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Sunburn — The morning read of what's hot in Florida politics.
By Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Daniel McAuliffe, Jim Rosica, and Drew Wilson.
Let's admit something right up front.
We had to suppress a gasp yesterday afternoon as the Tampa Bay Rays unveiled the sticker price for the proposed baseball stadium in Ybor City, where they hope to play by 2023.
$892 million!
That's about $200 million more than expected, but roughly the going rate for stadiums these days.
And if it's built, it will be a dandy ballyard all right. Fixed translucent roof, giving nice natural light to the place. With 28,216 fixed seats — expandable to 30,842 if people don't mind standing at some of the bars and other hangouts — it will be the smallest ballpark in the major leagues.
That's not a bad thing.
And yes, Ybor City is the perfect, central location to attract fans from the entire Tampa Bay market. The Rays say 1.6 million people live within a 30-minute drive of the proposed location. They also went to great lengths during the rollout at the Ybor Italian Club to stress that the ballpark could be used year-round by the community in some ways — for free, in some cases.
But … $892 million? That's a lotta playground.
As Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn said after the presentation: "You're not going to see the city of Tampa write a check. I'm willing to walk away if it doesn't make sense."
The question remains, exactly how bad does the city of Tampa and Hillsborough County want this? And how much are the Rays willing to pay?
We will soon find out.
Florida Chamber Environmental Permitting Summer School — 6; MLB All-Star Game — 6; Democratic gubernatorial candidates debate in Fort Myers — 7; Florida Chamber Global Florida Webinar — 13; MAKE MORE Manufacturing Summit — 18; Deadline for filing claim bills — 21; 'The Race for Governor' Democratic gubernatorial debate in West Palm Beach — 22; Florida's back to school sales tax holiday begins — 23; Republican gubernatorial debate in Jacksonville — 28; School begins in the first 19 Florida districts — 30; Start of the U.S. Open — 47; Primary Election Day — 48; NFL season starts — 48; College Football opening weekend — 50; Labor Day — 54; Future of Florida Forum — 77; 'Before You Vote' Florida U.S. Senate debate — 104; 'Before You Vote' Florida Governor debate — 105; General Election Day — 118; Florida Chamber Insurance Summit — 139; 'Hamilton' comes to the Straz Center — 216; 2019 Legislative Session starts — 237; 2020 General Election — 846.
"Florida population growth slowing, but Puerto Ricans help keep numbers up" via Noah Hertz of FSU.org — Despite slowing birthrates, Florida is still growing. Since 2015 growth has been slowing down, but the influx of Puerto Rican residents helped to keep last year's growth closer to predicted levels. Clyde Diao, an economist with the state, explains. "My assumption there is that the influx of Puerto Ricans occurred right after Maria. So, the influx is expected to continue, but at a much slower rate as the Puerto Rican economy continues to struggle." Diao says the exact number is unclear, but estimates place it between 40,000 and 50,000 people.
—"Puerto Ricans in Florida play key role in Senate race" via Lisa Hagen of The Hill
—"Poll of Puerto Ricans in Florida shows Scott better-liked than Nelson" via Marc Caputo and Alexandra Glorioso of POLITICO Florida
Bad news for Bill Nelson: "Brutal poll: Democrats' Senate dream slips away" via Axios — To win the Senate, Democrats need to keep all 10 seats they're defending in states that President Trump won in 2016 — plus pick up two more seats. But a new Axios/SurveyMonkey poll of critical states shows Dems would lose three of those red-state seats while picking up two GOP seats — still short of the majority. The polls show three Democratic senators are poised to lose their seats to Republicans — Heidi Heitkamp in North Dakota, Nelson in Florida and Joe Donnelly in Indiana.
"Poll: Majority of Florida voters want Nelson to confirm Brett Kavanaugh" via Susan B. Anthony List — A new poll released Tuesday by the national pro-life group Susan B. Anthony List finds that 56 percent of Florida voters want Nelson to confirm President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee, and 54 percent believe abortion policy for Florida should be decided by the people of Florida through their elected officials, not the Supreme Court. The Tarrance Group conducted the survey of 500 registered voters across the state, using both automated phone polling as well as live phone calls to landlines and cellphones. "Florida voters agree: Sen. Nelson must vote to confirm Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court," Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser said in a statement.
Democratic groups launch pro-Nelson ads highlighting "history of fighting for Florida" — Senate Majority PAC and Priorities USA Action are announcing a new round of digital ads highlighting Nelson's "record of tirelessly defending the interests of all Floridians." The two-ad campaign will focus on his efforts to protect Medicare and Social Security, keep the price of prescription drugs low, and expand access to affordable health care, including protections for people with pre-existing conditions. This new round comes as part of SMP and Priorities USA Action's previously announced $600,000 campaign supporting Nelson. Both ads, which will run statewide in English and Spanish, will appear on social media, Google search, and across numerous websites and video properties. The campaign seeks to target Florida's Hispanic voters, particularly Puerto Ricans who have relocated to the mainland post-Hurricane Maria.
To view one of the ads, click on the image below:
"Koch-backed super PAC endorses DeSantis for governor" via Emily Mahoney of the Tampa Bay Times — The Freedom Partners Action Fund, a Washington-based super PAC, announced the endorsement in a news release which cited DeSantis's Congressional record and his military service as a Navy JAG officer. The PAC has more than $12 million on hand, according to Federal Election Commission data, and it pledged to boost DeSantis through targeted mailers and digital ads in Florida. DeSantis has enjoyed a great deal of out-of-state financial support from other big GOP donors like Illinois shipping magnate Richard Uihlein, as well as from small donations from voters across the country who received his mailers or saw him on Fox News.
"Gwen Graham's health care plan includes Medicaid expansion and eliminating wait-lists for seniors" via Lawrence Mower of the Tampa Bay Times — Her four-page plan boils down to five basic points: Expand Medicaid — Graham says she would expand Medicaid to Floridians with incomes at or below 138 percent of the federal poverty level, or about 500,000 people. Allow Floridians to get the same insurance as politicians. Eliminate waiting lists for senior-based programs: "Many will die while they are waiting for services." Help sign people up for Obamacare: Graham says the state will pick up the tab and fund outreach efforts, "if necessary." Limit increases in premiums through 'reinsurance' programs: Graham would join a handful of states that have asked for a federal waiver to use reinsurance pools, in which an assessment helps pay for the most expensive insurance claims.
"Graham: Republican governor streak must end" via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics — The last time a Democrat served as governor of Florida, Bill Clinton was still president. In a new campaign ad, Democratic candidate Graham says it's time for that to change. Titled "Twenty" (see below), Graham critiques Republican leadership of the state for the past two decades and argues she is the candidate best equipped to flip control over to the Democrats. "It has been really bad for Florida that, for twenty years, the Republican Party has been in total control," says Graham in the new 30-second ad. "It's these high-paid lobbyists that are in charge in Tallahassee. They have not taken Medicaid expansion. They have hurt education. It's going to take bringing it back to, 'How do I serve the people?'"
Assignment editors — Graham will hold a news conference to discuss the future of women's access to reproductive health care following Trump's nomination of Kavanagh, noon, 299 NW. 25th St., Miami.
The hits just keep coming — "How clean is your grocery store?" via Christopher Heath of WFTV — More than 45 stores haven't been inspected for at least a year, with some going almost two years between inspections. Inspections in Florida are carried out by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Department of Food Safety. However, according to the department, there is no set time interval for inspections. "The department employs a risk-based approach to grocery store inspections, which takes into account what kind of food processing or preparation is taking place, consumer complaints," a department spokesperson wrote in an email. If you'd like to check your local store, click here.
Assignment editors — Republican gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam will make an announcement concerning veterans and the military, joined by Major General H.D. "Jake" Polumbo (Ret.), community leaders, and members of the veteran and military community, 3 p.m., 2730 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala.
"No scheduled public debates among candidates for Florida's top legal job? That's weird." via Mitch Perry of Florida Phoenix — Anyone looking to learn more about the two Republicans and two Democrats vying for Attorney General through a public debate is out of luck, at least as of today. The two Republican candidates hoping to succeed the state's sitting Attorney General are Ashley Moody and State Rep. Frank White. The two Democratic candidates are Tampa Rep. Sean Shaw and Hillsborough County attorney Ryan Torrens. Campaign spokespeople for the two Republican candidates confirmed there are no plans for a debate. On the Democratic side, candidate Torrens says he contacted his opponent Shaw back in April about setting up a debate, and says he's followed up with phone calls and voicemails but never received a response.
For your radar – Look for Speaker-designate Jose Oliva to wade into the Attorney General race and endorse White today. The endorsement comes as White enters his sixth week on statewide TV and on the heels of yesterday's endorsement from Florida Right to Life.
"Another statewide candidate blasts Bullsugar over questionnaire" via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics — Yet another statewide Republican candidate — Attorney General hopeful White — is hammering environmental advocacy group Bullsugar over its questionnaire regarding Florida's algae bloom problem. The questionnaire is highly critical of the sugar industry, including questions such as: "Do you agree that your campaign will be sugar-free, accepting no contributions from any source with ties to the sugar-cane industry?" Bullsugar has faced criticism for previous false claims about the blooms and a failure to disclose its donor list. That history resulted in a scathing response from GOP Agriculture Commissioner candidate Matt Caldwell, who called Bullsugar "one of the most obscene groups in Florida" that pushes a "constant stream of twisted misinformation spread to the public." Now, White is following up with his own statement bashing the group.
"Florida Right to Life PAC backs White for Attorney General" via Kevin Derby of Florida Daily — White joined Scott and state CFO Jimmy Patronis as the only statewide candidates to get full endorsements from Florida Right to Life PAC. The group did note that both top Republican gubernatorial candidates — Putnam and DeSantis — received A ratings. As did state Rep. Caldwell and former state Rep. Baxter Troutman, both running in the Republican primary to replace Putnam.
Humane Society, Grey2K pump money into do-racing amendment — Two animal-rights groups have started putting their money behind a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban betting on greyhound racing. The Humane Society of the United States and Grey2K USA Worldwide each contributed $100,000 in June to the Committee to Protect Dogs, a political committee backing Amendment 13 on the November ballot, according to a new finance report. Grey2K also contributed $55,000 in May and has made in-kind contributions such as staff time. In all, the Committee to Protect Dogs had raised $317,756 as of June 29 and had nearly $296,000 in cash on hand, the report shows. The state Constitution Revision Commission placed the proposed greyhound-racing ban on the November ballot. The Florida Greyhound Association, which includes greyhound owners and trainers, filed a lawsuit in Leon County seeking to block the ballot measure.
"'Lies and videotapes': Mike Miller releases video dossier on GOP opponent" via Orlando Rising — Miller's campaign for Congress on Tuesday launched a website — "The Sturgill Files" — compiling videos spotlighting Miller's GOP primary opponent, Scott Sturgill. The archive covers Sturgill's "2014 attempt to hide his record of being a Democrat by falsely claiming he was a 'lifelong Republican,' his plan to grant amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants, his backing of gun control measures and his support for expanding Obamacare by $51 billion in Florida," a news release said. "Republican voters need to know that Scott Sturgill would oppose many of President Trump's most important initiatives, and now they can hear it directly from him," said Dana Loncar, spokeswoman for the Miller campaign. Sturgill, a Sanford businessman, and Miller will battle in the Aug. 28 Republican primary for a chance to take on Democratic U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy in Central Florida's 7th Congressional District.
"Vern Buchanan touts bipartisan record in new ad" via Florida Politics — Buchanan has put out a new TV ad in his Sarasota-based district highlighting his "effective and bipartisan record" representing Florida's 16th Congressional District. The 30-second spot, titled "Effective Leader," has started airing on cable and local television stations throughout Sarasota, Manatee and Hillsborough counties. "In a town notorious for gridlock and dysfunction, this man stands apart," the ad narrator states. "Congressman Vern Buchanan, rated one of the nation's most effective lawmakers. A successful businessman, Buchanan brought his 'can do' attitude to Congress. Vern believes nothing is impossible if we work together. Vern Buchanan: Effective, bipartisan, getting the job done." Interspersed among the clips of Buchanan talking to constituents are several news clippings backing up Buchanan's claims of effectiveness and bipartisanship.
To view the ad, click on the image below:
"Lauren Baer tops $1M banked for CD 18 campaign, Brian Mast nears $2M" via Florida Politics — Baer's campaign said it will report more than $500,000 raised in its second-quarter campaign finance report and show more than $1 million in the bank, an increase of $300,000 over her reserves at the end of the first quarter. The performance also bests her $450,000 report for Q1 and makes for more than $1.5 million in campaign funds raised to-date. Mast, who is only nominally opposed in the Republican primary, also announced he'd hit a high watermark in the second-quarter with more than $1 million raised. The announcement indicated Mast had nearly $2 million in the bank at the end of June, a major increase from his $1.5 million on-hand tallies at the end of the first quarter. CD 18 is a top target for a "blue-wave" flip in the fall, with only CD 26 and CD 27 outranking it on Florida Democrat's priority list.
"'Raised right': Rebekah Bydlak releases first TV ad in HD 1 race" via Florida Politics — The 30-second spot will start hitting TV screens in the Escambia County district today. Titled "Fresh Conservative Choice," the ad touts Bydlak's conservative credentials as well as her status as an "outsider" candidate. "Isn't it time for a fresh conservative voice who will work with President Trump in Florida? That's Rebekah Bydlak, a conservative outsider, not a politician. Bydlak is 100 percent pro-life and is endorsed by the NRA for defending the 2nd Amendment," the ad narrator states. Bydlak then says, "I was born and raised right here in Escambia County, which means I was raised right. I'm a conservative wanting to make a difference, not a politician looking for my next job. Together, we can hold politicians accountable."
To view the ad, click on the image below:
Shot: "Former Rene Plasencia campaign worker denies taking info to rival" via Orlando Rising — A former campaign volunteer for Plasencia is seeking an apology from the state representative after the Orlando Republican accused him of downloading campaign data and taking it with him to a GOP rival. Zane C. Matter was on the Plasencia campaign before he moved to the George Collins campaign. Collins is challenging Plasencia, first elected in 2014, for the House District 50 seat … Plasencia had alleged that Matter, now serving as Collins' campaign treasurer, used his access to Plasencia's webElect political data account to download information after-hours onto a home computer. Matter then left Plasencia on June 1 and joined Collins. "I brought no information to the Collins campaign; I simply agreed with George on the issues more and decided to be on his campaign," Matter said. The accusations "were false and nothing more than a political stunt to discourage George from entering the race and qualifying."
Chaser: "Plasencia campaign fires back over data theft allegation" via Orlando Rising — An allegation that a former Plasencia campaign staffer downloaded private campaign data and took it with him to a GOP rival was turned over to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Plasencia's campaign manager said Tuesday. But Acacia Baker also told Orlando Rising that FDLE agents "acknowledged that information was obviously accessed, but without a signed confidentiality agreement or contract, there wasn't more they could do" … Added Baker: "I'm just not sure which is more shameful, the fact that George Collins used a college student to do his dirty work or the fact that the staffer didn't see what he was doing as wrong."
"Florida Realtors make endorsements in 87 legislative races" via Florida Politics — Four of those picks are virtually assured victory as their only challenge is coming from unaffiliated, third-party or write-in candidates. Those include HD 46 Democratic Rep. Bruce Antone, HD 38 Republican Rep. Danny Burgess, HD 17 Republican Rep. Cyndi Stevenson and HD 6 Republican Rep. Jay Trumbull. Many of the other races feature an incumbent who'll likely cruise toward re-election, such as District 2 Republican Sen. George Gainer and HD 39 Republican Rep. Josie Tomkow, though the trade association also weighed in on nearly every competitive race. In the upper chamber, incumbent Republican Sen. Keith Perry of Gainesville got the nod in his bid for another term in Senate District 8, where he faces well-funded Democratic challenger Kayser Enneking. In the Bay area's premier battleground, Tampa Republican Sen. Dana Young earned the Realtor's support for re-election over House Minority Leader Janet Cruz.
"Parkland panel wants PROMISE Program changed" via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics — The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission offered suggestions Tuesday to change Broward County's PROMISE Program, which has come under fire after February's attack that left 17 dead. While most members said the program played no direct role in the shooting by suspect Nikolas Cruz, the commission still recommended changes to it and similar programs throughout the state, such as reducing the amount of infractions allowed under the program and increasing access to students' disciplinary records. The PROMISE Program is an example of a pre-arrest diversionary program. Those programs typically seek to find ways to discipline students who commit minor crimes without entering them into the criminal justice system.
"Parkland shooter's mother called 'enabler' who allowed him to buy a gun" via David Flesher of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel — Cruz's late mother was an "enabler" who overrode the objections of school counselors when the future Parkland shooter wanted to buy a gun, according to the chairman of the state commission investigating the massacre. Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, who leads the commission reviewing the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, said several counselors tried to help Cruz with his behavioral and disciplinary problems. "This is not a situation where there wasn't yeoman's work being done by a whole bunch of people to try and get this guy off the path that he was on," he said. "But it just wasn't being effective."
Happening today — The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission will continue its three-day meeting. Topics for discussion are Broward County's 911 system and law-enforcement radio systems, 8:30 a.m., BB&T Center, Chairman's Club, 1 Panther Parkway, Sunrise.
"Medical marijuana regulators withdraw licensing fee rule" via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics — State regulators have given up for now on a contentious rule requiring a hefty fee from medical marijuana suppliers. The Department of Health, which regulates the drug through its Office of Medical Marijuana Use, had first proposed in April a "supplemental licensing fee" of $174,844 from each provider. But the office, without explanation, announced Monday it was withdrawing the proposed fee from further consideration. It already had drawn a legal challenge from Liberty Health Sciences, a state-licensed "medical marijuana treatment center" (MMTC). Its lawyer had argued the state set the fee too high. "I understand the department will conduct future rule-making proceedings on this subject and my client looks forward to discussing their concerns," said John Lockwood, the company's Tallahassee-based attorney.
"Judge closes book undisputed abortion law" via Jim Saunders of the News Service of Florida — In a case that focused heavily on First Amendment rights, a federal judge has issued a permanent injunction against a 2016 abortion law approved by Florida lawmakers and Gov. Scott. U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle, who granted a preliminary injunction against the law in September, issued the permanent injunction last week and ordered the state to pay attorney fees for a group of plaintiffs who challenged the measure. The permanent injunction came after attorneys for the state and the plaintiffs filed a joint motion last month indicating the state did not want to continue contesting the issues in the preliminary injunction. "In order to spare the parties and the court the cost and burden of further litigation, plaintiffs and defendants have reached an agreement for the court to convert the preliminary injunction into a permanent injunction … enter a declaratory judgment in plaintiffs' favor, and retain jurisdiction over an award of attorneys' fees, if necessary, thereby resolving all the claims," the June 22 joint motion said.
"Nursing home records ruling put on hold" via Jim Saunders of the News Service of Florida — The 1st District Court of Appeal extended a stay of a lower-court ruling that would require the Florida Department of Health to quickly turn over death certificates from across the state to attorneys for The Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills … it was the latest twist in a monthslong records battle between the Florida Department of Health and the nursing home, which the state moved to shut down after residents died following Hurricane Irma. The nursing home has been in a series of legal fights with Scott's administration, including about a state attempt to revoke the facility's license. As part of those disputes, the nursing home filed a public-records lawsuit Jan. 31, alleging that the Department of Health had improperly refused to provide copies of death certificates for people across the state from Sept. 9 through Sept. 16 — a period that included Hurricane Irma and its immediate aftermath.
"They were shocked to learn gambling will be going on here. Now they've declared war" via Andres Viglucci of the Miami Herald — A plan by the owners of Magic City Casino to build a poker room and jai alai fronton in the middle of Miami's blossoming Edgewater district seemed to fly largely under the public's radar — until Florida gaming regulators actually approved the permit last week. Now the matter has hit the fan. Some of the city's business and cultural heavyweights, including auto magnate Norman Braman and developer Jorge Perez, declared war on the gambling facility, calling it everything from "idiotic" to "disgraceful." In loose association with other luminaries and anti-casino voices such as Knight Foundation President Alberto Ibarguen, developer Armando Codina and Miami Design District developer Craig Robins, Braman and Perez say they have begun exploring legal and political challenges at the state and local level to stop the still-unnamed facility in its tracks.
"Excessive speed caused roller coaster derailment" via Jennifer Kay of The Associated Press — Two riders fell 34 feet when the front car of the Sand Blaster Roller Coaster was left dangling from the track June 14 at the Daytona Beach Boardwalk. Investigators concluded that the operating speed of the ride was the primary cause of the derailment, though they continued to assess other factors that also may have contributed, such as weather, weight distribution and lubrication of the track, according to a report released by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. An independent engineer also concluded that the ride's speed caused the derailment, the report said. "Operator error caused the Sand Blaster Roller Coaster derailment, which injured multiple people. We've issued subpoenas to obtain more information from the ride operator, and we will hold fully accountable those responsible," Agriculture Commissioner Putnam said in an emailed statement.
"Final investigation into Eastpoint fire could take weeks; contract says vendor responsible" via Jeff Schweers of the Tallahassee Democrat — Weeks later, state Forest Service investigators are still poking around the ashes to provide a more definitive answer as to how that supposedly extinguished burn reignited and caused the Eastpoint fire five days later. The Scope of Work outlines all the responsibilities of the contractor in a controlled burn. The contractor is required to coordinate each burn with the FWC's site project manager, have a certified burn manager on site at all times, and make sure that the current and forecast conditions meet all the approved parameter ranges before ignition. "The commission will not participate in any component of the contractor's prescribed burn," according to the scope of work. Patience is the key following a wildfire, said Kevin Hiers, a wildland fire scientist at Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy. That's why the Florida Forest Service takes weeks or a month to dig into the cause of a fire.
"Orlando to get new area code — 689" via Gray Rohrer and Marco Santana of the Orlando Sentinel — Members of the Florida Public Service Commission voted unanimously for the new area code, which staffers said was needed because 407 numbers were projected to be exhausted by next May. "We're running out [of numbers] in this area," said Gregory Fogleman, public utility supervisor for the PSC. "We've done everything we can, and now is the time to do this in order to have a smooth transition." Under the plan, current customers will retain their numbers, but new customers in the 407 zone — which includes Orange, Seminole, Osceola and parts of Lake and Volusia counties — will be issued 689. Those with the region's other area code of 321 are unaffected.
"White House sends Everglades reservoir to Congress" via Bruce Ritchie of POLITICO – The White House on Tuesday approved a the Army Corps of Engineers' request to seek approval from Congress for an Everglades reservoir that supporters say is key to diverting future Lake Okeechobee discharges, according to the office of Sen. Marco Rubio. Gov. k Scott declared a state of emergency on Monday for seven counties for algae blooms caused by discharges to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers. In 2017, he signed FL SB10 (17R) authorizing the $1.6 billion reservoir with the cost to be split with the federal government. The Office of Management and Budget on Tuesday gave the OK for the project to be included in a Water Resource Development Act bill being considered in the Senate, supporters say.
"Trump officials slash funds to help consumers sign up for health insurance" via Robert Pear The New York Times — The Trump administration, for the second year in a row, is slashing grants to nonprofit organizations that help people get health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. The government will provide $10 million this fall, down from $36 million last fall and $63 million in late 2016 — a reduction of more than 80 percent. The Trump administration says that the insurance counselors, known as navigators, do not enroll enough people to justify more spending. Insurance agents and brokers do much better, it says.
"Trump says he did not discuss abortion with Supreme Court pick Kavanaugh" via David Jackson of USA TODAY — "No, I haven't, I really haven't," Trump told reporters as he left the White House for a weeklong trip to Europe. Abortion will be perhaps the key issue in upcoming confirmation hearings for Kavanaugh. Trump, speaking less than 11 hours after a prime-time event to unveil his new Supreme Court nominee, said Kavanaugh has received "great reviews" from the legal community. "It's a beautiful thing to watch," he said.
"New Supreme Court nominee has ties to big Florida moments" via Monique Madan of the Miami Herald — Kavanaugh has played a pivotal role in some of Florida's most contentious moments … In 2000, Kavanaugh represented pro bono the Miami relatives of 6-year-old Elian Gonzalez, who wanted to keep the child in Miami despite his father's wishes to have custody of him in Cuba. The custody battle polarized the Cuban community and all of South Florida … around eight months later … the 2000 presidential election between George W. Bush and Al Gore. With Florida votes still undecided in December because of a state-mandated recount … Kavanaugh joined Bush's legal team, which was trying to stop the ballot recount in the state. Dick Durbin, during Kavanaugh's confirmation hearings for the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, called him the "Forrest Gump of Republican politics … whether it's Elian Gonzalez or the Starr Report, you are there." Kavanaugh, who clerked for Justice Anthony Kennedy, the Supreme Court justice who is retiring, had also worked for independent counsel Kenneth Starr.
"A liberal's case for Kavanaugh" via Akhil Reed Amar for The New York Times — Most judges are not scholars or even serious readers of scholarship. Judge Kavanaugh, by contrast, has taught courses at leading law schools and published notable law review articles. More important, he is an avid consumer of legal scholarship. He reads and learns. And he reads scholars from across the political spectrum. This studiousness is especially important for a jurist like Kavanaugh, who prioritizes the Constitution's original meaning. Kavanaugh is, again, a superb nominee. So, I propose that the Democrats offer the following compromise: Each Senate Democrat will pledge either to vote yes for Kavanaugh's confirmation — or, if voting no, to first publicly name at least two clearly better candidates whom a Republican president might realistically have nominated instead (not an easy task). In exchange for this act of good will, Democrats will insist that Kavanaugh answer all fair questions at his confirmation hearing … Kavanaugh could be confirmed with the 90-something Senate votes he deserves, rather than the 50-something votes he is likely to get.
"Louisa McQueeney: We have to protect ACA, pre-existing condition fix" via Florida Politics — GOP efforts to repeal the ACA have failed for a good reason since the public understands the protections the law provides and doesn't want to go back to a system where an insurance company can deny coverage based on age, health status or put limits on the amount they have to pay out, leaving you to pay the rest. While both sides of the aisle are talking about various forms of repeal with their own versions of replacement, no Floridian, of any political affiliation, should support the outright repeal of the ACA. It's just too important to too many people. Instead, we should be using the protections afforded under the ACA as a building block to increase access and coverage for Floridians.
"Governor appoints two new Jax City Council members during Reggie and Katrina Brown suspension" via Destiny Johnson of First Coast News — The Governor appointed two replacements, Terrance Freeman and Ju'Coby Pittman, to serve during Reggie and Katrina Browns' suspension as they move through the legal process. Freeman, 43, is from Jacksonville and is the regional director at Ygrene Energy Fund and he will be serving for Reggie Brown. Pittman, 54, is also from Jacksonville and she is the President of the Clara White Mission and she will be serving for Katrina Brown. Mayor Lenny Curry said in a statement: "Governor Scott chose two well-known and widely-respected community leaders to serve on Jacksonville's City Council. I look forward to working with Terrance and Ju'Coby to ensure that every family in every neighborhood has safe streets and an opportunity for success."
Appointed — Scott Wiggins, Ed Armstrong and Jeffrey Adams to the Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board.
"Uber hires former top Justice Department lawyer for compliance post" via Greg Bensinger and Sadie Gurman of The Wall Street Journal — Uber Technologies has tapped a former top official at the U.S. Justice Department to be its first chief compliance officer, as the ride-hailing giant seeks to move past a series of regulatory problems and other controversies ahead of a highly anticipated initial public offering next year. Uber is set to announce to staff the hiring of Scott Schools, who stepped down last week as the Justice Department's highest-ranking career official and a close adviser to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. [Schools] is among a spate of high-level hirings since Chief Executive Dara Khosrowshahi joined Uber last September, including operations chief Barney Harford and general counsel Tony West, a former high-ranking Obama Justice Department official, to whom Schools will report.
Personnel note: Jason Welty joins Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corp. — Welty will be the organization's new Budget and Communications Director, it said in a Tuesday news release. He is responsible for "designing, developing and communicating a budget that reasonably and adequately funds Florida's clerks of court in the performance of their court-related functions," and will also serve as the lead for the CCOC budget and legislative committees. Welty brings budget, communications and legislative experience, with more than 13 years of government service, including most recently as senior budget analyst for the House Justice Appropriations Committee. Previously, he was legislative affairs director and chief of staff at the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, senior legislative aide to Sen. Rob Bradley, and policy chief in the Governor's Office of Policy and Budget. Welty replaces Jason Harrell, named a director of legislative and government affairs for the Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers.
New and renewed lobbying registrations:
Aprill Blanco: Wells Fargo & Company
Jim Boxold, Ken Granger, Capital City Consulting: Horse Farms Forever
Glenn Kirkland, Jonathan Menendez, Kaleo Partners: HVJT Consulting on behalf of Dell Technologies
David Wolkowsky, the man who's largely credited for making Florida's most-famous key what it is today, is approaching his 100th birthday — but he's as sharp as ever and still dwells in the area that defines his legacy.
Writer Michael Adno takes a deep dive into Wolkowsky, who is both behind the scenes of Key West and simultaneously entrenched in them, in a recent feature for The Bitter Southerner.
By developing the Old Town portion of the Key, Wolkowsky catalyzed the area's "ascension as a tourist destination," writes Adno. With laughter, Wolkowsky tells Adno he "ruined it."
'Camp': Adno spends a bit of time defining camp — "Key West's brand of camp reflects Wolkowsky's understanding — never on the nose, always sideways, a place where anonymity feels like an innate right." An architect by trade and a bibliophile at the surface, there isn't a way to characterize Wolkowsky, who has hosted on his island "guests from Truman Capote to Margaret Thatcher. He still — to this day — serves his most revered guests wine, potato chips, and hot dogs."
Style: One source familiar with Wolkowsky tells Adno, "The whole of Key West is really founded on David's style."
Advice: "Don't let facts get in your way," Wolkowsky tells Adno. "The world is made up of distortions that turn into fact."
"AAA removes 'traffic trap' designations for Lawtey and Waldo" via the American Automobile Association — The decision means that AAA will no longer provide its members with warnings to drive with extreme caution or take alternate routes. In its notification letter to Lawtey Mayor Jimmie Scott, AAA applauded the proactive traffic safety efforts — including increased warnings, a focus on officer training and participation in national traffic safety campaigns — employed by his Police Chief, Shane Bennett. In its notification letter to Waldo Mayor Louie Davis, AAA referenced the state law that prohibits the establishment of traffic citation quotas — a behavior that led to the abolishment of the Waldo Police Department — and the fact that the Alachua County Sheriff's Office handles traffic enforcement in the city. Waldo and Lawtey, Florida were first designated by AAA as Traffic Traps in August of 1995, following a flurry of motorist complaints and extensive investigation by AAA clearly demonstrating that profit, and not safety, was the primary motivation for the issuance of traffic citations.
"FPL customers to receive Hurricane Matthew recovery refund" via Jim Turner of the News Service of Florida — The Florida Public Service Commissioner approved the $27.7 million agreement between the Juno Beach-based power giant and the Office of Public Counsel. The adjustment should equate to about a $3 credit for a residential customer who uses the industry standard of 1,000-kilowatt-hours a month. The credit is "in the best interest of FPL customers," Public Service Commission Chairman Art Graham said. "The agreement provides a reasonable recovery amount, with funds available for future storm recovery, if needed," he said.
"Lottery posts record $6.7 billion in sales" via the News Service of Florida — Thanks in part to strong Powerball and Mega Million jackpots, Florida Lottery sales grew 8 percent to a record $6.7 billion over the past year … "We had a couple of good jackpots last year," Lottery Deputy Secretary of Sales Mike Purcell said. "We had a Powerball jackpot of about $700 million, and we had a Mega Millions jackpot of about $393 million. Those help contribute to it." Scratch-off tickets accounted for 69 percent of the sales in the 2017-2018 fiscal year that ended June 30. Scratch game sales were up about $400 million from the prior fiscal year, according to Purcell.
"TSA catches python smuggling attempt through MIA" via Jeff Tavass of ABC Local 10 Miami — Agents at MIA intercepted a live python that someone attempted to conceal within a computer hard drive. The snake was identified as either a Ball or Royal python, both of which are invasive species in South Florida and cause major damage to the ecosystem … the passenger was traveling to Barbados, but he was not permitted to get on the flight. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service took possession of the snake and the passenger will be fined.
Happy birthday to smart guy Brett Cyphers, state Rep. Cynthia Stafford and our friend, James Harris.


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Well, May is about gone, and I think I finished all of the things I wanted to for May for Me.
Here is the quilt I made for the Quilt Book Club. It is all finished and given to the recipient. Fun and easy. I'm looking forward to the next one.
I gave this one to my granddaughter-in-law, Eva, for her graduation. She really liked it. Here's a pic of the label:
And here's a picture of myself, my grandson, Robbie, and other grandson, Cody, with wife Eva and baby, Carter.
I also got the top put together for the May for Me quilt a-long. I love the way this came out.
And lastly, finished today a block for a lotto in my little group, ABCQuilters. It's called Sarah's Block, I think. My sister Patty picked it out, 16" square. Very neat!
Oops!! Forgot one. I made this kite for Carter from a tutorial at Moda Bakeshop. It is so cute, I m going to make one for each of the other great grandkids.
So, I was quite productive this month, doing only things that I wanted to do, but then again, I usually only do what I want to do, lol. Ahhh, retirement.

subset: commoncrawl


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The Chicago Zoological Society (CZS), which manages Brookfield Zoo, is taking the lead in the largest-ever, multi-institutional study of how physical habitat, environmental enrichment, and animal training impact the welfare of cetaceans in zoos and aquariums worldwide. This study will take place across 44 accredited facilities in seven countries where scientists will gather data regarding approximately 290 common and Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, 20 beluga whales, and eight Pacific white-sided dolphins.
A Chicago Zoological Society animal care specialist at Brookfield Zoo secures a bio-logging device on a bottlenose dolphin. Data collected from the device will be used to measure the dolphin's activity and movement. Researchers will attempt to quantify the welfare of dolphins in zoos and aquariums through the devices as well as observation of video taped segments and measuring hormones and other biomarkers of health and welfare.
Bottlenose dolphins, the most common cetacean in zoos and aquariums, are generally regarded as a species that thrives in professional care. But there is a surprising lack of scientific-based inquiry into what conditions optimize good welfare of cetaceans in managed environments; most animal-care decisions are made using information gained from research on a smaller scale combined with professional judgment from decades of experience. This study seeks to fill that void by collecting robust and objective data that can help inform future facility design, enrichment, and training programs.
"Cetaceans currently receive high levels of care in accredited zoos and aquariums around the world, but it is important to use science to cultivate best practices and make continuous improvements," said Lance Miller, Ph.D., senior director of animal welfare research for the Chicago Zoological Society, and one of the six principal investigators on the study. "It is wonderful to see the cetacean community coming together to help optimize the care these animals receive now and in the future." Some of the study's institutional partners include Georgia Aquarium, Ocean Park Hong Kong, Indianapolis Zoo, Texas State Aquarium, and Delphinus Mexico. Approximately $740,000 in funding is being provided through a National Leadership Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), with additional funding from partner facilities.
A veterinary radiologist and animal care specialist for the Chicago Zoological Society conduct a medical exam on a bottlenose dolphin at Brookfield Zoo. Medical procedures are just one component of the largest-ever, multi-institutional study being conducted to determine how physical habitat, environmental enrichment, and animal training impact the welfare of cetaceans in zoos and aquariums worldwide.
There are two main objectives of the cetacean study: developing reference ranges for indicators of health and welfare for cetaceans in zoos and aquariums and identifying factors that influence the welfare of bottlenose dolphins. Researchers will attempt to quantify welfare by measuring activity and movement through a bio-logging device worn by the dolphins, through observation of video taped segments, and through measuring hormones and other biomarkers of health and welfare.
Data collection will take place in two timeframes – July/August of 2018 and January/February of 2019. Then, data analysis will be conducted by the six principal investigators and additional project staff over the following two years, and research will likely be published in 2020.
The questions that researchers seek to answer will include:
- How do habitat characteristics impact environment use, energy expenditure, and swimming behavior of bottlenose dolphins?
- How does environmental enrichment influence behavioral and physiological indicators of animal welfare?
- How does the type and timing of animal training influence behavioral and physiological indicators of welfare?
In addition to Miller, principal investigators also include Lisa Lauderdale, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow in the Animal Welfare Research department for the Chicago Zoological Society; Joy Mench, Ph.D., professor emeritus in the Department of Animal Science at the University of California, Davis; Jill Mellen, Ph.D., affiliate professor from Portland State University Biology Department; Michael Walsh, DVM, clinical associate professor at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine; and Douglas Granger, Ph.D., professor and director of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Salivary Bioscience Research at the University of California, Irvine.


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|Sighting Report
|Occurred : 4/27/2000 12:20 (Entered as : 042700 12:20)
Reported: 5/3/2000 00:05
Posted: 2/11/2003
Location: Pretoria (South Africa),
Shape: Sphere
|Was playing golf, saw white glowing object in the sky manoevering rapidly. Object was very high, almost in line with cirrus clouds as it was a cold day. Lost sight of object after a while.
A white glowing object, much like a sphere. The object was almost vertical above me moving rapidly from east to west in short bursts.The golf course is near Waterkloof Air Force base. At first it looked like a weather balloon but it was very high and moving to fast to be a balloon. Due to the fact that the object was high and fast my friend only caught a short 3 second glimpse of the object himself. I eventually lost sight of the object. The object remained stationary at one time, that's when i first noticed it.


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Iguanas in the Snow and Other Winter Poems/Iguanas en la nieve y otros poemas de invierno
by Francisco X. Alarcon
Illustrated by Maya Christinia Gonzalez
Published by Children's Book Press, 2001
32 pages
Ages 5 - 9
"Here children / learn to sing / with their hearts" writes poet Francisco Alarcón in "Ode to Buena Vista Bilingual School," one of seventeen poems in this marvelous bilingual (Spanish and English) collection. Alarcón writes with playful humor and a full heart about his beloved city of San Francisco, and about winter in the snow-laden Sierra Nevada mountains. Specificity of place does not limit the poems' accessibility, however. They are vibrant, welcoming, and child-friendly. Maya Christina Gonzalez's energetic, joyful artwork is a perfect accompaniment. As they did in their three previous bilingual books of poems about different seasons and Mexican American life that came before, Laughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems, From the Bellybutton of the Moon and Other Summer Poems, and Angels Ride Bikes and Other Fall Poems, Alarcón and Gonzalez have teamed to create a lively celebration of season and culture in which everyone can share. CCBC categories: Poetry; Seasons and Celebrations. © Cooperative Children's Book Center


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Simran Dhillon
BComm, Certified Microsoft® Office Specialist Master
Senior Management Associate, Spearhead Training
Simran has over nine years' experience in Aviation, Hospitality, IT, BPO (Business Process Outsourcing), Telecom and Retail. She has been directly involved in learning and development roles for over seven years, with the goals of increasing people performance, productivity, and ultimately, an organization's bottom line.
Simran began her professional career with a leading Indian Airline, Jet Airways, in 1999, in a front-line customer service role. In her four years with the airline, she learnt the importance of delivering quality customer service, understanding the difference between providing just 'customer satisfaction' and creating 'WOW' moments. She then saw first-hand, the contribution training can make in achieving 'customer delight' when providing a consistently high level of customer service.
In 2003, she completed her Bachelors Degree in Commerce, from the University of Delhi, while still working for Jet Airways. After graduating, she moved to a leading hospitality company run by the Ansal Group, specialising in construction and real estate development. Her role was Assistant Manager for Members' Services of a Town & Country Club, in New Delhi, with responsibility for growing the membership base, and enhancing services for the members. This position enabled her to further develop her customer service skills, and also allowed her to develop key capabilities in sales and marketing. This multifunctional role drove home the need for developing soft skills in all personnel, to enhance overall job performance.
In 2004, Simran had an opportunity to step into the Learning and Development field with IBM – Daksh, a BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) set-up, with a formidable services portfolio. Her role was part of the Talent Transformation Business Unit, which had the aim of taking new hires through language and soft skills training, over a span of three to four weeks. In this role she was selected to be a part of a cross-functional initiative aimed at improving training effectiveness across the organization. One of her key responsibilities was to look specifically at attrition control – staff retention. In this position, she won several accolades for 'Best Trainer'.
This exposure to training created a desire to explore all aspects of soft skills training that a corporate trainer would require. Therefore, after a rewarding two years at IBM, she moved to a corporate training role with Sapient – a leading U.S. business and technology service and solutions provider. Sapient's work culture has been profiled within Harvard and Yale Business Schools as a corporate example of good leadership and strong corporate values. In this role, she developed, and delivered, the company's five-day orientation programme for new employees, and ran a variety of team development and soft skills workshops.
In 2007, Simran moved to the UAE, and took up a post with du (Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company) as a Training Specialist. In this role, she was responsible for developing and delivering soft skills training, as well as delivery of some product training. She was also involved in Training Needs Analysis, and assisted in creating the yearly training plan, as well as managing the external training resources. The company had a diverse workforce of over 60 nationalities, and Simran thoroughly enjoyed the challenges of training in such a rich, multicultural environment.
In December 2008, she took a five-year career break for family reasons, returning to the work environment with the Landmark Group in March 2014, as Training Manager for one of their retail divisions. In this role, she conducted a wide range of corporate training activities which included setting the training budget, creating a comprehensive TNA (Training Needs Analysis), designing training programmes, etc. She was also involved with several HR initiatives – including performance improvement plans, restructuring the onboarding policies, orientation training, coaching and mentoring, etc.
Through her training experiences, in a range of sectors, Simran has developed a passion for people development. She believes that, through effective training, people can be equipped with the necessary skills to enhance performance, which can significantly improve productivity and working relationships. She is passionate about inspiring lives and transforming people so they can achieve their full potential. Simran has very high energy in the training room, and the ability to fully connect with each individual delegate, ensuring they extract the maximum possible benefit from her training.
Simran joined Spearhead as a Senior Management Associate in 2015.
Her key areas of expertise include:
City & Guilds – ILM Courses
Presentation Skills - Making A Powerful Impact On Any Audience
مهارات العرض - إحداث تأثير قوي على أي جمهور
مهارات العرض - إحداث تأثير قوي على أي جمهور
Management & Leadership Training Courses
القيادة والإدارة
القيادة والإدارة
Customer Service Training Courses
خدمة العملاء
خدمة العملاء
Administrative Skills Training Courses
المهارات الإدارية
المهارات الإدارية
Sales & Marketing Training Courses
المبيعات والتسويق
المبيعات والتسويق
Personal Development Training Courses
تطوير الذات
تطوير الذات
Microsoft Office Training Courses
مايكروسوفت أوفيس
مايكروسوفت أوفيس
Additional Courses (In-Company Only)


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The Point
A smile appropriate to add misterioDependiendo of what you are talking about with it try to use some playful smile suggesting that you are so confident in the situation and in how to operate the concentration that makes you smile. If you apply this concept in correct way she starts to smile back and ask yourself why you smile, this carelessly and you do not reveal any reason, that gives you mystery and implement the idea of follow you to discover why you're so confident and what is the reason to make you smile. It is not just like excite a woman, it is also how to want to know your secrets. Get her to lose control of the locationThis concept goes hand in hand with the previous two. The smile and the eyes pushed to start thinking that you bring between hands, by what you're so confident and what gives you that security. To deepen your understanding Sela Ward is the source. Driving the conversation cleverly to more exciting topics, or if you're dancing don't miss chance to establish physical contact without risking that angry, takes some time, but it is easy to feel. The point is take it to understand that you're in control, and when she accepts that will do everything you want. Can you believe me that nothing excites more a woman than the man take control, of course, appropriately at the right time, I don't think that hitting with a hammer on the head and bringing it into your cave works still in the 21st century; but the equivalent of modern man using his brain to show him that he is the man that must spend every night can is completely valid; and I do not mean to resolve mathematical equations or give boring historical data, I mean driving the strategy of the moment.
How to measure the level of Excitaciontoma some time learn to read the signs but after recognizing them is easy and you can use it to complement the four and show when you're gaining control.Basically: rapid breathing, not can hold you the look in the eyes, nervous smile plays with your hair, changes the shape of walking gives you tapping, laughs by insignificant things. With only those signs you can recognize that she is beginning to excite about you taking control, of course more signs to more power you have, and a do phrase such as: why can not see me eyes? or recognize any other sign in front of it will demonstrate that you're reading it like an open book. These five tips are something basic that will serve you for fun in quotations, but if you want to know more elaborate techniques or if you need to overcome biggest problems you should check the link seduction facily fast and conquest to women that you want. I also invite you to visit my blog with recommendations on conquest and seduction in different aspects related to appointments and the handling of your image: as a girl to seduce.


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I'm over on Reddit today, inviting people to Ask Me Anything. So if you're a Reddit user, please swing by and drop off a question for me to answer later on. You can even watch me answering stuff live there from about 6pm CST.
You are currently browsing the archive for the Events category.
Tags: Ask Me Anything, Reddit
So there's a just a possibility a few folks in the US will have other things on their mind tomorrow, but nevertheless I'm doing an Ask Me Anything over on Reddit on 4th November.
I confess I don't know it well, but there's a thriving community of fantasy fans on Reddit and they have their very own home at the Reddit fantasy board. Starting from around midday US (central) time, so early evening UK time, there'll be a post up there inviting anyone who's around to fire me some questions – literally about anything, though I guess the assumption is they'll mostly be writing-related. I'll swing by that evening (again, US central time) and start answering any and all questions that have been submitted.
I'll probably put another post here tomorrow linking to the specific question thread, but consider this an initial heads-up: Please do drop by reddit.com/r/fantasy – any time tomorrow – to ask me anything, and if you're around there in the evening, you'll even get to see me answering them live … which could get messy, since it'll be the middle of the night my time.
Tags: Ask Me Anything, Reddit
… kind of fun. First time I'd been to one of these 'pop culture' shows that are sprouting up all over the place now, mixing celebs from film/TV/Sports with bits of toys, comics, all sorts of odds and ends. First time Newcastle had had one too, I think, and the level of interest seemed to have caught the organisers a bit by surprise, so there were biiig queues (at least on the Saturday, I gather it was all more or less under control by the time Sunday came around).
Anyway, I had a good time. Was great to meet Alberto Ponticelli in the flesh and spend a pleasant few hours hanging out with him. Talked to a few folks about Rogue Trooper, signed a lot of copies of the first issue. Got my own, unique copy as a souvenir, signed by me, Alberto and Courtney, the very nice lady from the convention crew who patiently sat with us for the whole day:
All the usual sort of stuff was going on …
… but a few personal highlights/impressions:
- seeing a Rorschach cosplayer wandering around all day holding a can of baked beans (you'd have to have read Watchmen to get that …)
- having lunch in the secret guests' facilities while sitting next to Frank Bruno (you'd have to be a Brit of a certain age, or a serious boxing fan, to get that), and realising he really is as big as he always looked, and he really does have the deeeepest voice ever heard on the surface of the planet
- watching (and filming, but that didn't work) Alberto do a Rogue Trooper sketch in three minutes flat – which he then gave to me, because he's nice like that:
- being Judged (inexplicably, I was released without charge) …
- realising I have never, not once in my life, been as much of a fan of any piece of entertainment, or brand, or celebrity, as many of the attendees were. Not being sure whether that was a good thing or bad; but knowing I didn't regret it for one second.
- coming out of the 'celeb' toilets just as Teal'c from Stargate SG-1 was going in, and thinking 'Huh. Isn't it funny how life turns out?'
- being generally very struck by how extremely pleasant and patient and accommodating all the celebs were in dealing with their fans, no matter how big or small their celebritude was (and then overhearing one of them – who shall remain nameless – at the train station after the show telling someone it had been a 'terrible, terrible madhouse', and feeling some sympathy. Can't be that easy, doing what they do at these shows and smiling, being utterly professional, all the way through it.)
- giving Alberto a sustained and detailed introduction to the correct use of the word 'Cheers' in colloquial English (I think he got the hang of it, since he's using it in his e-mails to me now …)
But you know what the best bit of the whole day was? It was the most striking, most obvious example of something that happened several times: people deriving enormous pleasure from their experience of being at the show. And even though this instance only involved me somewhat indirectly, it was immensely enjoyable to sit there and watch it happen.
A guy came wandering past, saw me and Alberto sitting there and came over to see what was what. He was after a copy of Rogue Trooper, but then he discovered Alberto's small portfolio of original art pages for sale, and I could see his eyes lighting up in something approaching disbelief. To cut a long story short, this guy eventually (after queueing at a cash machine for about half an hour, spending another fifteen minutes trying to decide) bought a page of original Ponticelli comic art, and he was as happy as a happy person could be.
He said something along the lines of 'You've made my day, I never in my life thought I'd own something like this', and he absolutely meant it, and he was absolutely delighted. It was great. And it was kind of the point of the whole show, really. Whyever they came, whoever they wanted to see, I guess pretty much everyone who was there was just looking for that moment when they'd think to themselves 'This is awesome. I never imagined …'
And although, on some really quite profound level I don't get, can't share in and indeed find a little dispiriting this whole celebrity culture, this idolisation of actors and characters and shows and films and fictions, this longing to be part of something, there's no denying the happiness that was abroad in Newcastle on Saturday. And there's no denying it was infectious.
Tags: Alberto Ponticelli, cosplay, Newcastle Film and Comic Con, Rogue Trooper
Newcastle Film and Comic Con runs Sat 8th and Sun 9th March. I'll be there on the Saturday, in my capacity as writer of Rogue Trooper – issue #1 of which will, I think, be out in the world (in comic shops and digital sales-places) this very Wednesday. I believe signing and panelling may be involved during my day-trip to Newcastle, so do say hello if you happen to be there.
A probably rather greater incentive to say hello is that my rather talented collaborator on the comic, the artist Alberto Ponticelli, will be at the con on both days, signing Rogue Trooper #1. He's created a rather splendid variant cover for the first issue, specifically for this and other Showmasters shows in the UK. Obviously, since he's the interior artist, of all the covers so far done for the series, this is the one that most closely replicates the look and vibe of what lurks within.
Got to say, I'm kind of looking forward to the show. Partly because it's my first chance to actually meet Alberto in the flesh; partly because I've never previously been – in any capacity – to one of these big 'pop culture' conventions that have kind of taken off around the world in the last few years. I'm curious, you know? I'll take my camera, report back here on my impressions.
Incidentally, you can get a sneak peek at Rogue Trooper #1 – the first seven pages – over at comicbookresources right now.
Tags: Alberto Ponticelli, comicbookresources, Newcastle Film and Comic Con, Rogue Trooper, Showmasters, Variant Covers
A few miscellaneous bits. Starting with by far the most important thing, the minor frustrations of my life. Because that's what really matters, right?
So, I'm going to talk to some students on the MLitt course at Stirling University today. Enthuse or dispirit them on the subject of the life of a published author; could go either way, I suspect. Naturally, given that appointment, today's the day I wake up with a sore throat, cough and general feeling of mild grottiness. Typical. Harrumph. Does it affect the odds of the enthuse or dispirit outcome? Time will tell.
Raising my eyes (reluctantly) from my own travails, I see B&N is heading into turbulent waters. Looks like those hoping the Nook might save them from a slow fade into history might be disappointed. And for reasons that are mysterious to me, it seems the founder wants to break up the company, taking over the the bookselling bit and cutting adrift the digital/Nook bit. It all looks very much like decline to me, terminal or otherwise. Given they've already said they're going to be closing stores, it's the slow-motion chewing up of a formerly strong but now very definitely fragile company. I'm kind of sceptical, to put it extremely mildly, much of it's going to be left intact by the time the mastication is over.
Creative destruction's all very well, but the future of writing, publishing, selling and reading books does not look a hugely appealing place to me these days. Quasi-monopolistic dictatorships are rarely pretty. We're all going to have to live there, though, so might as well try to make the best of it. Enjoy your nearest bricks and mortar bookstore while you can.
And here's The Miniature Earth. What the world would look like, numbers-wise, if it was a village of 100 souls. Not a great deal that's hugely surprising, but it's kind of interesting, and elegantly done.
Tags: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Miniature Earth, MLitt, Nook, Stirling University
There's a video of me reading from Bloodheir at the Alt.Fiction event up on YouTube. I'm not, though, going to embed it here, for two reasons:
1. Like most people, I dwell in a happy little fantasy world in which I sound and appear to everyone else exactly as I sound and appear to myself within the confines of my own skull. This pleasant illusory state of mind is directly (and cruelly) contradicted every time I hear my voice as it is heard by others, and having a permanent reminder of the glaring discrepancy staring out at me from my own blog would be just too masochistic. In this case, I choose to preserve my feeble illusions, thank you very much.
2. More importantly (as if anything could actually be more important than preserving my precious self-image!) the reading contains what might well be considered SPOILERS for not entirely insignificant plot developments in Bloodheir, so a little bit of distance is probably a good thing for those who might want to consider whether they really want to watch it. If you prefer your reading experience to be entirely unsullied by advance knowledge of what's coming up, proceed no further. You Have Been Warned.
For those undeterred by these two caveats, here's the link. You will have to excuse my not exactly masterful reading technique; first time out, and all that. If I get to repeat the exercise at some point in the future, I'll try to do a bit better. There are plenty of clips of other authors showing how it should be done elsewhere on the Orbit Books YouTube channel.
If you're looking for a detailed report of the goings on at the Alt.Fiction event in Derby this last weekend, this is probably not going to be quite what you're after. But I did go to Alt.Fiction, and this is what it was like to go there, be there and come back. For me, at least.
Arriving at Edinburgh train station just as the largest hen party I've seen in years was decanting itself from a train and trying to find its way to the street. A crowd of glammed-up ladies milling about in a raucous miasma of obscenities, spangly toy cowboy hats and snatched camera phone photos.
Crossing the Tyne, in the heart of Newcastle (always my favourite bit of the ride south), beneath low cloud, in drizzle, and watching a sparrowhawk flying lazily close alongside the train, amidst all the metalwork and noise, above the grey water.
Walking into the Alt.Fiction venue, and instantly feeling both entirely at home, and vaguely like a fraud about to be exposed …
Feeling bad, with authors flitting to and fro on all sides, about not having read nearly enough of their books. I should have read all of them. I should read every book that comes out, in every distant by-way of every speculative genre, as soon as it comes out. But I can't.
Buying copies of Interzone and The Third Alternative from the TTA Press stall, and thinking, for neither the first nor the last time: Damn, I'll be sad if this kind of magazine really does go the way of the dinsoaurs, squelched by the incoming meteor of the online revolution. They're just such pleasing objects to me, both physically, and in what they signify. (And hearing Charles Stross, at the last panel of the day, talking about the 'death spiral' of the paying magazine markets for offline sf/f short fiction, and knowing he's probably right, in the long run.)
Finding Philip Palmer to be a thoroughly companionable, knowledgeable and grounded chap. And feeling guilty all over again, because I still haven't read Debatable Space, damn it, even though it's on my list …
On an obscure exterior wall of the venue, high up on the brickwork, where no one would see it unless they were looking for it, a tiny, plain plastic sign that said 'The Darwin Room Sign'. I stared at it, bemused, for longer than I should have.
Forty or more fancy dress rockers, at a Derby bus stop. The guys in sharp suits, plastic quiffs and stuck on sideburns. The dolls in pink puffy dresses.
A fine rant on the perfidy and lunacy of the Hollywood scriptwriting machinery, courtesy of Graham Joyce.
The limitations of Quentin Tarantino's conversational ability being revealed by Chaz Brenchley.
The role of 'maverick cocks' in genre fiction being inadvertently revealed by Michael Marshall Smith. (You had to be there).
The Lady Boys of Bangkok, or the sound of them and their audience at least, rising exuberantly from the theatre next door to contend with the wisdom of the later panelists: a vaguely fantastical backdrop to musings on fantasy. Their audience seemed fractionally more excitable than that of the authors. Can't imagine why.
Getting a lift back to the hotel (or, more to the point, to the hotel bar) from a Hobbit. Seemed appropriate.
Riding back to Edinburgh on hot wheels. Half the train had to be sacrificed at Newcastle, and its passengers relocated, for it is possible for wheels to get just too hot. Had the train been busy, perhaps tempers would have warmed up too, but it wasn't, so all was calm and good-humoured. Customer reaction to failure is context-sensitive.
Northumberland: Rabbit Heaven. Little crowds of them in what seemed like every trackside field for mile after mile, all clustered close to the railway line as if the titanic earthly vibrations of these roaring iron horses call out to and soothe some primal level of their little bunny brains.
Standing in the midst of a vast, empty field, within sight of Edinburgh: a single roe deer, watching us pass. Frozen in a patch of bright sunlight, as if locked between fascination and alarm at the sight of us.
So that was Alt.Fiction 2008 for me. It was good.
The programme for Alt.Fiction, the one day sf/f/h extravaganza in Derby in April has been published. It amounts to a seriously packed day of genre goodies, with so many authors crammed into a few hours and a few rooms that it makes you wonder how they find the space for anybody else. If you like your fiction speculative, it's definitely the place to be on April 26th.
Me, I'll be talking worldbuilding in the afternoon, and then I'm apparently launching a book. That'll be Bloodheir, then. Means a little reading and signing, I guess, so hopefully the printing presses are gearing up even now.
What it also means is that if you're at Alt.Fiction, you might get the chance to acquire a copy of Bloodheir a whole six weeks before it turns up in the shops. Bargain. UPDATE: No, Bloodheir won't be available on the day. Too soon. Oh well.
Anyone else who wants one can also have a signed copy of Bloodheir, mind you. Transreal Fiction will take orders for signed (and optionally dated, dedicated, inscribed, whatever) hardbacks and post them off to you as soon as it's published. As far as I know, the cost is just cover price plus whatever packing and postage costs are to your part of the world.
On a wholly unrelated subject, if you've got a couple of minutes to spare, turn your sound on and go try this awareness test. It's not easy …
Alt.Fiction is a one day spec fic jamboree in Derby on Saturday, April 26th. Sort of a mini-convention. I will be there, but fortunately so will a whole host of much more interesting and famous folk. Those who have been in previous years tell me it's a good day. If you like the look of that list of attendees, why not come along?
Here's one of the most deserved blog-to-book deals I've ever heard of: Strange Maps is to be immortalised in print. I predict a big success, especially if the publisher's got the muscle to get some offline publicity going.
Advance notice of a potentially cool addition to the podcasting world: the long-delayed PodCastle will finally be starting April. If the quality matches that of its stablemates PseudoPod and Escape Pod, it should be good.
This here is a pretty good comic. Just saying.
I mentioned Public Lending Right a few posts ago, and Lo! It is under attack. Not life-threatening attack, but erosive 'if we make lots of little cuts maybe they won't notice' kind of attack. In government terms the amounts of money involved are microscopic, but for many authors and illustrators (not me at the moment, but one day who knows?) PLR income is a big chunk of their total earnings from their creative work. If you're a UK citizen, and happen to think PLR cuts are a bad idea, there's an online petition you could sign. Only if you feel like it, obviously.
I know 2007 feels like a long time ago already, but here's Locus' summary of the sf/f books that appeared on the most Best of 2007 lists. That'll be the 'best of the best ofs' or something, then. I have read precisely one of the books mentioned, which is clearly a pathetic effort of which I should be ashamed, but hopefully it doesn't make me a bad person. The one I have read is The Terror, which is very good in all sorts of ways.


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Insight. Intuition. Imagination.
Nagaloka Dhuni is a Ritual Space defining an active meditation process which incorporates and utilizes various yogic concepts such as mantra, pranayama, mudra, bandha, and yantra. It is designed for aspirants whom have the intention and desire of seeking Yoga or Union between the human microcosm and Cosmic Macrocosm. In the truest sense of the meaning and purpose of yoga, our yoga teacher training students will get to experience and learn the art and science of this ancient tantric ritual. During the rite all of the limbs of yoga are employed assisting the individual spirit to commune with the Great Cosmic Spirit, and in the process, refining the three supra-faculties of the mind; sharpening one's insight, deepening one's intuition, and expanding one's imagination.
More information can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhuni
Here is a great article describing, in words, the concept and procedure of the Dhuni ritual:
Here is a good overview on the symbolism behind Nagaloka Dhuni's dragon rings:
Visit Nagaloka Dhuni's Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/NagalokaDhuni
Get. More. Details.
Choose any of the options below for more info about your adventure of a lifetime!


text: Ulf Wiger wrote: > Den 2007-01-25 03:26:16 skrev Richard A. O'Keefe <>: > >>The orddict module is extremely unusual in having the same interface >>as the dict module. > > So does the ordsets module have the same interface as the sets module. Yup, it sure does. Both pairs were designed to have the smae interfaces, dict and orddict, sets and ordsets. >> However, it does NOT have the same PERFORMANCE >>characteristics. So once again, if you want to have any idea how well >>your code is likely to work, you had BETTER know which version you are >>using. (And wouldn't it be nice if the documentation said something >>about performance?) In fact, there really aren't that many places that >>you would want to use orddict at all. > > > I can think of one good reason to use ordsets/orddict: debugging. > > It is decidedly more enjoyable to watch (trace/debugging) > printouts of ordsets and orddicts compared to sets/dicts. > Pretty-printing of large dicts in the shell is in fact > everything but pretty. > > Personally, I use ordsets quite often. I seldomly use orddict, > however, but if I do it is exactly for the reason above, and > in cases where performance is not critical. Orddict and ordsets are better when the number of elements is small. They are much lighter structures and faster to set up. Dict and sets are much heavier objects more tuned to a large number of elements. I once managed to get over 800000 elements into a dict, but it wasn't fast. And sometimes it is practical to have a simple well designed data structure. Apart from being easier to read when printed. :-) I have a dream! What I would really like is a dict with the access functions written in C. That would rock! If the internal structures were normal erlang tuples and lists like today then it would be easy to implement some functions in erlang, like fold and map, and some in C, like fetch and store. The best of both worlds. It would be good base to implement Ets in erlang using processes and eliminating all synch problem in SMP. Robert


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Some things I noticed:
- There are differences of opinion on what is hard or easy.
- Everyone selects different programs. It is important to know why (conductor skills, interest, patience for hard music, etc...).
I wonder if any districts have meetings where they select the repertoire for the following year in a group. I know English teachers don't bring a new book in without discussing it first. Should we use the benefit of the crowd more?


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Important Announcment!!
The videos for Hands-On Essays will no longer be available on this site after May, 2019. It is uncertain whether the book will remain available via Amazon. It's been a tough decision, but I need to devote myself to the direction I feel led to go during this new season of life. Thank you for your patronage and feedback. I hope that this curriculum and the others found on my "order" page have been a blessing to you and your students. You can find me at www.bonitalillie.com .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the format for Hands-On Essays?
The curriculum consists of a handbook and video lessons that work in conjunction with one another. Every lesson in the handbook follows the same format:
Goal statement: The skill to be covered in the lesson
Key points: The main points for each lesson. These are also covered on the videos.
Writing sample: A written demonstration of what has been covered in the lesson. The majority of these samples were written by students who have taken one of my classes. I also wrote some of the samples.
Hands-On Activities: The writing assignment for the lesson and other activities to reinforce the principles taught in the lesson
How many lessons are included in the handbook?
The course contains 16 lessons.
Lessons are arranged in this way:
1-2: Presentation of the Hands-On Essays model and pre-writing activities
3-8: I walk students step-by-step through the process of writing an expository essay.
9-11: Other types of essays: descriptive, comparing/contrasting, and persuasive.
12-13: Revising and perfecting writing
14-15: Skills specific to the writing portion of the SAT and ACT.
16: Final wrap up
What is the grade or age range for the intended student?
The curriculum is written for students in middle and high school. Students should be able to write strong paragraphs prior to using Hands-On Essays.
How fast does the student move through the curriculum?
Hands-On Essays is a self-paced curriculum. It's designed so the student can repeat it multiple times, using new topics for the assignments, until the essay skills are mastered. It can be covered in a semester or stretched to a year long course, especially if the assignments in Hands-On Essays are used to enhance other subjects being taught. I personally recommend that the course be revisited several times during middle and high school so students are prepared for the SAT, ACT, and college writing.
Since it's written to the student, does the parent or teacher need to be involved in the teaching process?
A parent or teacher can decide how much to participate in the instruction process. A parent or teacher will definitely need to evaluate the writing the student produces for each lesson. A lesson-by-lesson evaluation plan is included in the back of the handbook for this purpose. I'd also recommend that parents and teachers regularly check the Hands-On Essays blog for additional teaching tips and help for the student.
Is the handbook consumable?
No. Every assignment in the curriculum can be completed using a computer or paper. One copy of the handbook can be used by all of the students in a family.
What makes Hands-On Essays unique when compared with other writing curriculum?
-The author is passionate about writing and has many years of experience as a published author, freelance writer, editor, and writing instructor.
-A panel of middle and high school students was involved in every aspect of producing the curriculum. I wanted the curriculum to actually appeal to the student using it and not just to the parent or teacher.
-This isn't simply theory. The lessons in Hands-On Essays have been used repeatedly with students in the home and in the classroom with great success.
-The curriculum is simple and straightforward. It breaks the essay-writing process into bite-sized pieces that are easy to understand.
-Hands-On Essays addresses the needs of the visual, auditory, and hands-on learner.
How does the curriculum address different learning styles?
The videos reach both the auditory and visual learners. The handbook also helps visual learners. By using the hand as an outline, the needs of the kinesthetic learner are addressed. Assignments throughout the curriculum are designed to appeal to all three types of learners.
How does Hands-On Essays help prepare students for the written portion of the SAT or ACT?
Aside from general writing instruction about essays, the curriculum also includes a lesson that teaches students how to read and understand writing prompts similar to those found on standardized tests. Additionally, students are taught how to write an essay within a 25 minute time frame.
Will the curriculum work in a classroom or co-op setting?
Yes. Hands-On Essays was originally taught in a classroom setting and the lessons are set up in such a way as to be easily adaptable to groups.
Will Hands-On Essays work for a student with special needs?
Hands-On Essays was not designed for special needs students. However, the simplicity of the lessons, the bite-sized chunks of learning, and the kinesthetic element may lend themselves to teaching the special needs student. The individual parent or teacher will need to decide whether or not the curriculum is a good fit for a particular student.
Is Hands-On Essays a Christian curriculum?
The purpose of Hands-On Essays is to help students master the essay. The author is a Christian and the curriculum adheres to biblical principles, but does not seek to evangelize.
Will you be publishing any more writing curriculum?
Absolutely! As a matter of fact, I've already published two more courses, Fun Foundations in Writing and Creative Adventures in Writing.


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The two Indian Americans on the White House inter-faith council, Eboo Patel, a Muslim, and Anju Bhargava, a Hindu, have strongly endorsed United States President Barack Obama's support for the proposed mosque cum community and Islamic cultural center near Ground Zero in New York, saying it was a constitutional issue with regard to freedom of religion that had to be protected zealously.
Thus, Patel and Bhargava, members of the President's Council on Faith-Based and Neighbourhood Partnerships, told rediff.com that any effort to block the construction of this mosque/community center would fly squarely in the face of America's core values let alone being a blatant violation of the country's constitution.
Patel, founder and executive director of the Chicago-based international non-profit, Interfaith Youth Corps, who has been all over television since the controversy exacerbated following Obama's defense of the proposed mosque, said, "We expect our leaders to stand up for the highest principles of our nation, and President Obama did that -- and I am so proud that he did that."
"I believe when an American leader stands up for the nation's highest principles, I just call that being a 'righteous American.'"
For weeks the White House kept vacillating and refused to take a position over the controversy regarding the construction of the proposed mosque/community center -- which has divided the American public and politicians -- when asked for the administration's position, maintaining that it was a local New York City issue.
But on the evening of August 13, President Obama, while hosting an Iftar dinner at the White House, inserted himself squarely into the controversy and ignited a political firestorm, declaring that "As a citizen, and as President, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in the country."
He set the stage for his unequivocal and unambiguous defense of the estimated $100 million mosque/community center -- to be known as Cordoba House -- by referring to the founding fathers of America who had made clear that one of the cardinal pillars of the country would be the freedom to practice one's religion -- a fundamental right that had been protected for over two centuries-- and continued with this pre-amble for a while before he announced that anything short of support of the construction of the mosque would be contrary to American values.
He asserted to loud and sustained applause, "Let me be clear, as a citizen, and as President, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country," and then obviously in an effort to be as specific as possible, said, "And that includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in Lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances."
Obama reiterated, "This is America, and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakeable. The principle that people of all faiths are welcome in this country and that they will not be treated differently by their government is essential to who we are," and once again, referring to the founding fathers, said, "The writ of the founders must endure."
But a day later, while visiting Florida, he seemed to be back-pedaling, saying that he was only defending the constitutionality of Muslims to build this mosque and that "I was not commenting and I will not comment on the wisdom of making a decision to put a mosque there."
However, on August 18, while visiting Ohio, when a reporter shouted a question as to whether he had any regrets to getting embroiled in the controversy with his comments, he shot back, 'No regrets. No regrets at all."
Asked if he felt Obama had been back-pedaling the day after his stout defense of the building of the mosque during the iftar dinner, Patel, who writes a regular blog for the 'On Faith' forum hosted by The Washington Post, said, "I don't know. I don't read the President's mind. So, I can't tell you what he was thinking. (But) I think an important dimension of this though is any group of Americans, regardless of race or ethnicity or religion ought to be able to build an institution anywhere that is legal. And, it ought to be their choice."
"So, if the organisers of Cordoba House, choose to build in Lower Manhattan, where they currently are, that's great. If they choose to move, that fine also and that could have been what the President was saying. He's not saying that Cordoba has to be there, he's saying that it ought to be the choice of the organizers."
Asked about his appearance on CNN and his interview with CNN Weekend anchor Don Lemon, where he likened the mosque controversy to the civil rights struggle, where Blacks were told that while they could travel in the bus, they would have to go to the rear, which was also criticized as a loaded and exaggerated analogy, Patel argued that the point he was trying to make was that if Muslims were denied their legal and constitutional right to build a mosque where they wanted to, then, as during the civil rights era, it relegated them to second-class citizens.
"Freedom doesn't mean you can build your institutions here, but not there. Freedom doesn't mean you can sit on the bus here, but not there. Freedom doesn't mean you can go to school but not that school. And that's the point I was making. I was not trying to make an analogy to the broader struggle necessarily. I am saying that freedom goes for all people -- for every inch on American sacred ground," he said.
Patel asserted that "Muslims didn't bomb the twin-towers -- it was evil terrorists who bombed the twin-towers."
He said, "This is not a Muslim issue -- this is an American issue. Anytime, anybody in America for any reason, whether it's their race, or their ethnicity or their religion, or their gender, or their sexuality, is restricted, is not given equal dignity for a like liberty, it erodes a little bit of the shine that is America."
Patel said, "If this was a Jewish group that was being treated this way, I would feel responsible. If it was a Hindu group that was being treated this way, I would feel responsible. This is an American issue."
He said that it should not be forgotten that many Muslims died in the 9/11 terror attacks and that many Muslims were the first responders, fire-fighters, police officers. "American Muslims are part of this great nation where people of this great nation where people from different backgrounds live in equal dignity and mutual loyalty."
According to Patel, "The most pernicious element of the opposition to Cordoba House, is that it links American Muslims with twisted terrorists -- it paints American Muslims as if they are on the side of the terrorists when in fact, we are on the side of a nation that seeks to live its highest principles of cooperation between people of different backgrounds."
Bhargava, in echoing Patel's sentiments, said, "There is a constitutionality here that has to be protected because otherwise it can be one group today and it could be another group tomorrow."
She acknowledged that "there is a people's sensitivity, but that's a separate issue. But from a constitutional aspect, today if it them (the Muslims), tomorrow it will be somebody else."
Bhargava said even as this mosque controversy was simmering, "There is targeting of whoever is the 'other' and pointed to a Houston gurdwara under siege and being asked to relocate "and most temples in this country, they've had some problem or the other in starting to build these temples. And, we see that in gurdwaras too. So many temples have been vandalized and people do not talk about it at all."
She said, "It's important to keep in context, this country's history," and noted, "the town that I live in, Livingston, New Jersey, in 1934, the first Catholic Church was built here, and it was burnt down by a Protestant group. So that was what America was at that time and it was then the 'other' -- the Catholics. It was then the Jews and now the Muslims are the flavor of the month."
"The frame is the same, the picture is different," she added. "So there is a precedent in this country, whoever is the new kid on the block, there is always a resistance to inclusion, and today I would say, it's not just the Muslims, it's all the post-1965 immigrants who are of different faiths."
Bhargava said that this was why in the inter-faith council's recommendations one year after it's convening, "We had in our report the integrating and valuing American culture and religious diversity, especially the post-1965 immigrants, because that's when a whole lot of us have come, and from diverse backgrounds."
"While the Muslim thing is on a big scale that we are seeing, but you see (discrimination and bigoted) aspects of it against the Sikh community, you see it against the Hindu community, against the Jain community," she added.
"It's not so much in your face because the angst is not so much against these groups (as with the Muslims), but they have been vandalized. We saw most recently that one (Indian) man in New Jersey, who was killed."
Bhargava said, "The President is trying to build bridges of culture and understanding and while recognizing it's with the Muslims now, he's trying to do it with others too."
"That's what we are trying to do with the Yogathan. We are trying to have the temples invite the mainstream community to come, to see who we are, to break down barriers."
Bhargava also said there was no denying that the issue over the Ground Zero mosque -- as it has now commonly come to be knownwas being politicized by vested interests "and to build up this whole thing against the President and to try to push him into a corner over this."
But, she said, "The good thing in all of this (controversy) is that you also see the goodness of American people. How many people have come out in support to say, 'No, this is not the American thing (to try and stop the construction of the mosque). Just imagine how many peoplehow many Christians people, how many Jewish people have come out in support."
"So, it really talks well of the openness of America. And, everything is being done relatively peacefully. There are no riots, nobody has been killed anywhere. So, I think we are witnessing a quintessential American phenomenon in many ways -- that the emotions are high, and yet the head is saying, wait a minute," she added.
Bhargava reiterated that in order to alleviate these kinds of situations, it was imperative to have inter-faith interactions "and it should not just be Muslims, Christians and Jewish. The others have also got to be included -- the Dharmic faiths -- in the inter-faith aspect so that there is a broad understanding and it doesn't get seen just as an Abrahaminical faith problem."
"It actually affects all of us and that's one of the things that I've tried to also bring into the White House -- that whatever we are seeing with the Muslim community -- which is of course on a much larger basis -- you see shades of it with everybody else also," she said.


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Taylor Swift Went Wedding Dress Shopping (No, It's Not Her Wedding)
First she was named godmother to pal Jamie King's second child, and now Taylor Swift is prepping for another role. The singer is knee-deep in maid of honor duties for her BFF Britany Maack's upcoming wedding. And the gig marks a first for the 25-year-old chart topper. "I've never been a […]Read more ›