November 30, 2015


News Clips For the Day


http://news.yahoo.com/planned-parenthood-shooting-iraq-war-veteran-144049002.html#

Iraq War veteran killed at Planned Parenthood was trying to save others, his family says
By Dylan Stableford, Yahoo News
November 30, 2015

Photograph -- Iraq War vet killed in Colorado shooting

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Iraq Veteran Killed In Colorado Shooting Leaves Behind Children In Texas CBS Dallas Fort Worth (RSS)
Man killed in Colorado shooting was veteran, served in Iraq Associated Press
The Latest: Victim of Colorado clinic shooting was Iraq vet Associated Press
The Latest: Documents sealed in Planned Parenthood attack Associated Press
Stay-at-home mom, Iraq war veteran named as Colorado clinic fatalities Reuters
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An Iraq War veteran was killed in Friday's shootings at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs, Colo., while trying to save others, family members said.

Ke'Arre Stewart, a 29-year-old who served in the U.S. Army's Fourth Infantry Division, had stepped outside the clinic to get cellphone service when he was shot, his brother, Leyonte Chandler, told NBC News.

Stewart then ran back inside to try to help others.

"He tried to run back inside the building — well, he did — and tell the other people inside, you know, 'Take cover, get down.' People started taking cover, hiding in bathrooms and whatnot," Chandler said. "I believe that's his military instinct, you know: Leave no soldier behind, leave no civilian behind, just leave no one behind. I don't know where he was at, as far as how many more breaths he had, but he knew. And before his time ran out, I guess that was his main priority: to help and save other lives."

"He was just a standup guy; he would take a bullet for you," Amburh Butler, a lifelong friend, told The Associated Press. "He was the most sincere person I'd ever met."

Chandler added: "People were terrified, people were crying and scared, seeing other people get shot ... I believe my brother put his life on the line to prevent that. That's definitely heroic."

Stewart, a father of two young girls, was stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs until 2014, when he was discharged.

Chandler called his brother "a tremendous father, a wonderful father."

Stewart was one of three people killed after the alleged gunman, 57-year-old Robert Lewis Dear, opened fire at the clinic.

Garrett Swasey, a police officer at the University of Colorado's Colorado Springs campus, was killed while responding to the call to assist with an active shooter at the nearby clinic.

Swasey, a 44-year-old married father of two, was a co-pastor at a local evangelical church and a former competitive figure skater who won a national championship as a junior.

"He was literally like a little brother to me," figure skater and Olympic medalist Nancy Kerrigan said Sunday. "I saw him every day. We trained together."

Jennifer Markovsky, a 36-year-old mother of two, was killed while accompanying a friend to the clinic, her father, John Ah-King, told the Denver Post.

"I miss you, my daughter," he wrote on Facebook. "Life was too short."

Five other officers and four other civilians were wounded in the attack.

Dear is expected to appear in court Monday.



http://news.yahoo.com/latest-planned-parenthood-shooting-suspect-due-court-141237915.html

The Latest: Documents sealed in Planned Parenthood attack
AP November 30, 2015


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — The latest on the shooting at a Colorado Planned Parenthood clinic (all times local):

Related Stories

The Latest: Lynch: Clinic shooting crime against women Associated Press
The Latest: Victim of Colorado clinic shooting was Iraq vet Associated Press
Suspect in Colorado clinic shooting to appear in court Associated Press
Planned Parenthood says Colorado shooter opposed abortion Reuters
Planned Parenthood Shooting Appears To Have Been Politically Motivated Huffington Post

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10:35 a.m.

A judge has sealed court documents for a man accused of killing three people, including a police officer, at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs.

Acting at the request of prosecutors, Judge Stephen J. Sletta issued the order sealing the arrest warrant for 57-year-old Robert Lewis Dear and the search warrant for his home. The order was made available Monday after being issued Friday, the day of the attack.

Such documents detail evidence gathered by investigators that justify arresting suspects and searching property.

Prosecutors said making them public would jeopardize the ongoing investigation.

The judge agreed to keep the records sealed until the termination of the case or a further order of the court.

7 a.m.

The man accused of opening fire at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs is set to make his first court appearance Monday.

Fifty-seven-year-old Robert Lewis Dear is scheduled to appear at 1:30 p.m. before a judge in a video hearing. He'll be advised of the charges that could be filed against him.

Dear is accused of killing a police officer and two civilians — an Iraq war veteran and a mother of two — who were accompanying separate friends to the clinic. The rampage touched off an hours-long standoff and shootout Friday that also left nine other people in the hospital.



http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/planned-parenthood-shooting-appears-to-have-been-politically-motivated_565a60cfe4b079b2818a98ab

Planned Parenthood Shooting Appears To Have Been Politically Motivated
After he killed 3 people and was arrested, Robert Lewis Dear said, "no more baby parts."

AP/HuffPost
Posted: 11/28/2015


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) -- The man who police say staged a deadly shooting attack on a Planned Parenthood clinic that offers abortion services said "no more baby parts" after his arrest, a law enforcement official said Saturday.

The official could not elaborate about the comment by the 57-year-old suspect, Robert Lewis Dear. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to speak publicly about the ongoing investigation.

Planned Parenthood said late Saturday that witnesses said the gunman was motivated by his opposition to abortion. An official who has been briefed on the investigation told The Washington Post that the attack was "definitely politically motivated."

Police, however, have not disclosed a motive for Friday's attack during which they say Dear stormed the Colorado Springs clinic, killing three people, including a police officer, before he surrendered to authorities.

Attorney General Loretta Lynch released a statement on Saturday evening, describing the attack as "not only a crime against the Colorado Springs community, but a crime against women receiving healthcare services at Planned Parenthood, law enforcement seeking to protect and serve, and other innocent people."

The attack thrust the clinic to the center of the ongoing debate over Planned Parenthood, which was re-ignited in July when anti-abortion activists released undercover video they said showed the organization's personnel negotiating the sale of fetal organs.

Planned Parenthood has denied seeking any payments beyond legally permitted reimbursement costs for donating the organs to researchers. Still, the National Abortion Federation says it has since seen a rise in threats at clinics nationwide.

The anti-abortion activists, part of a group called the Center for Medical Progress, denounced the "barbaric killing spree in Colorado Springs by a violent madman" and offered prayers for the dead and wounded and for their families.

The facility provides women's health services and has long been the site of regular anti-abortion protests. A Roman Catholic priest who has held weekly Mass in front of the clinic for 20 years said Dear wasn't part of his group.

"I don't know him from Adam," said Rev. Bill Carmody. "I don't recognize him at all."

Dear, who was in custody and is expected to make his first court appearance Monday, was described by neighbors as reclusive. They said he stashed food in the woods, avoided eye contact and warned neighbors about government spying.

At a vigil Saturday at All Souls Unitarian Church, Rev. Nori Rost called the gunman a "domestic terrorist." In the back of the room, someone held a sign that said: "Women's bodies are not battlefields. Neither is our town."

Vicki Cowart, the regional head of Planned Parenthood, drew a standing ovation when she walked to the pulpit. She promised to quickly reopen the clinic. "We will adapt. We will square our shoulders and we will go on," she said.

After her remarks, a woman in the audience stood up, objected to the vigil becoming a "political statement" and left.

Cowart said the gunman "broke in" to the clinic Friday but didn't get past a locked door leading to the main part of the facility. She said there was no armed security when the shooting began. He later surrendered to police after an hours-long standoff.

In the parking lot of the two-story building, one man said the gunman shot at him as he pulled his car out, blasting two holes in his windshield. Inside, one worker ducked under a table and called her brother to tell him to take care of her kids if she was killed.

At one point, an officer whispered reports into his radio as he crept through the building. Others relayed information from surveillance cameras and victims in hiding. "We've got a report of a victim texting from just east of the lobby," someone said.

In the end, a six-year veteran University of Colorado police officer was killed. Two civilians also died, though their identities weren't immediately released. Five other officers and four people were hospitalized.

Cowart said all 15 clinic employees survived and worked hard to make sure everyone else got into safe spaces and stayed quiet.

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper said the city is mourning and praised the bravery of first responders. He said the nation is wrestling with the causes of violence but that it's too early to discuss that while the city is reeling.

"This is the kind of thing that hits the entire community in the gut," he said.

Cowart said the organization would learn from the attack. When asked if the clinic should have more security, she said the clinic's clients shouldn't have to walk through metal detectors.

The attack marked the latest mass shooting to stun the nation, and drew the now-familiar questions about a gunman's motives and whether anyone, from government to relatives, could have done anything to prevent an attack.

In a Saturday morning statement, President Barack Obama addressed the shooting. "The last thing Americans should have to do, over the holidays or any day, is comfort the families of people killed by gun violence," he said. "And yet, two days after Thanksgiving, that’s what we are forced to do again."

The president said that something needed to be done about the "easy accessibility of weapons of war."

"This is not normal," Obama said. "We can’t let it become normal."

Those who knew the 6-foot-4-inch, 250-pound Dear said he seemed to have few religious or political leanings.

Neighbors who lived beside Dear's former South Carolina home say he hid food in the woods as if he was a survivalist and said he lived off selling prints of his uncle's paintings of Southern plantations and the Masters golf tournament.

John Hood said Saturday that when he moved to Walterboro, Dear was living in a doublewide mobile home next door. Hood said Dear seemed to be a loner and very strange but not dangerous.

He pointed to a wooden fence separating their land and said he put it up because Dear liked to skinny dip.

Hood said that Dear rarely talked to them, and when he did, he tended to offer unsolicited advice such as recommending that Hood put a metal roof on his house so the U.S. government couldn't spy on him.

"He was really strange and out there, but I never thought he would do any harm," he said.

Dear also lived part of the time in a cabin with no electricity or running water in Black Mountain, North Carolina. He kept mostly to himself, his neighbors said. When he did talk, it was a rambling combination of a number of topics that didn't make sense.

He tended to avoid eye contact, said James Russell, who lived a few hundred feet down the mountain from Dear's cabin.

"If you talked to him, nothing with him was very cognitive," Russell said.

Other neighbors knew Dear, too, but they didn't want to give their names because they said they were scared of him.

Russell and others said the only companion they saw with him was a mangy dog that looked to be in such bad shape they called animal control because they worried he was beating it.

In the small town of Hartsel, Colorado, about 60 miles west of Colorado Springs, about a dozen police vehicles and fire trucks were parked outside a small white trailer belonging to Dear located on a sprawling swath of land.

Property records indicate Dear purchased the land about a year ago.

Another law enforcement official said authorities searched the trailer Saturday but found no explosives. The official, who has direct knowledge of the case, said authorities also talked with a woman who was living in the trailer. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to speak publicly about the ongoing investigation.

Zigmond Post, who lives near the RV where Dear lived, said he didn't have many interactions with Dear but he said the suspect once gave him a pamphlet opposing President Barack Obama.

"He didn't talk about them or anything. He just said 'Look them over when you get a chance,'" Post said.

Jamie Heffelman, owner of the Highline Cafe in Hartsel, said residents would occasionally see Dear at the post office to get his mail but he never said much. "Nobody really knows him. He stays to himself," she said.

MORE: Colorado Springs, Colorado Shooting, Colorado Springs Shooting, Colorado Planned Parenthood, Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood, Colorado Planned Parenthood Shooting, Colorado Planned Parenthood Attack, Planned Parenthood Shooting



Hero -- “Ke'Arre Stewart, a 29-year-old who served in the U.S. Army's Fourth Infantry Division, had stepped outside the clinic to get cellphone service when he was shot, his brother, Leyonte Chandler, told NBC News. Stewart then ran back inside to try to help others. …. "He was just a standup guy; he would take a bullet for you," Amburh Butler, a lifelong friend, told The Associated Press. "He was the most sincere person I'd ever met." Chandler added: "People were terrified, people were crying and scared, seeing other people get shot ... I believe my brother put his life on the line to prevent that. That's definitely heroic." …. Stewart, a father of two young girls, was stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs until 2014, when he was discharged. Chandler called his brother "a tremendous father, a wonderful father."


Documents – “Acting at the request of prosecutors, Judge Stephen J. Sletta issued the order sealing the arrest warrant for 57-year-old Robert Lewis Dear and the search warrant for his home. The order was made available Monday after being issued Friday, the day of the attack. Such documents detail evidence gathered by investigators that justify arresting suspects and searching property. Prosecutors said making them public would jeopardize the ongoing investigation.”


Political -- “Planned Parenthood said late Saturday that witnesses said the gunman was motivated by his opposition to abortion. An official who has been briefed on the investigation told The Washington Post that the attack was "definitely politically motivated." …. Attorney General Loretta Lynch released a statement on Saturday evening, describing the attack as "not only a crime against the Colorado Springs community, but a crime against women receiving healthcare services at Planned Parenthood, law enforcement seeking to protect and serve, and other innocent people." The attack thrust the clinic to the center of the ongoing debate over Planned Parenthood, which was re-ignited in July when anti-abortion activists released undercover video they said showed the organization's personnel negotiating the sale of fetal organs. Planned Parenthood has denied seeking any payments beyond legally permitted reimbursement costs for donating the organs to researchers. Still, the National Abortion Federation says it has since seen a rise in threats at clinics nationwide. …. The anti-abortion activists, part of a group called the Center for Medical Progress, denounced the "barbaric killing spree in Colorado Springs by a violent madman" and offered prayers for the dead and wounded and for their families. .… A Roman Catholic priest who has held weekly Mass in front of the clinic for 20 years said Dear wasn't part of his group. "I don't know him from Adam," said Rev. Bill Carmody. "I don't recognize him at all." …. Vicki Cowart, the regional head of Planned Parenthood, drew a standing ovation when she walked to the pulpit. She promised to quickly reopen the clinic. "We will adapt. We will square our shoulders and we will go on," she said. After her remarks, a woman in the audience stood up, objected to the vigil becoming a "political statement" and left. …. The president said that something needed to be done about the "easy accessibility of weapons of war." "This is not normal," Obama said. "We can’t let it become normal." …. Neighbors who lived beside Dear's former South Carolina home say he hid food in the woods as if he was a survivalist and said he lived off selling prints of his uncle's paintings of Southern plantations and the Masters golf tournament. John Hood said Saturday that when he moved to Walterboro, Dear was living in a doublewide mobile home next door. Hood said Dear seemed to be a loner and very strange but not dangerous. He pointed to a wooden fence separating their land and said he put it up because Dear liked to skinny dip. …. Hood said that Dear rarely talked to them, and when he did, he tended to offer unsolicited advice such as recommending that Hood put a metal roof on his house so the U.S. government couldn't spy on him. "He was really strange and out there, but I never thought he would do any harm," he said.” …. Other neighbors knew Dear, too, but they didn't want to give their names because they said they were scared of him. Russell and others said the only companion they saw with him was a mangy dog that looked to be in such bad shape they called animal control because they worried he was beating it. …. Zigmond Post, who lives near the RV where Dear lived, said he didn't have many interactions with Dear but he said the suspect once gave him a pamphlet opposing President Barack Obama. "He didn't talk about them or anything. He just said 'Look them over when you get a chance,'" Post said.”


The husband of a woman friend of mine gave me a pamphlet similarly denouncing President Obama a couple of years ago, along with a highly energetic spiel about his not being an American citizen, etc. He was a Fundamentalist Christian and a Republican. I just handed the booklet back to him and said I didn’t want it, and that I am a Democrat. He said no more. He and his wife were growing a backyard garden, keeping chickens and bees, which I thought was cool until I heard him say that they were preparing for the government’s upcoming takeover by leftist forces waging war on the citizens. This was not something that was new to me, but having lived in Washington DC, I had been away from it for about 25 years. It is the same viewpoint of the 1950’s and 60’s when “creeping communism” was the fear of the day. McCarthyism and the “Law and Order” presidency of Richard Nixon set the stage for today’s often unnecessary police violence and the more bizarre Tea Party related movements. The one that comes to mind right now is the Sovereign Citizens mania. I call it a mania, but it is becoming a movement as tiny towns are being targeted by the “Sovereign Citizens” via the Internet for migration into those areas, and then they begin to vote in local and state elections to establish control. They are very “conservative.” What frightens me about that particular thing is that it is not actually illegal for a group to purposely come in and just take over as long as it isn’t done by force.

My NC friend graduated from a North Carolina state college in the mountains, where he studied sports and physical education. He became a teacher and coached the high school wrestling team. He was a nice man with a good sense of humor and apparently sane, but not untainted by the paranoia which is gripping our country now. Those flames are being fanned by fanaticism and ignorance. It is quite possible to get a college degree while failing to change ones’ mind about anything important, thus remaining “ignorant.” Just holding beliefs like that does not automatically make people “dangerous” or “insane.” It is, however, a step in the wrong direction if enough of our citizenry do that.



http://www.cbsnews.com/news/freddie-gray-case-to-draw-from-pool-of-80-potential-jurors-black-and-white/

Freddie Gray case to draw from pool of 80 potential jurors, black and white
By REBECCA SHABAD CBS NEWS
November 30, 2015

Play VIDEO -- Jury selection in first Freddie Gray trial starts Monday


The jury selection process began Monday in Baltimore in the first trial related to the arrest and death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray while he was in police custody in April.

Officer William Porter, who was charged with involuntary manslaughter and has pleaded not guilty, is the first of six police officers to be tried in the case.

Eighty potential jurors poured into a Baltimore courtroom Monday while about 20 people protested outside as the selection process began.

Every juror was familiar with the Gray case, the riots and curfew that followed Gray's death and the $6.4 million civil settlement that the city reached with his family.

The defense had argued for the trial to be moved outside of Baltimore because of the effect the case had on the city's residents.

Half of the jury pool is black and half is white and the group is evenly split between men and women, with a range of ages represented.

Only a few jurors knew some of the 150 potential witnesses the judge read from a list. Half of the potential jurors said that they had either been a victim of a crime, charged with a crime or other contact with law enforcement.

Potential jurors will now be questioned individually. Once they are seated, the judge has ruled that they will remain anonymous, but won't be sequestered during their service.

Gray suffered a severe spinal injury while he was in police custody on April 12 and died a week later. His death triggered citywide protests and violence for several days.

The judge said the trial will begin in a few days and won't go past Dec. 17.



“Officer William Porter, who was charged with involuntary manslaughter and has pleaded not guilty, is the first of six police officers to be tried in the case. Eighty potential jurors poured into a Baltimore courtroom Monday while about 20 people protested outside as the selection process began. …. Half of the jury pool is black and half is white and the group is evenly split between men and women, with a range of ages represented. Only a few jurors knew some of the 150 potential witnesses the judge read from a list. Half of the potential jurors said that they had either been a victim of a crime, charged with a crime or other contact with law enforcement. …. Once they are seated, the judge has ruled that they will remain anonymous, but won't be sequestered during their service.”


This is the most malicious case of police misconduct in my opinion which has come to light since Ferguson. The so-called “rough ride” is a totally abusive example of police “punishing” a citizen for some infraction. It is not their place to punish anyone, but to arrest them and gather evidence of whatever crime has been charged. The judge and jury are to decide on the guilt or innocence and then see that justice is administered. I think the Black Lives Matter movement is appropriate and timely. For your information go to their website at blacklivesmatter.com. Their tenets and policy statements are outlined there, and it is not a political rant at all. It’s very impressive.





http://www.cbsnews.com/news/cbs-news-finds-peace-corps-volunteers-blamed-fired-after-reporting-sexual-assault/

Peace Corps volunteers blamed, punished for reporting sexual assault?
CBS NEWS
November 30, 2015

Play VIDEO -- Peace Corps accused of ignoring rape victims


Nearly 7,000 Peace Corps currently serve in about 65 countries. Roughly one in five of them is sexually assaulted during that service, according to the results of a recent anonymous Peace Corps safety questionnaire, obtained exclusively by CBS News.

The report also shows that nearly half don't report the assaults.

Pressure to change a culture of victim-blaming goes back years, but some survivors still claim they are blamed or punished. One volunteer wrote that in reporting an assault, "I made myself a target."

"My thought was they're going to rape me. These men are going to rape me," said Danae Smith, who volunteered in the remote Dominican Republic town of Los Mosquitos for eight months.

In April, two men with machetes forced the 23-year-old off the village's main road. Smith got away and reported the assault to the Peace Corps and within a week, the agency told her she was going home.

"They also told me that my attack had occurred because I had been walking in my site and that as a volunteer, it was my job to have been more proactive to prevent it from happening," Smith said.

More than 500 volunteers have reported experiencing a sexual assault in a little over two years. CBS News spoke with nearly a dozen who questioned how their recent cases were handled. They told us they felt criticized and were threatened they would be fired.

Five years ago, the Peace Corps - a government agency - faced intense scrutiny over its response to sexual assaults. Congress passed a law and the agency's director at the time vowed change.

"I hired a nationally recognized leader in victims' rights to be our first agency's victim advocate," former Peace Corps director Aaron Williams said during a congressional hearing in 2011.

That leader was Kellie Green.

"I'm getting phone calls and I'm getting emails from returned volunteers that are in tears because they can't get the help that they need," Green said.

CBS News found some Peace Corps employees attempting to limit the number of in-country counseling sessions for sexual assault survivors to a maximum of six.

Peace Corps volunteers detail sexual assaults

Where are Peace Corps volunteers most at risk of sexual assault?
In one 2014 email, a Peace Corps clinical psychologist said of a volunteer: the "need for ongoing therapy is an indication" the volunteer was "not a good fit for Peace Corps Service."

After another volunteer asked for additional counseling, a Peace Corps medical officer sent an email saying, "I'm sure this will make no difference in her behavior."

"I pushed the agency to really do what they have the capability of doing," Green said. "And that's what's so frustrating because they have the ability to do this and it is a choice not to."

Earlier this month, the Peace Corps suspended her without pay for allegedly creating a hostile work environment. But Green says she was punished for standing up for the victims she was hired to protect.

Bonnie Scott was a Peace Corps volunteer in Albania. Earlier this year, she says she alerted Peace Corps that one of its American officials was allegedly sexually assaulting Albanian women.

But shortly after the official sent this email saying he was resigning for personal reasons, the Peace Corps fired Scott for improperly filling out paperwork.

"He was given the option to resign rather than face misconduct charges, which meant that everything would be covered up," said Scott. "They basically kicked me out, 10 days after they let this sex offender just resign," Scott said.

Inspector General reports show multiple cases of Peace Corps personnel - accused in sexual assaults - resigning ahead of administrative action, then being allowed to re-apply to the agency.

A 2014 Inspector General report warned the Peace Corps' screening process for re-hiring was not detecting past misconduct.

One volunteer who admitted to violating the agency's sexual assault policy was later hired to work at the agency's headquarters in Washington, D.C.

"That person is no longer employed by Peace Corps. But I will also say that we are putting in place systems, mechanisms that will make sure that that does not happen again in the future," said Peace Corps director Carrie Hessler-Radelet. "This is unacceptable to us and we are trying to change the culture."

Hessler-Radelet also added 96 percent of volunteers questioned for a sexual assault response quality assurance survey indicated they are "satisfied with their services."

That anonymous survey was sent to 183 people. Just 52 responded.

"We have made enormous progress, but it is a huge task and every single day we are providing better care," Hessler-Radelet said.

But Danae Smith feels only disappointment.

"I feel like Peace Corps failed me every step of the way," she said.

So far, the Peace Corps says it has instituted more than 30 reforms regarding sexual assault, and works to retrain employees who appear unsympathetic to trauma victims.

Green is pursuing whistleblower protection, but the Peace Corps disputes any claims that it retaliated against her.



"They also told me that my attack had occurred because I had been walking in my site and that as a volunteer, it was my job to have been more proactive to prevent it from happening," Smith said. …. Five years ago, the Peace Corps - a government agency - faced intense scrutiny over its response to sexual assaults. Congress passed a law and the agency's director at the time vowed change. "I hired a nationally recognized leader in victims' rights to be our first agency's victim advocate," former Peace Corps director Aaron Williams said during a congressional hearing in 2011. That leader was Kellie Green. …. CBS News found some Peace Corps employees attempting to limit the number of in-country counseling sessions for sexual assault survivors to a maximum of six. Peace Corps volunteers detail sexual assaults. Where are Peace Corps volunteers most at risk of sexual assault? In one 2014 email, a Peace Corps clinical psychologist said of a volunteer: the "need for ongoing therapy is an indication" the volunteer was "not a good fit for Peace Corps Service." …. "I pushed the agency to really do what they have the capability of doing," Green said. "And that's what's so frustrating because they have the ability to do this and it is a choice not to." Earlier this month, the Peace Corps suspended her without pay for allegedly creating a hostile work environment. But Green says she was punished for standing up for the victims she was hired to protect. …. But shortly after the official sent this email saying he was resigning for personal reasons, the Peace Corps fired Scott for improperly filling out paperwork. "He was given the option to resign rather than face misconduct charges, which meant that everything would be covered up," said Scott. "They basically kicked me out, 10 days after they let this sex offender just resign," Scott said. …. - resigning ahead of administrative action, then being allowed to re-apply to the agency. A 2014 Inspector General report warned the Peace Corps' screening process for re-hiring was not detecting past misconduct. …. said Peace Corps director Carrie Hessler-Radelet. "This is unacceptable to us and we are trying to change the culture." Hessler-Radelet also added 96 percent of volunteers questioned for a sexual assault response quality assurance survey indicated they are "satisfied with their services." That anonymous survey was sent to 183 people. Just 52 responded. …. "I feel like Peace Corps failed me every step of the way," she said. So far, the Peace Corps says it has instituted more than 30 reforms regarding sexual assault, and works to retrain employees who appear unsympathetic to trauma victims. Green is pursuing whistleblower protection, but the Peace Corps disputes any claims that it retaliated against her.”


Last time I read an article like this one it concerned the army, with superior officers often being the rapists. Whenever women go out their front doors they run the risk of sexual assault. We must have a very randy male population here. Of course, men always say “she wanted it” and give as evidence the way the woman was dressed. Even if a woman is dressed provocatively a man doesn’t have a right to take her against her EXPRESSED will. We have to learn that no means NO, and furthermore, “Maybe” doesn’t mean “yes” either.





http://www.npr.org/2015/11/30/457889016/post-paris-obama-administration-changes-visa-waiver-program

After Paris, Obama Administration Changes Visa Waiver Program
By Shirley Henry and Domenico Montanaro
November 30, 2015

Photograph -- President Obama and French President Francois Hollande place flowers at the Bataclan, site of one of the Paris terrorists attacks. Obama is in Paris for a climate-change conference.
Evan Vucci/AP


The Obama administration has announced some changes to the visa waiver program, which allows travelers from some 38 countries including France, Belgium and other European countries, to come to the U.S. without a visa.

The White House announced several steps, including attempting better tracking of past travel, fines for airlines that don't verify passport data, assisting other countries on the screening of refugees and with border security.

It is also promising reports to the president in two months from the State Department and the FBI about how to include better fingerprinting and photographing, as well as an evaluation of the state of intelligence coordination between the U.S. and its allies.

The visa waiver program has come under scrutiny in the wake of the Paris attacks as a possible security gap — the idea being that Europeans, for example, who've gone to Syria to train with ISIS could then easily slip into the U.S. because of this program. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are working on legislation aimed at tightening the program.

See below for some steps the administration is taking unilaterally, per a White House release. The White House has also indicated it is working with Congress on further changes:

"New Changes Announced Today

"Given the terrorist attacks in Paris and the ongoing threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters, the United States is aggressively strengthening its Visa Waiver Program and bolstering our relationships with VWP partners by immediately moving forward on the following administrative actions:

"• DHS will immediately take steps to modify its Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) applications to capture information from VWP travelers regarding any past travel to countries constituting a terrorist safe haven. The Director of National Intelligence, in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security, will identify and regularly review these countries so that traveler risk assessments can be made on the most up-to-date information.

"• The Department of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State and other appropriate agencies will accelerate its review process for VWP partner countries and within 60 days, will provide a full report to the President:

"• Identifying possible pilot programs designed to assess the collection and use of biometrics (fingerprints and/or photographs) in the VWP to effectively increase security; and

"• Identifying any countries that are deficient in key areas of cooperation, along with recommended options to engender compliance using a range of penalties and incentives available under his current authority including the more frequent submission of ESTAs and/or the suspension of ESTA issuances (new and/or renewals) for citizens of countries that fail to meet key metrics.

"• The Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation will evaluate the terrorism information sharing that occurs between the United States and VWP countries, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence and the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security, and provide a report to the President of the United States within 60 days identifying options to mitigate any deficiencies.

"• DHS will offer assistance to countries to better facilitate terrorism information sharing, specifically to include biometric pilots. For example, DHS and the Terrorist Screening Center will assist all interested VWP countries in screening refugees or asylum seekers, including through the application of extensive terrorism information already provided to VWP members and through piloting capability for conducting near real time biometric checks.

"• The Secretaries of DHS, State, and Commerce will promote the Global Entry program among VWP partners to further expand this trusted traveler program, which includes biometrics.

"• The Secretary of Homeland Security will work with Congress to seek authority to increase Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) fines from $5,000 to $50,000 for air carriers that fail to verify a traveler's passport data.

"• The Departments of Homeland Security and State, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and U.S. intelligence community elements will deploy Foreign Fighter Surge Teams to work with countries to counter terrorist travel.

"• The Departments of Homeland Security and State will encourage and provide assistance as needed to enhance border security and legislation related to FTFs of our partner countries, and encourage more robust information sharing, better use of shared information, and more effective and efficient coordination between our partners."




“The White House announced several steps, including attempting better tracking of past travel, fines for airlines that don't verify passport data, assisting other countries on the screening of refugees and with border security. It is also promising reports to the president in two months from the State Department and the FBI about how to include better fingerprinting and photographing, as well as an evaluation of the state of intelligence coordination between the U.S. and its allies. …. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are working on legislation aimed at tightening the program. See below for some steps the administration is taking unilaterally, per a White House release. The White House has also indicated it is working with Congress on further changes …. modify its Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) applications to capture information from VWP travelers regarding any past travel to countries constituting a terrorist safe haven. …. will accelerate its review process for VWP partner countries and within 60 days, will provide a full report to the President …. Identifying possible pilot programs designed to assess the collection and use of biometrics (fingerprints and/or photographs) in the VWP …. Identifying any countries that are deficient in key areas of cooperation, along with recommended options to engender compliance …. evaluate the terrorism information sharing that occurs between the United States and VWP countries, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence and the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security, and provide a report to the President …. offer assistance to countries to better facilitate terrorism information sharing, specifically to include biometric pilots …. promote the Global Entry program among VWP partners to further expand this trusted traveler program, which includes biometrics. .… increase Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) fines from $5,000 to $50,000 for air carriers that fail to verify a traveler's passport data …. deploy Foreign Fighter Surge Teams to work with countries to counter terrorist travel. …. enhance border security and legislation….”


This is a good plan. It’s a series of measures that will allow us to “connect the dots” using some information that we already have while increasing our data for the future. It involves a number of other countries, though this article doesn’t say how much we will have of their cooperation. Information sharing should help other countries to identify dangerous individuals at their borders rather than merely sending them on through to some more desirable and welcoming place. It seems to me that Visa Waiver Programs may be a luxury in a time period such as this one, however. Perhaps this needs to be discussed in Congress and with other nations to reevaluate VWP policies.



http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/11/30/457900449/bill-gates-and-other-billionaires-pledge-to-take-on-climate-change

Bill Gates And Other Billionaires Pledge To Take On Climate Change
Marilyn Geewax
November 30, 2015

Photograph -- President Obama (from left), French President Francois Hollande and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates applaud a speech during the Mission Innovation event at the UN conference on climate change Monday in Paris.
Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images


The United States and 19 other countries on Monday promised to work toward doubling their spending over five years to support "clean energy" research.

And at the same time, 28 private investors, including Microsoft's Bill Gates, Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and Amazon's Jeff Bezos, pledged their own money to help build private businesses based on that public research.

The 20 governments and the investors are calling their joint effort "Mission Innovation." They say they must act together because "the pace of innovation and the scale of transformation and dissemination remain significantly short of what is needed."

The announcement came at the start of the 12-day climate-change talks in Paris, where representatives from nearly 200 countries are meeting. Mission Innovation's goal is to boost the collective annual spending on energy research to $20 billion, up from $10 billion.

But do public-private collaborations really work?

Early innovators in energy were pretty much lone rangers and wildcatters. For example, when John D. Rockefeller started the Standard Oil Co., he relied on his brother and some business partners, not a coalition of governments.

In the energy sector, "the argument for government funding is not very good," said Benjamin Zycher, a resident scholar who studies energy policy at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative research group.

No matter what taxpayers spend, finding realistic, reliable replacements for proven energy sources is "very unlikely," so the expenditures may not pan out, he said.

But the investors who back Mission Innovation say government support for basic research will allow them to invest wisely through their newly created group called the Breakthrough Energy Coalition.

Many of the billionaire backers made their private fortunes from the Internet, which was created with government funding.

Their coalition promises to "invest early, invest broadly, invest boldly, invest wisely and invest together," according to a statement. It says the "poorest parts of the world require an aggressive global program for zero-emission energy innovation."

But why mix together public and private efforts? If an energy-alternative idea looks promising, shouldn't the private sector just invest in it anyway?

Supporters say that with the existing energy infrastructure — think pipelines and gas pumps and coal mines — it's very hard for new energy sources to grow up. That's especially true now that oil, natural gas and coal are selling at the lowest prices in years.

When it comes to investing in alternatives, "there's no fortune to be made," Gates told The Atlantic in a recent interview.

"For energy as a whole, the incentive to invest is quite limited, because unlike digital products—where you get very rapid adoption and so, within the period that your trade secret stays secret or your patent gives you a 20-year exclusive, you can reap incredible returns—almost everything that's been invented in energy was invented more than 20 years before it got scaled usage," Gates told the magazine.

In other words, developing new sources of energy requires very patient money.

So Gates and his fellow billionaires will offer early-stage capital for technologies with long-term potential to generate clean energy.

In a statement released Monday, Gates did not say specifically how much the investors would spend collectively, but he said he is "optimistic that we can invent the tools we need" to fight climate change.

Collectively, the 28 private participants are worth an estimate $350 billion. Despite their own comfortable lives, "these are investors who care about clean energy and cheap energy," Gates said.

The White House, in a statement, praised the Gates-led group and said the United States would "seek to double its current level of investment in clean energy research," which now is about $5 billion.

But that doubling may not come easily, given that Congress is controlled by Republicans, whose party does not accept mainstream climate-change science.

In an essay Monday, Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., who chairs the Environment and Public Works Committee, said President Obama "has no way to follow through on any of his promises" regarding climate change efforts.

The 20 countries participating in Mission Innovation are: Australia, Brazil, Britain, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Norway, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States.



“And at the same time, 28 private investors, including Microsoft's Bill Gates, Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and Amazon's Jeff Bezos, pledged their own money to help build private businesses based on that public research. The 20 governments and the investors are calling their joint effort "Mission Innovation." They say they must act together because "the pace of innovation and the scale of transformation and dissemination remain significantly short of what is needed." …. Mission Innovation's goal is to boost the collective annual spending on energy research to $20 billion, up from $10 billion. But do public-private collaborations really work? …. But the investors who back Mission Innovation say government support for basic research will allow them to invest wisely through their newly created group called the Breakthrough Energy Coalition. Many of the billionaire backers made their private fortunes from the Internet, which was created with government funding. Their coalition promises to "invest early, invest broadly, invest boldly, invest wisely and invest together," according to a statement. It says the "poorest parts of the world require an aggressive global program for zero-emission energy innovation." …. "For energy as a whole, the incentive to invest is quite limited, because unlike digital products—where you get very rapid adoption and so, within the period that your trade secret stays secret or your patent gives you a 20-year exclusive, you can reap incredible returns—almost everything that's been invented in energy was invented more than 20 years before it got scaled usage," Gates told the magazine. In other words, developing new sources of energy requires very patient money. So Gates and his fellow billionaires will offer early-stage capital for technologies with long-term potential to generate clean energy. …. Collectively, the 28 private participants are worth an estimate $350 billion. Despite their own comfortable lives, "these are investors who care about clean energy and cheap energy," Gates said. The White House, in a statement, praised the Gates-led group and said the United States would "seek to double its current level of investment in clean energy research," which now is about $5 billion.”

“Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., who chairs the Environment and Public Works Committee, said President Obama "has no way to follow through on any of his promises" regarding climate change efforts.” Fascinating how when folks try to do something really good, the horrible old green Grinch steps in to block it. At least there are other countries who are cooperating in this also. Congratulations to Gates and his fellow 1%ers in their efforts; something, if not everything, should get done, even without the Congressional Republicans.





http://www.cbsnews.com/news/air-pollution-beyond-index-bejing-china-paris-climate-conference/

As leaders meet, pollution "beyond index" in Bejing
By SHUAI ZHANG CBS NEWS
November 30, 2015

28 Photos -- Thick smog hangs over Bejing, China, as the air quality index for the city hit 608 on Nov. 30, 2015 -- more than 24 times the maximum safe level as determined by the World Health Organization. CBS/RANDY SCHMIDT
Play VIDEO -- China's government vows to address smog
Play VIDEO -- Unique ways to deal with China's air pollution


BEIJING -- Dealing with smog has become so much a part to daily life in China that it's a regular feature in weather forecasts.

On Monday, while world leaders converge in Paris for a U.N. conference on climate change, the air quality index for Beijing exceeds 500; categorized as officially "beyond index," right above "hazardous."

The World Health Organization says a safe level of airborne particulate matter -- that which the air quality index measures -- is 25 micrograms per cubic meter. That line is crossed so often in cities like Beijing that even a government official called it unbearable.

By 4 p.m. in the capital city on Monday the index hit 608 -- more than 24 times the safe level dictated by the WHO.

The local government issued an orange pollution alert -- only its second highest in a four-tier system, under red. The move requires work at construction sites and factories to halt.

Coal supplies two thirds of China's energy consumption, and the northern half of the country relies on it to heat buildings in winter months.

The issue wasn't fully recognized by China's leaders until 2010, when the U.S. Embassy in Beijing published a tweet calling the air quality readings in Beijing "crazy bad."

The ensuing media coverage pushed it onto the main national stage. Beijing's local government rolled out their own monitoring system and began publishing its findings from 2013.

The grey-brown-yellow sky has become an embarrassment to hide on occasions that shine a spotlight on China's choked capital city.

For events like the massive parade celebrating the end of WWII, and the APEC summit last year, drastic measures are put in place, and strictly enforced, to clear the skies if for but a few days.

Companies compensate expats for it and tourists run away from it.

If there's a silver lining to the thick layer of smog, it has given birth to a host of creative gimmicks, from a bicycle with a filters to canned fresh air.

The government says a cold front will likely push into the area in the middle of this week to help clear the air.

Until then, for Beijingers it's the usual routine: shut the door and wait it out inside.




“By 4 p.m. in the capital city on Monday the index hit 608 -- more than 24 times the safe level dictated by the WHO. The local government issued an orange pollution alert -- only its second highest in a four-tier system, under red. The move requires work at construction sites and factories to halt. …. The issue wasn't fully recognized by China's leaders until 2010, when the U.S. Embassy in Beijing published a tweet calling the air quality readings in Beijing "crazy bad." The ensuing media coverage pushed it onto the main national stage. Beijing's local government rolled out their own monitoring system and began publishing its findings from 2013. …. If there's a silver lining to the thick layer of smog, it has given birth to a host of creative gimmicks, from a bicycle with a filters to canned fresh air. The government says a cold front will likely push into the area in the middle of this week to help clear the air.”


Of course we’ve been fighting smog here, too, for as long as I can remember, and England is famous for its’ London “fogs,” which are actually smog, according to Wikipedia. Jacksonville, several decades ago, had an air pollution event in which women’s nylon hosiery literally began to melt off. The pollution “ate” nylon. Luckily I wasn’t here then. The city got serious about the smog issues and worked on emissions with some improvements, but it is pretty bad here again, so we need to reexamine the matter. Jacksonville is a pretty place, but we do have factories, including at least one pulp mill. They give off hydrogen sulfide, the stinking, choking “rotten eggs” smell. I am happy to say that I don’t have to smell it where I live.

November 29, 2015


News Clips For The Day


http://www.cbsnews.com/news/colorado-planned-parenthood-shooting-officer-garrett-swasey-killed/

Officer killed in Colorado Planned Parenthood shooting was co-pastor, figure skater
CBS/AP
November 28, 2015

Play VIDEO -- Planned Parenthood shooting suspect talking to police
Play VIDEO -- FBI had warned of possible attacks against Planned Parenthood
Photograph -- garrett-swasey.jpg, University of Colorado Colorado Springs police officer Garrett Swasey. UCCS
Photograph -- officer-procession.jpg
Law enforcement officers line the side of a road in Colorado Springs, Colorado as the body of fallen police officer Garrett Swasey is taken to the coroner's office on Saturday, November 28, 2015. KKTV
Play VIDEO -- Victims recount deadly Planned Parenthood shooting


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Faith led Garrett Swasey to a career in public service and pastoral care, and duty led him to a Planned Parenthood clinic where he was gunned down.

The 44-year-old Swasey was the first of three victims to be identified in the shootings Friday at the clinic.

Married with two children, Swasey worked as a police officer at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs. He was there when he was called to assist with an active shooter at the nearby clinic.

Early Saturday morning, law enforcement officers gathered for a solemn procession to take Swasey's body from the shooting scene to the El Paso County coroner's officer, according to CBS affiliate KKTV.

At the University of Colorado, Swasey was known for going out of his way to help, including recently stopping to help someone in a serious car accident just off campus even though he was off duty and headed home, Lt. Marc Pino said. Pino also recalled that Swasey was disappointed he wasn't more involved with responding to the Waldo Canyon wildfire, which destroyed over 340 homes and killed two people in 2012.

"Garrett was always that person who was wanting to be the first one there helping people out," he said.

Swasey was originally from Melrose, Massachusetts, where Police Chief Michael Lyle said he dedicated much of his life to helping others.

He moved to Colorado in the 1980s to pursue competitive figure skater, his father told the Boston Globe. He became a police officer six years ago, around the time his daughter was born, 73-year-old David Swasey said.

"He was a great dad," Swasey told the newspaper. "I mean, a super dad. Everybody in the police department loved him. Anybody who ever met him loved him. He was a great guy, a great person."

As a skater, Garrett Swasey won a national championship in the junior ranks and competed in the U.S. Championships at least three times, his father said.

Swasey was a co-pastor at Hope Chapel, an evangelical church in Colorado Springs.

He and his wife, Rachel, began attending in 2001, according to a bio on the church's website. "As they raise their son, Elijah, and daughter, Faith, they view the members of the church as their family," the bio reads.

"Here's a guy who worked full time as a police officer, and then gave a great amount of time to his local church and didn't get a dime for it," the Rev. Scott Dontanville, a co-pastor who knew Swasey for 15 years, told The New York Times.

Dontanville told the Globe that he and Swasey, a fan of the New England Patriots, often would tease each other about football since Dontanville roots for the Denver Broncos.

"That's something he would always give us trouble for on Sunday morning," he told the newspaper. "He was an awesome man. ... Great father, great husband, good friend - caring, compassionate."

President Barack Obama praised Swasey in a statement released by the White House: "May God bless Officer Garrett Swasey and the Americans he tried to save -- and may He grant the rest of us the courage to do the same thing."

Little was known about the other two people who were killed or the nine who were wounded. Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains released a statement that indicated none of the other victims worked at the clinic.

CBS affiliate KKTV reported the names of the other two people killed would likely not be released before Monday, according to Colorado Springs Police Chief Pete Carey.

Five police officers and four civilians were injured in Friday's shooting. A spokesperson from Memorial Hospital told KKTV Saturday morning two of four patients taken to the hospital were released. The status of the other patients was not available.

Colorado Springs Fire Department Chief Chris Riley visited four injured officers Friday night. All had been shot but were talking and expected to recover, he said.

"Their spirits are good," Riley said after visiting them. "They're obviously in pain. But they're alive and talking to us. They're heroes. Absolute heroes."

Two vigils were planned Saturday in Colorado Springs for Swasey and the other victims. Moments of silence were planned in honor of Swasey before the men's and women's basketball games at UCCS.

The suspected shooter, 57-year-old Robert Lewis Dear, surrendered to authorities about five hours after the shooting and standoff began. He was being held without bond Saturday at the El Paso County Jail.



http://www.cbsnews.com/news/colorado-springs-shooting-investigation-robert-lewis-dear-arrest-planned-parenthood/

Source reveals what Colorado Springs suspect told cops upon arrest
CBS NEWS
November 28, 2015

Play VIDEO -- Planned Parenthood shooting suspect talking to police
Photograph -- A suspect, identified as Robert Lewis Dear of North Carolina, is taken into custody outside a Planned Parenthood center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Nov. 27, 2015. REUTERS


WASHINGTON -- A law enforcement source shed new light Saturday on the possible motivation of the man suspected of opening fire on a Planned Parenthood facility in Colorado Springs, killing three people and wounding nine others.

The source told CBS News justice and homeland security correspondent Jeff Pegues that as Robert Lewis Dear was being taken into custody after a five-hour standoff he said "no more baby parts."

Dear, 57, was being held without bond at the El Paso County Jail. He was expected to make his first court appearance Monday.

The source said Dear has been cooperating with investigators since he was arrested. But throughout the interrogation, sources said Dear has been behaving erratically.

In addition, investigators have interviewed the suspect's family members, who have described him as "weird" and "unpredictable."

Sources also said the long rifle Dear allegedly used Friday wasn't the only weapon he had with him and that Dear took several guns and ammunition to the scene as well.

Law enforcement sources also said there were propane tanks outside his car. Investigators believe his intent was to fire on the propane tanks to spark an explosion, which in the end he was not able to do.



BEST ARTICLE ON R L DEAR:

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/11/29/457756325/what-we-know-about-the-alleged-planned-parenthood-shooter

What We Know About The Alleged Planned Parenthood Shooter
Eyder Peralta
Updated November 29, 2015

Related story -- Planned Parenthood Shooting Suspect Robert Lewis Dear To Appear In Court Monday
Photograph -- A small shack with no electricity or running water where where Planned Parenthood clinic shooting suspect Robert Lewis Dear spent time. The shack about a half-mile up a twisty dirt road near Black Mountain, N.C.
Michael Biesecker /AP


As Colorado Springs held vigils for those killed during a shooting rampage at a Planned Parenthood clinic, we are learning more about the alleged gunman and his possible motive.

Police say Robert Lewis Dear, 57, killed three people and left nine wounded.

A search of public records finds that Dear had several run-ins with the law. The records show nine criminal filings under his name: Two "personal intrusion" — or peeping Tom or eavesdropping — charges that were later dropped and he was acquitted of two animal cruelty charges.

With that, here's what other news organizations have turned up about Dear:

— Dear 'Preferred to Be Left Alone'

The New York Times visited Dear's home in Hartsel, Colorado. Dear lived in a white trailer "with a forest-green four-wheeler by the front door and a modest black cross painted on one end." One neighbor told the paper that Dear "preferred to be left alone."

The paper also visited with his ex-wife, Pamela Ross, who said Dear showed flashes of anger, even against her. The paper reports:

"He was an independent art dealer with a degree in public administration from a Midwestern college, she said, who struck deals with artists, mostly Southern ones, who painted Charleston, S.C., street scenes, Old South plantation tableaus, magnolias and pictures of the Citadel campus. He tended to buy the rights to paintings, commission 1,000 or so prints, then market and sell the prints and keep the proceeds.

"He was born in Charleston and grew up in Louisville, Ky., but he had strong ties to South Carolina. His father was a graduate of the Citadel, Charleston's famous public military college. Robert Lewis Dear Sr., the father, died in 2004. He was a Navy veteran who served in World War II and worked 40 years for the Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company. ...

"He was generally conservative, but not obsessed with politics. He kept guns around the house for personal protection and hunting, and he taught their son to hunt doves, as many Southern fathers do. He believed that abortion was wrong, but it was not something that he spoke about much. 'It was never really a topic of discussion,' she said."

— An Interview With Police

Multiple news outlets, including The New York Times, NBC News, The Wall Street Journal and CNN, are citing unnamed law enforcement officials saying Dear gave a rambling interview to investigators after the shootings in which he mentioned "baby parts."

NBC News reports:

"In one statement, made after the suspect was taken in for questioning, Dear said 'no more baby parts' in reference to Planned Parenthood, two law enforcement sources with knowledge of the case told NBC News.

"But the sources stressed that Dear said many things to law enforcement and the extent to which the 'baby parts' remark played into any decision to target the Planned Parenthood office was not yet clear. He also mentioned President Barack Obama in statements."

— A Person 'You Had To Watch Out For':

The Washington Post visited Dear's other home in Black Mountain, N.C., where Dear lived in a yellow shack without indoor plumbing.

A small shack with no electricity or running water where where [sic] Planned Parenthood clinic shooting suspect Robert Lewis Dear spent time. The shack about a half-mile up a twisty dirt road near Black Mountain, N.C.

One of his Anderson Acres' neighbor told the paper that Dear was the kind of person "you had to watch out for."

"He was a very weird individual," the neighbor said. "It's hard to explain, but he had a weird look in his eye most of the time."

The paper reports:

"... Neighbors said they recognized Dear from television news coverage of Friday's shootings, in which police said he killed three people, including a police officer, and wounded nine others. They said he looked more beaten down than the last time they had seen him, and that his beard was new — but that he was the same aloof, angry man they remembered.

"'He complained about everything,' said another neighbor who, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity, saying that he feared for his security. 'He said he worked with the government, and everybody was out to get him, and he knew the secrets of the U.S.A. He said, "Nobody touch me, because I've got enough information to put the whole U.S. of A in danger." It was very crazy.'"

Dear is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Monday. He is being held without bond at the El Paso County criminal justice center.




"A search of public records finds that Dear had several run-ins with the law. The records show nine criminal filings under his name: Two "personal intrusion" — or peeping Tom or eavesdropping — charges that were later dropped and he was acquitted of two animal cruelty charges. …. He was an independent art dealer with a degree in public administration from a Midwestern college, she said, who struck deals with artists, mostly Southern ones, who painted Charleston, S.C., street scenes, Old South plantation tableaus, magnolias and pictures of the Citadel campus. He tended to buy the rights to paintings, commission 1,000 or so prints, then market and sell the prints and keep the proceeds. …. "He was generally conservative, but not obsessed with politics. He kept guns around the house for personal protection and hunting, and he taught their son to hunt doves, as many Southern fathers do. He believed that abortion was wrong, but it was not something that he spoke about much. 'It was never really a topic of discussion,' she said." …. "But the sources stressed that Dear said many things to law enforcement and the extent to which the 'baby parts' remark played into any decision to target the Planned Parenthood office was not yet clear. He also mentioned President Barack Obama in statements." …. One of his Anderson Acres' neighbor told the paper that Dear was the kind of person "you had to watch out for." …. "He was a very weird individual," the neighbor said. "It's hard to explain, but he had a weird look in his eye most of the time." …. They said he looked more beaten down than the last time they had seen him, and that his beard was new — but that he was the same aloof, angry man they remembered. …. 'He said he worked with the government, and everybody was out to get him, and he knew the secrets of the U.S.A. He said, "Nobody touch me, because I've got enough information to put the whole U.S. of A in danger." It was very crazy.'"


Ted Kaczynski comes immediately to my mind. Like Dear, he was educated and intelligent, but decidedly psychotic. We do not at this time have a society in which people who are permanently “out to lunch” must be incarcerated, partly due to the Ronald Reagan era move to give everyone the right to do things like refuse their medication and live alone on a mountainside rather than in a hospital. When Saint Elizabeth’s in Washington DC was forced to put some people who could do okay if they TOOK their medication out on the city streets, the homeless population and the number of “shouters” who were standing on street corners went up. Reagan’s reason for that move was the high cost of such government funded hospitals, rather than the civil rights of the patients, in my cynical opinion. Whatever his reasoning, it was a mistake.

Supposedly people have “a right” to be free, but that is one of the true causes of our epidemic of violent killings of this kind. In my youth people who were “a danger to themselves or others” were committed involuntarily to insane asylums. I know there were some that were abusive to the patients, and that was a terrible thing. The great book and movie “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest” was on that subject, and it definitely influenced the public mind.

The problem is, however, that insane people are not all alike. Just as they aren’t all dangerous, there are some of them who are very, very dangerous. This man is one of them. Religion and social issues like abortion are very appealing to a certain kind of mind. They view themselves as avenging angels, or as in the case of David Berkowitz (Son of Sam), a neighbor’s barking dog “told” him to go kill someone. He was interviewed on one of the 48 Hours type TV programs in his permanent home, a state prison. He was clearly much improved in his mental condition at the time of the interview, but he will never be released in all probability. He is serving six consecutive life sentences. Somehow I feel better with that being the case. The Wikipedia article “David Berkowitz,” is very interesting and suggested reading.





https://www.yahoo.com/politics/the-shooting-at-planned-parenthood-put-gop-2016-203438711.html

The shooting at Planned Parenthood put GOP 2016 hopefuls in a ‘politically uncomfortable’ position
Hunter Walker
November 28, 2015

Photograph -- Robert Lewis Dear taken into custody outside the Planned Parenthood center in Colorado Springs, Nov. 27, 2015. (Photo: Isaiah J. Downing/Reuters)


The motive for a shooting that took place outside a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Friday still isn’t clear, but all three of the top Democratic presidential candidates quickly rushed to express their support for the organization.

Meanwhile, the leading Republicans, all of whom have spoken out against Planned Parenthood, have largely remained silent about the shooting.

Operatives from both parties suggested to Yahoo News that the incident puts the GOP field in a tough spot because of its opposition to Planned Parenthood. The organization is the country’s largest provider of abortions.

Three people were killed in the shooting. One of the victims was a police officer who responded to a call for help. The suspect has been identified as Robert Lewis Dear, who was reportedly captured on the scene in Colorado Springs after surrendering to law enforcement.

According to the Associated Press, Dear had spent part of his time living in a North Carolina shack, and his neighbors described him as an incoherent loner with no known political or religious leanings. However, John Suthers, the Republican mayor of Colorado Springs, suggested people could draw conclusions about a motive for the attack by drawing “inferences from where it took place.”

President Obama issued a statement on the shooting Saturday that did not address the question of opposition to abortion as a potential motive. Instead, the president suggested that the incident is further proof of the need for stronger gun control.

“We don’t yet know what this particular gunman’s so-called motive was for shooting 12 people, or for terrorizing an entire community, when he opened fire with an assault weapon and took hostages at a Planned Parenthood center in Colorado. What we do know is that he killed a cop in the line of duty, along with two of the citizens that police officer was trying to protect,” Obama said, adding, “This is not normal. We can’t let it become normal.”

Democratic presidential candidates Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton and Martin O’Malley: All expressed support for Planned Parenthood after the attack. (Photo: AP)

The three top Democrats vying to be Obama’s successor all addressed the shooting on Twitter. Both frontrunner Hillary Clinton and former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley issued expressions of support for Planned Parenthood. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., took things a step further and suggested antiabortion rhetoric could have encouraged the attack.

“I strongly support Planned Parenthood and the work it’s doing. I hope people realize that bitter rhetoric can have unintended consequences,” Sanders wrote.

Indeed, all of the leading Republican candidates have expressed opposition to Planned Parenthood. And almost none of them have made any public comment on the shooting.




“The three top Democrats vying to be Obama’s successor all addressed the shooting on Twitter. Both frontrunner Hillary Clinton and former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley issued expressions of support for Planned Parenthood. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., took things a step further and suggested antiabortion rhetoric could have encouraged the attack, a very rational conclusion and a warning to Republicans to stick to thoroughly proven stories before they broadcast them. Sanders says, “I strongly support Planned Parenthood and the work it’s doing. I hope people realize that bitter rhetoric can have unintended consequences,” Sanders wrote. Indeed, all of the leading Republican candidates have expressed opposition to Planned Parenthood. And almost none of them have made any public comment on the shooting.”


The video which has inspired such hatred and violence has been proven to be “doctored” to present a shocking and totally negative view of Planned Parenthood’s activities. The scientific need for fetal tissue is behind their “harvesting” specialized tissue samples, for which they receive a laboratory fee. It does, after all, cost money and is a legal activity. However to those who are opposed to abortion under any conditions, usually for religious reasons, the fact that it is a “fee” and not a sale price makes no difference. They will continue to call it “selling” the tissue.

There are some of those antiabortion people who are mentally disturbed enough to do these killings, a trend in this country for the last thirty or so years since Roe v Wade, and despite their psychological condition they have been allowed to purchase guns. One of these articles said that he had an automatic rifle, which in my opinion shouldn’t be sold in this country for civilian purposes, as the only real purpose for such a gun is to kill people. It’s a weapon of war. Hunters don’t want to shoot 15 or 20 bullets into a deer and then eat the meat.

Carlie Fiorina publicized the video in question to further her political run for the presidency, and the NRA is behind the selling of weapons of war to US citizens. Bernie Sanders said the most important thing, in my opinion, “…bitter rhetoric can have unintended consequences.” During WWII the word was “Loose lips sink ships.” This is no different.





http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2015/11/29/brad-pitt-rejects-his-southern-baptist-upbringing/

FAITH -- New York Post
Brad Pitt rejects his Southern Baptist upbringing
Published November 29, 2015

Photograph -- November 23, 2015. Cast member Brad Pitt poses on the red carpet at the premiere of "The Big Short" in New York. (Reuters)


Brad Pitt‘s religious upbringing seems to have backfired.

Despite being raised in a strict Southern Baptist household in Springfield, Mo., the 51-year-old actor is now a proud atheist.

In a Saturday interview in the UK’s Telegraph, Pitt linked his lack of faith to his dad, who raised him “with all the Christian guilt about what you can and cannot, should and shouldn’t do.”

Still, Pitt took other aspects of his father’s lessons to heart when it comes to raising his own six children.

“One thing my folks always stressed was being capable, doing things for yourself. He was really big on integrity — and that informed a lot of what [we] try to do now.”

His wife, however, has her own thoughts when it comes to a higher power.

“We’re not alone in the world,” Angelina Jolie, 40, told People last year. “I don’t know if there’s a name for that — religion or faith — just that there’s something greater than all of us, and it’s uniting and beautiful.”




“Despite being raised in a strict Southern Baptist household in Springfield, Mo., the 51-year-old actor is now a proud atheist. In a Saturday interview in the UK’s Telegraph, Pitt linked his lack of faith to his dad, who raised him “with all the Christian guilt about what you can and cannot, should and shouldn’t do.” …. “One thing my folks always stressed was being capable, doing things for yourself. He was really big on integrity — and that informed a lot of what [we] try to do now.” His wife, however, has her own thoughts when it comes to a higher power. “We’re not alone in the world,” Angelina Jolie, 40, told People last year. “I don’t know if there’s a name for that — religion or faith — just that there’s something greater than all of us, and it’s uniting and beautiful.”


Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are two of the most interesting Hollywood people to me. Some of them strike me as having very little talent, but these two are both very creditable actors, and have been in interesting and thought provoking films. Conservative people don't like them at all, unfortunately, and they do in fact flout public opinion in many ways. I don't believe in modeling our lives around "the court of public opinion," and as I get older I find more and more people who agree with me. That is the essence of the American Way, to me. We don't all "march to the same drummer," and that's a sign of a vibrant and creative culture.

I have never actually been an atheist, but I have been an agnostic ever since I began to think about religion, from the virgin birth and the dying and rising lord, to the hateful ban on Darwin’s theory of evolution and nowadays the Koch-driven opposition to the matter of global warming/climate change. Religion shouldn't make us dumber than we started out to be. To my way of looking at things, the Higher Power will not damn me to hell for trying to think.

I do believe in what I can see, hear, touch and rationally understand. I realize there is a limit to what I can understand, but in the USA I have a right to believe in logical proofs, and in addition, through some experience of meditative states, I “feel” that there is some form of intelligence in the Universe. I do not believe in heaven and hell, and I don’t form my list of right and wrong purely from the Ten Commandments. I do realize that if there is a hell and a punishing God, then I will be in serious trouble later. I believe in the Golden Rule, basic honesty, non-violent relationships, and generally doing our best in life.

Due to our mental and emotional capabilities or lack thereof, we will not be perfect no matter what we do. As Jesus himself said, mankind is “sick with sin.” The older I get the more I realize the truth of that statement. We all have to have some faith in the future, have courage and be good citizens of the world. Suggested reading, “I Never Promised You a Rose Garden,” by Joanne Greenberg, written under the pen name of Hannah Green. In that semi-biographical novel, her schizophrenic main character tells her psychiatrist, “I believe in cause and effect.” I can truthfully say that I do also.





http://nypost.com/2015/11/29/rogue-cop-refused-orders-to-move-away-from-pope-francis/

‘Kiss my ass’: Rogue cop who lurked by pope during visit
By Isabel Vincent and Melissa Klein
November 29, 2015 | 6:01am

Photograph -- Port Authority PBA boss Paul Nunziato weaseled his way next to Pope Francis -- and refused to leave. Photo: AP


A police union boss wormed his way into standing next to Pope Francis — then refused orders to step away, disciplinary papers ­reveal.

Pushy Port Authority PBA President Paul Nunziato slipped into a secure enclosure at the 9/11 Memorial where Francis was praying with Timothy Cardinal Dolan during the pontiff’s city visit in September.

As Francis was at the reflecting pools contemplating the names of those killed on Sept. 11, 2001, Nunziato stood feet away, looking officious. But Nunziato, a patrolman by rank, wasn’t on papal patrol. He had no business being there.

And he wouldn’t leave.

“On three separate occasions and by three different superior officers, Police Officer Nunziato was ordered to remove himself from this restricted area and he failed to do so,” said a complaint against Nunziato by the commanding officer of the PAPD’s World Trade Center Command.

Nunziato, according to the Oct. 2, 2015, memo obtained by The Post, was charged with violating the department’s rules of conduct. Not only was he encroaching, he was flouting the department rule that “caps be worn in a military manner.”

“Nunziato was observed out-of-uniform in that he did not wear his cap, but instead placed it onto the right side of his gun belt where it remained,” said the memo titled “Derogatory Incident at the WTC Command.”

Nunziato is unrepentant.

“I think I earned the right to stand next to that reflecting pool as the pope blessed it, and anyone who disagrees with that can kiss my ass,” he told The Post.

Nunziato said the Secret Service let him pass.

“I had 37 police officers’ names on that reflecting pool that the pope was going to bless, and I told them if anyone was ­going to stand here as he blessed that pool, it was ­going to be me,” he said.

‘I earned the right to stand next to that reflecting pool…anyone who disagrees with that can kiss my ass’
- Paul Nunziato

He said he went to the ceremony at the behest of two 9/11 widows who didn’t want the PAPD to be overshadowed by the NYPD and FDNY. And, he said, he removed his hat as a sign of ­respect for the pontiff.

The union boss, who represents 1,800 rank-and-file officers, was a key figure in the Bridgegate scandal. He is close to David Wildstein, a former PA executive who is an ally of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

Wildstein was an architect of the September 2013 traffic debacle at the George Washington Bridge, when local access lanes were closed as payback to the Fort Lee mayor who refused to back Christie’s re-election bid. Nunziato said he had suggested the “traffic study” at the bridge — the official cover story for the lane closings — to Wildstein.

Nunziato was subpoenaed by a legislative committee investigating Bridgegate and was reportedly questioned by the feds. He was not charged.

The 53-year-old cop joined the PAPD in 1987.

It was unclear what punishment Nunziato might face for the pope incident. A PA spokesman declined to comment.




“Pushy Port Authority PBA President Paul Nunziato slipped into a secure enclosure at the 9/11 Memorial where Francis was praying with Timothy Cardinal Dolan during the pontiff’s city visit in September. As Francis was at the reflecting pools contemplating the names of those killed on Sept. 11, 2001, Nunziato stood feet away, looking officious. But Nunziato, a patrolman by rank, wasn’t on papal patrol. He had no business being there. And he wouldn’t leave. …. Nunziato, according to the Oct. 2, 2015, memo obtained by The Post, was charged with violating the department’s rules of conduct. Not only was he encroaching, he was flouting the department rule that “caps be worn in a military manner.” “Nunziato was observed out-of-uniform in that he did not wear his cap, but instead placed it onto the right side of his gun belt where it remained,” said the memo titled “Derogatory Incident at the WTC Command.” Nunziato is unrepentant. “I think I earned the right to stand next to that reflecting pool as the pope blessed it, and anyone who disagrees with that can kiss my ass,” he told The Post.” …. He said he went to the ceremony at the behest of two 9/11 widows who didn’t want the PAPD to be overshadowed by the NYPD and FDNY. And, he said, he removed his hat as a sign of ­respect for the pontiff. The union boss, who represents 1,800 rank-and-file officers, was a key figure in the Bridgegate scandal. He is close to David Wildstein, a former PA executive who is an ally of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. …. It was unclear what punishment Nunziato might face for the pope incident. A PA spokesman declined to comment.”


In case you, also, are wondering, PAPD stands for “Port Authority Police Department” (covering New York and New Jersey, USA). This story looked as though it was going to be another story about a psychologically disturbed policeman, but as I read his explanation for everything I don’t believe he meant to be a threat to the Pope at all. His act may have been foolish, however, as I think he will face discipline for removing his hat and remaining in his position even after three superior officers told him to move. This story did give me a chuckle.





http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/11/29/457779757/nsa-ends-sept-11th-era-surveillance-program

NSA Ends Sept. 11th-Era Surveillance Program
Eyder Peralta
Updated November 29, 2015

Photograph -- The National Security Agency campus in Fort Meade, Md.
Patrick Semansky/AP


A controversial government surveillance program has come to an end. As of midnight, the United States National Security Agency has stopped the bulk collection of the metadata from Americans' phone calls.

The bulk collection program was undertaken by the NSA after the attacks of September 11th. In essence, the government would ask the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC), which acts mostly in secret, for an order requiring the big telecoms to hand over metadata — things such as phone numbers and duration of calls, but not the content of them — on virtually all calls made by their customers.

The surveillance program was then thrust back into the spotlight in the summer of 2013, after former NSA contractor Edward Snowden leaked classified information with details of the program.

One of the key documents leaked by Snowden was an order by the FISC requiring Verizon to hand over all those records. His revelations sparked a heated congressional debate, which ultimately resulted in the USA Freedom Act.

The law still gives the U.S. government access to the information. Except, the massive database of call records now remains with service providers and the government can seek court orders to access specific records.

In a statement, the office of the Director of National Intelligence said it would wind down the bulk collection program but that it also wants the FISC to allow the NSA to continue accessing historical data through February, so "technical personnel" can verify that the new system is working as intended.

Sen. Ron Wyden, who led the charge to end the program, hailed its demise in a written release saying the program "needlessly violated the privacy of millions of Americans every day, without making our country any safer."

Wyden added: "This is a victory for everyone who believes in protecting both American security and Americans' constitutional rights."

It's worth noting that today marks the end of one of the most controversial parts of U.S. surveillance but other parts remain untouched.

For example, the PRISM program, which was also revealed by the Snowden documents and collects a vast amount of Internet data, continues to operate. The program has not been as controversial here in the U.S., because it does not directly target Americans, but as we've learned through the Snowden leaks, some content from Americans' communication gets caught in the dragnet.



“The surveillance program was then thrust back into the spotlight in the summer of 2013, after former NSA contractor Edward Snowden leaked classified information with details of the program. One of the key documents leaked by Snowden was an order by the FISC requiring Verizon to hand over all those records. His revelations sparked a heated congressional debate, which ultimately resulted in the USA Freedom Act. The law still gives the U.S. government access to the information. Except, the massive database of call records now remains with service providers and the government can seek court orders to access specific records. …. Sen. Ron Wyden, who led the charge to end the program, hailed its demise in a written release saying the program "needlessly violated the privacy of millions of Americans every day, without making our country any safer." Wyden added: "This is a victory for everyone who believes in protecting both American security and Americans' constitutional rights." …. For example, the PRISM program, which was also revealed by the Snowden documents and collects a vast amount of Internet data, continues to operate.”


Poor Snowden. I wonder if he has found love and happiness in Russia. I hope so. Maybe he will write a book or two.




https://gma.yahoo.com/princess-charlotte-laughs-stuffed-dog-adorable-photos-144229380--abc-news-celebrities.html

Princess Charlotte Laughs at Stuffed Dog in Adorable New Photos
Good Morning America
By CAROLYN DURAND
November 29, 2015


They grow up so quickly.

Kensington Palace released two new photos of 6-month-old Princess Charlotte today. The photos were taken in early November by Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge at their country home Anmer Hall in Norfolk, the Palace said.

Absent from the photos is Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge's oldest, Prince George. The Palace last released photos of the two children over the summer around the time of Charlotte's christening and George's second birthday.

Prince William Gives Speech About Illegal Ivory Trade on Chinese Television

Duchess Kate and Prince William Go Rappelling in North Wales

Prince William Gives Moving Tribute Speech About Princess Diana at Charity Event


READER COMMENTS FOLLOW, MOSTLY NEGATIVE.

There is, of course, a vocal anti-royal trend in Britain, but it can be argued that maintaining a royal household lends stability, and they are after all real people with real lives. I think they should do touristy things if they want to. No problem. In their lives are two beautiful children. I cannot apologize for highlighting these photos. The “Brits” do elect their representatives to Parliament and have medical care, public schools and other social services financed by the government.

The royals promote good liberal causes, including Prince William’s interest in the hateful ivory trade. I’m glad to see someone in a position of importance speak up for the poor elephants. They are going extinct, for goodness’ sake! The Brits also have freedom of speech, etc. very similar to the life in the US – and better in some ways. True, the royals are very rich, and it is possible that Queen Elizabeth II will be the last monarch as the public becomes more populist and oriented toward democracy. We’ll see what happens.

I do have a definite affection for their traditions. Some of my earliest memories are of fairy tales peopled by princesses and paupers. When I went to England in 1987 I could almost see the fairies dancing about. The Windsors have maintained the look of royalty without any sign of an actual dictatorship, at least in my eyes. The Labor Party and other British liberal groups would disagree, I’m sure. There is no question that maintaining the royal lifestyle costs lots of money which could be spent on more help for the poor. It was a step forward toward democracy when Parliament voted to force QEII to pay taxes, and in my view a good thing, as it creates a better balance of power in their society. QEII also agreed to the inclusion of fewer family members and royal dwelling places under the umbrella of royal privilege.

Above all, we should not forget that the Brits are one of our best friends internationally, and a true enemy of fascism. That’s what we need right now with the far right making power grabs and stirring up anti-Semitism as well as other “anti” movements. The Brits are good guys in my view. Besides, I love baby pictures.



SanJuanKid 8 days ago 1 5
Not since Neil Armstrong's landing on the moon has the world been so riveted.
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Viking 8 days ago 2 3
I just wasted 1:12 of my life watching this.
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BayCyclingJim 8 days ago 2 5
They seem nice.
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RunnerX 8 days ago 4 5
she must've needed a break from her tough job of getting pampered all day...
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Dont-Tase-Me-Bro 8 days ago 5 4
Hasn't the free world moved into the 21st Century where people aren't born"royal", but instead it is earned?
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Irene 6 days ago 2 1
Perfect couple!!!
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Muhammed Atta 8 days ago 4 0
why is she wearing pants?
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TJ's Brother Pookie 8 days ago 6 7
In my minds eye, the Duchess is the epitome of 'Sweetness', especially without the usual 'sexy trash' the women of today flaunt! ALL CLASS!
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C 7 days ago 2 3
What? smug idle Middleton doing outdoor stuff? Lets all cheer and applaud, a nice break from her usual idle pampered life. and a nice break too from creating an organic firm in the footsteps of our very precious seeming Prince Charles! All the produce will be geared towards the rich. Middleton is a waste of space!
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Ronald W 8 days ago 2 4
Go to Daily Mail and see the photos, these people are pushing soft porn.
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John philip 5 days ago 0 0
Why is this on a news channel, and who cares?
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robert 6 days ago 0 0
now come on the royals work hard look at andrew and kids
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Ian 7 days ago 2 3
More royal bull. Out of date and should be out of here.
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Michael 6 days ago 1 0
Parasites on parade again! Both a waste of space, oxygen and skin!
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ting tong 8 days ago 3 2
Hip Hip Hurrah for the idle pair.....
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November 28, 2015


News Clips For The Day


http://www.cbsnews.com/news/colorado-springs-shooting-survivors-frightening-moments-planned-parenthood/

Shooting survivors describe tense moments in Colorado
CBS NEWS
November 28, 2015

Play VIDEO -- FBI had warned of possible attacks against Planned Parenthood
Photograph -- swasey-295x300.jpg, University of Colorado Colorado Springs police officer Garrett Swasey. UCCS
Photograph -- Robert Lewis Dear, 57, of North Carolina is seen in a booking photo released by the Colorado Springs Police Department.


An investigation was underway in Colorado Saturday following a deadly attack on a Planned Parenthood facility.

A gunman shot and killed three people, including a police officer.

That officer, Garrett Swasey, was a member of the University of Colorado Police Department in Colorado Springs. Five other officers and four civilians were wounded in the attack.

The shooting happened in Colorado Springs, about 70 miles south of Denver. A dramatic standoff with police ended after five hours.

The suspected gunman, Robert Lewis Dear of North Carolina, is in custody. He was booked into the El Paso County Jail, was being held without bail and was scheduled to appear in court Monday.

Sources told CBS News that Dear surrendered Friday after realizing that he was cornered and had nowhere to run. Since then, he's been cooperating with investigators.

Law enforcement sources said police were able to tap into the Planned Parenthood building's surveillance camera system, CBS News' Jeff Pegues reports. Near the end of the standoff, they were able to pinpoint where the gunman was in the building.

CBS News' David Begnaud reports that the facility remained an active crime scene Saturday morning with investigators going through it room by room.

Swasey's body was transported under heavy police escort to a local funeral home Saturday morning.

Frightening moments were captured on police scanners after authorities say Dear opened fire on officers who were responding to reports of an active shooter:

"He's shooting at you as you coming in."

"I've been shot. I'm hit!"

With the gunman still on the loose inside the Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood, police were able to rescue people hiding inside the building, including Katanya Craion.

"I heard everyone in the lobby screaming 'get down, get down,' and then I saw the gunman walking with a shotgun just shooting randomly," she said.

Said Ozy Licano: "He was aiming for my head. It's just weird to stare into the face of somebody like that, and he didn't win."

"While this was a terrible, terrible tragedy," said Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers, "it could have been much worse but for the actions of the first responders, particularly the police officers involved."

The situation was further complicated because law enforcement was concerned the gunman brought explosives.

"We did get officers inside of the building at the Planned Parenthood," said Lt. Catherine Buckley, "and the officers were able to shout to the suspect and make communication with him, and at that point they were able to get him to surrender, and he was taken into custody."

On the police scanner, an officer said: "We have our suspect right now. He's saying that he is alone and he's by himself."

Nine other people were shot but are listed in good condition at a local hospital.

Swasey, the officer who died, leaves behind a wife, a son and a daughter.




“Sources told CBS News that Dear surrendered Friday after realizing that he was cornered and had nowhere to run. Since then, he's been cooperating with investigators. Law enforcement sources said police were able to tap into the Planned Parenthood building's surveillance camera system, CBS News' Jeff Pegues reports. Near the end of the standoff, they were able to pinpoint where the gunman was in the building. …. With the gunman still on the loose inside the Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood, police were able to rescue people hiding inside the building, including Katanya Craion. "I heard everyone in the lobby screaming 'get down, get down,' and then I saw the gunman walking with a shotgun just shooting randomly," she said. …. Nine other people were shot but are listed in good condition at a local hospital. Swasey, the officer who died, leaves behind a wife, a son and a daughter.”


One more religious zealot does what they do best – randomly killing innocent people. Somehow that apparently forwards the plans of the Christian Church, or so such people think. Very few religious congregations actually support that, with the possible exception of the Westboro Baptist Church and the “Christian Identity” churches.




Trump – Two Articles


http://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-to-speak-out-on-disabled-americans-at-florida-rally/

Donald Trump to speak out on disabled Americans at Florida rally
By REENA FLORES CBS NEWS
November 28, 2015


Days after a public outcry over his apparent ridiculing of a disabled journalist, Donald Trump is promising to discuss the issue of Americans with disabilities during a campaign stop on Saturday.

In a series of tweets this weekend, Donald Trump previewed his trip to Sarasota, Florida, and addressed the recent controversy that erupted around the mocking impression he made of Serge Kovaleski, a New York Times reporter with a condition that limits the mobility in his joints.


Trump Tweets:

“I will be going to Sarasota, Florida, today for a big rally with amazing people! I have one goal on mind: MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 28, 2015

“The reporter who pulled-back from his 14 year old never retracted story is having fun. I don't know what he looks like and don't know him!” — Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump) November 28, 2015

“Virtually no-one has spent more money in helping the American people with disabilities than me. Will discuss today at my speech in Sarasota,” — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 28, 2015


Trump later promised to discuss his work with disabled Americans during his Sarasota campaign stop, claiming that "virtually no-one has spent more money in helping the American people with disabilities than me."

At a Tuesday rally in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Trump had criticized Kovaleski for walking back a story he wrote after Sept. 11, 2001, that said New Jersey police had detained people celebrating the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. During his speech, Trump waved his arms in an imitation of Kovaleski, saying "the poor guy. You ought to see this guy. 'Oh, I don't know what I said! Ah, I don't remember!'"

After later receiving flak for the mocking impression, Trump claimed that he had "no idea" who Kovaleski was and had no clue about "what he looks like or his level of intelligence."

"I don't know if he is J.J. Watt or Muhammad Ali in his prime --- or somebody of less athletic or physical ability. I know nothing about him other than I have great respect for the way he wrote the story, on September 18, 2001, and in particular the paragraph talking about Muslims and tailgate parties taking place in New Jersey," Trump said Thursday in a statement. He added, "despite having one of the all-time great memories, I certainly do not remember him."

In an earlier statement, the business mogul demanded an apology from the New York Times after a spokesperson for the newspaper called his mocking impersonation "outrageous."

But Kovaleski, in an interview with the Times, said he and Trump "were on a first-name basis for years," when the reporter worked for the New York Daily News from 1987 to 1993.

"I've interviewed him in his office," Kovaleski said. "I've talked to him at press conferences. All in all, I would say around a dozen times, I've interacted with him."

Speaking with the Daily News, Kovaleski also recalled an incident from 1989, when he covered the launch of Trump's airline and spent an entire day with the billionaire businessman. Later, after Kovaleski published a report that included details of the airline's first flight delay, Trump called the journalist and "started screaming over the speakerphone about what a piece of s--- the story was."

On Friday, Trump acknowledged that he "may have met him," but he didn't remember it.

"He made no impression on me," the GOP candidate said in a statement. "I have done many day in the life stories with reporters - the entire day in the life usually last for a very short period as far as actual reporting goes."



http://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-prompts-nazi-references/

Donald Trump prompts Nazi references
By STEPHANIE CONDON CBS NEWS
November 27, 2015

Photograph -- Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at a rally at the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Complex in Birmingham, Alabama, November 21,2015. REUTERS


After Donald Trump in recent weeks suggested stepping up security measures to put further scrutiny on Muslim Americans, such as surveilling mosques, liberals and conservatives alike called his ideas fascist.

But in case those critiques didn't get the point across, some politicians and pundits are now making a more direct connection between Trump's views and Nazism.

Donald Trump: "I want surveillance of certain mosques"

For instance, New Day for America, the super PAC supporting the candidacy of Ohio's GOP Gov. John Kasich, released a web video this week featuring retired Air Force Col. Tom Moe, a former Vietnam POW. Moe is shown speaking at an event in Ohio, where he warns about the potential danger Trump's candidacy poses by paraphrasing the famous anti-Nazi remarks delivered by pastor Martin Niemöller.

"You might not care if Donald Trump says Muslims should register with their government, because you're not one," Moe is shown saying over ominous music. "And you might not care if Donald Trump says he's going to round up all the Hispanic immigrants, because you're not one. And you might not care if Donald Trump says it's okay to rough up black protesters, because you're not one. And you might not care if Donald Trump wants to suppress journalists, because you're not one. But think about this: If he keeps going, and he actually becomes president, he might just get around to you. And you better hope there's someone left to help you."

The brutal video was released a day after New Day For America released an anti-Trump ad in New Hampshire. The super PAC is planning to spend $2.5 million to attack Trump.

Meanwhile, New York Times op-ed writer Timothy Egan on Friday published a column slamming Trump's proposed "police state" that would target Muslims, as well as other groups like Hispanics. Trump's proposal to deport the nation's 11 million undocumented immigrants "would prompt a million Hispanic Anne Franks -- people hiding in the attics and basements of Donald Trump's America," Egan wrote. He also bashed Trump supporters, charging that Trump's rallies are "scary spectacles of rabid brown shirts in Dockers."

Political commentator Roger Simon wrote in a column this week, "Do not say you were not warned. Der Donald has warned you. Security is going to rule in America. And unthinkable things will be done." Simon also referenced Martin Niemöller's warning.

Last week, Jeb Bush adviser John Noonan said on Twitter that tracking Muslims -- an idea that Trump didn't propose himself, but hasn't ruled out -- equates to fascism.

John Noonan @noonanjo – “Forced federal registration of US citizens, based on religious identity, is fasicm. Period. Nothing else to call it.” https://twitter.com/moody/status/667737259811209216 … 11:57 AM - 20 Nov 2015

Conservative radio host Steve Deace and conservative Max Boot, and adviser for Marco Rubio, had similar criticisms:

Steve Deace @SteveDeaceShow, “If Obama proposed the same religion registry as Trump every conservative in the country would call it what it is -- creeping fascism.”
12:51 PM - 20 Nov 2015

Max Boot @MaxBoot, “Trump is a fascist. And that's not a term I use loosely or often. But he's earned it.” https://twitter.com/blakehounshell/status/668439594518585345 …
10:15 AM - 22 Nov 2015




Disabled -- “After later receiving flak for the mocking impression, Trump claimed that he had "no idea" who Kovaleski was and had no clue about "what he looks like or his level of intelligence." …. In an earlier statement, the business mogul demanded an apology from the New York Times after a spokesperson for the newspaper called his mocking impersonation "outrageous." But Kovaleski, in an interview with the Times, said he and Trump "were on a first-name basis for years," when the reporter worked for the New York Daily News from 1987 to 1993. "I've interviewed him in his office," Kovaleski said. "I've talked to him at press conferences. All in all, I would say around a dozen times, I've interacted with him." Speaking with the Daily News, Kovaleski also recalled an incident from 1989, when he covered the launch of Trump's airline and spent an entire day with the billionaire businessman. Later, after Kovaleski published a report that included details of the airline's first flight delay, Trump called the journalist and "started screaming over the speakerphone about what a piece of s--- the story was."


Trump has known Kovaleski “on a first name basis” since the 1980s when he covered Trump in New York, so Trump was fully aware of and was making a grotesque imitation of the man’s difficulty with his joints. Trump just can’t resist the urge to be as unkind as possible. This won’t win the good people over to his side.


Fascism -- “Moe is shown speaking at an event in Ohio, where he warns about the potential danger Trump's candidacy poses by paraphrasing the famous anti-Nazi remarks delivered by pastor Martin Niemöller. "You might not care if Donald Trump says Muslims should register with their government, because you're not one," Moe is shown saying over ominous music. "And you might not care if Donald Trump says he's going to round up all the Hispanic immigrants, because you're not one. And you might not care if Donald Trump says it's okay to rough up black protesters, because you're not one. And you might not care if Donald Trump wants to suppress journalists, because you're not one. But think about this: If he keeps going, and he actually becomes president, he might just get around to you. And you better hope there's someone left to help you." …. Meanwhile, New York Times op-ed writer Timothy Egan on Friday published a column slamming Trump's proposed "police state" that would target Muslims, as well as other groups like Hispanics. Trump's proposal to deport the nation's 11 million undocumented immigrants "would prompt a million Hispanic Anne Franks -- people hiding in the attics and basements of Donald Trump's America," Egan wrote. He also bashed Trump supporters, charging that Trump's rallies are "scary spectacles of rabid brown shirts in Dockers." Political commentator Roger Simon wrote in a column this week, "Do not say you were not warned. Der Donald has warned you. Security is going to rule in America. And unthinkable things will be done." Simon also referenced Martin Niemöller's warning.”


Fascism -- The responses from John Kasich and Jeb Bush’s advisor John Noon to the conservative pundits Steve Deace and Max Boot make it clear that there is a strong anti-Trump strain among Republicans, so I am reassured that Trump won’t find it easy to become the GOP presidential candidate in 2016.

And so goes the political saga for today. I can’t believe there are no Republicans who believe in civilized human discourse, so I don’t believe that when the Republican primaries come that Trump will be voted in.





http://www.cbsnews.com/news/laquan-mcdonald-shooting-chicago-protesters-black-friday-jason-van-dyke-arrest/

Protesters take action to keep focus on black teen's death
CBS NEWS
November 27, 2015

Play VIDEO -- Legal expert on Chicago police shooting death, dashcam video
Photograph -- Demonstrators march down Michigan Avenue during a protest intending to disrupt Black Friday shopping in reaction to the fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald in Chicago, Illinois, Nov. 27, 2015. REUTERS/ANDREW NELLES
Play VIDEO -- Two more views released of Chicago fatal police shooting
Photograph -- 2015-11-27t203906z1831986773gf20000076739rtrmadp3usa-race-chicago-protests.jpg, Demonstrators link arms to block access to stores during a protest intending to disrupt Black Friday shopping in reaction to the fatal shooting of black teenager Laquan McDonald in Chicago, Illinois, November 27, 2015. REUTERS
Play VIDEO -- Chicago cop charged with murder had checkered past
Play VIDEO -- Chicago officer's lawyer on murder charges
Play VIDEO -- Watch: Police release dashcam video of Chicago cop shooting teen


CHICAGO -- Activists shut down part of Chicago's Magnificent Mile on Black Friday and planned to march in protest of the fatal police shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald, CBS Chicago reports.

Hundreds of protesters gathered at Pioneer Court at Michigan Avenue and the Chicago River late Friday morning.

Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke has been charged with first-degree murder in McDonald's death on Oct. 20, 2014. Hours after Van Dyke was charged, city officials released dashboard camera video of Van Dyke shooting McDonald 16 times in the span of about 15 seconds on the Southwest Side.

"I wish that they could turn back the hands of time and this would have never happened, but it happened for a reason: to show that every job that a person have wherever, we've got a bad seed somewhere," community activist Andrew Holmes said ahead of Friday's march. "I said, in talking to my head not my heart, he does not represent our Chicago police officers because there are some fine officers and detectives that work these cases out there."

Many activists have called what happened to McDonald a "modern-day lynching."

The march along the Magnificent Mile comes after two nights of protests downtown after the video of McDonald's death was made public.

The video shows McDonald jogging down a street and then veering away from Van Dyke and another officer who emerge from a police SUV drawing their guns. Within seconds, Van Dyke begins firing. McDonald, who authorities allege was carrying a three-inch knife and was suspected of breaking into cars, spins around and falls to the pavement as Van Dyke keeps shooting.

Among the marchers Friday was 73-year-old Frank Chapman of Chicago, who said the disturbing video confirms what activists have said for years about Chicago police brutality.

"That needs to end. Too many have already died," said Chapman, whose organization, the Chicago Alliance Against Racism and Political Oppression, is pushing for an elected, civilian police accountability council.

Many Chicago police officers were lining Michigan Avenue as the march got underway. Police have said they will protect protesters' rights to free speech but won't tolerate criminal activity.

Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy said officers have done a "remarkable" job monitoring protests and making sure they remain peaceful.

"That's why we're not having problems that other cities are having or have had in the past," McCarthy said before Friday's march. "We're going to facilitate the protests. We're trying to help them do what they want to do, quite frankly, and we're going to do it in a professional manner; but we will not allow criminal behavior, quite frankly. We're not going to stand by and watch something happen. We're not going to let windows get broken and stand by idly watching it happen. We're not going to let places get looted. It's just not going to happen."

Shortly after 11 a.m., activists began marching north along the middle of Michigan Avenue from Pioneer Court to Water Tower Place, through the heart of arguably the most popular retail district in the city.

When the demonstrators reached Water Tower Place, many tried to push their way inside the shopping center but found the doors on Michigan Avenue locked.

Activists said the intent of the protest was to slow down business on the Magnificent Mile.

"We have to stop business as usual until we stop police terror," protest organizer Grant Newburger said.

Despite the crowds of protesters and cold and rainy weather, plenty of shoppers were still heading into stores on Michigan Avenue and seemed to be taking things in stride, at least before the protest really caused any disruptions on Michigan Avenue.

"I think it's those people's right to protest, and I support their freedom to do that, so I'm just out here getting some shopping done, but good luck to anyone trying to brave the weather. It's pretty miserable out here," Andrew Boudwin said.

However, fellow shopper Keefe Powell said the protesters were in the wrong place.

"They need to be with the mayor, City Hall, police department. Department stores have nothing, nothing, nothing to do with this," he said.

Protesters have said they specifically targeted the Magnificent Mile because they don't want it to be business as usual on Black Friday; they want to keep attention on McDonald's death and the need for reforms within the Chicago Police Department.

Many have called for Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez and McCarthy to resign over their handling of the case.

Bishop Larry Trotter, senior pastor of Sweet Holy Spirit Church, has endorsed Alvarez's challenger, Kim Foxx, who said Alvarez took too long to charge Van Dyke with murder.

"See this beautiful black lady? We're going to put her in Anita's position," Trotter said Thursday.

Foxx said Alvarez should have acted sooner to charge Van Dyke and should have released the controversial dashboard camera video of the shooting much earlier.

"It is the responsibility of the state's attorney to hold accountable people who do wrong, whether you are gang banger, a police officer, or a politician. That is your job," Foxx said. "Right now, our whole city and our whole criminal justice system is under indictment because the people who were charged with making sure he was held accountable did it in darkness."

Trotter also insisted McCarthy must lose his job for not moving to fire Van Dyke.

Activists have said more than 20 misconduct complaints were filed against Van Dyke during his career without him facing any disciplinary action.

"The superintendent needs to be fired too," Trotter said.

McCarthy said he has no plans to resign, and the mayor has given him his full support.

"I've never quit on anything in my life. I'm 56 years old. Don't expect that to change," McCarthy said. "The mayor has made it very clear that he has my back, and if people peel away the onion on what's happening right now in the policing world, you're going to find a police department that's doing an exceptional job, and quite frankly I'm not going to quit on the people of Chicago, and I'll never quit on these men and women."



“However, fellow shopper Keefe Powell said the protesters were in the wrong place. "They need to be with the mayor, City Hall, police department. Department stores have nothing, nothing, nothing to do with this," he said. Protesters have said they specifically targeted the Magnificent Mile because they don't want it to be business as usual on Black Friday; they want to keep attention on McDonald's death and the need for reforms within the Chicago Police Department. Many have called for Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez and McCarthy to resign over their handling of the case. Bishop Larry Trotter, senior pastor of Sweet Holy Spirit Church, has endorsed Alvarez's challenger, Kim Foxx, who said Alvarez took too long to charge Van Dyke with murder. "See this beautiful black lady? We're going to put her in Anita's position," Trotter said Thursday.” …. Among the marchers Friday was 73-year-old Frank Chapman of Chicago, who said the disturbing video confirms what activists have said for years about Chicago police brutality. "That needs to end. Too many have already died," said Chapman, whose organization, the Chicago Alliance Against Racism and Political Oppression, is pushing for an elected, civilian police accountability council. …. Foxx said Alvarez should have acted sooner to charge Van Dyke and should have released the controversial dashboard camera video of the shooting much earlier. "It is the responsibility of the state's attorney to hold accountable people who do wrong, whether you are gang banger, a police officer, or a politician. That is your job," Foxx said. "Right now, our whole city and our whole criminal justice system is under indictment because the people who were charged with making sure he was held accountable did it in darkness." …. Trotter also insisted McCarthy must lose his job for not moving to fire Van Dyke. Activists have said more than 20 misconduct complaints were filed against Van Dyke during his career without him facing any disciplinary action.”


Boycotts have a long and often effective history for thousands of years. A classical Greek comical play by Aristophanes shows the women of Athens boycotting sex to force an end to the Peloponnesian War. The 1957 Montgomery Bus Boycott ended bus desegregation there and made heroes of Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King. You might ask, what the connection is in this Chicago case, but the link is the purse strings which control the operations of City Hall in the long run. That will make its’ way down to the Police Department as Mayor Rahm Emanuel is forced to change police discipline, rules of operation and training, OR AT LEAST TO APPEAR TO. An “elected police accountability council would be a good first step toward reconciling police work and citizens’ issues. In many of these cities where the public is opposed to their police departments’ techniques, there are no official bodies for discussing the conflicts. As a result the issues just go on and on with no change. Chicago is no exception. Most fairly sizable police forces have these problems, especially since most US cities have largely segregated housing.





http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/11/28/457697276/relatives-of-drowned-syrian-boy-will-move-to-canada

Relatives Of Drowned Syrian Boy Will Move To Canada
Bill Chappell
November 28, 2015

Photograph -- Tima Kurdi, seen here next to a painting of her late nephew, Alan Kurdi, says she has received official approval to welcome her brother and his family into her home in Canada. Virginia Mayo/AP


Nearly three months after the tragic death of Alan Kurdi in waters off Turkey's coast came to symbolize a refugee crisis, seven of his relatives are heading to Canada to live with Kurdi's aunt, in a reversal of an earlier decision by immigration officials.

"I was crying," Tima Kurdi told The Toronto Star Friday, speaking from her home in Coquitlam, east of Vancouver. "To be honest, I was like, 'Why now? Why not then?"

The "then" she's referring to is this past summer, when the government refused Tima Kurdi's application to sponsor her brother Mohammed and his family. That application had been intended to help pave the way for Tima's other brother, Abdullah, to bring his wife and two sons, Alan and Ghaleb, from Syria.

But when the first application was rejected, Abdullah and his family embarked on a desperate trip across the Mediterranean from Turkey to a Greek island. It ended in disaster: of the four, only Abdullah survived after their overcrowded boat capsized, and little Alan's lifeless body was later found on a beach by police, in an event that was documented in a series of haunting images.

Tima Kurdi, who has been living in Canada for more than 20 years, tells The Globe and Mail that this month, she received an email from Canadian immigration officials telling her Mohammed, his wife and their five children have been cleared. She's hoping they'll join her, her husband, and their son by Christmas.

But in interviews with several Canadian news outlets, Tima also says she can't stop thinking about her two nephews who died trying to leave Syria, and about her brother, Abdullah, who now works to help refugees. He lives in northern Iraq and has abandoned all thoughts of reaching Canada.

Speaking to the CBC, Abdullah says, "I was angry at their government but now ... my hard feelings are gone."

Calling his son's death "a message from God sent to the world," Abdullah adds, "Losing my family opened the door to many other families, and I'm not angry at the Canadian people."




"I was crying," Tima Kurdi told The Toronto Star Friday, speaking from her home in Coquitlam, east of Vancouver. "To be honest, I was like, 'Why now? Why not then?" The "then" she's referring to is this past summer, when the government refused Tima Kurdi's application to sponsor her brother Mohammed and his family. That application had been intended to help pave the way for Tima's other brother, Abdullah, to bring his wife and two sons, Alan and Ghaleb, from Syria. …. Speaking to the CBC, Abdullah says, "I was angry at their government but now ... my hard feelings are gone." Calling his son's death "a message from God sent to the world," Abdullah adds, "Losing my family opened the door to many other families, and I'm not angry at the Canadian people."


We need to step up the accuracy with which we identify who is a radical killer and who isn’t. The problem with all racially and religiously biased thinking is that it lacks information. Too many people just don’t care about that, though, so the Right wing reactions against such groups go on. If these people’s names are Kurdi, then they surely are Kurds, who are ON OUR SIDE, for goodness’ sake! Most of them are Islamic, but they aren’t “Islamists,” or Fundamentalist radicals.




http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2015/11/24/457203807/in-the-west-bank-a-synagogue-comes-down

In The West Bank, A Synagogue Comes Down
Emily Harris, International Correspondent, Jerusalem
Updated November 24, 2015

Photograph -- The Ayalet HaShahar synagogue in the West Bank settlement of Giv'at Ze'ev was built in the late 1990s. After years of legal battles, Israel's highest court ruled the synagogue, built on privately owned Palestinian land, had to be taken down. A new, temporary synagogue went up overnight, just a block away. Emily Harris/NPR
Photograph -- Palestinian Rabah Abdellatif fought in court against the synagogue on his land for years. He died a year ago, but his sons pressed on with the battle. They welcomed the court's decisions but say the government payout to settlers will encourage them to build again on Palestinian land. Emily Harris/NPR
Photograph -- A Palestinian farmer from the nearby village of Jib got an Israeli permit to cross a military checkpoint and prepare his land next to the settlement of Giv'at Ze'ev for sowing wheat. The disputed synagogue is being dismantled in the background as he works. Emily Harris/NPR
Photograph - A new synagogue went up almost overnight as the older one was being taken down. They are only a block apart, but the new one is on land that is not part of this lawsuit.i
A new synagogue went up almost overnight as the older one was being taken down. They are only a block apart, but the new one is on land that is not part of this lawsuit. Emily Harris/NPR
Photograph -- Jewish activists put up posters as part of a campaign to save the synagogue. The synagogue came down, but the government agreed to pay the settlers $1.3 million. Emily Harris/NPR


In a West Bank settlement, Israelis are taking down a synagogue. The country's highest court ordered its removal because it was built without a permit on property owned by Palestinians.

It's a rare move, and the story of how this came to be reveals a heated debate around judicial activism, government money, and settlers' political power.

Two weeks ago, the Ayalet HaShahar synagogue in the Giv'at Ze'ev settlement was packed with young Israeli men.

They milled around, eating lunch in the courtyard entrance, or studying Scripture in the wooden pews of the sanctuary. When a prominent rabbi stopped by, some chanted and danced as an Israeli television crew recorded the visit.

These young men had come from around Israel and settlements in the West Bank in a bid to prevent the removal of the synagogue as ordered by Israel's highest court.

Amichai Malik, a 20-year-old from a nearby settlement, said "bad" court rulings should be fought.

"The fact that the guy has a hat of judge, doesn't mean anything," he said. "In this case, they're just doing an evil thing. And the house that should be destroyed is the court."

This synagogue, a sturdy building with cut-glass chandeliers in the foyer and sanctuary, was constructed in 1998, on what was then the outskirts of Giv'at Ze'ev, a settlement just east of Jerusalem that had started 15 years earlier. By 1999, a Palestinian from the nearby village of Jib had won a court ruling to take it down.

Palestinian Rabah Abdellatif claimed the Jewish house of worship was built on his family's farmland, although it had lain fallow for a while. The Israeli court ordered the synagogue removed based not on his claim but on grounds that the Jewish builders had not obtained proper Israeli construction permits.

This case went in and out of court. Abdellatif died last year, but his sons pressed on to win control of the property. Synagogue backers say they paid for the land, but they couldn't substantiate that to satisfy the court.

Two years ago, the Israeli government agreed to take the synagogue down. Appeals delayed the destruction until a final court order to remove it no later than Nov. 17.

So the young men hanging out there two weeks ago were expecting Israeli security forces to arrive with orders to remove them.

They were ready. Tires were stacked near the entrance and along outer walls — some stuffed with paper to ignite quickly. Barbed wire stretched across the building's flat roof.

Matanel Giladi, 23, from the coastal town of Netanya, said the court order crossed a red line.

"Even if in Europe or the U.S.A. [the government is] coming to destroy a synagogue this is a red line, but in Israel this does not make sense. This is something you need to stand for and say, 'No. Enough is enough,' " he said.

By last week, the synagogue was empty and surrounded by a 6-foot metal fence. Outside, a police officer sat on duty. A few workers on the roof took the building apart, while simultaneously, one block away, other workers put up a new, temporary synagogue.

Twenty-four hours after they started, the temporary synagogue was ready for prayers amid the construction.

How did this all finally get resolved without a major confrontation?

The government was looking for a way out. Israeli officials didn't want clashes between settlers and Israeli forces. They also expressed concern that angry settlers might take revenge on Palestinians.

So after negotiations that included Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli government offered the settlers the equivalent of $1.3 million. Elana Dror, a member of the Giv'at Ze'ev municipal council, was relieved.

"I was sure it was going to end in violence," she said, outside the new synagogue, which she supports but does not attend. "And that's why Bibi Netanyahu stepped in, because he realized if he wouldn't step in, God forbid there would have been bloodshed or something else."

Still, settlers are angry at the court. Wealthy Israeli backers of the synagogue say since the judges ordered a Jewish prayer site removed, they plan to fund lawsuits challenging illegally built mosques.

Law professor Barak Medina of Jerusalem's Hebrew University says Israel's high court has come under increased pressure as the country has shifted right politically.

"We see in recent years this growing criticism of politicians from the right against the court," he says. "Which of course has an adverse affect on public confidence in court. But I must say it is still only rhetoric."

He notes that Israel's parliament has not, despite threats of some politicians, revoked the high court's right to choose to review any law or government policy, or hear any claim, giving it broader rights to intervene than the U.S. Supreme Court has, for example.

But it's not just rhetoric, says Gilad Grossman, a spokesman for Yesh Din, the Israeli legal organization that represents the Abdellatif family.

Grossman says the Israeli government undermined the country's highest court by taking years and paying a large sum to fulfill the court's removal order. In the end, he says, the family got what it asked for. But the way it happened is "very dangerous for democracy," he said.


Members of the Abdellatif family, who have American citizenship, agree. Mohammad Abdellatif says the Israeli high court brought his family some justice. But he worries the government payment to the settlers could encourage others to build on property owned by Palestinians.

"They have no justice for giving them this money. For what?" Abdellatif asks. "To go to other areas and fight Palestinians?"

He and most of his siblings live in Jib, the same West Bank village where their father was born. They hope to raise olives or grapes on their land once the synagogue is completely gone. To tend to crops, they need permits from the Israeli military to cross a soldier-staffed checkpoint — the only opening in the barrier, topped with barbed wire, that separates Giv'at Ze'ev and other nearby settlements from Palestinian villages in the area.




“In a West Bank settlement, Israelis are taking down a synagogue. The country's highest court ordered its removal because it was built without a permit on property owned by Palestinians. It's a rare move, and the story of how this came to be reveals a heated debate around judicial activism, government money, and settlers' political power. …. Palestinian Rabah Abdellatif claimed the Jewish house of worship was built on his family's farmland, although it had lain fallow for a while. The Israeli court ordered the synagogue removed based not on his claim but on grounds that the Jewish builders had not obtained proper Israeli construction permits. This case went in and out of court. Abdellatif died last year, but his sons pressed on to win control of the property. Synagogue backers say they paid for the land, but they couldn't substantiate that to satisfy the court. Two years ago, the Israeli government agreed to take the synagogue down. …. By last week, the synagogue was empty and surrounded by a 6-foot metal fence. Outside, a police officer sat on duty. A few workers on the roof took the building apart, while simultaneously, one block away, other workers put up a new, temporary synagogue. Twenty-four hours after they started, the temporary synagogue was ready for prayers amid the construction. …. "I was sure it was going to end in violence," she said, outside the new synagogue, which she supports but does not attend. "And that's why Bibi Netanyahu stepped in, because he realized if he wouldn't step in, God forbid there would have been bloodshed or something else." Still, settlers are angry at the court. Wealthy Israeli backers of the synagogue say since the judges ordered a Jewish prayer site removed, they plan to fund lawsuits challenging illegally built mosques. …. "We see in recent years this growing criticism of politicians from the right against the court," he says. "Which of course has an adverse affect on public confidence in court. But I must say it is still only rhetoric." He notes that Israel's parliament has not, despite threats of some politicians, revoked the high court's right to choose to review any law or government policy, or hear any claim, giving it broader rights to intervene than the U.S. Supreme Court has, for example. …. Members of the Abdellatif family, who have American citizenship, agree. Mohammad Abdellatif says the Israeli high court brought his family some justice. But he worries the government payment to the settlers could encourage others to build on property owned by Palestinians. "They have no justice for giving them this money. For what?" Abdellatif asks. "To go to other areas and fight Palestinians?" …. To tend to crops, they need permits from the Israeli military to cross a soldier-staffed checkpoint — the only opening in the barrier, topped with barbed wire, that separates Giv'at Ze'ev and other nearby settlements from Palestinian villages in the area.”


I must say I don’t see why the Israeli government should pay Israeli settlers to “agree” to the thing that by law they were already constrained to do. This isn’t a victory for the Abdellatif family, but a case of corruption. The whole business of Jewish settlements on Palestinian land makes no sense, and doesn’t seem to me to be legal at all. I also don’t like the “barrier topped with barbed wire” that separates Jewish settlements and Palestinian villages. That’s no way to keep the peace.



http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/11/27/457424528/how-long-can-floridas-citrus-industry-survive

How Long Can Florida's Citrus Industry Survive?
Greg Allen
Updated November 27, 2015

Photograph -- Oranges ripen in a grove in Plant City, Fla. Citrus greening, a disease spread by a tiny insect that ruins oranges and eventually kills the trees, has put the future of the state's $10 billion citrus industry in doubt.
Chris O'Meara/AP


While others are thinking about the holidays, in Florida November is the beginning of citrus season. Grower Jeff Schorner sells citrus fruit gift boxes by mail order and at his store, Al's Family Farm in Fort Pierce.

"We began our harvest about three weeks ago," he says. "And we'll harvest all the way about until the beginning of June." Right now, it's navel oranges. Next come tangerines, ruby red grapefruit and the popular honeybell tangelos.

In Florida, citrus is so important, oranges are on the state's license plate. But a disease, citrus greening, has taken a severe toll on Florida's signature crop. Researchers and growers are working on a solution but they received a shock recently: The U.S. Department of Agriculture said, after years of decline, there would be an additional 20 percent drop in Florida's orange production this season.

Outside his market, Schorner has a small citrus grove. He says for growers, fighting citrus greening disease is challenging and expensive. "We're doing the same level of care," he says. "But we're doing it three times as often." And that's tripled per acre expenses.

Citrus growers in Florida, California and Texas have contended with a variety of diseases and pests over the years. But none has posed the threat they now face with citrus greening. A tiny insect, the Asian psyllid, carries bacteria that ruin the fruit and eventually kills the tree.

It's been nine years now since the disease was confirmed in Florida. It infects every part of the state and has led to a steady decline in orange, tangerine and grapefruit production. The USDA stunned Florida growers when it announced it was lowering its estimate of this year's orange crop to 74 million boxes. That would be Florida's smallest orange harvest in more than 50 years.

Now some in Florida are questioning how much longer the citrus industry can survive. Florida's agriculture secretary, Adam Putnam, says the future of the state's $10 billion citrus industry hangs in the balance. "If the estimate plays out, it will be half of what we harvested just four years ago," he says. "We are at a tipping point, and some would say we've blown past the tipping point."

That's the point at which there's no longer enough fruit to sustain all the juice plants and packing houses. If enough shut down, it could spell the end of an industry that provides some 76,000 jobs in Florida.

Putnam spoke at a state senate workshop in Sebring, in the heart of Florida's citrus-growing region. Grower John Barben was also there. He tends citrus groves in Highlands County that were planted by his father 60 years ago. He's begun to dread the annual USDA crop estimate. He says, "It's just like having your heart stomped on every year at this time. We sort of joke every year, 'Well, we'll know next June if we did the things right or not.' "

When citrus greening first emerged, researchers and growers pinned their hopes on finding a cure. They began looking for an effective treatment or a new variety of disease-resistant trees. But a cure has proved elusive. So now, the industry has focused on strategies to keep infected trees healthy and productive as long as possible. Growers are using costly treatments like extra fertilizer and pesticide. Some also have also begun using heat to control the disease, subjecting trees to periodic steam baths.

At his 35-acre research facility in Vero Beach, Bob Adair has had promising results with something he calls metalized reflective mulch. "It's a monomolecular layer of aluminum," he says, "a very, very thin coating of aluminum, very shiny. Looks much like aluminum foil."

Underneath a row of grapefruit trees, the ground is covered by a silvery plastic sheet. It acts like a mirror, reflecting the light and heat of the intense Florida sunshine. "As we stand here," Adair says, "you can probably feel the heat. And what we're looking at are trees that are growing 50 percent faster than trees that were planted with the grower's standard, which is bare ground."

Even more important, on trees with the metalized mulch, Adair is seeing fewer Asian psyllids, the insects that carry citrus greening disease. "So we have a healthy tree, a bigger tree with more fruit," he says. He believes it could be a valuable tool for growers, helping keep their groves productive while the search continues for a cure.

Adair's project is one of dozens in Florida competing for scarce research dollars. Since citrus greening appeared there, more than $176 million in state, federal and grower funds have been spent on the search for solutions. And some are impatient for results.

At the recent workshop, a state senator asked growers when the legislature might expect to see a return on its investment. Grower Marty McKenna said for the industry, spending on research has bought hope, and that's what keeps him and other growers going. "That money has allowed this industry one more year, this year," McKenna said. "Without the huge investment in research, we can't continue to go forward. We have that hope that the research will pull us through."

Last week, the University of Florida announced that it has developed a genetically modified orange tree that appears to be resistant to citrus greening. But even if that turns out to be the silver bullet growers have been waiting for, with field testing and government approval, it will still be years before it becomes commercially available — not to mention the consumer opposition GMO oranges would likely face. Clearing those hurdles may come too late for many in Florida's citrus industry.




“The U.S. Department of Agriculture said, after years of decline, there would be an additional 20 percent drop in Florida's orange production this season. Outside his market, Schorner has a small citrus grove. He says for growers, fighting citrus greening disease is challenging and expensive. "We're doing the same level of care," he says. "But we're doing it three times as often." And that's tripled per acre expenses. Citrus growers in Florida, California and Texas have contended with a variety of diseases and pests over the years. But none has posed the threat they now face with citrus greening. A tiny insect, the Asian psyllid, carries bacteria that ruin the fruit and eventually kills the tree. …. Florida's agriculture secretary, Adam Putnam, says the future of the state's $10 billion citrus industry hangs in the balance. "If the estimate plays out, it will be half of what we harvested just four years ago," he says. "We are at a tipping point, and some would say we've blown past the tipping point." That's the point at which there's no longer enough fruit to sustain all the juice plants and packing houses. If enough shut down, it could spell the end of an industry that provides some 76,000 jobs in Florida. …. When citrus greening first emerged, researchers and growers pinned their hopes on finding a cure. They began looking for an effective treatment or a new variety of disease-resistant trees. But a cure has proved elusive. So now, the industry has focused on strategies to keep infected trees healthy and productive as long as possible. Growers are using costly treatments like extra fertilizer and pesticide. Some also have also begun using heat to control the disease, subjecting trees to periodic steam baths. …. Underneath a row of grapefruit trees, the ground is covered by a silvery plastic sheet. It acts like a mirror, reflecting the light and heat of the intense Florida sunshine. "As we stand here," Adair says, "you can probably feel the heat. And what we're looking at are trees that are growing 50 percent faster than trees that were planted with the grower's standard, which is bare ground." Even more important, on trees with the metalized mulch, Adair is seeing fewer Asian psyllids, the insects that carry citrus greening disease. "So we have a healthy tree, a bigger tree with more fruit," he says. He believes it could be a valuable tool for growers, helping keep their groves productive while the search continues for a cure. …. But even if that turns out to be the silver bullet growers have been waiting for, with field testing and government approval, it will still be years before it becomes commercially available — not to mention the consumer opposition GMO oranges would likely face. Clearing those hurdles may come too late for many in Florida's citrus industry.”


It seems to me that the aluminum based mulch is the way to go. The article didn’t say what the drawbacks from that are – cost, probably, as a minutely thin layer of aluminum may be difficult to manufacture in large quantities. The “steam bath” seems the most difficult to do, however, though in cold winter weather Florida farmers have used “smudge pots” as long as I can remember. An Internet article on Asian psyllid spraying is about California growers who have the problem also. Psyllid killing predators have also been tried, including in Florida, but apparently the psyllid is winning. See the Wikipedia article below.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diaphorina_citri

Diaphorina citri

The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, is a sap-sucking, hemipteran bug in the family Psyllidae. It is an important pest of citrus, as it is one of only two confirmed vectors of the serious citrus greening disease.[1] It is widely distributed in southern Asia and has spread to other citrus growing regions.

Distribution[edit]

The Asian citrus psyllid originated in Asia but it is now also found in parts of the Middle East, South and Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean. In the United States, this psyllid was first detected in Florida in 1998 and is now also found in Louisiana, Georgia, Arizona and South Carolina.[2] In Southern California, the San Joaquin Valley and Central Coast counties, such as San Luis Obispo an eradication programme has been instituted in an attempt to prevent it becoming established.[3][4] In the whole of the United States and its territories, areas where this psyllid are found are under quarantine restrictions.[5]

Life cycle[edit]

Eggs are laid on the tips of growing shoots, between and near the unfolding leaves. A female may lay up to 800 eggs during her lifetime which may be several months. The whole development cycle takes from two to seven weeks depending on the temperature and the time of year.[6]

Predation[edit]

The wasp species Brachygastra mellifica is a common predator to D. citri.[7]

Control[edit]

The Asian citrus psyllid has a number of natural enemies including hoverflies, lacewings, several species of ladybird and a number of species of parasitic wasp.[8] One of these wasps, Tamarixia radiata, has proved very effective at controlling the pest and has been successfully released and become established in a number of citrus growing areas including Florida.[9] Both adults and nymphs of the psyllid can be controlled by the use of a wide range of insecticides.[10] Citrus greening disease is best controlled through an integrated strategy involving the use of healthy planting material, the prompt removal of infected trees and branches and the control of vectors.[11





http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2015/11/27/457589359/in-brazil-deforestation-is-up-and-so-is-the-risk-of-tree-extinction

In Brazil, Deforestation Is Up, And So Is The Risk Of Tree Extinction
Hannah Bloch
Updated November 27, 2015

Photograph -- In Brazil's western state of Rondonia, a patch of the forest burns near a small farm. Kainaz Amaria/NPR
Photograph -- Deforestation in Rondonia has increased by 41 percent.
Kainaz Amaria/NPR


The rate of deforestation in Brazil has increased by 16 percent over the past year, the country's Environment Ministry announced.

Brazil has often declared progress in reducing the rate of deforestation in the Amazon, but the government's own figures, released Thursday, show the challenges still facing the country.

Satellite imagery showed that 2,251 square miles were destroyed in Brazil's Amazon from August 2014 to July 2015, compared with 1,935 square miles destroyed in the same period a year earlier.

Earlier this month, before these figures were released, NPR's Lourdes Garcia-Navarro reported from the Amazon:

In Rondonia, a small Amazonian state in western Brazil, the environmental police just had their only helicopter taken away in budget cuts. The people on the ground tell us that deforestation is "out of control."
Thursday's figures showed that Rondonia experienced a 41 percent increase in deforestation. Again, NPR's Lourdes Garcia-Navarro reporting earlier this month:

According to the government figures, the rate of deforestation is down dramatically over the past decade. And there's a general consensus this is true. But critics say the numbers don't tell the whole story because so much of the Amazon has already been damaged or destroyed. And the country is still losing about 2,000 square miles of jungle each year.

Meanwhile, in a separate study published last week, an international team of more than 150 scientists reported that due to deforestation, "at least 36 percent and up to 57 percent of all Amazonian tree species are likely to qualify as globally threatened under International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List criteria."

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species categorizes the world's species according to risk of extinction.

Last week's study, published Nov. 20 in the journal Science Advances, examined 15,000 different Amazonian tree species. "If confirmed," the authors write, "these results would increase the number of threatened plant species on Earth by 22 percent."

In addition to contributing to degradation and loss of habitat, deforestation also emits greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. Global leaders, including those from the Amazon region, will gather in Paris starting Nov. 30 for the United Nations conference on climate change.




“In Rondonia, a small Amazonian state in western Brazil, the environmental police just had their only helicopter taken away in budget cuts. The people on the ground tell us that deforestation is "out of control." Thursday's figures showed that Rondonia experienced a 41 percent increase in deforestation. Again, NPR's Lourdes Garcia-Navarro reporting earlier this month: According to the government figures, the rate of deforestation is down dramatically over the past decade. And there's a general consensus this is true. But critics say the numbers don't tell the whole story because so much of the Amazon has already been damaged or destroyed. And the country is still losing about 2,000 square miles of jungle each year. Meanwhile, in a separate study published last week, an international team of more than 150 scientists reported that due to deforestation, "at least 36 percent and up to 57 percent of all Amazonian tree species are likely to qualify as globally threatened under International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List criteria."

“In addition to contributing to degradation and loss of habitat, deforestation also emits greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. Global leaders, including those from the Amazon region, will gather in Paris starting Nov. 30 for the United Nations conference on climate change.” I assume the US won’t support any efforts to prevent this situation, because the Billionaire Class doesn’t want to stifle their personal and collective economic growth. I’m sure Republicans here will say it “causes job loss,” and anyway, everybody knows that global warming doesn’t exist.





http://www.npr.org/2015/11/27/457382196/americans-dont-disagree-on-politics-as-much-as-you-might-think

Americans Don't Disagree On Politics As Much As You Might Think
Danielle Kurtzleben
Updated November 27, 2015

Photograph -- Only around 1 in 5 Americans trusts the government, which has helped political outsiders like Donald Trump. Ty Wright/Getty Images


It has become de rigueur to write about the woes of Thanksgiving-table political arguments. If you are unlucky enough to actually experience these, you may have noticed that the fights at the Thanksgiving table have grown more heated in recent years. That would make sense — after all, we keep hearing that Capitol Hill is growing more polarized (and, relatedly, paralyzed).

Given all that, it may surprise you to hear that Americans aren't actually all that ideologically polarized. In fact, they're really pretty moderate, at least according to Vanderbilt University's Marc Hetherington and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's Thomas Rudolph, the authors of the recent book Why Washington Won't Work.

Hetherington talked with NPR about why Americans distrust Washington so much and why partisanship seems more intense than ever. Here's a transcript of the conversation (edited for length and clarity):

You say that Americans really aren't getting all that ideologically polarized. That doesn't feel true. So how on Earth is that right?

Hetherington: People are not so polarized on issues specifically or in terms of their ideological predispositions.

And the reason is that most people don't pay that close of attention to politics. And in order to have extreme viewpoints on the issues or in terms of their ideologies, that requires a lot of political expertise to take extreme positions on issues.

But that doesn't mean that we're not polarized. It just means that we're not polarized in terms of our issue positions or ideologies. We point out that ordinary Americans are, in fact, polarized, but it's in their feelings, not in their issue positions. We've come to dislike our opponents in a way that we've never disliked them at this level before.

How did that happen?

It's a combination of lots of things over time. A big part of this, at least to Tom and me, is that there's really nothing that [our representatives] in Washington agree on across party lines any longer. In other words, all the moderates kind of disappeared from the people who represent us.

It's a story that's tied up in the evolution of the parties on racial issues. As race came to dominate politics, no longer could Southern Democrats survive, so they were replaced with ever-more conservative Republicans and, in the Northeast, Northeastern Republicans couldn't survive; they were replaced by really liberal Democrats.

So, the center of both parties ended up disappearing, in fact, becoming pretty conservative among the Republicans [and] Southerners, and liberal among the Democrats — the Northeasterners and far Westerners, for that matter.

So, a big part of why we don't like each other is the people who provide us with our cues — that is, our leaders — they basically spend all their time telling us that the other side is always wrong, on every single vector. And that's one of the things that causes people to dislike the other side.

Another important piece is the types of issues that divide us these days — when we are divided about things people have deep, strong feelings about, like race and ethnicity, as it is tied up in immigration these days, or gay rights.

These are issues that people have really strong feelings and opinions about. It's not like wage and price controls or something along those lines. These are deep-seated values — things like keeping us safe from terrorism. People care.

And I think the last piece that's really important but maybe underappreciated is that the margins between Republicans and Democrats are so close these days.

I've been thinking about this a little bit. I'm a big baseball fan. When two sides are really pretty evenly matched, and you like one of them, and you don't like the other one, you really don't like the other one more when you're evenly matched than if the other team is a lot better or a lot worse than your team.

So, I'm a Red Sox fan. I hate the Yankees, but when I really hate the Yankees is when the two teams are competing closely. And that's one of the things happening in politics these days. It's just raising the temperature.

We found out this week that trust in government is at near-historic lows. How does that play into this discussion?

It's a very straightforward kind of notion: If you really just don't like the other side, the other side when they're running the government is very basically seen as untrustworthy.

And what we show is that this trust, it provides for a bridge between the two different political parties. But if there's no one in the party opposite the president who trusts the other side, that bridge is never going to get formed.

If there are very few out-party partisans who support the president's programs, there's no reason for Republican legislators to compromise with President Obama. Or during the last years of the Bush administration, there was no incentive for Democrats to compromise with President Bush. There was no one in their constituencies saying, "I trust this guy! I believe these ideas are good ones."

Then why do both sides dislike each other so much now? Is it the same reasons that pushed trust downward?

I would put it in this order. So the changes that I talked about with close party margins and issues being these sort of gut-level issues, the emergence of all of these, and the re-sorting of the electoral map because of race, all those things contribute to dislike, and dislike contributes to distrust.

And polarization itself contributes to this distrust in government as well. When the government is polarized like it is — and there's no doubt that the political left is way different from the political right in Washington these days — what we see in the measures of government productivity is that it's abysmally low.

People don't like that. So this polarization, the gridlock that results from the polarization, that causes people to distrust the government too, and with good reason: people expect the government to perform well.

So it's circular?

It's absolutely circular in that regard. More polarization begets poor performance, which begets worse trust, which gives you worse performance, which, of course, gives you more frustration.

What I think is fascinating is what you write about that chart of Americans' trust levels — that maybe our baseline we're aiming for shouldn't be the super-high trust levels of the 1950s and '60s.

I think that that's one of the really interesting things we ought to take away from this. Most of the good survey research that's being done has its roots in the 1950s and the 1960s.

And I think one of the things that's important to keep in mind is that may well have been a super-anomalous period in American history. But it's become the baseline we measure everything from. Levels of trust in government in that period were extraordinarily high, and one of the things we do in the book is explore why they might have been so high then.

When you think about what was going on in the late 1950s, early 1960s, when these first trust measures were taken, it was a really scary time. You had the end of the Korean War, the beginning of the Cold War; you had the Cuban Missile Crisis. All of these things were making people think about how government was keeping them safe and successfully so.

And these kinds of partisan issues were taking a back seat. Everybody was together on these things.

But what's changed in the last 40 or 50 years is that foreign policy has played a less-central role, except after, of course, 9/11, when trust in government shot way up. A big part of what's going on here is that when politics are more what you might think of as normal-state — when there's not the worry about losing your life, for instance — we trust the government less.

You write that Republicans distrust government more when Democrats are in charge. I can't help thinking about GOP candidates like Donald Trump, Carly Fiorina and Ben Carson. Is Obama one reason these political outsiders have become such huge phenomena?

I think that's a really good observation. If trust and dislike of the Democrats wasn't so high, it would be a much-less fertile environment for the Trumps and Carsons, and I'd add Ted Cruz to that mix of things, too — people who really want to, either in the case of Cruz, someone who has governed as though he wants to blow up the system, or in the case of Trump or Carson, that they are kind of exemplars of blowing up the system. They might not have promised to do that, but they're so outside the box that they're very different.

So after eight years of George W. Bush being president, did the same sort of government mistrust — this time from Democrats — fuel a young, relatively inexperienced senator to being elected president?

It could be. We never really thought about that, but Obama, of course, was a tremendous outsider candidate. And if you may have noted, trust in government among Democrats was super low in 2007 and 2008 because of the financial crisis and all of that, and so they were looking for in a sense "the real deal." Everybody would have predicted Hillary Clinton would have won in 2008.

I hadn't thought about it. I love that idea, actually — that the low-trust environment was likely something that fueled the outsider Obama, just like it's fueling different outsiders among Republicans this year. I will say this, too: It provided him the fuel. The one thing that he also had mixed with that fuel was tremendous political skills.

OK, so let's switch gears: Give us some optimism. Your last chapter is called, "Things Will Probably Get Better, But We Are Not Sure How." Reassure our readers that things will get better.

I don't know if I can!

The only optimism that we're able to generate in that last chapter is because in the past we've found ourselves in these positions before, and the country has somehow grown out of them. I find this fascinating.

I'm doing similar research on this: the politics of the late 1800s and the politics of today are so similar. And eventually there was a Teddy Roosevelt and the Republicans winning huge victories, starting in 1896, 1900, 1904, and then the Republicans actually became a governing majority and did lots of stuff. And the same happens with Franklin Roosevelt in 1932 and thereafter.

But what we find ourselves with right now is the sort of politics that's very similar to when characters like Rutherford Hayes and Chester Arthur and Grover Cleveland were president. These presidents — they're known for their facial hair, not for their great accomplishments. And we're right back to that moment in time where the gridlock makes it impossible for much of anything to happen.



“In fact, they're really pretty moderate, at least according to Vanderbilt University's Marc Hetherington and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's Thomas Rudolph, the authors of the recent book Why Washington Won't Work. Hetherington talked with NPR about why Americans distrust Washington so much and why partisanship seems more intense than ever. …. And the reason is that most people don't pay that close of attention to politics. And in order to have extreme viewpoints on the issues or in terms of their ideologies, that requires a lot of political expertise to take extreme positions on issues. …. In other words, all the moderates kind of disappeared from the people who represent us. It's a story that's tied up in the evolution of the parties on racial issues. As race came to dominate politics, no longer could Southern Democrats survive, so they were replaced with ever-more conservative Republicans and, in the Northeast, Northeastern Republicans couldn't survive; they were replaced by really liberal Democrats. …. So, a big part of why we don't like each other is the people who provide us with our cues — that is, our leaders — they basically spend all their time telling us that the other side is always wrong, on every single vector. …. And I think the last piece that's really important but maybe underappreciated is that the margins between Republicans and Democrats are so close these days. …. It's a very straightforward kind of notion: If you really just don't like the other side, the other side when they're running the government is very basically seen as untrustworthy. And what we show is that this trust, it provides for a bridge between the two different political parties. …. Most of the good survey research that's being done has its roots in the 1950s and the 1960s. And I think one of the things that's important to keep in mind is that may well have been a super-anomalous period in American history. But it's become the baseline we measure everything from. …. . All of these things were making people think about how government was keeping them safe and successfully so. And these kinds of partisan issues were taking a back seat. Everybody was together on these things. A big part of what's going on here is that when politics are more what you might think of as normal-state — when there's not the worry about losing your life, for instance — we trust the government less. …. Is Obama one reason these political outsiders have become such huge phenomena? I think that's a really good observation. If trust and dislike of the Democrats wasn't so high, it would be a much-less fertile environment for the Trumps and Carsons …. So after eight years of George W. Bush being president, did the same sort of government mistrust — this time from Democrats — fuel a young, relatively inexperienced senator to being elected president?



“Is Obama one reason these political outsiders have become such huge phenomena?” Yes, social distinctions of several kinds are basic to “the American Dream” and our personal sense of security. For whites, the fear of the black man is still firmly in place along with their “white rights” of dominance, so ethnic groups are again the subject of hatred as they were during the 1920s when the very wealthy white Protestants controlled everything, and were in the habit of treading upon all poor people. Poor whites (i.e. “poor white trash”) have no way to gain their “white rights” in that system except by brutalizing darker-skinned people wherever they live. It’s bad enough that Obama was able to win the Presidency, but he is so obviously well-educated, intelligent and gentlemanly that he shames the poor whites and all class-conscious Americans. They have to hate him, as a result; and the Billionaire business class cynically fans that hatred, the better to “conquer” the democratic government and replace it with a Neo-Nazi state. They are even now close enough to accomplishing this that it frightens me.