text:
Tag: Arkansas
Historian Wilentz' Response to Senator Tom Cotton on the Issue of Slavery
U.S. Senator Tom Cotton (Rep., AR) recently has been criticizing The 1619 Project 'of the New York Times. The Project, he said, was "a racially divisive, revisionist account . . . that denies the noble principles of freedom and equality on which the nation was founded" although slavery "was the necessary evil upon which the union was built."[1] The latter comment was made by the Senator in a recent interview by Tucker Carlson of FoxNews, in which Cotton claimed to draw support from prominent American historians, one of whom was Sean Wilentz of Princeton University.
Wilentz' Response to Cotton[2]
Although four other American historians and I have "fundamental publicized objections to the project, . . . these in no way mitigate Cotton's serious misrepresentations of the historical record for evident political gain."
"Senator Tom Cotton, Republican of Arkansas, has introduced a bill in Congress that would punish school districts that use The New York Times's 1619 Project in their curriculum by withholding federal funding. In so doing, he announced in a newspaper interview that America's schoolchildren need to learn that the nation's Founders said slavery 'was the necessary evil upon which the union was built.' His statement is as preposterous as it is false: presuming to clarify American history, Cotton has grievously distorted it."
"None of the delegates who framed the Constitution in 1787 called slavery a 'necessary evil.' Some of them called slavery an evil, but not a necessary one. Gouverneur Morris of Pennsylvania, for example, declared to the Constitutional Convention that he would 'never concur in upholding domestic slavery,' that 'nefarious institution' based on 'the most cruel bondages'—'the curse of heaven on the states where it prevailed.' The great majority of the Framers joined Morris in fighting to ensure that slavery would be excluded from national law."
"James Madison, the most influential delegate at the convention, explicitly repudiated the idea of building the union on slavery, stating that it would be 'wrong to admit in the Constitution the idea that there could be property in men.' Though himself a slaveholder, Madison wanted to guarantee that the Constitution, while it might tolerate slavery in the states where it existed, would neither enshrine human bondage in national law nor recognize it as legitimate."
"A minority of the Framers, from the lower South, disagreed, but they believed slavery was no evil at all. 'If slavery be wrong,' Charles Pinckney of South Carolina declared, 'it is justified by the example of all the world.' Far from a necessary evil, Pinckney thought slavery was a necessary good, as it had been for time immemorial. 'In all ages,' he claimed, 'one half of mankind have been slaves.'"
"There was, to be sure, one delegate who resembled Senator Cotton's description: Pinckney's cousin, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, also from South Carolina. At one point in the convention debates, a perturbed Cotesworth Pinckney registered a complaint, seeming to desire, Madison noted, 'that some provision should be included in favor of property in slaves.' That would have based the Union firmly on the constitutional right of slavery. And Cotesworth Pinckney did come close to calling slavery a necessary evil, noting that without it the Carolina economy could not survive (which was technically correct). But the convention majority, far from agreeing with anything he said, dismissed his objection out of hand."
"The Constitution was hardly an antislavery document. Through fierce debates and by means of backroom deals, the lower South slaveholders managed to win compromises that offered some protection to slavery in the states: the notorious three-fifths clause giving an allotment of House seats and Electoral College votes based on a partial counting of enslaved persons; a twenty-year delay in authorizing Congress to abolish the nation's involvement in the Atlantic slave trade; and a fugitive slave clause. Most importantly, the Constitution by implication barred the new federal government from directly interfering with slavery in the states where it already existed."
"But neither did the Constitution, as Senator Cotton wrongly claims, establish slavery as necessary to the Union. It's true that a few proslavery delegates threatened that their states would refuse to join the Union unless their demands were met. This occurred with particular force with regard to the Atlantic slave trade. A majority of convention delegates wanted to empower the national government to abolish the horrific trade, striking the first blow against it anywhere in the Atlantic world in the name of a sovereign state. Appalled, the lower South delegates, led by South Carolina's oligarchs, threatened to bolt if the convention touched the slave trade in any way, but the majority called their bluff."
"In the end, the proslavery delegates carved out the compromise that prevented abolishing the trade until 1808, salvaging a significant concession, though there could be little doubt that the trade was doomed. Even with this compromise, the leading Pennsylvania abolitionist Benjamin Rush hailed the slave trade clause as 'a great point obtained from the Southern States.' His fellow Pennsylvanian and a delegate to convention, James Wilson, went so far as to say that the Constitution laid 'the foundation for banishing slavery out of this country.'"
"History, of course, proved Wilson wrong—but not completely wrong. With the rise of the cotton economy, based on the invention of the cotton gin, which Wilson could not have foreseen, American slavery was far from stymied, but grew to become the mightiest and most expansive slavery regime on earth, engulfing further territories—including Cotton's own Arkansas."
"The Framers' compromises over slavery had little to do with it, however. The problem was not primarily constitutional but political: so long as a substantial number of Northerners remained either complacent about slavery's future, indifferent to the institution's oppression, or complicit in the growth of the new cotton kingdom, the Constitution would permit the spread of human bondage."
"Even so, in fact, the Constitution contained powerful antislavery potential. By refusing to recognize slavery in national law, the Framers gave the national government the power to regulate or ban slavery in areas under its purview, notably the national territories not yet constituted as separate states. The same year that the Framers met, the existing Congress banned slavery from the existing territories north of the Ohio River under the Northwest Ordinance, a measure reflected in the Constitution, which the new Congress quickly affirmed when it met in 1789. Later antislavery champions, including Abraham Lincoln, always considered the Northwest Ordinance to be organic to the Constitution; proslavery advocates came to regard it as an illegitimate nullity."
"In time, as antislavery sentiment built in the North, the condition of slavery in the territories and in connection with the admission of new states became the major flashpoint of conflict, from the Missouri crisis of 1819–1821 to the guerrilla warfare of 'Bleeding Kansas.' Proslavery champions like John C. Calhoun of South Carolina invented an argument that denied the Congress any power over slavery in the territories; Lincoln and his fellow Republicans refuted that argument. And upon Lincoln's election as president in 1860, this constitutional issue was enough to spark the secession that led to the Civil War and Emancipation."
Senator Cotton has some mistaken things to say about that history, too. The Framers, he asserts, built the Constitution 'in a way, as Lincoln said, to put slavery on the course to its ultimate extinction.' This absurdly imputes to the Framers powers of clairvoyance. Although Lincoln sometimes suggested that the Framers had purposefully designed slavery's abolition—even Lincoln could wishfully exaggerate—the Constitution hardly ensured slavery's doom. It took Lincoln's and the antislavery Republicans' concerted political efforts to vindicate the Constitution's antislavery elements that set the stage for what Lincoln in his 'House Divided' speech of 1858 called 'ultimate extinction.'"
"Far from establishing a Union based on what Senator Cotton calls the 'necessary evil' of slavery, the Founders fought bitterly over human enslavement, producing a document that gave slavery some protection even as it denied slavery national status and gave the federal government the power to restrict its growth—and so hasten its demise. The slaveholders, unable to abide that power, eventually seceded in an effort to form a new slaveholders' republic, with a new Constitution built entirely on slavery: its cornerstone, as the Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens declaimed, was 'the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery—subordination to the superior race—is his natural and normal condition.'"
"As far as a Union founded on the 'necessary evil' of slavery is concerned, Cotton appears unaware of how profoundly the Constitution of the United States of America differed from that of the Confederate States of America."
Wilentz' Longer Account of the U.S. History of Slavery[3]
In November 2019, Wilentz, delivering the fourth annual Lecture in honor of Philip Roth, drew upon the novelist's insight that history was "the relentless unfolding of the unforeseen" or "where everything unexpected in its own time is chronicled on the page [of history] as inevitable." For "the centrality of slavery to American history," Wilentz says, "the United States was defined, from the start, neither by American slavery alone or by American antislavery but in their conflict" and "few things if any in modern history were more unexpected than the eradication of human bondage in the Atlantic world."
This was so even though "the ideals that propelled the American Revolution shared crucial origins with the ideals that propelled antislavery. Yet American slavery did not die out as most expected" with "revolutionary America" as a "hotbed of antislavery politics." In fact, slavery "expanded, turning the American South into the most dynamic and ambitious slavery regime in the world" with "slaveowners [stiffening ] their resolve to affirm their property rights in human beings" and coming "perilously close to establishing an American empire of slavery."
These ideas of Wilentz help us understand why he and the other four prominent American historians dissented from at least one of the major premises of The Project of 1619, which will be discussed in a future post.[4]
Although I was a history major many years ago at Grinnell College, I do not have the intimate knowledge of the slavery and antislavery conflicts that are discussed by Professor Welentz. Nevertheless, I wonder whether he is overreacting to Senator Cotton's comment.
The Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia convened in 1787 to consider whether and how to amend the existing Articles of Confederation after Alexander Hamilton's report on the unsuccessful attempt to do so at the Annapolis Conference of 1786 coupled with his forceful criticism of those Articles and recommendation of the calling of a convention to "render the constitution of the federal government adequate to the exigencies of the union."[5]
For the first two months or so of the Constitutional Convention there were debates between delegates from large and small states, between those favoring states-rights and those wanting a strong national government. "By the end of June the convention seemed in danger of dissolving, with nothing accomplished." That, however, was prevented when the Convention accepted a proposal by Oliver Ellsworth of Connecticut ("the Great Compromise") for equal representation of the states in the Senate and proportional representation by population in the House. Thereafter other compromises were reached, including counting three-fifths of the slaves for representation in the House.[6]
In other words, many compromises were necessary in order to obtain agreement on the new Constitution before it could be submitted to the states for ratification. Some of those compromises accommodated slavery while others did not. As Wilentz said, the Constitution "gave slavery some protection even as it denied slavery national status and gave the federal government the power to restrict its growth—and so hasten its demise." In short, compromises with the evil of slavery were necessary in order to create the new Constitution.
[1] Evaluation of the Report of the U.S. Commission on Unalienable Rights and Its Endorsement by Secretary Pompeo, dwkcommentaries.com (Aug. 3, 2020); Senator Cotton Continues Criticism of The 1619 Project, dwkcommenataries.com (Aug. 10, 2020).
[2] Wilentz, What Tom Cotton Gets So Wrong About Slavery and the Constitution, N.Y. Review of Books (Aug. 3, 2020).
[3] Wilentz, American Slavery and 'the Relentless Unforeseen,' N.Y. Review of Books (Nov. 19, 2019).
[4] See Historian Wilentz and New York Times Editor Exchange Views About The 1619 Project, dwkcommentaries.com (forthcoming Aug. –, 2020).
[5] Williams, Current & Freidel, A History of the United States [To 1876], pp. 170-72 (Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1959.) (This is my book from college and comments from others with more detailed knowledge of the Constitutional Convention are solicited.)
[6] Id. at 172-77.
Posted on August 11, 2020 August 11, 2020 Categories History, Law, PoliticsTags abolition of slave trade until 1808, Alexander Hamilton, Annapolis Conference (1786), Arkansas, Articles of Confederation, Atlantic slave trade, Benjamin Rush, Bleeding Kansas, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Charles Pinckney, Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens, Constitutional Convention (1787), electoral college, Emancipation of the slaves, FoxNews, Fugitive slave clause, Gouverneur Morris, Grinnell College, James Madison, James Wilson, John C. Calhoun, New York Times, Northwest Ordinance, Oliver Ellsworth, Philip roth, President Abraham Lincoln, Princeton University, s, Sean Wilentz, Senate, slavery, The 1619 Project, the Great Compromise, Tucker Carlson, U., U.S. Civil War, U.S. Constitution, U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senator Tom Cotton3 Comments on Historian Wilentz' Response to Senator Tom Cotton on the Issue of Slavery
Blowback on Two Decisions on Refugee Resettlement
Two Republican governors, Asa Hutchinson in Arkansas and Greg Abbott in Texas, reached opposite decisions on refugee resettlement. Hutchinson said, "yes;" Abbott, "no." [1] Both have received blowback.
Arkansas[2]
In Arkansas, some GOP state legislators said they unpleasantly were surprised by Hutchinson's decision to consent to resettlement and asked him to appear before a legislative committee to explain and justify his decision.
The Governor did that on January 13 and emphasized that his decision was buttressed by the U.S. "acceptance of refugees who have aided overseas U.S. military personnel and [the U.S.] heightened . . .level of security screenings" and by the likelihood that fewer than 50 refugees will likely come to the state's northwestern Washington County under this program. He also told the committee, "Each of you are leaders in your community. You've got a choice to make: You can create fear or you can help resolve fear. I challenge you to help resolve fear, have the facts, and to talk about those."
Another point by Hutchinson was the "cost-benefit analysis conducted by the Trump administration that found refugees contributed $63 billion more in state and federal taxes than they received between 2005 and 2014. He noted that refugees are typically eager to go to work and become self-sufficient. "I believe . . . it's a positive thing that we bring immigrants to our country, that they benefit to us in terms of their work and their paying taxes."
Hutchinson also personally introduced to the committee "a Congolese refugee, who after nearly two decades in a refugee camp in Kenya now lives in . . . [the state] and works as a certified nursing assistant at a senior living facility, and a refugee from Afghanistan who fled his native country after his life became endangered for helping U.S. authorities."
After the hearing, Republican state Sen. Trent Garner, who had requested the meeting, said, "This isn't an issue to create fear. This is about legitimate security concerns and having a major change happen and people not being informed."
On the other hand, "refugee advocates said they were heartened by Hutchinson's remarks and hoped they would help the public understand resettlement better." According to Emily Crane Linn, executive director of Canopy Northwest Arkansas, a nonprofit refugee resettlement agency, "I hope that as people ask questions and as they learn the truth, they will come to feel the same way I do about this program, that it is part of what makes this country great, it's part of what makes our state great and it's absolutely something that should continue."
Texas[3]
Governor Abbott's decision was criticized by at least three faith-based organizations: the state's Roman Catholic bishops, the Episcopal Church and the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, the last of which was discussed in the prior post about the decision.
The Texas Catholic Bishops said the Governor's decision "is deeply discouraging and disheartening. While the . . . [Conference of 16 bishops] respects the governor, this decision is simply misguided. It denies people who are fleeing persecution, including religious persecution, from being able to bring their gifts and talents to our state and contribute to the general common good of all Texans. The refugees who have already resettled in Texas have made our communities even more vibrant. As Catholics, an essential aspect of our faith is to welcome the stranger and care for the alien. We use this occasion to commit ourselves even more ardently to work with all people of good will, including our federal, state and local governments, to help refugees integrate and become productive members of our communities."
Governor Abbott "has cited his [Catholic] faith to support anti-abortion and other conservative policies. But on the issue of refugees, he sharply diverges from the official positions of his church ― and the example set by Pope Francis.[4]
The Episcopal Church "condemns Gov. Abbott's decision to reject refugee resettlement in 2020. Texas has long served as a strong partner in the work of welcoming some of the most vulnerable individuals in the world to peace, safety, and a bright future. Texas Episcopalians have also given generously of their time, talents, and treasure to help our refugee brothers and sisters rebuild their lives in the Lone Star State." The statement added the following:
"Texans have long been known for their southern hospitality and generosity of spirit. Additionally, many Texans are people of strong faith who take seriously the Gospel call to welcome the stranger and to help those who are fleeing religious persecution and violence. The Episcopal community in Texas shares these values."
"Refugees bring immense value to communities throughout Texas. They have invigorated the economy, brought innovation to small towns, and made communities stronger through their contributions to public life and cultural institutions. Refugees in Texas are students, entrepreneurs, dedicated employees, customers, elected officials, and community leaders – just like us. They are us."
[1] See these posts to dwkcommentaries.com: Five Mores States Have Consented to Refugee Resettlement (Jan.7, 2020); Texas "No" to Refugee Resettlement (Jan. 11, 2020).
[2] Field, Arkansas governor defends refugee decision, urges legislators to 'help resolve fear,' Ark. Democrat Gazette (Jan. 14, 2020); Assoc. Press, Arkansas Governor Defends Decision to Accept New Refugees, N.Y. Times (Jan. 13, 2020).
[3] Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops, Texas Catholic Bishops respond to Governor Abbott's decision to turn away refugees (Jan.10, 2020); Kuruvilla, Texas Catholic Bishops Denounce Governor Abbott's Decision To End Refugee Resettlement, HuffPost (Jan. 13, 2020); Burke, Every Catholic bishop in Texas is slamming Gov. Abbott's decision to bar refugees, CNN (Jan. 13, 2020); Episcopal Church statement on Texas Gov. Abbott's decision to reject refugee resettlement (Jan. 11, 2020).
[4] See Pope Francis Reminding Us To Welcome, Protect, Promote and Integrate Refugees and Migrants, dwkcommentaries. com (Jan. 1, 2020)..
Posted on January 14, 2020 Categories Economics, Politics, Religion, UncategorizedTags Afghan refugee, Arkansas, Canopy Northwest Arkansas, Congolese refugee, Emily Crane Linn, Episcopal Church, Governor Asa Hutchinson, Governor Greg Abbott, immigration, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, Pope Francis, refugee resettlement, Sen Trent Garner (Rep.Ark.), Texas, Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops, Trump AdministrationLeave a comment on Blowback on Two Decisions on Refugee Resettlement
Five More States Have Consented to Refugee Resettlement
A website from the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service has a list of 39 states that so far have consented to refugee resettlement with hyperlinks to the relevant documents. This list includes five states that have so consented (three Republican governors (Idaho, Maryland and Missouri) and two Democratic governors (California and Nevada)) in addition to the 34 previously identified in a post to this blog: [1]
Justifications for Consents
These five additional states provided justifications for their consent. Here they are along with those from four of the previously identified 34 states (Arkansas, Indiana, Tennessee and West Virginia).
Arkansas.[2] Governor Asa Hutchinson on December 23 issued a consent letter to Secretary Pompeo, stating, "Arkansans have a history of welcoming refugees. While we fully support control of our borders and oppose illegal immigration, we also value the contribution of immigrants and understand the importance of America continuing to be a welcoming nation for those truly seeking refuge and following the legal path to our land. Immigrants bring energy, a thirst for freedom, and a desire to pursue the American dream. This is America's strength and part of our future."
California.[3] In a December 20, 2019, letter to Secretary Pompeo, Governor Gavin Newsom said, "the State of California is proud to be a welcoming state, and is committed to the continued resettlement of refugees in partnership with local jurisdictions and community partners. California recognizes its resettlement programs and services are an indispensable lifeline to refugees who have been forcibly dispatched from their home countries and cannot rebuild their lives where they first fled."
Governor Newsom added, "The refugee resettlement program has a long history in California, spanning over 40 years and successfully resettling over 700,000 men, women and children. During these four decades, refugees continuously have contributed to the enrichment of our economy, culture, and society. California's communities have flourished because of their diversity and ongoing ability to embrace refugees and immigrant families. . . . Refugees deserve our support and we will keep our doors open to these families and people to sustain an inclusive California for all."
Idaho.[4] Governor Brad Little's December 30, 2019 letter to Secretary of State Michael Pompeo merely said the state consented after all of its counties had consented.
Indiana.[5] Governor Eric Holcomb's December 13th letter to to Cole Vega (Executive Director (Exodus Refugee Immigration, Inc.), "Indiana is a destination of certainty, stability and opportunity. As a state, we are on course to become the absolute best place in America to grow as an individual, a family, a business and as a community. Our long tradition of welcoming and helping to resettle refugees with support from our federal partners, shows the world the compassion of Hoosiers and our willingness to give others the ability to grow and prosper in the great state of Indiana."
Maryland.[6] On December 30, Governor Larry Hogan's consent letter to Secretary Pompeo said, "Providing more flexibility to states has been one of my key priorities, and I appreciate the administration's renewed emphasis on state and local engagement in determining policies that affect our security and resources."
Governor Hogan also stated, "With proper diligence and in conjunction with the continued cooperation of local jurisdictions in our state, Maryland consents to receive legally vetted resettlement refugees in Fiscal Year 2020, per the terms of the Executive Order. We are willing to accept refugees who the federal government has determined are properly and legally seeking refugee status and have been adequately vetted. This, as you know, is different from any kind of 'sanctuary' status for those in the United States unlawfully. Maryland's approach is consistent with both our laws and our values."
A local newspaper article about this decision stated that Maryland had accepted nearly 10,000 refugees since 2016.
Missouri.[7] Governor Michael Parson's December 30, 2019 letter to Secretary Pompeo said, "Missouri has a long and rich history of immigration, dating back to America's earliest explorers, fur traders, and missionaries. Today, Missouri's population includes thousands of former refugees who have become vital members of our communities. Since 2002, nearly 18,000 refugees from 45 countries have resettled in Missouri."
The Governor continued, "In Missouri, state organizations and faith-based groups work tirelessly to support refugee resettlement. Currently, there are five agencies that integrate refugees in St. Louis, Kansas City, Columbia, and Springfield, where they have helped strengthen local economies, especially through entrepreneurship. These groups do an excellent job of transitioning newly settled populations, ensuring they are educated, trained, and prepared to assimilate into their new community. In fact, St. Louis boasts one of the largest Bosnian populations outside that country itself. Community volunteers, especially faith-based partners, continue to be an integral part of such local resettlement efforts."
The Governor concluded, "We will continue to work hard to ensure refugees become a thriving part of our communities, and I am confident this demonstration of compassion will mark the first step in these immigrants becoming patriotic and productive fellow Americans."
Nevada.[8] Governor Steve Sisolak in a December 18, 2019 letter to Secretary Pompeo stated, "Nevada is proud of our long-standing tradition of resettling refugees. Since the 1970s, Republican and Democratic Governors from Nevada have welcomed these individuals into our state with open arms. Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to meet with dozens of refugee children in the State Capitol. . . . While their unimaginable experiences of suffering and hardship may have originated in different areas around the globe, the personal stories they shared were defined by courage, hope and resilience. These stories embody the dignity and values of this country. Such is the story of Nevada Assemblyman Alexander Assefa. Mr. Assefa came to the U.S. as a refugee with similar hopes and dreams. After a lot of hard work, he became a pilot, a small business owner, and he now proudly serves in the Nevada State Legislature. Above all, he is a proud American."
Tennessee.[9] After a perfunctory consent letter to Secretary Pompeo, Governor Bill Lee was more fulsome in a December 18 letter to the state's Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of its House of Representatives that stated, "Resettlement will be facilitated by the Trump Administration and non-profit organizations with extensive experience in this area. The refugee population in Tennessee is small, and I believe our consent to cooperate and consult with the Trump Administration to provide a safe harbor for those who are fleeing religious persecution and violent conflict is the right decision. The United States and Tennessee have always been, since the very founding of our nation, a shining beacon of freedom and opportunity for the persecuted and oppressed, and particularly those suffering religious persecution. My commitment to these ideals is based on my faith, personally visiting refugee camps on multiple continents, and my years of experience ministering to refugees here in Tennessee."
West Virginia.[10] Governor Jim Justice's December 20, 2019 letter to Secretary Pompeo, said, in part, "West Virginia has had great success with our refugee resettlement agency, which has been in operation since 1978. Refugees who have resettled here have become productive citizens and are welcomed into our West Virginia family."
Now we wait to learn whether the other 11 states will also consent to such resettlements. They are nine states with Republican governors (Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont [11] and Wyoming) and two states with Democratic governors (Hawaii and New York). The following colored map on the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service's website showing the consenting states in green and the 11 remaining states in gray emphasizes that the most of the remaining states are in the Deep South.
This blogger believes it safe to assume that the three remaining Democratic governors will consent and that it is more problematical whether the eight remaining Republican governors, primarily from the Deep South, will do so.
In the meantime those of us who support refugees should celebrate and congratulate those states that have consented and shared the many contributions to their states by previously resettled refugees.
[1] Lutheran Immigrant & Refugee Service, Consents to Refugee Resettlement.
[2 ] Letter, Governor Hutchinson to Secretary Pompeo (Dec. 23, 2019); Gov. Hutchinson agrees to allow refugees into Arkansas, THV (Dec. 24, 2019).
[3] Letter, Governor Newsom to Secretary Pompeo (Dec. 20, 2019).
[4] Letter, Governor Little to Secretary Pompeo (Dec. 30, 2019); Blake, County, Little offers support for refugee resettlement, but questions over jurisdiction remain, 6KPVI (Dec. 30, 2019); Assoc. Press, County, governor support refugee resettlement in Idaho, Id.Bus.Review (Jan. 3, 2002). /
[5] Letter, Governor Holcomb to Cole Vega (Exec. Dir. Exodus Refugee Immigration, Inc.) (Dec. 17, 2019);
[6] Letter, Governor Hogan to Secretary Pompeo (Dec. 30, 2019); Sanchez & Hutzell, Maryland Gov. Hogan agrees to continue accepting refugees, Capital Gazette (Jan. 1, 2020).Tan, Maryland Gov. Hogan issues written consent for refugee admissions in response to Trump order, Wash. Post (Jan. 2, 2020).
[7] Letter, Governor Parson to Secretary Pompeo (Dec. 30, 2019); Suntrup, Gov. Mike Parson says Missouri will continue accepting refugees, St. Louis Post -Dispatch (Jan. 1, 2020).
[8] Letter, Governor Sisolak to Secretary Pompeo (Dec. 18, 2019).
[9] Letter, Governor Lee to Secretary Pompeo (Dec. 18, 2019); Letter, Governor Lee to Lt. Gov. McNally & Speaker Sexton (Dec. 18, 2019).
[10] Letter, Governor Justice to Secretary Pompeo (Dec. 20, 2019).
[11] This blog's 12/30/19 post erroneously listed Vermont as consenting.
Posted on January 7, 2020 January 11, 2020 Categories Law, Other countries, PoliticsTags Alabama, Alaska, Alexander Assefa, Arkansas, California, consents to refugee resettlement, Florida, Georgia, Governor Asa Hutchinson, Governor Bill Lee, Governor Brad Little, Governor Eric Holcomb, Governor Gavin Newsom, Governor Jim Justice, Governor Larry Hogan, Governor Michael Parson, Governor Steve Sisolak, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New York, refugees resettlement, Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, Wyoming5 Comments on Five More States Have Consented to Refugee Resettlement
New Bill To Expand U.S. Agricultural Exports to Cuba
On May 14 U.S. Senators John Boozman (Rep., AK) and Michael Bennet (Dem., CO) introduced a bill to expand U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba by removing barriers to private financing of same. [1]
Senators Bennet and Boozman issued coordinated press releases about the bill. They said the bill would "remove a major hurdle for American farmers and ranchers to selling American agricultural products in the Cuban market. The bipartisan bill would support jobs in Colorado, Arkansas, and across the country by lifting restrictions on private financing for U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba."
The press releases also stated, "the biggest barrier for producers as they seek access to Cuba is the Trade Sanctions and Reform Act (TSRA) prohibition on providing private credit for those exports, which forces Cubans to pay with cash up front for American-grown food. As a result, American farm goods have become less competitive, and Cuba has turned to other countries who are able to directly extend credit to Cuban buyers for transactions. This bill would amend the TSRA to allow for private financing of agricultural exports and level the playing field for American farmers competing in the global market."
The press releases included supportive statements from Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, the Colorado Association of Wheat Growers, the Colorado Farm Bureau, Colorado Potato, Arkansas Farm Bureau, Agricultural Council of Arkansas and Arkansas Rice Federation.
The original co-sponsors of the bill are the following senators: Jerry Moran (Rep., KS), Susan Collins (Rep., ME), Mike Enzi (Rep., WY), Kevin Cramer (Rep., ND), John Hoeven (Rep., ND), Tom Udall (Dem., NM), Mark Warner (Dem., VA), Debbie Stabenow (Dem. MI), Patrick Leahy (Dem., VT); Amy Klobuchar (Dem., MN) and Angus King (Ind., ME).
[1] Library of Congress, S.1447: A bill to allow the financing by United States persons of sales of agricultural commodities to Cuba (May 14, 2019); Sen. Boozman, Press Release, Boozman, Bennet Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Agricultural Exports to Cuba (May 14, 2019); Sen. Bennet, Press Release, Bennet, Boozman Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Agricultural Exports to Cuba (May 14, 2019); USA: Presented bipartisan project to expand agricultural sales to Cuba, Cubadebate (May 15, 2019).
Posted on May 15, 2019 Categories Law, Other countries, PoliticsTags Agricultural Council of Arkansas, Arkansas, Arkansas Farm Bureau, Arkansas Rice Federation, Colorado, Colorado Association of Wheat Growers, Colorado Farm Bureau, Colorado Potato, Cuba, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, S.1447: A bill to allow the financing by United States persons of sales of agricultural commodities to Cuba, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, U.S. Senator John Boozman, U.S. Senator John Hoeven, U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer, U.S. Senator Mark Warner, U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, U.S. Senator Tom Udall, United States of America (USA)Leave a comment on New Bill To Expand U.S. Agricultural Exports to Cuba


Most children's parties have themes and Blaze and the Monster Machines theme is one of the most popular kids birthday party themes in the recent times. Having a Blaze and the Monster Machines theme makes it easier for you to plan your child's party because it narrows down your options. Now organizing kids' birthday party is fun and easy because Blaze and the Monster Machines Party Supplies are available online.
Cake is a must-have in any party, especially in children's party and for our party the cake must be based on Blaze and the Monster Machines. You can bake the Blaze and the Monster Machines cake yourself. Or you can order a Blaze and the Monster Machines cake from your local bakery. You can purchase cake toppers from Blaze and the Monster Machines Party Supplies stores. For other foods, you can order pizza or prepare sandwiches as these would go well with Blaze and the Monster Machines party. Spaghetti, hamburgers, chicken nuggets, chips and dips, and barbecue are fun foods in Blaze and the Monster Machines birthday party for kids. Do not forget the drinks for Blaze and the Monster Machines fans. You can prepare fruit juice or punch in a big bowl or you can serve Kool-Aid for colorful drinks while matching the flavor color with Blaze and the Monster Machines theme.
You need to invitations that match your Blaze and the Monster Machines theme. You don't have to make Blaze and the Monster Machines Invitations yourself (even if you are crafty). You don't even have to download printable Blaze and the Monster Machines invites online. You don't even have to buy a pack of Blaze and the Monster Machines invitations from a party supply store. Very cute Blaze and the Monster Machines invitations are included in Blaze and the Monster Machines Party Supplies packs. You just have to make sure that you have written down all the necessary details on Blaze and the Monster Machines Invitations. Just make sure to fill out date, time, venue, attire or costume, and your contact number on Blaze and the Monster Machines Party invitations. You can also include a map if you are going to have the Blaze and the Monster Machines party in a rented venue.
You need to pick a schedule and venue for the Blaze and the Monster Machines Birthday Party several weeks in advance. Choose a schedule when your child's friends (Blaze and the Monster Machines fans) are available, especially when they are already of school age. Saturday morning is a great time for Blaze and the Monster Machines themed kids' parties. For the venue, you can have Blaze and the Monster Machines party in your own house or yard if you have a big space. Or you can rent a hall if you have enough budget, and you are planning to invite many guests for your Blaze and the Monster Machines Birthday Party. Decorations are already included in Blaze and the Monster Machines party supplies.
Blaze and the Monster Machines party supplies are available in different packs. Depending on your need, you just have to choose from basic, deluxe and ultimate Blaze and the Monster Machines party packs. You can also personalize Blaze and the Monster Machines party supplies with your text.
This pack features Blaze and the Monster Machines themed place settings for eight guests. Each Blaze and the Monster Machines basic party pack includes eight dinner plates, desert plates and cups. Also included are eight spoons, forks and knives and twenty napkins; all in Blaze and the Monster Machines theme-matching colors. A plastic table cover is also present that compliments the Blaze and the Monster Machines theme.
This Blaze and the Monster Machines themed deluxe party pack includes table settings for eight guests along with a personalized banner. Each Blaze and the Monster Machines deluxe party pack features eight dinner and dessert plates, twenty napkins and eight cups. Also included are eight spoons, forks and knives, one plastic table cover and twenty four Candy Stripe Candles. Two Crepe Streamers (81 feet each) and one Vinyl Personalized Banner are also present in Blaze and the Monster Machines Deluxe Party Pack.
This Blaze and the Monster Machines Ultimate Party Pack comes with eight place settings along with a personalized vinyl banner. Each Blaze and the Monster Machines themed Ultimate Party Pack features Invitations, Hot/Cold Cups, dinner and dessert plates (eight each). A set of 24 Plastic Cutlery (8 forks, 8 spoons, 8 knives), a personalized vinyl banner and Plastic Table Cover are also included in this Blaze and the Monster Machines birthday party pack. Twelve Latex Balloons, 66 feet of Curling Ribbon, 2 sets of 81 feet Crepe Streamer, Candy Stripe Candles, six Foil Balloon Weights and Twirly Whirlys are also present in this Blaze and the Monster Machines birthday pack. Almost all the Blaze and the Monster Machines Party Supplies that you'll need are present in this pack.
These Blaze and the Monster Machines Party Supplies will make planning a stylish birthday celebration both easy and affordable.
There are some other party supplies are either not present in Blaze and the Monster Machines party packs or you may want to order them to entertain extra guests. Those Blaze and the Monster Machines Party Supplies can be bought separately.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Dinner Plates.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Dessert Plates.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Luncheon Napkins.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Beverage Napkins.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Cups.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Table Cover.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Cutlery.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Paper Straws.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Invitations.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Personalized Photo Cards.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Stationery Card Invitations.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Personalized Banner.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Personalized Yard Signs.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Twirly Whirlys.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Crepe Streamers.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Mylar Balloons.
Blaze and the Monster Machines simple balloons.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Latex Balloons.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Solid Metallic color Latex Balloons.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Foil Balloon Weights.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Curling Ribbons.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Personalized Favor Boxes.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Favor Packs.
Blaze and the Monster Machines DIY Favor Bag Kits.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Loot Bags.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Tattoo.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Stadium Cups.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Inflatable Toys.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Stickers.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Blowouts.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Skateboards.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Masks.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Foam Stars.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Personalized Candy Bars.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Personalized Milk Chocolate Lollypops.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Personalized Rainbow Swirl Lollypops.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Personalized Water Bottle Labels.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Personalized Glass Bottle Labels.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Personalized candy Jars.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Pinata.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Pinata Fillers.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Pinata Busters.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Cupcake Rings.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Personalized Cupcake Wrappers.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Sweet Servers.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Party Sparklers.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Candy Stripe Candles.
Blaze and the Monster Machines Thin Sparkler Candles.
While the early birds are waiting for the Blaze and the Monster Machines party to start, you should have something prepared to keep them from getting bored. You can put crayons and coloring pages on each table or simple art projects related to Blaze and the Monster Machines theme that they can do. You should pick games that are appropriate for the child's age and related to Blaze and the Monster Machines, if possible. Do not forget the prizes for the winners and non-winners as well and also their Blaze and the Monster Machines favor boxes when it is time to say goodbye.
Treasure Hunt can surely get the Blaze and the Monster Machines party started.
The Chopsticks Game would go well with Blaze and the Monster Machines theme.
Origami Boat Race is a fun activity that matches to Blaze and the Monster Machines party theme.
Blaze and the Monster Machines fans will love Back-to-back balloon pop game.
You can also arrange Outdoor Games that compliment the Blaze and the Monster Machines theme.
You can make any birthday you celebrate fun and memorable with Blaze and the Monster Machines Party Supplies.


text:
Auction of latest Brett Newski song will support FairVote, and oh yeah, the song is on VHS
Matt Wild
Let's listen to the new Lil Wayne and Victor DeLorenzo Packers hype songs
Victor Buell IV scores the apocalypse with synth-drenched solo album, 'Fallen Angels'
Weird Storm gets, well, weird in video for "Brittle Pastimes"
Lauryl Sulfate and LUXI team up for "Basement Show"
Favorite Milwaukee Music We Forgot To Include In Our Year-End Favorites: Red Stuff, 'Bless Us'
Greet the new year with Mere Of Light and the wistful "Moon From A Well"
Streetcar rape, chicken sacrifices, and 5 more Milwaukee scare stories of 2015
Stay updated on Wisconsin's COVID-19 response, vaccine progress with weekly newsletter
The night an MCTS driver saved my life (maybe)
Emily Johnson
In case you blinked last week, here are all the new and wonderful things they're building in Milwaukee (Jan. 3-9)
Some Milwaukee-specific stage banter I never knew I'd miss
Tyler Maas
When will the Marcus Center parking structure snow piles melt THIS year?
Remembering the venues Milwaukee lost in 2020
The best fish frys in Milwaukee (and beyond)
Caleb Westphal
Snack Boys makes pandemic pivot to "Plant Boys"
Milwaukee health order limiting bars and restaurants with previously approved full-capacity safety plans to 50% capacity will expire Friday, thus allowing bars and restaurants with previously approved full-capacity safety plans to return to full capacity
Carryout Chronicles: Al-Yousef Supermarket & Restaurant
9 delightful regional pizza Instagram accounts you should follow for National Pizza Week
Everything at West Allis Bakers Square is up for auction (sorry, no pies)
Carryout Chronicles: Allie Boy's Bagelry & Luncheonette
Jeff Spankowski talks Twisted Laugh comedy show, stand-up start, making the most of opportunities
Interchange Theater Co-op moves into former Ampersand Theater Company space
Ampersand Theater Company is dissolving
A comprehensive guide to the 2020 Milwaukee Comedy Festival
Here's the 2020 Milwaukee Comedy Festival lineup
Franklin native takes baked comedians to fast food drive-thrus in 'Munchie Run'
Listen to Ryan Mason and J Tyler Menz's 'My Brew Dads' comedy album
Avalon Theater announces "Tarantino Thursdays" film series
Milwaukee PBS reveals 2021 production plans (with no new John McGivern shows)
Milwaukee PBS releases statement on future of 'Around The Corner With John McGivern'
The last straw: 'Around The Corner With John McGivern' reportedly won't return for another season
The 2021 Milwaukee Film Festival will be held in May, will still be virtual
14 times 'Supernatural' came to Wisconsin
Vince Morales
Multiple Milwaukee movie theaters awarded funds through COVID-19 Movie Theater Grant Program
Hello, what have we here? Star Wars burlesque parody, The Empire Strips Back, coming to Riverside Theater
John Riepenhoff asks David Robbins a few questions about the mysterious Utah monolith
John Riepenhoff
Help Niche Book Bar reach its fundraising goal and open the only Black-owned bookstore in Wisconsin
Lion's Tooth is opening a brick-and-mortar bookstore on Kinnickinnic Ave. in Bay View
Milwaukee Art Museum is closed, will remain closed until at least January
Milwaukee Mural Of The Week: "Mural Of Peace"
Milwaukee Ballet's "We Miss You MKE" videos bring dancers to local landmarks
Here's the Bandsketball 2015 bracket
Max McGee and Chi-Chi's: The role a Packers great played in creating a Mexican restaurant chain
Get ready for Packers playoffs by watching AJ Dillon compare household items to the size of his legs
Aaron Rodgers will guest host an upcoming episode of 'Jeopardy!'
Allen Witkowski keeps the Milwaukee Bucks poster series alive for 2020-21 season
Milwaukee Admirals "opt out" of 2020-21 American Hockey League season
Fact-checking Happy Schnapps Combo's "The Bears Still Suck Polka"
My First Band: Looking back at 2019
Milwaukee Record Staff
My First Band: John Sparrow (Violent Femmes, The Danglers)
My First Band: Lydia Luce
My First Band: Charlie Berens (Manitowoc Minute, Berens & Greuel)
My First Band: Shawna Nicols (DJ Shawna)
My First Band: Bartees Strange
My First Band: Chris DeMakes (Less Than Jake)
321 Friday fish frys and counting: Villa Tap (Madison)
Caleb Westphal hasn't missed a Friday fish fry since 2013. Follow along with his never-ending adventures here.
As long as there is one upright man, as long as there is one compassionate woman, the contagion may spread and the scene is not desolate. Hope is the thing that is left to us, in a bad time. I shall get up Sunday morning and wind the clock, as a contribution to order and steadfastness.
Sailors have an expression about the weather: they say, the weather is a great bluffer. I guess the same is true of our human society—things can look dark, then a break shows in the clouds, and all is changed, sometimes rather suddenly. It is quite obvious that the human race has made a queer mess of life on this planet. But as a people we probably harbor seeds of goodness that have lain for a long time waiting to sprout when the conditions are right. Man's curiosity, his relentlessness, his inventiveness, his ingenuity have led him into deep trouble. We can only hope that these same traits will enable him to claw his way out.
Hang on to your hat. Hang on to your hope. And wind the clock, for tomorrow is another day.
Beer. Guns. Fish frys. They are ubiquitous throughout Wisconsin. We drink beer at baseball games, at weddings, in taverns just because, and at any other social gathering we can make an excuse for it. Large and small breweries dot the state. We bundle up in blaze orange each November and sit out in the cold with rifles and shotguns, waiting for white-tailed deer to walk by. We eat fish frys in supper clubs, family restaurants, taverns, bowling alleys, church basements, and at Culver's restaurants (so I've heard). Fish frys are found in small towns and big cities; they are in the Red parts of the state and they are in the Blue.
Beer. Guns. Fish frys. One of my great-grandfathers worked at the Miller Brewing Company plant for a short period of time in the early 1940s, moving to Milwaukee with his wife and two small daughters from New London to take the job. About a quarter century later, then back in New London, he came home late from his job serving beer in a bar, stuck a shotgun to his head, and pulled the trigger. He was 52. Some of my first fish frys were likely with his eldest daughter, my grandmother, at Kinker's Corners, a now-shuttered establishment that was located at the northeast corner of Van Dyne Road and Kinker Road in the Town of Friendship, just to the northwest of Fond du Lac. Bless her heart.
This week's senseless shooting at Molson Coors has saddened our city, and my heart is with all of those directly affected. Although it is vital that we are all involved in taking on the specter of gun violence, there are others better suited to speak on the issue than I, and it is not my role to do so here—I'm here to write about fish. And yet, I couldn't just jump into another week of fish writing without acknowledging what had transpired. Although I hold no answers, there is one thing I am sure of, and that is we must not let such tragedy temper our way of life or paralyze us as a community. So, I, for one, will go out on Friday night and get a fish fry, as a contribution to order and steadfastness.
Last Friday, this steadfastness brought me to Madison. I was playing a show in the city with Devils Teeth, and figured in order to make things easier on myself, I'd just get a fish fry there before heading to the venue. I decided on Villa Tap (2302 Packers Ave., 608-244-9627), a place highly spoken of by Mike Seidel of Madison Fish Fry. As his positive reflections of the establishment largely appear to be on account of their freshwater fish offerings, it was my aim to either order perch or bluegill, if they had them. I went in knowing that we are currently dealing with a shortage of perch and didn't know what to expect.
My companions and I arrived at around 5:50. Whereas there was a notebook to register in at the location of my previous fish fry, here there was a large piece of yellow paper taped to a white board where names were written with a marker. There were 14 tables ahead of us when we signed in, and we prepared to hunker down for a bit.
The uncovered section of the white board next to the sign-in paper alerted diners that walleye, cod, and shrimp were available for the evening. This contrasted with Villa Tap's usual Friday menu, which lists the following: Canadian lake perch ($16.25), Icelandic cod ($14.25), jumbo shrimp ($17.25), Canadian walleye ($15.50), and bluegill ($14.75). Each comes with a choice of baked potato or french fries. The baked potato can usually be ordered "loaded" for an extra $1.50, but that option was not available on this particular Friday. The Friday night specials are served from 4:30-9:30, and there also is a Friday lunch special available from 11:00-2:00, which consists of either a "Friday fish fillet" ($7.25) or a two piece cod meal ($10).
There are only twelve tables in Villa Tap: four of them are along the bar, and the other eight are booths in an adjacent, dimly lit dining room. Patrons who can find a spot at the large, three-sided bar, which seats about 30, can also eat there. The place was packed, with people standing around the perimeter of the bar, and spilling into the dining area. Some leaned on a pool table there, which also held menus, silverware, and some bins of water. We found a spot in a nook in a small back corner room that had gambling games and a popcorn machine.
While waiting, I sipped an Old Fashioned. Muddled, with no garnish, there wasn't anything flashy about it, but it served the occasion. A voice boomed throughout the building when the next table was up, and it could even be heard where we were situated, although it was hard to decipher exactly what was being said. Throughout the wait I periodically walked up to the sheet to see how close we were getting. I also glanced over to the small area behind the bar where the fish was being prepared. Even if there had been more seating, the kitchen was running at full capacity, and the workers were keeping up as quickly as the fryers would allow.
At 7:23, we were seated at one of the tables next to the bar, and I put an order in for the cod with french fries. It would be more than another half an hour before our meals arrived, but in the meantime we were brought rolls and coleslaw. The rolls were of the wheat variety, pre-cut, and soft. The slaw was served in a dish and bathed in the lightest of cream, with big chunks of crunchy green cabbage, teasings of carrots and red cabbage, and a dusting of black pepper.
When the plates of fish arrived, I was surprised to find the randomness at which they were assembled. My plate had three pieces of fish of a somewhat smaller size, which allowed the french fries to be very visible. In contrast, my cousin was given four pieces that were all about the size of chicken thighs, which largely buried the fries underneath them. Perhaps the randomness of it can be viewed in a positive light, showing that nothing is regimented at Villa Tap. I thought it was quite hilarious, but I can imagine some would have taken issue with it.
A distinct flavor permeated the tartar and breading. The tartar had a sweetness to it that seemed to come from relish, but it was unlike other tartars I've had, and I couldn't quite pinpoint what made it tick. The breading sat well on the fish. It was crunchy, but not overly so, and it was on the saltier end, but in a balanced way, and had a blend of seasoning. As for the fish itself, it flaked somewhat well, but fell a little short in both texture and flavor, reminding me a bit of the consistency of whitefish. There wasn't anything extraordinary about the french fries. They barely had any salt, and they didn't have much spunk. Still, they were better than some others I've had over the past month.
Should I have gone with the walleye? Should I have held off on Villa Tap until I knew they would have perch available? I suppose both of those are possible. The experience was enjoyable, but it didn't quite reach the level of memorable. And by the time we headed out it was 8:28, which pushed the total time spent there past two-and-a-half hours.
But that really doesn't bother me too much. Waiting around for a fish fry helps bring some normalcy. It is the Rock of Gibraltar in a chaotic world. It is the constant that I will forever welcome. Things may feel difficult, but I will go out on a Friday night and get a fish fry, as a contribution to order and steadfastness. Hang on to your hat. Hang on to your hope. And get a fish fry, for tomorrow is another day.
Takeaways: Pick up a marker and put your name on the board; there is a shortage of perch, but sometimes bluegill is just as hard to find; there are only twelve tables; the wait was over two hours; the worker who called everyone's table also seated us and took our drink and food orders and pretty much seemed to be making the whole place run; they have a Saturday meat raffle; have a roll and some slaw while you wait; some people get more cod than others; distinct breading and tartar; wind the clock.
FeatureFish Fry
Originally hailing from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin—home of Walleye Weekend, the self-professed "World's Largest Walleye Fish Fry"—Caleb Westphal has not missed a Friday Night fish fry since sometime in 2013. He's a fanatic of music, film, and American history. He's played saxophone in Offend Your Friends and the Rockin' Bones in the Fox Valley, and currently plays with Devils Teeth.
© 2021 Milwaukee Record

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Wolverine Confirmed for 'X-Men: Apocalypse'?
Wolverine Confirmed for X-Men: Apocalypse?
B. Alan Orange
— June 20, 2015
Undetected for 3 weeks, it is a backpack company that has the true answer to whether or not Wolverine is in X-Men: Apocalypse. Apparently, Hugh Jackman, who has remained silent about his participation in this latest X-Men movie sequel, will at least have a cameo. According to Kikany Leather Goods, they have been commissioned to make the actor a pretty cool backpack, and proceed to show off some of the art for it. The Instagram account for the company states the following.
"We were just asked to make a special duffle backpack for Hugh Jackman who is filming the new X MEN movie in Montreal. We started sketching - The bag will be ready next week- we will keep you posted! #hughjackman #Xmen #movie #backpack #special"
The backpack art has been on Kikany's Instagram account for three weeks now. It would seem that, if this was a huge secret, it would have been removed. Maybe director Bryan Singer is unaware that the company has this crucial piece of intel hanging out in the open. If he was unaware, he won't be for long as news spreads this weekend.
Just last week, Hugh Jackman played coy on whether or not he would actually show up in X-Men: Apocalypse, saying only, "Who Knows?" He was much more open about teasing his appearance in next year's Deadpool, a cameo that is likely due to happen, especially since Hugh Jackman is such good friends with star Ryan Reynolds. Wolverine 3 is confirmed to be Hugh Jackman's final appearance as indestructible mutant Logan. But with an appearance in both X-Men: Apocalypse and Deadpool before that happens, it sounds like we'll get a lot more of the actor as Wolverine before his swan song. What do you think? Does this art pretty much confirm what we've believed all along?
Topics: Wolverine, X-Men, X-Men: Apocalypse
Contributing writer for Movieweb since 2001. Owns a dog who loves watching Milo and Otis on repeat.
Jon Bernthal Shreds as the MCU's Wolverine in New X-Men Fan Art
Danny DeVito as Wolverine in MCU's X-Men Petition Reaches 50K Signatures
Hulk Vs. Wolverine Movie Could Happen If Mark Ruffalo Gets His Way
Daniel Radcliffe Is the MCU's Wolverine in Stunning X-Men Fan Art


This wonderful, versatile Pashmina/Silk scarf will not only bring style to your life, it will bring comfort!
• This gorgeous lightweight/soft Pashmina/Silk scarf is perfect accessory and gift all year around!
I purchased 5 different scarves for travelling this Christmas and love them all!! But this pashmina scarf is truly comfortable to wear! The quality of the scarf is superb and the prices are extremely low compared to other places. Highly recommended!


The National Weather Service has issued a coastal flood advisory for Hood Canal and forecasters say snow is possible east of the Canal today.
According to forecasters, minor tidal overflow will occur briefly midday today especially in north Hood Canal. The high tide is expected to be about a foot higher than normal and could general flooding in low areas along the shore.
Forecasters also say a cold easterly flow will result in snow mainly east of Hood Canal through early this afternoon. Snow is expected to impact elevations near 500 feet and above. However, amounts of less than an inch are anticipated which should result in minimal impact.
Also, long term forecasts show a chance of snow on Christmas Day.


text:
Aquafornia news April 28, 2014 Stockton Record
Protected Status Given to Sierra Amphibians
From the Stockton Record:
"The yellow-legged frog, a native of the high Sierra, will soon be listed as an endangered species, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Friday."
Read more from the Stockton Record
Aquafornia news April 28, 2014 Associated Press
3 Sierra Nevada Amphibians Get Federal Protections
From the Associated Press:
"Federal wildlife officials on Friday granted Endangered Species Act protections to three species of Sierra Nevada amphibians."
Read more from AP
Commentary: San Francisco Should Keep the Promise of a Hetch Hetchy Ferry
From the San Francisco Chronicle, in a commentary by Spreck Rosekrans:
"It is time for San Francisco to make good on its century-old promise to improve access to the Hetch Hetchy area of Yosemite National Park."
Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle
Aquafornia news April 8, 2014 Associated Press
Massive Rockfall in Yosemite National Park
"The National Park Service said Monday that nobody was hurt when the 16,000 tons of rock fell 500 feet from a cliff near Hetch Hetchy Reservoir on March 31."
Aquafornia news March 28, 2014 Mono Lake Newsletter
Mono Lake Newsletter Online
From the Mono Lake Newsletter:
"2014 marks the 20th anniversary of State Water Board Decision 1631 that mandated lake level rise for Mono Lake and restoration of Mono's tributary streams and waterfowl habitat. For the last 20 years the Mono Lake Committee has embraced D1631 and the subsequent restoration orders as if they were family members."
Read more from the online newsletter (pdf)
Aquafornia news January 6, 2014 Sacramento Bee
Outrage in Owens Valley a Century After Los Angeles Began Taking Its Water
From The Sacramento Bee:
"By now, the story seems old. A young city, thirsty for water, deploys wealth, cunning and power to divert a river from a distant valley, safeguarding its future at the expense of others. …
"But 100 years after the Owens River was diverted to L.A., the story is not over."
Read more from The Sacramento Bee
Aquafornia news January 2, 2014 Inyo Register
Another Dry January on Tap?
From The Inyo Register:
"Mammoth Mountain is currently supplementing its natural snow base with man-made snow, so the slopes are open and many, both residents and visitors to the area, have been taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather to hike and enjoy other outdoor activities.
"While the slopes are white and visitors continue heading to Mammoth to ski and snowboard, an extended drought in the Owens Valley poses other challenges in the form of dry creeks and ditches and popular high-elevation lakes with low water levels."
Changes on Tap for Bishop's Water and Sewer Rates?
"Citizens interested in weighing in on proposed City of Bishop water and sewer rate changes must do so by the first week in February."
Read more from The Inyo Register
Aquafornia news December 31, 2013 Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles DWP is Moving Ahead with Plans for Owens Valley Solar Plant
"Over the objections of critics, Los Angeles is moving ahead with plans to build a $680-million 200-megawatt solar energy plant within view of this desolate Eastern Sierra site that was a Japanese American internment camp during World War II."
Read more from the LA Times
Aquafornia news November 7, 2013 Inyo Register
Where Does Your Drinking Water Come From?
"As 100 mules march from the Eastern Sierra to Los Angeles to raise awareness about where L.A.'s water comes from, The Inyo Register's correspondent, Elizabeth Glazner, took to the streets to find out if L.A. residents are aware of their relationship with the Eastern Sierra."
Aquafornia news November 6, 2013 Los Angeles Times
Wednesday's Top of the Scroll: A splashing Homage to Controversial Aqueduct that Redefined Los Angeles
"As water from the Eastern Sierras began gushing down a hillside into the San Fernando Valley on Tuesday, an actor dressed as William Mulholland hollered on cue, 'There it is!
Aquafornia news November 4, 2013 Los Angeles Daily News
100 Years of Water: Owens Valley Residents Still Worry About Water Losses to L.A.
From the Los Angeles Daily News:
"It was 100 years ago Tuesday that Los Angeles, after buying up most of the Owens Valley and its water rights east of the High Sierra, opened its 233-mile L.A.
Aquafornia news October 30, 2013 Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Aqueduct Bomber Reveals His Story
"Mark Berry was 17 in 1976 when he and a friend stole some dynamite and blew apart a gate that regulated the flow of water to the [Los Angeles] aqueduct."
Aquafornia news October 29, 2013 Mammoth Times
Eastern Sierra Snowfall
From the Mammoth Times:
"Local Mammoth residents weren't the only ones surprised by Monday's deeper-than-expected snowfall."
Read more from the Mammoth Times
Aquafornia news October 25, 2013 Mono Lake Committee Mono-logue blog
Blog: Celebrating Mono Basin Stream Restoration Agreement
From the Mono Lake Committee Mono-logue blog:
"Conventional wisdom says that in life it is important to celebrate successes. By all accounts, the Mono Basin Stream Restoration Agreement certainly qualifies, so on September 30th we celebrated.
"In truth, we celebrated a lot of things that day—starting with the original State Water Board restoration orders that led us to this day and have produced the results you can already see on Rush, Lee Vining, Parker, and Walker creeks.
Deal to Create Fish Hatchery Program Goes Bad
"There's nothing like fish to get emotions flowing in Mono County.
"Just ask the Mono County Supervisors, now embroiled in a contentious lawsuit filed against the county by a private aquaculture group after an effort to make the county self sufficient in terms of fish stocking went sour recently."
Aquafornia news October 17, 2013 Desert Sun
Owens Lake Ills Painted as Future for Salton Sea
From The Desert Sun:
"A photograph showing plumes of dust rising from a dry lake bed became a focal point for discussion on Wednesday as government officials and experts met to consider the growing dangers posed by air pollution around the shrinking Salton Sea.
"The photo, which began the first presentation at the meeting at UC Riverside's Palm Desert campus, showed clouds of gray dust billowing in high winds from Owens Lake on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada."
Aquafornia news October 7, 2013 Los Angeles Times
Eastern Sierra's Lower Owens River Ripe for Recreational Rebirth
"An Inyo County official and an environmental activist stepped into wobbly kayaks on Saturday to gauge the prospects of developing a "paddling experience" that would float people down the eastern Sierra Nevada's Lower Owens River.
Aquafornia news October 1, 2013 Governor's Office
Governor Declares State of Emergency In Inyo County to Secure Federal Funds for Highway Repairs Due to Storms
From the Governor's Office:
"Moving to secure the Federal funding necessary to complete repairs to roadways in Inyo County badly damaged and closed due to July's severe thunderstorms, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today [Sept.


text:
Q: Is there a name for a function that tests a set is a subset of another, but is not empty? I would say $A$ is a subset of $B$ if $A$ contained $(X,Y,Z)$ and $B$ contained $(W,X,Y,Z)$.
But if $A$ contains the null set, and $B$ something, (or nothing?) and I still need the result to be false, is there a name for this?
if $F = A \subset B$,
\begin{array} {|r|r|r|}
\hline
A &B &F(A,B)\\
\hline
 & &False\\
\hline
 &4 &False\\
\hline
3 &&False \\
\hline
3 &3&True \\
\hline
 3&3,4&True \\
\hline
 3,4&3&False \\
\hline
\end{array}

A: Non-empty subset?  $$\quad\emptyset\subsetneq A\subseteq B$$
Or, equivalently (and mayhap easier to read): $~0\neq A\subseteq B$

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Diagnostics.Contracts;
using System.Linq.Expressions;
using System.Reflection;

namespace Jefferson.Binders
{
   /// <summary>
   /// Binds variables by looking up an indexer in the current context.
   /// If inheriting, make sure to ensure that variables added to any dictionaries (say)
   /// are declared in the type declarations so that it is known at compile time a variable exists.
   /// </summary>
   public class IndexerVariableBinder : IVariableBinder
   {
      /// <summary>
      /// Map variable names to their types.
      /// </summary>
      protected readonly IDictionary<String, Type> mTypeDeclarations;

      public IndexerVariableBinder(IDictionary<String, Type> variableTypeDeclarations)
      {
         Contract.Requires(variableTypeDeclarations != null);
         mTypeDeclarations = variableTypeDeclarations;
      }

      private PropertyInfo _GetIndexer(Expression currentContext)
      {
         Contract.Requires(currentContext != null);
         Contract.Ensures(Contract.Result<PropertyInfo>() != null);

         // Todo: we could look for e.g. things like Chars... i.e. the correctly marked indexer.
         var indexer = currentContext.Type.GetProperty("Item");
         if (indexer == null)
            throw new Exception(String.Format("Context type '{0}' declares variables but provides no indexer to obtain them.", currentContext.Type.FullName));
         return indexer;
      }

      public virtual Expression BindVariableRead(Expression currentContext, String name)
      {
         Type varType;
         if (!mTypeDeclarations.TryGetValue(name, out varType)) return null;

         var indexer = _GetIndexer(currentContext);
         return Expression.Convert(Expression.MakeIndex(currentContext, indexer, new[] { Expression.Constant(name) }), varType);
      }

      public virtual Expression BindVariableWrite(Expression currentContext, String name, Expression value)
      {
         mTypeDeclarations[name] = value.Type;

         var indexer = _GetIndexer(currentContext);
         var indexExpr = Expression.Property(currentContext, indexer, new[] { Expression.Constant(name) });
         return Expression.Assign(indexExpr, Expression.Convert(value, indexExpr.Type));
      }

      public virtual Expression UnbindVariable(Expression currentContext, String name)
      {
         // todo: error incorrect
         if (!mTypeDeclarations.ContainsKey(name))
            throw new InvalidOperationException(String.Format("Variable '{0}' cannot be unset because it has not been set.", name));

         mTypeDeclarations.Remove(name);
         return Expression.Constant("");
      }
   }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Australian Martial Arts Academy has been educating children on the benefits of focus, self-respect and discipline for over 35 years.
The AMA Team motivators are great speakers with an awesome energy and presence. Talks can be given on a number of topics which suit your schools needs and students respond very well with the journey and messages that the motivational speakers convey.


According to a recent survey by CyberSafe Ireland, 80% of 8 to 10-year-olds own a device capable of accessing the internet, and 40% have talked to strangers online.
You can't lock your children away from the internet forever – we know they will be online at a young age, and that there are lots of good benefits to them having internet access.
But as we all know, it comes with many dangers too. Keeping your child safe from these risks will be down to a mixture of (i) rules and (ii) education.
Here are some easy tips for you to pick and choose from, to make sure your family's path to internet safety is a smooth one.
With 80% of 8 to 10-year-olds now owning their own smart device, now is the time to start setting clear ground rules. It's much easier to tell an 8-year-old that they aren't allowed screens after 8pm, than is it to negotiate with a 14-year-old who has made her own rules for the past 5 years.
Read Next: Does Your Nine-Year-Old Have An Online Profile?
2. Open up the conversation.
Talk to them about what they need to be aware of online, what to do if something happens that they aren't comfortable with, how not everything online can be taken at face value. Start the conversation and keep them talking. And don't just focus on the bad. They are much more likely to come to you with an issue if you have been engaged together on the subject previously.
There are lots of ways for you to set restrictions on your child's phone or tablet. A quick google will talk you through how to do this for your device. You can also set restrictions at source via your internet supplier. Again, it's worth checking out how to do it, and setting aside some time to follow through.
Whatever age your child is, ground rules are important. Whether it's no screens during the week, or screen time between 5pm – 6pm each day, or no screens after 7pm, make your rules and stick to them.
5. Buy your child an alarm clock.
Many teens will use the excuse of having their phone as their alarm to keep it by their bedside. Keep phones out of the bedrooms as much as possible.
This ensures random checking can take place, and children are also far less likely to stray into inappropriate areas when mum or dad is in the same room.
7. Chat to their friends' parents.
It's much harder to set rules when 'everyone else' is allowed to have Instagram / play Fortnite every weekday / Snapchat the class whenever they want to. Other mums and dads could be just as relieved as you to have a 'group agreement', whereby everyone is allowed online at the same time and no one is 'missing out'.
8. Turn off location services.
This setting often gets forgotten about – but showing the world exactly where you are when posting that 'walking on the beach alone' picture just isn't smart – or safe.
Often the longer you can delay the 'next step', the better. Don't buy them a phone until they're 13. Hold out on that Instagram account one more year. Don't agree to Snapchat until they are officially 'of age'.
Make sure your child knows how to behave online as well as offline. Kindness, courtesy and care of others goes a long way and can help cultivate a positive and supportive community. Just like in real life.
We're all still learning how to stay safe online, and sometimes the more you read about the risks, the more daunting it can all become. Try not to get overwhelmed: A little bit of education and a few (unpopular) rules can make all the difference. You'll be setting them up for a much more enjoyable and positive experience in the long run – even if they don't thank you for it now!
What are the rules in your house about internet access - or do you have any? We'd love to hear.
Kate Gunn is a blogger and features writer, the mother of three wonderful children, and everymum.ie's Head of Social Media. She attempts to balance her work, life and budget around her new family circumstances. Kate's first book: Untying the Knot: How to Consciously Uncouple in the Real World, is available now from all good retailers.


text:
Written by Mandy Lim Beitler•	January 6, 2021• 9:00 am• Baby & Toddler, Parenting
Craniosynostosis Shaped Her Little Girl's Head, but Didn't Change Her Big Heart
HomeBaby & Toddler, ParentingCraniosynostosis Shaped Her Little Girl's Head, but Didn't Change Her Big Heart
In December 2017, at just 19 months old, Baby Zia was diagnosed with craniosynostosis, a premature fusion of the skull that is supposed to gradually occur throughout a child's first six years. This affected the shape of her head and face, causing her eyes to sit awkwardly on her facial bones. Without correction, her growing brain would eventually press against her skull. This would undoubtedly impact her development, not to mention endanger her life.
Today, four-year-old Zia is a healthy and cheerful child who inspires much pride and joy in her mum, public service officer with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Nur Asyikin Hamzah, 36, and her dad, art director Sharul Rizal Amir, 37. Her grateful mother shares the ups and downs in her baby girl's life to date.
(See also: #MothersOfSingapore – A Lookback at 18 Amazing Women We Love)
Welcoming Baby Zia
"We were married for more than two years, so it was a good time to start a family. Finding out I was pregnant was exciting for the whole family as she was also the first grandchild. There was a lot of baby shopping and we even had her name picked out quite early in the pregnancy.
The pregnancy was mostly uneventful. I was healthy and active throughout and only had some morning sickness in the first trimester. I was a counsellor, and my office was on the fourth floor in a building where the elevators didn't work. Climbing up and down between office and counselling sessions all day was not a problem until maybe my 33rd week, when I conceded defeat and requested for an office on the first floor.
Zia was a chill baby and looking back, pretty easy to handle, even for us first-time parents. She was content being in her stroller and was sleeping in her own cot by her 8th or 9th month. She rolled over, ate her first solids, took her first steps, said her first words — all at the milestone-appropriate times.
A rash on her left cheek, which persisted despite trying many different ointments, was perhaps the biggest health issue we faced. And there was one time she did not poop for about a week! But she was still being breastfed then, and we read that it was nothing to be concerned about. All in all, her first 18 months were healthy and happy ones.
(See also: Caring for your Child's Skin and Managing Eczema)
Life-changing Diagnosis
One day in her 19th month, Zia came down with a slight flu, so I took her to the clinic. When we entered the consultation room, the doctor confused us with another patient as Zia had similarly large eyes. I explained that we had previously consulted KKH and they had reassured us that it was not an indication of any sight issues. He responded that it may not be her eyes, but rather, the way they sat in her skull that could be causing the protruded look. He strongly advised that we have Zia checked and wrote us a referral letter to his ex-colleagues at NUH.
We saw a paediatrician at NUH, who, immediately after our consult, referred us to geneticist and paediatrician, Dr Denise Lim. Just from eye-balling Zia, she was confident that she had a condition called craniosynostosis. She made an urgent call to Associate Professor Lim Thiam Chye's clinic to ask him to look at Zia.
We saw all three doctors in that same day. We were distraught and lost, not knowing how to help her. But I think we got through it by taking it one step at a time. Sharul and I told each other that no matter what Zia had, we would do whatever was required for her to continue being the amazing baby she was.
(See also: Comparing Children's Hospitalisation Costs in Singapore – We Do the Homework for You)
Concurring with Dr Denise Lim's initial diagnosis, Professor Lim scheduled a CT scan in the following month to confirm it. Dr Denise Lim also took some of Zia's blood to test her DNA for Crouzon Syndrome genes. Both CT scan and DNA results came back within two weeks and were conclusive. The operation date was fixed for 30 January 2018, leaving us about three weeks to mentally prepare ourselves.
The CT scan was a full-day inpatient procedure and proved to be a rough day. Seeing her being held down so that an IV line could be put in, keeping her occupied while waiting, feeding her medication to knock her out for the scan, and seeing her small body being rolled away. Those were extremely difficult moments for me as a mother. An enormous part of how I held myself together was my husband's stoic and practical nature. I must applaud and thank him for that.
It didn't help that when Zia's surgery came around, I was 12 weeks pregnant with our second child. An hour before leaving to admit Zia ahead of her surgery the following morning, I started bleeding heavily. So instead of heading to NUH, Sharul rushed me to our gynae, who ordered immediate bed rest. This meant that I had to stay home while my husband and mother-in-law took Zia to the hospital for the biggest surgery that I have ever known anyone to have in my life.
(See also: Gestational Diabetes 101 – Are You at Risk?)
That was probably my lowest point — I didn't know if I would see my baby girl alive again! Heartbroken, I cried profusely, thinking that it may be the last time I would see her as she was, if at all. To keep myself calm, I kept recalling Professor Lim repeatedly assuring us that it would be a straightforward operation.
Yet the description of the entire procedure had sounded truly scary. How could it not? It would involve cutting her scalp, peeling it off her skull, sawing through the bones, and then putting it all back together with some foreign materials we could only imagine from Professor Lim's description. And any surgery, much less one so delicate on one so little, carries the risk of complications.
The day of the surgery felt never-ending. We waited at home. Some friends and family came over to occupy me and kept me from imagining the worst. I remember thinking how surreal it was that at the same time, our baby was on an operating table, with her head being sliced open.
At around 7pm that evening, we headed back to NUH and were waiting at the Coffee Bean outlet when we got the call to inform us that the operation was over and that we could receive Zia at the operating theatre. We were eager to see her but afraid of how she would look with the tubes and wires and bandages. I was also a little sad that she would be bald, as we had not cut her hair since birth.
(See also: When Your Child is in Hospital)
I remember feeling surprised at how good she looked, clean, and resting peacefully as they rolled her out of the operating theatre. Yes, it was difficult to see her tiny body lying so still on that huge gurney, hooked up to all the tubes and wires. But most of all, I felt immense relief for the first time since her initial diagnosis months before.
The operation had been almost 12 hours long, requiring the expertise of three departments: Neurology, Paediatrics, and Aesthetics. When the operating theatre door opened, at least 15 surgeons and nurses walked out, with four of them wheeling her gurney. The gravity of the situation struck me — Professor Lim's assurances notwithstanding, the surgery had been no simple feat. We could have lost her.
Zia spent the next four days in the NICU, which took excellent care of her. She was loopy for a few days and would stare at us with deadpan eyes. This was a bit worrying, but the doctors reassured us that it was just the pain meds at work. It was tough leaving her each night, but every morning when we returned, the night duty nurses had only positive feedback. They removed the breathing tubes quite quickly and it didn't take long before she started drinking milk on her own.
Zia's first steps in the initial days back home were shaky for all of us. We hovered around her but also refrained from being overly panicky if she swayed. We didn't want our over-protectiveness to affect her confidence to move and adapt to her new head size. To compensate, I would wheel her around in the stroller even at home, so there would be less chance of her falling and hitting her head or knocking into sharp edges of furniture. We also allowed her to sleep in our bed. This meant that all the sleep training we had gone through prior to the surgery went out the window!
(See also: Co-Sleeping: the Big Questions)
About 10 days after Zia was discharged, we returned for a follow-up with Professor Lim to remove the bandage. The scar looked so angry and raw, but it was healing nicely, and subsequent reviews were six months apart. We visited NUH several times to see Professor Lim, and sometimes the geneticist, paediatrician, and neurosurgeon too.
To date, her doctors have said again and again that the surgery was a success. They believe the rate of her head growth and the shape it has formed indicate that Zia is unlikely to require additional surgeries. We've kept a close eye on her development, but every passing moment assures us that Zia is totally normal. She is a regular kid and still the same sweet girl we know and love.
Going to School!
Zia recovered very quickly and within a month, she was already running around. So just three months later, we enrolled her at White Lodge preschool. At that time, her hair was still growing out and her scar was still quite visible. While some other schools were concerned about their ability to care for Zia, White Lodge was confident they could.
(See also: 12 Types of PreSchools in Singapore: The Ultimate Guide)
We were concerned about other children playing rough, but we also did not want her to miss out on the experiences we had planned for her before the diagnosis. In fact, enabling Zia to experience life as normally as possible has become our guiding principle.
She was a champion that first day. Zia eagerly joined her class and I sneaked away. But when we picked her up four hours later, she was crying. The teacher said it was only because she started seeing her friends leaving with their parents! We got her a toy shark as reward for being such a good girl on her first day at school.
Big-hearted Little Girl
Big eyes she may have, but my little Zia is also big of heart. Perceptive, observant, and compassionate, she often helps out at school, her teachers report. She also shares her toys freely with her friends and her younger brother. Exuding an openness in her personality, she is curious about everything, although she is also very dreamy. It's cute but can also be exasperating when she takes her own sweet time when we need her to hurry!
For me, the whole experience has changed my priorities in parenting and life in general. I used to be pedantic — strict bedtimes, sleep training, sanitising every other minute. I'm way more relaxed now. I think the whole ordeal made me realise that there were more important things to focus on. Things like her cognitive development and nurturing her to have a positive self-concept now outrank grubby hands or staying up an extra hour.
Zia doesn't yet know about her craniosynostosis, or that she had an operation. She's seen pictures of her time in the hospital, but I don't think she connects those photos with her. We will speak to her about it when she can understand better, but the last thing we want is for her to view her condition as something that would hold her back. We hope she grows to be a confident woman and continues being big-hearted and caring to those around her."
(See also: "How Can I Raise Successful Kids during a Pandemic?")
Baby Zia's surgery involved the use of Osteomesh, a custom 3D-printed gauze-like structure that helps surgeons in patients' skull and facial reconstruction. Its porous nature allows blood vessels to grow from within and guides regenerative cells that integrate into the patient's own bone tissue, thus expediting the natural bone-healing process. After implantation, Osteomesh dissolves into carbon dioxide and water in the body over an 18- to 24-month period.
Finding Strength After Loss: Lisa Chong of Stillen Maternity
December 7, 2020• Parenting
"I hope one day we mothers can all look back and see that we have become like the phoenix that rose from the ashes," muses Lisa Chong....
Nothing but Pride for her Two Sons with Autism
November 4, 2020• Parenting
When her two sons were young, life was a guessing game for June Lim. "I had to do everything for them, like showering, feeding them...
Esther Kwan's Lushly Gorgeous Bohemian-style Maternity Shoot
September 30, 2020• Pregnancy
At 37 weeks of pregnancy, you could be feeling like an over-pumped blimp, bursting at its seams, and ready to pop anytime. Then again you...
From Facing an Unwanted Pregnancy to Thriving as Mother of Five Kids! (+ a Giveaway)
July 23, 2020• Parenting
She was a free-spirited, single 27-year-old who went out of her way to experience every extreme activity there was. YOLO was her personal...


text:
Q: Sass compiles background-position values to 100% in Laravel Mix ^4.0.7 How do I stop SASS from compiling the background-property to 100%?
background-position: center right #{"calc(.4em + .1875rem)"};

What I tried is applying string interpolation on the values, just like I did on the calc function.
background-position: #{"center"} #{"right"} #{"calc(.4em + .1875rem)"};

I expected the non-calculated string, with just center right calc(.4em + .1875rem) as the value.

A: It appeared to be the normalizePositions option in the CssNano that is set to default in Laravel Mix.
To solve this issue, simply disabling the option did the trick:
mix.options({
    cssNano: {normalizePositions: false}
});


Rosé wine has become amazingly popular in recent years. The consumption of rosé increases more than other wines. France is the world's largest rosé producer. Provence is the region in France that is most famous for its rosé wines and it is also the largest producer with 42% of all rosé. BKWine Magazine's Henrik Stadler reports from a tasting of Provence rosés.
Looking at the production of rosé wine, France is the largest country followed by Spain, the United States and Italy. If you choose to look at the consumption, the United States is largest followed by UK, Belgium, Germany, Holland and then Sweden in a 6th place. It is interesting to note that the consumption increase in Sweden has been around 750% between 2002 and 2015.
In terms of trends, a general consumption increase of 30% over the last 15 years can be seen, while other wines (except bubbly) have only increased over the same period with 4%. Furthermore, you can see an increase in sugar content of just over 50%. Also, there is a clear trend towards paler wines.
In France 45% of rosé production is AOP (formerly AOC). Production is biggest in Provence, making 42% of all rosé followed by the Loire with 19% and 14% in Rhône.
40% of French production passes a national border so is exported!
The soil in the eastern part of Provence is crystalline rock that forms slate (schist). The western part has more limestone and also clay.
Of the total production of around 27 million hl of wine per year in Provence, 89% is rosé, 7% red and 4% white. There are more than 550 independent growers, around 60 cooperatives and just over 40 negociants.
Provence has more organic vineyards than the average in France, 24% compared to 9% for the whole country. The French people praise Swedes who ask for and often choose organic wine, thus creating a clear trend. Between 2011 and 2014, organic wine from Provence has increased by 45%.
The red grapes used in Provence are in addition to the original cinsault and tibouren also syrah, grenache, mourvèdre, carignan, cabernet sauvignon and counoise. Among white grapes you can find primarily rolle (vermentino), ugni blanc, clairette, sémillon, bourboulenc, grenache blanc and sauvignon blanc.
In most cases you use two or more grapes to get a good rose. It usually produces wines that are dry, bright, aromatic and fruity. Rosé wines often work well as aperitif, "social" wine and with dishes like seafood, grilled fish and grilled meat. Also you can try more tasty dishes like sushi, tapas, Chinese and Thai food.
Then we have the question of the colour. Do you mix red wine with white wine? No, not in Provence anyway. (Ed.'s note: it is forbidden within the EU to make rosé by blending red and white wine, except in Champagne.) There are two different methods. Direct pressing and maceration on the skins for a short period of time.
On to the wines, which served in combination with a snack.
60% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, 10% Syrah. It was served with a sandwich of shrimp, dill and mayonnaise. A successful combination but the wine on its own was not outstanding (nor bad).
77% grenache, 13% cabernet sauvignon, 4% rolle and 2% each of syrah, cinsault, mourvèdre.
Served with a bread with fennel, salmon and mustard cream. Superb combination and the wine was also delicious without the food. A very good choice and a definite favourite!
60% Grenache and 40% Syrah. We were served a biscuit with wasabi, tuna and radish with it. Good wine and good combination but nothing extra special.
50% cinsault, 30% syrah, 20% grenache. The combination here was a sandwich with duck confit, mayonnaise and pickled onions. Very successful combination and a wine that stood out and became a favourite also on its own.
40% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 20% Cinsault, 10% Rolle. Served with a rye bread topped with reindeer, horseradish and apple. A good combination and also good to drink without snacks. Uncontested 3rd place.
In summary there were two wines that were more to my liking. Chateau Beaulieu, Gassier, 2016, Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence and Domaine des Diables, Rosé BonBon, 2016 Cotes de Provence Sainte-Victoire were my clear favourites and those I will buy and really want to recommend.
The tasting was arranged by CIVP, Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins de Provence in Stockholm.


text:
Home » Teams » Phillies » Mike Missanelli Wants Curt Schilling Removed from Phillies Wall of Fame
Mike Missanelli Wants Curt Schilling Removed from Phillies Wall of Fame
By Kevin Kinkead
Photo Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
This is not a political post.
The only personal opinions you will find in this story are those of Mike Missanelli and Curt Schilling, who hate each other's guts and have been slinging Twitter barbs for a long time now. It's one of the better, underrated rivalries in Philadelphia sports.
Mike, as you know, is a progressive liberal. His social media feed is mostly leftish politics these days.
Schilling, meantime, used to be a regular guest on Mike's show. He's a hardcore conservative and Donald Trump supporter, and his social media feed is mostly MAGA stuff and live streams of him working on his model train set while wearing one of those magnifying glass thingers that you put on your head:
As you can imagine, Schilling was supportive of the people who broke into the Capitol two weeks ago. Among various MAGA retweets, he wrote this back on January 6th:
You cowards sat on your hands, did nothing while liberal trash looted rioted and burned for air Jordan's and big screens, sit back, stfu, and watch folks start a confrontation for shit that matters like rights, democracy and the end of govt corruption. #itshappening
— President Elect Curt Schilling (@gehrig38) January 7, 2021
And then today we've got Mike calling for his OUTRIGHT removal from the Phillies Wall of Fame:
In light of his tweets (racist among other things) following the seditious attack on the Capitol – re: today's Inquirer – I call upon the Phillies and John Middleton to immediately remove Curt Schilling from their Wall of Fame.
— Mike Missanelli (@MikeMiss25) January 14, 2021
So putting aside the personal beef for a moment, it's an interesting thing to consider. Could the Phillies remove somebody from the Wall of Fame because of their political beliefs? Or, could they rule that support of the Capitol invasion goes beyond anything political and simply doesn't jive with franchise values?
At the Philadelphia Inquirer, Bob Brookover wrote a story earlier this week titled "Curt Schilling belongs in Hall of Fame even though his views are worthy of nothing but shame." In the piece, Brookover mentions that the 2021 HOF balloting becomes public on January 26th, and we'll know who gets in and who doesn't.
"Nothing Schilling said last week influenced the Hall of Fame voters who have increasingly shown their support in recent years because ballots had to be cast by Dec. 31. It's kind of funny how earlier voting might actually benefit one of Trump's most devout supporters. Schilling, in his eighth year on the ballot, received 70% of the vote, an increase of 9.1% from the year before. A player needs 75% of the vote, so a similar jolt to last year's and Schilling will be a Hall of Famer.
Despite the vitriol that flows freely from Schilling's social media accounts, I still think he belongs in the Hall of Fame, and I wrote exactly that a year ago at this time.
Full disclosure: I have no say in whether Schilling is elected. I stopped voting years ago because the people who run the Hall of Fame had no interest in either defining or eliminating the character clause that is part of the voting instructions. It simply states that "voting shall be based upon the player's record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played."
This is one of those cases where you wonder where the line should be drawn, if at all. Curt Schilling's baseball credentials are worthy, but do his political beliefs keep him out? Is supporting the Capitol intrusion worse than taking steroids? Betting illegally on the sport? In a lot of cases, we're comparing apples to orange. There's no guideline for how we consider these things, or if they even matter. Essentially, we're just asking ourselves if the Baseball Hall of Fame is "sticking to sports" or not.
So you tell me –
Does Schilling belong in the Hall of Fame? And is Mike right? Should Schilling be removed from the Phillies' wall?
mlb, phillies
Kevin Kinkead
Kevin has been writing about Philadelphia sports since 2009. He spent seven years in the CBS 3 sports department and started with the Union during the team's 2010 inaugural season. He went to the academic powerhouses of Boyertown High School and West Virginia University and past bylines include Philly Voice, Philly Views, MLSSoccer.com, Philadelphiaunion.com, the Canadian Press, and the Philly Soccer Page. email - kevin.k@xlmedia.com
PrevPreviousSixers vs. Heat Betting Preview (January 14, 2021)
NextFanDuel Sportsbook NFL Promo: 25-1 Odds For Divisional RoundNext


The PF-Series™ Slide Parts Kit includes all of the internal parts to complete a PF-Series™ or Glock® slide assembly. The upgraded 17-4 PH stainless steel striker, extractor depressor plunger, striker safety, and 9mm extractor are all machined from bar stock to provide unmatched reliability in the harshest conditions. The kit is compatible with 9mm PF-Series™ and Glock® Gen1-4 slides.
This is a stripped slide and does not include any other components or enhancements.