text:
Leaked Internal Documents Reveal Disney Is Pushing Major Critical Race Theory Initiatives On White Employees
(Patriot Insider) – The left is going to take over America after it successfully divides and conquers Americans. This is something they are easily accomplishing by using racism as their weapon and woke Corporate America as their soldiers.
However, not all Americans are falling into the trap and there's a reason why the saying "Go woke, go broke" is so popular: it's true.
Now it appears it's time to show Disney what happens when major companies go woke. Disney has been pushing a pretty far left agenda for decades but they're really ramping up the rhetoric now with what appears to be reverse racism training.
Leaked internal documents have exposed the Disney corporation for pushing radical left, extremist policies on employees and plans to "take a stand" and get more involved in political controversies.
Just what every American consumer wants.
One example from the leaked documents of the company's extremism that they're pushing on their employees is the prohibiting of white employees from engaging in any kind of debate with their black peers, specifically about their black peers' "lived experiences."
Investigative journalist Christopher Rufo of the City Journal obtained the disturbing documents and published them in an article titled, "The Wokest Place on Earth."
Disney is pushing materials on their white employees that encourages them to help "defund the police" and make donations to the Marxist organization Black Lives Matter.
Rufo reports that the company is offering "a collection of resources" to their white workers which includes "a series of how-to guides, including '75 things White People Can Do for Racial Justice' and 'Your Kids Are Not Too Young to Talk About Race.'"
Among the 75 recommended things that white people can do to supposedly bring about "racial justice" are things like "defund the police," "participate in reparations," "decolonize your bookshelf," "don't gentrify neighborhoods," "find and join a local 'white space,'" and "donate to anti-white supremacy work such as your local Black Lives Matter Chapter."
That's a lot of really woke jargon. What it all really boils down to is self-deprecating white people placing black people on pedestals and giving them special privileges and rights just because of their skin color. It has nothing to do with "equality" or "justice" at all.
The second article cited by Rufo encourages parents to commit to "raising race-consciousness in children" and asserts that "even babies discriminate" against members of other races. Of course, this is completely untrue. Babies are taught to discriminate. It is not an inherent trait.
A graphic included in the super-woke article claims that babies show the first signs of racism at three months old and that by age four white children become "strongly biased in favor of whiteness."
It's truly hard to believe people actually believe this outright garbage.
According to Rufo, "in the past year, Disney executives have elevated the ideology of critical race theory into a new corporate dogma, bombarded employees with trainings on 'systemic racism,' 'white privilege,' 'white fragility,' and 'white saviors,' and launched racially segregated 'affinity groups' at the company's headquarters."
Naturally Disney has a catchy, woke nap for their efforts, it's being called the "Reimagine Tomorrow" plan.
The program is essentially just brainwashing white employees to feel guilt and shame over being born white. It also promotes the idea that only black people are allowed to have truthful, valid "life experiences" and they are not open for debate by white people who may see life differently.
The program also promotes the idea of "equity" rather than "equality" which is the equality of outcome rather than the equality of opportunity. A truly Marxist idea.
Disney also recommends that white employees challenge "colorblind ideologies and rhetoric" such as "All Lives Matter" and the idea that people claim they "don't see color." Of course, the only way to actually eradicate supposed racism is to be "color blind."
Disney and other woke corporations aren't interested in eradicating racism, however. They want to stoke it. They want the divisions to become irreversible. They want everything to be based around the color of our skin rather than the content of our character.
This is the radical left's end game for America and woke Corporate America is more than happy to do their bidding.
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Opera Festival
Henry Grey
Henry Grey, from New Zealand, completed four years of full-time training at the HARID Conservatory in Boca Raton, Florida. In the 2016/2017 season he joined the corps de ballet of the Bayerisches Staatsballett. With the beginning of the 2018/2019 season he is engaged as a soloist.
(Information as of February 2019)
Semi-finalist Youth America Grand Prix
Excellence Award des Houston Ballets
Fred Liebermann Award for Excellence
Debuts with the Bayerisches Staatsballett
Radscha / The caterpillar in Alice´s Adventures in Wonderland (C. Wheeldon)
Pas de six in Taming of the Shrew (J. Cranko)
El Trianero, Matador in Don Quijote (R. Barra, L. Minkus)
Demetrius in A Midsummer Night's Dream (J. Neumeier)
Retinue of Jean de Brienne in Raymonda (R. Barra, M. Petipa)
Companion of the White Lady in Raymonda (R. Barra, M. Petipa)
2nd solo couple in Jewels (Emeralds) (G. Balanchine)
Soloist in Jewels (Diamonds) (G. Balanchine)
"La fille du Pharao" in The Nutcracker (J. Neumeier)
Dancer in Sunyata and Borderlands - Portrait Wayne McGregor (W. McGregor)
Soloist in Der Tod und das Mädchen (E. Liang)
Past events with Henry Grey
07:30 PM Uhr · Prinzregententheater
À JOUR - CONTEMPORARY CHOREOGRAPHIES (2019)
07:30 PM Uhr · Nationaltheater
11:00 AM Uhr · Nationaltheater
PORTRAIT WAYNE MCGREGOR
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Young Choreographers 2018
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Ballet Festival Week 2020
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Tradition, continuity and an impressive repertoire: these are the solid pillars supporting the Bayerische Staatsoper – one of the world's leading opera houses. It can look back proudly on a cultural history of over 350 years. Thanks to a court tradition, opera found a home in Munich in 1653; since then its music-historical and sociopolitical development has continued in a way unparalleled anywhere else, worldwide.
The Bayerische Staatsoper, with some 600,000 persons attending its over 450 performances each year, makes a major contribution to Munich's reputation as one of the great international cultural capitals.
In the course of a single season, over 40 operas from four centuries are performed along with ballets, concerts and song recitals. This makes the programme of the Bayerische Staatsoper one of the most richly varied performance schedules of all the international opera houses. With 2,101 seats, the Bayerische Staatsoper's principal performance venue, the National Theatre – built in classicistic style in 1818 – is the largest opera house in Germany and ranks as one of the handsomest theatres in Europe. Tours of the National Theatre take place almost every day.


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THE FOLLOWING SCHOLARSHIP IS OFFERED ONLY TO DUTCHESS COUNTY REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEMBERS AND ITS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CENTER OR THE CHAMBER FOUNDATION'S PROGRAMMING PARTICIPANTS.
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Located in the vicinity of the Biosphere Reserve of Muniellos, traditional house in a former "corrala" (courtyard). With "horreo" (granary built on stone pillars), loom and artisan oven. It has 4 bedrooms, kitchen, dining and living room with fireplace.
Country building restored and decorated with stone and wood. It has 5 double rooms, and 1 triple, all with bathroom, heating and television. Kitchen and dining room, lounge with library, and toilet.
Typical Asturian cottage with 4 apartments to accommodate 2-6, with 2 double bedrooms, lounge, kitchen, and bathroom. It offers spa-relax, garden, parking space, wireless internet, daily cleaning and towel change service. Certified with the Q for Quality.
Cozy cottage restored and integrated into the natural environment and the tradition of local buildings. It has 2 bedrooms, bathroom, toilet, kitchen and lounge-dining room with its fireplace and TV. Outside garden with gazebo and BBQ.
Cottage located 100 yr from the beach and in the foothills of the Sueve Mountains. It is two-storey, has 2 double bedrooms, drawing room, bathroom, fully equipped kitchen, large terrace, garden, and own car park.
Charming country hotel in the protected environment of Cabo de Peñas. With different types of uniquely decorated inviting bedrooms, and large common areas: lounge with fireplace, terrace, meadows and gardens.
Holiday cottages sleeping 2, 4, 6 and 8. Jacuzzi, 3500-m2 private estate with grills, tables, picnic area, trampolines, swings, bordered by a creek and a dam break that makes it even more charming. Picos de Europa at the background.
Two apartments in the heart of the Picos de Europa, on a gated estate with lawn and parking area. They have a terrace, drawing room with an open fire, TV, full kitchen (or living room-kitchen), 2 bedrooms, bathroom, heating, and hot water.
Nineteenth century cottage restored respecting traditional architecture. It has 3 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, lounge with an open fire, kitchen, cellar, library, playground, BBQ, and parking space. Accredited with 3 triskels (the highest holiday cottage category).
A collection of 5 cottages restored with stone and wood, respecting the local traditional architecture. Equipped with lounge-dining-room, kitchen, double bedrooms, bathroom, garden, terrace, BBQ, and parking area.
Located in Piloña, Eastern Asturias, it is certified to Two Triskels, one of the highest tourism quality standards. It is a typical stone house with a lounge-kitchen, 2 double bedrooms, 1 master bedroom with private bathroom, and gardens with barbecue.
Newly built country cottage with stunning views of the Picos de Europa. It has 3 double bedroom with whirlpool, heating, fireplace and TV. 2 of the rooms have a garden, and the other one a terrace. Dining room, lounge, fireplace, and parking area.


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AKM Newest Generation: High Sound Quality Premium 32-bit Stereo DAC (AK4490 EQ). State-of-the-art DAC with warmer sonic characteristics, supporting USB PCM 384 and DSD256.
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exports.ParamsController = ParamsController;
//# sourceMappingURL=paramsController.js.map

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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text:
Tag Archives: Reality TV
Joe Biden Running On Empty
Are Democrats Cool on Biden?
That was the headline on Monday's New York Times On Politics newsletter from Lisa Lerer. Does the statement — Democrats cool on Joe Biden — require a question mark? At this point in time? After all those debates?
JOE BIDEN, Creative Commons
Biden's had plenty of exposure. Maybe too much exposure. Voters reacted with friendly warmth but tepid enthusiasm.
It wasn't so long ago that Bernie Sanders seemed destined to be the Democratic nominee. However, the idea of a Democratic Socialist was said to discomfit the Democratic Party establishment (if such a thing exists). More likely, the Socialist idea simply spooked old-fashioned Democratic voters on Super Tuesday. Suddenly, the momentum shifted from Bernie to Joe.
Now, all attention is turned to the Coronavirus pandemic, which has been hijacked as a reality TV show starring Donald Trump. It's a reprise of "The Apprentice" series. After stumbling through the first few episodes, Trump warmed to the new story line. Now the show is so popular it's on every night. And it's just been extended through the end of April, at least.
(Note: Definitely not making light of the Coronavirus crisis. It is totally real and serious, worldwide. Simply pointing out how it has also become a nightly television spectacle, with eerie similarity to a reality TV show.)
Too soon to speculate whether the TV version of coronavirus might be extended for a second season in the fall. Would it be riveting enough to preempt NFL football and the November General Election? Highly unlikely, don't you think?
And the Democratic nomination contest?
Some say it's over, decided.
Sanders says, let's debate.
Biden says, let's move on.
Momentum? Full stop. Momentum is becalmed, not a hint of breeze in the sails.
What little we've seen of Joe Biden in recent weeks seems to reinforce the memory left over from the debates.
Joe Biden looks like an old man running on empty.
Or maybe that's just your humble correspondent, psychologically projecting the way I feel. Which is old and empty.
I have not taken a survey, scientific or otherwise. But among the few folks I've talked to, "old and running on empty" seems to be a consensus.
Or to put it another way:
Biden doesn't talk or look like a man who's up to running against Trump.
Again, maybe it's just me. I'm not quite 72, and I don't feel like running. Running anywhere. Period. (But until the sheriff shows up with handcuffs, I continue to walk outdoors. Several times a day. It's for my health. Not to mention my sanity.)
The incredible disappearing candidate
To my surprise, some folks assume the Democratic Party will somehow make Joe Biden disappear. They think the Democratic Convention will crown a mystery candidate whose name is not Joe Biden. And not Bernie Sanders, either.
Biden and Sanders will vanish, and quietly. This will happen by magic, somehow, before the last day of the Milwaukee convention in July.
An alternate theory is that the convention itself will vanish, postponed due to coronavirus. Or due to lack of interest in Joe Biden.
Now, back to our regularly scheduled reality TV show.
— John
Posted in Democracy	| Tagged Bernie Sanders, Coronavirus, Democratic Party, Donald Trump, Election 2020, Joe Biden, Lisa Lerer, Pandemic, Reality TV	| 5 Replies


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The East Coast is home to some of the largest and oldest cities of the United States. On this tour, you will be travelling on the famous New York subways, taking a US train to Washington DC, and going on a roadtrip through Charleston and onto Orlando.
In New York City, you will sail around the Statue of Liberty, ascend Rockefeller Center, see a Broadway Show, and have lunch in Central Park.
In Washington, DC, you will visit the US Capitol, peer at the White House, and wander inside the Smithsonian Museum.
Charleston will charm you with its historic districts. As one of America's oldest cities, you will see historic mansions that boast 200 years of history, and use all of your senses in the Farmer's Market as you look, listen, smell, taste and touch the goodies for sale.
The city of Orlando was built around Walt Disney World – and you are going to be a part of it! Spend a whole day at the Magic Kingdom and awe at the fireworks at night.
Washington DC City Tour, D.C.
2-3 hours of English lessons per day AND a TEFL certified teacher guiding and helping students all day long!
Contact Language on Vacation to schedule this tour!


(Apologetics, Biblical Studies, Comparative Religions) Ricky is an addiction Counselor/Social Worker in the VA Hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He is the President of the Evangelical and Educational Ministry, a Counter Cult Ministry. He was also a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy-Reserves Chaplain Corps. He has a B.A. in Psychology from the Inter American University, Puerto Rico, an M.Div. from Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, PA., an M.S.W. from the University of Puerto Rico. He also holds the M.Th. from and is a Ph.D. Candidate with North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus), South Africa, Theological Persuasion: Reformed.


text:
McClintock and Strong Biblical Cyclopedia
Clau'dius
(Κλαύδιος, for Lat. Claudius, perh. from claudus, lime), the name of two Romans mentioned in the N.T. SEE FELIX.
1. The fourth Roman emperor (excluding J. Caesar), who succeeded Caligula Jan. 25, A.D. 41. His full name was TIBERIUS CLAUDIUS DRUSUS NERO CAESAR AUGUSTUS GERMANICUS. He was the son of Drusus and Antonia, and was born Aug. 1, B.C. 10, at Lyons, in Gaul. Losing his father in infancy, he was abandoned to the care and society of domestics, and despised by his imperial relatives (Tacitus, Ann. 6, 46, 1 Suetonius, Claud. 2). Notwithstanding the weakness of intellect resulting from this neglect, he devoted himself to literary pursuits, and was the author of several treatises. On the murder of Caligula, he hid himself through fear of sharing his relative's fate, but was found by a soldier, at whose feet he fell a suppliant, but who saluted him emperor; and he was thus unexpectedly, and almost by force, hurried into the popular assembly, and constituted emperor chiefly by the Praetorian Guards, under promise of a largess to each soldier (Suetonius, Claud. 10). According to Josephus (Ant. 19, 2, 1, 3 and 4), the throne was in a great measure finally secured to him through the ad- dress and solicitations of Herod Agrippa I (q.v.). This obligation he returned by great and peculiar favors to that personage, for he enlarged the territory of Agrippa by adding to it Judaea, Samaria, and some' districts of Lebanon, and appointed his brother Herod to the kingdom of Chalcis (Josephus, Ant. 19, 5, 1; Dion Cassius, 60:8), giving to this latter also, after his brother's death, the presidency over the Temple at Jerusalem (Josephus, Ant. 20, 1, 3). Indeed, the Jews were generally treated 1by him with indulgence, especially those in Asia and Egypt (Ant. 19, 5, 2, 3; 20:1, 2), although those in Palestine seem to have at times suffered much oppression at the hands of his governors (Tacitus, Hist. 5, 9, etc.); but about the middle of his reign those who abode at Rome were all banished thence (Ac 18:2; see Hebenstreit, De Judaeo Roma exule, Lips. 1714). From the language of Suetonius in relating this event (Claud. 25), it is evident that the Christians were also indiscriminately included in the execution of the edict as a sect of the Jews, if, indeed, they were not the more numerous part of that portion of the inhabitants: "Judaeos, imlulsore Chresto [i.e. Christo, see Rossal, De Christo, in Chrestum commutato, Gron. 1717] assidue tumultuantes, Roma expulit" ("He banished the Jews from Rome on account of the continual disturbances they made at the instigation of one Chrestus"). SEE CHRESTUS. The historian has evidently, in his ignorance of the merits of the case, attributed the proverbial insurrectionary spirit of the Jews to the influence of Christianity, a confusion which the disputes between the Jews and Christians on the subject of the Messiah may have contributed to increase. Suetonius does not give the exact year of this event, nor can it be made out from any other classical authority; he mentions it, however, in connection with other events which are known to have taken place at different dates between A.D. 44 and 53: a comparison of the associated events in the Acts appears to fix it in the year A.D. 49. Orosius (Hist. 7, 6) fixes it in the ninth year of Claudius, A.D. 49 or 50, referring to Josephus, who, however, says nothing about it. Pearson (Annal. Paul. p. 22) thinks the twelfth year more probable (A.D. 52 or 53). Anger remarks (De ratione temporum in Actis App. p. 117) that the edict of expulsion would hardly be published as long as Herod Agrippa was at Rome, i.e. before the year 49. The Jews, however, soon returned to Rome. Several famines occurred under Claudius from unfavorable harvests (Dion Cass. 60:11; Eusebius. Chron. Armen. 1, 269, 271; Tacit. Ann. 12, 43), one of which, in the fourth year of his reign, under the procurators Cuspius Fadus and Tiberius Alexander (Joseph. Ant. 20, 2, 6; 5, 2), extended to Palestine and Syria, and appears to be that which was foretold by Agabus (Ac 11:28; see Biscoe, On Acts, p. 60, 66; Lardner, Credibility, 1, 11; Kitto, Daily Bible Illust., last vol., p. 229- 232; compare Kuinol, in loc.; also Krebs, Obs. in N.T. p. 210). The conduct of Claudius during his government, in so far as it was not under the influence of his wives and freedmen, was mild and popular, and he made several beneficial enactments (see Merivale, Romans unders the Empire, 5 474 sq.). He also erected numerous public buildings, and carried out several important public works. Having married his niece Agrippina, she prevailed upon him to set aside his own son Britannicus in favor of her own son Nero by a former marriage; but, discovering that he regretted this step, she poisoned him on the 13th of October, A.D. 54. (See Smith's Dictionary of Classical Biography, s.v.) During the reign of Claudius several persecutions of Christians by Jews took place in the dominions of Herod Agrippa, and in one of them the apostle James was executed. These dominions embraced by far the largest number of Christian congregations which were established up to the time of his death (A.D. 44). After his death, most of the territory over which he had ruled was reincorporated with the Roman empire, his son, Agrippa II, receiving only Trachonitis and Gaulonitis. Thus the Christian congregations began to attract to a larger degree the attention of the Roman authorities. At the same time, the apostle Paul began to establish congregations in many of the larger cities of the empire, while those of earlier origin assumed much larger dimensions. Nevertheless, the difference between Jews and Christians was not generally understood by the Roman authorities, and this circumstance had some beneficial, but also some injurious consequences as regarded the Christians. On the one, hand, the missionary activity of the apostles and their helpers met with no opposition on the part of the Roman state (see Kraft, Prolus. II de nascenti Christi ecclesia sectae Judaicae nomine tuta [Erlang. 1771], and J. H. Ph. Seidenstucher, Diss. de Christianis ad Trojanum usque a Ceasaribus et Senatu Romano pro cultoribus religionis Mosaicae semper habitis [Helmstadt, 1790]); on the other hand, many who might have been willing to join the Christian Church were deterred from doing so by the fear that the yoke of all the Jewish law would be placed upon them. (See Wetzer und Welte, Kirchen-Lexikon, s.v.)
⇒Bible concordance for CLAUDIUS.
2. CLAUDIUS LYSIAS (Ac 23:26). SEE LYSIAS.
⇒See also the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
← Clauditianists
Claudius (2) →
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Home Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Health
I'm a midwife and I wish more people knew the way I handle miscarriages and terminations can be the same
Allison LaCross
Medical abortions that involve taking a combination of pills are considered very safe but are typically only available to people who are within 10 weeks of pregnancy.
Bill Greenblatt / Contributor / Getty Images
I'm a midwife, writer, and advocate.
I care for people in all stages of their pregnancy, which includes early loss and elective terminations.
This is what I wished more people knew when it comes to language we use for abortions.
After 50 years of precedent was overturned with the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision, there has been a lot of confusion about what individual states are now going to do when it comes to a person's right to access a safe and legal abortion.
I think it's important that healthcare providers change the language they use about abortion to reflect the realities of the time.
As a healthcare provider, it is essential for me to take the time to educate people about what is happening to their bodies with clear, intentional language and discuss their options thoroughly so there is no confusion for anybody — whether that's an individual or a legislator.
Abortion is an umbrella term
Abortion has become a singular concept indicating a termination of pregnancy, especially in the context of Roe v. Wade, but it's really an umbrella term for several conditions that indicate the need to remove products of conception from a person's uterus.
Healthcare providers know that each type of abortion — spontaneous, threatened, incomplete, missed, septic, elective — is possible, even normal, and natural. The clinical management of them is the same, but lots of people don't know that.
For people whose pregnancy was wanted, but ended in a loss, hearing words like "abortion" is often devastating. It can add to the confusion, anger, grief, or guilt someone feels about their early pregnancy loss or miscarriage.
Providers often do not explain this early pregnancy loss in a way that honors it for what it is: a loss. It's often generalized under "abortion services" in the explanation of next steps, in the documentation within the medical record, and even through diagnosis and billing codes.
But it's important that people understand the nuances of these terms and the consistency of these procedures, especially in the context of changes to abortion services in several states.
Early pregnancy loss and termination abortions are managed in the same way
Typically, an early pregnancy loss will pass naturally on its own within four weeks after the fetus' demise, but the risk of bleeding, infection, and other significant health concerns increases over time.
A discussion with a healthcare provider and continuous monitoring of bleeding status and vital signs are necessary if a person elects expectant management. Having access to the resources of active management, also known as abortion services, like taking mifepristone and misoprostol, using manual vacuum aspiration, or having a dilation and curettage at any point during an early pregnancy loss is essential.
As a midwife, I have changed the language I use to reflect the experience a person is going through. I make sure to use the words "pregnancy" and "loss" instead of abortion when someone is experiencing a miscarriage. I ask if they want to name their baby or have any type of ceremony that honors their loss.
We discuss the options of expectant management or active management: The choice is up to the individual to wait until the pregnancy passes naturally on its own — if safe — or, if there is an urgency for completion, move forward with necessary procedures.
In visits for both an early pregnancy loss or an elective ending, I discuss the safety of administering the pills in the comfort and privacy of their personal space, performing the MVA under a local anesthetic in an office setting, or the need for a D&C that is performed under general anesthesia, often in a hospital setting.
How abortion services will change post-Roe
It's important that medical providers meet people where they are with terminology for an early pregnancy loss and elective ending, because the words doctors, midwives, and nurses use may be the difference between ensuring a safe outcome and someone being arrested or fined in a post-Roe world.
Essay Parenting Health


The Old Cemetery Of Brattleboro.
North of Centreville is located the old cemetery of Brattleboro. It is a quiet retreat, overshadowed by a beautiful grove of pines, and was once fitted up substantially and with taste. We have visited it at eventide, as the last rays of the setting sun threw back their receding light, on moss-covered stone, grass and flowers, emblem of the receding light of life, mingling with the deep, dark shade of night that has no returning morn.
We have been told that the first church erected in town was located near this earth-home of the dead, and in imagination we could see the little band of devoted worshippers wending their way to the house of prayer.
Here was no costly tower or artistic chancel, but a beautiful simplicity of heart and life, allied to the simplicity of the life of Him who "spake as never man spake," and who should be worshipped in the beauty of holiness and in the garments of humility.
But the old church on the hill is gone, and no monumental stone points the traveller to its ancient place. Nothing remains but those time-worn tablets---reminders of the lives, with their hopes, and joys, and sorrows, of those who used to gather there in the days long since gone by.
Where Death his vigils keep.
And traced the fading lines.
The faces of the dead.
The loved who once were cherished.
The friends they used to meet.
As the years shall pass away.
The Vermont Record And Farmer, April 22, 1880.
Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought them? The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.
The precise location of the first meeting-house, built in 1768, was finally determined by an extensive study of the land records by the Hon. Hoyt Henry Wheeler, and through his correspondence with the Rev. Lewis M. Grout, and by visits to the cemetery with the sexton and grounds caretaker Ezra E. Fisher.
Just south of the cemetery was built in 1768 the first meeting house in Brattleboro, which was in almost the geographical centre of the town. It was the only public building in town and was used also for town meetings. Mr. Fisher marked the site with a granite monument suitably inscribed, and in excavating for the foundation he found indications that the old meeting house stood exactly on the spot, uncovering the fire pit where the foot-stoves used in those days were replenished.
He also erected a monument to the unknown dead, some of whom were associated with the earliest history of the town, and suitable markers were placed to show the old "north road" and the road from Guilford, over which the old Green Mountain hero, Ethan Allen, passed in traveling from Guilford to Brattleboro.


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(-) Guinea (1)
(-) Vatican City and the Holy See (2)
Vatican City and the Holy See
Funded traineeship for young graduates at the EU Delegation to Mongolia
The deadline for submitting applications is 06/12/2022. Are you a young graduate interested in international relations? Are you curious to learn more about work of a diplomatic mission and how the EU Delegation represents EU interests and values in Mongolia?
Funded traineeship for young graduates at the EU Delegation to the Holy See, the Order of Malta, the UN Organisations in Rome and to the Republic of San Marino
The deadline for submitting applications is 4 September 2022 Are you a young graduate interested in international relations? Are you curious to learn more about work of a diplomatic mission and how the EU Delegation represents EU interests and values in our work with the UN Organisations in Rome and the Holy See?
The European Union Delegation to Mongolia is looking for: Administrative Assistant
The deadline for submitting applications is 4 April 2022


$20,000 off Purchase Price on 2 bed + den suites Learn more?
Encore at Equinox is a 39 floor new condo community in Scarborough from Monarch Corporation. Condos for sale range in size from 645ft to 888ft. Condos for sale range in price from $223,990 to $340,990.
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We have taken the initiative by incorporating numerous environmental features that reduce total building energy consumption, and that will play a part in providing suite owners with greener, more energy-efficient surroundings.
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Beware that we "think" we are somehow unable to fall into the same trappings that Israel fell prey too. It is a fool who fails to "take heed lest he (also) fall." Be warned says the Spirit of God.
And then Paul writes our text and he makes it known to us that "no temptation has overtaken (us) except" that which "is common to man," and when "temptation" comes recall to your mind that "God is faithful." For He "will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able . . . to bear." Our Father knows us better than anyone knows us. He knows us and He sovereignly cares for us and He makes sure that we are not overtaken by anything that we would not be able to "stand" against, that we would not be able to overcome.
Our "faithful . . . God" knows, and when temptation comes He will "with the temptation . . . also make the way of escape, that (we) may be able to bear it." See that brethren! "God is faithful," working in our lives to conform us into the image of Son, enabling us to walk in a manner that is in keeping with His high calling of us . . . and we can be assured that if a "temptation" comes our way, and be sure they will come, we can by His great and wonderful promises, not only "bear it" but beat it.
I am of the mind that if we sense a strong urge to sin, if we are tempted to do what goes against our Father's will for us, that if we have the Word of God in our heart, if we pray, if we go the Word and open it up and start to take it in, if we just consider and put to practice the many resources our Father has provided for us that can be used to battle "temptation," then will not succumb to it.
While we are in this flesh "temptations" are inevitable. They will come! We are to be aware of this and not to be found cocky but rather "tak(ing) heed lest we fall." And then we are to know with great surety that our "God" will "not allow (us) to be tempted beyond what (we) are able" to "bear." What a comfort to know these things.
Have a good day brethren . . . and walk aware that temptations will come, but also aware of what God has said to you about them in His Word.


Lovely apartment (No 3) located across the beach in Slatine, which is one of the nicest beaches on island Čiovo with crystal clear sea.
Apartment is suitable for up to 4 persons, includes all necessities, also sun beds and parasols for the beach.
The apartment is on the 1st floor of a holiday house offering a view to the sea and beach which are just a few steps away.
The space consists the master bedroom with double bed, living room wth kitchenette, dining table and sofa bed for additional two persons, bathroom with shower and balcony with a side sea view .
Slatine is a small fishermen village with one of the nicest beaches on island Čiovo overlooking Kaštela Bay and peninsula Marjan. Close by is also rent a bike spot, rent a scooter or a pedal boat and there is regular boat line to Split every day in season so you can also visit Split every day and avoid traffic jams.


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Q: Finding NLS for multiple series I want to fit a model /find a functional form using 70 series. I have 30 values for each one of them.  The plot shows that the trend is not linear so I am  trying to use NLS.
Not sure if this is the right approach. I have not implemented this before. Should I be using something else to model? I am getting the following error:

Error in nls(y ~ a * exp(b * x), start = list(a = a_start, b = b_start)) :
      singular gradient

x has values 1:30, which are repeated 70 times. Y values vary between  0 and 1. Should I be using 71 vectors (of length 30) or should I gather them all in two columns. At  the moment, I have gathered them all in two columns.
The data looks something like this:

a_start<-0.2
b_start<-2*log(2)/a_start

A: The problem is your formula is not a form that accurately reflects your data.  y ~ a * exp(b * x) will never look like your data, so you'll get sharp gradients that don't make any sense.
Try this:
#some made up data, since none provided
x <- runif(1000) * 30
y <- -0.9 * exp(-0.5 * x) + 1.1 + rnorm(length(x), sd=0.1)

fit <- nls(y ~ a * exp(b * x) + c, start = list(a = -1, b=-.1, c=1))

plot(x,y)
lines(x[order(x)], predict(fit)[order(x)], col="red", lwd=4)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


To make sure we keep offering you great values, we regularly check prices on our top-selling items at chain drugstores. In addition, we scour the Internet to find bargains offered by other companies - and usually match or beat their promotional offers.
A very common type of tool for purchasing goods in which a consumer can buy different kinds of goods and can pay afterward but if the payment is late from the due date then the issuer of the credit card will charge interest on it.


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Two world premieres for Kia at Frankfurt Show
- World premiere of all-new Kia GT concept car
- World premiere of three-door hatchback Kia Rio
(SEOUL) September 13, 2011 – Kia Motors celebrated two world premieres at the 64th Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung (IAA) today (Tuesday) in Frankfurt, Germany. The powerful, dynamic and forward-looking Kia GT concept car, which signals the company's distinctive new design direction, was unveiled alongside the new three-door hatchback version of the all-new Rio.
The Kia GT took center stage on Kia's stand as Chief Design Officer Peter Schreyer revealed the sleek and muscular four-door sports sedan with a rear-wheel drive layout – a first for Kia.
"No matter from which perspective you look at the Kia GT, it is roaring with energy and ready for take-off," says Peter Schreyer. "I believe this concept car is a strong statement from Kia that we are ready to fast-forward to an all new chapter."
The 4,690 mm long concept has the classic front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout of a high performance sedan which ensures very different proportions from a front-wheel drive car. The new concept allowed Kia to explore exciting new visual paths – with an extended bonnet, the front wheels pushed to the very front of the car, the cab-rearward stance with powerful rear shoulders and a truncated rear end.
Beneath the extended bonnet, power is provided by a 3.3-liter turbocharged Lambda V6 GDI (gasoline direct injection) engine generating 395 ps and 54.4 kgfm of torque (534 Nm). The transmission is an eight-speed automatic.
***more***
The front doors and rear-hinged back doors open at a slight upward angle ensuring easy access to the spacious and airy interior which provides generous, uncluttered cabin accommodation for four – thanks in part to the Kia GT's unusually long wheelbase (2,860 mm) and despite its low stance, overall height is just 1,380 mm.
Under Schreyer's guidance, Kia's European design team set out to create a concept car that was graceful, athletic and confident, but not aggressive or overbearing. The focus on dynamism and pace was enhanced by the aeronautical theme adopted for many of the GT's features.
Sporty three-door to expand appeal of all-new Rio
Around the world, the five-door hatchback and four-door sedan versions of Kia's all-new Rio are already generating positive reviews in the press, and strong demand from customers. Now, the appeal of Kia's latest model will expand even further with the introduction of the company's first-ever three-door hatchback Rio in selected markets.
Designed primarily to attract younger buyers to Kia for the first time, the three-door Rio will boost conquest sales after its introduction during the first quarter of 2012. Ultimately, Kia expects the three-door Rio to account for between 20 to 25 per cent of total Rio sales.
New Rio three-door has the same dimensions as the five-door model (length 4,045 mm, width 1,720 mm, height 1,455 mm and wheelbase 2,570 mm) and retains the same low roofline, emphasizing its sporty stance. In most markets, it will be available with the same range of powertrains, equipment and options as the five-door model.
With a total of three bodystyles for all-new Rio, plus the already-popular five-door refreshed Soul and five-door Venga (in Europe), Kia is confident of capturing an even larger share of the increasingly popular global compact car market.
Frankfurt Motor Show Related video in broadcast-standard or streaming-quality (for Web use), print-quality stills and other press material are available at Kia Motors' Multimedia Library (http://kia.synapticdigital.com), powered by Synaptic Digital. Delivery options include digital FTP transfer and streaming download in a variety of file types including Flash, MPEG-2, QuickTime and Windows Media. Registration and content is free to the media.
Kia Motors Corporation (www.kia.com) -- a maker of quality vehicles for the young-at-heart -- was founded in 1944 and is Korea's oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. Over 2.1 million Kia vehicles a year are produced in 13 manufacturing and assembly operations in eight countries which are then sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering 172 countries. Kia today has over 44,000 employees worldwide and annual revenues of over US$20 billion. It is the major sponsor of the Australian Open and an official automotive partner of FIFA -- the governing body of the FIFA World Cup™. Kia Motors Corporation's brand slogan -- "The Power to Surprise" -- represents the company's global commitment to surpassing customer expectations through continuous automotive innovation.
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Scherwiller (; ) is a commune in the Bas-Rhin department in Alsace in northeastern France. Residents are referred to as Scherwillerois in French.

Geography
The town is situated on the wine route at an altitude of . Scherwiller is located at the mouth of the valleys of Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines to the east, and Villé at north,  west of Sélestat, Center Alsace, and  south of Châtenois.

History
The name was mentioned early in the form Sceravillare or Scerwiller, designating a hamlet on the edge of the Scheer, the former name of the Aubach River, which runs through the village. Scherwiller is located at the intersection of two Roman roads: on an east–west axis the salt road from the Villé Valley, and on a north–south axis a Roman road, two milestones of which are still identifiable in the town itself. This explains the presence of Ortenbourg Castle during the 12th century.

Economy
Located in the heart of Alsace, the village is built in the middle of a  vineyard, extending along the slopes downwards from Ortenbourg and Ramstein castles.

See also
 Communes of the Bas-Rhin department

References

Communes of Bas-Rhin
Bas-Rhin communes articles needing translation from French Wikipedia

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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La communauté de communes de Parthenay-Gâtine  est une communauté de communes française, située dans le département des Deux-Sèvres, en région Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

Historique
La communauté de communes de Parthenay-Gâtine a été créée le  et regroupe les communes issues de quatre anciennes communautés de communes dissoutes le  : Espace Gâtine (sept communes), de Parthenay (sept communes, Parthenay, Adilly, La Chapelle-Bertrand, Châtillon-sur-Thouet, Fénery, Pompaire, Le Tallud), du Pays Ménigoutais (onze), du Pays Thénezéen (neuf), plus quatre communes qui n'étaient précédemment intégrées à aucune intercommunalité (Amailloux, Lageon, Saint-Germain-de-Longue-Chaume et Viennay), ainsi que Gourgé qui était rattachée à la communauté de communes du Val du Thouet.

Le , Chantecorps et Coutières fusionnent pour constituer la commune nouvelle des Châteliers, réduisant à 38 le nombre de communes associées..

Territoire communautaire

Géographie
Située au centre  du département des Deux-Sèvres, la communauté de communes de Parthenay-Gâtine regroupe 38 communes et présente une superficie de .

Composition

La communauté de communes est composée des  suivantes :

Démographie

Organisation

Siège
Le siège de la communauté de communes est à Parthenay, 2 rue de la Citadelle.

Élus

La communauté de communes est administrée par son conseil communautaire, composé, à compter des élections de 2020, de 62  conseillers municipaux représentant chacune des communes membres en fonction de sa population.

À la suite des élections municipales de 2020 dans les Deux-Sèvres, le conseil communautaire du  a élu son nouveau président, Jean-Michel Prieur, maire de Patrhenay, ainsi que ses vice-présidents, qui sont :
 Jany Péronnet, maire de Secondigny, chargé du développement économique industriel et artisanal ;
  Claude Beauchamp, maire-adjoint de Parthenay, chargé du développement économique agricole et agroalimentaire ;
 Alexandre Martin, maire de Fénery, chargé de la jeunesse et de la citoyenneté ;
 Patrice Bergeon, maire de Saint-Martin-du-Fouilloux, chargé de l'inclusion environnementale dans les politiques publiques ;
 Chantal Cornuault-Paradis, maire de Thénezay, chargée de l'enfance et du scolaire
 Guillaume Clément, maire de La Ferrière-en-Parthenay, chargé de l'animation et de la valorisation du patrimoine historique (...) ;
 Magaly Proust, première maire-adjointe de Parthenay, chargée de la solidarité, de la santé et de la petite enfance ;
 Emmanuel Allard, maire d'Allonne, chargé de  la qualité des équipements, infrastructures et de l'innovation numérique ;
 Marie-Noëlle Beau, maire-adjointe de Châtillon-sur-Thouet, chargée des ressources humaines ;
 Didier Voy, maire du Tallud, chargé du projet de patrimoine ;
 Jérôme Bacle, conseiller municipal délégué de Parthenay, chargé de la coopération territoriale et de la pratique sportive ;
 Bernard Caquineau, conseiller municipal de Pougne-Hérisson, chargé de la transparence de la vie publique, de la place des usagers de l'accessibilité et de la gouvernance ;
 Philippe Albert, maire de Vausseroux, chargé de l'assainissement et du cycle de l'eau ;
 Olivier Cubaud, maire-adjoint du Tallud, chargé des finances et de l'optimisation financière.

Ensemble, ils forment le bureau de l'intercommunalité pour la mandature 2020-2026.

Liste des présidents

Compétences
L'intercommunalité exerce les compétences qui lui ont été transférées par les communes membres, dans les conditions déterminées par le code général des collectivités territoriales.  :
 le développement économique (soutien aux entreprises, développement touristique…) ;
 l'aménagement de l'espace ;
 la protection et la mise en valeur de l'environnement (gestion des déchets, assainissement) ;
 les équipements culturels (médiathèque, ludothèque, école de musique, école d'arts plastiques, espaces publics numériques, label Pays d'arts et d'histoire) et sportifs (piscine, centre de tir, complexe sportif Léo-Lagrange, espace sport à Secondigny) ;
 les écoles et le périscolaire ;
 l'action sociale d'intérêt communautaire (crèche, relais assistants maternels, centre de loisirs, aire d'accueil des gens du voyage…).
 Depuis le , la communauté de communes exerce les compétences scolaire et péri-scolaire sur l'ensemble de son territoire, à l'exception des cantines et des transports scolaires qui restent du ressort des communes.

Régime fiscal et budget

La communauté de communes est un établissement public de coopération intercommunale à fiscalité propre.

Afin de financer l'exercice de ses compétences, l'intercommunalité perçoit la fiscalité professionnelle unique (FPU) – qui a succédé à la taxe professionnelle unique (TPU) – et assure une péréquation de ressources entre les communes résidentielles et celles dotées de zones d'activité.

Elle perçoit également une taxe d'enlèvement des ordures ménagères (TEOM), qui finance le fonctionnement de ce service public, et bénéficie d'une bonification de sa dotation globale de fonctionnement.

Elle ne reverse pas de dotation de solidarité communautaire (DSC) à ses communes membres.

Projets et réalisations

Conformément aux dispositions légales, une communauté de communes a pour objet d'associer des « communes au sein d'un espace de solidarité, en vue de l'élaboration d'un projet commun de développement et d'aménagement de l'espace ».

La communauté de communes a adopté en 2015 son projet de territoire, organisé autour de quatre axes d'action :
 Développer l'économie et l'emploi ;
 Être attractif pour la jeunesse ;
 Rendre accessible l'ensemble des services du territoire à tous les habitants ;
 Construire et valoriser l'identité de la CCPG à travers son paysage, son patrimoine, ses festivals et au regard des territoires voisins.

Notes et références

Voir aussi

Articles connexes
 Liste des intercommunalités des Deux-Sèvres

Liens externes

 .

.

 .

Parthenay-Gatine
Parthenay


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Tag Archives: Rep. Kyrsten Sinema
The Hidden Reason Why McCain is
Being Challenged in Arizona
May 28, 2015 — A surprising story broke in Arizona Tuesday. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ-1) announced that she will forego her re-election bid and instead challenge Sen. John McCain (R) next year. The congresswoman was included on most "possible candidate" lists, but was not viewed as someone overtly planning to make the jump into the statewide contest. Her move, however, may be a precursor to another decision that will soon enter the public domain.
With McCain's approval numbers dropping into the dangerously low category (36:51 percent favorable to unfavorable according to Public Policy Polling), Kirkpatrick's move is not without political reason. The latest PPP survey (May 1-3; 600 registered Arizona voters) finds her trailing the senator only 36-42 percent, certainly suggesting that such a general election pairing would yield a competitive contest.
But, the driving force behind Kirkpatrick may not be McCain's perceived vulnerability. Rather, since the US Supreme Court is poised to soon render a decision on the Arizona redistricting challenge, it may be this issue that is actually motivating Kirkpatrick to move forward.
The Arizona Republicans are challenging the state's congressional map on the grounds that the US Constitution only gives federal redistricting power to state legislatures. Before the 2000 reapportionment, voters adopted a ballot proposition that created a redistricting commission empowered to draw congressional and state legislative lines. The crux of the suit argues that a citizens' commission has no authority to draw congressional lines.
Posted in House, Polling, Redistricting, Senate and tagged Arizona, Public Policy Polling, Redistricting, Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, Rep. Raul Grijalva, Rep. Ruben Gallego, Sen. John McCain on May 28, 2015 by Jim Ellis. Leave a comment
McCain Warning Signs
May 5, 2015 — Arizona Sen. John McCain (R), who is seeking re-election to a sixth term next year, is showing political weakness according to a new Public Policy Polling survey (May 1-3; 600 registered Arizona voters; 300 self-identified Arizona Republican voters).
According to the results, McCain's job approval is in upside-down territory not only from the Grand Canyon State electorate at-large but from an isolated Republican cell sample, as well. PPP projects that the senator records only a 36:51 percent approval ratio before the general electorate. More troubling, he scores 41:50 percent favorable to unfavorable among Republicans.
Sen. McCain has long been a controversial figure with Republican Party base voters, and there is an active effort attempting to deny him re-nomination. So far, candidate recruitment has failed because only state Sen. Kelli Ward (R), who is not viewed as a substantial challenger, is willingly stepping forward to register a campaign committee.
Posted in Polling, Senate and tagged Arizona, Fred DuVal, job approval, Kelli Ward, Public Policy Polling, Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, Rep. David Schweikert, Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, Rep. Matt Salmon, Richard Carmona, Sen. John McCain on May 8, 2015 by Jim Ellis. Leave a comment
Blunt Draws a Challenge in Missouri; Dems' Recruit Senate Challengers
FEB. 23, 2015 – Missouri Democrats successfully landed their top choice to challenge first-term Republican Sen. Roy Blunt. Secretary of State Jason Kander, an Afghanistan and Iraq War veteran, made public yesterday his plans to seek the US Senate seat next year.
Kander, 33, a former two-term state Representative from the Kansas City metropolitan area, won a close 2012 race for Secretary of State – ironically, a position Blunt himself held from 1985-1993 – defeating Republican Shane Schoeller by just over 39,000 votes out of more than 2.6 million ballots cast.
He will face an uphill battle against Sen. Blunt, one of the best prepared and battle tested of Republican incumbents. Winning a landslide 54-41 percent victory against then-Secretary of State Robin Carnahan (D) in 2010, Blunt is now chairman of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee in the new Republican majority. Elected to the House from the southwestern 7th Congressional District in 1996, he quickly rose to the position of Chief Deputy Majority Whip, and was elected both Majority and Minority Whip.
Posted in Senate and tagged Alaska, Florida, Gov. Jay Nixon, Gov. Maggie Hassan, Gov. Ted Strickland, Illinois, Jason Kander, Missouri, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rep. Alan Grayson, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Rep. Joe Sestak, Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, Rep. Patrick Murphy, Rep. Tammy Duckworth, Ron Johnson, Russ Feingold, Sen. Claire McCaskill, Sen. John McCain, Sen. Kelly Ayotte, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Sen. Marco Rubio, Sen. Mark Begich, Sen. Mark Kirk, Sen. Pat Toomey, Sen. Rob Portman, Sen. Roy Blunt, Senate Rules and Administration Committee, Wisconsin on February 23, 2015 by Jim Ellis. Leave a comment
McCain Targeted by Both Democrats and Republicans
In the past few days, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) made another public statement about his political plans for 2016, underscoring that he is leaning toward running for another term. The Arizona senator, who you will also remember as the 2008 Republican presidential nominee, will be 80 years old at the time of the next election and would be running for his sixth consecutive term in office. But it already appears that potentially he will have to overcome a double challenge two years from now in order to continue his career in elective politics.
Already, Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ-6), who was easily re-elected to his Scottsdale-anchored congressional district two weeks ago after defeating then-Rep. Ben Quayle (R-AZ-3) in the post-redistricting 2012 Republican primary (after the Arizona Redistricting Commission plan drastically changed the latter's district boundaries), is considering mounting a Republican primary challenge to McCain.
Schweikert, as a House freshman in 2013, quickly angered the GOP leadership and found himself as one of three members to be removed from a plum committee assignment. The Arizonan had been a member of the Financial Services Committee, but was summarily removed. So he is no stranger to controversy. Schweikert said he will begin serious consideration of potential future political moves, including a Continue reading >
Posted in Polling, Senate and tagged Arizona, Gabrielle Giffords, Gov. Jan Brewer, J.D. Hayworth, Martha McSally, Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, Rep. Ben Quayle, Rep. David Schweikert, Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, Rep. Matt Salmon, Rep. Ron Barber, Sen. Jeff Flake, Sen. John McCain, Surgeon General Richard Carmona on November 21, 2014 by Jim Ellis. Leave a comment
No Surprises In Florida; Russell "Gets It" in Oklahoma; Arizona Results Roundup
The Florida primary proceeded as expected. Gov. Rick Scott won an 88 percent Republican victory; former Gov. Charlie Crist scored 74 percent on the Democratic side. With no US Senate race on the ballot this year, all of the contested federal action is in US House races. The eight challenged incumbents all broke 70 percent of the vote.
In the two congressional races of note, Miami Dade School Board member and former US Senate state director for interim Sen. George LeMieux (R), Carlos Curbelo, was an easy winner in the Miami-based 26th District. He earns the right to challenge freshman Rep. Joe Garcia (D) in what will be a highly competitive campaign.
Curbelo defeated four other Republicans, including former Rep. David Rivera who was attempting a comeback after being defeated in 2012, a result of several simultaneous scandals involving the freshman congressman and former state representative. Rivera managed to attract only eight percent of the vote last night. Curbelo topped the field with 47 percent, Continue reading >
Posted in Governor, House and tagged Al McAffrey, Andrew Walter, Andy Tobin, Arizona, Carl Domino, Carlos Curbelo, Connie Johnson, Doug Ducey, Fred DuVal, Gary Kiehne, Gov. Charlie Crist, Gov. Rick Scott, Lt. Col. Steve Russell, Martha McSally, Oklahoma, Patrice Douglas, Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, Rep. Ed Pastor, Rep. James Lankford, Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, Rep. Ron Barber, Ruben Gallego, Wendy Rogers on August 27, 2014 by Jim Ellis. Leave a comment
Today's Next-to-Last Primaries
Today marks the second-to-last major primary day of the 2014 cycle, as voters in three states visit the polls to choose nominees.
In Arizona, Republicans will select a candidate to oppose former Clinton Administration official Fred DuVal (D) in the general election. State Treasurer Doug Ducey, the former CEO of Cold Stone Creamery who is running on strong border security that earned him the support of both Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (R) and Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, has been leading in all polling. Former Mesa Mayor Scott Smith has surpassed attorney Christine Jones for second place, but the race appears to be Ducey's to lose.
The GOP will also choose three nominees in competitive US House districts. In the 1st, a tight race culminates among state House Speaker Andy Tobin, state Rep. Adam Kwasman, and wealthy rancher Gary Kiehne. Tobin and Kwasman are neck and neck according to late polling, but Kiehne remains within striking distance. The winner earns the right to challenge vulnerable Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ-1), who could lose as an incumbent for the second time. She was first elected in 2008, defeated in 2010, and re-elected in 2012.
Posted in Election Analysis, House, Primary and tagged "We Got Him", Andrew Walter, Arizona, Carlos Curbelo, Cold Stone Creamery, Doug Ducey, Florida, Fred DuVal, Joe Garcia, Oklahoma, Patrice Douglas, Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, Rep. David Rivera, Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, Rep. Ron Barber, Saddam Hussein, Steve Russell, Wendy Rogers on August 26, 2014 by Jim Ellis. Leave a comment
DCCC IDs Their Frontline Candidates
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee released the first of their "Frontline" incumbents, those that will get the most attention from the party as they build for re-election. All are either freshmen from competitive districts, won a tough open seat, or defeated a Republican incumbent in 2012.
Rep. Ron Barber (AZ-02) – Barber, who won a special election to replace resigned Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D), had a closer than expected general election against former Air Force pilot Martha McSally (R) winning just 50.4 to 49.6 percent. McSally is likely to return in 2014, and with a more favorable turnout model could conceivably score an upset. The fact that Mitt Romney won the seat 50-48 percent bodes well for the challenger, but it didn't pull her through last November.
Rep. John Barrow (GA-12) – Rep. Barrow drew a second-tier opponent in what should have been a first-tier GOP conversion opportunity. With a projected lower African-American turnout for 2014, Continue reading >
Posted in House and tagged DCCC, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Rep. Ami Bera, Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, Rep. Ann McLane Kuster, Rep. Bill Enyart, Rep. Bill Owens, Rep. Brad Schneider, Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, Rep. Cheri Bustos, Rep. Dan Maffei, Rep. Elizabeth Esty, Rep. Jim Matheson, Rep. Joe Garcia, Rep. John Barrow, Rep. John Tierney, Rep. Julia Brownley, Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, Rep. Lois Capps, Rep. Mike McIntyre, Rep. Patrick Murphy, Rep. Pete Gallego, Rep. Raul Ruiz, Rep. Ron Barber, Rep. Scott Peters, Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, Rep. Suzan DelBene, Rep. Tim Bishop on March 6, 2013 by Jim Ellis. Leave a comment


Even in a stumbling job market, there are a few high-need occupations in which the number of opportunities remains higher than the number of qualified applicants. The VA has identified a list of these high-demand career fields, and last year partnered with the US Department of Labor to create the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011.
Under the VOW act, the joint benefits program called Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) was created to help provide retraining of US veterans so they would better qualify for these high demand careers. The goal – increasing the employability of our veterans and lowering the unemployment rate.
For eligible veterans, VRAP offers financial assistance for those who return to school to gain new, in-demand skills. This assistance comes in the form of a monthly payout equal to the full-time payment of the MGIB-Active Duty: $1,473. For the up to 45,000 unemployed soldiers who qualify, these benefits are available for 12 months. As of now, about 37,000 applications have been accepted. The program is set to end in October 2013 OR when the 99,000 participant limit is reached, whichever happens first.
Speak up, people. It's Ask a Stupid Question Day.
Friday, September 28 is Ask a Stupid Question Day. And although most of us have been taught that there is no such thing as a stupid question, apparently that was not the case in the early 1980s when this holiday originated. So the glorious decade that brought us Duran Duran, acid-washed jeans, Live Aid and Atari also shepherded in the era of the Stupid Question. Thanks, 1980s.
At the time, education experts felt that too many kids experienced shame when they asked a question in class because other kids giggled at their question. So part of their ingenious solution to encourage students to ask more questions in the classroom was creating a day that actually called questions stupid.
1) Why is there only one national space program and no state or city space programs?
2) Is there really going to be a bacon shortage next year?
3) Whatever happened to Peter Gabriel?
4) How many Kool-aid flavors are there?
6) When is the best time to buy an island?
So if you've been holding back an inquiry or two for fear of being ridiculed by classmates, co-workers, or cashiers in the checkout line, stand proud. Today is YOUR day.
All those questions you've been afraid to ask, those wonders you've been wondering, the puzzlers you've been puzzling over, just put them out there. Speak up. Whether you're in a classroom or a chat room, a boardroom or a boardwalk, now is the time to ask whatever it is that's on your mind.
And if you're in a class or a meeting or in line at the grocery store and you hear someone else ask a question, the No Laughing rule applies. Unless the person asking is a comedian, in which case you should probably laugh because the question is most likely intended to be funny. But otherwise, be kind and support your fellow inquiring mind.
I think that in spite of their misaligned holiday naming convention, and perhaps a missed opportunity to squelch bullying, those teachers in the 80s were on to something. If we stop asking questions, we stop learning. What would happen if fear of retaliation or public scorn made us unable to ask questions of our leadership, our peers, or even ourselves? Ask Dr. Michelle Washington, whose questioning of the VA and their treatment of veterans with PTSD landed her a poor performance review. Asking "why" can be one of the scariest, yet most empowering experiences there is.
The ability to question, to explore, and simply to think critically for ourselves is at the crux of our national identity. Asking questions – and listening to the answers – can lead to greater understanding of the world around us, and it's one reason why education is so important.
So go ahead – ask your questions. Listen to those answers. And ask, ask, ask more questions. As long as it doesn't infringe on the rights of your fellow citizens, it's your right to be inquisitive.
7) What better way to maintain an inquisitive, entrepreneurial spirit and keep challenging myself every day to be better than to go back to school?
What do you think? What questions will you ask today? How about using your education benefits to go to class and ask even more questions?
As far as national symbolism goes, I have to confess at the risk of sounding unpatriotic: Uncle Sam was always been somewhat of a puzzler for me. So I did a little research on the Interwebs to inquire after the history of our Uncle Sam. Who is this tall man sporting a greying goatee, white top hat, and a penchant for pointing emphatically?
Some of you probably know the history and evolution of Mr. Sam Wilson, a meat packer from Troy, NY. Sam worked for Elbert Anderson, a contractor who supplied rations for U.S. soldiers during the War of 1812.
These meat rations were packed into wooden barrels and stamped with the initials E.A.-U.S., referring to the contracting company name and the rations' place of origin – United States. When a bystander asked what the initials stood for, a meat worker jokingly said "Elbert Anderson and Uncle Sam," referring to the man who packed the rations rather than the country who paid for them. The worker, like most Troy residents, associated "Uncle" Sam Wilson with the power to feed the army. The joke stuck around, apparently.
The War of 1812, among many other things, re-ignited a fading American interest in a national identity. Uncle Sam's development as a widespread representative of the U.S. was welcome, since most icons up until that time, Columbia or Brother Jonathan, had carried only regional appeal.
The imagery of Uncle Sam varied and evolved over time, but has its origins in caricatures drawn of Jonathan Turnbull, a former Governor of Connecticut and frequent confidant and advisor to George Washington.
The symbol of our ever-changing nation has been through as many transitions as the country it represents. What we think of today as the "standard" Uncle Sam image was created by James Montgomery Flagg on the cover of the magazine "Leslie's Weekly" on July 6, 1916. The caption, "What Are You Doing for Preparedness?" paired with the white-haired, goatee-sporting man in a blue-banded white top hat and red and white striped pants became synonymous with America and its ideals.
It's hard to really quantify the impact that the WWII Uncle Sam recruitment poster has had on our collective psyche, but I think it's probably pretty substantial. Uncle Sam as a character may very well have been the advertising industry's first attempt at personalization: The old man in his stars and stripes, glaring intensely at the viewer and pointing seems to call each of us on the carpet, letting us know at once that our effort — or lack therof — made a difference.
Since he was first drawn, he's been parodied as often as he's been paraded at 4th of July picnics, used as a stand-in for "big brother" in political cartoons as often as he's represented some of our deepest sorrows.
Although Uncle Sam, and our perception of him, has changed over time, he remains a powerful symbol of patriotism, government, and idealism. After looking through collection after collection of Uncle Sam images and stories, I think he stands for an ideal that is as important today as it was during Sam Wilson's time 200 years ago: One person can make a difference. He might look like an aging rock star, but Uncle Sam Wants You. He believes in you, and he wants you to participate. To care and to stand up for what is right, very possibly now more than ever.
What did you think of Uncle Sam when you were growing up? Did his image influence you to join the military or affect your perception of military service? Tell us below!
By long tradition, and for good or for ill, public K-12 education has historically been funded via property taxes. But that solution doesn't work well for districts with a lot of active-duty military families. Federal land, including base housing, generates no tax revenue for local districts. And military families aren't picking up the slack with sales taxes, either. To the extent military families do their shopping at commissaries and post exchanges, they don't generate sales taxes either to the state or to the counties in which they reside.
To compensate, Congress plusses up budgets of school districts that have high concentrations of military students – to the tune of $1 billion per year, via a federal grant program called IMPACT AID.
But the so-called "sequestration" provisions of the Budget Control Act, if they become effective, will lop off 9 percent of that figure effective later in the fiscal year – unless Congress reaches a last minute deal.
That means sequestration will zap military school districts of nearly $100 million.
The effects are already making themselves known: School's already started, and affected districts have had to make budgeting decisions assuming that their funding will be lower this year.
For some districts, IMPACT is negligible. But other districts may rely on the federal government for the majority of their budgets. This is particularly true for districts that lie entirely on military bases.
Walker said he had been forced to eliminate an elementary reading specialist; a librarian; a middle school reading specialist; high school teachers in math, science, and English; and the school's baseball, cross country, and swimming programs. Custodians, secretaries, and other administrative personnel were also eliminated. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the entire Randolph Field School District, kindergarten through 12th grade, serves fewer than 1,500 students, so these are big cuts.
Similar problems are also affecting school districts on Indian reservations, as well – these schools are likewise heavily dependent on federal funding.
The funding situation for many of these school districts was already dire: A July 2011 DoD report listed 15 military installation schools as "condition red," meaning they were in desperate need of significant repair or renovation of their physical plants. The report listed another 48 schools as "yellow," also indicating a need for significant maintenance, repair or renovation.
Additionally, the Pentagon reported 28 schools as being significantly over capacity, by 16 percent or more. The Pentagon reports that it has a maintenance budget shortfall of $1 billion – even before sequestration, according to reporting by the Center for Public Integrity.
Brace yourselves: If you're a military retiree or retiree dependent/family member, your TRICARE enrollment fee will be going up, effective tomorrow, October 1. The amount of the hike depends on when you enrolled. The new fee will be $269.28 per year for individual enrollees, and $538.56 per year for families. For those of you who were enrolled prior to October 1st of 2011, your 2011 fees were $230 and $460, respectively.
If you enrolled after that date, your current fee is slightly larger than those who enrolled prior to October 1, 2011.
Even so, TRICARE rates are bargain-basement, compared to private sector plans offering benefits anywhere near comparable – even where civilian employers are paying half your premium. On a monthly basis, TRICARE Prime costs $22.44 per month for individuals, and precisely twice that for families.
Exception: If you are a survivor of a deceased servicemember, or if you have been medically retired, your fees will not be going up. You are exempted from fee hikes, as long as you are continuously enrolled in TRICARE Prime.
During the 2004 presidential campaign, the satirical website The Onion published a humorous fake news story that depicted Republican operative urging minorities to vote… a day too late.
Elections officials staffing the federal voting assistance website listed an incorrect deadline for receiving absentee military ballots in Wisconsin. The website listed November 16th as the deadline. The actual deadline is 4 p.m. November 9th – the Friday following the election.
The snafu was apparently first detected by MacIver News Service, itself an arm of the MacIver Institute of Public Policy. The organization is a Wisconsin-based think-tank that promotes conservative politics and ideology.
Wisconsin is considered a battleground state in this years' presidential election. Military ballots historically trend towards Republicans. The error could have led to hundreds of Wisconsin military ballots arriving too late to be counted in the election. The error could have turned the state, in the event of a tight race.
Wisconsin has 10 electoral votes.
If you are a Wisconsin resident, you can request an absentee ballot be emailed or to you by emailing your municipal clerk. Wisconsin does not allow you to return your ballot electronically.
According to a recent Pew study it takes 26 days, on average, for a Wisconsin absentee voter to navigate the absentee voting system, obtain a ballot, fill it out, and mail the ballot in where it can be counted. So backwards time-plan accordingly.
Wisconsin does not require military absentee voters to register ahead of time.
What I Never Receive My Ballot?
Fortunately, if Wisconsin – or any other state – fails to send your ballot on time, or if they sent it but for whatever reason you didn't receive it, or you lost it, there is a back-up plan available: Download the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot, or FWAB. This ballot, good in all 50 states, is intended for military and other absentee voters who haven't gotten their ballots with 30 days or less left to go before the election.
Just write in your preferences – clearly and legibly, please, from your municipality's sample ballot – and return it according to the instructions.
Service members whose active duty was involuntarily extended beyond their original agreements are facing an October 21st, 2012 deadline to apply for stop loss pay benefits. The Department of Defense increased the use of stop loss after the advent of the terrorist attack of September 11th. It reached its highest use in 2005, and the policy is slated to discontinue in 2011 by a 2009 directive of the-Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
This is not an automatic benefit; those who experienced stop loss must apply to receive the funds. You must have served under stop loss between September 11th, 2001 and September 30th, 2009. For each month served under stop loss, veteran service members will receive a bonus of $500.
Signed documentation or affidavit from knowledgeable officials from the individual's chain of command acknowledging separation/deployment, etc.
Your branch of service may request more information and documentation after receiving your application. Each branch of service processes its own stop loss claims; the address for each service's claim processing is located on the DD2294.
Veterans who voluntarily reenlisted after being told they were to undergo a stop loss and received a bonus for that reenlistment are ineligible for this program.
If you were planning on taking advantage of the temporarily extended Homeowners Assistance Program, or HAP, it's time to get a move on. The deadline to apply is September 30th.
HAP provides financial assistance to homeowners who are upside down in their homes because of base closures or realignments. The term 'upside-down' means the homeowners owe more on their homes than their homes are worth.
The Homeowners Assistance Program actually consists of two distinct parts: The first part, Conventional HAP, dates back to 1966, and was specifically designed to help federal and military workers sell their homes where housing prices were depressed because of base closures. The Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 expanded the program to include disabled members of the military and spouses of deceased servicemembers.
The September 30th deadline applies specifically to those going for benefits under conventional HAP.
You must have taken a hit of 10 percent or more on your home because of a base realignment or closing.
You had to relocate more than 50 miles to your new post, or you were forced to retire because your job or post no longer exists.
You must sell your home between 1 July 2006 and 30 September 2012.
Your PCS orders must be dated between 1 February 2006 and 30 September 2010.
You must have been required to move at least 50 miles.
You must have closed or committed to close on the property prior to 1 July 2006.
The property must be the primary residence of the owner.
You must not have received benefits under Expanded HAP Benefit Payments previously.
The HAP may compensate you with the appraised value when you actually sell it. The government reimburses closing costs for private sales.
Those applying under PCS or BRAC 2005 auspices (those whose positions were eliminated or they were forced to move because of a base closure) must sell their houses by September 30th to receive assistance, though a 1 month extension was recently granted for Fort Monmouth, New Jersey and NAS Brunswick, Maine. So things are down to the wire for that group.
Extended HAP benefits go to wounded or disabled servicemembers with a VA disability rating of 30 percent or higher, or those whose military doctors certify are likely to receive a 30 percent or higher disability rating. However, there must be a specific reason why the servicemember must relocate (and sell the home). Examples of valid reasons include to obtain better access to treatment, be closer to caregivers or to find work that you can do with the disability.
Those who retire prior to the federal mandatory retirement dates.
Those who are entering active duty (these people may fall under the Soldiers and Sailors Act to ward off foreclosure and bankruptcy proceedings, though).
Service members who leave or are discharged voluntarily.
Servicemembers who request voluntary release from active duty (REFRAD).
Servicemembers released for substandard performance or misconduct.
The deed to your dwelling with recording information such as book, page number, date of recording of deed; or bar code.
Transfer orders, or amendment orders; DoD civilians provide a copy of a SF50.
Retirement orders or separation letter. This will provide further evidence of your relocation.
A statement from utility company indicating occupancy dates.
DD Form 1300 Report of Casualty, if applicable.
A full brochure is here. If you are working with a real estate agent, and you think you may fall under one the HAP criteria, give this document to your agent.
President Barack Obama signed an executive order on August 31st directing a number of federal agencies to expand access to mental health care and services for servicemembers, their families and veterans. The measure comes amidst an epidemic of suicides among military members — amounting to as much as one per day.
The Department of Veterans Affairs was directed to increase their veteran crisis hotline capacity by 50 percent.
The VA was also directed to ensure that all veterans reporting themselves to be in crisis "connect with" a trained mental health professional within 24 hours or less.
The VA was directed to work with the Defense Department to develop and implement a 12-month suicide prevention campaign (apparently they have to be told to do this).
In areas where the VA has trouble recruiting qualified professionals, the President has directed them to form "pilot sites," which will contract with local professionals to provide needed services.
The VA is directed to hire 800 "peer-to-peer" support counselors, and as many as 1,600 new mental health care workers.
The President announced the executive order during a visit to Fort Bliss, Texas.
One former Army psychiatrist, however, says the order doesn't go far enough. Writing for Time Magazine, COL Elspeth Cameron Ritchie argues that the Veterans Administration is already trying to hire 1,600 additional mental health care professionals, even without the executive order.
Educate civilian mental health workers on how to work with veterans.
Educate police and corrections officers on best practices in working with veterans.
Bring more anti-PTSD medications to market, or expand their use.
Re-look at security clearance questionnaires that force servicemembers to reveal mental health treatment, potentially discouraging some servicemembers from seeking treatment.
What do you think of COL Ritchie's implication that military members and veterans either aren't trained on the safe handling of firearms, or that their access to firearms must be restricted?
Do you think this and her other suggestions would make a difference?


After the initial meeting at the ARIAS meeting in September, a Writing Initiative (aWI) will have their first meeting to further discuss and develop ideas on creative, alternative or 'other' writing strategies within artistic and academic research. Members of the group work as researchers, teachers and artists at (among other institutes) UvA, VU, HvA, Rietveld Art Academy, Fontys Hogeschool and HKU.We have two aims for this first session. We want to write together (we will make use of creative writing exercises) and to discuss what type of content will be of interest for everyone interested in or affiliated with this group. We will use this session to present research done at the Professorship of Performative Processes as well. This possibly leads to the group branching out into different sections, as we still harbour a broad range of interests in (alternative) writing, researching, creating and publishing. We will use this session as a practical meeting as well.
On Friday, 23rd November 2018, the Professorship at the HKU hosted a gathering attended by people interested in aWi. It served as an initial meeting, to exchange ideas and consider ways forward. The attendees shared experience and perspectives. Ninke and Marjolijn provided examples of writing exercises and techniques, and led interesting discussions.
Examples of related publications were provided by Nirav and Miriam. There was also discussion about what the aWi could be, with several attendees providing feedback that an "open" association of those involved with Creative Writing and research of all kinds was desirable, providing a pivot that allows associates to be informed about initiatives that might interest them, and to generate new projects and ideas. HKU and Amal proposed that strands be identified, existing projects; new collaborations; training/workshops; and outcomes. The outcomes could include publications, online and print, performances and exhibitions, meetings and symposia. They suggest setting concrete targets, events or publications that several partners can collaborate on. To collate knowledge of existing projects, they suggest a register of interests, existing projects, events, proposal, suggestions and invitation. To enable that, they will draw up a one page feedback to be distributed to all who have, to date, expressed interest, and, in future, to others. This will be returnable within a defined period, say by mid Jan/February. Besides being made available through Arias, the information could be discussed at the next aWi related meeting by those present.
-Existing ideas about language and physicality.
-Existing ideas within art education (HBO and University level) about writing practices.
-Differences and similarities in approaching artworks, art-analysis both in academic and artistic practice.
-The availability of freewriting and other creative strategies to academics.
-Questions of emotional engagement (on all levels of research and artistic practice) and its translation into academic writing.
-Possible measurability of artistic writing products as research results.
-Possibilities of hybrid forms of writing that overcome a dichotomy between 'academic' and 'creative' writing.
-Questions of authorial voice within academic writing.
-Process versus product; didactic strategies.
-The products that they want to come out of the efforts of this group.


Superintendent Dr. Greg Adkins and Director of Diversity and Inclusion Jarrett Eady are two of the guests on an upcoming episode of the Lee Pitts Live talk show.
Students at Lehigh Acres Middle School are loving FUSE Studio, a new free-range learning class focused on interest-driven STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math) exploration.
Hidden away in Fort Myers is a place where students can use robots, 3D printers, drones, and more to explore their passion for science, technology, engineering and math.
Please join us for an informative presentation on tobacco and vaping prevention. Learn what makes tobacco and vaping so dangerous for teens.
Two Estero High School students have organized a brand new club called "Envision" that will help Southwest Florida children in need. Check out this story and much more in a brand new edition of District Wins.
Estero High School senior Taylor Bouchard took a difficult situation and turned it into an incredible opportunity to help others in need.
On Thursday, November 15 at 7:00 p.m. the most outstanding singers in middle and high schools from across Lee County will participate in a joint chorus concert at Cape Coral High School.
At Diplomat Elementary, PE coach Morgan Wright is using a unique alternative to mandatory fitness testing and students can't wait to exercise.
Students from the School District of Lee County are set to be honored at Pride and Patriotism of Lee County's 14th Annual Youth Celebrating the Arts and Honoring Our Veterans Event.
Superintendent Dr. Greg Adkins will lead the School District of Lee County's inaugural "Run to Remember" a 3.1 mile run to honor the nation's veterans.
The School District of Lee County has the largest Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Program (JROTC) in the country. Over 6,500 cadets will be taking part in a variety of Veterans Day Ceremonies.
The District proudly congratulates Clayton Simmons, Principal at Estero High School, for being selected Lee County Principal of the year and Katie Scoville, Assistant Principal at East Lee County High School, for being named Lee County Assistant Principal of the year.


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