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Whistleblowers Say Classical Conversations is Multi-Level Marketing Scheme that Exploits Homeschooling Parents
By Josh Shepherd
Classical Conservations Inc. CEO Robert Bortins Jr. addressed thousands of homeschooling families in a simulcast broadcast from Albemarle, North Carolina on October 18, 2017. (Image: Screenshot / YouTube)
Classical Conversations, Inc. (CC) bills itself as a leading faith-based homeschool education company that enables homeschooling parents, upon being contracted as local CC directors, to make extra income while providing an important local ministry.
Yet according to analysis by The Roys Report, local directors make next to nothing working for CC. Meanwhile, CC is taking in millions in what whistleblowers and insiders allege is a multi-level marketing (MLM) scheme.
Starting in fall 2013, Kristi Bothur, a mother of two children who earned a master's degree in curriculum, spent six years working with a CC chapter in Columbia, South Carolina.
Kristi Bothur
She worked six months as a tutor, and over five years as director. With 14 years of prior teaching experience, she easily recruited mothers of school-age children to the CC program, which met weekly in a local church.
By her third year, Bothur began to think she was set up to fail. The local chapter never grew, despite her skill at networking and selling the program. Parents who responded to her pitch were shuffled off to nearby local CC chapters. She took in thousands of dollars in registration and tuition fees from parents—a hefty percentage going to CC corporate—but her income was nearly nothing.
In state after state, it's a story repeated with only slight variations about CC. Over several months, The Roys Report interviewed eight former CC contractors across six states. Some were tutors or directors of local programs; others served as CC area or state representatives. Several were reluctant to speak on-the-record because CC had required them to sign a non-disclosure agreement.
The Roys Report also obtained data regarding annual program-related income and expenses from seven directors for their years with CC—from 2012 to 2018. Some data came from two directors interviewed by The Roys Report. The rest came from Carol Topp, a certified public accountant based in Cincinnati, Ohio, who received the data from five other CC directors for a book she wrote.
When averaged, the directors collected about $20,000 in tuition and fees during a school year. Of that, CC received 100% of registration fees ($55 to $145 per student for younger students) as its "licensing" dues, and 12% of tuition fees collected for each 7th- to 12th-grade student per semester. On two occasions, CC's cut was as much as 33% to 60% of a director's total revenue. (The percentage CC received varied due to discounts given families with multiple children enrolled.)
The directors reported that they worked on CC programs for approximately 20 hours per week and made an average of $2,811 annual profit. Several reported less than $800 profit for a year's work, and one reported losses multiple years.
The amounts for the directors and the years reported are tabulated in the chart below. (For the sake of privacy, we are not reporting the directors' names with their income.)
*Data supplied by Carol Topp, CPA. ^Director G used non-standard accrual accounting during the two years reported. The person recorded income over two semesters, yet had to pay all CC fees in the fall semester.
These whistleblowers reveal a multi-level marketing scheme that they say exploits homeschooling parents—who, seemingly by design, rarely benefit from their front-line work of overseeing the CC education model and recruiting other families to the network.
Among them are Bothur. The breaking point for her was having to attend CC meetings hours away from home, once again to recruit people to the network.
"I'm putting in all these hours away from my family at meetings, and not getting anything out of it," Bothur said in a phone interview. "I'm not getting income out of it. I'm not getting friends for my kids out of it. All I'm doing is advertising for somebody else's program."
In 2019, Bothur resigned as local director.
Even directors who like the program admit to making little money. Serving as a CC director since 2012, Annie Ferguson of Niceville, Florida, said she has made only $2,000 to $3,000 per year.
"I jumped in to CC because it offers classical Christian community," Ferguson said. "It's not about the money, which is not very much after you pay licensing fees to CC."
The Roys Report reached out to CC's corporate office for comment and CEO Robert Bortins Jr. granted a brief interview. However, both he and the company declined to answer specific questions regarding specific incidents described in this report.
In a statement to The Roys Report, CC said: "Classical Conversations has supported more than 37,500 Licensed Directors over the past 22+ years. We are not a legal or accounting firm, therefore we do not give legal or accounting advice. Classical Conversations licenses a product to its customers. Licensees are encouraged to work with local professionals for their business needs."
CC Earns Millions, While Directors Make a Pittance
Based in Southern Pines, North Carolina, Classical Conversations, Inc. has been touted as "the Walmart of education" and, on its own website, "the nation's leader in classical, Christian teaching of children."
The private company, majority-owned by the Bortins family, including founders Leigh and Robert Bortins, does not publish financial data.
Robert Bortins Jr.
Bortins Jr. told The Roys Report that CC has about 130 employees. He added that about 70 work at the home office and the rest work from home.
Based on reported enrollment of over 120,000 students in U.S. programs and detailed data provided by former CC contractors, annual revenues are estimated at between $15 million and $40 million.
CC's business model hinges on local groups, which resemble a typical homeschool co-op. But instead of running as a nonprofit, staffed by volunteers, CC groups are for-profit businesses run by local directors, who function as licensed business owners. As owners, these directors are responsible for all aspects of the program—hiring tutors, paying applicable taxes, collecting tuition, and doing all the accounting.
CC, on the other hand, collects fees and sells its curriculum to all program participants. It also dictates the way each group must be run. Everyone in a CC group must use CC's curriculum, and the only way to get key parts of the curriculum is by enrolling in a local CC group.
"What makes CC Inc. different is they're not just a curriculum seller," said Carol Topp, who has specialized in serving homeschool families and leaders for the past 16 years. "They license a program, and they're really more of a multi-level marketing organization."
Multi-level marketing strategies are not inherently unlawful or unethical. However, several MLM companies whose business practices exploited participants have been fined or shut down—often for exhibiting a high level of control over licensees and lack of full disclosure. These are warning signs that Topp has seen with CC for years.
In its 13-page licensing agreement, CC specifies a half-dozen different fees to charge enrolled families, how much to pay tutors, and (by extension) what percentage the director receives.
Exploitation at Every Level
Above the director level, CC contracts support representatives (SRs) who each have about 10 CC directors they help. In each state, SRs report up to statewide or regional area representatives (ARs). Both SRs and ARs are paid by commission.
SRs receive approximately 15% of CC student registration fees, 5% of curriculum sales, and some ancillary revenue, according to former CC area representative and homeschool mother of four from Arizona, JJ Veale. Veale added that statewide ARs receive a smaller cut of registration fees in addition to revenue from twice-annual "practicum" events designed to grow the CC network and sell curriculum.
Homeschool parents who formerly worked in these leadership roles also allege exploitative practices.
According to Veale, SRs and ARs have to make bonuses to earn a decent wage—but CC sets bonuses just out of reach.
JJ Veale
In January 2012, CC recruited Veale to direct their first local chapter in Arizona. Parents flocked to Veale, formerly an English instructor at the university level. Soon, CC leaders urged her to lead state operations as an AR for Arizona.
Within a few years, CC affiliates across Arizona multiplied from one to more than 60, each led by a homeschooling parent. The CC network in Arizona had "a growth rate of like 3,000% during my tenure," according to Veale. Yet she made, on average, only $5K annually working 30 hours per week.
"The SRs I trained were out there busting their tails, growing the CC network, doing everything they can to resource these homeschooling moms," she said in a phone interview. "But, from a metrics standpoint, the company told them over and over that we were failing."
Through multiple contacts in the CC network, Veale later learned Arizona support reps were "the poorest paid in the country." Only then, the master's graduate was embarrassed to admit, did she sit down to carefully read and research CC contracts.
She found that aggressive goals written into contracts—updated annually by CC—ensured her successful team hardly benefited from the education corporation's growth. Most years, the majority of SRs in Arizona were expected to double their number of CC communities to receive any bonus, Veale said.
The final straw for Veale was seeing a woman she had recruited be mistreated by higher-ups. The young mother had experienced a miscarriage and was ordered on bed rest by her doctor. Yet the CC support representative above the grieving mother insisted she attend their training practicum or lose her position.
Veale attempted to intervene, going above the support representative to the AR for Arizona who had taken over her position.
"I don't believe this is the environment that you would be okay with," she texted CC's statewide leader. "Please, I beg you, do something to stop this."
In response, Veale said the area representative stood by the company's stringent policies.
In Over Their Heads
According to Topp and several former CC directors I interviewed, CC recruits homeschool moms by appealing to the ministry benefit of the program, rather than stating up front that local directors are starting their own businesses.
Today, CC's website has a Business Practices FAQ page that explains the for-profit nature of CC programs. However, according to multiple former directors, the FAQ page was added only in October 2019. And many local directors have gotten in way over their head.
Jamie Buckland
In 2013, Jamie Buckland of Beckley, West Virginia, became a CC director to homeschool her four children and to help other homeschool moms. One incident she will never forget from her four years with CC was the day she realized she owed $1,248 in back taxes related to her role as CC director.
"My accountant asked, 'OK, where's the six percent service charge you're supposed to be charging on the tuition?' It turns out every director in our state had been operating outside of the law for years," she told me. In 2016, she resigned from her role with CC.
Today an educational consultant, Buckland has since had hundreds of current and former CC directors and tutors as clients. According to her, many of those clients have been liable for unpaid state and federal income taxes.
Those left holding the bag include one desperate mom and CC director who contacted her in late 2019.
"She called me consumed with stress about an audit," recalled Buckland. "She hadn't showered in two weeks and said her husband was threatening to leave them because they'd face financial ruin, owing thousands in back taxes."
Buckland accuses CC of being deceptive and preying on unsuspecting homeschool moms.
"The company hasn't disclosed that all the liability for this business model is placed on the directors," Buckland said. "These moms don't even have time to school their kids because they're too busy running a business for CC. I'm all for capitalism, but this is exploitation."
Annie Ferguson, who's a CC enthusiast and remains a CC director, also admitted, "It was frustrating and intimidating for me when I started. The tax issues and whether to set up as a sole proprietorship or what not, I was left to figure out on my own."
Topp agrees that CC directors take on "huge amounts of liability" without full disclosure. Some legal responsibilities directors must assume include doing background checks, managing tutors, making payroll, securing daycare licensing, and entering into a lease agreement with a church (or other venue).
"Unfortunately, many moms are duped," Topp said. "They get sold on this being a 'ministry' and forget they're running a business."
CC Buries Tax Help
Aware of these issues, Topp said she offered her expertise to the CC network—only to see her work buried.
After several CC local directors flooded her Homeschool CPA website with questions, she wrote a short book of guidelines to help directors with record-keeping, tax filing, and advice on how to classify as a local business.
Carol Topp, CPA
At a homeschool convention in 2017, Topp told Bortins about the book. Topp said two months later, CC COO Keith Denton called and recommended Topp license the book exclusively to CC. Believing it would be promoted to all directors, Topp agreed and delivered the content in early 2018.
CC released her ebook on March 30, 2018, with only two weeks left in that year's tax season.
CC also buried the ebook on its website, according to Topp. She says the only way to find it was to download an 81-page PDF document and then click on a link embedded on page 54. (Topp has since rewritten this ebook, which is available at her website.)
Former director Bothur said this incident suggests that CC doesn't want its directors to know the extent of tax liabilities they are taking on.
CC did not reply to inquiries about specific issues. However, Bortins dismissed critics during our interview and asserted that CC "has a very bright future leading the classical education movement."
CC Appeals to Religious Obligation
Over the years, dozens of former CC contractors have called out CC's alleged exploitative business practices, including on The Spiritual Sounding Board, Kristi Bothur's blog and JJ Veale's blog. Plus, more than 2,000 former CC contractors have organized a private Facebook group to raise awareness of CC policies they allege are abusive and ethically dubious.
Despite this, CC continues to grow. Critics say that's because the company fuses spiritual language into its business dealings with contractors, creating a culture of religious obligation.
CC's stated mission is to know God and make him known, a motto popularized by evangelical ministries The Navigators and Youth with a Mission. The education company also assumes what sounds like pastoral authority when conveying its policies to contractors.
The 2020 edition of CC's Directors Licensing Guide references oft-misused passage Matthew 18 on behalf of contractor compliance. One question asks: "Do you refrain from gossip or disrespectful, dishonoring talk?" Their Integrity Checklist for Directors states: "Please [assess] your commitment to the integrity of the process and product of CC . . . With insight from our Lord, check yourself."
Buckland said that when her family decided to exit the CC network, they also chose to leave their longtime church home. She said CC representatives accused them of "being outside the will of the Lord," which spread and caused even her kids to lose friendships.
Similarly, CC representatives online have come down on anyone who finds a wrinkle in their dues-paying network, some parents allege. Several parents who posted in CC-moderated groups about a person's legal right to resell curriculum materials they own (per U.S. law) report being censored and blocked from those groups.
Ferguson, however, disagreed that the company exerts unhealthy pressure. "I've always felt freedom to be able to move in and out of these roles," she said. "When I've signed on as CC director for a season, I only feel pressure to hold their plumb line with great integrity."
Yet other former directors say they stayed so long with CC because they felt their faith demanded it.
"They market themselves as a Christian company," said Bothur. "But they seem more focused on keeping the company financially strong than on supporting and coming alongside their directors."
Recalling her seven years working in various CC roles with little return, Veale spoke frankly: "You only do that when you're incredibly committed to groupthink—and I was for many years."
*This article has been updated. An error was made in the initial data supplied for the data table, which resulted in slightly different numbers reported at initial publication. We regret the error.
Freelance journalist Josh Shepherd writes on faith, culture, and public policy for several media outlets. He and his wife live in the Washington, D.C. area with their two children.
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93 thoughts on "Whistleblowers Say Classical Conversations is Multi-Level Marketing Scheme that Exploits Homeschooling Parents"
Former CC tutor
Five years ago, in the midst of caring for an elderly parent, I joined a CC campus in our area where several friends were already members. I needed help making sure my kids continued to learn on the days/weeks when caregiving took my attention. I was asked to tutor Essentials because I had taught IEW materials and English at another co-op. The community we joined became like a family to us during the incredible difficult time of caring for our parents and during a life-threatening illness with one of my children. Meals were provided, children were picked up and dropped off, and we were flooded with calls, emails, and notes of encouragement from our leadership and friends. For the first two years, my older two students loved their time in CC classes. I enjoyed tutoring Essentials. I did not enjoy tutoring Foundations because we were not able to have conversations in class. If I did, I never got through all the review I was required to do.
Once my children began moving into the Challenge classes, our enjoyment disappeared. I had always understood the classical method to promote learning that was appropriate to the level of maturity of the student. Both of my challenge students lost their love of learning due to the pace and difficulty of working through high school level books at a middle school level. I was also bothered by the insistence that all of my children had to be enrolled in CC in order for me to become anything more than a tutor. I had two older children who were on a solid plan for high school/college prep and would not have flourished in CC. The inflexibility of CC along with the use of materials that are above the level of the students pushed us to leave, and we are regaining our love of learning and are able to learn together again, rather than each child struggling through his/her own work each week. I truly miss the community of moms, the fellowship we had, and the early years in Foundations and Essentials. However, I do not miss the stress my children were placed under, nor the stress I saw on the faces of friends who were trying to recruit and meet goals when all they wanted to do was teach.
CC meets a need for so many who are just getting started or need some structure. However, it seems there are things that need to be addressed. Like anything man creates, there is brokenness. We should be humble enough to address concerns and make things right. I pray that this article creates change and healing.
We had many happy years in Foundations/Essentials. We lasted a year in Challenge and found it to be a waste of time with lots of busy work and not much learning. Furthermore, while Foundations/Essentials keeps the entire family on the same page, Challenge splinters the family in too many directions.
Thank you for sharing your story, Rob! Your insights into the manipulative tactics we are seeing are so helpful!
Former CC Challenge director here.
I directed for several years and my wife tutored Foundations for several years; we withdrew from CC a year ago. One commenter on here who is defending CC insinuates that those critical of CC were let go or kicked out. That's insulting and ignorant. I was asked to continue directing and had to break it to higher-ups that I just couldn't anymore. I couldn't tolerate the corporate leadership's lying, manipulative tactics, and the lack of attention given to the begging and pleas of directors like me who saw problems, tried to bring them up while we were still in CC and committed to our roles, and begged them to consider some solutions we proposed (at the time I felt very alone; I know now that I have been one of MANY).
I have observed a pattern that is visible here in these comments too. Those who want to defend CC don't often address the specific problems or criticisms presented; they more often point to the results that they perceive from CC's model, curriculum, educational outcomes for students, etc. After dealing with CC corporate over a period of time while I was a director, I observed a similar ends-justify-the-means mentality that is not only wrong, but leaves people like me pretty stonewalled in our efforts to get corporate to comment on and address legal and ethical concerns.
I welcomed this article when it appeared this week. When the corporation won't listen to people who are among its own devoted licensees, things like this become the next best solution. The Facebook groups "Let Us Reason For Real" and "Talk Classical Conversations" are also invaluable.
Leaving CC
Former Director. Thank you for speaking out and revealing truth. It goes much deeper than this, but grateful for the article! The preferential treatment allotted to some families is damaging to the rest of the class and community. I have had an uneasy feeling past couple of years with their practices. Hopefully there will be some accountability soon.
The question of exploitation has come up in a few groups I'm in, and whether that really applies to CC when it's often used to talk about migrant labor, for example, or human trafficking. No one is making CC Directors stay, right? So let's talk about it.
How's this for a definition of "exploit"? "To make unethical use of someone for one's own advantage or profit." Another definition I found added "often by underpaying or overworking".
Here are my thoughts:
CC Inc has set up a program with a price point that is within the reach of enough homeschool families that they (CC) can maximize enrollment and, therefore, income (via licensing fees, book sales, and CCC subscriptions).
CC needs to maintain that balance between keeping willing customers and maximizing CC's income.
The CC cost for parents has four parts: tuition, registration, supplies, and facility.
Two years ago, CC raised the registration fee for F/E from $85 to $145, all of which goes to CC Inc. They kept the Challenge registration fee the same, but increased the licensing fee from around 25% of tuition and fees, to the $125 registration fee PLUS $160 per semester flat rate. This increased the total licensing fee and had the effect of decreasing the Challenge Director's per-student income.
To keep tuition down, CC needs cheap labor (Directors and tutors). A word about tuition – parents think it all stays in the community for Directors and tutors, but that is not true for Challenge, where $320 of it goes to CC Inc in licensing fees in addition to the registration fee.
To keep the facility fee down, CC needs cheap locations – and for years, churches have been willing to host CC businesses for free, or at least below market value.
Without those two things – cheap labor and cheap locations – program prices will go up and CC will lose families – and therefore will also lose book sales and CCC subscriptions. Everything in this house of cards depends on the in-person programs succeeding.
Except in a few states where the laws are different, CC relies on churches (and Directors, SRs, and ARs) being in the dark about how hosting a business could impact their property tax exemption so they will host CC for minimal fees. They also have spend a lot of time telling churches that hosting CC fulfills the mission of the church, which keeps churches willing to help, and making government seem like the bad guy.
CC relies on Directors being naive about business risks and willing to put in long hours for minimal pay because, hey, it's serving other homeschool families. It's like a ministry. They also rely on how they know "community" becomes something families feel they cannot homeschool without, which increases the feeling of Directors being compensated without costing CC Inc financially, because they are really doing it for their kids.
With this, they pull in millions in fees, CCC subscriptions, and book sales. Without it, they would make much much less.
When Directors ask the wrong questions, they get kicked out of groups and have their comments deleted. They get put on "SMART plans". They get harassed. And when they leave sometimes they are slandered and their children lose their friends.
If tuition increased to be a fair wage to Directors and tutors, and if Directors had to pay market value to rent a facility for their business activities, the price per student would place CC out of reach of most homeschool families. This would also decrease CC Inc's income greatly.
This is the system CC has set up to maximize their income and minimize their risk. It relies on, and takes advantage of, workers and churches to be naive and unconcerned about what and how they are being compensated while making sure they get as much as they can get.
That to me sounds like exploitation.
P.S. I was told by my SR the year that I left CC that new moms make great directors because they are more "pliable". It was such an odd word to use that it made me wonder if that was a phrase from SR training?
That confirms even more that this is a pyramid scheme, which as you know it is better to be at the very top or at the very bottom of it if you are caught up in one. Most of these directors and similar are the suckers in the middle. Which is why they are SOL in many ways.
Mr. Jesperson
I left a similar comment to this one on another story here. That comment referred to the book of James where it asks the question can a "faith" that does not do what Jesus commands of us really save anyone? This blog has many news stories about various controversies going on "in the Name of Jesus Christ." The comments on all of them follow a pattern at two extremes. The issues are "are the concerns brought up valid?" And "is the fact that someone in that system being reported on is being taken advantage of a real concern or not" to the commenter?
Jesus Himself brought up concerns he saw in the religious systems of his day and validated them as real. Period. And Jesus was very concerned about those being taken real advantage of by the religious powers of his day. The Prophets also expressed the same concerns to previous generations. This is critical for the two responses I see over and over again here regardless of who the story targets and what the issues are or what particular individuals have claimed to been taken advantage of:
1) Some commenters sound like Jesus. They openly express empathy for those whom may be being taken advantage of. They acknowledge the issues that are there and do not simply blow them off. There is empathy in what they say and a concern for true justice to be carried out on earth because this is a very foundation of the throne and the rule of Jesus Christ on this earth.
2) Other commenters make it clear that they have been profiting in someway from the institution and they are mad that anything "negative" is being reported about it. They express zero empathy for anyone other than themselves and their immediate friends and family. They communicate a clear and very selfish pragmatism, "this is working for me so why is anyone else having a problem with it?" They shoot the messenger as if Julie or whomever wrote up the story is evil and THE problem, because in their own eyes they are. There is no concern expressed that a third party might have been harmed. This displays both a total lack of empathy but also for basic justice. The golden rule fails and is broken and they could care less. They tend to refuse to acknowledge any possibility at all that the concerns might be valid.
So this brings me back to James', the brother of Jesus, question: can such a faith, one without empathy or concern for justice for others whom you are not profiting with, actually save you? What does this teach their kids in this present context? Ignore all problems and concerns for others as long as a religious system and institution is giving you personal profit? To me that sounds purely demonic but I do experience empathy and a definite strong desire to see justice done on this earth..
Mr Jesperson, thank you so much for your comment. It helped me immensely. I'm the CPA mentioned in the article. Since it was written, I have had several people criticize me and try to damage my reputation. It hurts me emotionally. Your comment was like a balm. It gave me perspective.
From the bottom of my heart I thank you and wish I could meet you in person to thank you for how much your comment has helped me. Lord bless you, Mr Jesperson.
Dawn Smith
I participated in the program for a half year under one of the directors interviewed here. Yes the material is garbage, but I transferred to a director who knew how to run the campus at least even with the learning material being what it was. The director interviewed here ran her campus like a circus! Then wondered why people left or transferred. She also lied when doing all this recruiting about how many families she had on her campus. TWO. The answer was TWO. So of course no one wanted to stay. And I felt betrayed that she never brought this up when recruiting us and neither did her superior, who she had sit in on our meeting. They talked like their "campus" had many families. Not just two. There's a lot going on behind the scenes here, but I had to do what was best for my kids and got out. Unfortunately not before we were swindled out of several hundred dollars.
Did you have a useful thought about the exploitation of CC workers? Or is this just a classic ad hominem attack where you insult one of the people who was interviewed because… I don't know. She's quit You've quit. There's nothing here to improve or change, so did you just want your pound of flesh?
Godith
Homeschooled parents and children are sometimes exploited. How often, I cannot say. The moms don't have outside jobs for the most part and so are open to earning money doing what they love– teaching their own and others' kids. They are women of goodwill as well and they tend to trust religious people. Similarly their children are brought up to be kind and generally compliant.
I remember one women's tea I went to, put on by a rich lady from the Bible study. She had hired a homeschool girl to serve and clean up, while this lady's daughter was at her expensive private school. Maybe the girl was well-paid. Still it made me sad. Homeschoolers with their flexible schedules can be exploited. Or you may just view them as having more opportunities to earn some hard cash.
Joyanna
This is so true. I've been homeschooling for 24 years. It seems that whenever I tell someone I homeschool the only word they hear is home. When I was younger I tried to be more accommodating than I should have to a pastor that wanted our free labor and also various neighbors and relatives that wanted one thing or another. After a couple of years I put a stop to all that. Now I'm much more selective about how much I let outsiders interfere in our school day.
I am the happy director of a Challenge A group and have another child in Foundations and Essentials. I was a teacher for 10 years at an elite private school and also in public school. The curriculum is sound, the methods are excellent, and my children have learned a ton. It is hard, but homeschooling is hard. If you want your children to learn you're going to have to work hard. Classical Conversations Is not my job. Homeschooling is my job. My children and my community are like family to me. Classical Conversations may be making a lot of money, but so do a lot of publishing companies. They are a publishing company. If they need to change and redo their model, then that will come out and I'm sure that they will. In the meantime, I find this article to be very manipulative and no better than the way the media spins other stories about Christianity. I find it shameful and one-sided.
This comment I think purely demonstrates the point I made on my comment which is just a few places higher on this list. This is a textbook self-centered and self-righteous comment. I see a lot of these here on various stories about various institutions. But you could remove any of them and copy and paste them below a different story and they all appear absolutely identical…
Kristi Key
Well said, Maggie. I would encourage reading the article carefully and looking for missing information. It is full of accusations from a very small sample size.
Our family has been a part of CC for nine years. Much of what is stated lacks explanation needing context for accurate understanding. It is a very good example of poor journalism. My two CC grads have received an excellent education and are thriving at their chosen colleges academically, spritiually, and socially. I as a director have not felt exploited. We have benefitted from seasoned home educators pouring into us as a young family and now find satisfaction sharing our strengths and struggles with others. That is community. And belonging to a community is a choice.
I think I will take the article to my third son's Challenge I class and have them find the fallacies and biases. They have been weel trained for such critical thinking.
Karen Sutton
While there are some things I don't agree with in the CC corporate structure, to call it a pyramid scheme or MLM is niave and ridiculous. I've directed F/E seven years and been in CC 9 years. I've had 4 different SRs over me during that time. NEVER has there been any talk of this being a way to make a ton of money. Communities are limited to the size they are, so if any director had a hard time keeping people it may not be the company that was the issue….7 years I've have a maxed out community…100% full with a wait list and 2 other communities in the same town as me which I constantly referred other families to join. I've made enough money to cover my kids tuition but that's about it and that's what I expected when I signed up. If corporate is making millions…good for them. My husband owns several small businesses so I KNOW what goes on the higher up you get and the more you have to jump through government hoops. CC has to look for "cheap locations " because the government is overreaching and too involved with what they believe education should look like.
Like I said, there are things they do and policies they have I don't agree with, but if anyone has been in a church long enough you learn things about your church you don't agree with either.
I'm thankful my oldest is graduating from Ch 4 with the ability to debate and the wisdom to discern the difference between truth and lies.
Well, that was a read. Having been in CC for 8 years, tutored 2, directed FE 3 going on 4 I think I've been through the gamut of what CC's structure and business model holds. Good and bad. I've got lots to say about the bad but not today.
I've never been under any illusion that I'd make money by serving in my community. I always knew that at best it would cover the costs of my own kids being in the program, and at worst I'd be a little under water. That said, after the spring and summer preparation that comes as tutor or director, my experience with the program is 100% a rewarding albeit challenging experience. The growth I see in my own kids and the students around them speak for themselves, and the relationships forged are absolutely priceless. If as a director you're not spending a significant portion of your day praying with other parents on campus than you might want to reevaluate. We learn together and grow together. And the better I learn the classical model the more I relax on the rigors of each level. Challenge A isn't busy work as I saw a previous commenter claim, it's the grammar stage of challenge and is teaching you the tools. Foundations and essentials aren't wasted time, it's building strong blocks of memory to serve later.
When I've come into conflict with CC leadership, here's the bottom line: fire me and find someone else, or deal with my decision. Finding a director in most places around me is like trapping a unicorn. It doesn't come easy, and I feel like the pushbacks I've had to make are justified and worth putting my role on the line to protect the people in my community.
I also have no regrets, but my lack of regrets is due to leaving CC after 9 years. I also have no regrets in those 9 years with CC either. My decision to leave was mostly due to CC no longer offering what my children needed educationally. My oldest did well in Essentials her first year. She got it. Her second year was ok. She still got it and really owned it. Her third year was horrible. Her classmates lack of participation and behavioral issues were only a part of the struggle. She was bored with the content offered by the curriculum! Her work at home deviated pretty far from doing just CC. I directed her Challenge A class. I had taught math to 7th graders for years before my kids. I don't regret doing it. That directing job opened my eyes to the lack of true support within the CC structure. After the 19-20 school year, I made up my mind to be done with CC unless the year was beautiful educationally because of CC. That was a fervent prayer. Lord, make our CC experience beautiful. Instead, He answered with a realization that CC was no longer a good fit for my family educationally. The community we miss. The freedom educationally this school year has been beautiful.
The knowledge that my hard work in laboring to direct and tutor is not lining Robert Bortins' pocket book is just an icing on the cake. And I don't say that with any sense of being disgruntled! Leigh Bortins is literally a genius. Her business idea capitalized on my willingness to make pennies for my labors in the field I have a degree. They have the right to run the business as they see fit. There will be consequences to their choices.
I am very thankful for my CC community. I have worked 2 years as a Foundations and Essentials director and now about to complete my 2nd year as a Challenge director. CC has always been up front about where the money goes. They do encourage that we use their bookstore, though a lot of parents just share or resell their materials to others. They have always been up front about encouraging us on getting legal and financial advice elsewhere. I get paid directly by the parents and send a portion to CC. I do hardly get paid but this in light of the fact that it is the parents who pay me. We don't want tuition raised. The parents directly get affected. CC has other ways of making money via the registration fees, licensing fees, the proprietary curricula, etc. I don't see anything wrong in that. There is no compulsion that could not be avoided simply by not joining. I am thankful for the encouragement, the mentorship, the accountability, and the curriculum support.
Are the homeschool parents involved are doing this for financial benefit? They compares CC to programs that sell items- schemes to sell makeup or a line of books through a mom for extra cash, as if these homeschooling moms would not be homeschooling even without CC and for no financial benefit.
Why doesn't this article compare corporate CC to any other publishing company, nor disclose anything but a high number of corporate income for shock value, ignoring any expenses or employee salaries in their company? Note: directors buy the product and volunteer to lead. They are not an "employee" although they get some cash to try to help balance the extra responsibility on top of a regular cc mom's. They already homeschool, money or no money.
A true comparison would be admitting that directors would do much of this same work attempting to pull together a "free co op" for their children and have the subsequent lack of respect for the value of time or structure. (I pay for CC because I did "free" co ops for years. There is no quality filter on free.
The money is not controlling this. Please do not tear down this bridge between homeschool and private with such shoddy assumptions based on things in our world only being worth something when money is attached.
Jared Shahan
Very manipulative and one-sided article, but not unexpected given the hostile nature of people and the axe they chose to grind. CC is good and bad, but I find the good outweighs the bad imho. If I did not think this way, I would find another co-op or go back to home-based schooling through Veritas Press. If it is not a good system, people will leave and find other option; in the meantime, build up and avoid tearing down people who are honestly trying to educate in the Christian youth. I find most people who write articles like this, are very skilled at being hyper-critical, but very poor at being gracious.
Sarah Wilson
I just left a CC community and will never return. The manipulative tactics used (especially at the Challenge level) has hurt my family, and their "rules" become smothering and ridiculous. We've only been in and out of CC for maybe the last 6-7 years, however, I've homeschooled for 23 years, graduated my two oldest years ago (not using CC) and have three left at home who are all at the Challenge level. I am not without experience or a "newbie" to the homeschool world, nor do I lack the giving of grace when I know we're all a hot mess who need Jesus every second of our lives. With that said, I'm not sure where the accountability is in this company. While I *could have* made waves, demanded to meet with the higher-ups and have conversations, I decided not to waste my time and let God handle it. He does so far more perfectly than I ever could. I've washed my hand of CC and will NEVER be a part of it again and will encourage others to steer clear.


text:
Barcelona 3-3 Levante: Barcelona lost a 2-0 lead
Sanjib Sah
This article was last updated by on December 2, 2021
Barcelona lost a 2-0 lead and saw their La Liga hopes to get a big setback when they played with Levante.
Lionel Messi has put the visitors ahead with a very well-controlled low volley. Before they doubled their lead as Pedri turned to Ousmane Dembele's cross following the Messiah's ball.
But Gonzalo Melero headed one back, and Jose Luis Morales opened the scoring 2-2.
Barcelona has returned to the lead with Dembele's powerful shot. But Sergio Leon has found the back of the net late for Levante.
Barca has moved up to second, above Real Madrid, but would have been ahead with a win. And one point behind leaders Atletico Madrid, who have a game in hand.
Atletico has three games left and will be the Spanish champions for the first time from 2013-14 to win them all.
Barca midfielder Sergio Busquets has admitted his team's chances of winning 27 La Liga are slim.
"There are very few options that are available for us to win the league now," he said.
"Sounds bad. We couldn't win the game, and we started well. We got the advantage and the second goal.
But we couldn't get the third. As has happened so many times, the mistakes have misled us.
"This point means very little to us. We did not represent our accuracy, and they used it to the full.
"We have had our chances, but we already have paid for our mistakes. And we did not have a good second chance.
"It's our fault, and we got committed. And we allow the teams to score when they face us."
Koeman was confused when Barcelona rejected him.
Barcelona seemed to be in complete control after scoring two goals in the first 34 minutes. Facing a Levite team that needed one point to make sure they avoided relegation.
However, as defender Sergi Roberto entered and went into an unusual defensive position, Ronald Koeman's side began to look weak and conceded twice in three minutes.
Melero rose above Barcelona's defense to put the goal back. And Messi carelessly lost control of the 30-meter lead with Morales voting for Levante's first equalizer.
Ronald Koeman (Source: Fubo TV)
Dembele's goal, which got awarded after the referee's check in the video, ruled that Antoine Griezmann did not misplay.
Levant's Jorge Miramon restored the visitors' lead. But Leon went ahead with Gerard Pique to score the third quick goal.
"In the second half, we lacked energy. And I don't know what to do during the break as we were high in the first half," said Koeman.
"They surprised us by scoring three goals. And I have no explanation – I do not know why that happened.
"Strong, down, and very relaxed. The whole team defensively was not at the required level. Winning three goals in 45 minutes is the biggest thing for this team."
Barcelona won the Copa del Rey last month but exited the Champions League in the previous 16. And could miss the Spanish title for the second consecutive season.
Atletico will score four points if they win their hand-to-hand match on Wednesday at home. Against fifth-placed Real Sociedad, before Real Madrid play Granada on Thursday.
Athlete Mother January 27, 2023
Ranking 15 Best NFL Edge Rushers
Bo Jackson Net Worth: Earnings & Endorsements

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
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Material on this site may not be reproduced in any form for profit without the written permission of the copyright holder. If not indicated on the image itself or listed below, the copyright is held by Holdem Ber.
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Apple has time and time again set a new standard with its innovation; whether it is in the smartphone market or the personal computing category. Through its MacBook, Apple redefined the laptop experience with premium design and excellent features that made the MacBook such a resounding success. This line of notebooks saw Apple become the preferred choice for gamers, multimedia users and even professional. Such versatility in usage and exquisite build have become synonymous with Apple's MacBooks. Over the years, Apple has launched different models and variants to stay ahead of the competition by providing its customers with the latest in technology and a smooth operating system. MacBook Pro - MacBook Air specifications and features are the combinations of lightweight construction, excellent graphics, speedy flash storage, and commendable battery life. Daraz.pk brings to you the luxury of buying the best Apple MacBook devices in Pakistan and getting them delivered to your doorstep. Revolutionize your personal computing experience with daraz.pk. Whether you are looking for a MacBook Air or a MacBook Pro online, we have you covered. Get the best and join the rest of the world with the latest technology.
Searching for the best MacBook Pro price in Pakistan? The lowest price for MacBook Pro in Pakistan starts @ Rs. 105,781. MacBook Pro most affordable rates can only be found on Daraz.pk. Looking to buy a new MacBook Pro on installments in Pakistan with 0 markups or interest? Daraz.pk brings the best installment plans online for MacBook Pro gaming console in Pakistan & the MacBook Pro installment plans start @ Rs. 8,815 per month. Ideal for usage in a professional setup, the MacBook Pro brings the latest specs in the form of faster performance, storage capacity, and excellent battery life. The graphics are dynamic; the sound quality is brilliant, and the operating system works like a charm to give you the best user experience. With the line-up including various models of MacBook Pro that incorporate different features as such as varying screen sizes, TouchID, and the innovative Touch Bar. New users of MacBook Pro are usually thinking about what MacBook Pro prices in Pakistan market? At Daraz Pakistan, you will definitely find a perfect MacBook pro at affordable rates online.
Searching for the best MacBook Air price in Pakistan? The lowest price for MacBook Air in Pakistan starts @ Rs. 128,000. MacBook Air most affordable rates can only be found on Daraz.pk. Looking to buy a new MacBook Air on installments in Pakistan with 0 markups or interest? Daraz.pk brings the best installment plans online for MacBook Air gaming console in Pakistan & the MacBook Air installment plans start @ Rs. 10,667 per month. Portable and light yet durable, powerful and enjoyable - the MacBook Air is an excellent choice owing to the powerful i5 and i7 processors, excellent 11.6"" screen, and a multitude of effective connectivity options. The 256GB storage and 4GB RAM are ideal for this type of device that can last up to 12 hours between charges. New users of MacBook Air are generally thinking about what MacBook Air prices are in Pakistani market? At Daraz Pakistan, you will definitely find a perfect MacBook Air at affordable rates online. Continuing on from the traditional MacBook, this model comes with retina display 12-inch screen in a sleek and compact design. Ninth-generation Intel processors, speedy flash storage and commendable battery life make this machine a serious contender for the notebook for your everyday usage. Running the MacOS Sierra with sufficient memory and RAM, the Apple MacBook is a beast that performs smoothly.


"My Reading History" is a feature that allows you to save a list of everything that you check out from the library starting when you "opt-in." If you decide to enable this feature, you should be aware of the privacy implications of saving your reading history particularly in relation to the Patriot Act. You should also be aware that anyone with your library card and password will have access to your reading history through your online account.
Who will have access to my reading history? If you choose this option, you should be aware of the privacy implications of saving your reading history particularly in relation to the Patriot Act. Also, please be aware that anyone with access to your library card number can check your reading history or any other information attached to your account.
What kind of information does the Library keep about books I check out or other information services I use? To receive a library card, borrowers are required to proof of identity, birth date and mailing address. This identifying information is retained as long as the borrower continues to use the library card. A borrower's library record includes current information, items currently checked out or on hold, as well as overdue materials and fines. The Library does not maintain a history of what a borrower has previously checked out once books and materials are returned on time. Similarly, the Library's computer search stations are programmed to delete the history of a user's Internet session and all searches once an individual session is completed. The Library treats reference questions, whether in person or online, confidentially. Personal identifying information related to these questions is purged on an ongoing basis.
What are the implications for My Reading History in terms of confidentiality and the USA PATRIOT Act? Library patrons need to be aware that using My Reading History means this information is being stored on the Library's server. If we are served with a subpoena, My Reading History information might have to be surrendered to law enforcement officials with respect to the USA PATRIOT Act.
What is the USA PATRIOT Act? On October 25, 2001, Congress passed the "Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism" (USA PATRIOT) Act. The act broadly expands law enforcement's surveillance and investigative powers, with Sections 214-216 applying to libraries and bookstores.
What are Sections 214-216 of the USA PATRIOT Act? These sections of the Act give law enforcement agencies expanded authority to obtain Library records, secretly monitor electronic communications and prohibit libraries and librarians from informing users of such monitoring or information requests.
What happens if I lose my card? You will not lose your reading history if you lose your card. However, you should notify the library right away so that others cannot get access to your library account.
What happens when the library removes a title from the collection? If we remove a title from the collection, you will see the message "Information no longer available" instead of the title.


FILE - Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov is seen at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, March 27, 2017.
Russia is ready to improve ties with the United States but it is up to Washington to make the first move, the Kremlin said on Monday after the conclusion of a U.S. investigation into alleged collusion between Donald Trump and Moscow in the 2016 election.
U.S. Attorney General William Barr said in a summary released on Sunday that Special Counsel Robert Mueller had found no evidence of collusion in his investigation, though had not determined whether Trump obstructed justice by undermining inquiries that have dogged his presidency.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the report on a conference call and said Russia had never interfered and did not plan to interfere in the United States or other countries' internal affairs and elections.
"...It's hard to find a black cat in a dark room, especially if there is no cat," Peskov told reporters.
U.S. intelligence agencies said shortly before Trump took office in January 2017 that Moscow meddled in the presidential election with a campaign of email hacking and online propaganda aimed at sowing discord in the United States.
Commenting on the possibility of an improvement in ties with the United States after the conclusion of the Mueller report, Peskov said President Vladimir Putin had repeatedly stated he was open to shoring up relations.
FILE - In this Monday, July 16, 2018, file photo, U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands at the beginning of a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland.
"In this case, the ball is absolutely in their court. It was given to Trump in Helsinki," Peskov said, referring to a summit between Putin and Trump in the Finnish capital in July 2018.


Tembusu Vertical Marathon is back for its 4th iteration! It is a sports event organized by students at Tembusu College. This event aims to bring together people and promote a healthy lifestyle while supporting a good cause!
Join us on 26th January 2019 with your family and friends!


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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
package protoreflect

// Descriptor provides a set of accessors that are common to every descriptor.
// Each descriptor type wraps the equivalent google.protobuf.XXXDescriptorProto,
// but provides efficient lookup and immutability.
//
// Each descriptor is comparable. Equality implies that the two types are
// exactly identical. However, it is possible for the same semantically
// identical proto type to be represented by multiple type descriptors.
//
// For example, suppose we have t1 and t2 which are both MessageDescriptors.
// If t1 == t2, then the types are definitely equal and all accessors return
// the same information. However, if t1 != t2, then it is still possible that
// they still represent the same proto type (e.g., t1.FullName == t2.FullName).
// This can occur if a descriptor type is created dynamically, or multiple
// versions of the same proto type are accidentally linked into the Go binary.
type Descriptor interface {
	// ParentFile returns the parent file descriptor that this descriptor
	// is declared within. The parent file for the file descriptor is itself.
	//
	// Support for this functionality is optional and may return nil.
	ParentFile() FileDescriptor

	// Parent returns the parent containing this descriptor declaration.
	// The following shows the mapping from child type to possible parent types:
	//
	//	╔═════════════════════╤═══════════════════════════════════╗
	//	║ Child type          │ Possible parent types             ║
	//	╠═════════════════════╪═══════════════════════════════════╣
	//	║ FileDescriptor      │ nil                               ║
	//	║ MessageDescriptor   │ FileDescriptor, MessageDescriptor ║
	//	║ FieldDescriptor     │ FileDescriptor, MessageDescriptor ║
	//	║ OneofDescriptor     │ MessageDescriptor                 ║
	//	║ EnumDescriptor      │ FileDescriptor, MessageDescriptor ║
	//	║ EnumValueDescriptor │ EnumDescriptor                    ║
	//	║ ServiceDescriptor   │ FileDescriptor                    ║
	//	║ MethodDescriptor    │ ServiceDescriptor                 ║
	//	╚═════════════════════╧═══════════════════════════════════╝
	//
	// Support for this functionality is optional and may return nil.
	Parent() Descriptor

	// Index returns the index of this descriptor within its parent.
	// It returns 0 if the descriptor does not have a parent or if the parent
	// is unknown.
	Index() int

	// Syntax is the protobuf syntax.
	Syntax() Syntax // e.g., Proto2 or Proto3

	// Name is the short name of the declaration (i.e., FullName.Name).
	Name() Name // e.g., "Any"

	// FullName is the fully-qualified name of the declaration.
	//
	// The FullName is a concatenation of the full name of the type that this
	// type is declared within and the declaration name. For example,
	// field "foo_field" in message "proto.package.MyMessage" is
	// uniquely identified as "proto.package.MyMessage.foo_field".
	// Enum values are an exception to the rule (see EnumValueDescriptor).
	FullName() FullName // e.g., "google.protobuf.Any"

	// IsPlaceholder reports whether type information is missing since a
	// dependency is not resolved, in which case only name information is known.
	//
	// Placeholder types may only be returned by the following accessors
	// as a result of unresolved dependencies or weak imports:
	//
	//	╔═══════════════════════════════════╤═════════════════════╗
	//	║ Accessor                          │ Descriptor          ║
	//	╠═══════════════════════════════════╪═════════════════════╣
	//	║ FileImports.FileDescriptor        │ FileDescriptor      ║
	//	║ FieldDescriptor.Enum              │ EnumDescriptor      ║
	//	║ FieldDescriptor.Message           │ MessageDescriptor   ║
	//	║ FieldDescriptor.DefaultEnumValue  │ EnumValueDescriptor ║
	//	║ FieldDescriptor.ContainingMessage │ MessageDescriptor   ║
	//	║ MethodDescriptor.Input            │ MessageDescriptor   ║
	//	║ MethodDescriptor.Output           │ MessageDescriptor   ║
	//	╚═══════════════════════════════════╧═════════════════════╝
	//
	// If true, only Name and FullName are valid.
	// For FileDescriptor, the Path is also valid.
	IsPlaceholder() bool

	// Options returns the descriptor options. The caller must not modify
	// the returned value.
	//
	// To avoid a dependency cycle, this function returns a proto.Message value.
	// The proto message type returned for each descriptor type is as follows:
	//	╔═════════════════════╤══════════════════════════════════════════╗
	//	║ Go type             │ Protobuf message type                    ║
	//	╠═════════════════════╪══════════════════════════════════════════╣
	//	║ FileDescriptor      │ google.protobuf.FileOptions              ║
	//	║ EnumDescriptor      │ google.protobuf.EnumOptions              ║
	//	║ EnumValueDescriptor │ google.protobuf.EnumValueOptions         ║
	//	║ MessageDescriptor   │ google.protobuf.MessageOptions           ║
	//	║ FieldDescriptor     │ google.protobuf.FieldOptions             ║
	//	║ OneofDescriptor     │ google.protobuf.OneofOptions             ║
	//	║ ServiceDescriptor   │ google.protobuf.ServiceOptions           ║
	//	║ MethodDescriptor    │ google.protobuf.MethodOptions            ║
	//	╚═════════════════════╧══════════════════════════════════════════╝
	//
	// This method returns a typed nil-pointer if no options are present.
	// The caller must import the descriptorpb package to use this.
	Options() ProtoMessage

	doNotImplement
}

// FileDescriptor describes the types in a complete proto file and
// corresponds with the google.protobuf.FileDescriptorProto message.
//
// Top-level declarations:
// EnumDescriptor, MessageDescriptor, FieldDescriptor, and/or ServiceDescriptor.
type FileDescriptor interface {
	Descriptor // Descriptor.FullName is identical to Package

	// Path returns the file name, relative to the source tree root.
	Path() string // e.g., "path/to/file.proto"
	// Package returns the protobuf package namespace.
	Package() FullName // e.g., "google.protobuf"

	// Imports is a list of imported proto files.
	Imports() FileImports

	// Enums is a list of the top-level enum declarations.
	Enums() EnumDescriptors
	// Messages is a list of the top-level message declarations.
	Messages() MessageDescriptors
	// Extensions is a list of the top-level extension declarations.
	Extensions() ExtensionDescriptors
	// Services is a list of the top-level service declarations.
	Services() ServiceDescriptors

	// SourceLocations is a list of source locations.
	SourceLocations() SourceLocations

	isFileDescriptor
}
type isFileDescriptor interface{ ProtoType(FileDescriptor) }

// FileImports is a list of file imports.
type FileImports interface {
	// Len reports the number of files imported by this proto file.
	Len() int
	// Get returns the ith FileImport. It panics if out of bounds.
	Get(i int) FileImport

	doNotImplement
}

// FileImport is the declaration for a proto file import.
type FileImport struct {
	// FileDescriptor is the file type for the given import.
	// It is a placeholder descriptor if IsWeak is set or if a dependency has
	// not been regenerated to implement the new reflection APIs.
	FileDescriptor

	// IsPublic reports whether this is a public import, which causes this file
	// to alias declarations within the imported file. The intended use cases
	// for this feature is the ability to move proto files without breaking
	// existing dependencies.
	//
	// The current file and the imported file must be within proto package.
	IsPublic bool

	// IsWeak reports whether this is a weak import, which does not impose
	// a direct dependency on the target file.
	//
	// Weak imports are a legacy proto1 feature. Equivalent behavior is
	// achieved using proto2 extension fields or proto3 Any messages.
	IsWeak bool
}

// MessageDescriptor describes a message and
// corresponds with the google.protobuf.DescriptorProto message.
//
// Nested declarations:
// FieldDescriptor, OneofDescriptor, FieldDescriptor, EnumDescriptor,
// and/or MessageDescriptor.
type MessageDescriptor interface {
	Descriptor

	// IsMapEntry indicates that this is an auto-generated message type to
	// represent the entry type for a map field.
	//
	// Map entry messages have only two fields:
	//	• a "key" field with a field number of 1
	//	• a "value" field with a field number of 2
	// The key and value types are determined by these two fields.
	//
	// If IsMapEntry is true, it implies that FieldDescriptor.IsMap is true
	// for some field with this message type.
	IsMapEntry() bool

	// Fields is a list of nested field declarations.
	Fields() FieldDescriptors
	// Oneofs is a list of nested oneof declarations.
	Oneofs() OneofDescriptors

	// ReservedNames is a list of reserved field names.
	ReservedNames() Names
	// ReservedRanges is a list of reserved ranges of field numbers.
	ReservedRanges() FieldRanges
	// RequiredNumbers is a list of required field numbers.
	// In Proto3, it is always an empty list.
	RequiredNumbers() FieldNumbers
	// ExtensionRanges is the field ranges used for extension fields.
	// In Proto3, it is always an empty ranges.
	ExtensionRanges() FieldRanges
	// ExtensionRangeOptions returns the ith extension range options.
	//
	// To avoid a dependency cycle, this method returns a proto.Message value,
	// which always contains a google.protobuf.ExtensionRangeOptions message.
	// This method returns a typed nil-pointer if no options are present.
	// The caller must import the descriptorpb package to use this.
	ExtensionRangeOptions(i int) ProtoMessage

	// Enums is a list of nested enum declarations.
	Enums() EnumDescriptors
	// Messages is a list of nested message declarations.
	Messages() MessageDescriptors
	// Extensions is a list of nested extension declarations.
	Extensions() ExtensionDescriptors

	isMessageDescriptor
}
type isMessageDescriptor interface{ ProtoType(MessageDescriptor) }

// MessageType encapsulates a MessageDescriptor with a concrete Go implementation.
type MessageType interface {
	// New returns a newly allocated empty message.
	New() Message

	// Zero returns an empty, read-only message.
	Zero() Message

	// Descriptor returns the message descriptor.
	//
	// Invariant: t.Descriptor() == t.New().Descriptor()
	Descriptor() MessageDescriptor
}

// MessageDescriptors is a list of message declarations.
type MessageDescriptors interface {
	// Len reports the number of messages.
	Len() int
	// Get returns the ith MessageDescriptor. It panics if out of bounds.
	Get(i int) MessageDescriptor
	// ByName returns the MessageDescriptor for a message named s.
	// It returns nil if not found.
	ByName(s Name) MessageDescriptor

	doNotImplement
}

// FieldDescriptor describes a field within a message and
// corresponds with the google.protobuf.FieldDescriptorProto message.
//
// It is used for both normal fields defined within the parent message
// (e.g., MessageDescriptor.Fields) and fields that extend some remote message
// (e.g., FileDescriptor.Extensions or MessageDescriptor.Extensions).
type FieldDescriptor interface {
	Descriptor

	// Number reports the unique number for this field.
	Number() FieldNumber
	// Cardinality reports the cardinality for this field.
	Cardinality() Cardinality
	// Kind reports the basic kind for this field.
	Kind() Kind

	// HasJSONName reports whether this field has an explicitly set JSON name.
	HasJSONName() bool

	// JSONName reports the name used for JSON serialization.
	// It is usually the camel-cased form of the field name.
	JSONName() string

	// IsExtension reports whether this is an extension field. If false,
	// then Parent and ContainingMessage refer to the same message.
	// Otherwise, ContainingMessage and Parent likely differ.
	IsExtension() bool

	// IsWeak reports whether this is a weak field, which does not impose a
	// direct dependency on the target type.
	// If true, then Message returns a placeholder type.
	IsWeak() bool

	// IsPacked reports whether repeated primitive numeric kinds should be
	// serialized using a packed encoding.
	// If true, then it implies Cardinality is Repeated.
	IsPacked() bool

	// IsList reports whether this field represents a list,
	// where the value type for the associated field is a List.
	// It is equivalent to checking whether Cardinality is Repeated and
	// that IsMap reports false.
	IsList() bool

	// IsMap reports whether this field represents a map,
	// where the value type for the associated field is a Map.
	// It is equivalent to checking whether Cardinality is Repeated,
	// that the Kind is MessageKind, and that Message.IsMapEntry reports true.
	IsMap() bool

	// MapKey returns the field descriptor for the key in the map entry.
	// It returns nil if IsMap reports false.
	MapKey() FieldDescriptor

	// MapValue returns the field descriptor for the value in the map entry.
	// It returns nil if IsMap reports false.
	MapValue() FieldDescriptor

	// HasDefault reports whether this field has a default value.
	HasDefault() bool

	// Default returns the default value for scalar fields.
	// For proto2, it is the default value as specified in the proto file,
	// or the zero value if unspecified.
	// For proto3, it is always the zero value of the scalar.
	// The Value type is determined by the Kind.
	Default() Value

	// DefaultEnumValue returns the enum value descriptor for the default value
	// of an enum field, and is nil for any other kind of field.
	DefaultEnumValue() EnumValueDescriptor

	// ContainingOneof is the containing oneof that this field belongs to,
	// and is nil if this field is not part of a oneof.
	ContainingOneof() OneofDescriptor

	// ContainingMessage is the containing message that this field belongs to.
	// For extension fields, this may not necessarily be the parent message
	// that the field is declared within.
	ContainingMessage() MessageDescriptor

	// Enum is the enum descriptor if Kind is EnumKind.
	// It returns nil for any other Kind.
	Enum() EnumDescriptor

	// Message is the message descriptor if Kind is
	// MessageKind or GroupKind. It returns nil for any other Kind.
	Message() MessageDescriptor

	isFieldDescriptor
}
type isFieldDescriptor interface{ ProtoType(FieldDescriptor) }

// FieldDescriptors is a list of field declarations.
type FieldDescriptors interface {
	// Len reports the number of fields.
	Len() int
	// Get returns the ith FieldDescriptor. It panics if out of bounds.
	Get(i int) FieldDescriptor
	// ByName returns the FieldDescriptor for a field named s.
	// It returns nil if not found.
	ByName(s Name) FieldDescriptor
	// ByJSONName returns the FieldDescriptor for a field with s as the JSON name.
	// It returns nil if not found.
	ByJSONName(s string) FieldDescriptor
	// ByNumber returns the FieldDescriptor for a field numbered n.
	// It returns nil if not found.
	ByNumber(n FieldNumber) FieldDescriptor

	doNotImplement
}

// OneofDescriptor describes a oneof field set within a given message and
// corresponds with the google.protobuf.OneofDescriptorProto message.
type OneofDescriptor interface {
	Descriptor

	// Fields is a list of fields belonging to this oneof.
	Fields() FieldDescriptors

	isOneofDescriptor
}
type isOneofDescriptor interface{ ProtoType(OneofDescriptor) }

// OneofDescriptors is a list of oneof declarations.
type OneofDescriptors interface {
	// Len reports the number of oneof fields.
	Len() int
	// Get returns the ith OneofDescriptor. It panics if out of bounds.
	Get(i int) OneofDescriptor
	// ByName returns the OneofDescriptor for a oneof named s.
	// It returns nil if not found.
	ByName(s Name) OneofDescriptor

	doNotImplement
}

// ExtensionDescriptor is an alias of FieldDescriptor for documentation.
type ExtensionDescriptor = FieldDescriptor

// ExtensionTypeDescriptor is an ExtensionDescriptor with an associated ExtensionType.
type ExtensionTypeDescriptor interface {
	ExtensionDescriptor

	// Type returns the associated ExtensionType.
	Type() ExtensionType

	// Descriptor returns the plain ExtensionDescriptor without the
	// associated ExtensionType.
	Descriptor() ExtensionDescriptor
}

// ExtensionDescriptors is a list of field declarations.
type ExtensionDescriptors interface {
	// Len reports the number of fields.
	Len() int
	// Get returns the ith ExtensionDescriptor. It panics if out of bounds.
	Get(i int) ExtensionDescriptor
	// ByName returns the ExtensionDescriptor for a field named s.
	// It returns nil if not found.
	ByName(s Name) ExtensionDescriptor

	doNotImplement
}

// ExtensionType encapsulates an ExtensionDescriptor with a concrete
// Go implementation. The nested field descriptor must be for a extension field.
//
// While a normal field is a member of the parent message that it is declared
// within (see Descriptor.Parent), an extension field is a member of some other
// target message (see ExtensionDescriptor.Extendee) and may have no
// relationship with the parent. However, the full name of an extension field is
// relative to the parent that it is declared within.
//
// For example:
//	syntax = "proto2";
//	package example;
//	message FooMessage {
//		extensions 100 to max;
//	}
//	message BarMessage {
//		extends FooMessage { optional BarMessage bar_field = 100; }
//	}
//
// Field "bar_field" is an extension of FooMessage, but its full name is
// "example.BarMessage.bar_field" instead of "example.FooMessage.bar_field".
type ExtensionType interface {
	// New returns a new value for the field.
	// For scalars, this returns the default value in native Go form.
	New() Value

	// Zero returns a new value for the field.
	// For scalars, this returns the default value in native Go form.
	// For composite types, this returns an empty, read-only message, list, or map.
	Zero() Value

	// TypeDescriptor returns the extension type descriptor.
	TypeDescriptor() ExtensionTypeDescriptor

	// ValueOf wraps the input and returns it as a Value.
	// ValueOf panics if the input value is invalid or not the appropriate type.
	//
	// ValueOf is more extensive than protoreflect.ValueOf for a given field's
	// value as it has more type information available.
	ValueOf(interface{}) Value

	// InterfaceOf completely unwraps the Value to the underlying Go type.
	// InterfaceOf panics if the input is nil or does not represent the
	// appropriate underlying Go type. For composite types, it panics if the
	// value is not mutable.
	//
	// InterfaceOf is able to unwrap the Value further than Value.Interface
	// as it has more type information available.
	InterfaceOf(Value) interface{}

	// IsValidValue reports whether the Value is valid to assign to the field.
	IsValidValue(Value) bool

	// IsValidInterface reports whether the input is valid to assign to the field.
	IsValidInterface(interface{}) bool
}

// EnumDescriptor describes an enum and
// corresponds with the google.protobuf.EnumDescriptorProto message.
//
// Nested declarations:
// EnumValueDescriptor.
type EnumDescriptor interface {
	Descriptor

	// Values is a list of nested enum value declarations.
	Values() EnumValueDescriptors

	// ReservedNames is a list of reserved enum names.
	ReservedNames() Names
	// ReservedRanges is a list of reserved ranges of enum numbers.
	ReservedRanges() EnumRanges

	isEnumDescriptor
}
type isEnumDescriptor interface{ ProtoType(EnumDescriptor) }

// EnumType encapsulates an EnumDescriptor with a concrete Go implementation.
type EnumType interface {
	// New returns an instance of this enum type with its value set to n.
	New(n EnumNumber) Enum

	// Descriptor returns the enum descriptor.
	//
	// Invariant: t.Descriptor() == t.New(0).Descriptor()
	Descriptor() EnumDescriptor
}

// EnumDescriptors is a list of enum declarations.
type EnumDescriptors interface {
	// Len reports the number of enum types.
	Len() int
	// Get returns the ith EnumDescriptor. It panics if out of bounds.
	Get(i int) EnumDescriptor
	// ByName returns the EnumDescriptor for an enum named s.
	// It returns nil if not found.
	ByName(s Name) EnumDescriptor

	doNotImplement
}

// EnumValueDescriptor describes an enum value and
// corresponds with the google.protobuf.EnumValueDescriptorProto message.
//
// All other proto declarations are in the namespace of the parent.
// However, enum values do not follow this rule and are within the namespace
// of the parent's parent (i.e., they are a sibling of the containing enum).
// Thus, a value named "FOO_VALUE" declared within an enum uniquely identified
// as "proto.package.MyEnum" has a full name of "proto.package.FOO_VALUE".
type EnumValueDescriptor interface {
	Descriptor

	// Number returns the enum value as an integer.
	Number() EnumNumber

	isEnumValueDescriptor
}
type isEnumValueDescriptor interface{ ProtoType(EnumValueDescriptor) }

// EnumValueDescriptors is a list of enum value declarations.
type EnumValueDescriptors interface {
	// Len reports the number of enum values.
	Len() int
	// Get returns the ith EnumValueDescriptor. It panics if out of bounds.
	Get(i int) EnumValueDescriptor
	// ByName returns the EnumValueDescriptor for the enum value named s.
	// It returns nil if not found.
	ByName(s Name) EnumValueDescriptor
	// ByNumber returns the EnumValueDescriptor for the enum value numbered n.
	// If multiple have the same number, the first one defined is returned
	// It returns nil if not found.
	ByNumber(n EnumNumber) EnumValueDescriptor

	doNotImplement
}

// ServiceDescriptor describes a service and
// corresponds with the google.protobuf.ServiceDescriptorProto message.
//
// Nested declarations: MethodDescriptor.
type ServiceDescriptor interface {
	Descriptor

	// Methods is a list of nested message declarations.
	Methods() MethodDescriptors

	isServiceDescriptor
}
type isServiceDescriptor interface{ ProtoType(ServiceDescriptor) }

// ServiceDescriptors is a list of service declarations.
type ServiceDescriptors interface {
	// Len reports the number of services.
	Len() int
	// Get returns the ith ServiceDescriptor. It panics if out of bounds.
	Get(i int) ServiceDescriptor
	// ByName returns the ServiceDescriptor for a service named s.
	// It returns nil if not found.
	ByName(s Name) ServiceDescriptor

	doNotImplement
}

// MethodDescriptor describes a method and
// corresponds with the google.protobuf.MethodDescriptorProto message.
type MethodDescriptor interface {
	Descriptor

	// Input is the input message descriptor.
	Input() MessageDescriptor
	// Output is the output message descriptor.
	Output() MessageDescriptor
	// IsStreamingClient reports whether the client streams multiple messages.
	IsStreamingClient() bool
	// IsStreamingServer reports whether the server streams multiple messages.
	IsStreamingServer() bool

	isMethodDescriptor
}
type isMethodDescriptor interface{ ProtoType(MethodDescriptor) }

// MethodDescriptors is a list of method declarations.
type MethodDescriptors interface {
	// Len reports the number of methods.
	Len() int
	// Get returns the ith MethodDescriptor. It panics if out of bounds.
	Get(i int) MethodDescriptor
	// ByName returns the MethodDescriptor for a service method named s.
	// It returns nil if not found.
	ByName(s Name) MethodDescriptor

	doNotImplement
}


I can remember helping the teachers with the children younger than myself even when I was only a few years old. I love teaching children and helping them discover new and amazing things. I have volunteered and worked part time at centers for many years. In 2006 I started working as a full time teacher's assistant while attending De Anza College in Cupertino, California working toward an Associate Degree in Child Development, and Business. After one year, I received my Associate Teacher Permit from the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and became a full time teacher. I continued working as a teacher for the next two years, until our move to El Dorado Hills. The community and the environment here were a large part of our decision to move. We love the area and are so blessed to have the opportunity to start an in-home Christian Preschool here. I hope you and your family can be a part of our preschool the way you have let us be a part of your community.
I have three grown children; one son, recently graduated from San Jose State and just entering the job market, and two daughters who work and attend community college. I spent fifteen years working in the high tech industry before God called me to teaching in 1988. Over the last twenty-one years, I have been a teacher and/or director for children ages six weeks through twelve years old but my main focus has been on preschool/kindergarten age. I worked in a large center for five years, had my own center for seven years and then opened and ran a faith-based center for a Church for eight years. I currently hold a Site Supervisor Permit with the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. (Requirements for the permit include all of the education requirements for a Master Teacher plus supervision instruction and experience.) Every day is a wonder to me; as much as I love to teach the children, I love that they also teach me.


McDonald's has effectively announced that it wishes to destroy its entire business model.
That's basically what's going to happen seeing as how the hamburger giant has hired former Obama Press Secretary Robert Gibbs to take on the job of Executive Vice President and Global Chief Communications Officer.
If you can remember, Gibbs was Obama's U.S. Senate communications director and served in that position before becoming a political consultant in 2011.
But Gibbs' new gig is demanding that he radically shake things up at McDonald's, which has been struggling to post good financial gains for several consecutive quarters.
"Robert and Silvia are both highly-respected, talented leaders who will bring a wealth of experience and outside perspective to McDonald's as we build a more modern, progressive burger company," said McDonald's President and CEO Steve Easterbrook in a statement.
This dude doesn't know much about how progressivism works.
The bigger problem with these liberal blowhards is that they don't understand that people don't go to McDonald's for a progressive experience. People go to McDonald's for good tasting food.


text:
Restaurant Manager Poisons Unsatisfactory Employee
A restaurant manager in Japan was convicted of poisoning an employee
Wikimedia/Kor!an
A restaurant manager tried to poison an employee with the seeds of a poisonous datura flower rather than fire the man or talk about his work performance.
When most people do an unsatisfactory job at work, the worst they fear is that they will be fired. But the manager of a restaurant in Japan recently decided that he did not want to deal with the awkwardness of firing somebody, so instead he attempted to poison one of his employees for being an unsatisfactory worker.
According to Sora News 24, the manager of a Japanese-style pub in Himeji City, Japan, had a part-time employee that he did not think was working hard enough. The part-timer was a 20-year-old full-time university student working at the restaurant on the side, but the manager was reportedly not satisfied with the employee's work ethic. The manager apparently decided that he did not want to fire the employee or have a talk about his work performance — so he decided to poison the man instead.
The manager reportedly went on the Internet and bought some datura seeds, which are extremely poisonous and can cause adverse reactions including amnesia, delirium, and even death. He then mixed the seeds up into a rice bowl, which he served to the employee.
The young man ate the food and reportedly woke up the next day extremely groggy and unable to move. An ambulance took him to the hospital, where it took him a full week to recover from the poisoning.
Meanwhile, the restaurant owner appears to have heard that the employee was ill and stopped by the restaurant to ask what had happened, and that's when the manager mentioned the seeds. The stunned restaurateur immediately called the police to say that he thought his manager had poisoned one of the part-timers, and the manager was promptly arrested.
The manager was convicted of intentionally poisoning the employee, and he was sentenced to just three years' probation.
Sample Memo For Chef For Bad Quality Food
As we do not know complete facts of the case, it would be prudent on your part to write the memo and upload it here. Some senior like me will correct it. You may include the following points in your memo:
Date & time etc, was it buffet or a la cart or banquet, what was the specific complaint, whether complaint came from regular hotel guest, was it a new dish or a regular one, whether he had tasted the food before passing it on to F & B etc.
By the way, if the food preparation was bad then why give memo only to the Chef? Food is also tasted by F & B Manager. Why the food of bad taste was passed on by F & B Manager? This is also applicable to Restaurant Manager. Why he also failed in detecting the bad preparation?
If you wish to give memo to Chef then you need to give similar memo to other two F & B functionaries also. They cannot wash their hands off.
Does the Chef maintain record of his certificate for food tasting? If yes, then how does he maintain? If you are not maintaining the records then the malaise lies with GM of your hotel for failing to create this control. Everyday breakfast, lunch and dinner has to be certified by Chef, F & B Manager and Restaurant Manager. Later the sheet should go do GM and it must be preserved in the file.
Watch the video: Εστιατόριο ΜΕΝΟΥ (January 2022).
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Copyright 2022 \ Restaurant Manager Poisons Unsatisfactory Employee...


text:
The epic struggle for Guadalcanal
A lifetime ago a struggle began that would help shape the world for decades to come. The ranks of the men who served there are thinning rapidly now, perhaps a few thousand remaining among the tens of thousands of Americans who came to bloody grips with the foe on land, at sea, and in the air in a place that not one in a hundred among them had ever heard of before. But their fight should never be forgotten, because the campaign they began against the Japanese Empire 70 years ago today – August 7, 1942, at a place called Guadalcanal – marked a turning point in the war.
The summer of 1942 was the highwater mark of conquest for the Axis powers of Germany, Italy and Japan.
After their initial failure to knock out the Soviet Union in 1941, Nazi panzer divisions were again rolling through southern Russia, sweeping aside all in their path as they drove for the strategically vital oilfields of the Caucasus. German and Italian troops under the command of General Erwin Rommel had pushed British forces in Egypt back to within less than a hundred miles of Alexandria and the Suez Canal. U-boats were sinking half a million tons of shipping each month in the Atlantic. In addition to much of China, which it held from before the war started, the Japanese Empire now controlled millions of square miles and many more millions of people taken in its whirlwind conquests of the Philippines, Burma, Malaya, and the Dutch East Indies in the first half of 1942. For the Allies it was the darkest hour of the war.
Their pushback started in the unlikeliest of spots.
The Worst Place on Earth
Guadalcanal is one of the Solomon Islands chain in the Southwest Pacific that lie north and east of Australia. In 1942 it was mountainous, covered in stinking, disease-ridden, almost impenetrable jungle, subject to tropical heat and continual rain. Everyone who fought there, American and Japanese alike, thought that it was the worst place they'd ever seen. But it had one thing to attract the eye of military strategists: an abandoned rubber plantation near its northeast coast. There, the ground was firm and dry enough that an airfield could be built.
The Japanese began constructing an airbase there in the spring of 1942. When completed it would help them extend their conquests further down the island chains and isolate Australia, the main Allied base in the Southwest Pacific. The U.S. was determined to keep that from happening. The result was the first Allied offensive in the Pacific.
A hastily-gathered convoy of whatever troops and ships could be assembled (the effort was known officially as "Operation Watchtower" but unofficially as "Operation Shoestring" among its planners) set sail for the island and dropped anchor there on August 7. The 1st Marine Division landed and took the unfinished airstrip, Japanese construction workers fleeing for the jungle.
Things rapidly took a turn for the worse for the Americans when the Japanese responded. Two nights later the U.S. Navy received its worst-ever defeat in a fleet action. At the Battle of Savo Island, four Allied cruisers guarding the northern approaches to the island were sunk in a matter of minutes by an attacking Japanese cruiser force that suffered virtually no damage to itself. That disaster, coupled with fighter plane losses among the aircraft carriers that were guarding the convoy, caused the American admiral in charge to withdraw his ships with much of the Marines' supplies still unloaded. Until reinforcements could be gathered and delivered the 1st Marine Division was on its own.
The Marines almost annihilated the first small Japanese detachment landed on the island that tried to retake the airfield, which when completed in late August became known as Henderson Field after a Marine pilot killed at the Battle of Midway. Both sides knew that whoever controlled the airfield would ultimately control the battle.
A Three-dimensional battle
The see-saw struggle for Henderson Field that followed was unlike anything ever seen before: a three-dimensional battle on land, at sea, and in the air. And there was nothing predetermined about the outcome.
The U.S. and Japan were like two boxers each trying to land a punch at the very limits of their reach, for Guadalcanal was a long way from the major bases of each side. Neither could deliver a knockout blow, but they kept jabbing at one another in a fight that neither was willing to concede.
By day American and Japanese planes dueled in the sky over the field. The airfield and its planes – the "Cactus Air Force," so-called because of the field's code name "Cactus" – enabled the Americans to control the waters around the island during the day, when they could land reinforcements and supplies. The night was another story.
Japanese convoys that the Americans dubbed the "Tokyo Express" came down the channel through the Solomons on periodic nighttime runs to deliver their own supplies and ever-growing numbers of troops to Guadalcanal, and bombard Henderson Field with heavy gunfire. Whenever the U.S. Navy could muster sufficient force it tried to stop them.
Clashes by Night
As the Americans learned to their cost, Japanese naval night-fighting skills were the best in the world in 1942. In half a dozen major clashes and many smaller ones they gave at least as good as they got. The waters of idyllic-sounding Sealark Sound off Guadalcanal acquired another name: Ironbottom Sound, called so because of the more than 50 American and Japanese sunken ships that came to litter the ocean floor there. But at the cost of grievous losses of ships and sailors, in the three-day Naval Battle of Guadalcanal in November the U.S. Navy turned back the last major Japanese naval effort to land supplies and bombard Henderson Field.
On land, in scores of fierce skirmishes on nameless jungle trails and bitter night battles at places like Bloody Ridge that saw no-quarter, hand-to-hand fighting, the Marines repelled skillful and determined Japanese attacks. Japanese determination was often derided at the time as "fanaticism," but as author William Manchester, in his youth a Marine who fought in the Pacific, later said, "In retrospect it is indistinguishable from heroism. To call it anything else cheapens the victory, for American valor was necessary to defeat it."
'Starvation Island'
The Marines held, and slowly, painfully, began to wrest the initiative from the Japanese Army. And as fewer and fewer supplies reached the Japanese there through an ever-tightening cordon thrown around the island by ever-increasing Allied air and sea power, they gave it a new name: "Starvation Island."
Though the fighting had months to run after November, by then its outcome was basically decided. The losses in ships, planes, soldiers, and sailors they suffered at Guadalcanal and elsewhere throughout the Southwest Pacific during the campaign meant that the Japanese Army and Navy were never again able to regain the initiative in the Pacific War.
Elsewhere around the world in November, 1942, suddenly things began going the Allies' way. British and American forces landed in North Africa and started the process of rolling up the Axis forces there from the west. Meanwhile, at the other end of the Mediterranean shore, British troops under the command of General Bernard Montgomery broke through Rommel's defenses at El Alamein and began forcing them back toward the Allies advancing from the other direction. And a massive Soviet attack at a little-known town on the Volga River – Stalingrad – cut off the German 6th Army, whose survivors would surrender there in early February, just about the time that the Japanese were evacuating the last of their troops from Guadalcanal. Though years of bitter fighting lay ahead, the tide was turning.
In the brutal calculus by which such things are measured, Guadalcanal is a small thing next to Stalingrad, where hundreds of thousands of Russians and Germans were killed. Fewer than ten thousand American soldiers and sailors lost their lives on the island and the air and water surrounding it, and around thirty thousand Japanese.
But the Allied resurgence started there – a lifetime ago.
Karl Biemuller is an amatuer historian, astronomer, and writer in Mt. Airy.
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