This is a groundbreaking topic, as the New York Times has run story after story about NFL players dying young of Alzheimer's disease and teenaged players just plain dying on the field. Check in with the KBOO front desk to find available studio times, write down three that work for you, and THEN call up the PR guy to schedule....remember, you're shooting for 28 minutes final runtime.
Pre-Season NFL Segment / Interview Dr. Bennet Omalu About His Book "PLAY HARD, DIE YOUNG" & the Effects of Multiple Concussions
Contact: Adam Rifenberick
Press Box Publicity
Phone: (716) 741-8495
E-Mail: adam@pressboxpublicity.com
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Pre-Season NFL Segment / Interview Dr. Bennet Omalu About His Book "PLAY HARD, DIE YOUNG" & the Effects of Multiple Concussions
Dr. Bennet Omalu will be available for interviews from Tuesday, May 20th through Monday, May 26th
As we start to gear up for another NFL season, spend a few moments discussing one of the most important issues in the game today: the long-term health of its players. Interview Dr. Bennet Omalu, author of the new book "PLAY HARD, DIE YOUNG" (Neo-Forenxis Books) as he discusses one of the scourges of our favorite sport-the cumulative effect of multiple concussions on the game's superstars.
It's an issue that is not going away and it's an issue that isn't being talked about nearly enough. As a part of you pre-season coverage, please consider an interview with Dr. Bennet Omalu. Dr. Omalu will be available for interviews from Tuesday, May 20th through Monday, May 26th. For more information about "PLAY HARD, DIE YOUNG" and/or to schedule an interview with Dr. Omalu, please contact Adam Rifenberick, Press Box Publicity @ Adam@PressBoxPublicity.com or 716.741.8495.
____________________________
Mike Webster. Terry Long. Andre Waters.
Three men who took the hard hits and survived the NFL.
So why couldn't they survive retirement?
From the first physician to examine in autopsy the long-term brain injuries suffered by the league's best .
"PLAY HARD, DIE YOUNG"
"Every NFL player ought to be issued a copy of (PLAY HARD, DIE YOUNG) when he reports to training camp. Let him know up front the risks that lie ahead. I'd recommend the book to families of NFL players as well."-Rick Gosselin, Dallas Morning News
Each week in the NFL, young men wage war on the field of play. Fans marvel at the jarring hits. At the speed of the game. We are amazed as massive bodies explode into one another. The collisions are loud. The bodies fly, fold, fall, before finally coming to rest on the turf. We hold our breaths until reassured by the first sign of movement. What happened? Nothing. He's shaking it off.
We put these players on a pedestal because of their talent, size and speed. We draft them for fantasy football, collect their trading cards, wear their jerseys, teach our children to emulate them. But they are human. Their bodies are essentially the same as ours. Bigger maybe, but still flesh and bone. Vulnerable. Joints are damaged. Ligaments strained. Brains jostled. Over the course of a career, a player subjects himself to more punishment than can possibly be imagined. Hit after hit. Strain after strain. Concussion after concussion. And as readers will find out, there is no such thing as "shaking it off".
"PLAY HARD, DIE YOUNG: Football Dementia, Depression, and Death", by Bennett Omalu, MD (Neo-Forenxis Books) represents the findings of the only forensic pathologist who has examined the brains of retired NFL players and identified a specific type of football-induced brain injury: gridiron dementia. His ground-breaking research exposes the extent of the trauma associated with multiple concussions so many players accept as part of the game.
Dr. Omalu uses three case studies to illuminate a controversial topic. We remember Hall-of-Famer Mike Webster on the field. He was tough. A champion. We remember Terry Long and Andre Waters as fierce competitors. What happened after they left the NFL? Dr. Omalu fills us in-from the first day of retirement to the autopsy table after their untimely deaths. Gridiron dementia is devastating. Dr. Omalu describes the decline of these men from depression to financial turmoil to paranoia and, in two cases, to suicide.
Their bodies are destroyed in stoic silence, as they work in a culture where they can't complain about pain or disorientation for fear of being sidelined, losing starting positions, changing their roles on the team, or losing their jobs. They experience haziness, dizziness, fatigue, headaches, nausea, vomiting, memory problems, sensitivity to noise, sensitivity to light, depression, nervousness, irritability, poor concentration, and poor balance all in the pursuit of perfection on the field. Then when their playing days are done, they are sent out and told to live "normal" lives.
"[T]he estimated incidence of dementia in the U.S. population at ages sixty to sixty-nine is about sixty-six dementia cases per one hundred thousand people per year. Already we know close to sixty retired NFL players who are registered with the NFL dementia plan. The amazing thing is that there are fewer than ten thousand living retired NFL players."-From PLAY HARD, DIE YOUNG
With bodies pushed past their limits, retired NFL players may have been well-paid in their playing days, but they pay the price for decades after the cheers have faded. The cumulative effects of concussions cloud their minds. Webster, Long and Waters struggled against symptoms caused by years of abuse. They lost. Others players struggle at this very moment.
Some say that professional football is the soul of America . Nobody wants to antagonize the NFL or put the game in jeopardy. PLAY HARD, DIE YOUNG simply begins an important dialogue about what needs to happen next to ensure the safety of these athletes in the long term. It also provides information for family members who are in the process of coming to terms with a dangerous career in the NFL-or any organized full-contact football league. Finally, it is a wake-up call to the NFL, which could be accused of being slow to act on an increasingly obvious and tragic problem.
These are just three stories of many, but this is an issue that will sweep through the sport when the book is released after this year's Super Bowl. Dr. Omalu hopes to help change the culture of this beloved sport so that no more need to be asked to PLAY HARD, DIE YOUNG.
"Omalu's disturbing manuscript gives me a new appreciation for the 'precipice of football history.'"-Dave Krieger, Rocky Mountain News
Bennet Omalu is a medical doctor with an MPH degree, as well as four board certifications in anatomic pathology, clinical pathology, forensic pathology, and neuropathology. He is currently completing a master's in business administration degree program at the Tepper School of Business, Carnegie Mellon University . Dr. Omalu performs autopsies and examines the brains of individuals who suffered brain injuries. Dr. Omalu was the first person to identify gridiron dementia in the brains of NFL players. He has examined the brains of retired NFL players who suffered from dementia and major depression due to repeated concussions sustained from playing professional football.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Investigative Reporters and Editors conference in Miami -- I'M GOING!!!!!!!
I’M GOING TO THIS!!!! I’ll tell ya all about it when I get back......hundreds of workshops, including a direct-to-web investigative reporting package tutorial....at a very good price.
The IRE Conference in Miami is just a few weeks away. Here are some
important deadlines along with new updates and activities for the
conference.
Registration
Register today to take advantage of the early-bird registration fee of
$175. Registration closes at noon (CST) on Monday, May 19.
After Monday at noon we will only accept registrations on-site for
$200.
HBO Advance Screening, Friday, June 6
6:15 to 8:15 p.m. - Generation Kill: Journalist Evan Wright's series
for Rolling Stone on the Marines who led the invasion of Baghdad in 2003
became a book and, next month, premieres on HBO as a seven-part
mini-series. HBO will do a sneak preview of a one-hour episode from Generation Kill, written by Wright, former Baltimore Sun journalist David Simon (Homicide, The Corner, The Wire) and Ed Burns (The Corner, The Wire), with Simon and Burns among the executive producers. Wright, Simon and Burns will then participate in a panel discussion on how they've turned their experiences as observers into both fiction and non-fiction, in print and on television. Wright will participate in a book signing after the panel.
Free tickets to this screening will be distributed on Friday beginning
at 9 a.m. at the Sales table located in Mezzanine East on the 2nd
floor. Tickets are limited due to seating capacity in the theater. One
ticket per person please.
Advanced Frameworks Mini-Boot Camp - 4 seats remain
You've heard all the hype around web frameworks like Ruby on Rails and
Django. Now see why. In this new advanced boot camp, we'll take you
from the basics to a fully functioning data-driven application in Django,
the web framework that drives award-winning projects like EveryBlock,
PolitiFact, and The Washington Post's congressional votes databases.
Editors and producers know this work is hot. You know it's the next step
for your CAR skills. Now learn how in these hands-on sequential classes.
Because it's an advanced sequence, please plan to attend all of the
mini-boot camp classes. You must register for the optional CAR day to
attend. For details, visit
http://www.ire.org/training/miami08/frameworks.html
South Beach IRE Reception - Friday, June 6
Travel to the trendy Sagamore hotel in South Beach for an IRE reception
in their Video Garden bar. This festive location features a cash bar
for the beverage of your choice, but you can also purchase tickets in
advance that will get you two drinks (featured cocktails, beer and wine)
for $25. Tickets will be available at the IRE sales table located in
Mezzanine East on the 2nd floor. The evening begins at 7 p.m. and you'll
need to find a ride, shuttle, or cab over to the Sagamore on your own,
but it's just a brief 15 minute trip over the bridge to the beach.
And for those seeking additional South Beach nightlife, a special
opportunity will be available: the sizzling hot club Prive has agreed to
open the velvet rope for up to 200 IRE members. Just be at the Sagamore
hotel reception and IRE will distribute 200 free wristbands that will
get you into the oh-so-exclusive dance club. (Once at the club you're on
your own; no drinks are included in this deal). Wristbands will be
offered on a first-come basis beginning around 9 p.m., and once they're
gone, they're gone.
Updated Hotel Information
Our room block at the InterContinental Miami is sold out. We have
rooms available at two overflow hotels, the Courtyard by Marriott Miami
Downtown and the Hyatt Regency Miami at the Miami Convention Center. For
details, visit http://www.ire.org/training/miami08/hotel.html
The IRE Conference in Miami is just a few weeks away. Here are some
important deadlines along with new updates and activities for the
conference.
Registration
Register today to take advantage of the early-bird registration fee of
$175. Registration closes at noon (CST) on Monday, May 19.
After Monday at noon we will only accept registrations on-site for
$200.
HBO Advance Screening, Friday, June 6
6:15 to 8:15 p.m. - Generation Kill: Journalist Evan Wright's series
for Rolling Stone on the Marines who led the invasion of Baghdad in 2003
became a book and, next month, premieres on HBO as a seven-part
mini-series. HBO will do a sneak preview of a one-hour episode from Generation Kill, written by Wright, former Baltimore Sun journalist David Simon (Homicide, The Corner, The Wire) and Ed Burns (The Corner, The Wire), with Simon and Burns among the executive producers. Wright, Simon and Burns will then participate in a panel discussion on how they've turned their experiences as observers into both fiction and non-fiction, in print and on television. Wright will participate in a book signing after the panel.
Free tickets to this screening will be distributed on Friday beginning
at 9 a.m. at the Sales table located in Mezzanine East on the 2nd
floor. Tickets are limited due to seating capacity in the theater. One
ticket per person please.
Advanced Frameworks Mini-Boot Camp - 4 seats remain
You've heard all the hype around web frameworks like Ruby on Rails and
Django. Now see why. In this new advanced boot camp, we'll take you
from the basics to a fully functioning data-driven application in Django,
the web framework that drives award-winning projects like EveryBlock,
PolitiFact, and The Washington Post's congressional votes databases.
Editors and producers know this work is hot. You know it's the next step
for your CAR skills. Now learn how in these hands-on sequential classes.
Because it's an advanced sequence, please plan to attend all of the
mini-boot camp classes. You must register for the optional CAR day to
attend. For details, visit
http://www.ire.org/training/miami08/frameworks.html
South Beach IRE Reception - Friday, June 6
Travel to the trendy Sagamore hotel in South Beach for an IRE reception
in their Video Garden bar. This festive location features a cash bar
for the beverage of your choice, but you can also purchase tickets in
advance that will get you two drinks (featured cocktails, beer and wine)
for $25. Tickets will be available at the IRE sales table located in
Mezzanine East on the 2nd floor. The evening begins at 7 p.m. and you'll
need to find a ride, shuttle, or cab over to the Sagamore on your own,
but it's just a brief 15 minute trip over the bridge to the beach.
And for those seeking additional South Beach nightlife, a special
opportunity will be available: the sizzling hot club Prive has agreed to
open the velvet rope for up to 200 IRE members. Just be at the Sagamore
hotel reception and IRE will distribute 200 free wristbands that will
get you into the oh-so-exclusive dance club. (Once at the club you're on
your own; no drinks are included in this deal). Wristbands will be
offered on a first-come basis beginning around 9 p.m., and once they're
gone, they're gone.
Updated Hotel Information
Our room block at the InterContinental Miami is sold out. We have
rooms available at two overflow hotels, the Courtyard by Marriott Miami
Downtown and the Hyatt Regency Miami at the Miami Convention Center. For
details, visit http://www.ire.org/training/miami08/hotel.html
Story Assignment: China and Dangerous Dams
Busy week at the IPA.....
Institute for Public Accuracy
915 National Press Building, Washington, D.C. 20045
(202) 347-0020 * http://www.accuracy.org * ipa@accuracy.org
___________________________________________________
PM Thursday, May 15, 2008
Are Neglected Dams Time Bombs?
Interviews Available
JACQUES LESLIE, (415) 380-1875, jacques@well.com,
http://www.jacquesleslie.com
Leslie's latest book, "Deep Water: The Epic Struggle Over Dams, Displaced People, and the Environment," won the J. Anthony Lukas Work-in-Progress Award and was named one of the top science books of the year by Discover magazine.
He said today: "Reports indicate that there are 391 small dams in the vicinity of the earthquake that have been damaged. There is one larger one where 2,000 soldiers have been deployed. It has been well known that dams can cause earthquakes for some time and there is even speculation that the reservoir behind the massive Three Gorges Dam could have helped trigger this earthquake.
"China has more dams than any other country and many of them have the worst construction. They are frequently prestige projects but once completed, too little money is allocated for maintenance.
"We have some of the same problems here in the U.S. -- in 2005, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave United States dams a D. Many of these are privately owned and in some cases the owners don't have the money for upkeep, making many dams time bombs."
Background:
To see Leslie's recent article in Mother Jones "The Last Empire: Can
the World Survive China's Rush to Emulate the American Way of Life?" go to:
www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2008/01/the-last-empire.html
To see his piece in the New York Times "Before the Flood" go to:
www.nytimes.com/2007/01/22/opinion/22leslie.2.html
Institute for Public Accuracy
915 National Press Building, Washington, D.C. 20045
(202) 347-0020 * http://www.accuracy.org * ipa@accuracy.org
___________________________________________________
PM Thursday, May 15, 2008
Are Neglected Dams Time Bombs?
Interviews Available
JACQUES LESLIE, (415) 380-1875, jacques@well.com,
http://www.jacquesleslie.com
Leslie's latest book, "Deep Water: The Epic Struggle Over Dams, Displaced People, and the Environment," won the J. Anthony Lukas Work-in-Progress Award and was named one of the top science books of the year by Discover magazine.
He said today: "Reports indicate that there are 391 small dams in the vicinity of the earthquake that have been damaged. There is one larger one where 2,000 soldiers have been deployed. It has been well known that dams can cause earthquakes for some time and there is even speculation that the reservoir behind the massive Three Gorges Dam could have helped trigger this earthquake.
"China has more dams than any other country and many of them have the worst construction. They are frequently prestige projects but once completed, too little money is allocated for maintenance.
"We have some of the same problems here in the U.S. -- in 2005, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave United States dams a D. Many of these are privately owned and in some cases the owners don't have the money for upkeep, making many dams time bombs."
Background:
To see Leslie's recent article in Mother Jones "The Last Empire: Can
the World Survive China's Rush to Emulate the American Way of Life?" go to:
www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2008/01/the-last-empire.html
To see his piece in the New York Times "Before the Flood" go to:
www.nytimes.com/2007/01/22/opinion/22leslie.2.html
Story Assignment: War Funding "On the Ground"
Big, black F-15 fighter planes are flying over my house (near the Portland International Airport National Guard Base) as I post this -- more from our IPA friends:
Institute for Public Accuracy
915 National Press Building, Washington, D.C. 20045
(202) 347-0020 * http://www.accuracy.org * ipa@accuracy.org
___________________________________________________
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Winter Soldier on the Hill
Interviews Available
Boots-on-the-ground veterans are testifying before Congress on Thursday about the effects of the Iraq occupation. This testimony, presented by veterans who have witnessed firsthand the devastation of Iraq and its people, comes on the same day that Congress is expected to debate a bill extending funding for the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan through 2009.
On Thursday, May 15, members of Iraq Veterans Against the War will
testify before members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
"Before members of Congress vote to provide more funding they need to
hear about the true costs of the occupation of Iraq from those who have
experienced it first-hand. Congress has heard from the Generals and the politicians -- now it's time they heard from the troops," said Kelly
Dougherty, Executive Director of IVAW and former Military Police Sergeant.
Winter Soldier on the Hill is taking place two months after Winter
Soldier: Iraq and Afghanistan, a four-day summit where hundreds of
members of IVAW gathered to present testimony about their military
experiences to the public. It is being held Thursday, May 15, 9:30 a.m.
to 12:30 p.m. at 2261 Rayburn House Office Building.
:8080/cspan/schedule.csp>.
Among the veterans participating:
ADAM KOKESH, adam@ivaw.org, http://kokesh.blogspot.com
Originally from Santa Fe, New Mexico, Kokesh volunteered in 2003 to
go to Iraq with the 3rd Civil Affairs Group out of Camp Pendleton. He
was attached to the First Marine Regiment, which was responsible for the
Fallujah area. Kokesh will be testifying about the creation of internally displaced refugees during the siege of Fallujah, changing rules of engagement, taking war trophy photographs, and abuse of detainees.
KELLY DOUGHERTY, via Francesca Lo Basso, media@ivaw.org
Dougherty is the executive director of IVAW and a former military
police sergeant. Francesca Lo Basso can also direct media to other
veterans who will be speaking on the Hill Thursday. IVAW was founded in
2004 "to give those who have served in the military since September 11,
2001 a way to come together and speak out against an unjust, illegal
and unwinnable occupation. Today, IVAW has over 1,000 members in 48 states, Washington, D.C. and Canada and on military bases overseas."
GEOFFREY MILLARD, dc@ivaw.org
Originally from Buffalo, New York, Millard joined the New York Army
National Guard in 1998 at the age of 17. He served for nine years
including tours of duty at the World Trade Center ground zero after
9-11 and for 13 months in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Millard will testify on endemic racism during his tour of Iraq, including among high-ranking
Army officers.
Institute for Public Accuracy
915 National Press Building, Washington, D.C. 20045
(202) 347-0020 * http://www.accuracy.org * ipa@accuracy.org
___________________________________________________
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Winter Soldier on the Hill
Interviews Available
Boots-on-the-ground veterans are testifying before Congress on Thursday about the effects of the Iraq occupation. This testimony, presented by veterans who have witnessed firsthand the devastation of Iraq and its people, comes on the same day that Congress is expected to debate a bill extending funding for the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan through 2009.
On Thursday, May 15, members of Iraq Veterans Against the War will
testify before members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
"Before members of Congress vote to provide more funding they need to
hear about the true costs of the occupation of Iraq from those who have
experienced it first-hand. Congress has heard from the Generals and the politicians -- now it's time they heard from the troops," said Kelly
Dougherty, Executive Director of IVAW and former Military Police Sergeant.
Winter Soldier on the Hill is taking place two months after Winter
Soldier: Iraq and Afghanistan, a four-day summit where hundreds of
members of IVAW gathered to present testimony about their military
experiences to the public. It is being held Thursday, May 15, 9:30 a.m.
to 12:30 p.m. at 2261 Rayburn House Office Building.
:8080/cspan/schedule.csp>.
Among the veterans participating:
ADAM KOKESH, adam@ivaw.org, http://kokesh.blogspot.com
Originally from Santa Fe, New Mexico, Kokesh volunteered in 2003 to
go to Iraq with the 3rd Civil Affairs Group out of Camp Pendleton. He
was attached to the First Marine Regiment, which was responsible for the
Fallujah area. Kokesh will be testifying about the creation of internally displaced refugees during the siege of Fallujah, changing rules of engagement, taking war trophy photographs, and abuse of detainees.
KELLY DOUGHERTY, via Francesca Lo Basso, media@ivaw.org
Dougherty is the executive director of IVAW and a former military
police sergeant. Francesca Lo Basso can also direct media to other
veterans who will be speaking on the Hill Thursday. IVAW was founded in
2004 "to give those who have served in the military since September 11,
2001 a way to come together and speak out against an unjust, illegal
and unwinnable occupation. Today, IVAW has over 1,000 members in 48 states, Washington, D.C. and Canada and on military bases overseas."
GEOFFREY MILLARD, dc@ivaw.org
Originally from Buffalo, New York, Millard joined the New York Army
National Guard in 1998 at the age of 17. He served for nine years
including tours of duty at the World Trade Center ground zero after
9-11 and for 13 months in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Millard will testify on endemic racism during his tour of Iraq, including among high-ranking
Army officers.
Homework Assignment: Cost of the Iraq War
I'm a little late lately, but this is still a good story -- go for it, My Young Padawan Learners.
Institute for Public Accuracy
915 National Press Building, Washington, D.C. 20045
(202) 347-0020 * http://www.accuracy.org * ipa@accuracy.org
___________________________________________________
PM Wednesday, May 14, 2008
$175 Billion Toward $3 Trillion War
Interviews Available
The House of Representatives is expected to have a full chamber debate
on the war supplemental bill on Thursday.
THEODORE LOWI, tjl7@cornell.edu,
http://falcon.arts.cornell.edu/Govt/faculty/Lowi.html
Lowi is professor of American Institutions at Cornell University
and author of several books including "The End of Liberalism." He said
today: "Supplementals are supposed to be for real emergencies -- like
Katrina. The war supplementals are a way for Bush to attempt to hide
the costs and implications of the war in Iraq. Obviously, Bush deserves the blame for much of how the Iraq war has gone, but Congress has gone
along, funding the war. The Republicans have gotten tremendous mileage
out of accusing anyone opposed to the war of not supporting the
soldiers. The power of the purse -- like free speech and privacy -- has been withering away. Congress has diddled around with little things,
but has fundamentally acquiesced.
"This will also substantially limit the choices of the next
president. The candidates have really done a disservice, indicating that
they will be able to change course when their power will in fact be very
limited."
LINDA BILMES, via Jessica Donovan or Michael Johnson, ljb@ksg.harvard.edu, jessica_donovan@ksg.harvard.edu,
http://ksghome.harvard.edu/~lbilmes/index.htm
Bilmes is a former Assistant Secretary and Chief Financial Officer
of the U.S. Department of Commerce. A professor at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, she co-authored "The Three Trillion
Dollar War." Bilmes said: "There is no such thing as a free lunch and
there is no such thing as a free war. After five years of war, 4,000
[U.S.] deaths, 60,000 injuries, $600 billion spent so far (with the
price tag expected to reach $3 trillion once we add veterans costs,
military reset, interest on the debt, and economic losses), the U.S.
public is waking up to the fact that the war is hurting the economy."
TRAVIS SHARP, tsharp@armscontrolcenter.org, http://www.theiraqinsider.blogspot.com
Sharp is the military policy analyst at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation. He writes the "Iraq Insider" blog and is closely following the supplemental spending process. He said today: "If the
pending $175 billion super supplemental is signed into law, the U.S.
government will have approved $650 billion for Iraq since 2003. The
current veterans' education package under consideration will cost $52
billion over the next decade, only 8 percent of the total cost of the
Iraq war to date."
Institute for Public Accuracy
915 National Press Building, Washington, D.C. 20045
(202) 347-0020 * http://www.accuracy.org * ipa@accuracy.org
___________________________________________________
PM Wednesday, May 14, 2008
$175 Billion Toward $3 Trillion War
Interviews Available
The House of Representatives is expected to have a full chamber debate
on the war supplemental bill on Thursday.
THEODORE LOWI, tjl7@cornell.edu,
http://falcon.arts.cornell.edu/Govt/faculty/Lowi.html
Lowi is professor of American Institutions at Cornell University
and author of several books including "The End of Liberalism." He said
today: "Supplementals are supposed to be for real emergencies -- like
Katrina. The war supplementals are a way for Bush to attempt to hide
the costs and implications of the war in Iraq. Obviously, Bush deserves the blame for much of how the Iraq war has gone, but Congress has gone
along, funding the war. The Republicans have gotten tremendous mileage
out of accusing anyone opposed to the war of not supporting the
soldiers. The power of the purse -- like free speech and privacy -- has been withering away. Congress has diddled around with little things,
but has fundamentally acquiesced.
"This will also substantially limit the choices of the next
president. The candidates have really done a disservice, indicating that
they will be able to change course when their power will in fact be very
limited."
LINDA BILMES, via Jessica Donovan or Michael Johnson, ljb@ksg.harvard.edu, jessica_donovan@ksg.harvard.edu,
http://ksghome.harvard.edu/~lbilmes/index.htm
Bilmes is a former Assistant Secretary and Chief Financial Officer
of the U.S. Department of Commerce. A professor at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, she co-authored "The Three Trillion
Dollar War." Bilmes said: "There is no such thing as a free lunch and
there is no such thing as a free war. After five years of war, 4,000
[U.S.] deaths, 60,000 injuries, $600 billion spent so far (with the
price tag expected to reach $3 trillion once we add veterans costs,
military reset, interest on the debt, and economic losses), the U.S.
public is waking up to the fact that the war is hurting the economy."
TRAVIS SHARP, tsharp@armscontrolcenter.org, http://www.theiraqinsider.blogspot.com
Sharp is the military policy analyst at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation. He writes the "Iraq Insider" blog and is closely following the supplemental spending process. He said today: "If the
pending $175 billion super supplemental is signed into law, the U.S.
government will have approved $650 billion for Iraq since 2003. The
current veterans' education package under consideration will cost $52
billion over the next decade, only 8 percent of the total cost of the
Iraq war to date."
Saturday, April 26, 2008
James Williams: a Real Citizen Journalist Reports Live from NYC
This is the juice. James Williams is a Pacifica radio affiliated journalist in the finest tradition of citizen reporting. xo L
Report from James Williams, Pacifica reporter in NY outside the Sean Bell trial
Posted: 26 Apr 2008 11:54 AM CDT
James Williams works with WBAI and the People’s Production House in NYC. ~N
Greetings! The Sean Bell verdict came down today, Friday, April 25th handed down by the 75 year old Judge Cooperman(hope I spelled it right) who is set to retire now. The officers who shot the 50 shots at Sean Bell, killing him, Joseph Guzman, and Trent Benefield who were severely injured, it was announced “NOT GUILTY” on all charges. Officers Cooper, whose shots were so far off it hit an elevated train at the Long Island Railroad, Officer Isnora, who got off the first shots, never identified himself, saying “bro, let me holla at you”, and of course, officer Oliver, who fired 31 shots(he emptied his gun then reloaded and shot again) were of course relieved. Oliver, and the others will remain on modified duties for now. Take note, the officers had been drinking liquor at the same club as Bell and his friends. Calls for the Federal Government to step in came immediately afterwards. The families of the persons shot tell me they will file a civil suit against the city, and the officers, not known when, or has it been done already. Mayor Michael Bloomberg has called for calm in and around the city, but demonstrators told me they want a call to action, saying “we’re taking it to the streets”, “shut this f—— city down, shut this m—-f—- city down, f— the police, they killing our kids, blacks will not stand for this g– d— s—- no more” this is just some of the sentiment after the verdict was read. Believe it or not, some of these were church going citizens, of all races. There was a white group of people standing in front of the courthouse their chant was “the courts, and the city of N.Y. is run by the KKK”!, amazing stuff. Also, Rev Davidson, whom I just met today calling for the bloods and the crips to call him so they can prepare for “action”. Would you believe a member of the crips walked up and handed him his business card, I mean, they got cards? What action I want to know? The New Black Panther Party saying “it’s on now, get ready N.Y.” Peoples Party declaring “it all ends now, be ready”, group of Af Ams, white, Hispanics, who claim to have several hundred members. Of all the interviews I did today, I probably can’t air any of it due to the cursing all around me, and the noise content and that’s to bad because I got some great interviews, but we can’t air them. I did a live interview on radio today and literally had to run around the corner of the courthouse! Caused my live interview to not be crisp!
I know i’m supposed to be neutral in my reporting, but I was truly touched and disturbed by this verdict. I have spent more than a year with the Bell family, Rev. Sharpton, Lawyer Hardy, Lawyer Rubinstein, Mr. Guzman, Mr. Benefield and their families, NAACP, Operation Push, made imortant contacts for the Community News Production Institute, became very close to my producers, you know who you are, editors, reporters fm FSRN, Pacifica, and of course PPH, but today, today, brought me to tears, how do you handle this, and the threats of violence to come. That being said, I will be receiving info on the coming demos from my sources, hopefully it won’t be to bad, but from what i’m told, expect the unexpected.
BLESSINGS
James B. Williams
Report from James Williams, Pacifica reporter in NY outside the Sean Bell trial
Posted: 26 Apr 2008 11:54 AM CDT
James Williams works with WBAI and the People’s Production House in NYC. ~N
Greetings! The Sean Bell verdict came down today, Friday, April 25th handed down by the 75 year old Judge Cooperman(hope I spelled it right) who is set to retire now. The officers who shot the 50 shots at Sean Bell, killing him, Joseph Guzman, and Trent Benefield who were severely injured, it was announced “NOT GUILTY” on all charges. Officers Cooper, whose shots were so far off it hit an elevated train at the Long Island Railroad, Officer Isnora, who got off the first shots, never identified himself, saying “bro, let me holla at you”, and of course, officer Oliver, who fired 31 shots(he emptied his gun then reloaded and shot again) were of course relieved. Oliver, and the others will remain on modified duties for now. Take note, the officers had been drinking liquor at the same club as Bell and his friends. Calls for the Federal Government to step in came immediately afterwards. The families of the persons shot tell me they will file a civil suit against the city, and the officers, not known when, or has it been done already. Mayor Michael Bloomberg has called for calm in and around the city, but demonstrators told me they want a call to action, saying “we’re taking it to the streets”, “shut this f—— city down, shut this m—-f—- city down, f— the police, they killing our kids, blacks will not stand for this g– d— s—- no more” this is just some of the sentiment after the verdict was read. Believe it or not, some of these were church going citizens, of all races. There was a white group of people standing in front of the courthouse their chant was “the courts, and the city of N.Y. is run by the KKK”!, amazing stuff. Also, Rev Davidson, whom I just met today calling for the bloods and the crips to call him so they can prepare for “action”. Would you believe a member of the crips walked up and handed him his business card, I mean, they got cards? What action I want to know? The New Black Panther Party saying “it’s on now, get ready N.Y.” Peoples Party declaring “it all ends now, be ready”, group of Af Ams, white, Hispanics, who claim to have several hundred members. Of all the interviews I did today, I probably can’t air any of it due to the cursing all around me, and the noise content and that’s to bad because I got some great interviews, but we can’t air them. I did a live interview on radio today and literally had to run around the corner of the courthouse! Caused my live interview to not be crisp!
I know i’m supposed to be neutral in my reporting, but I was truly touched and disturbed by this verdict. I have spent more than a year with the Bell family, Rev. Sharpton, Lawyer Hardy, Lawyer Rubinstein, Mr. Guzman, Mr. Benefield and their families, NAACP, Operation Push, made imortant contacts for the Community News Production Institute, became very close to my producers, you know who you are, editors, reporters fm FSRN, Pacifica, and of course PPH, but today, today, brought me to tears, how do you handle this, and the threats of violence to come. That being said, I will be receiving info on the coming demos from my sources, hopefully it won’t be to bad, but from what i’m told, expect the unexpected.
BLESSINGS
James B. Williams
Friday, April 25, 2008
Mother Jones offers Interviews
NEWS FROM MOTHERJONES.COM
Our friend Richard Reynolds over at MoJo offers interviews with their writers all the time -- real experts on stuff. You should drop him a line some time. xxoo L
________________________
If Senate Republicans and Democrats don't act soon to settle a seven-month-old dispute, the 2008 elections may go virtually unregulated for the first time since the Federal Elections Comission was founded more than 30 years ago, says JONATHAN STEIN in an article just published on MotherJones.com.
The FEC normally has six commissioners, three from each party, but a Senate standoff has left four of these seats vacant, in spite of the fact that four commissioners must agree in order to act on most matters that come before the commission. Unless this is settled, says Stein, the 2008 election with be "an election with no referees."
To set up an interview with Mother Jones Washington-based reporter JONATHAN STEIN, call (415/31-1740) or email (reynolds@motherjones.com) Richard Reynolds.
Meanwhile, in case you missed Monday's email, here are five interview suggestions related to our May/June special issue on the "future of energy."
1) "The Seven Myths of Energy Independence"
PAUL ROBERTS, author of The End of Oil, argues that energy independence is "a populist charade masquerading as energy strategy." Fossil fuels are a finite--and planet-killing--source of fuel, he observes, and finding an alternative will require an economic and social transformation as great as the Industrial Revolution.
2) "Put a Tyrant in Your Tank"
Gone are the days when oil-rich nations made lucrative deals with U.S. oil companies to help them develop their oil, reports JOSHUA KURLANTZICK. Big Oil has little influence over Russia, Kazakhstan, Iran, Venezuela, Burma, and other oil-producing countries, he observes, and these state-run companies are proving even more ruthless and environmentally irresponsible than Big Oil.
3) "The Nuclear Option"
JUDITH LEWIS attempts to "shut out the chatter" from both sides and take a fresh look at the other "N" word. Nuclear power is expensive, flawed, and dangerous, she observes. But such is the urgency of the energy and environmental challenges we face that we cannot dismiss it out of hand.
4) "Scrubbing King Coal"
Energy companies' alternative fuel commitment comes down to a three-point strategy, says Mother Jones Senior Correspondent JAMES RIDGEWAY: "First, make small overtures toward developing renewable energy, and milk them for maximum PR value. Second, invest more generously in carbon-based 'alternative energy' that gets passed off as green. Third, invoke the goal of energy independence to pump, mine, transport, and sell more and more of the same old fuels to an ever-hungrier market."
Of the $3 billion BP spent on alternatives between 2006 and 2008, reports Ridgeway, about half is going to dubious alternatives like synthetic gas made from petroleum. BP's 2006 capital expenditures on oil and gas: $16.2 billion.
5) "Breaking the Gridlock"
Our current power system is inefficient and poorly equipped to deal with fluctuations in demand, reports JENNIFER KAHN. Kahn surveys various strategies for changing this, including a "Smart Grid," which would spread the load through microadjustments on how much power consumers use and when. Smart appliances could regulate themselves, making adjustments so subtle that consumers would hardly notice.
Our friend Richard Reynolds over at MoJo offers interviews with their writers all the time -- real experts on stuff. You should drop him a line some time. xxoo L
________________________
If Senate Republicans and Democrats don't act soon to settle a seven-month-old dispute, the 2008 elections may go virtually unregulated for the first time since the Federal Elections Comission was founded more than 30 years ago, says JONATHAN STEIN in an article just published on MotherJones.com.
The FEC normally has six commissioners, three from each party, but a Senate standoff has left four of these seats vacant, in spite of the fact that four commissioners must agree in order to act on most matters that come before the commission. Unless this is settled, says Stein, the 2008 election with be "an election with no referees."
To set up an interview with Mother Jones Washington-based reporter JONATHAN STEIN, call (415/31-1740) or email (reynolds@motherjones.com) Richard Reynolds.
Meanwhile, in case you missed Monday's email, here are five interview suggestions related to our May/June special issue on the "future of energy."
1) "The Seven Myths of Energy Independence"
PAUL ROBERTS, author of The End of Oil, argues that energy independence is "a populist charade masquerading as energy strategy." Fossil fuels are a finite--and planet-killing--source of fuel, he observes, and finding an alternative will require an economic and social transformation as great as the Industrial Revolution.
2) "Put a Tyrant in Your Tank"
Gone are the days when oil-rich nations made lucrative deals with U.S. oil companies to help them develop their oil, reports JOSHUA KURLANTZICK. Big Oil has little influence over Russia, Kazakhstan, Iran, Venezuela, Burma, and other oil-producing countries, he observes, and these state-run companies are proving even more ruthless and environmentally irresponsible than Big Oil.
3) "The Nuclear Option"
JUDITH LEWIS attempts to "shut out the chatter" from both sides and take a fresh look at the other "N" word. Nuclear power is expensive, flawed, and dangerous, she observes. But such is the urgency of the energy and environmental challenges we face that we cannot dismiss it out of hand.
4) "Scrubbing King Coal"
Energy companies' alternative fuel commitment comes down to a three-point strategy, says Mother Jones Senior Correspondent JAMES RIDGEWAY: "First, make small overtures toward developing renewable energy, and milk them for maximum PR value. Second, invest more generously in carbon-based 'alternative energy' that gets passed off as green. Third, invoke the goal of energy independence to pump, mine, transport, and sell more and more of the same old fuels to an ever-hungrier market."
Of the $3 billion BP spent on alternatives between 2006 and 2008, reports Ridgeway, about half is going to dubious alternatives like synthetic gas made from petroleum. BP's 2006 capital expenditures on oil and gas: $16.2 billion.
5) "Breaking the Gridlock"
Our current power system is inefficient and poorly equipped to deal with fluctuations in demand, reports JENNIFER KAHN. Kahn surveys various strategies for changing this, including a "Smart Grid," which would spread the load through microadjustments on how much power consumers use and when. Smart appliances could regulate themselves, making adjustments so subtle that consumers would hardly notice.
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