) and get heating from all sides. Therefore, slow cookers heat up slower than crockpots, with the heat level higher on the bottom of the pot. This results in food cooking slightly differently. Both slow cookers and Crockpots look quite similar with their pots, lids and heating elements and both use moist heat to cook food over an extended period of time. Obviously, both are great options to make your meals healthier, cheaper and more convenient. Since the heating element of most slow cookers sits on the bottom, some dishes might burn or stick to the bottom if not stirred. If you're planning to cook your meals mostly when you're not home or overnight, then sticking to a Crockpot might be a better choice, since the heat distribution is more even and there is no need to stir at all. Additionally, a Crockpot can cook bigger pieces of meat more evenly than a slow cooker and it makes them exceptionally tender. There are plenty of slow cooker brands and some specialize in cooking specific things like stews, soups or meat, so it's important to know what you want from your future slow cooker. The brand aside, you should also pay attention to styles and sizes of slow cookers. For example, a 1-to-3 quart slow cooker is ideal for singles and couples, while larger families should go for 6-to-7 quart products. Being the proud owner of both a Crockpot and another slow cooker brand, I'd say that the Crockpot is better for beginners and also a bit more convenient. I love the fact that I can 'set and forget' with the Crockpot and have a delicious meal ready for me when I get home from work. Also, if you're not vegetarian or vegan, a Crockpot might also be the better choice just because it makes the meat insanely tender and juicy. I'm personally not too much into soups and stews, so Crockpot is a better choice for me. Take this with a grain of salt though After all, I didn't even know what slow cookers and Crockpots were until I was 27. | https://www.sfgate.com/shopping/article/Difference-between-Crockpot-and-slow-cooker-16154433.php |
What does Liz Cheney do next? | (CNN) Liz Cheney seems utterly resigned to the fact that, as soon as next week, she will be ousted by her colleagues as the third-ranking GOPer in House leadership. Unlike the previous (and failed) attempt to get rid of Cheney in early February, the Wyoming Republican appears to be putting up little resistance, not working the phones or cajoling colleagues in an attempt to save her skin. Its not clear (at all) whether Cheney could even save her leadership job theres ample reporting that suggests she has lost support since that February vote but it is notable that she isnt fighting to keep it. Luckily for us, we dont have to guess at the answers to those questions. Cheney wrote an op-ed in The Washington Post on Wednesday night that, read carefully, makes clear why she is doing what she is doing and where she is heading. Lets start with the why. The Republican Party is at a turning point, and Republicans must decide whether we are going to choose truth and fidelity to the Constitution, wrote Cheney. For her, this isnt about political calculation or some internal party fight about how strongly they should come out against President Joe Bidens infrastructure plan. This is far more fundamental, going beyond party to the founding principles of the country. As Cheney noted: I am a conservative Republican, and the most conservative of conservative values is reverence for the rule of law. Each of us swears an oath before God to uphold our Constitution. The electoral college has spoken. More than 60 state and federal courts, including multiple Trump-appointed judges, have rejected the former presidents arguments, and refused to overturn election results. That is the rule of law; that is our constitutional system for resolving claims of election fraud. Now for the whats next. While Cheney may not have political calculus front and center in her decision-making process about her views on former President Donald Trump, the January 6 insurrection and the effort to remove her from office, its impossible to consider her decisions outside of the context of politics. Cheney understands that there is simply no road forward for her in the current iteration of the Republican Party in Washington. Thats been made plain not only by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Minority Whip Steve Scalises willingness to turn on her to pay homage to Trump but also by the person New York Rep. Elise Stefanik being touted to replace her. Stefanik, a one-time moderate, has become a national figure thanks to her aggressive defense of the former president during both of his impeachment trials. And for her willingness to not just support but vote for Trumps Big Lie about the election being stolen in 2020. Rather than charge at the windmill that is Trumps total dominance of the current GOP, Cheney is hopping off her horse voluntarily. Which is a short-term loss (obviously you have more clout as a member of party leadership than you would as a rank-and-file member). What Cheney is banking on is that at some point in the not-too-distant future, Republicans writ large will wake up from this Trump fever dream. And that she will be able to say not just I told you so but also note that she was willing to give up a career (or, at a minimum, her powerful role as a leader of the party) because she believed so strongly in the need for Republicans to get away from Trump. If there is a turn from Trump color me skeptical that such a turn is on the way anytime before 2022, or maybe more realistically 2024 then Cheney is now positioned to be the most prominent person who stood on conservative principle when everyone else was kowtowing to a cult of personality. History is watching. Our children are watching, wrote Cheney in the op-ed. We must be brave enough to defend the basic principles that underpin and protect our freedom and our democratic process. I am committed to doing that, no matter what the short-term political consequences might be. Which sounds like a line from a Cheney for President announcement speech coming to Iowa and New Hampshire in the not-too-distant future. | https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/06/politics/liz-cheney-elise-stefanik-kevin-mccarthy-donald-trump/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_allpolitics+%28RSS%3A+CNN+-+Politics%29 |
Will Javonte Williams Be Better than Travis Etienne? | North Carolinas Javonte Williams was not the first running back selected in the NFL Draft, but oddsmakers like his chances of being better than a first-round pick, at least for his rookie year. Oddsmakers at the site BetOnline released prop bet lines for players selected in last weeks NFL Draft, and Williams matches up well with another ACC product. Travis Etienne of Clemson was taken by the Jaguars with the 25th pick in the first round. He was the second running back selected, behind Alabamas Najee Harris. He went 10 picks before Williams, who was taken 35th overall, with the third pick of the second round by the Denver Broncos. Despite the one-round difference in draft pedigree, however, BetOnline has Williams as the favorite to rush for more yards than Etienne this season and to score more touchdowns. More Rushing Yards in the 2021 Regular Season Travis Etienne +110 (11/10) Javonte Williams -150 (2/3) More TDs in the 2021 Regular Season Travis Etienne EVEN (1/1) Javonte Williams -140 (5/7) Williams is also on the board in the betting on NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. At 25-to-1 odds on winning the award, hes even with Etienne and a better bet than first rounders Kadarius Toney and Rashod Bateman NFL Rookie Awards Odds 2021-22 Offensive Rookie of the Year Trevor Lawrence 7/2 Justin Fields 11/2 Trey Lance 13/2 Mac Jones 8/1 Ja'Marr Chase 9/1 Zach Wilson 10/1 DeVonta Smith 12/1 Kyle Pitts 12/1 Davis Mills 16/1 Jaylen Waddle 16/1 Najee Harris 16/1 Javonte Williams 25/1 Travis Etienne 25/1 Elijah Moore 40/1 Kadarius Toney 40/1 Kyle Trask 40/1 Rashod Bateman 40/1 Rondale Moore 40/1 Terrace Marshall Jr 40/1 Kellen Mond 50/1 Trey Sermon 50/1 | https://www.si.com/college/unc/football/will-javonte-williams-be-better-than-travis-etienne |
Are U.S. firms ready to do more than voice concerns on trans rights? | Article content * Major U.S. firms speak out on conservative trans bills * Statement seen reflecting bolder stand on rights issues We apologize, but this video has failed to load. tap here to see other videos from our team. Back to video * Some LGBT+ advocates want tougher corporate response By Matthew Lavietes NEW YORK, May 6 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) Leading U.S. companies have become more vocal in criticizing proposed laws restricting transgender rights and taking a stand on LGBT+ issues but have failed so far to take concrete action against states with such legislation, advocates said. Nearly 100 companies, including Facebook, Pfizer and Dell, said late last month they were deeply concerned about a slew of trans-related legislative proposals presented recently in conservative states, calling the bills discriminatory. Anne Lieberman, director of policy and programs at Athlete Ally, a U.S.-based nonprofit LGBT+ athletic advocacy group, said the joint statement underscored the broader willingness of American corporations to step into the political arena. Since George Floyds murder over the summer, that was really a moment where you saw businesses across the country really taking a strong stance in wading into political water in ways they havent done before, Lieberman said. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Republican lawmakers have introduced a record 175 bills in at least 32 states on trans issues so far this year, according to Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the countrys largest LGBT+ advocacy group. Most of the legislative proposals seek to stop trans girls and women from competing in school sports, and to restrict childrens access to gender transition-related medical care. Proponents of the measures say they want to protect young people from medical procedures they could later regret and have voiced concerns that trans athletes have a physical edge that disadvantages girls and women. It is not the first time big companies have taken a stand on LGBT+ rights issues. Last year, 36 firms signed a statement condemning a Tennessee law allowing adoption agencies to turn away LGBT+ couples on religious grounds. The sheer volume of businesses that engage is higher, said Jessica Shortall, director of corporate engagement at Freedom For All Americans, an LGBT+ advocacy group that coordinated the statement with HRC. And honestly, practically speaking, theres strength and safety in numbers, Shortall added. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content POLITICAL WATER The business communitys stance against conservative trans legislation came soon after leading companies spoke out against U.S. state voting curbs that activist groups say unfairly target Black and other racial minorities. Apple, Amazon.com and Starbucks were among more than 100 companies to sign a letter in April opposing any discriminatory legislation or measures that restrict or prevent any eligible voter from having an equal and fair opportunity to cast a ballot. Still, some trans rights advocates want business leaders to take a stronger line as some companies did in North Carolina after the state passed the so-called bathroom bill in 2016. The legislation banned trans citizens from using the public restrooms that correspond with their gender identity, prompting companies including PayPal, Adidas and Deutsche Bank to axe expansion plans in the state. In an open letter in April, the HRC advocacy group urged companies to refuse new business in states where trans athletes were barred from competing and pull their support from sporting events where trans athletes cannot compete. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Although we certainly appreciate those efforts, they are not enough, the letter said. More recently, Jennifer Pritzker the worlds first trans billionaire and a Republican has threatened to move her familys business out of Tennessee due to a range of restrictive trans-related bills, several of which have passed. Despite the dozens of proposals presented this year, so far only Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi and South Dakota have pushed through measures banning trans women and girls from playing in female sports. Idaho passed a similar law last year that has been blocked by federal court. Last month, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, a Democrat, and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, a Republican, vetoed bills in their states that aim to restrict trans athletes, with Kelly calling her states version of the bill regressive. Both chambers of Arkansass state legislature passed a measure that would have made the state the first in the country to criminally punish doctors for providing certain types of care to trans youth. Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, a Republican, vetoed the bill shortly afterwards, saying it would be vast government overreach, however his veto was overturned by the legislature. But despite the reprieve in some states, more such bills are bound to become law particularly if lawmakers do not fear repercussions for their local economies, Lieberman said. Money, not morals, shifts the conversation far too often, said Lieberman. (Reporting by Matthew Lavietes //news.trust.org) Share this article in your social network Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Shopping essentials Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. NP Posted Sign up to receive the daily top stories from the National Post, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. Email Address There was an error, please provide a valid email address. By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300 Thanks for signing up! A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it please check your junk folder. The next issue of NP Posted will soon be in your inbox. 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Which quarterbacks are available for the Packers? | The Green Bay Packers are in need of a quarterback, regardless of whether Aaron Rodgers returns or not, and the team is expecting to add one or two new quarterbacks at some point in the near future. Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Thursday that the Packers are already exploring the quarterback market, and veteran options are possible. Both a veteran insurance option and an undrafted free agent worthy of development are strong possibilities for the Packers. Heres a look at which quarterbacks are available to the Packers at this point: Undrafted free agent options Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports A few undrafted options available: Zac Thomas, Appalachian State Kevin Thomson, Washington Zach Smith, Tulsa Brady Davis, Illinois State D.J. Hammond, Air Force Noah Johnson, South Florida Nick Mullens Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports Mullens, an undrafted free agent from Southern Miss, has been in San Francisco with Kyle Shanahan since 2017. He's played in 19 games with 16 starts, including eight starts in 2020. An elbow injury ended his season last year. He's completed 64.5 percent of his passes with a passer rating of 87.2 during his career. Still only 26, Mullens might be the best option left in free agency. Matt Moore Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports Moore turns 37 in August, but he has a ton of experience as a backup, including the last two seasons in Kansas City behind Patrick Mahomes. He'd be an ideal veteran to help Jordan Love as he develops this offseason. Moore has played in 53 games and made 32 starts, including one against the Packers in 2019. Blake Bortles Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Fla., Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Bortles, the third overall pick in 2014, played for Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett in Jacksonville and had two stints with Sean McVay as a backup for the Los Angeles Rams. He's played a lot of football (73 career starts) and will have a foundational understanding of the offense. Story continues Brian Hoyer Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports Hoyer is 36 years old, but he's well-versed in a variety of offenses including Kyle Shanahan's and experienced as a starter, having made 39 starts over 12 seasons. He spent the 2020 season as a backup in New England. Hoyer could provide a valuable resource for Jordan Love during the offseason. Kurt Benkert Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports Benkert spent his first three seasons as a backup on the practice squad in Atlanta. An undrafted free agent from Virginia, Benkert has good size and an NFL-caliber arm. He's still only 25. Brett Hundley (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) The Packers took Hundley in the fifth round of the 2015 draft and developed him for three years behind Aaron Rodgers in Mike McCarthy's offense. He made nine starts in place of Rodgers in 2017. Probably doubtful. Hundley has been in Arizona as a backup the last two seasons. Matt Barkley Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports Barkley, now 30, has been in the NFL since the 2013 season. He's played for six different franchises but was most recently the backup to Josh Allen in Buffalo. His career passer rating is a devilish 66.6. Kyle Sloter Vikings quarterback Kyle Sloter makes an off-balance throw against the Bills. Another quarterback from Southern Miss. Sloter (6-5, 211)has bounced around over the last few years after sticking with the Minnesota Vikings as a backup in 2017 and 2018. He was released by the Las Vegas Raiders last month. Other veterans A few others available: Robert Griffin III Tyler Bray Kevin Hogan Jake Rudock Sean Mannion 1 1 | https://sports.yahoo.com/quarterbacks-available-packers-131946723.html?src=rss |
Why is Mumbai handling its second wave better than Delhi? | W HEN THE world sees images of Indias covid-19 crisis, it is through the eyes of the citizens of Delhi.That is not just because most foreign correspondents and photographers liveand are stuckthere. The capitals caseload has been among the highest and deadliest of any city in the country. On May 3rd alone, 448 deaths were reported and untold numbers died unrecorded. One in every four tests is coming back positive, typical of an outbreak that is out of control. On May 5th the Supreme Court, situated in Delhi, told the national government, which is there too, to look to Mumbai and take note of its successes in managing the supply of oxygen. But the city has a lot more to teach. Even proportional to its somewhat smaller, if denser, population, a fifth as many people are dying there each day as in the capital.The positivity rate of tests, at around 11%, is less than half of Delhis. There are thousands of vacant beds. Of the beseeching tweets and WhatsApp messages asking for beds or oxygen, few give an address in Mumbai. In interviews with the local media, the commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai ( MCGM ), an enthusiastic marathon-runner named Iqbal Singh Chahal, describes an immense, data-driven operation in which information and action-plans are managed and co-ordinated through a distributed network of 23 war rooms, or control centres, one for each of the citys administrative districts. An online dashboard, visible to the public, is constantly updated by each war room and every hospital, displaying the availability of beds and a trove of other data. About 40% of Mumbais present capacity is in jumbo field hospitals, built during the first wave and wisely kept in a state of readiness even as emergency operations in other cities were closing shop. Mr Chahals task-force is already at work drawing up plans to combat an inevitable third wave, which it expects will arrive in July. Seen from Delhi, such foresight sounds like science fiction. The answer comes down to administration, in three different ways. The first is the structure of government. Mumbai has a unitary municipal corporation, whereas Delhi is a morass of overlapping authorities. There is no equivalent of Mr Chahal in Delhi. Instead, executive functions are divided messily between the national government; the elected quasi-state government, currently run by Arvind Kejriwal, its chief minister; and five municipal corporations, including one controlled by the armed forces. The national parliament voted recently to grant veto power over Mr Kejriwals government to a lieutenant-governor appointed by Narendra Modi, the countrys prime minister. It is bad enough that Delhi has no dedicated government looking out for the city. Worse is that the overlap of interests means it also lacks what Yamini Aiyar of the Centre for Policy Research, a think-tank in the city, calls political maturity. Mr Kejriwals government is hamstrung at the best of times but, at times like this, the politicking between different levels of government is frantic. Party workers are hiring auto-rickshaws to deliver oxygen to hospitals and tweeting evidence of their heroics, since it is parties, not administrators, that are top of mind. By contrast, Daksha Shah, a senior health officer at the MCGM , explains that one of the biggest benefits of her citys unified chain of command is apparent in its system of triage. People who are afraid that they may not be able to get life-saving treatment are inclined to hoard it, like Westerners with loo roll last year. The MCGM s war rooms see test results before any of the citys patients do. That way their field agents can bring the news to the identified cases and escort them to and from hospital beds exactly when and where the best treatment can be provided, to maximise efficiency. Second, Mumbai may have had an advantage of administrative boundaries, too. Indias second wave started in the state of Maharashtra, of which the city is the capital. When cases began to rise in the central and eastern parts of the state, that caused warning lights to flash early for the local government. Likewise some of Delhis disadvantages may be because of its neighbours. The city spills over its borders to take in the most urbanised bits of two states with much worse health care. Neelkanth Mishra, a strategist for Credit Suisse, a bank, guesses that Delhi may be absorbing desperate cases from a wider area. Lastly, the fact that the national government has some role to play in directly running Delhi may have contributed, too. When it gets it right, the city benefits. But when it is sluggish and dithering, as in recent weeks, that affects the people of Delhi more directly than those of any other region. The result has been to make Indias capital, in normal times a synonym for the country, the face of its catastrophe. Dig deeper All our stories relating to the pandemic and the vaccines can be found on our coronavirus hub. You can also listen to The Jab, our podcast on the race between injections and infections, and find trackers showing the global roll-out of vaccines, excess deaths by country and the viruss spread across Europe and America. | https://www.economist.com/asia/2021/05/06/why-is-mumbai-handling-its-second-wave-better-than-delhi |
Can human creativity prevent mass unemployment? | I N THE REPAIR SHOP, a British television series, carpenters, textile workers and mechanics mend family heirlooms that viewers have brought to their workshop. The fascination comes from watching them apply their craft to restore these keepsakes and the emotional appeal from the tears that follow when the owner is presented with the beautifully rendered result. Perhaps the idea of craftsmanship is not simply nostalgic. In a new paper* in the Academy of Management Annals, five academics examine the idea of crafts as a way of remaking the organisation of work. They define craft as a humanist approach to work that prioritises human engagement over machine control. Crafts require distinct skills, an all-round approach to work that involves the whole product, rather than individual parts, and an attitude that necessitates devotion to the job and a focus on the communal interest. The concept of craft emphasises the human touch and individual judgment. Essentially, the crafts concept seems to run against the preponderant ethos of management studies which, as the academics note, have long prioritised efficiency and consistency. Frederick Winslow Taylor, a pioneer of management studies, operated with a stopwatch and perceived human workers as inefficient, and potentially disobedient, machines. Craft skills were portrayed as being primitive and traditionalist. The contrast between artisanship and efficiency first came to the fore in the 19th century when British manufacturers suddenly faced competition from across the Atlantic as firms developed the American system using standardised parts. Initially these techniques were applied to arms manufacture but the worldwide success of the Singer sewing machine showed the potential of a mass-produced device. This process created its own reaction, first in the form of the Arts and Crafts movement of the late 19th century, and then again in the small is beautiful movement of the 1970s. A third crafts movement is emerging as people become aware of the environmental impact of conventional industry. There are two potential markets for those who practise crafts. The first stems from the existence of consumers who are willing to pay a premium price for goods that are deemed to be of extra quality. This niche stretches all the way down from designer fashion through craft beers to bakeries offering artisan loaves.To the extent that automation takes over more sectors, this niche seems likely to become more lucrative; there is snob value in owning a good that is not mass produced. The second market lies in those consumers who wish to use their purchases to support local workers, or to reduce their environmental impact by taking goods to craftspeople to be mended, or recycled. For workers, the appeal of craftsmanship is that it allows them the autonomy to make creative choices, and thus makes a job far more satisfying. In that sense, it could offer hope for the overall labour market. Let the machines automate dull and repetitive tasks and let workers focus purely on their skills, judgment and imagination. As a current example, the academics cite the agile manifesto in the software sector, an industry at the heart of technological change. The pioneers behind the original agile manifesto promised to prioritise individuals and interactions over processes and tools. By bringing together experts from different teams, agile working is designed to improve creativity. But the broader question is whether crafts can create a lot more jobs than they do today. In a world where products and services often have to pass through regulatory hoops, large companies will usually have the advantage. History also suggests that the link between crafts and creativity is not automatic. Medieval craft guilds were monopolies which resisted new entrants. They were also highly hierarchical with young men required to spend long periods as apprentices and journeymen before they could set up on their own; by that time the innovative spirit may have been knocked out of them. Craft workers can thrive in the modern era, but only if they dont get too organised. | https://www.economist.com/business/2021/05/08/can-human-creativity-prevent-mass-unemployment |
Could sending criminals to prison be good for their kids? | I N A FORTHCOMING paper in the American Economic Review, one of the disciplines most prestigious journals, three economists conclude that [p]arental incarceration has beneficial effects on some important outcomes for children. Unsurprisingly the study has provoked outrage from keyboard warriors. Some are uncomfortable with the very notion that prison could have anything other than wholly malign effects. Others worry that the research, however well intentioned, gives politicians ammunition to double down on punitive penal policy. In reality, though the study has some uncomfortable findings, it should help governments devise better policy. The authors analyse 30 years worth of high-quality administrative data from the state of Ohio. They study children whose parents are defendants in a criminal case. Using a clever methodology, they in effect divide the children into two groups, which are identical except in one crucial respect: whether or not one of their parents was sent to prison. In some cases, parents who committed relatively minor crimes were on the wrong side of harsh judges, whereas others got off scot-free for the same offence. The paper reports a number of outcomes, not all of which are improved by a parental stay in prison. The estimates on academic performance and teen parenthood are imprecise, the authors say. But a parents incarceration lowers the chance of their child going to prison from 12.4% to 7.5%. It also appears to cause the children to go on to live in better-off neighbourhoods, which could be a sign that household earnings rise. Perhaps having a parent go to prison scares a child straight; or perhaps removing a bad influence from a family allows those left behind to thrive. Hardly. The papers findings suggest that the overall costs of the prison system, including the money spent on housing inmates, are likely to outweigh the benefits. The true messages of the paper are subtler. Any effort to reduce Americas sky-high incarceration rate, though noble, would need to reckon with the costs that it might impose on some children. It is a sorry state of affairs that American kids could stand to gain when their parents are locked up. The challenge for economists and politicians is to find policies to help them that are not as socially destructive. A version of this article was published online on May 5th 2021 | https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2021/05/06/could-sending-criminals-to-prison-be-good-for-their-kids |
Will the dollar stay dominant? | A MILE FROM the White House stands the Capital One Arena, a 20,000-seat stadium for basketball and ice-hockey games. The arena is in the Chinatown district of Washington, surrounded by Chinese restaurants and the Friendship Archway, built to celebrate the American and Chinese capitals becoming sister cities in 1984. One afternoon in March, this correspondent arrived at the arena and went to buy a Diet Coke from the Walgreens opposite. Once at the till she tapped on the azure blue Alipay app: up popped a QR code, scanned by the checkout worker to collect payment. The transaction took a second. Had it been possible to enter the stadium it would have been just as easy to use Alipay, the payment platform started by Alibaba, to buy tickets or snacks. Nor is the Walgreens in Chinatown unique in accepting the app. Around 7,000 of them across America take it, as do shopping centres like Pier 39, in San Francisco, and several Chinese restaurants in New York and Boston. These merchants want to make shopping easier for Chinese tourists, not to persuade Americans to use Alipay. The payment app is not easy for English-speakers (even in English mode most of the interface is in Chinese characters, so non-natives need screenshots reliant on Google translate). But its growing acceptance outside China, where Alipay and its rival WeChat Pay process 90% of mobile transactions, augurs a shift in financial power. The dollar is pervasive because everyone uses it as their unit of account. Oil is invoiced in dollars. Most global trade is paid for in dollars. Most cross-border financial contracts are in dollars. Global travellers keep $100 bills in their socks. Financial markets and trade have grown faster than the global economy for decades, making the dollar ever more dominant. This gives America a clout it exploits through its use of sanctions, as well as unrivalled insight into global finance. It is hard to see all this giving way to the yuan. But the way a transition could start, says Jean-Pierre Landau, formerly at the Banque de France, is with tourists. If you have hundreds of millions of tourists moving around South-East Asia, asking to use their Alipay and attracting more attention to the app then, perhaps, progressively, they might want to denominate transactions in yuan. First knick-knacks and museum tickets are sold in yuan. Then businesses start invoicing trade in the Chinese currency. Eventually they write financial contracts in it. Digital money could thus threaten dollar hegemony. But the motive of many places, including China, for issuing their own digital currencies are mainly defensive. China is resisting the disappearance of public money as cash falls out of use. It is also fighting the concentration of power in the hands of data-savvy tech firms. Perhaps digital money will be used to promote a currency, says Mr Landau, but it can also be a defence against competition from a digital dollar. A first reason to create a digital currency is to protect or safeguard our monetary sovereignty, said Mu Changchun, the Chinese central banks digital-currency boss, in March. He thinks most central banks are keen because they fear a digital dollar. Digital currency supplied by one central bank should not impede another central banks ability to carry out its mandate for monetary and financial stability, he said. Indeed, if internationalisation were their goal, it is difficult to see how Chinas tighter restrictions on Tencent and Ant would help to reach it. Since 2018 they have had to clear all mobile payments through a central clearing party, in effect overseen by regulators. The government has also demanded that they hand over data on their customers transactions and borrowing. You have to think twice before allowing a payments network with its headquarters in China, where privacy laws are different, comments Mr Landau. There are two possible rationales for the government to intervene in this way, says Markus Brunnermeier of Princeton. The first is that big tech firms should not monopolise the data, and one way to do that is to have them give it to the government...the second is surveillance by the government. Another is to maintain capital controls. A third of economists polled by Mr Brunnermeier think capital controls are an insuperable obstacle to internationalisation of the yuan. Yet it is clear that the Chinese authorities are desperate to keep them, even at the expense of the currencys international role. A bigger risk is what happens when other currencies go digital. Had Diem, the idea proposed by Facebook, been operating when Turkeys president sacked the head of its central bank in March, it would have been easy for millions of Turks to move their money into dollars or euros. It might also have been possible for businesses to start showing QR codes to accept dollars. | https://www.economist.com/special-report/2021/05/06/will-the-dollar-stay-dominant |
How far along is the US in reopening schools? | United States President Joe Biden has met his goal of having most elementary and middle schools open for full, in-person learning in his first 100 days, according to new survey data, but the share of students choosing to return has continued to lag far behind. The survey, conducted in March by the Education Department and released Thursday, found that 54% of public schools below high school were offering full-time classroom learning to any student who wanted it. It marks progress since January, when the figure was 46%. But even with that milestone achieved, most students continued to learn at least partly away from school. Almost 4 in 10 students continued to take all their classes remotely, the survey found, and another 2 in 10 were split between classroom and remote learning. The disparity reflects a trend that has alarmed education officials at all levels: Even when schools reopen, many families have opted to keep students at home for remote learning. It has been most pronounced among Black, Hispanic, and Asian American students, most of whom spent no time in a classroom in March, the survey found. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona applauded the nations progress but also drew attention to racial disparities, saying schools must do more to reach all students. While weve made important progress, I will not be satisfied until 100% of schools are safely open for full time in-person learning for all students, Mr. Cardona said in a statement. The department will continue to work with students, families, educators, states and districts, to ensure our education system serves all students, not just some. Among students of all races, there was a modest shift toward classroom learning in March, but gains were largest among whites. Just more than half of white students were learning entirely in-person, compared to about a third of Black and Hispanic students. Only 15% of Asian Americans were learning entirely in the classroom. Progress has been equally uneven based on geography, the survey found. Half of all students in the South and Midwest were learning entirely in-person in March, compared to less than 20% in the West and Northeast. Still, the Northeast saw the largest gains, with Connecticut doubling its share of fourth grade students learning fully in-person, from 17% to 35%. Wyoming had the largest share of fourth grade students attending full-time in the classroom, at 94%, while California had the lowest, with 5%. Schools in rural areas were the most likely to be opened, while schools in cities have been the slowest to reopen. Across the country, younger children they are less likely than adults to get seriously ill from COVID-19 have returned to the classroom at higher rates. As of March, more than 4 in 10 fourth grade students were back in the classroom full-time, the survey found, compared to a third of eighth graders. The latest survey reflects a period of growing momentum in the push to open schools. In March, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said students could sit 3 feet apart in classrooms as long as theyre wearing masks, down from a suggested 6 feet. Several states adopted the smaller recommendation, allowing more students to return to schools. At the same time, Mr. Biden was pushing states to make teachers and other school workers a priority in vaccine rollouts. Some governors went on to order some or all of their schools to reopen in March, including in Arizona and Oregon. Since then, schools have continued to reopen. States including Massachusetts and New Hampshire have ordered districts to invite students back to the classroom, and major districts elsewhere have started to reopen, including in San Francisco. The Biden administration started the survey this year to track the pandemics effect on schools and students. Its based on responses from 3,500 public schools that serve fourth graders and 3,500 schools that serve eighth graders. Several states have declined to participate, including Montana, West Virginia, and Utah. The survey does not include high schools, which pose additional challenges and have been the slowest schools to reopen. Mr. Biden has acknowledged that high schools will take longer to reopen because of the higher risk of contagion among older students. Schools have been a priority for Mr. Biden as he works to jump-start the economy and address learning setbacks among students. In March he signed a $1.9 trillion relief bill that included $123 billion to help schools reopen and recover from the pandemic. Last month he proposed a budget that would significantly expand education funding, with a proposal to double Title I funding for low-income schools. Mr. Biden in December pledged to reopen the majority of our schools in his first 100 days in office. In February he reframed the goal, promising to have most schools from kindergarten through eighth grade opened five days a week in that period. Mr. Cardona has rallied behind Mr. Bidens efforts, saying schools will need help addressing disparities that were worsened by the pandemic. On Thursday, he urged schools and education officials to maintain a high level of urgency even as more schools reopen. This success is the result of hard work and intentional collaboration between the administration, states, school districts, educators, and families across the country, he said. Nothing can replace in-person learning, and thousands of schools have made that a reality for millions of students. This story was reported by The Associated Press. | https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Education/2021/0506/How-far-along-is-the-US-in-reopening-schools?icid=rss |
What Questions Should We Be Asking About Cell-Based Meats? | Cell-based meat. getty Cell-based meat, also known as cultivated meat, cellular agriculture or lab-grown meat, is one of the biggest recent trends in food technology. By cultivating such proteins in-vitro in large fermentation vats similar to those used to brew beer, researchers, marketers and investors hope to attract a broad base of customers. The hope is that many people want to enjoy meat without the cruelty and the destructive health, climate and environmental impacts of concentrated animal feedlots. Billions of dollars in speculative investment have flowed into this space, especially in the wake of Singapores approval of cell-based chicken analogues. Given this capital tsunami and the growing public relations push, the entry of such products into the global food system at scale seems likely. Lets start with a couple of examples from food history as context. Over a hundred years ago, Procter & Gamble introduced hydrogenated oils, or trans fats, into the food supply, an innovative trend that took off during the Great Depression and World War Two years when butter was scarce. With growing concerns connecting these oils to inflammation, heart disease and cholesterol, much of the food industry started moving away from trans fats for the last two decades (and unfortunately switched to palm oil, but that is another story). A few decades ago, the biotechnology sector introduced the world to genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Within a few years, farmers rapidly adopted the new crop technologies due to beneficial traits that controlled pests, suppressed weeds and increased yields. Today, nearly 90% of cash crops such as corn, soy, canola and cotton are genetically modified, and their ingredient derivatives are found in the majority of processed foods. But after decades of denial and obfuscation, the companies that make the chemical inputs necessary for cultivating GMO crops, particularly glyphosate which is the active ingredient in RoundUp, have been the subject of cancer lawsuits, health and environmental concerns and hefty settlements. Fermentation tanks, commonly used for beer or wine. The volumes of meat needed to turn a profit for investors will necessitate millions of pounds or gallons of nutrient mix annually. Feed conversions ratios for live chicken is 1.6:1, meaning 1.6 pounds of feed for 1lb of chicken. Likewise, for a beef cow, the feed ratio is 6:1, 6 pounds of grain to 1 pound of meat. And feed conversion for a healthy, young dairy cow is about 4:1. Industrial scale meat. 2017 Bloomberg Finance LP Or perhaps the technology should be put into the public sector, especially if research is underwritten by public funds (like previous large scale tech endeavors such as the internet, cellular networks, and LCD technology) in order to ensure that its commercialization does not add to the critical levels of inequality, food apartheid, inaccessibility and precarity so common in the food industry. A public sector solution could ensure that all such information can be in the public domain, open sourced and accessible, with patents waived. Considering the competition, this should not be a high bar to overcome. Lentils and beans: tasty, cheap, and excellent sources of protein. (AP Photo/Hermann J. Knippertz) ASSOCIATED PRESS These are some of the many questions we should be asking about this new food technology as it enters the market. Transparency and openness, a clear understanding and mitigation of production externalities, plus justice and equity in business models will be signs that cell-based meat companies are a new breed of food tech. Meanwhile, ethical, meat-averse consumers still have healthy, delicious and compelling alternatives to both cell-based and CAFO meat. But we can hope to cultivate trust and accountability. (Disclosure: The author is a Board Member of the Non-GMO Project, a non-profit organization that believes that everyone has a right to know what is in their food.) | https://www.forbes.com/sites/errolschweizer/2021/05/06/what-questions-should-we-be-asking-about-cell-based-meats/ |
Will there be any Muslims left among the Chinese Uyghurs? | Tursunjan Mamat, a practicing Muslim and ethnic Uyghur in western Chinas Xinjiang region, said hes fasting for Ramadan but his daughters, ages 8 and 10, are not. Religious activity including fasting is not permitted for minors, he explained. He wasnt complaining, at least not to a group of foreign journalists brought to his home outside the city of Aksu by government officials, who listened in on his responses. It seemed he was giving a matter-of-fact description of how religion is practiced under rules set by Chinas Communist Party. My children know who our holy creator is, but I dont give them detailed religious knowledge, he said, speaking through a translator. After they reach 18, they can receive religious education according to their own will. Under the weight of official policies, the future of Islam appears precarious in Xinjiang, a rugged realm of craggy snow-capped mountains and barren deserts bordering Central Asia. Outside observers say scores of mosques have been demolished, a charge Beijing denies, and locals say the number of worshippers is sinking. A decade ago, 4,000 to 5,000 people attended Friday prayers at the Id Kah Mosque in the historic Silk Road city of Kashgar. Now only 800 to 900 do, said the mosques imam, Mamat Juma. He attributed the drop to a natural shift in values, not government policy, saying the younger generation wants to spend more time working than praying. The Chinese government organized a five-day visit to Xinjiang in April for about a dozen foreign correspondents, part of an intense propaganda campaign to counter allegations of abuse. Officials repeatedly urged journalists to recount what they saw, not what China calls the lies of critical Western politicians and media. Beijing says it protects freedom of religion, and citizens can practice their faith so long as they adhere to laws and regulations. In practice, any religious activity must be done in line with restrictions evident at almost every stop in Xinjiang from a primary school where the headmaster said fasting wasnt observed because of the separation of religion and education, to a cotton yarn factory where workers are banned from praying on site, even in their dormitory rooms. Within the factory grounds, its prohibited. But they can go home, or they can go to the mosque to pray, said Li Qiang, the general manager of Aksu Huafu Textiles Co. Dormitories are for the workers to rest. We want them to rest well so that they can maintain their health. By law, people in China are allowed to follow Islam, Buddhism, Taoism, Roman Catholicism, or non-denominational Protestantism. In practice, there are limits. Workers are free to fast, the factory manager said, but they are required to take care of their bodies. If children fast, its not good for their growth, said the Id Kah mosques imam. Researchers at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, a think tank, said in a report last year that mosques have been torn down or damaged in what they called the deliberate erasure of Uyghur and Islamic culture. They identified 170 destroyed mosques through satellite imagery, about 30% of a sample they examined. The Chinese government rejects ASPI research, which also has included reports on Beijings efforts to influence politics in Australia and other Western democracies, as lies promoted by anti-China forces. The government denies destroying mosques and allegations of mass incarceration and forced labor that have strained Chinas relations with Western governments. They say they have spent heavily on upgrading mosques, outfitting them with fans, flush toilets, computers, and air conditioners. Uyghurs are Xinjiangs biggest ethnic minority, a predominantly Muslim group who are 10 million of the regions population of 25 million people. They have borne the brunt of a government crackdown that followed a series of riots, bombings, and knifings, although ethnic Kazakhs and others have been swept up as well. The authorities obstruct independent reporting in the region, though such measures have recently eased somewhat. AP journalists visiting Xinjiang on their own in recent years have been followed by undercover officers, stopped, interrogated, and forced to delete photos or videos. Id Kah Mosque, its pastel yellow facade overlooking a public square, is far from destroyed. Its imam toes the official line, and he spoke thankfully of the government largesse that has renovated the more than 500-year-old institution. There is no such thing as mosque demolition, Mr. Juma said, other than some rundown mosques taken down for safety renovations. Kashgar has been largely spared mosque destruction, the Australian institute report said. Mr. Juma added he was unaware of mosques being converted to other uses, although AP journalists saw one turned into a cafe and others padlocked shut during visits in 2018. The tree-lined paths of the Id Kah Mosques grounds are tranquil, and its easy to miss the three surveillance cameras keeping watch over whoever comes in. The imams father and previous leader of the mosque was killed by extremists in 2014 for his pro-government stance. About 50 people prayed before nightfall on a recent Monday evening, mostly elderly men. A Uyghur imam who fled China in 2012 called such scenes a staged show for visitors. They have a routine of making such a scene every time they need it, said Ali Akbar Dumallah in a video interview from Turkey. People know exactly what to do, how to lie, its not something new for them. Staged or not, it appears Islam is on the decline. The ban on religious education for minors means that the young arent gaining the knowledge they should, Mr. Dumallah said. The next generation will accept the Chinese mindset, he said. Theyll still be called Uyghurs, but their mindset and values will be gone. Officials say those who want to study Islam can do so after the age of 18 at a state-sponsored Islamic studies institute. At a newly-built campus on the outskirts of Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, hundreds train to become imams according to a government-authored curriculum, studying a textbook with sections like Patriotism is a part of faith and be a Muslim who loves the motherland, abide by the national constitution, laws and regulations. Continue the sinicization of Islam in our country, the foreword reads. Guide Islam to adapt to a socialist society. Though Islam lives on, the sinicization campaign has palpably reduced the role of religion in daily life. Near Urumqis grand bazaar, several dozen elderly men trickled out of a mosque during an unannounced visit by an AP journalist. Prayers continue as usual, the imam said, though attendance has fallen considerably. A jumbo screen showing state media coverage of top Chinese leaders hung above the entrance. Down the street, the exterior at the Great White Mosque had been shorn of the Muslim profession of faith. On a Wednesday evening at prayer time, the halls were nearly empty, and worshippers had to go through x-rays, metal detectors, and face-scanning cameras to enter. Freedom of religion in China is defined as the freedom to believe or not believe. It was a mantra repeated by many who spoke to the foreign journalists: Its not just that people have the right to fast or pray, they also have the right not to fast or pray. I really worry that the number of believers will decrease, but that shouldnt be a reason to force them to pray here, Mr. Juma said. Get the Monitor Stories you care about delivered to your inbox. Your email address By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy His mosque, which flies a Chinese national flag above its entrance, has been refurbished, but fewer and fewer people come. This story was reported by The Associated Press. Associated Press video journalist Sam McNeil in Beijing contributed. | https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2021/0506/Will-there-be-any-Muslims-left-among-the-Chinese-Uyghurs |
Why can't Sen. Kyrsten Sinema be more like Rep. Ruben Gallego? | Im all for civility, except sometimes. Like when an ignorant kook says something truly insulting or outrageous. For example, when Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green, the conspiracy spouting Trump sycophant who was stripped of House committee assignments over dangerously inflammatory comments, like endorsing the assassination of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, recently said that Democrats are the enemy within. That was not a nice thing to say. Especially to a Democrat. 'Shut your ... mouth,' Gallego tweeted Arizona Rep. Ruben Gallego is a Democrat. During his time in Congress, Gallego been very vocal in defense of his beliefs, like when the Marine combat veteran said that veterans linked to the Capitol riot should lose their benefits. So, in response to Taylor Greenes comment he tweeted: I was trying to figure what type of pen to stab your friends with if they overran us on the floor of the House of Representatives while trying to conduct a democratic transition of power. So please shut your seditious, Qanon loving mouth when it comes to who loves America. Democrats in Arizona find themselves wishing that Sen. Kyrsten Sinema would take a page or two perhaps even an entire chapter from Gallegos playbook. Not necessarily to be as combative, but at least a little more pugnacious. Sinema is taking a different approach Sinema has different concerns than Gallego, of course. It might not suit her personality to be so assertive. And doing so would be more politically risky. Gallego represents a largely Democratic district. Sinema must campaign statewide. Still, Sinemas belief in reaching across the aisle even when it only gets her hand slapped is leaving many Democrats frustrated. The senator told The Arizona Republics political podcast, The Gaggle, Theres a lot of talk about, Oooh, the pressure is mounting and the pressure is out there. But as everybody knows, I don't bend to pressure from either party, and I just stay focused on what I think is right, and delivering for Arizonans. Im not sure about that delivering for Arizonans stuff. The biggest threat to Arizonans these days is the ongoing assault on the democratic process being orchestrated by the Republicans who run the Arizona Legislature. Its happening in Republican-controlled legislatures across the country. Voter suppression. Voter list purges. A return to restrictions that come very close to the Jim Crow laws that kept minorities from the polls for generations. Surrender isn't an act of civility Sinema points out that she is an original co-sponsor of the Democrat-led For the People Act, which would expand voters rights, provide election security and assure independent redistricting, among other things. But being a sponsor means nothing if the bill has no chance of being passed, and Sinemas steadfast belief in the Senates filibuster rule which requires a 60-vote majority to approve legislation will keep that from happening. Sinema has explained her support by saying, I have long said that I oppose eliminating the filibuster for votes on legislation. Debate on bills should be a bipartisan process that takes into account the views of all Americans, not just those of one political party. A vast majority of Americans support the protections in the For the People Act. Its just the Republicans in the Senate who dont want it. There is nothing in the Constitution about the filibuster. The rule already has been altered in order to approve the appointment of judges by a simple majority vote. Sinema may very well believe in compromise, but thats only effective if the belief is shared by the opposition, and the Republicans in the Senate arent in the mood to protect voting rights. In fact, they have a distinctly uncivil, undemocratic view on the subject. Refusing to take on a bully is not an act of civility. Its not compromise. Its surrender. Reach Montini at [email protected]. For more opinions content, please subscribe. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/ej-montini/2021/05/06/kyrsten-sinema-should-be-like-ruben-gallego-filibuster/4971590001/ |
Can Collin Morikawa Join Select Group Next Week as Repeat PGA Winner? | Only two players - including Tiger Woods - have won it back-to-back since 1937. Cal alum Collin Morikawa will try to join an elite club next week at the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island off South Carolina. He will attempt to win back-to-back PGA Championship titles. Yes, he did. And Tiger Woods has done it twice in 1999-2000 and 2006-07. But thats Tiger Woods. No else was Tiger Woods in his prime. Aside from those two, no one has won the event in consecutive years since Denny Shute, the American-born son of an English golf pro, who took the PGA in 1936 and 37. For those of you who are math-impaired, that was 84 years ago. Walter Hagen won four in a row, but did it nearly a century ago. Jack Nicklaus won five PGA titles, including three in a span of five years. Never two in a row. Arnold Palmer never won the PGA Championship. Winning any golf tournament is tough. Winning a major is tougher. And winning it twice in a row is rare and special. Morikawa, who values the majors enough that he took last week and this week off to rest and prepare, delivered a magical performance at Harding Park in San Francisco last summer to win the PGA. The event is back in its normal spring slot on the calendar and returns to Kiawah Island for the first time since 2012, when Rory McIlroy won. Morikawa, ranked No. 6 in the world, will get a lot of attention next week as the defending champ. The William Hill Sportsbook lists him at 22-1 to emerge victorious. That gives him the ninth-best chance of winning, according to the oddsmakers. No surprise that world No. 1 Dustin Johnson is the favorite, at 11-1. Max Homa, the ex-Cal standout who is defending his title this week at the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow in North Carolina, is listed as 70-1. Byeong-Hun An, another former Golden Bear, is 150-1. Here are the top 10, according to William Hill: Dustin Johnson 11-1 Jon Rahm 12-1 Justin Thomas 14-1 Bryson DeChambeau 14-1 Jordan Spieth 16-1 Xander Schauffele 16-1 Rory McIlroy 16-1 Brooks Koepka 18-1 Collin Morikawa 22-1 Hideki Matsuyama 25-1 Meanwhile, CBS Sportsline used a computer to simulate the PGA results 10,000 times and came up an unexpected winner: Bryson DeChambeau. Heres what CBS wrote about DeChambeau: One huge shocker the model is calling for at the PGA Championship 2021: Bryson DeChambeau, the fifth-ranked player in the world and the 2020 US Open champion, stumbles big-time and barely cracks the top 10. DeChambeau is powerful off the tee and leads the Tour in driving distance, but his driving accuracy percentage ranks 136th, and that weakness will be magnified at the Ocean Course. But the CBS computer simulation also likes Morikawa. Another surprise: Collin Morikawa, a massive long shot at 22-1, makes a strong run at his second PGA Championship title. Morikawa won this tournament at TPC Harding Park last year in just his second career start in a major. This year, he enters the Ocean Course playing his best stretch of golf with four top-10 finishes, including one win, over his last nine events. Morikawa is exceptionally balanced in all parts of his game and ranks among the top 10 in both driving accuracy percentage (70.45) and greens in regulation percentage (72.85). No one on tour has gained more strokes in approaching the green, which has helped him reach a 4.64 birdie average, fourth-best among all golfers. The Ocean Course is one of the most difficult in the world with its tree-lined holes and breezy conditions, but Morikawa's game of precision and accuracy is well-suited for the course. Cover photo of Collin Morikawa by Rob Schumacher, USA Today Follow Jeff Faraudo of Cal Sports Report on Twitter: @jefffaraudo | https://www.si.com/college/cal/other-sports/pre-pga-2021-golf |
What is an inspector-general? | MANY QUESTIONS raised by the Capitol insurrection on January 6th are political. Last month Americans got some answers from the Capitol Polices inspector-general, Michael Bolton. His investigation found that communication errors, defective equipment and lapses of judgment hamstrung the agencys response to the uprising. In one case, officers riot shields shattered upon impact because they had not been stored in a climate-controlled room. Were it not for the inspector-general, these details may have never come to light. Inspectors-general first emerged as military officers tasked with ensuring troops were up to scratch. In 1668, King Louis XIV of France appointed two to audit his infantry and cavalry divisions, setting the precedent for other European armies. A century later in America, the Continental Congress established the post for its army. The second to assume it, Frederick William Augustus von Steubena Prussian captain recruited by Benjamin Franklindisplayed such skill in the job that the United States Army regards him as the Father of the Inspector General System. Not until the 1970s did other parts of the government acquire inspectors-general. The Watergate scandal, Richard Nixons resignation, the Vietnam war and revelations that intelligence agencies had spied on Americans all sent public trust in government plummeting. Inspectors-general were created to improve government performance, ferret out malfeasance and in so doing restore public confidence. In 1976 President Gerald Ford laid the groundwork when he created a watchdog position for the Department of Health, Welfare and Education (now the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services) to address mounting complaints of fraud in the health-care system. Two years later Jimmy Carter signed into law the Inspectors General Act of 1978, establishing accountability offices in 12 federal departments and agencies. Mr Carter said the watchdogs were perhaps the most important new tools in the fight against fraud. Today there are 75 inspectors-general across the federal government. The president nominates some; agency heads appoint others; and Congress can create posts for specific purposes (for instance, the Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery, appointed to ensure federal relief funds are properly spent). Presidential appointees must be confirmed by the Senate. They all have access to sensitive records, and presidentially appointed inspectors-general can carry guns and make arrests. In a sense, inspectors-general are the governments auditors. The law gives them broad powers and liberties to audit and investigate agencies to uncover fraud, waste and abuse. They also propose policy changes to improve faulty processes and produce reports on their findings, which are usually required by law to be submitted to Congress and made public. In 2020 federal inspectors-general recommended policy changes that would result in savings of $33.3bn, according to the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, which brings together all the watchdogs. The mission of inspectors-generalto be an internal, independent, nonpartisan check on powerinevitably creates tensions with senior officials and the subjects of their audits. During his presidency Donald Trump sacked five appointed or acting inspectors-general, some purportedly because they published reports he disagreed with or began investigations into cabinet members. At their best, inspectors-general identify problems and improve governance. But their recommendations often get ignored, according to the Project on Government Oversight, a non-profit organisation. It suggests that better tracking of the governments responses to their findings could change this. Mr Bolton, the Capitol Polices watchdog, recommended a bevy of changes to prevent another incident like the insurrection. The department, he told lawmakers, needs to stop thinking of itself as a reactive police force and more as a proactive protective agency, and must honour those officers who have given their lives...by making hard changes. | https://www.economist.com/the-economist-explains/2021/05/06/what-is-an-inspector-general |
How does Travis Etienne fit into Urban Meyers Jaguars offense? | Urban Meyer had his first draft as an NFL head coach. After picking up Trevor Lawrence with number one pick, the Jacksonville Jaguars also had the 25th pick from the Los Angeles Rams via the Jalen Ramsey trade. So with their second pick in the first round, the Jaguars decided to go with one of the top offensive players on his board, running back Travis Etienne from Clemson. Lawrence and Etienne become the first duo to be selected to the same college team in the first round in pro football history. Etienne was considered a controversial pick because the Jaguars currently have a running back in James Robinson, who last year, rushed for over 1,070 yards & had seven rushing touchdowns. His 1,414 total yards from scrimmage was the most by an undrafted rookie in NFL history. The Etienne pick was certainly a head scratcher given that there were some prospects available in areas of need: defensive tackle Christian Barmore, offensive tackle Teven Jenkins, safety Trevon Moehrig, EDGE Greg Rousseau. Right now the Jaguars have Josh Allen, Jihad Ward, DaVon Hamilton, Malcom Brown, and Doug Costin but outside of those players, there is a clear lack of depth on the defensive side of the ball. Last year, the Jaguars ranked 32nd in rushing attempts by offenses and 31st in total rushing touchdowns allowed. The answer is comfortability. The guys that were available simply werent on the coaching staffs board and this was Urban Meyers first draft as a head coach, so in his mind, it was better to stick with what you know rather than take chance with an unknown defender that seemed like a reach at the time. Etienne is one of the more versatile players in this draft. What confuses people is when it comes to Travis taking the handoff, Robinson and him have similar run styles, penetrating the A & B gaps and rarely getting to the edge. This is why it makes sense when it came out that Urban wanted a guy like Kadarius Toney, the Jet Sweep is a play call you can build around and spread the field with; but it doesnt mean Etienne can not do that, his speed speaks for itself; he just wasnt asked to do it with the weapons they already had at Clemson. Story continues Etienne had a whopping 4,952 rushing yards and 70 rushing touchdowns and caught 102 passes for 1,155 yards and had 8 touchdown receptions in his college career. In 2020, Etienne was able to split his skills effectively, rushing 168 times for 914 yards on the ground and 588 yards receiving. Last year with Trevor Lawrence on the horizon, the Jaguars coaching and play-calling didnt capitalize their rookie back nearly as much as they should have. The Jaguars ranked 29th in total rushing yards,, 28th in rushing yards per game, 27th in 20+ yard rushes in only 337 carries as a team, which was ranked dead last. Its simple, they want to rely heavily on the run and they dont want to let James Robinson do it alone. Meyer mentions the two most important pieces of a successful team is their run game and defense. The Jaguars plan on doing a complete 180 from last season. They want to be at least top 4th in Rushing. They will have a 1,2 punch in the backfield along with a veteran back who was with Meyer back in Ohio State, Carlos Hyde. Urban Meyer on Etienne: The other thing about offensive football is its a matchup game too, and thats where you look for a player that has a little bit of hybrid or can do a couple things. Travis is very appealing when you can move him out there and you figure their fourth-best cover guy is going to cover a guy like this. Hes got a long way to go in certain areas, but he is really talented and Clemson did a really good job with him to this point. Etienne is a 5-11 back, 215 lbs, who can run a 4.4. 40-yard dash. Hes is considered an all-purpose back and that is exactly how Meyer plans on using him; he mentioned Etienne being a Percy Harvin-type of player. This isnt Meyers first dual-threat backfield, similar to how Curtis Samuel and Mike Weber were used, and now in the league we have duos like Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram, Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. The Jaguars need a change of pace from last year. Despite getting over 1k rushing, when getting the ball, James Robinson saw an eight-man box 20.42% of the time. When seeing those stacked boxes, Robinson often hesitated trying to find the gap due to heavily-stacked defenses anticipating the run with no change of pace. There were a few moments last year where due to his smaller stature and speed, he wasnt able to punch it in for a score. The offensive lineman had to push him in. When he did break free for large gains, he was caught by a defender preventing a touchdown. What Etienne can provide will be the attack and acceleration out of the gate using Meyers inside and outside zone read. The inside and outside zone read allows the running-back to do what he does best identify the hole and use his athleticism to exploit the one-on-one. Meyer has used this run style while he was coaching in college. Another very good skill-set Etienne has are his hands. He has some of the softest hands and smoothest transitions out of any back in this rookie class. As shown in these clips, Etienne can run flats, bubble screens, wheels, and catches them all in stride. Urban Meyer plans on using him on the outside or running routes from the backfield. This might be the most common way he will be used in this offense. Etienne also lines up as a wide out as well, motions into the backfield or goes out for a streak. Etienne was used to motion-in (to move the linebacker/nickel corner) or he was sometimes motioned-out. He has multiple releases, active hands through his stem and high physicality at the catch and after. Etienne is a true all-purpose back. Expect Robinson to have the majority of the touches from the backfield, 60%. Etienne should see zone read run plays and tosss making up 30% of snaps, leaving Carlos Hyde with 5 or maybe even 10%. Etienne will make more of an impact catching the ball in his rookie year than as a pure feature back. | https://sports.yahoo.com/does-travis-etienne-fit-urban-192003563.html?src=rss |
Will the Seahawks make a move to bring Kerryon Johnson to Seattle? | originally appeared on NBC Sports Northwest Former second-round pick running back Kerryon Johnsons days as a Detroit Lion has officially come to an end. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday evening that Johnson has been officially waived by the Lions. The #Lions are waiving RB Kerryon Johnson, source said. Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 5, 2021 During his time in Detroit, Johnson was marked with high potential but injuries made it difficult for him to release his full potential. Listen & Subscribe to the Talkin' Seahawks podcast In his rookie year, he came out the gate and rushed for 641 yards and three touchdowns. Sadly his rookie year was cut short after a knee injury in week 10. The following year, Johnson had another knee injury that held him to just eight games in 2019. Johnson did play all 16 games for the first time last season, but only started in just two games and had 181 yards. But the thing is: Johnson is still very much a young player in the NFL. He is only 23 years old. Back in the 2018 draft, the Seahawks did show interest in Johnson and were high on his pass blocking abilities. And since the Seahawks didnt pick up on Rashaad Pennys fifth-year option, Johnson could be a good replacement and nice addition to Chris Carson. The problem is Johnson and his health. If he can stay healthy, Johnson could be a really nice addition to the Seahawks running game. And most likely would be for a low price as well. Johnson will head to the waive wire as of now and be a free agent. If John Schneider and Pete Carroll decide to go and bring Johnson in, they will be looking to see if his health is in order in the first place. | https://sports.yahoo.com/seahawks-move-bring-kerryon-johnson-193317917.html?src=rss |
What's the difference between Champagne and Prosecco? | When it comes to sparkling wine, there are a ton of different options out there, but for many it comes down to the choice of Champagne versus Prosecco. It's a battle of Italian versus French sparkling wines. If youre not familiar with the differences between the two, it goes beyond the nationalities of each sparkler, and involves the grapes used, the production process, and even when you might drink each one (though theres no bad time for either, in our book). Read on for the differences between Champagne and Prosecco, according to certified sommeliers. The production process Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label Champagne - drizly.com 59.99 Shop Now When we talk about Champagne, we're talking about wines that undergo a specific process known as the traditional method or the mthode Champenoise and that are made, specifically, in the region of Champagne, France, says Hannah Selinger, a Certified Sommelier and freelance lifestyle writer. The easiest way to understand this production is that grapes are fermented, turning their sugars into alcohol, yielding a byproduct of carbon dioxide, which is not contained. The resulting wine is then bottled and fermented a second time, but this time the carbon dioxide is captured, says Selinger. The result is a wine that is double-fermented and bubbly. I don't want to get too far in the weeds here, but there are also only certain grapes that can be used in Champagne (technically seven, but the three most prominent varieties are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier). Champagne also undergoes a process called Riddling. Riddling refers to what happens during Champagnes second fermentation in the bottle. Its essentially a gentle tilting of the bottle over the course of months and months so that the neck of the bottle collects the dead yeast cells, which are then extracted from the bottle, says Selinger. Sometimes this is done by hand, sometimes the winemaker uses a machine called a gyropallette. Proseccos process is a little simpler, and accounts for the difference in taste and the carbonations texture. Prosecco, which comes from the Veneto region of Italy, is made using the so-called 'tank method,' says Selinger. A still wine is produced, just like in Champagne, and then the wine is fermented a second time in an enclosed tank that prevents the carbon dioxide from escaping, thus making the wine bubbly. La Marca Prosecco - drizly.com 16.99 Shop Now This is why you might find the bubbles in Prosecco to be a little rougher than the smooth little pearls floating up from a glass of Champagne. The bubbles, or bead, in tank method wines will be larger and coarser, and the wine will have a less uniform texture than wines made by the traditional method, says advanced sommelier Michael Scherzberg. However, this method is appropriate and even preferred for sparkling wines emphasizing fruit and varietal aromatics rather than the toasty, nutty, creamy flavors derived from the breaking down of the yeast lees in the traditional method. The traditional method, in this case, refers to how Champagne is made. In other words, Prosecco has larger and coarser bubbles and a fruitier flavor, while Champagne is smoother, with smaller bubbles and warmer, earthier flavors. Where the wine comes from Youve probably heard this before, but where the wine is made is integral to its name. Case in point: If youre drinking sparkling wine from France that isnt officially labeled as Champagne, its probably not even if its made using the mthode Champenoise, says Selinger. Instead, its probably something called Crmant. Other sparkling wines that come from France that are made in the same way but that are not in the designated region are allowed to use the title Crmant, which specifies that they are mthode Champenoise, but not from the area of Champagne, she says. Crmant can also be made from all different kinds of grapes, not just those used in Champagne, so Selinger says the difference in taste might be noticeable even to casual drinkers. Thats not a knock, though, she says Crmant is super delicious its just different. It's just a matter of what a grape tastes like, she says. Its the same for Italys Prosecco: Just like how all French sparkling wine isnt Champagne, not all Italian sparkling wine is Prosecco though Prosecco is the most important and renowned Italian sparkler, says Michelle Erland, a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers and an Italian Wine Ambassador through Vinitaly International. Prosecco, says Selinger, is a designation of place and grape. She says that Prosecco can only be produced in its specific Italian denominazione di origine controllata (designation of origin, or DOC) and only from one grape: the Glera. Authentic Prosecco DOC is easily distinguishable by the government seal, which must be applied on each bottle, adds Erland. Aside from sheer brand recognition (what drink screams fancy more than Champagne?) a lot of the price comes from the more elaborate production process, which not only involves the delicate riddling process, but in general takes longer than you might expect. Basically, there is more labor and more equipment and more time involved in making Champagne, making it more expensive, says Selinger. Champagne takes at least 18 months to go to market, which means winemakers have to charge more for it. And thats an accelerated timeline Vintage Champagnes are aged for up to three years! Prosecco, on the other hand, can be made in just 30 days, which accounts for its comparatively cheaper price. The purpose While both are delicious for drinking on their own, one is probably the winner if you want to mix the sparkling wine with other elements. No one disagrees that a splash of Champagne makes for a great topper for some cocktails, but if youre wanting to get serious about mixed drinks, Proseccos relatively affordable price tag makes it a better option. It pairs well with the traditional Italian dishes as well as other international cuisines, says Erland and a decent Prosecco drinks well on its own. With its moderate alcoholic strength, Prosecco DOC can be used for aperitifs, toasts and at social gatherings, she says. Personally, I use it for cocktails, like bellinis, for which it's well suited, adds Selinger. To me, Champagne is a more serious wine, but not in a bad way. I prefer Champagne to Prosecco if it's just a matter of drinking. | https://www.sfgate.com/shopping/article/What-s-the-difference-between-Champagne-and-16157356.php |
Can Biden imbue foreign policy realism with moral values? | The intended message of this new brand of realpolitik is that America is trying to defend democracy, not that it is abandoning its values. But his main international preoccupation is a reinvigoration of democratic governance in the face of increasingly assertive autocratic regimes such as China. He is gathering support for such an initiative among U.S. friends around the world. The U.S. military presence in Afghanistan, and efforts to denuclearize North Korea, have not had their intended effects. So Mr. Biden is trying more modest, measured, and longer-term moves involving U.S. allies. The Biden administration is updating the old foreign policy doctrine of realpolitik by acknowledging the reality of limits on U.S. power today. But it is trying to give the new version a decidedly moral twist. Not the 19th-century German version, which came to imply hard-nosed pursuit of national interests regardless of moral concerns. But a new iteration, being realistic about the limits to Washingtons unilateral power in todays world. As President Joe Biden takes on a pair of foreign policy challenges that have bedeviled the United States for two decades Afghanistan and North Korea he is adopting a policy with a long history: realpolitik. Realpolitik, version 2021. That may best describe the new direction President Joe Biden is taking on a pair of Asian policy challenges that have bedeviled U.S. administrations for the past two decades: Afghanistan and North Korea. In Afghanistan, Washington is winding down its 20-year military involvement with the intention of pulling out all its troops over the next four months. The new tack on North Korea will focus on seeking a gradual rollback of its nuclear weapons program as part of an eventual denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Why We Wrote This The Biden administration is updating the old foreign policy doctrine ofrealpolitik by acknowledging the reality of limits on U.S. power today. But it is trying to give the new version a decidedly moral twist. What they have in common where the new realpolitik comes into play is a recognition of the limits to unilateral U.S. power in todays world, while using Washingtons still superpower-sized resources to build more effective alliances with other democracies. Old-style realpolitik conveyed something slightly different. The term, literally the politics of realism, has its origins in 19th-century Germany and came to imply the hard-nosed pursuit of national interests, regardless of moral concerns such as human rights and political freedoms. But President Biden in stark contrast to his predecessor, Donald Trump has explicitly prioritized such issues in his foreign policy. He has defined the competition between democracies and autocracies as the key struggle of the modern world. Arguing that were now at a make-or-break point, he has committed the United States to working with allies to ensure that democratic values and institutions prevail. Yet the politics of realism in Afghanistan concluding there is no more that American troops can do there, and withdrawing them does carry serious human rights risks. The Islamist Taliban have already regained control of about half of the country. They seem, at a minimum, poised to regain a share of national power once U.S. and NATO troops go, potentially threatening freedom of expression, independent political and social organization, and, most dramatically, the rights of women all of which have taken firmer root since American and allied forces ousted the Taliban regime in 2001. In North Korea, the human rights picture is even bleaker. Thats not going to change as long as dictator Kim Jong Un remains in place. Amid a deepening economic crisis exacerbated by the pandemic, Mr. Kim clearly views his nuclear arsenal as a key safeguard for political survival. The realpolitik v2021 calculation that Mr. Biden seems to have made is that existing U.S. policies are no longer fit for the purpose, and are not going to deliver either a stable, democratic government in Afghanistan or a non-nuclear North Korea. So the emphasis is shifting toward a combination of more modest, measured, and longer-term moves. The administration is still trying to enlist a range of interested external parties in a diplomatic attempt at a power-sharing agreement for Afghanistan. But theres no sign yet of success. Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters/File North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un. The Biden administration has chosen to keep diplomatic channels open with North Korea, so as to pursue its policy of gradual denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Nor on North Korea. There, Mr. Biden is in effect splitting the difference between his two predecessors. Barack Obama resisted substantive diplomatic engagement, demanding that Pyongyang first demonstrate a serious commitment to abandoning its bid for nuclear weapons. Mr. Trump opted for high-stakes summitry with Mr. Kim, aiming to trade an end to all American economic sanctions for an end to North Koreas nuclear weapons program. Mr. Kim said no to both U.S. leaders. The Biden administration intends to keep all diplomatic channels to Pyongyang open. But no early breakthrough is either promised or expected. The hope is to chart a more gradual path toward the Trump administrations goal of full denuclearization. Mr. Bidens major policy thrust, meanwhile, is on the longer-term priority he sees as an essential foundation for a whole range of U.S. interests, from economics and security to human rights: leading a resurgence and reinvigoration of democratic governance in the face of increasingly assertive autocratic regimes on the world stage. The symbolic centerpiece will be a Summit for Democracy hes planning for later this year. But the day-to-day spadework is already underway. The president, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and other foreign policy officials have repeatedly raised political and human rights concerns in their dealings with China, Russia, and other autocratic or populist governments. Theyve also been working to create an explicitly pro-democracy Asian counterweight to China, by strengthening coordination with Japan, South Korea, India, and Japan. Each of those countries was represented in London this week as Mr. Blinken joined a foreign ministers conference to prepare for this summers summit of Group of Seven economic powers in the United Kingdom. British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab echoed Mr. Bidens own calls for a cluster of countries to defend democratic values. Britain has also expressed interest in joining the U.S. in closer political and security coordination with Chinas democratic neighbors. Get the Monitor Stories you care about delivered to your inbox. Your email address By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy The intended message of this new brand of realpolitik is that America is addressing the longer-term challenge of ensuring a strong, international defense of democracy, not that it is abandoning its political values. | https://www.csmonitor.com/World/2021/0506/Can-Biden-imbue-foreign-policy-realism-with-moral-values?icid=rss |
Where Do The Longhorns Stand in Stadium's Way-Too-Early Top 25? | Behind a host of incoming transfers and returning difference makers, Chris Beard's Longhorns have recorded a good deal of off-season praise The Texas Longhorns men's basketball team has seen a major makeover this offseason, and the pundits are beginning to take notice. On Thursday, Stadium college basketball analyst Jeff Goodman updated his way-too-early preseason top-25 rankings, with the Texas Longhorns and new head coach Chris Beard now sitting with the No. 10 overall ranking "Im betting on Chris Beard and his staff," Goodman said of the Longhorns." He still has to add more pieces to the roster, but hes already brought on four impact transfers and will bring back Jones and Ramey. Theyll be more." READ MORE: Longhorns Basketball Earns Commitment From Standout Vanderbilt Transfer Dylan Disu The Longhorns began their makeover following their early exit from the NCAA tournament when they moved on from former head coach Shaka Smart and hired beard to replace him. Following the hiring of Beard, and the exits of Kai Jones, Kamaka Hepa, Donovan Williams, and Royce Hamm, an influx of transfers began to flood into Austin, including Kentucky transfer Devin Askew, Vanderbilt transfer Dylan Disu, Utah transfer Timmy Allen, and Creighton transfer Christian Bishop. READ MORE: Longhorns Courtney Ramey Announces Return For Final Season Beard was also able to convince starters, Andrew Jones, Brock Cunningham, and Courtney Ramey, as well as role player Jase Febres to return. Beard hopes to do the same with forward Greg Brown and Center Jericho Simms, who are testing the waters of the upcoming 2021 NBA Draft. Comment and join in on the discussion below! Sign up for your premium membership to LonghornsCountry.com today, and get access to the entire Fan Nation premium network! Follow Longhorns Country on Twitter and Facebook | https://www.si.com/college/texas/news/beards-longhorns-ranked-in-top-10-of-stadiums-way-too-early-top-25 |
Have Australians in India been abandoned because people of colour are seen as less Australian? | You dont look Australian, someone once said to me in a bar overseas, elaborating when quizzed that the typical Aussie look was of blond surfers. I couldnt fault this man for forming that perception. I havent looked Australian my entire life. Because there is a look that is distinctly Australian, one we have long internalised as well as projected to the world. I was taught that in the schoolyard. The Aussies were the kids with white skin with easy-to-sound Anglo names that could be transformed into slang like Jonno. The sense of exclusion, or feeling lesser in this country based on your skin colour or ethnic background does not end in the playground, or the backpacker bar. It is by no means a new revelation. Neither is the idea of a double standard approach based on the ethnic group in question. Peter Dutton made that clear when he sought to provide special attention to white South African farmers facing land confiscation in 2018 while presiding over the indefinite detention of mostly Muslims fleeing conflict and persecution in offshore facilities. So, the decision to criminalise Australians in India for entering the country was not made in a vacuum, or out of context. Its the logical progression for a society that to a large degree still affords different levels of inclusion based on the colour of ones skin, the language spoken, the tone of ones English accent, and the religious customs one exercises or, quite simply, through Othering. Government ministers have insisted that protecting the public health of Australians was the foremost consideration behind its decision. And perhaps that is true, that consciously, our leaders made a snap decision in the best interest of those of us here; to keep our Covid situation under control and our domestic economy moving. So far, the overwhelming majority of Australians have backed their leaders in making the tough calls, including shutting state borders on each other. But its the different approach between how our government has responded to a surge in cases in India versus previous surges in predominantly Anglo-Saxon nations that has brought attention to our unconscious biases. Many of us are conditioned to see people of colour as less Australian. We understand in this country, from quite an early age, how to define Australian and Other. In fact, it was spelt out for us in the white Australia policy 120 years ago. The programme of a white Australia, said Alfred Deakin, the architect of the policy in 1901, means not merely its preservation for the future it means the consideration of those who cannot be classed within the category of whites, but who have found their way into our midst. The success of the policy is that even today, almost half a century after it was abolished, that definition of Australian still informs much of our popular perceptions of who we are. Othering and excluding does not simply come in the form of outspoken Trumpian vitriol, but also subtly - in our daily lexicon and perceptions. For example, the Aussie label is widely understood to be reserved for Anglo-Celtic kids at school. Likewise, asking someone of colour who is born and raised in this country where are you from? or whats your natio? is based on an unwritten social understanding that their non-Anglo attributes exclude them from being from here, from being Australian. For people who dont fit the popular stereotype of what an Australian looks or sounds like, the sense of feeling lesser is understood through these social hints that begin early on and continue throughout life. Acknowledging that we are a society largely conditioned to othering even those among us helps illuminate that what the Morrison government did last Friday was very much in context. It also explains why many of us lack empathy for those we have othered Australias harsh border policies have consistently drawn widespread public support. Part of the process of othering is to dehumanise those we perceive as different, unfamiliar, or a threat to our own sense of self. Abandoning Australian citizens, mostly of Indian heritage, to peril neatly captures the real-life consequence of how we distinguish Australian from Other. When we dehumanise certain corners of our society, we subconsciously absolve ourselves of any responsibility to come to their aid in times of need. We become more detached and less concerned. The white Australia policy is often spoken of as a regrettable relic of our history with a false assumption that weve been dismembered from its ignorance. But we havent, not entirely. Despite the significant progress, both legislatively and culturally, since its abolishment, the policys prejudiced worldview still casts a shadow in the consciousness of many in this society. One obvious lesson from the Black Lives Matter movement is that racism does not need to be intentional or overt. Courtesy of this nations colonial upbringing, many of us instinctively minimise the worth of people of colour without at times being aware of it, and its often demonstrated through an inability to empathise. Just ask the families of the nearly 500 Indigenous people who have died in custody over the last 30 years or, now, the families of Australians in India now abandoned by their own government. This failure of empathy, failure of inclusion, sadly, still influences, consciously and unconsciously, how many in our country continue to perceive each other, and ultimately, how elements of our government act. | https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/commentisfree/2021/may/07/have-australians-in-india-been-abandoned-because-people-of-colour-are-seen-as-less-australian |
Why do we wish on a star? | Photos: 23 spots for spectacular starry skies Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona): The world-famous Grand Canyon National Park became an International Dark Sky Park in June 2019. Visitors and rangers celebrated with a "Sky Party" at Grand View Point, Island in the Sky. Hide Caption 1 of 23 Photos: 23 spots for spectacular starry skies Brecon Beacons National Park (UK): Stargazers in the UK can enjoy the silhouette of the Llanthony Priory against the starry sky. The ruins have partly been Stargazers in the UK can enjoy the silhouette of the Llanthony Priory against the starry sky. The ruins have partly been converted into a pub . After a night of hard sky observation, you can step into the former Augustinian priory for an authentic Welsh ale. Hide Caption 2 of 23 Photos: 23 spots for spectacular starry skies Natural Bridges National Monument (Utah): The natural Owachomo Bridge in Utah is silhouetted against the Milky Way and thousands of stars. This photo was taken on a particularly clear night after a storm, and features potholes full of water reflecting the scene, says photographer The natural Owachomo Bridge in Utah is silhouetted against the Milky Way and thousands of stars. This photo was taken on a particularly clear night after a storm, and features potholes full of water reflecting the scene, says photographer Jacob Frank Hide Caption 3 of 23 Photos: 23 spots for spectacular starry skies Westhavelland Dark Sky Reserve (Germany): Westhavelland International Dark Sky Reserve is less than a two-hour drive from Berlin. The summer night sky can be so dark and clear that zodiacal light (sunlight scattered by dust in space) and gegenschein (a faint brightening of zodiacal light at midnight) can be visible. Hide Caption 4 of 23 Photos: 23 spots for spectacular starry skies Mont-Mgantic Dark Sky Reserve (Canada): The annual The annual Perseids Event at Mont-Mgantic is dedicated to the meteor shower that can be seen every August. Around 50-100 "fireballs" can be seen per hour across the sky in Quebec, Canada. Hide Caption 5 of 23 Photos: 23 spots for spectacular starry skies Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve (New Zealand): Looking south from Lake Tekapo, on the South Island in New Zealand, you can see the Milky Way stretching over the Church of the Good Shepherd. The Southern Cross and the Coal Sack Nebula are visible near the top of the image. Hide Caption 6 of 23 Photos: 23 spots for spectacular starry skies Exmoor National Park (UK): A long exposure or multiple stacked images can capture the motions of stars as the Earth rotates. As you focus toward the north or south poles, stars create a circular trail. On the clearest nights, 3,000 stars are visible over this park in Devon and Somerset, UK. Hide Caption 7 of 23 Photos: 23 spots for spectacular starry skies Pic du Midi Dark Sky Reserve (France): It's impossible to miss the Milky Way stretching across the sky from this French reserve. "Starry Night" programs are available on special astronomical occasions in the reserve, where an astronomer acts as your guide to the cosmos. You can use viewing equipment on the terraces. Hide Caption 8 of 23 Photos: 23 spots for spectacular starry skies NamibRand Nature Reserve (Namibia): The light extending upwards from the horizon is zodiacal light, says Dr. George Tucker, a former professor of physics and astronomy. The Beehive Cluster is in the center of the light by the Namibian horizon with the constellation of Cancer around it and the stars of Leo above. Hide Caption 9 of 23 Photos: 23 spots for spectacular starry skies Kerry Dark Sky Reserve (Ireland): Orion is one of several constellations that can be seen at this dark sky reserve in Ireland. In this photo, and with the naked eye when there, you can see the Milky Way, the Andromeda Galaxy and the Orion Nebula. Hide Caption 10 of 23 Photos: 23 spots for spectacular starry skies Northumberland Dark Sky Park (UK): Depending on Depending on disturbances in the Earth's magnetic field , the Aurora Borealis can be visible from Kielder Observatory, on the northernmost edge of England, close to the Scottish border. Hide Caption 11 of 23 Photos: 23 spots for spectacular starry skies Goldendale Observatory State Park (Washington): Looking toward Oregon's Mount Hood during autumn, you can see Saturn (smaller than the dot of this "i" at the top left) and Venus (right of the moon) with the naked eye. If you want a better view of the tiny speck that is Saturn, you can use the park's telescope, one of the largest available for public use in the United States. The observatory is currently at a temporary location, but its soft opening is set for October 2019. Hide Caption 12 of 23 | https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/06/world/why-wish-on-a-star-scn/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_latest+%28RSS%3A+CNN+-+Most+Recent%29 |
Can the Oversight Board force Facebook to follow its own rules? | Facebooks Oversight Board finally handed down its most consequential decision to date: whether or not Facebooks indefinite suspension of Donald Trump should be permanent. Except, it only sort of made a decision. In an unexpected twist , the board said that, while it agreed with Facebooks initial call to suspend Trump, it disagreed with its handling of the situation, and that the company should be the ones to decide whether Trump should be able to return to the platform. So, once again, the fate of Donald Trumps Facebook account is up in the air. The social network, led by Nick Clegg, has six months to make up its mind. It could drag on even longer if it's appealed to the Oversight Board for a second time something the boards members readily acknowledged as a distinct possibility. Unsurprisingly, not everyone was happy with this outcome. The Real Facebook Oversight Board, a group of prominent Facebook critics , called the decision a desperate attempt to have it both ways. Todays decision shows that the Facebook Oversight Board experiment has failed, it wrote in a statement . On its part, the Oversight Board has suggested its lack of a clear ruling on Trump was intended to send a strong message to Facebook. In applying an indeterminate and standardless penalty and then referring this case to the Board to resolve, Facebook seeks to avoid its responsibilities, the board wrote in its decision. The Board declines Facebooks request and insists that Facebook apply and justify a defined penalty. In other words: when it comes to Trump, Facebook needs to clean up its own mess. The Trump mess Whatever your opinion of the Oversight Board, this particular decision seems to have caught nearly everyone by surprise. Some have wondered if the board was reacting to widespread criticism that the organization exists merely to provide political cover for Facebook. Sending highly controversial and other borderline cases to the group is, after all, a convenient way for Facebook to avoid making hard and inevitably unpopular decisions (particularly ones that might draw additional regulatory scrutiny). Story continues Facebook, naturally, disagrees. We are trying to hold the decisions that Facebook takes as a private company to the fullest possible account and make it transparent and accountable to an independent body, Clegg said following the boards decision. But the Oversight Boards decision to hand things back to Facebook speaks to issues that run much deeper than just Trump. One of the most notable issues raised by the Oversight Board in its 12,000-word decision is that Facebook isnt particularly good at consistently enforcing its own policies, especially when it comes to politicians and other influential figures. During a call with reporters, both Oversight Board co-chairs, Michale McConnell and Helle Thorning-Schmidt, repeatedly criticized Facebooks ability to apply its own rules in a way that makes sense. The Oversight Board is telling Facebook that they can't just invent new unwritten rules when it suits them, Thorning-Schmidt said. McConnell said that Trumps suspension was merely one example of Facebooks ad hoc-ery, noting that the board has received more than 20,000 appeals from users, many of whom dont understand the social networks policies or reasoning for taking action against their accounts. Influencing Facebook Merely pointing out the holes in Facebooks policies only goes so far, though. The company has for years (often, credibly ) been accused of making up its own rules to accommodate Trump or avoid a politically perilous decision. That the Oversight Board is now echoing some of those same criticisms changes little. But the board does have some ability to influence Facebooks rules, including how it treats Trump. Besides the binary take down/leave up decisions, the group also makes policy recommendations alongside each case. Unlike the specific content moderation issues, Facebook isnt required to do what the board says, but its required to respond and provide an explanation. Its these recommendations where the Oversight Board hopes to prompt meaningful change. In the case of Trumps suspension, it made several recommendations. Among them: Facebook should publicly explain the rules that it uses when it imposes account-level sanctions against influential users. When Facebook implements special procedures that apply to influential users, these should be well documented. Facebook should explain in its Community Standards and Guidelines its strikes and penalties process for restricting profiles, pages, groups and accounts on Facebook and Instagram in a clear, comprehensive, and accessible manner. Facebook must resist pressure from governments to silence their political opposition. In evaluating political speech from highly influential users, Facebook should rapidly escalate the content moderation process to specialized staff who are familiar with the linguistic and political context and insulated from political and economic interference and undue influence. When posts by influential users pose a high probability of imminent harm, as assessed under international human rights standards, Facebook should take action to enforce its rules quickly. Facebook should undertake a comprehensive review of its potential contribution to the narrative of electoral fraud and the exacerbated tensions that culminated in the violence in the United States on January 6, 2021. This should be an open reflection on the design and policy choices that Facebook has made that may enable its platform to be abused. But Facebook has already indicated that its unwilling to fully cooperate. In its decision, the board says that the company failed to answer several crucial questions, including several that speak to the very issues it raises in its policy recommendations. For example, the board states that Facebook wouldnt answer key questions about how News Feed or other Facebook features may have amplified Trumps posts, or whether the company intends to research those design decisions in relation to the events of January 6, 2021. Those questions speak to some of the most fundamental issues surrounding Trumps suspension, including Facebooks role in failing to prevent the Stop the Steal movement . Likewise, the board said Facebook also declined to answer questions relating to its treatment of other politicians, and whether it had been contacted by political officeholders or their staff about the suspension of Mr. Trumps accounts, or whether the suspension affects political advertising. According to the board, Facebook said some of these requests were not reasonably required under the rules that govern the Oversight Board. All that, again, raises questions about how much influence Facebook is willing to let the Oversight Board have. The companys treatment for elected officials, its rules for political ads and the consequences of its algorithms are some of the most consequential issues its currently grappling with. If Facebook was unwilling to even answer questions about these topics, it seems unlikely it would fully embrace all of the Oversight Boards policy changes. | https://finance.yahoo.com/news/facebook-oversight-board-trump-influence-203741183.html |
Will the Liberals recovery plan make Canadas economy more resilient or less? | Theres an alarming discrepancy between what the federal Liberals think the budget will do for us and what the Parliaments budget watchdog thinks. The way the Liberals lay it out, theyll spend $143 billion in getting us through the pandemic and beyond. As a result, the economy will grow at a decent clip, everyone will have a job pretty soon, and Canada will be well on its way to a brilliant, inclusive, sustainable future of prosperity. The Parliamentary Budget Officer, on the other hand, sees the budget propelling growth at half the pace predicted by federal officials, and the resulting job creation at just a small fraction of the official budget projections. Instead of a brilliant future, PBO Yves Giroux sees fat deficits, heavy debt loads and a mounting inability for the federal government to cushion the blow of the next crisis. The discrepancy, if you ask Giroux, is a result of government exaggeration and double-counting. If you ask the government, its a matter of using standard math and formulas and including a full range of factors in your model. In other words, Giroux says the government is being disingenuous and the government says Giroux is wilfully wrong. More important than the finger-pointing around methodology though, is figuring out how to avoid the scenario Giroux is warning about and making sure the economy actually grows the way the Department of Finance projects. Like the joyous moment of reopening glorified by the now-ubiquitous Extra gum commercial, we will certainly have a moment of euphoria once we are allowed out of our houses. Thats more than a matter of competing methodologies, and is actually in the hands of policy-makers and the business people who can lead growth. Minister of Small Business Mary Ng is at the crossroads here. She has $4 billion at her fingertips to push us towards the first path and avoid the second. Its a generous pile of money that the government is hoping will propel 160,000 small and medium-sized businesses out of their technological complacency and into the digital age the key to decent growth and good jobs over the long term. Its a big bet. Ng has been lobbying for the concept for months, pointing out that before the pandemic, just half of Canadian companies with fewer than 500 employees didnt even have a website and of those, only 10 per cent could take payments online. As the pandemic dragged on and government money helped businesses jump online just to stay afloat, Ngs budget proposal got bigger and bigger, with the minister making the case that the pandemic has forced the digital economy upon us and we need to seize the moment. To be sure, the $4 billion is not the only growth-oriented plank of the budget. Theres money for clean technology, greening the economy and venture capital. But the digital adoption program is so big that it will certainly influence which path we are on in the post-pandemic world. Heres how it works. The federal government will hire an agency of some kind to train up 28,000 young techies, who can then serve as a helping hand to small and medium-sized businesses trying to modernize. Those businesses will also have access to micro-grants to help pay for new technology. Or, if theyre bigger, they could get access to interest-free loans through the Business Development Bank. In an interview, Ng has all the digital-economy buzzwords at the ready. The funding, she says, will: make Canadian firms more productive, more competitive at home and abroad, put young people into high-skilled work, be inclusive and help businesses run by women, people of colour and Indigenous people. We will be more resilient, more growth-oriented. Higher volumes, faster volumes. This program here at $4 billion is really, really important, she says. Its really important to make that investment so that Canada and our Canadian companies can adapt in that digital landscape post- (pandemic). In other words, it is the Extra gum euphoria scenario, prolonged over the long term. But its not quite the answer to all things prosperity, says economist Trevin Stratton of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. He generally likes the funding, but points out that we need to read the fine print, which is still in the works. It doesnt take into account that many sectors need a physical presence to thrive. Its not retroactive to take into account all the e-commerce and digitization efforts that companies made during the pandemic to get up to speed. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... And more importantly, Stratton says, it doesnt take aim at incorporating automation, artificial intelligence or machine learning into the way business is done and thats where the transformative gains in growth probably lie. E-commerce is only one slice of taking on the digital world. It wont be enough to market your wares on a website, set up PayPal and call it a day on the digital economy. And the sooner governments and businesses alike take that to heart, the sooner well be on the path to proving that, beyond the formulas, Canadas economy wont just recover but also flourish. | https://www.thestar.com/politics/political-opinion/2021/05/06/will-the-liberals-recovery-plan-make-canadas-economy-more-resilient-or-less.html |
Will Kik Hernndezs hamstring injury force the Red Sox to make a move? | In Hernndezs case, it could mean a stint on the injured list, though manager Alex Cora hoped to know more Thursday evening or Friday. Hernndez was hobbled after sliding into second base for a double. That left Christian Vzquez as what appeared to be the only position player on the bench, with Christian Arroyo sidelined because of a left hand contusion. Arroyo did, however, pinch run in the eighth inning, and he played second base in the ninth. Kik Hernndez was removed from Thursday afternoons 12-9 win over the Tigers in the first inning because of right hamstring tightness. [Kik] thought it was probably a cramp in the beginning, Cora said. But then he felt it was more than a cramp. I dont know how serious it is. Well talk about it. And obviously well stay away from him tomorrow. Advertisement Being without Hernndez would leave the Red Sox with just 10 position players, and perhaps force them to look into available options. Michael Chavis, who started the season in Triple A, is a possibility for the infield. Chavis also would provide an additional power threat to a lineup that has struggled at the bottom of the order. Chavis wasnt in the WooSox lineup for Thursdays game against Trenton, which could mean hell be part of the taxi squad, or the Red Sox will just add him to the roster. Chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom said recently that the team will still carry a taxi squad for road games, even with the minor league season under way. When the Red Sox traveled to Baltimore last month, Chavis was part of the taxi squad. I can play third, second, first, left field, anywhere, Chavis said during a Zoom call Thursday. If it gets me in the lineup, Im going to be happy. Thats what my goal is at the end of day, is just to be in the lineup playing baseball. So, if my versatility gives me a better opportunity then 100 percent thats something Im going to embrace and look forward to doing. Ill be ready, whenever my opportunity shows up. Advertisement Running wild Opponents have been utilizing the run game against the Red Sox, and catchers Vzquez and Kevin Plawecki havent been successful at taming it. Vzquez has allowed 13 stolen bases. Meanwhile, teams have swiped 11 bags out of 12 against Plawecki, including two on Thursday. In the three games against the Tigers,Red Sox yielded seven stolen bases. Vzquez and Plawecki have incorporated the one-knee-down stance behind the plate. It is supposed to help catchers frame pitches (especially those near the bottom of the zone). Yet Cora doesnt believe that is the reason why teams have had so much success against Sox catchers on the basepaths. I know a lot of people think that theyre running because of that. But [Plawecki] threw 1.9 [pop time] vs. Seattle, Cora said. Its one of the best throws the last two years. So, we like it. Pop time represents the time elapsed from the pitch hitting the catchers mitt to the moment the fielder is projected to receive the catchers throw. The Red Sox believe the one-knee-down catchers stance helps in all aspects and are adamant about keeping it as a part of their game plan. As it pertains to throwing out runners, Cora said the Sox are working to improve. Advertisement With the running game, theyve been very aggressive, Cora said of the Tigers. Something they havent done the whole season. But well be prepared. Well keep working on it. Pujols fan Xander Bogaerts, who played his 1,000th major league game on Thursday, said he came up through the Red Sox system idolizing Albert Pujols, who was released by the Angels. I remember when I was in Greenville, I used to hit like Pujols, his batting stance, Bogaerts said. Obviously, at that time he was definitely in his prime. Hes had such an amazing career and my batting stance was like him for a period of time. From 2001-11 with the Cardinals, Pujols hit .328 with a .420 on-base percentage, 445 home runs, a .617 slugging percentage, and a whopping 1.037 OPS. His run in St. Louis included two World Series titles, three National League MVPs, and two Gold Gloves. While he reached many milestones as a member of the Angels from 2012-21, including 3,000 hits, Pujols never came close to duplicating his previous level of production, making just one All-Star team. In 92 plate appearances this season, Pujols hit .198 with five homers. Hes had a tremendous career, Bogaerts said. Its just sad what happened over there. I dont know all the details, but its definitely really sad. Workman signed The Red Sox announced that they have signed Brandon Workman to a minor league deal. Workman was drafted by the Sox in the second round in 2010. The righthanded reliever made his major league debut in 2013 and was a part of the big league roster for parts of six seasons. Advertisement In 2019, Workman had a breakout season, posting a 1.88 ERA to go along with 104 strikeouts in 71 innings. The Sox traded Workman in August 2020 along with Heath Hembree to the Phillies for pitchers Nick Pivetta and Connor Seabold, each of whom have made a significant impression within the organization. The Red Sox have assigned Workman to Triple A. Julian McWilliams can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @byJulianMack. | https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/05/06/sports/will-kik-hernndezs-hamstring-injury-force-red-sox-make-move/ |
How did Mizzous NFL draft class stack up in the SEC and beyond? | A: At this point I'm not sure there's an obvious first- or second-round prospect. I'd start the list with Trajan Jeffcoat. If you can earn first-team All-SEC honors as an edge rusher after taking off a full season you can continue to develop and work your way into the draft. I'm not sure if MU's two veteran offensive linemen, Mike Maietti and Case Cook, have guaranteed NFL futures. There's not much positional value at the running back position in today's game, so I'm not sure if Tyler Badie is a complete enough player to become a draft pick. Not sure. I'm really looking forward to seeing what he can do with an expanded workload. I've always wondered why he doesn't get more touches. If Kobie Whiteside stays healthy and is productive he could work his way into the draft. I have high expectations for Martez Manuel, but he'll be just a junior - technically a third-year sophomore eligibility wise. | https://www.stltoday.com/sports/subscriber/how-did-mizzou-s-nfl-draft-class-stack-up-in-the-sec-and-beyond/article_f4b928f1-7402-5dc2-8fc3-b1ae6f7515f1.html |
How did the Guardian survive 200 years? | On the day the Guardian was born in Manchester on 5 May 1821, the big story was taking place 4,800 miles away on an island in the south Atlantic. The first edition of the Manchester Guardian, published on 5 May 1821. Photograph: Guardian News & Media Archive/The Guardian The fact that it took weeks for news of Napoleon Bonapartes death on St Helena to become known shows how communication has sped up down the years. It also shows just how long the Guardian has been around. This was the world of the first Industrial Revolution, built around steam power and textiles, a time when Manchester businessmen wanted to harness the power of the press to push for the vote. Electric power was a thing of the future. The rich got around on horseback; the poor walked. Back in the spring of 1821, pressure was starting to build for electoral reform. George Stephenson was still some years away from perfecting the Rocket. Charles Dickens was nine and had yet to face the indignity of working in the boot-blacking factory later immortalised in David Copperfield. It would be eight years before Robert Peel established the Metropolitan police. The Tolpuddle martyrs would not be transported to Australia until the middle of the next decade. The first FA Cup final was still almost half a century distant. From politics to transport, from literature to crime, from workers rights to sport, the themes have remained unchanged down the years. The Guardian of 2021 has lived through two centuries of often wrenching change: two world wars; a Great Depression; Britains rise and fall as an industrial powerhouse; the technological innovation that brought the world the internal combustion engine, air travel and the personal computer. While many other companies that existed back in 1821 are no more, what was originally the Manchester Guardian has lived to see the dawning of a fourth Industrial Revolution, in which the commercial breakthroughs are in artificial intelligence and biotechnology. Of the companies that make up the FTSE 100, only six were founded before the Guardian, underlining the message from Alfred Marshall, a Cambridge economist, that just as with the trees in a forest, there would be large and small firms but sooner or later age tells on them all. A study by the economist Les Hannah looked at what happened to the worlds biggest companies between 1912 and 1995. More than a quarter (29%) had gone bankrupt, 48 had disappeared as independent entities and only 28 were larger in 1995 than they had been 73 years earlier. Paul Ormerod, the author of Why Most Things Fail, opened his book by saying: Failure is all around us. Failure is pervasive. Failure is everywhere, across time, across place and across different aspects of life. Even in periods when the world is not being laid low by a pandemic, 10% of US companies disappear each year. All of this makes the Guardian which began life as what would now be called a startup venture something of a rarity: a business that has not gone bust, been taken over or merged into a bigger entity. The site of the Manchester Guardian building in 1821, from The Manchester Guardian A Century of History by W Haslam Mills (London, 1921). Photograph: Illustrator unknown/GNM Archive In truth, 1821 was not the most propitious time to launch a newspaper. Britain was still largely an agrarian economy and the end of the Napoleonic wars had resulted in a severe agricultural depression. They were tough times, too, for the cotton mills of Lancashire, where wages of factory hands fell sharply. Soldiers returning from the Duke of Wellingtons army at the battle of Waterloo found it hard to find work. According to Ormerod, the probability of a firm going under is highest in the first two to three years of its existence, and as the papers former editor Alan Rusbridger says, there was no great business model for serious, awkward, inquiring journalism in 1821 any more than there is today. What the Guardian has always enjoyed is a strong brand and reader loyalty, both vital if a venture is to make it through the inevitable rough patches. The Guardian has always had a distinct position, been the outsiders, Rusbridger says. We were in Manchester when everybody was in London; when everybody was in Fleet Street we were in Farringdon Road, we were left-wing when everybody else was right-wing. The subeditors room at the offices of the Manchester Guardian in 1958. Photograph: Bert Hardy/Getty Images Katharine Viner, the current editor-in-chief, says: Not many brands last for very long, and very few last for two centuries. I think the Guardian has survived because we have been absolutely clear on what were here to do our journalistic purpose, and who we are here to serve. Unlike some newspapers, the Guardian has never had a billionaire sugar daddy, but Viner and Rusbridger point to its unique ownership structure as a factor behind its continued existence. The Scott Trust ownership, since 1936, means that we are able to make decisions for the long term: for example, embracing the digital revolution as an opportunity as well as a threat, Viner says. We realised that we are an organisation that believes in the importance of providing journalism for our readers, not about printing newspapers an important difference. The Guardian is, of course, not the only publication to have shown staying power. The Times dates back to 1785, while the Spectator was first published in 1828. The Observer, the Guardians sister paper, was first printed in 1791. Longevity has not tended to correlate with profitability. Newspapers, the Guardian and the Observer included, have often teetered on the brink of closure. In 1971, to mark the Guardians 150th birthday, the then editor, Alastair Hetherington, wrote an essay in which he freely confessed that the move from Manchester to London in the late 1950s had proved difficult. Trying to do things on a shoestring was the Guardians worst mistake of the postwar era. 119 Farringdon Road pictured in 1976, shortly before the Guardian moved in from its Grays Inn offices. Photograph: Peter Johns/The Guardian For much of its life, along with the rest of the newspaper industry, the Guardians survival was aided by the absence of disruptive technological change. The way papers were printed moved on but the basic business model gather news, print news, fill in the blank spaces with advertising remained the same. Radio and TV were complementary rather than challenger technologies. The digital revolution has forced all newspapers to reassess their business models. For the Guardian, cashing in on its investment in Trader Media Group, the publishers of AutoTrader, has provided financial security. Viner says: There is still a lot of risk, but the Guardians revenues are now well over 60% digital, and driven mostly by our readers. Ultimately, though, the Guardian is clear about who we are and what we stand for, as laid out by CP Scott in his extraordinary essay in 1921: that our values are honesty, integrity, courage, fairness, a sense of duty to the reader and the community; that the Guardian must always be editorially led; and that we put principle before profit. We have roots, we have principles, we have philosophy, we have values. We know who we are. Rusbridger says: If Rupert Murdoch looked at the Guardian he would probably say it was a crap business that nobody ever made any money out of. But here we are 200 years later, its got 1bn in the bank and its nicely set up. Asked if he thinks the Guardian will last for another 200 years, he adds: Its got as good a chance as anybody. | https://www.theguardian.com/media/2021/may/07/guardian-200-how-survive-two-hundred-years |
What did last weeks elections tell us about the GOPs hope for a comeback? | Every four years, a sparse array of local and state contests in the aftermath of a presidential election provides a challenge for politicians and pundits seeking variations in the nations political trends. Often, these races buoyed the party that just lost the White House, either in the inevitable special elections for congressional vacancies or in the two states New Jersey and Virginia that choose governors. Because the 2021 special congressional contests are mainly in safe districts, these races are more likely to follow form than provide revelations. That was certainly true in the Democratic victory in the recent Louisiana race and the fact two Republicans made the runoff Saturday in a suburban Dallas district. But two statewide contests on opposite sides of the country one traditional, one not may provide the best opportunities for testing if the Democrats are maintaining their recent strength or Republicans are beginning to mount a comeback. One is the regularly scheduled gubernatorial election in Virginia, where Republicans hope to end the recent Democratic domination that has seen only one GOP governor elected in the last 20 years. The other is a recall election in California where Republicans hope to unseat a Democratic governor for the second time in this century. For more than four decades with one lone exception the winner of Virginias governorship has been the party that lost the presidential election just 12 months earlier. That was eight years ago, when Democrat Terry McAuliffe was narrowly elected. Since then, Democrats have solidified their hold on the one-time conservative bastion, capturing both houses of the General Assembly as well as the three elected statewide offices. Republicans have not won Virginia in a presidential election since 2004, and President Joe Biden outpaced his national showing there last year with 54% of the vote. Unfortunately for Republican hopes, this years Democratic nominee is again likely to be McAuliffe, who was a popular state executive and is seeking a second non-consecutive term in the only state that still bars its governors from seeking reelection. Polls show the 64-year-old McAuliffe with a commanding lead in the June 8 Democratic primary over four rivals, three of them African Americans. Popular and well-financed, hell be a strong favorite in November. Meanwhile, as elsewhere, the states Republicans are struggling to throw off the shadow of former President Donald Trump, never popular in the state. Fearful that an unabashed Trump supporter, state Sen. Amanda Chase, might win a primary, party leaders opted instead for something of a hybrid, an unassembled state convention being held Saturday in some 40 different locations. It could attract 40,000 participants. Chase has six opponents, the most prominent of whom are two businessmen, Glenn Youngkin and Pete Snyder, and the former GOP speaker of the House of Delegates, Kirk Cox. They are competing with one another in echoing Trumps call for tightening voter laws, though there is no evidence fraud is a problem. The GOPs best hope is a possible backlash against the Democratic legislatures enactment of liberal legislation, including new gun laws, or dissatisfaction over state management of school closings and vaccine distribution during the COVID-19 pandemic. If Virginias election is pretty much politics as usual, Californias is not. For the second time in 18 years, Republicans hope to benefit from the states century-old voter empowerment procedures to recall an elected Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom. In 2003, a similar effort unseated Gov. Gray Davis, whose popularity plunged over his mishandling of energy shortages and state finances. Voters installed movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican, as the states governor, and he subsequently won a second term in 2006. Davis, never that popular, had been reelected in 2002 by a relatively modest margin, but voter dissatisfaction dropped his job approval into the 20s. Along with the popular Schwarzenegger, at least one prominent Democrat sought to displace him. Newsom appears in a far stronger position. In the last 20 years, Democrats have solidified their control of California, winning every recent statewide contest by a massive margin. Newsom, formerly San Franciscos mayor and lieutenant governor, was elected in 2018 by nearly 3 million votes and remains relatively popular with job approval in the low 50s. The states finances are excellent, thanks to tax raises on wealthier Californians enacted under former Gov. Jerry Brown. But Newsom got a spate of bad publicity for attending a birthday party for a lobbyist at a posh restaurant when anti-COVID guidelines barred such events, and he incurred the wrath of some conservatives for closings during the pandemic. Critics got the required 1.5 million signatures to force a recall vote, but Democrats so far are united behind Newsom. The four announced Republican opponents are 2018 GOP nominee John Cox, San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, former Rep. Doug Ose and Caitlyn Jenner, the reality television star and transgender activist, who is getting help from some former Trump campaign officials. But the recall, not yet scheduled, is at least six months off a lifetime in politics. Much may depend on how Newsom and the national Democratic Party fare between now and then. Both Virginia and California seem uphill for the GOP. But if Republicans can manage to pull off one or both, it would give them a big psychological boost going into the 2022 state and congressional elections. Carl P. Leubsdorf is the former Washington bureau chief of The Dallas Morning News and a frequent contributor. Send a letter to the editor and you just might get published. | https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2021/05/06/what-did-last-weeks-elections-tell-us-about-the-gops-hope-for-a-comeback/ |
Can Guantnamo Ever Be Shut Down? | EDITORS NOTE: This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To stay on top of important articles like these, sign up to receive the latest updates from TomDispatch. Subscribe to The Nation Subscribe now for as little as $2 a month! Subscribe now for as little as $2 a month! Get The Nations Weekly Newsletter Fridays. The best of the week. You will receive occasional promotional offers for programs that support The Nations journalism. You can read our Privacy Policy here. Fridays. The best of the week. Thank you for signing up for The Nations weekly newsletter. Join the Books & the Arts Newsletter Mondays. The best of The Nations Books & the Arts, in your inbox biweekly. You will receive occasional promotional offers for programs that support The Nations journalism. You can read our Privacy Policy here. Mondays. The best of The Nations Books & the Arts, in your inbox biweekly. Thank you for signing up. For more from The Nation, check out our latest issue Subscribe to The Nation Subscribe now for as little as $2 a month! Subscribe now for as little as $2 a month! Support Progressive Journalism The Nation is reader supported: Chip in $10 or more to help us continue to write about the issues that matter. The Nation is reader supported: Chip in $10 or more to help us continue to write about the issues that matter. Sign up for our Wine Club today. The Guantnamo conundrum never seems to end. Twelve years ago, I had other expectations. I envisioned a writing project that I had no doubt would be part of my future: an account of Guantnamos last 100 days. I expected to narrate in reverse, the episodes in a book I had just published, The Least Worst Place: Guantnamos First 100 Days, aboutwell, the title makes it all too obviousthe initial days at that grim offshore prison. They began on January 11, 2002, as the first hooded prisoners of the American war on terror were ushered off a plane at that American military base on the island of Cuba. Needless to say, I never did write that book. Sadly enough, in the intervening years, there were few signs on the horizon of an imminent closing of that US military prison. Weeks before my book was published in February 2009, President Barack Obama did, in fact, promise to close Guantnamo by the end of his first year in the White House. That hope began to unravel with remarkable speed. By the end of his presidency, his administration had, in fact, managed to release 197 of the prisoners held there without chargesmany, including Mohamedou Ould Slahi, the subject of the film The Mauritanian, had also been torturedbut 41 remained, including the five men accused but not yet tried for plotting the 9/11 attacks. Forty remain there to this very day. Nearly 20 years after it began, the war in Afghanistan that launched this countrys Global War on Terror and the indefinite detention of prisoners in that facility offshore of American justice is now actually slated to end. President Biden recently insisted that it is indeed time to end Americas longest war and announced that all American troops would be withdrawn from that country by September 11th, the 20th anniversary of Al Qaedas attack on the United States. It makes sense, of course, that the conclusion of those hostilities would indeed be tied to the closure of the now-notorious Guantnamo Bay detention facility. Unfortunately, for reasons that go back to the very origins of the war on terror, ending the Afghan part of this countrys forever wars may not presage the release of those forever prisoners, as New York Times reporter Carol Rosenberg so aptly labeled them years ago. Biden and Guantnamo Just as President Biden has a history, dating back to his years as Obamas vice president, of wanting to curtail the American presence in Afghanistan, so he called years ago for the closure of Guantnamo. As early as June 2005, then-Senator Biden expressed his desire to shut that facility, seeing it as a stain on this countrys reputation abroad. At the time, he proposed that an independent commission take a look at Guantnamo Bay and make recommendations as to its future. But, he said then, I think we should end up shutting it down, moving those prisoners. Those that we have reason to keep, keep. And those we dont, let go. Sixteen years later, he has indeed put in motion an interagency review to look into that detention facilitys closing. Hopefully, once he receives its report, his administration can indeed begin to shut the notorious island prison down. (And this time, it could even work.) Current Issue View our current issue Its true that, in 2021, the idea of shutting the gates on Guantnamo has garnered some unprecedented mainstream support. As part of his confirmation process, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, for instance, signaled his support for its closure. And Congress, long unwilling to lend a hand, has offered some support as well. On April 16, 24 Democratic senators signed a letter to the president calling that facility a symbol of lawlessness and human rights abuses that continues to harm US national security and demanding that it be shut. As those senators wrote, For nearly two decades, the offshore prison has damaged Americas reputation, fueled anti-Muslim bigotry, and weakened the United States ability to counter terrorism and fight for human rights and the rule of law around the world. In addition to the $540 million in wasted taxpayer dollars each year to maintain and operate the facility, the prison also comes at the price of justice for the victims of 9/11 and their families, who are still waiting for trials to begin. Admittedly, the number of signatories on that letter raises many questions, including why there arent more (and why there isnt a single Republican among them). And theres another disappointment lurking in its text. While those senators correctly demanded a reversal of the Trump administrations erroneous and troubling legal positions regarding the application of international and domestic law to Guantnamo, they failed to expand upon the larger context of that forever nightmare of imprisonment, lawlessness, and cruelty that affected the war-on-terror prisoners at Guantnamo as well as at the CIAs black sites around the world. Still, that stance by those two-dozen senators is significant, since Congress has, in the past, taken such weak positions on closing the prison. As such, it provides some hope for the future. For the rest of Congress and the rest of us, when thinking about finally putting Guantnamo in the history books, its important to remember just what a vast deviation it proved to be from the law, justice, and the norms of this society. Its also worth thinking about the American detainees there in the context of what normally happens when wars end. Prisoners of War Defying custom and law, the American war in Afghanistan broke through norms like a battering ram through a gossamer wall. Guantnamo was created in just that context, a one-of-a-kind institution for this country. Now, so many years later, its poised to break through yet another norm. Usually, at the end of hostilities, battlefield detainees are let go. As Geneva Convention III, the law governing the detention and treatment of prisoners of war, asserts: Prisoners of war shall be released and repatriated without delay after the cessation of active hostilities. That custom of releasing prisoners has, in practice, pertained not only to those held on or near the battlefield but even to those detained far from the conflict. Before the Geneva Conventions were created, the custom of releasing such prisoners was already in place in the United States. Notably, during World War II, the United States held 425,000 mostly German prisoners in more than 500 camps in this country. When the war ended, however, they were released and the vast majority of them were returned to their home countries. When it comes to the closure of Guantnamo, however, we cant count on such an ending. Two war-on-terror realities stand in the way of linking the coming end of hostilities in Afghanistan to the shutting down of that prison. First, the Authorization for the Use of Military Force that Congress passed right after the 9/11 attacks was not geographically defined or limited to the war in Afghanistan. It focused on but was not confined to two groups, the Taliban and Al Qaeda, as well as anyone else who had contributed to the attacks of 9/11. As such, it was used as well to authorize military engagementsand the capture of prisonersoutside Afghanistan. Since 2001, in fact, it has been cited to authorize the use of force in Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia and elsewhere. Of the 780 prisoners held at Guantnamo Bay at one time or another, more than a third came from Afghanistan; the remaining two-thirds were from 48 other countries. A second potential loophole exists when it comes to the release of prisoners as that war ends. The administration of George W. Bush rejected the very notion that those held at Guantnamo were prisoners of war, no matter how or where they had been captured. As non-state actors, according to that administration, they were exempted from prisoner of war status, which is why they were deliberately labeled detainees. Little wonder then that (as The New York Times recently reported), despite Secretary of Defense Austins position on Guantnamo, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby argued that there was no direct link between its future and the coming end to what he called the mission in Afghanistan. In fact, even if that congressional authorization for war and the opening of Guantnamo on which it was based never were solely linked to the conflict in Afghanistan, its time, almost two decades later, to put an end to that quagmire of a prison camp and the staggering exceptions that its woven into this countrys laws and norms since 2002. The closing of Guantnamo would finally signal an end to the otherwise endless proliferation of exceptions to the laws of war as well as to US domestic and military legal codes. As early as June 2004, Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day OConnor flagged the possibility that a system of indefinite detention at Guantnamo could create a permanent state of endless legal exceptionalism. She wrote an opinion that month in a habeas corpus case for the release of a Guantnamo detainee, the dual US-Saudi citizen Yaser Hamdi, warning that the prospect of turning that military prison into a never-ending exception to wartime detention and its laws posed dangers all its own. As she put it, We understand Congress grant of authority for the use of necessary and appropriate force to include the authority to detain for the duration of the relevant conflict, and our understanding is based on longstanding law-of-war principles. She concluded that if the practical circumstances of a given conflict are entirely unlike those of the conflicts that informed the development of the law of war[the] understanding [of release upon the end of hostilities] may unravel. But that is not the situation we face as of this date. Sadly enough, 17 years later, it turns out that the detention authority may be poised to outlive the use of force. Guantnamo has become an American institution at the cost of $13 million per prisoner annually. The system of offshore injustice has, by now, become part and parcel of the American system of justiceour very own forever prison. The difficulty of closing Guantnamo has shown that once you move outside the laws and norms of this country in a significant way, the return to normalcy becomes ever more problematicand the longer the exception, the harder such a restoration will be. Remember that, before his presidency was over, George W. Bush went on record acknowledging his preference for closing Guantnamo. Obama made it a goal of his presidency from the outset. Biden, with less fanfare and the lessons of their failures in mind, faces the challenge of finally closing Americas forever prison. With all that in mind, let me offer you a positive twist on this seemingly never-ending situation. I wont be surprised if, in fact, President Biden actually does manage to close Guantnamo. He may not do so as a result of the withdrawal of all American forces from Afghanistan but because he seems to have a genuine urge to shut the books on the war on terror, or at least the chapter of it initiated on 9/11. And if he were also to shut down that prison, in the spirit of that letter from the Democratic senators, it would be because of Guantnamos gross violations of American laws and norms. While the letter did not go so far as to name the larger sins of the past War on Terror, it did at least draw attention directly to the wrongfulness of indefinite detention as a system created expressly to evade the lawand one that brought ill-repute to the United States globally. That closure should certainly happen under President Biden. After all, any other course is not only legally unacceptable, but risks perpetuating the idea that this country continues to distrust the principles of law, human rights, and due processindeed, the very fundamentals of a democratic system. | https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/close-guantanamo-bay/ |
Could the key to ending the pandemic be as easy as booking everyone a trip to Hawaii? | If you want to go to Hawaii right now, you need to take a COVID test that produces a negative result within 72 hours of your departure from the mainland. This spring, my family and I have made a plan to go to two Hawaiian islands. Weve already purchased plane tickets, paid for all of our accommodations up front, reserved multiple rental cars, booked a couple of snorkeling tours, and even pre-paid for parking at the airport. But its still just a plan. In order for us to execute our plan, we will need to take a COVID test that produces a negative result within 72 hours of our departure from the mainland. If one of us tests positive, we can pretty much say aloha to our family trip because if one of us tests positive, by order of the Hawaiian government, that person will be barred from getting on the airplane. And in that case, of course, none of us would go. All this is to say: Im worried about getting COVID right now. I honestly dont think Ive been this worried about getting COVID at any other time during the pandemic. Which doesnt make a ton of sense, since my whole family has been vaccinated. In fact, when I first got the Johnson & Johnson shot at Johnson C. Smith University in mid-March, I felt like Id rounded third base and was headed for home. I didnt seek out crowded dance parties, but after the two-week waiting period was up, I ate inside a restaurant, I shook the hand of a man who I was writing a story about, and I caught a flight to Philadelphia so I could hug my parents for the first time in over a year. And early on, I kept thinking to myself, As more and more people get vaccinated, case numbers and hospitalizations and deaths will go down, and by the time we go to Hawaii, all well have to do is show our vaccine cards. Well, more and more people have gotten vaccinated (though not nearly enough),and case numbers and hospitalizations and deaths have gone down in some parts of the country (though not nearly enough), but over the past few weeks its become clear that Hawaii isnt going to budge on its guidelines before we are supposed to take our trip. As a result, over the past few weeks, things that I thought would not be concerning to me anymore have concerned me. Because while my risk has certainly decreased markedly, and while fully vaccinated individuals are rarely contracting COVID you just never know. Scientists are still learning how well vaccines prevent you from spreading the virus that causes COVID-19, and how effective they are against new variants. But scientists have established that vaccinated people who are in proximity to those who are unvaccinated face a higher risk of infection. To steal a line from McClatchy reporter Katie Camero: Its like tanning; the more time spent under the sun, the greater your chances of getting sunburned. So Ive taken to wearing a mask more again. Just in case. Ive taken to trying to stay six feet apart from others again. Just in case. I find myself avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces again. Just in case. And Im washing my hands every time I pass a sink again. Just in case. Its both humiliating and fascinating to consider the rationale for this renewed vigilance. Pre-vaccination, my motivation for wearing a mask and practicing social distancing was trying to keep myself and those around me healthy. Post-vaccination, my behavior as it pertains to the pandemic has become incentivized. Now, I know theres been talk about giving people who are hesitant about the vaccines an incentive to get vaccinated and in some cases its actually more than just talk. For example, West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice announced last month that state residents aged 16 to 35 who get vaccinated will receive $100 savings bonds. The thing is, its becoming pretty clear that lots of people dont want to get the shots, and experts say thats going to make it unlikely the U.S. will reach herd immunity. I have another idea, though, to deal with people who are opposed to the vaccine, and who would be wary of being paid to get it. I do. I mean, we can argue all day long about politics and COVID and vaccines and conspiracies, but a COVID test is a COVID test and, hey, a free trip to Hawaii is a free trip to Hawaii. Even if you dont believe in COVID, I think in this case you try to play the odds. It is of course a ridiculous idea with, quite obviously, no hope of ever being taken seriously. (Although for the record, in order for it to be a proper experiment, wed probably need applicants to produce several negative COVID tests over a period of several weeks and everyone playing would need to play at the same time.) But my point is not for that idea to be taken seriously. My point is ... You know, actually, I dont have a point so much as I have both an observation and a question. The observation: Its taken the prospect, however slim, of losing out on a long-awaited family vacation to Hawaii to get me to reassert my dedication to preventing the spread of the virus, to be reacquainted with the idea of letting your guard down having consequences, and to be reminded that this thing aint over yet. | https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/coronavirus/article251204099.html |
Can I switch to a different COVID vaccine brand if booster shots are needed? | Welcome to Pandemic Problems, an advice column from The Chronicles engagement reporters that aims to help Bay Area residents solve their pandemic-related conundrums personal, practical or professional. Send your questions and issues to [email protected]. Todays question is fielded by The Chronicles Kellie Hwang. Dear Advice Team: I was disappointed to learn that the Moderna vaccine is only 85% effective in adults over 65 based on clinical trials. I am 72 with no comorbidities and had a definite response of typical short-term side effects after the second dose of Moderna. This gave me confidence that the shot was working. I really want the maximum protection out there because I live alone and do not want to even be a carrier of COVID as nobody really is clear about the long-term effects of the disease for those who are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms. Thank you for your attention to this question. More Information About Pandemic Problems Send your questions and issues to [email protected]. We cannot respond to all questions, but your submission will be read and considered. Please be as specific as possible, but try to keep it concise. We may edit your submission for space, clarity or spelling and grammar. Keep the people and situations in your letter anonymous by changing the names (including yours) and details. We will remove any identifying information. Emails, letters, tweets or other messages you send become the property of The Chronicle and may be published online and in print. Important: This column cannot address immediate risks to your health and safety. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 to reach a counselor at a locally operated crisis center 24 hours a day for free. Text "Connect" to 741741 to reach a crisis counselor any time for free. Emails or other communications you send become the property of The Chronicle and may be published online and in print. By submitting a question, you agree to The Chronicle's Terms of Use, which are available for review at https://www.sfchronicle.com/terms_of_use/ , and acknowledge its Privacy Notice, which is available for review at https://www.sfchronicle.com/privacy_policy/. The advice offered in this column is intended for informational purposes only. Use of this column is not intended to replace or substitute for any professional, financial, medical, legal, or other professional advice. If you have specific concerns or a situation in which you require professional, psychological or medical help, you should consult with an appropriately trained and qualified specialist. The opinions or views expressed in this column are not intended to treat or diagnose; nor are they meant to replace the treatment and care that you may be receiving from a licensed professional, physician or mental health professional. This column, its authors, the newspaper and publisher are not responsible for the outcome or results of following any advice in any given situation. You, and only you, are completely responsible for your actions. See More Collapse Dear Reader: These are some interesting questions and concerns that you raise. Lets break it down. First, you mention that the Moderna vaccine was found to be less effective in individuals over 65 during the clinical trials, which is true. In an analysis from the New England Journal of Medicine, patients 18 to 65 showed an efficacy of 95.6%, while the rate was 86.4% for those older than 65. Pfizer, on the other hand, reported that efficacy was over 94% in individuals over 65 years. However, experts say the effectiveness of the Moderna vaccine for your age group in the real world likely is even higher than in the trials. I talked to Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease expert at UCSF, and she said that in the clinical trial for the Moderna vaccine, only four symptomatic COVID-19 infections occurred in people over 65 of about 3,580 in the trial. With a limited number of events in a subgroup, the percent efficacy in a trial can appear lower than in the entire population tested, she said. However, the real-world effectiveness of the vaccines, even among those who are older, is much higher than that percent. She said based on the CDCs real-world tracking of breakthrough infections, or people who are fully vaccinated and still get sick from COVID-19, the percentage of those who become sick is very small: As of April 26, 95 million Americans have been fully vaccinated and just 9,245 of them contracted COVID-19. Gandhi said this shows the high effectiveness of both mRNA vaccines. (Both Pfizer and Moderna are mRNA vaccines, which use messenger RNA to teach our cells how to mount an immune response to the coronavirus.) Robert Siegel, professor of virology and immunology at Stanford University, said the real-world data so far indicates that these vaccines perform at least as well as in clinical trials in prevention of both infection and severe disease. So the bottom line is, people in your age group are very well protected from the coronavirus whether they received the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine. Next, there is the question of how long vaccine protection lasts and if boosters will be needed down the line. Experts still dont know the answer to this because the vaccine trials are ongoing and they are collecting data in real time. Based on studies of natural immunity, experts can deduce that protection will last at least six to eight months. Moderna announced last month its vaccine is 90% effective at protecting against COVID-19 and 95% effective against severe disease at six months. Pfizer also said its vaccine is highly effective after six months. Moderna announced Wednesday that early data from an ongoing clinical trial for a booster vaccine show it is effective against the variants that originated in Brazil and South Africa. Two studies published Wednesday show the Pfizer vaccine is very effective at preventing the worst outcomes from the variants that originated from the United Kingdom and South Africa. Your last question is about mixing and matching possible booster doses. Gandhi said there should not be a problem mixing vaccine doses down the line. We as practicing physicians dont look at the brand name of the vaccine when we give boosters in the real world, she said. Moreover, there is evidence that mixing and matching different vaccines may actually boost the immune response to COVID-19, and this strategy is being tested right now in the U.K. Right now, people in the U.S. should receive the same brands in a two-dose vaccine regimen. But either because of shortages or to boost a persons immune response, some countries are encouraging people to mix and match their doses for example, one dose of an mRNA vaccine and another of a viral vector vaccine like AstraZenecas, which uses a modified version of a different virus (the vector) to deliver instructions to human cells. Some manufacturers are even purposely developing two different types of vaccines. But for right now, its too early to be concerned about booster shots. It is not yet time for the public to start worrying about what booster to get, Siegel said. When the time comes, there is little reason to believe there will be a significant difference between Pfizer and Moderna. Pandemic Problems is written by Chronicle Advice Team members Annie Vainshtein and Kellie Hwang, combining thorough reporting and guidance from Bay Area experts to help get answers and find a way forward. | https://www.sfchronicle.com/local/pandemicproblems/article/Can-I-switch-to-a-different-COVID-vaccine-brand-16158870.php |
Can FinCEN Solve Americas Money-Laundering Problem? | In March, federal agents raided the Beverly Hills premises of a company called U.S. Private Vaults. According to a subsequent grand jury indictment, U.S. Private Vaults was a money laundering operation where drug dealers and others could anonymously stash fentanyl, guns, and huge stacks of $100 bills in safe deposit boxes. U.S. Private Vaults didnt really bother to hide its business, boasting in ads, We dont even want to know your name. It also shared its strip mall storefront with Gold Business, which allegedly specialized in laundering drug money via purchases of gold. The case of U.S. Private Vaults is just one of the many money laundering schemes uncovered by federal investigators in the United States every year. Perhaps the most notable aspect of the story is how blatantly old school it all seems: the gold for cash, the drugs stuffed in safe deposit boxes. In our current golden age of money laundering, the schemes are usually much harder to suss out, the players are far more sophisticated, and the amount of money laundered in the U.S. yearly is nearly unfathomable: Experts say the figure runs into the hundreds of billions of dollars a year. Americas money laundering problem became much clearer last fall, when BuzzFeed and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists published a blockbuster expos revealing that, from 1999 to 2017, banks filed reports detailing $2 trillion worth of suspicious activity to a tiny 300-person Treasury Department unit called the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, or FinCEN. Known as the FinCEN files, the trove of leaked documents shone new light on how the U.S became a magnet for money launderers from around the world, from drug cartels and human traffickers to Russian oligarchs and African kleptocrats, due in good measure to systemic regulatory problems. All too often they found safe havens for their illicit gains in U.S banks, as well as real estate, bitcoin, art, and other investment niches. | https://newrepublic.com/article/162321/america-money-laundering-capital-fincen |
Are SSDs Really More Reliable? Or Are Hard Disks Harder Than We Thought? | A new study looks very good for the SSDs, but closer inspection of the results suggests its actually too early to call. Online backup service, Backblaze, has this week published one of its regular studies of disk failures across its data centers. The company has more than 175,000 drives of various types spread across four data centers, so its in a strong position to evaluate the longevity of the two different types of disk. The direct comparison between SSDs and hard disks focuses on a much smaller subset of boot drives, of which 1,669 were hard drives and 1,518 were SSDs. On first inspection, the results look like a home run for the SSDs, which showed a much lower failure rate than the traditional hard disks. Comparison of SSD and hard disk failure rates Backblaze The SSDs had an annualized failure rate of only 0.58% - or roughly 1 in every 200 drives. The traditional hard disk drives, with their moving parts and fragile glass platters, had a failure rate of 10.56% - or just over 1 in 10 - which is an order of magnitude worse. However, before you rush out and decide to replace all your hard disks with expensive SSDs, theres a big factor that needs to be taken into account here: the age of the drives. Disk drives of all types are more likely to fail with age. The average age of the hard disk drives in Backblazes study was 49.63 months or just over four years old. The average age of the SSDs was only 12.66 months or just over a year old. Basically, the timelines for the age of the SSD and HDD drives dont overlap very much and in general, drive failure rates typically increase as drive population ages, writes Backblazes Andy Klein, in a detailed blog of the companys results. These two considerations make the conclusion that SSDs fail less often than HDD drives not as clear cut as it first seems. Klein adds that in the coming months, the company will attempt compare hard disk drives and SSDs of a similar age so as to reach a fairer comparison. Long-lasting hard disks Backblazes research is actually very reassuring for users who are still using traditional hard disks for storage. When the company examined the 171,919 hard disks it uses for storage across its data centers, the failure rates were very low indeed - even for drives that had been in active service for many years. Hard disks are very durable Backblaze The annualized failure rate of all the hard disks in Backblazes farm was only 1.49% - the lowest value recorded since it began recording that data in 2013. Its worth noting that Backblazes data center usage will be different from typical consumer usage, and that the disks will have been racked in strict temperature-controlled environments with little or no physical movement. Thats in stark contrast to, say, a laptop that might be bashed around in a bag on a daily commute. Nevertheless, those spinning hard disks are literally not giving up without a fight. | https://www.forbes.com/sites/barrycollins/2021/05/07/are-ssds-really-more-reliable-or-are-hard-disks-harder-than-we-thought/ |
Why Do Small Business Owners Miss Opportunities? | Marek Niedzwiedz is the CEO of aeXea Capital and the founder of YourNonExecCFO.com. getty The small business world is big and terrific. At the same time, it is pretty bizarre. According to The World Bank, SMEs represent "about 90% of businesses and more than 50% of employment worldwide." So clearly, it is a significant and incredible world. However, when you go into the details about how SMEs operate their business models, the financials, etc. you will see some oddities. Small business owners usually have excellent practical and industry knowledge. However, they often do not apply academic knowledge, such as finance, management, marketing, organizational behavior and psychology. Lacking any one of these may lead to inadequate decision making, missing opportunities, self-deception or confirmation biases. Many small business owners frequently lack future trend knowledge in the context of economy or society. As they say, "We are too busy to watch and be up to date with all of it." What is even more relevant, SMEs do not have the same access to capital as their larger competitors have and the gap in this area is enormous. Often, SMEs give their operators a good lifestyle, but at the same time, many owners claim they have ideas on how to grow the business further. However, they do not always act on those ideas as they do not see an immediate need. They are too busy working in the business, not on the business. Therefore, it is unlikely they will grow past a certain threshold. Successful companies are 80% good teams/management and 20% good idea, not the other way around. Many SME entrepreneurs think that a good idea and hard work are enough, but they struggle to progress through not having the critical skills on their board. In reality, they do not compete. Instead, they try to operate among different niches and different customer bases than the more prominent companies do. They tend to overcome the gap by working longer hours and being more flexible, and they do well in this space. Well, it can be achieved by leveraging two areas that I already mentioned skills and capital. I am aware that it may be a vicious cycle having no capital causes challenges to access skills and vice versa. But it is superable, in the current world particularly. For example, a business owner may hire non-exec specialists, pay the talents in stock options and grow geometrically by M&A or direct listing. There are certainly more opportunities out there in the current business world, but let's look more closely at this last option as a way to grow your SME cost-effectively. Direct listing is the process through which a private company becomes listed on a stock exchange without using an investment banking firm, making the process much more affordable. Regardless of size, sector or country, any company can go public in this way. The company can then be listed on one of the major stock exchanges such as the New York Stock Exchange, London Stock Exchange or Euronext. However, suppose the business is very small. In that case, it can be listed on smaller or alternative markets, such as AIM London, Nasdaq Nordic, NewConnect, Nordic Growth Market or, one of the newest and smallest in Europe, Aquis Exchange. These markets are affordable in terms of cost (with the whole process ranging between $200K-$500K) and requirements for a small business. To start the process of going public, it would be beneficial to do your research on which market may be best for your company, as it will depend on: the size of your business, the industry the company operates in and the goals you want to achieve. Then, the company must carry out an audit of its books if not already in place. The next step would be filing with a regulatory authority, such as the SEC in the U.S. or the FCA in the U.K. The final step is filing with the stock exchange or market makers. Each step will take about two to three months, so your company can expect to become publicly traded in six to nine months. Getting your company publicly traded can be an incredible tool to raise equity quickly or debt financing, recruit or reward top talent, complete acquisitions and garner more attention in your respective industry. There are some downsides of going public, such as higher ongoing accounting and legal costs or more business information disclosure requirements. But generally, going public is excellent for maximizing creating significant long-term wealth and shareholder value. Your company can complete acquisitions with shares, sometimes even without raising any capital. You may buy your competitor out one day. This is just one opportunity and way to grow your business. There are, of course, many others. If you are a small business owner, I would encourage you to break the vicious cycle and avoid missing future opportunities. Stop working in your business and start working on your business today. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. | https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2021/05/07/why-do-small-business-owners-miss-opportunities/ |
What should the National Space Council tackle next? | Quick Fix Q&A: An outline for space continuity from Donald Trumps top policy guru. New legislation is in the works to declare space critical infrastructure. The Space Force lays out its vision to be the first fully digital military branch. WELCOME TO POLITICO SPACE, our must-read briefing on the policies and personalities shaping the new space age in Washington and beyond. Email us at [email protected] with tips, pitches and feedback, and find us on Twitter at @bryandbender. And dont forget to check out POLITICO's astropolitics page for articles, Q&As, and more. We asked Scott Pace, the executive secretary of the Cabinet-level body during the Trump administration, how to sustain the bipartisan momentum and even accelerate it. His top action items include deciding the future of the International Space Station; reconceiving NASAs Human Landing System for the moon mission (now bogged down over a pair of protests over its sole selection of SpaceX); drafting and implementing sorely needed plans for tracking and limiting space debris; and leveraging the boom in commercial Earth observation satellites. The post-ISS world: It is important now to be planning for what comes next, Pace, who has returned to his perch as director of George Washington Universitys Space Policy Institute and is also consulting for space industry clients, told us this week. Space things take a long time. We need to keep our international partnerships going, growing them hopefully. The current ISS agreements run out in 2024 and need to be renewed, but we also need to work on what a post-ISS world will look like. Very dangerous: Funding for the Human Landing System is a big deal, he also says. There are a lot of reasons why it was probably premature to down-select to one. This is not a criticism at all of SpaceX, which put forward a very ambitious and very good proposal as far as I can tell. But we dont know enough at this point. Theres lots of reasons for keeping two or more. With that comes a requirement that you have competition, or you have a strong government alternative, Pace explained. If you are going to pick only one commercial entity, then the government has to have a lot of capability in-house and maybe even some parallel tracking to make sure if something goes wrong the government can step in and make sure the mission is accomplished. If you have two strong technically qualified teams, then the government role can be one of more oversight. It is very dangerous to go to just one. I understand how NASA probably got to that decision with the money they have. I think the Congress should be asked to increase funding for HLS. The work needs to start. Trump signed a space policy directive in 2018 to establish in the Commerce Department what Pace describes as an open architecture data repository for tracking satellites and other spacecraft to ensure they dont collide in orbit and cause untold financial and environmental damage. But debates in Congress over whether Commerce is the right agency to oversee the task slowed the effort. All it would take is a major accident, particularly on the commercial side, Pace said. People will be wondering, wait a minute, we were supposed to be fixing this. Did we gather enough information, was there enough warning? It is not a policy question at this point. It is a matter of implementation. Funding needs to happen, he added, but Commerce itself needs to move out. This is an area that I think is needing some increasing attention. Those contracts need to be in place. The work needs to start. A new strategy: Another area where Pace said the Trump team ran out of time was tackling how to manage and take fuller advantage of the range of new commercial space technologies that can monitor environmental activity on Earth. The Trump administration released new industry regs last year, but did not complete plans for a government-wide strategy. We really havent put together a comprehensive Earth remote sensing strategy across the military, commercial, international and scientific sectors, Pace said. We really havent talked about how to take advantage of commercial offerings. We really havent talked about how we might work more with international partners and what they offer. Overall, however, Pace is bullish about the prospects for genuine continuity in space policy, which traditionally gets upended in a change of administrations. He cited one lesser appreciated example: We nominated Doreen Bogdan-Martin to run for the office of head of the International Telecommunication Union Development Bureau and she won, he recounted. The first American in a top five position at the ITU since 1994; first woman in that position ever. And she has now been nominated by this administration to run for the secretary generals job of the ITU. The current secretary general is Chinese. He is term-limited out. Her competitor is a Russian. The international organization, he said, has a big, big impact on space for developing countries, for our own industry. A window of opportunity: Harris plans to put her personal stamp on the National Space Council, such as cybersecurity in space and fueling more STEM education, make a ton of sense, Pace added. But much of the bipartisan agenda is already well established. President Trump provided an opportunity by creating the council and saying space is important for the country, Pace said. He opened a window of opportunity and others were able to come through to make positive changes. I very much appreciate the continuity and bipartisan approach the Biden-Harris administration has been taking to date in space." Related: The Biden administration likely retaining Trump doctrine on cybersecurity in space, via NextGov. In Orbit UNWRITTEN RULES: One space insider quipped this week that Congress has a serious discussion about space security about once every five or 10 years. And the latest one appears to have taken place on Wednesday, when the House Armed Services' Strategic Forces and International Development, International Organizations Subcommittees held a joint hearing on Creating a Framework for Rules Based Order in Space. One major takeaway: There is bipartisan support for engaging with allies and adversaries alike to identify norms of behavior, both binding and not, in a domain where national sovereignty doesnt exist and international agreements on how to behave are limited and largely toothless. Rep. Darrell Issa, the California Republican, addressed it as a rhetorical question. Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton, who called such an approach a goal worth pursuing, was skeptical. Without effective enforcement, he said, rules and norms obviously limit our own activity in space but do nothing to impede malign activity by our adversaries. If we do not intend to enforce the voluntary, non-legally binding rules, or expect our adversaries to abide by norms in space, what happens when they violate them? A hard sell: Indeed, so far the Russians and even more so the Chinese, are not buying anyway. We do engage with China on outer space through both bilateral and multilateral channels, Jonathan Moore, principal deputy assistant secretary of State for the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, told the subcommittees. Our primary goal is to ensure spaceflight safety and responsible behavior in outer space. We are just at the beginning of this process to start to define what some of these norms of behavior are, Bruce Turner of the State Departments Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance, testified. We hope to define such things as how much [distance] to leave between bodies out in space and how one might approach them. There would be communications, there would be notifications, a number of things like that. No one is exactly sure. Rep. Ted Lieu, an Air Force reservist, said during the hearing he is working on legislation to try to clear things up by designating space as critical infrastructure, thus elevating it in government planning and presumably freeing up more resources to protect space assets. The reason there is some confusion is theres approximately 16 critical infrastructure sectors, such as the chemical sector, the communications sector, the energy sector, the California Democrat said. Space is not one of them. However, if there is for example a space communications satellite, that would arguably be captured within the communications sector. To alleviate this confusion and capture everything in space, Im working on legislation that would in fact designate space as a critical infrastructure sector. If not everything, then what? Brian Weeden, director of program planning at the Secure World Foundation, cautioned that it might not make sense to include everything. Those used by first responders need to be, or weather satellites, certainly might be. Another thorny issue relates to military systems, even if they are also used by civilians, particularly GPS. Its a military warfighting capability, he told us. If not everything, then what? Weeden said. That is the key question here. Related: Why space is not part of Bidens infrastructure plan, via Newsweek. Top Doc PAPERLESS: The Space Force on Thursday released its Vision for a Digital Service, laying out its strategy for becoming the first fully digital military branch. That doesnt just mean fully connecting the 16,000 guardians and the services commands. We must become a Digital Service quickly and on a broad scale, and not only across our own enterprise, but also creating connections with allies and industry, the document highlights. By enticing new and forward-thinking companies to work with the USSF and smartly increasing our usage of commercial data for mission activities, we can collectively achieve capabilities far surpassing those we could generate alone. Making Moves NASA Administrator Bill Nelson this week named Susie Perez Quinn, one of his longtime Senate aides who was most recently director of government relations at the National Governors Association, to be his chief of staff, the agency announced this week. WATCH: Nelson, who was sworn in Monday, also released a welcome video to NASA staff. TRIVIA Congratulations to Michael Ravnitsky, a space enthusiast in Silver Spring, Md., who was the first to correctly answer that Pioneer 10 was the first man-made object to pass through the Asteroid Belt and the Voyager 1 probe was the first to exit our solar system. The first person to email [email protected] gets bragging rights and a shoutout in the next newsletter! Reading Room Falling uncontrolled from space, giant Chinese rocket highlights risk of orbital debris: Scientific American Boeing, NASA target July 30 for 2nd test flight of Starliner capsule: Space.com SpaceX lands Mars rocket prototype for the first time: CNN Business Starlink satellite internet service gets 500,000 preorders, Musk says: Reuters Blue Origin to fly first people on New Shepard in July: Space News A NASA spacecraft just touched the outer layer of the sun: Futurist Scientists claim to spot fungus growing on Mars: Futurist U.S. Air Force to investigate aborted ICBM test flight: Space News Plans for a new Space National Guard close to liftoff, top general says: POLITICO ICYMI: Interview with Space Force Gen. Jay Raymond, chief of space operations: The Washington Post Europes Galileo braces for more emergency in-orbit maneuvers: Space News Latin America looks to space, despite limitations on ground: The Associated Press Satellite-navigation systems such as GPS are at risk of jamming: The Economist How the space fantasy became banal: The Atlantic I lived with the astronauts: Popular Mechanics Lets take down the menace to our space dreams: The Space Review Were polluting our future home before we even live there: World Economic Forum BOOK REVIEW: A Right Stuff for our moment of space travel: The New York Times Event Horizon TODAY: The House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee holds a hearing on the Air Force and Space Force budget at noon. TODAY: The Space Foundation holds its National Space Day symposium beginning at noon. MONDAY: Watch NASAs asteroid sample return mission begin its two-year journey home at 4 pm. MONDAY: The Space Force Association holds a discussion with Col. John P.Y. Thien, commander of Space Delta 3 at 1 pm. TUESDAY: NASA and Northrop Grumman hold a briefing on the James Webb Space Telescope at 1 pm. THURSDAY: The Space Court Foundation holds a seminar titled Competing for Space Superiority: Arms Racing, Rivalries and Hype in Space starting at 11 a.m. Follow us on Twitter Bryan Bender @bryandbender Dave Brown @dave_brown24 Jacqueline Feldscher @jacqklimas | https://www.politico.com/newsletters/politico-space/2021/05/07/what-should-the-national-space-council-tackle-next-492761 |
Was COVID-19 the perfect cover for murder? | In March of 2020, as the world reeled in shock and fear from COVID-19, friends and family of a devoted mother from wealthy Palm Beach County, Florida, were stunned to receive texts saying she was sick with the coronavirus. But when they followed up on the text messages with unsuccessful calls and attempts to reach 51-year-old Gretchen Anthony, they began to suspect a scenario far more dire than even an acute case of COVID-19: that someone was sending messages from Gretchen Anthony's phone to cover up for her disappearance. "The COVID Cover-Up: Searching for Gretchen Anthony," an all-new "48 Hours" reported by correspondent Peter Van Sant, airs Saturday, May 8 at 10/9c on CBS. Investigators searching for Gretchen soon realized someone was using the COVID-19 pandemic to cover up her disappearance. Ultimately, clues from cloud storage helped police catch a killer. The texts from Gretchen Anthony's phone to friends and family began on March 23, 2020. At the time, Gretchen's 12-year-old daughter was staying with her ex-husband when she received one of the first messages. "Good morning." It read, "Tested positive for coronavirus early this morning. That means I have to stay here for at least two weeks " At the time, Gretchen was separated from David Anthony, her husband of five years. Anthony, a handsome and popular fitness trainer in Palm Beach County, was living with his mother as the couple finalized their divorce. A text message sent from Gretchen Anthony's phone. Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office Over the next couple of days, the texts described Gretchen's worsening condition, stating she was on a ventilator and being transferred to a special CDC facility. But Gretchen's loved ones realized no one had spoken with her. When inquiries to the Jupiter Medical Center revealed that Gretchen Anthony was never admitted there, her loved ones called the Jupiter Police Department to ask for a wellness check. What investigators learned at Gretchen's house was disturbing and turned that wellness check into a potential murder investigation. Police body camera footage shows a distraught neighbor approach an officer with alarming information. "I heard a really serious woman's scream, just screaming, like she was being attacked," the neighbor told police. Investigators learned Gretchen had filed for divorce from her husband, David Anthony, a fitness trainer, just weeks before she disappeared. Facebook Investigators searched Gretchen's home where they found evidence suggesting a violent struggle: a broken picture frame, shards of glass on Gretchen's bed, and a and a stained towel. Assistant State Attorney for Palm Beach County Chrichet Mixon worked on the case and says there were further signs of violence: "There was a piece of cloth that had what is what is referred to as BLS, a blood-like substance on it." But they didn't find any signs of Gretchen inside. Authorities got a huge break when they discovered neighbors had taken photos of a black Nissan pickup truck parked near Gretchen's home after the terrifying screams. "David Anthony," according to Jupiter Police Detective Jared Kenerson, the lead investigator on the case, "His vehicle was there that morning." Police also noticed security cameras had been removed from the walls which led them to write up a search warrant to Gretchen's service provider to pull the video from the cloud. They hoped there might be video to help determine what happened to Gretchen. They also noticed two Alexa devices and contacted Amazon for any recordings on the morning Gretchen went missing. When police went searching for David at his mother's house, she said David told her he was driving to Costa Rica. "So, it's now, from his perspective, catch me if you can," Van Sant asked Mixon, who replied, "Yes Now we're on the hunt for David Anthony." That hunt would span six states and nearly 2,000 miles as investigators followed David and Gretchen's phones as they pinged together, heading closer and closer to the Mexican border. Images from Gretchen Anthony's security camera retrieved from the cloud show a man [upper right] lurking on her patio. Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office Meanwhile, audio retrieved from Gretchen's Alexa devices revealed her cries for help. And the security camera footage stored in the cloud provided key evidence: the images showed a man lurking on Gretchen Anthony's patio the morning the neighbor heard that scream. "There comes a point where this person that we see grab Gretchen, muffle her screams and take her into the garage," says Mixon. Later, David Anthony can be seen looking straight into a camera. That gave investigators all they needed to arrest him for murder. You can see excerpts of the video on Saturday night's "48 Hours." | https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gretchen-anthony-murder-covid/ |
Did Steelers Fix the Run Game? | The top of the Pittsburgh Steelers' to-do list read 'fix the run game.' Head coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Kevin Colbert went into the 2021 NFL Draft with one objective above the rest - fixing the ground attack. After nine picks, eight undrafted free agents and a new superstar running back, the biggest question surrounding Pittsburgh is whether or not they solved their most pressing issue. Improving from the leagues' worst run numbers isn't a hard task to accomplish. The Steelers are starting at the bottom with three new starters on the offensive line and Chukwuma Okorafor switching sides from right to left tackle. They're also adding a first-round running back. The issue is whether or not the problem is solved right now. The Steelers have plenty of potential for the future in players like Kendrick Green and Dan Moore, but neither seems destined to start in 2021. Therefore, it's B.J. Finney (or J.C. Hassenauer) and Okorafor filling the needs at center and left tackle. Maybe, overall, having Zach Banner back and Kevin Dotson starting full-time makes enough of a difference. Maybe, Okorafor plays better with better talent across the o-line. And maybe, just maybe, Finney is the guy many expected to replace Ramon Foster last season. The definite answer is we don't know. It all depends on how much playing time these rookies need to handle and how much better the offensive line is with new faces and younger talent. No one's questioning Najee Harris' ability out of the backfield. The 24th overall pick is coming off a 30-touchdown season, a unanimous All-American selection and the Doak Walker Award. Chances are he's ready to contribute, and contribute well, in an NFL offense. Down the road, the Steelers run game is fixed. They answered the call and got the pieces for a successful transition from one generation of o-linemen to the next. The running back is a star and the rest of the offense takes a large chunk of the defense's attention away. But right now, it's still a mystery whether or not the Steelers are in a place where dead-last goes to top half. Noah Strackbein is a Publisher with AllSteelers. Follow Noah on Twitter @NoahStrack, and AllSteelers @si_steelers. | https://www.si.com/nfl/steelers/gm-report/did-pittsburgh-steelers-fix-run-game |
Can Canada's oil-rich Alberta capture a low-carbon future? | Article content * Alberta has one of the worlds largest deposits of crude oil * Canada recently increased its 2030 emissions reduction target We apologize, but this video has failed to load. tap here to see other videos from our team. Back to video * Carbon capture tech seen as key to cut fossil fuel emissions By Jack Graham TORONTO, May 7 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) At a research site in rural Alberta, carbon dioxide is injected deep into the ground. Using remote sensors, scientists monitor its movement to ensure the planet-heating gas does not migrate upwards. Basically, think of ultrasound on bodies were doing ultrasound on the earth, said Don Lawton, director of the Containment and Monitoring Institute and a geophysics professor at the University of Calgary. The research findings are shared with oil and gas companies exploring ways to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) during production before the greenhouse gas is released into the atmosphere, and storing it underground or using it for other purposes. Its got lots of little holes in it, Lawton said. Those have held oil and gas for millions of years, so the conclusion is then theyll be able to hold CO2 as well. The oil sands in the western Canadian province of Alberta contain one of the worlds largest deposits of crude oil, with more than 165 billion barrels of bitumen in the ground, according to the Alberta Energy Regulator. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content But Albertas oil and gas industry has also contributed to making Canada the worlds fifth-largest greenhouse gas emitter per capita, and the only G7 nation whose emissions have risen every year since the Paris Agreement came into force in 2016. Aiming to change course, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently committed to almost halving the countrys emissions by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. For Alberta, capturing and storing carbon could prove a key tool for cutting those emissions and smoothing its transition from Canadas largest polluter to a lower-carbon economy. The technology received a boost in Aprils federal budget, with Ottawa announcing a tax credit for capital invested in Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) projects, to cut combined emissions by at least 15 megatons of CO2 annually. The Alberta government is also collaborating on a CCUS working group with federal agency Natural Resources Canada. EXPENSIVE TECHNOLOGY Recognizing its unique geography for storing carbon, Alberta has invested in carbon capture projects since the 2000s and boasts two major projects out of just a few dozen large-scale operations globally. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Shells Quest facility has stored 5 megatons of CO2 from oil sands operations since 2015, while the Alberta Carbon Trunk Line (ACTL), a 240-km (149-mile) CO2 pipeline, opened last year. According to the U.S. Department of Energys Carbon Storage Atlas, Alberta has the capacity to sequester an estimated 78 gigatons of CO2, such as in depleted oil and gas reservoirs. But building facilities to capture carbon dioxide during production is extremely expensive. Capture has always been the big price monster, said Rick Chalaturnyk, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Alberta. Quest, for example, got $865 million from the governments of Canada and Alberta to build and operate its facility, though it has said construction would cost 30% less today. Uncertainty around government policies and carbon taxation has also made it hard for businesses to invest heavily in carbon capture, Chalaturnyk said. These projects are built based on 20-plus-year lives and long pay-backs, so regulation that has the risk of disappearing in four years is challenging, said Kevin Jabusch, chief executive of Enhance Energy, part of a consortium that owns and operates the ACTL. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content The CO2 pipeline was built with government support to serve as a distribution system once more heavy industries in Alberta such as cement manufacturers start capturing carbon. It is currently at just 10-15% capacity, Jabusch said. If we look at the goals for 2030 and the carbon price, there is definitely a moment in the next decade when the economics work, said Alison Cretney, managing director of the Energy Futures Lab, a nonprofit research group. Canadas federal carbon tax is set to rise gradually to $170 per ton by 2030 from $30 today, while the new CCUS incentive is inspired by a U.S. tax credit called 45Q which has encouraged U.S. oil companies to capture carbon. Projects like the ACTL have been economically viable due to capturing carbon for enhanced oil recovery, where pressurized CO2 is injected into oil fields to boost the amount of oil extracted. However, Cretney said it should eventually be possible to fund emissions capture through storage or selling carbon for new uses, such as incorporating it into cement. GETTING CLEAN As Alberta looks to lower greenhouse gas emissions, calls have been growing to diversify the economy more quickly beyond oil and gas particularly as depressed oil prices have caused significant economic pain since 2014. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content In the long-run, the demand for oil and gas is going to go down as countries start to very deliberately move away from using fossil fuels, said Chris Severson-Baker, Alberta regional director at the Pembina Institute, a think-tank. A report released by TD Economics in April found that three-quarters of Canadas oil and gas sector workers 450,000 people could lose their jobs by 2050, most of whom work in Alberta. I think we only do ourselves harm if we dont recognize that and start planning for it, Severson-Baker said, adding that emerging industries like geothermal energy have struggled to get government attention due to the focus on oil and gas. However, Albertas Minister of Energy Sonya Savage said her government had moved fast since coming to power in 2019, including to develop a regulatory framework for geothermal energy and set up an advisory panel on mining minerals like lithium for batteries. What youre seeing in Alberta is a remarkable transformation of the energy sectors, and we have a strong future ahead in oil and gas, she said. Savage argued continued global demand for oil and gas means stopping production in Alberta would only increase it elsewhere in the world under lower environmental standards. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content We would actually not be doing anything to reduce global emissions by phasing out oil and gas in Alberta, she said. Its not the oil and gas that is a concern, its the carbon emissions. However, the oil sands industry is more carbon-intensive than other forms of oil extraction, including lighter and more accessible oils, and investors are putting more pressure on companies to publish decarbonization plans. Investors have chosen to leave more oil in the ground thats already happening, said Jason Switzer, director of the Alberta Clean Technology Industry Alliance. I dont think were going to see the kind of development that was originally forecast for the Canadian oil sands, he added. Switzer has been mapping new clean technology projects such as for greener fuels like hydrogen, and said Alberta has one of the densest clean tech ecosystems in the world. According to a recent forecast by the Canada Energy Regulator, Alberta is expected to see the fastest growth in renewable energy capacity from 2018-2023 of all provinces. Switzer said decarbonization efforts are being bolstered by Albertas concentration of researchers, technical professionals and entrepreneurs who understand large industry and its needs. A lot of smart people have been working on these issues for a long time, he said. (Reporting by Jack Graham; Editing by Megan Rowling. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers the lives of people around the world who struggle to live freely or fairly. Visit http://news.trust.org) Share this article in your social network Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Shopping essentials Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. NP Posted Sign up to receive the daily top stories from the National Post, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. Email Address There was an error, please provide a valid email address. By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300 Thanks for signing up! 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What Do Facebook Ads Have To Do With The Uyghur Genocide? | In recent months, several reports suggested a concerning link between Facebook ads and the Uyghur genocide. In March 2021, Epoch Times reported on evidence linking Facebook ad revenue to Chinese companies profiting from that genocide. They indicated that one of the companies continues selling through Facebook hair it admitted was from Uyghurs. Similar companies suggested by the social media platform appear also to be selling Uyghur hair. Since a womans long hair is highly valued in Uyghur culture, the hair products being sold are almost certainly a product of the ongoing persecution, and not donated or sold freely. These allegations come months after, in August 2020, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CPB) seized over 13 tons of human hair products from Xinjiang. In this photo illustration a Facebook logo seen displayed on a smartphone. (Photo Illustration: ... [+] Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images Facebook did not respond to these allegations that it profited from ads linked to Uyghur genocide. Yet it did not take long before Facebook became the centre of attention again, because of its links with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) which stands accused of committing genocide against the Uyghurs. In April 2021, the WSJ reported that some Facebook staff are raising concerns on internal message boards and in other employee discussions that the company is being used as a conduit for state propaganda, highlighting sponsored posts from Chinese organizations that purport to show Muslim ethnic minority Uyghurs thriving in Chinas Xinjiang region, according to people familiar with the matter. Reportedly, a Facebook spokesman said that the ads taken out by Beijing pertaining to Xinjiang dont violate current policies so long as the advertisers follow Facebooks rules when purchasing them. He said the company is monitoring reports of the situation in Xinjiang to help inform our approach and due diligence on this issue. WSJ further reported that Facebook hasnt determined whether to act on the concerns, say people familiar with the matter. The company is watching how international organizations such as the United Nations respond to the situation in Xinjiang, one of the people said. The U.N. this week called on firms conducting Xinjiang-linked business to undertake meaningful human rights due diligence on their operations. Such responses to very serious allegations of benefiting from Uyghur genocide are highly inadequate. We are talking about atrocities targeting a religious group with methods including torture and abuse, rape and sexual violence, separation of children from their parents, forced sterilizations, forced abortions, forced labor and much more. Waiting for the response from the U.N. cannot be seen as the right policy to address serious allegations of genocidal atrocities, especially considering stagnation at the U.N. and Chinas powerful position there. While States and U.N. experts have been calling for action, and among others, for unfettered access to Xinjiang, this request has been ignored by the Chinese government. And so the vicious circle of impunity continues. One would expect that Facebook would conduct a comprehensive review of the allegations and evidence in support. Ultimately, Facebook should make sure that they sever any ties with atrocities against the Uyghurs. | https://www.forbes.com/sites/ewelinaochab/2021/05/07/what-do-facebook-ads-have-to-do-with-the-uyghur-genocide/ |
Could a San Francisco experiment be an answer to L.A.s sprawling street encampments? | On an unseasonably warm day in March, Michael Johnson lay in his tent, sweat dripping down his face, on Minna alley just off 6th Street in San Franciscos Soma neighborhood. As they often do, a team of city outreach workers, sanitation workers, cops and a firefighter swarmed the alley, which was lined with tents. They were there to offer unhoused San Franciscans a choice. They could accept an offer of some form of shelter, or they could take down their tents and move along. What people like Johnson, who has been homeless two years, couldnt do was stay on this street, where the sidewalk was blocked by dozens of garbage bags. A power washing of the block and a collection of trash would take place after the people departed. The point is I want you out of the street, big homie, one outreach worker told Johnson. Advertisement Advertisement Encampments have been set up around San Francisco to provide tents, toilets, showers and food to unhoused people. The city calls them safe sleep sites. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) The 38-year-old understood. He pulled down his tent, grabbed his bike and backpack and prepared to move along but not before grabbing an ice cream from a nearby store. Instead of going to a large congregate shelter or a hotel, Johnson boarded a bus with a plastic sheet partition protecting the driver from the virus. He was brought to one of San Franciscos six sanctioned tent encampments, which sprouted up at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and have become a key part of the citys homelessness response and a lightning rod for debate among activists, politicians and homeless people. You can come and go as you please. There are not as many rules. Michael Johnson, referring to the citys tent sites Cities up and down the West Coast, including Seattle, Sacramento and San Francisco, confronted by the high cost and slow progress of building housing for homeless people, have turned to these permitted tent encampments. They offer services such as toilets, meals and help finding a permanent place to stay. These efforts, once anathema among some homeless service providers, are becoming more widely accepted as unsheltered homelessness has grown and government officials reckon with a pandemic that has made placing people in large shelters dangerous. The Times spoke with more than two dozen people who either have stayed or currently stay in these sites. Many wished for a room in a hotel or an apartment to call their own. Still, a majority said that they appreciate these lots, some of which will eventually have supportive housing built on them. Advertisement A safe sleeping site on Gough Street in downtown San Francisco. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) Johnson was one. Hes been trying to overcome an addiction to methamphetamine and wants to find a permanent place to live something he hasnt had since he broke up with his girlfriend two years ago. A hotel room would be a start, but he wont go to one of the citys large shelters, which have been the site of large outbreaks of COVID-19 and have strict rules and curfews. You can come and go as you please, he said of the sanctioned tent encampments, which are called safe sleep sites by the city. There are not as many rules. The citys first site in the shadow of City Hall and next to the public library sprouted up just as the shelter systems capacity was limited by the coronavirus and large encampments with 10 or 20 tents began to appear on San Franciscos streets. It started as an ad hoc response to the pandemic but will probably remain in some form. City officials say theres more demand for the roughly 260 spots at these sanctioned tent encampments around the city than spaces available. On one day in early April, there were five open sanctioned camping spots, four spaces open at one of the citys congregate shelters and two hotel rooms. All were filled by outreach workers by the early afternoon. You can rest here, says Erin, 37, of the tent site on Fulton Street. I dont plan to be homeless forever. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) City officials, including San Francisco Mayor London Breed, have partially credited this effort for a decline in the number of tents on the citys streets. In April 2020, there were 1,100 tents on San Francisco streets and 66 encampments of six tents or more. Now, there are just under 400 tents and 10 large encampments, according to Jeff Kositsky, who previously ran the citys Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing and now is in charge of its unsheltered homeless response. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors recently debated and eventually shot down a proposal to require the city to provide shelter for all unhoused people. Its lead supporter has said that this could be accomplished mainly through the expansion of the safe sleep sites. The citys latest point-in-time count found about 8,000 homeless people, but officials say based on other estimates the number is closer to 20,000. This creates choices for people. They have agency in getting to decide how to live their life, Kositsky said. He added that the city was attempting to strike a balance between creating safe, passable sidewalks, which housed residents want, and also helping find places for homeless people to stay in a humane and dignified way. Kositsky described the tension between these two needs as he stood in the citys largest sanctioned encampment on Fulton Street, near City Hall. About 140 people sleep there each night. Advertisement Kenneth Lieth, who goes by Stormy, stands with his puppy at a tent site run by Homeless Youth Alliance. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) The dynamic on the streets has to do with the failures of our brand of capitalism, institutional racism, a broken behavioral health system, and none of us who do this work, were not going to fix that, Kositsky said. What were trying to do is manage a really deep systemic issue where homelessness is a very visual depiction of our failures as a society. In Los Angeles, simmering public anger about large unsanctioned encampments has also led politicians to seek out immediate solutions. One sanctioned encampment on the West L.A. campus of the Veterans Administration opened last summer. Sometimes people arent ready to go into housing. People like this because they get to be in their own space. Lena Miller, Urban Alchemy CEO In the aftermath of the controversial closure of Echo Park Lake and removal of homeless people, another site opened recently on a parking lot in East Hollywood. It will hold about 120 people and cost about $2,600 per person, per month, according to city documents. It is being managed by the same organization, Urban Alchemy, thats running several of the sites in San Francisco. Theres an expectation that this wont be the only one, and homeless services officials in Los Angeles have been talking to their counterparts in the Bay Area about how to best manage the sites. A woman is helped out of the portable shower at the safe sleep site run by Urban Alchemy on Fulton Street. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) Lena Miller, chief executive of Urban Alchemy, said these locations help people begin to overcome the traumas they faced on the streets. The sites help them stabilize, she said, and begin to consider how they can move forward in life. Sometimes people arent ready to go into housing, Miller said. People like this, because they get to be in their own space. They get to be in community. Theyre embraced and then they can start to heal, and theyre safe not only physically but emotionally, and spiritually. San Franciscos Fulton Street encampment began spontaneously at the outset of the pandemic and grew to about 90 tents packed closely together. Then, activists say, one evening city workers erected a fence around it and enrolled people who chose to stay. Now, 10-by-10-foot squares delineate where people can place their tents and keep their possessions. Advertisement Showers and toilets sit in one corner of the lot, and a canopy offers people a shaded space to charge their phones. There are three meals a day, and people from a needle exchange frequently visit. The fenced-in lot is not without its problems. Phones are stolen regularly and fights between the staff and homeless people break out sometimes, encampment residents say. One resident said he carried a machete to keep himself safe. Still, multiple people said they found it preferable to living on the street and having to constantly strike their tent when public works crews arrive to power-wash sidewalks and pick up detritus. Others preferred it to living indoors because it afforded them a freedom and comfort they pined for. Jody Morrow, 46, an unemployed plumber, moved to the Fulton Street site last summer after being told to leave his camp under a freeway. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) All that craziness out there doesnt come in here, said Jody Morrow, 46, an unemployed plumber who arrived from Arkansas three years ago and has been mostly homeless since. Before moving into the Fulton Street site last summer, he lived in a tent under the freeway and was told he couldnt stay there by city workers who needed to clean the area. They offered him a place in the encampment, and he said his situation has improved slightly. Hes less worried about losing his possessions and said he has begun to think about getting a job delivering food on his bike. He said the camp is far preferable to the larger shelters that his friends have stayed in. Those seemed like jail when I listened to other people talk about them, Morrow said. But its how both Morrow and Johnson arrived at their respective sanctioned encampments that worries activists like Chris Herring, who say its a problem that the city is tying placements to the forced moving of people. Herring argued that this dynamic prioritized the interests of homeowners and businesses over people living on the streets with few options. At the same time, Herring and several other homelessness activists say tent encampments connected to services can be a lifeline for unsheltered people. Last summer, the San Francisco Coalition for the Homeless surveyed unhoused people and found that more than half would prefer a legal camp with amenities as opposed to existing shelters. The site at Stanyan Street in San Francisco. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) Herring argued that the camps are far too expensive and the money could potentially be put to better use either buying hotels or renting people rooms. The San Francisco Chronicle reported last year that the city was paying about $61,000 per tent per year roughly $5,100 a month, or more than twice the rent of a typical one-bedroom apartment. Advertisement I would definitely not consider [the encampments] an unqualified success. I wouldnt consider them a failure, either, said Herring, who has closely studied the problems inside San Franciscos shelter system. He pointed to one in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood that he and other activists considered a model. Its run by the Homeless Youth Alliance and its 40 or so spots are filled by unhoused people who had previously been living on the streets nearby. That was a key difference for Mary Howe, the organizations executive director, who has been working in homeless services in the area for two decades. Unlike at the other locations in the city, which receive new campers from all over the city, Howes goal has been to help the homeless people in the immediate neighborhood. Jamal Alexander, 36, says he appreciates the safe sleeping site he has in the Bayview neighborhood of San Francisco and hopes to get more permanent housing soon. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) In the early days of the pandemic, Howe and her team witnessed a mushrooming of tents mostly along Haight Street. Initially they planned to build a campsite in Golden Gate Park with or without government approval but eventually were able to take over an empty, city-owned lot that used to be a McDonalds. It soon will have supportive housing for homeless people constructed on it. We designed this place and created it with the voice of the people who are using the services in mind, Howe said. Howe described how residents sign accountability agreements, but fewer than 10 people have been removed for bad behavior. People feel like theyre part of a community, she said, and appear to be invested in keeping it clean and pleasant. They can come and go as they please and have access to private meeting rooms where they can get medical and psychological support. Adam Schmidt, 38, sits outside a tent with Moose, one of his dogs. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) Adam Schmidt, who has been homeless for eight years, said the encampment community gave him a bit more peace of mind. It meant that he didnt need to worry as much about losing possessions and finding food for himself and his dogs, Moose and Button. They had been living at a large encampment several blocks away, and when an opportunity came to move to a place with food, showers and bathrooms, they jumped. Its stressful to carry everything you have and fear losing a backpack with everything you have in it, he said. This gave me a place where I had a little more security. Advertisement Howe said part of the success was in keeping the camp small. Only about 30 people live there. Kositsky, the city worker, applauded the work of Howe and her team but said encampments need to be larger to be economical. He also said that buying rather than renting things like toilets and hand-washing stations along with not having private security would make the sites cheaper to run. Howe is a bit worried about a looming deadline. Mid-June is when construction begins on the housing development. Before that can happen, the sanctioned campsite will have to close. Howe is still figuring out where people like Schmidt will go. | https://www.latimes.com/homeless-housing/story/2021-05-07/san-francisco-tests-campsites-homelessness-solution |
Whats to play for on the last day of the Womens Super League season? | Defending champions Chelsea remain on course to win another Womens Super League title as they head into the final match of the season against Reading. Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some of the key questions ahead of Sundays last round of games. Victory over Reading would clinch the title for Emma Hayes side (Adam Davy/PA) Emma Hayes Chelsea will wrap up the title with a victory over Reading. They would also clinch top spot with a draw as long as Manchester City do not beat West Ham by three goals or more. Gareth Taylors City need the Champions League finalists to drop points to have any chance of lifting the trophy. Pernille Harder celebrates scoring in Chelseas Champions League semi-final win over Bayern Munich (John Walton/PA) Yes. Theyre chasing a quadruple, while City could still win a double. Lifting the title would be the Blues second piece of silverware this season, having already won the League Cup. Both teams are into the last 16 of the FA Cup, while Chelsea face Barcelona in the Champions League final a week on Sunday. Chelsea and City have mathematically secured their places, while Arsenal are all-but certain to be the third and final qualifier. Joe Montemurros side beat Everton 2-1 on Monday thanks to Kim Littles stoppage-time winner. That gives the Gunners a three-point and 26-goal advantage over fourth-placed Manchester United, so it would take something extraordinary to deny them. One game to go #BarclaysFAWSL pic.twitter.com/xDcBHcIyyp Barclays FA Women's Super League (@BarclaysFAWSL) May 5, 2021 Just three points separate the bottom four teams but Bristol Citys goal difference means it is a straight fight between them and Aston Villa to avoid being the one team relegated to the Championship. City will have to beat Brighton and hope Villa lose to Arsenal to avoid the drop. Not necessarily. Birmingham, one of the teams three points clear with a far superior goal difference, are awaiting the outcome of a Football Association charge for fielding Ruesha Littlejohn when she was due to serve a suspension. They could receive a points deduction. Chelseas Sam Kerr has 20 goals to her name in the Womens Super League this season (Mike Egerton/PA) Chelseas Sam Kerr leads the way in the race for the golden boot with 20 goals, while Arsenals Vivianne Miedema remains two behind. At the other end, Chelsea goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger and Manchester Citys Ellie Roebuck have both kept 11 clean sheets. Englands most-capped player Fara Williams will be calling time on her career, which has spanned more than two decades. Williams has been with Reading since 2017 and will play her final match against Chelsea on Sunday. Arsenal manager Montemurro is also stepping down at the end of the season, having led the club since 2017 and delivered their first league title in seven years. | https://sports.yahoo.com/play-last-day-women-super-122941247.html?src=rss |
Can a patient ask whether the health care workers they see are vaccinated against COVID and do they have to answer? | It is a question patients might not get answered. State and federal laws like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, fondly known as HIPAA, protect the medical privacy of nurses and doctors, just as it does for patients. Regardless of medical privacy laws, patients are still asking the COVID-19 vaccination status of health care professionals. We delve into how Seattle area hospitals are handling this question for this weeks FAQ Friday. HIPAA sets the floor for patient privacy laws, and then states can layer their own regulations on top of it. The act was passed in 1996 in an effort to let people more easily change jobs with their health insurance and to limit insurance companies from denying coverage to people with preexisting conditions. The act also included an often-cited privacy rule. Yes, but perhaps not as many as you might think, even though they were among the first in line for coveted, early doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Advertising A Kaiser Family Foundation/Washington Post poll showed a bit more than half of the nations front-line health workers were vaccinated as of early March. An additional 19% said they planned to get the shots. The undecided made up 12% of those polled and about 18% dont plan on getting the shots. State-level numbers arent available for Washington. It depends. A patient doesnt have the legal right to know if a health care worker has been vaccinated just like anyone else protected by medical privacy laws. But a person can always ask the question of their nurse practitioner or whomever else they are interacting with. Its not a right that a patient has to know. That is something that a health care provider may be comfortable in sharing but also may not, said Dr. Thomas May, the Floyd and Judy Rogers endowed professor at Washington State Universitys Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. The majority of UW Medicines clinical workforce has been vaccinated for COVID-19 and the staff is not required to disclose their vaccination status, but can if they choose, said Susan Gregg, spokesperson for UW Medicine. It is private, protected health care information, she said. Kaiser Permanente Washington and Swedish Medical Center also leave it up to staffers if they want to let patients know they have been vaccinated. Swedish employees were told they can share their vaccination status but can cite HIPAA if they chose not to. Virginia Mason Franciscan Health is encouraging employees eligible to be vaccinated to do so. Because being vaccinated isnt a requirement for employment any hospital employee being vaccinated is treated as a patient, said Cary Evans, vice president of communications at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. Advertising They are not required to disclose this personal health information, which is shielded by federal law protecting patient privacy, he wrote in an email. It is each team members choice how they respond to question about their vaccination status. Because of the suspicion some people have in regard to COVID-19 and the vaccines, health care professionals might feel an obligation to be an example and let patients know that they are willing to do it, May said. A lot of physicians will think, Well, Im confident in the safety and I want to demonstrate that to my patients by being public with my vaccination status, he said. | https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/can-a-patient-ask-whether-the-health-care-workers-they-see-are-vaccinated-against-covid-and-do-they-have-to-answer/ |
Can Ohio State football continue its 2021 running back recruiting success in 2022? | COLUMBUS, Ohio -- No member of Ohio State footballs coaching staff had a better 2021 recruiting cycle than Tony Alford. Alford has long been one of the best recruiters on the staff but hadnt found success within his own position room since bringing in J.K. Dobbins in 2017. He followed up the future second-round NFL Draft pick with a top 100 recruit in 2018, but off-the-field issues ended that OSU career before it ever really got started. Then came the misses, close calls and what-could-have-been during the 2019 and 2020 cycles that led to lower-rated commits and flipping in-state players from Iowa State late in the process. That background is what made 2021 so significant. The year provided a chance to right some wrongs. Three years of underwhelming running back recruiting meant Alford couldnt just go out and get one high-quality player and call it a day. Hed need to get greedy. Just as Ryan Day had gone out to get two quarterbacks with top 100 talent in 2020, Alford would need to do the same in his room in 2021. Hed have to go get Evan Pryor out of North Carolina as the No. 82 player and. No. 2 all-purpose back in the country. Then follow that up with TreVeyon Henderson as the No. 22 player and top running back 11 days later. Alford would have to sell them on the idea of a potential two-back system and keep them on the same page even though other schools would try to use that approach to pull them apart. Evan committed first, and he helped recruit Trey, Alford said during the spring. Those guys helped recruit one another. They were talking all the time. So when you thrust them into a room together, theyre already friends. They already know each other and are comfortable with one another. I think they all understand that for one of them to have success, they better hope their buddy behind them can have success because you need more than one guy that can play. So now the question is, how do you follow up that level of recruiting success. Alford has offered 10 running backs in 2022, and only Jaydon Blue (Texas) and Jadarian Price (Notre Dame) are the only two that have come off the board. Three have emerged as the favorites, and the order for which they stand continues to come into form every day. Theres also plenty of time for others to potentially add their name to the list of 2022 running back targets. Ohio State swung for the fences in 2017 and hit a home run by finding Dobbins, then applied the same approach its next few at-bats only to strike out and get sent back to the dugout. It took four cycles to finally connect again. But when it happened, it resulted in a grand slam by way of Henderson and Pryor. The Buckeyes dont need that in 2022. They just need to get on base. The options available give them more than six months to make that happen. If youve never listened to Buckeye Talk, try it now. And subscribe to Buckeye Talk on any of these podcast platforms or wherever you listen to podcasts. Nick James, 2022 DT, names Ohio State among final six Why springtime wins and losses position OSU for a summer payoff OSUs 2021 draft class lacked elite defensive punch needed this fall: Buckeye Take | https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2021/05/can-ohio-state-football-continue-its-2021-running-back-recruiting-success-in-2022.html |
What Will The Ripple Effect Be In The Crypto Space? | Getty Images It would appear that the initial coin offering (ICO) class action ship has sailed (without a lot of damage suffered by the defendants), but with some pretty interesting takeaways to consider. Last year, I wrote about the 11 class actions that were filed in the Southern District of New York against four crypto-asset exchanges and seven digital token issuers. The gist of those cases was that the defendants offered and sold unregistered securities in violation of state and federal securities laws. The alleged activities that gave rise to the complaints took place in 2017 and 2018. The defendants offered several grounds for dismissal, including that the claims were time-barred due to the one-year statute of limitations on claims arising from issuing and selling unregistered securities. In the last few months, two of the lawsuits (Bibox and BProtocol Foundation (Bancor)) were dismissed, while five others (Quantstamp, Status Research, Civic Technologies, HDR Global Trading (Bitmex), and Kaydex (Kyber Network)) were voluntarily dismissed. The remaining four cases (Binance, Kucoin, Tron, and BlockOne) are working their way through the legal system. As an aside, the plaintiff in the Bibox case moved for reconsideration of the dismissal of their state law claims on the grounds that their state statute of limitations can be extended for plaintiffs who are ignorant of the law, and the court recently set a briefing schedule on that motion for reconsideration. Kayvan Sadeghi, a litigation partner at Schiff Hardin, who represented defendants in one of cases that was voluntarily dismissed, explains that in the two cases that were dismissed, the plaintiffs sought to extend the statute of limitations by alleging that they couldnt have known the token was a security before April 3, 2019, the date on which the Framework for Investment Contract Analysis of Digital Assets was issued by staff at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). But the courts didnt buy it. Ultimately, it came down to the statute of limitations issue, Sadeghi offers. In the two cases that were dismissed, the court ruled that there was no basis to extend the statute of limitations, he explains. That is probably why the other five cases were voluntarily dismissed, he continues. Plaintiffs counsel saw the writing on the wall. As to the four cases that are still active, there are additional claims and/or allegations of trading within a year of when they filed suit, according to Sadeghi. So, the same statute of limitations defense might not be grounds for a complete dismissal at the pleadings stage. With respect to the two cases that were dismissed, in BProtocol Foundation, the court found that the plaintiff had failed to allege an actual injury resulting from his purchase of the BNT digital coin, and failed to allege a causal connection between his alleged injury and the defendants crypto offering from two years earlier. The court also refused to find that it had personal jurisdiction over the defendants (the Swiss-based organization that issued the tokens and the individual defendants, officers of the issuer, who are citizens of Israel). In In Re Bibox, the court found that the plaintiff did not have standing with respect to claims pertaining to five of the six tokens described in the complaint because he had never purchased those tokens. Significantly, the court refused to impute to those five tokens the core features of the Bix token and, therefore, all of the claims related to those five tokens were dismissed. As to the claims pertaining to the remaining (Bix) token, the court found that those claims were time-barred and, so, the entire complaint was dismissed. Taken together, BProtocol Foundation and In Re Bibox demonstrate that the securities laws should be construed narrowly when it comes to private plaintiffs. With a private cause of action, the courts require an actual injury and actual causation. There must be a real connection between the U.S. and the token sale, as well as the defendants. But it is a completely different standard when the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is the plaintiff, such as in the enforcement actions brought by the SEC against Ripple Labs and LBRY. The SEC does not need to show reliance or injury, explains Sadeghi. They just need to show a violation. Further, the SEC asserts jurisdiction over any violation that has substantial conduct or significant effects in the U.S. According to Sadeghi, for private plaintiffs, it is limited to domestic transactions. What's more, when the SEC is the plaintiff, it has five years to bring a cause of action, he explains, and potentially longer for some kinds of relief. With the dismissal of the class action lawsuits raising questions about the application of securities laws to sales of digital assets, observers are now looking even more closely to the SECs case against Ripple Labs, says Lewis Cohen, Co-Founder DLx Law. Cohen relates that unlike in the private litigation where plaintiffs seek monetary relief, the SECs enforcement actions assert a higher principle, namely that securities laws have a meaning and importance that must be observed, even if in the short run enforcing the law may conflict with the interests of the holders of the asset sold. How judges resolve that case will have far reaching implications for the future of digital assets, says Cohen. Jason Gotlieb, Chair of Morrison Cohens White Collar and Regulatory Enforcement Group, explains that the SEC plays by a different set of rules. As a result, he says, they may very well succeed where the private plaintiffs were unable to do so. Gottlieb notes that commentators are looking at the middle-game skirmishes where the Ripple defendants are winning discovery motions. He suggests that these wins may provide the defendants with a different set of facts. But, he says, that may not ultimately determine the core question of whether XRP is a security. We have no idea what is going to happen because we dont know what the documents are going to say. Drew Hinkes, a lawyer at Carlton Fields PA in Miami who works on cryptocurrency matters, suggests that the enforcement action against Ripple is the most important lawsuit in the crypto space right now. Everything else is just noise, says Hinkes. Hinkes explains that Ripple has the resources to take the case past judgment to an appeal where an appellate court will have the opportunity to determine what the law is. Gottleib agrees. For the first time we have a defendant who can make good on its promise to take the case to the highest court. They have the legal fire power and the resources to pay for their very fine attorneys. Only the U.S Supreme Court would consider overturning Howey with respect to digital assets. | https://www.forbes.com/sites/andreatinianow/2021/05/07/what-will-the-ripple-effect-be-in-the-crypto-space/ |
Is Money A Core Value? | Carrie-Ann Barrow, PCC, specializes in coaching leaders , helping them to imagine whats possible and make their boldest visions real. getty Identifying personal core values is one of the first exercises I do with my coaching clients. This is a universal foundation for all coaching topics. I ask them to create and explain a short list of core values that resonates with them. This process helps us both gain clarity about what is most meaningful to them and why. Once we understand their why, we can start to align it with their motivations and decisions. During this values exercise, what comes up most frequently is the question, Is money a core value? And it doesnt come alone. Its often accompanied by guilt, embarrassment and shame. I work with high-achieving leaders and entrepreneurs, the majority of whom are women , and I see a common pattern in our money conversations. The topic inevitably surfaces deeply embedded messages and doubts theyve been carrying with them for years, such as: There's something wrong with wanting to be rich Its shallow to enjoy expensive things and luxurious experiences. My work shouldn't be about the money, it should be about helping people. No pain, no gain: if I didn't work really hard for this money, then I don't deserve it. If you dont question these messages and figure out whats really behind them, you begin to internalize them as facts instead of beliefs. They can become a running loop of negative self-talk, preventing you from creating a life that fits with your values and desires and even happiness. Lets go back to that question: Is money a core value? No, its not. But money is a tool and like any other tool, the better you use it, the more you can accomplish with it. Money can help you honor and realize your core values and perhaps, according to a recent study, it can even lead to greater well-being. Ask yourself these three questions to re-examine your internal messages around money and live more confidently in your deepest values. 1. Maybe its financial security that you value. Maybe its power and influence or freedom and flexibility. Reflect on the feelings you associate with money, and dig deeper than just the surface-level emotions. I spoke with a client recently who felt guilty because she was getting excited thinking about the money she was making that day. Shes a wellness professional and chided herself for focusing on anything other than caring for her patients, saying, All day long, I kept thinking, I just made $75 or $100. And then I thought, I shouldnt feel this way. Aren't you allowed to value wealth-building and providing great care for your patients? Of course! She was excited about the money and, on further exploration, connected it to her core values, like creating more flexibility in her life and spending more time with her family. Theres nothing wrong with wanting wealth, especially when you link it with what is meaningful to you. We need to push back on the messages from our culture especially directed toward women. Dont be afraid to ask for, even demand, what youre worth and celebrate when you get it. 2. Think about what you want to spend money on to build a richer life. Perhaps you daydream about traveling to beautiful places, and its adventure or beauty that you value. Perhaps you crave more vacation time with your family and friends , and its the togetherness and connection that you value. I love recalling the look on a clients face, an entrepreneur who came from very little and made it big, when she had an aha moment with this question. Because her family didnt have close to the wealth shed created, she felt guilty about money. When discussing her core values, she gave me four or five safe values such as integrity, family and compassion. I am not discounting those values at all, but I had been working with her for over a year and knew her pretty well. My coaching style is direct, and I called BS. What do you absolutely love to do? We did some visualization work and revisited peak moments in her life, which revolved around traveling with family and friends. She kept going and discovered that the moments that really stuck out were when she traveled on a private jet, spent time on a yacht and dined at amazing restaurants. She opened her eyes and realized that yes, she values relationships, and she also values luxury. She works hard and earns that luxury, and has nothing to feel guilty about. 3. Think about a past purchase that you might be reluctant to share with others because it seems too extravagant or indulgent. Then try removing the judgment and just focusing on what it gave you. If that $2,000 pair of Louis Vuitton blue python boots made you feel sexy as hell (OK, that was me), perhaps you value looking and, as a result, feeling your best. Maybe you value the beauty of nature while hiking in the mountains in boots and a backpack. Or maybe you value the view of an amazing island escape from the deck of a 100-foot yacht while being served a bottle of champagne. Your values are just that: yours. It takes time to break past bias and judgment about spending to honor what you want. Stick with it, and remember that money is a tool nothing more, nothing less. Be bold about wanting to earn more, demand what youre worth and go after the things you value. Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. | https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2021/05/07/is-money-a-core-value/ |
How much gold is hiding underground in northern Minnesota? | Curious Minnesota Listen and subscribe to our podcast: Via Apple Podcasts |Spotify | Stitcher DULUTH Minnesota produces a majority of the domestic iron ore supply used in steelmaking and boasts a scattering of other metals underground. An anonymous reader wondered how much gold might be hiding underground in northern Minnesota and whether its value is high enough to offset the costs of extracting it. This prompted Curious Minnesota a Star Tribune project that seeks to answer great reader questions like this one to do a little digging. Prospectors first started making serious efforts to find gold in Minnesota following the Civil War, and in 1893 a strike on an island in Rainy Lake drew hundreds of prospectors to the state's northern border. Two short-lived mines in the area joined the productive Little American Island mine, which closed in 1901. People stand outside the The Green Tree Hotel at Rainy Lake during the gold rush there in the late 1800s. There hasn't been gold mined in the state since. Several gold mines are operating across the border in Ontario, on the same geologic formations that run beneath northern Minnesota including one mine 45 miles northwest of International Falls. But experts say Minnesota's thicker glacial till make minerals trickier, and more expensive, to get to. State officials believe it could be worth a shot, though. "The potential for gold production [on those geologic formations] is excellent," states a paper produced by the Minnesota Minerals Coordinating Committee, a multi-agency group that helps oversee mining activity in the state. Don Elsenheimer, a senior geologist at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), said the profitability of gold mining here depends heavily on whether the gold is clustered together in concentrated deposits rather than dispersed. That's not a million-dollar question," Elsenheimer wrote in an e-mail. "More like a multibillion dollar one (given the price of gold these days)." To go hunting for subterranean metals on state-owned land, companies must first get permission from the state known as a "mineral lease." There are currently 191 active mineral leases for nonferrous (non-iron) materials around the state, according to the DNR. They are in various stages of exploration. The furthest along is the proposed PolyMet mine near Hoyt Lakes. That project could produce more than 370,000 ounces of gold and platinum, in addition to more than 1 billion pounds of copper, according to the company. The future of that project remains in limbo, however, after the state Supreme Court recently sent it back to regulators for further review. Geologist Gina Raymond looked at the metal content of freshly drilled core at a drilling site near Ely, Minn. in 2011. Twin Metals, another proposed mine in northern Minnesota, also expects to produce some gold. But it has further to go in the regulatory process. Vermillion Gold received DNR approval last week to explore for gold deposits outside of Big Fork, joining a host of other explorations the company has underway. If any of those prove viable, there remains a long path to approval, mining and recovering a profit. Opponents say the risk of pollution from gold mining and other hard-rock mines is too great, while advocates point to local and statewide economic benefits. Most nonferrous leases are terminated after a few years, and few ever even reach the drilling stage, according to the DNR. Global mining company AngloGold Ashanti walked away from its 271 state leases in Itasca, St. Louis and Koochiching counties at the end of 2019 after drilling 154 holes. "We spent a few years there doing some basic exploration work and decided we would go in a different direction," Sabrina Brockman, AngloGold's senior vice president for investor relations and group communications, told the Star Tribune in October. That's despite the price of gold nearing record highs in recent months, driven in part by the pandemic. The price has been hovering just below $1,800 per ounce in recent weeks after surpassing $2,000 in August a 30% increase from the year before. Staff writer Mike Hughlett contributed to this report. If you'd like to submit a Curious Minnesota question, fill out the form below: This form requires JavaScript to complete. | https://www.startribune.com/gold-mining-northern-minnesota-polymet-twin-metals-anglogold-vermillion-gold/600045030/ |
How do I let my friends know that sometimes I need help, too? | Im a 37-year-old gay male. I dont want an other half, because I like being single, but Im always there for my friends, even during this pandemic. However, recently Ive found they are not really there for me. None of them asks how I am, even after Ive shared something that has upset me. Sometimes I need a little care, a hug, a little backup, or something to lift me up, too. I dont hate being that person for them, but I do hate myself when I am trying to lift a friend in need when I havent dealt with something of my own. I think you might be stretching yourself too thinly. Lockdown has been emotionally exhausting for many, and its easy to disregard the psychological load weve been carrying. So it could be that, with fewer reserves, you are now seeing things as they are and have less patience to put up with what you used to tolerate. Because they may be emotionally exhausted, too. I spoke to psychotherapist Dwight Turner (psychotherapy.org.uk), who said: You sound like a person with a good heart, who wants the best for those around you. But one of the things about Covid is that it has brought up things we maybe havent had to think about, or wanted to think about, before. Now, with more time and space to ourselves, these things are harder to avoid. Turner also wondered what you were getting out of being so helpful. This is meant kindly, but its something to bear in mind: Sometimes, in helping others, in putting ourselves at the centre of their world, we might be saving others in order to save ourselves. In other words, sometimes we give to others the help we really need ourselves. Its great to be helpful and there for others, but it becomes a problem when, as Turner said, anger and irritation builds. What about me? If none of your circle is there for you when you need them, or ever has been; if none of them shows any curiosity about you and never has; then there are two things you need to do. First, look at your part in this. Some people mistake this for blame, but its actually about taking responsibility and can be very empowering (always remember you are the only person whose behaviour you can change). If were not careful, with certain people, explained Turner, we can be the mirror that reflects them, while remaining invisible [ourselves] to them. It could be that, in an attempt to hide your vulnerability and perhaps loneliness, you have built a protective shell that is so effective, people think you are fine. It takes courage to admit to vulnerability. What has taught you to just keep on giving? Turner wanted to know. The second thing to consider is opening up a bit more to people. Begin with those you feel most comfortable with and trust most. It may be interesting to see what they say. People arent mind readers, and although one would wish they were as sensitive as you, not everyone is. I hope your friends respond well. But, if you try all of this and they dont respond in a way you would like, then its time to start thinking about what the value is in these friendships. Fear of loneliness can sometimes tether us to the wrong people, but few things are lonelier than being with people who dont truly see us. | https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/may/07/how-do-i-let-my-friends-know-i-need-help-too |
Who are Dolphins longest tenured players after Bobby McCain release? | The Miami Dolphins have bid farewell to one of their longest tenured players this week, releasing defensive back Bobby McCain after six seasons together in South Florida. McCain, who as a 5th-round draft choice by the Dolphins out of Memphis in 2015, enjoyed a better career than most drafted in his range of the draft a testament to his versatility as a defender. McCain, during his time with Miami, played nickel corner, outside cornerback and free safety over four different head coaches: Joe Philbin, Dan Campbell, Adam Gase and Brian Flores. With McCain now on the outs, there is just one player who stands alone as the Dolphins longest tenured player wide receiver DeVante Parker. Parker has logged the same number of seasons in Miami as McCain, but Parker was drafted two nights earlier in the 1st-round of the 2015 NFL Draft. But even when you extend the window to account for the three longest tenured Dolphins, the list is still quite recent. WR DeVante Parker (1st-round, 2015) CB Xavien Howard (2nd-round, 2016) WR/KR Jakeem Grant (6th-round, 2016) Grant is yet another player whose hold on a roster spot appears to be in jeopardy, as well. His receiving resume has been underwhelming and any time the Dolphins look to provide him with a bigger role, durability issues and drops spring up. Grants most appealing asset is his kick return duties but Miami has drafted players with prominent return skills with two of their first three selections in this years draft: Jaylen Waddle & Jevon Holland. Should Grant get the axe, OL Jesse Davis would move into the No. 3 spot on the list of longest tenured Dolphins. He was signed as a free agent in 2017. No other players remain on Miamis roster from that offseason, either. One player from the 2015 offseason. Two from 2016 (and one seemingly on the outs). And another one from 2017. This is the price you pay as an organization when youre constantly playing musical chairs with head coaches and general managers and stability seems to escape you at every turn. They appear to have the right leadership in place, which means the Dolphins can start to further retain talent because it suits the long-term vision for the team. But either way, it is quite startling to look over the Dolphins roster and realize that you can count on one hand the number of players who have been with the Dolphins for more than three seasons. | https://sports.yahoo.com/dolphins-longest-tenured-players-bobby-131506565.html?src=rss |
What would it take for Tennessee Titans to land star wide receiver Julio Jones? | It's a tantalizing thought on paper. The seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, who has been made available by the Falcons this offseason because of salary cap reasons, would give the Titans offense which needs another established, veteran pass catcher (or two) one of the best receivers of his generation. Jones and A.J. Brown would give Tennessee one of the top receiving tandems in the NFL, adding to a backfield that has star Derrick Henry, arguably the league's best running back. It offers a picture at the offensive skill positions so dreamy that Brown said on Twitter of the possibility that "no team is stopping this." And with former Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith the new head coach in Atlanta, there's a relationship for general manager Jon Robinson to work to potentially make a deal happen. The Titans and Falcons are in opposing conferences, too, so the deal wouldn't be seen as posing an immediate threat to either team. But as with any potential deal, one must look at the financials. And the Titans would have to do some salary-cap maneuvering to make a deal work. Their former top college scout weighs in In a trade, Tennessee would be on the hook for the the guaranteed salary left on his contract, which is $15.3 million for 2021 already a cap-challenged year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Titans have just over $2.089 million in effective space for the upcoming season, according to Overthecap.com. Jones is under contract through 2023, when he'll be 34. He's due base salaries of $15.3 million, $11.513 million and $11.513 million over the next three years. The salary in the last couple of years of the deal could be palatable with the salary cap expected to skyrocket beginning in 2022. Even if the money can line up, though, it's a contract that comes with risk. Jones was on pace for more than 1,300 receiving yards in the games he played in 2020 (51 catches, 771 yards, 3 touchdowns in nine appearances), but he missed seven games with a hamstring issue. And he's 32. What Tennessee also would have to consider is what it would have to give up for him. Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer said Jones could cost a first-round pick. NBC Sports' Peter King said a second-round pick. Maybe he's worth more than what the Broncos got from the 49ers for a 32-year-old Emmanuel Sanders in 2019: a third- and fourth-rounder (Denver also sent a fifth-round pick to San Francisco in the deal). With his age, recent injury and his contract, he won't be worth what the Bills gave up for Stefon Diggs, a fellow elite receiver. For a 26-year-old Diggs (and a seventh-round pick), the Vikings in 2020 received a first-, fourth-, fifth- and sixth-round pick. To be a realistic trading option, Jones may have to restructure his current contract or take a pay cut. Maybe it would be worth it in his eyes to go to a contender. Or maybe he stays put in Atlanta. We don't know. And a trade probably wouldn't happen until after June 1, when the Falcons can spread his cap hit over 2021 and 2022. But Jones on the Titans would be a dream. Ben Arthur covers the Tennessee Titans for The USA TODAY Network. Contact him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter at @benyarthur. | https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nfl/titans/2021/05/07/tennessee-titans-julio-jones-atlanta-falcons/4915752001/ |
Did the Bengals Find Their Kicker Of the Future In Evan McPherson? | The luxury of having an automatic kicker at the collegiate and NFL ranks can elevate a team to the next level. As the player that usually holds the most points scored come the season's close, it is vital to have a talented and accurate leg on your roster, given their propensity to make game-changing or game-deciding plays. Looking to turn around their kicking room next season ranked 21st in field goal percentage last season at 79.4 percent in 2020 the Cincinnati Bengals chose to select Florida Gators placekicker Evan McPherson with the 149th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. From the early-to-mid-2010s, the Florida Gators struggled heavily to knock through field goals on a consistent basis. Playing into heartbreaking losses and growing unrest within the fan base, the kicking game plagued an already stagnant scoring offense for UF. Turning over a new leaf when Eddy Pieiro stepped into the mix, Florida has found their widths about them in that department. Continued by McPherson from 2018 to 2020, the Gators have had little worries about missing opportunities in scoring position. As the epitome of consistency during his time at Florida, McPherson knocked through 85 percent of his field goals in his career and made all but one of his 150 attempted extra points. Kicking with great technique on a leg swing that packs explosiveness at the contact point, McPherson was a legitimate weapon for Dan Mullens squad when the offense stalled. Despite struggling in 2020 down the stretch of the season, the Fort Payne (Ala.) native displayed an automatic nature inside 40 yards, connecting on all 11 kicks from that range. While his accuracy began to taper off as he approached the high-40s in yardage, McPherson consistently showed his leg was powerful enough to connect from that distance. In fact, in the season opener against Ole Miss, McPherson punched a ball through from 55 yards out to give the Gators a 38-21 lead. Criticized for his lack of experience kicking in the clutch, McPherson rarely had the opportunity to showcase his ability to hit wall-offs to seal a Gators victory. In the one game he did have that opportunity, McPherson hooked a 51-yard attempt just left of the upright as time expired. Bouncing back with a stellar pro day performance in March that showcased his impeccable skillset by knocking through 21 of his 22 attempts on the day, including a 60-plus yarder. As a result, Cincinnati was impressed to a point that special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons used his influence on the draft process to persuade the Bengals to take McPherson in the fifth round, making McPherson the first and only kicker taken in the draft. Looking to add competition besides last year's incumbent Austin Seibert following the loss of Randy Bullock the Bengals expect McPherson to win the job for next season given the capital they expended to bring him in. The re-acclamation from college to the pro game may be one that takes some time for McPherson in the early portions of camp, but the luxury (or lack thereof) of having to kick in the elements every practice as Cincinnati does not have an indoor practice facility could pay dividends for his progression. All in all, Bengals fans are likely to grow accustomed to hearing McPhersons name next season as the unrivaled leader of the field goal kicking department. | https://www.si.com/college/florida/football/florida-gators-evan-mcpherson-cincinnati-bengals-fit-analysis |
How different will Falcons offense look under Arthur Smith? | Nobody ran more 12 personnel looks in 2020 than Arthur Smith did as offensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans. Smith, who took over as the new head coach of the Atlanta Falcons a few months ago, ran the 12 personnel 15 percent more than the league average. Furthermore, Smiths offense was in 11 personnel 25 percent less than the league average. Going back to 2018, former Falcons offensive coordinators Dirk Koetter (2019-2020) and Steve Sarkisian (2017-2018) have utilized the 11 personnel 61 percent of the time. Thats right on par with the league average, which has been steadily increasing each year over the past decade. For the ones who dont understand the numerical description, here is a quick run down. The 12 personnel grouping means that there is one running back to two tight ends. Thus, an 11 personnel signals one running back and one tight end, while 21 personnel means there is only one tight end to two running backs. So, when someone uses 00 personnel, that signals there being five wide receivers due to process of elimination. As Smith takes over in Atlanta, he brings an entirely new offensive makeup that should be fairly similar to what he ran in Tennessee. Here is a look at the three most prevalent personnel groupings used by the Falcons and Titans during the 2020 season. 2020 11 Personnel Total % % of All Run Success Rate % of All Pass Success Rate Falcons 61 % 45 % 49 % 71 % 47 % Titans 38 % 29 % 58 % 48 % 48 % 2020 12 Personnel Total % % of All Run Success Rate % of All Pass Success Rate Falcons 16 % 18 % 48 % 14 % 58 % Titans 35 % 39 % 52 % 31 % 54 % 2020 21 Personnel Total % % of All Run Success Rate % of All Pass Success Rate Falcons 12 % 20 % 43 % 8 % 46 % Titans 10 % 14 % 62 % 7 % 44 % The biggest takeaway here is how successful the Titans were at running the football with only one tight end on the field. As fo the Falcons, they averaged one yard less per carry in 11 personnel than the Titans, and 1.6 yards per carry less in 21 personnel. Story continues Some may point to Derrick Henry as the main difference here, and while Henry has played a large role in the development of Tennessees offense, he didnt become the player we know at the NFL level until Smith took over as the offensive coordinator in 2019. Upons Smiths arrival, one immediate area of improvement was in the success rate of running plays from the 11 and 12 personnel groups. Tennessee had a 10 percent increase in the success rate of plays called out of the 12 personnel, and an eight percent increase from the 11 personnel on runs in 2019 compared to 2018. In these three main personnel sets, the Falcons average success rate (46 percent) is more than 10 percent less than the Titans rate (57 percent) when running the football. Transitioning to the passing game, when using 11 personnel, quarterback Matt Ryan had a passer rating of 90.2 and a 2-to-1.2 touchdown-to-interception ratio on his 470 drop backs. This is much lower than Ryan Tannehills 104.2 passer rating and 5-to-1.3 touchdown-to-interception ratio on just 252 drop backs. Another set the Falcons will run is the 13 personnel group. In fact, this personnel set could be used a lot in 2021 in order to get both Kyle Pitts and Hayden Hurst on the field together. Not only does this allow for two pass-catching tight ends, but also allows for Smith to bring in a specific blocking tight end, such as recently acquired veteran Lee Smith. Tight ends coach Justin Peelle talking with the media says both Hayden Hurst and Kyle Pitts will be in the field at the same time. Peelle says Hurst has really improved since he evaluated him coming out of the draft #Falcons Kelsey Conway (@FalconsKelsey) May 5, 2021 Only one team (Cleveland) used the 13 personnel grouping more than Tennessee in 2020. The Titans ran this look on 11 percent of their running plays and seven percent of passing plays. For reference, Atlanta used this set less than five percent overall in 2020. To sum everything up, the Falcons should see a more balanced offensive attack in 2021. Not only that, but they should become more successful when running the ball. Free-agent running back Mike Davis will go into the season as the presumptive starter and hopefully bring some of that bowling ball mentality that Henry brought when Smith was his play-caller. Related | https://sports.yahoo.com/different-falcons-offense-look-under-150051837.html?src=rss |
Will the Saints Pursue Another Linebacker in Free Agency? | Last weekend, New Orleans added Pete Werner in second-round to their linebacking corps with 2020 third-rounder Zack Baun. Linebacker Kwon Alexander helped to elevate the New Orleans Saints defense to an elite level in 2021. Alexander, a seven-year veteran, was acquired in a mid-season trade with the San Francisco 49ers. His outstanding athleticism and pass coverage skills meshed perfectly with the all-pro abilities of linebacker Demario Davis. Alexander suffered an Achilles injury late in the season - this makes his availability for the Saints season's opener in question. In addition, the team released him for salary cap reasons. He remains a free agent, but a reunion between Alexander and New Orleans is highly possible. His loss and departure of linebacker Alex Anzalone in free agency left many to believe the team would bring in another athletic linebacker this offseason. Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith (6) is hit by Ohio State linebacker Pete Werner (20) in the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports New Orleans selected Ohio State linebacker Pete Werner in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He is a throwback defender with excellent instincts. The linebacking corps also look for significant improvements and contributions from last year's third-round choice Zack Baun and the 2019 seventh-round pick Kaden Elliss. Still, some expect New Orleans to sign another veteran to complement Demario Davis before the regular season. Alexander, who turns 27 in August, is the most logical solution. Here are some other options at linebacker still available on the free-agent market. K.J. WRIGHT (31 - SEAHAWKS) 64 246-Lbs. Seattle Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright (50). Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports K.J. Wright is one of the biggest names left on the free-agent market. Perhaps last season was the best of his ten-year Seahawk career. After playing most of his career at middle linebacker, Wright switched and handled the strongside duties in 2020. He had 1 interception, broke up 10 passes, forced or recovered 3 fumbles, recorded 11 tackles for loss, had 2 sacks, and added 6 QB pressures. Wright has a nose for the football and is always in the middle of the action. He has terrific coverage ability for his size and routinely takes on opposing tight ends. Wright had eight seasons with at least 85 tackles and has 66 career stops for loss. In his NFL career, Wright has intercepted 6 passes, broken up 54 others, been responsible for 20 fumbles forced or recovered, and recorded 13.5 sacks and 27 QB hits. DE'VONDRE CAMPBELL (28 - CARDINALS) 64 232-Lbs. Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker De'Vondre Campbell (59). Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY De'Vondre Campbell's first four years in the NFL were with the Atlanta Falcons before joining the Arizona Cardinals in 2020. He contributed with 99 tackles (7 for a loss), 2 sacks, 3 passes broken up, and a forced fumble with Arizona. In his five-year career, he has 3 interceptions, 19 passes broken up, 6 forced fumbles, 7.5 sacks, and four straight seasons with at least 90 tackles. Campbell is a fast sideline-to-sideline defender capable of playing either inside or outside linebacker. He excels in open space and covers tight ends well. Campbell is one of the few linebackers in the league who could match Alvin Kamara athletically during his time with the Falcons. TAHIR WHITEHEAD (31 - Panthers) 62 241-Lbs. Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Tahir Whitehead (52) hits Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10). Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports Whitehead is a tackling machine during his first six seasons with the Detroit Lions. He has been with two teams in the last three years. He had 51 tackles in 14 games with Carolina in 2020, his lowest total since 2013. The nine-year veteran had at least 108 tackles in four seasons before last year and has 38 career tackles for loss. Whitehead has 6 career interceptions, and 25 passes broken up, recovering 6 fumbles and forcing 3 others. He may have lost a step in downfield coverage but still has good sideline-to-sideline range. B.J. GOODSON (28 - BROWNS) 61 241-Lbs. Cleveland Browns middle linebacker B.J. Goodson (93) tackles Ravens running back Gus Edwards (35). Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports Goodson spent his first three seasons with the New York Giants before playing with Green Bay and Cleveland in each of the last two years. He achieved career-highs with 2 interceptions, 6 passes broken up, and 91 tackles for the Browns in 2020. Goodson has a nice range and is competent in zone coverages with good enough athleticism to handle tight ends in man coverage. He has played inside for most of his career but could also handle strongside duties. Other names to watch: Avery Williamson (29 - Steelers) Patrick Onwuasor (29 - Jets) Todd Davis (29 - Vikings) Reuben Foster (27 - Redskins) Kwon Alexander would be the best fit for the Saints. He knows the system, is outstanding coverage skills, and has excellent chemistry with Demario Davis. If they cannot bring Alexander back, then one of the above linebackers could be an intriguing addition while young players like Pete Werner and Zack Baun continue to develop. | https://www.si.com/nfl/saints/editorial-opinion/will-the-saints-pursue-another-linebacker-in-free-agency |
Can Warriors catch Lakers, Blazers in No. 6 NBA playoff seed quest? | Warriors destined for eighth, will need help to rise higher originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea Sixth place in the Western Conference was, 10 days ago for the Warriors, a distant island visible only by nautical telescope from their sinking ship. Now, it is close enough to see with routine binoculars. Seventh place, the goal expressed most recently, is visible to the naked eye. That doesnt mean the Warriors will get to either, but seeing them makes it conceivable. Sixth place is shared by the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers, who meet Friday in Portland, with their season-series tie-breaker at stake. The winner takes sole possession of sixth, which is crucial insofar as the seventh-place finisher is shoved into the play-in tournament. In a season in which the Warriors have been boxed in by their defective qualities, getting to seventh will require outside help and internal perfection. Getting to sixth will require even more of each. At 34-33, the Warriors trail Portland and LA (both 37-29) by three-and-a-half games. A tiny opening exists mostly because each team is vulnerable. The Lakers: After missing two months with a calf injury, Anthony Davis returned only to tweak an ankle and leave the game Thursday against the Los Angeles Clippers with back spasms. LeBron James missed six weeks with an ankle injury, lasted two games before aggravating the injury and now hopes to return for the last three regular-season games. Dennis Schroder wont be back until the final weekend of the regular season. LA is a mess right now. After Portland, its back home to face the hot Phoenix Suns, the hotter New York Knicks and the speed-bump Houston Rockets. The Lakers finish on the road, at Indiana and New Orleans. Seventh place is not out of the question. At all. The Blazers: Guard Norman Powell is limping on a tender knee but hopes to return Friday. Damian Lillard is playing through a foot contusion. Portlands health is relatively good, but the end of the schedule is a beast: A back-to-back at Utah and Phoenix, followed by a home game against the Denver -- three teams destined to finish in the top half of the conference. Story continues Its altogether possible, even probable, that Golden State will face either the Lakers or the Blazers in the play-in tournament. These teams likely will fill seeds No. 6, No. 7 and No. 8 -- though the Memphis Grizzlies, currently ninth, are only one-half game behind the Warriors. Though the Warriors have their own health issues, their advantage over the competition is that their final six games are at home and theyve already won the first one, a 118-97 lashing over the modestly skilled Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday. The Warriors will have picked up a half-game on the Lakers-Blazers loser by the time they return to Chase Center on Saturday for another game against OKC. The Warriors should prevail, rather easily. The margin here is so small that they cannot afford another loss to a team outside the race. And not with a Monday-Tuesday back-to-back against the Jazz and Suns. Thats where the internal perfection comes in. Playing as they did Thursday night was good enough to beat the Thunder but wouldnt be competitive against the Jazz or Suns, the two teams vying for the overall No. 1 seed. All three Warriors that met with media after the game mentioned one priority that could determine where they finish: Turnovers. Definitely taking care of the ball, Kent Bazemore said. We kept our turnovers a little lower than usual tonight, and thats something that were going to want to continue to see down the stretch, said Mychal Mulder, who scored 25 points in 20 minutes off the bench. We went out there and executed, Kevon Looney said, explaining the victory. We didn't turn the ball over that much. The Warriors committed 14 turnovers, a passable number, but too many were of the live-ball variety. OKC scored 18 points, nearly one-fifth of its total, off Golden State gifts. Such largesse would be lethal against Utah or Phoenix, and probably the last two opponents, New Orleans and Memphis. To slide up to sixth, the Warriors probably have to end the season on a six-game win streak, a gargantuan task for a team that has won four in a row only once all season, with only one of those wins against a playoff team (the Nuggets). To slide up to seventh, the Warriors probably have to go at least 5-1. The history of the 2020-21 season would indicate they finish the homestand at 4-2. In which case theyd have 37 wins and eighth place would beckon. And theyd go to Portland or LA to play a game theyd much rather have at home. Download and subscribe to the Dubs Talk Podcast | https://sports.yahoo.com/warriors-catch-lakers-blazers-no-143207497.html?src=rss |
Whos Afraid of Critical Race Theory? | Read: The real stakes of the fight over history Most legal scholars say that these bills impinge on the right to free speech and will likely be dismissed in court. Of the legislative language so far, none of the bills are fully constitutional, Joe Cohn, the legislative and policy director of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, told me, and if it isnt fully constitutional, theres a word for that: It means its unconstitutional. This does not appear to concern the bills sponsors, though. The larger purpose, it seems, is to rally the Republican baseto push back against the recent reexaminations of the role that slavery and segregation have played in American history and the attempts to redress those historical offenses. The shorthand for the Republicans bogeyman is an idea that has until now mostly lived in academia: critical race theory. The late Harvard Law professor Derrick Bell is credited as the father of critical race theory. He began conceptualizing the idea in the 1970s as a way to understand how race and American law interact, and developed a course on the subject. In 1980, Bell resigned his position at Harvard because of what he viewed as the institutions discriminatory hiring practices, especially its failure to hire an Asian American woman hed recommended. Black studentsincluding the future legal scholar Kimberl Crenshaw, who enrolled at Harvard Law in 1981felt the void created by his departure. Bell had been the only Black law professor among the faculty, and in his absence, the school no longer offered a course explicitly addressing race. When students asked administrators what could be done, Crenshaw says they received a terse response. What is it that is so special about race and law that you have to have a course that examines it? Crenshaw has recalled administrators asking. The administrations inability to see the importance of understanding race and the law, she says, got us thinking about how do we articulate that this is important and that law schools should include the subject in their curricula. Crenshaw and her classmates asked 12 scholars of color to come to campus and lead discussions about Bells book Race, Racism, and American Law. With that, critical race theory began in earnest. The approach is often disruptive because its commitment to anti-racism goes well beyond civil rights, integration, affirmative action, and other liberal measures, Bell explained in 1995. The theorys proponents argue that the nations sordid history of slavery, segregation, and discrimination is embedded in our laws, and continues to play a central role in preventing Black Americans and other marginalized groups from living lives untouched by racism. For some, the theory was a revelatory way to understand inequality. Take housing, for example. Researchers have now accumulated ample evidence that racial covenants in property deeds and redlining by the Federal Housing Authoritybanned more than 60 years agoremain a major contributor to the gulf in homeownership, and thus wealth, between Black and white people. Others, perhaps most prominently Randall Kennedy, who joined the Harvard Law faculty a few years after Bell left, questioned how widely the theory could be applied. In a paper titled Racial Critiques of Legal Academia, Kennedy argued that white racism was not the only reason so few minority scholars were members of law-school faculties. Conservative scholars argued that critical race theory is reductivethat it treats race as the only factor in social identity. | https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2021/05/gops-critical-race-theory-fixation-explained/618828/?utm_source=feed |
What Is The Perfect Playoff Scenario For The Boston Celtics? | Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) celebrates after an NBA basketball game against the San ... [+] Antonio Spurs, Friday, April 30, 2021, in Boston. Tatum scored 60 points to lead the Celtics to a 143-140 victory in overtime. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) ASSOCIATED PRESS The NBAs regular season technically has nine days remaining, but the Boston Celtics are in full playoff mode. After dropping winnable games to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Charlotte Hornets and Chicago Bulls over the last three weeks, Boston has put itself in must-win territory with six games left, but it isnt as bad as that may seem. As of Friday, Boston is tied for the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference with the Miami Heat, who the Celtics conveniently face twice in the next four days. They sit two games back of the New York Knicks (No. 4) and just one back of the Atlanta Hawks (No. 5). The Indiana Pacers did both Miami and Boston a favor Thursday night by beating the Hawks, the Eastern Conferences current fifth seed. Atlantas remaining schedule is pretty favorable, however. The Hawks now have three days off, a rare luxury in the 2020-21 NBA schedule, before two consecutive meetings with the Washington Wizards. That is followed by home games against the Orlando Magic and Houston Rockets, with two days off in between. Atlanta also owns the tiebreaker with Boston. In other words, it is going to be tough to push the Hawks out of the 4-5 matchup. New Yorks road is not as easy, however. If the Celtics want to escape the sixth or seventh seeds, this is where theyll need things out of their control to fall their way. The Knicks (37-29) have three games remaining on a tough west-coast road trip, beginning Friday with the 47-19 Phoenix Suns who are fighting for the top seed in the Western Conference. Phoenix got blown out by Atlanta on Wednesday, so theyll be returning home looking for a win Friday night. If Boston takes care of business against Chicago and Phoenix wins, the Celtics are suddenly one game back of the Knicks. New York then has to face the Los Angeles Clippers and Lakers, two teams also fighting for playoff positioning, before flying home for its final three games of the season. The Knicks final three-game stretch concludes with a matchup against the Celtics on Sunday, May 16, a game that could have massive postseason implications. Say Boston is one game back of New York entering the head-to-head season finale if the Celtics were to win that game, they would take the tiebreaker and jump the Knicks in the standings. The main takeaway here: If Boston wins Friday night and the Knicks lose, the Celtics would simply need to play even with New York until their season-concluding matchup. Of course, Boston would then need to win at Madison Square Garden. And yes, all of that is easier said than done. That hypothetical scenario is just that it isnt a foregone conclusion by any means. That being said, it certainly is a possibility considering the difficulty of the Knicks next three games and the impending Boston-New York season finale. None of that matters, however, unless the Celtics take care of business on their end. Bostons upcoming (unconventional) back-to-back with Miami is vital to its playoff positioning. If the Heat take both games, the Celtics are in serious trouble. If Boston splits with Miami, they take the all-important tiebreaker. Friday night is a big step in gaining a game on New York, and taking at least one win from the upcoming back-to-back with Miami is a must. If the Celtics end up as the sixth seed or in the play-in tournament, their postseason fate is all but determined. This team has shown us that theyll likely be able to give top-tier teams some trouble, but nothing more than that. Dont expect them to take down the Brooklyn Nets, Milwaukee Bucks or Philadelphia 76ers in a seven-game series. The psychological advantage over Philadelphia is a valid point, but the Sixers defense has been so, so good this season. Boston would need a lot to break its way to take down Philadelphia. There are reasons to be optimistic, however! Despite their consistent inconsistencies and host of injuries, the Celtics still have a path to the 4-5 matchup. Bostons president of basketball operations Danny Ainge is still hopeful thanks to the good signs this team has shown over the past month. Im optimistic because of the good that I see, Ainge recently told Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe. I know what the team is capable of and I dont think its a turn-on or turn-off mindset that has made them be inconsistent. I think there are contributing factors to it, and listen, I know how the season has gone so far. I dont know how its going to go as we go forward, but Im not giving up on them. Im staying with them and maintaining the hope that we have. This time of year is all about scoreboard-watching, and there will be plenty of that from here on out. Its up to the Celtics to take care of what they can control. | https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrisgrenham/2021/05/07/what-is-the-perfect-playoff-scenario-for-the-boston-celtics/ |
Who is LaGrange Police Chief Lou Dekmar? | LaGrange Police Chief Lou Dekmar apologizes for the 1940 lynching of Austin Callaway at Warren Temple United Methodist Church Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017. It should never have happened, the chief said. BRAD SCHRADE / [email protected] The apology, made during a ceremony of remembrance for the victim that included relatives and representatives of the NAACP, was believed to mark first time a police chief in the South had apologized for his departments role in the legacy of lynching and racial violence, the AJC reported. At the time of the apology, he said the lynching of Austin Callaway should have never happened and called police failures in America during the Jim Crow era the professions darkest hour. Dekmar, who is from Oregon, went to college in Wyoming and served as an officer in that state for the first decade of his career. He has offered training and talks to police and law enforcement officials in the United States and has been an adjunct professor. In 2014, he visited Norway, where he spoke about international law enforcement to the United Nations Police, according to the International Association of Chiefs of Police. He also visited Israel for a training program with the Israel National Police. He is a former police chief in Morrow, south of Atlanta, where he served for nearly four years. He is also a former president of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police. In 2017 and 2018, he served as president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. His tenure at IACP was marked by a call for police leaders across the country to reconcile with the minority communities in their jurisdictions and a push to reform policies for dealing with the mentally ill. Since last fall, Dekmar has served on the Council on Criminal Justices Task Force on Policing that has issued a series of reports in recent months, outlining recommended reforms to address challenges facing police during an era of unprecedented scrutiny and crisis facing law enforcement in America. | https://www.ajc.com/news/crime/who-is-lagrange-police-chief-lou-dekmar/GSW7L5T6W5FRVFBI3FE5WO4TE4/ |
Is Aaron Rodgers laying the foundation to return to the Packers? | Its still unknown what Aaron Rodgers wants from the Packers because he still hasnt said what he wants publicly. Indeed, he hasnt said anything about the current situation publicly. Theres nevertheless reason to believe that Rodgers who is sufficiently brilliant to be presumed to have a plan has been using other ways to send messages via the media. In recent days, for example, former teammates who have spoken with Rodgers have found their way to microphones with their characterizations of what Aaron wants. Obviously, if Aaron didnt authorize guys like John Kuhn and James Jones to speak on the quarterbacks behalf, they risk landing on Rodgers personal sh-t list. (Ive been there for more than a decade; like a hot bath, you get used to it.) If thats true, these former teammates could be laying the foundation for Rodgers to eventually yield in his desire to leave the Packers, given that the Packers arent inclined to grant his wish to be traded. And since its too late for Rodgers to personally put the toothpaste back in the toothpaste holder (not everyone says tube, as we learned this week on PFT PM), the next best thing could be using surrogates to gradually and persistently change the narrative. Enter Kuhn, who appeared Wednesday on CBS Sports Radio. He outlined a path toward a resolution to the problem, and he pushed back against the prevailing belief that Rodgers wants out. I truly believe Aaron wants to come back to Green Bay, but he doesnt want to do it on a lame-duck contract which, even though theres three years on his contract if you really look at the terms of it, it pretty much sets up for a clean break at the end of the 2021 season for the Packers himself considering that Jordan Love is on a rookie salary, Kuhn said. So I think that he wants more insurance that hes going to be a long-term starting quarterback option for the Green Bay Packers and that I believe is something that would intrigue him to make amends with the team and come back to this season. Story continues On Thursday, former Packers receiver James Jones appeared on NFL Network. He repeatedly called the situation between Rodgers and the Packers fixable, and that Jones doesnt believe Rodgers will hold out. If these messages take root, and there could be more in coming days from former or current Packers, a sense will emerge that the storm of reports from last week were overblown. Even if they werent. Even if Rodgers had every reason to knock them down on camera last weekend with Mike Tirico and declined to do so. Even if Rodgers left Tirico with the distinct impression that there is a fissure and a chasm between player and team. The reality is that, if the Packers arent going to trade Rodgers, he has two options: Play for the Packers or play for no one (and give up nearly $30 million in unearned bonus money). Hes not inclined (obviously) to take his beef public personally, likely because he doesnt want to become Public Enemy No. 1 in Green Bay. Unless and until he is, if he wants to play football, hes going to have to play for the team for which he reportedly doesnt want to play. Enter players with whom he used to play, who can say enough to potentially soften the blow to his ego and pride that will happen when he shows up for work like Costanza the Monday after he quit. originally appeared on Pro Football Talk | https://sports.yahoo.com/aaron-rodgers-laying-foundation-return-143456717.html?src=rss |
How do the 5 first-round quarterbacks fit with their new NFL offenses? | The picks are in for the 2021 NFL draft, and the early run on quarterbacks likely will be a big part of this class' legacy. The five QBs selected in the first 15 overall picks also could help elevate or sink their respective franchises, depending on how they work out. But we decided to move the ball downfield a bit and take a look at how those five quarterbacks will fit in their new offensive systems and when we might expect to see them on the field. Some will start immediately. Others will require some patience. And there might be one or more whose athletic traits are featured early on in a non-starting role prior to being handed the keys to the full offense. Here they are in the order they were selected: Trevor Lawrence Jacksonville Jaguars (1st overall) Weve had months to mull this pick. Its been as good as locked in since the time Urban Meyer said yes to the job offer. But now comes the hard part. Yes, hes the overwhelming favorite to start all 17 games, assuming hes healthy. At Clemson, Lawrence ran an offense that was highly scripted. There were ample predetermined reads and half-field reads, which made Lawrence a big robootic at times in his execution. (Thats not necessarily a bad thing either.) Jaguars offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell joins Meyer, along with passing-game coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, to help build the offense both to tailor it to Lawrences strengths and also expand his duties to see how much they can squeeze out of a terrific talent. Trevor Lawrence could have a longer leash and more decision-making opportunities in Jacksonville than he had at Clemson. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File) Bevell was Russell Wilsons offensive coordinator during his rookie season, and Meyer pointed out that it was a big part of why Bevell was hired. His ability to get Russell Wilson in the NFL and performing at a high level rather quickly was a big reason why he's here," Meyer said. Bevells offense in Seattle was built around moving pockets, a zone run game, play action and option routes in the pass game. He also coached Brett Favre, tutored Aaron Rodgers as a rookie and helped Matthew Stafford to two strong seasons in 2019 and 2020. Story continues With Wilson, the zone-read game was very much in play; with Favre and Stafford, it wasnt as much. Lawrences athleticism and run skill likely would try to feature that aspect in the offense. Meyers experience in the spread-option game certainly will have an influence on the offenses makeup. Meyer also placed a high emphasis on adding speed and big-play ability in the offseason, which is another way to help ease Lawrences transition. Big plays were absent on offense last year, and we have to get better, Meyer said, and a lot of it is [based on] speed. Based on talent, experience and Lawrences draft position, it would be a stunning upset if he wasnt the Week 1 starter. Even so, Meyer said the Jaguars are going to be cautious in picking their opening-game QB. The most important thing for Trevor is to learn the offense, it's not to sell billboards around the state of Florida, Meyer said. Zach Wilson New York Jets (2nd overall) Even before the Jets selected Wilson with the second overall pick in 2021, new head coach Robert Saleh a defensive guy most of his life touted the new offensive system that coordinator Mike LaFleur will run as the best scheme in the world. After the pick was made official, Saleh expounded on what that meant. I just think this system is built for quarterbacks, Saleh said. It is a quarterback-friendly system, its designed to help these kids. Its pitch and catch, max protection, two-man concepts, balls [are] out of their hands, and its in and out of their hands as quickly as possible. You need to have an accurate quarterback who has a tremendous amount of mental horsepower, and hes got all of it. Wilson had a somewhat up-and-down first two seasons at BYU as he and the team were jelling. But by the 2020 season, Wilson and the offense realized their full potential. It featured a wide-open passing game. and concepts that helped take advantage of Wilson's athletic gifts, too. Former BYU offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes borrowed elements of several offensive systems for their playbook the 1970s and 1980s BYU offense that was a progenitor to the Air Raid, staples from the early 2000s Boise State offense that tried to stretch the field horizontally (think screens, drags and fly sweeps) and Matt Canadas playbook from LSU, which melded the power run, the outside zone series, play action, vertical shots and plenty of trick plays and misdirection. LaFleur brother of Green Bay Packers head coach Matt has spent the past seven seasons coaching alongside West Coast offense disciple Kyle Shanahan. So we can expect a lot of that offense to be brought to the Big Apple. That means it figures to be a West Coast-steeped system tweaked with plenty of pocket movement and play action. Zach Wilson should see some familiarity in the playbooks of BYU and the New York Jets. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) And though LaFleur wasnt with Shanahan in Washington for Robert Griffin IIIs rookie season, Shanahan was wise enough then to realize how valuable adding the zone-read series into the playbook. It paid off with Griffin winning the 2012 Rookie of the Year Award, as Griffin led the NFL in interception percentage (1.3%), yards per attempt (8.1) and yards per carry (6.7). It would only figure that LaFleur does the same. In 2020, as Grimes offense reached peak efficiency, Wilson logged a 33-3 TD-INT ratio, 11.1 yards per pass attempt and (taking out sacks) averaged 5.3 yards per rush and ran for 10 scores. When you look at Zack, a lot of the principles that he played in college you can see it they ran a lot of our system, Saleh said. And so, you can see him making all those throws. You can see the deep bench routes to the sideline. You can see the over-the-middle throws. You can see the boots, the play-action pass game. You can see all of it. And during his pro day, they ran a lot of the routes that we run. They made all those throws. So, you could see him have success in our system. So, theres going to be some carryover. Wilson, like Lawrence, is considered the heavy favorite to start from the get-go, even if the Jets arent ready to proclaim that. But with more offensive firepower added through free agency (WR Corey Davis) and the draft (OG Alijah Vera-Tucker, WR Elijah Moore, RB Michael Carter), along with the crossover of Wilsons college offense and what the Jets will run, its expected to be a doable transition from the start. Trey Lance San Francisco 49ers (3rd overall) The most fascinating Round 1 QB landed in the hands of Shanahan, which makes for an experiment that could lead the 49ers to the promised land or loom as one of the biggest leaps of faith in recent draft memory. Lances 17-game career at FCS-level North Dakota State was prolific, completing 65.4% of his passes for 2,947 yards and a 30-1 TD-INT ratio, as well as running for 1,325 yards (a 6.9-yard average) and 18 TDs. What made it more impressive is that Lance was tasked with making protection changes at the line and making full-read progressions on some throws all at the age of 19. The Bisons offensive scheme was vast and diverse a hodgepodge of pro concepts, power sets (multiple tight ends and fullbacks), the QB run game and play action run from under center, the shotgun and the pistol. Lance and Robert Griffin III are two different styles of quarterbacks, but it wouldnt be difficult to imagine Shanahan dipping into his 2012 playbook for ideas to unleash Lances running ability the way he did with Griffin in that Rookie of the Year season. Trey Lance could be used as a running threat early before he gets his starting shot with the 49ers. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak) When you add on a type of running element which Ive always been intrigued with but when youve got a guy whos got the skill sets, as far as speed and size to where youre not going to make them a runner, Shanahan said, but if you can get in certain formations where the defense knows you will run them, if they dont honor them, now everythings different. Its easy to see how Lances skills might mesh with Shanahans system. Theres good reason why the 49ers have eight running backs, four tight ends and two fullbacks (including do-it-all Kyle Juszczyk) on the roster. Of course, they also currently have six quarterbacks, too. The only one that really matters, as it relates to when Lance might take over, is incumbent starter Jimmy Garoppolo. After missing two chunks of last season with an ankle injury, Garoppolo seemingly has fallen out of favor, but 15 months ago he had the 49ers up two scores midway through the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl. Shanahan said Garoppolo is the starter now. When Lance takes over for good is anyones guess now, and it largely will depend on whether Garoppolo can regain his 2019 form and whether Lance is ready for the enormous challenge. But in the interim it wouldnt be a shock to see Lance be sprinkled in as a runner much in the way Colin Kaepernick was early in his 49ers career, or similar to how the Saints have unleashed a package with Taysom Hill. Forcing defenses to honor the run threat and play more 11-on-11 football could help add a dimension to the 49ers offense that has been missing for some time. Justin Fields Chicago Bears (11th overall) Bears fans were over the moon when GM Ryan Pace slid up nine spots giving up their 2022 first-rounder, plus more, to do so to land Fields. Whereas the Mitch Trubisky trade-up pick confused a lot of Bears fans four years earlier, this one felt like a reason to dance naked on Michigan Avenue. The Bears have said Andy Dalton is their starter, but coaches say things like this all the time with fingers crossed behind their backs. Even still, Fields probably needs to clearly outplay Andy Dalton to make this a Week 1 thing. There have been a lot of comparisons to the situation Bears head coach Matt Nagy oversaw in his final years in Kansas City with Patrick Mahomes sitting (save for one Week 17 start) behind Alex Smith before getting his shot the following year. This is different. If Fields is ready now, he should play. Dalton is what he is at this stage of his career, and Nagy and GM Ryan Pace might be fighting for jobs. Rookie quarterbacks have a built-in excuse for occasionally poor play and they offer hope for the future. Justin Fields' aggressiveness and downfield passing could make him the Chicago Bears' starter fairly quickly. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Next weeks schedule release also could give us an idea how and when that baton pass could occur. "So how great is that for a young rookie to come on in and learn from a guy like [Dalton] and Nick Foles and see there's things that he can take from them and really put into his toolbox and use to make him be the greatest quarterback he can possibly be," Nagy said after the Bears picked Fields. "As everybody has talked about, I went through that in 2017. I don't know. But at least we have some type of blueprint to at least work off of and be able to just kinda use that to start and see where it goes." Fields, unlike Dalton, is an elite athlete with an aggressive approach to vertical passing. Dalton has made his career on shorter, safer passes and avoiding turnovers. Their styles are pretty different. What Fields most was nicked for in his 2020 play at Ohio State was his slightly slow processing speed and anticipation. Hes more of a see-it, throw-it QB at this stage, and it could take some time for that to change especially against faster-moving (and more complex) NFL defenses. The Bears might be spurred into making a QB change if Dalton plays too conservatively. This is not an offense replete with make-you-miss receivers and dynamic individual playmakers, outside of Allen Robinson. Fields has the athletic ability to add a run dimension to the offense. But do not overlook his downfield aggressiveness as a factor that could tilt things in Fields favor eventually. That is a strength of his. And maybe with him weve gotta go [with a] touchdown-to-touchdown mentality get some of that, Nagy said. Thats where that needs to go with all of our quarterbacks, but youre hitting to the point of what one of his strengths is. Mac Jones New England Patriots (15th overall) As Yahoo Sports Jay Busbee pointed out this week, being a rookie quarterback for Bill Belichick often requires a lot of clipboard duty. Not many rookies historically have played period under Belichick. If theyve seen the field it often has been in mop-up duty. But something about the Patriots picking Jones feels a little different. First off, its the highest Belichick ever has drafted a QB; the previous high was Garoppolo at No. 62 overall. Second, the Patriots quarterback situation remains murky. Cam Newton is the Patriots quarterback, Belichick said almost immediately after drafting Jones. Somebody will have to play better than [Cam] does, Belichick added. In Newtons first three games with New England last season, he completed 62 of 91 passes (68.1%) for 714 yards, two TDs and two INTs. After a bout with COVID-19, Newton returned and struggled. In his next 11 games, Newton completed 159 of 247 passes (64.4%) for a mere 1,701 yards, three TDs and eight INTs. Newton ran the ball effectively most of the season and capped the year with a 3-TD, no-pick performance over the hapless Jets. He was hurt by signing late and not having an offseason program or a full camp, and he was held back by the Patriots limited weaponry at the skill positions. Mac Jones will have to bide his time in New England before starting, but more than one coach believes he's ready for action now. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) Even so, Jones performance during Alabamas championship season, running through a gauntlet of opponents during a 13-0 campaign, cant go overlooked. His numbers stacked up with those of his predecessor, Tua Tagovailoa, as Jones completed an NCAA-record 77.4% of his passes in 2020 for 4,500 yards, 41 TDs and four interceptions. As you no doubt have heard, his game more resembles Tom Brady as a pocket passer than it does Newton has a dual threat. Jones was credited with having some Brady-esque qualities: toughness, smarts, precision and mental readiness. Ive been on record saying this: I honestly think hes the most qualified rookie quarterback to start in Year 1, said former Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, who now is head coach at Texas Tech. One veteran outsider agrees. Former college and NFL head coach June Jones, who already extolled the virtues of Mac Jones to Yahoo Sports previously, touting Jones as a better prospect than even Trevor Lawrence, is doubling down on his Jones love. Mac will be the rebirth of Tom Brady, June Jones told us recently. I still say he is more ready to play in an NFL system that all of the players in this draft, even more so than [Zach] Wilson, whom I really like as well, as you dont have to put in plays for quarterback-type runs, [which] will have to take place for Trevor and Trey [Lance] to play right away. But it comes down to Belichick and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to make the call. How theyll juggle the disparate skills of Newton and Mac Jones will be fun to watch play out in camp and in the preseason, but its anyones guess when a potential switch might happen. Whenever it does, expect the Patriots offense to resemble what Brady ran early in his career and what Matt Cassel ran in the 2008 season when he replaced Brady (torn ACL) in Week 1: a pared-down version of the Patriots hybrid passing scheme that Brady helped turn into one of the leagues best eventually. More from Yahoo Sports: | https://sports.yahoo.com/how-do-the-5-first-round-quarterbacks-fit-with-their-new-nfl-offenses-155402849.html?src=rss |
Where do Giants land in Touchdown Wires post-draft power rankings? | The New York Giants went hog wild in free agency and had a strong draft last week in Cleveland. At the end of the 2020 season, the Giants were officially ranked 22nd in the NFL with a 6-10 record, hence they held the 11th pick in this years draft. List 9 Giants who must step up in 2021 In Touchdown Wires post draft power rankings, all the Giants maneuvering hasnt moved the needle at all, per columnist Doug Farrar. 23: New York Giants Two things happened in the 2021 draft were not at all used to: Giants general manager Dave Gettleman kept trading down, and the picks Gettleman and his staff made werent really called into question. There were a lot of As and A-pluses for a guy whose transactions have generally been seen as well, capricious. Gettleman has been saying since January that he wants to get as many weapons as possible for quarterback Daniel Jones, and Floridas Kadarius Toney certainly qualifies. Between Toney and former Lions receiver Kenny Golladay, acquired in free agency, Jones is going to be light on excuses. And Georgia pass rusher Azeez Ojulari in the second round is a great value pick. Ojulari is more about athletic potential than dominant technique at this point, but defensive coordinator Patrick Graham has proven the ability to scheme up his lines as well as anybody in the league. The Giants finished 6-10 a season ago, and as much as theyve improved, theyll struggle to move too far past that if Jones doesnt make the jump the team has set him up to achieve. The bottom line here is.we still have to see results. Farrar is correct in not placing the Giants further up in the rankings while not dropping them too far down, either. The Giants have been changing the faces for several years now and have not really changed their place in the standings. When they prove they can win consistently and Jones can play cleaner and more efficiently, then pundits will begin to have more confidence is their future. | https://sports.yahoo.com/where-giants-land-touchdown-wire-160010575.html?src=rss |
What Is Needed To Vaccinate Everyone, Everywhere? | The last two weeks have seen a big shift in gears in the Biden Administrations global pandemic response efforts. The Presidents announcements that the US will firstly donate 60 million AstraZeneca doses, and secondly support a temporary IP waiver for COVID-19 vaccines, are both evidence of just the sort of leadership that will be needed to achieve a rapid scale up in global vaccination. The recent variants of the COVID-19 virus have shown us that we are in a race against time to achieve global, collective immunity now sooner than later. Most importantly, we need to avoid more deaths. Today, more than 3.22 million people have died from COVID and the surge in India is a terrible reminder that the death toll is increasing day by day. Ultimately, the only way the world will achieve collective immunity and break the chain of transmissions is to build on the US Administrations latest announcements and adopt a bold roadmap for achieving global vaccine coverage. Though the threshold for herd immunity hasnt been defined yet for COVID-19, the WHO estimates that at least 70% of the global population will need to be vaccinated to ensure the global safety of those who cannot be exposed to the vaccine. This is also the threshold that the EU for instance has set itself, with a roadmap to achieve this before the end of summer. However, globally, we have to date lacked such a roadmap for achieving 70% coverage at the global level. COVAX, which is the multilateral body for equitable access to the vaccines, has set an objective of 30% of the population in low- and lower-middle income countries being vaccinated by the end of the year. There are also efforts to go beyond the 30% coverage offered by COVAX such as through the dose sharing initiated by certain countries like France, Norway, Spain and now it seems the US. These commitments head in the right direction. But there is no master plan yet, and our current ad hoc efforts are simply not enough: its now been six months since the first high-income country started vaccinating. In North America, nearly 1 in 3 people have had their first shot; in Africa, its 1 in 100. Overall, of the total 1.2 billion doses that have been administered, only 0.4% have been administered in the poorest countries. Not having a global, comprehensive plan is no longer an option - and time is no longer an excuse, one year after the start of the pandemic. A global roadmap to achieve collective immunity would allow us to streamline different efforts and most importantly scale them, not just through governments and multilateral bodies but also ensuring that private companies, and in particular pharmaceuticals, do their part. If we dont set ourselves a common objective, and reverse engineer what it means to vaccinate 70% or more of the world population in record time, it simply wont happen. Collective immunity is an immense challenge which will require quick scaling of production, effective delivery in countries, overcoming vaccine hesitancy and much more. It is a historic challenge that needs everyone and we wont achieve it by chance or as a by-product of our current efforts. The very first step is to define a threshold based on scientific recommendations (for example, 70%) and set an ambitious date by when the international community wants to achieve it. The roadmap should be based on this and include all options that can help achieve the objective - none should be left unused, none should be delayed. Some of the key ingredients needed should include: Dose sharing: Governments should share 100% of excess doses ordered beyond the sizes of their national populations with countries in need, and do so through, or in coordination with, COVAX and in parallel to domestic vaccination efforts. Vaccine dose sharing should start as soon as possible as it is the only way of dealing with the current production bottleneck and help remedy, at least in the short term, the inequitable distribution in vaccines. France has already shipped a first batch through COVAX to Mauritania, and other governments are stepping up such as Spain . Pharmaceutical contracts: In parallel, all vaccine manufacturers should enter into additional agreements with COVAX and directly with poorer nations where requested, at the scale and schedule needed and, critically, at not for profit pricing. These contracts should allow for the delivery of a bigger number of vaccines to COVAX and developing nations as early as possible this year. For instance, while Modernas deal with COVAX is a welcome development, only 34 million of the overall 500 million doses that form part of the deal would be delivered by the end of this year. As the Duke and Duchess of Sussex outline in this open letter to the CEOs of the leading manufacturers , including Moderna, we cannot settle for such deals if we want to end the pandemic as soon as possible. Manufacturing capacity: Another track that needs urgent action is the expansion of global manufacturing capacity to overcome the current global supply shortage in vaccines. Additional manufacturing capacity needs to be identified and put to good use, and where possible, additional production sites built in regions around the world, including in developing countries. While this will require public investments, the production crunch will not be addressed unless pharmaceutical companies either agree, or are otherwise compelled by governments, to share technology and know-how. Without such investments, licensing agreements (compulsory or otherwise) and policy changes, the current pandemic will be prolonged and countries will be left ill prepared for the next one. Momentum has begun shifting in the right direction with everyone from President Biden to The Pope, as part of Vax Live, supporting temporary suspension of IP for COVID-19 vaccines. Funding: We must fully fund the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A) and COVAX, which is still only half funded, after one year into the pandemic. While $19 billion sounds like a lot, it is a fraction of the $9 trillion estimated to be lost if we do not end the pandemic for everyone. Therefore, alongside governments, it is in the interest of businesses to also contribute what they can directly to support ACT-A and fortunately many are beginning to step up, small to big, east to west. Through the Vax Live campaign, over $50M has already been mobilized from the private sector to support COVAX . Contributions range from Cisco contributing $5 million all the way through to those from smaller SMEs, such as my friend Taufiq Rahims Globesight, which contributed enough to purchase an additional 20,000 doses through COVAX. Finally, and in addition to private and philanthropic contributions, governments should also urgently finalize the use of IMF Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) to make up the funding shortfall for achieving vaccine equity. In the end, ending the pandemic is a question of political will and not a budgetary decision. Ultimately, a roadmap to achieve collective, global immunity needs to ensure that we have the capacity to produce and deliver enough vaccines within the timeframe set, equitably across the globe. It should also allow us to produce and distribute enough vaccines to maintain collective immunity in the longer term, through regular vaccination efforts if needed, and lay the ground for better pandemic preparedness more broadly. So far, during the pandemic, we have too often thought and acted based on what seemed possible - now we need to reverse this mindset. Our action needs to be guided by what is needed to achieve the objective of collective immunity. With the change in posture from the US administration, now is the time to embrace a bold strategy and target date to achieve this goal and truly end the pandemic for everyone. | https://www.forbes.com/sites/globalcitizen/2021/05/07/what-is-needed-to-vaccinate-everyone-everywhere/ |
Is Virtual The Future Of Executive Coaching? | Virtual coaching getty I am a face-to-face guy. When I meet people for the first time, you see them in their physical entirety. In the words of a previous generation, you size them up for yourself. In our age of video chat, meeting people virtually can be a good substitute. And this is especially true in executive coaching. Executive coaching is the process of enabling an individual to see him/herself in a new light. You provide illumination via feedback from colleagues, and together you explore how that feedback can help them shape new behaviors that will enable them to manage and lead more effectively. I asked four of my colleagues, all experienced executive coaches and each a member of Marshall Goldsmith 100 Coaches, a group of seasoned thought leaders in business, academia, and human development, how they viewed virtual coaching. Benefits of virtual coaching Cynthia Burnham, an executive coach, based in Southern California, says, "Virtual coaching helps people go deeper faster. The medium creates an interesting combination of intimate-yet-safe. You are both very close and yet at a remove - looking into the computer is like being in a small box with someone at less than cocktail party distance. At the same time, you are discernably not in the same space, and the other person isn't entirely real, so it's somehow easier for clients to open up. Evelyn Rodstein, an executive coach based in New York City, says, Virtual sessions force the coach and the coachee to focus intently on each other. No distractions. This process creates a new kind of intimacy. I find when I am coaching someone who is very reserved and private, the distance of the technology makes it easier for them to be open and expressive." Anna Yusim, M.D., also based in New York City, is both an executive coach and psychiatrist. "With the unanticipated stressors of this pandemic, I have had many former clients from all over the world call me for an appointment, which I was able to accommodate because of the virtual nature of our appointments." She adds, "you can treat people from all over the world without either you or your client having to leave your home. This vital benefit cannot be overstated and, in consequences, makes top coaches and doctors accessible to anybody, anywhere." [Dr. Yusim notes that while coaching is not subject to state laws, the practice of medicine is so psychiatrists cannot practice in another state without obtaining a temporary or permanent license in that state.] Drawbacks to virtual coaching Not everything about virtual coaching is positive. One particular drawback to virtual coaching," says Eddie Turner, an executive coach based in Houston says, is that your coaching is happening on a device that can derail being present as a coach. Being on the computer or mobile device itself is a barrier between you and the client. The computer or mobile device will have alerts, apps, and other tools that will inevitably pop up from time to time and distract youdespite the fact you thought you turned everything off. Dr. Yusim says, The first of these [drawbacks] is the inability to sit face and face with your client and look them in the eye. Sharing the same space and breathing the same air as another human being imparts a type of vitality in a doctor-patient or coach-client relationship that telehealth cannot fully replicate. Being in the same room enables you to pick up the nuances of expression and subtleties of emotion that are difficult to capture over telehealth. It's the difference between a two-dimensional vs. a three-dimensional connection. Cynthia Burnham notes, "you don't see as much of their body language and expressions to help you accurately interpret [their true reactions]. Even a client sitting in-person behind a desk gives you more information you get on the average video call and depending on someone's camera, lighting, and internet bandwidth, facial expressions can be muted." Burnham adds a cautionary note. "Because virtual coaching can increase depth and intimacy, there is a potential danger for executive coaches to stray into areas more appropriately handled by people in the psychological therapy world. Coaches need to be extra-vigilant and clear on when a client may be in areas the coach is not qualified to address. Additionally, virtual coaching excludes seeing how the individual interacts with colleagues. Also, you do not have the opportunity to see the person outside the workplace, for example, over lunch or dinner. Seeing the individual in a non-work setting is helpful to acquiring a better understanding of the whole person. Cynthia Burnham believes virtual coaching "is cost- and energy-effective, and the results appear to be equivalent, especially as new technologies allow for things like virtual whiteboarding and so on. I also believe that the hybrid workplace will be a new reality, so leaders must be comfortable leading in the virtual world, and coaching can be practice and guidance for that!" "We have all gotten used to it," says Eddie Turner. "Many will certainly want more in-person coaching, but the idea that virtual coaching is not as good as in-person has been proven false by the pandemic. Virtual coaching is how many survived and thrived during the pandemic. There's no going back now." Dr. Yusim believes that virtual presence is not necessarily an ideal alternative to in-person sessions, virtual coaching and telemedicine offer distinct advantages and are believe are most definitely here to stay in the new normal. Evelyn Rodstein adds, "We have all gotten used to it. Many will certainly want more in-person coaching, but the idea that virtual coaching is not as good as in-person has been proven false by the pandemic. Likely a hybrid model will evolve with a mix of in-person and virtual sessions. But virtual coaching is how many survived and thrived during the pandemic. Theres no going back now. | https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnbaldoni/2021/05/07/is-virtual-the-future-of-executive-coaching/ |
Will The Government's New Broadband Subsidies Close The Digital Divide For Older Americans? | By Arlene Weintraub, Next Avenue getty Only 58% of Americans age 65 or older have broadband internet access at home, which means 22 million people that age lack it, according to the nonprofit Older Adult Technology Services (OATS). This became especially problematic during the pandemic, when so many people needed to get on the internet for telehealth appointments and to book a Covid-19 vaccination appointment. One reason many older Americans don't have broadband: affordability. But now, the U.S. government is about to step up to try addressing this problem. The New Emergency Broadband Benefit Program On May 12, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will launch the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, which will have internet service providers give low-income Americans who qualify up to $50 off per month for broadband service, plus a one-time $100 discount for a new computer or tablet. The $3.2 billion in subsidies are part of the economic stimulus law Congress passed in December 2020 and signed by President Donald Trump. "Online access is a lifeblood for families right now," said the provision's co-sponsor Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) at the time. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel recently said that as a result of the program, "we will have a new way for disconnected Americans to access the internet to carry out their day-to-day life." Eligible households will be able to apply for the broadband discounts in one of two ways: They can enroll directly with their internet service provider. Or they can fill out an application at the federal website, Getemergencybroadband.org. Who Will Qualify for the Broadband Subsidies Among households who will qualify are: people who lost jobs and have seen their income substantially reduced since Feb. 29, 2020 (maximum income: $99,000 for singles; $198,000 for joint filers); those on Medicaid or with ones with incomes equal to 135% or less of the federal poverty guidelines, which is about $23,500 for two-person households in most states. So far, AT&T T Verizon VZ and Comcast CMCSA have said they'll be providing the broadband subsidies to some new and existing customers. Comcast already offers an Internet Essential program, with low-income households paying $10 a month for broadband service. The National Council on Aging has a benefits checkup tool that can point users to utility providers with discounts based on their ZIP code. Advocates for older adults say the government's new broadband subsidies are a good step towards closing the digital divide but that much more will need to be done to get them on the internet. One problem is that the subsidy money could run out within a year, at which point broadband pricing could go right back up, says Angela Siefer, executive director of the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, an advocacy group for expanding broadband access. Older Adults Technology Services Big Issues: Internet Skills and Security Concerns But a bigger issue, Siefer says, is that many older Americans lack basic internet skills and that some have security concerns keeping them offline altogether. "Digital literacy is a really huge issue," Siefer says. Vivian Nava-Schellinger, director of national and community partnerships and network activation at the National Council on Aging, says: "It's not just about giving seniors broadband access. It's also about giving them the information they need to engage safely online." Still, about 96% of people between 50 and 64 report use the internet today, up from 77% a decade ago, according to the Pew Research Center. And among those over 65, internet usage has grown from 46% to 75% over that period. The pandemic has also encouraged many Americans over 50 to upgrade the technology they use to get online. A recent AARP survey found that people 50+ spent an average of $1,144 on tech in 2020, nearly triple the $394 they spent in 2019. "The need for [older] people to get the Covid-19 vaccine and to use telehealth to connect to their doctors made them more aware of the benefits of the internet," says Carol McDonough, a professor at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. "What we need now is to bring in the laggards, and they're going to need some handholding." Where Older Adults Can Get Internet Training Broadband newcomers looking for help learning how to use the internet safely can often find it through libraries and senior centers. "We're seeing more and more community-based organizations creating training programs, not just for older adults, but for their caregivers, as well," says Nava-Schellinger. Some financial services companies have stepped up with training courses, too. For instance, Capital One partners with senior centers to train older adults in online banking. The workshops, dubbed "Ready, Set, Bank," include lessons on how to recognize phishing attacks and other scams. Verizon is partnering with the National 4-H Council to teach digital skills in rural communities. Given the expected rapid depletion of the new broadband subsidies, some federal lawmakers are pushing for additional money to be allocated to expanding online access. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) have introduced a bill that would order the U.S. government to spend $94 billion expanding broadband infrastructure in underserved communities. "In 2021, we should be able to bring high-speed internet to every family in America regardless of their ZIP code," Klobuchar said in a statement. President Joe Biden has also included $100 billion in spending on broadband access as part of his proposed $2.3 trillion infrastructure package. Vice President Kamala Harris has been tapped to spearhead closing the nation's digital divide. | https://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2021/05/07/will-the-governments-new-broadband-subsidies-close-the-digital-divide-for-older-americans/ |
Should the Cleveland Indians consider adding future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols? | Register for Indians Subtext to hear your Tribe questions answered exclusively on the show. Send a text to 216-208-4346 to subscribe for $3.99/mo. CLEVELAND, Ohio Thursdays big news that the Angels are releasing future Hall of Fame slugger Albert Pujols immediately sparked speculation as to where the aging superstar will end up finishing his career. Paul Hoynes and Joe Noga look at the extremely slim chances of the Indians signing Pujols for the rest of the year and what that would mean to Clevelands lineup on Thursdays podcast. Click here. We have an Apple podcasts channel exclusively for this podcast. Subscribe to it here. You can also subscribe on Google Play and listen on Spotify. Search Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast or download the audio here. - New Indians face masks for sale: Heres where you can buy Cleveland Indians-themed face coverings for coronavirus protection, including a single mask ($14.99) and a 3-pack ($24.99). All MLB proceeds donated to charity. Podcast Prez on 10-day IL with finger fracture, Ren Rivera promoted On the latest center fielder, winning and compromises: Hoynes Angel Hernandez admits he guessed on a missed call Shane Bieber looks to add to his record Wednesday: Crowquill Patience paying off for Josh Naylor and 5 other things | https://www.cleveland.com/tribe/2021/05/should-the-cleveland-indians-consider-adding-future-hall-of-famer-albert-pujols.html |
How will Broncos handle the JaWuan James injury? | The Denver Broncos suddenly find themselves in a delicate spot regarding the tug of war between the NFL and the NFL Players Association over offseason workouts. With right tackle JaWuan James suffering a potentially season-ending Achilles tendon tear during an off-site workout, the Broncos have the contractual right under the Collective Bargaining Agreement to not pay James his eight-figure salary in 2021. But the Broncos arent required to stiff James. The league office, which seized on the incident in an effort to persuade all players to return for voluntary offseason workouts, will surely want the Broncos to extend James no courtesies for following the unions recommendation to stay away. The union will try to get players to pressure the Broncos to take care of James. The Broncos ultimately will have to make the best decision for their organization. It doesnt help James that he appeared in only three games in 2019, the first season of his four-year, $51 million contract. James received a $12 million signing bonus and a $5 million salary a total payout of $17 million during that first season with the Broncos. It would be easy for the Broncos to justify cutting James off, given how little theyve gotten from him. Indeed, given his current contractual situation (and in light of the fact that he opted out in 2020), James had even more reason to show up for offseason workouts at the team facility. The fact that the NFLPA has tried to wedge the square peg of the James injury into the round hole of a workplace injury wont necessarily help James cause. Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the workout program that James contends he was following wasnt recommended; it was presented as voluntary options to players. More importantly, the letter attaching the voluntary options for off-site workouts cautioned players in red print and with underlining that the team is not responsible for any injuries that occur away from the team facility. Its possible that, if/when the Broncos place James on the non-football injury list, team and player will strike a deal. The Broncos have the leverage, and they arguably can dictate the terms. Whatever James may eventually get through a negotiated settlement, it will be far less than the 100 cents on the dollar he would have received if the injury had happened at the teams facility. originally appeared on Pro Football Talk | https://sports.yahoo.com/broncos-handle-ja-wuan-james-170322854.html?src=rss |
Where Does Longhorns DeMarvion Overshown Rank As Potential 2022 NFL Draft Pick? | ESPN released its most intriguing 2022 draft picks, and Texas Longhorns DeMarvion Overshown made the list In the 2021 NFL Draft, five Longhorns were selected through the seven-round event, the most since 2015. Now, head coach Steve Sarkisian and his new staff will seek to elevate the bar even more. Looking ahead, some intriguing prospects could find themselves drafted in early rounds. Most notably, DeMarvion Overshown is the Longhorns projected best defenseman. Staff writer Dave Wilson had this to say on Overshown who sits in the No.21 spot in ESPNs most intriguing 2022 NFL draft prospects: In seven seasons at Washington, new Longhorns defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski had 17 players drafted. He'll have a versatile new defender to utilize in DeMarvion Overshown this season in Austin. Overshown, a 6-4, 217-pound former safety, showed flashes of brilliance in his first season as a linebacker, culminating with MVP honors in the Alamo Bowl after he had six tackles, an interception, a fumble recovery and two quarterback hurries against Colorado. Most recently, Overshown gave a reassuring update about his rehab: Rehab update: I went toe to toe with this death machine today and Im happy to say I took the dub!! ArmBandit 1 - SM 1 Last season, Overshown broke out with 60 total tackles, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions. Overshown concluded his junior campaign as the 2020 Valero Alamo Bowl Defensive MVP. As reported by ESPN, new Texas defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski will have a positive impact on the versatile Overshown, allowing him to continue climbing draft boards. Comment and join in on the discussion below! Sign up for your premium membership to LonghornsCountry.com today, and get access to the entire Fan Nation premium network! Follow Longhorns Country on Twitter and Facebook | https://www.si.com/college/texas/football/where-does-longhorns-demarvion-overshown-rank-as-potential-2022-nfl-draft-pick |
Whats top of mind for candidates in Cap-Pel? | Cap-Pel will see the return of Serge Lger as mayor by acclaimation, while an election will be held on May 10 to decide who will sit in the remaining five council seats. There are eight candidates vying for five seats: Rachel Boudreau, Wendy Bourque, Hector Cormier, Mario Cormier, Gerard Landry, Eric LeBlanc, Yvonne LeBlanc and Louis Legr. Home to approximately 2,500 residents, Cap-Pel is on the Northumberland Strait and is home to the famous Aboiteau Beach. Lger said continued growth, affordable housing and re-establishing itself after the pandemic in terms of tourism and other activities will likely dominate the villages agenda in the term ahead. The Times & Transcript asked the candidates to describe issues top-of-mind for Cap-Pele, and their ideas to tackle the issues. Responses from those who returned our request by press time are listed below in alphabetical order. Rachel Boudreau: Boudreau said too often people are forced to leave the village of Cap-Pel when they need residential care at levels 3 to 4. I want to work hard so that the government will grant us a licence for a level 3 to 4 nursing home here in Cap-Pel, so that all citizens can stay in the area where they lived, worked and paid taxes throughout their lives. Mental health services, resources for seniors and those with disabilities or those with low income, and ensuring existing services are known is also important, she said. Wendy Bourque: My priority is to listen to residents of all ages and cultural backgrounds, and to bring forth their suggestions and concerns to the municipal council, said Bourque. She is proud that Cap-Pel continues to move forward in an inclusive way and wants all residents to have a sense of belonging so they will want to live in Cap-Pel for the long term. Progressing and growing in important while maintaining the quality of life for which small villages are known, she said. Hector Cormier: Development is top of mind for Hector Cormier. In particular, he said, the community needs apartments both to keep people living in Cap-Pel and to improve the tax base. He also wants to see Cap-Pel on a main highway sign on Rte 15, noting that Shediac, Port Elgin and other communities are specifically indicated. This would be useful for tourism and other reasons, he said. Mario Cormier: Collaboration with surrounding communities is key to ensure Cap-Pel keeps progressing and improves services for residents, said Mario Cormier. We need to generate tourism as an all-year experience. We need to have sustainable development while protecting our environment. We have huge opportunities in front of us, and they need to be well protected and well managed, he said. Eric LeBlanc: I am passionate about working toward our economic development and community infrastructures and will work hard to ensure the construction of the intergenerational centre. Furthermore, if given the chance, I am excited to work with all the people who are making their home in the beautiful village of Cap-Pel, which is filled with cultural diversity, he said. Yvonne LeBlanc: Yvonne LeBlanc said working toward successfully completing the development of the community recreation centre is a priority. Sustained development and fixing infrastructure are concerns more broadly. She is a hopeful a way to allow seniors to stay somewhere in the community who need higher levels of support than is currently offered can be reached. Louis Lger: COVID remains the biggest challenge, he said. The price increase of building a community recreation centre will be the biggest issue in the term ahead. Keeping development progressing in general amid challenges of extra costs in construction right now will be one of the biggest challenges. Lger said he has a lot of construction and business experience he is hoping will help council through some of the hurdles ahead. | https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2021/05/07/whats-top-of-mind-for-candidates-in-cap-pel.html |
Should I date one of my best friends? | Q. I met one of my best friends three years ago, and she has become a major fixture in my life. Weve both supported each other through some of the hardest times in our lives, including quarantine. We text or see each other nearly every day. For more than a year I have felt my feelings grow for her as more than a friend, and she has given me some hints she feels the same way. Two weeks ago, while we were chatting about our days, she said that she noticed that I had called her pretty over text a lot lately and wanted to know whether I had feelings for her. I didnt know how to respond so I asked if I could have more time. Advertisement Im a student and an actress so a lot of my free time is filled, and I know that in the past she has asked for a lot of time and commitment, even from short-time flings (and that is how a lot of her breakups happened). I talked to our mutual friends about it during a socially distanced hangout last Saturday, and they agreed that if I like her, the good times would be really good ... but the bad times would be really bad. They reassured me that they would remain both our friends even if the bad times did happen. They warned me that I was also right about her occasionally becoming possessive and anxious when shes not responded to immediately something that I have trouble doing since I prefer being in person. I really really like her, maybe even love her, but Im worried that I could never meet her expectations. Also ... weve been good friends for so long (with minor subtext but no almost-kisses or anything). The transition into dating feels so weird, especially during the pandemic when we both are still waiting for our second vaccines. Advertisement OUTED-FROM-THE-FRIEND-ZONE A. The nice thing about your very strong friendship is that you can be honest with her. You can say, I do have feelings for you strong ones but I want to make sure I can give you what you need. Would what I offer be enough? You can tell her how you like to communicate between in-person visits. Youve already proven you can talk about difficult things. For all you know, shed be very different in her relationship with you. There might be more confidence and understanding because she knows the people in your life, how you organize your day, and why you might not be responding to her text. I wouldnt talk to your friends about this again until you talk to her. It sounds like youre checking her references, that youre vetting her. Please remember that she needs to consider this, too. Make this decision with her instead of with the people you share. Its not a democracy. Advertisement Also, be quick about this. She asked if you had feelings for her, and you asked for more time. But you know you have feelings for her. So tell her that, at the very least. Dont make her wait on that kind of simple validation. Use that best friendship to tell her, Clearly, yes, I have feelings. I But I dont know what to do about them. Can we figure it out together? MEREDITH READERS RESPOND: Pep talk, deary. It is your friend who must meet your expectations. Please dont put yourself in a subordinate position to please people. You will be chasing situations for the rest of your life. VALENTINO--- These are the questions you explore with her. Its better to talk to someone youre considering dating than to poll your friends. If shes not capable of having a conversation like this, its probably best not to date her at all. WIZEN I find it strange that you needed so much intel from your friends instead of going straight to the source your friend that you like and want to date. Try being honest with your friend and tell her you like her and want to date her, but you dont have a ton of time, and see what she says. Advertisement SURFERROSA Youre young enough to take a chance and live happily ever after. Or crash and burn. Youll never know until you tell her you have feelings for her. So go ahead. Lifes too short. HARRISBSTONE I didnt know how to respond so I asked if I could have more time. I think this is your answer. You seem to be doing anything and everything you can to put off deciding on what you want to do. Youre also consulting a committee of friends to help you decide if you should even try to date her. I dont think you want to date her, but you like the idea of dating her. You should probably keep her where she is, as a good friend. CRUCIFIEDZEOFF ^I like this take. THENURSE ^Completely agree. FREEADVICEFORYOU Send your own relationship and dating questions to [email protected]. Catch new episodes of Meredith Goldsteins Love Letters podcast at loveletters.show or wherever you listen to podcasts. Column and comments are edited and reprinted from boston.com/loveletters. | https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/05/07/lifestyle/should-i-date-one-my-best-friends/ |
Should the state automatically expunge past marijuana misdemeanor and felony convictions from peoples records? | Adam Fine Massachusetts in 2016 became one of the first two states east of the Mississippi to legalize adult-use cannabis, (cq) a distinction for which we should be proud. Legalization has helped displace the illicit market and has generated hundreds of millions of dollars in new tax revenues for the state and thousands of new jobs. But when it comes to expunging prior criminal convictions for cannabis offenses in other words, wiping the slate clean for residents convicted of offenses that are no longer crimes the Bay State is trailing the pack. Advertisement As a former public defender, Ive seen how cannabis convictions can hinder employment, jeopardize housing opportunities, thwart adoption desires, and block volunteer eligibility in schools, sports teams, or civic boards. Convictions are especially problematic for people seeking financial stability in this COVID-recovering economy. Our current expungement policy in Massachusetts a cumbersome and expensive process involving petitioning, court appearances, and adjudication needs to change. We can look to two of our border states for inspiration. Just this year, Vermont and New York both adopted measures that automatically expunge misdemeanor criminal records relating to cannabis convictions. (cq) These new policies eliminate the need to pursue lengthy, costly processes to erase what wouldnt even be considered crimes today. Massachusetts should go even further than these states by mandating that automatic expungement cover all misdemeanor and felony cannabis convictions prior to 2016 with the exception of sales to minors. This would parallel the approach taken by the state Cannabis Control Commission in assessing the conviction history of cannabis license applicants. (cq) Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, in announcing some 500,000 expungements for cannabis offenses earlier this year, (cq) put the argument for reversing cannabis convictions quite well. Referencing the historic disproportionate impact of drug arrests upon communities of color, he said that government will never be able to fully remedy the depth of the damage. But we can govern with the courage to admit the mistakes of our past. (cq) Advertisement Massachusetts should be leading, not trailing, other states in adopting cannabis expungement policies. Automatic expungement for cannabis convictions, both misdemeanors and felonies, would be a fitting next step for one of the first eastern states to end cannabis prohibition and its massive injustices. NO William G. Brooks III Norwood police chief; past president, Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association; board member, International Association of Chiefs of Police William G. Brooks III I am not opposed to expunging past convictions for possession of marijuana from peoples criminal records, but we need to draw the line at simple possession and not stray into the area of dealing. I have never thought that completely legalizing marijuana was a good idea and I still dont but thats now the law in our state and for that reason alone, peoples past convictions for a crime that no longer exists should not follow them. But there may not be as many of these cases as people expect. Dating back to 1975, anyone convicted of a first offense of marijuana possession in Massachusetts was placed on probation, and upon successful completion of that probation their case was dismissed and their record of the offense sealed. The law provided that a court could file a written memorandum explaining why that was not done, (cq) but I never saw that happen. Advertisement In reality, most cases of marijuana possession never got that far; cases were routinely continued without a finding or outright dismissed, often upon payment of nominal court costs. In my experience, those who ended up with a guilty verdict on their record had often been arrested for multiple charges and had marijuana on them, and the marijuana count was pled out as part of a broader plea. Someone arrested in a housebreak who had weed on him might receive a guilty finding for that charge when he pled guilty to the other charges, for instance. In my view, drug dealing and trafficking are a different story. Those acts are still considered criminal and should remain on a defendants record. In Massachusetts, dealing marijuana is actually a misdemeanor unless the dealer sells 50 pounds or more, which would trigger a trafficking charge. Believe it or not, selling 20 pounds of weed to an undercover police officer is a misdemeanor here. (cq) Although a guilty finding for marijuana possession is unlikely to be a stumbling block for most people these days, it is just and fair to remove it from a persons record. But convictions for drug sales of any class should remain on their criminal history record. As told to Globe correspondent John Laidler. To suggest a topic, please contact [email protected]. Tis is not a scientific survey. Please only vote once. Advertisement | https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/05/07/metro/should-state-automatically-expunge-past-marijuana-misdemeanor-felony-convictions-peoples-records/ |
Why did Berkshire Hathaways share price threaten Nasdaq? | BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY shares have climbed steadily in value over nearly six decades. Other companies would have split their shares, lowering the unit price to make them more attractive to a range of investors. In 1995 Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaways boss, rejected this idea, saying that it might result in an awful lot of people buying it who didnt have the faintest idea what they were doing. Now his stance has had an unintended consequence. The recent stockmarket rally has pushed Berkshire Hathaways Class A shares so high that they have threatened to break the pricing and reporting system of the Nasdaq stock exchange. The shares, valued at more than $435,000 each on May 6th, tripped up computer systems unprepared for values quite so large. Nasdaqs are not the only systems to be dumbfounded by big numbers. YouTube, the worlds biggest video-sharing site, once struggled with a similar problem. Its all about the bits. Computers use binary digits, or bits, that can store 0 or 1 as a potential value, grouped typically into units of eight digits. An eight-digit binary number, which can represent values from 0 to 255, is called a byte. Larger numbers are represented using multiple bytes. Two bytes (or 16 bits) can represent numbers from 0 to 65,535; four bytes (or 32 bits) can represent numbers from 0 to 4,294,967,295; and so on. Programmers determine the highest possible value that a system needs to represent, and no larger, to conserve memory and reduce the burden on calculation. Nasdaqs pricing system relies for price quotations on 32-bit integers. Nobody conceived that a share price might exceed $429,496.7295, as Berkshire Hathaways has. (Nasdaq marks prices to hundredths of a cent.) This assumption seemed reasonable: only in recent years has Berkshire Hathaway flown so close to the value. The share price of NVR Inc, a construction-and-mortgage company that comes second to Berkshire Hathaway among public companies for sticker shock, is not far above $5,000. But now it is causing trouble. Although orders for Berkshire Hathaway shares were largely unaffectedit is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, which says it can handle high numbers just fineNasdaq and some smaller exchanges were unable to include the company in some stock-price feeds or to accept certain share orders. Nasdaqs engineers are rushing to update their systems to accommodate higher prices. Nasdaq isnt the first system to struggle with this problem. Players of Final Fantasy 7, a video game from 1997, could cause the game to glitch by registering a score so high that it overflowed the 32-bit number used to store it. In 2014 Gangnam Style, a music video by Psy, a Korean pop star, approached 2,147,483,648 views on YouTube. YouTubes system kept one bit in reserve for a positive or negative sign, halving the maximum value it could handle compared with Nasdaq. YouTube had to upgrade its system in light of Psys popularity (the new maximum view-count is over nine quintillion, or nine followed by 18 zeros). A Gangnam-style limit also approaches for older versions of the Unix operating system and its derivatives, which power Android and Apple phones, Mac computers and internet servers. In 2038 the number of seconds since January 1st 1970 will exceed 2,147,483,647. That date was the arbitrary starting point from which the systems time is derived. (Although most modern operating systems have already been fixed to last beyond 2038.) Nasdaq says it will have a fix in place by May 17th for its pricing feeds. Changes typically involve refactoring code, or rewriting existing software to give it newer capabilities, such as using a 64-bit number instead. Developers and traders who lived through the advent of the new millennium will recall similar scrambles to smooth the transition of dozens of countries to the euro, the switch of Americas stockmarkets from pricing in sixteenths of a dollar to decimalisation, and the Y2K problem, in which elderly financial and other systems assumed all years were preceded by 19. If Nasdaqs programmers opt for a 64-bit number, Berkshire Hathaways share price will have plenty of headroom. Revised systems could theoretically handle a stock price of $1,844,674,407,370,954.1615. | https://www.economist.com/the-economist-explains/2021/05/07/why-did-berkshire-hathaways-share-price-threaten-nasdaq |
Is The Variant From India The Most Contagious Coronavirus Mutant On The Planet? | Back in the fall, Tom Wenseleers made a bold claim on Twitter. He tweeted that the new coronavirus variant emerging in the U.K. was more transmissible or could spread more quickly than over versions of the virus. "I posted a graph [on Twitter] showing the U.K. variant had a transmission advantage over the other types of the virus," says Wenseleers, who's an evolutionary biologist at the University of Leuven in Belgium. At first, many scientists didn't believe his analysis. Many people thought the big COVID surge in England was due to holiday travel and shopping, he says. But after many follow-up studies, Wenseleers was proven correct. The variant from U.K., called B.1.1.7, is indeed more transmissible and likely the most contagious version of the virus known. Now Wenseleers has performed similar analyses on data from India, and he's feeling a bit of a deja vu. "Based on this data, the new variant from India has a very big transmission or growth advantage," even over B.1.1.7, he says. "It's kind of like the U.K. variant squared." This advantage, Wenseleers believes, is fueling the massive outbreak in India, on top of other contributing factors, such as recent mass gatherings, election rallies and relaxing of precautions. Over the winter, the situation in India looked great. COVID-19 case numbers were flat and even dropping. Then in the middle of February and early March, the situation quickly shifted. The virus surged explosively. Now India is battling a horrific second wave of COVID-19, reporting about 400,000 cases and more than 3,500 deaths every day. At the same time, the new variant in India, known as B.1.617, began to dominate the outbreak in several Indian states. This variant has more than a dozen mutations, including several that are known to enhance transmissibility and help the virus evade the immune system. Several other variants are also circulating in India, including B.1.351 from South Africa and B.1.1.7 from the U.K. To figure out which variant is spreading the fastest, Wenseleers used a mathematical model to estimate how quickly cases of each variant are rising in several regions. He found cases of B.1.617 to be rising at a faster rate than cases of B.1.1.7 in three states in India and in the U.K. "If you take all these pieces of evidence together, I'm fairly confident that the variant from India has a growth advantage and that is a reason for the current epidemic in India," he says. Of course, there are several caveats here. The findings are preliminary and haven't been published, except on Twitter. "And the data are still very limited," he says. "The number of variant sequences that's available for India is quite small, especially considering the size of the country and the population." For these reasons, other researchers are again dubious of Wenseleers' findings. Karthik Gangavarapu, who's a computational biologist at Scripps Research Institute, is one of them. "I don't think the story is clear yet," he says. "I'm not saying B.1.617 isn't more transmissible than B.1.1.7, I'm just saying there's a burden of proof you need to establish before you can say that." Still though, Gangavarapu says, there's no question the variant in India is worrisome and something the whole world needs to try and stop together. | https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/05/07/994710459/is-the-variant-from-india-the-most-contagious-coronavirus-mutant-on-the-planet |
Is the Shine Starting to Come Off Bill Gatess Halo? | Subscribe to The Nation Subscribe now for as little as $2 a month! Subscribe now for as little as $2 a month! Get The Nations Weekly Newsletter Fridays. The best of the week. You will receive occasional promotional offers for programs that support The Nations journalism. You can read our Privacy Policy here. Fridays. The best of the week. Thank you for signing up for The Nations weekly newsletter. Join the Books & the Arts Newsletter Mondays. The best of The Nations Books & the Arts, in your inbox biweekly. You will receive occasional promotional offers for programs that support The Nations journalism. You can read our Privacy Policy here. Mondays. The best of The Nations Books & the Arts, in your inbox biweekly. Thank you for signing up. For more from The Nation, check out our latest issue Subscribe to The Nation Subscribe now for as little as $2 a month! Subscribe now for as little as $2 a month! Support Progressive Journalism The Nation is reader supported: Chip in $10 or more to help us continue to write about the issues that matter. The Nation is reader supported: Chip in $10 or more to help us continue to write about the issues that matter. Sign up for our Wine Club today. The announcement earlier this week of Bill and Melinda Gatess divorce was a bombshell headline, but it shouldnt distract us from an even more interesting development in the news media in recent weeks. Bill Gates, long heralded as a global hero in the pandemic response, is becoming an increasingly popular target of criticism for his role in the unfolding vaccine apartheid around the world. News outlets from Salon to the Observer to The New Republic have taken aim at Gatess efforts to defend Big Pharmas monopoly controls over Covid vaccineseven in the face of growing humanitarian calls to suspend patents and to compel these companies to share the recipes and technological know-how needed to expand vaccine production and immunize the poor. The reporting has highlighted the former Microsoft CEOs hard-wired ideological commitment to patents, intellectual property, and the private sector, but may have understated the full scope of the Gates Foundations interests in this debatelike the sprawling array of intellectual property the charity has acquired access to through its grants and investments. Or the fact that the foundation co-owns a vaccine company. Last October, The Nation reported on a $40 million investment the Gates Foundation made in 2015 in a start-up company called CureVac, which is currently wrapping up clinical trials for its Covid vaccine. The Gates Foundation at one point was the second largest shareholder of the company and had the ability to nominate a member to CureVacs supervisory board. The foundation is no longer a leading shareholder, but its 2015 investment may be worth hundreds of millions of dollars today, as last November CureVac agreed to supply up to 405 million doses to the European Commissiona deal that seems to raise new questions about Gatess role in perpetuating vaccine apartheid. CureVac and the Gates Foundation both failed to respond to questions about if or how they plan to do so. But the larger questions raised by their business partnership concerns how Bill Gates, one of historys most storied monopolists, has found himself so deeply involved in what may be one of the most potent monopoly markets ever devised: a vaccine that virtually everyone on earth needs. Beyond co-owning a vaccine company, the Gates Foundation has other far-reaching means to influence how vaccine markets workor dont. This includes helping direct the WHOs efforts to deliver Covid cures to the global poor, advising the G7 delegation on pandemics preparedness, meeting with the US Office of the United States Trade Representative to discuss intellectual property related to Covid vaccines, holding regular calls with pharmaceutical company CEOs and Anthony Fauci, and brokering vaccine deals between the University of Oxford, AstraZeneca, and the Serum Institute of India. Current Issue View our current issue It is increasingly urgent to ask if Gatess multiple roles in the pandemicas a charity, a business, an investor, and a lobbyistare about philanthropy and giving away money, or about taking control and exercising powermonopoly power. What were seeing is the accumulation of 20 years of very careful expansion into every aspect in global healthall of the institutions, all of the different companies that often have these early-stage technologies, as well as all of the advocacy groups that speak to these issue, and all of the research institutions, notes Rohit Malpani, a global health consultant and board member of the global health initiative Unitaid. It also therefore reflects the failure of the Gates Foundation. The fact that they exert so much influence and even control over so many aspects of the [pandemic] responseand the fact that we are seeing so much inequity speaks to the influence that they have, and [suggests] the strategies that theyve set out have not worked. And they have to own that failure. CureVac Because the Gates Foundations investment in CureVac is considered part of its charitable activitiesthrough a little-studied IRS provision governing program related investmentsthe Gates Foundation is required to ensure that its investment supports the foundations charitable mission to help all people live healthy, productive lives. A partially redacted global access commitments agreement the Gates Foundation signed with the company in 2015made public through Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings when CureVac became a publicly traded company last yearstipulated that CureVac was to use the foundations money to fund a manufacturing facility and develop its vaccine technology, and that CureVac was to make its vaccines available and accessible at reasonable cost to people most in need. The agreement also appears to give the foundation legal rights to make sure this happens, including some claims to a a worldwide, non-exclusive, perpetual, irrevocable, fully-paid up, royalty-free license to products and background intellectual property developed with the foundations moneyfor example if the company defaults on its charitable obligations or goes bankrupt. Neither the Gates Foundation nor CureVac responded to questions about the agreement, leaving it unclear what additional leverage it may give the foundationbeyond its financial investmentover CureVacs work in the pandemic. Yet The Nation has also uncovered SEC documents from last Julyin the middle of the pandemicin which the Gates Foundation appears to release CureVac from some aspect of its charitable obligations. Buried in CureVacs SEC filings is an agreement between the Gates Foundation, CureVac, and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), noting, Subject to the other terms of this agreement, BMGF hereby releases CureVac of any and all Global Access Commitments concerning the use of the companys mRNA technology platform in developing one or more vaccines that are redacted. The release stipulated that it would go into effect only when CureVac cemented its business relationship with pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKlinethe two companies are working together to bring an mRNA Covid vaccine to market. GSK said the release doesnt relate to Covid but rather to five different pathogens, the identities of which are confidential. However the redactions, confidentiality and lack of transparency make it impossible to really see what the Gates Foundation has ceded in this releaseor for the public to verify that the foundations work with CureVac is clearly serving a charitable mission. These inside the cartel secret agreements are deeply problematic, with no assurance that[charitable obligations] have been preserved nor that technology transfer to additional producers will be forthcoming, notes Brook Baker, a professor of law at Northeastern University. Hoovering IP The global access agreements that the Gates Foundation signs with its charitable recipients, like CureVac, have long been the linchpin of Gatess expansive charitable work with the private sectorserving as both a response to critics who say the philanthropy is too closely aligned with Big Pharma and a justification the foundation can offer to the IRS to rationalize the tax benefits it gets from donating money to multinational companieslike the tens of millions of dollars it has given to GlaxoSmithKline. Broadly, the agreements give the foundation a tool to compel grantees to direct whatever products, tools, and technologies they develop with the aid of Gatess funding to the developing worldto meet the Gates Foundations charitable goals. When my reporting last year uncovered $2 billion in charitable donations the Gates Foundation had given to private companies, the foundation pointed to its global access policies and noted that its private-sector partnerships produce public goods and yield products that are safe, effective, affordable, and accessible for communities in low- and middle-income countries. MORE FROM Tim Schwab Bill Gates, Climate Warrior. And Super Emitter. December 3, 2020 While the Poor Get Sick, Bill Gates Just Gets Richer October 5, 2020 Author page Yet some see these access agreements as designed less to promote equity or global access and more focused on promoting the Gates Foundations access to intellectual property. Securing IP rights has long been a central, if rarely scrutinized, part of how the Gates Foundation does business. For example, in 2011, the Gates Foundation began a financial relationship with a company called Zyomyx, which was working on HIV diagnostics. The Gates Foundation at one point held a 48 percent stake in the company, and also secured some rights to the companys intellectual property. When the company later went bankrupt, the foundation took over this IP, housing it in the Global Good arm of a business called Intellectual Ventures, run by a former Microsoft executive and widely viewed as a patent troll (a company that uses the threat of patent litigation as a principal source of revenue). In September of 2020, the Global Good project was moved out of Intellectual Ventures and handed off to the Gates Foundation and Gates Ventures, Bill Gatess personal office. Given the tens of thousands of charitable grants and investments the foundation has made over the last two decades, the charity may have acquired access to or ownership of a stunning level of technology and intellectual property, which translates into the unprecedented level of influence Gates has not just over global health but also the pharmaceutical industry. Think of intellectual property as a bundle of sticks, Malpani explains. Nobody owns the entire bundle of sticks. If theres 10 sticks in the bundle, maybe the company owns seven, the NIH owns two sticks, and maybe the Gates Foundation owns one. And that one stick might be march-in rights [like licensing the patent to a third party] or a limited license to exploit the technology for these countries. So, for all of these investments the Gates Foundation has made over the years, theyve acquired a lot of different forms of intellectual property. And all of that intellectual property provides them with a certain amount of, not only visibility as to what the technology domain looks like, but also to exert control and influence over how that intellectual property is exercised. Malpani draws parallels to recent reports that Bill Gates is the single largest private farmland owner in the United States, saying that Gates and his private foundation may have quietly become one of the most important owners of intellectual property for different therapeutics, diagnostics, and vaccines in the world today. That gives them enormous responsibility and influence over how these technologies develop and evolve, Malpani says, That means a waiver of intellectual property rights [as is being called for in the pandemic]affects their own holdings of intellectual property. It also affects their ability to control how this intellectual property is developed and distributed around the world. In many ways, this mirrors very much the strategies that Microsoft had [which led to the company being sued by the Justice Department during the 1990s]. The whole basis of the company was based on the accumulation of intellectual property, so in some ways its not surprising the Gates has adopted this same approach, nominally for philanthropic ends, but ultimately still its about having certain level of control and influence. Its a recognition [by Gates], before many others, that intellectual property was going to have a very central role in how global health is managed. Challenging monopoly Another leading voice in the pandemic response, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation (CEPI)which was cofounded by the Gates Foundation and whose general counsel, Richard Wilder, previously presided over intellectual property at Microsoftappears to use similar access agreements when it gives away money, a tool it trumpets as promoting equity. CEPI has pledged up to $22.5 million to CureVac for its work on a Covid vaccineand hundreds of millions more to other companies. Yet, during the pandemic, CEPIs work with private companies has been widely criticized for its lack of transparencyand not clearly steering Covid vaccines to the worlds poor. CEPIs agreement with CureVacreleased in SEC documentsat one time actually included a powerful provision allowing the coalition, in some circumstances, to compel the company to share its vaccine technology with other manufacturers. Shortly after the advocacy group Public Citizen publicized this, however, an amended contract appeared in SEC filings appearing to show CEPI waiving these rights. Its baffling. CEPI helped jumpstart CureVacs work on the vaccine, but then seemingly waived away its own leverage to expand production around the world, said Public Citizens Zain Rizvi. CEPI does important work but, unless it takes a stronger stance on sharing intellectual property, it cannot fulfill its commitment to equitable access. CEPI did not respond to a request for comment. In the face of Big Charitys failures to deliver us from the pandemic, a variety of efforts are currently underway to challenge the prevailing monopoly power were seeing in Covid vaccine marketschief among them a proposal to the World Trade Organization, supported by more than 100 countries, calling for a suspension of patents related to Covid vaccines. Another response is a WHO-led effort to create a technology transfer hub that calls on large companies to share mRNA tools and technologies with vaccine manufacturers in poor countries. The Intercept recently reported that CureVac, the company partially owned by the Gates Foundation, has not committed to join the program. But several sources close to the project say the Gates Foundation will likely find a way to get involved, if not take control. Hell come in and want to fund just enough to make him a stakeholder in a project; then hell try to use that exercise control and influence on the way its executed, notes James Love, director of the advocacy group Knowledge Ecology International. Were saying, dont do that. Gates is on the board of the GlobalFund. Hes on the board of Unitaid. He has a special relationship with the World Bank. Frankly, hes running whole sections of the WHO. Hes got a huge financial footprint in universities around the world. So I think theres a lot of opposition within the community of public health to keep Gates out of this new technology transfer hub. But he has a big checkbook, and theres not enough leadership from governments. From Loves perspective, Gatess involvement would weaken the potential of the technology transfer hub to promote equity. Everything Gates has done in the vaccine area since 1999 has been to push the line to strong intellectual property rights, reliance on really big companies, secret agreements, and restrictive licensing. Thats his secret to success. And thats the exact opposite of what we want to see happen. | https://www.thenation.com/article/society/bill-gates-foundation-covid-vaccines/ |
Should Rangers Fans Carry On Bronx Hate Toward Astros? | The Texas Rangers host the Houston Astros in just a couple of weeks. The Houston Astros are reportedly complaining to Major League Baseball about fan taunting as a result of their 2017 cheating scandal, just in time for the Astros to come to Globe Life Field and face the Texas Rangers next week. The Astros just wrapped up a series with the New York Yankees on Thursday, a team the Astros beat in the 2019 American League Championship Series. Yankees fans went to great lengths to make sure the Astros didnt forget about the cheating scandal, according to Sports Illustrateds Jimmy Traina. Traina and fellow SI writer Stephanie Apstein reported that one Yankees fan went so far as to don an Oscar the Grouch costume and bring an inflatable trash can with him to haze Astros players for several innings. The trash can, of course, was part of how the Astros cheated on their run to the 2017 World Series. Another Yankees fan wore an Astros jersey with Cheaters and 17 on the back. SI reported that the Astros complained to MLB about the behavior, but both the Astros and the commissioners office told SI that no complaint was made. NJ.coms Brendan Knuty reported that the Yankees disclosed they had received no complaints from the Astros, either. To recap, the Astros were found guilty my MLB of an elaborate sign-stealing system that involved using its replay room, video monitors, and a system of relaying signs that included using a trash can to tip off Astros hitters to pitches in 2017, including their postseason run. This cost manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow their jobs, the Astros first- and second-round picks in 2020 and 2021, and a $5 million fine. While the Astros reportedly werent the only team that did this, they were at the center of the scandal. Astros players were interviewed for the investigation but were given immunity in exchange for their testimony. During the Yankees series, players like Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, and Alex Bregman who were part of that 2017 World Series run bore the brunt of Yankees fans hazing. And the Astros wonder why fans are upset with them. The Rangers will play the Astros for the first time this season on next week's road trip. However, the Rangers will host Houston the following weekend on May 21-23. READ MORE: Texas Rangers Earn Another Comeback Win; Claim Yet Another Series Success You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard. Like 'Inside The Rangers' on Facebook | https://www.si.com/mlb/rangers/news/should-rangers-fans-carry-on-bronx-hate-toward-astros |
Can Mexican stars Carlos Vela and Chicharito deliver historic El Trfico? | For most of its existence, Major League Soccer has struggled to tap into the passion, and especially the TV ratings, of the Mexican and Mexican-American fan base. The league imported Mexican stars such as Jorge Campos, Rafa Mrquez, Cuauhtmoc Blanco and Claudio Surez; created tournaments like the Leagues Cup, Campeones Cup and short-lived SuperLiga to compete against Mexican teams; and even played 10 seasons with a Liga MX-affiliated franchise in Chivas USA. None of that had the desired impact. So MLS will try another approach Saturday when the Galaxy (2-1-0) and Javier Chicharito Hernndez, Mexicos all-time leading scorer, face off against LAFC (1-0-2) and Carlos Vela, the leagues single-season scoring leader, before a socially distanced crowed of 7,193 at Dignity Health Sports Park and a national TV audience on Fox. If both men play, it will be the most significant meeting of Mexican stars in league history. Advertisement Having iconic players like Carlos Vela, Javier Hernndez and other Mexican national team standouts in the headlines throughout Mexico has a significant benefit toward increasing the fan base for Major League Soccer and deepening the engagement of our current fan base, said Dan Courtemanche, MLS executive vice president of communications. Its a priority for Major League Soccer to showcase Saturdays match and have it in primetime on the East Coast. That showcase could lose much of its luster if Vela, whose 52 career MLS goals are most by a Mexican player, is unable to participate. Vela, who came out of LAFCs opener with a quadriceps injury after 22 minutes, has only recently returned to training and coach Bob Bradley said his status would be a game-time decision. With or without Vela, MLS is making inroads with Hispanic viewers, especially those in the younger demographics who dont remember the leagues halting early years. And they are drawn now not just by Mexican internationals like Vela and Hernndez, but by young South Americans such as LAFCs Diego Rossi and Atlanta Uniteds Ezequiel Barco, and the presence of former European stars like Inter Miamis Gonzalo Higuain and Blaise Matuidi. But the league still has a lot of work to do. The most-watched MLS game in the seasons first three weeks the Galaxys opener with Inter Miami drew a combined 558,000 viewers on ABC and ESPN Deportes. Yet that was 155,000 less than Liga MX games are averaging in the U.S. on the Spanish-language Univision/TUDN network, according to Nielsen. And Saturdays marquee matchup may not win over many more hearts and eyeballs since it will kick off at the same time as the Liga MX single-elimination playoff game between Atlas and Tigres on Univision/TUDN. Theres still not a big fan base for MLS, Alejandro Gmez, a veteran soccer journalist, said in Spanish from Mexico City. Its still not an event Mexicans follow, much less going up against the start of the Liga MX playoffs. Advertisement But, Gmez added, Vela and Hernndez, whose league-high five goals in three games has been big news in Mexico, may be the exceptions to that rule. Theyre two players who define a generation. Theyre players that people like, he said. Those who do tune in could see history because the former teammates, who came up through the Chivas player-development system together, havent played against one another since a 2013 Champions League game, when Hernndez was at Manchester United and Vela was with Real Sociedad. Advertisement Hernndez, who missed the Galaxys three games with LAFC last season, said Thursday he hopes Vela plays. I dont know if Mexico is going to care about that or not, he said. [But] this one has more special meaning in a way. We grew up together in Guadalajara. We played together in two World Cups. Obviously I always want to face the best teams, the best players. Its always great when Vela and the best players in the MLS are available, are doing good. That elevates the level of this league. It will be amazing if he can play. Galaxy coach Greg Vanney, who has watched MLS chase Mexican and Mexican-American fans since its inception, agreed. Advertisement Its an important fanbase for the league and for our communities and even the players, he said. This is another great opportunity for two teams with two fantastic players who come from Mexico to compete and a rivalry for Los Angeles. Those are definitely prominent sort of headlines. | https://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/story/2021-05-07/lafc-galaxy-mexican-stars-el-trafico-preview |
Can Elon Musk Fill The Trump-Shaped Hole In SNL? | SpaceX owner and Tesla CEO Elon Musk is scheduled to host SNL. (Photo by Britta Pedersen-Pool/Getty ... [+] Images) Getty Images In 2015, Saturday Night Live invited then-presidential candidate Donald Trump to host the show, sparking controversy among columnists (and boredom among viewers). While Trumps hosting gig was filled with weak one-liners and fawning sycophancy disguised as half-hearted criticism, during his presidency the show switched gears and quickly became defined by Alec Baldwins Trump impression, which became a kind of beacon for the culture war. After Bidens electoral victory, however, the show suffered a slump in ratings and a decline in relevancy; post-Trump, must-see clips from SNL are few and far between. While the show is still a cultural juggernaut, competition has never been higher - YouTube and TikTok comedians run in circles around the SNL cast, unconstrained by the limitations of network TV. Hence, SNL inviting controversial billionaire Elon Musk to host the show comes across as an act of desperation, an attempt to revive the glory days of Trumps divisive presidency - no doubt, SNLs showrunners knew the controversy they were sparking, and relished it. Musk has attracted criticism with his weird comments on the coronavirus, his incessant promotion of wasteful, energy burning cryptocurrencies, and that time he called one of the rescuers of the boys soccer team trapped in a Thai cave pedo guy, after Musks mini submarine was rejected as a rescue vehicle. Controversies aside, Musks hosting gig comes during a time of particularly fierce backlash against billionaires, as wealth inequality continues to skyrocket. Critics argue that Musks SNL appearance will likely humanize the billionaire, in the way that Trumps hosting gig seemed to soften his public image. Hence, it wasnt long before Musks hosting gig came under fire from columnists, internet commentators, and even SNL cast members. Castmate Bowen Yang took to Instagram to criticise Musk, while longtime SNL performer Aidy Bryant posted a quote from Sen. Bernie Sanders to her Instagram page, in a subtle rebuttal to Musks hosting gig. The quote states that the 50 wealthiest people in America today own more wealth than the bottom half of our people. Let me repeat that, because it is almost too absurd to believe: The 50 wealthiest people in this country own more wealth than some 165 MILLION Americans. Musks massive hoarding of wealth might be obscene, but his billionaire status doesnt contradict SNLs values - the cast rarely comment on wealth inequality, and the shows political ideology (if it has one at all), can be defined by the phrase smug liberalism. Musks hosting gig might attract a spark of controversy, a ratings boost, and free publicity for SNL, but will likely result in another limp, lifeless series of sketches, echoing Trumps appearance. Musk, who has often made guest appearances in popular franchises, isnt exactly a charisma supernova; even his voice acting falls flat. Indeed, the biggest problem stemming from Musks hosting gig might be his sense of humor - or lack thereof. Lets hope that SNL doesnt trust Musk to write his own material, for the audiences sake. | https://www.forbes.com/sites/danidiplacido/2021/05/07/can-elon-musk-fill-the-trump-shaped-hole-in-snl/ |
Will American cities see repeat of last summer's chaos? | This is a rush transcript from "The Ingraham Angle," March 4, 2021. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated. INGRAHAM: Alright. I'm Laura Ingraham. This is "The Ingraham Angle" on another busy night. The priorities of the Biden Administration are being laid bare. You bet a welcome mat at the border and razor wire in the nation's Capitol. Candace Owen, Congressman Steve Scalise and Stephen Miller are all here to sound off also with the pending trial of the officers involved in George Floyd's death, and a radical anti-cop bill that just passed in the House. One law enforcement leader says we are on a path to chaos. He's going to tell us how it could be worse than last summer. But first, the tale of two invasions that's the focus of tonight's angle. Broadway will be opening its doors soon, but only for a small number of ticket holders who will be allowed now to attend performances. But have no fear. There's another scintillating drama available to everyone being directed by none other than Nancy Pelosi herself. With our nation's Capitol as the backdrop no less. There are military props aplenty, and hundreds of camera-ready political actors on hand in the form of lawmakers who are deeply worried about the next insurrection. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We know the traffic is out there and these crazy conspiracy groups, some of them are promising to come back in March 4th. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have to take this notion seriously. Let me be clear that there is a great deal of enhanced security around the Capitol. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's why we are continuing to keep the fencing up. The National Guard is still here. We're going to keep it that way until we have a real plan to move forward. (END VIDEO CLIP) INGRAHAM: Yes, they want you to believe that Donald Trump supporters pose an ongoing threat to the functioning of our democracy. Now based on vague intelligence of a potential invasion of the Capitol, Pelosi cancelled today's session and rushed votes on two radical pieces of legislation that happened late last night. This is what democracy looks like under Pelosi voting while most people are sleeping, and then walling off the Capitol for the foreseeable future to prevent you, the American people from ever peacefully gathering and being heard there. She's effectively canceling our First Amendment right to assemble and petition our government. Well, the price tag was more than $500 million just through March. This is going to end up costing in the billions. But well, I waited, and I waited all day but no insurrection, no invasion, nothing. That is accepted requests from Capitol Police for another two months of National Guard presence. They've also told congressional leaders that the razor wire topped fencing around the Capitol should remain in place for several more months. It's all based on unspecified threats from unnamed groups. It's like a prison camp. I'll tell you what; it's never going to go back to normal until Republicans win back the House. Democrats want this dark image front and center all the way through 2022 to keep voters fearful of Republicans, of course Pelosi and pals they can always count and on messaging help. You bet they'll get it from their chief officer of disinformation. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Not a surprise that these terrorists that attack on one six inspired other future terrorists that House having to shut down today because of fear that Trump terrorists acting, once again, on his instruction, acting once again, based on his big lie may come and try to take out try to kill Democratic lawmakers. (END VIDEO CLIP) INGRAHAM: Oh, bravo, bravo, what a performance, Joe. But someone should tell him that the Emmys are delayed until the fall. Now aside from the blatant lie that Trump was or is instructing people to storm, the Capitol, Joe Scarborough is a proxy for all the media they feel absolutely zero obligation to question the suppose that Intel that shut down the Capitol today, perhaps it's time just to pose a simple question. No, it's kind of a close call at this point. The goal here on the left isn't a debate issues or win hearts and minds. No, it's simply to eliminate any political opposition by defamation. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) O'ROURKE: You know, I think it appeared too many of us to be a cult of personality, the Republican Party in the era of Trump and it probably still holds true. It's hard to escape the conclusion that it's also a cult of death. (END VIDEO CLIP) INGRAHAM: A cult of death, literally, up ending civilization. That's what he said. Now, this is from a guy whose party wants to zero limits on abortion, even in the third trimester, which is literally barbaric, and a cult of death. Now, as much as I want to ridicule these phones, and that's easy to do there's something very serious and nefarious going on here. We all have to talk about it. What Democrats are doing is preemptively smearing anyone who plans on attending a future rally for Trump or any other candidate that's a Republican, or anyone protesting any of the radical pieces of legislation that they're ramming through Congress, like last night's rush to pass universal mail in voting, and defunding the police measures. Maybe the FBI sends around your photo and asked for the public's help and identifying you. Of course, you did absolutely nothing wrong but for exercising your rights. You could get fired from your job, kicked out of school and lose everything. This is already happening. That's what Dana Kurtik of Bucks County, Pennsylvania says happened to her after she attended Trump's January 6th rally. She was one of the many peaceful protesters who didn't storm the Capitol that day. But she was detained and interrogated by TSA anyway. TSA now after that, she says that the FBI showed up at our house with questions. My friends, you could be next. Well, I'm shocked because Democrats seemed really sure there'd be an imminent attack. The other cables treated it like the Oscars. CNN had reporters camped out at the Capitol, and they brought in their sharpest experts. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Many QAnon believers many of whom are Trump supporters believe that Trump would come back on this day. Today will not be proof that all QAnon is a nonsense conspiracy theory. They'll continue it probably come up with a new case and move forward. (END VIDEO CLIP) INGRAHAM: He's there QAnon expert. Now Biden, the gang are going to continue to bloviate about the supposed invasion of rabid white supremacist are on every corner under every bed. But like all poorly written dramas, there are plot problems here, like their tall tale of an armed insurrection. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SEN. DICK DURBIN (D-IL): Just weeks ago, white nationalist helped lead an armed insurrection against our democracy. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This was an armed insurrection. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: An armed insurrection. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They were fully functional but never went off. And now law enforcement believes they could have been diversionary devices designed to take crucial support away from the Capitol just as the writers were arriving. (END VIDEO CLIP) INGRAHAM: It was all untrue. No armed protesters going to the Capitol, and the pipe bombs were placed the day before. Meanwhile, they don't want to talk about the real invasion, of course, happening right now at our southern border. We had around what 800 people marching into the Capitol on January 6th, but we could see hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants breaching our border by the end of the year. DHS expects to see as many as 117,000 unaccompanied children. And our sources say that's only about a fourth of the total number, because you only end up apprehending one out of every four that cross in. Now, Trump didn't tell people to go into the Capitol and commit crimes. That's a lie. But Biden, through his policies, has told foreigners that if you get here, however you get here, you can stay. He has single handedly sparked one of the worst immigration crises our country has ever confronted. And during a pandemic, nonetheless, what's better spending billions on security and fencing, where there is literally no threat at all at the Capitol. Meanwhile, our leaders in DC are exacerbating the situation at the border by encouraging more illegal immigration, while Biden dismantles Trump's border wall. That's what's happening. Now Biden in his puppet tears. They don't value American citizenship. Obviously, they feel free to crack down on our rights, call us names like Neanderthals and deplorables. And they feel free to drive down wages and favor of millions of migrants who are gaming the immigration system. You see, there is an invasion in America that the Democrats wholeheartedly support. It depletes our resources. It endangers Border Patrol. It erodes the public trust and our rule of law. And that's the angle. Joining me now is Candace Owens, founder of the Brexit Movement and Author of Blackout. Candace, this isn't just about this moment. This is about making conservatives think twice about attending a march or a rally, or pretty much anything that relates to an issue they care about if it involves a group of likeminded individuals. CANDACE OWENS, AUTHOR, "BLACKOUT": You are absolutely right. This is a Democrat run, they are coming up with conspiracy theories and saying that all these things are going on so that they can rush through policies and push through policies and say, because there's some obscure threat. They're not providing any details regarding this threat. And let me tell you, as a DC resident, it looks like we are under a military occupation. We have been under a military occupation under Joe Biden. Shouldn't he be able to just simply walk down the street and shake hands because he's the most loved and popular and most voted for president more popular than Barack Obama in 2008. Because there's some arbitrary thought that we don't know. And you are correct. Right now we are seeing the DOJ and the FBI being essentially weaponized against Americans. I've had friends that attended Trump's speech that have had the FBI show up on their doorsteps and essentially, just politically harass them to question them to intimidate them to make them feel uncomfortable being conservative or going to any conservative gatherings in the future. INGRAHAM: Candace also tonight, I just saw this on Twitter, that Republican Roy Blunt, has said that he hopes that military police bolster the Capitol Police for the foreseeable future at the Capitol grounds. These are so called establishment Republicans. Now they're pushing for more military presence. OWENS: I know and that it's so insulting. And like I said, this does not look like we live in a free nation. And this does not look - like this looks to me more like what you would expect to see in Venezuela under Nicolas Maduro. This is the kind of protection-- INGRAHAM: All right, a "Banana Republic". OWENS: --Maduro has. Yes. Who is also by the way, Laura, the most loved and popular president of all time in Venezuela. He's the most popular president ever the most voted for president ever is Nicolas Maduro. And it doesn't looks like it's our country anymore. And as I said, when they started saying that this was only going to be temporary I laughed. I tweeted early. INGRAHAM: Me too. Then you're out of your mind. It's like saying you know, two weeks to slow the spread. Yes, that's exactly what these are all these centers that are being erected around DC are. This is going to be permanent; they will keep kicking it down. And they're always going to be scant on details, because what they want is DC under military lockdown. That's exactly what they're getting under Joe Biden, our most popular president ever. INGRAHAM: They don't want - they don't want the people to have access to the representatives whose salary they pay. They shoved everyone underground. Now there's going to be a visitor center so that money was wasted Candace unbelievable. OWENS: I thought walls don't work, Laura. INGRAHAM: Yes, they work in Napa around. I think Nancy Pelosi is house up there. They work pretty well there. Candace. Thanks. Thanks so much. Speaking of Madam Speaker's handpick security review panel is calling for massively increasing the number of cops in DC. Now, the task force's list of recommendations obtained by Fox includes creating a quick reaction force to provide 24 seven security, retractable fencing, what does that mean, and hiring nearly 900 more Capitol police officers. But when it comes to the reason for these heightened security measures, still, Nancy can't get her story straight. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) REP. NANCY PELOSI (D-CA): The threat of all the president's men out there. We have to ensure with our security that we are safe enough. We have a short schedule today because the Republicans are going to their issues conference. I'm not sure. But joining me now is Congressman Steve Scalise House Minority Whip. Congressman, I keep thinking that I'm going to be less upset by DC because I lived in DC, or live in DC for 30 years almost off and on. I am so disgusted by this. I can't even see straight. I'm so upset about it. But she just embarrassed herself because these claims were wild conspiracy theories about a coming nun post January 6th insurrection. We all know it's phony, and yet they're still getting away with it. REP. STEVE SCALISE (R-LA): Yes, Laura, I think what you seen as this movement over these last few weeks to try to pay it every Trump supporter, every Republican as a threat to America. And frankly, if you look at why they did some of these things, where they compressed votes yesterday, to not be voting today, it was at the Capitol all day today. It was very quiet. We were supposed to be voting. But during the daytime, we would have been voting today on a bill that that Speaker Pelosi brought that would have gotten rid of qualified immunity, which is another method of defunding police. They brought that bill not today during the day. They brought it at 11 o'clock last night. Last week, when they brought their $1.9 trillion spending bill which included the $140 million subway to Silicon Valley for Nancy Pelosi in a bailout of failed states so that Cuomo can get more money and Gavin Newsome can get more money. They didn't bring that bill during the day. They brought it at two o'clock in the morning, on Friday night, Saturday morning, when no one was watching. They don't want people seeing what they're doing. That's what this is about. And look, as Candace said earlier, they're taking down the border wall at the southern border where there's actual super spreader caravans coming across the border over 100 COVID positive people cross the border into Texas just the other day. President Biden's OK with that taking down the wall and then they put up the wall at the Capitol so that people can see what they're doing at dark of night passing the socialist agenda. INGRAHAM: Yes, well, they said they were going to be all transparent. All we're going to be the most transparent administration in the history, Biden said. INGRAHAM: The big Zippo. That's how many. All right CNN reporting tonight that federal investigators are examining communications between U.S. lawmakers and Capitol writers now, Congressman, this entire piece, by the way, reads like their Russian collusion theories. What I'm concerned about are the bills that Nancy Pelosi is bringing up on the House floor that are passing to take away abilities for police officers to do their job safely. They brought a bill out again last night dark of night after 10:30 at night. That bans states from showing picture ID to vote. You got to show a picture ID to buy a six pack of beer, but to vote, they're banning you from doing that. They mandated same day voter registration, all of the voter fraud initiatives that have undermined voter confidence in so many states. They're trying to make that the standard that passed last night at dark of night. Hopefully it won't pass the Senate. But it's an example of what they're bringing. That's what I'm concerned about those socialist passes that are passing the House of Representatives right now. INGRAHAM: You bet. It would be nice if Republicans move that fast when they had the majority in the House. We're like debating travel bans and stuff like we got to roll fast. That's what they're doing. They're rolling fast and it's all socialist. As I said they could be and it looks like four times higher. Former Senior White House Adviser Stephen Miller is here. He brings us the real numbers. (END VIDEO CLIP) INGRAHAM: I think Jen needs to spend some time with a border patrol, like we did, and live their lives for just a few hours. I don't think they have a firm grasp on anything including reality now internal documents obtained by AXIOS showing that during the last week of February Border Patrol referred an average of 321 migrant kids each day to HHS shelters, which assumed they're all soon going to be at maximum capacity. There are about 94 percent. It's actually worse though, than this. Get ready for this. My next guest says that the Biden Administration is vastly under counting the real extent of this crisis. Here now is Former Senior Advisor to President Trump, Stephen Miller. Stephen, you and I have been talking about illegal immigration and what it's doing to the country for years and years and years. But you have a lot of sources and border patrol as well. They're briefing you about the real situation on the ground today. STEPHEN MILLER, FORMER SENIOR ADVISOR TO PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, the administration has publicly admitted which is rather shocking, that 100 percent of minors traveling alone, many of them teenagers, are being resettled and released all throughout the United States, all 50 states. But what they're not telling you is that most family units are now also being released to and that's why we're seeing now 4000 apprehensions a day, because word has spread not just in Central America, but throughout the world, that if you come as a family or as a miner, you're going to be released that's not being publicly disclosed. So what they're saying publicly, oh, no, we're still turning away family units. In reality, the majority of family units are now being released into the interior of the country. And a lot of them are going to go into communities that don't have the hospital capacity, or the healthcare resources to deal with them. And that's going to mean during a pandemic, low income Americans are going to be denied the health care resources that they need. So this really exacerbates a public health crisis in addition to a national security crisis. INGRAHAM: Well, the DHS Secretary Mayorkas, as a radical he's blaming the Trump Administration, big shock for the situation unfolding at the border. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) ALEJANDRO MAYORKAS, SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY: We do not have the capacity now to address the asylum seekers claims because that system was dismantled in its entirety by the prior administration. We have to address those implications not only for the benefit of the communities in the United States, but for the migrants themselves. MILLER: The comment from Secretary Mayorkas is an offense to human intelligence and reason. When we left office, the border was fully secure. If you came illegally, you were detained and you were safely returned home. That is the definition of border security, that if someone crosses illegally, border agents can apprehend them, and then they can be safely returned to the country they came from. We had that system in place because we had deals with Mexico we had deals with Central America. We reformed our asylum regulations. We reformed our intake procedures we expedited return flights home. We had charter flights leaving every single day to have a safe secure humane border. He and his fellow political appointees at DHS dismantled all of that they dismantled the most effective asylum system that had ever been created in this country, and they launched this border crisis. And he needs to own up to that fact and not lie to the American people, and not disrespect the ICE officers and border agents who painstakingly achieved that security plan. And I'll say one other thing. While they're pretending to be compassionate, not only are their plans deeply injuring American families and American communities, but they're destroying the northern triangle. Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador cannot possibly succeed if this mass exodus of young people is allowed to continue. Those countries won't have a future. They're sentencing those countries to generations of poverty and misery. INGRAHAM: Look, this is about exploiting the labor of these migrants coming across the border. MILLER: Exactly. INGRAHAM: Let me say that. This is just brutally honest. This so a lot of rich people can have cheaper landscapers, nannies, and whatever. That's what this is about. It's nothing humanitarian about it. There's nothing compassionate about it. It's so rich people can have cheap labor and businesses don't have to pay the wages to American citizens. Stephen, it's great to see you. MILLER: The middle class is suffering, and those countries are suffering to make rich people richer. INGRAHAM: Meanwhile, we have 13 illegal immigrants die in this fiery crash because human smuggling is on the rise as well because of these policies. It's all hideous. MILLER: It's depraved. It's depraved. INGRAHAM: It is. And with migrant shelters filled to the brim with these unaccompanied kids, the Biden administration has been forced to do the unthinkable, reopen the very holding facilities they ruthlessly attacked the Trump administration for using. Joining me now is Congressman Tony Gonzales of Texas. His district includes an 820 mile stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border, the most of any district in the United States. Now, you are the only member of Congress to have toured one of these unaccompanied child shelters. REP. TONY GONZALES (R-TX): Thank you, Laura. Look, our southern border is on fire, as many people have highlighted. And the Biden administration is absent. There is nobody home. In my district, as you mentioned, 800 miles of border, I am on the border every single week. I was just at the Carrizo Springs facility where unaccompanied minors get sent. It opened up, and within three days it was at max capacity. I'm hearing this story over and over again up and down my border. We have a humanitarian crisis and there needs to be action. INGRAHAM: Congressman Gonzales, we have millions and millions of American kids who aren't in school still because of this pandemic. And now we're releasing people in to the United States, some of whom are COVID positive into communities as far as Maryland and upstate New York, to Oregon and beyond. Apparently not. GONZALES: It is. It is. Look, I believe in the American dream. My life is the American dream. I believe the American dream doesn't always start in America. We need to push legal immigration. What we're seeing now is a broken system that the Biden administration does not want to tackle. Meanwhile, as you mentioned, we're fighting a pandemic. We're trying to fight to make sure our schools reopen along the border. They have the same issues. In Texas just a couple weeks ago, we were without power and water for nearly a week. There are so many issues at hand. Meanwhile, the Biden administration and his open border policies does not help. It makes everybody dangerous. I'll share a brief story. A constituent of mine who lives in Brewster County. She has lived on the border for years. And she is afraid to go out and feed her livestock every day without carrying a weapon for her safety. It should not be that way. INGRAHAM: American citizens are in the backseat right now. They're not driving the car. They're in the backseat. Congressman, thank you so much. And we want to have you back soon. I hope President Biden reaches out to you for some actual, real input. There are more questions at the White House briefing today about Americans traveling to Texas or Mississippi than about Biden releasing these COVID positive illegal immigrants into the country. Berenson and Kerpen are here on that issue next. (COMMERCIAL BREAK) INGRAHAM: After a year of breathless COVID fearmongering from our esteemed press corps, you'd think they would be a little concerned that Biden was releasing hundreds of infected migrants into the country. But at today's White House briefing, the intrepid reporters were more concerned about restricting the movement of you, the American people. (END VIDEO CLIP) INGRAHAM: While reporters fret over states actually living, reopening, my next guests say this reveals a new truth about how the public views the pandemic. Here now is Phil Kerpen, president of the Committee to Unleash Prosperity, and Alex Berenson, author of "Unreported Truths about COVID-19" and "Lockdowns Part Three." Alex, health officials seem to be lagging behind red state leaders who are rightfully reopening. ALEX BERENSON, FORMER "NEW YORK TIMES" REPORTER: Well, I think it tells you that the governor of Texas and the governor of Mississippi can read the polls, and they see that DeSantis is leading, or certainly high up in straw polls for 2024 as a Republican candidate. They see he's getting more and more popular among Republicans, and they don't want to be left out. What is fascinating to me isn't just that Texas and Mississippi did this earlier this week, but that Connecticut today said, although they didn't drop the mask mandate, the governor there, who is, of course, a Democrat, dropped almost everything as of March 19th. And I think that is going to put real pressure on other northeastern states. And what you're seeing is there were all these metrics that these Democratic governors said their states had to meet, and that is all basically being thrown out the window right now because people know -- the governors are starting to see that people have had enough. INGRAHAM: Yes, my home state of Connecticut, if they actually moved to start reopening, then you know it's all coming undone for the lockdown crowd. Phil, Dr. Fauci, he doesn't just move the goalposts, he makes them magically disappear, and he did this tonight on CNN. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) DR. ANTHONY FAUCI, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES: I wouldn't want to see a light switch go on and off with regard to restrictions, Jake. I would like to see as we get the level of virus in the community somewhere -- just pick a number. Even though there's not a good model there yet, but I would say less than 10,000 and maybe even considerably less than that. (END VIDEO CLIP) INGRAHAM: First of all, it's fewer than 10,000, not less than 10,000, but that's just grammar. He just is throwing out random numbers. He's just throwing out random numbers. He's like let's just pick a number, 10,000. Phil, this is now beyond "Saturday Night Live" stuff. If they were really good at "Saturday Night Live," like really good and fair, they would be hitting Fauci every week along with Biden and the rest. PHIL KERPEN, COMMITTEE TO UNLEASH PROSPERITY: The guy is incredible. First of all, you have got to be jealous of him, Laura. You only get an hour on T.V. a day. He's on T.V. all day long every day. The guys is like the media star of the universe. He has got to get his own channel because he's on there all the time, all day long. This is really absurd, and he has to know better than to put out a number like 10,000 cases. At the level of testing that we're doing right now in this country, false positives alone create a floor at about 15,000 cases or so, which means he's literally setting an impossible number. Even if we were at zero COVID, we would not meet the standard that he's now setting. I think all of this, including the attacks on Texas and Mississippi, are just ant keeping the political timeline that this administration has to celebrate their great 100-day victory, and they don't like states getting out ahead of them. They see the same trend lines that everyone sees, but they want to get the bill passed first, spend the $2 trillion, and then claim credit for it. So they don't like these states moving too quickly. INGRAHAM: It's all about getting that honey pot. They have got to get to that honey pot. Now, this was "Vanity Fair's" -- hold on, let me read this to you and then you can get that point. So Bess Levin in "Vanity Fair," this is what was said on the Texas and Mississippi reopening, that "Republican governors celebrate COVID anniversary with bold plan to kill another 500,000 Americans." Here's what Levin wrote when Georgia ended its lockdown last April, "Front-runner for country's dumbest governor to reopen essential bowling alleys, nail salons Friday." So Alex, the snobbery, right, but she thought no one would remember her last screw-up when she claimed that Brian Kemp was going to kill all those people. BERENSON: Right. You literally are hearing them rehash the same points that they made about Georgia, they made about South Dakota, they made about Florida. It was going to be a national emergency when Florida reopened last September. And I think that really has shown the way to other states that are paying attention that whether you're open or closed, you're going to basically have the same number of cases. So you might as well open and let people get on with their lives. I am surprised because Fauci is such a political animal that he has taken this tact. I would have thought he would want to be the one to turn the corner. But actually it's fallen to Scott Gottlieb, the ex-FDA commissioner, who is also incredibly political, to be the one who is starting to say, hey, let's reopen, let's reopen. And the day that Fauci loses his political moorings, it's interesting to see. INGRAHAM: Gottlieb is on the board of one of those big pharmaceutical companies, right. They're all doing COVID consulting on the side. They're making big coin. Gentleman, thank you so much. And with the anti-police bill the House passed overnight and the upcoming George Floyd trial, my next guest says this summer could make last summer look like a walk in the park. And he's here to explain it next. (COMMERCIAL BREAK) (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SHEILA JACKSON LEE, (D-TX): There is no defunding of the police. It is standing up the police and the community. REP. ILHAN OMAR, (D-MN): Time and time again we have witnessed the people who are sworn to protect our communities abuse their power. REP. CORI BUSH, (D-MO): We don't need good police, bad police. We need police if we're going to have police. But I'll move on. Wow. That argument was made in favor of the so-called George Floyd Justice and Policing Act, and it just might be the most honest assessment of where the left wants to take policing. The new bill, which passed the House in the dead of night, imposes hundreds of millions of dollars in costs on police departments, the equivalent of taking 3,000 of them off the streets. Throw in the upcoming trial of the man accused of killing George Floyd, and my next guest says you have a powder keg that is ready to blow. Joining me now is Ed Mullins, president of the Sergeants Benevolent Association. Ed, you say we're heading toward more riots this summer. ED MULLINS, NEW YORK SERGEANTS BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION: What we're seeing right now across the country is de-police and defunding. New York City alone, we have plummeted in arrests 55 percent. We have a 45 percent increase in homicides. When you look across the nation, Chicago is another city that is totally out of control. When you look at the cities that they're calling for defunding the police, we're seeing a clear increase in crime. And we have the trial of Floyd that will be coming up. As we have seen in past trials, there's always been protests. And the nation itself is in turmoil right now. So I think it's fair to say that we're heading back in to more riots and more protests. The truth is, in New York City itself, they have not stopped. INGRAHAM: Well, the city of Minneapolis has spent more than $600,000 on barricades across the city ahead of Chauvin's trial, $600,000 because they saw what happened on East Lake Street there last Memorial Day weekend when city block after city block, police precinct burned, wrecked, smoldering for weeks and weeks and weeks afterward. MULLINS: It seems to be the new normal, Laura. We saw what happened in Seattle. We saw what happened in Portland. We saw it again in Minnesota. New York City itself had riots throughout the summertime into early fall. We have taken a very soft approach to what is being described as peaceful protests when in fact they're violent, they're businesses that are being destroyed, looting is occurring, police officers are being assaulted on a regular basis. And government is standing back. We had an inauguration where we had the National Guard in Washington D.C. for months, but we never deployed them -- I'm sorry, for week, but we never deployed them during the months of riots and protests. There's something out of balance here, and the American public needs to wake up. INGRAHAM: So you say it's going to more explosive, the trial, than O.J. Simpson, and that's because we have just come to tolerate the violence, correct, and the aftermath. MULLINS: The O.J. trial was a national trial, and everybody paid attention to it. And it was divisive when we look back in time. What we're watching now is an upcoming trial for the George Floyd case. And we already have a nation divided. So it would be very difficult to not anticipate that, especially when we're seeing Minnesota spending $600,000 for barriers. I'm sure they're anticipating that also. INGRAHAM: Yes. When you tolerate violence and destruction night after night, and you don't do anything, then you're going to get more of it. That is just what is going to happen. Ed, thank you so much tonight. And if you thought Trump calling the media the enemy of the people went too far, the last bite might change your mind. (COMMERCIAL BREAK) INGRAHAM: It's not just the Biden administration that has distain for you. The preening press corps does as well. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why doesn't the president consider ratcheting up his rhetoric beyond neanderthal. If you don't wear masks people are going to die because of you. That would certainly get people's attention. Shocking. Yes, the president labeling Americans who disagree with him as murderers, that would get attention, buddy. But I do have a question that you lapdogs in the press could ask tomorrow. The "Wall Street Journal" just reported that New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's top aides requested changes to a COVID-19 report that resulted in the death toll in nursing homes being significantly undercounted. And I know Shannon Bream and the FOX NEWS AT NIGHT are going to take that story from here. Content and Programming Copyright 2021 Fox News Network, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Copyright 2021 VIQ Media Transcription, Inc. All materials herein are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of VIQ Media Transcription, Inc. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. | https://www.foxnews.com/transcript/will-american-cities-see-repeat-of-last-summers-chaos |
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