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Diary 5/20/2008 at 22:12:25
Heck of a job, Commie
By John Kusumi (View How Many People Read This) 12 comments
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Heck, they never reform their ways, nor even acknowledge any error on their part. That sentiment could apply to the leaders of China, America, or the talking heads of U.S. network television. They may be growing accustomed to my occasional blasts and bricks for them -- I write, more prolifically than I would like to, about the foibles and follies of all three groups. It's not just musing, either. I give speeches, write articles, and work on a book manuscript titled 'Genocidal Correctness.' To indict the news media is easy -- all it takes is to write about some aspect of how they conduct business as usual. The faultiness cannot be narrowed down to one report; rather, it is their M.O. (modus operandi) which is faulty.
Before the earthquake in China, it was easy to say that America's media was wrapped around the little finger of Communist China. Now, has the earthquake revealed anything in this regard? No! --After the earthquake, we can say again that America's media is wrapped around the little finger of Communist China. America's media trips all over itself to be fawning spin meisters for the Communist Party, which presumably must be great, glorious, and correct. (Note. The Communist Party is not great, glorious, nor correct. The Communist Party is China's obstacle to a satisfying future.)
When I finally issue my book, 'Genocidal Correctness,' it is likely to conclude that ABC, CBS, and NBC should simply shutter their discredited news divisions. But, even before we get around to the release of that book, I would say that there is a higher priority: U.S. news organizations should discontinue having news bureaus and foreign correspondents in China. Not long ago (but before the earthquake), I sent an email to the Foreign Correspondents Club of China. They had released news about how tense and threatening was the environment, based on a nationalistic backlash and fervor that was stirred in China by the Communist Party, against Western news organizations which had reported sympathetically about the Tibetan uprising. (In particular, there were protests against CNN and Jack Cafferty, who referred to the Chinese government as "goons and thugs." In essence, Cafferty was accurate but made a poor choice of words.)
In my email, I expressed zero sympathy for the FCCC. When foreign correspondents go to Beijing, they operate under a compact that is akin to selling their souls. Even if a written contract does not specify the deal, it is widely understood that foreign correspondents get access to the authorities in Beijing, and in return those correspondents write little or nothing about Falun Gong. Now in the absence of their souls, those correspondents are whisper-quiet about persecution that Falun Gong endures on a daily basis, due to China's ongoing crackdown against the peaceful spiritual practice. This editorial policy is akin to leaving the Jews in the gas chambers. My email struck a balance: they have zero sympathy for Falun Gong, and I have zero sympathy for the FCCC.
There is a future date in history that will be like opening the gates of Auschwitz, and then it will be clear what these Beijing correspondents assisted with covering up. In that eventuality, perhaps I should also recommend Nuremberg trials for those particular journalists. So by now, my recommendations resemble a three step formula: (1.) Shutter the Beijing news bureaus; (2.) Shutter the ABC, CBS, and NBC news divisions; (3.) Conduct Nuremberg trials for the ersatz journalists who perpetrated the lengthy cover up of Chinese human rights abuses.
However, I think I realize that there are likely defenses that could be raised. The Beijing correspondents could say that they wrote and filed many stories that were buried by the managing editors in the U.S.. And, the managing editors could say that they were unaware, or missed it, or didn't get the memo. In other words, some media types might get off the hook by pointing the finger at the other end of their operation. Was this a failure in the field in Beijing, or a failure at headquarters in the U.S.? --For the news consuming public, it may be unimportant to play the blame game. From the public's perspective, the only sure thing is that the news media is lousy. But as I research my book, I would be happy to hear from any Beijing correspondents who found Falun Gong stories turned away at the headquarters level in the U.S..
I really don't expect cooperation from the Beijing correspondents. I really flamed them in my email, and referred to U.S. corporate media as "filth in the form of humans." There truly are lives being lost in the Falun Gong story, and whether it is foreign correspondents, managing editors, or executives at the media -- they are making life-and-death decisions, playing God, and choosing to err on the side of death (death plus good relations with the Chinese government -- apparently those good relations are more important than life itself).
Now, Sichuan province lies in ruins, and the occasion is kindred to that of Hurricane Katrina in the United States. What did President Bush say at that time? "Heck of a job, Brownie." --He was patting FEMA Director Michael Brown on the back for a job well done. Now in the present day, what is the news media saying? "Heck of a job, Commie." --They are patting the Communist Party on the back for a job well done in response to the Sichuan earthquake. In the former instance, it was President Bush who was disconnected from reality. In the latter instance, it is the news media (largely relying upon the reporting of their Beijing-based foreign correspondents) that is disconnected from reality.
What is happening here is that the Communist-controlled Chinese domestic media is patting its government on the back, and the reports are being picked up and passed along uncritically by Western journalists, who are supposed to know better than to pass along Communist propaganda, unedited. About 5 million Chinese people can see right through that "lipstick on a pig" strategy, that is used by the powerful when reporting to the powerless. Residents of Sichuan are likely to demand justice, sooner than the U.S. media notices any problem. I will be surprised if residents of Sichuan are like residents of America, who were hit on 9/11 only to have the attack smoothed over with news media narrative that passed along Bush adminstration propaganda uncritically. The media still hasn't noticed any problem about 9/11; they have gotten over Katrina even while survivors are still homeless; and, they are not likely to report any problem in the wake of the Sichuan earthquake.
Perhaps this is what China and America have in common: Powerful people congratulate themselves. The larger masses of ordinary citizens are lucky if they are given a ham sandwich and a road map as they hit the road. The common people are getting the short end of the stick, while the news media resembles my observation that they are "the corrupt, flacking for the corrupt." They are fat and happy people, reading "the news" from Easy Street, and they keep their feet on the desks about genocide. I have something to say, and it's not "God bless the news media." No, no, no! ....
* P.S. - Note. Someone showed me a lawsuit that was filed by offended Chinese people against CNN and Jack Cafferty. It is a frivolous lawsuit that will rightly be laughed out of court. However, CNN should have hung tough. It looks bad (for them) that they apologized AGAIN to the Chinese. Commenting about the CNN apology, a Chinese person wrote: "Relax. Media like CNN are doing the US more harm than good. CNN should also apologize to it's own brain-bashed American audience. When the curse fails, the witch dies."
* * P.P.S. - Note two. In a lighter mood, I recently made up these acronyms--
AP: Absent Professionalism
ABC: Assinine Buffoons and Clowns
CBS: Could Be Sociopathic
NBC: National Buffoons and Clowns
CNBC: Commercial Nitwits Being Corrupt
MSNBC: Military Sales, No Ballots Counted
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John Kusumi Social Media Pages:
The author was once the 18-year-old candidate for U.S. President ('84) and later the founder of the China Support Network, post-Tiananmen Square.
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How are pokemon books written?
Authors of the Pokemon books use a variety of methods to come up with their stories. Some authors may start with a basic plotline and then fill in the details as they write. Others may start with just a few characters and develop the story as they go along. Still others may come up with a completely original story and then find or create characters that fit into that story.
No matter what method an author uses to write a book, the goal is always the same: to create an enjoyable and engaging story that will capture the reader's attention.
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Another challenge is writing for a younger audience. While the Pokemon franchise is enjoyed by people of all ages, the books are primarily aimed at kids. This means that the author must find a way to tell a compelling story while also keeping the vocabulary and sentence structure simple enough for young readers to understand.
Despite these challenges, writing a Pokemon book can be a highly rewarding experience. Seeing your work in print and knowing that it is being enjoyed by fans of the franchise is a feeling that is hard to beat.
Can you publish a book about Pokemon?
There is no one definitive answer to this question, as it depends on a variety of factors such as the content of the book and the publisher's requirements. However, it is generally possible to publish a book about Pokémon if it is well-written and contains accurate information.
What order should I read the Pokemon books in?
There is no one definitive answer to this question, as people tend to have different opinions on the matter. However, a suggested reading order for the Pokemon books would be as follows:
1. Pokemon Adventures (Red and Blue arc)
2. Pokemon Adventures (Gold and Silver arc)
3. Pokemon Adventures (Crystal arc)
4. Pokemon Adventures (Ruby and Sapphire arc)
5. Pokemon Adventures (Emerald arc)
6. Pokemon Adventures (FireRed and LeafGreen arc)
7. Pokemon Adventures (Sapphire and Ruby arc)
8. Pokemon Adventures (Diamond and Pearl arc)
9. Pokemon Adventures (Platinum arc)
10. Pokemon Adventures (HeartGold and SoulSilver arc)
11. Pokemon Adventures (Black and White arc)
12. Pokemon Adventures (X and Y arc)
13. Pokemon Adventures (Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire arc)
14. Pokemon Adventures (Sun and Moon arc)
15. Pokemon Adventures (Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon arc)
What age is Pokemon books for?
There is no definitive answer, as different Pokemon books are aimed at different age ranges. However, most Pokemon books are likely to be suitable for children aged 6 and up.
How do you read Pokemon books backwards?
You can't read Pokemon books backwards.
Pokémon Books Perfect for Beginning Readers – Scholastic
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M.Sc in Forensic Science and Toxicology - Lateral Entry PG Candidate who had passed Post Graduate Diploma in Forensic Science from any Recognized institution/ University. OR Post Graduate Diploma in Ballistics/ Digital Forensic / Cyber crime from Recognized institution/ University.
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Pharm D * UG 10+2 Examination with atleaset 45% marks in aggregate (40% marks in case of SC/ST category) with English, Physics and Chemistry as compulsory subject, along with one of the following subject,:- Biology/Bio-Technology/Mathematics.
M Pharm * PG Candidate should be Bachelor of Pharmacy with 55% marks (50% in case of SC/ST) from recognized PCI institute. Candidate should be registered in his/her respective state council.
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10+3 Diploma examination with Mathematics as compulsory subject with 50% aggregate marks and subject to an aptitude test in Architecture (NATA).
In addition to eligibility of 10+2/Diploma, he/ she must have obtained 40% pass marks in each subject of the JEE Part 2 exam OR Qualified NATA.
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Bachelor of Commerce + Bachelor of Law (B.Com. + LLB) - Integrated UG 10+2 with atleast 50% marks (45% in case of candidates belonging to SC/ST category) or its equivalent examination in any stream conducted by a recognized Board / University / Council in the aggregate.
Bachelor of Business Administration + Bachelor of Law (B.B.A. + LLB) - Integrated UG 10+2 with atleast 50% marks (45% in case of candidates belonging to SC/ST category) or its equivalent examination in any stream conducted by a recognized Board / University / Council in the aggregate.
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Master of Law (LLM) PG Recognized Bachelor's Degree in Law (LLB) with atleast 50% marks (45% in case of candidates belonging to SC/ST category)
Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication (B.J.M.C) UG 10+2 with atleast 50% marks in aggregate (45% in case of candidates belonging to SC/ST category) or its equivalent examination in any stream conducted by a recognized Board / University / Council in the aggregate OR 45% marks in 10+2 in any stream with atleast 55% in English as the subject.
MA in Journalism & Mass Communication PG Bachelor's Degree with atleast 50% marks in aggregate (45% in case of SC/ST category) or its equivalent.
Bachelor of Science (Agriculture) UG 10+2 examination with Science (English, Physics, Chemistry, Maths/ Biology/ Botony / Zoology)
10+2 with Agriculture with minimum 50% marks in aggregate (45% in case of SC/ST category).
B.Sc Agriculture + MBA Agri. Business – Integrated UG 10+2 examination with Science (English, Physics, Chemistry, Maths/ Biology / Botony / Zoology)
10+2 with Agriculture with minimum 50% marks in aggregate(45% in case of SC/ST category)
MSc Agronomy * PG The student should have passed B.Sc. in Agriculture (minimum 4 year program) from a recognized university with minimum 55 % in aggregate.
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BA (Hons) Liberal Studies UG Students must have successfully passed the examination conducted by a board or university at the 10 + 2 level of schooling or its equivalent. All candidates will be selected based on a holistic basis--taking into account not only their academic records but also their statements of purpose and interviews.
Master of Arts - English PG Recognized Bachelor Degree with English as a subject with atleast 50% marks (45% in case of SC/ST category)
Bachelor's of Arts with English as compulsory subject with 50% marks.
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Bachelor's of Arts with Psychology as compulsory subject with 50% marks.
Master of Arts - Performing Arts * PG Bachelor's Degree from any UGC approved University in any discipline with 50% marks (45% incase of candidates belonging to SC/ST category) in the aggregate.
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Those appearing for 10+2 or equivalent examination can also appear in JEE-2018 on provisional basis.
Provisional admission will stand cancelled if proof of having passed the qualifying examination (10+2 or its equivalent) is not submitted at the time of counseling or at the time of admission or latest by 30.09.2018.
The offer of admission is subject to verification of original certificates/ documents at the time of admission to an institute, his/her admission will stand cancelled.
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January Issue 2005
Backward March
It came as no surprise to anyone when President Musharraf, on the eve of the…
Editor's Note: January 2005
It was a New Year's eve like no other. The mullah at a Clifton mosque…
So Close, Yet So Far
Divided by the over 700 kilometer long border known as the Line of Control (LoC),…
Breaking the Barriers
The long wait to see the other side of the Line of Control (LOC) is…
The last of the air bases in Pakistan occupied by US troops , Shahbaz Airbase…
Passport to Controversy
When the government started issuing the new machine read-passports earlier this year, who would have…
Afghanistan's Media Renaissance
Halfway between the western Afghan city of Herat and the Iranian border, in the dusty…
Happy New Year?
If the quality of life can best be measured by the quantity of hope it…
Costumes and embroidery traditions from bygone eras and diverse cultures continue to inspire Nilofer Shahid.…
Interview: Yasin Malik
"I have never been on Pakistan's 'favoured guests' list" - Yasin Malik, Chairman, JKLF My…
Drumming up a Storm
To borrow from Charles Dickens, it has been the best of times for Pakistan's music…
[caption id="attachment_13309" align="alignleft" width="208"] Shaukat Aziz. Photograph: AFP[/caption] With the three-year International Monetary Fund loan…
If Wishes Were Bollywood Movies
… and you were offered a plum role in one of them, what would you…
The Potters Tale
"They would laugh at my suggestions until the Kabul exhibition was all sold out," says…
By Naveed Ahmad | News & Politics | Published 15 years ago
The last of the air bases in Pakistan occupied by US troops , Shahbaz Airbase in Jacobabad, has finally been vacated with the troops relocating to a destination in the Middle East.
The Jacobabad base, located about 480 kilometers north of Karachi and southeast of Kandahar, was one of four Pakistani bases used by US and allied forces to support the 'Operation Enduring Freedom' campaign in Afghanistan. The other three bases — Dalbandin, Pasni, and Kharan — were quietly vacated over a year ago.
Pakistani military spokesman, Major General Shaukat Sultan, confirmed the permanent withdrawal of the last US troops from the airbase. "There are 10 to 15 American technical personnel present in the country and the rest have left Pakistan," he told Newsline.
A highly placed source in the Pakistan Air Force said the process of vacating the strategically vital base began in mid-October. All important military hardware and most personnel had already been moved and the facility is now under the control of the Pakistani Air Force.
Following the US decision to launch the campaign in Afghanistan, hundreds of US Army soldiers were housed in aircraft hangars at the air base. In early December 2001, Pakistan agreed to a US request for a long-term presence at Jacobabad, and permitted US Marines to renovate the base and build a concrete hangar for 50 large planes and air-conditioned barracks for troops. The US requested 40,000 metric tons of concrete to renovate the base and construct a four feet wall surrounding it. During that phase, all but a few Pakistani liaison officers were withdrawn from the base. At the height of the US assault on Afghanistan, both Jacobabad and Pasni bases had been sealed off and a five kilometer cordon set up around the bases by Pakistani security forces.
Since mid-October 2001, a number of US C-130 aircraft have been stationed at the Jacobabad airbase together with some helicopters and fighter jets. Though ISPR and the foreign affairs ministry always denied that the airbases were used to launch attacks inside Afghanistan, various credible eye witness accounts and media reports suggested night time sorties with fighter jets taking off from the base for Afghanistan to deliver their deadly cargo. According to the terms of an agreement with Pakistan, however, the US and allied forces were only authorised to use the bases for search and rescue missions.
Due to the standoff between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, the US was forced to share the Jacobabad facility with the Pakistani Air Force after January 2002. The base is a key Forward Operational Base that becomes fully operational during wartime.
Jacobabad is the third largest airport in the country in terms of area and one of the few airports in Pakistan that can be used for both military and commercial flight operations. By early 2002, the US had done extensive construction and repair work at Jacobabad, and installed radar equipment. The number of US troops at the base has varied between 200 and 600 Marines.
Jacobabad was the scene of several protests by opponents of the US airstrikes on Afghanistan. The Jamaat-e-Islami, a staunch opponent of supporting the US in its 'war against terror' had repeatedly threatened to storm the air base. When the party tried to march to the Jacobabad airfield on October 14, 2001, one person was killed and 24 people injured in clashes with police. By late October 2001, roads to the city were blocked for days to prevent the entry of protestors. But on October 23, around 200 JI activists appeared in the city, and at least 100 protesters were arrested. Subsequently, the protests subsided.
As the last of the American troops flew out of Shahbaz air base mid-November, there were reports that army officers reportedly detained on terrorism-related charges had been moved to the Jacobabad base and could be shifted to the US for interrogation. The ISPR has denied the reports, saying detained officers would be tried as per the rules and regulations of the Pakistan Army and there was no question of handing them over to a foreign country.


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Conclusions of the co-presidents at the meeting of the presidents and secretaries-general of the national ESCs of the EU
Annual meeting of the Presidents and Secretaries-General of the national ESCs of the EU and the EESC - 19-20/11/2015 – Bucharest
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The Central Economic Council (CCE) is a joint, inter-professional advisory body, established by the Act of 20 September 1948. It focuses on economic organisation and seeks to institutionalise dialogue between employers' and workers' organisations on economic issues and to provide guidance to the government in economic policy formulation. It brings together representatives of private sector trades unions and employers (large-scale enterprises, small- and medium-sized businesses, the self-employed and agriculture) and academics co-opted by the member organisations.
According to Article 1 of the Act of 20 September 1948 on economic organisation, the Central Economic Council's mission is to prepare all opinions and proposals on questions relating to the national economy and send them in the form of reports, which include the various points of view expressed by its members, to a Minister or the legislative chambers, either on its own initiative or at the request of these authorities.
Since 1948, the council's advisory powers have been gradually widened to take account of new legislation. In some instances, the council must produce opinions on particular issues, which the government is legally obliged to refer to it.
In particular, the council must be consulted on the type and scope of economic and financial information to be supplied to the business councils; on some implementing decisions of the Act of 17 July 1975 covering accounting and annual company accounts; and on the setting of the rate of employer contributions to workers' railway passes.
By virtue of the Act of 26 July 1996 on employment promotion and the precautionary protection of competitiveness, every year before 31 January and 31 July, the Central Economic Council and the National Labour Council must draft a report on trends in employment and labour costs.Furthermore, every year before 30 September, the Central Economic Council is required to produce a technical report on the maximum available margin of growth in labour costs, which is decisive in negotiating collective bargaining agreements.
The Act of 5 August 1991 on the protection of economic competition provided for the establishment within the council of a Competition Board which, depending on each case, prepares an opinion for the government, the relevant minister or the Competition Council on the implementing decisions of the above-mentioned act, amendments to it and on all questions pertaining to competition policy in general.
In accordance with the Act of 16 July 1993 on the completion of the Belgian State's federal structure, and which introduced a system of ecological taxes, a committee to monitor ecological taxes was set up in the prime minister's office, which is responsible for assessing the micro- and macro-economic impact of these taxes, with particular reference to employment, ecological effectiveness and to participate in public information and awareness campaigns for these taxes, etc. This monitoring committee is required to consult the council before issuing its own opinion.
The CCE has a maximum of fifty titular members and as many substitutes. Members are appointed for a renewable, four-year term on proposals from the organisations representing employers and workers.
Both employers' and workers' organisations designate an equal number of titular members and substitutes (22 titular members and 22 substitutes). These members in turn designate another 12 co-opted members: 6 titular members and 6 substitutes, who are known for their scientific or technical expertise.
The CCE is chaired by a leading, independent figure who belongs neither to the administration nor to organisation represented on the council.
After consultation with the council, the president is appointed by the King. The six-year term of office is renewable. The president independently guides debates in the council, the board and in some committees and working parties.
The president is assisted by 4 vice-presidents, designated jointly by the plenary assembly. The employers' and workers' groups each designate 2 vice-presidents. The vice-presidents are members of the council and can replace the president.
Policy opinions and proposals are issued either unanimously or decided by a roll-call vote.
The plenary assembly delegates everyday management to the board. The board has 12 members, who are appointed jointly by the employers' and workers' representatives. It is the council's central body and its driving force. The board's functions are as follows:
the organisation of the council's work: the board decides which subjects will be examined, how the opinion referrals from the government or parliament will be handled and sets priorities for referring subjects;
the preparation of opinions, recommendations and matters which must be submitted to dossiers the plenary assembly for approval;
the preparation of administrative questions (staff policy, budget, infrastructure) which must be submitted to the plenary assembly.
The board's members are directors of large economic and social organisations; these leading figures are in close touch with the country's political circles and its main economic and social institutions.
Preparatory work on the opinions and reports is carried out by committees and specialised working parties, made up of council members, experts from the organisations represented on the council and experts attached to other approved institutions: the Planning Board, university research institutes, the National Bank, international institutions, etc.
A distinction can be made between the "thematic" committees and working parties and the "sectoral" commissions and working parties.
Some of the "thematic" committees and working parties have a quasi-permanent status. Of these the main ones are: "WTO", "Salary scale technical report", "Information to be provided by businesses", "Policy-mix", "Information Society", "Competition", "Environmental Policy", "European and international affairs". There are also joint committees, such as "Social Results", "Planning and the economic climate" and "Employment and labour costs", with members from the Central Economic Council and the National Labour Council.
The role of the special consultative committees (CCS) is to provide ministers and the CCE with opinions or proposals on questions relating to the their sector of activity, and their members are also designated on a joint basis. The CCss cover the following sectors of activity: metals and metal processing, textiles and clothing, construction, fisheries, the chemicals industry, food, leather and paper.
Parliament has made provision for a secretariat within the council to perform the following main tasks:
to gather together the documentation required to examine the subjects covered, in co-operation with universities, national and international institutions;
to draft preparatory notes for the discussion of opinions;
to draft the opinions of the two sides of industry and related groups;
to publish a monthly socio-economic newsletter.
Advisory Reports
Avis relatif à la Communication de la Commission européenne pour une orientation positive de la politique budgétaire de la zone euro
Cet avis est la contribution commune des interlocuteurs sociaux à la discussion importante qui se déroule sur l'orientation budgétaire adéquate pour la zone euro. Ceci est un aspect clé des efforts déployés par la Commission pour intensifier le débat sur l'intérêt général et sur la responsabilité collective à l'égard de cette zone et ce dans le cadre de l'approfondissement de l'UEM.
EESC - European Economic and Social Committee
AICESIS - International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions
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Uber vehicles line up at the new 'LAX-it' ride-hail passenger pickup lot at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in Los Angeles on Nov. 6, 2019. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
California's Independent Contractor Law Battle Heats Up
By Ian Henderson
On Jan. 1, 2020, California's new independent contractor law goes into effect, requiring many contract workers to be classified as employees with full benefits. Meanwhile, many opponents and supporters of the law are gearing up for a legal fight.
The California Trucking Association (CTA) filed a lawsuit in early November challenging the law. The CTA says the new law will harm independent truckers and owner-operators in the state.
On Nov. 21, the author of the legislation, Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego), recently asked city attorneys to file injunctions on Jan. 1 against businesses that don't follow the law.
Uber, Lyft and DoorDash also announced a ballot initiative for the 2020 election that would challenge the law. Uber has said that the company plans to continue to regard drivers as independent contractors, and it will defend its position in court if necessary.
The law, Assembly Bill 5, mandates that the companies provide healthcare and other benefits to contractors working for them. The three major ride-share companies, believing that the law would negatively impact both company costs and worker flexibility, have dedicated $90 million to the campaign to peel back portions of the law.
AB-5 states "a person providing labor or services for remuneration shall be considered an employee rather than an independent contractor."
Exceptions would be granted if "the hiring entity demonstrates that the person is free from the control and direction of the hiring entity in connection with the performance of the work, the person performs work that is outside the usual course of the hiring entity's business, and the person is customarily engaged in an independently established trade, occupation or business."
The bill was approved by Governor Newsom on Sept. 18 and was supported almost entirely along Democratic party lines, while nearly all Republicans were opposed.
Many gig economy workers have expressed concerns about their ability to work flexible hours and for multiple employers as a result of the new law.
"For me, somebody who is [driving] specifically for that flexibility, [AB-5] is a move that is going to take that away from me," Akamine Kiarie, a student at Sacramento State University who drives for Lyft, told The Epoch Times.
"Even though it may have 'good intentions,' what AB-5 does is just hurt not only the drivers, but also the companies, because now they are going to have to figure out a whole different dynamic. The way it was worked. Lyft and Uber were addressing something that was missing in the market. Those that are making [the] argument to be employees, cab companies are still a thing. If you want to be an employee, then go do that," he added.
The ballot initiative backed by Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash, known as the Protect App-Based Drivers and Services Act, aims to continue allowing drivers to be classified as independent contractors while also guaranteeing them benefits such as healthcare and worker's compensation.
The ballot measure would require certain criteria for drivers to be met, for example having control over when, where, and how long they work, as well as the ability to work for multiple companies, according to the initiative's website.
"The whole point of the ballot measure is to protect the right of ride-share and delivery drivers to remain flexible. Drivers overwhelmingly want flexibility to be able to drive whenever they want. If they were employees they'd have to be on shifts and wouldn't have flexibility with driving or income," said Stacey Wells, spokeswoman for the Protect App-Based Drivers and Services Act ballot initiative.
"This doesn't rewrite AB-5. What this measure does is that it requires app-based ride share and delivery service companies to provide a few new protections and benefits for drivers," Wells clarified.
According the initiative's website, the measure provides an earnings guarantee in which drivers would receive at least 120 percent of minimum wage and 30 cents per mile for gasoline and vehicle expenses.
It also would provide drivers with a healthcare stipend after working 15 hours per week, with drivers who work 25 hours per week or more to receive an amount equivalent to 82 percent of a Covered California Bronze health insurance plan. In addition, optional accident insurance to cover on-the-job injuries is available.
Among other portions, the initiative would mandate recurring background checks, mandatory safety training, a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol and drug offenses, and a cap on driver hours per day to "prevent sleepy driving."
In addition to Uber, Lyft and DoorDash, many community groups and public safety organizations have rallied behind the initiative, including Fathers against drunk driving, the CalAsian Chamber of Commerce, and the NAACP.
Not all however, are in favor of the initiative.
"This measure is another brazen attempt by some of the richest corporations in California to avoid playing by the same rule as all other law-abiding companies," said the California Labor Federation in a statement. "California unions will join drivers who want fair wages, better treatment and flexibility to defeat this corporate ploy."
The Protect App-Based Drivers and Services Act is expected to appear on the November 2020 ballot in national, state, and local elections.


Hillside House in Africa with an Underwater Viewing Room
Set on the hills surrounding Cape Town, South Africa, this home is all about its exterior, from the lush landscape to the huge swimming pool which shapes the rest of the abode. But that doesn't mean the expansive, day-lit interior spaces are any less spectacular: especially a surprise on the lower level.
Underwater spa and pool viewing areas migrate up to a flexible-walled poolside deck that can be opened to the elements, and living spaces overlooking all of the above (or rather: below). Wood slats provide shade without interfering with views.
Metropolis Design made most levels open directly onto surrounding lawns, giving each room the sense of being connected to the outdoors both visually and physically.
"The building is conceived of as a hovering set of abstract sculptural elements, lightly suspended over a large waterscape, which forms an extended terrace on the mountainside," say the architects.
"The inter-penetration of two simple forms, in combination with the staggering of the floor plane, allows a surprising amount of volumetric complexity and spatial interplay in and around the building. Transparency, an apparent lack of structural support, and the gaps between elements, dematerialize the building and create a presence in the landscape which is of nature, despite its abstraction."
"Water as a rejuvenative element, constitutes the primary experience of the building and provides its symbolic language. The guest accommodation block hovers dramatically over the water and projects into space towards the mountain and sea. It shelters the dining area, itself submerged below water level. Pool decks are arranged as islands in a sea of water, connected by a bridge. The underwater spa with large viewing windows into the pool has a sense of stillness and mystery."
"The ground floor opens up entirely and entrances the experience of the building as a light platform in a vast landscape."


Global nurse retention and ethical recruitment
Professor Kathleen McCourt, President of the Commonwealth Nurses and Midwives Federation, looks at strategies to fill the acute shortage of nurses across the Commonwealth, including international health worker mobility and the ethical recruitment of nurses between countries.
"Is it ethical for countries with high nurse and midwife density to recruit nurses and midwives from countries with low nurse and midwifery density?"
The year 2020 has been designated by the WHO as the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife. The first ever State of the World's Nursing report will be released alongside the third State of the World's Midwifery report. They are likely to reinforce what we already know: that there is an estimated seven to nine million shortfall in nurses and midwives globally, and that there is also an unequal distribution of these health workers, with South East Asia and Africa facing the greatest shortages.
The focus on nursing and midwifery in 2020 gives countries an incentive to evaluate the number, distribution and status of their own nursing and midwifery workforce and to determine whether it is fit for purpose.
Across the Commonwealth, there are vast differences in the density of nurses and midwives per 1,000 population, both across and within regions…
Professor Kathleen McCourt
President, Commonwealth Nurses and Midwives Federation
Empowering nurses to help deliver UHC
The critical role of the pharmaceutical workforce in achieving UHC
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Rebecca Ackroyd
View works.
Rebecca Ackroyd (b. 1987, Cheltenham, UK) lives and works in London. She graduated from the Royal Academy Schools in 2015 after completing her BA in Fine Art at Byam Shaw School of Art in 2010. Ackroyd's work excavates the remains of an object and reconstructs it into something new, creating sculptures and drawings that reflect a history and yet also exist between places, becoming simultaneously familiar and unknown. Scale shifts to create figurative works that meander through space like air conditioning ducts - breathing structures that inhabit and divide a room. While smaller works invite a more intimate encounter, a reflection perhaps on the overwhelming shift between global and individual desire, these works explore an individual framework within which to exist or build meaning. Ackroyd has shown her work in London at solo exhibitions at Hunter/Whitfield (2015), Kinman Gallery (2014) and Marsden Woo Gallery (2013). Recent group exhibitions in 2015-6 include: Modest Villa Immense Versailles (co-curator), Kinman Gallery, London; At Home Salon: Double Acts, Marcelle Joseph Projects, Ascot; Bloody Life, Herald St, London; All Over, Studio Leigh, London; Is it heavy or is it light, Assembly Point, London; With institutions like these, Averard Hotel, London; Opals, Galerie Opdahl, Stavanger, Norway; Royal Academy Schools Degree Show, London; Works in Residence, David Roberts Art Foundation, London; and The London Open, Whitechapel Gallery, London. In 2013, her work was included in Bloomberg New Contemporaries (ICA, London and Spike Island, Bristol).
Download Artist's CV (PDF, opens in a new tab.)


Home Opinion Columnists OPINION | The return of the establishment: What a Biden presidency would...
OPINION | The return of the establishment: What a Biden presidency would mean for Zimbabwe
The establishment candidate: Anti-govt activists in Zimbabwe will have a strong ally in Biden (pic: AP)
By David Hofisi
The US presidential election takes place on November 3, 2020. One week from the time of writing this, Donald Trump could be re-elected or, as suggested by the polling data, Joe Biden will become the 46th President of the United States.
This post explores the implications of a potential Biden/Harris victory on relations between Washington D.C. and Harare.
Currently, there is no scope for government-to-government assistance between the US and Zimbabwe, save for the humanitarian sector. Thus, cooperation remains alleviatory. The US$318 million provided by the US in 2019 was in such fields as health, humanitarian and food assistance as well as disaster relief.
This is less than the US$500 million provided annually to neighbouring Zambia for instance. Further, it does little to account for the absence of non-humanitarian government to government assistance and non-eligibility for assistance through such avenues as the African Growth and Opportunity Act and the Millennium Challenge Corporation.
This state of affairs is rooted in the regime of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe. The response to these restrictions has been varied. On the right, there is a government-driven sanctions obsession according to which the "sanctions must go" mantra is the panacea to Zimbabwe's moribund economy.
The left insists on sanctions denialism, arguing that government malpractice is more problematic than any foreign restrictions.
This post does not seek to prove or disprove either position, focussing instead on US laws and whether a change in presidency could alter their effect.
US, ZIDERA and Zimbabwe
The US sanctions on Zimbabwe flow from two branches of government. The restrictions imposed by the legislative branch are contained in the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (ZIDERA).
The restrictions by the executive branch are in a series of executive orders issued by President George W. Bush and renewed by President Obama and President Trump. Under section 4(c) of ZIDERA, the US government is obligated to oppose and veto any application by Zimbabwe in a multilateral financial institution for services including, but not limited to, finance, credit facilities, loan re-scheduling and international debt cancellation.
These can only be permitted if the President of the United States certifies that the Government of Zimbabwe has met the requisite conditions set out in section 4(d) of the Act. These conditions are wide-ranging and include restoration of the rule law, respect for property rights and, following a 2018 amendment, also include pre and post-election conditions and restrictions on the role of military and traditional leaders.
The amendment also requires implementation of the SADC Tribunal rulings which were interpreted by the Government of Zimbabwe as a reversal of the land reform program. This is the extent to which ZIDERA contains economic sanctions. It undermines economic progress by using American votes and influence to exclude Zimbabwe from accessing international financial services.
[CLICK: SPECIAL REPORT – US sanctions on Zimbabwe: truths, history, and lies]
Executive order (E.O.) 13288, 13391 and 13469 constitute what some people have called targeted sanctions or smart sanctions. By executive action, President Bush identified persons and entities whose properties and interests in the US were blocked and were not be …transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or otherwise dealt in.
These are the sanctions that have been renewed by each president after President Bush and were recently updated to include the names of Kudakwashe Tagwirei, Owen Ncube and Anselem Sanyatwe.
Sanctions: a split discourse
In a nutshell, the sanctions differ in scope. The economic sanctions under ZIDERA target the entire Zimbabwean economy whilst the executive orders affect the specified individuals and entities.
Within political discourse, the sanctions-obsessed activists emphasise the effect of ZIDERA on the ordinary person whilst the sanctions-deniers present the targeted nature of the executive orders as representative of the entire sanctions regime.
These restrictions affect Zimbabwe in two ways. The first is real and quantifiable inability to access debt relief and lines of credit from the World Bank, IMF and African Development Bank. The effect of these sanctions on such sectors as local banking have been observed by scholars.
The second, less quantifiable but more far-reaching consequence is irreparable harm to the nation's financial reputation. The existence of sanctions lowers investor confidence and thus reduces foreign direct investment.
US sanctions campaigners Jeff Flake and Chris Coons with Mnangagwa: Not even ED and Mthuli Ncube's 'neo-liberal obsession' will shift US foreign policy on Zimbabwe
Some scholars rightly note that, by the time ZIDERA was enacted, the IMF had already suspended lending to Zimbabwe. This suggestion that ZIDERA has not had any effect on the Zimbabwean economy seems oblivious to the effect of sanctions on the investment climate as well as the damage done to the nation's credit rating.
This is not to suggest that there are no internal rule of law challenges in Zimbabwe or problems with rampant corruption. The effect of sanctions on a polity is not mutually exclusive with the prevalence of internal governance failures.
US foreign policy: where does Zimbabwe fit?
The U.S. President has enormous powers in foreign policy. In the case of Zimbabwe, the American President could certify Zimbabwe to access financial assistance or debt relief in terms of section 4(c) of ZIDERA.
The President could also repeal the executive orders containing targeted restrictions. In his presidential campaign in 2008, then candidate Obama showed an openness towards détente, stating his willingness to meet with leaders of such countries as Venezuela, Cuba and North Korea.
This led to the Iran nuclear deal and moves towards normalisation of relations with Cuba.
Candidate Joe Biden's campaign has been far less inspiring. He has eschewed any truly transformational promises, only pledging to restore the status quo prior to the Trump presidency.
"Nothing new is being promised…"
As Krystal Ball explained on The Hill, Joe Biden's pledge to restore the soul of America is simply the liberal equivalent of Trump's Make America Great Again (MAGA). Neither slogan is forward-looking, with both hearkening to an over-celebrated past, be it the 50s for Trump or the Obama years for Biden.
Nothing new is being promised, making it unlikely that new relations will be forged with erstwhile enemies.
As part of the MAGA agenda, Trump made it his mission to undo Obama's legacy, from the Paris Accords to the Iran nuclear deal. Biden's presidency would seek to reverse these actions. It is highly likely that the Iran Nuclear Deal will be reinstated and moves towards normalisation of relations with Cuba will resume.
On the other hand, countries perceived to be too close to Trump will be alienated, and this will likely be the fate for North Korea and Russia. Biden's hawkish and neo-conservative approach to both has already been previewed by his remarks in the last presidential debate.
This is also the likely fate for Zimbabwe.
White House National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien names Zimbabwe among "foreign adversaries" that he says are trying to take advantage of the violence in America.
"This isn't something that our adversaries are gonna get away with for free…"pic.twitter.com/AXRyQZiFi0
— newZWire (@newswireZW) May 31, 2020
"Zimbabwe's anti-govt activists will have a powerful ally in Biden"
Even though Trump was not conciliatory with Zimbabwe, the accusation that he was 'cozy' with dictators will make Biden sensitive to similar perceptions.
If he wins, President Biden will seek to restore and strengthen ties with traditional allies and not perceived pariahs like the regime in Harare. This is ironic since President Mnangagwa has, through Mthuli Ncube, adopted the neo-liberal obsession with budget surpluses and GDP growth which is highly regarded in Washington D.C.
President Mnangagwa talks with Nick Swanepol, former president of CFU after the compensation deal signing ceremony on July 29 (Xinhua/Wanda)
The agreement to compensate white farmers also seems in line with the requirements in ZIDERA.
However, the reality is that the sanctions-denying activists will have a powerful ally if Biden secures the White House. ZIDERA was sponsored by a total of four senators, two of whom were Hillary Rodham Clinton and Joseph Robinette Biden.
Hillary Clinton recently tweeted demanding the release of political prisoners in Zimbabwe, highlighting how the corporate wing of the Democratic Party is a powerful amplifier of opposition and civil society voices in Zimbabwe. With Joe Biden in the White House, the bipartisan agreement to financially isolate Zimbabwe and target persons and entities would thus continue without any significant alteration.
I'm calling for the government of Zimbabwe to release all political prisoners, including Godfrey Kurauone, who represent the country's future. Justice demands it.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) August 19, 2020
The establishment remains
In the Democratic Party's primaries, there was only one candidate who insisted that "global institutions, like the IMF, World Bank and UN Security Council (which we lead) must reflect the changing global demographics and add Africa to leadership roles."
In his words, "Africa must play a greater role in international development or else…we will repeat the colonialist/imperialist history of the 19th and 20th century that suppressed African opinions and impoverished Africa."
That candidate was Senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont.
Unfortunately, the nomination was won by a centrist neo-liberal politician who is unwilling to challenge the international development architecture.
Joe Biden would be the first establishment candidate to win the presidential election since George H.W. Bush in 1988. The successive run of outsider governors, a junior senator and a New York businessman, will be halted by the incumbency of a Washington insider who has the underwhelming agenda of resetting rather than reforming Washington D.C.
For countries like Zimbabwe, this can only mean a lukewarm serving filled with more of the same; an imperial global order which uses human rights speak to coerce the conformity of the global south by threatening economic consequences for countries that dare challenge the orthodoxy of wealth retention by monopoly white capital.
David Hofisi is a Human Rights Lawyer, YALI Mandela Washington Fellow, ILS Law and Society Graduate Fellow, Doctoral Candidate and guitarist. Click here to read his blog.
ZIMBABWE SANCTIONS
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Second-class republicans? Sinn Féin, feminism and the women's hunger strike
Armagh women's prison protests promoted feminism within the republican movement and challenged sexist attitudes, but women's issues were not a priority for Sinn Fein
Feminist demands were secondary to the Republican agenda and most female members implicitly understood and supported this. Mairéad Farrell, on "dirty protest" at Armagh jail in 1980 and later a hunger striker, summed up this reasoning: "I am oppressed as a woman but I am also oppressed because I'm Irish. Everyone in this country is oppressed and we can't successfully end our oppression as women until we first end the oppression of our country." Photograph: Pacemaker
Maria Duffy
Fri Dec 18 2015 - 05:40
Armagh was the only women's prison in Northern Ireland and until 1976 all those with political status were recognised by the prison authorities. After the introduction of the criminalisation policy on March 1st, 1976, the Armagh women prisoners went on a "no work" protest, which due to harsh penalties imposed by the prison governor had escalated into a "no wash" protest by February 7th, 1980.
On December 1st, 1980, Mairéad Farrell, Mary Doyle and Mairéad Nugent joined the hunger strike from Armagh Jail. Although this protest was somewhat overshadowed by that in Long Kesh, it raised questions regarding the attitudes of feminists to the involvement of women within republicanism. Furthermore, within republicanism itself, it brought into focus the role of women and feminist principles within the movement.
Hunger striking as a feminist issue
Nell McCafferty, the Irish feminist writer, believed that the issue of the Armagh women prisoners was a basic issue of integrity for feminists. She argued that the protests were a direct consequence of the very imperialism which feminists believed was violating the rights of women through the direct denial of – among other things – medical care and attention to the prisoners. She stated that "the choice facing feminists on the matter of Armagh Jail are clear-cut. We can ignore these women or we can express concerns about them. Since the suffering of women anywhere, whether self-inflicted or not, cannot be ignored by feminists, then we have a clear responsibility to respond." (Irish Times, August 22nd, 1980)
In this argument, Women Against Imperialism, who organised the annual protest outside Armagh prison on International Women's Day, supported McCafferty. In a 1983 article in Spare Rib they argued that Women Against Imperialism "maintained that to support the prisoners didn't mean a neglect of feminist demands, but they could not ignore the direct effect of British Imperialism in Ireland" (May 1983). Whilst the editorial team and writers of Spare Rib were on the whole sympathetic to republican feminists and the Armagh protesters, their readers were not, and on its letters page it is hard to find a letter supporting women campaigning from a republican feminist perspective (apart from one from the Armagh protesters themselves).
Such writers supported the views put forward by the feminists replying to Nell McCafferty's Irish Times article, and expressed a cynicism about the place of women in the nationalist movement: "the so-called nationalist cause has no more place for women than the present 'imperialism' which is supposedly oppressing women". (Spare Rib, June 1980)
Feminists writing from this point of view not only abhorred the violent nature of the republican movement but argued that "their [feminist republicans'] male mentors had so thoroughly inculcated the belief into their minds that socialism automatically represented liberation for women that they refused to examine it for themselves". (Irish Times, September 5th, 1980)
The legacy of the women's hunger strikes for the republican movement
But how far can such an analysis be justified? The republican movement gave a face to women's issues with the creation of the Women's Department in 1979, which was initially established as the Women's Coordinating Committee. This department was founded as a direct result of a campaign by women within the republican movement who, despite their contributions, felt virtually invisible and who were dissatisfied with the idea that the issue of women's repression was secondary to that of partition. The progress made by such women in bringing women's issues to the attention of the republican movement was reinforced and furthered by the Armagh women's protests.
This discourse translated itself into Sinn Féin's women's policy commencing with Women in the New Ireland presented to the 1980 Ard Fheis. This was a disappointment to many as it was the result of a compromise between the younger, radical elements in the movement and the older traditionalists. This compromise can be seen clearly in the section relating to abortion which at the time was the question concerning feminists. This document laid the foundation for Sinn Féin's policy on women's issues over the next decade. Issues such as sexism and stereotyping, violence against women and access to contraception were to become recurrent themes within the Women's Department's policy documents.
Taken in isolation, the language used in describing policy on each of these issues demonstrated a commitment to a feminist agenda. An example of this can be seen in the development of policy regarding equal opportunities. The policies suggested were comprehensive and practical and focused upon the need for the State to treat women equally both in the workplace and in the provision of benefits. Training was a central concern and remained an issue for the party. Such schemes were presented as a means of empowering women, enabling them to gain control over their own lives rather than being subjugated by men.
By examining the policy documents presented by Sinn Féin on women's issues between 1980 and the late 1990s, it would be easy to assume that the relationship between feminism and republicanism was uncomplicated with both ideologies being motivated by a desire to promote women's rights and improve their position within society. This, however, is where the relationship assumed by many to exist between the two ideologies ends, as underlying the development of the Republican movement's policy on women was a fundamental issue: partition.
Every policy was linked back to this with most of the documents published prior to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement relating to women's rights beginning with a section outlining the brutality of the British State and its effect on women's lives. According to this reasoning, the only way in which women could enjoy equal rights was through a reunified Ireland as national liberation was the pre-condition for socialism and the liberation of women. Feminist arguments and demands were therefore secondary to the Republican agenda and most female members implicitly understood this and indeed supported it fully.
Mairéad Farrell, one of the Armagh hunger strikers, summed up this reasoning: "I am oppressed as a woman but I am also oppressed because I'm Irish. Everyone in this country is oppressed and we can't successfully end our oppression as women until we first end the oppression of our country." She does, however, state that women have to play a prominent role in the movement in order to achieve that equality. Sinn Féin created a feminist agenda for themselves which although espousing the rhetoric of mainstream feminism took on a distinctly Republican flavour demonstrating that feminism and republicanism were not "two sides of the same coin" in the aftermath of the hunger strikes but rather that feminist ideas were another means of highlighting the need to overthrow the British hegemony.
Although the stand made by women during the 1980 Armagh prison protests went some way towards promoting feminism within the republican movement and challenging sexist attitudes, women's issues were not a priority for Sinn Fein and it has been alleged by one anonymous female Irish republican that they were excluded from decision-making structures within the party: "Women in this country … have been excluded from all levels of decision making … within their political parties. Sinn Féin is no different than any organisation … Within Sinn Féin as elsewhere political decisions are being made by a minority of men despite some gestures of representation for women." (Women in Sinn Féin, May 1995).
For the republican movement, feminism served a purpose, with its ideals being manipulated to achieve that purpose whilst the raison d'etre of the republican movement centred upon ending British rule.
Maria Power is a lecturer in the Institute of Irish Studies, University of Liverpool
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By Ernest Mabuza - 13 March 2018 - 09:50
Should you know who funds political parties?
Image: STOCK IMAGE
The Constitutional Court will on Tuesday hear an application to confirm a high court order that information about private funding for political parties and independent ward candidates is required for the reasonable exercise of the right to vote.
My Vote Counts (MVC) launched an application in the high court in Cape Town last year to force political parties to make funding information available to the public. MVC is a non-profit organisation which aims to improve accountability and transparency of elections and politics in South Africa.
The high court held in June last year that the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) was inconsistent with the Constitution as it did not allow for the recordal and disclosure of private funding information.
The court suspended its order of invalidity for 18 months to allow Parliament to remedy the defects in PAIA to allow for the disclosure of private funding for political parties and independent candidates.
On Tuesday' My Vote Counts will ask the Constitutional Court to confirm the high court order.
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The organisation said it believed that information about the private funding of political parties and independent candidates was reasonably required to exercise an informed vote at the ballot box.
It said access to information about the private funding of political parties was not required during the apartheid era' and more than 20 years into South Africa's democracy political parties continued to insist on accepting private funds in secret.
In its written arguments before the Constitutional Court' the organisation said the right to vote was the right to cast an informed vote - and the right to make political choices was the right to make informed political choices.
"Secrecy of donations to political parties (whether by wealthier citizens' or even by noncitizens' such as local corporations' foreign individuals or corporations' or even foreign governments) distorts and devalues the accuracy of the information that is available to citizens exercising their electoral and political choices'" My Vote Counts counsel Max du Plessis said in written submissions to the court.
He said having equal access to accurate information regarding by whom a political party was funded' and thus to whom it was likely to owe political loyalty' was critical for all citizens to make equally informed political choices' particularly when they cast their votes.
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However' the Minister of Justice is appealing the high court order.
The minister said MVC failed to join all the political parties in its high court application as these parties were likely to be affected by the order the organisation sought. The minister said MVC had also not joined the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) in its high court application.
"For this reason' this Court should refuse to confirm the declaration of invalidity with costs'" the minister's advocates Thabani Masuku and Liziwe Dzai said in their written submissions.
The minister said the legislature did not intend to regulate the disclosure of public or private funding of political parties and independent candidates in terms of PAIA.
"Public funding of political parties is regulated in terms of the Public Funding Act. There is no equivalent legislation regulating private funding of political parties although Parliament is currently processing such legislation in terms of the Draft Political Party Finding Bill 2017."
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BILOXI, Miss. – Keith Davis will continue in his role as Chief of Marine Patrol for the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, Director Joe Spraggins said Friday.
Spraggins' comments came after the city of Moss Point announced that Davis would not be taking over as police chief.
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Policymakers are at the forefront of rehabilitation plans to ensure that family caregivers are
By Helena Sutan on January 3, 2021 Health
A alliance of organisations has called for Scotland's carers to be placed at the center of the recovery from the pandemic.
The organizations alert in a letter to political leaders at Holyrood that the pandemic has exposed the extreme burden on too many paid caregivers, low-income parents and others who care for individuals with additional needs.
The appeal highlights the many people living in poverty or on the verge of it with caring obligations around the world.
The Scottish Women's Budget Association, Oxfam Scotland, Scottish Care, One Parent Families Scotland, and the seven national carers organizations in Scotland, including Carers Scotland, are collectively calling on Scottish politicians to take lessons from the pandemic and to place carers at the core of their recovery plans.
The coalition called on politicians to prove their dedication by establishing a new national outcome for value and involvement in care for all those who provide it, whether paid or unpaid, calling the pledge a "litmus test" of the dedication of each political party to all who provide care in Scotland and those who are cared for.
The 11 national results in the National Performance System of the Scottish Government define "the kind of Scotland it wants to create" – but there is no result that focuses directly on treatment, which the coalition calls a "glaring omission."
The pandemic has brought the vital value of the nation's carers into sharper focus than ever before, but at the moment they are largely invisible when it comes to how Scotland measures progress, Jamie Livingstone, head of Oxfam Scotland and coordinator of the joint letter, said. That wasn't right before the pandemic, but now it's an even more obvious omission.
"As we start the new year, we want Scotland's political leaders to make a new resolution to work with those who provide care to create a new national outcome that ensures paid and unpaid carers are properly valued, protected from poverty and placed at the heart of the country's recovery from Covid-19."
As social care resources dwindled during the pandemic, unpaid caregivers stepped up to the challenge and more and more are taking on this role to help elderly and disabled family members and friends," said Simon Hodgson, director of Carers Scotland." To claim that this contribution was vital is no exaggeration; without it, structured services simply would not have been able to cope.
This is not unique – family caregivers have often been a vital part of helping people with disabilities and older people to remain at home and in their communities. Nevertheless, family caregivers feel very frequently invisible, with little help and substantial health, well-being and income impacts.
"The task of caregiving, however, came into sharper focus during the pandemic. It will help to turn positive intentions and public engagement into concrete substantive progress by concentrating on a national result.
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