#Hillsborough Voices

[semper-legens]

139. Hillsborough Voices, by Kevin Sampson

Owned: No, library Page count: The 15th of April 1989 would be a date etched into the minds of Liverpool supporters forever. Nearly one hundred spectators were crushed to death in the Hillsborough Stadium. Tragedy enough, but almost immediately, the police began to cover up their part in the disaster by pinning the blame on fans. The result was a struggle for truth and justice that spanned decades of hurt for those affected. My summary: My rating: 5/5 My commentary:

I...don't know how many people outside the UK are familiar with the Hillsborough disaster. Hell, I'm not sure how many people outside the north west know the details. I knew the shape of the story - the bullet points, as it were - but none of the specifics, so I wanted to learn more. I was born in Liverpool, and it remains the city dearest to my heart. People from Liverpool are often demonised as being benefit scroungers, thugs, criminals, scum, but this is just classist nonsense. Sure, it's not like Liverpool's perfect (particularly historically) but a lot of the problems with Liverpool as a city come down to decades of neglect by the government - 'managed decline', as they call it. And this, Hillsborough...this is one of the most potent and painful reminders of how the government sees Scousers and how they're willing to throw a huge amount of people under the bus to cover up their own mistakes and maintain the status quo.

(Warning below the cut for disasters, death (including the death of children), police mismanagement, police neglect, and generally the police being arseholes.)

Here's what happened, in short. (If you want to know more about the subject, please look into it, I'm just giving an overview.) Liverpool fans were given the worst, smallest, more dangerous end of a stadium that had not been safety-certified for a semi-final against Nottingham Forest. The turnstyles were not up to the amount of fans, and the police who were meant to be controlling and organising people going into the stadium made some terrible calls. A bottleneck formed, with supporters going down a central tunnel into a single central pen, rather than being guided to the side pens - which was made worse when an exit gate was opened to let people through without said tunnel being blocked off, meaning that people were funnelled into the already-overcrowded centre pen.

By this point, the crush was deadly. Fans were climbing the pens to try and get away from the crush, with some being lifted to safety by people in the stand above. The match was stopped, but the damage was already done, and in the crush 95 people died. The death toll would become 96 in 1993 when one person who had sustained traumatic injuries had life-support switched off, and rose to 97 in 2021 when another person with irreversible brain damage from the disaster passed away.

The disaster itself was horrific. There's no doubt about it, and I do not wish to de-legitimise the trauma of the actual event in my next statement. But the disaster might not have occurred, and people might have been able to heal from the trauma and move on and deal with their grief, were it not for the actions of the police. As I implied in the outline above, the police were one of the main causes of the disaster. They mismanaged the crowd. They didn't take steps to ensure safety. But what I haven't yet mentioned are their actions during and after the disaster.

Police formed a cordon across the pitch to stop Liverpool supporters from crossing the pitch, because they feared violence or a pitch invasion. Police wouldn't let people out of the pens despite them literally pleading for their lives, and in some cases pushed people back into the fatal crush. Police didn't let emergency workers and ambulances onto the pitch - or at least didn't alert them to the gravity of the situation, meaning that the response to the disaster was slowed. Many police just stood around watching while fans attempted to save lives and get as many people out as possible.

And afterwards? This book is a collection of testimonies from survivors, families of the victims, people connected to the disaster in one way or another. There are a few testimonies where they speak of having gone to the morgue to identify the remains of their loved ones, only to be pulled aside immediately afterwards and interrogated by the police, with no social worker or legal representation. The people who report this happening note that the police were focused on whether they or their loved ones had been drinking before reaching the stadium, mere hours after the disaster itself. And the reason why would be soon apparent. The police blamed the crush on supporters.

More than that, the police blamed everything on the Liverpool fans. They alleged that Liverpool supporters were beating up police attempting to give the kiss of life, urinating on the police, pickpocketing the dead, threatening to sexually assault the body of a dead teenager, that the disaster was caused by thousands of ticketless fans attempting to break into the stadium, that fans were drunk and disorderly and brawling and fighting and that was why the disaster occurred.

Needless to say, there's no photographic or video evidence of this actually having happened. Because it's bollocks. Because the police made it up to justify the fact that they fucked up so bad that ninety seven people died.

Most of these allegations were made in the newspaper The Sun. To this day, you'd be hard-pressed to find someone selling The Sun in Liverpool. Hell, the place where I work is outside of Liverpool, and I've still seen 'boycott The Sun' stickers around recently. To cause a disaster is one thing, to turn around and claim that it was actually the fault of the victims, when most of the people who were helping and trying to save lives and fighting so hard to protect as many as they could were the fans themselves, is absolutely odious.

But of course, the government took the police's side, and still nobody has been convicted of murder or manslaughter as a result of the Hillsborough disaster. How long did it take for a verdict of unlawful killing? Well, it was recent when this book was published. In 2016. Twenty seven years for an official proclamation that the victims were not to blame. Twenty seven years where the families did not get the justice they deserved. Just because it's easier to demonise Scousers as thugs, as drunks, as scum, than to admit that the police. Fucked. Up.

You'll notice I haven't spoken much about the actual book, but honestly, this whole rant is as much of an endorsement as I can give for this book. This book made me angry. I knew the cold facts of what the police had done, but I didn't feel it quite so much as reading the testimonies of the poor people involved. I knew that the cops were covering their own asses, but I didn't know they were questioning bereaved families about being drunk straight out of the mortuary and were blood-testing all of the victims for alcohol, including children. I knew that the aftermath of Hillsborough was awful, but I hadn't read exactly what happened in the voices of those who were there. This book is horribly, painfully relevant. I implore you to read it if you can.

Next up, two strange kids move into town.

[disasterarea-podcast]

Okay, I know I probably don’t need to explain this to all of you, but also I want to talk to *somebody* about how I wish I had the sort of pull that would let me see “Society of the Snow” before it ends up on @netflix on January 4th.

“Alive” came out when I was in high school. I was a sophomore, I think? I just know I watched it a bunch for historical reasons (disaster! Survival! Struggle!) and superficial reasons (I was sixteen and Ethan Hawke was in danger!). It was on HBO a lot back then. Or it felt that way, because I watched it every time it came on.

As per usual, I watched the movie, so I went and got the book. (I have an Audible credit, so I’m preordering the audiobook of “Society of the Snow” for work. It comes out in a couple of days, FYI.) The movie is … sanitized, to say the least. They can’t avoid the eating of the dead, or showing it on occasion. But in real life, the situation was more blatant, because … well, who are you going to hide it from? They ate everything else, or at least tried to, before resorting to the dead. And then when they did resort to the dead, they ate it ALL.

The thing is, Uruguayan culture was heavy on beef. “Alive” (the book) describes it the way the Irish depended on potatoes. Eating the dead was difficult, but as Catholics they were able to talk it out and tie it into the rosary and taking the body and blood of Christ into their own. I’m not even a Catholic anymore, but I think even my latent Catholic training might kick in just a tad to help reassure me in a situation like that if I had doubts. (Note: I have been doing this podcast for WAY too long. Survival cannibalism wouldn’t even make me bat an eye at this point.)

My point is that in the real situation, the survivors used everything. And I mean everything. There were only three or four parts of the body they couldn’t eat - I think the genitals were on that list, but don’t quote me on it - but the rest? They picked the bodies clean. They needed to. There’s a photo of the survivors sitting outside the plane, hanging out, smiling for the camera. It’s usually edited. Everything else is kept, but what is usually clipped or blurred is a very clear shot of a human spine, not a spot of meat left on it, just … lying there. It might as well be an airplane seat, or a discarded jacket, or any of the other items scattered about.

I have a tremendous amount of respect for every single one of the people who went through that ordeal. The details are traumatizing enough without having lived through it. Every time somebody makes a “rugby players eat their dead” joke, I cringe.

So here I am sitting watching “Alive” again, because fuck it. The thing is, I have a fondness for this movie based a lot on high school and watching it lots and it introducing me to a survival story I’d never heard of. But I would always be the first to point out I’d love a redo. It’s not as accurate as it could be, it’s in English, it misses out on things like Carlitos Paez’s father searching for him and the others the whole damn time and the reception after they came back.

I’m hoping “Society of the Snow” has all of the things the first movie lacked. I want to see the reception when they came back. I can’t wait to see Carlitos playing his dad, and I hope we get that moment where he reads the list of survivors over the radio and his voice breaks when he gets to his son’s name. I hope we get the reality of survival cannibalism — that it’s not murder, that it’s not pretty, that you might get a little blinded to the horror of the reality.

The trailers for “Society of the Snow” gives me hope it does the story the justice it deserves. There are so many disaster stories that, while they may have gotten TV movies, I would love to see done for the big screen. Hillsborough. The Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire. The Galveston Hurricane. The Johnstown flood. But honestly, the trailers for “Society of the Snow” look gorgeous and respectful. Let’s do more movies like this for more disasters.

[a-brunette-floridians-world]

I rarely post here, but this is too important not to discuss. My home state is now on the verge of losing its state parks. Florida loses around 120 acres of natural land to development every day, 44,000 annually. Now they want to go after our state parks.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection announced that it will allow construction and urbanization, an unfortunately hideous and common sight in Florida these days, within nine of our state parks. These nine state parks are:

- Hillsborough River State Park, Tampa

- Honeymoon Island State Park, Clearwater

- Oleta River State Park, Biscayne Bay

- Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Stuart

- Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park, Fort Lauderdale

- Anastasia State Park, St. Augustine

- Camp Helen State Park, Panama City Beach

- Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and Grayton Beach State Park, Santa Rosa Beach

The department wants to add golf courses, glamping areas, pickleball courts, etc. This proposed plan would destroy delicate ecosystems and strip plants and animals of their habitats, as if there isn't enough strain on our natural ecosystems already. It'll be disguised as "increasing accessibility," it's not.

Now is the time to stand up and say no. On August 27th from 3 to 4, there will be meetings taking place to discuss this proposition. If you live in those areas and want to go, the addresses are available on the Tampa Bay news article linked below. If you live outside of the area, call the Governor's office at (850) 717-9337 and let them know that Floridians are going to oppose the destruction of our state parks.

My family has been here for nine generations. I'm a descendant of the first settlers to Florida, and I'm tired of my home's natural wildlife being destroyed in the name of greed and corporate interests. Enough is enough. I will be attending the Hillsborough River State Park meeting if anyone wants to join me. On top of that, I will be calling the Governor's office. Every Floridian needs to oppose this and save the real Florida for future generations.

Tampa Bay Article:

Credits:

Fight for Those Without a Voice: https://www.instagram.com/v.steiner?igsh=Y3M3YWU1OHh4dzhy

Speak for the Parks: https://www.instagram.com/tannicroots?igsh=aWtkcmx2NzE4Mmly

Spinster Abbott: https://www.instagram.com/spinster_abbotts_st_aug?igsh=MXRxZGp0ZndmaDl2Mg==

Save Our Scrub: https://www.instagram.com/thickpaint?igsh=MTI0MHd2N3pkczBpYw==

F*ck Your Golf Course: https://www.instagram.com/oldfloridavibes?igsh=c3psN2h6dDhiNmk=

Keep Florida State Parks Wild: https://www.instagram.com/oona.seas?igsh=Z3B6ZnNvMmh4cTZt

Don't Tread on State Parks: https://www.instagram.com/offthegridjohn?igsh=N3ZwNXI5Y3JxMnF

[millythegoat]

Champions League final review: ‘It is remarkable that no one lost their life’

by Philip Buckingham

(this article shouldn’t placed behind a paywall, everyone should read this. Especially after Hillsborough how this can happen again. Prepare yourself for a long read)

It was the showpiece evening that brought European football uncomfortably close to tragedy.

The 2022 Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid was meant to be a celebratory night but instead placed thousands of supporters in grave danger outside the Stade de France, near Paris.

“It is remarkable that no one lost their life.”

That was among the most sobering lines of a damning independent review that left European football’s governing body UEFA with nowhere to hide last night. Others, including local authorities and police, could not avoid criticism either, but the Champions League organisers were told the buck must stop with them.

“UEFA, as event owner, bears primary responsibility for failures which almost led to disaster,” concluded an exhaustive review spanning 220 pages, which drew on testimonies from key stakeholders and witnesses, including many fans, although Real Madrid chose not to cooperate.

It also drew comparisons with Hillsborough, saying many Liverpool survivors in the crowd in Paris were survivors of the 1989 disaster in which 97 people died.

“The parallels between Hillsborough 1989 and Paris 2022 are palpable,” said the report. “The similarities include the fact that both events were preventable, and both were caused by the failures of those responsible for public safety.”

Liverpool supporters were absolved of any blame.

Claims following the final had suggested thousands of fans had arrived without tickets to cause overcrowding and delays, but the review found they had been placed in danger owing to poor planning, a lack of communication and outdated policing methods.

The use of tear gas and pepper spray, predominantly on Liverpool fans, was also said to be “completely inappropriate as it was both life-threatening and disproportionate”.

Liverpool said the delayed six-month investigation, funded by UEFA and chaired by the Portuguese politician Tiago Brandao Rodrigues, “fully vindicates” the club’s supporters.

UEFA, meanwhile, said it will continue to analyse the review’s findings ahead of announcing a refund scheme for the affected.

What went wrong before kick-off on May 28?

“All the stakeholders interviewed… have agreed that this situation was a near-miss: a term used when an event almost turns into a mass fatality catastrophe.”

A night that eventually saw Real Madrid lift their 14th Champions League title with a 1-0 win over Liverpool was overshadowed by the traumatic events that unfolded outside the Stade de France ahead of kick-off.

The 80,000-capacity stadium had only been afforded three months to prepare after the original final hosts, Saint Petersburg, had the honour removed following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February of last year. The Stade de France had been considered the safe alternative by UEFA after it had hosted the 2016 European Championship final, but its suitability as the host venue was scrutinised.

The panel, which was made up of experts in policing, a barrister and representatives from fan organisations, concluded: “Two overarching organisational failures (were) at the root of what went so disastrously wrong in Paris.”

The UEFA model for organising the Champions League final was deemed “defective” after control of safety and security was passed on to other stakeholders, while the local authorities were also criticised for favouring a heavy-handed approach, “which was inappropriately based on incorrect assumptions that Liverpool FC supporters posed significant threats to public order”. That, the panel said, was an “inexplicable misconception”.

Concerns were first voiced in the middle of the afternoon, well in advance of the 9pm (local time) kick-off. An external security officer, appointed by UEFA, had told officials that arrangements were “not fit for purpose” at the Additional Security Perimeter entrance 3 (ASP3) that would later welcome Liverpool fans.

That initial ticket checkpoint was considered a known bottleneck, involving a ramp to the concourse where turnstiles were situated. The approaches to ASP3, involving an underpass known for overcrowding, were also considered problematic.

By 6pm, those fears were confirmed with heavy congestion and crushing in the area.

Just before 7pm, the stadium’s control room had accepted the area had become dangerous and asked police to divert fans arriving at the stadium to Additional Security Perimeter entrance 4 (ASP4), a far wider and more accessible point.

Police, though, were “slow to react”. “Thousands of supporters remained corralled in this unsafe environment, unable to progress or escape, as others unwittingly joined them at their rear,” said the report.

Compounding the rising sense of chaos, police and stewards then abandoned ASP3 75 minutes before kick-off. That allowed thousands of fans access to the raised turnstile perimeter, where problems had also been encountered with tickets at the gate. The decision was made for some turnstiles to be closed. “There was a clear and immediate danger of a fatal crush,” said the report.

Why was kick-off delayed?

The review offered a snapshot of the high-level discussions held within the stadium as the distress unfolded beyond perimeter fences. It is said Aleksander Ceferin, UEFA president, headed to a stairwell next to the VIP area to consider a delayed kick-off with senior executives. Ceferin had been meeting with the King of Spain, Felipe VI, and not “in the control room or engaging with commanders”.

Ceferin, whose only interaction with the review was a written statement dated November 23, said he had made the decision to delay kick-off “to make sure all fans will be in the stadium” and ignored the wishes of broadcasters to begin on time. The final would eventually kick off 36 minutes late.

Two messages were then put out on giant screens inside the ground: the first saying delays were down to a “security issue”, the second claiming it was due to the lateness of fans arriving.

Sharon Burkhalter-Lau, UEFA operations director, said the organisation only had access to two pre-prepared messages relating to a delayed kick-off owing to complexities involving translations — but it is made clear in the report that the two cited reasons projected inside the stadium were “objectively untrue” and “a crass error of judgment”.

What happened next?

If one aim of delaying kick-off had been to calm rising tensions outside, it failed to have the desired effect.

Police were criticised for the use of tear gas and pepper spray on “disorderly locals” and Liverpool fans attempting to gain access with valid tickets. The panel said this was “weaponry which has no place at a festival of football”.

Then, in the aftermath, came the finger-pointing. French ministers and UEFA claimed thousands of ticketless Liverpool fans attempting to access the stadium had been to blame. French sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera said Liverpool supporters had been “let out in the wild”, interior minister Gerald Darmanin said two days afterwards that “industrial-scale fraud” had been noted, with 70 per cent of tickets coming into the Stade de France found to be fake.

No evidence, however, was found to support those assertions at any point of the investigation. Instead, the review rounded on those who attempted to shirk responsibility.

“It has been a feature of our investigations that several key stakeholders have not accepted responsibility for their own failures but have been quick to attribute blame to others. Some have continued to make allegations — in particular against supporters — based upon ‘facts’ for which there is no evidence,” it outlined.

Why did these problems occur?

It was accepted that a number of factors had contributed to the “near miss” of casualties, including the shortened preparation time as hosts, a hybrid model of electronic and paper tickets, a lack of experienced stewards and also the criminality of locals in the vicinity.

Ultimately, though, it was UEFA’s decision to delegate safety and security options to the French Football Federation (FFF) and Paris Prefecture de Police, the local force, that was found to be at the heart of a chaotic event.

“UEFA should have retained a monitoring and oversight role to ensure it all worked,” said the review. “It self-evidently did not… this represented an unacceptable abdication of responsibility by UEFA.”

It was concluded that UEFA had “marginalised” its own Safety and Security (S&S) Unit, headed by Ceferin’s close friend Zeljko Pavlica, thus removing a key mechanism in ensuring the final would go ahead smoothly. “Senior officials at the top of UEFA allowed this to happen,” it said. That resulted in poor communication and the absence of adequate engagement.

The decision to pass on security measures to local authorities and police were found to be deeply flawed. That, the review found, meant that a “model aimed at a non-existent threat from football hooligans” was adopted for the final with damaging consequences.

As far back as late March, long before Liverpool had qualified for the final, local stakeholders had made it clear that thousands of ticketless supporters would travel to Paris in the event of an English club getting that far and that it would be viewed as a threat to public order.

The tone had effectively been set, despite intelligence from the two clubs, Spanish and English police and UEFA that there had been no significant issues of football-related violence in recent years.

A “defective policing model” failed to ensure the safe mobility of fans in the last kilometre leading to the Stade de France; issues that were compounded by the absence of any effective contingency plans.

The panel found that eight factors contributed to the near tragedy. Among them were the poor signposting for Liverpool fans, which ultimately led to the bottleneck at ASP3, defective turnstile arrangements and the criminality of local youths, who were responsible for a large number of muggings and attacks close to the Stade de France.

It was said the police “did not have any effective plan to deal with anti-social behaviour or violence perpetrated by locals” and “stood by” as assaults took place.

Who did the panel think is to blame?

A number of stakeholders, including the FFF and local police, were found to carry “contributory fault” but the panel was clear in placing UEFA “at the wheel” of a disastrous event. The “primary responsibility” belonged to the body that had organised the event.

The delegation of security issues was known to have carried a heavy cost, with UEFA failing to oversee the safety of supporters at its own flagship event. UEFA could not possibly be absolved of responsibility, the report stressed.

“UEFA was central to the organisation of the event and it should have monitored, supervised and assisted with security and safety measures to ensure they were fit for purpose, and to identify and remedy problems before they arose in real-time.”

For all that UEFA’s faults in the event management were laid bare, their reaction before, during and after the final was also studied by the panel.

An initial statement on the night had included a line that problems were in part caused by ticketless locals but, at the request of local police, that was removed before publication. Instead, UEFA focused on the use of fake tickets as the greatest factor in the congestion and crushing. Even on June 8, 11 days after the final, the governing body continued to suggest ticketless fans had contributed to the disorder.

Chief executive of UEFA events Martin Kallen, meanwhile, is said to have given an account of events that was “seriously flawed and contained assertions that were objectively untrue” to an inquiry at the French senate in July. Kallen claimed he had been unaware of similar problems ahead of the 2016 French Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Marseilles or at the 2006 Champions League final between Barcelona and Arsenal.

The panel added that UEFA’s evidence was “striking in its orientation to protect itself, rather than to seek to ensure that nothing similar can happen in the future”.

Police methods on the night, both in central Paris and at the Stade de France, were criticised and there was also disappointment voiced by the panel that CCTV footage had not been available.

Footage from all 260 cameras around the Stade de France was auto-deleted about a week after the events. “The Stade de France management did not take any measures to ensure retention and no one else — including the French authorities, UEFA or FFF — asked them to retain the footage,” the panel said.

The review did not apportion any blame to Real Madrid, who won the final thanks to Vinicius Junior’s goal, but unlike Liverpool, the Spanish club declined to assist in the voluntary process. They were the only stakeholder “which declined to assist… for reasons of its own”.

Why was Hillsborough referenced repeatedly in planning for the event?

Ninety-seven people lost their lives attending the 1989 FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest and a long fight for justice is still to see anyone held accountable for those unlawful killings.

Attempts were made by South Yorkshire Police to vilify Liverpool fans after a section of the terrace at the Leppings Lane end at Hillsborough, Sheffield Wednesday’s ground, became overcrowded, with untrue claims of ticketless, drunken supporters forcing entry later disproved.

“The parallels between Hillsborough 1989 and Paris 2022 are palpable,” said the review. “The similarities include the fact both events were preventable, and both were caused by the failures of those responsible for public safety.

“Both events were foreseeable. In the judgment of the panel, the different outcomes were a matter of chance: in one nearly a hundred died, the other none, but through no merit of those in charge.”

The echoes of history were there with authorities and the establishment attempting to shift blame onto those without a voice. The review highlighted that several senior figures have continued to make baseless allegations, particularly against fans, despite the absence of established facts.

The tragic events at Hillsborough had taken place 33 years before the Champions League yet, inexplicably, were mentioned in planning for Liverpool’s trip to the French capital.

The Inter-ministerial Delegate for Major Sporting Events (DIGES) decided the Hillsborough disaster helped design “strong police build-up to maintain order” to counter the potential threat of hooliganism. England’s game against Russia in Euro 2016, a fixture marred by violence in Marseilles, was also cited.

“Absolute outrage. Outrage,” was Liverpool’s response in the review. “They’ve conflated hooliganism with Hillsborough, and we don’t need to revisit that path. It’s such a calamitous error of judgment, it beggars belief. Absolutely beggars belief.

“We’ve reiterated (on) a number of occasions the profile of our football fan is they will come, they will celebrate their team, they will support their team, they will enjoy your city, and they will go home. It can’t be any simpler than that. So, that as planning assumption, it’s absolutely outrageous. That was never challenged at the start and never was it ever discussed with us.”

A “prejudicial misconception” was considered a “remarkable failure” by the Prefecture de Police.

“The Panel has concluded, without hesitation, that referencing Hillsborough with respect to the policing approach was an appalling error, which should not have been made. In addition, this error was amplified by publishing messages blaming ‘late’ supporters for the delayed kick-off, which was not only untrue but was obviously going to offend and traumatise Liverpool FC supporters.

“UEFA senior managers should have understood the way the message would resonate with well-known issues surrounding the Hillsborough disaster and subsequent cover-up. Many survivors from Hillsborough were at the Paris events.”

What happens now?

The independent review concluded with 21 recommendations, saying that public safety at major sporting events is “too important to pass up the opportunity” of learning lessons.

Among those were the directives that UEFA should be directly and more fully involved in the planning of major events — both inside stadiums and their surrounding areas — and insist upon “customer-service stewards” being deployed.

UEFA were told they “must not just move on” from the Paris findings and that travelling fans should never be viewed as an inherent public-order problem. Changing perceptions of supporters and placing them at the heart of plans was also a point pressed home.

UEFA’s own statement in reaction to the review accepted it would “introduce appropriate changes and arrangements to ensure the highest level of safety for fans at future finals”.

Theodore Theodoridis, UEFA General Secretary, was given the task of offering comment, rather than Ceferin.

He said: “UEFA is committed to learning from the events of 28 May and will cooperate closely with supporters’ groups, the finalist clubs, the host associations and local authorities in order to deliver outstanding finals where everyone can enjoy the game in a safe, secure and welcoming environment.”

The report added its concerns that there was an acute need to address the problems outlined ahead of Paris playing host to the rugby union World Cup later this year and the Olympic Games in 2024. The Stade de France is due to host key events at both.

[221b-sociopath-street]

#ted lasso for dummies

Intro Part 1

01×02 Biscuits

00:00:22 'Nestlé Shredded wheat'* *This stuff is for real - Whole Grain Wheat Cereal Biscuits. These type of breakfast food are not in shape of liked by everyone little squares, loops, balls or stars. These are fucking food BRICKS. So I really share Ted's shock.

00:02:37 'The Spice Girls.'* *It's like my childhood all over again. Phrase 'girl power' it's about them, about Spice girls, well-known and beloved all over the world british girl group. Scary Spice, Sporty Spice, Baby Spice, Ginger Spice, Posh Spice! P.S. Plus one of them is wife of football player, former captain of the England national team - David Beckham 😎. So, the theme of football is also present in this conversation between Ted and Rebecca.

00:02:45 'The Gambler himself, Mr. Kenny Rogers'*

*So, here Coach Lasso introduces us to the specific work (song The Gambler) of an American musician (Kenny Rogers). Erm, I must admit that I googled this guy, he and his work were not popular in my country. But this song definitely have Ted Lasso vibe, maybe because of country notes which take us to Kansas - homeland of our coach 🤠.

00:04:30 'We're gonna call this drill The Exorcist, because it's all about controlling possession.'* *Only Ted could compare football strategy with the demonic possession of a young girl and her mother's attempt to rescue her through an exorcism by two Catholic priests, depicted in classic American horror movie 😬.

00:06:15 'Boy George.'* *And another one musical icon from GB. You will recognize him by his soulful voice and his androgynous appearance, large hats and bright make-up.

00:12:05 'Best concert, we got Beastie Boys.'* * Yet another legend in musical industry from America. Beastie Boys are considered very influential in both the hip hop and rock music scenes, with 7 platinum albums and over the top sales in rap genre.

00:12:09 'Actually, did y'all get the O.J. trial over here?'* *And another one football related topic: the case against O. J. Simpson, a former National Football League (NFL) player, broadcaster and actor, acquitted for the murders of his ex-wife and her friend. However, Ted somehow randomly mentions this case in a conversation with Rebecca and Higgins.

00:14:10 'And if we were the Rolling Stones...'* *I must say it's some musical episode! Jamie's comparison of himself to Mick Jagger and Roy to Keith Richards is just gold, but partly accurate! The Rolling Stones - british rock band with over six decades history. Jagger and Richards are the same age, but yeah former one is a front man and latter is like in background, just like our fellas on football pitch.

00:15:19 'Ernie Lounds, The Sun'* * The Sun is bright example of fake media. Among brits it's known for spreading lies about various topics: government, celebrities etc. And football related fact: 'In Liverpool they hate the Sun because of the Hillsborough disaster. Liverpool is a great City proud of their football team. The Hillsborough disaster involved the horrible death of many football fans. The cause was bad policing and the collapse of a terrace at a football match. The Sun blamed the Liverpool fans and spoke all of the dead'

00:16:56 '... the best barbecue sauce in Kansas City.'* * Oh man, Americans and their love for all things barbecue! BBQ is just like national sport for them, witch will be not fully experienced without good BBQ sauce. Ted's favorite:

00:25:05 'Little Phife Dawg and Q-Tip comin' at you'* *Once Phife Dawg and Q-Tip, were members of the music group - A Tribe Called Quest, which split up because of creative tensions between former and latter, who were both vying for greater control of the group's direction. And I personally think that this life story greatly illustrate the current situation in FC Richmond.

[hopyardrecycling130]

Why the Anfield Edition of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ Resonates Beyond Football

The song “You’ll Never Walk Alone” has become more than just a football anthem; it’s a global symbol of unity, hope, and resilience. While its roots are deeply embedded in Liverpool FC’s culture, its impact stretches far beyond the confines of the football pitch. Here’s why the Anfield Edition of this iconic song resonates with so many people around the world.

 A Message of Solidarity

Originally composed for the 1945 musical *Carousel* by Rodgers and Hammerstein, “You’ll Never Walk Alone” was designed to inspire hope and solidarity in a post-war world. Its lyrics, urging people to face challenges with strength and support, struck a chord with audiences. When the song was embraced by Liverpool FC fans, it carried this message of solidarity into the realm of football. The song’s powerful message of never walking alone became a rallying cry not just for Liverpool supporters, but for anyone facing adversity.

 Emotional Connection

The Anfield Edition of the song has a unique emotional power. At Liverpool’s Anfield Stadium, the pre-match rendition of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” is a deeply moving ritual. It’s a collective experience where thousands of fans come together, their voices blending into a single, powerful sound. This shared moment of unity and support creates a profound emotional connection, not just for the fans but for players as well. The song’s ability to evoke such strong feelings of togetherness and strength makes it resonate far beyond football.

 Symbol of Resilience

The song’s role in moments of tragedy has further cemented its place as a symbol of resilience. After the Hillsborough disaster in 1989, which claimed the lives of 97 Liverpool supporters, “You’ll Never Walk Alone” became a poignant tribute to the victims. It turned into an anthem of remembrance and defiance, representing the strength of the community in the face of unimaginable loss. This transformation of the song into a symbol of enduring strength and solidarity has contributed to its significance beyond the realm of football.

 Global Influence

As Liverpool FC’s international profile grew, so did the reach of “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” The anthem’s message of unity and hope has inspired fans across the globe. Many football clubs have adopted their own versions of the song, each with its own local twist but retaining the core message. Borussia Dortmund in Germany, for instance, has its own rendition that resonates through their stadium, while Celtic FC in Scotland continues to honor its origins. The song’s global influence showcases its universal appeal and its ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds.

 Cultural Impact

The song’s cultural impact extends beyond football. It has been covered by numerous artists and featured in various media, including films and television. This broader exposure has allowed the song to reach new audiences and reinforce its message of perseverance and hope. The visual representations of the song, such as tifos and banners, further amplify its emotional impact, turning football stands into stages for creative expressions of solidarity.

 Commercialization and Debate

While the song’s commercialization has sparked debate among some fans, it has also contributed to its widespread recognition. The use of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” in merchandise and marketing campaigns has brought its message to a larger audience, though some worry that this commercialization may dilute its original meaning. Despite these concerns, the song’s essence remains strong, thanks to its deep emotional connection with fans and its role in important cultural moments.

 A Universal Anthem

Ultimately, the Anfield Edition of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” resonates beyond football because it embodies a universal message of support, resilience, and unity. It speaks to the human experience of facing challenges with strength and solidarity. Whether heard in the stands of a football stadium or in the context of personal struggles, the song’s message remains powerful and relevant, making it a cherished anthem for people from all walks of life.

[legends-of-time]

The Strength of a High and Noble Hill (Outlander)

Chapter 35: Is It Happily After?

Masterlist

Ellen and Roger are finally getting married. Those attending the wedding congregate in the tent at the Mount Helicon Gathering. Roger lingers at the front along with the minister, who's Protestant much to Jamie's chagrin.

Brian is babysitting Jemmy for the ceremony though his nephew has become a little fussy, looking for his mother and trying to reach for his father.

"Uh, no, Jem, please." Brian murmurs, trying to hold down the five-month-old.

"You look busy." A voice speaks.

"Mmh?" He is slightly startled by the man in front of him.

The man in front of him is tall with a thin, wiry build. His hair is black and his eyes are blue with high cheekbones.

He gestures to Brian's nephew. "The little rascal you're holding."

A man with a nice Welsh accent.

Brian clears his throat and chuckles slightly. "Yeah, a bit."

"He yours?"

"Uh, no, no. He's my sister's. She's getting married today." Brian quickly replies.

Is it Brian's imagination or does this guy look relieved?

"You're Jamie Fraser's son." He speaks.

"One of them, yes."

"Mmm." The man frowns. "Wait, the boy's your sisters and she's getting married? Today?"

Brian narrows his eyes. "Yes," his sharp, "what's wrong with that?"

"Nothing, nothing. Sorry." He hurriedly apologises. "Was making a joke that clearly didn't land well."

"No, it didn't." Brian retorts.

"Sorry," he chuckles, "terrible first impression." He clears his throat. "I'm Brynmor Jones." He offers his hand.

Yeah, definitely Welsh.

Briam smiles slightly, shaking his hand. "Brian. This rascal is Jeremiah."

Brynmor receives a gummy smile.

"What settlement are you from?" He questions curiously.

Brynmor's features darken. "Hillsborough."

Brian winces. "Oh, er, I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault." Brynmor reassures him.

"Brian! Hello!" Lizzie interrupts, stopping Brian from saying anything else. She hurries over with a slight blush on her face. She tucks a loose strand up under her cap. "I-I can take care o’ Jeremiah, no problem. Ye shouldn’t be troubled with the wee bairn."

He knows she's trying to be helpful plus the apparent crush she still has in him, but Brian can't help but feel offended at the implication that he can't look after his own nephew.

"No, need Lizzie." Brian says, trying to sound calm but his voice comes out a little sharp. "I'm fine."

She blushes and nods, leaving. Brian lets out a huff.

"She's nice." Brynmor comments.

"She's annoying." Brian grumbles.

He receives a curious look. "You don't like her?"

"No."

"Maybe you need maturity." Brynmor remarks casually.

"A mature woman?" Brian questions.

"Sure..." a shrug, "if that's what you want." With that, Brynmor saunters off with Brian spluttering after him.

——

Brian holds onto Jemmy and stands up with everyone else, cheering and applauding as Mama is the first one to come down the aisle. She smiles at Brian as she goes past to say a quick word to Roger, then goes to her place in the audience next to Brian. She gives her grandson a soft pinch on the cheek.

Da and Ellen are right behind her. Ellen is dressed in a homespun dress, complete with some appropriate thistle embroidery along with their paternal Grandmother's pearls. Brian knows Da has gifted Ellen a silver sixpence from Murtagh, who can't attend the wedding since he's in hiding. Da brings her to meet Roger, then bows and joins Mama and Brian at the front.

The bride and groom step onto the altar before the priest, and the congregation all sit back down.

"Dearly beloved," Pastor Caldwell begins, "we are assembled here teday in the presence o’ God. Let us therefore reverently remember that God has established and sanctified marriage fer the welfare and kindness o’ mankind."

——

Brian stares wide-eyed as David pulls away. Their lips slightly parted and their cheeks red. Music for the end-of-year dance plays in the background.

June 1961

David bites his lip but doesn't look away from him, doesn't pull his hand away. Then, he asks, "So?"

"Huh?" Brian says dumbly, not understanding.

"Great, thanks man." David remarks sarcastically. He grins. "I meant, you're welcome, now you've kissed someone."

"Erm, er, yeah, thanks man. Great." Brian says, quietly, clearing his throat and laughing it off when David winks at him.

"Yeah, sure." David says. "What are friends for." He snorts a laugh. "Well, to practice-kiss, apparently."

Brian forces a chuckle.

A girl, Kimberly, interrupts causing them to spring away from each other.

"Hey! There you guys are! They're about to play Pony Time!" She grins, bouncing on the balls of her feet before running off.

David flashes him a grin and leaves.

Brian sits there quietly, eyes wide, and raises a trembling hand to his lips. Okay, yeah, he definitely likes boys as well as girls.

——

A/N: A bit of trivia, David appeared in chapter 8 when Brian is in the National Gallery in London on a school trip.

Please leave comments on how you're enjoying this story and what you think.

[conflictandscotchblog]

Lost in the Flood

In the future, when bad weather is forecast, and you are bombarded with news flashes to ‘stay off the road’ or ‘emergency vehicles only’, but you think, ‘it’s not too bad, I can go out’ do me a favor: don’t.

A few weeks ago we had a downpour over night, but by early afternoon, nothing but blue skies. With that, met a friend for a walk in the park, then she and I went to get coffee and something to eat at a local diner.

That’s when I learned that blue skies doesn’t always mean smooth sailing.

Just as our coffees and muffins arrived at our table, a customer came in to pick up an order, then added, “Please hurry up, Route 206 is closed and it’s a parking lot.”

My friend turned to me, a worried look in her eyes, because that was her way home.

A few back and forth between us, other customers, and the manager we figured a route home for her. Left the diner, took some odd turns that seemed to be counter intuitive for her to get home, but get home she did.

Said our goodbyes, then it was my turn to find my way home.

Turns out, it wasn’t going to be easy.

I took some back roads to bypass another highway that was bumper-to-bumper, and popped back out just two lights from home.

Clever me.

My heart dropped when I saw the road straight back to my house was closed. Not deterred, I knew another way, a long way, but a way to get home.

Headed away from the closed road, with the intention of getting to the town of Flemington, then a left up Church Street to Amwell Road, and straight back to Hillsborough (were I lived). But, about halfway there, I had another idea.

There was a road that also cut up toward Amwell, and was about half the distance than the one in Flemington, so I made a left straight into hell.

Wasn’t familiar with the area, but drove it a few times in the past. What I wasn’t expecting, in the dark, and with dozens of side roads closed, I would be stuck in a loop. I drove passed the firehouse and a local bar six or seven times. Just when I thought I found an exit, I’d see the reflection of my headlights in the water that covered the street.

Pass the firehouse, pass the bar, lather, rinse, repeat.

At one point in the loop, my friend from the park and diner called to see how I was. She was at one of her friend’s house, on speaker, and I could hear the other woman in the background. I explained my situation, like a mice in a maze trying to find the cheese. That’s when I heard the other woman say to my friend, ‘maybe if you can get him back here to my house, that would help’.

I only met this other woman two or three times, and I thought if was a very generous offer for a man she barely knew.

But at this point, if I could get off this hamster wheel, I was going home.

Miraculously, I eventually found the main highway, and headed back to Flemington, and my original plan. The only draw back was not knowing if Amwell Road was open. If it wasn’t, I was back to square one.

My friend was giving me real time updates, as to which roads were closed, and which roads where now open. Suddenly, she’s Charlton Heston and I’m Karen Black, trying to navigate a Jumbo jet through a flood (‘Airport 1975’ reference for those who have not seen the movie – you’re welcome).

It was her next idea that turned out to be my saving grace.

“Do you have any of your neighbor’s phone numbers?” she asked, “You can call them and see if the road is open.”

Great idea, with only one drawback: I knew some of my neighbors well enough to say hello, or help them shovel out their cars after a snow storm, but didn’t know anyone’s phone number.

Then I had my own flash of genius.

“Call ‘The Bottle King’ (local liquor store)” I said will real excitement in my voice, “look up the number, give them a call, and ask if Amwell Road is open.”

She did, and called back a few minutes later. Spoke to someone at the store and they believed the road was now open.

Turns out, I did have a friend’s number in the neighborhood.

It’s a long ride when around each curve in the road you expect to see a police barrier telling you to turn around and go another way.

But, this time, after three hours of what should have been a twenty minute ride, I pulled my car into my parking spot.

I was home.

[candacehughes]

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[fuzzysparrow]

Which UK show is the world's longest-running news and current affairs TV programme?

'Panorama' is a television programme that has been running for longer than any other news and current affairs programme in the world. It began broadcasting in 1953 on the BBC and has been on British television ever since. The programme has covered a huge range of topics over the years, from politics and international affairs to social issues and human interest stories.

'Panorama' is known for its rigorous approach to research and its commitment to uncovering the truth, no matter how uncomfortable that truth may be. This has led to some of the biggest and most controversial stories in British broadcasting history, including the exposure of the Thalidomide scandal and the investigation into the Hillsborough disaster.

Over the years, 'Panorama' has also been at the forefront of technological innovation in television. It was one of the first programmes to use colour television in the 1960s and has continued to embrace new technologies ever since. Today, the programme is available to watch online and on mobile devices, as well as on traditional television sets.

Despite its long history, 'Panorama' remains as relevant as ever, continuing to cover the most pressing issues of the day and providing a platform for important voices and stories that might otherwise go unheard.

[atlanticcanada]

Proposals to address overcrowding at Anglophone schools in Moncton upsets parents

With so many people packing their bags and moving to the Greater Moncton area, schools within the Anglophone East School District are bursting at the seams.

“We’ve seen an addition of over 1,500 new students in the last 18 months, we’re adding 60 students a month,” said superintendent Randolph MacLEAN.

“When we opened (on) September 30th, our enrollment was 18,007. Our enrollment now is 18,430, so we continue and continue to grow within the same infrastructure.”

Five schools are currently up for discussion as the district looks for ways to address overcrowding and enrolment growth.

The schools that have been highlighted as most pressing are Riverview East, Moncton High School, Shediac Cape, Lou MacNarin in Dieppe and Northrop Frye in the city’s north end.

There are a number of proposals on the table, including building new schools and repurposing others.

However, there are two proposals that have parents worked up the most.

The first is seeing changes to boundaries, meaning sending some students to nearby schools.

The second controversial proposal is reconfiguring schools to handle different grade levels, including seeing Riverview East become a kindergarten to Grade 5 school when it currently goes to Grade 8.

“For my youngest daughter, for sure, her whole middle school experience will be different,” said Caitlin Dawe, who has three daughters who attend Riverview East School.

“I also want to say, her two best friends live outside of the proposed new catchment so she would be transferred to a new school and then her best friends would now be going to a completely other school. That’s a lot for some little kids. They’re only in Grade 6.”

While Dawe recognizes the school is overcrowded, she doesn’t think the changes on the table are the right solution.

“We can’t be tearing apart a really, really tight knit community just for numbers and for convenience. The government needs to understand that we need funds to build more school facilities in the Greater Moncton Area.”

Dawe spoke out at one of the two public consultation meetings that were held for concerned parents. She says she left feeling like her voice was heard, but she is still worried about what changes will come next.

Parents who weren’t able to attend in person were encouraged to write letters voicing their comments and concerns.

Felicia Burton has a son in kindergarten at Riverview East and she’s not willing to send him to another school.

“I’ll be moving,” she said, if the changes do more forward.

“I want to keep them where they are. They’re established there. I have another son in daycare, which is across the street from the school.”

She also has concerns around travel, having to miss work due to a longer commute, increased gas prices and the amount of strain it will put on her as a parent if her son gets sent to Hillsborough.

“The biggest concern that jumped out at me is childcare. I’m not sure how they think childcare is going to appear in the small village of Hillsborough if they’re transferring 100 or 200 kids from the new proposed boundary out 25 minutes from town,” she said.

Burton, along with many other parents who have spoken to CTV News, say they bought their houses to be within a specific school boundary.

“I did my due diligence in researching before I bought my house and moved to Riverview, we both did that, so we knew what was available,” said Shiekera Smith alongside her husband, Glen Roy.

“[We checked] where the school was, how many minutes for the walk, if we were going to work how feasible would it be for her to be dropped off if the bus is late or not coming. We changed our jobs and we centred everything around this.”

Proposing her own solution, Smith launched a petition, which received nearly 200 signatures in less than 24 hours.

“My petition right now is that we keep [Riverview East] at K-8. Excess overflow… redirect to schools around. Cap it at the maximum capacity, do not accept kids beyond the capacity that you can maintain,” she explained.

“You’re going to disturb an entire community, for what? For figures, for statistics? Our kids are humans. They’re our future. What we put into them is what you’re going to get back.”

Officials say, in the last five years, the district saw more than 2,400 new students, including more than 1,500 from last year alone.

There is also already 65 portables in the system right now with requests for more.

“Portables are a short-term solution to a long-term issue because every time we add a portable we don’t add common space,” said MacLEAN.

“We add more students, but we don’t add common space, or libraries, or gymnasiums. We don’t add hallways, bathrooms and often times they sit on parking lots or playgrounds.”

Decisions are expected to be made on April 27 at a District Education Council meeting.

“We continue to get phone calls and emails and ideas and thoughts and we’re going to take all those in until the last moment before we walk into a meeting and make proposals or recommendations,” said MacLEAN.

He adds that implementation is expected for September or the following September.

“I think we can come to a common understanding,” he said.

“You’re right, no matter what decision we arrive at it may or may not be popular with some sections or our community, and that’s OK. These are really important and passionate conversations, but we’ll arrive at a decision with a common understanding to the why.”

The full presentation from the Anglophone East School District on its proposal to address the problem can be found online.

from CTV News - Atlantic https://ift.tt/jquDAgH

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[naturecoaster]

Join Us for DEP Southwest District's Open House

RSVP by April 5, 2024, to Meet with Staff and Learn About Agency Topics. Join Us for DEP Southwest District's Open House Join us for the DEP Southwest District's Open House on Thursday, April 11, 2024. Attendance is free and open to the public. Meet one-on-one with agency staff and technical experts to hear how DEP interacts with the community. Learn about topics important to Southwest Florida including the State 404 Permitting program, rule changes, Oculus and MapDirect. Our training schedule is now available online. WHAT:      Southwest District Office Annual Open House WHERE:   Southwest District Office                 13051 N. Telecom Parkway, Suite 101                 Temple Terrace, FL 33637 WHEN:     Thursday, April 11, 2024                 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. EDT                RSVP by April 5, 2024 to attend. DEP's Southwest District extends across Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Polk, Manatee, and Hardee counties and district staff serve as local experts on permitting, compliance, water quality and more. Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, handicap or marital status. Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or persons who require translation services (free of charge) are asked to contact Stacie Taylor at 850-245-2118 or LEP@FloridaDEP.gov at least ten (10) days before the meeting. If you have a hearing or speech impairment, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 800-955-8771 (TDD) or 800-955-8770 (voice). Read the full article

[rapeculturerealities]

Florida Judge Who Blocked Teen's Abortion Loses Reelection

Bush was first elected to the Florida state House in 1992. He was elected again in 2008, then in 2018. His penchant for supporting Republican-sponsored bills drew the ire of his fellow Democrats, some of whom publicly voiced their support for Gantt in the election; Democratic state Sen. Jason Pizzo recently accused him of "voting against Democratic values and kissing the Governor’s ass - all day, everyday."

Florida voters also ousted Jared Smith, an incumbent circuit judge for Hillsborough County who gained notoriety for rejecting a teenager's request for an abortion because her grades were low.

The race between Smith and his opponent, Nancy Jacobs, was relatively contentious for a typically low-key nonpartisan judgeship election, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

Smith had denied a 17-year-old seeking an abortion without parental consent in January this year on the basis that her grades were low and that she lacked "intelligence or credibility," and was therefore not mature enough to get an abortion. An appeals court later overturned his ruling.

[dontmeantobepoliticalbut]

With the fight over abortion rights looming large over the midterm elections, voters in Florida ousted two prominent anti-abortion elected officials in separate races on Tuesday.

Florida Rep. James Bush lost his reelection bid, a notable defeat for the sole Democrat in the state legislature who voted on a 15-week abortion ban and the anti-LGBTQ "Don't Say Gay" bill.

His opponent, 37-year-old lawyer Ashley Gantt, ran on a platform focused on affordable housing, public education, and criminal justice reform. Gantt, an attorney and former public school teacher, has criticized Bush for siding with Republicans on the abortion ban and the "Don't Say Gay" bill, which bars "classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity."

"As a Black woman, I was offended when he voted to restrict my rights, our right to make decisions over our bodies," she said last week. "As a former teacher, I was insulted that he voted to inject Tallahassee extremism into our classrooms and deny local control over our school systems."

Gantt and Bush were the only two candidates vying for District 109. As the winner of the Democratic primary, Gantt is now the representative-elect.

Bush was first elected to the Florida state House in 1992. He was elected again in 2008, then in 2018. His penchant for supporting Republican-sponsored bills drew the ire of his fellow Democrats, some of whom publicly voiced their support for Gantt in the election; Democratic state Sen. Jason Pizzo recently accused him of "voting against Democratic values and kissing the Governor’s ass - all day, everyday."

Florida voters also ousted Jared Smith, an incumbent circuit judge for Hillsborough County who gained notoriety for rejecting a teenager's request for an abortion because her grades were low.

The race between Smith and his opponent, Nancy Jacobs, was relatively contentious for a typically low-key nonpartisan judgeship election, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

Smith had denied a 17-year-old seeking an abortion without parental consent in January this year on the basis that her grades were low and that she lacked "intelligence or credibility," and was therefore not mature enough to get an abortion. An appeals court later overturned his ruling.

Jacobs did not directly criticize Smith over his decision (Florida bars judicial candidates from making public statements on legal issues), but she has shared posts on Facebook regarding the ruling.

In a statement to BuzzFeed News, Jacobs said she looked forward to taking the bench in January and "ensuring that the people of Hillsborough County who enter my courtroom are treated with respect, dignity, and integrity every day."

She said that Smith's decision in the abortion case was possibly "one factor among many in voters’ decisions on whom to cast their ballots for in this race" given that it made national headlines.

Smith had made his Christian faith central to his reelection campaign. His wife, Suzette Smith, once told supporters that Jacobs, who is Jewish, "needs Jesus."

"We pray for her. She needs Jesus," Suzette Smith said. "To deny God and to deny the Bible is a person that’s — the heart is very hard toward God.”

Jacobs called the comments "troubling" and accused the couple of "using their religion to insult and disparage the faith of an opposing candidate."

Florida is set up for a riveting general election in November, with abortion rights expected to be a central issue in races all the way up to the gubernatorial election.

Charlie Crist, a former Republican governor, won the Democratic primary on Tuesday, setting up a challenge against Gov. Ron DeSantis. Crist fended off accusations of being "pro-life" from his primary opponent, Nikki Fried, arguing that he struck down anti-abortion bills during his time in office.

[offender42085]

Post 0097

Cameron Coyle Herrin; Florida Inmate U60981, born 1999, incarceration intake in June 2021 at age 21, scheduled release July 2044

Homicide, Negligent Manslaughter with a Vehicle, 

Recklessly speed racing, at age 18 in May 2018, on a popular public street in Tampa Florida resulted in vehicular homicide and the killing of a visiting tourist mother aged 24, and her only daughter aged 21 months; leaving her husband widowed and alone.

Days away from his graduation from a private school, his parents awarded him with a brand-new Mustang.  It was this car that caused the accident.  At the time of sentencing it was disclosed that data downloaded from the so-called ‘black box’ of his new car indicated several occasions of driving in excess of 150 mph on area freeways in the days before the event.  He was speed racing with fellow classmate, John Barrineau; Florida inmate G60981.  (Interesting quirk, their individual DOC identification numbers are the same excepting for the first prefixing letter.)

The matter proceeded for 2 and ½ years.  In the days before Barrineau was preparing for trial scheduled in the first week of January 2021, Barrineau and his attorney appeared to have struck a deal with the state for a reduced sentence in exchange for cooperation.  Terms of the plea agreement required him to provide testimony in the criminal proceedings against Herrin.  Barrineau, as the other racer, did not strike and kill the victims.  Barrineau was sentenced to 6 years imprisonment, to be followed by 15 years of probation.  

At a proceeding a few months after Barrineau surrendered to custody, Herrin was sentenced to 24 years, 9 years for the adult and 15 years for the young child.  It is clear from Herrin’s physical reaction at the sentencing hearing that he was expecting a much shorter sentence than what he received. Notice in the 6th photo above for his reaction to a tougher sentence. 

Herrin’s sentence was appealed with the primary argument that the other defendant in the event got a much lighter and disproportionate sentence.   In his arguments before the appellate court, Herrin’s lawyer closed his remarks by saying this is the case that keeps him up nights. The appellate court affirmed the sentence in a 3-0 vote of the judges, without any written legal opinion.  In Florida it is common for the appellate court not to write opinions that affirm the actions of the trial court.  

Press accounts indicate that Herrin’s family sold their home and downsized to a smaller home worth $300k less, presumptively to pay for legal fees and settle civil claims. Herrin appears to have lived a rather comfortable if not charmed life, with access to private education and affluent surroundings.  It is even remarkable that his date of birth, 09-09-99 seems ominous. 

The Final Opportunity 

In November 2022, In what was described as the "final opportunity" to reduce Cameron Herrin's sentence, a Hillsborough County judge declined to approve a motion for reconsideration.  Hillsborough Circuit Judge Christopher Nash formally rejected the request, according to court records. The motion was filed August 2022, in which Herrin's attorney, John Fitzgibbons, used suspended State Attorney Andrew Warren's voicemail as an argument to reduce the sentence.

Soon after Herrin was sentenced to 24 years in prison in 2021, Warren left a voicemail for Fitzgibbons, criticizing the sentence.  

In this voice mail, he said:  "Hey, John. It's Andrew Warren. It's about 4:30 on Friday. I just wanted to reach out and follow up after yesterday. Um, I, yes, call me at your convenience. Nothing urgent. Just wanted to share my thoughts on what happened yesterday. I tell ya, I was, uh surprised and even disappointed by the sentence. I thought it was excessively harsh. Um, but just wanted to follow up with you when you get a chance. This is my cell phone [redacted]. Uh, call me at your convenience."

In the motion, Fitzgibbons also noted this is Herrin's "final opportunity" for a modified sentence. In Judge Nash's response, he acknowledged that Warren "criticized the very sentence his office had requested just one day earlier." Ultimately, the judge chose to deny the bid for a lesser sentence.

After the judge rejected the motion, a spokesperson for Warren provided the following statement: "As I’ve said, it’s no secret that I was surprised by the judge’s sentence because he went above the statutory guidelines. But our job was to hold the defendants accountable and deliver justice for Jessica and Lillia, and that’s exactly what we did."

State guidelines suggested Herrin could get 18 years of prison time, though his lawyer argued for less.

In August 2022, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis removed Warren from office under accusations of being soft on crime and having violated his oath of office. In a press conference following his suspension, Warren was asked about Herrin's appeal and the assertion that he supported a lower sentence.

Beyond calling Warren's statements irrelevant to the appeal, the state also pointed out in its response that Warren, at no time, raised official objections to Herrin's sentence.

"Mr. Warren never spoke on the record nor made an appearance in Court on behalf of the State of Florida during Defendant Herrin’s case. Neither the State of Florida nor Mr. Warren objected to the sentence the Court imposed. Despite invitations to do so, neither the State of Florida nor Mr. Warren joined in any post-sentencing motions or petitions Defendant Herrin sought regarding his sentence," the state attorney's office wrote.

In the last paragraph of his order, the Judge who sentenced Herrin and reviewed the petition to reconsider the imposed sentence wrote:  Mr. Herrin is not entitled to an appeal of this Order.    

Seems the matter is done.

1z

Last reviewed August 2024